Abstract: The battery pack has a contactless charging circuit 95 that rectifies power received by a receiving coil 1, and a battery pack control section 91 with a connection decision section. The battery pack control section 91 is configured to judge whether or not the battery pack is connected to the body of a battery powered device 101 based on the rectified voltage of the contactless charging circuit 95. This decision utilizes the fact that the charging circuit is in a no-load condition and the rectified voltage is high when the battery pack is not connected to the battery powered device, and allows reliable judgment of whether the battery pack 90 is alone or attached to the battery powered device.

Abstract: A first bit-sequence, which is to be transmitted from a control section to an authentication chip according to an encoding scheme that transmits each one and zero by a pulse with a width of 200 ?sec and 100 ?sec respectively, is converted to a second bit-sequence to be transmitted according to NRZ encoding. The converted second bit-sequence is stored in a register with the MSB of the second bit-sequence aligned in the MSB of the register. Timing to set the pulse width for transmission of a one or zero by NRZ encoding is performed repeatedly, and at the start of each timed interval, the signal transmission level output to the authentication chip is set corresponding to the value of the bit stored in the MSB of the register. After setting the signal transmission level, the register is shifted left one bit.

Abstract: The power source apparatus configuration can be changed to adapt to the installation site and environment. The power source apparatus is provided with first equalizing circuits 14 to control remaining charge capacity variation among a plurality of battery units 10, and second equalizing circuits 24 to control remaining charge capacity variation among all the series-connected battery packs 20 that make up each battery unit 10. A first equalizing circuit 14 connects each battery unit 10 with an output line OL through a first series circuit made up of a first limiting resistor 15 and first equalizing switch 16. Remaining charge capacity variation is equalized among all the battery units 10 by the first equalizing circuits 14, and remaining charge capacity variation between battery packs 20 in each battery unit 10 is controlled by the second equalizing circuits 24. (Cell balancing is performed quickly and efficiently.

Abstract: In a voltage detecting apparatus, a voltage controlled oscillator, when an input voltage is applied thereto, outputs a signal with a logical value that is periodically inverted. A detector counts a number of logical inversion of the output signal from the voltage controlled oscillator over an interval between edges of pulses of a pulse signal to thereby generate, based on the counted number of logical inversion, digital data as a detected result of the input voltage. A determiner determines whether a reduction of a time required to detect the input voltage is higher in priority than an increase of a resolution of detection of the input voltage. A variably setting unit variably sets a frequency of the pulse signal based on a result of the determination of whether the reduction of the time required to detect the input voltage is higher in priority than the increase of the resolution of detection of the input voltage.

Abstract: The state monitoring apparatus includes a high-voltage side monitoring section having monitoring units assigned to respective unit batteries and a low-voltage side monitoring section having a control device. The monitoring units measures the voltages of the unit batteries upon reception of a voltage measurement command transmitted from the control device, and determines whether or not the measured voltages are within a predetermined range. This determination is transmitted to the control device. If this determination is negative, the control device limits a charge/discharge current of the assembled battery, and then causes the monitoring units to transmit the measured voltages.

Abstract: An electric power generation control apparatus mounted to a motor vehicle predicts an operational point of an internal combustion engine in the future based on driving path information supplied from a navigation system mounted to the motor vehicle. The apparatus further predicts an increased amount of fuel consumption which is caused by electric power generation of an alternator based on the predicted operational point of the internal combustion engine. The apparatus sets a reference value of an electric power economy index which is an amount of fuel consumption per electric power generation. On driving the motor vehicle on a path, the apparatus sequentially predicts the operational point of the internal combustion engine, and controls the alternator so that the actual electric power economy index becomes equal to the reference value based on the operational point of the internal combustion engine predicted.

Abstract: In a water-based ink composition of the present invention, 2.5 to 50 wt % of white-colored resin particles and 2.5 to 50 wt % of film-forming resin emulsions in a solid content are contained with respect to the total amount of the ink, the ratio of said white-colored resin particles to film-forming resin emulsions is 1:0.2 to 1:3, and not less than 20 wt % of said white-colored resin particles and film-forming resin emulsions in a solid content are contained in total.

Abstract: There is provided an optical displacement detection mechanism in which, even if a measurement object changes, a detection sensitivity and a ratio of a noise are adjustable without depending on optical characteristics such as reflectivity, or a shape and mechanical characteristics of a measurement object, an influence of a thermal deformation of the measurement object by an irradiated light to the measurement object can be made small, and a measurement accuracy can be ensured under optimum conditions.

Abstract: A stamp marker capable of adhering an application liquid to a target. The stamp marker includes a liquid-permeating member and a container containing an application liquid, the liquid-permeating member including a distal member, a base, and a fixing member. The distal member has a surface having a contacting part and a noncontacting part, the contacting part having a shape, so as to copy the shape onto the target by bringing the surface of the distal member into contact with the target to make the liquid adhere to the target, so that an adhesion mark of a predetermined shape is formed on the target.

Abstract: A tip unit (1) incorporated in a liquid applicator such as a ball-point pen, the tip unit being capable of an increased rate of liquid discharge with no leaking or clogging problem. To achieve it, the tip unit (1) is accommodated in a tip body (11) having a ball housing (15), a ball (10), a capillary hole (16), and a proximal bore, the ball housing (15) being a passage for allowing liquid to flow therethrough, the ball (10) being rotatively held in the ball housing (15). The ball housing (15) is provided with at least one ink channel (47) adapted to communicate the ball housing (15) with the capillary hole (16) or the proximal bore. The ball housing (15) has a ball resting seat (45) and a side wall (41) that are connected by a connecting surface (71) having a shape of a truncated conical surface with its apex toward the distal end of the tip unit (1).

