Abstract: An application binary interface includes linkage structures for interfacing a binary application program to a digital computer. A function in a relocatable shared object module obtains the absolute address of a Global Offset Table (GOT) in the module using relative branch and link instructions through the computer's link register. A dynamic linker lazily constructs a Procedure Linkage Table (PLT) and a pointer table for an object module in a process memory image in which space is allocated for the PLT, but the PLT is not initially provided. The pointer table stores absolute addresses of external functions that cannot be reached by relative branching from the module. The PLT receives calls to these functions, gets the absolute addresses from the pointer table and branches to the absolute addresses of the functions. The PLT also receives calls to functions that can be reached by relative branching from the module, and causes relative branching to the functions.

Abstract: An application binary interface includes linkage structures for interfacing a binary application program to a digital computer. A function in a relocatable shared object module obtains the absolute address of a Global Offset Table (GOT) in the module using relative branch and link instructions through the computer's link register. The GOT contains addresses of global data such as constants and variables that are identified by symbols and are located outside the module. Implementation requires only three simple instructions, one in the GOT and two in the calling function. The module can load the absolute address of a data item into appropriate registers and read or write the data from memory using a conventional RISC relative address read or write instruction.

Abstract: Parallel low-level and high-level quadrature demodulators (60,62) are provided, each including high speed analog-to-digital converters (82,84) with a nominal number of bits. A signal limiter (56) upstream of the low-level demodulator (60) limits the amplitude of an input analog signal (IF IN) to a value corresponding to a predetermined signal level. An attenuator (58) upstream of the high-level demodulator (62) attenuates the input signal (IF IN) by a predetermined factor, so that the signal level into the high-level demodulator (62) is correspondingly lower than the signal level into the low-level demodulator (60). When the amplitude of the input signal (IF IN) is below a predetermined value, a digital switching and scaling unit (72) selects the output signals from the low-level demodulator (60) and extends the digital output to a larger number of bits.

Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus according to the present invention comprises a flat multilens array having a number of lenses arranged in a row and a flat multiprism array having a number of prisms also arranged in a row and located behind the multilens array such that its individual prisms are aligned with the individual lenses. Two prism surfaces (flat reflecting surfaces) are positioned at one side and a single lens surface (curved surface) at the other and multiple combinations of such surfaces are lined up in an array. Each lens or each prism has on its front end a light intercepting screen plate having a substantially oblong opening which is shorter in the direction of the array and longer in a direction perpendicular thereto, or the aperture of each prism and/or each lens itself is shaped so. For the correction of abberations, one or more additional lenses of different curvatures are stacked on the front end of each lens to constitute a composite lens system.

Abstract: An alterable storage unit is included in a control apparatus to store code conversion tables for transforming type data or type position data into various control data such as a hammer pressure, an amount of ribbon feed and an amount of proportional space. When a type element is replaced with another, code conversion tables concerned with the new type element are stored in the storage unit. This permits the code conversion tables to be altered or renewed concentratedly in the event of type element replacement.

Abstract: A low cost analog-to-digital converter having a non-linear conversion characteristic produces an output digital signal non-linearly relative to an input analog transmission signal which is applied thereto for demodulation. A compensation circuit having a non-linear conversion characteristic converts the non-linear digital signal output from the analog-to-digital converter into a linear digital signal which has a larger number of bits than the non-linear digital signal.

Abstract: A terminal device capable of preparing a document and communicating data includes a system control section having storage means in which are resident a control program for outputting received document data either to an output section or an external storage, and a supervisor program for alternately practicing the control program and another program necessary for system control. Based on these resident programs, the system control is practiced to permit received document data to be fed to the output section or the external storage even when local work such as preparation of a document is under way. When printing operation is disabled due to a failure in a printer of the output section or the like after the received document data has been loaded in a memory of the communication control, the document data is immediately delivered to the external storage to open the document data storage area.

Abstract: A knife edge type focus detection method for optics associated with an optical pickup is disclosed. A light intercepting member is interposed between an object lens and a light receiving element for focus detection in order to cut 60-95% of a reflected flux for focus detection before the flux reaches the light receiving element. The intercepted part of the flux includes a light ray which propagates through the optical axis of the optics.

Abstract: A printer once stores input data in a buffer memory and then sequentially reads them out for printing. Whether the input data is predetermined one is determined and, based on the result, the sequence of input data stored in the buffer memory is changed. Even in an auto-back mode of operation, the printer prevents a host system associated therewith from erroneously detecting a printer error to stop a job thereof.

