Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing; a developing roller extending in a first direction; a developing-roller gear; a coupling including a coupling gear; a first idle gear; a second idle gear; an agitator; a first agitator gear; and a protrusion. The developing-roller gear, the coupling, the first idle gear, the second idle gear, the first agitator gear, and the protrusion may be positioned at an outer surface of the casing. The protrusion may be positioned between a first axis of the coupling and a third axis of the first agitator gear in a second direction connecting the first and third axes. The protrusion may be positioned outside an addendum circle of the developing-roller gear, an addendum circle of the coupling gear, an addendum circle of the first idle gear, and an addendum circle of the second idle gear. The first agitator gear may be spaced apart from the protrusion in the first direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer body, a plurality of image bearers, a plurality of developing devices, a plurality of primary transfer devices, a secondary transfer device, and a cleaner. The plurality of image bearers is disposed side by side along the intermediate transfer body In a refreshing mode, the plurality of developing devices form toner images on the plurality of image bearers during a non-image-formation period and the cleaner cleans a surface of the intermediate transfer body. In the refreshing mode, a toner image formed on one image bearer of the plurality of image bearers, which differs from a most downstream image bearer of the plurality of image bearers in a direction of conveyance of the intermediate transfer body, reaches the cleaner first of the toner images formed on the plurality of image bearers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a discharging device for discharging the drum at a discharging portion opposing the surface of the drum; and a control unit for executing, during non-image formation, a cleaning operation for transferring the toner deposited on the transfer member onto the drum by applying a voltage from transfer voltage source to the transfer member. The control unit does not effect discharge by the discharging device for at least a region of the drum where a transfer voltage for transferring a normal-polarity toner of the toner deposited on the transfer member onto the drum is applied to the transfer member in the cleaning operation, and then passes the region of the drum through the charging portion in a state in which a voltage larger than a surface potential of the drum in a normal polarity side is applied to the charging member.

Abstract: A office machine including a data carrier transferring passage and a transmission assembly disposed in the data carrier transferring passage is provided. The transmission assembly includes a shaft disposed along a pivoting axial and a transferring roller pivoted with the shaft, wherein the transferring roller rotates along the pivoting axial. The transferring roller includes a body and multiple grooves. The body has a transferring surface and two supporting surfaces. The two supporting surfaces are connected with two sides of the transferring surface and pivoted with the shaft. The grooves are arranged on the transferring surface, wherein each groove has two end portions. At least one of the two end portions is not connected to the supporting surfaces.

Abstract: A belt unit includes: a belt member; a roller rotatably placed on an inner peripheral surface of the belt member; and a meander restraint member facing an edge portion of the belt member and configured to restrain the belt member from meandering while the belt member is running. The edge portion of the belt member comprises a modification layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a toner image forming device; an image transferring device; a transfer bias applying device; an image fixing device; a sensor for detecting light reflected by the toner image fixed on the sheet; a controller for controlling a leading portion bias applied to the leading portion of the sheet with respect to a sheet feeding direction and a central portion bias applied to the central area of the sheet. The controller forms first and second test images on the leading and central portions, respectively, and sets conditions of the leading and central portion biases on the basis of an output of the sensor, in correlation with a kind of the sheet. A toner deposition amount per unit area of the first test image is smaller than that of the second test image.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a heat-fixing rubber roller includes: forming a rubber layer of a silicone rubber composition on an outer periphery of a metal core shaft, the composition containing water-soluble sugar powder and methylene glycol; vulcanizing the rubber layer; and eluting the sugar powder and the triethylene glycol from the vulcanized rubber layer to form a foam rubber layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a conveying portion configured to convey a continuous recording medium in a first conveying direction or in a second conveying direction opposite to the first conveying direction; an image forming portion configured to form a toner image on the continuous recording medium at a transfer nip; a fixing portion provided on a lower stream side of the image forming portion in the first conveying direction and configured to heat and fix the toner image formed on the continuous recording medium, at a fixing nip; a retaining portion provided between the transfer nip and the fixing nip in the first conveying direction and configured to retain a part of the continuous recording medium; and a control portion configured to control the conveying portion to convey a passed portion that has passed through the fixing nip and control the retaining portion to retain the passed portion.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: a fixing member; a pressure member pressed against the fixing member; a plurality of halogen lamp heaters configured to heat the fixing member; a temperature detecting unit configured to detect a temperature of the fixing member; and a control unit configured to perform half-wave control on at least one first halogen lamp heater by calculating an output Duty and performing energization or de-energization for each half-wave of an AC waveform, and perform switch on/off control on a second halogen lamp heater, the second halogen lamp heater being other than the first halogen lamp heater, wherein the first halogen lamp heater and the second halogen lamp heater have reference voltages satisfying the reference voltage of the first halogen lamp heater<the reference voltage of the second halogen lamp heater, the reference voltages being set in accordance with densities of contained halogen gases.

