Abstract: The invention provides a position detection apparatus comprising: a base part, a moving part movable relatively with respect to the base part, a position detection part that detects a position of the moving part relative to the base part on the basis of a magnetic flux change to produce position data, a temperature detection part that detects an ambient temperature, a position correction part that calculates a correction value on the basis of a difference between the position data and a given reference value and the ambient temperature, and corrects the position data on the basis of the calculated correction value to produce a first corrected position data, and a linearity correction part that corrects the first corrected position data on the basis of the correction value for nonlinearity of the position detection part to produce a second corrected position data, wherein: the position detection part is capable of detecting position value as far as a position area where, within a position range of relative

Abstract: A transport unit (1) is provided for workpieces (2), in particular sheet metal parts, between neighboring placement areas or machining devices (3, 4), in particular presses. The transport unit (1) includes a multi-axis robot (5) having a gripper tool (9). A controllable transfer unit (6) is also provided that is guided by the robot (5). The unit includes an advancement unit (7) and a pivot unit (8) for the gripper tool (9).

Abstract: A positive & negative jerk interval parameter setting section divides an acceleration & deceleration interval of an acceleration command curve into an acceleration increasing interval, a constant acceleration interval, and an acceleration decreasing interval, and sets the length of time of each interval independently of each other. A positive & negative jerk interval trigonometric command generating section employs an acceleration command curve generated based on a trigonometric function of a ½ cycle, thereby generating a position command or a speed command.

Abstract: Methods for recognizing a virtual tooth surface, defining a virtual tooth coordinate system, and simulating a collision between virtual teeth are provided. Methods include receiving input data specifying a point on the rendered surface model associated with a tooth, deriving a perimeter on the surface model of the tooth, and analyzing the surface model along a plurality of paths outwardly extending from points on the perimeter. Methods also include receiving point input data, receiving axis input data that defines first and second axes associated with the virtual tooth, computing a substantially normal vector for a portion of the tooth surface surrounding the point, and computing a coordinate system. Methods also include receiving permissible movement input data directed to permissible movement of a first virtual tooth, bringing the first virtual tooth into contact with a second virtual tooth, and displaying data resulting from the simulation.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a dental implant surgical guide is disclosed. A patient-specific virtual model is generated using image data specific to a patient and virtual dental implants. The virtual model aligns the image data with the virtual dental implants using modeling software. A virtual mold is generated from the virtual model, and a physical mold is generated from the virtual mold. The physical mold is covered with a thermoplastic sheet via a thermoforming process. Excess thermoplastic material is trimmed off after the thermoforming process to produce a thermoformed piece. Metal tubes corresponding to each the virtual dental implants are placed onto the physical mold denoting the position, trajectory, and depth of the one or more virtual dental implants. A dental implant surgical guide that contains the thermoformed piece with the one or more tubes is produced.

Abstract: A positioning control system for positioning a moving element on a basis of position command data is provided with a feedback loop. The system is also provided with a loop gain modifier for determining a loop gain, which is to be used in a following positioning operation, on a basis of a difference between an amount of overshoot measured in a current positioning operation and a predetermined tolerance or on a basis of a difference between an amount of overshoot measured in a current positioning operation and a first predetermined tolerance and a difference between an amount of undershoot measured in the current positioning operation and a second predetermined tolerance. The first and second tolerances may preferably be the same in absolute value. The moving element may specifically be a steerable mirror for drilling holes in a work by reflecting a laser beam. Also disclosed is a laser drilling machine including the system.

Abstract: A radiographic imaging device has: a generating unit that generates image data expressing a radiographic image formed by irradiated radiation; a first communicating unit at which wireless communication is possible selectively in either of a direct communication mode or an indirect communication mode; a storing unit that stores a setting of a communication mode; and a control unit that, if a setting to carry out communication in the direct communication mode has been made, controls the first communicating unit to carry out wireless communication in the direct communication mode, and, if a setting to carry out communication in the indirect communication mode has been made, controls the first communicating unit to attempt wireless communication in the indirect communication mode with a control device that controls the radiographic imaging device, and, if communication is impossible, controls the first communicating unit to carry out wireless communication in the direct communication mode.

