Abstract: A D/A converter includes a D/A converter base part having a first D/A converter unit performing D/A conversion of high order bits and a second D/A converter unit performing D/A conversion of low order bits and including an auxiliary bit assigned an identical weight to a least significant bit, a correction D/A converter part, an error detection processing section generating a digital code supplied to a correction D/A converter unit in the correction D/A converter part, and a control section. The control section compares one bit current source with another bit current source in a lower order than the one bit current source, and corrects a value of the one bit current source by causing to supply the digital code to the correction D/A converter unit when the value of the one bit current source changes.

Abstract: An image processing method for reducing noise of an image to be filtered; the method includes a step of creating shrunken image of shrinking ratio r×r (where r is a natural number) by averaging the pixel values for each pixel in a block for every r pixels, a step of obtaining the pixel value in the shrunken image that correspond to the focus pixel in the source image by performing linear interpolation from the shrunken image pixels, a step of determining the noise reduction filter from the focus pixel and reference pixel in the shrunken image, and a step of computing the compensated pixel value of the focus pixel in the source image by weighted sum of each pixel value applying the filter to the focus pixel in the source image and the corresponding shrunken pixel.

Abstract: A multi-column electron beam exposure apparatus includes: a plurality of column cells; a wafer stage including an electron-beam-property detecting unit for measuring an electron beam property; and a controller for measuring beam properties of electron beams used in all the column cells by using the electron-beam-property detecting unit, and for adjusting the electron beams of the respective column cells so that the properties of the electron beams used in the column cells may be approximately identical. The electron beam property may be any of a beam position, a beam intensity, and a beam shape of the electron beam to be emitted. The electron-beam-property detecting unit may be a chip for calibration with a reference mark formed thereon or a Faraday cup.

Abstract: An elastically deformable suspension member for use in a speaker to establish a sufficient support to a cone is disclosed. The suspension member has an inner diameter portion for mounting the cone, an outer diameter portion spaced around the inner diameter portion for fastening to a basket, a first annular convex surface portion concentrically arranged between the inner diameter portion and the outer diameter portion and constituting a summit, and a number of second annular convex surface portions symmetrically arranged at two opposite lateral sides of the first annular convex surface portion between the inner diameter portion and the outer diameter portion and respectively constituting summit ridges having a height below the summit and above the elevations of the inner diameter portion and the outer diameter portion.

Abstract: A display method and apparatus for a navigation system utilizes enables a smooth map scroll operation when a scroll direction is changed sharply. Such a smooth map scroll operation is applied to a situation where such a change of scroll direction is within a predetermined angle range by adding a scroll direction bias for each movement. The display method dynamically adjusts the scroll direction bias and the update frequency depending on the degree of direction change and the available system resources such as a processing speed in the navigation system. Therefore, the navigation system is able to display the smooth operation of the map scroll so that the user is able to recognize the images actually illustrated on the screen and to reach the intended location of the map image quickly and accurately.

Abstract: A large screen liquid crystal display device using a transverse electric field system which is capable of dramatically improving an aperture ratio, a transmittance ratio, brightness, and contrast with low cost and high production yield. For example, the width of the common electrodes that shield the electric fields of the video signal lines can be decreased dramatically and the aperture ratio can be improved dramatically. Especially, the bumps covering the video signal lines can be used along with the spacers, and with the use of halftone exposure method, the bumps covering the video signal lines and the spacers can be constructed at the same time, which dramatically shortens the time required for the production process.

Abstract: A mask for exposure, which is used in a multi-column electron beam exposure apparatus having multiple column cells, includes a stencil pattern group constituted by multiple stencil patterns for each of the multiple column cells. The stencil pattern groups are arranged at intervals corresponding to arrangement intervals of the multiple column cells, and all of the stencil pattern groups are formed on a single mask substrate. The stencil pattern groups include: a first stencil pattern group formed within a deflectable range of an electron beam of each of the multiple column cells; and a second stencil pattern group having two or more of the first stencil patterns.

Abstract: A shrink-fit tool unit increases the transmission force of rotary power and also improves workability when inserting the rotary tool into the tool holder. A tool holder and a rotary tool to be used for the shrink-fit tool unit are also disclosed. Since a first engaging part and a second engaging part are configured to engage with each other simply by inserting a cylindrical terminal area of a rotary tool, typically, a thread forming tap, into a chuck of the tool holder, even when the machining load receiving from a work piece act both in forward and reverse directions relative to the circumferential direction, it is possible to increase the transmission of rotary power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for link promotion for a navigation system allows expansion of search in a lower layer to determine an optimum climbing point to an upper layer to search an optimum route. The link promotion procedure includes the steps of determining whether an upper link exists for a lower link, setting the upper link as a promoted link if such an upper link exists even if a climbing node point does not exist that connect the lower link and the upper link, and comparing a candidate normal route and a promoted route to find an optimum route.

Abstract: Multi-resolution images of a reference image and a target image are generated. Then, whole-range matching is performed on an image of a lower resolution to detect a two-dimensional displacement between the images. Block matching is performed on an image of a higher resolution to detect a displacement at each feature point. The accuracy of motion data is increased by correcting the motion data with an image of a higher resolution by using the previously calculated motion data of the lowest resolution through higher resolutions as an initial value.

