Abstract: A certificate authority for certifying the validity of the collation result from a user terminal is placed on a communication network. The user terminal identifies a user himself or herself by collation by using biometrical information of the user. In response to notification of the collation result from the user terminal across the communication network, a service providing apparatus requests across the communication network the certificate authority to certify the validity of the collation result. When a certificate which certifies the validity of the collation result is notified from the certificate authority across the communication network, the service providing apparatus provides a predetermined service to the user.

Abstract: A large-size weighty radiator (1) having an array of rubber dampers (21) at the bottom is mounted between transversely spaced side members (2) of a vehicle body, by a structure (M) including a hollow frame portion having a transversely extending body part (H1) and a pair of fixed parts (H2) fixed to the side members (2), and a receiving portion (H3) formed on the frame portion for receiving the array of rubber dampers (21) inserted thereto.

Abstract: A structure (113b) which includes an overhang and a support portion supporting substantially the center of the overhang, and in which the area of the support portion is smaller than the area of the overhang in the two-dimensional direction of an upper electrode (1110b) is formed on the upper electrode (110a) in a region above each lower electrode 105a in one-to-one correspondence with the lower electrode (105a). An object of surface shape sensing, e.g., the tip of a finger (1602) touches the surface of the overhang of the structure (113b), and the support portion of the structure (113b) whose overhang is in contact with the object of sensing pushes down a portion of the upper electrode (110a) toward the lower electrode (105a), thereby deforming the upper electrode (110a).

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head in which a pinned layer comprises two films, i.e., a ferromagnetic film A and a ferromagnetic B anti-ferromagnetically coupled to each other and a anti-ferromagnetic coupling film for separating the two ferromagnetic films A and B, where the coercivity of the ferromagnetic film alone is 200 (Oe) or more and the coercivity of the ferromagnetic film alone is 20 (Oe) or less. The compositions for the ferromagnetic film A and the ferromagnetic film B, when expressed by Co100-YFeY (at %) are: ferromagnetic film A: 80?Y?40, and ferromagnetic film B: 20?Y?0, where the material for the film in contact with the ferromagnetic film A is Ru, Ta, NiFeCr, Cu or NiFe.

Abstract: A magnetic domain control underlayer is formed below a magnetoresistive multi-layered film thereby bringing the magnetic domain control film into contact with both lateral end faces of a free layer and appropriate magnetic domain control can be attained in a state of minimizing a surplus bias magnetic field from the magnetic domain control film.

Abstract: A structure (113b) which includes an overhang and a support portion supporting substantially the center of the overhang, and in which the area of the support portion is smaller than the area of the overhang in the two-dimensional direction of an upper electrode (110b) is formed on the upper electrode (110a) in a region above each lower electrode 105a in one-to-one correspondence with the lower electrode (105a). An object of surface shape sensing, e.g., the tip of a finger (1602) touches the surface of the overhang of the structure (113b), and the support portion of the structure (113b) whose overhang is in contact with the object of sensing pushes down a portion of the upper electrode (110a) toward the lower electrode (105a), thereby deforming the upper electrode (110a).

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image correcting section. When an image of an object is input, the image correcting section performs correction processing for the input image including the object image and outputs the corrected image as an image required for authentication of the object. An image processing method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An image collation apparatus includes a collation unit, minimum coincidence ratio extraction unit, and determination unit. The collation unit obtains a coincidence ratio between first and second images within a printing element range for each collation unit by collating the first and second images with each other. The minimum coincidence ratio extraction unit obtains a minimum coincidence ratio from coincidence ratios obtained from the collation unit. The determination unit determines that the first and second images are identical, if the extracted minimum coincidence ratio is smaller than a predetermined threshold. An image collation method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A surface shape recognition sensor includes capacitive detection elements, support electrode, protective film, and projections. The detection elements are formed from lower electrodes and a deformable plate-like upper electrode made of a metal. The lower electrodes are insulated and isolated from each other and stationarily laid out on a single plane of an interlevel dielectric formed on a semiconductor substrate. The upper electrode is laid out above the lower electrodes at a predetermined interval and has opening portions. The support electrode is laid out around the lower electrodes while being insulated and isolated from the lower electrodes, and formed to be higher than the lower electrodes to support the upper electrode. The protective film is formed on the upper electrode to close the opening portions. The projections per one pixel are laid out in a region of the protective film above the capacitive detection element.

Abstract: For control of crystal grain size in a spin-valve film, a lithographic technique is needed which exhibits high productivity and enabling formation of a pattern at about 10 nm. In one embodiment of the invention, a diblock copolymer comprising polystyrene (PS) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is applied to a lower gap layer. When a liquid agent formed by mixing PS and PMMA is coated, a film structure comprising a sea-like PS tissue portion and an island-like PMMA tissue portion is obtained. By applying an ozone RIE treatment to the film structure, the sea-like PS tissue portion is etched to form a pattern of the island-like PMMA tissue portion. The lower gap layer is etched by using the island-like PMMA tissue portion as a resist, then the resist is removed, and an unevenness pattern arranged regularly on the lower gap layer can be formed. A spin-valve film is formed on the lower gap layer subjected to the unevenness fabrication.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head comprises a free magnetic layer that has first and second free magnetic films sandwiching a non-magnetic intermediate film therebetween, the respective magnetizing directions of the first and the second free magnetic films are antiparallel. The length of the free magnetic layer in the direction of the track width is 200 nm or less, and a difference between a product of saturation magnetic flux density and a film thickness of the first free magnetic film, and that of the second free magnetic film is within a range from 1 to 3 nmT. By this structure, the variation of output and the variation of asymmetry is greatly decreased at a track width of 200 nm or less.

