Abstract: According to one embodiment, a power convertor includes a buck-boost circuit to be applied with an input voltage to convert the input voltage into an output voltage for output, the input voltage being generated by a power generation module that generates direct-current power; a switching controller that executes maximum power-point tracking to control power conversion of the buck-boost circuit such that the power generation module generates maximum direct-current power; and a mode controller that causes the switching controller to execute the maximum power-point tracking when an input current from the power generation module is larger than a preset current threshold, and when the input current is equal to or less than the current threshold, causes the switching controller to stop the maximum power-point tracking, and cause the buck-boost circuit to output the input voltage as the output voltage without the power conversion.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a power convertor includes a buck-boost circuit; a switch driver, a switching controller, and a positive input terminal and a negative input terminal. In maximum power-point tracking, the switching controller causes the buck-boost circuit to stop outputting the output voltage, and varies the voltage value of the input voltage in a given range, which is from a lower-limit voltage value at which the switch driver is operable, by switching between the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal while varying a duty factor.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a power convertor includes a buck-boost circuit; a switch driver, a switching controller, and a positive input terminal and a negative input terminal. In maximum power-point tracking, the switching controller causes the buck-boost circuit to stop outputting the output voltage, and varies the voltage value of the input voltage in a given range, which is from a lower-limit voltage value at which the switch driver is operable, by switching between the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal while varying a duty factor.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a power convertor includes a buck-boost circuit to be applied with an input voltage to convert the input voltage into an output voltage for output, the input voltage being generated by a power generation module that generates direct-current power; a switching controller that executes maximum power-point tracking to control power conversion of the buck-boost circuit such that the power generation module generates maximum direct-current power; and a mode controller that causes the switching controller to execute the maximum power-point tracking when an input current from the power generation module is larger than a preset current threshold, and when the input current is equal to or less than the current threshold, causes the switching controller to stop the maximum power-point tracking, and cause the buck-boost circuit to output the input voltage as the output voltage without the power conversion.

Abstract: A communication configuration device installed in at least one of a plurality of communication terminals that are designed to be connected in a manner to establish a wireless network includes one or more processors receiving, through a network interface, setting information providing communication settings for all of the plurality of communication terminals; evaluating the second setting information; and if the setting information indicates that one or more of the settings of the communication terminal in which the communication configuration device is installed need to be changed, causing a corresponding setting in the original setting information stored in a storage unit to be replaced with an updated setting indicated in the setting information so that the updated setting is applied to said communication terminal.

Abstract: A converter for use in a distributed power system for stepping up or down a voltage of a power source connected thereto includes a step up/down circuit that receives the voltage, steps up or steps down the voltage from the power source, and then outputs the stepped up/down voltage; and a control circuit that detects the voltage from the power source and transmits a control signal for stepping up or stepping down the voltage to the step up/down circuit. The control circuit transmits an identification signal that identifies the converter and is configured to receive an identification signal from another converter when the other converter is connected to the converter.

Abstract: A communication configuration device installed in at least one of a plurality of communication terminals that are designed to be connected in a manner to establish a wireless network includes one or more processors receiving, through a network interface, setting information providing communication settings for all of the plurality of communication terminals; evaluating the second setting information; and if the setting information indicates that one or more of the settings of the communication terminal in which the communication configuration device is installed need to be changed, causing a corresponding setting in the original setting information stored in a storage unit to be replaced with an updated setting indicated in the setting information so that the updated setting is applied to said communication terminal.

Abstract: A converter for use in a distributed power system for stepping up or down a voltage of a power source connected thereto includes a step up/down circuit that receives the voltage, steps up or steps down the voltage from the power source, and then outputs the stepped up/down voltage; and a control circuit that detects the voltage from the power source and transmits a control signal for stepping up or stepping down the voltage to the step up/down circuit. The control circuit transmits an identification signal that identifies the converter and is configured to receive an identification signal from another converter when the other converter is connected to the converter.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a power supply apparatus, which realizes a frequency characteristic of an open-loop transfer function having a trap point, and can deal with input fluctuation. A controller of the power supply apparatus of the invention is a circuit in which although the form of its transfer function is the same as a conventional one, values of respective coefficients are different, only a phase margin is ensured without ensuring a gain margin, and the transfer function is realized which provides a frequency range (i.e. trap point) in which a decrease in gain is remarkable and a phase is considerably delayed. Besides, in order to ensure the stability against input fluctuation, a power conversion circuit is used which converts an input voltage from an input DC power supply so as to be constant in multiplying voltage by time.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a power supply apparatus, which realizes a frequency characteristic of an open-loop transfer function having a trap point, and can deal with input fluctuation. A controller of the power supply apparatus of the invention is a circuit in which although the form of its transfer function is the same as a conventional one, values of respective coefficients are different, only a phase margin is ensured without ensuring a gain margin, and the transfer function is realized which provides a frequency range (i.e. trap point) in which a decrease in gain is remarkable and a phase is considerably delayed. Besides, in order to ensure the stability against input fluctuation, a power conversion circuit is used which converts an input voltage from an input DC power supply so as to be constant in multiplying voltage by time.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for producing a metal oxide, which comprises the steps of: dissolving a metal organic compound (e.g. a metal organic acid salt, a metal acetylacetonato complex, and a metal alkoxide having an organic group with 6 or more carbon atoms) in a solvent to provide a state of solution, applying the solution onto a substrate, drying the solution, and subjecting the resultant substrate to irradiation with a laser light of a 400 nm or less wavelength, to form a metal oxide on the substrate. According to that method, a metal oxide can be produced without applying a heat treatment at a high temperature of the degree adopted in the conventionally known application thermal decomposition method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biodegradable material having excellent organic compatibility, moldability, mechanical properties, biodegradability and storage stability which can be used as bone substitute material, material for osteosynthesis, bone filling material, dental material, material having controlled release of chemical, material having controlled release of physiologically active compound or the like and a process for the preparation thereof. A novel biodegradable material is provided, comprising as essential components a lactic acid-based polymer (A) consisting of structural units (a) derived from lactic acid components and polyester structural units (b) derived from dicarboxylic acid components and diol components, the weight ratio of (a)/(b) being from 98/2 to 20/80, and a calcium phosphate-based compound (B), wherein the weight ratio of (A)/(B) is from 99/1 to 30/70. A process for the preparation of such a biodegradable material is also provided.

Abstract: A polymerization initiator composition controlling polymerization at interface, comprising a (thio)barbituric acid compound represented by the general formula I: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and X is oxygen atom or sulfur atom, and (a) a metal halide represented by the general formula, MY.sub.n wherein M is Cu or Fe, Y is halogen atom, and n is an integer of 2 when M is Cu or an integer of 3 when M is Fe, or (b) a halogen ion-forming compound and M.sup.m -forming compound wherein M is Cu or Fe and m is 2+ when M is Cu or 3+ when M is Fe, and a curable composition comprising the (thio)barbituric acid and radically polymerizable monomer.