Abstract: There is provided an infrared array sensor, which is capable of positional specification and flow tracking of an object to be detected without performing image processing, and whose cost is low. An infrared array sensor 100 where pixels 101, each having a thermal infrared detector 102 whose electric properties change in accordance with incidence of infrared rays, are arrayed in two-dimensional matrix form, the infrared array sensor 100 including: a row output take-out means 103 configured so as to take out an electric signal to the outside as an output, the electric signal being in accordance with electric properties as a sum of electric properties respectively shown by the thermal infrared detectors 102 on each row; and a column output take-out means 104 configured so as to take out an electric signal to the outside as an output, the electric signal being in accordance with electric properties as a sum of electric properties respectively shown by the thermal infrared detectors 102 on each column.

Abstract: A system configuration can evaluate the stability of an output from a user's control system including all effects of unknown dynamic characteristics and disturbances and can guarantee the stability of the output from the user's control system irrespective of the unknown dynamic characteristics and the disturbances. The control system is provided with a virtual power monitor and is thereby provided with a function of evaluation and analyzing the stability of an object to be controlled, and is such that in a user's control system the user's controlled object is controlled by the user's control strategy. Included is a conservative control strategy which receives a feedback signal from the user's controlled object and can input a control input to the user's controlled object; and a virtual power monitor which monitors power virtually transmitted from the conservative control strategy to the user's controlled object, and can evaluate the stability of an output from the user's control system.

Abstract: The present invention intends to provide a method for liveliness detection and fitness measurement using information optically extracted from a fingertip. For liveliness detection, the present method examines the change in a color index of a finger at its touching portion measured while the finger is being pressed onto an inspection surface and while the finger is released from the same surface. If the change is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the finger is regarded as a live finger. For fitness measurement, an index indicative of the stiffness of the blood vessel of the finger is obtained from the change in the color index of the finger at its touching portion against the change in the contact area of the finger while the finger is being pressed onto the inspection surface.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion device for securely fixing a junction of a thermocouple to a top plate while ensuring heat transfer between the junction and the top plate. The thermoelectric conversion device includes a substrate having a main surface, a top plate facing the main surface of the substrate, and a plurality of series-connected thermocouples. Each thermocouple has a first end including a first junction and a second end including a second junction. The first junction of each thermocouple is fixed to the main surface of the substrate and the second junction of each thermocouple is provided with a bump for attaching the second junction to the top plate in such a way that the second junction is separated from the substrate.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a floating mobile object control system capable of causing a floating mobile object to stand still in a predetermined position with high precision or track a target trajectory with high precision, even under disturbances caused by waves, tidal current, etc.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a floating mobile object control system capable of causing a floating mobile object to stand still in a predetermined position with high precision or track a target trajectory with high precision, even under disturbances caused by waves, tidal current, etc.

Abstract: A sensor capable of simply and quickly measuring the electrical activities of a number of cells simultaneously and a device comprising the sensor and capable of detecting the signal transmission between subject cells are provided. The sensor comprises a plurality of electrodes provided on a substrate. The electrodes individually measure a signal generated by a biological sample held by each of the electrodes. Each of the electrodes comprises a depression for holding the biological sample, a throughhole which is in communication with the depression and penetrates to a rear side of the substrate, an electrode portion, and a drawing line from the electrode portion. The electrodes are arranged so that the samples held by the depressions electrically communicate with one another.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion device that eliminates differences in the distance between two adjacent junctions. The thermoelectric conversion device includes an insulative core. A thermocouple assembly is formed spirally around the insulative core contacting the circumferential surface and includes a plurality of series-connected thermocouples. Each of the thermocouples defines a single loop of the spiral and has a first metal body, which is formed in half of the loop, and a second metal body, which is formed in the remaining half of the loop from a metal differing from the first metal body. A plurality of junctions are formed between the first metal body and the second metal body of each thermocouple. The junctions are formed at 180° intervals along the spiral thermocouple assembly.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion device for securely fixing a junction of a thermocouple to a top plate while ensuring heat transfer between the junction and the top plate. The thermoelectric conversion device includes a substrate having a main surface, a top plate facing the main surface of the substrate, and a plurality of series-connected thermocouples. Each thermocouple has a first end including a first junction and a second end including a second junction. The first junction of each thermocouple is fixed to the main surface of the substrate and the second junction of each thermocouple is provided with a bump for attaching the second junction to the top plate in such a way that the second junction is separated from the substrate.