Abstract: In a motor-driven slide type variable resistor, the tensioning of a toothed loop belt joined to an operating lever is adjusted with a pin adjusted to change the distance between a toothed pulley and a follower pulley in order to adjust a traveling speed of the operating lever.

Abstract: In a non-insulated DC-DC converter for performing direct-current power conversion by operating a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor in mutually inverted phases, the second MOS transistor is held off during soft-start control. In soft-start control, the on-duty period of the first MOS transistor is short immediately after the switch-on of a power source, and is gradually extended afterwards.

Abstract: There is provided a method of authenticating a portable data-communication terminal user in a system comprising a portable data-communication terminal and a device for authenticating a user both including a transceiver for making radio-communication to each other, the method including the steps of (a) transmitting and receiving user-authentication data between the portable data-communication terminal and the user-authenticating device to thereby carry out check as to whether the portable data-communication terminal is far away from the user-authenticating device by a distance equal to or smaller than a first distance within which the transceiver can make radio-communication between the portable data-communication terminal and the user-authenticating device, and (b) allowing the portable data-communication terminal to carry out a predetermined operation only when the portable data-communication terminal is authenticated to be located within the first distance from the user-authenticating device.

Abstract: A voltage conversion apparatus is connected between a first charging/discharging device and a second charging/discharging device, and performs voltage conversion between the first and second charging/discharging devices. The apparatus includes a first switching device having one terminal connected to the first charging/discharging device, a second switching device connected between the other terminal of the first switching device and the earth, a third switching device having one terminal connected to the second charging/discharging device, a fourth switching device connected between the other terminal of the third switching device and the earth, and a coil provided between the other terminal of the first switching device and the other terminal of the third switching device.

Abstract: An IC card radio modem includes an IC card unit storing infrastructure type information in a memory, a plurality of infrastructure-compatible units connected to the IC card unit at multiple points through an IC card interface, and an antenna for sending information to a designated external infrastructure. The present invention also relates to a communication system using the IC card radio modem.

Abstract: An electrostatic breakdown prevention apparatus is disclosed which allows an electronic apparatus connected to a connector to bidirectionally transfer data at a high speed on the same signal line and prevents an electrostatic breakdown of the electronic apparatus without relying upon the structure of the connector. A signal line on an electronic apparatus body side is provided with an electrostatic breakdown preventing smoothing circuit for smoothing a signal inputted to the signal line. A connector for connection of the signal line is provided with a switching mechanism for stopping the smoothing function of the electrostatic breakdown preventing smoothing circuit when the connector is connected, but restoring the smoothing function of the electrostatic breakdown preventing smoothing circuit when the connector is disconnected.

Abstract: A rotary operating-type electronic device used mainly in a peripheral apparatus such as a mouse for computers, portable telephones, an electronic device mounted on an automobile, and the like, in which a rotary type component and a linearly-driven type component are operated by a rotating manipulation of an operating knob attached to an operating axle and a tilting manipulation of the same knob in a direction orthogonal to an axis of the operating axle. The device is so constructed that the operating axle is supported to be rotatable together with a rotary encoder unit and also tiltable, by fitting an end of the operating axle in an axle-supporting portion having a non-circular center hole of a rotor of the rotary encoder. An operating knob of either a discal shape or a polygonal shape having a predetermined width is attached to an intermediate portion of the operating axle that protrudes from the rotor, and a push switch is disposed in a position to be in contact with another end of the operating axle.

Abstract: Operating rod 21 is provided with a spherical portion 21B that has a polygon shape in the horizontal cross section, which is engaged with a polygonal opening 23C provided above a central opening 23A of a revolving member 23 so that the two items make a same revolution together, yet the operating rod 21 can make a free up-down movement independently. The operating rod 21 has a pushing portion 21D at the lower end; upper surface of which pushing portion 21D is keeping an elastic contact to a middle ring-platform 23B of the revolving member 23 via a washer 4. So, even when the operating rod 21 is positioned slightly aslant, it can perform both revolving and up-down actions smoothly. In an electronic appliance incorporating the revolving operation electronic component of the above structure, the clearance margin to be provided in relation to an operating knob and an aperture for the knob can be made small.

Abstract: A rotary electronic device such as a rotary encoder is provided which includes a rotor, a push/turn operating shaft, and a rotary sliding member. The rotor provides electric signals in response to rotation of the push/turn operating shaft and has formed therein a through hole consisting of a circular hole and a cross-shaped hole. The push/turn operating shaft includes a small diameter end portion and a cross-shaped portion engaging the cross-shaped hole of the rotor for rotating the rotor according to the rotation of the push/turn operating shaft.

