Patents Issued in February 11, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160041503
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a container, a stirring member, a developing roller, a toner concentration detection section, a stirring plate, and a blade. The stirring plate is attached to the rotary shaft of the stirring member in a manner such as to be rotatable together with the rotary shaft, and has a tip part located in the radial direction at a predefined distance from the detection surface. The blade has elasticity, is attached to the stirring plate in a manner such as to surround a one-side surface, an another-side surface, and the tip part in a rotation direction of the stirring plate, has a sufficient length in the radial direction enough to abut the detection surface, and makes sliding-contact with the detection surface while rotating together with the stirring plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Yu Sasaki, Yoshinobu Yoneima
  • Publication number: 20160041504
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer; a developing device; a transfer device; a waste-developer container; a developer collecting device including a collected-developer conveyor, a waste channel, a reuse channel, and a channel switching member to switch a route between the waste channel and the reuse channel; a switching determiner to determine whether to dispose or reuse collected developer; an operating condition data collector to collect and store operating condition data used as a degradation speed index of developer in the developing device; a determination type selector to select, according to the degradation speed index, one of a first determination type based on an operating amount and a second determination type based on developer replacement data indicating an amount of developer replaced with supplied developer in the developing device; and a switching controller to control the channel switching member according to determination made by the switching determiner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuto UEDA, Hiroomi TAMURA, Kazuya SAITOH, Sho SEKIGUCHI, Hirokatsu SUZUKI, Takeshi KOJIMA, Takuma IWASAKI, Taichi URAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20160041505
    Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developer carrying member configured to carry a developer, and a magnet member disposed inside the developer carrying member. The magnet member includes one or more first magnet portions having a first magnetic polarity at an outer surface thereof opposing an inner surface of the developer carrying member, and one or more second magnet portions having a second magnetic polarity at an outer surface thereof opposing the inner surface. In a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the magnet member at a longitudinally central portion thereof, a number of the first magnet portions is larger than a number of the second magnet portions, and a ratio of a total area of the first magnet portions in the cross-section is smaller at a longitudinally end portion of the magnet member than at the longitudinally central portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Sakamaki, Takanori Iida
  • Publication number: 20160041506
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid toner dispersion which has a relative low shear viscosity between 1.25 and 225 and a relative conductivity between 0.3 and 30. The liquid toner dispersion includes toner particles in a non-polar carrier liquid, as well as a dispersing agent. This liquid toner dispersion is used in a digital printing process including adding dispersing agent during recycling of excess liquid toner dispersion remaining on a development member after patterned transfer of liquid toner dispersion to the imaging member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: Xeikon IP B.V.
    Inventors: Lode Erik Dries Deprez, Wim Libaers, Werner Jozef Johan Op de Beeck, Kurt Gustaaf Maria Mampaey, Mathias Jo Bert van Remortel
  • Publication number: 20160041507
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having an opening, a cover, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary-transfer member, a secondary-transfer roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is movable along a predetermined direction to be removably installed in the chassis through the opening and stores residual toner, a connector, and a feed roller, which is arranged within the feeding path to feed the recording sheet in the feeding path. The feed roller is arranged in a position to at least partially fall within a vertical range of the waste toner container and to be aligned with the waste toner container along an axial direction of the second feed roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakano, Shougo Sato
  • Publication number: 20160041508
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer on which a toner image is formed, an intermediate transfer belt onto which the toner image transferred from the image bearer, a secondary transfer member, a guide assembly, and a biasing device. The secondary transfer member meets the intermediate transfer belt to form a secondary transfer nip in which the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt onto a recording sheet. The guide assembly disposed upstream from the secondary transfer member in a transport direction of the recording sheet guides the recording sheet at a position lower than the secondary transfer nip such that a leading end of the recording sheet contacts the secondary transfer member before entering the secondary transfer nip. The biasing device biases the secondary transfer member to move the secondary transfer member in one of a direction of bias and a vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Seiichi KOGURE, Naohiro KUMAGAI, Junpei FUJITA, Kazuki YOGOSAWA, Kenji SUGIURA, Yuuji WADA, Yusuke MITANI
