Abstract: A door lock control apparatus includes a lock switch on an exterior of a vehicle, a controller, and a check device. The controller performs a first key check in response to a lock command inputted through the lock switch. The first key check determines whether an electronic key specific to the vehicle is located outside around the vehicle based on a response from the key. The check device performs a second key check, when the key is put into a situation in which the key can be moved from inside to outside the vehicle. The second key check determines whether the key is located inside the vehicle based on the response from the key. The check device stores a result of the second key check as a check record.

Abstract: A battery pack is disclosed. The battery pack includes a battery, an impact sensor, a processor and a memory. The impact sensor is capable of generating an impact signal in response to a detection of an impact on the battery pack. The processor is capable of generating impact information based on the impact signal, and processor continues to count a number of charging times to the battery after the generation of the impact information. The memory is capable of storing the impact information and the number of charging times. The processor can refer to the memory to deliver a control command to a battery charger so that the battery can only be charged up to an allowable charge capacity smaller than a full charge capacity after an occurrence of an impact when the battery pack is attached to the battery charger. The charging to the battery stops when the number of the counted charging times reaches a predetermined number of allowable charging times that is allowed after the generation of the impact information.

Abstract: An RTK-GPS surveying system for surveying an object includes at least one satellite positioning device as a base station configured to send correction data, a plurality of satellite positioning devices as rover stations configured to receive the correction data, and a server provided in an IP-VPN communication network for establishing communication between the satellite positioning device as the base station and the plurality of satellite positioning devices as the rover stations, each of the satellite positioning devices has a satellite positioning part for receiving radio wave from a satellite, a communication part for performing communication between each of the satellite positioning devices, and a control part for controlling the satellite positioning part and the communication part.

Abstract: A mechanical transport device includes a system for transport; and a hard disk drive attached to the system. The hard disk drive comprises a magnetic recording disk to record data, a head to read or write the data to or from the disk, and a drop sensor designed to sense a shock condition. The system for transport may be a vehicle such as a car.

Abstract: A mechanical transport device includes a system for transport; and a hard disk drive attached to the system. The hard disk drive comprises a magnetic recording disk to record data, a head to read or write the data to or from the disk, and a drop sensor designed to sense a shock condition. The system for transport may be a vehicle such as a car.

Abstract: An RTK-GPS surveying system for surveying an object includes at least one satellite positioning device as a base station configured to send correction data, a plurality of satellite positioning devices as rover stations configured to receive the correction data, and a server provided in an IP-VPN communication network for establishing communication between the satellite positioning device as the base station and the plurality of satellite positioning devices as the rover stations, each of the satellite positioning devices has a satellite positioning part for receiving radio wave from a satellite, a communication part for performing communication between each of the satellite positioning devices, and a control part for controlling the satellite positioning part and the communication part.

Abstract: A portable information processing apparatus in provided with a magnetic disk device switchable to a state providing increased resistance to physical shock upon prediction that such a shock is likely. Under predetermined conditions, a second prediction may be issued that such a shock is no longer likely, allowing the magnetic disk device to switch to a normal state of operations. The shock-resistant state of the magnetic disk device can prevent data access and thus inhibit the progress of important process(es). Upon recognition that an important process is being delayed, the condition for issuing the second prediction may be relaxed to more quickly return the magnetic disk device to a normal operating state.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device for magnetic disk drive protection is provided. A stable position data storage stores stable-state information representing a magnetic disk drive in an operating environment that satisfies a certain condition. An acceleration sensor senses changes in acceleration acting on the magnetic disk drive and a rest-state measuring unit determines whether the magnetic disk drive is in a state of rest based on information acquired by the acceleration sensor. An operating state determination unit, in response to a first determination by the rest-state measuring unit that the magnetic disk drive is in a state of rest, determines when the state of rest corresponds to the stable-state information stored in the stable position data storage, and sets a detection sensitivity to a sign that which indicates an impending shock to the magnetic disk drive based on a result of a second determination.

Abstract: A mechanical transport device includes a system for transport; and a hard disk drive attached to the system. The hard disk drive comprises a magnetic recording disk to record data, a head to read or write the data to or from the disk, and a drop sensor designed to sense a shock condition. The system for transport may be a vehicle such as a car.

