Abstract: An off-axis rotary joint (20) for selectively enabling communication of a signal (i.e., electrical and/or optical) between a housing (21) mounted for rotation about an axis (y-y) relative to a hollow shaft assembly (22) at all permissible relative angular displacements (e.g., 0°, 180°, 360°, 540°, 720°, etc.

Abstract: In a method for measuring motor speed and position by detecting the back EMF generated during pole-pair interactions, a separate respective duration of a power phase suppression signal, that is set during back EMF detection, is stored in memory for each respective pole. The separate respective duration values are determined during a calibration phase by iteratively lengthening each respective duration one unit at a time (up to a maximum value) until no part of the respective back EMF signal occurs outside the suppression signal duration, and those values are stored. During operation, the approach of a pole-pair interaction may be determined from the electrical cycle of the power supply, and then the stored duration value is used to control the state of the suppression signal.

Abstract: A method of making an optical filter wheel of a device synchronizable with an internal, rotatable virtual reference wheel, created in a memory of a motor controller of the device, is disclosed. The method includes a single trigger event that initializes rotation of the virtual reference wheel. The controller determines the orientation of an optical filter wheel of the device and maintains an ongoing representation of said orientation over time. The controller controls the motor, which causes the filter wheel to become coincident with the virtual reference wheel after the trigger event. A self-contained light fixture is also disclosed, which includes an optical filter wheel driven by an electric motor that is synchronizable with an internal, rotatable virtual reference wheel of the fixture. The method and light fixture permits optical filter wheels of multiple light fixtures, which may be identical, to synchronize with one another.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a controlled motion path with a machine-tool system having a controller operating in a servo rate. The method includes a first interpolation step, in which a path segment corresponding to a number of servo update periods is calculated. After the first interpolation step, a speed override factor is established. After establishing the speed override factor a second interpolation step occurs, which includes calculating a number of path setpoints for each path segment. The number of servo update periods per path segment may vary over the path.

Abstract: A stepper motor controlling apparatus has a driver which drives a stepper motor in response to an input pulse signal, a PWM controlling section which changes a duty ratio of the pulse signal fed to the driver to control a rotation of the stepper motor, a pulse encoder which rotates in response to the rotation of the stepper motor, and outputs a pulse according to a position of a moving object, a position counter which counts the pulse output from the pulse encoder to sense a present position of the moving object, and a pulse rate controlling section which controls an update latency time of the pulse signal according to a deviation between a target position of the moving object and the present position.

Abstract: A method for data connectivity in a room with a robotic device. In the method, at least one condition is detected with a plurality of sensors and the detected at least one condition is communicated from the sensors to associated access points. One or more of the access points are selected and the robotic device is maneuvered to a location in a vicinity of one or more of the selected access points. The detected at least one condition is communicated from one or more of the selected access points to the robotic device. In addition, the robotic device is maneuvered to a location in a vicinity of a base station and the detected at least one condition is communicated from the robotic device to the base station.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for transmitting data among robots and a controller computer system within an automated robotic library. A robotic library communication protocol is described for communicating among the robotic mechanisms and the controller computer system. The robotic library communication protocol defines multiple fields for each packet including a preamble field that describes a predetermined preamble value that is equal to a particular value. Data is transmitted among the robotic mechanisms and the controller computer system utilizing the robotic library communication protocol. Each packet that conforms to the protocol includes only the preamble value in the preamble field. Power is provided to the robotic mechanisms utilizing a power signal. Data that has been encoded according to the protocol is transmitted to the robotic mechanisms using the power signal.

Abstract: A robot control system for simultaneously controlling multi-axial robots each of which has actuators, a standard movement part being set in each of the robots, includes: a single main controller for calculating respective movement positions of the standard moving part on a movement route along which the standard moving part is to be moved; and sub-controllers installed for each of the robots, each of the sub-controllers calculating an operation amount of each of the actuators so that the standard moving part of a corresponding robot is to be moved along the movement route, based on the movement positions of the standard moving part of the corresponding robot on the movement route, and controlling each of the actuators of the robots in accordance with the operation amount.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a control system of an industrial process, the control system having at least one control loop comprising a sensor (200), a control device (300) and an actuator (400), the actuator being connected to the sensor (200) via the industrial process (100). To detect faults in the control loop, it is proposed to inject (51, 52) a predefined test signal at an arbitrary point of the control loop, and to monitor (61 to 63) the response of the control loop as a function of the test signal at a separation of at least one control-loop element.

