Abstract: Apparatus for assessing posture, limb positions, and limb movements comprising a transmitter and a receiver for application to respective first and second skin positions, a microprocessor, and a biofeedback stimulus unit. The microprocessor measures the travel time of signals between the transmitter and the receiver, assesses the distance between the first and second skin positions based on the travel time of the signals between the transmitter and receiver, generates an actual posture parameter based upon the distance, compares the actual posture parameter with a predetermined target posture parameter stored in said microprocessor means, and generates a signal if the actual parameter is not equal to the target parameter. The biofeedback stimulus unit includes a patient-perceivable signal actuable in response to the signal generated by the microprocessor.

Abstract: A digital audio signal demodulation circuit comprises a synchronous detection circuit (18) and a muting circuit (17) for muting the output from an interpolation circuit (16) using a synchronization lock signal generated from the synchronous detection circuit (18) when synchronization has been lost. The differential signal output from the interpolation circuit (16) is muted by the muting circuit (17) and thereafter integrated by an integration circuit (19). Thus, an audio signal with high sound quality can be demodulated without producing interruption noise even when synchronization has been lost or forcible muting is done.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an edge detector for detecting whether or not a target pixel of an input image signal is at an edge portion of a discontinuous density image; a first quantizer for generating quantized image data with respect to the target pixel by using a first error spreading filter having a relatively high error spreading effect, such that a density error between the input image signal and an output multilevel image signal is incorporated in "m" neighboring pixels surrounding the target pixel; a second quantizer for generating quantized image data with respect to the target pixel by using a second error spreading filter having a relatively low error spreading effect, such that a density error between the input image signal and the output multilevel image signal is incorporated in "m" neighboring pixels surrounding the target pixel; and a selector for selecting either the quantized image data generated by the first quantizer or the quantized image data generated by the second quantizer

Abstract: A decorative screw is manufactured by forming a three-dimensional pattern on the whole surface of the head of a screw, depositing a coating or plating film on the whole surface of the pattern and grinding the projecting areas of the pattern to provide the screw head with a decorative three-dimensional pattern.

Abstract: Formulations of programmed-release medicinal products intended for parenteral administration by injection, comprising calibrated solid microspheres (1 to 300 microns) of active substances. Provided in this form, steroids (for example progesterone and 17-.beta.-estradiol) may constitute injectable contraceptives, and the action of drugs having an approximatively 24 hours lasting effect may be regulated and extended.

Abstract: A direct conversion receiver for providing a direct conversion of a radio frequency signal having a carrier frequency comprises a local oscillator for substantially equal frequency to the carrier, and a semiconductor integrated circuit mounting mixers and amplifiers for amplifying inputs to the mixer. The amplifiers amplify the local oscillation signals and/or radio frequency signal inputted from the outside of the semiconductor integrated circuit and supply the amplified signals to the mixers. The mixers mix these inputted signals and output the mixed signals to the outside of the semiconductor integrated circuit. By thus forming the receiver, radiation of the local oscillation signals to outside of the receiver and leakage inside thereof can be suppressed.

Abstract: A pusher centrifuge, in which the pusher plate is moved cyclicly relative to a perforated drum in the axial direction in an advanced and a retracted position in a forward or a reverse movement, can be operated with a higher throughput if the drum is supplied with the mixture after leaving the advanced position of the pusher plate and up to the start of the following forward movement of said pusher plate. The mixture throughput can also be increased in that a smaller mixture quantity is supplied to the drum before reaching the advanced pusher plate position than after leaving the advanced pusher plate position.

Abstract: An oil tank including an oil tank body for storing oil and an oil filter disposed between an oil inlet for allowing oil into the oil tank body and an oil outlet for sending oil out. An oil inlet chamber is formed, inside the oil tank body, from a portion of the side wall, a portion of the bottom wall and the inner wall of the tank body, and communicates with the oil inlet. The oil filter has a substantially flat shape and forms a portion of the inner wall. By the use of the oil filter having a reasonably large mesh area, independently of the diameter of the oil inlet, the oil filter is protected against a mesh damage and is prevented from being detached. Since no excessively large area mesh is required, no particular rise in material costs is expected. A substantially flat surface structured oil filter is easy to fabricate and less costly to fabricate as well.

Abstract: A graphics processing apparatus includes a first detection part for detecting, with respect to each pixel of an image, whether or not an edge of the image starts on a scanline, and for setting a control data depending on whether or not the edge starts on the scanline, a second detection part for detecting a duration of beam power modulation corresponding to one or plural edge pixels being intersected by a line defined in the image, and for setting a duration data, a third detection part for detecting an outermost edge pixel in the edge pixels, a part for generating a beam power data indicating an intensity level of light beam power corresponding to the outermost edge pixel, an output part for outputting the image by means of a printer having a light source for emitting a light beam, and a control means for continuously modulating light beam power of the light source from the intensity level to a predetermined level with respect to the edge pixels, so that an image with smooth edges is generated by modulating

Abstract: An apparatus for transforming a line image, in the form of a two-level digital image, into contour vectors, and forming a center line for the image. First, the contour (or contours) of the image are traced and corrected, after which the center line of the image is determined based on the contour vectors that define opposite sides of the line image. In the contour correction process, composite line images having both "unitary" (open) figures such as in FIG. 7A, and closed-loop figures (such as in FIG. 7B) are decomposed into separably distinguishable unitary figures and closed-loop figures. This decomposition facilitates determination of the center line of the contour vectors, while reducing memory usage and not compromising processing speed as compared with known systems.

