Abstract: A thermal transfer printing apparatus has a thermal head comprised of a plurality of heating members aligned in line, each of the heating members transferring an ink to printing paper upon heating so as to form one dot, the thermal head moving relative to the printing paper and defining a pixel using m.times.n printing dots (m, n: positive integers). This apparatus further has multilevel dot pattern generating means for storing several binary dot patterns having predetermined dots of the m.times.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at reading picture image information of an original by illuminating the original with light and by receiving the transmitted or reflected light from the original. The picture image reader in accordance with the present invention includes an optical sensor for reading picture image information by receiving light from the original that is illuminated by light, a moving mechanism for relatively moving the optical sensor and the original, an overlapping mechanism for overlapping a portion of the reading region for picture images, in the reading of picture images by the optical sensor, and a synthetic picture image formation circuit for synthesizing picture image of the overlapped portion so as to have the picture image coincident with the picture image in the original, based on each picture image information that are read in overlapped manner.

Abstract: A picture signal processing circuit for use in a picture reproducing apparatus, wherein a picture to be copied is optically scanned by a line image sensor to provide picture signals for each of the plural picture elements of the picture. A detector circuit is arranged to detect a local variation in the density of the picture based on a convolution operation on picture signals of a two-dimensional picture-element array to produce a local density variation detection signal which represents a high frequency component of the input signal. The picture-element array being detected is shifted by one picture element in a scanning direction during optical scanning of the picture. A signal processor circuit is responsive to the local density variation detection signal to switch between a simple binarization processing using single threshold data and a dithering binarization processing using dither matrix threshold data for the picture signal to be applied to a printer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolytic process using a horizontal type cation exchange membrane electrolytic cell in which catholyte liquor is supplied into a cathode compartment with initial linear velocity of at least 8 cm/sec and gas content of at most 0.6 at a catholyte liquor outlet. Also disclosed is an electrolytic cell used for the foregoing process. The invention enables not only conversion of a mercury electrolytic cell to a cation exchange membrane electrolytic cell with low cost, but the long-term and stable operation.

Abstract: An electrolytic process using a horizontal electrolytic cell partitioned by a cation exchange membrane into an anode compartment and a cathode compartment is disclosed which is characterized by supplying into the cathode compartment catholyte liquor at a flow rate satisfying the equation;Y.gtoreq.9 log.sub.10 X+11wherein Y is initial linear velocity (cm/sec) of the catholyte liquor containing no cathode gas or containing cathode gas in an extremely small amount, and X is length (m) of a passageway of the catholyte liquor in the cathode compartment.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell is disclosed comprising an upper anode compartment and a lower cathode compartment partitioned by a cation exchange membrane, in which partitioning spacers are provided on a cathode plate in order to eliminate the troubles owing to non-uniform flow of catholyte liquor, non-uniformity of anode-cathode gap, coarse surface of the cathode plate and the like.

Abstract: A novel fire alarm system with a plurality of smoke detectors which are adapted to be installed in different locations are connected through a data transmission line to a receiver where the smoke density signals transmitted from the respective smoke detectors and indicative of the density of smoke in the corresponding locations are processed for determination of fire presence. The receiver is provided with fire judging circuit which identifies the presence of fire only when the smoke density detected by any one of the smoke detectors exceeds a reference density level and when such smoke density lasts over a reference time period. Thus, the information from each smoke detector is analyzed with respect to the smoke density and the time period over which the smoke density of significant level lasts. Accordingly, a reliable detection of fire is effectuated.

Abstract: A thermal transfer color printer is disclosed for printing color images on individual sheets of paper. One sheet of paper at a time is removed from a stack of paper stored in a cassette and this sheet is transported by a reversible platen roller in a first or forward direction at a first predetermined rate. While the sheet of paper is gripped between the reversible platen roller and one or more pinch rollers, slack is removed by a slack removing device. A multicolored ink ribbon with successively arranged color segments also is transported in the first direction at the same predetermined rate. A thermal printhead presses against the reversible platen roller to press the ink ribbon and sheet of paper together as they move in the first direction. Energization of the thermal elements on the thermal printhead by color component signals corresponding to the current color of the ink ribbon causes the particular current color to be thermally and selectively transferred to the sheet of paper.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vertical and monopolar box type electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal chloride solution providing a cation exchange membrane as a separator between anodes and cathodes, which comprises an anode compartment having at least one anode solution inlet, at least one anode solution outlet and at least one anode gas outlet, respectively, and a cathode compartment having at least one cathode solution inlet, at least one cathode solution outlet and at least one cathode gas outlet, respectively, said anode solution outlet is positioned in such a manner that the ratio of height of anode solution level to that of cathode solution level is more than one and the product of a difference in height between the cathode solution level and the anode solution level and an apparent specific gravity of the anode solution is less than the sum total of an anode compartment inside pressure in the positive numerical value of a given negative pressure value and a cathode compartment inside press

Abstract: An electrolytic process is provided for the electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal halide solution, which comprises effecting the electrolysis in a cell being separated by a cation exchange membrane into an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, wherein washing liquid is supplied into a liquid seal pot provided at a cathode gas outlet of a cathode compartment and cathode gas evolved from the cell is contacted with the washing liquid in the liquid seal pot.

Abstract: In an optical apparatus for inspecting optical defects, a laser beam generated from a laser unit is converted by a collimator lens into a light beam having a suitable diameter. An X-Y scanner for two-dimensionally scanning the light beam is situated at a forward focal point of a scanning lens. The light beam passed through the scanning lens is converged substantially in parallel with an optical axis of the scanning lens and is reflected by a semi-transparent mirror and is vertically projected onto a flat surface to be inspected of an article situated substantially at a backward focal point of the scanning lens. Thus, on the surface to be inspected of the article there is given a projected beam spot having a larger diameter than that of the relevant circle of least confusion. The light rays reflected by the article surface to be inspected are converged by a converging lens the forward focal point of which is located on the said article surface.

Abstract: Process for producing a completely random copolymer of a conjugated diene and a monovinyl substituted aromatic compound having the same composition as that of the starting monomeric mixture which comprises copolymerizing a conjugated diene and a monovinyl substituted aromatic compound in the presence of lithium catalyst in a polymerization medium at a temperature not higher than 150.degree. C and at which the resulting copolymer is substantially phase-separated, said temperature being dependent upon the type of medium, and type, composition and concentration of the monomer used.

Abstract: An electronic chime wherein at least two different audible frequency signals forming chime sound are generated by a frequency divider oscillated by an oscillating circuit capable of adjusting its output standard frequency clock pulse. These audible frequency signals are respectively amplitude modulated so as to be attenuated stepwise, and the chime sound is generated by such modulated signals and caused to disappear at attenuated state.

Abstract: A polymerization process for producing rubbery polymers or random copolymers having excellent physical properties as well as good processability, and completely freed from a flow at normal temperature. The process, which may be called as "Low-temperature Pretreatment Polymerization process," comprises polymerizing conjugated dienes or copolymerizing conjugated dienes and monovinyl substituted aromatic compound under a specific polymerization conditions in the presence of an alkyllithium catalyst to produce a polymer or random copolymer of the desirably controlled structure of branches to afford such excellent properties mentioned above.