Patents Issued in December 6, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180348682
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a separation member, a movement mechanism, and a pressing member. The fixing member rotates around a rotation axis extended in a rotation axis direction and fixes a toner image on a recording medium. The separation member comes in contact with the fixing member and separates the recording medium from the fixing member. The movement mechanism moves the separation member in the rotation axis direction and within a movement area. The pressing member presses the separation member against the fixing member. A pressing load of the separation member against the fixing member in a case where the separation member is located at a central position of the movement area is lower than a pressing load of the separation member against the fixing member in a case where the separation member is located at both end positions of the movement area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Seiji OKADA
  • Publication number: 20180348683
    Abstract: A fixing device includes first and second rotatable members forming a nip for fixing a toner image on a sheet; and a pressing mechanism for pressing one of said first and second rotatable members toward the other. A pressure P1 at a first position in an upstream side of a center in a recording material feeding direction, the pressure P1 is maximum in the nip, an average pressure PO from the first position to a downstream end of the nip in sheet feeding direction, a toner melt viscosity M1 at the first position, and a toner melt viscosity M2 at the second position, satisfy, 0.3 MPa?P1?0.65 MPa 0<P0?0.25 MPa 1.0×104 Pa·s?M1<1.0×105 Pa·s 0.5×102 Pa·s?M2?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Asuna Fukamachi, Masanobu Tanaka, Suguru Takeuchi, Oki Kitagawa, Yasuharu Toratani, Keita Ishiguro
  • Publication number: 20180348684
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, when images are formed on a plurality of sheets, a controller controls an image forming unit to form a measurement image between an image which is to be transferred to a first sheet of the plurality of sheets and an image which is to be transferred to a second sheet of the plurality of sheets, controls a sensor to measure the measurement image, determines a feedback condition based on a length of each of the plurality of sheets in a conveyance direction, and controls an image forming condition based on a result of measurement performed by the sensor and the determined feedback condition, wherein the image which is to be transferred to the second sheet of the plurality of sheets is adjacent to the image which is to be transferred to the first sheet of the plurality of sheets on an image bearing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Tomohisa Itagaki
  • Publication number: 20180348685
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, to which an external measurement device is connectable, including an image processor, a printer, a sensor arranged on a conveyance path, a controller that performs first processing for generating color processing condition based on a measurement result of measurement images of the sensor, the measurement images including a first measurement image and a second measurement image, wherein a length of the second measurement image in a conveyance direction is longer than a length of the first measurement image in the conveyance direction, and performs second processing for generating conversion condition, based on a measurement result of predetermined measurement images by the sensor and measurement data output from an external measurement device, wherein a length of a predetermined measurement image included in the predetermined measurement images in the conveyance direction is longer than the length of the first measurement image in the conveyance direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Takaaki Yano
  • Publication number: 20180348686
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a fixing section that fixes a toner image formed on a sheet. A controller controls a preliminary rotation of the fixing section after execution of a first image forming job and before execution of a second image forming job. Conditions for the preliminary rotation include types of sheets used in the first image forming job and the second image forming job, respectively, and a number of sheets used in executing the first image forming job.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Hirotaka MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20180348687
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus configured to change an interleaf control mode from a not confirmed sheet-feeding mode to a sheet-presence confirmed sheet-feeding mode when a remaining amount of recording sheets is less than a first threshold, wherein the image forming apparatus has a first mode of changing a feeding origin of a recording sheet, according to detection of absence of a recording sheet in a storage unit by a sheet presence/absence detection unit during execution of an image forming job, and a second mode of changing a feeding origin of a recording sheet, according to detection of a recording-sheet remaining amount of the storage unit less than a second threshold during execution of an image forming job, and wherein the second threshold is larger than the first threshold for changing an interleaf control mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Akihiro Arai, Yutaka Ando, Toshiyuki Miyake, Riki Fukuhara, Yuichiro Oda
  • Publication number: 20180348688
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit that stores recording sheets, an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet, an insertion unit that inserts an interleaving sheet between recording sheets, a first detection unit configured to detect presence or absence of a recording sheet in the storage unit, a second detection unit configured to detect a remaining amount of recording sheets in the storage unit, and a control unit configured to control sheet feeding start timing of the interleaving sheet based on detection results acquired by the first detection unit and the second detection unit
