Abstract: A medical practice information storage and searching system, connected to a network such as the Internet, includes a plurality of local-area information servers for covering local area information in a community, and a general information management server that exchange information with these local-area information servers to generally manage information. With this system, people easily gain access to appropriate medical institutions by searching for the medical institutions.

Abstract: A developing device and an image forming apparatus includes a developer container for containing a developer made up of magnetic particles and a toner; a developer carrier for bearing and transporting the developer; a first agitating and transporting unit provided in the developer container, the first agitating and transporting unit transporting the developer while agitating the developer; a second agitating and transporting unit provided in the developer container, the second agitating and transporting unit transporting the developer transported by the first agitating and transporting unit while agitating the developer, thereby supplying the developer to the developer carrier; and a restricting member provided in the developer container, the restricting member restricting passage of an upper portion of the developer transported by the first agitating and transporting unit, thereby achieving a desired developer surface level.

Abstract: A charging apparatus includes magnetic particles for rubbing with a member to be charged to electrically charge the member to be charged; a rotatable magnetic particle carrying member for carrying the magnetic particles by magnetic force; a stirring member, provided above the magnetic particle carrying member, for stirring the magnetic particles, the stirring member moving in the direction opposite from a movement direction of the magnetic particle carrying member at a position where the stirring member is opposed to the magnetic particle carrying member. The apparatus includes a magnetic brush, local anti-contamination feature.

Abstract: A method, device, system, program for transaction of contents through a network are provided. In this transaction system, user terminals are applies among users in order to conduct transaction. A user sends a notification that the user hopes to register contents and prescribed items thereof in a data base in a center through the Internet. A Web server in the center registers the contents and the prescribed items thereof sent from the user in the data base. When use or transfer of the contents sent from the user occurs, a token according to the occurrence is sent to a user who hopes the use or the transfer of the contents. In the case of accidents concerning contents and tokens, appropriation/compensation is implemented from funds for handling trouble to a user who suffers a loss of benefit. Thereby it becomes possible to conduct transaction of contents easily and securely, spread around detail of contents extensively, and receive contents promptly which a user hopes to use.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developer for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developer remaining amount detecting member for detecting a remaining amount of developer in the developer, and a non-volatile memory for memorizing information corresponding to at least the print number of sheets and the developer remaining amount in such a manner that such information can be read out and re-written by an image forming apparatus. The present invention also provides and electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which such a process cartridge can be detachably mounted.

Abstract: A developing apparatus has a developer container for containing developer, a developer bearing member for bearing the developer within the developer container and for carrying the developer to a position opposed to an image bearing member. A first agitating member agitates the developer within the developer container, and a second agitating member agitates the developer within the developer container. The second agitating member is positioned farther than the first agitating member with respect to the image bearing member and an uppermost part of the second agitating member is higher than an uppermost part of the first agitating member.

Abstract: An electric blower comprises a motor unit having a stator and a rotor, a fan unit having an impeller attached to an output shaft of the rotor, and a circuit unit having a heat-generating component for controlling electric power to the motor unit. The circuit unit is disposed in an airflow path of air expelled from an outer periphery of the impeller toward the stator and the rotor of the motor unit. The air suctioned by rotation of the impeller cools the heat-generating component in the circuit unit before cooling the stator and the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention finds the overall concentration of a mixture in the following way. It measures the measurement sensitivity of substance C, of which the constituent composition varies, out of multiple substances A, B and C using sensitivity measuring microwave type concentration meter 17. It then inputs this measurement result to calibration curve gradient setter 20. It then finds the calibration curve gradient using a computing device which possesses the relationship of the measurement sensitivity of the single substance of which the constituent composition varies to the calibration curve gradient that finds the overall concentration of substances A, B and C. It then sets this calibration curve gradient in mixture concentration measuring microwave type concentration meter 18.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrogen storage alloy electrode for use in alkaline storage batteries that can reduce internal resistance of the battery and can give an excellent output characteristic and a long cycle life to the battery. The electrode comprises an AB5-type hydrogen storage alloy powder, a yttrium compound and a compound of a light rare earth element. The total content of the yttrium compound and the compound of a light rare earth element is in a range of 0.5 to 2.0 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of hydrogen storage alloy powder. Preferable ratios of the yttrium compound and the compound of a light rare earth element selected from La, Ce, Pr and Nd are, respectively, 60 wt % or more and 7 wt % or less in the total amount of the yttrium compound and the compound of the light rare earth element.

