Abstract: An object of the invention is to perform data reading processing both when an error occurs and when no error occurs by using a memory unit using a nonvolatile semiconductor memory for storing sales data of an electronic cash register. A memory area of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory is divided into a first area and a second area. Sales data is successively written into a plurality of data records from the forefront address of the first area. Into a plurality of flag areas, flags representing whether sales data writing was normally performed or not are written. Sales data sets “C” and “E” having writing errors are newly written in two data records successively from the forefront address of the second area. Of all the data records in the first area, the three data records having no writing errors can be successively read out from the forefront address of the first area, so that data reading can be efficiently performed.

Abstract: An image-processing method is provided with the first step of dividing an input image having n(n>1) gray scales into a plurality of matrixes, the second step of carrying out at least either a resolution-converting process or a variable magnification process for each of the divided matrixes, by using a hierarchical neural network that can execute a learning process for each input image, and the third step of outputting the image processed in the second step as an output image having n gray scales. Thus, the weights adjustment of the network can be carried out on each input image whatever image is inputted thereto; therefore, it is possible to always provide an optimal converting process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biaxially oriented polyester film comprising a polyester containing 0.001 to 3.0% by weight of porous spherical silica particles and having a degree of deformation of said porous spherical silica particles of 1.2 to 5.0, which polyester film is obtained from extruding and biaxially stretching said polyester containing said porous spherical silica particles having an average particle size of 0.3 to 15 &mgr;m, a sphericity ratio defined by the following equation (1) of 0.90 to 1.0 and a particle size distribution factor defined by the following equation (2) of 1.2 to 2.5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a polyester film containing a incompatible polymer, comprising: using a vented twin-screw extruder having a material feed port and vents in the cylinder, and melt-extruding a substantially undried polyester together with a polymer incompatible with said polyester, which melt-extruding is conducted under the condition that the content of said incompatible polymer is not less than 1 wt % based on the total output based on unit time (kg/hr), and the total output Q, extruder screw speed N (rpm) and cylinder bore D (mm) satisfy the following formula 2.6×10−6×D2.8≦Q/N≦15.8×10−6×D2.8.

Abstract: The sterilizing method according to the present invention is a method of sterilizing a medical product by a hydrogen peroxide gas while keeping the packaged condition. In such a sterilizing method, a packaging container (1) capable of allowing the hydrogen peroxide gas to penetrate therethrough is used, and after completion of the sterilizing treatment, the packaging container (1) is subjected to degassing treatment while heating, thereby removing the hydrogen peroxide gas from the inside thereof. As a result, it is possible to conduct the treatment efficiently and surely prevent the hydrogen peroxide gas from remaining in the packaging container. In addition, the injection packs (P) according to the present invention comprises the packaging container (1) and a medicine-filled injector (4) enclosed in the packaging container.

Abstract: An ultra high speed and high sensitivity photo detecting element is fabricated by laminating thin film layers of superconducting material and ferromagnetic material on a substrate. A photo detecting element composed of a photo detecting portion formed on a substrate by laminating alternately at least a thin film layer of ferromagnetic material and at least a thin film layer of high temperature superconducting material between which a thin film layer of insulating material is sandwiched and electrodes connected to the photo detecting portion.

Abstract: In the switchable magnet system disclosed herein, a central pole piece is backed by at least two permanent magnets having substantially different energies (Hc) so that one of the magnets is relatively switchable or reversible and the other is not. A magnetically permeable frame provides a peripheral pole face at least on either side of the central pole face and a backing plate bridging the central pole piece over the permanent magnets. A coil surrounds the first and second permanent magnets insde of the peripheral pole face. According, energization of the coil in one direction can reverse the polarization of the first magnet, thereby effectively short circuiting flux produced by the second magnet and terminating holding, while energization of the coil in the opposite direction can polarize the first magnet in parallel with the second magnet, thereby to effect holding.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device is composed of (1) an LCD element having (i) a glass substrate on which a flat portion including pixel electrodes and a flat portion including switching elements, wires, and the like are laminated with interlayer insulating films therebetween, each interlayer insulating film being an organic film with an optical transmittance of not less than 95 percent with respect to light with a peak wavelength and (ii) a liquid crystal layer made of liquid crystal whose refractive index anisotropy &Dgr;n(450) with respect to light with a wavelength of 450 nm and whose refractive index anisotropy &Dgr;n(650) with respect to light with a wavelength of 650 nm satisfy a condition that a difference &Dgr;n(450)−&Dgr;n(650) between them is set so as to be in a range of 0 to 0.01, and (2) a phase difference plate whose refractive index anisotropy is negative (na=nc>nb) and whose index ellipsoids are inclined substantially throughout the phase difference plate.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a liquid crystal display apparatus produced by combining a negative dielectric constant anisotropy and a perpendicular orientation film, the apparatus capable of preventing lowering of contrast because of a phase difference due to a tilt of liquid crystal molecules at the time of non-select voltage application and ensuring both high luminance and high contrast. The liquid crystal display apparatus produced by combining the negative dielectric constant anisotropy and the perpendicular orientation film is used in the normally black mode, and a phase difference plate for compensating the phase difference caused by the tilt of the liquid crystal molecules at the time of non-select voltage application is provided so as to be adjacent to a liquid crystal cell, with the result that light-transmittance at the time of non-select voltage application can be kept in a low value and contrast can be largely improved.

