Abstract: In the present invention: a power consumption calculation unit sets target speeds in a plurality of sections of a track; the power consumption calculation unit calculates, on the basis of the target speeds, the power consumption when the track is traveled; a target speed change unit changes combinations of target speeds in the plurality of sections set by the power consumption calculation unit; an evaluation value calculation unit calculates an evaluation value on the basis of an evaluation function for each combination of target speeds; the evaluation function is a function in which the power consumption calculated by the power consumption calculation unit is multiplied by a prescribed weight; and a target speed determination unit sets the combination of target speeds in which the evaluation value is smallest as the target speed of the vehicle in each section.

Abstract: A parameter estimating device includes a state quantity measurement unit 11 which acquires measured values for state quantities having a correlation with a plurality of parameters, a state quantity calculation unit 12 which calculates and acquires calculated values corresponding to the measured values based on a correlation expression of the estimated values of the plurality of parameters and the state quantities, and an optimum estimated value identification unit 13 which finds an error evaluation function value calculated based on a value obtained by multiplying the total sum of the absolute quantities of the errors of the calculated values corresponding to the measured values by a first coefficient and a value obtained by multiplying the degree of variation of the errors by a second coefficient, and identifies an optimum estimated value having a minimum error evaluation function value while changing the estimated values.

Abstract: A peak cut power calculation unit calculates peak cut power transmittable to an overhead wire as power exhibiting monotonic non-increase with respect to a resistance value of the overhead wire between a vehicle and a substation. In addition, a peak cut unit controls electrical charging/discharging of a rechargeable battery with power of a difference between load power and transmission peak cut power when the load power is equal to or more than the peak cut power.

Abstract: A pentadiene compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or aralkyl group, R.sub.5 is an alkyl group, and X is a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy group or a halogen atom.

Abstract: A fluoran compound having the formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, a straight chain or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyclohexyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group, Q is ##STR2## (wherein X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a straight chain or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms), ##STR3## (wherein X is as defined above), or --(CH.sub.2).sub.n OR.sub.4 (wherein R.sub.4 is a straight chain or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group, and n is an integer of from 1 to 8), and R.sub.3 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower fluoroalkyl group, an acyl group, an alkoxy group, an alkoxyalkyl group, or a straight chain or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: 3,3-Bis-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-6-dimethylaminophthalide is produced by oxidizing an alkali metal salt of 2-[4,4'-bis-(dimethylamino)-benzhydryl]-5-dimethylaminobenzoic acid in an aqueous solution of pH of 8 to 14 with hydrogen peroxide, oxygen or air in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of cobalt compounds and copper compounds.