Abstract: A process cartridge includes a drum unit configured to rotatably hold a photosensitive drum, a developing unit that is assembled in such a manner as to be rotatable relative to the drum unit and includes a developing roller, gap maintaining members provided to the photosensitive drum or the developing roller on both end portions of the photosensitive drum in an axial direction, and urging members configured to bias the developing unit toward the drum unit. The urging members are respectively disposed on outer sides of the gap maintaining members disposed at both end portions in the axial direction. The drum unit or the developing unit includes an electric contact portion configured to come into contact with an electric contact of an image forming apparatus when the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus, the electric contact portion being disposed between the gap maintaining members in the axial direction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a self-interference incoherent digital holography system including a light sensor and a diffractive filter configured to receive light from an object to be holographically imaged and generate holographic interference patterns on the light sensor. A self-interference incoherent digital holography system comprising: a light sensor; and a diffractive filter configured to receive light from an object to be holographically imaged and generate holographic interference patterns on the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wristwatch comprising a mechanical clock movement with a tuning fork resonator. The oscillator preferably comprises a material A with a low internal friction. In the oscillator of the invention, the unwanted symmetrical oscillations are avoided, for example, by the choice of the materials from which the tuning fork is manufactured. According to preferred embodiments, the rod and/or fastening of the oscillator comprises a material having greater internal friction than that of said material A, such that the quality factor Q2 of the symmetrical oscillations is reduced, in contrast to the quality factor Q1 of the anti symmetrical oscillation mode.

Abstract: A balance spring for an oscillator of a timepiece, wherein it comprises a component part, in particular at least a coil or a portion of a coil, provided with heavily doped silicon having an ion density greater than or equal to 1018 at/cm3, in order to permit the thermo-compensation of the oscillator.

Abstract: A single-hand or single-indicator timepiece that can simultaneously identify both the hour and minute portion of a given time is present herein. The timepiece includes an indicator structured to rotate about the face of the timepiece and point to the hour element of the time via a distal end thereof. In addition, the same indicator includes a minute identifying portion disposed along a length thereof that will align with a rotationally disposed minute disc. The minute disc includes indicia representative of the minutes evenly spaced radially about its surface in a clockwise ascending order. As the minute disc rotates counterclockwise and the indicator rotates clockwise, the indicator will simultaneously identify the hour element at its distal end and the minute element via the relative position of the minute identifying portion and the minute disc.

Abstract: A stepping motor includes a rotor that is used in rotating an indicating hand, and a stator that configures a magnetic path, that is made of an alloy containing Fe, Ni, and Cr, and in which a Cr-diffusion region whose Cr-concentration is 14 mass % or greater is disposed in a portion whose cross-sectional area in the magnetic path is smaller than a cross-sectional area of other portions.

Abstract: A system for interacting with humans in an automation environment includes an automation system machine, one or more processors and a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium in operable communication with the processors. The computer-readable storage medium comprises one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processors to select a human from a plurality of humans working in the automation environment; retrieve information related to the human using a human programming interface (HPI); and perform one or more actions with the automation system machine based on the information related to the human.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating models of control systems based on the data emitted by the PLCs of the control system are disclosed. It is initially determined if the data of a PLC is structured data or unstructured data. If the data emitted by the PLC is structured data, a model of the control system is automatically generated based on the structured data from the PLC. If the data is unstructured data, information regarding the assets in the control system is obtained from another data source other than the PLC and a model of the control system is generated based on the received information and the data.

Abstract: Method, system and computer executable instructions for controlling a process.

Abstract: Method, system and computer executable instructions for controlling a process.

Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) system, device, and method for reducing energy usage by monitoring and determining optimal control settings for conditions within a building. Sensors embedded in AR devices worn by workers performing job duties are utilized to detect and measure physical conditions such as visible light intensity and air temperature. Location, time/date, and worker occupancy data is also provided to the AR system. A time- and location-based data profile of environmental conditions within the building is created and regularly updated to track changes in environmental conditions over time. Algorithms running on a processor calculate and provide optimal control settings to building lighting and climate control systems. Optimal control settings take into account energy reduction goals, worker comfort, and regulatory compliance. The system utilizes the data profile to determine initial, reduced-energy control settings based on expected physical conditions within the building.

Abstract: An automation system including sensors that detect threats within a secured area, a plurality of prospective events defined within a memory of the automation system, each event including at least a physical change in an environment of the secured area, a time of execution of the physical change and a corresponding actuator that causes the physical change, a processor of the automation system that periodically activates the corresponding actuator at the time of each of the plurality of events, a processor that monitors each of the plurality of sensors for activation by an authorized human user and that saves a record of each activation to a cloud memory and a cloud processor that monitors the saved activation records of each sensor over a time period, determines a difference between the saved activations and the plurality of events and that modifies the plurality of events based upon the determined differences.

