Abstract: An image is coded by counting runs of non-background picture elements, and counting consecutive scanning lines having only background picture elements. Consecutive scanning lines of this type are coded as a single command and value, giving the number of scanning lines. Consecutive scanning lines having identical numbers of runs of non-background picture elements are coded as another single command and value, giving the run count, followed by run information describing each run. Sparse images, consisting mostly of background area, can be coded efficiently in this way.

Abstract: An integrated circuit embedded in a smart card has a rewritable non-volatile memory in which an instruction file is stored. A control logic circuit in the integrated circuit converts random data into authentication data by executing instructions read from the instruction file, preferably by controlling a simplified data processing circuit having a shift register, an exclusive-OR logic circuit, and specialized bit operation circuits. A card issuer issuing smart cards including this integrated circuit writes different instruction files in different smart cards, thereby enhancing the security of the smart cards.

Abstract: A notebook with a multi-monitor includes a notebook and an external monitor. The device has an extra digital display interface port mounted on the notebook besides the original CRT port. The digital display interface port not only outputs video signals, but also applies a power supply for the external monitor. It also makes the above-mentioned notebook connect with another monitor by means of a cable between the digital display interface port and the external monitor. Therefore, the notebook possesses several monitors and keeps applications running simultaneously.

Abstract: A non-circular workpiece carrier, which includes a wheel-like carrier body, and at least one carriage, wherein the wheel-like carrier body has a transmission unit disposed around the periphery thereof, which receives a transmission power for causing the wheel-like carrier body to turn round, and at least one carrier unit; the at least one carriage is respectively disposed in the at least one carrier unit to hold non-circular workpiece, and forced to gyrate in the at least one carrier unit relative to the wheel-like carrier body, enabling loaded non-circular workpiece to be surface-processed (ground, polished, etc.) more evenly. Different carriages are alternatively used with the carrier body subject to the shapes of workpiece to be processed.

Abstract: A transfer roller is used in an electrophotographic printer. The transfer roller rotates in contact with a rotating photoconductive drum with a print medium travelling therebetween. The transfer roller has a metal shaft around which a rubber roller is formed. The rubber roller is sponge-like and electrically semiconductive. The rubber roller is covered with a resin tube which has a lower layer formed on the rubber roller and an upper layer formed on the lower layer. One of the upper and lower layers has a higher sealing effect than the other of the upper and lower layers, and the other of the upper and lower layers has a higher stability of electrical resistance than the one of the upper and lower layer.

Abstract: A cartridge type container for feeding a stick type cosmetic material includes a cartridge 2 having a stick type cosmetic material built-in, a container body 4 which can easily be attached to or detached from the cartridge 2, and a cap 3 which is composed of a cylinder 37 and a lid 31. The cylinder 37 is attached to a periphery of the container body 4 in such a manner that the cylinder 37 can slide in an axial direction and never comes off. The lid 31 is installed in such a manner that it can open and close an upper end opening of the cylinder 37. Further, the stick type cosmetic material can be advanced and returned by synchronously rotating the container body 4 and the cylinder 37.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor includes the following: a piezoelectric element constituted of a piezoelectric substance on which at least one electrode is provided, and a diaphragm on which the piezoelectric substance is mounted and supported; a membrane capable of vibrating, which is arranged in a position opposite to the diaphragm; a frame which is so horn-shaped that the interior space is enlarged from the edge of the membrane to the edge of the diaphragm; a cell constituted by arranging the frame in such a way as to house the diaphragm therein, expose the membrane to the outside, and enclose an electrically insulating liquid hermetically therein; and a lead connected to the electrode and drawn out from the electrode to the outside of the frame.

Abstract: A semiconductor device provided with a shallow metal basin having a flange outwardly extending from the top edge of the side wall of the shallow metal basin, to receive a semiconductor device chip having one or more semiconductor device elements disposed therein and one or more bonding pads arranged thereon, an insulator frame having one or more external terminals arranged thereon, the external terminals being connected with the bonding pads, and the insulator frame being arranged on the flange of the shallow metal basin, and a plastic layer molded to cover the semiconductor device chip, resultantly realizing a semiconductor device packaged in a chip scale package of which the production procedure is simplified and the heat dissipation efficiency and the integration are remarkably improved.

Abstract: This invention provides a dummy surface plate for shielding a partial region of an insertion opening of an electronic device housing. The electronic device housing has a first frame and a second frame. The dummy surface plate includes a main plate, a first edge which has a front face contact for contacting the front face of the first frame, a protrusion for fitting into a groove formed on the first frame, and a latch head for moving between a latching position and an unlatching position, and a second edge which has a front face contact for contacting the front face of the second frame, a protrusion for fitting into a groove formed on the second frame, and a rear face contact for contacting the rear face of the second frame.

Abstract: In a system having a supervisory module and at least one supervised module mounted on separate circuit cards in a common housing, the supervised module has a memory unit in which alarm and status information is stored by a processing unit, which gathers the alarm and status information from other integrated circuits in the supervised module. The supervisory module obtains the alarm and status information from the memory unit, without having to specify the physical addresses of integrated circuits and registers in the supervised module. The processing unit in the supervised module also makes register settings in the integrated circuits in the supervised module, on behalf of the supervisory module.

Abstract: Pixel information and control information transmitted by a facsimile machine 1a is received by a procedure controlling circuit 13 having a MODEM 13a for facsimile machines. A facsimile procedure controller 14 decodes the pixel information and the control information. A connection/transfer controller 15 edits the decoded information and produces a control packet and a pixel packet. The control packet and the pixel packet are output to a local area network (LAN) 4 via a LAN controller 17 and a LAN control circuit 18. When receiving a facsimile, the control packet signal transmitted via the LAN 4 is converted into pixel control information by the connection/transfer controller 15, and the pixel control information is supplied to the facsimile procedure controller 14. The connection/transfer controller 15 also converts the received pixel packet signal into pixel information. The pixel information is temporarily stored in a memory 16.

Abstract: A frequency band control device for an ATM line in which a plurality of channels share a single frequency band on a frequency band division basis includes a plurality of input buffers each being assigned to a respective channel for storing respective cells input from the channel until receiving an acknowledge signal. A priority order giving circuit gives, in each of consecutive time slots, a particular priority order to the send request signals output from the input buffers storing the cells. A cell conflict controller selects, among the send request signals fed from the priority order giving circuit, the send request signal given the highest degree of priority, and then sends the acknowledge signal to the input buffer having output the above send request signal. When any idle frequency band exists in the circuit, the control device effectively assigns it to an ATM cell while guaranteeing the minimum frequency band required of the individual channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for decoding compressed digital video data which has been compressed, for example in a format compliant with the Motion Picture Experts Group I (MPEG) standard or the Joint Picture Experts Group (JPEG) standard. The apparatus and method allows a fast decoding rate for the compressed digital video data. A variable length decoding (VLD) circuit is used to generate a first bit sequence of a fixed length by decoding the received compressed digital video data. Then, an inverse quantizer is used to convert the first bit sequence by inverse quantization into a second bit sequence. A zig-zag buffer is then used to store the second bit sequence at specific locations and output a plurality of frequency-division binary signal bits concurrently in parallel. An inverse discrete cosine transfer (IDCT) circuit is used to process the plurality of frequency-division binary signal bits according to an inverse discrete cosine transfer function, to generate a plurality of time-division binary signal bits.