Abstract: A thermal storage apparatus for using a hydrate thermal storage medium including: (a) a storage tank for storing a cooling medium liquid; (b) a refrigerating machine, connected with the storage tank via a pipe for cooling the cooling medium liquid, the cooling medium liquid circulating between the storage tank and the refrigerating machine; and (c) a thermal storage body immersed in the cooling medium liquid, wherein the thermal storage medium comprises a hermetically sealed container containing an aqueous solution which generates at least one hydrate selected from the group consisting of a primary hydrate and a secondary hydrate, wherein the primary hydrate has a smaller hydration number and a small heat capacity than the secondary hydrate, and wherein the secondary hydrate has a larger hydration number and a larger heat capacity than the primary hydrate.

Abstract: In order to provide a highly secure system at a low cost without providing a complicated logic circuit for an RFID tag, in a system including an RFID tag (10) and a interrogator (20), the interrogator (10) is provided with a password creating unit (1100) which computes an electronic key (131) and a keyword unique to the RFID tag with a predetermined irreversible function to create a password. By using the password as a key, item information of an item attached with the RFID tag (20) is encrypted with a predetermined encryption function. The encrypted item information and the keyword are written to the RFID tag (20). The interrogator (10) reads the encrypted item information and the keyword from the RFID tag (20), causes the password creating unit (1100) to compute the password by using the keyword, and uses the password as a key to decrypt the read encrypted item information.

Abstract: A reader/writer (R/W) transmits a query command ALL (A), which causes RFID tags (A) with a communication method (A) to respond at a time, to N RFID tags (A) with the communication method (A) and X RFID tags (C) with a communication method (C). In this case, since R/W receives responses from N RFID tags (A), it can recognize presence of the RFID tags with a communication method (A) from its reception level or the like. Next, R/W transmits a query command ALL (B) which causes RFID tags (B) with a communication method (B) to respond at a time. In this case, since R/W receives no response, it can recognize that no RFID tag with the communication method (B) is present rapidly. In an RFID system, therefore, a communication time between RFID tags and an RFID reader/writer can be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alternate combustion type regenerative radiant tube burner apparatus which comprises a circular plate positioned between a burner unit and a main combustion chamber, so that preheated secondary combustion air is fed through an opening of the circular plate to the main combustion chamber. The burner apparatus has the circular plate (10), an annular air throat (2), a cylindrical peripheral cover (30) and a heat-transfer tube (11,16). A front end portion of the peripheral cover is integrally connected with a peripheral edge portion of the circular plate so as to prevent the secondary combustion air of the air throat from leaking on a periphery of the circular plate to the air diluting chamber (3). According to the present invention, the concentration of nitrogen oxides in the combustion exhaust gas can be definitely prevented from increasing, without being affected by the installation condition or thermal deformation of the radiant tube burner apparatus.

Abstract: A device including a self-information memory which stores function data for other devices to operate the device and device name data. Upon receiving a request from another device for the device name or function data, the device sends the data stored in the self-information memory. When function data is thereafter received, the device executes a function indicated by the data. When plural devices are connected to each other via a network, device acting as a mater device, includes a connected device memory which stores device name data of all connected device and a communication pair memory which stores function data of the communication partner.

Abstract: An RFID capable of stopping and restarting a response by initializing a part or the whole of internal data by setting includes a response restart set data storage portion, changes response restart set data by command data from external communication equipment to look up response restart data at the restart of a response, decides a data storage area and content that may be initialized when the restart is possible, and rewrites a data storage portion.

Abstract: A hierarchical structure is established among a plurality of RFID tags, such that ID numbers can be read only from RFID tags which belong to a particular layer. RFID tag can control whether permission should be given to read its ID number therefrom to protect the ID number. Data held in the RFID tag can be read from the outside. RFID tag comprises a memory circuit having a function of holding data, and a logic circuit having a function of processing a control command received from outside. Memory circuit stores an own ID nmber for identifying the RFID tag itself, and a parent ID number for identifying a second RFID tag. When RFID tag receives an ID number read command which contains first data as a parameter from outside, the logic circuit outputs the own ID number to outside only when the first data matches the parent ID number.

