Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a charging unit that includes a conductive member which contacts with a surface of an image holding member, and that applies only a DC voltage to the conductive member to charge the surface of the image holding member; and a cleaning unit that has a blade which contacts with the surface of an image holding member and cleans the surface with the blade after a toner image is transferred onto a recording medium, wherein a developer includes toner particles, silica particles treated with a silicone oil, and a carrier, a volume average particle diameter of the carrier is from 20 ?m to 35 ?m, and a quantity ratio of an elemental silicon derived from a silicone oil and an elemental silicon derived from silica which are present on the surface of the carrier is from 0.05 to 0.2.

Abstract: A cleaner assembly according to one embodiment includes a cleaner blade that extends upward in a cantilevered manner and that includes a cleaning edge for contacting a surface to remove toner from the surface. A waste toner sump is positioned adjacent to a rear side of the cleaner blade for storing toner removed from the surface by the cleaner blade. A film seal extends in a cantilevered manner toward the rear side of the cleaner blade and contacts the rear side of the cleaner blade along a longitudinal length of the cleaner blade. A foam seal is positioned between the rear side of the cleaner blade and the wall below the contact between the rear side of the cleaner blade and the film seal. The foam seal extends along the longitudinal length of the cleaner blade.

Abstract: A cleaning member includes a base member comprised of a first material that has a peak temperature of tan ? less than approximately zero degrees Celsius and a contact portion comprised of a second material that has a higher hardness than the first material and a tear strength of approximately 49 kilonewtons per meter or higher, the contact portion contacting an image carrier and cleaning the image carrier.

Abstract: An elastic force of an elastic member 11 required for rotating a driven rotational body 8b is decreased. A first rotational body 8d and a second rotational body 9a arranged downstream of a driven rotational body 8b in a drive train that transmits a driving force from a driving rotational body 7 to a driven member 4 are included. The first rotational body 8d rotates in synchronization with the driven rotational body 8b. The second rotational body 9a is rotated by the first rotational body 8d and rotates the driven member 4. The first rotational body 8d rotates without rotating the second rotational body 9a when the driven rotational body 8b rotates by an elastic force of an elastic member 11.

Abstract: A process cartridge including: a photosensitive member cartridge including a photosensitive member; and a developing cartridge including a developer carrier. The developing cartridge further includes: an inputting portion; a first cover; and a second cover. The first cover has a first engagement portion configured to move the developer carrier away from the photosensitive member. The first engagement portion is positioned between an axis of the developer carrier extending in an axial direction and an axis of the inputting portion extending in the axial direction, when projected in the axial direction. The second cover has a second engagement portion configured to move the developer carrier away from the photosensitive member. The second engagement portion is positioned between the axis of the developer carrier and the axis of the inputting portion, when projected in the axial direction.

Abstract: A process unit includes a photoreceptor drum, a frame and seal members. The photoreceptor drum has drum flanges protruded outwardly from both end surfaces of a substrate. The frame supports the photoreceptor drum rotatably. The seal members are provided between both end surfaces of the photoreceptor drum and the frame, and support the drum flanges. Each of the seal members includes an elastic member and a hard member. The elastic member and the hard member are adhered and laminated with each other in an axial direction of the photoreceptor drum. Furthermore, the hard member is arranged so as to be brought into contact with the photoreceptor drum.

Abstract: Provided is a remanufacturing method of a developer accommodating unit including a flexible container provided with an opening and configured to accommodate developer, and a frame member configured to accommodate the flexible container. The remanufacturing method includes refilling the developer into the frame member.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for coherent diffractive imaging with arbitrary angle of illumination incidence utilize a method of fast remapping of a detected diffraction intensity pattern from a detector pixel array (initial grid) to a uniform spatial frequency grid (final grid) chosen to allow for FFT on the remapped pattern. This is accomplished by remapping the initial grid to an intermediate grid chosen to result in a final grid that is linear in spatial frequency. The initial grid is remapped (generally by interpolation) to the intermediate grid that is calculated to correspond to the final grid. In general, the initial grid (x,y) is uniform in space, the intermediate grid ({tilde over (x)},{tilde over (y)}) is non-uniform in spatial frequency, and the final grid ({tilde over (f)}x,{tilde over (f)}y) is uniform in spatial frequency.

