Abstract: A metal gasket is composed of a plurality of metal sheets superimposed one above the other and including a plurality of joints. Each of the joints includes a plurality of cut lines defining inner side edges of the metal sheets, and a bent portion located between the cut lines and having outer side edges which are frictionally engaged with the inner side edges of the metal sheets. The joints are oriented in different directions to accommodate a shear force.

Abstract: A metal gasket is composed of a plurality of metal sheets superimposed one above the other and including a plurality of joints. Each of the joints includes a plurality of cut lines defining inner side edges of the metal sheets, and a bent portion located between the cut lines and having outer side edges which are frictionally engaged with the inner side edges of the metal sheets. The joints are oriented in different directions to accommodate a shear force.

Abstract: An electron emitting device includes a pair of device electrodes disposed at locations opposite to each other, a conductive thin film in contact with both the pair of device electrodes, and an electron emitting region formed in a part of the conductive thin film. The conductive thin film is composed of fine particles including a first metal element serving as a main constituent element and at least one second metal element. The second metal element is to precipitate at the surface of the conductive thin film and thus form a low work function material layer. When a voltage is applied between the pair of device electrodes, the second metal element moves from the inside of the conductive thin film to at least a part of the surface of the conductive thin film.

Abstract: A determination unit is used for a functional apparatus, for determining whether or not an external object will use the functional apparatus. The determining unit comprises a detecting unit, a determining sub-unit, a service providing unit. The detecting unit detects movement of an external object. The determining sub-unit determines, based on the result of the detection by the detection unit, whether or not the external object will use the functional apparatus. The service providing unit provides a service which is appropriate based on the determination performed by the determining sub-unit.

Abstract: An electron-emitting device comprising a pair of device electrodes and an electroconductive film including an electron-emitting region is manufactured by a method comprising a process of forming an electroconductive film including steps of forming a pattern on a thin film containing a metal element on the basis of a difference of chemical state, and removing part of the thin film on the basis of the difference of chemical state.

Abstract: A communication system includes: an image forming unit connected to a communication line through a communication control unit; and a management unit for managing data of resources of the image forming unit, the management unit being connected to the communication line, the image forming unit including: at least one component part; a first storage part for storing a control program for the component part, so that the component part is controlled in accordance with the control program; and a first control part for transmitting a first code to the management unit via the communication line in response to an update request signal, the first code indicating a model of the image forming unit and indicating a type of the component part, the management unit including: a second storage part for storing a plurality of control programs for different types of the component part of the image forming unit; and a second control part for reading out a first control program from the second storage part in accordance with the

Abstract: A metal oxide is provided which is represented by the compositional formula :(Bi.sub.1-x A.sup.I.sub.x).sub.2 (Sr.sub.y Ca.sub.1-y-z A.sup.II.sub.z).sub.p (Cu.sub.1-r A.sup.III.sub.r).sub.q O.sub..delta.wherein 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.5, 0.3.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.7, 0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.5, 0.ltoreq.r.ltoreq.0.1, 1>y+z, 2>p>11, 1.ltoreq.q.ltoreq.10 and 5.4.ltoreq..delta..ltoreq.24 with the exclusion of x=z=r=0, A.sup.I is at least one element selected from In, Sb, Pb and Sn; A.sup.II is at least one element selected from Na, K, Mg, Ba, and Sn and A.sup.III is at least one element selected from Ti, V, Cu, Ni, Zr, Nb, Ta, Fe and Ru. The metal oxide may further comprise an element selected from lanthanoids and yttrium. The metal oxide material shows superconductivity at a temperature not lower than the boiling point of liquid helium.

Abstract: A communication system includes: an image forming unit connected to a communication line through a communication control unit; and a management unit for managing data of resources of the image forming unit, the management unit being connected to the communication line, the image forming unit including: at least one component part; a first storage part for storing a control program for the component part, so that the component part is controlled in accordance with the control program; and a first control part for transmitting a first code to the management unit via the communication line in response to an update request signal, the first code indicating a model of the image forming unit and indicating a type of the component part, the management unit including: a second storage part for storing a plurality of control programs for different types of the component part of the image forming unit; and a second control part for reading out a first control program from the second storage part in accordance with the

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an operating section accessible for entering various information and commands is implemented as a plurality of key units. The key units are each removably connected to the body of the operating section via cooperative connectors. When any one of the key units is damaged or or the life thereof expires, only the defective unit is replaced while the other units are continuously used.

Abstract: A recording medium comprises an electroconductive oxide film held between a substrate and an insulating oxide film. A recording method locally applies a voltage onto the medium to form a portion different in electric resistance or oxygen content in the electroconductive oxide film. A record-readout method comprises the steps of applying a voltage to the electroconductive oxide film having information recorded thereon and detecting the intensity of current flowing through a recorded portion to read out the recorded information.