Abstract: A method of detecting a hand-to-mouth (HMG) gesture with an e-vaping device includes detecting movements of the e-vaping device; generating quaternions based on the detected movements; generating movement features based on the generated quaternions; applying the generated movement features to a classifier; and determining whether the detected movements correspond to an HMG based on an output of the classifier.

Abstract: A method to provide prognosis and diagnosis of environmental control system maintenance.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of type 2 nodes stores one of divisional programs, which are created as parts of a rewriting program for rewriting a program for determining the operation of a type 1 node, by dividing the rewriting program in a manner that allows a partial overlap in data between a divisional program stored in the type 2 node and a divisional program stored in another type 2 node. When divisional programs to the type 1 node are transmittable, each type 2 node transmits the divisional program stored in its own node to the type 1 node via a first network. The type 1 node rewrites a part that corresponds to the received divisional program, and uses the overlapping data to verify whether or not the divisional programs rewritten are the same.

Abstract: A numerical controller of the present invention is provided with an override input unit configured to accept an operation for an override value by an operator, an override monitoring unit configured to detect the operation for the override value by the override input unit and output a notification based on the detected operation, and an execution block control unit configured to control suspension and resumption of run based on the notification output from the override monitoring unit. The override monitoring unit outputs a notification of an end-point stop request if a first operation pattern is detected from the override input unit during the run, and the execution block control unit performs control for suspending the run at the end point of a currently running block of a machining program on receiving the notification of the end-point stop request.

Abstract: A control architecture includes at least one programmable logic controller and at least one cloud computing system. An automation program of the controller includes at least one predefined control module. The cloud computing system is designed to store first data in accordance with a model of input data and second data in accordance with a model of output data. At least one first hardware and/or software entity is designed to publish the first data in the cloud computing system with a view to being read by the programmable logic controller when it executes the predefined control module. At least one second hardware and/or software entity is designed to read the second data published in the cloud computing system by the programmable logic controller when it executes the predefined control module.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to a method of independent control period allocation of axes in a PLC positioning system. In some embodiments, the method includes: dividing the axes into a first axis group including a first control period and a second axis group including a second control period and allocating different control periods for different axes; when position control calculation of the first axis group is requested during position control calculation of the second axis group, performing the position control calculation of the first axis group through task switching by an interrupt; and, after completing the position control calculation of the first axis group, resuming the position control calculation of the second axis group through task switching by an interrupt.

Abstract: To provide a machine tool and a control device for the machine tool that can smoothly cut a workpiece while segmenting chips by feeding a cutting tool in a feed direction while reciprocally vibrating the cutting tool along the feed direction on the basis of a condition set by a user. The machine tool (100) or the control device (C) includes the control section (C1) that determines a number of rotations of the relative rotation and a number of vibrations of the reciprocal vibration per rotation of the relative rotation when the workpiece (W) is machined in accordance with a vibration frequency dependent on a period in which an operating instruction can be executed.

Abstract: A numerical controller controls a machine tool that has a plurality of axes based on a program command. The numerical controller analyzes the program command. When the program command contains a positioning command, the numerical controller generates a correction path bent in a direction going away from the workpiece with respect to a straight-line path toward a commanded position from a current position of the tool that machines the workpiece, and controls respective axes of the machine tool based on the generated correction path.

Abstract: A method, device, and computer program product for compensating robot movement deviations caused by a gear box as well as to a robot arrangement including such a device. The device has a drift estimating block configured to obtain motor data ({dot over (q)}r) and motor torque data (?) related to the motor, determine a measure of the temperature of the gear box based on the motor data ({dot over (q)}r) and motor torque data (?) and estimate the drift (?q) based on a drift value of the robot section, the drift value in turn being obtained based on the gearbox temperature measure and a gravitational torque (?grav) of the motor, and a drift adjusting block (44) configured to adjust a control value (qr) used to control the positioning of the robot based on the estimated drift (?q).

Abstract: A management device manages information on a control device configured to build a three-dimensional object and acquires from the control device that is a management target of the management device, device information including a status detected in the control device that is the management target, via a network. The management device analyzes the acquired device information in determination of an error based on the detected status and an output mode for outputting the error. The management device issues a notification including the error in the control device that is the management target based on an analysis result.

