Patents Issued in August 3, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170219977
    Abstract: When it is judged that a predetermined operation for eliminating a cause for stopping a job is being executed, a following job is restricted from being executed prior to a stopped job.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: Hideyuki Okada
  • Publication number: 20170219978
    Abstract: A method includes forming a second set of printing dots on a photosensitive member by a printing dot applicator corresponding to image data of second portions of the image adjacent to first portions of the image. The second set of printing dots are formed on the photosensitive member after the first set of printing dots have been transferred from the photosensitive member. Thus, a merging of adjacent printing dots due to an electrical interaction there between on the photosensitive member is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Yohanan Sivan, Ran Waidman, Lior Katz
  • Publication number: 20170219979
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus configured to appropriately determine that an abnormality has occurred in a component. The image forming apparatus includes: a charging device configured to charge a photosensitive drum; an exposure device configured to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum charged by the charging device; a developing device including a carrying member configured to carry a toner and being configured to develop the electrostatic latent image using the toner to form a toner image; and a transfer portion configured to transfer the toner image onto a sheet. The image forming apparatus is configured to form a measurement image on the sheet, and to determine a unit that needs to be replaced based on a result of measuring the measurement image formed on the sheet. The measurement image includes a first measurement image and a second measurement image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: Kota Arimoto
  • Publication number: 20170219980
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus determines, in a first mode, an image forming condition according to characteristic data, which is input by a user and represents characteristics of a sheet contained in a sheet container, causes the sensor to detect characteristics of a sheet, and stores characteristic data according to a result of the detection into the memory. The image forming apparatus determines, in a second mode with the characteristic data being stored in the memory, an image forming condition, based on the characteristic data stored in the memory before a result of detecting a characteristic of a sheet by the sensor is obtained. The image forming apparatus causes, in the second mode with the characteristic data being not stored in the memory, the sensor to detect characteristics of a sheet, and determines an image forming condition based on a result of the detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Sato
  • Publication number: 20170219981
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a first roller arranged on a conveyance path of a sheet and a second roller arranged downstream of the first roller in the conveyance path. A control section calculates a deflection amount of the sheet nipped by the first roller and the second roller based on a conveyance speed of the sheet conveyed along the conveyance path. When the calculated deflection amount is smaller than a predetermined lower limit value, the control section increases the rotation speed of the first roller and decreases the rotation speed of the second roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: Eizo KURITA
  • Publication number: 20170219982
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a stopper member supported either in a storage posture stored in a storage part by turning in an upstream side or a restriction posture to prevent falling down of a sheet from a sheet stacking face by turning in a downstream side. The storage part has a first recess and a second recess deeper than the first recess. The stopper member has a pressed part supported in the second recess movably upward and downward and a main part supported in the first recess in the storage posture. When the pressed part is pressed downward in the storage posture, the pressed part is moved downward and the main part comes into contact with a downstream side edge of the first recess, the stopper member is turned around the downstream side edge into the restriction posture through a protrusion posture protruding above the sheet stacking face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20170219983
    Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a control unit for converting image information into an image signal and output the image signal with reference to a timing signal, a sheet feeding control unit for feeding a recording material, an image forming unit for forming the image on a photosensitive drum based on the image signal output from the control unit, a transmission unit for transmitting a length of the image corresponding to a length of an output period of the image signal, an automatic sheet length detection mechanism for acquiring a length of the recording material in a conveyance direction thereof, and an image control unit for controlling a time interval at which the timing signal is output based on the size of the image and the size of the recording material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: Naoki Kanno
  • Publication number: 20170219984
    Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus includes a sheet introducing unit, a first sheet discharge unit, a second sheet discharge unit, a sheet processing unit, a sheet conveyance unit, and a control unit. The first and the second sheet discharge unit are configured to be able to discharge a sheet to an outside. The sheet conveyance unit includes a sheet conveyance path arranged between the first sheet discharge unit and the second sheet discharge unit. The control unit controls the sheet conveyance unit to convey the sheet along the sheet conveyance path toward the first sheet discharge unit to a predetermined position at which the sheet is not discharged from the first sheet discharge unit to the outside, then convey the sheet along the sheet conveyance path in an opposite direction toward the second sheet discharge unit, and discharge the sheet from the second sheet discharge unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: Kei KITAMURA
  • Publication number: 20170219985
    Abstract: There is provided a bearing member which is disposed at an end section of a photoreceptor drum for attaching a shaft member that transmits a rotating force to the bearing member, the bearing member including a tubular body, and a holding section which is disposed inside the tubular body attachably and detachably, and holds a rotating force transmission pin provided in the shaft member, wherein the holding section includes at least two swing grooves provided extending along an axial direction of the tubular body, and opposing each other, and introduction grooves, each having one end communicating with the swing groove and the other end communicating with an outside of the swing groove, and the introduction grooves in a posture in which the shaft member transmits the rotating force are disposed entirely at a position to be lower than an entirety or a part of the rotating force transmission pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi IIJIMA, Shuichi IIKEDA
  • Publication number: 20170219986
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner container, a container attachment portion, and a control portion. The toner container has a coupling portion. The container attachment portion includes a coupled portion that includes a first key member. A second key member of the coupling portion is formed at position where it does not interfere with the first key member in attachment state. The second key member is made of insulator. The coupled portion includes a contact terminal in which a contact is opened by the second key member and becomes OFF state when the toner container is inserted to attachment position, and the contact is closed and becomes ON state when the toner container is removed from the attachment position. The control portion detects the toner container attached to the container attachment portion when the contact of the contact terminal changes from the ON state to the OFF state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: Koji Murata
  • Publication number: 20170219987
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cleaning blade (2) that prevents toner from slipping through the cleaning blade in a long time use. The cleaning blade (2) is used to remove residual toner remaining on a surface of a counterpart member (1) in an electrophotographic image forming device by sliding contact with the counterpart member (1). The cleaning blade (2) includes a support (3) including a plate-shaped portion (31); and a blade part (4) made of polyurethane, and joined to the plate-shaped portion (31) in integral forming. The blade part (4) includes a plate-shaped blade body portion (41) that is joined to a plate surface of the plate-shaped portion (31), and a reinforcing portion (42) that extends from a surface of the blade body portion (41) and is joined to a front end face of the plate-shaped portion (31). The reinforcing portion (42) has a curved surface (421) that curves inward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Naoki Nakamura, Kazushi Yamaguchi, Satoshi Suzuki, Yasunori Nimura
  • Publication number: 20170219988
    Abstract: A cleaning roller comprises a shaft including a rotational axis extending in an axial direction and an elastic layer covering the shaft. The elastic layer includes a base covering the shaft and a first helical protrusion protruding from the base and having a first helical ridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Kengo YADA, Yuichi MATSUSHITA, Keigo NAKAJIMA, Hotaka KAKUTANI, Shota IRIYAMA, Atsushi OZAWA
  • Publication number: 20170219989
    Abstract: A cleaning roller includes a shaft and an elastic body. The shaft extends in an axial direction where a center axis of the shaft extends. The shaft defines a radial direction and has a circumferential surface. The elastic body is helically wound about the shaft and defines a helical direction. The elastic body has a widthwise dimension in a widthwise direction orthogonal to the helical direction and to the radial direction. The elastic body has a base end portion extending in the helical direction and a distal end portion extending in the helical direction. The base end portion is in contact with the circumferential surface and fixed thereto. The distal end portion has a sharp edge and is positioned farthest from the circumferential surface in the radial direction. The widthwise dimension is gradually reduced from the base end portion to the distal end portion in the radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Kengo YADA, Keigo NAKAJIMA, Yuichi MATSUSHITA, Hotaka KAKUTANI, Shota IRIYAMA, Atsushi OZAWA
  • Publication number: 20170219990
