Abstract: Inputting a profile of a user; detecting a current position of the user; previously recording service information on shops or the like in a recording device associated with the current position of the user and the profile of the user; and retrieving and selecting the service information on the shops or the like recorded in the recording device according to the inputted profile and the detected current position of the user to notify the user permit providing appropriate service information required by the user to the user by a push type information notification system.

Abstract: An information intermediary apparatus for communicating through a communication network with an information management apparatus having user information stored therein, the information intermediary apparatus, which includes: a first communication section for establishing communication through the communication network with the information management apparatus; a second communication section for communicating with a portable communication apparatus having identification information for identifying a user; an identification information-obtaining section, connected with said second communication section, for obtaining said identification information from said portable communication apparatus through said second communication section; a user information input unit, connected with said first communication section, for inputting user information for the user of the portable communication apparatus; and a data-identifying section, connected with said identification information-obtaining section and said user informa

Abstract: An order accept machine 1 accepts digital image data and order information and transfers the thus-accepted digital image and order information to an image printer 3. The order acceptance machine 1 is disposed at, for example, a shop. The image printer 3 is a printer capable of printing high-quality photo-prints from digital image data at high speed. The image printer 3 is to be installed in a large-scale DPE shop (a shop offering both development and reprint services) or a laboratory. A voucher printer 2 prints a voucher representing details of a print order. The voucher printer 2 has the function of printing details of an order and ordered thumbnail images.

Abstract: An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus is provided that includes a recording and/or reproducing device, a transportation device, a power source, and a controller. The recording and/or reproducing device records and/or reproduces information from an information medium, and the transportation device transports the information medium along a transportation path between a loading area and the recording and/or reproducing device. The power source supplies power to the transportation device, and the transportation device imparts a first load on the power source when the transportation device transports the information medium along a first portion of the transportation path. Also, the transportation device imparts a second load on the power source when the transportation device transports the information medium along a second portion of the transportation path.

Abstract: A clamping device consists of a disk table for setting thereon a disk-like recording medium bearing recorded information, and a clamper which cooperates with the disk table to hold the recording medium therebetween. At least one of the disk table and the damper is formed of polypropylene at where to contact with the recording medium. If a special disk, which has a high-temperature softening film on its label surface, is clamped under high temperature conditions for a long time, and the film softens and thereafter re-solidifies as the temperature lowers, a smooth release of the recording medium is attained.

Abstract: The feed mechanism has a lead screw 11, a pickup assembly 12, an engagement piece 13, and a restrictor piece 14, a compressed coil spring 15, and a bearing portion 16. The engagement piece 13 has a thread portion 41 engaged with a screw groove 23 of the lead screw 11. The engagement piece 13 moves along the lead screw 11 and can come close to and off from the lead screw 11. The pickup assembly 12 moves together with the engagement piece 13. The restrictor piece 14 prevents the engagement piece 13 from disengaging from the lead screw 11, except when the screw groove 23 moves apart from the thread portion 41. The compressed coil spring 15 urges the engagement piece 13 toward the lead screw 11. The bearing portion 16 rotatively supports the lead screw 11 and allows the lead screw 11 to move apart from the engagement piece 13 when the engagement piece 13 has reached an end thereof.

Abstract: An optical pickup feed device for feeding an optical pickup in a radial direction of an optical disc, includes guide rods enabling the optical pickup to move in a predetermined radial direction of an optical disc, and a driving system for producing a driving force to the optical pickup. The driving system comprises: a feed screw arranged in parallel with a direction in which the optical pickup moves, and is rotatable by a driving force from a driving motor; a nut engaging on the feed screw for moving the optical pickup, said nut including an engaging portion engageable with the feed screw and a bank portion provided on either side of the engaging portion, said bank portion being protruding toward the feed screw.

Abstract: White balance control for a video camera is strongly influenced by remarkably change of brightness level, color of an object and photographing conditions. An automatic white balance control device according to the present invention for a video camera can control white balance by controlling timming of outputing control signals for controlling gains of amplifiers for control white balance and changing signal process of a picture image in accordance with a percentage of white color shared in the picture image.

Abstract: White balance control for a video camera is strongly influenced by remarkably change of brightness level, color of an object and photographing conditions. An automatic white balance control device according to the present invention for a video camera can control white balance by controlling timming of outputing control signals for controlling gains of amplifiers for control white balance and changing signal process of a picture image in accordance with a percentage of white color shared in the picture image.

Abstract: In finish annealing process for a grain-oriented electrical steel strip or sheet, an improvement is disclosed which comprises coating the grain-oriented electrical steel strip or sheet with an annealing separator having a water content adjusted to not more than 10%, drying the coated strip or sheet, forming it into a strip coil, and finish annealing the strip coil within the inner cover of an annealing furnace while controlling the pressure of the gas atmosphere within the inner cover.

Abstract: A method for producing high magnetic flux density grain oriented electrical steel sheets or strips having a B.sub.8 characteristic in the rolling direction of not less than 1.9 Wb/m.sup.2 by hot rolling, continuous annealing for precipitation of the AlN, cold rolling into the final thickness, decarburization annealing, and finishing annealing. The cold rolling includes a final rolling at a strong reduction between 81 and 95%.