Abstract: A seatbelt retractor includes: a housing; a winding drum configured to wind a webbing and rotatable in a winding direction and a pull-out direction of the webbing; a lock member coupled to the winding drum to be not rotatable relative to the winding drum when a force for pulling out the webbing is less than a predetermined value and to be rotatable relative to the winding drum when the force exceeds the predetermined value; an impact energy absorber provided between the winding drum and the lock member and configured to absorb impact energy by relative rotation between the winding drum and the lock member; and a bush made of resin. The lock member includes a tubular shaft support portion, and the winding drum includes a protrusion disposed inside the shaft support portion. The bush made of resin is provided between the shaft support portion and the protrusion.

Abstract: An estimation unit estimates the amount of power consumption for each unit period of time. A rechargeable battery control unit controls the rechargeable battery such that an exceeding amount of power worth the amount of power exceeding a target amount of power during a unit period of time is charged into the battery, and power is discharged from the battery during a time zone wherein the target amount of power is exceeded, on the basis of the result of the estimation. When the battery needs to be charged in excess of the upper-limit value, the control unit charges the battery up to the upper-limit value during a time zone wherein the amount of power consumption estimated is light, and the amount of power that exceeds the upper-limit value is charged during a time zone that is close to the time zone wherein the target amount of power is exceeded.

Abstract: A variety of open-air noise cancellation systems are disclosed. The systems are configured to suit the needs of the particular application, for example, an open-air sound wall installation, an open-air enclosure for a quiet area, or a window/door treatment application. A particular system may a digital-based processing architecture having a digital power amplifier that shares a common circuit board. The processing architecture receives noise signals, processes out-of-phase noise cancellation signals in response to the noise signals, and generates out-of-phase sound waves that effectively cancel low frequency components of the noise signal. One system variation utilizes passive sound absorbing blades or shutters to reduce high frequency components of the noise signal. The blades can be installed as a door or window shutter mechanism.

Abstract: A variety of open-air noise cancellation systems are disclosed. The systems are configured to suit the needs of the particular application, for example, a sound wall installation, a seat or chair headrest application, a patio umbrella installation, or a window/door treatment application. A particular system may utilize an analog-based or a digital-based processing architecture that receives a noise signal, processes an out-of-phase noise cancellation signal, and generates an out-of-phase sound wave that effectively cancels the noise signal.

Abstract: A PDA cradle includes a wireless Internet packet (IP) transceiver and a receptacle for holding a PDA to establish wireless communication between the PDA and a base station of a wireless LAN/WAN.

Abstract: A PDA cradle includes a wireless Internet packet (IP) transceiver and a receptacle for holding a PDA to establish wireless communication between the PDA and a base station of a wireless LAN/WAN.

Abstract: A multimedia download timer system and method is provided. The multimedia download timer system allows users to purchase large content files from a source, such as an Internet content provider, and select various times to download the content files to the users' computers. For example, the large content files may comprise motion pictures, videos, audio files, such as music, or games. The various download times may be associated with various price options.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor is provided in which a torsion bar of an energy absorption mechanism and a ratchet wheel of an emergency locking mechanism can be easily combined in a constant angular phase without requiring any special precise working, which always stably operates without causing any problem such as that the emergency locking mechanism is out of synchronization, and in which an energy can be effectively absorbed without accompanying any time delay.

Abstract: In seat belt retractor, a coupling mechanism is provided that allows torsional deformation of spindle shaft when a vehicle emergency occurs until the torsional deformation rotation of the left end of spindle shaft with respect to the part near its right end reaches a prescribed value, and when the torsional deformation rotation reaches the prescribed value, it couples the part near the right end of spindle shaft and winding drum so that they cannot rotate relative to each other, and the composition has been made such that when a vehicle emergency occurs, the kinetic energy of the passenger is absorbed and ultimately the passenger is securely restrained by the webbing.

Abstract: A steering assist system in a vehicle, wherein the traveling of a vehicle along a reference lane can be realized by applying a reference induction force determined in accordance with the magnitude and direction of a deviation of the subject vehicle from a reference target course (zone) established within the reference lane, and moreover, the lane change can be easily and naturally performed by a driver. A second target course (zone) is established in a second lane along which the vehicle travels after the lane change. A second induction force applied to a steering means to realize the traveling of the vehicle along the second lane is set in accordance with the magnitude and direction of a deviation of the subject vehicle from the second target course (zone). The reference target course (zone) and the second target course (zone) are connected in a connection course (zone) in which the force applied from a driving means to the steering means during the lane change is substantially "0".

Abstract: In a steering angle correcting system, a steering amount required to maintain a positional relationship of a subject vehicle to a road lane ahead of the subject vehicle is calculated in a steering amount calculating device based on outputs from a first detecting device for detecting the state of a lane of a road ahead of the vehicle or which the vehicle is traveling, and a second detecting device for detecting a current positional relationship of the subject vehicle to the road lane. A steering device is driven by a driving device mounted between a grasping portion of a steering wheel and the steering device so as to decrease the difference between a steering amount detected by a steering amount detecting device and a steering amount calculated in the steering amount calculating device. Whenever a driver's intention and the determination by the system are different from each other, a driver can operate the steering wheel to intervene in the steering.

