Abstract: A position measurement system to measure a position of an object relative to a reference, the position measurement system including two interferometers, wherein each interferometer is configured to form a reference beam and a measurement beam from input radiation and to combine the reference beam and the measurement beam to provide output radiation to be delivered to a detector, wherein each interferometer is configured such that the reference beam is formed by reflection of input radiation from a reflective element, and such that the measurement beam is formed by diffraction of input radiation from a grating on the object, and wherein the reference beam and the measurement beam are parallel to each other.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for providing a thermal distribution on a workpiece during a lithographic process. The system provides a source of lithographic energy to workpiece, such as a workpiece having a lithographic film formed thereover. A workpiece support having a plurality of thermal devices embedded therein is configured to support the workpiece concurrent to an exposure of the workpiece to the lithographic energy. A controller individually controls a temperature of each of the plurality of thermal devices, therein controlling a specified temperature distribution across the workpiece associated with the exposure of the workpiece to the lithographic energy. Controlling the temperature of the thermal devices can be based on a model, a measured temperature of the workpiece, and/or a prediction of a temperature at one or more locations on the workpiece.

Abstract: A porous member is used in a liquid removal system of an immersion lithographic projection apparatus to smooth uneven flows. A pressure differential across the porous member may be maintained at below the bubble point of the porous member so that a single-phase liquid flow is obtained. Alternatively, the porous member may be used to reduce unevenness in a two-phase flow.

Abstract: A mirror, in particular for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, has an optically effective surface, a mirror substrate (205, 305), a reflection layer (220, 320), which is configured to provide the mirror with a reflectivity of at least 50% for electromagnetic radiation with a predetermined operating wavelength incident on the optically effective surface (200a, 300a) at angles of incidence in relation to the respective surface normals of at least 65°, and a substrate protection layer (210, 310) which is arranged between the mirror substrate (205, 305) and the reflection layer (220, 320). The substrate protection layer has a transmission of less than 0.1% for EUV radiation.

Abstract: A substrate cleaning device includes a cleaning brush having a circular upper end surface, and cleans a lower surface of a substrate by bringing the upper end surface of the cleaning brush into contact with the lower surface of the substrate rotated by a spin chuck. A space forming member is provided for cleaning of the cleaning brush. The space forming member has a lower end surface. Further, the space forming member has a circular opening in a lower end surface and forms an inner space. A cleaning liquid is supplied to the inner space of the space forming member with the circular opening closed by the upper end surface of the cleaning brush, whereby the cleaning liquid is allowed to flow out from the inner space through the circular opening and a gap between the upper end surface of the cleaning brush and the lower end surface of the space forming member.

Abstract: Lithography systems and methods are provided with enhanced performance based on broader utilization of the integrated metrology tool in the printing tool to handle the metrology measurements in the system in a more sophisticated and optimized way. Additional operation channels are disclosed, enabling the integrated metrology tool to monitor and/or allocate metrology measurements thereby and by a standalone metrology tool with respect to specified temporal limitations of the printing tool; to adjust and optimize the metrology measurement recipes; to provide better process control to optimize process parameters of the printing tool; as well as to group process parameters of the printing tool according to a metrology measurements landscape.

Abstract: A charge transport molecule containing four radical polymerizable functional groups used in an overcoat for an organic photoconductor drum of an electrophotographic image forming device is provided. The charge transport molecule containing four radical polymerizable functional groups of the general structure exemplified below: where R1 and R2 contain a spacer group and a radical polymerizable functional group, R3 and R4 are selected from the group consisting of a radical polymerizable functional group, a non-radical polymerizable functional group, and one each of a radical polymerizable functional group and a non-radial polymerizable functional group, and R5 and R6 contain a spacer group and a radical polymerizable functional group.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a surface layer containing a charge transporting material and a polyester resin having a specific structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a toner for development of electrostatic images, including step (1): subjecting a polyhydric alcohol component and a polycarboxylic acid component to polycondensation reaction in the presence of a hydroxy group- or carboxy group-containing hydrocarbon wax (W1) to obtain a non-crystalline resin (A) containing a constitutional component derived from the hydrocarbon wax (W1) and also containing a polyester moiety; step (2): dispersing the non-crystalline resin (A) obtained in the step (1) in an aqueous medium to obtain an aqueous dispersion of resin particles (X); step (3): aggregating the resin particles (X) obtained in the step (2) in an aqueous medium in the presence of a crystalline polyester (B) to obtain aggregated particles; and step (4): coalescing the aggregated particles obtained in the step (3).

