Abstract: An optical scanner is disclosed which includes: a first scanning device having a first mirror portion in which a first reflective surface is formed, the first scanning device scanning in a first direction, light which impinges obliquely on the first reflective surface, by oscillatory rotation of the first mirror portion about a first oscillation axis; and a second scanning device having a second mirror portion in which a second reflective surface is formed so as to be generally in parallel to the first reflective surface in a non-active state of the optical scanner, the second scanning device scanning in a second direction intersecting with respect to the first direction, the light exiting the first reflective surface and then entering obliquely the second reflective surface, by oscillatory rotation of the second mirror portion about a second oscillation axis intersecting with respect to the first oscillation axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing a light beam into a pupil of an eye of a viewer, to thereby project an image onto a retina of the eye is disclosed, in which a light beam generator generates and outputs a light beam corresponding to the image, a scanning device scans the light beam output by the light beam generator, a guiding device guides the light beam scanned by the scanning device toward the pupil, and an angle modifying device modifies a pupil incident angle at which a center line of a scanning angle of the scanning device enters the pupil.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in image display, of projecting a light beam onto a retina of a viewer, to thereby allow the viewer to perceive an image, is disclosed. The apparatus is constructed to include: a light emitter emitting a light beam; a scanner scanning the light beam emitted by the light emitter; an optical system receiving the light beam scanned by the scanner as an incoming light beam, and emitting the received incoming light beam as an outgoing light beam, such that, upon modulation of the light beam with respect to a traveling direction of the light beam, the outgoing light beam is directed to a pupil of the viewer; and a curvature compensator compensating a wavefront curvature of the incoming light beam.

Abstract: In the so-called network auction through the internet, in order to support a user's bid and to mitigate a burden in knocking down a desired product, it is known that a reentry is carried out automatically within the maximum frame of bidding price set up by the user, even if the amount of a bid is updated. However, this conventional technology was limited to offering a bid only to single product. So, to solve such a problem, in the present invention, it is made to register the table for predetermined conditions to be matched to two or more products, and by referring to the above-mentioned table, automatically to offer a bid to other products which have a predetermined relation with a certain selected product according to the result of the justice of the closing bid.

Abstract: In an optical scanning device 1, a housing 3 has a space 3a in the inside thereof. A floating rotational plate 2 is housed in the space 3a, and is caused to float and to rotate by a magnetic force. The floating rotational plate 2 has an optical deflection layer 6 thereon. A diffraction grating 71 is formed on the optical deflection layer 6 on and around the center axis Z of the floating rotational plate 2. When a beam of light falls incident on the diffraction grating 71 in a direction normal to the surface of the optical deflection layer 6, the diffraction grating 71 diffracts the light in a radius direction of the circular-shaped floating rotational plate 2. The light is transmitted through optical waveguides 20 and 51 to be emitted outside from the housing 3. By rotating the small-sized floating rotational plate 2 at a high speed inside the housing 3, it is possible to scan the light at a high speed and with a high resolution.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing a light beam into a pupil of an eye of a viewer, to thereby project an image onto a retina of the eye is disclosed, in which a light beam generator generates and outputs a light beam corresponding to the image, a scanning device scans the light beam output by the light beam generator, a guiding device guides the light beam scanned by the scanning device toward the pupil, and an angle modifying device modifies a pupil incident angle at which a center line of a scanning angle of the scanning device enters the pupil.

Abstract: In a sales support information providing method, an answer request is transmitted to salesperson terminals, the answer request requesting each terminal to input an answer choice to a selling method contained in the request. Answer data from the terminals are received, the answer data of each terminal containing an answer choice input by one of salespersons for the selling method. The respective answer data corresponding to the salespersons are stored cumulatively as an answer file, the answer file containing records which correspond to the answer data of the salespersons respectively. Each record of the answer file is extracted to increment each of total counts for one or more of predetermined attributes which are met by a corresponding one of the salespersons for the extracted record. Results of the total counts for one or more of the predetermined attributes are transmitted to the salesperson terminals which are related to the selling method.

Abstract: A retinal image scanning device is provided with at least one light source that emits a light beam, an intensity modulating system that modulates the intensity of the light beam emitted by said at least one light source in accordance with a video signal, an optical system that directs the light beam to a pupil of an observer, a scanning system that scans the light beam in a first direction and in a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction so that a two-dimensional image frame defined by the first and second directions is formed on a retinal of the observer, and a wavefront curvature modulating system that modulates a wavefront curvature of the light beam when the light beam is scanned in at least one of the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: A wavefront curvature modulating device is provided with a beam generating system that emits a plurality of beams having different wavefront curvatures, and a beam selecting system that selects at least one of the beams generated by the beam generating system.

Abstract: An image displaying device is provided with at least one light source for emitting a light beam, a modulating system that modulates the light beam in accordance with a video signal, a wavefront curvature modulating system that modulates a wavefront curvature of the light beam, a scanning system that scans the modulated light beam modulated, and an optical system that directs the scanning light beam scanned to a pupil of an observer, thereby forming an image corresponding to he video signal on a retina of an observer. The wavefront curvature modulating system is configured to vary the divergence of the beam incident on the scanning system.