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Koji Yumoto, Satoru Yamamoto, Toshiyuki Miyake, Katsuya Nakama, Riki Fukuhara, Akihiro Kawakita, Yutaka Ando, Akihiro Arai, Yuichiro Oda
  • Publication number: 20180348689
    Abstract: A control unit of an image forming device determines a remaining amount threshold value, and selects a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, a sheet feeding unit of the image forming device starts feeding a sheet based on presence/absence of an insertion sheet that is to be inserted by a inserter device immediately prior to a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit. In the second mode, the sheet feeding unit starts feeding a sheet regardless of presence/absence of an insertion sheet that is to be inserted by the inserter device immediately prior to a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Yutaka Ando, Toshiyuki Miyake, Akihiro Arai, Riki Fukuhara, Yuichiro Oda
  • Publication number: 20180348690
    Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a second conveying roller adjoining a motor driven first conveying roller, a phase determiner to determine a rotational phase of a rotor of the motor, a controller, and a discriminator. The controller controls a drive current flowing through a winding of the motor to reduce phase deviation. The discriminator executes a discrimination regarding one of whether a front end of a sheet has reached a nip portion and whether a rear end of the sheet has passed through a nip portion. The controller controls such that the first conveying roller rotates at a first conveying roller peripheral velocity which is different from a peripheral velocity of the second conveying roller. The discriminator executes the discrimination based on a value of a parameter corresponding to a load torque applied to the rotor where the first conveying roller rotates at the first conveying roller peripheral velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Koizumi, Kazuya Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20180348691
    Abstract: An image forming system including: an image forming apparatus having an image forming portion configured to form an image on a sheet and a discharge portion configured to discharge, in a sheet discharge direction, the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming portion; a sheet processing apparatus opposed to a side surface of the image forming apparatus on a downstream side in the sheet discharge direction and configured to process the sheet; a sheet conveying apparatus, which includes a sheet conveying path through which the sheet is conveyed, is removably mounted to the image forming apparatus, and is configured to convey the sheet discharged from the discharge portion to the sheet processing apparatus through the sheet conveying path; and an air flow generator arranged in the sheet conveying apparatus and configured to generate an air flow which flows through the sheet conveying path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Noriaki Koyanagi
  • Publication number: 20180348692
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sheet binding apparatus that comprises a first binding unit provided and a second binding unit configured to perform needle binding on sheets, and a second binding unit configured to perform non-needle binding on sheets. A needle replenishing position where needles are replenished in the first binding unit is set in the vicinity of the second binding unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: CANON FINETECH NISCA INC.
    Inventor: Kenji YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20180348693
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an image forming apparatus has an image forming device, a discharge port of a recording medium, a conveying device of the recording medium, and a controller. The controller judges a kind of the recording medium and the discharge port that is a conveying destination of the recording medium. The controller controls a conveying speed of the recording medium to be discharged from the discharge port by the conveying device, in accordance with the kind of the recording medium and the conveying destination of the recording medium which have been judged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Noriyuki TAKUWA
  • Publication number: 20180348694
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first apparatus body, a first drum cartridge, a first guide portion, a lock unit, and a first erroneous insertion blocking portion. The lock unit is configured to lock a first cover member with the first apparatus body if the first drum cartridge with the first cover member is inserted by a first distance from a first insertion slot portion by being guided by the first guide portion. The first erroneous insertion blocking portion is configured to permit the first drum cartridge to be inserted into the first apparatus body and to block a second drum cartridge, functionally different from the first drum cartridge, to be inserted into the first apparatus body in a range exceeding a third distance shorter than a first distance from the first insertion slot portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroshi Koyama, Ryota Yasui
  • Publication number: 20180348695
    Abstract: The joint mechanism includes an engagement pin; a first coupling having a pair of projections with engagement recessed portions formed respectively, the engagement recessed portions with which both end portions of the engagement pin are freely engaged or disengaged; a second coupling including a circumferential wall having an opening portion and a pair of projecting pieces; and a biasing member. The pair of projecting pieces are arranged in the engagement recessed portions so as to be opposed, on an upstream side in a rotation direction, to opening defining surfaces of the pair of projections, with the second coupling attached to the first coupling. Both end portions of the engagement pins are engaged with the engagement recessed portions so as to be each sandwiched between each of the pair of projecting pieces being applied a biasing force of the biasing member and each opening defining surface of the pair of projections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Daijiro Ueno
