Abstract: A solvent-based water- and oil-repellent agent composition, which contains a graft copolymer having a repeating unit derived from a vinyl monomer having a perfluoroalkyl group and a repeating unit derived from a polymerizable cyclic acid anhydride and an organic solvent, has high product stalibity and high dilution stability and can give high water- and oil-repellency.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus and method, an information reproduction apparatus and method and an information recording medium which satisfy both of the random access capability and the real time performance. First blocks each of which includes a first error correction code for data of a unit of a predetermined data amount and second blocks each of which includes a second error correction code for the data of each predetermined number of the first blocks are recorded in such a manner that they can be reproduced independently of each other. This enables use of a small sector length which is a minimum unit of recording and reproduction with first error correction codes and formation of second error correction codes as independent sectors upon formation of error correction codes as dual product codes.

Abstract: A method of making a finite element model of a pneumatic tire comprises: dividing a pneumatic tire into a plurality of modeling units each of which is to be modeled by one or more finite elements so that the modeling units include modeling units each of which is a layered complex of at least one cord layer and at least one rubber layer; and modeling each modeling unit which is a layered complex by a single shell element provided with a plurality of integral points corresponding to the cord and rubber layer.

Abstract: The fuel liquid level detection section 31 for detecting the liquid level of the fuel within the fuel tank 2 is provided within the housing casing 10 so as to cover the range from the full amount to the small remaining amount of the fuel within the fuel tank 2.

Abstract: A battery packet (50) comprises a battery case (51) formed by processing a battery case forming laminated sheet (10), a battery 50a contained in the battery case (51), and tabs (59, 60) extending outside from the battery case (51). The battery case forming laminated sheet (10) is formed by laminating a first base film layer (1a), i.e., an outermost layer, a metal foil layer (2), and a heat-adhesive resin layer (3) in that order. The first base film layer (1a) is a biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate resin film or a biaxially oriented nylon resin film. The metal foil layer (2) is an aluminum or copper foil. The heat-adhesive resin layer (3) is formed of a polyolefin resin, more preferably, of an acid-denatured polyolefin resin.

Abstract: A printed circuit board comprising an insulating substrate, a via hole (16) formed in the insulating substrate, an implant material (15) filled in the via hole, and wiring patterns formed on the opposite surfaces of the substrates and electrically connected by the implant material, wherein the implant material is selected from a group consisting of acid-free copper, phosphorus-deoxidized copper and tough-pitch copper. Since the via hole comprises high-heat-resisting acid-free copper, phosphorus-deoxidized copper and tough-pitch copper, the printed circuit board is not likely to be deteriorated even when exposed, as is often the case, to a condition that heating/cooling between high temperatures and low temperatures is repeated, and can be used for an extended time while keeping an excellent heat resistance.

Abstract: A positive electrode plate (11) and a negative electrode plate (12) are coiled around into a flat shape such that positive electrode layer faces (22a-22e) and negative electrode layer faces (23a-23f) are alternately layered upon one another with a separator interposed therebetween. Positional discrepancy detecting holes (41a, 41b, 42, 43, 44) are formed in the positive electrode layer faces (22a, 22b) and negative electrode layer face (23a) facing each other at the coiling start end, and in the positive electrode layer face (22e) and negative electrode layer face (23f) facing each other at the coiling finish end. The electrode plates are coiled into an electrode plate group, which is subjected to X-ray inspection for detecting positional displacement based on a discrepancy in the positions of the holes.

Abstract: A steering wheel locking apparatus having high reliability. A steering lock apparatus (1) includes a lock pin (21) engaged with a steering wheel (5), a motor (23) for moving the lock pin, and an ECU (31) for controlling the motor. A switch (61) is arranged in a first power supply line (81) for supplying the motor with current. When supplying an electrical component with current, the switch breaks the first power supply line.

Abstract: The invention provides an illumination unit for liquid crystal display systems, which comprises an illumination light source for emitting visible light rays and a light guide plate or a light diffusion plate having an entrance surface and an exit surface. The illumination light source is located such that light rays therefrom are entered into the light guide plate or light diffusion plate from the entrance surface. The light guide plate or light diffusion plate is formed of a transparent synthetic resin. The maximum intensity of light in an ultraviolet range having a wavelength of 350 nm or less as measured all over the entrance surface of the light guide plate or light diffusion plate is 2 &mgr;W/(cm2·nm) or less. The illumination light source has a maximum emission intensity of 2 &mgr;W/(cm2·nm) or less in an ultraviolet range having a wavelength of 350 nm or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit board including a flexible film provided with an extremely fine circuit pattern, a laminated member for a circuit board, and a method for making a laminated member for a circuit board with excellent productivity. A circuit board of the present invention includes a flexible film and a circuit pattern composed of a metal provided on the flexible film, and dimensional change rate of the circuit pattern is within ±0.01%. A laminated member for a circuit board of the present invention includes a reinforcing plate, a self-stick, removable organic layer, a flexible film, and a circuit pattern composed of a metal laminated in that order.

