Abstract: A method of operating a railway vehicle on a network of tracks forming one or more vehicle routes, includes providing: vehicle status information including the present track location of the vehicle, the route to be taken by the vehicle and operation profile information relating vehicle operational recommendations and/or requirements to track locations and to vehicle routes; and determining operational risks for the vehicle from the vehicle status information, the route to be taken by the vehicle and the operation profile information, each operational risk being the likelihood of future vehicle operation departing from the operation profile information at a given section of track or a given location on the route. Advisory notices for a driver of the vehicle are generated on the basis of the operational risks, and each advisory notice, when acted on by the driver, reduces the likelihood of future vehicle operation departing from the operation profile information.

Abstract: A method for estimating damage to a railway vehicle is provided. The method includes steps of: recording route data on the routes over which the railway vehicle travels; measuring the operational condition external to the vehicle along the routes at the time of travel by the railway vehicle; and estimating possible damage to the railway vehicle by correlating the recorded route data with occurrence of the measured external condition.

Abstract: Provided is a technology for assisting quick preparation of a maintenance plan. A maintenance device includes: a maintenance operation identification part configured to acquire, for an alarm received via a network, from another device that has transmitted the alarm via the network, information for identifying the alarm and information output from a sensor causing generation of the alarm, and extract required maintenance operations based on the information for identifying the alarm and the information output from the sensor; a constraint information identification part configured to identify constraint information including a facility required for each of the required maintenance operations; and an optimal operation plan calculation part configured to identify an execution order of the required maintenance operations based on a priority order in the constraint information, and assign predetermined time zones, to thereby generate a maintenance operation plan.

Abstract: A navigation system having a central device which uses a link shape compression unit to compress information of altitude changes of a road link obtained from a three-dimensional road map, and calculates a geometry parameter based on variation of energy of a vehicle travelling on the road link. An on-board terminal device estimates the vehicle's average travelling pattern by using a travel-pattern-estimation unit based on the geometry parameter calculated by the central device, a link-travelling time estimated from statistically-stored traffic information, and a link length. The on-board terminal device further calculates fuel consumption of the vehicle travelling on each road link based on the estimated travelling pattern and parameters of the vehicle by using a fuel-consumption calculation unit, and then, searches a fuel-efficient route by using the fuel consumption as a link cost. The on-board terminal device has a vehicle-type selector for selecting a type of the vehicle.

Abstract: A central device uses a link shape compression unit to compress information of shape of ups and downs of a road link obtained from a three-dimensional road map, and calculates a geometry parameter based on variation of energy of a vehicle travelling on the road link. An on-board terminal device estimates the vehicle's average travelling pattern by using a travel-pattern-estimation unit based on the geometry parameter calculated by the central device, a link-travelling time estimated from statistically-stored traffic information, and a link length. The on-board terminal device further calculates fuel consumption of the vehicle travelling on each road link based on the estimated travelling pattern and parameters of the vehicle by using a fuel-consumption calculation unit, and then, searches a fuel-efficient route by using the fuel consumption as a link cost. The on-board terminal device has a vehicle-type selector for selecting a type of the vehicle.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to predict energy consumptions of a vehicle, using geographic characteristic values which are independent from particular driving patterns and vehicle parameters and unique to respective links. A navigation server predicts energies which are consumed when a vehicle runs on links. The navigation server calculates geographic characteristic values of respective links, the geography of the each link affecting the consumption energy with the geographic characteristic values, the calculation being based on energy consumptions collected from probe vehicles, and calculates predicted energy consumption of each link selected as a processing target, based on the geographic characteristic values. A navigation terminal obtains these predicted energy consumptions and performs route search with the obtained predicted energy consumptions as costs.

