Abstract: In a vehicular control object determination system, locus correlation degree calculator calculates a degree of correlation between a future travel locus of a vehicle estimated by first travel locus estimator based on a vehicle speed and a yaw rate and a future travel locus of the vehicle estimated by second travel locus estimator based on a past travel locus of the vehicle calculated by travel locus calculator. When control object determiner determines a control object based on the travel locus estimated by the first travel locus estimator and predetermined control object determination conditions, the control object determination conditions are modified according to the degree of correlation, that is, the degree of reliability of the travel locus estimated by the first travel locus estimator, thereby achieving both accuracy with which the control object is determined and determination of the control object at a distance.

Abstract: In each of the memory cell arrays in the memory banks, a memory cell row corresponding to each of the word lines extending in a column direction of each of the memory cell arrays store pixel data of each pixel block of first and second rows set in a horizontal way in a search area within a search frame of picture signal. The pixel data of a predetermined pixel block is selectively captured into each of the data buffer through the sense amplifiers and the switches. Selector sequentially extracts pixel data as candidate blocks based on the pixel data of two pixel blocks held in each of the data buffers. The matching circuit matches the pixel data as the extracted candidate blocks against the pixel data as the input reference block using the block-matching process to obtain a motion vector relative to the reference block.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus for reading an original image using a light source containing a plurality of color components, a control pulse for dimming the light source is generated by pulse-width modulation symmetrically with respect to a reference timing (for example, the central position in one storage time or the storage start timing) in one predetermined storage time of a line sensor.

Abstract: A thrust roller bearing apparatus is such as to be installed in a hydraulic mechanism to adjust a gap produced between components when they are assembled in the hydraulic mechanism and is configured such that a back side of a race forms an oil pressure chamber in a space produced between the back side of the race and a mating member which the race oppositely faces, so that the race bears a pressure from the oil pressure chamber so as to be displaced axially to thereby carry out the adjustment of the gap.

Abstract: A fixing band-tightening apparatus comprises a holding section for gripping a shaft section at both ends in an axial direction, the holding section being provided rotatably in a circumferential direction in accordance with a driving action of a rotary driving source, a stopper section arranged in a lateral direction substantially horizontal with respect to the holding section, for positioning a projection of a fixing band in the lateral direction except for a vertical direction, and a band-tightening section for forcibly nipping the projection of the fixing band positioned by the stopper section to tighten the fixing band.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a plurality of developing devices for developing electrostatic images formed on the image bearing member with developers, the developing devices including respective developer carrying members for carrying respective developers; moving devices for moving a selected one of the developing devices to an operative position, wherein each of the developer carrying members is movable selectively to be in contact with or spaced from the image bearing member at the operative position. The apparatus is operable in a first image formation mode in which an image is formed using the plurality of developing devices and a second image formation mode in which an image is formed using one of the plurality of developing devices. The developer carrying member which is at the operative position in the first image formation mode is capable of being spaced from the image bearing member by a first distance during non-developing-operation.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an optical scanning apparatus that employs a short wave light source to constantly maintain a spot having a tiny diameter, even when an environmental temperature change occurs, by employing a lens and/or a diffractive optical element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in tourmaline known as a functional ore. In particular, the invention provides a composite having a novel formation in which a far infrared radiation emitting property and others among tourmaline's properties are effectively exploited, a novel process for producing the composite, and composite materials to be used therefore.

Abstract: In a loudspeaker, a lead wire of a voice coil is fastened to a diaphragm, and is extended along the diaphragm. A bottom surface of a frame supporting the diaphragm is placed so as to face against a rear surface of the diaphragm. A protrusion is formed on the bottom surface so as to protrude toward the rear surface of the diaphragm. Therefore, the loudspeaker can prevent the lead wire of the voice coil, which is extending along the diaphragm, from being broken. Further, the loudspeaker can prevent the forward protruding diaphragm from being crushed and damaged.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a plurality of developing devices for developing electrostatic images formed on the image bearing member with developers, the developing devices including respective developer carrying members for carrying respective developers; moving means for moving a selected one of the developing devices to an operative position, wherein each of the developer carrying members is movable selectively to be in contact with or spaced from the image bearing member at the operative position; wherein the apparatus is operable in a first image formation mode in which an image is formed using the plurality of developing devices and a second image formation mode in which an image is formed using one of the plurality of developing devices, and wherein the developer carrying member which is at the operative position in the first image formation mode is capable of being spaced from the image bearing member by a first distance during non-developing-operation, and the develop

