Abstract: A fixing apparatus for fixing an image onto recording material, includes a heating rotary member, film of a cylindrical shape, and pressure member configured to press the film from inside the film toward the heating rotary member to form a nip portion as an area where the heating rotary member and film contact. The pressure member includes a metallic member extending from an upstream side of a center in a recording material conveyance direction of the nip portion to a downstream side, wherein the recording material on which the image is formed is conveyed while being heated at the nip portion to fix the image onto the recording material. A center of gravity of the metallic member is on the upstream side of the center in the recording material conveyance direction of the nip portion in a cross-section perpendicular to a rotation axis direction of the heating rotary member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit including a fixing belt, a pressurizing rotator that forms a nip portion between the fixing belt and the pressurizing rotator by pressurizing an outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt, a first heating rotator that is provided so as to contact an inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt in the nip portion and heats the fixing belt, and a second heating unit that heats the fixing belt separately from the first heating rotator, wherein a toner to be used has physical properties described in the specification and includes an amorphous resin, a crystalline resin, and paraffin wax having a melting temperature of 60° C. to 80° C., and an absolute value of a difference in a melting temperature between the crystalline resin and the paraffin wax is 10° C. or less.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that, in a case where it is determined that a scaling ratio of the inputted image data does not exceed a predetermined threshold, executes processing for scaling the inputted image and then executes first detection processing that detects an amount of applied toner using image data after scaling, and in a case where it is determined that the scaling ratio of the inputted image data exceeds the predetermined threshold, executes second detection processing that detects the amount of applied toner using the inputted image data prior to scaling and then executes scaling processing after executing the second detection processing.

Abstract: An angle estimator includes correction means for correcting a phase of an error parameter to obtain a corrected error parameter and estimation means for calculating an estimated speed and an estimated angle of the motor based on the corrected error parameter. The error parameter is a function of an angle error representing a difference between an actual angle and an estimated angle of a motor.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes: a replaceable part attached to an image formation device and including an information storage unit having unique identification information stored therein; an error detector which detects an occurrence of an anomaly; an error code storage unit having a first error code and a second error code stored therein, each code indicating a content of error display concerning the anomaly; and a controller which determines whether the replaceable part is of a first type or a second type based on the identification information. The controller outputs a first notification signal indicating a content corresponding to the anomaly of the first error code if the replaceable part is of the first type when the error detector detects the anomaly, and outputs a second notification signal indicating a content corresponding to the anomaly of the second error code if the part is of the second type.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing roller, a voltage applying part, a direct current correcting part and a correction switching part. The developing roller supplies a toner to an image carrier. The voltage applying part applies a superimposed voltage of an alternating current voltage and a direct current voltage to the developing roller. The direct current correcting part corrects the direct current voltage on the basis of variation of an alternating current flowing between the voltage applying part and the developing roller. The correction switching part switches the direct current voltage correcting part between an operating state and a non-operating state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit and an apparatus main body. The fixing unit includes a first rotator, a second rotator, a temperature sensor, a switching mechanism, a switching sensor, and a unit side connector. The temperature sensor outputs a temperature signal corresponding to a temperature of the first rotator. The switching mechanism switches pressure of a fixing nip. The switching sensor outputs a switching signal corresponding to a position of the switching mechanism. The unit side connector is connected to the temperature sensor and the switching sensor. The apparatus main body includes a main body side connector and a controller. The main body side connector is connected to the unit side connector. The controller determines a state of attachment of the fixing unit to the apparatus main body on a basis of the temperature signal and the switching signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms test patches, and detects the adhesion amounts of toner in the test patches. The image forming apparatus calculates an approximate equation approximates the relationship between a developing bias and an adhesion amount of toner, based on the developing biases when the test patches were formed and the adhesion amounts of toner of the test patches. Distance between test patches is {(2n?1)/2} times of value L, where n is a natural number and L is a length of the photo conductor drum in a circumferential direction. The accuracy of toner adhesion amount control can be improved, and image density can be stabilized.

