Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing the state of connection of terminals by recognizing the connection state of a plurality of terminals of a memory device including a non-volatile memory unit, such as a flash memory, comprises a data storage unit disposed inside the memory device, for storing connection state recognition data necessary for recognizing a connection state of a plurality of terminals of the memory device including the non-volatile memory unit, disposed inside the memory device; a switching control unit having the function of switching the current state to the state for outputting the connection state recognition data between the non-volatile memory unit and the data storage unit; and a data detecting unit for detecting the connection state recognition data outputted from the switching control unit, and confirming whether or not there is any connection fault of a plurality of terminals on the basis of the connection state recognition data which is detected by the data detecting unit.

Abstract: A range finder which measures positions in three-dimensional space of object points within a field of view. Pixel data outputted from pixels in different depths of focus are detected, while said depth of focus is moved. Pairs of pixel data, one outputted from each of two cameras, and which have the same value and each of which is different from pixel data outputted from pixels adjacent the pairs of pixel data are detected. Since the same object point forms its image in pairs of pixels, outputting the pairs of pixel data, permits the object range to be calculated from three factors as the interval between the two cameras, angle of two axes, and the positions of pixels in the two cameras.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for heating and removing moisture from moist or watery material, wherein a watery material is introduced into one end of a rotating cylindrical drum having a section divided into a number of longitudinally extending compartments including a center compartment and circumferential compartments surrounding the center compartment and each accommodating freely disposed packing members. A hot gas is blown axially through the drum while the packing members in the respective compartments are caused to tumble in contact with the watery material to transfer the sensible heat of the hot gas thereto.