Abstract: In a film deposition method which forms a Cu film on a Cu diffusion preventing film formed on a substrate, a contact film which is provided for adhering the Cu film to the Cu diffusion preventing film is formed on the Cu diffusion preventing film. A processing medium in which a precursor is dissolved in a medium of a supercritical state is supplied to the substrate so that the Cu film is formed on the contact film.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image processing device, which is applied preferably to, for example, a motion vector detection processing or the like. Each of the operation processing unit 102n receives a process packet output from the process generation section 101 and performs any processing according to an instruction contained in the process packet. The units 1021-10212 are divided into three suites 102a-102c and route selection sections 1041-1043 are respectively inserted to input side of each of the suites. If the unit which executes a process related to an input process packet is not included in the immediately following one of the suites 102a-102c, the respective route selection sections 1041-1043 supply this corresponding input process packet not to the input side of that one of the suites 102a-102c but to the output side of that suite.

Abstract: An optical pick-up device for carrying out at least one of recording and reproduction of information for an optical disk, comprises a laser beam source emitting a laser beam; a laser beam source adjusting member disposed on an opposite side of an emitting portion for emitting the laser beam of the laser beam source and having a first sliding surface setting a light emitting point of the laser beam source to be a center of rotation; and a laser module including a laser beam source shift member having a receiving surface for supporting the first sliding surface of the laser beam source adjusting member and having a second sliding surface which is almost perpendicular to an optical axis.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a light source unit, a deflecting unit for deflecting and scanning a light beam from the light source unit, and a scanning optical system for scanning the light beam deflected by the deflecting unit on a surface to be scanned. The scanning optical system includes a diffraction portion having an aspherical function in a sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: A thin semiconductor device difficult to cause breakage of a semiconductor chip is disclosed.

Abstract: An insole includes a base with a fiber layer connected on a top surface of the base and a mixture of bonding agent, foaming agent and Dravite powder is mixed into the fiber layer. The fiber layer is connected to the base by the bonding agent and a plurality of bosses are formed on a top surface of the fiber layer by heating the mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical scanning device which includes a light source device, a deflecting system for deflecting a light beam emitted from the light source device, and a scanning optical system for scanning a surface to be scanned, with the light beam deflected by the deflecting system, wherein the scanning optical system includes a scanning optical element disposed so that, with respect to a sub-scan direction, a principal ray of the deflected light beam passes a portion other than an optical axis, wherein the scanning optical element has a sagittal aspherical amount changing surface in which an aspherical amount of a sagittal changes along a main scan direction of the scanning optical element, and wherein, throughout the whole surface to be scanned, the position in the sub-scan direction upon which the deflected light beam impinges is made even.

Abstract: A film formation method of forming a film on a fine-pattern by supplying a processing medium that is in the supercritical state in which a precursor is dissolved on a target substrate is disclosed. The film formation method includes a first process of supplying the processing medium on the target substrate, the temperature of which is set at a first temperature that is lower than a film formation minimum temperature that is the lowest temperature at which film formation takes place, and a second process of forming the film on the target substrate by raising the temperature of the target substrate from the first temperature to a second temperature that is higher than the film formation minimum temperature.

Abstract: A piezoelectric sheet, which comprises a matrix comprising a polyimide, silicone rubber or an epoxy resin, and a cubic lead zirconate titanate single-crystal particle dispersed in the matrix, wherein (100) plane of said single-crystal particle is oriented parallel to a plane of said sheet, and said single-crystal particle penetrates the plane of said sheet from one to the other side. Conventionally, since the constituent crystal particles are randomly oriented, properties of the crystal particles are obtained as the average values of the properties of the individual particles. In contrast, according to the piezoelectric sheet of the present invention, since the cubic PZT single-crystal particles have been disposed so that (100) axes are oriented perpendicularly to the plane of the sheet, the PZT can have the properties inherent in the (100) planes.

Abstract: A developing cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the developing cartridge includes a developing roller, for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, having an elastic roller portion and a shaft portion supporting the elastic roller portion, a developer regulating member contactable to the elastic roller portion to regulate an amount of the developer deposited on the elastic roller portion; a protecting member including a contact portion provided at a side for contact with the elastic roller portion when the protecting member is demountably mounted between the developing roller and the developer regulating member; and a supporting portion for supporting the contact portion, the supporting portion being provided at a side for contact with the elastic roller portion when the protecting member is demountably mounted between the developing roller and the developer regulating member, wherein the