Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochromic mirror, comprising a transparent substrate; an electrochromic film that develops color reductively having the transparent substrate on or above the surface thereof; a light-reflecting film allowing transmission of hydrogen or lithium atoms formed on the side of the electrochromic film opposite to the transparent substrate; a substrate having an electrically conductive area at least on one surface facing the light-reflecting film; and an electrolyte solution at least containing a hydrogen ion and an oxidizable material containing neutral molecules or negative ions and that is sealed between the light-reflecting film and the conductive area of the substrate; wherein (i) the light-reflecting film has electrical conductivity, or (ii) a transparent electrode film having electrical conductivity is formed between the transparent substrate and the electrochromic film, further comprising a dielectric film having a hydrogen or lithium ion conductivity formed between the

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable reflectance mirror, comprising a color layer that develops color by binding to hydrogen or lithium, a transparent substrate formed on or above one surface of the color layer, a light-reflecting layer which allows transmission of hydrogen or lithium provided on the side of the color layer opposite to the surface thereof on which the transparent substrate is formed, and a supplying device for supplying hydrogen or lithium to the color layer, wherein a transparent intermediate layer which allows transmission of hydrogen or lithium and having a refractive index smaller than that of the color layer is formed between the color layer and the light-reflecting layer.

Abstract: A fixing member of the present invention can be mounted to a fixed member that is fixed to a printed circuit board, and is used for fixing the fixed member to the printed circuit board, the fixing member including: a male connector portion inserted into an insertion opening formed in the printed circuit board; a plurality of arm portions provided at the male connector portion; lug portions provided at each tip end side of the arm portions and engaged with an opening edge of the insertion opening; and a lug-guiding portion extending out from a tip end portion of at least one lug portion to guide the lug portion to the insertion opening when the lug-guiding portion comes in contact with the opening edge and is further pressed.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing power from a source of liquid fuel. The apparatus includes at least one capillary flow passage, the at least one capillary flow passage having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end in fluid communication with the source of liquid fuel, a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to change at least a portion thereof from a liquid state to a vapor state and deliver a stream of substantially vaporized fuel from the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage, a combustion chamber for combusting the stream of substantially vaporized fuel and air, the combustion chamber in communication with the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage and a conversion device operable to convert heat released by combustion in the combustion chamber into mechanical or electrical power.

Abstract: A process for mitigating the pollution caused by a potential polluting agent comprises binding the potential polluting agent with a product obtained by calcining skeletal material and hydrating the calcined skeletal material.

Abstract: A system for observing and predicting a physiological state of an animal has been provided.

Abstract: A printing control system where poor printing does not occur on a recording medium is provided. A printing system 1 is constituted by connecting a printing apparatus 2 and a personal computer 3 by a connecting cable 4 of 100 base T. Determination is made as to whether disposition of information data to be disposed to an IC card C serving as a recording medium is appropriate based upon disposition position information of the information data to be disposed to the IC card C and inherent attribute information which is set depending on a type of the information data. On the basis of this determination result, printing processing for information data is controlled. Poor printing to the IC card C is prevented beforehand.

Abstract: A retracting mechanism for storing or erecting a mirror includes, at a coupled portion of an output shaft of a drive motor and a worm gear, coupling retaining portions fitted together in a press-fitted state and rotational force transmitting portions opposing each other in a state where a predetermined gap is present between them. The coupling retaining portions are configured by a circular shaft portion and a circular fitting hole, and the rotational force transmitting portions are configured by a double D-cut portion and double D-protruding portions. The rotational force of the output shaft is transmitted by the rotational force transmitting portions, and the coupled state of the output shaft and the worm gear is retained on the same axial line and the slanting of the worm gear is prevented by the coupling retaining portions.

Abstract: A screen operating device having good operability is obtained. When a push switch is pressed via a sheet switch within a predetermined time from a finger touching the sheet switch, a click signal is received within a predetermined time from receipt of a touch signal. After receipt of this touch signal, if a click signal is received within a predetermined time, buttons other than a predetermined selection button 32 are not displayed on a screen of a monitor device 26, and processing corresponding to a label displayed on the selection button 32 is carried out. In this way, a specific processing, such as a processing having a high frequency of use or the like, can be carried out rapidly.

Abstract: A pinion of a pretensioner is provided at a side of a torsion shaft, which side is opposite a side connected integrally to a spool via a sleeve. A base lock of a lock mechanism is connected to the pinion. Due to the lock mechanism operating, a leg plate side end portion of the torsion shaft is locked. In this way, due to operation of the pretensioner, the pinion, which is connected to a rotating portion of a sleeve, also is locked by the locking mechanism. Therefore, a piston of the pretensioner is not lowered, and internal pressure of a cylinder does not affect deformation of the torsion shaft.

