Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with a charging member to charge a surface of a photoreceptor, includes: a power supply that applies to the charging member a first bias in which an AC voltage is superimposed on a DC voltage or a second bias which is a simple DC voltage; and a hardware processor that causes the power supply to apply the first bias until an amount used of the photoreceptor reaches a predetermined value, and causes the power supply to apply the second bias when the amount used of the photoreceptor reaches the predetermined value.

Abstract: A cartridge for mounting in an image forming apparatus includes a developer storage chamber, a discharge port fluidly connected to the developer storage chamber, a toner storage chamber, a fluid communication path extending in a first direction and fluidly connecting the toner storage chamber to the developer storage chamber, an auger disposed in the fluid communication path, rotatable inside the fluid communication path about a rotation axis extending in the first direction, and configured to transport the toner from the toner storage chamber along the fluid communication path toward the developer storage chamber when rotated about the rotation axis, and a sealing member disposed on the auger and configured to seal a gap between the auger and an inner surface of the fluid communication path when the sealing member is inside the fluid communication path and move along the first direction when the auger is rotated about the rotation axis.

Abstract: There is provided a cartridge, including: a casing including an inlet portion configured to be filled with a developer; and a lid member configured to close the inlet portion by being installed to the inlet portion from an installation direction, wherein the casing includes a first protruding portion which projects inward beyond an inner surface of the inlet portion in a direction perpendicular to the installation direction; and the lid member includes a recessed portion which is recessed from an outer surface of the lid member in the direction perpendicular to the installation direction and is configured to be engaged with the first protruding portion in a case that the lid member is installed to the inlet portion.

Abstract: Toner cartridge includes a housing, an agitator, an auger, a first protrusion, and a second protrusion. The housing includes a first toner accommodating portion having and a second toner accommodating portion. The auger is rotatable about a second axis extending in a first direction and is configured to convey toner from a first toner accommodating portion to the second toner accommodating portion. The first protrusion is positioned at a first side of the second toner accommodating portion. The first protrusion extends in the first direction. The second protrusion is positioned at a second side of the second toner accommodating portion and extends in the first direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a toner image forming device; an image transferring device; a transfer bias applying device; an image fixing device; a sensor for detecting light reflected by the toner image fixed on the sheet; a controller for controlling a leading portion bias applied to the leading portion of the sheet with respect to a sheet feeding direction and a central portion bias applied to the central area of the sheet. The controller forms first and second test images on the leading and central portions, respectively, and sets conditions of the leading and central portion biases on the basis of an output of the sensor, in correlation with a kind of the sheet. A toner deposition amount per unit area of the first test image is smaller than that of the second test image.

Abstract: A pressure device applies pressure to a sheet medium on part of a surface of which an image bearer is formed. The pressure device includes: a driving unit that changes a distance between a first pressing unit and a second pressing unit; a control unit that controls the driving unit such that the distance between the first pressing unit and the second pressing unit becomes a set target value; and a target setting unit that sets the target value to a first distance that is larger than a thickness of the sheet medium when the sheet medium is not present between the first pressing unit and the second pressing unit, and sets the target value to a second distance for applying a target pressure to the sheet medium when the sheet medium and the image bearer are present between the first pressing unit and the second pressing unit.

