Abstract: In a positional control device for controlling a position of a controlled object using a motor, when generating a torque command value &tgr;c which serves as the command value for the servo motor of the controlled object system (112), a friction compensation value for use when the controlled object initiates a movement is calculated based on a velocity command value V and a torque command value &tgr;c determined according to a positional command value Xo supplied from a superordinate device. More specifically, an initial friction compensation calculating section calculates a torque compensation amount Vsfc1 corresponding to a difference between torque being generated during the standstill state and torque required by the controlled object to initiate the movement, and a torque compensation amount Vsfc2 corresponding to an amount of change in friction that occurs during a transition from static friction to kinetic friction in a period immediately before and after initiation of the movement.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for digital control of a universal motor, in particular for electrical household appliance, comprising steps which consist on: measuring said engine (21) rotation speed; determining the difference between the measured speed and a set speed; and controlling the motor on the basis of said difference. Said method further comprises a step (24, 25) which consists in estimating at least one of the values of the resisting torque (C) and the current (i) in the motor windings. The invention is useful for controlling washing machines.

Abstract: A machine tool and a control method therefor providing an improved machining accuracy even when a numerical control and electronic cam control coexist. The CPU determines the moving position of the workpiece, the tool, and the drilling tool according to the command from each channel machining sequence storage portion, and outputs the determined position as a command signal in response to the pulse signal generated at the pulse signal generating circuit. The workpiece, the tool, and the drilling tool are thereby electronic cam controlled. The CPU also determines the moving position of the workpiece and the tool according to the command from each channel machining sequence storage portion, and outputs the determined position as a command signal in response to the divided timing signal generated at the divided timing signal generating circuit. The workpiece and the tool are thereby numerically controlled.

Abstract: The present invention is a motor controller. An encoder manipulates the motor controller in a manner that is new and novel. The encoder tracks movement of a material along an assembly line and reports the results of the tracking through electronic signals. Those electronic signals are used to manipulate the motor controller to produce unique and responsive control signals to manipulate the motors, particularly during the acceleration and deceleration of the motors. Other motor control systems have used encoders as a part of a feedback loop, but none allow encoders to exert the level of control over the motors as accomplished in the present invention.

Abstract: A humanoid robot including upper limbs, lower limbs, and a trunk. Hip joints which connect the lower limbs and the trunk each possess degrees of freedom provided in correspondence with a hip joint yaw axis, a hip joint roll axis, and a hip joint pitch axis. The humanoid robot is a leg-movement-type robot which walks on two feet. By arbitrarily offsetting the hip joint yaw axes in a roll axis direction, the effects of the movement of the center of gravity occurring when the mode of use of the robot is changed are accommodated to in order to flexibly balance the weights of the upper and lower limbs. The waist is made more compact in order to form a humanoid robot which is well proportioned and which makes it possible to prevent interference between the left and right feet when the direction of a foot is changed. Accordingly, a robot which moves naturally and in a way sufficiently indicative of emotions and feelings using fewer degrees of freedom is provided.

Abstract: A controlling method and apparatus for positioning a robot that can output an optimal speed instruction for controlling residual vibration after completion of a moving operation, achieve reduction in tact time for the moving operation, and shorten the length of setting time. The method is a controlling method for positioning a robot (1) for performing a point-to-point moving operation comprising: performing a test operation to measure a frequency of a residual vibration that is stopped at a target position; measuring a magnitude of the residual vibration based on the frequency during each of different lengths of moving time for a predetermined moving distance to find a relationship between the length of moving time and the magnitude of the vibration; calculating a shortest moving time at which vibration magnitude is minimized; and performing the point-to-point operation for the calculated shortest moving time, thereby to position the robot (1) at the target position.