Abstract: A moving control apparatus comprising: a moving member provided movably at least in one direction; a driver having a movable element connected to the moving member and a stator to displace the movable element; a controller which energizes the driver to cause the movable element to generate a thrust; a position detector which detects a relative position between the movable element and the stator in the driver; a measurement unit which drives the movable element of the driver and measures an induced voltage generated in the driver; and a correction calculator which calculates a thrust ripple correction value to correct a thrust ripple as a variation of a thrust generated in the driver from the measured induced voltage and the relative position in the driver, and multiplies a command to the driver by the correction value.

Abstract: A numerical controller capable of mitigating mechanical shock caused by tool compensation while a machine tool is operated according to table data. X- and Z-axis path tables Tx, Tz store X- and Z-axis positions corresponding to reference positions (time or spindle position). A tool compensation table Tt stores X- and Z-axis compensation amounts (tool compensation numbers) associated with the respective reference positions. At every predetermined period, X- and Z-axis path table interpolators read command positions from the path tables Tx, Tz based on the reference position, and obtain command motion amounts by interpolation. X- and Z-axis tool interpolators read compensation amounts from the tool compensation table Tt based on the reference position, and obtain compensation motion amounts by interpolation. Adders add up the command motion amounts and the respective compensation motion amounts to drive respective motors.

Abstract: A system for controlling an electric motor comprises, in one embodiment, an encoder; a central processor in communication with said encoder; a module processor in communication with said central processor; feedback circuitry in communication with said module processor, wherein said encoder is an electronic device that provides rotor and stator positional information to said central processor, and further comprising a user interface in communication with said central processor, wherein said user interface enables a user to select preferred operational parameters for an electric motor. Another embodiment comprises a method for controlling an electric motor, comprising: determining rotor position based on data received from an encoder; determining how to energize stator coils; directing a power module to provide appropriate current to appropriate coils; and monitoring rotor response, wherein determining how to energize stator coils comprises consulting a look-up table.

Abstract: A method is for detecting a possible collision of at least two objects moving with respect to each other by simulating the intended relative motion of the two objects. At least one of the objects is assigned an envelope surrounding the object, the path line represents the relative motion of the objects is covered in steps of a defined step size, and the occurrence of an overlap of the objects is detected for ascertaining a possible collision of the objects. For at least one object, the outer contour of the corresponding envelope is used as a datum for detecting an overlap. At least one object is assigned an inner and an outer envelope, of which the inner envelope surrounds the object and the outer envelope surrounds the inner envelope. The outer envelope is used as a datum for detecting an overlap of the two objects, and when an overlap is detected in a segment of the path line, the segment of the path line is re-traversed using a smaller, second step size.

Abstract: A robot hand has a plurality of fingers and is provided, at a location at which the robot hand touches an object, with a moving means for touching the object and moving the object. The moving means is provided to the palm side of the robot hand and/or the finger pad side of the robot hand.

Abstract: Robot platforms, methods, and computer media are disclosed. The robot platform includes perceptors, locomotors, and a system controller, which executes instructions for a robot to follow a target in its environment. The method includes receiving a target bearing and sensing whether the robot is blocked front. If the robot is blocked in front, then the robot's motion is adjusted to avoid the nearest obstacle in front. If the robot is not blocked in front, then the method senses whether the robot is blocked toward the target bearing and if so, sets the rotational direction opposite from the target bearing, and adjusts the rotational velocity and translational velocity. If the robot is not blocked toward the target bearing, then the rotational velocity is adjusted proportional to an angle of the target bearing and the translational velocity is adjusted proportional to a distance to the nearest obstacle in front.

Abstract: An industrial robot including a manipulator, a control unit for controlling the manipulator, and a portable operating unit for teaching and manually operating the robot. The portable operating unit is adapted for wireless communication with the control unit and includes an operator control. The invention increases the safety by ensuring that the operator is within the specified operating area.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for control object manipulation from an initial position to a final position. A jerk control profile describes a near time-optimal jerk trajectory for the control object and includes a sequence of first, second and third sinusoidal pulses of respectively alternating polarity and common absolute magnitude. The area of the second pulse is nominally equal to the combined area of the first and third pulses, and the pulses are preferably symmetric about the respective maximum pulse values. Associated control profiles (control voltage, current, velocity, displacement, etc.) are derived from the jerk control profile. For longer seeks, constant, non-zero jerk segments are inserted into the profile between the pulses, during which control voltage is maintained near saturation. The control object preferably comprises a transducer in a data storage device and the jerk control profile is stored in a memory location of the device.

