Abstract: A form processing system makes it easier to handle forms generated in conjunction with product sales and thereby improves overall productivity. This form processing system processes forms generated in conjunction with product sales using a form printer 4 as a form printing unit for printing forms using a form format suitable to the product purchased by a customer and specific form configuration data that is added to the form format. A receipt generator 5 used as a form reading unit then reads a completed form and generates form image data from the completed form. The completed form is a form that was printed by the form printer and then had additional information relating to the product sale recorded on the form. A form management database 20 used as a form image storage unit then stores the form image data generated by the receipt generator 5. The productivity of forms processing and management is thus improved.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for processing checks and other negotiable instruments efficiently captures MICR data required for electronic payment and an image of the check or negotiable instrument enabling the amount, payee, and other information printed or written on the check face to be clearly read. The image reading unit 11 of the check processing apparatus 110 scans and outputs a gray scale image of the check. A threshold value determination unit 12 sets a threshold value for digitizing the image data based on the density level frequency distribution of primary gray scale image data obtained by the image data reading unit scanning a first scanning area T. This first scanning area contains part of a printed text area 127 where text is printed on the negotiable instrument and part of the background 49 of the negotiable instrument.

Abstract: A physiological function assisting device 1 is embedded in the body, and is provided with a transmitter 11 and receiver 12 for communicating with an external controller 2. External controller 2 controls embedded physiological function assisting device 1 from the outside. External controller 2 is provided with a transmitter 21 and receiver 22 for communicating with physiological function assisting device 1. Transmitters 11,21 modulate the plane of polarization of laser light, and emit the result as a transmission signal. Receivers 12,22 selectively receive light of a specific polarization state. Receivers 12,22 respectively output electric signals corresponding to the polarization state (polarization angle or ellipticity) of the received light. As a result, full duplex communications between a strongly dispersing medium like the human body and the outside is possible, while the power consumed by the internal device can be reduced.

Abstract: In order to position a clutch plate 20 in a first angular position, in which teeth 2a of a second gear 2 mesh with a pinion 3b of a third gear 3, an abutment 21 and a projection 12 are provided on the clutch plate 20 and a main plate 10, respectively. An abutment surface 21A that is substantially perpendicular to a straight line ? connecting between centers of rotation of the gears 2, 3 is provided on abutment 21. The abutment surface 21A restricts displacement in a direction, in which a distance between the centers of rotation of the gears 2, 3 is decreased, to prevent deformation of the clutch plate 20, which leads to deep meshing of the gears 2, 3, and rotating drive resistance of the gears 2, 3 is maintained small to prevent an increase in loss of mechanical energy and prevents unwanted stoppage of the timepiece 1.

Abstract: A computer network server provides a customized newspaper to a recipient according to recipient profile preferences. The server searches for and obtains article content that is deemed to be of greatest interest to the recipient according to topical preferences, generates a representation of the selected content according to a layout preference, and delivers the representation to the recipient according to a designated schedule. Recipient preferences are received and stored in a profile database using facilities that assist a recipient to specify preferred topics, newspaper layout, delivery schedule and destination. Topical designations are mapped into hierarchical structures that facilitate searching content databases. Newspaper articles are arranged according to relative priorities of designated topics.

Abstract: A configuration having two drive shafts, a drive system 4 connected to one end of each drive shaft for rotationally driving the respective drive shaft, and a holding and transfer mechanism 5, 6 connected to the other end and having a holding device 5a, 6a for holding an IC, each holding and transfer mechanism 5, 6 being able to operate independently.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a data receiver that receives command data from a host device and a memory that stores the command data received by the data receiver. A printer controller reads out the command data stored in the memory in a first-in-first-out order and controls the printing apparatus in accordance with the command data. A command detector is provided to detect predetermined command data within the command data received by the data receiver without storing the command data in the memory or while or before command data is stored in the memory. An off-line recovery controller enables the printing apparatus to recover from an off-line state in accordance with the predetermined command data detected by the command detector.

Abstract: A radio-controlled timepiece reduces unnecessary power consumption and improves energy conservation. The radio-controlled timepiece has a reception unit power supply controller 43 that regularly operates a reception power supply circuit 24 that drives a reception circuit 22 for receiving a radio signal containing time information. The reception unit power supply controller 43 has an elapsed time detector 110 for determining or measuring the elapsed time from the last time a signal was received, a reception schedule storage 130 for storing schedule information for supplying power, a schedule information setting-unit 120 for changing the schedule information to schedule information B with a longer power supply time interval than a default setting A if the elapsed time becomes greater than or equal to a set time, and a power supply circuit controller 140 that controls operation of the reception power supply circuit 24 based on the schedule information.

Abstract: A printer, printer control method, and medium for storing the control method meter and store cumulative values relating to the operation of replaceable units (parts or devices) in the printer to make maintenance easier and more reliable, and enable more accurate analysis of part or device failure. The printing processor of the printer prints text or graphics, and a holder holds a replaceable part or device that operates or a consumable that is used in conjunction with the printing operation of the printing processor. A counting processor meters operation or use of the replaceable part or device, and a detection processor detects when the part or device in the holder has been replaced or newly installed. Values indicative of the operation or use metered by the counting processor are stored in nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: A shock absorbing container assembly for packaging articles, including an outer container, a sheet member, and an article container. In the closed configuration, the outer container includes an inner top surface and an opposed inner bottom surface that are substantially fixedly spaced apart in a vertical axis. The sheet member has a bottom surface and at least one preformed foldable portion that is folded away from the bottom surface terminating at a free distal edge. The free distal edge bears against the top surface of the outer container when receiving vertically directed forces transmitted by the top surface. The article container for receiving articles is disposed inside the outer container and includes a plurality of intersecting walls. Vertically directed forces transmitted by the sheet member are received by at least two of the walls that have upper ends bearing against the bottom surface of the sheet member and lower ends bearing against the bottom surface of the outer container.

