Abstract: The driving force transmission apparatus, in which on at least one of portions of a first rotary member and a second rotary member opposed to each other under a state in which a driving rotary member and a driven rotary member are opposed to each other through a first non-engaging portion, includes a non-contact portion at which the first rotary member and the second rotary member are prevented from being brought into contact with each other is formed, wherein the non-contact portion is configured to cut torque transmitted from a driven member side to the first rotary member side through the second rotary member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit and a static eliminating unit. The transfer unit transfers a toner image formed on an image holding body to a recording medium. The static eliminating unit is disposed downstream of the transfer unit in a transport direction in which the recording medium is transported, stores electric charge while the recording medium is passing through a recording medium transfer region, and releases the electric charge when a leading edge of the recording medium enters the recording medium transfer region.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes halogen lamp heaters, an AC power supply, a temperature detection unit and a control unit. The heaters have a same light distribution and heat a fixing member of an image fixing unit. The detection unit detects a temperature of the fixing member. The control unit determines a combination of the heaters based on output of the detection unit and applies a drive voltage of a half-wave of an AC waveform of the AC power supply to a heater of the heaters. The half-wave is selected based on an application pattern having a duty cycle of a predetermined value or more. The heaters include at least one heater which generates a heat amount being a minimum heat amount required for fixing or less when turned on with the application pattern having the duty cycle of the predetermined value.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a first heater for heating a first roller, a second heater for heating a second roller, a first sensor for detecting a temperature of a region of an endless belt supported by the first roller, a second sensor for detecting a temperature of a region of the endless belt supported by the second roller, and a controller for controlling energization to the first heater and to the second heater. The controller executes a first mode in which the energization to the first heater is controlled using an output of the first sensor and the energization to the second heater is controlled using an output of the second sensor, and a second mode in which the energization to the first heater and the second heater is controlled using the output of the first sensor without using the output of the second sensor.

Abstract: Provided is an image heating apparatus including: a heater having a plurality of heating elements arranged in a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of the recording material; and a control portion that controls electric power to be supplied to the plurality of heating elements and is capable of individually controlling the plurality of heating elements, the image heating apparatus heating an image formed on the recording material with heat by the heater, wherein the control portion sets a heating condition when controlling each of the plurality of heating elements, according to the thermal history of a heating region heated by one heating element and the thermal history of a heating region heated by a heating element adjacent to the one heating element.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressing member, a charger and an air discharging device. The fixing member is rotatably provided and heated by a heat source. The pressing member is rotatably provided and brought into pressure contact with the fixing member to form a fixing nip through which a sheet having a toner image is passed. The charger is disposed to oppose to the fixing member and applies an electric charge of the same polarity as a toner constituting the toner image to a surface of the fixing member. The air discharging device discharges an air flow passed between the fixing member and the charger via a filter.

Abstract: A fixing device, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes a heater, a heating target body, a biasing body, a pressure body, a moving body, a drive source, and a drive transmitter. The heating target body is configured to be heated by the heater. The biasing body is configured to apply a biasing force. The pressure body is configured to be pressed by the biasing body toward the heating target body. The moving body is configured to move the pressure body away from the heating target body against the biasing force applied by the biasing body. The drive source is configured to apply a driving force. The drive transmitter is configured to transmit the driving force of the drive source to the moving body and includes a planetary gear device and a worm gear.

Abstract: A pressure and pressure relief device includes a rotator, a pressure body, a first pressure lever, and a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism includes a first elastic body, a second pressure lever, a cam, and a cam follower. A relations of L1>L3, L2>L4, and L3<L4 are satisfied. L1 represents a length between a first fulcrum of the first pressure lever and a point of load of the first pressure lever. L2 represents a length between the point of load of the first pressure lever and a hook portion of the first pressure lever. L3 represents a length between a pivot of the second pressure lever and a second fulcrum of the second pressure lever. L4 represents a length between the second fulcrum of the second pressure lever and a fastened portion of the second pressure lever.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing roller heated to a predetermined temperature by a heater; a pressure belt in pressure contact with the fixing roller; and a pressing part which presses the pressure belt toward the fixing roller. The fixing device adopts a belt-nip system and fixes a toner image formed on a recording medium to the recording medium by heat and pressure while the recording medium is nipped and conveyed through a nip part. The nip part is formed by the fixing roller and the pressure belt and includes an adhesion nip and a separation nip. The pressing part includes a pressing member, a sheet member which covers the pressing surface of the pressing member along a conveying direction of the recording medium, and a pressing fluid which is filled at the adhesion nip between the pressing member and the sheet member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an ID sensor arranged to face an intermediate transfer belt, and a board provided with the ID sensor. The ID sensor is integrally formed with the board and while emitting light toward the intermediate transfer belt, the ID sensor includes a sensor body that individually receives light regularly reflected and light diffused and reflected by the intermediate transfer belt, a lens that is arranged between the sensor body and the intermediate transfer belt to control emitted light from the sensor body and incident light to the sensor body, and a holding member that holds the lens. The holding member is directly welded and fixed to the board.