Abstract: An earth probing system uses deep penetration of electromagnetic waves into soil and other media. Advantage is taken of the lower attenuation of radar waves in soil by frequencies of about three megahertz or less. Bursts of electromagnetic energy of various frequencies in this range are consecutively transmitted. The transmitting antenna is continuously tuned, so as to maintain resonance during each burst, allowing large circulating currents and high power output. In a receiving antenna system, a dual antenna arrangement is providing for obtaining improved reception. A corresponding dual antenna circuit employs "spatial notch filtering", automatic adjustment of antenna gain-frequency variations, as well as compensation for transmitter gain variation. The system may be implemented in a totally analog, totally digital, or hybrid manner. Preferably, a signal processing method detects and digitally samples signals reflected from subsurface layers and buried objects.

Abstract: A device for printing objects which has an offset cylinder rotatably supported by a frame and a plurality of plate cylinders arranged around the offset cylinder. The offset cylinder is adapted to be secured in a plurality of positions, each of the positions corresponding to a position of a plate cylinder. Each plate cylinder has a printing plate and each of the printing plates has a first marking located thereon in predetermined positional relationship with an image on the printing plate. A detecting member is mounted on the offset cylinder for detecting a positional relationship of the first marking relative to the detecting means.

Abstract: A bed headboard having a headboard panel and support means supporting the panel in a generally vertical position and in at least one inclined position. The support means includes mounting means secured to the end of the bed and struts pivotally connected at one end to the mounting means at a position aligned with the bed and pivotally connected at its other end to the panel. The headboard preferably includes pivotal movement limiting means for limiting pivotal movement of the struts in at least one direction relative to the panel to maintain the panel in an inclined position. The lower edge of the panel contacts the bed, so that when a person reclines against the headboard, it is further stabilized by the person's weight.

Abstract: A standard pattern comparing system recognizes a data by comparing the data with a standard pattern registered in a dictionary, a plurality of kinds of data being supplied to the standard pattern comparing system. The standard pattern comparing system has a plurality of dictionaries including a plurality of normal dictionaries and one master dictionary. All standard patterns stored in each normal dictionary and some of the standard patterns stored in the master dictionary corresponding to one kind of data. There being no duplicate standard pattern included in more than two dictionaries, and each standard pattern included in the master dictionary being commonly used for at least more than two normal dictionaries to correspond to an arbitrary kind of data. The present invention is especially useful for a voice recognition system in which a speaker dependent voice recognizer is used for a personal computer which manages a plurality of application programs.

Abstract: A sizing die for sizing a plurality of micro-extruded tubes has a side fence, a clamping fence in substantial parallel relation with and movable with respect to the side fence, a base fence adjacent to and perpendicular to ends of the side fence and the clamping fence, and a movable die platen for applying pressure to the top of the stack of tubes. The side and base fences preferably are fixed. The tubes to be sized are stacked on their sides against the side fence with their internal webs aligned throughout. The clamping fence and die platen are moved to be in mating engagement with the stack. Pressure is applied through the die platen against the top of the stack to compress the tubes to a desired thickness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching sheets of wallboard to an EPS side panel and concrete wall assembly. A metal fastener strip is positioned against the outer surface of the outwardly facing side panels with its upper edge a predetermined distance below the ceiling line, prior to pouring of the concrete. Nails are pushed through longitudinally spaced-apart holes in the metal strip with their tips projecting well into the cavity defined between the opposed side panels. The concrete, when placed and cured, captures the nails, creating a mechanical connection to the metal strip. After the concrete is placed and cured, an adhesive is spread over the outwardly facing panels and the sheet of wallboard is placed in position. The wallboard is secured to the panels by hammering self-tapping drywall screws into the metal strip. The holes in the metal strip are countersunk to define a concentric recess around each hole, the metal strip being pushed into the side panels so that the recesses project into the panels.

Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided which is characterized by one or more blocking elements each consisting of two complementary semi-cylindrical parts (2),(3) snugly located in a correspondingly shaped aperture (4) defined between two relatively movable parts (5),(6) to be locked together, one of the semi-cylindrical parts (2),(3) being adapted to be operatively coupled to a key (8) to permit rotation of the two complementary semi-cylindrical parts (2),(3), whereby the two semi-cylindrical parts (2),(3) can be rotated between a position in which they prevent movement of the two lock parts (5),(6) and a position in which the two lock parts (5),(6) are relatively movable.

Abstract: Sulfonated 2'-acryloyltaxol and sulfonated 2'-O-acyl acid taxol derivatives are synthesized which have improved water solubility and stability while maintaining bio-activity. In particular, 2'-[(3-sulfo-1-oxopropyl)oxy]taxol sodium salt is synthesized by reacting taxol with acrylic acid, and subsequently reacting the 2'-acryloyltaxol with bisulfite in a Michael reaction. 2'-{[4-((2-sulfoethyl)amino)-l,4-dioxobutyl]oxy} taxol sodium salt and 2'-{[4-((3-sulfopropyl)amino)-1,4-dioxobutyl]oxy} taxol sodium salt are synthesized by reacting 2'-succinyltaxol with the tetrabutylammonium salts of taurine and 3-aminopropyl sulfonic acid, respectively, and subsequently exchanging the ammonium with sodium. Glycol derivatives of 2'-O-acyl acid taxols with improved water solubility are synthesized by reaction of a glycol with 2'-O-acyl acid taxol.

Abstract: A method for generating character pattern data includes steps of providing contour information of a character having m.sub.1 .times.m.sub.2 coordinate values in a coordinate space; and making and outputting gradated character pattern data of l.sub.1 .times.l.sub.2 picture elements for an output device having n gradiations per picture element (where m.sub.1, m.sub.2, l.sub.1, l.sub.2, and n are positive integers). In an image making method, picture subelements provided by dividing an original picture element are set as a scanning unit and an image is made by scanning conversion using the picture element having a gradation to perform a coloring operation with respect to the interior of a two-dimensional contour line.