Abstract: A composite web including an elastically stretchable web and an inelastically stretchable web bonded together is stretched on a course defined between at least two nip roll pairs to obtain an elastically stretchable composite sheet. The composite web is brought into contact with a peripheral surface of at least one roll of each nip roll pair over an area of the peripheral surface defined by a quadrant of this roll's circular cross section.

Abstract: &bgr;-isophorone is formed by isomerizing &agr;-isophorone in the presence of an isomerizing catalyst (an aliphatic C5-20 polycarboxylic acid) in an isomerizing-reaction unit 1. The &bgr;-isophorone thus formed is oxidized with oxygen in an inert solvent in the presence of an oxidizing catalyst (a complex salt of a transition metal and an N,N′-disalicylidenediamine) in an oxidizing-reaction unit 2, thereby forming ketoisophorone. After removing a low-boiling point component, which is an impurity (non-conjugated cyclic ketone), from the reaction mixture using a distilling unit 3, a high-boiling component (oxidizing catalyst) is separated in a distilling unit 4, and then ketoisophorone is separated from the solvent in the separation unit 5. Thereafter, the solvent containing 0 to 5,000 ppm (weight basis) of the impurities and substantially free from ketoisophorone is recycled to the oxidizing reaction through a recycling line 6.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a glass optical element comprising steps of: molding a glass material softened with a molding device which comprises an upper mold having a molding surface and a lower mold having a molding surface so that optically functional surfaces are formed on the glass material by applying a molding pressure, cooling the glass material so that the glass material obtains a predetermined viscosity, and removing the cooled glass material from the molding device, wherein a temperature of the glass material is maintained, in the cooling step, within a range of (Tg+30) to (Tg−50) degree centigrade at least for a predetermined time, and a secondary pressure is applied to the glass material at least during the predetermined time, so that the strain in the glass material is reduced, where Tg represents glass transition temperature of the glass.

Abstract: A character string is extracted from an image photographed by a camera. It is determined whether or not the extracted character string includes an address on a network. Software for accessing the address runs. Accordingly, a user can easily access a desired address on the network.

Abstract: An image processing method for processing an input job in parallel by a plurality of color image output apparatus, includes a developing step of developing input image data into bit map image data, wherein the developing step includes first and second modes, the first mode develops the input image data a plurality of times by using a color processing condition matching each of the plurality of color image output apparatus, and the second mode develops the input image data by using an optional color processing condition and outputs the developed result to the plurality of color image output apparatus. A user is allowed to select either a high speed process or a high precision process.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a seat-occupant sensing device for a car seat such that a heater can be installed in the seat without deterioration of sitting comfort.

Abstract: An accounting processing method for a service that is realized by an electronic appliance. Specifically, the present invention relates to an accounting processing method for a partial usage of the electronic appliance such as a usage of a function, an operating button and an accumulation medium of the electronic appliance. An accounting processing method for a service to be realized by an electronic appliance includes the steps of: taking out a calculation formula from calculation formula storage means for storing a calculation formula which calculates an accounting fee for the use of said electronic appliance; and calculating an accounting fee on the basis of said calculation formula which is taken out in said step.

Abstract: A demodulation method, and apparatus, for reproducing data from a received signal. The demodulation method includes the steps of: receiving a signal including a series of frames each containing a training signal for automatic equalization processing and a data signal; controlling an amplitude of the received signal by AGC processing so as to make the amplitude a predetermined level; conducting demodulation processing on the signal subjected to the AGC processing; periodically conducting automatic equalization processing so as to adapt the modulated signal to characteristics of the signal transmission path based on each training signal of the frame; and setting values of a time constant of the AGC processing and an update repetition period of the automatic equalization processing so as to satisfy a predetermined relation.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a sealing member for a fuel cell which is able to keep surface pressure low, and to enhance sealing performance. The fuel cell includes an anode electrode and a cathode electrode which are sandwiched on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and an anode side separator and a cathode side separator which are then layered against both sides of this combination. Sealing members are installed into grooves on these separators. The cross section of each sealing member is formed with projecting portions extending in the widthwise direction of its groove on both sides of a semicircular shaped sealing member main body, and with a pair of cutaway portions in positions symmetrical about the center of a chord portion of the sealing member main body.

Abstract: An active matrix panel including a matrix of driving electrodes couples through thin film transistor switches to a corresponding source line and gate line and at least one of a driver circuit including complementary thin film transistors for driving the source and/or gate lines of the picture elements on the substrate. The thin film transistors of the active matrix have the same cross-sectional structure as the P-type or the N-type thin film transistors forming the driver circuit and are formed during the same patterning process.

Abstract: A wide viewing angle polarizing plate capable of forming a liquid crystal display which causes less brightness unevenness by heat history, thereby exhibiting good visibility at a wide viewing angle comprises a polarizing plate in which a transparent protective layer made of an compensating plate is provided on at least one surface of a polarizing film, one or both of a brightness enhanced plate and a retardation plate laminated on the polarizing plate via an adhesive layer have a 1000% modulus at 90° C. of at most 6 g/mm2, thereby to form a laminate, and an adhesive layer disposed on one surface or on both surfaces of the outer surface of the laminate.

