Abstract: A method for producing a hologram recording an interference fringe formed by an object light and a reference light on a photosensitive dry plate, and the object light either having diffusing and scattering characteristics or being passed through an optical diffusion body, mainly includes the following steps: In a first step, a ratio &eegr;RO/&eegr;OO of a first diffraction efficiency &eegr;OO and a second diffraction efficiency &eegr;RO, is calculated. The diffraction efficiency &eegr;OO is dependent on two object light beams. The efficiency &eegr;RO is dependent on the object light and the reference light. In a second step, the intensity EO of the object light and the intensity ER of the reference light is adjusted in such a way that the ratio &eegr;RO/&eegr;OO is set to at least 10 and the efficiency &eegr;OO does not exceed 5%.

Abstract: A scanner includes a single scanning element such as a holographic disc or a polygon mirror and an illumination system that provides a plurality of input beams that are directed to different areas on the scanning element. In one embodiment, a light source provides a single beam that is alternately directed to a first area and a second area. While an input beam is incident on the first area, a first scan line forms. While an input beam is incident on the second area, a second scan line forms. Duty-cycle and energy efficiency of this embodiment are high because the beam from the source is switched from one area to the other during dead time when a scan beam would not otherwise have been directed to the desired scan aperture. Separate scan lines are automatically synchronized since they originate from the same source. Thus, alignment of multiple scan lines to form an extended scan line is simplified.

Abstract: A confocal scanner which synchronously rotates a first disk, having a plurality of focusing means, and a second disk, having a plurality of apertures of the same pattern as the focusing means, and scans a sample by focusing light beams passing through the focusing means and apertures; wherein the plurality of focusing means are arranged so that each border line between focusing means passes each bisected point of line segments connecting any two center points of adjacent focusing means thereby improving efficiency of light utilization.

Abstract: A screen apparatus includes a holographic optical element and a diffuser. The holographic optical element may be constructed using standard techniques known in the field of holography. The holographic optical element may be used to replace a typical Fresnel lens used in projection screen apparatuses. In operation, the holographic optical element receives image light from an image engine or projector and redirects the image light to the diffuser for scattering. The holographic optical element can be designed to substantially collimate. converge, or diverge the image light. The combination of the holographic optical element and the diffuser provides improved illumination uniformity that can be perceived by a viewer as the viewer moves in directions transverse to the screen apparatus. The screen apparatus may be designed to provide improved illumination uniformity to optimized or optimal locations in a viewing region. The screen apparatus may be advantageously employed in display apparatuses.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element, as well as an optical system incorporating the same, has a comparatively large minimum grating pitch and, hence, is easy to produce. The diffractive optical element has a diffraction grating surface and an aspherical surface formed on an identical substrate or on separate substrates. The pitch of the diffractive grating varies such that it progressively decreases radially outward from the center of the substrate and then kept constant towards the radially outer extremity of the substrate.

Abstract: A virtual image display system is provided which comprises a non-emissive, reflective microdisplay which forms a source object; an optical system which forms a magnified, virtual image of the source object from light reflected off the microdisplay; a light source system which produces light to illuminate the display system; and an illumination system which forms at least two virtual light sources to illuminate the display system.

Abstract: High-accuracy position signals are obtained by correcting nonlinear position sensitivities of two phase signals demodulated from two-phase servo information, into linear ones. A position sensitivity adjusting unit detects the signal level at the intersection of position signals N and Q having different phases by a predetermined track pitch which are demodulated from read signals of two-phase servo information buried and recorded in a disk medium and makes an adjustment of the gain of an AGC amplifier so that the intersection signal level coincides with a predetermined level. A sensitivity correcting unit corrects into linear position sensitivities the nonlinear position sensitivities approximated by sine functions or cosine functions relative to the actual track position X of the two position signals N and Q output from the AGC amplifier.

Abstract: A write head has a second pole tip layer, a coil layer and a write coil insulation layer that are planarized at their top surfaces. A thin top insulation layer insulates the top of the coil layer from a yoke portion of the second pole piece which is connected to the second pole tip layer in the pole tip region and connected to a first pole piece layer in a back gap region. In a preferred embodiment the write gap layer extends throughout the yoke region and provides the only insulation between the first pole piece layer and the coil layer. Further, it is preferred that the write coil insulation layer be an inorganic material such as silicon dioxide (SiO2). Several embodiments of the write head are provided along with novel methods of making.

