Abstract: In a communications navigation system, data is transmitted and received between a navigation base apparatus provided at a navigation base and each of a plurality of navigation apparatuses provided in moving bodies such as vehicles using communication. A determining section of the navigation base apparatus determines untraveled route portion by comparing user's information stored in a user information storage with information of a recommended route provided by a route search section. The navigation base apparatus extracts necessary route/guidance information for untraveled route portion determined by the determining section from route/guidance data stored in a database, and then transmits the extracted route/guidance data to the navigation apparatus identified by the identification information. The route/guidance information may be transmitted to the navigation apparatus in the form of segmented data.

Abstract: A fuel cell power generating apparatus includes a stack of a plurality of fuel cell units each having a cathode and an anode disposed on opposite sides of an electrolyte membrane. A fuel gas supply system supplies fuel gas to the anode, an air supply system supplies air to the cathode and a water supply system supplies liquid water to the cathode. A control unit ensures that, when the apparatus starts up, the cathode is first supplied with air, followed by supply of the liquid water. In a preferred embodiment, the water supply system intermittently sprays the liquid water onto the cathode when the temperature of the fuel cell stack monitored by a temperature sensor falls below a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A navigation system includes a navigation center and a plurality of navigation apparatuses each of which has a data storage that stores various information. In this navigation system, data (coordinate data of each of traveling intersections) concerning a recommended route is transmitted from the navigation center to the navigation apparatus, and then route guidance is carried out in the navigation apparatus using the data received from the navigation center. In the case where the navigation apparatus has intersection data for an intersection specified by the data received from the navigation center, the navigation apparatus extracts the intersection data for the intersection from the data storage. Further, in the case where the navigation center does not have intersection data for an intersection specified by the data received from the navigation center, the navigation apparatus establishes the intersection as a newly-built intersection on the recommended route.

Abstract: A vehicle control device controls an automatic transmission by utilizing road information stored in a navigation system unit. In response to the road information stored in a data memory, the upper-limit of a shiftable transmission speed range is determined, thereby allowing shift-change only within the restricted transmission range. The actual down-shift is carried out after confirming a decelerating operation by the driver, such as release of the accelerator pedal, thereby providing favorable transmission control in conformity with the driver's intention.

Abstract: In order to enable a location function for telling the present position on a screen as a function usually used when traveling in a known area to be always used by its lone, a navigation apparatus 100 mounted on a car stores display map data in it, and displays a map of an area around a present position and the present position together on a display portion 106. It is attained to reduce the amount of stored data and the burden of processing on the navigation apparatus 100 by receiving a traveling route to a destination from a center apparatus 150 in case that a traveling route guidance to the destination is needed. Data of the whole traveling route to a destination are not transmitted at one time but data of only a traveling route from the present position to a specific distance ahead are transmitted at one time and thereby it is possible to reduce the amount of data of communication and start the car earlier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a communicatory navigation system including an information center (150), at least one navigation unit (100) each mounted on a vehicle and communication means for allowing bi-directional data communication between the information center and the navigation unit. Data transmission from the navigation unit to the information center is made during a period of communication that begins when the navigation unit become communicable with the information center and ends when the bi-directional data communication therebetween is disconnected. The navigation unit is provided with a drive route history memory area (131) and an instrument operation history memory area (132), and data in these memory areas are transmitted to the information center, together with the vehicle current position data and the destination position data.

Abstract: A commucations navigation system in which data is transmitted and received between a navigation base apparatus provided at a navigation base and a vehicle navigation apparatus provided in a vehicle using communication. The vehicle navigation apparatus is adapted to transmit at least data concerning the current position of the vehicle and the destination thereof to the navigation base apparatus, and the navigation base apparatus stores navigation data in its data base and is adapted to determine a recommended route based on the transmitted data of the current position of the vehicle and the destination thereof and then extract data of the recommended route from the navigation data stored in the data base and transmit the extracted data to the navigation apparatus.

