Abstract: A conversion adapter to be used for connecting opposed optical connector ferrules having different diameters is formed of an amorphous alloy possessing at least a glass transition region, preferably a glass transition region of not less than 30 K in temperature width. Particularly, the amorphous alloy of M1—M2 system or M1—M2—La system (M1: Zr and/or Hf, M2: Ni, Cu, Fe, Co, Mn, Nb, Ti, V, Cr, Zn, Al, and/or Ga, La: rare earth element) possesses a wide range of &Dgr;Tx and thus can be advantageously used as a material for the conversion adapter. Such a conversion adapter can be manufactured with high mass-productivity by a mold casting method or molding method.

Abstract: In a conversion sleeve comprising a large diameter part, a small diameter part, and a tapered diameter part interconnecting said two parts, a ferrule insertion stop part is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the tapered diameter part and/or inner circumferential surfaces of the large diameter part and the small diameter part adjacent to the tapered diameter part. An optical adapter comprises a split sleeve having a slit formed therein throughout the entire length in the longitudinal direction thereof, particularly a conversion sleeve, and an adapter housing having a sleeve retaining part in which the sleeve is inserted and retained. The sleeve retaining part is provided with an engagement part comprising a recessed portion or/and a projected portion. The split sleeve is provided with a counter engagement part comprising a projected portion or/and a recessed portion which engages with the recessed portion or/and the projected portion of the engagement part.

Abstract: The correlation between a coded block on the screen of the current image and a plurality of candidate blocks which exist in a search area on a reference screen temporally different from the current image and which has the same area as that of the coded block is obtained to select a candidate block having the highest correlation to obtain its displacement as a primary motion vector. Then, the positional relationship between a motion vector/corresponding candidate block and the reference screen is estimated to determine whether the search area/candidate block is positioned inside of the boundary of the reference screen. When a part of the search area/candidate block is positioned outside of the boundary, the position of the primary motion vector so that the search area/candidate block is located inside of the boundary of the reference.

Abstract: In a developing device according to the present invention, a developing roller 8 has a fixed shaft 12 and a sleeve 13. The length of a draw-up magnetic pole N3 provided in the fixed shaft 12 is made shorter than the length of a main magnetic pole N1. Accordingly, the amount of a developer adhering to both ends of an outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 13 is reduced, so that the density of the developer at both the ends of the sleeve 13 is maintained in suitable conditions in a state where the developer is over the main magnetic pole N1.

Abstract: In the production of a hollow cast article having a slit, the release of a hollow cast product from a mold is carried out while opening the hollow cast product. In one embodiment, a core provided with recessed parts (or projected parts) formed in a slit forming part (or an outer peripheral part) is used and the drawing out of the core from the hollow cast product is carried out while opening the hollow cast product by means of the recessed parts (or projected parts) mentioned above. By such a method, a hollow cast article having a slit and projected parts (or recessed parts) formed in a slit part or/and an inner peripheral part thereof is obtained.

Abstract: A conversion adapter to be used for connecting opposed optical connector ferrules having different diameters is formed of an amorphous alloy possessing at least a glass transition region, preferably a glass transition region of not less than 30K in temperature width. Particularly, the amorphous alloy of M1-M2 system or M1-M2-La system (M1: Zr and/or Hf, M2: Ni, Cu, Fe, Co, Mn, Nb, Ti, V, Cr, Zn, Al, and/or Ga, La: rare earth element) possesses a wide range of &Dgr;Tx and thus can be advantageously used as a material for the conversion adapter. Such a conversion adapter can be manufactured with high mass-productivity by a mold casting method or molding method.

Abstract: In a brushless DC motor comprising a stator provided with a plurality of coils, a rotor magnet magnetized so as to possess a plurality of magnetic poles and rotatably disposed as opposed to the coils of the stator, and a magnetic sensor which detects the magnetic poles of the rotor magnet, in which the electric current supplied to said coils of respective phases is controlled based on a detection signal from said magnetic sensor so that the rotor magnet is rotationally driven, the magnetic sensor comprises in combination a giant magnetoresistive element disposed as opposed to the rotor magnet and a magnet disposed on a rear side of the giant magnetoresistive element. The giant magnetoresistive element is formed of a magnetic particle dispersion type giant magnetoresistive material, an artificial lattice type giant magnetoresistive material, or a colossal magnetoresistive material.