Abstract: For automatically freeing an axis which, after running over a safe end position (E+), is monitored to ascertain when it is at a standstill (3), monitoring for overshooting the safe end positions (E+, E−) is switched off and a freeing range (4) is defined by a limit value (G1), in the traversing direction of the axis which led to the overshooting of the safe end position (E+), with the value of the greater limit (S1) in absolute terms of the monitored standstill range (3), and by a limit value (G2), in the other traversing direction of the axis, with the value of the corresponding safe end position (E1). After deactivating the monitoring for a standstill of the axis, the axis can then be moved automatically back into the normal traversing range (1) within the safe end positions (E+, E−), while monitoring for overshooting of this freeing range (4).

Abstract: A method for driving a head includes the steps of: determining a head-present-position by a head-position-data supplied from a head-position-detector; calculating in advance a target-sector accessible-time by the head for a first time based on a data of a head-present-position, a location data of a target sector at a destination and a driving capability of a head assembly; and controlling a head-assembly-driver by determining a moving speed and an acceleration/deceleration pattern of the head for completing a seek to a track including the target sector within the accessible-time. The method is useful for controlling the head of a disc driving apparatus, especially a magnetic head of a magnetic disc driving apparatus, and the method reduces power consumption at a seek-operation without extending an access time.

Abstract: A controllable ratcheting apparatus having robotic modules rigidly attached for operation near a mechanical singularity includes a plurality of modular joints and ratcheting means. Each one of the modular joints is capable of locking and unlocking to effect performance of a ratcheting motion as the ratcheting apparatus approaches a mechanical singularity. A plurality of links is connected to the modular joints in such a way as to permit movement of the links while under large external forces as the joint approaches a point of mechanical singularity. A control system directs movement of the modular joints and links.

Abstract: A numerically controlled system includes a tool path sample point setting unit for forming evaluation data by arranging, virtually, a tool on a given scheduled path locus to come precisely into contact with a processed surface of a processing object and by setting tool path sample points to evaluate a shape of the processed surface, a discontinuity portion extracting unit for extracting a discontinuity portion based on the evaluation data, and a tool position data forming unit including a command speed deciding portion for deciding a command speed at which the tool is moved based on the evaluation data and a tool position deciding portion for deciding the tool position based on the command speed and the shape of the worked surface such that the tool comes into contact with the worked surface, wherein setting of the tool path sample points, extraction of the discontinuity portion, and decision of the tool position are carried out in real time.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting control parameters of a machining apparatus. The setting apparatus includes a storage unit for storing a set of control parameters for each of a plurality of machining modes; an input device for selecting one of the plurality of machining modes; and a control unit for selecting a set of control parameters corresponding the selected machining mode and setting the set of control parameters as control parameters to be used for controlling the machining apparatus.

Abstract: A method for controlling movement of an automated machine. The movement is defined by a plurality of steps. First, a buffer of a predetermined size is defined. The buffer stores a current step and one or more previous steps in the movement of the automated machine. Then a current step in the movement of the automated machine is executed. Next, the buffer is checked to see if the current step executed in the movement of the automated machine movement is the same as a predetermined step of interest. If the current step is a predetermined step of interest, the buffer is checked to determine what at least one previous step was. If the current step was the step of interest, a new step is executed in the movement of the automated machine, the new step executed depending on what the at least one previous step was.

Abstract: A method of making a tool path, wherein a shape to which an object surface is to be processed and processing conditions are inputted, and a processing region is designated on the processing region, and a tool path on the processing region is calculated on the basis of the reference lines. When the number of the processing region is one, a tool escaping expansion region is added to a terminal end in the picking direction of the processing region, or a tool approaching expansion region is added to a starting end in the picking direction of the processing region. When the number of the processing regions is not smaller than two, a tool escaping expansion region is added to a final end in the picking direction of the processing region precedingly, and a tool approaching expansion region to a starting end in the picking direction of the processing region posteriorly.

