Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage apparatus that executes de-duplication processing. Specifically, a storage apparatus includes a storing apparatus configured to provide a first storage area and a second storage area and a control unit. The control unit determines, on the basis of a result of comparison of a compression ratio of compressed data with a threshold, whether first duplication determination for determining whether data same as the data compressed without being stored in the first storage area is stored in the second storage area is executed or second duplication determination for determining whether data same as the data compressed after being stored in the first storage area is stored in the second storage area is executed. Further, the control unit changes the threshold on the basis of a state of the storage apparatus.

Abstract: Chunks that commonly occur in each content type are aggregated in a first container. To be more specific, a storage device used for content backup is configured with: (1) a memory device that provides a memory region for one or a plurality of first containers used to store first chunks that commonly occur in each content type among chunks extracted from the contents of writing targets, and for one or a plurality of second containers used to store other chunks than the first chunks; and (2) a backup unit that decides whether each of the chunks extracted from the contents of the writing targets is a first duplication chunk duplicating a chunk stored in the first container, and further decides, for only a chunk that is decided not to be the first duplication chunk, whether each of the chunks is a second duplication chunk duplicating a chunk stored in the second container, and then stores only a chunk that is decided not to be the second duplication chunk in the second container.

Abstract: It is provided an authentication system, comprising: a reader for obtaining identification information assigned to an identification device held by a subject; an authentication device for authenticating the identification information obtained by the reader; a camera for photographing a facial image of the subject; and a management device which is coupled to a terminal for issuing an alarm and which includes an image database in which the facial image photographed by the camera is accumulated, in which the management device is configured to: search the image database by using information obtained by at least one of the reader and the camera on an occasion of the authentication; determine a reliability of the authentication based on a result of analyzing the retrieved facial image; and transmit data for issuing the alarm to the terminal in a case where it is determined that the reliability is low.

Abstract: A highly efficient power supply unit compatible with a single-phase three-wire system and an operating method of such a power supply unit are provided. The power supply unit includes first and second switching legs connected in parallel to a first capacitor leg with a DC power supply connected thereto. One end of the second capacitor leg is connected to the middle point of the first switching leg through a first inductor, and the other end is connected to the middle point of the second switching leg through a second inductor. The two ends of the second capacitor leg and the middle point of the second capacitor leg are defined as AC terminals. A switch is provided between middle points of first and second capacitor legs. A control part sets the switch to OFF when power is input/output only between one end of the second capacitor leg and the other end.

Abstract: Chunks that commonly occur in each content type are aggregated in a first container. To be more specific, a storage device used for content backup is configured with: (1) a memory device that provides a memory region for one or a plurality of first containers used to store first chunks that commonly occur in each content type among chunks extracted from the contents of writing targets, and for one or a plurality of second containers used to store other chunks than the first chunks; and (2) a backup unit that decides whether each of the chunks extracted from the contents of the writing targets is a first duplication chunk duplicating a chunk stored in the first container, and further decides, for only a chunk that is decided not to be the first duplication chunk, whether each of the chunks is a second duplication chunk duplicating a chunk stored in the second container, and then stores only a chunk that is decided not to be the second duplication chunk in the second container.

Abstract: Upon receipt of an I/O request instructing storage of data in a storage device 106 from a host apparatus, a storage apparatus 100 selects a de-duplication process method to be applied to the received data, based on at least any of influence on processing performance of the storage apparatus 100 to be performed by execution of a first de-duplication process method (inline method) in which the de-duplication process is performed on the data immediately after the receipt of the I/O request, influence on the processing performance of the storage apparatus 100 to be performed by execution of a second de-duplication process method (post-process method) in which the de-duplication process is performed on the data at later timing, and the size of a temporary storage device 106b to be required for the processing of the data by the second de-duplication process method.

