Abstract: In an object information generation system, an imaging unit is configured to capture a plurality of segment images respectively corresponding to a plurality of distance segments dividing a target space. In a signal processor, the object region extraction unit extracts, from a plurality of segment images, an object region that is a pixel region including an image of the object. An object information generation unit determines, for the object region, a window in which calculation-target pixels are cut out, and generates distance information of the object by calculation using information of a plurality of pixels in the window for two or more segment images.

Abstract: A distance measurement device includes: a light source configured to emit visible illumination light; an imaging element configured to receive reflected light of the illumination light from an object; and a signal processing circuit configured to reduce the emission of the illumination light in a predetermined period, detect a timing when the reception of the reflected light at the imaging element is reduced due to the reduction of the illumination light, and measure a distance to the object on the basis of the detected timing.

Abstract: An information processing system includes an object information generator and an output unit. The object information generator generates object information. A piece of the object information indicates a feature of an object present in a target distance section. The target distance section is one selected from a plurality of distance sections defined by dividing the distance measurable range in accordance with differences in elapsed times from a point of time when a light emitting unit emits a measuring light. The object information generator generates the piece of the object information based on a distance section signal associated with the target distance section. The output unit outputs the object information.

Abstract: An object detection system includes a light emitter, an optical sensor, a controller, and a signal processor. The controller controls the light emitter and the optical sensor to cause range segment signals to be outputted from the optical sensor for corresponding range segments. The signal processor includes: a target object information generator that includes a plurality of generators (a first generator through a fifth generator) capable of operating in parallel and generates items of target object information indicating features of target objects for the range segments; and storage that stores the items of target object information. The target object information generator compares a past one of the items of target object information stored in the storage with a feature of a current one of the target objects detected by the optical sensor to generate a corresponding one of the items of target object information.

Abstract: A distance measuring device that measures a distance to an object. The distance measuring device includes: a light source that emits pulsed light; a reflector that reflects and radiates, as radiation light, the pulsed light emitted from the light source, and reflects object light that is the radiation light reflected by the object and returning; and an imager that captures the object light reflected by the reflector. The pulsed light emitted from the light source is diffused light. The light source and the imager are located to face the reflector. The reflector radiates, as the radiation light, light in a shape with a long axis and a short axis. The imager performs exposure in synchronization with the pulsed light to image the object light.

Abstract: A food management system that manages food items in a refrigerator includes: a pressure-sensitive sensor that acquires information including shapes, weights, and positions of the food items; a comparator that performs comparison of the information acquired at different times; and an identifier that identifies at least one of (i) fluctuations in the number of food items or (ii) presence or absence of the food items.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor capable of detecting a photon and having smaller circuit scale is provided. The solid-state image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixel cells, a pixel driving circuit configured to drive the plurality of pixel cells, a readout circuit, and a plurality of readout wires corresponding to respective columns of the pixel cell. Each of the plurality of pixel cells includes an avalanche photodiode configured to detect a photon by avalanche multiplication occurring when one photon enters, and a transfer transistor configured to transfer a detection result of the photon to the corresponding readout wire. The readout circuit determines whether a photon is detected or not, and outputs a determination result.

Abstract: A distance measuring device includes a control unit and a measuring unit. The control unit controls a photodetector unit. The photodetector unit includes a photoelectric transducer element and an output unit. The photoelectric transducer element generates electrical charges on receiving light reflected from a target as a part of measuring light emitted from a light-emitting unit. The output unit outputs an electrical signal representing a quantity of the electrical charges generated by the photoelectric transducer element. The measuring unit calculates, in accordance with the electrical signal, a distance to the target within a measurable range. The control unit sets, in each of a plurality of intervals that form the measurable range, a conversion ratio of the quantity of the electrical charges generated by the photoelectric transducer element to a quantity of the light received by the photoelectric transducer element.

Abstract: A distance measuring method according to the present disclosure includes: measuring, in an environment where background light is applied to an object, the illuminance of the background light; setting a distance measuring range based on the illuminance of the background light; setting, based on the distance measuring range set, an image capturing condition for an image capturer including a plurality of pixels each including an avalanche photo diode (APD) and an emission condition in which light is emitted from a light source; and measuring a distance to the object by controlling the image capturer and the light source based on the image capturing condition and the emission condition that are set.

Abstract: A distance measurement imaging system includes a first acquisition unit that acquires first 2D data from an imaging unit, a second acquisition unit that acquires first 3D data from a distance measurement unit, a third acquisition unit that acquires second 2D data and second 3D data from a detection unit, and a computation unit. The imaging unit acquires a first 2D image of a target space. The distance measurement unit acquires a first 3D image of the target space. The detection unit acquires a second 2D image and a second 3D image of the target space with a coaxial optical system. The computation unit executes a processing for making an association between the first 2D data and the second 2D data and a processing for making an association between the first 3D data and the second 3D data.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor capable of detecting a photon and having smaller circuit scale is provided. The solid-state image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixel cells, a pixel driving circuit configured to drive the plurality of pixel cells, a readout circuit, and a plurality of readout wires corresponding to respective columns of the pixel cell. Each of the plurality of pixel cells includes an avalanche photodiode configured to detect a photon by avalanche multiplication occurring when one photon enters, and a transfer transistor configured to transfer a detection result of the photon to the corresponding readout wire. The readout circuit determines whether a photon is detected or not, and outputs a determination result.