  • Publication number: 20160041509
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided in which, during a continuous sheet passing, in the case where a between-sheets time is short, none of a cleaning mode and a drive OFF mode is performed; in the case where the between-sheets time is of a medium length of time, the cleaning mode is performed but the drive OFF mode is not performed; and in the case where the between-sheets time is long, both the cleaning mode and the drive OFF mode are performed. As a result, degradation of an image bearer due to the cleaning bias is alleviated, decreased productivity due to the cleaning mode is alleviated, a problem is alleviated in which a back surface of a recording medium gets dirty due to toner adhered to a transfer rotation body, and another problem is alleviated in which the service life of a driven member is shortened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Sho SEKIGUCHI, Takeshi KOJIMA, Tomoya OHMURA, Hiroomi TAMURA, Tetsuto UEDA, Kazuya SAITOH, Taichi URAYAMA, Takuya MORIYAMA, Naoyuki OZAKI
  • Publication number: 20160041510
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; a voltage source; a fixing device including a rotatable member; an executing portion for executing an operation in a both-side mode; and a setting portion. The setting portion sets a transfer voltage in the operation for a second surface so that an absolute value of the transfer voltage when a recording material region which starts from a downstreammost end position and which passed through a fixing portion through first one full circumference of the rotatable member when the toner image is fixed on a first surface passes through the transfer portion is larger than an absolute value of the transfer voltage when a recording material region passed through the fixing portion through second one full circumference of the rotatable member when the toner image is fixed on the first surface passes through the transfer portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Etsuji Kojima, Tetsuya Ohta
  • Publication number: 20160041511
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device to form a cleaning toner image in a cleaning region on a cleaning sheet and a check toner image in a check region on the cleaning sheet. The image forming apparatus further includes a fixing device including a first rotator and a heater to heat the first rotator to a cleaning temperature that is lower than a fixing temperature to which the first rotator is heated in a print job and higher than a cold offset temperature at which toner adheres to the first rotator by cold offset. Each of the cleaning region and the check region has a length greater than a circumferential length of the first rotator. The cleaning region and the check region are disposed at a leading section and a trailing section of the cleaning sheet in a cleaning sheet conveyance direction, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Tomohiko FUJII, Masahiro Samei, Yoshiharu Takahashi, Daisuke Inoue, Yoshihiro Fukuhata, Minoru Toyoda
  • Publication number: 20160041512
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotating member, a bearing and a heat insulating member. The rotating member fixes a toner image onto a recording medium. The bearing rotatably supports the rotating member. The heat insulating member is interposed between the rotating member and the bearing and rotated around a rotation axis. A notch part is arranged in a portion in a circumferential direction of the heat insulating member so as to continue from an end part at an inside to an end part at an outside in a direction of the rotation axis. At least one groove part is formed in a contact portion with the rotating member or the bearing in a circumference face of the heat insulating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Ryo MATSUYAMA, Tomohiko YAMAKAWA, Masaru TAKAGI, Masami FUCHI, Masahiro UENO
  • Publication number: 20160041513
    Abstract: A polyimide seamless belt for an image forming apparatus, which contains: polyimide containing a segment derived from aromatic diamine, and a segment derived from aromatic tetracarboxylic acid; and two types of carbon black, which are high-structure carbon black capable of imparting high conductivity, and acidic carbon black, where the two types of the carbon black are dispersed in the polyimide seamless belt, wherein the polyimide seamless belt has surface resistivity of 108?/? or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Sachiko Takeda, Shigeru Hashiura, Kenji Ohta, Asae Kamata
  • Publication number: 20160041514
    Abstract: A decoloring device according to an embodiment includes a feeding unit on which sheets are loaded. A first sensor unit is downstream of the feeding unit in a sheet transport direction, detects a front position of the sheet fed from the feeding unit, and detects a presence or absence of an identification mark on a front portion of the sheet outside of an image forming area of the sheet. A control unit determines whether or not an image using the decolorable color material is printed on any one or both sides of the sheet based on whether the first sensor detects an identification mark on the front portion of the sheet, and determines whether to perform the decoloring process based on the determination of whether or not an image using the decolorable color material is printed on the sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: YOSHIHISA HASHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20160041515