Abstract: A calibration mode signal line to which sensor cells are commonly connected is arranged. In a calibration mode, a calibration mode signal is supplied to the sensor cells through the calibration mode signal line to designate calibration. In each sensor cell, when the calibration mode signal is being supplied from the calibration mode signal line, and the sensor cell is selected by the decoder, calibration operation of adjusting the detection sensitivity of a sensor circuit is executed using a calibration circuit.

Abstract: An image collation apparatus includes a collation unit, minimum coincidence ratio extraction unit, and determination unit. The collation unit obtains a coincidence ratio between first and second images within a printing element range for each collation unit by collating the first and second images with each other. The minimum coincidence ratio extraction unit obtains a minimum coincidence ratio from coincidence ratios obtained from the collation unit. The determination unit determines that the first and second images are identical, if the extracted minimum coincidence ratio is smaller than a predetermined threshold. An image collation method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head comprises a free magnetic layer that has first and second free magnetic films sandwiching a non-magnetic intermediate film therebetween, the respective magnetizing directions of the first and the second free magnetic films are antiparallel. The length of the free magnetic layer in the direction of the track width is 200 nm or less, and a difference between a product of saturation magnetic flux density and a film thickness of the first free magnetic film, and that of the second free magnetic film is within a range from 1 to 3 nmT. By this structure, the variation of output and the variation of asymmetry is greatly decreased at a track width of 200 nm or less.

Abstract: A first control potential setting means (1) generates a first control potential (N2) which reverses the magnitude relationship with a second control potential (N3) when an input signal (IN) reaches the vicinity of a logical threshold value. A second control potential setting means (2) generates the second control potential (N3) which changes in the same direction as the input signal (IN), in accordance with a change in input signal (IN). An output means (3) includes transistors (Q5, Q6), and generates an output signal (OUT) having a predetermined potential on the basis of the first control potential (N2), the second control potential (N3), and a reset signal (RSET). A reset means (4) turns off the transistor (Q6) while a waveform shaping circuit is in operation.

Abstract: A structure (113b) which includes an overhang and a support portion supporting substantially the center of the overhang, and in which the area of the support portion is smaller than the area of the overhang in the two-dimensional direction of an upper electrode (110b) is formed on the upper electrode (110a) in a region above each lower electrode 105a in one-to-one correspondence with the lower electrode (105a). An object of surface shape sensing, e.g., the tip of a finger (1602) touches the surface of the overhang of the structure (113b), and the support portion of the structure (113b) whose overhang is in contact with the object of sensing pushes down a portion of the upper electrode (110a) toward the lower electrode (105a), thereby deforming the upper electrode (110a).

Abstract: A response signal generating unit (3) applies a predetermined supply signal (2S) to a detection element (1) and outputs, as a response signal (3S), a signal which has changed in accordance with the impedance of an object (10) with which the unit is in contact through the detection element (1). A waveform information detection unit (4) detects waveform information corresponding to the impedance of the object (10) on the basis of the response signal (3S) from the response signal generating unit (3), and outputs a detection signal (4S) representing the waveform information. A biometric recognition unit (5) determines on the basis of the detection signal (4S) from the waveform information detection unit (4) whether or not the object (10) is a living body.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing section and capture control section. The image capturing section converts the shape of an object into an electrical quantity in accordance with the parameter value set in a parameter setting section, and outputs image data representing an image corresponding to the shape of the object. The capture control section receives the image data output from the image capturing section, calculates an evaluation index for evaluating the image quality of the image from the image data. If the evaluation index falls outside the range of a preset reference value, the capture control section changes the parameter value set in the parameter setting section so as to make the evaluation index fall within the range of the reference value to output the image data which is received from the image capturing section and the evaluation index of which falls within the range of the reference value.

Abstract: Exchange coupling energy between an anti-ferromagnetic layer and a first ferromagnetic layer, and an anti-ferromagnetic coupling energy between the first ferromagnetic layer and a second ferromagnetic layer by way of an Ru anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer of a spin valve device are increased thereby increasing the magnetoresistance ratio and decreasing the coercivity of the free layer of the spin valve film. In an MnPt anti-ferromagnetic bottom type synthetic ferri-type spin valve film in which an underlayer, an anti-ferromagnetic layer comprising MnPt, a first ferromagnetic layer comprising CoFe, an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer comprising Ru, a second ferromagnetic layer comprising CoFe, an intermediate non-magnetic layer comprising Cu, a free layer comprising synthetic films of CoFe and NiFe and a protective layer are stacked over a substrate, the Fe composition X in CoFeX of the first ferromagnetic layer is set as about: 20<x?50 at %.

Abstract: A row decoding circuit (171) outputs a select signal to a row set in a row range setting unit (172) to select a select signal line (103), processing results from processing circuits (102) on this row are output to a data output line (104), and a row adder (106) adds processing results output to a data output line (104) of a column set in a column range selector (105).