Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory device includes a substrate; a structure including a plurality of conductive layers stacked on the substrate; and a pillar arranged inside the structure and including a semiconductor layer that extends in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a first portion on a side of an upper portion of the structure, and a second portion between the first portion and the substrate. The first portion has a thickness larger than a thickness of the second portion.

Abstract: To provide an assisting method for creating an intellectual value together with information requesters. Second intellectual property management systems SLs1 to SLs3 provided in second-class licensees given sub-licenses for system use from a first-class licensee make requests for intellectual property information to a first intellectual property management system MLs provided in the first-class licensee in response to requests from user systems US1 to US3 having demands for creating intellectual properties. The first intellectual property management system MLs publishes a search result of intellectual property information, which is obtained in response to a request from a user system US4, on a browser screen customized for the first intellectual property management system MLs itself, and allows the user system US4 to browse the search result.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting and distributing sheet-like items, such as postal matter. A feeder successively feeds the sheet-like items to a stacker which is positioned above the feeder and on which the sheet-like items are stacked in an upright position. Both the feeder and the stacker have a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the stacker is normally positioned at a first distance above the bottom surface of the feeder. A bottom surface opening mechanism is able to open the bottom surface of the stacker to permit sheet-like items stacked in the stacker to be transferred to the feeder. A bottom surface moving mechanism is able to move the bottom surface of the feeder unit and the bottom surface of the stacker unit toward each other so as to position the stacker bottom surface at a second distance above the feeder bottom surface, with the second distance being less than the first distance, and is able to return the bottom surfaces to a position in which they are spaced by the first distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting and distributing sheet-like items, such as postal matter. A feeder successively feeds the sheet-like items to a stacker which is positioned above the feeder and on which the sheet-like items are stacked in an upright position. Both the feeder and the stacker have a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the stacker is normally positioned at a first distance above the bottom surface of the feeder. A bottom surface opening mechanism is able to open the bottom surface of the stacker to permit sheet-like items stacked in the stacker to be transferred to the feeder. A bottom surface moving mechanism is able to move the bottom surface of the feeder unit and the bottom surface of the stacker unit toward each other so as to position the stacker bottom surface at a second distance above the feeder bottom surface, with the second distance being less than the first distance, and is able to return the bottom surfaces to a position in which they are spaced by the first distance.

Abstract: A small-size apparatus for sorting sheets or the like can form a delivery route by repeating sorting operation and prevent an overflow of sheets or the like. To this end, auxiliary sorting compartments are provided in an accumulator in the sorting operation for the first time, and when an overflow occurs, the allocated sorting compartments are shifted each by one compartment to the side of the auxiliary sorting compartment. In the first-time sorting operation, destination codes and thicknesses are stored in memory, and by the destination codes and thicknesses stored, overflow is predicted, a plurality of sorting compartments are allocated. By this arrangement, the sheets or the like can be prevented from overflowing, so that those sheets or the like which are rejected need not be manually added afterwards, and the efficiency of the sorting work can be improved.

Abstract: A letter sorting apparatus which can perform the sorting for each letter carrier and a delivery sequence organization sorting work in accordance with bar codes. The apparatus includes a first accumulating arrangement provided above and adjacent to a supplying section and having a letter returning mechanism, and second accumulating arrangement of a fixed type provided above and adjacent to the first accumulating means. The sorting for each letter carrier by use of the first accumulating arrangement and the second accumulating arrangement is effected. Further, the delivery sequence sorting can be performed in such a manner that letters accumulated in the first accumulating arrangement are returned to the supplying section to repeat the sorting.

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting and distributing sheet-like items, such as postal matter. A feeder successively feeds the sheet-like items with the front surfaces of all the items facing in the same direction. A stacker is positioned above the feeder for stacking the sheet-like items in an upright position. As the sheet-like items are conveyed from the feeder to the stacker, a selector activates either a first reader or a second reader to read address codes applied to the front surfaces or the back surfaces of the sheet-like items. The selector selects the one of the first reader and the second reader to be activated based on which of the front surfaces and the back surfaces of the sheet like items have address codes thereon.

Abstract: A hopper for feeding documents also serves as a stacker for stacking therein documents in a generally upright position. When the fed documents or the once-stacked documents are to be fed to a singulation mechanism, the hopper or stacker is put into a feeding mode, and when the documents are to be stacked or sorted, the hopper or stacker is switched to a stacking mode. Such hoppers or stackers are arranged in a plurality of stages, and when each sorting is to be effected, addresses are read while changing the mode of each hopper or stacker to repeat the sorting, so that the documents are sequenced by a radix sort method.

Abstract: A small-size apparatus for sorting sheets or the like can form a delivery route by repeating sorting operation and prevent an overflow of sheets or the like. To this end, auxiliary sorting compartments are provided in accumulating means in the sorting operation for the first time, and when an overflow occurs, the allocated sorting compartments are shifted each by one compartment to the side of the auxiliary sorting compartment. In the first-time sorting operation, destination codes 15 and thicknesses are stored in memory, and by the destination codes and thicknesses stored, overflow is predicted, a plurality of sorting compartments are allocated. By this arrangement, the sheets or the like can be prevented from overflowing, so that those sheets or the like which are rejected need not be manually added afterwards, and the efficiency of the sorting work can be improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sorter system wherein sorters that can perform sorting operations such as destination and delivery sorting operations and sequencing operations such as a carrier route sequencing operation for sheets with sorting information attached thereto as required can be configured. Transfer devices are coupled to sorting information readers means for reading sorting information from sheets transferred by transfer devices. A plurality of sorters for loading the sheets therein according to the sorting information read by the sorting information readers are coupled to the transfer devices in such a way that any number of sorters can be added or removed from said sorters as required. This invention can provide a sorter system capable of expanding sorting and sequencing functions, and also reduce costs and a required installation space.