Abstract: Vibration protection in a compressor system with a variable speed compressor may include operating a variable speed compressor of a compressor system at a first frequency, measuring a vibration of the compressor system at the first frequency, determining whether the vibration exceeds a maximum vibration value, and operating the variable speed compressor at an average frequency equivalent to the first frequency, when the vibration exceeds the maximum vibration value, by identifying an allowed upper frequency and an allowed lower frequency, calculating an upper operating time and a lower operating time, and operating the variable speed compressor at the allowed upper frequency for the upper operating time and the allowed lower frequency for the lower operating time.

Abstract: A position and velocity measuring tool for use on a top drive of a drilling rig having a variable frequency drive connected to an electric motor and power supply. The position and velocity measuring tool further has a processor connected to the variable frequency drive and a data storage and computer instructions for presenting an operator directional drilling steering system dashboard with numerous visual components which creates and uses a virtual encoder eliminating a failure point of a mechanical encoder.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system, method and article which may be configured to autonomously dispense a medium onto a relatively large surface relatively accurately.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a method for performing industrial automation control may include detecting, via a sensor system, positions and/or motions of a human in an industrial automation system, determining at least one derivative value from the detected positions and/or motions, and determining a possible automation command and an undesirable condition based upon the detected positions and/or motions and the at least one derivative value. The method may then include implementing a control and/or notification action based upon the determined possible automation command and the undesired condition.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a method for performing industrial automation control in an industrial automation system. The method may include detecting, via a sensor system, positions and/or motions of a human. The method may then determine a possible automation command corresponding to the detected positions and/or motions, receive an automation system signal from at least one additional control component, and implement a control and/or notification action based upon the determined possible automation command and the received automation system signal.

Abstract: A method of mapping a machine having a work tool includes sensing an outer boundary of the machine and generating a first set of information indicative of the outer boundary of the machine, moving the work tool relative to the machine through substantially an entire range of motion of the work tool, and sensing an outer boundary of the work tool during movement of the work tool through substantially the entire range of motion. The method also includes generating a second set of information indicative of a location of the outer boundary of the work tool through substantially the entire range of motion, determining information indicative of a position of an object disposed proximate the machine, and determining whether the information indicative of the position of the object is included in either the first or second sets of information.

Abstract: A system, method, and device for generating a signal processing network for deployment on a motion control system are disclosed. The exemplary system may have a module that supplies one or more signal processing units represented in data format using existing compiled and linked code. Another module provides a dedicated interface with the motion control system. The system may also have a module that supplies each signal processing unit with multiple inputs and multiple outputs and a module that routes the inputs and the outputs between the one or more signal processing units.

Abstract: The invention is generally related to the estimation of position and orientation of an object with respect to a local or a global coordinate system using reflected light sources. A typical application of the method and apparatus includes estimation and tracking of the position of a mobile autonomous robot. Other applications include estimation and tracking of an object for position-aware, ubiquitous devices. Additional applications include tracking of the positions of people or pets in an indoor environment. The methods and apparatus comprise one or more optical emitters, one or more optical sensors, signal processing circuitry, and signal processing methods to determine the position and orientation of at least one of the optical sensors based at least in part on the detection of the signal of one or more emitted light sources reflected from a surface.

Abstract: An automation and motion control system for theatrical objects, such as theatrical props, cameras, stunt persons, lighting, scenery, drapery or other similar types of devices or items, is provided to coordinate the movement of the objects on a large scale and/or to control the operation of the objects.

