Abstract: A main line cable and a backup line cable are laid in a land portion in different routes. A land terminal station includes a break detecting unit that detects a break of the main line cable, and a path switching unit that switches a transmission path to the backup line cable. The break detecting unit detects a break of the cables based on a received-light level of a main signal transmitted from an underwater cable, or based on a received-light level of a returned monitor signal that has been output by the break detecting unit and reflected by the beach manhole. The beach manhole includes optical couplers that couple and divide the main signal for the main line cable and the backup line cable, a fiber grating that reflects the monitor signal, and an optical director.

Abstract: A selector has both a function for creating a header of a sequence layer and a header of a picture layer corresponding to reproduced data of a system area and a function for outputting one of an input stream and a stream of which a created header has been added to the header of the input stream as an output stream. When the mode is not high speed reproducing mode, the selector outputs the header contained in the input stream as a header of the output stream. When the mode is high speed reproducing mode, a header (the header of the sequence layer and the header of the picture layer) is created corresponding to data reproduced from the system area. The selector outputs an output stream of which the created header has been added to the input stream.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a plurality of decoders, each decoding a predetermined region of each frame forming coded stream and an output unit receiving pixel data obtained as a result of the decoding processing by the plurality of decoders and combining the pixel data into decoded image data to output it. One subject decoder supplies, among pixel data obtained as a result of the decoding processing by the subject decoder, pixel data necessary for a different decoder to the different decoder, and also obtains, among pixel data obtained as a result of the decoding processing by the different decoder, pixel data necessary for the subject decoder from the different decoder. The subject decoder performs the decoding processing by referring to the pixel data obtained as a result of the decoding processing by the subject decoder and the pixel data obtained from the different decoder.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope has an elongated tubular core body, and an outer cover which is provided over the core body. The outer cover is composed of an inner layer, an outer layer and at least one intermediate layer. In this flexible tube, any one of the layers is different from one of the other layers in its property. Further, at least one of the layers has a thickness-varying region where the thickness of the layer varies in its longitudinal direction. In addition, the inner layer of the outer cover has projections which are integrally formed on the inner layer so that the projections project into holes and/or the recesses formed on the core body. This structure makes it possible to produce a flexible tube for an endoscope that has high durability, high flexibility and high chemical resistance as well as excellent operationability.

Abstract: An electric apparatus has a motherboard, a control board and daughter board in a case. A front wall of the case is configured to have an opening. The motherboard is placed far behind an opening formed by removing the front wall. The control board, daughter board and extension board are inserted into the case from the opening toward the motherboard. A first connector provided at insertion ends of the control board and extension board is connected to a first receptor mounted on the motherboard. A second connector provided at an insertion end of the daughter board is connected to a second receptor mounted on the extension board. A holder which prevents the second connector being extracted from the second receptor when the daughter board is pulled out from the case, is mounted on the extension board.

Abstract: In an authentication-data issuing system based on unique time, a master computer (1) creates authentication data on the basis of an elapsed time measurement indicated by an unique time generating device (6) and transmits the created authentication data to a lower-level computer (2A), which further delivers the authenticating data to a still-lower-level computer (3A). The lower-level computer and still-lower-level computer sequentially impart respective unique additional data to the authentication data and then transmits the resultant additional-data-imparted data to a lowest-level vending machine (5). The lowest-level vending machine (5) also imparts its unique additional data to the authentication data, received from the still-lower-level computer, to create unique authentication data and records the thus-created unique authentication data on a prepaid card (20) to be issued thereby.

Abstract: A residue code amount is calculated. A threshold act_thrsh corresponding to the residue code amount is obtained. A variable mb that designates a macro block is initialized to zero. The variable mb is compared with the total number of macro blocks. When the variable mb matches the total number of macro blocks, the process is completed. Otherwise, the rank of the activity information of the macro block designated by the variable mb is compared with the rank of the threshold act_thrsh. When the rank of the activity information is lower than the rank of the threshold act_thrsh, since there is a possibility of which q_scale can be decreased, q_scale is calculated with the activity information of the macro block mb and min_qq. q_scale of the macro block is subtracted from the total code amount. The subtracted resultant data is stored in a variable tmp. Thereafter, the variable tmp is compared with a target code amount GEN_TGT.

