Abstract: A neuron unit processes a plurality of input signals and outputs an output signal which is indicative of a result of the processing. The neuron unit includes input lines for receiving the input signals, a forward process part including a supplying part for supplying weight functions and an operation part for carrying out an operation on each of the input signals using one of the weight functions and for outputting the output signal, and a self-learning part including a generating part for generating new weight functions based on an error signal representing an error between the output signal of the forward process part and a teaching signal and a varying part for varying the weight functions supplied by the supplying part of the forward process part to the new weight functions generated by the generating part. The error signal includes first and second error signal components representing pulse densities.

Abstract: An endoscope cover with a channel covers at least an inserted portion of an endoscope. The endoscope cover has a treatment tool channel into which a treatment tool is inserted and incorporates a treatment tool raising device for moving, to a predetermined position, the treatment tool inserted into the treatment tool channel and protruding from a distal end portion of the treatment tool channel. The endoscope cover includes an endoscope operating portion fixing port portion provided at a proximal end portion of an inserted portion covering portion which covers the inserted portion of the endoscope. The port portion fixes an operating portion of the endoscope inserted into the inserted portion covering portion. A treatment tool raising device operating member connected to the treatment tool raising device for operating the treatment tool raising device is disposed in the endoscope operating portion fixing port portion.

Abstract: A neuron unit processes a plurality of input signals and outputs an output signal which is indicative of a result of the processing. The neuron unit includes input lines for receiving the input signals, a forward process part including a supplying part for supplying weight functions and an operation part for carrying out an operation on each of the input signals using one of the weight functions and for outputting the output signal, and a self-learning part including a generating part for generating new weight functions based on errors between the output signal of the forward process part and teaching signals and a varying part for varying the weight functions supplied by the supplying part of the forward process part to the new weight functions generated by the generating part.

Abstract: A neuron unit processes a plurality of input signals and for outputs an output signal which is indicative of a result of the processing, and includes input lines for receiving the input signals, a forward process part including a supplying part for supplying weight functions and an operation part for carrying out an operation on each of the input signals using one of the weight functions and for outputting the output signal, and a self-learning part including a function generating part for generating new weight functions based on errors between the output signal of the forward process part and teaching signals and a varying part for varying the weight functions supplied by the supplying part of the forward process part to the new weight functions generated by the generating part. The supplying part includes a memory for storing each weight function in the form of a binary value, and a generating circuit for generating a random pulse train based on each binary value stored in the memory.

Abstract: A neuron unit processes a plurality of input signals and outputs an output signal which is indicative of a result of the processing. The neuron unit includes input lines for receiving the input signals, a forward process part including a supplying part for supplying weight functions and an operation part for carrying out an operation on each of the input signals using one of the weight functions and for outputting the output signal, and a self-learning part including a generating part for generating new weight functions based on errors between the output signal of the forward process part and teaching signals and a varying part for varying the weight functions supplied by the supplying part of the forward process part to the new weight functions generated by the generating part.

Abstract: An endoscope having a solid-state image pickup device in the distal end of the insert portion of the endoscope, the central axis of the solid-state image pickup device being apart from the central axis of the insert portion. Signal lines connected to the solid-state image pickup device are directed slantingly from the solid-state image pickup device toward the central axis of the insert portion of the endoscope. Thus, the diameter of the bending portion can be reduced without the interference of the signal lines with members contained in the peripheral area of the bending portion of the endoscope.

Abstract: A multi-nozzle ink-jet printer includes a printhead for ejecting a plurality of ink droplets substantially at the same time in parallel, a charging electrode for charging ink droplets selectively, a pair of deflector electrodes for forming a deflecting electric field therebetween and a gutter for collecting those ink droplets which have not been sufficiently deflected to be used for printing. The gutter may be used as a detector electrode, in which case the gutter is connected to a velocity measuring circuit for measuring an average velocity of ink droplets. One or more separate detector electrodes may be provided for detecting charge carried by the ink droplets for measuring an average velocity of the ink droplets.

Abstract: A device for detecting viscosity of a liquid which varies with time includes a first tank provided with an overflow section for maintaining a predetermined liquid height, and a second tank fluidly communicated to the first tank and provided with a restricted outlet, or orifice. While a liquid is circulated through the two tanks by a pump, a height sensor which is dipped in the liquid in the second tank senses a liquid height in the tank in terms of capacitance. The output of the height sensor is representative of a viscosity of the liquid.

Abstract: In multi-nozzle ink jet printing for divisional-printing or color-printing information on a single paper with ink of a same color or of different colors ejected from a plurality of nozzles which are mounted on a carriage, a unique method is provided for the prevention of unregistered printing of an image due to positional deviation between the ink issuing from the respective nozzles with respect to a direction of movement of the carriage. A difference in position between ink drops from the respective nozzles with respect to the direction of carriage movement is detected so as to determine the timings for starting printing with the ink from the respective nozzles based on the detected difference.

