Abstract: The present disclosure promotes distribution of sensor data among a plurality of business operators. A controller that an information processing system according to the present disclosure includes collects first data including a plurality of items and personal information from mobile bodies belonging to a first business operator. The controller converts the first data to second data not being usable to identify individuals. The controller provides data in a range decided based on content of a predetermined data use contract, among the second data, to a second business operator. The controller calculates a consideration for the data that is to be paid by the second business operator, based on a data use record of the second business operator.

Abstract: A CPAP apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a housing, a hose whose one end communicates with a connection portion, a fan configured to expel air flowing in from an intake port, from another end of the hose, a motor and a motor driving unit configured to rotationally drive the fan, a control unit configured to control the motor driving unit, and a flow rate sensor. The control unit includes a command generation unit configured to generate a command value of a rotation number of the fan such that a pressure to be expelled from the other end of the hose becomes a target pressure, and a command correction unit configured to correct the command value based on a flow rate value obtained by the flow rate sensor.

Abstract: A crankshaft bearing structure is provided capable of properly lubricating a thrust bearing even when low-viscosity oil is used in an engine. The crankshaft bearing structure includes a crankshaft, a cylinder block, plural journal bearings, and thrust bearings. Each of the plural journal bearings is annularly attached to a respective one of plural crank journals when the crankshaft is rotating. The thrust bearings are attached to a shaft support section, which supports the crank journal, in the cylinder block, to restrict movement of the crankshaft in a direction along an axis. The upper journal bearing annularly attached to the crank journal has a circumferential groove provided in an inner circumferential surface, connected to an oil hole, and extending in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: A crankshaft bearing structure is provided, in which a crankshaft includes a first crank journal and a second crank journal, and a crank pin disposed therebetween. First upper-and-lower journal bearings and second upper-and-lower journal bearings are attached to the respective crank journals, and each upper bearing includes an oil hole connected to an oil passage to supply oil to between the crank journal and the journal bearings. An in-shaft oil passage is formed in the crankshaft to draw oil from an outer circumferential surface of the second crank journal to an outer circumferential surface of the crank pin. The second upper journal bearing has, on an inner circumferential surface thereof, a circumferential groove connected to the oil hole. The oil is supplied to between the first upper-and-lower journal bearings and the first crank journal, only through a passage passing through the oil hole of the first upper journal bearing.

Abstract: A crankshaft bearing structure is provided, in which a crankshaft includes a first crank journal and a second crank journal, and a crank pin disposed therebetween. First upper-and-lower journal bearings and second upper-and-lower journal bearings are attached to the respective crank journals, and each upper bearing includes an oil hole connected to an oil passage to supply oil to between the crank journal and the journal bearings. An in-shaft oil passage is formed in the crankshaft to draw oil from an outer circumferential surface of the second crank journal to an outer circumferential surface of the crank pin. The second upper journal bearing has, on an inner circumferential surface thereof, a circumferential groove connected to the oil hole. The oil is supplied to between the first upper-and-lower journal bearings and the first crank journal, only through a passage passing through the oil hole of the first upper journal bearing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an arrangement provided with a chip body having a fluid channel and configured such that an end portion of the fluid channel is opened in a surface of the chip body, and a sheet-like seal member which covers at least the opening in the surface of the chip body for bringing the inside of the fluid channel to a sealed state. The seal member is constituted of laminated sheet members including a first sheet member having a ductility and an elasticity capable of forming a hole therein with use of a nozzle member, and a second sheet member having a lower ductility than the first sheet member. The sheet members adjoining each other are adhered to each other by an adhesive or a tackifier. The second sheet member is disposed on the chip body side than the first sheet member.

Abstract: In the present invention, a specimen is made to flow on a metal film on a prism, and excitation light (?) is emitted in a predetermined direction. By changing the position of a reflective member that reflects the excitation light (?), and adjusting the orientation of a reflective surface of the reflective member, the incident angle (?) is changed while maintaining a state in which the excitation light (?) that enters the prism is reflected at a specific position on the metal film. The intensity of light to be generated on the metal film is measured, and the reflective member is positioned to match the position of the reflective member and the orientation of the reflective surface when a maximum amount of light is measured.

