Monitoring, Inspection, Or Control Of A Particular Condition Patents (Class 700/204)
  • Patent number: 11719456
    Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring a temperature control system of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system controller are described. The HVAC system controller includes a processor in communication with a memory and a user interface. The processor is configured to determine a dynamic parameter related to a dynamic property of a conditioned space and maintain a controlled environment within the conditioned space by utilizing the dynamic parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Blake Smith, Kit W. Klein, James J. Wiltzius, Joseph George Land, III
  • Patent number: 9703351
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to limiting maximum power dissipation occurred in a processor. Therefore, when an application that requires excessive amounts of power is being executed, the execution of the application may be prevented to reduce dissipated or consumed power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Cavium, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Carlson, Richard E. Kessler
  • Patent number: 9335758
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor device. The apparatus includes a portable device. The portable device includes first and second sensors that respectively measure first and second fabrication process parameters. The first fabrication process parameter is different from the second fabrication process parameter. The portable device also includes a wireless transceiver that is coupled to the first and second sensors. The wireless transceiver receives the first and second fabrication process parameters and transmits wireless signals containing the first and second fabrication process parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsu-Shui Liu, Yeh-Chieh Wang, Jiun-Rong Pai
  • Patent number: 9261862
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for monitoring performance of equipment located in an automation environment including identifying a sequence of tasks performed by the equipment, wherein each task in the sequence is defined by a series of signals; for each task in the sequence: (a) collecting data pertaining to the series of signals; (b) determining a completion time based on the collected data; and (c) determining a difference between the determined completion time and a predetermined reference value indicative of an expected completion time; repeating (a)-(c) for a plurality of repetitions of the sequence; summing, over the plurality of repetitions of the sequence, at least some of the determined differences to calculate an accumulated variance value for each given task; and selectively generating a predictive failure indication based on the accumulated variance values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BEET LLC
    Inventors: David Wang, Daisy Red, Ivan Nausley
  • Patent number: 9135377
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a computerized model containing polydisperse spherical particles packed in an arbitrarily-shaped volume are disclosed. To create the computerized model, a plurality of polydisperse spherical particles having statistical properties according the characteristic profile (e.g., minimum and maximum sizes and size distribution) is generated. First portion of the particles is used for forming a border layer within the volume's boundary. Any hole in the border layer is sealed with one or more null-sized particles. Second portion of the particles is used for filling up an interior space in a layer-to-layer scheme from the border layer inwards. The layer-to-layer scheme includes searching a best suitable location from a list of size-ranked candidate locations using power diagrams. Each of the second portion of the particles is allowed to pass through holes in the current layer towards the border layer when possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Livermore Software Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Zhidong Han
  • Patent number: 9110461
    Abstract: Semiconductor manufacturing equipment includes: a controller controlling driving and processes of various parts of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and a sensor monitoring each physical amount in the semiconductor manufacturing equipment or a status of each chemical response amount; a database; and an arithmetic section executing: processing of reading out equipment data, calculating a correlation matrix between time points based on a plurality of pieces of signal data to be compared, calculating eigen values and eigen vectors from the correlation matrix, and calculating principal component scores by principal component analysis; processing of comparing magnitudes of the eigen values of the principal components, arranging the eigen values in descending order to display a list thereof; and processing of displaying a scatter diagram where the principal component scores of the respective signals are plotted in a feature space selecting the principal component corresponding to the eigen value having a c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiro Morisawa, Daisuke Shiraishi, Satomi Inoue, Akira Kagoshima
  • Patent number: 9022770
    Abstract: Three-dimensional fabrication resources are improved by adding networking capabilities to three-dimensional printers and providing a variety of tools for networked use of three-dimensional printers. Web-based servers or the like can provide a single point of access for remote users to manage access to distributed content on one hand, and to manage use of distributed fabrication resources on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: MakerBot Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Nathaniel B. Pettis
  • Patent number: 9002523
