Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling efficacy of a food processing system. The method includes, responsive to receiving set points from an automatic expert system, operating an adaptive controller to perform steps including comparing the set points from the automatic expert system to process variables for the food processing system. The steps also include generating an error signal indicating a difference between the compared process variables and the set points and adjusting control settings for the food processing system using the error signal and one or more control parameters. The adaptive controller is configured to automatically modify the control parameters in response to a detected change in at least one of the set points and the process variables.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling and adjusting heat distribution over a part bed are disclosed. In one embodiment, a technique for providing a calibrated heat distribution over a part bed includes determining the temperature distribution within a part bed, generating a zone heat distribution for a plurality of heat zones from the temperature distribution, analyzing the zone heat distribution to create an adjustment command to calibrate a heater for providing a substantially consistent temperature distribution within the part bed, and adjusting the heater based on the adjustment command.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for heating a target object W is provided with a plurality of heating light sources, including LED elements for applying heating light having a wavelength within a range from 360 to 520 nm to the object. Thus, a temperature of only the shallow surface of the object, such as a semiconductor wafer, is increased/reduced at a high speed in uniform temperature distribution, irrespective of the film type.

Abstract: A process module tuning method characterizes a process module by gathering data using a process condition measuring device to measure process outputs while inputs are excited. The data is used to identify a dynamic process model. The dynamic process model is then be used to determine process input settings that will produce desired outputs. For multi-zone process modules, the interactions between zones may be modeled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for determining at least one state variable from a model of an RTP system by means of at least one measurement signal measured on the RTP system—the measurement value—which has a dependency upon the state variable to be determined, and a measurement value forecast by means of the model—the forecast value—, whereby the measurement value and the forecast value respectively comprise components of a constant and a changeable portion, and whereby respectively at least the changeable portion is established, separated by a filter, so as to form a first difference between the changeable portion of the measurement value and the changeable portion of the measurement value forecast by the model, parameter adaptation of at least one model parameter by recirculation of the first difference in the model with the aim of adapting the model behavior to variable system parameters, forming of a second difference from the measurement value and the forecast value or from the measurement value ad

Abstract: In the present invention, a thermal plate of a heating unit is divided into a plurality of thermal plate regions, and a temperature can be set for each of the thermal plate regions. A temperature correction value for adjusting a temperature within the thermal plate can be set for each of the thermal plate regions of the thermal plate. The line widths within the substrate which has been subjected to a photolithography process are measured, and, from an in-plane tendency of the measured line widths, an in-plane tendency improvable by temperature correction and an unimprovable in-plane tendency are calculated using a Zernike polynomial. An average remaining tendency of the improvable in-plane tendency after improvement obtained in advance is added to the unimprovable in-plane tendency to estimate an in-plane tendency of the line widths within the substrate after change of temperature setting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing simulated oil paintings by means of a variety of commercial software programs. A digital color image is created and printed on to a substrate. Also printed on to the same substrate and registered thereto, is a slow drying, clear, embossing liquid in the pattern of brush strokes derived from one or more of the colors printed on to the substrate. A thermographic powder is dusted onto the embossing liquid while still wet and excess powder removed. The substrate is then heated to dry and raise the brush stroke pattern of the embossing ink to create a three dimensional effect on the substrate. The raised brush stroke pattern in combination with printed color image creates a work that has the three dimensional effect simulating an original oil painting.

Abstract: A remotely programmable food product holding system includes a hand held computer (10) and a food product holding apparatus (12). The computer includes a processor (11), touch screen display (15), and a first communication interface (16). Data is entered into the hand held computer and transmitted to the food product holding apparatus. The holding apparatus includes a second communication interface, a timer system (18), and a temperature control system (20). The timer and temperature control systems are programmed by data transmitted from the hand held computer.

Abstract: An integrated computer control process is used for a decoking cycle that takes into account all affected process variables including temperature, pressure, flow rates, and time related functions. Manual operator input is limited to setting the basis of the decoking cycle, which can include temperatures and pressure ranges, and monitoring key parameters, such as pressure tests.

Abstract: A programmable control unit with sensors capable of measuring heat treatment parameters. The programmable control unit is used to input workpiece heat treatment data, measure the true exposure data, compare the corresponding values, and generate the appropriate control signals that may be used to adjust the heat treatment parameters to optimize the heat treatment process.

