Abstract: A microcomputer in a device body operates so as to store every update of a maximum discharge current value (IMAX (A)) of a secondary battery (the whole plurality of cells), and operates so as to indicate the ratio value of the remaining capacity defined in a remaining capacity definition table with respect to a discharge voltage value (V (V)) of the secondary battery while reducing the ratio value in accordance with the maximum discharge current value (IMAX (A)) when obtaining the discharge voltage value (V (V)) from a protection circuit.

Abstract: To provide a technology for obtaining a remaining capacity of a battery with high accuracy.

Abstract: A microcomputer in a device body operates so as to store every update of a maximum discharge current value (IMAX (A)) of a secondary battery (the whole plurality of cells), and operates so as to indicate the ratio value of the remaining capacity defined in a remaining capacity definition table with respect to a discharge voltage value (V (V)) of the secondary battery while reducing the ratio value in accordance with the maximum discharge current value (IMAX (A)) when obtaining the discharge voltage value (V (V)) from a protection circuit.

Abstract: A battery control device includes a unit to measure a voltage of a battery, a unit to measure an electric current of the battery, and a control unit to calculate an open-circuit voltage of the battery based on the voltage and the electric current of the battery, and to calculate a battery residual quantity ratio of the battery by use of relative information and the calculated open-circuit voltage, wherein the control unit calculates a charge quantity ratio of the battery by subtracting a battery residual quantity ratio at charge ending time from a battery residual quantity ratio at charge starting time, calculates a value obtained by multiplying the charge quantity ratio by a correction coefficient as a charging-discharging count of the battery, and integrates the charging-discharging count each time the charging-discharging count is calculated.

Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus that controls a battery circuit, including a voltage detector that detects a battery voltage, a battery protection circuit that stops charging current when the battery voltage detected by the voltage detecting unit exceeds a protection voltage, and a charging circuit being capable of changing a charging current value for charging a battery. The control apparatus includes an input interface that reads the battery voltage detected by the voltage detecting unit, a decision unit that decides whether or not the read battery voltage has approached the protection voltage to a predetermined limit value, an output interface that outputs a signal for controlling the charging current, and a current control unit that limits the charging current to a predetermined limit value via the output interface when the read battery voltage is decided to have approached the protection voltage to the predetermined limit value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound defined by a formula herein, a composition and/or a method relating to one or more of the defined compounds.

Abstract: A near infrared fluorescent contrast agent comprising a compound having three or more sulfonic acid groups in a molecule, and a method of fluorescence imaging comprising introducing the near infrared fluorescent contrast agent of the present invention into a living body, exposing the body to an excitation light, and detecting near infrared fluorescence from the contrast agent. The near infrared fluorescent contrast agent of the present invention is excited by an excitation light and emits near infrared fluorescence. This infrared fluorescence is superior in transmission through biological tissues. Thus, detection of lesions in the deep part of a living body has been made possible. In addition, the inventive contrast agent is superior in water solubility and low toxic, and therefore, it can be used safely.

Abstract: To provide a technology for obtaining a remaining capacity of a battery with high accuracy.

Abstract: A battery control device comprises voltage measuring unit measuring a voltage of a battery, current measuring unit measuring an electric current of the battery, and power source control unit calculating an open-circuit voltage of the battery based on the voltage of the battery and the electric current of the battery, and calculating a battery residual quantity ratio of the battery by use of relative information and the calculated open-circuit voltage, wherein the power source control unit calculates a charge quantity ratio of the battery by subtracting a battery residual quantity ratio at charge ending time from a battery residual quantity ratio of the battery at charge starting time, calculates a value obtained in a way that multiplies the charge quantity ratio by a correction coefficient as a charging/discharging count of the battery, and integrates the charging/discharging count each time the charging/discharging count is calculated.

Abstract: A protection method for preventing battery cells from over-discharging and being overcharged, a control circuit, and a battery unit are provided. In the protection method, when a set signal “1” is supplied to a set terminal, a flip-flop outputs “1”. The gate of a discharge control FET then becomes “1”, so that the discharge control FET is OFF regardless of a discharge control signal supplied from a voltage monitor circuit. When a reset signal “1” is supplied to a reset terminal, the flip-flop outputs “0”. The discharge control FET is then switched on and off in accordance with the output of a discharge control circuit of the voltage monitor circuit. In this manner, battery cells connected to an electronic device do not over-discharge, even when they are left unused for a long period of time. Thus, the battery unit can be prevented from deteriorating and shortening the life thereof.

Abstract: A structure of detecting an anomaly of the battery pack (2) including a plurality of battery cells (41a, 41b, 42a, 42b, 43a, 43b) connected in series or in parallel, which detects whether or not an impedance of at least one of battery cells deviates from a stipulated range. Also, a structure to detect whether or not an impedance change of at least one of battery cells exceeds a stipulated range.

