Abstract: The invention concerns a method of detecting from a vehicle a bend in a road comprising a surface and road edges, comprising the following operations: taking an image of a road scene unfolding in front of the vehicle and at least partly illuminated by the vehicle, determining, for each pixel in the image a light decrease gradient, analysing these decrease gradients and determining an image of the road edges, mathematically discriminating the gradients from the image of the road edges, analyzing this discrimination and determining edges, and an angle of the bend. The invention also concerns a system for implementing the method of the invention comprising a camera mounted in the vehicle, an image processing unit and a neural network.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed which is capable of improving of its contrast characteristic and displaying of images which have a brightness according to the brightness of the use environment. The optical system comprises an optical integrator which divides and recombines the illumination luminous flux in a first axis direction and a light intensity distribution converter which converts the light intensity distribution of the illumination luminous flux in a second axis direction. The optical system further comprises a luminous flux limiting unit which has an aperture. The size of the aperture is changeable in the second axis direction and unchangeable in the first axis direction.

Abstract: A polarizing beam splitter comprising a multilayer film formed by alternately laminating a plurality of H layers and a plurality of L layers having a relatively lower refractive index than a refractive index of the H layers, wherein transmittance of s-polarized light is higher than that of p-polarized light by 60% or higher of the transmittance of the p-polarized light in a first wavelength band having a bandwidth equal to or larger than 30 nm in a visible region, and transmittance of p-polarized light is higher than that of s-polarized light by 60% or higher of the transmittance of the s-polarized light in a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band in the visible region.

Abstract: An animation system is made up of an audio analysis unit, having an audio output and a state change output, and a control unit having an input and an output, the input being constructed to receive a state change indication from the audio analysis unit, the control unit being further constructed to generate compositing command information for individual component elements of an animation frame and send the compositing command information out the output. A method of creating an animation from a set of actions involves receiving a set of signals reflecting the set of actions, outputting a set of compositing commands based upon the set of signals, the set of compositing commands being related to the set of signals by sequences of transition data items, and compositing first images into a first animation using the set of compositing commands and a first graphic database.

Abstract: A fuel injection control apparatus of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. This apparatus is provided with a crank angle detector that includes a signal rotor having a number of tooth portions and a toothless portion. The crank angle detector outputs a first signal corresponding to each tooth portion and a second signal corresponding to the toothless portion. A control computer selectively carries out a first calculation process for calculating the timing of fuel injection using the first signal and a second calculation process for calculating the timing of fuel injection using the second signal. When carrying out the second calculation process, the control computer calculates the timing of fuel injection using the length of time gained by dividing the length of time gained through detection of the toothless portion by the number of tooth portions which can be aligned in the toothless portion.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate in a vacuum atmosphere through an optical system. The apparatus includes a partition which separates a first space including at least part of the optical system from a second space adjacent to it, and includes an opening to pass light through it. The apparatus further includes a first pressure regulator which regulates the pressure in the first space, a second pressure regulator which regulates the pressure in the second space, and a controller which outputs manipulated variables for the first and second pressure regulators. The controller outputs the manipulated variables for the first and second pressure regulators to change the pressure in the first space and the pressure in the second space in the range of a vacuum to the atmospheric pressure while maintaining a pressure relationship in which the pressure in the first space is higher than that in the second space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for a implementing an optimized low-end radio communication protocol, wherein the communication link is flexible and the power consumption characteristics are optimized. One facet of the system's flexibility relates to the system's ability to negotiate device control roles associated with a polling communication link. Also, once the device control roles are in place and the communication link is established, the system selectively implements a number of polling protocols for a multitude of applications that need a low power consumption. In some embodiments the system maintains a communication link with a reduced frequency polling protocol. This type of communication link maintains efficient power consumption characteristics, as well as, connection times that are faster than establishing a communication link between disconnected devices.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which has a light amount adjusting unit, a lens to be driven by a linear actuator, and a detector for detecting the position of the lens, and which can be reduced in size. The optical apparatus includes a light amount adjusting unit which adjusts a light amount by light shield members translating in a first direction, a vibration type linear actuator which drives the lens in an optical axis direction, a guide member which guides the lens in the optical axis direction, and a detector which detects the position of the lens. When viewed from the optical axis direction of the optical apparatus, the vibration type linear actuator, the guide member, and the detector are arranged along an outer surface of the light amount adjusting unit, the outer surface being provided in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: A movement signal generation apparatus is disclosed which can convert an analog position signal of an optical adjustment unit into digital signals representing a movement amount and a movement direction of the optical adjustment unit and output the digital signals. The movement signal generation apparatus includes an analog signal output section which outputs an analog signal in accordance with the position of the optical adjustment unit, and a digital signal generation section which generates two digital signals in accordance with a movement amount and a movement direction of the optical adjustment unit based on the analog signal.