Abstract: A system for modifying a path of operation of a machine includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller stores the path of operation, receives a plurality of position signals as the work implement moves material along the path of operation, and determines the position of the work surface. The controller further determines an amount of material moved based at least in part upon the position of the work surface and modifies parameters used to determine a subsequent path of operation if the amount of material moved exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A method for use in a part tracking system including a camera and a motion controller, the method comprising the steps of time synchronizing the motion controller and the camera at a trigger time when it is anticipated that a part is within the field of view of the camera, causing the camera to obtain an image, using the obtained image to determine an actual location of the part at the trigger time, comparing the actual location and the anticipated location of the part to identify a position difference and at the motion controller, using the position difference at the trigger time to adjust at least one operating characteristic of the automated system.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a machining operation wherein a tool performs a machining operation on a workpiece. The method includes providing a tool holder for holding a tool, a workpiece holder for holding a work piece, and a linear slide for linearly moving a linearly moving part that is either the tool or the workpiece. The step of selecting appropriate machining parameters includes the step of selecting an appropriate feed rate for the linear slide move the linear moving part and appropriate rotational speed is selected for the rotator to rotate the rotating part. The set of appropriate machining parameters are incorporated into the digital controller. The digital controller is then used to control the operation of a linear slide, rotator and modulator to execute the machining of the workpiece by the tool in accordance with a selected appropriate set of parameters.

Abstract: An input device includes a coordinate input unit including capacitance detectors, a capacitance measuring unit that measures the capacitances of the capacitance detectors and outputs them as measurement signals by performing A/D conversion, and a control unit that controls the capacitance measuring unit, obtains the signals while associating them with coordinate information of the capacitance detectors, calculates first data signals that are difference values between the measurement signals and a reference value, performs a calculation for the first data signals, outputs control signals based on the calculation result, performs a first calculation in which the first data signals obtained after performing a noise removal process are associated with the coordinate information as second data signals and a second calculation in which the second signals obtained after performing a smoothing process are associated with the coordinate information as third data signals, and calculates an operation position using the

Abstract: The present application refers to a system and a control method especially applied to electric motors designed to drive cyclical loads.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of controlling movement of a reference point on an end effector of a machine, where the machine includes a controller, a first control mechanism, and a second control mechanism. The method includes initiating a movement of the reference point to a desired location with the first control mechanism. The method also includes determining an actual position of the reference point and communicating the actual position of the reference point to the controller. A second control mechanism controls the movement of the reference point to the desired location.

Abstract: Docking stations and docking methods are provided for use with marking devices used for marking the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area. The docking station may serve as a home base for storage of a marking device, for charging the battery of a marking device, for transferring data to and from a marking device, and for securing a marking device against unauthorized use and/or theft. The docking station may be a mobile docking station that is installed in a vehicle or may be a fixed docking station that is installed at a central location in the field, at a central office, at a home base facility, and the like.

Abstract: There are obtained a mobile terminal device and a data transfer control program that, even in the case where a plurality of data that become a target of transfer exist, can simply carry out an operation to select data to be transferred from them and to start transfer itself without a mistake. An acceleration sensor 118 fixedly provided in the device is activated at a state where the data to be transferred are displayed on a first liquid crystal display 104 and selected by an operation section 112. A control section 121 starts the transfer of the data using an infrared communication section 105 at the time when to become a posture of a specific angle range continuously more than once. Since a predetermined melody comes out from a speaker 110 during the transfer of the data, it is possible to know that the transfer is carried out.

Abstract: A system for communicating with a motion control system, comprising a set of motion operations, a set of functions, a set of security levels, and client software. The functions are capable of causing the motion control system to perform at least one motion operation. The client software is capable of calling at least one of the functions. The ability of the client software to call at least one of the functions is restricted based on at least one of the security levels.

Abstract: A control device is for a motor, especially a brushless DC motor. The control device contains a bridge circuit for generating a rotating field for the motor and a sensor system for detecting a position of a rotor of the motor, a control signal for the bridge circuit being derivable from the signal representing the rotor position. The sensor system includes an absolute value transmitter which detects the absolute position of the rotor and which is configured to derive at least one incremental signal from the absolute position and to make it directly available to a control component for controlling the bridge circuit for commuting the motor.