Abstract: A protection method for preventing battery cells from over-discharging and being overcharged, a control circuit, and a battery unit are provided. In the protection method, when a set signal “1” is supplied to a set terminal, a flip-flop outputs “1”. The gate of a discharge control FET then becomes “1”, so that the discharge control FET is OFF regardless of a discharge control signal supplied from a voltage monitor circuit. When a reset signal “1” is supplied to a reset terminal, the flip-flop outputs “0”. The discharge control FET is then switched on and off in accordance with the output of a discharge control circuit of the voltage monitor circuit. In this manner, battery cells connected to an electronic device do not over-discharge, even when they are left unused for a long period of time. Thus, the battery unit can be prevented from deteriorating and shortening the life thereof.

Abstract: A near infrared fluorescent contrast agent comprising a compound having three or more sulfonic acid groups in a molecule, and a method of fluorescence imaging comprising introducing the near infrared fluorescent contrast agent of the present invention into a living body, exposing the body to an excitation light, and detecting near infrared fluorescence from the contrast agent. The near infrared fluorescent contrast agent of the present invention is excited by an excitation light and emits near infrared fluorescence. This infrared fluorescence is superior in transmission through biological tissues. Thus, detection of lesions in the deep part of a living body has been made possible. In addition, the inventive contrast agent is superior in water solubility and low toxic, and therefore, it can be used safely.

Abstract: A protection method for preventing battery cells from over-discharging and being overcharged, a control circuit, and a battery unit are provided. In the protection method, when a set signal “1” is supplied to a set terminal, a flip-flop outputs “1”. The gate of a discharge control FET then becomes “1”, so that the discharge control FET is OFF regardless of a discharge control signal supplied from a voltage monitor circuit. When a reset signal “1” is supplied to a reset terminal, the flip-flop outputs “0”. The discharge control FET is then switched on and off in accordance with the output of a discharge control circuit of the voltage monitor circuit. In this manner, battery cells connected to an electronic device do not over-discharge, even when they are left unused for a long period of time. Thus, the battery unit can be prevented from deteriorating and shortening the life thereof.

Abstract: An electronic equipment is connectable to a battery unit which includes an electronic circuit and a battery, and is provided with a power supply circuit to supply a power supply voltage directly to the electronic circuit.

Abstract: A protection method for preventing battery cells from over-discharging and being overcharged, a control circuit, and a battery unit are provided. In the protection method, when a set signal “1” is supplied to a set terminal, a flip-flop outputs “1”. The gate of a discharge control FET then becomes “1”, so that the discharge control FET is OFF regardless of a discharge control signal supplied from a voltage monitor circuit. When a reset signal “1” is supplied to a reset terminal, the flip-flop outputs +0”. The discharge control FET is then switched on and off in accordance with the output of a discharge control circuit of the voltage monitor circuit. In this manner, battery cells connected to an electronic device do not over-discharge, even when they are left unused for a long period of time. Thus, the battery unit can be prevented from deteriorating and shortening the life thereof.

Abstract: An electronic equipment is provided with a main display section, an auxiliary display section which displays status information of the electronic equipment, a plurality of buttons provided above and/or below the auxiliary display section, and a controller. The controller displays definitions or meanings of the plurality of buttons, within the auxiliary display section at positions corresponding to each of the plurality of buttons, depending on an operation mode of the electronic equipment.

Abstract: An electronic equipment is provided with a main display section, an auxiliary display section having a display area smaller than that of the main display section, and a controller displaying a plurality of status information of the electronic equipment in the auxiliary display section by a combination of a message using characters and at least one of symbols and a color display and/or a blinking display of the auxiliary display section.

Abstract: In a paper-punching device for use in an image-forming apparatus, the rear edge of a sheet of paper that is being transported through a transport guide is detected by the photosensor. After a predetermined time has passed since the detection, a punching device is activated. At this time, a punching member is depressed downward, and a punching blade attached to its top penetrates through the sheet of paper, thereby forming a punch hole. Even during the punching operation, transport rollers continue to rotate. Therefore, when the sheet of paper is caught by the punching blade, the transport rollers are allowed to slip predetermined amount with respect to the paper. For this reason, at least one of the transport rollers is made of a foamed material. With this arrangement, since the punching operation is carried out on the rear side of the sheet of paper, it becomes possible to reduce the occurrence of paper jams even if sheets of paper are transported in succession.

Abstract: A charging-and-discharging device in an electronic apparatus includes a rechargeable battery and a charging device for charging the battery. The charging-and-discharging device includes a switching circuit electrically isolating one terminal side of the battery from a ground side of the electronic apparatus. The charging-and-discharging device further includes a charge control section controlling the isolating of the one terminal side of the battery from the ground side of the electronic apparatus by turning off the switching circuit during charging of the battery. In the charging-and-discharging device, the one terminal side of the battery is isolated from the ground side of the electronic apparatus by the switching circuit during charging of the battery and a closed loop including the charging device and the battery is established to charge the battery.