John Swenson

US Patent:

62470787, Jun 12, 2001

Filed:

Feb 4, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/018665

Inventors:

William S. Ebert - Endicott NY
Robert Francis Lusch - Vestal NY
Kevin Robert Qualters - Rochester MN
Terry Leo Sobotta - Byron MN
John E. Swenson - Greene NY

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1300
H05K 720

US Classification:

710102

Abstract:

An interface includes an enclosure having a plurality of walls interconnected to form a parallelepiped having a space therein. The enclosure is positionable to occupy a plurality of slots located in a computer housing of a first type computer. The enclosure has a width corresponding essentially to a total width of the plurality of slots. The interface further includes a computer subsystem of a second type computer disposed within the space of the enclosure. The computer subsystem includes a circuit card, and a distribution card attached to, and electrically coupled with, the circuit card. The distribution card is connectable to a backplane of the first type computer located external to the enclosure and within the computer housing.

US Patent:

46442375, Feb 17, 1987

Filed:

Oct 17, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/788262

Inventors:

James E. Frushour - Endwell NY
Michael L. Mahar - Newark Valley NY
Christopher J. Majka - Endicott NY
John E. Swenson - Greene NY

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corp. - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G05D 102

US Classification:

318313

Abstract:

A collision avoidance system for a two arm robot is direction sensitive. When the separation between the arms is sensed as equal to or smaller than a predetermined distance, the trailing arm is slowed to avoid a collision. The separation sensor generates a first "slow" signal when the separation is a first predetermined distance, a second "slow" signal when the separation is a second predetermined distance, smaller than the first, and a "stop" signal when the separation is a third predetermined distance, smaller than the second. The polarity of the drive signals for the arms determine their direction, and polarity sensitive comparators determine the direction of each arm. When the first "slow" signal is present and one arm is moving in the direction of the other arm, a speed reducing resistor is inserted in the circuit for the drive signal for the one arm to reduce its speed. When the second "slow" signal is also present, a second speed reducing resistor is inserted in the drive signal circuit for the one arm, further reducing the velocity. A "stop" signal causes a controller to stop both arms.