  • Publication number: 20180348696
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mounting unit configured to mount a development unit including a developing member, a pressing member configured to press the development unit mounted on the mounting unit to separate the developing member from a photosensitive member or bring the developing member into contact with the photosensitive member, and an urging member configured to urge the pressing member, wherein, when mounting the development unit on the mounting unit, the development unit moves in a first direction from the pressing member toward the development unit, parallel to a direction in which the pressing member and the development unit are arranged side by side, wherein the pressing member is movable in the first direction, and wherein the urging member urges the pressing member to move the pressing member in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Tomofumi Kawamura, Shoichi Zensai, Takashi Yano
  • Publication number: 20180348697
    Abstract: A cartridge unit includes a first drum cartridge, a first cover member, a stopper, and a first cover erroneous insertion blocking portion. The first cover member is removably attached with the first drum cartridge and configured to be compatible in shape with a first holding portion of a first apparatus body so that the first cover member is guided and held by the first holding portion. The first cover erroneous insertion blocking portion is configured to permit the first cover member to be guided by the first holding portion by a first distance from a first insertion slot portion and to block a second cover member, which is removably attached with a second drum cartridge functionally different from the first drum cartridge, to be guided by the first holding portion in a range exceeding a second distance shorter than the first distance from the first insertion slot portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Shimpei Hanayama, Ryota Yasui, Hiroki Takayama
  • Publication number: 20180348698
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer bearer the surface of which moves with a developer thereon, a development housing including the developer in an inner space thereof and an opening through which the surface of the developer bearer is partially exposed in a direction of surface movement thereof to face a latent image bearer a surface of which moves with a latent image thereon, a drive assembly disposed in the development housing, configured to drive members in the development housing driven by a driven force of the drive assembly, and a collision assembly including a collision member, the collision assembly being configured to move the collision member away from the development housing and toward the development housing to collide the collision member with the development housing, utilizing the drive force of the drive assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd
    Inventors: Shinji TAMAKI, Ichiro Kadota, Junichi Matsumoto, Tatsuya Kubo, Hiroaki Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20180348699
    Abstract: A photosensitive member cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus for forming an image, includes a frame; a photosensitive drum on which and which is provided in the frame; a transfer member for transferring an image formed on the drum onto the sheet; a mounting portion for detachably mounting a developing cartridge including a developer carrying member onto the drum and a memory for storing information; a first electrical contact provided on the frame and electrically connectable with a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly; and a second electrical contact provided on the frame for electrically connecting the memory and the first electrical contact portion with each other when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Jun Miyamoto, Masao Uyama, Kenji Matsuda, Ken Kikuchi, Jun Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20180348700
    Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum; a discharging path for permitting movement of a developer removed from the drum, the discharging path including a developer discharge opening and a movable portion through which the developer is movable and which is movable between a retracted position in an upstream side with respect to a developer moving direction through the discharge opening and a advanced position in a downstream side with respect to the developer moving direction; and a sealing portion for closing the discharging path by contacting the movable portion at a position different from that of the discharge opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Akinobu Hirayama, Takahito Ueno, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20180348701
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a formation unit configured to form an image by using a plurality of cartridges that are detachable from the image forming apparatus, each cartridge having a storage unit and a member for forming the image; and a control unit configured to set an image forming condition for image formation. The control unit reads identification information from each storage unit of at least two cartridges out of the plurality of cartridges, the identification information indicating a version of a corresponding cartridge, and the control unit sets the image forming condition based on a combination of versions of the at least two cartridges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Naoki Inoue
  • Publication number: 20180348702
