Abstract: A computer-controlled apparatus and method for fabricating three-dimensional articles in layerwise fashion is disclosed. Upon dispensing a layer of a fusible powder, a laser irradiates selected locations of that layer to fuse the powder into a cross-section of the article to be formed in that layer, such that the fused cross-sections fuse together into the article. The laser is controlled in a raster scan fashion across the selected locations of the powder layer. The parallel raster scan lines are separated from one another, centerline-to-centerline, according to a selected pitch, or fill scan spacing value. The positions of the parallel scan lines are determined with respect to a coordinate system at the powder layer, rather than with respect to boundaries of the cross-section being formed; in alternating layers, the parallel scan lines are offset from one another by one-half the pitch.

Abstract: A method of determining efficiently parameters in chemical-mechanical polishing, especially a method includes a Neural-Taguchi method to seek the best parameter set to increase the quantity of output. This invention involves a time parameter to achieve end-point detection on line during the CMP procedure and also completes a maximum material removal rate (MRR) and a minimum within wafer non-uniformity (WIWNU) at the same time.

Abstract: In NC data creating device and method, a data input portion separates part data of a part to be mounted and mount coordinate data indicating the mount position of the part from design information of a board input and stores the production time of the board input, a feeding means characteristic management portion creates and manages feeding means characteristic data indicating the relationship between the part and the part feeding means on the basis of the part data, a recognizing method management portion creates and manages recognizing method data indicating the relationship between the part and a method of recognizing the part on the basis of the part data, a mount time management portion creates and manages the mount time data indicating the mount time required for mounting onto the board every part type on the basis of the part data, and numerical control data creating means creates numerical control data on the basis of the data of each storage portion and each management portion.

Abstract: A stir-friction hot-working or welding arrangement uses a pin tool having a ligament 22 and a shoulder 224. The force required for incremental penetration increases markedly when the shoulder is reached. A control system for maintaining a set penetration depth includes a load cell for measuring force or pressure applied to the pin tool. The control system compares a reference signal representing the desired force with the actual force from the load cell, to produce an error signal which controls the penetration force, thereby tending to maintain a desired penetration depth. In a particular embodiment, the reference signal ramps up from a low or zero value at turn-on, to reduce forces applied upon initial penetration. In another embodiment, position signals are used to control a modulator or multiplier, which changes the error signal applied at certain positions of penetration, or at certain velocities of penetration.

Abstract: A wafer cluster tool comprising a series of processes has a scheduler which synchronizes all events in the system. Events in the cluster tool are scheduled to occur at regular, periodic intervals, thereby improving throughput and quality. The scheduler also eliminates conflicts for transportation resources between modules in the cluster tool. Wafers are loaded into the cluster tool at a regular interval, referred to as a sending period. All events in the system are synchronized with the sending period, and all event timings are normalized in terms of the sending period. The conflicts are resolved by selectively adding delays in modules which can tolerate them without degrading throughput or performance in the system; modules that cannot tolerate delays are exempted. The periodicity of the scheduled cluster tool enables the identification of wafers in the cluster tool. The identification of the order in which a wafer was loaded also identifies a module path followed by the wafer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for singulating articles received in a slug and/or manipulating such articles to create a controlled gap between a trailing edge of a leading article and a leading edge of a successive article, while targeting a desired throughput. For singulation, a plurality of belts are mounted adjacent to each other with a slide chute between each pair of adjacent belts, articles moving from an infeed belt and passing from one belt to another through the chute therebetween. A plurality of sensors are positioned such that there is a single control sensor for at least selected ones of the belts, each control sensor sensing article position on a corresponding belt. Controls are provided for operating each belt in response to a corresponding control sensor, an operative state of a downstream belt and/or a difference between the desired throughput and detected throughput.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in the design and operation of an article dispensing apparatus used in conjunction with an article identification device, and is particularly useful in the environment of a vending machine. A user interface and control portion of the dispensing apparatus allows a user of the apparatus to initiate an article dispensing operation and cause controlled movement of an article handling device so that a selected article is moved from an article storage area along a common path to a dispensing area of the dispensing apparatus. The article identification device is operated so as to generate data which identifies the handled article before, during or after it moves along the common path. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the dispensing apparatus is disabled, directly or indirectly, in response to article identification data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fuel and fuel additive dispensing is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a programmable intermediary module is disposed in the path of communication of control and data signals between a fuel dispenser station and a point-of-sale (POS) controller subsystem. The intermediary module is programmable to intercept communications (control and data signals) transmitted between the dispenser and the POS controller, such that it can monitor, inject, intercept, filter, capture, convert, and/or modify communications between the fuel dispenser and and the POS controller. The intermediary module enables various enhanced control, monitoring, and reporting functions to be performed remotely and automatically. Further, the intermediary module enables various retail transactions to be integrated into a conventional fueling transaction without the necessity of extensive modification to an existing POS control subsystem.

