Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a smart card and a settlement terminal by which when common-key cryptography is used for value transfer between smart cards, the security of the whole system can be improved by enabling easy update of a cryptographic key used for the value transfer.

Abstract: In a data recording apparatus capable of recording data while varying the amount of data per unit of time (at a variable rate), the present invention makes it possible to indicate an allowable recording time period on a disc and operational information according to user-specified setup conditions and the remaining capacity of the disc when a user determines conditions for record programming. An allowable recording time period on the disc is calculated on the basis of the remaining capacity of the disc and at least one of the following parameters; a maximum variable-rate value, a minimum variable-rate value, and an average variable-rate value to enable recording video data in most cases. Then, the result of calculation is displayed on a screen.

Abstract: A multi-electronic money settlement-of-account vicarious execution system includes a store information storage section. The storage section includes a store information database for storing information of a store-specified money kind specified by the store as a kind of money to be received by the store and information of a store-specified money remittance destination specified by the store as a remittance destination of money. The system further includes an electronic money conversion and remittance section for converting electronic money received from a store user to money of the store-specified money kind in accordance with the information of the store-specified money kind, and remitting money resultant from the conversion to the store-specified money remittance destination in accordance with the information of the store-specified money remittance destination. The store information database stores information of point kinds to be provided for the user.

Abstract: The best mode aims to provide a thermal storage medium that improves the efficiency of heat exchange between the thermal storage medium and the cooling medium liquid in the cooling medium body, and that prevents supercool of the aqueous solution which produces hydrate. A large thermal storage capacity is attained using the latent heat of hydrate in the cooling medium body. By forming slurry of hydrate, the fluidability of the hydrate increases the efficiency of the heat exchange with cooling medium liquid. By sealing fine particles in the cooling medium body, the super-cool of aqueous solution is prevented. By changing position of the cooling medium body or by other means, the aqueous solution is agitated to keep the fine particles disperse and float in the aqueous solution, thus preventing the degradation of effect to prevent supercooling.

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.

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.

Abstract: A method for transporting cold latent-heat which comprises contacting a source of cold latent-heat with a liquid-liquid clathrate capable of crystallization when an onium salt having a C4H9 group and an iso-C5H11 group is included as a guest into basket-like inclusion clathrate lattices including water molecules.

Abstract: A device includes self-information memory which stores both function data for other devices to operate the device and device name data. Upon request from another device, the device sends the requested data stored in the self-information memory. When function data is received, the devices executes an instruction indicated by the data. When 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, 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, and stores the received data in the connected device memory. Thus, by referring to the device name data stored in the memory, the control device recognize the device name of the connected device.