Abstract: A liquid consumption monitoring device for monitoring and encouraging consumption of a liquid includes a cup and a lid, which is selectively engageable to the cup to close a top thereof. The user is positioned to tilt the cup to dispense a liquid from the cup, through an opening positioned in the lid, into a mouth of the user. A flow meter engaged to the cup, proximate to the opening, measures a volume of the liquid passing through the opening. An interface is engaged to at least one of the cup and the lid and is operationally engaged to the flow meter. The interface receives a signal from the flow meter when the liquid passes through the opening. The interface selectively actuates at least one of a speaker and a bulb, upon receipt of the signal from the flow meter, to provide a sensory reward to the user.

Abstract: A liquid level detection device detecting a liquid level of a liquid in a container includes a heater configured to heat the container, a plurality of temperature sensors provided at different heights of the container, and configured to detect a surface temperature of the container, and a controller configured to detect the liquid level of the liquid in the container, based on the surface temperature of the container detected by the plurality of temperature sensors when the heater is caused to heat.

Abstract: A post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processing tray, a post-processing section, a sensor, and a control section. A sheet supplied from an image forming apparatus is led into the processing tray through a lead-in path. The post-processing section applies post-processing to the sheet sent from the processing tray. The sensor detects an object passing a detection space in the lead-in path. The control section controls operation of the post-processing section based on a time in which the sensor detects the object.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor and a method for sensing a liquid level adapted to a liquid storage container are provided. The liquid level sensor includes a plurality of sensing electrodes and a liquid level determination circuit. The sensing electrodes are disposed on a side wall of the liquid storage container and correspond to different liquid levels. The liquid level determination circuit is coupled to the sensing electrodes and stores a plurality of capacitance reference values and a plurality of capacitance threshold values in response to a tuning command received from a host during factory calibration. The capacitance reference values are locked after the factory calibration. After the factory calibration, the liquid level determination circuit scans capacitance values of the sensing electrodes to determine a liquid level of a liquid in the liquid storage container based on current capacitance values of the sensing electrodes.

Abstract: A sheet transfer apparatus for transferring a sheet is provided with a back receiver section that rotates a sheet to transfer, and a support section that supports the back face of the back receiver section swingably. By this means, the back receiver section is capable of rotating smoothly.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a metallic layer positioned at least partially on an insulating material coupled to a fuselage of an aircraft. The sensor assembly further includes a pair of terminals arranged at opposite ends of the metallic layer and a temperature probe thermally coupled to the metallic layer. The metallic layer is heated by a heater thermally coupled to the metallic layer. The temperature probe is used to determine a rate of cooling for the metallic layer, responsive to an air flow over the metallic layer.

Abstract: A sheet bundle discharging apparatus including: a conveyance belt configured to convey and discharge a sheet bundle in a conveyance direction; an attitude changing unit configured to change an attitude of the sheet bundle from a first attitude in which the sheet bundle is apart from the conveyance belt to a second attitude in which the sheet bundle is placed on the conveyance belt; and a receiving member configured to receive an end portion of the sheet bundle, wherein the attitude changing unit allows the end portion of the sheet bundle to pass through a region in which the conveyance belt is provided, in a belt width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and thereafter reach a region in which the receiving member is provided, a friction coefficient between the sheet bundle and the receiving member being smaller than a friction coefficient between the sheet bundle and the conveyance belt.

Abstract: A drive transmission device includes a driving-side coupling, a driven-side coupling, and an intermediary transmission member provided therebetween. The driving-side coupling and the intermediary transmission member engage with each other so as to be movable in a first direction. The driven-side coupling and the intermediary transmission member engage with each other so as to be movable in a second direction crossing the first direction. The intermediary transmission member is held by a holding-side coupling which is one of the driving and the driven-side couplings or by a shaft member engaging with the holding-side coupling. Engagement of the intermediary transmission member with a non-holding-side coupling which is the other coupling permits a deviation angle about an axis extending in the first direction and a deviation angle about an axis extending in the second direction.

Abstract: A method for measuring a speed of a fluid, comprising measurement phases and detection phases each carried out between two measurement phases, each detection phase comprising the steps of; measuring a spurious ultrasonic signal level; comparing the spurious ultrasonic signal level with a detection threshold capable of assuming a plurality of predefined values; if the measured spurious ultrasonic signal level is less than the detection threshold, reducing the detection threshold, and repeating the measurement step and the comparison step; when the measured spurious ultrasonic signal level becomes greater than or equal to the detection threshold, detecting a disturbance and, depending on the value of the detection threshold, determining if the disturbance originates from an anomaly or from attempted fraudulent activity.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit; a reverse conveying roller; a discharge unit including a reverse conveying path, an openable and closable member, an open/close sensor, a discharge tray, a sheet conveyance unit, and a failure detector; and a controller. If the controller determines that the sheet conveyance unit is in failure based on a detection result of the failure detector and determines that the openable and closable member is closed based on a detection result of the open/close sensor, the controller prohibits discharge of the sheet to the discharge tray and permits conveyance of the sheet to the reverse conveying path, and if the controller determines that the sheet conveyance unit is in failure and determines that the openable and closable member is open, the controller prohibits the conveyance of the sheet to the reverse conveying path.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a microneedle probe device for measuring a sap flow rate of a plant includes: a substrate, of which at least a part is inserted into a plant, and a thickness and a width are microscales; a single metal wire provided on the substrate; a power source, which applies a current to the metal wire for a predetermined time and heats the metal wire; and a processor, which calculates a flow rate of sap through a movement of heat generated in the metal wire according to a flow of the sap within the plant.