Abstract: A paper feed device includes a plurality of paper feed sections and a selection control section. Selection periods include a specific selection period during which at least two selection signals among a plurality of selection signals are not at a normal level. Non-selection periods include a first normal period, a second normal period, a preceding non-selection period, and a succeeding non-selection period. The preceding non-selection period is between the first normal period and the specific selection period. A specific selection signal among the at least two selection signals is switched from the normal level to a selection level during the preceding non-selection period. The succeeding non-selection period is between the specific selection period and the second normal period. The specific selection signal is switched from the selection level to the normal level during the succeeding non-selection period.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cyclone portion, a bin, a filter, a fan, a detector and a corrector. The cyclone portion separates toner from air containing dispersed toner by centrifugation. The bin stores the toner separated by the cyclone portion. The filter filters the air from which the toner has been separated by the cyclone portion. The fan generates an air flow for discharging the air which has passed through the filter. The detector detects the bin being full of the toner based on a change of a rotation speed of the fan. The corrector corrects the rotation speed of the fan based on a change of a physical property of the air which corresponds to a change of an environmental condition in image formation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly; an door openable and closable relative to the main assembly; a flexible connecting member connecting the door with the main assembly, the connecting member being slidable at least relative to one of the main assembly and the door, wherein the connecting member slides with opening of the door relative to the main assembly; a sliding member swingably supported by the main assembly or the door and slidable relative to the connecting member which slides. When the door is opened, the connecting member contacts, while sliding, a part of the sliding member on one side with respect to a center of swing to press the sliding member, so that the other side with respect to the center of swing of the sliding member urges the connecting member to an urged portion to retard the sliding movement of the connecting member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a frame and a cartridge attachable thereto. The cartridge includes a casing, a storage medium including an electrical contact surface, and a holder positioned at one side of the casing in a first direction. The holder includes a first outer surface holding the electrical contact surface. The first outer surface is movable relative to the casing in a second direction. The frame includes first and second guide surfaces, an electrical contact configured to contact the electrical contact surface, and a support surface. A gap distance between the first and second guide surfaces in the second direction is reduced from a first distance to a second distance in an inserting direction. The electrical contact is positioned farther from an insertion opening of the frame than the first guide surface. A gap distance between the electrical contact and the support surface is greater than the second distance.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner replenishing portion, a waste toner collecting portion, and a toner container. The toner container is attachable to the toner replenishing portion and the waste toner collecting portion. The toner container includes a first lever switchable between first and second positions, and a second lever switchable between third and fourth positions. The toner replenishing portion includes a first actuating portion configured to, while the toner container is being attached to the toner replenishing portion, prohibit an attachment of the toner container, and a second actuating portion configured to switch the second lever to the fourth position. The waste toner collecting portion includes a third actuating portion configured to, while the toner container is being attached to the waste toner collecting portion, prohibit an attachment of the toner container, and a fourth actuating portion configured to switch the first lever to the second position.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes: a developing unit; a drum unit; an urging member; and an electrically-conductive member. The developing unit includes a developing roller. The drum unit includes a photosensitive drum. The developing unit is pivotally movable relative to the drum unit about a pivot axis extending along the developing roller. The urging member is configured to urge the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum. The electrically-conductive member is provided at the developing unit and configured to apply voltage to the developing roller. The electrically-conductive member is made of an electrically-conductive resin. The electrically-conductive member includes a contact portion configured to contact an electric contact provided at an image forming apparatus. The pivot axis and the contact portion define a first distance therebetween. The pivot axis and the urging member define a second distance therebetween. The first distance is smaller than the second distance.

Abstract: There is provided an end member which is disposed in an end portion of a columnar rotating body mounted on an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: a tubular bearing member; and a shaft member held by the bearing member, in which the shaft member includes a rotating shaft which oscillates within a range of 18° or less with respect to a direction along an axis of the bearing member, a rotating force receiving member which is disposed in one end portion of the rotating shaft and is provided with an engaging member which is engaged with a driving shaft of the image forming apparatus main body, and a regulating member which is engaged with or disengaged from the rotating shaft or the rotating force receiving member by pressing, and switches a posture in which the engaging member is engaged with the driving shaft and a posture in which the engaging member is not engaged with the driving shaft.

Abstract: The present image formation apparatus includes a sheet output tray and an apparatus body underlying the sheet output tray, a duct being formed inside the apparatus body, a filter member being attached inside the duct, the filter member having a portion exposed outside the apparatus body, the filter member's exposed portion also serving as a portion of the sheet output tray.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a developing device; a transfer section; a fixing section; a conveyance path through which a recording sheet is conveyed; an air path guiding air taken from an outside of the apparatus to the conveyance path and the developing device; an adjustment member arranged at an outlet port of the air path, branching the air flowing through the air path into directions toward the conveyance path and the developing device, and adjusting volume of the air flowing toward each direction; and a control section controlling the adjustment member in accordance with conveyance status of the recording sheet in the conveyance path, and when no recording sheet exists in the conveyance path, causing the adjustment member to branch the air flowing through the air path so that more air flows toward the developing device than the conveyance path.

