Abstract: Optimum relationship of data between local features, a coding data quantity, a quantity that expresses picture quality, and local coding parameters, for each block is stored. Extracted local features of one to a plurality of frames are stored. Setting of local coding parameters of each block included in one to a plurality of frames is adjusted so that the distribution of coding data quantity of each block in one to a plurality of frames is optimized within a predetermined range of data quantity based on the stored optimum relationship and local features.

Abstract: Optimum relationship of data between local features, a coding data quantity, a quantity that expresses picture quality, and local coding parameters, for each block is stored. Extracted local features of one to a plurality of frames are stored. Setting of local coding parameters of each block included in one to a plurality of frames is adjusted so that the distribution of coding data quantity of each block in one to a plurality of frames is optimized within a predetermined range of data quantity based on the stored optimum relationship and local features.

Abstract: In an electrolytic gas converter for converting atmospheric moisture into ozone gas, oxygen gas or hydrogen gas, the electrolytic gas converter is provided with a unit for making control so that an electric current is supplied to the electrochemical device conjunctive body during a predetermined period of time after the start of the operation of gas conversion, the electric current being larger than that after the predetermined period of time passes. In addition, the control unit controls the current to flow periodically. Further, the electrolytic gas converter is provided with a unit for making control so that a predetermined constant current is supplied to the electrochemical device conjunctive body after the predetermined period of time passes since the operation of gas conversion is started.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling reactions of a gas and a fluid that makes use of excellent reactivity of carbon soot molecules, metal porphyrin complexes and metal phthalocyanin complexes which are in an excited state has an arrangement that the carbon soot molecules, the metal porphyrin complexes and the metal phthalocyanin complexes which are excited by a physico-chemical method, such as light irradiation, and a gas containing oxygen are brought into contact with each other to generate active oxygen. Further, the gas containing the harmful substance and a fluid are brought into contact with each other so that direct reactions of the active oxygen and the excited molecules decompose the harmful substances.

Abstract: A plastic functional element comprising a lower electrode and a transparent upper electrode provided perpendicular to the contact surface between a first oxidation reduction material membrane and a second oxidation reduction material membrane, the oxidation reduction potentials of which being different each other, wherein, based on the difference in oxidation reduction potentials between the oxidation reduction material membranes, by irradiating light to the contact surface or applying a voltage between the electrodes, the condition of electron in the oxidation reduction material is controlled, so as to store information of incident light or applied voltage, and an operational function responding to an input voltage is given, thereby the minimization in size is possible to realize a high density and high speed operation.

Abstract: An organic electronic element material has been produced by modifying cytochrome c551 and cytochrome c552 by bonding at least a second electron transfer functional group to an amino acid residue of the cytochrome. The residue for attachment of the additional electron transfer groups could be introduced by genetic engineering or generated by chemical modification. A plurality of different electron transfer groups can be introduced to provide different redox potentials. Electron transfer can be caused to occur between the functional groups on the modified cytochromes to provide a desired electric property such as rectification, or switching in response to light.

Abstract: A visual information processing device having a neural network function and capable of visual information processing comprises a semiconductor integrated circuit section equipped with a plurality of neuronic circuit regions realizing a neuron function included in the neural network function, and first and second molecular film sections provided on the integrated circuit section. The first molecular film section comprises a light-receiving molecular film section including Tij input elements having a photoelectric function and to which coupling strength levels (Tij) between the plurality of neuronic circuit regions are optically written to realize electric connection between the neuronic circuit regions and image input elements for sensing visual images, each neuronic circuit region corresponding to one pixel.

Abstract: An information processing device having neural network functions for performing information processing includes a semiconductor integrated circuit section including a plurality of neuronic circuit regions having a neuronic function which is one of the neural network functions, and first and second molecular films provided on the integrated circuit section. The first molecular film has a photoelectric function and the second molecular film has a light-emitting function. Coupling between the plurality of neurons is realized through a combination of the light-emitting and light-receiving functions of the first and second molecular films.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling reactions of a gas and a fluid that makes use of excellent reactivity of carbon soot molecules, metal porphyrin complexes and metal phthalocyanin complexes which are in an excited state has an arrangement that the carbon soot molecules, the metal porphyrin complexes and the metal phthalocyanin complexes which are excited by a physico-chemical method, such as light irradiation, and a gas containing oxygen are brought into contact with each other to generate active oxygen. Further, the gas containing the harmful substance and a fluid are brought into contact with each other so that direct reactions of the active oxygen and the excited molecules decompose the harmful substances.

