Abstract: A multiple-disk player which detects a time period during which for the player operates in the non-playback mode after the playback start command is issued and calculates a time period value on the basis of the difference between the current value of the time information datum read out of the disk and its preceding value; the detected non-playback mode time period is added to the playback time period to produce the total time period; and performs a fade-out operation for music being played back when such total time period reaches a given allowable time period. Consequently, it is possible to quickly and accurately check the fade-out operation even before all the pieces of music to be played back are actually played back.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of polyglycerols (containing more than 50% by weight of diglycerol) which have a low content of cyclic components, by reacting chlorohydrins. In this reaction .alpha.-monochlorohydrin and epichlorohydrin are reacted at temperatures of 20.degree. to 120.degree. C., preferably 50.degree. C. to 100.degree. C., in a molar ratio of epichlorohydrin to .alpha.-monochlorohydrin of 0.8:1 to 1:2.5 in the presence of acids or compounds having an acid reaction. A medium having an alkaline reaction, preferably an aqueous solution having an alkaline reaction, is added to the resulting unseparated reaction mixture, at a temperature of 50.degree. C. to 120.degree. C., preferably 80.degree. C. to 95.degree. C. The amount of this addition is based on the content of organically-bound chlorine in the reaction mixture. After the addition of water, the reaction mixture is desalinated via one or more cation exchangers and subsequently anion exchangers.

Abstract: An integer division circuit performs a division operation on a dividend and a divisor each accomplished with sign information. The circuit includes a first latch circuit for temporarily storing, as sign control data, exclusive-OR operation data of the sign information of the dividend and divisor, an operation unit for forming a division operation on absolute value data of the dividend and divisor to produce a quotient, a correction circuit for correcting a sign of the quotient in response to the sign control data, and an overflow detection circuit for performing an exclusive-OR operation on the corrected-sign of the quotient and the sign control data to produce an overflow detection signal.

Abstract: An optical memory for optically storing and reproducing data comprises a substrate, an under layer and a recording layer. The under layer contains carbon and fluorine. The recording layer contains carbon and at least one of a metal and semiconductor material. The under layer acts as a barrier to H.sub.2 O and O.sub.2 diffused through the substrate toward the recording layer. The optical memory has an excellent write sensitivity and anti-oxidization characteristics. Also, the optical memory is capable of stable data storage over a long time period.

Abstract: A continuously performable process for the removal or reduction of the nite and/or nitrate content of nitrite-polluted and/or nitrate-polluted water with the selective formation of nitrogen by catalytic hydrogenation. Catalysts suitable for carrying out such a process are also described.

Abstract: In a weft insertion system of an air jet loom, a weft passage in the form of a U-shaped groove opening forwardly toward a cloth fell is formed by recesses of profiled reed dents, and sub-nozzles are arranged to direct auxiliary air jets into the weft passage. In order to obtain a desirable air stream in the weft passage, and to prevent a weft yarn from flying out of the passage, an upper edge of each recess, bordering the recess on the upper side, is inclined so that a distance from an axis of swing motion of the reed becomes gradually smaller toward the open end of the recess. Furthermore, an innermost edge of each recess is inclined so as to intersect at an angle with a straight line passing through the axis of swing motion.

Abstract: A portable angle auger apparatus for conveying bulk material comprising a conveyor auger and duct pivotable with respect to a supply auger and duct, a pivot hinge attached to beveled ends of the ducts and a movable flexible covering for the pivot juncture. The pivot juncture and flexible covering are designed such that the apparatus can be assembled and disassembled quickly by one individual.

Abstract: A microprogram controlled microprocessor capable of normalizing a given data in a floating point representation includes a memory storing a microprogram, an address register for holding a microprogram start address, an operand register for holding a source operand, a temporary register for temporarily holding an operation data, a pointer for holding a code indicative of the operand register at the time of starting the microprogram and for indicating a transfer source register in a transfer operation between internal registers, and a discriminator for discriminating whether or not an input source operand is a normalized number. The microprocessor operates on the basis of the microprogram to execute a given operation to the input source operand while causing the discriminator to discriminate whether or not the input source operand is a normalized number, so that the microprogram is completed without a branch when the input source operand is a normalized number.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission, a governor shaft is arranged so that a center axis of a governor shaft is interposed between a center axis of an idler shaft and a center axis of a final drive gear. In one embodiment, the center axis of the governor shaft is further disposed between a center axis of an output gear and the center axis of the final drive gear, and a governor valve is disposed above a drive shaft joint. In another embodiment, the governor valve is disposed below the drive shaft joint.