Abstract: A lead routing module for interconnecting two devices in a suspension assembly. The suspension assembly including at least a suspension, a slider/head assembly, and a lead routing module. The suspension assembly may also include a microactuator. The lead routing module routes electrical signals between at least two devices in the suspension assembly such that the termination leads and/or pads of each device may be conveniently located. The suspension assembly may be used in a disk drive system, or alternatively, in a disk test system used for testing disks.

Abstract: A head suspension having a load beam and flexure both including electrical components formed integrally therewith. The load beam is formed using subtractive methods such as chemical etching to reduce the cost of forming the load beam. The flexure is formed using additive methods such a sputtering, evaporation, or photolithographic techniques to allow the electrical components to be relatively low mass and flexible. The flexure electrical components are electrically interconnected with the load beam electrical components. In this way, the head suspension is formed having reduced cost and desirable dynamic characteristics.

Abstract: A conductive structure, including an adhesion layer and a conductor in contact with the adhesion layer and having a thickness of less than six hundred Angstroms. The present invention may be used to form a capacitor, including an adhesion layer, a first conductor in contact with the adhesion layer and having a thickness of less than six hundred Angstroms, a second conductor, and a dielectric between the first and second conductors. The present invention is also directed towards structures wherein iridium or rhodium may be used in place of the combination of the adhesion layer and conductor.

Abstract: A process for producing an electrode for an electric double layer capacitor, which comprises extruding a mixture comprising a carbonaceous material, a polytetrafluoroethylene and a processing aid by paste extrusion, and rolling the obtained extruded product by rolling rolls to form it into a sheet shape.

Abstract: A portable information apparatus comprising a main body and a display unit rotatably supported by the main body. The display unit comprises a display device and a display housing made of synthetic resin. The display device has a screen. The display housing contains the display device and has first and second side portions spaced apart in a widthwise direction. A pair of support members made of metal are secured to an inner surface of the display housing. Both support members extend along the first and second side portions of the display housing, respectively, supporting the display device at the first and second side portions of the display housing.

Abstract: A low-cost EMI shield that fits around an integrated circuit package to absorb electromagnetic energy and dissipate it as heat. The shield is not ohmically conductive so it may contact electrically active conductors without affecting the operation of the circuit. EMI is prevented from being radiated by and around an integrated circuit package by a perimeter of material that is lossy to high-frequency electromagnetic currents. This perimeter is fitted around an integrated circuit package such that the gap between a heat sink or other top conductor and the printed circuit board is completely closed by the lossy material. This provides not only a line-of-sight obstruction to RF currents, but also provides a lossy return path to close the circuit loop for currents on the skin of the heat sink. Since the material is lossy, rather than purely conductive, it can be used with a less than perfect ground attachment.

Abstract: An electronic package which includes first and second circuitized substrates secured together by a solder member which includes a first contact portion for attachment to a printed circuit board and a second contact portion used to bond the two substrates together (e.g., to form a multi-chip module). Semiconductor chips can be positioned on and electrically coupled to the formed solder members.

Abstract: An electronic package which includes first and second circuitized substrates secured together by a solder member which includes a first contact portion for attachment to a printed circuit board and a second contact portion used to bond the two substrates together (e.g., to form a multi-chip module). Semiconductor chips can be positioned on and electrically coupled to the formed solder members.

Abstract: A backlight assembly is disclosed having a light pipe and at least one light source located at an edge of the light pipe. The light pipe has a back surface and a front surface opposite the back surface. The light pipe also has one or more light directing, diffusing, turning, or brightness enhancing film layers adjacent the front surface. The light pipe also has an integral surface diffuser microstructure molded, embossed, or otherwise replicated in the front surface of the light pipe.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp having a hollow body lens unit constructed by integrally forming a lamp body and a front lens which constitute a lamp chamber, a light source provided in the body lens unit, and a diffusion step such as a cylindrical step having step elements, each of which has constant directivity, the diffusion step being provided on the outer surface of the lens portion of the body lens unit. The step elements of the diffusion step on the outer surface of the lens portion are lined up in a predetermined direction and each have directivity, so that the mud and dust do not easily stick to each step element.

Abstract: In a semiconductor storage device comprising a plurality of memory cells P formed in a matrix form in a semiconductor substrate, write and read for each of which is carried out through a word line and bit line, wherein each said memory cells includes a first and a second memory transistor MT1 and MT2 connected in series. In this configuration, the semiconductor storage device with high reliability which produces abnormality in operation can be provided.

