Abstract: The present invention relates to an input method using the pointing device in which the pointing device's ON operation causes an application to recognize that the state of the pointing device has transitioned to an ON state and the pointing device's OFF operation causes the application to recognize that the state of the pointing device has transitioned to an OFF state. The input method includes responding to the ON operation of the pointing device maintained in a certain period and bringing about a latch state in which the pointing device remains in the ON state for the application even if the OFF operation of the pointing device has taken place; and executing a program for informing a user that the latch state has been brought about.

Abstract: A data transfer apparatus includes a computer-side input and output unit for transmitting a data signal which is periodically updated, and a printer-side input and output unit for receiving the data signal transmitted from the computer-side input and output unit and detecting the logic level of the data signal. Particularly, this data transfer apparatus further includes a state transition time measuring circuit, a computer-side CPU, and a printer-side CPU cooperated to transmit a transition test data signal from the computer-side input and output unit in a tuning mode, measure the transition time of the transition test data signal received by the printer-side input and output unit, and adjust transfer parameters which define the transmission rate of the data signal to be transmitted from the computer-side input and output unit and a timing for detecting the logic level of the data signal, on the basis of a result of measurement.

Abstract: An autofeeding apparatus for automatically transporting exposed photosensitive plates, which may be of different sizes, one by one from a nearly vertical stack to an automatic developing station. The photosensitive plates are placed in a vertical stack on a stack holder, and a supporting device disposed opposite the holder supports the lower ends of the plates. A transport device transfers the lower end of the uppermost one of the photosensitive plates from the holder to the supporting device. A separating device separates the uppermost plate from the holder. A lifting device, driven separately from the separating device, lifts the supporting device to feed the uppermost plate to the automatic developer with the upper end of the plate at the head.