Cover Story
Quick Recharge-World Moving toward Rapid, Non-Contact Recharging
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Quick Recharge Anywhere in Town
Part 1: Overview
Rapid, Non-Contact Method Revolutionizes the Battery-Charging Concept
Now that long-life, rapid-charge batteries have emerged, the time has come to revolutionize the recharging infrastructure.The ability to easily recharge batteries anytime, anywhere, will bring about major changes in the usage modes of many devices.Furthermore, combining these batteries with non-contact charging would result in a world where you would not even be aware of the need to charge batteries.
Part 2: Expansion into Electric Vehicles
Even Walls and Floors Will Act as Chargers in the Future; Longer Battery Life Enables Secondary Applications
Development of non-contact charging technologies is accelerating.In addition to the magnetic-coupling method, a resonance method utilizing electromagnetic coupling has also been introduced.In order to reduce the battery cost in electric vehicles, an industry that reuses secondary batteries has come into existence that may end up significantly impacting the electrical power supply infrastructure as well.
Part 3: Expansion into Mobile Devices
Targeting Installation in Mobile Devices, Device Development Competition Heats Up
The revolutionary changes in battery-charging methods made possible by rapid and non-contact charging technologies will naturally spread to mobile devices, such as cellphones, digital still cameras, and laptop PCs. Whereas rapid charging is more important in electric vehicles, non-contact charging will likely be adopted first in a wide range of mobile devices.
Special Feature
Normally-Off, LSI with Zero Standby Power Consumption One-Step Closer to Reality
This type of device is normally in the “power-off” state but instantly turns on its own power when an input is received; once processing is completed, it returns to the “power-off” state again.An LSI technology that has the potential of achieving such a normally-off type device will be commercialized before the end of 2009.This so-called zero-standby-power LSI technology makes the entire chip, including its logic circuitry, nonvolatile.Since the need for more environmentally friendly devices is increasing, this new technology may play a key role in reducing power consumption.
Trying to Break Out of Current Situation to Create Tomorrow’s Hits
Report from the Game Developers Conference 2009
“How Can We Break Out of the Status Quo?” was found to be the prevailing theme of the many speeches and exhibits at the Game Developers Conference 2009, held in San Francisco on March 23-27, 2009.Approaches to creating new hit products, game machines based on new concepts, and game machines targeted at new markets, etc. were introduced at the conference, leavingthe impression that the game industry is beginning to take its first step in a new direction.
Interview
Toshiaki Ikoma Canon Executive Vice President & CTO: Looking for Commitment, Especially in R&D
Mr. Toshiaki Ikoma, who started out as a semiconductor engineer before becoming a professor at the University of Tokyo and then President of Texas Instruments Japan, was namedExecutive Vice President & CTOof Canon in March 2009.We asked Mr. Ikoma, who joined Canon's executive team after having been an advisor to the company for 4 years, how he plans to change Canon and in what ways, as well as what he considers the company's strengths and weaknesses to be.
NE Academy
Practical Measurement Seminar: Part 2--A Look into the Profundity of Uncertainty
In the electronics field, engineers are finding the “uncertainty” index essential in increasing the reliability of routinely made measurements.In the previousarticle, we provided an overview of this concept and explained a simple calculation method, using resistance measurement as an example.In this article, again using resistance measurement as an example, we will explain a method for more precisely determining uncertainty.We will also introduce a technique that uses a standard resistance value to maintain the uncertainty index during resistance measurement at a level that is within the accuracy of the measurement instrument.
Embedding Tutorial: Period II, Session 4--Class Diagrams Used in Object-Oriented Software Designs
Understanding the Characteristics of Class Diagrams, which are Essential in Object-Oriented Software Designs
Documentary
How Innovations Happen: Development of Sanyo Electric’s “Xacti” (Final)
In 2003, Sanyo Electric completed its Xacti model DMX-C1, a digital video camera with a grip-type design.With the introduction of the C1, Xacti became quite popular in the market, and the company went on to create a wide variety of follow-on models.In 2006, Sanyo introduced a water-resistant model ahead of competitors, but the sales volume fell short of expectations because market introduction missed the summer season.Therefore, the company decided to try again, this time with a completely waterproof model.
Keyword
Cloud Computing
Turning the Internet into a Giant Computer
Closeup
Electronic Components: Changing Sales Mode of Sensors: From Single-Component to System-Based
Semiconductors: Digital Power Supplies Gaining Hope; Key Issue Is Simplification of Code Development
Displays: Demand for Large-Size LCD Panels Showing Signs of Recovery
World Report
From South Korea: Green Home Appliance Market Doing Well Even during Recession
NE Reports
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- Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Achieve Conversion Efficiency of 12.3%, Approaching Silicon-Based Solar Cells
- Oki Electric Develops Sound Source Separation Technology Using 1/10 Computation Volume
