Abstract: An auction system is disclosed in which a submitting node device is configured to transmit to an auction management device product information describing a product, re-auction information indicating whether or not the product is to be re-auctioned when an initial auction fails to result in a transaction, and sale conditions information including sale conditions for the product. The auction management device is configured to present said product for auction, based on said product information. The auction management device is also configured to receive at least one bid indicating purchase conditions from at least one bidding node device. Additionally, the auction management device is configured to determine whether the purchase conditions match the sale conditions. The auction management device is also configured to, when (i) the purchase conditions do not match the sale conditions and (ii) the re-auction information indicates that the product is to be re-auctioned, re-present said product for auction.

Abstract: An auction system is disclosed in which a submitting node device is configured to transmit to an auction management device product information describing a product, re-auction information indicating whether or not the product is to be re-auctioned when an initial auction fails to result in a transaction, and sale conditions information including sale conditions for the product. The auction management device is configured to present said product for auction, based on said product information. The auction management device is also configured to receive at least one bid indicating purchase conditions from at least one bidding node device. Additionally, the auction management device is configured to determine whether the purchase conditions match the sale conditions. The auction management device is also configured to, when (i) the purchase conditions do not match the sale conditions and (ii) the re-auction information indicates that the product is to be re-auctioned, re-present said product for auction.

Abstract: The AC electric power of the commercial AC power supply is safely supplied to an electronic appliance functioning as a load during an occurrence of a power interruption by an auxiliary power supply apparatus. In the auxiliary power supply apparatus, normally usable electric power derived from a diode bridge energized by the commercial AC power supply, and auxiliary electric power produced from a DC/DC converter energized by a cell are selectively conducted to an output connector of this auxiliary power supply apparatus via a selection switch and a load connection switch, which are controlled in response to a detection result of a power-interrupt detecting circuit. When an AC plug of a load set is inserted into this output connector, a switch is turned ON, and then, a DC voltage applied from a voltage divider to this connector is changed, depending upon the types of the power supply circuits employed in the load sets, namely, a transformer type power supply circuit and a switching type power supply circuit.

Abstract: The invention discloses a telephone set and a method for its operation for storing a message and a telephone number of each telephone set to which a message is transferred, and reading out the telephone number to perform dialing for the destination telephone set. If a continuous period of silence is sent back from the destination telephone set for a predetermined time interval within a larger predetermined time interval after the connection is established, the telephone set reproduces the recorded message and sends it over the telephone lines to the destination set, otherwise the telephone set disconnects from the telephone line. The operation is automatically repeated for each designated destination telephone set, thereby automatically transferring the same message to a plurality of destination telephone sets.

Abstract: An automatic telephone answering apparatus answers and records incoming calls and then automatically dials, repeatedly if necessary, a remote telephone whose number has been stored in the answering apparatus and reproduces a specific message which notifies the person answering the remote telephone that a message has been received and recorded for the user of the answering apparatus.

Abstract: A cordless telephone in which communication between a base unit connected to a telephone network and a handset unit is carried out by radio waves, includes a transmitting and receiving system in the base unit and a transmitting and receiving system in the handset and first and second control circuits provided in the base unit system and in the handset, respectively, each include a detecting circuit for detecting whether any signal is present in an initally selected channel at the time communication is to be initiated between the base unit and the handset unit. Such signals being present in the initially selected channel may be caused by interference from other cordless telephone systems in the vicinity. Channel selector apparatus acts to change the base unit and handset from the occupied channel to a vacant channel.

Abstract: A heat-resistant phenolic resin foam containing a hydrate of an inorganic compound which generates a water vapor at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the phenolic resin foam, wherein(a) the hydrate of the inorganic compound has a pH of not more than 8 as its saturated aqueous solution, and(b) the hydrate of the inorganic compound is contained in an amount of 2 to 30% by weight in the phenolic resin foam.