Specific Programming Format (e.g., Macro) Patents (Class 700/181)
  • Patent number: 6442441
    Abstract: A method of automatically generating and verifying programmable logic controller (PLC) code. The method includes the steps of constructing a neutral control model file, determining whether the neutral control model file is correct, generating PLC code if the neutral control model file is correct, verifying whether the PLC code is correct, and using the PLC code to build a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: J. G. Walacavage, Alan Baumgartner, Scott Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6442442
    Abstract: An industrial control system comprises a first motion control system including a first motor and a first motion controller, a second motion control system including a second motor and a second motion controller, and a user program. The user program is executable by the industrial control system to control the first and second motion control systems. When the user program is displayed to a user, the user program comprises the following graphical elements. In particular, the user program includes a first icon which represents the first motion control system, a second icon which represents the second motion control system, and a third icon which represents a physical relationship between the first and second motion control systems. Finally, also displayed to the user is a plurality of data flow lines that connect the first, second, and third icons and that represent a flow of data between the icons. The various icons are all preferably implemented in an object-oriented programming environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Juergen K. Weinhofer
  • Patent number: 6438444
    Abstract: When a system is activated, a host computer reads modules from an external nonvolatile memory, reconstructs control software for a machine in accordance with a system configuration information storage file, and transfers the control software to a volatile memory of each numerical control device. Various types of modules are stored collectively in the external nonvolatile memory without duplication. In updating the control software, it is necessary only that data be updated for the software modules in the external nonvolatile memory alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Mizuno, Masahiko Hosokawa, Minoru Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20020103551
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide the multipurpose processing program independent of the model of the processing machine, and the NC processing machine using the multipurpose processing program. The multipurpose processing program 1 is a program with the processing shape data 4 arranged in the processing order of each processing portions (A˜C). The processing shape data 4 is a data including the processing standard position (P) of the individual processing portions (A˜C) which are processed on the work (W), and the processing shape and size with such processing standard position (P) as the standard. The processing machine 3 uses the tools of which the processing shape and size are determined, and for example, is a work sheet processing machine of a punch press or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoshi Tamamura
  • Patent number: 6424883
    Abstract: A numerical control apparatus is provided with an application including commands to be used therein and a virtual numerical control device independent of the specifications of a real numerical control device to be driven actually. Alternatively, the application including the commands to be used in the numerical control apparatus and virtual numerical control device independent of the specifications of the real numerical control device to be driven actually are executed. By doing this, differences between the commands and the respective specifications of the numerical control devices are eased by commands proper to the virtual numerical control device, so that the commands are made common. At the same time, commands independent of the hardware and software of the numerical control apparatus are formed for the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Fanuc, LTD
    Inventors: Masahiko Hosokawa, Minoru Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6400998
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for NC machining management based on a measurement program, wherein a machining shape at an arbitrary machining stage is determined by an NC program, a geometric element or a geometric model is generated, and a measurement program is generated on the basis of the geometric model. The measurement program is executed when at least one of the steps of the NC program is completed, and the results of measurement are used as control information for machining measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignees: Mitutoyo Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Mori Seiki Seisakusho, Okuma Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Yamazaki, Sadayuki Matsumiya, Naoki Morita, Yasushi Fukaya
  • Patent number: 6401004
    Abstract: A device for analyzing NC program is provided with a machining method analyzing means (34) which extracts machining conditions for every machining work element by analyzing an actual NC machining program, and data base creating means (35). The device extracts necessary machining information from the actual NC machining program and allows the data bases (21, 22, 23 and 24) to reflect the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Mori Seiki Seisakusho, Mitutoyo Corporation, Okuma Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Yamazaki, Naoki Morita, Sadayuki Matsumiya, Yasushi Fukaya
  • Patent number: 6401005
    Abstract: A computer numerical control system for providing more efficient execution of part program blocks. The computer numerical control system selectively may be utilized in a synchronous mode in which the part program blocks are executed under control of a logic engine. This synchronous operation may be changed to an asynchronous operation, and vice versa, by providing a synchronization control parameter in the part program. Additionally, the system may be switched to an auto-synchronous mode in which part program block execution automatically is accomplished in either synchronous mode or asynchronous mode depending on the content of the data blocks being processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Schwarz, Fabio Malaspina