Abstract: In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, a method of performing calibration of an optical axis of a sensor installed on a hand of an arm of a robot by obtaining misalignment of the optical axis of the sensor relative to the hand or by obtaining misalignment of the hand relative to the arm is provided. A method of performing calibration by detecting a teaching tool 11 disposed at a semiconductor wafer placing position of a storage container or a carrying device by a sensor 6 installed on a hand 5 of a robot 1 to teach the position of the semiconductor wafer to the robot 1 includes a step of placing the teaching tool 11 at specified position with the robot 1, a step of predicting the position of the teaching tool 11 detecting the teaching tool 11 with the sensor 6, and a step of obtaining a difference between the position of the teaching tool 11 and the predicted value.

Abstract: In a method for measuring motor speed and position by detecting the back EMF generated during pole-pair interactions, a separate respective duration of a power phase suppression signal, that is set during back EMF detection, is stored in memory for each respective pole. The separate respective duration values are determined during a calibration phase by iteratively lengthening each respective duration one unit at a time (up to a maximum value) until no part of the respective back EMF signal occurs outside the suppression signal duration, and those values are stored. During operation, the approach of a pole-pair interaction may be determined from the electrical cycle of the power supply, and then the stored duration value is used to control the state of the suppression signal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for confining a robot to a particular space. The system includes a portable barrier signal transmitter that produces a barrier signal primarily along an axis, and a mobile robot capable of avoiding the barrier signal upon detection of the barrier signal. In the preferred embodiment the barrier signal is emitted in an infrared frequency and the robot includes an omni-directional signal detector. Upon detection of the signal, the robot turns in a direction selected by a barrier avoidance algorithm until the barrier signal is no longer detected.

Abstract: A control unit controls a vehicle having a body to allow its user to step on, a power generator arranged to generate power that drives the body, and a load sensor unit arranged to output a load value representing a load that has been applied to the body. The control unit preferably includes a first memory arranged to store a load threshold value, a second memory arranged to store a plurality of data, which respectively correspond to different types of control processing to control the power generator, and a processor arranged to change to a type of control processing among the different types of control processing according to a result of a comparison between the load value and the load threshold value. The processor controls the power generator based on one of the plurality of data corresponding to the type of control processing.

Abstract: A navigational control system for altering movement activity of a robotic device operating in a defined working area, comprising a transmitting subsystem integrated in combination with the robotic device, for emitting a number of directed beams, each directed beam having a predetermined emission pattern, and a receiving subsystem functioning as a base station that includes a navigation control algorithm that defines a predetermined triggering event for the navigational control system and a set of detection units positioned within the defined working area in a known spaced-apart relationship, the set of detection units being configured and operative to detect one or more of the directed beams emitted by the transmitting system; and wherein the receiving subsystem is configured and operative to process the one or more detected directed beams under the control of the navigational control algorithm to determine whether the predetermined triggering event has occurred, and, if the predetermined triggering event has

Abstract: A mover device and an ion implanter apparatus having a processing base that reciprocates at a high speed without undesirable noise and vibration are provided. The mover device includes: a fixed base; a movable base that is linearly movable with respect to the fixed base; a processing base that is linearly movable with respect to the movable base; a main linear motor that generates a moving force to move the processing base with respect to the movable base, thereby moving the processing base with respect to the fixed base; and a velocity control unit that controls the moving velocity of the processing base with respect to the fixed base. In this mover device, the movable base is moved by virtue of a reaction force caused by the moving force to move the processing base.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method for producing pulsed outputs, comprising: automatically changing a first user-specified pulse frequency to a second pulse frequency; and automatically outputting a plurality of pulses from the programmable logic controller at frequencies varying between the first user-specified pulse frequency and the second pulse frequency according to a user-specified linear-time-rate variation.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a motion control algorithm for the control of an AC electric machine, the apparatus comprising a motion control engine comprising a motion control sequencer, a motion control program memory, a port memory, a plurality of motion control modules, and a plurality of motion peripheral modules, the motion control sequencer executing a sequence of instructions stored in the motion control program memory directing the sequencer to execute motion control modules and motion peripheral modules in a specified sequence and with a specified connection of module inputs and module outputs and operational parameters stored in the port memory to generate the motion control algorithm. A microcontroller may be coupled to the motor control program memory and the port memory for monitoring the output of the motion control engine.

