The present invention relates to a composition useful for the diagnosis of diseases associated with aberrant expression of the genes encoding the secreted proteins Futrin 1, 2, 3 and/or 4(=R-Spondin 2, 3, 1 and 4, respectively), e.g. in connection with tumors or diseases of the muscle, kidneys or bones. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing a compound which is capable of modifying (a) the expression of the gene encoding Futrin 1, 2, 3 and/or 4 or (b) the activity of the Futrin 1, 2, 3 and/or 4 protein.

The present invention comprises methods and systems for manipulation of media and particles, whether inert materials or biomaterials, such as cells in suspension cell culture. The methods and systems comprise use of an apparatus comprising a rotating chamber wherein the actions of the combined forces fluid flow force and centrifugal force form a fluidized bed within the rotating chamber.

The invention relates to compounds that specifically bind a T1R1/T1R3 or T1R2/T1R3 receptor or fragments or sub-units thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of hetero-oligomeric and chimeric taste receptors comprising T1R1/T1R3 and T1R2/T1R3 in assays to identify compounds that respectively respond to umami taste stimuli and sweet taste stimuli. Further, the invention relates to the constitutive of cell lines that stably or transiently co-express a combination of T1R1 and T1R3; or T1R2 and T1R3; under constitutive or inducible conditions. The use of these cells lines in cell-based assays to identify umami and sweet taste modulatory compounds is also provided, particularly high throughput screening assays that detect receptor activity by use of fluorometric imaging.

An automated method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample, where the method is performed within a housing of a self-contained, stand-alone analyzer. The method includes purifying the nucleic acid after it has been immobilized on a magnetically-responsive solid support. A pipette of the analyzer is used to form a reaction mixture comprising the purified nucleic acid and all reagents required to perform a nucleic acid amplification. Amplification products are synthesized that include a nucleotide sequence contained in the nucleic acid or the complement of the nucleic acid. The amplification products are exposed to a probe in a mixture, where the probe forms a hybrid with one of the amplification products. The formation of the hybrid in the mixture provides an indication of the presence of the nucleic acid in the sample.

This invention relates to the field of biotechnology or genetic engineering. Specifically, this invention relates to the field of gene expression. More specifically, this invention relates to novel substitution mutant receptors and their use in a nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system and methods of modulating the expression of a gene in a host cell for applications such as gene therapy, large scale production of proteins and antibodies, cell-based high throughput screening assays, functional genomics and regulation of traits in transgenic organisms.

The invention relates to malodor controlling bacteria and related methods and compositions for the control and prevention of malodor.

[Problem to be Solved] The importance of sugar chains having α2,3- or α2,6-linked sialic acid at their non-reducing ends is known. Industrial production has been demanded for these sugar chain compounds. Particularly, the production of glycoprotein drugs or the like inevitably requires producing in quantity sugar chains having homogeneous structures by controlling the linking pattern (α2,6-linkage or α2,3-linkage) of sialic acid. Particularly, a triantennary or tetraantennary N-type complex sugar chain having sialic acid at each of all non-reducing ends is generally considered difficult to chemically synthesize. There has been no report disclosing that such a sugar chain was chemically synthesized. Furthermore, these sugar chains are also difficult to efficiently prepare enzymatically.[Solution]The present inventors have newly found the activity of sialyltransferase of degrading sialic acid on a reaction product in the presence of CMP and also found that formed CMP can be degraded enzymatically to thereby efficiently produce a sialic acid-containing sugar chain. The present inventors have further found that even a tetraantennary N-type sugar chain having four α2,6-linked sialic acid molecules, which has previously been difficult to synthesize, can be prepared at high yields by one-pot synthesis comprising the elongation reaction of a biantennary sugar chain used as a starting material without performing purification after each enzymatic reaction.

A method for enhancing sales of stadium seat memorabilia by utilizing a stabilizing base, with a large surface area in the shape of sports memorabilia, such as baseball bats and/or sports figures, with or without brackets, to mount and stabilize a stadium seat for use outside of the stadium, such as at home or in a commercial setting.

