Abstract: A fixing device includes a housing, a cylindrical rotary member, a shaft, a heat source, a bearing and a ring member. The bearing includes an inner race supporting the shaft, and an outer race supporting an inner circumferential portion of the rotary member and being rotatable relatively to the inner race. The ring member is fit on the shaft adjacent to the bearing. The ring member includes an outer circumferential surface that contacts with the inner circumferential portion of the rotary member from radially inside, and a side surface that contacts the inner race and the outer race of the bearing in an axial direction.

Abstract: A nip formation assembly disposed opposite an opposed rotator via an endless belt includes a nip formation pad to press against the opposed rotator via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the opposed rotator, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A fixing heater is disposed opposite at least a center span of the endless belt in an axial direction thereof where the recording medium is conveyed. The fixing heater heats the endless belt. A lateral end heater is mounted on the nip formation pad and disposed opposite a lateral end span of an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt in the axial direction thereof. The lateral end heater heats the endless belt.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a flexible, tubular fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and an opposed rotator disposed opposite the fixing rotator. A nip formation pad presses against the opposed rotator via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the opposed rotator, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A fixing heater is disposed opposite at least a conveyance span of the fixing rotator in an axial direction thereof where the recording medium is conveyed to heat the fixing rotator. A lateral end heater is mounted on the nip formation pad and disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator at a lateral end of the fixing rotator in the axial direction thereof to heat the fixing rotator. A supplementary thermal conductor contacts the fixing rotator and the lateral end heater.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and an opposed rotator disposed opposite the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A heater is disposed opposite the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator. A nip formation pad is disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. The nip formation pad includes a base, a first thermal conductor sandwiched between the base and the fixing rotator and having a first thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of the base, and a bulge projecting from the first thermal conductor toward the opposed rotator at a downstream end of the first thermal conductor in a recording medium conveyance direction.

Abstract: A fixing device configured to fix an image on a recording material, includes: a rotary member including an electroconductive layer; a coil which has a spiral shaped portion and is disposed in the inside of the rotary member; and a core disposed in the spiral shaped portion; with magnetic resistance of the core being, with an area from one end to the other end of the maximum passage region of the image on the recording material regarding the generatrix direction, equal to or smaller than 30% of combined magnetic resistance made up of magnetic resistance of the electroconductive layer and magnetic resistance of a region between the electroconductive layer and the core.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressure member, a separation member and a separation/contact mechanism. The fixing member and the pressure member are provided so as to separate away from or come in contact with each other and to form a fixing nip. The fixing member has a flexibility and is deformable by separating away from or coming in contact with the pressure member. The separation member is disposed to face the fixing member and configured to separate a sheet passed through the fixing nip from the fixing member. The separation/contact mechanism is configured to support the separation member such that a fixing member side edge portion of the separation member is deformed along the fixing member in synchronization with the separating and contacting of the fixing member and the pressure member.

Abstract: A photoconductive drum assembly according to one embodiment includes a photoconductive drum rotatable about a rotational axis in first and second rotational directions. A spring brake has a coiled portion wrapped around a portion of the photoconductive drum at its axial end and around the rotational axis of the photoconductive drum. The spring brake has a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is positioned to flex in an unwinding direction causing the coiled portion to unwind upon the first arm receiving a force in the first rotational direction. The first arm is positioned to flex in a winding direction and to push the second arm in an unwinding direction relieving winding of the coiled portion caused by the flexing of the first arm in the winding direction of the first arm upon the first arm receiving a force in the second rotational direction.

Abstract: According to embodiments, an image forming apparatus has a cassette section for holding sheets, a conveying section for conveying the sheet, an image forming section that forms the image on the sheet conveyed by the conveying section, a determining section that determines the type of the sheet fed from the cassette, and a display section that displays different messages corresponding to the type of the sheet if a jam of the sheet has occurred while the sheet is conveyed in the conveying section. The source of a sheet for printing thereon may be changed if a threshold number of paper jams occur using paper fed from a particular cassette.

