Abstract: A state management apparatus is disclosed which makes a determination whether or not to provide services based on a plurality of state information. For example, it is determined whether all the family members are going out or not based on state information of each family member. If all the family members are going out, the apparatus further determines whether an air conditioner is turned ON or not. If it is determined “Yes”, the apparatus notifies the air conditioner to switch off the power. As such, the state management apparatus makes determinations for providing various services and controlling based on the state information of a plurality of objects such as people, equipment and the like. As a result, implementation of the service applications can be simplified, and developing efficiency can be increased. In addition, it becomes easy to realize flexible services.

Abstract: A dialogue system, a dialogue method, and a recording medium storing a computer program are provided for allowing a third party to assist effectively a plurality of dialogues, without causing a sense of discomfort to the users. In a dialogue system for performing automatic answering to a voice, a dialogue assistance apparatus is provided that is connected in a state permitting transmission and reception of data. The dialogue assistance apparatus performs the following operations of suspending a dialogue when the dialogue is not established meaningfully; displaying a plurality of recognition candidates for an utterance received last in the dialogue suspended by the dialogue suspending means; receiving one recognition candidate selected from a plurality of the candidates; and sending out the selected candidate. When the one candidate is received from the dialogue assistance apparatus, the dialogue is resumed according to the dialogue scenario information starting at the portion having been suspended.

Abstract: Provided are a servicer linkage system, a portfolio generation support system, a portfolio generation support method, a relay computer and recording medium storing a computer program capable of deciding an appropriate combination of financial products and specifying the trading order thereof.

Abstract: A dialogue system, a dialogue method, and a recording medium storing a computer program are provided for allowing a third party to assist effectively a plurality of dialogues, without causing a sense of discomfort to the users. In a dialogue system for performing automatic answering to a voice, a dialogue assistance apparatus is provided that is connected in a state permitting transmission and reception of data. The dialogue assistance apparatus performs the following operations of: suspending a dialogue when the dialogue is not established meaningfully; displaying a plurality of recognition candidates for an utterance received last in the dialogue suspended by the dialogue suspending means; receiving one recognition candidate selected from a plurality of the candidates; and sending out the selected candidate. When the one candidate is received from the dialogue assistance apparatus, the dialogue is resumed according to the dialogue scenario information starting at the portion having been suspended.

Abstract: The protecting device has a wire passage for wiring the wires led out of the connector. The wire passage includes a first passage part for wiring the wires along a first wiring direction to lead the wires to terminal out of the connector, a second passage part for wiring the wires in a second wiring direction different from the first wiring direction and a third passage part for wiring the wires in a third wiring direction different from the second wiring direction. The third passage part extends in a direction in which the wires are led out of the connector. The protecting device farther has a wire-interference rib formed at a boundary between the second passage part and the third passage part to project in an opposite direction to the direction in which the wires are led out of the connector.

Abstract: The protecting device has a wire passage for wiring the wires led out of the connector. The wire passage includes a first passage part for wiring the wires along a first wiring direction to lead the wires to terminal out of the connector, a second passage part for wiring the wires in a second wiring direction different from the first wiring direction and a third passage part for wiring the wires in a third wiring direction different from the second wiring direction The third passage part extends in a direction in which the wires are led out of the connector. The protecting device farther has a wire-interference rib formed at a boundary between the second passage part and the third passage part to project in an opposite direction to the direction in which the wires are led out of the connector.

Abstract: A mediation device includes a search portion, a mediation portion, a sending portion and a management database. The search portion searches in the management database the web services to which search conditions entered by a client apply. The mediation portion receives a selection of web services extracted based on the search conditions, and requests execution of the selected web services from web service servers. The management database stores search results and selection results of the web services. The sending portion sends result data including the search results and selection results of the web services to the web service servers. Thus, the value of providing the web services can be increased by allowing the monitoring of user behavior.

Abstract: An address data management method and system that allow a purchaser wishing to purchase merchandise from an online shopping site on the Internet or other vendor to make a purchase and request delivery while keeping address data comprising delivery address secret from third parties, including the vendor of that merchandise. An address data management method comprises the steps of: acquiring address data comprising delivery address from a purchaser; establishing an address ID with unique correspondence to address data and notifying the purchaser thereof; managing a correspondence table indicating correspondence between address data and address ID; accepting delivery request data generated by the merchandise vendor; extracting address data corresponding to address ID; and executing delivery processing of the article based on the extracted address data.

Abstract: A titania-based porous substance includes titania as a principal ingredient, and exhibits an x-ray diffraction peak resulting from lattice planes whose spacing falls in a range of 0.290±0.002 nm. Thus, it includes crystals other than the anatase phase crystal. Therefore, a large number of crystal planes exist therein. As a result, when a catalytic ingredient is loaded on it, the catalytic ingredient is loaded with a lowered rate within the identical crystal plane.

Abstract: A catalyst for purifying exhaust gases includes a porous support; a cerium oxide or a solid solution of a cerium oxide and a zirconium oxide in a state of mutual solid solution, loaded on the porous support; and a noble metal element loaded on the porous support. The cerium oxide or the solid solution has an average particle diameter of from 5 to 100 nm. The cerium oxide is present in the solid solution in an amount of from 0.2 to 4.0 by molar ratio with respect to the zirconium oxide therein. The catalyst can be prepared by: coating and calcinating on a support substrate a slurry of a cerium oxide sol, a cerium oxide sol and a zirconium oxide sol, on a solid solution powder of a cerium oxide and a zirconium oxide in a state of mutual solid solution; and loading a noble metal element thereon.

