Abstract: When a request to access a file or the like is made, a characteristic measuring unit measures the physical characteristic of a user of a computer system. A data degenerating unit processes the measured physical characteristic as degenerated characteristic data like a one-dimensional projection and outputs the degenerated characteristic data to the computer system. The computer system sends this characteristic data to an identification server via a communication network. The identification server performs an identification process in accordance with characteristic data preregistered in a file system. In accordance with the identification result, it is determined whether or not to approve the access authorization by the user and the permission or rejection of the access is sent back to the computer system via the communication network.

Abstract: A plurality of linear electrodes, which are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a finger to be measured, are arranged on a substrate. A porous film is placed on the electrodes. The porous film repels water, such as waterdrop, but transmits water vapor. When the finger is pressed against the porous film, water (sweat) diffused through sweat pores of projected portions of the finger surface is further diffused through holes of the porous film and reaches to the electrode located just under the projected portions of the finger surface. At this time, the resistance of the portion between the electrodes, to which the water reaches, is lowered due to ions existing in the water. Resistances across adjacent electrodes are serially read and synthesized, thereby obtaining fingerprint information.

Abstract: A device for performing identification by sensing the fingerprint of a finger includes an input unit. The input unit is constituted by a plurality of linear contact electrodes formed on a substrate, and a pressure-sensitive sheet formed on the linear contact electrodes and a resistance thereof changes in accordance with a pressure applied thereto. When the finger touches the surface of the pressure-sensitive sheet, a change in resistance is caused between the electrodes, and this change is converted to data of a one-dimensional electrical signal distribution. The obtained data is compared with registered data, thereby performing identification. The time required for signal processing necessary in the identification device can be decreased.

Abstract: A device for performing identification by sensing the fingerprint of a finger includes an input unit. The input unit is constituted by a plurality of linear contact electrodes formed on a substrate, and a pressure-sensitive sheet formed on the linear contact electrodes and a resistance thereof changes in accordance with a pressure applied thereto. When the finger touches the surface of the pressure-sensitive sheet, a change in resistance is caused between the electrodes, and this change is converted to data of a one-dimensional electrical signal distribution. The obtained data is compared with registered data, thereby performing identification. The time required for signal processing necessary in the identification device can be decreased.

Abstract: A video camera includes a vibration generation section including a camera body having a lens system with an auto-focus mechanism, an image pickup element, arranged along an optical axis of the camera body, for picking up an optical image obtained through the lens system, and a piezoelectric actuator for linearly vibrating the image pickup element with a predetermined amplitude at a predetermined period along the direction of the optical axis, an image signal processing circuit for A/D-converting a plurality of images time-serially obtained at arbitrary positions within the amplitude of the image pickup element vibrating along the optical axis, and an image memory for storing the plurality of time-serial images, further including an image input processing section consisting of an in-focus decision/extraction circuit for selecting and extracting clear in-focus areas of a predetermined image area, and an image synthesizing circuit for selecting desired ones of the plurality of areas from the image memory and syn

Abstract: In an automatic focus control apparatus for a video camera including an image pick-up element for picking up an optical image obtained through a lens system composed of a focus lens group, a zoom lens group, a focal position correction lens group and a relay lens group and a defocus detector for detecting a defocus signal corresponding to a defocus of the lens system from an image signal output from the image pickup element, a piezoelectric actuator is provided to move the image pick-up element in an optical-axis direction in accordance with the defocus signal and a motion transmission mechanism connects the image pick-up element to the relay lens group of the lens system to allow that lens group to be moved in a direction opposite to that in which the image pick-up element is moved. A stroke burden which is borne by the piezoelectric actuator can be alleviated by moving the relay lens group together with the image pick-up element.

Abstract: In an electric device having a package included an electric circuit element therein, a cooling fan is fixed on the package directly. The fan is formed of piezoelectric elements and a flexible cooling fin. The fan generates the cooling air flow due to vibration of the piezoelectric elements.