Abstract: A 2-dimensional code reading apparatus includes a code position detector receiving an input image that is formed by optically reading 2-dimensional codes, and extracting a 2-dimensional codes from the input image. A data acquisition unit acquires identification information of a document page and positional information of the 2-dimensional codes on the document page, from the 2-dimensional codes. A data decoder performs decoding of the identification information and the positional information. The code position detector is provided with a code frame detector detecting a code frame which defines a fixed region of the 2-dimensional codes, and determining a dot of a target pixel as being a corner dot of the code frame.

Abstract: A paper identification information management system includes a client apparatus that handles a sheet of paper bearing prescribed information, and a management server connected to the client apparatus via a network to comprehensively manage information about the paper handled in the client apparatus. The client apparatus transmits a paper ID request and document information to the management server via the network when carrying out a printing operation. Based on the paper ID request and the document information, the management server assigns a paper ID to each sheet of paper handled by the client apparatus. The management server then transmits the paper IDs to the client apparatus, and simultaneously, records the assigned paper IDs in association with the document information.

Abstract: One aspect of the current invention is related to updating an electronic source file based upon the edits made on a recording medium such as a print out. In other words, after the content of the source file is printed on a sheet of paper, when any edit is made to the printed sheet, the edit is automatically incorporated into the original source file without any human intervention to identify the edit or the original source file.

Abstract: A 2-dimensional code reading apparatus includes a code position detector receiving an input image that is formed by optically reading 2-dimensional codes, and extracting a 2-dimensional codes from the input image. A data acquisition unit acquires identification information of a document page and positional information of the 2-dimensional codes on the document page, from the 2-dimensional codes. A data decoder performs decoding of the identification information and the positional information. The code position detector is provided with a code frame detector detecting a code frame which defines a fixed region of the 2-dimensional codes, and determining a dot of a target pixel as being a corner dot of the code frame.

Abstract: A 2-dimensional code reading apparatus includes a code position detector receiving an input image that is formed by optically reading 2-dimensional codes, and extracting a 2-dimensional codes from the input image. A data acquisition unit acquires identification information of a document page and positional information of the 2-dimensional codes on the document page, from the 2-dimensional codes. A data decoder performs decoding of the identification information and the positional information. The code position detector is provided with a code frame detector detecting a code frame which defines a fixed region of the 2-dimensional codes, and determining a dot of a target pixel as being a corner dot of the code frame.

Abstract: An imaging method includes the steps of (a) determining whether an object on which an image is to be formed is an information display medium on which a code is formed with an imaging material formed of a near infrared absorbing pigment, and (b) forming the image on the object by a printer engine with an imaging material formed of a pigment absorbing no or little light in a near infrared spectral region if the step (a) determines that the object is the information display medium.

Abstract: An imaging method includes the steps of (a) determining whether an object on which an image is to be formed is an information display medium on which a code is formed with an imaging material formed of a near infrared absorbing pigment, and (b) forming the image on the object by a printer engine with an imaging material formed of a pigment absorbing no or little light in a near infrared spectral region if the step (a) determines that the object is the information display medium.

Abstract: A 2-dimensional code reading apparatus includes a code position detector receiving an input image that is formed by optically reading 2-dimensional codes, and extracting a 2-dimensional codes from the input image. A data acquisition unit acquires identification information of a document page and positional information of the 2-dimensional codes on the document page, from the 2-dimensional codes. A data decoder performs decoding of the identification information and the positional information. The code position detector is provided with a code frame detector detecting a code frame which defines a fixed region of the 2-dimensional codes, and determining a dot of a target pixel as being a corner dot of the code frame.

Abstract: A paper identification information management system includes a client apparatus that handles a sheet of paper bearing prescribed information, and a management server connected to the client apparatus via a network to comprehensively manage information about the paper handled in the client apparatus. The client apparatus transmits a paper ID request and document information to the management server via the network when carrying out a printing operation. Based on the paper ID request and the document information, the management server assigns a paper ID to each sheet of paper handled by the client apparatus. The management server then transmits the paper IDs to the client apparatus, and simultaneously, records the assigned paper IDs in association with the document information.