Abstract: A new optical arrangement that creates high efficiency, high quality Fresnel Incoherent Correlation Holography (FINCH) holograms using transmission liquid crystal GRIN (TLCGRIN) diffractive lenses has been invented. This is in contrast to the universal practice in the field of using a reflective spatial light modulator (SLM) to separate sample and reference beams. Polarization sensitive TLCGRIN lenses enable a straight optical path, have 95% transmission efficiency, are analog devices without pixels and are free of many limitations of reflective SLM devices. An additional advantage is that they create an incoherent holographic system that is achromatic over a wide bandwidth. Two spherical beams created by the combination of a glass and a polarization sensitive TLCGRIN lenses interfere and a hologram is recorded by a digital camera. FINCH configurations which increase signal to noise ratios and imaging speed are also described.

Abstract: A near-eye device includes a spatial light modulator and a beam combiner. The spatial light modulator includes an array of phase modulating elements arranged to apply a phase delay distribution to incident light. The beam combiner includes a first optical input arranged to receive spatially modulated light from the spatial light modulator and a second optical input having a field of view of the real world.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite component comprising an element with an opening into which extend stressed resilient means confined within a volume of an at least partially amorphous metal alloy, said composite component comprising a passage that, is centered with respect to said stressed resilient means.

Abstract: A linear clock and method of indicating the time includes twelve linearly arranged regions wherein each region includes an indicator termed a “marker,” which is capable of representing a unique hour with a twelve hour cycle or a block of time equal to a five minute increment. Interspersed with the twelve linearly arranged regions is a group of four indicators that are capable of representing a one-minute increment and collectively, up to four minutes.

Abstract: A barometer clock includes a clock face, a clock mechanism, and a spindle located in the face and driven by the mechanism. A barometer mechanism includes a barometric sensor, drive means and drive shaft and a plurality of display members located behind the clock face, each member engaged to the drive shaft by a gear mechanism and rotatable by the shaft in response to a signal by the barometric sensor. The clock face includes an aperture, each display member being rotatable between a respective visible location wherein the display member may be observed through the aperture and a hidden location wherein the display member is concealed by the clock face. The gear mechanisms are adapted to successively move the display members between hidden and visible locations as the drive shaft rotates to provide a display characteristic of weather conditions associated with pressure conditions measured by the barometric sensor.

Abstract: A wearable device includes: a touch screen; an acceleration sensor configured to generate an acceleration signal; an optical sensor using a light source and configured to generate a touch interrupt signal; and a control unit configured to detect a wearing state of the wearable device, the wearing state of the wearable device including a not-wearing state for the wearable device, a wrist wearing state, and a hand gripping state on the basis of the acceleration signal and the touch interrupt signal, and to execute a function corresponding to the wearing state of the wearable device.

Abstract: A magnetic clock escapement, and a regulating device, the escapement including a first circular network formed by N1 magnetic lines and a second circular network formed by N2 magnetic lines, N2 being different from N1. The first and second networks are superimposed to define a combined pattern having a magnetic Moiré effect. The combined pattern is coupled magnetically to at least one magnet of a resonator to pace operation of a mechanical clock movement. The first magnetic structure is carried by an escapement wheel and can rotate relative to the second fixed magnetic structure with an angular frequency F1. The combined pattern rotates with a greater angular frequency F2 and equal to the angular frequency F1 multiplied by the number N1 and divided by the number ?N equal to this number N1 minus the number N2, F2=F1·N1/?N.

