Abstract: Data communication is started when a first B channel is established between a source terminal and a destination terminal. Immediately before or after the start of a data transmission phase, the destination terminal is called a second time so that a second B channel may be established. Immediately before or after the data transmission phase, the use of one of the B channels is terminated. Accordingly, time required for data communication can be reduced.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an image signal converting means. The image converting means converts a first image signal into a second image signal. The first image signal includes an n-bit digital signal indicating a tone level of an image. The second image signal includes an m-bit digital signal indicating the tone level of the image. Here, m and n are integers and m is greater than n. A predetermined relationship between 2.sup.n values expressible by the n-bit digital signal and 2.sup.n related values among 2.sup.m values expressible by the m-bit digital signal is according to a first image forming characteristic in the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus further comprises an image forming means having a second image forming characteristic. The image forming means is coupled to the image signal converting means and forms the image based on the second image signal related to a combination of the first and second image forming characteristics.

Abstract: The invention provides various embodiments of a balanced modulator, each of which involves one or more individual amplitude modulators which, individually, do not provide suppressed-carrier outputs. A first embodiment employs a single amplitude modulator whose carrier input is selectively delayed by a half wavelength, depending on the polarity of the input modulating signal, and whose amplitude input receives the absolute value of the modulating input signal. A second embodiment involves summation of the outputs of two amplitude modulators whose carrier inputs are responsive to carrier signals offset by a half carrier wavelength and whose modulating signal inputs are responsive only to signals of respectively opposite polarity. Further, quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) modulators are provided by a combination of the above-described modulators.

Abstract: An electrically-controlled tailgate operator for moving a vehicle tailgate between a generally vertical raised position and a generally horizontal lowered position. The tailgate operator includes a ball nut linear actuator received in a housing mounted longitudinally along the side of a vehicle. The actuator includes a rotatable, horizontally-extending externally-threaded worm screw, an internally-threaded ball nut in threaded engagement with the worm screw for linear movement relative to the worm screw, and a sheave attached to the ball nut and around which a flexible cable is routed. A motor is coupled to the worm screw. The flexible cable is attached at one end to the vehicle tailgate, and at its other end to the housing. When the motor is activated to rotate the worm screw in a first direction around its axis, the ball nut moves linearly toward the tailgate and the cable extends outwardly toward the tailgate, thereby moving the tailgate to a generally horizontal lowered position.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant comprising a first membrane defining a first compartment and a second membrane, spaced inwardly from the first membrane, defining a second compartment contained within the first compartment. The second compartment is filled with a constantly adjustable amount of fluid. A distinctive unit, situated between the first and second membranes, is filled with a number of individual microcapsules which contain closed volumes smaller than 1 cc of fluid. The microcapsules optionally may be united together by a silicone adhesive. The small volumes avoid leakage of significant amounts of fluid during puncture of the prosthesis to inject or remove fluid subsequent to implantation.

Abstract: Table saw accessories are shown that are easily mounted on a saw in use or a new saw for the purpose of reducing loads generated on the table saw blade during a sawing operation. Included are a spreading clip that can be pressed onto the leading edge portion of an existing kerf splitter to provide a quick and easy way to change the width of the kerf splitter; and an anti-friction add-on that is easily attached to an existing saw fence.

Abstract: An image processing device incorporated in a digital image forming apparatus and capable of effecting various kinds of digital image processing, e.g., erasing, italicizing and shadowing, and blanking with a particular area of an image. Considering the fact that frame lines included in a document image can replace marks to be entered by a marker pen, the image processing device extracts areas each being delimited by a frame line as candidates for image processing.

Abstract: A water distribution system is provided having a flow rate in the range of approximately 10 to 30 psi. A chlorinator is provided in line with the water distribution system to dispense a chlorine compound into the water distribution system. Calcium hypochlorite in solid form is placed into the housing of the chlorinator, the chlorinator being used to dissolve the solid calcium hypochlorite in water, dilute it to a desired concentration, and dispense it into the water distribution system at a flow rate in the range of approximately 50 to 3500 gallons/day. The chlorinator comprises a housing having a closed bottom with a fluid inlet and outlet, an open top, and a removable top cover. A flow rate control valve in the internal passage regulates the rate of flow in the internal passage providing fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the housing interior.

Abstract: A setting tool for setting of any of a variety of down-hole devices used in petroleum/gas producing wells. A known setting tool employs an explosive charge. A disadvantage of this tool is that due to safety considerations, when such tools are in use, radio silence must be maintained on the drilling rig. Another known setting tool employs hydraulic forces. A number of problems exist with known tools.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer which controls a speed of an ink sheet based on density information of document image data uses a counting part for counting the number of maximum density pixels or gradation pulses in document image data and uses a speed ratio changing part for changing a speed ratio between a feeding speed of a recording medium and a feeding speed of an ink sheet based on the number of maximum density pixels or gradation pulses which have been counted by the counting part.

Abstract: A wide-field exposure optical system in which the projection is performed by scanning an object to be projected with a predetermined scan width. The optical system comprises an illuminating section for illuminating the object to be projected in a circular arc region, a reflecting and refracting optical system for correcting the aberration of a circular arc region having its center on the optical axis and for forming, within an image surface, an image of the object to be projected illuminated by the illuminating section as a circular arc, a driving means for moving light-receiving members arranged on the object to be projected and on the image surface relative to the illuminating section and the reflecting and refracting optical system, and the reflecting and refracting optical system being formed by a first lens group, a second lens group and one concave mirror. The second lens group comprises a second lens which is a convex lens and a third lens which is a concave lens.

