Abstract: The path control method of tool withdrawal and resumption in CNC operation is capable of moving the tool along a prescribed path to a reference point to wait for the removal of interrupting factor. Upon the termination of interruption signal, the tool is then moved along the prescribed path from the reference point to the interruption point where the tool resumes its operating activities. If the termination of interruption signal takes place when the process of tool withdrawal is in progress, the tool in question is then instructed by CNC to reverse it course of movement ot return to the interruption point so as to resume its operating chores. The control of tool paths during the process of withdrawal and resumption is further enhanced by an addition of several sets of defined path status in relation to the interruption existence.

Abstract: A NAK register, for storing negative acknowledgment data in the case where a transmission has not been received normally, is newly installed as an RSP register other than a ACK register. By controlling the delivery of reception response (RSP) from these registers according to a multi-destination communication signal and an error detection signal at an RSP control circuit, it becomes possible to announce occurrence of a reception error and an overrun error at the reception side terminal to transmission side terminals and the other reception side terminals. Thereby, there exists reception response from reception side terminals, in a communication frame at multi-destination communication, and a multiplex communication apparatus can be obtained, which can detect whether or not all of a plurality of reception side terminal have received a transmission normally.

Abstract: An improved irrigation controller of solid state design utilizes a microcomputer which retains and executes a watering schedule. A plurality of analog data input devices are provided with one input device being assigned to input one value of at least one watering schedule parameter having a number of possible values. Each analog data input device comprises a potentiometer, connected between high and low reference voltages, which has a variable output voltage determined by the setting or position of the input device on the controller housing, with different output voltages representing different values of the parameter. The output voltage is determined by charging a capacitor using a constant current source and by timing how long it takes the capacitor to reach the output voltage. The same capacitor is used for all of the analog data input devices to remove any variability in how different capacitors charge.

Abstract: A circuit for minimizing the number of cycles needed to add a first number of quantities together to produce a first result in parallel with the addition of a similar number of quantities to produce a second result, subtracting one result from the other to determine which result is the least, and selecting and storing the least result. For the various additions and the subtraction above named, n bit addends are divided into m upper bits and n-m lower bits. m bit addends (upper bits) are added together separately from and simultaneously with the addition of the n-m bits (lower bits). The first m bit result is subtracted from the second m bit result and the upper bit of that subtraction is adjusted according to the number of carry bits produced by the various lower bit additions and subtraction. In that manner, an accurate comparison of the two m bit results is obtained. A logic array and a mux array provide fast adjustment so that the entire add, compare, and select process is accomplished in one cycle.

Abstract: A programmable controller (PC) for controlling equipments in accordance with a sequence program. A program memory is provided with an equipment code storage region for storing global equipment codes for indicating the equipments each of which is allotted an individual I/O address. When an equipment code is input, an equipment code interpreter determines the local I/O address which corresponds to the equipment code. The equipment code is composed of a PC number code, an equipment type code, an equipment number code and the like. The equipment code is displayed together with the sequence program.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for adapting the control parameters of a self-tuning controller. The apparatus detects a closed-loop response to a naturally occurring, unmeasured disturbance and determines two characteristics, the attenuation and the period of the response. The attenuation and the period provide sufficient information to partially identify the characteristic equation of the closed-loop system. The apparatus constructs from the partially identified characteristic equation a process model that represents the general behavior of the process. The apparatus generates new control parameters more appropriate for the identified process model, and appropriately updates the controller.

Abstract: A method of scheduling jobs to be performed by a multi-task workstation in a manufacturing facility, where the multi-task workstation delivers its output to more than one downstream workstation. A scheduler for the multitask workstation categorizes that workstation's job queue according to the type of job and its destination workstation. The scheduler also determines a priority factor for each category, based on the percent of jobs represented by that category, the flow position of jobs in that category, and feedback from that category's downstream workstation. The feedback factor is provided by a work monitor at each downstream workstation that captures data reflecting the current workload, maintains this data to calculate workload averages, and uses the average to compare current workload to workload histories.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a correction lens for exposing a phosphor screen of a cathode ray tube, an effective surface of the correction lens is divided into a plurality of regions and an orbit of light beam corresponding to an orbit of electron beam is analyzed for each of regions to determine segment surface equation in the same expression form for the respective regions. A final surface equation is derived from the segment surface equations in consideration of an allowable error and the correction lens is formed on the basis of the final surface equation.

Abstract: On-line control of a process is achieved by feedforward computations of manipulated variable setpoints modified during each of frequent optimization cycles by feedback trim determined by actual versus predicted effects of setpoint changes on the process controlled variables. Process, economic, contractual and equipment parameter values are continuously polled and collected and used to compute the optimal setpoints for the manipulated variables before the feedback trim is applied. Drift factors are added to the feedback trim to provide on-line calibration of key measuring instruments. Drifts in process performance are updated on-line periodically through self-tuning routines computed as calibration factors for predictor and control equations based on rigorous process simulations and actual plant performance. The equations take the form of polynomials in which each term contains an adjustable coefficient and only a single variable process parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for process control that extracts information from a process for developing a model of the process that is used to design system control. The apparatus includes means for selecting a process model form that has two or more selectable parameters. The apparatus also includes means for deliberately disturbing a process that is in open-loop operation and that is in a substantially settled state and further includes means for measuring the process response. The apparatus selects parameters for the process model form according to a function of the measured process response. In this way a complete model of the process is identified. The apparatus self-tunes by directly calculating new control parameters according to a function of the identified open-loop process model and a preselected target behavior.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying on a display screen the controlling circuit in a plant controlling system for controlling a plant by a controller using a microcomputer. The display screen is segmented into a software region and a hardware region. The software circuit which is realized by software is displayed in the software region, and the hardware circuit related to the software circuit is displayed in the hardware region. The information, which is plotted during the interactive process and is displayed in the software regions, is automatically translated into a program for controlling the controller. Operation data of the plant is also given on the display screen. Desired circuit elements of the software circuit may be selected to change parameters of the circuit elements. Maintenance work can be carried out while observing the indication on the display screen without any aid of documents such as the maintenance manual or the like.

