Abstract: The present invention refers to an information processing apparatus comprising: an obtaining unit adapted to obtain an image of an object; a face region detection unit adapted to detect a face region of the object from the image; an eye region detection unit adapted to detect an eye region of the object; a generation unit adapted to generate a high-resolution image and low-resolution image of the face region detected by the face region detection means; a first extraction unit adapted to extract a first feature amount indicating a direction of a face existing in the face region from the low-resolution image; a second extraction unit adapted to extract a second feature amount indicating a direction of an eye existing in the eye region from the high-resolution image; and an estimation unit adapted to estimate a gaze direction of the object from the first feature amount and the second feature amount.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device manufacturing method manufactures a photoelectric conversion device in which a first photoelectric conversion unit and a second photoelectric conversion unit are sequentially stacked on a transparent-electroconductive film formed on a substrate. The method includes: forming each of a first p-type semiconductor layer, a first i-type semiconductor layer, a first n-type semiconductor layer, and a second p-type semiconductor layer in a plurality of first plasma CVD reaction chambers; exposing the second p-type semiconductor layer to an air atmosphere; supplying a gas including p-type impurities to inside a second plasma CVD reaction chamber before forming of the second i-type semiconductor layer; forming the second i-type semiconductor layer on the second p-type semiconductor layer that was exposed to an air atmosphere, in the second plasma CVD reaction chamber; and forming the second n-type semiconductor layer on the second i-type semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A battery can of the present invention ensures a stable and favorable contact with an electrode and thus makes it possible to obtain a highly reliable battery excellent in high rate discharge characteristics. The battery can having an opening, including a cylindrical side portion and a bottom portion, of the present invention is formed from a steel plate. The steel plate has an Ni—Fe alloy layer on the inner face side of the battery can. The Ni—Fe alloy layer has an oxide layer containing iron and having a thickness of 10 to 50 nm on the inner face side of the battery can.

Abstract: An action recognition apparatus includes an input unit for inputting image data, a moving-object detection unit for detecting a moving object from the image data, a moving-object identification unit for identifying the detected moving object based on the image data, a state detection unit for detecting a state or an action of the moving object from the image data, and a learning unit for learning the detected state or action by associating the detected state or action with meaning information specific to the identified moving object.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an imaging processing method where a plurality of images are picked up while an imaging direction of a camera is being changed. The images are combined into a composite image. A target region is specified within the composite image. An imaging direction and an imaging magnification for imaging an object included in the target region in a predetermined size are calculated based on a position and a size of the target region in the composite image and an imaging parameter set for the camera when the plurality of images are picked up. Accordingly, the imaging direction and the imaging magnification for imaging the object to be imaged can be set easily.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a feature of an input pattern using a plurality of feature detectors, selecting at least one of the feature detectors based on their output values, and calculating a feature quantity of the input pattern based on an output value from at least one selected feature detector.

Abstract: A pattern recognition apparatus that is lightweight for mounting, and reduces the effects of registration conditions or check conditions on recognition accuracy. Similarity sets for respective local features are calculated from a local feature of input data and local features of a plurality of pieces of dictionary data corresponding to the local feature of the input data. Integrated similarities are calculated by integrating a plurality of similarity sets in the local features according to a registration condition or a check condition. Dictionary data corresponding to the input data is identified based on the calculated integrated similarities.

Abstract: Processing data which belong to different classes and label data indicating the classes to which the processing data belong are input (S20). A distance relationship between the processing data is calculated (S22). An interclass separation degree between the classes is set (S23). The distance relationship is updated based on the label data and the interclass separation degree (S24). A data mapping relationship which approximates the updated distance relationship is calculated (S25).

Abstract: In a hierarchical neural network having a module structure, learning necessary for detection of a new feature class is executed by a processing module which has not finished learning yet and includes a plurality of neurons which should learn an unlearned feature class and have an undetermined receptor field structure by presenting a predetermined pattern to a data input layer. Thus, a feature class necessary for subject recognition can be learned automatically and efficiently.

Abstract: A composite structure forming method comprises the steps of first pre-treating brittle material fine particles to impart an internal strain to the brittle material fine particles, secondly causing the brittle material fine particles in which the internal strain has been created to collide with a substrate surface at high speed or applying a mechanical impact force to the brittle material fine particles containing the internal strain therein provided on the substrate surface, to deform or fracture the brittle material fine particles, re-joining the fine particles through active new surfaces generated by the deformation or fracture, forming an anchor section made of polycrystalline brittle material of which part bites into the substrate surface at a boundary section between the new surfaces and the substrate, and further forming a structure made of polycrystalline brittle material on the anchor section.