Abstract: A device for detecting a travel distance of a sheet is provided. The device includes a light source for irradiating the sheet surface; an imaging sensor for capturing an image of a pattern of the sheet surface by light reflected from the sheet; a discrete Fourier transformation portion for performing discrete Fourier transformation on two patterns obtained by image capturing at a time interval by the imaging sensor; a high wave number component removal portion for using a threshold determined based on a cycle of concave-convex of the sheet surface to remove a high wave number component from the two patterns having been subjected to the discrete Fourier transformation; and a travel distance calculation portion for determining a travel distance of the sheet based on a phase relationship between the two patterns from which the high wave number component removal portion has removed the high wave number component.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mirror position adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting a position of a return mirror. The return mirror is used in a state in which its position is adjusted such that a gravity center position of the return mirror is separated from a rotational axis of the return mirror by the mirror position adjustment mechanism in a sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly including an image forming portion; a rotatable member capable of feeding a sheet and configured to rotate; and a detecting unit including an interrelating member configured to rotate in interrelation with rotation of the rotatable member, a detecting member configured to detect rotation of the interrelating member, and a holding member configured to integrally hold the interrelating member and the detecting member. The interrelating member, the detecting member and the holding member are integrally assembled into a unit. The detecting unit is detachably mountable to the main assembly.

Abstract: A paper feed device of the present disclosure is provided with a first cassette and a second cassette, a casing, and a support member. The first cassette and the second cassette are arranged side by side in a cassette width direction. The casing has a cassette housing portion. The support member is capable of supporting the first cassette and the second cassette. Each of the first cassette and the second cassette is provided with a pressing portion. In a state where the first cassette and the second cassette are housed, the support member is disposed at a first position retracted upward, while in a state where at least one of the first cassette and the second cassette is pulled out, the support member is pressed downward by the pressing portion so as to be disposed at a second position where the support member is contactable with an installation surface.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a creasing unit; a support supporting a sheet on which a crease has been formed, a folding roller folding the sheet supported by the support while rotating at a folding speed, a thrusting member moving at a thrust speed higher than the folding speed, and to thrust the sheet such that the sheet is folded at a position where the crease has been formed, and a control unit performing control such that a difference between a folding speed of the folding roller and a thrust speed of the thrusting member, in a case in which the folding roller folds a first number of sheets, is smaller than a difference between the folding speed and the thrust speed, in a case in which the folding roller folds a second number of sheets that is larger than the first number of sheets.

Abstract: A recording medium ejecting device includes ejecting trays, a guiding member and a switching mechanism. The guiding member is switchable between a first posture to permit ejection of a recording medium on one ejecting tray and a second posture to restrict the ejection of the recording medium on the one ejecting tray. The switching mechanism switches the guiding member between the first posture and the second posture. The switching mechanism includes pulleys, a driving belt and a pressing member. The driving belt is wound around the pulleys. The pressing member presses the guiding member. The driving belt includes a contactable area configured to be contactable with each of the pulleys and a contact restricted area whose contact with each of the pulleys is restricted. The pressing member catches the contact restricted area from both an outer face side and an inner face side.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that controls to cut off exciting currents supplied to a plurality of motors to drive conveyance roller pairs after a leading end of a paper sheet is brought in contact with a registration roller pair, and, when cutting off the exciting currents, cut off the exciting current for at least one of the motors at a different timing from the other motors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer body; an image formation unit, configured to form a toner image on the intermediate transfer body; a transfer unit, arranged opposite the intermediate transfer body, configured to transfer the toner image onto a recording medium at a secondary transfer position; a first cleaning unit configured to collect toner of the toner image; a conveyance unit configured to convey the recording medium along a conveyance path; a jam detection unit configured to detect a jam of the recording medium conveyed on the conveyance path; a jam processing unit configured to transfer residual toner, which is not transferred onto the recording medium when the jam is detected by the jam detection unit, from the intermediate transfer body to the transfer unit; and a second cleaning unit configured to collect the residual toner on the transfer unit.

