Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: an image former that forms an image on a recording material; includes a fixer that has a first fixing member having an elastic layer, a second fixing member that forms a fixing nip with the first fixing member, and an external heater that heats the first fixing member from outside, and fixes the image on the recording material by heating and pressing the conveyed recording material at the fixing nip; and a hardware processor that executes a thermal expansion mode, in which in the thermal expansion mode, the hardware processor causes the external heater to heat the first fixing member to a temperature higher than a temperature during normal printing.

Abstract: The imaging device of the present invention is an imaging device including a pixel array in which pixels including photoelectric conversion elements that perform photoelectric conversion are disposed in a matrix, wherein the photoelectric conversion elements of a plurality of pixels adjacent in a column direction share a floating diffusion that accumulates photoelectrically converted charge, vertical signal lines that output signals based on the charge accumulated in the floating diffusion to the outside are wired to each column of the pixel array, a column selection signal line that transmits a selection control signal selecting one of a plurality of vertical signal lines adjacent in a row direction is wired within a region of the pixel array, and one column processing circuit that processes the signal is provided for the plurality of vertical signal lines selected by the selection control signal.

Abstract: A signal transmission system includes: a first signal line and a second signal line each making up a differential line; a first capacitive load mechanism disposed in a first region connected to the first signal line, the first capacitive load mechanism having a first capacitance value; and a second capacitive load mechanism disposed in a second region connected to the second signal line and to the ground point line, the second capacitive load mechanism having a capacitance value asymmetric with the first capacitance value. This signal transmission system suppresses an increase in mode conversion loss caused by component characteristics variations.

Abstract: To provide an electronic control device capable of securing electromagnetic compatibility and mechanical strength. An electronic control device includes a base portion formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape; an electronic control board provided in the base portion; and connectors provided on an opening side of the base portion and electrically connected to the electronic control board, in which the base portion includes a first layer formed of a conductive member and a second layer formed of a member different from that of the first layer.

Abstract: A signal transmission device includes a communication unit that performs communication using differential transmission with an electronic device via a differential wiring, and a signal processing unit that performs signal processing related to the communication, in which the communication unit is capable of receiving, via the differential wiring, communication signals transmitted from the electronic device at each of a plurality of signal transmission rates including at least a first signal transmission rate and a second signal transmission rate lower than the first signal transmission rate, the communication unit measures an amplitude of the communication signals received from the electronic device at the second signal transmission rate, and the signal processing unit detects a short-circuit failure of a filter circuit on the basis of the amplitude measured by the communication unit.

Abstract: A ventilation system includes a refrigerant circuit, supply and exhaust fans, and a control unit. The refrigerant circuit has a compressor and first and second heat exchangers connected by a refrigerant pipe with a refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit. The supply fan is arranged to supply air from an outdoor space to an indoor space through the first heat exchanger. The exhaust fan is arranged to exhaust air in the indoor space to the outdoor space through the second heat exchanger. The control unit determines whether the supply fan and the exhaust fan are normal. The control unit, upon determining that one of the supply fan or the exhaust fan is abnormal, stops the one of the supply fan or the exhaust fan determined to be abnormal, and continues an operation of an other one of the supply fan or the exhaust fan determined to be normal.

Abstract: In a saddle riding vehicle including: a steering system that includes a handlebar; a meter that is arranged in front of the handlebar, and is disposed at a level lower than the handlebar; and an airbag apparatus that is disposed in the handlebar, the airbag apparatus includes: an inflator; an airbag that deploys with gas emitted by the inflator; and a retainer that houses the airbag, and the airbag includes a bulge portion that bulges toward the meter during deployment.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: an image former that forms an image on a recording material; includes a fixer that has a first fixing member having an elastic layer, a second fixing member that forms a fixing nip with the first fixing member, and an external heater that heats the first fixing member from outside, and fixes the image on the recording material by heating and pressing the conveyed recording material at the fixing nip; and a hardware processor that executes a thermal expansion mode, in which in the thermal expansion mode, the hardware processor causes the external heater to heat the first fixing member to a temperature higher than a temperature during normal printing.

Abstract: A signal transmission device includes a communication unit that performs communication using differential transmission with an electronic device via a differential wiring, and a signal processing unit that performs signal processing related to the communication, in which the communication unit is capable of receiving, via the differential wiring, communication signals transmitted from the electronic device at each of a plurality of signal transmission rates including at least a first signal transmission rate and a second signal transmission rate lower than the first signal transmission rate, the communication unit measures an amplitude of the communication signals received from the electronic device at the second signal transmission rate, and the signal processing unit detects a short-circuit failure of a filter circuit on the basis of the amplitude measured by the communication unit.

Abstract: In an imaging system, a differential signal transmission circuit is configured to output a first signal to a first signal line in an image output period and is configured to output a second signal to a second signal line in the image output period. The first signal and the second signal are included in a differential signal. A signal output circuit is configured to output a second clock signal to the first signal line in a blanking period different from the image output period and is configured to output a second control signal to the second signal line in the blanking period. In a PLL, connection between a charge pump and a loop filter is controlled on the basis of the second control signal output to the second signal line.

