Showing papers by "Panasonic published in 2003"

LED illumination apparatus and card-type LED illumination source

Abstract: An LED illumination apparatus according to the present invention includes at least one connector and a lighting drive circuit. The connector is connected to an insertable and removable card-type LED illumination source, which includes multiple LEDs that have been mounted on one surface of a substrate. The lighting drive circuit is electrically connected to the card-type LED illumination source by way of the connector. The card-type LED illumination source preferably includes a metal base substrate and the multiple LEDs that have been mounted on one surface of the metal base substrate. The back surface of the metal base substrate, including no LEDs thereon, thermally contacts with a portion of the illumination apparatus. A feeder terminal to be electrically connected to the connector is provided on the surface of the metal base substrate on which the LEDs are provided.

Pattern formation method

Abstract: After forming a resist film including a hygroscopic compound, pattern exposure is performed by selectively irradiating the resist film with exposing light while supplying water onto the resist film. After the pattern exposure, the resist film is developed so as to form a resist pattern.

Method for planning layout for LSI pattern, method for forming LSI pattern and method for generating mask data for LSI

Abstract: First, multiple circuit patterns, which will eventually make an LSI, are designed on a cell-by-cell basis, and an initial placement is made for the circuit patterns designed. Next, optical proximity corrections are performed on at least two of the circuit patterns that have been initially placed to be adjacent to or cross each other, thereby forming optical proximity corrected patterns out of the adjacent or crossing circuit patterns. Then, it is determined whether or not optical proximity corrections can be performed effectively using the corrected patterns. If the effectiveness of the corrections is negated, a design rule defining the circuit patterns is changed to make the corrections effective. Thereafter, the initially placed circuit patterns are placed again in accordance with the design rule changed.

Image encoding method and image decoding method

Abstract: There are provided a coefficient number detector (109) for detecting the number of coefficients having a value other than 0 for each block from the coefficients generated, a coefficient number storage unit (110) for storing the number of coefficients detected, and a coefficient number encoder (111) for selecting a variable length encoding table according to the number of coefficients of the encoded block positioned around the block to be encoded and performing variable length encoding to the coefficient number by referencing the variable length encoding table which has been selected.

Power-line carrier communication apparatus

Abstract: The invention provides a power-line carrier communication apparatus including a transmission unit with a signal point mapping device for mapping a plurality of bit streams produced from transmission data, a wavelet inverse transforming device for modulating the respective sub-carriers by wavelet waveforms which are orthogonal to each other for producing temporal waveform series data, and a D/A converter for converting the temporal waveform series data into an analog temporal waveform series signal; and a reception unit with an A/D converter for obtaining sampling-series waveform data from a power-line communication signal, a wavelet transforming device for wavelet-transforming the sampling-series waveform data into signal point data of the respective sub-carriers, and a symbol judging device for judging bit streams mapped by the signal point mapping device by inverse-mapping a plurality of these signal point data, and for synthesizing the judged bit streams with each other as a reception data series.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) connection despite network address translators (NATs) at both ends

Abstract: Methods of operating a first endpoint device (ED) facilitate the making of a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection between the first ED and a second ED despite intervening network address translators (NATs) at both ends. The P2P connection extends across a system compliant with the internet protocol (IP) whose architecture that includes a first network (having at least the first ED and a first NAT), a second network (having at least the second ED and a second NAT) and a third network. The first ED connects to the third network via the first NAT while the second ED connects to the third network via the second NAT. A first such method includes: providing the second ED with the first IP-address/port pair; and providing the second ED with first type-information regarding the type of the first NAT.

A metrics suite for measuring reusability of software components

Abstract: In component-based software development, it is necessary to measure the reusability of components in order to realize the reuse of components effectively. There are some product metrics for measuring the reusability of object-oriented software. However, in application development with reuse, it is difficult to use conventional metrics because the source codes of components cannot be obtained, and these metrics require analysis of source codes. We propose a metrics suite for measuring the reusability of such black-box components based on limited information that can be obtained from the outside of components without any source codes. We define five metrics for measuring a component's understandability, adaptability, and portability, with confidence intervals that were set by statistical analysis of a number of JavaBeans components. Moreover, we provide a reusability metric by combining these metrics based on a reusability model. As a result of evaluation experiments, it is found that our metrics can effectively identify black-box components with high reusability.

