Abstract: A separation device includes an endless belt, a rotary body, a separation supporter, and a transfer mechanism. The separation supporter presses against an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt downstream from an area of contact between the endless belt and the rotary body in a recording medium conveyance direction to curve the endless belt toward an outer circumferential surface side of the endless belt at a greater curvature than a curvature of the endless belt at the area of contact between the endless belt and the rotary body. The transfer mechanism switches the separation supporter between a first position and a second position farther from the area of contact between the endless belt and the rotary body than the first position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a cleaning member that cleans the image carrier, an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material, and a controller that controls the image forming unit based on at least one of physical property information and dimension information of the cleaning member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes optical sensor units provided opposed to an image bearing member; light blockers provided between the image bearing member and the optical sensor units, respectively, the blockers being movable between locking and exposing positions, respectively; calibration members provided where the light is incident when the blockers are in the blocking positions, respectively, the calibration members calibrating data acquired by the optical sensor units; a movable link connected with the blockers; a switching portion for switching the blockers between the exposing and blocking positions; and a positioning portion for determining the blocking position, the positioning portion being disposed at a position where at least one of the blockers is contacted to the positioning portion when the blockers are switched from the exposing positions to the blocking positions.

Abstract: An image formation system includes an image forming section that includes a belt and a roller. The image forming section forms, in a predetermined region of a sheet, either: a first patch image for performing tone correction of a toner image formed on the sheet, or a second patch image for monitoring color variation of the toner image formed on the sheet. The image forming system further includes a controller that controls the image forming section to form only one of the first patch image and the second patch image on any one sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit including a rotating member; a rotation position detecting unit that detects a rotation position of the rotating member; an image density detecting unit that detects density of an image; an image information analysis unit that analyzes image information; a density profile management unit that manages a density profile; a correction data generation unit that generates correction data; a density correction unit that performs density correction; and a density correction control unit that sets a density correction level, wherein when the density correction level is set at reference accuracy, the density correction unit corrects density, and when the density correction level is set at accuracy higher than the reference accuracy, the density profile management unit forms a corrective patch image and generates a new density profile, the correction data generation unit updates the correction data, and the density correction unit corrects density.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing device of the present disclosure is provided with a punch hole forming device, a processing tray, an ejection tray, a conveyance roller pair, an ejection roller pair, and a stiffening member. In a case where a sheet through which punch holes have been formed is to be ejected on the ejection tray without being subjected to post-processing on the processing tray, in a state where the stiffening member is retracted in a direction away from the sheet, the conveyance roller pair conveys the sheet until at least a tip end thereof reaches on the ejection tray.

Abstract: The document conveying apparatus includes a document tray, a butted part with which leading edges of a plurality of documents stacked on the document tray are butted, a roller for conveying a document stacked at a lowermost position, a pressurizing module for pressurizing, from above, the documents stacked on the document tray, a separator, a first detector, provided between the butted part and the separator in a document conveying direction, for detecting a conveyed document, and a control module for causing the pressurizing module to pressurize the documents stacked on the document tray and causing the roller to rotate with a first speed until the first detector detects a document. In a case where the first detector detects a document, the control module reduces a force with which the pressurizing module pressurizes the documents and causes the roller to rotate with a second speed slower than the first speed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a power supply voltage detector, a power supply cycle detector, a voltage converter, and a controller. The power supply voltage detector detects a power supply voltage value of a commercial alternating-current voltage. The power supply cycle detector detects a power supply cycle of the commercial alternating-current voltage. The voltage converter performs switching of the commercial alternating-current voltage, and thereby converts the commercial alternating-current voltage into a heater alternating-current voltage to be applied to a heater. The controller controls the voltage converter and thereby generates the heater alternating-current voltage, on a basis of the power supply voltage value detected by the power supply voltage detector and the power supply cycle detected by the power supply cycle detector.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a control portion configured to perform a cleaning operation including: a first step of causing a developer, which has a reversed polarity and is attracted to a surface of a charging roller, to have a normal polarity under a state in which the developer bearing member is separated from the image bearing member with the contact/separation unit; and a second step of collecting the developer, which has the normal polarity and is attracted to the surface of the image bearing member, to the developer bearing member, by rotating the image bearing member and the developer bearing member under a state in which the developer bearing member is brought into contact with the image bearing member with the contact/separation unit after performing the first step.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning member configured to move in the opposite direction from a moving direction of an image carrier and come into contact with a surface of the image carrier to remove residual matter from the surface of the image carrier, wherein the cleaning member includes a supporting member formed with a metallic plate spring and a contact member formed with an elastic material and bonded to an end of the supporting member, an edge portion at an end of the contact member being brought into contact with the surface of the image carrier, the end of the contact member protrudes from the end of the supporting member, and the end of the supporting member is located on an upstream side of a normal line of the image carrier at the contact position of the edge portion in the moving direction of the image carrier.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a housing having light emitting ports extending in a predetermined direction, a transparent cover that closes the light emitting ports, a screw shaft arranged so as to extend in the predetermined direction along the transparent cover, a holding member having an engaging part engaged with the screw shaft, and a cleaning member held to the holing member. An abutting fulcrum is provided at an end of a movement path of the holing member, abuts a predetermined place of a surface of a front side in a progress direction of the holing member, allows the holing member to rotate by employing an abutting part of the holding member with the abutting fulcrum as a fulcrum, and reduces a position shift amount between the one side end portion and the other side end portion of the holing member in the progress direction.

