Abstract: A thin flat heat pipe capable of transporting heat even if it is bent is provided. The flat heat pipe comprises: a working fluid to be evaporated when heated and to be condensed when the heat dissipates; and a wick, which is formed by bundling a plurality of thin wires while twisting along a center axis thereof, and which is adapted to create a capillary pressure for returning the liquid phase working fluid to a portion where evaporation takes place. The wick is arranged over the entire length of the flat container while being in contact with both upper and lower inner faces of the container or with an inner side face of the container in a manner such that an inner space of the container for letting through an evaporated working fluid is not closed, and a contact portion between the wick and the container is fixed by sintering over the entire length of the wick.

Abstract: A maintenance/inspection support apparatus including an inspection information storage section storing inspection information of a plurality of equipments serving as maintenance/inspection targets, an inspection information write section for writing, in a noncontact manner, the inspection information stored in the inspection information storage section on a plurality of information recording media corresponding to the plurality of equipments, an inspection information read section for reading, in a noncontact manner, the inspection information written on the information recording media by the inspection information write section, and a display section for displaying the inspection information read by the inspection information read section.

Abstract: An interchangeable lens camera system including a camera body and a lens detachably attached to the camera body. A camera-side control unit is disposed in the camera body and produces a control command. A lens-side control unit is disposed in the lens unit and produces status information indicating a plurality of functions in the lens unit. A communication unit transmits the control command outputted from said camera-side control unit to the lens-side control unit and transmits back the status information from the lens-side control unit to the camera. The lens-side control unit transmits a controllable function and an uncontrollable function to the camera-side control unit at the time of initial communication between the camera-side control unit and the lens-side control unit.

Abstract: In an ink-jet printing apparatus, upon turning on the power source of the printing apparatus, a stirring operation of ink in the main tank is performed for a given period of time, and during subsequent printing operation, the stirring operation in the main tank is performed for the given period at every predetermined elapsed time period. By this, the printing operation for a long period can be performed employing ink having a water insoluble dye without causing a problem of admixing of bubble or so forth caused by stirring of the ink in the main tank.

Abstract: In an ink-jet printing apparatus, upon ON-set of power source of the printing apparatus, stirring operation of ink in the main tank is performed for a given period of time, during subsequent printing operation, the stirring operation in the main tank is performed for the given period per over predetermined elapsed time T0. By this, printing operation for a long period can be performed employing ink having water insoluble dye without causing a problem of admixing of bubble or so forth to be caused by stirring of the ink in the main tank.

Abstract: This invention is a maintenance/inspection support apparatus including an inspection information storage section storing inspection information of a plurality of equipments serving as maintenance/inspection targets, an inspection information write section for writing, in a noncontact manner, the inspection information stored in the inspection information storage section on a plurality of information recording media corresponding to the plurality of equipments, an inspection information read section for reading, in a noncontact manner, the inspection information written on the information recording media by the inspection information write section, and a display section for displaying the inspection information read by the inspection information read section.

Abstract: This invention is a maintenance/inspection support apparatus including an inspection information storage section storing inspection information of a plurality of equipments serving as maintenance/inspection targets, an inspection information write section for writing, in a noncontact manner, the inspection information stored in the inspection information storage section on a plurality of information recording media corresponding to the plurality of equipments, an inspection information read section for reading, in a noncontact manner, the inspection information written on the information recording media by the inspection information write section, and a display section for displaying the inspection information read by the inspection information read section.

Abstract: An adapter device for an interchangeable lens of a camera having a signal conversion circuit for converting an automatic exposure control signal generated from the output from a video signal processing circuit of a video camera which is capable of performing an automatic exposure control into an automatic exposure control signal which is adapted to an interchangeable lens system for a still camera capable of performing an automatic exposure control.

Abstract: A camera system, which controls the function of a lens assembly on the basis of control information serially transmitted from a camera assembly, is provided with a communication circuit which effects communication of the control information and which is capable of changing the number of communication words associated with the communication, and a circuit for transmitting, if the number of communication words is changed, the changed number of communication words from the camera assembly to the lens assembly.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus, such as an ink-jet printing apparatus includes a blade for wiping a surface of a liquid ejecting head for ejecting a liquid and a device for cleaning the blade with achieving expansion of life and permitting efficient process. The apparatus achieves reduction of frequency of scrubbing contact between the blade and the liquid ejecting surface and high efficiency in recovery process associated with wiping operation and so forth. Also, by providing a washing liquid for the blade upon termination of printing, the blade may be maintained in sufficiently wetted condition.

