Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming images on sheets in the copy mode, the facsimile mode, and the printer mode a plurality of storage units for storing the sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit, a setting unit for setting storage units which are to store sheets on which images are formed in the respective modes, a detection unit for detecting empty states of the storage units, and a control unit for storing sheets on which images are formed in the facsimile or printer mode in the storage units that are set by the setting unit, and storing sheets on which images are formed in the copy mode in storage units whose empty states are detected by the detection unit independently of the setting state of the setting unit.

Abstract: When ring components 4 of layers to assemble a laminated ring 3 are unloaded from a component storage facility 10, a computer 13 generates lamination combinatorial data representing a combination of ring components of layers. A target frequency distribution of circumferential length values of ring components 4 of each layer is established, and lamination combinatorial data including ring components of a class where an error of an actual inventory frequency with respect to a target frequency is large are selected in a layer where an error between the target frequency distribution and an actual inventory frequency distribution is maximum. Ring components 4 of all layers corresponding to the selected lamination combinatorial data are unloaded from the component storage facility 10.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring internal stress of a membrane formed in a reticle, including a temperature adjustment device configured to change a temperature of the membrane from a first temperature to a second temperature; a resonance frequency finding device configured to find a first resonance frequency of the membrane at the first temperature and a second resonance frequency of the membrane at the second temperature; and a stress calculating device configured to calculate the internal stress based on the first and second resonance frequencies.

Abstract: By client's selectively registering a salesperson, a support server (1) for permission marketing is provided where a salesperson whom a client approved achieves one-on-one communications with the client. When the client enters an identifying code of the salesperson in the support server (1), entry of the client is registered into a client list of the salesperson. The salesperson prepares a message addressed to a client registered in the client list file. A catch image based on a catch phrase or an image of the salesperson can be associated with the message. The prepared message to be addressed to the client is sent to the support server (1) and is stored in a message database (330). When the client accesses to the support server by using a browser, a message addressed to the client is read out, and an image for guiding a message from a salesperson whom the client approved of is displayed.

Abstract: Reticles and reticle blanks are disclosed, especially for charged-particle-beam microlithography, that include a peripheral frame and a support frame bonded to each other in a manner that substantially reduces distortion at the bonds as well as membrane distortion. The peripheral frame is bonded peripherally to the support frame in any of various manners including an anodic weld of glass and silicon (the glass containing mobile ions) and a eutectic metal silicon bond wherein the metal can be, e.g., gold, aluminum, germanium, or tin. The glass-silicon and eutectic bonds in which the metal is, e.g., gold, are also resistant to chlorine gas used for routine cleaning of the reticle. In the case of the eutectic metal bond, an intervening layer of chrome or nichrome can be applied between the metal layer and the bonding surface to enhance bonding.

Abstract: A brake device provided with a hydraulic type brake mechanism in which a piston operated by hydraulic pressure can press a friction member to a rotatable member and an electric type brake mechanism capable of pressing the friction member to the rotatable member by operation of the piston by an electric motor. Further, the brake device includes a force converting mechanism provided at the inside of the piston for converting rotation of an operating shaft connected to the electric motor into movement of the piston in an axial direction of the rotatable member, and a drive portion of the electric brake mechanism having the electric motor and an elastic member arranged substantially coaxially between a pair of opposed rotating members for transmitting rotational force of the electric motor and the operating shaft is connected attachably to and detachably from one of the rotating members.

Abstract: A rotary trowel (1) for use in the molding of ceramics (15) comprising a trowel matrix (2) and a trowel surface (3) provided on said trowel matrix (2) so as to make contact with a raw clay composition (15) and calender the raw clay composition (15), characterized in that said trowel surface (3) is formed by providing an epoxy resin composition containing an abrasion-resistant material on the inner surface of a casting mold (6).

Abstract: Reticles and reticle blanks are disclosed for performing charged-particle-beam (CPB) microlithography. The reticles typically include a rigid peripheral frame attached to a reticle portion. Such attachment can cause warping, and thus deformation, of the reticle portion. To reduce such warp, the reticle portion comprises an inner supporting part (surrounding a pattern-defining region) surrounded by an outer supporting part. Situated between the inner and outer supporting parts are multiple connecting structures. The connecting structures can have spring characteristics that collectively absorb warp. Alternatively, the connecting structures can include respective driving mechanisms. The driving mechanisms are especially adapted to cause, when electrically activated, local electrostatic attraction between a respective first conductive region (located on the outer supporting part) and a respective second conductive region (located on the inner supporting part).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for measuring stresses in specimens (e.g., reticles and reticle blanks used in charged-particle-beam microlithography) that include a membrane. The disclosed apparatus and methods provide such measurements at a higher throughput than obtainable using conventional apparatus and methods. A representative stress-measuring apparatus includes a vibration-applying device that remotely (over a distance) applies a desired vibration to the membrane of the specimen. Meanwhile, a laser light source irradiates the vibrating membrane with laser light. A light receiver receives light reflected from the membrane. Electrical signals from the light receiver are processed to convert the output from the light receiver into a respective vibration spectrum. The vibration spectrum is analyzed against standard data to ascertain a strength characteristic of the membrane.