Abstract: A fixing member including a surface layer having high resistance to wear is provided. The fixing member includes a surface layer containing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and a fluorine resin having a melting point lower than that of the PTFE. In the DSC (endothermic) curve obtained by heating a sample of the surface layer at a temperature raising rate of 20° C./min with a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), an endothermic peak 1 having a peak top in the temperature range of 330° C. or more and 340° C. or less, and an endothermic peak 2 having a peak top in the temperature range lower than that of the endothermic peak 1 are present, and the sum ?H of the amount of heat of fusion based on the endothermic peak 1 and the amount of heat of fusion based on the endothermic peak 2 is 40 J/g or more and 55 J/g or less.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus comprising: a heating rotating member having a cylindrical shape; a nip portion forming member which includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and which is provided in a hollow portion of the heating rotating member so that the first surface faces an inner surface of the heating rotating member; and a pressure member which, together with the first surface of the nip portion forming member, so that an area size where the first surface of the nip portion forming member is in contact with the heating rotating member is smaller in an upstream area of the nip portion than in a downstream area of the nip portion with respect to a center of the nip portion in a rotation direction of the heating rotating member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt formed into a loop rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a pressure roller disposed opposite the fixing belt. The pressure roller includes a shaft fixedly positioned and a deformable elastic layer. A fixing pad is disposed inside the loop formed by the fixing belt and separably pressed against the pressure roller via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure roller, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A biasing member biases the fixing pad and the fixing belt against the pressure roller. A stopper restricts motion of the fixing pad biased by the biasing member. The stopper contacts the fixing pad while the recording medium bearing the toner image is conveyed through the fixing nip.

Abstract: A separation device includes an endless belt, a rotary body, a separation supporter, and a transfer mechanism. The separation supporter presses against an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt downstream from an area of contact between the endless belt and the rotary body in a recording medium conveyance direction to curve the endless belt toward an outer circumferential surface side of the endless belt at a greater curvature than a curvature of the endless belt at the area of contact between the endless belt and the rotary body. The transfer mechanism switches the separation supporter between a first position and a second position farther from the area of contact between the endless belt and the rotary body than the first position.

Abstract: A sheet discriminator, which can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes an optical information detector, a sheet distinguisher, and a sheet thickness detector. The optical information detector includes a light emitter to emit light to a recording medium and a light receiver to receive the light and detects information of the recording medium. The sheet distinguisher distinguishes a type of the recording medium based on the information detected by the optical information detector. The sheet thickness detector includes a displacement gauge to sandwich the recording medium with an opposing member disposed facing the displacement gauge and to move from an initial position thereof and a displacement detector to detect an amount of displacement of the displacement gauge. The sheet thickness detector detects a thickness of the recording medium based on detection results obtained by the displacement detector.

