Abstract: In an electronic endoscope system, a flexible scope has a solid image sensor provided at a distal end thereof, to generate image-pixel signals. A proximal end of the scope is detachably connected to a video-signal processing unit, which produces a video signal based on the image-pixel signals. A monitor reproduces an image in accordance with the video signal. A displaying-size changer changes a size of a displaying-area of the image on a screen of the monitor to another size and vice versa. A pointer-image generator generates a pointer image on the monitor screen. A pointer-image controller controls a shifting of the pointer image on the monitor screen, and includes a pointer-image-position converter that converts a position of the pointer image on the monitor screen in accordance with the size-change of the displaying-area of the image on the monitor screen, such that two positions, indicated by the pointer image on the two-sized displaying-areas, correspond to each other.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope includes a processor by which an image captured by an endoscope is displayed on a screen of a monitor. Panel switches, a central processing unit (CPU), a magneto-optic disc and a RAM are mounted in the processor. A keyboard and the monitor are connected to the processor. By operating the panel switches, operation conditions of the devices, mounted in the processor or connected to the processor, are set. The set values, which are set by the panel switches or the keyboard, are temporarily stored in the RAM. The set values stored in the RAM are recorded in the magneto-optic disc at every regular time interval. When character information displayed on the screen of the monitor is renewed by operating the keyboard, the renewed character information is recorded in the magneto-optic disc.

Abstract: Provided are a protein comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 and having prolidase activities, a prolidase gene coding for the protein, a prolidase gene comprising the nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, recombinant DNA having the gene inserted into vector DNA, and a transformant or transductant comprising the recombinant DNA, and a method for producing prolidase using the transformant or transductant.

Abstract: A video-processor in an electronic endoscope apparatus is connectable to a plurality of video-scopes. The video-processor has a memory that is capable of storing plural series of scope-data associated with a signal process, and an adjusted scope-data setter that sets manually adjusted scope-data that is modified specific scope-data in a selected series of scope-data corresponding to a selected video-scope. The video-processor also has an automatic adjustment scope-data setter that changes given scope-data that correspond to a recently connected video-scope, to automatically adjusted scope-data. The automatic adjustment scope-data setter calculates the automatically adjusted scope-data on the basis of at least one manually adjusted scope-data and at least one initial specific scope-data corresponding to the at least one manually adjusted scope-data.

Abstract: A video-scope according to the present invention has an image sensor and is selectively connectable to plural types of video-processors. The video-scope has a memory, a signal processor, a video-processor detector, and a data setter. The memory stores a series of register setting data, which is associated with signal processes for image signals, read from the image sensor, and which corresponds to the plural types video-processors. The signal processor is provided in the video-scope and processes the image signals. The video-processor detector detects the type information of the connected video-processor. Then, the data setter reads the register setting data corresponding to the detected type information from the memory, and writes the register setting data in a register provided in the signal processor. The signal processor processes the image signals in accordance with the register setting data in the register.

Abstract: In a bobbin fixing device, a collet type chuck having claw members is mounted to the upper portion of a rotary hollow shaft and a bobbin slip-off preventing member 27 which comprises a substantially U-shaped claw expansion portion having arcuate projection portions for expanding the interval between the above claw members is inserted between the claw members of the above collet type chuck to secure a bobbin to the rotary shaft without fail at the time of winding off a wire material and facilitate the exchange of the bobbin. The claw expansion portion of the bobbin slip-off preventing member is fitted in guide grooves formed in the claw members to expand the interval between the claw members so as to press the upper end portions of the bobbin and rotatably hold the bobbin when the bobbin is to be mounted and holding force is not applied to the bobbin by taking out the bobbin slip-off preventing member when the bobbin is to be exchanged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking the use of a distributable software application uses two identification codes and a tracking assistant to monitor the operation and distribution of the software application. A first code is preferably a downloaded identification code created when the user accesses a web server. The first identification code and other registration data is stored in a database coupled to the web server. A second unique installation code is automatically created when the software application is installed in the user's computer. Subsequent installations of the application using the same first code results in a different installation code. The tracking assistant module automatically transmits both codes to a database via a network (Internet) according to a predetermined schedule. One embodiment of the tracking assistant also collects other data on the use of the application, such as frequency of use or features commonly used, and transmits it along with the two codes as tracking data.

Abstract: A thermal spraying system for a cylinder, in which a cylinder is held on a turntable; a bore inside surface of said cylinder is subjected to thermal spraying by moving a thermal spraying gun in the axial direction in the bore of said cylinder while said cylinder is rotated; a suction port of a dust discharge pipe for sucking dust in the bore of said cylinder is disposed under said cylinder to suck and discharge dust in the bore of said cylinder; and the diameter of the suction port of said dust discharge pipe is larger than the inside diameter of the bore of said cylinder.

Abstract: In an electronic endoscope, a flexible scope has an image sensor provided at a distal end thereof. A video-signal processing unit, to which a proximal end of the flexible scope is connected, processes image signals read from the sensor. A light source is provided in the unit, and light, emitted from the light source, is guided through the scope and radiates from the distal end. An aperture-stop is associated with the source that regulates the radiation of light from the distal end. An aperture-stop is controlled in accordance with the luminance-signal-histogram, such that an image having a constant luminance level is reproduced in accordance with the processed image signals. When a localized halation occurs on the reproduced image, the aperture-stop is controlled such that the radiation of light from the distal end is forcibly decreased, thereby avoiding the occurrence of the localized halation.

