Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry receives a timing selected for re-forming an image and re-forms the image determined to be defective based on information about the image formed on a first conveyance medium, on a second conveyance medium at the selected timing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image processor configured to perform image processing on image data based on a conversion condition to output converted image data; an image forming unit configured to form an image based on the converted image data output from the image processor, the image forming unit being controlled based on an image forming condition; and a controller configured to perform tone correction control, density evenness control, and total density control, which is a combination of the tone correction control and the density evenness control. In the tone correction control, the controller controls the image forming unit to form a test image on a sheet and obtains reading data related to the test image on the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main casing and a controller. A cartridge is to be attached to the main casing. The cartridge includes a memory stores usage status information indicating whether the cartridge is a new cartridge or an old cartridge which indicates a used product. The controller reads the usage status information stored in the memory in a case that attachment of the cartridge to the main casing is detected. The controller determines, based on the usage status information, whether the cartridge is the new cartridge or the old cartridge. The controller rewrites the usage status information to information indicating that the cartridge is the old cartridge in a case that the cartridge is determined to be the new cartridge. The rewriting is performed before the controller receives a print instruction and before the material or the part of the cartridge is consumed.

Abstract: A resin sliding bearing includes: a bearing surface for slidingly bearing a shaft; and a hollow that communicates with the bearing surface through to a different surface of the bearing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording material and includes an apparatus body, a first process cartridge including a first photosensitive member and a first developing roller to supply first toner to the first photosensitive member, with the first process cartridge being detachably attached to the apparatus body, and a toner cartridge to accommodate the first toner and detachably attached to the apparatus body independently from the first process cartridge. A second process cartridge includes a second photosensitive member and a second developing roller to supply second toner to the second photosensitive member, with the second process cartridge being detachably attached to the apparatus body and configured not to be replenished with the second toner in a state where the second process cartridge is attached to the apparatus body.

Abstract: An image projector arranged to project an image onto a display plane. The image projector comprises a processing engine, a display device, an optical element and a light source. The processing engine outputs a computer-generated diffractive pattern comprising a hologram of an image for projection and a lens function corresponding to a lens having a first optical power. The display device is arranged to display the computer-generated diffractive pattern. The optical element is disposed between the display device to the display plane. The optical element has second optical power. The light source is arranged to provide off-axis illumination of the display device in order to spatially-modulated light in accordance with the hologram and lens function. The lens function of the computer-generated diffractive pattern and the optical element collectively perform a hologram transform of the hologram such that a reconstruction of the image is formed on the display plane.

Abstract: A time display apparatus for indicating time in a plurality of time zones simultaneously, the apparatus includes a case having a compartment enclosed by a cover, the case having a dial member indicating a 12-hour time clock and a 24-hour time clock, a first wheel completing one revolution in 12 hours and coupled to an hour hand, a second wheel completing one revolution in 1 hour and coupled to a multi-zone minute hand having at least two different vertices, and a third wheel completing one revolution in 24 hours and coupled to a multi-zone hour indicator hand having at least two different indicators, wherein each vertex of the multi-zone minute hand indicates a different minute marking on the 12 hour time clock and each indicator of the multi-zone hour indicator hand indicates a different hour marking on the 24 hour time clock corresponding to different time zones.

Abstract: A resonant member for a striking mechanism of a watch or of a music box includes at least one resonant part, such as one or more gongs, arranged to vibrate and resonate once activated, and an attachment part. The resonant part and/or the attachment part is made from an alloy of tungsten or tantalum or rhodium or hafnium with more than 51% of tungsten or tantalum or rhodium or hafnium in the alloy.

Abstract: An electronic watch includes a power source, an electrostatic motor including a rotor in which a plurality of electret films are arranged in a rotational direction and a plurality of fixed electrodes arranged in the rotational direction at positions facing the rotor, a hand rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the rotor, and a motor control circuit controlling the electrostatic motor. The motor control circuit selectively executes a hand movement mode for rotating the hand and a stop mode for keeping the hand stationary. In the stop mode, the motor control circuit keeps the rotor stationary through electrostatic forces exerted on the electret films from the fixed electrodes with the polarities of the fixed electrodes maintained.

