A numerical control system equipped with a man-machine interface controller (MMC equipment) constructed in the form of a computer. The system comprises an NC unit (11), a programmable machine controller (13) which executes the sequence control relying upon the signals from the NC unit (11) and a machine tool (12), a man-machine interface controller (14) which is equipped at least with a CRT (14d) and a keyboard (14e) and which is constructed in the form of a computer, and a data transmission-reception control unit (15). The data are transmitted and received among the NC unit (11), the programmable machine controller (13) and the man-machine interface controller (14) while they are controlled by the data transmission-reception control unit (15).

Numerical control system

A computer system comprises a generally U-shaped base unit (10) and a generally-rectangular travel unit (12) which mates with the base unit, between the legs (34, 36) of the "U". The portable unit contains a complete computer system, including a flip-up monitor screen (14), a disc drive (20), and a detachable keyboard (24). The mating base unit includes expansion slots (30) for additional memory, peripheral equipment controllers, a CRT controller, etc. Also the base unit includes a controller (112) for one or more additional disc drives (26, 28). The facing sides of the legs of the U-shaped base unit have a step-shaped configuration (42, 44, 46) and the portable unit fits onto the step. The bight portion (38) of the base unit has a front connector (49A) for mating with the portable unit and rear connectors (48, 58A) for connection of additional equipment, such as a printer and modem.

Modular computer system with portable travel unit

Apparatus for use in a television terminal selectively provides a background audio or video signal or both to accompany display of a screen of textual information. The apparatus comprises a tuning circuit for tuning to a predetermined background channel determined by user selection of a particular textual information screen for display. As a result, dinner music may accompany textual informative screens related to the choice of a meal. Alternatively, instructions on how to purchase a movie might be accompanied in the background by the movie. Either the movie picture or the sound or both may accompany the instruction screen.

Interactive television terminal with programmable background audio or video

An electronic image distribution apparatus for distributing panoramic images is disclosed. The central feature of the system is a panoramic image server coupled to a source of panoramic image information. The source of panoramic image frames may be a panoramic image storage device or a panoramic camera system. The panoramic image server converts the panoramic image frames into a format that is more conducive for electronic transmission. Specifically, the panoramic image server extracts a subset of each panoramic image frame and compresses that subset of the panoramic image. The panoramic image server may also geometrically transform the subset of the panoramic image frame. The compressed subset of a panoramic image frame is transmitted across a transmission medium to a client system. The client system decompresses the subset of panoramic image frame and displays the subset of the panoramic image frame. To conserve bandwidth, the panoramic image server compresses a large portion of the panoramic image frame and leaves a smaller portion of the panoramic image frame. The smaller portion of the panoramic image frame is later expanded by the client system.

Method and apparatus for electronically distributing images from a panoptic camera system

A region growing method segments three-dimensional image data of an anatomical structure using a tortuous path length limit to constrain voxel growth. The path length limit constrains the number of successive generations of voxel growth from a seed point to prevent leakage of voxels outside the boundary of the anatomical structure. Once segmented, a process for detecting surface anomalies performs a curvature analysis on a computer model of the surface of the structure. This process detects surface anomalies automatically by traversing the vertices in the surface model, computing partial derivatives of the surface at the vertices, and computing curvature characteristics from the partial derivatives. To identify possible anomalies, the process compares the curvature characteristics with predetermined curvature characteristics of anomalies and classifies the vertices. The process further refines potential anomalies by segmenting neighboring vertices that are classified as being part of an anomaly using curvature characteristics. Finally, the process colorizes the anomalies and computes a camera position and direction for each one to assist the user in viewing 2D renderings of the computer model.

Method for segmenting medical images and detecting surface anomalies in anatomical structures

The invention relates to an area cutting method in which a tool is moved along a plurality of paths (CP3-CPo, LP5-LP1) successively offset in an inward direction from a closed curve (OFC) specifying an area (AR), or in other words, in which the tool is moved in a spider web-like pattern, to cut the interior of the area. More particularly, the invention relates to an area cutting method in which, when an area is divided into a plurality of convex polygons, the number of cutting paths in each convex polygonal portion is decided in dependence upon the size of the convex polygon and the cut-in pitch (path interval) of each convex polygonal portion is made substantially the allowable cut-in pitch.