Abstract: An actuator, which allows a controller to be commonly applied to a plurality of models without requiring complicated setting operation of control parameters, and is superior in cost effectiveness, reusability and expandability, is provided. And further, a motor unit and a controller unit constituting the actuator are provided. The motor unit is equipped with a motor, a motor drive circuit and a parameter memory, which stores characteristic parameters necessary for controlling the motor. A controller unit, which is adapted so as to be detachable to the motor unit, is provided with a motor control circuit and a communication control circuit. When the controller unit is attached to the motor unit, characteristic parameters stored in the parameter memory are loaded via a communication connector, and used for setting control parameters for the motor control circuit.

Abstract: The image of a tool center point (31) caught by a camera (light-receiving device) 4 from two initial positions is moved to a predetermined point, by a predetermined point moving process, at the center of a light-receiving surface thereby to acquire robot positions (Qf1, Qf2), based on which the direction of the view line (40) is determined. Next, the robot is moved to the position where the position (Qf1) is rotated by 180 degrees around the Z axis of a coordinate system (?v1) thereby to execute the predetermined point moving process. After rotational movement, a robot position (Qf3) is acquired. The midpoint between the position (Qf1) and the position (Qf3) is determined as the origin of a coordinate system (?v2). Using the position and the posture of the view line (40), the position of the tool center point (31) is determined. Thus, the position of the tool center point with respect to the tool mounting surface can be determined using a fixed light-receiving device.

Abstract: A method for controlling a voltage mode controlled electric machine comprising: receiving a torque value representative of a desired torque; obtaining a speed value indicative of a rotational velocity of the electric machine; acquiring a phase advance value indicative of a desired phase advance angle; generating a voltage command responsive to the torque value, the position value; the generating is responsive to the torque value, the speed value, and the phase advance value.

Abstract: In a device and a method for generating and/or editing NC programs, where in a programming mode, input fields for machining data and selection lists belonging to the input fields and including permissible machining data are displayed on a display unit. In a configuration mode, the contents of a selection list for an input field is configured via an assigned configuration datum, the configuration datum including at least one executable selection instruction. In the programming mode, the selection instruction is executed such that the result is the selection list is filled with the selected data, and the configured selection list is displayed on the display unit, in that, via the selection instruction, a selective access is made to at least one database having available machining data.

Abstract: A motor controller having the electronic cam function that makes it smooth operation even if the number of operation patterns is lessened is provided. The electronic gear function included in a servo-amplifier and a divider are used to vary the gear ratio of an electronic gear in a previously provided ratio in accordance with an external rotation position so that the electronic cam function is realized. The motor controller further includes a program execution unit so that the electronic gear is operated in accordance with programs. Since the electronic gear function and the divider is included in an inexpensive servo-amplifier and is used to realize the electronic cam function, the inexpensive and intelligent system can be realized. Since the divider is provided in the system, the number of data and the reading frequency of the cam pattern can be decreased and accordingly the inexpensive system is realized.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a condition of a switching device. The switching device includes contact parts, an electric motor and a mechanical coupling device for transforming motion from the electric motor to at least one of the contact parts. A self-diagnostic test is performed on a component of the switching device. The test includes making at least one small movement with the electric motor. A switching device includes contact parts, an electric motor, a mechanical coupling device for transforming motion from the electric motor to at least one of the contact parts, and tester for making self-diagnostic tests, wherein the tester makes small motor movements that are a fraction of a full breaking movement, thereby producing data for evaluating a condition of the switching device.

Abstract: In an AC or DC motor operation and power generation system, a periodic transformation system reduces or prevents harmonic distortion, reduces resistance or impedance, and improves energy efficiency in a signal either consumed, such as in a motor, or produced, such as in a generator. In one embodiment, the TruScale Reactance Transformation System or the Eastern Modified TruScale Octave Transformation System are the periodic transform systems provided to prevent overtone collisions in current and voltage signals, in order to maximize energy spectral density, and to precondition either DC or AC signals.

Abstract: A machine tool control apparatus includes: a control program storage unit that stores control programs for performing standard running control. The control program storage unit includes a basic data memory that sets a control program for performing standard running, and a variable data memory that temporarily alters part of the control program to set a control program for performing temporary running. The machine tool control apparatus further includes a parameter check unit that checks whether a basic parameter stored in the basic data memory and a variable parameter stored in the variable data memory are “matched”; and a temporary running confirmation operation unit that enables the standard running when a parameter check result from the parameter check unit is “match” and that enables the temporary running by performing a temporary running confirmation operation while disenabling the standard running when the parameter check result is “mismatch”.

