Abstract:
Disclosed is a human-machine interface, a molding machine, a computer system and a method. The human-machine interface includes a display of a computer system configured to display a molding-machine function curve, the molding-machine function curve representing a function of the molding machine, the display configured to display an emphasized point associated with the molding-machine function curve.
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:
An apparatus for controlling operation of a processing machine has a computer (18) preferably with a computer aided design program (16) configurable to model a kinematic velocity profile of a point of interest on a machine to be controlled. A graphical user interface (28) on the computer enables an operator to select desired velocity points for a motor drive (40) controlling motion of the point on the machine. A curve fit is applied to the velocity points to realize a desired velocity profile for the motor drive and the point on the machine. The desired velocity profile is then integrated and scaled in order to obtain a scaled velocity profile that realizes an actual, or target displacement of the point as dictated by operation of the machine. By controlling operation of elements of a machine with velocity profiles, coordination of associated elements and points on the machine can be visualized by an operator selecting the velocity points for each drive of the machine. A method for implementing same is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method for the computer-assisted control of a machine or a process, using a process computer connected to the machine, installation or the like via an interface, a monitor connected to the process computer for the graphic display of the machine or process cycle and an input device, preferably in the form of a keyboard, for programming the control or predetermining a set value, whereby a machine or process-specific flow chart is used as the control basis, is arranged to take account of the real-time behaviour of a machine or process in such a way that the programming of the control process or the predetermination of the machining steps is based on vectors and/or curves and that the time behaviour of the machine or process is taken into account by converting the processing stages and hence the individual movements taking account of the machine and process-specific data into the form of a process-linked polygonal course.
Abstract:
A computerised motion control apparatus for controlling a plurality of degrees of freedom of the positioning and orientation of a camera. The apparatus including a dolly (71) positionable by drive means along an extensible track arrangement (72), having a camera (73) mounted thereto and provided with motors to orientate the camera (73) by varying its pan (76), tilt (75), and roll (74). An operator interface device (15) is used to define position and velocity characteristics of the desired motion of each of the camera's axes of motion and a motor driver module (69) calculates a parametric cubic polynomial represesntation of the desired motion curve. The calculated coefficients of the motion curve parametric cubic polynomial representation are easily stored and used to regenerate the values of the curve for the purposes of display and providing motion curve values for each axis of motion of the camera. These calculations can be performed upon command and in real-time. Motion curve characteristics may be modified by way of redefining the position and velocity parameters and the values generated by a curve generator (50) may be digitally processed by a signal processing module (57). A variety of signal processing functions may be performed upon the motion curve values generated, including summation, filtering and multiplication. Digital values representative of random, periodic and aperiodic signals may be combined with each of the motion curves generated. Additionally, values of camera characteristics such as focus, film pull-down rates, shutter speed, etc. are recorded for reproduction in synchronism with the replay of the camera motion. The provision of a camera motion control apparatus having the described facilities, enables accurate repeatability of camera motion and scene recording for digital image integration to real-life recordings, multiple time scale motion and film recording techniques for special effects.
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:
An object oriented approach to virtual motion programming utilizes generic motion identifiers to construct universal generic motion descriptions (102) of complex motien events. A virtual motion controller (110) receives generic motion descriptions and breaks down the descriptions into their constituent parts. The controller (110) expands the generic motion identifiers into general acceleration profiles and processes the general acceleration profiles with the modifiers to generate ideal acceleration profiles that define the acceleration components for the generic motion description with reference to an ideal motion platform (38) having unlimited mechanical movement. The controller (110) translates the ideal acceleration profiles into customized position commands for the motion platform based upon the controller's knowledge of the platform's capabilities.
Abstract:
A control system, more especially for use in a glassware forming machine, to control movement of a driven member (12), for example carrying molten glass, between first and second rest positions, wherein the member is driven via a pneumatic valve (16) which receives control signals from a signal processing system (32) which continually receives feedback representing the position of the driven member, and responsibly thereto the control signals are produced in accordance with a repetitive algorithm determining a motion profile controlling both velocity and acceleration in such a manner that the driven member is brought to rest exactly at the required position without exceeding limiting values for acceleration.