Abstract: An image formation device includes: an image formation unit configured to perform image formation processing of forming a print image based on a print job on a medium using developers of different colors; a misregistration check image formation unit configured to control the image formation unit to cause the image formation unit to form a misregistration check pattern on the medium; a misregistration correction amount input unit configured to receive input of an amount of misregistration correction to be applied to the image formation unit; and a controller configured to correct misregistration in the image formation processing by the image formation unit, based on the amount of misregistration correction received by the misregistration correction amount input unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a compact size includes a printing medium supplying unit to hold printing media and to supply a printing medium, an image forming unit disposed above the printing medium supplying unit to form images on a printing medium, and a printing medium feeding part substantially formed in a letter “C” shape, having a part which extends to the image forming unit and which is inclined in a downward direction along a printing medium moving direction to feed the printing medium from the printing medium supplying unit to the image forming unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a sheet conveyance section configured to convey a sheet; an image forming section configured to transfer a toner image to the sheet passing through a transfer nip; a fixing section that is allowed to be displaced in a sheet width direction in a predetermined acceptable displacement range relative to a home position, the fixing section being configured to fix the toner image on the sheet passing through a fixing nip; a skew detection section configured to detect skew of the sheet between the transfer nip and the fixing nip; and a control section which controls the fixing section to displace in the sheet width direction based on a detection result obtained by the skew detection section.

Abstract: A paper sheet conveying apparatus includes: a first storage unit; a second storage unit; a first conveyance path to the first storage unit; a second conveyance path to the second storage unit; a conveyance unit configured to convey a paper sheet; a switching unit configured to switch a conveyance path of a paper sheet; a cutting unit configured to cut a paper sheet at a cutting position; a detecting unit configured to detect a jam; and a control unit, when a jam is detected on the first conveyance path, configured to cut a part of the paper sheet, the part is positioned on a side upstream from the cutting position, to a predetermined length, switch a conveyance path of the paper sheet from the first conveyance path to the second conveyance path, and store the cut paper sheet in the second storage unit through the second conveyance path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an optical sensor which includes a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part opposed to the light-emitting part and is configured to detect an amount of waste toner accumulated in a waste toner container, the waste toner being produced with formation of an image and then accommodated in the waste toner container; a detecting section configured to detect a change in an output of the light-receiving part; a shielding member interposed between the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part and configured to create, between the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part, a light-transmitting environment equivalent to that when the waste toner container is filled with the waste toner; and an adjusting section configured to adjust a light intensity of the light-emitting part when the shielding member is interposed between the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part.

Abstract: In one example, a printer includes a printer housing, a photoconductor to apply toner to a print substrate, a developer to apply toner to the photoconductor, a light source to expose parts of the photoconductor to light, and a toner container to supply toner to the developer. The toner container housing is integrated into the printer housing as a load bearing structure or as an exterior feature, and/or the light source is integrated into the toner container as a single sub-assembly within the printer housing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly, a first unit openable relative to the main assembly, and a second unit which is provided inner than the first unit and which is openable relative to the main assembly. Two engaging portions are provided on the second unit for placing the second unit in a closed state in engagement with the main assembly. An urging portion is provided in the first unit for urging the second unit. The second unit is urged by the urging portion of the first unit so that a state of the second unit is capable of being changed from an open state to the closed state. The urging portion urges a region in a neighborhood of a central portion of the second unit with respect to a direction of arrangement of the two engaging portions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus include a door through which a tray carrying a cartridge passes, wherein in interrelation with the door closing operation, (i) movement of the tray from a movable position to an image forming position, (ii) movement of a drive transmission member, for transmitting a driving force to the cartridge from a main assembly, from a first spacing position to a drive-connecting position, (iii) movement of an urging member for urging the cartridge to the main assembly from a second spacing position to a contact position, and (iv) movement of an electric energy supply member, for supplying electric power to the cartridge from the main assembly, from a third spacing position to an electric energy supplying position, are carried out in the order named.