Abstract: Provided is a driving device having a rod-like terminal capable of stably fixing an SMA and connecting a conductive member without preventing the size of the driving device from being reduced and affecting the performance of the SMA. Also provided is an imaging device. The driving device is equipped with a string-shaped shape-memory alloy as a driving source and includes: a base member serving as the base of the driving device; and the rod-like terminal made of a metal penetrating the base member and secured to the base member. One end side of the rod-like terminal is caulked to interpose and hold the shape-memory alloy, and the other end side of the rod-like terminal has a crimp portion where the conductive member for supplying current to the shape-memory alloy is crimped and fixed.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized in being provided with a chip main body, which is provided with a flow channel having the end portion thereof opened in the surface, and a sheet-like sealing member, which brings the inside of the flow channel into a hermetically closed state by covering at least the opening in the surface of the chip main body. The present invention is also characterized in that in the sealing member, a plurality of sheets are laminated, said sheets including a first sheet, which has ductility and elasticity such that the first sheet can be penetrated by means of a nozzle member, and a second sheet having ductility lower than that of the first sheet, the sheets adjacent to each other are bonded with an adhesive agent or a cohesive agent, and that the second sheet is positioned further toward the chip main body side than the first sheet.

Abstract: In the present invention, a specimen is made to flow on a metal film on a prism, and excitation light (?) is emitted in a predetermined direction. By changing the position of a reflective member that reflects the excitation light (?), and adjusting the orientation of a reflective surface of the reflective member, the incident angle (?) is changed while maintaining a state in which the excitation light (?) that enters the prism is reflected at a specific position on the metal film. The intensity of light to be generated on the metal film is measured, and the reflective member is positioned to match the position of the reflective member and the orientation of the reflective surface when a maximum amount of light is measured.

Abstract: The fuel cell device is provided with: an electricity-generating unit having a fuel electrode (102), an air electrode (103), and an electrolyte film (101) sandwiched between the fuel electrode (102) and the air electrode (103); a hydrogen-generating member (104) that, by means of an oxidation reaction with water, generates hydrogen for supplying to the fuel electrode (102) of the aforementioned electricity-generating unit; a heater (105) that heats the hydrogen-generating member (104); a temperature sensor (106) that detects the temperature of the hydrogen-generating member (104); and a temperature control unit (20) that controls the temperature of the hydrogen-generating member (104) in response to the detection results of the temperature sensor (106). The temperature control unit (20) stops the passage of electricity through the heater (105) when it has been determined that the temperature of the hydrogen-generating member (104) is at least a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed are a driving mechanism and a driving device to which durable shape memory alloy (SMA) is applied and that can operate normally even in a high temperature environment. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing such a driving device. In the driving mechanism, the driving device, and the method of manufacturing the driving device, building tension of the SMA is adjusted in advance so as to balance with bias force during supplying of a predetermined amount of electricity to the SMA after all members are integrated together.

Abstract: An optical unit and image pickup apparatus capable of performing “auto focus function” and “image shake correction function” and characterized by easy assembling, compact configuration, high performance and reduced costs is provided. The optical unit and image pickup apparatus are provided with a polymer actuator to move an optical device, whereby performing auto focus function and image shake correction function can be performed. The polymer actuator is provided with electric wirings for image pickup device, thereby reducing the number of circuit board used for electric wiring of the image pickup device, with the result that an optical unit and image pickup apparatus characterized by easy assembling, compact configuration, high performance and reduced costs are provided.

Abstract: A driving device is adapted to drive a driven member, and includes a driving member, and a linear shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator. The driving member has a displacement output portion which is movable in a first axis direction, and a displacement input portion for moving the displacement output portion in the first axis direction in response to an application of a moving force in a second axis direction orthogonal to the first axis direction. The driving member is engaged with the driven member at the displacement output portion. The SMA actuator is disposed in contact with the driving member at least at the displacement input portion to apply the moving force to the displacement input portion.

