Abstract: In an image coding method of the present invention, after a process such as DCT is performed to digital image data, quantization process is performed, and then, to resultant quantized transform coefficients, variable length coding process is performed with reference to a variable length code table showing how variable length codes are allocated, and in a comparison process between an event derived from the quantized transform coefficients and a reference event included in the variable length code table, transformation process is performed to increase a possibility of performing variable length coding with satisfactory coding efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information reproducing apparatus for reading out main information to be a target of reproduction and auxiliary information to control reproduction of the main information from an information recording medium containing the main information and the auxiliary information, and reproducing the main information according to the auxiliary information.

Abstract: A multi-filar helical antenna has an antenna radiant section which has n elements which are wound in spiral, and a phase control part which feeds signal to the n elements with a phase delay of 360°/n each in the order of an arrangement of the n elements or a phase lead of 360°/n each in the order of the arrangement of the n elements.

Abstract: In a photodetector, the minimum size of the photodetection area for detecting a focus error signal from a light beam on the inner radius side of a hologram is made smaller than the minimum diameter of diffracted light beam spots (30, 31) for recording and reproduction, and when a CD is reproduced, a light beam close to the optical axis is made to significantly contribute to the focus error signal and the minimum size of the photodetection area for detecting the focus error signal from a light beam from the peripheral side of the hologram is made larger than the minimum diameter of diffracted light beam spots (130, 131) for recording and reproduction, whereby the focus error signal is made equal to the normal focus error signal when a DVD is reproduced, so that the focus offset variation caused when the base material thickness varies can be reduced.

Abstract: A recordable optical disc stores one or more video objects. A video stream, a first audio stream, and a second audio stream which is used for dubbing are multiplexed into each video object. Also, an optical disc recording apparatus generates the second audio stream by an audio stream generating device, and multiplexes the generated second audio stream into each video object together with the video object and the first audio stream by a multiplexor. The generated video objects are recorded onto the recordable optical disc by a recording device. The optical disc in which such video objects are stored facilitates dubbing.

Abstract: There is provided an image decoding apparatus for decoding a coded image signal having an image identifier based on a data structure of the image signal. This apparatus comprises a data analyzer for analyzing the coded image signal with reference to the image identifier to decide whether the coded image signal is a coded arbitrary shape signal including both of coded shape bit streams obtained by coding a shape signal which represents the shape of each object as one of the components of a display image and coded pixel value bit streams obtained by coding a pixel value signal representing the gradation of the object, or a coded binary signal including only coded shape bit streams obtained by coding a shape signal representing a display image of binary information; a first decoder for decoding the coded shape bit streams by a first decoding process; and a second decoder for decoding the coded pixel value bit streams by a second decoding process.

Abstract: In a level shifter including a latch consisting of two p-channel transistors P1 and P2, when an input signal at a terminal IN changes from H- into L-level, an n-channel transistor N2 turns ON, thereby dropping a potential level at a node W2. However, since a p-channel transistor P4 is OFF, no short-circuit current flows from a high voltage supply VDD3 into the ground by way of the transistors P2 and N2. On the other hand, since n- and p-channel transistors N1 and P3 are OFF, both terminals of a node W1 are electrically isolated. But the high voltage supply VDD3 pulls the node W1 up to a high voltage level by way of the p-channel transistors P4 and P1 and another p-channel transistor P5 as a resistor. Accordingly, the capacitance to be driven by the n-channel transistors N1 and N2 can be reduced, thus shortening the delay.

Abstract: There is provided a reproduction apparatus for reproducing stream data recorded on a recording medium, the stream data containing menu item coordinate information representing a display location of a menu item and image information representing an image. The reproduction apparatus includes: a reading section for reading the stream data from the recording medium; an extraction section for extracting the menu item coordinate information contained in the stream data; a reproduction section for reproducing the image information contained in the stream data; a determination section for determining whether or not the menu item has been selected by comparing the extracted menu item coordinate information against a user input in the form of coordinate information; and an execution section for executing a process corresponding to the menu item if the menu item is determined to have been selected.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image predictive decoding method in which image data obtained by compressively coding a variable-size image using a prescribed method is input, a prediction image is generated using, as a reference image, at least one reproduced image which has been reproduced before an image being an object of decoding, and the object image is subjected to predictive decoding. In this method, the prediction image is generated using, as a reference image, at least one reproduced image which has been recently reproduced and includes significant image data to be referred to. Therefore, when plural objects constituting an image are subjected to compressive coding and transmitted object by object to increase the compression efficiency, it is avoided that a variable-size image which has already disappeared is used as the reference image for predictive decoding. As a result, coded data obtained by efficient compressive coding that suppresses the code quantity can be appropriately decoded.

Abstract: An electrode structure for a semiconductor device and a method for forming the electrode structure, and a mounted body including the semiconductor device are provided in which the semiconductor device can be easily connected to a circuit board with high reliability. An aluminum electrode is formed on an IC substrate. A passivation film is formed on the IC substrate so as to cover the peripheral portion of the aluminum electrode. A bump electrode is formed on the aluminum electrode by a wire bonding method. An aluminum oxide film is formed on the surface of the aluminum electrode that is exposed around the bump electrode. A conductive adhesive is applied as a bonding layer to the tip portion of the bump electrode of the semiconductor device by a transfer method or a printing method. The semiconductor device is aligned in the face-down state in such a manner that the bump electrode abuts on a terminal electrode of a circuit board, and is provided on a circuit board.

Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor device that can inspect the connection states of power source terminals and grounding terminals of a test LSI at a low cost and in a short time, and an inspection method for the same. Switches SW1 to SW3 are provided between a plurality of power source terminals PD1 to PD3 and a power source line 10 inside the test LSI 4. A switch SWT is provided between the power source line and a grounding line 11 inside the test LSI. When inspecting the connection state of a certain power source terminal, the switch connected between the power source terminal and the power source line is closed, the switch SWT between the power source line and the grounding line is closed, and remaining switches are opened. A voltage is supplied between the power source terminal and a grounding terminal, and whether or not the power source terminal is in the connected state is determined by whether or not a current flows.

Abstract: A disk reproducing device comprising: clock signal extracting means for extracting a regenerative clock signal from a reproduced signal; synchronization detecting means for detecting a synchronizing signal from the reproduced signal; extracted clock signal verification means for verifying that the regenerative clock signal is correctly extracted; signal processing means for performing variable linear velocity reproduction; target reproducing speed setting means for setting a target reproducing speed; reproducing speed verification means for verifying that a reproducing speed reaches the target reproducing speed; and signal processing start command generating means for outputting a signal processing start command referring outputs of said extracted clock signal verification means and said reproducing speed verification means.

Abstract: Slot quality detector 121 detects a reception level, and power controller inversely corresponding to reception quality 122 outputs power control information indicative of increasing transmission power in the case where the detected reception level is higher than a threshold value and of decreasing the transmission power in the case where the detected quality is lower than the threshold value. Transmission power setter 108 performs the setting of transmission power corresponding to the power control information and provides a control to transmit by the set power. That allows improving of a battery saving and moderating of the specification of amplifiers in a transmission/reception apparatus, thereby resulting in decreased interference to signals of other users in the CDMA communication.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a high-efficiency and reliable linear compressor in which even when a pressing force is applied to its piston, the piston is turnably connected and supported through a connecting rod so that sliding surfaces between the piston and a cylinder. The invention provides a linear compressor comprising a cylinder supported in a hermetic vessel by a support mechanism, a piston slidably supported by the cylinder along its axial direction, a spring member for applying an axial force to the piston, a connecting mechanism for connecting the piston and the spring member with each other, and a linear motor having a stator coupled to the cylinder and a moving member coupled to the piston, wherein and the connecting mechanism is connected to the piston such the connecting mechanism can rock with respect to the piston.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid bearing equipment which is free from lockup or seizure which may occur due to a deficiency of a lubricating fluid when the equipment is operated at a high rotation speed in a high temperature environment. The fluid bearing equipment is arranged such that maximum pressure generating portions 23 of dynamic pressure generating grooves 15, 16 provided in a thrust-side dynamic pressure generating portion are located closer to the outer circumference of a stationary thrust plate 9 than a radially middle position of the thrust-side dynamic pressure generating portion. With this arrangement, the lockup and seizure of a motor can be prevented which may otherwise occur due to a deficiency of the lubricating fluid when the equipment is operated at a high rotation speed in a high temperature environment.

Abstract: A direct conversion receiver includes a local oscillator for generating a first local oscillator signal having a variable frequency. A 90° phase shifter operates for shifting a phase of the first local oscillator signal by 90° to convert the first local oscillator signal into a second local oscillator signal. A first mixer operates for mixing a received RF signal and the first local oscillator signal. A second mixer operates for mixing the received RF signal and the second local oscillator signal. A first low pass filter processes an output signal of the first mixer. The first low pass filter has a controllable cutoff frequency. A second low pass filter processes an output signal of the second mixer. The second low pass filter has a controllable cutoff frequency. A demodulator recovers an information signal represented by the received RF signal from output signals of the first and second low pass filters.

Abstract: A vibration motor 18 constituted by a motor provided with a weight 57 is covered with a cover 44 having a flat portion for making the cover 44 be sucked easily and a marking for positioning, and this vibration motor is mounted on a main-body printed board 9. In this main-body printed board, line lands and main-body lands also having a function for identification are provided outside the outline of the mounted vibration motor, so that a displacement of the mounting position can be easily detected even visually.

Abstract: A push—push oscillator is formed by (a) a resonator circuit including a transmission line having one-half wavelength and both ends of the line being left open, and a capacitance for frequency control coupled to the transmission line in parallel, and (b) two oscillators electrically identical to each other and their input sections being coupled to both the ends of the transmission line. Further, this oscillator can take out an output signal of even-order-harmonics from a midpoint of the transmission line in a transmitting direction as well as take out two fundamental waves from respective output sections of two branch oscillators. This push—push oscillator operating with a high frequency is downsized and simplified from a conventional one. Its phase-noise-characteristics and noise immunity are also improved.