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting sheets or the like, in which mail distributed to a number of collection sections can be easily recycled to a feeder for sorting the mail in accordance with the delivery order. Stackers, in which mail is sorted in accordance with address codes, are provided on an upper portion of the feeder. By pulling out a bottom plate of the stackers, the mail in the stackers falls down into the feeder. The mail distributed once can be recycled to the feeder in a short period of time, thereby reducing the time for carrier route sequencing of the mail. The mail is conveyed in a path extending both above and below the feeder and the stackers, thereby reducing the area required for the apparatus.

Abstract: A smal-size apparatus for sorting sheets or the like can form a delivery route by repeating sorting operation and prevent an overflow of sheets or the like. To this end, auxiliary sorting compartments are provided in an accumulator means in the sorting operation for the first time, and when an overflow occurs, the allocated sorting compartments are shifted each by one compartment to the side of the auxiliary sorting compartment. In the first-time sorting operation, destination codes and thicknesses are stored in memory, and by the destination codes and thicknesses stored, overflow is predicted, a plurality of sorting compartments are allocated. By this arrangement, the sheets or the like can be prevented from overflowing, so that those sheets or the like which are rejected need not be manually added afterwards, and the efficiency of the sorting work can be improved.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting sheet-like items, in which the items, which are to be sorted to plural collecting sections, can be easily recycled to a feeder for sorting the items in multiple sorts in accordance with a desired sorting order or sequence. A stacker is provided on an upper portion of feeder. By pulling out a bottom plate of the stacker, the once sorted items in the stacker are caused to fall down into the feeder. The items can thus be rapidly recycled to the feeder for another sort, thereby reducing the time required for complete sorting or sequencing of the mail.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image processing system is disclosed, in which there are provided a first conveyance passage including conveying rollers for conveying a medium having a nature that the volume thereof expands when heated, a stereoscopic image output device including a heating head and a roller for pressing the medium against the heating head so as to heat the medium thereby to form a stereoscopic image, and an information processing control section for processing information of respective parts of the processing system and controlling operation thereof.

Abstract: When sheets are taken into a machine or discharged from the machine, characteristics of these sheets such as letters or symbols of these sheets are read by a sheet characteristics reading unit. A result of reading the characteristics is stored in a storage unit. When characteristics of a sheet are not able to be read at the time of accommodating sheets, this sheet is returned and only sheets of which characteristics have been able to be read are taken into the machine. Sheets of which characteristics are not able to be read at the time of discharging sheets are specified by a unit for specifying sheets of which characteristics can not be read. By this arrangement, each sheet in the machine is always managed.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image forming method for checking pickup of a sheet on which an image is to be formed before correcting skewing of the sheet, and an image forming apparatus. This method comprises a first step of permitting a pickup roller to pick up a sheet from a sheet retaining unit and causing the leading edge of the sheet to abut against resist rollers; a second step of permitting a detecting mechanism to detect that the sheet has been picked up by the pickup roller; a third step of rotating the pickup roller by a predetermined amount according to the detection of the detecting mechanism; a fourth step of driving the resist rollers to feed the sheet and driving an image forming mechanism for forming an image on the sheet; and a fifth step of permitting the image forming mechanism to form an image on the fed sheet.

Abstract: An automatic transaction apparatus for dealing with cash or the like operates by being accessed by the user through the use of a user specific transaction medium card, which is inserted to the apparatus so that information recorded on it is read. In the event of some trouble of the apparatus, if the card cannot be ejected and returned to the user, a receipt slip of the card with information specific to the user being printed thereon is issued to the user in response to the ejection failure signal.

Abstract: A bank note handling apparatus of a circulating type utilizes bank notes deposited by customers as payable bank notes. The following devices are provided in the form of a loop in a conveying passage downstream from a paying-in and paying-out device for use in depositing or withdrawing bank notes by customers: bank note stacking devices for stacking circulated bank notes; a first discriminating device for discriminating bank notes; a bank note receiving device for receiving bank notes that are not to be circulated; a second discriminating device for discriminating bank notes; a device for properly arranging the obverse and reverse sides of bank notes; and a temporary receiving device for temporarily receiving bank notes to be deposited or withdrawn. Hence, the conveying passages for the paying-in and paying-out device and the respective stacking devices are shortened, reducing the processing time.

Abstract: An automatic cash handling system for handling cash transactions with the user using a cash card privately held by him or her. The system comprises a device for issuing a record such as a transaction statement printed with details of a transaction such as deposit, withdrawal or confirmation of balance, and a device for allowing the user to opt for or relinquish the issuance of a record. In operating the system, the user decides whether a record is to be issued or not, and if he requires one, a record issuing devices issues a record printed with transaction data. If he demands no issuance of a record, on the other hand, the transaction data is indicated on an indication device.

Abstract: At least one automaton for collectively controlling media inclusive of notes in a shop is located in a first corner, at least one automaton operated by customers is located in a second corner and at least one automaton operated by a clerk who is contacting or negotiating with a customer is located in a third corner. The automatons in individual corners are interconnected together by a sheet conveyor for aligning and conveying the media such as notes one by one. The amount of media stored in each automaton in each corner is always supervised and media are conveyed between automatons, as necessary, to effect supplementation/withdrawal of media. Furthermore, sheets are conveyed between opposed magnetic belts.