Abstract: A discharging light quantity adjusting device includes a potential measurement controller that performs: a process of causing a first toner image forming process to charge an image holding member to a first potential and an electrometer to measure an electrostatic potential on the image holding member to obtain a first value, a process of causing a second toner image forming process to charge the image holding member to a second potential and removing a toner image formed by the second toner image forming process, and a process of causing a third toner image forming process to charge the image holding member to a third potential, and causing the electrometer to measure an electrostatic potential on the image holding member to obtain a second value; and a light quantity adjusting unit that adjusts a quantity of a discharging light based on the first and second values.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a cover, a driving unit, and a film. The main body is configured to accommodate an image forming portion which forms an image on a recording material. The cover is provided on the main body and covers the image forming portion. The driving unit is provided on the main body and drives the image forming portion. The film is attached to the cover with a gap formed against an inner wall of the cover. The film faces the inner wall of the cover while a tension is given thereto and without coming into contact with the driving unit.

Abstract: A drum unit of an image forming apparatus including a flange that is integrally provided with the photoconductor drum. A frame rotatably supports the photoconductor drum and covers its side. A gear portion is integrally formed with an outer circumferential surface of the flange. An outer diameter of the gear portion is larger than a diameter size of the photoconductor drum. A guide member is provided on an upper surface of the frame and guides the edge portion upward when the drum unit is pulled out of the apparatus main body. An upper surface of the guide member includes first and second guide surfaces. The first guide surface is located more on a side of a center of the photoconductor drum than the edge position, and the second guide surface is located more on the side of the insertion direction than the edge position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with: an apparatus body; a photosensitive member; a developing cartridge configured to have a developer supporting body; a cleaner configured to collect developer remaining on the photosensitive member; and a waste developer container configured to contain developer collected by the cleaner. The apparatus body is configured to have an installment passage, through which the developing cartridge passes when the developing cartridge is installed into and removed from the apparatus body. The waste developer container is configured to be movable between a first position at which at least a part of the waste developer container is located within the installment passage and a second position at which the waste developer container is located away from the installment passage.

Abstract: A developing frame has: side walls that support ends of a developing roller shaft; a connecting wall that connects the side walls, the connecting wall being pressed by first and second pressing members; and a handle extending from the connecting wall in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction. The handle is located farther away from the developing roller than the connecting wall is in the second direction. A drum frame has a supporting wall that supports the first and second pressing members. The supporting wall has an opening that is located between the first pressing member and the second pressing member. The opening allows the handle to be exposed when the developing cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge. The supporting wall overlaps the handle as viewed from the first direction in a state where the handle is exposed through the opening.