    Abstract: A roll sheet image forming apparatus includes an introduction opening and a guide plate. Instead of a continuous sheet held in an apparatus main body, a continuous sheet for option feeding provided at an outside is introduced into the apparatus main body through the introduction opening. The guide plate is for splicing a lead sheet and a continuous sheet. When feeding the continuous sheet, a feeding unit is pulled out from the apparatus main body, a lead sheet is set to be conveyable towards an image forming unit, the feeding unit is again accommodated in the apparatus main body, a front end of the continuous sheet is placed on the guide plate, a rear end of the lead sheet is placed on the guide plate through the introduction opening, the rear end and the front end are spliced by a bonding member and then the feeding unit operates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiko NUMAZU, Toshio NAGASAKA
  • Publication number: 20160041516
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a binding device includes a first rotary member including a first serrated portion on its circumferential surface, a second rotary member including, on its circumferential surface, a second serrated portion to be engaged with the first serrated portion at an engaging position and configured to perform a binding process by rotating together with the first rotary member with a bundle of sheets pinched therebetween to form serrations in the sheet bundle in thickness direction and bring the sheets into engagement with each other while relatively moving the sheet bundle in a predetermined moving direction, and a clamping unit configured to, when the binding process is performed, clamp the sheet bundle at a clamping position upstream of the engaging position to apply a predetermined pulling force acting in a direction opposite to the moving direction to the sheet bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Ikumi TAKASHIMA, Akihiro TSUNO, Hirotaka HAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20160041517
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an apparatus main body including an inner wall that defines an accommodation portion, photoconductive drums arranged in parallel at intervals in a predetermined direction toward a first side from a second side, in the accommodation portion, chargers disposed corresponding to the photoconductive drums, respectively, each charger charging a corresponding one of the photoconductive drums, a frame body configured to support the photoconductive drums and the chargers and be accommodated in the accommodation portion, a regulating member disposed between the inner wall and a first-side end portion of the frame body in the predetermined direction, the regulating member configured to apply an urging force to the frame body and regulate an air current, and a pressing member configured to press the frame body against the urging force of the regulating member and regulate a movement of the frame body relative to the apparatus main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Junichi HASHIMOTO, Norio UCHIDA, Takashi ARAKAWA
  • Publication number: 20160041518
    Abstract: A transfer device includes a power supply control unit, a direct-current (DC) power supply, an alternating-current (AC) power supply, and a transfer unit. The power supply control unit controls a first control signal for controlling a DC voltage and a second control signal for controlling an AC voltage based on a condition relating to image formation. The DC power supply outputs the DC voltage based on the first control signal. The AC power supply selectively outputs, with a particular waveform, either of the DC voltage output from the DC power supply or a superimposed voltage obtained by superimposing the AC voltage determined based on the second control signal on the DC voltage output from the DC power supply. The transfer unit transfers a developer onto a sheet using a voltage output from the AC power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Tomokazu TAKEUCHI
  • Publication number: 20160041519
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printer body, a drum cartridge detachably attachable to the printer body, and a developing cartridge detachably attachable to the drum cartridge. The drum cartridge includes a handle and an urging member. The handle is configured to move between a protruding position at which the handle protrudes toward an attaching/detaching path for attaching and detaching the developing cartridge to and from the drum cartridge and a retracted position at which the handle is located farther from the attaching/detaching path than the handle that is located at the protruding position. The urging member urges the handle toward the protruding position. The handle is configured to protrude toward the protruding position by an urging force of the urging member when the developing cartridge is detached from the drum cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shougo SATO
  • Publication number: 20160041520
