Abstract: Input CAD data and run-length data obtained by performing a RIP process on the input CAD data are acquired. A predetermined conversion process is performed on at least one of the input CAD data and the run-length data to make the data formats of both data comparable and then both data are compared with each other to detect an area having a difference as a defect area in the run-length data. This provides a technique to detect a defect in the run-length data to be used for drawing of a figure before the execution of drawing with a simple structure.

Abstract: Derivatives of 2-phenyl-3-hydroxyquinoline-4(1H)-one of the general formula (II), where X represents a nitro group, amino group, and Y represents an atom of halogen, oxygen or sulphur substituted by C1 to C6 alkyl or phenyl group, whereby both the alkyl and phenyl group may be further substituted and the substituents may be identical or different, or by nitrogen substituted independently by hydrogen, C1 to C6 alkyl, C1 to C6 alkyl, which may be substituted among others by halogen, hydroxy, C1 to C4 alkoxy or C1 to C4 alkylamino group, or may form a saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring with 5 to 7 atoms, where the individual ring atoms comprise atoms of carbon, and any of the carbon atoms may be substituted by an atom of nitrogen, sulphur or oxygen, X and Y together form an imidazo group, or imidazo group substituted by C1 to C6 alkyl, which may be substituted among others by halogen, hydroxy, C1 to C4 alkoxy or C1 to C4 alkylamino group, CHO or acetylgroup, or a heterocyclic ring with 5 to 6 atoms, wher

Abstract: Superconducting integrated circuits require several wiring layers to distribute bias and signals across the circuit, which must cross each other both with and without contacts. All wiring lines and contacts must be fully superconducting, and in the prior art each wiring layer comprises a single metallic thin film. An alternative wiring layer is disclosed that comprises sequential layers of two or more different metals. Such a multi-metallic wiring layer may offer improved resistance to impurity diffusion, better surface passivation, and/or reduction of stress, beyond that which is attainable with a single-metallic wiring layer. The resulting process leads to improved margin and yield in an integrated circuit comprising a plurality of Josephson junctions. Several preferred embodiments are disclosed, for both planarized and non-planarized processes.

Abstract: A liquid-level detection device detects the liquid level in the developer storing container for storing liquid developer, and includes a first water wheel, a first rotation detection mechanism, and first liquid-level detection device. The first water wheel is disposed in the interior of the developer storing container, and is configured to be rotated by liquid developer to be supplied to the developer storing container. The first rotation detection mechanism is configured to detect a rotation state of the first water wheel. The first liquid-level detection device detects the liquid level of liquid developer based on a result detected by the rotation detection mechanism.

Abstract: An eSATA connector includes a connector plug and a mated connector receptacle. The connector plug includes a plug member, a plug metal housing, plug data terminals and a terminal holding part, in which the plug data terminals are held, and further includes plug power terminals held in the terminal holding part, wherein the plug power terminals and the data terminals each other electrically insulated.

Abstract: A communications routing system, and method, for representing a plurality of predicted characteristics of a plurality of communications sources, each having an economic utility; representing a plurality of predicted characteristics of a plurality of communications targets each having an economic utility; and determining an optimal routing between the plurality of communications sources and the plurality of communications targets, by maximizing an aggregate utility with respect to the respective predicted characteristics of communications source and communications destination represented by linkages.

Abstract: A jewelry piece is formed with a jewelry body made of epoxy material, defining an outer surface and cast in the shape of a piece of jewelry in the form of a ring, pendant, earring, brooch, bracelet, anklet, necklace, and the like. The epoxy has a material density approximating that of gold and the decorative metal layer made of precious metal is affixed to the outer surface of the jewelry body in a thickness greater than 0.125 ?m. The decorative body may be surface mounted to the jewelry or it may be inlaid or affixed in other similar fashion.

Abstract: A slender insertion section of the endoscope has an endoscope distal-end portion, a tubular body and a bending portion, all extending along the longitudinal axis of the insertion section. The bending portion is arranged between the distal-end portion and the tubular body. The insertion section has an inner component. The bending portion has an annular ring assembly composed of a plurality of annular rings arranged side by side. Each annular ring has a ring body, a pair of bulging portion that face at one end face of the ring body, and a plurality of projections which the inner component can move. The most distal annular ring of the annular ring assembly supports one end of a wire. The wire passes through the annular rings and has its other end coupled to an operation section of the endoscope.