Abstract: Provided is a driving device having a rod-like terminal capable of stably fixing an SMA and connecting a conductive member without preventing the size of the driving device from being reduced and affecting the performance of the SMA. Also provided is an imaging device. The driving device is equipped with a string-shaped shape-memory alloy as a driving source and includes: a base member serving as the base of the driving device; and the rod-like terminal made of a metal penetrating the base member and secured to the base member. One end side of the rod-like terminal is caulked to interpose and hold the shape-memory alloy, and the other end side of the rod-like terminal has a crimp portion where the conductive member for supplying current to the shape-memory alloy is crimped and fixed.

Abstract: A driving device and driving device manufacturing method that ensure stable fixing of an SMA, without causing difficulties in downsizing the device, and without adversely affecting the performance of the SMA. A driving device equipped with a string-shaped shape memory alloy as a drive source includes a base member constituting a basis of the driving device, and a rod-like member which penetrates the base member and is made of the metal fixed onto this base member. The rod-like member is caulked on one end of this rod-like member so that the aforementioned shape memory alloy is pinch-held in-between, whereas power-feeding members to apply current to the shape memory alloy are arranged on the other end of the rod-like member.

Abstract: An art of a driving device for appropriately improving a response of an SMA actuator will be provided. A portable telephone 1 has an image stabilization system 10 for driving an image pickup unit 9 by a pair of driving members 15a and 15b functioning as actuators, thereby performing image stabilization. Driving members 15a and 15b are formed as a wire of shape memory alloy (SMA) and when a voltage is applied to both ends and a current is supplied, driving force is generated in the contraction direction. With respect to the wire diameter of the SMAs, the wire diameter of the SMAs is set between 10 ?m and 80 ?m, thus the mountability and response are improved appropriately.

Abstract: An actuator driving device includes: an actuator made of a shape metal alloy having a property that a predetermined shape is memorized in advance, and that the predetermined memorized shape is recovered when the actuator is heated to a predetermined temperature; an applier for applying, to the actuator, a pulse current or a pulse voltage at least having a predetermined current value or a predetermined voltage, and a predetermined duty ratio to heat the actuator; and a determiner for determining the current value or the voltage value, and the duty ratio of the pulse current or the pulse voltage to be applied to the actuator by the applier, wherein the determiner is operative to determine the pulse current or the pulse voltage having: the current value larger than a current value of a constant current required for displacing the actuator by a predetermined targeted displacement amount, or the voltage value corresponding thereto; and the duty ratio of making an applied current amount smaller than an applied curr

Abstract: A drive mechanism and a drive device each comprise a driven body (1), a displacement member (2), and an SMA actuator (3) for giving a displacement force. The driven body (1) is coupled to a fixed section through a viscoelastic member (11 (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D)). A displacement output section is engaged with the driven body, and thereby a predetermined portion of the displacement member (2) for displacing the driven body in a first-axis direction is connected to the fixed section through the viscoelastic member (11 (11E, 11F, 11G, 11H)). A shape-memory alloy (SMA) actuator is used. The position of the driven body is stably and quickly controlled. Even if a shock force is exerted or even if the drive mechanism and the drive device are left in a high-temperature environment for a long time, the SMA, the drive mechanism, and the drive device do not deteriorate, the sizes and weights thereof can be reduced, and they can be easily assembled.

Abstract: An actuator driving device includes: an actuator made of a shape metal alloy having a property that a predetermined shape is memorized in advance, and that the predetermined memorized shape is recovered when the actuator is heated to a predetermined temperature; an applier for applying, to the actuator, a pulse current or a pulse voltage at least having a predetermined current value or a predetermined voltage, and a predetermined duty ratio to heat the actuator; and a determiner for determining the current value or the voltage value, and the duty ratio of the pulse current or the pulse voltage to be applied to the actuator by the applier, wherein the determiner is operative to determine the pulse current or the pulse voltage having: the current value larger than a current value of a constant current required for displacing the actuator by a predetermined targeted displacement amount, or the voltage value corresponding thereto; and the duty ratio of making an applied current amount smaller than an applied curr