Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop<TOPIC><NUM>
P001</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Sub-micron machine</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-990311333</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Entertainment</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>378</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>[Forum] Tokushu Kika Kogyo's "Sub-micron machine" patented in 10 countries(Osaka)</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-03-11</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
Tokushu Kika Kogyo co., ltd. (Fukushima-ku, Osaka) has applied for a patent for a high-performance
agitator "Sub-micron emulsification-agitator" (photo) of its own development in more than 10 countries
including Japan, already has the product patented in 10 countries including the United States, and has
begun a full-scale sales promotion.

This mixes differently natured liquids such as water and oil together.

Water and oil agitated together byhand separate readily, however, when oil is mechanically reduced into particles with a diameter in the orderof one-thousandth of a millimeter, the liquid mixture forms an emulsion whose cohesion overcomesseparation and is utilized in cosmetics.

The sub-micron machine agitates liquid mixtures at even higher speeds to reduce their components into
particles with a diameter of 0.5 microns or less and has been used by chemical companies for laboratory
research.

Their research has reported some hitherto unknown characteristics of ultra-fine particles insuccession such as that an opaque emulsified liquid turns clear and the medicinal properties within the© 2003 National Institute of Informatics

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
liquid readily penetrate the skin.

The company expects use of this machine to spread to commercial production lines.
</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>
Limited to apparatus</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
Agitators or apparatus for producing emulsions comprising of particles of a sub-micron diameter</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Sub-micron indicates a size of 1 um or less.

The agitating machines/apparatus are not limited to those thatuse propellers and include all types of machine or apparatus.
surface-active agents are not included.

Those using emulsifiers such as addedThose containing surface-active agents as stabilizers are also

excluded since they are difficult to distinguish from emulsifiers.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Emulsification, dispersion, mixture, agitation</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H08-016305</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P002</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>The natural farming method is to form a clump of clay around a seed, and to plant and cultivate it in thisProceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
form.
</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-980624292</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Society</A-SECTION><A-AE>No</A-AE><A-WORDS>715</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"Patented natural farming method quoted without permission" Withdrawal of edition of"SEED" comic book sought (Osaka)</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1998-06-24</A-DATE><A-TEXT>"SEED" (Original author: Raddick Kujirai), a farming aid in serial cartoon form published in the youth comicmagazine "Business Jump" (circulation 580,000) published by Shueisha, quoted Mr. Masanobu Fukuoka (85),a farmer from Iyo-shi, Ehime prefecture, without permission. Mr. Masanobu Fukuoka, who revealed his own
farming method in his book, claimed piracy. It was discovered on June 23 that he had sent a written protest
to Shueisha asking for withdrawal of all five volumes of the book of the same name. Shueisha admitted thecontent of the cartoon reflected the influence of Mr. Fukuoka.

In the story contained in the "SEED" cartoon, the main character provides assistance to developing countries
with his unique farming methods. One of these unique methods appears under the part of the story
identified as a "natural farming method" in which a clump of clay containing a seed is planted.

However, the clump of clay and the natural farming method are original farming methods Mr. Fukuoka has
been practicing and advocating for the extended period of about 60 years. He acquired a patent on thisclumped clay method in May 1996. According to Mr. Fukuoka, who wrote this farming method, a total of 42
parts from the book were quoted without permission. Thus, Mr. Fukuoka, through his agent, personallydelivered to Shueisha a written document containing the quoted parts and requesting withdrawal of all five
volumes of these books.

Shueisha made the counterproposal that (1) an interview with Mr. Fukuoka would be published in themagazine and (2) Mr. Fukuoka's book would be specified as the source reference document at the end of the
publication.

However, Mr. Fukuoka countered, "The book portrayed my farming method in an easy-going manner andhalf in jest, and raised the issue that this farming method demands dexterity in practice. Regrettably, thedrawing was made without my consent." He is ready to take legal means to address it.

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002

The Shueisha Editing Department replied, "In some parts we did not agree with Mr. Fukuoka's ideas, but wewant to respond quickly and in good faith."- Hiroaki Miyakawa</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>First search for a similar seeding method as the clump of clay method in which the seed is coated with soil
components before being planted.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
Regarding the clump of clay and its production method in which the plant's seeds are coating with clay andother inoculum in the form of a clump of clay and planted, it is used in natural farming methods by which it
is cultivated in that form.
</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
The natural farming method described here is to sow a plant's seeds with various coatings and to cultivate itin this form. Similar coatings are many and include insulation and clay for the clay ingredient and mineralingredients. The clay minerals usually include clay (kaolinite, monmorironite, etc.) with the lattice layer as
the basic structure and a multiple chain lattice structure (atapalgite, sepiolite, parigoalskite, etc.). As forplanting of the seeds, they are typically sown in an agricultural field. The inoculum includes root nodule
bacteria and a fungus that promotes seed growth. Matsutake mushroom fungus is used for pines,
mycorrhiza fungus for mycorrhiza plants, and root nodule bacteria for bean plants.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Seed, sowing, soil, clay, inoculum, fungus coating, insulation and promotion of cultivation</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H03-017993</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P003</NUM><LANG>

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Stepping motor</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-981119370</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Entertainment</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>2494</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"I'm excited!" said Mr. Naoyasu Yubasaki, the president of MYCOM, a precision-control
motor and equipment producer (Osaka)</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1998-11-19</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
Mr. Tadayoshi Yubasaki, President of MYCOM INC. (52)
He took over a supply company producing electrical appliances from one of his relatives while still atuniversity.

He suffered stress due to a customers' irrationality and later when the contract with that

customer was cancelled, he and all his employees closed ranks to form an unbreakable organization.
Now the company has been completely reestablished on a technological basis such that they collectively callthemselves a "think tank".

Mr. Yubasaki himself is a researcher, who is also a member of the Japan Fuzzy

Society and has recently published a book titled "Intelligence and Technology Methodology".

He said, "Nowventure businesses are booming but in Japan these businesses would seem to have difficulties advancing
unless technologists stop warring amongst themselves."

Supply contract cancellation necessitated a developmental mind.
---You started the business during your university student days!
President Yubasaki: I was earning some money for my educational expenses by teaching at a prep school, but
I thought I could earn much more and also make better use of my knowledge if I took over an electronics
manufacturing company from a relative of mine.
assembly.

The company was a subcontractor doing soldering andSince new control technology has being initiated in electronics at that time, I was expected todeal with the situation.

I founded a laboratory of our own to begin research into computers while

continuing to handle existing orders.

In the meantime, the customer, affected twice by the repeated oil

crises, began to reduce the number of its subcontractors and abruptly canceled our contract with nothing

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
more than a letter of notice despite there being no problems with our output.
was doing something impertinent and might rebel against them.

Maybe they thought that I

We lost the job just like that and had toresort to anything - even cultivating mushrooms at our local sub-plant - to overcome the difficulty.

This

obstacle strengthened my ties with coworkers and spurred our development of new products.

The foundation was a 5-phase motor.
---How did you put your own products on sale?
President Yubasaki: We made several types of control devices by hand and went selling them door-to-door
with the products wrapped in a furoshiki (traditional Japanese cloth wrapping).
supermarket registrations was among the latest at that time.

Our POS device for

Gradually, we learned the precision-control

technology required for motors to be used in electronic devices, and then began development of a 5-phasemotor. Existing 5-phase motors required 10 wires, but we were able to reduce them to 5 by controlling thecurrent.

This led us to develop the stepping motor, which has grown to be our main product and has helped

to build today's solid foundation. We applied for a patent for this concurrently in Japan and the UnitedStates.

The patent was granted in the U.S. 15 years ago but, in Japan, there were various claims fromwithin the trade, copies, and patent applications for different products created by modifying our idea while
the patent was pending prior to when it was finally granted 3 years ago.

Despite that, 90% of stepping

motors for use in semiconductor production lines and robot parts are our products.

"Advancement will be destroyed in Japan"---Are Japanese patent conditions strict?
President Yubasaki: I would rather call it "venture harassment".

In the United States, when a patent for a

useful product is applied for, some parties express an interest in partnership for a cooperative system while
in Japan many researchers employed by big businesses often make counterclaims because our ideas
resemble those from their research.

The government places priority on the advantage for the wholeindustry and forced us to compromise rather than accepting new technology from venture businesses.
When we were a subcontractor, "advancement was depressed", but now we are operating as a venturebusiness, "advancement is being destroyed."

The "Venture business advancement policy" led by thegovernment and chamber of commerce in those days was substantially unfair.

It was often the case thatsome companies could not secure any financial support for fear they might compete against local big
businesses in the relevant industry, and in the worst cases I heard about, such companies were urged toaccept absorption into the local big business.

At least one patent is to be applied for a month.
What are the requirements for establishing a technology-based company?
President Yubasaki: Without a doubt, research and development. We apply for at least one patent every
month.

But it's not enough to just make specimen products as scholars often do.

If we make a machine for use on a production line, we build it into the actual line and take care of it until theProceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
line starts commercial operation.

A technology can't be considered real unless it makes a customer exclaim,"Wow! This is just what I want."

Persisting with a single technique, as is often the case with researchers, isalso pointless.

If one suggestion is rejected, then make another to conclude the negotiations or it can't becall a real idea.

In the past, technical ideas were sometimes stolen on the basis of suggestions, but recently

such problems have been avoided by forwarding patent applications in advance.

High technology advances in partnership with universities--- Do you place great hope on educational-industrial complex?
President Yubasaki: Yes.

I take much pleasure in listening to researchers at my old school, Osaka

Electro-Communication University, and discussions with the students provide me with many lessons. I was
an instructor at the Tokyo Institute of Technology until last spring, which provided me with a great
opportunity to advance my studies.

Technological advances in electronics can be seen in days and monthjust as in the Japanese saying. Industrialists who don't study get nowhere.

At the same time, it's no good if

a school remains an ivory tower with excessive emphasis on intellectual training.

Enterprises are expected

to regard universities as partners in research, not merely as a resource for recruiting new staff.

Howeversmall they may be, if businesses are ready to learn new technology directly, we may advance Japaneseindustrial education and venture businesses with a resultant stimulation of the economy, don't you think?

-Profile¡¦Date of birth:

March 12, 1946¡¦Hometown:

Kyoto City¡¦Alma mater:

Department of Electro-Communication Engineering, Osaka Electro-Communication

University¡¦Family: Mother: Fumie (75), Wife: Toshiko (50), two daughters¡¦Hobby: Listening to music¡¦Respected person: Dr. Shockley, one of the inventors of the transistor-Memo-Head office:12, Umano-cho, Saga Hirosawa Minami Shita, Ukyou-ku, Kyoto, 616-8303.

Tel:

075-882-3601-Corporate history: Established in 1968 and incorporated in 1970.

After splitting from a regular customer,

commenced development of a step stepping motor control device - the present company's key product - in
1977. Adopted present corporate name in 1984.
-Number of employees:-Annual sales:</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE>

44¥1.7 billion

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
<SUPPLEMENT>
Stepping motor with minimum angular deviation not limited to only 5-phase motor.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
Drive control device or method to minimize angular deviation in stepping motor.
</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
A stepping motor rotates to a specified angle whenever a pulse is sent to an input control circuit.

This angleof rotation is called the step angle and the positioning resolution becomes greater as this angle is reduced.
The remarkable characteristic of the stepping motor is that it can minimize the angle.

The step angle canbe denoted as "step angle = 360/the number of steps" and "the number of steps = the number of phases ofcoiled wire x the number of teeth of a rotor", and thus the number of phases affects the resolution.