Abstract: An imaging method includes the steps of (a) determining whether an object on which an image is to be formed is an information display medium on which a code is formed with an imaging material formed of a near infrared absorbing pigment, and (b) forming the image on the object by a printer engine with an imaging material formed of a pigment absorbing no or little light in a near infrared spectral region if the step (a) determines that the object is the information display medium.

Abstract: A defroster/face cool air passage for introducing cooled air from an evaporator to a defroster opening portion and a face opening portion by bypassing a heater core, and a foot cool air passage for introducing cooled air from the evaporator to a foot opening portion by bypassing a heater core, are formed independently from each other. The foot cool air passage is located at sides of the heater core in a vehicle right-and-left direction. The cooled air from the foot cool air passage is mixed with warmed air having passed through the heater core at an inlet of the foot opening portion. Accordingly, pressure loss at a foot mode in an air conditioning unit with a central installation layout is reduced, and a mounting performance on a central portion of a vehicle instrument panel is improved.

Abstract: An imaging method includes the steps of (a) determining whether an object on which an image is to be formed is an information display medium on which a code is formed with an imaging material formed of a near infrared absorbing pigment, and (b) forming the image on the object by a printer engine with an imaging material formed of a pigment absorbing no or little light in a near infrared spectral region if the step (a) determines that the object is the information display medium.

Abstract: One aspect of the current invention is related to updating an electronic source file based upon the edits made on a recording medium such as a print out. In other words, after the content of the source file is printed on a sheet of paper, when any edit is made to the printed sheet, the edit is automatically incorporated into the original source file without any human intervention to identify the edit or the original source file.

Abstract: According to the present invention, in an automotive air conditioner system, a link mechanism is provided by using a cool air passage provided in parallel with a warm air passage and a cool air/heated air mixing chamber provided at a downstream side of the warm air passage and the cool air passage. The clearance between a sliding door and a cooler can be set to a minimum distance as required. Further, it is not necessary to ensure a space for installing the link mechanism outside the case of the air conditioner. As a result, the size of the air conditioning unit including the sliding door can be effectively reduced.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided carboxylate compounds represented by the following formula [A] and liquid crystal material comprising said compounds ##STR1## wherein R is a group selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy and halogenated alkyl group of 3-20 carbon atoms, X and Y represent each a group selected from the group consisting of --COO--, --OCO--, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 O--, --OCH.sub.2 --, --S--S--, ##STR2## or a single bond, A and B represent each a group selected from the group consisting of specific divalent aromatic and alicyclic group such as phenylene, cyclohexylene and tetrahydronaphthalene and R* is an optically active group of 4-20 carbon atoms containing at least one asymmetric carbon atom (hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon atoms of said optically active group may be substituted with halogen atoms), and m and n are each an integer of 0-2, with the proviso that both m and n do not become 0 at the same time.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided carboxylate compounds and liquid compositions thereof represented by the following formula (A) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents one group selected from the group consisting of alkyl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, alkoxy group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms and halogenated alkyl group of 6 to 18 carbon atoms, C* represents an asymmetric carbon atom, and R.sup.2 represents a group represented by the following formula (A)--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --CH.sub.3 or (B)--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --COOR.sub.3 wherein m represents an integer of 2 to 6, n represents an integer of 0 to 5, and R.sup.3 represents alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The liquid crystal racemic mixture of the invention is represented by the formula [I]:Z--(X.A).sub.m (Y.B).sub.n COOR.sup.1 [I]wherein R1 is a specific group of alkyl, alkoxy or halogenated alkyl, X and Y are either one of the following group: --COO--, --OCO--, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 O--, --OCH.sub.2 --, --COCH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 CO-- and --S--S--, or a single bond, A and B are each a specific bivalent group such as 1,4-phenylene group, Z is a group selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## (wherein R.sub.2 is an alkyl group, an alkoxy group or a halogenated alkyl group), and m and n are an integer of 0 to 2 (m and N not being simultaneously 0). The liquid crystal composition of the invention comprises the racemic mixture as described above. Moreover, the liquid crystal element of the invention comprises a liquid crystal material containing the liquid crystal racemic mixture as described above.