Abstract: An apparatus and methods of decorating a metallic container are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to provide a decoration or indicia on a predetermined portion of an outer surface of a metallic container body. The decorator includes at least one digital print unit, a transfer blanket, and a support element. The digital print unit transfers a decorating material to the transfer blanket to form a decoration on the transfer blanket. The support element then moves a metallic container into contact with the transfer blanket. In this manner, the decorating material is transferred to an exterior surface portion of the metallic container to decorate the metallic container. In one embodiment, the digital print unit is an electrophotographic system which transfers a toner material to the transfer blanket. In another embodiment, the digital print unit includes an inkjet print head which transfers an ink to the transfer blanket.

Abstract: A belt device includes a belt unit including a plurality of rotators and a belt looped around the plurality of rotators. The belt device further includes a frame including a plurality of support portions to support the belt unit, a biasing member to bias the belt unit supported by the frame in a predetermined direction, and an adjuster to adjust a position of at least one of the plurality of support portions.

Abstract: Provided is an endless belt in which surface cracks due to ozone deterioration, and a belt deformation tendency can be inhibited. The endless belt is intended for use in an electrophotographic image forming device. The endless belt includes a tubular base layer and an elastic layer laminated on the outer circumference of the base layer. The elastic layer includes a cured material of a composition containing a polycarbonate polyol, a polyisocyanate, and a rubber polymer having a double bond. A mass ratio of the polycarbonate polyol and the rubber polymer in the composition may be in a range of 5:95 to 95:5. The rubber polymer preferably contains at least one of an acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber and an epichlorohydrin rubber.

Abstract: Provided is an endless belt-shaped electrophotographic member having a superior durability. The member comprises an endless belt-shaped substrate and a surface layer, the surface layer comprising an ionizing radiation crosslinked product of a tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), the surface layer is formed by irradiation of electron beam to a resin layer, the resin layer comprising the PFA, the surface layer has a universal hardness HU at 200° C. of 18 N/mm2?HU?40 N/mm2, and when a degree of orientation of the PFA in the resin layer in a direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the substrate is defined as Ri, and a degree of orientation of the crosslinked PFA in the surface layer in the direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the substrate is defined as Rf, Ri and Rf satisfy a relationship represented by expression (1): Ri×0.8?Rf?Ri??(1).

Abstract: A system and method for applying lubricant to a surface, such as a heating surface of a fuser member. The system includes lubricant conduit for carrying pressurized lubricant toward a spraying assembly. A heating element surrounds the lubricant conduit and heats the pressurized lubricant before it arrives at the spraying assembly. The system also includes a pair of double O-ring sealing assemblies for sealingly coupling a lubricant tube to the system.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a pair of bushes, a pair of bearing members, a support plate, and a fixing frame. The pair of bushes are attached to both end parts of a rotation shaft of a heating rotating member. The pair of bearing members supports the bushes in a rotatable manner. The support plate has insertion hole into which the bearing member is inserted so that the bearing member is fastened, and a positioning pin. The fixing frame has a positioning hole into which the positioning pin is inserted. The support plate is provided with a distortion prevention part for preventing occurrence of distortion around the insertion hole when the positioning pin is inserted into the positioning hole. At least a part of the distortion prevention part is positioned within a first area.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a first pressing member, a fixing belt, a second pressing member, a tensioning section on which the fixing belt is wound on an upstream side relative to the fixing nip in a rotation direction of the fixing belt and which is configured to impart tension to the fixing belt, and a control section configured to control the tensioning section such that the shape in an axial direction of the fixing belt is changed in accordance with a type of sheet which passes through the fixing nip.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless belt rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a nip formation assembly disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt. An opposed rotary body is pressed against the nip formation assembly via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the opposed rotary body through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A belt holder contacts and supports each lateral end of the endless belt in an axial direction thereof. The belt holder is isolated from the opposed rotary body with a first interval interposed therebetween in the axial direction of the endless belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a movable photosensitive member, first and second corona chargers, an adjusting mechanism, a developing device, a detecting member configured to detect a surface potential of the photosensitive member at a plurality of positions with respect to the widthwise direction of the photosensitive member, an input portion, and a display portion. In accordance with input of an instruction to the input portion, the detecting portion detects at least two surface potentials of three surface potentials including the surface potential of the photosensitive member after being charged by the first and second corona chargers, the surface potential of the photosensitive member after being charged by the first corona charger, and the surface potential of the photosensitive member after being charged by the second corona charger. A detection result of the detecting member is displayed at the display portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming portion capable of forming an image on a recording medium; an operation portion for performing an operation of the image forming apparatus; a push button which is arranged in a surface of the operation portion, and with which a signal of stopping an image forming action performed by the image forming portion is input; a receiving portion provided in the operation portion so as to be able to receive a radio signal from a communication component by placing the communication component transmitting the radio signal so as to face the receiving portion; and at least a central portion of the push button located at a position recessed from the surface of the operation portion.