Abstract: The disclosure presents a control method for an electric braking device which includes a brake switch, a pushing force sensor, a thrust sensor, and an electric motor which moves a pad thrust member in a direction in which the pad thrust member approaches to a rotor rotating with the vehicle wheel associated therewith, thereby performing a braking operation. In the control method, a brake target value as computed by using an output signal of the pushing force sensor is compared with a threshold value as set to a minute braking force when the brake switch is in an on state. When the brake target value is below the threshold value, the electric motor is controlled with a predetermined value as the target value, and after the brake switch is turned off, the electric motor is rotated for a predetermined time to retract the pad thrust member.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring internal stress of a membrane formed in a reticle, including a temperature adjustment device configured to change a temperature of the membrane from a first temperature to a second temperature; a resonance frequency finding device configured to find a first resonance frequency of the membrane at the first temperature and a second resonance frequency of the membrane at the second temperature; and a stress calculating device configured to calculate the internal stress based on the first and second resonance frequencies.

Abstract: A probe is provided with a thermocouple made of a joint between a first metal material and a second metal material. The first metal material is formed on the surface of a flexible plate facing a substrate, continuously from the thermocouple portion. The surface of the flexible plate facing the substrate is formed with a first wiring conductive film, which is electrically connected to the first metal material and extends over the proximal end side area of the flexible plate.

Abstract: A copying apparatus includes an original feed unit for feeding originals stacked on the stacking position to an exposure position one by one, an exposure unit for exposing an image on the original fed to the exposure position, and an image forming unit for forming the image exposed by the exposure unit onto a sheet, the image forming unit being able to operate in a first mode for forming an image on a single original on a single sheet, and a second mode for forming images on a plurality of originals on a single sheet. The original feed unit includes a first feed unit for feeding the originals stacked at the stacking position in turn from the last page, and a second feed unit for feeding the originals stacked at the stacking position in turn from the first page. When the image forming unit operates in the first mode, the first feed unit feeds the originals. When the image forming unit operates in the second mode, the second feed unit feeds the originals.

Abstract: A microcutting device incises minute samples of organisms, such as egg cells and protozoa, and the like. This device is made of a thin film plate which is formed by use of a semiconductor manufacturing technique, and has a heater in the vicinity of its cutting edge. The microcutting device is sharper than a metal-blade incision device and is suitable of mass production.

Abstract: An original reading apparatus includes an original feeding unit for feeding the front and back sides of two-side originals in succession to a reading position, a reader unit for reading the original in the reading position, a memory unit for storing the image data of the original read by the reader unit, a read-out unit adapted to read the image data from the memory unit in the continuous order of pages, in case of reading a bundle of originals wherein the pages are so arranged that a side of the original bears the images of N-th and first pages and the other side of the original bears the images of (N-1)-th and second pages, and an output unit for successively outputting or transmitting the image data read by the read-out unit.

Abstract: The electric brake including a pad clearance adjusting mechanism comprises: ignition switch detecting member for detecting that an ignition key has been switched from its off position to its on position; brake instruction detecting member; a parking brake detecting member; a brake control device; a piston position sensor; and, an electric actuator.

Abstract: When images on the front and rear sides of multiple originals are reduced in size and recorded onto both sides of a single recording sheet in composite form, recording positions of images on the front and rear sides of each original are determined such that reduced images on the front side of the original are recorded on the front side of the recording sheet and reduced images on the rear side of the same original are recorded at corresponding positions on the rear side of the recording sheet. As a result, when the recording sheet is cut into pieces corresponding to respective recorded images, images on the front and rear sides of each cut piece of the recording sheet respectively agree with images on the front and rear sides of each original.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cantilever for separately observing a temperature profile of a surface of a sample and the topography thereof. The cantilever of the present invention comprises a support, a flexible plate one end of which is supported by the support, and a probe provided at the tip of the flexible plate, in which a thermocouple is provided in the probe.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an image memory unit for storing image information, an image rotation unit for applying predetermined rotation to the image information read from the image memory unit, an image forming unit for forming an image on an output medium based on the image information derived directly from the image memory unit or by the image rotation unit, and a control unit for controlling the rotation of the image by the image rotation unit such that a staple position of the output medium formed by the image forming unit comes to a predetermined position.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine, capable of various image forming modes. The image forming mode can be selected by feeding a mode registration format sheet into the apparatus. The format sheet can be a marking sheet, on which the operator can designate the desired image forming mode, and can be printed by the image forming apparatus itself in response to an instruction by the operator, so that the format sheet need not be prepared elsewhere in advance. Also the content of the format sheet, printed by the image forming apparatus, is varied according to the available copying modes, depending on the connection status of external processing units such as document feeder and sorter to the image forming apparatus.