Abstract: An adaptive control man-augmentation system controls the movement of a suspended work station. A support structure, usually mounted on a chassis, has an extendible boom and a work station at the end of the boom. A directing member pivots in accordance with operator movements and the pivotal movement is resolved along three axes, normal to each other and at any point in time having a fixed but readily alterable relationship the boom. Resolving of the movement provides signals for moving the boom so as to move the work station to any desired location and orienting the work station, in response to operator movements. The position of the work station and other selected functional system are monitored. The signals are continuously processed and outputs adapted with respect to situation variables to produce immediate and accurate operational responses of the workstation to match operator requirements.

Abstract: Continuous forms (e.g. computer paper with individual sheets separated by perforations) of one job are automatically folded and separated from the forms of the next job. Detectable marks are printed within a window onto the first form of one job, or the last of another, in a first mode, or the forms are counted in a second mode. The marks within the window are sensed by an LED sensor, which feeds information to a computer (microprocessor) control. The computer control effects operation of a cutting blade to sever the last form of one job from the first form of the next. The forms are automatically folded in a festooning action by a Bunch folder. Hall effect sensors are mounted for cooperation with notched discs on the same shaft as beaters of the Bunch folder, and function as end of travel limit switches for the folder swing chute, to provide relevant data to the microprocessor for proper operation of the cutting blade.

Abstract: An improved irrigation controller of solid state design utilizes a microcomputer which retains and executes a watering schedule input by a user through data input means. A rain delay push button may be pressed a number of times to suspend operation of the watering schedule for a number of days equal to the number of times the button is pressed. A blinking LED will indicate the remaining days in the rain delay period to the user. In addition, the controller includes an LCD display which normally displays the current day and time, but which will temporarily display a new irrigation parameter being input into the schedule by manipulation of one of the data input means. The controller also includes a self test feature in which the watering schedule execution is suspended and the operability of various controller components is verified.

Abstract: A working system comprises a machining center numerically controlled, a pallet stocker disposed in the vicinity of the machining center and storing a number of pallets therein, a preparatory station for setting-up work on a pallet, a conveying unit for automatically conveying the pallet from the pallet stocker to the preparatory station or the machining center, and a control apparatus for controlling an operation of the working system.

Abstract: A control system regulating the transverse profile of properties of a web in a paper or board machine is disclosed. The control system comprises a plurality of actuators and a corresponding plurality of actuator controllers. The actuators are arranged to be effective across the width of the web whose profile is to be regulated. Further included is a process controller and a feedback network connected to the process controller and provided with an arrangement for measuring the web profile to be regulated. The actuators are provided with intelligent actuator controllers. A data bus common to the actuator controllers is provided, along which occur data communications in a control hierarchy between a higher control device and said actuator controllers.

Abstract: A sewing data forming device which forms sewing data to form a fine seam merely by inputting the coordinate data of a plurality of points on a free curve which includes the start and end points. The sewing data forming device for a sewing machine comprises data input unit for inputting coordinate data of a plurality of points along a sewing pattern, the data input unit designating an input condition among point input, linear input and curve input, data storage unit for storing data inputted by the data input unit successively, and data processing unit for applying inclination data to each of the coordinate data so as to form the sewing data between the points adjacent to each other according to a stitch length specified for an interval therebetween.

Abstract: An automated system for storing and retrieving objects from multiple object categories. A plurality of storage rack assemblies is included. Each storage rack assembly has a plurality of slots sized for storing objects. A storage transport is movable alongside each respective storage rack assembly for positioning adjacent any slot. A plurality of horizontal tracks are arranged to be perpendicular to the storage rack assemblies. Each storage rack assembly has an end adjacent the tracks. A runner transport is coupled to and movable on each track for receiving one of the objects from, or providing one of the objects to a storage transport. Two conveyor rack assemblies are located at opposite ends of the tracks, aligned perpendicularly to the track. Conveyor transports are adjacent the conveyor rack assemblies for transferring objects between the conveyor rack assembly and the runner transports.

Abstract: A method for efficient calculation of the movement of a vertex in a three-dimensional topography simulator. The method is particularly well suited for calculating vertex movement for cases in which an etch/deposition rate depends on the angle between the surface normal and the vertical direction. A workpiece is represented as a collection of material solids. Each of the material solids has a boundary model representation, which include vertices, edges and faces. The method of the present invention generally includes the steps of: identifying a first plane, a second plane and a third plane that approximate all the planes that are adjacent to a vertex point to be moved; determining a first observation vector; creating a set of advanced virtual planes; identifying a second observation vector; determining the furthest intersection point of one of the planes in the set of advanced planes and the second observation vector; and moving the vertex to the point identified in the prior step.

Abstract: Novel controllers have been discovered which permit control of the outputs of a system with minimal knowledge of the system's internal dynamics, and with no knowledge of the values of disturbances on the system, or of the effects of the disturbances on the system. Very rapid convergence of the actual outputs to selected desired outputs is possible. The systems controlled may have multiple inputs and multiple outputs; may be linear or nonlinear; may be expressed in input-output form, state space form, or mixed form; and may be implemented with analog circuit elements, digital circuit elements; or a hybrid of both analog and digital circuit elements. Both general and special cases of such controllers are disclosed.