Abstract: A connection method connects an optical connector and an optical transmission element. The optical connector includes a connector housing, a stop-ring structure, and an optical fiber which protrudes from an end part of the stop-ring structure. The optical transmission element includes a tensile-strength fiber body. The connection method includes fuse-connecting a first end of the optical fiber with a second end of an optical fiber protruding from a transmission element terminal part of the optical transmission element; inserting a fuse-connected optical fiber part and the tensile strength fiber body inside a reinforcing sleeve provided with a hot melt body, and covering and bridging the transmission element terminal part and at least the end part of the stop-ring structure; and integrating the fuse-connected optical fiber part, the tensile strength fiber body, the transmission element terminal part, and the stop-ring structure, by a hot melt resin melted from the hot melt body.

Abstract: An exchangeable lens includes: a mount unit at which a camera body is detachably engaged; a plurality of drive target members, conditions of which change as a drive force is applied thereto; an initialization unit that executes initialization processing for each of the plurality of drive target members; an initialization status transmission unit that transmits initialization statuses, each indicating a status of the initialization processing executed for one of the drive target members, to the camera body via a first transmission path over predetermined first cycles; and a drive condition transmission unit that transmits a drive condition of at least one drive target member among the plurality of drive target members to the camera body via a second transmission path different from the first transmission path over predetermined second cycles different from the predetermined first cycles.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a ferrule, an inserted optical fiber, an external optical fiber, and a pair of reinforcing members that pinches and reinforces a fusion-spliced portion of the other end portion of the inserted optical fiber and the front end portion of the external optical fiber. The reinforcing members include adhesion layer on the inner surface thereof which comes in contact with the other end portion of the inserted optical fiber and the front end portion of the external optical fiber. The adhesion layer is depressed at the position where the inserted optical fiber and the external optical fiber come in contact with each other so as to closely adhere to the outer circumferential surfaces of the optical fibers in the fusion-spliced portion.

Abstract: A digital camera comprises an imaging/focus detection element, in which focus detection pixel rows are incorporated in a two-dimensional array of a plurality of imaging pixels, that outputs image signals and focus detection signals, a focus detection unit that detects a state of focal adjustment at a photographic optical system based upon the focus detection signal, an image blur detection unit that detects an image blur quantity, a reliability judgment unit that judges, based upon the blur quantity, whether or not the state of focal adjustment detected in correspondence to a focus detection pixel row disposed along a direction different from a rolling shutter scanning direction among the focus detection pixel rows is reliable, and a focal adjustment unit that executes focal adjustment for the photographic optical system based upon the state of focal adjustment judged to be reliable by the reliability judgment unit.

Abstract: An optical connector comprises a housing, a regulating portion which is protrudes toward an inner surface of the housing, a ferrule which is secured to an optical fiber and which is accommodated inside the housing so as to be movable. The ferrule includes a base portion and a thinned portion that has a thickness smaller than that of the base portion. If the ferrule moves forward in the butt-connection direction, the regulating portion and the base portion approach each other, so that the regulating portion regulates the movement of the ferrule in the thickness direction. If the ferrule moves backward in the butt-connection direction, the ferrule reaches a position where the thinned portion faces the regulating portion, so that the movement of the ferrule in the thickness direction is not regulated by the regulating portion.

Abstract: A connection method connects an optical connector and an optical transmission element. The optical connector includes a connector housing, a stop-ring structure, and an optical fiber which protrudes from an end part of the stop-ring structure. The optical transmission element includes a tensile-strength fiber body. The connection method includes fuse-connecting a first end of the optical fiber with a second end of an optical fiber protruding from a transmission element terminal part of the optical transmission element; inserting a fuse-connected optical fiber part and the tensile strength fiber body inside a reinforcing sleeve provided with a hot melt body, and covering and bridging the transmission element terminal part and at least the end part of the stop-ring structure; and integrating the fuse-connected optical fiber part, the tensile strength fiber body, the transmission element terminal part, and the stop-ring structure, by a hot melt resin melted from the hot melt body.

Abstract: The invention provides an ATM switch which realizes hierarchical shaping for each virtual channel and each virtual path with a simple configuration. Cells are sent from cell buffers of an ATM core switch by FIFO operation to output side connection information application sections of output side circuit interfaces. In each of the output side circuit interfaces, the output side connection information application section acquires connection information such as a service class based on an intra-switch connection identification number applied to each cell and applies the connection information to the cell. An output cell buffer queues cells for each virtual channel. A VC cell rate control section reads out cells from the output cell buffer in accordance with the connection information and performs traffic priority control and rate control of the cells to be outputted.

Abstract: An autofocus apparatus includes an imaging device that captures a subject image through a photographic lens; an AF area determining device that determines a range of image signals to be used for autofocus adjustment based upon image signals provided by the imaging device; a focus adjustment device that adjusts a focal point position achieved through the photographic lens by driving a focus lens so as to maximize contrast achieved with the image signals in the determined range; and a control device that controls the focus adjustment device, if the range of the image signals determined by the AF area determining device has been altered, so as to adjust the focal point position by using image signals in the altered range.

Abstract: An optical connector for splicing a rear end of a pre-assembled optical fiber that is mounted within an optical ferrule with a tip of a second optical fiber is provided. The optical connector includes a connector body and an anchor mechanism for anchoring the second optical fiber to the connector body. The anchor mechanism includes a holder for holding the second optical fiber, and connecting portion which anchors the holder to the connector body. The length of the second optical fiber from the holder to the tip is longer than the distance from the holder to the rear end of the pre-assembled optical fiber. The rear end of the pre-assembled optical fiber is a curved convex end surface or an end with a diameter-reducing portion, and is PC-connectable to the tip of the second optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for evaluating insulin resistance in a simple and highly reliable manner is provided. This method includes measuring a fasting insulin value in blood, a fasting blood sugar value, and an adiponectin value and evaluating insulin resistance using, as an index, a value obtained by the following calculation formula (I): (Fasting insulin value)×(Fasting blood sugar value)/Adiponectin value??(I).

Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for an automatic transmission which supplies a controlled hydraulic pressure to a engagement element includes a control valve unit including a line pressure input port, an output port for outputting the controlled hydraulic pressure, a spool for selectively opening and closing the line pressure input port and the output port, a spring for biasing the spool in one direction, a feedback hydraulic chamber, a pilot pressure chamber, a pilot pressure control device, a sleeve, a plunger positioned inside of the sleeve, and at least one plunger hydraulic chamber for pushing the plunger when the controlled hydraulic pressure is introduced therein so as to push the spool in a direction against the biasing direction of the spring. The hydraulic control apparatus further includes a switching device provided at a hydraulic passage between the output port and the plunger hydraulic chamber and for selectively establishing a communication therebetween.

Abstract: An optical connector for splicing a rear end of a pre-assembled optical fiber that is mounted within an optical ferrule with a tip of a second optical fiber is provided. The optical connector includes a connector body and an anchor mechanism for anchoring the second optical fiber to the connector body. The anchor mechanism includes a holder for holding the second optical fiber, and connecting portion which anchors the holder to the connector body. The length of the second optical fiber from the holder to the tip is longer than the distance from the holder to the rear end of the pre-assembled optical fiber. The rear end of the pre-assembled optical fiber is a curved convex end surface or an end with a diameter-reducing portion, and is PC-connectable to the tip of the second optical fiber.

Abstract: A digital camera comprises an imaging/focus detection element, in which focus detection pixel rows are incorporated in a two-dimensional array of a plurality of imaging pixels, that outputs image signals and focus detection signals, a focus detection unit that detects a state of focal adjustment at a photographic optical system based upon the focus detection signal, an image blur detection unit that detects an image blur quantity, a reliability judgment unit that judges, based upon the blur quantity, whether or not the state of focal adjustment detected in correspondence to a focus detection pixel row disposed along a direction different from a rolling shutter scanning direction among the focus detection pixel rows is reliable, and a focal adjustment unit that executes focal adjustment for the photographic optical system based upon the state of focal adjustment judged to be reliable by the reliability judgment unit.

Abstract: A method for evaluating insulin resistance in a simple and highly reliable manner is provided.

Abstract: Lepidocrocite potassium magnesium titanate having a composition represented by the formula K0.2-0.7Mg0.4Ti1.6O3.7-4 and obtainable by subjecting an aqueous slurry of lepidocrocite potassium magnesium titanate having a composition represented by the formula K0.8Mg0.4Ti1.6O4 to an acid treatment and subsequent calcination.

Abstract: A torque converter with a lockup clutch includes a fluid passage into which flows operation oil supplied from a converter chamber, which is surrounded by the pump impeller and the turbine runner, to a lockup chamber in which engagement and disengagement of the lockup clutch are performed, the fluid passage being connected to an oil drain passage for the operation oil without passing through an engaging portion of the lockup clutch, and a valve formed at a point on the fluid passage and capable of controlling a flow amount of operation oil.

Abstract: The invention provides an ATM switch which realizes hierarchical shaping for each virtual channel and each virtual path with a simple configuration. Cells are sent from cell buffers of an ATM core switch by FIFO operation to output side connection information application sections of output side circuit interfaces. In each of the output side circuit interfaces, the output side connection information application section acquires connection information such as a service class based on an intra-switch connection identification number applied to each cell and applies the connection information to the cell. An output cell buffer queues cells for each virtual channel. A VC cell rate control section reads out cells from the output cell buffer in accordance with the connection information and performs traffic priority control and rate control of the cells to be outputted.

Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for an automatic transmission which supplies a controlled hydraulic pressure to a engagement element includes a control valve unit including a line pressure input port, an output port for outputting the controlled hydraulic pressure, a spool for selectively opening and closing the line pressure input port and the output port, a spring for biasing the spool in one direction, a feedback hydraulic chamber, a pilot pressure chamber, a pilot pressure control device, a sleeve, a plunger positioned inside of the sleeve, and at least one plunger hydraulic chamber for pushing the plunger when the controlled hydraulic pressure is introduced therein so as to push the spool in a direction against the biasing direction of the spring. The hydraulic control apparatus further includes a switching device provided at a hydraulic passage between the output port and the plunger hydraulic chamber and for selectively establishing a communication therebetween.

Abstract: The invention provides an ATM switch which realizes hierarchical shaping for each virtual channel and each virtual path with a simple configuration. Cells are sent from cell buffers of an ATM core switch by FIFO operation to output side connection information application sections of output side circuit interfaces. In each of the output side circuit interfaces, the output side connection information application section acquires connection information such as a service class based on an intra-switch connection identification number applied to each cell and applies the connection information to the cell. An output cell buffer queues cells for each virtual channel. A VC cell rate control section reads out cells from the output cell buffer in accordance with the connection information and performs traffic priority control and rate control of the cells to be outputted.

Abstract: An autofocus apparatus includes an imaging device that captures a subject image through a photographic lens; an AF area determining device that determines a range of image signals to be used for autofocus adjustment based upon image signals provided by the imaging device; a focus adjustment device that adjusts a focal point position achieved through the photographic lens by driving a focus lens so as to maximize contrast achieved with the image signals in the determined range; and a control device that controls the focus adjustment device, if the range of the image signals determined by the AF area determining device has been altered, so as to adjust the focal point position by using image signals in the altered range.