Abstract: There is provided a novel method for producing an optically active succinimide compound which is a useful compound utilized as an intermediate raw material for pharmaceutical products or the like. The method for producing an optically active succinimide compound of formula (2) comprises processing a racemic compound of a succinimide compound of formula (1) in the presence of a hydrolase to selectively hydrolyze one of the enantiomers, and subjecting to a post-treatment.

Abstract: When an output image is observed, an image processing apparatus by which image observation can be performed always in a satisfactory state irrespective of its observation environment and a change of a human's visual characteristic is provided. In this image processing apparatus, a first output unit outputs the target image in a first gradation reproduction range, and a second output unit outputs the target image output by the first output unit in a second gradation reproduction range. At this time, a correction unit performs a correction process, i.e., gradation conversion process, to the target image output by the second output unit, on the basis of information concerning the environment for observing the output result of the target image by the second output unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a control section which stores detection results of a toner sensor regarding detection patterns. When forming a plurality of detection patterns on an intermediate transfer belt, the control section determines circumference-directional lengths of the detection patterns formed this time, based on the detection results of the toner sensor regarding the detection patterns formed immediately before. Thereby, the waste toner amount and toner consumption are not only decreased but also the time taken to detect the density of a detection pattern is reduced, while maintaining the detecting accuracy thereof.

Abstract: A state recognition tag is configured to include a tag main body, and a tag fragment separable from the tag main body, and each of the tag main body and the tag fragment is provided with an information holding unit storing therein information to be transmitted, a separation-state recognizing unit which recognizes a separation state between the tag main body and the tag fragment, a control unit which exercises transmission control for transmitting the information from the information holding unit based on the separation state, and an electric power supplying unit which supplies electric power to the information holding unit, the separation-state recognizing unit, and the control unit. Regardless of whether the tag main body and the tag fragment are connected to each other or separated from each other, both the tag main body and the tag fragment can function as tags as needed.

Abstract: For adjusting a positional relationship between a specimen and a probe to measure an electric characteristic of the specimen through a contact therebetween, a base table holding a specimen table holding the specimen and a probe holder holding the probe is positioned at a first position to measure the positional relationship between the probe and the specimen at the first position, and subsequently positioned at a second position to measure the positional relationship therebetween at the second position so that the probe and the specimen are contact each other at the second position, the specimen table and the probe holder are movable with respect to each other on the base table at each of the first and second positions to adjust the positional relationship between the probe and the specimen, and a measuring accuracy at the second position is superior to a measuring accuracy at the first position.

Abstract: An image processing device for performing image correction of a scene by detecting whether a specific object is included in an input image of the scene, and that sets a correction parameter based on the detection result to correct the input image.

Abstract: For adjusting a positional relationship between a specimen and a probe to measure an electric characteristic of the specimen through a contact therebetween, a base table holding a specimen table holding the specimen and a probe holder holding the probe is positioned at a first position to measure the positional relationship between the probe and the specimen at the first position, and subsequently positioned at a second position to measure the positional relationship therebetween at the second position so that the probe and the specimen are contact each other at the second position, the specimen table and the probe holder are movable with respect to each other on the base table at each of the first and second positions to adjust the positional relationship between the probe and the specimen, and a measuring accuracy at the second position is superior to a measuring accuracy at the first position.

Abstract: An article present region estimating means references information on location and time of an article detected in an article detecting device and stored in an article management database and information on location and time of a person detected in a person detecting device and stored in a person management database to estimate a location where the article is most likely to be present. An article position candidate weighting means may be perform weighting based on information such as movement of the person, location where the article is normally placed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs dither processing on image data to form an image subjected to pseudo-halftone processing. The image forming apparatus includes a dither processing unit that performs dither processing on image data, and a dither pattern generation unit that generates a dither matrix for use in the dither processing, in accordance with an output gradation level. The dither matrix has a size of M×N pixels, and has a plurality of halftone dots arranged in a predetermined pattern in accordance with the output gradation level in order to represent a gradation of each color. The plurality of halftone dots are arranged in the dither matrix such that the halftone dots corresponding to at least two colors are substantially identical in color area ratio to each other in the dither matrix irrespective of a relative position with respective to the colors.

Abstract: The system includes a sensor for detecting a state of a space; a robot for executing a handling job for an article; an article identifying part for identifying, when an article is handled by a movable body, the article in response to a detection result obtained by the sensor; and an article handling subject identifying part for identifying an article handling subject that handles the article. When the movable body that handles the article is the robot, the article handling subject identifying part identifies a subject having issued a job instruction to the robot as the article handling subject.

Abstract: An image processing method creates a lookup table having a plurality of grids. The image processing method includes the steps of selecting a grid having a small difference from a target grid from among grids whose output values are calculated; setting an output value of the selected grid as an initial value; optimizing an output value of the target grid by using the set initial value; and storing the optimized output value as an output value of the target grid.

