Abstract: A key switch on a machine control panel is provided with two contacts such that the machine control panel can include two independent communication circuits. Signals from a double-contact key switch are received by the two communication circuits, and safety-related signals are transmitted from the communication circuits to a numerical controller through a bus. The signals received by the numerical controller are compared with each other so that they can be made to comply with the safety standards by monitoring the integrity of the safety function.

Abstract: A switch apparatus includes: an operation unit that is movable in one direction; a first detection unit that outputs a first detection signal indicative of a distance to the operation unit; a second detection unit that outputs a second detection signal indicative of a distance to the operation unit; a first determination unit that outputs a first safety input signal when the first detection signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold value; a second detection unit that outputs a second safety input signal when the second detection signal is greater than or equal to a second detection signal; and a threshold value adjustment and holding unit that adjusts and holds the first and second threshold values such that when the operation unit moves a predetermined distance, output start timings of the first and second safety input signals become substantially the same.

Abstract: A programmable controller for executing a sequence program comprises a processor for reading and executing an instruction code from an external memory, an instruction cache memory for storing a branch destination program code of a branch instruction included in the sequence program, and a cache controller for entering the branch destination program code in the instruction cache memory according to data on priority, the instruction code of the branch instruction including the data on priority of an entry into the instruction cache memory.

Abstract: Provided is a production control system of a factory including: a plurality of machines; an air conditioner; a power computation unit for monitoring power consumption of an entire factory; a temperature information generation unit for generating information on temperature inside the factory; wherein running status and processing condition of the machines and running status of the air conditioner are controlled to produce the products dictated by the production plan by a delivery deadline; and a machine learning unit that learns a relationship of operational status including the running status and the processing condition of the machines and the running status of the air conditioner to environmental status including production completion time according to the operational status, the temperature inside the factory, and the power consumption of the factory, and outputs operational status that brings the environmental status to a desired condition in accordance with the production plan.

Abstract: Provided is a production control system of a factory including: a plurality of machines; an air conditioner; a power computation unit for monitoring power consumption of an entire factory; a temperature information generation unit for generating information on temperature inside the factory; wherein running status and processing condition of the machines and running status of the air conditioner are controlled to produce the products dictated by the production plan by a delivery deadline; and a machine learning unit that learns a relationship of operational status including the running status and the processing condition of the machines and the running status of the air conditioner to environmental status including production completion time according to the operational status, the temperature inside the factory, and the power consumption of the factory, and outputs operational status that brings the environmental status to a desired condition in accordance with the production plan.

Abstract: A switch apparatus includes: an operation unit that is movable in one direction; a first detection unit that outputs a first detection signal indicative of a distance to the operation unit; a second detection unit that outputs a second detection signal indicative of a distance to the operation unit; a first determination unit that outputs a first safety input signal when the first detection signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold value; a second detection unit that outputs a second safety input signal when the second detection signal is greater than or equal to a second detection signal; and a threshold value adjustment and holding unit that adjusts and holds the first and second threshold values such that when the operation unit moves a predetermined distance, output start timings of the first and second safety input signals become substantially the same.

Abstract: A programmable controller for executing a sequence program comprises a processor for reading and executing an instruction code from an external memory, an instruction cache memory for storing a branch destination program code of a branch instruction included in the sequence program, and a cache controller for entering the branch destination program code in the instruction cache memory according to data on priority, the instruction code of the branch instruction including the data on priority of an entry into the instruction cache memory.

Abstract: A key switch on a machine control panel is provided with two contacts such that the machine control panel can include two independent communication circuits. Signals from a double-contact key switch are received by the two communication circuits, and safety-related signals are transmitted from the communication circuits to a numerical controller through a bus. The signals received by the numerical controller are compared with each other so that they can be made to comply with the safety standards by monitoring the integrity of the safety function.

Abstract: A programmable controller which executes a plurality of independent sequence programs in parallel is provided with an ASIC, including a plurality of arithmetic-logic units and a plurality of arbitration circuits, and MPUs as many as the arbitration circuits. The entire execution time of the programmable controller is shortened by changing combinations (groups of arithmetic-logic units) of the MPUs (and the arbitration circuits as many as the MPUs) and the arithmetic-logic units, based on the ratios of MPU execution instructions and ASIC execution instructions included in those instructions which constitute the programs to be executed in parallel.

Abstract: A programmable controller which executes a plurality of independent sequence programs in parallel is provided with an ASIC, including a plurality of arithmetic-logic units and a plurality of arbitration circuits, and MPUs as many as the arbitration circuits. The entire execution time of the programmable controller is shortened by changing combinations (groups of arithmetic-logic units) of the MPUs (and the arbitration circuits as many as the MPUs) and the arithmetic-logic units, based on the ratios of MPU execution instructions and ASIC execution instructions included in those instructions which constitute the programs to be executed in parallel.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate including a base region and an emitter region in the base region. The emitter region in the base region has a comb-teeth-shaped outer edge. The emitter region has a window through which the base region is exposed. The window has an extended ares to reach portions of the emitter region near the comb-teeth-shaped outer edge of the emitter region. Consequently, the area of junction between the window and the emitter region os increased to suppress concentration of electrical current in the window and to improve electrical characteristics such as secondary yield breakdown strength.