Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cover, a container holder, a detecting unit and a movable member. The cover opens/closes an opening attaching/detaching a toner container. The container holder is supported movably within the opening by attaching the toner container. The detecting unit includes a switching part switching a first position detecting an attaching condition of the toner container and a second position detecting a not-attaching condition of the toner container. The movable member interlocks with an opening/closing operation of the cover and switches the switching part of the detecting unit by moving. The movable member can move in a switching direction of the switching part from the second position to the first position when the cover is closed in the attaching condition. The movable member is restricted from moving in the switching direction by the container holder when the cover is closed in the not-attaching condition.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a case having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and a developing roller disposed between the first sidewall and second sidewall. The developing roller can include a developing roller shaft and a developing roller member configured to carry a developing agent thereon, the developing roller member disposed around the developing roller shaft. Also, the developing cartridge can include an electrode disposed on the first sidewall adjacent to the developing roller shaft, the electrode electrically connected to the developing roller member, and a driven coupling disposed on the second sidewall. The electrode can include, an extending portion extending in a direction away from the first sidewall. An outermost periphery of the driven coupling defines a projection plane projecting in a direction towards the electrode, wherein at least a part of the extending portion is disposed within the projection plane.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which a cartridge including an erroneous attaching prevention unit and a protruding portion as a holding unit, can be inserted to an attached position. The image forming apparatus includes a frame, an inclined surface on which the protruding portion is placed, the inclined surface being provided to the frame, a guide portion defining with the inclined surface a gap through which the protruding portion is able to pass, and a movable member configured to engage with the erroneous attaching prevention unit on a downstream side of the guide portion in an insertion direction.

Abstract: A video display system for providing vision correction for multiple users may include a display device having a holographic layer and a vision correction layer. The system may also include a processor coupled to the display device to receive a first prescription corresponding to a first user and a second prescription corresponding to a second user, and to modulate the display device so that the first user at a first angle and the second user at a second angle can view a non-distorted image from the display device.

Abstract: A device for protecting the crown (17) of a watch comprising a lever (18) which allows the crown to be pulled out.

Abstract: Perpetual calendar for a watch including a movement controlling the daily release, at the moment that the date changes, of a mechanism actuating a perpetual lever of this perpetual calendar, which perpetual calendar includes a daily countdown mechanism itself including a month-end adjustment mechanism, and a differential mechanism and a calendar mechanism arranged to determine the duration of the current month and updated at each current month change by this daily countdown mechanism, and this differential mechanism controlling, each day at the moment that the date changes, the motion of an additional adjustment cam comprised in this month-end adjustment mechanism, based on the current day of the month taken from this daily countdown mechanism, and also based on the current month duration taken from the calendar mechanism.

Abstract: A timepiece includes a representation of a non-rectilinear object, the representation particularly including a movable element kinematically connected to a drive mechanism. The representation also includes at least one second movable element, the drive mechanism being arranged such that the movable elements each move, simultaneously and in synchronization, between a first and a second end position, and vice versa, the movable elements forming the representation at a first size and at a second size greater than the first, respectively, when the movable elements are in the first and second end positions thereof.

Abstract: A time to digital converter includes a mutual exclusion element and a sampling component. The mutual exclusion element is configured to receive a first clock and a second clock and to generate a first pulse and a second pulse. The mutual exclusion element is configured to drive the first pulse to a first logic state and the second pulse to a second logic state upon the first clock being earlier than the second clock and drive the second pulse to the first logic state and the first pulse to the second logic state upon the second clock being earlier than the first clock. The sampling component is configured to receive the first pulse and the second pulse and to generate a decision signal according to the first pulse and the second pulse.

Abstract: A method and an electronic device are provided for displaying time information corresponding a location where an external electronic device is located. The electronic device obtains the time information of the external electronic device. The electronic device displays the time information and contact information corresponding to the external electronic device in response to a request.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method, and a computer program product, for displaying an intentionally inaccurate count of time. For example, the method may include receiving display time information, which is comprised of information indicating an amount of time to be displayed, and receiving actual time information, which is comprised of information indicating an actual time to elapse, wherein the actual time is not equal to the display time. Actual time may be expressed as a percentage of the display time. The method also may include receiving start count information, wherein the start count information is information indicating that a count of time in an amount equal to the actual time should start. Responsive to receiving the start count information, the method may display a count of time equal to the display amount, wherein the count of time is displayed during an amount of time equal to the actual time.