Abstract: A process cartridge has a drum unit having a photosensitive drum; a developing unit having a developing roller and movable relative to the drum unit; a first electrically conductive member provided at the drum unit and configured to contact a terminal of an image forming apparatus; a second electrically conductive member provided at the developing unit; and a third electrically conductive member electrically connected to the first electrically conductive member and to the second electrically conductive member, the third electrically conductive member being deformable in accordance with the movement of the developing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a fixing device comprising a heater for heating a sheet on which an image is formed and a non-volatile memory in which characteristic information of the heater is stored. The fixing device is replaceable. In a case where the fixing device is replaced, the image forming apparatus starts to supply power to the heater before completing to read the characteristic information from the fixing device replaced. Due to this, the image forming apparatus can promptly heat the heater of the fixing device than before.

Abstract: A microscope, method and computer program for obtaining quantitative phase images by digital holographic microscopy. The microscope includes: a coherent light source (1) and a beam splitter (3) for generating an object beam (Lo) for illuminating a sample, and a reference beam (Lr); an optical system with a main optical path making up a telecentric afocal system, and a reference optical path; and recording means (12) recording a hologram of said sample in the image plane of the optical system. The method includes recording a hologram in the image plane of an optical telecentric afocal system. The computer program is adapted for implementing part of the steps of the method.

Abstract: Briefly stated, technologies are generally described for providing a computer-generated holography (CGH). Example devices/systems described herein may use one or more of a server device and/or a client device. The server device may be configured to provide CGH data to a client device including a holographic image display unit. The server device may receive information on the holographic image display unit from the client device, calculate the CGH data from three-dimensional image data and the information on the holographic image display unit, and/or transmit the CGH data to the client device. The client device may be configured to provide a holographic image. The client device may reconstruct the holographic image on the holographic image display unit using CGH data and a reconstruction beam, transmit information on the holographic image display unit to the server device, and/or receive the CGH data from the server device.

Abstract: [Problem] A penlight used for decoration or as a flashlight for the purpose of illuminating the surroundings lacks functionality for optimal enjoyment of a hologram, and no conventional illumination device for a hologram has decorative effect. [Solution] The present invention has a hologram support unit, a light source, and a light diffuser, and by primarily irradiating the light diffuser from the light source, decorative effect is increased, and primarily a hologram image region can be illuminated from a predetermined angle from the same light source or a different light source. Appropriate observation is made possible by making note to an observer on a portion of a medium material integrated with a hologram material whether to irradiate illuminating light from above or irradiate illuminating light from below.

Abstract: Magnetic cylinder escapement, comprising a regulating wheel set cooperating with an escape wheel comprising actuators (6) at the periphery of a first disc, each comprising a first impulse part and a second stop part, generating or guiding magnetic fields parallel to the pivot axes, and arranged to work in attraction, via the first disc, with a second non-magnetically charged, soft ferromagnetic disc integral with the regulating wheel set, the mechanism comprising a conductive ferromagnetic plate, underneath but not in contact with the first disc, comprising a cutout surrounding, in a contactless manner, the periphery of the second disc, with a variable air-gap, and closing a magnetic circuit comprising an actuator, the first disc, the second disc, and a structure in which the escape wheel pivots and which carries the plate.

Abstract: A one-piece arbor of a pivoting movable timepiece component, the one-piece arbor being made of one or more aligned parts. The one-piece arbor is magnetically inhomogeneous.

Abstract: A display assembly including a display including a light source and a semi-transparent element for showing the display only when the display is activated, wherein the semi-transparent element includes a mother-of-pearl dial under which is disposed a semi-reflective element.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying the response capabilities of a control effector include processing, in a test module, at least command data and sensor data associated with the control effector to generate control effector health data representative of control effector health. The control effector health data are processed in a reasoner to selectively indict and clear one or more faults, determine a failure is uncertain based on the one or more indicted faults, determine one or more test excitation signals to supply to the control effector to verify whether the uncertain failure is present or absent, and supply the one or more test excitation signals to a controller that is in operable communication with the control effector.

