Abstract: A method for inspecting a droplet discharge head includes discharging a plurality of droplets on an inspection workpiece from a nozzle row of the droplet discharge head at least twice in different positions on the inspection workpiece thereby forming a plurality of dot pattern rows each including a plurality of dot patterns, inspecting each of the dot patterns included in a first dot pattern row among the dot pattern rows by sequentially acquiring, using an image processing, a predetermined inspection value of the each of the dot patterns determined based on a shape of the each of the dot patterns, and initiating inspection of a second dot pattern row among the dot pattern rows when inspection of the first dot pattern row is interrupted upon one of the predetermined inspection values sequentially acquired exceeding a predetermine threshold established in advance according to a type of the predetermined inspection value.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes cartridge mounting portions for dismountably mounting cartridges; an intermediary transfer member onto which developed images formed on electrophotographic photosensitive drums are transferred, the intermediary transfer member being provided opposed to the drums; an image forming unit comprising the cartridge mounting portions and the intermediary transfer member, the unit being movable between a transfer position for transferring, onto a sheet, the developed images transferred onto the intermediary transfer member from drums, a cartridge mounting and dismounting position for mounting and dismounting the cartridges relative to the cartridge mounting portions, and an intermediary transfer member mounting and dismounting position for mounting and dismounting the intermediary transfer member relative to a main assembly; and a unit movement preventing means for permitting the unit to move the intermediary transfer member mounting and dismounting positio

Abstract: A lens unit has a photographing lens, and is secured removably to a camera main body. An accessory conversion lens device is settable on the lens unit. The lens unit includes a reception unit for receiving accessory device data from the conversion lens device. A determiner checks propriety of the conversion lens device according to accessory device data received by the reception unit, and produces checking information. A transmission unit transmits the checking information to the main body. Specifically, the lens unit has an image pickup element. Also, the conversion lens device includes an RFID tag for storing the accessory device data. The reception unit includes an RFID tag reader for wireless reception. Also, the main body includes an LCD panel to display for outputting alarm information. A main body controller drives the LCD panel if the checking information represents lack of the propriety.

Abstract: To provide pesticides such as insecticides, miticides and nematicides, which are excellent in the safety, pesticidal effects, residual effectiveness, etc., which further have infiltration, and which can be applied by soil treatment. A pesticide comprising a 3-alkoxy-1-phenyl-pyrazole derivative represented by the formula [I] or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient: wherein, for example, R1 is a C1-C10 alkyl group or the like, R2 is a hydrogen atom or the like, R3 is a hydrogen atom or the like, and each of R4, R5, R6 and R8 which are independent of one another, is a hydrogen atom or the like, and R7 is a C2-C4 haloalkylthio group or the like.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an on-off type fluorescent compound used in gene analyses, which is highly stable and highly sensitive, and which enables amplification of a trace amount of gene signal and observation thereof. The present invention provides a compound represented by the following formula (1) or (2): wherein R1 represents an alkyl group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an amino group, an amide group optionally having a protecting group or a substituent, a halogen atom, or a hydrogen atom; R2 independently represents an alkyl group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, or a hydrogen atom; R3 represents an alkyl group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryl group, or a hydrogen atom; R4 represents a group containing an oxygen atom, or a hydrogen atom, wherein R3 may bind to R4 to form a ring.

Abstract: Flush toilet equipment comprises a bowl, a flush mechanism that supplies flush water to the bowl through a flush water passage, and a minute bubble generator. The minute bubble generator generates minute bubbles. The bubbles are 0.1-1000 ?m in bubble diameter and mixed with the flush water. In this construction, since the minute bubbles are fully diffused into the flush water, various effects such as improvement of toilet flush effect, etc. can be further enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a single-chain circular RNA having a sustained or slow-releasing RNA interference effect, characterized in that the single-chain circular RNA comprises a sense strand sequence, an antisense strand sequence complementary to the sense strand sequence, identical or different two loop sequences between the sense strand and the antisense strand, connecting both strands, wherein the sense strand and the antisense strand are paired to form a stem.

Abstract: A discharge amount evaluation method of a liquid droplet discharging device evaluates a discharge amount of a liquid discharged by the liquid droplet discharging device. The liquid includes at least one of a solution prepared by dissolving a solute in a solvent and a dispersion prepared by dispersing a dispersoid in a dispersion medium. The method includes discharging the liquid by the liquid droplet discharging device on a receiving layer of a test piece, the test piece including the receiving layer that absorbs at least one of the solvent and the dispersion medium as components included in the liquid and a base layer that is abutted with the receiving layer and that does not absorb the at least one component absorbed by the receiving layer in the components included in the liquid; and evaluating the discharge amount of the liquid based on a result obtained by evaluating an area of an absorbing portion where the at least one absorbed component has spread in the receiving layer.

Abstract: An ink cartridge is partitioned into a negative pressure generator chamber containing a negative pressure generator and a storage chamber containing an ink bag. The ink bag stores ink and supplies the ink to the negative pressure generator chamber through an ink port. The negative pressure generator absorbs and holds the ink by its capillary force, to keep pressure inside nozzles of a recording head negative to atmospheric pressure. Through a first air introduction hole, the air is introduced into the negative pressure generator chamber as the ink in the negative pressure generator chamber decreases. Through a second air introduction hole, the air is introduced into the storage chamber as the ink in the ink bag decreases. So variations in pressure inside the nozzles are suppressed, which makes ink discharge from the nozzles stable.

