Abstract: An endoscopic flexible tube that allows for easy fabrication of a jacket of a multi-layered structure that is adequately protected against separation of overlying layers. Two adjacent layers in the multi-layered structure portion of the jacket are integrally combined via an area that comprises a mixture of the constituent materials of the two layers.

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: 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.

Abstract: A signal processor provides stable processing, for each frame, of variable-length coded data. An MPEG stream is input in the SDTI format, and a data active length for each frame is determined based on header information for each SDTI frame to generate a “Frame End” signal which is synchronized with the end-of-frame data. The “Frame End” signal is input to a set terminal of an RS flip-flop circuit via a delay circuit. On the other hand, a start code at the beginning of a frame is detected by a detector circuit and an OR circuit, and the result of detection is input to a reset terminal of the RS flip-flop circuit. A switching control is performed so that an enable signal indicates invalid data when the frame end pulse is detected and the enable signal indicates valid data when the start code is detected in response to the output of the RS flip-flop circuit.

Abstract: A detecting device of the present invention includes a U-shaped case, a horn disposed in a leg portion of the case and outputting sound waves, a receiver disposed in a leg portion and converting sound waves received from the horn to electric signals having a voltage corresponding to a sound volume of the sound waves, and a comparator which outputs detection signals when voltages of the electric signal from the receiver equal to or are more than a threshold. By outputting the detection signal when the sound waves going out from the leg portion and entering into the leg portion pass through only the liquid, it is judged whether a liquid surface of the liquid stored in a reservoir tank equals to or is higher than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A detecting device of the present invention includes a U-shaped case, a horn disposed in a leg portion of the case and outputting sound waves, a receiver disposed in a leg portion and converting sound waves received from the horn to electric signals having a voltage corresponding to a sound volume of the sound waves, and a comparator which outputs detection signals when voltages of the electric signal from the receiver equal to or are more than a threshold. By outputting the detection signal when the sound waves going out from the leg portion and entering into the leg portion pass through only the liquid, it is judged whether a liquid surface of the liquid stored in a reservoir tank equals to or is higher than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope which has excellent insertion operability is disclosed. The flexible tube includes and an elongated flexible tubular body constructed from a core body having a hollow space and an outer cover which is provided over the outer periphery of the core body and formed into a laminated structure having a plurality of layers. The tubular body is formed with a plurality of easily bendable portions which are provided in a spaced apart manner along the longitudinal direction thereof, each of these easily bendable portion being adapted to bend locally with a smaller curvature radius when the flexible tube is bent in one direction. The average interval between the adjacent easily bendable portions is preferably in the range 50-400 mm. The easily bendable portions is formed by locally changing the flexural rigidity of the outer cover.

Abstract: A treatment instrument includes a first coil and a second coil that is different from said first coil. The first and second coils are connected to each other. An operation wire is inserted in the first and second coils, and a tip end of the wire is connected to a treatment device. Upon movement of the wire, the treatment device operates. A method of manufacturing such a treatment instrument includes inserting one end of the first coil and one end of the second coil in a connection pipe from opposite ends thereof, exposing both ends of the connection pipe and corresponding portions of the first and second coils. The portions exposed to the arc columns are melted and connected.

Abstract: A data processor using computer and a staff notation have a listing of note code table corresponding with data input to said computer and scales of music staff notation, a note decoder decoding from input data to corresponded scale code data using said listing of note code table, a note code storage device memorizing output data from said note decoder with in order, and an output means for output the music staff notation data from the note code storage device. Plural list of note code table are able to set in note decoder selectably.

Abstract: An information provision method effectively utilizes a mobile communication infrastructure to offer a user-friendly communication service. A portable telephone is carried in a state of being separated from a user's body while a wrist-worn portable terminal is carried in a state of being maintained in direct contact with the user's wrist like a wristwatch. When the portable telephone receives service information during a main communication process, e.g., telephone conversation, it transfers the service information to the wrist-worn portable terminal. The wrist-worn portable terminal outputs and displays the transferred service information. A portable telephone company enables communication through the user's portable telephone by using a portable telephone communication infrastructure, and transmits service information to the portable telephone during intervals between time periods for the main communication process.