Abstract: A mixed powder thermal spraying method includes forming a mixed thermal spraying film comprising two kinds of materials having different melting points wherein powder-feeding points are provided for each material; and each powder-feeding port is controlled respectively to externally feed each material, and wherein the thermal powder spraying method is bore thermal spraying carried out with a bent plasma jet.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope system includes an electronic endoscope and a processor to which the electronic endoscope is connectable. The processor includes a signal processor for displaying the images captured by the electronic endoscope, while adjusting the color balance thereof, and a memory holding an endoscope database. The processor further includes a CPU that retrieves endoscopic information from a memory of the electronic endoscope, which includes compensation data for white balance adjustment of the processor. The CPU registers the electronic endoscope with the endoscope database by storing the retrieved endoscopic information into the endoscope database when the white balance readjustment of the processor is required.

Abstract: A component of a catalyst for polymerizing an olefin, comprises: a carrier containing an inorganic oxide selected from silica, alumina, zirconia and titania and having a crushing strength of 0.5 to 25 MPa; and at least one member selected from oxides or hydroxides of metals of the groups 2, 3, 4, 13 and 14 in the periodic table, the metals being different from the metal constituting the inorganic oxide in the carrier, wherein the at least one member is supported on the surface of the carrier, so as to provide a novel catalyst component suitable for particle polymerization of an olefin and enabling to easily change molecular weight distribution of the resultant polymer.

Abstract: An olefin polymerization catalyst comprising the following components (A) and (B): Component (A): an ion-exchange layered silicate having an acid site of at most −8.2 pKa, the amount of the acid site is equivalent to at least 0.05 mmol/g of 2,6-dimethylpyridine consumed for neutralization; and Component (B): a compound of a transition metal belonging to Group 3 to Group 12 of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: A device for controlling an amount of light of a lighting unit for use in an endoscope that is used to view an image of an object. A light shielding system shields light generated by a light source and transmitted to the endoscope and a stepping motor drives the light shielding system for a plurality of predetermined time intervals. A system detects a brightness of the image during each of the plurality of predetermined time intervals and an input system inputs one of a plurality of desired brightnesses of the image. A generating system generates a predetermined number of pulses during each of the plurality of predetermined time intervals, the predetermined number of pulses being transmitted to the stepping motor and a system determines an angular position of the light shielding system.

Abstract: An endoscope system including a database and a database managing device is disclosed. The database is configured to store a plurality of pieces of endoscope data. Each piece of the endoscope data corresponds to a different endoscope and is associated with ownership information indicating a term for which the corresponding endoscope is allowed to be utilized. The database managing device selects the piece of endoscope data to be replaced based on the ownership information. The ownership information includes information on whether the corresponding endoscope is purchased or not The database managing device selects and replaces the piece of endoscope data related to the endoscope that is not purchased in preference to purchased endoscope data.

Abstract: An endoscope system is provided that includes a processor connectable to various endoscopes to process signals generated by the endoscope being connected. The processor further includes a database, a data selector and a data register. The database is configured to be registered a plurality of pieces of endoscope data, each of which being related to different one of the endoscopes connectable to the connector. Each piece of the endoscope data includes priority information indicating the priority of deleting the piece of endoscope data. The data selector selects one piece of the endoscope data based on the priority information. The data register registers a new endoscope with the database by replacing the selected piece of endoscope data with the piece of endoscope data of the new endoscope.

Abstract: A direct-current power-supply apparatus provided by the present invention comprises a switching converter for converting an input direct-current power into another direct-current power, a control circuit and an isolation means. The switching converter has a main switch device for generating a pulse voltage from the direct-current input, a synchronous-rectification circuit on the output side of the switching converter and a reverse-current-blocking switch. On the other hand, the control circuit includes a PWM formation unit for driving the main switch device, a synchronous-rectification control unit for controlling an operation to drive the synchronous-rectification circuit and a driving control unit for controlling an operation to drive the reverse-current-blocking switch. The control circuit operates by using a common electric potential appearing on the output side of the switching converter as a reference electric potential. A driving signal is applied to the main switch device through the isolation means.

Abstract: Electronic endoscope includes a video-scope, video-processor, a light source, a luminance value calculator, a stop, a motor, a drive-amount setter, a stop-controller, and a drive-amount determiner. The luminance value calculator successively calculates a luminance value indicating brightness of the object image, on the basis of image-pixel signals. The drive-amount setter sets a target drive-amount of the stop, to make the brightness of the object image constant, on the basis of the luminance value. The stop-controller adjusts the quantity of light radiating from the distal end of the video-scope by controlling the stop in accordance with the target drive-amount at regular time-intervals, whereby the stop opens and closes such that the brightness of the object image at constant level. The drive-amount determiner determines whether the target drive-amount exceeds a tolerable drive-amount.

Abstract: A process for producing a magnetic tape is provided, in which a web is extended in the width direction immediately before it is cut by a slitter when the web is supplied to the slitter to be cut into several magnetic tapes. The extension of the web is performed by an extension roller apparatus comprises a backup roller for rolling the web and a pair of horizontally disposed extension rollers which elastically push the web WB at portions near both sides thereof to allow the web for extending in the width direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the preparation of an iron nitride thin film by which an iron nitride thin film having a high growth rate can be epitaxially grown under atmospheric pressure without using any expensive vacuum system or raw materials, and an iron nitride thin film prepared by this method. This method for the preparation of an iron nitride thin film comprises the steps of vaporizing an iron halide used as a raw material 51 for the preparation of a thin film and reacting the resulting iron halide gas with a nitrogen source gas 7 containing nitrogen to produce an iron nitride gas; and preparing an epitaxial film of iron nitride 63 on a substrate 61 by allowing the iron halide gas to become adsorbed on the substrate 61 under atmospheric pressure and grow epitaxially thereon.