Abstract: A digital camera has a display such as an LCD. A viewfinder image obtained by a CCD before photographing is displayed on the display, and a pointer which can be moved up, down, right and left by operation of the user is displayed so as to be superimposed on the viewfinder image. A histogram indicative of a luminance distribution of the whole viewfinder image and a marker indicative of luminance of a pixel of a portion designated by the pointer are displayed so as to be superimposed on the viewfinder image. By displaying the marker, the user can grasp luminance information of a part of the viewfinder image.

Abstract: A digital camera functioning as a data communication terminal generates a “new file for transmission” which is a new file by copying data contents of an “original file for transmission” which is a file to be sent to a server, and transmits the new file for transmission to the server after giving a file name which is different from a file name of the original file for transmission to the new file for transmission. The file name after changing has a variable part having a number which increases in accordance with a number of times of send. For example, as for an original file for transmission “PIC00001.JPG”, the file name is changed to “00100001.JPG” in the first transmission and “00200001.JPG” in the second transmission. Therefore, the server recognizes these files as different files, so that it is possible to prevent the file from being overwritten by mistake.

Abstract: A portable generator includes a metal shroud surrounding at least a crankcase and a cylinder block of an engine. The engine is directly mounted to the shroud. The shroud forms an effective radiating element and gives an additional heat-radiating surface to the engine, thereby increasing the heat radiation capacity of the engine. Heat generated from the engine while running can, therefore, be radiated efficiently. The shroud is mounted within a sound insulating case, so that the portable generator has a double sound-insulating structure. The noise-proofing property of the portable generator is, therefore, very high.

Abstract: A portable generator comprises a shroud for covering at least a crankcase and a cylinder block of an engine thereof. The shroud is formed of split halves. The engine is fixed to the shroud having its upper part connected to a carrying handle of a sound insulating case. As a result, the load of the engine is applied to the carrying handle through the shroud when the portable generator is lifted up with a hand. It is thus not necessary to increase rigidity of the case, thereby enabling lightening of the case. The generator arrangement also provides an improved soundproof effect since the engine, a source of noise, is covered with the shroud and the sound insulating case.

Abstract: An engine generator includes an engine having an intake device and an exhaust device which are connected to an engine body, a generator connected to the engine, and a fuel tank for supplying fuel to the engine. The engine, the generator and the fuel tank are mounted on a frame. In this engine generator, the intake device and the exhaust device are connected to an upper portion of the engine body having a cylinder axis extending vertically to protrude to opposite sides from the engine body, and the fuel tank is disposed sideways of the engine body and the generator below the intake device or the exhaust device. Thus, when a vertical engine is used, the fuel tank can be effectively disposed to avoid the production of a wasteful space, thereby providing reductions in size, weight and cost.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for executing tasks in a multiprocessor system including a plurality of processors, each processor taking either an "idle" state and a "run" state, wherein the method includes the steps of: detecting, when a first processor among the plurality of processors that is executing a first task newly generates a second task, whether or not a second processor taking the "idle" state exists among the plurality of processors; assigning the second task, if a second processor taking the "idle" state is detected, to the second processor, so as to begin execution of the second task by the second processor, change the state of the second processor from the "idle" state to the "run" state, and store a flag having a first value indicating that the execution of the first task has not been suspended; and suspending, if no second processor taking the "idle" state is detected, the execution of the first task by the first processor, beginning execution of the second task by the first process

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for manufacturing an elongated metallic member (1) having at least one thickened wall area defined at a portion thereof. That portion of the elongated metallic member (1) is heated to a plasticizable temperature to form a heated area (5) while the latter is moved along the metallic member (1) and, at the same time, axially inwardly compressed to allow upsetting at the heated area (5), to thereby form a thickened wall area. A trailing portion (1a) of the thickened wall area of the elongated metallic member (1) immediately after the heated area (5) is cooled.

Abstract: An optical modulation method operable in an optical transmission path using an optical fiber, wherein an optical fiber bending region is formed by bending a portion of the optical fiber into a U shape having a predetermined bending width. A bending width set point is set in correspondence with a predetermined inclined portion of a characteristic curve representing a dependency ratio of insertion loss of light propagating in said optical fiber bending region relative to the bending width thereof, said predetermined inclined portion of said characteristic curve being located between a predetermined maximum and minimum portion thereof. Intensity modulation of light propagating in the optical fiber is performed using a signal to be transmitted by adjusting the bending width of the optical fiber bending region in correspondence with the signal to be transmitted with reference to the bending width set point as a center.

Abstract: An optical modulation method operable in an optical transmission path using an optical fiber, wherein an optical fiber bending region is formed by bending a portion of the optical fiber into a U shape having a predetermined bending width. A bending width set point is set in correspondence with a predetermined inclined portion of a characteristic curve representing a dependency ratio of insertion loss of light propagating in said optical fiber bending region relative to the bending width thereof, said predetermined inclined portion of said characteristic curve being located between a predetermined maximum and minimum portion thereof. Intensity modulation of light propagating in the optical fiber is performed using a signal to be transmitted by adjusting the bending width of the optical fiber bending region in correspondence with the signal to be transmitted with reference to the bending width set point as a center.

