Abstract: In order to stabilize an operation for changing a speed change ratio, and to improve transmitting efficiency and endurance of structural parts of a toroidal continuously variable transmission, a relationship between the switching of a control valve and displacements of trunnions is such that initiation of the displacement of a trunnion having a feedback mechanism including a precess cam and a link arm is effected prior to initiation of the displacement of a trunnion not having a feedback mechanism.

Abstract: A device for changing the speeds of the front and rear wheels in a four-wheel-drive vehicle including a continuously variable speed-changing mechanism for the front wheels, which changes the input rotational speed and outputs it to the front wheel drive shafts, and a continuously variable speed-changing mechanism for the rear wheels, which changes the input rotational speed and outputs it to the rear wheel drive shafts. The device for changing the speeds of the front wheels and the rear wheels comprises a detector means for detecting the operation conditions of the vehicle, a steering angle sensor for detecting the steering angle of the vehicle, and a controller for variably controlling the speeds of the continuously variable speed-changing mechanisms based on the operation conditions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a reforming device for producing a hydrogen-rich gas mixture by reforming a hydrogen-containing compound, and a fuel cell stack for generating electromotive fore by a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The fuel cell system further includes a hydrogen separating device disposed between the reforming device and the fuel cell stack. The hydrogen separating device is provided with hydrogen permeating means for obtaining a fuel gas by separating hydrogen gas from the gas mixture.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for cleaning exhaust gas includes a heat-resistant support which is coated with particles of a zirconium complex oxide of the following formula, Zr1−(x+y)CexRyO2−z where “R” represents at least one element selected from a group consisting of Al and rare earth elements other than Ce, “z” represents the degree of oxygen deficiency determined by the valence and content of the contained Al and/or rare earth element, 0.1≦x+y≦0.5, 0.1≦x≦0.5, and 0≦y≦0.2. A combination of Pt and Rh coexistently carried on the zirconium complex oxide particles. Further, particles of an oxygen-storing complex oxide of a rare earth element are also coated on the support together with the zirconium complex oxide particles.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a billing rate of a telecommunications connection is disclosed. The method and system may be used in a location aware telecommunications system that can determine the location of a telecommunications unit (TU) being used within the system. The geographic location of a mobile unit (MU) is determined, and compared to a list a predetermined subsidized zones. When the MU initiates or receives a call from within a subsidized zone, and the MU is otherwise responsible for paying a predetermined billing rate associated with the call, the predetermined rate is subsidized for at least the portion of the call made while the MU is located within the subsidized zone.

Abstract: A device for changing the speeds of the front and rear wheels in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, which is equipped with a continuously variable speed-changing mechanism for the front wheels which changes the input rotational speed and outputs it to the front wheel drive shafts and a continuously variable speed-changing mechanism for the rear wheels which changes the input rotational speed and outputs it to the rear wheel drive shafts. The device for changing the speeds of the front and rear wheels comprises a detector means for detecting the operation conditions of the vehicle and a controller for variably controlling the speeds of said continuously variable speed-changing mechanism for the front wheels and of said continuously variable speed-changing mechanism for the rear wheels based on the operation conditions of the vehicle detected by said detector means.

Abstract: An ECU (2) of a vehicle executes under-steering control when a steering wheel is operated in the direction to increase the steering angle under an under-steering state and the yaw rate does not increase. The under-steering control is not executed under such a driven under-steering state that the vehicle is cornering while applying the engine power to the driven wheels. The under-steering control is executed only under such a condition that although the steering wheel is operated in the direction to increase the steering angle, the actual yaw rate &phgr; does not change and not follow the operation. Thus, in the vehicle, when the under-steering control for restraining the under-steering state or the over-steering control for restraining the over-steering state is executed during the cornering motion of the vehicle, the condition for executing the under-steering control or the over-steering control is adequately set.

Abstract: A method and system for connecting proximately located telecommunications units are disclosed. The method and system may be used in a location aware telecommunications system that can determine the location of a telecommunications unit (TU) being used within the system. A user of a mobile telecommunications unit (MU) is connected to a TU when the MU is within a predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location meeting predefined criteria. The TU to which the MU is connected may be automated or manually operated. In some embodiments, multiple MUs are connected when they are within a predetermined proximity to each other and a predefined criteria is met.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively connecting proximately located telecommunications units are disclosed. The method and system may be used in a location aware telecommunications system that can determine the location of a telecommunications unit (TU) being used within the system. Proximately located TUs within a predefined group may be connected when an initiating TU requests a group connection. A predetermined number of group TUs located within a predetermined distance of the initiating TU may be connected together with the initating TU in a single telecommunications connection.