Abstract: An electronic clock operable to provide the time of day and further being configured to provide a visual effect. The clock includes a housing having a plurality of walls, top and bottom formed to create an interior volume. The clock includes a first display screen and a second display screen mounted into the housing. The first display screen provides the time of day and the second display screen is configured with a plurality of light emitting diodes organized into a lighting pattern that is operable to provide the visual effect of a conventional swinging pendulum. A control module is present so as to facilitate user control of the electronic clock. A central processing unit provides control of the clock and the clock further includes an audio output to emit sounds therefrom.

Abstract: A world watch capable of automatically adjusting displayed information otherwise indicating time of day around the world upon occurrence of a daylight savings time event.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a base plate made from a non-conductive material, and a planar antenna disposed on the back side of the base plate. The planar antenna has a dielectric substrate and an antenna electrode disposed to the base plate side of the dielectric substrate. An exposed area not superimposed with the antenna electrode 42 is formed on the surface of the dielectric substrate. The base plate has a through-hole overlapping at least part of the antenna electrode in plan view, and a cover part overlapping at least part of the exposed surface in plan view.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a case made at least in part from a conductive material and including a main case member and back cover and; a drive module disposed inside the case for displaying the time; a GPS antenna disposed inside the case around the drive module; and a crystal made from a non-conductive material and disposed to the opposite side of the case as the back cover. The GPS antenna is superimposed with the crystal in plan view, and not superimposed with parts of the main case on the crystal side of the GPS antenna.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a braking device, in particular a parking brake device, which comprises an actuator having an electric motor that displaces an actuator element as desired into a brake application position or into a brake release position, wherein the electric motor is controlled in dependence upon a motor constant and an electrical resistance of the electric motor, characterized in that as the actuator element is displaced a prevailing motor input voltage and a prevailing motor current are ascertained, and that the motor constant and the electrical resistance are determined in dependence upon the ascertained motor input voltage and the ascertained motor current.

Abstract: A method includes translating at least one control strategy associated with a first controller into an equivalent translated control strategy compatible with a second controller, where the first and second controllers represent controllers in an industrial process control and automation system. The method also includes selecting one or more spare locations on the second controller to configure one or more corresponding points. The method further includes loading the at least one translated control strategy into a control environment associated with the second controller. In addition, the method includes moving a slot configuration of each of the one or more points from the first controller to the second controller.

Abstract: A central control apparatus includes: a controller that performs control over facilities or equipment; and a display unit that displays information processed by the controller on the screen, wherein the central control apparatus further includes a communication unit that communicates with a meteorological office server, and the controller includes: a data collection module that collects predicted environmental data about a target control area through the communication unit; a system setting module that sets information about at least one facility within the target control area; and an energy usage simulation module that models the facility based on based on the facility information and simulates the power consumption of the facility model according to a control scenario, the energy usage simulation module including an energy reduction calculation module for calculating the energy reduction of the facility or target control area based on a simulation result of the power consumption of the facility model accord

Abstract: A pipeline status database may store information about the current status of a plurality of pipeline portions comprising a pipeline, each pipeline portion being adapted to transport a substance. An intelligent pipeline monitoring platform coupled to the pipeline status database may include a mapping module to automatically determine location information associated with each of the plurality of pipeline portions and a graphical user interface module having access to real world map information. A communication port coupled to intelligent pipeline monitoring platform may transmit information to create for a user a visual representation of the plurality of pipeline portions, including information about the current status of at least one pipeline portion, on a graphical user interface map display in accordance with the location information.

Abstract: A health and fitness device comprises a body configured to be worn on a body part such as a neck of a user. In some embodiments, the body is circular. The health and fitness device comprises one or more stimulus modules for providing a stimulus to the user and a control device for controlling the one or more modules. The health and fitness device is controllable through a smart phone and/or smart device and an application stored on the smart phone and/or smart device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for controlling process equipment. In particular, the disclosure relates to system for prioritizing instructions to process equipment over a common serial or parallel port. By way of the system, process equipment to be monitored and controlled by one or more remote users. The prioritized instructions can relate to, for example, data logging and control functions. The system also employs a web client that permits the requesting user to monitor the process equipment via a web browser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a controller (1) comprising a control unit (2), which communicates with at least one input and/or output unit (10) via a data transmission channel (3, 6) for exchange of process data (P). The controller (1) has predetermined power saving process data (V) for power-saving states (En), which are associated with the input/output units (10), and is designed to access the predetermined power-saving process data (V) instead the exchanged process data (P) when in the power saving state.