Semiconductor memory device and method for writing data into flash memory

Abstract: When rewriting or additionally writing a page in one block of a flash memory, data of the previous block is saved in a page buffer (2). Thus, it is possible to eliminate another save buffer other than the page buffer (2), which reduces the device size than the conventional one. The write object data (DN8 to DN12) to be stored in a page buffer (2) by a host is written in a data area of each page, starting with the first page of the transfer destination block. When completion of transmission of the write object data is notified from the host, the data (D13 to D31, D0 to D7) in the transfer origin block is successively and cyclically transferred to pages of the transfer destination block via the page buffer.

Contents linkage information delivery system

Abstract: To provide a contents linkage information delivery system for use by a content provider to deliver contents in a manner that a user is allowed to acquire, according to a user request, a content that relates to another content. The present invention is directed to a contents linkage information delivery system for delivering a related content that is associated with another content. The contents linkage information delivery system is composed of a first playback apparatus for playing back the other content, a server for transmitting the related content, and a second playback apparatus for playing back the related content. The first playback apparatus, the server, and the second playback apparatus mutually communicate via a communications channel. The first playback apparatus includes a playback position information acquisition unit for acquiring time-base playback position information of the other content, a request input unit for receiving a user request, and a first transmission unit for transmitting the time-base playback position information. The server includes a first reception unit for receiving the time-base playback position information transmitted from the first playback apparatus, a related content acquisition unit for acquiring the related content based on the time-base playback position information, and a second transmission unit for transmitting the related content. The second playback apparatus includes a second reception unit for receiving the related content transmitted from the server, and a first output unit for outputting the related content.

Refrigerating cycle device

Abstract: A refrigerating cycle device using carbon dioxide as refrigerant capable of solving such a problem that when a receiver is installed against a low pressure, a cost and a volume are increased by a pressure resistant design to assure safety, wherein a first pressure reducing device (12) and a second pressure reducing device (15) are operated to vary the refrigerant pressure of a first heat exchanger (13) so as to regulate the refrigerant hold amount of the first heat exchanger, whereby since the unbalance of the amount of refrigerant between cooling and heating/dehumidifying can be reduced, the refrigerating cycle device can be efficiently operated with a downsized receiver or without installing the receiver.

System and method of media file access and retrieval using speech recognition

Abstract: An embedded device for playing media files is capable of generating a play list of media files based on input speech from a user It includes an indexer generating a plurality of speech recognition grammars According to one aspect of the invention, the indexer generates speech recognition grammars based on contents of a media file header of the media file According to another aspect of the invention, the indexer generates speech recognition grammars based on categories in a file path for retrieving the media file to a user location When a speech recognizer receives an input speech (404) from a user while in a selection mode, a media file selector compares the input speech received while in the selection mode to the plurality of speech recognition grammars (410), thereby selecting the media file (418)

Reproduction device, optical disc, recording medium, program, and reproduction method

Abstract: A playback apparatus comprises a local storage (12) and a reading unit for reading the content of an optical disc (1) and the content of the local storage (12). A playback unit is operable to play back, as a virtual disc, the content of the optical disc (1) in combination with the content of the local storage (12). The content of the optical disc (1) has a directory structure including a plurality of files. On the local storage are recorded replacement files to replace files in the directory structure and on the optical disc is recorded unification information for realizing the virtual disc. The unification information includes information showing the files to be replaced in correspondence with the replacement files. The virtual disc is generated by performing a file replacement to the directory structure based on the unification information. The file replacement is to read the replacement files in place of the files to be replaced.

Fabrication of nickel and chromium nanoparticles using the protein cage of apoferritin

Abstract: The iron storage protein, apoferritin, has a cavity in which iron is oxidized and stored as a hydrated oxide core. The size of the core is about 7 nm in diameter and is regulated by the cavity size. The cavity can be utilized as a nanoreactor to grow inorganic crystals. We incubated apoferritin in nickel or chromium salt solutions to fabricate hydroxide nanoparticles in the cavity. By using a solution containing dissolved carbon dioxide and by precisely controlling the pH, we succeeded in fabricating nickel and chromium cores. During the hydroxylation process of nickel ions a large portion of the apoferritin precipitated through bulk precipitation of nickel hydroxide. Bulk precipitation was suppressed by adding ammonium ions. However, even in the presence of ammonium ions the core did not form using a degassed solution. We concluded that carbonate ions were indispensable for core formation and that the ammonium ions prevented precipitation in the bulk solution. The optimized condition for nickel core formation was 0.3 mg/mL horse spleen apoferritin and 5 mM ammonium nickel sulfate in water containing dissolved carbon dioxide. The pH was maintained at 8.65 using two buffer solutions: 150 mM HEPES (pH 7.5) and 195 mM CAPSO (pH 9.5) with 20 mM ammonium at 23 degrees C. The pH had not changed after 48 h. After 24 h of incubation, all apoferritins remained in the supernatant and all of them had cores. Recombinant L-ferritin showed less precipitation even above a pH of 8.65. A chromium core was formed under the following conditions: 0.1 mg/mL apoferritin, 1 mM ammonium chromium sulfate, 100 mM HEPES (pH 7.5) with a solution containing dissolved carbon dioxide. About 80% of the supernatant apoferritin (0.07 mg/mL) formed a core. In nickel and chromium core formation, carbonate ions would play an important role in accelerating the hydroxylation in the apoferritin cavity compared to the bulk solution outside.

