Abstract: Upon completing a preparation operation including different processes, an image formation apparatus shifts to ready state in which image formation is executable, the processes including at least one process executed using a corresponding motor. The image formation apparatus comprises: an obtainer for obtaining, for each process, an estimated time period between start and completion thereof; and a controller for starting execution of, out of the processes, (i) one process whose estimated time period is the longest, then (ii) any other process so that any other process is executed in parallel with said one process. When said one process is included in the at least one process, the controller initiates the motor by high-speed initiation by applying thereto first voltage that is higher than second voltage. When any other process is included in the at least one process, the controller initiates the motor by normal initiation by applying thereto first voltage.

Abstract: The present invention provides an opening portion periphery decorative member easy in construction, excellent in external appearance and excellent in weather resistance, an opening portion periphery construction structure, and an opening portion periphery construction method. Accordingly, an opening portion periphery construction structure includes an opening portion periphery decorative member 10 to be installed on a periphery of an opening portion 5 of a building, upper, lower, left and right L-joiners 100 to be installed on upper, lower, left and right sides of the opening portion 5, respectively, and upper, lower, left and right frame members 11 each configured to be engaged with the corresponding L-joiner 100 and fixed to a front face 20 of an underlayment member 2. The L-joiner 100 has a front plate portion 101, an inner side plate portion 102, and a joiner side engaging portion 103.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of blood clotting disorder which can reduce a burden on a patient. The pharmaceutical composition comprises an effective amount of ribavirin or a derivative thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of ribavirin or the derivative.

Abstract: In a printer, three toner patches are primary-transferred successively to an intermediate transfer belt. Here, after the first toner patch passes through a belt cleaner and before the second toner patch reaches the belt cleaner, and after the second toner patch passes through the belt cleaner and before the third patch reaches the belt cleaner, the belt cleaner is operated to change the state of contact to the intermediate transfer belt to a different state. A density sensor detects density of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt, and presence/absence of the toner patch is detected. When presence/absence of the first to third patches is detected alternately, it is determined that the belt cleaner is performing the operation described above.

Abstract: An error detector determines whether or not there is a frequency error. In a case where it is determined that there is the frequency error, the error detector further determines whether or not the frequency error stays within a targeted error range. In a case where it is determined that the frequency error stays within the targeted error range, a proportional gain is decreased. In a case where it is determined that the frequency error fails to stay within the targeted error range, the proportional gain is increased. Then, a frequency proportional-integral-derivative operation processing is executed based on a set gain.

Abstract: A current mirror circuit includes p-type MOS (PMOS) transistors, whereby the current flowing when the input voltage is “H” is interrupted when an output node of the current mirror circuit goes from “L” to “H,” so that a cascode-connected PMOS transistor within the current mirror circuit is automatically turned OFF. The gates of PMOS transistors within the current mirror circuit are connected by a signal line directly to the output node. The rise time of the output voltage of the current mirror circuit and the consumption current can thus be reduced.

Abstract: A centrifugally cast composite roll comprising an outer layer having a composition comprising by mass 2.5-9% of C, 0.1-3.5% of Si, 0.1-3.5% of Mn, and 11-40% of V, the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities; an intermediate layer made of a high-speed steel alloy, which is formed inside the outer layer; and an inner layer made of cast iron or steel, which is formed inside the intermediate layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current source device comprising a plurality of current output circuits each including a current output FET, first and second switch FETS respectively series-connected to source and drain sides of the current output FET to form a series circuit, source voltage supply means which applies a positive-side potential of a source voltage to the first switch FET and applies a negative-side potential of the source voltage to the second switch FET to supply the source voltage to the series circuit, and an output terminal connected between the current output FET and the second switch FET; and a gate voltage supply circuit which supplies a common gate voltage to the gates of the current output FETS, wherein each of the current output circuits further includes a third switch FET provided between the current output FET and the second switch FET.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus equipped with an airbag, a garnish, a hinge, a protector and a bracket fixed to a vehicle body. An upper side of the garnish is supported by the bracket via the hinge. An engaging part protruding from the lower part of a garnish main part is engaged with an engagement receiving part disposed at the protector. Normally, the engaging part is engaged with the engagement receiving part, thereby retaining the shape of the garnish. On expansion of the airbag, the airbag presses the engaging part, by which the engaging part is disengaged from the engagement receiving part, and the garnish is opened smoothly. The airbag can be covered with the garnish, thereby allowing the garnish to move smoothly on expansion of the airbag.

Abstract: In a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) communication system and corresponding method, and a QAM receiving apparatus and corresponding method, a sending apparatus that generates a sending signal adds CRC bits thereto. In a receiving apparatus, data rate is determined without a 16QAM demapping circuit and/or notification of the data rate, by 64QAM demapping a symbol string based on the received signal using a demapping circuit, independently of whether 16QAM or 64QAM was used on the sent signal. A bit string is thus obtained, and by thinning the bit string responsive to a CRC detection result of a CRC detection circuit, an output signal is provided using a thinning circuit.