Abstract: A sheet humidification apparatus includes a detect sensor that detects a position of a sheet which is being conveyed; a humidifier that changes a humidification amount and humidifies the sheet; and a controller that controls the humidifier such that a first region on a front end side of the sheet in a conveyance direction is humidified with a first humidification amount, and a second region of the sheet other than the first region is humidified with a second humidification amount larger than the first humidification amount in accordance with a position of the sheet detected by the detect sensor.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for generating a hologram pattern with a reduced amount of computation. The apparatus may include a reference depth layer setting unit configured or having a capacity to set a reference depth layer using data associated with a three-dimensional (3D) object, a first hologram pattern generating unit configured to generate a first hologram pattern corresponding to the 3D object in the reference depth layer, and a second hologram pattern generating unit configured to generate a second hologram pattern in a hologram plane using the first hologram pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed are a holographic image display device and a method for driving the same which may stabilize luminance of a holographic image and reduce flicker. The holographic image display device includes a laser backlight unit, a surface light converter converting laser light emitted from the laser backlight unit into surface light-type laser light and emitting the surface light-type laser light, a spatial light modulator (SLM) implementing an input holographic interference pattern and projecting a holographic image at a viewing point using the surface light-type laser light, and an optical switching unit located between the laser backlight unit and the SLM and controlling polarization of the laser light. The optical switching unit blocks laser light emitted to the SLM in a blocking mode, and transmits the laser light emitted to the SLM in a transmission mode.

Abstract: A watch case includes a case middle made of plastic or electroformed material and a crystal. The crystal or the case middle includes elbowed catches that are each insertable in a bayonet fitting in a recess of the case middle or the crystal. The case also includes a rotation stop angularly securing the case middle and the crystal in an angular position such that a part of each catch is frontally locked behind a holding surface of the case middle or of the crystal. The rotation stop is frontally snap-fitted on the case middle and/or the crystal by snap-fit fingers that cooperate with a complementary stop surface of the case middle and/or of the crystal.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present application is a horologe, a timekeeping system thereof including: a winding mechanism powering the second hand, minute hand and hour hand; a mechanical transmission wheel train engaged with the winding mechanism and driving the second hand, minute hand and hour hand to operate, wherein the mechanical transmission wheel train comprises a tourbillion mechanism driving a second wheel connected with the second hand to rotate; an accuracy control device, wherein the timekeeping motor of the accuracy control device drives the rotation of the rotor and the timekeeping accuracy of the timekeeping motor is controlled by a quartz crystal oscillator; and an electronic transmission wheel train connected to the rotor. The horologe disclosed in the present application can solve the problem that the timekeeping accuracy of the mechanical horologe is poor.

Abstract: A hand-moving mechanism moves a hand and includes a stepping motor and a wheel train mechanism. The stepping motor includes a plurality of coils and rotates a rotational shaft thereof in forward and reverse directions. The wheel train mechanism includes a plurality of gears having: one gear which is coupled to the rotational shaft of the stepping motor; and another gear which is coupled to the hand. The stepping motor includes two coil cores which are arranged in a vicinity of a peripheral edge portion in a module having a bent peripheral edge portion, which have a linear shape respectively and which extend from a central coupling portion respectively. Each of the two coil cores is formed to be bent at a predetermined angle following a bent shape of the peripheral edge portion of the module, so as to sandwich the central coupling portion between the two coil cores.

Abstract: The present application discloses an electronic apparatus, comprising: a frame body, a fixing device, and a functional main body section. The fixing device is connected to the frame body, and used for fixing the electronic apparatus onto a support body. The frame body and the fixing device form a ring-like space when the electronic apparatus is fixed onto the support body by the fixing device. The functional main body section at least includes a first display module and a second display module, which are disposed in the frame body and stacked sequentially in a first direction. The electronic apparatus has a first cross section. The first cross section is a ring formed by sectioning the electronic apparatus in a direction perpendicular to the support body with the support body as a reference object, when the electronic apparatus is fixed onto the support body by the fixing device.

Abstract: A display assembly includes a display selectively displaying human-readable indicia on a face thereof and a cover disposed over the display. The cover has a homogeneous surface over the entire face of the display. The display assembly is controllable between an inactive state and an active state. In the inactive state, the face of the display is not viewable through the cover, and in the active state, the indicia are viewable through the cover.

Abstract: A system, method, and safety unit provide safety assurance for a multiple redundant system controlling a plant or complex. A unit active line (UAL) status indicates the presence of at least one redundant active unit within the system. A safety verification line (SVL) status verifies the powered down status of all redundant units not active within the system. A safety unit is associated with a vital supervision card (VSC) and vital power bus and the safety unit controls switchable connections from the vital power bus to the UAL and the SVL. Based on verification of UAL and SVL status, system control includes energizing the UAL.

