Abstract: An optically active compound of the formula (I): ##STR1## R is a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, --R' or --O--R' group; R' is a ##STR2## group, wherein Y is a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms or an acyloxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms; X is a direct bond or a ##STR3## group; m, n and p each are each 0 or 1, provided that at least one of m, n and p is 1; and , represents an asymetric carbon atom.

Abstract: Advertisements and promotions to which a consumer has been exposed are monitored together with the subsequent purchasing behavior of that consumer. The information is combined to analyze whether and to what extent the advertisements and/or promotions influenced the consumer's purchases. Purchases are monitored by producing a machine readable record thereof with a store cash register. The consumer inserts this record into a home unit which stores this information. The home unit is also capable of issuing a reward to the consumer for cooperating. Also, the advertising, promotion and/or purchase data is classified by the home unit into selected categories which can be accessed by a computer for further processing to provide, for example, certain test results of interest relatively quickly because only a portion of all the collected data needs to be analyzed.

Abstract: An automatic speed and distance control apparatus responsive to detected signals and operator induced signals for automatically controlling the speed of an automotive vehicle and its distance with respect to objects in its path of movement. A flexible control scheme is provided, which permits a driver to intervene in the operation of the system when he or she wishes to accelerate in preparation for a passing maneuver. Upon interruption of the operation by a vehicle driver, the control apparatus is interrupted for a predetermined period of time and thereafter resuming automatic control function.

Abstract: A microminiature valve in multi-layered structure for switching or controlling fluid flows is proposed, having an inlet and a closing element. The inlet is embodied in a first layer in the form of at least one through-opening. The closing element is structured out of a second layer which is applied on the first layer. This second layer has at least one further through-opening in the area of the closing element. The closing element is displaceable by actuation means, in particular electrical ones, essentially parallel to the first layer and the second layer, so that in at least one first position of the closing element the at least one through-opening of the inlet, together with the at least one further through-opening in the second layer, forms at least one flow-through opening. The cross section of the at least one flow-through opening can be varied by actuating the closing element.

Abstract: On a first piezoelectric sheet of a piezoelectric vibrator, a second piezoelectric sheet is stacked with interposition, between the sheets, of first-set electrodes, formed on an upper surface of the first piezoelectric sheet. Second-set electrodes are formed on an upper surface of the second piezoelectric sheet with each placed halfway between two adjacent ones of the first-set electrodes. The second piezoelectric sheet is poled in directions from each second-set electrode to the two adjacent ones of the first-set electrodes. Preferably, third-set electrodes are formed on a lower surface of the first piezoelectric sheet with each arranged halfway between two adjacent ones of the first-set electrodes. In this event, the first piezoelectric sheet is poled in directions from each third-set electrode to two adjacent ones of the first-set electrodes.

Abstract: A mobile radio equipment has a built-in storage battery that permits radio equipment to be used outside of the vehicle, but the vehicle's battery and charger are needed to charge up or maintain the charge of the internal storage battery of the radio equipment most of the time. A d.c. voltage converter is used when the radio equipment is in the vehicle to provide at least one voltage which the internal storage battery provides to the radio equipment and that voltage of the internal battery is connected, when the radio equipment is in the vehicle, to the radio equipment through a control switch which is closed only when the output of the voltage converter is less than the voltage of the internal storage battery of the radio equipment. In the power supply located in the vehicle the output of the voltage converter also needs a regulator to supply a regulated voltage to the radio equipment, in addition to the prior unregulated voltage.

Abstract: Parking machines communicate automatically with service personnel located at a central station in response to the occurrence of a machine error. The service personnel are thus made aware promptly of this situation without having to travel to the site of each parking machine so that appropriate action can be timely taken. The parking machine stores an error signal, and the telephone number of the central station is then dialed. When a communication link is established telephonically, an audible message is generated by the parking machine and transmitted to the central station identifying the parking machine and a machine error. As long as the machine is not serviced, it will re-dial the central station to transmit the error message, and this is repeated at a time interval set according to whether the error has disabled the parking machine or not.

Abstract: An automatic developing apparatus for processing an exposed silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material with a processing solution comprises a processing tank containing the processing solution, a replenishing processing solution tank in which a replenishing processing solution is prepared by dissolving a processing tablet, tablet dissolving means provided in the replenishing processing solution tank, means for detecting the dissolution of the tablet and means for supplying the replenishing processing solution to the processing tank.

Abstract: A cable manufacturing method comprising the steps of arranging a closing die and a plurality of panel plates in this order, on a pass-line having a curved zone and a linear zone, from the side of a front end of the pass-line, inserting all wires, to be stranded, through an opening of the closing die, and inserting each wire through a hole formed in a corresponding one of the panel plates, guiding the wires such that the wires are substantially parallel with one another and each wire is loose of the panel plates, rotatably supporting the panel plates, respectively, and passing each wire through the curved zone and the linear zone while rotating the panel plates in the same direction, thereby stranding the wires with a large pitch so as not to plastically deform the wires.

