Abstract: A ramp loading unit, for use in a disk drive that includes a head and a record carrier, that includes a holding part that holds a head support part apart from the record carrier. The ramp loading unit also includes a sliding part which the head support part elastically contacts. The sliding part includes a patterned sliding surface with a protruding part that has a width that can partially contact the head support part, wherein the position of the protruding part changes in the width direction of the sliding surface along the length direction of the sliding surface orthogonal to the width direction, so that a contact position of the head support part with the protruding part changes as the head support part slides on the sliding part in the length direction of the sliding surface.

Abstract: An image forming system includes: plural printing units each provided for each of different basic printing colors; and plural image processing units each provided in association with each of the printing units, and that generate image data for a basic color of the image processing unit's part and image data for other basic colors than the image processing unit's part required for combining processing of the image data for the basic color of the image processing unit's part, based on input printing data, and output resultant image data to a corresponding one of the printing units.

Abstract: A plate-like support (2) is provided with a number of accommodating spaces (7) arranged along its surfaces. Two sets of spiral wires (4) are arranged perpendicular to each other, thereby forming a mesh member (5). This mesh member (5) forms the plate-like support (2) having a first surface (2a) and a second surface (2b) between which framework members (6) are disposed. These framework members (6) partition the accommodating spaces (7) so as to envelop them. The accommodating spaces (7) are formed over a space between the first surface (2a) and the second surface (2b), each of which is provided with openings (8), and adjoin the adjacent accommodating spaces (7) through the framework members (6). The framework members (6) are opened to provide communication portions (10), through which the adjacent accommodating spaces (7, 7) communicate with each other.

Abstract: A head slider has a medium-opposed surface defining first and second areas extending side by side from the inflow end to the outflow end. A head element is embedded in an insulating non-magnetic film. The head element at least locates a write gap in a first section defined in the insulating non-magnetic film in the first area. A first actuator is embedded in the insulating non-magnetic film in the first area. The first actuator causes the first section to protrude. A second actuator is embedded in the insulating non-magnetic film in the second area. The second actuator causes a second section of the insulating non-magnetic film to protrude. The second section is utilized in a so-called zero calibration. The first section and the head element are prevented from protruding during the zero calibration. This results in are liable avoidance of damage to the head element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication system/method including a message export section/step of exporting a message to a user terminal through a communication network on the basis of a preset export condition, a reply confirming section/step of receiving from the user terminal through the communication network a reply to the message exported by the message export section/step, and confirming the reply, and an action executing section/step of executing a preset action when no reply is confirmed by the reply confirming section/step. In the communication system/method, the user terminal and an action execution apparatus which executes the steps are connected through the communication network.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant comprises a water circulation passage (5) which circulates the cooling water in a fuel cell stack (4). Sodium hydroxide which lowers the melting point of water is mixed with water in the water circulation passage (5) to prevent freezing of the water in the water circulation passage (5). Electrodes (11, 12) are disposed in the water. When the fuel cell stack (4) is running, a voltage is applied between the electrodes (11, 12) such that the positive electrode (11) attracts sodium ions, thereby removing sodium ions from the cooling water supplied to the fuel cell stack (4). When the fuel cell stack (4) stops running, sodium ions which were attracted to the positive electrode (11) are made to diffuse into the cooling water by ceasing to apply the voltage to the electrodes (11, 12).

Abstract: In the air-conditioning system, a primary side to generate heat includes a heat storage and a heat source and produces cool or warm water using an inexpensive commercial power source such as a nighttime power source. A system collaboration unit is disposed between a motor to drive a water pump and a power source. The unit is connected to the motor via a cable. An output from the inverter is connected to the motor via a cable.

Abstract: It is an exemplified object of the present invention to provide a printing system for printing a Web page and printing method using the printing method that can initiates printing without requiring long wait after a print command is transmitted.

Abstract: In the air-conditioning system, a primary side to generate heat includes a heat storage and a heat source and produces cool or warm water using an inexpensive commercial power source such as a nighttime power source. A system collaboration unit is disposed between a motor to drive a water pump and a power source. The unit is connected to the motor via a cable. An output from the inverter is connected to the motor via a cable.

Abstract: A printer controller obtains high-speed bitmap generation processing while maintaining flexibility in macro definition when generating bitmap data from a macro-formed data. A processing unit calls macro data from a memory storing macro data to generate bitmap data. The processing unit determines effectiveness of bitmapping the macro instruction, to store into memory the bitmap data only when the bitmapped data is determined effective. Even in case of macro definition having degree of freedom, the data can be retained in a bitmap form. This enables to omit command analysis and expansion next time or after in macro control having flexibility in macro definition.

Abstract: A system is provided to recover unutilized energy as electric power in hydraulic turbine power generation. The system includes a heat storage tank, a pump for pumping water from the heat storage tank and to air conditioning loads, a first water feed pipe connected between an outlet of the storage pump and the air conditioning loads, and a second water feed pipe for returning the water discharged from the air-conditioning loads. A hydraulic turbine driven generator is provided on a lower portion of the second water feed pipe at such a position as to recover the potential energy of the water discharged from the air conditioning loads.

