Abstract: The control device, which is driven by an engine mounted on the vehicle, generates electric power and determines a power generation voltage for supplying the electric power to an electrical load and the electricity storage means, comprising electricity storage amount detection means for detecting an amount of electricity stored in the electricity storage means, by integrating an input/output current to/from the electricity storage means, voltage lowering means for lowering the power generation voltage when a predetermined electricity storage amount is detected by the electricity storage amount detection means, time measuring means for measuring time elapsed after termination of charging/discharging of the electricity storage means, and lowering prohibition means for prohibiting the power generation voltage from being lowered by the voltage lowering means if the time elapsed after termination of the charging/discharging is longer than or equal to a predetermined time.

Abstract: An engine start controller having a starter motor that is driven by battery to start engine, an activation switch that sends to the starter motor a START command for starting the engine, an activation circuit that connects the starter motor to the battery to supply a drive current, and an engine start control unit that issues an OPERATE command for operating the activation circuit when receiving the START command from the activation switch, and supplies the drive current to the starter motor. The controller is provided with a bypass circuit that directly sends to the activation circuit the START command that has been sent from the activation switch.

Abstract: An automatic photograph seal vending method comprising providing a photographing process for creating a photographed picture image or images, wherein an illumination means illuminates one or more subjects in a photographing space and a photographing means takes a photograph; providing an editing process for creating an edited picture image or images, wherein an editing means edits a picture image or images as an object of editing; using an output means to output a predetermined picture image or images; and using a large-sized display means capable of displaying the one or more subjects substantially in life size to display tie predetermined picture image or images to facilitate the photographing process and/or the editing process.

Abstract: The invention presents a therapeutic agent (and progress suppressant) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) containing HGF and/or HGF gene as active ingredient. HGF has an effect of improving the motor function of ALS and life span through two actions, that is, direct neuronutrient factor activity on motoneurons, and indirect improving action of glutamate cytotoxicity on motoneurons by maintaining the level of glutamate transporter in astrocytes. Hence, HGF and/or HGF gene can be used as an effective therapeutic agent not known in the past.

Abstract: An automatic photograph seal vending method comprising providing a photographing process for creating a photographed picture image or images, wherein an illumination means illuminates one or more subjects in a photographing space and a photographing means takes a photograph; providing an editing process for creating an edited picture image or images, wherein an editing means edits a picture image or images as an object of editing; using an output means to output a predetermined picture image or images; and using a large-sized display means capable of displaying the one or more subjects substantially in life size to display tie predetermined picture image or images to facilitate the photographing process and/or the editing process.

Abstract: In method and apparatus for storing a control data group in a flash memory and an electronic control unit, one memory block of the flash memory is provided for a storage of the control data group and a plurality of storage regions (A1 through A16) are allocated to the memory block in an order of addresses in such a manner that each storage region has a capacity enough for the control data group to be written thereinto, the control data group is written into one of the storage regions which is data-unwritten and whose address is top in the order of addresses, and at least one updated control data is written into one of the remaining storage regions which is data-unwritten and whose address is top in the order of addresses from among the remaining data-unwritten storage regions each time an update request to update the contents thereof occurs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image printing apparatus, devised such that numerous users can reliably and efficiently input editorial input. A first user utilizes operating panel 13-1, and a second user utilizes operating panel 13-2, respectively. Because an image photographed by CCD camera 15 is displayed on operating panel 13-1 and operating panel 13-2, each user selects an image he likes, and inputs image editing such as additional images by operating a control button displayed on the operating panel that he is using with a touch pen 14-1 or 14-2.

Abstract: A security device for vehicle disclosed is of a type generating a seed that is used suitably in order to generate a key by being encoded and that is decreased in regularity. Namely, the security device for vehicle according to the present invention has a construction that generates from vehicle control data the seed used for generating an authentication key on the vehicle side and a key on the user side by being encoded. By such construction, the seed is generated from the vehicle control data concerning the constituent elements of the vehicle that are kept in a state of operation. Since the vehicle control data itself is a type that momentarily changes in correspondence with the state of operation of the constituent elements of the vehicle, the generated seed exhibits substantially no regularity thereby becoming a very good kind of random number.

Abstract: In method and apparatus for storing a control data group in a flash memory and an electronic control unit, one memory block of the flash memory is provided for a storage of the control data group and a plurality of storage regions (A1 through A16) are allocated to the memory block in an order of addresses in such a manner that each storage region has a capacity enough for the control data group to be written thereinto, the control data group is written into one of the storage regions which is data-unwritten and whose address is top in the order of addresses, and at least one updated control data is written into one of the remaining storage regions which is data-unwritten and whose address is top in the order of addresses from among the remaining data-unwritten storage regions each time an update request to update the contents thereof occurs.

Abstract: A key for storing a predetermined electronic code is provided independently from a vehicle, and a mechanism is provided for comparing the electronic code in the key with a built-in stored electronic code after an ignition switch is switched from an OFF position to an ON position. When the electronic codes do not correspond, the vehicle is prevented from starting, and it is prevented from starting even when the electronic codes do correspond if the number of non-correspondences reaches a predetermined value. In this way, the vehicle is prevented from starting when the electronic codes match by chance when unauthorized start-ups are attempted.

Abstract: This invention relates to an anti-theft device for an engine-driven vehicle having a control unit for controlling either of the supply of fuel to an engine and the ignition timing of this fuel, and a back-up mechanism acting for the control unit when the control unit is damaged. It is determined whether or not the control unit has functioned appropriately when the engine is started up, and if it is determined that it has not, the function of the back-up mechanism is prohibited. Hence, the engine will not start and theft of the vehicle is prevented even if, for example, the control unit is deliberately damaged and an attempt is made to start the engine. However, the back-up mechanism does function if the control unit develops a fault while the vehicle is running, and the vehicle therefore continues to run.