Abstract: A video camera is provided with a detection circuit for detecting a state in which an interchangeable lens is mounted and a control circuit for stopping recording when the detection circuit detects that the interchangeable lens has not been mounted.

Abstract: The invention seeks to reduce amount of image data without detracting from picture quality, thereby lowering processing speed and holding down memory cost. While preserving the density of color image data, a computer compresses the color image data, which has been outputted by an image scanner, to a prescribed number of colors on the basis of the colors of inks. An image processor binarizes the results of compression, while preserving density, on the basis of ink colors. A main unit repeatedly prints a basic image, which is represented by the binarized image data, on cloth supplied from a supply unit.

Abstract: In an ink-jet printing apparatus, upon turning on the power source of the printing apparatus, a stirring operation of ink in the main tank is performed for a given period of time, and during sequent printing operation, the stirring operation in the main tank is performed for the give period at every predetermined elapsed time. By this, the printing operation for a long period can be performed employing ink having a water insoluble dye without causing a problem of admixing of bubble or so forth caused by stirring of the ink in the main tank.

Abstract: In an ink remaining amount checking routine to be performed at every one line of printing, when a flag indicative of the ink amount in a sub-tank less than or equal to a predetermined amount, an alarm is generated. Also, while the flag is set, predetermined number of lines capable of printing is performed. Thereafter, ink is supplied. By this, operator may check alarm for ink supply and perform ink supply at a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an upper print head unit and a lower print head unit that print plural printing areas in order on a printing medium. The image forming apparatus defers printing, as long as the image data corresponding to the areas to be printed are not transferred from a host apparatus, and begins printing when the image data are transferred from the host apparatus. The image forming apparatus can thus print an unfixed length of continuous image without monopolizing the host apparatus.

Abstract: This invention discloses an interchangeable lens type video camera for deciding lens specifications on a camera side and changing control data transmitted from the camera side to a lens unit in accordance with specifications of the lens unit, thereby performing optimal control. A video camera is also disclosed in which an adapter for mounting a lens unit on the video camera is arranged, and control data outputted from the video camera side to the lens unit is corrected in accordance with lens characteristics, thereby performing the same operation as in a case wherein a video camera lens is mounted on the video camera.

Abstract: An ink-jet printing apparatus, having a first printing head at an upper position with respect to a cloth-conveying direction and a second printing head at a lower position with respect to the cloth-conveying direction, scans the printing heads in a direction orthogonal to the cloth-conveying direction. An image printed by the first printing head is complemented by the second printing head. If a stop of printing is instructed during the printing by the first printing head, the printing by the first printing head is stopped, and printing by the second printing head is continued until the position of the image printed by the first printing head is printed by the second printing head. In this manner, a printed image completed to the end of the image can be obtained.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer for printing an imaging using an ink-jet head has a heater for holding the temperature of the ink-jet head above a predetermined temperature. The temperature of the ink-jet head is held above the predetermined temperature at the time of a recording operation. When the recording operation ends, elapsed time from the end of recording is measured and, when elapsed time attains a predetermined time, current fed to the header is stopped. From this point onward, the temperature of the ink-jet head is held at a temperature below that which prevails at the time of recording until the next recording operation begins.

Abstract: A data transfer system includes first and second microprocessors, each having a data input portion, a data output portion, and a data transfer control signal input/output portion to input or output a data transfer request signal for requesting permission for transfer of data or a data transfer permission signal representing the permission for transfer of data. A first data transfer path connects the data output portion of the first microprocessor with the data input portion of the second microprocessor. A second data transfer path connects the data output portion of the second microprocessor with the data input portion of the first microprocessor. A data transfer control signal transmitting path connects the data transfer control signal input/output portion of the first microprocessor with the data transfer control signal input/output portion of the second microprocessor to feed the data transfer request signal or the data transfer permission signal between the microprocessors.

Abstract: A camera system, which control the function of a lens assembly on the basis of control information serially transmitted from a camera assembly, is provided with a communication circuit which effects communication of the control information and which is capable of changing the number of communication words associated with the communication, and a circuit for transmitting, if the number of communication words is changed, the changed number of communication words from the camera assembly to the lens assembly.