Abstract: A rotating field sensor includes four detection circuits each of which generates an output signal responsive to the direction of a rotating magnetic field, and an angle calculation unit configured to calculate four angle values in correspondence to four groups each consisting of two detection circuits selected from the four detection circuits. The angle calculation unit calculates each of the four angle values on the basis of two output signals of the two detection circuits constituting a corresponding one of the four groups.

Abstract: A rotating field sensor includes four detection circuits and a computing unit. In the computing unit, defined are four first detection circuit groups each consisting of three detection circuits. Further, defined in each first detection circuit group are three second detection circuit groups each consisting of two detection circuits. The computing unit calculates an angle value for each of all the second detection circuit groups on the basis of the output signals of the two detection circuits, extracts one or more normal first detection circuit groups each of which is such one that all three angle values corresponding to the three second detection circuit groups fall within an angle range of a predetermined breadth, and determines an angle detection value on the basis of at least one of all angle values corresponding to all second detection circuit groups belonging to the one or more normal first detection circuit groups.

Abstract: A first, a second, and a third computing circuit respectively generate a first post-computation signal with a second harmonic component reduced as compared with first and second signals, a second post-computation signal with the second harmonic component reduced as compared with third and fourth signals, and a third post-computation signal with the second harmonic component reduced as compared with fifth and sixth signals. A fourth and a fifth computing circuit respectively generate a fourth post-computation signal with a third harmonic component reduced as compared with the first and second post-computation signals, and a fifth post-computation signal with the third harmonic component reduced as compared with the second and third post-computation signals. A sixth computing circuit determines a detected angle value based on the fourth and fifth post-computation signals.

Abstract: A rotating field sensor includes four detection circuits and a computing unit. In the computing unit, defined are four first detection circuit groups each consisting of three detection circuits. Further, defined in each first detection circuit group are three second detection circuit groups each consisting of two detection circuits. The computing unit calculates an angle value for each of all the second detection circuit groups on the basis of the output signals of the two detection circuits, extracts one or more normal first detection circuit groups each of which is such one that all three angle values corresponding to the three second detection circuit groups fall within an angle range of a predetermined breadth, and determines an angle detection value on the basis of at least one of all angle values corresponding to all second detection circuit groups belonging to the one or more normal first detection circuit groups.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes the following elements. An apparatus body implements plural functions including an image reading function, an image forming function, and a display function in accordance with operations requested by a user. A controller controls first, second, and third power states. An obtaining unit obtains information concerning paper. A first control unit controls the plural functions so that, when the plural functions are returned from the third to the second power state, the display function is returned to the second power state without being synchronized with the other functions and an operation requested by the user is received before the other functions are returned to the second power state. A second control unit controls the other functions so that, if the image forming function is required for executing an operation requested by the user, the operation is executed after the obtaining unit obtains the information concerning paper.

Abstract: A rotating field sensor includes four detection circuits each of which generates an output signal responsive to the direction of a rotating magnetic field, and an angle calculation unit configured to calculate four angle values in correspondence to four groups each consisting of two detection circuits selected from the four detection circuits. The angle calculation unit calculates each of the four angle values on the basis of two output signals of the two detection circuits constituting a corresponding one of the four groups.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus including a mode switching unit that selectively switches a mode between a rapid heating mode and a heat accumulating mode in a fixing unit, a receiving unit that receives an image formation request received from the outside, an extracting unit that extracts mode switching determination information at the earliest from the image formation request received by the receiving unit, a selecting unit that selects the mode based on the mode switching determination information extracted by the extracting unit, specifications of the fixing device, and a current temperature, and a switching control unit that controls the mode switching unit based on the mode selected by the selecting unit to switch the mode to the rapid heating mode or the heat accumulating mode.

