Abstract: A communication system is installed in information home appliances controlled by an operation system connected to an IP network. The communication system includes a first communication apparatus connected to the IP network; and a second communication apparatus connected to the first communication apparatus.

Abstract: In an information processing system, a first system control apparatus of a first information processing apparatus causes a first connecting apparatus to disconnect from the first shared storage apparatus, causes a second connecting apparatus to disconnect from the second shared storage apparatus, causes a control part to start up the first information processing apparatus, causes another first connecting apparatus used to replace the first connecting apparatus to connect to the first shared storage apparatus, and causes the second connecting apparatus to connect to the second shared storage apparatus. In the information processing system, a second information processing apparatus includes a second system control apparatus and a third and fourth connecting apparatuses used to connect to the first and second shared storage apparatuses, respectively.

Abstract: An integrated light and fragrance system automatically controls (150) aromatic effects (125) based on a user's control (111) of lighting effects (115). The system accepts one or more sets of lighting-fragrance correlations (165) from which to determine a preferred aromatic effect (161, 162) from a selected lighting effect (151, 152). Optionally, these sets of lighting-fragrance correlations (165) are provided by third-party vendors (310) who employ the skills of expert ambiance designers. In an alternative embodiment, the system may also use these sets of lighting-fragrance correlations (165) to control lighting effects (115) based on a user's control (121) of the fragrance effects (125). In each of these embodiments, the user merely controls (111, 121) a desired first effect (115, 125), and a suitable second effect (125, 115) is created to enhance the first effect (115, 125).

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided for enhancing the image processing function without having to increase the circuit scale. The image processing apparatus includes an image divider, a pixel processor, and an image coupler. If the number of horizontal pixels on the width of an input image is larger than a size of a line buffer, the image divider equally divides the input image in the vertical direction so that the resulting divided area is smaller than the number of horizontal pixels on the width of the line buffer. Then, the image divider controls an input data transfer circuit so that the pixel data of the input image may be sequentially transferred to the line buffer for each of the equally divided areas. The image processor sequentially processes the pixel data of the input image temporarily stored in the line buffer and then sends out the output pixel data.

Abstract: Systems and methods that configure an embedded historian(s) to a predetermined setting and an automatic propagation thereof to other embedded historians and units on the factory floor. Embedded historian can be automatically configured, and be set up as a default collection for a plant scan, such that when a plant comes on-line, embedded historians announce their presence to such plant, and are discovered thereby and configured thereby.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for system fault recovery by an implantable medical device which employs a global fault response. The system enables the device to consistently recover from transient faults while maintaining a history of the reason for the device fault. Upon detection of a fault, the primary controller of the device signals a reset controller which then issues a reset command. All sub-systems of the primary device controller are then reset together rather than resetting individual sub-systems independently to ensure deterministic behavior.

Abstract: A computerized system is provided for scheduling a plurality of work orders in a manufacturing process. Each work order to be scheduled specifies a set of operations to be performed using a plurality of resources and materials. Data including resource availability information for each resource used in the manufacturing process, material availability information for each material used in the manufacturing process, and work order information is received and stored in a computer. The work order information includes a release date for the work order, a want date for the work order, operations information, and material requirements information. The operations information includes the identity and sequence of operations to be performed for the work order, the identity of the resources needed to perform each operation, a minimum resource capacity needed to perform each operation, and the time needed to perform the operation.

Abstract: A method for operating a system, as well as a computer program and a computer program product for executing the method. In the method for operating a system, which includes a plurality of control units, in the event that a special state exists for one of the control units, at least one of the other control units is informed about it.

Abstract: When an input unit of the equipment operability evaluating apparatus selects the human body type of the human body model and a scenario, the posture calculation unit calculates an appropriate operating posture of the human body model having the physique of the selected human body type for each of the supposed operations set by the supposed operation setting unit, and the simulation unit arranges an equipment model and a human body model having the calculated operating posture in the three-dimensional virtual space, and displays the view image as an image of the three-dimensional virtual space viewed from the point of view of the human body model. The operation recording unit records the operation result of the equipment model on the view image, and the operability evaluation unit evaluates the operability of the equipment based on the recorded operation result.

Abstract: A multi-level automation control architecture, methods, and systems are disclosed, which provide enhanced scalability, functionality, and cost effectiveness for energy, access, and control. The systems include various combinations of automation controllers, remote controllers and peripheral devices that are used to provide monitoring and control functionality over the various systems in a structure, such as HVAC, water, lighting, etc. In various embodiments, the automation controller and various peripheral devices are implemented to provide an integrated energy management system for the structure. The system allows the user to manage energy based on the day, time, the presence of people, and the availability of natural lighting and heating, as well as prioritize and participate in demand-response program.

