Abstract: A videoconference device connected to a general commercially available facsimile unit and having a function of sending/receiving a facsimile signal during communication.

Abstract: A multipoint teleconference system dispensing with an MCU, in which terminals are connected into a loop configuration through an ISDN in such a way that each terminal is coupled with each of the adjacent terminals by a single B channel. Thus, a communication frame is revolved through a looped communication channel. Each terminal renews video data which is contained in an allotted area within the received communication frame and which was transmitted by the terminal itself, and it relays the resulting communication frame to the next terminal.

Abstract: A multimedia mail system utilizes an analog telephone network and interconnects processors at a voice mail center and a text mail center, and provides data/voice transmit/receive mode selectors between the analog telephone network and the paired voice mail center and text mail center and between the analog telephone network and paired voice mail terminal and text mail terminal so that voice and text data can be switched during communication to provide a consolidated voice mail/text mail communication system.

Abstract: A protocol integrating videotex communication system includes a group of data base centers conforming to various presentation level protocol syntaxes (PLPS) of a videotex, a plurality of subscriber's terminals conforming to the PLPS of to the group of data base centers, and a device for interconnecting the group of data base centers and the plurality of subscriber's terminals, which includes a gateway unit connected to the plurality of data base centers, a videotex communication control apparatus connected to the gateway unit, and an interconnection unit having a single ISDN exchange apparatus for connecting the videotex communication control apparatus to the plurality of subscriber's terminals.

Abstract: A lavatory module for a passenger airplane, enabling a serviceman to carry out a task for replenishing and changing the stock of amenities from outside the lavatory module in a reduced time, facilitating the work for achieving the task, and facilitating passenger' actions to gain access to the amenities. The lavatory module has a lavatory box having a shape conforming to a space in the fuselage of the passenger airplane in which the lavatory module is installed, and is integrally and internally equipped with lavatory equipments, such as a vertically elongate amenity closet having a plurality of amenity storage compartments arranged in a vertical row, a washstand and a toilet bowl. The lavatory box has a front wall facing the passage of the passenger airplane and provided with a service opening closet by a service door hinged so as to be opened from the passage and a passage opening closed by a passage door from the passage.

Abstract: A terminal device sends/receivers data and voice signals through a low speed circuit to/from another device, while switching automatically data and voice signals. The terminal device comprises a data sender/receiver, a voice sender/receiver, a modulator/demodulator, and an automatic mode switch. The automatic mode switch includes a circuit disposed beteen the data sender/receiver and the modulator/demodulator for detecting special data such as flags from received data coming from the modulator/demodulator, a circuit for making a logical product of the output of this detecting circuit and a detection signal of the received carrier and means for separating the voice sender/receiver from the circuit and transmitting a sending request for data sending/receiving use. Further switching over from the voice sending/receiving mode to the data sending/receiving mode is effected by key operations, etc.

Abstract: A center-to-end type information service system utilizing the public telephone networks that are fundamental communication media of nation-wide scale is disclosed in which desired information is requested from the terminal side to the center by means of a telephone set or simplified keyboard and then delivered to and received by a TV receiver. A part of the center functions is transferred together with the exchange function to a subcenter located near the terminal. Thus, the length of transmission path connecting the center to terminals becomes shorter and the cost of the whole system can be cut down. A simplified character generator is provided in the subcenter, thereby diminishing traffic of the video network.

Abstract: A hinge is disclosed for folding doors appropriate for use in lavatories on airplanes where the highest degree of airtightness is required. It consists of a basic frame hollow in shape, and a pair of moving frames. The moving frames have longitudinal flanges to support the door panel and connect with the opening slit of the basic frame by way of the supporting pieces. Longitudinal cogs are provided on the end of the supporting piece, such that they engage one another to rotate and enable smooth operation of the hinge. Each cog has a semicircular interior surface which cooperates with supporting shafts of the basic frame for rotation therearound.

Abstract: A video/audio transmission system for sending video and audio information from video and audio files of a center to a subscriber through a subscriber's junction line is disclosed in which at least one subcenter having a video/audio buffer memory, an exchange and the like is disposed near to the subscriber to reduce the number of repeaters arranged on the subscribers junction line, and in which the video and audio information is transmitted from the center to the sub-center in a time division multiplex fashion to reduce the number of transmission lines between the center and the sub-center.

Abstract: A video/audio transmission system for sending video and audio information from the video and audio files of a center to a subscriber through a subscriber's junction line is disclosed in which at least one subcenter is disposed near to the subscriber to reduce the number of repeaters arranged on the subscriber's junction line. The subcenters can include a video/audio buffer memory, and exchange and other related circuits. The transmission lines for sending the video and audio information from the center to the sub-center are spatially divided into a plurality of groups in accordance with the sort of the video and audio information being sent, and further the information is time-divisionally transmitted at each group.

Abstract: A cold trap disposed in a system in which liquid sodium is circulated as a heat exchanging medium, and adapted for removing impurities from the liquid sodium. The cold trap has a vessel in which defined are a cooling zone for cooling the liquid sodium containing the impurities, trapping zone in which the precipitated impurities are trapped and separated from the liquid sodium and an economizer zone in which the purified liquid sodium is reheated. The cooling zone and the economizer zone are disposed adjacent to each other, so that the purified sodium flowing through the economizer zone may be heated by the liquid sodium flowing through the cooling zone. The trapping zone is disposed in the passage of the liquid sodium interconnecting the heating and economizer zones.

Abstract: A digital video and audio file system is provided for use in systems such as a center-to-end video communication system. In the file system, video information, such as a color television video signal, is digitized in such a manner that it is separated into a luminance (Y) signal and a carrier chrominance (C) signal and these separated components are processed by the code differential method and the variable length encoding method. The digital signal thus digitized is recorded in a digital recorder. On the other hand, audio information is digitized by the AD-PCM encoding method and recorded in the same recorder. In encoding the video and the audio information, a part of hardware is used in common for both the signals, thus saving the hardware of the file system.

Abstract: A center-to-end type information service system utilizing the public telephone networks that are fundamental communication media of nation-wide scale is disclosed in which desired information is requested from the terminal side to the center by means of a telephone set or simplified keyboard and then delivered to and received by a TV receiver. A part of the center functions is transferred together with the exchange function to a subcenter located near the terminal. Thus, the length of transmission path connecting the center to terminals becomes shorter and the cost of the whole system can be cut down.