Abstract: A system and method are described that use impulse radio technology to enhance the capabilities of a robot. In one embodiment of the present invention, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of the robot. In another embodiment of the present invention, a system, a robot and a method are provided that use the communication, position and/or radar capabilities of impulse radio technology to help a control station better control the actions of a robot in order to, for example, monitor and control the environment within a building.

Abstract: The invention utilizes a multiple frequency ultrasound generator driving a multiple frequency harmonic transducer array to improve cleaning and processing effects while eliminating damage to parts being cleaned. An AC switch and circuitry to modify the output of an ultrasound generator in combination with techniques such as random AM and FM signals are used to produce ultrasound waves that have no single frequency components which eliminates exciting parts being cleaned into resonance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for aligning a position sensor in a vehicle with steerable wheels comprising obtaining an absolute position value responsive to a position signal from a handwheel position sensor, obtaining a relative position value responsive to an encoder signal count from a position encoder, and obtaining an index position value responsive to an index position signal. The method further includes receiving an alignment enable signal and determining a correction factor responsive to the relative position value and the index position value. The method for aligning a position sensor is responsive to at least one of the absolute position value, the relative position value, and the index position value under conditions determined from the status of the alignment enable signal.

Abstract: A control system for a bulk material baler embodied in a machine readable data structure and including an instruction to a moveable guide track to move from a removed position to a closed position to create a guide track loop around a volume of bulk material to be baled while that bulk material is under compression and also including in instruction to a bale strap feed drive to feed a pre-determined length of strapping around the guide track loop, and including an instruction to a cutter to cut the end of the bale strap and including an instruction to a strap fastener to fasten together the ends of the bale strap and including an instruction to remove the moveable guide track section from around the bale and an instruction to release compression and an instruction to eject a bound bale.

Abstract: An operator interface for a control system for a bulk material baler includes interface means such as a touch screen or keyboard for an operator to enter process parameters into a control system memory. A display shows process parameter fields into which an operator may enter desired control parameters. The display also displays data feedback from baler process sensors. The baler control system then controls baling parameters as the operator directs including: strap feed position, strap feed speed, strap feed torque, strap release tension, tying cylinder position, tying cylinder speed and tying cylinder torque. The operator may also control carriage movement, alarm limits, shut off limits and monitor on the display baler processing data both currently and historically. Other aspects of automated baling may be optionally monitored or controlled through the operator interface of the present invention.

Abstract: A detector set on a motor vehicle emits a beam of light forward and receives a beam reflected from an object and determines the distance to the object. Displacement in the direction of emission of the beam is detected and corrected by recognizing the received beam as having been reflected by an overhead beam reflector of a known height of a part of the road surface and by measuring the distance to the point where the reflection has taken place. The slope of the beam-reflecting road surface may be used to determine the displacement of the direction of beam emission. The speedometer of the motor vehicle may be checked to determine whether it is running at a constant speed such that only measurements taken while the vehicle is running smoothly can be used for the calculation.

Abstract: A distributed information system includes a communicating section, a control section and a management section. The communication section is to be mounted in a first mobile unit such as a vehicle, to receive an agent program which is an autonomous program to collect information, from a second mobile unit. The control section to be mounted in the first mobile unit performs a control action in response to a request of the agent program sent from the second mobile unit. The management section to be mounted in the first mobile unit is configured to allow delivery of information on a result of the control action to the second mobile unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for maritime surveillance.

