Abstract: The present invention reduces the load on a user when performing remote machine diagnosis. An acquisition unit (11) acquires time-series data obtained from equipment of the machine, a prediction unit (12) predicts the state of the machine on the basis of the time-series data, a search unit (13) uses the time-series data as a query to search a knowledge database, storing records of past diagnoses, for knowledge information related to the state of the machine, and a provision unit (14) provides the prediction result and the knowledge information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly universal out-of-liquid sensor that allows an out-of-liquid condition to be accurately detected for a long time, and provides a liquid supply device using the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly universal out-of-liquid sensor that allows an out-of-liquid condition to be accurately detected for a long time, and provides a liquid supply device using the same.

Abstract: In a barrel cylinder for a writing instrument, a writing element support hole portion or support projection is formed in a deep portion of a distal end port of the barrel cylinder where a writing element extends, the writing element support hole portion or support projection having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the writing element, and an enlarged port portion having an inner diameter larger than the writing element support hole portion or support projection and a gate mark appearing at a location of an inner surface thereof is formed at an inlet port portion of the distal end port of the barrel cylinder which is on the outer side of the writing element support hole portion or support projection.

Abstract: An optical imaging system for a copier comprising at least a pair of multilens plates made from the same mold to have matched surface configurations. One of the pair of multilens plates is arranged to be rotated from the position of the other multilens plate through 180 degrees about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the other multilens plate. A reflecting surface is positioned parallel to the axis of rotation for deflecting the optical path between the pair of multilens plates once or an odd number of times whereby a clear image is provided despite imperfections from molding.

Abstract: An apparatus for comparing frequency of an object signal with a given reference frequency, with a reference signal generator for developing a reference signal having the reference frequency. If the object signal is frequency-modulated, then its center frequency is compared with the reference frequency. A switching signal generator, switching circuitry actuated by the switching signal, a frequency discriminator, low-pass filters and a voltage comparator are also provided. Actuated by the switching signal, the discriminator alternately discriminates the frequencies of the object and reference signals, and the averaged discrimination output voltages are compared by the comparator to give the indication of comparison of the frequencies of the object and reference signals.