Abstract: A humanoid robot including upper limbs, lower limbs, and a trunk. Hip joints which connect the lower limbs and the trunk each possess degrees of freedom provided in correspondence with a hip joint yaw axis, a hip joint roll axis, and a hip joint pitch axis. The humanoid robot is a leg-movement-type robot which walks on two feet. By arbitrarily offsetting the hip joint yaw axes in a roll axis direction, the effects of the movement of the center of gravity occurring when the mode of use of the robot is changed are accommodated to in order to flexibly balance the weights of the upper and lower limbs. The waist is made more compact in order to form a humanoid robot which is well proportioned and which makes it possible to prevent interference between the left and right feet when the direction of a foot is changed. Accordingly, a robot which moves naturally and in a way sufficiently indicative of emotions and feelings using fewer degrees of freedom is provided.

Abstract: A location programming apparatus and method according to the present invention generates operation control information consisting of a locating control parameter and a locating program for a controller for controlling a motor for operating a subject which must be controlled, the location programming apparatus including: locating control type setting means (control S/W) for setting locating control type for controlling the operation of the subject which must be controlled; graphical data generating means (control S/W) for graphically generating graph data of the locating program on a work memory in accordance with the set locating control type; and operation control information generating means (control S/W) for generating operation control information on a parameter memory and a locating program memory in accordance with graph data stored in the work memory.

Abstract: With a memory access control portion without being intermediated by control of a CPU controlling an entire drive control of a motor, velocity data for setting velocity of a motor step by step are read out from a velocity table memory, and data value read out from the velocity table are converted by a time conversion circuit to time data, and based hereon a phase switching signal to operate the motor is generated in a phase signal generating portion. In addition, outputting of next data is requested to a memory access control portion in every time data output of a time conversion apparatus and occurrence of access to a next memory table is urged.

Abstract: A motor rotational pulse generating circuit for a motor is provided which generates a correct pulse signal even at an initial turning-on stage of the motor, by adjusting a filter cutoff frequency in response to motor rotational condition. The motor rotational pulse generating circuit includes a rotational pulse generation circuit 20 which generates ripple pulses based on a signal being inputted from the DC motor 1, in which a ripple is superposed whose frequency is in proportion to a rotation number of the DC motor 1. A filter 3 makes a cutoff frequency variable on the basis of a clock signal issued from a PLL circuit 6. An oscillation frequency at an oscillator VCO10 is determined by the ripple pulses and a motor rotation condition signal inputted by way of circuits 12 to 16 inclusive. A microcomputer 20 operates, when the motor is turned on, to cause the oscillator VCO10 to issue a preliminary clock signal.

Abstract: A system having an electric machine, memory device for storing information concerning the electric machine and is attached to the electric machine, and at least one control unit for controlling the operation of the electric machine. Furthermore, the system of the present invention has an interface between the memory device and the at least one control unit so that the at least one control unit reads the information stored in the memory device. The control unit processes the information read from the memory device such that the information becomes verified with default parameters of the system after read-out-thereof. In case the information includes parameters, which do not match in a predefined manner with the default parameters, the control unit is arranged to either automatically, adjust the system in accordance with the information received from the memory device or to prevent start-up of the electric machine or the entire system.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for, and a method of, driving a plurality of uniaxial positioning elements of positioning stages to perform an automated search to find a signal in a multi-dimensional search space having a dimensionality equal to the number of alignment axes. The automated signal location is achieved by scanning over a search pattern defined by a succession of n−1 dimensional closed hyper-surfaces in an n-dimensional search-space, where n is the number of positioning axes involved in the alignment process. In an embodiment of the invention hyper-cubes are used as the hyper-surfaces and the search path follows a hyper-spiral track over hyper-surfaces of incrementally increasing size.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a parameter of an electric machine, including a controller and a switching device, the controller responsive to at least one of: a current sensor, and a temperature sensor. Where the controller executes a parameter estimation process, which is responsive to at least one of: a current value and a temperature estimate and the resultant of the parameter estimation process representing an estimated parameter of the electric machine. The parameter estimation includes a method for estimating a temperature of the electric machine comprising: the temperature sensor operatively connected to and transmitting a temperature signal corresponding to a measured temperature to a controller, which executes the temperature estimation process responsive to a temperature signal from the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a temperature of an electric machine comprising obtaining a temperature value responsive to a temperature signal from a temperature sensor, the temperature sensor is operatively connected to and transmitting the temperature signal corresponding to a measured temperature to a controller. The controller executes a temperature estimation process; and is operatively connected to a switching device, where the switching device is operatively connected between the electric machine and a power source, the switching device being responsive to the controller. Also disclosed is a storage medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code for estimating an operating temperature of an electric machine. The storage medium includes instructions for causing controller to implement method for estimating an operating temperature of an electric machine as described above.

