Showing papers by "Panasonic published in 1996"

User interface controller for text-to-speech synthesizer

Abstract: An application-independent, text-to-speech control system which employs an easy-to-use transport from which a user can control most text-to-speech conversion functions without prior training. It provides a control means by which user designated areas may be sequentially selected, stored and played. Furthermore, moving back and forward through user-selected text may be controlled by the user, with the synthesized speech output maintaining the proper pauses and inflections.

Method of matching stereo images and method of measuring disparity between these items

Abstract: In the image pickup phase (A), right and left images are taken in through two image-pickup devices (S101, S102). Then, in the next feature extraction phase (B), right and left images are respectively subjected to feature extraction (S103, S104). Thereafter, in the succeeding matching phase (C), the extracted features of right and left images are compared to check how they match with each other (step S105). More specifically, in the matching phase (C), a one-dimensional window is set, this one-dimensional window is shifted along the left image in accordance with a predetermined scanning rule so as to successively set overlapped one-dimensional windows, and a matching operation is performed by comparing the image features within one window and corresponding image features on the right image. Subsequently, in the disparity determination phase (D), the left image is dissected or divided into plural blocks each having a predetermined size, a histogram in each block is created from disparities obtained by the matching operation based on one-dimensional windows involving pixels of a concerned block, and a specific disparity just corresponding to the peak of thus obtained histogram is identified as a valid disparity representing the concerned block (S106).

Indoor radio communication system

Abstract: A master station master antenna having a high directivity in an upper direction, a slave station and a slave antenna having a high directivity in the high direction are arranged on a floor of a room, and furniture is arranged on the floor between the master antenna and the slave antenna. Also, a master reflecting mirror is arranged on a ceiling of the room placed just above the master antenna, and a slave reflecting mirror is arranged on the ceiling placed just above the slave antenna. When an electric wave having a data signal is radiated from the master station, the electric wave radiated in the upper direction passes through a first transmission route and is reflected by the master reflecting mirror toward a horizontal direction. Thereafter, the electric wave passes through a second transmission route near the ceiling and is again reflected by the slave reflecting mirror toward the lower direction. Thereafter, the electric wave passes through a third transmission route and is received by the slave antenna because the slave antenna has a high directivity to receive the electric wave transmitted from the upper direction. Therefore, the data signal can be reliably detected by the slave station without being interrupted by the furniture.

Production process of liquid crystal display panel, seal material for liquid crystal cell and liquid crystal display

Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid crystal display apparatus formed by sealing a liquid crystal between two substrates having electrodes and an alignment film with a seal material, the production process comprising the steps of attaching two substrates in a vacuum, compressing under atmospheric pressure to provide a uniform cell gap, a temporary hardening process of the seal material by ultraviolet ray irradiation and a main hardening process of the seal material by heating, wherein a radically polymerizable curing resin is used in the liquid crystal seal material. The method provides a liquid crystal display panel having a uniform cell gap, without dislocation of the alighnment between substrates, or discharge of uncured component of a seal material to the liquid crystal, capable of having a seal material firmly attached to the substrates even at panel corner portions, and having an excellent straightness and moisture resistance of the seal material.

Method and device for inputting information for a portable information processing device that uses a touch screen

Abstract: An input device comprising LCD panel 106, tablet 108 which is set thereon, wherein representative keys are displayed on LCD panel 106. When pen 109 touches a key, the key is expanded. If pen 109 continues pressing the key, the displayed key changes to its related key. When pen 109 is lifted up from tablet 108, a key corresponding to a position on tablet 108 from which pen 109 has been lifted up is determined as an input key.

Transmission rate judging unit

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for determining an actual transmission rate of an encoded communication which has been transmitted at one of a plurality of transmission rates. An encoded communication is decoded at the plurality of transmission rates to generate decoded signals and decoding parameters which indicate the reliability of the decoded signals. One or more candidate transmission rates are identified based upon said decoding reliability parameters. If there is only one candidate transmission rate, the actual transmission rate is determined to be that candidate transmission rate. If there is more than one candidate transmission rate, the decoded signals are reencoded at the candidate transmission rates at which they were decoded. The bits of the communication are then compared with the bits of the reencoded signals for each candidate transmission rate to determine the actual transmission rate. A method and system is further disclosed for determining threshold values for comparison with the decoding reliability parameters in identifying the candidate transmission rates. A method and system is further disclosed which determines those threshold values on the basis of detected reception conditions, including the relative strength of multipath component signals and the total received power in the communication.

