46th week of 2016 patent applcation highlights part 39 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160334705 | LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING PLATE PRECURSOR - The present invention relates to a lithographic printing plate precursor, comprising: a substrate; and an imaging layer formed on the substrate, wherein the imaging layer is prepared from a composition comprising at least one radical-polymerizable compound, at least one radical polymerization initiator, and at least one polymer particle which has an average particle diameter of 300 nm or more, and two or more poly(alkyleneoxide) moieties. The present invention can provide a lithographic printing plate precursor which is on-press developable and has excellent on-press development stability overtime and printing properties. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334706 | RESIST COMPOSITION AND PATTERNING PROCESS - A resist composition comprising (A) a base resin of specific structure and (B) an ammonium salt is provided. When processed by ArF, EB or EUV lithography, the resist composition exhibits a high sensitivity and high resolution and is improved in LER. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334707 | NEGATIVE PHOTOSENSITIVE RESIN COMPOSITION, CURED RESIN FILM, PARTITION WALLS AND OPTICAL ELEMENT - To provide a negative photosensitive resin composition for an optical element having good ink repellency and capable of reducing a residue at opening sections, a cured resin film for an optical element having good ink repellency, partition walls for an optical element capable of forming a high-precision pattern, and an optical element having such partition walls. A negative photosensitive resin composition comprising a photocurable alkali-soluble resin or alkali-soluble monomer (A), a photopolymerization initiator (B), a reactive ultraviolet absorber (C), a polymerization inhibitor (D), and an ink repellent (E); a cured film and partition walls formed by using the negative photosensitive resin composition; or an organic EL element, a quantum dot display, a TFT array, or a thin-film solar cell, having such partition walls positioned between a plurality of dots and their adjacent dots on a substrate surface. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334708 | MASK, GLASS SUBSTRATE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - A manufacturing method of a glass substrate is provided, in which a mask including a light-blocking area, a transparent area and a partial-transparent area is adopted. The partial-transparent area protrudes from edges of the light-blocking area to admit some of the UV rays to pass through. In addition, a glass substrate manufactured with the method is also disclosed. By arranging the partial-transparent area on the edges of the light-blocking area, the mask is formed with a slope having a small angle after a lithography process. As such, in an etching process, an edge of a thin film is formed with a slope having a small angle, which contributes to the formation of a second thin film. The thin films are prevented from being fragmented around the slope and the ITO layer is also prevented from fragmented around the periphery of the through hole. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334709 | EXTREME ULTRA-VIOLET SENSITIVITY REDUCTION USING SHRINK AND GROWTH METHOD - Provided is a method for patterning a substrate, comprising: forming a layer of radiation-sensitive material on a substrate; preparing a pattern in the layer of radiation-sensitive material using a lithographic process, the pattern being characterized by a critical dimension (CD) and a roughness; following the preparing the pattern, performing a CD shrink process to reduce the CD to a reduced CD; and performing a growth process to grow the reduced CD to a target CD. Roughness includes a line edge roughness (LER), a line width roughness (LWR), or both LER and LWR. Performing the CD shrink process comprises: coating the pattern with a hard mask, the coating generating a hard mask coated resist; baking the hard mask coated resist in a temperature range for a time period, the baking generating a baked coated resist; and developing the baked coated resist in deionized water. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334710 | SUBSTRATE HOLDER AND SUPPORT TABLE FOR LITHOGRAPHY - A substrate table (WT) supports a substrate holder (WH) to which a substrate (W) is clamped for exposure. The substrate table (WT) has a plurality of e-pins ( | 2016-11-17 |
20160334711 | Radiation Source - A faceted reflector ( | 2016-11-17 |
20160334712 | LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD AND ASSOCIATED DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A lithographic apparatus applies a pattern repeatedly to target portions across a substrate. Prior to applying the pattern an alignment sensor measures positions of marks in the plane of the substrate and a level sensor measures height deviations in a direction normal to the plane of the substrate. The apparatus applies the pattern to the substrate while positioning the applied pattern using the positions measured by the alignment sensor and using the height deviations measured by the level sensor. The apparatus is further arranged to calculate and apply corrections in the positioning of the applied pattern, based on derivatives of the measured height deviations. The corrections may be calculated on an intrafield and/or interfield basis. The corrections may be based on changes between the observed height deviations and height deviations measured previously on the same substrate. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334713 | APPARATUS OPERABLE TO PERFORM A MEASUREMENT OPERATION ON A SUBSTRATE, LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF PERFORMING A MEASUREMENT OPERATION ON A SUBSTRATE - Disclosed is an apparatus and method for performing a measurement operation on a substrate in accordance with one or more substrate alignment models. The one or more substrate alignment models are selected from a plurality of candidate substrate alignment models. The apparatus, which may be a lithographic apparatus, includes an external interface which enables selection of the substrate alignment model(s) and/or alteration of the substrate alignment model(s) prior to the measurement operation. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334714 | LITHOGRAPHY APPARATUS, LITHOGRAPHY METHOD, LITHOGRAPHY SYSTEM, STORAGE MEDIUM, AND ARTICLE MANUFACTURING METHOD - Provided is a lithography apparatus that includes a plurality of patterning devices each of which is configured to perform patterning for a substrate supplied from a preprocessing apparatus; and a controller configured to control the plurality of patterning devices such that a plurality of substrates respectively belonging to a plurality of lots is subjected to parallel processings by the plurality of patterning devices based on a plurality of recipe information respectively corresponding to the plurality of lots, and transmit information regarding a schedule of the parallel processings to the preprocessing apparatus. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334715 | METROLOGY METHOD AND APPARATUS, SUBSTRATE, LITHOGRAPHIC SYSTEM AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - In a dark-field metrology method using a small target, a characteristic of an image of the target, obtained using a single diffraction order, is determined by fitting a combination fit function to the measured image. The combination fit function includes terms selected to represent aspects of the physical sensor and the target. Some coefficients of the combination fit function are determined based on parameters of the measurement process and/or target. In an embodiment the combination fit function includes jinc functions representing the point spread function of a pupil stop in the imaging system. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334716 | System and Method for Focus Determination Using Focus-Sensitive Overlay Targets - A lithography mask is disclosed. The lithography mask includes at least one asymmetric segmented pattern element. A particular asymmetric segmented pattern element includes at least two segments with a separation distance between consecutive segments smaller than a resolution of a set of projection optics for generating an image of the particular asymmetric segmented pattern element on a sample such that the image of the particular asymmetric segmented pattern element is an unsegmented pattern image. A position of the unsegmented pattern image on the sample is indicative of a location of the sample along an optical axis of the set of projection optics. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334717 | METHOD OF DETERMINING A MEASUREMENT SUBSET OF METROLOGY POINTS ON A SUBSTRATE, ASSOCIATED APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - A method of determining a measurement subset of metrology point locations which includes a subset of potential metrology point locations on a substrate. The method including identifying a plurality of candidate metrology point locations from the potential metrology point locations. A change in the level of informativity imparted by the measurement subset of metrology point locations which is attributable to the inclusion of that candidate metrology point location into the measurement subset of metrology point locations is evaluated for each of the candidate metrology point locations. The candidate metrology point locations which have the greatest increase in the level of informativity attributed thereto are selected for inclusion into the measurement subset of metrology point locations. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334718 | SUPPORT DEVICE, LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD - A support device configured to support a first part relative to a second part, minimizing the transfer of vibration between the two parts, includes a supporting system configured to use gas under pressure to provide a support force between the first and second parts; a gas chamber connected to the supporting system and configured to contain the gas under pressure and provide the gas under pressure to the supporting system; and a section of acoustic damping material, arranged at a location within the gas chamber so as to separate a first gas containing region and a second gas containing region within the gas chamber, wherein the section of acoustic damping material has a first side and a second side, wherein the first gas containing region is on the first side and the second gas containing region is on the second side. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334719 | SUBASSEMBLY OF AN OPTICAL SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR IN A MICROLITHOGRAPHIC PROJECTION EXPOSURE APPARATUS - The disclosure provides a subassembly of an optical system, in particular in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, with an element and at least one temperature-controlling device for controlling the temperature of this element. The temperature-controlling device has a cooling medium in a closed circuit with at least one tube-like portion. The cooling medium is transportable away from the element or to the element in the tube-like portion while performing a two-phase transition. A heating device is provided for interrupting the transport of the cooling medium by heating up the cooling medium. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334720 | PHOTOCONDUCTOR, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - A photoconductor including: a conductive support; an undercoat layer; and a photoconductive layer, the undercoat layer being disposed over the conductive support, the photoconductive layer being disposed over the undercoat layer, wherein the undercoat layer includes zinc oxide particles, wherein when a film thickness of the undercoat layer is 20 μm, the undercoat layer has transmittance of 50% or more to light having a wavelength in a range of 500 nm or more but 800 nm or less, wherein a lowest transmittance of light is 85% or less in the range, and wherein when an electric field of 5 V/μm is applied to the undercoat layer, volume resistivity of the undercoat layer is 1.0×10 | 2016-11-17 |
20160334721 | Curable Toner Compositions And Processes - An emulsion aggregation toner composition includes toner particles including: an unsaturated polymeric resin, such as amorphous resins, crystalline resins, and combinations thereof; an optional colorant; an optional wax; an optional coagulant; and a photoinitiator. By optimizing the particle size of the emulsion, the aggregant concentration utilized in the emulsion aggregation process, and the solids content of the emulsion, toners may be produced capable of generating images with non-contact fusing that have high gloss. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334722 | TONER, DEVELOPER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - A toner includes a base particle; and an external additive covering the base particle. The toner includes a tetrahydrofuran (THF)-insoluble component having a glass transition temperature determined from a DSC curve when heated for the second time of from −50° C. to 10° C. and an average circularity not greater than 0.98, and satisfies the following relation: | 2016-11-17 |
20160334723 | MAGNETIC TONER - A magnetic toner including: magnetic toner particles containing a binder resin, a magnetic body, and a release agent; and inorganic fine particles present on the surface of the magnetic toner particles, wherein the inorganic fine particles present on the surface of the magnetic toner particles contain metal oxide fine particles, the metal oxide fine particles containing silica fine particles, and optionally containing titania fine particles and alumina fine particles, and a content of the silica fine particles being at least 85 mass % with respect to a total mass of the silica fine particles, the titania fine particles and the alumina fine particles, wherein the magnetic toner has a coverage ratio A of the magnetic toner particles' surface by the inorganic fine particles and a coverage ratio B of the magnetic toner particles' surface by the inorganic fine particles fixed to the magnetic toner particles' surface that reside in prescribed numerical value ranges; the binder resin contains a styrene resin; the release agent contains a monoester compound or a diester compound; and the softening temperature and softening point of the magnetic toner reside in prescribed temperature ranges. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334724 | TONER - There is provided a toner including toner base particles and an external additive in which the external additive is prevented from being buried in the base particles. The toner can maintain a high transfer efficiency over an extended period of use. The toner includes: (1) toner base particles containing a cycloolefin copolymer and a polyethylene; or (2) toner base particles whose surfaces contain a resin having an elastic deformation rate of 70% or more and a melting temperature of 125.0° C. or less. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334725 | TONER - The present invention provides a toner that excels in low-temperature fixability and also maintains charging performance, storability, and anti-hot offset property even in long-term image output. The toner comprising a toner particle containing an amorphous polyester resin, a crystalline polyester resin, wax, and a colorant, wherein a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of the crystalline polyester resin is 5000 to 14,000, and the crystalline polyester resin includes 0.5 mass % to 15.0 mass % of a segment derived from one or more aliphatic compounds selected from the group consisting of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids with a carbon number of 8 to 20 and aliphatic monohydric alcohols with a carbon number of 8 to 20. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334726 | TONER, DEVELOPER USING THE TONER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner including at least a crystalline resin as a binder resin, wherein a tetrahydrofuran soluble content of the toner includes 5.0% or more as a peak area of a component having a molecular weight of 100,000 or greater in a molecular weight distribution measured by gel permeation chromatography, and the tetrahydrofuran soluble content of the toner has a weight-average molecular weight of 20,000 to 60,000. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334727 | TONER AND PRODUCTION METHOD THEREOF - Provided is a toner including a toner particle containing a graft polymer, in which: the graft polymer has a crystalline polyester segment and an amorphous vinyl polymer segment; the crystalline polyester segment has a unit derived from a specific monomer (a) and a unit derived from a specific monomer (b); a content X (mol %) of the unit derived from the monomer (b) calculated from a specific formula is 1.0 mol % or more and 24 mol % or less; and a melting point of the graft polymer is 50° C. or more and 85° C. or less. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334728 | TONER AND TWO-COMPONENT DEVELOPER - Provided are a toner and a two-component developer each of which: shows a small fluctuation in charge quantity and a small fluctuation in image density even under a high-temperature and high-humidity environment; and does not cause any member contamination even after endurance and hence can stably output an image. The toner and the two-component developer each have a feature in that positively chargeable strontium titanate fine particles are added to toner particles having fixed thereto negatively chargeable silica fine particles. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334729 | IMAGE FORMING METHOD AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming method exposes a surface of an image bearer with light according to an image pattern including an image portion to form an electrostatic latent image, and includes: setting, among pixels constituting the image portion, at least a group of pixels existing at a boundary with respect to a non-image portion as a non-exposure pixel group, and at least a group of pixels existing at a boundary with respect to the non-exposure pixel group as a high power exposure pixel group; specifying, among the pixels constituting the image portion, a predetermined pixel as a target pixel, and a group of pixels existing at a boundary with respect to the non-image portion close to the target pixel as a boundary pixel group; and specifying a light power value of the target pixel based on image identification information acquired from the pixels constituting the image portion. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334730 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an intermediary transfer member, a first image forming portion including a first photosensitive member, a first charging member, a first developing device, a first transfer portion, and a first pre-exposure device, a second image forming portion including a second photosensitive member, a second charging member, a second developing device, a second transfer portion, and a second pre-exposure device, a current detecting portion, and an adjusting portion for adjusting an exposure amount of the first photosensitive member by the first pre-exposure device on the basis of a detection result of the detecting portion in a region on the first photosensitive member having contacted a toner band formed in a maximum amount per unit area on the intermediary transfer member by the second image forming portion in a state in which a transfer current is supplied. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334731 | OPTICAL SCANNING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An optical scanning apparatus according to one aspect of this invention includes a light source that outputs a light beam having a light power based on a supplied driving current, a detection unit that detects the light power of the light beam, and a voltage holding unit that holds a charged voltage used to control the driving current. The optical scanning apparatus further includes a control unit that controls a charging unit so that the voltage holding unit is charged in a state where the driving current is not supplied to the light source, and controls the charging unit based on a detection result of the detection unit so that the voltage held in the voltage holding unit is controlled from the voltage of the voltage holding unit charged in the state where the driving current is not supplied to the light source. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334732 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus has an image carrier, a charger, a developing device, a voltage application unit, and a controller. The developing device includes a developing roller. The voltage application unit applies a voltage to the developing roller and to the charger. The controller controls the voltage application unit. The controller controls the voltage application unit such that a developing bias having an AC voltage superposed on a DC voltage is applied to the developing roller and a charging bias including at least a DC voltage and having superposed thereon a compensation AC voltage with an opposite phase to an AC voltage induced in the charger by the developing bias is applied to the charger. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334733 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A multifunction peripheral includes a transfer belt, a first imaging unit, a second imaging unit, a primary transfer roller, a secondary transfer roller, a developing bias application unit, a charging bias application unit, and a control unit. The control unit performs control such that a first developing bias that is applied to a first developing roller by the developing bias application unit and a a second developing bias that is applied to a second developing roller by the developing bias application unit have opposite phases. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334734 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A toner adhesion amount information detection unit detects toner adhesion amount information. An image density unevenness detection unit detects image density unevenness in an image. A toner image forming unit forms a latent image on the surface of the latent image bearer, and performs the developing processing by applying developing bias between the latent image bearer and a developer bearer. The toner adhesion amount information detection unit detects, as the toner adhesion amount information, developing current flowing between the developer bearer and the latent image bearer. The image density unevenness detection unit obtains, from the image information, an index value indicating a toner adhesion amount of a toner image portion when the developing current is detected, and detects the image density unevenness based on the image information and the developing current when the index value indicates a toner adhesion amount of a prescribed amount or more. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334735 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND DEVELOPING AGENT DISCHARGE CONTROL METHOD - An image forming apparatus comprising a developing agent storage section including a discharge port for discharging the developing agent; a developing agent mixer configured inside the developing agent storage section to stir the developing agent and move the developing agent towards the discharge port; a motor which rotates at least the developing agent mixer; a motor control section which rotates the motor at either a first speed at which the developing agent is not discharged from the discharge port or a second speed higher than the first speed to discharge the developing agent from the discharge port; and a device control section which controls the motor control section to switch the rotation speed of the motor to the second speed at a timing different from the timing when the developing roller develops the electrostatic latent image. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334736 | DEVELOPING DEVICE - A magnet roller employs a magnetic pole pattern in which a first magnetic pole arranged substantially opposing a regulating blade in an upstream side of a rotation direction of a developing sleeve and a second magnetic pole next to the first magnetic pole in the upstream side have the same polarity, an opposing member having surface roughness higher than at least a particle diameter of carrier is arranged opposing the magnet roller at a position where magnetic force between the first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole next to the first magnetic pole in the upstream side is almost zero, and an apex of a partition wall provided between a developer bearing member and a developer conveying member provided in a first chamber is positioned below a region where magnetic force formed by the magnet roller is almost zero. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334737 | BELT DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A belt device includes an endless belt, a presser, a cleaner, and a seal. The endless belt bears an image or a recording medium. The presser is disposed in contact with each end of the belt in a lateral direction of the belt. The cleaner contacts the belt to clean a surface of the belt. The seal is disposed on one end or both ends of the cleaner in the lateral direction of the belt. The seal has an inner end inside the belt in the lateral direction of the belt. An exposure area is disposed on an inner side of each end of the belt in the lateral direction of the belt. The presser and the seal are disposed on an outer side of an image area, in which an image is formed, and on an outer side of the exposure area in the lateral direction of the belt. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334738 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a transfer device contacting the image bearer to form a transfer portion, a transfer bias power source, and a controller. A ratio of a time period of application of the opposite-directional bias to a total time period of one cycle of the AC component of the superimposed bias is greater than 50%. A ratio of a value of the DC component of the superimposed bias output within a region ranging from a leading end of the recording medium to a predetermined length to a value of the DC component of the superimposed bias output outside the region is greater than a ratio of a value of the AC component of the superimposed bias output within the region to a value of the AC component of the superimposed bias output outside the region. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334739 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus, including an image bearer configured to bear a toner image; a transfer device disposed opposing to the image bearer; and a transfer bias power source. The transfer bias power source is configured to output a transfer bias to transfer the toner image onto a recording medium. The transfer bias is a superimposed bias that cyclically alternates between a transfer-directional bias to transfer the toner image from the image bearer onto the recording medium and an opposite-directional bias in an opposite direction of the transfer direction. A ratio of a time period of application of the opposite-directional bias to a total time period of one cycle of the output transfer bias is greater than 50%. The transfer bias power source changes a value of a direct current voltage in the superimposed bias according to a linear velocity of the image bearer. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334740 | TEMPERATURE DETECTING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A contactless type temperature detecting device includes a temperature detecting sensor, a separating plate, an airflow path forming member, an air blower and an air hole. The temperature detecting sensor has a temperature detecting surface facing a heated body. The separating plate is configured to separate a first space on a side of the temperature detecting surface of the temperature detecting sensor from a second space on an opposite side of the temperature detecting surface. The airflow path forming member is provided on a surface of the separating plate on either one side of the first space or the second space. The air blower is configured to simultaneously form air flow in the first space and the second space. The air hole is provided along an outer circumference of the temperature detecting sensor and configured to communicate the first space with the second space. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334741 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device includes an endless-shaped fixing belt, a heater, a holding member, and a pressure member. The heater has a heat generating portion, and a seal portion that seals each end of the heat generating portion. The heater heats the fixing belt from inside the fixing belt with radiant heat. The holding member is disposed inside the fixing belt and slides against an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt. The pressure member is pressed with a predetermined pressure against the holding member with the fixing belt therebetween, and thereby a fixing nip portion is formed between the pressure member and the fixing belt. An end-portion excessive temperature increase prevention member that blocks radiant heat is attached to each end portion of the heater. A first opening portion is formed in such part of the end-portion excessive temperature increase prevention member as faces the seal portion of the heater. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334742 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a primary heater disposed opposite a fixing rotator to heat a circumferential span of the fixing rotator other than a fixing nip formed between the fixing rotator and a pressure rotator and a secondary heater disposed outboard from the primary heater in an axial direction of the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator at the fixing nip. The primary heater and the secondary heater heat a bi-heating span of the fixing rotator in the axial direction thereof. The secondary heater heats a mono-heating span of the fixing rotator in the axial direction thereof and generates a decreased amount of heat to be conducted to the bi-heating span of the fixing rotator. The decreased amount of heat is smaller than an increased amount of heat to be conducted to the mono-heating span of the fixing rotator that is heated by the secondary heater only. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334743 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image forming apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect an object and a power-supply control unit. The power-supply control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to a second power state, in response to a lapse of a predetermined time following no detection of the object, when a job has not been executed until the detection unit detects no object, after the power-supply control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to the first power state. The power-supply control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to the second power state before a lapse of the predetermined time, when a job has been executed until the detection unit detects no object, after the power-supply control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to the first power state. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334744 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An information processing apparatus, which enables, when a plurality of apparatuses respectively having similar functions is used, respective maintenance costs required for the plurality of apparatuses to be reduced, predicts, for at least one of a plurality of parts in the plurality of apparatuses, a job amount that can be processed until the part becomes unable to operate normally, and a job amount to be input to the plurality of apparatuses until next maintenance work is performed, and determines a method for distributing the input job among the plurality of apparatuses based on a prediction result. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334745 | IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is an image forming apparatus having a structure improved such that a user easily opens and closes a printing media cassette. The image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a printing media cassette to receive printing media, the printing media cassette being movably coupled to the apparatus body, a first lever provided at the printing media cassette, a second lever provided in the apparatus body, the second lever being coupled to the first lever, turning, and being separated from the first lever when the printing media cassette is closed. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334746 | Image Forming Apparatus Provided with Transmission Mechanism Capable of Interrupting Transmission of Rotational Force to Reconveying Roller - An image forming apparatus includes: an image-forming mechanism; a reconveying roller; an electric motor; and a transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism is configured to operate in one of a reverse-rotation transmission mode for reversing a direction of a rotational force received from the electric motor to transmit the reversed rotational force to the reconveying roller and a normal-rotation transmission mode for transmitting the rotational force to the reconveying roller without reversing the direction of the rotational force. The transmission mechanism includes an interrupting unit for interrupting transmission of a rotational force from the reconveying roller to the electric motor at least when a sheet is being conveyed in the image-forming mechanism. The transmission mechanism is configured to interrupt transmission of the rotational force received from the electric motor to the reconveying roller when a sheet is being conveyed in the image-forming mechanism. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334747 | SHEET CONTAINING DEVICE, SHEET FEEDER INCORPORATING THE SHEET CONTAINING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING THE SHEET CONTAINING DEVICE - A sheet containing device, which is included in a sheet feeder and an image forming apparatus, includes a first sheet container, a second sheet container disposed adjacent to the first sheet container, a transfer unit to transfer a bundle of sheets contained in the second sheet container to the first sheet container, a pair of side fences including a first side fence and a second side fence to regulate a position of the bundle of sheets in a width direction of the bundle of sheets loaded on the first sheet container, and a pressing unit mounted on the first side fence and pressing the bundle of sheets loaded on the first sheet container against the second side fence. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334748 | SHEET FEEDER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING THE SHEET FEEDER - A sheet feeder, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes a sheet feeding unit to feed a sheet, a sheet separating unit disposed opposite the sheet feeding unit to separate the sheet together with the sheet feeding unit, a bottom plate on which the sheet is loaded, a pressing unit having a leading end and movably disposed between the bottom plate and the sheet separating unit, and a support to rotatably support the pressing unit such that the leading end of the pressing unit contacts and separates from the sheet feeding unit. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334749 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM - An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit that forms an image by transferring toner onto a paper sheet; a fixing unit that fixes the image onto the paper sheet having the image formed thereon by the image forming unit; a charging unit that electrically charges the paper sheet having the image fixed thereonto by the fixing unit; and an adhesion preventing unit that prevents adhesion of wax to the charging unit, the wax being contained in the toner transferred onto the paper sheet, the adhesion preventing unit being located on an upstream side of the charging unit in a direction of conveyance of the paper sheet. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334750 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer body; an image formation unit, configured to form a toner image on the intermediate transfer body; a transfer unit, arranged opposite the intermediate transfer body, configured to transfer the toner image onto a recording medium at a secondary transfer position; a first cleaning unit configured to collect toner of the toner image; a conveyance unit configured to convey the recording medium along a conveyance path; a jam detection unit configured to detect a jam of the recording medium conveyed on the conveyance path; a jam processing unit configured to transfer residual toner, which is not transferred onto the recording medium when the jam is detected by the jam detection unit, from the intermediate transfer body to the transfer unit; and a second cleaning unit configured to collect the residual toner on the transfer unit. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334751 | SHEET CONVEYANCE DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME - When a jam is detected in a post-processing device, a purge controller first makes a conveyance roller group and a reverse roller continue conveyance. The purge controller then sets the conveyance destination of a leading sheet that will first arrive at a branch point after the time of detection of the jam. When a first condition is satisfied the purge controller sets the conveyance destination to a reverse slot, and when a second condition is satisfied the purge controller sets the conveyance destination to an outlet path. The first condition is satisfied when no other sheet is present in the reverse slot at the time of detection of the jam, and the second condition is satisfied when another sheet is present in the reverse slot at the time of detection of the jam. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334752 | TONER RECYCLING DEVICE FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is a toner recycling device for an image forming apparatus, including a waste toner conveying screw which conveys waste toner collected out of a surface of a photosensitive drum to one side; a toner recycling means which is connected with the waste toner conveying screw to be rotated by rotation of waste toner conveying screw, filters a foreign substance out of the waste toner conveyed by the waste toner conveying screw, supplies the recycled toner from which the foreign substance is removed toward a developing unit, and discharges the foreign substance filtered out of the waste toner to an outside of a drum unit; and a collecting case which is integrally formed with the drum unit at one side of the drum unit to collect the foreign substance filtered by the toner recycling means, wherein the foreign substance like paper dust contained in the waste toner is filtered, and then the recycled toner is supplied again toward the developing unit, thus it is possible to prevent the quality of a printed image from being degraded. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334753 | FEEDING DEVICE, PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A feeding device for feeding a developer includes a cleaning member, an accommodating portion, a feeding member, and a sheet member. A wall surface of the accommodating portion is positioned in a side where the sheet member is provided with respect to a rectilinear line connecting a rotation center of the image bearing member and a rotation center of the feeding member in a flat plane perpendicular to an axial direction of the image bearing member. The wall surface approaches the rectilinear line with an increasing level with respect to a vertical direction. The feeding member is provided vertically above a position where the cleaning member contacts the image bearing member. A rotational direction of the feeding member and a rotational direction of the image bearing member are the same. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334754 | Drum Unit - A drum unit includes a photosensitive drum, a side plate, a cleaning unit, a waste-toner conveyor unit. The photosensitive drum has a first drum body and a second drum body, each having a photosensitive layer and a supported portion extending from one end of the drum body in a first direction along a rotational axis of the photosensitive drum. The side plate supports the supported portions. The cleaning unit has cleaners and conveyors corresponding to the drum bodies so as to remove waste toner from the photosensitive drums and convey the waste toner removed by the cleaners in the first direction. The waste-toner conveyor unit has a collecting conveyor configured to convey the waste toner conveyed by the. The collecting conveyor is disposed between the side plate and the drum bodies. The collecting conveyor is disposed below the first conveyor. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334755 | RETAINER ASSEMBLY HAVING POSITIONING FEATURES FOR PROCESSING CIRCUITRY USED WITH AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE SUPPLY ITEM - A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one embodiment includes a housing having a toner reservoir and a circuit board retainer removably mounted on an exterior surface of a first side of the housing. The retainer includes a circuit board mounted on a mounting platform. The circuit board is spaced from the exterior surface of the first side of the housing forming a pocket between the circuit board and the exterior surface of the first side of the housing. The retainer includes an opening facing toward the front of the housing into the pocket formed between the circuit board and the exterior surface of the first side of the housing for receiving an electrical connector of the image forming device that mates with the electrical contacts of the circuit board when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334756 | OPTICAL WRITING DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH LIGHT EMITTING ELEMENTS - An optical writing device adopting a low cost and simple structure can obtain temperatures of light emitting elements. The device comprises a plurality of light emitting elements arranged linearly in a main scanning direction. The amount of light emitting of the light emitting elements changes by self-generated heat. The light emitting elements are divided into a plurality of groups. Each of the groups includes a prescribed number of light emitting elements. The device comprises a control unit for calculating the amount of heat generation of the light emitting elements for each of groups from clock time t0 to clock time t0+Δt. The control unit calculates the temperature for each of the groups at the clock time t0+Δt, based on the amount of heat generation from the clock time t0 to the clock time t0+Δt and the temperature at the clock time t0. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334757 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer to bear a toner image, a lubricant supply roller to supply lubricant to a surface of the image bearer, a rotation speed changer to change a rotation speed of the lubricant supply roller, and a controller to control the rotation speed changer to change the rotation speed of the lubricant supply roller to a target speed based on a predetermined condition. The controller is configured to control the rotation speed changer to avoid a predetermined speed range. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334758 | SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING ULTRA-THIN COLOR PHASE HOLOGRAM WITH METASURFACES - A device for producing a subwavelength hologram. The device comprises a metasurface layer attached to a substrate. The metasurface layer includes an array of plasmonic antennas that simultaneously encode both wavelength and phase information of light directed through the array to produce a hologram. The wavelength is determined by the size of the antennas, and the phase is determined by the orientation of the antennas. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334759 | ELECTRONIC WATCH CLASP SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Embodiments of a watch can include a watch having an analog watch face, a first watch band portion, and a second watch band portion, where the watch can include a digital clasp having a digital display and a circuit board associated with a controller. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334760 | SERVO CONTROL APPARATUS HAVING FUNCTION OF SENSORLESS CONTROLLED STOP - A servo control apparatus includes a sensor unit for detecting a motor speed; an amplifier for driving a motor and feeding back a current; a magnetic pole position detector; a position controller for outputting a speed command; a speed controller for outputting a current command; a current controller for outputting a voltage command; a speed estimator for calculating an estimated speed from the voltage command; a magnetic pole position estimator for calculating an estimated magnetic pole position from the estimated speed; a sensor malfunction detector; a stop position command generator; and a first switch for switching from the position command to the stop position command, a second switch for switching from the magnetic pole position to the estimated magnetic pole position, and a third switch for switching from the detected speed to the estimated speed, when the sensor malfunction detector has detected a malfunction. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334761 | ANTI-WINDUP REFERENCE SHAPING FILTER FOR CONTROL - A device includes an upper limit input to provide an upper limit value, a lower limit input to provide an upper limit value, a control signal input to receive a control signal from a controller, an output, and circuitry coupled to the upper limit input, the lower limit input, and the control signal input to provide an output signal on the output that is constrained by the upper limit value and the lower limit value and that follows the control signal derivative if possible. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334762 | AUTOMATICALLY CHANGING ERGONOMIC CONDITIONS - For automatic operation of an ergonomic equipment according to dynamic workplace conditions, an activity being performed in a workplace by a person at a first time is determined based on an input from a data processing system. A group is selected corresponding to the activity. An ergonomic policy is modified to form a modified ergonomic policy. The ergonomic policy applies to the activity, and the modification is based on a condition existing in the workplace at the first time of the person performing the activity. Independent of a participation of the person, and when the person is not in compliance with the modified ergonomic policy, an ergonomic control is activated. The ergonomic control causes a change in an ergonomic feature of the ergonomic equipment, the change causing the person to become compliant with the modified ergonomic policy. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334763 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, ENERGY MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, TERMINAL, AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT METHOD - An energy management system manages energy consumption of equipment. The energy management system comprises: a controller configured to execute automatic control of the equipment in accordance with a target value used for managing the equipment. The controller outputs, in response to an operation for cancelling the automatic control, effect information which is information regarding an effect obtained by the automatic control. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334764 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTE OPERATION OF AN INDUSTRIAL CONTROLLER - A remote operator interface (ROI) module is disclosed that provides remote access and control of a piece of industrial equipment. The ROI module includes a communications port for receiving wireless control commands from a computing device. A microprocessor or microcontroller process the control commands for communication to the piece of industrial equipment. In some embodiments, a computer program product is provided that provides an interface displayed on the computing device. Aspects of the computer program product may also be resident on the microprocessor or microcontroller for processing commands for compatibility with different types of industrial equipment. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334765 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EVENT DETECTION TO SUPPORT MOBILE NOTIFICATIONS RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL PROCESS CONTROL AND AUTOMATION SYSTEM - A method includes obtaining information associated with multiple events in an industrial process control and automation system, where the information is obtained from one or more sources of data related to the industrial process control and automation system. The method also includes outputting the information to a notification system configured to generate multiple notifications for mobile end-user devices using the retrieved information. Obtaining the information associated with the multiple events includes using one or more queries to obtain at least part of the information from at least one of the one or more sources. The one or more queries support detection of events from the at least one source that is not configured or able to provide event information to the notification system. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334766 | PRODUCTION SYSTEM - The management computer of a mounting system, when productivity is lowered, identifies an operator and work type from a work history, retrieves a management value P for the identified work type for the identified operator, and increases the management value P by an increment of “1.” Then, the management computer of the mounting system, when judging that management value P is at least second threshold value P2, applies a performance restriction on the identified operator for the work of the identified work type. Thus, it is possible to curtail lowered productivity due to the same work by the same operator being repeated. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334767 | Multi-Level Digital Process Management System - According to one embodiment, a system for digital process management comprises at least one memory and processor communicatively coupled to one another. The memory is operable to store input data, output data, and a process model, each associated with a digital process management system. The processor is operable to determine the process model, which comprises a set of rules, determine the input data based upon data received from a data source, and determine whether to initiate the process model based upon the input data. The system is further operable to execute the process model across two of an Internet-connected device, a gateway, and an enterprise by determining a state of a process, determining an activity based upon the state and the set of rules, executing the activity, determining results data, and determining the output data based upon the results data. The system is further operable to communicate the output data. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334768 | ENERGY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING LOAD BALANCING THEREIN - A method controls load balancing within an energy system that includes a renewable energy source for sharing local renewable energy consumption between a predetermined number of users who operate time delay-tolerant loads and a back-up energy source for providing back-up energy. Use cases of appliances of the users are defined by power profiles that are in each case based on a duration and energy consumption of a task or an array of subtasks. One or more use cases has a user specified deadline, A scheduler, in a first level, performs a control of load balancing by scheduling or time-shifting use of the loads so as to provide a start time assignment for each of the tasks or sub tasks based on a maximization of the local renewable energy consumption among the users. The scheduler, in a second level, assigns the renewable energy to the appliances using the start time assignments. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334769 | MODULAR GENERATOR CONTROL AND EXTERNAL POWER UNIT - A method and system for use with an electric power system includes a monitoring unit to monitor at least one power characteristic, a generator control unit to control at least one generator characteristic, a ground interface unit to receive a ground power input, and a device configuration interface to select at least one of a generator control mode and an external power monitor mode, wherein the device configuration interface selectively engages at least one of the monitoring unit, the generator control unit, and the ground interface unit in response to at least one of the generator control mode and the external power monitor mode. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334770 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USING CONFIGURABLE RULES LINKING TRIGGERS WITH ACTIONS TO SUPPORT NOTIFICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH INDUSTRIAL PROCESS CONTROL AND AUTOMATION SYSTEM - A method includes receiving information defining at least one condition and at least one action associated with a rule. Each condition is associated with an event in an industrial process control and automation system, and each action is associated with information related to the event. The method also includes, based on actual events in the industrial process control and automation system, generating one or more notifications for one or more users of one or more mobile devices using the rule. The method further includes transmitting the one or more notifications for delivery to the one or more mobile devices. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334771 | AN APPARATUS, A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR MONITORING A USAGE OF AN ITEM - This disclosure relates to an apparatus for monitoring a usage of an item. The usage characterises a physical handling of the item. The apparatus comprises a sensor configured to measure the usage of the item and to generate usage data based on the measured usage; a processing unit configured to determine based on the generated usage data a characteristic indicative of the usage of the item; and a wireless communication unit configured to transmit the determined characteristic indicative of the usage of the item and/or the generated usage data. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334772 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CORRELATING DATA - Mechanisms are described for correlating environmental data (such as data regarding object settings) with performance data (such as data regarding a result of a predefined activity). The performance data may be analyzed to determine whether the result of the predefined activity can be considered a predetermined aspirational result (e.g., a result that the user desires to achieve), such that the user would want to obtain the same result the next time the user performs the same activity. In the event the result is a predetermined aspirational result, the object or objects that contributed to the predetermined aspirational result may be identified, such as by correlating the performance data with the environmental data to determine the relationship between the two. The object settings for the identified objects may also be identified. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334773 | FIELD DEVICE CONFIGURATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system includes, but not limited to, at least one processor, a retriever configured to retrieve a first field device parameter belonging to burst mode settings from at least one field device connected to a field network, and a transmitter. The transmitter is configured to transmit a second field device parameter belonging to burst mode settings to the at least one field device, based on at least a configuration file. The second field device parameter being associated with the first field device parameter. The first field device parameter includes, not limited to, a first determiner that determines whether to enable or disable a first automated transmission of a first process related variable of the field device, the first process related variable is one of a process variable and a diagnostic result in a burst mode. The retriever, the comparator and the transmitter are implemented by the at least one processor. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334774 | CONTROL SYSTEM, CONTROL APPARATUS, OBJECT APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD | 2016-11-17 |
20160334775 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SAFELY SWITCHING OFF AN ELECTRICAL LOAD - A method and system for safely switching off an electrical load in a system comprising a multi-channel control unit, a single-channel data transmission path and an output unit having a first processing unit, a second processing unit and safe outputs. The method comprises receiving and evaluating an input signal by the multi-channel control unit and generating an enable signal based on the evaluation; transmitting the enable signal to the output unit via the single-channel data transmission path; receiving the enable signal by the first processing unit and generating an output signal based on the enable signal; providing at least one part of the enable signal from the first processing unit to the second processing unit for evaluation therewith; generating a dynamic clock signal by the second processing unit based on the enable signal; and controlling the safe outputs based on the output signal and the dynamic clock signal. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334776 | DRAWING APPARATUS AND CONTROL SYSTEM - A drawing apparatus that creates drawing data to be executed by a programmable display device connected to an external device includes a project-data creation unit, a project-data transfer unit, a diagnostic-information generation unit that generates diagnostic information, and an obtaining-information holding unit that holds therein error-obtaining information for obtaining error information. In the obtaining-information holding unit, the error-obtaining information about each of external devices that are connectable to the programmable display device is registered, when an external device, to be connected to the programmable display device, is selected from among the external devices, the diagnostic-information generation unit reads error-obtaining information about a selected external device, registered in the obtaining-information holding unit, and generates the diagnostic information by using the read error-obtaining information. The project-data transfer unit transfers the project data that includes the diagnostic information generated by the diagnostic-information generation unit to the programmable display device. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334777 | NUMERICAL CONTROLLER CAPABLE OF CHECKING MOUNTING STATE OF TOOL USED FOR MACHINING - A numerical controller retrieves only a tool change command in an NC program and controls an automatic tool changer to execute tool change based on the retrieved tool change command. The numerical controller controls a camera to capture an image of a tool every time the tool change command is executed, and analyzes the image captured by the camera to calculate a shape and a size of the tool. The calculated tool shape and size are collated with a shape and a size in tool management data stored in the numerical controller, and the result of the collation is displayed on a screen of a display device so that an operator can be informed of it. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334778 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING PRODUCTION QUALITY INSPECTIONS - A system and computer-implemented method comprising receiving at a memory device a manufacturing process plan having a plurality of operating steps including data from a bill of specification including manufacturing process step requirements for a manufactured product and data from a bill of characteristics including dimensions and tolerances for the manufactured product where the system or method extract data via a processor executing instructions from both the bill of specification and the bill of characteristics relating to inspection of the manufactured product and define a job to produce the manufactured product wherein the job includes assigning an identification number, specifying the product to be manufactured, identifying the quantity to be made, and identifying the number of manufactured products to be inspected. The system or method further group manufacturing dimensions extracted from the bill of characteristics by operating step in manufacturing process plan and populate a browser-based inspection screen to be viewed by an operator including inspection requirements specific to the operating step to be performed by the operator. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334779 | THERMAL DISPLACEMENT CORRECTION TRAINING UNIT FOR MACHINE TOOL - A thermal displacement correction training unit has a virtual machine tool, a virtual machine tool control unit and a virtual machine tool display unit. The virtual machine tool has a precision decline imitating unit for imitating the process precision decline caused by the heat during operation in the virtual machine tool unit, and a precision decline calculation unit for finding the amount of precision decline that represents the process precision decline in the process machine unit imitated by the process precision imitating unit. The virtual machine tool control unit has a precision correction unit for finding the correction amount by which the processing point is corrected in response to thermal displacement, and a correction amount adjustment unit for adjusting the correction amount found by the precision correction unit. The virtual machine tool display unit displays the amount of precision decline and the correction amount. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334780 | MASS CUSTOMIZED MANUFACTURE OF A WEARABLE ARTICLE - The technology includes methods and systems for providing a wearable article to a customer, one that conforms to portion of the customer's body. Methods include receiving an acquired digital data set defining a three-dimensional digital profile of the body part; translating the digital set into instructions for fabrication of the wearable article; and sending the instructions for fabrication of the wearable article to a fabrication site. Instructions for fabrication of the wearable article are operable to select from inventories components or materials to be used in the fabrication of the wearable article, and are operable to fabricate or reshape the components or materials through implementation of a rapid manufacturing machine. A finished article assembled therefrom conforms to the body part. In one embodiment, the business entity engaged in the receiving, translating, and sending steps is a service provider; a separate business entity controls a fabrication site that is engaged in the selecting and the fabricating or modifying steps. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334781 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AN INDUSTRIAL CONTROL SYSTEM - An industrial control system (ICS) frontend system has a visualization component that concurrently visualizes a functional ICS view (FICSV) and further functional view (FFV). The FICSV represents ICS data associated with the ICS. The FFV is either a further FICSV representing ICS data or is a functional GIS view representing GIS data associated with a geographic information system. The functional views can respond to an associating event. The system further has a data input component configured to receive user input data, the input data indicating a directed associating operation (DAO) between the FICSV and FFV. A system processor component launches the associating event in response to received input data if the DAO is allowed. If the DAO is from an FFV object to the FICSV, the FICSV function is performed using FFV object properties; if from an FICSV ICS object to the FFV, the FFV function uses ICS object properties. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334782 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTONOMOUS IDENTIFICATION OF PARTICLE CONTAMINATION DUE TO ISOLATED PROCESS EVENTS AND SYSTEMATIC TRENDS - A system and method for autonomously tracing a cause of particle contamination during semiconductor manufacture is provided. A contamination analysis system analyzes tool process logs together with particle contamination data for multiple process runs to determine a relationship between systematic particle contamination levels and one or more tool parameters. This relationship is used to predict expected contamination levels associated with regular usage of the tool, and to identify which tool parameters have the largest impact on expected levels of particle contamination. The contamination analysis system also identifies process logs showing unexpected deviant particle contamination levels that exceed expected contamination levels, and traces the cause of the deviant particle contamination to particular process log parameter events. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334783 | REMOTE TESTING OF HVAC SYSTEMS - A number of methods for testing an HVAC system for a building structure from a remote location outside of the building structure are disclosed. Generally, the HVAC system has a primarily active component and a primarily dormant component. The method includes the steps of transmitting a test request to the HVAC system from the remote location, performing a test on the primarily dormant component of the HVAC system in response to the test request, and producing a test result. The test result can then be transmitted to a location outside of the building structure. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334784 | PLANT MONITOR AND CONTROL SYSTEM - In a plant monitor and control system which includes a large display which displays plant monitor and control information items, and a navigation display terminal by which a touch input operation can be performed, an overall display screen of the large display is displayed on the navigation display terminal, and the display screen of the large display is expanded and displayed on the navigation display terminal in a state where the display screen of the large display, which is displayed on the navigation display terminal, is a base point, and minute information items of devices, which are displayed in a display screen of the navigation display terminal, are displayed. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334785 | CONTROL UNIT ADAPTED TO ACCOMMODATE DRONE - A control unit for a drone, said control unit comprising a protective case, a controller capable of remote operation of the drone and a space configured to receive the drone within said protective case for storage, wherein the drone is contained in its entirety within said protective case. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334786 | EXTERNAL AIRCRAFT GROUND CONTROL - Embodiments of the subject matter described herein provide an innovative method and system capable of enabling external ground control of a manned aircraft without a pilot or crew, in order to (i) move the aircraft, and (ii) command various subsystems of the aircraft. The provided method and system supports secure wireless communication between the aircraft and a remote device. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334787 | MULTI-AGENT DEPLOYMENT PROTOCOL METHOD FOR COVERAGE OF CLUTTERED SPACES - The multi-agent deployment protocol method for the coverage of cluttered spaces is a sensor-based control protocol, which, if used by each member of the group, will cause the collective group to distribute itself in the environment in a manner that satisfies stringent requirements, including the requirement that the systems should be self-deploying and self-maintaining, robust and resilient, while tolerating the loss or insertion of agents. The group members must also be able to figure-out on their own where the best coverage locations are and how to reach them from anywhere in space without self-collision or collision with obstacles. Overall, the autonomous process performs the following functions: determine where the agents should be positioned (i.e., location); propel each agent to its corresponding target location; and organize the overall space to avoid collisions or deadlocks. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334788 | APPARATUS FOR SWITCHING DRIVING MODES OF VEHICLE AND METHOD OF SWITCHING BETWEEN MODES OF VEHICLE - An apparatus for switching between driving modes of a vehicle with an automatic driving system, including: an input unit for receiving an input to switch from automatic driving mode to manual driving mode; a speed sensor for determining a current speed of the vehicle; a display unit on which a first indicator indicating a current speed of the vehicle when the vehicle is in an automatic driving mode is displayed; a pedal sensor for determining a current displacement distance of an accelerator pedal; a controller for determining a virtual speed according to the current distance displacement of the accelerator pedal when an input is received that requests switching of the automatic driving mode of the vehicle to a manual driving mode if the vehicle is in the automatic driving mode and displays a second indicator indicating the virtual speed on the display unit, and for switching the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode when the virtual driving speed is similar to the current speed of the vehicle. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334789 | Driving Test System for a Moving Object - One form of a driving test system for a moving object includes: an unmanned aircraft configured to fly at a set distance from the moving object that is configured to drive along a set route in a set zone and has a vision sensor disposed on one side that is configured to detect the moving object's motion; | 2016-11-17 |
20160334790 | SYSTEM FOR RETROFITTING VEHICLE AUTOMATION - An autonomous vehicle retrofit system includes: a central computer; and a braking interface to decelerate a wheel of a vehicle via actuation of a brake caliper, the braking interface further including a brake pedal; a first master cylinder assembly, mechanically coupled to the brake pedal such that actuation of the brake pedal causes actuation of the first master cylinder assembly; a second master cylinder assembly, coupled to the central computer such that the central computer controls actuation of the second master cylinder assembly; and an actuator selector, hydraulically coupled to the brake caliper, that selectively actuates the brake caliper in response to actuation of at least one of the first master cylinder assembly and the second master cylinder assembly. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334791 | COVERAGE ROBOT NAVIGATING - A method of navigating an autonomous coverage robot on a floor includes controlling movement of the robot across the floor in a cleaning mode, receiving a sensor signal indicative of an obstacle, rotating the robot away from the sensed obstacle, determining a change in the received sensor signal during at least a portion of the rotation of the robot away from the sensed obstacle, and identifying the sensed obstacle based at least in part on the determined change in the received sensor signal. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334792 | Heading Control Using Multiple Autopilots - Various implementations described herein are directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to: receive a selection of a desired location or desired bearing for a watercraft, receive a desired heading for the watercraft, determine a first set of instructions for a first autopilot corresponding to the desired location or desired bearing and the desired heading, determine a second set of instructions for a second autopilot corresponding to the desired location or desired bearing and the desired heading, transmit the first set of instructions to the first autopilot and the second set of instructions to the second autopilot. The first set of instructions and the second set of instructions cause the first autopilot and the second autopilot to navigate the watercraft to the desired location or on the desired bearing while maintaining the desired heading. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334793 | POSE DETECTION AND CONTROL OF UNMANNED UNDERWATER VEHICLES (UUVs) UTILIZING AN OPTICAL DETECTOR ARRAY - Optical detectors and methods of optical detection for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) are disclosed. The disclosed optical detectors and may be used to dynamically position UUVs in both static-dynamic systems (e.g., a fixed light source as a guiding beacon and a UUV) and dynamic-dynamic systems (e.g., a moving light source mounted on the crest of a leader UUV and a follower UUV). | 2016-11-17 |