Abstract: A multiple axis servo control implements a multi-tasking PWM control unit to provide PWM signals for multiple axes in a single unit. A time slice mechanism provides axis selection signals based on a system clock signal to permit control parameters of the selected axis to be processed to control the selected motor drive axis. The single unit PWM control mechanism eliminates complex and costly multiple axis networks typically associated with independent servo motor controls for each axis in a multi-axis system. A single PWM unit implementation also permits the reduction of components for closed loop current control and closed loop velocity control in the multi-axis servo control system.

Abstract: A control unit controls a vehicle having a body to allow its user to step on, a power generator arranged to generate power that drives the body, and a load sensor unit arranged to output a load value representing a load that has been applied to the body. The control unit preferably includes a first memory arranged to store a load threshold value, a second memory arranged to store a plurality of data, which respectively correspond to different types of control processing to control the power generator, and a processor arranged to change to a type of control processing among the different types of control processing according to a result of a comparison between the load value and the load threshold value. The processor controls the power generator based on one of the plurality of data corresponding to the type of control processing.

Abstract: A robot hand is moved at a moving speed in direct movement from a start position to an end position. When the robot hand passes through a setting position on a movement route from the start position to the end position, a setting position passing signal is outputted. At this time, a robot controller does not lower the moving speed of the robot hand before and after arrival at the setting position. Therefore, the reduction in the moving speed of the robot hand due to existence of the setting position can be prevented and the movement time of the robot hand can be prevented from undesired prolongation. By doing this, the cycle time can be shortened and the operability of the robot can be improved.

Abstract: An x-ray apparatus has a servo-supported C-arm that is movable with two degrees of freedom in a movement space by means of a drive device. The servo support of the C-arm deviates at a stop point within the movement space from the servo support in the surrounding movement space.

Abstract: This rotation driving apparatus includes a torque generating circuit 72 for generating a torque of a servo motor 30 with voltage supply from a power source 71 and a motor control circuit 73 for controlling rotation of the motor. In the torque generating circuit 72, a condenser 76 is arranged to detect a level of the supplied voltage and a period of voltage drop. A voltage-drop information detected by the condenser 76 can be transmitted to a host controller 70. The host controller 70 previously memorizes a power-recovery information having a voltage drop and a time under an instantaneous blackout capable of recovering within a predetermined period and a rotation control pattern information of the motor corresponding to the power-recovery information and further compares the voltage-drop information, the power-recovery information and the rotation control pattern information of the motor with each other. Based on a control signal, the controller 70 controls the rotation of the servo motor 30.

Abstract: An electric vehicle in which left and right electric motors respectively driving left and right transporting parts are controlled by a control part and particular turning control of the electric motors is carried out when the electric vehicle turns. The electric vehicle has a left and right pair of push-button turn switches. When one of the turn switches is operated, the control part selects a pattern from multiple preset deceleration patterns and decelerates the motor on the inside of the turn, which corresponds to the turn switch being operated, on the basis of this deceleration pattern. The electric vehicle makes turns and returns to straight-line travel optimally and smoothly and can be operated easily by an operator with no skill or experience.

Abstract: In a method for measuring motor speed and position by detecting the back EMF generated during pole-pair interactions, a separate respective duration of a power phase suppression signal, that is set during back EMF detection, is stored in memory for each respective pole. The separate respective duration values are determined during a calibration phase by iteratively lengthening each respective duration one unit at a time (up to a maximum value) until no part of the respective back EMF signal occurs outside the suppression signal duration, and those values are stored. During operation, the approach of a pole-pair interaction may be determined from the electrical cycle of the power supply, and then the stored duration value is used to control the state of the suppression signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling the axes of motors, for machine tools and the like, including the steps of: calculating, from a sequence of relative position data of each axis and of actuation states at each definite instant, a path for each individual axis, starting from parameters of initial speed, number of steps and final speed; defining a three-dimensional matrix that contains, for each axis, initial speed, number of steps and final speed, each element of the three-dimensional table, constituted by the intersection in space of the three parameters, containing an address that is suitable to point to the vector which describes a corresponding waveform; driving the axis according to the waveform.

Abstract: A translatory actuator unit including a translatory actuator module that moves an object straightly, a force sensor that detects a load applied to the translatory actuator module, and a servo control module that controls a speed, a position and/or output power of the translatory actuator module. The translatory actuator module, the force sensor and the servo control module are integrally configured. The servo control module has a two-way network means of receiving a control command concerning the speed, the position and/or the output power from a network, and transmitting information of the speed, the position and/or the output power to the network, a control means of controlling the speed, the position and/or the output power, and a self-diagnosis means of confirming safety and detecting an abnormal state based on detected information of the speed, the position, the load, and/or an electric current of the translatory actuator module.