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrophotographic member which has a high ability to impart charge to toners while the charge imparting ability is unlikely to be reduced even under an environment at high temperature and high humidity. The electrophotographic member comprises a substrate, an elastic layer formed on the substrate, an intermediate layer covering the surface of the elastic layer, and a surface layer covering the surface of the intermediate layer, wherein the intermediate layer contains a binder resin and a polymer having a specific structure, the surface layer contains silicon oxide, and the surface layer has a thickness of 10 nm or more and 300 nm or less.

Abstract: An inner resistive film is applied to a conductive substrate. Ductile particles are disposed substantially uniformly throughout the inner resistive film. An outer resistive film is applied to the inner resistive film.

Abstract: In certain examples, a liquid electrophotographic printer has a charge erasing element and a charging element. The charge erasing element at least partially discharges a charged photo imaging plate and a charged layer of liquid toner and the charging element at least partially recharges the layer of liquid toner and the photo imaging plate.

Abstract: A light emitting element device includes: a light emitting thyristor having a layered structure including a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type, a third semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, and a fourth semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type that are layered in this order; and a gate electrode for supplying gate current to the light emitting thyristor. The light emitting thyristor includes an etching stop layer disposed on a surface of the third semiconductor layer or included in the third semiconductor layer, the etching stop layer being a semiconductor layer having an etching rate lower than an etching rate of a semiconductor layer adjacent to the etching stop layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer unit, a toner container, a capacitance sensor, a toner amount detector, and a determining unit. The toner container is located to be removably attachable to the image forming apparatus. The toner container supplies a toner to the developer unit. The capacitance sensor is located on a supply passage for the toner from the toner container to the developer unit. The capacitance sensor detects an electric charge amount and a relative dielectric constant of the toner. The electric charge amount is an electric charge amount when the toner passes through the supply passage. The toner amount detector detects an amount of the toner passing through the supply passage based on the electric charge amount detected by the capacitance sensor. The determining unit determines whether the relative dielectric constant of the toner detected by the capacitance sensor is in a predetermined range.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer holding member that holds a developer, a supplying member that supplies the developer to the developer holding member, a transport member that transports the developer while passing the developer onto the supplying member through a passing member, the transport member including a discharge unit that discharges excess developer and that is provided downstream of the passing member in a transport direction, a detecting unit that is provided upstream of the discharge unit in the transport direction and that detects a toner concentration, and a retaining member that includes a non-application portion that prevents action of a force for transporting the developer radially outward and that retains the developer in a region corresponding to the detecting unit of the transport member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of preventing unnecessary replacement of a toner cartridge when a drum part is replaced. The toner cartridge supplies toner. The drum part uses the toner supplied from the toner cartridge as lubricant when the drum part performs a first time operation after it has been mounted. The toner cartridge and the drum part are removably mounted. The image forming apparatus detects a value indicative of the remaining amount of toner stored in the toner cartridge and a value indicative of the remaining lifetime of the drum part. When the value indicative of the remaining lifetime is not larger than a predetermined threshold value, replacement of the drum part is notified. Contents of the notification are changed according to the value indicative of the remaining amount of toner stored in the toner cartridge.