  • Patent number: 6397123
    Abstract: A single machining program including turning and milling program steps together with a turning mode command or a milling mode command is stored in a program memory. When the turning mode command is read out from the program, a numerical control apparatus analyzes the program according to a G code architecture for lathe by numerical controller #1 for turning to control servo motors and a spindle motor. When the milling mode command is read out from the program, the apparatus analyzes the program according to the G code architecture for milling by a numerical controller #2 for milling to control the servo motors and the spindle motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Miyajima, Teruo Masuda, Eiji Genma, Kouji Yamamuro
  • Publication number: 20020049512
    Abstract: When a system is activated, a host computer (2) reads modules from an external nonvolatile memory (3), reconstructs control software for a machine in accordance with a system configuration information storage file (CR), and transfers the control software to a volatile memory (b) of each numerical control device. Various types of modules are stored collectively in the external nonvolatile memory (3) without duplication. In updating the control software, it is necessary only that data be updated for the software modules in the external nonvolatile memory (3) alone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: TORU MIZUNO, MASAHIKO HOSOKAWA, MINORU NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 6363298
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating tool paths for cutting a physical part. The present invention includes storing geometric data indicative of the geometric configuration of the part. A plurality of planes are used to slice the geometric data. Micro features of the part are recognized based upon the sliced geometric data. Macro features of the part are determined based upon groupings of the recognized micro features. Tool path data is generated based upon the determined macro features of the part. Thereupon, the tool path data is used for cutting the physical part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Hayong Shin, Robert M. Trecapelli
  • Publication number: 20020022905
    Abstract: A method for programming axial movements and events for industrial controllers is disclosed. A user may use an input device to enter axial movements and events into an electronic computer system, and thereafter generate controller language or code. The language or code may be used to operate the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Josef Erlanoen, Peter Nagy, Holger Grzonka, Rolf Bluemel
  • Patent number: 6327516
    Abstract: Parameters of a robot is displayed on a display device of an operation terminal in a manner that parameters having been changed and parameters having not been changed of all the parameters are displayed in a distinguished manner such that the background color of the parameters having been changed differs from that of other data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideo Zenke
  • Patent number: 6308112
    Abstract: A method for controlling emergency states of equipment in a semiconductor fabrication system includes determining whether on-line communication has been restored between a host computer and semiconductor fabrication equipment after an interruption in communication. If on-line communication has been restored, post-restoration emergency state data are received automatically from the equipment. Then it is determined whether the post-restoration emergency state data indicate the equipment is in a warning state. If the post-restoration emergency state data indicate the warning state, it is determined whether the warning state is a critical state. If the warning state is the critical state, a key value of a variable ID corresponding to the equipment is changed to a value indicative of shutting down the equipment. Then the equipment is shut down by inserting the variable ID into an equipment control message and downloading the equipment control message to the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-geun Kim, Jong-hwa Park
  • Patent number: 6285915
    Abstract: A personal computer incorporated in a numerical control device (CNC) has a function for emulating a CNC display circuit. This personal computer emulates a CNC display circuit and converts a transmitted display command A into a video signal for transmission to display means. The numerical control device (CNC) incorporating this personal computer need not to provide a display circuit for each of the CNC body and the personal computer, and, moreover, a switching circuit for selectively receiving the video signals from two display circuits and transmitting selected signal to the display means is not required either. Furthermore, the personal computer has a function for emulating a data input/output circuit of CNC. The personal computer inputs or outputs data transmitted from the CNC or data to be transmitted to the CNC, from or to a data input/output circuit in the personal computer to or from an external input/output device, through an input/output data RAM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Miura, Hiroshi Noda, Hideaki Inoue, Koichi Murata
  • Patent number: 6212436
    Abstract: Object services like methods or properties are provided to or inherited by objects dynamically during run-time. In one method of providing dynamic inheritance, hierarchical relationships are defined between multiple objects such that each object references or is referenced by another object. A call is made for a particular service (e.g., a method or property) at a selected object. The service is provided directly from the object whenever the service is available therefrom. Whenever the selected service is unavailable at the selected object, the call is passed to a hierarchically superior object. Another aspect of dynamic inheritance is that an object, such as the root object, may include one or more methods for adding or otherwise changing the methods or properties available from that object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk J. Marple, Manny Vellon, Steven M. Drucker