Abstract: A vehicle information display apparatus receives multiple pieces of information on mobile vehicles, determines degrees of importance of the individual pieces of information according to specific conditions, and displays symbols of only those mobile vehicles of which importance falls within a predefined range or symbols of only a specific number of mobile vehicles selected according to their importance in graphic form with enhanced visibility.

Abstract: A control device for a hybrid vehicle includes an actual intake gas negative pressure detection unit which detects an intake air negative pressure for the engine, an estimated intake gas negative pressure calculation unit which estimates an intake air negative pressure based on a revolution number of the engine and an opening degree of a throttle, and an engine control unit which compares an actual intake gas negative pressure obtained by the actual intake gas negative pressure detection unit with an estimated intake gas negative pressure obtained by the estimated intake gas negative pressure calculation unit. The engine control unit prohibits a fuel supply to the engine until the actual intake gas negative pressure matches the estimated intake gas negative pressure, and carries out the fuel supply to the engine when the actual intake gas negative pressure matches the estimated intake gas negative pressure.

Abstract: The invention integrates a general purpose computer with a controller area network to effect an inspection regimen through the controller area network. A convenient user interface, combining handheld instruments and convention displays and printers allows the driver to interact with the system. The computer provides storage for programs and processing power to implement test regimens in logical order relating to completion of the inspection.

Abstract: A vehicle 2 performs fault diagnosis of the vehicle and calculation of the service life of parts using information obtained from sensors and control units, and when the necessity for repair work of the vehicle arises, makes a repair request to an information center 1. The information center 1 having received the repair request notifies terminals of outlets 4 of the repair request, to request the outlets 4 to transmit a service condition of their shop. The outlets 4 transmit the service conditions of the shop to the information center 1, in response to the repair request. The information center 1 relays the received service condition of each outlet 4 to the user, so that the user can select a desired service condition. The information center 1 then transmits contract completion information to the outlet 4 having proposed the service condition selected by the user, to mediate an agreement between the user and the outlet 4.

Abstract: A method for capturing vehicular accident data and automatically making it available to authorized parties includes recording and storing data significant to the operation of the vehicle in a memory on-board said vehicle. At least a part of the data is automatically transmitting to a data storage server remote from the vehicle over wireless transmission link. Data from the wireless link is coupled to a central data base connected to a network and accessible by terminals.

Abstract: A feature set module for programming features of a vehicle control system is disclosed. The feature set module is designed to be easily attached to or detached from an interface module of a control system. The feature set module may include a latching mechanism to secure the feature set module to the interface module. Additionally, the feature set module has terminals that communicate with terminals of the interface module.

Abstract: Control unit for a load, in particular for a sliding sunroof control of a vehicle, having a microprocessor and having an integrated voltage regulator for generating the supply voltage of the microprocessor from the battery voltage of an on-board battery, in which case, in order to switch on the microprocessor the latter is fed its supply voltage by means of a wake-up pulse for a predetermined switch-on duration and said supply voltage is maintained as long as the microprocessor outputs trigger signals.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system coupled to a steerable wheel, comprising a steering rack linked to said steerable wheel, an electric motor having an output shaft engaged with the steering rack for controlling the steerable wheel. The system also includes a position sensor configured to measure an actual steerable wheel angle of the steering rack and thereby the steerable wheel, a return spring, where the return spring is biased so as to provide a returning force to the steering rack. Finally, the system includes a controller that provides a command to the electric motor resulting in a torque, the command is responsive to the actual steerable wheel angle, a desired steerable wheel angle, and a command direction.

Abstract: A method for controlling the rear steering angle of a vehicle includes receiving a plurality of signals indicative of rear steering angle; checking at least one of the plurality of signals to determine if it falls within a valid range; correlating at least a first signal of the plurality of signals with at least a second signal of the plurality of signals to determine if either the first signal or the second signal is invalid; and rejecting any signals found to be invalid.

Abstract: A method for controlling a four-wheel steering system of a vehicle includes recognizing a driver-selectable mode, receiving a signal preferably indicative of a front wheel steering-angle, and determining a rear-to-front steering-angle ratio in correspondence with the recognized mode and the received signal; and optionally includes receiving a signal indicative of vehicle speed, recognizing a current system state, determining a desired steering-angle, generating a command based on the desired and received steering-angles and the recognized system state, and diagnosing conditions in accordance with the received signals in order to enter a output disable mode.