Popularnumbers include 3, 4, and 5. The patent information referred to here is that for control devices or methods
for minimizing the minute angular deviations without limiting the number of phases.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Stepping motor, minute angle, drive, device</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-S59-080600</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P004</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Device to judge relative merits by comparing codes such as barcodes with each other</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC>Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop<A-DOCNO>JA-981031179</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Society</A-SECTION><A-AE>No</A-AE><A-WORDS>189</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>BANDAI lost a lawsuit for piracy filed by EPOCH at Tokyo District Court</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1998-10-31</A-DATE><A-TEXT>In settlement of the lawsuit filed by EPOCH INC., the toy manufacturer, against BANDAI CO., LTD. as
compensation of ¥264 million for damages for infringement of a card game patent, the Tokyo District Court
ordered BANDAI to pay about ¥114 million on the 30th.
The presiding judge, Mr. Yoshiyuki Mori, indicated that some functions including key operation for the"Super Barcode Wars" mini game machine manufactured and sold by BANDAI CO., LTD. in July, 1992 toMarch, 1993 fell under the "technical range of a patent licensed to EPOCH INC.".
</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>
Determination of victory or defeat by comparing each other's values based on codes from barcode readings
does not conflict with the patent.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
What kind of devices determines leaders or victors by reading several codes such as barcodes and comparing
the values corresponding to these codes?
</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>"Super Barcode Wars" is a type of mini game machine where recorded barcodes are read in cards featuring
characters and the game proceeds in semi-real time by operating offence and defense keys.
include barcodes and magnetic codes, but shall not be defined as limited only to these.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Sign, barcode, code, superiority or inferiority, victory or defeat, comparison, judgment</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H01-333373</PI></TOPIC>

Sample codes

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
<TOPIC><NUM>
P005</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Chito oligosaccharides</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-981019202</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Economy</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>1165</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>(Inspired Venture Series of Biographies) Takashi Toda, President of Toda Biosystem, Magicplant vitalizer (Osaka)</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1998-10-19</A-DATE><A-TEXT>This increases a plant's ability to photosynthesize and doubles the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbed
simply by being spliced to its roots. This "Super Bine," developed by Toda Biosystem of Moriyama, Shiga
prefecture, [phone: (077) 582-8901] is like a magic plant vitalizer. It has been patented in major countries
including Japan, the U.S.A. and Germany. This product is already used on golf courses in the Kansai region,and in many cases it is used on weakened pines and the like, which are reported to recover to a state ofhealth and greenery after being sprayed. It is said that its effectiveness has actually been proven.
The company's president, Mr. Takashi Toda (63), left his position at an air conditioner machinery makerabout 30 years ago and worked independently in a field related to air conditioners. After that, when bychance the local government consulted him regarding sludge countermeasures for rivers, he began
developing a business and taught himself about bioresearch. Though this was not in his line, he was
fascinated by creatures and utilized a special microorganism in developing a fermentative sludge. Throughhis additional research, he developed a compost generation technology made from a sludge called "Bineron."
Based on this, he established Toda Biosystem in 1984.

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
The base of the plant vitalizer, which became the company's second flagship product equal to Bineron, is a
substance called chitosan. This substance is found in crab shells and the like, and is known to function as aplant growth hormone. Chitosan was expected to function as a vitalizer, but due to its large molecular weight,
it had the disadvantage of not being readily absorbed by plants.
This issue was resolved with the special bacteria that Mr. Toda discovered. These bacteria proved to have theability to decompose the chitosan molecule. As a result, the granular Super Bine composite "chito
oligosaccharide," developed with the power of special bacteria, was created.
This product is sold wholesale to agricultural cooperatives in the neighborhood of Moriyama. Some of the
product is sold to golf courses and garden traders. At the same time, Mr. Toda applied in various countries
for a patent on a series of technologies. This company's Vitalizer series is effective at curing flower diseases
in roses and the like as well as activating photosynthesis. Super Bine sells for ¥3,800 for two kilograms. A
30cm diameter pine tree needs only two kilograms of spray per year.
Toda Biosystem will hire new sales staff next year. The plan is to expand the market by mass-producing the
Vitalizer series, of which 40 tons is currently produced annually. Mr. Toda is very pleased that "Weakened
forests can be revived, because it doubles the absorption of carbon dioxide, and we wish to help withenvironmental protection."-Shigehiro Takada

Toda Biosystem
Established: 1984
Employees: 3
Capital: ¥10 million
Sales: ¥60 million (Term ended June 30, 1998)
Photo caption: Fermentation tank at Toda Biosystem. The special patented bacteria are stored here.
</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>
Decomposition or manufacturing method for chito oligosaccharides</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
Method for decomposing chitin or chitosan into chito oligosaccharides with microorganisms or enzymes</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Chitinase and chitosanase (enzymes that form chitin and chitosan into low molecules) are inhibited and not
restricted to usage of chito oligosaccharides, which is the decomposition product. Read the participation of
microorganisms or enzymes from the entire detailed statement. The compatibility is considered to be highwhen the origin of the catabolic enzyme strain is mentioned, or when the microorganism's direct

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
participation is mentioned.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Chitin, chitosan, chito oligosaccharide, microorganism, enzyme</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H01-121989
PATENT-KKH-G-H02-108367</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P006</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Film with a lens unit</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-980214267</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>General Interest</A-SECTION><A-AE>No</A-AE><A-WORDS>251</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>Fuji Film claims patent infringement by 28 companies in the USA regarding film with lensunit</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1998-02-14</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
Washington 13th, Toshiro Hara) On the 13th, Fuji Film presented the ITC (International Trade Commission)
with a case challenging 28 companies with patent infringement. The claim focused on the manufacture andsale of disposable film with a lens unit in the U.S.A. without payment of a patent license fee.

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop

According to the lawsuit, Fuji Film sells film with a lens unit, covered by 15 patents, under the trademark"Fujicolor Quick Snap." It is manufactured and sold overseas without payment of a patent license fee by 28
companies including Konica. Also, the unit (container) made by Fuji Film is repackaged and sold in the
U.S.A. Fuji Film presented a lawsuit challenging these 28 companies, 22 of which are U.S.A. companies.
</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>
Method of preventing illegal repackaging of film</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
Structure for preventing illegal reuse of film with a lens unit</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Illegal repackaging of film is carried out by unauthorized manufacturers who repackage and sell the film in
used container units. The problem with this practice is the damage to the credibility of the company's quality
assurance. The prevention method concerns the unit's structure or miscellaneous functions.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
film with a lens unit, reuse, prevention of illegal use</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H05-281354
PATENT-KKH-G-H04-228963
PATENT-KKH-G-H03-200050
PATENT-KKH-G-H03-167741
PATENT-KKH-G-S62-032181</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P007</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG>The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
<PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Gasoline direct-injection engine</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-990825223</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>International</A-SECTION><A-AE>No</A-AE><A-WORDS>557</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>Toyota

andVolkswagen

tie-upconcerning

direct-injectionenginetechnology</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-08-25</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
It was revealed on the 25th that Toyota Motor Corporation and Volkswagen (VW) of Germany are
considering a tie-up to exchange technology on highly fuel-efficient engines regarding which international
competition is intensified.

Toyota is to provide VW with all the patents it holds for gasoline direct-injectionengines developed while VW provides Toyota with its technology for direct fuel-injection diesel engines.
Both companies have had a close relationship regarding sales and parts supply.

In order to survive thecompetition, environment-enable technology is of the utmost importance for the global automotive industry's
management policies of the 21st century.

In a direct-injection engine, the rate of injection of gasoline or light oil injected directly into the cylinders is
automatically computer-controlled for improved fuel efficiency.

This technology reduces carbon dioxide

emissions which are thought to cause global warming.

The tie-up involves Toyota providing VW with its patented technology for "D4" gasoline direct-injectionengine that VW will apply to its new type of engines.

In addition, Toyota plans to mount the direct-injection diesel engines produced by VW on its passenger cars
sold in Europe.

Last April, Toyota entered into an agreement with VW to provide the latter with the patents for the catalyst
system to reduce toxic NOx (nitrogen oxides) discharged by the "D4".

The tie-up agreed upon this timeProceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
extends the existing close cooperation.

The VW executives in charge of this tie-up who came to Japan this week to announce the release of its
NewBeetle addressed the strong volition for extending the tie-up.
- Jun Kimura</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>It shall be limited to the design of the shape of the piston top face of gasoline direct-injection engines.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
Investigation shall be limited to those gasoline direct-injection engines, regarding the shape of the
combustion chamber, which have fuel injected into a concave position on the piston top face to realize
lean-burn.
</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
The automotive industry pays close attention to environment-control technology involving fuel injected into
a concave position on the piston top face to realize low fuel consumption.

The direct-injection engine means the engine feeds a large volume of air only into the cylinders, then injects
gasoline directly into there to make a mixture gas, and finally burns it.

Those having descriptions

concerning direct-injection diesel engines shall be excluded.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Gasoline direct-injection engine, combustion chamber, piston, concave, lean burn, low fuel consumption</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H02-314089
PATENT-KKH-G-H02-314090
PATENT-KKH-G-H02-315797</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P008</NUM>

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002<LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Hair Care Cosmetic Products</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-990401099</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Economy</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>180</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"Business Information" Three-Week Trial Set of Jino Cosmetics on Sale -- Ajinomoto Co
Inc.</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-04-01</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
Ajinomoto, a company whose principal business involves amino acid technology, introduced a skin care trial
set (photo) on the first of the month. This product, available by mail order, was introduced with the objectiveof increasing consumption of the Jino brand of cosmetics the company introduced in 1997. It includes athree-week supply of face wash, lotion and beauty lotion. The set is available in both moisturizing andrefreshing types, each of which sells for ¥1500 including shipping. For information, call 0120-787-727(excluding Sundays and holidays, 09:00-20:00).
</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>
Hair care cosmetic products including shampoo and the like.
Silicone must be supplemented with amino acids.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
Hair care cosmetic products with silicone with added amino acid (-NH2)</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Most cosmetic products contain silicone. While silicone itself is harmless, denatured silicone with organic

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
radicals and the like is often used in order to achieve the goal of improved sensation. Because the amino acidis an organic ingredient, it is familiar to the human body and offers a high level of safety. Applies to hair carecosmetic products with denatured silicone with amino acid (-NH2) added.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Silicone, Amino Acid, Cosmetic Products</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H09-177709</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P009</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Device to prevent fraudulent use of coins</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-991020074</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Economy</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>557</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>For "modified won coin" rejection, a new solution made a debut -- Judgment by external
shape and area OK'd </A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-10-20</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
Takamisawa Cybernetics co., ltd. (head office in Tokyo), whose stocks are publicly traded over the counter
and which specializes in the manufacture of automatic ticket vending machines, has developed a new type ofThe Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
coin identifying unit (middle photo) to reject modified won coins (photos top and bottom).

The Japanese 500-yen and Korean 500-won coins are almost identical in material and size.

Becausefraudulent use of Korean 500-won coins in automatic vending machines and money-changing machines havecontinuously taken place utilizing the above-mentioned fact, some beverage vending machines have stopped
accepting 500-yen coins.

The common trick to cheat is to drill or shave the won coins, which are slightly

heavier than the yen coins, until they weigh the same.

Recently, fakes made by casting imitation 500-yen

coins using the same material as that used for the originals and that are difficult to identify visually havestarted to appear.

In 1978, Takamisawa Cybernetics co., ltd. led the industry in developing a new electronic device tomechanically identify coins mainly from the differences in material, external shape, and area in contrast to
those using weight and thickness. This device has a market share of some 30% on automatic ticket vending
machines at JR and other stations.

The latest version has improved its identification accuracy by varying

the composition of the detectors and increasing their number.

As a result, 99.9% of coins modified bydrilling and other methods and 90% of cast fakes can be rejected.