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus to which a cartridge including an electronic storage device can detachably be attached, comprises: an obtaining unit that obtains control information used for image formation from a first area of the electronic storage device and obtain determination information used to determine correctness of the control information stored in the first area from a second area configured to store the determination information; a determination unit that determines the correctness of the control information based on the control information and the determination information; and a control unit that, if the determination unit determines that the control information is correct, controls image formation using the control information obtained by the obtaining unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Takayuki Namiki, Naoki Inoue
  • Publication number: 20180348703
    Abstract: A holographic interferometer, comprising: at least one imaging device capturing an interference pattern created by at least two light beams; and at least one aperture located in an optical path of at least one light beam of the at least two light beams; wherein the at least one aperture is located away from an axis of the at least one light beam, thus transmitting a subset of the at least one light beam collected at an angle range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Dov FURMAN
  • Publication number: 20180348704
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a holographic optical element by providing a recording stack comprising at least one recording element laminated on at least one supporting element, irradiating at least a part of the recording stack with at least one recording beam in an irradiating step, wherein during the irradiating step, the recording stack bends, providing a bending deviation threshold for the recording stack, and adjusting at least one first process parameter such that an expected maximum bending deviation of the recording stack does not exceed the bending deviation threshold, wherein the at least one first process parameter influences the bending behaviour of the recording stack during the irradiating step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Hyungseok BANG, Heejin IM, Guensik LEE, Friedrich-Karl BRUDER, Thomas Peter FACKE, Marc-Stephan WEISER, Rainer HAGEN, Thomas ROLLE, Horst BERNETH, Dennis HONEL, Günther WALZE
  • Publication number: 20180348705
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for extending a projection boundary for a holographic display device. The system includes a display device with electroactive polymer strips attached to the bottom of the display device and two microfluidic display layers affixed to the top. The two microfluidic display layers have holographic projectors therebetween. Light is projected from the holographic projects through the second microfluidic layer and holographic objects are created where the projected light converges. A user changes the dimensions or location of a holographic object using finger gestures. They system calculates the focal length required to make the change instructed by the user and the microfluidic display layers deform to create a convex lens in the second microfluidic layer with the focal length required to make the change instructed by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Publication number: 20180348706
    Abstract: A timepiece movement includes a date indicator for date display, a date indicator driving wheel for advancing the date indicator, a lunar age indicator for lunar age display, and a lunar age indicator driving wheel for rotating the lunar age indicator. The date indicator and the lunar age indicator are coaxially disposed, and the date indicator driving wheel and the lunar age indicator driving wheel are coaxially disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Nobuhiro KOIKE
  • Publication number: 20180348707
    Abstract: A watch packaging box including a base containing a removable tray, a lid cooperating in a complementary manner with the base to close the box, the tray including compartments for receiving a watch, each delimited by a bottom and a partition, the box including, centred inside each compartment, a resilient pad pressed onto a watch by the lid in the closed position, and the box includes, in each compartment, a main orifice for passage of a sensor or tool, included in a device performing a watch testing and/or timing method, on the watch occupying the compartment, and each resilient pad includes a secondary orifice aligned with a main orifice for access of the sensor or tool to the watch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: OMEGA SA
    Inventor: Jose Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20180348708
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a time indicator, and more specifically to a time indicator which can indicate times in a multiple manner, thereby enabling a user to be aware of both an effective period and a period having elapsed after the effective period and to rapidly check whether the time indicator is operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Nam Hee LEE, In Ok KIM
  • Publication number: 20180348709
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic watch allowing data to be received, comprising: An electrical energy source A control member arranged to be supplied with power by the electrical energy source A receiver module comprising: An optical sensor capable of detecting a sequence of light pulses modulated by data, and of converting said sequence into a digital signal An energy storage element arranged to store electrical energy generated by the optical sensor A demodulator arranged to be supplied with power by the energy storage element, capable of extracting the data from the digital signal Transmission means capable of transmitting the extracted data to the control member
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: EM Microelectronic-Marin S.A.
