Abstract: A method provides a more intuitive way of operating the playback of a video file of an event data recorder. By using GPS coordinates on a recorded video file, a route may be generated accordingly and displayed on a map. The GPS coordinates forming the route have exact mapping relation with the time line of the corresponding video file and direct operation of a slider is provided on the route of the map so that any corresponding frame of the video file may be displayed accordingly.

Abstract: A display system includes a display device and an information terminal for communicating with the display device. The information terminal includes a generation unit that generates playback control information that includes information indicating a storing position of playback content data selected from content data stored in a storage part and is used to control playback of the playback content data, and a transmission unit that transmits the playback control information to the display device. The display device includes a display control unit that makes reference to the information indicating the storing position included in the playback control information received from the transmission unit, and plays back the playback content data according to the playback control information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and program product. In certain embodiments, a computing device monitors a viewing selection of an episode multimedia file, wherein the episode multimedia file is included as executable code on an optical disc, and wherein the episode multimedia file is associated with a television series. The computing device determines whether the episode multimedia file or a copy thereof has been previously executed by a computing device associated with the user of the monitoring computing device. The computing device transmits the episode multimedia file for display, in response to determining that the episode multimedia file or a copy thereof was not previously executed by the computing device associated with the user of the monitoring computing device. The computing device generates an action, in response to determining that the episode multimedia file or copy thereof was previously executed by the computing device.

Abstract: A system for handling data and transactions involving data through the use of a virtual transaction zone, which virtual transaction zone removes the dependency of such transaction on the delivery medium of the product. The invention may reside and operate on a variety of electronic devices such as televisions, VCRs, DVDs, personal computers, WebTV, any other known electronic recorder/player, or as a stand alone unit. The transaction zone also provides a mechanism for combining mediums, data feeds, and manipulation of those feeds. The transaction zone also provides a mechanism for controlling the content, delivery, and timing of delivery of the end consumer's product.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of sparse representation of contents of high-resolution video images which supports content editing and propagation. It mainly comprises five steps which are: (1) to input the original images or videos of high resolution to summarize the characteristic information of their pixels; (2) to acquire the highly sparse samples of the original images or videos through the sparse representation technique; (3) to reconstruct each pixel of the input images or videos with a small number of the original sparse samples to calculate a coefficient of reconstruction; (4) to edit and propagate the original sparse samples to yield a result of new sparse samples; (5) to generate a result of final images or videos of high resolution according to the result of sparse samples and the coefficient of reconstruction. This invention only edits and propagates the highly sparse samples rather than all the information of pixels.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generation of session audit log displays are disclosed. Audit log data is captured in association with at least one session in a computerized system. A video presentation is generated based on the captured audio log data. A video presentation of at least a part of the at least one session can then be displayed based on the generated data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of processing video data, a device (102) and a computer program product for implementing said method, and a data construct including video data processed by said method. The method processes unprocessed video data into processed video data, said unprocessed video data being provided by picking up (112) sequential images of a situation or scene (100), and includes the steps of: applying a motion and gesture recognition technology (114) in real time to said situation or scene; identifying undesirable image contents contained in said unprocessed video data, based on a result of said motion and gesture recognition, said undesirable image contents preferably including inappropriate body expression (128-132) such as obscene gestures or indecent exposures, and providing content information relating to any identified undesirable image contents; and using said content information to produce said processed video data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer program product and computer accessible code configured to link or otherwise associate content filters with a multimedia presentation, e.g., a movie. The content filter data includes an identifier value with an aspect ratio identifier or as a function of an aspect ratio for a particular multimedia presentation associated with the filter information. In one implementation, association between a filter set and a multimedia presentation involves a filtering application that searches a particular multimedia presentation to locate aspect ratio information and further searches filter information for a matching aspect ratio identifier.