Abstract: The present technique relates particularly to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program which can improve sleep efficiency. The information processing device according to one aspect of the present technique has: an acquisition unit which acquires information which indicates an action schedule of a user; and a first determination unit which determines whether the user needs to wake up or sleep, and determines the degree of necessity of waking up when determining that the user needs to wake up and the degree of necessity of sleeping when determining the user needs to sleep, according to the action schedule of the user. The present technique is applicable to a mobile device such as a mobile telephone, a PDA and a digital camera.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the realization of an ADC by using a one shot time cell as an analog-to-time converter and a time-to-digital converter. The present invention relates in general, to the design and Integrated Circuit (IC) implementation of a fully-digital fully-synthesizable, delay-line analog-to-digital converter (DL-ADC). The present invention is specifically relevant for power management applications where the silicon area of the controller is of key importance. The design of the ADC is based on the approach of delay cells string to reduce design complexity and the resultant of the silicon area.

Abstract: A delay line-based time to digital converter includes: a coarse counter for counting a pulse of a timing clock and measuring a time when an edge of an input signal is detected; a fine time interpolator including a plurality of first delay elements and a plurality of second delay elements, a delay line with the input signal as an input, and a flip-flop unit with outputs of the first delay element or outputs of the second delay elements as inputs and the timing clock as an operation frequency; and a timestamp generator for receiving a digital value on a time measured by the coarse counter and the fine time interpolator, and generating a timestamp on the input signal by using the received digital value.

Abstract: Described systems and methods allow minimizing energy use and increasing battery life of a wearable device such as a smartwatch, by optimizing the way an image displayed to the user is updated in response to an event. In some embodiments, an image of each display object (e.g., clock hand, text, weather symbol, fitness icon) is individually stored in an image cache, such as a processor register or a separate section of memory. A new, updated on-screen image is computed dynamically, by combining cached images of the respective display objects. When the appearance of a current display object must change in response to the event, an updated image of the respective object is cached for future use.

Abstract: A device for monitoring athletic performance of a user has a wristband configured to be worn by the user. The electronic module may include a controller and a screen and a plurality of user inputs operably associated with the controller. The user inputs may include a user input configured to be applied by the user against the screen and in a direction generally normal to the screen. The controller may further be configured to generate one or more user interfaces in response to various user inputs and conditions. For example, the controller may generate workout mode interfaces and non-workout mode interfaces including various goal information, workout data, reminders and the like. In one or more arrangements, multiple types of information may be displayed simultaneously.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a solar panel including a solar cell, the solar cell including a plurality of light receiving regions and a connecting region, the connecting region having a width narrower than widths of the plurality of light receiving regions and connecting the plurality of light receiving regions, wherein a conductive reinforcing material made of a conductive material is provided in the connecting region and is electrically connected to the plurality of light receiving regions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a watch type terminal including a frame in which electronic components are mounted, a case configured to cover a lateral area of the frame, a display unit located in a front side of the case, a metal ring arranged in an edge area of a front side of the display unit, a window provided in a front side of the metal ring and configured to cover the display unit, a clock hand installed between the window and the display unit, a driving unit provided in a back side of the display unit, connected to one end of the clock hand through the display unit, and configured to vary the position of the clock hand, and a controller implemented to control the display unit, so that the user may see and tells the time even in case the display unit is turned off and the external design is improved. Even when the display unit is deactivated, the user may be provided with time information.

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.

Abstract: A group of unsupervised detectors or control units in wireless communication with a user can be upgraded for the user with the addition of hardware and/or downloadable software to provide communications and information to a supervisory station. Supervisory station services can be implemented locally or via cloud based computer services. A displaced dealer can be contacted using codes carried by the detectors or the control units for installation or activation of additional services.

Abstract: A process control device according to one aspect of the present invention is configured to control an industrial process implemented in a plant. The process control device includes: a virtualizer configured to run over a hardware in lieu of the hardware; and first and second controllers configured to run over the virtualizer and control operations of a plurality of field apparatuses configured to perform at least one of measurement and operation which are required to control the industrial process; an input distributor included in the virtualizer, the input distributor being configured to distribute a signal output from the field apparatus to the first and second controllers; and an output acquirer included in the virtualizer, and the output acquirer being configured to acquire outputs of the first and second controllers, and output any one of the outputs to at least one of the field apparatuses.

