Abstract: A master cylinder of the invention supplies a brake fluid from a large diameter pressurizing chamber 56 to a small diameter hydraulic chamber 49 by opening a reverse flow checking opening and closing portion 61 by sliding movement of a stepped piston 16 forwardly, that is, fast fill and when the hydraulic pressure of the large diameter pressurizing chamber 56 rises, a control valve 86 escapes the hydraulic pressure of the large diameter pressurizing chamber 56 to a reservoir 12 to gradually lower in accordance with rise of the hydraulic pressure of the small diameter hydraulic chamber 49, thereby capable of reducing a strange feeling in a pedal feeling caused by sudden pressure release of the large diameter pressuring chamber 56.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for performing procedures to request repair, without troubling the driver, when a car breaks down, as well as various onboard peripheral apparatuses and cellular phone used for this system. This system comprises an onboard peripheral apparatus having a failure detector, an onboard main controller for managing car information, a cellular phone which can make wireless connection to the onboard main controller, and a response center for receiving requests for car repairs and maintenance and making arrangements therefor. When a failure is detected, repair request is transmitted to the response center through wireless communication together with the user ID of the driver. Based on this request, the response center acquires remedy information from a car manufacturer and makes arrangements for repair and provides this remedy information to a repair shop.

Abstract: A recording disk having a recording medium and a memory assembly which is disposed in an annular or spiral form at a certain position on the disk. The memory assembly which a memory which stores information, a signal processor which writes or reads out information to/from the memory, a transmitter-receiver for transacting information with an exterior of the disk, a controller which controls the memory, signal processor and transmitter-receiver, a receiver which receives power in the form of a signal supplied from an exterior of the disk for the operation of the memory, signal processor, transmitter-receiver and controller, and a rectifier converts the signal received by the receiver into power. The memory, signal processor, controller, rectifier, and transmitter-receiver and/or receiver are at least partially formed of a semiconductor integrated circuit and at least portions of the memory, signal processor and controller are covered with light-blocking resin.

Abstract: A sheet for protecting paint films of automobiles which can prevent the paint film of automobiles from suffering from damages such as discoloration and denaturation even if rainwater or washer penetrates into the gap between the adhesive cover and the paint film while achieving excellent protection function to suspended matters, colliding matters, etc. inherent to protecting sheets and being easily peeled off and removed after completion of the desired protection. The sheet for protecting paint films of automobiles comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a roughened surface provided on a substrate made of fiber sheet. Even when rainwater, washer, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques that allow EPG(s) to be viewed and/or desired programs to be recorded remotely from the associated receiver, TV, and/or recording device. One embodiment provides a system that converts digital broadcast information, including program information, so that a handheld remote device, for example, a mobile telephone, or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), can receive program information and further provides for the handheld remote device controlling a network connected recording device to record a broadcast program based on this program information.

Abstract: A decoloring apparatus for an image forming material comprising means for bringing a solvent into contact with an image forming material formed on a paper sheet and containing a color former, a developer and a decolorizer, and means for removing a residual solvent from the paper sheet.

Abstract: An optical recording disk intended only for the reproduction of a main information and used by a information management system has the attachment of a memory in which data for the management of the main information is written and read out easily and reliably. The memory has associated electromagnetic coupling means for transacting the record management data with and receiving power from a recording/reproduction apparatus. The electromagnetic coupling means is built in the memory or disposed in an annular or spiral form on the disk. The transmission frequency band for data transaction and power supply is set outside the main information reproduction frequency band. The memory is disposed in or on an appropriate plastic layer of the disk depending on the usage of the disk, and located in the inner or outer section of the recording medium forming area on the disk depending on the transmission band. This low-cost optical disk can be manufactured at a high reliability and high yield.

Abstract: A sheet for protecting a paint film which does not deteriorate or discolor the paint film even when the sheet is adhered to protect the paint film under the condition containing acidic rainwater or detergent and can maintain the adhered state over an extended-period of time without peeling off is disclosed. The sheet for protecting a paint film comprises a porous substrate and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed on one surface of the porous substrate. The sheet has an air permeability in a direction of sheet thickness of 20,000 sec/100 cc or more and a moisture permeability in a direction of sheet thickness of 2,000 g/m2·24 hr or more. The sheet for protecting a paint film further comprises a porous substrate and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed on one surface of the porous substrate, wherein the porous substrate has an ultraviolet transmission of 10% or less at a wavelength of from 190 to 370 nm.

Abstract: An apparatus reading out a pattern formed on a cloth, includes a detector configured to detect amounts of vertical movements of a probe, the probe held movable in the vertical direction and held to be in contact with the cloth and the pattern, and a processor unit configured to process signals of the amounts of vertical movements and obtain pattern data. Another reading apparatus reading out a pattern formed on a cloth, includes an image sensor configured to detect data on brightness corresponding to two-dimensional positions on the cloth pattern, and a processor unit configured to process to select data on one-dimensional brightness in the width direction of the pattern from two-dimensional brightness data and to decode the pattern data based on the selected data.