Abstract: A high-frequency treating instrument comprises an insertion tube having electric conductivity, an electrically insulating, tubular member fitted over an outer periphery of the insertion tube with a distal open end of the tubular member projected ahead of a distal end of the insertion tube, a current supply section for supplying a high-frequency current which is fed from a power source to the insertion tube, an electrode section fixedly provided on the distal end of the insertion tube to carry the high-frequency current there, the electrode section being projected out of the distal open end of the tubular member to allow the high-frequency current which is fed from the power source to be received through the insertion tube, and a treating section provided on the distal end of the electrode section projected out of the distal open end of the tubular member and allowing the high-frequency current to be carried therethrough so that an affected living tissue of a human subject can be treated through heat resulting

Abstract: Known methods of transferring between centers the handling of an active connection between a user and a mobile terminal in a telecommunication system designed for mobile communication generally have the disadvantage that the routing obtained is inefficient. By investigating both a first route between a first switching center and the user and a second route between a second switching center and the user for common centers which are able to handle call control and connection control separately, of which the common center situated nearest the first switching center is designated as a central intelligence point or, if the latter is not found, by designating the center situated nearest the user as a central intelligence point and then setting up a connection between the central intelligence point found in this way and the second switching center, the most efficient routing is obtained.

Abstract: A laser beam emitted from the beam emitting unit is deflected for scanning by a reflector rotated by a scanner motor. The deflection scanning beam passes through a meniscus lens device provided close to the reflector, and converges the laser beam on an image-forming surface. The meniscus lens device has an incident surface, a radius of curvature of which is set smaller than that of an output surface thereof, with a convex surface thereof facing the image-forming surface. The laser beam emitting unit, the reflector, the scanner motor, and the meniscus lens device are all integrally built in a housing.

Abstract: A fragment of the gene for the hemagglutinin neuraminidase (HN protein) of human parainfluenza Type 2 virus (PIV-2) and materials containing such fragment. The fragment is complementary to the gene RNA for the PIV-2 HN protein and contains the entire coding regions for the PIV-2 HN protein. The fragment is useful as a test agent or a therapeutic agent for PIV-2 infections.

Abstract: A GPS signal receiver has a PN code generator for producing a PN code identical to a PN code in a received GPS signal which is transmitted from a GPS satellite, the PN code produced by the PN code generator being controllable in phase, a PN code correlator for correlating the received GPS signal with the PN code produced by the PN code generator so as to code-strip the received GPS signal, a signal search unit for monitoring a correlated output signal from the PN code correlator and controlling the phase of the PN code produced by the PN code generator to search for a correlated output signal in excess of a predetermined value, a signal determining unit for determining the correlated output signal in excess of the predetermined value as being produced by a direct wave of the GPS signal, and a signal tracking unit for controlling the phase of the PN code produced by the PN code generator to track a peak of the correlated output signal that is determined as being produced by the direct wave of the GPS signal.

Abstract: A desk includes a compartment for a silent printer designed to prevent dirt and dust from entering it. The compartment is in the form of a drawer fitting closely into a stationary portion of the desk and includes of a bottom supporting the printer and a front panel, the front panel fitting closely into the opening of the stationary portion. The drawer is movable to the front of the desk while gliding on horizontal guides on the side walls and on a wheel attached to the front and moving along the floor. A blower with a filter is mounted on the outside of the desk and blows clean air into the compartment. A narrow slot in the desk top serves for passage of the printer output.

Abstract: In an optical card reproducing apparatus, the data of a front ID portion is read, and whether a track address can be identified is determined. If the track address cannot be identified, a flag is reset, and the data of a data portion is read. If the track address can be identified, whether the identified track address coincides with a target track address is determined. If they do not coincide, the operation is ended. If they coincide, the flag is set, and the data of the data portion is read. After the data read from the data portion is stored in a buffer memory, whether the flag is set is determined. If the flag is set, data in the buffer memory is output as the data of the target track. If the flag is reset, the data of a rear ID portion is read, and whether the track address is identified is determined. If the track address cannot be identified, the buffer memory is cleared, and the operation is ended.

Abstract: An automotive winker device comprises a light source accommodated in a light source chamber defined in a cover case of a door mirror or a side view mirror. Light transmission holes with transparent plates are provided in the light source chamber to project light rearwardly and sideways of the vehicle. A light shelter wall is provided for preventing light from scattering to the mirror and for having adverse effects on the mirror. The light shelter wall is removably mounted to provide access to the interior of the light source chamber, for example for replacement of the light source. Operation of the winker is clearly and reliably observable by nearby vehicles and persons as well as the driver, thereby reducing areas of non-visibility and promoting traffic safety.

Abstract: A conductive layer is formed on one surface of an insulating substrate. Notches are formed in the conductive layer to be axially symmetric at equal angular intervals of 120.degree.. A feeding line of a notch antenna is formed on the other surface of the substrate. The feeding line has a C-shape and wide portions for adjusting the phases of excitation of the notches, and receives power at its one point. A ground plate is arranged to be parallel to the substrate. A feeding rod is connected to the conductive layer. The conductive layer and the ground plate are short-circuited by impedance matching pins. The matching pins are integrally formed with the ground plate. The notches and the feeding line constitute an notch antenna, and the feeding rod, the ground plate, the conductive layer, and the matching pins constitute a capacity loaded monopole antenna. To resonate these antennae at a plurality of resonant points, slits are formed in the conductive layer to be axially symmetric at equal angular intervals of 120.