Abstract: An electric stringed instrument having an integral accompaniment system is proposed. The vibrations of the strings on the electric stringed instrument are detected as analog signals by a pickup device. A portion of the detected signal is extracted, has its voltage adjusted, is converted into a digital signal, and is read into a CPU as a digital signal within a range of 0-5 volts. An amplification factor of the digital signal is determined according to sound volume data included in accompaniment data stored within the accompaniment system, and the proportion of sound volume between the player's performance and an automatically generated accompaniment is adjusted by multiplying the sound volume of the player's performance, or of the accompaniment, by the amplification factor. The sound volume adjustment is effected only once and only when an automatic balancing switch provided on the instrument is depressed.

Abstract: The controlled switching array comprises four commutator components and four associated signal distributors. Each signal distributor has an input side to which an input signal is applied which, in turn, is fed to a respective input on the input sides of the commutator components. The commutator components are symmetrically arranged on both sides of a printed circuit board. There thus results a favorable decoupling of signal lines from each other as well as from the output side.

Abstract: A motor control system for a high accuracy incremental motion system such as a paper feed system in a high speed printer. The system utilizes a stepping motor which is driven in one of two modes, depending upon its position. During most of the movement from one position to another, the motor is driven as a DC brushless motor. This is accomplished by commutating the phases of the motor so that they are energized around the peaks of their torque curves. The motor is driven in a closed loop fashion, with velocity commands being generated by a velocity profile generator incorporating a microprocessor. Both position and velocity feedback are utilized. Since the motor is driven as a DC brushless motor, traditional control theory methods (e.g., Root locus, Bode, etc.) can be employed.As the motor nears the final desired position, the system switches so that the motor is energized as a step motor.

Abstract: Aircraft attitude along the pitch axis is controlled by inputting a velocity command to a pitch control subsystem that includes a velocity side channel and a gain side channel of a pitch servo amplifier. An output from each channel of the pitch servo amplifier is applied to a pitch servo motor for positioning a primary control surface. The velocity of the pitch servo motor is detected by a velocity detector that generates a velocity feedback signal and control signals for each channel of the pitch servo amplifier. Also responsive to the velocity signal of the detector is a pre-flight test circuit for pre-flight checkout of the pitch control subsystem. In each line from the output of the channels of the pitch servo amplifier is a current detector that is part of a pitch trim control subsystem that responds to the current through the pitch servo motor to generate a trim velocity command signal. This velocity command signal is input to a velocity side channel and a gain side channel of a trim servo amplifier.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic activation and control of windshield wipers in response to moisture accumulation at the exterior surface of the windshield, including a pair of thin wires sandwiched within the windshield and positioned below the surface of the windshield to be cleared by the windshield wipers. The wires provide variable capacitance to a detection circuit, based on the amount of water occurring at the windshield surface. Activating circuitry is coupled to the detecting circuitry and wiper motor for initiating wiper action when capacitance measurement exceeds a predetermined reference standard.

Abstract: When the back of the movable front seat of a motor vehicle is folded down, and at the same time a door is opened for entering into the rear seat portion of the passenger compartment, the front seat is caused by a positioning system to move to a forward position. When the door in question is closed or when the front seat back is restored to normal position, whichever occurs first, the seat is caused to return to its original position. This convenience for entrance into or exit from the rear seat is combined into a positioning system for the front seat, which can also serve for other automatic adjustments.

Abstract: This invention relates to a motor control system for a brushless DC motor having an inverter responsively coupled to the motor control system and in power transmitting relationship to the motor. The motor control system includes a motor rotor speed detecting unit that provides a pulsed waveform signal proportional to rotor speed. This pulsed waveform signal is delivered to the inverter to thereby cause an inverter fundamental current waveform output to the motor to be switched at a rate proportional to said rotor speed. In addition, the fundamental current waveform is also pulse width modulated at a rate proportional to the rotor speed.A fundamental current waveform phase advance circuit is controllingly coupled to the inverter.

Abstract: A microprocessor-controlled antenna positioning system for automatically steering a rotatable antenna in the direction of a source of radiated signals is disclosed. The present invention, which is particularly adapted for use in a television receiver or a subscription television receiver (STV) decoder, automatically seeks the best signal when a new channel or frequency is selected, remembers that preferred antenna position, and will return to it whenever that channel or frequency is subsequently selected. A large number of desired antenna headings may be stored in memory for subsequent use and the computer-selected antenna heading may be modified to avoid TV ghosts or to select a second station on the same channel. The system determines optimum antenna direction by sweeping the antenna through a full 360.degree. circle, keeping track of the width of receivable signal lobes.

Abstract: A process for acquiring data representative of at least one contour of an object by means of a feeler constrained to move in a plane, consisting of storing a succession of coordinates representative of a succession of contact points between the feeler and the object, these coordinates defining successive poles, and further associating to said successive poles a succession of arcs of circle whose radii are close to the radii of curvature of portions of the contour.