Abstract: A signal determination apparatus for determining a format of an input image signal input from an image data output apparatus includes a storage unit to store numerical values of at least three parameters for defining a format of each of a plurality of image signals; and a determination unit to determine a format of the input image signal based on numerical values of at least three parameters of the input image signal and the numerical values of at least three parameters stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a tub for a humidifier comprising a container made of a first material, a heating element, and a lining made of a second, preferably biocompatible, material different from the first material, wherein the container comprises a base and a side wall defining a reservoir for a supply of liquid to be evaporated, the heating element is provided on the base of the container, and the lining covers the heating element and a substantial portion of the inner surface of the side wall of the container.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus is provided with an air plenum in fluid communication with an air inlet and an air outlet. A fan moves air through the air plenum. An interchangeable air conditioning core is removably installed within the air plenum and interposed between the air inlet and air outlet such that air moving along an air pathway is forced to proceed through the interchangeable air conditioning core.

Abstract: A camera unit increases the degree of freedom with which the camera unit can be designed. The camera unit includes a camera body having a hook held in hooked engagement with a bracket. The bracket includes a first support engaged by the hook and which supports the camera body in an angularly movable fashion, and a second support supporting the camera body that is secured to the second support.

Abstract: A camera housing comprises a four-sided frame. A first side of the four-sided frame includes a first segment, a second segment, and a latch mechanism with a first latch component and a second latch component. The first latch component and the second latch component are pivotally coupled such that in a closed position, the frame securely encloses a camera and in an open position, the first segment and the second segment are separable.

Abstract: A multi-channel optoelectronic device is configured to establish a redundant status link with a remote device. The optoelectronic device can transmit N transmit optical signals to the remote device over a plurality of transmit channels and receive N receive optical signals from the remote device over a plurality of receive channels. The optoelectronic device includes one or more spare transmit and receive channels. When used with a remote device having spare transmit and receive channels, each device can establish a status link with the other and use the status link to switch out transmit and/or receive channels to identify and permanently switch out the worst transmit and/or receive channels. Alternately, the device can interoperate with a non-status-link enabled remote device by determining that the remote device is not status-link enabled, transitioning to a low transmit power mode, and transmitting and receiving over a plurality of default transmit and receive channels.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a configuration of an optical transmission interface of a first device has to be adjusted for transmitting an optical signal to a second device via an optical band-pass filter, the second device including an optical reception interface configured to enable receiving optical signals output by the optical band-pass filter and transmitted by the first device on a carrier wavelength when the carrier wavelength is included in the passband of the optical band-pass filter. A monitoring device performs: obtaining an information representative of a signal temporal shape corresponding to a symbol of an optical signal received by the second device, from the first device, via the optical band-pass filter; determining whether the configuration of the optical transmission interface of the first device has to be adjusted, on the basis of the information representative of the signal temporal shape.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting component rotation within a communication assembly are provided. In certain embodiments, a system includes a module; an adapter block that includes multiple front ports and multiple rear ports configured to receive an optical connector; a managing entity configured to control port identification for the front and rear ports; and a circuit board mounted to the adapter block, wherein the circuit board comprises multiple front contact assemblies and multiple rear contact assemblies, wherein each front port is associated with a front contact assembly and each rear port is associated with a rear contact assembly, wherein when a rear contact assembly is electrically coupled to a connector, the connector generates an event that is sent to the managing entity, whereupon the managing entity remaps the port identification for the front and rear ports.

Abstract: The optical transmitter includes a FP-LD, generating multiple-longitudinal mode light wave. The FP-LD is also driven by an electrical signal, modulates the electrical signal to the multiple-longitudinal mode light wave, and outputts the modulated multiple-longitudinal mode light wave. An optical coupler, coupled with the FP-LD, is used for feeding the modulated multiple-longitudinal mode light wave from the FP-LD to a fiber Bragg grating. The fiber Bragg grating is for filtering the received multiple-longitudinal mode light wave according to a parameter, and feeding back the optical signal generated after being filtered to the optical coupler. The optical coupler divides the optical signal, thus making the optical signal oscillate between the FP-LD and the fiber Bragg grating to form a oscillation cavity, and outputs a single mode optical wave with constant wavelength and power.

Abstract: An optical transmission apparatus includes: a transmission light source configured to generate single-mode light of a specific wavelength; a power coupler configured to split the light generated by the transmission light source into a plurality of light sections; at least one modulator configured to modulate an electrical signal carrying different data into at least one optical signal using the light section from the power coupler; and a mode multiplexer configured to convert the modulated optical signal into a different mode, and to transmit the mode-converted optical signal to a fiber.