Abstract: A paper feed roller of the present invention comprises a roller body 2 integrally formed of elastic material in a cylindrical shape in which a plurality of protruding lines 6 are disposed on a peripheral surface 5 at even intervals, wherein the roller body 2 is formed so that crest portions 6a and trough portions 6b are continuously provided in a circumferential direction, an opening angle ? is equal to or more than 2° and is equal to or less than 8°, a radial height h of the protruding line is equal to or more than 0.051 mm and is equal to or less than 0.1 mm, and a curvature radius r1 at a shoulder is equal to or more than 0.55 mm.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a sheet bundle binding device capable of easily removing some sheets from a sheet bundle that has been subjected to staple-free binding. A corner Sc of a first sheet bundle which is accumulated on a processing tray is subjected to proper binding using a staple needle by a staple binding unit. Then, a corner of a second sheet bundle obtained by accumulating additional sheets on the first sheet bundle is pressed and deformed between crimping toothed parts of a staple-free binding unit to temporarily bind the second sheet bundle. Thus, the additional sheets can easily be removed from the second sheet bundle.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a pair of rollers for conveying paper; a rocking mechanism for rocking the pair of rollers in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction., the first direction being a paper conveying direction; an upstream pair of rollers provided upstream of the pair of rollers in the paper conveying direction for conveying the paper; an upstream rocking mechanism corresponding to the upstream pair of rollers for rocking the upstream pair of rollers in the second direction; a first paper detector for detecting an end position of the paper in the second direction; and a controller controlling the rocking mechanism based on the paper end position to effect first rocking correction in which the pair of rollers is rocked, wherein the controller controls the upstream rocking mechanism to effect second rocking correction in which only the upstream pair of rollers is rocked.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing device of the present disclosure is provided with a punch hole forming device, a processing tray, an ejection tray, a conveyance roller pair, an ejection roller pair, and a stiffening member. In a case where a sheet through which punch holes have been formed is to be ejected on the ejection tray without being subjected to post-processing on the processing tray, in a state where the stiffening member is retracted in a direction away from the sheet, the conveyance roller pair conveys the sheet until at least a tip end thereof reaches on the ejection tray.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body configured to accommodate an image forming portion which forms an image on a recording material; a cover which is provided on the main body and covers the image forming portion; a driving unit which is provided on the main body and drives the image forming portion; and a film attached to the cover with a gap formed against an inner wall of the cover, the film facing the inner wall of the cover while a tension is given thereto and without coming into contact with the driving unit.

Abstract: A developer cartridge including a first gear having a first engagement part provided along a circumferential surface of the first gear, and a first trigger protruding from the circumferential surface, and a second gear having a small diameter gear part configured to be engaged to the first engagement part, a large diameter gear part rotatable together with the small diameter gear part, and a second trigger configured to contact and rotate the first gear, wherein the large diameter gear part is configured to receive a driving force and rotate to thus move from a first position at which the large diameter gear part can rotate relative to the second trigger to a second position at which the large diameter gear part rotates together with the second trigger, and wherein the second trigger is configured to rotate together with the large diameter gear part to thus contact the first trigger.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a body casing, a pressing member, a process cartridge, and a drawer. The body casing includes a positioning member. The pressing member is disposed inside the body casing. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum. The drawer is configured to support the process cartridge and to move, in a sliding direction orthogonal to an axis direction of the photosensitive drum, between an inside position that is a position inside the body casing and an outside position that is a position outside the body casing. The process cartridge includes an engagement portion and a spring. The engagement portion is configured to be positioned by the positioning member. The spring is configured to be pressed by the pressing member such that the engagement portion is pressed toward the positioning member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process cartridge, which comprises a process cartridge housing, a photosensitive member, a driving force receiving opening, a retractable mechanism and a control mechanism, wherein the photosensitive member is arranged inside the process cartridge housing; the driving force receiving opening is connected with the photosensitive member and provides a driving force for the photosensitive member; the retractable mechanism allows the driving force receiving opening to extend or retract in the axial direction of the photosensitive member; and the control mechanism controls the extension and retraction of the retractable mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic device including: a first segment and a second segment linked to each other in a rotationally movable manner; a flexible circuit board installed throughout the first segment and the second segment in interiors of the first segment and the second segment; a loosening portion formed by the flexible circuit board being pushed out while being bent in the second segment; and a support unit configured to maintain a direction of pushing-out of the loosening portion to a fixed direction.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and medium storing instructions that displays a series of sequential periods on a graphical display by displaying, at a beginning of a time period, a first set of hour indicia representing a first 12-hour period of time, and at an ending of the time period, replacing the first set of hour indicia with a second set of hour indicia, where the second set of hour indicia representing a second 12-hour period of time. The second 12-hour period of time sequentially follows the first 12-hour period of time.

Abstract: An elapsed timer device includes a timer element comprising a timer chamber, a timer chamber conditioning material disposed within the timer chamber, and a sensor arranged to sense a timer chemical within the timer chamber. The sensor indicates elapsed time in response to a threshold level of the chemical being present within the timer chamber. The timer chamber, timer chemical adsorption/desorption characteristics of the timer chamber conditioning material, and the sensor are configured so that an amount of the timer chemical within the timer chamber reaches the threshold level within a predetermined time after initialization of the timer element.