Abstract: There is produced a first internal voltage having a difference relative to a power supply voltage, the difference being substantially equal to a threshold voltage of an address selection MOSFET of a dynamic memory cell. The first voltage is supplied to a sense amplifier as an operating voltage on a high-level side thereof. There is produced a second internal voltage having a predetermined difference relative to a circuit ground potential. The second voltage is supplied to the sense amplifier as an operating voltage on a low-level side thereof. A write signal having a high level corresponding to the first internal voltage and a low level corresponding to the second internal voltage is generated by a write amplifier to be transferred to a pair of complementary data lines connected to the dynamic memory cell. A high level, e.g., the power supply voltage representing a selection level and a low level, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention is a current-mirror-based bias generator for a load less four transistor SRAM as well as associated methods of controlling or modifying the current conducted by the access transistors of such an SRAM. The present invention may be thought of as an adjustable temperature coefficient, bias generator that references, via a current mirror, a reference bank of SRAM cells. The bank of reference cells provides an indication of the necessary conduction characteristics (e.g., gate to source voltage) of the access transistors under various conditions. By applying a bias voltage to the word line the desired current is sourced from the digit line. The bank of reference SRAM cells inherently compensates for process variations. The adjustable temperature coefficient bias generator allows the current sourced by the digit lines to vary greatly as a result of temperature variations. Thus, the present invention compensates for both process variations and temperature variations.

Abstract: The present invention is a current-mirror-based bias generator for a load less four transistor SRAM as well as associated methods of controlling or modifying the current conducted by the access transistors of such an SRAM. The present invention may be thought of as an adjustable temperature coefficient, bias generator that references, via a current mirror, a reference bank of SRAM cells. The bank of reference cells provides an indication of the necessary conduction characteristics (e.g., gate to source voltage) of the access transistors under various conditions. By applying a bias voltage to the word line the desired current is sourced from the digit line. The bank of reference SRAM cells inherently compensates for process variations. The adjustable temperature coefficient bias generator allows the current sourced by the digit lines to vary greatly as a result of temperature variations. Thus, the present invention compensates for both process variations and temperature variations.

Abstract: A clock applying circuit for a synchronous memory is comprised of a clock input for receiving a clock input signal, apparatus connected to the synchronous memory for receiving a driving clock signal, and a tapped delay line for receiving the clock input signal and for delivering the clock driving signal to the synchronous memory in synchronism with but delayed from the clock input signal, the delay being a small fraction of the clock period of the clock input signal.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the production of a polyurethane mixture is described. The apparatus comprises a high-pressure mixing device provided with a mixing chamber opening onto a side of a discharge duct. An elongated cleaning member is reciprocable inside the duct and is provided with a longitudinal channel for feeding a fluidized reinforcing material, for example reinforcing fibers or a reinforcing material in powder or granulate form, to be blended with the polyurethane mixture flowing into the discharge duct. The feeding channel for the reinforcing material terminates at the front end of the cleaning member, at a point where the flow of reinforcing material impinges the polyurethane mixture which emerges from the mixing chamber under high turbulence conditions. Blowing nozzles are provided to generate air jets for repeatedly deviating the flow of blended polyurethane mixture and reinforcing material flowing out from the discharge duct.

Abstract: After emission of an acoustic pulse, having a first duration, from a given location, acoustic signals coming from the location are gathered through a multi-scattering medium on an array of transducers and recorded, for a second duration greater by at least one order of magnitude than the first duration. Return signals obtained by temporal inversion and amplification of the signals gathered during the second duration are emitted back from said transducers toward the multiscattering medium in order to focus acoustic energy to the location while providing temporal compression of the focussed acoustic energy.

Abstract: An optical reproduction method for reproducing information includes intermittently irradiating light to a moving optical medium, detecting reflected light from the moving optical medium while the light is irradiated intermittently when a moving distance of a light spot of the intermittently irradiated light on the moving optical medium is smaller than a diameter of the light spot, processing information based on the detected reflected light utilizing a differential operation, and obtaining a reproduction signal based on the differential operation.

