Abstract: An error correcting method, when a parity code is used to decode added data, that drastically reduces the probability of erroneous correction due to erasure correcting. When coded data, to which has been added a parity code, is decoded, errors up to half of a predetermined number of words of the parity code are word-corrected, and errors up to the predetermined number of words of the parity code are erasure-corrected.

Abstract: It is the object of the invention to provide a printing method permitting a high printing quality and reducing the influences of the forces and fields acting on the printing material. The object is achieved in that, by means of two image-detecting arrangements disposed in the transport path of the printing material, image signals are obtained before and behind a device treating the surface of the printing material and are supplied to a control unit, and in that the changes of the outer dimensions are quantitatively determined on the basis of said image signals. The invention may be applied on printing machines.

Abstract: An image processor comprising a plurality of processor elements each having a product sum calculating function. Input switching means are incorporated for selection of image data so that the desired data in an arbitrary processing step of any one processor element can be transferred to an arbitrary processing step of the other processor element. Each processor element includes a data writing line memory, a multiplier for multiplying the output data of the line memory, a register file for storing the multiplied output therein, and an accumulator for calculating the output of the register file. Pipeline processing of the data can be executed in such constitution, and due to the provision of the input switching means in the preceding stage of each processing circuit, the image data can be transferred between the processor elements to consequently realize enhanced general ability for the image processing.

Abstract: A coke oven communication and control system uses high frequency spread spectrum transceivers which are land based (connected to a central controller) and machine based (on a charging car, door machine, pusher, or quench car). Each land based transceiver communicates with a single corresponding machine based transceiver, there being different frequencies for each of the machines. Except for the quenching car transceivers, the other land and machine transceivers all are selectively connected to a pair of antennas which are alternately used to overcome interference. An advantageous communication technique is used to send data between a central controller, known as a battery programmable logic controller (PLC), and the machines. Control strategies are used to minimize malfunctioning of the coke oven battery.

Abstract: A data processing device which is improved in operational performance and is capable of storing a plurality of disk-shaped recording media. The above device includes a detection function of detecting empty compartment(s) of a stocker from a plurality of compartments 50a-50d differentiated by the identification numbers loaded with a plurality of MDs. The device is further provided with the following three functions. A setting function selects one of empty compartments and sets it as a designated compartment in which a disk to be stored. In response to the depression of one of No. keys so as to set one of the empty compartments as a newly designated compartment, a resetting function resets the designated empty compartment from the compartment set by the setting function to the newly designated compartment. Upon detection of the insertion of an MD through an insertion slot, a transmission function transmits a drive signal to allow the MD to be stored in the newly designated compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the control parameters of a self-tuning controller used to regulate a process having a measured process variable signal. Using the measured process variable signal, an error signal representing a closed-loop response of the process to an upset condition is generated. Local extrema of the error signal is measured and three successive amplitude values are selected to produce measured decay and overshoot characteristics of the error signal. The three successive amplitude values are selected such that the measured decay characteristic is greater than the overshoot characteristic. Based on the measured decay and overshoot characteristics at least one of the control parameters of the controller is automatically adjusted to improve the difference between one of the measured characteristics and a target characteristic.

Abstract: In a digital data decoder such as a Viterbi algorithm decoder, digital data transmitted over a communications channel are estimated by a receiver using a variable decision depth technique to thereby improve bit error rate (BER) and channel estimation and to reduce decision delay. In the context of conventional trellis structures used for sequence estimation, the decoder assigns group flags to each state for each time interval being considered and stores those group flags along with corresponding accumulated path metrics associated with the states. More specifically, from a just decoded state, flags from different groups, e.g. each group representing a color, number, etc., are assigned to successor states connected by a survivor path to the just decoded state. Each offspring state of a parent state is assigned the parent's group flag. The decoder detects where in the trellis all of the survivor states have the same group flag.

Abstract: Method and system for monitoring the operation of a machine having a traversing tool or die member, based on a plurality of features extracted from a process signature. The method includes defining the plurality of features, each feature representing a parameter associated with the process of forming the parts, and operating the machine so as to produce a predetermined number of production parts while collecting a production operating signature. The method also includes extracting the feature values from the production operating signature to obtain production feature values, and comparing the production feature values to predetermined operating limits which represent limits within which acceptable parts are formed.

Abstract: Controlled laser texturing of a magnetic recording disk is accomplished by use of a textured test band on the disk and an analyzing laser system to provide feedback to the texturing laser. The analyzing laser system determines, from diffracted laser light, the average height of the laser-induced bumps formed in the test band by the texturing laser. The analyzing laser beam is directed to the substrate surface and overlaps a group of individual bumps formed in a repetitive pattern. A scanning linear photodector array receives light diffracted from the surface. The digitized output of the array is the angular distribution of diffracted light intensities and is used to compute the average height of the bumps in the test band. The disk is then translated radially so that the texturing laser is aligned with the region of the disk where the textured landing zone is to be placed.

