Abstract: A control system includes an Internet web interface to a network of at least one programmable logic control system running an application program for controlling output devices in response to status of input devices. The Web interface runs Web pages from an Ethernet board coupled directly to the PLC back plane and includes an HTTP protocol interpreter, a PLC back plane driver, a TCP/IP stack, and an Ethernet board kernel. The Web interface provides access to the PLC back plane by a user at a remote location through the Internet. The interface translates the industry standard Ethernet, TCP/IP and HTTP protocols used on the Internet into data recognizable to the PLC. Using this interface, the user can retrieve all pertinent data regarding the operation of the programmable logic controller system.

Abstract: A spatial RAM system uses the position of a data sensor to generate a clock pulse that is used to trigger data acquisition. As a consequence, the errors associated with time-based clock sampling are avoided. This enables more accurate sampling of data at locations desired in space and more easily allows for non-uniform sampling.

Abstract: An audio mixing console having a panning circuit in which panning is controlled by an automated motorized panning joystick. According to the invention, the panning moves can be more easily made with the joystick; stored and played back by using automation and more easily changed and viewed by using a motor to position the joystick. A joystick system panel includes switches and displays to vary the operational mode of the panning system. A touch sensitive joystick provides for instantaneous control of the control functions of the console.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for constructing a control system and a control system created thereby which is based on multiple finite state machines, each in turn based on a finite state machine with constant code (FSMcc). An input preprocessor module normalizes input signals as required by the finite state machine logical processing unit. An output postprocessor module changes the normalized finite state machine outputs to real signals required by the controlled process or apparatus. The input preprocessor allows for a different finite state machine required for an application to be executed by the same constant code contained in the FSMcc microcode storage. An application logic table for the FSMcc is constructed using a specific organization of data representing application logic conditions. The ability to control a process or apparatus with multiple finite state machines allows the designer to use the FSMcc technology more widely and in more complex situations.

Abstract: With an operation handle arranged in the neighborhood of e.g. a microscope for operation as an appliance to be supported attached to the tip of plural arms rotatably coupled with one another, the operation force applied to the operation handle is detected as a signal in directions of plural axes by a force/torque sensor, the detected force/torque information in each of the directions of the plural axes is impedance-control and track-control to compute an operation command for each joint in the plural arms, and on the basis of the operation command for each joint, the plural arms are moved in the direction of the operation force.

Abstract: A module of a host computer of a semiconductor fabrication management system receives from an operator a plurality of IDs assigned by the operator to each of the wafers, respectively, received in the slots of a wafer cassette. The module searches a database of the host computer to correlate each received wafer ID with a process step ID, and the process step ID with a process program ID (PPID). Process condition data is formulated from the correlated process step IDs and PPIDs. At this point, the semiconductor fabrication management system is used to determine whether the operator has inputted a track-in signal to the system. If the track-in signal has been inputted, the processing condition data is downloaded to a server of the semiconductor processing equipment. The downloaded process condition data is used to change, if necessary, an equipment control message stored in the server.

Abstract: A semiconductor device provided with a first cooling fan and heat-radiating fins is mounted on a board, and there is provided a second cooling fan for supplying cooling air to the board, such that a flow passage is formed for directing the cooling air, supplied from the second cooling fan, toward the board through the first cooling fan.

Abstract: A device in accordance with the present invention includes drive circuitry (110) coupled to a plant (120). The drive circuitry (110) generates a first set of command signals to transition the state of the plant (120) from an initial state to an intermediate state at a first discrete time. The drive circuitry (110) generates a second set of command signals to transition the state of the plant (120) from the intermediate state to the final state at a second discrete time. A state estimator (130) is coupled to the plant to detect the state of the plant (120). A method for changing the state of a plant (120) is also provided. The method includes the steps of transitioning the plant (120) from a first state to a selected state at one of a plurality of discrete times, each of the discrete times being separated by at least one discrete time interval, and transitioning the plant (120) from the selected state to a final state at another of the plurality of discrete times.

Abstract: A programming language for programming industrial controllers in relay ladder logic language, the programming language including both extensions to standard RLL rung form itself and extensions wholly independent of the standard form. The language uses a plurality of templates, each template including truly reusable relay ladder language sections. Most templates also include specifications identifying other templates which provide additional language logic required to define job-specific aspects of the referencing template. Using the templates a machine tree can be provided which mirrors an industrial process. By compiling all of the templates, a relay ladder language program can be provided.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of a laboratory with a fume hood having a sash. The system includes an intelligent occupancy monitor mechanism. The system includes an intelligent sash closure mechanism. The producing mechanism and the controlling mechanism form a fully distributed intelligent non-hierarchical architecture. The system includes a network to which the producing mechanism and the controlling mechanism are connected to communicate with each other. A method for controlling air flow in a fume hood.

