Abstract: A voice operation assistance system includes voice data receiving means, reply information generating means, and voice data sending means. The voice data receiving means receives first voice data based on voice of a user from a voice input/output device (3). When the received first voice data indicates an inquiry about an operation in a home appliance (2) that the user has, the reply information generating means generates reply information in reply to the inquiry with reference to an operation explanation information database in which, for each home appliance type, one or more manufacturer-specific operations of each of a plurality of manufacturers relative to the home appliance type are each associated with information indicating an explanation. The voice data sending means sends, to the voice input/output device (3), second voice data indicating voice based on the generated reply information.

Abstract: An architecture providing a human interface includes a user input device, a studio or workplace receiving an output of the user input device, the studio being capable of storing and sharing information, and a plurality of agents or functional modules connected to supply/receive data from the studio. The agents are connected in parallel and perform processing as distributed and cooperative processing of functions by the user. The agents are independent components having independent functions performing processing on data in the studio to receive and store items of information, respectively, from and to the studio as a shared information medium, the studio being accessible to the user and to the plurality of agents. Each of the plurality of agents can be independently started depending upon a status of the studio.

Abstract: An easy-to-use user interface device includes: parts forming means 13 for forming parts providing visual representations of functions of applications; parts storing means 1 for storing the information upon parts; operational environment constructing means 500 for constructing the operational environment by combining the parts together to construct operational environments; operational environment storing means 14 for storing the constructed operational environment; and operational environment using means for executing a task of an application via the operational environment read out from the operational environment storing means 14. The visual, semantic, and movement information upon the parts, representing the screen images, the associated functions, and movements thereof, etc., are stored and adjusted as the user uses the operational environment. The adjustments are effected automatically as far as feasible, thereby reducing the burden upon the user.

Abstract: A metaphor environment control system of human interfaces of any application program for computers, which represents a plurality of metaphors that express various functions of the application program and presents a user with a pertinent function according to the user's operations.

Abstract: A switching mechanism in a circuit breaker having a latch being locked from moving when the circuit breaker is in a normal "on" state, a toggle link having a striking part being coupled to the latch and elastically urged with an elastic force by a switching spring at times when the circuit breaker is in the normal state and released from said urge at times when the circuit breaker is tripped or changed from the normal state to a tripped "off" state, and a stopper disposed adjacent the striking part of the toggle link in that when the circuit breaker is tripped, the latch is released to cause the striking part of the toggle link strike the stopper intermediate in the tripping action so that the time required for completing the tripping of the circuit is reduced.

Abstract: An alarm switch operating apparatus for operating a plurality of circuit breaker alarm switches wherein a circuit breaker crossbar is further rotated from a tripped position by a rotation of a latch through a latch receiver during a tripping operation such that an alarm switch actuator is operated by the crossbar and wherein because the insulating bar of the crossbar extends across the left and right poles of the circuit breaker, the plurality of alarm switches are easily provided without damaging the insulation of the alarm switches.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an insulating case, a fixed contact, and an insulating member covering the top surface of the fixed contact. A first end of the insulating member is received in a locking slot of the case and a second end includes an opening through which a raised portion of the fixed contact extends. A contact point is provided on the raised portion of the fixed contact.

Abstract: In the particular embodiments described in the specification, an attachment for a circuit breaker is mounted in an outer box which can be inserted into a recess in the cover of the circuit breaker case. The outer box has two guide projections which are received in channels in the cover and two projecting portions which interlock with corresponding portions on the circuit breaker housing.