Abstract: A karaoke apparatus is responsive to a request of a music piece for producing karaoke accompaniment to accompany a live singing voice of the music piece while reproducing a background video associated with the music piece. In the karaoke apparatus, a sound source device produces the karaoke accompaniment of the music piece in response to the request. A storage device stores video data representative of a piece of the background video which is associated with the music piece. The piece of the background video has a time length normally longer than a time length of the music piece. A central processing unit variably designates a read start point from which the piece of the background video should be reproduced. A drive device is responsive to the request for accessing the storage device to reproduce the background video from the read start point.

Abstract: In addition to a music piece data file in which music piece data for a karaoke performance are stored, a BGP script file in which BGP script data (picture sequence data) are stored, and a picture data file in which plural still picture data are stored are disposed. The BGP script data describe the procedure of combining still picture data and switchingly displaying the synthesized data, and include music piece corresponding data corresponding to a specific music piece data, and genre corresponding data corresponding to the genre of a music piece. During a karaoke performance of a music piece, when a music piece corresponding data corresponding to the music piece exists, an image is displayed by using the data, and, when such a data does not exists, an image is displayed by using a data corresponding to the genre of the music piece. When a data corresponding to the genre does not exists or cannot be used, background still picture data corresponding to the genre are switchingly displayed.

Abstract: In a karaoke apparatus, an audio device is responsive to a request of a music piece for starting karaoke performance of the music piece to accompany a live singing voice of the music piece. A monitor device displays a background image selected from a temporary picture having a short term and a permanent picture having a long term in matching with the music piece to support the karaoke performance. A first video device is enabled initially without a substantial delay time when the audio device starts the karaoke performance for providing the temporary picture corresponding to the requested music piece. A second video device is enabled subsequently to the first video device with a substantial delay time after the audio device starts the karaoke performance for providing the permanent picture corresponding to the requested music piece.

Abstract: In a karaoke display apparatus having a monitor 19 which displays words in time to a progress of a performance, a CPU 10 supplies in time sequence polygon fundamental data for determining shapes of polygons and the like and a motion data for determining motions of the polygons in time to the progress of the performance by producing musical tones. A DSP in a video circuit 18 renders an image configured by a plurality of polygons in accordance with the supplied polygon fundamental data and motion data, and synthesizes the rendered image with words. The synthesized image and words are output to the monitor 19.

Abstract: The invention relates an epoxysuccinamide derivative represented by the general formula (1) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different from each other and independently represent H or an aromatic hydrocarbon group or aralkyl group which may be substituted, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may form a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring together with the adjacent nitrogen atoms, R.sup.3 is H or an acyl group, R.sup.4 is H or an aralkyl group, and R.sup.5 is an aromatic hydrocarbon group or aralkyl group which may be substituted, or R.sup.5 may form an amino acid residue, which may be protected, together with the adjacent nitrogen atom, or a salt thereof, and a medicine comprising the derivative as an active ingredient; and this compound has an inhibiting activity against cathepsin, and particularly, specifically inhibits cathepsin L and is hence useful for prevention and treatment of osteopathy such as osteoporosis.

Abstract: A CPU (10) reads coordinate data within an emotional expression data base (25) in accordance with lyrics data within a RAM. The CPU (10) also sequentially reads performance data and generates a parameter (VP) corresponding to the volume of a piece of music and a parameter (CP) corresponding to the chord of the piece of music. The parameter (VP) adjusts the position on an emotional plane in a Y-axis direction, and the parameter (CP) adjusts the position on the emotional plane in an X-axis direction. The CPU (10) corrects the coordinates outputted from the emotional expression data base (25) based on the parameter (VP) and the parameter (CP). Therefore, the final coordinates on the emotional plane are those obtained by correcting the coordinates corresponding to the lyrics data in accordance with the volume and chord.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel uracil derivatives having excellent inhibiting effects of human derived thymidine phosphorylase and anti-tumor activity. The pharmaceutical compositions, anti-tumor potentiators, antitumor agents containing such novel compounds, and a process for their preparation and use is described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a 2'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine derivative of the formula ##STR1## wherein one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is a benzyl group which may optionally have substituent selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy group, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 halogenated alkyl group, halogen atom, hydroxyl group and nitro group on the phenyl ring, and the other constitutes an amino acid residue, or a salt thereof. The compounds are useful for treating cancer.

Abstract: An outboard engine has a power unit, an extension case extending vertically and having its upper end coupled to the power unit, and a propeller mounted on the lower end of the extension case and driven by the power unit. The power unit comprises an internal combustion engine having a vertically extending crank shaft and a cylinder having its axis extending horizontally, and a cover assembly covering the internal combustion engine. The axis of the cylinder is inclined to one side with respect to the axis of the propeller when viewed in plan. The outboard engine can be handled with utmost ease since it can be laid down during storage or shipment without being drained of engine oil.

Abstract: This invention provides an amide compound represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is vinyl, 2-(methylsulfinyl)ethyl, 2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl, 2-(2-acetylamino-2-carboxyethylthio)ethyl or 2-[2-(4-amino-4-carboxybutyrylamino)-2-(carboxymethylcarbamoyl)ethylthio]e thyl and R.sub.2 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, process for the preparation thereof, and antiallergic compositions cotaining the amide compound.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a crank shaft having a crank web, a crank pin on one end of the crank web, and a weight on an opposite end of the crank web, a crank case supporting the crank shaft therein, a cylinder, a piston reciprocally fitted in the cylinder, a rod coupled to the piston by a piston pin and connecting the piston to the crank pin for reciprocally moving the piston in the cylinder, the crank case having an opening and extending obliquely to axes of the crank shaft and the cylinder. The cylinder has an end corresponding to a bottom dead center of the piston and having a first recess opening toward the opening, the first recess being of a size allowing the piston pin to pass therethrough when the piston is in the bottom dead center. The weight on the crank web has on one side a second recess of a shape defining with the end of the cylinder a space allowing the piston as disconnected from the rod to pass therethrough.

Abstract: This invention provides novel sulfonium compounds, processes for the preparation of the sulfonium compounds, and pharmacological composition containing the sulfonium compound. The compounds of this invention are useful for treating allergy.

Abstract: An internal combustion piston engine employs a stratified charge. Separate carburetor throats are provided for directing rich air-fuel mixture to a prechamber and lean air-fuel mixture to a main combustion chamber. The rich mixture is heated by the engine exhaust gases and then delivered to the prechamber. A spark plug ignites the rich mixture and causes a torch flame to project laterally through a torch slot in the prechamber wall into the main combustion chamber to ignite the lean mixture contained therein. In this way, the amount of unwanted emissions such as carbon monoxide may be reduced in the exhaust gases discharged into the atmosphere.