Abstract: A processing equipment unit performs a predetermined process to a carried object. A case accommodates the carried object. A carrier carries the carried object in the case. An opener is configured to enable the carrier to mount the case on the opener. The opener includes an opener control unit configured to exchange a signal with the carrier to control elevation of the case. The carrier is configured to exchange a signal with the opener control unit thereby to mount the case on the opener. The opener is equipped to the processing equipment unit.

Abstract: A position encoder provides one or more trigger outputs based on position signals developed within the encoder, in addition to traditional position output signals used by other system components such as a motion controller. The trigger outputs may be used directly by a triggered device, bypassing the motion controller and obviating any separate trigger generation electronics. The trigger output(s) can be fully synchronous with the encoder's position output signal(s) with essentially no latency or jitter, increasing accuracy and providing improved system performance. The trigger functionality can be incorporated in a variety of encoder types (e.g., absolute and incremental) and technologies (optical, magnetic, inductive etc.), and used in conjunction with different position output signal formats (e.g., quadrature, serial).

Abstract: Docking stations and docking methods are provided for use with marking devices used for marking the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area. The docking station may serve as a home base for storage of a marking device, for charging the battery of a marking device, for transferring data to and from a marking device, and for securing a marking device against unauthorized use and/or theft. The docking station may be a mobile docking station that is installed in a vehicle or may be a fixed docking station that is installed at a central location in the field, at a central office, at a home base facility, and the like.

Abstract: Docking stations and docking methods are provided for use with marking devices used for marking the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area. The docking station may serve as a home base for storage of a marking device, for charging the battery of a marking device, for transferring data to and from a marking device, and for securing a marking device against unauthorized use and/or theft. The docking station may be a mobile docking station that is installed in a vehicle or may be a fixed docking station that is installed at a central location in the field, at a central office, at a home base facility, and the like.

Abstract: An access controller apparatus and method for controlling physical access to an area are provided to determine a current priority level setting of the access controller and to ignore a received command in response to a comparison of the priority level of the received command to the current priority level setting of the access controller. Thus, a prioritized response to commands is provided such that commands of certain priority levels can be acted upon in certain situations. This helps allow for proper responses to multiple conflicting commands and for prioritized responses to commands of greater importance or of universal impact.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of controlling movement of a reference point on an end effector of a machine, where the machine includes a controller, a first control mechanism, and a second control mechanism. The method includes initiating a movement of the reference point to a desired location with the first control mechanism. The method also includes determining an actual position of the reference point and communicating the actual position of the reference point to the controller. A second control mechanism controls the movement of the reference point to the desired location.

Abstract: A glove puppet manipulating system comprises a control module for generating control signals base on movements of human hand and a robot electrically connecting the control module installed inside a glove puppet. The robot has a body manipulating apparatus disposed on a foundation to manipulate the body of the glove puppet to rotate, a pair of hand manipulating apparatuses disposed on the body manipulating apparatus to manipulate the hands of the glove puppet to swivel, and a head manipulating apparatus interposed between the hand manipulating apparatuses on the body manipulating apparatus to manipulate the head of the glove puppet to nod.

Abstract: A motion controller is provided which improves system responsiveness without having to raise the arithmetic capacity of a master controller or to boost the communication speed of a network. The master controller 1 uses a program analysis unit 1g to separate, from a control program designating a tolerable delay time for operating control target apparatuses, a slave use program to be executed by a slave controller in a manner not to exceed the tolerable delay time, and to create slave-to-slave communication setting information needed by the slave controller to execute the slave use program. Through slave-to-slave communication, the slave controller 2 acquires input/output information from another slave controller. The slave controller 2 also uses a slave use program execution unit 2f to execute its own slave use program.

