Abstract: Apparatus and methods that approximately solve an actuation allocation problem by breaking the solution into modules, which may or may not be overlapping. The solution to the actuation allocation problem is expressed in terms of solutions for each of the modules. The solutions for the modules serve as constraints for a solution of the optimization problem on each module. The optimization problem for each module is decomposed into further modules until the modules consist of a small enough number of individual implementation units so that the solution for the module can be solved using conventional optimization techniques.

Abstract: A fluid reservoir sensing system includes a pair of optical prisms that reflect light when a fluid level is below one of the pair of prisms. The pair of optical prisms includes a low prism usable to sense a low liquid level in the fluid reservoir, and a high prism usable to sense a high liquid level in the fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir sensing system optionally includes an emitter and a photosensor. The emitter projects light through at least one of the low prism to the low incident surface and the high prism to the high incident surface. The photosensor senses light reflected from the low prism while the liquid is below the low prism. The photosensor also senses light from the high prism while the liquid level is below the high prism.

Abstract: A method and system for visualizing actual and predicted usage patterns through a web site is provided. A plurality of web pages may be represented as a node and visualized on a dome tree. The dome tree is a three-dimensional image of a dome, with a portion of the outer wall removed, displayed on a two-dimensional monitor. Paths into and out of each node are displayed using a variety of colors and patterns and information relating to the nodes and paths may also be accessed. By designating a web page as the root node each of the associated pages are laid out within the dome tree radially based on actual usage information. Predicted information for each node is displayed as a bar near the node, thereby assisting a user in understanding the relationship between actual and predicted usage patterns.

Abstract: A process including blending a latex emulsion of resin, water, and an ionic surfactant, a colorant dispersion comprised of a colorant, water, and an ionic surfactant; and a wax dispersion comprised of wax, water and an ionic surfactant, heating the resulting mixture in the presence of coagulants, one of which is a source of calcium ions, which heating is below about the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the latex resin and subsequently heating above about the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the latex resin.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dampening annoying resonance noise in auger systems. The dampening effect is accomplished by an insert placed within an inner bore of an auger. The insert itself may be continuous or in segments and be comprised of material capable of absorbing vibrational energy. One embodiment of an insert is a tube that is purposefully cut longer than the auger itself in order to induce bending of the tube and contact with the sides of the auger bore.

Abstract: A method of displaying information within a three-dimensional workspace on a computer display includes partitioning the workspace into a plurality of layers, where each layer corresponds to a display depth relative to a user. At least one substantially opaque container object is displayed at a first display depth. The user is provided with a pointer operative to select objects within the three-dimensional workspace at a plurality of display depths. In response to the user selecting a container object, the opacity level of the selected container object is reduced in order to reveal at least one content object contained therein. The at least one content object contained within the selected container object is displayed at a deeper display depth relative to the first display depth. By combining three-dimensional depth cues with opacity level adjustment the present invention provides a visually pleasing computer workspace with enhanced depth perception and organization features.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display element has a liquid crystal layer made of cholesteric liquid crystal and a circularly polarizing plate for circularly polarizing light. The liquid crystal layer has the following relation: d/p>1.5 where d is a thickness of the liquid crystal layer and p is a helical pitch of the cholesteric liquid crystal.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a toner having improved relative humidity sensitivity is described. The process comprises forming polyester toner particles by emulsion/aggratation, fluidizing the toner particles with a stream of inert gas while spraying the toner particles with a solution containing an additive affecting relative humidity sensitivity, and wherein the additive contacts a surface of the toner particles and the additive remains on the surface of the toner particles.

Abstract: An operation of an authentication apparatus is as follows: Moving image data including a plurality of pieces of still image frame data is accepted, and the move locus of at least one person image is detected based on the moving image data. Individual determination processing of adopting at least one piece of the still image frame data as attention frame data and determining the individual corresponding to the detected move locus of the person image in the attention frame data is executed. The result of the individual determination processing is provided for predetermined authentication processing.

Abstract: Single-wire data communications with data storage memory units that may be coupled with a wirelessly energized power supply is enabled in electronic monitoring modules in customer replaceable units (CRUs) such as toner bottles in image forming devices. Communication between modularly designed office equipment and installed CRUs may include data transmission implemented by providing a single point of contact on, for example, a rotational axis at the closed end of a rotating CRU, or by placing a conductive patch, band ring on the periphery of such CRU such that a single-wire data transfer contact is effected with the CRU. A communications link is provided which is not adversely affected by dirt or other foreign objects and is not limited by necessary motion which must be imparted to the CRU for optimum operation in the modular equipment within which the CRU is installed, or other interference that may adversely affects a wireless communications link.

