Sony Corporation

Yasuji Yui

Akira Yaegashi

Hiroyuki Matsumura

Tomohiro Maekawa

Hitoshi Kamoda

Akira Shirakura

Shin Iima

Takashi Bunya

Satoru Suzuki

Tatsuru Sato

Akio Hitachi

Toshiki Kagami

Shoziro Asami

An apparatus of the invention comprises an operation inputting element for designating one of a plurality of functions; a function executing element for executing the function designated by the operating inputting element; a measuring element for measuring the time during which each of the functions has been executed by the function executing element; and a chargeable amount computing element for computing a chargeable amount based on the execution time measured by the measuring element regarding each of the functions.

Electronic money apparatus and an electronic circuit

A management apparatus, a charging object apparatus and a management system and method by which a product of an object of use can be used in an efficiency as high as possible when it is used commonly by a plurality of people. In the management system, the management apparatus includes a storage section into which reservation information including information regarding a use time of a charging object apparatus and information regarding a user is stored, an updating section for updating the reservation information stored in the storage section based on information that the user requests for reservation of use of the charging object apparatus, and a permission information signaling section for signaling, when the reservation information updated by the updating section is different from reservation information of any other user stored in the storage section, permission information for permitting use of the charging object apparatus to the outside based on the use reservation information stored in the storage section.

Management system and management method for charging object apparatus, management apparatus and charging object apparatus

An electronic device controlling apparatus is disclosed which includes: a communication unit for communicating with electronic devices; a storing element for storing personal identification information and personal information in correspondence with each other; a detecting element for detecting personal identification information and a location where a person identified by the detected personal identification information is present; a searching element for searching the storing element for the personal information corresponding to the personal identification information detected by the detecting element; and a controlling element which, based on the personal information searched for by the searching element, causes the communication unit to transmit a control signal to the electronic device installed in the detected location.

Electronic device controlling apparatus, electronic device controlling system, and electronic device controlling method

Electronic apparatus, charging system and method, charge processing device, storage medium, and prepaid card

A movement made by a user viewing a television broadcast program, which is recorded on a hard disk device and read from the hard disk device to enable time shift viewing, is reproduced at a television (TV) set. The movement of the user is detected via a transmitting and receiving unit to which an electronic key card is held, and a reproduction position on a hard disk is recorded in a memory of a controlling apparatus main unit. A destination of the user is detected via a transmitting and receiving unit to which the electronic key card is held, and the broadcast signal is read from the stored reproduction position on the hard disk and then transferred to an electronic device at the destination. This enables a continuation of the broadcast program that was viewed to be viewed in a room at the destination.

Electronic device controlling apparatus and electronic device controlling method

A communication apparatus is provided that can urge a person, such as a child, to come back home at a scheduled time. The communication apparatus can also inform another person, such as a parent of the child, about the time that the child arrives home.

Communication apparatus

Apparatus for sharing entrance of a multiple dwelling house. The apparatus controls the visit and/or calling of a door-to-door sales agent. The apparatus automatically receives delivery of goods addressed to one of the dwelling units regardless of the presence or absence of a resident. Registered agents, such as residents and agents granted access, use an IC card that carries identification information to gain access of a shared entrance. For each dwelling unit, a registered agent likewise uses the IC card to send family identification information or agent identification information to a door phone apparatus, thereby unlocking the door lock of the entrance for a family member.

Communication system for accessing shared entrance of multiple dwelling house

At a time of a movement made by a user viewing a television broadcast program, which is recorded on a hard disk device and read from the hard disk device to enable time shift viewing, and is reproduced at a TV set, the movement of the user is detected via a transmitting and receiving unit to which an electronic key card is held, and a reproduction position on a hard disk is recorded in a memory of a controlling apparatus main unit. A destination of the user is detected via a transmitting and receiving unit to which the electronic key card is held, and the broadcast signal is read from the stored reproduction position on the hard disk and then transferred to an electronic device at the destination, thereby enabling a continuation of the broadcast program that was viewed to be viewed in a room at the destination.

