Abstract: A power converter includes: a rectifying and boosting unit that rectifies first alternating-current power supplied from a commercial power supply and boosts a voltage of the first alternating-current power; a capacitor connected to an output end of the rectifying and boosting unit; an inverter to convert power output from the rectifying and boosting unit and the capacitor into second alternating-current power, and output the second alternating-current power to a device; and a control unit that reduces a current flowing through the capacitor by controlling the rectifying and boosting unit and by controlling the inverter such that the inverter outputs, to the device, the second alternating-current power containing a ripple dependent on a ripple of power flowing from the rectifying and boosting unit into the capacitor. The control unit controls operation of the power converter in accordance with an air-conditioning condition of an air conditioner.

Abstract: A data communication network. The network includes a transmitter unit for transmitting data and a receiver unit for receiving data from the transmitter unit. The network has two or more data channels via which data may be transmitted by the transmitter unit to the receiver unit. The receiver unit includes a receiver channel selection unit for selecting a reception channel from the at least two data channels. The receiver channel selection unit operates independent from a selection of a transmission channel by a transmission channel selection unit in the transmitter unit. The transmission channel selection unit is arranged to select a transmission channel from the at least two data channels to transmit data to the receiver unit.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a function on a remote device with a function on a primary device includes selectively broadcasting, from a radio frequency (RF) transmitter of the primary device, data broadcast on channels at different times relative to a fixed period strobe signal of the primary device. Only the channels that have a noise level below a specified threshold level selectively broadcast the data and each of the channels have an associated fixed time frame offset relative to the fixed period strobe signal. Each of the channels is broadcast after their associated fixed time frame offset expires. An RF receiver of the remote device receives the data on one of the channels. The data on each of the channels is received at different times, depending on its associated fixed time frame offset, which results in the data on each received channel having an associated received time reference relative to a strobe signal of the remote device.

Abstract: A novel method for detection of an inflammatory disease and a novel composition for prevention or treatment of an inflammatory disease are provided. The method for detection of an inflammatory disease comprises using RANKL and/or OPG as a marker in a biological sample. The composition for prevention or treatment of an inflammatory disease comprises RANKL and/or M-CSF as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a function on a remote device with a function on a primary device includes selectively broadcasting, from a radio frequency (RF) transmitter of the primary device, data broadcast on channels at different times relative to a fixed period strobe signal of the primary device. Only the channels that have a noise level below a specified threshold level selectively broadcast the data and each of the channels have an associated fixed time frame offset relative to the fixed period strobe signal. Each of the channels is broadcast after their associated fixed time frame offset expires. An RF receiver of the remote device receives the data on one of the channels. The data on each of the channels is received at different times, depending on its associated fixed time frame offset, which results in the data on each received channel having an associated received time reference relative to a strobe signal of the remote device.

Abstract: A high-frequency module has an antenna configured by integrally connecting a slot plate laid out with radiation slots to a plate having plural thin plates formed with a waveguide for supplying power to the slot plate, using a diffusion bonding. The waveguide of the antenna is connected to a dielectric waveguide of a high-frequency package via a waveguide provided on a resin substrate, thereby configuring a slot antenna at low cost, and connecting a power-supply slot of the slot antenna to a waveguide terminal of the high-frequency package with low loss.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus illuminates an object and captures an image of the object using the reflected light from the object. On a circuit substrate mounted an image sensor, a plurality of light-emitting devices are mounted in the peripheral positions of the image sensor. By means of a ring-shaped light guide member, the light from the plurality of light-emitting devices is guided to an image capturing range, so as to illuminate the object. With this, by mounting a light receiving system and a light emitting system on an identical substrate, miniaturization can be achieved, and the image capturing range can be illuminated by substantially uniform light. Also, using the ring-shaped light guide member, an optical unit is housed inside the ring, thus enabling further miniaturization.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an effective technique for achieving a higher level of water quality control in a water treatment apparatus. Representative water treatment apparatus according to the present invention may include a purifying section, a sterilizing section, a water storing section and a water quality detection sensor. The water quality detection sensor is immersed in the water storing section. The water quality detection sensor not only serves as a means for detecting the quality of water in the water storing section, but also as a means for detecting deposition of biomembrane on the detecting section of the water quality detection sensor due to deterioration of the sterilizing performance of the water storing section. As a result, an efficient water quality control system can be realized.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus illuminates an object and captures an image of the object using the reflected light from the object. The image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor for capturing an image of the object by receiving reflected light, distance-measuring light-emitting devices for irradiating the object with spot light, and a control circuit for driving the distance-measuring light-emitting devices, detecting the spot light positions of the distance-measuring light-emitting devices from an image captured by the image sensor, and obtaining the distance to the object. The image sensor provided for capturing an image of the object can be used as a photodetector device for distance measurement. With this, it becomes unnecessary to separately provide a photodetector device for distance measurement, which enables miniaturization of the image capturing apparatus, as well as cost reduction.

Abstract: Heretofore, a plurality of packages were used in a high frequency module in which a plurality of waveguide terminals were positioned resulting in problems, such as degradation of characteristics in the connection lines between packages, lower ease of assembly when mounting and connecting the connection lines, increased cost, and so forth. To solve these problems, a plurality of cavities having a part or the entire side metallized is formed in a multi-layer dielectric substrate. The multi-layer dielectric substrate is provided with a plurality of waveguide terminals, microstrip line-waveguide converters, RF lines, bias and control signal wiring, and bias and control signal pads. A high frequency circuit is mounted within the cavity and sealed with a seal and cover. This is intended to reduce the number of package, improve performance, improve fabrication, and lower the cost.

