Abstract: It is provided a barrier assembly for determining an extent of opening of an openable barrier. The barrier assembly comprises the openable barrier and barrier frame around the openable barrier; a magnet, a magnetic sensor and a status monitoring device. One of the magnet and the magnetic sensor is provided in the barrier and the other of the magnet and the magnetic sensor is provided in the barrier frame; and the status monitoring device is configured to determine an extent of opening of the openable barrier based on a direction of a magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A control device that controls a power supply circuit including a battery, a first relay, and a second relay performs: a sequence process of turning on the second relay after turning on the first relay; a process of measuring an elapsed time until a voltage of a load starts increasing after the second relay has been turned on by performing the sequence process; and a process of determining that the second relay has deteriorated when determination conditions including a condition that the elapsed time is equal to or greater than a prescribed determination value are satisfied.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absolute encoder suitable for reduction in thickness. An absolute encoder, for determining a rotation amount of a main spindle that rotates a plurality of revolutions, includes a first drive gear configured to rotate in accordance with rotation of the main spindle; a first driven gear that engages with the first drive gear; a second drive gear configured to rotate in accordance with rotation of the first driven gear; a second driven gear that engages with the second drive gear; and an angular sensor configured to detect a rotation angle at which a second rotating body is rotated in accordance with rotation of the second driven gear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a measurement arrangement for detecting aging processes in individual light-emitting diodes which makes it possible to identify, and subsequently to compensate, a loss of brightness in light-emitting diodes. In this context, a relative measurement of brightness intensity is taken. The present invention further relates to a correspondingly set-up method for detecting aging processes in individual light-emitting diodes and to a computer program product comprising control commands which implement the method.

Abstract: An anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensor without a set and reset device may include a substrate, an exchange bias layer, an AMR layer and a collection of barber-pole electrodes. The exchange bias layer may be deposited on the substrate and the AMR layer may be deposited on the exchange bias layer. The AMR layer may include multiple groups of AMR strips, and each group may include several AMR strips. The barber-pole electrodes may be arranged on each AMR strip. The AMR sensor achieves coupling by using the exchange bias layer, without requiring a reset/set coil. Because a coil is not used, the power consumption of the chip is reduced greatly, and the manufacturing process is simpler, providing improved yield and lower cost.

Abstract: Circumferential and axial magnetizers for a magnetic flux leakage pig. A magnet bar may comprise at least one magnet and may be configured to collapse radially inward to the shaft. Magnetizers may include a cushion disposed about the shaft and biasing the magnet bar against a pipe wall. A sensor head disposed between circuit poles at each polar end of the magnet monitors magnetic flux. The central shaft of a circumferential magnetizer or axial magnetizer may comprise a joint linking an additional smart pig module. A novel magnetizer cushion is described, as are smart pigs containing one or more circumferential or axial magnetizers.

Abstract: A tilt switch based on differential threshold sensing includes a tilt track (such as a tilt tube), and a tilt/target element moveable along the tilt track by gravity between first/second ends based on tilt angle. An inductive sensor includes first/second sense coils at the ends of the tilt track, and sensor circuitry (a) to drive each sense coil to project a magnetic sensing field, and to measure a differential sensor to a position of the tilt/target element relative to the sense coils, based on a property corresponding to sense coil inductance (for example, relative to a pre-defined switching threshold position), and (b) to provide, in response to the differential sensor response, a tilt switch output corresponding to a tilt angle of the tilt track based on a position of the tilt/target element relative to the sense coils (or switching threshold), for example, with a pre-defined hysteresis.

Abstract: A voltage sampling circuit is provided for sampling voltage of at least two sets of cells in a battery pack includes at least two analog front ends including a low-side analog front end connected to a first set of cells and a high-side analog front end connected to a second set of cells, a subtractor has a positive input end and a negative input end, the positive input end connecting to the output of the high-side analog front end for receiving the analog voltage output by the high-side analog front end. When the first set of cells is connected with the second set of cells in series, the negative input end of the subtractor connecting to the total positive the first set of cells, when the first set of cells is connected with the second set of cells in parallel, the negative input end of the subtractor is grounded.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic field detection device that includes a first and second soft magnetic bodies, and a magnetic detector. The first and second soft magnetic bodies extend along a first plane and are disposed in confronted relation in a third direction. The first plane includes both a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The third direction is orthogonal to both the first and second directions. The magnetic detector is provided between the first and second soft magnetic bodies in the third direction.