Abstract: A multi-mode motor controller architecture includes a motor, an integrated circuit controller, and an integrated circuit driver circuit. The integrated circuit controller includes a pulse generator, a DAC, an ADC, and a digital compensator circuit. The integrated circuit driver circuit is in communication with the controller and includes an error amplifier, first and second output amplifiers for driving the motor, and a sense amplifier. The motor controller architecture is configurable to operate in a linear mode, a pulsed mode, or a switchable linear/pulsed mode. The controller architecture can be implemented with external compensation circuitry, such as a resistor-capacitor circuit, or with the digital compensation circuitry located within the controller integrated circuit.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a parameter of an electric machine, including a controller and a switching device, the controller executes a parameter estimation process, which is responsive to at least one of: a current value and a torque command and the resultant of the parameter estimation process representing an estimated parameter of the electric machine. The parameter estimation includes a method for estimating a temperature of the electric machine comprising: a temperature sensor operatively connected to and transmitting a temperature signal corresponding to a measured temperature to a controller, which executes a temperature estimation process responsive to a temperature signal from a temperature sensor.

Abstract: A Cartesian robot comprises a base member disposed along an x-axis, a transverse member moveably mounted to the base member, and disposed along a y-axis transverse to the x-axis. The robot has a y-carriage for a measurement probe moveably mounted to the transverse member along the y-axis. The x, y, and z axes define a Cartesian coordinate system. The robot includes an innovative structure that achieves high precision with respect to the z-axis by providing a planarized and stable reference surface along the y-axis (vertical axis). The position of the y-carriage with respect to a z-axis is a predictable function of the measured position of the y-carriage on the reference surface, and rigid-body tilt of the reference surface. High accuracy and precision are achieved by utilizing a granite slab for providing the planarized reference surface disposed along the y-axis for the transverse member.

Abstract: In a method for controlling an electric drive, a controlled variable is adjusted to a desired value. To protect the electric drive, the controlled variable is first adjusted to the desired value in a precise manner. Thereafter, the control operation is interrupted, AND the difference between the controlled variable and the desired value is check continuously to see whether it exceed a preset threshold. Interruption of the control operation is terminated when the threshold has been reached or exceeded.

Abstract: In a robot area monitoring device, in which at least one area of a rotary movement about at least one robot axis is monitored, initiators cooperating with part annular cams arranged coaxially to the axis to be monitored are provided, the initiators being connected to an evaluating device.

Abstract: A printer belt drive control circuit comprises: an encoder count circuit (4) for counting output signals from a drive encoder (11) attached to a drive motor (10) and from a motor encoder attached to a belt motor (6), a servo controller which under control of a CPU (1) and outputs a rotation speed information of the belt motor (6) according to tan output signal from the encoder count circuit (4), and a motor drive signal generation circuit for converting an output information from the servo controller (2) into a form appropriate for an H-bridge driver circuit (5) which directly drives the belt motor (6)

Abstract: A robot for performing substantially autonomous movement includes a processing device, a memory, and a mobility structure controlled by the processing device. The processor directs the robot to move with any predetermined safe area having a boundary and a reference point. Optionally, the robot also exhibits features of social interactivity by accepting an input from a human, selecting dynamic content from a data base wherein the dynamic content is responsive to the input, and presenting the human with a response corresponding to the dynamic content selection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in an automated data storage library for identifying a location of a robot in the automated data storage library. Signals are transmitted from a set of transmitters in the automated data storage library, wherein a location of the set of transmitters is known. The signals transmitted from the set of transmitters are received at a receiver located on the robot to form a set of received signals. The location of the robot is determined using the set of received signals and the location of the set of transmitters.