Abstract: A system which can control functions of a multifunction device in an integrative manner and can flexibly change the functions of the multifunction device. The multifunction device includes a computer including a CPU and a RAM and is connected to, is able to communicate with, and is controlled by one or more control devices. The multifunction device is provided with: a storage section which stores a program for multifunction device, which program is executable by the CPU; a program registration management application which stores the program supplied from the control device in the storage section; and a job manager which causes the CPU to execute the program stored in the storage section, in response to an instruction to execute the program supplied from the control device.

Abstract: An internal pressure of a hydropneumatic drive actuator is measured by a pressure measurement device, a displacement amount of a movable mechanism is measured, a desired value and a measurement value of the displacement are inputted so that a position error is compensated by a position error compensation device, a desired value of a pressure difference of the actuator to which antagonistic driving is performed by the desired value is calculated by a desired pressure difference calculation device, outputs from the position error compensation device, the desired pressure difference calculation device, and the pressure measurement device are inputted, and a pressure difference error is compensated by pressure difference error compensation device.

Abstract: Power supplies, supplied with an input voltage to produce output voltages, are controlled in a desired sequence, and their output voltages are monitored, by respective state machines of two or more control units which are coupled in cascade by a bidirectional signal path on which commands and acknowledgements are coupled serially in frames. Within each control unit, each state machine communicates with all of the other state machines, so that the power supplies controlled by a single control unit can include divergent and convergent as well as linear sequence paths. The sequence is linear between adjacent control units, with logical combinations of received and locally-produced commands and acknowledgements. An input state machine in the first control unit in the cascade monitors the input voltage to initiate a power-up sequence.

Abstract: At least one of the multiple process parameters (MPPs) is a controllable process parameter (CTPP) and one is a targeted process parameter (TPP). The process also has a defined target limit (DTV) representing a first limit on an actual average value (AAV) of the TPP. A first logical controller predicts future average values (FAVs) of the TPP based on the AAVs of the TPP over a first prior time period and the DTV. A second logical controller establishes a further target limit (FTV) representing a second limit on the AAV of the TPP based on one or more of the predicted FAVs, and also determines a target set point for each CTPP based on the AAVs of the TPP over a prior time period and the FTV. The second logical controller directs control of each CTPP in accordance with the determined target set point.

Abstract: A hybrid cascade Model-Based Predictive control (MBPC) and conventional control system for thermal processing equipment of semiconductor substrates, and more in particular for vertical thermal reactors is described. In one embodiment, the conventional control system is based on a PID controller. In one embodiment, the MBPC algorithm is based on both multiple linear dynamic mathematical models and non-linear static mathematical models, which are derived from the closed-loop modeling control data by using the closed-loop identification method. In order to achieve effective dynamic linear models, the desired temperature control range is divided into several temperature sub-ranges. For each temperature sub-range, and for each heating zone, a corresponding dynamic model is identified. During temperature ramp up/down, the control system is provided with a fuzzy control logic and inference engine that switches the dynamic models automatically according to the actual temperature.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for controlling conveyor systems including providing status information for each of a plurality of conveyors, providing control information for each of the conveyors based solely upon the status information from that conveyor and from adjacent conveyors, and controlling each of the conveyors by communicating the control information between the adjacent conveyors.

Abstract: A versatile controller that can be used as either a stand-alone controller in a relatively small process plant or as one of numerous controllers in a distributed process control system depending on the needs of the process plant includes a processor adapted to be programmed to execute one or more programming routines and a memory, such as a non-volatile memory, coupled to the processor and adapted to store the one or more programming routines to be executed on the processor. The versatile controller also includes a plurality of field device input/output ports communicatively connected to the processor, a configuration communication port connected to the processor and to the memory to enable the controller to be configured with the programming routines and a second communication port which enables a user interface to be intermittently connected to the controller to view information stored within the controller memory.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a wafer-handling robot in a wafer processing system is automatically calibrated by determining an orientation of the robot relative to a chassis of the wafer processing system, determining hand-off coordinates of a load port in the wafer processing system, and determining hand-off coordinates of a load lock in the wafer processing system. Also disclosed is a calibration fixture for automatically calibrating the wafer-handling robot to the load port.

