Abstract: An actuator using a fluid cylinder in which rigidity may be attained with a simple configuration, includes a fluid cylinder, a first choke valve device, and a second choke valve device. The first choke valve device is disposed between a fluid pressure source and a first chamber, and the second choke valve device is disposed between the fluid pressure source and a second chamber. An opening of a valve of a discharge valve mechanism included in each of the choke valve devices is set so as to be in inverse proportion to a target pressure in the chamber in which the fluid pressure is adjusted by the choke valve device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an actuator using a fluid cylinder capable of imparting stiffness to a fluid cylinder such as an air cylinder with a simple constitution, a control method thereof and a choke valve device. The actuator is provided with a fluid cylinder 1, a first choke valve device 3 and a second choke valve device 5. The fluid cylinder 1 has a cylinder chamber 7 and a piston 12 dispose slidably in the cylinder chamber 7 so as to partition the cylinder chamber 7 into a first chamber 9 and a second chamber 11. The first choke valve device 3 is disposed between a fluid pressure source and the first chamber 9; and the second choke valve device 5 is disposed between the fluid pressure source and the second chamber 11. Each of the choke valve devices 3 and 5 is provided with a discharge valve mechanism capable of changing the opening of the valve.

Abstract: In an audio reproducing apparatus, when an information button is depressed during reproduction of a compressed music piece file, a control portion issues an instruction to reproduce a music piece information audio file associated with the compressed music piece file from a management information file. After completion of the reproduction of the music piece information audio file, it is confirmed whether or not the reproduction of the music piece is completed. When the reproduction of the compressed music piece file is completed, an operation is completed.

Abstract: A robot hand equipped with a function of gently pinching an object to be held is provided. A single degree of freedom joint for allowing bending or stretching is provided at a connecting portion between a distal phalange section 7 and a middle phalange section 9. Then, a driving mechanism for causing this joint to make a rotating motion within a predetermined angular range is provided. This driving mechanism 14 is constituted by a motor 15 for driving the joint and a speed reducer 17. The motor 15 is included in the middle phalange section 9 and generates a driving force for rotating the joint. The speed reducer 17 reduces a speed of the motor 15 and transmits the reduced speed to the joint.

Abstract: The invention provides white powder high in the lightness and a method for producing the same. The white powder has a titanium oxide film and a metallic silver film in this order on a surface of a base particle. The white powder is preferably 75 or more in the lightness L* and the base particle is preferably 70 or less in the lightness L*. Furthermore, the base particle is preferably a magnetic material and a film thickness of the titanium oxide film is preferably in the range of 5 to 500 nm.

Abstract: The invention provides a portable electronic apparatus and a portable music-reproducing apparatus which realize power saving promotion, and life prolonging promotion for a display panel, and which prevent display quality from being deteriorated. A portable electronic apparatus (1) can instruct an EL-displaying portion (12) to perform clock display while realizing power saving promotion therefor. Thus, the portable electronic apparatus (1) can be given an added value without impairing any of main functions thereof. Also, even when the EL-displaying portion (12) is in an OFF state, picture display is returned back to the clock display by manually operating corresponding one of switches, and is returned back to an operation picture for AUDIO or the like by manually operating corresponding another one of the switches. Hence, no complicated operation is required for the portable electronic apparatus (1).

Abstract: A method for driving a robot in a manner of imitation by watching (non-contact manner) based on the movement of a moving object, which has a complicated shape often causing self-occlusion, is provided. A plurality of image data of the robot is associated with pre-arranged operation commands and stored in an image corresponding operation command storing means 11. In order to have the robot perform a movement, the moving objecting caused to perform a desired movement, and at the same time, image data of the moving object are obtained as robot operational image data in time-series.

Abstract: The present invention provides an actuator using a fluid cylinder capable of imparting stiffness to a fluid cylinder such as an air cylinder with a simple constitution, a control method thereof and a choke valve device. The actuator is provided with a fluid cylinder 1, a first choke valve device 3 and a second choke valve device 5. The fluid cylinder 1 has a cylinder chamber 7 and a piston 12 dispose slidably in the cylinder chamber 7 so as to partition the cylinder chamber 7 into a first chamber 9 and a second chamber 11. The first choke valve device 3 is disposed between a fluid pressure source and the first chamber 9; and the second choke valve device 5 is disposed between the fluid pressure source and the second chamber 11. Each of the choke valve devices 3 and 5 is provided with a discharge valve mechanism capable of changing the opening of the valve.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an audio/image playback apparatus includes a storage unit which stores audio/image data containing encoded image data and encoded audio data, a separation unit which separates the image data and the audio data contained in the audio/image data, a first data processing unit which decodes the separated audio data, a second data processing unit which decodes the separated image data, an audio output unit which outputs the decoded audio data, an image output unit which outputs the decoded image data, and a control unit which causes the first data processing unit to decode the audio data, and causes the second data processing unit to stop decoding the image data, based on a predetermined instruction input.