Abstract: A transmission and reception unit repeatedly scans a three-dimensional scanning area including a specific part of a patient with an ultrasonic beam via an ultrasonic probe. A volume data set generation unit generates a plurality of volume data sets whose scanning times different from one another in accordance with the output from the transmission and reception unit. A section image generation unit respectively generates the data of a plurality of the section images concerning the predetermined section of the specific part based on the plurality of the volume data sets. An image display unit displays the plurality of section images by changing at least one of the position and the size of each of the plurality of section images against the display area in accordance with variation of at least one of the position and the shape of the specific part on the plurality of section images.

Abstract: A method of controlling a relative movement of a cutting blade and a workpiece which are moved relative to each other by a movement device in an operation with a machine tool. The method includes a step of bringing the cutting blade and an object into contact with each other, by moving at least one of the cutting blade and the object toward each other by the movement device, and a step of controlling the relative movement on the basis of a relative position of the cutting blade and the object which is detected by the movement device upon the contact of the cutting blade and the object with each other.

Abstract: A method of controlling a relative movement of a cutting blade and a workpiece which are moved relative to each other by a movement device in an operation with a machine tool. The method includes a step of bringing the cutting blade and an object into contact with each other, by moving at least one of the cutting blade and the object toward each other by the movement device, and a step of controlling the relative movement on the basis of a relative position of the cutting blade and the object which is detected by the movement device upon the contact of the cutting blade and the object with each other.

Abstract: A method of controlling a relative movement of a cutting blade and a workpiece which are moved relative to each other by a movement device in an operation with a machine tool. The method includes a step of bringing the cutting blade and an object into contact with each other, by moving at least one of the cutting blade and the object toward each other by the movement device, and a step of controlling the relative movement on the basis of a relative position of the cutting blade and the object which is detected by the movement device upon the contact of the cutting blade and the object with each other.

Abstract: A medical imaging diagnostic apparatus is maintained by means of a remote computer connected to a communication line. This maintenance includes: generating log data concerning a use state of a medical imaging diagnostic apparatus; transmitting the thus generated log data to the remote computer via the communication line; storing the thus transmitted log data as data that configures a database on the remote computer; and analyzing the use state of the medical imaging diagnostic apparatus so that the use state can be displayed based on the stored log data.

Abstract: A medical imaging diagnostic apparatus is maintained by means of a remote computer connected to a communication line. This maintenance includes: generating log data concerning a use state of a medical imaging diagnostic apparatus; transmitting the thus generated log data to the remote computer via the communication line; storing the thus transmitted log data as data that configures a database on the remote computer; and analyzing the use state of the medical imaging diagnostic apparatus so that the use state can be displayed based on the stored log data.

Abstract: A method of controlling a relative movement of a cutting blade and a workpiece which are moved relative to each other by a movement device in an operation with a machine tool. The method includes a step of bringing the cutting blade and an object into contact with each other, by moving at least one of the cutting blade and the object toward each other by the movement device, and a step of controlling the relative movement on the basis of a relative position of the cutting blade and the object which is detected by the movement device upon the contact of the cutting blade and the object with each other.

Abstract: A workflow representing an operation procedure is displayed on a monitor as a status window to notify a user of the operation procedure. The workflow is defined by a workflow protocol in which activities of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for realizing operations associated with diagnosis are arranged in accordance with the operation procedure. Since each function of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is controlled in accordance with the workflow protocol, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can perform a diagnostic operation according to the workflow using the functions according to the workflow protocol.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a head, having plural heating elements arranged in line, for forming an image on an image forming medium by transmitting ink, which an ink ribbon has, to the image forming medium; a scanner for moving the heating element in relation to the image forming medium; an input system for inputting image data wherein the image data includes data corresponding to an image; a searcher for searching split lines of the image, according to the image data, so that a space between an edge portion of the image and a discontinued image portion on the image or between a discontinued image portion and its adjoining discontinued image portion is not more than a width of the ink ribbon; and a controller for controlling the head and the scanner so that a portion of the image in the space, between an edge portion of the image and a discontinued image portion on the image or between a discontinued image portion and its adjoining discontinued image portion, is formed by one scanning path of the

Abstract: A method of electrically charging a material to be charged by bringing a charging member impressed with a voltage into physical contact with the material to be charged, wherein the charging member is constituted by a flexible and electrically conducting endless sheet and a rotary insulating brush which supports the endless sheet at a position where the endless sheet and the material to be charged are in contact with each other and gives a pushing force to the endless sheet, and the endless sheet is driven actively or passively together with the insulating brush at a speed substantially in synchronism with the material to be charged while applying a charging voltage to the endless sheet. This method makes it possible to uniformly and stably charge the surface of the photosensitive material even when defects such as pinholes or the like exist in the surface of the photosensitive material, without causing the life of the photosensitive material to be shortened.

Abstract: A charging method for charging a photosensitive material of, for example, the photosensitive drum of an electrophotographic copying apparatus is accomplished by bringing an endless electrically conducting flexible sheet containing a brush roller into physical contact with the surface of the photosensitive material and applying a voltage to the electrically conducting flexible sheet. The electrically conducting flexible sheet is a laminate of a first resistance layer positioned on the side of the brush roller and a second resistance layer positioned on the outer surface of the first resistance layer. The second resistance layer has an electric resistance greater than that of the first resistance layer.

Abstract: An electrifying method which uses a electrifying a material wherein the contact-type electrifying member comprises a flexible and electrically conducting endless sheet and a brush which supports said endless sheet and imparts a pressing force thereto at a position where said endless sheet is in contact with the material to be electrified, said endless sheet which is impressed with an electrification voltage is driven or is moved at a speed which is substantially in synchronism with the material to be electrified, and the brush and the endless sheet are maintained at dissimilar speeds.

Abstract: In a plant cultivation method, in cultivation of a plurality of plants within a cultivation bed which includes nutritive elements required for growth of the plants, a location adjacent a growing point of the plants is selected to supply gas to the growing point. In a plant cultivation apparatus, a cultivation bed is provided on which a plurality of plants are cultivated. The cultivation bed includes nutritive elements required for growth of the plants. An apparatus body for accommodating the cultivation bed has a gas-supply unit for supplying gas toward a location in the vicinity of a growing point of the plants. A gas-conditioning unit is arranged on the apparatus body for conditioning gas therewithin. An illumination unit for emitting a light to the plants.

Abstract: When sensitivity to decoyinine is given by mutation to L-phenylalanine-producing mutants of the genus Brevibacterium and Corynebacterium, the productivity of L-phenylalanine of the new mutants is improved.