Abstract: A probe card provides electrical connection between an IC device under test (DUT) and a testing apparatus. The probe card includes: a test chip for transferring a signal between the DUT and the testing apparatus; and a contact bump provided at a position corresponding to a pad of the test chip, wherein the test chip is provided to securely press the contact bump against the DUT, thereby establishing the electrical connection between the DUT and the contact bump.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developer container, having an opening, for containing a magnetic developer; developer carrying member, provided in the opening, for carrying a developer, the developer carrying member having therein magnetic field generating means for carrying the magnetic developer; a sealing magnet for forming a magnetic seal for preventing leakage of the developer at an end portion, wherein an outer end portion of the sealing magnet with respect to a longitudinal direction of the developer carrying member is disposed in a region where a magnetic flux density at a surface of the developer carrying member attenuates.

Abstract: A developing device for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a developing member for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developer containing portion for containing a developer to be used in developing with the developing member, the latent image being formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, an agitating member for agitating the developer contained in the developer containing portion, and a frame rotatably supporting the agitating member and having a hole for rotatably supporting the agitating member, of which an end enters the hole and is rotatably supported by the hole. The length of the agitating member in contact with the inner surface of the hole is shorter, in the longitudinal direction of the hole, than the length of the agitating member present in the hole.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developer carrying sleeve, opposed to an electrostatic image bearing member for carrying a developer; a regulating member for regulating an amount of developer on the developer carrying sleeve, wherein the regulating member cooperates with the developer carrying member to form a nip, and includes a rubber blade having a wear index of 0.03-0.15, and wherein the rubber blade is contacted to the developer carrying member with a contact pressure P (g/cm), wherein 10.ltoreq.P.ltoreq.60.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes: a cylindrical heat roller having a heating resistor layer on an inside surface thereof; a pressure member in pressure contact with the cylindrical heat roller; and a pair of electrodes provided in the cylindrical heat roller for supplying electricity to the heating resistor layer so that the heating resistor layer generates heat. Both ends of the cylindrical heat roller are formed so as to restrain radiating heat in the cylindrical heat roller from openings at the both ends of the cylindrical heat roller.

Abstract: A phase difference measuring apparatus obtains a first receive signal by transmitting and receiving a to-be-measured material in a reference state and a second receive signal by transmitting and receiving a signal wave to and from that material in a measured state. The apparatus finds a reference phase difference .theta..sub.1 from the transmit wave and first receive signal and an apparent phase difference .theta..sub.2 ' from the transmit wave and second receive signal. The apparatus adds the apparent phase difference .theta..sub.2 ' to a product of the number of rotations, n, the apparent phase difference .theta..sub.2 ' passes through a given reference point and an angle of 360.degree. to find a true phase difference .theta..sub.2. The apparatus varies the number of rotations, n, to n+1 when the apparent phase difference .theta..sub.2 ', while being increased, passes through the reference point and that number of rotations, n, to n=n-1 when the apparent phase difference .theta..sub.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer container for accommodating one component magnetic toner; a rotatable toner carrying member, faced to an image bearing member for bearing an electrostatic image to form a developing zone therebetween, for carrying the toner in the container; a magnet member in the toner carrying member; a regulating member, elastically urged to the toner carrying member to form a nip therebetween, for regulating a toner layer thickness on the toner carrying member; wherein the magnet member has a magnetic pole, upstream of the nip with respect to a movement direction of the toner carrying member, for supplying the toner in the container to the toner carrying member, and wherein the magnet member does not generate a magnetic field effective for chain erection of the toner in a range from an upstream end of the nip to a downstream end of the developing zone.