Abstract: A preferential upper limit processing section L_MH1 limits the value of a pre-input manipulated variable output upper limit MH1 so as to adjust a manipulated variable output MV1 of a preferential controller PID1 to a predetermined value MT1 or less. A non-preferential upper limit calculating section C_MH2 calculates a manipulated variable output upper limit MH2 of a non-preferential controller PID2 so as to adjust the sum of manipulated variable outputs MV1 and MV2 to the predetermined value MT1 or less. A preferential upper limit calculating section C_MH1 performs calculation of increasing/decreasing the manipulated variable output upper limit MH1 of the controller PID1 in accordance with the margin of the manipulated variable output MV2 of the controller PID2 with respect to the manipulated variable output upper limit value MH2, and sets the calculated value as a manipulated variable output upper limit value MH1? in the next control cycle.

Abstract: A method for determining at least one time constant of a reference model, which is designed as a 2nd order time-delay element of a machine. The method includes detecting an oscillation frequency of an undamped machine oscillation and determining an optimized value of a time constant of the reference model as a function of the detected oscillation frequency of the undamped machine oscillation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a passive component for a bus system, such as, for example, a field bus system, having a bus interface for connection to a bus, a serial interface for serially reading out and reading in data, a data memory with an output area for storing data which has been read in via the bus interface and is to be read out via the serial interface and an input area for storing data which has been read in via the serial interface and is to be read out via the bus interface, and a control device for controlling the transmission and storage of data, a detection device to detect the status of the output area and of the input area and providing corresponding status information being provided, which status information is used as the basis for reading data into the output area and reading data out of the input area via the bus interface when the bus system is connected.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for communicating and applying adaptive security to a data stream comprising a plurality of data packets. The method comprises the steps of identifying a desired security level range and a desired actual security level which falls within the desired security level range. The availability of a number of security processor operations at the host is determined so that, if needed, computing resources at the host can be reallocated to ensure that the data stream can be verified at the desired actual security level. If there are not sufficient resources available for reallocation at the host, communication resources can be reallocated, for example by changing the bandwidth of the data stream or another incoming data stream. With this method, the actual security level will be kept within the desired security level range.

Abstract: A hardware system is provided for performing angle-to-time and time-to-angle conversions in a dynamic angular measurement and control system. The system has the capability of updating scheduled event times of other hardware timers in the system that are being used to generate output events at some specific angular position in the future. One application of the system is in automotive powertrain control systems in which the position of the engine is determined from a pulsed signal generated by a rotating crankshaft that accelerates and decelerates over time. The system performs critical calculations in hardware which consumes less CPU bandwidth than existing systems, resulting in potential cost savings for the overall system.

Abstract: An industrial plant asset management system comprising of a synchronized multiple view graphical user interface combining simultaneous real time and database display capability, a database including a knowledge manager and having input and output interfaces, a normalizing data acquisition module with real time and database interfaces, and a variety of device dependent data collector modules with associated signal conditioning and processing devices for providing an environment for development and deployment of visual models for monitoring plant assets.

Abstract: A printing machine as described has a plurality of image formation units each of which serves to perform an printing operation on a printing sheet. Particularly, the printing machine is capable of reporting an error in the printing operation in order to minimize the time period during which the printing machine does not work, and of effectively supporting the printing job of the user.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling delivery of conditioned water to a plurality of heat exchangers includes a system controller which gathers information as to the current and future demands for conditioned water by a plurality of zone controllers associated with the plurality of heat exchangers. The system controller is operative to provide conditioned water to the heat exchangers even though current demands for conditioned water may not be sufficient to require the provision of conditioned water to the heat exchangers. The system controller analyzes current demands for conditioned water in combination with future demands for conditioned water to determine if the combined demands exceed a minimum level or number of demands necessary to authorize provision of conditioned water to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A control system for maintaining the liquid levels in a plurality of reservoirs connected in series includes one or more nested control modules. The nested control module, one for each reservoir, includes a proportional only level controller in electrical communication with the respective level sensor of each respective reservoir and is adapted to produce an output that becomes a set point for one or more respective PID flow controllers adapted to control the respective outflows of said respective reservoirs. The control system results in maintaining liquid levels in the reservoirs while substantially eliminating flow and level oscillations.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling delivery of either heated or cooled water to a plurality of heat exchangers includes a system controller which gathers information as to the current and future heating or cooling demands of a plurality of zone controllers associated with the plurality of heat exchangers. The system controller is operative to provide heated or cooled water to the heat exchangers even though current heating or cooling demands may not be sufficient to require the provision of heated or cooled water to the heat exchangers. The system controller analyzes current demands for heating or cooling in combination with future demands for heating or cooling to determine if there is any combination of current and future heating or cooling demands that exceed a minimum level or number of demands necessary to authorize heating or cooling.