An ergonomic back support device utilizing one or multiple vertical components that include layers (28,36), pressure distributing layers (34,38,50), and a single notched layer (48). These layers provide primary back support located behind and conforming to the Erector spinae muscles (124). The vertical components form an open channel (24) that is parallel to the prime neurological pathway of the spinal column (100). The vertical conforming support components and open channel facilitate physiological functions that promote health. The device accomplishes support without using any transverse, hard or continuous components across or against the back. Other embodiments include the following additional vertical components: a lateral pressure-adjusting device (14), heating layers (40,46), circulation stimulating layers (42,44), and massage layers (52,54). Embodiments include portable and permanently installed versions that can be utilized in the following applications, including, but not limited to, furniture, vehicles, trains, aircraft, boats, ships, and backpacks.

A fitting for a vehicle seat is disclosed, in particular for a motor vehicle seat. First and second fitting parts are geared with one another via a meshing gearwheel and gear rim. A peripheral eccentric is driven by a drive element for driving a relative rolling movement of the gearwheel and the gear rim, and the first fitting part receives the eccentric which is supported on the second fitting part. A blocking element blocks the eccentric in the non-driven state of the fitting via toothing on the first fitting part, and releases the eccentric when driven. The gear rim is formed on the first fitting part and the gearwheel is formed on the second fitting part.

In a fitting for a vehicle seat, a catch assembly has a pivot axis, and the catch assembly has a catch and a lever which can be pivoted relative to one another about an axis spaced from the pivot axis. The catch has a hook-like contour and in the pivoted-out position of the backrest engages with a catch locking element for locking in a punctiform or linear contact region. The catch cooperates with a spring. The lever is mounted pivotably about the pivot axis and the lever rotatably mounts the catch. In the unloaded pivoted-out position, the perpendicular in the contact region runs on one side of the pivot axis or through the pivot axis. When a return pivoting force is imposed on the backrest in the pivoted-out position, the perpendicular in the contact region runs on the opposing side of or outside of the pivot axis.

A seat cushion, in particular for an aircraft seat, the seat cushion comprising a seat part having a receiving surface adapted to receive a person and a reinforcing part supporting the seat part, wherein at least the reinforcing part contains expanded polypropylene (EPP), preferably comprising fire retardant properties. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a seat cushion, a seat comprising such a seat cushion and a vehicle comprising such a seat.

A chair has a seat support (101), a seat portion (13), a back portion (15), and a supporting frame. The supporting frame is formed by a castored base (11), a height adjustment mechanism (17), and a main transom (21). The seat portion (13) is selectively moveable relative to the supporting frame, with the seat portion having a locked configuration and a released configuration. The back portion has a back frame (25) and a compliant cover (61). The back frame has hook features for receiving a portion of the compliant cover (61). The back portion (15) is reclinable relative to the supporting frame between an upright position and a reclined position. A recline mechanism has deformable members operatively connecting the seat portion and the supporting frame. A recline resistance mechanism is selectively engageable to resist movement of the back portion toward the reclined position.

An operating unit (1) for installation in an aircraft cabin comprises an operating unit front side (10) and an operating unit rear side (20), at least one operating element (12, 14) attached in the region of the operating unit front side (10) and accessible to a user, and a holding device (40) for attaching the operating unit (1) to a monument (30) accommodating the operating unit (1) in its state mounted in the aircraft cabin. The holding device (40) is designed to attach the operating unit (1) in its state mounted in the aircraft cabin to the monument (30), in a first position or in a second position, as desired, the operating element (12, 14) in the second position of the operating unit (1) being situated in a spatial position which is lowered with respect to the spatial position of the operating element (12, 14) in the first position of the operating unit (1) and/or is displaced in a direction parallel to an imaginary straight line connecting the operating unit rear side (20) to the operating unit front side (10).

A method of making a vehicle seat assembly comprising providing a cushion having an “A” surface, a “B” surface, a central portion, and two bolster areas, with each bolster area being adjacent the central portion, the cushion having a plurality of intrusions extending from the “A” surface towards the “B” surface to form a hardness gradient between at least one of the bolster areas and the central portion of between 8% to 25%, securing the cushion to a frame, and covering cushion with a trim member.