Semiconductor device having an MIS structure

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a GaAs semiconductor substrate, an insulating layer which is made of material selected from the group MgS, MgSSe and CaZnS and is formed on the GaAs substrate, and a conductive electrode formed on the insulating layer.

Interactive television system for implementing electronic polling or providing user-requested services based on identification of users or of remote control apparatuses which are employed by respective users to communicate with the system

Abstract: An interactive television system which can provide services such as entertainment programs to users or conduct electronic polls of users, formed of a central computer installation, a plurality of terminal apparatuses each bidirectionally communicating with the central computer installation via a CATV network and each providing video/audio inputs to a display apparatus, with each of the terminal apparatuses being linked to one or more remote control apparatuses whereby users can request services or participate in polling, and in which any message data such as a service request which is issued by a remote control apparatus is automatically accompanied by identifier information, read out from a memory of the remote control apparatus, for identifying that remote control apparatus, and may also be accompanied by personal information concerning a registered user of the remote control apparatus. User recognition can be implemented by an arrangement such as a plug-in IC card interface section or fingerprint recognition section, for enabling restriction of each remote control apparatus to use by only a specific registered user, or to enable only a specific registered user to access certain services.

Method and apparatus for interleaving bitstream to record thereof on a recording medium, and reproducing the interleaved bitstream therefrom

Abstract: An interleaving method for generating a bitstream from plural video objects containing compressed video data by arranging in the presentation order, wherein interleaved data blocks in which plural video objects are contiguously arrayed using interleaved units each longer than the shortest read time ILVUMT such that the video object presentation start and end points are aligned. The ratio between the presentation times of video objects with the shortest presentation time and video objects other than those with the shortest presentation time is within a range obtained from the shortest read time ILVUMT, the maximum jumpable distance JM, and the smallest control unit. contiguous data blocks wherein the presentation start points and end points of the video objects arrayed therein are not aligned.

Active matrix liquid crystal display having electric fields parallel to substrates

Abstract: In an active matrix liquid crystal display, common electrodes and pixel electrodes are respectively formed parallel to each other and have substantially herringbone shapes Areas of first display regions formed between the common electrodes and the pixel electrodes and disposed at one side of the inflection points of the herringbone shapes are substantially the same as those of second display regions disposed at the other side When electric fields substantially parallel to surface of an array substrate are applied between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes, orientations of liquid crystal molecules in the first and second display regions move in opposite directions Coloring of image corresponding to angle of view due to the movement of the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is compensated

Facsimile mail apparatus

Abstract: An electronic mail system connected to a network includes a section for converting an image of a document surface into corresponding document image data, and a section for compressing the document image data into compression-resultant image data. The electronic mail system also includes a section for converting the compression-resultant image data into corresponding image data of a given electronic-mail format, a section for receiving information of an electronic-mail destination address, and a section for transmitting the image data of the electronic-mail format toward the electronic-mail destination address via the network. The electronic mail system may further include a section for receiving image data in an electronic mail, a section for converting the received image data into corresponding received image data of a given facsimile format, a section for expanding the received image data of the facsimile format into expansion-resultant image data, and a section for printing the expansion-resultant image data.

Printing wiring board and assembly of the same

Abstract: A printed wiring board (PWB) and assembly are described which are suitable for high density mounting of an electronic component and which can provide a thin and light assembly. A recess (10) is formed in one part of a PWB (1) and components (4, 4') are received in this recess (10). The components (4, 4') are lower than the surface of the PWB (1). A conductive pad (3) is provided to the bottom of the recess (10) and a connecting terminal (4a) and the conductive pad (3) are electrically connected by using a solder ball (11) or a conductive adhesive material. The recess (10) is formed by partially removing one or more layers of plural conductive layers and insulating layers which make up the multilayer PWB (1).

