Abstract: A three-dimensional modeling apparatus models a three-dimensional object by lamination modeling in an air-tight process chamber. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes an elevation guide chamber provided adjacent to the process chamber, an elevation stage provided so as to be capable of being raised and lowered in the elevation guide chamber, and a communication pipe communicating between a space below the elevation stage in the elevation guide chamber and the process chamber.

Abstract: A beam focusing lens having an optical axis for focusing at a point of focus a light beam having different angles of divergence in orthogonal directions perpendicular to the optical axis consists of one or two lens components, each of which may be a single lens element and made of plastic and each of which has positive refractive power. At least one lens surface is an anamorphic aspherical surface that is not a cylindrical surface, that has no cross-section perpendicular to the optical axis that is circular with a finite radius of curvature, and that is defined by a particular aspherical equation. Another lens surface may be a cylindrical aspherical surface defined by another particular aspherical equation. The beams focusing lens may satisfy certain conditions related to optical element spacings, refractive index of a single lens element, and magnifications, and may focus light from a semiconductor laser into an optical fiber.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing colorants which can exhibit excellent color development even in a small amount and are low in thixotropy. The constituent feature of the present invention comprises: enhancing the molecular extinction coefficient of the coloring matter substance by ion exchanging method, to afford a room for increasing B (resin) of P/B; then a composition is designed and employed to enhance the effect increasing the polar group concentration which is a role of resin and the quality of the effect; it thus becomes possible to achieve the limit value of the molecular extinction coefficient as much as possible and to eliminate the factors adversely affecting the present process.

Abstract: Each embodiment of this invention implements step-by-step and empirical authentication of devices upon digital authentication among a plurality of devices. Each of a plurality of authentication devices of each embodiment can unidirectionally generate a hash value of a low experience rank from a hash value of a high experience rank, and receives a set of high experience rank and hash value in accordance with an experience. Upon receiving a certification request of the experience rank from another authentication device, the authentication device transmits a corresponding hash value to the authentication device as a request source. Upon sending a certification request of an experience rank to another authentication device, the authentication device verifies a hash value obtained from the other authentication device on the basis of a self hash value. In this way, the authentication devices authenticate each other's experience ranks.

Abstract: A beam focusing lens having an optical axis for focusing at a point of focus a light beam having different angles of divergence in orthogonal directions perpendicular to the optical axis consists of one or two lens components, each of which may be a single lens element and made of plastic and each of which has positive refractive power. At least one lens surface is an anamorphic aspherical surface that is not a cylindrical surface, that has no cross-section perpendicular to the optical axis that is circular with a finite radius of curvature, and that is defined by a particular aspherical equation. Another lens surface may be a cylindrical aspherical surface defined by another particular aspherical equation. The beams focusing lens may satisfy certain conditions related to optical element spacings, refractive index of a single lens element, and magnifications, and may focus light from a semiconductor laser into an optical fiber.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing colorants which can exhibit excellent color development even in a small amount and are low in thixotropy.

Abstract: To provide a waterproof electroacoustic transducer having a high waterproof performance and a portable electronic device provided with the same.

Abstract: Each embodiment of this invention implements step-by-step and empirical authentication of devices upon digital authentication among a plurality of devices. Each of a plurality of authentication devices of each embodiment can unidirectionally generate a hash value of a low experience rank from a hash value of a high experience rank, and receives a set of high experience rank and hash value in accordance with an experience. Upon receiving a certification request of the experience rank from another authentication device, the authentication device transmits a corresponding hash value to the authentication device as a request source. Upon sending a certification request of an experience rank to another authentication device, the authentication device verifies a hash value obtained from the other authentication device on the basis of a self hash value. In this way, the authentication devices authenticate each other's experience ranks.

Abstract: A reversibly discoloring ink composition which changes color reversibly and instantly in response to irradiation with light of a given wavelength distribution. The discoloring composition has fine particles comprised of one or more rare earth oxides represented by the general formula M2O3, wherein M is Ho, Nd, or Pr, and a light-transmissive base material having the fine particles dispersed therein. In an embodiment, a color changing decorative layer formed of the reversibly discoloring ink is printed on the upper layer of a dial plate or other wristwatch part.

Abstract: An image processing device for processing an image read by an image scanner or similar image reading device is disclosed. The image processing device is capable of accurately detecting, without resorting to a range finding sensor or similar special sensing means, the bound portion of a spread book by recognizing the configuration of the bound portion out of a read image, and thereby accurately correcting the distortion of the portion of the image representative of the bound portion.

Abstract: An image reading unit reads an original image, one main scan line by one main scan line, in a sub-scan direction. A window setting unit sets a measuring window in a bit-map formation of image data obtained through the image reading unit, in a manner in which the measuring window moves in a predetermined manner so that the measuring window appropriately includes pixels of an oblique line image which is formed in the bit-map formation of image data as a result of being read through the image reading unit. A position error measuring unit processes image data defined by the measuring window, and, thus, measures an error of the oblique line image formed in the bit-map formation of obtained image data between a predetermined reference state and an actual reading state.

