Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a registration unit, a first paper feeding unit, a second paper feeding unit, and a control unit, which performs a primary paper feeding for conveying a paper sheet to a registration position, finishes the primary paper feeding at timing when the paper sheet reaches the registration position, and then after operating a target paper feeding unit until a preceding feeding time elapses, performs a secondary paper feeding for conveying the paper sheet to the printing position. The control unit sets different values of the preceding feeding time for the case where the first paper feeding unit is the target paper feeding unit and the case where the second paper feeding unit is the target paper feeding unit.

Abstract: An optical scanning device has a housing body and an upper lid. The upper lid is formed at the end part thereof with a plurality of engagement holes, the housing body is provided at the sidewall thereof with a plurality of upper lid engaging projecting parts that project outward from a housing and are engaged with the engagement holes, an input gear is held to an end part of one side or the other side of the upper lid in a predetermined direction, and the plurality of upper lid engaging projecting parts are formed such that amounts of projecting outward from the housing are increased as the plurality of upper lid engaging projecting parts are positioned at a side near the input gear in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a charging unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a residual developer collecting container, a developer feeding unit, a driving unit configured to drive the developer feeding unit and at least one of the image bearing member, the developing unit and the transfer unit, and a control unit configured to change a driving speed of the driving unit depending on a storing amount of the residual developer in the collecting container in a period from an end of formation of an image on a first recording material to a start of formation of the image on a second recording material subsequent to the first recording material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which an apparatus main body has: an insertion port through which a process cartridge cannot pass when an image bearing member and a developer bearing member are separated from each other and through which the process cartridge can pass when the image bearing member and the developer bearing member are in contact with each other; and guides that guide one of a first frame and a second frame when the process cartridge is inserted into the insertion port. The image forming apparatus has a separation mechanism that separates the image bearing member and the developer bearing member from each other when the process cartridge is further inserted after the other of the first frame and second frame has passed through the insertion port.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a toner cartridge which is housed in a cartridge housing portion, and a pushing-out unit, and the toner cartridge includes a CRUM chip. The CRUM chip stores specific information about whether the toner cartridge can be extracted at a housed position where the toner cartridge is housed in the cartridge housing portion. The pushing-out unit pushes-out the toner cartridge in a direction that the toner cartridge can be extracted from the cartridge housing portion in a case where the specific information indicates that the toner cartridge cannot be extracted at the housed position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing cartridge, a drum cartridge, and an electric contact. The developing cartridge includes a holder having a resilient member. In a state where the holder is positioned at a first position, the resilient member has a first length and the electric contact surface is in contact with the electric contact. In a state where the holder is positioned at a second position, the resilient member has a second length in the third direction longer than the first length and the electric contact surface is in contact with the electric contact. In a state where the holder moves from the first position to the second position, the holder pivots in a state where the holder is in contact with the first contact surface.

Abstract: A method for maintaining and regulating frequency of a timepiece resonator mechanism around its natural frequency, the method including: at least one regulator device acting on the resonator mechanism with a periodic motion, to impose a periodic modulation of resonant frequency or quality factor or a position of a point of rest of the resonator mechanism, with a regulation frequency between 0.9 times and 1.1 times the value of an integer multiple of the natural frequency, the integer being greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to 10, and the periodic motion imposes a periodic modulation of the quality factor of the resonator mechanism, by acting on losses and/or damping and/or friction of the resonator mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fabrication of a balance spring of a predetermined stiffness comprising the steps of fabricating a balance spring in dimensions of increased thickness, determining the stiffness of the balance spring formed in step a) in order to remove a volume of material to obtain the balance spring having the dimensions necessary for said predetermined stiffness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fabrication of a balance spring of a predetermined stiffness comprising the steps of fabricating a balance spring in dimensions to obtain a deliberately lower stiffness, determining the stiffness of the balance spring formed in step a) in order to compensate for said missing thickness of material required to obtain the balance spring having the dimensions necessary for said predetermined stiffness.

