Abstract: A compact press apparatus is provided that is capable of assuring the acceptability of a pressing, and in which the pressing location tends not to be restricted. Such a press apparatus includes a frame (1, 77) and a servopress (31, 50, 60, 101). A servomotor (33, 52, 62, 103) is provided within a first frame part (11, 17, 19, 79) or within a connecting-frame part (15, 83). At least a portion of a power-transmission mechanism (40, 56, 66, 90, 110) is provided within the first frame part (15, 83).

Abstract: In a fastening method and fastening apparatus, workpieces are fastened using a fastener made of a thermoplastic polymer comprising carbon fibers. The method and apparatus involve induction heating of the carbon fibers to soften the thermoplastic polymer and then plastically deforming axial ends of the fastener using a die or dies to form first and second heads while a shaft body or a shaft part of the thermoplastic polymer comprising the carbon fibers is inserted through respective through holes formed in the workpieces.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced resin article with excellent mechanical properties can be provided efficiently in a short time. The method includes 3D printing including forming fibers and a resin by a 3D printer, and pressurizing the 3D printed article formed by the 3D printing step, in which the pressurizing is performed at a temperature at which the resin of the 3D printed article is softened, and heating to the temperature at which the resin is softened is performed by induction heating.

Abstract: A compact press apparatus is provided that is capable of assuring the acceptability of a pressing, and in which the pressing location tends not to be restricted. Such a press apparatus includes a frame (1, 77) and a servopress (31, 50, 60, 101). A servomotor (33, 52, 62, 103) is provided within a first frame part (11, 17, 19, 79) or within a connecting-frame part (15, 83). At least a portion of a power-transmission mechanism (40, 56, 66, 90, 110) is provided within the first frame part (15, 83).

Abstract: A fastening apparatus includes a fastening device (1, 3) that heats in a non-contacting state, and then applies pressure to, a shaft part (11b) or shaft body (111) while it is inserted through the through holes (W10, W20) of workpieces (W1, W2), thereby forming at least a second head part (11c) of a fastener (11). The fastening device (1, 3) includes: a fastening die (15) that forms the second head part (11c); and a shaft-part pressure-applying device (9) that applies the pressure to the fastening die (15). A determining device (5) determines whether the fastener (11) is defective or not by calculating a load curve defined by the time and the load during which the pressure was applied and then determining whether an amount of change per unit of time in the load curve after a reference load has been exceeded is within a range of a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: In a fastening method and fastening apparatus, workpieces are fastened using a fastener made of a thermoplastic polymer comprising carbon fibers. The method and apparatus involve induction heating of the carbon fibers to soften the thermoplastic polymer and then plastically deforming axial ends of the fastener using a die or dies to form first and second heads while a shaft body or a shaft part of the thermoplastic polymer comprising the carbon fibers is inserted through respective through holes formed in the workpieces.

Abstract: A fastening apparatus includes a fastening device (1, 3) that heats in a non-contacting state, and then applies pressure to, a shaft part (11b) or shaft body (111) while it is inserted through the through holes (W10, W20) of workpieces (W1, W2), thereby forming at least a second head part (11c) of a fastener (11). The fastening device (1, 3) includes: a fastening die (15) that forms the second head part (11c); and a shaft-part pressure-applying device (9) that applies the pressure to the fastening die (15). A determining device (5) determines whether the fastener (11) is defective or not by calculating a load curve defined by the time and the load during which the pressure was applied and then determining whether an amount of change per unit of time in the load curve after a reference load has been exceeded is within a range of a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus with which, in selecting one of plural processing image areas in one image, even an inexpensive display unit will not lower the convenience. An information processing part of image forming apparatus includes a division number questioning part, answer receiving part, image dividing part, key highlighting part, processing image selection part, and reporting display part. Division number questioning part makes a question about a required image division number. Answer receiving part receives an answer. Image dividing part displays image, dividing it into plural processing image areas by the required image division number answered. Key highlighting part highlights keys corresponding to processing image areas. Processing image selection part selects processing image area corresponding to a key operated, as processing object.

Abstract: A first document image is scanned from a document in a first orientation, and a second document image is scanned from the document in a second orientation different from the first orientation. A wrinkle area candidate detecting unit rotates the first document image by a rotation angle between the first and second orientations, and detects as a wrinkle area candidate an object in a predetermined density range in the rotated first document image and the second document image. A similarity degree determining unit determines a similarity degree between the wrinkle area candidate of the rotated first document image and the corresponding wrinkle area candidate of the second document image. A wrinkle area removing unit removes the wrinkle area candidate as a wrinkle area if the similarity degree falls into a predetermined range.

Abstract: A first document image is scanned from a document in a first orientation, and a second document image is scanned from the document in a second orientation different from the first orientation. A wrinkle area candidate detecting unit rotates the first document image by a rotation angle between the first and second orientations, and detects as a wrinkle area candidate an object in a predetermined density range in the rotated first document image and the second document image. A similarity degree determining unit determines a similarity degree between the wrinkle area candidate of the rotated first document image and the corresponding wrinkle area candidate of the second document image. A wrinkle area removing unit removes the wrinkle area candidate as a wrinkle area if the similarity degree falls into a predetermined range.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus with which, in selecting one of plural processing image areas in one image, even an inexpensive display unit will not lower the convenience. An information processing part of image forming apparatus includes a division number questioning part, answer receiving part, image dividing part, key highlighting part, processing image selection part, and reporting display part. Division number questioning part makes a question about a required image division number. Answer receiving part receives an answer. Image dividing part displays image, dividing it into plural processing image areas by the required image division number answered. Key highlighting part highlights keys corresponding to processing image areas. Processing image selection part selects processing image area corresponding to a key operated, as processing object.