Abstract: A voltage maintenance element is connected to a contact member that contacts a primary transfer surface area of an intermediate transfer belt to which toner images are transferred from a plurality of image carriers between stretch members, in such a way as to prevent the electric potential of the intermediate transfer belt from varying between respective image forming stations.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: a fixing belt of an endless shape wound to pass over a heating-side member and a nip forming member; and a pressing roller driven to rotate in a state of being brought into tight contact with the nip forming member through the fixing belt, wherein a toner image is fixed to a recording medium at a nip portion at which the fixing belt and the pressing roller are brought into tight contact with each other by causing the pressing roller to be in tight contact with the fixing belt and driving the pressing roller to rotate, a guide member guiding the fixing belt to a space between the nip forming member and the heating-side member is disposed to be separate from the nip forming member, and a sliding member is disposed at least in a contact portion between the nip forming member and the fixing belt.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a temperature measurement sensor, a movement mechanism, a movement time calculation section, a movement position calculation section, and a temperature control section. The movement mechanism moves the temperature measurement sensor to scan non-heated regions and a heated region along a width direction of the fixing member. The movement time calculation section obtains an arrival time on the basis of a temperature change measured by the temperature measurement sensor due to movement of the temperature measurement sensor. The movement position calculation section calculates the movement position on the basis of a ratio of a second movement time to a first movement time. The temperature control section performs temperature control on the fixing member on the basis of the movement position calculated by the movement position calculation section, and the temperature measured by the temperature measurement sensor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus obtains a number of pixels to be developed on a downstream side in a sub-scanning direction from each one of the predetermined pixels, in order to correct a density increase that occurs at the trailing edge of an image to be formed in accordance with a peripheral speed difference between a photosensitive drum and a developing roller, determines a correction amount of light amount for each one of the predetermined pixels in accordance with the obtained number of pixels, and generates image formation data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a sensing unit having a window and a sensor which senses a developer through the window, and a shutter device which opens and closes the window, and thereby the sensing unit in a sensible state is maintained, and a lifetime thereof is extendable.

Abstract: A sensor includes a light emitter and a photodetector. The light emitter outputs light with which a toner pattern or a surface material of an image carrier is irradiated. The photodetector receives reflection light from the toner pattern or the surface material. The sensor light intensity control unit provides a control voltage to the light emitter and thereby controls light intensity of the light emitter. The density determining unit determines a toner density on the basis of output of the photodetector. Further, the density determining unit (a) determines as a correction parameter a first-order coefficient of the control voltage of the light emitter for an output voltage of the photodetector corresponding to reflection light from the surface material, (b) determines a correction amount corresponding to the correction parameter and the toner density, and (c) corrects the toner density on the basis of the correction amount.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing a unique electrophotographic layered manufacturing scheme for creating higher fidelity electrophotographic composite laminate layers using tri-level electrophotography or electrostatic imaging scheme as a process for rendering individual laminate layers to be built up to form and/or manufacture three-dimensional objects, parts and components as 3D objects. A multi-stage 3D object forming scheme is described involving steps of multi-component laminate forming in a particularized electrophotographic layer forming process. This process renders a part component and a support component precisely next to one another with a single exposure by an exposing device to form a latent image of variable discharge voltages. Multiple toner product sources are used to dispose part component toner and support component toner in the forming of the multi-component laminate layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image holding member, a charging unit; an electrostatic image forming unit, a development unit, a transfer unit; a fixing unit, and a cleaning unit. A toner for electrostatic image development contains a binder resin containing an amorphous resin and a crystalline resin, and paraffin wax. The toner has a volume-average particle diameter of 6 ?m to 9 ?m, a shape factor SF1 of 140 or more, and a toluene insoluble content within a range of 25% to 40%. The melting temperature of the paraffin wax is 60° C. or more and 80° C. or less. The absolute value of difference between the melting temperature of the crystalline resin and the melting temperature of the paraffin is 10° C. or less.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a contact-separation mechanism that causes a photosensitive drum and a developer-bearing member to come into contact with each other or to separate from each other and a restricting member that restricts movement of a cartridge with the cartridge installed in a main body of the image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus, the contact-separation mechanism causes the photosensitive drum and the developer-bearing member to separate from each other while the restricting member restricts the movement of the cartridge with the cartridge installed in the main body. The restriction of the movement of the cartridge by the restricting member is released in conjunction with operation of bringing the photosensitive drum and the developer-bearing member into contact with each other by the contact-separation mechanism.

