Abstract: The use of sound signals from sounds collected by four non-directional sound collectors facilitates calculation for generating surround sound signals, for example, when multi-channel surround sound signals are generated, and prevents the size of the entire apparatus from increasing. Surround sound signals are generated from sound signals of sounds collected by a microphone unit composed of a first sound collector, a second sound collector disposed posterior to the first sound collector, a third sound collector, and a fourth sound collector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a binder composition for a non-aqueous secondary battery electrode, which enables the production of a non-aqueous secondary battery that has excellent adhesion to a current collector or an electrode and can retain a high electric discharge capacity even when charge and discharge are repeated or under a high-temperature environment produced as a result of the generation of heat.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes sound collecting elements, a noise detector for detecting a level of noise in a low-frequency band of audio signals output from the sound collecting elements, a noise reduction unit for reducing the noise in the audio signals in accordance with a signal output from the noise detector, a converter for converting the audio signals output from the noise reduction unit into pieces of audio data corresponding to channels including a low-frequency channel and other channels, a low-frequency channel controller for controlling a level of the audio data corresponding to the low-frequency channel in accordance with the level of the noise detected using the noise detector, and a level controller for controlling the level of the audio data of the low-frequency channel output from the low-frequency channel controller and levels of the pieces of audio data corresponding to the other channels output from the converter.

Abstract: The use of sound signals from sounds collected by four non-directional sound collectors facilitates calculation for generating surround sound signals, for example, when multi-channel surround sound signals are generated, and prevents the size of the entire apparatus from increasing. Surround sound signals are generated from sound signals of sounds collected by a microphone unit composed of a first sound collector, a second sound collector disposed posterior to the first sound collector, a third sound collector, and a fourth sound collector.

Abstract: There is provided an information recording/reproducing apparatus for recording or reproducing an information to or from an information recording medium having a plurality of recording layers stacked on a substrate which can always perform stable spindle rotation control irrespective of an error of a desired frequency value or the like, and which includes an optical head for recording or reproducing an information to or from the recording layers by use of an optical beam; a spindle motor for rotating the recording medium; and a drive voltage holding circuit for holding a drive voltage of the spindle motor when the optical head performs switching between the recording layers for recording/reproducing.

Abstract: According to one embodiment a program reservation apparatus is provided with an acquiring unit for acquiring program information, a program listing producing unit for producing an electronic program listing based upon the program information acquired, a display unit for displaying the electronic program listing produced on a screen, a selecting unit for selecting and determining a desired program from the electronic program listing displayed, an e-mail producing unit for producing an e-mail main text for program reservation for making program reservation by e-mail with respect to the program selected and determined, and transmitting units for transmitting the e-mail main text for program reservation produced to the outside.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes sound collecting elements, a noise detector for detecting a level of noise in a low-frequency band of audio signals output from the sound collecting elements, a noise reduction unit for reducing the noise in the audio signals in accordance with a signal output from the noise detector, a converter for converting the audio signals output from the noise reduction unit into pieces of audio data corresponding to channels including a low-frequency channel and other channels, a low-frequency channel controller for controlling a level of the audio data corresponding to the low-frequency channel in accordance with the level of the noise detected using the noise detector, and a level controller for controlling the level of the audio data of the low-frequency channel output from the low-frequency channel controller and levels of the pieces of audio data corresponding to the other channels output from the converter.

Abstract: A dual-chamber plasma processing apparatus comprises two reaction spaces which are equipped with different gas inlet lines and different RF systems. Each reaction space is provided with an RF wave entry path and an RF wave return path to supply RF power from an RF power source and return RF power to the same RF power source.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a reproducing apparatus including a communication unit which receives a fixed-term content from an external device via a network, a storage unit which stores the fixed-term content in a storage area via the communication unit, an input unit which inputs a warning condition, and a management unit which compares an expiration time of the fixed-term content stored in the storage unit with a current time, and which generates a warning image or a warning sound to be output when a time from the current time to the expiration time satisfies the warning condition input from the input unit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a digital broadcast receiver includes one or more first connecting terminals that connect one or more pieces of digital equipment, operation of which can be controlled by a remote control, one or more second connecting terminals that connect one or more pieces of external equipment, operation of which cannot be controlled by the remote control, and a selecting unit that selects, in turn, one piece of the digital equipment connected to the one or more first connecting terminals, the external equipment connected to the one or more second connecting terminals, the broadcast receiver, based on a switching instruction from the remote control. When the digital equipment connected to the first connecting terminal is selected by the selecting unit, a list of a plurality of video contents stored in the selected digital equipment is shown, and reproduction of a content selected from the list is controlled.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a controlled apparatus connected to a computer network via the computer network, the control apparatus including: a detection unit that detects a type of the controlled apparatus; a storage unit that stores operation guide information for generating an operation guide as a graphical user interface to control the controlled apparatus; an operation image display unit that displays the operation guide, in which a function among a plurality of functions defined by the operation guide information is activated in accordance with the type detected by the detection unit, the function being operative in the controlled apparatus; and a transmission unit that transmits to the controlled apparatus via the computer network a control signal for performing a control responsive to a user operation input through the operation guide displayed by the operation image display unit.

