Abstract: An image scanner is provided which is capable of preventing decrease in image contrast and improving the reading accuracy and quality of color images to a greater extent. An image scanner includes a unit case having an opening formed on one end surface thereof; light-source lamps and light-source lenses which are disposed in the inner portion of the opening of the unit case in such a manner as to face the opening; holding plates which are disposed in the inner portion of the opening of the unit case and which have formed therein slits for extending the terminals of the light-source lamps to the inside of the unit case; and CCD sensors, disposed at the end portion of the inside of the unit case on the side opposite to the opening, for reading an image of the original document by receiving, via a lens unit, light which is radiated onto a given original document placed near the opening from the light-source lamps via the light-source lenses and reflected from this original document.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer wherein a desired ribbon cassette is identified and selected from among plural ribbon cassettes held by a cassette holding portion and is loaded automatically onto a cassette carrier disposed on a carriage. The carriage is provided with a photosensor for detecting an identification mark provided on each ribbon cassette and a control section which judges whether there is any ribbon cassette held by the holding portion and of which type the ribbon cassette is, in accordance with a signal provided from the photosensor as the carriage moves. The carriage is further provided with a mechanism for making control so as to prevent loosening of ink ribbon at the time of ribbon cassette replacement.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for storing image data into or from a frame memory is disclosed. The image data includes plural pieces of element data arranged in a matrix form of first predetermined numbers of rows and columns. The image processing apparatus includes a memory controller for controlling access to the frame memory for writing or reading the image data in or from the frame memory. The memory controller is configured to access the frame memory in either a raster unit consisting of one line of plural pieces of element data in the first predetermined numbers of rows and columns or a block unit consisting of plural pieces of element data arranged in a matrix of second predetermined numbers of rows and columns. The second predetermined number is smaller than the first predetermined number. A raster access address generator is connected to the memory controller and generates a raster access address for accessing the frame memory to write or read the image data in the raster unit.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer wherein a desired ribbon cassette is identified and selected from among plural ribbon cassettes held by a cassette holding portion and is loaded automatically onto a cassette carrier disposed on a carriage. The carriage is provided with a photosensor for detecting an identification mark provided on each ribbon cassette and a control section which judges whether there is any ribbon cassette held by the holding portion and of which type the ribbon cassette is, in accordance with a signal provided from the photosensor as the carriage moves. The carriage is further provided with a mechanism for making control so as to prevent loosening of ink ribbon at the time of ribbon cassette replacement.

Abstract: A wireless equipment diagnosis system which can perform inspection and maintenance precisely and accurately, and which comprises sensors which measure information on each equipment being diagnosed, a transponder which transmits measured data from the sensors after modulating the measured data; a portable interrogator which acquires the measured data by receiving transmitted signals from the transponder; and a host computer which diagnoses each equipment by implementing predetermined signal processing using information stored in advance and data transferred from the acquired data.

Abstract: A novel gas passage shifting device used primarily for a surface area measuring apparatus for particulate materials is disclosed. The device is characterized by having a base member provided with a recess which receives a tubular body so as to gas-tightly connect it to the gas passage by a simple operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for automatically shifting a measuring range equipped in a surface area measuring device.

Abstract: When the reset input changes 0 V to Vcc, predetermined operational mode control information is set in an operational mode register (11) to establish a user operational mode. When the reset input changes from 0 V to 2 Vcc, the operational mode control information inputted to a predetermined terminal of the input/output port (25, 58) is set in the operational mode control unit (10a, 10b) to establish a test or other mode.

Abstract: Both selection information for designating one of analog signal input terminals and timing information for designating the timing for starting A/D conversion with respect to the selected analog signal input terminal are inputted into a microcomputer which incorporates an A/D converter. The selection information for A/D conversion and a conversion start signal are generated in response to the inputted selection information and timing information so that any of analog signals varying with the time to a relatively large extent can be converted into digital signal.

Abstract: A motor control system of a printer of the type wherein a desired slow-up of a print head is effected by making use of the rotation of a stepping motor and printing is performed by the use of the head, which is characterized by a slow-up means for increasing gradually a drive frequency of the stepping motor from the stopped state of the head so as to provide a print speed required for the head to perform a print action thereby to result in a desired drive frequency, and a print processing means for instructing the head to perform printing, wherein the slow-up means effects slow-up over and beyond an inter-character space extending up to a next print character, and the print processing means instructs printing after passed over the inter-character space and even while slow-up is being effected, whereby the print speed can be enhanced while maintaining the quality of print.

Abstract: A disc brake comprises a rotatable brake disc, and a pad assembly disposed in opposed relation to the pressure bearing surface of the brake disc. The pressure bearing surface of the brake disc is inclined diametrically thereof, and the pad assembly is adapted to displace diametrically of the brake disc so as to engage the pressure bearing surface of the brake disc, whereby there is provided a clearance between the press surface of the pad assembly and the brake disc, which clearance is large enough to prevent the dragging phenomenon.