Abstract: A drive transmission device includes a rotation shaft, a drive transmitter attached to the rotation shaft to slide in an axial direction and including an engaging portion extending in the axial direction, and a coil spring to bias the drive transmitter to one side in the axial direction, and a shaft-side drive transmitter disposed on the rotation shaft. The coil spring includes a sparse portion and a dense portion. The shaft-side drive transmitter engages the engaging portion to prevent the drive transmitter from disengaging from the rotation shaft. The coil spring and the engaging portion satisfy C>A?B where A represents a length of the coil spring in a state in which the shaft-side drive transmitter retains the drive transmitter, B represents a compressed height of the coil spring, and C represents a length of the coil spring in the axial direction.

Abstract: The image reading unit (2) reads an image from a document. The image forming unit (3) is located below the image reading unit (2) and forms an image on a sheet. The operation unit (5) is rotatably supported at a position forward of the image reading unit (2) and receives user's operation. The post-process unit (7) is provided between the image reading unit (2) and the image forming unit (3), and has, at a position interfering with the rotation range of the operation unit (5), a retracted portion (772) retracted rearward in the post-process unit (7). The post-process unit (7) performs a post-process on a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit (3).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first frame member and a second frame member which are aligned in a direction of a rotation axis of an image bearing member and faces each other across an image forming unit and a stacking unit. The first frame member includes a first portion including a first side surface facing the image forming unit and a second portion, which is fixed to the first portion, including a second side surface facing the stacking unit. The second frame member includes a third side surface facing the image forming unit and the stacking unit, and at least a part of the second side surface is provided in a position different from a position of the first side surface in the direction of the rotation axis of the image bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an imaging unit attachable/detachable at a predetermined position of an apparatus body. The imaging unit includes a locking member and a cover member. The locking member is configured so as to move between a lock position engaging with the apparatus body when the imaging unit is attached to the predetermined position and a lock release position releasing engaging with the apparatus body. The cover member is attached to/detached from the imaging unit in a first direction. The cover member has a connecting part making possible to be attached to the imaging unit in a second direction. When the cover member is attached to the imaging unit in the second direction, the connecting part moves the locking member from the lock position to the lock release position and the imaging unit becomes a state capable of being detached from the predetermined position.

Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a first gear rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction, and a second gear rotatable in a rotation direction about a second axis extending in the axial direction. The second gear includes: an engagement portion engageable with gear teeth of the first gear; a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding in the axial direction. The first and second protrusions extend to be spaced apart from each other in the rotation direction. The first protrusion has first end and a second end defining a first angle therebetween about the second axis. The second protrusion has a third end and a fourth end farther away from the first protrusion than the third end is in the rotation direction. The second end and the third end define a second angle therebetween about the second axis. The first angle is smaller than the second angle.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a first gear, a second gear rotatable with rotation of the first gear, and a first protrusion movable together with the second gear. The first gear includes a first gear portion and a second gear portion having an addendum circle greater than that of the first gear portion. The second gear includes a third gear portion and a fourth gear portion having an addendum circle smaller than that of the third gear portion. During rotation of the second gear from a first rotational position to a second rotational position, the third and fourth gear portions move from a first position where the first and third gear portions engage with each other but the second and fourth gear portions do not to a second position where the second and fourth gear portions engage with each other but the first and third gear portions do not.

