Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an image sensor and an offset adjusting circuit for generating an offset-counterbalancing signal in different levels. The level is selected in accordance with an offset in an image signal. The offset is adjusted by adding an offset-counterbalancing signal to the image signal to output an offset-adjusted image signal. Sample clock signals are generated in different phases. A signal sampling circuit samples the offset-adjusted image signal to output a sampled image signal. A peak value detector detects peak black and peak white values in the sampled image signal upon reading reference black and reference white images.

Abstract: A ventilator (10) comprises an air sheet (11) including a cushion member (13) configured in conformity to a seat (9) and having a number of air passage formed therein which allows an air to flow therethrough, and a non-permeable seat-like member (14) mounted to cover substantially the entire surface of the cushion memeber (13) and having permeable sections (15A, 15B) which provide a communication between the cushion member (13) and the exterior formed at given locations (A1, A2) on the front surface, and a hose (12) connected to the air sheet (11) for introducing an air at a given temperature from an air conditioner into the cushion member (13). The air sheet (11) is detachably mounted on a seat (9).

Abstract: A lower layer 10 formed by a non-permeable member, a permeable layer 11 formed by a permeable material which is adhesively secured to the upper surface of the lower layer 10, and an upper layer 12 mounted on the upper surface of the permeable layer 11 and having a permeable section 14 formed therein which provides a communication between the permeable layer 11 and an exterior are disposed toward a front surface of a vehicle seat 2. The vehicle seat 2 is provided with an air inlet port 15 through which an external air is introduced into the permeable layer 11. A hose 20 connects between the air inlet port 15 and an air discharge port 3A of an air conditioner 3. As the air conditioner 3 is operated to introduce part of the air which is delivered from the air discharge port 3A into the permeable layer 11, the air flows in contact with part of the body of a user which is disposed in contact with the permeable section 14.

Abstract: A catalyst for and method of purifying an exhaust gas to thereby remove nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons from an oxygen rich exhaust gas containing same, comprising a zeolite having (i) manganese, (ii) cobalt and palladium, or (iii) cobalt and silver contained therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel polyimide precursor having an aromatic polyamide ester structure containing amido groups and carboxylic acid ester groups composed of carboxylic groups and organic groups bonded thereto by ester linkage, wherein the ester groups comprise 20 to 80 mole %, based on the total molar amount of the ester groups, of groups each independently selected from the group consisting of a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an isopropyl group and an allyl group and 20 to 80 mole %, based on the total molar amount of the ester groups, of organic groups each independently selected from organic groups having 4 to 11 carbon atoms and containing a terminal ethylenic double bond.