Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a placer that allows a plurality of sheets to be placed on the placer; an air feeder including a front-end fan that generates an airflow from a front-edge side in a sheet feeding direction of a bundle of sheets placed on the placer toward the bundle of sheets; an attracting conveyor that attracts an uppermost sheet separated by the air feeder from the bundle of sheets placed on the placer and conveys the uppermost sheet; a detector that detects, in the conveyance of the uppermost sheet by the attracting conveyor, an amount of co-feeding of a next sheet together with the uppermost sheet; and a hardware processor that executes air-volume control to the front-end fan such that an air volume of the front-end fan increases with an increase in the amount of co-feeding detected by the detector.

Abstract: A game device is provided with an object detection unit for detecting positions of a plurality of real objects from a predetermined area, an object control unit for disposing a game object in a virtual area, a collision detection unit for detecting, in the virtual area, collisions between each of a plurality of player objects, which are disposed in positions corresponding to the detected positions of the plurality of real objects, and the game object, a parameter updating unit for updating a parameter of the game each time a collision is detected, a rendering unit for generating a game screen by rendering the virtual area, and a display unit for displaying the game screen in a position that can be seen from the predetermined area.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes: a conveying unit configured to convey a sheet along a conveying path; a switching unit configured to switch a sheet conveying destination; a delivering unit configured to deliver the sheet on the delivery path toward a device at the sheet conveying destination; a reversing unit configured to first convey the sheet from the reversing port toward the outside of the casing to a position in which a part of the sheet protrudes and deliver the sheet from the position toward a circulation path while reversing the conveying direction of the sheet; a circulating unit configured to convey the sheet delivered toward the circulation path along the circulation path and return the sheet to the conveying path while the sheet is reversed; and a control unit configured to control the reversing unit when a jammed sheet is detected in the device at the sheet conveying destination.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a vehicle disc brake including: a caliper body; a caliper bracket having a pair of caliper support arms; a pair of friction pads; and a pad return spring. Each caliper support arm has a pair of pad guide grooves, and a pair of lug pieces extending from the friction pad are supported movably therein. An outer surface of each lug piece is stepped such that a projecting length on a radially outer side is shorter than a projecting length on a radially inner side, thereby defining a space portion between the lug piece and the pad guide groove. A first imaginary line, which is defined to pass a gravity center of the friction pad and to intersect perpendicularly a center line connecting a center of a disc rotor and a center of a piston, passes the space.

Abstract: An image content display system includes: a display device; a display controller that displays image content on the display device while switching a plurality of sets of image content; and an image forming apparatus that prints image information associated with image content displayed on the display device, wherein the display controller includes a first acquiring unit that acquires image content of a first content group, a second acquiring unit that acquires image content of a second content group, a determining unit that determines whether or not the image forming apparatus is in a printing enabled state, and a display control unit that displays the image content of the first content group, and switches image content to be displayed on the display device from the image content of the first content group to the image content of the second content group.

Abstract: There is provided a heat exchanger realizing downsizing, weight saving, and cost reduction in comparison with a conventional heat exchange element or heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is provided with a first fluid flow portion formed of a honeycomb structure having a plurality of cells partitioned by ceramic partition walls and extending from one end face to another end face in an axial direction to allow a heating medium as a first fluid to flow therein, and a second fluid flow portion formed of a casing containing the honeycomb structure therein, the casing having an inlet and an outlet for a second fluid, and the second fluid flowing on an outer peripheral face of the honeycomb structure to receive heat from the first fluid.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes: a conveying unit configured to convey a sheet along a conveying path; a switching unit configured to switch a sheet conveying destination; a delivering unit configured to deliver the sheet on the delivery path toward a device at the sheet conveying destination; a reversing unit configured to first convey the sheet from the reversing port toward the outside of the casing to a position in which a part of the sheet protrudes and deliver the sheet from the position toward a circulation path while reversing the conveying direction of the sheet; a circulating unit configured to convey the sheet delivered toward the circulation path along the circulation path and return the sheet to the conveying path while the sheet is reversed; and a control unit configured to control the reversing unit when a jammed sheet is detected in the device at the sheet conveying destination.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a vehicle disc brake including: a caliper body; a caliper bracket having a pair of caliper support arms; a pair of friction pads; and a pad return spring. Each caliper support arm has a pair of pad guide grooves, and a pair of lug pieces extending from the friction pad are supported movably therein. An outer surface of each lug piece is stepped such that a projecting length on a radially outer side is shorter than a projecting length on a radially inner side, thereby defining a space portion between the lug piece and the pad guide groove. A first imaginary line, which is defined to pass a gravity center of the friction pad and to intersect perpendicularly a center line connecting a center of a disc rotor and a center of a piston, passes the space.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a time setting unit that sets a print allowable time according to the amount of advance payment, a usage time count unit that counts a usage time and a print allowance determination unit that determines, from the time setting unit and the usage time count unit, whether printing is allowed or prohibited. Before the time counted by the usage time count unit reaches the print allowable time, the print allowance determination unit allows the printing to be performed whereas after the time counted by the usage time count unit reaches the print allowable time, the print allowance determination unit prohibits the printing from being performed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a sensor that detects discontinuation of printing or a decrease in print speed; and an electric circuit configured to set an available time to print according to an amount of advance payment; count a usage time during which the image forming apparatus is used; determine permission or prohibition of printing based on the available time to print and the usage time; determine whether to count the usage time based on a factor for the discontinuation of printing or the decrease in print speed when the sensor detects the discontinuation of printing or the decrease in print speed; and prohibit printing when the counted usage time reaches the available time to print.