Abstract: A visual information processing device having a neural network function and capable of visual information processing comprises a semiconductor integrated circuit device section equipped with a plurality of neuronic circuit regions realizing a neuron function included in the neural network function, and first and second molecular film sections provided on the integrated circuit device section. The first molecular film section comprises a light-receiving molecular film section including Tij input elements having a photoelectric function and to which coupling strength levels (Tij) between the plurality of neuronic circuit regions are optically written to realize electric connection between the neuronic circuit regions and image input elements for sensing visual images, each neuronic circuit region corresponding to one pixel.

Abstract: An information processing device having neural network functions for performing information processing comprises: a semiconductor integrated circuit section including a plurality of neuronic circuit regions having a neuronic function which is one of said neural network functions, and first and second molecular film provided on the integrated circuit section. The first molecular film has a photoelectric function and the second molecular film has a light-emitting function. Coupling between the plurality of neurons is realized through a combination or the light-emitting and light receiving functions of the first and second molecular films.

Abstract: An organic electric-field switching device has transparent or semitransparent upper electrodes and second insulating film so as to bias an electric field on a hetero-junction membrane formed on a lower electrode, in which the doping speed of a carrier is fast, and the switching device can be operated as the solid-state device and can be easily formed on a semiconductor made of silicon and the like. Therefore, the degree of integration of the device can be rapidly increased due to its multilayered structure.

Abstract: An information processing element for processing information with a function of neural network includes a semiconductor integrated circuit element portion comprising a plurality of neuron circuit regions constituting a neuron function among the neural network function, a molecular film element having a light-electricity function, provided on the circuit element portion, and the combination between the plurality of neurons is realized by utilizing a photoconductivity property of the molecular film element.

Abstract: A photoresponsive element utilizing a molecular heterojunction includes a first redox material film, a second redox material film having a different redox potential from that of the first redox material film and disposed in contact with the first redox material film, a first electrode connected to the first redox material film, and a second electrode connected to the second redox material film. The photoresponsive element is photoconductive and photovoltaic.

Abstract: A modifying agent for a conductive substrate which comprises a flavin derivative represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an acyl groups, R2 and R3 each represent a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group having one to four carbon atoms, and R4 represents a thiocyanato group or a mercapto group.

Abstract: A visual information processing device has a pair of neural networks which respectively comprise an upper layer and a lower layer of the device. Each of the pair of neural networks comprises a semiconductor integrated circuit having a plurality of neuron circuit regions which are disposed in a matrix form, each of the neuron circuit regions performing a neuron function; a molecule film having a photoelectric function and provided on the semiconductor integrated circuit, the molecule film having (i) a plurality of T.sub.ij signal input sections each performing a wiring function among the plurality of neuron circuit regions, in each of which a T.sub.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hybrid circuit element including a redox electrical element formed with redox materials such as biomaterials or pseud-biomaterials and a semiconductor element joined together with the redox electric element. The redox electrical element and the semiconductor element are provided to a common substrate and they are electrically connected to each other with electrical conductors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic device including a redox electrical element formed with redox materials such as a flavin derivative and a porphyrin derivative. The size of this electronic device can be reduced to a hyperfine level. By utilizing this electronic device, furthermore, a high-speed integrated circuit of high density can be obtained.

Abstract: A modifying agent for a conductive substrate comprises a flavin derivative. A flavin-modified electrode obtained through modification by the modifying agent is capable of reducing an electron transfer protein having a standard oxidation-reduction potential higher than, or on the positive side of, the standard oxidation-reduction potential of the flavin derivative but is incapable of oxidizing the electron transfer protein, and is therefor capable of controlling electron transport so that the electron transport takes place in only one direction. With this characteristic feature, the modified electrode is applicable to functional devices such as diodes, transistors and optical switch devices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hybrid circuit element including a redox electrial element formed with redox materials such as biomaterials or pseud-biomaterials and a semiconductor element together with the redox electric element. The redox electrical element and the semiconductor element are provided to a common substrate and they are electrically connected to each other with electrical conductors.