Abstract: The image taking apparatus of the invention includes a light quantity control device that is arranged on the optical axis of subject light and controls transmitted volume of the subject light. The light quantity control device includes a light quantity control layer and a pair of light-transmissive electrodes. The light quantity control layer expands and contracts in accordance with an electric field generated therein and thereby changes the transmitted volume of the subject light. The electrodes are disposed so as to sandwich the light quantity control layer and generate an electric field in the light quantity control layer, in response to application of voltage, thereby causing the light quantity control layer to expand and contract.

Abstract: A rechargeable electric tool includes a housing having a lower end, to which a battery is attached, and a fastener tool configured to be attached to a lower side surface of the housing. The fastener tool includes a plate-like base portion, and an engagement portion joined to the base portion. The engagement portion protrudes rearward of the housing when the fastener tool is attached to the housing.

Abstract: An ink cartridge, which is removably set in a printer, has an ink chamber storing ink, an absorbent chamber containing a sponge that absorbs the ink from the ink chamber and holds it, and a fuel chamber storing a liquid fuel to be supplied to a fuel cell of the printer. The fuel chamber is located outside and adjacent to the ink chamber, so that the ink stored in the ink chamber is kept in a constant temperature range. Data on residual amounts of the ink and the fuel in the ink cartridge are detected by a residual ink detector and a residual fuel detector of the printer, and are written in a memory card that is removably attached to the ink cartridge.

Abstract: A taking lens consists of first to third lens groups. The second lens group is held in a lens frame that is coupled through an arm to a supporting shaft, and is able to rotate about the supporting shaft, to move the second lens group in a circular direction in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the taking lens. As a movable lens barrel retreats into a camera body, the lens frame rotates to remove the second lens group from an inserted position inserted in an optical path of the taking lens to a removed position set out of the optical path. The arm is provided with an actuator that causes the lens frame to move in a lengthwise direction of the arm. Because the movement in the circular direction includes a component that is perpendicular to the lengthwise movement of the arm, it is possible to move the lens frame and thus the second lens group in any directions in the perpendicular plane to the optical axis, in order to cancel a deviation of an optical image that result from a camera shake.

Abstract: A lens unit has a photographing lens, and is secured removably to a camera main body. An accessory conversion lens device is settable on the lens unit. The lens unit includes a reception unit for receiving accessory device data from the conversion lens device. A determiner checks propriety of the conversion lens device according to accessory device data received by the reception unit, and produces checking information. A transmission unit transmits the checking information to the main body. Specifically, the lens unit has an image pickup element. Also, the conversion lens device includes an RFID tag for storing the accessory device data. The reception unit includes an RFID tag reader for wireless reception. Also, the main body includes an LCD panel to display for outputting alarm information. A main body controller drives the LCD panel if the checking information represents lack of the propriety.

Abstract: An optical element including: a container which is light-transmissive at least in a light passage region; a light-transmissive dispersion medium enclosed in the container; a light-transmissive dispersion dispersed in the dispersion medium and having a refractive index different from the refractive index of the dispersion medium; and an electromagnetic field generator which controls the refraction of light passing through the light passage region by moving the dispersion dispersed in the dispersion medium by an electromagnetic force.

Abstract: A digital camera is composed of a camera body and a lens unit removebly attached to the camera body. When the lens unit is attached to the camera body, the lens unit and camera body send and receive control signals by antennas and wireless I/Fs each disposed on the lens unit and the camera body, respectively. In addition, data of the image captured with the lens unit is sent to the camera body by serial drivers, each disposed on the lens unit and the camera body, through connection contacts that electrically connect the lens unit and the camera body. When the lens unit is detached from the camera body, on the other hand, the control signals are sent and received by the antennas and the wireless I/Fs, and the image data is sent by the wireless communication.

Abstract: The ultraviolet sensor has a ZnO layer composed of an oxide semiconductor including ZnO; a (Ni,Zn)O layer which is provided in contact with the ZnO layer and which is composed of an oxide semiconductor including NiO and ZnO solid-solved therein; a first terminal electrode electrically connected to the ZnO layer, and a second terminal electrode electrically connected to the (Ni,Zn)O layer. The ZnO layer is disposed at an ultraviolet ray receiving side. The (Ni,Zn)O layer is preferably formed of a sintered body.

Abstract: Formed on a semiconductor substrate is a CCD image sensor. The CCD image sensor has photodiodes arranged in a matrix form, a transfer path for transferring signal charges generated by the photodiodes, and an output amplifier for amplifying and outputting the signal charges. The transfer path and the output amplifier are covered with a light shielding film. This light shielding film has integral radiation fins.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device including a solid-state image pickup element which is curved in a light incident direction and a curvature changing portion which changes a curvature of the solid-state image pickup element, and an optical instrument including a lens unit and a solid-state image pickup element which is curved toward the lens unit and picks up taking an image focused by the lens unit wherein the curvature changing portion changes a curvature radius of the solid-state image pickup element so that the solid-state image pickup element is curved at a first curvature in a telephoto mode and the solid-state image pickup element is curved at a second curvature larger than the first curvature in a wide-angle mode.

Abstract: A taking lens consists of first to third lens groups. The second lens group is held in a lens frame that is coupled through an arm to a supporting shaft, and is able to rotate about the supporting shaft, to move the second lens group in a circular direction in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the taking lens. As a movable lens barrel retreats into a camera body, the lens frame rotates to remove the second lens group from an inserted position inserted in an optical path of the taking lens to a removed position set out of the optical path. The arm is provided with an actuator that causes the lens frame to move in a lengthwise direction of the arm. Because the movement in the circular direction includes a component that is perpendicular to the lengthwise movement of the arm, it is possible to move the lens frame and thus the second lens group in any directions in the perpendicular plane to the optical axis, in order to cancel a deviation of an optical image that result from a camera shake.