    Abstract: A housing includes at least one openable cover and at least one adjacent cover. The at least one openable cover swings on a hinge to separate an interior of the housing from an exterior of the housing. The at least one openable cover has a first side edge on a side of the hinge. The at least one adjacent cover is adjacent to the at least one openable cover. The at least one adjacent cover has a second side edge neighboring the first side edge of the at least one openable cover across a gap. One of the at least one openable cover and the at least one adjacent cover includes at least one projection projecting into the gap and another one of the at least one openable cover and the at least one adjacent cover includes a recess that accommodates the at least one projection in the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro ISHIDA, Naoki MATSUDA, Keisuke SHIMIZU, Kohta TAKENAKA
  • Publication number: 20170219991
    Abstract: There is provided a manufacturing method of manufacturing a cartridge by using a cartridge having a rotator, a frame that supports the rotator, an elastic member that is provided in a concave portion formed in the frame along a rotation axis direction of the rotator, and a sheet member that has one end fixed to the elastic member and the other end abutting on the rotator along the rotation axis direction of the rotator, and the manufacturing method includes: detaching the rotator from the frame; detaching the sheet member from the frame; detaching the elastic member from the frame; and attaching another sheet member to the frame via an adhesive member that is attached to an adhesive member attachment portion formed in the concave portion of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: Toshiteru Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20170219992
    Abstract: A frame of an image forming apparatus includes a bottom plate provided at a bottom of the frame; first to third installing portions, provided at least three places of the bottom plate, for installing the image forming apparatus; a first recessed portion, where the first installing portion is provided, extended from the first installing portion toward an inside of the bottom plate in a planar direction of the bottom plate; a second recessed portion, where the second installing portion is provided, extended from the second installing portion toward the inside of the bottom plate in the planar direction of the bottom plate and connecting with the first recessed portion; a third recessed portion, where the third installing portion is provided, extended from the third installing portion toward the inside of the bottom plate in the planar direction of the bottom plate and connecting with the first recessed portion and the second recessed portion; and a reinforcing member, provided in a region where the first recess
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Ryota Yasui, Hiromasa Katayama
  • Publication number: 20170219993
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cover that opens and closes an opening of an apparatus body, a unit removable from the apparatus body through the opening, a latch that is included in the unit and that is rotatable about a rotation fulcrum, the latch including a hook that is latched onto a latched portion of the apparatus body from downstream in a mounting direction of the unit to fix the unit onto the apparatus body and an operating portion that opposes the hook across the rotation fulcrum and that is operable through the opening, and a hindering portion that is included in the cover and that interferes, when the hook rotates in a separating direction in which the hook is separated from the latched portion in a state where the cover closes the opening, with the operating portion and hinders the hook from rotating in the separating direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun SAWAMURA, Hideki SATO, Yoshiro KONISHI, Yasuhiro KATO, Takayuki UKAWA, Masahiro AKATSUKA, Yusuke SAKURAI
  • Publication number: 20170219994
    Abstract: A locking arm for locking a cleaning unit using a cleaning sheet, a sensor for detecting a remaining amount of the cleaning sheet, a CPU for prohibiting an image forming operation depending on an output of the sensor, and an interrelating arm acting on the sensor so as to prohibit the image forming operation when locking by the locking arm is in an unlocked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: Kazunari Hatazaki
  • Publication number: 20170219995
    Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: a housing formed with an opening part; and a process cartridge detachably attachable to the housing through the opening part in a first direction. The housing includes a first support part arranged at the opening part, and a cover movable between a closed position and an opened position. The cover includes a second support part positioned away from the first support part in the first direction when the cover is at the opened position. The process cartridge includes: a drum cartridge having a drum frame; and a toner cartridge detachably attachable to the drum frame. When the cover is at the opened position, the first support part and the second support part are configured to support the drum frame of the process cartridge detached from the housing to restrict displacement of the drum frame in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Yasuo Fukamachi, Motoaki Mushika, Kazuna Taguchi, Takehiro Masuda
  • Publication number: 20170219996
