Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber transmission line and the like comprising a structure for enabling repeating sections to become further longer. The optical fiber transmission line comprises first and second optical fibers successively disposed along the traveling direction of signal light, and an optical multiplexer for supplying Raman amplification pumping light to one of the first and second optical fibers. The first and second optical fibers are optically connected to each other. The second optical fiber has an effective area smaller than that of the first optical fiber, and a chromatic dispersion and a length which are different from those of the first optical fiber. In particular, the respective lengths of the first and second optical fibers are appropriately regulated so as to effectively suppress nonlinear phenomena other than Raman amplification.

Abstract: An instant photographic film unit includes a mask sheet having an image frame and two sheets, one of which has a photosensitive layer, laminated and bonded together, and a developing liquid container disposed in a predetermined position for supplying a developing liquid between the two sheets to produce an image. The mask sheet and the two sheets are bonded together in a predetermined laminated state, with at least one of the mask sheet and the two sheets being in the form of a continuous web. The continuous web is cut off into self-developed instant photographic film units of a predetermined length. A predetermined number of instant photographic film units are automatically stacked and placed in a film pack.

Abstract: An optical fiber 1 comprising a glass portion 2 having a core 2a and a cladding 2b, and one or more covering layers 3 formed around the glass portion 2, in which an arrangement form of the covering layer 3 with respect to the glass portion 2 in cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction thereof is changed continuously in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: A photographic film cassette manufacturing apparatus, has a perforator for providing a long film with perforations and a cutter for cutting the long film into individual filmstrips to be contained in the film cassette driven synchronously with transport of the long film. A magnetic recording head for recording data on a magnetic recording layer of the long film is driven in synchronism with the perforator and the cutter. The long film is transported in a first direction before being cut into the individual filmstrips. In cooperation with the cutting, a trailing end of the individual filmstrip in the first direction is moved in a direction which is reverse to the first direction to secure the trailing end to the spool. A cassette shell consisting of a pair of shell halves is temporarily assembled by mating the shell halves together while containing a spool inside the shell halves, and thereafter opened to an extent that confining elements still confine the position of flanges of the spool.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a platen, a frame for holding the platen, an installation device disposed to the frame so that the platen can be held in a substantially vertical state, and a scanning device for reading a document along the platen substantially vertically held. The reading of the document is carried out by elevating or lowering the scanning device.

Abstract: This invention relates to the following four structures for attaining a flat gain spectrum over a wide wavelength region. The first structure relates to a Raman amplifier where a tellurite fiber is pumped with two wavelengths having a predetermined difference. The second structure relates to a Raman amplifier or an optical communication system employing a tellurite fiber and a silica fiber. The third structure relates to an optical fiber amplifier employing an Erbium-doped tellurite fiber of which Erbium concentration is low. The fourth structure relates to an optical fiber amplifier employing a rare-earth doped fiber such as the Erbium-doped fiber and a tellurite fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber amplifier with a high conversion efficiency, which is capable of using the pump light in the wavelength band that can be emitted by the laser diode, is formed by an amplification optical fiber containing thulium at least in a core, to which a signal light is to be entered, and a pump light input unit configured to enter at least one pump light with a wavelength in a range of 1320-1520 nm, or more preferably 1320-1480 nm, into the amplification optical amplifier.

Abstract: External light is introduced by a light-introducing portion to be used as a light source for a backlight, so that the power consumption of the backlight of a liquid crystal display device can be suppressed. At the same time, the brightness of the screen of the liquid crystal display device can be increased to enhance the visibility in outdoors. Therefore, the portability of a mobile information terminal can be improved. Furthermore, the light-introducing portion covers an end portion of the main unit opposed to an axis, whereby the main unit is protected so that the life period of the mobile information terminal can be prolonged. The variety of the design of the mobile information terminal can be increased by using the transparency of the light-introducing portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a white light source. This white light source comprises a plurality of amplified spontaneous emission light generating sections each comprising at least an active fiber. At least two of the amplified spontaneous emission light generating sections are connected together in series. The plurality of amplified spontaneous emission light generating sections generate amplified spontaneous emission lights having at least partially overlapping wavelength ranges. Furthermore, a white light source of the present invention includes amplified spontaneous emission light generating sections each comprising at least an active fiber. At least one of the amplified spontaneous emission light generating sections comprises a mirror.

Abstract: A photographic film cassette manufacturing apparatus, has a perforator for providing a long film with perforations and a cutter for cutting the long film into individual filmstrips to be contained in the film cassette driven synchronously with transport of the long film. A magnetic recording head for recording data on a magnetic recording layer of the long film is driven in synchronism with the perforator and the cutter. The long film is transported in a first direction before being cut into the individual filmstrips. In cooperation with the cutting, a trailing end of the individual filmstrip in the first direction is moved in a direction which is reverse to the first direction to secure the trailing end to the spool. A cassette shell consisting of a pair of shell halves is temporarily assembled by mating the shell halves together while containing a spool inside the shell halves, and thereafter opened to an extent that confining elements still confine the position of flanges of the spool.

