Abstract: A printing aid includes a printing position-determining member 22 for determining a position of a material to be printed 30 on a printing position of a printer device, and a placement member for material to be printed 21 for placing the material to be printed at a portion corresponding to the printing position determined by the printing position-determining member. This makes it possible to print on various types of materials to be printed with the printer device.

Abstract: A steganographic method embeds hidden information like digital watermarks and digital fingerprints into an image by applying one or more zero-mean patches to a digital signal that conveys the image. Each zero-mean patch comprises elements having an average value substantially equal to zero. A printer tracking system is implemented by selecting a plurality of zero-mean patches according to a string of bits representing a printer serial number, and modifying printer control signals to embed the plurality of patches in each of a number of virtual cells within the image to be printed. The offset of the virtual cells with respect to the boundaries of the image and the location of the patches within each virtual cell are established in pseudo-random fashion. The printer tracking system further includes a technique for subsequently detecting the printer serial number by scanning the printed image and running a detection algorithm on the scanned data to recover the string of bits embedded in the zero-mean patches.

Abstract: In a power feeding apparatus A1, a drive circuit 11 receives electrical power supplied from a power supply 10 and generates a driving signal V. In response to this, an actuator 12 vibrates, and this vibration is transmitted through vibration transmission members 14 and 20 to a converter 21 of a power receiving apparatus B1. The converter 21 includes a piezoelectric device. Accordingly, vibration is converted into voltage, thus generating an electromotive voltage Vg. The electromotive voltage Vg is rectified by a rectification circuit 23, and a large-capacitance capacitor 24 is charged with rectified voltage. A clock circuit 25 receives power from the large-capacitance capacitor 24 and measures time.

Abstract: A steganographic method embeds hidden information like digital watermarks and digital fingerprints into an image by applying one or more zero-mean patches to a digital signal that conveys the image. Each zero-mean patch comprises elements having an average value substantially equal to zero. A copyright protection system is implemented by selecting one or more zero-mean patches in pseudo-random fashion, modifying the patches by perturbing their elements in pseudo-random fashion, and applying the patches to image pixels at locations that are selected in pseudo-random fashion. The copyright protection system further includes a procedure for checking for the presence of a watermark in a digital signal.

Abstract: Provided is a diver's information processing device for notifying a diver of a change in a pressure decrease ratio, at which pressure decreases during surfacing, for the purpose of minimizing the risk of a diver's decompression sickness and excess pulmonary expansion. In particular, when diving is performed at a high altitude, notification is made so that a pressure decrease ratio will be held lower than a pressure decrease ratio permitted at a low altitude. A diver's information processing device 1 includes means that uses a pressure meter 61 and a timer 68 to calculate a pressure decrease ratio. Moreover, the diver's information processing device 1 includes means that uses an acoustic notifier 37, a vibration generator 38, and a display panel 11 to continuously notify a pressure decrease ratio, at which pressure applied to a diver decreases during surfacing, for the purpose of minimizing the dangers of diver's surfacing.

Abstract: A method for controlling the saving of information regarding printer operating conditions to its nonvolatile memory is provided. The method decreases the data save time to the printer's nonvolatile memory, and minimizes the effect that saving to the nonvolatile memory has on printer operation. The method groups printer status data relating to the printer's operating conditions into different groups or blocks of data and allocates each block to a different storage area in the printer's volatile memory and its nonvolatile memory. A particular data group stored in its assigned storage area in the volatile memory is saved to the corresponding storage area in the nonvolatile memory when one or more trigger events related to printer control to which that particular data group is responsive occur.

Abstract: A multiple function printer for reliably re-magnetizing MICR character on a cut-sheet form without regard to operator experience or the manner in which the form is inserted method. The transportation mechanism of the printer drives the cut-sheet form inserted in an insertion opening of the printer in reverse until the leading edge of the form is detected by a top-of-form (TOF) detector disposed in the insertion opening. Next, the cut-sheet form 5 is fed in reverse to position the beginning of the MICR characters on the form within the effective flux density range of the magnetizing magnet 17. The cut-sheet form is then advanced forward from this position to re-magnetize and then read the MICR characters using a magnetic head.