Abstract: An IRD 103 supplies broadcasting data on a bus in a desired time period. When the IRD 103 performs a reservation of the bus usage, the IRD 103 requests current bus usage information and information of the bus reservation from all devices connected by the bus, such as a DVD 104, a D-VTR 101, a D-VTR 102, a CAM 105, a TV 100, and a isochronous manager 107 of the D-VTR 101. The isochronous manager 107 and each device answer by sending the bus usage information and reservation information to the IRD 103. The IRD 103 judges a possibility of the reservation from the answer information. If the reservation is possible, it performs the reservation operation. If the reservation is impossible, then the reason is displayed on a TV 100. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a usage of a device that excesses the bus transferring capacity.

Abstract: For changing services to readers who desires to obtain electronic books exactly or minutely, an electronic book management system 1 distributes at least electronic purchase certificates relating to books which are stocked at a bookstores owing a bookstore terminal device 2, in advance, to that bookstore terminal device 2. When buying the book(s), a reader obtains in an IC card 4 owned by her/him a purchase certificate(s) of that book(s) which she/he bought, from the bookstore terminal 2. When ordering to obtain the electronic book(s), the reader transmits the purchase certificate(s) from a reader terminal device 3 to the electronic book management system 1 through a communication network 5. The electronic book management system 1 changes over it's service when supplying the electronic book(s) to that reader depending upon the existence of the purchase certificate(s).

Abstract: A thermal storage apparatus for using a hydrate thermal storage medium including: (a) a storage tank for storing a cooling medium liquid; (b) a refrigerating machine, connected with the storage tank via a pipe for cooling the cooling medium liquid, the cooling medium liquid circulating between the storage tank and the refrigerating machine; and (c) a thermal storage body immersed in the cooling medium liquid, wherein the thermal storage medium comprises a hermetically sealed container containing an aqueous solution which generates at least one hydrate selected from the group consisting of a primary hydrate and a secondary hydrate, wherein the primary hydrate has a smaller hydration number and a small heat capacity than the secondary hydrate, and wherein the secondary hydrate has a larger hydration number and a larger heat capacity than the primary hydrate.

Abstract: When an IC card module is used for a small portable information apparatus such as a portable telephone terminal, the module has a size much smaller than an ordinary IC card from the viewpoint that the apparatus is required to be small in size and weight. In the case of a small non-contact type card, there are problems that an antenna coil cannot secure its necessary surface area, a necessary power cannot be obtained for a signal to be transmitted or received, a communication distance from an external device becomes small. When the signal is transmitted and received via a booster coil provided between the external device and the antenna coil of the IC card module, the effective surface area of the antenna coil can be increased and the communication distance can be increased to a level as large as it can practically avoid involvement of any problem.

Abstract: Information recorded by an application provider in an IC card can be referred to, read out or changed by another application provider. The IC card has a plurality of cipher keys for reading out or writing the information recorded in the IC card, and provides a cipher key conversion function for encryption with a file capable of being managed, read out or written by the application provider himself using the cipher key. By the cipher key conversion function, data can be read out or written from or in the file of the other application provider.

Abstract: In a portable terminal having an IC card, the outstanding SF value, the commuter pass information and the conditions for the corresponding operation to charge the SF value or renew the validity period of the commuter pass are stored in the IC card. The outstanding SF value and the validity period of the commuter pass are checked at a predetermined timing. In the case where the outstanding SF value and the validity period satisfy the conditions for the corresponding operation (in the case where the outstanding SF value is reduced to less than a predetermined amount, for example), the set corresponding operation is performed. Thus, a predetermined amount is charged against the outstanding SF value, or the oncoming expiry of the validity period of the commuter pass is notified. The conditions for the corresponding operation can be set and changed appropriately at the portable terminal.

