Abstract: A measurement system includes a first feature point data generator, a second feature point data generator, and a calculator. The first feature point data generator generates first feature point data from first image data or from first shape data. The first image data is obtained from imaging of a measurement target and includes a predetermined portion of the measurement target. The first shape data is generated based on the first image data. The second feature point data generator generates second feature point data from second image data different from the first image data or from second shape data. The calculator calculates a positional correspondence of the predetermined portion of the measurement target between the first image data and the second image data or between the first shape data and the second shape data based on the first feature point data and the second feature point data.

Abstract: Embodiments of a coupling system to couple a rotating clutch portion with a shaft include a sleeve and at least one key. The sleeve is positioned between the rotating clutch portion and the shaft. The sleeve has at least one key slot to receive the at least one key. The rotating clutch portion includes a key slot to receive one of the at least one keys. The shaft includes a key slot to receive one of the at least one keys. When the at least one keys is received by the various key slots, the rotating clutch portion is rotationally coupled to the shaft.

Abstract: A mounting portion of a disc includes a flat plate portion having a pressing surface to be pressed against a hub of an axle, and a plurality of nut support portions protruding from the flat plate portion to a side opposite to the pressing surface in an axial direction of the disc, and having an annular shape as viewed from the axial direction. A bolt hole is provided to penetrate the nut support portion in the axial direction. The nut support portion includes a bulging portion curving to bulge outward in a radial direction of the nut support portion, and a protruding portion disposed adjacent to the bulging portion in a circumferential direction of the nut support portion, and protruding inward in the radial direction of the nut support portion with respect to the bulging portion.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus supplies, in a normal mode, electric power to an image forming device, and limits, in a power saving mode, power supplying to the image forming device to be less than that in the normal mode. The image forming apparatus communicates, in the normal mode, with a germicidal lamp apparatus via a communication interface such that the germicidal lamp apparatus generates no germicidal light, and communicates, in the power saving mode, with the germicidal lamp apparatus via the communication interface such that the germicidal lamp apparatus generates germicidal light.

Abstract: According to one implementation, an inflammable spark estimation system includes: a photodetector for measuring intensity of discharge light arising from a spark arising from a structural object made of a plurality of materials; and a data processing system configured to determine whether the spark has inflammability, based on the intensity of the discharge light measured by the photodetector, with referring to determination information. The determination information has been determined based on features of waveforms of wavelength spectra of possible discharge light arising from possible inflammable sparks respectively arising from possible materials of which the structural object may be made. The data processing system is configured to further determine which of the plurality of the materials the spark has arisen from, based on the intensity of the discharge light measured by the photodetector, with referring to the determination information, when the spark has been determined to have the inflammability.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus supplies, in a normal mode, electric power to an image forming device, and limits, in a power saving mode, power supplying to the image forming device to be less than that in the normal mode. The image forming apparatus communicates, in the normal mode, with a germicidal lamp apparatus via a communication interface such that the germicidal lamp apparatus generates no germicidal light, and communicates, in the power saving mode, with the germicidal lamp apparatus via the communication interface such that the germicidal lamp apparatus generates germicidal light.

Abstract: A discharge detection system includes a plurality of optical fibers having different optical distances from each other and provided to allow discharge light generated from a test object to enter at least one of the optical fibers, an optical sensor configured to detect the discharge light having entered the at least one of the optical fibers and to output a detection signal having a temporal change in an amplitude of the detection signal, the temporal change in the amplitude corresponding to a temporal change in intensity of the discharge light, and a signal processing system configured to identify an area where the discharge light is generated based a point of time of at least one peak in the detection signal.

Abstract: According to one implementation, an optical observation system includes an optical fiber and at least one detection system. The optical fiber has at least one curved portion as a sensor for inputting light which has occurred in a test region. The optical fiber inputs the light from the at least one curved portion and transmits the light. The at least one detection system detects the light transmitted by the optical fiber. Further, according to one implementation, an optical observation method includes: inputting light, which has occurred in a test region, from at least one curved portion of an optical fiber and transmitting the light; and detecting the light transmitted by the optical fiber.

