Abstract: A compact multifunctional optical communication device and its control method is provided which having good responsibility. An optical communication device has an input section and an output section for propagating a light beam through a space; plural optical parts movable to an interrupting position of the light beam between the input section and the output section, and arranged in a series direction with the light beam; driving means for separately driving these optical parts; and driving control means for controlling an operation of this driving means.

Abstract: A waterproof sheet fixing member for fixing a waterproof thermoplastic resin sheet on a structure to be waterproofed, includes a plate-like main member made of thermoplastic resin, and a conductive multi-aperture sheet having an upper surface and a lower surface. The conductive multi-aperture sheet has a plurality of joining apertures each communicating the upper surface with the lower surface, and is integrally provided in the main member. A method of fixing the waterproof thermoplastic resin sheet includes the steps of fixing the fixing member on a surface of the structure, spreading the waterproof thermoplastic resin sheet on the surface of the structure, and induction heating the conductive multi-aperture sheet via the waterproof thermoplastic resin sheet to melt a portion where the main member contacts the waterproof thermoplastic resin sheet. Thus, the main member is integrally welded to the waterproof thermoplastic resin sheet.

Abstract: Provision of a recording medium transfer apparatus, which uses a one-direction motor as a drive source and is simple in construction and inexpensive. The apparatus comprises a rotation member driven for rotation by the one-direction motor, an idler gear, and transfer means. The rotation member has a partial gear and a push member. The partial gear is held in mesh with the idler gear only during rotation of the rotation member for a predetermined angle. The transfer means has a gear portion in mesh with the idler gear and a contact portion. The transfer means is caused, with the contact portion thereof pushed by the push member, to undergo rocking movement in one direction and, after separation of the push member from the contact portion, the transfer means is rocked in the other direction with the partial gear in mesh with the idler gear. The recording medium is thus reciprocally transferred by the transfer means with reciprocal rocking movement thereof caused during one rotation of the rotation member.

Abstract: Mono- or polyenic carboxylic acid derived compounds of the formula (1-I) or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof: Z—(CR3═CR2)n—COOR1  (1-I) wherein R1 is hydrogen or a carboxyl-protecting group; R2 and R3 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, linear lower alkyl, branched lower alkyl linear lower alkoxy, branched lower alkoxy or aryl, m is 1 to 3 and Z is a group or their salts have the potent ability to bind to retinoic acid receptors thus useful in treating psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: A disc clamping device according to the invention seeks to attain size reduction and simplification of the structure without spoiling the smoothness of centering a disc. A disc clamper has an upwardly projecting central hung pin penetrating a circular hole formed in a clamp support member and having a head greater in diameter than the circular hole. At least either one of the portions of the edge of the circular hole and the head of the hung pin in engagement with each other is formed with a tapered surface for centering the disc clamper. The clamp support member is provided with an elastic member, for instance a leaf spring, for pushing the head against the edge of the circular hole.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor driven by a self-oscillation circuit which can be mounted in an electronic device without imposing structural restrictions on the electronic device and can thus be used easily. Among an oscillating member for generating an oscillatory wave, a pressing mechanism for causing a moving body to make pressing contact with the oscillating member, a moving body frictionally driven by the oscillatory wave, and outputting means for transmitting an output from the moving body to the outside, at least one member is made of an insulating material, and when in particular the moving body is provided with outputting means for transmitting an output torque this outputting means is made of an insulating material and no restrictions are imposed on the shapes and the materials of the oscillating member and the moving body, which closely relate to the output performance of the ultrasonic motor.

Abstract: A linear illumination device, includes: a light conducting body; a light diffusion portion formed at least on one side surface in a longitudinal direction of the light conducting body; a light output portion formed in a portion of the light conducting body opposing the light diffusion portion; a light source portion disposed at a first end of the light conducting body; and a light reflecting layer provided at a second end opposing the first end of the light conducting body.

Abstract: Provision of a disc loading apparatus for a disc player, which permits a disc being inserted to be safely pulled out without being held between a turntable and a clamper. A clamper supporting member having an engagement portion carries the clamper, and a stopper is disposed on the line of movement of the engagement portion. The stopper is normally at a preventing position of being in contact with the engagement portion to prevent the clamper from approaching the turntable. When a disc has been inserted up to a position that it can be held on the turntable, it pushes the stopper to an approach allowable position to allow the clamper to approach the turntable. When the clamper approaches the turntable, the stopper is pushed by the engagement portion of the clamper supporting member to a retreated position, at which the stopper is out of contact with the disc.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor has a piezoelectric element having an electrode pattern and driven by a voltage signal to undergo expansion and compression. An oscillator is connected to the piezoelectric element and is vibrationally driven by the expansion and compression movement of the piezoelectric vibrator. A rotor is disposed on the oscillator to be frictionally driven by expansion and compression movement of the piezoelectric element. A pivot member is connected to a central portion of the rotor. A pressing member is in pressure contact with the pivot member for urging the rotor into pressure contact with the oscillator. The pressing member and the pivot member are comprised of different materials, and the material of the pivot member has a hardness greater than that of the pressing member.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an energy-saving image forming apparatus capable of fixing toner in a reliable manner to enhance the quality of images, control the temperature of toner residue to reuse the toner in a reliable manner, and reduce the power consumption of the apparatus. In a copier, a photoconductive drum carries a toner image to be transferred to a recording medium, a heater of a fixing unit fixes the transferred toner image on the recording medium, and a cleaning unit removes toner residue on the photoconductive drum after transfer. The whole copier is covered with a housing, a first ventilation system ventilates the inside and outside of the housing, and a controlling section regulates the amount of ventilation by the first ventilation system in accordance with an output from a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cleaning unit. As a result, it is possible to effectively reuse the collected toner and ensure excellent quality images.

