Abstract: An electronic ballast is provided for controlled preheating of filaments in a discharge lamp. A power converter has a plurality of switching elements and converts DC power from a DC power source into AC power for the lamp. A starting circuit generates a high voltage for starting the lamp. A half-wave discharge detecting circuit detects an absolute value for each polarity peak of a lamp current, calculates an asymmetrical current value from the detected peaks with respect to a predetermined current threshold, and detects a half-wave discharge of the lamp wherein an absolute value of the asymmetrical current value is equal to or more than the current threshold for a predetermined determination time.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes a stator and a movable body. The stator includes a core provided with magnetic poles and a coil wound on at least one of the magnetic poles. The movable body includes a permanent magnet and supported in such a manner as to make reciprocating in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the permanent magnet opposes the magnetic poles. The movable body is reciprocated upon applying an alternating voltage to the coil. An electromagnetic actuator driving method for driving the electromagnetic actuator includes performing feedback control of the alternating voltage in which the alternating voltage is applied to the coil during a first half of a control period and in which an induced electromotive force generated in the coil during a second half of the control period is used as a control signal.

Abstract: A mouth cleaning device includes a head portion provided with bristles and an electrode; and a grip portion provided with an electrode. Further, the mouth cleaning device includes a boosting circuit for boosting an output voltage of a battery serving as a power source and applying the boosted voltage to the electrodes of the head portion and the grip portion; and a current limit circuit for limiting a current flowing from one electrode to the other via a human body.

Abstract: In an organic electroluminescent element, light extraction efficiency is enhanced. An organic electroluminescent element 1 is configured by laminating a substrate 2, a first electrode 3, an organic layer 4, and a second electrode 5 in this order. The organic layer 4 includes an emitting layer 43, and the emitting layer 43 is formed by mixing porous particles 45 into an emitting material 44.

Abstract: The network system includes a controller (10) and a plurality of terminals (20). The controller (10) sends a first request signal (41) which indicates a first limited time period defining a range within which the controller (10) receives signals respectively from the terminals (20) of which the number is identical to the maximum number of the terminals (20). Upon receiving the first request signal (41), the terminal (20) sends a first response signal (51) within the first limited time period. The controller (10) determines a total number of the terminals (20) on the basis of the number of the first response signals (51) received within the first limited time period, thereby determining a second limited time period defining a range within which the controller (10) receives signals respectively from the terminals (20) of which the number is identical to the total number of the terminals (20). The controller (10) sends the second request signal (42) which indicates the second limited time period.

Abstract: An information presentation apparatus includes a display frame having a display surface to display a display object, wherein an arbitrary information provision image is generated on an information provision region included in at least part of a region in which the display object is present, a display object image for projecting an image on the display object is generated, a display object region of the information provision region in which the display object is present is set, a projection image obtained by synthesizing the information provision image and the display object image is generated, and the projection image is drawn to be projected by an image projecting unit.

Abstract: Provision of a light emitting device having functionality for restoring to normal even if a low-voltage error occurs, by temporarily applying a reverse current to a low-voltage error light emitting element using a direction inverting circuit, and repairing portions in which impedance has fallen by applying the current.

Abstract: A function unit having easy exchangeability in a dual wiring system is provided. The function unit is detachably connected to a gate device mounted in a wall surface of a structure, and connected to both of an electric power line and an information line previously installed in the structure. The function unit has at least one of functions for supplying electric power from the electric power line, outputting information from the information line and inputting information into the information line when connected with the gate device. The function unit has a module connector, which is configured to simultaneously establish both of supplying the electric power from the gate device to the function unit, and making a signal transmission between the gate device unit and the function unit when connected to a module port formed at the gate device. To improve function expandability, an additional function unit may be detachably connected to the function unit.

Abstract: A switch unit for detecting movement of a target object in a first direction and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction includes a first movable body arranged to move in the first direction together with the movement of the target object in the first direction, a first substrate provided with a first detecting unit for detecting a position of the first movable body in the first direction, a second movable body arranged to move in the second direction together with the movement of the target object in the second direction, and a second substrate provided with a second detecting unit for detecting a position of the second movable body in the second direction.

Abstract: The present invention has been aimed to propose a process and a device of fabricating a prepreg for a printed circuit board which are capable of controlling respective thicknesses of resin layers on the opposite surfaces of a resultant prepreg, removing air bubbles from the resultant prepreg, and improving productivity. The present invention is a process of resin-coating the opposite surfaces of an elongated substrate sheet 3. The process includes the steps of: feeding the substrate sheet 3 while tensioning the same in a feeding direction along the length of the substrate sheet 3; coating, by the coating head 2 of the first dispenser 1a, one surface of the substrate sheet 3 with the fluid resin 4 while pressing against the one surface to bend the substrate sheet 3; and subsequently coating, by the coating head 2 of the second dispenser 1b, the other surface of the substrate sheet 3 with the fluid resin 4 while pressing against the other surface to bend the substrate sheet 3.

Abstract: A charging control device stores expected driving start time of each of motor vehicles and controls charging operations of the motor vehicles in such a manner as to finish charging a battery mounted to each of the motor vehicles by the corresponding expected driving start time. The charging control device includes a storage unit for storing the expected driving start time of each of the motor vehicles; and a control unit for searching the motor vehicles to find a specific motor vehicle whose charging is expected to be finished by the expected driving start time and causing the specific motor vehicle to discharge an electric power to be used in charging at least one of the motor vehicles other than the specific motor vehicle.

