Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing AlN whiskers includes reduced incorporation of metal particles, an AlN whisker body, AlN whiskers, a resin molded body, and a method for producing the resin molded body. The method for producing AlN whiskers includes heating an Al-containing material in a material accommodation unit to thereby generate Al gas; and introducing the Al gas into a reaction chamber through a communication portion while introducing nitrogen gas into the reaction chamber through a gas inlet port, to thereby grow AlN whiskers on the surface of an Al2O3 substrate placed in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: An elevator system which an autonomous mobile robot and human user can utilize safely and efficiently. The system has an available area detection unit to detect an available area in a cage, and a riding possibility/impossibility determination unit to determine whether or not the autonomous mobile robot can get on the cage based on information on size and position of the available area detected by the available area detection unit. The autonomous mobile robot gets on the cage only when the riding possibility/impossibility determination unit determines that riding is possible.

Abstract: An elevator system which an autonomous mobile robot and human user can utilize safely and efficiently. The system has an available area detection unit to detect an available area in a cage, and a riding possibility/impossibility determination unit to determine whether or not the autonomous mobile robot can get on the cage based on information on size and position of the available area detected by the available area detection unit. The autonomous mobile robot gets on the cage only when the riding possibility/impossibility determination unit determines that riding is possible.

Abstract: A recycling method of an apparatus having a part includes a collecting step of collecting a part from the apparatus; a processing step of processing the collected part to adapt it to an apparatus having different specifications; and a mounting step of mounting the part processed in the processing step on the apparatus.

Abstract: A recycling method of an apparatus having a part includes a collecting step of collecting a part from the apparatus; a processing step of processing the collected part to adapt it to an apparatus having different specifications; and a mounting step of mounting the part processed in the processing step on the apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus communicated across a network to a server for effecting personal authentication, including: a personal authentication data inputting device for inputting personal authentication data; a personal authentication data transmitting device for transmitting to the server the personal authentication data inputted by the authentication data inputting device; an authentication result receiving device for receiving a result of authentication from the server; a utilization mode data obtaining device for obtaining from the server utilization mode data corresponding to a user authenticated by the server; an operation mode setting device for setting the operation mode of the image forming apparatus to an operation mode corresponding to the utilization mode data obtained by the utilization mode data obtaining device; and a utilization mode data renewing device for renewing the utilization mode data of the server on the basis of the utilization mode data corresponding to the operation mode utilized

Abstract: A recycling method in an apparatus having a part includes a part removal step of removing a part from the apparatus, and a mounting step of mounting to the apparatus a part having a specification different from that of the removed part.

Abstract: A self-running vacuum cleaner comprises a homing mode of following a back of a user with receiving a signal from a light emitting means or a transmitting means of a position indicator means held by the user, an instruction operation mode, in which the user instructs a cleaning area to the self-running vacuum cleaner, and an execution mode for cleaning up the cleaning area instructed. When the self-running vacuum cleaner operates under the homing mode or the instruction mode, a signal from the light-emitting means or the transmitting means is received by a receiver means attached on a periphery portion of a measuring means, which is provided in an upper portion of the vacuum cleaner. Comparing the signals from the two (2) receiver means in strength thereof determines the distance and the direction from the position indicated by the light-emitting means or the transmitting means up to the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A recycling method in an apparatus having a part includes a part removal step of removing a part from the apparatus, and a mounting step of mounting to the apparatus a part having a specification different from that of the removed part.

Abstract: A printing system for processing a print job transmitted from a terminal to a printer by the printer, includes a display which can display information associated with the print job, and a controller which switches in accordance with a demanding party of the information associated with the print job whether all pieces of information associated with the print job are displayed on the display or some pieces of information associated with the print job are limited upon display on the display.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which includes a sheet containing section for containing sheets, a conveying member and a conveying path for conveying the sheets, at least one optical sensor that is arranged in the conveying path and has a light emitting element and a light receiving element for detecting presence or absence of a sheet on the conveying path, a driver for changing an amount of emitted light of the optical sensor, a sheet supply operation detecting section for detecting a supply operation of the sheets contained in the sheet containing section, and a control section for adjusting an amount of emitted light of the optical sensor according to an output of the sheet supply operation detecting section.