Abstract: A mechanical oscillating system for a clock including a balance spring manufactured from a non-metallic, polycrystalline material with a grain size between 10 and 50,000 nm, with a winding area of the balance spring 0.001 mm2 to 0.3 mm2, an oscillating body and a shaft for mounting of the oscillating body and the balance spring on the shaft. A spiral spring for a clock being manufactured from a non-metallic material, wherein the non-metallic material is a polycrystalline material with a grain size between 10 and 50,000 nm, and having a linear thermal expansion coefficient smaller than 8×10?6/K.

Abstract: A time-to-voltage converter (TVC) that includes a 555 timer integrated circuit (IC), and a charging circuit including a constant current source and a capacitor connected in series. The capacitor can be connected to a discharge pin of the 555 timer IC. The TVC can further include a trigger circuit and a reset circuit to receive a start signal and a stop signal, respectively, from an input line, and accordingly generate a trigger signal or a reset signal to trigger or reset the 555 timer IC. A switch can be configured to, under control of an output signal of the 555 timer IC, connect the input line with the reset circuit. A voltage across the capacitor when the 555 timer IC is reset indicates a time interval corresponding to the start and stop signals.

Abstract: A timepiece includes a case in which an electronic module supplying at least one item of information is arranged. The at least one item of information is displayed on a dial by a display. The electronic module also includes a communication unit having an optical receiving device. The optical receiving device includes at least one photoelectric receiver arranged to face a first aperture formed on the dial so that an optical signal can be received by the optical receiver.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a device capable of wireless communication includes a counter for counting current time, and a processor for setting a communication mode of the device to one of a notification mode in which the device sends a first notification signal for informing of its existence and a detection mode in which the device detects a second notification signal sent from other device. In the case that the processor changes the communication mode of the device from the notification mode to the detection mode and the second notification signal received in the detection mode includes first time information, the processor corrects time of the counter based on the first time information.

Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium for controlling a process plant includes instructions operable to determine the location of a device in the process plant and to display data related to proximate devices. The instructions cause a processor to transmit to a server a first request for first data from a data storage area and to receive from the server, in response to the first request, first data from the storage area. The instructions cause the processor to cause the display to display the first data received from the server and to receive an indication that the mobile user interface device is in proximity to an external device. The instructions cause the processor to transmit to the server a second request for second data according to the received indication and to receive second data from the server.

Abstract: A control system for a plant includes a controller and a sensor. The controller is configured to estimate a response time of the plant and adjust a sampling rate based on the estimated response time. The response time is a parameter that characterizes a response of the plant to a disturbance. The sensor is configured to receive the adjusted sampling rate from the controller, collect samples of a measured variable from the plant at the adjusted sampling rate, and provide the samples of the measured variable to the controller.

Abstract: A human collaborative robot system having a function of detecting a force includes a human collaborative robot and a learning unit into which sensing data, internal data, and calculation data are input. The learning unit outputs a first force component applied to the human collaborative robot from outside, a second force component occurring in an operation of the human collaborative robot, and a third force component categorized as noise; and performs learning using supervised data in which inputs and correct labels obtained in advance are collected in pairs, wherein the correct labels of the supervised data are obtained by exerting a force on the human collaborative robot from outside, operating the human collaborative robot over a plurality of paths, and applying noise to the human collaborative robot, and the operation of the human collaborative robot is controlled based on the first force component output from the learning unit.

Abstract: Every junction part for an airplane wing is manufactured with overmaterial. Each part is measured with a laser based interferometer or other scanning technique and the “as built” measurements are compared with a model to generate a new trajectory milling program to fill or prevent gaps between parts using a points cloud and B-Spline algorithm to generate a new surface to be milled. Once the program is generated (new trajectories) and post processed, it is sent to a milling machine to perform overmaterial milling on already milled parts with overmaterial. This technique can be used to eliminate gaps between junction parts and the corresponding need for shims.

Abstract: This technology includes identifying current items of motorized transport inventory having one or more current features from received motorized transport inventory data. Each match of one or more mapped features of any mapped master pieces of media content with the current features of any of the current items of motorized transport inventory is determined. At least one of the master pieces of media content is mapped to two or more of the current items of motorized transport inventory. Any missing pieces of media content of the one or more current features of any of the current items of motorized transport inventory are identified based on the one or more determined matched master pieces of media content. One or more of the identified missing pieces of media content of any of the current items of motorized transport inventory is obtained.