    Abstract: Provided is a process cartridge by which the stability of an image having a high print percentage can be obtained even when high-density loading is performed. The process cartridge is a process cartridge in which a toner having a uniaxial collapse stress at the time of a maximum consolidation stress of 10.0 kPa of 2.0 kPa or more and 4.5 kPa or less, and a total energy measured after its compression of 70 mJ or more and 95 mJ or less is stored in a toner container in a state in which the container has a loading density of 0.70 g/cm3 or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroki Akiyama, Koji Nishikawa, Kosuke Fukudome, Shotaro Nomura, Daisuke Yoshiba, Shohei Tsuda, Katsuhisa Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20160041521
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; drum frame supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing frame supporting the developing roller, the developing roller being movable relative to the drum frame between a contacting position in which the developing roller is in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a spacing position in which the developing roller is spaced from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a force receiving member, provided movably relative to the developing frame, for receiving an external force, wherein the force receiving member is capable of taking an operating position for moving the developing frame from the contacting position to the spacing position by receiving the external force, and a stand-by
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Hideki Maeshima, Kazunari Murayama, Akira Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20160041522
    Abstract: A holographic image viewer for small and medium-sized media devices whose inventive concept lies in its portability, providing viewing of holographic moving images (the 3-D ones according to the incidence of light on the image) generated by any type of video player such as a smartphone, tablet, notebook, LED and LCD monitor. It provides complementary protection for these mobile devices and, as the main property of said device is its portability, it can be used individually and relies on low cost manufacturing technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Arthur de Franceschi BRASIL, Paulo Ricardo MASIERO, José Rodolfo MASIERO
  • Publication number: 20160041523
    Abstract: A system for generating a light beam having a plurality of orthogonal function modes includes a light source for generating a plane wave light beam. A MicroElectroMechanical (MEM) system including an array of micro-mirrors for generating the light beam having the plurality of orthogonal function modes applied thereto responsive to the plane wave light beam and control signals for controlling the array of micro-mirrors. A controller generates the control signals to control a position of each of a plurality of micro-mirrors of the array of micro-mirrors. The controller controls the position of the micro-mirrors to generate a plurality of holograms for applying the plurality of orbital angular momentum modes to the plane wave light beam responsive to the control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: SOLYMAN ASHRAFI, ROGER LINQUIST
  • Publication number: 20160041524
    Abstract: A method of generating a hologram includes receiving three-dimensional (3D) image data, dividing 3D image data into data groups which are independent from one another, by a first processor; calculating, from at least one of the data groups, hologram values to be displayed at respective positions on a hologram plane, by the first processor; calculating, from at least another one of the data groups, hologram values to be displayed at the respective positions on the hologram plane by a second processor, and summing the calculated hologram values for each of the respective positions on the hologram plane, by the first processor or the second processor, or by the first processor and the second processor in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hoon SONG, Hojung KIM, Juwon SEO, Hongseok LEE
  • Publication number: 20160041525
    Abstract: To reduce an influence of stray light and stably record/reproduce high-quality data in holographic recording/reproduction. A holographic memory device includes an optical system that guides a reference beam to an optical information recording medium at a desired angle of incidence, a control part that controls the angle of incidence of the reference beam generated in the optical system, and a lens part that images the reference beam in a desired position of the optical information recording medium. Further, at least a first light beam at a first angle and a second light beam at a second angle different from the first angle are output from the optical element, and the optical element is provided so that the first light beam may propagate within an effective diameter of the lens part and the second light beam may propagate to an outside of the effective diameter of the lens part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Takeru UTSUGI, Kazuyoshi YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20160041526
    Abstract: A pivot for a timepiece mechanism, including a first rotational guide member for radially holding an arbor in a plate, and a second front guide member for axially limiting an end of the arbor, and including at least one resilient shock absorber acting on at least the first rotational guide member and/or the second front guide member. The resilient shock absorber is made in a one-piece manner in a micromachinable material or in silicon or quartz or diamond with a structural element other than the first rotational guide member and the second front guide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: NIVAROX-FAR S.A.