- Patents applied for in Japan and abroad

The company has applied for patents for this device in Japan and abroad, will soon install this type of devicein ticket vending machines in November, as well as providing financial organizations with the device forATMs (Automatic Teller Machines).
- Hideo Takahashi</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>This shall be limited to an electronic device to identify coins for detecting criminal use of coins for automatic
vending machines.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
The coin-identifying device that identifies coins being illegally used to prevent such modified coins frombeing applied to automatic vending machines.
</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
The function to identify coins shall be limited to that for vending machines not for game machines.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
coin, identification, sensor</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H13-118107
PATENT-KKH-G-H13-160172</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P010</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Functional Carpet</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-980723386</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Entertainment</A-SECTION><A-AE>No</A-AE><A-WORDS>188</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"Forum"

Formaldehyde

absorbingcarpetdeveloped--

Suminoe

Carpet(Osaka)</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1998-07-23</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
Suminoe Carpet, Chuo-ku, Osaka has developed a carpet that effectively absorbs the formaldehyde
off-gassed by wooden furniture and plywood. It will go on sale on August 1 as "Forma Fresh."
Polymers, including special chemicals, have been applied to the carpet surface. For the time being, thesethree types of new carpet products include Macleen and Rendol. Their price ranges from ¥5,000 to ¥7,000
per tatami. Patents are pending, and curtains are expected to be introduced be introduced in the future.
</A-TEXT>The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002</A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>A functional carpet that decomposes and removes formaldehydes absorption</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
Fiber that can be employed in a carpet to remove formaldehydes through the use of chemical treatments</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Our living environment is now being impacted by aldehydes generated in housing incorporating adhesives
with chemical substances. In particular, the improved airtightness of structures such as condominiums andprefabricated housing is becoming a problem. Recently "sick house syndrome" has been identified as a social
issue. In such cases, a functional carpet intended to exhibit a deodorizing effect is included among theappropriate responses. It does not apply to chemical substances other than aldehyde. Moreover, aldehydes
are restricted to formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Formaldehydes, acetaldehyde, aldehydes, absorption, dissolve, chemical removing, carpet</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H09-036081
PATENT-KKH-G-H09-213587
PATENT-KKH-G-H09-220003
PATENT-KKH-G-H09-280173
PATENT-KKH-G-H10-065496</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P011</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE>

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop<TITLE>Tea leaf extract</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-980415211</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Economy</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>456</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"Shredded raw tea leaves" Development of tea with seven times the vitamin C ofconventional green tea -- Kyoto Prefectural Tea Research Institute (Osaka)</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1998-04-15</A-DATE><A-TEXT>The Kyoto Prefectural Tea Research Institute (Uji, Kyoto), employing a process for shredding raw tea leaves,
has successfully developed a fine instant tea powder that contains more vitamin C and other ingredients
than does regular green tea. One characteristic of this process is the stage at which the raw leaves are
shredded. It is expected that, unlike commercially available instant tea, this method can make use of grade 2
and grade 3 teas (tea grown in summer and fall), which have lower utility value.
Conventional instant tea powder is made with green tea that is dried after being made into a drink andconcentrated. The institute eliminates this middle step by obtaining juice from shredded raw tea leaves after
they have been steamed. The juice is dried to produce "Powdered Tea Leaf Extract."
Depending on the variety of tea leaf used as the raw ingredient, this tea contains seven times the vitamin C
and four times the amino acid (umami component) of a conventional green tea, exceeding the potency of any
instant tea on the market.
Not only can it be poured into hot water to make a drink, it can also be used in the preparation of desserts
and other dishes. Production costs are low because the product uses shredded raw tea leaves.
The Tea Research Institute commented, "Compared with first-grade tea, which has good flavor and high foodvalue, the grade two and grade three teas with lower utility value reveal a new flavor when used in
powdered form. In this way we have expanded the uses of tea as an ingredient in foods."- Katsuyuki Ijichi</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>
Limited to the manufacturing method for tea leaf extract. The common tea processing method that uses anoven in an intermediate process is excluded.
</SUPPLEMENT>The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
<DESCRIPTION>
Method for obtaining tea leaf extract from raw tea leaves without the use of an oven</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>"Tea" refers to green teas that are widely consumed in Japan, not limited to the green tea varieties such as
the gyokuro refined green tea and sencha green tea or the harvested order of grade 2 and grade 3 tea leaves.
But this does not include fermented teas such as black tea, oolong tea or matte tea.
"Tea leaf extract" has a broad meaning, including an extract obtained from tea leaves as well as extract
obtained with organic solvents (extractors) such as water (including hot water and boiling water) and alcoholand the like. This includes juice only, without the use of an extractor, but excludes pulverized tea leaves
themselves.
Unlike the common tea-processing method, it does not require the use of an oven, but it is acceptable toinclude a certain degree of pretreatment work such as steaming in order to inactivate the oxidases of the raw
tea leaves.
There is no question regarding the form of the finished product after extraction. (It is acceptable in either
liquid form or powder form or mixed.)
Restricted to drinks or foodstuffs or their equivalents, excluding application to medical products andcosmetic products.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
tea, extract, extraction, production, method</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H08-122426</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P012</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
Blue light-emitting diode</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-990717021</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Human Interest</A-SECTION><A-AE>No</A-AE><A-WORDS>802</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"Jump! Japan!" Part 5 Heroes of the 21st Century/1 Close

attentionto"dreamtechnology"</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-07-17</A-DATE><A-TEXT>Blue laser became a reality after repeated experiments outside of common knowledge.
(Continued from the front page)
A spherical semiconductor has a surface area about 3 times larger than a flat chip of the same volume.
uses are broader.

Its

Baking a circuit onto a silicone ball passing through a tube does not require a large-scaleclean room.
A pilot product was completed last April.

As a vital sensor for car navigation systems and air bags, for use

in the medical and hospital fields, as a tag (electronic tag card) to replace barcodes - 50 researchers from 10
countries including Japan, the United States, Russia, and Korea compete with one another for how to best touse it.
Although the 3 optical colors are red, green, and blue, blue cannot be created in the field of semiconductors
such as by light-emitting diodes or lasers.

Blue is so difficult to create that Dr. Junichi Nishi, the former

president of Tohoku University, who is an authority in the field, called it "dream technology".
The company that made this dream come true and heralded the "blue age" was Nichia Corporation in Anan
City, Tokushima Prefecture (President: Eiji Ogawa; Number of employees: 1,400).
20 years ago, Mr. Shuji Nakamura (45) so disliked commuting on overcrowded trains that he turned down anoffer of employment from Kyocera and joined a small local company that manufactured fluorescent materials,
a typical small company with 200 employees and only 3 researchers.
Red diodes manufactured by the relatively unknown company did not sell well.

"It was half out of despairthat I suggested to the top management to try to create a blue laser - something that nobody else hadachieved.

This was readily approved." (Mr. Nakamura).

He chose gallium nitride, which was then regarded as unsuitable, as a possible material.
"nobody used it" in those days.

That was because

He experimented repeatedly beyond what was then known using handmade

apparatus until he finally succeeded in creating the world's first "blue".

That was in 1993, 4 years after the

beginning of the project.
The world now pays close attention to this blue-purple semiconductor laser.

It's characteristics, such as

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
having a shorter wavelength than red lasers increasing optical disk capacity by 2.5 times may pioneer a wide
range of new possibilities. Nichia Corporation thus began shipping samples ahead of the rest of the world
last February.
40 years since Jack Kilby of TI developed the IC (integrated circuit).

Now the heroes of the 21st century's

digital revolution are not big businesses but "tiny giants".
- Takeo Iwasawa = to be continued.
</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>The blue light-emitting diode and the laser device proper are included, but its manufacturing method andapplied devices are not included in this application.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
In relation to the construction and composition of blue light-emitting diodes.
</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Blue light-emitting diodes with wavelengths of 450nm or less include the (AL-Ga-In) N-based compound
semiconductors and optical semiconductors based on ultraviolet laser oscillation.
Those improved from products in practical use and based on new construction and composition shall be
investigated.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Light-emitting wavelength, 450nm, blue, light-emitting diode, optical semi-conductor device, gallium nitride</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H02-114191
PATENT-KKH-G-H02-414843
PATENT-KKH-G-H03-116912
PATENT-KKH-G-H01-213900</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P013</NUM><LANG>

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Just-in-Time Method</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-990419067</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Commentary</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>702</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"Person" Mr. Fujio Chou: Unofficially named the next president of Toyota Motor
Corporation</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-04-19</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
Mr. Fujio Chou: From the Tokyo Metropolitan area. While a student at The University of Tokyo, Mr. Chou
was a member of the Kendo Club with Mr. Takaji Kunimatsu, former Director General of the National Police
Agency, and earned a 3 dan. 62 years old.

- From saying to practice is sincerity. Softness overcomes hardness.

Gentle demeanor and sociable atmosphere makes the smile wane. His "natural state" is doing something inreal life. Talking about himself, he says, "I follow a rather slow process and am not too intense." He reveals
conspicuous color among Toyota management, which has a strong image of being brusque and warrior-like,similar to Mikawa.

Favorite expression is "Sincerity."

Graduated in a business-oriented field and spent nearly 20 years in the Production Management Division.
Was a favorite student of late Vice-president Taiichi Ohno, the one who contributed to the Just-in-Time
Method becoming well known as the Toyota Method. While Shoichiro Toyoda was the chairman, hecommented, "He was a law school graduate, but he was trained in manufacturing by Mr. Ohno. We have highexpectations for him."

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
In 1987, he was posted to a responsible position of management at the Kentucky Plant, the company's
production hub in the U.S.A. He was active in training local employees in the Toyota Method and in
production efficiency. At that time, after Japan's prime minister of the time commented that American
workers seemed to lack a work ethic, he quickly announced that the reasons for the prime minister'scomment was that the prime minister had no experience actually working with Americans, and he insisted
that first-hand experience takes precedence.

Chairman Toyoda, while Chairman of the Federation of Economic Organizations, having evaluated Mr.
Chou's personality highly for his sincerity and abundant international sense, appointed Mr. Chou to theposition of assistant. Cumulative channels to the political and financial world of that time become
substantial assets of the new president.

Mr. Hiroshi Okuda, the first president to be chosen from outside the Toyoda family, is known as "Tough
Okuda." In contrast, Mr. Chou is known as "Soft Chou."In an unofficial interview, he displayed a tendency to prefer forming a consensus within the company, saying"I've just received notice of having been appointed president, so I am not at the point of commenting on
aspirations or anything else."

He gives the impression of having repressed his individuality due to virtue of his personality. Does it turnout that "Softness overcomes hardness"?

Text: Naoki Higuchi, Chubu News Center/Photo: Hiroshi Kusakawa, Chubu News Center</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>
Nothing equals the "Just-in-Time System" of Toyota Motor Corporation.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
Patent on a business system related to Toyota Motor Corporation's "Just-in-Time System" (production
system)</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Toyota Motor Corporation's "Just-in-Time System" (production system) is a production system that plans to
optimize and enhance the efficiency of the entire system through comprehensive management extending
from supply of raw materials to delivery of finished products. With the recent boom in patents on businesssystems, this business system combining the implementation of IT with Toyota Motor Corporation'sProceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop"Just-in-Time System" is known as "supply chain management." Basically, it is a business system that, inorder to determine optimization conditions, implements IT in a comprehensive management system
extending from supply of raw materials to delivery of finished products, always creating the optimum route.
It can be said that Toyota Motor Corporation is applying for a patent on the "Just-in-Time System" fordefensive purposes, to prevent another company from exercising its rights on a patented business system.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Optimization of efficiency with the Just-in-Time System, a comprehensive production system</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H01-266302
PATENT-KKH-G-H01-279913
PATENT-KKH-G-H01-336407
PATENT-KKH-G-H05-233347
PATENT-KKH-G-H10-111871</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P014</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Vibrator for mobile devices</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-991224072</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Economy</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>767</A-WORDS>The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
<A-HEADLINE>"World leaders in Japan" 45

Vibratorsformobilephones

from

Tokyo

Parts

Industries</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-12-24</A-DATE><A-TEXT>- Disk-type, thin and small ch their mobile phones to vibration mode to prevent their ringing tones fromannoying those around them.

Vibrators for use in mobile phones and PHS are without exception flat

coreless "FM series" vibration motors manufactured by a small precision motor manufacturer, Tokyo Parts
Industries Corporation(head office in Isezaki City, Gunma Prefecture; President: Norihisa Kai). It holds

an incredible total domestic monopoly with a market share of 100%, while overseas it is 90%.

Mr. Tadao

Yamaguchi, the Developmental Technology Team Leader, proudly stated, "In terms of its miniscule
dimensions and low current consumption, our product leads the world".

The company had produced

miniaturized motors for use in stereo headphones until it developed a card-type motor for use in pocket bells
in 1988.

Motors had generally been cylindrical in shape before the company developed a flat, thin, andsemicircular rotor, which enabled small thin disk-type motors to be produced.

This type of motor vibrates

due to the centrifugal force from the rotor's revolution. It was patented in Japan, the United States, andCanada.
The FM-series motor has been repeatedly improved for further miniaturization.

The smallest of its type atpresent is 1.2 cm, 3.4 mm, and 1.3 g, in diameter, thickness, and mass, respectively.
the reduction in size and mass of mobile phones.

This has contributed to

FM-series motor production reached 21.6 million units in

1999, which was about 2.3 times that (9.5 million units) in 1998, and will reach 70 million in 2000 once theIndonesian plant starts commercial operation.
Recently, rather ominously, a pirate version made in Korea started to appear on the market.

"The global

market share of the FM-series motor would be 100% were it not for the 10% share apparently taken by thepirate Korean version," said Mr. Yamaguchi.

The company is considering persuading these Korean

companies to license their patent to take back the lost share with the aim of absolute world domination.
- Hiroki Masuda¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä- Tokyo Parts Industries Corporation
Established in 1959, with a capital of ¥90 million, and 6,128 employees.

= to be continued.