Abstract: System and method for safely controlling the containment of gas within a manifold system and the delivery of gas to a sample holder for an electron microscope for imaging and analysis.

Abstract: A power management apparatus (120) includes management information storage unit (121) capable of storing a condition under which each consumer management apparatus (100) receives power (first condition) and a condition under which each consumer management apparatus (100) supplies power (second condition), power control unit (123) for supplying or received power to or from the consumer management apparatuses (110), and information control unit (122) for controlling the consumer management apparatus (110) and power control unit (123). Each consumer management apparatus (110) includes a distributed power supply (111), a load (112), and control unit (113) that controls the distributed power supply 112.

Abstract: An availability prediction apparatus includes an access section that accesses a storage section and a prediction section. The storage section stores availability specified periods occurred before a present time associated with respective frequencies of the availability specified periods, and the access section acquires the availability specified periods from the storage section. The prediction section predicts at least one target availability specified period within a prediction term, which begins at the present time and ends at a time later than the present time by a predetermined term. The prediction section includes a correlating section that correlates the availability specified periods with candidate periods included in the prediction term, and a selection section that specifies and selects one of the candidate periods having a highest occurrence probability as the target availability specified period.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a platform for monitoring the availability of facility equipment. The platform may include a facility equipment monitoring tool with access to configuration data for one or more facilities. The platform allows for deployment of a mobile client application across a plurality of mobile devices to facilitate performance of walk-through inspections (i.e., rounds) of equipment within respective facilities, and to provide real-time equipment availability indicators and other status indicators via a user interface of the application. The data collected during walk-through inspections may be logged and uploaded to a central server system and stored in a data repository. The platform may further provide a network-accessible monitoring dashboard for viewing real-time, and historical, data regarding the walk-through inspections performed at various facilities, and an administrative user interface to update configuration data in the data repository of the central server system.

Abstract: A system is provided, including a plurality of inter-connected premises management devices, each premises management device including a storage device, a memory that stores computer executable components, and a processor that executes the following computer executable components stored in the memory: a primary function component to control a primary function of the premises management device related to managing a premises, a communication component to locate and to communicate with other compatible premises management devices, and a computational component to process system related tasks. Each premises management device is configured to function as part of a unit comprising one or more devices that collectively form a primary system processor when the present primary system processor assigns the respective premises management device to the unit. The primary system processor processes system level tasks.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to learn and share remote commands are disclosed. An example method to configure a playback device to be controlled by a remote control includes receiving by the playback device a first code for a first command from the remote control. The example method includes identifying by the playback device a second code for a second command based on the received first code. The example method includes receiving by the playback device the second code from the remote control. The example method includes executing the second command by the playback device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring equipment in a semiconductor manufacturing facility. A processing device maintains baseline measurement record generated from measurements performed by a plurality of tools over a first time range. A measurement record is received, the measurement record corresponding to a measurement performed on a wafer, the wafer having been processed by a first tool of the plurality of tools. The measurement record is stored in a drift candidate table corresponding to a second time range. A determination is made as to whether the measurement record satisfy a set of excursion rules in view of the drift candidate table, and, in response to the determination, the measurement record is stored in an alert table.

Abstract: A system-on-chip (SoC) includes a logic circuit having a scan flip-flop and a an on-chip clock controller. The scan flip-flop is configured to store data using a passive keeper. The on-chip clock controller is configured to receive a reference clock for driving the logic circuit, to generate an internal clock based on a high-state interval of the reference clock, and to provide the internal clock to the scan flip-flop.

Abstract: A motion control system includes a motion control application generated by a motion control system designer, a motion control component defining an application programming interface comprising an API function, and a security system comprising security settings for determining access by the motion control application to an API function of the application programming interface. A motion control application comprises an API function call. The motion control application makes an API function call to the motion control component. The motion control component generates a motion control command based on the API function call. The security system limits generation by the motion control component of a motion control command based on the security settings. The motion device performs the motion task based on the motion control command.