Abstract: An alignment system for coupling a component to a vehicle includes at least one sensor target coupled to the component, and a controller assembly configured to transmit a signal towards the sensor target and receive a reflected signal from the sensor target, wherein the controller assembly is configured to output an orientation dataset for the component relative to the vehicle using the reflected signal. The system also includes a processing device communicatively coupled to the controller assembly, wherein the processing device is programmed to translate the orientation dataset and cause a set of component positioning signals based on the orientation dataset to be displayed at a user interface.

Abstract: Disclosed are a positioning apparatus and a PLC system using the same. The positioning apparatus of the present invention generates, for every control period, a pulse signal for indicating the position of an object to be controlled, determines the current position of the object to be controlled using the pulse signal, and if the current position is a specific position, controls the object to be controlled in synchronization with the specific position.

Abstract: A method of determining and controlling position and attitude information associated with a 6-degree-of-freedom stage includes: receiving, from a plurality of sensors associated with the 6-degree-of-freedom stage, displacement information associated with the 6-degree-of-freedom stage. A plurality of equations associated with the plurality of sensors are determined by a control unit based on the displacement information to represent an amount of change in position and attitude associated with each measurement axis of each of the plurality of sensors. The control unit determines position information and attitude information associated with the 6-degree-of-freedom stage using the equations. Movement of the 6-degree-of-freedom stage is caused, at least in part, to be controlled based on the position information, the attitude information, or both the position information and the attitude information.

Abstract: A machine motion control system for testing electronic devices includes two test machines, a control card and a main controller. The test machines secure the electronic devices, whereby each test machine includes a plurality of moving parts for securing the electronic devices and a plurality of driving modules. The driving modules drive and control the corresponding moving parts of the test machine. The control card controls the driving modules. The main controller provides and transmits a movement instruction to the control card, the control card monitors and controls the driving modules according to the movement instruction, and the driving modules accordingly adjusts and drives the test machines and the moving parts on the test machines.

Abstract: A technique for efficient processing of annotations in images such as panoramic images is herein disclosed. In an embodiment, a first user annotation is received for a feature in a first panorama, and a second user annotation for the same feature is received in a second panorama. The coordinates for the feature can then be generated by computing the intersection between data generated for the first user annotation and for the second user annotations.

Abstract: A closed-loop control structure for positioning a load with the aid of an electric motor includes a device for the active damping of unwanted, low-frequency vibrations. The closed-loop control structure has a position controller, a speed controller, and a current controller, which together, form a cascaded control loop. Damping signals which counteract unwanted, low-frequency vibrations are applied to the control loop, at least one first and one second damping signal of different phase angle being derived from a single sensor signal, and the first damping signal being injected between the position controller and the speed controller, and the second damping signal being injected between the speed controller and the current controller.

Abstract: A system includes a first execution control instruction to start execution of a first control program every first execution cycle of the same period as a control cycle period and a second execution control instruction to start execution of a second control program every second execution cycle whose period is an integral multiple of at least twice the control cycle period. The second execution control instruction includes an instruction to start, in a control cycle in which a second execution cycle starts, execution of the second control program after the end of execution of the first control program, and if the second control program is not completed before the end of the control cycle, to start execution of an unexecuted part of the second control program after the end of execution of the first control program in the next control cycle.

Abstract: A position control device for suppressing occurrence of stick-slip during a feed operation performed in a very low speed region is provided. Adders add an output obtained by multiplying actual speed deviation by a proportional gain, an integral component of actual speed deviation obtained by inputting actual speed deviation to an integral compensator, an output obtained by multiplying motor speed deviation by a proportional gain, and an integral component of the motor speed deviation obtained by inputting motor speed deviation to an integral compensator. The result is output as a torque feedback command. Each integral compensator has a coefficient changer capable of changing a coefficient from 0 to 1 to adjust integral gains in accordance with a speed feedforward command or a speed command. Large integral gain increases the response speed of switching from static to kinetic friction torque in a very low speed region thereby suppressing occurrence of stick-slip.