Abstract: An image content display system includes: a display device; a display controller that displays image content on the display device while switching a plurality of sets of image content; and an image forming apparatus that prints image information associated with image content displayed on the display device, wherein the display controller includes a first acquiring unit that acquires image content of a first content group, a second acquiring unit that acquires image content of a second content group, a determining unit that determines whether or not the image forming apparatus is in a printing enabled state, and a display control unit that displays the image content of the first content group, and switches image content to be displayed on the display device from the image content of the first content group to the image content of the second content group.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a time setting unit that sets a print allowable time according to the amount of advance payment, a usage time count unit that counts a usage time and a print allowance determination unit that determines, from the time setting unit and the usage time count unit, whether printing is allowed or prohibited. Before the time counted by the usage time count unit reaches the print allowable time, the print allowance determination unit allows the printing to be performed whereas after the time counted by the usage time count unit reaches the print allowable time, the print allowance determination unit prohibits the printing from being performed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a sensor that detects discontinuation of printing or a decrease in print speed; and an electric circuit configured to set an available time to print according to an amount of advance payment; count a usage time during which the image forming apparatus is used; determine permission or prohibition of printing based on the available time to print and the usage time; determine whether to count the usage time based on a factor for the discontinuation of printing or the decrease in print speed when the sensor detects the discontinuation of printing or the decrease in print speed; and prohibit printing when the counted usage time reaches the available time to print.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes control units that are booted up in parallel after reset, and further includes: a display unit displaying, in multiple stages, overall boot-up progress that is boot-up progress of the entire apparatus; a display control unit controlling the display unit to display the overall boot-up progress, wherein the display control unit includes: an estimation subunit making estimation of the overall boot-up progress based on period counted after the reset; and a reception subunit receiving boot-up progress of each control unit, and until receiving the boot-up progress of each control unit or the boot-up progress of the latest control unit in terms of boot-up completion, the display control unit performs control based on the estimation, and after receiving the boot-up progress of each control unit or the boot-up progress of the latest control unit, the display control unit performs control based on the received boot-up progress.

Abstract: The ceramic plasma reactor includes: a plurality of unit electrodes each of which comprises a plate-shaped ceramic dielectric body 4 and a conductive film 3 embedded in the ceramic dielectric body superimposing them each other with a gap which works as a discharge portion 11, and preferably being formed by sandwiching one unit electrode 2b having no through holes 15 by two unit electrodes having plural through holes 2a there between. A partition wall plate 9 is provided by facing one of unit electrodes on a side opposite to the gap and being held by a holding member 7 at a predetermined distance so as to form there between a gas introducing-circulating portion 21 for introducing and circulating gas in the through-holes 15 so as to send gas introduced to the gap between the unit electrodes as a discharge portion by applying a voltage thereto to generate plasma.

Abstract: There is provided a heat exchanger realizing downsizing, weight saving, and cost reduction in comparison with a conventional heat exchange element, heat exchanger, etc. The heat exchanger 30 is provided with a first fluid flow portion 5 formed of a honeycomb structure 1 having a plurality of cells 3 partitioned by ceramic partition walls 4 and extending from one end face 2 to the other end face 2 in an axial direction to allow a heating medium as a first fluid to flow therein, and a second fluid flow portion 6 formed of a casing 21 containing the honeycomb structure 1 therein, the casing 21 having an inlet and an outlet for a second fluid, and the second fluid flowing on an outer peripheral face of the honeycomb structure 1 to receive heat from the first fluid.

Abstract: Reactor 1A includes a reaction vessel 10 having an inlet 4 for a to-be-reformed gas 2 and an outlet 8 for a reformed gas 6, a pair of electrodes 12 for plasma generation, a power source 14 for applying a voltage to the pair of electrodes 12, and a catalyst for promoting a reforming reaction, wherein one of the pair of electrodes 12 is a linear electrode 32, the other of the pair of electrodes 12 is a honeycomb electrode 34 made of a conductive ceramics, and the catalyst is loaded on the partition walls of the honeycomb electrode 34, which reactor further includes shielding members 30A placed between the linear electrode 32 and the honeycomb electrode 34, which are protruded toward the gas-introducing end face side of the honeycomb electrode 34 and prevent the inflow of the to-be-reformed gas 2 passing through a zone other than a plasma-generating zone 42.

Abstract: A positive electrode for a non-aqueous electrolytic secondary cell and a non-aqueous electrolytic secondary cell are provided, which exhibit a high potential in a 4 V region, and have a high capacity, safety, excellent cycle characteristics, and satisfactory high-temperature characteristics. The positive electrode active material is a mixture of an olivine type lithium manganese phosphate and a spinel type lithium manganate.

Abstract: A plasma reactor includes a honeycomb electrode in which a plurality of cells that function as gas passages are partitioned by a partition wall, and a discharge electrode. The honeycomb electrode includes a first gas circulation section that allows a first gas to pass through, and a second gas circulation section that allows a second gas to pass through. The plasma reactor causes the first gas introduced into the first gas circulation section of the honeycomb electrode through the space between the electrodes to undergo a reaction while causing a plasma discharge between the honeycomb electrode and the discharge electrode, and allows the second gas to be introduced into the second gas circulation section of the honeycomb electrode to transfer heat of the second gas to the first gas circulation section to promote the reaction of the first gas.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve has a fixed core, a movable core, a coil attract the fixed core and the movable core each other, a valve body and a valve seat member including a funnel-shaped valve seat surface and an inlet path. The flow path is closable by retreat/advance of the valve body relative to the valve seat surface. The valve body includes a semi-spherical seal portion and a stem portion extending from the seal portion towards the movable core, a diameter of an end portion of the seal portion at the stem portion side is larger than a diameter of an end portion of the stem portion at the seal portion side. A space is defined in an area located on an extended line extending from a small diameter end portion to a large diameter end portion of the valve seat surface.