Abstract: A suspension includes a multilayered plate member formed by at least three layers laminated together. The modulus of elasticity of neighboring layers of the at least three layers are different from each other. Both side edges of only a part of the layers of the multilayered plate member within a stiffness-required region are bent to form ribs.

Abstract: A system comprising: a server for receiving operation information from a client, performing an information process in accordance with the received operation information, and transmitting the result of the information process; and a managing device. The managing device monitors whether communication is performed between the client and the server and transmits an operation mode switching request to the server so as to switch the server operation mode to a power saving mode requiring less power consumption than the current operation mode if no communication is performed. The server receives the operation mode switching request transmitted from the managing device and switches the server operation mode to the power saving mode in accordance with the operation mode switching request.

Abstract: A probe assembly used to lap a bar, the bar being provided with elements that are to be formed into sliders, is provided. The probe assembly comprises an elastically deflectable probe, and a stopper for applying bending deformation to the probe so as to cause first bending deflection at a leading end of the probe and for maintaining the first bending deflection of the leading end while preventing a bending deformation at the leading end from becoming smaller than the first bending deflection. The leading end of the probe is adapted to be subjected to second bending deflection that is larger than the first bending deflection in a same direction as a direction of the first bending deflection and thereby to abut against an electrode pad to establish electrical connection between the probe and the electrode pad, the electrode pad being provided on a surface of the bar other than a surface to be lapped.

Abstract: A method for producing an outer layer for a roll having a structure having MC carbide dispersed at an area ratio of 20-60%, comprising the steps of (1) centrifugally casting a melt having a composition comprising, by mass, 2.2-6.0% of C, 0.1-3.5% of Si, 0.1-3.5% of Mn, and 8-22% of V, the balance being Fe and inevitable impurity elements, to produce a cylindrical body comprising an inner layer having concentration MC carbide, an MC-carbide-poor outer layer, and a concentration gradient layer between the inner layer and the outer layer, in which the area ratio of MC carbide changes, and (2) cutting the cylindrical body to a depth at which the area ratio of MC carbide is 20% or more.

Abstract: If image stabilization becomes necessary while an MFP is executing a print job received from a user, the MFP performs the image stabilization while emitting an operation sound if the user has not moved away from the MFP. Also, if the user has moved away from the MFP, the MFP stops the print job and logs the user out.

Abstract: In order to properly count the number of sheets printed which serves as the basis on which a charge is calculated, an MFP that acts as a designated printer includes a job accepting portion to accept a print job, a job executing portion to carry out printing based on the print job, a requesting portion to, when the job executing portion is not available for executing the print job, transmit an alternative instruction including the print job to an alternative printer, and an adding portion to add the number of alternative sheets printed by the alternative printer based on the print job included in the alternative instruction to the number of sheets printed by the job executing portion.

Abstract: In a back portion of a seat back provided with a lumbar support portion 20 and a side support portion 21, a seat back cover 30 for covering a back face of the seat back is provided. The seat back cover 30 is provided with a side portion 32 for covering an air bag module 50 by making a forward end portion, which is extended to the front side of a vehicle, come into contact with the side support portion 21. The side support portion 21 is provided being capable of oscillating to the front side of the vehicle with respect to the lumbar support 20. An air bag module 50 is arranged in an accommodation space 90 provided on the rear side of the side support portion 21.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modesty panel capable of being stably attached to a fixing surface of a building side regardless of the unevenness of the fixing surface, and an external wall construction structure in which the modesty panel is attached. In the external wall construction structure, a base member 10 provided with an upper attaching portion 12 and a lower attaching portion 13 is fixed to the building external wall surface 2. The base member 10 has first and second engaging stepped portions 16 and 17. To this base member 10, a modesty panel main body 30, provided with first and second engaging ridges 32 and 33, is outwardly engaged. In a superimposed region S formed by the engagement, a fixing screw 4 is screwed to integrally and firmly fix the modesty panel main body 30 and the base member 10.

Abstract: A head support mechanism includes a rigid support arm, a suspension for supporting, at its leading end section, a head slider with at least one head element, the suspension having a balance structure that can be pivoted in a direction crossing a surface of a recording medium using as a fulcrum a load support point established between the suspension and the support arm, a load generation unit for generating a load applied to the load support point for pressing the head slider toward the surface of the recording medium, a horizontal rotation bearing unit for pivotally bearing the support arm and the suspension so that the support arm and the suspension are capable of rotatively moving in a direction parallel to the surface of the recording medium, and an weight unit coupled to a trailing end section of the suspension to match the center of gravity of the suspension including the head slider with the load support point.