Abstract: A sheet processing device, including measuring equipment for measuring a property of media sheets to be processed in the device, and a controller arranged to control a processing operation of the device on the basis of the measured property. The device includes a media property output interface connected to at least one data line for transmitting the measured property to another sheet processing device.

Abstract: Techniques to facilitate pinning information in an industrial automation environment are disclosed herein. In at least one implementation, a pinboard associated with an asset of the industrial automation environment is displayed on a display system of a computing system, wherein the pinboard includes a plurality of entries comprising content associated with the asset. A user request is received to add a new entry to the pinboard comprising additional content associated with the asset. The user request is transferred to an application server, wherein the application server processes the user request to add the new entry to the pinboard.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a cloud-based interface layer comprising a plurality of telegram structures, a plurality of telegrams based on the plurality of telegram structures, and a telegram processor that parses said plurality of telegrams. The interface layer acts as a middleware architecture between a plurality of systems providing standardized storage for all of them. The telegrams are used to validate and control the processes between these systems. The systems may include a manufacturing execution system, a quality management system, a learning management, and a laboratory information management system. The interface layer is designed to be prevalidated according to one or more industry standards such as the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Abstract: A system and method to design highly-sensitive Integrated Computational Elements for optical computing devices. A harmonic line shape is defined and used to simulate an optical response function which has a plurality of parameters that are varied until an ideal optical response function is determined. The ideal optical response function will be that function which maximizes the output sensitivity and/or minimizes the Standard Error of Calibration. Thereafter, the method designs a film stack having an optical response function that matches the ideal transmission function, and an ICE is fabricated based upon this design.

Abstract: A method of process control includes providing in a plant a process control system including a first and at least a second field device each associated with processing equipment. The field devices are communicably coupled to ?1 host computer by a shared field communications channel that includes a scanner which includes a data store that which supports a queue that consumes scanner bandwidth and a processor having an associated memory which implements a scanner overrun alert (SOA) algorithm stored therein. Consumption information is stored for the bandwidth (consumption information) as a scanlist in memory including primary requests for bandwidth for data from the field devices with a minimum and maximum update rate defined for each, and secondary requests for bandwidth. The SOA algorithm calculates a total percentage of the bandwidth utilized by the consumption information and generates an overrun alert when the total percentage is above 100% of the bandwidth.

Abstract: A system for measuring physical properties of a workpiece in motion which includes a conveyance assembly for conveying the workpiece, a scanning assembly for scanning the workpiece, and a measurement assembly for measuring at least one physical property of the workpiece while the workpiece is in motion.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for distributed rule based automated fault detection are described herein. One system includes a data extractor engine configured to: extract configuration data relating to an environment based on a number of defined rules, and receive monitored data relating to the environment, an AFD engine configured to evaluate the monitored data in view of the configuration data to determine a state of the environment, and a fault generation engine to determine whether the state of the environment is outside a range defined by the number of defined rules.

Abstract: A device (15) for piloting a drone (10) comprising a touch screen (18) displaying a touch-sensitive area, means for detecting signals emitted by the touch-sensitive area, and means for transforming said detected signals into piloting commands and transmitting said commands to the drone. The device comprises control means, controlled by the touch-sensitive area forming activation/deactivation button, to make the drone piloting mode alternately switch between a mode of activation of the system for holding the last detected commands, mode in which said piloting commands transmitted to the drone result from the transformation of the last detected signals before the switching to the activation mode, and a mode of deactivation of the system for holding the last detected commands, mode in which said piloting commands transmitted to the drone result from the transformation of the current detected signals. The invention also relates to an associated method for controlling a drone.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vehicle operation control method, and related devices and system. The vehicle operation control method includes: receiving a first vehicle operation instruction sent by a user terminal over a cellular network, wherein the first vehicle operation instruction carries a vehicle identifier of an operated vehicle, and vehicle operation information; searching stored correspondence relationships between vehicle identifiers and satellite positioning terminal identifiers for a identifier of a satellite positioning terminal installed in the operated vehicle according to the vehicle identifier; and sending a second vehicle operation instruction to a satellite ground station, wherein the second vehicle operation instruction carries the found satellite positioning terminal identifier and the vehicle operation information.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vehicle operation control method, device and system.

Abstract: A autonomous robotic golf caddy which is capable of following a portable receiver at a pre-determined distance, and which is capable of sensing a potential impending collision with an object in its path and stop prior to said potential impending collision.