Abstract: A method, data presenting device and computer program product are provided for assisting a remote user. The data presenting device includes a communication interface, a camera having a field of view in which images are captured, a projector having a presentation area in which presentation items may be presented, and a control unit which receives field of view control commands a command to project a presentation item in the presentation area, controls the field of view of the camera and controls the projector to project the presentation item in the presentation area, wherein the control of the projection in the presentation area is made independently of the control of the field of view.

Abstract: Methods for post processor development and corresponding systems and computer-readable mediums. A method includes generating a machine tool post processor having a plurality of levels including a library level, a controller level, and at least one other level. The method includes interacting with a user in a dynamic user interface corresponding to the machine tool post processor. The method includes storing the machine tool post processor.

Abstract: A production machine or machine tool has a memory into which a part program incorporating HMI instructions in the form of script segments is loaded, wherein the HMI instructions are evaluated by a processing component during the execution of the part program and wherein a display unit is controlled by the processing component for displaying HMI outputs. A corresponding method and a computer program for executing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for transmitting and receiving data between an MPU and a memory operating in mutually different operating voltages in PLC is proposed, the method including: outputting, by the MPU, a CS (Chip Select) signal and an address signal in order to read data by approaching to the memory; outputting, by an OR gate, an activation signal for activating a data input buffer by receiving the CS signal and the address signal; outputting, by an access signal output buffer, a memory access signal for operation of the memory by receiving the CS signal and the address signal; outputting, by the memory, data requested by the MPU to the data input buffer by responding to the memory access signal; and outputting, by the data input buffer, the received data to the MPU by receiving the data outputted by the memory.

Abstract: A utility monitoring system is described that essentially provides a first sensor in-line in a first utility in a first structure, such as a house, and a second utility in the structure. A control hub communicatively linked to a central communications server, the sensors in the structure and a first switch consisting of on/off capability adapted to turn on or off the first utility and a second switch consisting of on/off capability adapted to turn on or off the second utility. The control hub able to receive on/off instructions from the central communication server to turn on or off the switches to the utilities based on information received either instantaneously from the sensors or over time from the sensors. The central communication server capable of connecting to a plurality of control hubs communicatively linked with additional sensors and on/off switches.

Abstract: A central control apparatus includes: a controller that performs control over facilities or equipment; a display unit that displays information processed by the controller on the screen; and an input unit that receives user input, wherein the central control apparatus further includes a communication unit that communicates with a meteorological office server, the input unit receives user input for setting an energy reduction rate, and the controller includes: a data collection module that collects predicted environmental data including weather information about a target control area through the communication unit; a system setting module that sets information about at least one facility within the target control area; and an energy usage simulation module that models the facility based on based on the facility information and simulates the power consumption of the facility model according to a control scenario, the energy usage simulation module including: an energy reduction calculation module for calculatin

Abstract: A method for programming a three-dimensional (3D) workpiece scan path for a metrology system comprising a 3D motion control system, a first type of Z-height sensing system, and a second type of Z-height sensing system that provides less precise surface Z-height measurements over a broader Z-height measuring range. The method comprises: placing a representative workpiece on a stage of the metrology system, defining at least a first workpiece scan path segment for the representative workpiece, determining preliminary actual surface Z-height measurements along the first workpiece scan path segment, and determining a precise 3D scan path for moving the first type of Z-height sensing system to perform precise surface Z-height measurements. The precise 3D scan path is based on the determined preliminary actual surface Z-height measurements. The precise 3D scan path may be used for performing precise surface Z-height measurements or stored to be used in an inspection program.

Abstract: A controller performs tool indexing operation by controlling a tool post driving motor that drives a tool post that can house a plurality of tools and can position a desired tool to a specific position. At this time, the controller estimates an amount of movement of the tool post driving motor based on the number of a tool pot at a tool change position at the start of tool indexing operation and the number of a tool pot that houses a tool specified to be changed. The controller compares the estimated amount of movement of the motor with an actual amount of movement of the tool post driving motor in tool indexing operation, and thereby detects an abnormality in tool indexing operation.

Abstract: Integration of semiconductor tool maintenance operations on mobile devices to allow technicians to more accurately perform semiconductor tool maintenance and to allow more accurate analysis of data to improve maintenance procedures to be more repeatable, consistent, and efficient. Remote control of maintenance operations for the semiconductor tool via a portable electronic device decreases the time required to service semiconductor tools and thus increase throughput.

Abstract: A numerical controller carries out acceleration/deceleration control over an interpolation pulse produced based on command blocks. This numerical controller exercises acceleration/deceleration control processing over the interpolation pulse based on an acceleration/deceleration setting which corresponds to the command blocks, and outputs a first speed pulse. The numerical controller exercises acceleration/deceleration control processing over the first speed pulse such that command blocks overlap each other, based on an overlapping shared acceleration/deceleration setting which does not depended on the command blocks, and outputs a second speed pulse.