Abstract: A method (100) of generating on-demand device templates for integrating a controller controllable (CC) device with a process controller in a processing plant. A device description for the CC device is obtained (101) including a list of device parameters, connection details for communications including assembly structures, and a mapping of the device parameters into the assembly structures or the device description. Using a device template generating algorithm a custom device template is generated (102) for the CC device (i) by modifying an existing device template to include at least one modification or (ii) from the device description.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a computer-implemented adaptive automation module comprising an event recorder to store one or more events for a predetermined period, and a timeline pattern generator logic to create a timeline for the predetermined period. The module further comprising marker creator logic to generate a marker to abstract the timeline data from the event data for controlling a device.

Abstract: A method controls an operation of a machine using a model predictive control (MPC). The method determine, in response to receiving a state of the operation of the machine, a dual solution of a dual parametric problem of a parametric form of the MPC using a parallel quadratic programming (PQP) rescaling iteratively a candidate dual solution of the dual parametric problem. The coefficients of the dual parametric problem include data representing dynamics of the machine and constraints on the operation of the machine. A parameter of the dual parametric problem includes the state of the operation of the machine. The method determines a primal solution of a primal problem of the MPC using the dual solution of the dual parametric problem.

Abstract: A system includes a metering module that receives fluid through a fluid inlet. The metering module includes a rotating component driven by the fluid, an electric machine, and a controller. The fluid is received from the fluid inlet at an inlet flow rate, and the rotating component provides the fluid to an outlet of the rotating component at an outlet pressure. The electric machine is configured to generate electrical power in response to rotation of the rotating component. The controller is powered by the electrical power generated by the electric machine, and controls a rotational speed of the rotating component to control the outlet pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy resource-grid-load automatic control system of smart microgrid and control methods thereof, which belong to the field of microgrid control and electrical technology. The energy resource-grid-load automatic control system includes a distributed renewable energy power generation module, a distributed renewable energy inverter module, a conventional power generation module, a user load module, a bidirectional grid-connected control module, a distributed renewable energy intelligent optimizing power generation control module, an energy storage module, an intelligent energy storage unit adjuster and a storage battery pack.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for commissioning a set of devices of a structure are disclosed. One method includes communicating, by a mobile computing device, with one or more of the set of devices, communicating, by each of the one or more of the set of devices, a device identifier, and placing each of the one or more of the set of devices on a floor plan of the structure based at least in part on proximity dependent information of the device. One system includes a plurality of sensor units and a mobile device. The system further includes a processor operative to place each of the one or more of the plurality of sensor units on a floor plan of a structure based at least in part on proximity dependent information of the device.

Abstract: A demand control device performs demand control in which energy consumption of heat source units is suppressed with regard to a heat source system having a plurality of the heat source units with capacities and/or output characteristics that are different. The demand control device includes a receiving section, a collecting section, an energy suppression amount value calculating section, a heat source output determining section, and a driving section. The receiving section receives a demand signal which requests starting of the demand control. The energy suppression amount value calculating section calculates an energy suppression amount value relating to an energy amount suppressed during the demand control. The heat source output determining section determines an output individually with regard to each of the plurality of heat source units based on the energy suppression amount value. The driving section drives each of the plurality of heat source units using the output.

Abstract: A power control device includes a multiple socket-outlet, a power plug and a power supply control circuit. The control circuit includes a power output unit, a first relay and a second relay, a first capacitor, a mechanical switch, an electronic switch and a connector connected to the host of a computer to receive a first voltage. The mechanical switch is turned on to supply power to the multiple socket-outlet, the first relay is closed, the power output unit outputs a working voltage for charging the first capacitor, the electronic switch is turned on, the second relay is closed. If the connector is turned off, the electronic switch is turned off, and the second relay is turned off so that the the multiple socket-outlet is closed.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns estimating the number of people within building-based device networks. Increasingly, local area network (LAN) devices are capable of sensing people (e.g. smart appliances). Features of building layout, and physical arrangement of devices provide that only a subset of sensor data patterns can be accounted for by a single user (e.g. simultaneous activation of a smart TV and a motion sensor). Over time, a central controller (e.g. LAN gateway) can gather these building-specific sensor patterns and learn single occupant characteristics for a network (e.g. features or boundaries of single occupant capability). In one embodiment, the central controller generates a single occupancy criterion (e.g. a building-specific test), comprising single occupant characteristics, operable to test a subset of sensor data for single occupancy.

