Abstract: A light emitting element drive apparatus that drives light emitting elements reduces power loss caused by variability between forward voltage drops of the light emitting elements. A plurality of voltage applying sections (1, 32 and 33; and 2, 34 and 35) generate application voltages based on a detection voltage determined based on a maximum forward voltage drop among the forward voltage drops of the light emitting element arrays (11 to 14), and apply the generated application voltages to the light emitting elements (11 to 14). Switching sections (30 and 31) switch between a plurality of voltage applying sections (1, 32 and 33; and 2, 34 and 35) to which the light emitting element arrays (11 to 14) individually connect. Controlling sections (40 to 42) control the switching sections (30 and 31) to switch connection to minimize the difference between forward voltage drops of light emitting element arrays (11 to 14).

Abstract: Disclosed is a backlight device that reduces elevated black levels and the visibility of flickering when displaying a video. A light-emitting unit (121) is provided with a plurality of light-emitting areas that individually emit illumination light, and illuminates a liquid crystal panel (110) with the illumination light from the plurality of light-emitting areas. A motion detection unit (150) detects image motion from an image signal. A brightness control unit (130) acquires a brightness determination reference value for each light-emitting area on the basis of the image signal, and in regards to each of the plurality of light-emitting areas, weights the acquired brightness determination reference value for each of the one or more light-emitting areas that constitute a weighting region and determines the light emission brightness value for each of the light-emitting areas on the basis of the weighting results.

Abstract: A light emitting element drive apparatus that drives light emitting elements reduces power loss caused by variability between forward voltage drops of the light emitting elements. A plurality of voltage applying sections (1, 32 and 33; and 2, 34 and 35) generate application voltages based on a detection voltage determined based on a maximum forward voltage drop among the forward voltage drops of the light emitting element arrays (11 to 14), and apply the generated application voltages to the light emitting elements (11 to 14). Switching sections (30 and 31) switch between a plurality of voltage applying sections (1, 32 and 33; and 2, 34 and 35) to which the light emitting element arrays (11 to 14) individually connect. Controlling sections (40 to 42) control the switching sections (30 and 31) to switch connection to minimize the difference between forward voltage drops of light emitting element arrays (11 to 14).

Abstract: The backlight apparatus allows brightness control with minimum image quality deterioration.

Abstract: The backlight apparatus allows brightness control with minimum image quality deterioration.

Abstract: In a backlight device that performs an area control, part of a plurality of light emitting sections is configured based on a relationship where, between at least two light emitting sections controlled by a first control unit, at least one light emitting section controlled by a second control unit that is different from the first control unit, is provided.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus which carries out recording/reproduction or deletion of information on an optical disc, including a semiconductor laser device in which at least two light sources are integrated, and a hologram optical element which has a plurality of outgoing light areas that divide light reflected from the optical disc, each light being emitted from the semiconductor laser device; the hologram optical element has division lines which divide the outgoing light areas at a position intersecting with each optical axis of the reflected light. The optical pickup apparatus is able to detect a signal corresponding to a light beam divided almost equally in two, even when any one of the plurality of light sources are operating.

Abstract: An optical semiconductor device includes a semiconductor laser chip, a base for mounting the semiconductor laser chip and a solder layer sandwiched between the top surface of the base and the bottom surface of the semiconductor laser chip. The semiconductor laser chip is warped in upward convex shape.

Abstract: An optical semiconductor device includes a semiconductor laser chip, a base for mounting the semiconductor laser chip and a solder layer sandwiched between the top surface of the base and the bottom surface of the semiconductor laser chip. The semiconductor laser chip is warped in upward convex shape.

Abstract: A three-dimensional virtual space simulator comprises a section for determining the action of an avatar according to the input by the user and generating action instruction data representing the content of the action, a section for determining the action of an agent autonomously and generating action instruction data representing the content of the action, and a process control section for displaying each character in a virtual space according to the action instruction data received from the sections wherein the process control section and a graphic process section share an interface for receiving the action instruction data from the avatar action instruction section, and an interface for receiving the action instruction data from the agent action instruction section. Consequently, a flexible participation mode of the user and high reliability are realized.

Abstract: An optical semiconductor device comprising an emitted beam branching section (61) which branches an emitted light beam from a laser device (51), a reflected light beam branching section (71) which branches a reflected light beam from an information recording medium (3) into light beams different from each other in focused state, servo signal sensing photodetectors (43, 45) which receive the branched reflected light beam in a defocused state, a first diffraction grating provided in the emitted light beam branching section for diffracting the reflected light beam having passed through the reflected light beam flux branching section, and a signal sensing photodetector (47) which receives the reflected light beam diffracted by the first diffraction grating.