Abstract: While periphery or peripheries of workpiece(s) W lifted in floating fashion by simultaneous suction and expulsion of gas(es) between pair(s) of first and second, or upper and lower, transport stages 14, 15 is/are retained by plurality of elevator pins 16, respective transport stage(s) is/are inverted vertically and workpiece(s) is/are transferred from upper first transport stage(s) to lower second transport stage(s) such that workpiece(s) W is/are lifted in floating fashion thereabove by simultaneous suction and expulsion of gas(es) in accompaniment to lowering of respective elevator pin(s) at said first transport stage(s).

Abstract: MPEG streams of different chroma formats are recorded and reproduced without need to recognize their formats. In an MPEG stream, a header is followed by DCT blocks. Time slots are generated in such a manner that when the chroma format detected from the header is 4:2:2, in all periods of DCT blocks, a process is performed and that when the chroma format detected from the header is 4:2:0, a process is not performed in periods for DCT blocks Cb2 and Cr2 that are not present in the chroma format 4:2:2. The read order of a stream is changed in a memory so as to improve an error resistance. DCT coefficients are rearranged in the order of DC components and AC components from the lowest order component to the highest order component over all DCT blocks. After the stream has been rearranged, time slots are generated in such as manner that when the chroma format is 4:2:0, the process is stopped in the periods for Cb2 and Cr2.

Abstract: The header of the sequence layer of an input sequence is written to a RAM. Information of a typical header is pre-stored to a ROM. The selecting operation of a selector is controlled by an output of a detecting portion. When the input sequence contains the header of the sequence layer, the selector selects as an output stream the stream of which the header has been added to each frame. In contrast, when the stream does not contain the header, the header stored in the RAM or the ROM is added to each frame of the stream. In this case, the header stored in the RAM is added to each frame with higher priority than the header stored in the ROM. The header has been always added to each frame of a stream that is output from the selector.

Abstract: An electric apparatus has a motherboard, a control board and daughter board in a case. A front wall of the case is configured to have an opening. The motherboard is placed far behind an opening formed by removing the front wall. The control board, daughter board and extension board are inserted into the case from the opening toward the motherboard. A first connector provided at insertion ends of the control board and extension board is connected to a first receptor mounted on the motherboard. A second connector provided at an insertion end of the daughter board is connected to a second receptor mounted on the extension board. A holder which prevents the second connector being extracted from the second receptor when the daughter board is pulled out from the case, is mounted on the extension board.

Abstract: A quantizer scale value is detected with high accuracy. The number of effective samples of results of which DCT coefficients are quantized with each of quantizer scale values Q=1 to 31 is counted. In addition, fractional parts of quantized values are cumulated. When the number of effective samples of a cumulated value does not satisfy a predetermined value, the cumulated value is not used. When a dip point of a considered normalized cumulated value [q] quantized with the number of effective samples corresponding to each of the quantizer scale values Q clearly exists, using the relation between the normalized cumulated value [q] and normalized cumulated values [q?1] and [q+1] whose quantizer scale codes are immediately preceded and immediately followed by the quantizer scale code of the normalized cumulated value [q], it is determined whether or not the quantizer scale value Q corresponding to the normalized cumulated value [q] is a quantizer scale value Q used in the preceding encoding process.

Abstract: MPEG streams of different chroma formats are recorded and reproduced without need to recognize their formats. In an MPEG stream, a header is followed by DCT blocks. Time slots are generated in such a manner that when the chroma format detected from the header is 4:2:2, in all periods of DCT blocks, a process is performed and that when the chroma format detected from the header is 4:2:0, a process is not performed in periods for DCT blocks Cb2 and Cr2 that are not present in the chroma format 4:2:2. The read order of a stream is changed in a memory so as to improve an error resistance. DCT coefficients are rearranged in the order of DC components and AC components from the lowest order component to the highest order component over all DCT blocks. After the stream has been rearranged, time slots are generated in such as manner that when the chroma format is 4:2:0, the process is stopped in the periods for Cb2 and Cr2.