Area cutting method

A curved surface generation method well-suited for application to the preparation of a numerical control tape used in the numerically controlled machining of a three-dimensional body such as a three-dimensional mold. The surface creation method includes steps of defining, on a first section curve or reference curve of a three-dimensional curved body, a point Pi (i=1,2 . . . ) which corresponds to a point Qi (i=1,2 . . . ) on a second section curve or reference curve, and generating an intermediate section curve in accordance with the established correspondence. A curved surface is created by collecting a plurality of the intermediate section curves together. Accordingly, the invention raises the degree of freedom with which a curved surface is created, and enables the accurate creation of a curved surface featuring subtle changes, allowing the precise machining of a three-dimensional body.

Method of creating curved surfaces

A graphic display method for transforming three-dimensional coordinate values (x, y, z) of an object to be displayed into coordinate values (X,Y) of a two-dimensional display coordinate system on a CRT display screen (DPS), and displaying a perspective view of the object on the CRT display screen (DPS) by using two-dimensional coordinate values obtained by the transformation. In the method, β represents an angle between x and y axes among three-dimensional coordinate axes of the perspective view displayed on the CRT screen (where the counter-clockwise direction is taken as positive with the x axis serving as a reference), α represents the angle between the x axis and an X axis of a display coordinate system (where the counter-clockwise direction is taken as positive with the X axis serving as a reference), and (X o ,Y o ) represent coordinate values of a three-dimensional coordinate origin (DRP) of the perspective view in the display coordinate system. A keyboard is provided with keys for incrementing and decrementing the angle α. The method has a step of increasing α by pressing the increment key or decreasing α by pressing the decrement key, and a step of transforming the three dimensional coordinate values into the display coordinate system (X-Y) by the formula ##EQU1## The perspective view of the three-dimensional object is displayed while it is rotated by using the coordinate values in the display coordinate system obtained by the transformation.

Graphic display method for displaying a perspective view of an object on a CRT

A robot path error correction system is provided for driving and controlling a movable element in a designated direction. The system includes a sensing device for sensing a remaining amount of command pulses at deceleration of the movable element; timing deciding device for specifying start timing of a pulse distribution calculation along a subsequent travel path in dependence upon the sensed amount of command pulses remaining; and an adding device for adding command pulses which accelerate the feedrate and command pulses which decelerate the feedrate in accordance with a commanded velocity and commanded position at the specified timing.

Robot path error correction system

Method of machining an area (AR) surrounded by an outline curve (OLC) and a plurality of closed curves (INC1 and INC2) by a unidirectionnal cutting technique or a reciprocative cutting technique The method includes: a step of calculating first and second offset curves (INF1 and INF2) which are obtained by outwardly offsetting the respective closed curves by an amount which corresponds to the tool diameter; a step of calculating intersections (Ri to Ui) between each of the offset curves and the i th cutting path (PTi); a step of moving a tool (TL) from the machining start point (Pi) of the i th cutting path (PTi) along the path while effecting cutting as far as the first (Ri) of the two intersections (Ri and Si) between the cutting path (PTi) and the first offset curve (INF1); a step of, when the second intersection (Si) between the first offset curve and the cutting path (PTi) is present inside the second offset curve (INF2), moving the tool (TL) from the first intersection (Ri) as far as that intersection (Ui) of the two intersections (Ti and Ui) between the second offset curve and the cutting passage which is not present inside the first offset curve while effecting no cutting operation; and a step of moving the tool (TL) from the machining end point (Qi) along the cutting path while effecting cutting

Hajimu Kishi

Papers

Area cutting method

Method of creating curved surfaces

Graphic display method for displaying a perspective view of an object on a CRT

Robot path error correction system

Area machining method