Abstract: An operation log cooperation utilizing device 10 which enables a cooperation control on a plurality of devices using separately managed operation logs. The operation log cooperation utilizing device 10 (i) detects a user's operation on a device (101), (ii) accumulates and manages the detected operation as an operation log (102), and (iii) transmits a current operation log as a current operation log to other devices (103). On the other hand, the operation log cooperation utilizing device 10 (i) receives current operation logs from other devices (104), (ii) extracts, as associated operation logs, operation logs which are in predetermined relations to the received current operation logs (105), and (ii) transmits the extracted operation logs to other devices (106).

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed to include a transmission device 151 having a rule generation device 101 for generating rules, and a data transmission device 102 for converting rules generated by the rule generation device 101 into rule data and for transmitting the rule data. The apparatus also includes a receiving device 152 having a data receiving device 103 for receiving rule data transmitted by the data transmission device 102, a rule conversion device 104 for converting the rule data received by the data receiving device 103 into rules, a rule storage device 105 for storing rules converted by the rule conversion device 104, and a control device 106 for controlling a controlled apparatus, such as a microwave oven, in accordance with the rules stored in the rule storage device 105.

Abstract: In electric appliances (11) such as a digital TV and the like, a device agent (20) records viewing-and-listening date and time, a media type identifier and a content identifier in a group as viewing-and-listening history data. In server system (12), a user agent (30) receives viewing-and-listening history data from the device agent (20) and registers the viewing-and-listening history data in a viewing-and-listening history database. Each of external service concierges (40) and (50) accesses the server system (12) and collectively utilizes content viewing-and-listening histories in the electric appliances (11) that a user owns.

Abstract: An aluminum casting process using a casting mold in which after the cavity (25) is filled with an inert gas, magnesium is introduced in to the cavity to have a magnesium layer (58a) deposited on the cavity wall. Then, nitrogen gas is introduced into the cavity to form magnesium nitride (58b) on the surface of the magnesium layer after the cavity wall is heated to a specific temperature. Then, molten aluminum is supplied to have an aluminum casting molded, while the surface of the molten aluminum (39) is reduced with magnesium nitride. This makes it possible to form magnesium nitride within a short time and decrease the amount of nitrogen gas as required.

Abstract: A method of feeding a blank (31) by cutting a billet (11) for plastic working includes the steps of superimposing a plurality of annular members (15 to 18) having a coefficient of linear expansion smaller than that of the billet and an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the billet on one another to assemble a tubular jig (12), inserting the billet into the assembled jig, heating the billet and the jig to a temperature at which the billet is half-molten, and cutting the billet into at least one blank by moving the annular members adjacent to one another in opposite directions. The cutting of the billet does not need a cutting tool, thus causing no wear of blades, and thereby allowing reduction in production cost. The billet can be cut into a plurality of pieces at a time, increasing productivity. Since the blanks can be fed together with the annular members, there is no need to reheat the blanks, providing increased productivity.

Abstract: An aluminum casting process using a casting mold in which after the cavity (25) is filled with an inert gas, magnesium is introduced into the cavity to have a magnesium layer (58a) deposited on the cavity wall. Then, nitrogen gas is introduced into the cavity to form magnesium nitride (58b) on the surface of the magnesium layer after the cavity wall is heated to a specific temperature. Then, molten aluminum is supplied to have an aluminum casting molded, while the surface of the molten aluminum (39) is reduced with magnesium nitride. This makes it possible to form magnesium nitride within a short time and decrease the amount of nitrogen gas as required.

Abstract: In an information acquisition system such as a car navigation system, a history accumulation DB 104 accumulates user's travel history. A condition determination section 107 determines a condition for retrieval for performing accurate prediction, and a prediction section 108 predicts a travel destination using the condition for retrieval. An information-to-be-presented determination section 110 acquires information relating to the travel destination predicted by the prediction section 108 from a received information DB 802 or the like.

Abstract: A first pipe 231 and a second pipe 232 are connected using connectors 233 and 234 so that at least one of the connectors 233 and 234 is located in a through-hole 133. In this way, since the through-hole 133 is filled in by at least one of the connectors 233 and 234, the gap between the connectors 233 and 234 and the edge of the through-hole 133 can be considerably reduced. It is, therefore, possible to prevent hot air from moving to the front of a panel 100 through the gap between connectors 233 and 234 and the edge of the through-hole 133.

Abstract: Ink jet recording sheet has excellent coating strength, print water resistance, print concentration, ink absorptivity, and white paper portion preservability, and possesses excellent coloring properties for dye ink as well as pigment ink. The ink jet recording sheet includes: a supporting medium; and an ink receiving layer disposed on the supporting medium, the ink receiving layer including, at least: pigment; an adhesive; and an ink fixing agent, wherein the ink fixing agent includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of zinc chloride, zinc sulfite, magnesium chloride and magnesium sulfate, in combination with a guanidine compound.

Abstract: Ink jet recording sheet has excellent coloring properties for dye ink as well as pigment ink, a high degree of brightness, and excellent preservability for white paper portions. The ink jet recording sheet includes: a paper supporting medium made by machining pulp; an undercoating layer including at least a pigment and an adhesive; and an ink receiving layer including at least a pigment and an adhesive, the undercoating layer and the ink receiving layer being disposed on at least one surface of the paper supporting medium, and the ink receiving layer being located outermost thereof, wherein the undercoating layer includes titanium dioxide as the pigment and at least one emulsion type adhesive selected from acryl polymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, or vinyl acetate polymers; and the ink receiving layer includes silica having an average secondary particle size of 3 to 11 ?m as the pigment, and a cationic ink fixing agent.