Abstract: A system includes a terminal configured to intake a vehicle into a service shop, a server configured to store vehicle data associated with the vehicle, and, a scanner configured to identify the vehicle and relay timing and location information about the vehicle to the server.

Abstract: A system having a utility, a communications intermediary and demand response resources. The utility may be connected to the communications intermediary via a network. The demand response resources may be connected to the communications intermediary via another network. A single dispatch destined for the demand response resources may be sent to the communications intermediary. The dispatch may be disaggregated at the communications intermediary into a multitude of dispatches which may be dispersed to their respective destined demand response resources. The demand response resources may send telemetries to the communications intermediary that aggregates the telemetries into a single telemetry. The single telemetry may be sent to the utility.

Abstract: A data center infrastructure management (DCIM) system having an infrastructure control fabric (ICF) subsystem integrated into at least one infrastructure device in a data center, for enabling independent infrastructure devices to communicate independently with the DCIM and to be controlled by the ICF subsystem.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for monitoring an electromechanical component of an automation system. The method may include acquiring of a mechanical state variable of the electromechanical component, acquiring of an electrical state variable of the electromechanical component, and determining of a state of the electromechanical component based on a multidimensional characteristic line field with a plurality of states of the electromechanical component, wherein the mechanical state variable and the electrical state variable are associated with each state of the electromechanical component.

Abstract: A system and method to control drilling based on determining a sensitivity range of an electromagnetic tool include obtaining a resistivity model over an interval of depths, obtaining an original tool response from the resistivity model over the interval of depths for a tool configuration, and positioning an artificial layer in the resistivity model to generate a modified resistivity model. The method also includes obtaining a modified tool response from the modified resistivity model and iteratively performing the positioning the artificial layer and the obtaining the modified tool response, estimating the sensitivity range according to a position of the artificial layer when a normalized difference between the original tool response and the modified tool response reaches a threshold value, and assigning a different confidence level to information obtained from the resistivity model beyond the sensitivity range and controlling the drilling based on the resistivity model and the confidence level.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing and optimizing worksite operations based on video and or audio data are disclosed. One method includes receiving one or more models relating to a worksite, receiving first sensor data associated with the machine at the worksite, receiving second sensor data associated with an operation of the machine at the worksite, wherein the second sensor data is sourced from a sensor that is different from a sensor sourcing the first sensor data, determining, by the one or more processors, a machine state based at least on the first data and the second data, comparing the determined machine state to a modeled machine state represented by the received one or more models to classify site operations and/or detect an irregularity in site operations or an inefficiency in site operations, and generating a response based at least on the detected irregularity or inefficiency.

Abstract: Techniques for commissioning a process control device in a process plant include obtaining, at a portable computing device, commissioning data for commissioning the respective process control device for operation, such as a device tag. The portable computing device then transfers the commissioning data to a component in the same process control loop as the process control device via a wireless communication link. For example, the component includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) or near field communication (NFC) unit for receiving RFID/NFC signals. When the portable computing device is within RFID/NFC communication range of the component, the commissioning data is transferred via an RFID/NFC signal to the component. The commissioning data is received while the component is in an unpowered state, where the RFID/NFC signal energizes the RFID/NFC unit at the component for receiving the signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for prioritizing a demand response program event based on occupancy for one or more buildings of one or more building types participating in a demand response program is provided. The apparatus has an occupancy estimator and a dispatch controller. The occupancy estimator is configured to receive energy consumption and outside temperature streams corresponding to a portion of the one or more buildings, and is configured to employ occupancy components for each of the one or more buildings within the portion to process the streams, and is configured to generate occupancy levels corresponding to the one or more buildings within the portion, where the occupancy components and the occupancy levels are generated by exclusively processing the streams, and is configured to assign the occupancy levels to remaining ones of the one or more buildings not in the first portion.