Abstract: A device is mounted in a vehicle which allows one or more of personified agent or imaginary living body to appear before a driver or passengers in the vehicle for communication therewith. A current status sensor (40) detects predetermined vehicle current status data, and a memory (292, 293) stores study data in response to entry of the latest current status data. One of a plurality of communication programs stored in a program table (291) may be selected in accordance with the current status data and/or the study data. An agent control unit (11) controls activity of the agent in accordance with the selected communication program. The determined agent activity is outputted through a display (27) and a speaker (25) for communication with the driver.

Abstract: A fuel cell power generating apparatus (1) using a fuel cell stack (2) includes an air intake manifold (45) mounted above the stack for supplying air to a plurality of longitudinally extending air flow passages of fuel cells in stack; one or more of nozzles (55) mounted to side walls of THE air intake manifold for injecting water into the air intake manifold; and water supply system (50) for supplying water to the nozzles. In a preferable embodiment, the nozzles are mounted respectively to a pair of opposite side walls of the air intake manifold at location offset to each other or at different angle of water injection, to facilitate complete dispersion or distribution of water over the entirety of the air intake manifold, which allows smooth entry of the sprayed water to the respective air flow passages of the fuel cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a communicatory navigation system including an information center (150), at least one navigation unit (100) each mounted on a vehicle and communication means for allowing bi-directional data communication between the information center and the navigation unit. Data transmission from the navigation unit to the information center is made during a period of communication that begins when the navigation unit become communicatable with the information center and ends when the bi-directional data communication therebetween is disconnected. The navigation unit is provided with a drive route history memory area (131) and an instrument operation history memory area (132), and data in these memory areas are transmitted to the information center, together with the vehicle current position data and the destination position data.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is powered by a drive system including an internal combustion engine (11), a generator (16) and an electric motor (25). A differential gear unit (13) is arranged between the engine and the generator, which includes at least three gear elements, the first (S) being connected to the generator, the second (R) being connected to a torque output shaft (14) and the third (CR) being connected to the engine. A controller (51) is operated to control an engine speed based on an output rotation speed of the second gear element or torque output shaft detected by a sensor (53), so that rotation of the generator is restricted even if some accident happens to the generator.

Abstract: A ZnO--Pd composite catalyst wherein Pd is dispersed and fixed on the surface of ZnO is produced by ion adsorption process having the steps of soaking ZnO in an acid solution of Pd to adsorb Pd ions (Pd.sup.2+) onto the surface of ZnO; and reducing the adsorbed Pd ions to metallic Pd particles so that the metallic Pd particles are substantially evenly deposited on the surface of ZnO. The ZnO--Pd composite catalyst provides a stable and continuing CO oxidizing capability, without light irradiation, even when the air to be treated contains sulfur compounds such as H.sub.2 S and SOx.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle control system that controls an automatic transmission by utilizing road information stored in a navigation system unit. In response to the road information stored in a data memory, the upper-limit of a shiftable gear ratio range is determined, thereby allowing change of the gear ratio only within the restricted range. The actual downshift is carried out in response to initiation of a decelerating operation by the driver, such as release of the accelerator pedal, which prevents unnecessary upshift and provides favorable transmission control in conformity with the driver's intention.