Abstract: A circuit according to an example includes a controllable oscillator configured to generate an output signal based on a control signal, an input signal processing circuit configured to receive a reference signal and configured to generate a sequence of digital values indicative of a phase relation between the reference signal and the output signal or a signal derived from the output signal, and a digital data processing circuit configured to generate a sequence of processed values at a lower frequency than a frequency of the sequence of the digital values, each processed value being based on a plurality of the digital values of the sequence of digital values, wherein the control signal is based on the sequence of processed values.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a display module having a hole and including a plurality of first light sources disposed along a perimeter of one side of the display module and a plurality of second light sources which are positioned opposite the plurality of first light sources and are disposed along a perimeter of the other side of the display module, a shaft rotatably inserted into the hole of the display module, a movement which is positioned in the rear of the display module, is connected to one end of the shaft, and provides a rotational force for the shaft, a window which is separated from the display module and is positioned in front of the display module, and a hand which is positioned between the display module and the window and is fixed to the other end of the shaft.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for interfacing process controllers in a process automation system with one or more intelligent electrical devices of an electrical automation system to use process and electrical control space information to perform actions and make decisions regarding actions in a connected enterprise system to facilitate energy management goals as well as process control goals in view of electrical control space information and process control space information. Some embodiments include an enclosure for a Motor Control Center unit, comprising: a DC power supply; an Ethernet switch; a network gateway module; and a controller.

Abstract: Tools and methods are provided for supplementing an optimization solution for an objective function based on a model of one or more hydrocarbon refining and/or conversion and/or chemical production processes with supporting analysis. The supporting analysis can illustrate for a user how the nature of the feed(s) and/or the selected processing conditions and/or the quality of the product(s) contributes to the optimized solution. A user interface is also provided to facilitate viewing of the information by a user. The supporting analysis can allow a user to understand the factors in the optimized solution that contribute in a significant way.

Abstract: A multicore system controls devices in a process control system. A primary control processing device having a primary master core and a primary remote core is configured for controlling communications on a first network among a first plurality of devices. The primary remote core is configured for controlling communications on a second network among a second plurality of devices. A shadow control processing device is coupled to the first and second networks for processing redundant communications among the devices. The shadow control processing device comprises a shadow master core and a shadow remote core. The shadow master core is configured for controlling communications on the first network among the first plurality of devices. The shadow remote core is configured for controlling communications on the second network among the second plurality of devices.

Abstract: In one embodiment, history-based key phrase suggestions are provided for voice control of a home automation system. A host controller builds a history database that maintains a history of events, each event indicating one or more services activated, one or more scenes activated or one or more types of media content presented by the home automation system. A predictions process on the host controller selects a subset of the events of the history database based on a present condition of the home automation system to produce a predication dataset. A grammar process on a remote control or mobile device selects one or more intentions from a list used by a voice recognition engine, based on the prediction dataset. Each intention includes a key phrase paired with an action. A voice user interface (UI) process suggests key phrases from the one or more selected intentions in a voice control UI on the remote control or mobile device.

Abstract: An architecture for a home automation system is provided that utilizes a home database stored in an in-home host controller that is synchronized with a configuration database maintained by remote cloud services. In one example embodiment, the home database of the host controller is synchronized over the Internet with the configuration database of cloud services. When there is connectivity between a mobile app used to configure and/or control the home automation system and the host controller via an in-home LAN, data interactions related to the home automation system are performed between the mobile app and the home database over the in-home LAN. When there is not this connectivity, data interactions related to the home automation system are performed between the mobile app and the configuration database over the Internet. If the host controller is reset or replaced, the home database may be restored by synchronization with the configuration database of cloud services.

Abstract: A power control system includes at least one energy storage device each having a heat storage medium, a heater configured to heat the heat storage medium, a temperature sensor, a maximum temperature operating parameter of the device, a user-adjustable target temperature setting, which indicates a desired temperature of the heat storage medium and is less than the maximum temperature, and a controller that controls electrical energy consumption of each of the at least one energy storage device to heat the heat storage medium to a temperature that exceeds the target temperature setting and is below the maximum temperature.

Abstract: A control system configurable by a configuration application and comprising one or more control processors, one or more gateways, a communication network, a portable electronic device executing the configuration application and one or more controllable devices wherein the controllable device is represented by one or more virtual devices.