Abstract: A paper feed preparatory is provided for connecting the end of a web of paper drawn out from a paper roll mounted in a paper supply unit to a plate-shaped leader adapted to be moved from the paper supply unit along one side of a paper feed path. It includes a suction conveyor for attracting and feeding the web of paper in one direction, and a paper cutter adapted to move transversely of the web of paper while the paper is being fed longitudinally to cut it obliquely. A tape applicator is provided over the belt conveyor so as to be movable toward and away from the top of the suction conveyor. It has a tape reel carrying a roll of adhesive tape and a presser member for sticking the end of the adhesive tape to the end of the paper along one side thereof with the leader sandwiched therebetween to connect them together.

Abstract: In order to accurately conduct a leakage test in a short time, an initial pressure higher than a test pressure is first supplied into a hollow object to be tested. Then, part of the pressure within the object is relieved to decrease the temperature within the object to the ambient temperature so that the pressure within the object can be stabilized at the test pressure. Then, a variation in the pressure within the object is detected to determine whether there is any leakage in the object. In the case where a negative pressure is utilized, an initial pressure lower than the test pressure is first supplied into the object, and then part of the pressure within the object is relieved by introducing the ambient air into the object, to increase the temperature within the object to the ambient temperature so that the pressure within the object can be stabilized at the test pressure. Then, a variation in the pressure within the object is detected to determine whether there is any leakage in the object.

Abstract: A paper feed device for use with a rotary press for printing newspapers includes a plurality of guide rails connected together so as to extend along any of different paper feed paths. A linear member is inserted into the guide rail so as to be fed through guide rails extending along a predetermined paper feed path. A lever has its one end secured to one side of the linear member and is provided at its other end with a clip for detachably engaging a paper coupling adaptor holding the leading end of a web of a paper roll stored in a paper feed unit of the rotary press. The linear member is moved along the guide rails by pairs of driving and driven wheels arranged at equal intervals along the guide rails. The linear member has a length slightly larger than the distance between the adjacent pairs of wheels.

Abstract: An industrial robot provided with at least six joints and adapted to have at least six degrees of freedom, wherein rotational joints rotatable around axes extending lengthwise of the arm and bending joints swingable around perpendicular axes extending perpendicularly to the lengthwise direction of the arm, thereby enabling the position and attitude control for a wrist at the arm and the obstacle avoiding control to change height of an elbow portion at the arm so as to avoid the obstacle.

Abstract: A device and method for treating the end portion of a paper from a paper roll mounted on a paper feed unit of a paper processer. The device arranged adjacent the paper roll is moved toward the paper roll until a presser roller mounted on the device is pressed against it. A cutter assembly facing the paper roll is pushed out so that its cutter will come into contact with the periphery of the paper roll. The cutter is then slid transversely from one end of the paper roll to the other to cut several turns of paper from the paper roll as broke. The broke is rolled out to be fed downwardly over a suction body through a pair of nip rollers and taken up by a take-up mechanism. Another cutter assembly is pushed forward into contact with the central part of the paper end rolled out together with the broke and moved widthwise to make a center cut in the paper end. A cavity forming device is then pressed against the paper end right under the center cut to form a square cavity there.

Abstract: This invention provides a pulse communication method and system capable of converting a data pulse signal into a CMI code and then converting it further into a 3-level CMI signal having a positive and a negative pulse including a data signal and a clock signal for transmission so that the data signal and the clock signal are separately extracted on the reception side. The pulse communication method and system according to this invention is characterized in that the system has large speed and capacity of signal transmission, the apparatus can be constructed compact, and the condition of the transmission line can be monitored easily utilizing the fact that the average value of the 3-level CMI signals is a half of the peak value of the 3-level CMI signals. This invention is highly effective applied in the field of light pulse communication using optical fiber.

Abstract: A comparison-type air micrometer having a differential pressure transducer has first and second subbranch pipe lines extending respectively to a standard gauge and a workpiece. Due to activation of an output correction circuit connected to an amplifier for the transducer output, measurement errors can be minimized and zero adjustment becomes easy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for grouping metal ingots of predetermined shape into ingot groups each consisting of four ingots and stacking these ingot groups in tiers to form a stack. In the method and apparatus, two kinds of ingot groups of different patterns are automatically alternately stacked in tiers utilizing the movement of a conveyor conveying the ingots, so that dangerous relative sliding movement of the ingots in the stack may not occur during transportation.

Abstract: A comparison-type flux meter for works such as nozzles or the like has an output elimination circuit in co-operation with a DC amplifier receiving output of a differential pressure transducer inserted in the main pipe line. Measurement error is minimized and reading of deviation of works to standards is accurate and rapid.