Abstract: There is provided an information recording/reproducing apparatus for recording or reproducing an information to or from an information recording medium having a plurality of recording layers stacked on a substrate which can always perform stable spindle rotation control irrespective of an error of a desired frequency value or the like, and which includes an optical head for recording or reproducing an information to or from the recording layers by use of an optical beam; a spindle motor for rotating the recording medium; and a drive voltage holding circuit for holding a drive voltage of the spindle motor when the optical head performs switching between the recording layers for recording/reproducing.

Abstract: A silicon-containing insulation film is formed on a substrate by plasma reaction using a reaction gas including (i) a source gas comprising a silicon-containing hydrocarbon compound containing multiple cross-linkable groups, (ii) a cross-linking gas, and (iii) an inert gas, into a reaction chamber where a substrate is placed. The insulation film is then exposed to electron beam radiation, thereby increasing mechanical strength of the film without substantial alternation of its dielectric constant.

Abstract: A method for forming a low dielectric constant film includes the steps of: introducing reaction gas comprising an organo Si gas and an inert gas into a reactor of a capacitively-coupled CVD apparatus; adjusting a size of fine particles being generated in the vapor phase to a nanometer order size as a function of a plasma discharge period inside the reactor; and depositing fine particles generated on a substrate being placed between upper and lower electrodes inside the reactor while controlling a temperature gradient between the substrate and the upper electrode at about 100° C./cm or less.

Abstract: A method for forming a low dielectric constant film includes the steps of: introducing reaction gas comprising an organo Si gas and an inert gas into a reactor of a capacitively-coupled CVD apparatus; adjusting a size of fine particles being generated in the vapor phase to a nanometer order size as a function of a plasma discharge period inside the reactor; and depositing fine particles generated on a substrate being placed inside the reactor.

Abstract: A digital television broadcast receiver improves a convenience of a user by making a video recording reservation by using a function control mail and making the video recording reservation from a distance. The broadcast receiver has a mail receiving section, a mail type identification section to identify a normal mail and the function control mail when the mail receiving section receives a mail and a video recording reservation section to generate video recording reservation information by analyzing at least a keyword, a video recording channel and a video recording time and make a video recording reservation when the received mail is the function control mail.

Abstract: A dual-chamber plasma processing apparatus comprises two reaction spaces which are equipped with different gas inlet lines and different RF systems. Each reaction space is provided with an RF wave entry path and an RF wave return path to supply RF power from an RF power source and return RF power to the same RF power source.

Abstract: This invention offers a composite material with improved binding strength and a method for its manufacture. In particular, the invention offers a composite material having metal at the surface of a resin base, obtained by subjecting the surface of a resin base to an ion exchange group introduction treatment, treating the surface of said resin base with liquid containing metal ions, and then reducing said metal ions, where the aforementioned composite material resin is characterized in that the resin base and metal of said composite material are hot-pressed. Said composite material has superior binding strength between resin base and metal relative to composite materials obtained by electroless plating which have inferior binding strength between resin base and metal. Moreover, said composite material is readily manufactured because hot-press methods can be used in the formation of said composite material.

Abstract: A silicon-containing insulation film is formed on a substrate by plasma reaction using a reaction gas including (i) a source gas comprising a silicon-containing hydrocarbon compound containing multiple cross-linkable groups, (ii) a cross-linking gas, and (iii) an inert gas, into a reaction chamber where a substrate is placed. The insulation film is then exposed to electron beam radiation, thereby increasing mechanical strength of the film without substantial alternation of its dielectric constant.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus of this invention is so constructed as to enter the image signal of which one frame is composed of plural interlaced fields each of which is divided into plural blocks each consisting of plural pixels, to interpolate the image signal of a second field utilizing the image signal of a first field in the image signal outputted in the unit of the above mentioned block, and to output the image signal in the unit of the above-mentioned block.