Abstract: Monolithic timepiece regulator made in a single plate, having an external rigid element, an internal rigid element, and elastic suspensions connecting the external rigid element to the internal rigid element and enabling oscillatory rotating movements between them. The internal rigid element has arms which are rigidly connected with one another, leaving between each other free angular spaces, and the elastic suspensions are located in these free angular spaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display device having a rotatable display unit (12), the display device including: a display main body (10) having the display unit (12) for displaying various items of information; a rotary unit (20) combined with the display main body (10) and having a rotary weight (25) eccentric from the display main body (10); and a rotary base (30) combined with the display main body (10) or the rotary unit (20) to rotate relative to the display main body (10) or the rotary unit (20), in which the rotary unit (20) and the display main body (10) combined with the rotary unit (20) are rotated relative to the rotary base (30) and aligned in a predetermined direction by gravity acting on the rotary weight (25).

Abstract: The invention concerns an oscillator for a timepiece movement, comprising a staff rigidly connected to a balance carrying first and second bipolar magnets spaced apart from the staff and capable, depending on the angular position of the balance, of being positioned alternately within range of a magnetic field produced by a fixed bipolar magnet, the latter being located on the trajectory of the first and second bipolar magnets and being arranged in such a way that, when one of the bipolar magnets approaches the fixed bipolar magnet, identical polarities are located opposite each other in order to produce a repulsive force. The oscillator further comprises a pallet assembly and an escape wheel for establishing a kinematic connection between a source of energy of the timepiece movement and the balance staff, and arranged in such a way that the balance is capable of having a sustained periodic oscillating movement of an amplitude greater than 90 degrees.

Abstract: Various methods and systems control the power of a process power supply by a control circuit with a controller and several control channels, wherein each control channel comprises an actual value and a target value of a control variable. The systems and methods specify target values of the control variables, determine the actual values of the control variables, determine a selected control channel with the assistance of a selection variable dependent upon the actual value, determine a selected control difference from the target value and the actual value of the selected control channel, and control the control loop with the selected control difference of the selected control channel.

Abstract: A method for transmitting electrical energy is proposed in which between two electrical units electrical current is transmitted by means of a superconductive cable system (4). The two ends of the superconductive cable system (4) are each connected in a current conducting manner to one of the electrical units. A normally conductive cable system. (5) is arranged parallel to the superconductive cable system (4). The function of the superconductive cable system (4) is monitored by a control unit (10). During normal operation. only one end of the normally conductive cable system (5) is connected in a voltage conducting manner to one of the electrical units.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for operating a process plant include multiple user interface devices, each accessing process control data for display in dynamically generated user interfaces, and each operable to transfer device state directly to another device. A first user interface device stores instructions operable to cause a processor of the first user interface device to dynamically generate a user interface for displaying process data. Process data are provided to the first user interface device by a server coupled to a unitary, logical data storage area. When a second user interface device receives from a first user interface device data indicative of the state of the first user interface device, the second user interface device dynamically generates a user interface for displaying data on the second user interface device according to the received data indicative of the state of the first user interface device.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing finished dental restorations at the dentist's chair side from 3D CAD data. These restorations may be manufactured from ceramics, metals and polymers via subtractive means i.e. milling and grinding. A polar compact mechanism has been employed with the implementation of an inverse kinematic transform in the machine control to allow Cartesian programming. The margin following tool path is very computationally intensive and requires many minutes of calculation time and numerical control programs in excess of 10 mb for a typical restoration. Conventionally this would require the user to wait several minutes before running the machine which would increase the wait time for both the patient and the doctor. This problem is solved by allowing the program to be generated in parallel with the machine in the process of actually cutting the restoration.

Abstract: A method for forecasting reduction in sunlight intensity due to cloud cover at a photovoltaic power plant is described. The method comprises determining characteristics of one or more clouds from sensors surrounding the photovoltaic power plant. The cloud characteristics are used to create a 3D map of the clouds. The 3D map in combination with information on the angle of the sun is used to create a 3D projection on the surface of the earth, resulting in a 2D surface irradiance map. The 2D surface irradiance map may be taken in successive projections or used in combination with wind speed data to forecast fluctuation in irradiance at the photovoltaic power plant. The forecasted reductions in power may be used to enact measures at the plant such as reducing the power output of inverters to prevent sudden fluctuations in the power output of the photovoltaic plant feeding the utility.

