25th week of 2019 patent applcation highlights part 46 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20190187545 | WAVELENGTH CONVERSION ELEMENT, LIGHT SOURCE APPARATUS, AND PROJECTOR - A wavelength conversion element includes a wavelength conversion layer having a first surface on which excitation light is incident and a second surface provided on the side opposite the first surface, the wavelength conversion layer wavelength-converting the excitation light into converted light having a wavelength longer than the wavelength of the excitation light, a scattering element contained in the wavelength conversion layer and having a size smaller than or equal to the wavelength of the excitation light, and an incident angle changing section that changes the angle of incidence of the converted light with respect to the first surface or the second surface. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187546 | IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME - An image display device adapted to display an image includes a connection section to which an interface board replaceable is connected, and which communicates with an external device via the interface board, a failure detection section adapted to detect a failure of the interface board connected to the connection section, and a control section adapted to limit power supply to the interface board in a case in which the failure detection section has detected the failure of the interface board. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187547 | PROJECTION APPARATUS - A projection apparatus including an image device and an illumination system is provided. The image device is configured to convert an illumination beam into an image beam. The illumination system includes an illumination light source, a diffusion device and a light uniform device. The illumination light source provides the illumination beam. The illumination beam is transmitted to the image device through the diffusion device and the light uniform device sequentially. The image beam leaves the projection apparatus and converges at a stop. The stop is located outside the projection apparatus. The image beam on the stop has desirable uniformity of an energy intensity distribution. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187548 | MULTI-PROJECTION SCREENING SYSTEM AND METHOD USING POLYMER-DISPERSED LIQUID CRYSTAL PANEL - A multi-projection screening system may include a projection apparatus projecting an image, a plurality of projection surfaces onto which the image is projected, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) panel disposed in some of the plurality of projection surfaces, and a server controlling the PDLC panel. A method of controlling a PDLC panel may include the steps of checking whether an image is projected onto the PDLC panel and controlling a color displayed on the PDLC panel. A multi-projection screening method may include the steps of projecting an image onto a projection surface disposed in the front of a theater, checking whether an image is projected onto a PDLC panel, and controlling a color displayed on the PDLC panel. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a totally uniform image can be provided, and a sense of difference between front and side projection images can be prevented from occurring. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187549 | PROJECTION SCREEN AND LIGHT ABSORBING FILM - A projection screen including a light absorbing film and a projection film is provided. The light absorbing film includes a transparent layer and a plurality of light absorbing microstructures, where the light absorbing microstructures are embedded in the transparent layer and arranged at intervals, each of the light absorbing microstructures is asymmetrical to a reference plane, the transparent layer has two surfaces opposite to each other, and the reference plane passes through a geometric center of each of the light absorbing microstructures and is parallel to each of the surfaces, and there is a space between each of the light absorbing microstructures and each of the surfaces. The projection film and the light absorbing film are stacked on each other. A light absorbing film is also provided, and the projections screen and the light absorbing film have good optical quality. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187550 | MASK BLANK, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING TRANSFER MASK, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A mask blank, which is capable of being formed with high transfer accuracy when a hard mask film pattern is used as a mask, and even when the mask blank includes a chromium-based light shielding film. A light-semitransmissive film, a light shielding film, and a hard mask film are laminated in the stated order on a transparent substrate. The light-semitransmissive film contains silicon, and the hard mask film contains any one or both of silicon and tantalum. The light shielding film has a laminate structure of a lower layer and an upper layer, and contains chromium. The upper layer has a content of chromium of 65 at % or more, and a content of oxygen of less than 20 at %, and the lower layer has a content of chromium of less than 60 at %, and a content of oxygen of 20 at % or more. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187551 | MASK BLANK, PHASE SHIFT MASK, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING PHASE SHIFT MASK, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - Provided is a mask blank including a phase shift film having a transmittance of 20% or more difficult to achieve in a phase shift film of a single layer made of a silicon nitride material, and the phase shift film is achieved by using a structure having two or more sets of a stacked structure, each set including a low transmission layer and a high transmission layer disposed in order from a transparent substrate side. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187552 | OPTICAL PROXIMITY CORRECTION (OPC) METHOD AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING MASK BY USING THE OPC METHOD - An optical proximity correction (OPC) whereby corner rounding may be effectively controlled, and a mask manufacturing method performed using the OPC method are provided. According to the OPC method, an inner edge is generated through decomposition of a layout, and a displacement (DISin_frag) of an inner fragment and a displacement (DISsel) of a selected fragment are calculated based on the inner edge to additionally displace a fragment, so as to manufacture a mask layout with minimized corner rounding without violating mask rule check (MRC). | 2019-06-20 |
20190187553 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR RETICLE CONFIGURATION - An apparatus is provided that includes a reticle including a die, the reticle configured to increase a number of partial die that can be successfully used as partially operable die. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187554 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN OPTICAL MASK FOR SURFACE TREATMENT, AND SURFACE TREATMENT PLANT AND METHOD - The invention relates to a system ( | 2019-06-20 |
20190187555 | AUTOMATIC INLINE DETECTION AND WAFER DISPOSITION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC INLINE DETECTION AND WAFER DISPOSITION - A method for automatic inline detection and wafer disposition includes the following steps. An exposure process is performed to wafers in an exposure apparatus. A virtual inspection is performed based on log files of the exposure process. A wafer automatic disposition is performed according to a result of the virtual inspection. An automatic inline detection and wafer disposition system includes a first computer system coupled to an exposure apparatus and a second computer system coupled to the first computer system. The exposure apparatus is configured to perform an exposure process to wafers, and the first computer system is configured to perform a virtual inspection based on log files of the exposure process. The second computer system is configured to receive a result of the virtual inspection and perform a wafer automatic disposition according to the result of the virtual inspection. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187556 | Plasma Treatment Method To Enhance Surface Adhesion For Lithography - Embodiments of methods for patterning using enhancement of surface adhesion are presented. In an embodiment, a method for patterning using enhancement of surface adhesion may include providing an input substrate with an anti-reflective coating layer and an underlying layer. Such a method may also include performing a surface adhesion modification process on the substrate, the surface adhesion modification process utilizing a plasma treatment configured to increase an adhesion property of an anti-reflective coating layer without affecting downstream processes. In an embodiment, the method may also include performing a photoresist coating process, a mask exposure process, and a developing process to generate a target patterned structure in a photoresist layer on the substrate. In such embodiments, the method may include controlling operating parameters of the surface adhesion modification process to achieve target profiles of the patterned structure and substrate throughput objectives. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187557 | LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING PLATE PRECURSOR AND PLATE-MAKING METHOD USING SAME - Provided are a thermal fusion-type lithographic printing plate precursor in which the visibility is excellent, ablation during laser exposure is suppressed, and the contamination of dampening water and printing ink during on-machine development is suppressed by a lithographic printing plate precursor having a support and an image-recording layer, in which the image-recording layer is capable of forming an image by infrared laser exposure, a non-exposed portion of the image-recording layer is removable by at least one of dampening water and printing ink on a printer, and the image-recording layer contains (1) a color developing system in which a hue change generated by infrared laser exposure is Δa/Δb≥0.6 and (2) 70% by mass or more of a thermoplastic polymer particle with respect to a solid content of the image-recording layer and a plate-making method in which the thermal fusion-type lithographic printing plate precursor is used. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187558 | ACTINIC RAY-SENSITIVE OR RADIATION-SENSITIVE RESIN COMPOSITION, PATTERN FORMING METHOD, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ELECTRONIC DEVICE - Provided is an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing a resin and a compound that generates acid due to irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation. The resin includes a repeating unit (a) represented by Formula (I-1) and a repeating unit (b) having a group in which a protective group including a monocyclic ring leaves due to an action of an acid to generate a polar group. (In the formula, R | 2019-06-20 |