Multimedia optical disk, reproduction apparatus and method for achieving variable scene development based on interactive control

Abstract: A multimedia optical disk is provided. The multimedia optical disk includes a data area for storing objects which include moving picture data and at least one of audio data and sub-picture data. The multimedia optical disk also includes an index area for storing reproduction orders of the objects. Route information in the index area includes a sequence of addresses of objects whose alignment represents a reproduction order. Chain control information in the index area corresponds to the route information. The chain control information, being effective in reproducing objects specified by the alignment of the sequence of addresses (objects specified by the alignment of the sequence of addresses are called a chain), instructs the reproduction apparatus to have a navigation control of the chain. A piece of moving picture data having a certain time period is reproduced at the same timing as a piece of audio data and a piece of sub-picture data. A piece of sub-control information, being effective in reproducing moving picture data, sub-picture data, and audio data stored in a small unit instructs the reproduction apparatus to have a navigation control of the data stored in the same small unit.

Apparatus and method for mounting a chip

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for mounting a chip make it possible to accomplish quick chip mounting and also to mount multiple different chips on substrates. Three heads are provided around a center rod of a head assembly; they horizontally rotate around the center rod. When the heads rotate horizontally, they are turned 180 degrees vertically by a first bevel gear and a second bevel gear. A nozzle of one of the heads picks up a flip chip from a wafer sheet and rotates 180 degrees horizontally to transfer the flip chip to a transferring head, during which it vertically inverts 180 degrees so as to vertically invert the flip chip. The transferring head receives the flip chip from the head and mounts it on a substrate. According to the type of chips to be mounted, the heads and the transferring head are equipped with nozzles best suited for the type of chips.

Virtual file management system

Abstract: A virtual file management system constructed with a plurality of servers and a plurality of terminals that share file services provided by said servers, is that a virtual file management apparatus operating in at least one of said plurality of servers is provided that has: a management table which manages files stored on said plurality of servers by using virtual file identifiers, and in which a server name of a server where real data is stored and a real file identifier in said server are stored as a set for each of said virtual file identifiers; a receiving section which receives a file access request from each of said terminals; a request analyzing section which checks said management table by using the virtual file identifier contained in the file access request received by said receiving section, and thereby determines the server where the real data of the requested file is stored; a transmitting section which transmits data; and a request modification processing section which modifies said file access request so that a response to said file access request can be sent back to the terminal that issued said access request, directly from the server determined by said request analyzing section, and which instructs said transmitting section to transmit said modified file access request to said determined server, and said plurality of servers each include a request processing section which receives the file access request transmitted from said transmitting section of said virtual file management apparatus, and processes said received file access request, and which transmits the processed result to said terminal at least when said file access request is a request to read file contents.

Information provider apparatus enabling selective playing of multimedia information by interactive input based on displayed hypertext information

Abstract: An information provider apparatus, enabling a user to employ hyperlink selection from a displayed hypertext data page to obtain and play the contents of specific sets of multimedia data which are held in a data storage device, executes control of playing of a set (101) based upon elapsed frame numbers of a video clip (102) which forms part of the set, in conjunction with scenario data which have been predetermined for the set. The apparatus can be used in a network in which users of various client terminals can access multimedia data stored at a server computer, or can exchange electronic mail items each consisting of a set of multimedia data (101) in conjunction with corresponding scenario data, or can post messages on a "notice board" hypertext page at a server computer, each message consisting of a set of multimedia data and corresponding scenario data, with other users of the network being able to access the posted messages by browsing selection.

Study of interface roughness dependence of electron mobility in Si inversion layers using the Monte Carlo method

Abstract: The electron mobility in the inversion layer of a metal–oxide semiconductor field effect transistor formed on the (100) silicon surface is calculated by using a Monte Carlo approach which takes into account size quantization, acoustic phonon scattering, intervalley phonon scattering and surface roughness scattering. Degeneracy is also considered because it is important at higher normal effective fields (high gate voltages). The main emphasis is placed on the influence of the specific autocovariance function, used to describe the surface roughness, on the electron mobility. Here we compare the mobilities obtained using exponential and Gaussian autocovariance functions. It is found that the electron mobility calculated with roughness scattering rates based on the exponential function shows good agreement with experiments. The effect of the degeneracy and screening on the roughness scattering is also discussed.