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main frame, a plurality of process cartridges, a cartridge-supporting body, a belt, a waste toner cartridge, a contact-separation mechanism, and a collective conveying unit. Each process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a drum cleaning unit collecting waste toner on the drum. The cartridge-supporting body is movable between an internal position inside the frame and an external position outside the frame. The belt confronts the process cartridges in the internal position. The waste toner cartridge accommodates the waste toner collected from the drums. The contact-separation mechanism moves the cartridge-supporting body between a contact position where the drums are in contact with the belt and a separated position where the drums are out of contact with the belt. The collective conveying unit aggregates waste toner collected from drums and conveys collectively the aggregated waste toner to the waste toner cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Atsushi Fukui, Isao Fukuchi
  • Publication number: 20170219997
    Abstract: A CRUM unit which is mountable/dismountable on an image forming apparatus is disclosed. The CRUM unit includes a power extracting circuit to, when a clock signal is received from an image forming apparatus, extract power from a high value of the clock signal and store in a capacitive element and a controller to operate using the extracted power, wherein the clock signal has a first pulse width in a data section where a data signal is received and transmitted, and has a second pulse width which is different from the firs pulse width in an pause section where a data signal is not received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: S-PRINTING SOLUTION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Youn-jae KIM
  • Publication number: 20170219998
    Abstract: A method of extracting particles from a two-dimensional (2D) hologram recorded as part of a digital inline holography system includes reconstructing a three-dimensional (3D) optical field from the recorded 2D hologram. In addition, particles are extracted/segmented from the 3D optical field, wherein segmented particles are identified by particle location in three-dimensional space and a cross-sectional area of the segmented particle. Based on the identified particle location and cross-sectional area, extracted particles are removed from the 2D hologram to generate an updated 2D hologram. These steps are repeated iteratively until a threshold is met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Jiarong HONG, Mostafa TOLOUI
  • Publication number: 20170219999
    Abstract: In situ investigation of microbial life in extreme environments can be carried out with microscopes capable of imaging 3-dimensional volumes and tracking particle motion. A lensless digital holographic microscope is disclosed that provides roughly 1.5 micron resolution in a compact, robust package suitable for remote deployment. High resolution is achieved by generating high numerical-aperture input beams with radial gradient-index rod lenses. The ability to detect and track prokaryotes was explored using bacterial strains of two different sizes. In the larger strain, a variety of motions were seen, while the smaller strain was used to demonstrate a detection capability down to micron scales.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Eugene Serabyn, Christian A. Lindensmith, James K. Wallace, Kurt M. Liewer, Jay L. Nadeau
  • Publication number: 20170220000
    Abstract: A method for lens-free imaging of a sample or objects within the sample uses multi-height iterative phase retrieval and rotational field transformations to perform wide FOV imaging of pathology samples with clinically comparable image quality to a benchtop lens-based microscope. The solution of the transport-of-intensity (TIE) equation is used as an initial guess in the phase recovery process to speed the image recovery process. The holographically reconstructed image can be digitally focused at any depth within the object FOV (after image capture) without the need for any focus adjustment, and is also digitally corrected for artifacts arising from uncontrolled tilting and height variations between the sample and sensor planes. In an alternative embodiment, a synthetic aperture approach is used with multi-angle iterative phase retrieval to perform wide FOV imaging of pathology samples and increase the effective numerical aperture of the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Aydogan Ozcan, Alon Greenbaum, Yibo Zhang, Alborz Feizi, Wei Luo
  • Publication number: 20170220001
    Abstract: A hologram image display apparatus includes an illumination optical system that emits an illumination light beam wavefront and a spatial light modulator having a light modulation area that converts the illumination light beam wavefront by diffraction to a display light beam wavefront and displays a virtual image. The spatial light modulator forms the display light beam wavefront by modulating the illumination light beam wavefront so that at least a portion of a regular light ray group configuring the display light beam wavefront is a light ray group with a diffraction angle having an absolute value greater than the ±first-order diffraction angle by the spatial light modulator, and another portion of the regular light ray group is a light ray group with a diffraction angle having an absolute value of the ±first-order diffraction angle or less by the spatial light modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daichi WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20170220002
