Abstract: A novel Li.sub.2 O--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --SiO.sub.2 series glass-ceramics for magnetic disc substrate use, which can prevent deformation of the substrate at a large temperature change and provide a strong, small and compact magnetic disc substrate without trouble and much reading and/or writing informations on the smoothened surface of the substrate, is provided. The glass-ceramics has a main crystal phase of lithium disilicate (Li.sub.2 O.2SiO.sub.2) phase, the peak intensity I of cristobalite phase (CRI) of at least 20 but not more than 50 when the peak intensity of I of lithium disilicate (L2S) phase measured by an X-ray diffraction analysis is taken as 100, and containing 1.0-3.0 parts by weight of Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 1.0-3.0 parts by weight of MnO when the sum of metal oxides other than Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 and MnO is taken as 100 parts by weight.

Abstract: A camera (10) captures a subject facial image. A unit (30) generates a tracking signal containing feature extraction data. In conjunction with a memory store (40), the unit (30) generates an output signal representing a substitute face having the features of the subject face. To generate the tracking signal, the facial area is detected (3103, 3107-8) initially and used in location of the mouth (3102, 3110-3114) and eyes (3104-6, 3115-3118). Only the H and S components are used for detecting the facial area; and only the S and V components for the mouth within the facial area. A face vector may be generated (50) using the tracking signals.

Abstract: A polishing slurry for use in chemical mechanical polishing is disclosed. The polishing slurry contains a solvent and polishing particles dispersed in this solvent. The polishing particles are selected from silicon nitride, silicon carbide, and graphite. The primary particle size of the polishing particles dispersed in the solvent is appropriately 0.01 to 1000 nm. When the polishing particles are colloidally dispersed in the solvent, the secondary particle size of the polishing particles is appropriately 60 to 300 nm.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alignment mark for the X directional alignment of a chip area on a semiconductor wafer, for example. The alignment mark comprises recesses and projections formed on a semiconductor substrate. The recesses or projections are repeatedly arranged in the X direction. The X directional width of the recesses or projections is set smaller than the X directional width of a grain on a metal film formed on the recesses and projections or the average particle size, as viewed from above the semiconductor substrate. The projections may be formed by an insulating layer formed on the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A continuous sign-language recognition apparatus and input apparatus which employ expressions of template patterns of sign-language word as well as the template patterns of sign-language word to realize high speed and highly accurate sign-language recognition. Each of component patterns constituting a template pattern of a sign-language word is expressed by a feature vector representing the pattern when the pattern is a static pattern, or by a time-series pattern of a feature vector when the pattern is a dynamic pattern. Also, using the template patterns of sign-language word, different matching methods are applied to the static and dynamic patterns for recognizing each component pattern, and the respective results are integrated on the basis of a temporal overlap of the respective component patterns to continuously recognize sign-language words.

Abstract: A sign language interpretation apparatus for performing sign language recognition and sign language generation generates easily read sign language computer graphics (CG) animation by preparing sign language word CG patterns on the basis of actual motion of the hand through the use of a glove type sensor to generate natural sign language CG animation, and by applying correction to the sign language word CG patterns. Further, in the sign language interpretation apparatus, results of translation of inputted sign language or voice language are confirmed and modified easily by the individual input persons, whereby results of translation of the inputted sign language or voice language are displayed in a combined form desired by the user to realize smooth communication. Also, candidates obtained as a result of translation are all displayed and can be selected easily by the input person with a device such as a mouse.