Abstract: A control system estimates a numerical value range within which a command value can fall from a distribution of second data relating to the command value in a learning data set used to construct a prediction model, and in such a manner that a first acceptable range prescribed by a preset first threshold value with respect to a command value for a subject device is extended, decides a second threshold value with respect to the command value for the subject device on the basis of the estimated numerical value range. Further, in an operational phase, on the basis of an output value from the prediction model, the control system decides a command value for the subject device within a second acceptable range prescribed by the decided second threshold value, and controls an operation of the subject device on the basis of the decided command value.

Abstract: A system that serves a space includes one or more data sources that provide utilization data describing an actual utilization of the space and circuitry configured to calculate a utilization attribute of the space based on the utilization data and retrieve, from a space profile for the space, a utilization target corresponding to the utilization attribute. The space profile is selected from a plurality of selectable space profiles defining a plurality of target utilizations. The circuitry is also configured to generate a normalized utilization metric for the space by normalizing the utilization attribute relative to the utilization target and generate a recommendation for the space based on the normalized utilization metric.

Abstract: Motorized window treatments may each adjust a position of a covering material to allow light into a space in a building. The control information for controlling the motorized window treatments may be stored and/or accessed to understand how the motorized window treatments are operating. The control information may indicate a control state and/or a position of the covering material when an identified daylight intensity is being received at the space. The control information may inform a user of the operation of the motorized window treatments and allow the user to adjust various control parameters by which the motorized window treatments may be controlled. Recommended adjustments may also be provided to the user based on a user-identified problem with the operation of the motorized window treatments. The recommended adjustments to the control parameters may be accepted by the user and may be stored for being accessed and/or edited.

Abstract: An energy storage system for a building includes a battery asset configured to store electricity and discharge the stored electricity for use in satisfying a building electric load. The system includes a planning tool configured to identify one or more selected functionalities of the energy storage system and generate a cost function defining a cost of operating the energy storage system over an optimization period. The cost function includes a term for each of the selected functionalities. The planning tool is configured to generate optimization constraints based on the selected functionalities, attributes of the battery asset, and the electric energy load to be satisfied. The planning tool is configured to optimize the cost function to determine optimal power setpoints for the battery asset at each of a plurality of time steps of the optimization period.

Abstract: Disclosed is a generating facility management device capable of automatically calculating and determining inspection intervals of generating facilities using a system. In an example embodiment, the generating facility management device calculates inspection intervals of unit devices constituting each of the generating facilities using a time code index, a stressor index and a degradation mechanism index.

Abstract: A management system controls environmental conditions to facilitate operating state changes of individual information technology (IT) equipment within a data center. A management controller accesses a specification data structure containing environmental conditions specified to enable each one of the IT components to function in operational operating state(s). The management controller determines a temperature range specified in the specification data structure for a first IT component that is scheduled to transition into a first operational state. The management controller adjusts a temperature set point of supply air provided by the data center to the first IT component to be within the temperature range. In response to determining that the interior air temperature is within the temperature range, the management controller triggers activation of the first IT component into the first operating state.

Abstract: Implementations are directed to remote data aggregation, data management, and data visualization of field data from remote field site locations. Actions can include generating, by one or more sensors, the field data, each sensor of the one or more sensors being responsive to field site activity, transmitting, through a regional network, the field data to a back-end system, processing, by the back-end system, the field data to provide visualization data, transmitting the visualization data to one or more mobile computing devices, and providing a computer-executable application for execution on a mobile computing device, the computer-executable application processing the visualization data to provide data visualizations.

Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing system includes: a local operation terminal that displays an apparatus screen of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus; at least one remote operation terminals that are connected to the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus via a network, and display the apparatus screen; and a controller that controls the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus based on an operation received from a user by the local operation terminal and the remote operation terminal that display the apparatus screen. The control device includes: a login state managing unit; an apparatus screen display state managing unit; and a screen data creating unit that creates screen data of the apparatus screen based on the simultaneous login state and the apparatus screen display state.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and new file formats are provided for printing 3D microstructures. In some implementations, a new file format is provided that defines 3D objects by a wireframe model expressed as a collection of wires. Because wires and their parameters are defined within the new file format, objects may be processed more efficiently and quickly to support 3D rendering operations. Such methods may be used to print new articles, such as eyelashes, bushes, swabs and other novel items.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a storage space with storage locations defined therein, an automated transport system connected to the storage space and configured to transport store units for storage in the storage locations and retrieval from the storage locations, and a control system disposed for managing throughput performance of the automated storage and retrieval system, the control system being operably coupled to the automated transport system and having more than one separate and distinct control sections each configured for managing throughput performance with respect to a common group of the storage locations, wherein at least one of the control sections manages aspects of throughput performance of the common group independent of another of the control sections.

Abstract: A distributed multi-node control system (100) and method, relating to the field of control technology. The distributed multi-node control system (100) comprises: a first control node (11), a second control node (12), a plurality of servo nodes (20) and a plurality of execution devices (30), the first control node (11) and the second control node (12) being respectively communicationally connected to the plurality of servo nodes (20), the servo nodes (20) being electrically connected to the execution devices (30) and configured to control operating states of the corresponding execution devices (30), the first control node (11) being configured to control an operating state of at least one first servo node (21) among the plurality of servo nodes (20), the second control node (12) being configured to control an operating state of at least one second servo node (22) among the plurality of servo nodes (20).

Abstract: A gearbox is coupled to a shaft of a motor. The gearbox is configured to be rotated by the motor. An encoder is coupled to the shaft of the motor. The encoder is configured to detect a shaft position. The encoder is configured to produce a position stream indicative of the shaft position. A coupling is configured to receive a separate machine shaft. A controller is coupled to the encoder and the motor. The controller is configured to receive the position stream from the encoder and produce a drive signal to rotate the motor.

Abstract: A method for event processing includes accepting for processing, as accepted events and according to a target rate limit, at least a subset of received events; associating respective ingested timestamps with the accepted events; associating respective processing completion timestamps with processed events of the accepted events; determining an average measured lag time using at least a subset of the respective processing completion timestamps and corresponding respective ingested timestamps; obtaining a throttled rate limit using a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller; and accepting subsequent events according to the throttled rate limit. The PID controller can be configured to use, as an input, an error value that is a difference between a target lag time and the average measured lag time. An integral part of the PID controller can be set to zero responsive to an accumulated average lag time being less than the target lag time.

Abstract: A postprocessor device outputs a machining program for controlling a CNC machine tool. The postprocessor device includes: a characteristic shape recognition unit configured to read information about a characteristic shape to be machined from cutter location data including information about a characteristic shape; a section setting unit configured to set one or more set sections on a tool path in response to the information about the characteristic shape; and a motion generation unit configured to generate a machining program including instruction for changing at least one parameter to be used for controlling at least one axis of the CNC machine tool outside the set section and inside the set section.

Abstract: An automated system includes transducers, at least one computing device, and at least one automated apparatus. The transducer(s) is/are driven and sensed using drive-sense circuit(s). A drives and senses drive and sense a transducer via a single line, generates a digital signal representative of a sensed analog feature to which the transducer is exposed, and transmits the digital signal to the computing device. The computing device receives digital signals from at least some of drive-sense circuits and process them in accordance with the automation process to produce an automated process command. The automated apparatus executes a portion of an automated process based on the automated process command.