Abstract: A sub-program carried out by a numerical control unit that controls a production machine is disclosed. The numerical control unit transmits a piece of information identifying a program instruction, by means of which the sub-program was generated to a CAM system after the instruction is selected by a user through an operator interface. The numerical control unit receives, a parameterized description of the sequence of program instructions containing the selected program instruction from the CAM system. The numerical control unit outputs the parameterized description to the user via the operator interface and receives a modification of the parameterized description from the user. The numerical control unit then transmits the modified parameterized description to the CAM system and receives a modified sub-program corresponding to the modified parameterized description from the CAM system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving tire uniformity through identification of characteristics of one or more candidate process effects are provided. The magnitudes of process harmonics associated with one or more candidate process effects can be identified by combining uniformity measurements for a set of tires to achieve an enhanced resolution for a sampling of the process harmonic. The enhanced resolution approach can combine uniformity measurements for a set of a plurality of tires that are slightly offset from one another to generate a composite process harmonic sampling. In particular, the composite process harmonic sampling can be generated by aligning the uniformity measurements for each tire in the set of tires based on the azimuthal location of the maximum magnitude of the process harmonic on each tire. The magnitude of the process harmonic can then be determined using the composite process harmonic sampling.

Abstract: An operating method for a vehicle includes driving in a manual mode, in which a longitudinal movement and a lateral movement are controlled by a human driver, and driving in an autonomous mode, in which the longitudinal movement and the lateral movement are controlled by an automated system. In the method, driving in semi-autonomous mode is activated from the autonomous mode by the human driver either resuming the longitudinal movement, such that the automated system continues to control the lateral movement, or resuming the lateral movement, such that the automated system continues to control the longitudinal movement. In the semi-autonomous mode, one or more automatic stop operations brake the vehicle when the human driver does not quickly resume control of the lateral movement and the longitudinal movement, which continues to be controlled by the automated system.

Abstract: A system with a first computer unit and with a second computer unit, wherein the first computer unit comprises a first interface to enable connection to at least one sensor and to at least one actuator, wherein the second computer unit comprises a second interface to enable connection to at least one sensor and to at least one actuator, wherein the first and the second computer units can be connected to each other by means of a further interface, wherein the actuator comprises an interface, wherein depending on the first or on the second operating state the interface determines whether a control command for a driving function is adopted by the first or the second computer unit, so that in the first operating state only the first computer unit can activate the actuator and in a second operating state only the second computer unit can activate the actuator.

Abstract: A cleaning robot includes a chassis, a drive system connected to the chassis and configured to drive the robot, a signal generator and sensor carried by the chassis, and a controller in communication with the drive system and the sensor. The signal generator directs a signal toward the floor surface. The sensor is responsive to reflected signals from the floor surface. The controller controls the drive system to alter direction of the robot responsive to a reflected signal indicating an edge of the floor surface.

Abstract: A system for managing water in a water pipe network is disclosed. The system draws an optimal pump operation schedule and a result of hydraulic analysis, by performing an integrated simulation of hydraulic analysis and optimization based on the hydraulic analysis data for optimization calculation and demand amount data generated using an optimization setting parameter and history data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for precise dilution of a powder or liquid concentrate and maintenance of the resultant aqueous slurry apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises at least one active solids level sensor, a controller, and control valves for providing additional water, slurry, or powder to the dilution. The method comprises determining with an active solids sensor a level of active solids in a dilution, transmitting the level of active solids to a controller, comparing with the controller the level of active solids with a predetermined active solids use level, and based on the active solids comparison, determining whether to deliver additional water or additional slurry or powder concentrate to the dilution.

Abstract: The gravity control apparatus (1) comprises: a first rotating body (10) that rotates along a first shaft (11a) as a result of being driven by a first driving device; a second rotating body (20) that rotates along a second shaft that is orthogonal to the first shaft (11a) within the region of rotation of the first rotating body (10) as a result of being driven by a second driving device; an accelerometer (40) that is set at any position on the second rotating body (20) and detects acceleration; and a control device (50) that controls driving by the first driving device and the second driving device. The control device (50) controls driving by the first driving device and the second driving device on the basis of acceleration data detected by the accelerometer (40).