Abstract: An industrial controller includes a control unit, a first optical transmission/reception unit, a second optical transmission/reception unit, and a switching unit. The control unit handles a downlink transmission frame depending on whether or not the Protocol Control Information (PCI) of the downlink transmission frame corresponds to an ID of an industrial controller device, and internally generates and outputs an uplink transmission frame. The first optical transmission/reception unit externally sends or receives the uplink or downlink transmission frame. The second optical transmission/reception unit has at least one port, and externally sends or receives the uplink or downlink transmission frame. The switching unit sequentially transfers the downlink and uplink transmission frames, transfers the uplink transmission frame to the first optical transmission/reception unit, and transfers the downlink transmission frame to the second optical transmission/reception unit.

Abstract: A wavelength selection switch system includes a wavelength selection switch including an input port and an output port, a nonvolatile memory in which configuration information for controlling an operation of the wavelength selection switch is stored, a high-speed memory in which reading and writing can be performed at a higher speed than in the nonvolatile memory and that stores a copy of the configuration information stored in the nonvolatile memory, and a control unit that controls an operation of the wavelength selection switch based on the configuration information read from the high-speed memory, wherein the control unit periodically reads the configuration information stored in the nonvolatile memory and writes a copy of the read configuration information to the high-speed memory.

Abstract: A network system that is able to automatically generate a topology map. A PON topology generation part of a network system with a predetermined network including an OLT and a plurality of ONUs performs a topology map generation process. The topology map generation process includes: (a) calculating a plurality of numbers Nci of 2-branches that are the numbers of 2-branches of splitters on a transmission path between the OLT and the plurality of ONUs, based on a plurality of transmission distances Li, a plurality of downstream transmission power values PT and a plurality of downstream reception power values PRi; and (b) generating a topology map based on the plurality of numbers Nci of 2-branches and the plurality of transmission distances Li.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method, wherein the method comprises generating a passive optical network (PON) protocol message, wherein the PON protocol message comprises an identifier of a PON user terminal and an action indication indicating that the PON user terminal intends to exercise a first power supply mode that is a power-saving mode. The present disclosure further provides a method for controlling the PON power supply and for reporting the power supply state. The present disclosure allows control of the energy usage of the PON user terminal to save power when a service in the PON user terminal is not used or when the user terminal uses a backup power source to supply power.

Abstract: It becomes difficult to regenerate transmitting signals depending on modulation systems for the optical phase modulation in a polarization multiplexed optical communication system employing the optical digital coherent communication system, therefore, an optical transmitter according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes first optical quadrature modulation means for performing a phase modulation on a first continuous light beam and outputting a first transmitting light beam; second optical quadrature modulation means for performing a phase modulation on a second continuous light beam belonging in the same frequency band as that of the first continuous light beam and outputting a second transmitting light beam; optical phase difference adding means for adding an optical phase difference varying temporally between the first transmitting light beam and the second transmitting light beam; and polarization multiplexing means for polarization-multiplexing the first transmitting light beam and the second

Abstract: An exemplary technique is provided for a coherent optical receiver adapted to receive an optical signal transmitted over an optical transmission channel exhibiting Cross-Polarization Modulation (XPOLM). The received optical signal comprises a first polarization component and a second polarization component.

Abstract: One or more overlay wavelengths are applied to a GPON architecture to provide sufficient, cost-effective forward bandwidth per home for targeted, unique narrowcast services to allow traditional HFC operators to use a PON architecture with their existing HFC equipment. A separate return path capability using a separate coaxial cable with RF signals to the GPON may also be used. This return capability may be provided either by a fiber optic link or coaxial link from the home.

Abstract: An optical system may include a digital signal processor (DSP) to receive first samples of a digital signal. The first samples may be Hamming encoded. The DSP may correlate the first samples to multiple groups of second samples to determine multiple correlation values. Each of the multiple groups of second samples may correspond to respective code words. Each of the multiple correlation values may correspond to a correlation measurement between the first samples and each of the multiple groups of second samples. The DSP may determine a particular code word, of the multiple code words, corresponding to one of the correlation values of the multiple correlation values; determine output bits based on bits of the particular code word and the one of the correlation values; and provide the output bits. The output bits may include data associated with the digital signal.