Abstract: A transport monitoring control device includes a pair of rollers configured to transport a recording medium while nipping the recording medium therebetween, the pair of rollers having circumferential surfaces coming in contact with the recording medium, the circumferential surfaces being different from each other in hardness, a driving unit configured to drive the pair of rollers, a detector configured to detect waveforms related to a load of the driving unit, an extractor configured to extract a peak waveform having an extreme point temporarily exceeding a predetermined threshold value, from among the waveforms detected by the detector, and a determining unit configured to determine whether multi-feed of the recording medium is present, based on the number of peak waveforms extracted by the extractor.

Abstract: A sheet guide of an image forming apparatus includes a first upstream guide member and a first downstream guide member. The first upstream guide member includes an upstream front guide surface and an upstream rear guide surface. The first downstream guide member includes a downstream front guide surface and a downstream rear guide surface. The downstream front guide surface intersects with an imaginary plane formed by extending, toward a downstream side in a conveyance direction of a sheet, the upstream rear guide surface. The upstream front guide surface intersects with an imaginary plane that is formed by extending, toward an upstream side in the conveyance direction, the downstream rear guide surface. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the upstream rear guide surface, an edge portion of the first upstream guide member on the downstream side is inclined with respect to a width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes image bearing members, an intermediate transfer member, a transfer unit, a control unit, and image forming units respectively corresponding to the image bearing members and each configured to form and transfer an image to the intermediate transfer member, which is then transferred to the conveyed recording material. Image patterns on the intermediate transfer member are detected for positional deviation detection. In a first mode, timing of image formation is determined using a first reference. In a second mode, timing of image formation is determined using a second reference. Based on timings at which formed image patterns are detected, the control unit, in the second mode, corrects timing of image formation performed by a second image forming unit or corrects timing at which the recording material is conveyed to the transfer unit.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: a rotary body, a heater having one end and another end, a first power supply cord having one end portion connected to the one end of the heater, a first insulator, a second power supply cord having one end portion connected to the other end of the heater, a second insulator, a support frame, and a restriction member. The first insulator holds both the one end of the heater and the one end portion of the first power supply cord. The second insulator holds both the other end of the heater and the one end portion of the second power supply cord. The support frame includes a first support portion supporting the first insulator and a second support portion supporting the second insulator. The restriction member is detachably attachable to the support frame and restricts movement of the first insulator in a first direction.

Abstract: A cleaning device, which is included in a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus, includes a cleaning blade configured to remove a material attached to a surface of an image bearer, a cleaning case configured to contain the material removed by the cleaning blade, and a removed material receiver configured to receive the material failed to enter into the cleaning case when the material is removed by the cleaning blade, the removed material receiver having a first range at both ends in a width direction of the cleaning blade and a second range at a center in the width direction of the cleaning blade. A volume per unit length in a width direction of the first range is greater than a volume per unit length in a width direction of the second range.

Abstract: Provided is a development cartridge capable of being detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus, the development cartridge including a developing roller; a driving power receiving member configured to rotate in a first direction or a second direction by receiving a driving power from the main body; and a power delivery member configured to connect the driving power receiving member to the developing roller and to deliver only torque of the driving power receiving member in the first direction to the developing roller.

