Abstract: A liquid crystal display device having non-linear characteristics provides uniform quality in a matrix display. In driving rows and columns of picture elements the duty ratio is substantially increased by shortening the time in which the picture element is selected and charged for lighting. Charging time is less than the half frame period divided by the number of columns to be driven in the half frame, and more rows of elements can be driven in the half frame period. The portion of time actually used for charging is designated as a fine scanning period. By modulating the voltage levels across the liquid crystal layer during fine scanning periods when the crystal element is not selected, effective voltage across the picture elements is maintained with little variation regardless of the number of picture elements driven on the same signal line. A gray scale display can be provided.

Abstract: An improved liquid crystal composition for use in a liquid crystal light valve is provided. The light valve includes a liquid crystal panel having two opposed transparent substrates with transparent electrodes disposed on the inner surfaces thereof with the liquid crystal material disposed between the substrates. The liquid crystal panel controls light transmittance in response to signals of higher frequency h.sub.f and lower frequency h.sub.l than a crossing frequency f.sub.c (wherein the dielectric anisotropy is zero) applied to the liquid crystal material, respectively or simultaneously. The improved liquid crystal composition includes the following compounds in the weight percent concentrations as indicated:______________________________________ weight per- centage compound (wt %) ______________________________________ (1) ##STR1## 40-60 (2) ##STR2## 0-20 (3) ##STR3## 0-20 (4) ##STR4## 5-20 (5) ##STR5## 5-15 (6) chiral nematic liquid crystal 0.

Abstract: Photochromic coating compositions for synthetic resin ophthalmic lenses to impart photochromic properties to the lenses are provided. The photochromic coating composition includes an organic silicon compound to impart a surface hard coating and a photochromic material dispersed in the hard coat to impart photochromic properties. The photochromic materials may include compounds including the molybdic acid amine group, dithizone-mercury polymers, halogenated silver or copper, and a benzopyrylospiran compound. The coating composition is prepared by dispersing the photochromic material in a silicon hard coating composition. The coating composition may be coated on the surface of a synthetic resin lens by dipping, spraying, spin coating, flow coating and the like and then dry-heated to be cured. The coating composition is applied in thicknesses from about 1 to 30 microns.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and method for printing on a record medium utilizing an electric thermo-transfer process. The apparatus includes an ink sheet having an ink layer with heat-fusable ink thereon facing the record medium, and a resistive layer. A print head having at least a pair of opposed electrodes is in contact with the resistive layer. A driving circuit is coupled to the pair of opposed electrodes for applying a voltage to the pair of opposed electrodes. The applied voltage causes a current to flow in the ink sheet to heat the ink layer. A pulse width setting circuit controls the pulse width of the voltage applied to the electrodes to control the position and amount of heating of the ink. The system provides full-color printing on the record medium.

Abstract: After an external vertical sync signal is inputted, a divider circuit counts a predetermined number of clock pulses and delivers a vertical sync signal and a control signal allowing the external signal to pass through a gate circuit. The external vertical sync signal passing through the gate circuit resets the counter and a control signal from a detector circuit blocks the gate circuit until the counter delivers the next control signal. The divider circuit delivers a vertical sync pulse with proper timing and resets itself if the external signal is weak or absent.

Abstract: A sound generator including a note generating circuit for outputting a sequence of note signals corresponding to audible notes, an acoustic transducer receiving said note signals and outputting audible notes, memory means for storing data characterizing a note signal and including an inhibit signal, inhibit means, and means responsive to the inhibit signal from the memory means for transmitting said inhibit signal to said inhibit means to block passage of the terminal portion of the note signal to the transducer means.

Abstract: A FSK demodulation circuit using counter techniques to distinguish between two transmitted frequencies, provides a delay preceding the change points of the demodulated signal to reduce signal distortion. Presettable counters reduce the number of data bits for processing, and a plurality of counters count an equal plurality of zero-cross intervals to reduce distortion. Registers and multiplexer further reduce circuit complexity.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece with voice memory includes an auto start circuit which senses the presence of an input voice and automatically controls the start of recording. Voices inputted from the outside are coded and the coded data is stored in memory. An output means reads out the memory contents and transforms the coded contents into an analog voice signal. When the incoming voice exceeds a predetermined level, the recording means is automatically started by an output from a level detector. Memory is divided into at least two regions. The first region stores coded voice data before the auto-start circuit operates and later coded voice data is recorded in the second region after the autostart circuit operates so that the initial portions of speech are not lost.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer head comprises a piezoelectric element, a pressurization chamber coupled to the piezoelectric element for containing ink therein, and a nozzle communicating with the pressurization chamber, the piezoelectric element being deformable upon application of a drive voltage V to increase the volume of the pressurization chamber, removal of the driving signal restoring the volume and ejecting ink from the nozzle. The vibratory system including the piezoelectric element has an acoustic capacitance Co selected with respect to the flow passage system including said nozzle, said pressurization chamber and an ink supply passage, so as to minimize the drive voltage V. Drive voltage is related to the capacitance Co, electrical capacitance cp of the piezoelectric element and pressure .psi. as follows: ##EQU1## K is a constant.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece of the analog type including a timer is provided. A sound producing function is used for indicating the timer or alarm and this function is separated from the basic watch timekeeping circuitry. The sound producing function is easily incorporated into the timepiece without increasing the size of the timepiece. Setting of a timer function is accomplished by operation of an external member and the results of operating the external member are audibly indicated. In alternative embodiments, the second hand of the watch provides a visual indication of the time remaining in the selected time period, and a chronograph function may be provided.

