Abstract: An efficient error correction processor is disclosed for correcting a multi-dimensional code comprising a first set of codewords that intersect with a second set of codewords. The error correction is carried out by performing iterative passes over the first and second set of codewords. The individual codewords are corrected using error syndromes which are computed as a function of the codeword data. In the preferred embodiment, the individual codewords are encoded according to a Reed-Solomon code and the error syndromes are computed as the modulo division of the codeword polynomial by the factors of a generator polynomial. To increase the throughput of the error correction processor, a syndrome buffer is employed to facilitate generating the error syndromes for both the first and second set codewords concurrently. In this manner, after a pass over the first set of codewords, the error syndromes for the second set codewords are available for immediate processing.

Abstract: A sheet-testing apparatus including kneading rolls, a frame feeder, sheet applicator, foreign material detector, a frame with a light transparent window and a cutter for cutting a sheet. A sheet thickness detection apparatus outputs an electric signal to a memory. A kneading apparatus has a pair of heating rolls separated by a gap. The directions and speeds of rotations of the rolls are adjustable. A sensor detects the gap and a bank sensor detects the condition of a bank in the gap. The distance between the rolls, their temperatures, rotations, and speeds are automatically controlled. A pair of blades peel a sheet from the sheet-winding roll. Material dropped through the gap between the heating rolls is returned to a point above the gap. A cutting device has a length of wire sprung onto a rolled sheet to sever the sheet. A heating roll cleaning device brings cleaning rolls into sliding engagement with the heating rolls.

Abstract: A CD-R controller for recording on a CD-R disk a signal representative of a set of signal data. The CD-R controller includes a buffer manager for receiving a command such as a CUE-sheet, and sends the command to a micro-controller. The micro-controller generates instructions corresponding to each command by using information stored in a ROM. The buffer manager stores the instructions in a buffer and then sends the instructions to a CD-R formatter. Buffer manager may then send signal data corresponding to the instructions to a recording circuit. CD-R formatter generates control signals to the recording circuit from the instructions. The control signals cause recording circuit to generate recording signals to a CD-R drive. The CD-R drive may record the signal representative of the signal data in response to the recording signals.

Abstract: A sheet-testing apparatus including kneading rolls, a frame feeder, sheet applicator, foreign material detector, a frame with a light transparent window and a cutter for cutting a sheet. A sheet-testing sample-making apparatus has a cluster of kneading rolls, frame feeder, and sheet applicator. A sheet thickness detection apparatus outputs an electric signal to a memory. A kneading apparatus has a pair of heating rolls separated by a gap. The directions and speeds of rotations of the rolls are adjustable. A sensor detects the gap and a bank sensor detects the condition of a bank in the gap. The distance between the rolls, their temperatures, rotations, and speeds are automatically controlled. A pair of blades peel a sheet from the sheet-winding roll. Material dropped through the gap between the heating rolls is returned to a point above the gap. A cutting device has a length of wire sprung onto a rolled sheet to sever the sheet.