Abstract: A method of generating linear models for a physical system of interest is implemented in steps including, first, determining offline, a set of linear models for the physical system of interest by linearization of a nonlinear computational model of the physical system of interest at selected operating points or from desired data; second, analyzing offline, accuracy of each linear model and eliminating inaccurate linear models therefrom to provide a residual set of linear models; third, generating offline, linear models corresponding to grid points of one or more lookup tables based on the residual set of linear models; fourth, associating offline, lookup table grid points with selected scheduling variables, and fifth, generating algorithmic software for the physical system therefrom such that linear models for the physical system generated offline form the basis for online scheduling of linear models.

Abstract: This document discusses among other things, methods and apparatus to conserve energy when providing proximity information. An example apparatus can include an energy emitter configured to emit a first pulse of energy, an energy sensor configured to receive reflected energy from the first pulse of energy, a control circuit including a processor, the processor configured to provide first proximity information of the apparatus with respect to an object using the reflected energy. The control circuit can be configured to control the energy emitter, to compare the first proximity information with second proximity information, and to modulate a delay between the first pulse of energy and a subsequent pulse of energy using the comparison.

Abstract: A semiconductor electronic device structure includes an active area array disposed in a substrate, an isolation structure, a plurality of recessed gate structures, a plurality of word lines, and a plurality of bit lines. The active area array a plurality of active area columns and a plurality of active area rows, defining an array of active areas. The substrate has two recesses formed at the central region thereof. Each recessed gate structure is respectively disposed in the recess. A protruding structure is formed on the substrate in each recess. A STI structure of the isolation structure is arranged between each pair of adjacent active area rows. Word lines are disposed in the substrate, each electrically connecting the gate structures there-under. Bit lines are disposed above the active areas, forming a crossing pattern with the word lines.

Abstract: A scheduler causes a microprocessor to start execution of a first control program after a communication circuit transmits output data and receives input data in a control cycle following a control circle in which execution of the first control program has ended, and causes execution of an unexecuted portion of the first control program in a control cycle following a control cycle in which execution of the first control cycle has not ended.

Abstract: An apparatus that can be configured for various functions such as a digital oscilloscope, logic analyzer or frequency analyzer is disclosed. The apparatus includes a symbol generator, an FSM, and a controller. The symbol generator generates an ordered sequence of symbols from an analog input signal. The symbols have a number of states that is less than or equal to 16. The controller causes the FSM to search for a pattern in the sequence of symbols that identifies a corresponding pattern in the analog signal. A portion of a digital sequence generated from the analog signal is then displayed based on the location of the pattern in the sequence of symbols.

Abstract: The system program includes, as an execution control process of the control program, an owner-side start process that starts execution of an owner-side control program; a copy process in which, when execution of the owner-side control program ends, a global variable that is rewritten by the owner-side control program is copied from a global variable area to a synchronous buffer corresponding to the global variable; and a referrer-side start process that starts execution of a referrer-side control program.

Abstract: A multi-editing mode LOGIC BLOCK object editor is disclosed for creating and modifying LOGIC BLOCK objects that are incorporated into control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete). The editor includes an RPN text editing mode wherein logic incorporated into a LOGIC BLOCK is represented by a list of text instructions. The editor also includes a graphical function block diagram editing mode wherein LOGIC BLOCK logic is defined via instruction shapes dragged/dropped from a pallet and connected via GUI line connection actions by a user. The editor supports automated transitioning between the text and graphics modes wherein conversion of text-to-graphics and graphics-to-text is performed without user intervention. Furthermore, synchronization procedures are performed when LOGIC BLOCK objects are opened in the editor and when transitioning between editing modes to track and/or maintain synchronous status between graphical and text representations of LOGIC BLOCK logic.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for determining a machining process in a CAM system where the determining is based on CNC machine capabilities, user defined process constraints, and CNC machine configurations.