Abstract: In a sign-language learning system, the data of sign-language desired by a learner can be outputted quickly and accurately and, moreover, in the display method matching the requirements of individual learners, and the individual learners can easily make additional registration. The sign-language data are stored in a sign-language dictionary, and desired sign-language data are searched on the basis of an entry word or contents by a dictionary search device. The searched sign-language data are displayed in a display output device in accordance with a requirement of a learner by image synthesis. The sign-language data are registered by a dictionary registration device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alignment mark for the X directional alignment of a chip area on a semiconductor wafer, for example. The alignment mark comprises recesses and projections formed on a semiconductor substrate. The recesses or projections are repeatedly arranged in the X direction. The X directional width of the recesses or projections is set smaller than the X directional width of a grain on a metal film formed on the recesses and projections or the average particle size, as viewed from above the semiconductor substrate. The projections may be formed by a insulating layer formed on the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: As shown in FIG. 4, a wiring pattern of a semiconductor integrated circuit device of the present invention comprises a wiring portion extending from a connection hole and a connection portion located on the connection hole and having a matching allowance with respect to said connection hole on said wiring portion side being formed wider than a predetermined matching allowance by a predetermined width with which a required yield of successful matching can be assured.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic composition is disclosed which consists essentially of: a main ceramic composition containing barium oxide, titanium oxide, rare earth oxide and bismuth oxide as major components, which composition is represented by xBaO.yTiO.sub.2.z[(1-a)RE.sub.2 O.sub.3.aBi.sub.2 O.sub.3 ] where RE represents at least one rare earth metal, 0.10.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.20, 0.60.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.75, 0.10.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.25, x+y+z=1 and 0<a.ltoreq.0.3; and a glass composition composed of ZnO, B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2, which is represented by k(wt. %)ZnO.m(wt. %)B.sub.2 O.sub.3.n(wt. %)SiO.sub.2 where 30.ltoreq.k.ltoreq.85, 5.ltoreq.m.ltoreq.50, 2.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.40, k+m+n=100. The glass composition is contained in an amount of at least 0.1 part by weight, but not more than (18-62.5a) parts by weight (where 0<a.ltoreq.0.2) or not more than 5.5 parts by weight (where 0.2<a.ltoreq.0.3), per 100 parts by weight of the main ceramic composition.

Abstract: An organic material applying apparatus of the present invention includes a movable organic material discharge nozzle having an organic material discharge port for discharging an organic material at a position facing a semiconductor wafer. The opening width of the discharge port is adjustable. A movement time of the nozzle measured from a predetermined position of the semiconductor wafer at a predetermined velocity of relative movements of the nozzle and semiconductor wafer is detected by a movement time detecting device. A width of that portion of the semiconductor wafer, which the discharge port of the moved nozzle faces, is calculated by a wafer width calculating device on the basis of the movement time of the nozzle detected by the movement time detecting device. The opening width of the discharge port of the nozzle is adjusted by a nozzle discharge port opening width adjusting device in accordance with the wafer width calculated by the wafer width calculating device.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic composition is disclosed which consists essentially of: a main ceramic composition containing barium oxide, titanium oxide, rare earth oxide and bismuth oxide as major components, which composition is represented by xBaO.yTiO.sub.2.z[(1-a)RE.sub.2 O.sub.3.aBi.sub.2 O.sub.3 ] where RE represents at least one rare earth metal, 0.10.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.20, 0.60.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.75, 0.10.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.25, x+y+z=1 and 0<a.ltoreq.0.3; and a glass composition composed of ZnO, B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2, which is represented by k(wt. %)ZnO.m(wt. %)B.sub.2 0.sub.3.n(wt. %)SiO2 where 30.ltoreq.k.ltoreq.85, 5.ltoreq.m.ltoreq.50, 2.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.40, k+m+n=100. The glass composition is contained in an amount of at least 0.1 part by weight, but not more than (18-62.5a) parts by weight (where 0<a.ltoreq.0.2) or not more than 5.5 parts by weight (where 0.2<a.ltoreq.0.3), per 100 parts by weight of the main ceramic composition.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic composition is disclosed which consists essentially of: a main ceramic composition containing barium oxide, titanium oxide, rare earth oxide and bismuth oxide as major components, which composition is represented by xBaO.multidot.yTiO.sub.2 .multidot.z[(1-a)RE.sub.2 O.sub.3 .multidot.aBi.sub.2 O.sub.3 ] where RE represents at least one rare earth metal, 0.10.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.20, 0.60.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.75, 0.10 .ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.25, x+y+z=1 and 0<a.ltoreq.0.3; and a glass composition composed of ZnO, B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2, which is represented by k(wt. %)ZnO.multidot.m(wt. %)B.sub.2 O.sub.3 .multidot.n(wt. %)SiO.sub.2 where 30 .ltoreq.k.ltoreq.85, 5.ltoreq.m.ltoreq.50, 2.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.40, k+m+n=100. The glass composition is contained in an amount of at least 0.1 part by weight, but not more than (18-62.5a) parts by weight (where 0<a.ltoreq.0.2) or not more than 5.5 parts by weight (where 0.2<a<0.3), per 100 parts by weight of the main ceramic composition.