Abstract: In an ink jet head that reduces failure or abnormality in ink ejection, electric charge/discharge is applied between opposed electrodes and diaphragms to eject ink droplets from ink nozzles. Each of the opposed electrodes includes a main electrode and a sub-electrode formed on the nozzle side and in common with sub-electrodes for the other diaphragms. Auxiliary electric charge is applied between the sub-electrode and the diaphragms so that the menisci or ink in the ink nozzles vibrate without ejecting unnecessary ink droplets and to shorten the time for tail portions of ejected ink columns to leave the ink nozzles. Ink in ink channels is diffused so that the ink viscosity does not increase due to evaporation of ink solvent. Also, the menisci in the nozzles are drawn into the ink chambers so that unnecessary ink droplets are not ejected immediately after printing ink droplets are ejected.

Abstract: An ink-jet head ejects an ink droplet from an ink nozzle by the charging and discharging between a counter electrode and vibrating plates. The counter electrode comprises a main electrode and an auxiliary electrode, which is provided on the ink-nozzle's side in common with the vibrating plates. Auxiliary charging between the auxiliary electrode and the vibrating plates is effected to vibrate a meniscus in the ink nozzle without ejecting a useless droplet. Consequently, the ink is prevented from forming a film on the meniscus, and an increase of the viscosity of the ink due to evaporation of the ink solvent is prevented by diffusing the ink in the ink passage.

Abstract: The ink outlet of a pressure damper connects reliably to the ink supply inlet of an ink-jet print head even if there are dimensional variations in the molded parts of the print head unit. A print head unit 10 includes an ink-jet print head 12 with an ink supply inlet 14; a carriage 11 for holding the ink-jet head 12; a pressure damper 21 for absorbing pressure variation in the ink supplied to the ink-jet print head; and a case 20 for housing the pressure damper 21. The pressure damper 21 is supported inside case 20 in the connect/disconnect direction of the ink outlet 22 to the ink supply inlet 14. A spring 31 pushes against the pressure damper 21 so that the ink outlet 22 is press fit to ink supply inlet 14.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece comprises a battery, capable of charging, a charging section for charging the battery, a timepiece control circuit performing time keeping operation by using a stored electric power in the battery, a display for displaying time kept by the timepiece control circuit, a voltage detecting circuit for detecting a voltage of the stored voltage of the battery, and a charging detecting section for detecting a state of charging to the battery, and this timepiece, when the voltage of the stored voltage declines below a first prescribed voltage which is higher than an operation stop voltage of the timepiece control circuit, and non-charging state is detected for a prescribed time period, executes a forcible stop upon the time keeping operation by lowering or shutting off a current for the timepiece control circuit, and lifts the forcible stop when a prescribed operation return condition is satisfied.

Abstract: In an electronic apparatus which includes a power generator and a storage device for storing electric energy obtained thereby, it is detected whether a motor driven by the stored electric energy is rotating by comparing the rotation detecting voltage, which is proportional to the induction voltage generated in the motor caused by the rotation of the motor, with a rotation reference voltage. The generation state of the power generator or the charging state of the storage device is detected. The level of the rotation detecting voltage or the level of the rotation reference voltage is shifted by a predetermined amount based on the detected generation state of the power generator or the detected charging state of the storage device so that the voltage difference between the rotation detecting voltage and the rotation reference voltage is increased during the no-rotation period.

Abstract: An ink jet head which is -prevented from corrosion by ink, and an ink jet recording apparatus using the same. An ink-resistant thin film (25) made of Ti, a Ti compound, or Al2O3 is formed on the surface of recess portions (21 to 23) of a substrate in which a reservoir (8) for reserving ink, orifices (7) and pressure chambers (6) are formed. Since this ink-resistant thin film (25) is formed, corrosion can be restrained without reducing printing quality, without necessity to change the component/composition of the ink and the material of the head, and with little change of its manufacturing process, even if there is a fear that the head material may be corroded by the ink.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, a mounting structure thereof, a liquid crystal device, and an electronic apparatus having an improved bump electrode structure, such that the bump electrodes and corresponding electrode terminals can be electrically connected through an anisotropic conductive film without compromising, or causing deterioration of, the electrical characteristics or reliability of the device, even when the bump electrodes are formed with a narrow pitch. Since the bump electrodes of the semiconductor device are tapered inward from top to bottom, the base portions of adjacent bump electrodes are spaced apart from each other by wider gaps than the corresponding upper portions. Thus, a large number of conductive particles in the conductive film do not gather between adjacent bump electrodes to cause short-circuiting therebetween.