A height adjustable platform and method include a ratchet platform having a platform upper assembly with a platform and a ratchet. The ratchet includes a platform riser tube and a ratchet rail secured to the platform riser tube. The ratchet platform also includes a platform lower assembly having a support column and a platform base. The support column is secured to the platform base. An end of the ratchet is proximate the platform and an opposing end of the ratchet is disposed within an interior of the support column. The platform upper assembly actuator includes a pedal sub assembly and an upper linkage. The upper linkage is attached to the pedal sub assembly. Actuation of the pedal sub assembly actuates the upper linkage. Actuation of the upper linkage actuates the ratchet to adjust the height of the ratchet platform. The ratchet platform also includes an energy attenuation system.

A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the seating unit between seat-lift, closed, extended, reclined, and seat-lift positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting plate mounted to a footrest assembly, a base plate fixedly mounted to a lift assembly, a back-mounting link rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, a seat-adjustment assembly with a bellcrank, and a linear actuator for automating adjustment of the linkage mechanism. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator generates a force on the bellcrank that translates the seat-mounting plate rearward in a consistent angle of inclination and rotates the back-mounting link from a reclined to an upright orientation. A stroke in a second phase acts to collapse the footrest assembly. A stroke in a third phase causes the lift assembly to raise and tilt the seating unit, thereby accommodating egress and ingress of an occupant.

A wire harness for a vehicle seating assembly includes a body portion having a plurality of engagement hooks adapted for engagement with a vehicle seat cushion pan. A latticework of interconnected lateral support members are bound by a peripheral frame.

More specifically, the crash indication system for a child safety seat includes a seat bottom. A base is provided for supporting the seat bottom, which is slidably connected to the bases so that the seat body is movable relative to the base, between a resting position and a ride down position, a position due to a change in environmental forces. The seat body is adjustably affixed to a carriage to set a recline position. An indicator member is attached to the carriage and moves therewith to visually track and monitor the movement of the seat. When ride down of the seat occurs due to a change in forces to the seat, the indicator member moves with the sliding carriage to reflect a ride down position of the seat bottom. A ratchet connection is provided to prevent the carriage from going back to its resting position.

With a fitting for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having a first fitting part and a second fitting part, which are rotatable relative to one another and are in geared connection with each other, an enclosing ring, which axially holds together the first fitting part and the second fitting part, forming a disc-shaped unit, and which is fixed to the first fitting part and engages over the second fitting part radially outside, and a third fitting part which is pivotably mounted relative to the first fitting part and which can be locked by means of a toothed pawl with a latching element which is provided on the first fitting part, the toothed latching element is formed on the first fitting part.

A mechanism for vertically adjusting a component on a shaft has a collet sleeve riding on the shaft. A spiral track of the component's hub receives a radially outwardly projecting pin on the collet sleeve. The outer surface of the collet sleeve and the inner surface of the hub are tapered so that the hub can rotated one direction to advance the hub on the collet sleeve and compress the collet sleeve onto the shaft to frictionally lock the collet sleeve to the shaft. Because the hub is joined to the collet sleeve by the pin, this also locks the vertical position of the component. Conversely, the hub can be oppositely rotated to release the compression of the collet sleeve so that the collet sleeve, and therefore the vertical component, is slidable on the shaft.

A seat back frame includes: a first side member and a second side member each formed into an elongated shape along an up-and-down direction of a seat back so as to support each side portion of the seat back; and a belt guide portion on which tension of a seat belt is applied when the seat belt is pulled, the belt guide portion being formed in an upper portion of the first side member and guiding the seat belt having the one end retained by a seat belt retaining member. The first side member is formed of a sheet of steel plate and includes: a side member side wall portion formed in parallel to a direction of application of the tension of the seat belt on the belt guide portion and formed continuously along a longitudinal direction of the first side member; a side member front wall portion formed on a front side of the vehicle with respect to the side member side wall portion; and a side member rear wall portion formed on a rear side of the vehicle with respect to the side member side wall portion, the first side member having an open cross-sectional shape.

A cushion element for a vehicle seat or headrest comprises a non-woven layer and a fiber composite material. An insert material is arranged between the non-woven layer and the fiber composite material, and has different compression properties than the fiber composite material. The fiber composite material forms together with the insert material and the non-woven layer a one-piece material composite.