Abstract: An electronic music note generator having a volume control circuit using an RC network to control sound amplitude. Signals are formed by the discharge characteristics of an RC network and the voltage level at charging determines the volume of the sound produced. Reverberation characteristics are provided by a persistence in the signal between notes as a result of the RC discharge characteristic.

Abstract: An electronic memoranda device especially suitable for the retrieval of stored data with low energy consumption is provided. In the electronic memoranda device, days, times, and schedules, and the like, are stored in a data memory. At regular intervals a key portion of these stored times is compared with a key portion of a current time signal outputted from a timekeeping circuit. When the key portion of time data read out from the data memory coincides with the corresponding portion of the currently outputted timekeeping signal, the entire data stored in memory is scanned for coincidence with the complete timekeeping signal. Coincident data is outputted for display. When the initial survey of the memory indicates that no data is stored corresponding to the key current time unit provided by the timekeeping circuit, the inspection operation of the memory is interrupted until the occurrence of the next time unit wherein inspection of the memory is repeated.

Abstract: An electronic analog timepiece provides for elapsed and intermediate split time measurement with hands indicating fractions of a second, seconds and minutes. Hands do not move except by a user stop or split command. Then the hands rapidly move to positions indicating elapsed or split time. Alternatively, conventional continuous indications are provided except when the internal battery nears depletion, or intermittent operation of the hand indicating fractional seconds provides warning that the battery nears depletion. A wristwatch type analog display stopwatch using a plurality of step motors to drive the hands is produced.

Abstract: Progressive multifocal ophthalmic lenses are provided having a far vision viewing zone, a near vision viewing zone and an intermediate vision viewing zone therebetween. A principal meridian curve extends vertically through the far, intermediate and near vision viewing zones. The surface power along the principal meridian curve in the intermediate vision viewing zone varies progressively. The sizes of the zones and configuration of the zones are set by predetermined conditions and equations. The construction provides improved lenses for use in activities such as sports, driving, shopping and the like.

Abstract: An X-ray source for producing high intensity X-rays. The X-ray source includes a vessel filled with an inert gas. An energizing mechanism such as a magnetic coil causes the gas to enter a pinch, plasma state which produces high intensity X-rays. The vessel includes a window through which the X-rays are radiated. In a second embodiment, a laser or electron beam bombards a crystal of selected material to produce the X-rays. The material, when gasified, does not interfere with radiation of the X-rays.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing beryl crystals from a raw material substantially that of natural beryl and at least one material of molybdates, vanadates and tungstates to form a flux is provided. The raw material and oxides are melted and a rotating beryl seed crystal is placed in contact with the rotating melt zone and drawn away from melt zone so that beryl crystal is synthesized as the seed crystal is withdrawn from the melt zone. The melt zone may be formed in a zone floating furnace with rotating axes or in a rotating crucible.

Abstract: A permanent magnet formed from a powdered alloy ingot of samarium (Sm) and cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) and at least one element selected from the group consisting of zirconium (Zr), titanium (Ti), hafnium (Hf), tantalum (Ta), niobium (Nb), and vanadium (V), formed predominantly of Sm.sub.2 Co.sub.17 crystals and having at least 50 volume percent columnar crystals in the macrostructure is provided. The alloy ingots having increased columnar crystals are prepared by melting the alloy composition at a temperature at least about 320.degree. C. above the melting point of the composition and casting the ingot at a casting speed faster than about 5.0 sec/kg of alloy.

Abstract: A multicolor serial printer has a color switching means interposed between an end of a carriage and type wheels having a group of first-color printing types and a group of second-color printing types. The color switching means has first-color and second color printing stepped surfaces selectively movable into confronting relationship with a member of the carriage. When the member of the carriage abuts on and engages in a first-color printing stepped surface or a second-color printing stepped surface during carriage shifting movement, a presser of a hammer means, mounted on the carriage and positioned within the type wheels, is brought into confronting relation to the group of first-color printing types or the group of second-color printing types for printing a desired character in the group in a first or second color.

Abstract: An electronic alarm wristwatch including a wristwatch case with a time display and an alarm buzzer therein wherein the display overlaps at least a portion of the alarm buzzer is provided. The alarm buzzer is positioned in a sound member in registration with buzzer openings in the watchcase for directing the buzzer sound to the time display side of the wristwatch. By overlapping the time display and buzzer, the size of the time display area may be increased without increasing the overall size of the wristwatch.