Abstract: An optical alignment method which develops a pretilt angle by batch plane exposure without tilting a substrate. This optical alignment method provides liquid crystal aligning capability to the surface of a polymer film by exposing the surface of the polymer film through a slit exposure mask while the surface of the polymer film and the slit exposure mask are moved relative to each other substantially at a fixed rate. Alternatively, liquid crystal aligning capability is provided to the surface of the polymer film by exposing the surface of the polymer film through an optical exposure pattern while the optical exposure pattern having a plurality of lines with a certain width at certain intervals is formed on the surface of the polymer film continuously.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus wherein a captured image is subjected to a rotational transform so as to correct the inclination of one or more subjects in the captured image. The imaging apparatus defines, with reference to a physical inclination detected by a sensor, an angle range in which the image is to be processed. The imaging apparatus then processes the captured image and detects lines therein and inclination angles thereof. The imaging apparatus then creates histograms indicative of frequency distributions of the inclination angles of those lines, and selects, in the created histograms, an inclination angle having a frequency that satisfies a predetermined criterion, as a rotational angle to be used for the rotational transform.

Abstract: When an image is captured by an imaging apparatus such as a wearable terminal that is not on the premise that the image is captured in an upright state, it is not possible to estimate objects included in the captured image is like in order to correct a tilt of the captured image. Therefore, in some cases, a tilt angle of the captured image is possibly estimated based on one or more areas which are not suitable for estimating the tilt angle of the captured image, and the captured image is corrected based on the tilt angle incorrectly estimated. This deteriorates the quality of the captured image even worse.

Abstract: When classifying pictures, to enable classification having high robustness by generating indexes for classification, dynamically changing processing areas within the picture based on a video content. A picture classifying unit (104) in a video scene classifying device (100) classifies obtained plural pictures into plural clusters based on a classification index which indicates a feature of the pictures. A cluster selecting unit (106) selects at least one cluster among the classified clusters. An index generating unit (108) assigns the index to at least one picture among the pictures which constitute the selected cluster. Thus, when selecting a cluster, among classified clusters, which is suitable to index assignment, by selecting an indexing rule based on relatively simple information, such as the number of clusters, time distribution, and the EPG information, and generating an index accordingly, a clear and stable chapter can be generated.

Abstract: A method for removing leukocytes, whereby leukocytes can be removed at a higher level of performance in a short filtration time without clogging. A method comprising passing a leukocyte-containing liquid through a filter for removing leukocytes made of a nonwoven fabric having an average fiber diameter of from 0.3 to 3.0 ?m, and thus removing the leukocytes from the leukocyte-containing liquid, to give a leukocyte-free liquid, characterized by using a nonwoven fabric having a formation index (y) of 50 or less corresponding to a thickness of 0.3 mm; use of a leukocyte removal filter therefore; and the leukocyte removal filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wafer storage container which contains a semiconductor wafer one by one and provides a technology to effectively reduce adhesion of particles on semiconductor wafer surfaces during the storage of the wafer. A wafer storage container which contains a wafer one by one, includes: a wafer containing member including a domed-shape recess which abuts on a circumferential edge of the wafer and is capable of holding the wafer; and a cover member which is engaged with the wafer containing member and is capable of sealing the wafer containing member; and a wafer rear surface protection member which is formed into a shape substantially same as an opening of the domed-shape recess and comes into contact with an entire rear surface of the wafer placed so that a front surface is directed the domed-shape recess.

Abstract: A point card system according to the present invention includes a customer ID recording area 20, a service point recording area 24, an information recording area 22, and a browse flag recording area 23. The customer ID recording area 20 records unrewritable customer identification information. The service point recording area 24 records the number of service points. The information recording area 22 records provider information supplied from a provider without physical contacts. The browse flag recording area 23 records a history of provider information browsing. A provider 1 issues a wireless point card 3 to a customer 2. The provider 1 is provided with a wireless transceiver 8 and a card reader/writer 5. The system supplies provider information to the customer by radio and detects browse history information for providing an additional profit returning service.