Abstract: A diffraction grating element including a diffraction grating area which includes: a first area that is one of two areas into which the diffraction grating area is divided by a first straight line, and is divided, by a second straight line perpendicular to the first straight line, into a first sub-area having a first diffraction grating pattern and a second sub-area having a second diffraction grating pattern, the first and second diffraction grating patterns having different diffraction angles; and a second area that is the other of the two areas into which the diffraction grating area is divided by the first straight line, and is divided into three or more divisional areas that align in a direction perpendicular to the second straight line, the first and second diffraction grating patterns being alternately assigned to each of the divisional areas.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus which carries out recording/reproduction or deletion of information on an optical disc, including a semiconductor laser device in which at least two light sources are integrated, and a hologram optical element which has a plurality of outgoing light areas that divide light reflected from the optical disc, each light being emitted from the semiconductor laser device; the hologram optical element has division lines which divide the outgoing light areas at a position intersecting with each optical axis of the reflected light. The optical pickup apparatus is able to detect a signal corresponding to a light beam divided almost equally in two, even when any one of the plurality of light sources are operating.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device that provides an excellent reproduction signal and a stable servo control while preventing deterioration of S/N ratio caused by stray light. The optoelectronic device has a semiconductor laser (101) that emits light beams on an information-recording medium (105), a hologram optical element (102) having a diffraction grating region (108) and located between the semiconductor laser (101) and the information-recording medium (105), and a photodetector (106) for receiving light that is diffracted at the diffraction grating region (108) of the hologram optical element (102), among returning light beams from the information-recording medium (105), and the optoelectronic device has also a diffraction grating region (107) in the vicinity of the diffraction grating region (108) of the hologram optical element (102) so as to prevent stray light other than diffracted light from the diffraction grating region (108) from entering the photodetector (106).

Abstract: A semiconductor laser element has the following configuration: a dual-wavelength monolithic laser where semiconductor lasers with emission wavelengths of 650 nm and 780 nm are integrated on one chip is soldered on a heat sink which then is soldered on a can package. Two beam emission points of the semiconductor laser element are positioned so that beam spots, formed on an optical disk, of light beams emitted from the two semiconductor lasers are aligned substantially along a pit-row direction in the optical disk. Thus, an optical head device and an optical recording and reproducing apparatus can be obtained that can record information on or reproduce recorded information from optical information recording media with different optical characteristics and recording densities from one another and that do not cause instability in tracking servo operation.

Abstract: Either an inner ring or an outer ring is formed to protrude in the direction of the rotation axis more than the other of outer ring or inner ring. For example, the bearing 12 is supported by the bearing housing 11a on the outer peripheral face 12b of the outer ring, and rotatably supports the hub 31a on the inner peripheral face 12a of the inner ring. In this bearing 12, the inner ring is formed to be longer and protrude further than the outer ring in the direction of the rotation axis, and an engagement/support face 12c for enagageably supporting the drive sprocket 92 is formed on the outer periphery of the inner ring formed to protrude as described above. The drive sprocket 92 is able to secure the coaxiality thereof by the engagement with the engagement/support face 12c, and receive the transmittance of rotating torque by engaging with the hub-side spline 31c on the spline 92c.

Abstract: A first diffractive optical element pattern with a pattern pitch that is no greater than a wavelength of incident light is formed on a first main surface of substrate such as a glass plate. Second diffractive optical element patterns are formed at positions that are respectively incident to positive first-order diffracted light and negative first-order diffracted light produced by the first diffractive optical element pattern. Negative first-order diffracted light produced by each second diffractive optical element pattern is incident upon a boundary face of the substrate at an angle that is smaller than the critical angle, and so exits the substrate.

Abstract: A cold cathode tube driving device using a piezoelectric transformer in which an output voltage varies depending on a frequency of an input voltage, as a booster transformer for driving a cold cathode tube, includes: a frequency dividing means which generates a driving pulse of an average frequency corresponding to frequency data outputted from a frequency setting means at a distribution cycle which is a driving pulse N cyclic period; a controller which controls a control cycle so as to perform the same driving for predetermined number of times A (A?2) at the average frequency; and a burst pulse generating means which generates a pulse having a duty width in accordance with a dimming level externally applied thereto and having a frequency outputted from the controller. A control cycle is A times (natural number) the distribution cycle and the driving is performed A times at the same average frequency, whereby a digital driving system using the frequency distribution of the driving pulse is achieved.

Abstract: A diffraction grating element including a diffraction grating area which includes: a first area that is one of two areas into which the diffraction grating area is divided by a first straight line, and is divided, by a second straight line perpendicular to the first straight line, into a first sub-area having a first diffraction grating pattern and a second sub-area having a second diffraction grating pattern, the first and second diffraction grating patterns having different diffraction angles; and a second area that is the other of the two areas into which the diffraction grating area is divided by the first straight line, and is divided into three or more divisional areas that align in a direction perpendicular to the second straight line, the first and second diffraction grating patterns being alternately assigned to each of the divisional areas.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor laser device that has a simple structure that can easily be constructed, and can dissipate heat easily, and can improve its functionality and realize miniaturizing concurrently. The semiconductor laser device composes a metal plate 100 that is substantially the same as the bigger one of the widths of the silicon substrate 120 and the flexible sheet 130, a semiconductor laser element 110, a silicon substrate 120 into which a light detection circuit and a signal processing circuit are integrated, a flexible sheet 130, a wire 140 and an optical element 150. The flexible sheet 130 is divided into two on the metal plate 100, and the two divided flexible sheet 130 are positioned face to face sandwiching the silicon substrate 120.