Printer head cleaning device for ink jet printer

A color video printer can identify the length of a print sheet inserted therein for ejecting any print sheets other than a standard print sheet. The printer has a sheet feed sensor and another sensor disposed downstream of the sheet feed sensor with respect to the direction in which a print sheet is fed in the printer. After the leading end of an inserted print sheet is detected by the sheet feed sensor, the print sheet is fed until the leading end thereof is detected by the other downstream sensor. At this time, the length of the print sheet which is fed is equal to the distance, typically of 128 mm, between the sensors. The true length of the print sheet is calculated by adding, to 128 mm, the length of the print sheet which is further fed until the trailing end of the print sheet is detected by the sheet feed sensor.

Printer

A video printing apparatus and method in which, without interlocking the movement of the printing head with the capstan for carrying the printing paper and the paper feeding mechanism by a cam and linkage mechanism, they are respectively operated by three independent motors. The printer includes a first normally and reversely rotatable DC motor for searching the head of the ink ribbon of the ribbon cassette housed in the printer and for taking up the ink ribbon by the take-up reel base during the printing operation. A second normally and reversely rotatable stepping motor is provided for carrying the printing paper housed in the tray by the capstan and the pinch roller to the printing position and the paper delivering position. A third normally and reversely rotatable DC motor is provided for moving the printing head which subjects the printing paper to the printing processing by pressing the ink ribbon of the ribbon cassette thereon in cooperation with the platen. A control mechanism for locking the tray in position, pressing the printing paper in the tray into engagement with a first feeding roller and moving the pinch roller into engagement with the capstan includes a plurality of cams disposed on a common axis which are driven by the first motor.

Apparatus and method for video printing

A printer in which an ink ribbon is not wound when a ribbon code ring is read, a dedicated motor for rotating the ribbon code ring is not required, and it is possible to rotate the ribbon code ring with the same motor used for moving a printing head. When an information code of an ink ribbon is to be read, a print head is held in an initial position HO, and a pendulum gear, which can be rotated only when a cam is reversed, is brought into mesh with a ink ribbon code ring which rotates irrespective of a supply spool of a ribbon cassette. The information code on the ribbon code ring is detected by a sensor as the code ring is rotated. A locking system is provided for preventing accidental opening of a ribbon door of the printer during printing operations.

Apparatus and method for printing

A device for identifying an ink ribbon cartridge used in a printing apparatus includes a spool rotatably disposed in the ink ribbon cartridge and having an ink ribbon wound thereabout. A ring is mounted on the spool so as to be rotatable relative to the spool and has information marks recorded thereon. A photo-sensor is disposed in the printing apparatus in opposite relation to the ring and detects the information marks recorded on the ring.

Device for identifying an ink ribbon cartridge used in a printer

An ink ribbon unit and an ink ribbon cassette for use in printers of thermally sublimate ink transferal type are described. The cassette comprises a casing and the ink ribbon unit installed in the casing. The ink ribbon unit comprises an ink film, a spool around which the ink film is wound, a coaxial shaft portion possessed by the spool, a ring rotatably disposed about the coaxial shaft portion of the spool, and a mark representing information on the ink film. The mark is applied to the ring to rotate therewith. Another mark similar to the above-mentioned mark is attached to the casing.

Ink ribbon unit and ink ribbon cassette

An imaging sheet roll has a spool on which is wound a film coated with photosensitive microcapsules to form a roll of film between flanges extending radially at the opposite ends of the spool and provide with annular step portions, and a leader tape of a material that is impermeable to light is bonded to the end portion of the film at which the latter unwinds from the spool and has a transverse width greater than that of the film. The leader tape is wound around the annular step portions of the flanges to seat thereagainst and prevent irradiation by light of the photosensitive microcapsules coating the film wound on the spool.

Growing community of inventors

Kanagawa, Japan

Yasuji Yui