Abstract: A navigation system is mounted in a vehicle positioned in a facility, whose on-site passage data is unavailable for the system. In this case, the system determines whether a facility exit is learned. When the facility exit is learned, the system defines, as a facility exit coordinates, the learned coordinates. When the facility exit is not learned, the system defines, as the facility coordinates, a guidance coordinates, which is used to terminate a route guidance when the facility is designated as a destination. The system then retrieves a route using the defined facility exit coordinates as a departure position. Even when the on-site passage data is unavailable, defining the facility exit allows the system to highly accurately retrieve a route passing through the actual facility exit.

Abstract: A navigation system for providing a destination of a trip and for use in a vehicle includes a position detector for detecting a current position of the vehicle, a condition detector for detecting a combination of a plurality of predetermined vehicle conditions when the vehicle is stopping at a stop location, a first determination unit for determining that the stop location is one of a stop-by place of the trip and the destination of the trip based on the combination of the plurality of the predetermined vehicle conditions detected by the condition detector, a storage unit for storing at least the destination of the trip based on a determination result by the first determination unit and an information provision unit for providing destination information regarding the trip at least based on the destination stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing games of chance wherein a display of symbol containing elements determines a game outcome; said symbol containing elements comprising portions of simulated rotatable reels; said display comprising a matrix of said symbol containing elements as a first identifiable region and at least one adjoining additionally visible symbol containing element.

Abstract: A controlled system model generating apparatus includes a real controlled variable storage unit which stores time-series data of a real controlled variable, a model storage unit which stores a mathematical model of a controlled system, a controller storage unit which stores a controller algorithm, a simulation computation unit which executes a simulation of simulating a control response concerning a control system, an evaluation function computation unit which compares a real controlled variable with a model controlled variable and computes an evaluation function value representing a proximity between the real controlled variable and the model controlled variable, and a controlled system model parameter search computation unit which causes the simulation computation unit to execute a simulation while sequentially changing a value of a controlled system model parameter set for a mathematical model, and determines a value of a controlled system model parameter with which an evaluation function value becomes an

Abstract: A PID parameter adjustment device includes a model storage unit (1) which stores a mathematical model of a controlled system, a PID controller storage unit (2) which stores a controller algorithm, a constraint condition storage unit (3) which stores constraint conditions on operation, a simulation computation unit (5) which executes a simulation to simulate a control system on the basis of the constraint conditions, an ideal control result storage unit (6) which stores an ideal control response characteristic, an evaluation function computation unit (7) which computes an evaluation function value representing the proximity between a simulation result and the ideal control response characteristic, and a PID parameter search computation unit (8) which searches for PID parameters which makes an evaluation function value optimal by executing a simulation while changing the PID parameters.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a balance between lowering of the fine powder generated during the production, and lowering of the amount of residual monomer in the resulting water absorbent resin can be achieved. More particularly, according to the present invention, a water absorbent resin which includes a small amount of residual monomer and has a favorable physical property can be obtained while effectively reutilizing the fine powder generated in the production step of the water absorbent resin, without increasing using amount of an additive (at least one selected from the group consisting of thermal initiators, oxidizing agents and reducing agents) for reducing the residual monomer. In other words, the method for production of a water absorbent resin of the present invention is a method in which the residual monomer can be efficiently reduced, and in addition, an effect in terms of the production cost, i.e.

Abstract: Time series data of manipulated variables given to a controlled object and time series data of controlled variables outputted based thereon are acquired. Then, time series data of values is acquired which is outputted from a transfer function assumed in advance when the acquired time series data of manipulated variables is inputted to the transfer function. By identifying one or more parameters of the transfer function so that an error between the time series data of output values and the acquired time series data of controlled variables corresponding thereto or a value derived from the error becomes optimum, a model of the controlled object is generated.

Abstract: Lure body (2) comprises of hard portion (8) and soft portion (9), which is made of soft plastic, soft silicon or soft rubber. A portion of the lure body can bend repeatedly, and the hard portion is covered by the soft portion. The hard portion is made of at least two separate components, connected to each other by elastic component (10), which has elasticity. The lure body can bend approximately 30 degrees or more around the elastic component.

Abstract: To prevent semiconductor chips from adhering to the trays during transport, a method is employed which transports semiconductor chips in the following state. When trays provided with a plurality of accommodating portions having a recessed cross section for accommodating semiconductor chips on a main surface thereof are stacked in a plurality of stages, the semiconductor chips are accommodated in spaces defined by the accommodating portions formed over the main surface of the lower-stage tray and corresponding accommodating portions formed over the back surface of the upper-stage tray. Here, on bottom surfaces of the accommodating portions formed over the back surface of the upper-stage tray, isolated projections having a height which prevents the projections from coming into contact with the semiconductor chips are arranged in a scattered manner. In this way, it is possible to prevent the semiconductor chips from adhering to the back surface of the upper-stage tray.

