Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an automatic document type discrimination section for estimating a type of input image data. The automatic document type discrimination section is capable of detecting whether each of plural types of halftone dot areas exists or not in the image data, and the automatic document type discrimination section estimates the type of the image data. Therefore, the image processing apparatus can exactly estimate the type of the image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that is capable of determining a document size with high accuracy, even when a device for detecting the document size is not placed therein and an input operation of the document size by a user is eliminated is provided. A page background determining section extracts candidates for page backgrounds from input document image data and determines the number of page background types. A white pixel counting section counts the number of white pixels from input document image data. A document size determining section determines the document size of the input document image data, based on the number of page background types determined by the page background determining section, a page background density value which is the lowest density value in one or a plurality of page background areas determined to be page backgrounds, and the number of white pixels extracted by the white pixel counting section.

Abstract: Based on average values for respective color components calculated by an average value calculating section, a histogram generating section obtains, for respective pixels of interest, a maximum value of the average values among the color components and a maximum difference in the average values among the color components, and generates histograms respectively for the maximum value and the maximum difference in which histograms a number of pixels for a density bin is considered as a frequency-of-occurrence value. A determination section obtains a number of density bin having a predetermined frequency-of-occurrence value or more for each of the histograms for the maximum value and the maximum difference, and determines that the data of image is of a blank page image when both of the numbers of density bins are not greater than a bin threshold value which is set according to scanning modes or printing modes.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a document type automatic discrimination section that, based upon input image data read from a document, automatically discriminates a document type of the document. The document type automatic discrimination section, based upon plural types of parameters (quantity of halftone pixels, quantity of photographic-picture pixels, and quantity of high density pixels) obtained from plural types of characteristics (maximum density difference, total density busyness) extracted from the input image data and which parameters are used for discriminating a document type. A specific inkjet printed image whose output image data would not reach a standard level, if a process for a halftone reproduction region or a process for a continuous tone region were to be carried out on the input image data. This can improve the accuracy of document discrimination and the image quality of reproduced image.

Abstract: An average value calculating section calculates, for respective color components, an average value of pixel values within a pixel block, to define the calculated average values as a pixel value of a pixel of interest. A histogram generating section obtains, for respective pixels of interest, a maximum value of the average values among the color components and a maximum difference in the average values among the color components, and generates histograms respectively for the maximum value and the maximum difference in which histograms a number of pixels for a density bin is considered as a frequency-of-occurrence value. A determination section obtains numbers of density bins that correspond to a frequency-of-occurrence value greater than or equal to a predetermined frequency-of-occurrence value in the histograms, and determines that data of image is of a blank page image when both of the numbers of density bins are a bin threshold or less.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an automatic document type discrimination section for estimating a type of input image data. The automatic document type discrimination section is capable of detecting whether each of plural types of halftone dot areas exists or not in the image data, and the automatic document type discrimination section estimates the type of the image data. Therefore, the image processing apparatus can exactly estimate the type of the image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a document type automatic discrimination section that, based upon input image data read from a document, automatically discriminates a document type of the document. The document type automatic discrimination section, based upon plural types of parameters (quantity of halftone pixels, quantity of photographic-picture pixels, and quantity of high density pixels) obtained from plural types of characteristics (maximum density difference, total density busyness) extracted from the input image data and which parameters are used for discriminating a document type. A specific inkjet printed image whose output image data would not reach a standard level, if a process for a halftone reproduction region or a process for a continuous tone region were to be carried out on the input image data. This can improve the accuracy of document discrimination and the image quality of reproduced image.

Abstract: A mono-color signal converter extracts a mono-color signal in terms of the CMY system from RGB signals. A histogram generator generates a density histogram based on the density of the pixels in the digital image. At the same time, based on the thresholds determined previously, determination areas for the background density and maximum density are formed. A density class extracting portion extracts the density class of the background density and the density class of the maximum density. Based on the result from the density class extracting portion, a density correction curve generator generates a density correction curve. When the density correction curve needs to be adjusted as desired, the starting point and end point of the density correction curve are renewed through a first correction value and second correction value setting portion. A signal converter converts the mono-color signal into the K-signal.

Abstract: A sliding switch having a tandem-type contact structure in which a first and a second insulation portion are disposed in a first and a second negative fixed contact, respectively, of a first and a second group of fixed contacts. When a first and a second movable contact slide between a neutral position and a first operating position, an arc is produced between the first movable contact and the first negative fixed contact in which the first insulation portion is disposed. When the first and the second movable contact slide between the neutral position and a second operating position, an arc is produced between the second movable contact and the second negative fixed contact in which the second insulation portion is disposed. A decline in the insulation performance between the fixed contacts of different polarities is prevented.

Abstract: A flat cable connector including a first planetary roller, and a plurality of second planetary rollers as a flat cable guiding members, and a planetary gear mechanism for revolving the first roller round a rotor in an annular space between the rotor and a stator. The flat cable is turned at the first planetary roller so that the flat cable is wound in the opposite directions between the inside and outside of the second planetary rollers. The planetary gear mechanism is constructed to satisfy the relationship expressed as: a=b.times.{Di/(Di+Do)}, where a is the angular velocity of the planetary gear in its revolution; b is the angular velocity of the rotor with respect to the stator; Di is the diameter of an inner circumferential wall of the annular space; and Do is the diameter of the outer circumferential wall thereof.