20160334794 | HYDRAULIC SLIP COMPENSATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate positioning for a hydraulic steering system without a need for a steering reference transducer. A hydraulic steering system may include a logic device in communication with an autopilot pump controller. Control and sensor signals provided by the pump controller are used to determine a linear or uncompensated steering actuator speed and an estimate of the hydraulic elasticity of the steering system, which can be modeled as an estimate of the air volume trapped within the steering system. The hydraulic elasticity/air volume estimate is used to determine a corrected or compensated steering actuator speed, and the corrected steering actuator speed is used to accurately control the steering system. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334795 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NAVIGATING A ROBOTIC WORKING TOOL - A robotic work tool system ( | 2016-11-17 |
20160334796 | VEHICLE CONTROL APPARATUS - A vehicle control apparatus includes: a storage apparatus configured to store a steering modification point of a vehicle and a vehicle speed target point of the vehicle that are associated with map information; and an electronic control unit configured to: detect a position of the vehicle; detect a travel direction of the vehicle; calculate a lane travel distance, the position of the vehicle, and the travel direction of the vehicle; generate, lane travel map data, a target direction of the vehicle, and a target vehicle speed of the vehicle, on the basis of the map information, the steering modification point, the vehicle speed target point, the position of the vehicle, and the travel direction of the vehicle; and output a control signal to control the vehicle on the basis of the position of the vehicle, the lane travel distance of the vehicle, and the lane travel map data. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334797 | SELECTING VEHICLE TYPE FOR PROVIDING TRANSPORT - A transport arrangement system operates to receive a transport request from a user, and to make a selection of a vehicle type for the user based at least in part on a set of criteria associated with the transport request or user information. For example, the determination of whether an autonomous vehicle is to be provided can be based at least in part on the destination specified with the transport request. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334798 | BUMP DETECTION AND EFFECT REDUCTION IN AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS - In one embodiment, a control system for a base station includes a first transceiver configured to receive a first signal and send a second signal to an agricultural vehicle. The first signal indicates at least an acceleration of the vehicle, a current velocity of the vehicle, and a location relative to a terrain where the vehicle experienced the acceleration, and the second signal indicates a vehicle target velocity. The control system includes a controller configured to determine a bump severity value based on the acceleration and the current velocity of the vehicle, mark an area indicative of the bump on a map of the terrain when the bump severity value exceeds a threshold, and automatically generate the second signal when the vehicle enters the area. The target velocity is based on a proximity of the vehicle to the bump, the bump severity value, or some combination thereof. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334799 | Method and System for Transporting Inventory Items - A system for transporting inventory items includes an inventory holder capable of storing inventory items and a mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is capable of moving to a first point with the inventory holder at least one of coupled to and supported by the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is additionally capable of determining a location of the inventory holder and calculating a difference between the location of the inventory holder and the first point. The mobile drive unit is then capable of determining whether the difference is greater than a predetermined tolerance. In response to determining that the difference is greater than the predetermined tolerance, the mobile drive unit is also capable of moving to a second point based on the location of the inventory holder, docking with the inventory holder, and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to the first point. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334800 | ROBOT AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF - A robot and a controlling method thereof are provided. The robot includes a driver unit configured to move a location of the robot, a sensor unit configured to sense an environment around the robot, and a controller configured to, in response to the location of the robot being changed by a user, check a current location of the robot by using the environment of the changed location sensed by the sensor unit and pre-stored map information, determine a task to be performed, based on the checked location and the environment of the changed location, and control the driver unit according to the determined task. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334801 | AUTONOMOUS MODULAR ROBOT - An autonomous modular robot includes an attachment retention system that for retaining two or more interchangeable attachments for performing unique tasks, e.g., steam cleaning, vacuuming, grass cutting, etc. The attachments may be sequentially positioned in the path of travel of the robot and configured to perform complementary tasks. For example, for cleaning a floor, a first attachment may be configured to vacuum the floor and a second attachment may be configured for steam cleaning the floor. The robot may also include a vertically translatable lift mechanism. The lift mechanism may include the attachment retention system, thereby allowing the attachments to be moved vertically. The lift mechanism may also include a dimension sensor proximate a top of the lift mechanism. The dimension sensor may be utilized to determine the size, e.g., a height and/or a width of the robot with any retained attachments, to help navigate the robot and avoid obstacles. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334802 | ROBOT AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A robot includes a distance sensor configured to measure a distance to an object existing within a movement environment of the robot and autonomously operates based on the distance information measured by at least one of the distance sensor and a distance sensor installed within the movement environment. The robot includes an acquiring unit configured to acquire an operation region through which the robot passes when the robot performs an operation, a setting unit configured to set a measurement position of the distance sensor at which the operation region acquired by the acquiring unit is covered by a measurement region of the distance sensor, and a control unit configured to control the robot to operate based on the distance information measured by the distance sensor at the measurement position set by the setting unit. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334803 | BORDER-SIGNAL GENERATING AND WIRE WINDING DEVICE FOR BORDER RECOGNITION OF SELF-PROPELLED MOWER - A border-signal generating and wire winding device for border recognition of a self-propelled mower includes a seat; a reel rotatably installed on the seat; a lever provided at one end of the reel for a user to operate and rotate the reel; two power sockets provided on the seat or on the reel; an electric wire removably wound around the reel and having two plugs at two ends thereof for being detachably plugged into the two power sockets; and a signal-generating module provided on the seat or on the reel and electrically connected to the two power sockets. When the electric wire is connected to the two power sockets through the two plugs, the signal-generating module continuously generates a border signal that is continuously transmitted to the electric wire through the two power sockets. | 2016-11-17 |
20160334804 | GNSS AND OPTICAL GUIDANCE AND MACHINE CONTROL - A global navigation satellite sensor system (GNSS) and gyroscope control system for vehicle steering control comprising a GNSS receiver and antennas at a fixed spacing to determine a vehicle position, velocity and at least one of a heading angle, a pitch angle and a roll angle based on carrier phase position differences. The system also includes a control system configured to receive the vehicle position, heading, and at least one of roll and pitch, and configured to generate a steering command to a vehicle steering system. The system includes gyroscopes for determining system attitude change with respect to multiple axes for integrating with GNSS-derived positioning information to determine vehicle position, velocity, rate-of-turn, attitude and other operating characteristics. Relative orientations and attitudes between motive and working components can be determined using optical sensors and cameras. The system can also be used to guide multiple vehicles in relation to each other. | 2016-11-17 |