Abstract: Lure body (2) comprises of hard portion (8) and soft portion (9), which is made of soft plastic, soft silicon or soft rubber. A portion of the lure body can bend repeatedly, and the hard portion is covered by the soft portion. The hard portion is made of at least two separate components, connected to each other by elastic component (10), which has elasticity. The lure body can bend approximately 30 degrees or more around the elastic component.

Abstract: A method and system for holding a location-independent competition are provided. The method comprises: receiving a plurality of electronic participation images each including a real target; disqualifying a participation image, if the participation image does not include the real target; providing the remaining participation images for viewing; receiving one or more objections associated with one or more participation images; disqualifying a participation image, if the number of objections associated with the participation image has reached a threshold; and determining a winner by evaluating the remaining qualified images based on a first criteria.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting document data enabling transfer of document data over a communication path assigned the highest possible priority among a plurality of communication paths. First, an attempt is made to transfer document data over the highest-priority communication path. If the attempt has failed, the document data are transferred over a communication path which is lower in priority than the highest-priority communication path. After information for one page of text data has been transferred over the lower-priority communication path, an attempt is again made to transfer the remaining part of text data over the highest-priority communication path.

Abstract: A method for changing a numeric value displayed on a display device is adapted to select a numeric display area by pointing means and change the numeric value in accordance with a pointing signal that is provided from the pointing means in response to its sliding movement after the selection of the numeric display area.

Abstract: An auto-loading system of disk playback apparatus includes a door open/close detecting device for detecting that a door is being closed when a disk is being ejected, and loads the disk into the disk playback apparatus by the detection signal therefrom. According to another aspect, the apparatus generates an alarm immediately when detection is made thereby that the door is being closed when the disk is being ejected.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold M is comprised of a plurality of inner exhaust pipe shells secured to an upper flange, and a plurality of outer exhaust pipe shells secured to the upper flange to individually cover the inner exhaust pipe shells, wherein a downstream end of each of the corresponding inner exhaust pipe shells slidably contacts an annular bead bulging from an outer peripheral surface of the downstream end of the outer exhaust pipe shells. An inner collecting pipe shell communicates with the plurality of inner exhaust pipe shells and is secured at its upstream end to the plurality of outer exhaust pipe shells, and an outer collecting pipe shell which is secured at its upstream end to the plurality of outer exhaust pipe shells covers the inner collecting pipe shell. A downstream end of the inner collecting pipe shell slidably contacts an annular mesh member interposed therebetween.

Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet is disclosed which has excellent ink retention properties, color development properties, weather resistance and water resistance, and which is substantially free from curling even if it has its only one side provided with an ink receiving layer. In particular, the present invention relates to an ink jet recording sheet which is extremely suited for use in poster applications. The ink jet recording sheet comprises: a substrate having its at least one side provided with an ink receiving layer; the ink receiving layer containing a nonionic surfactant and a binder resin, solid content of the nonionic surfactant being in a range of 11% to 20% by weight of total solid content of the ink receiving layer, the binder resin containing a silanol group-modified polyvinyl alcohol as a component thereof in an amount of 70% by weight or more of solid content of the binder resin.

Abstract: An artificial bait which can provide a great effect to attract fish by means of light emission or reflection from air bubbles contained in the artificial bait. A large number of air bubbles are enclosed within a artificial bait main body formed of elastic material having flexibility and light transmissible property wherein the air bubbles may be deformed to enhance the attractiveness of the bait.

Abstract: An automatic gain control device includes: reading unit for reading information signal from a recording medium; servo loop including servo control unit for controlling position of the reading unit with respect to the recording medium; mixing unit for mixing a disturbance signal into the servo loop; gain control unit detecting gain of the servo loop in accordance with level of the disturbance signal and varying the gain of the servo loop; and level detecting unit for discriminating whether level of the information signal read by the reading unit is higher than a predetermined level or not, wherein the mixing unit mixes the disturbance signal into the servo loop when the level of the information signal is higher than the predetermined level.

Abstract: An arrangement for a lure which stabilizes the movement of a fishhook attached to the fishhook attaching section formed on the lower side of the lure in order to positively catch fish with the fishhook. A two movement guide sections are provided by cutout portions formed inside of external members of a lure body. Spherical metallic weight is movably accommodated in each of the movement guide sections so that the spherical metallic weights can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the lure body. When the weights in the movement guide sections are moved to the front, a center of balance of the weights substantially coincides with the position of a fishhook attaching section.

Abstract: An automatic gain control device includes: reading unit for reading information signal from a recording medium; servo loop including servo control unit for controlling position of the reading unit with respect to the recording medium; mixing unit for mixing a disturbance signal into the servo loop; gain control unit detecting gain of the servo loop in accordance with level of the disturbance signal and varying the gain of the servo loop; and level detecting unit for discriminating whether level of the information signal read by the reading unit is higher than a predetermined level or not, wherein the mixing unit mixes the disturbance signal into the servo loop when the level of the information signal is higher than the predetermined level.