Abstract: An electric power demand adjustment program management apparatus, comprises a server which includes: a communication unit that communicates with a plurality of customer terminals that manage customer devices through a communication network; a program unit that creates an electric power demand adjustment program showing a demand adjustment amount allocated to at least one first customer terminal selected from the plurality of customer terminals in each predetermined time segment, based on predetermined constraint conditions and predetermined information received from the plurality of customer terminals; a program executing unit that transmits the electric power demand adjustment program, and instructs the first customer terminal to execute the electric power demand adjustment program; and a providing unit that provides, when the program unit fails to create the electric power demand adjustment program, investigation result information including an investigation result for a cause of the failure.

Abstract: Negating effects of continuous introduction of risk in scoring the health of a process control system includes automatically and periodically assessing a risk for each of the process control systems, calibrating the center of a health score scale to the average risk assessments, and scoring the health of each process control system within the health score scale according to a nonlinear scale applied to the risk assessment. Introduction of a risk factor to a process control system increases the risk assessment, and elimination of a risk factor decreases the risk assessment. The same risk factor introduced to each of the of process control systems does not affect the health score of any process control system, and elimination of a risk factor has more of an effect on the health score towards the center of the health score scale than towards upper and lower limits of the health score scale.

Abstract: The inventor has recognized that industrial controllers may be updated after they are deployed in the field, while actively controlling an industrial process and without costly downtime, by storing a replacement machine-readable component in an allocated program space, locating and modifying one or more dependent machine-readable components copied in the allocated program space to instead depend on the replacement machine-readable component, re-linking a copy of the control program in the allocated program space, and redirecting execution to the control program in the allocated program space. Replacement machine-readable components could be instructions, libraries, or subroutines of the control program, and are not limited to user logic. The control program in the allocated program space may optimally be tested by verifying an operation before redirecting execution to the control program in the allocated program space.

Abstract: An operation procedure management method and system effectively prevents degradation of the operation quality and the occurrence of accidents includes a plurality of client terminals, and a server system for providing information regarding operation procedures to each of a plurality of operators. A first processing unit stores and manages information regarding a diversion relation between the operation procedures in storage apparatuses and, upon a change of one of the operation procedures, searches for other operation procedures having the diversion relation with the changed operation procedure on the basis of the diversion-related information and transmitting changed contents as a change notification to the client terminal retained by the operator who conducts the operation procedure detected by the search; and a second processing unit which has received the change notification, displays a message according to the changed contents of the operation procedure on an output device at an appropriate timing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automated control of at least one machine component (1) in a plant (2). The machine component (1) is connected via a secure bus connection (6) to an automation component (7) by which it is controlled. The plant (2) has a safety area (4) monitored by means of at least one safety sensor (3), where a deviation of the measurement pattern (M) measured by the safety sensor (3) from a definition area (D) indicates a hazardous situation for protection objects (5), in particular persons and/or valuables. The machine component (1) triggers a protective action if a hazardous situation arises. The measurement patterns (M) measured by the safety sensor (3) are transmitted to the automation component (7) via the secure bus connection (6). The automation component (7) defines the definition area (D) using parameter data of the automated control, ascertains the presence of a hazardous situation, and activates the machine component (1) for performing the protective action.

Abstract: A cable pulling system may be provided. The cable pulling system may comprise a cable puller, a cable feeder located remotely from the cable puller, a puller end switch located at the cable puller, and a feeder end switch located at the cable feeder. The puller end switch may have a puller end switch trigger. The puller end switch may be configured to stop the cable puller and the cable feeder when the puller end switch trigger is actuated. The feeder end switch may have a feeder end switch trigger. The feeder end switch may be configured to stop the cable puller and the cable feeder when the feeder end switch trigger is actuated.

Abstract: A system and method for a self-contained self-calibrating modular manufacturing device having modular tools and parts configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function. The modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing may provide a base by which additional modules may be mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote control system capable of controlling the robotic arm. Such modules work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained self-calibrating modular manufacturing device, a processor disposed in the housing may be configured to control the functional tools (e.g., each end-effector) independent of the overall manufacturing control system as well as use local sensors to determine aspects of an underlying manufactured items for calibration purposes.

Abstract: A numerical controller includes a data table on which data in which a size of a machining area and a setting value of a parameter, which is influenced by a size of a machining area, are associated with each other is registered. Further, the numerical controller estimates a size of a machining area based on a setting value of a parameter used for control of a machine tool. In the case where data corresponding to the estimated size of the machining area is registered on the data table, the numerical controller acquires a parameter setting value corresponding to the size of the machining area from the data table so as to set the parameter setting value.