Abstract: A first, a second, and a third computing circuit respectively generate a first post-computation signal with a second harmonic component reduced as compared with first and second signals, a second post-computation signal with the second harmonic component reduced as compared with third and fourth signals, and a third post-computation signal with the second harmonic component reduced as compared with fifth and sixth signals. A fourth and a fifth computing circuit respectively generate a fourth post-computation signal with a third harmonic component reduced as compared with the first and second post-computation signals, and a fifth post-computation signal with the third harmonic component reduced as compared with the second and third post-computation signals. A sixth computing circuit determines a detected angle value based on the fourth and fifth post-computation signals.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image forming section, a fixing section, a mode switching section that selectively switches a fixing mode between a fast heating mode and a heat accumulation mode, a selecting section that selects the fast heating mode or heat accumulation mode based on the relationship between operation expressions F1+P1×N and W+F2+P2×N, where N is the number of sheets to process, F1 is the time from instruction of processing in fast heating mode to processing start, P1 is the per-sheet processing time in fast heating mode, W is the warm-up time for the heat accumulation mode, F2 is the time from instruction of processing in heat accumulation mode to processing start, and P2 is the per-sheet processing time in heat accumulation mode, and a switching controller that controls the mode switching section to switch to the fast heating or heat accumulation mode based on the selected mode.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus including a mode switching unit that selectively switches a mode between a rapid heating mode and a heat accumulating mode in a fixing unit, a receiving unit that receives an image formation request received from the outside, an extracting unit that extracts mode switching determination information at the earliest from the image formation request received by the receiving unit, a selecting unit that selects the mode based on the mode switching determination information extracted by the extracting unit, specifications of the fixing device, and a current temperature, and a switching control unit that controls the mode switching unit based on the mode selected by the selecting unit to switch the mode to the rapid heating mode or the heat accumulating mode.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image forming section, a fixing section, a mode switching section that selectively switches a fixing mode between a fast heating mode and a heat accumulation mode, a selecting section that selects the fast heating mode or heat accumulation mode based on the relationship between operation expressions F1+P1×N and W+F2+P2×N, where N is the number of sheets to process, F1 is the time from instruction of processing in fast heating mode to processing start, P1 is the per-sheet processing time in fast heating mode, W is the warm-up time for the heat accumulation mode, F2 is the time from instruction of processing in heat accumulation mode to processing start, and P2 is the per-sheet processing time in heat accumulation mode, and a switching controller that controls the mode switching section to switch to the fast heating or heat accumulation mode based on the selected mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes the following elements. An apparatus body implements plural functions including an image reading function, an image forming function, and a display function in accordance with operations requested by a user. A controller controls first, second, and third power states. An obtaining unit obtains information concerning paper. A first control unit controls the plural functions so that, when the plural functions are returned from the third to the second power state, the display function is returned to the second power state without being synchronized with the other functions and an operation requested by the user is received before the other functions are returned to the second power state. A second control unit controls the other functions so that, if the image forming function is required for executing an operation requested by the user, the operation is executed after the obtaining unit obtains the information concerning paper.

Abstract: According to the invention, there can be provided a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell whose capacity is hardly decreased even stored at high temperatures in a charged state. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell uses an insulation adhesive tape composed of a base material and a glue material. And in an absorbance spectra of the glue material measured using an infrared spectrophotometer so that the maximum peak intensity is 5 to 20% in transmittance, when peak intensities for C—H stretching vibration of 3040 to 2835 cm?1 and C?O stretching vibration of 1870 to 1560 cm?1 are respectively defined as I(C—H) and I(C?O), a peak intensity ratio represented by I(C?O)/I(C—H) is 0.01 or less.

Abstract: A method of producing a hydrogen storage alloy, for use in alkaline storage batteries, includes two steps. A first step involves preparing alloy particles having a CaCu5-type crystal structure and the compositional formula MmNixCoyMnzM1?z, wherein M represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu), 3.0?x?5.2, 0?y?1.2, 0.1?z?0.9, and 4.4?x+y+z?5.4. A second step involves immersing the alloy particles in an acid treating solution containing a cobalt compound and a copper compound, each in the amount of 0.1 to 5.0% by weight based on the weight of the alloy particles, and an organic additive to remove oxide films from and to reductively deposit cobalt and copper on a surface of each alloy particle to form a surface region surrounding a bulk region and having a graded composition. When the sum in percentage of numbers of cobalt (Co) atoms and copper (Cu) atoms present in the surface region is given by a and that in the bulk region by b, the relationship a/b?1.