Abstract: The subject invention includes a coupling device for coupling a tooling arm to a robotic arm assembly. The coupling device includes a sensing mechanism which monitors relative distances within the coupling device in order to detect displacement in the coupling device. The coupling device also includes an adjustment method for setting the level of force required to execute a breakaway between the items being coupled, while providing a minimum magnetic holding force great enough to assure that robotic arm accelerations and de-accelerations can not cause the inertia or momentum to dislodge the tooling arm from the robotic arm assembly.

Abstract: A robot alignment system (10) includes a sensor system (12). The sensor system (12) is designed to attach to an end effector of a robot arm (14). A rough alignment target (16) is attached to a work station. A fine alignment target (22) is placed on a work surface of the work station. The sensor system (12) first determines the rough alignment target (16). The robot arm (14) is then moved to detect the fine alignment target (22).

Abstract: A controller capable of monitoring a receiving circuit for receiving machine information. Machine information from a machine is received by a plurality of independent systems and the external signals received by the plurality of systems are compared, thereby, a receiving state of the receiving circuit is monitored. The controller includes a plurality of independent receiving units for receiving the external signal and monitoring units for comparing signals received by the plurality of receiving units, to monitor the receiving units based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A motor controller for a three-phase spindle motor used in the hard disc drive provides pulse width modulated (PWM) signals used to drive the motor. The PWM signals have duty cycles which are a function of rotational position of the motor, a magnitude control signal, a stored set of main waveform coefficients, a stored set of modifier coefficients, and a modifier signal. By varying the modifier signal, the duty cycle of the PWM signals can be varied to adjust the shape of the motor current waveform to match the torque profile of the motor.

Abstract: A robot is provided, wherein it is possible to reduce incorrect identification in the case of executing face identification in a place where lighting variations are large such as in a house and in a place where there exists a lighting environment that is bad for identification. A face area of a person is detected from an image picked up at an imaging device and stored, and a face detecting and identifying device identifies a person using face image information stored before then. An identification result reliability calculating device calculates, using information from the imaging device, whether or not a present lighting state is suitable for face identification. When the result of calculation indicates that the lighting state is not suitable for face identification, the robot is moved by a moving means. Thereby, incorrect identification can be reduced.

Abstract: Accompanied by the optimization of the possibilities of use of a robot, particularly with regards to low cycle times and high loads, damage to the robot through exceeding the energy absorbable by the structure is still prevented when robot parts strike against the mechanical structure as a result of faults or errors, according to the invention in a method for controlling the movement of a robot, the kinetic energy of moving robot members (Gi gi+1, . . . , gn) about an axis (Ai) is limited to the energy absorbable in damage-free manner by a mechanical buffer associated with the corresponding axis (Ai).

Abstract: An apparatus for traversing obstacles having an elongated, round, flexible body that includes a plurality of articulating propulsion members. This plurality of propulsion members cooperate in a worm-like or alternating tripod gait to provide forward propulsion wherever a propulsion member is in contact with any feature of the environment, regardless of how many or which ones of the plurality of propulsion members make contact with such environmental feature.

Abstract: An integrated, closed-loop programmable motor assembly (10) consisting of a bi-directional motor (12), a motor-shaft encoder (24), a rotation decoder (42), a microcontroller (64) and a motor drive circuit (70). In a typical application, the electric motor (12) is first programmed by placing the assembly (10) in a record mode and then rotating the motor shaft (14) to describe a desired motion. The motor shaft (14) can be made to rotate any amount, in any direction, and for any period of time. During the record mode, digital data corresponding to the motor shaft rotation is read from the motor shaft encoder (24) to the rotation decoder (42) and is subsequently stored in the memory circuit of the microcontroller (64). This data is recorded time synchronous, based on the time pulse produced by a time pulse generator (48).