Abstract: Accurate location information about a mobile telecommunication transceiver is used to generate advertising content responsive to a user approaching the location of a business. This advertising content is tailored to the user's preferences and the particular business involved. Once the advertising content is delivered, the position of the user is monitored to track the effectiveness of the advertisement. If the user enters the business' store and/or makes a purchase, the advertisement is logged as having been successful. If the user does not enter the store within a predetermined period of time or moves away from the store, the advertisement is considered to have been ineffective.

Abstract: A method and system for connecting proximately located telecommunications units are disclosed. The method and system may be used in a location aware telecommunications system that can determine the location of a telecommunications unit (TU) being used within the system. A user may be connected to one or more other users when they have compatible attributes and when they are located within a predetermined distance of each other. The connection may be established between TUs of two or more users, based on attribute and distance information maintained by a server computer, upon the request of an initiating user's TU.

Abstract: In a posture control apparatus controlling the posture of a vehicle in yawing direction by independently controlling brakes of the wheels, intervention of a first understeer control suppressing an understeering tendency is carried out when the understeering tendency of the vehicle is stronger than a preset reference value. Moreover, intervention of a second understeer control, in which the control amount is lower than in the first understeer control, is carried out when the actual yaw rate does not make a predetermined change with respect to a change of a steering wheel angle, thus improving the sense of stability and the controllability felt by the driver.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively connecting proximately located telecommunications units are disclosed. The method and system may be used in a location aware telecommunications system that can determine the location of a telecommunications unit (TU) being used within the system. A first TU may be connected to a second TU when the first and second TUs are within a predetermined distance of each other and when a first user associated with the first TU may be connected to a second user associated with the second TU on a graph representing individual relationships, such as an acquaintance graph or genealogical tree. The connection may further be based on whether the first and second users have a less than a maximum threshold degree of separation within the relationship graph.

Abstract: In a posture control apparatus controlling the posture of a vehicle in yawing direction by independently controlling brakes of the wheels, intervention of a first oversteer control is carried out when the oversteering tendency of the vehicle is stronger than a first preset reference value, intervention of a second oversteer control, in which the control amount is lower than in the first oversteer control, is carried out when the oversteering tendency of the vehicle is not stronger than the first preset reference value, but stronger than a second preset reference value, and intervention of a third oversteer control, in which the control amount is lower than in the first oversteer control, is carried out when the oversteering tendency of the vehicle is not stronger than the second preset reference value, but stronger than a third preset reference value.

Abstract: To provide an exhaust gas purifying catalyst that requires a smallest possible quantity of rhodium for developing the activity effectively, so as to produce an excellent purifying performance economically, a zirconium complex oxide on which rhodium and platinum are previously supported, and a cerium complex oxide on which platinum and/or palladium are previously supported are contained in an exhaust gas purifying catalyst.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling behavior of a vehicle has an ECU (2) which estimates behavior of a yaw rate of the vehicle using a first target yaw rate, a second target yaw rate and an actual yaw rate to control the behavior of the yaw rate. The ECU (2) completes the behavior control if a completion condition is achieved during over-steering control of the vehicle. The completion condition is any one of the following matters. The steering wheel is operated to increase the steering angle. The vehicle is running straight in a stable state. The deviation between the second target yaw rate and the actual yaw rate is stable in a region lower than a preset value. The estimative brake fluid pressure is approximately identical to the fluid pressure of the master cylinder. The slip angle is small. The absolute values of the first and second target yaw rates and the absolute value of the actual yaw rate are smaller and approximately resemble to one another.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a crystalline silicon base semiconductor thin film on a substrate, includes the steps of forming a thin film primarily made of silicon on the substrate by forming plasma of a film material gas containing at least a silicon base gas at the vicinity of the substrate; and crystallizing the silicon in the thin film primarily made of the silicon by emitting excited particles produced from an excited particle material gas to the substrate. At least one of the film material gas and the excited particle material gas contains an impurity gas for forming the silicon semiconductor, and thereby the crystalline silicon base semiconductor thin film is formed on the substrate.

Abstract: To provide an exhaust gas purifying catalyst that can develop good catalytic activity even in high-temperature endurance and also produce excellent low-temperature property, a coating layer having an outside layer and an inside layer is formed on a catalyst carrier, the outside layer being made to contain a noble metal previously supported on a heat-resisting oxide and a cerium complex oxide, and the inside layer being made to contain a heat-resisting oxide on which no noble metal is supported.

Abstract: A device for changing the speeds of the front and rear wheels in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, which is equipped with a continuously variable speed-changing mechanism for the front wheels which changes the input rotational speed and outputs it to the front wheel drive shafts and a continuously variable speed-changing mechanism for the rear wheels which changes the input rotational speed and outputs it to the rear wheel drive shafts. The device for changing the speeds of the front and rear wheels comprises a detector means for detecting the operation conditions of the vehicle and a controller for variably controlling the speeds of said continuously variable speed-changing mechanism for the front wheels and of said continuously variable speed-changing mechanism for the rear wheels based on the operation conditions of the vehicle detected by said detector means.