Induction Heating Apparatus

Abstract: When a pan made of a nonmagnetic material, such as aluminum, is used for cooking while the is being controlled, notification is made to the user to the effect that the temperature control function has been stopped and that the temperature should be manually adjusted. When the material detection section detects that the pan is made of a non-magnetic material or a pan-floating phenomenon has occurred, in order to prevent abnormal increase in the temperature of the pan due to incorrect, temperature detection caused by the pan-floating phenomenon, a set temperature is lowered.

Power line carrier system

Abstract: The power line carrier system provides with a filter in a power branch apparatus removable from an external power line. The filter passes a power line carrier signal in a signal mode for the external power line, and interrupts another power line carrier signal which is in a signal mode different from the mode for the external power line.

Multichip led lighting device

Abstract: In a module socket, a connecter and a connector are connected by wiring, and three LED modules are connected in parallel with respect to a constant voltage circuit unit via the wiring. Each module has a constant current circuit unit and an LED mounting unit. The constant current circuit unit includes one resistor and two transistors mounted on a surface of a sub-substrate on which a conductive land is formed. The sub-substrate is bonded to a main substrate.

Medicine supply apparatus

Abstract: A medicine supply apparatus which comprises, in a case accommodating section 8, a plurality of tablet cases 3 for accommodating medicine and charges or supplies medicine into a bag 72, which medicine has been discharged from each tablet case 3 based on a prescription. An identification code 26 is provided for each of the tablet cases 3 and read by an optical sensor 33 provided inside the case accommodating section 8, whereby discharge of medicine is controlled. A motor 14 for driving a discharge drum for the tablet case 3 is checked for disconnection by being regularly energized. The operating time and the frequency of operation of parts that wear out, such as the motors, are stored for use in failure prediction. Time slots in which medicine should be taken are printed, each in a different color, by a color printing mechanism 73 on the bag 72 into which medicine is charged.

Motion vector calculating method

Abstract: When a block (MB22) of which motion vector is referred to in the direct mode contains a plurality of motion vectors, 2 motion vectors MV23 and MV24, which are used for inter picture prediction of a current picture (P23) to be coded, are determined by scaling a value obtained from averaging the plurality of motion vectors or selecting one of the plurality of the motion vectors.

Content processing apparatus and content display apparatus based on location information

Abstract: The present invention receives list content providing location conditions in a list organized by location conditions in which a reference destination of location-dependent content, being content assigned correspondence to geographical location information, is compiled for each location condition, sent from a content communication server; receives the sent location information; generates area-specific list content comprising information on location-dependent content corresponding to location information, by extracting a list organized by location conditions, in which location conditions matching location information are provided, from the list content; and outputs the area-specific list content.

Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same

Abstract: A semiconductor device in accordance with the present invention includes: an insulating layer; a semiconductor region formed on the insulating layer; a trench that surrounds side parts of the semiconductor region and reaches the insulating layer; an isolation insulating film formed in the trench; a semiconductor element in which the semiconductor region serves as an active region; a side oxide film formed by oxidizing the side parts of the semiconductor region and located between the rest of the semiconductor region and the isolation insulating film; and a bottom oxide film that is formed by oxidizing a bottom part of the semiconductor region, located over the entire interface between the rest of the semiconductor region and the insulating layer, and having side surfaces that reach the side oxide film.

Recording/reproducing method suitable for recording/reproducing AV data on/from disc, recorder and reproducer for the method, information recording disc and information processing system

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recording an AV file using an information recording disk in which data is recorded/reproduced by sectors. The recording method includes the steps of: determining whether or not input data is AV data; detecting a defective sector existing in an assigned data recording area; when the input data is AV data while a defective sector is detected in the data recording area, allocating a defective extent including the defective sector; recording AV data in continuous sectors while skipping the defective extent; and allocating an area of continuous sectors where only the AV data is recorded as one AV extent.

