Abstract: A communication device 1 has a first protocol analysis section 11 that analyzes a status of a transmission signal Vs received at a transmission signal receiver 10. A transmission controller 14 determines a communication available period and a communication unavailable period based upon the analysis result. When the communication available period is determined, the transmission controller 14 allows a second protocol signal transmitter 12 to transmit a packet in accordance with a second protocol to a signal line Ls. With this result, it is possible to transmit a relatively large amount of data while suppressing noise influence caused by a varying condition of a carrier, in contrast to a prior system in which the transmission signal is superimposed only by a simple determination of the carrier condition. Thus, it is possible to share the signal line Ls with the time-division multiplexing transmission system and improve reliability of data transmission.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first housing; a second housing slidably connected to the first housing along a substantially straight linear path between a first position and a second position; and a biasing system configured to alternatively bias the second housing towards the first position and the second position. The biasing system includes a linkage connected to the first and second housings and a spring connected between the first housing and the linkage.

Abstract: A device management system has lighting device controlling units and measurement management units, each of which is disposed in each sub area. In addition, the lighting device controlling units and the measurement management units are configured to communicate with an area unit which is disposed in each sub area. The area unit is configured to communicate with the lighting device controlling units and the measurement management units via a communication packet. The area unit further has a router which is configured to prevent the communication packet from leaking to the communication network having an upper management device in the high hierarchy level. The area unit is configured to communicate with the upper management device through the router.

Abstract: A first unit 2A and a second unit 2B manage a plurality of devices (a first device 8a, 8b), respectively. In addition, the first and second units 2A, 2B repeat to transmit a keep-alive packet and to confirm a response each other, and thus detect each other's malfunction. When the second unit 2B malfunctions, the first unit 2A detects the malfunction of the second unit 2B and transmits a connection command to the connection unit 5. The connection unit 5 connects a lower net Nia and a lower net Nib when receiving the connection command. Then, the first unit 2A communicates with the first device 8a as heretofore, and further communicates with a second device 8b via the connection unit 5. Thus, even if a master unit malfunctions, the device management system can maintain to manage without stopping a management of a slave unit which had been managed by the master unit until then.

Abstract: An apparatus including a slider part and a base assembly slidingly movable in relation to each other with the aid of a first guide rail and a second guide rail in the base assembly. The distance between the first guide rail and the second guide rail is adjustable while the apparatus is being assembled. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first housing; a second housing slidably connected to the first housing along a substantially straight linear path between a first position and a second position; and a biasing system configured to alternatively bias the second housing towards the first position and the second position. The biasing system includes a linkage connected to the first and second housings and a spring connected between the first housing and the linkage.

Abstract: A communication device 1 has a first protocol analysis section 11 that analyzes a status of a transmission signal Vs received at a transmission signal receiver 10. A transmission controller 14 determines a communication available period and a communication unavailable period based upon the analysis result. When the communication available period is determined, the transmission controller 14 allows a second protocol signal transmitter 12 to transmit a packet in accordance with a second protocol to a signal line Ls. With this result, it is possible to transmit a relatively large amount of data while suppressing noise influence caused by a varying condition of a carrier, in contrast to a prior system in which the transmission signal is superimposed only by a simple determination of the carrier condition. Thus, it is possible to share the signal line Ls with the time-division multiplexing transmission system and improve reliability of data transmission.

Abstract: In order to facilitate the assembling of a hinge device, hinge-arm angle is temporarily allowed for free setting. Here, between an annular portion of hinge arm and a fixed cam, a stopper is provided which is to prevent against a fitting of between a recess of annular portion and a protrusion of fixed cam. During assembling of the hinge device to a display and main body, setting is made to prevent against a fitting. After assembled, the same is slid to allow for fitting of between them.

Abstract: This aims at providing a hinge device compact in size, and at securing a space sufficient for an FPC, etc. in manufacturing a cellular phone compact by use of the hinge device. The hinge device includes a shaft substantially long, a fixed cam provided allowing the shaft to rotate and having an angle holder, a movable cam provided to rotate about the shaft with rotation of the shaft and to slide along the shaft, and having an angle holder for holding at a predetermined angle an own rotation angle relative to the fixed cam cooperatively with the angle holder of the fixed cam, an elastic element always biasing the movable cam toward the fixed cam, a first arm fixed to the fixed cam, and a second arm fixed to the shaft. Here, the elastic element is to have a diameter provided as comparatively small correspondingly to the shaft substantially long.

Abstract: In order to facilitate the assembling of a hinge device, hinge-arm angle is temporarily allowed for free setting. Here, between an annular portion of hinge arm and a fixed cam, a stopper is provided which is to prevent against a fitting of between a recess of annular portion and a protrusion of fixed cam. During assembling of the hinge device to a display and main body, setting is made to prevent against a fitting. After assembled, the same is slid to allow for fitting of between them.

Abstract: An improved fire alarm system capable of reliably detecting the presence of fire caused by different sources. The fire alarm system detects a smoke density (S) as well as a temperature difference (&Dgr;T) within a predetermined time interval, and has primary criteria of (i) whether the smoke density (S) exceeds a smoke threshold [e.g., S>5%/m]; (ii) whether the temperature difference (&Dgr;T) exceeds a temperature difference threshold [e.g., &Dgr;T≧18 C]; and (iii) whether a combination of S and &Dgr;T satisfies an inequality [e.g. 2S+&Dgr;T≧12] which is based upon a decreasing function of &Dgr;T with an increase of S. The detected smoke density and the temperature difference are examined with reference to the primary criteria so as to provide a fire warning signal indicating a possible fire presence when anyone of the above primary criteria is satisfied.

Abstract: An improved fire alarm system capable of reliably detecting the presence of fire caused by different sources.

Abstract: An impact-driven rotating device includes an output shaft, a hammer for rotating the output shaft by imparting an impact to the output shaft, a rotation driver for rotating the hammer, an impact detector for detecting the impact imparted by the hammer, a rotation angle detector for detecting a rotation angle of the output shaft, a rotation speed detector for detecting a rotation speed of the output shaft from the rotation angle detected by the rotation angle detector, an energy calculator for calculating energy imparted to the output shaft from the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed detector, a between-impacts rotation angle calculator for calculating a rotation angle of the output shaft rotated from when the impact detector detected the impact to when the impact detector detects an subsequent impact from the rotation angle detected by the rotation angle detector, a tightening torque calculator for calculating a tightening torque by dividing the energy calculated by the energy calculator by the rot

Abstract: Methods for coating various liquid coating solutions onto continuously running support webs for use in the manufacture of photographic film materials, photographic printing paper, magnetic recording materials such as magnetic recording tape, adhesive tape, information recording paper such as pressure-sensitive paper or thermal paper, and materials for use in photomechanical processes, wherein uniform coating characteristics are obtained, both at the start of coating operations and at the passage of various seams in the web. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an electric field of a strength in a range of 100-1000 volts/cm as measured with a surface potentiometer is applied on the surface of the web to be coated and, at the same time, air having a relative humidity of 70-85% is blown against the surface of the web after the start of coating operation but just prior to a time when the thin film of coating solution impinges against the web.

Abstract: A geothermal steam turbine plant comprises a steam turbine operatively connected to a production well, an indirect-contact type main condenser into which a geothermal steam including non-condensed gas is introduced from the steam turbine, and a cooling water supply system for supplying cooling water to the main condenser.