Abstract: A mounting portion of a disc includes a flat plate portion having a pressing surface to be pressed against a hub of an axle, and a plurality of nut support portions protruding from the flat plate portion to a side opposite to the pressing surface in an axial direction of the disc, and having an annular shape as viewed from the axial direction. A bolt hole is provided to penetrate the nut support portion in the axial direction. The nut support portion includes a bulging portion curving to bulge outward in a radial direction of the nut support portion, and a protruding portion disposed adjacent to the bulging portion in a circumferential direction of the nut support portion, and protruding inward in the radial direction of the nut support portion with respect to the bulging portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an authentication section configured to execute an authentication process on a replacement part; and a controller configured to skip the authentication process when determining that a stop period from the start of operation stop to the end of the operation stop is equal to or shorter than a predetermined period of time, and to execute the authentication process when determining that the stop period exceeds the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device, a toner tank configured to receive toner supplied from a toner cartridge mounted in the image forming apparatus and to supply the toner to the developing device, a first toner sensor configured to detect a first toner residual level in the toner tank, a second toner sensor configured to detect a second toner residual level lower than the first toner residual level in the toner tank, and a processor. The processor is configured to count a number of times the first toner sensor switches from a non-detection state to a detection state subsequent to the second toner sensor switching from a detection state to a non-detection state, and then output a notification indicating a residual amount of toner in the toner cartridge based on the counted number.

Abstract: A discharge detection system includes a plurality of optical fibers having different optical distances from each other and provided to allow discharge light generated from a test object to enter at least one of the optical fibers, an optical sensor configured to detect the discharge light having entered the at least one of the optical fibers and to output a detection signal having a temporal change in an amplitude of the detection signal, the temporal change in the amplitude corresponding to a temporal change in intensity of the discharge light, and a signal processing system configured to identify an area where the discharge light is generated based a point of time of at least one peak in the detection signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an authentication section configured to execute an authentication process on a replacement part; and a controller configured to skip the authentication process when determining that a stop period from the start of operation stop to the end of the operation stop is equal to or shorter than a predetermined period of time, and to execute the authentication process when determining that the stop period exceeds the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: According to one implementation, an explosive spark estimation system includes an explosive spark estimation system includes a measuring system and a processing system. The measuring system is adapted to measure intensity of light, included in a spark occurred from an object to be tested. The light is within at least one specific wavelength band. The processing system is adapted to determine whether the spark is explosiveness based on the intensity of the light. Further, according to one implementation, an explosive spark estimation method includes: measuring intensity of light, included in a spark occurred from an object to be tested, within at least one specific wavelength band; and determining whether the spark is explosive, based on the intensity of the light.

Abstract: A one-way clutch includes one or more annular members and one or more annular elastic bodies. The annular member is attached to a side plate of an outer race in the axial outer side of a seal member and includes a facing surface that faces an outer circumferential surface of an inner race with a gap and a recess formed in the facing surface. The annular elastic body is fitted into the outer circumferential surface of the inner surface corresponding to the recess so as to be in close contact therewith.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an authentication section configured to execute an authentication process on a replacement part; and a controller configured to skip the authentication process when determining that a stop period from the start of operation stop to the end or the operation stop is equal to or shorter than a predetermined period of time, and to execute the authentication process when determining that the stop period exceeds the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an authentication section configured to execute an authentication process on a replacement part; and a controller configured to skip the authentication process when determining that a stop period from the start of operation stop to the end or the operation stop is equal to or shorter than a predetermined period of time, and to execute the authentication process when determining that the stop period exceeds the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a scanner to read an image on an original and an electric box disposed below the scanner and extended horizontally with respect to the scanner. The electric box includes an electric cabinet having a box shape and an electrical device disposed inside the electric cabinet.

Abstract: A one-way clutch includes one or more annular members and one or more annular elastic bodies. The annular member is attached to a side plate of an outer race in the axial outer side of a seal member and includes a facing surface that faces an outer circumferential surface of an inner race with a gap and a recess formed in the facing surface. The annular elastic body is fitted into the outer circumferential surface of the inner surface corresponding to the recess so as to be in close contact therewith.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discriminating bottle types, for stirring the toner, and for detecting the amount of toner remaining in the toner bottle. A toner bottle is adapted to fit the apparatus for discriminating toner bottle types, and a toner bottle is adapted for the apparatus for stirring toner. The genuineness of the toner bottle product is checked by sensing a rib assumed to be formed with a predetermined length on the outer surface of the toner bottle. Toner is stirred by continuously rotating the toner bottle in forward and reverse directions. The toner bottle can be easily rotated in the forward and reverse directions by sensing the rib of the toner bottle by using the sensor. Since the load of rotation of the toner bottle changes in accordance with the amount of remaining toner, the rotational speed of the toner bottle is sensed by using the sensor to check whether toner is close to empty.