Abstract: In the printing apparatus which can carry a plurality kinds of operation modes, it can be determined whether an operation mode of the printing information sent from an external source is HP mode having control code or PS mode without control code. In such a printing apparatus, a simulation printing operation is carried out without printing using an operation mode P, which is a simulation mode of PS mode. As a result of the simulated printing, it is determined whether the printing information has a format that satisfies the format X of PS mode. If it is determined that the printing information has a format that satisfies the format X of PS mode, the printing information is processed as that of PS mode and the printing data is sent to the laser printer engine. On the other hand, if it is determined that the printing information does not have a format that satisfies the format X of PS mode, the printing information is processed as that of HP mode and the printing data is sent to the laser printer engine.

Abstract: When a narrowing down to one of the candidates for an operation mode is completed, a printing operation is performed in accordance with the printing system for the narrowed-down operation mode. If the narrowing-down to one operation mode is not completed, a counter value determining a storage capacity of a reception buffer of a RAM is increased so that a quantity stored in the reception buffer is increased accordingly. Thereafter, the narrowing-down of the candidates for the operation mode to one is performed again. Thus, a controller for a printing apparatus is provided which is capable of automatically determining an operation mode even when it is impossible to determine the operation mode from an initially provided quantity of printing information.

Abstract: An electrode connecting device of a liquid crystal display element connects a transparent electrode terminal formed on a substrate constructed by a flexible film to an electrode terminal of a driving circuit and an external circuit through an anisotropic conductive film. The electrode connecting device has a protecting film formed on a surface of a connecting portion on which the transparent electrode terminal is formed. The protecting film can absorb stress applied to the transparent electrode at a thermal press-fixing time and can move conductive particles within the anisotropic conductive film. Both the electrodes are electrically connected to each other through the conductive particles within the anisotropic conductive film extending through the protecting film. The protecting film may be disposed on only the transparent electrode. A peripheral substrate portion around both the connected electrodes may be covered with another protecting film.

Abstract: Novel alkaline cellulase K, CMCase I and CMCase II are obtained by isolation from a culture product of Bacillus sp KSM-635.These enzymes stably work in a wide range including an alkaline side, and their activity is shown even at low temperatures. Further, they have a strong resistance to surface active agents, chelating agents and proteinases. Therefore, they can be effectively utilized not only as an additive for clothing detergents, but also as a biomass and in other fields.