Abstract: An automated system includes transducers, at least one computing device, and at least one automated apparatus. The transducer(s) is/are driven and sensed using drive-sense circuit(s). A drives and senses drive and sense a transducer via a single line, generates a digital signal representative of a sensed analog feature to which the transducer is exposed, and transmits the digital signal to the computing device. The computing device receives digital signals from at least some of drive-sense circuits and process them in accordance with the automation process to produce an automated process command. The automated apparatus executes a portion of an automated process based on the automated process command.

Abstract: A system and method for packaging pine straw and a packaged mass of pine straw made therefrom, the method including providing an electronically-controlled system configured for packaging pine straw, the system including system logic that controls conveying, fluffing, cleaning, compressing and packaging of the pine straw, and using the system to compress a mass of pine straw into a rectangular mass of pine straw and enclosing the rectangular mass of pine straw within a flexible plastic sheet thereby forming a substantially rectangular packaged mass of compressed pine straw.

Abstract: In an industrial automation system, a control device adapted to a container-based architecture has been developed. The control device may comprise one or more containers instantiated with control execution application, communication application, and or redundancy management application.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for enhancing the semiconductor manufacturing yield. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a yield improvement system. The system comprises a training tool configured to generate training data based on receipt of one or more verified results of an inspection of a first substrate. The system also comprises a point determination tool configured to determine one or more regions on a second substrate to inspect based on the training data, weak point information for the second substrate, and an exposure recipe for a scanner of the second substrate.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing material processing. In one aspect, a method includes collecting, from a set of sensors, a set of current manufacturing conditions. Based on the set of current manufacturing conditions collected from the sensors, a set of current qualities of a material currently being processed by manufacturing equipment is determined. A baseline production measure for processing the material according to the set of current qualities is obtained. A candidate set of manufacturing conditions that provide an improved production measure relative to the baseline production measure is determined. A set of candidate qualities for the material produced under the candidate set of manufacturing conditions is determined. A visualization that presents both of the set of candidate qualities of the material and the set of current qualities of the material currently being processed is generated.

Abstract: Examples described herein involve a playback device performing one or more playback device actions based on locations of one or more physical contacts on an external surface of the playback device. A processor of the playback device may receive from an array of proximity sensors underlying an external surface of the playback device, location data indicating a physical contact at a location on the external surface. Based on at least the location, the processor may identify a playback device action from a plurality of playback device actions, and cause at least the playback device to perform the identified playback device action. The playback device may further include at least one orientation sensor from which the processor may also receive orientation data indicating an orientation of the playback device. The processor may identify the playback device action also based on the orientation of the playback device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying relationships between defects. The system may obtain defect items and associated information. Defect items may be compared to one another based on their attributes to determine how related they are. According to the comparisons, defect items may be grouped together into issue items for further analysis by a user. The system may further update a defect comparison model according to user interaction with defect items.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an intelligent manufacturing industrial Internet of Things based on distributed control, including a user platform, a service platform, a management platform, a sensor network platform, and an object platform interacting in sequence, wherein the service platform is provided with a plurality of independent service sub-platforms; the management platform is provided with a general management platform and a plurality of independent management sub-platforms, the management sub-platforms interacting with the general management platform, and the management sub-platforms interacting with the corresponding service sub-platforms; and the sensor network platform is provided with a general sensor network platform and a plurality of independent sensor network sub-platforms, the sensor network sub-platforms interacting with the general sensor network platform, and the general sensor network platform interacting with the general management platform.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to computer-implemented methods, software, and systems for predicting failure event occurrence for a machine asset. Run-to-failure sequences of time series data that include an occurrence of a failure event for the machine asset are received. One or more candidate cut-off values are determined based on iterative evaluation of a plurality of potential cut-off points. A candidate cut-off value is identified as substantially corresponding to a local peak point for calculated distances between relative frequency distributions of positive and negative sub-sequences. A failure prediction model is iteratively trained to iteratively extract sets of relevant features to determine a prediction horizon for an occurrence of the failure event for the machine asset. A candidate cut-off value associated with a model of highest quality from a set of failure prediction models determined during the iterations is selected to determine the prediction horizon for the machine asset.