Abstract: Accurate and efficient detection of data duplication is implemented. A data duplication determination part (1A) of a storage system (1) temporarily stores in a pool (4) a target chunk data when a second management table (T2) indicates that the target chunk data, which is included in received data, has already been stored, and, in addition, when data (a fingerprint (FP)) for guaranteeing the identity of the target chunk data is not stored in a third management table (T3). The duplication determination part (1A), in a case where the second management table indicates that another target chunk data that differs from the target chunk is already stored, and, in addition, in a case where determination is made that the FP of the other target chunk data is stored in the third management table, makes a redetermination as to whether the chunk data stored in the pool has already been stored.

Abstract: A control unit of a storage apparatus divides received data into one or more chunks and compresses the divided chunk(s); and regarding the chunk whose compressibility is equal to or lower than a threshold value, the control unit does not store the chunk in the first storage area, but calculates a hash value of the compressed chunk, compares the hash value with a hash value of another data already stored in the second storage area and executes first deduplication processing; and regarding the chunk whose compressibility is higher than the threshold value, the control unit stores the compressed chunk in the first storage area, reads the compressed chunk from the first storage area, calculates a hash value of the compressed chunk, compares the relevant hash value with a hash value of another data already stored in the second storage area, and executes secondary deduplication processing.

Abstract: A high-efficiency power supply apparatus is provided in light of the reduction of the switching loss. The power supply apparatus connected between the AC power supply and the DC load converts the AC power supplied from the AC power supply to the DC power and supplies it to the DC load. The power supply apparatus comprises the first switching circuit for outputting the switched positive and negative voltages to the primary winding of the transformer, a second switching circuit for supplying the DC power induced in the secondary winding of the transformer and switched to the DC load connected to the second AC terminals, a resonance inductor serial-connected to the primary winding, and a control unit for controlling the switching operations performed by the first and second switching circuits. The control unit substantially short-circuits the second AC terminals by controlling the switching operations performed by the second switching circuit.

Abstract: An image encoding apparatus is provided which realizes an encoding process at a high bit rate without degradation in image quality at boundary parts within a picture. The image encoding apparatus 1 includes: a plurality of entropy encoding sections 105 and 106 for generating bit streams by entropy-encoding intermediate data generated from syntax elements of image data; and an encoding control section 104 for supplying the intermediate data to any of the entropy encoding sections. The encoding control section 104 determines the entropy encoding section that performs an entropy encoding process by a frame in accordance with the processing status of each of the entropy encoding sections.

Abstract: Metal is locally heated to a predetermined temperature within a predetermined time. A laser annealing apparatus forms a line beam at a focusing position in a heatable area on a workpiece by an optical system, which has a long and narrow shape having a width of 0.5 ?m all to 20 ?m in the short direction and a long width of 6 ?m to 200 ?m in the length direction and has a depth of focus in the range of 2 ?m to 4 ?m, by using a semiconductor laser element that generates laser light, while moving a movable stage on which the workpiece has been mounted in an X direction and a Y direction; and selectively performs a heating step of performing laser annealing while controlling focusing and second laser power that has an output lower than the output of first laser power in the unheatable area on the workpiece.

Abstract: A file management system that transmits a record file of voice data or image data created by a local device to a center device over a network and manages the record file in the center device. The center device receives attribute information about the record file, including the ID of the record file, which is created in the local device, further acquires extended attribute information associated with the attribute information from a PBX, call control server, or customer server, stores management table including the attribute information and the extended attribute information. The extended attribute information of the record file suggests frequency of the reference for the record file in the local device. The center device decides the timing of the upload request for the record file based on the extended attribute information of the record file.

Abstract: An optimum chunk cutout method is selected according to the type of content. A storage apparatus is a storage apparatus for storing content in a backup volume in response to a content storage request from a host system connected to the storage apparatus via a network and includes a chunk cutout unit for cutting out the content into one or more chunks and a duplication judgment unit for managing a duplicate state of the chunk or chunks which have been cut out by the chunk cutout unit; wherein the chunk cutout unit selects a method for cutting out the chunk based on content type identification information indicating a type of the content.