Abstract: Authentication device performs authentication using an element group image which indicates an element group configured by arranging a plurality of elements. Authentication device transmits screen data representing an authentication screen to an accessing computer in order to display the authentication screen on a display unit of the computer, the authentication screen including the element group image, in which some or all of the plurality of elements change, a question answerable by looking at the element group image before a change and the element group image after the change and an answer entry box. The question is included in the authentication screen with at least either before or after the change of the element group image. The answer entry box is included in the authentication screen after the change of the element group image. The authentication is succeeded if the answer entered in the answer entry box is correct.

Abstract: A management computer (21) is placed in a home country, and an instructor terminal (31) and a driver terminal (32) are placed in a delivery area overseas. The management computer (21) generates screen information, displayed in a domestic language and including a delivery instruction for a package, and transmits the screen information toward the instructor terminal (31) and the driver terminal (32). The instructor terminal (31) or the like, specifies a language, to be used in an area to which a delivery destination belongs, from the address of the delivery destination included in the delivery instruction in the received screen information, and translates the screen information in the specified language, then displays it. When a display language is designated, the instructor terminal (31) or the like translates the screen information in the designated language and displays it.

Abstract: A management computer (21) is placed in a home country, and an instructor terminal (31) and a driver terminal (32) are placed in a delivery area overseas. The management computer (21) generates screen information, displayed in a domestic language and including a delivery instruction for a package, and transmits the screen information toward the instructor terminal (31) and the driver terminal (32). The instructor terminal (31) or the like, specifies a language, to be used in an area to which a delivery destination belongs, from the address of the delivery destination included in the delivery instruction in the received screen information, and translates the screen information in the specified language, then displays it. When a display language is designated, the instructor terminal (31) or the like translates the screen information in the designated language and displays it.

Abstract: When a person 55 having a portable transmitter 41 hanging from his neck happens to fall into water, the self-contained sensor detects invasion of water into the transmitter 41 to send a water-detection signal to the on board transmitter-and-receiver system 42. The engine drive control 45 is connected to the on board transmitter-and-receiver system 42A, controlling the engine 47 so as to make the boat 46 retrace the way to the accidental point at which the transmitter wearer 55 fell into water, so that the boat 46 may stop close to him on water. The transmitter-and-receiver system 42 is equipped with a GSP system, so that it may inform selected people of predetermined addresses of the time and the place at which the person fell into water via a selected local station 202 by wireless. A life-saving article such as a life belt is made to fall onto water, and a rope ladder may be hang on the side of the boat 46 to permit the person to return to the boat by climbing the rope ladder.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming an image on an image receiving medium which has first and second surfaces, a roller for conveying the image receiving medium on which the image was formed on the first surface to the image forming unit again, the roller contacts at least the first surface of the image receiving medium, and a driving mechanism for driving the roller. The apparatus further includes a detector for detecting the density of the image formed on the first surface of the image receiving medium. The driving condition of the roller by the driving mechanism is adjusted according to the image density detected by the detector.

Abstract: A paper sheet feeding apparatus includes a driving motor having a driving gear rotatable in forward and reverse directions, a first driven gear engaged with the driving gear and rotating only in the forward direction, a second driven gear having a different number of teeth than the first driven gear and rotatable only in the reverse direction, a pick-up roller, driven by rotation of the first or second driven gear, for picking up paper sheets, a paper sheet feeding roller for feeding paper sheets picked up by the pick-up roller, a separating roller for separating, one by one, paper sheets which are supplied from the paper sheet feeding roller, and a resist roller for aligning the paper sheets supplied from the paper sheet feeding roller. The speed of the paper sheet feeding apparatus can be changed in accordance with the speed of an image forming apparatus to which the paper sheet feeding apparatus is connected.

Abstract: A driving mechanism includes a timing belt stretched over a plurality of belt pulleys. The timing belt has a first surface provided with a group of teeth and a second surface provided with another group of teeth arranged with a pitch different from that of the group of teeth on the first surface. An image forming apparatus includes a driving mechanism for driving an image carrier or image forming means. The driving mechanism includes a timing belt stretched over a plurality of belt pulleys. The timing belt has a first surface provided with a group of teeth and a second surface provided with another group of teeth arranged with a pitch different from that of the group of teeth on the first surface.

Abstract: A developing-unit shifting apparatus has a photoconductive drum. A latent image corresponding to an original image is formed on the drum, and is developed by means of a first or second developing unit. These developing units are supported so that they can be associated with and disengaged from the drum. In the beginning of the copying operation, the first or second developing unit is affected so as to engage the drum. At the end of the copying operation, both these developing units are separated from the drum.

Abstract: A drive unit for a copying machine comprises a motor for driving a photoconductive drum, the developing rollers, the fixing rollers, and a cooling fan. When a copying operation takes place, the motor is rotated in the forward direction, whereby the drum and the other components are driven simultaneously. At this time, a cleaning blade is brought into contact with the drum, thereby removing residual toner therefrom. After completion of the copying operation, the cleaning blade is disengaged from the drum, and the motor is reversed. At this time, by means of a one-way clutch, only the drum is allowed to rotate in the reverse direction. After the drum is rotated reversely through a predetermined angle, only the cooling fan is allowed to operate, this being due to the action of a dog clutch.