Abstract: A radiation image reading apparatus using a storage phosphor plate as a radiation image record is disclosd which includes a light beam scanning device, detection device and control device. The light beam scanning device generates a laser beam and scans the phosphor plate with the laser beam. The detection device detects a phosphor light from the phosphor plate generated by the irradiation of the laser beam and outputs an electrical image signal corresponding to the image information recorded at each of the pixels of the plate. The control device includes an optical shutter which is controlled so that the light beam from the scanning device is provided to generate only one beam spot for each of the pixels of the plate.

Abstract: A radiation image reading apparatus is described which is adapted to read out a radiation image from a storage phosphor plate by scanning an excitation light on the plate and detecting phosphor light caused by the scanning of the excitation light. In the apparatus, the excitation light is emitted onto each of the pixels of the plate from a plurality of laser beam sources, so that the combined total beam spots on the pixel has a sharp light intensity rising characteristics so that the image information stored on the neighboring pixels is hardly affected.

Abstract: A method of reading bar codes which enables incomplete readings of bar code data produced by excessive misalignment between the bar code and the bar code scanning line to be assembled automatically into a complete reading of the bar code data. This is done by combining incomplete data obtained by multiple passes of the read scanner, using a superimposition technique.

Abstract: A method of transferring an image to a receiver in a thermal transfer printer including a printing head having a plurality of heating elements for effecting one-line printing by selectively driving the heating elements on the basis of transfer data. While a recording medium is moved with respect to the heating elements during the one-line printing period, the printing based on the same one-line transfer data is effected by driving each heating element the same consecutive number of times in a plurality of different positions within the width of one-line pitch.

Abstract: A thermal print head driver circuit which turns on and off each heating resistor at times uniformly distributed about the center (halfway) of the time to print a line (pixel interval).

Abstract: A thermal recording apparatus is provided with a recording head and a sheet of recording paper shiftable relative to each other in a direction parallel to a row of heating elements through a distance which is smaller than the pitch of the heating elements, whereby the transfer process which has in the past been completed in one step is carried out in a multiplicity of steps. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain an image of higher density than can be obtained in the prior art.

Abstract: A color thermal printing system is disclosed which includes a color correcting unit having image data color correcting apparatus for each image data source and a dye film color correcting apparatus for dye films used in a thermal printer, such that the unit converts the corrected image data R, G and B into image data C, M and Y respectively.

Abstract: A sheet securing mechanism which has upper and lower members. Pins are formed on the upper members. A magnetic actuator when excited in one condition provides a magnetic force that causes the upper member to move to a closed sheet securing state where the pins are pressed into a sheet.

Abstract: In a carrier for a catalyst for purifying exhaust gas, a honeycomb is formed by coiling a corrugated sheet and a flat sheet together, and is mounted in an outer cylinder. An Al (alloy)-clad foil or hot-dip Al (alloy) galvanized foil is used to form the honeycomb, which is heat treated in a vacuum or a reducing atmosphere to simultaneously bond the corrugated sheet and flat sheet together and also bond the honeycomb to the outer cylinder, and to diffuse Al into the foil.