Abstract: A system and method for data communication with adaptive security in which a send host transmits a data stream to a receive host in packets which contain an authentication data block with an authentication header and a signature block. The authentication header advantageously contains various fields including a verification type, a security algorithm, a minimum security level, a target security level, and an actual security level. The receive host adaptively performs verification of the data packets using varying security levels based in part on the availability of security operations per second (SOPS) in the receive host. Where a data stream in the receive host is delayed by a security processing bottleneck, the receive host may alter the verification type, security algorithm, or the actual security level to speed up the processing of the data stream by reducing the amount of security processing performed.

Abstract: An electronic control unit includes a first microprocessor monitoring the operation of a second microprocessor and has a monitoring operation blocking unit for preventing the second microprocessor from being reset by the first microprocessor while the second microprocessor is loading from a memory thereof so that even when a control program is loaded into the monitoring microprocessor before one is loaded into the monitored microprocessor, the control program can be loaded with certainty. Each microprocessor executes a control program stored in the memory, and when a predetermined reloading condition has been established, executes a loading process for receiving load data transmitted thereto from outside into the memory.

Abstract: A system for controlling delivery of conditioned water to a plurality of heat exchangers includes a system controller which gathers information as to the current and future demands for conditioned water by a plurality of zone controllers associated with the plurality of heat exchangers. The system controller is operative to provide conditioned water to the heat exchangers even though current demands for conditioned water may not be sufficient to require the provision of conditioned water to the heat exchangers. The system contoller does this by analyzing current demands for conditioned water in combination with future demands for conditioned water to determine if the combined demands exceed a minimum level or number of demands necessary to authorize provision of conditioned water to the heat exchangers.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for interconnecting a plurality of control systems used to planarize wafers in a CMP tool. Example control systems that may be used with the invention are the back-fill pressure of a carrier, carrier down-force, carrier rotation and platen rotation. A controller is used to automate the CMP tool by communicating desired set-points to the various control systems. The instability or fluctuations in control systems caused by a desired change in one or more other control systems are reduced by allowing the affected control systems to receive information regarding the intended actions by the control systems that affect them. In this manner the affected control systems may take proactive steps to reduce fluctuations in their output caused by changes in the other control systems.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system uses a master processor coupled to a ROM device to transfer boot code to slave processors over a bus. The memory controllers in the slave processors are controlled to deny processor memory request until the boot code has been transferred to their RAM devices. The memory controllers map the transferred boot codes to a first address space in their RAM devices.

Abstract: A system for controlling delivery of either heated or cooled water to a plurality of heat exchangers includes a system controller which gathers information as to the current and future heating or cooling demands of a plurality of zone controllers associated with the plurality of heat exchangers. The system controller analyzes current demands for heating or cooling in combination with future demands for heating or cooling to determine if there is any combination of current and future heating or cooling demands that exceed a minimum level or number of demands necessary to authorize heating or cooling. A start time for the provision of the heated or cooled water is thereafter determined by the system controller in the event that there is any combination of current and future heating or cooling demands that exceed the minimum level or number of demands necessary to authorize a heating or cooling.

Abstract: A control apparatus is disclosed that comprises a primary proportional, integral, differential (“PID”) controller capable of receiving a first setpoint and a first process variable and generating therefrom a second setpoint; and a secondary controller capable of receiving the second setpoint and a second process variable and generating therefrom an output control signal, wherein the primary PID controller is capable of receiving from the secondary controller a feedback signal 1) that indicates that a previous value of the second setpoint exceeds a limit associated with an output control signal of the secondary controller, and 2) that transfers a value of a signal from the secondary controller. The primary PID controller is then capable of limiting the contribution of the integral calculation component in a PID calculation that generates a new current value of the second setpoint.