Abstract: A brushless electric signal transmission apparatus comprising inner and outer housings coupled rotatably, a flat cable accommodated in an eddy form between these housings and including a plurality of conductors, plug-type connectors respectively mounted on opposite end portions of the flat cable, sockets into which the plug-type connectors are inserted, and covered lead wires which are the same in number as the flat cable conductors. Most of the flat cable conductors are connected to their corresponding covered lead wires via the plug-type connectors and the sockets. The unset flat cable conductors are connected to the unset covered lead wires via bus bars provided at the plug-type connectors.

Abstract: A flat cable connector including a first planetary roller, and a plurality of second planetary rollers as a flat cable guiding members, and a planetary gear mechanism for revolving the first roller round a rotor in an annular space between the rotor and a stator. The flat cable is turned at the first planetary roller so that the flat cable is wound in the opposite directions between the inside and outside of the second planetary rollers. The planetary gear mechanism is constructed to satisfy the relationship expressed as: a=b.times.{Di/(Di+Do)}, where a is the angular velocity of the planetary gear in its revolution; b is the angular velocity of the rotor with respect to the stator; Di is the diameter of an inner circumferential wall of the annular space; and Do is the diameter of the outer circumferential wall thereof.

Abstract: A device for coupling two rotary shafts, wherein a guide member is used on the coupling end of a first shaft to guide a coupling protrusion on the coupling end of a second shaft into a V-shaped coupling recess on the first shaft. The guide member can be made of a resilient plastic, to provide a flexible and detachable coupling member and reduce abnormal wear of the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A material for valve seats is molded of a composite resin. The composite resin is composed of polytetrafluoroethylene and a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkylvinylether. The amount of the copolymer falls in the range of from 3% to 30% by weight, preferably in the range of from 10% to 30% by weight, based on the total amount of the composite resin.

Abstract: A steering wheel apparatus is disclosed. It has a steering shaft and a boss fitted onto the steering shaft. A base is mounted on the rear portion of the boss in such a manner as to be fixed with respect to the axial direction but free with respect to the rotary direction of the steering shaft. A locking disc is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the base. A pin holder having a plurality of through holes is mounted on the front portion of the boss. The same number of slide pins are arranged in such a manner as to penetrate through the corresponding through holes in the pin holder for engaging with the stopper. A steering wheel is mounted on the boss through a boss plate. The steering wheel is improved in operation.

Abstract: A steering wheel apparatus is disclosed. It has a steering shaft and a boss fitted onto the steering shaft. A base is mounted on the rear portion of the boss in such a manner as to be fixed with respect to the axial direction but free with respect to the rotary direction of the steering shaft. A locking disc is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the base. A pin holder having a plurality of through holes is mounted on the front portion of the boss. The same number of slide pins are arranged in such a manner as to penetrate through the corresponding through holes in the pin holder for engaging with the stopper. A steering wheel is mounted on the boss through a boss plate. The steering wheel is improved in operation.

Abstract: An object contact pattern observation apparatus includes a prism body having a detection portion and a light absorbing portion located in such positions that any light transmitted through the prism body when no object is in contact with the detection portion. When an object is in contact with the detection portion, light from a light source radiated through the prism body to illuminate the detection portion is reflected therefrom as a visible contact image. The visible contact image is focused on a light recording device by a lens.

Abstract: A steering wheel apparatus is disclosed. It has a steering shaft and a boss fitted onto the steering shaft. A base is mounted on the rear portion of the boss in such a manner as to be fixed with respect to the axial direction but free with respect to the rotary direction of the steering shaft. A locking disc is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the base. A pin holder having a plurality of through holes is mounted on the front portion of the boss. The same number of slide pins are arranged in such a manner as to penetrate through the corresponding through holes in the pin holder for engaging with the stopper. A steering wheel is mounted on the boss through a boss plate. The steering wheel is prevented from being locked.

Abstract: A steering switch pad apparatus is disclosed. It has a cam plate rotable together with a steering wheel, at least two pins movable in the axial direction according to the rotation of the cam plate, a pin holder having through-holes for guiding the pins, and a base having holes for receiving the pins therein. A part of the pins in the position where a boss plate passes are retreated into the pin holder and at least one pin in the other position are pushed forward into the corresponding hole of the base by the cam plate during the rotation of the steering wheel, so that the pin holder and the base are held in the relatively standstill state irrespective of the rotation of the steering wheel. A power transmission mechanism for the above is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a slip ring suitable for appliance to a steering system of a vehicle a plurality of contacts arranged axially have spacers among them and flexible contacts are in elastic contact with the respective plurality of contacts. Accordingly, the flexible contacts are relatively rotated to the plurality of contacts at a time of the rotation of a steering wheel of the vehicle while the plurality of contacts and the flexible contacts are kept in a conductive condition therebetween, so that many switches can be mounted on the steering wheel.