Abstract: Filter (30) may comprise a first filter cloth (36) and a second filter cloth (32) disposed downstream from the first filter cloth (36). A particle diameter allowed passage by the second filter cloth (32) may be smaller than a particle diameter allowed passage by the first filter cloth (36). A space (34) may be provided between the first filter cloth (36) and the second filter cloth (32), the space (34) allowing the passage of foreign matter having a particle diameter greater than the particle diameter allowed passage by the first filter cloth (36).

Abstract: When forming an image, if there are not enough sheets remaining in a paper feed cassette to satisfy the image forming request, the image forming operation is not executed, and along with prompting the user to refill the paper, the paper feed cassette is pushed out towards an uninstalled state. The apparatus waits for a paper refill, and begins the image forming operation after that paper refill.

Abstract: A brushless motor, comprising a rotor having a magnet, a coil for generating a magnetic field for drivingly rotating the rotor, and a power supply terminal for supplying a power to the coil from outside, wherein all electrical connection parts ranging from the power supply terminal to the end of the coil are connected to each other through welded parts.

Abstract: This image processing device for games is a device whereby a prescribed number of models (characters) are setup in virtual space, these models are controlled such that they move in prescribed directions in the virtual space, and images of this virtual space from a virtual viewpoint are displayed on means for display. In order to display the movement of the models that are arranged in virtual space more realistically, in one construction thereof, this device is provided with means for image processing that apply virtual centripetal force to the models. Furthermore, in order to display the movement of the models more realistically and to heighten the dramatic effect, in one construction thereof, this device is equipped with means for processing residual image presentation in order to represent the track of movement of a model as residual images.

Abstract: This image processing device for games is a device whereby a prescribed number of models (characters) are setup in virtual space, these models are controlled such that they move in prescribed directions in the virtual space, and images of this virtual space from a virtual viewpoint are displayed on means for display. In order to display the movement of the models that are arranged in virtual space more realistically, in one construction thereof, this device is provided with means for image processing that apply virtual centripetal force to the models. Furthermore, in order to display the movement of the models more realistically and to heighten the dramatic effect, in one construction thereof, this device is equipped with means for processing residual image presentation in order to represent the track of movement of a model as residual images.

Abstract: This image processing device for games is a device whereby a prescribed number of models (characters) are setup in virtual space, these models are controlled such that they move in prescribed directions in the virtual space, and images of this virtual space from a virtual viewpoint are displayed on means for display. In order to display the movement of the models that are arranged in virtual space more realistically, in one construction thereof, this device is provided with means for image processing that apply virtual centripetal force to the models. Furthermore, in order to display the movement of the models more realistically and to heighten the dramatic effect, in one construction thereof, this device is equipped with means for processing residual image presentation in order to represent the track of movement of a model as residual images.

Abstract: A method of managing compressed data including a cache segment generating operation generating cache segments each representing data that is obtained by assembling plural pieces of data requested of writing, and a compressed segment generating operation generating compressed segments each representing data that is obtained by compressing each of the cache segments generated in said cache segment generating operation. The method also includes a compressed segment allocating operation allocating each of the compressed segments generated in said compressed segment generating operation to one or more compression sectors each representing a buffer having a predetermined length, and a compression sector recording operation recording each of the compression sectors, on a disk storage device, to which at least one compressed segment is allocated in said compressed segment allocating operation.

Abstract: A convenient screening tool and a convenient screening method for obtaining an agent for treating diabetes, a pharmaceutical composition for treating diabetes, and a process for manufacturing the pharmaceutical composition are disclosed. The screening tool is a G protein-coupled receptor, a variation functionally equivalent thereto, or a homologous polypeptide thereof which promotes insulin secretion under a high glucose concentration by activation, or cells transformed with an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding the above polypeptide and expressing the polypeptide.

Abstract: In the prior patent application, each element contained in a record is categorized into one subjected to data processing (i.e., key element) and the other, not subjected thereto (i.e., non-key element) as shown by FIG. 1(b) and element contents of the non-key elements being linked together by the CSV format per each new element are converted into an XML document. The present invention places a plurality of new elements on the first hierarchical layer and links each non-key element together freely as element contents of the discretionary new element as shown by FIG. 1(c).

Abstract: Mechanism unit(s) functioning as automatic-feed cassette(s) and mechanism unit(s) functioning as manual-feed tray(s) together form a single integral module, constituting a hybrid paper supply module. A plurality of hybrid paper supply modules are stacked together to constitute a paper supply mechanism. Manual-feed tray(s) with which manual-feed mechanism unit(s) of respective hybrid paper supply module(s) is or are provided is or are maintained in stored state(s) as a result of electromagnetic attraction produced by electromagnet(s). In correspondence to image forming condition(s), electromagnetic attraction at one electromagnet is terminated, causing manual-feed tray(s) to assume deployed state(s). Furthermore, primary path(s) passing vertically through module interior(s) is or are formed so as to permit transport of recording paper toward printing unit(s) of hybrid device(s) regardless of from which hybrid paper supply module(s) it is that recording paper is taken up.