    Abstract: An HVAC controller that monitors the performance of an HVAC system during its operating by comparing a monitored parameter value (e.g. delta T) to a pre-determined limit stored in the HVAC controller memory in order to determine if a performance limit has been violated. In some cases, the HVAC controller may display on a display of the HVAC controller a user alert for at least some of the detected violations. In some instances, the HVAC controller may display or otherwise provide a user alert only after a pre-determined number of performance violations are detected by the HVAC controller. Alternatively, or in addition, the HVAC controller may accept one or more conditions that indicate when a user alert for a detected violation is not to be displayed on the display of the HVAC controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Joseph Erickson, Cary Leen, Stan Zywicki, Eric Barton, David Schultz, Mohammad Aljabari
  • Patent number: 8965554
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a press-forming device, press-forming method, computer program/software arrangement and storage medium can be provided. The exemplary press-forming device can include a material characteristic input configured to input material characteristics. A state variable detector can be configured to measure a state variable comprising a metal mold distortion amount. A processing condition computer arrangement can be configured to determine from a first moment to a second moment at least one particular processing condition. Further, a processing condition controller can be configured to control the at least one processing condition from processing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Coporation, Arcelormittal France
    Inventors: Noriyuki Suzuki, Akihiro Uenishi, Yukihisa Kuriyama, Toshiyuki Niwa, Takuya Kuwayama, Mitsuharu Yamagata
  • Patent number: 8957960
    Abstract: A machine vision system program editing environment includes near real time context generation. Rather than requiring execution of all preceding instructions of a part program in order to generate a realistic context for subsequent edits, surrogate data operations using previously saved data replace execution of certain sets of instructions. The surrogate data may be saved during the actual execution of operations that are recorded in a part program. An edit mode of execution substitutes that data as a surrogate for executing the operations that would otherwise generate that data. Significant time savings may be achieved for context generation, such that editing occurs within an operating context which may be repeatedly refreshed for accuracy in near real time. This supports convenient program modification by relatively unskilled users, using the native user interface of the machine vision system, rather than difficult to use text-based or graphical object-based editing environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Barry Saylor, Dahai Yu, Ryan Northrup, Gyokubu Cho, Akira Takada
  • Patent number: 8798783
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a remote assistant system for a foundry, i.e., a plant that comprises a plurality of machines. The remote assistant system in a foundry includes a first sequencer for controlling a molding line and a second sequencer for controlling a molding machine. It further includes a sequencer-communicating mechanism for connecting the first sequencer to the second sequencer, a first mobile computer for transmitting information by video images, etc. to a remote location, a mechanism for providing communication between mobile computers to selectively connect one of the sequencers to the first mobile computer, a second mobile computer for receiving the information from the first mobile computer, for displaying the information, and for correcting the ladder logic program and giving instructions to the operator by an assistant at a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Sintokogio, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Niinomi, Yoshitake Kawamoto, Yasuhiro Miwa, Nobuaki Natsume, Kenji Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 8788070
    Abstract: A field device resident algorithm receives one or more diagnostic inputs and generates actionable service information. The algorithm(s) can be changed or updated after the manufacture of the field device. The actionable service information can be displayed locally or sent over a process control loop. A prediction engine can be employed to determine a period within which such service should be completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Schumacher, Evren Eryurek
  • Patent number: 8788084
    Abstract: The inflow of liquid metal into a continuous casting mold is set by a closure device. A measured actual meniscus value is fed to a controller determining a closure device target position on the basis of the actual and a corresponding target value. The measured actual value is fed to a disturbance variable compensator. The target position/corrected target position or a corresponding actual value are further fed to the disturbance variable compensator which determines the disturbance variable compensation value. The disturbance variable compensator has a model of the continuous casting mold for determining an expected value. A number of oscillating compensators determine a frequency disturbance proportion. The sum of the frequency disturbance proportions corresponds to the disturbance variable compensation value. The disturbance variable compensator has a jump determiner, by which it determines the jump compensation value by integrating the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Niemann, Bernhard Weisshaar
  • Patent number: 8644979
    Abstract: A method for optimizing the location of heating elements within a mold for a rubber article. The position of one or more heating elements, e.g., curing pins or sipes, within the tread mold for a tire can be determined using a 3-D temperature profile so as to improve the efficiency of the curing process. For purposes of the optimization, the number of possible locations for such heating elements can be varied depending upon e.g., the computational time and accuracy desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Youneng Wang, Christopher S. Madden, Michael C. Andrews
  • Patent number: 8538575