Abstract: A thermostat, of the type that employs latching relays to connect thermostat power to the various wires of the thermostat run, has a re-pulse feature that supplies latching pulses at a given interval, e.g., three hours, to ensure that the relays are in their proper state agreeing with the thermostat mode and the room temperature relative to the setpoint(s). In the case that the room air temperature is changing in a manner contrary to the current heating or cooling mode, which may indicate the latching relay has been knocked or bumped and needs to have its proper state re-established, the thermostat microprocessor issues pulses to the latching relay(s) more frequently, e.g., each 30 minutes, and the re-pulses may have a longer pulse width, e.g., increased from 20 ms to 25 ms.

Abstract: A process control apparatus includes a hypervisor, a controller configured to run on the hypervisor and to communicate with a field apparatus to control an industrial process, an operation model definer configured to define an operation model, which is information establishing operation specifications derived from specifications of the controller, a trace information collector configured to collect traces of interactive motions between hardware and the controller, and a normality determiner configured to compare the operation model defined by the operation model definer with the information collected by the trace information collector and to determine the normality of the operation of the process control apparatus.

Abstract: A HEMS (200) connects to a plurality of devices furnished to a consumer's residence, and performs control relating to power management of the plurality of devices. The HEMS (200) is provided with a controller (240) for transmitting control information for the purpose of respective control of the plurality of devices, respectively to the plurality of devices on the basis of a predetermined cycle. The controller (240) classifies the plurality of devices into a plurality of groups, transmitting the control information to devices respectively classified into the plurality of groups, at different timing for each group.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a cleanup pass profile is provided. The method may include identifying a pass target extending from a first end to a second end along a work surface, determining one or more volume constraints based at least partially on machine load limits and volume differentials between the pass target and the work surface, generating a plurality of primitives between the first end and the second end based on the volume constraints, and adjoining the primitives to form a substantially continuous cleanup pass profile.

Abstract: A system for transmitting a position switch status signal, comprises a signal output unit, a first converting apparatus, a second converting apparatus, and a control unit. Status signals of position switches are outputted by the signal output unit, parallel status signals are converted into parallel first current signals by using the first converting apparatus, currents in the first current signals are summated to obtain a second current signal, and digital status signals of the position switches are restored by using the second converting apparatus and the control unit. Also provided is a method for transmitting a position switch status signal.

Abstract: The invention provides consistent settings between local and remote parameter adjustments of both local and remote HMI. A dial (4) is superimposed on a bistable display substrate (2), having an indicator (7) configured to be manually aligned with a displayed character representing a manual setting of a parameter value for controlling local equipment. A network interface (18) is connected over a communications network (17) to a remote HMI (16), configured to receive a new parameter value for controlling the local equipment (25). A controller (14) samples the current position of the indicator (7) of the dial (4), and provides a control input signal (20) to the bistable display substrate (2) to control a display of the new parameter value in the current position of the indicator (7) of the dial (4) and to provide the new parameter value to the local equipment (25).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software to facilitate management of industrial operations are disclosed herein. In at least one implementation, a portable HMI device is connected to a display system via a video interface, wherein the video interface provides interchangeability between a plurality of different display systems. A plurality of applications is stored in the portable HMI device. A remote navigation interface of the portable HMI device receives a selection transmitted from a remote navigation device, wherein the selection is associated with an industrial operation application of the applications displayed on the display system. The portable HMI device processes the selection of the industrial operation application and responsively executes the industrial operation application to communicate with an application server.

Abstract: This specification relates to a central control apparatus, which is configured to calculate time-division power usage as predicted power usage, which is consumed by at least one facility in a control area within a specific time section, on the basis of predicted external temperature corresponding to the control area within the specific time section and a time-division model, calculate variable-based degree day (VBDD) daily power usage as predicted daily power usage corresponding to the control area on the basis of the predicted external temperature and a VBDD model, and calculate final power usage as final predicted power usage consumed in the control area within the specific time section on the basis of the time-division power usage and the VBDD daily power usage, and a facility control system including the same.