Abstract: A detector for the rotational angle of a motor and a small brushless or stepping motor having the detector built therein are disclosed. A sensor probe of the detector is provided with a wire configuration comprising a giant magnetoresistive element (sensor element) enabled to read a change in magnetic field up to at least 10 kOe, a first sensor lead and a second sensor lead connected one each to the opposite terminals of the magnetoresistive element, and an insulating layer interposed between the two sensor leads. The sensor probe of the detector is disposed inside a motor housing as approximated closely to the magnetic teeth of a rotor of the motor. The giant magnetoresistive element is formed of a magnetic particle dispersion type giant magnetoresistive material, an artificial lattice type giant magnetoresistive material, or a colossal magnetoresistive material.

Abstract: The correlation between a coded block on the screen of the current image and a plurality of candidate blocks which exist in a search area on a reference screen temporally different from the current image and which has the same area as that of the coded block is obtained to select a candidate block having the highest correlation to obtain its displacement as a primary motion vector. Then, the positional relationship between a motion vector/corresponding candidate block and the reference screen is estimated to determine whether the search area/candidate block is positioned inside of the boundary of the reference screen. When a part of the search area/candidate block is positioned outside of the boundary, the position of the primary motion vector so that the search area/candidate block is located inside of the boundary of the reference.

Abstract: A detector for the rotational angle of a motor and a small brushless or stepping motor having the detector built therein are disclosed. A sensor probe of the detector is provided with a wire configuration comprising a giant magnetoresistive element (sensor element) enabled to read a change in magnetic field up to at least 10 kOe, a first sensor lead and a second sensor lead connected one each to the opposite terminals of the magnetoresistive element, and an insulating layer interposed between the two sensor leads. The sensor probe of the detector is disposed inside a motor housing as approximated closely to the magnetic teeth of a rotor of the motor. The giant magnetoresistive element is formed of a magnetic particle dispersion type giant magnetoresistive material, an artificial lattice type giant magnetoresistive material, or a colossal magnetoresistive material.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element comprising a combination of an electroconductive, crystalline magnetostrictive material or an amorphous magnetostrictive material with an electrically insulating layer and an oxide magnetoresistive material, or a combination of an electrically insulating oxide magnetostrictive material with an oxide magnetoresistive material. The magnetoresistive element provides a magnetic detecting element, detector or recording device having high sensitivity and good quick response by virtue of synergistic effect of the large magnetostriction and the magnetoresistance effect thereof. The oxide magnetoresistive material is preferably an oxide having a perovskite structure or a layer perovskite structure and the preferred magnetostrictive material is a crystalline or amorphous ferromagnetic material. The electrically insulating layer is formed of preferably an oxide having a perovskite structure.

Abstract: An image forming device connected to one or more data processing devices is disclosed, and includes a printer unit, a copying unit, a document transport unit for transporting documents printed in the printer unit to a document mounting unit on the copying unit, and a guide member for moving the printer unit between a first position adjacent to the document mounting unit on the copying unit and a second position separated from the document mounting unit. The data processing device sends print jobs to the printer unit, and if multiple copies are desired, the printed documents are sent to the copying unit by the document transport device and copied.

Abstract: An image forming device connected to one or more data processing devices is disclosed, and includes a printer unit, a copying unit, a document transport unit for transporting documents printed in the printer unit to a document mounting unit on the copying unit, and a guide member for moving the printer unit between a first position adjacent to the document mounting unit on the copying unit and a second position separated from the document mounting unit. The data processing device sends print jobs to the printer unit, and if multiple copies are desired, the printed documents are sent to the copying unit by the document transport device and copied.

