Abstract: A units of red {u1-uA}, B units of green {v1-vB} and C units of blue {w1-wC} are sampled and measurements are performed, and an interpolation equation is found from the A×B×C units of data in three-dimensions (L*, a*, b*) that are obtained. Firstly, A units of point sequence data in 3×B×C dimensions are least squares approximated for the parameters u, and Mu control points in 3×B×C dimensions are found. Then, B units of point sequence data in 3×C×Mu dimensions are least squares approximated for the parameters v, and My control points in 3×C×Mu dimensions are found. Next, C units of point sequence data in 3×Mu×Mv dimensions are least squares approximated for the parameters w, and Mw control points in 3×Mu×Mv dimensions are found. Then, output values (L*,a*,b*) corresponding to arbitrary input values (Red,Green,Blue) can be obtained by an interpolation equation according to Mu×Mv×Mw final control points in three dimensions and basis functions used in the least squares approximations.

Abstract: A measurement method for measuring a distortion of a projection optical system that projects a pattern, used by an exposure apparatus that exposes the reticle pattern onto an object to be exposed, the measurement method includes the steps of a first exposing step for exposing a mark pattern onto the object to be exposed, the mark pattern having a mark on or near an optical axis of the projection optical system and a mark beside the optical axis, and being arranged at a position of the reticle, a second exposing step for only exposing a mark on or near the optical axis of the projection optical system in the mark pattern, measuring step for measuring a shape of the mark formed on the object to be exposed via the first and second exposing steps, and calculating step for calculating the distortion of the projection optical system from the shape of the mark measured by the measuring step.

Abstract: A video recorder connected to a DV (Digital Video) camcorder via an IEEE serial bus comprises a memory for storing time codes in dubbing-unwanted information, commanded by a user, in a DV tape. When commanded by the user for video recording, a microprocessor of the video recorder controls the DV camcorder to fast forward the DV tape for data area other than the dubbing-unwanted information based on the time codes about the dubbing-unwanted information as stored in the memory, and to reproduce the video information in the dubbing-unwanted information. This makes it possible to significantly reduce the time required for the user to check the video information to be dubbed.

Abstract: A reflectance of a color shifted painting color is also measured conveniently. A first reflectance R(?a) of a first reflected light Va inside an incident plane A is measured, and a first locus l of termini of first bisection vectors Ha(|Ha|=|R(?a)|), which displaces two-dimensionally inside the incident plane A, is determined. A second reflectance R(?b) of a second reflected light Vb outside the incident plane A is measured, and a second locus m of termini of second bisection vectors Hb (|Hb|=|R(?b)|), which displaces three-dimensionally outside the incident plane A, is measured.

Abstract: It is determined whether a repeating pattern is present in an image (100). When no repeating pattern is present, the image is divided into patch images, the resultant patch images are used to create a random repeating pattern, and the random repeating pattern is output (108). In addition, when the number of repetitions of the repeating pattern in the image is 2×2 or more (102), the repetition period is determined by transforming pixel values into frequency coefficients, and the repeating pattern is extracted based on the result of determining the repetition period, and is output (104). When the number of repetitions of the repeating pattern in the image is less than 2×2, the repetition period is determined by performing division using local maximum values of autocorrelation coefficients, and the repetition pattern is extracted based on the result of determining the repetition period (106).

Abstract: A lever assembly holds a wiper strip, which directly wipes a wiping surface. The lever assembly includes a plurality of levers, which are connected together in tournament style. An axial length of the lever assembly is shorter than an axial length of the wiper strip. A cover member receives the lever assembly, and opposed ends of the cover member hold the wiper strip. The cover member includes a plurality of cover portions, which are formed separately from one another.