Abstract: A graphic user interface method and apparatus for a navigation system graphically shows parking information which vary depending on conditions such as time ranges or days, etc. The method includes the steps of: examining a location specified by a user for retrieving data associated with the specified location from data storage medium; displaying a screen of parking information graphic interface upon request by the user; and examining whether there is a time-related parking restriction on the specified location and retrieving the time-related parking information if any. The parking information graphic interface illustrates a map image, a time table of a day, a time range indicator on the time table, and a text message regarding the time-related parking restriction, thereby graphically displaying the parking information on the specified location.

Abstract: An image data processing method for sharpening a captured image; the method defines a first transformation equation to change the pixel values of a defocused image into a focused image using the coordinates of the defocused image and the focused image as arguments, calculates a DetailedFocus function from the optimal solution of the first transformation equation by giving the pixel values of the focused image and the defocused image as educational data, extracts a predetermined number of important points on the DetailedFocus function, defines a second transformation equation to change the pixel values of the important points of a defocused image into a focused image using the coordinates of the defocused image and the focused image as arguments, calculates a SmartFocus function from the second transformation equation, and produces a focused image from a defocused image using the SmartFocus function.

Abstract: A thermal management system improves thermal property of the speaker system by promoting air circulation to cool the speaker system. The thermal management system includes a speaker frame, an air guide formed on the speaker frame for guiding the air, a ventilation slit formed on the air guide which penetrates through the speaker frame for air communication, and a spider mounting ring for mounting a spider of the speaker system on the speaker frame. The spider mounting ring has a cut-out at its upper edge which positionally match the air guide. The cut-out is curved sharply at its upper surface while a lower edge of the spider mounting ring is gently curved, thereby creating an air passage of directional property.

Abstract: A route search method for a navigation system using the XML map data that is layered based on administrative regions improves efficiency and accuracy of finding an optimum route. The method includes the steps of establishing boundary nodes on boundaries of administrative regions, creating cost information on virtual links that connect the boundary nodes on the administrative regions and physical links on a base layer, selecting candidate virtual links regions by evaluating the cost information, detecting candidate total routes between the start point and destination by connecting the candidate virtual links and other routes, and applying physical links in the base layer to the candidate total routes for further evaluating the costs of the total routes to select the most cost effective total route.

Abstract: A tap is designed so that the pollution of the environment can be prevented and the cleaning can be simplified. The tap includes an intake hole having openings at a screw portion of the tap. Air intake is performed through the intake hole, so that the chips generated by the screw portion in the cutting can be aspirated from the openings forcibly. Because the chips can be discharged without using cutting fluids, pollution of the environment can be prevented. Because the chips can be aspirated from the openings and discharged from the intake hole of the tap, the chips are not scattered on the work piece, and thus a cleaning process of the work piece can be simplified.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying correct city involving a street that borders on two or more cities for a navigation system. The navigation system identifies a correct city name associated with such a border street based on a direction of a vehicle travelling on the border street. In another aspect, the navigation system identifies a correct city name associated with such a border street based on a cursor point on the map image as to which side of the street and city is more proximate to the cursor point. Further, the navigation system identifies a correct city name associated with such a border street based on an address number as to whether it is an odd number or even number thereby determining the side of the street and city.

Abstract: To provide an effective factor extraction system in which samples are generated artificially from a sample group and a virtual sample set is created so that even when the number of sample is relatively small, specific factors can be selected/extracted with high reliability by using the virtual sample set. The effective factor extraction system comprises a section for extracting samples arbitrarily from sample sets and creating a plurality of paired virtual sample sets, a statistical quantity operating section for reading out the feature value held by sample contained in respective virtual sample sets and operating the average value and the variance, a section for operating Fisher ratio from the average value and the variance, and a section for testing significant factors using the operated Fisher ratio.

Abstract: A driver circuit includes a main driver which receives an input signal and outputs a first signal corresponding to the input signal, a sub driver which receives the input signal and outputs a non-inverted signal and an inverted signal corresponding to the input signal, a differentiating circuit including resistors and a variable capacity condenser, which outputs signals by differentiating the non-inverted signal and the inverted signal, respectively, and an addition unit which outputs a high frequency emphasized signal given by adding the output signal of the main driver and the signal given by differentiating the non-inverted signal, or a low frequency emphasized signal given by adding the output signal of the main driver and the signal given by differentiating the inverted signal.

Abstract: A production method of an article for water sports such as a surfboard with a hollow structure achieves a wide range of selections for users. The article is established with sufficient strength and durability, and is capable of achieving low cost and short delivery time. The article is configured by an outer shell having a hollow structure for forming an outer shape of a main body of the surfboard, a partition wall arranged within an internal space of the outer shell for connecting inner surfaces facing one another in said internal space, sectioned spaces separated and sealed by said partition wall and the inner surfaces of the outer shell, and a vent hole formed on said partition wall so that the sectioned spaces adjacent to one another can properly communicate with one another.

Abstract: A large screen display suitable for displaying moving images has a high operational property and is realized at low cost. A vertically aligned mode liquid crystal display comprises a scan wiring, a video signal wiring, a pixel electrode, an alignment directional control electrode, and a thin film transistor element formed in a position where a scan wiring and a video signal wiring intersect with each other, and a common electrode formed in a color filter substrate side. An electric field distribution formed with three electrodes comprising an alignment directional control electrode, a pixel electrode, and a common electrode formed in an countering substrate side controls motion directions of vertically aligned anisotropic liquid crystal molecules having a negative dielectric constant.