Abstract: To provide a microchip-type optical measuring apparatus which is able to automatically perform position adjustment of a microchip with respect to an optical axis of laser with high accuracy. A microchip-type optical measuring apparatus includes an irradiation detection unit which detects light generated by irradiating a microchip with laser, a position adjustment unit which changes a relative position of the microchip with respect to the irradiation detection unit, and a control unit which outputs a movement signal for a position in which an integrated value or an average value of a detected intensity of the light in a preset region becomes high to the position adjustment unit.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed that provides assistance to disabled individuals when utilizing public spaces. In the approach, a wireless message is received at a detector of the system with the wireless message being from a device worn by a disabled individual. The wireless message includes impairment data pertaining to the disabled individual. In addition, reception of the wireless message indicates that the disabled individual has entered a physical area that provides accommodations to disabled individuals. The approach identifies an impairment pertaining to the disabled individual and adjusts a device setting of a device in the physical area based on the identified impairment of the disabled individual.

Abstract: Example systems and methods may allow for parallel operation of robotic devices within a workcell, such as industrial robots controlled to manufacture an output product. One example method includes receiving ordered sequences of operations for a plurality of corresponding robotic devices, determining time-based sequences of operations for each of the robotic devices, where a time-based sequence of operations indicates positions within the workcell at corresponding timesteps of a global timeline, determining one or more potential collisions involving the robotic devices that would result from parallel execution of the time-based sequences of operations within the workcell, modifying the time-based sequences of operations in order to prevent the one or more potential collisions, and providing instructions for parallel execution of the modified time-based sequences of operations at timesteps of the global timeline by the robotic devices within the workcell.

Abstract: An adjustment apparatus capable of adjusting various types of processing units of a substrate processing apparatus within a shorter period of time is disclosed. The adjustment apparatus includes a main operation device configured to manipulate the processing units and adjust the designated operations, terminal operation devices configured to manipulate the processing units and adjust the designated operations, a network that connects the processing units and the main operation device to each other; and connecting devices configured to connect the terminal operation devices to the network and disconnect the terminal operation devices from the network. Each of the terminal operation devices is configured to be able to manipulate at least one of the processing units.

Abstract: An industrial control system is provided that includes a first control set, having a first frame period. The first control set includes at least one first input/output (I/O) pack; and at least one first controller. The industrial control system also has a second control set with a second frame period. The second control set includes at least one second input/output (I/O) pack; and at least one second controller. A mixed-frame rate logic device is also included with the industrial control system. This device may handle sharing of input data, output data, or both provided by the first control set to the second control set when the first and second frame periods are different.

Abstract: A method and system for linking sensor data to metrology data and metrology data to sensor data is described herein. In one embodiment, a user selection of metrology data for a product is received, related process tool fault detection summary for the selected metrology data for the product is presented, a user selection of a process tool from the process tool fault detection summary is received, and related fault detection details for the selected process tool are presented.

Abstract: A testing method of a human-computer combination quality testing system includes steps of: after manufacture, importing relevant CAD models, submitting the CAD models to a digital testing part for being examined; if a product is determined to be unqualified, returning the product for retreatment; if the product is determined to be qualified, submitting the product to a manual testing part for being examined by relevant inspectors; if the product is determined to be qualified by the inspectors, leaving the product as a qualified product; if the product is determined to be unqualified by the inspectors, returning the product for retreatment; then changing the relevant rule with a rule corrector of a system improving part according to a misjudging condition of the digital testing part; describing a corrected rule, which is corrected by the developer, by a rule descriptor; then applying the corrected rule to a system by a rule parser.

Abstract: A method, a computer program product, and a computer system for identifying significant and consumable-insensitive trace features. A computer computes a residual in a first regression of one or more secondary factors on a target. The computer computes residuals in a second regression of the one or more secondary factors on each of one or more trace features in one or more trace feature sets. The computer computes, for the one or more trace feature sets, coefficients of determination in a third regression of the residuals in the second regression on the residual in the first regression. The computer ranks the one or more trace feature sets by sorting the coefficient of determination. The computer determines, based on rankings of the one or more trace feature sets, significant trace feature sets.