Abstract: A distance measurement device includes: a light source configured to emit visible illumination light; an imaging element configured to receive reflected light of the illumination light from an object; and a signal processing circuit configured to reduce the emission of the illumination light in a predetermined period, detect a timing when the reception of the reflected light at the imaging element is reduced due to the reduction of the illumination light, and measure a distance to the object on the basis of the detected timing.

Abstract: A distance measuring method for use in a distance measuring device. The distance measuring device includes: a light source; a light-receiving element that receives light emitted from the light source, reflected by an object, and returned to the distance measuring device to generate an electric charge; a first capacitor and a second capacitor that store the electric charge; a transfer gate transistor that connects the light-receiving element and the first capacitor; and a reset transistor that connects the first capacitor and a voltage from an external source. The distance measuring method is a method of measuring a distance based on time taken by the light from the light source to return to the distance measuring device after being reflected by the object. The distance measuring method comprising: turning ON the transfer gate transistor; and turning OFF the reset transistor during a period in which the transfer gate transistor is ON.

Abstract: A food management system that manages food items in a refrigerator includes: a pressure-sensitive sensor that acquires information including shapes, weights, and positions of the food items; a comparator that performs comparison of the information acquired at different times; and an identifier that identifies at least one of (i) fluctuations in the number of food items or (ii) presence or absence of the food items.

Abstract: A distance measuring device that measures a distance to an object. The distance measuring device includes: a light source that emits pulsed light; a reflector that reflects and radiates, as radiation light, the pulsed light emitted from the light source, and reflects object light that is the radiation light reflected by the object and returning; and an imager that captures the object light reflected by the reflector. The pulsed light emitted from the light source is diffused light. The light source and the imager are located to face the reflector. The reflector radiates, as the radiation light, light in a shape with a long axis and a short axis. The imager performs exposure in synchronization with the pulsed light to image the object light.

Abstract: A method for producing a thin oxidized carbon film according to the present disclosure includes: a first step of preparing a thin carbon film and a copper oxide being in contact with the thin carbon film and containing a mixture of Cu2O and CuO; and a second step of applying a voltage or a current between the thin carbon film and the copper oxide, with an electrical potential of the thin carbon film being positive relative to that of the copper oxide, and thereby oxidizing and converting a contact area of the thin carbon film with the copper oxide into an oxidized portion composed of oxidized carbon so as to form a thin oxidized carbon film having the oxidized portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a spin device including: a graphene; a first ferromagnetic electrode and a second electrode that are in electrical contact with and sandwich the graphene; a third ferromagnetic electrode and a fourth electrode that sandwich the graphene at a position apart from the first and second electrodes in electrical contact with the graphene; a current applying portion that applies an electric current between the first ferromagnetic electrode and the second electrode; and a voltage-signal detecting portion that detects spin accumulation information as a voltage signal via the third ferromagnetic electrode and the fourth electrode. The spin accumulation information is generated, by application of the electric current, in a part of the graphene that is sandwiched between the third and fourth electrodes. The first and third ferromagnetic electrodes are disposed on the same surface of the graphene, and the second and fourth electrodes are non-magnetic or ferromagnetic electrodes.

Abstract: A production method of the present disclosure includes: a first step of preparing a multi-layer graphene, and an iron oxide that is a ferromagnetic material contacting the graphene and containing Fe3O4; and a second step of applying a voltage or a current between the graphene and the iron oxide with an electric potential of the graphene being positive relative to that of the iron oxide, so as to oxidize a part of the graphene or oxidize a part of the graphene and a part of Fe3O4, and thus to form a barrier layer composed of oxidized graphene or of oxidized graphene and Fe2O3 between the graphene and the iron oxide, and thereby forming a spin injection electrode that includes the graphene, the iron oxide, and the barrier layer located at an interface between the graphene and the iron oxide, and that allows spins to be injected into the graphene from the iron oxide via the barrier layer.

Abstract: A film structure (carbon material-insulating film structure) of the present invention includes a carbon material and an insulating film disposed on the carbon material and composed of fluorine-added magnesium oxide. The amount of added fluorine in the magnesium oxide is 0.0049 atomic percent or more and 0.1508 atomic percent or less. This film structure facilitates the realization of an electronic device, such as a spin device, which uses a carbon material such as graphene. This film structure is formed, for example, by sputtering using a target containing magnesium oxide and magnesium fluoride.

Abstract: A method for producing a thin oxidized carbon film according to the present disclosure includes: a first step of preparing a thin carbon film and a copper oxide being in contact with the thin carbon film and containing a mixture of Cu2O and CuO; and a second step of applying a voltage or a current between the thin carbon film and the copper oxide, with an electrical potential of the thin carbon film being positive relative to that of the copper oxide, and thereby oxidizing and converting a contact area of the thin carbon film with the copper oxide into an oxidized portion composed of oxidized carbon so as to form a thin oxidized carbon film having the oxidized portion.