Abstract: A magneto-optic disk apparatus for use with a magneto-optic disk in which a recording surface made of a magneto-optic information recording medium is formed on a transparent substrate having a birefringence. The magneto-optic disk apparatus includes an optical head for performing a recording and a reproduction by a laser beam for the recording surface, and a unit for eliminating a fluctuation component occurring in a reproduction magneto-optic signal, the fluctuation component eliminating unit being arranged in a convergent light up to an analyzer in a detection optical system.

Abstract: A method for producing a catalyst having high catalytic activity even at high temperatures of 1200.degree. C. or higher. Fine alumina particles, of which 50% by weight or more have a particle size of 100 nm or less, are mixed with a catalytic component and a substance of inhibiting the sintering of fine alumina particles to form a slurry mixture. This slurry is dried and then calcined to obtain a porous catalyst. The fine alumina particles in the porous catalyst have a large specific surface area even at high temperatures and therefore the porous catalyst maintains its high catalytic activity even at high temperatures of 1200.degree. C. or higher.

Abstract: A process for efficiently reducing nitrogen oxides in exhaust gases including excess oxygen. The process includes intermittently introducing a reducing agent, such as hydrogen and carbon monoxide, for reducing nitrogen oxides to a reducing catalyst, such as platinum, disposed in an exhaust gas passage while maintaining an oxygen excess condition. The reducing agent is intermittently introduced in a manner to satisfy the following equation:[NO.sub.x ]<[H.sub.2 ]+[CO], wherein [H.sub.2 ], [CO] and [NO.sub.x ] are molar concentrations of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, respectively. The reducing catalyst may include a transition metal, an alkaline metal and/or an alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently purifying NOx in the exhaust gas or soluble organic substance in the exhaust gas from a diesel engine. A plurality of purification units are arranged in a housing, each of which is composed of a catalytic layer for reducing NOx and a cooling core for cooling the exhaust gas admitted through the catalytic layer. The multi-staged purification units are so constructed to admit the exhaust gas to flow therethrough. The catalytic layer in the form of a porous carrier such as a honeycomb structure carries catalytic components. Upon purifying soluble organic substance in the exhaust gas from a diesel engine, the catalytic components carried on the catalytic layer serve to efficiently purify such substance, as well as inhibiting the reaction to form sulfate.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas from a hydrogen generator which creates hydrogen gas by the electrolysis of water or water vapor is supplied at the entrance to a catalyzer provided in an exhaust line. The catalyzer performs a catalytic reaction between hydrogen gas and nitrogen oxides to achieve decomposition into nitrogen gas and water vapor in the exhaust from an internal combustion engine. The nitrogen oxides are directly reduced with said hydrogen gas in a low temperature atmosphere not higher than 350.degree. C. to achieve efficient reduction in the nitrogen oxides. The improved method and apparatus provide a catalytic system with which the nitrogen oxides in the exhaust from a lean burnt engine or a diesel engine can be effectively reduced irrespective of the concentration of oxygen gas in the exhaust without impairing the good fuel economy of those engines.

Abstract: A catalyst for reducing nitrogen oxides from an exhaust gas containing the same in an oxygen rich atmosphere comprising (i) a zeolite having a molar ratio of SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 of at least 10, (ii) copper, and (iii) a rare earth ion, an alkaline earth metal and/or a valence variable metal.

Abstract: The exhaust gases, such as of an internal combustion engine are contacted with a catalyst containing copper in the presence of hydrocarbons in an oxidizing atmosphere, whereby nitrogen oxides are reduced from the exhaust gases. Then, the exhaust gases are preferably contacted with an oxidizing catalyst. The former catalyst contains copper loaded on a porous support formed from alumina, silica, silica-alumina or zeolite or mixture thereof. The support is preferably a monolithic body having a first portion loaded with copper and a second portion loaded with a metal or metals defining the oxidizing catalyst.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying catalyst for oxidizing HC and CO and for reducing NOx is provided, which comprises at least one oxide of rare earth element, rhodium, and at least one of platinum and palladium loaded on alumina grains. The major amount of rhodium is dispersed on the oxide of rare earth element. Thus, the rhodium solidification into the alumina grains is prevented. Further, when cerium oxide accompanying lanthanum oxide, neodymium oxide or a mixture thereof is used as the oxide of rare earth element, the sintering of cerium oxide or palladium at a high temperature is suppressed since it forms a complex oxide with lanthanum oxide, neodymium oxide or a mixture thereof. Additionally, when stabilized alumina grains in which a rare earth element and an alkali earth element are present in a solid solution state are used, the deterioration of NOx purifying activity of the catalyst at a high temperature is suppressed.

Abstract: An apparatus for displacing a line of track chain is disclosed which is employable for the purpose of disassembling, assembling, or reassembling the chain. A guide table for guiding movement of the chain is adapted to tilt only in the upward direction together with a pair of rails which are raised or lowered by actuating a first cylinder. A trolley moves forward and backward in the space as defined by both the rails by actuating a second cylinder while it is guided along the rails. The trolley is provided with an engagement rod which extends upwardly therefrom through a slot on the guide table to come in engagement to a bushing in the chain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a base cloth for reinforcement produced by winding a weldable yarn on either one of a warp or weft or the both at a definite interval, arranging the warp and weft in the respective directions and then thermally welding the both yarns. According to this method, the fraying of warp or weft, particularly easy fluffing of carbon fibers, etc. can be prevented by winding the weldable yarn. And, it is sufficient for the weldable yarn to be present at the intersections between the warp and weft. Consequently, as compared with a case wherein the whole weft is impregnated with adhesives, penetration of the matrix resin can sufficiently be attained and thus, strength in the weft direction can be improved.