Abstract: In a disk driving apparatus in which a disk cartridge having therein an information recording medium and a clutch on a part of the disk cartridge is inserted for reproducing or recording information on the information recording medium, the apparatus includes: a clutch provided on a part of the disk driving apparatus for engaging with the clutch on the disk cartridge to rotate the information recording medium; a moving member for interlocking with an inserting operation of the disk cartridge to move; an elastic displacement member for accumulating elastic energy caused by movement of the moving member; and a clutch engagement member for engaging the clutch on the disk cartridge with the clutch on the disk driving apparatus by the elastic displacement member in which the elastic energy is accumulated.

Abstract: A cartridge accommodating a first disc and a bare second disc can be loaded selectively along the same loading center using a first loading apparatus and a second loading apparatus. Thereby, a small size, light weight and low cost optical disc drive which can selectively reproduce the disc accommodated in the cartridge and the bare disc (CD) can be obtained.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus includes an optical head having a super resolution film formed therein. The optical head includes a laser for producing an energy beam, a lens for focusing the energy beam and a super resolution film disposed in a position on which the energy beams is focused by the lens, whereby recording and reproducing of high-density information is attained.

Abstract: The invention relates, in one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for shaping the output of cells on an output path of a data transmitting device. The data transmitting device is configured for switching the cells from a plurality of input paths to the output path to a network. In one embodiment the method includes sorting a plurality of queues, each queue including a plurality of cells associated with a communication device. The plurality of queues are arranged according to a weight and a data rate associated with each plurality of cells resulting in a plurality of sorted queues of queues. An aggregate output of cells from each sorted queue of queues is regulated based upon the data rates of the queues of the each sorted queue of queues. And, the output of the aggregate output of cells from each sorted queue of queues is regulated based upon the weights of the each sorted queue of queues, such that the scheduled output is coupled to the output path.

Abstract: A first sector cell is set as the object for measurement (S101). Reception levels in each time slot in the number of TDMA-TDD frames corresponding to the number of sector cells within the base station is measured for the object cell (S102). This measurement is performed for all the cells (S103 and S105). The results of the measurement of the reception levels of a specific sector cell are added to the results of the measurement of the reception levels of a sector cell opposite the specific sector cell, and time slots in which control channels can be placed are extracted for each sector cell (S106 to S108). TDMA-TDD frames are then allocated such that the control channels of each sector cell coincide with time slots in which control channels can be placed (S109). As a result, a control channel placement method is provided in which a TDMA-TDD mode is employed and in which control channels are placed in time slots such that a base station having a sector cell structure avoids interference from the same frequency.

Abstract: A device and process to allow remote receipt and placement of Internet Telephony connections (calls) using emulation of traditional POTS telephone service through a combination of software and a specialized cordless handset appliance. The system allows ringing and answering of inbound calls, dialing of outbound numbers, and signaling of handset status, as well as traditional telephony capabilities such as memory dialing, redial and radio channel controls. Voice control of dialing may also be implemented under software control. This system is easily adapted for operation with most PC based Internet Telephony software systems.

Abstract: Proper data is selected from a plurality of data which are multiplexed and transmitted to download the proper data. The maker and model of a receiver and the version of a control program are stored in a load section as a maker ID, a model ID, and a version ID. The section number and the total number of sections are also stored. It is checked whether the maker ID and the model ID coincide with those stored in the ROM of the receiver to check whether the version number is newer than that of the control program of the receiver. Therefore, it can be checked whether the program should be downloaded. With reference to the list of section numbers which have been downloaded, it can be found whether a program divided into a plurality of sections to be transmitted is completely downloaded. With reference to the list of section numbers and the total number of sections, the progress state of downloading can be known.

Abstract: An integrated semiconductor laser produced by forming waveguide layers each having a particular band gap and a particular layer thickness collectively and then forming an InP current blocking layer is disclosed. After an InGaAsP layer has been formed on an InP substrate, a waveguide including a multiple quantum well active layer is formed by selective MOVPE. Then, the waveguide is buried in an InP current blocking layer. In this configuration, the current blocking layer exhibits its expected function without regard to the width of SiO2 stripes used for selective metalorganic vapor phase epitaxial growth (MOVPE). The laser is feasible for high output operation and can be produced at a high yield.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus for embedding watermark data according to the frequency-domain method efficiently into video data, a video-data encoder of the invention for performing encoding of an original video data into a compressed data stream having a multi-layer structure comprises; means (101) for transforming the original video data into a sequence of processing units of frequency domain data; means (103) for embedding predetermined watermark data into at least one unit of the sequence of processing units; and means (104 and 105) for generating the compressed data stream by processing the sequence of processing units. Therefore, the data transformation of the original video data into the frequency domain data for embedding the watermark data can be performed efficiently without any additional process, by exploiting the data transformation for encoding the original video data into the compressed data stream.