Abstract: An appliance management system includes an electronic device having some functions useful to a user, and an appliance management device designed to be always carried by the user. The electronic device receives a predetermined signal from the appliance management device, and extracts an ID code of the appliance management device. The electronic device becomes unusable when the signal receiving condition is bad. The functions of the electronic device are restricted according to the result of collation between management information registered in the electronic device and the ID code in the received signal.

Abstract: An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, includes at least one steering member which is rotated to bend the steerable bendable portion; at least one locking member which is rotated to lock the steering member, the steering member and the locking member being rotated about a common axis; and at least one axially-movable lock member which moves relative to the steering member along the common axis without rotating about the common axis to lock and unlock the steering member when the locking member is turned in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction, respectively.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a hollow operational body, a hollow shaft provided on the hollow operational body, at least one hollow rotational control knob which is rotatably supported on the hollow shaft; and an air passage via which an inner space of the hollow operational body and an inner space of the at hollow rotational control knob have a communicative connection with each other, wherein the hollow shaft includes a portion of the passage.

Abstract: A plurality of terminals 22 are fixedly press-connected to an end portion of the flat circuitry 21 in electrically connected relation respectively to conductors 21a, and the terminals 22 are inserted respectively into terminal receiving chambers 24 in a connector housing 23. Slits 26 are formed through the end portion of the flat circuitry 21 in such a manner that the slit is arranged between any two adjacent conductors 21a, and extends from the distal end of the flat circuitry to a position beyond press-connecting portions 25 of the terminals.

Abstract: An image data reproducing method which is possible to obtain a search picture with high quality, a reproducing speed control apparatus, and a recording/reproducing apparatus by finding search speed that it is possible to reproduce image data as much as possible by using the most effectively plural reproducing heads in reproducing a search picture and by setting to the speed.

Abstract: An automatic developing apparatus is provided with a developing tank, a reserve tank, a pump, a piping which connects the reserve tank and the pump and whose one end is disposed above the developing tank, a first electrode provided in the piping, a second electrode provided within the developing tank, and a sensor which is electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: The deterioration of receiving environment of a reflected signal from a preceding vehicle in an auto-cruise control is immediately detected, so that the distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle detected by a distance sensor comprising a laser radar, is maintained constant. On the basis of data of the magnitude of received signals, which are detected by the distance sensor and accumulated over a predetermined time, a standard deviation (or a dispersion) and an average value of the magnitude of the received signal are calculated. If the standard deviation is equal to or larger than a reference value or the average value is equal to or smaller than a reference value when the distance sensor has not detected a reflected signal, it is determined that the environment of reception of the reflected signal from the preceding vehicle has deteriorated, whereby the auto-cruise control is discontinued, or the deterioration of the receiving environment is informed to a driver by an informing device.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope is provided with a tubular sheath. An outer circumferential surface of the sheath is provided with an indicator that indicates at least one of an orientation of the sheath about an axis thereof and axial length information. The indicator includes at least one striation extending in the axial direction of the sheath. The striation is formed to be perceptible by touch.

Abstract: A wire-circuit sheet includes: a resin sheet with circuit connecting holes, wires lying across the circuit connecting holes , and at least on cutting hole to punch the resin sheet so as to cut simultaneously the wires. Further, a wire-circuit sheet and its manufacturing method include: a resin sheet on which a plurality of wires lie as crossing or coming close to each other, cutting holes being provided at the crossing or close points of the plurality of wires to cut off the wires and the sheet together, and the wires being fixed and sandwiched in between laminated resin sheets with a sticky surface.

Abstract: The rubber plug fitting apparatus includes a temporary receiver (4) disposed after the feeder (3); a rubber plug holder (5) pivotable 90 degrees by a first drive means (29); a transfer pin (7) for transferring the rubber plug (2) to the holder (5); a wire guide (11) disposed opposite the holder (5) when the latter is pivotated 90 degrees with the rubber plug held therein, which supports a wire (9); a second drive means (37) for moving the holder in a rubber plug fitting direction; and a third drive means (36) for moving the guide (11) in the same direction. A waterproofing rubber plug is reliably fitted over a wire with high positional accuracy.