Photo caption: "Flat coreless FM series vibration motor"</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>
If suggested for use in mobile device vibrators, it should be defined as a motor, not necessarily a flat corelessvibration motor.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
A patent in relation to a motor applicable to mobile device vibrator</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Mobile phones are equipped with a vibrating call-alert function without a ringing tone.

The vibrator used

for this purpose has an off-center weight on its small rotating motor shaft, which generates vibrations byrotating the motor.

Here, we would like to have information on technological trends of vibration motorsthat can be incorporated in mobile devices.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Vibration, vibrator, motor, electric mover, miniature, mobile</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H04-301763
PATENT-KKH-G-H11-223136</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P015</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Porous metal</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-991006196</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Human Interest</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>566</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"Porous steel" successfully made 40% lighter made porous using nitrogen gas--Institute of

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University (Osaka)</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-10-06</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
Professor Hideo Nakajima (material engineering) of the Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research,
Osaka University, announced on the 5th that he and his staff had succeeded in the production of lightweight"porous steel" pierced with a vast number of pores with diameters ranging from 0.001 to several millimeters
using nitrogen gas.

Despite the 40% weight reduction, this material remains as strong as conventional

steel of the same volume because these pores are all lined up in the same direction.

It is expected to be

applied to automotive bodies to meet the increasingly demanding requirements of the automotive industry
where competition in pursuit of energy-saving cars is ever tougher.

Professor Nakajima had noticed the fact that, although gases such as hydrogen and nitrogen are mixed withthe metal into a molten state at high temperatures, the two separate out into gas and solid metal whencooled off.

He put a metal-gas mixture into a mold and cooled it off in one direction, from the side or bottom

using water, to cause the metal to solidify in a direction perpendicular to the area, with the gas being
extended in the same direction.

Then the solidified metal is cut and degassed to leave pores with diametersof 0.001 to 1mm regularly lined up in the same direction.

Professor Nakajima succeeded in the development of this process last year using hydrogen, which isapplicable to various metals such as copper, nickel, and aluminum.

But companies considering commercial

metal production using this process suggested that he use a safe gas free from explosion for mass-production
purposes and he researched the process using non-explosive nitrogen.

When the pores were made using nitrogen, it was found that a compound of iron and nitrogen coated thepore interiors, increasing their strength.
- Hideki Kujiraoka

Photo caption: "Porous steel" made using nitrogen with pores lined up in the same direction.
</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>The porous metal manufactured by first melting the metal at high temperature, resolidifying it, and finally
applying post-treatment if necessary or the manufacturing process for such a metal.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
The invention of porous metal manufactured by first melting a metal or alloy together with a gas into amixed molten state at high temperature, then solidifying it, and finally applying post-treatment if necessaryProceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
or the manufacturing process for such metal.
</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Porous metal means a metal block with numerous pores or holes in it.

Two processes are known for the

manufacture of such metals: the "process to expel gas from a metal during the solidification process after
molten-metal metal-gas mixture" and the "process to pressurize and form metallic powder into a solid blockand sinter it".
Though the main process for the manufacture of porous metal is that of pressurizing and forming metal
powder into a solid block and sintering it, the process in this application shall be that to solidify a metal after
molten-metal metal-gas mixture.
The invention concerning applications and products for heat exchangers and frictional members shall be
excluded. Porous metals or ceramics manufactured by mixing metallic powder with a liquid-phase agent
such as a binder into a slurry, extending, heating, and drying it, and finally sintering it shall also be
excluded.
In addition, porous metals manufactured by applying a slurry made of metallic powder to a combustible
foam which has continuous vents, heating it to burn the foam out, and finally sintering it shall also be
excluded.
The metal in this application shall be limited to a metal or alloy and ceramics and their intermediates shallbe excluded.

The gas in this application may be of any type, not limited to hydrogen or nitrogen.

</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Porous, porous, vents, foaming, metal, steel, alloy, melting, solidification</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H08-239580
PATENT-KKH-G-H11-195260</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P016</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Water Pollution</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-990914271</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Society</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>982</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"Lake Biwa, Serious Pollution" Deformed bass total 15% -- Survey by Shiga University
Researchers</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-09-14</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
Akio Kumagai (24), a visiting researcher at the Shiga University Environmental Education and Lakes andMarshes Training Center, undertook a three-year survey of the entire Lake Biwa area and examined a totalof 13,232 black bass and bluegill fish. Of these, 15.3% of the black bass and 5.9% of the bluegill were found tohave deformed backbones. This is the first evidence that the fish in the Lake Biwa area exhibit deformities.
A Shiga University survey of bluegill in the southern Lake Biwa area undertaken about 10 years ago
determined that the rate of deformities was zero. According to the researcher, Mr. Kumagai, "The impact ofagricultural wastewater and household effluent must be considered." Therefore, it can be said that theseverity of water pollution has been revealed once again.
Mr. Kumagai selected these two species because they are abundant in this habitat and easier to catch;moreover, the areas inhabited by native species such as carassius are not evenly distributed, and their
numbers are scarce. Therefore, having selected 40 locations in the area surrounding Lake Biwa, Kumagaicaught bass and bluegill with a casting net, catching 30 fish of each species in each location every month
until December 1998. The numbers of samples totaled 8,398 bass and 4,834 bluegill. The backbones of the
fish were examined by means of X-rays, and the condition of their backbones was checked.
Most of the deformities were spine abnormalities, such as spines that appeared squashed. Eighty percent of
the bass displayed this abnormality. Some bass had backbones that were greatly curved, some developed
tumors, and some lacked spines entirely.
The greatest deformity rate, at 22.2%, occurred along the western shore of the northern part of the lakeextending from Adogawa-cho to Takashima-cho. Next, at 18.4%, was the eastern shore of the northern partof the lake extending from the cities of Hikone to Ohmihachiman. A smaller rate of 9.5% was found in thesouthern region encompassing the two cities of Otsu and Moriyama. A high rate of occurrence overall, at
16.5%, was found in the northern region.
In a prefectural water quality survey taken during the preceding fiscal year in the northern part of the lake,Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
the numerical value of total nitrogens, the cause of eutrophication, reached 0.33 milligrams, exceeding theenvironmental standard (0.2 milligrams maximum per liter). This indicates that the pollution is not abating.
According to Mr. Kumagai, "In the south part of the lake (south of the Lake Biwa Ohashi Bridge), the small
fish that serve as the food source for bass and bluegill are almost nonexistent, so the prey of the bass andbluegill tend to gather in the northern part of the lake." We don't know what substance is causing thedeformation, so it is unclear what the effect on the human body would be from eating these fish. Unlike bass,
which live 5 to 6 years, ayu (sweetfish) live only one year, so they do not readily store pollutant substances.
The prefectural environmental policy section specifies that "Drainage clean-up measures are necessary
because improving the water quality is an urgent matter."- Tatsuya Ishida(This article includes the figure "Deformation rate of black bass by survey site.")(This article includes the figure "Deformation rate of bluegill by survey site.")Photo caption: Deformed backbone found in black bass (Shiga University Environmental Education andLakes and Marshes Training Center/Photo provided by Akio Kumagai, researcher.)</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>
Total nitrogen measurement method limited by equipment. Measurement method not restricted.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
Totalnitrogen measurement method and equipment</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Looking at water pollution in recent years, it is clear the eutrophication issue includes nitrogen andphosphorous. The objectives are those mentioned regarding the total nitrogen measurement method andequipment. The main measurement methods include the ultraviolet absorption spectral method,chemiluminescence, gas chromatography and the like, but are not restricted. Related compact equipment is
excluded.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Water pollution, all total nitrogen, measurement, method</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H07-088182</PI></TOPIC>The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002

<TOPIC><NUM>
P017</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Detergent for clothes with a "Dry-cleaning" symbol</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-980402100</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Home</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>955</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"This Week Convincing Doctor" Detergent for clothes with a dry-cleaning symbol: Shrink
protective substance included</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1998-04-02</A-DATE><A-TEXT>- Adhere to "soak and wash"- Why?
detergent that has recently been commercialized claims that clothes with a "dry-cleaning" symbol canactually be washed in a "soak and wash" manner.

I understood that dry-cleaning meant that clothes must

be washed with a special solvent in the absence of water.

Can I really wash clothes with this detergent inwater?
= Keiko Yamada, Kawasaki City (38)Dry-cleaning is intended to remove oily stains with volatile organic solvents instead of using water.
However, you should consider a detergent that has recently been commercialized by manufacturers under
the catchphrase, "Clothes with dry-cleaning symbols are also washable", as that you can wash in water in adifferent way from dry-cleaning without damaging the clothes.

Some clothes shrink when they are manipulated in water, while others don't provided they are merelyProceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
soaked in water.

This detergent can be used for these kinds of clothes, so you have to sort them out before

washing.

Our neutral detergent "Emal" is only for these clothes. Unlike conventional detergents, this contains asubstance called silicone to protect clothes from shrinkage.

In addition, its performance has been improved.

All you have to do is to soak the clothes in this detergent to remove soil and stains. However, any clothes
can be washed with this detergent.

First of all, check the symbol or illustration on the clothes as to whether they can be washed at home.

The

clothes marked with "Dry-cleaning" together with "Manual cleaning" can normally be washed by hand.
Even if the clothes are marked "Unwashable in water", they can be washed at home in a soak and washmanner if they are wool-mixture pants or shirts, hemp or wool blouses or pullovers, polyester or nylon
blouses, or raincoats, etc.

However it is difficult to wash them if they are a mixture of rayon,

cuprammonium rayon, silk, acetate, or polynosic; or if pleated or wrinkled, having a thick texture such as
velvets or jackets with pads or an easily changeable shape.

How to wash: First fold the clothes so that the soiled part such as the sleeve or collar is facing outwards, andsoak them in a solution with this detergent for about 15 minutes.

Then spin-dry and again soak in rinsing

water for about one minute. Then rinse them twice.

Soil and stains can be washed away well without loss of texture and finished without shrinking.
clothes or uniforms can be washed at home.

School

Try it once.

(The respondent is Ms. Nobuko Hasegawa, Chief of the Life Culture Institute of Kao Corporation.)- Photo caption: Detergent on the market that can wash dry-clean marked clothes</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>
Detergent must be for clothes, in liquid form and include silicone as a shrink prevention substance.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
Detergent must be domestic liquid detergent, which can wash clothes marked "dry-clean", and include
silicone as a shrink prevention substance.
</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Because wool becomes tangled and shrinks when soaked in water, it is generally dry-cleaned.

Dry cleaning

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
requires many more processes compared to normal water cleaning (wet cleaning), and needs expensive
organic solvents and special facilities, resulting in a high cost. This detergent is applicable to clothes such as
those made of wool for easy washing at home.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Clothes, shrink, cleaning, silicone</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H08-218855
PATENT-KKH-G-H08-219967</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P018</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
On-line Karaoke</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-991004168</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Economy</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>1860</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"Founding Forest" Extra edition: The founder of Crecsent, Mr. Daisuke Inoue, Glory andfrustration of the Karaoke King (Osaka)</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-10-04</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
Mr. Daisuke Inoue (59, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture), the founder of Crecsent, is the man who

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
invented Karaoke and was selected by US Time magazine as one of "The twenty most influential people in
Asia in the 20th century". He was forced to withdraw from the karaoke business although he was listed on
the same "historical altar" as Sun Yatsen, Mao Tse-tung, Gandhi, Tagore, and Akira Kurosawa.

Now he is¥150 million in debt. How rich he would be if he had taken out a patent? Mr. Inoue said, "He does not keep
his earnings overnight."

Still his glory and frustration in the "KARAOKE KING"(Time Magazine) are

striking.
"Darling, we cannot afford to pay the rent."
business completely.

That was in 1993.

Those words of his wife made him decide to quit the karaoke

Nine years earlier, he left the position of president of Crecsent, his

own company that manufactured and sold karaoke machines, and he tried his hardest to reconstruct thecompany. As a result, Crecsent applied for bankruptcy and resettlement with about 9.8 billion yen in
liabilities last July. Bankruptcy and resettlement have been approved now, and the company has set a goal ofreconstructing their business and management.
"Now all I have is a 150 million yen debt," he said with his eyes smiling behind his glasses.
Mr. Inoue played the drums in a live band on a dance hall near Mt. Rokko in his freshman year of high school.
He took a job at an insurance company after graduating from high school. He went to work in a Presley stylesuit and duck's arse hairstyle.