    Inventors: Marc STRANCZL, Thierry HESSLER, Jean-Luc HELFER
  • Publication number: 20160041527
    Abstract: A clock comprises an alarm clock housing having a front face, a clock display occupying at least a portion of the front face, a control on the housing for activating a shade positioning function, and a processor within the housing. The processor is responsive to the control for generating at least one shade positioning command to be transmitted to at least one motorized window shade, so as to cause the motorized window shade to move to one or more position at one or more corresponding predetermined interval relative to an alarm time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Erica PATTON, Daniel RANERI
  • Publication number: 20160041528
    Abstract: A support for cleaning and/or galvanic deposition including a carrier structure including attachment points for watch hands each provided with a hole. The attachment points include at least one rigid pin, if necessary a conductive pin, onto which the hands are threaded via their hole and held apart from each other by a spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: Universo S.A.
    Inventor: Gerard ROSSIER
  • Publication number: 20160041529
    Abstract: A first encoding part encodes a reference timing determined by a reference clock by using a delay line. A second encoding part encodes a measurement start timing and a measurement end timing of a measurement period determined by a measurement signal to be measured by also using the delay line. A count part counts the reference clocks included in the measurement period. A fraction calculation part calculates a start fraction number indicating a time difference from the measurement start timing and an immediately-following reference timing and an end fraction number indicating a time difference from the measurement end timing to an immediately-following reference timing, based on the encoding result. The fraction calculation part then calculates a fraction data indicating a difference between the measurement period and a product of the period of the reference timing and the count value of the count part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: SHIGENORI YAMAUCHI, TAKAMOTO WATANABE, NOBUYUKI TAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20160041530
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes: a timer unit configured to count date and time; a current position acquiring unit configured to acquire a current position; an associated position selecting unit configured to select an associated position preset according to a current position when the current position is acquired; a local time calculating unit configured to calculate local time at the current position and local time at the associated position based on the date and time counted by the timer unit, time difference information of the current position and time difference information of the associated position on differences in time from a predetermined reference position; and a display part configured to display the calculated local times simultaneously or by selectively switching therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi MOROHOSHI
  • Publication number: 20160041531
    Abstract: A watch comprising a deadfront window; a first OLED display disposed beneath the deadfront window such that the first OLED display can be observed through the deadfront window when the first OLED display is active; a movement for tracking time, the movement having a first portion that resides beneath the deadfront window and a second portion that protrudes through the deadfront window; and time-indicating members disposed above the deadfront window, the time indicating members being secured to the second portion of the movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Scott Mackie, Chris Loughnane, Jordan Rice, David Da He, Brian Schiffer, Richard Robehr Bijani, Gen Suzuki, Matthew Brown, Steve Lowe, Kate Richmond, Jesse Allum, Ray Nicoli, Bret Richmond, Eric Healy, Pam Darvirris, Stephen Kreiger, Gregory Wolos, Narissa Chang, Zebrick Roach
  • Publication number: 20160041532
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a storage unit (flash ROM) that stores local time information related to positioning information and time difference information, and version information of the local time information; a version display unit (display device) capable of displaying the version information; and a display control unit that displays the version information on the version display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Katsuyuki HONDA, Chisato TEZUKA
  • Publication number: 20160041533
    Abstract: A motor control device. When the motor control device executes pressure control of which a minor loop is speed control or position control, the pressure control is executed in a manner that pressurization or depressurization is performed while a control parameter of the speed control is fixed; a control parameter of the pressure control is gradually increased; an oscillation amount is successively detected and stored. If the oscillation amount exceeds an acceptable value, on the basis of the control parameter of the pressure control and the oscillation amount stored during adjustment, the control parameter of the pressure control is adjusted such that the oscillation amount is equal to or less than the acceptable value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichiro UEDA
  • Publication number: 20160041534