Abstract: In an optical scanning device 1, a housing 3 has a space 3a in the inside thereof. A floating rotational plate 2 is housed in the space 3a, and is caused to float and to rotate by a magnetic force. The floating rotational plate 2 has an optical deflection layer 6 thereon. A diffraction grating 71 is formed on the optical deflection layer 6 on and around the center axis Z of the floating rotational plate 2. When a beam of light falls incident on the diffraction grating 71 in a direction normal to the surface of the optical deflection layer 6, the diffraction grating 71 diffracts the light in a radius direction of the circular-shaped floating rotational plate 2. The light is transmitted through optical waveguides 20 and 51 to be emitted outside from the housing 3. By rotating the small-sized floating rotational plate 2 at a high speed inside the housing 3, it is possible to scan the light at a high speed and with a high resolution.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus is provided with: a developer retainer formed with a number of fine through-holes retaining liquid developer; and a photosensitive drum that forms images thereon. The photosensitive drum is formed with an electrically-charged latent image on its surface. When the liquid developer retained in the developer retainer approaches the latent image, the liquid surface of the liquid developer is attracted toward the photosensitive drum surface, by the electric field, at regions where the positively-charged latent image exists. As a result, the liquid developer adheres to the latent image. At regions where no latent image is formed, due to the wettability of the mesh wall with respect to the liquid developer, the liquid level is maintained as being fixed. Accordingly, the liquid developer does not adhere to the portion where no latent image is formed. The adhesion of the liquid developer only onto the portion where the latent image is formed develops the latent image into a visible image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer retainer 3 with a larger number of fine holes for holding liquid developer 30 obtained by dissolving or dispersing a coloring component such as dye and pigment in liquid, a developer supplier which supplies the developer to the fine holes, and a photosensitive drum 2 on which an electrostatic latent image can be formed. The roller-like retainer 3 made of a metallic mesh and the drum 2 are rotated while contacting each other. A doctor blade 6 scrapes away excess developer from a surface of the retainer 3 so that only the fine holes of the retainer 3 hold the developer 30 with its level positioned inside of the retainer from the surface thereof. The developer 30 is attracted by an electrostatic force exerted on the liquid developer by an electrostatic latent image formed on the drum 2.

Abstract: A liquid supply roller supplies water-based developing liquid to a developing roller. The developing roller is formed with pores for containing developing liquid, and includes the internal surface of each pore and the outer surface. The internal surface is hydrophilic and the outer surface is hydrophobic. A doctor roller having a surface more hydrophobic than the internal surfaces and more hydrophillic than the outer surfaces, removes excess developing liquid from the outer surface of developing roller, thereby developing liquid is contained in an isolated condition in each pore. The dielectric surface of a photosensitive drum is selectively exposed by an optical image. Then, the exposed region forms an electrostatic image. Developing liquid in the pore is selectively attracted to the exposed region, thereby adhering to the region.

Abstract: An image forming method and a image forming apparatus which make use of a liquid developer capable of changing in surface tension upon exposure or heating. The liquid developer is fed to the surface of a developer holding means on the surface of which the liquid developer to holdable, the surface of the developer holding means on which the liquid developer is held is subjected to selective exposure or heating in accordance with image information to form a latent image, and the latent image is transferred to a recording medium to form a visible image. This method and apparatus make it possible to form highly minute images at a high speed, and promise a high reliability and a low power consumption.

Abstract: A heating roller for fixation has a hollow body with a wall thickness of 1-3 mm. A deposit prevention layer is formed on the outer surface of the roller body. The roller body has excellent heat conductivity. A resistance heat generating member is bonded on and anchored to the inner surface of the roller body. The resistance heat generating member is a flexible heat generating sheet which is formed by adhering a resistance heat generating body composed of predetermined patterns of resistance members, formed of stainless steel or copper foil, on the surface of an insulating film material, made of a polyimide resin, that has heat resistance and insulating characteristics.

Abstract: Method of removing a layer of glass formed on a sintered body which is manufactured by hot isostatic pressing of a preformed body of inorganic powder in a pressure medium at a sintering temperature, wherein the sintered body of inorganic powder is retained in an alkali solution of at least 2 percent by weight at a temperature not less than 100.degree. C. for not less than one hour.

Abstract: Method of removing a layer of glass formed on a sintered body which is manufactured by hot isostatic pressing of a preformed body of inorganic powder (e.g., silicon nitride powder and silicon carbide powder) in a pressure medium at a sintering temperature, wherein the sintered body of inorganic powder is retained in alkali solution at a high temperature for a predetermined time, preferably under a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A solid-state laser system includes both a second harmonic generating non-linear optical element and a sum frequency generating non-linear optical element disposed in a laser resonator. Both a second harmonic and a sum frequency radiation can be generated simultaneously on the same axis by a single laser resonator, thereby permitting a reduction in the required number of component parts, easy alignment and a compact construction. A first fundamental wave emitted from a semiconductor laser passes through a sum frequency generating non-linear optical element and is absorbed by a solid state laser rod whereby a second fundamental wave is generated. The generated second fundamental wave thus generated resonates in an optical resonator so as to pass through the sum frequency generating non-linear optical-element, second harmonic generating non-linear optical element and solid state laser rod.