Abstract: There is provided a honeycomb structural body with a lower-than-conventional heat capacity and excellent durability. A honeycomb structural body (1) having partition walls composed mainly of cordierite arranged in a honeycomb fashion is provided with fortified section (2) with a higher strength than the general section (19) at one end or both ends (11) in the direction of length of the partition walls (10). The fortified section (2) is given improved strength by having increased density with respect to the general section.

Abstract: A derived database processing system in a database processing device comprises a plurality of independent databases which can provide a plurality of users with a group of data to be shared for a common purpose. The derived database processing system comprises a dictionary for managing database logical definition information and database storage information in a secondary memory, a derived database registering unit for determining a definition frame of a new name without violating a definition frame of a name used in a schema definition which defines data in a database, a dictionary information manipulating means for referring to said dictionary when the manipulation target is a derived database, then selecting necessary components of said database, and a database processing procedure generating unit, in a binding process to optimize access routing in a database.

Abstract: A derived database processing system in a database processing device comprises a plurality of independent databases which can provide a plurality of users with a group of data to be shared for a common purpose. The derived database processing system comprises a dictionary for managing database logical definition information and database storage information in a secondary memory, a derived database registering unit for determining a definition frame of a new name without violating a definition frame of a name used in a schema definition which defines data in a database, a dictionary information manipulating means for referring to said dictionary when the manipulation target is a derived database, then selecting necessary components of said database, and a database processing procedure generating unit, in a binding process to optimize access routing in a database.

Abstract: A method of developing a self-describing database management system comprises the steps of holding definition data of a database management system to be developed as data on a database and creating a database management system to be developed by the use of an existing database management system. The database management system to be developed comprises a data definition processing execution program and a bind processing execution program. These two programs include a process to permit access to definition data which form database, and are executed based on the definition data on the database.

Abstract: A surface light source apparatus is constituted such that an overhang portion overhanging a light source is provided on part of an end surface where the light source of an optical guide plate is arranged in such a manner that it is flush with the front surface of the optical guide plate and that an incident light control unit formed from a resin for diffusing and attenuating light is provided integratedly on at least an overhang portion side out of the overhang portion and the end surface of the optical guide plate, and accordingly light from the light source is transmitted through the overhang portion, radiated in an illumination direction, and diffused and attenuated by the incident light control unit to equalize the amount of light so that it can be used as illumination light. Thereby, the total area of the light emitting portions is increased.

Abstract: A database generic composite structure processing system stores data expressed by a logical structure and generates an access schedule in response to an query. The system comprises a generic composite structure element for storing definition information for associating a partial data comprising a table or a partial table expressed by a logical structure with a composite structure of a database in an independent structure in physical media, and for storing definition information for storing data and an optimizing process element for generating, according to the generic composite structure defined by said generic composite structure means, an executable module which is a concrete result of an access schedule in response to an query.

Abstract: A database processing system using a multi-processor including a plurality of processor modules each having a local memory connected to an external shared memory. The database processing system includes a composite structure definition control part for defining an administrative processor module for controlling an access to a composite structure of a database which has a storage structure independent of a logical structure; and a maintenance/selection control part in an optimum control processor for providing a function of access-controlling a shared process and a local process when an access request arises for a database composite structure, and for dynamically switching the access control process for the composite structure according to the access frequency notified by each processor module.

Abstract: A deduction inference system is connected to a plurality of sensor elements, a display device, and an actuator mechanism. The deduction inference system processes stimulus sensor signals received from responding sensor elements. Each sensor signal uniquely identifies condition/status information representative of the particular sensor element transmitting that signal. Using preestablished knowledge rules previously programmed into its memory, the deduction inference system is capable of executing and solving a "non NP-complete" deduction inference on the inputted stimulus sensor signals. The resulting data can then be presented onto a display device as a user friendly "smart" informational message or transmitted to an actuator mechanism attached thereto to control electromechanical devices and provide a real-time response to changing condition/status information transmitted form the plurality of sensor elements.