Abstract: A drawer, which is included in an electronic apparatus and an image forming apparatus, includes a drawing portion, a support shaft extending in a removing direction of the drawing portion, a handle at a downstream end of the support shaft, a locking portion at an upstream end of the support shaft, and a fixing member on the drawing portion. A rotation of the handle rotates the support shaft and the locking portion together between an unlocked state in which the drawing portion is fixed and a locked state in which the drawing portion is movable. The locking portion includes a fitting projection fitting to the fixing member in the locked state. The fitting projection includes a first wall extending from a root of the fitting projection, a second wall configured to contact the fixing member in the locked state, and a slanted portion inclined toward the removing direction.

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

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body; a tray for a toner cartridge slidably coupled to the main body and configured to be pushed into and pulled out from the main body; a lever hinge-coupled to a portion of the tray for the toner cartridge and configured to rotate through a push-in/pull-out operation of the tray; a link member hinge-coupled to a portion of the lever and configured to move to a push-in/pull-out direction of the tray through rotation of the lever and simultaneously to perform pressure and pressure release on at least one customer replacement unit memory (CRUM) contact unit located in an inside of the main body; and a support frame configured to elastically support the CRUM contact unit to a direction that a photosensitive drum provided in the toner cartridge is spaced from an image transfer unit located in the main body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a supporting member configured to support a developing unit and be movable between a first position and a second position, an opening/closing member configured to open and close an opening through which the developing unit passes when the developing unit is attached to or detached from the supporting member, and a restriction member configured to restrict a movement of the supporting member from a third position different from the first and second positions, wherein in case where the opening/closing member is opened when the supporting member is at the first position, the restriction member presses the supporting member to move to the third position, and in case where the opening/closing member is opened when the supporting member is at the second position, the restriction member presses the supporting member to move to the third position.

Abstract: A sheet discharge port is provided with a guide piece extending obliquely downward in a discharge direction from an upper edge of the sheet discharge port to oppose an outlet port. The guide piece blocks flow of cooling air, which has been blown out from the outlet port, into the sheet discharge port and also abuts the sheet discharged from the sheet discharge port to guide the sheet obliquely downward in the discharge direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a detecting unit, a fan, cleaning unit, and a controller. The developing unit develops a latent image with a developer. The transfer unit transfers a developer image onto a sheet. The detecting unit detects a temperature outside the apparatus. The fan takes outside air into the apparatus. The cleaning unit collects toner supplied onto the photoconductor. The controller determines whether dew condensation has occurred. If the controller determines that dew condensation has occurred, the controller executes a first dew condensation recovery operation for rotating the fan, and when an image forming job is input, the controller executes a second dew condensation recovery operation, in addition to the first dew condensation recovery operation, the second dew condensation recovery operation comprising supplying toner to the photoconductor and collecting the toner, before executing the image forming job.

Abstract: A device for assembling and adjusting a balance spring, including a base joined to a balance bridge with an adjustable angular orientation, and having a bearing surface and a bearing plate adjacent to the bearing surface, both defining a service position of the end turn of the balance spring. A first arm extends from the base and bears a locking member for the end turn, the locking member being designed to keep the terminal coil in abutment against the bearing surface. A second arm of the device extends from the base and bears a shoe that is able to be arranged at a predefined distance from the bearing surface so as to cooperate with the end turn. A movable control member is able to act on the second arm in order to deform it elastically and move the shoe with respect to the base in order to free the end turn.

Abstract: In a timepiece 100 having an antenna 3 and motors 4, each motor 4 includes a stator 41, a coil 42 magnetically connected to the stator 41, and a rotor magnet 431 disposed in a receiving part 411 of the stator 41. With respect to each motor 4 disposed in a predetermined range from the antenna 3, an individual antimagnetic plate 5 which is a belt-like antimagnetic plate configured to have a width equal to or greater than the diameter of the rotor magnet 431 and cover a portion of the motor 4 including the rotor magnet 431 is disposed.