Abstract: A CPU unit of a PLC executes a motion control and a sequence control. The CPU unit stores a CAM table and a control program for performing the motion control using the CAM table. When a microprocessor receives a command for altering one of a plurality of phases and/or a displacement associated with the phase, the microprocessor alters the phase and/or the displacement in the CAM table to a value that is on the basis of the command. When the microprocessor performs the alteration, the microprocessor executes a control program using a post-alteration CAM table, and outputs the execution results to an apparatus to be controlled.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a platen configured to receive and object, a cutting device having a cutter, a first moving mechanism configured to move the cutter so that the cutter comes close to or departs from the platen, and a second moving mechanism configured to move the object and the cutter on the platen relative to each other. The apparatus further includes a display unit and a control device. The control device is configured to cause the apparatus to obtain lengths of line segments composing a cutting line of the pattern for every line segment, to calculate a time length required to cut each line segment, to calculate a cutting time length required to cut the pattern by accumulating the time lengths required to cut the respective line segments, and to cause the display unit to display a calculated cutting time length required to cut the pattern.

Abstract: A system is described for positioning a load in of multiple positions disposed over a linear axis. A linear actuator moves the load into each of the positions. A first position is at an end of the movement, with a second position opposite. A third position is intermediate between the first and the second positions. A stop actuator is made of a configurable material switchable selectively between an engaged configuration, in which the load is positioned in the at least third position, and a disengaged configuration, in which the load is freely movable between the first and the second positions.

Abstract: A numerical controller controls a machine tool which carries out machining by moving a workpiece or a tool using a periodic operation cycle for repeatedly executing the same operation. The numerical controller stores command data of each execution period of a superposition cycle superimposed with the periodic operation cycle. Command data sets of the superposition cycle are synthesized every execution cycle in synchronization with execution timing of the periodic operation cycle.

Abstract: The invention provides an online real-time control method for a product manufacturing process and includes: (A) establishing a monitoring equation for estimating a product attribute in view of production line parameters corresponding to respective steps in a manufacturing process of a product; (B) when each of the steps is finished, updating the calculation result according to an online feedback value(s) of the production line parameter(s) corresponding to the finished step; (C) when the updated calculation result in the step (B) indicates that the quality of the product does not meet a required quality specification, adjusting the production line parameter(s) corresponding to the step(s) after the finished step to make the quality of the product meet the required quality specification. According to the method, a key attribute(s) of the display device can be kept within an acceptable specification by adjusting the production line parameter(s) of subsequent step(s).

Abstract: A numerical controller includes a storage area for storing startable start-up settings and a database for storing start-up setting values that inhibit the completion of a start-up. If a start-up has been completed at the time of start-up, current start-up settings are stored in the storage area as startable settings. If the start-up has not been completed, start-up setting values that inhibit the completion are registered in the database, the current settings are reconstructed to startable settings, and the numerical controller is restarted. After start-up settings are changed, the database is searched. If the same start-up settings as the changed start-up setting are found, the found start-up settings are outputted.

Abstract: A numerical controller includes a numerical control unit, a DNC operation management unit, and first and second communication units. The first and second communication units receive the same NC program from a host through corresponding communication paths. The DNC operation management unit acquires the NC program from a reception data buffer included in one of the communication units to transfer the NC program to the numerical control unit, and when a failure occurs in the communication path used by the communication unit, an acquisition destination of the NC program is switched to a reception data buffer of the other communication unit.

Abstract: A facility for automated modelling of the cutting process for a particular material to be cut by a beam cutting tool, such as a waterjet cutting system, from empirical data to predict aspects of the waterjet's effect on the workpiece across a range of material thicknesses, across a range of cutting geometries, and across a range of cutting quality levels, all of which may be broader than, and independent of the actual requirements for a target workpiece, is described.