Abstract: A method of determining a radius of a cutting end of a tool for a turning machine using a touch probe is provided. One of the cutting end and the touch probe is movable relative to a reference frame having a first axis and a second axis and having a reference point trackable in the reference frame. The method comprises establishing a first contact point and recording a first coordinate of the reference point on the first axis; establishing a second contact point and recording a second coordinate of the reference point on the second axis; establishing a third contact point and recording a third coordinate of the reference point on the first axis and a fourth coordinate of the reference point on the second axis upon contact; and determining a radius of the cutting end based on the first, second, third and fourth coordinates.

Abstract: A simulation apparatus of a numerical controller that controls a movable unit of a machine tool on the basis of a machining program sequentially generates, when the machining program includes a machining cycle command, a series of movement commands from designated work shape data and machining conditions, and stores the movement commands in a memory. The simulation apparatus displays the machining program and a moving image of the machining program in first and second areas of a display screen and displays the movement commands generated from the machining cycle command in a third area of the display screen.

Abstract: An inventory tracking system and method for use in semiconductor manufacturing provide for generating a priority score that determines the order in which lots of substrates should be run. The priority score is generated using an algorithm that takes into account external lot priority considerations, inventory factors in the manufacturing facility, and processing tool capability factors. The processing tool capability factors include factors related to tool status and tool restrictions and the inventory factors include factors related to line balance, WIP (work-in-progress) forecasts and various downstream considerations. The priority score is generated dynamically and displayed at each processing operation for each lot that is queued for processing at the indicated operation. Various algorithms are used and different weights are assigned to many factors in calculating numerical values for several factors that combine to produce the priority score.

Abstract: Due to the trend of using larger wafer diameter and smaller lot size, cluster tools need to switch from processing one lot of wafers to another frequently. It leads to more transient periods in wafer fabrication. Their efficient scheduling and control problems become more and more important. It becomes difficult to solve such problems, especially when wafer residency time constraints must be considered. This work develops a Petri net model to describe the behavior during the start-up transient processes of a single-arm cluster tool. Then, based on the model, for the case that the difference of workloads among the steps is not too large and can be properly balanced, a scheduling algorithm to find an optimal feasible schedule for the start-up process is given. For other cases schedulable at the steady state, a linear programming model is developed to find an optimal feasible schedule for the start-up process.

Abstract: A system. The system includes an apparatus and a server. The apparatus is configured for securely transporting an item from a first location to a second location, and includes a mobile robot and a cart. The cart is coupled to the mobile robot and includes at least one secure storage area. The server is communicably connected to the apparatus and includes a module. The module is configured to maintain a chain of custody record for the item.

Abstract: An inventory system includes a pallet and a base for palletizing or unpalletizing a mobile drive unit. The pallet has a set of openings corresponding with features of the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit features may extend into the pallet openings. The base includes protrusions corresponding to the pallet openings. Engaging the pallet and base can position the base protrusions in the pallet openings. Positioning the base protrusions in the pallet openings can displace the mobile drive unit features from the pallet openings and/or provide a surface upon which the mobile drive unit can navigate.

Abstract: System and method for verifying a monitoring and protection system's (MPS) configuration and installation are disclosed. The MPS includes a plurality of input/output (I/O) channels configured to couple to at least one sensor sensing machinery operations, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) communicatively coupled to the plurality of I/O channels, where the ADC is configured to receive at least one signal from the plurality of I/O channels communicated by the sensor and is configured to convert the signal to a digital data. The MPS also includes a processor communicatively coupled to the ADC, where the processor is configured to derive a state based on the digital data, and an excitation system communicatively coupled to the ADC, where the excitation system is configured to excite an excitation signal for a selected system state as a replacement for the signal.

Abstract: An automatic unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight control system for 3D aerial mapping includes a UAV with an onboard camera, and a controller capable of communication with a flight control module of the UAV. The controller is configured to determine an area mapping flight path based on terrain characteristics of an area to be mapped. The controller also can determine a structure mapping flight path based on the existence and location of vertical structures within the area to be mapped. The area mapping flight path can be appended with the structure mapping flight path, thus providing an integrated and optimized UAV flight path for 3D mapping and modeling.