20190187559 | NANOSTRUCTURED BLOCK COPOLYMER FILM COMPRISING A BIODEGRADABLE BLOCK OF POLYESTER TYPE - Provided is a block copolymer film nanostructured in nanodomains, where the copolymer includes at least one first biodegradable block of polyester type and a second block of a different chemical nature than the first block. The first block of polyester type is polybutyrolactone (PBL) and the second block is derived from an oligomer or from a polymer bearing a hydroxyl function on at least one end and acting as macro-initiator of the polymerization of β-butyrolactone (β-BL) to give polybutyrolactone (PBL). | 2019-06-20 |
20190187560 | COMPOSITION FOR FORMING METAL-CONTAINING FILM, METHOD OF PRODUCING COMPOSITION FOR FORMING METAL-CONTAINING FILM, SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, AND METHOD OF PRODUCING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A composition for forming a metal-containing film, the composition including: a compound (A) which is at least one selected from the group consisting of: a compound (a1) containing a cationic functional group containing at least one of a primary nitrogen atom or a secondary nitrogen atom, and a compound (a2) which is a compound other than the compound (a1) and which contains a nitrogen atom; and a compound (B) which is at least one selected from the group consisting of: a compound (b1) containing a carboxy group and at least one of a germanium atom, a tin atom, a selenium atom or a zirconium atom, and an ester of the compound (b1). | 2019-06-20 |
20190187561 | LENS CONTAMINATION PREVENTION DEVICE AND METHOD - A lens anti-contamination device is disclosed, including a first device ( | 2019-06-20 |
20190187562 | METHOD FOR FORMING PATTERNS - A method for forming patterns is provided in the present invention. The process includes the steps of using a first mask to perform a first exposure process to a photoresist, using a second mask to perform a second exposure process to the photoresist, wherein the corners of the second opening patterns in the second mask and the corners of the first opening patterns in the first mask overlap each other, and performing a development process to remove the unexposed portions of the photoresist in the two exposure processes to form staggered hole patterns therein. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187563 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POST EXPOSURE PROCESSING OF PHOTORESIST WAFERS - Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus for performing immersion field guided post exposure bake processes. Embodiments of apparatus described herein include a chamber body defining a processing volume. A pedestal may be disposed within the processing volume and a first electrode may be coupled to the pedestal. A moveable stem may extend through the chamber body opposite the pedestal and a second electrode may be coupled to the moveable stem. In certain embodiments, a fluid containment ring may be coupled to the pedestal and a dielectric containment ring may be coupled to the second electrode. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187564 | APPLIANCE FOR THE MOIRE MEASUREMENT OF AN OPTICAL TEST OBJECT - An appliance for moiré measurement of an object ( | 2019-06-20 |
20190187565 | TUNABLE ADHESION OF EUV PHOTORESIST ON OXIDE SURFACE - An EUV lithographic structure and methods according to embodiments of the invention includes an EUV photosensitive resist layer disposed directly on an oxide hardmask layer, wherein the oxide hardmask layer is doped with dopant ions to form a doped oxide hardmask layer so as to improve adhesion between the EUV lithographic structure and the oxide hardmask. The EUV lithographic structure is free of a separate adhesion layer. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187566 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS - A lithographic apparatus having a substrate table, a projection system, an encoder system, a measurement frame and a measurement system. The substrate table has a holding surface for holding a substrate. The projection system is for projecting an image on the substrate. The encoder system is for providing a signal representative of a position of the substrate table. The measurement system is for measuring a property of the lithographic apparatus. The holding surface is along a plane. The projection system is at a first side of the plane. The measurement frame is arranged to support at least part of the encoder system and at least part of the measurement system at a second side of the plane different from the first side. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187567 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN OPTICAL MASK FOR SURFACE MICROTEXTURING, AND SURFACE MICROTEXTURING PLANT AND METHOD - The invention relates to a system ( | 2019-06-20 |
20190187568 | LITHOGRAPHY APPARATUS, A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A DEVICE AND A CONTROL PROGRAM - An immersion lithography apparatus has a controller configured to control a substrate table to move along an exposure route including in order: an entry motion in which the substrate moves from an off-substrate position at which the immersion space does not overlap the substrate to an on-substrate position at which the immersion space at least partially overlaps the substrate, a transfer motion in which the substrate table changes speed and/or direction and moves for at least a transfer time after the substrate moves to the on-substrate position, and an expose motion in which the substrate is scanned and the patterned beam is projected onto the substrate, wherein throughout the transfer motion at least a part of the immersion space overlaps the substrate and wherein the patterned beam is not projected onto the substrate during the entry motion and the transfer motion. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187569 | METHODS & APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION, METHODS & APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AN INDUSTRIAL PROCESS - A diagnostic system implements a network including two or more sub-domains. Each sub-domain has diagnostic information extracted by analysis of object data, the object data representing one or more parameters measured in relation to a set of product units that have been subjected nominally to the same industrial process as one another. The network further has at least one probabilistic connection from a first variable in a first diagnostic sub-domain to a second variable in a second diagnostic sub-domain. Part of the second diagnostic information is thereby influenced probabilistically by knowledge within the first diagnostic information. Diagnostic information may include, for example, a spatial fingerprint observed in the object data, or inferred. The network may include connections within sub-domains. The network may form a directed acyclic graph, and used for Bayesian inference operations. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187570 | EDGE DETECTION SYSTEM AND ITS USE FOR OPTICAL PROXIMITY CORRECTION - Systems and methods are disclosed that remove noise from roughness measurements to determine roughness of a feature in a pattern structure. In one embodiment, a method for determining roughness of a feature in a pattern structure includes generating, using an imaging device, a set of one or more images, each including measured linescan information that includes noise. The method also includes detecting edges of the features within the pattern structure of each image without filtering the images, generating a biased power spectral density (PSD) dataset representing feature geometry information corresponding to the edge detection measurements, evaluating a high-frequency portion of the biased PSD dataset to determine a noise model for predicting noise over all frequencies of the biased PSD dataset, and subtracting the noise predicted by the determined noise model from a biased roughness measure to obtain an unbiased roughness measure. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187571 | STAGE SYSTEM, LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, METHOD FOR POSITIONING AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A system for positioning, a stage system, a lithographic apparatus, a method for positioning and a method for manufacturing a device in which use is made of a stage system. The stage system has a plurality of air bearing devices. Each air bearing device has: a gas bearing body which has a free surface, a primary channel which extends through the bearing body and has an inlet opening in the free surface, and a secondary channel system which extends through the bearing body and which has a plurality of discharge openings in the free surface. The flow resistance in the secondary channel system can be higher than the flow resistance in the primary channel. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187572 | TWO-DIMENSIONAL POSITION ENCODER - A position encoder for monitoring relative movement between a first object and a second object includes a grating that is coupled to the first object, and an image sensor assembly that is coupled to the second object. The image sensor includes a first image sensor; a second image sensor that is spaced apart from the first image sensor; an optical element that includes a first optical surface and a second optical surface that is spaced apart from the first optical surface; and an illumination system. The illumination system directs an illumination beam at the optical element to create (i) a first reference beam that is reflected by the first optical surface and directed at the first image sensor, (ii) a second reference beam that is reflected by the second optical surface and directed at the second image sensor, and (iii) a transmitted beam that is transmitted through the optical element and is directed at and impinges on the grating to create a first measurement beam that is diffracted by the grating and directed at the first image sensor, and a second measurement beam that is diffracted by the grating and directed at the second image sensor. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187573 | Lithographic Apparatus - A lithographic apparatus comprises a projection system which is configured to project a patterned radiation beam to form an exposure area on a substrate held on a substrate table. The lithographic apparatus further comprises a heating apparatus comprises one or more radiation sources configured to provide additional radiation beams which illuminate and heat part of the substrate during the exposure. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187574 | CONTROL DEVICE - A control device for an assembly having a plurality of sensors and/or actuators includes at least one first control unit which is designed to be vacuum-suitable, has a distributor for splitting and/or combining signals and has a converter for converting digital signals into analog signals and/or analog signals into digital signals. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187575 | ALIGNMENT CONTROL IN NANOIMPRINT LITHOGRAPHY BASED ON REAL-TIME SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION - An imprint lithography alignment method includes assessing a first alignment error between the template and the substrate, generating a first input signal corresponding to a first relative motion between the template and the substrate, initiating the first relative motion between the template and the substrate via the first input signal, assessing an output signal corresponding to the first relative motion, comparing the first input signal and the output signal to yield a motion control action corresponding to a second relative motion between the template and the substrate, generating a second input signal corresponding to the second relative motion between the template and the substrate, initiating the second relative motion between the template and the substrate via the second input signal, and assessing a second alignment error between the template and the substrate, wherein a magnitude of the first alignment error exceeds a magnitude of the second alignment error. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187576 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPH TONER - Provided is a toner for electrophotography. The toner includes a toner particle including a binder resin, a colorant, and a releasing agent, and an additive attached to an external surface of the toner particle. The additive includes a quantum dot-inorganic particle composite including a quantum dot and an inorganic particle. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187577 | IMAGE FORMING METHOD - Provided is an image forming method using an electrostatic image developing toner containing: toner mother particles including a binder resin; and an external additive, wherein the binder resin contains a vinyl resin in an amount of 40 mass % or more with respect to the total amount of the binder resin, the image forming method including a step of: forming an image so that an image surface resistance value at 70° C. by a temperature change method of the formed image is set to be 5×10 | 2019-06-20 |
20190187578 | REVERSIBLY ALLOCHROIC TONER, METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME, TONER CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A reversibly allochroic toner contains a binder resin and a colorant. The colorant reversibly switches between first and second color states in response to temperature changes. The colorant exhibits a hysteresis in a temperature-color state curve thereof in which the following relationships are satisfied. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187579 | TONER - A toner includes toner particles. The toner particles each include a composite core and a shell layer covering a surface of the composite core. The composite core is a composite of a toner core and organic particles located on a surface of the toner core. The toner core contains a releasing agent having a carboxyl group. The organic particles contain a resin having a carboxyl group and a mass average molecular weight of from 30,000 to 50,500. The shell layer includes a unit having a non-ring-opened oxazoline group. An amount of the non-ring-opened oxazoline group contained in 1 g of the toner as measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is from 500 μmol to 1,400 μmol. An endothermic quantity due to melting of the releasing agent contained in 1 mg of the toner as measured by differential scanning calorimetry is from 80 mJ to 160 mJ. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187580 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CONTROL PROGRAM - An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a charging roller that charges the image carrier; a power supply part that applies a charging voltage to the charging roller; a current measurement part that measures a value of a DC component of a current flowing between the image carrier and the charging roller at at least two timings having mutually different elapsed times; and a hardware processor that measures an elapsed time from a start of application of the charging voltage by the power supply part, calculates a coefficient of an approximate expression indicating a relationship between the value of the DC component of the current flowing between the image carrier and the charging roller, and the elapsed time, and performs judgment related to life of the charging roller on the basis of the coefficient and a predetermined threshold. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187581 | CONDUCTIVE ROLLER - Provided is a conductive roller in which the occurrence of an image defect caused by a pressure mark is suppressed. In this conductive roller, plural resin layers are arranged on the outer circumference of a shaft | 2019-06-20 |
20190187582 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a detection unit (control unit) configured to detect operation information of the image forming apparatus and a controller (control unit) configured to apply an AC voltage to a charging roller by a charging power source during a non-image-forming operation of the image forming apparatus. The controller is configured to control the duration for which the AC voltage is applied on the basis of the operation information detected by the detection unit. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187583 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus | 2019-06-20 |
20190187584 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR CORRECTING IMAGE DATA CORRESPONDING TO REFLECTING SURFACE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An information processing apparatus includes: a second reception unit configured to receive a predetermined signal outputted via a first signal line from the image forming unit; a third reception unit configured to receive a surface information outputted via a second signal line from the image forming unit; a storage unit configured to store, in association with the surface information, a plurality of pieces of correction data respectively corresponding to a plurality of reflecting surfaces; a correction unit configured to correct the image data to correspond to a reflecting surface onto which a light for scanning a photosensitive member is to be deflected, based on correction data; and a third output unit configured to, in response to receiving the predetermined signal, output the corrected image data. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187585 | CAPACITIVE TONER LEVEL SENSOR - A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. A first electrode and a second electrode are positioned on the housing. The first electrode and the second electrode form a capacitor having a capacitance that changes in response to a change in an amount of toner in the reservoir between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode includes a first rod and the second electrode includes a second rod spaced from the first rod. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187586 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING TONER SUPPLY UNIT TO SUPPLY TONER TO DEVELOPING UNIT - The present disclosure features an image forming apparatus having a first developing unit having a first developing roller; and a first toner supply unit configured to supply toner to the first developing unit, the first toner supply unit having: a first container configured to accommodate the toner therein, the first container having a first inlet opening through which the toner is received in the first container and a first outlet opening through which the toner in the first container is discharged; a first lid configured to close the first inlet opening; and a first shutter configured to open the first outlet opening when the first lid closes the first inlet opening, and to close the first outlet opening when the first lid opens the first inlet opening. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187587 | DEVELOPER REPLENISHING CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is a developer replenishing container including: a developer containing part capable of containing a developer; a discharge port through which the developer contained in the developer containing part is discharged; a conveyance part conveying the developer in the developer containing part by rotating; and a displacement part displaceable in conjunction with rotation of the conveyance part in the developer in a vicinity of the discharge port, and including a moving member capable of reciprocating in conjunction with the rotation of the conveyance part and a biasing member which biases the moving member and which is expandable according to movement of the moving member. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187588 | DEVELOPING APPARATUS - A developing apparatus includes: a developer carrier configured to carry developer; a developer container having a first chamber and a second chamber; a first conveying member provided in the first chamber, and including a first conveying unit and, on a downstream side in a first direction, a reverse conveying unit; a second conveying member; a discharge unit configured to discharge the developer; a partition wall having a first communication port and a second communication port, and configured to partition the first chamber and the second chamber; and a plurality of protruding portions provided so as to oppose the first conveying member at a position above a region between the first conveying unit and the reverse conveying unit in a vertical direction, each of the protruding portions extending along the first direction, wherein the plurality of protruding portions are arranged in a row in a direction orthogonal to the first direction. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187589 | MAGNET ROLLER, DEVELOPING ROLLER, DEVELOPING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A magnet roller includes a magnet portion for generating magnetic force such that a plurality of peaks are formed in a magnetic force distribution. The magnet portion includes a plurality of magnetic poles. A cross section of the magnet portion includes a portion in which a distance from an axial center of the magnet portion to an outer edge of the magnet portion continuously changes in the circumferential direction. The magnetic force on a surface of a developing sleeve at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of magnetic poles is determined by (i) a distance from each of the plurality of magnetic poles to the developing sleeve in a radial direction of the developing sleeve and (ii) a magnitude of magnetic force in each of the plurality of magnetic poles. The distances from the plurality of magnetic poles to the developing sleeve in the radial direction are different. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187590 | DEVELOPING APPARATUS - A developing apparatus includes a developing container, a rotatable developer bearing member, a magnet, and, a wall portion. The magnet is provided in the developer bearing member and has a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole of the same polarity as the first magnetic pole. The second magnetic pole is adjacent to and downstream of the first magnetic pole in a rotation direction of the developer bearing member. The wall portion is disposed to face the developer bearing member in an area downstream the first magnetic pole and upstream the second magnetic pole in the rotation direction and is configured such that gaps between the wall portion and respective end portions of a developer bearing area in a rotation axis direction of the developer bearing member are smaller than a gap between the wall portion and a center portion of the developer bearing area. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187591 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A calculating portion | 2019-06-20 |
20190187592 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND HOLDING MEMBER FORMING METHOD - A fixing device includes a fixing member, a heat source, a pressing member and a holding member. The holding member includes a base plate and a sliding sheet. The base plate includes a main body and a projection. The main body has one face facing an inner circumferential face of the fixing member and the other face opposite to the one face. The projection is formed on the other face. The sliding sheet has a through hole into which the projection is fitted. The sliding sheet is wrapped around the main body with the projection fitted into the through hole. The sliding sheet is subjected to a heat treatment at a temperature higher than a maximum temperature where a temperature of the fixing member reaches when the fixing member is heated by the heat source. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187593 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus, having a body, a fuser to fix an image on a recording medium by heat, an interface to accept a value for a first time, which is between an end of fixing by the fuser until entry into a low power-consuming condition for the heater, a fan, and a controller, is provided. The controller sets a second time being a predetermined length and subtract the second time from the first time to obtain a third time. If the third time is given a positive value, the controller continues driving the fan after the end of the fixing and throughout the third time, and inactivates the fan after the third time. If the third time is given a value smaller than or equal to zero, the controller inactivates the fan during the first time before the entry into the low power-consuming condition. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187594 | FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device includes first and second rotatable members for forming a nip for fixing a toner image on a recording material, a heating portion for heating the first rotatable member, a first sensor for detecting a temperature of a longitudinally central portion of the first rotatable member, a second sensor for detecting a temperature of one longitudinal end portion of the first rotatable member, and a controller for controlling energization to the heating portion using a detection temperature of the first sensor and a detection temperature of the second sensor in a case that the recording material is an envelope having a predetermined width or more. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187595 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a width-information acquisition unit, an environmental-condition detecting unit, a heat roller, an end-portion-temperature-detecting unit, a first heater, a second heater, a first control unit, a first control unit, a correction-value derivation unit, an extracting unit, and a second control unit. The first heater heats a center portion of the heat roller. The second heater heats the end portion of the heat roller. The first control unit controls electric power supplied to the first heater with a first duty ratio. The correction-value derivation unit derives a correction value for the temperature condition based on an environmental condition. The extracting unit reflects the correction value for the temperature condition to extract a second duty ratio from among a plurality of second duty ratios. The second control unit controls the electric power supplied to the second heater with the data of the extracted second duty ratio. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187596 | POWER SUPPLY LOCK STRUCTURE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section and a power supply lock structure. The image forming section forms an image on paper. The power supply lock structure includes a power button and a locking mechanism. The power button switches a power supply between on and off. The locking mechanism prohibits operation of the power button. The locking mechanism is located on a front cover. Prohibition of the operation of the power supply is releasable by the locking mechanism only when the front cover is open. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187597 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form an image on a recording material; a fixing portion including a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member rotatable by rotation of the first rotatable member in contact with the first rotatable member and configured to fix the image on the recording material by heating the image while nipping and feeding the recording material on which the image is formed, at a nip formed between the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member; a motor configured to drive the first rotatable member; a torque detecting portion configured to detect a driving torque of the motor; and a controller. On the basis of the driving torque detected by the torque detecting means, the controller controls a degree of temperature rise of the first rotatable member immediately before the recording material enters the nip. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187598 | MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - A rotation speed of a motor is estimated based on a current value of the motor, and rotation control on the motor is performed at a first cycle. Processing for detecting a loss of synchronism in the motor based on the current value is performed at a second cycle that is shorter than the first cycle. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187599 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit that transfers a toner image to a transfer body; a guide unit disposed upstream of the transfer unit in a direction in which the transfer body is transported, the guide unit guiding the transfer body; a supply unit that supplies a transfer voltage to the transfer unit; and a setting unit that sets the transfer voltage supplied by the supply unit so that a transfer current supplied to the transfer unit is within a predetermined range at the time when the transfer body becomes separated from the guide unit. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187600 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM, AND TEST CHART - An image forming apparatus as a first apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image onto a recording medium, a memory that stores first and second information, and a correcting unit that corrects an image formation position by the image forming unit in accordance with the first or second information. The first information is for correcting misregistration between a print position in the first apparatus and a print position in a second image forming apparatus as a second apparatus when an image is formed by the first apparatus and an image is subsequently formed by the second apparatus. The second information is for correcting misregistration between the print positions in the second and first apparatuses when an image is formed by the first apparatus, an image is subsequently formed by the second apparatus, and then an image is formed by the first apparatus. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187601 | ABNORMALITY DETERMINATION APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, ABNORMALITY DETERMINATION SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM - An abnormality determination apparatus includes: an audio data acquisitor that acquires audio data of an apparatus to be judged for determining presence or absence of abnormality; an abnormal sound detector that detects an abnormal sound based on the audio data acquired by the audio data acquisitor; and a hardware processor that determines whether the abnormal sound is such a sound that an operation of the apparatus to be judged should be restricted based on a subsequent secular change of the abnormal sound when the abnormal sound is detected by the abnormal sound detector, and restricts the operation of the apparatus to be judged when the hardware processor determines that the abnormal sound is such a sound that the operation of the apparatus to be judged should be restricted. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187602 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A drive transmission unit provided in an image forming device includes a first drive transmission portion and a second drive transmission portion. The first drive transmission portion transmits a rotation drive force of a motor rotating in a first rotation direction to a toner container, to transport a toner housed in the toner container in a predetermined direction, and regulates transmission of a rotation drive force of the motor rotating in a second rotation direction to the toner container. The second drive transmission portion transmits the rotation drive force of the motor rotating in the second rotation direction to the container cover, to cause the container cover to switch from a closed state to an open state, and regulates transmission of the rotation drive force of the motor rotating in the first rotation direction to the container cover. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187603 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - An image forming device includes a developing device; a first toner container; a second toner container; a drive controller; and a consumption amount calculation portion. The drive controller switches a first replenishment state of replenishing a toner from the first toner container to the developing device and a second replenishment state of replenishing a toner from the second toner container to the developing device in response to a toner replenishment request from the developing device. The consumption amount calculation portion calculates a consumption amount of a toner in each of the first toner container and the second toner container by calculating a flow rate of each toner flowing through the first horizontal transport portion and the second horizontal transport portion. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187604 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR AN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is an image forming apparatus, which is configured to determine that a toner container was replaced during power off in a case where identification information acquired from a toner container and identification information stored in a nonvolatile memory do not match each other when power is turned on. In a case where the replaced toner container does not satisfy a replacement condition and does not contain a black toner, the image forming apparatus permits the execution of printing in a monochrome print mode, and suspends the execution of printing in the color print mode. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187605 | SHEET TYPE DETERMINING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A sheet type determining device including a guide that guides a sheet along a sheet conveyance path to a destination. The sheet conveyance path is between a first guide surface and a second guide surface facing each other across an interval. The sheet type determining device further includes a determiner that determines a sheet type when the sheet is in the sheet conveyance path, without having contact with the sheet in conveyance, and one or more regulators that regulate a displacement range of the sheet at a determining position, the displacement range being in a direction of the interval of the first and the second guide surfaces. Each of the regulators is a member that protrudes in an arc shape from the first or the second guide surface toward the guide surface opposite, and is spaced from the guide surface or another one of the regulators opposite. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187606 | IMAGE POST-PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE POST-PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - There is disclosed an image post-processing method for adjusting glossiness of a fixed toner image. The method includes a glossiness control step and a temperature control step. The glossiness control step is a step of, to a toner image formed of a toner containing a light absorbing compound and fixed to a recording medium, emitting glossiness control light so as to reduce or increase glossiness of the toner image. The temperature control step is a step of heating the toner image immediately before the light is emitted to the toner image such that the toner image has a surface temperature which is at least 20° C. lower than a softening temperature of the toner. The glossiness control light has a maximum emission wavelength in a wavelength range in which the compound absorbs light and is made to at least reduce the glossiness of the toner image. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187607 | SHEET CONVEYING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A sheet conveying apparatus to convey a sheet to an image forming unit includes a main body, an opening/closing member, and first, second, and third portions. The opening/closing member can be opened and closed with respect to the main body, and the first, second, and third portions pivotably support the opening/closing member. The second support portion is provided below the first support portion and above the third support portion. Each of the first, second, and third portions include a projecting portion and a hole portion. A difference between a greatest length of the third projecting portion and a diameter of the third hole portion is larger than a difference between a greatest length of the first projecting portion and a diameter of the first hole portion and is larger than a difference between a greatest length of the second projecting portion and a diameter of the second hole portion. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187608 | DRUM UNIT, CARTRIDGE, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND COUPLING MEMBER - A drum unit detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum and a coupling member provided on the photosensitive drum. The coupling member includes a driving force receiving portion and a supporting portion movably supporting the driving force receiving portion. The supporting portion includes a first extended portion and a second extended portion which extend at least in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187609 | CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cartridge includes a cleaning member configured to retain specific particles having a smaller equivalent sphere diameter than toner particles at a contact region. The specific particles contain an organosilicon polymer having a partial structure represented by R—SiO | 2019-06-20 |
