Abstract: A container management apparatus is provided with: a container storing unit that can store a plurality of tubular sample containers one by one separately, each of the plurality of tubular sample containers being provided with a two-dimensional bar code on the bottom surface thereof, and container-identifying information being coded in the two-dimensional bar code; and a reading unit that reads the two-dimensional bar code of each of the tubular sample containers stored in the container storing unit and retrieves the container identifying information. The reading unit has, in correspondence with each storing position, an LED that irradiates the two-dimensional bar code with irradiation light and an imaging unit that receives reflection light from the two-dimensional bar code.

Abstract: A container management apparatus is provided with: a container storing unit that can store a plurality of tubular sample containers one by one separately, each of the plurality of tubular sample containers being provided with a two-dimensional bar code on the bottom surface thereof, and container-identifying information being coded in the two-dimensional bar code; and a reading unit that reads the two-dimensional bar code of each of the tubular sample containers stored in the container storing unit and retrieves the container identifying information. The reading unit has, in correspondence with each storing position, an LED that irradiates the two-dimensional bar code with irradiation light and an imaging unit that receives reflection light from the two-dimensional bar code.

Abstract: A personal computer (1) comprises a tomographic image information acquisition section (6), a memory (9), and a volume rendering computer (13). The tomographic image information acquisition section (6) acquires tomographic image information. The memory (9) is connected to the tomographic image information acquisition section (6) and stores voxel information related to tomographic image information. The volume rendering computer (13) is connected to the memory (9), samples voxel information in a direction perpendicular to the sight line on the basis of voxel information, and sets a restricted display area and an endoscopic display area acquired by the endoscope and produced by the volume rendering computer (13), and displays these on a display (2).

Abstract: A personal computer (1) of a surgery assistance system (100) performs navigation during surgery while combining and displaying an image of the distal end (surgical instrument image (33a)) of a surgical instrument (33) and a distance from the surgical instrument distal end to the resection site, in a three-dimensional image produced by a volume rendering computer (13).

Abstract: A PC (1) comprises a tomographic image information acquisition section (6), a memory (9), a volume rendering calculator (13), a display unit (2), a mouse (4), and a voxel label setting section (18). The tomographic image information acquisition section (6) acquires tomographic image information. The memory (9) stores voxel information about the tomographic image information. The volume rendering calculator (13) samples voxel information in a direction perpendicular to the line of sight, on the basis of the voxel information. The display unit (2) displays calculation results from the volume rendering calculator (13). The mouse (4) inputs cutting instructions for a liver (22) displayed on the display unit (2). The voxel label setting section (18) displays the status of the liver (22) after cutting using the cutting instructions from the mouse (4), and displays blood vessels (23) inside the liver (22) included in a cut portion (C), in a pre-cut state even after cutting.

Abstract: This resection simulation apparatus comprises a tomographic image information acquisition section (6), a memory (9) that is connected to this tomographic image information acquisition section (6), a volume rendering computer (13) that is connected to this memory (9), a display (2) that displays the computation result of this volume rendering computer (13), and an input section (4) that performs resection designation with respect to a display object displayed on this display (2). The volume rendering computer (13) samples voxel information in a direction perpendicular to the line of sight from the voxel information stored in at least the memory (9), and a depth detector (15) measures the ray casting scan distances for all points found in movement over the resection designated points.

Abstract: A microarray disc characterized in that a substrate is provided with a pregroove and a thin film with an excellent adherence to a probe DNA or protein is disposed at least on the pregroove, and that a liquid drop containing the probe DNA or protein is arranged on a convex part or concave part of the pregroove so that the liquid drop expands in the tangential direction of the pregroove due to the surface tension of the liquid drop and/or in the instance of concave part, due to the restriction by the concave groove wall with any expansion in the direction perpendicular to the groove, and that in the above condition, the probe DNA or protein is immobilized on the substrate.

Abstract: An object or information management method is provided that enables a customer to easily and quickly retrieve information contained in a stored object.

Abstract: In an optical recording and reproducing apparatus, two light sources such as a laser diode of different wavelengths from each other are provided, and photosensors receive the light emitted by the light sources and reflected by the optical recording medium. Before recording or reproduction is started, the type of optical recording medium having a different wavelength dependent reflectance is discriminated. Because two wavelengths are used, the difference of the outputs is large, and the type of the optical recording medium is discriminated reliably according to the outputs of the photosensors. Then, the operation of the apparatus is stabilized according to the type of the optical recording medium by optimizing the laser power, the gain of the controller, the revolution number of the medium or the like.