Abstract: Printer control prevents a user from pulling on printed roll paper before the printed form is cut from the roll while still providing the printed paper quickly to the user. When a paper sensor detects the trailing end of printed portion of the paper, that portion of paper is held by an ejection roller pair to temporarily stop the end of the paper from being ejected from the ejection opening. Paper slack in the paper transportation path is then determined. A paper cutting and ejection roller driving sequence is then executed based on the slack determination to provide the printed portion of the paper to the user through the opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing electronic parts in which leads can be accurately bent and maintenance operations are easy. Each electronic part so manufactured includes a resin mold section 2 with a built-in electronic device and leads projecting therefrom, and the manufacturing method comprises bending a first portion of each of leads 3 to form a first bent portion 3d, bending a second portion of the lead 3 to form a second bent portion, and pressing the lead from obliquely above to bend the lead in such a manner that a tip portion of the lead 3 is located at a bottom portion of a resin mold. In the first bending step, a V-shaped groove 3c is formed near a root of the lead 3, and in the second bending step, the V-shaped groove 3c is bent to form a second bent portion 3e.

Abstract: The blood pressure monitor (10) comprises an artery pressing section which locally presses an artery of the extremities or fingers at an arbitrarily variable pressing force, a vibration sensor (22) detecting a vibration of the artery at the pressed point or points on a peripheral side thereof, a mounting mechanism (26) which positions the artery pressing section and the vibration sensor (22) on the artery, a blood pressure determination section which determines the maximum and minimum pressures based on various pressing force values applied by the above-mentioned artery pressing section and signals detected by the vibration sensor (22) at these various pressing force values, guides (34) which are provided on each side of the vibration sensor (22) and guide the vibration sensor (22) to the artery by being located on the both sides of the artery, and a peripheral side pressing section which presses the artery on the peripheral side from the vibration sensor (22).

Abstract: A peripheral device and peripheral device control method assure the immediacy of status information while opening the greatest possible bandwidth when communicating status information using a USB interface enabling simultaneous access to a plurality of peripheral devices. A first transfer function enables sending status information to a peripheral device such as a printer using the USB bulk transfer type, and a second transfer function enables sending status information using the USB interrupt transfer type. Status information sent in response to a host request where the host can control the timing of status information transfers is sent by bulk transfer using the first transfer function, thereby assuring bandwidth for bulk transfers. Autonomous status information communicated at a timing unknown to the host is communicated by the second transfer function using the short transfer period interrupt transfer type, thereby assuring the immediate communication of the status information.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device, support columns are formed on the outside of a seal area in an edge area of opposing substrates, thus reducing substrate deformation and preventing the occurrence of air bubbles inside the liquid crystal layer, undesirable coloring of the display area, and color irregularity. Support columns 9 formed using a conductive ink are provided on the outside of seal material 6 used for sealing liquid crystal layer 5 contained between top substrate 1 and bottom substrate 2. The support columns 9 prevent the warping of substrates 1 and 2 caused by the shrinkage of mold material 8 during hardening, reducing the changes in the liquid crystal layer thickness. Support columns 9 are print-formed simultaneously with the conductive connection area of the liquid crystal panel, and are hardened simultaneously with the seal material.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device is provided having a plurality of electrodes in electrical communication with a conduction portion of a plurality of external wirings. An external portion is in electrical communication with the plurality of electrodes and comprises a conduction layer having a predetermined thickness, the conduction layer being arranged in a predetermined pattern on the external portion and between the external wirings and the external portion.