Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises a plurality of sensing circuits (12), each for detecting whether a respective physical operating parameter is above or below a respective reference value. The integrated circuit contains a serial shift register (11) for shifting digital data signals that represent the respective reference values from a successive approximation update circuit (14) to the sensing circuits (12) and back to the successive approximation update circuit (14). Detection results of the sensing circuits (12) are shifted to the successive approximation update circuit (14) with the digital data signals. The successive approximation update circuit (14) is used to form the digital data so that the reference values form successive approximations of the physical operating parameter values during an analog to digital conversion process. In this way the successive approximation update circuit (14) is shared by a plurality of sensing circuits (12).

Abstract: A method of establishing a lot grading system for lots in a semiconductor manufacturing process includes defining a new lot grade for at least one lot in the semiconductor manufacturing process. The at least one lot is has a current lot grade and the new lot grade is dependent upon the current lot grade. The new lot grade is saved in a grading referenced database and the at least one lot in the semiconductor manufacturing process is updated with the new lot grade.

Abstract: A method for detecting tool errors to stop a process recipe for a single chamber is disclosed. When a recipe error for one of chamber of a process tool is detected, only the chamber with the recipe error is terminated and other chambers are allowed to proceed with their recipe processes for preventing excursions.

Abstract: A device for communicating with low level controllers and sensors located on the production floor of an enterprise directly from the top level of the enterprise. The device comprises a controller which interfaces with programmable logic controllers (PLCs) via the backplane into which the PLCs are plugged. Users are able to define triggers that specify the circumstances under which data points within the PLCs are transported to the enterprise level where they may be stored in a database or sent directly to enterprise application via one of a number of possible transfer protocols. The invention also includes a software client which allows users to set up transfer triggers and view data points on the PLCs in real time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool for processing a plate-like workpiece, including a processing tool. The processing tool is movable relative to the workpiece and the workpiece is movable relative to the processing tool along a common movement axis. A control unit selectively actuates the processing tool and the workpiece in such a manner that in a first processing mode both the processing tool and the workpiece are moved along the common movement axis and, in a second processing mode the processing tool alone is moved along the common movement axis. The invention further relates to a method for processing a workpiece of the kind mentioned above, to a method for creating a processing program, and to a computer program product having code for performing all steps of the method for creating the processing program.

Abstract: A building heating/cooling system energy optimization method for a building having a heating/cooling system includes the steps of providing a mathematical model of the heating/cooling system, obtaining real-time weather information, reading the input water temperature (IWT), the output water temperature (OWT) and the supply air temperature (SA) output to the building, periodically transferring the IWT, the OWT and the SA to an optimization system which is operative to analyze the real-time data in coordination with the mathematical model by assigning at least three selected values in a range surrounding and including the current values of each of the IWT, the OWT and the SA and calculating the efficiency profile of the components of the heating/cooling system for each of the selected values, then cooperatively optimizing and selecting those values calculated to provide the highest efficiency profile, then periodically resetting the system values to those selected by the optimization system.

Abstract: A goal or desired output can be stated in terms of a high-level overview in a natural language or other format. The high-level overview can be automatically partitioned into steps to be performed in order to achieve the stated goal, such as by interpreting terms within the overview, analyzing definitions, historical data or other information. Each step can be dynamically assigned to various resources distributed throughout an environment. Such resources can include agents or other machinery that are selected based on a multitude of criteria including location, availability, performance level as well as other factors. If needed, the resources can be dynamically balanced in order to achieve the desired output while mitigating wasted resources.

Abstract: A computer system reads data corresponding to an IC layout target layer and performs an etch simulation on the target layer. Etch biases are calculated and the inverse of the etch biases are used to produce a new target layer. The new target layer is provided as an input to an optical process correction (OPC) loop that corrects the data for image/resist distortions until a simulation indicates that a pattern of objects created on a wafer matches the new target layer. In another embodiment of the invention, original IC layout data is provided to both the OPC loop and an etch simulation. Etch biases calculated by the etch simulation are used in the OPC loop in order to produce mask/reticle data that will be compensated for both optical and resist distortions as well as for etch distortions.

Abstract: In order to design and implement industrial processes in an efficient manner, an apparatus (1) is provided which can simulate a process to be implemented. The processing of the simulation is controlled by a modelling module (17) and is arranged to cause the constraints on scheduling batches in the simulation to correspond to the constraints in actual processing where mixing of batches initiated at different times is avoided. This is achieved by the modelling module (17), whenever a batch is initiated in the simulation, scheduling the following batch to be initiated, the greatest of either the maximum time items of equipment require to process the batch initiated if no delays occur within the system or the greatest time for processing batches of items equipment currently in use.