Abstract: In a vertical-type heat processing apparatus, it is intended to stabilize the temperature of an inner wall of the reaction vessel upon loading as well as to reduce particle contamination, for example, by suppressing peeling of films attached to the inner wall. An inner wall temperature sensor is attached, in advance, to the inner wall of the reaction vessel, so as to obtain each time series data of detection values of the inner wall temperature sensor and a command value of power to be supplied to heating means. The inner wall temperature is predicted from the command value of the power obtained just before, based on the data, during an initial time of loading, so as to use the predicted value of the inner wall temperature as an object to be controlled.

Abstract: The invention concerns a new control unit for pumps (3) for heat- and chill-transferring media, which records all parameters for the regulation of the pump in or close to the pump independently from the distance to the heat source (2) or cooling source. Thus the often complex wiring between heat source (2) and heat sink (1) and/or cooling source and cooling sink is omitted. The control unit may be installed directly on the pump (3) or integrated in the pump consequently. The controller recognizes self learning due to the evaluation of the operating conditions typical system parameters, so that the positioning of the system-dependent temperature differences for control processes is not necessary and can be omitted. The construction of the pump (3), integrated controller (4) and sensors (7, 8, 9, 10) close-up range enables a manufacturing of completely pumps prepared for the operation including a controller in extremely compact construction.

Abstract: A control is provided for controlling the operation of a climate control system, which includes a processor that is capable of receiving power from a low voltage power supply adapted to be connected to an external alternating current power source, or a second external low voltage power supply. The processor is capable of storing diagnostic information pertaining to the operating status of at least one component of the climate control system. The processor is configured to retrieve stored diagnostic information from memory pertaining to the climate control system and send the diagnostic information to the display means when the processor receives power from the external low voltage power supply and detects the absence of a connection to an external alternating current power source.

Abstract: The invention may be broadly conceptualized as an approach in which a microwave oven receives a plurality of program recipes from a network that are executed by scanning with a scanner a symbol and associating the scanned symbol with one of the plurality of program recipes while keeping a real-time clock synchronized and correctly set by receiving period time synchronization messages.

Abstract: For determination as to whether there is a possibility that temperature control satisfying conditions according to an upper limit LH_i and a lower limit LL_i of the annealing control temperatures of annealing object steel sections i will be realized under restrictions on limit values U and D of the control temperature increase and decrease rates, computation is performed without using dynamic programming requiring an enormous amount of data on a continuous annealing line of a steelwork. Annealing object steel sections in an annealing object steel band 12 to be computed are assigned numbers 1, 2, . . . , n in order from the first time division in the direction of movement. T_i is a time required to pass the annealing object steel section i through a predetermined point at which the steel section undergoes temperature control. LH_1=LL_1=b is given. X_i=[IL_i?D*T_i, IH_i+U*T_i] is computed. When X_L_i1f, Y_i=X_iL_i. When X_i L_i=f, Y_i=X_i. Y—i is computed from i=1 to i=n in ascending order.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention uses an on-board microcontroller of a household appliance to receive signals from a directionless encoder attached to a knob for receiving user input and processing the signals from the direction encoder according to a control algorithm. The microcontroller may increase the output to an electric heating element on the appliance based on a variety of criteria, including either direction of rotation, current heating element setting, or a change in directional rotation. Alternatively, or in addition, the microcontroller may provide various types of graduated visual or audible feedback to the user.

Abstract: Multiple microcontrollers are used in controlling operation of an appliance thereby providing enhanced safety. User input deactivating the appliance is received and processed by a first and second microcontrollers, which separately and independently act to remove power from the appliance upon receipt of user input. Failure of one microcontroller in processing user input does not result in the appliance entering into an unsafe mode. Further, a third processor in a power supply module is used to control power into, and out of, the power supply module, so that under certain conditions, power may be remove from the system entirely or to certain components.

Abstract: A microwave oven and automatic cooking system uses a food package provided with a noncontact IC tag storing information about a food contained in the food package, where the information about the food includes information about a method of heating the food and an amount of heat energy for cooking the food, the information about the amount of heat energy being expressed in a form of an absolute amount of heat energy. The microwave oven receives the food package and cooks the food contained in the food package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling temperature of a plant comprising plural temperature control zones, wherein an effective control parameter for a first zone for which a signal representing measured temperature is available is produced according to an algorithm relating measured temperature, a desired temperature and a control parameter associated with a device affecting temperature in the first temperature control zone, the effective control parameter is summed with an offset value representing a proportional offset of the effective control parameter of a second temperature control zone relative to the effective control parameter of the first temperature control zone and the result is applied to control a device affecting temperature in the second temperature control zone.