Abstract: A system for controlling locomotion of a legged mobile robot walking in a working space. The system is provided with optical detects which are disposed in a line array at the both sides of a foot member of the robot. On the other hand, a landmark is provided in the working space. The landmark comprises of a line or an arc which divides the space into two regions with different attributes, i.e. different in brightness. The optical detectors generate different signals depending on the brightness. With the generated signals, a relative position of the robot to the landmark is detected. Moreover, when the landmark is an arc, its center is located in line with a work for the robot. a relative direction of the robot to the landmark or the work is detected. Based on the detection, locomotion of the robot is controlled in such a manner that the robot can stably ascend/descent stairs or spiral staircases.

Abstract: A system for correcting the steering force of a vehicle having a steering wheel whose rotary motion exerted by a vehicle driver is converted into a turn motion of the steering wheels of the vehicle through a steering mechanism. The system is provided with sensors including a CCD camera for detecting the condition of the road ahead having at least one traffic lane on which the vehicle is traveling and a position of the vehicle with respect to the traffic lane. In the system the desired steering force is determined to be generated by the steering mechanism necessary for keeping the detected position of the vehicle with respect to the traffic lane based on the detected parameter and the steering mechanism is biased such that the steering mechanism generates the desired steering force. Conditions on the next adjacent lanes are monitored and the degree of danger is estimated to determine the biasing force. The system can be realized on muscular-energy steering systems or power-assisted steering systems.

Abstract: A system for controlling locomotion of a legged mobile robot walking in a working space. The system is provided with optical detects which are disposed in a line array at the both sides of a foot member of the robot. On the other hand, a landmark is provided in the working space. The landmark comprises of a line or an arc which divides the space into two regions with different attributes, i.e. different in brightness. The optical detectors generate different signals depending on the brightness. With the generated signals, a relative position of the robot to the landmark is detected. Moreover, when the landmark is an arc, its center is located in line with a work for the robot. a relative direction of the robot to the landmark or the work is detected. Based on the detection, locomotion of the robot is controlled in such a manner that the robot can stably ascend/descent stairs or spiral staircases.

Abstract: A floppy diskette holder for storage of three and one-half inch hard case floppy diskettes is disclosed. The floppy diskettes are held in FD receptacles in an array on each side of a rectangular frame molded of elastic resin. A pair of resilient tabs extend from both ends of an open edge of one side wall of each FD receptacle so as to press both outside portions of the slide cover of the floppy diskette. A pair of hook holders project at both ends of an upper side of the rectangular frame for holding hooks. The hooks are used to engage with hanger rails in desk's file drawer. An index tab is provided between the hook holders for convenient reference.

Abstract: A substrate for a magnetic disk having minute semi-spherical raised portions formed over the entire surface by a non-electrolytic plating process, an electrolytic plating process or plating nuclei containing palladium, gold, silver, or copper. The substrate is obtained by comprising steps of forming a Ni--P intermediate layer by Ni--P plating on an aluminum substrate, finishing the Ni--P intermediate layer, dipping the substrate in a plating solution to effect palladium plating to form a Pd plating layer and forming a Ni--P plating layer to form minute semi-spherical raised portions over an entire surface of the Pd plating layer.

Abstract: A legged mobile robot having a body and two legs each connected to the body. The robot is quipped with a mechanism for absorbing and moderating impacts produced by external forces during footfall or the like. The mechanism includes an elastic member interposed between the body and legs, or interposed between the leg links, or interposed between the distal end of the legs and foot portions. The robot further has a foot structure for enhancing the ground gripping force and absorbs the impacts. For enhancing the gripping force, the foot sole is provided, for example, with a first elastic member and second elastic member sandwiching a plate spring therebetween. The first elastic member absorbs the impacts, while the second elastic member enhancing the gripping force. The plate spring restrict the deformation of the elastic members in the direction vertical to the foot sole. The invention further includes a locomotion control system using one shock absorbing mechanism.

Abstract: An impact absorber for a legged mobile robot having a body and two legs each connected to the body for absorbing impact arising when the robot collides with pipes or other objects in its walking environment so as to protect both the robot and the object. In a first embodiment, the impact absorber comprises a balloon disposed around the body and filled with air. When the balloon comes into contact with the object, it is deflated so as to absorb impact arising from the contact. In a second embodiment, the impact absorber comprises a cylinder fixed to the robot leg and a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder so as to define a chamber filled with an oil. A flat member is fixed to the rod of the piston and when it comes into contact with the object, the piston is thrust into the cylinder so as to absorb the impact. The impact absorber may be a resilient material coating on the robot to cushion the impact when the robot comes into contact with the object, or it may include air bags.

Abstract: A locomotion control system for a biped walking robot having a body and two legs each connected to the body through a hip joint and each having ankle joint adjacent to its foot portion. A walking patter is preestablished in advance in terms of a trajectory of IMP (Zero Moment Point) at which horizontal moment acting on the robot generated by the ground reaction force is zero, a trajectory of the body's attitude or the like. During walking, actual ground reaction force is detected to determine an actual ZMP position and detected position is compared with a target IMP position obtained from the IMP trajectory. When there is an error between the positions, the robot legs are driven in such a manner that the error decreases. More specifically, if the actual IMP position is shifted forward the target ZMP position, the moment produced therefrom causes the robot to tilt backward.