Abstract:
DEPTH OF RANGE INFORMATION IS EXTRACTED BY PROJECTING THE IMAGE OF A ZONE PLATE UPON A SCREEN AND PHOTOGRAPHING THE SCENE AT A DIFFERENT ANGLE FROM THE ZONE PLATE SOURCE. A TRANSPARENCY OF THE PHOTOGRAPH INCLUDING ZONE PLATE MODULATION OF THE SCENE FORMED ON PLANES IN THE SCENE IS THEN FILTERED BY A SCANNING SLIT AT THE ZONE PLATE FOCAL PLANE AND PRESENTED UPON AN OUTPUT SCREEN FROM END TO END, AS A FUNCTION OF ORIGINAL RANGE, FROM THE ZONE PLATE. THE REFLECTION OF THE IMAGE UPON THE SCREEN IN VIEWED IN A VARIFOCAL MIRROR DRIVEN IN SYNCHRONISM WITH SCANNING BY THE FILTER. THE SCREEN AND THE VARIFOCAL MIRROR MAY BE CONNECTED BY A LOW-BANDWIDTH, VIDEO CHANNEL AND A CHANNEL FOR CONTROL SIGNALS FOR THE MIRROR.
Abstract:
The disclosed delta modulation decoding apparatus responds rapidly to sudden transitions of the delta-modulated signal but avoids excessive noise during periods of no transition. The decoder involves the use of a shift register which receives the incoming delta-modulated code bits and supplies data in parallel to two circuit branches, one containing a delta modulation decoder of any chosen type and the other circuit branch containing a state-responsive, non-linear filter or table, the respective outputs of these two branches being additively combined to provide the decoded and filtered output signal.
Abstract:
YO98-007 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CALIBRATING A ROBOT TO COMPENSATE FOR INACCURACY OF THE ROBOT A method and apparatus for calibrating a robot and using the results of this calibration to compensate for inaccuracies of the robot and also to diagnose robot deterioration. The method includes moving the robot to a set of nominal positions, commanded by the robot controller or measured by position encoders built into the robot, and determining the associated actual positions by measuring the robot position with an independent accurate measuring means or by aligning the robot end effector with an accurate calibration mask. The calibration results are stored and subsequently used to compensate for robot inaccuracy so that the robot moves to the actual desired positions.
Abstract:
A quasi-liquid vise is provided for clamping irregularly shaped workpieces which comprises an open-topped vessel into which a workpiece may be inserted, a particulate fluidizable material located within and, substantially filling said vessel, pressure means connected to said vessel for introducing a gas or fluid therein to fluidize said particulate material, and means for applying a vacuum to said vessel and the particulate material to substantially solidify said particulate material when it is desired to clamp a workpiece therein. The solidifying effect of said vacuum applied to said particulate material may be enhanced by utilizing alternate layers of different sized particulate material wherein smaller particles fill voids and enhance the vacuum effect and hence the rigidity of the particulate material when it is desired to solidify same. Two additional approaches to improving the vacuum solidification effect include coating relatively dense particles with a somewhat resilient deformable material whereby better sealing action will be effected. Also, uniquely shaped particles may be utilized wherein a more rigid interlocking particle effect will be obtained upon application of the vacuum.
Abstract:
A COMPUTER CONTROLLED PNEUMATIC RETRACTABLE SEARCH SENSOR A mechanical manipulator which includes fingers under the control of a computer antenna sensing means mounted on such fingers and extended and retracted from the fingers under the control of the computer means for detecting the contact or proximity of the extended antenna sensing means with a workpiece means responsive to the antenna sensing means for retracting the sensing means from interference with the workpiece and for adjusting the control of the fingers. The fingers are adapted for X Y and Z linear motions and provides pitch yaw and roll angular motion. The retractable antenna sensing means resembles a whisker which extends from the finger and makes contact with or approaches the workpiece. The antenna sensing means may include a retractable pneumatic back pressure sensor via the back pressure of a fluid in the supply created when the fluid impinges on the workpiece. The retractable antenna whisker bends more readily than the rigid finger. Therefore contact with an object will not cause displacement of the object as a rigid finger would. Computer logic circuits receive signals representing the displacement and positions of both the antenna sensing means as well as the manipulator fingers and coordinates both sets of signals to determine the orientation and position of the workpiece and the shape of the workpiece.
Abstract:
A computer-controlled-manipulator gripper with a set of three-degree-of-freedom force sensors on each finger having strain gauges and 90 DEG shift in orientation of the sensors includes an asymmetric, offset relationship of the location and orientation of analogous sensors on the two fingers in order to obtain different measurements from the two fingers.