Abstract: A pulse motor driving apparatus for the optical unit in a copying machine includes an excitation phase designating circuit for designating phase windings alternately from one phase to two phases and from two phases to one phase at the time of original scanning or forward rotation, and also designating the phase windings in pairs with every two phases at the time of return of the optical unit or reverse rotation. A drive circuit supplies drive pulses successively to the phase windings designated by the excitation phase designating circuit to rotate a pulse motor faster at the time of reverse rotation than at the time of forward rotation.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a system for utilizing existing motors with output shafts for drivingly rotating such as motors comprising a portion of a lawn mower, for example. The system includes a connector having one portion which is removably connectable to the output shaft of the motor and a power unit adapted for delivering power, such as electrical power, compressed air, or pressurized hydraulic fluid, for example, the connector being connectable to the power unit and the motor providing power input to the power unit through the connector for driving the power unit.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the recovery of energy, in the form of electricity, from a engine on a test bench. The apparatus includes, in particular, a brake coupled to the engine being tested, and an asynchronous motor/generator or dynamo connected to the distribution network to be supplied, a rotational velocity sensing apparatus provided at the output shaft of the engine, and a torque sensing apparatus. The apparatus also includes a coupler to achieve a selectively variable coupling between the brake and the asynchronous motor/generator or dynamo, while an electronic control and operating mechanism or controller, such as a computer, is provided to receive the signals from the velocity sensing apparatus and the torque sensing apparatus so as to assure the desired control of the velocity and/or of the torque, and to control the placement in operation or out of operation of the brake and/or the coupler.The invention likewise relates to a process for the recovery of energy utilizing such an apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an electric discharge machine wherein a motor for moving an energized electrode relative to a workpiece is driven in accordance with command data.

Abstract: A self-propelled robot platform consists of a frame with a plurality of casters to support the frame on and space the frame from a supporting surface, as well as permitting any selected direction of movement over the support surface. At least two linear motors are arranged on the frame transversely to one another and generally parallel to the support surface and so that their flux links the support surface. The support surface is preferably a conductor such that by a combination of signals to the respective motor means, the motor fluxes linking the supporting surface will drive the platform. The platform is provided with tool support means and that tool support means includes articulation structure with associated drive means which permits tool positioning.

Abstract: Electric traction motors for rapid transit cars provide a first saturable reactor for sensing the current imbalance between the input and output leads of traction motor circuit, a second saturable reactor for sensing the current imbalance between the branches of the motor circuit, a current sensor in the excitation winding of each reactor to sense the current increase during a fault, a latching relay and a stepping relay both responsive to the output of each current sensor. A mode relay responsive to the dynamic braking control of the transit car connects either the sensor for the first reactor or the sensor for the second reactor to the latching and stepping relays depending upon the operating mode of the car. The latching relay functions to both disconnect the traction motors from their voltage supply and disable the car dynamic braking system upon a fault in either mode of operation. A motorman's reset button is provided to reset the latching relay after a fault to energize the motors and braking system.

Abstract: A power window of a vehicle is disclosed wherein a window motor adapted for opening and closing a window of the vehicle is connected to a power source through a window switch for opening and closing the window and a main switch adapted to to be opened and closed in accordance with the opened and closed states of an ignition switch for an engine of the vehicle. The power window of the vehicle is controlled by a window sensor for detecting whether the window is opened or closed and for generating an output signal when the window is open. A detection circuit generates an output signal when the window sensor generates the output signal and the main switch is opened and an auto-close circuit, actuated by the output signal from the detection circuit, operates the window motor in a direction to close the window.

Abstract: A driving circuit for a brushless motor having a permanent-magnetic rotor is disclosed which is capable of positively carrying out starting of the motor and rapidly interrupting exciting current to protect the motor, when the rotor fails to rotate during the normal operation. The driving circuit includes transistor control circuits each including a capacitor, a PUT, and a capacitor charging circuit comprising a Zener diode and a resistor; and a resistor series circuit for flowing conductive signal current to a transistor switch which serves to supply current to exciting windings. The PUT is conductive to allow the transistor switch to be kept non-conductive when the capacitor is charged to a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: An output circuit to drive a current into a load. Collector voltage of a current controlling transistor is automatically adjusted to maintain h.sub.FE of the transistor constant, whereby saturation of the transistor and excessive power consumption are avoided. A brushless motor using the output circuit. Current detectors detect emitter current and base current of output transistors and h.sub.FE of the transistors are kept constant, whereby excessive torque loss and harmful vibration are avoided. A limiter limits excessive torque control to prevent power transistor saturation. A switching mode power supply adjusts the collector voltage of the transistor in a feedback loop to keep h.sub.FE constant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic elevator in which the load and/or the oil temperature are detected under the running condition of a cage of the hydraulic elevator and a proper value of the deceleration delay time corresponding to this running condition is obtained to thereby control the flow of pressure-oil on the basis of the proper value of the deceleration delay time. Various values of the deceleration delay time are stored in advance in the form of table with respect to various values of load and oil temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive circuit for a stepping motor. The drive circuit provides a low voltage to the coils of the stepping motor in the steady state, and a high voltage to the coils when changing state. As a result, the state changes rapidly and the stepping motor is driven efficiently. The high voltage is derived from the energy which was stored in the winding of the stepping motor before the switching occurred by transferring that energy to a capacitor which achieves a charge potential that is greater than the potential of the power supply voltage.