Abstract: An optical scope with a position-based on/off switch preserves power by automatically deactivating one or more electrical components when the scope is not in use. The scope includes an orientation sensor that determines when the scope is in an inactive position by sensing when the scope is rolled left or right to a predetermined angle of inclination from an upright position. A power switch receives an indicia of orientation from the orientation sensor and deactivates the one or more electrical components when the scope is in the inactive position, thus preserving power and extending the life of a battery.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for modeling a point bar associated with a multi-story channel belt, the method including: (a) in response to a plurality of rock classifications, generating a first two dimensional grid representing a grid of a top of the point bar and generating a second two dimensional grid representing a grid of a bottom of the point bar within the multi-story channel belt; and (b) in response to the first and second two dimensional grids representing the grid of the top and the bottom of the point bar, generating a three dimensional grid representing a volume of the point bar including the grid of the top of the point bar, the grid of the bottom of the point bar, and a grid of a side of the point bar.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a progressing cavity pump to maintain the motor operating under power disturbance conditions. For a blackout condition, a backspin controller uses regenerative power to provide controlled deceleration of the pump, counteracting backspin and preventing backspinning freely. For a brownout condition, a power dip controller weakens the motor field to maximize pump production consistent with reduced input power availability. For a phase loss or voltage imbalance condition, a phase loss controller reduces motor power output to keep drive system output power at or below single phase capacity.

Abstract: Graphical programming or modeling environments, such as a block diagram environment, are disclosed in which graphical programs or models are configured using handshaking communication between entities of the graphical programs or models. The graphical programming or modeling environments provide mechanisms for the handshaking configuration of graphical programs/models before the graphical programs/models are executed in the graphical programming/modeling environments.

Abstract: In an emulated computing environment, a method is provided for licensing software of one or more guest computer systems. A license key server is provided in the host computer system for monitoring the initiation of unlicensed software, including operating system software, in the guest computer system. A determination is made by the license key server as to whether additional a license is available for each unlicensed software application. If a license is available, a license is granted and the count of available licenses is decremented. If a license is not available, a license is not granted and the unlicensed software application in the guest computer system is disabled.

Abstract: A drive device for a load (18a) comprises a device for detecting accidental collisions with a motor (14a), a first, respectively a second position sensor (15a, 16a) disposed upstream, respectively downstream of a transmission assembly (12a) providing first and second values of position. A calculation unit (20) makes it possible to calculate an error signal (d) corresponding to the difference of these position values. Ways to discriminate are devised so as to analyze the successive error signals as a function of the path (xR) traversed by the load in a spatial reference frame (xR, d). Filters with rectangular spatial window or with exponential spatial window are particularly adapted for discriminating between errors due to an accidental collision and those due to other causes attributable to normal operation. One thus obtains particularly reliable and sensitive collision detection with a very low detection threshold.

Abstract: A method and system for optimization of a simplified engineering model is provided. A software tool efficiently simplifies an engineering model such as a water distribution system and preserves the hydraulic accuracy of the simplified model. The system includes a software program that employs a genetic algorithm to evolve solutions for reinstating the behavior of the original network into a simplified network. The genetic algorithm can be used for identifying the less sensitive hydraulic elements (links and nodes), and removing them or replacing them with the best-fit element parameters produced by the genetic algorithm module of the present invention. A element-by-element skeletonization approach generates the layout of a skeleton network and then identifies potential equivalent elements for replacing series pipes and loops.

Abstract: A method of controlling a distillation column having control valves to control both reflux and the vapor rate within the column. In accordance with the present invention, a temperature sensed in a top section of the column is magnified and utilized within the model predictive controller so that control is more aggressive as temperatures increase beyond a threshold temperature. Additionally, in the distillation column, or in fact in any other system in which two or more manipulated variables control two or more common controlled variables, special modeling techniques are utilized to make controller tuning easier to accomplish. In such modeling techniques, each manipulated variable is assumed to be able to have an effect on a controlled variable by a single step response model and other step response models are utilized so that the other manipulated variable(s) that also would have an effect on the same controlled variable are taken into account by the controller as feed forward variables.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a computer implemented method of determining placement of components in a rack, a rack height, a set of components to be placed in the rack, and a height are provided for each of the components. A placement of the components in the rack is determined according to constraints. The placement of the components is then evaluated according to an objective. The constraints may comprise a rack height constraint, a single placement constraint, and a non-overlapping constraint. The rack height constraint ensures that placement of a particular component does not result in a top height of the particular component exceeding the rack height. The single placement constraint ensures that each component is placed once and only once. The non-overlapping constraint ensures that each slot in the rack is occupied by no more than a single component. The method may further comprise providing a weight and a weight distribution for each component in the set of components.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for high speed electrical simulation of circuits. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a delay path can be divided into sub-paths called simulation paths. Each simulation path is simulated separately to determine its contribution to the overall delay in the path. According to another embodiment of the present invention, linear and non-linear loads are modeled using linear circuit models to further increase the speed of the simulator. According to another embodiment, driver circuits are simulated using non-linear circuit models. Before a simulation is performed, sample input and output values for the non-linear models are computed and stored in memory. When a circuit design is simulated, the input and output values are accessed from the memory. Intermediate values are determined by interpolating from the values stored memory.

Abstract: In a method for detecting the modes of a dynamic system with a large number of modes that each have a set ? (t) of characteristic system parameters, a time series of at least one system variable x(t) is subjected to modeling, for example switch segmentation, so that in each time segment of a predetermined minimum length a predetermined prediction model, for example a neural network, for a system mode is detected for each system variable x(t), whereby modeling of the time series is followed by drift segmentation in which, in each time segment in which there is transition of the system from a first system mode to a second system mode, a series of mixed prediction models is detected produced by linear, paired superimposition of the prediction models of the two system modes.