20190187610 | DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE PROVIDING LAYOUT OF ELECTRODES AND DETECTION GEAR - A developing cartridge includes a developing electrode and a supply electrode. The developing electrode includes a first electrical contact in contact with a developing roller shaft, and a second electrical contact positioned closer to the developing roller shaft than a second agitator gear is to the developing roller shaft. The second electrical contact is positioned farther from the developing roller shaft than the first electrical contact is from the developing roller shaft. The supply electrode includes a first electrical contact in contact with the supply roller shaft, and a second electrical contact positioned closer to the developing roller shaft than the second agitator gear is to the developing roller shaft. The second electrical contact of the supply electrode is positioned farther from the developing roller shaft than the second electrical contact of the developing electrode is from the developing roller shaft. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187611 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a charger that charges a photoreceptor; a developing part that develops a toner image on the charged and exposed photoreceptor; a detector that detects at least one of humidity, ozone generated from the charger, and toner scattered from the developing part; and a processor that performs a process of reducing at least one of the detected humidity, ozone, and scattered toner, when the at least one of the detected humidity, ozone, and scattered toner is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, predetermined threshold values having been set beforehand for humidity, ozone, and scattered toner. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187612 | Ellipsometry Device and Ellipsometry Method - The present invention provides an ellipsometry device and an ellipsometry method whereby measurement efficiency can be enhanced. In this method, an object is illuminated by spherical-wave-like illumination light Q linearly polarized at 45° (S | 2019-06-20 |
20190187613 | DETECTING MICROSCOPIC OBJECTS IN FLUIDS - A method having the steps of obtaining prepared image data captured by an image sensor receiving light propagated across a sample volume, containing a fluid possibly comprising microscopic objects of foreign origin, while illuminating the sample volume by coherent light. The prepared image data comprising, for a microscopic object, a prepared hologram pattern with prepared spatially alternating intensity formed by the interference fringes; providing filtered image data, comprising automatically filtering the prepared image data by an edge enhancing filter. the filtered image data comprising, for a prepared hologram pattern, a filtered hologram pattern. The presence of the microscopic object associated with the filtered hologram pattern in the sample volume of the fluid is automatically detected on the basis of the filtered hologram pattern. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187614 | APPARATUS FOR HOLOGRAPHIC DISPLAY BY COMPLEX MODULATION AND METHOD THEREOF - In the present invention, by providing an apparatus for displaying a complex modulated holograph and including a light source configured to output light, a display configured to display the hologram by diffracting the output light through a plurality of pixels, and a processor configured to control the display to obtain complex hologram data corresponding to the hologram, and modulate the output light based on the complex hologram data and device information of the plurality of pixels, it is possible to modulate amplitude information and phase information of the light source into required values and display a complex hologram, and to remove a noise component of the hologram. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187615 | HOLOGRAPHIC ACOUSTIC IMAGING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES BASED ON A DYNAMIC APERTURE AND METHODS OF USE - Systems and methods for generating a controlled sound field. In one example, the system and method perform or include receiving a sound wave emitted from a sound source; determining, with an electronic processor, a pattern of at least one of an amplitude change and a phase change necessary to create a desired sound field using the sound wave; determining, with the electronic processor, a plurality of passive sound-modulating elements needed to generate the pattern of at least one of the amplitude change and the phase change; and constructing the plurality of sound-modulating elements to generate the controlled sound field. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187616 | MAINSPRING FOR A MOVEMENT OF A TIMEPIECE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A mainspring including a spiral metal strip and a hooking area formed in an inner face of an inner end of the strip, the hooking area including at least one shaped portion and/or at least one cavity comprised in the inner face of the inner end. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187617 | TORQUE SMOOTHING FOR A TIMEPIECE, PARTICULARLY WITH A STRIKING MECHANISM - Timepiece with a movement driving an output wheel set, a passing strike or minute repeater mechanism, including a strike drive wheel set including a release ratchet with which cooperates a click for execution of a strike function, a strike uncoupling lever for moving any click away from the strike wheel set, including a first lever carrying the click and its spring, the output wheel set activating a second lever, the pivoting of which causes the first lever to pivot, the striking mechanism includes a torque smoothing jumper, which is returned by a first spring into abutment on the output wheel set, in order to use, when the second lever is not in mesh with the output wheel set, an equivalent torque to that which it uses when meshed with this output wheel set. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187618 | DEVICE FOR AUTONOMOUS ADJUSTMENT OF THE ACTIVE LENGTH OF A BALANCE SPRING - A device for autonomous adjustment of the active length of a balance spring includes a regulator mounted on a plate with a cock, a balance spring stud holder being pivotally mounted on the cock, the regulator being pivotally mounted on the stud holder and including a pivot arm and device for changing the active length of the balance spring by pivoting the regulator. The device includes an elastic stress device to exert an elastic, return-to-position action on the regulator, and an inertia block, mounted for free rotation on the cock and connected to the pivot arm of the regulator, arranged to move the pivot arm of the regulator between a rest position and a correction position of the device, and simultaneously act on the device for changing the active length of the balance spring. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187619 | WATCH CASE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE ROTATING BEZEL - A watch case including a middle defining a peripheral track; a rotating bezel; a toothed crown; a structure for detachably fastening the bezel on the middle with the possibility of axial clearance, the fastening structure includes a band supporting radially projecting fins, each capable of engaging with a bayonet formed in the middle; a coupling system including a male part and a female part, one of which is integral with the bezel and the other one of which is integral with the fastening structure, with this coupling system being able to adopt a decoupling configuration, in which the male part and the female part are decoupled, and a coupling configuration, in which the male part and the female part are coupled. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187620 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A FUNCTIONAL ELEMENT ON A TIMEPIECE COMPONENT - A method for producing a functional element on a timepiece component, including generating, with a control unit, at least one control command for a printing device intended to reproduce a reference digital graphical representation relating to the functional element; and constructing, with the printing device, at least one layer of at least one functional particle printed on the timepiece component so as to form the functional element. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187621 | CHRONOGRAPH REPEATER MECHANISM WITH SAFETY FUNCTION - An acoustic timepiece display mechanism includes a chronograph repeater for the acoustic display, by a striking mechanism, of a duration measured by a chronograph mechanism. The striking mechanism includes a winding lever for driving a rack to move a striking unit including a rack pinion integral with a striking ratchet, to move a striking rack to read the magnitude concerned and to release a corresponding strike function. The acoustic display mechanism includes, between a control mechanism included in the chronograph mechanism and the winding lever, a safety mechanism arranged, depending on the position of the strike wheel set, to allow or prevent travel of an operating lever of the control mechanism of the chronograph mechanism, which operating lever is arranged to be pivoted under the action of a chronograph start pusher. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187622 | ADJUSTABLE TIMEPIECE ASSEMBLY - An adjustable timepiece assembly, including a base bar and an adjustable bar whose position is adjustable with respect to the base bar, parallel to a reference plane, the adjustable assembly includes a first part guided in rotation on a first pin integral with the base bar and which includes a first toothed sector meshing with a first adjustment pinion press fit in the base bar, and which is subjected to the return force exerted by a first return spring to take up play, and the adjustable bar is guided in rotation on a second pin integral with the first part, and includes a second toothed sector meshing with a second adjustment pinion press fit in the first part, the adjustable bar being subjected to the return force of a second return spring. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187623 | TIMEPIECE COMPRISING A MECHANICAL OSCILLATOR ASSOCIATED WITH A REGULATION SYSTEM - A timepiece includes a mechanical movement with a mechanical oscillator and an electronic device for regulating the medium frequency of this mechanical oscillator. It includes an electromagnetic transducer and an electric converter which includes a primary storage unit for powering the regulation circuit. The electromagnetic transducer is arranged to supply a voltage signal exhibiting first voltage lobes in first half-alternations and second voltage lobes in second half-alternations of the oscillations of the mechanical oscillator. The regulating device includes a load pump arranged to transfer electric loads from the primary storage unit into a secondary storage unit, these electric loads being extracted selectively in different time zones according to a time drift detected in the functioning of the mechanical oscillator relative to an auxiliary oscillator, particularly quartz-based. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187624 | TIMEPIECE COMPRISING A MECHANICAL OSCILLATOR ASSOCIATED WITH A REGULATION SYSTEM - A timepiece includes a mechanical oscillator and an electromechanical transducer formed by an electromagnetic assembly including a coil and a magnet mounted on the balance of the mechanical oscillator. The induced voltage signal, produced by the electromagnetic transducer during each oscillation, exhibits, in a first half-alternation between the oscillator passes via the neutral position thereof, a first lobe of maximum amplitude having a first polarity and, in a second half-alternation following a passage via the neutral position, a second lobe of maximum amplitude having a second polarity opposite the first. An electric converter includes two power supply capacitors and a device for regulating the medium frequency of the mechanical oscillator. The first power supply capacitor is charged merely with a positive voltage whereas the second capacitor is charged merely with a negative voltage. A load pump is arranged to transfer electric loads between the two capacitors according to a time drift of the mechanical oscillator relative to a time base. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187625 | TIMEPIECE COMPRISING A MECHANICAL OSCILLATOR ASSOCIATED WITH A REGULATION SYSTEM - A timepiece includes a mechanical movement with a mechanical oscillator and an electronic device for regulating the medium frequency of this mechanical oscillator. It includes an electromagnetic transducer and an electric converter which includes a power supply capacitor for powering the regulation circuit. The electromagnetic transducer is arranged to supply a voltage signal exhibiting first voltage lobes in first half-alternations and second voltage lobes in second half-alternations of the oscillations of the mechanical oscillator. The regulating device includes a load pump arranged to store momentarily electric loads which are extracted selectively in different time zones according to a time drift detected in the functioning of the mechanical oscillator relative to an auxiliary oscillator, particularly quartz-based. The electric loads extracted are rendered after a certain delay to the power supply capacitor also according to the time drift detected. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187626 | CHRONOGRAPH AND ZEROING DEVICE FOR THE MINUTE HAND OF A CHRONOGRAPH - A zeroing device ( | 2019-06-20 |
20190187627 | CHRONOGRAPH REPEATER MECHANISM WITH SAFETY FUNCTION - Acoustic timepiece display mechanism with a chronograph repeater for the acoustic display, by a striking mechanism, of a duration measured by a chronograph mechanism, this striking mechanism including a winding lever for driving a rack to move a striking rack in order to read the magnitude concerned and to release a corresponding strike function, this acoustic display mechanism includes, between the mechanism controlling the chronograph mechanism and the winding lever, a mechanical connection arranged, depending on the position of a control cam of the chronograph mechanism indirectly defining a variable secondary direction of the winding lever, to isolate or not to isolate the winding lever from a winding pusher operated in a single pusher direction by a user to set off the acoustic display of the timed duration. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187628 | USE OF RING OSCILLATORS FOR MULTI-STOP TIME MEASUREMENTS - A multi-stop time-to-digital converter (TDC, | 2019-06-20 |
20190187629 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM FOR POWER TOOL ACCIDENT PREVENTION - A power tool accident prevention system receiving images from a static camera of a setup of a power tool, the system comprising: a processor; and a memory, the memory storing instructions to cause the processor to: analyze the images to identify inherent dangers in the setup of the power tool; identify at least one potential cause of an accident based on the identified inherent dangers; and activate an emergency safety measure of the power tool to avoid the at least one potential cause of the accident. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187630 | CONTROLLER ENCLOSURE, MOUNTING AND ORIENTATION OF SAME - A controlling and monitoring control application associated with one or more work operations of one or more utility devices is disclosed. The controller is programmed for controlling one or more external work operations associated with one or more utility devices. An I/O board is connected in communication with the primary controller having a module with a plurality of device-specific control applications associated with one or more device-specific work operations. The housing of the controller includes one or more cable access points for plugging a cable into the controller. The cable access points are sealed to prevent water from entering into the housing. A mounting bracket assembly provides flexibility for mounting the controller at various orientations and/or positions. The controller also includes a DC control circuit for controlling backlight luminance over the entire dimming ratio. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187631 | ADAPTIVE PID CONTROLLER TUNING VIA DEEP REINFORCEMENT LEARNING - Systems and methods are provided for using a Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) agent to provide adaptive tuning of process controllers, such as Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers. The agent can monitor process controller performance, and if unsatisfactory, can attempt to improve it by making incremental changes to the tuning parameters for the process controller. The effect of a tuning change can then be observed by the agent and used to update the agent's process controller tuning policy. It has been unexpectedly discovered that providing adaptive tuning based on incremental changes in tuning parameters, as opposed to making changes independent of current values of the tuning parameters, can provide enhanced or improved control over a controlled variable of a process. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187632 | CASCADED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING ENERGY USE DURING A DEMAND LIMITING PERIOD - A cascaded control system is configured to control power consumption of a building during a demand limiting period. The cascaded control system includes an energy use setpoint generator and a feedback controller. The energy use setpoint generator is configured to use energy pricing data and measurements of a variable condition within the building to generate an energy use setpoint during the demand limiting period. The feedback controller is configured to use a difference between the energy use setpoint and a measured energy use to generate a control signal for building equipment that operate to affect the variable condition within the building during the demand limiting period. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187633 | DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, DEVICE CONTROL APPARATUS AND DEVICE CONTROL SYSTEM - A device control apparatus which controls a second device connected in place of a first device acquires first performance information indicative of performance of the first device and second performance information indicative of performance of the second device, generates a correction function based on a difference between the first performance information and the second performance information, generates, from first operation mode information for causing the first device to operate by first setting, the first operation mode information being generated based on log information of the first device, second operation mode information for causing the second device to operate by second setting corresponding to the first setting based on the correction function, and transmits the second operation mode information to the second device. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187634 | MACHINE LEARNING CONTROL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS - Machine learning is used to control environmental systems for a building or other man-made structure. In one approach, environmental data is collected by sensors for an environment within the man-made structure. The environmental data is used as input to a machine learning model that predicts at least one attribute affecting control of the environment within the man-made structure. For example, the machine learning model might predict load on the environmental system, resource consumption by the environmental system, or cost of operating the environmental system. The environmental system for the man-made structure is controlled based on the predicted attribute. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187635 | MACHINE LEARNING CONTROL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS - Machine learning is used to control environmental systems for a building or other man-made structure. In one approach, environmental data is collected by sensors for an environment within the man-made structure. The environmental data is used as input to a machine learning model that predicts at least one attribute affecting control of the environment within the man-made structure. For example, the machine learning model might predict load on the environmental system, resource consumption by the environmental system, or cost of operating the environmental system. The environmental system for the man-made structure is controlled based on the predicted attribute. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187636 | SMART KITCHEN SYSTEM AND METHOD - A smart kitchen system includes: an imaging apparatus having a plurality of cameras and a display screen; a processing unit having a motherboard, a memory, a processor, and a power source; an audio unit having at least one microphone and at least one speaker; a lighting unit; a sensor assembly; a housing having a mounting bracket, a protective shield, and mounting hardware; a communications apparatus; and a computing device including an AI module and a server. The smart kitchen system is useful for monitoring, interacting with, and customizing the cooking of food items on a cooking appliance, while providing a user with feedback and instructions in the form of data, ingredients and other cooking information. The system also provides increased safety features configured to notify a user when dangerous conditions are present. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187637 | METHOD FOR LONG-TERM OPTIMAL OPERATIONS OF INTERPROVINCIAL HYDROPOWER SYSTEM CONSIDERING PEAK-SHAVING DEMANDS - The invention that relates to the field of hydropower scheduling presents a method for long-term optimal operations of interprovincial hydropower system considering peak-shaving demands. It can take full advantage of the differences of hydrological characteristics among hydropower plants on different rivers to implement compensation operations of interprovincial hydropower system. In this operation, typical daily load demands during dry season are considered to optimize the allocation of hydropower production over one year. The purpose is to increase the dispatchable generation capacity for peak demands of power grids. The technology scheme of the invention can be summarized as follows. A multi-objective model of hydropower system operations is established with maximizing generation production and minimizing the difference rate between peak and valley load during dry period. The difference of hydrological characteristics and regulation performance between rivers and plants are utilized to divide all power plants into several groups and their calculation order. A hybrid algorithm that integrating progressive optimality algorithm and discrete differential dynamic programming is presented to optimize monthly reservoir levels of hydropower plants. During optimization, a load reconstruction-based strategy is used to handle time-coupled network security constraints so that feasible hourly generation schedules for peak-shaving are easily obtained. An iterative procedure is executed to obtain the optimal monthly generation schedules and hourly power curves at the typical day of each month. The invention can make full use of the compensation operation characteristics of hydropower plants to meet the demands of coordinating monthly generation production and daily peak power. It is capable of providing the support for interprovincial power transmission and joint operations of China's huge hydropower plants such as Xiluodu and Jinping. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187638 | CONFIGURING AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL BOARD FOR AN APPLIANCE - A method for configuring an electronic control board for a target appliance includes obtaining, by one or more processors, data identifying the target appliance. The method includes determining, by the one or more processors, hardware configuration data for the electronic control board based, at least in part, on the data identifying the target appliance. The method includes generating, by the one or more processors, a control action associated with writing the hardware configuration data to a memory device on the electronic board. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187639 | Method And System For Software Defined Metallurgy - A system for generating a user-adjustable furnace profile, comprises a user interface configured to receive one or more materials properties from a user, a processor, and a memory with computer code instructions stored thereon. The memory is operatively coupled to the processor such that, when executed by the processor, the computer code instructions cause the system to implement communicating with a furnace to ascertain one or more thermal processes associated with the furnace, identifying one or more object characteristics associated with an object to be processed by furnace, and determining a thermal processing parameter profile of at least one thermal processing parameter corresponding to each of the thermal processes, based on (i) the one or more part characteristics and (ii) the one or more materials properties, the thermal processing parameter profile characterizing a cycle of the one or more thermal processes. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187640 | DIGITAL TWIN OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMP IN PUMPING SYSTEMS - A method and controller for creating a digital twin of a pump. The method includes receiving, by a controller, a specification curve corresponding to a centrifugal pump. The method includes building and executing, by the controller, a first model of the centrifugal pump, based on the specification curve. The method includes receiving sensor data corresponding to and during the operation of the pump. The method includes updating the first model according to the sensor data to produce an updated model, and storing the updated model as a digital twin of the centrifugal pump. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187641 | ELECTRONIC APPLIANCE CONTROL METHOD AND ELECTRONIC APPLIANCE CONTROL DEVICE - A condition control of a robot cleaner is performed or service is provided with a user using the robot cleaner to improve the convenience of the user. Various data items obtained through a network connection are used in the condition control or service to estimate/determine a behavior, condition, or request of the user. Specifically, the operation of the robot cleaner is controlled based on operations of other associated devices disposed in the same room where the robot cleaner runs. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187642 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING TEMPERATURE OF HEATING ELEMENT - A method for controlling a temperature of a heating element can include: measuring a temperature of the heating element using a temperature sensor; estimating a temperature of the heating element based on a heat transfer model of the heating element; calculating a variation of the estimated temperature and a variation of the measured temperature; and determining whether a failure of the temperature sensor occurs based on the calculated variation of the estimated temperature and the calculated variation of the measured temperature. | 2019-06-20 |
20190187643 | Controlling IOT Devices via Public Safety Answering Point - Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality with a Public Safety Answering Point (“PSAP”). In some embodiments, a computing system located at a PSAP might receive a first message indicative of an emergency situation, analyze the first message to determine one or more actions to be taken, and identify one or more devices (e.g., household devices; vehicular components associated with a vehicle; utility devices; devices disposed in, on, or along a roadway; devices disposed throughout a population area; etc.) for performing the determined one or more first actions. The computing system might then autonomously control each of the identified one or more devices to perform tasks based on the determined one or more first actions to be taken, thereby implementing smart environment functionality (e.g., smart home, building, or customer premises functionality, smart vehicle functionality, smart utility, smart roadway functionality, smart city functionality, etc.). | 2019-06-20 |
20190187644 | Development of certain building data profiles and their use in an automated optimization method to reduce thermal energy consumption in commercial buildings during the heating season - The invention teaches a system and method for reducing energy consumption in commercial buildings. The invention provides development of certain mechanical heat profiles and use of such profiles in an automated optimization method. Outputs communicate with the building management system of the commercial building, and regulate the heating system during a season when the building activates the heating system. Various embodiments are taught. | 2019-06-20 |