Abstract: A light guide member illuminates with uniform light intensity distribution using the point light source light. On the lower end of the light guide member having a pair of side faces disposed oppositely, a groove is provided for receiving light output from each point light source and diffusing the above received light to at least three directions from the incident side toward the output side. Light components having directions using side-face reflection are generated in the light guide member, enabling light output to multiple directions from the cylindrical-shaped light guide member, and uniform illumination over a wide range. By using the ring-shaped light guide member, cost reduction is effectively achieved, and miniaturization of the illumination mechanism and the image capturing mechanism can also be attained.

Abstract: A data communication network. The network includes a transmitter unit for transmitting data and a receiver unit for receiving data from the transmitter unit. The network has two or more data channels via which data may be transmitted by the transmitter unit to the receiver unit. The receiver unit includes a receiver channel selection unit for selecting a reception channel from the at least two data channels. The receiver channel selection unit operates independent from a selection of a transmission channel by a transmission channel selection unit in the transmitter unit. The transmission channel selection unit is arranged to select a transmission channel from the at least two data channels to transmit data to the receiver unit.

Abstract: A novel method for detection of an inflammatory disease and a novel composition for prevention or treatment of an inflammatory disease are provided. The method for detection of an inflammatory disease comprises using RANKL and/or OPG as a marker in a biological sample. The composition for prevention or treatment of an inflammatory disease comprises RANKL and/or M-CSF as an active ingredient.

Abstract: To provide a high-frequency module having an antenna configured by integrally connecting a slot plate laid out with radiation slots to a plate having plural thin plates formed with a waveguide for supplying power to the slot plate, using a diffusion bonding. The waveguide of the antenna is connected to a dielectric waveguide of a high-frequency package via a waveguide provided on a resin substrate, thereby configuring a slot antenna at low cost, and connecting a power-supply slot of the slot antenna to a waveguide terminal of the high-frequency package with low loss.

Abstract: It is an object of the present teachings to provide a technique for effectively providing a packed region in a water treatment apparatus in which the packed region is provided in a path of water to be treated and is filled with biomembrane-deposited members. According to the present invention, a representative water treatment apparatus may include a packed region provided in a path of water to be treated, a first packed part arranged in the packed region, a block of first biomembrane-deposited members that are packed in the first packed part, a second packed part that is arranged under the first packed part, and a plurality of second biomembrane-deposited members that are packed in the second packed part. According to the invention, the first biomembrane-deposited members are configured to prevent the second biomembrane-deposited members from moving into the first packed part by pressing the second biomembrane-deposited members from above.

Abstract: A multilayer dielectric substrate includes a first signal via, a second signal via, an internal-layer signal line, an internal-layer ground conductor, and ground vias. The first signal via is connected to a bias-and-control-signal terminal of a high-frequency semiconductor, and is arranged within a region corresponding to the electromagnetic shielding members. The second signal via is arranged outside the region, and is connected to an external terminal for a bias and control signal. The internal-layer signal line connects between the first and the second signal vias. The internal-layer ground conductor is arranged around the first and the second signal vias and the internal-layer signal line. The ground vias are arranged around the first and the second signal vias and the internal-layer signal line, on the internal-layer ground conductor. A resistance film is provided on at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the internal-layer signal line.

Abstract: It is an object of the present teachings to provide a technique for effectively providing a packed region in a water treatment apparatus in which the packed region is provided in a path of water to be treated and is filled with biomembrane-deposited members. According to the present invention, a representative water treatment apparatus may include a packed region provided in a path of water to be treated, a first packed part arranged in the packed region, a block of first biomembrane-deposited members that are packed in the first packed part, a second packed part that is arranged under the first packed part, and a plurality of second biomembrane-deposited members that are packed in the second packed part. According to the invention, the first biomembrane-deposited members are configured to prevent the second biomembrane-deposited members from moving into the first packed part by pressing the second biomembrane-deposited members from above.

Abstract: A wireless communication device, an individual information writing device, and an individual information setting method that efficiently write individual information, such as a unique identifier used for wireless communication, to each wireless device. An address writing device transmits a unique address setting communication request. A wireless device has a control unit that checks whether a provisional address is set in a unique address memory. When a provisional address is set, the control unit measures the signal intensity of a received unique address setting communication request with an electric field intensity measuring unit. When the electric field intensity is greater than a threshold value stored in an address setting condition memory and thereby satisfies an address setting condition, the wireless device performs a process for setting a unique address and then transmits a completion notification to the address writing device.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus illuminates an object and captures an image of the object using the reflected light from the object. The image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor for capturing an image of the object by receiving reflected light, distance-measuring light-emitting devices for irradiating the object with spot light, and a control circuit for driving the distance-measuring light-emitting devices, detecting the spot light positions of the distance-measuring light-emitting devices from an image captured by the image sensor, and obtaining the distance to the object. The image sensor provided for capturing an image of the object can be used as a photodetector device for distance measurement. With this, it becomes unnecessary to separately provide a photodetector device for distance measurement, which enables miniaturization of the image capturing apparatus, as well as cost reduction.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus illuminates an object and captures an image of the object using the reflected light from the object. On a circuit substrate mounted an image sensor, a plurality of light-emitting devices are mounted in the peripheral positions of the image sensor. By means of a ring-shaped light guide member, the light from the plurality of light-emitting devices is guided to an image capturing range, so as to illuminate the object. With this, by mounting a light receiving system and a light emitting system on an identical substrate, miniaturization can be achieved, and the image capturing range can be illuminated by substantially uniform light. Also, using the ring-shaped light guide member, an optical unit is housed inside the ring, thus enabling further miniaturization.