Abstract: A drive transmission device includes a driving-side coupling, a driven-side coupling, and an intermediary transmission member provided therebetween. The driving-side coupling and the intermediary transmission member engage with each other so as to be movable in a first direction. The driven-side coupling and the intermediary transmission member engage with each other so as to be movable in a second direction crossing the first direction. The intermediary transmission member is held by a holding-side coupling which is one of the driving and the driven-side couplings or by a shaft member engaging with the holding-side coupling. Engagement of the intermediary transmission member with a non-holding-side coupling which is the other coupling permits a deviation angle about an axis extending in the first direction and a deviation angle about an axis extending in the second direction.

Abstract: Compact ultrasonic flowmeter for measuring flowrate and other fluid related data, comprising: a flow tube with a flow bore for passage of the fluid between an inlet and an outlet; a flowmeter housing associated with the flow tube; a printed circuit board arranged in the flowmeter housing and including a processor for controlling operations of the flowmeter; a meter circuit including two or more ultrasonic transducers provided on the printed circuit board and configured for operating the ultrasonic transducers to transmit and receive ultrasonic wave packets through the fluid; a display mounted on the printed circuit board and configured for displaying a measured flowrate and other fluid related data; and one or more battery packs for powering flowmeter operations including at least the processor and the meter circuit and the display; wherein the processor and the ultrasonic transducers are surface mounted on a lower side of the printed circuit board and the display is mounted on an upper side of the printed ci

Abstract: An image recording device is provided, having a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet, and a tray disposed below the recording unit. The tray includes a sheet holding surface configured to hold the sheet. Additionally, the image recording device includes a sheet feeder disposed between the recording unit and the tray. The sheet feeder includes a roller for feeding the sheet from the tray. The roller is configured to move between a first roller position in which the roller contacts the sheet holding surface of the tray and a second roller position in which the roller is separated from the sheet holding surface. A return guide, disposed between the recording unit and the sheet feeder, defines a second conveying path to guide the sheet having an image recorded on one side thereof back to the feed guide. The return guide has a first opening configured to accommodate the roller of the sheet feeder when the roller is in the second roller position.

Abstract: A drive transmission device includes a driving-side coupling, a driven-side coupling, and an intermediary transmission member provided therebetween. The driving-side coupling and the intermediary transmission member engage with each other so as to be movable in a first direction. The driven-side coupling and the intermediary transmission member engage with each other so as to be movable in a second direction crossing the first direction. The intermediary transmission member is held by a holding-side coupling which is one of the driving and the driven-side couplings or by a shaft member engaging with the holding-side coupling. Engagement of the intermediary transmission member with a non-holding-side coupling which is the other coupling permits a deviation angle about an axis extending in the first direction and a deviation angle about an axis extending in the second direction.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus according to an embodiment may include: a cutting unit including a cutting member, a polarity of the cutting member being opposite to a polarity of the medium in a triboelectric series; an image formation unit that forms an image on the medium cut by the cutting unit; and a pressure contact unit arranged between the cutting unit and the image formation unit, and including a first pressure contact member and a second pressure contact member that are put in pressure contact with each other across the medium cut by the cutting unit, a polarity of the first pressure contact member being opposite to the polarity of the medium in a triboelectric series, a polarity value of the second pressure contact member shifted from a polarity value of the first pressure contact member toward the polarity of the medium in the triboelectric series.

Abstract: A low weight portable air sampling device comprising a housing at least partially enclosing an inlet for receiving an air or breath sample; a removable liner coupled to the inlet containing sorbing materials; a micro-pump for regulating air flow within the device; and an outlet for emitting the air or breath sample from the device is described. The device may be used to collect Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) of both biotic and abiotic origin.

Abstract: A velocity sensor and housing therefore, the velocity sensor provides a measurement of the velocity in a sewer manhole or chamber. The velocity sensor includes an ultrasonic transducer that emits a signal to measure the liquid below and may use an additional transducer or it is used by itself to detect the signal reflected from the surface. A parabolic reflector is designed and arranged to direct the emitted ultrasonic signal from the transducer to the surface with a linear beam while minimizing the beam spread. The return echo may either be measured directly or with the same transducer that was used to transmit the ultrasonic signal.

Abstract: The invention as herein described discloses a test apparatus (1) for testing dust suppression systems and a method for testing dust suppression systems using said test apparatus (1). Said test apparatus (1) comprises a housing (100) with at least two chambers (101,102) being separated from each other by a window (103) which comprises at least one transfer vent (104). Therein particle counting means (110, 120) are detachably mounted to at least one of said two chambers (101,102). Further, the first chamber (101) of said at least two chambers (101,102) comprises a door (121) and is equipped with supply means for supplying the first chamber (101) with particulate free air, and wherein the second chamber (102) of said at least two chambers (101, 102) is equipped with exit means for releasing air from the second chamber (102).

Abstract: An IC unit includes a scale increment reading module that is configured to: detect, when an indicator in an instrument rotates, rotation of the indicator, and convert the rotation into rotation data; and an antenna that is configured to transmit the rotation data wirelessly from the IC tag unit to a reader. The instrument includes a scale plate, scale increments on the scale plate remain viewable when the IC tag unit is affixed to the instrument. The instrument includes a transparent cover plate, the IC tag unit is affixed to the transparent cover plate when the IC tag unit is affixed to an instrument. The IC tag unit is calibrated by rotating the IC tag unit until an indicating portion of the indicator overlaps a first pointer on the scale plate.