A print data generating apparatus obtains a BRDF model group for each of a plurality of colors and the angle of incident light in the environment where an object to be reproduced is to be viewed. The print data generating apparatus then applies the angle of the incident light thus obtained to each of the models in the BRDF model group to thereby calculate the reflection distribution of the object to be reproduced for which the angle of the incident light is limited. The print data generating apparatus then outputs color data and form data for each of the models in the BRDF model group based on the reflection distribution, the color data indicating a color to be formed on the surface of the object to be reproduced, the form data indicating the form of the object to be reproduced.

A closed-loop control device to control a system to be controlled includes a front node, back node, external tapping point, controller and compensating circuit. The compensating circuit has an inner node, frequency filter, front buffer and back buffer. The front node determines a difference; the back node supplies an external sum signal. A setting device automatically suppresses use of the output signal of the front buffer, supplies the back buffer and the back node with a first excitation signal as the compensation signal and detects a first result signal produced by the first excitation signal. The first result signal is one of the control difference, internal sum signal, output filtered signal of the frequency filter or output signal of the front buffer. The setting device evaluates the first excitation signal and the first result signal, sets a parameter of the frequency filter and the second propagation delay.

An information processing device includes: a processor configured to: specify plural parts for manufacturing an ordered product; specify plural processes required from receiving an order of the product to completion of the product using plural parts; for an intermediate part generated by processing at least two of the plural parts, generate an intermediate object indicating intermediate part; for each of the plural parts, generate work objects indicating processes required for manufacturing the part; and create workflow information that arranges and displays, for each of the plural parts, the work objects indicating processes required for manufacturing the part in an order of the plural processes, and relates and displays, for each of the plural parts, work objects indicating processes executed continuously, in which in the workflow information, the intermediate object indicating intermediate part is associated with the work objects for the at least two parts used to generate the intermediate part.

A motor control device includes a first control unit and a second control unit. The first control unit includes an issuing unit that issues a command that schedules a next operation of a motor according to an instruction from a controller. The second control unit includes a receiving unit that receives the command, a detecting unit that detects a state of the motor, a determining unit that makes a determination as to whether to drive the motor to perform the operation according to the state detected by the detecting unit, and an executing unit that drives the motor to perform the operation scheduled by the command as determined by the determination.

A method of operating a device to receive a print medium is disclosed. Rotation of a receiving device to receive a print medium is detected, whereby the rotation is caused by an external force. An assisting force is applied to further rotate the receiving device in response to the detected rotation.

A method includes: acquiring time-series data of a control input and a control output; calculating a variable parameter that minimizes an evaluation function, based on observation values of the control input and the control output; and updating the variable parameter with the calculated variable parameter. The evaluation function includes: a first function part that evaluates an entire error that is a control error of the entire observation period and increases the output value as the entire error increases; and at least one of: a second function part that evaluates a sectional error that is a control error of a particular section in the observation period and increases the output value as the sectional error increases; and a third function part that evaluates an instantaneous error that is a control error of a particular time point in the observation period and increases the output value as the instantaneous error increases.

An information processing apparatus includes a processor, and the processor is configured to: acquire three-dimensional image data for printing processing for modeling a three-dimensional modeled object by forming respective images on recording media and stacking the recording media, and other image data for other printing processing, determine an arrangement to form at least one of the respective images and at least a part of the other image data on same one of the recording media so as to reduce a difference between a height corresponding to the number of recording media to which the other image data is to be recorded and a height of the three-dimensional modeled object, and output image forming information for forming the three-dimensional image data and the other image data on the recording media to an image forming apparatus based on the determined arrangement.

An apparatus capable of attaching a maintenance part that needs replacement accompanying use, the apparatus including: a storage unit configured to store at least one or more patterns of a prediction equation of a life of the maintenance part in a storage device; a prediction unit configured to predict a life of the maintenance part by applying one of prediction equations stored in the storage unit; and a transmission unit configured to transmit predetermined information relating to the maintenance part to a management apparatus that manages information relating to a life of the maintenance part, and the transmission unit includes identification information on a prediction equation currently being applied to a prediction of a life of the maintenance part in the predetermined information that is transmitted to the management apparatus.

It is disclosed a motor identification method for determine possible incorrect connections in a system comprising a plurality of motors corresponding to a plurality of sub-systems, the method comprising: applying an input to at least one of the motors causing its movement; and determining a detection signal corresponding to a position, speed or acceleration of the motor during a detection period; wherein the system comprises a memory storing a set of characteristic signals corresponding to at least some of the sub-systems and wherein the method comprises comparing, by a controller, the detection signal with the set of characteristic signals and correlating the at least one of the motors to a determined sub-system.

An information processing apparatus includes a processor, and the processor is configured to: acquire three-dimensional image data for printing processing for modeling a three-dimensional modeled object by forming respective images on recording media and stacking the recording media, and other image data for other printing processing, determine an arrangement to form at least one of the respective images and at least a part of the other image data on same one of the recording media so as to reduce a difference between a height corresponding to the number of recording media to which the other image data is to be recorded and a height of the three-dimensional modeled object, and output image forming information for forming the three-dimensional image data and the other image data on the recording media to an image forming apparatus based on the determined arrangement.