Abstract: This invention is directed to deimmunized antibodies that are useful as immunotherapeutic drugs against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and CD4-mediated autoimmune disorders. More specifically, antibodies expressed by clones, Clone 7 containing the recombinant genes B4DIVHv1/VK1CHO#7, Clone 16 containing the recombinant genes B4DIVHv1/VK1#16, and clone 21 containing the recombinant genes B4DIVHv1/VK1#21, are derived from mouse monoclonal B4 antibody (mAb B4). The antibodies were produced by removing particular murine determinants recognized as foreign by the human immune system. These recombinant antibodies were generated by the chimerization and deimmunization of the Fv region of mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) B4. For improved safety, the coding sequence may further be mutated to express an aglycosylated IgG1 antibody that is unable to bind complement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of colorant with enhanced color value from commercially available pungent free chilli oleoresin by extracting the pungent free oleoresin with any one of alcoholic solvent, mixture of alcoholic solvents, mixture of alcohol-ketonic solvent or aqueous ketonic solvent, separating the oleoresin layer and the solvent layer, pooling the solvent layer obtained and separating the final oleoresin layer, and distilling the final oleoresin layer to obtain pungent free oleoresin with enhanced color value.

Abstract: A plug and an outlet are electrically and directly connected, and when a control circuit determines that AC power is input from a power source to a bidirectional insulated DC/AC inverter by voltage V1 detected in a voltage detection circuit, driving of each bridge circuits is inhibited so as not to output AC power outward from the bidirectional insulated DC/AC inverter.

Abstract: A memory card is provided with a memory interface and a wireless communication unit, which makes a connection with a data storage device provided in a remote place through a wireless line, and transfers data to the data storage device. A memory space of a database server in a remote place looks as if it exists in the memory card. In addition, a capacity of the database server can be set arbitrarily from a cellular phone.

Abstract: Provided is an image deformation estimating method capable of obtaining information expressing image deformation between frame images caused by a camera shake with almost no influence of photographing conditions.

Abstract: Respective glass substrates 1 of a pair of such EL devices 3 are disposed in such a manner that EL element portions 2 formed on their respective front surfaces 1a are opposed to each other. Spacers 4 are disposed between the two glass substrates 1 so that the EL element portions 2 are separated from each other and do not interfere with each other. In this state, peripheral portions of the two glass substrates 1 are bonded to each other with a sealing material 5, whereby a hollow portion 6 formed between the two glass substrates 1 is sealed with the sealing material 5 and isolated from the outside. Then, the two glass substrates 1 that are integrated together are immersed in an etching liquid, that is, they are subjected to thinning processing.

Abstract: A rotor includes a rotor core formed of webs defining a layout of the magnets in the rotor core. The rotor core has at least one layer of magnets forming a plurality of poles. Each pole includes a plurality of slots for holding a magnet, at least two ribs comprising web portions between the centerline slot and each wing slot, and a plurality of magnets arranged in corresponding slots. The slots have at least a centerline slot and two angled wing slots extending from a position at or around respective ends of the centerline slot towards an outer circumference of the rotor core. The wing slots may taper from a position at or around respective ends of the centerline slot towards an outer circumference of the rotor core.

Abstract: A computer simulation enhanced exercise device is provided which engages the user by directly relating the users exercise motion in real time to a visual simulation or interactive game. The exercise device may comprise any variety of machines including, stationary bikes, rowing machines, treadmills, stepper, elliptical gliders or under desk exercise. These exercise devices are configured with sensors to measure physical movements as the user exercises and are coupled to computer hardware with modeling and virtualization software to create the system. These sensor measurements are then sent to a computer for use in the physics based modeling and real-time visual simulation. The computer simulation enhanced exercise device is further provided with features including manual and automatic adjustment of resistance levels, visualization of accurate caloric burn rates and correlation to everyday food items, and network connectivity providing for multiplayer network simulations and directed advertising.