Abstract: In a car-mounted disc/tape player, in which a disc player and a tape player are assembled in a substantially rectangular cabinet capable of being accommodated in a predetermined accommodation space in a car, it is sought to reduce the player size so as to be above to conform to the DIN Standard. A disc insertion slot is disposed above and leftwardly of a cassette insertion slot. A disc drive motor is disposed forwardly of a tape drive motor. The bottom surface of the disc drive motor is set to be at a level below the top surface of the tape drive motor. A zone of movement of a pick-up is defined in a space between the disc drive motor and the left front corner of the cabinet.

Abstract: To provide novel compounds relating to retinoid which can substitute for retinoic acid used for preventing and treating several diseases and having antagonism against retinoid. Heterocyclic compounds represented by the general formula (1-I) or physiologically acceptable salts thereof:Z--(CR.sup.3 .dbd.CR.sup.2).sub.n --COOR.sup.1-- (1-I)Compounds represented by the general formula (2-I) or physiologically acceptable salts thereof: ##STR1## The compounds according to the present invention exhibit extremely high ability to bind RARs and are effective for treating various kind of diseases such as abnormality in cornification and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor has a piezoelectric element driven by application of a voltage thereto to undergo expansion and contraction. A vibrating body is vibrationally driven by the expansion and contraction movement of the piezoelectric element to thereby produce standing waves. A moving body is frictionally driven by the standing waves of the vibrating body. Power transmission projections apply a frictional force to the moving body to thereby frictionally drive the moving body in accordance with the standing waves. The power transmission projections are disposed only every preselected number of wavelengths at intermediate positions between loops and nodes of the standing waves, the preselected number being a natural number.

Abstract: Provision of a disc transfer apparatus for a disc player, which is free from damage to disc, small in size and simple in construction. A push-back member and a main push member are rockably mounted on one side of the passage of disc, and a disc guide is provided on the other side of the passage of the disc. The push-back member and the main push member are coupled together by a cam mechanism, and the push-back member is reciprocally driven by a driving means. The disc is transferred to a playing portion by pushing its edge with the main push member, and is transferred from the playing portion toward a disc insertion slot by pushing its edge with the push-basc member.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula and compounds of the formula ##STR1## or their salts have the potent ability to bind to retinoic acid receptors thus useful in treating psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## and compounds of the formula ##STR2## or their salts have the potent ability to bind to retinoic acid receptors thus useful in treating psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: A post-processing apparatus of a digital image forming apparatus includes first and second bins for storing recorded matter which was output from the digital image forming apparatus and distributed to the respective bins based on image information data such as the name of data contained in the image information relating to the recorded matter. Each of the first and second bins has a display device for displaying the image information data corresponding to recorded matter to be stored in the respective bins, such as the sender of facsimile, the name of data and the name of client who output the data. By displaying on the bins the image information data belonging to the recorded matter, such as the sender of facsimile, the name of data and the name of client who output the data, the operator can easily find the target recorded matter.

Abstract: Structure is provided to efficiently discharge sheets outputted from an image forming apparatus to a plurality of bins. In a copier, for an original supplied from a document feeder, an image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet supplied from a sheet feeder, and the sheet is discharged through a sheet discharging port. A sheet outputting apparatus receives discharged sheets through a sheet receiving port. In accordance with information of a job relating to the sheets copied supplied through an operation panel, a control unit causes the sheets to be distributed to be discharged to a plurality of bins. The number of acceptable sheets to each bin is detected by a detecting device. A control unit controls discharge of sheets to that the number of bins is a minimum, so that discharge to bins is easily conducted in a subsequent copying job.

Abstract: To provide a compound which exhibits a serotonin antagonism and an acetylcholine release accelerating activity at a well-balanced activity ratio. An aminobenzoic acid derivative represented by the general formula (I) or (II) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof: ##STR1## ?wherein R.sup.1 represents a group represented by the formula: ##STR2## {wherein A represents a group represented by formula --CH.sub.2 --X--CH.sub.2 -- (wherein X represents O, >N--R.sup.6 or>CHR.sup.7 (wherein R.sup.6 represents lower alkyl and R.sup.7 represents hydrogen or lower alkoxy)), etc.; D and E each represents a group represented by formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --, etc., and R.sup.2 represents lower alkyl, etc.}; R.sup.9 represents alkynyl; R.sup.10 represents amino, etc-; R.sup.11 represents halogen; R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 each represent lower alkyl; a is an integer of 1 to 5; and b is an integer of 0 to 5!.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic agent for fundamentally preventing, treating or ameliorating dermatosis, such as, non-infectious dermatosis, which include psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. The therapeutic agent comprises a glycerol derivative represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein A is a group represented by the formula: ##STR2## or single bond; R.sup.1 is a group represented by the formula: ##STR3## wherein R.sup.2 is a methoxyphenyl group or methyl group, X is an atom or atomic group which may become an anionor a group represented by the formula: ##STR4## or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.