Abstract: An IRD 103 supplies broadcasting data on a bus in a desired time period. When the IRD 103 performs a reservation of the bus usage, the IRD 103 requests current bus usage information and information of the bus reservation from all devices connected by the bus, such as a DVD 104, a D-VTR 101, a D-VTR 102, a CAM 105, a TV 100, and a isochronous manager 107 of the D-VTR 101. The isochronous manager 107 and each device answer by sending the bus usage information and reservation information to the IRD 103. The IRD 103 judges a possibility of the reservation from the answer information. If the reservation is possible, it performs the reservation operation. If the reservation is impossible, then the reason is displayed on a TV 100. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a usage of a device that excesses the bus transferring capacity.

Abstract: A device including a self-information memory which stores function data for other devices to operate the device and device name data. Upon receiving a request from another device for the device name or function data, the device sends the data stored in the self-information memory. When function data is thereafter received, the device executes a function indicated by the data. When plural devices are connected to each other via a network, device acting as a mater device, includes a connected device memory which stores device name data of all connected device and a communication pair memory which stores function data of the communication partner.

Abstract: An IRD 103 supplies broadcasting data on a bus a desired time period. When the IRD 103 performs a reservation of the bus usage, the IRD 103 request current bus usage information and information of the bus reservation from all devices connected by the bus, such as a DVD 104, a D-VTR 101, a D-VTR 102, a CAM 105, a TV 100, and a isochronous manager 107 of the D-VTR 101. The isochronous manager 107 and each device answer by sending the bus usage information to the IRD 103 and reservation information. The IRD 103 judges a possibility of the reservation from the answer information. If the reservation is possible, it performs the reservation operation. IF the reservation is impossible, then the reason is displayed on a TV 100. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a usage of a device that excesses the bus transferring capacity.

Abstract: A device including a self-information memory which stores function data for other devices to operate the device and device name data. Upon receiving a request from another device for the device name or function data, the device sends the data stored in the self-information memory. When function data is thereafter received, the device executes a function indicated by the data. When plural devices are connected to each other via a network, device acting as a master device, includes a connected device memory which stores device name data of all connected device and a communication pair memory which stores function data of the communication partner.

Abstract: When an IC card module is used for a small portable information apparatus such as a portable telephone terminal, the module has a size much smaller than an ordinary IC card from the viewpoint that the apparatus is required to be small in size and weight. In the case of a small non-contact type card, there are problems that an antenna coil cannot secure its necessary surface area, a necessary power cannot be obtained for a signal to be transmitted or received, a communication distance from an external device becomes small. When the signal is transmitted and received via a booster coil provided between the external device and the antenna coil of the IC card module, the effective surface area of the antenna coil can be increased and the communication distance can be increased to a level as large as it can practically avoid involvement of any problem.

Abstract: A recording medium having a data management structure capable of efficiently determining whether or not an outline image representing the outline of an original image and character information representing additional contents are added, and an motion-picture voice recording/reproducing apparatus for improving a retrieving operation factor of the recorded original image by generating and outputting the outline image from the original image even when the outline image is not added. Recording position information of images representing an outline of motion-picture and a voice signal, recording position information of character information representing additional contents relating to the motion-picture and voice signals, and/or information representing that the images representing the outline or the character information is not set by a user or by a system, are recorded to, and reproduced from, the recording medium.

Abstract: A device includes a self-information memory to store therein function data for other devices to operate the pertinent device and device name data thereof. Receiving a request from another device for the device name or function data, the device sends the data stored in the self-information memory. When function data is thereafter received, the device executes an instruction indicated by the data. In case where a plurality of devices each including the self-information memory are connected to each other via a bus or the like in a form of a network, at least one of the devices, i.e., a master device includes in addition to the self-information memory a connected device memory to store therein device name data of all of the connected devices and a communication pair memory to store therein function data of the communication partner. The master device requests the other devices for device name data thereof. When the requested data is received, the master device stores the data in the connected device memory.