Abstract: A sign language/word translation system can cope with the case where no word corresponding to a hand operation is found. The system includes a configuration for taking a countermeasure against the finding of a plurality of words corresponding to a hand operation. When a word corresponding to a hand operation is not found in a sign language word dictionary, a finger operation is input, a character corresponding to the finger operation is searched for in a manual alphabet pattern dictionary, and the character train thus obtained is found from a character word dictionary, thereby producing an appropriate word. Also, a plurality of words found from the sign language word dictionary are displayed as translation candidates, and the user inputs by a hand operation as to whether the translation candidate is appropriate or not. The translation candidate that has been decided to be appropriate is determined as the word resulting from the translation.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic composition is disclosed which consists essentially of: a main ceramic composition containing barium oxide, titanium oxide, rare earth oxide and bismuth oxide as major components, which composition is represented by xBaO.multidot.yTiO.sub.2 .multidot.z[(1-a)RE.sub.2 O.sub.3 .multidot.aBi.sub.2 O.sub.3 ] where RE represents at least one rare earth metal, 0.10.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.20, 0.60.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.75, 0.10 .ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.25, x+y+z=1 and 0<a.ltoreq.0.3; and a glass composition composed of ZnO, B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2, which is represented by k(wt. %)ZnO.multidot.m(wt. %)B.sub.2 O.sub.3 .multidot.n(wt. %)SiO2 where 30 .ltoreq.k.ltoreq.85, 5.ltoreq.m.ltoreq.50, 2.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.40, k+m+n=100. The glass composition is contained in an amount of at least 0.1 part by weight, but not more than (18-62.5a) parts by weight (where 0<a.ltoreq.0.2) or not more than 5.5 parts by weight (where 0.2<a.ltoreq.0.3), per 100 parts by weight of the main ceramic composition.

Abstract: A sign language translation system and method that not only recognizes words of a sign language but also supplements omitted words between the words of the sign language, to thereby generate a spoken language. The sign language translation system has an input unit for inputting at least the motion of hands, a language generating unit responsive to the inputted motion of hands for recognizing the words corresponding to the motion of hands and generating a spoken language using the relationship between the recognized words, and an output unit for outputting the generated spoken language. The sign language translation system and method can translate a sign language into an easy-to-understand spoken language.

Abstract: A method of producing a dielectric ceramic composition is disclosed which includes the steps of: preparing a main ceramic composition comprising BaO, TiO.sub.2 and RE.sub.2 O.sub.3 (where RE represents at least one rare earth metal) as major components; calcining a mixture of starting materials which give the main ceramic composition, at a temperature of 1050.degree. C. or higher, to provide a calcined mixture; finely pulverizing the calcined mixture to provide a calcined ceramic powder having an average grain size of not larger than 0.8 .mu.m; and adding, as at least a part of a secondary component, a B.sub.2 O.sub.3 powder or a glass powder containing B.sub.2 O.sub.3, to the main ceramic composition. Also disclosed are a dielectric resonator and dielectric filter using such a dielectric ceramic composition as produced according to the above method, and a method of producing such a dielectric resonator or filter.

Abstract: As shown in FIG. 4, a wiring pattern of a semiconductor integrated circuit device of the present invention comprises a wiring portion extending from a connection hole and a connection portion located on the connection hole and having a matching allowance with respect to said connection hole on said wiring portion side being formed wider than a predetermined matching allowance by a predetermined width with which a required yield of successful matching can be assured.

Abstract: To improve electromigration resistance and stress migration resistance, when a film is formed by depositing Al or Al alloy on a semiconductor substrate, the film is formed stepwise by stepwise changing the heating temperature of the semiconductor substrate at at least two stages.

Abstract: A neural network (100) has an input layer, a hidden layer, and an output layer. The neural network stores weight values which operate on data input at the input layer to generate output data at the output layer. An error computing unit (87) receives the output data and compares it with desired output data from a learning data storage unit (105) to calculate error values representing the difference. An error gradient computing unit (81) calculates an error gradient, i.e. rate and direction of error change. A ratio computing unit (82) computes a ratio or percentage of a prior conjugate vector and combines the ratio with the error gradient. A conjugate vector computing unit (83) generates a present line search conjugate vector from the error gradient value and a previously calculated line search gradient vector. A line search computing unit (95) includes a weight computing unit (88) which calculates a weight correction value.