Abstract: A system of hardware configuration of a programmable control instrument, test and measure that includes an integrated FPGA is disclosed. The FPGA includes a static section comprising at least one static logic FPGA preset; a dynamic section comprising at least one dynamic logic FPGA programmable by a user; and a logical interface that connects the static section and dynamic section.

Abstract: A device for monitoring and controlling an electrical system. The device has a control unit which attaches to a building's electrical system. The control unit includes a sensor attached to each circuit of the electrical system, wherein the sensor can detect characteristics of the circuit and transmit the data to a computer. The computer can analyze the data to check for fault states and other anomalies as well as monitor overall performance of the electrical system. The computer can disable electricity from reaching the circuit when a fault condition is detected via the sensor. Further, the data can be transmitted to a display in order to provide status updates and recommendations to a user. The status of each of the building's circuit is displayed and a user may test or reset any circuit via an interface with the display or a mobile electronic device.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a control program for sequence control. The sequence-control programming apparatus includes a storage section configured to store plural types of given ladders respectively describing plural types of commands separately from each other by ladder logic, the commands related to a specific operation to be executed by the operating system; a selection input section configured to receive a selection input for selecting a plurality of desired given ladders from the plural types of given ladders; and a program generating section configured to extract the plurality of desired given ladders from the storage section in accordance with the selection input, and combine the extracted desired given ladders to convert the extracted desired given ladders into a single system-compatible ladder configured to make the operating system execute the specific operation, so as to generate the control program.

Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to food freshness management. A freshness triggering event may be identified for a food item. The freshness triggering event may indicate that a criterion related to the food item has been achieved. A food freshness management action may be determined. The food freshness management action may be determined to respond to the freshness triggering event for the food item. The food freshness management action may be initiated. The food freshness management action may be carried-out with respect to the freshness triggering event for the food item.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a PLC system including a first CPU comprising a first media access control (MAC) communications layer and configured to generate data necessary for operation of the CPU, perform control operation based on the generated data, and transmit the generated data to a second CPU via the first MAC communications layer is included. The PLC system may further include the second CPU comprising a second MAC communications layer receiving the generated data via the first MAC communications layer and configured to perform service operation based on the received data. The first CPU may be connected to a memory in which data to be transmitted to the second CPU is stored at a predetermined location, and the second CPU may receive the data stored in the predetermined location of the memory by a direct memory access (DMA) scheme.

Abstract: An automation system includes a first control facility with a first fieldbus connection, a second control facility with a second fieldbus connection, a fieldbus, a peripheral board with at least one I/O peripheral module, wherein the peripheral board has an interface module with a third fieldbus connection, where the interface module has at least one I/O module which stores interconnection information featuring an assignment of input/outputs of the I/O peripheral module(s) to the control facilities, where the interface module additionally has a virtual I/O module, in which an output region is assigned to the first control facility, and furthermore an input region is assigned to the second controller, and where the virtual I/O module is configured such that the output data is copied from the output region of the first control facility into the input region as input data for the second control facility.

Abstract: An iterative method for controlling a production process and a production control unit for iteratively controlling the production process of at least one of a material and a product formed out of the compound material. Nominal parameters and indicative parameters selected from the group comprising process parameters, material recipe parameters and product property parameters are provided in the iterative method or to the production control unit. The iterative method and production control unit consider the nominal and indicative parameters, including both process parameters and material recipe parameters to determine whether a setting of at least one correcting parameter for a subsequent process is necessary. A correcting parameter is selected from the group comprising process parameters and recipe parameters and the setting of at least one correction parameter comprises the choice of a parameter from a parameter set comprising process parameters and material recipe parameters.

Abstract: This tool path generating method, which generates a tool path for machining a corner section at which a recess section machined in a workpiece intersects with the outer circumferential surface of the workpiece, includes: a step for calculating a virtual traveling direction, which is a movement direction of a point on the rotational axis line of a rotating tool when the recess section is machined; a step for calculating the position of the corner section from the virtual traveling direction and shape data of the workpiece; and a step for generating a tool path for machining along the calculated position of the corner section.

