Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing inorganic oxide particles, comprising at least the following steps of: coagulating a dispersion obtained by carrying out the hydrolysis reaction and the polycodensation reaction of a metal alkoxide in the presence of a basic catalyst; filtering the dispersion to obtain particles; and drying the particles, wherein the step of coagulating the dispersion is carried out by adding a coagulant comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, ammonium carbonate, ammonium hydrogen carbonate and ammonium carbamate to the dispersion. The inorganic oxide particles obtained by the method of the present invention have high purity and are excellent in flowability.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs density correction. An image forming section forms a density detection image on a belt. A light source irradiates the image with light. A light receiving section receives light reflected from the image and outputs a plurality of intensity signals of the received light. An intensity obtaining section drives the belt and the light source, thereby illuminating the image a first number of times at intervals of a first distance as the belt runs, and the light receiving section receives the light reflected from the image, the first number of times being determined by at least the first distance and a second distance in which the first distance lies. A selecting section selects a second number of levels of light intensity from the plurality of intensity signals. A density correcting section performs print density correction using the second number of levels of light intensity.

Abstract: A reading apparatus including: a first conveyance path in which a sheet is conveyed; a second conveyance path different from the first conveyance path, the second conveyance path allowing the sheet switched back after having passed through the first conveyance path to be conveyed therein; a reading unit configured to read the sheet, the reading unit being movable to a first position where a first surface of the sheet in the first conveyance path is read, a second position where a second surface as a back surface of the first surface of the sheet in the second conveyance path is read, and a third position different from the first position and the second position; and a reference portion that the reading unit reads for correcting information read by the reading unit, the reference portion being read by the reading unit moved to the third position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion capable of mounting a plurality of first image forming units for forming images in different colors or a plurality of second image forming units for forming images in a single color. The first image forming units and the second image forming units are arranged to be exchangeable. The first image forming units retain toner in different colors, and the second image forming units retain toner in the single color. The image forming apparatus further includes a preference control unit for leaving at least one of the second image forming units unused and preferentially using rest of the second image forming units when the first image forming units are exchanged to the second image forming units in a monochrome printing operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing inorganic oxide particles, comprising at least the following steps of: coagulating a dispersion obtained by carrying out the hydrolysis reaction and the polycondensation reaction of a metal alkoxide in the presence of a basic catalyst; filtering the dispersion to obtain particles; and drying the particles, wherein the step of coagulating the dispersion is carried out by adding a coagulant comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, ammonium carbonate, ammonium hydrogen carbonate and ammonium carbamate to the dispersion. The inorganic oxide particles obtained by the method of the present invention have high purity and are excellent in flowability.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a first conveying path guiding a sheet such that the sheet passes through the image forming portion, a second conveying path guiding the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming portion to the first conveying path. A document is fed to the second conveying path and the image forming apparatus has a first drive transmission portion transmitting a drive force to the image forming portion and a second drive transmission portion transmitting the drive force to a document feeding portion, a conveyance portion and a document discharge portion.

Abstract: By a QTL analysis and so forth using 4-HPPD inhibitor-susceptible rice and 4-HPPD inhibitor-resistant rice, a hypothetical gene (HIS1 gene) of an iron/ascorbate-dependent oxidoreductase gene located on a short arm of chromosome 2 of rice has been identified as a 4-HPPD inhibitor-resistance gene. Further, it has also been revealed that a homologous gene (HSL1 gene) of the HIS1 gene is located on chromosome 6 of rice. Furthermore, it has been found out that utilizations of these genes make it possible to efficiently produce a plant having increased resistance or susceptibility to a 4-HPPD inhibitor and to efficiently determine whether a plant has resistance or susceptibility to a 4-HPPD inhibitor.

Abstract: An automatic transmission configured with four planetary gear mechanisms, three clutches, and three brakes, which are configured to provide nine forward speeds and a reverse speed. The combination of elements results in, amongst other benefits, improved torque transfer efficiency. A first planetary gear mechanism including first to third rotary elements that form a sequence of the first rotary element, the second rotary element, and the third rotary element when arranged in an order at intervals corresponding to gear ratios in a velocity diagram. A second planetary gear mechanism including fourth to sixth rotary elements, a third planetary gear mechanism including seventh to ninth rotary elements, and a fourth planetary gear mechanism including tenth to twelfth rotary elements.

Abstract: An automatic transmission that changes a relative speed between an input and output member. Four planetary gears are provided, having (i) first to third rotary elements, (ii) fourth to sixth rotary elements, (iii) seventh to ninth rotary elements, and (iv) tenth to twelfth rotary elements. Four couplings are provided between (i) first and sixth rotary elements, (ii) second rotary and ninth rotary elements, (iii) third and eighth rotary elements, and (iv) fifth and twelfth rotary elements. Three clutches are provided between (i) second coupling element and input member, (ii) fourth rotary element input member, and (iii) tenth rotary element and input member. Three brakes are provided at (i) the fourth coupling element, (ii) fourth rotary element, (iii) and seventh rotary element. The output member is connected to the third coupling element.

Abstract: An automatic transmission device that changes a relative speed between an input and output member. The transmission is configured with four planetary gear mechanisms, the first including first to third rotary elements, the second including fourth to sixth rotary elements, the third including seventh to ninth rotary elements, the fourth including tenth to twelfth rotary elements. Four coupling elements are provided, the first that couples the first, fifth and eighth rotary element to each other. The second couples the second and twelfth rotary elements. The third couples third and eleventh rotary elements. Fourth couples fourth and ninth rotary elements. Three clutches, are provided between (i) second coupling element and the input member, (ii) sixth rotary element and the input member, and (iii) seventh rotary element and the input member. Three brakes are provided on the (i) sixth rotary element, (ii) fourth coupling element, and (iii) tenth rotary element.