Abstract: A receptacle for detachably receiving a memory cassette is disclosed. A holder member reciprocates in unison with the movement of an openable cover member to hold the memory cassette thereon. Drive means is provided for driving the holder member in a reciprocal movement. The holder member includes means for locating the memory cassette. A protector is provided for protecting electric terminals of a memory cassette. The protector includes a casing and a fixing device for fixing the terminals of the memory cassette in position.

Abstract: A charge coupled device (CCD) photosensor array (32) continuously performs horizontal scan and feeds out data signals representing horizontal scan lines in such a manner that data signals representing one horizontal scan line are produced during one horizontal scan pulse and fed out during the next horizontal scan pulse. A buffer memory (33) stores at least two scan lines in such a manner that one scan line may be read out for compression while another scan line is being stored. A buffer ready signal is produced when there is sufficient vacant space in the buffer memory (33) to store one scan line and vertical scan is effected in response thereto. The buffer memory (33) is controlled to store only data signals produced during vertical scan to maintain the line scan density constant.

Abstract: An image processing system which processes an input image such as a halftone image or an image having a high periodicity into a two-level image by use of dither matrixes. Peaks of an auto-correlation of the image are calculated and, then, a mean period of the calculated peaks. An adequate dither matrix is selected in response to the calculated mean period.

Abstract: A driving device for driving document conveying members, recording paper conveying members and recording paper cutting members installed in a facsimile apparatus. The driving device includes first and second reversible motors. The first motor causes the document conveying members to convey a document when in a forward rotation and causes the paper cutting members to cut a recording paper when in a reverse rotation. The second motor causes the paper conveying members to convey the paper when in a forward rotation and to pull it back when in a reverse rotation.

Abstract: Scan lines of characters designating the name and address of a facsimile transmitting station or the like are stored in a read only memory (54). The scan lines are read out of the memory (54) and transmitted by a microcomputer (41) prior to facsimile transmission for reproduction on the top of a sheet of facsimile reproduction at a facsimile receiving station.

Abstract: A toner supply device for supplying a developing unit of an electrophotographic copier with a toner developer which is stored in a cylindrical cartridge. The cartridge is fixed in a horizontal position in the vicinity of the developing unit of the copier while occupying a minimum of space. The toner supply device is desirably applicable to a small-size electrophotographic copier.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic copier, while a document is transported toward a predetermined position on a glass platen, its lateral dislocation and skew with respect to a document transport path as well as an amount of the dislocation and a direction of the skew are commonly sensed by a single sensor. The single sensor is positioned adjacent to one of laterally opposite ends of the transport path and has sensing surface of a predetermined area. While the document moves past the sensing surface of the sensor, the sensor generates a signal which corresponds to an area of the sensing surface which is occupied by the sheet.

Abstract: A rotary compressor has a plurality of vanes which are slidably disposed in radial slots of a rotor to define fluid chambers in cooperation with a cylindrical housing. The radially innermost end of each vane, rotor and opposite ends of the housing define a back-pressure chamber which is supplied with a pressure during a suction stroke for maintaining the associated vane in sealing contact with the inner wall of the housing. Each of opposite ends of the housing has a unique configuration which damps the pressure in the back-pressure chamber when the chamber is fluidly isolated from a source of the pressure supply during a compression stroke, thereby eliminating excessive friction between the vane and the housing.

Abstract: A scanning array (12) comprising a plurality of photosensor elements (12a) is reciprocated perpendicular to the axis (12b) thereof to scan a rectangular area of an original document (69). After scanning the area, the document (69) is moved parallel to the axis (12b) of the scanning array (12) and the scanning array (12) reciprocated again to scan a next retangular area. This process is continued until the entire document (69) is scanned.Codes representing characters indicating the name, address or the like of the transmitting apparatus are stored in read only memories (92), (93), (94), (96). These codes are read out and mixed with the data signals for transmission in such a manner that the name and address are automatically reproduced by the receiving apparatus at the top of the reproduction. The code signals may be superimposed on the data signals or, preferably, transmission of the data signals is inhibited while the codes are being transmitted.

Abstract: A sheet feed apparatus suitable for use with a printer such as an ink jet printer. A flat guide member is disposed between paper bail rollers and a deflector to be movable toward and away from the periphery of a platen. The guide member is drivably controlled such that it faces the substantially entire peripheral area of the platen which extends between the paper bail rollers and the deflector only for a short period of time until a leading end portion of the sheet is retained between the paper bail rollers and the deflector.

Abstract: An alterable storage unit is included in a control apparatus to store code conversion tables for transforming type data or type position data into various control data such as a hammer pressure, an amount of ribbon feed and an amount of proportional space. When a type element is replaced with another, code conversion tables concerned with the new type element are stored in the storage unit. This permits the code conversion tables to be altered or renewed concentratedly in the event of type element replacement.