Abstract: A method for detecting a loss of motor control in an electric power steering system is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes determining a duty cycle of a steering command signal generated by a controller. The steering command signal commands a steering mechanism to be turned in either a first or a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. A steering velocity of the steering mechanism is determined, the steering velocity being characterized by a steering velocity magnitude and a steering velocity direction whenever the steering velocity is greater than zero. The steering velocity direction corresponds to either the first or the second direction. The duty cycle is then compared to a first selected value, and the steering velocity magnitude is compared to a second selected value.

Abstract: A method for controlling the rear steering angle of a vehicle includes calibrating a static vehicle speed threshold, detecting an actual vehicle speed below the calibrated static vehicle speed threshold, determining whether the phase of a rear steering angle is correct in response to the detected speed below threshold, ramping to zero the rear steering angle if the determined phase is not correct, deciding whether the rear steering angle is greater than a desired rear steering angle if the determined phase is correct, and ramping down the rear steering angle to the desired rear steering angle in response to the decidedly greater angle by commanding an electric motor operably coupled to the steering rack.

Abstract: A steering apparatus of a vehicle having a steered tire wheel steered in correspondence to an operation of a steering wheel is disclosed. A first sensor detects an actual position indicating a present rotational position of the steering wheel. A second sensor detects a wheel angle of the steered tire wheel. The steered tire wheel is driven by an electric type drive apparatus. The drive apparatus outputs a power output for operating the steered tire wheel in correspondence to a steering wheel operation. When a deviation exists between the actual position of the steering wheel detected by the first sensor and the wheel angle of the steered tire wheel detected by the second sensor, a first compensation for compensating the actual position of the steering wheel so as to make the deviation small is executed by controlling the power output of the drive apparatus.

Abstract: A method for validating a signal indicative of a speed of a vehicle includes receiving a plurality of signals indicative of vehicle speed; correlating at least a first of the received signals with at least a second of the received signals to determine if either signal is invalid; and signaling a rejection of any signal found to be invalid.

Abstract: In a brake control apparatus for a vehicle, a left and right road friction coefficient estimating section calculates each of left and right estimated road surface friction coefficients from a relation between a pressure decrease control time in one cycle and a maximum wheel acceleration during the pressure decrease time. A split friction discriminating section discriminates a split friction road surface condition from a non-split condition in accordance with a difference between the left and right estimated road surface friction coefficients. A control modifying section modifies a brake fluid pressure control for a wheel cylinder to differentiate brake control characteristics for left and right wheels from each other in the case of the split friction road surface condition.

Abstract: An antiskid control system for a four-wheel-drive vehicle is arranged to calculate a difference between an average of wheel accelerations of front wheels and an average of wheel acceleration of rear wheels. When the difference is greater than or equal to the vibration determination threshold, the antiskid control system determines that a driveline vibration is generated and executes a control for converging the driveline vibration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a speed limiter in a vehicle. The speed limiting value which is to be complied with is set by activating a key (7) on an input device (8) one or more times. That speed limiting value of the predefined speed limiting values which is the next highest in relation to the current speed of the vehicle is selected. If the current speed of the vehicle is higher than the highest predefined speed limiting value, the speed of the vehicle plus a speed difference is accepted as the speed limiting value. In exceptional situations, the speed limiter can be temporarily suspended, it being possible for an exceptional situation to be, in particular, the upward transgression of the predefined speed limiting value or a (rapid) depression of the gas pedal.

Abstract: An adaptive cruise control (ACC) system for a host-vehicle controls one of a driving force and a brake hydraulic pressure according to a command vehicle speed calculated on the basis of an inter-vehicle distance and a host-vehicle speed. The ACC system gradually decreases a deceleration of the host-vehicle according to an approach of the host-vehicle speed toward a control-cancel vehicle speed when the host-vehicle speed becomes lower than or equal to a gradual-deceleration starting vehicle speed during a period of decreasing the host-vehicle speed toward the control-cancel vehicle speed, so that the deceleration takes a value near zero when the host-vehicle speed reaches the control-cancel vehicle speed.

