Abstract: Network connectable household electric appliances in general home, such as refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens, air conditioners and lighting fixtures and a workstation of a service center are connected to permit communication therebetween. The workstation transmits a password and a running information request signal to a household electric appliance at intervals of a constant period, reads the running information stored in the household electric appliance and compares the running information with a reference value stored in appliance data so as to perform periodic inspection of the appliance. Not only in case a fault or abnormality occurs but also in case no fault or abnormality is detected, the result of inspection is informed to the user.

Abstract: Network connectable household electric appliances in general home, such as refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens, air conditioners and lighting fixtures and a workstation of a service center are connected to permit communication therebetween. The workstation transmits a password and a running information request signal to a household electric appliance at intervals of a constant period, reads the running information stored in the household electric appliance and compares the running information with a reference value stored in appliance data so as to perform periodic inspection of the appliance. Not only in case a fault or abnormality occurs but also in case no fault or abnormality is detected, the result of inspection is informed to the user.

Abstract: A tape run control unit in the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus is provided with a discrimination element and a control element. The discrimination element detects a stand-by time until a signal to be recorded is received in repositioning of the tape and generates a discrimination signal for discriminating the length of the stand-by time. The control element controls tape run driving unit such as a capstan motor during the reposition and controls the stop position of the tape such that a magnetic head scans the portion of the tape where no data is recorded. After completion of repositioning, furthermore, the control element works according to a discrimination signal so as to select the stop mode which involves the release of pinch roller when the stand-by time is long and to select the mode for simply stopping only the capstan when the stand-by time is short.

Abstract: A tape run control unit in a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus is provided with a discriminator and on a controller. The discriminator detects a stand-by time until a signal to be recorded is received in repositioning of the tape and generates a discrimination signal for discriminating the length of the stand-by time. The controller controls tape driving unit such as a capstan motor during the reposition and controls the stop position of the tape such that a magnetic head scans the portion of the tape where no data is recorded. After completion of repositioning, furthermore, the controller is responsive to a discrimination signal so as to select the stop mode which involves the release of pinch roller when the stand-by time is long and to select the mode for simply stopping only the capstan when the stand-by time is short.