Abstract: A polymer gel composition and an optical element using the same are provided. The polymer gel composition has a simple constitution, can be applied for a display element of transmission type, and exhibits large differences in the light-scattering index, light refractive index, and light absorption according to an imposed electric field with stable repeating performance. The polymer gel composition and the optical element using it contain a liquid and a charged polymer gel that exhibits volumetric change depending on the absorption/releasing of the liquid according to an imposed electric field.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for supporting evaluation of usability of an instrument relative to performing a given task. During performing of the task, a control unit acquires information of an operation log related to an operation performed by a user, and evaluates an effectiveness index associated with achievement of the task, efficiency index associated with efficiency, and satisfaction index associated with subjective satisfaction of the user. The indexes are generated by a statistical calculation using a plurality of measured items, including the operation log information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mail processing system which reduces the load on an e-mail hosting. A center-side mail server (30) receives electronic mail addressed to client domains (10) and combines the electronic mail into one file (bulk mail data) for each domain. A client-side mail server (14) in the client domain (10) regularly accesses the center-side mail server (30) to download the bulk mail data, which is addressed to the client domain (10), from the server (30). The client-side mail server (14) disassembles the downloaded bulk mail data into individual electronic mail data and saves it in respective destination mailboxes. A user PC (16) in the client domain (10) can receive electronic mail, which is addressed to the user PC, from the client-side mail server (14) using a protocol such as POP3.

Abstract: An inexpensive data storage technique utilizing available capacity in individual computer devices connected to a network is provided. When a backup client (BC) (14) of a user PC receives a backup instruction for a file from a user, the backup client (14) requests backup to a backup control server (20). The backup control server (20) divides and encrypts the file to be backed up into a plurality of encrypted pieces, transfers the encrypted pieces to user PCs (10), and stores the encrypted piece in the HDDs (12) of the user PCs (10). When the destributively backed up file is to be extracted, the user PC 10 obtains each encrypted piece from the user PCs 10 on which they are stored, and combines and decrypts the encrypted pieces to restore the original file.

Abstract: A method for differentiating between image and graphic objects contained within a Color Rendering Dictionary is disclosed. The differentiation between image and graphic objects is accomplished by monitoring the sequence in which Color Rendering Dictionary procedures are executed.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus has, in the upper portion of an apparatus main body, a main body discharge section and a main body stack section in which a sheet discharged from the main body discharge section is placed. The sheet processing apparatus includes a transport section disposed on the upper portion of the main body stack section and transports the sheet discharged from the main body discharge section in a sheet eject direction, an eject section which is disposed on the upper portion of the main body discharge section and from which the sheet with an image formed thereon is ejected through a eject passage different from the eject passage of the main body discharge section, and a transport placement portion which is disposed on the transport section and in which the sheet ejected from the eject section is placed.

Abstract: An electronic component mounting circuit board for mounting an electronic component, comprises a circuit board, and connection pads provided on the circuit board, the connection pads being formed with a plurality of holes for inserting terminals of the electronic component.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an IC chip IF, which is located in the vicinity of an original base where original papers are stored. Under a condition that the original papers are put on the original base, the image forming apparatus reads data from an IC chip attached to one sheet or more sheets of these original papers put on the original base and then, processes image data read from the original paper on the basis of the data read from the IC chip.

Abstract: Techniques for dynamic personalized reading fluency proficiency assessment are provided by determining a user reading fluency level based on one or more spoken responses provided by the user during one or more reading aloud sessions of a text that has been evaluated for discourse structure and information structure of sentences.

Abstract: A Web browser provides the ability to separate content and hyper-links from a Web page and provides a list of the links for viewing on a mobile device display screen, and once a link is selected using the mobile device, a services portal link is provided to the mobile device display to provide selection of services to be performed on the selected link, such as faxing or printing. Further, the services are made link dependent, or user dependent so that specific services can be displayed depending on factors such as the availability of services provided specifically from a Web page owner for link dependent services, or for the location of a user relative to a print service provider for user dependent services.

Abstract: An UI section receives a printing parameter set by a user. A data reading section reads a printing parameter from an original paper. An image reading section reads an image from the original paper. When an IC chip has been attached to the original paper, a parameter selecting section selects a printing parameter thereof, whereas in other cases, the parameter selecting section selects a printing parameter, which is set by the user. An image processing section and a printing control section execute an image processing operation and a printing operation in accordance with the selected printing parameter.