Abstract: A cartridge for a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the main assembly includes a rotatable driving coupling member including a driving force transmitting portion for transmitting a driving force and a driving side abutment, wherein the cartridge is demountable in a direction substantially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the driving coupling member, includes a rotatable driven coupling member including a driving force receiving portion for receiving the driving force, and a driven side abutment to be abutted by the driving side abutment, the driven coupling member being slidable in a predetermined direction which is substantially parallel with a rotational axis of the receiving coupling member; wherein at least one of the driving side abutment and the driven side abutment is inclined so that the driven coupling member is retractable away from the driving coupling member in the predetermined direction by a force received by driven side abutment from the driving side

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a developing roller; a casing for accommodating therein developing agent; a storage medium including an electric contact surface; a holder movable along with the electric contact surface in a first direction crossing the electric contact surface, the holder being movable between a first position and a second position relative to the casing in the first direction; and a pressure member for pressing the holder while being moved in a second direction crossing the first direction when the holder is moved between the first position and the second position. A distance in the first direction between the electric contact surface and the pressure member when the holder is positioned at the first position is greater than a distance in the first direction between the electric contact surface and the pressure member when the holder is positioned at the second position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a connector portion, and a developer housing container. The connector portion is located on the apparatus main body and includes a first input/output terminal. The developer housing container is removably mounted to the developing device. The developer housing container includes container body that houses a developer to be replenished to the developing device and a storage unit mounted to an outer surface of the container body. The storage unit includes a second input/output terminal for electrical connection to the first input/output terminal. In a state where the developer housing container is mounted to the developing device, the developer housing container has a posture changeable between: a first posture where the second input/output terminal is separated from the first input/output terminal, and a second posture where the second input/output terminal contacts the first input/output terminal to be electrically connected.

Abstract: With a structure in which a coupling member includes a sphere providing a center of inclination (pivoting), a rotational force transmitted member has an opening have a diameter smaller than that of the sphere, and the coupling member is prevented from disengaging from rotational force transmitted member by contact of inner edge of the opening to the sphere, the inner edge of the opening may limit an inclinable (pivotable) angle range of the coupling member. In a state that a pin 88 which is a shaft portion is inserted in a hole 86b which is a through-hole provided in a coupling member 86, opposite end portions of the pin 88 are supported by a driving side flange 87 which is a rotational force transmitted member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a detachable fixing device that is capable of printing with high quality without printing wastefully. A storage unit stores identification information about a fixing device in association with an attribute of a sheet that is printable with the fixing device concerned. A control unit executes printing when the storage unit does not store an attribute of a sheet corresponding to a fixing device that is currently attached to the image forming apparatus. The control unit determines whether to execute printing according to an attribute of a sheet used in printing and an attribute of a sheet stored in the storage unit when the storage unit stores the attribute of the sheet corresponding to the fixing device that is currently attached to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A replaceable unit for an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. The replaceable unit includes a rotatable drive coupler and a rotatable shaft that has a cross pin on an axial end of the shaft, generally orthogonal to the shaft. At least a portion of the drive coupler is exposed on an exterior of the housing and unobstructed to receive rotational force when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. A pocket is formed in a first axial side of the drive coupler. The axial end of the shaft and the cross pin are removably positioned in the pocket such that upon rotating the drive coupler in an operative direction rotational force is transferred from surfaces of the drive coupler forming the pocket to the cross pin causing the shaft to rotate with the drive coupler.

Abstract: To provide a structure that includes a small number of components, that is unlikely to be affected by heat, and that allows a blade secured to a frame body and a rotating member to be in contact with each other at a uniform pressure in a longitudinal direction. A structure includes a rotatable rotating member, a blade, a support member, and a frame body. The blade extends in an axial direction of the rotating member and is in contact with or disposed close to a surface of the rotating member. The support member supports the blade such that one end side of the blade projects toward the rotating member in a lateral direction that intersects the axial direction. The frame body is formed by insert molding in which resin is injected while the support member is secured to a mold. The frame body clamps part of the support member so as to support the support member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus carries out control of an image forming operation by using the first image forming process parameter in a case in which the recording agent cartridge is not authenticated and is equivalent to the authenticated recording agent cartridge and also carries out control of an image forming operation by using the second image forming process parameter in a case in which the recording agent cartridge is not authenticated and is not equivalent to the authenticated recording agent cartridge.

