Abstract: An electronic-money collecting system is capable of returning a lost IC card used as an ‘electronic purse’ to a legitimate owner or an issuing institution with a high degree of efficiency. When a lost IC card containing data representing electronic money is found, the finder inserts the card into a public terminal, and information read from the card is transmitted to a card center by way of a communication line. At the center, a storage unit containing identification and contact data is searched for owner contact data, and the owner of the lost IC card is notified of the implementation of processing to collect the IC card. Also, a finder is given reward money recorded in a found IC card or, when an attempt made by a finder to illegally draw money, information on the finder is recorded, allowing abuse of a found IC card to be detected early.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic-money collecting system capable of returning a lost IC card used as an ‘electronic purse’ to the owner of the lost IC card or an institution issuing the lost IC card with a high degree of efficiency without giving a troublesome load to the lost-IC-card finder or the institution issuing the IC card. When a lost IC card in which money data representing the amount of electronic money is stored is found, the found IC card is entered to a terminal installed at places such as a banking organ or a public institution. At that time, information read out from the IC card is transmitted to a center apparatus by way of a communication line. At the center apparatus, a storage unit is searched for information on the legitimate owner of the IC card such as information for contacting the owner.

Abstract: An electronic-money collecting system is capable of returning a lost IC card used as an ‘electronic purse’ to the owner of the lost IC card or an institution issuing the lost IC card with a high degree of efficiency without imposing a burden on the lost-IC-card finder or the institution issuing the IC card. When a lost IC card in which money data representing the amount of electronic money stored on the card is found, the found IC card is inserted into a terminal installed at places, such as a banking organization or a public institution. At that time, information read out from the IC card is transmitted to a center by way of a communication line. At the center, a storage unit is searched for information on the legitimate owner of the IC card. owner. The owner of the lost IC card is then notified.

Abstract: An electronic-money collecting system is capable of returning a lost IC card used as an `electronic purse` to the owner of the lost IC card or an institution issuing the lost IC card with a high degree of efficiency without imposing a burden on the lost-IC-card finder or the institution issuing the IC card. When a lost IC card in which money data representing the amount of electronic money stored on the card is found, the found IC card is inserted into a terminal installed at places, such as a banking organization or a public institution. At that time, information read out from the IC card is transmitted to a center by way of a communication line. At the center, a storage unit is searched for information on the legitimate owner of the IC card, such as information for contacting the owner. The owner of the lost IC card is then notified of the implementation of processing to collect the IC card by telephone, through the post or through an electronic mail using a communication means.

Abstract: A system comprises an electronic ticket vending and refunding device retained by a ticket publisher, a terminal device having a data input device, a data display device, and a data transmission and reception device, etc. which are operated by a purchaser, and en electronic ticket storage device retained by the purchaser, and the vending and refunding device and the terminal device are connected by a communication line such as a telephone line, and the storage device and the terminal device can be connected in contact or non-contact, and transmission and reception of data between the vending and refunding device and the storage device are executed by electronic money and an electronic ticket which are electronically signed, and a trouble of sending and receiving of an electronic ticket and electronic money is prevented by recording the transaction history as required.

Abstract: A sample is located so as to be close to a prism and a light beam coming from a light source is projected to the prism while varying the incident angle to the prism as a parameter. The incident light beam to the prism is propagated therein and light emerging from the bottom surface of the prism, which is in contact with the sample, is projected to the sample. At the same time the intensity of light reflected by the bottom surface of the prism is measured. Optical constants such as the refractive index, the film thickness, the distribution of the refractive index, etc. are obtained by calculation, starting from measured values thus obtained.

Abstract: Ion beams drawn out of a plurality of ion beam sources or neutralized beams derived therefrom are projected to a plurality of targets, and sputtered particles discharged from the targets are directed to a substrate. The composition of sputtered particles is measured in the vicinity to the substrate. The measured coomposition is compared with the predetermined reference value and the composition of sputtered particles is controlled based on the result of measurement. sputtered particles having a controlled composition distribution are deposited on the substrate thereby to form a multiple-element thin film.

Abstract: After a metallic cylindrical tube is bulged to form a bellows with a circular cross section, this bellows is ovalized to form a bellows with an oval cross section. For this reason, an inexpensive round tube (cylindrical tube) can be used as the material for a bellows with an oval cross section and it is unnecessary to use an expensive oval tube. Accordingly, a bellows with an oval cross section can be produced at low cost.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a T-joint, which consists of a tube portion and a collar portion, by using burring techniques. The apparatus is provided with a high-frequency induction heating unit for heating the circumferential portion of a pilot hole made in a tube, a cooling ring for ejecting a coolant to the circumferential portion of the pilot hole, and a temperature distribution control for controlling the heating rate of the heating unit and the coolant ejection rate of the cooling ring. The apparatus thus constructed enables the working temperature of the parts of the circumferential portion of the pilot hole in the plane of which includes the axes of the tube and the collar to be lower than that of the parts of the circumferential portion in the plane extending at right angle to the above-mentioned plane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing a thickness of a tubular member which ensures a uniform thickness increase of the tubular member and a reduction of an increase in a thickness on an inner diameter side of the tubular member. A portion of the tubular member is subjected to upsetting by applying thereto a compressive force in an axial direction of the tubular member, while the portion is being heated locally and progressively so that a surface layer of the portion of the tubular member reaches a high temperature and a thermal gradient is generated between inner and outer diameter portions of the tubular member. A loading arrangement is provided which is adapted to apply a compressive force in the tubular member in an axial direction thereof, with an annular heater being arranged around an outer circumference of the tubular member. The annular heater is capable of being moved in an axial direction of the tubular member and a control device is provided for controlling a temperature of the heater.

Abstract: A fluid pressure reducing device having a core provided with a peripheral spiral groove and a pipe receiving the core. The portion of the pipe receiving the core is radially contracted so that the ridges of the spiral groove of the core intrude into the inner peripheral surface of the pipe, thereby to form a spiral passage between the pipe and the core. The pressure of a fluid is reduced as the latter flows through the spiral passage. This fluid pressure reducing device is easy to produce and permits an easy fine adjustment of the flow resistance.

Abstract: Improvements in a plastic working process for face-centered cubic metals, and titanium and zirconium having close-packed-hexagonal lattice, which process utilizes a phenomenon that the ductility of these metals is increased at sub-zero temperatures, i.e., temperatures below 0.degree. C. This process includes the steps of (i) imparting plastic flow including at least a uniaxial tensile stress field a metal at a temperature below zero, (ii) subjecting the metal to plastic flow to an extent that the strain of the metal is within the limit of uniform elongation of the metal, and then to plastic flow including at least a uniaxial tensile stress field continuously thereafter, or (iii) using frost as a lubricant for plastic working at temperatures below 0.degree. C according to either one of the foregoing steps.