Abstract: An optical alignment method which develops a pretilt angle by batch plane exposure without tilting a substrate. This optical alignment method provides liquid crystal aligning capability to the surface of a polymer film by exposing the surface of the polymer film through a slit exposure mask while the surface of the polymer film and the slit exposure mask are moved relative to each other substantially at a fixed rate. Alternatively, liquid crystal aligning capability is provided to the surface of the polymer film by exposing the surface of the polymer film through an optical exposure pattern while the optical exposure pattern having a plurality of lines with a certain width at certain intervals is formed on the surface of the polymer film continuously.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wafer storage container which contains a semiconductor wafer one by one and provides a technology to effectively reduce adhesion of particles on semiconductor wafer surfaces during the storage of the wafer. A wafer storage container which contains a wafer one by one, includes: a wafer containing member including a domed-shape recess which abuts on a circumferential edge of the wafer and is capable of holding the wafer; and a cover member which is engaged with the wafer containing member and is capable of sealing the wafer containing member; and a wafer rear surface protection member which is formed into a shape substantially same as an opening of the domed-shape recess and comes into contact with an entire rear surface of the wafer placed so that a front surface is directed the domed-shape recess.

Abstract: A hinge structure and a hinge structure member capable of relieving stress concentration around the connected portions of the hinge structure. The hinge structure comprises a pair of connection portions connected to the connected portions and an elastically deformable hinge portion having both ends arranged continuously with the pair of connection portions so that the pair of the connected portions can be swingably connected to each other. At least one of the connection portions extends in a specified axial direction along the specified surface of the connected portions, and connected continuously with the surface over a specified length.

Abstract: An image processing device and the like capable of extracting an ROI conforming to a user's request is provided when extracting an ROI from an image. Image processing necessary to calculate the attractiveness of each position (pixel) in the image is performed on an original image inputted from an image input unit (102) by an image processing device for calculating the attractiveness (124), and the attractiveness of each position is calculated by the attractiveness calculating unit (122). A region forming unit (144) determines an ROI based on the attractiveness of each position, and a region forming condition setting unit (142) designates the determining condition therein. When the region forming condition setting unit (142) sets an ROI determining condition, this condition is set based on user's instructions inputted from respective designating units (112 to 118).

Abstract: It is intended to provide a method for removing leukocytes whereby leukocytes can be removed at a higher level of performance in a short filtration time without clogging. A method comprising passing a leukocyte-containing liquid through a filter for removing leukocytes made of a nonwoven fabric having an average fiber diameter of from 0.3 to 3.0 ?m and thus removing the leukocytes from the leukocyte-containing liquid to give a leukocyte-free liquid, characterized by using a nonwoven fabric having a formation index (y) of 50 or less corresponding to a thickness of 0.3 mm; use of a leukocyte removal filter therefor; and the leukocyte removal filter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal aligning agent which provides a liquid crystal alignment film having surface anchoring force and pretilt angle development stability by an optical aligning method. The liquid crystal aligning agent comprises a polymer having a photo-crosslinkable structure a structure having at least one group selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-containing organic group, an alkyl group having 10 to 30 carbon atoms and alicyclic organic group having 10 to 30 carbon atoms and optionally, (C) a thermally crosslinkable structure.

Abstract: A point card system according to the present invention includes a customer ID recording area 20, a service point recording area 24, an information recording area 22, and a browse flag recording area 23. The customer ID recording area 20 records unrewritable customer identification information. The service point recording area 24 records the number of service points. The information recording area 22 records provider information supplied from a provider without physical contacts. The browse flag recording area 23 records a history of provider information browsing. A provider 1 issues a wireless point card 3 to a customer 2. The provider 1 is provided with a wireless transceiver 8 and a card reader/writer 5. The system supplies provider information to the customer by radio and detects browse history information for providing an additional profit returning service.

Abstract: A point card system according to the present invention includes a customer ID recording area 20, a service point recording area 24, an information recording area 22, and a browse flag recording area 23. The customer ID recording area 20 records unrewritable customer identification information. The service point recording area 24 records the number of service points. The information recording area 22 records provider information supplied from a provider without physical contacts. The browse flag recording area 23 records a history of provider information browsing. A provider 1 issues a wireless point card 3 to a customer 2. The provider 1 is provided with a wireless transceiver 8 and a card reader/writer 5. The system supplies provider information to the customer by radio and detects browse history information for providing an additional profit returning service.