Abstract: A reading section outputs density information of a gradation pattern image of a recording member. A gradation correction characteristic generation section generates a first gradation correction characteristic f(x). At first image quality adjustment, a detection section detects densities of patch pattern images on an image carrier, and the gradation correction characteristic generation section generates a second gradation correction characteristic g(x). At normal image quality adjustment, the detection section detects densities of patch pattern images on the image carrier, and the gradation correction characteristic generation section generates a second gradation correction characteristic g?(x). A calculation section calculates a difference gradation correction characteristic g?(x) between the gradation correction characteristic g(x) and the second gradation correction characteristic g?(x).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a housing, a power supply incorporated in the housing, a conversion unit which converts a voltage supplied from the power supply, a detection unit which detects a voltage supplied from the power supply, and a control unit which, when the voltage detected by the detection unit has become less than or equal to a specific threshold value, controls the power supply so as to lower not only a voltage output from the conversion unit by a specific percentage but also a voltage supplied to the detection unit by a specific percentage.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a first flush cache memory location, a second flush cache memory location, and a controller for writing information associated with a flush cache write command alternatively between the first flush cache memory location and the second flush cache memory location.

Abstract: An example magnetoresistive effect element includes a magnetoresistive effect film including a magnetization pinned layer, a magnetization free layer, and an intermediate layer interposed therebetween and having a magnetic region and a nonmagnetic region whose electrical resistance is higher than the magnetic region. A sense current is passed to the magnetoresistive effect film in a direction substantially perpendicular to the film plane thereof. The magnetic region of the intermediate layer penetrates the nonmagnetic region locally and extends in the direction substantially perpendicular to the film plane. The nonmagnetic region contains a nonmagnetic metallic element having a larger surface energy than a magnetic metallic element contained in the magnetic region.

Abstract: A page turning apparatus having a vacuum pad to vacuum suck the uppermost page of a booklet, a drive link plate to move the vacuum pad to pick up the uppermost page of a booklet at a predetermined angle in the direction of opening around a bound edge, a pinch-roller which goes under the uppermost page picked up at a predetermined angle, and a control unit which releases the vacuum suction of the vacuum pad, and moves the vacuum pad in the direction retreating from the uppermost page, after the pinch-roller goes under the uppermost page, and conveys a booklet so that the uppermost page is brought into contact with the pinch-roller, and opened.

Abstract: A solid catalyst has a close-packed structure and has a first surface layer and a second surface layer, wherein the first surface layer includes platinum as a main component and the second surface layer contains PtaXb (wherein X is one element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, Mo, and W; a+b=100; and 25?b?50); and a fuel cell includes the solid catalyst as an anode-side electrode catalyst.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes plural memory cell blocks, each having a memory array of plural memory cells. Plural control circuits are provided in correspondence with each of the memory cell blocks, for writing information to the memory cell blocks and for reading information written in the memory cell blocks. Plural input/output terminals are for inputting the information to be written and for outputting the information to be read. Plural multiplexers are provided in correspondence with each of the input/output terminals, for conveying the information to be written from the input/output terminals and for conveying the information to be read to the input/.output terminals. A bidirectional transfer type buffer is connected to each connection line between the control circuits and the multiplexers, for selectively conveying information from the control circuits to each of the multiplexers and for selectively conveying information from the multiplexers to each of the control circuits.

Abstract: An interactive robot capable of speech recognition includes a sound-source-direction estimating unit that estimates a direction of a sound source for target voices which are required to undergo speech recognition; a moving unit that moves the interactive robot in the sound-source direction; a target-voice acquiring unit that acquires the target voices at a position after moving; and a speech recognizing unit that performs speech recognition of the target voices.

Abstract: A video encoding method comprises selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations each including a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture, generating a prediction picture signal in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination, generating a predictive error signal representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal, and encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a single cell including a membrane assembly electrode unit comprising a fuel electrode to which an aqueous methanol solution is supplied as a fuel, an air electrode to which an oxidizing gas is supplied, and an electrolyte membrane interposed between the electrodes, a fuel separator and an oxidizing gas separator disposed at both sides of the membrane assembly electrode unit, and seal members respectively disposed between the membrane assembly electrode unit and the fuel separator and between the membrane assembly electrode unit and the oxidizing gas separator. The seal member includes a specific copolymer of a monomer containing a metal element.

Abstract: A video encoding method comprises selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations each including a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture, generating a prediction picture signal in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination, generating a predictive error signal representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal, and encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor chip, a memory cell array arranged on the semiconductor chip and first and second decoder strings arranged along both ends of the memory cell array. The arrangement position of the first decoder string is deviated from the arrangement position of the second decoder string and a space caused by the deviation is arranged in the corner of the semiconductor chip.

Abstract: A spin transistor includes a non-magnetic semiconductor substrate having a channel region, a first area, and a second area. The channel region is between the first and the second areas. The spin transistor also includes a first conductive layer located above the first area and made of a ferromagnetic material magnetized in a first direction; and a second conductive layer located above the second area and made of a ferromagnetic material magnetized in one of the first direction and a second direction that is antiparallel with respect to the first direction. The channel region introduces electron spin between the conductive layers. The spin transistor also includes a gate electrode located between the conductive layers and above the channel region; and a tunnel barrier film located between the non-magnetic semiconductor substrate and at least one of the conductive layers.

Abstract: An IP broadcast transmitting device comprises means for acquiring and collecting channel tuning information and program-related information from broadcast signals of each broadcasting station from which the broadcast signals are distributed, means for updating and managing the information, means for distributing the information independently from IP multicast-distributions of the broadcast signals, and means for distributing a service area tuning list with IP multicast-distribution information of the broadcast signals and distribution positions of the channel tuning information and the program-related information of the broadcast signals described therein.

Abstract: A weakly alkali cleaning liquid suitable for use in the case of cleaning and removing inks adhered to a nozzle plate, in an ink jet printer using inks in which inorganic pigments and metal oxides are mixed into polymers, is provided. In the cleaning liquid, carbonates are added to the weakly alkali solution of pH 8 to pH 12.

Abstract: A memory cell includes an antifuse device that is capable of having data written thereto by breakdown of a gate dielectric film by application of a high voltage. A data inversion portion generates, according to a relationship between the sense amplifier's determination and write data to be written to the memory cell, inverted write data obtained by inverting the write data. The data inversion portion also inverts, when data is read from the memory cell to which the inverted write data is written, the read data and reads it.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes piezoelectric elements each including grooves parallel to each other and arrayed in a direction substantially parallel to the grooves, and a mixed member which is to fill the grooves and obtained by mixing in a nonconductive resin member a nonconductive granular substance with a coefficient of thermal expansion of not more than substantially 10?5 K?1.

Abstract: A voice activity detection method comprising the steps of (a) Estimating in a noise power estimator the noise power within a signal having a speech component and a noise component, and (b) Calculating a likelihood ratio for the presence of speech in the signal from the estimated power of noise signals from step (a) and a complex Gaussian statistical model.

Abstract: A technique capable of preventing deterioration of image quality resulting from a band-shaped toner image created on a photosensitive surface in order to prevent so-called carrier attraction is provided.