Abstract: A header detect method and apparatus for an optical media decoder circuit includes one or more comparators which compare target header information to header information read from the optical media for a current sector and each subsequent sector until the header information read from the optical media matches the target header information. The target header information is programmed into one or more target header registers. The information stored in the target header registers is then compared to the header information read from the optical media. Multiple comparators are used, to compare the header information read from the optical media for the current sector and a number of previous sectors to the target header information programmed into each of the target header registers, in order to provide a redundancy within the system and allow the apparatus to locate the target header even if one or more of the registers contain errors.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically inspecting powdery products is disclosed having a plurality of automatic inspection devices each device processing, in parallel, a subdivision of a supplied sample of a powdery product. Each device is controlled by a corresponding terminal computer. To one terminal computer there are connected a device for reading sample information attached to the supplied powdery sample and a device for recording, on the sample subdivisions, information concerning conditions for inspection established by the terminal computer on the basis of the sample information read by the first reading device. To each of the other terminal computers there is connected a corresponding device for reading the information concerning conditions for inspection recorded on the subdivision of the sample. Each terminal computer controls the operation of the automatic inspection devices on the basis of the information concerning conditions for inspection read by each corresponding reading device.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically determining the rate of plasticizer absorption of a powdery resin sample such as a vinyl chloride resin sample. The apparatus for automatically determining the rate of plasticizer absorption of a powdery resin sample is one in which the rate of plasticizer absorption is determined by treating, in a centrifugal separator 10, a powdery resin contained in an inspection container 2 together with an excess of a plasticizer, to remove from the powdery resin sample the excess plasticizer, and determining the amount of the plasticizer absorbed by and remaining in the powdery resin.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically and continuously inspecting a powdery product for the presence of foreign substances as contaminants, which permits highly precise inspection of powdery products, comprises static charge eliminator 10 for eliminating electrostatic charges generated on a powdery sample supplied to the apparatus; hopper 41 for receiving and storing the powdery sample whose electrostatic charges have been eliminated and dropped onto the hopper through static charge eliminator 10; conveyor 42 for conveying the powdery sample, as a subject to be photographed, discharged from hopper 41 and spread over conveyor 42 in the form of a layer having a uniform thickness; and video camera 43 for photographing, over a predetermined visual field, the powdery sample on the subject-conveyor.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I): ##STR1## or a salt thereof, is prepared by reacting 7-aminocephalosporanic acid or a salt thereof, with a solution comprising a compound of formula ROSO.sub.3 H in a compound of formula ROH, and in the presence of at least one compound of formula B(OR).sub.3 or compound of formula CH.sub.2 (OR).sub.2 ; wherein, in each of said compounds of formulae (I), ROSO.sub.3 H, ROH, B(OR).sub.3 and CH.sub.2 (OR).sub.2, R represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for germ-destroying air, water and food, including a germ-destroying step using an isothiocyanic acid ester, germicidal fibers and plastic products and processes for preparing the germicidal fibers and plastic products, fumigants and fumigating processes, as well as germicidal gas composition containing an isothiocyanic acid ester, a process for the preparation thereof and an apparatus for use with the process therefor.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a solution of a powdery product as a specimen of viscosity measurement. The apparatus includes electronic discharge-weighing device (4) for determining the amount of the powdery sample in sample container (2), introduced into hopper (6) and discharged therefrom by vibration-generating drive (5); dissolution container (12) for receiving and dissolving the powdery sample from hopper (6); electronic balance (13)for weighing the powdery sample in container (12); supply source (14) for solvent into container (12); device (36) for heating and stirring the powdery sample and the solvent in container (12), and a control circuit for controlling the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus which permits continuous automatic determination of the bulk specific gravity of a powdery sample and highly precise measurement thereof. The apparatus comprises a robot 3 transporting a container 2 filled with a powdery sample; a funnel 4 provided with a damper, which receives the powdery sample discharged from the container 2; a damper-driving unit 5a for pulling out and pushing the damper 5; a sample sensor 7 for detecting the powdery sample dropped through the funnel 4 provided with a damper; a constant volume receiver 6 for receiving dropped through the funnel 4 provided with a damper; a scraping bar 8 for sliding the upper face of the constant volume receiver 6; a scraping bar-driving unit 8a for reciprocating the scraping bar 8; a constant volume receiver-conveying robot 21 transporting the constant volume receiver 6; an electronic balance 22 which determines the weight the powdery sample in the constant volume receiver 6; and a cleaner 23 for aspirating the weighed powdery sample.

Abstract: An isothiocyanate vapor-generating agent containing a solution of an isothiocyanate dissolved in an oily liquid having a vapor pressure of 2 mmHg or less at 30.degree. C. A germ-desroying treatment method using vapors of an isothiocyanate and a germ-destroying treatment apparatus are also disclosed.