Abstract: In a micro electro discharge machining method and apparatus, the shapes of minute holes are transferred to a tool electrode through a plate electrode serving as an intermediate electrode, and a workpiece is machined using the tool electrode. As a result, the time for machining is reduced. During the electro discharge machining process, the relative distance between the tool electrode and the plate electrode or the workpiece is changed at a prescribed frequency and discharge pulse output is controlled in synchronization with the change in the relative distance between the tool electrode and the plate electrode or the workpiece, so that high precision machining is enabled.

Abstract: An electrode discharge machining apparatus includes a first holder for holding a workpiece to be subjected to electro discharge machining, an electrode provided opposing the workpiece held by the first holder, a capacitor for supplying electric charge to the electrode and the workpiece so as to generate pulse electro discharge between the workpiece and the electrode, a power source for applying a voltage to the capacitor, a switching element provided between the capacitor, and at least one of the electrode, the workpiece and the power source, a switch controller for controlling on and off of the switching element, a current detecting element for detecting a current flowing between the workpiece and the electrode, and a control unit for, based on the current detected by the current detecting element, judging whether or not a short circuit occurs between the workpiece and the electrode.

Abstract: There is provided an optical package substrate and a molding method therefor, which provides for easy production, easy mounting of optical elements such as photodiodes and lasers, good functionality, productivity, and economy, as well as an optical device incorporating the package substrate. On the surface of an optical package substrate 11, a guide groove 12 used for the positioning of an optical fiber and a tapered face 13 adjoining the guide groove 12 are provided, the tapered face 13 being formed so as to have a predetermined angle. A mirror 17 for reflecting light is formed on the tapered face 13. An optical fiber 15 is affixed in the guide groove 12. Above the tapered face 13 is mounted a surface reception type photodiode 16, which is placed in a position for receiving light deflected by the mirror 17 provided on the tapered face 13.

Abstract: Although press formation is a process capable of mass-producing components of the same shape at low cost, conventional die processing using a microgrinder has a poor applicability because it can only do as much as molding V grooves for guiding optical fibers. Microdischarge machining is employed to obtain a die that has been difficult to obtain with a grinding process using a microgrinder, and an optical package substrate is produced by press formation using such a die. Thus, an optical fiber, an optical waveguide, a lens, an isolator, an optical filter and a light receiving/emitting element can be mounted by passive alignment, whereby optical devices and optical modules with multiple functions can be mass-produced at low cost.

Abstract: An electro discharge machining apparatus comprises a first holder for holding a workpiece to be subjected to electro discharge machining, an electrode provided opposing the workpiece held by the first holder, a capacitor for supplying electric charge to the electrode and the workpiece so as to generate pulse electro discharge between the workpiece and the electrode, a power source for applying a voltage to the capacitor, a switching element provided between the capacitor, and at least one of the electrode, the workpiece and the power source, a switch controller for controlling on and off of the switching element, a current detecting element for detecting a current flowing between the workpiece and the electrode, and a control unit for, based on the current detected by the current detecting element, judging whether or not a short circuit occurs between the workpiece and the electrode.

Abstract: In a micro electro discharge machining method and apparatus, the shapes of minute holes are transferred to a tool electrode through a plate electrode serving as an intermediate electrode, and a workpiece is machined using the tool electrode. As a result, the time for machining is reduced. During the electro discharge machining process, the relative distance between the tool electrode and the plate electrode or the workpiece is changed at a prescribed frequency and discharge pulse output is controlled in synchronization with the change in the relative distance between the tool electrode and the plate electrode or the workpiece, so that high precision machining is enabled.

Abstract: A storage medium stores software and management software for managing the software. The management software comprises the step of restoring and changing a management state of the software.

Abstract: The present invention provides a management apparatus comprising a storing part adapted to control restriction of use of software and including a storage area for storing type information representing type of the restriction of use of software and a storage area for storing information representing the restriction of use, a software storing part for storing software corresponding to the storing part, and a device for altering contents of the storing part on the basis of the use of the software corresponding to the storing part.

Abstract: A remote surgery supporting system and a method thereof produces a presentation of realism control data generated by realism control data generating means 101 from image data obtained from work environment data detecting means 104 and measurement data processing means 118 and from force and proximity data. While viewing this presentation, the surgical operator inputs actions through action command inputting means 114 and thereafter, diseased tissue manipulating means 102 executes a procedure on diseased part 125. The manipulation force of each surgical operator received from manipulation command generating means 103 and force reflection from the diseased part 125 are combined and presented to the action command inputting means 114. Thereby, a plurality of surgical operators can perform a surgerical operation while viewing the realism control data and sensing the manipulation force of other surgical operators and the force reflection from the diseased part.

Abstract: This invention provides highly thermally stable trehalose phosphorylases. The trehalose phosphorylases of the present invention can be obtained from cultured mixture of microorganisms and are highly thermally stable, and produce .alpha.-D-glucose 1-phosphate and D-glucose by an action on trehalose and an inorganic phosphoric acid or salt thereof, or trehalose by an action on .alpha.-D-glucose 1-phosphate and D-glucose. This invention also relates to the process for the preparation of trehalose phosphorylase, and trehalose or .alpha.-D-glucose 1-phosphate with said trehalose phosphorylase.

Abstract: A process for producing trehalose from inexpensive saccharide raw materials via an enzymic method uses stable enzymes with high productivity. The process includes incubating a saccharide raw material and an inorganic phosphoric acid and/or a salt thereof in the presence of phosphorylase to produce .alpha.-glucose 1-phosphate, and contacting the produced .alpha.-glucose 1-phosphate with glucose in the presence of a trehalose phosphorylase to produce trehalose. The isolation and purification of trehalose is easier in comparison to conventional fermentation methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is nitrogen-containing polysaccharide substantially free of units having a molecular weight below about 5,000, said nitrogen-containing polysaccharide having been extracted from Coriolus versicolor (Fr.) Quel., substantially all polymer units having a molecular weight below about 5,000 having been removed therefrom, which exhibits antitumor and immunological activity.