Abstract: A developing device includes a rotatable developing member carrying a developer containing toner and a carrier to a developing position and a magnet provided fixedly inside the rotatable developing member and including first and second magnetic poles. A cover portion opposes the rotatable developing member. A most upstream end of the cover portion is positioned downstream of an uppermost position of the rotatable developing member and upstream of a most upstream position of a half-width of magnetic flux density of the first magnetic pole, and a most downstream end of the cover portion is positioned downstream of a first peak position and upstream of a position where the magnetic flux density of the first magnetic pole is a minimum on a side downstream of the first peak position and upstream of a second peak position where magnetic flux density of the second magnetic pole is a maximum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device that includes a heater to heat a fixing rotator, an opposed rotator to press against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween, and at least one rotary body to convey a recording medium to the fixing nip. A controller rotates the fixing rotator in a forward direction to fix a toner image on the recording medium. The controller stops the heater and rotates the fixing rotator in a predetermined rotation direction when a failure occurs while the fixing device is activated. The controller determines that the predetermined rotation direction is the forward direction or a backward direction according to the at least one rotary body that sandwiches the recording medium, if the fixing nip and the at least one rotary body sandwich the recording medium simultaneously when the failure occurs while the fixing device is activated.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotary member, a heating member provided inside the rotary member, supply parts that supply power to the heating member, cover parts that cover the supply parts, and fixing members that fix the rotary member in an axial direction. The cover parts have a restriction part that restricts movement of the rotary member in the axial direction.

Abstract: In a first image formation mode, an image is formed with a first development contrast C1 and a specific dot pattern is formed with a second development contrast C2, which is lower than the first development contrast C1; in a second image formation mode, an image is formed with a third development contrast C3 and a specific dot pattern is formed with a fourth development contrast C4, which is lower than the third development contrast C3; and when ?C1 (=C2/C1) denotes a ratio between the second development contrast C2 and the first development contrast C1, and ?C2 (=C4/C3) denotes a ratio between the fourth development contrast C4 and the third development contrast C3, ?C2<?C1 is satisfied.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing device used for image processing in an image forming device that executes linear image forming in a first direction repeatedly in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and executes two-dimensional image forming on a recording medium, the image processing device including: a processor configured to: acquire a phase of a member that contributes to image forming by rotating or circulating in the second direction and calculate, for each of different phases, an input/output gradation characteristic indicating a correspondence relationship in density in the same pixels in pre-output image data and post-output image data acquired by scanning of an image formed on the recording medium; calculates correction data to solve a difference between the input/output gradation characteristic in each of the phases and a reference input/output gradation characteristic; and correct the pre-output image data with the correction data of each of the phases.

Abstract: In an image forming device including a volume supply type developing device, generation of an aggregate of a developer on a back surface of a layer thickness regulating member is suppressed, while occurrence of an image failure caused by the aggregate is suppressed. An image forming device includes: a photosensitive drum; a developing device including a developing roller; a toner container including a toner sensor; and a control portion. According to an increase or decrease of a retention part formed in a first transport path, a toner flows into the developing device from the toner container. The control portion causes the developing roller to reversely rotate at predetermined timing when the toner sensor senses that a residual amount of a toner in the toner container falls below a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member configured to bear a toner image formed using a liquid developer containing toner particles and a carrier liquid, a transfer member, an input portion into which information on a kind of a recording material is inputted, an adjusting device configured to adjust an amount of the carrier liquid of the toner image, and an executing portion configured to execute an operation of the adjusting device depending on the information when the toner image is in the adjusting position. The executing position executes either of a plurality of operations including a first operation in which the amount of the carrier liquid of the toner image is increased, a second operation in which the amount of the carrier liquid is decreased, and a third operation in which the amount of the carrier liquid is not adjusted.

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.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes an image adjustment unit that performs image adjustment on an image for adjustment formed on a rotary member by an image forming unit, based on a detection result by a detection unit. The image adjustment unit calculates the position of second data corresponding to the detection result by detecting an area in which the image for adjustment is formed, calculates first data corresponding to the position of the second data corresponding to the detection result by detecting an area in which the image for adjustment is not formed, and performs the image adjustment by using the first data and the second data.