    Abstract: A machine controller includes a memory and a processor configured for operating a machine control for automatically controlling apparatus for performing a machining process on a workpiece at least partially as a function of data relating to a parameter of the workpiece, and a gage control for automatically controlling gaging apparatus for collecting and processing the data relating to the parameter of the workpiece and storing the data in the memory. At least a portion of the memory in which the data relating to the parameter of the workpiece is stored, is configured as a shared memory so as to allow the machine control to immediately retrieve and use the stored data relating to the parameter of the workpiece. The controller has particular utility for use in controlling a honing process and a gaging process, which can be in-process or post-process, and which can be used for bore sizing and other parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Sunnen Products Company
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hoth, Carl A. Mik, Russell L. Jacobsmeyer
  • Publication number: 20130231772
    Abstract: A method for operating an installation for handling containers, wherein the containers from a first handling unit of the installation are handled by predetermined first handling parameters and the containers from a second handling unit of the installation are handled by predetermined second handling parameters, and wherein the first handling parameters and the second handling parameters can be altered, at least in part, and depend, at least in part, on product parameters which are characteristic of the container. Product parameters of the container which are stored for controlling the first handling unit are also used for controlling the second handling unit, wherein alterations to the product parameters are taken into account in automated fashion both for controlling the first handling unit and for controlling the second handling unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hahn, Markus Zoelfl, Timo Pronold
  • Patent number: 8509942
    Abstract: Surface 27 of molten metal within a mold is constantly monitored by camera 25. Camera 25 records the surface from an obliquely upward position of the mold in an area that does not affect the casting process. Various analyzing frames such as analysis band 35, molten metal pattern 37, and injection monitoring part 43, are set with respect to the information recorded by the camera 25. The analysis band 35 includes the surface (molten metal part 31c), and is set to a predetermined width so that the direction of surface change is in the longitudinal direction. The width of the analysis band 35 is set as wide as possible in a range that does not block the discharge part (molten metal part 31a). Inside the analysis band 35, the rate of change of the binary data is calculated by the analyzing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Furukawa Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Tomimatsu, Daisuke Nishide
  • Patent number: 8494664
    Abstract: A programming tool provides an interface between an industrial controller and a motor drive that allows the logic development tool used to program the industrial controller to be used to configure the motor drive and its supported components directly. This allows a programmer to configure the topology for the motor drive and provide configuration data that can be verified directly from within the controller programming software rather than requiring separate programming and diagnostic tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Keller
  • Patent number: 8494789
    Abstract: A method of monitoring status of an energy reserve accumulator, connected to a fluid system, includes the following successive operations once the fluid system has stabilized for pressure: measuring a first time taken by the fluid system to progress from a predetermined first pressure to a predetermined second pressure, lower than the predetermined first pressure; measuring a second time taken by the system to progress from a predetermined third pressure, lower than the predetermined second pressure, to a predetermined fourth pressure, lower than the predetermined third pressure; and comparing the first and second times to determine the status of the energy reserve accumulator. Such a method may find use for example in an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Patrick Boissonneau, Stephan Montillaud
  • Patent number: 8473093
    Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a network of nodes controls and senses the cure of a thermosetting plastic in a component that is made of fiber composite material. The network comprises multiple nodes, which are separated spatially from each other. Each of the nodes, respectively, comprises a heat transfer device for actively transferring thermal energy, a temperature sensor for taking local temperature measurements, and a processor. In each of the nodes, respectively: (a) the processor locally performs closed loop control over the temperature of the heat transfer device, and (b) the closed loop control is based at least in part on the local temperature measurements and on estimated or measured input current to the heat transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Neil Gershenfeld, Nadya Peek, Kenneth Cheung, David Watson
  • Patent number: 8463422
    Abstract: An extruder or injection molding machine with user-specifically monitoring and regulating processing of plastic materials includes a material feed, a plasticizer, and a mold. A process input variable, e.g. cost of the apparatus, raw material, power, and processed quantity, can be inputted with an input device and transmitted to a controller. A process monitoring variable, e.g. the duration of a product cycle, product cost, raw material used/power consumed per product cycle, expected purchase price for a given quantity of a product, and number of product cycles until maintenance, can be determined in real time from a process control variable and/or process input variable. A value of a process monitoring variable, such as the actual desired, or mean value, the value integrated since starting, the history or tendency of this value, can be outputted on an output device in form of a characteristic diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Betsche, Günther Grimm, Arno Wyrwoll
