Abstract: A light flux controlling member includes n incidence units for allowing incidence of light emitted from n light emitting elements, respectively; an emission unit disposed between the n incidence units and allowing emission of the light incident on the n incidence units while guiding the light; and a plurality of legs. Each incidence unit includes an incidence surface and a reflection surface reflecting, in a direction along the substrate, the light incident on the incidence surface. The emission unit includes a first emission surface emitting a part of the light from the incidence unit, and a second emission surface disposed so as to face away from the first emission surface and emitting another part of the light from the incidence unit. Each leg is disposed at a position satisfying a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A light flux controlling member includes n incidence units for allowing incidence of light emitted from n light emitting elements, respectively; an emission unit disposed between the n incidence units and allowing emission of the light incident on the n incidence units while guiding the light; and a plurality of legs. Each incidence unit includes an incidence surface and a reflection surface reflecting, in a direction along the substrate, the light incident on the incidence surface. The emission unit includes a first emission surface emitting a part of the light from the incidence unit, and a second emission surface disposed so as to face away from the first emission surface and emitting another part of the light from the incidence unit. Each leg is disposed at a position satisfying a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A luminous flux control member has: an incident surface, an emission surface; a back surface; and a plurality of recessed or projecting first quadrangular pyramid parts placed in grid form on at least a portion of the back surface. The first quadrangular pyramid part includes: a first inclined plane that is inclined so as to face the back side as separation increases from the central axis; a second inclined plane that is inclined so as to face the front side as separation increases from the central axis; and a connecting part that connects the first inclined plane and the second inclined plane. In a cross section including the central axis and the center of the connecting part, the first inclined plane is larger than the second inclined plane.

Abstract: A character communication device which is connected to a network and enables at least communication by using characters. The device comprises a candidate term display means (S104) for displaying a group of candidate terms prepared for message communication in a candidate term display area (52) of the screen, a term selecting means (2b) for outputting a term which is selected by the operator from the group of candidate terms, and a message generating means (s108) for generating a message by serially displaying a plurality of outputted terms in a message editing area (53) of the screen and sending the generated message to a transmitting/receiving means.

Abstract: Provided is a security system for managing which CD-ROM is used for a game device not having identifying information in advance. When a game device accesses a server via a communication network, a device ID, which is issued from the server, is stored in a nonvolatile memory This device ID is generated based on the time and date when the game device accesses the server via a communication network (e.g. Dec. 10, 2000 at 21:05:37). The server associates a serial number (SN) of a CD-ROM used in the game device and a device ID of the game device with each other and registers them on a database. This makes it possible to manage which CD-ROM is used in each game device.

Abstract: A character communication device which is connected to a network and enables at least communication by using characters. The device comprises a candidate term display means (S104) for displaying a group of candidate terms prepared for message communication in a candidate term display area (52) of the screen, a term selecting means (2b) for outputting a term which is selected by the operator from the group of candidate terms, and a message generating means (S108) for generating a message by serially displaying a plurality of outputted terms in a message editing area (53) of the screen and sending the generated message to a transmitting/receiving means.

Abstract: A character communication device which is connected to a network and enables at least communication by using characters. The device comprises a candidate term display means (S104) for displaying a group of candidate terms prepared for message communication in a candidate term display area (52) of the screen, a term selecting means (2b) for outputting a term which is selected by the operator from the group of candidate terms, and a message generating means (S108) for generating a message by serially displaying a plurality of outputted terms in a message editing area (53) of the screen and sending the generated message to a transmitting/receiving means.

Abstract: A character communication device which is connected to a network and enables at least communication by using characters. The device comprises a candidate term display means (S104) for displaying a group of candidate terms prepared for message communication in a candidate term display area (52) of the screen, a term selecting means (2b) for outputting a term which is selected by the operator from the group of candidate terms, and a message generating means (S108) for generating a message by serially displaying a plurality of outputted terms in a message editing area (53) of the screen and sending the generated message to a transmitting/receiving means.