Abstract: A polygon extracting unit divides a screen image into n-level hierarchy in a scan-line shifting direction. The polygon extracting unit then accesses the sort memory and then reads data, from the screen memory, concerning the end points of the polygon corresponding to the value obtained as a result of the sort memory access. Then, the same unit, in the highest-level regions of the hierarchy, extracts the polygon edge-pairs overlapping the highest-level region. Then, the same unit, based on polygon edge-information, calculates the information concerning the corresponding edge pair to appear on the scan line. A polygon-edge-pair memory stores data concerning the starting point and ending point of the polygon on the scan line. A transfer unit determines whether or not the extracted polygon edge-pair overlaps with the relevant region. The same unit then transfers the polygon edge-pair to the lower-level regions if the polygon edge-pair overlaps.

Abstract: The hydraulic control valve 30 of a hydraulic actuator 20 for generating steering assist force comprises a first valve member 31 and a second valve member 32, both of which are rotatable relative to each other in response to steering resistance. Throttling portions are formed of spaces between axially extending edges defined by slots of the first valve member and axially extending edges defined by slots of the second valve member. The first hydraulic oil outlet slot 51b is located between a right turn slot 50a and a left turn slot 50b. The second hydraulic oil outlet slot 51c is located between communication slots 50c. Hydraulic oil feed slots 51a are located between a right turn slot 50a and a communication slot 50c and between a left turn slot 50b and a communication slot 50c. A closing angle of at least one type of second group throttling portions A', B', C' and D' is set larger than a closing angle of each of a first group throttling portions A, B, C and D.

Abstract: The present invention calculates an error between an output expected value with respect to an input of fuzzy inference and an output result of fuzzy inference using a singleton as the conclusion-membership function, calculates the distance proportional to the ratio of the degrees of contribution of each conclusion-membership functions in the defuzzy calculation for fuzzy inference, and uses the error and the distance as the basis to update tuning of the conclusion-membership function.

Abstract: A superconducting bearing device for supporting a rotary shaft (rotary body) 2 in a noncontact state for rotation at a high speed. A superconducting bearing 4 for supporting the rotary shaft 2 in a noncontact state relative to a housing 1 comprises permanent magnets 14 mounted on the rotary shaft 2, and Type II superconductors 17 attached to the housing 1 and opposed to the magnets as vertically spaced apart therefrom. A mechanical catcher bearing 21 comprising a thrust ball bearing is disposed between the housing 1 and the rotary shaft 2 at opposed portions thereof. An initial position determining mechanism is provided for lifting a bearing ring 23 of the catcher bearing 21 on the housing 1 to position the housing 1 and the rotary shaft 2 in place relative to each other, whereby the superconductors 17 and the permanent magnets 14 on the shaft 2 can be positioned in place relative to each other. The superconducting bearing 4 can be operated efficiently by suitably determining the relative position.

Abstract: A distributed database system includes a communication network having a plurality of nodes each with a distributed database, a local process part for extracting relations from each database by performing local processes at each node when a query including multi-attribute relations thereof is input, a degree setting part for setting a degree number of each of the extracted relations, a relation set part for arranging relation sets each containing relations having the same degree number by grouping the extracted relations according to the degree number, an extraction part for extracting single-attribute relations from each relation set so that the single-attribute relations are added to a first relation set having the lowest degree number, a semijoin operating part for repeatedly semijoining two relations of a only relation set only when the quantity of transfer data resulting from the semijoining is decreased, so that a derived relation is added to a next relation set, and a control part for allowing the semij

Abstract: In a microwave oscillation apparatus including a negative resistance element, a microstrip line having a first end connected to the negative resistance element and a second end connected to a terminating resistor, and a dielectric resonator magnetically coupled to the microstrip line, a capacitive stub is provided on the microstrip line at a distance (1/4) .lambda..sub.s (2N-1) from the first end thereof, where .lambda..sub.s is a wavelength of a spurious oscillation frequency component and N is a positive integer.

Abstract: A pen input device is provided with a tablet having a top surface and a plurality of reference lines provided at a constant pitch on the top surface in mutually perpendicular directions, and a pointing device having a tip end, a first device for irradiating light on the tablet via the tip end, and a second device for detecting a moving direction and a moving quantity of the tip end of the pointing device on the tablet and a distance between the tip end of the pointing device and the top surface of the tablet based on scattered light received from the tablet.

Abstract: In a charge transfer device incorporating a charge-coupled device, a junction type field-effect transistor, and a reset transistor, the junction type field-effect transistor includes a source region in contact with a junction gate region and a drain region in contact with the junction gate region. The charge-coupled device has an output gate electrode on a first insulation film formed on a surface of a transfer channel region which is formed in contact with the junction gate region. The reset transistor has a reset gate electrode adjacent to the junction gate region with a second insulation film interposed between the junction gate region and the reset gate electrode. A first distance between the source region and each of the output gate electrode and the reset gate electrode is longer than a second distance between the source region and the drain region.