Clock free two-dimensional barcode and method for printing and reading the same

Abstract: Inventive two-dimensional barcodes, each having encoded digital information in a bitmap representing preferably randomized encoded data bits, are printed onto a printed medium. The bitmap may further include a plurality of block identifiers, spaced a predetermined number of encoded data bits apart, which are used to make corrections for missing or added data bits when the barcode is decoded. Upon decoding a barcode printed on the printed media, the digital information is scanned and the number of horizontal and vertical edges in each respective column and row of the barcode are determined. An edge is determined by selecting a pixel and determining if the two pixels adjacent to the selected pixel are of different colors. After all of the edges are counted, selected groups of columns and rows are analyzed to determine local minimas in the number of counted horizontal and vertical edges in each selected group which provide the column and row center line for each selected group. Thereafter, the binary data located at the intersection of each column and row center line are read out to produce a signal representative of the encoded digital information in the printed barcode.

Document storing and managing system

Abstract: A document storing and managing system for storing plural electronic documents in each of folders according to classifications and managing the stored electronic documents in a unit of the folder has a folder managing means for managing attributes of the electronic documents included in each of the folders, a document version managing means for managing information as to version of the electronic documents included in each of the folder, and a folder version managing means for managing a correspondence relation between a version of the folder and a version of each of the electronic documents included in the folder. The document storing and managing system of this invention may set and manage a version of a folder while keeping adjustability with a version of each document.

Linear illumination device

Abstract: A linear illumination device of the present invention includes: a guide made of a light transmitting material extending in a first direction, having a side face and at least one end face; at least one light emitter for allowing light to enter interior of the guide from the at least one end face of the guide; and a light diffusing section formed on part of the side face of the guide, for diffusing the light incident thereon, wherein at least part of the light entering the interior of the guide goes out from part of the side face of the guide facing the light diffusing section, thereby providing substantially linear illumination light along the first direction.

Multiprocessor system shaving processor based idle state detection and method of executing tasks in such a multiprocessor system

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for executing tasks in a multiprocessor system including a plurality of processors, each processor taking either an "idle" state and a "run" state, wherein the method includes the steps of: detecting, when a first processor among the plurality of processors that is executing a first task newly generates a second task, whether or not a second processor taking the "idle" state exists among the plurality of processors; assigning the second task, if a second processor taking the "idle" state is detected, to the second processor, so as to begin execution of the second task by the second processor, change the state of the second processor from the "idle" state to the "run" state, and store a flag having a first value indicating that the execution of the first task has not been suspended; and suspending, if no second processor taking the "idle" state is detected, the execution of the first task by the first processor, beginning execution of the second task by the first processor, and storing a flag having a second value indicating that the execution of the first task has been suspended.

High quality concatenative reading system

Abstract: Computer-stored text, such as numerical information, is processed by a word list generator to develop a word list corresponding to those words that are to be spoken by the system. The word list generator assigns a prosodic environment state or token to each entry in the list. The prosodic environment identifies how the word functions in its current prosodic context. Different intonations are applied based on the prosodic environment. Next, the preceding and adjacent words are examined to determine how each word may need to be pronounced differently, based on the ending phoneme of the preceding word and the beginning phoneme of the following word. Using this phonological information along with the prosodic information, a sample list is generated by accessing a dictionary of stored samples. The sample list is then serially played through suitable digital-to-analog conversion circuitry to generate the text-to-speech output. The result is a natural, human-like reading, complete with appropriate intonation changes suitable to the context of the text material.

Semiconductor wafer package, method and apparatus for connecting testing IC terminals of semiconductor wafer and probe terminals, testing method of a semiconductor integrated circuit, probe card and its manufacturing method

Abstract: A retainer board, holding a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of integrated circuit terminals for testing a semiconductor chip, is provided in confronting relation to a probe sheet having a plurality of probe terminals electrically connected to their corresponding integrated circuit terminals. An insulating substrate, having wiring electrically connected to the plural probe terminals, is provided on the probe sheet in opposed relation to the retainer board. An elastic member is interposed between the probe sheet and the insulating substrate. The retainer board and the probe sheet are brought into so closer relationship that each integrated circuit terminal of the semiconductor wafer held by the retainer board is electrically connected to its corresponding probe terminal of the probe sheet.