  • Patent number: 8457775
    Abstract: A method for defining a uniform injection molding interface includes selecting at least one common control parameter from multiple injection molding machines, setting at least one standardization page, establishing a uniform injection molding interface by configuring the at least one common control parameter into the at least one standardization page, storing the data related to the uniform injection molding interface into a storage unit, and connecting the uniform injection molding interface to the control device via an input control device to enable the control device to control the multiple injection molding machines in response to the control parameters set via the uniform injection molding interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mi-Chien Chen, Hsien-Cheng Kuo, Wei Zeng
  • Patent number: 8421803
    Abstract: This invention facilitates monitoring operation for checking whether or not quality of a substrate deteriorates as well as operation for identifying a cause of deterioration in quality. Identification information of constituent elements related to measurement target sections (pads) on a component-mounted substrate is arranged into hierarchal structure data. A first axis is arranged with the measurement target sections associated with this arrangement. A second axis is arranged with information (identification information of lots and squeegees) representing production conditions of the substrates according to an order of the substrates being processed. A two-dimensional area defined by the first axis and the second axis is set. A color map is generated, in which measured data of the measurement target sections on the substrates are arranged in colors at corresponding positions within the two-dimensional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuto Kojitani, Keiji Otaka, Hiroyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 8414280
    Abstract: Three-dimensional fabrication resources are improved by adding networking capabilities to three-dimensional printers and providing a variety of tools for networked use of three-dimensional printers. Web-based servers or the like can provide a single point of access for remote users to manage access to distributed content on one hand, and to manage use of distributed fabrication resources on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: MakerBot Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Nathaniel B. Pettis
  • Patent number: 8412362
    Abstract: The present invention is a system for electronically controlling the movement of a pin assembly used in a valve gate mechanism of an injection molding machine. The system of the present invention includes at least one valve which is part of an injection molding machine, as well as a graphical user interface which is operable for controlling the injection molding machine and the valve. Additionally, the present invention also includes controlling the injection molding machine electronically for improving the control over the opening and closing of the valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Plastic Engineering & Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dorne Yeager, Lance Roman
  • Patent number: 8406914
    Abstract: An injection molding controller controls an injection molding apparatus and peripheral devices of the injection molding apparatus. The injection molding controller includes an integral interface and a storage unit. The integral interface includes an injection molding control page and peripheral control pages. The integral interface shows the injection molding control page and the peripheral control pages simultaneously. The storage unit communicates with the integral interface and stores data related to the integral interface. The disclosure further provides a method for manufacturing the injection molding controller and an injection molding system using the injection molding controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mi-Chien Chen, Chun-Jen Lin, Jin-Bao Huang
  • Patent number: 8386063
    Abstract: A foreign matter detection unit detects an entry of an unexpected foreign matter that is other than the substrates by light transmitting optical sensors 7 having light projecting portions 7a and light receiving portions 7b at opening sections 3a, 3b formed in cover members 2 through which the substrates pass. By executing an emergency stop processing, when the entry of the foreign matter is detected at one of the opening sections, to stop the electronic component mounting apparatus that is adjacent to the opening section at which the entry of the foreign matter is detected, safety of the machine operators is properly ensured in check and confirmation works conducted at the time of machine troubles etc even in an electronic component assembling line in which the small-sized thin unit apparatuses are combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Ogata
  • Patent number: 8311675
    Abstract: The invention describes a method of controlling an autonomous device (1), which autonomous device records ambient data and optionally transmits the recorded ambient data, which method comprises positioning an indicator (S1, S2, S3, S4) at a boundary (B) between a private area (P) and a non-private area (N) to optically distinguish the private area (P) from the non-private area (N) for a user of the autonomous device (1). The indicator (S1, S2, S3, S4) is detected by the autonomous device (1) and interpreted to determine whether the autonomous device (1) is in a private area (P) or a non-private area (N). Subsequently, recording or transmission of ambient data is restricted while the autonomous device (1) is within the private area (P).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Georgios Parlantzas, Jens Friedemann Marschner
  • Patent number: 8292607