Abstract: There is provided a lighting device arranged to produce a controllable light beam for illuminating a scene. The device comprises an addressable spatial light modulator arranged to provide a selectable phase delay distribution to a beam of incident light. The device further comprises Fourier optics arranged to receive phase-modulated light from the spatial light modulator and form a light distribution. The device further comprises projection optics arranged to project the light distribution to form a pattern of illumination as said controllable light beam.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to lens-free imaging. One example embodiment may include a lens-free imaging device for imaging a moving sample. The lens-free imaging device may include a radiation source configured to emit a set of at least two different wavelengths towards the moving sample. The lens-free imaging device is configured to image samples for which a spectral response does not substantially vary for a set of at least two different wavelengths. The lens-free imaging device may also include a line scanner configured to obtain a line scan per wavelength emitted by the radiation source and reflected by, scattered by, or transmitted through the moving sample. The line scanner is configured to regularly obtain a line scan per wavelength. Either the radiation source or the line scanner is configured to isolate data of the at least two different wavelengths.

Abstract: A holographic display system for generating a super hologram with full parallax in different fields of view in the horizontal and vertical directions. The display system includes assemblies or subsystems each adapted to combine holographic displays and coarse integral displays to produce or display a coarse integral hologram. Briefly, the display system described herein teaches techniques for enhancing operations of coarse integral holographic (CIH) displays. The enhanced CIH displays may utilize ganged scanners, may operate scanners to provide boustrophedon scanning, may be configured to add color information such by view sequential color hologram display and scanning, may replace or supplement X-Y scanning abilities with a resonant scanner, and may replace physical lenslet arrays by generating and displaying a holographic lenslet for each elemental hologram used to create the super hologram.

Abstract: A component of a winding device, in particular an automatic winding device, of a timepiece movement, wherein it is made of austenitic stainless steel and wherein it comprises at least one friction surface hardened by carbon or nitrogen type atoms introduced into the austenitic stainless steel over a predetermined depth.

Abstract: A power transmission body of a timepiece in which a fixed portion between an arbor and a power transmission member is hardly damaged is provided without increasing the number of components. A transmission wheel (one example of power transmission body) includes a gear and a pinion (one example of arbor). A hole formed in a center portion of the gear includes a regular octagon with a rotation center as a center. An insertion portion formed in the pinion includes a gear-like portion including a tooth bottom and a tooth tip. The hole includes eight portions that are positioned in a circumference direction about the rotation center and contact the insertion portion. The hole includes a portion that is positioned in front of the eight portions in a clockwise direction (specific rotation direction) about the rotation center and has a distance from the rotation center longer than a distance from the rotation center to each of the eight portions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a quick multifunctional smart watch for worship timing and orientation and a control method, relating to the technical field of smart watches, for solving the problem that no portable wearable products for orientated and timed reminding meet requirements of Moslems for worships in the prior art. The watch comprises a controller, a positioning module, a geomagnetic sensor and pointer devices; the positioning module is used for acquiring position information of current position and sending to the controller; the geomagnetic sensor is used for acquiring direction information of current position and sending to the controller; the controller is used for controlling pointer devices to point to the direction of Mecca according to pre-stored position information of Mecca, position information and direction information of current position and GIS geographic information pre-stored in the controller; and the controller is also used for reminding worships according to pre-stored preset worship time.

Abstract: A switch actuation device for use in connection with electrical switch mechanism having an actuatable structure. The device includes an actuation mechanism in operable communication with the actuatable structure for use in urging the actuatable structure of the electrical switch mechanism from a first position to a second position. An actuatable electrical switch arrangement is also disclosed.

Abstract: A timepiece including a case middle, a bezel, rotatably mounted on the case middle, and an actuation member including a cover capable of adopting a retracted position and a deployed position relative to the case middle, the cover being provided with a bearing surface actuatable by the user's finger, wherein the cover includes a shoulder distinct from the bearing surface, the shoulder being intended to cooperate with the bezel when the cover is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A method for monitoring, controlling, or regulating a machine by means of an embedded system includes a first processor acted on by an input signal that is processed using a first algorithm implemented in the first processor in order to generate a first output signal for controlling or regulating the machine. The first algorithm of the first processor is modifiable via a network interface. In the embedded system, a second processor that is not connected to the network interface is used and is acted on by the same input signal, which is processed using a second algorithm that is implemented in the second processor in order to generate a second output signal. The first output signal and the second output signal are compared to one another to determine whether the first algorithm has been modified with respect to the second algorithm.

Abstract: Embodiments are generally directed to automatic adjustment of head mounted display straps. An embodiment of a head mounted display apparatus includes a display unit; a strap harness including one or more straps; one or more pressure sensors; a microcontroller; and one or more automatic adjustment mechanisms for the one or more straps, wherein the microcontroller is to adjust the one or more straps by controlling operation of the one or more automatic adjustment mechanisms based at least in part on sensor data from the one or more pressure sensors.