Abstract: Method, system and computer program product are provided for adaptively encoding in hardware, software or a combination thereof a series of still or partially still pictures using motion video encoding. A pre-encode statistics measurement unit is employed to derive statistics on each frame of the sequence of video frames to be encoded. The statistics are determinative of whether the frame comprises a still frame. If so, at least one controllable parameter to be used to encode the still frame is modified, and an encoding engine employs the at least one controllable parameter to encode the still frame so that pulsation artifacts are prevented between still frames of the series of still frames. Partial still picture encoding to prevent pulsation artifacts on a macroblock level is also addressed.

Abstract: A data stream (DS) comprises a time multiplex of coded data (D) and control data (C). The data stream (DS) may be, for example, of the MPEG type representing a sequence of pictures. The coded data (D) is transcoded (T) so as to obtain transcoded data (DT) which differs in size from the coded data (D). The control data (C) is adapted for the transcoded data (DT) so as to obtain adapted control data (CA) which does not substantially differ in size from the control data (C). The transcoded data (DT) and the adapted control data (CA) are written into a transcoder output buffer (TOB) and read from the transcoder output buffer (TOB) so as to obtain a transcoded data stream (DST). This allows an efficient use of a transmission channel via which the transcoded data stream (DST) is to be transmitted and, consequently, it allows a satisfactory transcoding quality.

Abstract: A system for bidirectional communication of digital data between a central unit and a remote unit wherein the need for tracking loops in the central unit has been eliminated. The central unit transmitter generates a master carrier and a master clock signal which are used to transmit downstream data to the remote units. The remote units recover the master carrier and master clock and synchronize local oscillators in each remote unit to these master carrier and master clock signals to generate reference carrier and clock signals for use by the remote unit receiver. These reference carrier and clock signals are also used by the remote unit transmitters to transmit upstream data to the central unit. The central unit receiver detects the phase difference between the reference carrier and clock signals from the remote units periodically and adjusts the phase of the master carrier and master clock signals for use by the central unit receiver to receive the upstream data.

Abstract: A highly reliable and high-speed data transmission is made by using an FH or MFSK mode as suitably selected according to the usage of channels. When a reception signal is entered into a receiver through a transmission line, (i) a signal processing unit supplies the spectrum intensity values of carrier frequencies, (ii) a channel detection unit controls the phase of a time slot based on the spectrum intensity values, selects the MFSK or FH modulation mode, and supplies reception code data corresponding to detected carrier frequencies, and (iii) a decoder supplies reception information data based on the reception code data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel assembly with a substantially square cross section for a light-water reactor. The light-water reactor comprises a plurality of fuel rods (4) extending between a top tie plate (5) and a bottom tie plate (6). A fuel rod (4) comprises a cladding tube (7a) with a first and a second end which surround a column with fissionable material (7b). According to one aspect of the invention, at least one fuel rod (4) is provided with an axial gap (19) in the fissionable material (7b), such that fissionable material (7b) is arranged on both sides of the axial gap (19) in the fuel rod (4).

Abstract: A telephone test set is protected from an excessive current condition by a protection circuit that maintains sufficient loop current flow for continuous operation of the telephone equipment's functional circuitry, while by-passing and/or reducing excess current that could potentially damage the protected circuitry. A series current-limiting element is installed in the loop current path between a tip and ring interface and the circuitry of the telephone test set. A current shunting circuit is installed across the tip-ring ports of the protected circuit downstream of the current-limiting element. A current sense circuit monitors the loop current and controls the operation of the shunting circuit in accordance with the magnitude of the loop current. If a substantial overcurrent condition persists for an extended period of time, the resulting power dissipation associated with the high current flow will cause the current limiting element to change to a high impedance state.

