Abstract: An information processing apparatus is disclosed that that acquires image/audio information in response to an operations command and generates predetermined electronic data from the acquired information. The information processing apparatus includes a user information storing unit that stores and manages information for identifying an operator issuing the operations command, a personal information storing unit that stores and manages personal information of the operator, a gathering information storing unit that stores or describes a personal information managing service managing personal information that is subject to processing, and an information extracting unit that analyzes the personal information managing service of the gathering information storing unit and extracts relevant personal information from the personal information of the operator stored in the personal information storing unit corresponding to the personal information managing service.

Abstract: A surface-emission laser diode includes a distributed Bragg reflector tuned to wavelength of 1.1 ?m or longer, wherein the distributed Bragg reflector includes an alternate repetition of a low-refractive index layer and a high-refractive index layer, with a heterospike buffer layer having an intermediate refractive index interposed therebetween with a thickness in the range of 5-50 nm.

Abstract: A surface-emission laser diode includes a distributed Bragg reflector tuned to wavelength of 1.1 ?m or longer, wherein the distributed Bragg reflector includes an alternate repetition of a low-refractive index layer and a high-refractive index layer, with a heterospike buffer layer having an intermediate refractive index interposed therebetween with a thickness in the range of 5-50 nm.

Abstract: A surface-emission laser diode includes a distributed Bragg reflector tuned to wavelength of 1.1 ?m or longer, wherein the distributed Bragg reflector includes an alternate repetition of a low-refractive index layer and a high-refractive index layer, with a heterospike buffer layer having an intermediate refractive index interposed therebetween with a thickness in the range of 5–50 nm.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is disclosed that that acquires image/audio information in response to an operations command and generates predetermined electronic data from the acquired information. The information processing apparatus includes a user information storing unit that stores and manages information for identifying an operator issuing the operations command, a personal information storing unit that stores and manages personal information of the operator, a gathering information storing unit that stores or describes a personal information managing service managing personal information that is subject to processing, and an information extracting unit that analyzes the personal information managing service of the gathering information storing unit and extracts relevant personal information from the personal information of the operator stored in the personal information storing unit corresponding to the personal information managing service.

Abstract: A surface-emission laser diode includes a distributed Bragg reflector tuned to a wavelength of 1.

Abstract: A surface-emission laser diode includes a distributed Bragg reflector tuned to wavelength of 1.1 ?m or longer, wherein the distributed Bragg reflector includes an alternate repetition of a low-refractive index layer and a high-refractive index layer, with a heterospike buffer layer having an intermediate refractive index interposed therebetween with a thickness in the range of 5-50 nm.

Abstract: Detection information for shake is detected by a shake detection unit, predictive shake information is calculated based on the shake detection information, a start position (center) of a correcting operation on an imaging surface of a shake correction unit is determined, and driving of the shake correction unit at the correcting-operation start position is controlled. Accordingly, it is possible to make effective use of a movable range of the shake correction unit for actual hand shake or the like. Thus, a high degree of correction effect can be obtained, so that imaging failures due to hand shake or the like can be remarkably reduced.

Abstract: A surface-emission laser diode includes a distributed Bragg reflector tuned to wavelength of 1.1 &mgr;m or longer, wherein the distributed Bragg reflector includes an alternate repetition of a low-refractive index layer and a high-refractive index layer, with a heterospike buffer layer having an intermediate refractive index interposed therebetween with a thickness in the range of 5-50 nm.

Abstract: Detection information for shake is detected by a shake detection unit, predictive shake information is calculated based on the shake detection information, a start position (center) of a correcting operation on an imaging surface of a shake correction unit is determined, and driving of the shake correction unit at the correcting-operation start position is controlled. Accordingly, it is possible to make effective use of a movable range of the shake correction unit for actual hand shake or the like. Thus, a high degree of correction effect can be obtained, so that imaging failures due to hand shake or the like can be remarkably reduced.

Abstract: A section of a shock absorbing member, which is located in the vicinity of a hard projection, has higher stiffness than another section of the same which is located in the distance from the hard projection, so that when the occupant's knee portion is forced to move toward the hard projection and collides with the shock absorbing member upon vehicle collision, the knee portion under movement is forced to turn in a lateral direction, that is toward the low stiffness or safety section of the member, losing its kinetic energy.

Abstract: A gas generator for instantaneously supplying a gas to an inflatable bag such as a gas bag for protection of a car passenger from injuries in a collision, of the type comprising a solid gas-generating composition confined in a reaction chamber defined in a housing having a perforated wall. The reaction chamber is bounded by a wire screen which is spaced from the perforated wall, and another wire screen is arranged along the inside of the perforated wall. Adequately sized granules of SiC are packed in a space bounded by the two wire screens to efficiently absorb heat and remove solid matter from the generated gas without offering an unduly great resistance to the gas flow. Best cooling and filtering effects can be gained by the use of .alpha.-SiC granules of a sharp-edged particle shape.

Abstract: An igniter is disclosed having a heat generator responsive to an ignition signal for igniting powder. comprises a first connector insulatingly supporting a first pair of electrical conductions having their one ends connected across the heat generator, filter means provided in circuit with one of the first electrical conductors for prohibiting passage of any high frequency signal other than the ignition signal, resilient means electrically connecting the first electrical conductors, the resilient means resiliently contacting at least one of the first electrical conductors, a second connector insulatingly supporting a second pair of electrical conductors having their one ends connected across an ignition signal source, and a second connector adapted to engage the first connector so as to bring the second electrical conductors into electrical connection with the respective first electrical conductors and to take the resilient means out of contact with the first electrical conductor.

Abstract: A device comprising a perforated housing containing therein pellets of a chemical composition which undergoes self-sustaining combustion with generation of a combustion gas and an initiator attached to the housing to ignite the pellets. To prevent breaking of the pellets resulting from their movements in the housing, a hollow and resilient retainer member is placed in the housing such that the initiator is exposed to the interior of the retainer and that the pellets are spaced from the initiator by the retainer and held under a compressive force by the resiliency of the retainer. The retainer has openings which allow a gas to pass therethrough but do not allow the pellets to pass therethrough. A helical spring and a perforated bellows are examples of the retainer.