Abstract: The commodity recycling method of the present invention includes the steps of: selling or renting a commodity to a first user (step S1); collecting the commodity from the first user (step S2); estimating a remaining life of the commodity based on information indicating a usage history of the commodity recorded in a recording section provided in the commodity (step S3); determining sale terms or lease terms based on the estimated remaining life of the commodity (step S4); selling or renting the commodity to a second user in accordance with the sale terms or the lease terms (step S5). The recording section records the information indicating the usage history of the commodity in a manner in which it is substantially impossible for a user of the commodity to alter the usage history information.

Abstract: A power supply system includes a plurality of electric products; a power generation apparatus capable of varying an amount of power generation; and a power control apparatus for controlling power supply from the power generation apparatus to the plurality of electric products. Each of the plurality of electric products is structured to be capable of outputting a first power request signal for requesting a desired amount of power. The power control apparatus receives the plurality of first power request signals respectively from the plurality of electric products, generates a second power request signal for requesting an amount of power which is determined in accordance with a total amount of power requested by the plurality of first power request signals, and outputs the second power request signal to the power generation apparatus.

Abstract: A photoelectric transducer provided with a first photoelectric converting section for generating an electric charge according to incident light, an accumulating section for accumulating the electric charge generated by the first photoelectric converting section, an amplifying section for amplifying the electric charge outputted from the accumulating section with a prescribed gain, and a storage section for memorizing signal charges amplified by the amplifying section, characterized in that the prescribed gain in the amplifying section is altered in 1 field/1 frame period on the basis of the number of electric charges accumulated in the accumulating section during a prescribed period before the application of the gain.

Abstract: The commodity recycling method of the present invention includes the steps of: selling or renting a commodity to a first user (step S1); collecting the commodity from the first user (step S2); estimating a remaining life of the commodity based on information indicating a usage history of the commodity recorded in a recording section provided in the commodity (step S3); determining sale terms or lease terms based on the estimated remaining life of the commodity (step S4); selling or renting the commodity to a second user in accordance with the sale terms or the lease terms (step S5). The recording section records the information indicating the usage history of the commodity in a manner in which it is substantially impossible for a user of the commodity to alter the usage history information.

Abstract: A method for preventing an incident using a dialog-type apparatus capable of performing a dialog with a human being. The includes the steps of the dialog-type apparatus detecting a human being; the dialog-type apparatus performing a dialog with the human being; the dialog-type apparatus determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred based on a result of the dialog; and the dialog-type apparatus making a report when it is determined that the abnormality has occurred.

Abstract: A power supply system includes a plurality of electric products; a power generation apparatus capable of varying an amount of power generation; and a power control apparatus for controlling power supply from the power generation apparatus to the plurality of electric products. Each of the plurality of electric products is structured to be capable of outputting a first power request signal for requesting a desired amount of power. The power control apparatus receives the plurality of first power request signals respectively from the plurality of electric products, generates a second power request signal for requesting an amount of power which is determined in accordance with a total amount of power requested by the plurality of first power request signals, and outputs the second power request signal to the power generation apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for purifying exhaust gas from a diesel engine includes a wall-flow filter made of a porous ceramic material for capturing carbon components contained in the exhaust gas and burning up the captured carbon components, a first exhaust pipe for introducing the exhaust gas into the filter, a second exhaust pipe for introducing the exhaust gas purified by the filter a bypass pipe bypassing the filter, first and second valves arranged inside of the first and bypass pipes, respectively, for controlling the exhaust gas flow, a heater for burning up carbon components captured in the filter, first and second temperature sensors for detecting temperatures in the first pipe and the filter, respectively, and a controller for controlling opening and closing of the first and second valves based on the temperature difference between temperatures detected by first and second temperature sensors to prevent the filter from cracking.