Abstract: A frequency division circuit includes a first frequency division circuit which divides a frequency of a reference signal that is generated by an oscillation circuit. An input/output terminal outputs an output signal of the first frequency division circuit for testing. A selection circuit outputs as an intermediate signal one of a first intermediate signal which is input from the input/output output terminal, and a second intermediate signal which is an output signal of the first frequency division circuit. A second frequency division circuit divides a frequency of the intermediate signal output from the selection circuit. A switching time count circuit begins counting a predetermined amount of time after the second frequency division circuit starts frequency-dividing the intermediate signal and, after elapse of the predetermined amount of time, switches the intermediate signal output from the selection circuit from the first intermediate signal to the second intermediate signal.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a first display unit and a second display unit that display time. A receiving unit receives a time modification command including time information for modifying a first time displayed by the first display unit. A control unit outputs a first change command for automatically changing the first time displayed by the first display unit into a modified time different from a second time displayed by the second display unit based on the received time information, and outputs a second change command for changing the second time displayed by the second display unit into the first time displayed by the first display unit before the first time is changed into the modified time. A display drive unit changes the first time and the second time based on the first change command and the second change command, respectively, from the control unit.

Abstract: A watch type mobile terminal is provided that is wearable on a wrist. The watch type mobile terminal includes a main body, a band unit, a sensing unit and a controller. The main body has a display unit. The band unit is connected to the main body so that the mobile terminal surrounds the user's wrist. The sensing unit senses a user input applied to the band unit. The controller processes the user input applied to the band unit as a control command with respect to the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A CO2 generation and control system for controlling ambient gas CO2 concentrations in a controlled environment agriculture facility, including a housing, a controller disposed within said housing, a CO2 gas supply electronically coupled to said controller so as to receive control signals from said controller; wherein said controller includes a plurality of data ports for connection to one or more environmental condition sensors, and further includes software, which when executed receives and responds to signals from said one or more data ports and adjusts gas output from said gas supply in response thereto, the adjustments being infinitely adjustable between no gas output to high gas output.

Abstract: A fluid-cooled computer system includes a plurality of heat-generating components and a cooling system configured for supplying a cooling fluid at a controlled cooling fluid flow rate to cool the heat-generating components. A temperature-based cooling control circuit includes a temperature sensor configured for sensing a temperature of the heat-generating components and control logic for increasing a cooling fluid flow rate in response to the temperature exceeding a temperature threshold. A power-based cooling control circuit is configured for identifying and quantifying an increasing power consumption trend over a target time interval and, during a period that the temperature of the electronic device does not exceed the temperature threshold, increasing a cooling fluid flow rate to the electronic device in response to the magnitude of the increasing power consumption trend exceeding a power threshold.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides: a server and a method thereof; a communication device and a method thereof; and a controlled device and a method thereof. The present subject matter provides capturing of modification caused by the neural signals on a first signal. The present subject matter provides generation and broadcasting of the first signal which interacts with the neural signal. The neural signals correspond to instructions to operate a controlled device. The interaction between the first signal and neural signal causes modification of some characteristics of the first signal, resulting in a second signal. The second signal is than captured and analyzed for generating a command corresponding to the second signal. The command is reflective of the instructions to operate the controlled device and the subject matter provides causing the controlled device to operate according to the command.

Abstract: A machining apparatus is provided with a machine learning device that performs machine learning. The machine learning device performs the machine learning by receiving the input of machining accuracy between a machining shape of a workpiece measured on-machine and design data on the workpiece and machining time of the workpiece measured by a measurement device. Based on a result of the machine learning, the machining apparatus changes machining conditions such that the machining accuracy increases and the machining time becomes as short as possible.

Abstract: A method and a system for managing power are provided. The method for managing power includes: calculating in-facility DERs based on price data; and modeling a task of a production process in an industrial facility so as to minimize an energy cost by reflecting the calculated in-facility DERs, and controls charging/discharging of an energy storage system and production electricity of an energy generation system, and selects an operating point of a schedulable task of the production process so as to minimize the energy cost according to a change in the price data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control device design method for a control device that determines a manipulation amount of a control object having a dead time by feedback control so as to bring a control amount of the control object closer to a target value. The method according to the present invention includes a step of designing a feedback loop that computes a correction amount for the manipulation amount using a plurality of controllers including a prediction model of the control object, a step of deriving the same number of delay elements as the plurality of controllers from a dead time element of the prediction model, and a step of allocating the plurality of controllers associated with the delay elements to a plurality of arithmetic units so that the computation of the feedback loop is performed by parallel computation by the plurality of arithmetic units that operate in parallel.

