Takemochi Ishii

A virtual reality application for software visualization

Since a power network control system constitutes a large-scale computer network, intricate functions of software such as processing synchronization and data transmission among the constituent computers are required for improvement of system performance and efficiency. Methods for the support of overall large-scale system design are still scarce. Conventional text-oriented tools are insufficient to design, construct, and maintain large and complicated systems. As a means for solving this problem, an analytical method has been designed based on computer graphics visualization of static structural data and execution trace data of a software applications functional units. Prototyping tools for the development of software, enabling the direct manipulation of graphical elements through user-machine interfaces based on virtual reality technology, have been developed.<<ETX>>

If the fetus can vocalize, how can we detect it ?

In this paper, a method to detect the vocal activities of the fetus is reported. An estimation of the intensity and frequency of the voice was made on the assumption that the fetus can vocalize. Based upon these results, experiments to detect the voice were made. From the analysis of the results, it was made clear that the voice seemed to be buried in the noise and difficult to detect.

Structure Design Fused with Electronic Devices of Holonic Manipulator

Holonic Manipulator has electronic devices such as control computers and sensors among its local mechanical components. This manipulator design has three major advantages: reduction of wire harness between devices, high software productivity, and fault tolerability of the system. In this paper, first two actually developed Holonic Manipulators are represented. Then a simple structure model especially focused on the mass of the constituent components is developed so that the efficiency ratio of the payload mass to the manipulators own mass can be analyzed. This ratio shows a slower increase consistently with the payload mass due to the DC servomotor mass/power characteristic and mechanical structure mass/stress characteristic. Fused structure design is employed mainly between heat sinks or support members of the computer and mechanical structure. Improvement of the efficiency ratio by fused design is estimated with the model using the mass fusion function.

Future Trend of Technological Research and Development and Its Potential Impact on Society

Future technological research and development will be concentrated in the following three areas: (1) electronics, (2) new materials, and (3) biotechnology. Electronics will include the following items: micro-electronics (MS) centering on semiconductor circuit integration technology, mechatronics, (a combination of electronics with precision machinery engineering) and Optronics, (a combination of electronics with optical technology, such as laser beams). Typical mechatronic products includes NC machine tools, machining centers (MC), robots, and flexible manufacturing systems (FMS), etc. in the factory automation (FA) sector; small business computers, word processors, electronic photocopiers, and facsimile machines in the office automation (OA) sector; computer aided design (CAD) in the engineering office sector; and video tape recorders (VTR), video disks, and digital audio equipment, in the electronic video and audio sector. In addition, mechatronics technology has been applied to the automobile as well as to electronic games electronic desk-top calculators, digital watches, etc. Opto-electronics include optical fiber telecommunication, laser beam machining and surgical operation using laser equipment, solar battery, etc. In the biomedical field, electronics is essential in X-ray CT (computer tomography), supersonic CT, NMR, position emission scanners, etc. Typical new materials include fine ceramics, essential materials for electronics, carbon fiber, and a variety of composite materials, etc. Biotechnology includes gene manipulation, cellular fusion and in the broad sense, various artificial organs.