Abstract: A processor is efficiently controlled and the electric power required to drive the processor is reduced by switching between a process of driving a plurality of arithmetic units using a series of instructions from an instruction control unit and a process of driving a plurality of arithmetic units using a plurality of series of instructions from different instruction control units according to an object to be processed. When a plurality of instruction control units 10, 11 and 12 drive a plurality of arithmetic units 13, 14 and 15, a synchronous execution process of driving the plurality of arithmetic units 13, 14 and 15 using the series of instructions from the first instruction control unit 10 is switched to/from an independent execution process of driving the arithmetic units 13, 14 and 15 using the series of instructions from the instruction control units 10, 11 and 12, respectively, according to the information contained in the series of instructions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for establishing and maintaining a desired uniform temperature in a room heated by a heating device. The control system includes a valve assembly for controlling the pressure of the fluid supplied to the heating device, the valve assembly including a valve actuator, a pressure sensor sensing the pressure of the fluid supplied to the heater, and a temperature control device to sense the ambient temperature of the room.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling complex systems includes hierarchically coupled subsystems representing operative functions of the system. The hierarchically coupled subsystems are coupled to collect command data from a user and signal data from the system. Each subsystem may include one or more state machines and one or more digital signal processing and conditioning unit (DSPCU) objects. The DSCPU objects accept process commands and convert control system signals into states for further processing by the state machines. Associated with the DSPCUs of each subsystem is a data flow diagram for dictating an order of flow of commands and signals at the DSPCUs. A method of controlling the system represented by the hierarchically coupled subsystems schedules the execution of the subsystems according to an execution protocol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monitor base that comprises a serial bus hub having a plurality of ports connected to the hub for interface with a plurality of peripheral devices. With the ports located on the monitor base hub, a computer system's peripheral devices, i.e., keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner, video camera, etc., are connected to the monitor base hub instead of on the rear of the central processing unit.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus controls a single or a plurality of objects. The electronic apparatus, which serves as a node, has an attribute information database that stores attribute information of object service modules. A service registry switches off a power supply after transmitting the attribute information stored in the attribute information database to the service registry of another electronic apparatus and delegating it to respond to queries concerning the attribute information provided from an external source. This enables the electronic apparatus to reduce power consumption while maintaining a searching capability.

Abstract: A control section 20 incorporated in a coating/developing unit 2 is connected to a host computer 4, while a control section 30 incorporated in an exposure unit 3 is connected to the control section 30 of the coating/developing unit 2. Communication with the host computer 4 is performed by the coating/developing unit 2. The control of transfer of a wafer between the coating/developing unit and the exposure unit is executed using a timing signal which is independent of a process instruction output from the host computer 4. The host computer controls the coating/developing unit and the exposure unit using the control section of the coating/developing unit. Supply of instructions to the exposure unit 3 or collection of information therefrom is centrally controlled on the coating/developing unit 2 side.

Abstract: A process for performing real-time cascade control for use in controllers. An adaptive process module uses an algorithm to set parameters during system operation to attain the best possible control performance, while providing an easier-to-use system for the user. The algorithm uses a novel adaptive technique to intelligently adjust the minimum and maximum allowable controlled-variable set point limits, under varying load conditions.

Abstract: A scheme for management of uncertainty in control systems that require adaptation is described. The scheme removes as much uncertainty as possible at design time and manufacturing time by taking advantage of available compute resources in pre-computing a large set of robustness-performance tradeoff based model controllers at different operating conditions for different values of uncertainty parameters that occur in-use and in manufacturing. A group of control models, and corresponding model controllers with an uncertainty bound larger than the best-tuned controller, are generated. A subset of the model controllers is implemented in the system at manufacturing time based on characterization of the system. The subset of model controllers is switched at run time based on transient information received during operation of the system.

Abstract: An interface module for a communications system includes a processing device and a peripheral device which are interconnected through a communications bus. The interface module includes a transceiver interface and a protection circuit. The protection circuit is positioned between the transceiver interface and a port configured to receive a signal from a terminal of the communications bus. The protection circuit is further configured to automatically provide a protection voltage to the transceiver interface if a power supply for the transceiver interface is inactive. The protection voltage is derived from the signal received at the terminal.

Abstract: A networked computer online gaming system and process arranged in a client/server online gaming architecture and utilized to run gaming programs. The client computers are configured to run a gaming client program. The server computers are coupled to the client computers via a network. The server computers run server programs including a master control program (MCP) that governs access of the server programs to the online gaming architecture, a servorum program (SV) for creating instances of a server program, a matchmaker program (MM) that supports rendezvous services, a game instances class server program (GICS) that enables games and provides user to user communication, and game upper level protocol server program (GULP) that supports the user to user communication provided by said GICS.

Abstract: A system and method for data communication with adaptive security in which a send host transmits a data stream to a receive host in packets which contain an authentication data block with an authentication header and a signature block. The authentication header advantageously contains various fields including a verification type, a security algorithm, a minimum security level, a target security level, and an actual security level. The receive host adaptively performs verification of the data packets using varying security levels based in part on the availability of security operations per second (SOPS) in the receive host. Where a data stream in the receive host is delayed by a security processing bottleneck, the receive host may alter the verification type, security algorithm, or the actual security level to speed up the processing of the data stream by reducing the amount of security processing performed.

Abstract: A communication control system includes a first communication control apparatus connected to one end portion of each of a clock signal line and a data signal line, and a second communication control apparatus connected to the other end portion of each of the clock signal line and the data signal line.