Abstract: A culturing apparatus comprises first and second chambers. The first chamber has air-lock type inlet-outlets in a plural number thereof, and in an inside of which is provided the second chamber for culturing cells therein. Within the first chamber is disposed a manipulator, which is operable through a remote control or an automatic control. The manipulator is able to access both at least one of the air-lock type inlet/outlets and the second chamber. Each of the air-lock type inlet/outlets is divided into two (2) portions by two (2) pieces of doors, and the door of one divided communicates that portion divided to an inside of the chamber. The door of other divided communicates to an outside of the culturing apparatus.

Abstract: The quantity of light of an optical sensor including a light emission portion and a light reception portion is adjusted through calculation before sheet detection is performed. In order to perform the light quantity adjustment, a voltage to be applied to the light emission portion of the optical sensor is obtained by performing calculation based on a relation between a voltage applied to the light emission portion before the adjustment and an output from the light reception portion before the adjustment. Then, it is judged whether the obtained voltage exists within a predetermined range and, if a positive result is obtained, the light quantity adjustment is ended. Further, a signal requesting the cleaning of the optical sensor is outputted in accordance with a value of the obtained voltage.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus permits keeping predetermined sheet intervals, even when sheet conveyance is temporarily discontinued and then resumed, after resumption of conveyance. The sheet conveying apparatus has a first roller which feeds sheets at predetermined sheet intervals, and a second roller which conveys a plurality of sheet fed from the first roller. After temporarily discontinuing conveyance of the plurality of sheets, conveyance of the plurality of sheets is resumed by use of the first roller and the second roller. The variation in the sheet interval caused when temporarily discontinuing sheet conveyance is corrected upon resumption of sheet conveyance.

Abstract: A recycling method in an apparatus having a part includes a part removal step of removing a part from the apparatus; a mounting step of mounting to the apparatus a part having a specification different from that of the removed part.

Abstract: A recycling method of an apparatus having a part includes a collecting step of collecting a part from the apparatus; a processing step of processing the collected part to adapt it to an apparatus having different specifications; and a mounting step of mounting the part processed in the processing step on the apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus permits keeping predetermined sheet intervals, even when sheet conveyance is temporarily discontinued and then resumed, after resumption of conveyance. The sheet conveying apparatus has a first roller which feeds sheets at predetermined sheet intervals, and a second roller which conveys a plurality of sheet fed from the first roller. After temporarily discontinuing conveyance of the plurality of sheets, conveyance of the plurality of sheets is resumed by use of the first roller and the second roller. The variation in the sheet interval caused when temporarily discontinuing sheet conveyance is corrected upon resumption of sheet conveyance.

Abstract: The quantity of light of an optical sensor including a light emission portion and a light reception portion is adjusted through calculation before sheet detection is performed. In order to perform the light quantity adjustment, a voltage to be applied to the light emission portion of the optical sensor is obtained by performing calculation based on a relation between a voltage applied to the light emission portion before the adjustment and an output from the light reception portion before the adjustment. Then, it is judged whether the obtained voltage exists within a predetermined range and, if a positive result is obtained, the light quantity adjustment is ended. Further, a signal requesting the cleaning of the optical sensor is outputted in accordance with a value of the obtained voltage.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which includes a sheet containing section for containing sheets, a conveying member and a conveying path for conveying the sheets, at least one optical sensor that is arranged in the conveying path and has a light emitting element and a light receiving element for detecting presence or absence of a sheet on the conveying path, a driver for changing an amount of emitted light of the optical sensor, a sheet supply operation detecting section for detecting a supply operation of the sheets contained in the sheet containing section, and a control section for adjusting an amount of emitted light of the optical sensor according to an output of the sheet supply operation detecting section.

Abstract: A self-running vacuum cleaner comprises a homing mode of following a back of a user with receiving a signal from a light emitting means or a transmitting means of a position indicator means held by the user, an instruction operation mode, in which the user instructs a cleaning area to the self-running vacuum cleaner, and an execution mode for cleaning up the cleaning area instructed. When the self-running vacuum cleaner operates under the homing mode or the instruction mode, a signal from the light-emitting means or the transmitting means is received by a receiver means attached on a periphery portion of a measuring means, which is provided in an upper portion of the vacuum cleaner. Comparing the signals from the two (2) receiver means in strength thereof determines the distance and the direction from the position indicated by the light-emitting means or the transmitting means up to the vacuum cleaner.