    Abstract: Timepiece resonator mechanism with a pivoting weight pivoting about a virtual axis, and comprising a flexure pivot mechanism and a first and second fixed support to which is attached, by a first resilient assembly and respectively a second resilient assembly which together define the virtual axis, a rotary support carrying the pivoting weight, this flexure pivot mechanism is planar, the first resilient assembly includes, on either side of the virtual axis, a first outer flexible strip and a first inner flexible strip, joined to each other by a first intermediate strip stiffer than each of the latter, together defining a first direction passing through the virtual pivot axis, and the second resilient assembly includes a second flexible strip defining a second direction passing through the virtual pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Jean-Luc HELFER, Gianni DI DOMENICO, Pascal WINKLER
  • Publication number: 20170220003
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a display device having a rotatable display unit (12), the display device including: a display main body (10) having the display unit (12) for displaying various items of information; a rotary unit (20) combined with the display main body (10) and having a rotary weight (25) eccentric from the display main body (10); and a rotary base (30) combined with the display main body (10) or the rotary unit (20) to rotate relative to the display main body (10) or the rotary unit (20), in which the rotary unit (20) and the display main body (10) combined with the rotary unit (20) are rotated relative to the rotary base (30) and aligned in a predetermined direction by gravity acting on the rotary weight (25).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: Ji Ha YI
  • Publication number: 20170220004
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing a hybrid timepiece component, wherein the following steps are comprised: comprising structuring at least one wafer (14) of a first micromachinable material so as to form at least one through-opening (15) within the wafer (14), said structured wafer (14) being intended to form a first part (4) of the hybrid timepiece; component and depositing a metal by electroforming, so that the metal extends through the through-opening (15) and over the two upper and lower faces of the wafer (14) as a single piece resulting from one and the same electroforming step, the electroformed metal being intended to form a second part (8) of the hybrid timepiece component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: ROLEX SA
    Inventors: Richard Bossart, Florian Calame
  • Publication number: 20170220005
    Abstract: A watch type terminal includes: a haptic module including a plurality of vibration elements and configured to generate a tactile effect that is sensible by a user of the watch type terminal; and a controller configured to acquire event information on the watch type terminal and controls one or more vibration elements among the plurality of vibration elements to operate in a vibration alarm pattern corresponding to the acquired event information. The watch type terminal acquires event information and operates one or more vibration elements among the plurality of vibration elements in a vibration alarm pattern corresponding to the acquired event information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Soonbo HAN, Woojun JUNG, Sangjo PARK, Hyojin SONG, Dongyoung LEE, Jihye HONG
  • Publication number: 20170220006
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide proportional integral derivative control (PID) using multiple actuators. In one embodiment, a process includes providing a PID controller in communication with a primary actuator and a secondary actuator, the primary actuator and the secondary actuator coupled to a handler, such as a robotic arm for manipulating an object. The process further includes receiving position feedback and a specified trajectory for the handler, and generating a dynamic feedforward force command and a position correction command for the handler based on the position feedback and the specified trajectory. The process further includes providing, from the PID controller, the dynamic feedforward force command to the secondary actuator and the position correction command to the primary actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Jack J. LoPiccolo, Robert J. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20170220007
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide proportional integral derivative control (PID) using multiple actuators. In one embodiment, a process includes providing a PID controller in communication with a primary actuator and a secondary actuator, the primary actuator and the secondary actuator coupled to a handler. The process further includes receiving position feedback and a specified trajectory for the handler, and generating a dynamic feedforward force command and a position correction command for the handler based on the position feedback and the specified trajectory. The process further includes providing, from the PID controller, the dynamic feedforward force command to the secondary actuator and the position correction command to the primary actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Jack J. LoPiccolo, Robert J. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20170220008