Abstract: A magnetic disk device protection mechanism comprises a sensor that acquires information on changes in the environment of a magnetic disk device, a sensor driver, a shock manager that analyzes the information acquired by the sensor driver together with a history of the information to determine the status where the magnetic disk device is used to predict a shock, and an HDD filter driver that controls operations of the magnetic disk device including the escape of a magnetic head. The magnetic disk device can also comprise a diagnosis processing section that operates if a shock has occurred actually, to check whether or not the magnetic head could have completely escaped before the occurrence of this shock to carry out diagnosis as to whether or not a fault is occurring in the magnetic disk.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device for magnetic disk drive protection is provided. A stable position data storage stores stable-state information representing a magnetic disk drive in an operating environment that satisfies a certain condition. An acceleration sensor senses changes in acceleration acting on the magnetic disk drive and a rest-state measuring unit determines whether the magnetic disk drive is in a state of rest based on information acquired by the acceleration sensor. An operating state determination unit, in response to a first determination by the rest-state measuring unit that the magnetic disk drive is in a state of rest, determines when the state of rest corresponds to the stable-state information stored in the stable position data storage, and sets a detection sensitivity to a sign that which indicates an impending shock to the magnetic disk drive based on a result of a second determination.

Abstract: A portable information processing apparatus in provided with a magnetic disk device switchable to a state providing increased resistance to physical shock upon prediction that such a shock is likely. Under predetermined conditions, a second prediction may be issued that such a shock is no longer likely, allowing the magnetic disk device to switch to a normal state of operations. The shock-resistant state of the magnetic disk device can prevent data access and thus inhibit the progress of important process(es). Upon recognition that an important process is being delayed, the condition for issuing the second prediction may be relaxed to more quickly return the magnetic disk device to a normal operating state.

Abstract: A magnetic disk device protection mechanism comprises a sensor that acquires information on changes in the environment of a magnetic disk device, a sensor driver, a shock manager that analyzes the information acquired by the sensor driver together with a history of the information to determine the status where the magnetic disk device is used to predict a shock, and an HDD filter driver that controls operations of the magnetic disk device including the escape of a magnetic head. The magnetic disk device can also comprise a diagnosis processing section that operates if a shock has occurred actually, to check whether or not the magnetic head could have completely escaped before the occurrence of this shock to carry out diagnosis as to whether or not a fault is occurring in the magnetic disk.

Abstract: A method for docking/undocking a portable computer to/from an expansion unit is disclosed. The portable computer includes a main battery, and the expansion unit includes a second battery. In response to an eject event, the condition of the second battery is determined. If the second battery is in a discharging condition, a power supply route is switched from the second battery of the expansion unit to the main battery of the portable computer. If the second battery is in a charging condition, the charging condition is suspended. At this point, a hot undocking of the portable computer from the expansion unit can be performed.

Abstract: An electric double-layer capacitor has a pair of thrust plates for thrusting a stacked cell pair and a gasket for encapsulating the stacked cell pair together with the thrust plates. The thrust plate has slanted side surfaces for effecting a close contact with a packaging overcoat. The thrust plates and the mounting gasket are coupled together by an interdigitaion relationship.

Abstract: An electric double-layer capacitor has a pair of thrust plates for thrusting a stacked cell pair and a gasket for encapsulating the stacked cell pair together with the thrust plates. The thrust plate has slanted side surfaces for effecting a close contact with a packaging overcoat. The thrust plates and the mounting gasket are coupled together by an interdigitaion relationship.

Abstract: The battery accepting unit for a battery operated electric/electronic apparatus includes a plurality of positive terminals and a plurality of negative terminals. The battery accepting unit has a first position whereat a battery is connected by a pair of positive and negative terminals; a second position whereat a battery is connected by another pair of positive and negative terminals; a third position that can serve as both said first and said second positions; and a fourth position whereat a battery is connected by all positive and negative terminals. According to the battery accepting unit of the present invention, a battery pack can be exchanged without halting the power supply to an electric/electronic apparatus. Since an auxiliary power source, such as a sub-battery, is not required for an electric/electronic apparatus, a single power system, including a DC/DC converter and a charging circuit, can be provided.

Abstract: Dielectric isolation through electron beam irradiation is applied to a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. Upon forming an insulated gate field effect semiconductor device (FET) in a semiconductor layer on an insulation substrate, the insulated gate electrode is formed to extend over the semiconductor layer region around a semiconductor region in which FET is to be implemented. A semiconductor layer pattern underlying the extension of the gate electrode is enclosed by linear dielectric layers formed along the periphery of the electrode extension through electron beam irradiation. The pattern formation can be accomplished in a short time by virtue of arrangement such that the semiconductor layer pattern is enclosed by the linear dielectric layers. Electric coupling such as capacitive coupling between the gate electrode and other conductor layers is significantly reduced.