Abstract: Executable format data resulting from decoding of a positioning block (retraction block) prior to start of cutting and an end point coordinate position P1 for command for the retraction block are stored. When machining is interrupted and a request for retraction of a tool is input, a retracting operation 1 is performed to retract the tool from a machining interruption position P2 to the stored end point coordinate position P1 of the retraction block. Subsequently, the stored executable format data of the retraction block is executed, with a moving direction for the executable format data being reversed to move the tool. The tool performs a retracting operation 2 of moving in the opposite direction along a moving path for in the retraction block. The retracting operations 1, 2 allow the tool to be retracted while avoiding interfering with other members.

Abstract: An automated computer-implemented method for generating commands for controlling a computer numerically controlled machine to fabricate an object from a workpiece, the method including the steps of selecting a maximum permitted engagement angle between a rotating cutting tool and the workpiece, selecting a minimum permitted engagement angle between the rotating cutting tool and the workpiece, and configuring a tool path for the tool relative to the workpiece in which the engagement angle gradually varies between the maximum permitted engagement angle and the minimum permitted engagement angle.

Abstract: A laser processing system includes redundant actuators positioning a laser spot on a workpiece. The system determines a first trajectory of the first actuator minimizing motion of the first actuator that positions the second actuator such that each point of the reference trajectory is within a range of the second actuator and determines a second trajectory of the second actuator based on a difference between the reference trajectory and the first trajectory. For each axis of control, the system determines an envelope centered on the reference trajectory with a width not greater than the range of the second actuator and determines shortest trajectory traversing the envelope along the time domain to produce the first trajectory. Hence, the first trajectory includes a set of straight segments satisfying the constraints defined by the shape of the envelope. The system includes controllers for control the motion of redundant actuators.

Abstract: A foil transfer device, a foil transfer method, and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program when executed by a computer causes the computer to execute first, second and third processes. In the first process, an acute angle portion included in a contour of a predetermined shape is specified. In the second process, an approximation curve along a contour of the acute angle portion specified in the first process and is located inside the predetermined shape is obtained. In the third process, movement route data for the acute angle portion is created along the approximation curve obtained in the second process. The movement route data is usable for, for example, control of moving a heater of the foil transfer device.

Abstract: Provided is a program of calculating a tool path that processes a workpiece having a complicated shape with use of an apparatus enabling multiaxial control in a program including a robot or the like with simple information input. A path calculation program for calculating a tool path for processing a curved processed part formed by a hole provided in a curved-surface-shaped workpiece functions as a workpiece shape information inputter configured to input workpiece shape information about a shape of the workpiece and a shape of the curve, a tool shape information inputter configured to input tool shape information about a shape of the tool, and a tool position calculator configured to calculate a tool position enabling a specified point on the curve to be processed by the tool based on the input workpiece shape information and tool shape information.

Abstract: A method for controlling the motor of a tool magazine that rotates around a horizontal rotation axis is configured so that: at least two indexing positions for the tool magazine are determined; the load torque acting on the tool magazine when stopped at said indexing positions is measured; an unbalance torque, which is the load torque when stopped at the indexing position at which the load torque when stopped is maximal, is calculated from multiple load torques when stopped; and the servo motor for the tool magazine is controlled on the basis of the unbalance torque.

Abstract: An emergency stop system includes: an emergency stop switch including an operation button, a state output unit which outputs a state different in accordance with whether or not the operation button is pushed down, and an attachment unit which attaches the operation button and the state output unit to the mobile device in a detachable manner in such a manner that the state of the state output unit is positioned at a side facing a camera of the mobile device at the time of attachment to the mobile device; and an information processing unit determines in accordance with an image related to the state of the state output unit as imaged by the camera whether to output an emergency stop signal indicating an emergency stop of the machine operated by the mobile device or to output an emergency stop signal indicating no emergency stop of the machine.