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for automatically generating an events dictionary in an Internet of Things (IoT) network. In an aspect, a device receives a notification of an event from an IoT device, determines a state of the IoT device before and after the event, compares the states of the IoT device, determines a type of state change of the event, determines whether the type of the state change of the first event is present in the events dictionary, creates a generic entry based on the type of the state change of the first event not being present in the events dictionary, and stores, in the events dictionary, a mapping of an event description of the event to the generic entry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Binita GUPTA
  • Publication number: 20160041535
    Abstract: A method and system for optimizing a human supervised cyber-physical system determines a state of the human operator based on data from multiple psycho physiological sensors, determines a state of each of multiple cyber-physical systems in the human supervised cyber-physical system based on data provided by the cyber-physical systems, and fuses the state of the human operator and the state of each of the plurality of cyber-physical systems into a single state of the human supervised cyber-physical system. The single state is then used to generate recommendations for optimizing a user interface and to generate high level control signals for the cyber-physical systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Francesco Leonardi, Luca F. Bertuccelli, Amit Surana
  • Publication number: 20160041536
    Abstract: A method controls a system for a multiple control steps according to the reference trajectory of a task of the operation to produce an actual trajectory of the system completing the task of the operation. For each control step, a control input to the system is determined using a model predictive control (MPC) having at least one parameter of uncertainty. The method determines a value of a learning cost function of a distance between the reference trajectory and the actual trajectory and determines, using a model free optimization, a value of the parameter of uncertainty reducing the value of the learning cost function. Next, the method determines a set of control inputs for completing the task according to the reference trajectory using the MPC with the updated parameter of uncertainty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Mouhacine Benosman, Stefano Di Cairano
  • Publication number: 20160041537
    Abstract: Management systems, methods, and mediums are provided. A method includes monitoring a value of a data point associated with a device in an automation system using a set of pairs of event enrollment objects and notification class objects configured to generate and communicate an alarm according to a first protocol. Each of the pairs of objects corresponds to one of a set of offsets defined according to a second protocol. The method also includes writing property values of the pairs of objects for different alarm monitoring modes using a set of command objects. Additionally, the method includes generating and communicating, in response to detecting the value for the data point meeting conditions in at least one of the event enrollment objects, an alarm according to a notification class object paired with the at least one event enrollment object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Bruno P. Landou, Thomas Rule
  • Publication number: 20160041538
    Abstract: A bioenergy management system and method for generating and supplying on-demand auxiliary electrical power is disclosed. The system/method includes a biogas generation unit (BGU) that produces biogas from dairy farm manure and stores the biogas in a biogas storage unit (BSU). An stored energy electric generation unit (SEGU) converts the stored biogas to electricity. A biogas control unit (BCU) measures the quality and quantity of biogas stored in the BSU and calculates available electric power (AEP) from this information. Depending on auxiliary electrical power requirements, a utility control unit (UCU) initiates an on-demand request for electric power (REP) to the BCU using a producer communication device (PCD)/utility communication device (UCD) data link. The BCU processes the REP from the UCU and negotiates electrical power (NEP) quantity. The BCU may electrically connect the SEGU to an electric transmission grid (ETG) to allow instantaneous/scheduled NEP delivery to the ETG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: N. Ross Buckenham
  • Publication number: 20160041539
    Abstract: A diagnostic device is physically coupled to a control device in a process control system, and includes an accelerometer that determines when a motion or vibration of the control device is greater than a predetermined threshold. When this condition is detected, one or more other components of the diagnostic device (e.g., processor, communication module, etc.) are activated, and a distress signal is transmitted from the diagnostic device using the activated components. Consequently, the duty cycles of components of the diagnostic device are decreased and optimized, leading to significant power savings. Indeed, in some embodiments, energy harvesting may be sufficient to power the diagnostic device. Further, in some embodiments, the diagnostic device may not require a component processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew J. Kemp, Davin S. Nicholas, Mitchell S. Panther
  • Publication number: 20160041540