Abstract: A method of producing a hydrogen storage alloy, for use in alkaline storage batteries, includes two steps. A first step involves preparing alloy particles having a CaCu5-type crystal structure and the compositional formula MmNixCoyMnzM1−z, wherein M represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu), 3.0≦x≦5.2, 0≦y≦1.2, 0.1≦z≦0.9, and 4.4≦x+y+z≦5.4. A second step involves immersing the alloy particles in an acid treating solution containing a cobalt compound and a copper compound, each in the amount of 0.1 to 5.0% by weight based on the weight of the alloy particles, and an organic additive to remove oxide films from and to reductively deposit cobalt and copper on a surface of each alloy particle to form a surface region surrounding a bulk region and having a graded composition.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy, for use in alkaline storage batteries, having a CaCu5-type crystal structure and represented by the compositional formula MmNixCoyMnzMl-z (wherein M represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu); x is a nickel (Ni) stoichiometry and satisfies 3.0≦x≦5.2; y is a cobalt (Co) stoichiometry and satisfies 0≦y≦1.2; z is a manganese (Mn) stoichiometry and satisfies 0.1≦z≦0.9; and the sum of x, y and z satisfies 4.4≦x+y+z≦5.4). The hydrogen storage alloy includes a bulk region having a CaCu5-type crystal structure and a substantially uniform composition and a surface region surrounding said bulk region and having a graded composition. When the sum in percentage of numbers of cobalt (Co) atoms and copper (Cu) atoms present in the surface region is given by a and that in the bulk region by b, the relationship a/b≧1.3 is satisfied.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode according to this invention comprises the steps of: dissolving a particle surface of said hydrogen-absorbing alloy by a surface-treatment solution; and washing the hydrogen-absorbing alloy with the particle surface dissolved using an alkaline solution at a temperature of 30° C.˜40° C. The metal ions dissolved by the surface-treatment solution can be completely washed away by the alkaline solution so that they will not be precipitated onto the surface of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy again as the hydroxide.

Abstract: A hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode is prepared by reducing an oxide or hydroxide residing on the surface of a hydrogen-absorbing alloy particle while the alloy particle is held in an atmosphere of a hydrogen gas maintained at a temperature where absorbing of a hydrogen gas does not substantially occur; cooling the atmosphere from a temperature where absorbing of the hydrogen gas does not substantially occur to a temperature where the equilibrium hydrogen pressure of the hyrogen-absorbing alloy is equal to the hydrogen pressure in the atmosphere of the hydrogen gas and thereafter vacuum-evacuating and removing the hydrogen gas so that the hydrogen-absorbing alloy particle is cooled to room temperature while the hydrogen gas is exhausted; and thereafter introducing argon, nitrogen or carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, thereby returning the atmosphere to normal atmospheric pressure; and immersing the hydrogen-absorbing alloy particle so prepared in a solution containing an oxidation inhibiting agent.

Abstract: In the present invention, a hydrogen absorbing alloy obtained by sintering hydrogen absorbing alloy powder containing not less than 50% by weight of particles having a particle diameter of not more than 25 &mgr;m at a temperature of not more than 850° C. is used for a hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode for an alkali storage battery, and the hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode for an alkali storage battery is used as a negative electrode of the alkali storage battery.

Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode is provided which has an excellent oxygen gas absorbing capacity and further improved in charge-discharge cycle characteristics and high-rate discharge characteristics. The electrode contains a powder prepared by mixing a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder with a powder of at least one complex oxide selected from the group consisting of a ZrO2—Y2O3 solid solution, ZrO2—CaO solid solution, CeO2—Gd2O3 solid solution, CeO2—La2O3 solid solution, ThO2—Y2O3 solid solution, Bi2O3—Y2O3 solid solution, Bi2O3—Gd2O3 solid solution, Bi2O3—Nb2O3 solid solution and Bi2O3—WO3 solid solution. Preferably the electrode contains 0.1 to 10 wt. % of the complex oxide powder based on the combined amount of the two powders.