Abstract: A novel approach to coordinate processes in physical movements in a process environment includes establishing a coherent temporal and resource framework for operation of selected processes in order to formulate a basis for coordination. A key aspect of the present innovation includes the novel techniques for coordinating processes including transmission of electromagnetism and transmission of electromagnetic radiation in a process environment by effecting periodic interruptions, based upon the above mentioned coherent temporal and resource framework, while maintaining the required operational and safety procedures.

Abstract: Degraded or other performance may be predicted with a machine-learnt classifier. Based on operation of many building automation systems, machine learning is applied. The machine learning creates a predictor. The machine-learnt predictor is applied to the operation data of any building automation system to predict future failure or other event, providing prognostics that may be used to plan maintenance and/or schedule remedial action. Machine learning uses big data in the form of data from many building automation systems to learn to automatically predict and/or perform prognostics for other building automations systems.

Abstract: An operation management system includes a sensor for obtaining data on an operator and a cell control device connected to the sensor. The cell control device includes a sensor management unit for managing information from the sensor; an operator monitor unit for monitoring at least one of the motion amount and condition amount of the operator; a learning unit for learning at least one of the degrees of fatigue, proficiency, and interest of the operator; and a notification management unit that transmits condition information including at least one of the degrees of fatigue, proficiency, and interest of the operator, when receiving a condition notification request from a host management unit, and that receives an operation details change notification and transfers the operation details change notification to the operator, or that transmits the condition information to the operator, when receiving a condition notification request from the operator.

Abstract: Data from many buildings is used to machine train a cascade of classifiers. The cascade learns to classify in layers that relate to each other. One classifier identifies one characteristic and the other classifier uses the identified characteristic to identify another characteristic. For example, a cascade learns to classify buildings, efficiency, or cost associated with particular building automation systems (e.g., building A has increased heating cost), to classify the fault leading to the cost (e.g., hot water supply temperature causes increased cost), and to classify the source of the fault (e.g., valve position or valve) in a cascade. The resulting machine-learnt cascade is applied to data for any number of buildings.

Abstract: A teaching device capable of teaching not only movement work but also more detailed working content. The teaching device is provided with input section for inputting work information such as work of pinching workpieces which is carried out by a robot arm at a working position. When carrying out motion capture by moving jig (an object which mimics the robot arm) which is provided with marker section, a user manipulate input section at an appropriate timing to input the working content to be performed by the robot arm as work information, and thus it is possible to set fine working content of the robot arm in teaching device. Accordingly, teaching device is capable of linking positional information of jig and the like and work information generating control information for controlling the robot arm.

Abstract: A robot constructs a navigation map based on the cognitive mechanism of rat hippocampus. The robot collects current self-motion cues and color depth map information through exploring the environment; self-motion cues form spatial environment codes gradually through path integral and feature extraction of spatial cells in hippocampus, place field of place cells is gradually formed during exploring the process and covers the whole environment to form a cognitive map. Further, Kinect collects scene view and color depth map information of the current position in right ahead direction as an absolute reference, proceeding path closed-loop detection to correct the errors of the path integral. At a close-loop point, the system proceeds reset of spatial cells discharging activity to correct the errors of the path integral. The final point in navigation map includes coding information of place cells series, corresponding visual cues and position topological relationship.

Abstract: A plant monitoring control device is such that when a control command is input by an operator into a process control device that implements control of a plant, a simulator is notified by a control unit of control information in the control command. Furthermore, whether or not to implement the control is automatically determined by a determination circuit of the control unit based on a result of a predictive operation by the simulator, and when determining to implement, the process control device is notified by the control unit of the control information in the control command.

Abstract: A refinery or petrochemical plant may include a fractionation column and related equipment, such as one or more condensers, receivers, reboilers, feed exchangers, and pumps. The equipment may have boundaries or thresholds of operating parameters based on existing limits and/or operating conditions. Illustrative existing limits may include mechanical pressures, temperature limits, hydraulic pressure limits, and operating lives of various components. There may also be relationships between operational parameters related to particular processes. For example, the boundaries on a naphtha reforming reactor inlet temperature may be dependent on a regenerator capacity and hydrogen-to-hydrocarbon ratio, which in turn may be dependent on a recycle compressor capacity. Operational parameters of a final product may be determined based on actual current or historical operation, and implemented in one or more models to determine adjustments for enhanced operational efficiency.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an appliance with respect to the appliance's noise level, in which a signal relating to the noise level emitted by the appliance is received, and a determination of whether to continue or interrupt a cycle of operation being conducted by the appliance is made based at least on part upon the receipt of the signal.

