Abstract: The present invention is an image processing apparatus comprising: dividing means for dividing an image signal obtained by scanning an original document into predetermined local blocks and output a predetermined including a target pixel; a binary coding processing section which converts the image signal in the predetermined block into binary code information; means for calculating each area (dimension) of the binary values; means for calculating number of times that the binary values are changed; a threshold processing section for performing threshold processing by properly and selectively using a threshold of the maximum density difference in the predetermined area, each area (dimension) value after binary coding and number of counts as a parameter; and a judgement processing section for judging the image signal in the predetermined area.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus having a schedule management function includes a display section for displaying temporal axes of at least two different cities on a schedule display screen in accordance with a time difference therebetween; a pointing section for pointing to each of the temporal axes of the different cities displayed by the display section; and an input section for inputting a time and a city of the temporal axis, which are pointed to by the pointing section, as a schedule.

Abstract: In an optical transmission and reception module, a partitioning member separating a light emitting device and a light receiving device from each other includes a partitioning plate having a concave surface, an engaging portion to which the partitioning plate is fixed, a holding portion holding the engaging portion movably, and a leaf spring for pressing the engaging portion against an optical plug. An end surface of an optical fiber is convex and projects from a front end of the optical plug. When the end surface of the optical plug is in contact with an engaging surface of the engaging portion, a gap is generated between the end surface of the optical fiber and a surface opposed thereto.

Abstract: A method of coding a signal for digital optical communication using a symbol formed of N slots [s1, s2, s3, . . . sN], wherein si is either 0 or 1 where i is an integer and l≦i ≦N is provided. The method includes the steps of determining a plurality of symbols which satisfy the following expression, wherein k is an arbitrary positive integer, and p1, q1, p2, q2, . . . , pk and qk are integers which satisfy 1≦p1<q1, 1≦p2<q2, . . . , 1≦pk<qk, and p1/q1<p2/q2<. . .

Abstract: A PBS for guiding light from a light source to a DMD as light modulating means as well as for guiding light modulated by the DMD to photographic paper is provided on an optical path between the light source and the DMD. The DMD is arranged so that light from the PBS perpendicularly enters itself, and is equipped with a plurality of micromirrors which swing in accordance with image data. This arrangement allows optical components to be disposed so that an angle of incidence of light with respect to the DMD is 0°, thereby enabling tight layout of the light source section. In other words, there is no need to spread the optical components around the light modulating means like in the conventional cases where an angle of incidence with respect to the light modulating means is more or less required.

Abstract: Icons (displayed in the pictorial outline display area and in the finished output style display area) for displaying the conditions in accordance with the input of conditions through setting keys(keys displayed in setting key display area) integrally display multiple number of conditions input through setting keys in a multiple number of setting frames. A condition pictorially represented corresponding to the setting key arranged in the input-active setting frame is made visually distinguishable from that pictorially represented corresponding to the setting key arranged in an input-inactive setting frame.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal display having high reliability, which is excellent in terms of optical characteristics, heat resistance, and shock resistance, wherein a liquid crystal display consisting of a cholesteric liquid crystal, a chiral nematic liquid crystal or a liquid crystal 1 layer, being a combination thereof, which is roughly pillar-like and polygonal in section or has a roughly pillar-like form enclosed by a closed curve, and divided by said polymer network into areas whose minimum diameter measured by vernier calipers is 5 &mgr;m and whose maximum diameter measured by vernier calipers is 100 &mgr;m, is obtained by polymer networks 4 formed by polymerization of monomer, so that sufficient reflection can be obtained from the liquid crystal 1 without being optical scattering.

Abstract: The present image forming device is provided with a toner carrier and a counter electrode opposite the toner carrier. Between the toner carrier and the counter electrode is provided a jet control section having a plurality of gates, each forming a space for passage of a jet of toner. Also provided is a control electrode driver, which is capable of applying potentials independently to each gate of the jet control section. The present image forming device forms a toner image on a transfer material by controlling passage of toner through a given gate by application of an ON potential which allows passage of the toner through the gate and an OFF potential which prevents passage of the toner through the gate. A potential difference VH between the toner carrier and the counter electrode and an intensity EH of an electrical field in the vicinity of the counter electrode satisfy VH≦1.5 kV and EH≧1.8 kV/mm, respectively.

Abstract: A solid imaging device including: a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity types a layer of a second conductivity type formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, the layer at least including a photosensitive portion of the second conductivity type; and a MOS transistor of the second conductivity type coupled to the photosensitive portion, wherein the solid imaging device further includes a layer of the first conductivity type in at least a channel region of the MOS transistor of the second conductivity type, the layer of the first conductivity type having an impurity concentration which is higher than an impurity concentration of the semiconductor substrate, and wherein at least a portion of a boundary of the layer of the second conductivity type is in direct contact with the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A plasma process device capable of forming homogeneous plasma and coping with a large size substrate less costly can be obtained. The plasma process device includes a processing chamber, microwave guiding means, a shower plate and a reaction gas supply passage. The microwave guiding means guides a microwave into the processing chamber. The shower plate has a gas inlet hole to supply to the processing chamber a reaction gas attaining a plasma state by the microwave, and a lower surface facing the processing chamber and an upper surface positioned on the opposite side of the lower surface. The reaction gas supply passage is positioned on the upper surface of the shower plate and supplies the reaction gas to the gas inlet hole. A wall surface of the reaction gas supply passage includes an upper surface of the shower plate and a conductor wall surface opposing the upper surface.

Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction element includes a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer acting as a memory layer, and a first insulating layer sandwiched between the first and second magnetic layers. Further, the magnetic tunnel junction element includes a third magnetic layer on a side of the second magnetic layer opposite from the first insulating layer. This third magnetic layer constitutes a closed magnetic circuit together with the second magnetic layer.

Abstract: A free key layout setting apparatus is mounted in a data input apparatus. The data input apparatus includes a display unit covered with a touch panel. A plurality of keys are laid out and displayed on a display screen of the display unit according to layout data prestored in a ROM or a RAM. When an arbitrary key is touched through the touch panel in the display screen, a CPU of the data input apparatus carries out a function corresponding to that key. In setting the layout data to lay out each of the plurality of keys at an arbitrary position in the display screen in the free key layout setting apparatus, the CPU generates layout data as desired by the user including various data such as the size for display, the display position, a code identifying the type of the function of the ECR executed by operation of a key, and a character string of a label displayed on a key. The layout data is stored in the ROM or the RAM.

Abstract: An electronic book display control device capable of solving the problem of a conventional page turning method of an electronic book device that pages are turned in accordance with a value predetermined by a speed controller and hence it is difficult to turn pages flexibly in accordance with the contents of the book and the characteristics of the user. The control device is provided with a CPU (1) which controls the whole device, an image data storage unit (2) in which the contents of the book are stored as image data, an image data control unit (3) which receives the image data and performs the required control, a display preparation image data memory unit (4) in which image data of the page being displayed and the page to be displayed next are stored, and a display unit (5) on which information concerning the image data and information concerning the operation of the electronic book are displayed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes (i) an image interpolating section for calculating interpolation point and interpolation density of the interpolation point when subjecting a binary image to resolution conversion and scaling and (ii) an offset amount correcting section for giving an offset beforehand when the image interpolating section calculates the interpolation point. As a result, the image forming apparatus can comply with unrounded magnifications of other than integral multiples and a desirable image even with respect to a character image and a pseudo-halftone image.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus for image formation uses power control means provided to a laser driver for controlling exposure energy and accordingly forming an image. Specifically, exposure energy is varied depending on an isolated-dot pattern and an isolated-line pattern by changing the pulse height (drive power) of a drive pulse for each dot. Both of the isolated-line and isolated-dot patterns of a high resolution can thus be reproduced with a high image quality without increase of cost due to requirements for accuracy in processing and positioning of a lens and without decrease of life of a photoreceptor due to a decreased thickness of its photosensitive layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a liquid crystal display device; a light source for illuminating the liquid crystal display device; a LCD device driving circuit for providing a driving voltage to the liquid crystal display device based on a display data signal and a plurality of liquid crystal driving signals including a display data latch signal; a dividing circuit for dividing a frequency of the display data latch signal by a factor of N so as to obtain a period which is N times as large as that of the display data latch signal, where N is an integer greater than zero; a duty control circuit for changing an ON duty ratio of the frequency-divided signal by using the frequency-divided signal as a reference frequency; and a light source driving circuit for turning the light source ON/OFF based on a signal from the duty control circuit having the ON duty ratio set in the duty control circuit, wherein, where a driving duty is (1/D), and a remainder of D divided by the integer N is A, each of the inte

Abstract: An information display system capable of displaying the instruction input frame(basic frame) for allowing instructions of conditions of an arbitrary processing job to be input therethrough and the status confirmation frame (job status frame) for allowing the status of an arbitrary processing job to be checked is characterized in that with the basic frame preferentially displayed, a job list area that presents brief content of a processing job displayed in the job status frame can be displayed along with the basic frame.

Abstract: There are provided a magneto-optical disk, a super-resolution magneto-optical disk and a domain wall moving magneto-optical disk whose cross-talk, cross-write and cross-erasure are suppressed and whose recording density is improved. A recording magnetic layer formed on a land is shut off magnetically from the recording magnetic layer formed on a groove and thermal diffusion in the track direction is suppressed, by selectively oxidizing a magnetic layer formed on a side wall between the land and the groove.

Abstract: A control unit of an image forming apparatus for controlling exposure energy includes a reference image storage unit storing a plurality of reference images, an image recognition unit comparing image information consisting of a plurality of pieces of pixel information with data stored in the reference image storage unit, an exposure energy density storage unit storing an exposure energy density for each reference image stored in the reference image storage unit, an exposure energy density determination unit based on data from the image recognition unit and data in the exposure energy density storage unit an exposure energy density to be applied to a dot position corresponding to each piece of the pixel information, and a laser drive driving a laser of an exposure unit based on data from the exposure energy density determination uni. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus can be provided which exhibits an excellent image reproducibility for images with various dot densities.

Abstract: A gene coding for a peptidoglycan recognition peptide (PGRP) is cloned, a recombinant vector into which said gene is introduced is obtained, and a transformant transformed with said recombinant vector is cultivated, thereby producing the PGRP in large amounts at high purity.