Abstract: A method for bi-directionally transmitting digital optical signals over an optical transmission link in which a first optical transmit signal is created according to a first binary digital signal in such a way that the bit information of the first binary digital signal is included in first sections of the symbol interval of the first optical transmit signal. A second optical transmit signal is created by creating an optical wavelength reuse signal using the first optical transmit signal received at the second end of the optical transmission link, the optical wavelength reuse signal being modulated according to a second digital signal in such a way that the bit information of the second digital signal is included in second sections of the symbol interval of the first optical transmit signal received.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting information using a visible light includes at least three light emitting devices, each being installed based on a predetermined interval and direction, and a data transmitting unit to transmit data by controlling the at least three light emitting devices.

Abstract: A compact optical transceiver is provided by using a serial communication bus as a communication bus connecting a logic device and a microcomputer. This optical transceiver is connected through an MDIO bus to an external upper layer and is provided with a microcomputer, a logic device, the MDIO bus, a serial communication bus, and a first dedicated signal line. The microcomputer has an MDIO register. The logic device receives a command code, address information, and a single data block from the upper layer through the MDIO bus, transmits the address information and the single data block to the microcomputer through the serial communication bus, and transmits the OP code to the microcomputer through the first dedicated signal line.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high-speed 100 G optical transceiver for InfiniBand and Ethernet with associated mapping to frame InfiniBand and Ethernet into GFP-T. The optical transceiver utilizes an architecture which relies on standards-compliant (i.e., multi-sourced) physical client interfaces. These client interfaces are back-ended with flexible, programmable Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) modules to accomplish either InfiniBand or Ethernet protocol control, processing, reframing, and the like. Next, signals are encoded with Forward Error Correction (FEC) and can include additional Optical Transport Unit (OTU) compliant framing structures. The resulting data is processed appropriately for the subsequent optical re-transmission, such as, for example, with differential encoding, Gray encoding, I/Q Quadrature encoding, and the like. The data is sent to an optical transmitter block and modulated onto an optical carrier. Also, the same process proceeds in reverse on the receive side.

Abstract: An optical communication fiber includes: a fiber body having a tip surface; and a light absorption layer provided to the tip surface of the fiber body, and configured to reduce light transmittance of communication light.

Abstract: A multi-channel optical transmitter generally includes a first light source configured to emit light of a first wavelength, a second light source configured to emit light of a second wavelength, a first modulator configured to modulate the light of the first wavelength, and a second modulator configured to modulate the light of the second wavelength. The first modulator has a first anode and a first cathode, and the second modulator has a second anode and a second cathode electrically isolated from the first anode and the first cathode. The modulators (and optionally the light sources) are on a common substrate. A method of transmitting optical signals generally includes modulating light emitted from a first light source using a first modulator, and modulating light emitted from a second light source using a second modulator, where the first modulator receives a first modulation signal, and the second modulator receives a second modulation signal electrically isolated from the first modulation signal.

Abstract: A method for determining a presence of a locking signal in a signal received by an optical receiver device, the optical receiver device configured to be used in an optical communications network, the locking signal being a signal exchanged by optical communication devices of the optical communications network in a phase preceding setting up communications between the optical communication devices. The presence of the locking signal is determined by obtaining a direct current component or a component at twice a frequency at which the locking signal is supposed to be modulated, and by obtaining a contribution of the communication signal, if any, on the component.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive section driven to rotate, a light emission unit configured to emit light to form electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive section, a process section configured to form images on the photosensitive section, a detection unit configured to detect an output generated via the process section when an electrostatic latent image for correction passes through a position facing the process section, and a control unit configured to execute a correction of a position of an electrostatic latent image in image formation based on a detection result from the detection unit.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a first-transfer power supply that includes a direct-current power supply and an alternating-current power supply, and a first-transfer member that transfers a toner image formed on an outer peripheral surface of an image carrier to a receiving member from which the toner image is transferred to a medium. The first-transfer member transfers the toner image by receiving a voltage from the first-transfer power supply.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing section that includes rotatable members arranged to form a nip area through which a strip-shaped medium passes, and heaters that heat the rotatable members; and a control section. The fixing section applies heat and pressure to a toner image that is formed on the medium and passes through the nip area via the rotatable members heated by the heaters to fix the toner image onto the medium. The control section performs such control that the rotation of the rotatable members is stopped when the temperature of contact portions of the rotatable members that are in contact with the medium is lower than or equal to a first temperature that is lower than a temperature at which a portion of the medium softens.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit, a gloss level measuring section, and a fixation condition setting section. The gloss level measuring section measures a gloss level of an image portion and a gloss level of a non-image portion in a recording medium after fixation, and separately measures, as the gloss level of the image portion, a first gloss level indicative of a gloss level of a chromatic toner image and a second gloss level indicative of a gloss level of a black toner image. The fixation condition setting section sets the fixation condition for the fixing unit so that the first gloss level and the second gloss level approach respective different target gloss levels, on the basis of a measured value of the first gloss level and a measured value of the second gloss level and a measured value of the gloss level of the non-image portion.