Abstract: Provided is a method of managing a problem with retrieving information from a computer system. The method includes automatically generating a request for the information, testing whether the problem is indicated by a result of the request, and, based on the testing, automatically determining whether human intervention is required.

Abstract: A machine control gage system which is able to immediately recognize the cause of abnormal machining of a workpiece. The machine control gage system determines a change in the outer diameter of the workpiece during grinding, and outputs a control signal to a grinding machine controller when the measurement of the workpiece reaches a predetermined size. The machine control gage system is provided with a memory for containing measurement data obtained during grinding. By entering a predetermined command from a keyboard after machining, the measurement data relating to a specific workpiece can be retrieved from the memory, and the machining process can be repeatedly reproduced on a meter and/or a display means such as a bar-graph display. By fast-forwarding and slow-forwarding, the machining process can be monitored in further detail.

Abstract: A wire-and-pulley drive link mechanism such as a robot hand, comprising a base, a linkage connected to said base by a first joint and having a first link and a second link connected by a second joint like fingers. The base carries motors for individual links. A wire-and-pulley drive system is provided such that said linkage moves relative to said base and said first link moves relative to said second link moves when driven by said motors. The wire is made of amorphous material and a coil is wound on each of the wires to detect stress or tensile force by sensing a change of magnetic permeability generated when the wire is subject to external force. A control system having a joint servo is provided and determines a manipulated variable to be supplied to the motor based on at least the detected stress and a servo gain.

Abstract: A workstation (1) in an assembly line for placing components onto workpieces is associated with a conveyor (3) for conveying the workpieces into and out of workstation (1). A component placer (6) places components from a component feeder (5) onto the workpieces. Controller (4) controls conveyor (3) and component placer (6) and determines placement operations for a workpiece. Information may be provided by a preceding workstation to controller (4) to determine the operations. When an idle status signal from a subsequent workstation is received, controller (4) determines information on how much of the operations have been executed or unexecuted by workstation (1). This information, associated with the workpiece, is then provided to the subsequent workstation when the workpiece is conveyed to the subsequent workstation. Thereafter, workstation (1) provides an idle status signal to the preceding workstation to request for another workpiece.

Abstract: A control device provides software applications with a set of calibrated axis values that are indicative of a minimum, a center, and a maximum value on an axis. These values are continuously tracked and corrected while the control device is in use. As the user manipulates the control device, input axis values are monitored for calibration drift. When such calibration drift is detected, the minimum and the maximum axis values are automatically adjusted, while the center axis value is adjusted only when such center axis value remains substantially constant for a given time. If the operating system of the computer has default axis values for an uncalibrated axis, the adjusted axis values are scaled accordingly so as not to interfere with such default axis values.

Abstract: A computerized system is provided for scheduling a plurality of work orders in a manufacturing process. Each work order to be scheduled specifies a set of operations to be performed using a plurality of resources and materials. Data including resource availability information for each resource used in the manufacturing process, material availability information for each material used in the manufacturing process, and work order information is received and stored in a computer. The work order information includes a release date for the work order, a want date for the work order, operations information, and material requirements information. The operations information includes the identity and sequence of operations to be performed for the work order, the identity of the resources needed to perform each operation, a minimum resource capacity needed to perform each operation, and the time needed to perform the operation.

Abstract: A computer-controllable bending machine is connected to a computer via its conventional control unit. The computer is equipped with an input keyboard adapted to the properties of a bending machine and a screen display for displaying a graphical surface which is capable of displaying the bending operation true to scale both in a programming mode and in an operating mode.

Abstract: An air conditioner or heat pump system is equipped with a thermostat control which includes a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor and an algorithm to control the low voltage signals to the indoor blower section and the compressor to control operation of each in response to the indoor temperature and humidity conditions and the desired temperature and humidity setpoints.

Abstract: A control system allows a user to access a programmable logic controller (PLC). system over a communication network such as an Internet network using a web browser. The system includes an Internet web interface between the network and the programmable logic controller. The Web interface serves Web pages from an Ethernet interface on a PLC and includes an HTTP protocol interpreter and a TCP/IP stack. The Web interface provides access to the PLC by a user at a remote location through the Internet. The interface translates the industry standard Ethernet, TCP/IP and HTTP protocols used on the Internet into data recognizable to the PLC. Using this interface, the user can retrieve all pertinent data regarding the operation of the programmable logic controller system.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process control system user interface. The user interface is useful for coupling a bioreactor to a process control system for controlling the environmental conditions of a cell culture within the bioreactor. The user interface includes one or more process control option selections, which, upon selection by the user, configure the process control system to a preset control algorithm profile in the process control system. The user interface presents the process control option selection to the user through a menu. The user interface further includes a selection for establishing one or more process control setpoints and a response control algorithm profile selectable by the user for controlling the system's approach to the setpoint.