Abstract: A road traffic information output apparatus includes: a road traffic information obtaining device that obtains road traffic information; a decision-making device that determines in advance a specific area for which road traffic information will need to be output; and a control device that implements control to output road traffic information that has been obtained by the road traffic information obtaining device for the specific area determined in advance, when the road traffic information for the specific area determined in advance by the decision-making device is required.

Abstract: A communication navigation system includes a server that transmits items of route guidance information to each of terminal units via the Internet, a processing subsystem, provided in each terminal unit, for determining whether or not the items of route guidance information from the server are necessary, a display subsystem for performing guidance using only one or more items of route guidance information determined to be necessary by the processing subsystem, and a speech output subsystem.

Abstract: A communication navigation system includes a server SV that transmits route guidance information to terminal units T via the Internet IN, and a transmitter/receiver 15, provided in each terminal unit T, for transmitting specification data that specifies a type of necessary route guidance information, to the server SV via the Internet IN. The server SV transmits only the route guidance information of the type specified by the specification data, to the terminal unit T.

Abstract: In a satellite navigation system, map data stored in a server is partially updateable. The map data is produced to be divided into a plurality of sets of map data mutually-independent set by set, and stored in the server. The map data is updated every set of the divided map data, according to necessities. Such update operations are addition of a new set of map data, deletion of a certain set of map data, and replacement of a certain set of map data with a new set of map data. The map data is formed into a layered structure composed of data of layers, blocks, and objects. For reloading the map data, it is sufficient that only one or more sets of map data that has been updated are delivered from the server to each terminal. Hence an amount of map data to be downloaded can be reduced.

Abstract: In a satellite navigation system, map data stored in a server is partially updateable. The map data is produced so that they are divided into a plurality of sets of map data mutually independent set by set, and stored in the server. The map data can be updated in the server every set of the divided map data, according to necessities. The map data is formed into a layered structure composed of data of layers, blocks, and objects. Only one or more sets of map data that have been updated are transmitted to a navigating terminal. In the navigating terminal, map data for navigation is updated using the received one or more sets of map data. It is sufficient that only one or more sets of map data that has been updated are delivered from the server to each terminal.

Abstract: A communication navigation system that performs navigation, using map data stored in a map database site and current position data about navigation terminals, by transmitting the map data to the navigation terminals via the Internet, wherein the map data includes data units respectively corresponding to a plurality of display elements for display on a map, and the data units are given respective priority levels. The map database site is provided with a server for transmitting the data units via the Internet according to the respective priority levels. Each navigation terminal is provided with a transmitter/receiver for sequentially receiving the data units transmitted from the server, and a display subsystem for sequentially displaying the display elements respectively corresponding to the data units received by the transmitter/receiver, on the map.

Abstract: Disclosed is a navigation apparatus for a vehicle, which detects a present location of a mobile body, searches for a route to a destination based on map data and roads ranked in accordance with a degree of details of roads, and outputs information of the searched route. An optimal route from a present location to a destination is searched for using the map data every predetermined time or every predetermined distance. A storage medium incorporates a program that has the capabilities of the navigation apparatus.

Abstract: A program and method for route calculation for use with a navigation system and used with a map database that represents a road network in a geographic region A route calculation program is adapted to find at least one solution route between a first location on a road network and a second location on the road network. The route calculation program includes a first search tree associated with the first location and a second search tree associated with the second location. Each search tree is adapted to hold gates. Each of the gates represents a physical position on the road network and a direction from the position to another location along a path on the road network. The route calculation program also includes at least one priority queue associated with one of the search trees.

Abstract: In a navigation apparatus, when a first detour route for detouring around part of an initial route is present and the calculation of a second detour route is instructed, a route search processing unit determines whether the ratio of the distance of the first detour route to the total distance to be traveled when a vehicle returns to the initial route from the current position thereof via the first detour route and travels to a destination exceeds a preset value. If the ratio does not exceed the preset value, the route search processing unit increases cost of at least a link associated with the first detour route, and searches for the second detour route. If the ratio exceeds the preset value, the route search processing unit searches for a new route that links the current position of the vehicle and the destination.