Abstract: To reliably detect a communication error status and to resolve the communication error status when reliably recovered from the error status. A count value is changed into one of up and down directions when a communication error is detected by a communication error determination unit, the count value is changed into the other direction of the up and down directions when communication being normal is detected by the communication error determination unit, a communication error status is output when the count value becomes a first threshold value, and the communication error status is resolved when the count value becomes a second threshold value different from the first threshold value.

Abstract: The invention discloses a context awareness control device, system and method. The context awareness control device comprises a connection module, a sensor module, an emission control module, an information processing module and an adjustment control module. The sensor module collects environmental information and transmits the environmental information to the information processing module. The information processing module collects use information of a terminal device through the connection module. The adjustment control module makes a comparison between the function situation information and the pre-stored better environment value according to the detected currently executing function, outputs a first environment control signal according to the comparison results to adjust the working state of the terminal device and emits a second environment control signal through the emission control module to adjust the working state of the electrical equipment.

Abstract: There is provided air-conditioning control in a low power operation so as not to exceed a target demand power amount in a predetermined measurement period while preventing deterioration of comfortableness of a living space.

Abstract: A multi-function thermostat for a building includes a touch-sensitive display, a communications interface, and a processing circuit. The touch-sensitive display is configured to present information to a user and receive input from the user. The communications interface is configured to receive weather information from a weather server and building emergency information from at least one of a building management system and a building device. The processing circuit configured to cause the touch-sensitive display to display emergency response directions when the weather information indicates emergency weather conditions or the building emergency information indicates a building emergency.

Abstract: A controller continues to operate in a stable manner after program modification. A controller repeatedly executes a task A and a task B in cycles. The controller includes a RAM and a task control program. The RAM stores a fixed time set longer than an actual execution time of the task A as an execution time for the task A. The task control program executes the tasks A and B, and executes the task A by using the fixed time.

Abstract: A machine tool for machining a workpiece includes a control device for moving a rotating tool relative to the workpiece. The device includes an input information-reading unit and a path-setting unit. The input information-reading unit reads input information, which relates to a path along the contour of the workpiece or the tool path of a first rotating tool that follows the external form of the workpiece. The path-setting unit converts the input information read by the input information-reading unit to generate a tool path for performing the machining using the end cutting edge of a second rotating tool.

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

Abstract: A substrate stopping position determination method of an electronic component mounting machine, is provided with a movement time calculation step of calculating movement times in which two mounting heads move in order to mount electronic components when a first substrate is positioned in a first side and a second substrate is positioned in a second side, an interference loss time calculation step of calculating an interference loss time in which, while one of the two mounting heads enters an interference area, the other waits to enter the interference area, and a stopping position determination step of determining the first and the second side set position which are selected from among all combinations as substrate stopping positions based on total movement times which are calculated for all of the combinations of the first and the second side set position and the interference loss time.

Abstract: A method for an improved 3-D printing system and a system thereof is disclosed. The method is able to blur and sharpen pattern images, and the system is flexible in assembly in order to benefit the convenience of printing, the speed of printing, and the cost of hardware and manufacturing.

Abstract: A sheet processing device that measures a property of media sheets to be processed in the device, controls a processing operation of the device on the basis of the measured property and transmits the measured property to another sheet processing device.

Abstract: A tuning system for improving operation of a plant. A server is coupled to the tuning system for communicating with the plant via a communication network. A computer system has a web-based platform for receiving and sending plant data related to the operation of the plant over the network. A display device interactively displays the plant data. A reconciliation unit is configured for reconciling actual measured data from the plant in comparison with a performance process model result from a simulation engine based on a set of predetermined reference or set points. The reconciliation unit performs a heuristic analysis against the actual measured data and the performance process model result using a set of predetermined threshold values.