Abstract: In an example, a method includes forming a print agent pattern on an image forming surface and transferring the print agent pattern from the image forming surface to an intermediate transfer member. In a first mode of operation in which a printable substrate is not between the intermediate transfer member and a cleanable medium, the print agent pattern may be transferred from the intermediate transfer member to the cleanable medium and then cleaned from the cleanable medium. In a second mode of operation, the printable substrate may be provided between the intermediate transfer member and the cleanable medium, and the same print agent pattern or a different print agent pattern may be transferred from the intermediate transfer member to the printable substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fixing device including a flexible cylindrical rotary member and an inner-surface opposing portion that opposes an inner surface of the rotary member at an end portion of the rotary member in a generatrix direction. The inner-surface opposing portion moves upstream in a recording material conveying direction in accordance with lateral shift of the rotary member in the generatrix direction. This restricts the lateral shift of the rotary member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises, a collecting member configured to collect waste toner adhered on a conveying belt, a cleaning voltage supplier configured to supply a cleaning voltage to the collecting member, a container having a first contact and configured to contain the collected waste toner, and an attachment part having a second contact configured to contact the first contact. The container is detachably attached to the attachment part. The image forming part further comprises a switch configured such that a switching state is switchable based on an amount of the waste toner in the container. The image forming apparatus generates a detection signal based on a voltage at the second contact to determine whether an amount of the waste toner in the container is greater than a particular amount.

Abstract: A measurement input circuit for a measurement device for measuring an electric signal in a device under test comprises a signal input that receives the electronic signal from the device under test and provides the received electronic signal at a signal node, a direct signal coupling path that is coupled between the signal node an electrical ground and comprises a first impedance value, an alternating signal coupling path that is coupled between the signal node and the electrical ground, and comprises a second impedance value that is lower than the first impedance value, and a signal output that is coupled to the signal node and outputs the received electronic signal.

Abstract: Various examples relate to techniques of monitoring a reliability of a cell-impedance measurement of a battery cell. In one example, a device includes a first interface configured to inject an AC excitation current into a battery cell and a shunt resistor coupled in parallel to the battery cell. The device also includes a second interface configured to inject an AC test current into the shunt resistor. The device also includes analog-to-digital converters configured to measure a cell voltage across the battery cell associated with the AC excitation current, a shunt voltage across the shunt resistor associated with the AC excitation current and the shunt voltage across the shunt resistor associated with the AC test current.

Abstract: A process unit includes a drum frame supporting a photoconductor drum and a development frame supporting a development roller. The development cartridge is swingably supported by the drum frame at a coupling joint provided at a first side of the development frame and a support portion provided at a second side of the development frame. A center of rotation of the development roller is located in a position shifted from a line segment connecting a center of rotation of the coupling joint and a center of rotation of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in an axial direction of the development roller, such that the development roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum by the action of the rotatory force received by the coupling joint.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a first pair of connection terminals extended from a first sensor and a second pair of connection terminals extended from a second sensor. A first negative connection terminal that is a negative connection terminal of the first pair of connection terminals and a second negative connection terminal that is a negative connection terminal of the second pair of connection terminals are electrically connected to each other.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for non-intrusive monitoring by sensing physical parameters such as electric and/or magnetic fields. Such apparatus and techniques may find application in a variety of fields, such as monitoring consumption of electricity, for example.

Abstract: A waste toner storage case includes a case main body, a waste toner path, a conveyance portion, a conversion portion, and a moving member. The waste toner path is provided in the case main body. The conversion portion converts a rotary motion into a reciprocating motion in conjunction with a rotation of the rotation shaft. The moving member is coupled with the conversion portion, reciprocatingly moves in a direction along the inclined guide surface in accordance with the reciprocating motion from the conversion portion, and includes: a first extending portion extending from the coupling portion to the reception port; and a second extending portion extending from the coupling portion to the reception port to make a predetermined angle with respect to the first extending portion in a first direction separating from the inclined guide surface.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless belt; a driving rotatable member cooperative with the endless belt to form a nip for fixing a toner image on a recording material and for driving the endless belt; an urging member provided inside the endless belt to urge the endless belt toward the driving rotatable member; and a rubbing rotatable member for rubbing an outer surface of the endless belt.

Abstract: A position sensor is presented. Some embodiments of a position sensor according to some embodiments includes a position sensor that includes a transmission coil; receive coils, the receive coils including at least one polarity change; a target configured to transit across the receive coils; and a controller configured to drive the transmission coil, receive signals from the receive coils, and provide a position response indicative of the target position over the receive coils, wherein the position response exhibits a first linear region of a first slope and a second linear region of a second slope.