Naturally his style was not accepted in Kitahama. He kept playing in theband, and did not concentrate on his work.
When a female coworker who joined the company in the same year as he was scolded by her boss in front of
Mr. Inoue, he hit the boss with the telephone. He left to travel with his guitar soon afterwards.
He wandered about in a cabaret, and played in strip show houses all over Japan from Aomori to Kyushu for
17 years. When he was somewhat over 30, he thought that he could not keep on going as a band member,and that he would like to find something for their members to live on after they grew older.
had no security.

Band members

This anxiety led him to invent the karaoke machine.

"Karaoke" was originally used among band members, referring to music without a song. "What if we could
create Karaoke on a machine?"
The idea hit on Mr. Inoue. A car stereo also gave him a hint.

He bought a tape deck, motor, clock timer,and other elements at Nipponbashi, Osaka, and assembled them with his band group members.

The

members played the music and recorded it.
- First machine in 1971
The first machine was made in 1971. Karaoke was played for five minutes against the timer with the taperunning.

Since it stopped while the second track was playing, it was necessary to put another 100-yen coinin in order to finish the song. They made eleven machines, ten of which they leased to a snack bar at
Sannomiya, Kobe City.
Astonishingly, it became a hit in the Kobe night town.

News spread quickly round town by word of mouth.

Some clubs changed from live performers to karaoke machines.
Osaka, they took the karaoke with them.

When a house in Kobe opened another in

Crecsent Co. was established in 1973, and gained in success as

the Karaoke trend spread all over Japan.
Technological innovations move rapidly, and soon laser disks became the mainstream.

Daiichi Kosho andThe Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
Nikkodo, which were founded around the same time as Crecsent, made great progress, while Crecsent began
to fall behind with investment in facilities, and faced a bankruptcy crisis in 1984 after eleven years inbusiness.

Turning the company over to his brother, he set about reconstructing the company, but he wasunable to fight the tide.
He now runs a manufacturing and sales company dealing with a machine for removing cockroaches and rats
in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture.

The company has four staff including Mr. Inoue and his wife.

They handle this machine because cockroaches and rats cause Karaoke machine failure.
There is a strong possibility that Mr. Inoue could have obtained a patent on karaoke machines.

Now there

are 550,000 Karaoke machines, and sales on this market including software was estimated at one trillion
98.2 billion yen last year.

Patent royalties are decided between the licenser and the licensee, and there is a

protected period for the patent (20 years after application).
10 billion yen.

Just one percent of those sales would amount to

Mr. Inoue could have led a wholly different life if he had obtained a patent on the machine.

However the Karaoke King said in low-key voice.
"I started this business with the idea that the band members could survive once they grew old, and I neverconsidered a patent. I always think the present is the best.

So I don't regret anything."

Time Magazine values Mr. Inoue's achievements: His simple invention contributed to thousands of people
finding their own voice.
- Mitsuru Nakanishi- Photo caption: Mr. Daisuke Inoue smiling beside the first machine (offered by Mr. Inoue)</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>
Karaoke device with communications function</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
Karaoke device enabling access to a massive Karaoke database record via communication lines</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Karaoke refers to music without songs.
without changing laser disks.

There is no need to store any disks, and the ease of responding new songs isanother advantage of online Karaoke.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Karaoke, communication system</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-S59-073515

Online Karaoke, as compared to standalone Karaoke, is used

Included is a Karaoke device using satellite communication.

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
PATENT-KKH-G-S61-098382
PATENT-KKH-G-S62-332149</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P019</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>Ear thermometer</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-990611074</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Economy</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>211</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"Business information" A high-precision ear thermometer - OMRON</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-06-11</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
Omron Corporation put a thermometer named "Ken-On-Kun Quick MC-509" (photo) on the market on the
21st that can measure body temperature just by applying it to the ear.

It performs thermometry in about 1

second and has improved accuracy over the company's conventional version.

It also has design

improvements such that you can switch it on while holding it firmly just by one hand.

The desirable retailprice is ¥6,000.

Omron launched its first ear thermometers for home use on the market the year before last,to great acclaim for its convenience in enabling thermometry within a few seconds without upsetting babies
and infants.

This was followed by new product launches by various other companies culminating in annual

sales of about 900,000 units in total in 1998.
</A-TEXT></A-DOC>The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002</ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>A thermometer designed to take one's temperature via the ear shall be the subject of investigation.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
An ear thermometer able to measure body temperature merely by applying it to the ear.
</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Thermometers, which measure body temperature by insertion into the underarm or mouth, have long beencommon.
Underarm thermometry is troublesome while oral thermometry may cause an accident.

The earthermometer is convenient in that it facilitates thermometry of babies and infants who would otherwise
dislike it.

The accessories and container for the ear thermometer shall be excluded from the investigation

objective.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Ear application, for ear, eardrum, thermometer, thermometry, sensor</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H07-002327
PATENT-KKH-G-H07-277273</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P020</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Recycling of used oil</TITLE><ARTICLE>

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop<A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-980803173</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Economy</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>1188</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"Series of biographies on ventures working to apply 'Eureka moments'" Recycling of usededible oil into a fuel for diesel engines (Osaka)</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1998-08-03</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
Rinsing off used edible oil left in dishes and pans - this long prevalent practice thoughtlessly done in many
homes is regarded as one of the most significant causes of water contamination globally.

What then ofsolidifying the oil using a coagulant and subjecting it to incineration? This emits large amounts of carbon
dioxide resulting in global warming.

Used edible oil causes a substantial problem. Can it be recycled intoa clean fuel instead of disposed of? Such a basic idea initiated a dream project.
Lonford Development Limited. (Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City), an environmental equipment company that
conducts its own research and development, manufacture and sales, developed a new "E-OIL" energy jointlywith Kyoto City and is the first district in Japan to start test use as a diesel engine fuel for Kyoto City's 220
refuse collection vehicles and 2 city buses since last November.
This new fuel is recovered from used edible oil by removing impurities from the oil and adding methanol tocause a chemical reaction within a fuel.

It has less sulfur content than light oil, emits little diesel smoke,

and works as well as light oil in terms of fuel consumption and power.

It meets the standard requirementsof the Road Transportation Vehicle Law and Oil Quality Security Law and can be applied as it is to diesel
cars commonly on the market.
The president, Mr. Sigeto Hayafuji (45), became an independent venture businessman 4 years after
graduating from university. At one stage, he ran a convenience store chain comprising of 200 or more storesin Shiga and Kyoto.

But 8 years ago, he found out he was suffering from liver cancer and sold his businessto a major convenience store to dedicate himself to medical care.

Fortunately, he recovered and mentally

determined, "As I almost lost my life, I'll dedicate myself to a business that profits society."
Coincidentally, he contemplated the water pollution in Lake Biwa around which he used to play in hischildhood.

He was advised and instructed by the Honorary Professor Takeo Shimizu of Kyoto University,

whom he got acquainted with through one of his friends, that "even used edible oil could be recovered as afuel", for which he started research and development 4 years ago.
At present, he collects used edible oil via Kyoto City from about 240 municipal communities throughout
Japan to recycle it into fuel at his plant.

Priced at ¥70 to 80 per liter; it is equivalent in cost to light oil.

A

spokesman of the City's Bureau of Cleaning said confidently, "Putting this oil to practical use for private cars
is a matter of course.
approaching the car."

There are no major problems except that it smells a little like tempura when

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
President Hayafuji said, "The ancient city of Kyoto is concentrating its efforts on environmental
conservation and recycling.

Starting from this city, I would like to contribute to the total renovation ofJapan and the global environment."
Dream is now close to reality.
- Fumiaki Fujimoto- Lonford Development Limited.
Established: 1996
Number of employees: 20
Capital:¥37.30 million

Annual sales:¥140 million (as of May, 1998)

Photo caption: Worker filling cleaning car with diesel fuel recovered from used edible oil (at Takano Cleaning
Office, in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City)</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>
Recycling of used edible oil into a fuel</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
A fuel such as diesel fuel recycled from waste oil such as used edible oil or its manufacturing method andequipment shall be investigated.
</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Edible oil used at home and waste oil are often thrown awayficant cause of water contamination.

They canbe solidified using a coagulant and disposed of as refuse to be incinerated, but this emits carbon dioxide
resulting in global warming. Disposal of used edible oil is a tricky problem.
As one solution, technology to recycle such oil into diesel fuel has been realized.
Technology related to merely reducing or preventing environmental contamination such as improvements in
incineration plants shall be excluded from the investigation objective.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Used oil, waste oil, recycle, diesel fuel, fuel</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H09-327018</PI></TOPIC>Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop<TOPIC><NUM>
P021</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Tablecloth</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-990819338</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Entertainment</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>2566</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"I'm excited," said Mr. Yasuhiro Ohshima, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Meiwa
Gravure Co., Ltd., the No.1 printed tablecloth manufacturer in Japan (Osaka)</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-08-19</A-DATE><A-TEXT>- Mr. Yasuhiro Ohshima, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Meiwa Gravure (77)
Mr. Ohshima is a real professional printing craftsman, who was trained in an army organization during
World War II to make counterfeit bank notes to cause logistical disturbances.

After World War II, hereverted to a peacetime industry to become successful in a business to manufacture plastic cloth to wrap
lunch boxes for school children.

He improved the manufacturing process for plastic lace he had seen in the

United States to take a 90% share of this type of lace in the Japanese market.

He has continued to havesuccess in related fields such as printing on electronic calculator panels and number printing on X-ray films.
He looked back on his success and quoted Edison: "The secret of success is 1% inspiration and 99%
perspiration!"- Furoshiki (wrapping cloth) for school children-- How did you come to make lace?
Mr. Ohshima: I was attached to a special army laboratory called the Noborito Research Center where I
counterfeited Chinese bank notes during World War II.

It was a kind of economic strategy, where I was

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
anxious to master the gravure technique.

After the war, I founded a printing company together with anolder friend of mine, where we utilized the techniques learned during the war for peaceful purposes, themanufacturing of lunch box wrapping cloths for school children.

The company was liquidated due tooperational problems, following which the present company was established to continue the former business.
Plastic wrapping cloths had been favored in Japan and Southeast Asian countries, but I was not so sure
about the future.

So I went to the United States for market research 5 years after the company's

establishment where I found a table lace made of gravure-printed plastic cloth, and I thought, "This is it!" I
solicited the manufacturer to see the process but only got permission to see the metal mold process. It waslithography on a single-sheet basis.

Based on this, I created and initiated a rolling (rotary printing) systemfor continuous printing in Japan.

- Stereoscopic vision and complexity-- From counterfeit bank notes to lace?
Mr. Ohshima: In order to make counterfeiting difficult, bank notes is intaglio-printed with multiple layers ofink.

I put the material in a concave in the intaglio process, heated it, and took it out after it solidified.

This was a technique called mold printing, which could realize a complex lace pattern with a stereoscopicview.

It took about 6 years to establish the process and patent the process and its peripheral techniques.

Protection by patents was the only way for a small company to survive in a mature business like the printing
industry.

This almost monopolized the market because suddenly luxurious lace was available cheaply.

I

commissioned its sales to trading companies in Japan and also in the United States where I established alace manufacturing company.
business.

This incurred higher costs than those of latecomers and I got out of thisAfter this failure, I changed our sales to a direct distribution system.

-X-rays, electronic calculators, and cakes-- You have made many successive developments.
Mr. Ohshima: Yes, as a result of responding to the situation where many people came to see me to consult
about tasks that may be possible by printing.
identify and sort X-ray films.

Once at a dentist's clinic, I saw the staff there took time to

Then I developed a method where numbers are printed somewhat thickly on

the film case using ink with a lead content printing which does not sensitize the film to make the printed
parts visible.

This has spread throughout the world to totally monopolize the market.

Meanwhile, when

an electronic calculator manufacturer planned to develop a key-touch system, the problem was that thesymbols on the keyboard were worn away by touch.

So I developed a special printing process that does notwear out and provided it to the calculator manufacturer.
electronics industry.

Since then, my company has also been part of the

In a recent case, a confectioner consulted me about inscribing characters over cakesand I developed a technique to print stereoscopic characters on cakes using albumen as ink.

- In response to local requirements abroad-- Internationalization resulted from local requirements

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
Mr. Ohshima: One of my businesses failed in the United States but another in Indonesia is running well.
Initially only a printing factory was planned there, but the plan escalated to build a plant to make sheets
because of the lack of support industries there, then automobile seat covers, complete automobile seats, andfinally plastic parts for front panels. It became a larger one in which 4,000 people were working.