Abstract: A full-history time-temperature indicator system which is capable of exhibiting a time-temperature dependent and visually detectable chemical reaction, useful for monitoring the time and temperature exposure of food products. The system comprises an immobilized reactant, such as Fe3+, and a mobile reactant, such as Fe(CN)64-, initially contained in separate compartments, and separated by a sealing. The system is activated by removing a sealing between the compartments whereby the mobile reactant in a time-temperature dependent manner is brought into contact with the immobilized reactant resulting in a visually detectable reaction signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a milk conveyer device (100) for an animal. The milk conveyer device is to be implemented in a milking arrangement which comprises a milk storage reservoir (101) coupled to a milking attachment for attaching to an animal to be milked through a main milk conduit (103, 105). A sample element (109, 111) extracts milk, which is collected in a sample reservoir (115, 117). The sample reservoir (115,117) is connected to an analysis element (129) through an analysis conduit (123, 125). During the flow of the milk from the sample reservoir to the analysis element (129), the milk itself provides a cleaning effect. The flow is initially at a high flow rate and later at a reduced flow rate. A plurality of analysis conduits (123, 125) are connected to the analysis element (129), which comprises a selector unit (127), which couples milk from one of the analysis conduits (123, 125) to the analysis element (129).

Abstract: A waterproof connector has a housing formed with holding portions capable of holding terminal fittings, and formed at one end with a fitting hole into which electric wires connected to the held terminal fittings are inserted; a waterproof plug having first electric wire insertion holes corresponding to the holding portions and fitted into the fitting hole; and a holder having a body portion preventing the waterproof plug from detaching from the housing and provided on the opposite side of the waterproof plug to the terminal fittings. The body portion of the holder is formed with second electric wire insertion holes into which the electric wires inserted into the first electric wire insertion holes are inserted. Further, the body portion is formed integrally with fitting protrusions that fit into the unused first electric wire insertion holes, thereby preventing drops of water from entering the housing through the unused first electric wire insertion holes.

Abstract: A cutout portion through which one end side of a U-shaped portion of the antenna passes is cut deeper than a preset passing position where the U-shaped portion passes through the cutout portion. Further, an open dimension of a through hole through which the other end side of the U-shaped portion passes is substantially twice an outer diameter dimension of the U-shaped portion. When the U-shaped portion is passed through the through hole at the preset passing position, the U-shaped portion passes through the substantial center of the through hole. When error arises in the retention position of the antenna and the fixing position of the base plate, the U-shaped portion is displaced inside the cutout portion and the through hole, and the above error is absorbed.

Abstract: An end portion of a webbing belt is attached to a metal base plate, in which a hole is formed. A projecting portion is formed at an inner edge of the hole which inner edge is at a side opposite a belt attachment portion. When tension is applied to the webbing belt, due to a fixed plate engaging with the projecting portion, a tensed portion of the metal base plate between the belt attachment portion and the hole extends and the projecting portion contracts in the direction of the tension. As a result, first strain gauges mounted to the tensed portion output a signal corresponding to extension, and second strain gauges mounted to the projecting portion output a signal corresponding to contraction. A tension detecting device detects the tension on the basis of a large difference in outputs of the first strain gauges and the second strain gauges.

Abstract: A fuel system for use in an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of fuel injectors, each injector including at least one capillary flow passage, the at least one capillary flow passage having an inlet end and an outlet end, a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat a liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to convert at least a portion thereof from the liquid state to a vapor state, and a valve for metering fuel to the internal combustion engine, a controller to control the power supplied to the heat source of each of the plurality of fuel injectors to achieve a predetermined target temperature, a sensor for use in determining engine air flow and a sensor for measuring a value indicative of degree of engine warm-up of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An information-holding unit is provided which can minimize increase in cost and which can increase storage capacity as a whole without changing information transferring time. The information-holding unit comprises a plurality of RFID tags with desired specific information stored therein, and a tool holder as a mounting body for mounting these plural RFID tags.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel system of an internal combustion engine. The method is employed with a fuel system having a source of alcohol-containing liquid fuel, at least one fuel injector, a heat source for heating the liquid fuel in the at least one fuel injector, the heat source capable of heating the liquid fuel to a level sufficient to convert at least a portion thereof from the liquid state to a vapor state and a metering valve operable to achieve a range of flow rates characterized by a valve open versus valve closed duty cycle. The method includes the steps of metering a predetermined amount of fuel based on engine operating conditions, controlling power supplied to the heat source of the at least one fuel injector to achieve a target temperature, determining alcohol concentration of the fuel and adjusting the power supplied to the heat source of the at least one fuel injector based on the alcohol concentration determination.

Abstract: An ND filter is made of a transparent substrate having a plane. An optical film is formed on the plane of the transparent substrate. The optical film has a lamination structure including a light absorption film and a dielectric film, and has a variable transmission density. A thickness of either the light absorption film or the dielectric film of the lamination structure is changed in an in-plane direction of the transparent substrate so that the transmission density of the optical film is controlled to vary in the in-plane direction. The light absorption film is composed of a material selected from Ti, Cr, Ni, NiCr, NiFe, NiTi and a mixture thereof, and the dielectric film is formed of SiO2, Al2O3 or a compound thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vaporizing liquid fuel. The apparatus includes at least one capillary flow passage, the at least one capillary flow passage having an inlet end and an outlet end; a fluid control valve for placing the inlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage in fluid communication with the liquid fuel source and introducing the liquid fuel in a substantially liquid state; a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to change at least a portion thereof from the liquid state to a vapor state and deliver a stream of substantially vaporized fuel from the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage; and means for cleaning deposits formed during operation of the apparatus. The flow passage can be a capillary tube heated by a resistance heater or a section of a tube heated by passing electrical energy therethrough.