Abstract: A robot performing a variety of actions is disclosed. The voice of a user picked up by a microphone is recognized by a voice recognizer. A gesture of the user picked up by a CCD is recognized by an image recognizer. A behavior decision unit decides the behavior to be taken by the robot based on the voice information provided by the voice recognizer and the image information provided by the image recognizer.

Abstract: An electric motor, which is preferably a disk drive spindle motor, contains a multi-phase stator driven by switching the phases of drive current at corresponding commutation angles of the rotor. Small semi-random offsets are introduced into the commutation angles at which the drive current is switched, spreading the frequency of excitation over a wider range, and reducing the peak harmonic excitation at the switching frequency. Preferably, a table of offsets is maintained, and an offset from the table is added to each commutation point. The table preferably has more entries than the number of commutation points, the entries being cycled on a round-robin or other basis.

Abstract: Parameter set 1: T1a, T2a, Fa, Aa, parameter set 2: T1b, T2b, Fb, Ab, and parameter set 3: T1c, T2c, Fc, Ac, which consist of parameters having discrete values in three stages (large, medium and small) are prepared in the memory for example of the CNC 1 or the personal computer 3. For a given parameter set, the set giving priority to accuracy (S=0) is indicated by P (T1p, T2p, Fp, Ap), while the set giving priority to speed (S=1) is indicated by Q (T1q, T2q, Fq, Ag), and interpolation is performed and the parameter set Y=(1−S)×P+S×Q is obtained. The CNC 2 creates operating commands based on set Y and outputs these to the servo control section 2.

Abstract: An integrated, closed-loop programmable motor assembly (10) consisting of a bi-directional motor (12), a motor-shaft encoder (24), a rotation decoder (42), a microcontroller (64) and a motor drive circuit (70). In a typical application, the electric motor (12) is first programmed by placing the assembly (10) in a record mode and then rotating the motor shaft (14) to describe a desired motion. The motor shaft (14) can be made to rotate any amount, in any direction, and for any period of time. During the record mode, digital data corresponding to the motor shaft rotation is read from the motor shaft encoder (24) to the rotation decoder (42) and is subsequently stored in the memory circuit of the microcontroller (64). This data is recorded time synchronous, based on the time pulse produced by a time pulse generator (48).

Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic lathe includes a numerical controller, and comprises an input device, a readout section, and a machining program storage section. The input device inputs a machining program expressed by a predetermined language. The readout section reads out the machining program from the input device and digitizes it. The machining program storage section stores the digitized machining program into a timing table form in the order of execution. From the machining program storage section, various kinds of data such as the positional data of tools stated in the stored machining program, rotational data and movement data of a workpiece, and the like are sent out to an editing section. In the editing section, these various kinds of data are reedited and stored by a movement data editing portion.

Abstract: When an emergency stop button 12 is pressed after a robot 1 passes a teaching point PN, and then reach a position PE, the robot 1 is stopped at a position PS diverted from the predetermined teaching route L. When the start button is pressed next, the robot 1 moves at a speed VL lower than a teaching speed Vt until it reaches a next first teaching point PN+1. Passing first teaching point PN+1, the robot 1 moves at the teaching speed Vt. The robot 1 moves at the low speed VL at a restarting time, so that an operator can check for interference between the robot 1 and the workpiece W. Passing the next first teaching point PN+1, the robot 1 moves at the teaching speed Vt, so that the reduction of the operation efficiency can be prevented.