    Abstract: A home controller and an information updating method thereof are provided. The home controller is configured to control a home equipment and includes a micro-processing unit, a first fiber interface circuit, a second fiber interface circuit and a first button. The first button is coupled to the micro-processing unit and disposed on a shell body of the home controller. If the first button is triggered, the micro-processing unit receives identifier (ID) information through the first fiber interface circuit or the second fiber interface circuit and updates the ID of the home controller according to the ID information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Hsing-Hung Lu
  • Publication number: 20160041541
    Abstract: A computer system for use with a building management system for a building includes a processing circuit configured to automatically identify a change in a building's energy usage model based on data received from the building management system. The processing circuit may be configured to communicate the identified change in the static factor to at least one of (a) a module for alerting a user to the identified change and (b) a module for initiating an adjustment to the energy model for a building in response to the identified change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Kirk H. Drees, James P. Kummer, Michael J. Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20160041542
    Abstract: Disclosed precision shaft alignment system for establishing precise concentric axial alignment of a first shaft rotatably mounted and extending from a fixed unit and a second shaft extending from a variable position unit towards the first shaft comprises a control and computing interface module, a pair of measuring means for precisely measuring at least one position of the first shaft and the second shaft and a jacking system for precisely aligning the shafts. The pair of measuring means is in communication with the control and computing interface module for transferring the at least one position of the first shaft and the second shaft for establishing precise concentric axial alignment of the first shaft and the second shaft. The jacking system is controlled by the control and computing interface module for precisely aligning the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Danny Harris
  • Publication number: 20160041543
    Abstract: A test case is executed on a product using a hardware machine, the product being configured in manufacturing according to a configuration, the test case being related to an estimation function. A set of data points resulting from the executing is collected. Using the estimation function, an estimated time needed for the executing is computed. Using the set of data points, an actual time used for the executing is computed. A determination is made whether a difference between the estimated time and the actual time is within a tolerance. Responsive to the difference not being within the tolerance, the estimation function is adjusted using the set of data points and at least one other set of data points, the other set of data points being generated by executing the test case on a second product configured according to a second configuration at a previous time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: DAVID MONCZYNSKI, Kaoru Stabnow, Jason yue
  • Publication number: 20160041544
    Abstract: A PLC system in which a power supply unit, a CPU unit, a first termination end unit, and another unit are connected via a connector, wherein the another unit and the first termination end unit include voltage measuring units, the CPU unit includes a voltage measuring unit and a voltage monitoring control unit performing a voltage value obtaining process of reading the voltage value stored in the voltage measuring unit of the first termination end unit, the another unit, or the CPU unit and determining whether the voltage value is a specified value or higher and displays the result on a display unit in numerical form, and the voltage monitoring control unit performs the voltage value obtaining process on a unit in order from the first termination end unit toward the power supply unit side until a unit whose voltage value is the specified value or higher is identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Kawana
  • Publication number: 20160041545
    Abstract: A numerical controller controls a machine tool with a plurality of control axes so as to compensate an inward turning error by inserting a curved movement path into a corner section between two consecutive blocks. An estimated inward turning amount generated as the corner section is subjected to post-interpolation acceleration/deceleration is calculated based on the radius of curvature of the curve and allowable accelerations of the axes of the machine tool, and such a curved movement path that its inward turning amount has a value obtained by subtracting the estimated inward turning amount from a tolerance is inserted into the corner section if the sum of the estimated inward turning and the inward turning amount of the curve is larger than the tolerance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Naoya KOIDE
  • Publication number: 20160041546
    Abstract: A machining tool with a numerical control device includes an actual gravity center calculation unit configured to calculate an actual gravity center, the actual gravity center being a whole gravity center of the machining tool and the load, a target gravity center position set unit, a movable part position correction unit configured to correct the relative position of the movable part to the fixed part, to make the target gravity center position and the whole center gravity center position of the machining tool and the load coincident.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Yasuhiro NAKAHAMA
  • Publication number: 20160041547