Abstract: Manufacturing history of a product is accumulated without burdening a host computer which manages a production line. Whenever a work or part to be assembled is fed to the production line, a management terminal sets an operation data area corresponding to the work in an operation file. An operation terminal is provided for each step in the production line. These operation terminals each identify a work arriving at a corresponding step station and detect the contents of operation to be carried out on the work. The detected operation contents are written in an operation data area corresponding to the identified work in an operation data area in the operation file.

Abstract: A device for configuring functional units a serial master-slave arrangement, including a master unit having a digital computer and an input/output unit, a plurality of slave units each having a digital computer and two input/output units, the master unit being connected to a first slave unit, and the slave units being connected to one another in series via the in-put/output units and data-transfer lines.

Abstract: A home automation system having a user controlled definition function is operated in response to input of an inherent call code.

Abstract: A method of on-site refueling, i.e., delivering petroleum and similar products from a tank truck into customer vehicles or other tanks at a customer's site, that ensures the accurate delivery of products in accordance with the instructions on a series of delivery lists. The method of delivery includes the use of a probe having digital memory and capable of comparing input signals from passive electronic tags with stored data and the use of a truck on-board computer able to read the truck's accumulating gallonage meters, and able to set relay contacts to directly control the refueling of vehicles identified as critical vehicles. Each use of the probe in reading a tag is recorded in the probe stored in its memory, and later downloaded into the on-board computer used to calculate the gallons and identify the product delivered into each customer tank.

Abstract: A vehicle is guided along a hall by obtaining distances between it and the nearest objects along a plurality of directions, fitting straight lines through the distances to define the walls of the hall, determining its distance from the center of the hall and its angular orientation with respect thereto and directing it to a given point on the center or other line with an angular rotation so that it faces along the center line.

Abstract: An efficient numerical procedure for the simulation of Newtonian fluids with non-negligible inertial effect which satisfies the Navier-Stokes equations and the energy equation. The method simulates the molding-filling process of incompressible viscous liquid, e.g. semi-solid metal, in a thin and irregular cavity. The moving free surfaces in an irregular domain is tracked using a fixed-mesh method. The material discontinuities across the interface between air and the liquid are removed by replacing the air with a pseudo-gas which has small density and dynamic viscosity but its kinematic viscosity is the same as that of the liquid. During the filling process, the (semi-solid) liquid may solidify on the mold surface. As a result, the effective cavity thickness reduces non-uniformly according to the result thermal analysis. The Navier-Stokes equations are integrated across the remaining gap by assuming that the velocity profile (not magnitude) is similar to that in a fully-developed flow.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting watermarks or other marks made along a web of paper at regular intervals. The watermarks are detected by a video camera activated by a frame grabbing pulse in a control loop. The video for each frame grab pulse signal is digitized and processed to detect the watermark and to measure its position within the frame. The error between the measured position and a frame reference is used to adjust the value of a parameter (NEWCOUNT) representing the distance or pitch between successive watermarks. This value is in turn used to determine the moment of the next or a succeeding frame grab pulse. All timing is done in terms of measured length of web run by measuring pulses from an encoder. The control loop acts to track variations in the watermark pitch.

Abstract: In an error-correcting apparatus for correcting errors included in reproduced data which are stored in a RAM, a syndrome generation circuit, a polynomial calculation circuit for calculating an error position polynomial and an error value polynomial, and a position calculation circuit for calculating an error position are operated in parallel. A divider section of the error-correcting apparatus has a divider for performing the division of highest-degree coefficients of two polynomials, a multiplier for multiplying the coefficient of the polynomial set in the divisor side of the divider by the output of the divider, and an adder for adding the output of the multiplier and the coefficient of the polynomial set in the dividend side of the divider. The divider section executes the division over a Galois field while sequentially shifting the contents of registers which store the coefficient data of the dividend polynomial.

Abstract: A system and method for generating estimates and orders for the manufacture of custom items such as business forms is provided which stores estimate data at a central location, e.g., a corporate office, for access by sales representatives at remote sales sites. A sales representative creates an item specification for a form to be manufactured and electronically transmits it to the corporate office for estimate data. Data relating to the cost and list price to produce the form based on the item specification is transmitted to the sales representative. The sales representative determines a sell price from the pricing data, and generates a production order using the item specification and the estimate data, among other data. The production order is transmitted to a manufacturing plant for job execution.

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. One of the parameters of system operation is the times of day in which irrigation will start when the current day is selected to be active. The controller of this invention uses a slide potentiometer having multiple sliders which may be moved in a single slideway for setting multiple start times determined by the slider positions. In addition, a hot post terminal is provided in the controller connected to ground. This terminal can be used to determine station assignment by touching the station wires to the terminal as power is applied along a common line to the actuating devices, i.e. solenoids, of the various stations.

Abstract: Tile mosaics are created for architectural decorative surfaces or other purposes using mosaic design system linked with a manufacturing sequence to enable efficient design of mosaics and complex filings, implemented in a production line with elements for continuous cutting (46), drying (56), firing (58), glazing (52), glaze-firing, diamond film coating (64), application of resilient backing, labeling, and packaging (68) of matted sections of tiles (T) of ceramic or other materials, of any shape, size, or orientation, in which the tiles in a section are held together by embedded wires (39) or by bonding edge-to-edge.