Abstract: The state monitoring apparatus includes a high-voltage side monitoring section having monitoring units assigned to respective unit batteries and a low-voltage side monitoring section having a control device. The monitoring units measures the voltages of the unit batteries upon reception of a voltage measurement command transmitted from the control device, and determines whether or not the measured voltages are within a predetermined range. This determination is transmitted to the control device. If this determination is negative, the control device limits a charge/discharge current of the assembled battery, and then causes the monitoring units to transmit the measured voltages.

Abstract: In an A/D converting apparatus, a converting unit has an input terminal and an input-output characteristic. The input-output characteristic has temperature dependence, and the converting unit carries out a process of converting an input voltage signal to digital data. A temperature determining unit has information representing a relationship between a variable of an output of the converting unit and a variable of a temperature around the converting unit according to the temperature dependence of the input-output characteristic of the converting unit. When the specified voltage is applied to the input terminal of the converting unit, the temperature determining unit determines a value of the temperature around the converting unit based on the information and the specified voltage. A reducing unit reduces temperature dependence of the process of converting an input voltage signal to digital data based on the determined value of the temperature around the converting unit.

Abstract: The optical displacement-detecting mechanism has: a light source for irradiating a target for measurement with light; a light source-driving circuit for driving the light source; an optical detector made from a semiconductor for receiving light after the irradiation of the target for measurement by the light source and converting the light into an electric signal thereby to detect an intensity of light; and an amplifier including a current-voltage conversion circuit for performing current-to-voltage conversion on a detection signal of the optical detector with a predetermined amplification factor. In the optical displacement-detecting mechanism, a light source having a spectrum half width of 10 nm or larger is used, whereby the light source can be driven with an output power of 2 mW or larger without generating mode hop noise and optical feedback noise.

Abstract: A power supply device includes battery equipment and voltage detecting circuitry. The battery equipment includes positive-side and negative-side battery blocks that are connected to each other at a reference midpoint. The voltage detecting circuitry detects the respective voltage values of serially-connected battery modules of the battery equipment. The voltage detecting circuitry includes positive-side and negative side voltage management ICs with respect to the reference midpoint. The positive-side and negative side voltage management ICs manage the voltage conditions of the battery modules in the positive-side and negative-side battery blocks, respectively. Positive-side and negative-side voltage power lines of each of the positive-side and negative side voltage management ICs are connected to positive-side and negative-side output terminals of the battery equipment so that all the battery modules supply electric power to each of the voltage management ICs.

Abstract: A method for producing a tip unit for a liquid applicator including: a first process of shaping the contour of a tip body in the form of a truncated conical surface; a second process of forming a ball housing having an open end at its distal end in the tip body; a third process of placing a ball into the ball housing; a fourth process of scraping the peripheral side of the distal end portion of the tip body to form a peripherally scraped portion after the first process; and a fifth process of deforming the peripherally scraped distal end portion of the tip body toward the ball.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a control apparatus for an electric generator includes a power generation cost determiner determining a power generation cost of the generator, a threshold determiner determining a threshold of power generation cost as a function of a state of charge of an electric energy storage device, a comparator comparing the power generation cost of the generator with the threshold, and a controller. When the power generation cost of the generator is lower than the threshold, the controller controls the generator to generate an increased amount of electric power, so as to both charge the electric energy storage device and feed an electrical load. Otherwise, when the power generation cost of the generator is higher than the threshold, the controller controls the generator to generate a decreased amount of electric power, so as to allow the electric energy storage device to discharge to feed the electrical load.

Abstract: Provided is an aligning method capable of setting a sample observation unit such as an optical microscope to a probe microscope observation position at high precision. A sample having a known structure is used in advance. A surface of the sample and a shape of a cantilever provided with a probe are observed using the sample observation unit such as the optical microscope. A sample observation position and a probe position which are obtained using the sample observation unit are verified, and a relative positional relationship therebetween is recorded. Then, a first mark indicating a position of the cantilever and a second mark which is displayed in conjunction with the first mark and has the relative positional relationship with the first mark are produced to align the sample relative to the second mark.

Abstract: A stamp marker capable of adhering an application liquid to a target. The stamp marker includes a liquid-permeating member and a container containing an application liquid, the liquid-permeating member including a distal member, a base, and a fixing member. The distal member has a surface having a contacting part and a noncontacting part, the contacting part having a shape, so as to copy the shape onto the target by bringing the surface of the distal member into contact with the target to make the liquid adhere to the target, so that an adhesion mark of a predetermined shape is formed on the target.

Abstract: A displacement detection mechanism for a scanning probe microscope capable of performing measurement quickly with high precision even if an objective lens or an illumination system is arranged above or below a sample or a cantilever, and a scanning probe microscope comprising it.

Abstract: In a voltage detecting apparatus, a voltage controlled oscillator, when an input voltage is applied thereto, outputs a signal with a logical value that is periodically inverted. A detector counts a number of logical inversion of the output signal from the voltage controlled oscillator over an interval between edges of pulses of a pulse signal to thereby generate, based on the counted number of logical inversion, digital data as a detected result of the input voltage. A determiner determines whether a reduction of a time required to detect the input voltage is higher in priority than an increase of a resolution of detection of the input voltage. A variably setting unit variably sets a frequency of the pulse signal based on a result of the determination of whether the reduction of the time required to detect the input voltage is higher in priority than the increase of the resolution of detection of the input voltage.