Motion vector coding method and motion vector decoding method

Abstract: A motion vector coding unit 117 executes processing including a neighboring block specification step (S100) of specifying a neighboring block which is located in the neighborhood of a current block; a judgment step (Steps S102, S104) of judging whether or not the neighboring block has been coded using a motion vector of another block; a prediction step (S106, S108) of deriving a predictive motion vector of the current block using a motion vector calculated from the motion vector of the other block as a motion vector of the neighboring block; and a coding step (S110) of coding the motion vector of the current block using the predictive motion vector.

Metadata preparing device, preparing method therefor and retrieving device

Abstract: A metadata preparing device comprising a content reproducing unit (1) for reproducing and outputting content, a monitor (3) for monitoring the content reproduced by the content reproducing unit, a voice input unit (4), a voice recognition unit (5) for recognizing a voice signal input from the voice input unit, a metadata generation unit (6) for converting information recognized by the voice recognition unit into metadata, and an identification information imparting unit (7) for acquiring identification information that identifies respective parts in the content from the reproduced content supplied from the content reproducing unit, for imparting to metadata, wherein the generated metadata is so constructed as to be associated with respective parts in the content.

Information recording medium, recording apparatus, reproduction apparatus, recording method, and reproduction method

Abstract: An information recording medium is provided, which comprises a plurality of recording layers and a first disc information area for storing parameters relating to access to the plurality of recording layers and formats relating to the plurality of recording layer. The first disc information area is provided in a first recording layer which is one of the plurality of recording layers.

Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device

Abstract: A gate electrode including a polycrystalline silicon film and a sidewall insulating film are formed on a semiconductor substrate with a gate insulating film therebetween The semiconductor substrate provided with the gate electrode is brought into contact with a predetermined plating solution to deposit a cobalt film on the semiconductor substrate by electroless plating Then, a heat treatment is effect to cause a reaction between the silicon in the gate electrode and the cobalt as well as a reaction between the silicon in the semiconductor substrate and the cobalt to form a cobalt silicide film Thereafter, the unreacted cobalt film is removed Thereby, damage to the semiconductor substrate can be suppressed, and salicide process can be simplified

Metallized film capacitor

Abstract: A metallized film capacitor has a slit (5a) almost at the center, in a width (W) direction, of an effective electrode portion contributing to the capacity formation of a pair of vapor-deposition electrodes (110, 210), and is provided, on the sides extending toward insulation margins (4a, 4b) from the center, with split electrodes (2a, 2b) connected in parallel by fuses (7a, 7b), whereby such a construction as having fuses located away from metallikons (6a, 6b) can reduce the values of currents supplied from meallikons and passing through the fuses to thereby reduce heating by the fuses and restrict the temperature rise of the metallized film capacitor.

Personal authentication method, personal authentication apparatus and image capturing device

Abstract: A plurality of iris images of a person to be authenticated in which the positions of extraneous light reflection are respectively different are captured by using an image capturing device. Iris codes, that is, features for authentication, are respectively extracted from the plural iris images, and the plural iris codes thus extracted are respectively compared with a registered iris code, so as to generate a plurality of comparison results. The plural comparison results are integrated to obtain an ultimate comparison score, which is used for the authentication.

Client-server voice customization

Abstract: A user customizes a synthesized voice in a distributed speech synthesis system The user selects voice criteria at a local device (14) The voice criteria represents characteristics that the user desires for a synthesized voice (22) The voice criteria is communicated to a network device (16) The network device generates a set of synthesized voice rules based on the voice criteria (20) The synthesized voice rules represent prosodic aspects and other characteristics of the synthesized voice (20) The synthesized voice rules are communicated to the local device and used to create the synthesized voice (22)

In-plane field type liquid crystal display device comprising liquid crystal molecules with more than two kinds of reorientation directions

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates sandwiching of a liquid crystal layer, plural scanning signal lines and plural video signal lines formed on one of the pair of substrates, and plural pixel regions formed as an area surrounded by an adjacent two of the plural scanning signal lines and an adjacent two of the plural video signal lines. At least a pixel electrode is formed on the one of the pair of substrates in each of the pixel regions, a plurality of counter electrodes is formed on one of the pair of substrates in each of the pixel regions, and at least a counter voltage signal line connects the counter electrodes formed on one of the pair of substrates. The counter voltage signal line is arranged in an overlapping relation with at least one of the scanning signal lines in plan view.