Abstract: A bulk magnetoresistance effect material of a composition represented by the general formula: T.sub.100-A M.sub.A (wherein T is at least one element selected between Cu and Au; M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, and Ni; and A is in the range: 1.ltoreq.A.ltoreq.50 by atomic percent) is prepared by casting a molten mixture of the above composition, and subjecting the resulting casting to homogenization and further to heat treatment. The bulk magnetoresistance effect material is high in the rate of change in the electrical resistance thereof, i.e., shows a large magnetoresistive effect and can be obtained in such bulk form in arbitrary shapes adaptable for various uses. Using the material, various types of magnetoresistive elements are obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a corona discharger displacing mechanism and a grid electrode positioning mechanism which are used for a unit of an image forming section in an image forming apparatus. The displacing mechanism causes a corona discharger to advance or retreat in synchronism with the inserting or extracting operation of the unit. On the other hand, the positioning mechanism stretches a grid electrode in co-operation with the unit.

Abstract: A reset mechanism of a counter for counting the number of times of image formation is mounted on an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a unit constituting at least a part of an image forming section which is detachably mounted on a predetermined portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus, a driving mechanism for driving the unit, and a counter for counting the number of times of image formation for reporting the time for replacement of the unit. The reset mechanism has a reset switch provided for on the main body for resetting the counter, and an operating member which is provided for on the unit for operating the reset switch. If a unit which has not been used is mounted on the main body, the operating member which is previously set in the operating position resets the reset switch.

Abstract: Deposition of a hard film of Ti-Si-N composite material on a substrate is carried out by using a source of evaporation possessing a composition of Ti.sub.a Si.sub.b (wherein "a" and "b" stand for atomic percentages respectively falling in the ranges of 75 at % .ltoreq.a.ltoreq.85 at % and 15 at %.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.25 at %, providing a+b=100 at %). Deposition is effected by a sputtering process or ion plating process in an atmosphere of an inert gas containing a nitrogen-containing reaction gas while controlling the feed rate of the reaction gas into a chamber in such a manner that the partial pressure of nitrogen is kept constant or varied continuously or stepwise. By this method there can be obtained a film having fine TiN crystalline particles uniformly dispersed in the matrix phase of Ti-Si amorphous metal or a film of functionally gradient structure in which the ratio of fine TiN crystalline particles dispersed in the matrix phase increases continuously or stepwise in the direction of thickness of the film.

Abstract: Deposition of a hard film of Ti--Si--N composite material on a substrate is carried out by using a source of evaporation possessing a composition of Ti.sub.a Si.sub.b (wherein "a" and "b" stand for atomic percentages respectively falling in the ranges of 75 at %.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.85 at % and 15 at %.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.25 at %, providing a+b=100 at %). Deposition is effected by a sputtering process or ion plating process in an atmosphere of an inert gas containing a nitrogen-containing reaction gas while controlling the feed rate of the reaction gas into a chamber in such a manner that the partial pressure of nitrogen is kept constant or varied continuously or stepwise.

Abstract: This invention relates to a recording medium having a sufficient difference between the crystallization temperature and the melting point as well as excellent characteristics in writing and erasing. The optical recording medium comprises a recording layer consisting of a recording material capable of recording and erasing through transition between an amorphous phase and a crystalline phase by laser beam heating, the recording material having a composition represented by the general formula:Ln.sub.a X.sub.b Al.sub.(100-(a+b))wherein Ln is either at least one metallic element selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Ce, Nd, Sm and Gd, or Mm (misch metal); X is at least one metallic element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni and Cu; and a and b are, in atomic percentage, 40.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.80 and 5.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.40.

Abstract: Disclosed is a corrosion resistant aluminum-based alloy which is composed of a compound having a composition consisting of the general formula: Al.sub.a M.sub.b Mo.sub.c X.sub.d Cr.sub.e wherein: M is one or more metal elements selected from the group consisting of Ni, Fe, Co, Ti, V, Mn, Cu and Ta; X is Zr or a combination of Zr and Hf; and a, b, c, d and e are, in atomic percentages; 50%.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.89%, 1%.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.25%, 2%.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.15%, 4%.ltoreq.d.ltoreq.20% and 4%.ltoreq.e.ltoreq.20%, the compound being at least 50% by volume composed of an amorphous phase. The Al-based alloy exhibits a very high corrosion resistance in severe corrosive environments, such as hydrochloric acid solution or sodium hydroxide solution, due to the formation of a highly passivative protective film. Therefore, the alloy exhibits a good durability in long services under such severe corrosive environments.