It hasworked well through repeated efforts such as using well-acquainted, used equipment to reduce costs.
due to the recent recession and politically unstable situation, the business results deteriorated.
to be downsized and finally recovered profitability this year.

I feel much easier now.

But

It has had

I will do my best to

increase the number of products whose production can be shifted abroad to enable employees laid off toreturn to their jobs.

- In-company invention contest-- What is your policy for future development?
Mr. Ohshima: In the first place, development of a new material to replace plastic (vinyl chloride).
chloride industry blames incinerators for dioxin emissions.

The vinyl

But I think it would be more appropriate toutilize polyethylene or polypropylene than to blame someone else.

My company has been dealing with

polyethylene printing for 40 years and is ready to tackle this problem.

Our new products are spreading in

addition to our original lace products to include those for architectural purposes such as flooring, curtain
materials, and design sheets to cover windows.

We have some 30 R&D staff and some designers to develop"people-friendly products". Procedures for developing new products are suggested to the employees andinvention contests are sometimes held.

The audition is simply just to check, "Can it be manufactured, sold,and earn money?" Most of the 300 patents held by my company are my own ideas, but I expect much fromyounger people from now on.

- Profile
Date of birth:

September 25, 1921

Hometown:

Saitama Prefecture

Alma mater:

Specialist course, Nihon University

Family:Wife: Setsuko (71), one son

Hobby:

CamerasFavorite words:

Sincerity, zeal, originality

Other titles:

Sub-manager, Osaka branch, Inventors Society; Kansai Chairman, Japan-Indonesia

Association for the Economy- MemoHead office:12-18, Kashitahigashi-machi, Higashi-Osaka City, 577-8510 Japan; Tel. 06-6722-1131

Corporate history:

Co-founded a printing company in 1945, developed vinyl-chloride printing in

1949, established the present company in 1953, developed polyethylene printing in 1960, opened a liaison
office in the United States in 1961, renamed to the present corporate name in 1989
Number of employees:

465

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
Annual sales:¥17.3 billion, as of September, last year</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>The process and equipment for manufacturing highly decorative printed tablecloths.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
The process and equipment for manufacturing highly decorative printed tablecloths.
</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Printing methods may include the intaglio, anastatic, or any other methods; however, materials to be printed
on shall be limited to synthetic resin sheets and films.
and table covers and have decorative characteristics.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Printing, sheet, tablecloth, decoration, lace</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H07-144358
PATENT-KKH-G-H08-116102
PATENT-KKH-G-H09-134042
PATENT-KKH-G-H09-217910
PATENT-KKH-G-H10-092097</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P022</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>

These sheets shall be suitable for use as tablecloths

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
NOx reducing device</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-991101173</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Economy</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>586</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>An exhaust gas reducing device has been developed & patented in the United States andKorea by Mr. Hideaki Makita running a transport company in Hyogo Prefecture (Osaka)</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-11-01</A-DATE><A-TEXT>The exhaust gas reducing device "Futures" developed by Mr. Hideaki Makita (64) who runs a transportcompany in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture has been just been patented in the United States and Korea.
This device was invented based exclusively on Mr. Makita's idea, and is very effective at reducing nitrogenoxides (NOx) encouraging him to launch into an international business to take advantage of the patent.
Mr. Makita commenced his transportation business in 1963.
the first oil crisis in 1973.

He experienced a surge in fuel costs following

He tried such devices from some 6 companies to cut his fuel costs but in vain, andbegan his own development. He got numerous ideas for exhaust gas reducing devices in the process of suchdevelopment, carried out several thousand experiments over 20 years, and finally succeeded in its
realization.
The most significant characteristic of the "Futures" is the use of a combination of permanent magnets with
far-infrared radiating ceramics.

The mechanism involves splitting the interior of a cylindrical container

into several chambers made of permanent magnets to facilitate perfect fuel combustion.
It is said not only to reduce fuel costs by 30%, but also to do the same to NOx.
already been sold.

1,300 sets of the devices have

Prices vary depending on the model, though it is typically around ¥300,000.

Mr. Makita commented, "It was the wisdom of a small business to survive. It can serve as a solution for the
global warming problem. I have accepted offers from abroad and wish to make a further advances."

The

telephone number of Makita Transportation: 06-6436-9390.
- Mitsuru Nakanishi</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>It shall be limited to the method and system to reduce NOx in exhaust gas by treating a fuel fluid or a gas
mixture made by combining it with the air using magnetism and far infrared radiation.
limited to use in combustion engines.

It shall also be

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
The method and device to reduce NOx in exhaust gas by treating a fuel fluid or a gas mixture made bycombining it with the air in a combustion engine using magnetism and far infrared radiation.
</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Combustion engines refer to thermal engines including internal and external combustion engines; fuel fluids
means liquid or gaseous fuels which have fluidity other than solid fuels. In concrete, consequently, all theideas exhibited as methods and devices to directly or indirectly reduce nitrogen oxides in exhaust gas bytreating a gas/liquid fuel such as for a gasoline or diesel engine or a gas mixture made by combining samewith the air in a combustion engine using magnetism and infrared radiation before combustion shall beapplicable.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Nitrogen oxide, NO, NOx, magnetism, ray, infrared, fuel, gas mixture</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H08-021179</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P023</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Low-corrosive metal-plated steel sheets</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-991005068</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG>

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop<A-SECTION>Economy</A-SECTION><A-AE>No</A-AE><A-WORDS>236</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>Action

taken

for

infringementofapatentagainstNKK-NipponSteel

Corporation</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-10-05</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
Nippon Steel Corporation brought a case before the Tokyo District Court on the 4th, wherein it appealed that
NKK had infringed on a patent for automotive high-class metal-plated steel sheets developed and held
jointly by the former and Toyota, and was claiming damages of ¥2.8 billion.

Nippon Steel and Toyota hadlicensed the patent to NKK under an agreement that NKK does not sell any products related to the patent toany parties other than members of the Toyota group, but they claim that NKK manufactured and sold this toHyundai Motors in Korea in contravention of the agreement.

NKK totally denied it as "the product inquestion is different from that produced under the license agreement with Nippon Steel" and has stated its
intention to fight the suit.
- Yoko Fukumoto</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>It shall be limited to the mother steel sheets for galvannealing and the composition except Fe is shown. It isalso limited to mother steel sheets containing titanium (Ti). The manufacturing process shall be excluded.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
Titanium-containing mother steel sheets with lower corrosiveness while maintaining the workability of
conventional galvannealed steel sheets.
</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Physical and chemical properties of steel sheets vary depending generally on the components except Fe andthe composition of the mother steel.
Conventional galvannealed steel sheets made by dipping cold rolled sheets into a molten zinc bath during
the cold strip process have sufficient corrosive resistance as rust-preventing automotive steel sheets.
However, improved corrosive resistance to corrosive penetration of the steel sheets caused by cracks in thegalvannealed surface layer possibly made by chipping from small stones on the road and wheel rotation has
been required.
Workability is vital for this use, but workability and corrosiveness have to be traded off against each other interms of the composition of the components (except Fe) in the mother steel, and it is difficult to maintaincompatibility.

Here, the mother steel sheet designed to improve its corrosive resistance while maintaining

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
workability when galvannealed and for which its contents are exhibited shall be regarded as correct.
In addition, the mother steel sheets for the purpose shall be limited to those containing titanium, as it isnecessary to have titanium in order to trap the harmful nitrogen.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Galvanneal, corrosion, corrosion resistant, titanium, steel-alloy</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H03-015586</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P024</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Solid high-polymer-type fuel cell</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-990924037</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Editorial</A-SECTION><A-AE>No</A-AE><A-WORDS>1308</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"Leading article" New energy - Increased expectations on fuel cells</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-09-24</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
Global warming and atmospheric pollution are accelerated by the use of various energies.
fossil fuels are steadily depleted.

At the same time,Is there such a thing as an ideal energy source?

Recoverable energies such as solar and wind power generation are thus attracting attention.

These are

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
promising but cannot be expected to become widespread because these types of power generation are
expensive and, in addition, their development has been left to take its natural course.
Under these circumstances, the fuel cell has been highlighted as one of the new energies.

It comprises of apair of electrodes and electrolytes to generate power, in a process that is essentially the reverse of waterelectrolysis, by electrochemically reacting hydrogen with oxygen.

It emits almost no carbon dioxide or

nitrogen oxides.
Some scientists claim that it has a promising future, saying, "We will see no energy problems in the future."
Following on from the alkali-type fuel cell used in spaceships, four types of fuel cells are under development:
phosphoric acid, molten carbonate, solid oxide, and solid high-polymers using high-polymer ion exchange
membranes.
The phosphoric acid-type cell has already reached a practical use level, though it is still expensive. Morethan 160 units have been installed in hotels, hospitals, and research laboratories in Japan, supplying powerand heat.

This type of cell is suitable for use as a medium-level power source with power outputs of up to

1,000 kilowatts.
The molten carbonate and solid oxide type cells may be able to replace thermal power generation with power
outputs of up to 100,000 kilowatts.

The former has already entered the validation phase and a 1,000kW

plant exists in Japan.
Development of the solid high-polymer-type cell by automobile manufacturers has made remarkableprogress over the past several years.

The world's automobile manufacturers have committed themselves toputting this type of fuel cell on the market in 2003 or 2004.
The solid high-polymer-type fuel cell is likely to spread to use in electrical home appliances as a useful powersource.
It would be ideal if such a clean fuel cell with high power generation efficiency came into popular use.

It ishoped that challenges in significant power generation cost reductions and improvement in durability andsafety involving power and gas companies can be realized.

The Agency of Natural Resources and Energy of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (current
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) will start an infrastructure provision project from the next fiscal
year to facilitate the popular use of fuel cells for their many advantages including increased durability.
Cost reduction is vital for their popularization.

In the future, governmental and municipal organizations

need to take positive measures to promote the introduction of the fuel cell.
Japan leads the world in the development of the solid high-polymer-type fuel cell. Under circumstances
where

"the

next

3

to

5

years

will

be

vital",

industry-wide

cooperationandindustrial-governmental-educational complexes must be concentrated to further advance technologicalinnovation for this purpose.
The world's automobile manufacturers are in the middle of tough developmental competition, and avoid
announcing performance data for their solid high-polymer fuel cells.
any successful development will result in a huge profit.

This tendency may be natural because

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
However, this will have a great influence on mankind's future and must be performed under international
cooperation. International standardization of terminology, parts quality, shapes, and sizes comes up as
another consideration.

This will require much more government involvement.

What hydrogen will be produced from will be among the most important concerns. The United Statesconsiders gasoline as a resource, but this is, however, inferior in terms of cleanliness.

Other possible

resources include methanol, natural gas, and coal gas; how to efficiently process these into hydrogen iswhere each nation's technologists are going to show their skills.
The fuel cell is also expected to be a solution to environmental and energy problems, but for some reason thegovernment's introduction target is only 2,200,000 kW in 2010, equivalent to the power output from twolarge-scale nuclear power plants. We would very much like the government to raise this target even higher.
Ideas to combine a fuel cell using biomass such as raw refuse with solar cell are also coming out.

Full

efforts must be concentrated on new energy development now.
</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>It shall cover electric vehicle and domestic use.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
It shall be related to component materials for solid (high-polymer fuel cells):(polymer fuel-cells) such as theelectrolyte membrane and electrodes.
</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
The fuel cell generates power by ionizing hydrogen gas at the anode, passing it to the electrolyte, andreacting it with an oxidizing agent at the cathode.
generates constant electric power.

The supply of hydrogen from fuels such as natural gas

The high-polymer type refers to cells using a solid high-polymer

electrolyte.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Ion exchange membrane, high-polymer electrolyte, gas, hydrogen, methanol</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-S58-188002
PATENT-KKH-G-S59-163304
PATENT-KKH-G-H01-033526</PI></TOPIC>Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop<TOPIC><NUM>
P025</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Ultra hydrophilization of plastic surfaces</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-990719064</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Science</A-SECTION><A-AE>No</A-AE><A-WORDS>550</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"Thorough study" Mr. Toshiya Watanabe (39), Visiting Professor of the Advanced ScientificTechnology Research Center, Tokyo University</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-07-19</A-DATE><A-TEXT>- To advance research into optical catalysts"The charm of science lies in the fact that unexpected experimental findings often results in new
discoveries," said Professor Watanabe, who had just such an experience 4 years ago when he worked as a
TOTO researcher.
A chemical compound which is activated by applying ultraviolet rays to decompose organic substances on thesurface is called an optical catalyst.