  • Patent number: 6212440
    Abstract: With only specification of numerical control information to be used for machining when an operator uses a machining tool equipped with a numerical control system, optimum display and functions can be realized to meet various machining situations. In the system, after a command specifying hypertext has been analyzed by a numerical control information analysis section, the contents of the command is transmitted to a hypertext specifying section where the hypertext itself is specified. In the meantime, after having been analyzed by the numerical control information analysis section, a command designating the displaying or execution of the specified hypertext is designated by a browser-function executing section to execute various processes described in the hypertext specified by the hypertext specifying section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6198983
    Abstract: Native code for a CNC stitching machine is generated by generating a geometry model of a preform; generating tool paths from the geometry model, the tool paths including stitching instructions for making stitches; and generating additional instructions indicating thickness values. The thickness values are obtained from a lookup table. When the stitching machine runs the native code, it accesses a lookup table to determine a thread tension value corresponding to the thickness value. The stitching machine accesses another lookup table to determine a thread path geometry value corresponding to the thickness value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Thrash, Jeffrey L. Miller, Ken Pallas, Robert C. Trank, Rhoda Fox, Mike Korte, Richard Codos, Alexandre Korolev, William Collan
  • Patent number: 6154684
    Abstract: A programming language for programming industrial controllers in relay ladder logic language, the programming language including both extensions to standard RLL rung form itself and extensions wholly independent of the standard form. The language uses a plurality of templates, each template including truly reusable relay ladder language sections. Most templates also include specifications identifying other templates which provide additional language logic required to define job-specific aspects of the referencing template. Using the templates a machine tree can be provided which mirrors an industrial process. By compiling all of the templates, a relay ladder language program can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Rockwell Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marvin J. Schwenke, J. Andrew Sinclair, Raymond J. Staron
  • Patent number: 6144895
    Abstract: A system combines an open control interface workstation, e.g., a properly configured personal computer, with a networked computer numerical control. The personal computer and CNC are preferably linked to a local area network such as an Ethernet network. The open control interface is configured to utilize Windows DDE, or other protocol, to accomplish process-to-process communications with other DDE-compliant Windows applications. Additionally, the open control interface is designed to allow DDE-compliant Windows applications to communicate with one or more networked computer numerical controls while minimizing data flow over the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company, LLC
    Inventors: Subbian Govindaraj, William C. Schwarz, James M. Slagter, Michael Piatka
  • Patent number: 6115646
    Abstract: GPAE is a dynamic and generic object-oriented process automation engine that provides workflow management (WFM) services in a heterogeneous distributed computing environment. This invention decouples process definitions, run-time process management, and process execution agents. The system consists of three major parts: (a) a build time part used to capture and store process definitions, and to request the enactment of a process; (b) a run time part used to schedule, execute, and monitor the requested process; (c) a CORBA bus to plug-in software applications needed to execute processes, and to allow interactions among the system components. This GPAE invention, based on CORBA, and event-driven and constraint propagation models, provides near optimal scheduling and resource allocation schemes. This invention is generic, scalable, flexible, and enables the process automation in a distributed heterogeneous platform environment, while sharing global resources and services efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Sergio Adrian Fiszman, Jason Benwell, Ari Sodhi
  • Patent number: 6101425
    Abstract: A system combines multiple man-machine interfaces with multiple computer numerical controls over a network. Typically, each man-machine interface comprises a personal computer with a Windows-based operating system utilizing a standard process-to-process communication protocol, such as Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE). This type of system allows a wide variety of M-to-N topologies in CNC environments. Further, the use of standard personal computer operating systems and common process-to-process communication protocols permits the networking of other types of devices and the use of other third party applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company, LLC
    Inventors: Subbian Govindaraj, George J. Sevcik, Thomas J. Peshek
  • Patent number: 6073059
    Abstract: A method of storing data in an internal storage device included in a process controller for controlling a molding machine divides storage areas of the internal storage device hierarchically into a molding condition data storage area for storing molding condition data specific to a product or an operating environment, a changeable machine data storage area for storing changeable machine data specific to the molding machine and necessary for setting operating conditions and subject to change when necessary, and an unchangeable machine data storage area for storing unchangeable machine data specific to the molding machine. The molding condition data storage area, the changeable machine data storage area, and the unchangeable machine data storage area can selectively be initialized individually or in an optional combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoji Hayashi, Kiyoshi Sasaki