Abstract: A hair-growth adjusting light emitting device includes a device body, a light-emitting unit attached to the device body, and a locking unit for locking the light-emitting unit to the device body. The device body has a main capacitor, a device body connector, an electric power switch, a release switch, and an electric power supplying part. The light-emitting unit has a light-emitting body and a light-emitting body side connector. Furthermore, the hair-growth adjusting light emitting device includes a release restriction mechanism for preventing the light-emitting unit from being released by the release button when the electric power switch is at a power-on position where the electric power supplying part feeds the electric power to the main connector, and a power-on restriction mechanism for preventing the electric power switch from moving to the power-on position when the light-emitting unit is detached from the device body.

Abstract: A discharge apparatus (1) including a discharge electrode used to generate charged water microparticles or ions. A discharge passage (5) discharges the charged water microparticles or ions into a discharge target zone (3). The discharge passage (5) includes an upstream end (5a) that draws in the charged water microparticles or ions. Two or more branching passages (6) located downstream of the upstream end (5a) each have a discharge port (4) in communication with the discharge target zone (3).

Abstract: The present invention concerns an orthodontic appliance for accelerating the tooth aligning effect and shortening the treatment period, and has an object to provide an appliance which can bring about higher aligning effect than usual ways by giving vibration to tooth to be aligned to activate bone remodeling of the targeted tooth and the alveolar bone and enhance the shift of the tooth. This appliance includes a vibrating element and a dental mouthpiece having the vibrating element built therein. The provision of the vibrating element in the dental mouthpiece facilitates the application of vibration and handling, and continues the treatment safely even at home. The inner shape of the dental mouthpiece serves aligning treatment as well as acceleration of the effect.

Abstract: An optical biological information measuring apparatus includes a measuring surface to be placed on the surface of a living body, a mark display section which displays a mark at a region to be measured on the surface of the living body, a light-emitting section which irradiates the living body with light of a predetermined wavelength and a light-receiving section which receives light irradiated onto the living body and returned from the living body, and measures information on the living body based on the received light. The optical biological information measuring apparatus is capable of measuring biological information with improved alignment accuracy.

Abstract: A transparent film is capable of suppressing discoloration caused by heat, while retaining high transparency and high glass transition temperature. The transparent film includes a glass fiber substrate made of glass fibers and impregnated with a resin composition in which a high refractive resin (a transparent resin) having refractive index higher than the glass fiber is mixed with a low refractive resin (a second transparent resin) having a refractive index lower than the glass fiber to have a resultant refractive index approximate to that of the glass fiber when cured. The high refractive resin has a 3 or more-functional epoxy resin expressed by the following formula: wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom or methyl group, R2 is a 2-valent organic group, and R3 to R10 are respectively ones selected from a group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a substituent group, and a molecular chain containing epoxy group.

Abstract: A sphygmomanometer includes a cuff block having a cuff for restricting flow of blood and a base block, to which the cuff block is pivotably connected, having an elbow support for supporting an elbow of a user who inserts his/her arm into the cuff block. The sphygmomanometer further includes a compensating unit to compensate a change of distance from one end of the cuff block to the elbow support, which is caused by a pivotal movement of the cuff block with respect to the base block.

Abstract: A series circuit comprising a diode and a resistance is connected in parallel to a filament, and a series circuit comprising a diode and a resistance is connected in parallel to a filament. The filaments are preheated by a preheating current supplied from secondary windings of a preheating transformer, via preheating capacitors. Detection circuits detect DC voltage components of the preheating capacitors. Comparators compare the DC voltage components of the preheating capacitors with a reference voltage. The comparators cause a control circuit to protect the inverter circuit if an abnormality of the filaments is detected.

Abstract: Electrical characteristics associated with a filament resistance are detected to control a preheating amount so as to heat a filament into an optimum state for emission in accordance with determined preheating time. A ballast for a discharge lamp includes an inverter including at least one or more switching elements connected to an output end of a DC power source, a control circuit or controlling switching in the inverter, a resonant circuit connectable to a discharge lamp with a thermionic cathode, a load circuit connected to an output end of the inverter, a preheating circuit for preheating a filament of the discharge lamp, and a detection circuit for detecting electrical characteristics associated with a filament resistance of the discharge lamp.

Abstract: A dissolving apparatus has a cylindrical tubular container closed at both ends with its center axis being inclined to the horizon. A center of an interface between a gas and a liquid in the container is positioned at a center in a lengthwise direction of a side wall of the container. Two inner spaces of the container above and below the interface are referred to as a gas section and a liquid section. An injection inlet for injecting a gas-liquid mixed fluid into the container is provided at a level corresponding to, or lower than, the interface. A liquid outlet for discharging the liquid is provided near a bottom of the liquid section of the container. Since the container is inclined, the interface can have an area large enough to promote dissolution of the gas into the liquid. Since the depth of the liquid in the liquid section is sufficiently deep, the liquid can be prevented from being discharged through the liquid outlet with large gas bubbles being present therein.