Abstract: A residue code amount is calculated. A threshold act_thrsh corresponding to the residue code amount is obtained. A variable mb that designates a macro block is initialized to zero. The variable mb is compared with the total number of macro blocks. When the variable mb matches the total number of macro blocks, the process is completed. Otherwise, the rank of the activity information of the macro block designated by the variable mb is compared with the rank of the threshold act_thrsh. When the rank of the activity information is lower than the rank of the threshold act_thrsh, since there is a possibility of which q_scale can be decreased, q_scale is calculated with the activity information of the macro block mb and min_qq. q_scale of the macro block is subtracted from the total code amount. The subtracted resultant data is stored in a variable tmp. Thereafter, the variable tmp is compared with a target code amount GEN_TGT.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a stream compressed and encoded with a variable length code (VLC) in a predetermined unit by detecting an error flag that has been set. The flag corresponds to a position of an error when the error is contained in the stream. Adding information representing an end of the VLC, based on the error flag, to the position corresponding to the error flag in a string of the VLC containing the error flag. Thus, the VLC after the error flag can be discarded. Additionally, an apparatus and method for processing a stream encoded with a VLC by detecting a code symbol that does not match a parameter representing the VLC from the VLC stream. Correcting the stream based on the detected result, and designating the start of the next process after the detected result has been obtained. Thus, even if a stream containing an irregular VLC is input, the apparatus can be operated in a stable mode.

Abstract: A case for electronic equipment includes: a chassis that includes at least a bottom plate of an enclosure having a box-shaped outer shell; a stay that holds a motherboard perpendicularly with respect to the bottom plate; guide members that are provided with slots for guiding a substrate unit to be perpendicularly plugged into the motherboard by way of a connector, the guide members being disposed on both sides for guiding the substrate unit, and being configured to pull out integrally with the motherboard towards a plug-in side from which the substrate unit is plugged in; and a cover that includes at least a top cover side of the enclosure except for a portion corresponding to the bottom plate and a portion corresponding to the plug-in side.

Abstract: A forceps of endoscope comprises a clip that is provided with at least three arms and a base end portion. The arms are connected to the base end portion. Each of the arms has an open-close deforming portion located close to the base end portion. A core member is provided inside the clip to be in contact with an inner surface of the open-close deforming portion at least when the arms are open. A clip open-close ring is operated by remote control performed from the base end of the sheath. The clip open-close member is engaged with the open-close deforming portion to open and close the arms with a substantially equivalent angular interval and so as to prevent each of the arms from crossing each other.

Abstract: In a control system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders whose operation of the engine can be switched between full-cylinder operation during which all of the cylinders are operative and cut-off-cylinder operation during which some of the cylinders are non-operative, and running control, i.e., either cruise control during which the vehicle is controlled to run at a desired vehicle velocity or preceding vehicle follow-up control during which the vehicle is controlled to run at a desired vehicle velocity to maintain a desired inter-vehicle distance from a preceding vehicle, is performed in response to an instruction of an operator, it is judged whether a velocity error between a detected vehicle velocity and the desired vehicle velocity and load of the engine are equal to or smaller than corresponding threshold values.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an image information encoding apparatus adapted for performing intra-image encoding on the basis of resolution of color components and color space of an input image signal. In the image information encoding apparatus (10), an intra prediction unit (23) serves to adaptively change block size in generating a prediction image on the basis of a chroma format signal indicating whether resolution of color components is that of any one of 4:2:0 format, 4:2:2 format and 4:4:4 format, etc., and a color space signal indicating whether color space is any one of YCbCr, RGB and XYZ, etc. In addition, an orthogonal transform unit (14) and a quantization unit (15) serve to also change orthogonal transform technique and quantization technique in accordance with the chroma format signal and the color space signal. A reversible encoding unit (16) encodes the chroma format signal and the color space signal to include the encoded signals thus obtained into image compressed information.

Abstract: A detection circuit detects a slice start code from an input stream. Based on a result of the detection and a frame pulse, a reference macroblock (MB) address generated by a timing generator is sent to an address comparator. The input stream which has been phase-adjusted by a delay circuit is supplied to a variable length decoder (VLD) for decoding a variable length code to detect an MB address. The address comparator compares the reference MB address with the MB address to check the continuity of the MB address. If it is discontinuous, the stream output from the VLD is temporarily interrupted, and a selector selects a replacement data generating circuit in response to a control signal output from the address comparator. The input stream is replaced at a discontinuous macroblock portion with macroblock data which has a correct macroblock address and which is prepared in advance by the replacement data generating circuit.