    Abstract: A cell controller includes an inside information acquiring unit for acquiring the inside information of the plurality of manufacturing machines, and an inside information comparing unit which compares, with regard to a first manufacturing machine and a second manufacturing machine, which are selected by the comparison object selecting unit, first inside information and second inside information, which are acquired, and the inside information comparing unit extracting a difference therebetween. The cell controller also includes an abnormality cause finding unit for finding a cause of an abnormality that occurs in the first manufacturing machine or the second manufacturing machine, based on the difference, and an abnormality cause conveying unit for conveying the cause of the abnormality to the outside of the cell controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Hiromitsu TAKAHASHI, Toshimichi AOKI
  • Publication number: 20170220009
    Abstract: A short range peer-to-peer communications system includes a first perception sensor and a first peer-to-peer communications system on a first machine and a second perception sensor and a second peer-to-peer communications system on a second machine. A first controller generates a first electronic map of a first perceived work environment associated with the first machine and transmits first data associated with first electronic map to the second machine through the first peer-to-peer communications system. A second controller generates a second electronic map of the second perceived work environment associated with the second machine based upon the plurality of second raw data points, receives the first data from the first machine through the second peer-to-peer communications system, and supplements the second electronic map based upon the first data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Vandapel, Michael Happold
  • Publication number: 20170220010
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for load profile selection in islanding using batteries are provided herein. A computer-implemented method includes generating a usage pattern model for a battery based on (i) information pertaining to consumers of the battery, (ii) information pertaining to usage of the battery, and (iii) information pertaining to network outages, wherein the network is linked to the battery; selecting a subset of the consumers of the battery to supply energy from the battery, during a network outage, based on (i) the usage pattern model, (ii) the lifespan of the battery, (iii) performance of the network, (iv) historical consumption data attributed to each of the consumers, and (v) a predetermined minimum amount of energy required to be supplied to the consumers during a network outage; and outputting instructions to activate and/or deactivate distribution components within the network based on said selecting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Anamitra R. Choudhury, Sampath Dechu
  • Publication number: 20170220011
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for a mobile device comprising an industrial internet application container comprising a database service for syncing data related to one or more industrial assets between a database of the mobile device and a data domain and syncing data between the data domain and the database of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Hart, Milton Waid, Andy Johns, Jeremy Osterhoudt
  • Publication number: 20170220012
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for receiving, at a server computer associated with an industrial asset cloud computing system, a command representing an event, from a mobile device of a plurality of mobile devices, the command comprising instructions for changing a data object in a data domain, determining, a command processor responsible for processing the command, and routing the command to the command processor responsible for processing the command, wherein the command processor accesses the data domain associated with the command to change the data object in the data domain according to the instructions of the command. Systems and methods are further presented for detecting, by the server computer, a state change in the data domain indicating that the data object has been changed, and preparing the changed data object to be consumed by mobile devices operated by users authorized to access the data object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Hart, Michael Waid, Andy Johns, Jeremy Osterhoudt
  • Publication number: 20170220013
    Abstract: When executing adjustment processing in the power supply/demand adjustment processing of a DR (demand response) system, the present invention can prevents the selection, as a power supply/demand adjustment device to be used (device to be used), of a power supply/demand adjustment device that does not satisfy the characteristics of the adjustment processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Koji KUDO, Hisato SAKUMA, Hitoshi YANO
  • Publication number: 20170220014
    Abstract: A control panel is used to control and/or monitor an automation system. The control panel may be removed from a mounted location to repair or replace the control panel. Replacement may be performed by a different provider of automation systems, potentially without prior notice to the current provider of the automation system. To alert the provider of the replacement, the control panel may use an anti-tamper switch to detect removal from the mounted location. A signal may be sent to a remote service system indicating the removal. If the control panel also loses AC power, or if the control panel loses all power, the remote service system may assume that the control panel is being replaced. In response, the remote service center may request that a customer service representative contact the customer to potentially retain the customer, recover equipment, or resolve any concerns about the automation system equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Nye, Jungtaik Hwang