Abstract: A video recorder connected to a DV camcorder comprises: a microprocessor; a program data file for storing time codes in stream data on a DV tape corresponding to dubbing start and end positions (“start and end time codes”) when a user commands the start and end positions after commanding the camcorder to reproduce the stream data; and a log table for storing the start and end time codes as well as a reset time code and a time code immediately preceding the reset time code. When the same time code as the end time code is acquired while reproducing data area from the start time code to the end time code, the microprocessor determines, based on the time codes in the log table, whether the then reproduction position is the same as the commanded dubbing end position. This enables secure dubbing even with stream data containing reset time codes.

Abstract: In an image sensing apparatus capable of sensing a moving image, when sensing of the moving image, image data of the sensed moving image and image sensing condition data of such moving image are stored, a frame for printing is selected from among multiple frames of the image data forming the stored moving image, and a number of frames to synthesize is determined based on image sensing conditions for the selected frames. Of the plurality of frames of image data forming the moving image/image data of the selected frame and of the determined number of frames sensed before and after the selected frame is synthesized to generate image data for printing.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus which includes a projection optical system configured to project light from an original onto a substrate and performs an exposure of the substrate to light via a liquid that fills a gap between a final optical element of the projection optical system and the substrate, the apparatus comprises a controller configured so that 1) an exposure condition for the substrate is input to the controller, the exposure condition including a shot area layout and a dose for a shot area, and 2) the controller obtains a contact time during which the shot area is to be kept in contact with the liquid based on the input exposure condition, and corrects the input dose based on the obtained contact time.

Abstract: An image processing device which is capable of efficiently performing face-detection, red-eye detection, and/or image data correction including red-eye correction without waste when there are a plurality of chances of performing the image data correction including the red-eye correction on a single image. A printing apparatus acquires image data and information concerning a face detection process performed on the image data from an image pickup apparatus. A controller of the printing apparatus determines to cause the printing apparatus to perform a face detection process on the acquired image data, based on the acquired information. The information contains an information item concerning detection accuracy of the performed face detection process, and a face detection process with higher detection accuracy than the detection accuracy described in the information is determined as the face detection process to be performed by the printing apparatus.

Abstract: A multifunctional machine includes a first component section that starts up taking a first time period, and a second component section that starts up taking a second time period shorter than the first time period. An operation start prediction information obtaining section is provided to obtain operation start prediction information predicting a time when a user starts the multifunctional machine. A start up control section is provided to start up the first component section in advance of the second component section. A power supply control section is provided to supply power from at least one external power source and drive the start up control section in accordance with the operation start prediction information.

Abstract: A growth crucible (2) for depositing on a seed crystal substrate (5) a silicon carbide single crystal (6) using a sublimate gas of a silicon carbide raw material (11) is disposed inside of an outer crucible (1). During the course of silicon carbide single crystal, a silicon raw material (22) is continuously fed from outside into a space between the growth crucible and the outer crucible for the purpose of vaporizing the silicon raw material. An atmosphere gas surrounding the growth crucible is constituted of a silicon gas. The pressure of the atmosphere silicon gas is controlled to suppress a variation in the composition of the sublimate gas within the growth crucible to thereby grow a large-sized silicon carbide single crystal with few crystal defects on the seed crystal substrate reliably at a high growth rate.

Abstract: At first, a sample for obtaining light measurement data is set to obtain reflectances. After setting an arbitrary wavelength ?i, a principal component analysis is executed to obtain an eigenvalue 1 and an eigenvector b. Then a basic equation for reflectance is determined by deriving a coefficient k, utilizing a known reflectance of an object of which reflectance is to be estimated. Thereafter a process of deriving a reflectance at an arbitrary displacement angle is executed for all the wavelengths, for example over a visible wavelength range. In this manner, the reflectance of an object at an arbitrary displacement angle can easily be obtained by utilizing the basic equation for the reflectance derived from the eigenvector obtained from the principal component analysis of the measured data.

