Abstract: A speech communication apparatus of the present invention includes, in addition to an echo canceller for canceling an acoustic echo generated in a hands-free speech space, a chirp signal generating unit and a training unit. The chirp signal generating unit generates a chirp signal adequate for initial training of the echo canceller. The training control unit enables the chirp signal generating unit to generate a chirp signal, when a predetermined condition for starting hands-free speaking is satisfied, and a chirp tone corresponding to the chirp signal to be output as a volume-amplified tone from the hands-free speaker. The echo canceller performs initial training of the echo canceller based on the chirp tone.

Abstract: When a first videotape as a reference is reproduced by a rotary head, the periodic noise output by the signal-processing section is extracted by the extracting means and stored in the memory section according to the reproduction timing. Then, when a second videotape on which a desired video signal has been recorded is reproduced, an electric signal reproduced from the second videotape by the rotary head is processed by the signal processing section, from the output of which,the periodic noise stored in the memory-section is then subtracted. As a result of this, the periodic noise is removed from the video signal reproduced for the second videotape.

Abstract: A noise reduction apparatus includes a frame type noise processing circuit which detects a correlation between two successive frames of a video signal and reduces noncorrelating parts of the video signal. A processed signal from the frame type circuit is mixed with a delayed video signal at a rate determined according to a degree of motion of an image represented by the video signal. A line type noise processing circuit detects a correlation between two successive lines of a mixed video signal and reduces noncorrelating parts of the mixed video signal. The line type circuit is controlled so as to change a characteristic of noise processing according to the degree of motion.

Abstract: In a digital communication apparatus, when a slot is received by a transmission system, two different data included in the received slot are stored in two data storage circuits, respectively, by a predetermined amount, and are read out therefrom at different times, that is, time-divisionally. An error in the data having different transfer formats read out from the two data storage circuits is detected by a CRC data decoder formed of a single circuit based on a detection code such as CRC (cyclic redundancy check) code.

Abstract: A method for imaging film with color separations and text which eliminates manual stripping and the use of mylar carriers. Color separation data from a color scanner is stored digitally on a computer. Text is input directly into the computer. The data for the images and text is manipulated digitally to compose a page layout. The computer then instructs an image setter to image the complete, composed page onto four pieces of film in the four color printing colors--cyan, magenta, yellow and black. The imaged film is used to make lithographic printing plates for color printing. The image setter used in the method includes a specially pinned drum having pins corresponding to pins used during imposition. Blank film has prepunched holes corresponding to the pins on the pinned drum so that the imaged film comes off of the drum with images and text in position and register relative to the pin holes. The labor intensive steps of manually stripping film onto mylar carriers is eliminated.

Abstract: Infant formula and baby food compositions are presented which contain single cell edible oil which is recovered from dinoflagellates and which lacks unpleasant tastes and fishy odors. This single cell edible oil comprises at least 70% triglycerides which contain about 20-35% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and lack eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). To produce the single cell oil, the dinoflagellates are cultivated in fermentors and induced to produce the single cell oil which is subsequently recovered by extraction with solvents.

Abstract: Accordingly, the present invention is directed to biological compounds derivatized so as to contain at least one perfluoro-t-butyl moiety for use in fluorine-19 NMR and/or MRI studies. The perfluoro-t-butyl (PFTB) moiety, ##STR1## is an excellent reporter group for fluorine-19 NMR/MRI. It is a source of nine magnetically equivalent fluorine nuclei which generate a single intense resonance for easy detection in spectroscopy or imaging. This signal is a sharp singlet, not split by neighboring nuclei or spread over a wide frequency range and eliminates any chance of ghost images which might arise from multiple resonances. These spectral properties ensure a maximum signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) for readily detecting this moiety. The foregoing allows either reduction in the concentration of the derivatized compound, ability to use MRI instruments with lower field strengths, a reduction in imaging times, or a combination of the foregoing as a result of this moiety producing a single, sharp, intense resonance.

Abstract: A method for brightening kaolin contaminated with organic matter by decarboxylation treatment of an aqueous kaolin slurry. The decarboxylation is carried out by contacting the clay slurry with selected oxidizing agent in a pressurized reaction vessel at a temperature of 175.degree.-500.degree. C. without dehydroxylation (calcination) of the kaolin. Oxidizing agents include oxygen, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, and hypochlorite.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a midsole for a shoe and the structure of the resulting midsole. The midsole includes a core of a first plastic material and a peripheral wrap of a second plastic material. The wrap has an outer peripheral surface comprising at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the midsole. The method includes the steps of molding a peripheral wrap from a sheet stock of the first plastic material by applying compressive forces on the sheet stock in a direction which is substantially perpendicular with the outer surface of the sheet stock, placing the wrap around the inner peripheral surface of a mold which approximates the shape of the midsole, and pouring the first plastic material in the mold.