Abstract: A fail-detection system is designed for detecting failure of a fuel concentration sensor for monitoring concentration of one of a plurality of different types of fuels which are blended to be supplied to an internal combustion engine, which fuel concentration sensor varies output signal level depending upon the monitored fuel concentration in the blended fuels. The system comprises first means for receiving the output signal from the fuel concentration sensor for providing a monitored data associated with monitored fuel concentration, second means for providing a reference data representative of normal range of the value of the monitored data, and third means for comparing the monitored data with the reference data for detecting abnormality of the fuel concentration sensor when the monitored data is out of a predetermined relationship with the reference data.

Abstract: A detergent dispenser for a washing machine includes a detergent container for containing a certain amount of powdered detergent, a detergent discharger for discharging a necessary amount of powdered detergent from the container to a detergent receiver of the washing machine, a shaft rotated upon operation of the detergent discharger, a crank mechanism for changing the rotational movement of the shaft to the reciprocal movement, a reciprocating member reciprocally moved by the crank mechanism in the detergent container in the direction of one of end walls of the detergent container and in the direction opposite to the end wall so that the powdered detergent adherent to the inside surface of each end wall of the detergent container is removed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a document table on which a document is to be placed. The document table has first and second end portions opposed to each other. An exposure mechanism is arranged to be movable between the first and second end portions of the document table along therewith. The exposure mechanism projects light onto the document table to scan a document on the document table from the first end portion to the second end portion. A document placed on the document table is positioned by a positioning member so that one end of the document is aligned with the first end portion of the document table.

Abstract: An input speech signal is converted into sampled data with a first sampling frequency in each of a plurality of analysis frames. The sampled data are produced as filtered data through a digital filter having a high cut-off frequency smaller than the highest frequency of the speech signal. The filtered data are decimated into decimated signals which are sampled at a second sampling frequency smaller than the first sampling frequency and which are used to develop multi-pulses representative of an exciting source information of the input speech signal. Each of the analysis frames is divided into a plurality of subframes. At most one multi-pulse is developed in one subframe and the other multi-pulses are subsequently developed for the subframes other than the subframe where the one multi-pulse has been developed.

Abstract: A weft treatment system and method for removing a mispicked weft yarn from a weft path of a fluid jet loom of the type wherein a weft yarn from a weft supply member is introduced through a weft storage unit to a weft inserting nozzle to be picked. With this system and method, a mispicked weft yarn is detected when mispick occurs. Then, the operation of a cutter and weaving operation of the loom are stopped. Subsequently, the loom is reversely run to expose the mispicked weft yarn at the cloth fell of a woven fabric. More specifically, the weft winding arm is reversely rotated around the storage drum to unwind the weft yarn on the drum. The thus exposed mispicked weft yarn is drawn through the weft storage unit by a weft traction device disposed between the weft supply member and the weft storage unit.

Abstract: In an optical information storage apparatus including an optical information storing medium having a retrieval index storing area and an information storing area, the apparatus comprises an optical head for recording and reading information on and from the optical information storing medium and a signal generator for generating a delete signal to the optical head in order to directly or perfectly delete (destroy) information recorded on the information area of the storing medium, in addition to the indirect deletion of a retrieval index. Further, the above direct and indirect deletions can be selected by the operator. The above apparatus is useful in particular to delete confidential documents stored in a picture information filing system, for instance.

Abstract: A semiconductor acceleration sensor, including a semiconductor substrate, in which a mounting portion is formed in the substrate, and first and second cantilevered beams are formed in the substrate in opposite sides of the mounting portion so that these three members are aligned along a straight line, and in which a weight is formed at an end of the first cantilevered beam, and first and second strain sensing devices are formed in approximately the same layout in surface portions of the first and second cantilevered beams, respectively.

Abstract: A raspberry plant named PSI 79, characterized by its everbearing fruit habit, high yield, early fruiting habit on second year floricanes, exceptional vigor, and reduced thorns.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Aglaonema plant named `Rembrandt` characterized by its unique leaf coloring comprised of dark green and gray-green stripes, and yellow spots and midribs, pink petioles, free branching resulting in a wide appearance, relatively large leaves, and short underground stolons.

Abstract: A Kalanchoe plant named Big Surprise particularly characterized by its coral-red flower color with red highlights; flower diameter of 16 to 17 mm at maturity; flowering response, from 9 weeks in summer to 11 weeks in winter after start of short days; excellent keeping quality of flowers and foliage; branches freely with or without pinching; vigorous plant with short internodes; responsive to B-9 to reduce internode length and peduncle elongation; and adaptability to various pot sizes.

Abstract: A Kalanchoe plant named Wester Red particularly characterized by its clear red flower color that does not fade; flower diameter of 15-17 mm at maturity; flowering response, from 10 weeks in summer to 12 weeks in winter after start of short days; very floriferous with excellent display of many flowers; good keeping quality of flowers and foliage; excellent branching with or without pinching; vigorous vegetative and inflorescence growth; responsiveness to B-9 to reduce internode length and peduncle elongation; and adaptability to various pot sizes.