Abstract: An automatic transmission is provided to adjust the speed between input and output members. The transmission is configured with four planetary gears having, (i) first to third rotary elements, (ii) fourth to sixth, (iii) seventh to ninth, and (iv) tenth to twelfth rotary elements. Three couplings are provided between (i) first and sixth rotary elements, (ii) second and ninth rotary elements, and (iii) third and eighth rotary elements. Three clutches are provided between (i) second coupling element and tenth rotary element, (ii) fifth and twelfth rotary elements, and (iii) fourth and tenth rotary elements. Three brakes are provided at (i) the fifth rotary element, (ii) the fourth rotary element, and (iii) seventh rotary element. The input member is connected to the tenth rotary element and the output member is connected to the third coupling element.

Abstract: There is a need to provide a solid-state imaging apparatus capable of highly accurately analog-to-digital converting an analog voltage output from a pixel circuit. The solid-state imaging apparatus supplies a counter code to an integral A/D converter. The counter code CD includes 3-phase clock signals and gray signals. The clock signals each have a cycle equal to specified cycle multiplied by 8 and allow phases to shift from each other by specified cycle. The gray signals linearly increase count values at a cycle equal to specified cycle multiplied by 4. The counter code reverses only the logical level of a signal when a count value changes. A count value error can be limited to a minimum.

Abstract: An automatic transmission for adjusting the relative speed between an input and output member. The transmission being configured with four planetary gears, the first having first to third rotary elements, the second having fourth to sixth rotary elements, the third having seventh to ninth rotary elements, the fourth having tenth to twelfth rotary elements. Three couplings between (i) first and sixth rotary elements, (ii) second and fifth rotary elements, and (iii) eighth and twelfth rotary elements. Three clutches are provided between (i) the second coupling and input member, (ii) third coupling and input member, and (iii) seventh rotary element and input member. Three brakes are provided at (i) the fourth rotary element, (ii) third coupling element, and (iii) tenth rotary element. The output member is connected to the third rotary element.

Abstract: An automatic transmission device that changes a relative speed between an input and output member. The transmission configured with a first planetary gear mechanism including first to third rotary elements, a second planetary gear mechanism including fourth to sixth rotary elements, a third planetary gear mechanism including seventh to ninth rotary elements, and a fourth planetary gear mechanism including tenth to twelfth rotary elements. A first coupling between the third and eighth rotary element, a second coupling between the fifth and eleventh rotary element, a third coupling between the sixth and twelfth rotary element, a fourth coupling between the seventh and tenth rotary element. A first clutch between the first and third coupling, a second clutch between the first rotary element and the third coupling element, a third clutch between the first and fourth rotary element.

Abstract: An automatic transmission configured with four planetary gear mechanisms, three clutches, and three brakes configured so as to selectively provide ten forward speeds and a reverse speed. The configuration enables smoother acceleration due to the number of different shift speeds available, and provides a generally more comfortable driving experience. The combination also enables a reduction of loss of efficiency that that occurs due to the meshing between gears and enhances the torque transfer efficiency.

Abstract: A vehicle automatic transmission includes: a plurality of rotating elements disposed rotatably relative to a transmission case; clutches each disposed between two rotating elements of the plurality of the rotating elements to be engaged to inhibit relative rotation between the two rotating elements and released to allow relative rotation between the two rotating elements, the clutches not including those engaged to directly couple the rotating elements to the transmission case and selectively establishing multiple shift stages achieved in the automatic transmission depending on a combination of engagement and release of the clutches, the vehicle automatic transmission, including three planetary gear devices and the six clutches, the plurality of the rotating elements being configured to include sun gears, carriers, and ring gears of the three respective planetary gear devices, and each of the multiple shift stages being established by engaging four clutches and releasing the remaining two clutches.

Abstract: A console assembly having a visual guide that affords for an individual to visually, and with an unobstructed line-of-sight, attach a back console body to a front console body is provided. The console assembly can include a front console body and a back console body, the two console bodies having a slot and hook combination that provides for a visible guide to an individual that is putting together or assembling the console.

Abstract: A mobile device including a solar battery having a light-receiving surface provided on a casing of the mobile device, an illuminance detector that detects an illuminance of light incident on the casing, an output section that outputs a state of light incident on the light-receiving surface of the solar battery, and a controller that controls the output section based on the illuminance detected by the illuminance detector.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a reading unit, first and second original sheet conveyance paths, a common conveyance path in which a recording material or the original sheet is conveyed to form an image, a third original sheet conveyance path that connects the first original sheet conveyance path and the second original sheet conveyance path and is used for conveying the original sheet conveyed in the second original sheet conveyance path to the common conveyance path, and a control unit that controls so as to convey the original sheet conveyed in the second original sheet conveyance path to the common conveyance path via the third original sheet conveyance path, and form an image on the original sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs density correction. An image forming section forms a density detection image on a belt. A light source irradiates the image with light. A light receiving section receives light reflected from the image and outputs a plurality of intensity signals of the received light. An intensity obtaining section drives the belt and the light source, thereby illuminating the image a first number of times at intervals of a first distance as the belt runs, and the light receiving section receives the light reflected from the image, the first number of times being determined by at least the first distance and a second distance in which the first distance lies. A selecting section selects a second number of levels of light intensity from the plurality of intensity signals. A density correcting section performs print density correction using the second number of levels of light intensity.