Abstract: A toner case includes a case main body, a rotator, a transmitter and a turner. The rotator is stored in the case main body and rotates around a rotation axis. The transmitter transmits rotation to the rotator. A part of the transmitter is exposed to an outside of the case main body. The turner is provided at an outside of the case main body in a rotation axis direction. The turner is turnable between a first posture and a second posture. At least a part of the turner is moved to an outside in the rotation axis direction as the turner turns from the first posture to the second posture. The transmitter moves from a first position to a second position which is arranged at an outside of the first position in the rotation axis direction as the turner turns from the first posture to the second posture.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body) and an automatic document feeder mounted on the apparatus main body are provided, and a cable-side connector provided at a front end of an electrical cable extending from the automatic document feeder is removably connected to a board-side connector provided on a circuit board of the apparatus main body. In this configuration, an opening portion is provided in a back face of a housing of the apparatus main body at a position opposing the board-side connector, a lid that covers this opening portion is attached to a front end portion of the electrical cable by an attachment member, and this lid is configured so as to be attachable to the opening portion by a hook and fixing by screwing by means of a screw insertion boss.

Abstract: A process cartridge is provided. The process cartridge includes a housing, a rotator rotatably mounted in the housing, and a support mounted on the housing. The rotator includes a rotation unit and a drive unit coupled to the rotation unit. The drive unit further comprises a drive transmission device and an actuating rod coupled to the drive transmission device. The support includes a notch allowing the actuating rod to pass through. When the actuating rod receives an applied force, the actuating rod swings in a plane defined by a longitudinal direction and a horizontal direction of the process cartridge.

Abstract: Watch comprising a movement, with a balance comprising a ring distinct from the balance rim, elastically fixed to a flange with respect to which this ring is movable in rotation to modify the position of inertia blocks elastically carried by the flange, each able to be indexed in different stable angular positions corresponding to a different inertia of the balance, the movement including an operating member movable between coupled and uncoupled positions which includes a stop means for immobilizing the rim in a coupled position, and a control means for rotating the ring to modify the position of the inertia blocks in the coupled position, the watch including a crown controlling the control means, a rotating coupling ring controlling the coupling/uncoupling of the operating member through contactless interaction with an external adjustment tool.

Abstract: A wearable terminal apparatus includes an enclosure, a dial provided in the enclosure and having on-dial markings, a first timepiece hand, a second timepiece hand, a third timepiece hand, a processing section that controls rotation of the first timepiece hand, the second timepiece hand, and the third timepiece hand, and a measured value acquisition section that acquires a measured value. The processing section controls placement of the timepiece hands among the on-dial markings in such a way that the first timepiece hand is placed in a position corresponding to a lower limit value of the measured value, the second timepiece hand is placed in a position corresponding to an upper limit value of the measured value, and the third timepiece hand is placed in a position corresponding to the measured value.

Abstract: The timepiece movement is provided with an analog display device for an item of information whose value varies periodically or intermittently, this analog display device including an indicator for said information provided with a toothing and a mechanism for the periodic or intermittent driving of the indicator, this mechanism comprising a rotating wheel set whose pinion, in a meshing relationship with the toothing, is formed of two pins which are diametrically opposite relative to the rotational axis of the rotating wheel set, these two pins being configured to alternately penetrate successive hollows in the toothing and to form a self-locking system when the timepiece movement is subjected to shocks. Each of the two pins has, in a general plane of the toothing perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotating wheel set, a transverse profile having a first outer portion substantially in the arc of a circle centered on the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A timepiece escapement mechanism including a resonator and an escape wheel arranged to cooperate with this resonator directly or indirectly through a stopper forming part of this escapement mechanism, this escape wheel including a succession of tracks carrying magnetic or electrostatic field potential ramps arranged to cooperate with the resonator or respectively with the stopper, this escapement mechanism comprising a non-return device arranged to oppose the recoil of the escape wheel, and the stopper cooperates, on the one hand, with a plate forming part of the resonator and, on the other, with these magnetic or electrostatic field potential ramps by at least one pole shoe forming part of the stopper and arranged to move in the field corresponding to the magnetic or electrostatic field potential ramps.