Abstract: A method of protecting data stored in a memory of a welding controller provided with an EEPROM as a storage element capable of storing welding control data in a welding controller, thereby enhancing reliable protection of data stored in the EEPROM. The method of protecting data stored in a memory of a welding controller comprises the steps of providing the EEPROM having write validity control function means in the controller, using the EEPROM as a storage element for storing welding control data therein, writing the welding control data into the EEPROM and storing the same in the EEPROM, reading the welding control data from the EEPROM when the welding controller is used, and rendering the EEPROM transitive from a write disable state to a write enable state by the write validity control function when the welding control data is changed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing coils which achieves an uniform and complete curing of the paper impregnated with epoxy thermo curable resin placed between conductors by applying an electric current uniformly to all portions of the coil thus completely heating the coil, including the conductors near the core.

Abstract: A welding system is capable of shortening length of connection lines and of effectively utilizing devices as a whole. The system includes a welding controller provided with an I/O interface, a controller unit provided with a programmable logic controller and connected to the I/O interface of the welding controller through a field bus interface serving as a communication link, a welding machine and general-purpose peripheral equipment. The welding controller controls the welding machine and the general-purpose peripheral equipment upon receipt of instructions from the programmable logic controller through the field bus interface.

Abstract: For determination as to whether there is a possibility that temperature control satisfying conditions according to an upper limit LH_i and a lower limit LL_i of the annealing control temperatures of annealing object steel sections i will be realized under restrictions on limit values U and D of the control temperature increase and decrease rates, computation is performed without using dynamic programming requiring an enormous amount of data on a continuous annealing line of a steelwork.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing simulated oil paintings by means of a variety of commercial software programs. A digital color image is created and printed on to a substrate. Also printed on to the same substrate and registered thereto, is a slow drying, clear, embossing liquid in the pattern of brush strokes derived from one or more of the colors printed on to the substrate. A thermographic powder is dusted onto the embossing liquid while still wet and excess powder removed. The substrate is then heated to dry and raise the brush stroke pattern of the embossing ink to create a three dimensional effect on the substrate. The raised brush stroke pattern in combination with printed color image creates a work that has the three dimensional effect simulating an original oil painting.

Abstract: A system for determining dry cleaning timing, includes: a manufacturing apparatus configured to process materials assigned by a sequence of lots; an apparatus controller configured to control the manufacturing apparatus and obtaining operational conditions of the manufacturing apparatus as apparatus information; a lot information input terminal configured to obtain process conditions of one of the lots as lot information; an apparatus information storage unit configured to store the apparatus information from the apparatus controller as an apparatus information database; a lot information storage unit configured to store the lot information from the lot information input terminal as a lot information database; and a cleaning determination unit configured to determine timing to perform a dry cleaning of the manufacturing apparatus based on the apparatus information database and the lot information database.

Abstract: A distribution of bending principal strains giving a target shape of a curved surface is obtained (Step S1), and a calculation grid is divided along the direction of the bending principal strains (Step S2). A database storing actual measurement values of relations between heating conditions and deformation amounts is prepared (Step S3). The directions of the bending principal strains are divided into the directions of the maximum and minimum bending principal strains (Step S4) for each calculation grid. Then, a heating condition for obtaining a bending strain satisfying the maximum bending principal strain is obtained by a heating line perpendicular to the direction of the maximum bending principal strain, and a membrane strain generated accompanying with heating in this case is obtained by referring to the database (Step S5).

Abstract: Cooking information (CI) concerning different dishes is preliminarily registered as a standard in a mask ROM (11A) or the like of a microwave oven (1), to enable automatic cooking of a variety of dishes for every user. In practice, however, the dishes which each user cooks by a microwave oven is limited to a few of them. Then, the user selects and registers a standard recipe name (HN) of only his/her favorite dish in the mask ROM into a favorite menu in a non-volatile memory (11B). In order to execute cooking of a desired dish registered in the favorite menu, the standard recipe name of the desired dish is read not from the mask ROM but from the non-volatile memory and displayed on an LCD panel (13), so that the user needs only perform an operation to instruct start of heating through an input unit (15).