Abstract: A sheet for protecting a paint film, the sheet comprising a substrate and formed on one side thereof a rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive layer which comprises a rubbery polymer and incorporated therein a copolymer of at least one aromatic compound with at least one terpene compound or aliphatic hydrocarbon compound. The sheet can be efficiently applied and satisfactorily adhered to a paint film and retain the satisfactorily adherent state over long. After accomplishment of the protection, the sheet can be easily peeled off and is less apt to foul the paint film even when the paint film is of the type susceptible to fouling upon protective sheet removal. No cleaning treatment is hence necessary.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising 100 parts by weight of an isobutylene polymer and 0.001 to 5 parts by weight of at least one release control agent selected from the group consisting of an alcohol having a molecular weight of 90 to 300 and an oxygen atom content of 8.5% or more or a derivative thereof and a carboxylic acid having a molecular weight of 70 to 400 and an oxygen atom content of 11% or more or a derivative thereof; and a surface protecting material having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer comprising the adhesive. The adhesive has well-balanced characteristics in initial adhesion, retention of initial adhesion, and weather resistance.

Abstract: A method of decoloring an image formed on a paper sheet by using an image forming material containing a color former, a developer and a decolorizer, comprising the steps of bringing a solvent into contact with the image forming material for decoloring the image, and removing the residual solvent from the paper sheet.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising 100 parts by weight of an isobutylene polymer having been masticated in an organic solvent with a radical generator and 0.001 to 5 parts by weight of at least one release control agent selected from the group consisting of an alcohol having a molecular weight of 90 to 300 and an oxygen atom content of 8.5% or more or a derivative thereof and a carboxylic acid having a molecular weight of 70 to 400 and an oxygen atom content of 11% or more or a derivative thereof; and a surface protecting material having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer comprising the adhesive. The adhesive has well-balanced characteristics in initial adhesion, retention of initial adhesion, and weather resistance.

Abstract: A sheet for protecting a paint film, the sheet comprising a substrate and formed on one side thereof a rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive layer which has, on a side opposite the substrate side, a modified surface layer having a thickness of 100 nm or smaller and having a higher functional group concentration than the inner parts of the adhesive layer; and a process for producing the sheet which comprises subjecting a rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed on a substrate to a treatment for generating functional groups on the surface of the adhesive layer. The sheet, even when applied to a poorly bondable paint film apt to cause adhesion failures due to bleeding, etc.

Abstract: An invisible symbol reading apparatus includes a heating unit for heating an invisible symbol formed on a sample and containing a material which emits infrared light when heated, a detecting unit for detecting infrared light emitted from the invisible symbol, and an arithmetic operation unit for binarizing a detection signal from the detecting unit. The arithmetic operation unit calculates a differential coefficient of the detection signal, that corresponds to a position on the sample. On the basis of upper and lower threshold values set for the differential coefficient, the arithmetic operation unit determines a maximum value of the differential coefficient in a region exceeding the upper threshold value and a minimum value of the differential coefficient in a region smaller than the lower threshold value. The arithmetic operation unit binarizes the detection signal by using the maximum or minimum value as a leading or trailing edge of a binary function.

Abstract: An image forming material formed on a paper sheet and containing a color former, a developer and a decolorizer, is decolored by heating of the image forming material, contacting the image forming material with a solvent optionally containing a decolorizer, and removing a residual solvent from the paper sheet.

Abstract: A decoloring apparatus for an image forming material comprising means for bringing a solvent into contact with an image forming material formed on a paper sheet and containing a color former, a developer and a decolorizer, and means for removing a residual solvent from the paper sheet.

Abstract: An erasable image forming material includes a color former, a developer, and a decolorizer and is erasable by contact with an erase solvent. Free energy &agr; required for the decolorizer and the developer to form a complex and free energy &bgr; required for the color former and the developer to form a complex have a relationship represented by &agr;≦&bgr;≦10 Kcal/mol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reading a pattern comprising steps of heating or irradiating with infrared light a substrate on which a transparent pattern is formed, the pattern containing a material capable of absorbing infrared light of specific wavelength such as polyacrylonitrile, and detecting infrared light which is radiated or reflected from the pattern.

Abstract: An erasable image forming material includes a color former, a developer, a binder resin, and a polymer decolorizer having an electron donating group capable of physically or chemically adsorbing the developer. This polymer decolorizer is, e.g., a polymer compound having a sugar skeleton, representatively starch. This image forming material can form sharp images and erase images by heat or a solvent to achieve a good erased state.