Abstract: A program correcting device comprises an executing part which executes a simulation of operation of the robot based on an operating program, a calculating part which calculates a variation with time of a TCP speed from the simulation results, an evaluating part which evaluates a pattern of the calculated variation with time if a minimum value of the TCP speed during the calculated variation with time is a predetermined lower limit value or less, a selecting part which selects a correction scheme of the operating program for increasing the minimum value of the TCP speed from a plurality of correction schemes, in accordance with the evaluation results of the pattern of the variation with time, and a correcting part which corrects the operating program in accordance with the selected correction scheme.

Abstract: A device for checking the construction of an extruder screw having a shaft and screw elements that are to be pushed or have been pushed one after the other onto the shaft in a defined sequence. Each screw element has an element-specific external geometry. A recording device being provided for determining information concerning the sequence of the screw elements that are to be pushed on or have been pushed on and for comparing the information determined with target information, which directly or indirectly describes the target sequence.

Abstract: An adjustable surf wake system can enhance a wake formed by a watercraft traveling through water. A rider control device can enable a rider to control the wake of the watercraft while riding the wake, such as for wake surfing. The rider can adjust the speed of the watercraft, can adjust the height of the wake, and/or can change the watercraft between a surf-left configuration and a surf-right configuration. The rider control device can include a position sensor. A drone can position a camera based on the position sensor of the rider control device for filming the rider.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for new paradigms for user interaction with an unmanned aerial vehicle (referred to as a flying digital assistant or FDA) using a portable multifunction device (PMD) such as smart phone. In some embodiments, a magic wand user interaction paradigm is described for intuitive control of an FDA using a PMD. In other embodiments, methods for scripting a shot are described.

Abstract: A driving assistance device, including an automated driving switch; an emergency button; and a controller configured to provide either automated driving in which travel is performed along a current travel path of a host vehicle or automated stopping in response to manipulation by a driver of the automated driving switch or of the emergency button.

Abstract: A driving plan of the vehicle is generated based on the map information and the information on the surroundings of the vehicle detected by a detection sensor, and an automated driving operation of the vehicle is controlled based on this driving plan. When a change in the operating state of the engine is predicted from the driving plan, an advanced control of the control command value of the engine operation control device where the control command value of the engine operation control device is made to change is started in advance of the predicted change of the operating state of the engine. When there is a demand for sudden stop of the vehicle contrary to the driving plan of the vehicle, this advanced control is stopped.

Abstract: Provided is a control unit for an inverted pendulum vehicle that can warn the vehicle operator by changing the behavior of the vehicle before the upright control of the vehicle fails. The control unit includes a target tilt command computation unit for computing a target tilt command (M_cmd_xy) for the base frame, and an attitude control computation unit for computing a target translational speed (Vw1_cmd_xy) for fulfilling the target tilt command. When state information of the vehicle has deviated from a prescribed upright control tolerance range, the target tilt command computation unit generates a tilt command for notification, and superimposes the tilt command for notification (M_xy=M1_xy+M2_xy) onto the target tilt command.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an autonomous vehicle with an emergency escape mode. When fleeing a scene is critical, embodiments provide an AV that can operate in an emergency escape mode (EEM) to enable the AV to flee a scene, protecting its occupants. Typically, a passenger or operator invokes EEM in an AV when they are in imminent danger from criminal activity such as carjacking. A least resistance route can be computed to determine an escape route that provides for reduced chance of injury and/or increased probability of a successful escape.

Abstract: Described herein a robot assisted method of deploying sensors in a geographic region. The method of deploying sensors is posed as a Markovian decision process. The robot assigns each grid cell in a map of the geographic region a reward value based on a surface elevation of the geographic region and a soil hardness factor. Further, the robot determines an action for each grid cell of the plurality of grid cells, wherein the action corresponds to an expected direction of movement of the robot in the grid cell. The robot computes a global path as a concatenation of actions starting from a first grid cell and terminating at a second grid cell. The method monitors the movement of the robot on the computed global path and computes a second path based on a deviation of the robot from the global path.