Abstract: An exposure device forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor drum. A charging device charges the photoconductor drum with a charging bias. A development roller holds toner with a development bias and attaches the toner to the electrostatic latent image. A toner image is obtained by attaching the toner to the electrostatic latent image and primarily transferred onto an intermediate transfer member. A determining unit primarily transfers to the intermediate transfer member non-image toner attached on the photoconductor drum while the charging bias and the development bias are increased before image forming and/or while the charging bias and the development bias are decreased after image forming, and determines an amount of the non-image toner on the basis of an output of a sensor. A managing unit determines a toner consumption amount or a toner residual amount with taking the determined amount of the non-image toner into account.

Abstract: A sheet processing device that bonds sheets to one another and then folds a resultant sheet bundle. The sheet processing device includes a stacker section that sequentially stores sheets moved thereto, an adhesive-binding unit that applies an adhesive onto sheets sequentially stored in the stacker section one by one in a sheet moving direction to bond the sheets to one another, a moving member that moves the sheets to an application position of the adhesive-binding unit, and a folding processing section that folds a sheet bundle formed by the bonded sheets at a predetermined folding position. When the number of sheets to be bonded by the adhesive-binding unit applying the adhesive onto the sheets exceeds a predetermined number, the adhesive is applied at two positions separated from each other across the folding position.

Abstract: A printing system comprises: a printing unit configured to print an image on a sheet; and a control unit configured to control to perform creasing at a first pressure at a portion, corresponding to an edge of a spine cover, of the sheet on which the printing unit has printed the image, and perform creasing at a second pressure different from the first pressure at a portion of the sheet that corresponds to a hinge.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a method of cleaning a silicon photoconductor includes contacting the silicon photoconductor with a base-peroxide solution, rinsing the silicon photoconductor with a liquid, and heating the silicon photoconductor to evaporate the liquid.

Abstract: A cabinet structure includes multiple cover members configured to spatially partition an inside from an outside of a cabinet, and a clearance communicating between the inside and the outside of the cabinet is left between two cover members, the two cover members being adjacent to each other, of the cover members, and a passage defined by the clearance and leading from the inside to the outside of the cabinet through the clearance has a shape with multiple bends.

Abstract: An imaging device or other device having a sequencing device to ensure a proper closing sequence of two mating doors. The sequencing device includes a door stop, a link, and a hinge. The hinge and door stop are pivotally connected to a side panel of a frame. The hinge, link, and door stop are pivotally connected together.

Abstract: A process cartridge including a first frame member molded by pouring a resin from a gate; a conductive sheet adhered integrally to a sheet adhering portion of the first frame member by molding of the resin; and a second frame member configured to define a toner storage portion by being coupled with the first frame member, wherein, the first frame member includes a bent portion at the sheet adhering portion, and a portion of the first frame member different in thickness is provided at an adjacent position to the adhering portion.

Abstract: A cartridge that can be mounted in and detached from main body of an apparatus of an image forming apparatus includes: a rotating member that rotates upon reception of driving force from main body of the apparatus; a coupling member that includes a force receiving portion for receiving the driving force from main body of the apparatus via a drive shaft, transmits the driving force to the rotating member by rotating, and is capable of moving relative to the rotating member; and a wire-shaped biasing member for biasing the coupling member, wherein the coupling member includes a groove that is contacted by the biasing member, and an opening width of the groove is wider than a wire diameter of the biasing member.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a hologram of an object includes a light source that emits an incoherent electromagnetic wave toward the object, and a masking device configured to display a mask, receive the incoherent electromagnetic wave emitted toward the object, mask the received incoherent electromagnetic wave according to the displayed mask, and produce a masked electromagnetic wave. The apparatus also includes an image recording device configured to capture an image of the masked electromagnetic wave, and a processing device configured to convert the image of the masked electromagnetic wave into the hologram of the object. A method for producing a hologram of an object is also described.