Abstract: A position control device includes a position detector that detects a position of an object to be controlled; a target generator that outputs a target velocity and a target position of the object to be controlled; a first calculator that calculates a control amount for causing the object to be controlled to track the target position; a second calculator that calculates a control amount for controlling the velocity of the object to be controlled, to be at the target velocity; a control signal output unit that outputs a control signal according to a total control amount obtained by the first and the second calculators; and a storage unit that stores an attitudinal change correction amount. The second calculator acquires the attitudinal change correction amount stored in the storage unit, adds the attitudinal change correction amount to the control amount to correct the control amount, and outputs the corrected control amount.

Abstract: A motion detection device for motion controlled switching of a peripheral device having a switching characteristic is suggested. The motion detection device comprises a motion detector for providing detection signals in response to detected motions and a memory for storing durations between the detection signals. The motion detection device further comprises a signal generator for outputting a switching signal to the peripheral device for switching the peripheral device from a first operation mode to a second operation mode for a activation period. A controller is further included for controlling the signal generator. Therein, the controller is configured to determine the activation period based on at least a selection of the durations between the detection signals stored in the memory and the switching characteristic of the peripheral device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for determining an end of life state for an electromechanical surgical system. The system includes an end effector configured to perform at least one function and a shaft assembly being arranged for selectively interconnecting the end effector and a hand-held surgical instrument. The hand-held surgical instrument includes an instrument housing defining a connecting portion for selectively connecting with the shaft assembly. The hand-held surgical instrument also includes a motor assembly, a sensor array configured to obtain an operational parameter of the hand-held surgical instrument, and a controller configured to control operation of the hand-held surgical instrument based on the operational parameter obtained by the sensor array.

Abstract: A servomotor controller includes a first and a second converter circuit that perform conversion between AC power of a power supply and DC power, a first inverter circuit that performs conversion between the DC power on the DC side of the first converter circuit and AC power on the side of a first motor, a second inverter circuit that performs conversion between the DC power on the DC side of the second converter circuit and AC power on the side of a second motor, and a power calculation unit that calculates an amount of power of the first motor, wherein control is performed so that the regenerative power of the first motor is supplied to the second motor through the power supply or the regenerative power of the second motor is supplied to the first motor through the power supply, on the basis of the amount of power.

Abstract: Techniques are described for implementing automated control systems that manipulate operations of specified target systems, such as by modifying or otherwise manipulating inputs or other control elements of the target system that affect its operation (e.g., affect output of the target system). An automated control system may in some situations have a distributed architecture with multiple decision modules that each controls a portion of a target system, and may further have one or more components that interacts with one or more users to obtain a description of the target system, including restrictions related to the various elements of the target system, and one or more goals to be achieved during control of the target system. The component(s) then perform various automated actions to generate, test and deploy one or more executable decision modules to use in performing the control of the target system based on the user-specified information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety controller for an actuating drive (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) for controlling a gas flow or a liquid flow in an open-loop or closed-loop manner by means of a flap (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) or a valve, in particular in the field of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, fire-protection systems, and/or room protection systems. A safety circuit (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) is implemented to ensure the energy supply in a safety operating mode if an electricity supply circuit (8.1, 8.2, 8.3) drops off or is lost. A control value output circuit (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) detects status signals, in particular signals of a sensor (11.1, 11.2, 11.3), and/or status parameters of a system and/or a specifiable setting of an adjustment device that can be actuated manually. The safety control value is set to one of at least two different control values (SW1, SW2, . . . ) depending on the status signals so that the safety position of the flap is determined adaptively.

Abstract: To provide a network unit that includes a diagnosis-information management unit that transmits a diagnosis-information transmission request by designating a destination network number while assuming a value other than a station number; a routing control unit that holds routing information indicating correspondence between a destination control network and identification information, and that relay-controls the diagnosis-information transmission request received from the diagnosis-information management unit, another network unit connected to the same programmable logic controller, or a control network connected to the network unit in accordance with the routing information; and a diagnosis-information creation unit that creates the diagnosis information when the diagnosis-information transmission request having a network number of the control network connected to the network unit as the destination network number is received, and it transmits the created diagnosis information to a sender of the diagnosis-info

Abstract: An operation limiting device applicable to a wide variety of machine tools and which improves the freedom of setting an operation limiting area. Two or three drive axes (Xa, Za) in different directions are designated from among a plurality of drive axes in the machine tool and the designated drive axes (Xa, Za) form the two or three dimensional coordinate system. An area (Ar) for limiting the operation of the mobile body is set in the two or three dimensional coordinate system. A drive axis (Xa) which is in operation is determined, and in the two or three coordinate system including the drive axis which is in operation the operation of the mobile body is limited when the mobile body enters into the limiting area (Ar).