He discovered the fact that by mixing silicon oxide with an opticalcatalyst of titanium oxide forms a surface on which water spreads in a very thin film, in a process termed"hydrophilia".

Coating a mirror with this optical catalyst keeps the surface always wet, thus preventing theformation of water droplets and keeping the view clear.

It even rejects oil stains.

This discovery resulted in the development of epoch-making products such as condensation-proof glass andstain-proof paint.

Looking back on his past research, however, he said, "Actually, I was trying to work out

how to make an optical catalyst that repelled water," and "because I imagined stains would be rejected
together with water.""The hydrophilia was an unexpected result, but then I got some inspiration as to how this could be applied.

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
If I had stuck to only considering water repellency, I would have missed its usefulness.

I realized then thatbeing flexible enough to accept any experiment results is very important," he said.
His current challenge is to form an optical catalyst film over plastic.

Optical catalysts work well with suchnon-organic materials such as glass and porcelain, but poorly with organic substances such as plastic.
"This substance will have wide applications such as the development of liquid-crystal displays. I'm finding
the way for that purpose," he said with confidence.
- Kimio Kamoshida</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>The antifogging method for highly hydrophilifying the surface of plastics by the action of a photocatalyst.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
The defrosting method and agent for plastics based on ultra hydrophilia using an optical catalyst</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Defrosting treatment includes methods that make it difficult for water droplets to adhere, andhydrophilization of the surface to prevent the formation of any water droplets.

This is in relation to surfacehydrophilization treatment using an optical catalyst and also the composition of surface treatment agents.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Photocatalyst, titanium oxide, antifogging, hydrophilic, surface treatment, film, coating</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H08-528290</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P026</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Natural gas-powered car</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-980612287</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>General Interest</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>575</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"Dashboard" A natural gas-powered version of the Honda CIVIC put on the market Honda</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1998-06-12</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it would commercialize the world's first natural gas-powered car(CIVIC GX).

This is another suggestion from HONDA for environmentally friendly cars following its

low-emission gasoline cars (CIVIC FERIO LEV, PARTNER 1.6 LEV, DOMANI LEV, and ACCORD/TORNEO
2.0 LEV) and electric car (Honda EV PLUS).
The CIVIC GX (photo) uses compressed natural gas as the fuel to minimize toxic substances in its exhaust toalmost zero as well as reducing CO2 by about 20%.
horsepower.

The engine is a 1.6-liter VTEC-E producing 115

It overcomes the most significant disadvantage of natural gas regarding its fuel tank by

employing a lightweight large-capacity fully composite fuel tank to realize the capability of running about
340 km per tank.
This engine is also arranged to ensure a sufficient safety margin in the event of a crash and is housed in ahighly rigid body for enhanced safety.

This model will be produced on the same line as used for gasoline

cars (the East Liberty Plant, Honda of America Manufacturing in the United States) on a process-throughbasis.
The problematic filling system can be handled using a high-pressure filling system, which can completely fill
the tank in a few minutes. At present there are only 62 swift-filling stations in Japan, which is far from
sufficient.

A simple method of filling includes a CNG tank into which highly pressurized city gas is pumped.

This is a pressurized gas supplier (small-scale gas pump), which can perform a full filling in 3 to 5 hours.
The price is ¥2 million.
</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>A natural gas-powered car

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
The patent in relation to the fuel tank of a natural gas-powered car</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Electric cars have already been developed as an environmental-friendly solution, following which is a car
using natural gas (mainly methane gas) as the fuel source - a natural gas-powered car.

The construction

and materials for its fuel tank and body construction to permit mounting of the fuel tank are the next
technological considerations.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Natural gas, car</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H08-108216
PATENT-KKH-G-H08-108217
PATENT-KKH-G-H08-108218
PATENT-KKH-G-H08-108219
PATENT-KKH-G-H08-114731
PATENT-KKH-G-H08-114732
PATENT-KKH-G-H08-129616
PATENT-KKH-G-H09-088312</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P027</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Thin electric wave absorber</TITLE>Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop<ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-990411204</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Economy</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>192</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"Business information" Extra-thin electromagnetic wave absorbing material - Nippon Paint(Osaka)</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-04-11</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
Nippon Paint Co., Ltd. announced that it had succeeded in the development of an "extra-thin lightweight
electromagnetic absorbing material" (photo), which prevents reflection of unnecessary electric waves.

It

comprises of three layers including a polyethylene film made by vapor-depositing aluminum in a latticepattern plus some other materials and is one-third thinner and one-fifth lighter than conventional products.
It can be laminated over furniture in offices, where wireless LANs (in-company information communication
network) operate, to prevent any problems from data communications due to irregular reflection of electric
waves.

The price has not been fixed yet, but the product will probably be commercialized this year.

</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>
Thin electric wave absorber</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
Patents related to thinner and lighter electric wave absorbers</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Electric wave absorbers were initially developed and improved as products related to military purposes suchas for use over the stealth fighters and bombers until it came into wider use in applications other thanmilitary concerns.
It is used over the exteriors of buildings, towers, bridges, and many other structures to absorb unnecessary
electromagnetic waves. It also serves in offices for the same purpose and also to prevent industrial robots
from malfunctioning.
The electric wave absorption technology forms a domain of study known as environmental electromagnetic
engineering.
Covered here are thinner, lighter electric wave absorbers for use over building materials, furniture, etc.
</NARRATIVE>

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
<CONCEPT>
Thin, electric wave absorber</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H07-183915
PATENT-KKH-G-H07-196037
PATENT-KKH-G-H07-222561
PATENT-KKH-G-H09-022666
PATENT-KKH-G-H09-110242</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P028</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Electromagnetic wave removal system for mobile phones</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-980521252</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Economy</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>210</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"Business information" Kyoshin Shoji, Removing 99% of electromagnetic waves frommobile phones (Osaka)</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1998-05-21</A-DATE><A-TEXT>
Kyoshin Shoji Co. (Head office: Osaka) has just put an electromagnetic wave absorber "Wave Saver" (photo)which removes electromagnetic waves harmful to one's health from mobile phones.

This product is made byProceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
combining ceramics which absorb electromagnetic waves with tourmaline which generates negative ions
good for one's health at a price of ¥2,500.

The company explains that it can remove 99% of electromagnetic

waves just by attaching it to a receiver. Its patent is now pending and consideration is now being given to
putting it on overseas markets where electromagnetic wave regulations are strict.

Inquiries are to bereferred to the company (06-910-8470).
</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>
Shape, material, and durability do not matter as long as it removes electromagnetic waves harmful to one's
health from mobile phones.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
What kinds of products are available to remove electromagnetic waves harmful to one's health from mobile
phones?
</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Electromagnetic waves are known to be harmful to one's health.
Electromagnetic waves can be absorbed by ceramics.
There are strict electromagnetic wave regulations in overseas countries.
Products to remove electromagnetic waves specifically from mobile phones are included.
Products to remove electromagnetic waves from objects other than mobile phones are excluded.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Mobile phone, electromagnetic waves, removal, absorption</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H10-036732</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P029</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG>The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
<PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Moth Repellant for Rice Tubs</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-980423370</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Entertainment</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>2482</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"I'm excited!" said Mr. Takayasu Okubo, President of Arromic: A best-selling moth repellant
for rice tubs (Osaka)</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1998-04-23</A-DATE><A-TEXT>- Takayasu Okubo, President of Arromic (54)Since 30 years ago when there was a so-called "Datusara" boom (setting oneself free from a life ofwhite-collar work), he suffered the loss of management rights at a successful cram school due to illness, andthen the bankruptcy of his company that had just been established.

Around 10 years ago when banktransactions were practically impossible for him, he set up his present company, which eventually succeededin manufacturing a product called a "Rice tub teacher" and has since begun to move along the right lines.
"Interview? With such a small company as mine?" he said humbly.

"No problem!" Here is the secret to his

vigor in the venture business.

-Mimicking the lives of the Great-- What had you been doing before you established this company?
President Okubo: Once I got a job after graduation from university, I left it and hopped from job to job
because I wanted to distinguish myself.
mother, a teacher.

Actually, I lost my father when I was a child and was raised by mySince she made me read about the lives of the great, I wanted to mimic their

extravagant lives.... I launched a cram school along culture school lines in my thirties and succeeded in it,
but I lost the right to manage it because of illness.

There was no other way forward than to found my own

company, and I set out to design a product using ceramic materials, which I had been studying before, andproduced a ceramic cooker "Gohan no Sato (village of rice)" for cooking rice deliciously, but it failed within ayear. I continued to study more about it and established another company in my wife's name.

Again I

released a series of ceramic cookers, such as "Agemono no Sato (village of fried food)" and "Tsukemono noSato" (village of pickles), and somehow managed to keep a presentable reputation for this company.

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop-All our products outsourced-- How did you secure capital?
President Okubo: As I had been both bankrupt and divorced, all the main banks turned me down. I first
had to rely on private banks at high interest rates, usually around 30%.
used for production facilities, so all products were outsourced.
installed in a room of my condominium.
are from the library.
own inspiration.

Such expensive capital cannot be

Only the desks, telephones and a fax were

The labs are in the kitchen and on the veranda, and the materials

The package designers are women working part time, and the catch phrases are myEvery single yen has to be saved.

I targeted a product genre where the efficacy of the products cannot be represented in figures, such as
cooking rice deliciously or making pickles tasty. In such a product genre the difference is unmistakably
understood once you eat the rice or pickles, but is judged subjectively, so major companies avoid this field.

- Efficacy of the products has been advertised by word of mouth-- What is your current success story?
President Okubo: The "Rice-tub teacher" is. I have studied subjective "odors" and found that there areodors that are repellant to vermin nesting in rice tubs, and that vermin have long been repelled by putting
garlic or chilies in rice tubs. Our rice tubs, which had those substances infused into the ceramic material,
were first put on the market.

Because my experiments had also shown that those substances also

prevented mold on the product, this benefit was mentioned in the advertising.

Since their release in August

1993, their efficacy has widely become known by word of mouth and our products have been put on the
shelves of major supermarkets and categorized as best sellers. However, in the case of ceramics, theeffectiveness wears off after a year and the box becomes waste.

Therefore, in order to make them moreenvironmentally friendly and to reduce domestic waste, I substituted the material to a plastic box made ofcorn, which can be incinerated and is biodegradable.

The statement concerning it being mold-proof wasdeleted from the label, because some mold appeared in very moist circumstances.
improvements, and we recorded sales of 2.8 million boxes last year.

People recognized those

Sales of 5 million boxes are expected

this year.

- Confidence of product reliability-- Were there any imitations?
President Okubo: Yes. But I obtained the patent this time.

Before it was easy to evade patent restrictions

with slight changes in material, but now it is difficult because the patent system has been made moresimilar to the American style, and I emphasized the point, "garlic or chilies must be used in a rice tub" inorder to deter imitations.

Some boxes produced by others feature mustard, but such substances thatvermin hate do not last long.

It is necessary to make vermin feel that "they are in a garlic field, not in a ricetub".

According to market surveys, our company's reliability is by far the best. I have no worries.

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
- Wholesalers registration system--What are your future prospects?
President Okubo: Our company does not have a factory yet.
system.

High risk/high return is supported by a slim

Also we cannot ignore social influence at the cost of our benefit.

Therefore recently I haveadopted a wholesaler registration system, because some wholesalers sold three boxes in one set (one box isenough for one year), which troubled some customers.

This is also wasteful for people.

In order to set up

efficient production and distribution systems, I decided to distribute the products only to those wholesalers
who understood our business policy.

I hope to sell 10 million boxes within a few years time.

My goal is tosell ceramic water-cleaning materials, and build up a 100-billion-yen company in the future.
If my hopes are within reach, I will leave the front line and engage in social work, such as working to remove
the trauma of environmental hormones.

Regardless of whether one is successful or not, I think it is a manly

life to take up a challenge, just as my mother taught me.

- Profile
Date of Birth:

June 10, 1943

Native place: Ikeda-cho, Tokushima Prefecture
Alma mater: Hosei University, Engineering Dept.
Family: Wife (Emiko - 52), son, daughter and grandchild
Hobbies: Golf, Shogi (an amateur ranked fourth dan)Motto: "Bare hands", since I started from scratch without a factory or lab.

- MemoAddress: 1-12-5, Senba-higashi, Minoo City, Osaka, 562-0035
Tel: 0727-28-5150
Corporate history: Started business from a room in a condominium with just 2 rooms and a dining/kitchen in
1986.