  • Publication number: 20170220015
    Abstract: This disclosure provides an automation controller method, system and apparatus including a redundant watchdog utilizing a safety partner controller. According to an exemplary controller, the controller includes a first processing unit, a second processing unit, and an integrated circuit configured to receive as inputs fault indicator signals from the first and second processing units, and the integrated circuit configured to disable I/O communications for a fault condition detected by the first or second processing units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Asia Pacific Business Ctr. Pte ., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kian Kiat Koh
  • Publication number: 20170220016
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing at least a first product and a second product with at least a first machine and a second machine at minimum cost in an environment in which a cost of energy used by the first machine and the second machine varies as a function of time may include generating multiple chromosomes, determining fitness scores of each of the chromosomes, randomly generating, with probabilities based on the fitness scores, new chromosomes, determining fitness scores of the new chromosomes, selecting one of the new chromosomes with an optimal fitness score, and manufacturing at least the first product and the second product with at least the first machine and the second machine according to a schedule based on the selected new chromosome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Wenjun ZHOU, Wen-Syan LI
  • Publication number: 20170220017
    Abstract: A manufacturing system comprises plural types of manufacturing apparatuses driven by operation programs of which language specifications differ from each other. The manufacturing system comprises a cell control apparatus which generates the operation program to be executed in the manufacturing apparatus and communication apparatuses which send the operation programs generated by the cell control apparatus to the respective manufacturing apparatuses. A language specification common to the manufacturing apparatuses of which the types differ from each other is predetermined. The cell control apparatus includes a reading part which reads a common program generated based on the common language specification and a conversion part which converts the common program into the operation programs for the respective manufacturing apparatuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Hiroji NISHI, Shinsuke SAKAKIBARA
  • Publication number: 20170220018
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1), comprising at least two asynchronous computers (2-i), on each of which at least one application (A) is executed, which provides control data (SD) for at least one actuation system (3), wherein the provided control data (SD) are transmitted by a control-authorized computer (2-i) that assumes a master computer status (M-RS) to the actuation system (3) for the control thereof, wherein the computers (2-i) of the system (1) cyclically exchange state data (ZD) and performance data (LD) with each other by means of a data interface in a data exchange (DAS), wherein the computers (2-i) each determine, on the basis of the state and performance data (ZDopp, LDopp) received from other computers (2-j) and on the basis of the computer's own state and performance data (ZDown, LDown, in a master/slave selection (MSA) performed on the computer (2-i), a computer status (RS) as a control-authorized or non-control-authorized computer (2-i) to be assumed by the particular computer (2-i) itse
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Armbruster, Christoph Niedermeier, Jan Sawallisch
  • Publication number: 20170220019
    Abstract: A PLC maintenance support device according to the present invention includes a signal identification tag reader for reading a signal address from a signal identification tag attached to an input and output signal cable of a PLC to identify the signal address of the input and output signal cable, a transmitter for transmitting the signal address identified by the signal identification tag reader to the PLC, a receiver for receiving the on or off state of a signal corresponding to the transmitted signal address from the PLC, and a monitor for displaying the received on or off state of the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: Yutaka SAKAI
  • Publication number: 20170220020
    Abstract: An input/output control device includes: a bus connected to an input interface; a plurality of circuit selectors which are connected to the bus and to which validity or invalidity of an operation is set, each circuit selector outputting a signal of the bus when the validity is set; a plurality of logical circuits which are respectively provided to each of the circuit selectors, each logical circuit performing a logical operation when a signal is inputted from the circuit selector; an output selector which is connected to the bus and to which validity or invalidity of an operation is set, the output selector outputting a signal of the bus to an output interface when the validity is set; and an operation part which validates or invalidates the plurality of circuit selectors or the output selector based on an operation order of the plurality of circuit selectors and the output selector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi OKUYAMA, Naotoshi SAKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170220021