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a valve increases the availability of a control valve assembly used in a control process. A pair of positioners are arranged in a high-availability configuration and individually coupled to a controller. A first positioner includes an output coupled to a switch and a second positioner includes an output coupled to the switch. The operating state of the first positioner is monitored and the output of the first or second positioner allowed to pass through the switch to the control valve is dependent upon the operating status of the first positioner.

Abstract: A novel motor controller controls a stepping motor and includes a command value calculator to calculate and output a speed command value and an angle command value based on a reference clock. A control method selector is included to select one of the open-loop control and the closed-loop control in accordance with the speed command value. A command value output unit is included to output a first target value as the first current command value when the open-loop control is selected and outputs a second target value as the second current command value when the closed-loop control is selected. The motor controller controls the stepping motor based on the first target value when the open-loop control is selected and the second target value when the closed-loop control is selected.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores three-dimensional data describing a real device including an object, a source of an acting factor that acts on the object and causes a detectable change at the object, and a detector that detects the change in a specified detection range. The processor produces a virtual device that represents the real device in a virtual space, based on the three-dimensional data in the memory. With this virtual device, the processor simulates the change caused by the acting factor, and calculates a region of the object in which the simulated change satisfies a specified condition.

Abstract: A method analyzing a machine having a rotating shaft includes generating an electric measurement signal dependent on mechanical vibrations from the shaft rotation; sampling the measurement signal to generate a digital measurement data signal; performing a decimation of the digital measurement data signal to achieve a digital signal having a reduced sampling frequency, where the decimation includes controlling the reduced sampling frequency such that the number of sample values per revolution of the shaft is kept at a substantially constant value, and receiving the digital signal at an enhancer input performing a correlation in the enhancer so as to produce an output signal sequence where repetitive signals amplitude components are amplified in relation to stochastic signal components, and performing a condition analysis for analyzing the condition of the machine dependent on the digital signal having a reduced sampling frequency.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a machine tool on the basis of a machining program is provided with a program analysis unit which analyzes an input machining program, a process table creation unit which, on the basis of the results of the analysis by the program analysis unit, creates a process table that sequentially lists processes according to the execution flow of the machining program, and a display unit which displays the process table created by the process table creation unit.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for automatically detecting three-dimensional shaping in a three-dimensional model of a sheet-metal part. Therein, data of a three-dimensional model of the sheet-metal part, which extends in a plane spanned by a first direction and a second direction, is detected, wherein the sheet-metal part comprises a bulge in a third direction which is different from the first and the second directions. Then, a horizontal cut is made through the bulge, as well as a vertical cut perpendicular to the plane spanned by the directions, so that closed cross-sectional contours of the bulge are formed. After a transformation, e.g., a Fourier transformation, of the cross-sectional contours, a tool that produces the bulge can be allocated to the Fourier coefficients.

Abstract: A method for cutter path planning is disclosed. The method includes: obtaining a first and a second programmed path of a workpiece, computing for a corresponding first cutter path based on the first programmed path and a radius of the cutter, and computing for a corresponding second cutter path based on the second programmed path and the radius of the cutter; and computing for a transition path connecting an end point of the first cutter path and a start point of the second cutter path based on the first and second cutter paths, wherein the distance from any one point on the transition path to either the first or second programmed path would be greater than or equal to the radius of the cutter. An apparatus for cutter path planning, a method and an apparatus for workpiece machining are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sit-stand desk includes a frame located on a floor surface; a panel having an upper work surface and being selectively vertically displaceable in respect to the frame; and a vertical-displacement drive mechanism mechanically connected between the frame and the panel. Activation of the drive mechanism vertically displaces the panel with respect to the frame. The sit-stand desk also includes a control circuit selectively activating the drive mechanism to vertically displace the panel according to prescribed displacement instructions in response to receipt of a trigger signal and a pressure mat located on the floor surface adjacent to the frame on which a user stands. The pressure mat includes a pressure sensor in communication with the control circuit and configured to measure a presence of the user adjacent to the desk.