    Abstract: A method includes: selecting a movement path along which a moving component of a machine tool, is to be moved; before moving the moving component: causing the moving component to make a first predefined movement; recording, using a computing device including accelerometers and external to the machine tool, first movement data identifying the first predefined movement; causing the moving component to make a second predefined movement; and recording, using the accelerometers, second movement data identifying the second predefined movement; causing the moving component to be moved along the movement path; after finishing moving the moving component along the movement path: causing the moving component to make a third predefined movement; and recording, using the accelerometers, third movement data identifying the third predefined movement; calculating, using the computing device, timing information for movement of the moving component along the movement path based on the first, second, and third movement data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen William Mackman, Steven Michael Hobbs, William del Strother
  • Publication number: 20160041548
    Abstract: A virtual metrology system and a method therefor are provided herein. In the system, a set of process data is gathered and clustered according to a plurality of predetermined patterns. The clustered set of process data is calculated according to the corresponding pattern, so as to obtain a comparison result. If the obtained result meets a desired output, a corresponding step is performed based on the result. In one case, the corresponding step is a normal sampling step if the clustered set of process data meets the corresponding pattern. If the clustered set of process data does not meet the corresponding pattern, an alarm is generated thereby, and the corresponding equipment may be shut down. In another case, the corresponding step is a maintenance, repair, and overhaul step if the clustered set of process data meets the corresponding pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Feng-Chi Chung, Ching-Hsing Hsieh, Yi-Chun Lin, Chien-Chuan Yu
  • Publication number: 20160041549
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a production support system for supporting a production method for a product to which a model number is allocated in a course of production. The system includes a predicted model number calculation unit which to calculate a predicted model number for a work-in-process to which the model number is not allocated, on the basis of information about the work-in-process to which the model number is not allocated in the course of production, a requirement of the model number that is found in advance, and model number allocation condition information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaya TAKAKI, Masaru OGAWA, Keitaro SUMIYA, Shinji TERADA, Yuujiro TAKAHASHI, Yoshiaki KOHNO
  • Publication number: 20160041550
    Abstract: A method of monitoring an actuator system comprising a control device, a torque motor having a voltage Umc across its terminals and actuating a servo-valve, and an actuator controlled by the servo-valve, the control device being suitable for delivering to the torque motor a control current Icmd as a function of a current setpoint I_c and of a measured current Imes, the monitoring method comprising the following steps: comparing the voltage Umc measured across the terminals of the torque motor with a predetermined threshold voltage Vthresh; and if the voltage across the terminals of the torque motor is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold voltage, raising an alarm and indicating a failure of the servo-valve; the method being characterized in that said comparison of the voltage Umc is performed only if the control current Icmd is greater than a predetermined threshold current Iinhib, with a control current less than that inhibiting any signaling of a servo-valve failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Raphael Tanguy GUILLORY, Ghislain Nicolas Emmanuel SANCHIS
  • Publication number: 20160041551
    Abstract: Methods for monitoring integrated continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing processes are described and disclosed herein. The method continuously monitors and creates a historic record of the pharmaceutical manufacturing process and provides it to an end user or a plurality of end users. Consequently, the methods provide a means to perform quality control on an integrated level whereby a pharmaceutical manufacturer can ensure data and product integrity and minimize cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Shane M. Popp
  • Publication number: 20160041552
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for providing recommendations to address design flaws of power system equipment and/or model design flaws for equipment model types of power system equipment. For example, historical sensor data and/or historical field test data, collected from power system equipment, may be analyzed to identify a design flaw of the power system equipment (e.g., a design flaw of a seal ring). A redesign cost to redesign the power system equipment, a failure impact of a failure from the design flaw, a maintenance repair and/or replacement cost, a manufacture alternative component cost to use an alternative component for manufacturing the power system equipment, and/or other factors may be taken into account to crate and provide a recommendation to address the design flaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Aldo Dagnino, Luiz V. Cheim, Lan Lin, Poorvi Patel, Asim Fazlagic