Abstract: An image compression device having a prediction unit for predicting a value of a compressing target pixel from peripheral values, and quantizing prediction error between a prediction value of the prediction unit and a value of an actual pixel in a predetermined quantizing step, comprising: a specific pixel level difference evaluation unit sequentially calculating the difference value between the level values as a sum of the prediction values corresponding to each of the compressed pixel immediately before the compressing target pixel and peripheral compressed pixels adjacent to the pixel and the quantization value of the prediction error, and evaluating the sameness of the difference value; and a quantization switching unit controlling the quantization in the quantizing step more precise than the quantizing step used when the difference value continuously indicates the same value as a result of the evaluation by the specific pixel level difference evaluation unit.

Abstract: This image processing device for games is a device whereby a prescribed number of models (characters) are setup in virtual space, these models are controlled such that they move in prescribed directions in the virtual space, and images of this virtual space from a virtual viewpoint are displayed on means for display. In order to display the movement of the models that are arranged in virtual space more realistically, in one construction thereof, this device is provided with means for image processing that apply virtual centripetal force to the models. Furthermore, in order to display the movement of the models more realistically and to heighten the dramatic effect, in one construction thereof, this device is equipped with means for processing residual image presentation in order to represent the track of movement of a model as residual images.

Abstract: A shifter is equipped with a rack and a stopper. A transmission gear transmits power from an electric motor to the rack. A retention pin extends vertically downward from the transmission gear. When the shifter slides to an origin, the retention pin locks the stopper, which causes the electric motor to step out. On detecting the step-out of the electric motor, the position control device recognizes that the shifter has reached the origin (the reference position) and has been fixed at the position, thus setting the shifter position.

Abstract: A monitoring lens apparatus is provided and includes a fixed cylinder, a first lens frame provided at an inner portion of the fixed cylinder and movable in an optical axis direction, a second lens frame provided at the inner portion of the fixed cylinder and movable in the optical axis direction, a first ring provided rotatably to the fixed cylinder and provided with a cam groove for driving the first lens frame, a second ring provided rotatably to the fixed cylinder on an object side of the first ring and provided with a cam groove for driving the second lens frame, and an extended portion provided integrally with the first ring and extended to the object side to cover an outer periphery of the second ring.

Abstract: Mechanism unit(s) functioning as automatic-feed cassette(s) and mechanism unit(s) functioning as manual-feed tray(s) together form a single integral module, constituting a hybrid paper supply module. In such constitution, paper transport path(s) may be formed between or among first guide member(s) provided at automatic-feed cassette mechanism unit(s) and second guide member(s) provided at manual-feed mechanism unit(s), and manual-feed mechanism unit(s) may be pulled outward and to side(s) of apparatus(es) so as to cause paper transport path(s) to be opened up to the exterior, facilitating removal of jammed paper. Furthermore, given such constitution, a plurality of hybrid paper supply modules may be stacked together to constitute a paper supply mechanism. Manual-feed tray(s) with which manual-feed mechanism unit(s) of respective hybrid paper supply module(s) is or are provided may be collapsible so as to permit extension and/or retraction.

Abstract: This invention provides a granular diamond consisting of: a columnar base formed by Nb, Ti or W and having a length in a longitudinal direction of not more than 30 mm and a maximum length in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of not more than 15 mm; and conductive diamond coating not less than 30% of a surface of the base, or a granular diamond including: a spherical base formed by Nb, Ti or W and having a diameter of not more than 15 mm; and conductive diamond coating not less than 50% of a surface of the base, and a diamond electrode having a great surface area and a high conductivity by using such many granular diamonds.

Abstract: Two liquid crystal panels are laid one over the other in a state that each of the liquid crystal panels is oriented in a forward direction. At least one spacer is detachably provided between the two liquid crystal panels. The liquid crystal panels are positioned relative to each other by a plurality of through-holes arrayed in a thickness direction of the spacer by an interval corresponding to the thickness of the spacer, and a projection engageable in one of the through-holes.

Abstract: A document conversion and use system which converts a first structured document into a second structured document different in structure from the first structured document, comprising: a template storage unit storing a template indicating the structure of the second structured document; a structure specification unit for reading out the template from the template storage unit and causing a user to specify an element or an element content constituting the template; a correspondence definition specification unit for causing the user to define the correspondence definition specification indicating the correspondence between the element in the first structured document and the element in the template; and an unit for analyzing the template structure to specify the element or the element content specified by the structure specification unit, searching for the element defined by the correspondence definition starting from the element or the element content, and performing conversion processing according to the sear

Abstract: A structured data conversion device is designed to convert a set of first structured data into a set of second structured data that is described in a language different from that of the first structured data, and comprises: an inverse conversion information creation unit extracting data as inverse conversion information from the first structured data, the data that is extracted being deleted when the first structured data is converted into the second structured data and being necessary when the second structured data is inversely converted into the first structured data; and an inverse conversion information storing unit embedding in the second structured data the inverse conversion information when the first structured data is converted into the second structured data.