Abstract: Advertising information input control module of a POS system receives advertising information, and a billing amount calculating module calculates a billing amount based on advertising information received by input control module. A payment confirming module confirms payment of the billing amount calculated by the billing amount calculating module, and an advertising information storing control module stores the advertising information in a storing device. A check-out information input control module receives input of customer check-out information, and an advertising information retrieving module retrieves the advertising information stored in the storing device. A printing data generating module synthesizes or combines check-out information with the advertising information so as to generate printing data, which is output at a printing device, and printed as a receipt with an ad.

Abstract: A high performance graphics controller. The graphics controller includes a logic circuit adapted to respond to a first issued command from the CPU by checking whether the graphics controller chip is ready to carry out the first command and, if not, to continue checking while sending a signal to the CPU indicating that the graphics controller chip is ready to receive a second command from the CPU.

Abstract: A compact duplex scanner for scanning both sides of an original document scans a document smoothly without paper jams. A platen roller 8 is located opposite an image sensor 7 for scanning a paper 15 held therebetween as it is transported through a paper feed path 2b. The image sensor 7 and platen roller 8 are mounted on a rotary frame 90 designed to move circularly as a single unit around a rotary shaft positioned transversely to the paper feed path 2b. After the paper 15 is carried in a forward direction P and the front 15a of the paper 15 is scanned, the rotary frame 90 rotates 180 degrees, and the paper 15 is carried in a reverse direction to scan the back 15b.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece that maintains the mounting integrity of an electronic circuit substrate and an electronic circuit component mounted on the electronic circuit substrate. In a movement 1 including a main plate 2 composed of an electric insulting material, a stepping motor 10, a wheel train 4, and a wheel train bridge for supporting the wheel train 4, an electronic circuit substrate 20, on which an electronic circuit component 22 for controlling the rotation cycle of the stepping motor 10 is mounted, is attached to an end portion of an coil magnetic core 12 of the stepping motor 10, and the relatively large electronic circuit component 22 is positioned by being superimposed on the coil magnetic core 12 in a plane. Accordingly, the electronic circuit substrate 20 formed of a synthetic resin film and the like can be reliably attached to the coil magnetic core 12, and the mounting integrity the electronic circuit component 22 can be maintained.

Abstract: A packaging system that protects an article. The packaging system includes a corrugated paperboard cradle having a flat, rigid support portion for supporting a lower surface of the article and a tubular plastic sleeve having a tubular axis. The sleeve surrounds the article and at least a portion of the support portion to secure the article to the cradle. The sleeve is heat shrunk to conform to the upper periphery of the upper surface of the article, to form a package assembly. The cradle is placed in a universal presentation box for shipping.

Abstract: To improve the productivity of manufacturing semiconductor devices having a heat sink, the semiconductor device manufacturing method includes: (a) setting an integral heat radiation body set 30 of multiple heat radiation bodies 32 in a mold 40 cavity 42; (b) setting a substrate 10 on which multiple semiconductor chips 20 are mounted in a planar arrangement in the mold 40 so that the multiple semiconductor chips 20 are located inside the cavity 42; and (c) sealing the multiple semiconductor chips 20 and affixing the heat radiation body set 30 by filling the cavity 42 with a sealant.

Abstract: A system for printing photos, or images generally, includes a server computer that stores data representing a plurality of images in a photo database. A server web interface enables communication over the Internet, and the server computer includes an image print application that enables images to be printed using a client computer connected to the server web interface over said Internet. The server computer also includes an image enhancement module that enhances an image for printing. In response to a print request (over the Internet) from the client computer, the server computer sends image data and the image enhancement module to the client computer. The server computer activates the image print application to create print commands for a printer driver, and to create enhanced image data in the client computer with the image enhancement module prior to printing. The enhanced image data is removed from the client computer immediately following printing.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece without system failure at the time of transfer from the power-saving mode to the display mode is provided. A power-saving control circuit 400 controls drive of a date dial displaying a date when updating a date display, which has been stopped in a power-saving mode, to a current date at the time of transfer from the power-saving mode to the display mode. The power-saving control circuit 400 outputs a date dial drive inhibiting signal, which prohibits drive of the date dial 75, to a date-updating control circuit 300, if a voltage VDD of a power source unit B is less than or equal to a low threshold voltage V1. It outputs a date dial deceleration driving signal, which drives a date dial 75 with a predetermined speed slower than a normal update speed when transferring to the display mode, to a date-updating control circuit 300, if a source voltage VDD is equal to or less than a high threshold voltage V2.

Abstract: The size of image data for a check or other negotiable instrument used for electronically clearing payments made by such negotiable instruments is reduced. A scanning process setup command received from a host system by a communication unit is interpreted by the command interpreting unit and settings for a specified image reading area and/or cropping areas to are stored in control data storage unit. The image reading unit is controlled and driven by the scanning control unit, and an image of the negotiable instrument is read by scanning the specified image reading area. An image cropping unit extracts only the image data in the specified cropping areas.

Abstract: A mobile phone 10 in accordance with the present invention includes a host CPU 11, a display engine 12 and a liquid crystal display device 13. Also, the display engine 12 is equipped with a host interface 14, a command interrupt logic circuit 15, a data processing section 16 and a liquid crystal drive apparatus 17. Upon reception of video images or the like, the host CPU 11 is connected to the data processing section 16, and upon completion of reception of video images, the host CPU 11 is connected to the liquid crystal drive apparatus 17 such that higher level functions can be added while maintaining the conventional host interface.