Abstract: A screening system provided with a potential-dependent Na ion channel that extends the duration of the action potential associated with depolarization, and a K ion channel that deepens the resting membrane potential in the negative direction, said screening system furthermore including cells provided with ion channels that contribute to deepening the resting membrane potential in the negative direction and/or shortening the duration of the action potential as target ion channels. By such cells, the action of a test compound on the target ion channel can be easily evaluated by providing an inhibitor for the K ion channel to control the probability of cell death.

Abstract: A screening system provided with a potential-dependent Na ion channel that extends the duration of the action potential associated with depolarization, and a K ion channel that deepens the resting membrane potential in the negative direction, said screening system furthermore including cells provided with ion channels that contribute to deepening the resting membrane potential in the negative direction and/or shortening the duration of the action potential as target ion channels. By such cells, the action of a test compound on the target ion channel can be easily evaluated by providing an inhibitor for the K ion channel to control the probability of cell death.

Abstract: A cutter blade moving mechanism moves a cutter blade to a forward position by a low output drive motor without an urging member urging the cutter blade to the forward position where media is cut. The first cutter blade moving mechanism has a drive gear that moves the first cutter blade forward and back; a drive motor; and a compound gear to which rotation of the drive motor is transferred. The intermittent teeth part of the compound gear meshes with a transfer gear after turning the compound gear is started by drive power from the drive motor, completing a rotation transfer path. Because there is a delay between when driving the drive motor starts and when the path transferring rotation from the drive motor to the drive gear is completed, rotational kinetic energy is stored in the compound gear during this delay. The transfer gear can therefore be turned with greater drive power (rotational kinetic energy) when the compound gear and transfer gear mesh.

Abstract: A cutter blade moving mechanism moves a cutter blade to a forward position by a low output drive motor without an urging member urging the cutter blade to the forward position where media is cut. The first cutter blade moving mechanism has a drive gear that moves the first cutter blade forward and back; a drive motor; and a compound gear to which rotation of the drive motor is transferred. The intermittent teeth part of the compound gear meshes with a transfer gear after turning the compound gear is started by drive power from the drive motor, completing a rotation transfer path. Because there is a delay between when driving the drive motor starts and when the path transferring rotation from the drive motor to the drive gear is completed, rotational kinetic energy is stored in the compound gear during this delay. The transfer gear can therefore be turned with greater drive power (rotational kinetic energy) when the compound gear and transfer gear mesh.

Abstract: A printer has a pair of frame panels that support the ends of a carriage guide shaft, a carriage that carries a print head, a carriage drive motor, and first and second pulleys on which a belt connected to the carriage is mounted. The first and second pulleys limit the range of bidirectional carriage movement so that the maximum width of carriage movement is substantially equal to the width between the pair of frame panels. A tube that carries ink to the print head is disposed curving in a U-shape in the direction of the width between the pair of frame panels. The carriage drive motor is disposed in the space in which the tube is located in the space on the opposite side as the direction in which the tube curves, and the drive shaft of the carriage drive motor is perpendicular to the scanning plane of the carriage.

Abstract: A printer has a pair of frame panels that support the ends of a carriage guide shaft, a carriage that carries a print head, a carriage drive motor, and first and second pulleys on which a belt connected to the carriage is mounted. The first and second pulleys limit the range of bidirectional carriage movement so that the maximum width of carriage movement is substantially equal to the width between the pair of frame panels. A tube that carries ink to the print head is disposed curving in a U-shape in the direction of the width between the pair of frame panels. The carriage drive motor is disposed in the space in which the tube is located in the space on the opposite side as the direction in which the tube curves, and the drive shaft of the carriage drive motor is perpendicular to the scanning plane of the carriage.

Abstract: A printer has a pair of frame panels that support the ends of a carriage guide shaft, a carriage that carries a print head, a carriage drive motor, and first and second pulleys on which a belt connected to the carriage is mounted. The first and second pulleys limit the range of bidirectional carriage movement so that the maximum width of carriage movement is substantially equal to the width between the pair of frame panels. A tube that carries ink to the print head is disposed curving in a U-shape in the direction of the width between the pair of frame panels. The carriage drive motor is disposed in the space in which the tube is located in the space on the opposite side as the direction in which the tube curves, and the drive shaft of the carriage drive motor is perpendicular to the scanning plane of the carriage.

Abstract: A printer has an ASF connection/disconnection sensor 18a as a sheet feeding device detector which detects if an ASF 60 is installed to the main printer unit 1, a roll paper holder connection sensor 38 as a roll paper holder detector which detects if a roll paper holder 40 is installed to the main printer unit 1, and a control circuit board 35 which controls operation of the main printer unit 1 according to the detection status of the ASF connection/disconnection sensor 18a and roll paper holder connection sensor 38.

Abstract: A card slot apparatus of a card and an electronic machine includes a slot body having a slot in which a card is inserted, and a heat radiating unit movable between a first position spaced apart from the card and a second position contacting the card. A moving unit moves the heat radiating unit to the second position while moving in an opposite direction to an inserting direction of the card in combination with an inserting operation of the card into the slot body. An elastic unit elastically urges the moving unit in a moving direction thereof. The heat radiating unit includes a heat sink, and an elastic member to press the heat sink when the heat sink is moved to the second position. The elastic unit elastically urges the moving unit in the moving direction thereof when the heat sink is moved to the second position.