Abstract: A hand hygiene system is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the hand hygiene system includes a hand sanitizer dispensing unit that dispenses a hand sanitizer, a shared electronic device in communication with the hand sanitizer dispensing unit and a manual override device. The hand sanitizer dispensing unit transmits an activation signal to the shared electronic device. The shared electronic device reduces resistance to access to the shared electronic device, upon receipt of the activation signal from the hand sanitizer dispensing unit. The manual override device allows access to the shared electronic device independent of the activation signal of the hand sanitizer dispensing unit. The manual override device also provides greater resistance to access the shared electronic device than provided from the receipt of the activation signal.

Abstract: Defect inspection methods and systems that use process conditions to dynamically determine how to perform defect inspections during a semiconductor manufacturing process are disclosed. A defect inspection method may include: obtaining process conditions from a process tool utilized to process at least one wafer; determining whether to perform defect inspection of a layer, a wafer, or a high risk area/spot within the at least one wafer based on the process conditions obtained; bypassing the defect inspection when it is determined not to perform the defect inspection; and performing the defect inspection after the at least one wafer is processed by the process tool when it is determined to perform the defect inspection.

Abstract: A method of aging a substrate-processing apparatus according to the inventive concepts may include receiving advance information of a scheduled substrate-receiving container to be loaded on a load port of the substrate-processing apparatus from a host computer, and loading a test substrate into a process chamber to perform an inspection process by means of the advance information.

Abstract: A system and method for autonomously tracing a cause of particle contamination during semiconductor manufacture is provided. A contamination analysis system analyzes tool process logs together with particle contamination data for multiple process runs to determine a relationship between systematic particle contamination levels and one or more tool parameters. This relationship is used to predict expected contamination levels associated with regular usage of the tool, and to identify which tool parameters have the largest impact on expected levels of particle contamination. The contamination analysis system also identifies process logs showing unexpected deviant particle contamination levels that exceed expected contamination levels, and traces the cause of the deviant particle contamination to particular process log parameter events.

Abstract: Provided is a conveyance robot replacement apparatus used for replacing a conveyance robot installed in an atmosphere conveyance chamber of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus in order to convey a substrate. The conveyance robot replacement apparatus includes a positioning unit configured to determine a position of the conveyance robot replacement apparatus with respect to the atmospheric conveyance chamber, a holding unit configured to suspend the conveyance robot to be supported, a guide portion configured to guide advancing and retreating into and from the atmospheric conveyance chamber of the holding unit by being engaged with the positioning unit, a position adjustment unit configured move the holding unit in each of the longitudinal direction, the horizontal direction, and the vertical direction to adjust a position of the holding unit, and a connecting component connectable to the holding unit as well as the conveyance robot.

Abstract: A method for transporting inventory items includes moving a mobile drive unit to a first point within a workspace. The first point is a location of an inventory holder. The method further includes docking the mobile drive unit with the inventory holder and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to a second point within the workspace. The second point is associated with conveyance equipment. The method further includes moving the inventory holder to a third point within the workspace using the conveyance equipment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing a system operating in a first mode of operation include detecting an event associated with a cycle in a first mode of operation. When the cycle ends (i.e., when another event is detected), steady state criteria is applied to determine whether data associated with the cycle satisfies the steady state criteria. Optimization targets can be calculated based on the data associated with the cycle. Control signals including the optimization targets can be applied to a next cycle operating in the first mode of operation to improve process performance.

Abstract: Various aspects provide for “parking” an apparatus in a “parking position.” A parking position may be a configuration of an apparatus that minimizes damage resulting from extended exposure during periods of inactivity. An apparatus may comprise a marine apparatus, which may be configured to be disposed in an environment comprising saltwater, salty air, brackish water, freshwater, and the like. An apparatus may comprise a propulsion system (e.g., for a ship) and/or a steering system. Some aspects include a water jet based propulsion system having a scoop and a nozzle operable to redirect the water jet, providing a range of forward/backward and port/starboard thrusts. A control cylinder and/or a linkage may be parked in a configuration that segregates damage incurred during periods of inactivity to portions of an apparatus not needed for normal operation.

Abstract: An electronic control unit for a vehicle for switching vehicle control from an autonomous driving mode includes one or more processors, network interface hardware configured to communicate with a remote server over a network, and one or more memory modules that store logic. The electronic control unit executes logic to determine that the autonomous driving mode of the vehicle will terminate, determine that a driver is unavailable to take immediate control of the vehicle upon termination of the autonomous driving, transfer control of the vehicle to a remote operator over the network interface hardware for a first time period, generate an alert to the driver to take manual control of the vehicle, and transfer control of the vehicle to one of the driver and the autonomous driving mode after the first time period has elapsed.