Abstract: A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein. The cartridge includes a cartridge body configured such that a signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto the recording medium when the cartridge is loaded in the signal recording apparatus. The cartridge also includes an opening in the cartridge body for removing the recording medium from the cartridge body, and a cover covering the opening. An indicator on the cartridge body indicates whether the cover has ever been opened or removed from the cartridge body.

Abstract: An information on demand system provides a user of a terminal (subscriber) information through a network such as CATV such that the user pays an adequate charge to a server (information provider). According to the information on demand system, the received information can be recorded in a recording medium under control of the terminal equipment. Cases in which 1) the subscriber merely watches a program on a television receiver and; 2) the subscriber records the program and watches it by reproducing the recorded information at another time are distinguished and the subscriber is charged a different amount by the server accordingly.

Abstract: A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein. The cartridge includes a cartridge body configured such that a signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto the recording medium when the cartridge is loaded in the signal recording apparatus. The cartridge also includes an opening in the cartridge body for removing the recording medium from the cartridge body, and a cover covering the opening. An indicator on the cartridge body indicates whether the cover has ever been opened or removed from the cartridge body.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus includes an optical disk drive including an optical disk and an optical head, a power source for supplying electric power to the optical disk drive an apparatus casing for enclosing at least the optical disk drive and the power source, and a first air feed member having a first air passage. The first air feed member includes a first air inlet for introducing cooling air into the apparatus casing from outside of the apparatus casing so as to cool the optical disk drive, and an air filter disposed upstream of the optical disk drive in the first air passage such that the cooling air flows into the optical disk drive through the air filter. A second air feed member has a second air passage and included a second air inlet for introducing cooling air into the apparatus casing from outside of the apparatus casing so as to cool at least the power source. A partition member is provided for separating the first and second air passages from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a bias magnetic field to a magneto-optical disk includes a movable magnet which serves to generate a bias magnetic field. A suitable device serves to generate a drive magnetic field to move the magnet. A stopper is engageable with the magnet to stop the magnet at a predetermined position.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to optical recording/reproducing apparatus, and relates particularly to a tracking system therefor. Tracking pit rows are provided on opposite sides of an information signal recording area. The frequencies of the tracking pit rows differ from each other, such that tracking servo normalizes a detected difference in amplitude between the reproduced signals of the tracking pit rows, resulting in improved tracking accuracy.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for recording and reproducing information signals on an opto-magnetic disk at a high speed using plural light beams. The phase relation between the information signals is fixed when they are simultaneously recorded and reproduced on plural tracks of the disk. The overwrite of simultaneously performing erasing and recording of the information signals is executed using the plural beams.

Abstract: A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein. The cartridge includes a cartridge body configured such that a signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto the recording medium when the cartridge is loaded in the signal recording apparatus. The cartridge also includes an opening in the cartridge body for removing the recording medium from the cartridge body, and a cover covering the opening. An indicator on the cartridge body indicates whether the cover has ever been opened or removed from the cartridge body.

Abstract: A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein. The cartridge includes a cartridge body configured such that a signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto the recording medium when the cartridge is loaded in the signal recording apparatus. The cartridge also includes an opening in the cartridge body for removing the recording medium from the cartridge body, and a cover covering the opening. The indicator on the cartridge body indicates whether the cover has ever been opened or removed from the cartridge body.

Abstract: A cartridge for housing a recording medium therein. The cartridge includes a cartridge body configured such that a signal recording apparatus can record a signal onto the recording medium when the cartridge is loaded in the signal recording apparatus. The cartridge also includes an opening in the cartridge body for removing the recording medium from the cartridge body, and a cover covering the opening. An indicator on the cartridge body indicates whether the cover has ever been opened or removed from the cartridge body.

Abstract: An information on demand system provides a user of a terminal (subscriber) information through a network such as CATV such that the user pays an adequate charge to a server (information provider). According to the information on demand system, the received information can be recorded in a recording medium under control of the terminal equipment. Cases in which 1) the subscriber merely watches a program on a television receiver and; 2) the subscriber records the program and watches it by reproducing the recorded information at another time are distinguished and the subscriber is charged a different amount by the server accordingly.