40th week of 2017 patent applcation highlights part 50 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20170285524 | Developer Cartridge - A developer cartridge includes a casing and a developer container detachably attached to the casing. The developer container includes a tubular member, a conveyor, an end member, and a sealing member. The tubular member is configured to contain developer therein and has an axis. The conveyor is disposed in the tubular member and is configured to convey the developer toward one end of the tubular member along the axis. The end member is disposed at a predetermined distance away from the one end of the tubular member. The sealing member is attached to an outer peripheral surface of the end member and an outer peripheral surface of the tubular member, and is configured to be broken with rotation of at least one of the tubular member and the conveyor. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285525 | Developer Cartridge - A developer cartridge includes a first flexible container, a second flexible container, and a housing accommodating the first flexible container and the second flexible container. The first flexible container is openably sealed. The second flexible container is openably sealed. At least one of the first flexible container and the second flexible container stores developer. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285526 | DEVELOPING DEVICE, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A regulation member includes an opposed surface and a contact surface in a portion corresponding to an image forming area. The opposed surface is opposed to a developer bearing member. The contact surface protrudes from the opposed surface and has a height different from that of the opposed surface. An end seal seals a gap between a frame body, the developer bearing member, and the regulation member. The regulation member further includes an area not having the contact surface between the image forming area and a sealing area in which the regulation member and the end seal overlap. In the sealing area, a step between the opposed surface and the contact surface has a height of greater than or equal to 0 mm and not greater than 0.10 mm. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285527 | Developer Cartridge Provided with Casing and Developer Accommodating Unit Detachably Supported Thereto - A developer cartridge includes: a casing; and a sub-unit. The casing has a first opening and a developer chamber. The sub-unit is detachably attached to the developer chamber through the first opening. The sub-unit includes: a cap; a developer container; and an agitation member. The cap seals the first opening. The developer container is disposed in the developer chamber and hermetically accommodating developer therein. The agitation member is disposed in the developer chamber. The agitation member has a first end portion and a second end portion. The agitation member is rotatable relative to the casing about an axis. The axis extends between the first end portion and the second end portion in an axial direction. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285528 | TONER CARTRIDGE ATTACHABLE TO DEVELOPING UNIT AND HAVING TONER DISCHARGE OPENING OPENED IN RESPONSE TO THE ATTACHMENT - A toner cartridge includes a casing, a toner conveyance unit, a cover, and a first protrusion. The casing includes a first toner-accommodating section having a first internal space for accommodating toner. The first toner-accommodating section has a first opening. The toner conveyance unit is rotatable and configured to convey toner from the first internal space to the first opening. The cover covers the first opening and has a second opening for allowing toner to be discharged therethrough. The cover has a circumferential surface at which a plurality of gear teeth is provided. The gear teeth are configured to move a developing shutter provided at a developing unit for opening or closing an opening of the developing unit. The first protrusion is configured to release the developing shutter from a locking member of the developing unit for locking the developing shutter. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285529 | Toner Cartridge - A cartridge includes a shutter that opens and closes when the cartridge is attached and detached to a developing unit or image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes a casing having a chamber with a first opening at one end portion allowing toner to flow out of the casing. The cartridge includes a cover that covers the first opening, movable with the casing and having a second opening allowing toner to flow out of the cover. The shutter is located at the one end portion and has a protrusion further from the one end portion than the cover. The developing unit supports the protrusion when the cartridge is mounted thereon, and the casing pivots with the cover relative to the developing unit between a first position where the shutter closes the second opening and a second position where a third opening of the shutter overlaps the second opening. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285530 | Toner Cartridge Attachable to Image Forming Apparatus - Toner cartridge includes a housing, an agitator, an auger, a first protrusion, and a second protrusion. The housing includes a first toner accommodating portion having and a second toner accommodating portion. The auger is rotatable about a second axis extending in a first direction and is configured to convey toner from a first toner accommodating portion to the second toner accommodating portion. The first protrusion is positioned at a first side of the second toner accommodating portion. The first protrusion extends in the first direction. The second protrusion is positioned at a second side of the second toner accommodating portion and extends in the first direction. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285531 | DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE PROVIDED WITH DELAYED TRANSMISSION MECHANISM CAPABLE OF DISTRIBUTING LOAD APPLIED TO MOTOR - A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developer container; a developing roller; an unsealing mechanism; a first rotary body; a second rotary body; and a delayed transmission mechanism. The developer container is sealed to accommodate developer. The unsealing mechanism unseals the developer container. The first rotary body is provided at the unsealing mechanism. A drive force from a drive source is transmitted to the first rotary body and the second rotary body. The second rotary body transmits the drive force to the developing roller. The delayed transmission mechanism delays transmission of the drive force to the second rotary body for at least a prescribed time after transmission of the drive force to the first rotary body is initiated. The prescribed time is equivalent to a time that elapses from a moment the unsealing mechanism begins rotating to a moment the unsealing mechanism has unsealed the developer container. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285532 | Developer Cartridge - A developer cartridge includes a developer container, a casing, a sealing member, and a drive input. The developer container is configured to sealingly contain developer therein. The developer container has an outlet through which the developer flows out of the developer container. The casing is configured to accommodate the developer container therein. The casing supports the developer container to allow the developer container to rotate about an axis thereof in a rotating direction. The sealing member is configured to seal the outlet. The drive input is configured to transmit rotational driving force to the developer container. The sealing member is fixed to the casing. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285533 | INTERMEDIATE TRANSFER MEMBER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - An intermediate transfer member includes a resin substrate layer and a surface layer containing a cured product of a composition including a specific polyfunctional (meth)acrylic monomer and a specific fine particle of metal oxide. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285534 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a transfer unit, and a controller. The transfer unit transfers a developer image formed by the image forming unit onto a transfer object. The controller controls each of the image forming unit and the transfer unit on a basis of printing data. The controller performs a printing control to cause a first printing operation and a second printing operation to be executed. The first printing operation forms a first developer image directed to an entire pixel region of a print image and transfers the first developer image onto the transfer object. The second printing operation forms a second developer image directed selectively to a high-gradation pixel region and transfers the second developer image onto the transfer object. The high-gradation pixel region is a pixel region, having a gradation value equal to or greater than a threshold, of the print image. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285535 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer belt, multiple first type photoconductive drums, multiple first type transfer rollers, a second type photoconductive drum, a second type transfer roller, a roller, and a roller moving unit. The multiple first type transfer rollers are arranged at positions that face the multiple first type photoconductive drums. The second type photoconductive drum is arranged at a position where the drum surface of the second type photoconductive drum is not tangent to a common tangent plane. The roller is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt and is arranged between the second type transfer roller and one first type transfer roller. The roller moving unit moves the roller by pressing the roller. The roller moving unit changes the state of abutting of the multiple first type photoconductive drums and the second type photoconductive drum. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285536 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS DETERMINING ORDER FOR STARTING FIRST MOTOR AND SECOND MOTOR BY USING TEMPERATURE OF FIXING DEVICE - In an image forming apparatus a controller starts a heater to heat up in response to a print command In a first case where temperature of the fixing device at a timing of reception of the print command is lower than a first threshold value, the controller starts rotating a first motor, and subsequently starts rotating a second motor before the conveying device conveys the sheet according to the received print command. The first threshold value is lower than the target temperature. In a second case where the temperature of the fixing device at the timing of reception of the print command is higher the first threshold value, the controller starts rotating the second motor, and subsequently starts rotating the first motor before the conveying device conveys the sheet according to the received print command. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285537 | FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device for fixing a toner image onto a recording medium includes: an endless belt that is configured to be able to rotate; a pressure member that is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the belt; and a sliding member that has a sliding surface in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the belt and is arranged to face the pressure member with the belt interposed between the sliding member and the pressure member, wherein a direction in which the belt rotating slides on the sliding surface is referred to as a direction of conveyance, a plurality of first grooves as well as a plurality of second grooves each allowing two of the plurality of first grooves adjacent to each other to communicate with each other are formed on the sliding surface, and the first grooves and the second grooves are formed in a non-grid pattern. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285538 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressuring member, a deforming part, an approach guide and a guide adjusting part. The fixing member is rotatable and heated by a heat source. The pressuring member is rotatable and forms a fixing nip between the fixing member and the pressuring member. The deforming part deforms the fixing nip. The approach guide guides a sheet to the fixing nip. The guide adjusting part moves the approach guide to a position corresponding to the fixing nip after deformation, as the deforming part deforms the fixing nip. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285539 | FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device comprising: an endless belt; a roller being in contact with an outer surface of the endless belt; a nip plate disposed in the endless belt; a supporting member disposed in the endless belt; a spring member disposed in the endless belt between the nip plate and the supporting member, the spring member urged in a first direction away from the nip plate toward the supporting member; and a sliding sheet having a first surface and a second surface. The sliding sheet is nipped with the endless belt between the nip plate and the roller, the first surface is in contact with an inner surface of the endless belt and the second surface is in contact with the nip plate. The sliding sheet is fastened to a facing surface of the spring member that is facing toward the supporting member, and the second surface contacts the spring member. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285540 | FIXING DEVICE IN ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY TECHNOLOGY - A fixing device includes an endless belt, a girder disposed inside of a loop of the endless belt and extending in the width direction, a plate disposed between the girder and the endless belt, a pressing member disposed outside of the loop of the endless belt, a heater disposed inside the loop pf the endless belt, a first support disposed between the plate and the girder, and a second support disposed between the plate and the girder while being away from the first support. The first height of the second support is greater than the second height of the second support. A first difference between the first height of the first support and the second height of the first support is less than a second difference between the first height of the second support and the second height of the second support. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285541 | ROTATION DETECTION MECHANISM, FIXING DEVICE PROVIDED WITH THE SAME, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A rotation detection mechanism has a pulse plate, an optical sensor, a holder, and an input gear. The pulse plate has a light-blocking portion formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof. The optical sensor has a detection portion that detects whether an optical path thereof is opened or interrupted by the light-blocking portion of the pulse plate. The holder has a bearing hole that rotatably supports a rotary shaft of the pulse plate. The rotary shaft has a convex portion formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof and thus is in a key shape when seen from an axial direction thereof. On an inner peripheral surface of the bearing hole, a groove portion is formed through which the convex portion passes when the rotary shaft is inserted into the bearing hole, and the bearing hole is in a circular shape when seen from an axial direction thereof. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285542 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a rotary endless fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed in an interior of the fixing belt; a rotary opposed member to contact the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip together with the fixing belt; a heat source to directly heat the fixing belt at a portion other than the nip, including at lease one heat-generation part disposed outside lateral ends of a maximum area of the fixing belt where a recording medium passes through, wherein a recording medium carrying an unfixed image is conveyed to the nip and the fixing device fixes the unfixed image onto the recording medium; and a shielding member disposed between the fixing belt and the heat generation part of the heat source and configured to shield heat from the heat source at least at an area outside the maximum passing area of the recording medium. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285543 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes: a heater including a substrate and a heat generating element; a supporting member; a high heat-conductive member. The recording material on which an image is formed is heated by heat from the heater. The supporting member has a bottom region, where the supporting member supports the heater, including a first region where the supporting member contacts the high heat-conductive member so as to apply pressure between the heater and the high heat-conductive member and including a second region where the supporting member is recessed from the high heat-conductive member relative to the first region. At least a part of the first region overlaps, with respect to a movement direction of the recording material, with a region where the heat generating element is provided. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285544 | METHOD FOR INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF HIGH CAPACITY FEEDER TRAYS FOR UNEVEN STOCK - A method for feeding uneven media from a high capacity feeder includes rotating the pages in a stack 180° every 100-250 pages. This is only done with non-flat pages, such as, envelopes, pages with labels thereon, etc., which create tilted stacks and limit the number of pages that can be placed in the high capacity feeder. Rotating the pages 180° distributes the uneven build-up of the pages and creates a relatively flat stack, allowing the high capacity feeder to be filled to capacity. A camera or sensor placed in the high capacity feeder will detect the orientation of the stack on the fly so the image can be rotated accordingly. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285545 | BOARD CONVEYANCE DEVICE AND CONVEYANCE BELT INSPECTION METHOD - A board conveyance device and conveyance belt inspection method that enable easy detection of a problem with conveyance belts. The board conveyance device includes: endless conveyance belts on which is set a conveyance path for conveying a board; a board sensor configured to detect the presence of the board at a specified detection position on the conveyance path; and a control section configured to, in a case in which the board is not being conveyed on the conveyance path, move the conveyance belts and determine a problem with the conveyance belts based on a detection result of the board sensor. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285546 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A control portion has a conversion portion that converts image data to be used for forming a recorded image by using either a first conversion condition which has been set such as to obtain a first gradation characteristic in the image to be formed on the recording material when a first image forming operation is executed or a second conversion condition which has been set such as to obtain a second gradation characteristic, which is different from the first gradation characteristic, in the image when a second image forming operation is executed, a peripheral velocity ratio between an image bearing member and a developer bearing member being larger during the second image forming operation than during the first image forming operation, and enables the first image forming operation or the second image forming operation to be performed on the basis of converted image data. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285547 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - Provided is an image processing apparatus to form an image on a sheet of paper, including a main body and a submodule detachably disposed on the main body. The main body includes an asynchronous serial bus and a master control unit. The submodule includes a slave control unit. An interactive asynchronous serial communication is performed between the master control unit and slave control unit. The master control unit includes a detection timing changing unit. The detection timing changing unit changes a scheduled timing to detect a second signal. The slave control unit includes a transmission signal changing unit. The transmission signal changing unit changes a state of the second signal from a first state detectable by the master control unit at a first timing to a second state detectable by the master control unit at a second timing. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285548 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A sensor includes a light emitter and a photodetector. The light emitter outputs light with which a toner pattern or a surface material of an image carrier is irradiated. The photodetector receives reflection light from the toner pattern or the surface material. The sensor light intensity control unit provides a control voltage to the light emitter and thereby controls light intensity of the light emitter. The density determining unit determines a toner density on the basis of output of the photodetector. Further, the density determining unit (a) determines as a correction parameter a first-order coefficient of the control voltage of the light emitter for an output voltage of the photodetector corresponding to reflection light from the surface material, (b) determines a correction amount corresponding to the correction parameter and the toner density, and (c) corrects the toner density on the basis of the correction amount. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285549 | BINDING PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM - A binding processing apparatus includes a pair of pressing members each including a concave-convex portion configured to form a concave part and a convex part in a recording material bundle. The concave-convex portion includes protrusion portions. Aside surface of each protrusion portion is inclined so that the protrusion portion is widened from an apex of the protrusion portion. The side surfaces of the protrusion portions of a first pressing member that is one of the pressing members and the side surfaces of the protrusion portions of a second pressing member that is the other of the pressing members intersect with each other during pressing when viewed in a column direction of the protrusion portions. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285550 | IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM - An image forming system includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet and provided in an apparatus body, a first sheet processing device provided in a first housing and configured to perform a first binding processing, without using a needle, on the sheet that is formed with the image and stacked, and a second sheet processing device provided in a second housing that is different from the first housing and configured to perform a second binding processing, using a needle, on the sheet that is formed with the image and stacked. The first housing and the second housing are mounted on the apparatus body. At least a portion of the first housing is positioned within a range exclusively occupied by a rectangular space defined by a maximum outer dimension of the apparatus body. The second housing is positioned outside the rectangular space. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285551 | RECORDING MATERIAL FEEDING DEVICE - A recording material feeding device includes a stacking portion, a driving source, a holding member, a torque limiter for limiting transmission of a driving torque from the driving source to the stacking portion in a case that the driving source rotates in a state in which the holding member holds the position of the stacking portion; a storing portion for storing information on a holding state of the holding member; and a controller for controlling the driving source to rotate at a rotational speed slower when the information is information indicating that the holding member holds the position of the stacking portion than when the information is information indicating that the holding member does not hold the position of the stacking portion. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285552 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL PROGRAM - An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form an image pattern on a medium, a predetermined image repeatedly appearing in a first cycle in a sub scanning direction in the image pattern; a density detector configured to optically detect a density of the image pattern in the sub scanning direction; a cyclic image detector configured to detect a feature image having a second cycle corresponding to the first cycle in accordance with a result of the detection; and a state determining unit configured to determine whether a cycle depending on an outer circumference of a rotary member included in the image forming apparatus corresponds to the second cycle when the feature image is detected by the cyclic image detector, and determine that a state of the rotary member has deteriorated when the cycle depending on the outer circumference is determined to correspond to the second cycle. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285553 | CLEANING BLADE, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cleaning blade that contacts a cleaning target member having a cleaning target surface which moves, and cleans the cleaning target surface, includes a blade body; and a blade protrusion that is present at an end portion of a lower surface of the blade body near a distal end surface of the blade body, has a shape protruding outward in a thickness direction with respect to the lower surface, and has an inclined surface being a surface continued from the distal end surface and inclined outward in the thickness direction with respect to the lower surface and inward in a height direction with respect to the distal end surface from an end of the distal end surface near the lower surface. At least a portion of the incline surface is a contact surface that contacts the cleaning target member. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285554 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The image forming apparatus includes a control unit that executes a supply operation to supply a toner charged with a regular charge polarity, to at least one abutting portion of a plurality of abutting portions, at the time of image non-formation, the plurality of abutting portions being formed by a plurality of cleaning members and a plurality of image bearing members, the control unit determining an image bearing member to which the most amount of the toner charged with the regular charge polarity is supplied, based on image formation information, the image formation information being information about an image formation executed before the supply operation is executed. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285555 | LUBRICANT SUPPLY DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A lubricant supply device for supplying lubricant to an image carrier of an image forming device, the lubricant supply device including: a block of solid lubricant; a lubricant supply member scraping lubricant from the block and supplying the lubricant to the image carrier; and a spring applying a biasing force to the block in a second direction inclined with respect to a first direction from the block towards the lubricant supply member, a component of the biasing force in the first direction pushing the block against the lubricant supply member. Positions of the spring and the block relative to each other are such that, as the block decreases due to the scraping by the lubricant supply member, the angle between the biasing force and the first direction decreases and the component of the biasing force in the first direction increases. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285556 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An electrophotographic image forming apparatus which sequentially performs charging, exposure, development, transfer and cleaning on each surface portion of a photoreceptor during rotation includes: a cleaning blade configured to scrape off toner from the surface of the photoreceptor; a detecting unit configured to detect a rotation angle of the photoreceptor; and a control unit configured to control each of a start process and an end process of rotation of the photoreceptor and charging, development and transfer of the photoreceptor, wherein, in the end process, the control unit estimates a position of a surface portion of the photoreceptor, at which a charged state caused by a peeling discharge remains even after the stop of the photoreceptor, from the rotation angle from the time of start of deceleration of the photoreceptor to the time of stop of the photoreceptor, and adjusts parameters necessary for the next start process or end process. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285557 | DRUM UNIT PROVIDED WITH AUGERS FOR CONVEYING WASTE TONER - A drum unit includes: a photosensitive drum; a blade contacting a surface of the photosensitive drum and configured to remove waste toner therefrom; a first auger; and a second auger. The photosensitive drum defines an axis extending in a first direction and is rotatable about the axis. The first auger extends in the first direction. The first auger is rotatable upon receipt of a drive force from the photosensitive drum to convey the waste toner removed by the blade in the first direction. The second auger extends in a second direction crossing the first direction. The second auger is rotatable upon receipt of the driving force from the first auger to convey the waste toner conveyed by the first auger in the second direction. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285558 | DAMPER MECHANISM AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS THEREWITH - A damper mechanism has first and second rail members, a biasing member, and a slide member. The first rail member is fixed inside the opening/closing member along the up/down direction, and has an oblong guide hole formed therein extending along the longitudinal direction. The second rail member has fixed to a top end part thereof an engaging pin inserted through the guide hole, and has a bottom end part swingably supported on the apparatus main body. The biasing member biases the first and second rail members in a direction in which these approach each other. The slide member is made of resin fixed to the engaging pin, slides while in contact with the first rail member and the opening/closing member, and prevents contact between the engaging pin and an inner circumferential rim of the guide hole. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285559 | OPTIONAL DEVICE - An optional device of the present disclosure is attachable and detachable with respect to an image forming apparatus via a connection member fitted to a side face of a main body of the optional device. The connection member includes a shaft, a connector, and a lock member. The shaft is supported by the main body to be slidable in an axial direction. The connector is fixed to the shaft and coupled to the image forming apparatus. The lock member is capable or restricting movement of the shaft in the axial direction. A position of the connector is adjusted by releasing the restriction placed on the shaft by the lock member and then sliding the shaft in the axial direction. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285560 | Developing Cartridge - A developer cartridge may include a gear configured to be movable between an enagement position in which the gear engages an auger or supply gear to provide toner from a toner container to a developing unit and a disengaged position in which the gear does not engage the auger or supply gear. The gear may be moved by a cam and/or cam gear from the engagement position to the disengaged position and vice versa. The cam gear may include toothless and toothed portions to allow the developer cartridge to maintain the movable gear in either the engagement position or the disengaged position. In some arrangements, an urging member such as a spring may bias the cam gear in a rotation direction, while a lever may provide a counteracting force when the movable gear is to be maintained in a particular position. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285561 | DEVELOPER CONTAINING UNIT, DEVELOPMENT PROCESSING UNIT, DEVELOPMENT UNIT, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A development unit includes an attachable unit and an attached unit. The attachable unit includes an engaging section. The attached unit includes an engaged section that allows the engaging section to be brought into engagement with the engaged section attachably and detachably, and whose state changes in response to the engagement of the engaging section. The state of the engaged section upon the engagement of the engaging section is maintained even after the engaging section is detached from the engaged section. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285562 | COUPLING MECHANISM, AND SHEET FEED DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A coupling mechanism of the present disclosure includes a drive transmission member, a coupling member and a biasing member. The drive transmission member includes a shaft portion and an engagement pin. The coupling member includes a plurality of engagement protrusions and a holding protrusion which is smaller than the engagement protrusion. The holding protrusion makes contact with the engagement pin in a state where the engagement pin makes contact with the pressing surface. A load in a reverse rotation direction is applied from the holding protrusion to the engagement pin when the coupling member is reversely rotated. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285563 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In a case where a developer bottle is not attached to a bottle attachment portion, a movable support portion is kept to be at a support position, by an elastic force of a second spring, at which to support the bottle attachment portion to be higher than a reference level in position. In a case where the developer bottle is attached to the bottle attachment portion, a movable arm portion extending from the movable support portion toward an attachment space contacts the developer bottle and is displaced to outside the attachment space, which causes the movable support portion to be displaced from the support position to a release position at which to release a support of the bottle attachment portion. A control portion prohibits an image forming process when the position of the bottle attachment portion is not equal to or lower than the reference level. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285564 | FIXING TOOL AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing tool includes a pair of arms, a holding portion, and a claw portion. The arms are capable of being inserted into and pulled out from through holes formed respectively in a sheet support plate, which supports a sheet stored in a sheet feeder of an image forming apparatus such that the sheet can be lifted and lowered, and in a bottom portion of the sheet feeder. The holding portion is provided so as to project from a predetermined position on each of the arms and capable of holding the sheet support plate and the bottom portion. The claw portion is provided so as to project inward from a distal end of each of the arms and capable of being inserted between an integrated circuit mounted in the image forming apparatus and a mounting target portion which the integrated circuit is mountable to and detachable from. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285565 | OPENING/CLOSING MECHANISM, POWDER TRANSPORT DEVICE USING THE SAME, AND POWDER PROCESSING APPARATUS - An opening/closing mechanism is provided between a powder transport container removably attached to an apparatus housing and a powder receiving container provided in the apparatus housing to receive powder in the powder transport container as a result of a connection port communicating with a discharging port of the powder transport container. The opening/closing mechanism opens and closes the discharging port along with attachment and detachment of the powder transport container, and includes an opening/closing lid that opens the discharging port by being stopped by a part of the powder receiving container when the powder transport container is attached to the apparatus housing, a seal member, and a covering material that is provided on a surface of the opening/closing lid opposed to the seal member and has a protruding piece in contact with an edge portion of the connection port when the powder transport container is attached. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285566 | IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH DETACHABLE WASTE TONER CONTAINER AND SHEET-CONVEYING GUIDE - An image-forming apparatus includes an apparatus body and a process cartridge attachable to and detachable from the apparatus body. The apparatus body includes a sheet-feed roller and a body wall. The process cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a drum frame; a developing roller; a cleaner; a conveying pipe and a waste-toner container for storing waste toner removed from the photosensitive drum by the cleaner and conveyed by the conveying pipe. The waste-toner container is detachably mountable on the drum frame. The waste-toner container mounted on the drum frame is positioned opposite to the photosensitive drum with respect to the developing roller. The body wall of the apparatus body and a container wall of the waste-toner container constitute a part of a sheet-conveying guide for guiding conveyance of a sheet from the sheet-feed roller toward the photosensitive drum when the process cartridge is attached to the apparatus body. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285567 | Process Cartridge - A process cartridge, comprising: a drum cartridge; and a waste toner case, the drum cartridge comprising: a development roller; a first side wall to support one end of a shaft of the development roller; a second wall to support the other end of the shaft; a photosensitive drum; a cleaner; and a conveying tube, the conveying tube comprising: a first part disposed on an opposite side of the second side wall with respect to the first side wall in an axis direction, the first part being connected to the cleaner; a second part disposed closer to the second side wall relative to the first part and connected to the waste toner case; and a third part connecting the first part with the second part, wherein a direction in which the waste toner case is attached is equal to a direction in which the second part extends. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285568 | Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus - A process cartridge including a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, and a waste toner container, is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum including a photosensitive layer and a rotation axis extending in an axial direction, a drum cleaner arranged to contact the photosensitive drum, a cleaner frame configured to accommodate the drum cleaner therein, and a waste toner conveyer tube connected with the cleaner frame. The developing cartridge is movable to be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge and includes a developer roller. The waste toner container is movable to be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge. When the developing cartridge and the waste toner container are attached to the drum cartridge, the waste toner container is connected with the waste toner conveyer tube and is located on an opposite side of the developing cartridge to the photosensitive drum. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285569 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge supporting member configured to move with respect to a main body of the apparatus in a state in which a cartridge is mounted to take a mounting and demounting position where the cartridge supporting member is located at an exterior of the main body and allowing the cartridge to be mounted and demounted, and an image forming position where the cartridge supporting member is located within an interior of the main body to locate the cartridge at a position which allows formation of an image. A first unit of the cartridge includes a position-restricted portion, and the cartridge is located below a second unit in which the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge supporting member. The cartridge supporting member includes a position restricting portion configured to restrict movement of the cartridge with respect to the cartridge supporting member by engaging the position-restricted portion. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285570 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE CAPABLE OF RESTRAINING FRICTIONAL WEARING OF ELECTRODE PROVIDED AT DEVELOPING UNIT - A process cartridge has a drum unit having a photosensitive drum; a developing unit having a developing roller and movable relative to the drum unit; a first electrically conductive member provided at the drum unit and configured to contact a terminal of an image forming apparatus; a second electrically conductive member provided at the developing unit; and a third electrically conductive member electrically connected to the first electrically conductive member and to the second electrically conductive member, the third electrically conductive member being deformable in accordance with the movement of the developing unit. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285571 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - When a position of a developing unit with respect to a photoreceptor unit, the developing unit being mounted in an image forming apparatus, is switched to a contact position from a separation position with a switching unit, the developing unit at the contact position is brought to a state forming a predetermined space with the guide unit through which an airflow generated by a fan and that flows in a longitudinal direction of the guide unit flows, and when the position of the developing unit with respect to the photoreceptor unit, the developing unit being mounted in the image forming apparatus, is switched to the separation position from the contact position with the switching unit, the developing unit at the separation position is brought to a state in which the developing unit enters at least a portion of an area of the predetermined space. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285572 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUSES FOR OPTICALLY ADDRESSED HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGING SYSTEM - Methods and systems and components made according to the methods and systems, are disclosed relating to the generation of a holographic image, including a color-containing holographic image, generated exclusively optically addressing information to a projection system. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285573 | Crystalline Compounds for Use in Mechanical Watches and Methods of Manufacture Thereof - This invention teaches a new class of materials that can be used to manufacture hairsprings and/or other components of mechanical watches, and methods for manufacturing these components. The new class of materials is crystalline compounds, including, but not limited to, gallium arsenide, extrinsically doped gallium arsenide, extrinsically doped silicon, gallium nitride, extrinsically doped gallium nitride, gallium phosphide, extrinsically doped gallium phosphide, and quartz. This invention also teaches laminated/coated crystalline compounds. The lamination/coating may be applied by one of the following methods, including but not limited to: plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, sputtering, electron beam evaporation, and thermal evaporation. Using crystalline compounds, in particular extrinsically doping the crystalline compounds, affords the possibility to controllably alter the mechanical, electrical, thermal, magnetic, and/or other properties of the watch components. These properties can be further altered by applying single or multiple laminates/coatings of varying thicknesses and/or geometries. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285574 | BAND TYPE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND SUBSTRATE ARRANGEMENT METHOD - A band-type electronic device and a method for configuration of a flexible circuit board in a band-type electronic device are disclosed. The band-type electronic device includes a plurality of segments connected with each other in a band-like shape, a plurality of electronic components arranged in the plurality of segments, and a flexible circuit board connected to the plurality of electronic components arranged in the plurality of segments, wherein the flexible circuit board is partly deformed into a meandering shape in at least one of the plurality of segments. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285575 | COLOURED TIMEPIECE COMPONENT - The present invention relates to a timepiece component comprising on at least one part of its surface a coating formed of one or more layers of organic pigments. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285576 | ALARM CLOCK HAVING A MOTION SENSOR AND MOBILE DEVICE CONNECTIVITY - The alarm clock having a motion sensor and mobile device connectivity is an alarm clock providing connectivity with a cellular telephone, smartphone or any similar suitable type of mobile device. The alarm clock having a motion sensor and mobile device connectivity includes an optical projector for projecting an image representative of a display screen of the mobile device on an external display surface, such as a wall or a ceiling. The alarm clock having a motion sensor and mobile device connectivity includes a housing for receiving a clock controller. A clock display, audio alarm, motion sensor, optical projector and a device interface are each mounted on the housing and are in communication with the clock controller. Actuation of the motion sensor by detected movement of a user's hand or the like selectively actuates the optical projector to project the image representative of the display screen of the mobile device. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285577 | SHOCK DETECTOR CIRCUIT - An electronic device including: a calculation unit configured to generate a signal representative of a physical magnitude, for a motor driving a display device, the motor including two terminals, one positive and one negative, via which the calculation unit controls the motor; at least one shock detection circuit connected between the calculation unit and one terminal of the motor for detection of an external shock applied to the motor. The shock detection circuit includes a comparison part comparing an induced voltage generated in the motor following a shock to a predetermined reference voltage to identify a shock, and a selection part. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285578 | TACTILE METRONOME - A metronome capable of imparting a tactile sensation in order to assist the user in monitoring a tempo. The metronome is configurable to be worn on the wrist, chest, ankle or any part of the body most suitable for the user. The metronome may be provided as a kit including a removable metronome casing and a series of changeable belts for holding the casing to body parts of different thickness. The metronome can be in a group network of other metronomes. In one embodiment, each metronome in the group is commonly linked to a smartphone by Bluetooth, and the smartphone is useable to synchronize a plurality of metronomes wirelessly to play the same tempo. Each of the metronomes in the group can set the tempo for the entire group of metronomes. Advantageously, none of the metronomes is controlling, and any one of the metronomes can be used to set the tempo. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285579 | TIME MEASUREMENT DEVICE, TIME MEASUREMENT METHOD, LIGHT-EMISSION-LIFETIME MEASUREMENT DEVICE, AND LIGHT-EMISSION-LIFETIME MEASUREMENT METHOD - A time measurement device for calculating a time from an input of a first trigger signal to an input of a second trigger signal as a measured time includes a start gate configured to generate a start signal, a stop gate configured to generate a stop signal, a TDC circuit configured to generate a digital code corresponding to the time from an input of a start signal to an input of a stop signal, a delay circuit configured to delay an input of at least one of the start signal and the stop signal to the TDC circuit by a predetermined delay time, and a control unit configured to calculate a measured time on the basis of a plurality of digital codes generated by the TDC circuit, wherein the time delay unit selects at least two delay times. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285580 | DYNAMICALLY RECONFIGURING TIME ZONES IN REAL-TIME USING PLURAL TIME ZONE LIBRARIES - A computer program product for dynamically reconfiguring time zones in real-time using plural time zone (TZ) libraries is provided. The method provides integrating a first time zone information data (TZID) version and a second TZID version into a TZ library in an operating system. A first configuration comprising the TZ library and the first TZID version is selected. Responsive to adjusting the first configuration to a second configuration comprising the TZ library and the second TZID version, the second configuration is used automatically without restarting the operating system and without restarting an application. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285581 | REMOTE ALARM CLOCK - The alarm clock system provided with an alarm clock base unit and a remote alarm controller such that the current system does not afford a sleeping person additional rest after the initial activation of an alarm. The alarm can be deactivated only from a distance, thereby requiring the sleeper to get out of bed and use the remote to deactivate the alarm. The alarm clock system with a remote control does not allow indefinite postponement of wakefulness, thereby solving the purpose for which it is deployed. The large, highly visible display allows placement of the device at any convenient location, rather than only in close proximity to the sleeper. The alarm clock also displays the current date. The clock is capable of continued operation using power from rechargeable batteries. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285582 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An object of the present invention is to determine wake-up timing of a user with high accuracy. A terminal apparatus ( | 2017-10-05 |
20170285583 | ELECTRONIC TIMEPIECE - An electronic timepiece includes: a 6 o'clock information display unit that displays one display mode among a plurality of display modes including a barometric display mode in which a barometric pressure is displayed, using a first display hand; a 10 o'clock information display unit that displays a change in the barometric pressure using a second hand in a case in which the display mode displayed by the 6 o'clock information display unit is the barometric display mode; a 2 o'clock information display unit that displays the barometric pressure using measurement display hands in the case in which the display mode displayed by the 6 o'clock information display unit is the barometric display mode; and a time display unit that displays a time using an hour hand and a minute hand irrespective of the display mode. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285584 | MACHINE LEARNING DEVICE THAT PERFORMS LEARNING USING SIMULATION RESULT, MACHINE SYSTEM, MANUFACTURING SYSTEM, AND MACHINE LEARNING METHOD - A machine learning device that learns a control command for a machine by machine learning, including a machine learning unit that performs the machine learning to output the control command; a simulator that performs a simulation of a work operation of the machine based on the control command; and a first determination unit that determines the control command based on an execution result of the simulation by the simulator. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285585 | TECHNOLOGIES FOR RESOLVING MORAL CONFLICTS DURING AUTONOMOUS OPERATION OF A MACHINE - Technologies for controlling a machine include a compute system configured to control operation of the machine. The compute system is configured to detect a moral conflict related to the operation of the machine and determine operational choices for operation of the machine to resolve the moral conflict. The compute system also determines a moral agent likely to be affected by each operational choice and one or more moral rules applicable to the moral conflict. The moral agents may be weighted based on a set of weighting rules, which may vary based on geographical location and/or other criteria. Each moral rule defines a goal to be achieved by the operation of the machine. The compute system is further configured to select one of the operational choices to resolve the conflict based on the determined moral agents and the moral rules and control the machine to perform the selected operational choice. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285586 | INTELLIGENT ENERGY SWITCH - A method and associated systems for a self-learning energy switch. The switch creates an array of cognitive models for each candidate energy source. Each array returns a probability that its corresponding source is the most cost-effective and operationally suitable energy supplier at that time. Each model in an array contributes to the array's returned probability as a function of a corresponding class of decision-making factors. The system fine-tunes the models by weighting them as functions of extrinsic evidentiary information that may imply future behavior of the decision-making factors and combines each model's returned probabilities to select an optimal energy source. The system then automatically routes power from the optimal source to a consumer's energy-consuming premises. This self-learning procedure repeats indefinitely, continuously tuning the models in response to identifying additional extrinsic evidence and reasons why the system's previous energy selections were either optimal or non-optimal. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285587 | TWO-STAGE CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ECONOMICAL OPTIMIZATION OF AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for economically optimal control of an electrical system. Some embodiments employ generalized multivariable constrained continuous optimization techniques to determine an optimal control sequence over a future time domain in the presence of any number of costs, savings opportunities (value streams), and constraints. Some embodiments also include control methods that enable infrequent recalculation of the optimal setpoints. Some embodiments may include a battery degradation model that, working in conjunction with the economic optimizer, enables the most economical use of any type of battery. Some embodiments include techniques for load and generation learning and prediction. Some embodiments include consideration of external data, such as weather. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285588 | TRANSDUCER ACCESS POINT - The invention relates to a method and apparatus for exposing (i.e. bridging) data and services offered by low power, low duty cycle transducers (e.g. sensors and actuators) in a standardized format over existing and established home networking technologies. A transducer access point is a functional component that serves as a proxy for health devices and sensors that are off/asleep the majority of the time to conserver power (e.g. battery life). The transducer access point may be implemented as a stand alone device or embedded within a computing device such as a home PC. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285589 | APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CONTROLLING APPLIANCES - Apparatuses, methods, and program products are disclosed for controlling appliances. One apparatus includes a processor, and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to receive control data from an application. The control data corresponds to multiple appliance types. The code is executable by the processor to control a first appliance type of the multiple appliance types as a direct result of receiving the control data. The code is executable by the processor to control a second appliance type of the multiple appliance types as a direct result of receiving the control data. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285590 | INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN BUILDINGS - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for passing actionable information between different buildings to facilitate building management without human intervention include, in one aspect, a method including: determining, in a building information modelling (BIM) system of a first building, a set of rules defining actions to be taken by a building automation system of the first building in response to a defined set of remote information received from a BIM system of a second building, the set of remote information corresponding to one or more sensors in or associated with the second building; receiving data from the BIM system of the second building in accordance with the set of remote information; and using the building automation system of the first building to automatically change configuration, use, or operation of the first building in response to the received data in accordance with the set of rules. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285591 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method for energy management include steps of collecting data during a period of time, identifying data clusters within the data, categorizing the data clusters in the period of time, analyzing the data clusters, and assigning a classification to the period of time. Real time data can be compared to scheduled performance. Real time notifications can be provided to a user where energy is being used inefficiently. Energy efficiency of meters within a site can be ranked to identify meters where energy is being used inefficiently. A system is also provided for performing the method of the present disclosure. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285592 | MOTOR EXCHANGE SYSTEM FOR A MACHINE - A machine includes a first device, a second device and at least one controller. The first device includes a first motor located at a first address and associated with first operating characteristic data. The second device includes a second motor located at a second address and associated with second operating characteristic data that is substantially the same as the first operating characteristic data. The at least one controller includes a computing processor and a computer readable storage medium, and is configured to communicate with the first and second devices, and store the first and second operating characteristic data while associating the first and second operating characteristic data with the first and second addresses. The exchange of at least one of the first and second motors causes an exchange of the associated one of the first and second operating characteristic data. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285593 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED GENERATION AND SEWING OF A BORDER PATTERN - A method and apparatus for automated assisted generation, by a user, of a digitized border pattern for a border zone of a fabric article, and automated assisted sewing of the digitized border pattern, the border pattern incorporating a plurality of border pattern segments having one or more pattern lines, the actuator displaying the border zone to the user, presenting available digitized border pattern segments to the user for selection, positioning, orienting, scaling, and selective interconnecting, by the user through interaction with the actuator, for integration of the selected border pattern segments into the digitized border pattern. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285594 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROL OF OUTPUT FROM LIGHT OUTPUT APPARATUS - In one aspect, a device includes a processor, a communication interface accessible to the processor, and storage accessible to the processor. The storage bears instructions executable by the processor to identify an activity associated with a user. The instructions are also executable by the processor to use the communication interface to transmit at least one command to a light output apparatus to adjust light from the light output apparatus based on the identified activity. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285595 | SPLIT STRUCTURE DESIGN FOR AN INTERNET OF THINGS DEVICE - A split structure design for an internet of things (IoT) device including a control IoT device (CID) and a sensor IoT device (SID). An example of an apparatus provides a CID including a power transmitter to power a SID through a barrier and a control data transceiver to communicate with the SID through the barrier. The CID includes a power adjustor to increase a power transmission to the SID in steps, and an intermodule communicator to determine if communications have been established with the sensor IoT, and, if not, instruct the power adjustor to increase the power transmission to the SID by a step. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285596 | CONTROLLING APPLIANCE SETTING BASED ON USER POSITION - For controlling an appliance setting based on user position, systems, apparatus, methods, and program products are disclosed. The apparatus may include a processor and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. In one embodiment, the processor monitors user position data for at least one registered user. In another embodiment, the processor identifies a travel scenario based on the user position data. In a further embodiment, the processor controls a setting of an appliance based on an identity of a registered user corresponding to the travel scenario. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285597 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE COOKING PROCESS IN OVENS FOR FOOD USE - A method for controlling the cooking process in a cooking chamber of an oven is provided. The chamber includes at least one heating element, at least one fan having respective intake and delivery areas, and at least one baking tray. A temperature sensor is arranged in the delivery area, measuring the temperature of the air and/or steam which comes into contact with the food at the entry to the at least one baking tray, and compares that to the cooking temperature which is set in the corresponding cooking program. The method includes: providing a second temperature sensor in the intake area of the fan; calculating temperature difference detected by the sensors; setting a predetermined difference between the temperatures; and controlling the heating element and the fan during cooking to keep the temperature difference in the cooking chamber equal to or below the predetermined value throughout the actual cooking time. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285598 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING POWER GRID DEMAND - A method for reducing aggregate power cost that includes determining an end device power consumption profile for each of a plurality of end devices, storing the end device power consumption profiles in a switching device configured to determine a desired power flow timing for each of the plurality of end devices, determining an optimal rate period with the switching device, determining, with the switching device, the desired power flow timing for each of the plurality of end devices such that a power consumption of the plurality of end devices is preferably within the optimal rate period, and controlling, via the control device, the plurality of end devices such that the desired power flow timing is substantially obtained, thereby reducing aggregate cost per kWhr of the plurality of end devices. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285599 | NORMALIZED CONTROL OF AN IHS COMPONENT - A component control system includes a component. At least one component element is included in the component. A component controller is included in the component, coupled to the at least one component element, and operable to couple to an Information Handling System (IHS) controller. The component controller is operable to receive a normalized component performance (NCP) value from the IHS controller. The NCP value is associated with at least one component output range. The component controller is also operable to provide a control signal that is associated with the NCP value to the at least one component element. In response to receiving the control signal, the at least one component element operates such that the component produces at least one component output, and each component output produced by the component is within a corresponding component output range. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285600 | WAVEFORM DISPLAY DEVICE THAT PERFORMS AUTOMATIC EXTRACTION - A waveform display device is provided that extracts data of a required portion from data outputted from a numerical control. A waveform display device includes: a data acquisition part that acquires a predetermined type of data from output data outputted from a numerical control; a condition determination part that determines a start condition and end condition for extracting partial data from the predetermined type of data based on information from the numerical control; a data extraction part that extracts the partial data corresponding to the start condition and end condition from the predetermined type of data; and a waveform display part that displays the partial data extracted as a waveform. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285601 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL FORMING DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A management system that manages forming data to be used in forming of a three-dimensional object. The management system encrypts the forming data such that a forming control apparatus, which controls a forming apparatus managed by the management system, performs decryption processing. The management system notifies a request source of a forming request of the forming data of a forming code to be generated for forming processing to be performed based on the forming data in response to an approval by a user associated with target forming data of the forming request. The notified forming code is used to acquire the encrypted forming data or control the forming processing. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285602 | Controlling a Water Installation Device - In a first aspect, a method is provided of controlling a water installation device by a water installation controlling apparatus by using a descriptor file. The descriptor file comprises one or more operation instructions and one or more configuration instructions having a textual data format. The method comprises processing the one or more operation instructions by the water installation controlling apparatus in such a way that operation of the water installation device is performed based on the one or more operation instructions. The method further comprises processing the one or more configuration instructions by the water installation controlling apparatus in such a way that configuration of the water installation device via a user interface is performed based on the one or more configuration instructions. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285603 | COMMON ELECTRICAL BOX FORM FACTOR FOR SENSING TECHNOLOGIES - A sensor system including a remote sensor and an integrated system on a chip (“SOC”) or controller. The remote sensor can be integrated into the light switch to monitor the area adjacent the light switch, where the light switch can visually disguise the remote sensor to minimize any undesirable aesthetic appearances created by the remote sensor. As light switches are ordinarily positioned high on a wall to be easily accessible, the concealed remote sensor also positioned to make optimal measurements of the area adjacent the light switch. The SOC can process measurements for the remote sensor and provide a control signal for an HVAC controller or other building system. The SOC can permit the sensor system to operate as a localized controller that can operate building systems to control conditions adjacent the sensor system. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285604 | PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLER - The programmable logic controller is a PLC-like controller having an elongate box-shaped main unit, a truncated, box-shaped expansion module, and a cable that couples the main unit to the expansion module. The main unit is a CPU adapter prepared specially to receive an open source microcontroller board, which carries out the instructions of the control process. It performs the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the process, and communicates with outside devices. The expansion module expands the unit with a programmable logic controller programmed using open source software according to the process and requirements with a multiple arrangements of digital and analog inputs and outputs, as well as Special Function Modules (GSM, Ethernet, MPI, Thermocouple, etc.). | 2017-10-05 |
20170285605 | SMART TOOL MONITORING SYSTEM - A method for operating a smart tool monitoring system is described. The method includes monitoring, by a controller within a smart tool monitoring system, a first parameter associated with a first component internal to the smart tool monitoring system. The method also includes determining, by the controller, whether the first parameter satisfies a first criterion. The method also includes performing a first action in response to a determination that the first parameter satisfies the first criterion. The method also includes receiving a measurement value from a sensor of an article of manufacturing equipment that includes a second component external to the smart tool monitoring system. The method also includes determining, by the controller, whether the measurement value satisfies a second criterion. The method also includes performing a second action in response to a determination that the measurement value satisfies the second criterion. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285606 | NUMERICAL CONTROL DEVICE - A numerical control device that controls servomotors configured to process a workpiece into an arbitrary finishing shape by performing a plurality of processing operations so that the tool moves along a processing locus, the numeral control device includes: an initial locus deriving unit configured to derive the processing locus based on the arbitrary finishing shape; a processed range acquiring unit configured to acquire a processed range in which the tool has performed the processing operation; a receiving unit configured to receive a processing instruction for a changed finishing shape different from the arbitrary finishing shape; and a changed locus deriving unit configured to derive a changed processing locus based on a shape of a changed processed part obtained by excluding the processed range from the changed finishing shape at the time of interruption of the processing. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285607 | System and Method for Self-Calibration of an Actuator - The present disclosure envisages a system and method for self-calibration of an actuator. The system comprises a pressure spike sensing and control circuit, a travel limit setting circuit and a profile generation circuit. The pressure spike sensing and control circuit is configured to check and set an operating pressure of the actuator. The travel limit setting circuit is configured to check and set the travel limit of the actuator. The profile generation circuit is configured to generate the profiles of a set of parameters of the actuator. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285608 | SERVO CONTROLLER, CONTROL METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM FOR MACHINE TOOL USED FOR OSCILLATING CUTTING - A controller including: a positional deviation calculating unit that calculates positional deviation using a position command directed to a servo motor for driving a cutting tool, etc., and a position feedback value corresponding to the position of the cutting tool, etc.; an oscillation command calculating unit that calculates an oscillation command using the position command and a spindle axis angle of the rotated work, etc., or using the position feedback value and the spindle axis angle; an oscillation offset calculating unit that calculates an offset for the oscillation command using the positional deviation, the oscillation command, and the spindle axis angle; and a driving unit that determines a drive signal for the servo motor based on the positional deviation, the oscillation command, and the oscillation offset, and outputs the drive signal. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285609 | TEACHING DEVICE AND TEACHING METHOD - A teaching apparatus is provided with an arm-side position sensor attached to arms, a dummy wafer placed on a stage, a dummy-wafer-side position sensor attached to the dummy wafer, and a signal receiver configured to receive a position signal from the arm-side position sensor to determine a position coordinate of the arm-side position sensor, and receive a position signal from the dummy-wafer-side position sensor to determine a position coordinate of the dummy-wafer-side position sensor. A control part, based on the position coordinate of the dummy-wafer-side position sensor, calculates a position coordinate of the arm-side position sensor when the arms hold the wafer, and moves the arms such that the arm-side position sensor moves to the calculated position coordinate. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285610 | Method for projecting a production process and computer program and computer system for carrying out the method - A method for projecting a production process for producing a workpiece with a desired formation of a characteristic feature of the workpiece is implemented by a computer system. Using the method, the desired formation of the characteristic feature of the workpiece is detected and compared with formations of the characteristic feature of preceding workpieces. The formations of the characteristic feature of the preceding workpieces are stored in a formation database and a production parameter that is stored in a parameter database. When a formation of the characteristic feature of a preceding workpiece that is relevant to the desired formation of the characteristic feature is established with reference to the definition of the production parameter, the production parameter is defined for the production process for producing the workpiece with the desired formation of the characteristic feature. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285611 | REPLACING A CONTROLLER ON A PROCESS DEVICE - A method for replacing a controller on a process device that avoids downtime on a process line. The method may include retrieving data from a first controller on a valve assembly, the data comprising information that defines values for operating parameters on the first controller, removing the first controller from the valve assembly, coupling a second controller to the valve assembly, and storing data on the second controller, the data comprising information that defines the values for operating parameters corresponding with the first controller. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285612 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF OPTIMIZATION MODELING FOR FORMING SMART PORTFOLIO IN NEGAWATT MARKET - An apparatus and method for smart portfolio optimization modeling for optimum demand response resource configuration in order to solve problems that it is difficult to collect customer objects corresponding to demand response resources and to obtain power reduction reliability and power reduction quantity of customer objects and real-time metering information about loads whose power can be reduced since conventional customer objects have a low demand response resource recognition rate and problems that power is supplied to only customer objects collected in a power exchange in power feeding according to power supply and demand situations since an apparatus for optimization modeling for a portfolio composed of optimized demand response resources is not present and thus many customer objects on which a power feed instruction is not executed are generated, decreasing a power reduction implementation rate. The apparatus includes a smart meter | 2017-10-05 |
20170285613 | SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS, DEVICE MANAGEMENT CONTROLLER, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A substrate processing apparatus includes a device management controller including a parts management control part configured to monitor the state of parts constituting the apparatus, a device state monitoring control part configured to monitor integrity of device data obtained from an operation state of the parts constituting the apparatus, and a data matching control part configured to monitor facility data provided from a factory facility to the apparatus. The device management controller is configured to derive information evaluating the operation state of the apparatus based on a plurality of monitoring result data selected from a group consisting of maintenance timing monitoring result data acquired by the parts management control part, device state monitoring result data acquired by the device state monitoring control part, and utility monitoring result data acquired by the data matching control part. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285614 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR MACHINE TOOL - In order to facilitate reuse of an NC program for operation that has been executed in the past, this control device for a machine tool that drives the machine tool by executing an NC program is provided with: a first program storage unit that identifies an NC program for machining using a program name or program number and stores said program; a second program storage unit that stores an NC program for operation each time an operator executes an NC program for operation that is input manually; and a display unit that lists a plurality of NC programs for operation stored in the second program storage unit and displays said programs. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285615 | MODELLING METHOD AND SYSTEM - A method of deriving an offset profile of a parametric curve includes generating an offset parametric curve corresponding to a received profile of the product represented as a parametric curve based on user input. If no self-intersections in a created spline approximation of the generated offset parametric curve are present, the process is terminated and the offset parametric curve is output as the offset profile of the parametric curve. If self-intersection is present for the spline approximation, the spline curve is split at one or more self-intersections and removed from the spline approximation of the offset parametric curve to form a modified spline approximation. Computing the self-intersections in the modified spline approximation is repeated until no self-intersection is present. The modified spline approximation of the offset parametric curve is then output as the offset profile of the parametric curve. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285616 | MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - A monitoring apparatus for monitoring a modeling apparatus configured to form a three-dimensional object obtains a number of times of stacking cumulatively counted and recorded in a storage unit of the modeling apparatus each time forming processing of the three-dimensional object to be performed by a forming device of the modeling apparatus is performed, generates a message including identification information for identifying the modeling apparatus and the acquired number of times of stacking, and transmits the generated message to a management system. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285617 | MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, MONITORING APPARATUS, METHODS THEREFOR, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A management system according to the aspect of the embodiments performs expiration date management of consumables delivered for a forming apparatus to be managed, based on an expiration date for consumption after manufacturing of each consumable and an expiration date for consumption after opening of each consumable. The management system then automatically makes arrangement for collecting expired consumables. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285618 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTEGRATED ROBUST ORTHOTICS AND PROSTHETICS HYPER-CUSTOMIZATION - Disclosed are systems, methods and computer-readable medium for developing a custom design for a prosthetic for a residual limb comprising: measuring, using a scanning apparatus, a usable measurement of the residual limb; and creating, using a computing device, a design for a prosthetic for at least a portion of a missing portion of the residual limb, wherein the prosthetic is proportionally sized according to a correlation between the usable measurement and normal anthropometric measurements. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285619 | METHOD OF DESIGNING AND MANUFACTURING A DISTRIBUTOR BAR FOR APPLYING A VISCOUS FOAMABLE LIQUID MIXTURE ONTO A LAMINATOR - Method of designing and manufacturing a distributor bar for use in a production line comprising a mixing head for providing a viscous foamable liquid mixture, a laminator with a predefined speed of at least 20 m/min, the distributor bar having a central inlet fluidly connected to a number of outlets via a main channel. The method comprises: choosing ( | 2017-10-05 |
20170285620 | MACHINING METHOD BY TURNING AT LEAST ONE SURFACE OF AN OPHTHALMIC LENS, USING A TURNING MACHINE HAVING AT LEAST ONE GEOMETRICAL DEFECT - Disclosed is a machining method by turning at least one surface of an ophthalmic lens, using a turning machine having at least one geometrical defect. The method includes a step ( | 2017-10-05 |
20170285621 | Methods, Network Node and Wireless Device for Handling Device Capabilities - A network node ( | 2017-10-05 |
20170285622 | MONITORING AND CONTROLLING INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium for communicating between an operational asset and a backend network that include the actions of receiving first data from an operational asset through a first communication interface that is configured to communicate with an operational asset, and where the first data is formatted according to a first data format that is specific to the operational asset. Processing the first data according to an asset template to generate second data, where the second data includes the first data and being formatted according to a second data format that is specific to the backend network. Causing the second data to be transmitted to the backend network by a second communication interface that is configured to communicate with a backend network. | 2017-10-05 |
20170285623 | DEVICE FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium for communicating between an operational asset and a backend network that include the actions of receiving first data from an operational asset through a first communication interface that is configured to communicate with an operational asset, and where the first data is formatted according to a first data format that is specific to the operational asset. Processing the first data according to an asset template to generate second data, where the second data includes the first data and being formatted according to a second data format that is specific to the backend network. Causing the second data to be transmitted to the backend network by a second communication interface that is configured to communicate with a backend network. | 2017-10-05 |