Abstract: In an optical information accessing system for an optical disk including a plurality of sectors each having sector mark, a read operation is carried out by a sector mark detection signal when this signal is generated, and is carried out by a sector mark interpolation signal when the sector mark detection signal is not generated. When the sector mark detection signal is generated, the sector mark interpolation signal is masked, while, when the sector mark interpolation signal is not masked, the sector mark detection signal is invalidated.

Abstract: A continuous form electrophotographic printer includes a paper feeding apparatus and control system to control a level of tension between two paper feeding elements. A detector is responsive to changes in tension between the two elements, and the speed of one of the elements is adjusted in response to a change in tension if a change is recorded. The detector takes the form of a rotatable lever pressing on the continuous paper and responsive to paper tension.

Abstract: The system includes data driven processors each having inputs and outputs. Each processor includes a processing unit processing, according to a program, a data packet having processor specifying information specifying the processor, and an output unit providing a data packet having processor specifying information specifying another processor according to a predetermined condition. The system further includes an input path selecting device and a transmission path device. The input path selecting device has inputs respectively connected to the system inputs, and outputs. The input path selecting device selects an output of the input path selecting device according to the contents of the received data packet and a predetermined condition to provide the data packet therefrom. The transmission path connects the outputs of the input path selecting device and the system outputs, and the inputs/outputs of the data driven processors to each other. The system may further include an output path selecting device.

Abstract: A disc drive such as an optical magnetic disc drive latches status information IDS, and IDOST to DATST for operational status at a timing when an abnormality occurs, and repeats recording based upon latched status information IDS, and ID0ST to DATST, thereby reducing retry time.

Abstract: A continuous form printer includes a tractor feed system that adapts to changes in paper width while printing. A tractor body is movable on a shaft, and a movable housing supporting tractor pulleys and a tractor belt is resiliently movable with respect to the tractor body. A locking member, in a first position, allows the tractor body to be adjusted for paper size while holding a movable member. In a second position, the locking member holds the tractor body in place, and frees the movable member to move relative to the tractor body, so that the movable member, supporting the tractor pulleys and belt, may resiliently move to compensate for changes in paper width during printing.

Abstract: A sheet feed mechanism utilizing a continuous form sheet, with a plurality of equally spaced sprocket holes formed on both side edges thereof in the direction along a straight sheet feed path, is fed between a photoconductive member and transfer member. Each side of the sheet feed mechanism includes an endless tractor belt looped between two feed rollers disposed upstream and downstream of the transfer member, respectively. In one aspect, engaging pins are provided on the circumferential surface of the feed rollers and engaging holes on the tractor belt spaced at the same interval as the holes of the continuous form sheet, to feed the sheet by engagement of the engaging pins and the sprocket holes through the engaging holes. In another aspect, the endless belt is provided with the engaging pins and a regulation member for moving the tractor belt such that a portion of its upper part is separated from the photoconductive member.

Abstract: In a disc reproduction apparatus 1 for reproducing information signals from a disc recording medium whereon a first synchronization pattern is formed on a recording track in predetermined cycles and more than one second synchronization pattern with fewer bits than the first synchronization pattern which has been recorded between first synchronization patterns adjacent to each other, second synchronization patterns are detected without fail and highly accurately. The timing of a second synchronization pattern detecting means 7 for fetching the reproduction signal R is made variable through making the window width of window signal WIN variable based on the results (F1 and F2) of the detection of first and second synchronization patterns by first and second synchronization pattern detecting means 6 and 7.

Abstract: A powder flow rate is measured based on a simple construction so as to provide method and apparatus for measuring the powder flow rate for example of a powder coating material, requiring less maintenance cost and facilitating change of color of the coating material. In the method for measuring powder flow rate: a density .rho.1 of the powder within a tank is measured; the powder is drawn out from the tank into a conveying tube; a detecting fluid is blown at a flow rate Qf into the conveying tube a density .rho.2 of the powder in the conveying tube is measured; and a powder flow rate Fm is measured based on an equation of Fm=Qf.multidot..rho.1.multidot..rho.2/(.rho.1-.rho.2). The density .rho.1 of the powder in the tank may be measured by providing a pair of pressure measuring devices at different heights within the tank. The density .rho.

Abstract: The digital FM demodulation apparatus includes a sampling unit, a frequency specifying unit, and a demodulated value specifying unit. The sampling unit samples an FM modulated wave at predetermined intervals. The frequency specifying unit specifies a frequency of the FM modulated wave at the time of sampling based on a plurality of sampled values. The demodulated value specifying unit specifies a demodulated value corresponding to the frequency to provide the demodulated value.

Abstract: An external memory control device which is capable of reducing the time required for processings such as write and read of data for the storage areas of an external memory device, such as a disk, is disclosed. The external memory control device includes a smallest sector number register and a largest sector number register which store the smallest and the largest sector numbers, respectively, within a processing range on a track that is designated by a processing request signal frokm a central processing unit, and a processing range detecting part which detects whether a sector number read from the designated track is within the processing range. In this external memory control device, if the sector number read from the designated track is within the processing range, the processings start from the next sector, so that waiting until the arrival of the smallest sector number is no longer needed, and the time required for processing per track can be reduced.

Abstract: A controller coupled to a host system, an external storage unit and a temporary memory performs a simultaneous data transfer thereamong. The controller includes an interface unit coupled to the host system, a buffer memory coupled to the external storage unit, a data transfer control unit coupled to the interface unit and the buffer memory, and a bus interconnecting the interface unit, the buffer memory and the temporary memory to one another. The data transfer control unit includes sequencing circuitry for generating first and second enable-signals substantially simultaneously and then generating one of first and second read signals and one of second and first write signals while instructing the temporary memory to fetch data onto the bus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to information processing equipment having communication capabilities capable of executing a communication protocol processing at high speed and comprising a main processor and a communication processor. If a load factor of the main processor is higher than a predetermined threshold value, the main processor executes the communication protocol processing and if the load factor of the main processor is lower than the predetermined threshold value, the communication processor executes the communication protocol processing.

Abstract: A catalyst for purification of exhaust gases comprising: a support substrate; an active alumina coating layer comprising at least one of nickel oxide and cobalt oxide formed on the surface of the support substrate; a composite oxide comprising cerium oxide and zirconium oxide formed in the active alumina coating layer; and noble metal catalyst ingredients comprising at least one of platinum, palladium and rhodium loaded on the active alumina coating layer. The catalyst offers a decreased hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2 S emission and conversion ratios for hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) equivalent to or superior to those of conventional catalysts.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises document scan means for scanning a document a plurality of times to reproduce an image, image forming means for forming the image scanned by the document scan means onto a recording medium, and control means for controlling the document scan means to reinitiate the scan by the document scan means when a scan error of the document scan means is detected.