Abstract: A display hand intended to equip a timepiece, including a body and a pipe, providing an arbor hole arranged for fitting the display hand onto a drive arbor. The body is made of a composite material, the pipe includes, over all or part of the outer periphery, a surface for connection to the hand body to ensure the adhesion of the composite material to the pipe.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus is provided that is able to equip any object of value, such as a watch or piece of jewelery, and protect it. The present mobile apparatus includes: an electronic module able to execute a mobile application, a display screen connected to the electronic module and arranged to display information relative to the mobile application, and a fastening support whereof the shapes and dimensions are arranged so that the mobile apparatus can successively equip any object of value, and to be able to fasten, removably and by superposition, at least one display screen to an object of value when object of value is attached around part of a human body. In addition, the mobile apparatus covers at least part of a surface of the object of value designed to be easily visible by the person when the object is worn.

Abstract: An electronic watch may include a tactile switch and/or one or more sensors for detecting rotational and translational inputs. The watch may include a display configured to produce graphical outputs that may change in response to rotational inputs, translational inputs, and/or touch inputs received at the display. The watch include a crown positioned along an exterior of the watch enclosure and a shaft coupled to the crown and extending into the enclosure. The tactile switch and/or the one or more sensors may be used to detect rotational and/or translational inputs provided at the crown.

Abstract: An electronic watch may include a tactile switch and/or one or more sensors for detecting rotational and translational inputs. The watch may include a display configured to produce graphical outputs that may change in response to rotational inputs, translational inputs, and/or touch inputs received at the display. The watch include a crown positioned along an exterior of the watch enclosure and a shaft coupled to the crown and extending into the enclosure. The tactile switch and/or the one or more sensors may be used to detect rotational and/or translational inputs provided at the crown.

Abstract: A camera optical sensor is disposed at a distal end portion of a camera watch band that attaches a watch body to a user's wrist. The camera watch band is configured to be coupled to at least one side of the watch body, and the camera watch band includes an optical sensor or camera, and an operable connection to transfer data between the optical sensor and the display or other device. The band is flexible and may be manipulated by a user to aim an optical sensor disposed at the distal end portion of the camera watch band separately from the watch body. The display or other device functions as the viewfinder for the optical sensor.

Abstract: An electronic watch includes: a step motor; a driving pulse generator circuit configured to output a driving pulse for driving the step motor; a detection pulse generator circuit configured to output a detection pulse for detecting rotation of the step motor; a correction pulse generator circuit configured to output a correction pulse; a pulse selection circuit configured to select and output the driving pulse, the detection pulse, and the correction pulse; a driver circuit configured to supply to the step motor the outputs from the pulse selection circuit; and a rotation detection circuit configured to receive a detection signal generated by the detection pulse to judge rotation of the step motor. The electronic watch further includes a driving interval switch circuit configured to switch a driving interval of the driving pulse between a normal driving interval and a high-speed driving interval.

Abstract: A coil core including a coil block configured by a coil wound around the coil core which is coupled to a stator, a linear portion around which a wire is wound to form a coil; and coil-side couplers which are extended to both sides along a direction orthogonal to an extending direction of the linear portion, wherein the coil-side couplers include a thinner portion than the linear portion.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a timepiece including measuring acoustic vibrations emitted by said timepiece to obtain an electrical signal, said electrical signal indicating a variation of a magnitude of said measured acoustic vibrations as a function of time, wherein said electrical signal comprises a plurality of acoustic events associated with mechanical shocks taking place in said timepiece, extracting from said electrical signal or from a representation of said electrical signal in a time, frequency or time-frequency domain at least one of a magnitude information on a magnitude of one of said plurality of acoustic events, time information on said one of said plurality of acoustic events, and a frequency information on a frequency of said one of said plurality of acoustic events, comparing said extracted information with at least one of a reference information, and deriving information on an authenticity of said timepiece based on the comparing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that provide for inertial sensing. In one example, a method for inertial sensing includes trapping and cooling a cloud of atoms, applying a first beam splitter pulse sequence to the cloud of atoms, applying one or more augmentation pulses to the cloud of atoms subsequent to applying the first beam splitter pulse sequence, applying a mirror sequence to the cloud of atoms, applying a one or more augmentation pulses to the cloud of atoms subsequent to applying the mirror sequence, applying a second beam splitter pulse sequence to the cloud of atoms subsequent to applying the second augmentation pulse, modulating at least one of a phase and an intensity of at least one of the first and the second beam splitter pulse sequences, performing at least one measurement on the cloud of atoms, and generating a control signal based on the at least one measurement.

