Abstract: There is provided an optical disc drive, which includes a light source emitting a light beam, a beam dividing element that divides the light beam into main and sub-beams, an objective lens, an astigmatism producing unit that gives astigmatism to the main and sub-beams, a signal generation unit that has sensors for the beams and generates a focus error signal based on output signals of the sensors; and an optical element that has a function of adjusting intensity distribution of the main beam such that the main beam incident on the optical disc has a predetermined intensity distribution where a maximum intensity level is positioned at a predetermined height within a range of 70% of a pupil diameter, the predetermined height is not equal to an optical axis, and an intensity of the main beam decreases gradually from the predetermined height to a peripheral portion of the pupil.

Abstract: A compound semiconductor light-emitting element includes: a substrate; a first electrode provided on one face of the substrate; a plurality of nanoscale columnar crystalline structures in which an n-type semiconductor layer, a light-emitting layer and a p-type semiconductor layer are stacked in order on the other face of the substrate; a second electrode connected to top portions of the plurality of columnar crystalline structures; and a foundation layer, provided on the side of the other face, in a first region being a partial region of the substrate; wherein a level difference is provided, on the other face, between the first region and a second region being at least part of a remaining region of the substrate excluding the first region.

Abstract: A focus-point selection system comprising an image sensor, a target detector, a location detector, and a first selector is provided. The focus-point selection system selects a subset of focus points corresponding to the location of a target in an image capturing area from a plurality of focus points positioned at predetermined locations. The target is a subject that is brought into focus according to a phase-difference autofocus method. The image sensor generates an image signal corresponding to the captured optical image. The target detector detects the target on the basis of the image signal. The location detector detects a subject location. The subject location is a location of the target detected by the target detector in the image capturing area. The first selector selects the focus point with the shortest distance from the subject location.

Abstract: A digital camera has a display, a magnification input device, and a magnification control device. The display simultaneously displays images. The magnification input device is used to input the magnification factor for the images displayed in said display. The magnification control device which simultaneously changes the magnification of the images displayed in said display by substantially the same multiplier according to the magnification factor input by said magnification input device.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) has an inner shoulder (11), an outer shoulder (12) and a tread (13) therebetween. The tread includes a plurality of circumferential grooves 30, 32, 34, 36 38) dividing the tread into a plurality of ribs including inner and outer shoulder ribs (14, 14?), inner and outer intermediate ribs (18, 18?) between the shoulder ribs and a central rib (16) between the intermediate ribs. First sipes (20) are provided in the shoulder ribs and the central rib. Each first sipe has an interlocking shape. Second sipes (22) are provided in the intermediate ribs. Each second sipe has a shape different from that of the first sipes. Third sipes (24) are provided in the intermediate ribs. Each third sipe has a shape different from that of the first and second sipes.

Abstract: An image processing method, and an apparatus and an integrated circuit for implementing the method are adapted for use in a liquid crystal display. The method includes the steps of: determining which blocks in a decoded current frame are noisy blocks; finding, in a processed reference frame, a most similar reference block for each noisy block and generating a block velocity for each noisy block; and processing pixels that are in the noisy blocks having block velocities smaller than a liquid crystal response rate of the liquid crystal display, and that are not covered by after-images. The present invention utilizes the characteristics of liquid crystals to increase processing speed.

Abstract: To apply a certain change to a displayed image while controlling a position and direction of a character and a virtual camera. In changing a direction of a character card without changing its position, when the direction changes slowly a direction of a character changes according to change direction of the character card, and a visual point of a virtual camera moves circularly according to the change direction of the character. When the direction of the character card is changed fast only the visual point moves circularly and the direction of the character does not change.

Abstract: In a network security processing method and system for selecting one of software and hardware cryptographic modules by means of multimedia session information, the method includes the following steps: subjecting a plurality of packets of a multimedia session to signaling processing so as to obtain multimedia session information contained in the multimedia session, subjecting the multimedia session to a key authentication negotiation and according to the multimedia session information, making a determination to activate one of the software cryptographic module and the hardware cryptographic module. If the hardware cryptographic module is activated, the hardware cryptographic module performs network security processing of the packets of the multimedia session. If the software cryptographic module is activated, the software cryptographic module performs the network security processing of the packets of the multimedia session.