Abstract: A navigation device includes: a position detecting unit; a remaining energy level detecting unit; a storage unit that stores map information including position information of a charging point of a drive energy; an energy consumption amount calculation unit that calculates a consumption amount of the drive energy when a vehicle travels along any link included based upon the map information; a route calculation unit that calculates a route from a current position to a destination point; and a route guidance unit. The route calculation unit calculates a recommended route with a minimum attainment cost among routes in which the remaining level does not fall below a predetermined threshold level based upon the map information, the remaining level on departure of the vehicle detected by the remaining energy level detecting unit, and the consumption amount calculated by the energy consumption amount calculation unit.

Abstract: A car navigation system solves the problem that the emission test cycle fuel consumption rate indicates the energy consumption per unit distance covered following a prescribed emission test cycle procedure, and therefore, cannot produce a highly accurate prediction value reflecting the landform and the traffics along a route. So, the test cycle characteristic values independent of the vehicle model for vehicle energy consumption in a specified running condition are calculated, and the vehicle energy consumption parameter of the engine or the motor is estimated from the basic vehicle specifications such as the vehicle weight, the power supply type, the emission test cycle fuel consumption rate, the test cycle characteristic values in the emission test cycle and the vehicle characteristics. Using the basic vehicle specifications and the energy consumption parameter, the energy consumption is predicted taking the landform and traffics into consideration.

Abstract: A navigation device includes: a position detecting unit; a remaining energy level detecting unit; a storage unit that stores map information including position information of a charging point of a drive energy; an energy consumption amount calculation unit that calculates a consumption amount of the drive energy when a vehicle travels along any link included based upon the map information; a route calculation unit that calculates a route from a current position to a destination point; and a route guidance unit. The route calculation unit calculates a recommended route with a minimum attainment cost among routes in which the remaining level does not fall below a predetermined threshold level based upon the map information, the remaining level on departure of the vehicle detected by the remaining energy level detecting unit, and the consumption amount calculated by the energy consumption amount calculation unit.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to predict energy consumptions of a vehicle, using geographic characteristic values which are independent from particular driving patterns and vehicle parameters and unique to respective links. A navigation server predicts energies which are consumed when a vehicle runs on links. The navigation server calculates geographic characteristic values of respective links, the geography of the each link affecting the consumption energy with the geographic characteristic values, the calculation being based on energy consumptions collected from probe vehicles, and calculates predicted energy consumption of each link selected as a processing target, based on the geographic characteristic values. A navigation terminal obtains these predicted energy consumptions and performs route search with the obtained predicted energy consumptions as costs.

Abstract: A car navigation system solves the problem that the emission test cycle fuel consumption rate indicates the energy consumption per unit distance covered following a prescribed emission test cycle procedure, and therefore, cannot produce a highly accurate prediction value reflecting the landform and the traffics along a route. So, the test cycle characteristic values independent of the vehicle model for vehicle energy consumption in a specified running condition are calculated, and the vehicle energy consumption parameter of the engine or the motor is estimated from the basic vehicle specifications such as the vehicle weight, the power supply type, the emission test cycle fuel consumption rate, the test cycle characteristic values in the emission test cycle and the vehicle characteristics. Using the basic vehicle specifications and the energy consumption parameter, the energy consumption is predicted taking the landform and traffics into consideration.

Abstract: A central device uses a link shape compression unit to compress information of shape of ups and downs of a road link obtained from a three-dimensional road map, and calculates a geometry parameter based on variation of energy of a vehicle travelling on the road link. An on-board terminal device estimates the vehicle's average travelling pattern by using a travel-pattern-estimation unit based on the geometry parameter calculated by the central device, a link-travelling time estimated from statistically-stored traffic information, and a link length. The on-board terminal device further calculates fuel consumption of the vehicle travelling on each road link based on the estimated travelling pattern and parameters of the vehicle by using a fuel-consumption calculation unit, and then, searches a fuel-efficient route by using the fuel consumption as a link cost. The on-board terminal device has a vehicle-type selector for selecting a type of the vehicle.