Abstract: Disclosed is a configuration to control automatic return of an aerial vehicle. The configuration stores a return location in a storage device of the aerial vehicle. The return location may correspond to a location where the aerial vehicle is to return. One or more sensors of the aerial vehicle are monitored during flight for detection of a predefined condition. When a predetermined condition is met a return path program may be loaded for execution to provide a return flight path for the aerial vehicle to automatically navigate to the return location.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for operating a vehicle when a vehicle occupant experiences a potential medical condition. The system may include an external object control module (EOCM) configured to wirelessly receive diagnostic signals from an occupant-coupled device, such as a smart watch or implanted cardiac pacemaker. The method and system process the diagnostic signals, for example by determining the nature and/or severity of the potential medical condition and carrying out one or more responses in reaction thereto. The type of response carried out can depend on whether the occupant is a driver or passenger, as well as the nature and/or severity of the potential medical condition, and can range from giving medical instructions to vehicle occupants to automatically slowing the vehicle down and bringing it to a safe stop in the event that the driver is unable to do so.

Abstract: A driver assistance system of a vehicle includes a camera and a non-imaging sensor sensing forward of the equipped vehicle. The control, responsive to processing of captured image data and to processing of sensed sensor data, is operable to provide a driver assistance function. The control, responsive to processing of captured image data, detects the presence of a vehicle and determines a vision-based angle of the detected vehicle relative to the equipped vehicle. The control, responsive to processing of captured sensor data, detects the presence of the detected vehicle and determines a sensor-based angle of the determined vehicle relative to the equipped vehicle. The control determines an angle difference between the vision-based angle and the sensor-based angle. The control disables the driver assistance function at least in part responsive to the determined angle difference being greater than a disable threshold level.

Abstract: A vehicle system of a vehicle for a vehicle user having a camera, an evaluation unit which has a memory and is coupled to the camera, a communication device that is coupled to the evaluation unit, and a self-drive unit which is coupled to the evaluation unit for autonomously driving the vehicle. The camera views the face of the vehicle user and relays collected data to the evaluation unit. An artificial intelligence, in the evaluation unit, evaluates the data from the camera in relation to the attentiveness and emotion of the vehicle user. The evaluated data is stored in the memory of the evaluation unit. On the basis of a predetermined emotion or a lack of attentiveness of the vehicle user, recognized by the artificial intelligence, the vehicle user is notified of the emotion or the lack of attentiveness recognized and the self-drive unit can be activated.

Abstract: A method for generating a signal for transferring a partly or highly automated vehicle into a safe system state at a target site. First, a need to transfer the vehicle into a safe system state is ascertained. A vehicle state is then determined, the vehicle state encompassing the current vehicle position. At least one target site is ascertained. Travel trajectories are ascertained from the current vehicle position to the at least one target site. The travel trajectories are related. One of the travel trajectories is selected based on the rating that has been carried out. A signal is generated on the basis of the selected travel trajectory.

Abstract: An unmanned aircraft may be configured to avoid restricted areas by storing a database defining restricted areas in a memory of the aircraft and/or in a memory of a remote controller apparatus. Processor circuitry on the unmanned aircraft and/or in the remote controller apparatus receives an input command from to maneuver the unmanned aircraft. The input command may be a control input from a pilot, or a pre-programmed flight schedule command. Before performing the commanded maneuver, the processor circuitry predicts whether the maneuver is likely to violate a flight regulation, by entering a restricted area stored in the database, for example. If a violation is predicted, the command input command is ignored, discarded and/or blocked without executing the commanded maneuver.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle comprises an environment sensing means for sensing an environment of the autonomous vehicle, and a computing unit configured to perform a mapping function and a localization function. The mapping function is based upon signals supplied from the environment sensing means to build a map. The localization function localizes the autonomous vehicle within the map and generates localization information. The autonomous vehicle further comprises boundary distance sensing means configured to generate a distance signal correlated to a distance between the autonomous vehicle and boundary indication means. The computing unit is configured to receive the distance signal and to perform the mapping function or the localization function based upon a signal from the environment sensing means and the distance signal from the boundary distance sensing means. The system also comprises a boundary wire indicating a border of an area in which autonomous driving of the vehicle can be performed.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate, low lag, and reliable autopilot autorelease in a hydraulic steering system for mobile structures. A hydraulic steering system includes a logic device configured to communicate with an autopilot pump controller, a control surface reference sensor, an orientation sensor, and/or a gyroscope. Control and sensor signals provided by the pump controller and/or the various sensors are used to selectively enable and/or disable an autopilot release signal. The autopilot release signal enables or disables the autopilot pump controller and/or an autopilot pump, or controls the autopilot pump controller to enable or disable the autopilot pump.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for operating at least one partly or highly automated vehicle, environmental values that represent the environment of the at least one partly or highly automated vehicle being detected by way of at least one environmental detection system of the at least one partly or highly automatic vehicle; operation of the partly or highly automated vehicle occurring depending on the detected environmental values, and at least two possible trajectories for operation of the at least one partly or highly automated vehicle being determined, of the at least two possible trajectories, one trajectory that is to be used being selected depending on the detected environmental values.