Abstract: Systems and methods of determining operation parameters for the shadow cast fabrication of micro or nanostructures, the fabrication process using deposition from at least one source over an array of particles, wherein the deposition produces overlapping shadows masking the substrate. A computing device receives a first set of parameter inputs defining particle properties and deposition properties in a shadow cast fabrication, generates data corresponding to a first image for display based on the first set of parameters, receives at least one incremental parameter input that modifies or adds to the first set of parameter inputs, dynamically generates data corresponding to at least one second image for display based on the at least one incremental parameter input, receives an indication that the at least one second image corresponds to a shape ready for fabrication, and generates an output set of fabrication parameters corresponding to the shape ready for fabrication.

Abstract: Example systems and methods may allow for parallel operation of robotic devices within a workcell, such as industrial robots controlled to manufacture an output product. One example method includes receiving ordered sequences of operations for a plurality of corresponding robotic devices, determining time-based sequences of operations for each of the robotic devices, where a time-based sequence of operations indicates positions within the workcell at corresponding timesteps of a global timeline, determining one or more potential collisions involving the robotic devices that would result from parallel execution of the time-based sequences of operations within the workcell, modifying the time-based sequences of operations in order to prevent the one or more potential collisions, and providing instructions for parallel execution of the modified time-based sequences of operations at timesteps of the global timeline by the robotic devices within the workcell.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of cloud data services of industrial process automation systems. It can be used by clients such as a client application, a client system, or even end users (personnel). It is generic without a custom and lengthy configuration for any specific industrial process automation system of industrial processes. It automatically discovers the interested configuration information of an industrial process automation system, and provides configuration data, runtime data, alarm/event records, and historical data to clients. It allows clients to search for data items based on process orientated criteria. It tracks clients' search criteria, keeps client selected data items in data groups with multi-part namespace, which data groups can be shared among end users. It calculates the view-count of a data group and the popularity of a data item contained in data groups, which will help the sort of client query results.

Abstract: A system and method for a self-contained modular manufacturing device having self-contained modular tools configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function in a hierarchical control manner. In an embodiment, the modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing may provide a base by which additional modules may be mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote master control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, individual processors disposed in the housing may be configured to control the functional tools (e.g.

Abstract: A production plan for a second base is generated that is suited to the circumstances of the second base while making use of a first base's know-how about adjusting a production plan. A storage unit is configured to store plan adjustment knowledge regarding a plan adjustment that has been made to a production plan for the first base. A generation unit is configured to generate production adjustment knowledge regarding a production adjustment that has been made at the second base, which has a production management level different from that of the first base, based on production capacity and production performance of the second base. A planning unit is configured to generate a production plan for the second base based on the plan adjustment knowledge stored in the storage unit and on the production adjustment knowledge generated by the generation unit.

Abstract: Methods and computer program products for performing automatically determining when to shut down a fabrication tool, such as a semiconductor wafer fabrication tool, are provided herein. The methods include, for example, creating a measurement vector including process parameters of semiconductor wafers, creating a correlation matrix of correlations between measurements of parameters obtained of each wafer, creating autocorrelation matrixes including correlations between measurements of the parameter obtained for pairs of wafers; creating a combined matrix of correlation and autocorrelation matrixes, obtaining a T2 value from the measurement vector and combined matrix, and stopping a semiconductor wafer fabrication tool if the T2 value exceeds a critical value.

Abstract: A system for monitoring at least one machine, the system comprising a central monitoring server and at least one mobile monitoring station, having at least one sensor and a wireless communication unit, wherein the at least one sensor monitors the at least one machine, and wherein monitoring information from the at least one sensor is wirelessly transmitted to the central monitoring server using the wireless communication unit.

Abstract: An operator of a nuclear plan is provided with a margin time up to the execution of the action at the time of an accident. The system includes: a sensor signal input device; an accident event estimation device; a procedure manual database; a procedure manual selection device; a procedure automatic check device that checks items in the procedure manual and determines a next action using the sensor signal; a plant state analysis device that analyzes a state of the plant in a case where the actions are executed at a plurality of action timings based on the accident event and the next action, and calculates predicted values of the sensor signals; an action threshold value database in which an action threshold values of the sensor signals corresponding to the action procedure at the time of the accident are stored; and an action margin time calculation device.