Abstract: A novel endoglucanase derived from Staphylotrichum coccosporum, a polynucleotide encoding the endoglucanase, and a cellulase preparation containing the endoglucanase are disclosed. The endoglucanase or cellulase preparation is available for a washing use or fabric processing, such as a color clarification of a cellulose-containing fabric, a reduction of fuzz, an improvement of the touch feel and appearance of the fabric, providing a localized color change to the fabric, or a reduction of stiffness.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a route searching which can reflect know-how such as easiness of running included in the probe car data in an entire route from departure place to destination. A center device detects main branch nodes from probe car data received from an in-vehicle terminal device by means of a main branch node detecting section. A probe car data dividing section divides the probe car data into probe segments by the main branch nodes. A route dividing section divides an initial route generated by a initial route generating section based on specified departure place and destination, and a derived route generating section substitutes probe segments for the divided routes so as to generate derived routes. The route selecting section scores the derived routes and select one so as to provide a recommended route in which know-how such as easiness of running included in the probe car data is reflected.

Abstract: A deinking method using a cellulase which enables the load upon the environment to be reduced; and an evaluation method whereby a cellulase effective in deinking and the effective addition level of the cellulase can be appropriately determined. By proposing pulp-swelling activity (PSA) that elevates the water-retention value of pulp after pulp is reacted with cellulase, it becomes possible to select an enzyme that is effective in cellulase-deinking treatment without lowering the paper strength and to determine the effective enzyme dosage. Namely, a method of deinking waste paper is provided wherein the selection of an effective cellulase and the optimization of the enzyme dosage with the use of PSA as an indication make it possible to minimize the cellulase addition level and lessen the amount of the deinking agent.

Abstract: A novel endoglucanase derived from Staphylotrichum coccosporum, a polynucleotide encoding the endoglucanase, and a cellulase preparation containing the endoglucanase are disclosed. The endoglucanase or cellulase preparation is available for a washing use or fabric processing, such as a color clarification of a cellulose-containing fabric, a reduction of fuzz, an improvement of the touch feel and appearance of the fabric, providing a localized color change to the fabric, or a reduction of stiffness.

Abstract: There is provided an endoglucanase enzyme, which is useful for reducing fuzz of regenerated cellulose-containing fabrics, improving the touch and appearance, color clarification, localized variation in color, reducing stiffness and using it as components of a detergent, as well as deinking waste paper and improving freeness of paper pulp. A cDNA coding for the endoglucanase enzyme NCE5 was cloned and its DNA sequence and amino acid sequence derived from it were determined.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulating housing and a retainer. The housing has a plurality of contact accommodating cavities. The retainer is moveable between a temporary locking position and a main locking position. The retainer has first retainer arms that extend into a front surface of the housing. The first retainer arms have a second locking member formed on a top surface in a vicinity of a free end of the first retainer arms and a third locking member formed on a bottom surface in substantially a center of the first retainer arms. The second and third locking members are configured to abut the housing in the temporary locking position so that the retainer is prevented from moving from the temporary locking position to the main locking position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cellulase preparation comprising nonionic surfactants together with endoglucanases derived from Zygomycetes; a detergent composition comprising the above cellulase preparation with detergent components; a method of treating fabric which comprises treating cellulose-containing fabric with the above cellulase preparation so as to improve the properties of the fabric; a method of deinking waster paper which comprises a step of treating waste paper with the above cellulase preparation together with a deinking agent; and a method of improving the freeness of paper pulp which comprises a step of treating paper pulp with the above cellulase preparation.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide enzymes that have high endoglucanase activity and yet exhibit high activity even under alkaline conditions, and genes encoding the same. The enzyme according to the invention has the following properties: a) exhibiting endoglucanase activity; and b) capable of completely removing fuzz from regenerated cellulose fabrics at a concentration of 1 mg of the protein/L or below. The enzyme of the invention having endoglucanase activity is a protein comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or 11; a modified protein thereof exhibiting endoglucanase activity; or a homologue of the protein or the modified protein.