Abstract: Mechanism unit(s) 6 functioning as automatic-feed cassette(s) and mechanism unit(s) 7 functioning as manual-feed tray(s) together form a single integral module, constituting hybrid paper supply module 5. Manual-feed mechanism unit(s) 7 is or are arranged below transport paths 36, 37, which extend toward printing unit(s) 3. Furthermore, path(s) along which recording paper P taken up from automatic-feed cassette mechanism unit(s) 6 is transported and path(s) along which recording paper P taken up from manual-feed mechanism unit(s) 7 is transported are made to intersect within the module, decreasing length(s) of respective path(s).

Abstract: There are provided new pyrimidine derivatives condensed with a non-aromatic ring selected from dihydrothiophene, dihydrofuran, cycloalkane moiety, and the like or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; and a pharmaceutical composition comprising said compound as an active ingredient. These compounds exhibit excellent promoting activity on insulin secretion and activity against hyperglycemia. Hence, the pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds as active ingredients, based on these actions, are useful for treating and/or preventing insulin-dependent diabetes (type 1 diabetes), non-insulin-dependent diabetes (type 2 diabetes), insulin-resistant diseases, obesity, and the like.

Abstract: A monitoring lens apparatus is provided and includes a fixed cylinder, a first lens frame provided at an inner portion of the fixed cylinder and movable in an optical axis direction, a second lens frame provided at the inner portion of the fixed cylinder and movable in the optical axis direction, a first ring provided rotatably to the fixed cylinder and provided with a cam groove for driving the first lens frame, a second ring provided rotatably to the fixed cylinder on an object side of the first ring and provided with a cam groove for driving the second lens frame, and an extended portion provided integrally with the first ring and extended to the object side to cover an outer periphery of the second ring.

Abstract: A vapor lock in a fuel pump can be prevented by reducing the formation of vapor within the fuel. A first group of concavities may be formed in an inner circumferential region of an intake side face of an impeller, and a second group of concavities may be formed concentrically in a region outside of the first group of concavities. A third group of concavities that communicates with the second group of concavities may be formed in a discharge side face of the impeller. The impeller is housed within a casing. A first groove that faces the first group of concavities and a second groove that faces the second group of concavities may be formed in the face of the casing that faces the intake side face of the impeller. A third groove that faces the third group of concavities may be formed in the face of the casing that faces the discharge side face of the impeller.

Abstract: There are provided novel pyrimidine derivatives which has been fused with an aromatic heterocycle selected from thiophene, thiazole and pyridine or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; and a pharmaceutical composition comprising said compound as an active ingredient. These compounds exhibit excellent promoting activity on insulin secretion and activity against hyperglycemia. Hence, the pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds as active ingredients, based on these actions, are useful for treating and/or preventing insulin-dependent diabetes (type 1 diabetes), non-insulin-dependent diabetes (type 2 diabetes), insulin-resistant diseases, obesity, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information processing method converting a format of a structured document, comprising: a first step copying, a first storage unit, information of a pre-converted first structured document sequentially by a predetermined amount beginning from the head; a second step adding start tags and/or end tags, and an identifier tag for identifying the aforementioned start and/or end tags so that the information copied to the first storage unit becomes one complete second structured document; a third step converting the second structured document built up in the first storage unit to a target format and outputting it to a second storage as a third structured document; and a fourth step removing the start tags and/or end tags and the identifier tag added to in the second step from the third structured document retained by the second storage unit and merging with a fourth structured document.

Abstract: A structured document expansion method converted a structured document into a format enabling easy manipulation by an application. A structured document is expanded into a format for easy manipulation without requiring complex knowledge. A two-stage associative array structure is adopted to enable easy manipulation of various types of data spanning the entire structured document merely through intuitive array operations, and both associative arrays are linked by sequence numbers. The latter-stage associative array can be accessed from the former-stage associative array using element names, and in addition, the latter stage can be made a two-dimensional associative array to represent hierarchical levels.

Abstract: A tilt of a light beam to be radiated onto an information recording disk is corrected without using a dedicated tilt sensor. The correction is performed based on the characteristic that an offset amount between a tilt amount maximizing an RF signal amplitude and a further tilt amount maximizing an LPP signal amplitude is constant and independent of positions on the same disk. A pre-pit signal indicative of an existence/nonexistence of a pre-pit formed on the disk is produced from returned light of the light beam, while an RF signal is produced from bits of information recorded on the disk on the basis of the returned light. An optimum tilt-correcting amount is decided by making use of a relationship between the pre-pit signal and the RF signal at a particular tilt amount. The tilt amount is corrected using the optimum tilt-correcting amount.

Abstract: A roller turning force generator is connected to a driving gear which is mounted on a shaft. The shaft is connected to offset roller assemblies disposed in an offset mechanism via connecting gears. The offset roller assemblies rotatably supported inside the offset mechanism are turned by a driving force transmitted from the roller turning force generator to discharge individual sheets of a printing medium in a sheet transport direction. The offset mechanism is linked to an offsetting force generator so that the offset mechanism can be shifted along a direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction.

Abstract: When analyzing two XML documents and merging data, record tags are specified in each XML document, and data enclosed with the record tags is stored as a group of text data. Then, by retrieving text from the text data, data needed for a process is detected and used for the process. If the text data can be processed as it is, it is processed as it is. If a more complex process is needed, the text data is converted into objects, and the objects are processed. In this case, the number or capacity of the objects is restricted in such a way not to give too much load to the system.