Abstract: A motor control device configured to control a motor, includes a first memory; a second memory different from the first memory; a communication interface circuit configured to receive a control command from an external device; a command parser configured to store control information in the first memory and in the second memory when the control command includes control information defining an operation of the motor, and to generate a response signal including the control information stored in the first memory when the control command includes a command for verifying a communication state and transmit the response signal to the external device via the communication interface circuit; a control unit configured to read the control information from the second memory; and a drive signal generator.

Abstract: An equipment characteristics model learning device includes an acquisition unit and a model coefficient deriving unit. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire actual values of variables which are used to express characteristics of equipment in a characteristics model indicating the characteristics. The model coefficient deriving unit is configured to derive a value of a coefficient of a simple characteristic model using the acquired actual values, wherein the simple characteristic model corresponds to a value range of a change factor variable which is a variable serving as a change factor for the characteristics among the variables of the characteristic model and indicates the characteristics using variables obtained by lowering the number of dimensions of the characteristic model.

Abstract: A demand response control result presentation apparatus is used in an energy consumption amount management system granting an incentive to a user of a facility device when the facility device performs a demand response control to adjust an energy consumption amount in response to a control request. The demand response control result presentation apparatus is configured to present a control result of the demand response control performed by the facility device. The demand response control result presentation apparatus includes a control result acquiring unit configured to acquire information relating to the control result, an incentive amount acquiring unit configured to acquire information relating to an amount of the incentive, and a control result presentation unit configured to present the control result. The control result corresponds to a variation in the amount of the incentive in a predetermined period.

Abstract: A method of controlling a photovoltaic system includes: receiving a forecast of energy generation by the photovoltaic system for a predetermined time period; determining a revenue generation objective function characterizing revenue generated by feeding electrical energy from the photovoltaic system into an energy transmission system; determining constraints on the feed-in of electrical energy into the energy transmission system, at least some of the constraints being a function of the forecast; optimizing the revenue generation objective function as constrained to determine energy feed-in and storage actions; and executing the determined energy feed-in and storage actions. The method, for example, utilizes a simplified revenue generation module including a linear revenue generation objective function and a plurality of linear constraints, which can enable optimization using a mixed integer linear programming approach.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for providing redundancy in a vehicle electrical control system, including a plurality of electronic control units connected to each other through a first data bus, and where each electronic control unit is connected to one or more I/O-units through a separate second data bus, where each second data bus is provided with a separate transceiver which allows communication between an electronic control unit and an I/O-unit, and where the arrangement includes a programmable switch arranged between the electronic control units and the transceivers, where the programmable switch is adapted to interconnect each transceiver with a selected electronic control unit. A transceiver may be reconnected to a new ECU in an easy way, when the ECU to which the transceiver was originally connected to breaks down, which allows the new ECU to access the I/O-units of the broken ECU and which in turn provides an effective redundancy for the electrical control system.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method and a system for remote-controlled servicing of a field device of process automation, including establishing a communication connection between a service unit and the field device via a first network, sending via a second network an access request from a computer unit to an application program executed on the service unit, wherein the application program serves for servicing the field device, approving the access request via the application program, and establishing access of the computer unit to the application program via the second network upon approval of the access request, wherein, after established access, the servicing of the field device occurs from the computer unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a project planning device and a method for configuring and/or parameterizing automation components of an automation system. The project planning device of the invention has a user interface and a network interface via which it can be connected to a network of an actual automation system. The project planning device is operable to create a target configuration and/or a target parameterization for an automation system, and to analyze a connected actual automation system with respect to the actual configuration and/or actual parameterization thereof. According to the invention, the project planning device is configured for automatically detecting accesses to the target configuration and/or the target parameterization based on predefinable access types, and for automatically initiating and performing the analyzing in response to a detected access and/or in response to a signal which is a predefinable regularly recurring signal.