Abstract: An organic magnetic member comprises repetition units represented by the following general formula [I]: ##STR1## having at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 which is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring, and being spontaneously magnetized.

Abstract: A method for turning over a page of a book-type original using a belt as a device for turning over the page. The original is set with spread pages arranged upward. The method includes the steps of disposing the belt over spread pages of the original so that the belt comes in contact with a surface of the spread pages, attracting one of the spread pages of the original to the belt by an attracting devices, and deforming a part of the belt upward at a portion of the belt continuously along the surface of the spread pages while moving the portion from one end of the page to the other end thereof so that the page attracted to the belt is separated from a next page of the original.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a device capable of identifying an image orientation to allow adequate processing to be executed and a device capable of binding sheets by determining a binding position. When an image orientation cannot be identified on the basis of a predetermined reference object, it is identified on the basis of another object. When the image orientation of a reference image and the image orientations of the other images are not coincident, an adequate procedure is executed to avoid an undesirable result. An orientation of a document image matching a predetermined adequate binding position is surely and accurately determined.

Abstract: Image forming equipment of the type supplying a toner to a developing device thereof by using a cartridge which is filled with a toner. The cartridge has a sealed opening and is brought to a toner supply position in the equipment without having the opening unsealed by the operator. Even when the cartridge is pulled out during the loading operation, the toner is not scattered about. A new cartridge for replacing a used empty cartridge is brought to the toner supply position without requiring the operator to remove the empty toner. During the replacement, the toner remaining on the walls of the empty cartridge is prevented from being sprinkled.

Abstract: A document feeder for feeding a plurality of different kinds of document to image forming equipment automatically, and a sheet finisher for sorting, stapling or otherwise finishing sheets inclusive of the documents. A drive source selectively drives a document support moving member in opposite directions to move document supports from an initial position to a document feed position and further to a stand-by position. This allows a particular document feeding operation to be effected with each of the document supports. Sheets are automatically stapled and then automatically removed from sheet accommodating members. A sheet receiving section collects such stapled and removed sheets.

Abstract: A finisher operable with an image forming apparatus for discharging paper sheets coming out of the apparatus and each carrying an image thereon to a plurality of bins while sorting the paper sheets and, if desired, packaging the paper sheets in an envelope. When a pack mode is selected, the size of paper sheets and the sizes of envelopes which are to be fed from a paper cassette or a tray each are sensed by size sensors. Envelopes sizes capable of accommodating the paper sheets of the sensed size are determined and compared with the sensed envelope sizes. Among the determined envelope sizes, the envelope size capable of accommodating the paper sheets of the size sensed by the size sensor in a desired number inputted. When the desired number is too great to be packaged in the envelope, such an occurrence is displayed and/or the pack mode is cancelled.

Abstract: A recording medium comprises an electroconductive oxide film held between a substrate and an insulating oxide film. A recording method locally applies a voltage onto the medium to form a portion different in electric resistance or oxygen content in the electroconductive oxide film. A record-readout method comprises the steps of applying a voltage to the electroconductive oxide film having information recorded thereon, and detecting the intensity of current flowing through a recorded portion to read out the recorded information.

Abstract: A document feeder for feeding a plurality of different kinds of document to image forming equipment automatically, and a sheet finisher for sorting, stapling or otherwise finishing sheets inclusive of the documents. A drive source selectively drives a document support moving member in opposite directions to move document supports from an initial position to a document feed position and further to a stand-by position. This allows a particular document feeding operation to be effected with each of the document supports. Sheets are automatically stapled and then automatically removed from sheet accommodating members. A sheet receiving section collects such stapled and removed sheets.

Abstract: A binding device associated with an image forming apparatus for binding a stack of recording sheets each carrying an image formed by the image forming apparatus. After a cover sheet at least twice as large in size as the recording sheets has been laid on the stack, a staple or staples are driven into the cover sheet and underlying recording sheets to staple them together. Subsequently, the cover sheet is folded at substantially the center thereof in such a manner as to wrap the stapled stack. Binding means is located at the right-hand side or the left-hand side and capable of binding the stack at the right binding margin or the left binding margin, as desired by rotating the image formed on a sheet 180 degrees.

Abstract: A feeder of an image forming apparatus which includes a storing device for storing a stack of recording mediums and an endless belt to be used in the conveyance of a recording medium to an image forming section of the apparatus. A speed control device is provided for varying the speed of the endless belt driven by a driving device when a portion of the endless belt passes the storing device. Also provided are a plurality of pickup rollers which are disposed adjacent to the endless belt in correspondence with each respective storage device for moving the endless belt into engagement with a foremost recording medium in the storing device in order to convey the recording medium to the image forming section.