Abstract: A user management method according to the present disclosure includes: storing (S101) appliance use information including: appliance identification information for identifying an appliance; user information for identifying a user of the appliance; and an operating state of the appliance when the appliance was used; analyzing (S102) the appliance use information stored in the storing (S101) to identify, from among a plurality of functions of the appliance, one or more first functions each having a use frequency less than or equal to a threshold value; and providing (S103) the user with a notice which prompts use of the one or more first functions identified in the analyzing (S102).

Abstract: An operation panel of an electronic equipment includes a panel body having at least two openings that have identical shapes and sizes, at least one dummy cover having a shape and a size that fits to any of the at least two openings that have identical shapes and sizes, and an electronic component that is mounted on the dummy cover.

Abstract: There is provided an exhaust casing for a turbocharger that can be reduced in weight and can be easily machined. The exhaust casing (1) for the turbocharger includes an exhaust casing body (2) for the turbocharger that has a hollow structure and is made of a casting of iron-based metal, a light metal layer (3) that serves as an outer shell, and a heat insulating layer (4) that is provided between the exhaust casing body (2) and the light metal layer (3).

Abstract: There is provided an exhaust casing for a turbocharger that can be reduced in weight and can be easily machined. The exhaust casing (1) for the turbocharger includes an exhaust casing body (2) for the turbocharger that has a hollow structure and is made of a casting of iron-based metal, a light metal layer (3) that serves as an outer shell, and a heat insulating layer (4) that is provided between the exhaust casing body (2) and the light metal layer (3).

Abstract: A DNA inspecting apparatus including driving means for relatively changing positions of the multi-spot lights and a position of the DNA chip so as to detect the fluorescent lights in such a manner that a desired area on the DNA chip is irradiated with the multi-spot lights, and a control system for determining and inspecting DNA information about the to-be-inspected DNA chip from fluorescent light intensities and fluorescent light positions of the desired area on the DNA chip, the fluorescent light intensities and the fluorescent light positions being detected by the driving means and the fluorescent light detecting means.

Abstract: A number of ½ ring parts (13 and 14) are arranged at constant intervals on both sides of the spine portion (12) of binders, and the spine portion (12) and the ½ ring parts (13 and 14) on both upper and lower sides are coupled together via thin hinges. As the spine portion (12) is not in double-split hinge structure, which is different from the case of conventional binders, it is ensured that the spine portion is held until the termination of the binding operation when a binding apparatus is used for causing a holding mechanism to clutch the spine portion of the binders so as to set the binders to face the back of sheets of loose-leaf paper and also causing an engaging mechanism to close and engage the ½ ring parts.

Abstract: In a staple case provided with a staple pull-out opening and a lower face opening, a roll staple is contained, so that the staple case can be directly installed in a staple cartridge. When the staple cartridge is loaded in an electric stapler, a staple-feeding roller is in contact with the roll staple. As the staple-feeding roller rotationally drives the roll staple, a leading edge of the roll staple is fed to a leading edge of a guide portion of the staple cartridge through the staple pull-out opening.

Abstract: A DNA inspecting apparatus including driving means for relatively changing positions of the multi-spot lights and a position of the DNA chip so as to detect the fluorescent lights in such a manner that a desired area on the DNA chip is irradiated with the multi-spot lights, and a control system for determining and inspecting DNA information about the to-be-inspected DNA chip from fluorescent light intensities and fluorescent light positions of the desired area on the DNA chip, the fluorescent light intensities and the fluorescent light positions being detected by the driving means and the fluorescent light detecting means.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a DNA chip and an apparatus therefor that allow a picture to be reconstructed in the following steps: A plurality of irradiation spots are formed on a DNA probe array mounted on a stage. Then, the stage is displaced in X, Y directions so as to execute a scanning, thereby irradiating substantially all the entire surface of the DNA probe array. Next, a plurality of emitted fluorescent lights, which are generated from the plurality of irradiation spot portions on the DNA probe array, are converged and are then detected simultaneously by multi detectors. Finally, a data processing apparatus processes the detected signals, thereby reconstructing the picture.

Abstract: In a staple case 1 provided with a staple pull-out opening 9 and a lower face opening 10, a roll staple S is contained, so that the staple case can be directly installed in a staple cartridge C. When the staple cartridge C is loaded in an electric stapler, a staple-feeding roller 12 is in contact with the roll staples. As the staple-feeding roller rotationally drives the roll staple, a leading edge of the roll staple is fed to a leading edge of a guide portion 13 of the staple cartridge through the staple pull-out opening.

Abstract: A number of ½ ring parts (13 and 14) are arranged at constant intervals on both sides of the spine portion (12) of binders, and the spine portion (12) and the ½ ring parts (13 and 14) on both upper and lower sides are coupled together via thin hinges. As the spine portion (12) is not in double-split hinge structure, which is different from the case of conventional binders, it is ensured that the spine portion is held until the termination of the binding operation when a binding apparatus is used for causing a holding mechanism to clutch the spine portion of the binders so as to set the binders to face the back of sheets of loose-leaf paper and also causing an engaging mechanism to close and engage the ½ ring parts.

Abstract: A screwdriver used for a screw tightener includes at its tip portion a blade having a plurality of flat plate portions to be meshed in a recess formed in a head of a screw. In this screwdriver, each of the flat plate portions has at its tip portion an outer peripheral surface which extends in such a manner as to be converged in the direction toward the tip portion of the screwdriver. The outer peripheral surface of the flat plate portion is formed into an angled shape having a ridge line portion extending in the direction toward the tip portion of the screwdriver.

Abstract: An automatic assembling system for assembling a product constituted by a plurality of parts, includes a group cell having a plurality of assembling cells and inspecting cells, pallets loaded with the same type of parts or products, at least one buffer for holding a plurality of pallets, and at least one pallet hand-over mechanism for transferring pallets between the buffer and each cell. At least one of the buffers is provided in common for a plurality of cells, and at least one of the pallet hand-over mechanisms is provided to the common buffer.

Abstract: An automatic assembling system for assembling a product constituted by a plurality of parts, includes a group cell having a plurality of assembling cells and inspecting cells, pallets loaded with the same type of parts or products, at least one buffer for holding a plurality of pallets, and at least one pallet hand-over mechanism for transferring pallets between the buffer and each cell. At least one of the buffers is provided in common for a plurality of cells, and at least one of the pallet hand-over mechanisms is provided to the common buffer.

Abstract: An apparatus for fetching a component part, with the apparatus including a finger unit pivotally supporting a plurality of fingers adapted to catch a component part. A first detection unit detects a catch of a component part and a first drive opens or closes the fingers. A holding unit swingably supports the finger unit and has a slider which is slidable in a horizontal direction by a drawback force. A second detection unit detects the slider at an end of the sliding motion. A moving unit supports the holding unit and moves the holding unit at least in the vertical direction by a second drive. A drive control is provided for controlling the first and second drives in accordance with signals produced by the first and second detection units so as to enable a catching of the component part.

Abstract: A parts feeding and assembling system including a plurality of stockers containing a multiplicity of parts arranged in a disorderly manner, a separating and feeding mechanism for separating one part after another from the parts in the stockers and feeding same to a predetermined station, a tentatively positioning mechanism for tentatively positioning each part fed to the station by the separating and feeding mechanism, a parts posture discriminating mechanism for discriminating the posture of each part including the position and direction tentatively positioned by the tentatively positioning mechanism, a parts posture changing mechanism for changing the posture of each part in accordance with the result of discrimination of the part effected by the parts posture discriminating mechanism and an assembling mechanism for assembling each part in a predetermined position of an assembly of parts after the part has had its posture changed.