An apparatus to detect the presence of a user includes, in one embodiment, an infrared sensor that passively detects infrared light radiated from an observation target, a heat source arranged proximate the infrared sensor, and a determinator that determines whether the observation target is present in response to information changing along with an operational situation of the heat source and infrared data detected by the infrared sensor. A method and a computer program product also perform functions of the apparatus.

The present disclosure relates to systems, vehicles, and methods relating to imaging and object detection using polarization-based detection of infrared light. An example system includes at least one infrared detector configured to detect infrared light corresponding to a target object within a field of view. The infrared light includes at least one of a first polarization or a second polarization. The system also includes a controller configured to carry out operations. The operations include receiving, from the at least one infrared detector, information indicative of infrared light corresponding to the target object. The operations also include determining, based on the received information, a polarization ratio corresponding to the target object. The polarization ratio comprises a first polarization intensity divided by a second polarization intensity. The operations also include determining, based on the polarization ratio, that the infrared light corresponding to the target object comprises direct light or reflected light.

An equipment inspection system receives data captured by a sensor of an autonomous vehicle (AV). The captured data describes a current state of equipment for servicing the AV. The equipment inspection system compares the captured data to a model describing an expected state of the equipment. The equipment inspection system determines, based on the comparison, that the equipment differs from the expected state. The equipment inspection system may transmit data describing the current state of the equipment to an equipment manager. The equipment manager may schedule maintenance for the equipment based on the current state of the equipment.

An equipment inspection system receives data captured by a sensor of an autonomous vehicle (AV). The captured data describes a current state of equipment for servicing the AV. The equipment inspection system compares the captured data to a model describing an expected state of the equipment. The equipment inspection system determines, based on the comparison, that the equipment differs from the expected state. The equipment inspection system may transmit data describing the current state of the equipment to an equipment manager. The equipment manager may schedule maintenance for the equipment based on the current state of the equipment.

An image forming apparatus includes a housing and a first process cartridge. The first process cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the housing. The first process cartridge includes a first photosensitive drum, a first developing roller, and a developing frame. The developing frame has a toner inlet opening. The toner cartridge has a toner supply opening. The toner cartridge is positioned above the developing frame such that the toner supply opening and the toner inlet opening face with each other in upward/downward direction. In the state where the first process cartridge to which the toner cartridge is attached is attached to the housing, the toner cartridge is incapable of being detached from the first process cartridge. In a state where the first process cartridge to which the toner cartridge is attached is detached from the housing, the toner cartridge is detachable from the first process cartridge.

A method and system are for estimating forces in rails of a railway line which are due to the temperatures of the rails. Values of the electrical resistance of one rail of a railway track section are calculated. Based on the calculated values of the electrical resistance for the rail, corresponding values of the temperature of the rail can be estimated, and based on the estimated values of the temperature of the rail, estimated values of forces acting in the rail due to the temperature values can be estimated.

A method and system are for estimating forces in rails of a railway line which are due to the temperatures of the rails. Values of the electrical resistance of one rail of a railway track section are calculated. Based on the calculated values of the electrical resistance for the rail, corresponding values of the temperature of the rail can be estimated, and based on the estimated values of the temperature of the rail, estimated values of forces acting in the rail due to the temperature values can be estimated.

An infrared image sensor includes a first integrate circuit (IC), a bolometer disposed on or above one surface of the first IC configured to detect infrared rays passing through a lens module, a via electrically connecting the first IC and the bolometer, and a reflective layer disposed between the first IC and the bolometer, wherein the first IC includes at least one of a read-out (RO) element configured to perform analog processing for the bolometer to generate infrared sensing information and an image signal process (ISP) element configured to perform digital processing based on the bolometer to generate infrared image information, and at least one of an autofocusing (AF) control element and an optical image stabilization (OIS) control element configured to adjust a positional relationship between the lens module and the bolometer.

An optical gas concentration measurement apparatus is disclosed. The optical gas concentration measurement apparatus includes a thermally insulated enclosure that has a gas sample cell situated within. A thermally-insulating, light-guiding element passes through an access port of the thermally insulated enclosure and is configured to direct light from a light source outside of the thermally insulated enclosure to the gas sample cell. A light detector outside of the thermally insulated enclosure is optically coupled to the gas sample cell and an electronic assembly outside of the thermally insulated enclosure is configured to receive information from the light detector.

An illustrative heating section of a dye sublimation machine may utilize a plurality of configurable pyrometers. The pyrometers may take the corresponding temperature measurements remotely without interacting with any mechanical moving parts of the dye sublimation machine and therefore may be more robust against breakage. The pyrometers may be directed at the membrane covering the printed sheet and therefore may provide more accurate temperature measurements. Furthermore, the angular orientation of the pyrometers may be configured that may allow the pyrometers to dynamically measure the temperature of multiple spots in the heating section. In addition to the pyrometers in the heating section, a plurality of pyrometers may be provided to measure the temperature in the cooling section of the dye sublimation machine.