Abstract: The information station uses a computer for receiving, storing and transmitting digital electronic signals which represent digitized information corresponding to printed text or graphics. A facsimile transceiver is used to digitize the printed information and also used to reprint a hard copy from digital electronic signals received from the computer. The computer has a serial interface including a synchronous communication interface and modem for communicating with the facsimile transceiver. A switching circuit, responsive to the computer, switches between three switching states to selectively connect to modem to an external telephone line or to connect the facsimile transceiver to an external telephone line or to connect the modem and facsimile transceiver in order to implement a local information station mode. Digital electronic signals stored in the computer may be off-loaded to a video tape recorder by means of a video interface circuit.

Abstract: A rotary and linear actuating device is disclosed for imparting precision rotary and linear movement to an external member or assembly. In a preferred form of the invention a rotatable assembly is rotated about an axis within a housing by selectively varying the relative pressures of an actuating fluid in at least a pair of fluid pressure chambers defined by the housing, the rotatable assembly and at least a pair of vane members extending therebetween. An elongated shaft member is rotationally fixed relative to the rotatable assembly and is supported by at least a pair of linear bearing assemblies to allow linear movement of the elongated shaft member along said axis. The linear bearing assemblies remain a fixed axial distance from one another in order to adequately support heavy loads on the elongated shaft member and the external member or assembly attached thereto.

Abstract: An electronic controller and portable programmer system for a pneumatically-powered point-to-point robot is disclosed. The microprocessor-based controller includes a read-only memory for storing the main control program, a non-volatile memory (EAROM) for storing a sequence of robot functions forming a user program, an output interface for transmitting control signals to the robot solenoid values, and an input interface for receiving feedback pressure signals to indicate that the various robot functions have been completed. The portable programmer provides a teach control unit, which is used to enter, edit, and test the user program. The teach control unit includes a matrix keyboard, a display, circuit means for decoding the keyboard and driving the display, and an interface for providing serial communication with the controller.

Abstract: Mounted upon a servo-motor-driven longitudinally-reciprocable X-axis carriage is a servo-motor-driven laterally-reciprocable Y-axis carriage carrying an air cylinder with a vertically-reciprocable and rotatable piston rod. Mounted atop the piston rod is a fixed horizontal arm carrying a rotary actuator and a reciprocating motor respectively rotating and reciprocating a movable horizontal arm mounted on the fixed arm. Also mounted on said fixed arm and rotatable by a stepping motor is a horizontal narrow-angle video camera with high resolving power. An inclined reflector mounted on the outer end of said movable arm reflects into the horizontal camera light rays from articles underneath on a work carrier. A stationary vertical overhead wide angle video camera of lower resolving power is fixedly mounted above said work carrier and focussed thereupon.