Abstract: A hydraulic valve having a hollow valve body configured with a supply port and a supply port. The hollow valve body has several different internal diameters. An elongate spool is reciprocally received in the body and has a large diameter annular spool ring oriented adjacent a sensing land inside the hollow body forming a gap with a sensing land to cause a pressure drop across the gap in response to a flow of fluid from the pressure port through the gap to the control port. A servomotor reciprocally drives the spool lengthwise of the valve body against a spring force. When flow of fluid occurs in response to servomotor movement of the spool, the pressure drop across the gap combined with the spring force determines a pressure balanced location to which the spool is moved.

Abstract: A valve may include a housing forming one inlet and at least one outlet, an operating unit mounted in the housing, and performing expansion or contraction in accordance with a temperature of a flowing working fluid to selectively connect the at least outlet with the one inlet for exhausting the flowing working fluid outside of the housing, wherein the operating unit includes a sliding member slidably inserted into the interior of the housing, a flange member forming a penetration hole and fixedly mounted inside of the sliding member, a rod movably inserted into the penetration hole of the flange member, and a deformable member fixed at the penetration hole of the flange member and expanded or contracted in accordance with a temperature of the flowing working fluid.

Abstract: A system for monitoring operational conditions of one or more HVAC units, or other machines, with a plurality of sensors for collecting operational information data and transmitting data to a storage device and a processor for analyzing and trending the data and comparing it to a list of pre-determined set points to determine variances from the data set points and identification of one or more pre-determined events and a set of preventive maintenance alerts and/or troubleshooting instructions pertaining to the events and matching of the preventive maintenance alert and/or troubleshooting instructions to at least one of the events for display of the instructions to a user for resolving the event. The system may utilize a programmable logic array with a portable sensing unit, be capable of monitoring multiple parameters, including temperature, pressure, air flow, voltage, current, and humidity and interconnect to remote stations and SCADA systems.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a power supply, a ground, and an intermediate ground having a voltage less than a voltage of the power supply and greater than a voltage of the ground. The electronic device also includes an error amplifier having an input stage coupled between the power supply and the ground, and an output stage coupled between the power supply and the intermediate ground. A ballast transistor is coupled to receive an output from the error amplifier. A feedback circuit is coupled to an output of the ballast transistor to generate feedback signals, and the error amplifier operates in response to the feedback signals.

Abstract: A voltage regulator, an active circuit, and a passive circuit is used. The active circuit is used to supply a reference signal as an input to the voltage regulator during a higher power mode. The passive circuit is used to supply a second reference signal as the input to the voltage regulator during a lower power mode, wherein the lower power mode consumes less power than the higher power mode.

Abstract: A digital shunt regulator receives a radio frequency (RF) signal at an antenna which generates a differential output signal over a differential path. A peak detector is coupled to the antenna and receives the differential output signal over the differential path. A first comparator receives a voltage output of the peak detector and a first voltage. A second comparator receives the voltage output of the peak detector and a second voltage. A digital state machine receives an output of the first comparator and an output of the second comparator. A plurality of shunt NMOS transistors receives an output of the digital state machine. The digital state machine is configured to control the number of shunt NMOS transistors that are activated to maintain the voltage output of the peak detector between the first voltage and the second voltage.

Abstract: A controller for controlling electrical devices in a dwelling is configured to display an energy-saving mode setting screen on a display that is a touch panel or the like in accordance with an operation by a user. Then, the controller is configured to receive a designation of a condition for an energy-saving control on the electrical devices in the dwelling on the energy-saving mode setting screen. Then, the controller is configured to set the respective energy-saving modes of the electrical devices via a home network based on the received condition.

Abstract: A method of managing energy consumption in an enclosed spaced includes the step of providing temperature and foot traffic data to a plan generator. The method further includes the steps of generating an energy plan based on the temperature and foot traffic data and controlling one or more energy consuming devices based on the energy plan.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a switching converter configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage, and being selectively operable in a pulse skipping mode based upon a control signal. The switching converter may include a comparator having a first input configured to receive an error signal, a second input configured to receive a skipping mode reference signal, and an output configured to generate the control signal. A reference generator may be configured to generate the skipping mode reference signal as a function of a difference between the output voltage and the input voltage.

Abstract: A circuit includes a current source series-connected with a load between first and second terminals and an element coupled in parallel with the load between the first and second terminals. A value of a current in the current source is controlled based on a current flowing in the element between the first and second terminals. The value of the current in the current source is controlled proportional to power consumption in the load based on the current flowing in the element between the first and second terminals. The element is used to limit a voltage across the load while the value of the current is being controlled.

Abstract: A method to provide high resolution power control in SCR based power supplies utilizing dithering designed to introduce perturbations in the control signal to the power supply controller or firing circuit+, and to thereby control the output of the power supply with increased resolution.