Abstract: Method for processing parameters of a spatiotemporal trajectory of movement of a moving body, this method being characterized in that: after having collected the data of the trajectory, the curvilinear abscissa (s) of the trajectory is calculated at least for the point of origin (A, B, C, . . .

Abstract: A motor control system according to the present invention comprises a magnetic encoder including a magnetic drum fixed to an output shaft of a motor and a magnetic sensor provided against a periphery of the magnetic drum through a space, an angle calculating unit for calculating a rotational angle of the motor from an output of the magnetic encoder, an angle estimating unit for estimating the rotational angle, an error angle calculating unit for finding an error angle from an calculated angle calculated by the angle calculating unit and an estimated angle estimated by the angle estimating unit, an error-correction value calculating unit for calculating from the error angle an error-correction value that corresponds to the rotational angle, a correction calculating unit for calculating a correction angle or a correction speed from the calculated angle and the error-correction value, and a motor operation controlling unit for outputting to an inverter a voltage command value that corresponds to the correction a

Abstract: A positioning apparatus includes an X stage, a linear motor (X-axis) which drives the X stage along the X-axis, a linear motor (Y-axis) which drives a Y stage along the Y-axis, a laser interferometer which detects position information of the stages along the X and Y directions, and a controller which controls the linear motor (X-axis) and linear motor (Y-axis) based on a detection result of the laser interferometer. The controller controls the linear motor (Y-axis) based on the position information of the stages along the X direction detected by the laser interferometer, so as to cancel a force generated along the Y-axis by the linear motor (X-axis) when the linear motor (X-axis) is to drive the stage in the X direction.

Abstract: A stability control system for road vehicles comprising a limit handling assistance controller which uses video lane detection measurements in conjunction with vehicle dynamics information, including inertial brakes and steering measurements to control vehicle EPS and VSC systems to assist the driver stabilize the vehicle and correct for any lane offset prior to and/or during of understeer, oversteer, split-? and heavy breaking conditions, and lane changes.

Abstract: In switching between asynchronous PWM control and synchronous PWM control, control can be simplified. An apparatus has a first pulse pattern generation processing module which generates a synchronous PWM signal in a first pulse pattern formed of multiple pulses defined in accordance with two or more parameters based on a voltage command value, and a second pulse pattern generation processing module which generates a synchronous PWM signal in a second pulse pattern formed of a single pulse. The first pulse pattern generation processing module modifies the individual parameters in switching pulse patterns between the first pulse pattern and the second pulse pattern. The individual parameters are modified to move the pulse patterns, and thus control can be simplified.

Abstract: There are provided a parameter storage part for storing monitor point information, a locus generation part for generating motions of the support, each joint point, and the like based on the movement command, a control point speed control part for obtaining speed of the control point such as the support, each joint point, and the like, a monitor point speed control part for obtaining speed of the monitor point generated from motion speed of the control point, and a motion command part for selecting the maximum speed among the speed of the control point and the speed of the monitor point to compare the maximum speed with the command speed and changing and controlling the speed of the control point to the command speed when the maximum speed exceeds the command speed.

Abstract: A robot control apparatus to control an operation path of a robot includes an interpolator including a rough interpolation processor to output a rough velocity signal of no-acceleration and no-deceleration according to input commands, a plurality of acceleration/deceleration processors to receive the rough velocity signal from the rough interpolation processor and to perform acceleration and deceleration in sequence, and an inverse kinematics processor to transform the velocity signal received from the acceleration/deceleration processor into a joint velocity signal for the robot, and a controller to control the robot according to the accelerated/decelerated velocity signal received from the interpolator. In a robot control apparatus and a control method thereof, precision about an operation path of a robot is improved.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling drive of a plurality of actuators is provided. The apparatus comprises a plurality of drive circuits respectively driving the actuators and respectively mounted on a plurality of circuit boards each formed as a module for driving each of the actuators. Each module is detachable to the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a plurality of capacitors each mounted on each of the circuit boards. The capacitors have capacitances different from each other. The apparatus also comprises a charging unit charging the capacitors, a measuring unit measuring a period of time during which a charging potential at each of the capacitors rises up to a predetermined potential, a module type determining unit determining a type of each of the modules in accordance with the period of time for each capacitor measured, and a unit for taking countermeasures depending on a determined result.