Abstract: An ultra precise seed planter apparatus and method for generating a centimeter accuracy map of the location of seeds or vegetation as they are planted from an agricultural planting machine. The apparatus is fitted with a GPS receiver feeding a data logger, and optical sensors that are placed adjacent seed or vegetation dispenser.. The data logger monitors GPS time and UTM coordinates, as well as the optical sensors. Ground speed and azimuth are also monitored. The seeds or vegetation are time-tagged as they are dispensed, and software is used to process the dispensing time and GPS location data and estimate the exact coordinates of each seed or plant and its distance from adjacent seeds or plants. As a result, a precise planting map is generated. The invention may also be used to determine the location to dispense seeds or vegetation, and activating the dispenser when that location is reached.

Abstract: A satellite navigation system (S) comprises a server (SV) and a terminal (T) mounted on a user's vehicle and communicably connected with the server through a communication network (IN). The terminal receives map data through the communication means, detects a current position of the user's vehicle using a satellite signal, and performs navigating processing for the user based on the map data and the current position. The system further comprises a registering unit (1 to 4) and a processing unit (1, 5, 15, 10, 11, 13, 16). The registering unit is configured to be placed with the server and to store user's individual information. The user's individual information is previously registered in the registering unit. The processing unit is configured to perform the navigating processing by making reference to the user's individual information stored in the registering unit.

Abstract: A material handling system uses high-frequency location devices for determining the location of mobile units, such as AGVs, overhead mono-rails, conveyor components, or individual articles being transported by such units. The high-frequency location devices may also be used to identify the contents and/or routing information for material being moved within a facility. AGVs may incorporate the high-frequency location devices into their navigation systems to utilize the position and/or heading updates provided by the location devices in guiding the vehicle. The location devices work in cooperation with a number of stationary location devices, such as beacons, that are positioned within the environment at known locations, such as in or adjacent the ceiling of the workplace environment. High-frequency radars may also be used to provide electronic bumpers to the AGVs, allowing them to sense obstacles and take appropriate action to avoid collisions with the obstacles.

Abstract: Data are acquired using multi-array logging tool in a borehole having an angle of inclination to a normal to the bedding plane of earth formations. The multi-array measurements are filtered using angle dependent filters to give a filtered curve corresponding to a target one of the multi-array measurements using angle dependent filters. Correlation coefficients are determined for a set of possible dip angles and a relative dip angle is estimated from the correlation coefficients. This dip angle estimate together with bed boundaries obtained from the multi-array measurements are used for inverting multi-component measurements alone or jointly with multi-array measurements to refine the relative dip angle interpretation and give horizontal and vertical formation resistivity.

Abstract: Method intended for direct updating, by dynamic production data, of a fine geologic model representative of the distribution, in a reservoir, of a physical quantity characteristic of the subsoil structure.

Abstract: A method for processing data from dual sensor receivers to produce a combined seismic trace. A first seismic trace is received from a geophone and second seismic trance from a hydrophone in a dual sensor receiver. This first and second seismic traces are transformed into a first and second seismic spectrum. The seismic spectrums are deghosted to obtain deghosted spectrums. The seismic spectra may be added to obtain a deghosted third spectrum. An inverse power is computed for each of the deghosted spectra. The inverse powers for each deghosted spectra are divided by sums of the deghosted spectra to obtain diversity filters. The first and third diversity filters are applied to the first seismic spectrum to obtain a scaled first seismic spectrum. The other scaled spectra are formed in a like manner. The diversity scaled seismic spectrum is inversely transformed to obtain the combined seismic trace.

Abstract: A system and method used to assess animal behavior includes a module having sensors that collects a variety of physical and biological data from a test subject. Interpretation of the data is provided to assess the test subject's behavior, neurology, biochemistry and physiology. The module is useful in observing the effects of a drug on the test animal and providing information on the drug's signature. Another advantage is module's portability that allows it to be used in standard laboratory cages. (NOT SURE ABOUT THIS PORTABILITY) This portability allows the animal to be tested in its own habitat, that can reduce any erroneous data due to stressing the animal when removed to a test cage. Additionally, the module's design allows for parallel data collection and interpretation from several laboratory animals undergoing different experiments. Multi-dimensional modeling of the test subject based the system's interpretation of the data allows pattern recognition of the drug signature, and predictive drug analysis.