Abstract: A method and device (1) for controlling the movement of a movable part such as a robot arm (3) in a milking robot (1). A control (7) controls the movement of the arm (3) from an actual position (Pxa, Pya, Pza) to a desired position (Pxd, Pyd, Pzd) A detector (45, 47, 49) detects the actual position of the robot arm (3) and transmits signals corresponding to the actual position to the control (7). The predicted position (Pxp, Pyp, PyP), that the robot arm (3) will pass through as it moves from the actual position to the desired position our model (S). The control (7) makes a comparison (S) of the actual positions of the arm (3) against to the predicted positions, and the movement of the robot arm (3) is modified if its actual position at any time differs by more than a predetermined amount from the predicted position at the same time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a power window system using a motor torque parameter value are disclosed. The motor of the power window system is operated under varying operating conditions such that resulting torque parameter values may be obtained. The torque parameter values are tabulated according to corresponding operating conditions such that the control system of the power window system is capable of operating the power window based upon the table values. Based upon the determined torque parameter values, the control system is capable of determining the amount of time to apply power to the motor in order to achieve a predetermined amount of angular rotation of the rotor and displacement of the power window, and the table of values may be utilized in current prediction and window location algorithms.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a robot control system and a method of controlling the same having an outstanding extensibility, maintainability, and reliability in the system. A main control unit 1 and an auxiliary control unit 2 control a manipulator 4 actuated by a servo motor. The main control unit 1 and the auxiliary control unit 2 are so composed as to make a data communication via communication means 5. In addition, the main control unit 1 is connected to a centralized control unit 3 through communication means 7. The centralized control unit 3 supervises and controls concentrically a plurality of robot control apparatuses connected thereto.

Abstract: In a drive, a position and/or a speed of the drive are detected by a drive sensor. After being digitized by a feedback unit arranged on or in the drive, the position and/or the speed of the drive are transmitted to a superordinate drive control unit. At least one additional measurement quantity is detected on or in the drive by an additional sensor. The at least one additional measurement quantity is also digitized by the feedback unit before being transmitted to the superordinate drive control unit.

Abstract: A robot controller capable of finding a mistaught path and avoiding dangers involved in a real motion of a robot without using an off-line simulation system. An operation program for confirming safety is played back with the robot control system arranged such that a simulation function is on, a real motion is off, and comparison processing is on. When a played-back path designated by each block is compared with a reference path using data on interpolation points, an interpolation point ordinal index i is incremented by “1” (K1), an interpolation point on a reference path Tref(i) is read (K2) and compared with a corresponding interpolation point on the played-back path T(i). An index of distance d(i) and a distance evaluation index &Dgr;d(i) are calculated (K3, K4), and tool-tip orientation difference indices f(i) to h(i) and orientation-evaluation indices &Dgr;f(i) to &Dgr;h(i) are calculated (K5, K6).

Abstract: A system and method for precision operational control of automated machines includes a motion element, an IMU (Inital Measuring Unit) installed at an end effector of the motion element for sensing and providing a motion measurement of the motion element, a central control processor receiving output of the IMU and producing commands, and a motion actuator receiving the commands from the central control processor to control the movement of the end effector of the motion element, so as to enable autonomous/intelligent control of the automated machine's end effector by incorporating the IMU to permit direct servo-control of the end effector's acceleration, velocity, angular rate. and angle—this closed-loop system minimizes effects of such disturbances like mechanical flexing and bending due to loading and nonlinear torques due to hydraulic components.

Abstract: A system for controlling an assembly of an electrical motor and a rotation-translation converter is provided. The rotation-translation converter is connected to the electrical motor. The electrical motor is energized with a predetermined current for obtaining a torque to overcome an internal friction of the rotation-translation converter. The current is increased until the electrical motor provides a total torque. The total torque is converted by the rotation-translation converter into a predetermined force on an object or into a displacement of the object. The object is moveable by the rotation-translation converter. The system may also reduce the current through the electrical motor after reaching the predetermined force to a predetermined current value. Under this predetermined current value, the predetermined force on the object remains substantially equal.