Abstract: A monitoring system has a vehicle and a monitoring device. The vehicle is movable along a predetermined route, and the monitoring device is mounted to the vehicle. The monitoring device has a sensor configured to monitor an environmental parameter and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to record the monitored environmental parameter along the predetermined route as data points associated with time tags, record position information, and associate the position information with corresponding time tags. The number of time tags associated with the position information is less than the number of time tags associated with the monitored environmental parameter. A server is configured to receive and display a visualized presentation of the recorded monitored environmental parameter and the recorded position information.

Abstract: A method and system for providing simultaneous localization of defects in both the time and frequency domain. A high frequency repeating pattern is written on media, and the pattern is read to generate a readback signal, which is converted into ADC samples. The ADC samples are analyzed, in-line, to determine the type of wavelet, level of decomposition, and threshold level for a wavelet transform of the particular readback signal. The wavelet transform provides details and/or approximations (wavelet coefficients) that are analyzed to determine the type, location, and duration of any identified defects. Any noise in the details and/or approximations (wavelet coefficients) is removed by a wavelet based denoising operation. Flags indicating the type, location, and duration of any defects are generated so that the defects may be mapped.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing a rescue operation of an individual. The method comprises maintaining, by an individual engaged in an activity, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) associated with and in proximity to the individual. For storage at the UAV, the individual records at a recording device a message. A sensor device is configured to detect a situation requiring a need to rescue the individual at a current location, and generates a trigger signal in response to a detection. In response to the receipt of the trigger signal, a current GPS location of the individual is recorded and a launching of the UAV to traverse a flight-path to a destination location. At or before arriving at the destination location, the UAV contemporaneously provides the stored recorded message and current GPS location of the individual to an emergency response authority to inform of the individual's situation and location.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes receiving, by the UAV, flight information describing a job to perform an inspection of a rooftop. A particular altitude is ascended to, and an inspection of the rooftop is performed including obtaining sensor information describing the rooftop. Location information identifying a damaged area of the rooftop is received. The damaged area of the rooftop is traveled to. An inspection of the damaged area of the rooftop is performed including obtaining detailed sensor information describing the damaged area. A safe landing location is traveled to.

Abstract: Example systems and methods are disclosed for determining vehicle pose data for an autonomous vehicle. The vehicle computer system may receive pose data from multiple pose measurement systems of the autonomous vehicle. Each pose measurement system may include one or more corresponding sensors of the autonomous vehicle. The vehicle computer system may determine a pose data quality for the received pose data for each pose measurement system. The vehicle computer system may set the vehicle pose data to the pose data of the pose measurement system with the highest pose data quality. The vehicle computer system may control the autonomous vehicle based on the vehicle pose data.

Abstract: A method selects from a memory a first model of motion of vehicle, a second model of the motion of the vehicle, a first constraint on the first model for moving along a desired trajectory of the vehicle, and a control invariant set joining states of the first model with states of the second model. For each combination of the states within the control invariant subset there is at least one control action to the second model that maintains the state of the second model within the control invariant set for every modification of the state of the first model satisfying the first constraint. A portion of the desired trajectory satisfying the first constraint is determined using the first model while a sequence of commands for moving the vehicle along the portion of the desired trajectory is determined using the second model.

Abstract: Self-driving vehicles have unlimited potential to learn and predict human behavior and perform actions accordingly. Several embodiments described herein enable a self-driving vehicle to monitor human activity and predict when and where the human will be located and whether the human needs a ride from the self-driving vehicle. Self-driving vehicles will be able to perform such tasks with incredible efficacy and accuracy that will allow self-driving vehicles to proliferate at a much faster rate than would otherwise be the case.

Abstract: In embodiments of an autonomous vehicle interface system, system nodes are each implemented as a distributed node for independent data processing of low-level sensor data and/or high-level system data. The high-level system data is abstracted from the low-level sensor data, providing invariance to system configuration in higher-level processing algorithms. The autonomous vehicle interface system includes at least one real-time bus for data communications of the low-level sensor data and the high-level system data between the system nodes. The system also includes an application programming interface (API) configured for access by the system nodes to the low-level sensor data and the high-level system data that is published on the real-time bus and accessible via the API.