Abstract: A process control monitoring system for a process control plant uses graphic trend symbols to assist in detecting and monitoring trends of process variables within the process control plant. A graphic display application within the process control monitoring system may implement and display each graphic trend symbol to graphically indicate or encapsulate current trend and value information of a process variable within the process control plant. The graphic display application may display the graphic trend symbol in a spatially realistic location within a graphical representation of the process control plant while maintaining the hierarchical structure or each hierarchical level of the process plant. The graphic display application may also include a zoom feature that enables a user to quickly drill down through tend data to obtain more information and to support problem identification and diagnosis tasks.

Abstract: Control of functions associated with a vehicle can be shared between a vehicle operator and a communication device and associated user. The communication device can comprise a control component used to facilitate controlling or sharing control of certain functions associated with the vehicle. The functions can relate to vehicle operation, navigation system, climate control system, media system, or other functions. The communication device can be in the vehicle or can be remotely located from the vehicle. The control component can communicate with a vehicle control system of the vehicle to gain access rights to certain control functions to facilitate controlling certain functions of the vehicle. In instances where vehicle control is shared with more than one communication device, the vehicle control system or vehicle operator, which can be a device or a person, can resolve any conflicts between control requests or commands received from the communication devices.

Abstract: A robotic platform configured to identify obstacles and follow a user and/or a user device. In one implementation, a processing device receives one or more sensor inputs, processes the one or more sensor inputs to identify an obstacle within a navigation path, the navigation path corresponding to a robotic platform following a user device, computes an alternate route in view of the navigation path and the identification of the obstacle, and configures the robotic platform to follow the user device based on the alternate route.

Abstract: An autonomous modular robot includes an attachment retention system that for retaining two or more interchangeable attachments for performing unique tasks, e.g., steam cleaning, vacuuming, grass cutting, etc. The attachments may be sequentially positioned in the path of travel of the robot and configured to perform complementary tasks. For example, for cleaning a floor, a first attachment may be configured to vacuum the floor and a second attachment may be configured for steam cleaning the floor. The robot may also include a vertically translatable lift mechanism. The lift mechanism may include the attachment retention system, thereby allowing the attachments to be moved vertically. The lift mechanism may also include a dimension sensor proximate a top of the lift mechanism. The dimension sensor may be utilized to determine the size, e.g., a height and/or a width of the robot with any retained attachments, to help navigate the robot and avoid obstacles.

Abstract: An operation of a spacecraft is controlled using an inner-loop control determining first control inputs for momentum exchange devices to control an orientation of the spacecraft and an outer-loop control determining second control inputs for thrusters of the spacecraft to concurrently control a pose of the spacecraft and a momentum stored by the momentum exchange devices of the spacecraft. The outer-loop control determines the second control inputs using a model of dynamics of the spacecraft including dynamics of the inner-loop control, such that the outer-loop control accounts for effects of actuation of the momentum exchange devices according to the first control inputs determined by the inner-loop control. The thrusters and the momentum exchange devices are controlled according to at least a portion of the first and the second control inputs.

Abstract: A system to maintain a phase difference is disclosed. Two or more aircraft fly in a continuous periodic trajectory. The system maintains a phase difference between the two or more aircraft. Telemetry information for a reference aircraft moving in a first periodic trajectory is received. A phase difference between a primary aircraft and the reference aircraft with respect to the first periodic trajectory is determined. A variance in the phase difference between the primary aircraft and the reference aircraft from the target phase difference is determined. A new trajectory for the primary aircraft that decreases the variance in the phase difference with respect to the new periodic trajectory is determined, and the primary aircraft is maneuvered to follow the new trajectory.

Abstract: In a method, a computer receives biometric data from sensors. The computer compares the biometric data to predefined levels of biometric data. The computer determines a score based on the biometric data. The computer compares the score to previously stored scores. The computer sends a score to conductive threads if the score is not acceptable.