Abstract: Methods of generating electricity from a fuel cell system and fuel cell systems are provided. The fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell stack divided into an anode-side sub-stack, central sub-stack, and cathode-side sub-stack by current collectors positioned at each end of the fuel cell stack and two current collectors positioned at intermediate positions of the fuel cell stack. A collector switch connects the current collectors positioned at each end of the fuel cell stack and the current collectors at intermediate positions to a load. The fuel cell system further comprises a means of controlling the collector switch and a means of measuring the temperature of the fuel cell stack. The collector switch is controlled with the means of controlling the collector switch so that the central sub-stack generates electricity before the anode-side sub-stack and the cathode-side sub-stack start to generate electricity. The temperature of the fuel cell stack is measured using the means of measuring the temperature.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical pickup apparatus which is capable of supporting multiple wavelengths in a reduced size without using a combined prism. An apparatus includes light emitting means having a plurality of integrated light emitting portions for emitting laser beams of different wavelengths, the light emitting means being adapted to selectively emit one of the laser beams of different wavelengths; photodetecting means for detecting the laser beam; and an optical system for directing the laser beam emitted from the light emitting means to the disc, and for directing the laser beam reflected by the disc to the photodetecting means, wherein the light emitting means is positioned such that a straight line connecting respective light emitting points of the plurality of light emitting portions is coincident with a tangential line of a track on a disc to be reproduced.

Abstract: A system is provided to recover unutilized energy as electric power in hydraulic turbine power generation. The system includes a heat storage tank, a pump for pumping water from the heat storage tank and to air conditioning loads, a first water feed pipe connected between an outlet of the storage pump and the air conditioning loads, and a second water feed pipe for returning the water discharged from the air-conditioning loads. A hydraulic turbine driven generator is provided on a lower portion of the second water feed pipe at such a position as to recover the potential energy of the water discharged from the air conditioning loads.

Abstract: Before warmup of a fuel cell stack (1) is complete, a cooling water pressure of the fuel cell stack (1) is suppressed lower than the pressure used when the fuel cell system is run in the steady state. In this way, when the system is started from a low temperature state, water in a cathode (2) and anode (3) flows efficiently into the cooling water passage (9), and water clogging is prevented while maintaining a proper water balance in the fuel cell system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic recording medium with a reduced tendency for a free layer to become thicker near an outer periphery than near an inner periphery of a recording zone as well as provides an information reproducing apparatus which is equipped with the magnetic recording medium and reproduces information according to the magnetization at various points on the magnetic recording medium. A magnetic layer carries information in an outer zone outside a predetermined inner zone around a through-hole. That part of the free layer which is located in the outer zone is thinner near the outer periphery than near the inner periphery.

Abstract: A system is provided to recover unutilized energy as electric power in hydraulic turbine power generation. The system includes a heat storage tank, a pump for pumping water from the heat storage tank and to air conditioning loads, a first water feed pipe connected between an outlet of the storage pump and the air conditioning loads, and a second water feed pipe for returning the water discharged from the air-conditioning loads. A hydraulic turbine driven generator is provided on a lower portion of the second water feed pipe at such a position as to recover the potential energy of the water discharged from the air conditioning loads.

Abstract: A photo film scanner for photo film having an image frame has plural light sources, which apply illuminating light to the photo film, and include a multi-chip LED packages having plural chips for emitting the illuminating light at wavelengths different from one another. Plural photo receptors receive light from the photo film upon incidence of the illuminating light thereon, so as to retrieve frame position information and frame size information of the image frame. A wavelength control unit is responsive to setting of one detecting mode included in plural detecting modes, and drives a related chip within each multi-chip LED package related to a predetermined wavelength, for example one for an orange or white color. Emission of an unrelated chip within the multi-chip LED package unrelated to the predetermined wavelength is suppressed, to restrict the illuminating light to the predetermined wavelength for the one detecting mode.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and method of removing impurities from a catalyst are provided. The fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell stack comprising a pair of end plates and at least one unit cell. The unit cell contains a gas diffusion layer in contact with a membrane electrode assembly which is constructed of a polymer electrolyte membrane enclosed between two electrodes. The at least one unit cell is stacked between the end plates. The fuel cell system further comprises a voltage supply means and a means of impressing a cyclically varying voltage from the voltage supply means on the fuel cell stack. The cyclically varying voltage removes impurities that adhere to catalysts on the electrode surfaces in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: Methods of generating electricity from a fuel cell system and fuel cell systems are provided. The fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell stack divided into an anode-side sub-stack, central sub-stack, and cathode-side sub-stack by current collectors positioned at each end of the fuel cell stack and two current collectors positioned at intermediate positions of the fuel cell stack. A collector switch connects the current collectors positioned at each end of the fuel cell stack and the current collectors at intermediate positions to a load. The fuel cell system further comprises a means of controlling the collector switch and a means of measuring the temperature of the fuel cell stack. The collector switch is controlled with the means of controlling the collector switch so that the central sub-stack generates electricity before the anode-side sub-stack and the cathode-side sub-stack start to generate electricity. The temperature of the fuel cell stack is measured using the means of measuring the temperature.