Abstract: A medicament having inhibitory activity against NF-?B activation, which comprises a compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt as an active ingredient: wherein X represents a connecting group, A represents hydrogen atom or acetyl group, E represents an aryl group or a heteroaryl group, and ring X represents an arene or a heteroarene.

Abstract: A BD-ROM has recorded thereon: a plurality of subtitle streams each configured for playback in sync with a video stream; and PlayList information. The PlayList information includes PlayItem information and a display method flag. The PlayItem information defines a playback section with information indicating In_time and Out_time of a playback time axis of the video stream and includes a stream information table. The display method flag indicates whether or not control according to a subtitle display method is valid. The stream information table specifies to, a playback apparatus, one of the subtitle streams to be selected if the control according to the subtitle display method is valid.

Abstract: Fastening unit and method for fastening components together. The fastening unit includes a blind rivet nut having a set head and a rivet shank, a screw with a screw head and a threaded shank, and a washer held on the blind rivet nut by the screw, and including a torque application surface and a projection projecting over the torque application surface at least in some sections. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to achieve data adaptation in accordance with a user's preferences, by holding a user's preference information for each content as user preferences, selecting a data segment according to user preferences, and performing resolution conversion on the basis of segment priority level and terminal capability, thereby enabling data adaptation to be performed for each content in a form the user wishes to see.

Abstract: A high zoom-ratio zoom lens system includes a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group, and a positive fourth lens group, in that order from the object side. Upon zooming from the short to long focal length extremities, at least the first through third lens groups are moved along the optical axis direction, wherein an amount of movement of the first lens group is greater than that of the third lens group. The following conditions (1), (2) and (3) are satisfied: 0.9<FT/F1<2??(1), 3<F1/FW<7??(2), and ?8<F1/F2<?5??(3), wherein FT and FW designate the entire focal length of the zoom lens system at the long and short focal length extremities, respectively; and F1 and F2 designate the focal length of the first and second lens groups, respectively.

Abstract: A reclining device as a connecting device includes an internal gear member, an external gear member and a retainer member. The retainer member is constructed such that when retainer strips are axially inserted into depressed portions formed in an outer circumferential portion of the external gear member and then insertion distal ends of the support strips are radially inwardly bent to form contact surface portions, the contact surface portions can be axially held against the outer circumferential portion of the external gear member. The external gear member has dowels that are capable of being fitted to a cushion frame, and the dowels are formed circumferentially in locations positioned between the depressed portions (the locations in which projected portions are formed), so as to be axially projected.

Abstract: A work subject material comprising a metal plate for use in punching and/or bending and, attached thereto, a surface protection sheet, characterized in that the surface protection sheet comprises a support base material and an adhesive layer superimposed on one surface of the support base material and that the surface protection sheet exhibits a coefficient (I) not more than 21.0, a coefficient (II) not less than 4.0 and a coefficient (III) not more than 1.5, which are calculated by the following formulae: (I)=thickness of support base material (mm)×elongation at break of surface protection sheet (%); (II)=thickness of support base material (mm)×strength at break of surface protection sheet (N/20 mm); and (III)=coefficient (I)/coefficient (II).

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode for a vacuum interrupter, capable of reducing damage of contacts due to heat concentration to the center of the contacts, by reducing magnetic flux concentration to the center of the electrode, and capable of rapidly extinguishing an arc by diffusing the arc by forming a wide range of magnetic flux.

Abstract: In a method, apparatus and integrated circuit for improving image sharpness, the method includes the following steps: (a) labeling each of pixels in an image as one of an edge/texture type and a non-edge/texture type; (b) classifying each of the pixels that are labeled as the edge/texture type into one of a border point type, a transition point type, and a peak point type; and (c) using a shrinking/expanding filter to filter the pixels of the border point type, and subsequently using a high boost filter to first filter the pixels of the peak point type and then filter the pixels of the transition point type to sharpen the image.

Abstract: Device and process for producing and treating a fibrous web. The device includes a moistening unit structured and arranged to simultaneously influence a cross machine moisture profile of the web and the curl of the web independently of each other. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A protection circuit for protecting DCDC converter with a power MOS transistor from start-up in-rush current includes a coupling capacitor and a voltage clamping circuit. By using the coupling capacitor to turn-off the power MOS transistor, there is no current consumed during the normal operation of the circuit. Enable signal or leakage current circuit is used to discharge the capacitor so that the circuitry can work in another turning-on of power supply.