Abstract: A photographic film cassette manufacturing apparatus, has a perforator for providing a long film with perforations and a cutter for cutting the long film into individual filmstrips to be contained in the film cassette driven synchronously with transport of the long film. A magnetic recording head for recording data on a magnetic recording layer of the long film is driven in synchronism with the perforator and the cutter. The long film is transported in a first direction before being cut into the individual filmstrips. In cooperation with the cutting, a trailing end of the individual filmstrip in the first direction is moved in a direction which is reverse to the first direction to secure the trailing end to the spool. A cassette shell consisting of a pair of shell halves is temporarily assembled by mating the shell halves together while containing a spool inside the shell halves, and thereafter opened to an extent that confining elements still confine the position of flanges of the spool.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a liquid crystal display panel having preset display characteristics, such as image brightness and contrast. A luminescent unit is optically connected with the display panel and provides light to the display panel in order to form an image on the display panel. The luminescent unit includes a light collector which collects ambient light and a light source, for generating light when the amount of ambient light is insufficient to generate a clear image. A control circuit is electrically connected to the display panel and automatically varies the preset display characteristics in accordance with the amount of ambient light collected by the light collector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber comprising a structure enabling WDM transmissions by utilizing the whole wavelength range of 1300 nm to 1625 nm as a signal wavelength band. In the optical fiber according to the present invention, the transmission loss is 0.4 dB/km or less at a wavelength of 1310 nm, 0.4 dB/km or less at a wavelength of 1383 nm, and 0.3 dB/km or less at a wavelength of 1550 nm. The chromatic dispersion is 0.1 ps/nm/km or more but 5.5 ps/nm/km or less at a wavelength of 1383 nm, and 0.1 ps/nm/km or more but 16.5 ps/nm/km or less in the wavelength range of 1530 nm to 1565 nm. The cut off wavelength at a length of 22 m is 1300 nm or less, and the absolute value of dispersion slope in the wavelength range of 1300 nm to 1625 nm is 0.1 ps/nm2/km or less.

Abstract: An improved liquid crystal display device of the type having a liquid crystal display panel, a light guide plate below a surface of the display panel and located between a reflecting portion and a diffusing portion, and a light collecting lens located at one end of the light guide plate for collecting and transmitting light to the light guide plate for providing backlight to the display panel. The display device includes a light transmitter located between the light collecting lens and the light guide plate. The light transmitter optically connects the light collecting lens and the light guide plate and separates the light collecting lens from the display panel by a predetermined difference. The light transmitter allows light to be more evenly distributed or reflected onto the display panel so that images displayed on the panel have a more uniform brightness.

Abstract: A photographic film cassette manufacturing apparatus, has a perforator for providing a long film with perforations and a cutter for cutting the long film into individual filmstrips to be contained in the film cassette driven synchronously with transport of the long film. A magnetic recording head for recording data on a magnetic recording layer of the long film is driven in synchronism with the perforator and the cutter. The long film is transported in a first direction before being cut into the individual filmstrips. In cooperation with the cutting, a trailing end of the individual filmstrip in the first direction is moved in a direction which is reverse to the first direction to secure the trailing end to the spool. A cassette shell consisting of a pair of shell halves is temporarily assembled by mating the shell halves together while containing a spool inside the shell halves, and thereafter opened to an extent that confining elements still confine the position of flanges of the spool.

Abstract: After first, second, and third continuous members are bonded to each other in a laminated state, they are cut together to a predetermined length for thereby producing an instant photography film unit. A predetermined number of produced instant photography film units are stacked in a stacking station, and then automatically placed into a film pack in a packaging station. An overall process of manufacturing instant photography film units that are packaged is performed automatically and efficiently.

Abstract: A photographic film cassette manufacturing apparatus, has a perforator for providing a long film with perforations and a cutter for cutting the long film into individual filmstrips to be contained in the film cassette driven synchronously with transport of the long film. A magnetic recording head for recording data on a magnetic recording layer of the long film is driven in synchronism with the perforator and the cutter. The long film is transported in a first direction before being cut into the individual filmstrips. In cooperation with the cutting, a trailing end of the individual filmstrip in the first direction is moved in a direction which is reverse to the first direction to secure the trailing end to the spool. A cassette shell consisting of a pair of shell halves is temporarily assembled by mating the shell halves together while containing a spool inside the shell halves, and thereafter opened to an extent that confining elements still confine the position of flanges of the spool.

Abstract: After first, second, and third continuous members are bonded to each other in a laminated state, they are cut together to a predetermined length for thereby producing an instant photography film unit. A predetermined number of produced instant photography film units are stacked in a stacking station, and then automatically placed into a film pack in a packaging station. An overall process of manufacturing instant photography film units that are packaged is performed automatically and efficiently.

Abstract: A photographic film cassette manufacturing apparatus, has a perforator for providing a long film with perforations and a cutter for cutting the long film into individual filmstrips to be contained in the film cassette driven synchronously with transport of the long film. A magnetic recording head for recording data on a magnetic recording layer of the long film is driven in synchronism with the perforator and the cutter. The long film is transported in a first direction before being cut into the individual filmstrips. In cooperation with the cutting, a trailing end of the individual filmstrip in the first direction is moved in a direction which is reverse to the first direction to secure the trailing end to the spool. A cassette shell consisting of a pair of shell halves is temporarily assembled by mating the shell halves together while containing a spool inside the shell halves, and thereafter opened to an extent that confining elements still confine the position of flanges of the spool.

Abstract: Positive as well as negative radiation sensitive resin compositions that, in addition to being capable of providing excellent resolution and pattern profile, are particularly excellent in avoiding the problems of "nano-edge roughness" or "coating surface roughness". The positive type radiation sensitive resin composition comprises (A) (a) an acid-decomposable group-containing resin, or (b) an alkali-soluble resin and an alkali dissolution controller, and (B) a photoacid generator comprising "a compound that upon exposure to radiation generates a carboxylic acid having a boiling point of 150.degree. C. or higher", and "a compound that upon exposure to radiation generates an acid other than a carboxylic acid". The negative type radiation sensitive resin composition comprises (C) an alkali-soluble resin, (D) a cross-linking agent, and the component (B) as described above.