Abstract: In a control device (10), a determination unit (11) determines “a plurality of collision-occurrence-estimated devices” for which “transmission collision” is estimated to occur due to overlapping of transmission schedule timings among the plurality of communication devices. A transmission control unit (12) executes transmission control of transmitting, to each of some of the plurality of collision-occurrence-estimated devices, each of a plurality of “timing distribution control signals” for distributing transmission timings of the plurality of collision-occurrence-estimated devices determined by the determination unit (11).

Abstract: A mediation system includes a notification unit. The notification performs process of extracting a second device requiring maintenance where maintenance work can be performed along with a first device requiring maintenance work, the second device having a second manager differing from a first manager of the first device, and notifying the second manager as a consignee candidate of the maintenance work of the first device.

Abstract: A control system for a movable body is mountable on the movable body. The control system includes controllers and a detector. The controllers are configured to control functional systems of the movable body. The detector is configured to detect a movement situation of the movable body. Priorities corresponding to movement situations of the movable body are in advance assigned to each of the plurality of functional systems. When at least one of the plurality of controllers malfunctions, control resources of normal controllers, among the plurality of controllers, which do not malfunction are preferentially distributed to one or more of the functional systems having a high priority according to the movement situation of the movable body at that time.

Abstract: In a control device (10), a determination unit (11) determines “a plurality of collision-occurrence-estimated devices” for which “transmission collision” is estimated to occur due to overlapping of transmission schedule timings among the plurality of communication devices. A transmission control unit (12) executes transmission control of transmitting, to each of some of the plurality of collision-occurrence-estimated devices, each of a plurality of “timing distribution control signals” for distributing transmission timings of the plurality of collision-occurrence-estimated devices determined by the determination unit (11).

Abstract: A lightning current controlling method includes adjusting surface roughness of a surface of an aircraft body of an aircraft, a charged amount of the surface of the aircraft body of the aircraft, or both, to cause a passing path of a lightning current to be controlled when the aircraft is struck by lightning.

Abstract: A control system for a movable body is mountable on the movable body. The control system includes controllers and a detector. The controllers are configured to control functional systems of the movable body. The detector is configured to detect a movement situation of the movable body. Priorities corresponding to movement situations of the movable body are in advance assigned to each of the plurality of functional systems. When at least one of the plurality of controllers malfunctions, control resources of normal controllers, among the plurality of controllers, which do not malfunction are preferentially distributed to one or more of the functional systems having a high priority according to the movement situation of the movable body at that time.

Abstract: A lightning current controlling method includes adjusting surface roughness of a surface of an aircraft body of an aircraft, a charged amount of the surface of the aircraft body of the aircraft, or both, to cause a passing path of a lightning current to be controlled when the aircraft is struck by lightning.

Abstract: A tool gripper which holds a plurality of tools in arm portions thereof. The gripper is provided in a tool rack type magazine that accommodates tools used in machine tools, and each of the arm portions of the tool gripper is arc-shaped and opened in an obliquely upward direction so that a tool entrance of the arm portion faces obliquely upward over a tool holding portion of the arm portion. The tool gripper is obtained by processing a continuous, elongated plate with laser or press to form the arm portions, and such a plate can be obtained by overlaying a plurality of thin plates in the thickness direction into a sandwich structure.

Abstract: Artificial cultivation of mushrooms is described, comprising growing the mushrooms in a culture medium comprising a fungal bed and a covering soil having laid therebetween a water-absorbing sheet composed of a porous sheet and a water-absorbing polymeric substance. The present invention yields various advantages; for example, even if the frequency of water-spray is considerably reduced, the water content of the covering soil can be maintained at 70 to 80%. Thus, it permits production of high quality mushrooms in high yields.

Abstract: A fan assembly has a main body support and a mounting member which are inclined at a predetermined angle thus permitting the fan assembly to be mounted either adjacent to the upper edge of a wall or in a corner of a ceiling. A rotating grill disperses a current of air over a relatively wide area. The main body support has a groove which accommodates a mating engageable member of the mounting member thus permitting the fan assembly to be securely mounted to a wall or a ceiling.

Abstract: The invention is to provide the methods for producing highly water-absorbable and water-retainable hydrogels having a large particle diameter together with a sufficient gel strength. The method is characterized by use of a specific dispersing agent in the water-in-oil type inverse phase suspension polymerization of an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or its alkali metal salt. Due to the high water-absorbability and water-retainability, along with the superior gel strength and the stable gel structure, the hydrogels of the invention enlarge the conventional range of usages.

Abstract: An electric fan including a casing having an air supply opening at a front part and an air suction opening at a rear part and an air passage in the casing from the air suction opening to the air supply opening; fan blades placed in the air passage or near the air suction opening as an inlet to provide air flow in the air passage from the air suction opening to the air supply opening; a first motor for rotating the fan blades; a circular air directing grille having many slits to cover the front part of the air supply opening of the casing in gyratory manner; a driving roll made of an elastic material placed on the peripheral part of air directing grille to contact the driving roll with the peripheral part of the grille with a spring force; a second motor for driving the driving roll to turn the air directing grille and the air directing grille can be rotated in stable condition under contacting of the driving roll with the peripheral surface of the air directing grille with the spring force if desired.