    Abstract: The powder compression molding machine includes: a case having a frame; a fresh air intake provided to the case; a suction port for drawing in an atmosphere in the case; an internal pressure measure that measures internal pressure in the case; a suction force measure that measures a suction force for drawing in the atmosphere in the case from the suction port; and a suction force control device that controls the suction force for drawing in the atmosphere in the case from the suction port. The internal pressure in the case is controlled by controlling the suction force by the suction force controller based on the internal pressure in the case measured by the internal pressure measure and/or the suction force measured by the suction force measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Kikusui Seisakusho Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Oyama, Katsuhito Fujisaki
  • Patent number: 8280544
    Abstract: There is provided a system for use in performance of injection molding operations, wherein the system can include a plurality of injection molding assembly components. In one embodiment, the system can be operative so that various information respecting components of the system can be recorded within a component database. The component database can be a computer implemented database and in one embodiment can be utilized to output information that indicates past and/or present conditions prevailing within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Mold Masters (2007) Limited
    Inventors: Bruce Catoen, Louis Gorgenyi
  • Patent number: 8243063
    Abstract: A shape inspection apparatus includes a shape display unit that displays a three-dimensional shape specified by three dimensional shape data on a screen; a direction designating unit that specifies a drawing direction in molding the three-dimensional shape on the screen; a face designating unit that specifies one face of a protruding or recessed shape portion of the three-dimensional shape on the screen; a dimension calculating unit that calculates a shape dimensional value of the shape portion based on the specified drawing direction and the specified one face; and a determination unit that determines whether or not the shape portion having the shape dimensional value satisfies a shape condition by comparing the calculated shape dimensional value with a standard value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nakazato, Masaaki Hagiwara, Toshihiro Numauchi, Katsumi Takezaki
  • Patent number: 8180482
    Abstract: The method for producing at least one rotationally symmetrical lens consisting of an opto-ceramic includes the step of moulding a ceramic green body for the lens, wherein the mould has a shaping surface, which is described by the following equation B: y ? ? 1 = cz 2 1 + 1 - ( k + 1 ) ? c 2 ? z 2 + a 1 ? z 2 + a 2 ? z 4 + a 3 ? z 6 + a 4 ? z 8 + … ? , ( B ) y1 gives a position on an optical axis; x designates a perpendicular distance from the optical axis to the surface; k, c, and a1, a2, a3, a4, . . . are constants describing a surface of the lens to be moulded and z=|x|+b, wherein b is a constant with a value greater than 0 and less than 0.3 mm, which is a measure of a deviation of the shaping surface from the surface of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Yvonne Menke, Ulrich Peuchert, Yoshio Okano, Steffen Reichel
  • Patent number: 8155770
    Abstract: Metrology data associated with a plurality of workpieces processed at a selected operation in the process flow including a plurality of operations is retrieved. A processing context associated with each of the workpieces is determined. The processing context identifies at least one previous tool used to perform an operation on the associated workpiece prior to the selected operation. A plurality of performance metrics is determined for a plurality of tools capable of performing the selected operation based on the metrology data. Each performance metric is associated with a particular tool and a particular processing context. A set of the performance metrics is identified for the plurality of tools having a processing context matching a processing context of a selected workpiece awaiting performance of the selected operation. The selected workpiece is dispatched for processing in a selected one of the plurality of tools based on the set of performance metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Barlovic, Uwe Schulze, Jan Raebiger, Joerg Weigang, Jens Busch, Rolf Seltmann
  • Patent number: 8150545
    Abstract: A method and a device for position-dependent compliance compensation in a machine tool is disclosed. The compliance of the machine tool is derived at a position of a tool of the machine tool from machine data stored in memory, a machining force acting on the tool during a machining process at this position is determined, and at least one machining parameter that has an influence on the machining process is derived at this position in dependence on the derived compliance and the machining force so as to counteract a displacement of the tool with respect to a desired position caused by the compliance of the machine tool and the machining force. This optimizes the machining time and/or contour fidelity when machining a workpiece with a machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dirk Jahn, Rouven Meidlinger, Mirco Vitr
  • Patent number: 8121710
    Abstract: The present invention is a system for electronically controlling the movement of a pin assembly used in a valve gate mechanism of an injection molding machine. The system of the present invention includes at least one valve which is part of an injection molding machine, as well as a graphical user interface which is operable for controlling the injection molding machine and the valve. Additionally, the present invention also includes controlling the injection molding machine electronically for improving the control over the opening and closing of the valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Plastic Engineering & Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dorne Yeager, Lance Roman