Abstract: The invention is to provide dog's clothes which are very familiar with the motions of the shoulder and waist accompanying the walk of a dog, are adhered closely to the lower belly and does not hinder movements of the four legs, wherein the invention is constructed so that a front edge which is made arc-shaped to the curvature around the neck and a rear edge which is also made arc-shaped to the curvature around the body from the waist part to the lower belly are provided at the front (chest part) to such a degree that these cover an area from the neck part to the lower belly of a dog, wherein parts in the vicinity of both side edges of the front (chest part) and said front and rear edges are made into a shoulder suspension part and a waist suspension part; respective tip ends of said shoulder suspension part and waist suspension part are made so as to be connected to or separated from each other at a degree of overlapping freedom; and front and rear leg parts into which four legs are inserted are made thr

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to obtain, in an accurate and stable manner, an image density at a tone rise point in a low-density region in order to form a stable image.

Abstract: A charging system including an alternator, and a controller for controlling the output of the alternator to provide a required output to be in tolerance with a measured load, the controller having at least one temperature sensor, and a temperature control device, wherein the temperature control device calculates the slope of temperature variance over time and, in a state of overtemperature, decreases the value provided to the controller representing the required output.

Abstract: A rack for receiving an object to be supported is disclosed. The rack has a pair of parallel corner profiles (1) each having two legs (2, 3) connected at an angle along an edge. A groove (4) extends parallel to the edge and has a longitudinal portion (5) which extends through the edge and which is inclined with respect to the two legs (2, 3). It also has a transverse portion (6) formed at the base of the longitudinal portion (5) and extending to both sides thereof with respective first and second portions (13, 13′). Bolts (44) engage each of the longitudinal portions (5) of the grooves (4). Sliding blocks (20) positioned in the transverse portions (6) cooperate with the bolts for fastening the object to be supported to the frame.

Abstract: A registration pattern data generating portion is configured of a pattern set data generator for rough order error estimation and a pattern set data generator for fine order error estimation. When an error is estimated, a pattern set for rough order error estimation is checked first so as to roughly determine the size of the error and then another pattern set for fine order error estimation is checked so as to finely determine the size of the error. Thus, checking the two types of pattern sets makes it possible to exactly recognize the error in rough and fine units, providing fast and exact error determination.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a magnetic recording medium having at least a magnetic layer, optionally by means of an under layer, on a non-magnetic substrate, wherein projections formed by irradiation of an energy beam and each having a height from 1 to 60 nm are provided at the number of 102 to 108 per 1 mm2 on the surface of any one of the non-magnetic substrate, the under layer, the magnetic layer and the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A method of coding a signal for digital optical communication using a symbol formed of N slots [s1, s2, s3, . . . , sN], wherein si is either 0 or 1 where i is an integer and 1≦i≦N is provided. The method includes the steps of determining a plurality of symbols which satisfy the following expression, wherein k is an arbitrary positive integer, and p1, q1, p2, q2, . . . , pk and qk are integers which satisfy 1≦p1<q1, 1≦p2<q2, . . . , 1≦pk<qk, and p1/q1<p2/q2< . . .

Abstract: A charging system has an alternator, a battery, and a controlled rectifier bridge between the alternator and the battery. The controlled rectifier bridge has controllable elements. A controller is provided wherein the controller controls (a) the duty cycle of the alternator field winding and (b) the switching in the controllable elements to control the phase advance angle. By utilizing a half-wave controlled rectifier bridge and three controllable elements, power output can be increased at a low overall cost. In another embodiment, the controller determines switching points for the controllable elements through a third harmonic extraction device which employs a neural network for determining the zero crossings of the third harmonic voltage obtained from a single phase voltage.

Abstract: A toner, wherein at least a part of inorganic fine particles is fixed on the surface of core particles made of a binder resin containing a colorant, by applying heat in a hot air flow, is designed so as to satisfy the following expression: 2.0×[6/(&rgr;D)]≧S≧1.1×[6/(&rgr;D)]  (1) where S: toner BET specific surface area, &rgr;: toner specific gravity, and D: toner volume average particle size. Thus, it becomes possible to manufacture a toner that is superior in various properties in a stable manner.

Abstract: A high density detecting toner pattern is formed on a photosensitive body and a high density correction is effected by comparing a value detected by a reflection sensor with a high density reference value so as to maintain an image density at a specific level. An image density correcting section adopts a result of the preceding high density correction as the high density reference value, and compares the same with a result of a current high density correction. The image density correcting section effects the half-tone density correction only when a difference reaches or exceeds a preset difference reference value by forming a half-tone density detecting toner pattern on the photosensitive body and comparing a value detected by the reflection sensor with a half-tone reference value. Consequently, it has become possible to provide an image forming apparatus which can maintain a density output of an entire image at a specific level for any kind of images including solid, line, and half-tone, etc.

Abstract: A method is described for purifying plasmid DNA from a mixture containing plasmid DNA and genomic DNA. A solution containing both plasmid DNA and genomic DNA is treated with at least 80% by weight saturation ammonium sulfate, thereby precipitating the genomic DNA and providing purified plasmid DNA in solution. Genomic DNA levels in the purified plasmid DNA product are less than 1% by weight based on the plasmid DNA. The purified plasmid DNA is suitable for use in humans.