Abstract: A hands free telephone system includes a telephone having audio circuits for processing an audio signal and a telephone audio connector for transmitting the audio signal between the audio circuits and the telephone audio connector. A telephone holder has a holder program for instructing the telephone holder to perform telephone functions in accordance with the stored program. A method for programming a telephone that includes transmitting a plurality of programming instructions between the programming device and the telephone holder, each programming instruction corresponding to a memory location within the holder memory, determining whether the transmitted programming instructions correspond to adjacent memory locations within the telephone holder, and determining an error condition in accordance with determination of whether the transmitted programming instructions correspond to adjacent memory locations.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a method for an encoder to encode audiovisual information for transmission to the decoder without any prior knowledge of the computational capabilities of the decoder. A descriptor containing parameters that can be used to estimate the complexity of the decoding process is embedded in the system stream. The encoder also encodes the video information in such a manner that the decoder can choose to ignore some of the information and only decode a subset of the encoded information in order to reduce the computational requirements. This method allows more than one decoder to decode the same bitstream giving different resolutions depending on the computational capability of the decoder.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed optical-semiconductor container in which an optical-semiconductor element is accommodated, comprising a frame 1 made of a metal, an insulating material or a composite material of a metal and an insulating material, a first bottom plate 11 fixed to the frame, and a second bottom plate 12 fixed to opposite surface of the first bottom plate to the frame, either of the first and second bottom plates being made of a metal and having a smaller Young's modulus than the other. For example, the first bottom plate 11 is not less than 25×103 kg/mm2 in Young's modulus, and the second bottom plate 12 is not greater than 15×103 kg/mm2. An optical-semiconductor element, an electronic cooling device and the like are mounted in this container, thus producing an optical-semiconductor module free from degradation of an electronic cooling element nor deviation of an optical axis occurs.

Abstract: An optical fiber splice device in which an optical fiber can be connected to a branch line side thereof as the need arises such as in the case where new subscribers join after a multiple optical fiber is connected to a trunk line side thereof. The device includes a plurality of glass capillary tubes, a body equipped with the plurality of glass capillary tubes in a middle portion thereof and a cover glass covering and protecting at least the region where the plurality of glass capillary tubes are provided. The ends of optical fibers of the trunk and branch lines are inserted in the glass capillary tubes to be spliced therein. The optical fiber ends has the coatings thereof removed. The body includes a mount portion in the middle thereof where the plurality of capillary tubes are provided in parallel, and first and second fixing portions on both sides of the mount portion for guiding and fixing the optical fibers to the glass capillary tubes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single mode optical waveguide having a segmented core of at least two segments. The relative refractive index, the index profile and the radial dimensions of the core segments are selected to provide an optical waveguide fiber having properties suitable for a high performance telecommunication system operating in the wavelength window of about 1530 nm to 1570 nm. Embodiments of the invention having two, three and four segments are described.

Abstract: A light-shielding blade material is provided that contributes to increased focal plane shutter speeds. A focal plane shutter has a front blade group and a rear blade group, each being composed of a plurality of light-shielding blades. At least one of these light-shielding blades is made of a Be-Al alloy material containing 40% by weight or more of Be, and has a thickness of 40 to 150 microns. This light-shielding blade is light in weight and high in stiffness, thereby significantly contributing the increased focal plane shutter speeds.

Abstract: A camera comprising a camera sheath composed of a front cover unit and a rear cover unit, a camera body supported in the camera sheath, and positioning mechanism for positioning the camera body with respect to the camera sheath without fixing them. The positioning mechanism is composed of a pair of protrusions protruding from the front cover unit and a pair of hole portions formed in a reinforcing plate unit of the camera body and capable of being fitted individually on the protrusions. A gap of about 1 mm or less is formed in the whole area between the camera body and the camera sheath except fitting portions including the positioning mechanism.

Abstract: A tape cassette is set in a cassette accommodating section of a tape printer. A magnetically affixable printing tape is fed out from a holding reel along with an ink ribbon having a non-magnetic ink layer formed thereon across a cut in the tape cassette and conveyed through between a thermal head and a platen roller while being pressed by those elements. The printing tape comprises a printing layer and a magnetic layer pasted to the printing layer. The magnetic layer is magnetized such that S and N poles are alternately arranged longitudinally of the tape to thereby prevent turns of the tape roll from shifting widthwise. The magnetic layer has a coated fluorine layer formed thereon or has wrinkles formed thereon to thereby prevent blocking from occurring on a printing face of the tape due to its winding. Thus, the printing tape is conveyed in a correct attitude to enable a high quality image to be printed thereon.

Abstract: A keyboard comprises: a base board; and keyswitches each comprising a keytop, a support mechanism set on the base board and supporting the keytop for vertical movement, a biasing member disposed below the keytop to bias the keytop upward, and a switch element to be operated by depressing the keytop; wherein the keytop has a hard top part supported by the support mechanism, and a flexible skirt extending from the periphery of the hard top part.