    Inventor: Hugo JAEGGI
  • Publication number: 20180348710
    Abstract: A control command resolution adjustment method and a command generation device are disclosed in present invention. The control command resolution adjustment method is used to adjust a control command form the command generation device. A calculation frequency value via the command generation device is analyzed. The control command is received and a transform frequency value via the control command is analyzed. A first resolution value is calculated from the calculation frequency value and the transform frequency value. The first resolution value is distinguished greater than or equal to a minimum resolution value. When the first resolution value less than the minimum resolution value, an added calculation frequency value is calculated from the calculation frequency value and a frequency added value. A second resolution value is calculated from the added calculation frequency value and the transform frequency value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Chia-Jen LIN, Feng-Chieh LIN
  • Publication number: 20180348711
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods of disaggregating low resolution whole-house energy consumption data. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, methods may include steps of: receiving at a processor the low resolution whole house profile; selectively communicating with a first database including non-electrical information; selectively communicating with a second database including training data; and determining by the processor based on the low resolution whole house profile, the non-electrical information and the training data, individual appliance load profiles for one or more appliances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Abhay Gupta, Alaa Kharbouch, Vivek Garud, Hsien-Ting Cheng
  • Publication number: 20180348712
    Abstract: This invention discloses a controller and method for a cyber synchronous machine (CSM, in short, cybersync machine), namely, a power electronic converter that is seamlessly equipped with computational algorithms (i.e., the controller) to represent the intrinsic and fundamental principles of physical synchronous machines. The CSM can be operated in the grid-connected mode or the islanded mode to take part in the regulation of the frequency and the voltage. The controller also includes auxiliary blocks to achieve self-synchronization without measuring or estimating the grid frequency and the regulation of real power and reactive power to the given reference values without static errors. The control signal for the power electronic converter can be the output voltage generated by the engendering block or the sum of the output voltage and the virtual current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Qingchang Zhong
  • Publication number: 20180348713
    Abstract: Various embodiments may include methods and systems for improving the energy efficiency of a building at the planning stage, such as: building a basic digital model of the building using a computer; defining a plurality of different function-related room categories; assigning existing technical building automation functions, previously stored in a memory coupled to the computer, to the different room categories; arranging rooms by assigning the defined categories to the model on the basis of an occupancy plan; coupling the rooms to supply lines of a automation system based on the assigned functions; determining an energy efficiency of the virtual building; and selecting suitable technical system modules from available modules based on the determined energy efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Siemens Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Christian Frey, Roland Ullmann
  • Publication number: 20180348714
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method which includes a machine learning module which analyzes data collected from one or more sources such as UAVs, satellites, span mounted crop sensors, direct soil sensors and climate sensors. According to a further preferred embodiment, the machine learning module preferably creates sets of field objects from within a given field and uses the received data to create a predictive model for each defined field object based on detected characteristics from each field object within the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob L. Larue
  • Publication number: 20180348715
    Abstract: A control system controls tenant services to various tenants by obtaining tenant attributes for each tenant, with respect to a particular workload. A model is generated that models tenant usage performance for a set of best performing tenants. The model is then applied to a remainder of the tenants to obtain a metric indicative of a likely tenant capacity for incremental usage of the workload. The control system controls the services provided to the tenant based upon the likelihood of adoption metric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Ravikumar Venkata Seetharama BANDARU, Michael Karl-Frans Berg
  • Publication number: 20180348716
    Abstract: A system and method for predicting a sequence of actions employ a Gated End-to-End Memory Policy Network (GMemN2NP), which includes a sequence of hop(s). Supporting memories of the hops include memory cells generated from observations made at different times. A sequence of actions is predicted, based on input agent-specific variables. For each action, the model, at each hop, outputs an updated controller state which is used as input to the next hop or, for the terminal hop, for computing the respective action. Each hop includes a transform gate mechanism which is used to control the influence of output of the supporting memories on the updated controller state. For the second and subsequent hops, respective actions are predicted, after using any intervening observations to update the supporting memories. The model is learned, on a training set of observations, to optimize the cumulative reward of a sequence of two or more actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Julien Perez, Tomi Silander
  • Publication number: 20180348717
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems that build and deploy inferential models for generating predictions of a plant process. The systems select input variables and an output variable for the plant process. The systems load continuous measurements for the selected input variables. For the selected output variable, the systems load measurements of type: continuous from the subject plant process, intermittent from an online analyzer, or intermittent from lab data. If continuous or analyzer measurements are loaded, the systems build a FIR model with a subspace ID technique using continuous output measurements. From intermittent analyzer measurements, the systems generate continuous output measurements using interpolation. If lab data is loaded, the systems build a hybrid FIR model with subspace ID and PLS techniques, using continuous measurements of a reference variable correlated to the selected output variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Hong Zhao, Ashok Rao, Lucas L.G. Reis, Magiel J. Harmse