Abstract: In a system for converting an input image signal input from an image input device into an output image signal to be output by an image output device, an image compression unit converts a spectral image input via an image input unit into R, G, and B data, obtains principal component data by making principal component analysis of the spectral image, and stores these data in an input image storage unit. When the principal component data and R, G, and B data are loaded and stored in an output image storage unit, a spectral reflectance reconstruction unit reconstructs the spectral reflectance of each pixel using these data. A printer model determines the dot quantities of inks used to record each pixel in an image output device on the basis of the calculated spectral reflectance, and generates an output image signal for the image output device. In this way, image data which allows to estimate the spectral reflectance characteristics of an input image is provided, and faithful color reproduction can be realized.

Abstract: The present invention generally includes a display device having a plurality of indicia indicative of a vehicle parameter. The display device includes a plurality of dimmable segments. Each dimmable segment has a lower end point associated with a first value of the vehicle parameter and an upper end point associated with a second value of the vehicle parameter. Each of the dimmable segments has an independently adjustable intensity and adapted to illuminate at least a portion of the indicia. A control module is adapted to receive a signal indicative of an actual value of the vehicle parameter. The control module also adjusts the intensity of at least one of the dimmable segments based on the signal.

Abstract: In a system for converting an input image signal input from an image input device into an output image signal to be output by an image output device, an image compression unit converts a spectral image input via an image input unit into R, G, and B data, obtains principal component data by making principal component analysis of the spectral image, and stores these data in an input image storage unit. When the principal component data and R, G, and B data are loaded and stored in an output image storage unit, a spectral reflectance reconstruction unit reconstructs the spectral reflectance of each pixel using these data. A printer model determines the dot quantities of inks used to record each pixel in an image output device on the basis of the calculated spectral reflectance, and generates an output image signal for the image output device. In this way, image data which allows to estimate the spectral reflectance characteristics of an input image is provided, and faithful color reproduction can be realized.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and information processing apparatus and method employs an output profile read-out unit that, according to a region designated by a preference selection unit, reads out one or more regional profiles from output profiles prepared for each such region. An output profile composing unit then combines the one or more output profiles based on a composition ratio input from the preference selection unit. The output profile is then input to a color matching processor for color matching.

Abstract: A plant growth-promoting and quality-improving agent is disclosed. The agent contains a water-insoluble inorganic micronutrient pulverized to a particle size of not more than a specified particle size, and is effective for a long period of time if applied a small number of times to a seed, a root, a nursery box, and a base of a plant. A method for promoting the growth and improving the quality of plants is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing isoprene is provided, which includes continuously or intermittently supplying isobutylene and/or t-butanol, formaldehyde and water into an acidic aqueous solution, and reacting the reaction mixture while distilling away a mixture containing produced isoprene, water, unreacted starting materials and other low boiling point components from this reaction mixture to the outside of the reaction system, wherein the reaction is carried out while controlling the concentration of high boiling point byproducts, which is produced and accumulated in the reaction mixture, to fall within the range of 0.5-40 mass %.

Abstract: A three-dimensional collar shape retaining hanger prevents collars of a plurality of garments from being crushed and is capable of being stacked in a large number. The hanger has a hook portion and a hanger body. Between the hook portion and the hanger body, a connecting plate part which is a central collar supporting portion body is provided to connect the hook portion and the hanger body. A pair of first curved parts which protrudes toward a rear side of the hanger so as to abut on a rear neck portion of a collar is connected to right and left sides of the connecting plate part. To end portions of the first curved parts, a pair of second curved parts is connected at each distal end thereof. Each base end of the second curved parts is connected to the hanger body. A portion between the distal end and the base end of each of the second curved parts protrudes toward the front side of the hanger so as to abut on an inside of a front portion of the collar.

Abstract: A primary color dot gain correction unit corrects the spectral reflectance of each of a plurality of color agents on the basis of the dot quantity set for each color agent. An initial estimated value calculator estimates a mixed color by the KM theory using spectral reflectance data corrected by the primary color dot gain correction unit. An ink overlap correction coefficient storage unit stores correction coefficients, which are determined on the basis of errors between the actually measured values of spectral reflectance data of color patches obtained using the plurality of color agents, and estimated values estimated by the initial estimated value calculator based on the dot quantities of the respective color agents on the color patches.

Abstract: Image data of a color patch is created using a printer profile according to a color conversion method and the image output apparatus 3 prints and outputs the color patch on a storage medium using the image data of this color patch. The color of each color patch recorded on the above-described storage medium is measured using the colorimeter 20, and the matching accuracy calculation section 8 calculates the accuracy (CRI) of color matching using the measurement data of the measurement result. The matching accuracy decision section 9 compares the CRI and a present threshold TH, decides the quality of the accuracy of color matching and notifies the decision result.