  • Patent number: 8116903
    Abstract: A control system for controlling the display of an injection molding machine (IMM) includes a human machine interface (HMI), a driver, a controller, a timer, and a time display module. The controller controls the driver to drive the IMM to do a plurality of operations. The time display module controls the HMI to display working times of operations that have been done, and the working time of an operation that is in process in the current work cycle. The timer records working time of each operation by starting to time at the beginning of each operation, and stopping timing at the end of each operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Foxnum Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsuan-Hung Hsu, Hsing-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 8082046
    Abstract: A method for setting valve action, used by a control system having a dialog box, includes choosing a start/stop mode of the valve action. A dialog box of the control system shows start/stop condition fields according to the start/stop mode of the valve action. A start/stop condition field for start/stop timing of the valve action is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Foxnum Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsing-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 8068922
    Abstract: In a method for operating a field device working according to the block model for a distributed automation system, which exchanges data via a fieldbus, a first function block application serving for process control is provided, which makes available to other system participants process data via a first virtual field device object. In addition, a second function block application is provided, which serves for plant monitoring and which makes available to other system participants plant monitoring data via a second virtual field device object, wherein the first and second function block applications are executed according to different schedules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventor: Eugenio Ferreira Da Silva Neto
  • Patent number: 8046086
    Abstract: A system and method for implementing a control process within a process control system and resolving inconsistencies during execution of the control process includes loading the logical structure of the control process, loading a plurality of instantiation objects or processes when the control process is instantiated, using the instantiation objects to instantiate a procedural element of the control process as the control process calls for the procedural element during execution, executing the procedural element as part of the control process, and deconstructing the procedural element as execution of the procedural element is completed during execution of the control process. Resolution of inconsistencies includes executing a first model of an entity in a controller, executing a second model of the entity in an execution engine, detecting a difference between the models, generating a prompt and receiving an operation instruction to continue the process or abort the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Pettus, Will Irwin, Kim Conner, Mickey Nanda
  • Patent number: 8019461
    Abstract: The moulding tool is a near-net-shape negative mould for shaping a ceramic green body for the lens. The mould has a shaping surface, which is described by the following equation B: y ? ? 1 = cz 2 1 + 1 - ( k + 1 ) ? c 2 ? z 2 + a 1 ? z 2 + a 2 ? z 4 + a 3 ? z 6 + a 4 ? z 8 + … ? , ( B ) y1 gives a position on an optical axis; x designates a perpendicular distance from the optical axis to the surface; k, c, and a1, a2, a3, a4, . . . are constants describing a surface of the lens to be moulded and z=|x|+b, wherein b is a constant with a value greater than 0 and less than 0.3 mm, which is a measure of a deviation of the shaping surface from the surface of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Yvonne Menke, Ulrich Peuchert, Yoshio Okano, Steffen Reichel
  • Patent number: 8019462
    Abstract: An imprint system has a design data storing section which stores template information and remaining film thickness set value information, a vaporization-to-be-compensated storing section which stores a plurality of distributions of applied amounts for compensating vaporization, an arithmetic section which calculates a distribution of an applied amount for filling a pattern based upon the template information, calculates a distribution of an applied amount for forming a remaining film thickness based upon the remaining film thickness set value information, calculates a pattern density of the template from the template information, extracts a distribution of an applied amount for compensating vaporization, corresponding to this pattern density, from the vaporization-to-be-compensated storing section, and adds up this extracted distribution of an applied amount for compensating vaporization, the distribution of an applied amount for filling a pattern, and the distribution of an applied amount for forming a remai
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ikuo Yoneda, Shinji Mikami
  • Patent number: 8010228
    Abstract: A sensor on a semiconductor wafer is used as a process monitor and a capacitor is employed as a power supply for the sensor. The capacitor can be formed by stacking a poly-silicon layer and a silicon nitride layer on the wafer. A timer can be used to specify an operation time or an operation timing, etc. Furthermore, unauthorized use is prevented by storing a keyword in an ROM of the process monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Yuasa
  • Patent number: 7991504
    Abstract: A method for determining the extent of cure of binder in a product comprising heating a sample of the product to vaporize free moisture in the sample and expel vaporized free moisture from the sample, measuring cure moisture content of the product, measuring binder content of the product, calculating a product ratio of cure moisture content to binder content, and comparing the product ratio of cure moisture content to binder content to a predetermined desirable ratio of cure moisture content to binder content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Ames Kulprathipanja, ChangQing Shen, Richard Thomas Packard, Kurt A. Lintelmann