  • Publication number: 20180348718
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a resident controller at a specified location performs a method including registering a plurality of mobile devices of a plurality of users and a device profile for a resident device to be controlled based on a location of the plurality of users, and establishing a user state for each of the plurality of users corresponding to their location. In some embodiments, the mobile devices can provide boundary-crossing signals when their location cross a boundary corresponding to the specified location causing the resident controller to update the user states based on the boundary-crossing signals and update a presence state of the specified location based on changes to the user states, where the device profile specifies a first action to be performed when the presence state transitions to a first presence value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Richardson, Adam J. Leonard, Vinay A. Ramaswamy, Anush Nadathur
  • Publication number: 20180348719
    Abstract: An amplifier selection device includes: a characteristic data storage configured to store a database including respective characteristic data of a plurality of motors, amplifiers, and common power sources; a motor selector configured to display a list of identification information of the motors and select a motor; an amplifier selector configured to display a list of identification information of the amplifiers and select an amplifier; a common power source selector configured to display a list of identification information of the common power sources and select a common power source; a display configured to display a combination of the motor, the amplifier, and the common power source; and a determiner configured to determine whether a relation of the characteristic data satisfies first and second conditions, and when at least one of the conditions is not satisfied, the display clarifies a combination which fails to satisfy the first or second condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Norihiro CHOU, Kiichi INABA
  • Publication number: 20180348720
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a system controller configured to receive an input of an energy budget for the HVAC system for a specified period of time, determine a set point for the HVAC system that will cause an amount of energy used in operating the HVAC system over the specified period of time to meet the energy budget, and operate the HVAC system at the determined set point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Kirby Neal Bicknell
  • Publication number: 20180348721
    Abstract: A network- and/or client-side device configuration system facilitates automatic configuration of portable electronic devices. Predetermined configuration parameters for a particular portable electronic device are generated and stored. A computer-readable visual symbol such as an optical graphic code (for example, a tag, barcode, or matrix code) is generated by a network-side service and transmitted to an authorized user of the particular portable electronic device. The portable electronic device reproduces the visual symbol and transmits a message (which may or may not include the reproduced visual symbol) to the (same or different) network-side service. The network-side service authenticates the portable electronic device, and authorizes the portable electronic device to access and use the predetermined configuration parameters to automatically configure itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Padmanand Warrier
  • Publication number: 20180348722
    Abstract: An input/output (I/O) and control system for long distance communications and industrial applications having a bus and protocol for communications between field devices and a channel generator for monitoring and control of the field devices. The channel generator produces a pulse train such as an offset square wave with dual scan bus cycles having alternating A and B scan cycles that each comprise a plurality of channel windows assigned to the field devices. One or more channel windows in the A and B scan cycles has an exception interrupt window during which the control unit can detect a low level signal provided by a field device before its corresponding channel window in the dual scan bus cycle, thereby reducing system reaction time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Nik ILIJIC
  • Publication number: 20180348723
    Abstract: A computer implemented method, system and computer program product for a receptionist function in vehicles for communications management, such as phone call and texting management, includes determining driving context of a moving vehicle, estimating a risk factor related to the operation of the vehicle based on the driving context, receiving an incoming communication directed to a mobile communication device within the vehicle, analyzing the incoming communication to determine a communication factor, and determining an electronic action in response to the incoming communication based on the driving context, the risk factor and the communication factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin W. Brew, Michael S. Gordon, James R. Kozloski, Clifford A. Pickover
  • Publication number: 20180348724
    Abstract: A computer implemented method, system and computer program product for a receptionist function in vehicles for communications management, such as phone call and texting management, includes determining driving context of a moving vehicle, estimating a risk factor related to the operation of the vehicle based on the driving context, receiving an incoming communication directed to a mobile communication device within the vehicle, analyzing the incoming communication to determine a communication factor, and determining an electronic action in response to the incoming communication based on the driving context, the risk factor and the communication factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin W. Brew, Michael S. Gordon, James R. Kozloski, Clifford A. Pickover
  • Publication number: 20180348725