Abstract: Provided is a security system for managing which CD-ROM is used for a game device not having identifying information in advance. When a game device accesses a server via a communication network, a device ID, which is issued from the server, is stored in a nonvolatile memory This device ID is generated based on the time and date when the game device accesses the server via a communication network (e.g. Dec. 10, 2000 at 21:05:37). The server associates a serial number (SN) of a CD-ROM used in the game device and a device ID of the game device with each other and registers them on a database This makes it possible to manage which CD-ROM is used in each game device.

Abstract: Provided is a security system for managing which CD-ROM is used for a game device not having identifying information in advance. When a game device accesses a server via a communication network, a device ID, which is issued from the server, is stored in a nonvolatile memory. This device ID is generated based on the time and date when the game device accesses the server via a communication network (e.g. Dec. 10, 2000 at 21:05:37). The server associates a serial number (SN) of a CD-ROM used in the game device and a device ID of the game device with each other and registers them on a database This makes it possible to manage which CD-ROM is used in each game device.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip has a plurality of front protruding electrodes and a plurality of rear film electrodes. The front electrodes are connected to interconnect lines made of a metallic film. The semiconductor chip is mounted on a printed circuit board by mounting the rear film electrodes on respective terminals of the printed circuit board and the metallic film is connected to other terminals of the printed circuit board by bonding wires. A large number of semiconductor chips can be fabricated in a simple process at a time.

Abstract: Provided is a text communication device enabling the enjoyment of chatting in a game space such that a dialog according to the personality of the game character is output. In a text communication device connected to a network and capable of communicating at least by text, the selection of terms corresponding to the character and prompt delivery of messages are sought by sorting a group of candidate terms prepared in advance for the communication of messages pursuant to the attribute of the character to be the subject of the conversation, and selecting terms for chatting therefrom. The communication between different languages is also facilitated.

Abstract: A game device enabling adjustment of the virtual viewpoint displaying a game character to be positioned to view the surroundings of the character in a broad range. When the manipulation character C stands still, the viewpoint of the virtual cameral 30 can move along the face of the exterior sphere 40B in accordance with manipulations of the game player. Upon collision with an obstacle, this virtual camera approaches the character in the direction of the face of the interior sphere 40A. However, the virtual camera does not approach the character C beyond the interior sphere.

Abstract: A matrix of an Al-Ni base alloy or an Al-Si-Cu base alloy is strengthened by dispersion of particles of Ni, Si or at least one intermetallic compound selected from among AlNi, Al.sub.3 Ni, Al.sub.3 Ni.sub.2 and AlNi.sub.3.

Abstract: A polymer-coated particulate inorganic material, e.g. graphite, graphite fluoride or molybdenum disulfide, is obtained by preparing a reaction system containing a liquid medium, fine particles of the inorganic material, at least one vinylic monomer which undergoes radical polymerization or copolymerization and a polymerization initiator and allowing the vinylic monomer(s) in the reaction system to undergo polymerization and to bond to the surfaces of the inorganic material particles by graft polymerization. To enhance the efficiency of graft polymerization to thereby realize uniform coating even when the inorganic material is very low in surface energy as typified by graphite fluoride, the pH of the reaction system is adjusted to a value ranging from 5 to 9 by adding alkali to the reaction system soon after the addition of the polymerization initiator or alternatively by treating the inorganic material with alkali in advance of preparation of the reaction system.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a rear vehicle body structure of an automotive vehicle which comprises a pair of rear wheel houses each covering a rear wheel and including a rear wheel house outer panel having a lower portion and a rear wheel house inner panel secured to the rear wheel house outer panel; a pair of rear fender panels each secured to the rear wheel house outer panel; and a rear floor panel having lateral ends each in part secured to the rear wheel house inner panel. The rear wheel house outer panel partially extends downwardly from the rear floor panel and projects outwardly from the lateral end of the rear floor panel and has an outer peripheral portion curved toward the axis of rotation of the rear wheel. The rear fender panel has a rear lower end in part secured to the lateral end of the rear floor panel projecting rearwardly from the rear wheel house, the rear lower end of the rear fender panel in part extending across and secured to the lower portion of the rear wheel house outer panel.