Abstract: An air-purifying filter includes a carrier base and a TiO.sub.2 -Pd composite catalyst supported on the carrier base. CO in air treated by the filter is adsorbed onto the Pd surface and thus decomposed by oxidization to CO.sub.2, whereas sulfur compounds in the air are adsorbed onto the Pd surface and then transferred to the TiO.sub.2 surface where they are decomposed by oxidization to SO.sub.4.sup.-2 when the TiO.sub.2 is subjected to irradiation. Preferably, Pd exists in a relatively small quantity at a first side of the carrier base in the vicinity of a light source and in a greater quantity at a second side opposite the first side. The first side is preferably located upstream relative to flow of air treated by the filter. An air-purifier utilizing this filter is mounted in an automobile, preferably on a rear shelf or in a trunk compartment.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle capable of ensuring rotation of an engine output shaft at any time, regardless of whether an engine is in a driving condition or a non-driving condition. The engine 11 capable of switching between the driving condition and the non-driving condition, a generator 16, and counter-shaft 31 are mutually connected through a planetary gear unit 13, in which rotation of the generator 16 is controlled when a vehicle control device 41 selects the non-driving condition, thereby the engine output shaft 12 in the non-driving condition is rotated at any time, with the result that the driving of auxiliary machinery, which obtains rotation from the engine output shaft 12, is ensured.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an automatic transmission of an automobile and a method therefor utilize a route guidance system. The apparatus includes a memory which stores road information, a detector for detecting a specific position which is located on a planned driving route from the road information stored in the memory; a position detector for detecting the present position of the automobile; a speed detector for detecting the speed V of the automobile; a sensor for detecting an opening degree .theta. of a throttle of the automobile; a computer for computing a distance "d" between the detected automobile position and the detected specific position; a driving operation detector for detecting an operation by the driver of the automobile; a first gear ratio selecting device for selecting a first gear ratio for the automatic transmission based on the detected speed V and the detected throttle opening degree .theta.

Abstract: A vehicle, which is either an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, capable of achieving low-pollution emissions and saving energy by maximizing use of the capacity of the battery. A navigation ECU receives input identifying a starting location where the battery is charged, a stopover location, and a destination where battery recharging is planned, and calculates travel distances from the starting location to the stopover location and to the destination based on geographic data for the starting location, the stopover location and the destination, and schedules electric power consumption corresponding to distance travelled, based on the respective calculated distances, to assign a battery residual capacity usage value for each leg of the trip. A vehicle ECU supplies electric power from the battery to the motor in accordance with that schedule.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has an engine and a generator/motor connected through a planetary gear unit to an output shaft and the output of the engine is distributed between the generator and the output shaft. The vehicle is smoothly started by a driving motor. When vehicle speed V reaches an engine starting speed V*, the speed of generator/motor is changed to cause the engine to rotate, the engine is ignited and driving continues with the output torque produced by the engine supplemented by the driving motor. The hybrid vehicle allows for a smooth start and improved driving comfort even if an engine interruption scheme for halting the engine is employed, for example, halting the vehicle while waiting for a traffic signal to change.

Abstract: A safe drive support system includes a memory unit for storing road-map data including a safe driving area data, a present location detecting unit for detecting a present location of the vehicle, a determining unit for determining as to whether the present location of the vehicle is in the safe driving area according to a detection result by the present location detecting unit, and limiting unit for limiting driving torque or starting torque of the vehicle in the area according to a determination result by the determining unit. In the safe driving area, the limiting operation is carried out by, for example, setting the gear position of start to the second position so as to prevent the vehicle from starting suddenly. An operational angle of a throttle valve is limited at a predetermined angle to limit the output of the engine to suppress an excess speed when an accelerator is stepped on strongly.

Abstract: A fuel cell power generating apparatus using a fuel cell (10) having a structure such that a cathode and an anode are disposed on opposite sides of a polymer electrolyte membrane, comprising: an air introduction passage (11) for introducing air to the cathode; an air discharge passage (15) for discharging, to the outside of the system, discharge gas containing reactant water generated at the cathode; a circulation passage (16) connected between the air discharge passage and the air introduction passage in order to again introduce at least a portion of the discharge gas flowing through the air discharge passage to the air introduction passage and thus to the cathode; a valve (17) provided for at least one of the air introduction passage and the air discharge passage; a temperature sensor (22) for measuring the temperature of the discharge gas from the cathode; an ampere meter (19) for measuring the level of an electric current output from the fuel cell; and a control unit (18) for controlling the degree of ope