Abstract: A display and record medium includes a digital information record section, which is implemented as an IC memory and can record record information in noncontact, and an information display section implemented as a liquid crystal display medium of light write type into which display information can be written. A digital information rewrite section of an information writer communicates with the digital information record section of the display and record medium by electromagnetic waves to rewrite record information as required. A display information rewrite section of the information writer irradiates an optical pattern to the information display section of the display and record medium to rewrite display information. It is possible to rewrite both digital information and display information concurrently in noncontact.

Abstract: A paper feed cassette or a paper transporting unit is selectively inserted into an image forming apparatus body. A manual paper feed unit is coupled to the paper transporting unit. A recording medium is fed out of the manual paper feed unit, passes through the paper transporting unit and reaches a main transporting path in the image forming apparatus body. An image is formed on the recording medium by image forming unit disposed in the main transporting path.

Abstract: The invention provides an aqueous ink composition, which comprises at least: 1) an alkali neutralized product of a copolymer containing constituent units of: (i) at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of alkene, styrene, styrene derivatives, vinyl naphthalene, and vinyl naphthalene derivatives; (ii) at least one monomer selected from monomers containing an acidic group that ion dissociate; and (iii) at least one &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenic unsaturated carboxylic acid alkyl ester; 2) a pigment; and 3) an aqueous medium, wherein the alkali neutralized product of the copolymer in the aqueous ink composition forms micelle aggregations with an average diameter being set in the range of 10 nm to 300 nm. A manufacturing method of the aqueous ink composition and an image forming method using the aqueous ink composition are also provided.

Abstract: A method and a system for computing the function value of an input node based on function values of known nodes. A database of known nodes and their corresponding function values is formed. The known nodes are located such that a distance between any two adjacent known nodes is an integer power-of-two number. The database is searched for a first node such that the input node is located between the first node and an adjacent second node. The difference &dgr; between the input node and the first node is computed. Then &dgr; is shifted to the right by k positions, k being the logarithm in base 2 of the distance between the first and second nodes. The input node function value is computed by combining the first node function value with the product of the shifted &dgr; and the difference between the function values of the second and first nodes. When used in MRC context, the above method and system is applied to each of the color MRC planes individually, instead of the merged output.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus allowing travel of a tabbed sheet, in which even when a tabbed sheet is made to travel, no erroneous jamming detection occurs, thus allowing the tabbed sheet to travel in the same manner as in the case of an ordinary sheet. The image forming apparatus includes: a sheet detecting unit arranged in a sheet transport path for transporting a sheet and adapted to detect the sheet; and a control unit which, when the tabbed sheet is made to travel, performs control so as to make a set value for a reference timer for a jamming judgment to be made through detection of a sheet by the sheet detecting unit different from a set value for an ordinary sheet.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system based fluid ejector comprises an ejector nozzle, a chamber that communicates with the ejector nozzle, and a plurality of movable ejection structures associated with the ejector nozzle and arranged to move in the chamber such that a variable volume of fluid is ejected from the associated ejector nozzle. The plurality of movable ejection structures may also be arranged to move in the chamber such that a continuous flow of fluid is ejected from the associated ejector nozzle. A controller may be used to actuate each of the plurality of movable ejection structures independently. The movable ejection structures may comprise a piston, a flexible diaphragm or the like. A plurality of actuators may be provided, with each of the actuators being associated with one of the ejection structures. The actuators may comprise electrostatic, magnetic or thermal actuators, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording/reproducing head, a recording/reproducing disk, and a recording/reproducing disk apparatus that are capable of high density recording, cost reduction, easy tracking control, and high speed seek operation. A collimated beam that is incident onto an incident surface of a transparent condensing medium is reflected on a reflecting film formed on the surface of a reflecting surface to condense on a second surface, and a beam spot is formed near the end of the second surface. The beam condensed on the beam spot leaks as a near field wave and is propagated to a magneto-optic recording film of a recording/reproducing disk, and information is OAM-recorded cooperatively with the magnetic field of a coil. In reproduction of the information, a leakage magnetic flux that comes from the recording film is detected by a magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a digital image using an imaging input device so as to reduce bleeding of the edges of the detected images comprising receiving a digitized image including at least one of a plurality of representations of objects, and processing the digitized image into at least one of a plurality of images of the digitized image. The processing step includes defining a plurality of bins having a plurality of edge points making up each of the plurality of images of the digitized image.

Abstract: A display comprised of a first component containing spheres encapsulated within a wax, and thereover and thereunder said component substrates.