Abstract: A fuser includes a pressure application part that applies pressure to a medium for forming a print image; an annular body rotatably supported for carrying the medium for applying heat to the medium for forming the print image; a fuser part heat generation body arranged for generating heat to apply heat to the annular body; a first temperature detection end arranged in contact with one end part outside a medium carrying corresponding range of a surface of the annular body and detects temperature of the annular body outside the medium carrying corresponding range. The medium carrying corresponding range is a range in which the medium is carried. A heat generation interruption part that, in response to the temperature of the annular body that is detected via the first temperature detection end, interrupts heat generation of the fuser part heat generation body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms a toner image of text on a recording sheet based on PDL data prescribing text data and one or more print conditions of thereof, and thermally fixes the toner image, and includes: condition acquisition unit analyzing the PDL data to acquire, as the conditions, one or more of character number, character spacing, and line spacing from the PDL data; judgment unit judging for each condition, by comparing the condition with reference value, the judgment indicating whether the condition is suitable for ensuring fixability of the toner image if thermally fixed at a temperature that is lower than predetermined temperature; and temperature control unit, when the judgment unit judges negatively for at least one condition, setting a fixing temperature for thermally fixing the toner image to the predetermined temperature, when the judgment unit judges affirmatively for all conditions, setting the fixing temperature to the lower temperature.

Abstract: A process cartridge, which includes a developing cartridge and a photosensitive cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus including a driving force output part and a feeding part, is provided. The developing cartridge includes a developer carrier, a first electrode provided at one side thereof, and a driving force receiving part provided at another side thereof and aligned with the first electrode such that the driving force receiving part overlaps the first electrode in a side view. The photosensitive cartridge, to which the developing cartridge is removably mounted, includes a photosensitive member, and a second electrode that contacts the first electrode when the developing cartridge is mounted in the photosensitive cartridge and that contacts the feeding part when the photosensitive cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus. The first electrode is pressed toward the driving force receiving part by contact with the second electrode.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus comprising a fuser assembly including a heating roller and a pressure roller for fixing a non-fixed image on paper, a duct located in the vicinity of the fuser assembly in parallel to an axis line of the heating roller, an exhaust outlet located on a first side wall of the duct at the fuser assembly side, wherein the exhaust outlet is provided to connect the fuser assembly and the duct, and a plane filter detachably attached to an inside wall of the duct in parallel to the inside wall.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a first cleaning section and a second cleaning section. The first cleaning section applies, to a first collecting roller, a voltage for electrostatically attaching toner oppositely charged at a first foamed roller to the first collecting roller from the first foamed roller. The second cleaning section applies, to a second collecting roller, a voltage for electrostatically attaching toner oppositely charged at a second foamed roller to the second collecting roller from the second foamed roller.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a first cartridge and a second cartridge. The first cartridge includes a first wall having a first opening, a first shutter configured to open and close the first opening, and a first operating portion configured to operate together with the first shutter. The second cartridge is mountable onto and demountable from the first cartridge and contains a developer. The second cartridge includes a second wall facing the first wall and having a second opening corresponding to the first opening, a second shutter configured top open and close the second opening, and a second operating portion configured to operate together with the second shutter. The first cartridge further includes a third operating portion. When the second cartridge is mounted onto the first cartridge, the first operating portion and the third operating portion operate together through the second operating portion.