Abstract: Revolving contact-points board (2) is provided with a ring contact-point (8) sand a radial contact-point (9) on the bottom surface, while fitting substrate (1) is provided with an elastic contact-point 11 for switch and elastic contact-points (13, 14) for revolution signal. Underneath the fitting substrate (1), a sliding plate (7) made of an elastic metal sheet is provided for regulating the movement in horizontal direction of the revolving contact-points board 2. With a push of the round operation knob (3) fixed on the revolving contact-points board (2) in the horizontal direction, the ring contact-point (8) makes contact with the contact-point (11) to generate a switch signal. With a revolution of the operation knob (3), the radial contact-point (9) makes contact with the contact-points (13, 14) to generate a pulse signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously finishing hot-rolling steel strips include partially joining a rear end of a preceding steel strip and a leading end of a succeeding steel strip after the strips have passed through a rough hot-rolling step. The joint is flattened. The joint is rolled with a first stand of a tandem rolling mill. The mill is provided with a plurality of stands that includes a pair of work rolls and backup rolls and/or intermediate rolls, so that a compression stress acts at the unjointed section of the strips in the longitudinal direction of the joint while tracking the joint. Shape-control-rolling is performed on the joint with a second and succeeding stands so that a section of the steel strip other than the joint is subjected to the shape-control-rolling at all the stands.

Abstract: A distributed memory computer system periodically performs memory copy among a plurality of computers by using general-purpose communication control devices and a transmission line of the CSMA/CD type. A master computer periodically generates a synchronizing packet, and transmits data for memory copy and normal data in a time slot immediately after the transmission of the synchronizing packet. Each computer other than the master computer transmits the data for memory copy and the normal data in its own time slot after the elapse of a predetermined time. The respective computers complete their transmissions within predetermined times. Since the time slots are assigned to the respective computers, the number of computers which may compete with each other on a transmission line can be restricted and each computer can be assured a periodic opportunity to transmit data.

Abstract: An information service system including a plurality of receiving stations and information service facilities. The information service facilities include a memory circuit which stores beforehand a distribution destination information set of receiving station identifiers allocated to the receiving stations, distribution destination information set being disposed in a predetermined order within the memory circuit, a memory circuit for storing a plurality of information to be supplied to receiving stations, an enciphering circuit for generating an enciphering key for optical receiving stations within a group which performs broadcast communications, and enciphering the service information with the enciphering key, and a circuit for transmitting the enciphered service information and service destination codes of service destination receiving stations encoded from the distribution destination information set, through broadcast communications.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for oil from a machine, and particularly from the main spindle system of a machine tool comprises a heat pipe having a heat absorbing portion which is immersed in an oil tank and a heat dissipating portion which is disposed outside the oil tank. An oil guide surrounds the heat absorbing portion and guides hot oil from the machine tool past the heat absorbing portion. A working fluid sealed inside the heat pipe cools the hot oil by evaporation and dissipates the heat to the surrounding air. An oil weir may be disposed at one end of the oil guide so as to maintain an adequate level of oil in the oil guide when the oil level in the oil tank is below the bottom of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A magnetic particle-type electromagnetic coupling apparatus is cooled by a plurality of heat pipes which are partially embedded in the outer periphery of a rotating coupling member near the portion of the coupling member which is in contact with magnetic particles during operation. Heat is removed from the coupling member by a working fluid which is sealed within the heat pipes and is dissipated to the atmosphere through cooling fins attached to the heat pipes.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a gas separator having a dense layer, with porous portions disposed on both faces of the dense layer. The fuel cell, therefore, can store excess electrolyte, and absorb volume changes in the electrolyte without accompanying "flooding". Further, the fuel cell can reduce the thickness of a unit cell, and improve the space factor to output of the fuel cell.

Abstract: An optical input and output device which includes laser beam generating means, a photo-conductive drum to be formed with an electrolatent image according to the intensity of a laser beam, scanning means for simultaneously deflecting and distributing the laser beam between the surface of a sheet of paper written with a picture image to be received and the surface of the photo-conductive drum to irradiate and linearly scan the respective surfaces, and photoelectric converting means made receptive of the laser beam reflected from the paper surface thereby to convert it into an electric signal.

Abstract: A cooling liquid conducting out device having an outlet chamber which is partially filled with cooling liquid drained from the rotor of a rotary electric machine constructed such that the strength of collision of the cooling liquid with the inner walls of the outlet chamber is made small to prevent cavitation in the discharging section of a cooling liquid supplying and draining pipe. According to another aspect of the invention, the device is provided with a cooling liquid containing member which is disposed surrounding the discharging section of the supplying and draining pipe, which is maintained filled with the cooling liquid discharged through the discharging section, and which has discharging paths communicating with the outlet chamber.