Abstract: In a case where a position command path for a control position of a load 5 that is equivalent to a moving object is set by issuing a position command Rc(z), a gain for one of a high-frequency component, a specified frequency, and a specified frequency width is constrained. This means that a resonant frequency can be constrained, and that after the position command Rc(z) arrives at a target position, a position detection signal Y(z) can also arrive at the target position in a set number of steps. It is therefore possible to perform positioning at high speed and with high precision by constraining a resonance mode of a mechanism that includes the moving object, and a feed-forward control can be performed that meets target positioning times that are set for various types of operating patterns.

Abstract: A control device is configured to control a movement of an element of an installation and includes a main processor and an auxiliary processor. The main processor has a first computer architecture. The auxiliary processor is connected to the main processor and includes a second computer architecture. The second computer architecture differs from the first computer architecture. The second computer architecture allows faster processing of predetermined signals than the first computer architecture. The auxiliary processor is configured (i) to read in an auxiliary-processor input signal from the main processor, and (ii) to determine an auxiliary-processor output signal and to output it to the main processor by using the auxiliary-processor input signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling a group of machines such as robots or pick and place machines to pick up an item from a first position and place the item in a second position. Information from a sensor about the location of the first position is provided to a control member, which sends a message from a master process to all machines. The message includes a list of all first positions. The machines dynamically and adaptively handle each of the first positions and inform the master process when each first position is handled. The master process in turn informs all machines that a given first position has been handled. A system, a computer program and a graphical user interface are also described.

Abstract: The reading apparatus is provided with: an optical image forming unit that forms an optical image on a recording medium by irradiating, with light, the recording medium on which an image is formed and which is transported in a slow scan direction; a reading unit that reads a position in a fast scan direction of the image formed on the recording medium transported in the slow scan direction and a position in a fast scan direction of the optical image, by using a minification optical system; and a registration correction unit that corrects a registration error in the fast scan direction of the image read by the reading unit, by using the position in the fast scan direction of the optical image read by the reading unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a numerical control device of a machine tool including linear and rotation axes, for controlling position and attitude of a tool with respect to a workpiece, the device comprising: an indexing-method decision unit that decides=one of a rotation indexing method of operating only the rotation axis and a tool-tip-position holding indexing method of operating the rotation axis and linear axis and holding a tool tip position with respect to the workpiece, based on a commanded rotation axis, a commanded rotation direction of the commanded rotation axis, and the tool position; a moving-amount calculation unit that calculates moving amount of the axes based on the commanded rotation axis, the commanded rotation direction of the commanded rotation axis, the tool position, and the indexing method decided; and an output unit that outputs a position command to a servo amplifier based on the moving amount calculated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the probability of a collision between a first object, whose trajectory is substantially controlled by an operator input command, and a second object.

Abstract: This invention discloses scalable and modular automated optical cross-connect devices which exhibit low loss and scalability to high port counts. In particular, a device for the programmable interconnection of large numbers of optical fibers is provided, whereby a two-dimensional array of fiber optic connections is mapped in an ordered and rule based fashion into a one-dimensional array with tensioned fiber optic elements tracing substantially straight lines there between. Fiber optic elements are terminated in a stacked arrangement of flexible fiber optic elements with a capacity to retain excess fiber lengths while maintaining an adequate bend radius. The combination of these elements partitions the switch volume into multiple independent, non-interfering zones.

Abstract: A machine motion control system includes a number of moving parts for securing test electronic devices, a machine and an axis control card mounted on the machine. The machine includes a number of servo modules and a number of sensing units. The servo modules drive and control the corresponding moving parts on the machine. Each sensing unit is electrically connected to a corresponding moving part; the sensing units are operable to sense and transmit location information of the moving parts and the machine. The axis control card is electrically connected to the moving parts, the machine, and the sensing units. The axis control card receives location information of each moving part and processes the location information to generate a corresponding command signal, and transmits the generated command signal to the servo modules to control and adjust the moving parts.