The disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for taking care of elderly, disabled, or other dependents. The devices and methods may be useful for dependents that are not willing or able to live in an environment which has a caretaker physically present. Example devices and methods can facilitate communication between a caretaker and a dependent. Devices and methods can optionally facilitate disbursing medications remotely.

The present invention is an apparatus, system and method to properly align and install large pistons in cylinders that holds both the piston and cylinder being assembled, and has a number of alignment mechanisms such as but not limited to a laser.

A printed circuit board is fabricated in a manufacturing process. In an inspection process, first and second light sources of an inspection device irradiate the printed circuit board with first and second light having first and second wavelength distributions. First and second imaging devices produce a monochromatic first image and a color second image of an inspection subject region of the printed circuit board based on the first and second light respectively reflected by the printed circuit board. Presence and absence of a defect is determined based on at least the first image by automatic optical inspection. Further, verification of the defect is performed by visual observation of at least the second image.

A more reliable and fool-proof method and apparatus for assembling an article of assembly (e.g. with predetermined screw torque requirements) in which the article of assembly has multiple fastening locations. The method comprises holding the article of assembly fixed while providing at least two different types of targets fixed relative to the article of assembly that correspond to the individual fastening locations. Fasteners are fastened into the article of assembly at the fastening locations. When fastening is occurring at one of the fastening locations, one of the targets is being sensed. Based on the target sensed, a target output is generated that differentiates between different types of targets thereby indicating fastening location of the fastening tool. The electronic target output is used for electronic control such as for stopping a conveyor to keep the article of assembly at an assembly station until the fastening operations have been completed.

A more reliable and fool-proof method and apparatus for assembling an article of assembly (e.g. with predetermined screw torque requirements) in which the article of assembly has multiple fastening locations. The method comprises holding the article of assembly fixed while providing at least two different types of targets fixed relative to the article of assembly that correspond to the individual fastening locations. Fasteners are fastened into the article of assembly at the fastening locations. When fastening is occurring at one of the fastening locations, one of the targets is being sensed. Based on the target sensed, a target output is generated that differentiates between different types of targets thereby indicating fastening location of the fastening tool. The electronic target output is used for electronic control such as for stopping a conveyor to keep the article of assembly at an assembly station until the fastening operations have been completed.

A method for inspecting the quality of an alignment between the elements of an assembly, and an associated device, the method of which comprises tasks consisting of measuring a first parameter with a first measuring means, said first parameter being selected from a movement parameter of at least one part of the double-access fastening means, an assembly force parameter or a torque, measuring a second parameter with a second measuring means, said second parameter being selected from the same parameters and being different from the first parameter, calculating a value of a first derivative of a function representing a change in the second parameter relative to the first parameter by suitable information processing means, and analyzing the value of the first derivative to check the alignment between the elements to be assembled.

A molding system for assembling a part by moving a workpiece griped by a hand of a robot toward a mold of an injection molding machine, while rotating a molded article supported on the mold and the workpiece relative to each other, whereby the molded article and the workpiece are screw-engaged. The molding system includes a rotation detector for detecting a rotational amount between the molded article and the workpiece, an assembled state judging unit for judging if the assembled part is in a predetermined state, and a control unit for relatively rotating and displacing the molded article and the workpiece until the rotational amount exceeds a predetermined rotational amount and the assembled state becomes the predetermined state.

The disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for taking care of elderly, disabled, or other dependents. The devices and methods may be useful for dependents that are not willing or able to live in an environment which has a caretaker physically present. Example devices and methods can facilitate communication between a caretaker and a dependent. Devices and methods can optionally facilitate disbursing medications remotely.

The present invention is an apparatus, system and method to properly align and install large pistons in cylinders that holds both the piston and cylinder being assembled, and has a number of alignment mechanisms such as but not limited to a laser.

A base insulating layer and a cover insulating layer of a first printed circuit board are formed of a first insulating material, and a base insulating layer and a cover insulating layer of a second printed circuit board are formed of a second insulating material. During inspection of the first printed circuit board, the first printed circuit board is irradiated with first light having a peak wavelength in a first wavelength range, and an image is produced based on reflected light from the first printed circuit board. During inspection of the second printed circuit board, the second printed circuit board is irradiated with second light having a peak wavelength in a second wavelength region different from the first wavelength region, and an image is produced based on reflected light from the second printed circuit board.