According to an example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that produces a small-step switchable capacitor, which can have steps that are smaller in value than the smallest capacitor used in the system. In one embodiment, an input signal is connected to a switchable capacitor system that includes at least one and/or a plurality of small-step, switchable capacitors. In an example embodiment, a capacitor system may be provided that includes a first capacitance block coupled in series with a second capacitance block. In an example embodiment, the second capacitance block may include one or more switchable capacitors to provide a step in capacitance for the capacitor system between a first setting and a second setting using the one or more switchable capacitors. Also, in an example embodiment, the step in capacitance of the capacitor system may be determined based, at least in part, on a ratio of the capacitance of the second capacitance block to the capacitance of the first capacitance block.

The present invention provides an apparatus for enhancing Q factor of an inductor. The apparatus includes a negative resistance generator coupled to the inductor for providing a negative resistance, and a bias circuit coupled to the negative resistance generator for biasing the negative resistance generator.

A plurality of varactors are coupled via a first electrode to a shared terminal that in turn can operably couple to a source of control voltage. A second electrode for each varactor couples to a corresponding switch, where each switch couples to at least two different voltage levels. So configured, the second electrode of each varactor can be individually connected to either of two voltage levels. This can be leveraged to control, in coarse steps, the overall aggregate effective capacitance presented by these components. At least some of these varactors can have differing corresponding capacitances, the specific values of which can be selected in order to facilitate relatively equal spacing and substantially equal rates of reactance change versus the control voltage value between aggregate-capacitive reactance ranges as correspond to differing settings for the switches at various levels for the control voltage source.

Provided is an oscillator including: a MEMS resonator for mechanically vibrating; an output oscillator circuit for oscillating at a resonance frequency of the MEMS resonator to output an oscillation signal; and a MEMS capacitor for changing a capacitance thereof caused by a change in a distance between an anode electrode and a cathode beam according to an environmental temperature.

The invention discloses a varactor device (100) for improved temperature stability, comprising a first varactor (160) connected to a decoupling network (150). The device further comprises a voltage stabilizer (110), said stabilizer comprising a capacitor (140) and a temperature dependent capacitor (130), and in that the stabilizer comprises means for connection to a DC-feed (120). Suitably, the decoupling network (150) is connected in parallel to the first varactor (160), and the capacitor (140) of the voltage stabilizer (110) is connected in parallel to the decoupling network (150), the temperature dependent capacitor (130) of the voltage stabilizer (110) being connected in series to the diode of the voltage stabilizer (110).

An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising at least one anti-parallel pair VVC network comprised of two parallel VVCs with one biased in the opposite polarity of the other and at least one anti-series VVC network comprised of two VVCs configured in series, one biased in the opposite polarity of the other such that the resulting AC capacitive variations produce a desired capacitance variation.

The present invention provides a central frequency adjustment device and adjustable inductor layout; wherein, the central frequency adjustment device is applied in an inductor/capacitor tank (LC tank) for adjusting the central frequency of the LC tank. The device comprises a first inductor with a first end and a second end; a second inductor with one end coupled with the second end of the first inductor; and, a first trimmable wire connected to the first inductor in parallel and to the second inductor in series, which adjusts the central frequency by cutting off the first trimmable wire.

One embodiment relates to a circuit for active loss compensation. The circuit includes a parallel inductor-capacitive (LC) tank circuit having a first single-ended output. A first adjustable capacitor, which includes a first terminal and a second terminal, is coupled to the first single-ended output. The circuit also includes a first pair of transistors having sources coupled to a first common node. One transistor of the first pair of transistors has a drain coupled to the first single-ended output and the other transistor of the first pair of transistors has a gate coupled to the second terminal of the first adjustable capacitor. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Disclosed are one-port and two-port voltage-tunable micro-electromechanical capacitors, switches, and filter devices. High aspect-ratio metal micromachining is used to implement very high quality factor (Q) tunable and fixed capacitors, fixed inductors, and low insertion loss tunable and fixed bandpass LC filters. The tunable capacitors can move in the plane of the substrate by the application of DC voltages and achieve greater than 100% of tuning. A combination of low-loss substrate and highest conductivity metal is used to achieve record high Q and low insertion loss at radio frequencies. The disclosed tunable capacitor structure can also be used as a micromechanical switch.