Abstract: A static eliminating device includes a light emitting part and an optical path providing part. The light emitting part emits a static eliminating light to a surface of an image carrier. The optical path providing part includes a reflecting face reflecting the static eliminating light and a radiation end from which the static eliminating light is radiated to the surface of the image carrier. The reflecting face is a matted face.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a development device, a transferring device, a static eliminating device, a cleaning device, a separating claw and a static elimination assisting device. On the image carrier, an electrostatic latent image is formed. The development device develops the electrostatic latent image by a toner. The transferring device transfers the toner on the image carrier to a recording sheet. The static eliminating device irradiates the image carrier with a light to eliminate a remained static charge. The cleaning device removes the toner remained on the image carrier. The separating claw is arranged between the static eliminating device and image carrier to separate the recording sheet from the image carrier. The static elimination assisting device radiates a light to a light obstruction area where is not irradiated with the light emitted from the static eliminating device on the image carrier due to the separating claw.

Abstract: A torque receiving assembly, a photosensitive drum and a process cartridge having such torque receiving assembly. The torque receiving assembly having a body having an axis and having an accommodating chamber; a driven shaft disposed coaxially with the body, the driven shaft including a guide stem and a coupling head provided at one axial end of the guide stem, the guide stem having a pair of output arms which extend outwardly in a radial direction, the coupling head having a plurality of projections; wherein a pair of input arms are provided at an inner wall of the accommodating chamber and configured for abutting with the output arms; the guide stem is movable in the axial direction relative to the body, the torque receiving assembly further comprises a distance-limiting mechanism that defines a maximum distance the driven shaft is able to move relative to the body in the axis direction.

Abstract: A development device includes a developer container 2 that can store developer, a conveyance portion arranged rotatable in a storage portion formed with a discharge opening, and conveying the developer toward an end, on which the discharge opening is formed, in the longitudinal direction, a conveyance screw including a return screw that applies force of pushing back a flow of the developer, which moves toward the discharge opening, in the opposite direction, and a magnet member provided in the developer container in the vicinity of a level of the developer on at least the return portion, wherein a magnetic brush formed by the magnetic force of the magnet member interferes with the return portion.

Abstract: This image formation device is provided with a toner case (6), a developer body (83) and a developer (12). The toner case (6) includes a case body (22) having a discharge port (35), and a case-side shutter (28) for opening and closing the discharge port (35). A replenishing port (88) for accepting the toner is provided to the developer body (83). The developer (12) includes a developer-side shutter (98) for opening and closing the replenishing port (88). When the toner case (6) has been mounted on the developer (12) and the case-side shutter (28) is displaced from a position where the discharge port (35) is closed to a position where the discharge port (35) is open, the case-side shutter (28) pushes and displaces the developer-side shutter (98) from a position where the replenishing port (88) is closed to a position where the replenishing port (88) is open.

Abstract: A charge blade meters and applies an electrical charge to toner while the toner is on a development roll. The end portion of the charge blade comprises a first curved surface and a second curved surface touching the development roll. The first curved surface has a smaller radius and is a longer distance from the middle portion of the charge blade relative to the second curved surface. The first curved surface produces a first amount of charge in the toner on the development roll, and the second curved surface increases and makes more uniform the charge within the toner on the development roll. Also, the smaller radius of the first curved surface controls the amount of toner positioned on the development roll and the larger radius of the second curved surface does not affect the amount of toner metered by the first, smaller radius curved surface.

Abstract: A belt unit is provided with an endless belt, a driving roller, and a pair of guide ribs. The driving roller is disposed on an inner peripheral surface side of the endless belt and drives the endless belt. The pair of guide ribs is placed on each opposite widthwise end of the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt and contacts both end faces of the driving roller, thus preventing meandering of the endless belt. Additionally, the driving roller is equipped with a low friction region at both opposite lengthwise ends in a predetermined width and the low friction region is configured to have a friction coefficient that is lower than a friction coefficient of a region adjacent to the low friction region.