Abstract: A magnetic detector includes a moving body which is multipole-magnetized and which is rotated synchronously with a rotational axis; a magnetic resistance element for detecting a change in magnetic field of the rotating moving body; a processing circuit portion for outputting a signal corresponding to the multipole magnetization of the moving body in accordance with the change in resistance value of the magnetic resistance element due to the change in magnetic field; and a magnet for applying a bias magnetic field to the magnetic resistance element.

Abstract: A radio communication system with adaptive interleaving selects between chip interleaving and bit interleaving depending upon the number of active code signals. A transmitted RF signal includes a coded information signal part and a control signal part that indicates a number of active code signals that have been combined to form the coded information signal part. The system is especially suited for MC-CDMA systems.

Abstract: Nonobese Diabetic Mice (NOD mice) that do not develop diabetes may be bred to produce F1 offspring that develop a condition that closely mimics rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in humans. The RA-like disease in the F1 mice, designated NOD-RA mice, is similar to human RA in clinical, radiological, histological and serological characteristics. The parents (F0) and their progeny (F1) are not diabetic and never develop hyperglycemia, and the parental mice (F0) do not themselves exhibit any symptoms of the RA-like condition that afflicts some of their progeny. The incidence, penetrance, gender domination, progression, and lifelong exacerbation of symptoms after pregnancy shown in the RA-like condition afflicting NOD-RA mice are all comparable to phenomena observed in the human disease. The NOD-RA mice provide a new spontaneous model of human RA that will be useful for studying rheumatoid arthristis and testing new drugs and reagents for treating or diagnosing the disease.

Abstract: To provide a surface protective film for transpar nt conductive substrates having sufficient transparency and heat resistance, and not demonstrating white turbiness, even when it is placed under a heated environment in a state where the surface protective film is attached on the transparent conductive substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for electrical equipment comprising an electrical equipment group or groups including at least one piece of electrical equipment and a control unit or units connected to said electrical equipment group or groups wherein:

Abstract: An optical disc manufacturing method suppresses thickness variation in intermediate layers disposed between any two data recording layers to achieve an intermediate layer of uniform thickness. A first step prepares a substrate 2 having a center hole 102 and data recording layer 1. This center hole is then plugged with a capping member 4 and a resin material 7 is dripped from above the center hole while spinning the substrate around its center hole to coat the data recording layer with the resin by a spin coating method. The capping member is then removed. Another step prepares a stamper 11 having a groove or lands and pits 10 on the surface. The groove or lands and pits side of the stamper is then pressed into the resin material on the substrate, and the resin is then cured to form an intermediate layer 17.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seal structure of a fuel cell unit which permits easier rebuilding (reassembling) and recycling of the fuel cell unit, and a manufacturing method of the same structure. The seal structure includes a plurality of components of the fuel cell unit, which are stacked; a sealant which is made of a material selected from a gel material, high viscosity material and pressure-sensitive adhesive material, and which maintains an initial material state thereof even under an environment where the fuel cell unit is used; and a retaining portion formed at the components which sandwiches the sealant with another component, so as to prevent the sealant from moving. Also, the process of hardening the sealant is performed as a process, which is different from and precedes the process of stacking the components.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to realize a motion vector search apparatus and method that is able to perform highly accurate motion vector searching even in images containing discontinuous motion relative to encoded images immediately before. According to the present invention, global motion vector search unit searches for a global motion vector by evaluating differences between pixels at the same location of an input image and an NR reference image in the form of an input image input one frame earlier that is held in original image memory. CPU then determines the motion vector search area based on the results of this global motion vector search, and sets that range in motion vector search unit. Motion vector search unit then searches for and determines a motion vector from previously encoded reference images held in frame memory that are the same as the encoded image held in frame memory over the motion vector search area set by CPU.

Abstract: A carriage fixing screw housing structure in which a carriage fixing screw for externally screwing and fixing carriages of an image reader is held, when not used, by a screw holder formed on a part of an image reader to prevent loss of the carriage fixing screw after removed from the carriage. A screw holder is formed on a part, such as the back face of the main body of an image reader, and includes a holder to hold the threaded part of a carriage fixing screw and a housing 23 to house the head of the fixing screw.