Abstract: An apparatus comprising a sensor capable of generating a signal pair used in focus detection. The apparatus obtains, based on a defocus amount obtained using the signal pair, a focus distance of a lens unit that is mounted to the apparatus and adjusts a focus distance of the lens unit based on the obtained focus distance. When the lens unit is a multi-scopic lens unit having a plurality of optical systems having different axes, the apparatus obtains the focus distance using an adjustment value obtained based on an axis position that is a position on the sensor through which an axis of the multi-scopic lens unit passes.

Abstract: A biometric information processing device (1) includes a brain wave detecting unit (10), a control unit (20), and a movement assisting unit (30). The brain wave detecting unit (10) detects biometric information in at least one brain region from among a plurality of brain regions that are selectable in accordance with a body part that is a target of function recovery or function improvement. The control unit (20) determines, based on the detected biometric information, at least one activity state in the brain including the location of the brain region(s) that is (are) activated in a subject while attempting to move the body part, and an activation level of such activated brain region(s). When the control unit (20) determines that the at least one activated state of the brain satisfies a predetermined condition, the movement assisting unit (30) executes a predetermined motion to assist movement of the body part.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a sensor capable of generating a signal pair used in focus detection. The apparatus obtains, based on a defocus amount obtained using the signal pair, a focus distance of a lens unit that is mounted to the apparatus and adjusts a focus distance of the lens unit based on the obtained focus distance. When the lens unit is a multi-scopic lens unit having a plurality of optical systems having different axes, the apparatus obtains the focus distance using an adjustment value obtained based on an axis position that is a position on the sensor through which an axis of the multi-scopic lens unit passes.

Abstract: A storage management apparatus includes an acquiring unit and a control unit. When a first storage apparatus is active and a second storage apparatus is on standby and backup data corresponding to a plurality of data stored in the first storage apparatus are stored in the second storage apparatus, the acquiring unit acquires frequency information from the first storage apparatus, which shows frequency of access from a host apparatus to individual data in the plurality of data. Based on the frequency information, the control unit executes a deciding process that decides in which out of a plurality of storage regions with different access performance provided by the second storage apparatus respective data in the backup data are to be placed, and transmits instruction information to the second storage apparatus, which has the respective backup data placed in the storage regions decided by the deciding process.

Abstract: A storage management apparatus includes an acquiring unit and a control unit. When a first storage apparatus is active and a second storage apparatus is on standby and backup data corresponding to a plurality of data stored in the first storage apparatus are stored in the second storage apparatus, the acquiring unit acquires frequency information from the first storage apparatus, which shows frequency of access from a host apparatus to individual data in the plurality of data. Based on the frequency information, the control unit executes a deciding process that decides in which out of a plurality of storage regions with different access performance provided by the second storage apparatus respective data in the backup data are to be placed, and transmits instruction information to the second storage apparatus, which has the respective backup data placed in the storage regions decided by the deciding process.

Abstract: A method of assisting delivery of useful services that contribute to improvement of people's standard of living. The method starts with providing, via a network, information about paid services to a customer who has signed up for membership with payment of a predetermined fee. A purchase order for one of the paid services is received from the terminal of the customer which is connected to the service delivery support system via the network. The customer's creditworthiness is evaluated, based on the amount of the predetermined fee that has been paid by the customer, thus determining how much on-behalf payment can be offered to the customer in payment for the paid service that the customer has ordered. The customer is notified of the determined amount of on-behalf payment.