Abstract: An scanning optical apparatus of present invention converts plural light beams emitted from corresponding light source units by a light beam conversion unit, deflectively scans by a deflection unit, focuses by an imaging optical unit onto corresponding scanned surfaces. At least two of light source units are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the light beams are emitted. The light beam conversion unit includes plural light beam conversion elements that reflect the light beams emitted in the same direction from the light source units to deflect the light beams in the same direction. Each of the light beam conversion elements has at least one reflecting surface having a power and at least one diffracting surface having a power, and has different powers with respect to the main scanning direction and with respect to the sub scanning direction.

Abstract: A display controlling apparatus that is capable of communicating with an image processing apparatus that sends image data to the display controlling apparatus in response to a notification from the display controlling apparatus, includes the following elements: a sending unit configured to send the notification to the image processing apparatus; a first receiving unit configured to receive the image data sent from the image processing apparatus in response to the notification; and a first computing unit configured to compute a first time required to display the image data received by the first receiving unit. The sending unit sends a new notification to the image processing apparatus at a timing based on the first time computed by the first computing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing, promoting and/or augmenting communication skills includes an apparatus base dimensioned for positioning relative to a support. The apparatus base defines longitudinal, vertical and orthogonal axes, and a reference plane inclusive of the longitudinal and orthogonal axes. The apparatus base includes a top support surface arranged at a predetermined angle greater than 0 degrees relative to the reference plane. The top support surface has an article retaining element associated therewith. At least one icon containing article having communication media adapted for conveying information is releasably mounted to the article retaining element of the top support surface. The top support surface may be arranged at an angle ranging from about 10 degrees to about 60 degrees relative to the reference plane. In one embodiment, the top support surface is arranged at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the reference plane.

Abstract: The present invention discloses, as an example, an information processing apparatus for downloading an expansion module for a print driver from a server apparatus for setup, including: a reception unit for receiving a program from the server apparatus; a determination unit for determining whether the reception unit receives the expansion module for the print driver and a license management program which is an expansion program for the print driver; an obtaining unit for obtaining, in response to a determination by the determination unit that the reception unit receives the expansion module for the print driver and the license management program, by calling the received license management program, license information indicating a license status of the expansion program; and a decision unit for deciding whether a use of the expansion program is permitted in the information processing apparatus by using the obtained license information.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a spinal implant includes a first elongate member and a second elongate member operatively connected to each other. The first elongate member includes a first jaw member disposed at a distal portion thereof. The first jaw member defines a first longitudinal axis. The second elongate member includes a second jaw member disposed at a distal portion thereof. The second jaw member defines a second longitudinal axis. The first and second elongate members are adapted to move the first and second jaw members between a first position where the first and second longitudinal axes are oriented substantially parallel to each other and a second position where the first and second longitudinal axes are oriented at an acute angle with respect to each other. The apparatus further includes a locking mechanism adapted to fix a relative position of the first and second elongate members.

Abstract: This invention provides a technique of preventing determination of image alteration when digital image data has undergone, e.g., rotation without any substantial change in contents. To do this, an area separation processing unit separates image data into areas. For each of the separated areas, an area feature value calculator calculates an area feature value independent of the coordinate information of the image. An area order sorter sorts the separated areas in accordance with the calculated area feature values. A validation data generation processing unit generates validation data based on the sort result.

Abstract: Apparatus for the material bed comminution of wet agglomerations, in particular wet coke, has a storage container for material to be comminuted, and a material bed roller mill. For efficient grinding, the storage container takes the form of a storage silo having a discharge screw which is moved in two dimensions, wherein the discharge screw feeds the material to be comminuted from the storage silo to a compressor screw which is arranged directly upstream of the material bed roller mill and has at least one discontinuous screw blade.

Abstract: In a record/playback apparatus, if playback of image data is stopped, recording information relating to a stop point at which the playback of the image data is stopped and generating image data playback control information that specifies a playback resume point based on the stop point at which the playback of the image data is stopped. When the image data is recorded onto another recording medium, the playback control information is recorded together with the image data as resume information, thereby providing a user-friendly resume playback function.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus having a three-dimensional grid data table holds a matrix coefficient which is a basis of the three-dimensional grid data table, and editing data for editing grid point data of the three-dimensional grid data table. To set the three-dimensional grid data table, the grid point data of the three-dimensional grid data table is calculated by performing a matrix operation using the matrix coefficient, and the calculated grid point data of the three-dimensional grid data table that is calculated based on the editing data is edited based on the editing data. Image data acquired by image capture is thus processed using the edited three-dimensional grid data table.

Abstract: When a communication apparatus is operating as a control station on a network, control is exercised so as to handover the control station when it is recognized that the status of the power supply of another communication apparatus participating in this network is indicative of commercial power. Recognition is performed by receiving information, which requests handover of the control station, from the other communication apparatus whose power-supply status is indicative of commercial power.