Abstract: A growth crucible (2) for depositing on a seed crystal substrate (5) a silicon carbide single crystal (6) using a sublimate gas of a silicon carbide raw material (11) is disposed inside of an outer crucible (1). During the course of silicon carbide single crystal, a silicon raw material (22) is continuously fed from outside into a space between the growth crucible and the outer crucible for the purpose of vaporizing the silicon raw material. An atmosphere gas surrounding the growth crucible is constituted of a silicon gas. The pressure of the atmosphere silicon gas is controlled to suppress a variation in the composition of the sublimate gas within the growth crucible to thereby grow a large-sized silicon carbide single crystal with few crystal defects on the seed crystal substrate reliably at a high growth rate.

Abstract: When a controller to be connected to a sender of stream data via an IEEE 1394 serial bus cannot decode stream data to be sent from the sender, the controller searches out a device having a data conversion function from a first type of stream data sent from the sender into a second type of stream data which the controller can decode (such device being hereafter referred to simply as “data conversion device”) among the devices on the bus. Thereafter the controller establishes point-to-point connection between the data conversion device and the sender as well as between the data conversion device and the controller, and makes the data conversion device convert the first type of stream data into the second type of stream data.

Abstract: A DVD recorder connected to a DV camera via an IEEE 1394 serial bus comprises: an image selection means for selecting a moving image, as a candidate image for an opening/ending screen, from moving images contained in stream data received from the camera; a moving image extracting means for extracting the selected moving image from the moving images; a storage means for temporarily storing the extracted moving image; an image converting means for converting the stored moving image into a still image; a title screen selection means for selecting, from the still images, a still image to be an opening/ending screen for a file of stream data recorded in the recorder; and a data associating means for associating the selected still image with the file of stream data. This recorder can be more convenient to use, and can reduce the required recording area of a DVD for creating the opening/ending screen.

Abstract: A controller device such as a digital television receiver that is connected via an IEEE 1394 serial bus to a device having a tuner function and a digital recording device compares a keyword entered by a user with information about each program that is contained in program schedule information received by each device on the IEEE 1394 network that has a tuner circuit to determine whether there is a match, thereby searching for a program corresponding to the keyword among all programs receivable by any device on the network that has a tuner circuit. The controller device then performs timer recording for programs in a list of programs found as a result of the search.

Abstract: A video recorder connected to a DV (Digital Video) camcorder via an IEEE serial bus comprises a memory for storing time codes in dubbing-unwanted information, commanded by a user, in a DV tape. When commanded by the user for video recording, a microprocessor of the video recorder controls the DV camcorder to fast forward the DV tape for data area other than the dubbing-unwanted information based on the time codes about the dubbing-unwanted information as stored in the memory, and to reproduce the video information in the dubbing-unwanted information. This makes it possible to significantly reduce the time required for the user to check the video information to be dubbed.

Abstract: A video recorder connected to a DV camcorder comprises: a microprocessor; a program data file for storing time codes in stream data on a DV tape corresponding to dubbing start and end positions (“start and end time codes”) when a user commands the start and end positions after commanding the camcorder to reproduce the stream data; and a log table for storing the start and end time codes as well as a reset time code and a time code immediately preceding the reset time code. When the same time code as the end time code is acquired while reproducing data area from the start time code to the end time code, the microprocessor determines, based on the time codes in the log table, whether the then reproduction position is the same as the commanded dubbing end position. This enables secure dubbing even with stream data containing reset time codes.

Abstract: When a STB having a tuner device is connected to a DTV for the first time, the DTV creates a channel information DB for the STB based on a channel information DB for the DTV itself. After that, when the STB performs a channel selection operation based on a command from one of controller devices in an IEEE 1394 network and, as a result, the STB receives a broadcast signal on a new channel that is not stored as a receivable channel in the STB channel information DB, the DTV adds the new channel to the DB. When the STB performs a channel selection operation based on a command from the DTV and, as a result, the STB cannot receive a broadcast signal on a channel stored as a receivable channel in the STB channel information DB, the DTV deletes the channel from receivable channels stored in the DB.