Abstract: Mechanism unit(s) functioning as automatic-feed cassette(s) and mechanism unit(s) functioning as manual-feed tray(s) together form a single integral module, constituting a hybrid paper supply module. In such constitution, paper transport path(s) may be formed between or among first guide member(s) provided at automatic-feed cassette mechanism unit(s) and second guide member(s) provided at manual-feed mechanism unit(s), and manual-feed mechanism unit(s) may be pulled outward and to side(s) of apparatus(es) so as to cause paper transport path(s) to be opened up to the exterior, facilitating removal of jammed paper. Furthermore, given such constitution, a plurality of hybrid paper supply modules may be stacked together to constitute a paper supply mechanism. Manual-feed tray(s) with which manual-feed mechanism unit(s) of respective hybrid paper supply module(s) is or are provided may be collapsible so as to permit extension and/or retraction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a data compression method in which a plurality of consecutive characters of a data string to be compressed are set as a character string to be searched for. Bits of a bit string representing the set character string are allocated to at least two codewords. Thus, first and second searching codewords are generated. These first and second codewords are used as array addresses. First and second array tables are prepared, in which information on the past occurrence positions of the set character string is previously entered as the contents thereof. When the first and second codewords are generated from the character string to be compressed, the first and second array tables are looked up by using these codewords as the addresses of the arrays. When results of looking up these tables match with each other, it is found that the set character string occurred in the past.

Abstract: Mechanism unit(s) 6 functioning as automatic-feed cassette(s) and mechanism unit(s) 7 functioning as manual-feed tray(s) together form a single integral module, constituting hybrid paper supply module 5. Manual-feed mechanism unit(s) 7 is or are arranged below transport paths 36, 37, which extend toward printing unit(s) 3. Furthermore, path(s) along which recording paper P taken up from automatic-feed cassette mechanism unit(s) 6 is transported and path(s) along which recording paper P taken up from manual-feed mechanism unit(s) 7 is transported are made to intersect within the module, decreasing length(s) of respective path(s).

Abstract: A shifter is equipped with a rack and a stopper. A transmission gear transmits power from an electric motor to the rack. A retention pin extends vertically downward from the transmission gear. When the shifter slides to an origin, the retention pin locks the stopper, which causes the electric motor to step out. On detecting the step-out of the electric motor, the position control device recognizes that the shifter has reached the origin (the reference position) and has been fixed at the position, thus setting the shifter position.

Abstract: A method of managing compressed data in a disk storage device, including forming compressed segment areas in a continuous area according to a determined occupation ratio of the continuous area; obtaining a compression block corresponding to data to be stored in the disk storage device; deciding a compressed segment area to which the obtained compression block is to be stored according to a size of the obtained compression block; expanding the occupation ratio when an empty area in any of the compressed segment areas becomes less than a predetermined threshold value; and changing the occupation ratio of each compressed segment area of the continuous area according to the maintained record conditions of the compression blocks, dynamically, and based on an actual occupation ratio of compression blocks stored in each compressed segment area when an empty area in any of the compressed segment areas becomes less than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: In the zoom lens apparatus, a lens frame for a variable-magnification lens or a correcting lens is configured of an inner frame and an outer frame, and any focus blurring due to variations in wavelength of subject light can be compensated for accurately by shifting the inner frame holding the lens relative to the outer frame. The correcting lens frame for the correcting lens is configured of the inner frame and the outer frame, and the inner frame is shifted according to variations in wavelength of subject light. Any focus blurring can be thereby compensated for steplessly according to variations in wavelength of subject light.

Abstract: In order to sample microorganisms in a first isolator 1 before, during, and after the operation of a filling system 4, first and second robots 6 and 7 that are provided in the first isolator 1 carry a sampling apparatus 5 to first and second sampling positions A and B to sample naturally dropping microorganisms, carry the sampling apparatus 5 to a third sampling position C to sample microorganisms floating around a filling nozzle 17b, and sample microorganisms adhering to the surfaces of the predetermined filling nozzle 17b and a cap feeder 18b at fourth and fifth sampling positions D and E, respectively.

Abstract: Display means for encouraging customers to enter their predictions for future Nikkei Stock Averages, commodity futures, or number of visitors to or revenue of a retail establishment during a certain future period, along with personal data, such as e-mail addresses and birth dates.

Abstract: A roller turning force generator is connected to a driving gear which is mounted on a shaft. The shaft is connected to offset roller assemblies disposed in an offset mechanism via connecting gears. The offset roller assemblies rotatably supported inside the offset mechanism are turned by a driving force transmitted from the roller turning force generator to discharge individual sheets of a printing medium in a sheet transport direction. The offset mechanism is linked to an offsetting force generator so that the offset mechanism can be shifted along a direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method include allocating a compressed segment representing data that is obtained by assembling pieces of the data requested to write, and compressing the assembled data to a compression sector representing a block; changing, when updating content of the compressed segment in the compression sector recorded in said disk storage device, an area storing the compressed segment corresponding to an updating target into an invalid data area; comparing a size of the invalid data area in the compression sector recorded in said disk storage device with a preset fiducial value; and reading, from the disk storage device when the size of invalid data is larger than the preset fiducial value with respect to a certain compression sector, all of the compressed segments, exclusive of the invalid data, being allocated to the certain compression sector releasing a storage area of the storage device recording the certain compression sector.