Abstract: A pattern reading apparatus for reading a pattern from a reflective object or a transparent object. The pattern reading apparatus includes a minute-area light source, an objective lens system, an imaging lens, and an imaging element. The objective lens system causes the illumination light beam from the light source to be incident on the object and converges the light beam reflected from or transmitted through the object. The imaging lens forms an image of the object using only a scattered component of light which has been reflected from or which has passed through the object. The imaging element is disposed at a position where the image of the pattern is imaged for reading the pattern. In particular, light that forms an image of the light source is prevented from reaching the imaging element. In the case of a reflective object, ghosting light due to a reflection from a surface of the objective lens is prevented from reaching the imaging element.

Abstract: A pattern reading apparatus for reading a pattern from an object. The pattern reading apparatus includes a minute-area light source, an objective lens system, an imaging lens, and an imaging element. The objective lens system causes an illumination light beam from the light source to be incident on the object and converges the light beam reflected from the object. The imaging lens forms an image of the object using only a scattered component of light which has been reflected from the object. The imaging element is disposed at a position where the image of the pattern is imaged for reading the pattern.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes an oscillation circuit for oscillating at a predetermined frequency and generating a pulse with a predetermined pulse width, a reference voltage generating circuit for generating a reference voltage, means mounted in the reference voltage generating circuit for slowly rising the reference voltage, a switching circuit for chopping the current inputted from a DC primary electric power source in accordance with the pulse, and feedback control means for stopping/restarting the oscillation of the oscillation circuit on the basis of the voltage that the output of the switching circuit is smoothed and including the reference voltage with a detection voltage upon stopping control, so that the DC-DC converter having a soft starting function is provided with a simple structure and a compact size without utilizing a PWM circuit and a VCO.

Abstract: A silver halide emulsion is disclosed, comprising tabular silver halide grains, wherein the tabular grains contain 50 mol % or more bromide, based on total silver and have parallel (111) major faces and a mean aspect ratio of not less than 2; and the tabular grains each comprising a central region accounting for at least 50% of the (111) major face, and an annular band accounting for not more than 5% of the (111) major face and containing not less than 0.05 mol % iodide and not more than 50 mol % chloride, based on silver forming the annular band.

Abstract: A silver halide emulsion is disclosed, comprising tabular grains containing not less than 50 mol % bromide, having two parallel (111) major faces and an aspect ratio of 2 or more, and accounting for at least 50% of the total grain projected area; the tabular grains each comprising regions different in iodide concentrations, wherein one of the regions is a central region containing high iodide and a second of the regions is an annular band containing less iodide than the iodide concentration of the central region, and the annular band accounting for less than 5% of each major face.

Abstract: A disk drive having a moisture-absorbent element of compactly folded cloth formed by weaving stainless steel fibers for suppressing the humidity rise in the case accompanying a temperature fall. A disk is housed in an upward open box-shaped case. A magnetic head for writing and reading information on the disk is supported by a head drive. On the top of the case, a cover is fixed by a plurality of screws to nearly seal the interior of the drive. Between the case and the cover is disposed a moisture-absorbent element of compactly folded cloth formed by weaving stainless steel fibers. Held between the bottom of the case and the lower surface of the cover, the moisture-absorbent element is fixed in the drive.

Abstract: A light spectrum measuring apparatus comprises a sensor case on which a window with a glass is provided; a light emitting member and a light receiving member both provided in the case so that light emitted from the light emitting member passes through the glass, is reflected from solution, returns in the case, and is received by the light receiving member, wherein the glass, the light emitting member and the light receiving member are arranged in such a positional relation that positive reflected light which is emitted from the light emitting member and directly reflected by the glass without proceeding in the solution, is not received by the light receiving member.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter including a MOS transistor which is inserted in parallel with respect to a load and between a power source feeding line connected from a battery to the load and a ground line. the converter also has a first control circuit which generates a power of a boosted voltage via switching of the MOS transistor, receives the power of boosted voltage and controls the boosted voltage so as to be at a predetermined constant value in response to the boosted voltage. A bipolar transistor is inserted in parallel with the MOS transistor. A second control circuit receives power from the battery and causes switching of the bipolar transistor to generate a power of boosted voltage. When the boosted voltage is lower than an operable voltage of the first control circuit, the second control circuit is operated, and when the boosted voltage is equal to or more than the operable voltage, the operation of the second control circuit is stopped.