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a sensor that detects operating conditions in a plurality of control loops of a heater system and generates signals corresponding to the detected operating conditions. The monitoring system also includes a controller that receives the signals from the senor and determines whether the signals indicate the presence of an alarm condition in one or more of the control loops. The controller is configured to temporarily disconnect power to the plurality of control loops when it is determined that an alarm condition is present, determine whether the alarm condition is present in an individual connector loop, and reconnect power to only those control loops in which the alarm condition is not present.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to monitor and control the transmission of message across a network that collects and records a unique set of data about devices on the network. The collected data contains information about the operations of a device over a period of time. The data set contains unique status information recorded about that device. In the method of the present invention access control techniques are developed to control device access and message transmission across the network. A set of device privileges is created that define the message transmission capabilities for each device on the system or on the network. The present method detects an attempt by a device on the network to transmit a message across the network. After this transmission attempt detection, there is a determination of whether the transmitting device has the privilege to access and transmit this message to the intended receiving device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing coils which achieves an uniform and complete curing of the paper impregnated with epoxy thermo curable resin placed between conductors by applying an electric current uniformly to all portions of the coil thus completely heating the coil, including the conductors near the core.

Abstract: A pedometer navigator system has an Euler Angle Measuring Subsystem (EAMS) coupled to a body frame provides Euler angles of a fixed coordinate system with respect to a navigational coordinate system. Left and right sensors are mounted on a surveyor's feet. An SBPMS (short baseline position measuring subsystem) provides a left vector {right arrow over (&rgr;)}leftp and a right vector {right arrow over (&rgr;)}rightp characterizing the position of the sensors with respect to the SBPMS coordinate system origin. A computer means responds to the Euler angles and left and right vector and determines an interval during which the left or right foot is stationary, and providing a transition vector referenced to the earth fixed navigational coordinate system. A navigation algorithm adds each transition vector to the previous present position of the navigation reference system to obtain a next present position of the position measuring subsystem.

Abstract: A distribution of bending principal strains giving a target shape of a curved surface is obtained (Step S1), and a calculation grid is divided along the direction of the bending principal strains (Step S2). A database storing actual measurement values of relations between heating conditions and deformation amounts is prepared (Step S3). The directions of the bending principal strains are divided into the directions of the maximum and minimum bending principal strains (Step S4) for each calculation grid. Then, a heating condition for obtaining a bending strain satisfying the maximum bending principal strain is obtained by a heating line perpendicular to the direction of the maximum bending principal strain, and a membrane strain generated accompanying with heating in this case is obtained by referring to the database (Step S5).

Abstract: In a radiant energy heating system having one or more types of radiant energy heating sub-systems, a control system comprising a solid state electronic control panel pre-programmed to control two or more of the types of radiant heating sub-systems, wherein the control panel controls one or more of the types of sub-systems.

Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition systems include elements to preheat reactant gases prior to reacting the gases to form layers of a material on a substrate, which provides devices and systems with deposited layers substantially free of residual compounds from the reaction process. Heating reactant gases prior to introduction to a reaction chamber may be used to improve physical characteristics of the resulting deposited layer, to improve the physical characteristics of the underlying substrate and/or to improve the thermal budget available for subsequent processing. One example includes the formation of a titanium nitride layer substantially free of ammonium chloride using reactant gases containing a titanium tetrachloride precursor and a ammonia precursor.

Abstract: An inertial temperature control system and method are provided for changing the temperature of a body between two temperatures such that the ending temperature is reached smoothly without substantial temperature overshoot or oscillation. A temperature control algorithm is fed a set point temperature that accelerates and decelerates at a physically attainable rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature response profile of a part being exposed to heating and/or cooling conditions in a thermal processor incorporates measured data from the part to adjust the thermal processor control settings by closed loop feedback.

Abstract: An oven temperature controller for regulating temperature to a temperature setpoint over a temperature range in an oven compartment comprising a microprocessor and memory storage means. The memory storage means stores temperature setpoint related information for temperature setpoints over the temperature range and this information is used by the microprocessor for establishing an upper control limit curve and a lower control limit curve. The upper control limit curve and lower control limit curve have no discontinuities over a majority of the temperature range and at least one of these curves is non-parallel to a temperature setpoint line, the temperature setpoint line formed in a stepwise linear manner between temperature setpoints as the temperature setpoint is varied over the temperature range.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine (harvester) is automatically controlled and steered so as to completely harvest all crop in a field. A Global Positioning System (GPS) and an Inertial Navigation System provide data regarding the position and orientation of the harvester in a field. A Field Coverage Planner constructs a field coverage plan which defines a path for the harvester to follow in cutting crop from a field. Video images of the field in front of the harvester are derived alternately from two video cameras mounted on opposite sides of the harvester. The video images are processed in a Video Processing Computer to detect the crop line between cut and uncut crop and generate steering signals for steering the harvester along the crop line. Video images are also processed to detect the end of a row at the end of a field and supply a measure of the distance to the end of the row.