A system for supervising the landing of an aircraft by a supervisor in a control station, each of the aircraft being incapable of being controlled by any personnel onboard, the system comprises a control station and onboard aircraft control apparatus. The station includes an input device, responsive to the supervisor, for producing a control signal for controlling the landing of the aircraft; and a transmitting device, coupled to the input device, for communication with the aircraft. The aircraft apparatus includes a receiving device for communication with the station; a logic device, coupled to the receiving device, for controlling the aircraft which is programmed to pilot the aircraft to the vicinity of the airfield. The control signal is selected by the supervisor, based on the supervisor's observations of the aircraft and is transmitted to the logic device; in response thereto, the logic device controls the aircraft.

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide a system for obtaining, processing and managing data from an implanted sensor. In some embodiments, a patient or other persons can use a flexible antenna to obtain data from the implanted sensor. The flexible antenna includes at least one transmit loop and at least one receive loop. The transmit loop is adapted to propagate energizing signals to the implanted sensor. The receive loop is adapted to detect a response signal from the implanted sensor. The transmit loop includes a capacitor formed by a discontinuous area. The capacitor is adapted to allow the loop to be tuned. The flexible antenna can communicate with a patient device that collects the data from the implanted sensor, creates a data file and transmits the data file to a remote server over a network. A physician or other authorized person may access the remote server using an access device.

A tuner and a transformer formed by printed circuit board thereof are provided. The transformer includes a first winding and a second winding. In which, the first winding forms a first inductor and the second winding forms a second inductor. The transformer is formed by the first and the second inductors, wherein the first winding and the second winding are formed by conducting wires of a printed circuit board.

A method applied in a tuning circuit comprising a plurality of turning cells is disclosed. the method comprises: laying out a array of tuning cells in a matrix configuration, the matrix comprising a first dimension and a second dimension; assigning a first index associated with the first dimension and a second index associated with the second dimension to each tuning cell; controlling each tuning cell using a word line and a bit line; and summing up outputs from all tuning cells to form a combined output. The tuning cell provides a first circuit value or a second circuit value according to the logical value of the bit line, and the difference between the first circuit value and the second circuit value is determined such that a turning resolution of the tuning circuit is determined.

An inductor circuit with high quality (Q) factor includes a primary inductor and a compensation sub-circuit. The compensation sub-circuit is electrically isolated from the primary inductor. The compensation sub-circuit is magnetically coupled with the primary inductor to compensate the loss in the primary inductor.

A tunable capacitor device may be provided in accordance with example embodiments of the invention. The tunable capacitor device may include a first capacitor; a second capacitor; a third capacitor, where the first, second, and third capacitors are connected in series, wherein the second capacitor is positioned between the first capacitor and the second capacitor; and at least one switch transistor, where the at least one switch transistor is connected in parallel with the second capacitor.

Methods and apparatus for computing the carrier frequency of a transmitter using frequency modulated digital data to compensate for frequency shifting of the transmitter and the receiver local oscillators and for bandwidth adjustment of the receiver's filter. In particular, methods and apparatus are disclosed for binary systems transmitting “1” and “0” data using decoded or undecoded received signals.

The present invention is directed to a piezo-electrically actuated membrane (ex.—a tuner) configured for use with a tunable cavity filter. The piezo-electrically actuated tuner may be formed of printed circuit board materials and may be placed over the cavities of the tunable cavity filter. Further, the piezo-electrically actuated tuner may promote high level performance of the tunable cavity filter, while allowing the tunable cavity filter to be tunable across wide bands.

A circuit (C1-C4) is employed in a TWACS transponder (T) installed in an electric meter (M). The transponder generates inbound signals (IB) transmitted from the location of the electric meter to a central location (R). Firmware (F) within the transponder controls the flow of current for each pulse through the circuit by triggering a semi-conductor device such as a SCR (X1) or TRIAC (X2). The resulting current flow through the inductor for a subsequent pulse, regardless of the pulse's polarity, will be in the opposite direction to that of the previous pulse. The result is to maintain a constant level of magnetization of the inductor core which does not have to be overcome by energy in the subsequent pulse resulting in amplitude of all the pulses imposed on an AC waveform being substantially the same.

A stopper structure includes a wall defining an opening. A rotary electronic component has a rotational shaft extending through the opening. A channel stopper has a tubular body and an engagement projection. The tubular body is detachably mounted onto the rotational shaft and is inhibited from rotating relative thereto. The engagement projection extends from an end of the tubular body in an axial direction and a radial direction with respect to the rotational shaft. A rotary operation member is detachably mounted onto the rotational shaft and the tubular body and is inhibited from rotating relative thereto. The rotary operation member has an axial hole in which at least portions of the rotational shaft and the tubular body fit. A limiting portion provided on the wall is engageable with the engagement projection for limiting a range of rotation of the rotational shaft.