Abstract: In a transmission apparatus, still picture outputting control information is multiplexed to a transmission signal and in a receiving apparatus, still picture is extracted from moving picture. Still picture data to be outputted can be processed and the charge can be set for each kind of processing. A broadcasting system and a receiver can output the still picture data of which the copyright is protected in accordance with use.

Abstract: An image processing system is provided that is capable of performing copying processes by connecting devices which specifications for processing image data are mutually different. In an image processing system comprised of an image reading device for optically reading original documents and converting these into electronic image data and a printing device for printing image data that have been received from the image reading device onto recording media, image processing circuits for processing image data in accordance with specified specifications are respectively incorporated into the scanning device and the printing device, and a device that may be set in accordance with specifications for processing image data based on given circuit arrangement information is used to comprise at least a part of either one of the image processing circuits of these devices.

Abstract: Based on searched route information and map data, a target intersection for guidance is specified. For the specified target intersection, lane data regarding the number of lanes and lane control of roads being connected thereto is read, and then recommended lane information which indicates which lane to take when entering the target intersection and to exit therefrom is generated. Based on information about the target intersection and the lane data, a simplified intersection image of the target intersection for lane guidance is generated. Based on the recommended lane information, a running path which passes through the recommended lanes for entering into and exiting from the target intersection is generated, and is combined with the intersection image. Then, lane guidance information for displaying the resultant intersection image is outputted with a predetermined timing. As such, guidance can be visually made on a screen indicating which lanes to take to enter into and exit from the intersection.

Abstract: Herein disclosed a bit stream separating apparatus for inputting and transcoding an original MPEG-2 bit stream, and separating the transcoded MPEG-2 bit stream to generate a transcoded MPEG-2 bit stream and a differential bit stream, which is a differential bit stream between the original MPEG-2 bit stream and the transcoded MPEG-2 bit stream, and a bit stream merging apparatus for inputting and merging the transcoded MPEG-2 bit stream and the differential bit stream to reconstruct the original MPEG-2 bit stream. The bit stream separating apparatus makes it possible for the bit stream merging apparatus to reconstruct the original, high quality, MPEG-2 bit stream from the transcoded MPEG-2 bit stream already received and the differential bit stream, thereby eliminating the effort and time to send the original MPEG-2 bit stream again.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprising a case having a wall thickness not larger than 0.3 mm, a positive electrode provided in the case, a negative electrode provided in the case and the negative electrode containing a carbonaceous material capable of absorbing-desorbing lithium ions, and a nonaqueous electrolyte provided in the case and the nonaqueous electrolyte containing a nonaqueous solvent including &ggr;-butyrolactone and a solute dissolved in the nonaqueous solvent, wherein after being discharged to 3V with a current of 0.2C at room temperature, the voltage reduction caused by the self-discharge at 60° C. is not larger than 1.5V in 3 weeks.

Abstract: A process is disclosed producing an intermediate transfer member used in an image-forming apparatus in which an image formed on a first image-bearing member is transferred to a second image-bearing member. The process has the steps of melt-extruding an extrusion material from a circular die by means of an extruder and thereafter making the same into a desired shape to obtain a cylindrical extruded product, and forming the resultant cylindrical extruded product into the intermediate transfer member. The cylindrical extruded product contains a thermoplastic resin and an ion-conductive resistance control agent, and a ratio of the diameter of the intermediate transfer member obtained to the die diameter of the circular die is from 0.5 to 4.0. Also disclosed are an intermediate transfer member obtained by the production process, and an intermediate transfer member having the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: An optical film constituted by: a transparent film including a repetitive structure of a plurality of light exit means arranged at intervals of a regular pitch or intervals of irregular pitches in one of opposite surfaces of the transparent film, the repetitive structure of the plurality of light exit means having optical path changing slopes each inclined to the film surface at an inclination angle in a range of from 30 to 48 degrees in order to change an optical path of light from a direction of the film surface into a direction of thickness of the film; and an anti-reflection layer disposed on the film surface in which the plurality of light exit means are formed; wherein the optical film is light-transmissible in the direction of the thickness of the film.

Abstract: An electron beam apparatus includes a movable table which mounts a specimen, an electron optical system including an electron beam source which emits electron beams, an element for deflecting the emitted electron beams, an objective lens for converging and irradiating the deflected electron beams onto the specimen mounted on the table, and a detector for detecting a secondary electron emanated from the specimen by the irradiation of the electron beams. A surface height detection unit is provided which optically detects a height of a surface of the specimen by projecting light onto the surface of the specimen from an oblique direction to the surface and detecting light reflected from the specimen. A focus controller is provided for focusing the electron beam onto the surface of the specimen by controlling a position of the table in a height direction in accordance with the height information from the surface height detection unit.

Abstract: A navigation system having a navigation controller includes a voice recognition unit for recognizing a predetermined word from the spoken utterances of a user. It also includes a destination supposition and suggestion unit for predicting an appropriate destination desired by a user, based on a user's speech, and audibly suggests the predicted destination, and destination entry unit. If the suggested destination satisfies a user, the destination entry unit enters into the navigation controller the suggested destination.