Abstract: To provide a uniform-type platinum-loaded alumina catalyst demonstrating excellent performance in terms of catalyst life, a uniform-type platinum-loaded alumina catalyst includes: an alumina carrier; sulfur or a sulfur compound dispersed over an entire cross section of the alumina carrier; platinum dispersed and loaded over the entire cross section of the alumina carrier; one or more alkali metals selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, and calcium. Preferably, the content of platinum is 0.05 to 5.0 wt % calculated as elemental platinum. The content of the sulfur or the sulfur compound preferably is 0.15 to 5.0 wt % calculated as elemental sulfur. The content of the alkali metal preferably is 0.1 to 5.0 wt % calculated as elemental alkali metal.

Abstract: To provide an egg shell-type platinum-loaded alumina catalyst demonstrating excellent performance in terms of catalyst life, an egg shell-type platinum-loaded alumina catalyst includes: an alumina carrier; platinum dispersed and loaded on an outer shell of the alumina carrier; and one or more second components selected from the group consisting of vanadium, chromium, molybdenum, and phosphorus. Preferably, the content of platinum is 0.05 to 5.0 wt % calculated as elemental platinum. The content of each second component preferably is 0.1 to 5.0 wt % calculated as each element. The alumina carrier has a surface area of 150 m2/g or more, a pore volume of 0.40 cm3/g or more, and an average pore diameter of 40 to 300 ?, with pores having a pore diameter in a range of ±30 ? from the average pore diameter occupying 60% or more of a total pore volume.

Abstract: There is provided a time measuring device including: a first counter unit (204) that acquires a difference time between a first measured signal and a second measured signal as a first measurement result by counting on the basis of a reference clock signal; a delay signal generation unit (208) that generates a delay signal by delaying the first measured signal on the basis of the first measurement result fed back from the first counter unit; a measurement unit (210) that measures a difference time between the delay signal and the second measured signal as a second measurement result; and an operation unit (212) that performs an operation by using the first measurement result and the second measurement result.

Abstract: An imaging element includes: a pixel board including a light receiver including plural pixels, each pixel being configured to generate an imaging signal; a circuit board including a functional circuit, the pixel board being layered on the circuit board; plural wiring portions configured to electrically connect the pixel board and the circuit board to each other and electrically transmit signals between respective layers; a terminal provided on the circuit board, the terminal being electrically connected to each of the plural wiring portions, the terminal being configured to output the imaging signal to an outside of the terminal or receive an external signal from the outside of the terminal; and a switch configured to output, by selective switching, at least one of the imaging signal and an internal signal generated at the circuit board, to the terminal.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an image sensor having a light receiving plane; a laminate provided to be opposed to an opposite side of the image sensor from the light receiving plane and having a plurality of layers formed by lamination of a plurality of semiconductor elements; and an insertion section having the image sensor and the laminate therein. The laminate includes: a first active layer in which a first active element is provided; a first passive layer in which a first passive element is provided and which is provided between the first active layer and the image sensor; and a through-silicon via provided in each of the first active layer and the first passive layer.

Abstract: To provide an electronic control device capable of securing electromagnetic compatibility and mechanical strength. An electronic control device includes a base portion formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape; an electronic control board provided in the base portion; and connectors provided on an opening side of the base portion and electrically connected to the electronic control board, in which the base portion includes a first layer formed of a conductive member and a second layer formed of a member different from that of the first layer.

Abstract: Provided is a gateway device capable of reducing power consumption in a sleep state and relaying an activation signal between networks without delay. When receiving an activation signal, the gateway device according to the present invention transfers the activation signal to another network via a relay switch, and outputs a signal indicating the reception of the activation signal from a transceiver, thereby turning on a microcomputer.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a process container that forms a process space to accommodate a target substrate, and a first electrode and a second electrode disposed opposite each other inside the process container. The first electrode is an upper electrode and the second electrode is a lower electrode and configured to support the target substrate through a mount face. A correction ring is disposed to surround the target substrate placed on the mount face of the second electrode. The correction ring includes a combination of a first ring to be around the target substrate and a second ring arranged around or above the first ring. A power supply unit is configured to apply a first electric potential and a second electric potential respectively to the first ring and the second ring to generate a potential difference between the first and second rings. The power supply unit is configured to variably set the potential difference.

Abstract: In an imaging system, a differential signal transmission circuit is configured to output a first signal to a first signal line in an image output period and is configured to output a second signal to a second signal line in the image output period. The first signal and the second signal are included in a differential signal. A signal output circuit is configured to output a second clock signal to the first signal line in a blanking period different from the image output period and is configured to output a second control signal to the second signal line in the blanking period. In a PLL, connection between a charge pump and a loop filter is controlled on the basis of the second control signal output to the second signal line.

Abstract: A plasma processing method includes executing an etching process that includes supplying an etching gas into a process container in which a target substrate is supported on a second electrode serving as a lower electrode, and applying an RF power for plasma generation and an RF power for ion attraction to turn the etching gas into plasma and to subject the target substrate to etching. The etching process includes applying a negative DC voltage to a first electrode serving as an upper electrode during the etching to increase an absolute value of self-bias on the first electrode. The etching process includes releasing DC electron current generated by the negative DC voltage to ground through plasma and a conductive member disposed as a ring around the first electrode, by using a first state where the conductive member is connected to a ground potential portion.