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a system for optimizing the commissioning of at least one of a plurality of field devices in an automation technology system, which are used in different applications, wherein the system comprises at least: one database for saving application information and device types of the plurality of field devices and for saving parameter sets of the plurality of field devices; an electronic computation unit that accesses the remotely arranged database and classifies, assigns, compares, and/or processes the data saved there and has an algorithm for creating and proposing an optimal parameter set; software for supporting a user during commissioning of one of the plurality of field devices, wherein the electronic computation unit is operated by means of the software.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Marc Baret, Georg Hauss, Ulrich Kaiser, Michael Maneval, Markus Nick
  • Publication number: 20180348726
    Abstract: Techniques for error handling by a servomechanism are disclosed. The servomechanism determines, based on a first set of values assigned to servomechanism variables, electrical signals for controlling a component during a particular time interval, and applies the electrical signals to move the component. Subsequently, the servomechanism measures values for attributes associated with the component. Based on the measured attribute values, the servomechanism computes a second set of values for the servomechanism variables. Responsive to determining that the measured attribute values are erroneous, the servomechanism refrains from modifying the electrical signals based on the second set of values for the servomechanism variables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher West, James Baer, Terry Lane
  • Publication number: 20180348727
    Abstract: A servomotor control device includes: a servomotor; a driven body that is driven by the servomotor; a connection mechanism that connects the servomotor and the driven body; a first position detection section that detects a position of the servomotor; a second position detection section that detects a position of the driven body; and a motor control unit, in which the motor control unit includes: a force estimation section that estimates a drive force acting on the driven body at a connection part between the connection mechanism and the driven body; a rigidity estimation section that estimates a magnitude of rigidity of the connection mechanism based on a detected position of the servomotor, a detected position of the driven body, and an estimated drive force; and a rigidity variation detection section that detects a change in rigidity of the connection mechanism, based on the estimated magnitude of rigidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Shougo SHINODA, Satoshi IKAI
  • Publication number: 20180348728
    Abstract: A process analysis apparatus according to an aspect may include a first acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of pieces of state data related to states of a plurality of mechanisms that constitute a manufacturing line, a second acquisition unit that acquires a control program for controlling an operation of the manufacturing line, a first analyzer that analyzes the acquired plurality of pieces of state data so as to identify a connection state between the plurality of mechanisms, a second analyzer that analyzes the acquired control program so as to identify an order relationship between the plurality of mechanisms, and a relationship identifying unit that identifies a causal relationship between the plurality of mechanisms in a process that is carried out on the manufacturing line, based on the identified connection state and order relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Yuya OTA, Kosuke TSURUTA, Shinsuke KAWANOUE, Gaku SHIRAMIZU, Yasuaki ABE, Akira NAKAJIMA, Reiko HATTORI, Toshifumi MINEMOTO, Yuki HIROHASHI
  • Publication number: 20180348729
    Abstract: A control device adapted to control a robot including a robot arm provided with a force detector includes a processor that is configured to execute computer-executable instructions so as to control the robot, wherein the processor is configured to: operate the robot arm to move a screw gauge which is disposed on a tip side of the force detector of the robot arm, used for an inspection of a screw hole, and provided with an external thread, to make the external thread have contact with the screw hole; then detect force applied to the screw gauge using the force detector to perform force control in a direction perpendicular to a direction of an axis of the screw hole based on detection information of the force detector; and operate the robot arm to move the screw gauge based on the force control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Junya UEDA, Yuji SHIMADA
  • Publication number: 20180348730
    Abstract: Example implementations relate to generating instructions for robotic tasks. A method may involve determining task information of a path-based task by an end-effector on an object, where the task information includes (i) at least one task parameter, and (ii) a nominal representation of the object. The method also involves based on the task information, determining one or more parametric instructions for the end-effector to perform the task, where the one or more parametric instructions indicate a toolpath for the end-effector to follow when performing the task. The method also involves generating, based on sensor data, an observed representation of the object, and comparing the observed and the nominal representations. The method further involves based on the comparison, mapping the parametric instructions to the observed representation of the object. The method yet further involves sending the mapped instructions to the end-effector to cause the robotic device to perform the task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Eli Reekmans, Marek Michalowski
  • Publication number: 20180348731
    Abstract: A method for fastening material webs, such as roofing sheets made of plastic on a surface with fastening points (head disks including a hot-melt adhesive layer) arranged thereon using a self-propelled fastening unit (20) comprising the following steps: (A) detecting a route marking by means of a first detector (22) on the fastening unit (20) and moving the fastening unit along the route marking; (B) detecting and calculating the position of a head disk (14) by means of a second detector (24); (C) approaching and remaining at an operating position during the subsequent fastening process; (D) positioning an induction heater (30) and heating up the head disk (14) for a period of time Th; (E) removing the induction heater (30) and pressing the material web against the head disk by a cooling device (32); (F) taking off the cooling device after a predetermined time Tk has passed; (G) continuing with (A), until an end of the route marking is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: SFS intec Holding AG
    Inventors: Kurt Blum, Daniel Gasser, Thomas Heinzmann