Abstract: Graphics representing a main-spindle-side structure and a table-side structure and graphics representing arrows indicating the movement directions of feed shafts are stored in a storage unit, and when switched to manual operation, a display computation unit computes the orientations of said arrows with respect to the structure that moves, said structure being either the main-spindle-side structure or the table-side structure, and computed graphics representing the structures and the arrows are displayed in a differentiated manner so as to make it evident which structure moves.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured including an information obtaining unit that extracts information on plural parts' attributes, locations, and adjoining relations with other parts; a unit that sorts parts by part type and detects a distinctive shape from 3D CAD model; a unit that represents adjoining relations between parts in an assembly graph; a unit that creates disassembling directions and a disassembling sequence based on the assembly graph and, by reversing them, derives an assembling sequence and assembling directions; a unit that computes an index indicating a quality of easiness of assembling a part by subtracting the sum of deficiency points per part from a reference score; a unit that creates virtual worker positions, postures, and viewpoints according to assembling sequence and evaluates workability; and a unit that computes an evaluation value per part by the index of easiness of assembling the part and a total evaluation value of assembly workability.

Abstract: A design application generates a spectrum of design options that meet certain design criteria. Each design option may potentially be composed of a different type of material. The design application filters the spectrum of design options for presentation in a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI illustrates different design options based on material of composition within a parallel axis plot that includes separate axes for different material attributes. The GUI also displays envelopes of design options for each different material or material type, where each envelope has a different color, pattern, opacity, or other visual attribute. A GUI engine dynamically updates the GUI to reflect constraints and other design criteria applied to the spectrum of design options.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is configured to provide an additive manufacturing apparatus with data for creating a modeling object. The additive manufacturing apparatus includes a layering part configured to layer a material and move in accordance with trajectory information to create the modeling object. The information processing apparatus includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to create a cross-sectional shape of the modeling object using data on the shape of the modeling object, create the trajectory information based on the created cross-sectional shape, and create width information to dynamically vary the width of the material to be layered based on the trajectory information.

Abstract: A synchronization primitive provides robots with locks, monitors, semaphores, or other mechanisms for reserving temporary access to a shared limited set of resources required by the robots in performing different tasks. Through non-conflicting establishment of the synchronization primitives across the set of resources, robots can prioritize the order with which assigned tasks are completed and minimize wait times for resources needed to complete each of the assigned tasks, thereby maximizing the number of tasks simultaneously executed by the robots and optimizing task completion. The synchronization primitives and resulting resource allocation can be implemented with a centralized coordinator or with peer-to-peer robotic messaging, whereby private keys and blockchains secure the precedence and establishment of synchronization primitives by different robots.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a plant operation support-system server and a plant operation support system which can manage the current situation of overall resources that are required for performing jobs corresponding to a procedure manual, and can further achieve resource management with enough margin based on future prediction. Using a current procedure-manual location determination unit, a control unit of a plant operation support-system server determines a current location in procedure-manual data DM, based on a condition of the plant acquired through sensors by a plant data acquisition unit. When there is a change in the current location, the control unit causes a current-situation management determination unit to assign currently-required resources according to the current position and causes a predictive management determination unit to predict presence/absence of resource deficiency.

Abstract: The present invention discloses robotic process automation (RPA) of supply chain management (SCM) operations. In example embodiments the invention discloses RPA method and systems for supply chain management. The RPA systems include IOT devices and server as part of a sub network for secured communication relating to SCM operations like procurement operations. The system and method of the present invention utilizes AI based processing logic using a bot for automation of SCM operations thereby reducing the processing times and increasing efficiency.

Abstract: Systems and methods for loading and delivering stalk subassemblies and yarn packages are disclosed herein. Such systems and methods can have at least one processor, at least one automated guided vehicle, at least one creel assembly, and an automated creel loading assembly. The at least one automated guided vehicle can be communicatively coupled to the at least one processor. The at least one processor can be configured to selectively direct an automated guided vehicle to engage a respective stalk subassembly. Upon engagement between the automated guided vehicle and the stalk subassembly, the processor can be configured to selectively direct the automated guided vehicle to move about and between the selected operative position within the creel assembly and a loading position proximate the automated creel loading assembly.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product, include obtaining a dataset related to a power grid collected by a plurality of sensors distributed in the power grid, identifying a region as a candidate fault region based on first data in the dataset, the first data being collected by a first sensor from among the plurality of sensors that is located in the region, and verifying the candidate fault region based on second data in the dataset, the second data being collected by a second sensor from among the plurality of sensors that is adjacent to the first sensor.