Abstract: An information output system includes a user terminal that issues a print job containing print data, a management server that receives and stores the print job, and an information output unit that acquires print data from the management server and executes printout. The user terminal transmits a print job specifying a print reception user of a print data recipient. The management server includes a print job processing section that stores and manages the print job in association with a user identifier of the print reception user, and a user authentication section that receives the user image information and executes user authentication based on comparison processing between the received user image information and registered user image information stored in a user information database. Provided that the user is authenticated, the print job processing section acquires print job data with the authenticated user set as the print reception user and transmits the print job data.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods reduce, and preferably prevent, contamination of a surface or component to be charged or acted upon by a corona generating device. When a voltage is applied to the corona generating device, corona winds having a plurality of corona vortices are formed. Air is pulled via at least one drawing port of the corona generating device. At least one substantially continuous air curtain is formed along a side of the corona generating device when air is pulled via the drawing port of the corona generating device. The formation of the continuous air curtain is not dependent on air being pushed into the corona generating device. Preferably the substantially continuous air curtain extends from substantially one end of the corona generating device, at least a distance equivalent to a greatest continuous total length of the plurality of corona vortices and any portion of the corona generating device situated therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating a polymer optical waveguide device, the method at least includes: preparing a mold including a cured resin layer of a mold forming curing resin and having a concave portion correspondent to a core portion of an optical waveguide formed therein; attaching the mold to a cladding base material; filling the concave portion of the mold with a core forming curing resin; hardening the core forming curing resin to form a cured core portion; forming a space or a groove for placing an optical device in a middle part in the waveguide direction of the core portion such that the optical device cuts across the core portion; inserting and positioning the optical device in a predetermined position of the space or groove; and conducting an optical bonding between an optical pathway portion of the optical device and the core portion.

Abstract: A movement identification apparatus, which identifies a movement of a moving body based on a moving picture obtained by a camera, includes a model holding unit that holds a movement model representing a feature of a movement of a movable portion of a reference moving body linked to a type of movement, a state detector that detects state information representing a movement of a movable portion of a target moving body identical to or the same as the obtained reference moving body in the moving picture, and a movement determination unit that determines a type of movement of the target moving body based on a similarity between the detected state information and the movement model.

Abstract: A document management apparatus includes a hash generator that generates a hash value based on digital document data stored in a database, a communication unit that inputs time information, and a microfilm writer that performs processing to record a converted document data, converted to image data based on the digital document data, on a microfilm, and record a document ID as identification information of the converted document data recorded on the microfilm, the hash value, and the time information, on the microfilm.

Abstract: The invention is an image processing apparatus for identifying a target area used as a target of processing among image data and performing predetermined processing, and is the image processing apparatus in which the image data is divided into plural partial areas based on a predetermined division rule and each of these plural partial areas is used as an attentional partial area and based on a feature quantity related to at least one of values or the number of pixels included in the attentional partial area and a feature quantity included in at least one of the other partial areas adjacent to each of the partial areas, a saliency feature value related to the attentional partial area is calculated and a target area used as a target of predetermined processing is decided based on the saliency feature value every each of the partial areas.

Abstract: A terminal end shielding method of a shielded cable, including the steps of: forming a first electrically-conductive thin film, which is elastic, on a peripheral surface of an outer skin end portion at a shielded cable terminal end portion at which a shielding member is exposed by a predetermined length from the outer skin end portion of a free end side; bending the shielding member and making the shielding member contact the electrically-conductive thin film; forming a second electrically-conductive thin film, which is elastic, on the shielding member which contacts the electrically-conductive thin film; and pressing and fixing a portion at which the second electrically-conductive thin film is formed, by a shielded cable nipping means.

Abstract: A moving object recognition apparatus includes: a feature image extraction unit that extracts feature image portions for enabling the moving object to be determined from the moving image; a position detection unit that detects position information of the moving object in time series from the moving image, the position information based on which the feature image portion is extracted; a determination unit that determines identity of the feature image portions extracted from the moving object; and a track information retention unit that retains the time-series position information corresponding to the moving object having the feature image portion having the identity based on the determination.

Abstract: A document management apparatus includes a hash processor and a microfilm writer. The hash processor generates a hash value based on digital document data stored in a database. The microfilm writer records image data converted from the digital document data on a microfilm, and records a document ID as identification information of the converted document data recorded on the microfilm, and the hash value, on the microfilm.

Abstract: A toner composition includes a binder, a colorant, and a surface additive package including a polydimethylsiloxane surface treated silica, a surface treated titania, and calcium sterate. The toner composition provides improved triboelectric charging properties.