Abstract: Markers are laid out to express a predetermined code string by a plurality of continuous markers. The markers which form a marker string include at least two types of markers having different features which can be identified by image processing. Markers detected in the captured image are converted into numerical information, and are collated based on the numerical information and the predetermined code string. Using information associated with the markers, the coordinate information of each collated marker is calculated. The position and orientation of an image capturing device are calculated using the coordinate information. With a simple arrangement, the position and orientation of an image capturing device can be calculated.

Abstract: A socket assembly includes a rotor, a housing, and first and second conductors. The rotor includes a channel formed therein and defines an axis of rotation. The channel has a length about perpendicular to the axis of rotation and defines first and second ends. The housing receives the rotor such that the rotor is rotatable about its axis of rotation between first and second positions when secured therein. The housing includes a notch. The channel of the rotor aligns with the notch of the housing when in the first position such that first and second lamp pins can be received through the notch of the housing and into the channel of the rotor. The first conductor has first and second ends each disposed on opposite sides of the rotor. The first end of the conductor contacts the first lamp pin when the rotor is in the second position and the second end of the conductor contacts the second lamp pin when the rotor is in the second position.

Abstract: A lock indicator gauge is provided to provide an indication as to whether a bone screw construct is in a locked or an unlocked condition when the lock indicator gauge is operatively engaged with the bone screw construct. A plunger longitudinally disposed within a housing of the lock indicator gauge translates within the housing by a distance that corresponds to the relative positions of inner and outer housings of the bone screw construct, wherein the relative positions of the inner and outer housings is dependent on whether the bone screw construct is in a locked or an unlocked condition.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus provided with a function of shooting a moving image and a still image, and capable of displaying an image to be captured on a display unit includes a first display control unit configured to display an confirmation image for checking an in-focus state on the display unit when a moving image is shot; and a second display control unit configured to change the confirmation image for checking an in-focus state displayed on the display unit by the first display control unit when a still image is shot during moving image shooting.

Abstract: An in situ approach toward connecting and electrically contacting vertically aligned nanowire arrays using conductive nanoparticles is provided. The utility of the approach is demonstrated by development of a gas sensing device employing the nanowire assembly. Well-aligned, single-crystalline zinc oxide nanowires were grown through a direct thermal evaporation process at 550° C. on gold catalyst layers. Electrical contact to the top of the nanowire array was established by creating a contiguous nanoparticle film through electrostatic attachment of conductive gold nanoparticles exclusively onto the tips of nanowires. A gas sensing device was constructed using such an arrangement and the nanowire assembly was found to be sensitive to both reducing (methanol) and oxidizing (nitrous oxides) gases. This assembly approach is amenable to any nanowire array for which a top contact electrode is needed.

Abstract: A method of adjusting an ablation field radiating into tissue includes the initial step of providing a handheld device including a phased antenna array and an ultrasound transducer array. The method includes the steps of positioning a tissue-contact surface of the handheld device adjacent to tissue, activating the phased antenna array to deliver energy through the tissue-contact surface to generate an ablation field in targeted tissue, activating the ultrasound transducer array to acquire ultrasound image data representative of the targeted tissue during energy delivery into the targeted tissue by the phased antenna array, and selectively steering the focal point of energy delivery in tissue to adjust the ablation field radiating into tissue.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes an operation member which includes an operation portion, a substrate which includes a switch detecting pattern and a ground pattern, and a sheet member which is disposed between the operation member and the substrate and provided with a metal piece for causing the switch detecting pattern to be electrically continuous to the ground pattern according to an operation to the operation portion, wherein the metal piece is in contact with the ground pattern, and the sheet member covers the metal piece with an insulating member in such a manner that at least a part of a surface of the metal piece is exposed.

Abstract: A clip or flexible handles extension facilitate simultaneous retention and operation of a bronchoscope and associated bronchoscopic tools held in one hand to allow operation by a single practitioner. Also provided is an adapter for the connection port of the working channel of a bronchoscope which performs both sealing and tool-locking functions. Also disclosed is a guide sheath arrangement with a reduced flexibility proximal portion to facilitate insertion of tools into the guide sheath.

Abstract: An electronic device includes alight emitting unit that provides backlight to a liquid crystal display unit, a communication unit that transmits video data, and a control unit that controls a current flowing from a DC-DC converter to the light emitting unit. The control unit controls the current flowing from the DC-DC converter to the light emitting unit so as to change an output voltage of the DC-DC converter from a first voltage to a second voltage which is lower than the first voltage. The first voltage is supplied to the light emitting unit and the second voltage is supplied to the communication unit.