Abstract: A machine tool device includes at least one open and/or closed-loop control unit and at least one drive unit sensor unit configured to determine at least one drive unit characteristic variable that can be processed at least for the purpose of open and/or closed-loop control of a drive unit of a machine tool and/or for issuing information to an operator of said open and/or closed-loop control unit. The machine tool device further includes at least one environment sensor unit configured to determine at least one environment characteristic variable that can be processed at least for the purpose of open and/or closed-loop control of the drive unit and/or for issuing information to an operator of said open and/or closed-loop control unit.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a computer-implemented method of forecasting power generation. The method includes analyzing, using a processor, a set of historical weather data. A set of historical power generation data is analyzed using the processor. The processor then determines a plurality of clusters, where each cluster of the plurality of clusters represents weather data for a time period and power generated during the time period. The processor then receives a weather forecast for a future time period. The processor determines which cluster of the set of cluster contains weather data that is most similar to the weather forecast. The processor then uses the historical power generation data of the cluster to forecast power generation for the future time period.

Abstract: An information processing system includes a state data acquisition device configured to acquire state data indicating an operation state of a plant, a first classification device configured to generate a determination line used to classify the state data, a mirror image data generation device configured to generate mirror image data obtained by mirroring the acquired state data using the generated determination line, and a second classification device configured to generate a determination model on the basis of the state data and the generated mirror image data.

Abstract: A method for generating a manipulated data signal for misleading a first machine learning system, which is designed to ascertain a semantic segmentation of a received one-dimensional or multi-dimensional data signal, the method having the following steps: a) ascertaining a desired semantic segmentation of the manipulated data signal; and b) generating the manipulated signal as a function of the received data signal and the ascertained desired semantic segmentation as well as an estimated semantic segmentation of the manipulated data signal.

Abstract: Cracks in foundations may be detected by sensing motion within the foundation. Sensors may be applied to a foundation, and the positions of the sensors may be read. At subsequent points in time the positions of the sensors may be read again. If the positions of the sensors are changing in a way that suggests that portions of the foundation are moving apart from each other, then it may be inferred that a crack is forming in the foundation. The formation of cracks may be used to take various actions. For example, the owner of the building that rests on the foundation may be information of the crack so that he or she may take remedial action. Or, business decisions such as insurance underwriting may be made on the basis of the existence of the crack.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining operating settings for a fluid production system that includes wells and a processing facility, the method including identifying at least one swing well and one or more non-swing wells and determining at least one target parameter equation that is a function of at least one processing facility constraint and one or more non-swing well parameters. The method further includes incorporating the target parameter equation into a fully-coupled equation set representing the production system, simulating the production system using the fully-coupled equation set to obtain one or more operating settings that meet the processing facility constraint, and presenting to a user the operating settings.

Abstract: A periodic disturbance suppressing control apparatus is designed to estimate and correct an inverse model of a transfer characteristic of a real system successively even in case of large condition change in the real system, and to realize a stable control system. A periodic disturbance of an object to be suppressed is outputted as a sensed periodic disturbance ISdn, ISqn of a direct current component. A difference between a signal obtained by multiplication of the sensed periodic disturbance ISdn, ISqn with a multiplier using a reciprocal Qn of a transfer characteristic, and a signal obtained by adding only a detection delay to a periodic disturbance suppressing command I*dn, I*qn, to estimate the periodic disturbance dI^dn, dI^qn. Thee periodic disturbance suppressing command is calculated by calculating a deviation between the estimated periodic disturbance dI^dn, dI^qn.