A semiconductor trimming circuit includes parallel coupled PMOS devices coupled in parallel with parallel coupled NMOS devices and an additional pair of dummy NMOS devices. The dummy NMOS devices are coupled in parallel with the NMOS devices. A trimming circuit for an internal clock source may be formed with an array of such switches for selecting one or more trimming capacitors of the trimming circuit. Such an array has a low leakage current and permits good trimming linearity.

Methods and means related to an electronic circuit having an inductor and a memcapacitor are provided. Circuitry is formed upon a substrate such that an inductor and non-volatile memory capacitor are formed. Additional circuitry can be optionally formed on the substrate as well. The capacitive value of the memcapacitor is adjustable within a range by way of an applied programming voltage. The capacitive value of the memcapacitor is maintained until reprogrammed at some later time. Oscillators, phase-locked loops and other circuits can be configured using embodiments of the present teachings.

Aspects of a method and system for configuring a transformer embedded in a multi-layer integrated circuit package are provided. In this regard, a windings ratio of a transformer embedded in a multi-layer IC package bonded to an IC may be configured, via logic, circuitry, and/or code in the IC, based on signal levels at one or more terminals of the transformer. The transformer may comprise a plurality of inductive loops fabricated in transmission line media. The integrated circuit may be flip-chip bonded to the multi-layer package. The IC may comprise a signal strength indicator enabled to measure signal levels input to or output by the transformer. The windings ratio may be configured via one or more switches in the IC and/or in the multi-layer package. The IC and/or the multi-layer package may comprise ferromagnetic material which may improve magnetic coupling of the transformer.

An improved grounding technique for mechanically adjustable rotary capacitors uses a directly grounded bronze sliding contact to effectively and continuously ground the rotating comb-like blades of the capacitor. RF measurements of the continuity and repeatability of the capacitance settings prove the suitability of the modified capacitors for using in pre-calibrated multi-capacitor MHz range impedance tuners.

A method and apparatus for use in a digitally tuning a capacitor in an integrated circuit device is described. A Digitally Tuned Capacitor DTC is described which facilitates digitally controlling capacitance applied between a first and second terminal. In some embodiments, the first terminal comprises an RF+ terminal and the second terminal comprises an RF− terminal. In accordance with some embodiments, the DTCs comprise a plurality of sub-circuits ordered in significance from least significant bit (LSB) to most significant bit (MSB) sub-circuits, wherein the plurality of significant bit sub-circuits are coupled together in parallel, and wherein each sub-circuit has a first node coupled to the first RF terminal, and a second node coupled to the second RF terminal. The DTCs further include an input means for receiving a digital control word, wherein the digital control word comprises bits that are similarly ordered in significance from an LSB to an MSB.

The invention provides an aqueous ink comprising a polymer having hydroxyl groups and a pigment, which can provide images excellent in scratch resistance and highlighter resistance and can inhibit the seeping out phenomenon of the polymer and the deterioration of storage stability and ejection characteristics even when it is stored for a long period of time. The aqueous ink comprises a polymer having hydroxyl groups and a pigment, wherein a proportion of a content of a polymer that is not adsorbed on the pigment out of the polymer having hydroxyl groups to the content of the pigment in the ink is 2.0 mass % or more, and a content (mass %) of the polymer that is not adsorbed on the pigment out of the polymer having hydroxyl groups is 0.20 mass % or less based on the total mass of the ink.

A recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium includes a U-turn conveying path and a redirecting conveying path. The U-turn conveying path reverses the front and back of the recording medium and conveys the recording medium to a conveying roller. The redirecting conveying path reverses a conveying direction of the recording medium, fed from the front side of a main body of the apparatus, at an upstream side of the conveying roller in the conveying direction, and conveys the recording medium to the conveying roller. Then, a first recording medium is conveyed along the U-turn conveying path, and a second recording medium is conveyed along the redirecting conveying path.

One of mark sensors is automatically selected in accordance with specifications of a thermal sheet. A cutting position on the thermal sheet is decided on the basis of an output of the selected one mark sensor.