Abstract: A predictive maintenance system for an irrigation system includes one or more sensors configured to generate a signal indicative of abnormal operation within the irrigation system, the sensors electrically coupled to a drive system, a processor, and a memory. The memory includes instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor cause the predictive maintenance system to receive the generated signal, determine abnormal operation of the drive system based on the generated signal, and predict, by a machine learning model, a maintenance requirement of the drive system based on the determined abnormal operation.

Abstract: A remote movement system of the invention comprises an operation terminal and a vehicle electronic control unit. The operation terminal includes a touch sensing portion which senses a finger of a user touching the touch sensing portion and a terminal electronic control unit configured to transmit a control execution command for requesting an execution of a remote movement control to cause a vehicle to move to a target position when movement of the user's finger touching the touch sensing portion satisfies a predetermined touch interaction condition. The vehicle electronic control unit is provided in the vehicle and configured to execute the remote movement control in response to receiving the control execution command from the terminal electronic control unit. The predetermined touch interaction condition does not include a condition that the user's finger moves, touching the touch sensing portion along a predetermined specific path.

Abstract: A system includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium has instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by a processor of a portable user device, cause the processor to wirelessly connect to a machine via a wireless transceiver of the portable user device, display a control interface for the machine on a user interface of the portable user device, receive a user input through the control interface regarding operation of a controllable component of the machine, and provide a command to the machine via the wireless transceiver based on the user input to facilitate remote operation of the controllable component of the machine.

Abstract: A hygiene monitoring and management system including a monitoring module and a display. The management module with an input and that receives data via the input. The received data includes one or more locations of a device in a facility, and the management module further includes one or both of software and hardware configured to generate data representative of cleaning behavior associated with the device based on the received data. The cleaning behavior includes timing and movement of the device in the facility, and a cleanliness level of at least one area in the facility.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a permission unit configured to permit a remote operation using a remote operation device outside the vehicle, a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the remote operation device, information on surroundings of the subject vehicle acquired from sensors, a receiving unit configured to receive a remote operation signal that is input by an operator outside the vehicle via the remote operation device, a travel control unit configured to remotely drive the vehicle based on the remote operation signal, and a replacement reception unit configured to, while the vehicle is remotely driven, receive an instruction from an occupant to replace the operator.

Abstract: When conditions have not been satisfied from a timing at which a first position of the interflow zone was set to a timing at which the subject vehicle reaches the first position, the first position is set as a start position where a notification for urging a handover of a central player of the subject vehicle is performed. When the condition for automatic interflow is satisfied for the first time at the timing at which the subject vehicle reaches the first position, a second position between the first position and a distal end of the interflow zone is set as the start position.

Abstract: Systems and methods navigate a vehicle by determining a free space region in which the vehicle can travel. In one implementation, a system may include at least one processor programmed to receive from an image capture device, a plurality of images associated with the environment of a vehicle, analyze at least one of the plurality of images to identify a first free space boundary on a driver side of the vehicle and extending forward of the vehicle, a second free space boundary on a passenger side of the vehicle and extending forward of the vehicle, and a forward free space boundary forward of the vehicle and extending between the first free space boundary and the second free space boundary. The first free space boundary, the second free space boundary, and the forward free space boundary may define a free space region forward of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for generating simulated vehicles with configured behaviors for analyzing autonomous vehicle motion planners are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: receiving perception data from a plurality of perception data sensors; obtaining configuration instructions and data including pre-defined parameters and executables defining a specific driving behavior for each of a plurality of simulated dynamic vehicles; generating a target position and target speed for each of the plurality of simulated dynamic vehicles, the generated target positions and target speeds being based on the perception data and the configuration instructions and data; and generating a plurality of trajectories and acceleration profiles to transition each of the plurality of simulated dynamic vehicles from a current position and speed to the corresponding target position and target speed.