Abstract: An output value of neuron within an objective layer of a hierarchical neural network is computed. The data of the output value of neuron is stored in a memory only if the output value of neuron is greater than or equal to a predetermined value by referring to the computed output value of neuron within the objective layer. When the data of the output value of neuron on a former layer of objective layer is read from the memory, the data having a predetermined value is read, instead of the data of the output value of neuron not stored in the memory.

Abstract: A network camera system is provided that detects an occurrence of a condition change at a periphery of an image pickup apparatus, obtains a direction of the detected condition change, and notifies a user of the occurrence of the condition change and a direction of the condition change on a display of a terminal device.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image input unit which photo-electrically converts an object image to generate an image signal, a status determination unit which determines an object status in an image generated by the image input unit, an automatic image capturing instruction unit which starts an automatic image capturing operation as an operation to automatically store the image generated by the image input unit in the first storage unit when the object status determined by the status determination unit satisfies a predetermined automatic image capturing condition, and a shooting control unit which automatically stores the image generated by the image input unit in the second storage unit when the object status does not satisfy the automatic image capturing condition even upon the lapse of a predetermined time after the automatic image capturing instruction unit designates the automatic image capturing operation.

Abstract: An object identification apparatus, which identifies a class of a plurality of registered classes to which an object included in an input image belongs, registers a plurality of registered images used in identification of an input image, and holds designation data required to designate partial areas used in identification. The apparatus extracts feature amounts of the partial areas designated by the designation data from the input image and each of the plurality of registered images, and identifies a class to which the input image belongs based on the extracted feature amounts. The apparatus determines based on the plurality of registered images whether or not is required to update processing contents of an identification unit. When it is determined that the processing contents are required to be updated, the apparatus updates the designation data based on registered images.

Abstract: A pattern recognition apparatus that recognizes a data attribute of input data calculates correlation values of feature quantities of corresponding local patterns between the input data and dictionary data for each of a plurality of dictionary data prepared for each data attribute, combines, for each data attribute, the calculated correlation values of local patterns of each dictionary datum to acquire a set of correlation values of each data attribute, integrates correlation values included in each set of correlation values of each data attribute to calculate a similarity of the input data for each data attribute, and identifies the data attribute of the input data based on the calculated similarity.

Abstract: An estimation apparatus for estimating a position and orientation of an object, includes: a capturing unit adapted to capture an object targeted for position and orientation estimation, and generate a range image representing distance information from the capturing unit to the target object; a general estimation unit adapted to analyze the range image and estimate a general position and orientation of the target object; a plurality of identification units each adapted to estimate a detailed position and orientation of an object within a predetermined position and orientation range; a determination unit adapted to determine a priority order of the plurality of identification units, based on the general position and orientation estimated by the general estimation unit; and a detailed estimation unit adapted to estimate a detailed position and orientation of the target object, using the plurality of identification units in the priority order determined by the determination unit.

Abstract: A plurality of pieces of learning data, each associated with a class to which the piece of the learning data belong, are input. In each piece of the learning data, a statistical amount of attribute values of elements in each of specific k parts, k being equal to or larger than 1, is calculated. Each piece of the learning data is mapped in a k-dimensional feature space as a vector having the calculated k statistics amounts as elements. Based on each piece of the mapped learning data and the classes to which the pieces of learning data belong, parameters for classifying input data into one of the plurality of classes are learned in the k-dimensional feature space. By using the parameters, pattern classification can be performed with high speed and high accuracy.

Abstract: This rare earth magnet having high strength and high electrical resistance has a structure including an R—Fe—B-based rare earth magnet particles 18 which are enclosed with a high strength and high electrical resistance composite layer 12. The high strength and high electrical resistance composite layer 12 is constituted from a glass-based layer 16 that has a structure comprising a glass phase or R oxide particles 13 dispersed in glass phase, and R oxide particle-based mixture layers 17 that are formed on both sides of the glass-based layer 16 and contain an R-rich alloy phase 14 which contains 50 atomic % or more of R in the grain boundary of the R oxide particles.

Abstract: The method for producing a battery can according to this invention includes the steps of: (1) producing a battery can having a cylindrical side wall, a bottom, and an opening from a steel plate by a can-making process; (2) washing the battery can with tap water or industrial water; (3) washing the battery can with water having a conductivity of 80 ?S/cm or less after the step (2); and (4) drying the battery can after the step (3).

Abstract: A network camera system is provided that detects an occurrence of a condition change at a periphery of an image pickup apparatus, obtains a direction of the detected condition change, and notifies a user of the occurrence of the condition change and a direction of the condition change on a display of a terminal device.