Head-mounted display

Abstract: A head-mounted display for displaying an image that matches a viewer's head movement has a head tracker for detecting the viewer's head movement, an eye tracker for detecting the viewer's eye movement, and an adaptive filter for adaptively filtering the output of the head tracker in accordance with the output of the head tracker and the output of the eye tracker, and when tracker, and when the viewer is watching a particular object in the displayed image, the adaptive filter is set as a low-pass filter, and this and the output gain of the head tracker is lowered; in other cases, the adaptive filter is set as an all-pass filter, and this prevents minute shaking of the head from being reflected on the displayed image, while retaining image display response to head motion, and furthermore, this serves to keep the particular object from being shifted outside the field of view.

Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display device

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel and a liquid crystal display device including the panel which has a transparent first substrate, a second substrate arranged so as to oppose the first substrate with a space therebetween and liquid crystals filled in the space between the first substrate and the second substrate and having a twist angle which changes in a plane in parallel with a direction of an electric field. The panel has pixels including pixel electrodes connected to source electrodes and counter electrodes with the pixels being arranged in M rows and N columns, where M and N are integers of at least two. Both of the pixel electrodes and the counter electrodes are provided at the second substrate. The panel also includes drain lines independently provided for respective columns, gate lines independently provided for respective rows, and counter lines connected to the counter electrodes. The counter lines include first counter lines at at least one of odd number columns and odd number rows and second counter lines at at least one of even number columns and even number rows with the first and second counter lines being independent of one another.

Semiconductor unit package, semiconductor unit packaging method, and encapsulant for use in semiconductor unit packaging

Abstract: An improved semiconductor unit package is disclosed. This package is implemented by a semiconductor device having an electrode pad, a substrate having a terminal electrode, a bump electrode formed on the electrode pad, a conductive adhesion layer with flexibility, and an encapsulating layer formed by curing a composition the viscosity and thixotropy index of which are below 100 Pa·s and below 1.1, respectively. Such a composition essentially consists of (A) a resin binder that contains, for example, a polyepoxide, an acid anhydride, and a rheology modifier and (B) a filler. The rheology modifier is one capable of impeding interaction between a free acid contained in the acid anhydride and a polar group at the surface of the filler. An encapsulant with improved flowability is used, so that the encapsulant readily flows and spreads to fill a gap between the semiconductor device and the substrate with no air bubbles. This achieves semiconductor unit packages with high reliability and productivity.

Method and an apparatus for encoding a bitstream with plural possible searching reproduction paths information

Abstract: A multimedia optical disk comprising at least one information layer to which plural system streams and plural program chain information entries are recorded. The plural system streams are interleaved in group-- of-- pictures GOP units data containing at least moving pictures, and reproduction control information containing special reproduction mode information declaring the address of the next data to be reproduced according to the special reproduction mode used. The plural program chain information entries declare the system stream reproduction sequence of a program chain comprising more than one system stream. At least one system stream is shared by plural program chains. The address information of the first reproduction control information and the address information of the last reproduction control information in each system stream are recorded to the program chain information according to the system stream reproduction sequence.

Surface acoustic wave devices having a guard layer

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device including a dielectric substrate having an input electrode and an output electrode and a grounding electrode on a first surface of the dielectric substrate, and an outer electrode on a second surface of the dielectric substrate; and a surface acoustic wave element having an electrode pad and a comb-shaped electrode disposed on a first surface of the surface acoustic wave element. The surface acoustic wave element is bonded to the dielectric substrate via a metal bump and a conductive resin formed on the electrode pad. The surface acoustic wave device further includes an insulating resin deposited on the periphery of the metal bump, and a guard layer shorter in height than the surface acoustic wave element formed adjacent the surface acoustic wave element on the first surface of the dielectric substrate.

Noise cancellation system

Abstract: A noise controlled type handset processes the output of non-directional noise detector installed outside of the handset by a first adaptive filter, delivers a control sound from a control speaker, controls the first adaptive filter so that the output of an error detector near the ear may be small, simultaneously processes the noise detection signal in a second adaptive filter, subtracts from the noise signal mixing into a bi-directional talking microphone, and controls the second adaptive filter so that the subtraction signal may be small, thereby taking back the signal of voice only by reducing noise by delivering through the speaker, and sending a transmission output at the same time.