Abstract: An adjustable alarm indicator of an alarm application is described. The adjustable alarm indicator may be presented in connection with an alarm setting sequence. The adjustable alarm indicator may include a variable element having a variable annular shape, a first element associated with a first end of the variable element, and a second element associated with a second end of the variable element. The first element may be independently moveable to adjust the size of the variable element. The second element also may be independently moveable to adjust the size of the variable element.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a timer unit, a timepiece-side communication unit, a timepiece-side daylight saving time information storage unit and a processor. The timer unit counts local time at a current position. The timepiece-side communication unit communicates with an external device. The timepiece-side daylight saving time information storage unit stores daylight saving time implementation information therein at least at the current position. The processor corrects the local time in correspondence to an implementation situation of daylight saving time at the current position, based on the daylight saving time implementation information, acquires update information of the daylight saving time implementation information from the external device through the timepiece-side communication unit and reflects the acquired update information in the daylight saving time implementation information.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing performance of an appliance. The method includes collecting user feedback and/or performance data related to an operating cycle of an appliance. This collected data is transmitted to a remote server which provides a recommendation, based on the user feedback and/or performance data, for improving the performance of the appliance during a subsequent operating cycle. In addition, feedback related to one appliance may be used to make operating adjustments to another appliance. In this manner, closed loop feedback can be used to improve and optimize the operation of one or more appliances.

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

Abstract: A server computer system connected to a first communications network and including: an instrument communications component configured to communicate with and control a plurality of biological reagent instruments using the first communications network; and a user interface component configured to cause user interface (UI) instances to be displayed by a client computer device connected by a second communications network to said server computer system; wherein said UI instances control respective virtual pods representing one or more of said biological reagent instruments.

Abstract: A method, presentation control arrangement and a computer program product enables a user of a process control system to obtain details of a process control object. Distances between a mobile terminal of the user and process control objects in an area around the mobile terminal are determined as well as the closest process control object to the mobile terminal, process data of this object is obtained and presented together with a representation of the object on a display of the mobile terminal, where the representation of the closest process control object is emphasized compared with the presentation of other process control objects and the amount of process data being presented is dependent on the distance between the mobile terminal and the process control object.

Abstract: The obtainment unit obtains information indicative of a content of manual-operation performed by a user regarding control of an intended apparatus from a group of loads, and stores it as manual-operation information including an obtaining time. The identification unit identifies a type of control of the manual-operation information. The determination unit counts the number of times of obtaining the manual-operation information within a counting period equal to two days or more, for each type and for each time period, and determines whether the number of times of obtaining the same type of manual-operation information within the same time period is equal to a predetermined threshold or more. When the number of times of obtaining the same type of manual-operation information within the same time period is determined to be equal to the predetermined threshold or more, the schedule change unit changes a control schedule based on this manual-operation information.

Abstract: A low-cost, simple ultrasonic sensing system has an increased detection range. The ultrasonic sensing system may be implemented as part of a load control system for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load. The load control system may comprise a load control device for controlling the power delivered to the electrical load, an ultrasonic receiver for receiving ultrasonic waves characterized by an ultrasonic frequency, and an ultrasonic transmitter located remotely from the ultrasonic receiver. The load control device controls the power delivered to the electrical load in response to the ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic receiver. The load control device may include the ultrasonic receiver and may be a wall-mounted load control device. The ultrasonic receiver may be a wireless ultrasonic receiver for transmitting wireless signals to the load control device in response to the ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic receiver.

Abstract: Disclosed are control apparatus and methods for direct control in automated drilling. The control apparatus can include a display, a control unit, and an input device for receiving a plurality of measurements comprising one or more of present depth, present bit position, inclination, azimuth, top drive position, magnetic toolface, gravity toolface, a target control parameter. The control apparatus is configured to generate a drill string position indicator relating to a present depth and a present bit position. The control unit is configured to generate a vertical bar graph inclination indicator and a horizontal bar graph display azimuth indicator. The control unit is configured to generate a top drive position index. The control unit is configured to generate a toolface rosebud and a control parameter display. The control unit is configured to iteratively update the display in substantially real time.

Abstract: A process for calculating feasibility of an electrical energy consumption management system (CMS) includes receiving a first historical energy consumption profile of an energy consumer for a first time period and a second historical energy consumption profile of the energy consumer for a second time period, wherein the second time period is after the first time period. The process may also include determining a setpoint for a CMS, wherein the CMS has hardware specifications, and wherein the setpoint is based on the first historical energy consumption profile and the hardware specifications. Next, an energy savings that would be produced by the CMS over the second time period is determined and a feasibility rating is assigned to the CMS based on the first energy savings and the first hardware specifications. A customer may thereby determine or optimize the effectiveness of a CMS at his site before it is purchased and installed.