Abstract: A printer has an ASF connection/disconnection sensor 18a as a sheet feeding device detector which detects if an ASF 60 is installed to the main printer unit 1, a roll paper holder connection sensor 38 as a roll paper holder detector which detects if a roll paper holder 40 is installed to the main printer unit 1, and a control circuit board 35 which controls operation of the main printer unit 1 according to the detection status of the ASF connection/disconnection sensor 18a and roll paper holder connection sensor 38.

Abstract: A card slot apparatus having a simplified structure capable of reducing resistances in inserting and ejecting operations of a card and an electronic machine having the same. The card slot apparatus includes a slot body having a slot in which a card is inserted, and a heat radiating unit movable between a first position spaced apart from the card and a second position contacting the card. A moving unit moves the heat radiating unit to the second position while moving in an opposite direction to an inserting direction of the card in combination with an inserting operation of the card into the slot body. An elastic unit elastically urges the moving unit in a moving direction thereof. The heat radiating unit includes a heat sink, and an elastic member to press the heat sink when the heat sink is moved to the second position. The elastic unit elastically urges the moving unit in the moving direction thereof when the heat sink is moved to the second position.

Abstract: A printer having a main printer unit 1 an image recording unit 3 and a base unit 2. The image recording unit 3 includes a carriage 25 having an ink head for discharging ink to paper and a guide shaft 26 for slidably guiding the carriage 25. The base unit 2 is disposed opposite the image recording unit 3 and supports the image recording unit 3.

Abstract: A PC card connector assembly which is capable of performing highly secure card connections, enables simultaneous use of a smart card, and is interchangeable with existing PC card connector assemblies. The PC card connector assembly includes an insulative housing having an opening, which is of dimensions that enable insertion of a plurality of PC cards. A planar smart card connecting unit partitions the opening in the vertical direction to form first and second cavities. The first cavity is designated as a PC card cavity, and the second cavity is designated as a smart card cavity. A plurality of first contacts are provided in the smart card connecting unit, for electrically contacting electrodes of the smart card received within the second cavity, while connected to second contacts.

Abstract: A printer has an ASF connection/disconnection sensor 18a as a sheet feeding device detector which detects if an ASF 60 is installed to the main printer unit 1, a roll paper holder connection sensor 38 as a roll paper holder detector which detects if a roll paper holder 40 is installed to the main printer unit 1, and a control circuit board 35 which controls operation of the main printer unit 1 according to the detection status of the ASF connection/disconnection sensor 18a and roll paper holder connection sensor 38.

Abstract: A printer having a main printer unit 1 an image recording unit 3 and a base unit 2. The image recording unit 3 includes a carriage 25 having an ink head for discharging ink to paper and a guide shaft 26 for slidably guiding the carriage 25. The base unit 2 is disposed opposite the image recording unit 3 and supports the image recording unit 3.

Abstract: A PC card connector assembly which is capable of performing highly secure card connections, enables simultaneous use of a smart card, and is interchangeable with existing PC card connector assemblies. The PC card connector assembly includes an insulative housing having an opening, which is of dimensions that enable insertion of a plurality of PC cards. A planar smart card connecting unit partitions the opening in the vertical direction to form first and second cavities. The first cavity is designated as a PC card cavity, and the second cavity is designated as a smart card cavity. A plurality of first contacts are provided in the smart card connecting unit, for electrically contacting electrodes of the smart card received within the second cavity, while connected to second contacts.

Abstract: In a pump driver for selectively driving a plurality of pumps, a sun gear is rotated by a single drive source. A planetary gear is meshed with the sun gear. A planetary carrier rotatably supports the planetary gear revolvably around the sun gear. A plurality of driving gears are arranged in a one-by-one manner with respect to the pumps such that the planetary gear meshes with one of the driving gears to selectively drive one of the pumps. A revolution limiter allows a revolution of the planetary gear in a first direction and restricts a revolution of the planetary gear in a second direction opposite to the first direction at a position where the planetary gear meshes with one of the driving gears.

Abstract: In a pump driver for selectively driving a plurality of pumps, a sun gear is rotated by a single drive source. A planetary gear is meshed with the sun gear. A planetary carrier rotatably supports the planetary gear revolvably around the sun gear. A plurality of driving gears are arranged in a one-by-one manner with respect to the pumps such that the planetary gear meshes with one of the driving gears to selectively drive one of the pumps. A revolution limiter allows a revolution of the planetary gear in a first direction and restricts a revolution of the planetary gear in a second direction opposite to the first direction at a position where the planetary gear meshes with one of the driving gears.

Abstract: A winding shaft, for use in a printer allows a wound recording paper to be easily removed therefrom. The winding shaft includes a shaft main body, a winding portion and a support-removing member. The winding portion, which sandwiches the shaft main body, winds the recording paper therearound. The shaft main body includes a pair of support-removing members, which respectively project from the shaft main body. The two support-removing members are respectively supported on the two side portions of the shaft main body in such a manner that they can be freely rotated about their respective support shafts. A tension-coiled spring is bridgingly disposed between the two support-removing members, so that the two support-removing members remain in standing positions when no external force is applied to them.