Abstract: In a communication system, a call center is connectable via a communication line to a facsimile apparatus having a printing function. The facsimile apparatus reads ribbon-ID data of an ink ribbon mounted therein, and sends the read ribbon-ID data to the center device. The call center receives the ribbon-ID data from the facsimile apparatus, judges whether or not the ribbon-ID data is valid, and returns a result of the judgment to the facsimile apparatus.

Abstract: In a communication system, a call center is connectable via a communication line to a facsimile apparatus having a printing function. The facsimile apparatus reads ribbon-ID data of an ink ribbon mounted therein, and sends the read ribbon-ID data to the center device. The call center receives the ribbon-ID data from the facsimile apparatus, judges whether or not the ribbon-ID data is valid, and returns a result of the judgment to the facsimile apparatus.

Abstract: There are disclosed an imidazole derivative represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group, provided that both of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 do not represent an alkyl group at the same time, or may be combined with each other to form a group .dbd.CHR.sup.4, where R.sup.4 represents a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group; when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group, R.sup.3 represents a C.sub.1-12 alkyl group, a C.sub.1-12 alkenyl group, a phenylalkyl group, a phenylalkenyl group, a phenoxyalkyl group or a phenoxyalkenyl group; and when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent a group .dbd.CHR.sup.4, R.sup.3 represents a C.sub.4-10 alkyl group, a C.sub.4-10 alkenyl group or a phenylalkyl group;a method for preparing the same and a fungicide containing the same as an active ingredient and a fungicidally acceptable carrier.

Abstract: There are disclosed an azolidine derivative represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an alkoxyalkyl group, an alkenyloxyalkyl group, an alkylthioalkyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, a furyl group or a thienyl group, or a phenylalkyl group, a phenoxyalkyl group, a phenylthioalkyl group, a phenylalkyloxyalkyl group, a pyridyloxyalkyl group, a phenoxyphenoxyalkyl group, a benzyloxyphenoxyalkyl group or a pyridyloxyphenoxyalkyl group, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be combined with each other with carbon atoms bonded thereto to form a group represented by the formula: ##STR2## where R.sup.6 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R.sup.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a controlled release preparation, which comprises:mixing a resin with a carrier;impregnating the resulting mixture with a drug; andapplying pressure to the mixture to form a solid.The controlled release preparation according to this invention can securely and stably release a drug for a desired period of time.

Abstract: Thiophene derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein X, Y and Z are as herein defined, said compounds being useful as fungicides, are described.