Abstract: An image encoding apparatus is provided which realizes an encoding process at a high bit rate without degradation in image quality at boundary parts within a picture. The image encoding apparatus 1 includes: a plurality of entropy encoding sections 105 and 106 for generating bit streams by entropy-encoding intermediate data generated from syntax elements of image data; and an encoding control section 104 for supplying the intermediate data to any of the entropy encoding sections. The encoding control section 104 determines the entropy encoding section that performs an entropy encoding process by a frame in accordance with the processing status of each of the entropy encoding sections.

Abstract: An image compression/decompression device achieving increased utilization efficiency of the memory bandwidth in the access to the memory used for the compression/decompression operation while maintaining ill effect on the images at a low level is realized. The image compression/decompression device comprises a data conversion unit which reduces the data access rate when original images (as input images at the time of performing the compression) and reference images (used for performing the interframe prediction) are stored in the memory by accessing the memory. The access to the memory is performed in an address sequence (order) that differs between data write and data read. This makes it possible to increase the utilization efficiency of the memory bandwidth, and further to reduce the capacity of the buffer memory used for the data read.

Abstract: A file management system that transmits a record file of voice data or image data created by a local device to a center device over a network and manages the record file in the center device. A first device creates the record file and attribute information indicating the attribute about the record file, stores the record file in a first storage unit, and transmits the attribute information to the second device through the network. A second device receives the attribute information transmitted from the first device and stores it in a second storage unit. The second device receives the record file transmitted from the first device according to transfer condition that is beforehand determined and store it in the second storage unit. A terminal may acquire the record file by using the attribute information.

Abstract: A file management system that provide a record file rapidly to a terminal, request source, by saving a record file to a storage device set at the local area, and to make it possible to refer it. A first device creates the record file and attribute information indicating the attribute about the record file, stores the record file in a first storage unit, and transmits the attribute information to the second device through the network. A second device receives the attribute information and the record file transmitted from the first device and stores them in a second storage unit. The terminal requests to acquire the record file based on the acquired attribute information to the first device or the second device. The first device or the second device transmits the record file requested to the terminal.

Abstract: A file management system that transmits a record file of voice data or image data created by a local device to a center device over a network and manages the record file in the center device. The center device receives attribute information about the record file, including the ID of the record file, which is created in the local device, further acquires extended attribute information associated with the attribute information from a PBX, call control server, or customer server, stores management table including the attribute information and the extended attribute information. The extended attribute information of the record file suggests frequency of the reference for the record file in the local device. The center device decides the timing of the upload request for the record file based on the extended attribute information of the record file.

Abstract: An image correcting device includes an image input section, an image storage section, a correction table storage section, a geometry correcting section for geometrically correcting an input image stored in the image storage section, based on a correction table, and an image output section for output of the input image corrected by the geometry correcting section, wherein the correction table is created by calculating longitudes and latitudes that correspond to respective pixel positions on an output image that becomes the corrected image; calculating corrected latitudes through correction of the latitudes, based on the longitudes and the latitudes; calculating light directions in a subject space, the light directions corresponding to the longitudes and the corrected latitudes; and calculating positions on the input image as resampling positions, the positions corresponding to the respective light directions; and associating the resampling positions with the pixel positions on the output image.

Abstract: A power storage system is provided with a battery and a battery charger which charges a battery pack having a battery voltage and current detection circuit. A charge circuit is structured such as to acquire terminal voltage information of the battery from a battery voltage detection circuit of the battery pack in a charging process, carry out a constant current charge control in a state in which the terminal voltage of the battery is equal to or lower than a previously determined reference voltage value of the battery, and switch to a constant voltage charge control maintaining the output voltage of the charge circuit in the case that the terminal voltage of the battery goes beyond the reference voltage value, thereby carrying on the charge until the battery is fully charged. Therefore, the power storage system can accurately charge the battery to a prescribed amount safely.