Abstract: The invention provides an indication of boil phase, such as during cooking. In one embodiment, a boil phase determination system is used in connection with a range heater during heating of a liquid. Sensors, which may include a timer, acoustic sensors, optical sensors, and such or temperature sensors, measure certain parameter values during the heating process. The sensors in turn provide output readings to a processor. The processor is operative for determining a boil phase based on the sensor information. The processor may derive and/or store boil phase relationships, for example, based on the operation of an induction tool with respect to test data. Upon making the boil phase determination, the processor provides an output indicative of the determined boil phase. The output may be used to notify a user of a boil phase such as by sounding an alarm or providing a visual output. The boil phase determination may also be used to operate a controller to thereby control operation of the range heater.

Abstract: A method and system for fabrication of composite parts with tools determines a layout pattern within an autoclave based upon the heating variance of the autoclave and the thermal performance of each selected tool. The layout pattern can provide for production goals such as minimizing processing time for a given selection of tools in an autoclave. The layout pattern is displayed with an easy to use graphical user interface or through a printout that allows an autoclave operator to quickly and efficiently determine an optimal loading pattern and load an autoclave accordingly.

Abstract: A control device for operation of a system for treating a surface of a solid running substrate by dielectric-barrier electrical discharge in a controlled gaseous atmosphere, comprising (A) a system which includes (i) a treatment device through which a substrate to be treated runs at a speed, (ii) the system is connected to the treatment device for supplying the treatment device with a flow of gas, (iii) the system is connected to the treatment device for supplying the treatment device with electrical power in order to produce the electrical discharge and (iv) the system sucking out the gas, (B) a data processing unit capable of receiving, as input, a datum regarding the speed at which the substrate is running through the treatment device, the data processing unit further comprising an output side connected to the system for controlling the electrical power supply system, in order to regulate the flow of gas delivered by the or each of the gas supply system and/or the electrical power delivered by the electric

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for stably controlling an ignition operation of a gas boiler regardless of external conditions by means of a method and an apparatus for variably setting an ignition condition of the gas boiler is disclosed. Control section detects an extinguishment flame voltage value based on whether or not a state of the gas boiler is an extinguishment state, compares the detected extinguishment flame voltage value with a predetermined first reference ignition flame voltage value, and sets a new reference ignition flame voltage value according to the compared result. As a result, the effects on the variations of components' characteristic which occur while using the gas boiler for a long time is minimized. Also, the effects caused by external conditions in the ignition state, the combustion state and the extinguishment state of the gas boiler are minimized. As a result, the ignition operation of the gas boiler is stably executed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for warning illegal stopping and parking car, wherein a controller compares a position information of a vehicle provided by a GSP receiver with a position information of banned area stored in a data storage to discriminate whether the vehicle is parked or stopped according to an engine revolution and a vehicle speed detected while the vehicle is within the premise of the banned area, and to raise a warning when the vehicle is parked or stopped as a result of the discrimination, thereby assisting a driver in preventing an illegal parking or stopping in the banned area by mistake or on purpose.

Abstract: A moisture content measuring apparatus and method wherein a sensor station produces calibration data corresponding to measurements of light at two different wavelengths reflected from a material, and the calibration data is then transferred to a hand held computer. The moisture content of a sample of the material is measured and input to the hand held computer. The process is repeated after changing the wetness of the material, and the hand held computer creates a table correlating reflection data to moisture content. The table is transferred to the sensor station which then continuously generates signals representing moisture content in response to real time reflection data and the table. The cost effectiveness of the sensor stations readily facilitates the use of a dedicated sensor station at each of a plurality of conveyors carrying different materials to be combined into a composite of predetermined proportions by weight.

Abstract: A control device for operation of a system for treating a surface of a solid running substrate by dielectric-barrier electrical discharge in a controlled gaseous atmosphere, comprising (A) a system which includes (i) a treatment device through which a substrate to be treated runs at a speed, (ii) the system is connected to the treatment device for supplying the treatment device with gas, (iii) the system is connected to the device for supplying the treatment device with electrical power in order to produce the electrical discharge and (iv) the system for sucking out the gas (B) a data processing unit designed to receive, as input, a datum regarding the speed at which the substrate is running through the treatment device, the data processing unit being connected, on the output side, to the gas supply system, to the electrical power supply system and to the gas suction system, in order: (a) upon starting the treatment device and when the running speed of the substrate is greater than a predetermined speed, to c

Abstract: A method is proposed that is used to input directional information into a radio unit or into a navigation unit with a calculation apparatus, by means of a numerical keypad. With the method, cardinal points are allocated to the externally located keys of the numerical keypad. Directional information is input by actuating the corresponding keys.