Founded the company in July 1987.

Commercialized products mainly in the field of deodorants andwater purification, based on the study of ceramic materials.
Number of employees: 23
Annual sales: 2.7 billion yen as of June this year.
</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>
Moth repellant for rice tubs, regardless of shape, material or durability.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
What kinds of moth repellants for rice tubs are there?
</DESCRIPTION>

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop<NARRATIVE>
Vermin nesting in rice tubs are sensitive to odor.
Garlic or chilies are known as moth repellants for rice tubs.
Garlic or chili odor can seep down into the ceramic material of rice tubs.
The targeted subject is moth repellant for rice tubs.
If mustard is listed as moth repellant for rice tubs, it is applicable.
Preservatives for rice tubs are excluded.
The effective period of moth repellant is unlimited.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Rice tubs, moth repellant, insect repellant, garlic, chilies, mustard, mold-proof</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H05-111200
PATENT-KKH-G-H09-049535</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P030</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>Space solar power generation</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-990330111</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Science</A-SECTION><A-AE>Yes</A-AE><A-WORDS>2323</A-WORDS>The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
<A-HEADLINE>"Close-up

99"

Space

solar

power

generation

is

under

way

towards

realization</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-03-30</A-DATE><A-TEXT>- Solar rays are 10 times stronger in space than that on earth, and there is infinite "space" free of any carbon
dioxide emissions.

A space solar power generation project to convert sunlight into electric energy in space and transmit it toearth is now well under way toward realization.
as much sunlight to be utilized as on earth.

The absence of any atmosphere in space permits ten times

In addition, "space" is infinite.

This project is set to utilize

such characteristics of space to operate numerous solar cells, which would generate only a small amount of
power on earth, for large-scale power generation.

Unlike fossil fuel power generation systems, they have noemissions such as carbon dioxide and are expected to be ideal clean energy resources with unlimited
availability for mankind.
- Yuriko Matsumura- 63 units cover the US
There is a conceptual design for a space solar power generation project organized by the US National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in September last year.
In the design, many round films with diameters of 50 to 60m are interconnected like leafs, the total of whichis named a "Sun Tower".

A solar cell using a gallium-gallium arsenide semiconductor is located at thecenter of each film through which solar rays are refracted and collected.
A single solar cell generates a direct current power of 2,000 kW while 50 round films interconnected would
form a power plant with an output of 100,000 kW.

Power thus obtained would be transmitted to earth afterconversion into microwaves, and finally reconverted into alternate current for practical use.
Power plants are being considered for launch into both orbital and stationary orbits. If 63 Sun Towers witha power output of 250,000 kW per unit were operational, they would to be able to cover a significant
proportion of the US's domestic power requirements.
This is not the first research into space solar power generation.

NASA has already spent 10 years

researching full-scale space solar power generation from the second half of 1970s in cooperation with the US
Department of Energy.

The system announced in 1979 was designed to be launched into a stationary orbit.

It was supposed to be a huge structure with an area of 50 km2 where many solar cell panels, for whichsilicon semiconductors are used, are fully applied for power output totaling 5 million kW.
This research was terminated in the 1980s when President Reagan advocated smaller government. In the
1990s, however, environmental and energy problems have been highlighted and attracted attention to spacesolar power generation again.

* Widely researched in Japan

The "Sun Tower" has been designed to the requirements of the US Council.

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
In Japan, several teams are promoting research into space solar power generation as well. In November,
1998, the "Committee for Space Solar Power Generation System Study" was initiated at Mitsubishi ResearchInstitute, Ind.

Professor Hiroshi Matsumoto of the Aerosphere Electric Wave Research Center, Kyoto

University, was inaugurated as chairman and nine people including Mr. Kazuo Imasaki, Chief of the 4th
Research Department, Institute for Laser Technology, and Professor Takamitsu Sawa of the Institute of
Economic Research, Kyoto University, joined as commissioners.

The committee held three meetings to

make a wide range of evaluations from technology to costs.
The model evaluated at the meeting is nearly identical to that designed by NASA in the 1970s, where manysolar cell panels using silicon semiconductors are spread out in stationary orbit over an area of 10 km2 forpower generation.

Power is transmitted using an antenna with a diameter of 1,000 m, which is received byreceiving elements each constructed by combining an antenna with a rectifier and arranged over an area of
10 km2 at a terrestrial station.
Professor Matsumoto explained, "In Japan, installation of an offshore station over a shoal is being
considered.

It would be possible to utilize the sea area under such a station for other purposes such as amarine ranch".
It was estimated at the meeting that production of such a power plant, its launch, and facilities on earth
would cost a little more than ¥2 trillion, but operation of the plant would earn a profit of a little under ¥400
billion over 30 years if the resultant power was sold at ¥20 per 1 kWh.
Microwaves, as used in domestic ovens, may be thought likely to affect lives on earth, however, themicrowave energy used for power transmission is one-several hundredth that of domestic ovens and would
never harm birds, even if flying above the center of the antenna, on earth.

- Transportation costs may be problematic
On last 23rd, an international strategic meeting to discuss the feasibility of space solar power generation
was held in Paris at the initiative of the France National Center for Space Research.

Researchers fromaround the world, including those from Japan and the US, exchanged opinions there.
According to the World Bank, the price of power supplied by new power plants stood at 3.8 cents/1 kWh. (1cent almost equals 1.2 yen) in 1996, which will leap to about 5.5 cents in 2020 bearing in mind exhaust fromoil resources and costs for disposal of waste from nuclear power plants.

NASA aims to set the price of power

available from space solar power generation at 5.0 cents by 2020.
Mr. Masahiro Mori, chief of the Development Section, Research Center, National Space Development Agencyof Japan, said, "The most expensive element in space development is the transportation costs.

Any solution

to this problem will considerably reduce space power plant costs and, in addition, developmental costs would
be recovered when the plant operates and sells its output.""Japan must be positively involved in the development of clean solar energy particularly because it is a
'resource-poor country'," suggested Professor Matsumoto.
¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä¡Ä- Microwaves

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
These are super high frequency waves with a wavelength of 1 m or less featuring superior directivity.

They

travel through the atmosphere and only a small ratio of them are absorbed into water making them suitable
as a medium to transmit energy from space.
with smaller antenna.

Besides, as the wavelengths are shorter, waves can be received

In addition to communications purposes, microwaves are used for high-frequency

heating and radar.
- Solar cells
Semiconductors such as silicon generate power when subjected to light. The solar cell converts solar energy
directly into electrical energy using the photovoltaic effect.

The conversion efficiency is around 40% forcells using silicon semiconductors, and rises to 55 to 60% for those using gallium-gallium arsenide
semiconductors.
- Photo caption: Image illustration of a "Sun Tower"-type power plant constructed by interconnecting manyround films (source: NASA)- Photo caption: Space solar power generation, if realized, makes power supply to the earth and spacestations (bottom left) possible (source: Professor Hiroshi Matsumoto, Kyoto University).
</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>
It is limited to plants, which generate power in space and transmit it to earth, and those that merely
generate solar power are excluded.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
A patent in relation to space solar power generation where solar energy is converted into electrical energy inspace and transmitted to earth</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Space solar power generation indicates a power generation system that a satellite equipped with solar cells
are floated in space subject to strong solar radiation to generate power, convert it into electromagnetic waves(microwaves), and transmit it to earth, thus supporting power resources on earth. It is expected to be an
ideal clean energy because it can be supplied at a constant rate regardless of weather and differences
between day and night and does not emit carbon dioxide or radioactive waste, which cause global warming.
In addition, it has many other advantages such as being a solution for power plant site problems.

The

power generation satellite, placed in orbit at an altitude of 36,000km, has to transmit beams very accurately
to an antenna installed on earth.
Here, we would like to know technological trends for space solar power generation.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Sun, power generation, space, microwave

Proceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop</CONCEPT><PI>
PATENT-KKH-G-H12-163717</PI></TOPIC><TOPIC><NUM>
P031</NUM><LANG>EN</LANG><PURPOSE>
technology survey</PURPOSE><TITLE>
Steel cans</TITLE><ARTICLE><A-DOC><A-DOCNO>JA-990420079</A-DOCNO><A-LANG>JA</A-LANG><A-SECTION>Economy</A-SECTION><A-AE>No</A-AE><A-WORDS>810</A-WORDS><A-HEADLINE>"After all, please provide beer in a steel can" - Steel companies make earnest sales
promotions to recover their market share</A-HEADLINE><A-DATE>1999-04-20</A-DATE><A-TEXT>- PET bottles enjoy the broadest popularity --- making sales promotions harder for market share recovery -Steel producers
Steel producers have begun to make earnest sales promotions into the beer can market which is almost fully
cornered by aluminum cans.

This has been affected by the fact that the use of small-size PET bottles has

sharply increased in the area of drinking water where steel cans have held a substantial market share.

Inaddition to the reduced demand for steel caused by the slump in the economy, materials other than steel
have invaded the main area for steel, such as on automobiles and electrical home appliances.

To cope withthis situation, steel producers are keen to find a way to increase the use of steel cans in the beer can market.

The Third NTCIR Workshop, Sep.2001 - Oct. 2002
Nippon Steel Corporation is the most eager about marketing steel beer cans.

It began last December tosupply Sapporo Beer with steel cans for use with its sparkling drink "BRAU", which is sold in Kita-kyushu
City, where Nippon Steel Corporation Yawata Works are a major component of the city.

The company willconcentrate its energy on this market "fully expanding its sales from Kyushu even to Kanto in the future".
Steel cans give an impression of heaviness, but those for the "BRAU" are only 1.9mm thick, the thinnest of
any steel ever provided by the company, and such steel cans weigh only 25g, only 5g heavier than analuminum can.
remarkable.

A spokesman for the company confidently said, "Its strength and recyclability are

It shapes up well against aluminum beer cans."

Another case occurs in 5 cities in Hiroshima and Okayama Prefectures including Fukuyama, where Asahi
Breweries, Ltd.'s "SUPER DRY" has been put on sale this month in steel cans made originally of NKK's
material.

Thus, the progress of steel beer cans has recently been remarkable.

NKK makes publicity ofthis fact on its homepage.
To counter this onslaught, rolled aluminum producers such as Kobe Steel, Ltd. stress the excellent
characteristics of aluminum.

There stress, to counter the offensive of steel can's, the advantages ofaluminum, such as its lightness and non-corrosive qualities, as well as that in terms of recycling, "Steel cans,unlike aluminum cans, deteriorate in quality when recycled and can not be reused as beer cans" (theindustry interest).
Beverage containers have seen increased use of PET bottles since the 1980s, reaching an overall annual
production in 1998 triple that of 1991.

For beverage cans, those made of aluminum have increased from

10.2 billion in 1991 to 16.5 billion in 1997, while the use of steel cans has remained flat at 20 billion.

The

relative downtrend in steel can production is increasingly serious.
- Toshiaki Hashimoto</A-TEXT></A-DOC></ARTICLE><SUPPLEMENT>An invention covering overall steel beverage cans used with soft drinks and beer.
</SUPPLEMENT><DESCRIPTION>
An invention in relation to the shape and material of steel beverage cans used with soft drinks and beer.
</DESCRIPTION><NARRATIVE>
Steel cans for beverages are normally 2-piece or 3-piece in construction, the former of which has recently
been predominant.

Here, those with descriptions suggesting steel cans under expressions like "aluminum

cans, etc." are excluded.
Inventions covering parts or local areas of steel cans such as tops, bottoms, and drums are excluded.

Thosecovering surface-treated steel sheet can stock, bonding agents, or tops with a pull-top are also excluded.
There are many inventions related to methods and equipment concerning improvements in steel can formingProceedings of the Third NTCIR Workshop
and welding technology and manufacturing process, however, those covering part of the manufacturing
process such as punching, pressing, forming, printing, rust prevention, cleaning, or drying are excluded.
However, inventions related to processes covering the production flow itself are included.

Inventions withno or illegible descriptions of "invention covering steel beverage cans" in their specifications are excluded.
Accordingly, inventions with descriptions only of "2-piece or 3-piece beverage can" are excluded unless it has
a description such as "surface-treated steel sheet" or "steel can" in the detailed instructions or sample
applications in its overall specifications.
</NARRATIVE><CONCEPT>
Beverage, beer, soft drink, steel can, 3-piece can, 2-piece can, container, steel sheet, surface treatment</CONCEPT>
<PI>
</PI>
</TOPIC>