Abstract: Ink jet recording sheet has excellent recording properties and print preservability (especially, print light resistance and ozone resistance) for dye ink as well as pigment ink. The ink jet recording sheet includes: a supporting medium; and an ink receiving layer disposed on the supporting medium, the ink receiving layer including pigment, at least a styrene-acryl copolymer resin as an adhesive, and a guanidine compound and a secondary ammonium salt compound as a cationic polymer.

Abstract: A brake drum has its strength elevated in its disk portion. The brake drum is formed from a composition having ceramics dispersed in a matrix. The disk portion has a high ceramic content and thereby a high strength. Its cylindrical portion has a ceramic content decreasing gradually from the outer edge of the disk portion.

Abstract: An aluminum casting method includes the step of applying in advance a mold release agent including magnesium to a mold surface. Thereafter, a nitrogen gas is injected into a cavity to cause reaction between the magnesium in the surface of the mold release agent and the nitrogen gas, thereby forming magnesium nitride. Since the nitrogen gas reacts only with the magnesium exposed in the surface of the mold release agent, the forming time of the magnesium nitride is reduced and also the amount of nitrogen gas used is reduced.

Abstract: In order to ensure the security by access control, or the like, using a limited input/output interface of a household electric appliance without complicated setting manipulations, a refrigerator includes a filter section which permits only establishing a communication with a relay server having a specific IP address. The relay server includes a relay control section for relaying a communication between the refrigerator and a cellular mobile phone or a personal computer, a connectable device database in which a partner device whose communication is permitted by the relay control section to be relayed is registered in conjunction with the refrigerator, and a data conversion section for performing data conversion at the time of the relay according to a difference in the input/output interface between the refrigerator and the personal computer, or the like. The refrigerator and the personal computer, or the like, can establish a communication through the relay server.

Abstract: For the purpose of associating a device having a sensor with a device which utilizes a detection result so as to enable various operation control, a refrigerator includes a temperature sensor for detecting a compartment temperature, a storage section for storing a detection result, an information association control section for controlling transmission of the detection result to a microwave oven, and the like, and an NIC for communicating with the microwave oven through a network, or the like. The microwave oven includes an NIC of the same type, an information association control section for controlling reception of the compartment temperature transmitted from the refrigerator, and the like, and a principal part control section for controlling the operation of principal part of the microwave oven. The microwave oven heats food taken out of the refrigerator by performing heating control according to the compartment temperature at the time when the food is taken out of the refrigerator, i.e.

Abstract: An aluminum casting process using a casting mold in which after the cavity (25) is filled with an inert gas, magnesium is introduced into the cavity to have a magnesium layer (58a) deposited on the cavity wall. Then, nitrogen gas is introduced into the cavity to form magnesium nitride (58b) on the surface of the magnesium layer after the cavity wall is heated to a specific temperature. Then, molten aluminum is supplied to have an aluminum casting molded, while the surface of the molten aluminum (39) is reduced with magnesium nitride. This makes it possible to form magnesium nitride within a short time and decrease the amount of nitrogen gas as required.

Abstract: In a network system providing a service, addition of an expanded function can be easily realized. A database server (105) provides a service such as accepting reservations of a facility to a terminal PC (101) via the Internet (104). To add an expanded function to the service provided by the database server (105), an agent server (106) executes a script, prepared by combining basic functions of the database server (105) and stored in a script storage section (209), according to a request from the terminal PC (101).

Abstract: An aluminum casting method includes the step of applying in advance a mold release agent including magnesium to a mold surface. Thereafter, a nitrogen gas is injected into a cavity to cause reaction between the magnesium in the surface of the mold release agent and the nitrogen gas, thereby forming magnesium nitride. Since the nitrogen gas reacts only with the magnesium exposed in the surface of the mold release agent, the forming time of the magnesium nitride is reduced and also the amount of nitrogen gas used is reduced.

Abstract: A method of feeding a blank (31) by cutting a billet (11) for plastic working includes the steps of superimposing a plurality of annular members (15 to 18) having a coefficient of linear expansion smaller than that of the billet and an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the billet on one another to assemble a tubular jig (12), inserting the billet into the assembled jig, heating the billet and the jig to a temperature at which the billet is half-molten, and cutting the billet into at least one blank by moving the annular members adjacent to one another in opposite directions. The cutting of the billet does not need a cutting tool, thus causing no wear of blades, and thereby allowing reduction in production cost. The billet can be cut into a plurality of pieces at a time, increasing productivity. Since the blanks can be fed together with the annular members, there is no need to reheat the blanks, providing increased productivity.

Abstract: A cast-bonding process includes a magnesium coating step and a magnesium nitride-forming step. The magnesium-coating step is carried out by supplying gasified magnesium into a mold in which a cast-in insert formed from an aluminum alloy, or an aluminum-based composite material is set, so that magnesium may coat the insert. The magnesium nitride-forming step is carried out by supplying nitrogen gas into the mold so that the coating magnesium and nitrogen gas may react to form magnesium nitride. Then, a molten aluminum alloy is poured into the mold for cast-bonding the insert.