Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A course interpolator for use in a numerical control system for performing path interpolation calculations for the control of highly dynamic processes having different path contour geometries wherein a vector having a length L connects in linear form a first point P1 to a second point P2, these points being located in three dimensional Cartesian space having axes x, y, and z, length L having Cartesian components X, Y and Z and being subject to an angular rotation C about the z axis, said interpolator comprising: first means responsive to a group of predetermined vector lengths, starting with the maximum length, for calculating path elements L, X, Y, Z and C for a vector with the maximum length; second means for determining a path error E for the calculated path elements of the first means; third means for comparing the path error E with a predetermined maximum error value; fourth means, actuated when the path error E does not exceed the maximum error value, for outputting the calculated path elements; and fifth means, actuated when the path error E exceeds the maximum error value, for causing the first means to calculate the path elements for a vector which has the length next longest to said maximum length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A course interpolator for use in a numerical control system for performing path interpolation calculations for the control of highly dynamic processes having different path contour geometries wherein a vector having a length L connects in linear form a first point P1 to a second point P2, these points being located in three dimensional Cartesian space having axes x, y, and z, length L having Cartesian components X, Y and Z and being subject to an angular rotation C about the z axis, said interpolator comprising: first means responsive to a group of predetermined vector lengths, starting with the maximum length, for calculating path elements L, X, Y, Z and C for a vector with the maximum length; second means for determining a path error E for the calculated path elements of the first means; third means for comparing the path error E with a predetermined maximum error value; fourth means, actuated when the path error E does not exceed the maximum error value, for outputting the calculated path elements; and fifth means, actuated when the path error E exceeds the maximum error value, for causing the first means to calculate the path elements for a vector which has the length next longest to said maximum length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The coarse interpolator of claim 1 further including sixth means responsive to the outputted path elements for determining a distance therefrom to an end point of a path contour, and seventh means responsive to the sixth means for causing the coarse interpolator to stop interpolating when the distance has a zero value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The coarse interpolator of claim 2, further including means for determining a group of lengths by simulation such that any two predetermined lengths of the vector when combined will yield a composite length falling within the range of 1 to 127.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
208 words
A method for operating a coarse interpolator for use in a numerical control system for performing path interpolation calculations for the control of highly dynamic processes having different path contour geometries wherein a vector having a length L connects in linear form a first point Pl to a second point P2, these points being located in three dimensional Cartesian space having axes, x, Y, and z, length L having Cartesian components X, Y and Z and being subject to an angular rotation C about the z axis, said method comprising the steps of: (a) calculating in response to a group of predetermined vector lengths, starting with the maximum length path elements L, X, Y, Z and C for a vector with a maximum length; (b) determining a path error E for the calculated path elements produced by step (a); (c) comparing the path error E determined by step (b) with a predetermined maximum error value; (d) when the path error E does not exceed the maximum value, outputting the calculated path elements; and (e) when the path error E exceeds the maximum value, repeating steps (a), (b), and (c) in successive cycles with vectors being arranged in order of successively smaller lengths until step (d)can be carried out.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
208 words
A method for operating a coarse interpolator for use in a numerical control system for performing path interpolation calculations for the control of highly dynamic processes having different path contour geometries wherein a vector having a length L connects in linear form a first point Pl to a second point P2, these points being located in three dimensional Cartesian space having axes, x, Y, and z, length L having Cartesian components X, Y and Z and being subject to an angular rotation C about the z axis, said method comprising the steps of: (a) calculating in response to a group of predetermined vector lengths, starting with the maximum length path elements L, X, Y, Z and C for a vector with a maximum length; (b) determining a path error E for the calculated path elements produced by step (a); (c) comparing the path error E determined by step (b) with a predetermined maximum error value; (d) when the path error E does not exceed the maximum value, outputting the calculated path elements; and (e) when the path error E exceeds the maximum value, repeating steps (a), (b), and (c) in successive cycles with vectors being arranged in order of successively smaller lengths until step (d)can be carried out.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 4, further including the step of determining in response to the outputted path elements a distance therefrom to an end point of a path contour and the step of causing in response to the step (e), at the coarse interpolator to stop interpolating when said distance has a zero value.