Abstract: Utility services related to executing services requiring trips of various lengths, and short-distance assistance to customers. Utility services can be delivered by semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles on various types of routes, and can be delivered economically. A network of utility vehicles provide the utility services, and can include a commonly-shared dispatch system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for prediction of a roadwork zone on at least a second road segment is provided. The method comprises retrieving at least one of map data or first sensor data for at least a first road segment. The method also comprises retrieving ground truth data for at least the first road segment, the ground truth data indicating a true presence or a true absence of a roadwork zone on the at least first road segment. The method further comprises receiving second sensor data associated with the at least second road segment. The method further comprises generating roadwork zone data of the roadwork zone on the at least second road segment, based on the at least one of map data or the first sensor data, the ground truth data, and the second sensor data.

Abstract: Disclosed are a robot and a method for delivering articles by the robot. A robot, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, includes: one or more loading spaces configured to load articles; a travel driver configured to move the robot; an input interface configured to obtain identification information of the articles; a measurer configured to measure temperature of each of the articles; a temperature regulator configured to heat or cool the loading spaces; and a controller configured to determine a type of each of the articles from the identification information, determine a delivery route based on the determined type of article, and control the temperature regulator based on the measured temperature while controlling the travel driver such that the robot moves along the determined delivery route. Examples of the present disclosure are implemented by executing a machine learning algorithm in a 5G environment connected for Internet of things (IoT).

Abstract: Enclosed are embodiments for scenario-based behavior specification and validation.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes first and second road surface image obtaining devices that are located on a bottom surface of the vehicle body and obtain images of a road surface below the vehicle body, respectively. The autonomous vehicle also includes a memory unit that stores a map image of the road surface, the map image being associated with geographical location information. The autonomous vehicle further includes first and second self-location estimating units that each compare a feature extracted from the image of the road surface obtained by corresponding one of the first and second road surface image obtaining devices with a feature extracted from the map image, thereby estimating a self-location of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle agnostic removable pod can be mounted on a vehicle using one or more legs of a pod mount. The removable pod can collect and time stamp a variety of environmental data as well as vehicle data. For example, environmental data can be collected using a sensor suite which can include an IMU, 3D positioning sensor, one or more cameras, and/or a LIDAR unit. As another example, vehicle data can be collected via a CAN bus attached to the vehicle. Environmental data and/or vehicle data can be time stamped and transmitted to a remote server for further processing by a computing device.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting and processing sensor data for facilitating and/or enabling autonomous, semi-autonomous, and remote operation of a vehicle, including: collecting surroundings at one or more sensors, and determining properties of the surroundings of the vehicle and/or the behavior of the vehicle based on the surroundings data at a computing system.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle includes a camera, odometry module, processor, and drive mechanism. The camera captures images of an identifier for a racking system aisle and a rack leg portion in the aisle. The processor uses the identifier to generate information indicative of an initial rack leg position and rack leg spacing in the aisle, generate an initial vehicle position using the initial rack leg position, generate a vehicle odometry-based position using odometry data and the initial vehicle position, detect a subsequent rack leg using a captured image, correlate the detected subsequent rack leg with an expected vehicle position using rack leg spacing, generate an odometry error signal based on a difference between the positions, and update the vehicle odometry-based position using the odometry error signal and/or generated mast sway compensation to use for end of aisle protection and/or in/out of aisle localization.

Abstract: In an aspect, a system for a guidance interface for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft comprises a plurality of flight components that are mechanically coupled to the VTOL aircraft. The VTOL aircraft also comprises an output device that is configured to present a display of the outside environment. The output device may overlay the display with a datum, a focal point, and a guidance symbol. The datum may be associated with the flight components of the VTOL aircraft. The focal point may be indicative of a desired landing location for the VTOL aircraft. The focal point may be determined by at least a predetermined flight plan. The guidance symbol may be a symbol that includes an optimal flight path to the focal point.