  • Patent number: 7937183
    Abstract: A molded-component characteristic estimation device that estimates the stress-strain curve of each portion of a molded-component includes a storage unit that stores correlation data showing the correlation between solidification time and mechanical characteristics of a material for the molded-component; and a controller that estimates solidification time of each portion of the molded-component using a shape model of the molded-component, calculates a mechanical characteristic value of each portion based on the correlation data and the estimated solidification time, and estimates the stress-strain curve of each portion of the molded-component based on the calculated mechanical characteristic value. With this device, the stress-strain curve of each portion of the molded-component is estimated without actual measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Yamasaki, Yuan Zhong, Noritaka Takagi
  • Patent number: 7937166
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting a system that changes in a cycle to a nonconstant cyclic target profile by comparing measured actual values with appropriate target values for the target profile and outputting a control value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Otto Bock Healthcare IP GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Erik Laatsch
  • Patent number: 7918661
    Abstract: The invention relates to a controller for a machine with a number of functional units, wherein the controller comprises at least one input and output device for setting or displaying the movement sequences and/or state variables of the functional units of the machine and operator control elements for selecting specific input and display functions. The input and display functions are arranged in groups on various levels, all the functional units of the process are depicted by means of associated operator control elements on a first, upper input and display level. All the input and display functions associated with a functional unit are respectively depicted on in each case one or more further levels, which can respectively be activated directly by actuation of the corresponding operator control element of the first level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Kautex Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Busse, Uwe Lullwitz, Eberhard Seipel
  • Patent number: 7896636
    Abstract: A support apparatus of an injection-molding machine has a neural network that receives test molding data corresponding to molding conditions and a quality value obtained by measuring a non-defective molded article, and that determines a quality prediction function based on the received test molding data. A computer calculates a predicted value of the quality value using the quality prediction function. An input apparatus inputs into the neural network fixed values for the molding conditions except for a selected at least one of the molding conditions, and inputs a target value of the quality value. A graph generator generates a graphical relationship between the selected at least one molding condition and the predicted value. A graph correction unit corrects the graphical relationship generated by the graph generator on the basis of the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Shioiri, Yoshitoshi Yamagiwa, Eiki Iwashita
  • Patent number: 7894931
    Abstract: The method of predicting the amount of deformation due to shrinkage of a molded article of the present invention finds a support point P of the bending moment M from a distribution of shrinkage rates of a molding material forming a molded article 10 and uses the support point P to predict the amount of deformation. At that time, it is preferable to use the support point P to find the bending moment M and to use the bending moment M to predict the amount of deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Kanto Auto Works, Ltd, Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Arai, Tadayoshi Takahara, Yoshihito Saigo, Tatsuya Inoyama, Hiroshi Koyama
  • Publication number: 20100332016
    Abstract: A system and method for trimming flash from the body of a workpiece. The system uses a laser system and a vision system to determine quickly a cut line for removing flash from the workpiece. The method includes the steps of projecting a line of light onto the workpiece that crosses the flash and the body and determining the profile of the line in an image obtained by a vision system. The system and method are capable of dynamically trimming while determining where to cut the flash from the body of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Charles A. Abrams, Jerry Kuhn, Mark W. Handelsman
  • Patent number: 7856288
    Abstract: An imprint system has a design data storing section which stores template information and remaining film thickness set value information, a vaporization-to-be-compensated storing section which stores a plurality of distributions of applied amounts for compensating vaporization, an arithmetic section which calculates a distribution of an applied amount for filling a pattern based upon the template information, calculates a distribution of an applied amount for forming a remaining film thickness based upon said remaining film thickness set value information, calculates a pattern density of the template from the template information, extracts a distribution of an applied amount for compensating vaporization, corresponding to this pattern density, from the vaporization-to-be-compensated storing section, and adds up this extracted distribution of an applied amount for compensating vaporization, the distribution of an applied amount for filling a pattern, and the distribution of an applied amount for forming a rema
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ikuo Yoneda, Shinji Mikami