Abstract: The examples herein offer an improved, more integrated implementation of lighting control and building management control, e.g. within the same gateway or cloud computing/control element(s), via an integrated software architecture. A visualization platform of the software architecture provides an integrated user interface via network communication of the computing element with a user terminal device. The integrated user interface offers the user an integrated view of status of building automation control (BAC) appliances and luminaires within the premises, as well as integrated access to control operations of the BAC appliances and the luminaires. For example, the overall system of integrated lighting and building management control may offer a ‘single pane of glass’ type user interface for lighting and other managed operations in the premises.

Abstract: A remote diagnostic system for remotely diagnosing and developing a dynamic system including a dynamic system being controlled by a first control system and a device model being controlled by a second control system. The device model simulates the dynamic system and inputs and corresponding outputs are recorded to test the control system and operation of the dynamic system. During operation the dynamic systems inputs and outputs are recorded. The dynamic system input and outputs may then be compared to the device model inputs and outputs to check the accuracy of the device model. The device model may then be updated based on the results of the comparison.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for adaptively controlling functions of a target system by conditions or by users by controlling the target system based on operating environment of the target system. An adaptive system control apparatus includes an operating environment identification module configured to identify operating environment of a target system based on the sensing data detected by a sensor; a system state estimation module configured to estimate current state of the target system based on the identified operating environment information; a system control module configured to control the target system based on the estimated current state information; and a control result learning module configured to learn the control result of the target system by receiving feedback data from a user.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling sensors is provided. The solution comprises an apparatus having a first interface (102) comprising device addresses for connecting sensors (104, 106), each sensor comprising an identification and registers for monitoring and controlling the sensor; a second interface (108) for communicating with external devices. The apparatus is configured to configured to control the second interface (108) to receive a message in symbol format, the message comprising a sender id, a recipient id and the register address of a sensor; to process messages received from external devices, the messages related to sensors; direct using the first interface the message to the register address if the recipient identification is the identification of sensor.

Abstract: The universal astronomical instrumentation control system is completely based on an Open Source architecture in the server- and client-side components. The system is self-contained within a single small factor package using embedded hardware architecture. No desktop or server-side components are required. The system creates a WiFi hotspot that enables mobile/tablet/desktop devices to connect to it and control any astronomical devices attached to the unit. Therefore, no external network is required in order to operate the device. The system is not limited to canonical devices. Any device with an INDI (Instrument Neutral Distributed Interface) driver can be controlled by the unit. The system's client software is cross-platform and available on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. The system is a consumer-level device designed for fast and easy control of commercially popular astronomical equipment.

Abstract: An outdoor power tool activity monitoring device is provided. The device may include processing circuitry configured for receiving indications of device activity of the outdoor power tool, determining whether the device activity correlates to a predefined work pattern, determining a set of instructions associated with the predefined work pattern in response to the device activity correlating to the predefined work pattern, and initiating provision of the set of instructions to define a programmed response to the predefined work pattern.

Abstract: A field device to determine or monitor a process variable in automation technology The field device meets a safety standard that is required in a given safety-critical application, with a sensor working according to a defined measuring principle, and a control/evaluation unit that processes and evaluates the measuring data delivered by the sensor in uninterrupted sensor measuring mode along at least three redundantly and/or diversely designed measuring channels. The control/evaluation unit has at least two redundant reconfiguration controls assigned to it, and with one of the two redundant reconfiguration controls dynamically or partially dynamically reconfiguring the faulty measuring channel in case of a malfunction in one of the measuring channels.

Abstract: A programmable controller of an embodiment is a programmable controller connected to a device to be a controlled object via a network, and includes a control unit that requests the device to notify an identifier of the device and mode information via the network, the mode information defining a utilized function and an operation method of the device; and a storage unit that stores the identifier and the mode information notified by the device via the network in response to the request.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for providing an assembly formed of a first piece and a best fitted second piece is described. The manufacturing process is carried out by performing at least the following operations: receiving the first piece characterized in accordance with at least a first attribute, selecting the best fitted second piece from a buffer, the selecting based in part upon a best matching value of a second attribute in relation to the first attribute, replacing the selected best fitted second piece with another second piece such that the number of second pieces in the buffer remains about the same, and forming the assembly the first part and the second part to form the assembly.