Abstract: A pump furnished with an electrostrictive vibrator which pressurizes ink to be supplied to a head of an ink jet printer. The electrostrictive vibrator is adhered at one end to a diaphragm which closes an ink pressurization chamber, so that the vibrator vibrates integrally with the diaphragm perpendicularly to a plane in which it is adhered to the diaphragm, thereby varying the volume of the pressurization chamber. A vibrator drive signal supply circuit is installed in the pump which includes a time constant generation circuit adapted to apply a time constant to the waveform of a drive signal applied to the vibrator at the time of buildups and falls of the drive signal.

Abstract: The velocity of flying charged ink drops is detected and the ink pressure is so controlled as to make the ink velocity coincide with a predetermined target velocity. A gutter for catching non-printing ink drops is made of a conductive material, while a charge detector circuit is connected to the gutter to generate a signal indicative of a potential change corresponding to impingement of a charged ink drop on the gutter, thereby detecting the flight of a charged ink drop. The pump pressure is varied in response to a difference between the actual and target velocities so that the ink pressure or velocity is adjusted in arithmetic progression reducing a time period required for the actual velocity to converge to the target.

Abstract: A new nozzle structure is disclosed for an ink ejection head of an electric field on-demand type ink jet printer. A plurality of circular nozzles and first electrodes integral with the nozzles are arranged along the widthwise direction (X direction) and feed direction (Y direction) of a sheet of paper. A plurality of lead terminals are individually connected to the arrays of the first electrodes each of which extends in the Y direction. Second electrodes are located at the rear of the first electrodes and individually connected to the arrays of the first electrode each of which extends in the X direction. A third or counter electrode is positioned in front of the first electrodes and at the back of the sheet. Each of the second electrodes is mounted on a nozzle plate or a nozzle support.

Abstract: An on-demand type ink jet printing apparatus which prints out data in various forms such as characters and numerals by the combination of dots formed by ink droplets on a sheet of paper. An ink ejection head of the printer includes control electrodes disposed in at least one ink passageway. Ink droplets are formed and caused to fly by electric fields developed in the vicinity of the control electrodes when voltages are applied thereacross. Multiport ink ejection is achieved by the provision of a plurality of ink passageways in the head. The voltage supply to the control electrodes is controllable so that ink droplets may be formed and caused into flight in response to print signals.A channel defining each ink passageway can be shaped easily yet with accuracy utilizing an etching characteristic particular to a specific crystal face.A plurality of acceleration electrodes may be employed to promote desirable flight of ink droplets.

Abstract: An ink ejection head including a nozzle holding member having an ink ejection nozzle threadably connected to a forward end portion of a liquid chamber structure. The ink ejection heads further includes a sealing member, such as a packing or an O-ring, located inwardly of a threaded connection as viewed from a liquid chamber in the liquid chamber structure. Introduction of dust or grit through the threaded connection into the liquid chamber can be effectively avoided by this arrangement, to thereby prevent obturation of the ink ejection nozzle.

Abstract: A printed dot size is varied by varying a frequency of pressure oscillation applied by a vibratory (18) to ink in an ink ejection head (17), the vibration causing the ink to be ejected from the head (17) and separate into droplets. The variation in ink drop size enables variation of the printed image size by varying an amount of electrostatic deflection of the ink jet and a carriage speed by corresponding amounts.

Abstract: An electrostatic type ink-jet recording method wherein ink drops issuing from a nozzle are never placed adjacent one another in the direction of the deflection. According to one embodiment of the present invention, when a number of n contiguous ink dots are to be formed in each column in the direction of the deflection by deflecting the charged ink drops at a rate of a number of n ink drops per deflection interval, a number of n ink dots are divided into a number of m groups (where m<n) each consisting of a number of n/m ink dots spaced apart from each other by a distance nearly equal to m times the diameter of the ink dots, and in response to a print signal a first group of ink dots are formed in one deflection interval, next a second group are formed in the one deflection interval, and so on until a m-th group are formed, whereby the merging and bouncing apart of charged ink drops may be avoided.

Abstract: When a multiple-ink-jet printer or plotter prints one array of ink dots by one printing cycle or scan, the spacing between the lowermost row or the leftmost column of one array of ink dots printed previously and the uppermost row or the rightmost column of the adjacent array of ink dots printed next becomes too wide or too short, thus leaving a blank row or column or a black line segment due to the overlapping of the ink dots. In order to overcome this problem, the outermost rows or columns of the adjacent ink dot arrays are overlapped in such a way that the ink dots printed by the previous printing cycle or scan are interlaced with the ink dots printed by the next printing cycle or scan, whereby the boundaries between the adjacent ink dot arrays may be rendered less noticeable.