Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a component carrier in the form of a tape is provided. The component carrier has a number of cavities formed on one surface thereof for containing components. A pair of spaced first and second guide plates that function to guide one surface of the component carrier. A movable guide plate is disposed between the first and second guide plates so that it can move back and forth between a first position adjacent to the first guide plate for defining a component pickup station and a second position adjacent to the second guide plate. The movable guide plate has an extension which extends along at least one longitudinal edge of the component carrier and opposes the one surface of the component carrier for preventing movement thereof when the movable guide plate takes the first position.

Abstract: An apparatus 101 for supplying a component carrier in the form of a tape is provided. The component carrier 102 has a number of cavities 116 formed on one surface thereof for containing components 115. A pair of spaced first and second guide plates 106 and 107 guide one surface of the component carrier. A movable guide plate 109 is disposed between the first and second guide plates so that it can move back and forth between a first position adjacent to the first guide plate for defining a component pickup station 111 and a second position adjacent to said second guide plate. The movable guide plate has an extension 112 which extends along at least one longitudinal edge of the component carrier and opposes to said one surface of said component carrier for preventing movement thereof when the movable guide plate takes the first position.

Abstract: An apparatus 101 for supplying a component carrier in the form of a tape is provided. The component carrier 102 has a number of cavities 116 formed on one surface thereof for containing components 115. A pair of spaced first and second guide plates 106 and 107 guide one surface of the component carrier. A movable guide plate 109 is disposed between the first and second guide plates so that it can move back and forth between a first position adjacent to the first guide plate for defining a component pickup station 111 and a second position adjacent to said second guide plate. The movable guide plate has an extension 112 which extends along at least one longitudinal edge of the component carrier and opposes to said one surface of said component carrier for preventing movement thereof when the movable guide plate takes the first position.

Abstract: An apparatus 101 for supplying a component carrier in the form of a tape is provided. The component carrier 102 has a number of cavities 116 formed on one surface thereof for containing components 115. A pair of spaced first and second guide plates 106 and 107 guide one surface of the component carrier. A movable guide plate 109 is disposed between the first and second guide plates so that it can move back and forth between a first position adjacent to the first guide plate for defining a component pickup station 111 and a second position adjacent to said second guide plate. The movable guide plate has an extension 112 which extends along at least one longitudinal edge of the component carrier and opposes to said one surface of said component carrier for preventing movement thereof when the movable guide plate takes the first position.

Abstract: A revolving construction machine includes a lower track structure, an upper revolving structure mounted on the lower track structure and a working device mounted to the front of the upper revolving structure. A floor panel portion is provided on the upper revolving structure. A walk-through passageway is defined by a left-hand floor panel portion, a left side portion of a cabin cover and a left-hand cover of an engine cover for allowing a person to walk through the construction machine in the front and rear directions by passing the left side of an operator's seat, the cabin cover and the engine cover.

Abstract: A control system for an unmanned carrier vehicle, capable of automatically and independently traveling along a guiding line laid on a floor, provides a steering angle control unit and/or a velocity control unit. Herein, when the unmanned carrier vehicle is deviated from the guiding line, its deviation is detected. By performing a time-differentiation on the deviation, a deviation direction of the unmanned carrier vehicle is computed. In addition, a steering angle of a steering wheel of the unmanned carrier vehicle is detected by a sensor provided at a wheel of the unmanned carrier vehicle. Based on a result of a fuzzy inference to be performed on the deviation, deviation direction and steering angle, the steering angle control unit controls the steering angle of the unmanned carrier vehicle. Similarly, the velocity control unit controls a traveling velocity of the unmanned carrier vehicle. Incidentally, the fuzzy inference is performed in accordance with the predetermined fuzzy control regulation.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the reliability of output data from a label reader adapted to read a bar code consisting of a plurality of bars. Each bar in the bar code is scanned at a plurality of points and sets of binary symbols representative of the scanned points along each bar are obtained. Two sums are then formed for each bar, the first being the number of binary "1"s in the set and the second being the number of binary "0"s in the set, and the ratio of two sums is computed. If the ratio is larger than (1+.alpha.) for .alpha.>0, then the data corresponding to the numerator sum is regarded as reliable. If the ratio is less than (1-.beta.) for 0<.beta.<1, then the data corresponding to the denominator sum is regarded as reliable. If the ratio is equal to or larger than (1-.beta.) but equal to or less than (1+.alpha.), then the data is regarded as unreliable.

Abstract: A coincidence testing method for enhancing the reliability of output data from a label reader adapted to read a bar code consisting of a plurality of bars. Each bar in the bar code is scanned at a plurality of points and sets of binary symbols representative of the scanned points along each bar are obtained. Then the binary symbols in each set are ordered to correspond to the order of the scanned points or segments along each bar. Then coincidence tests are performed on successive pairs of binary symbols in each set to determine whether a reliable decision can be made for each bar.

Abstract: A data buffer for a label reader system including a data processor. The label reader system includes at least one label reader unit, a first memory means, a second memory means, and a data processor. The first memory means is separately, switchably connected by gate means to a label reading unit, and to the data processor. The second memory means is connected to the data processor. The label reading unit provides a control signal to the gate means so that when data is being transferred between the label reading unit and the first memory means, the data processor then only can transfer data to and from the second memory means. When no data transfer is occurring between the label reading unit and the first memory means, data can then be transferred between and among the first memory means, and second memory means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading label bar codes in which a photoelectric signal representative of an optically scanned bar code label is differentiated. The positive and negative peaks of the differentiated signal are detected, and the time intervals between the peaks are measured by counter means to produce output signals representative of the bar code label. A multi-level threshold comparison technique is used to detect and predict the occurrence of positive and negative peaks.