Abstract: A vehicle computing device includes a data storage medium and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is programmed to receive from the data storage medium, a vehicle characteristic associated with an autonomous vehicle, receive historical data associated with the vehicle characteristic at a first road segment, determine a correction factor for the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the historical data, and apply the correction factor to the vehicle characteristic to operate the autonomous vehicle in accordance with the historical data.

Abstract: Example systems and methods are disclosed for implementing vehicle operation limits to prevent vehicle load failure during vehicle teleoperation. The method may include receiving sensor data from sensors on a vehicle that carries a load. The vehicle may be controlled by a remote control system. The load weight and dimensions may be determined based on the sensor data. In order to prevent a vehicle load failure, a forward velocity limit and an angular velocity limit may be calculated. Vehicle load failures may include the vehicle tipping over, the load tipping over, the load sliding off of the vehicle, or collisions. The vehicle carrying the load may be restricted from exceeding the forward velocity limit and/or the angular velocity limit during vehicle operation. The remote control system may display a user interface indicating to a remote operator the forward velocity limit and the angular velocity limit.

Abstract: A method for robotic discovery and use of beacons for navigation may include performing a beacon position determination process with respect to at least one beacon usable for range determination by a robotic vehicle responsive to initiation of operation of the robotic vehicle. The method may further include determining a position of the at least one beacon based on the position determination process, and employing the position of the at least one beacon as determined for position information determination of the robotic vehicle during continued operation of the robotic vehicle.

Abstract: An in-vehicle driving assistance apparatus includes an automatic garage leaving control unit that performs automatic garage leaving cooperation control in which the automatic garage leaving control unit cooperates with a shutter control apparatus to cause a vehicle to automatically leave the garage. The automatic garage leaving control unit acquires vehicle surrounding information on presence or absence of abnormality around the vehicle when the automatic garage leaving control unit accepts an automatic garage leaving request signal, transmits an open request signal requesting to open a shutter to the shutter control apparatus when the automatic garage leaving control unit determines based on the vehicle surrounding information that a space around the vehicle is safe, and suspends the automatic garage leaving cooperation control when the automatic garage leaving control unit determines that abnormality is present around the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided for navigating a robot along a route. Navigation is accomplished using an image sensor mounted on the robot, which captures an image of a target. The target comprises a plurality of data zones and a plurality of data indicators organized with no more than one data indicator located within one data zone. The target has a target code based on which of the data zones contains the plurality of data indicators. A target distance between the robot and the target is determined, and, if the target distance is below a distance threshold, then an instruction, based on the target code is used to command the robot.

Abstract: A system includes a communication system for wireless communication with a vehicle, and one or more processors coupled to the communication system. The one or more processors are configured to determine that a first portion of vehicle information for the vehicle is altered from a first value to a second value that is different than the first value, route the first portion of the vehicle information (that is altered to the second value), route a second portion of the vehicle information that is not altered (i.e., not altered to the second value), store the first portion and the second portion in a vehicle record that represents a status of the vehicle, and generate control signals, for communication over the communication system to the vehicle, to control movement of the vehicle based on the first portion and the second portion stored in the vehicle record.

Abstract: Unmanned vehicle (UV) control may include receiving a UV work order and generating a mission request based on the UV work order. The mission request may identify an objective of a mission, assign a UV and a sensor to the mission from a fleet of UVs and sensors, and assign a first movement plan to the mission based on the identified objective of the mission. The assigned UV may be controlled according to the assigned first movement plan, and communication data may be received from the assigned sensor. The communication data may be analyzed to identify an event related to the mission. The identified event and the first movement plan may be analyzed to assign a second movement plan to the mission based on the analysis of the identified event and the first movement plan to meet the identified objective of the mission.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems of tracking a target with an imaging device onboard an unmanned aerial vehicle. The method may comprise identifying one or more targets in a first image captured by the imaging device, receiving a user selection of a target to be tracked from the one or more targets in the one or more images, generating target information for the target to be tracked based on the user selection of the target, detecting a deviation of a detected position and/or a detected size of the target in a second image captured by the imaging device from the selected position and/or the selected size of the target in the first image and adjusting at least one of the UAV and the carrier, to reduce the determined deviation to maintain the target substantially within the field of view of the image device, based on the deviation.