Abstract: An image reading unit reads an original image, one main scan line by one main scan line, in a sub-scan direction. A window setting unit sets a measuring window in a bit-map formation of image data obtained through the image reading unit, in a manner in which the measuring window moves in a predetermined manner so that the measuring window appropriately includes pixels of an oblique line image which is formed in the bit-map formation of image data as a result of being read through the image reading unit. A position error measuring unit processes image data defined by the measuring window, and, thus, measures an error of the oblique line image formed in the bit-map formation of obtained image data between a predetermined reference state and an actual reading state.

Abstract: An oblique line pattern is located outside of an effective image area and comprises a plurality of lines with a fixed inclination to the main scan direction. A reading unit, extending in the main scan direction, reads the oblique line pattern together with an original image which is placed in the effective image area. A setting portion is provided for an operator to set an image size change rate for the original image. A sub-scanning portion changes an original image scanning speed in a sub-scan direction according to the image size change rate. A first calculating portion sets a window on image data of the oblique line pattern obtained through the reading unit, and calculates a center of gravity of the image data in the window. A controlling portion controls movement of the window according to a value of the center of gravity obtained through the first calculating portion.

Abstract: An image reading unit reads an original image, one main scan line by one main scan line, in a sub-scan direction. A window setting unit sets a measuring window in a bit-map formation of image data obtained through the image reading unit, in a manner in which the measuring window moves in a predetermined manner so that the measuring window appropriately includes pixels of an oblique line image which is formed in the bit-map formation of image data as a result of being read through the image reading unit. A position error measuring unit processes image data defined by the measuring window, and, thus, measures an error of the oblique line image formed in the bit-map formation of obtained image data between a predetermined reference state and an actual reading state.

Abstract: First and second patterns are located outside of an image reading area. A first pattern comprises a plurality of lines each extending at a fixed angle with respect to a sub-scan direction. A second pattern comprises a plurality of lines each extending at a fixed angle but having a reverse direction with respect to the sub-scan direction. An image reading portion reads the first and second patterns. A position error measuring portion measures first and second image reading position errors corresponding to different angle oblique lines of the first and second patterns of image data obtained as a result of reading the first and second patterns, respectively. The position error measuring portion compensates for position deviations of the first and second patterns using the first and second image reading position errors, and obtains position-deviation-compensated image reading position errors.

Abstract: An image reading unit reads an original image, one main scan line by one main scan line, in a sub-scan direction. A window setting unit sets a measuring window in a bit-map formation of image data obtained through the image reading unit, in a manner in which the measuring window moves in a predetermined manner so that the measuring window appropriately includes pixels of an oblique line image which is formed in the bit-map formation of image data as a result of being read through the image reading unit. A position error measuring unit processes image data defined by the measuring window, and, thus, measures an error of the oblique line image formed in the bit-map formation of obtained image data between a predetermined reference state and an actual reading state.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reference pattern having slanting lines, which is provided outside a reading range and read by image sensors arranged at separate positions in a sub-scanning direction. A reference-position determining unit detects one of the slanting lines in the reference pattern based on image data output from one of the image sensors so that a position of the image data when one of the slanting lines is detected is determined as a reference position. First and second delay units have line memories which store image data read out from an original image having lines, the delay units delaying outputting of the image data from the line memories line by line. First and second determining units determine image data having color values at imaginary points. An error measurement unit selects one of the imaginary points whose image data has a minimum difference between the color values of the image data.

Abstract: In a color image readout apparatus in which white light is separated into three primary color light components of B, G, and R by means of a beam splitter, predetermined wavelength cut filters are disposed between dichroic mirrors and between a dichroic mirror and a reflection mirror in the beam splitter, so as to prevent unnecessary reflected light components such as multiple reflection light from occurring, whereby a favorable color image is obtained free of color contamination, flare, and ghost. A beam splitter 7 is constituted by a first dichroic mirror 21 for reflecting a B light component in the white light, a yellow filter 22 (cutting off a wavelength of 500 nm and thereunder), a second dichroic mirror 23 for reflecting a G light component in the white light, an orange filter 24 (cutting off a wavelength of 580 nm and thereunder), and a total reflection mirror 25 which are laminated in this order.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a multilayer printed wiring board including an internal wiring circuit formed on a board, an insulating resin layer formed on the internal wiring circuit, a blind hole formed in the insulating resin layer and communicating with the internal wiring circuit, and a conductive portion formed on an inner wall of the blind hole and connected to the internal wiring circuit, the blind hole is formed by using a short-pulse CO.sub.2 laser.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus of the type having a photoconductive belt for forming a latent image thereon electrostatically. The latent image is developed to turn out a corresponding toner image. The toner image is transferred from the photoconductive belt to an intermediate transfer belt. Such a procedure is repeated to form a composite color image on the intermediate belt. The color image is transferred from the intermediate belt to a recording medium. Any point on the intermediate belt in the direction of rotation and any points on drive rollers assigned to the two belts, respectively, in the direction of rotation are held in the same positional relation to a stationary member every time the intermediate belt completes one rotation.