Abstract: A whirlpool bath with an inverter-controlled circulating pump comprises a bathtub body, a circulating pump driven by a power-operated motor, a hot water circulation path disposed between the bathtub body and the circulating pump, the hot water circulation path comprising a hot water suction path and a hot water forced-feed path, the hot water forced-feed path having at least one terminal end which communicates with the interior of the bathtub body, at least one blow-off nozzle which is mounted on the terminal end of the hot water forced-feed path, an air intake portion connected to the hot water forced-feed path to permit blowing of bubbling hot water into the bathtub body from the blow-off nozzles, an inverter interposed between a drive circuit of the power-operated motor of the circulating pump and a power source and an electrical insulation means protecting the transfer of high frequency components of inverter-produced current to the hot water in the bathtub body.

Abstract: A metal catalyst carrier for exhaust gas purification, comprising: a metal honeycomb column composed of flat and wavy metal sheets laminated, wound together, and bonded to each other to provide numerous exhaust gas flow paths along the column axis, the honeycomb column having a quasi-elliptical cross section defined by a pair of mutually facing linear portions and a pair of mutually facing curved portions in a plane perpendicular to the column axis, the flat and wavy sheets being bonded in a greater bond rate in the major axial end portions than in the other portion of the quasi-ellipse, the bond rate being defined as a quotient obtained by dividing a bonded length by a total length of lines on which the laminated and wound flat and wavy sheets are in contact with each other; and a columnar metal case fittingly enclosing the honeycomb column and bonded to the honeycomb column only in the portions corresponding to the curved portions of the quasi-elliptical cross section.

Abstract: A database processing system for supporting a plurality of storage structures comprises a dictionary for storing information such as basic data organizations relating to the combination of basic data organizations forming each type of storage structure, library parts names relating to said combination, and assembly pattern names an access parts library for storing information such as access parts to basic data organizations which are access methods to each of said basic data organizations, and library parts relating to the combination of said access parts; and an optimizing unit for generating procedures for processing a database by referring to said dictionary and access parts library in response to an query to a database and by combining said access parts to basic data organizations forming a storage structure and said library parts relating to the combination of said access parts.

Abstract: A deduction inference system is connected to a plurality of sensor elements, a display device, and an actuator mechanism. The deduction inference system processes stimulus sensor signals received from responding sensor elements. Each sensor signal uniquely identifies condition/status information representative of the particular sensor element transmitting that signal. Using preestablished knowledge rules previously programmed into its memory, the deduction inference system is capable of executing and solving a "non NP-complete" deduction inference on the inputted stimulus sensor signals. The resulting data can then be presented onto a display device as a user friendly "smart" informational message or transmitted to an actuator mechanism attached thereto to control electro-mechanical devices and provide a real-time response to changing condition/status information transmitted form the plurality of sensor elements.

Abstract: A whirlpool bath is provided with a bathtub body, a circulating pump, a hot water circulation path disposed between said bathtub body and said circulating pump, a plurality of blow-off nozzles which are mounted on said respective terminal ends of the hot water circulation path, and an air intake portion connected to the hot water circulation path to permit blowing of air-mixed hot water into said bathtub body from the blow-off nozzles and control means for selectively controlling the degree of opening of each blow-off nozzle, the degree of opening of the air intake portion and the number of revolutions of said circulating pump to provide blow-off of the hot water in various modes which are different in the blow-off amount and pressure. Namely, the whirlpool bath is capable of giving various kinds of massaging effect including a stimulating effect and a relaxing effect to a bather.

Abstract: A blow-off nozzle structure capable of automatically varying the blow-off volume of water comprises a tubular nozzle casing defining a blow-off flow forming passage therein, the passage forming a blow-off opening at a front end thereof and a hot water inlet opening at a rear end thereof, a valve seat formed in the midst of the blow-off flow forming passage, a valve element capable of being extended to or retracted from said valve seat so as to adjust the degree of opening of said valve seat, an air mixing portion defined in the blow-off flow forming passage and disposed at a position in front of the valve seat, the air mixing portion communicated with an air intake portion which has one end opened to atmosphere, and an automatic valve-element reciprocating means capable of moving said valve element toward or away from said valve seat.