Abstract: An automatic transmission controller has an electronic control circuit, an electromagnetic valve, and a pressure control valve. The electronic control circuit generates a control current. The electromagnetic valve regulates a command pressure in accordance with the control current. The pressure control valve has a spool and is formed with a spool hole. The spool reciprocates in the spool hole in accordance with the command pressure to regulate a pressure supplied to a friction element of an automatic transmission. In a standby state, when the friction element is in a disengaged state, the electronic control circuit generates an oscillating current as the control current so that the electromagnetic valve generates a standby command pressure that makes the spool reciprocate in a range in which no pressure is supplied to the friction element.

Abstract: Image data provided from a scanner is simultaneously supplied to page memory and a reference value calculating section. The reference value calculating section creates a density histogram of the document image on the basis of image data corresponding to a predetermined number of image lines and calculates a set of correction reference values for pixel density correction using the density histogram. A range correcting section corrects pixel density indicated by the image data on all the image data read out from the page memory by using the set of correction reference values. The predetermined number of image lines is a fraction of all the image lines of the document image read by the scanner.

Abstract: There is disclosed a digital copying apparatus of the present invention, which subjects an image signal input from a scanner to image processing based on an adjustment value set associated with buttons of an operation panel to output an image, and the buttons are displayed after adjusting the adjustment value set.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a connection unit which is connected to a network to perform communication, a receiving unit which receives printing information including at least page kind data indicating the kinds of data for each page and image data, through the connection unit, an image processing unit which performs image processing for the image data to properly decrease the quantity of printing material used for printing for each predetermined unit, based on the received page kind data, and a printer which prints on a medium based on the image data for which the image processing has been performed.

Abstract: Image data provided from a scanner is simultaneously supplied to page memory and a reference value calculating section. The reference value calculating section creates a density histogram of the document image on the basis of image data corresponding to a predetermined number of image lines and calculates a set of correction reference values for pixel density correction using the density histogram. A range correcting section corrects pixel density indicated by the image data on all the image data read out from the page memory by using the set of correction reference values. The predetermined number of image lines is a fraction of all the image lines of the document image read by the scanner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for totalizing data obtained at the time of operation, such as the number of copying operations performed for each user, by using a single portable medium is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a first memory for storing identification information which identifies operators who are permitted to use the apparatus. Data which is entered by the user is compared with the stored data in order to verify if the user is in fact authorized to use the apparatus. Additional data, such as the number of copies made, is stored corresponding to each user. Additional categories for which data may be collected and stored are disclosed including the time frame, the particular machine, and the size of the paper being used.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope section having a flexible pipe insertable into a body cavity. The flexible pipe is divided into a plurality of segments. Each segment has a mechanism, e.g. shape memory alloy, for varying the flexibility of that segment. A main frame unit has a flexibility control section for controlling the flexibility variation mechanisms to correspond to one of a plurality of flexibility control patterns stored in a database.

Abstract: There is used a refrigerant which is lower in a saturated water concentration in gas phase than in liquid phase, such as, for example, Freon-134a or Freon-22. In a body block 46 of a box-shaped expansion valve there are formed by-passes 77, 81 and 86 for by-passing a portion of the refrigerant evaporated in an evaporator 41. Halfway in the by-passes 77, 81 and 86 a cooling cylinder 73 is disposed for cooling the refrigerant present in those by-passes, and further a filter 83 is disposed for collecting the water contained in the refrigerant. In addition, a water permeating membrane 88 is disposed in a water discharge passage 79 formed in the body block 46.