Abstract: A position recognition system is disclosed which includes a map divided into a plurality of areas, and area information corresponding to each area. A position-coordinate converting device includes a position detector for detecting a position as coordinates corresponding to a predetermined standard point. A map information memory card stores the area information of the map and coordinates corresponding to the predetermined standard point as map information. A CPU operates on the area information based on the detected results of the position detector and the map information stored in the map information memory card. An indicator indicates the operational results of the CPU.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the formaldehyde emission of composite wood products bonded with urea-formaldehyde adhesives employing the combination of a small sample chamber and an electrochemical sensor.

Abstract: A mobile radio communication system includes a plurality of base stations connected to a network through wire lines, and a plurality of mobile stations connected to the base stations through radio channels. The base and mobile stations share a plurality of radio frequencies and transmit at least one transmission signal at one of the shared radio frequencies. The transmission signal is arranged into time frames each having a plurality of time-division multiplexed slots. The base and mobile stations both include a control circuit having means for detecting unused time slots within the transmission signal and means for selecting one of the unused time slots. A radio channel establishing circuit establishes a channel between the mobile radio communication apparatus and the base station in accordance with the selected time slot.

Abstract: A semiconductor treatment apparatus has a gas-phase decomposing device for decomposing a gas-phase on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, a substrate supporting device for supporting the substrate, and a substrate transfer device for transferring the substrate between the gas-phase decomposing device and the substrate supporting device. The apparatus further has a liquid-drop applicator for applying a liquid-drop on the surface of the substrate supported by the substrate supporting device, with the liquid-drop being brought into contact with the surface of the substrate, and a liquid-drop preserving device for preserving the liquid-drop that has been applied to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A new carriage system for a ram feeder has been designed and is provided. As in the prior art, the carriage system has a drive cart to which is attached a driving force member at one end thereof and a ram member on the other and opposing end thereof. The drive cart is supported by and travels upon a carriage table. The carriage system of the present invention replaces the prior art wheel and flat rail arrangement under the drive cart. The wheels together with the associated problems have been eliminated. In the present invention, the carriage system has a guide member attached to the carriage table and a travel member attached to the underside of the drive cart. The guide member is longitudinally oriented on the carriage table in the direction of drive cart travel and has at least one upper wear portion. The guide member guides the drive cart and the attached ram member during a reciprocating stoke cycle of the driving force member. The travel member has at least one lower wear portion.

Abstract: Maximum throughput of a wet process phosphoric acid plant at a fixed recovery can be obtained by controlling the filter feed to give a desired specific gravity of the filtrate from the last washing of the gypsum cake. The filtrate from the last washing of the gypsum cake also is called the first pass filtrate. The specific gravity of this first pass filtrate provides an indication of the overall filter efficiency and the loss of water-soluble phosphoric acid to the gypsum waste stream. The specific gravity of the first pass filtrate is controlled by adjusting the rate at which product slurry from the attack tank is fed to the filter. This product slurry feed rate is affected by the mechanical performance of the filter and the filterability of the gypsum crystals, which, in turn, is affected by operating conditions in the attack tank. Therefore, the feed rates of phosphate rock, sulfuric acid, and water, are controlled to produce the desired attack tank operating conditions and to maintain attack tank level.

Abstract: A method of temporarily shoring and permanently facing an excavated slope or embankment is provided. First, a slope is excavated in successive sections from the top down to form exposed slope faces. A temporary shoring wall is then formed by shoring up the exposed slope face of each successively excavated section with soil nails and at least one layer of pneumatically applied concrete. As the desired final depth of the excavation is reached, the tiebacks are installed. The pneumatically applied concrete is thickened in the area of the tiebacks so as to form reinforcement elements along the exposed slope faces. The reinforcement elements include reinforced steel bars which extend outwardly away from the exposed slope faces. The tie backs are tested, prestressed and secured against the reinforcement elements. Finally, a final retaining wall is formed by pouring and curing a layer of reinforced concrete over the temporary shoring wall and the secured tiebacks.