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for machining a part for an assembly. First sensor data is acquired for a surface of a first part from a first sensor system. Second sensor data is acquired for a set of existing holes in a second part from a second sensor system. A surface model of the surface of the first part is generated using the first sensor data. First offset data is computed based on a nominal model of a third part that is nominally positioned relative to the surface model within a three-dimensional virtual environment. Second offset data is computed for the set of existing holes using the second sensor data. Overall offset data is generated using the first and second offset data, wherein the overall offset data is used to drill a set of holes in the third part for use in fastening the third part to the second part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Aksel Bode, Bela Laszlo Zold, Peter H. Bui, David James Odendahl, Frederick James Richter
  • Publication number: 20170220022
    Abstract: A processing system includes one or more processing units to perform operations and one or more sensors to measure a temperature concurrently with the one or more processing units performing the operations. The processing system also includes a controller to receive feedback indicating the temperature and to determine a peak temperature and a thermal time constant for heating of the processing system based on a comparison of the measured temperature to a first temperature that is predicted based on the peak temperature and a previously determined thermal time constant for heating. Some embodiments of the controller can control a performance state of the processing system based on the peak temperature and the thermal time constant for heating of the processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Can Hankendi, Manish Arora, Indrain Paul, Wei Huang, Srilatha Manne
  • Publication number: 20170220023
    Abstract: A numerically controlled machine tool in which a numerical control program acquired from a reading and interpreting unit of a numerical control device is executed by a distribution interpolating unit and servo control units, to drive a feed shaft configured from a coarse movement mechanism and a fine movement mechanism, causing a tool to move relative to a workpiece, and thereby machining the workpiece, wherein the difference between a movement command for the feed shaft, and an output value which varies on the basis of said movement command is obtained, a movement command for the coarse movement mechanism is generated on the basis of said movement command, and a movement command for the fine movement mechanism is generated on the basis of said difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: MAKINO MILLING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsunari ODA
  • Publication number: 20170220024
    Abstract: This method includes a step for the extraction of robot control program creation data (12, 15) from an animation program (2) displaying an assembly sequence for the manufacturing of an assembled product with a plurality of parts, a step for the addition of predetermined robot control data (16) to the robot control program creation data (12, 15), and a step for the creation of a robot control program relating to the assembly operations of the assembled product using the robot control program creation data (12, 15) and the predetermined robot control data (16). A robot control program for manufacturing an assembled product a plurality of parts can be easily generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayuki WATANABE, Katsushi KITAARASHI
  • Publication number: 20170220025
    Abstract: In order to make it possible for an operator of a machine tool to easily calculate machining conditions and prevent calculation errors and input errors by the operator, this control device for a machine tool, which machines a work piece on the basis of a machining program, is provided with: a database that stores calculation formulas corresponding to types of calculation, and types of parameters required to execute said calculation formulas; an input unit that selects a type of calculation; and a display unit that displays, on the basis of the type of calculation selected by the input unit, the parameter to be input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: MAKINO MILLING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rie KAWAI, Hideki HEISHI, Kenichi ONO, Yoshihiro HOSHINO
  • Publication number: 20170220026
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating an instrument having a tool and a work surface. An exemplary instrument may comprise a support member including a conductive surface. The instrument also may comprise a fluid-transport device including a conductive tube having an open end. A drive mechanism of the instrument may include a motor operable to drive movement of the surface and the tube relative to one another along an axis and into contact with one another. A circuit of the instrument may include a voltage source and the tube. A control module may be configured to calibrate a relationship between the drive mechanism and a position of the tube and/or surface along the axis based on a sensed change in an electrical property of the circuit that occurs when the tube and the surface contact one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Richard Tighe, Damon V. Williams, Samuel J. Evans