Abstract: In a heat treatment apparatus, a substrate held by a holding part is irradiated with light emitted from halogen lamps to perform preheating thereon and irradiated with a flash of light emitted from flash lamps to perform flash heating thereon. Part of light which is emitted from the halogen lamps and goes toward the flash lamps passes through a window hole formed in a peripheral-light shielding member and enters the substrate held by the holding part, and its energy is used for the preheating on the substrate. On the other hand, the remaining light is blocked out by the peripheral-light shielding member.

Abstract: A die bonding apparatus and method is provided to automatically adjust a level of a die bonder to compensate for any physical changes occurring in the die bonder during bonding. A bond arm support is drivable to a bonding level to position a die onto a bonding surface, and a bond arm is slidably mounted to the bond arm support for holding and bonding the die. The bond arm is configured to be urged by the bonding surface to move relative to the bond arm support upon contact of the die onto the bonding surface. A measuring device is provided for determining a distance moved by the bond arm relative to the bond arm support during bonding, and a controller is responsive to the distance determined by the measuring device to change the bonding level to which the bond arm support is driven.

Abstract: A surgical treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes an outer sheath, extending from a base portion subject to an operator's hand to the tip subject to insertion into a body cavity, that is provided with a working channel through which a treatment instrument can be passed; an image pickup device disposed at the tip portion of the outer sheath; and pivotable forceps disposed at the tip portion of the outer sheath, supported on a supporting section protruding in the axial direction via a joint being bent away from the working channel, and having a pair of forceps members arranged so as to be freely opened/closed, wherein the image pickup device is disposed at a position between the axis line of the supporting section and the axis line of the working channel and offset from an imaginary line connecting the two axis lines.

Abstract: An image forming device, which is linkable to an optional unit, includes: a connector providing an electrical connection with the optional unit; a connector cover opening and closing a connecting surface of the connector; and a cover opening-and-closing mechanism opening the connecting surface of the connector by moving the connector cover in accordance with a linking operation linking the optional unit.

Abstract: A runner system for a molding apparatus comprises a plurality of runner networks, each runner network further comprising a mold supply pot having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. A plurality of molding cavities are located on the first and second sides of the mold supply pot, and a plurality of runners are operative to channel molding compound from each mold supply pot to the plurality of molding cavities. At least one of the mold supply pots comprises a different number of runners located on the first side which are connected to the mold supply pot as compared to a number of runners located on the second side which are connected to the mold supply pot.

Abstract: To provide external access to a specification file stored in at least one memory unit, which is associated with at least one electronic control unit which may be in a vehicle, a computer is connected to a first communication bus in the vehicle. A first module in the computer is adapted to communicate with the at least one electronic control unit over the first communication bus. Provided that a user-unique key is connected to a port of the computer and a software component of this key is set to an active authorization state, the computer is enabled to communicate with the at least one electronic control unit. Thus, the computer may read out the specification file as well as update the specification file.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved ultrasonic probe for Internal Rotating Inspection System (called IRIS) for inspecting tube-like structures from the inside of the tubes. The improved design deploys a rotor with rotor blades and a slotted stator located close to the emitting face of the transducer, to direct the flow of water such that air bubbles are carried away from a zone immediately in front of the transducer emitting face. Inspection accuracy and efficiency is significantly improved when air bubbles are effectively removed.

Abstract: A chip is constituted from a transparent substrate, a reflector film formed on the transparent substrate and an optical waveguide layer formed on the reflector film, and a plurality of pores is formed in the optical waveguide layer. A light-introducing mechanism that introduces light from the transparent substrate of the chip onto the reflector film, and a light-detecting mechanism that detects the light reflected on the reflector film are provided. A specimen under investigation is detected by sensing a change in the incidence angle or in the intensity of reflected light that occurs when the specimen is adsorbed or deposits on the surface of the optical waveguide layer, by using a range of incidence angles of the light in which the intensity of reflected light changes when a part or all of the incident light couples with the optical waveguide mode that propagates in the optical waveguide layer.

Abstract: A novel and unique method, program and apparatus for secured facsimile transmission. It converts the image pixels into 8 bit ASCII characters, encrypting the data and reconverting the encrypted data back into a scrambled image, which is then compressed and transmitted according to international standard of facsimile transmission regulation (CCITT) over an insecure public telephone line to the recipient. The scrambled image is saved in a special memory area of the receiving machine and may be de-scrambled upon an input of a password by the intended recipient.

Abstract: In a toilet seat having suctioning of air from the toilet bowl, an advantageous air flow is achieved in the toilet seat by means of the arrangement of elongated suction ports on both sides of the longitudinal center line of the seat.