Abstract: The present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus superior in operability and visibility at the time of setting and adjusting functions thereof. The apparatus includes GUI screen image generating means for generating a GUI screen image for operating the imaging apparatus to display the GUI screen image on image display means; operating means for operating the GUI screen image displayed on the image display means; controlling means for controlling the imaging apparatus in accordance with the operation of the GUI screen image by the operating means; storing means for storing hierarchy type main menu information; menu generating means; and menu editing means capable of editing the unique menu information generated by the menu generating means.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method is disclosed wherein a plurality of images having different aspect ratios can be displayed with minimized distortion on the same display screen. An image processing apparatus records a thumbnail image with an aspect ratio of 4:3. When a thumbnail image whose aspect ratio is corrected from 16:9 to 4:3 is to be displayed on a display screen whose aspect ratio is 4:3, the thumbnail image is reduced so as to have a heightwise dimension reduced to ¾. On the other hand, when a thumbnail image whose aspect ratio remains 4:3 and is not corrected is to be displayed on a display screen whose aspect ratio is 16:9, the thumbnail image is reduced so as to have a widthwise dimension reduced to ¾. The present invention can be applied to a digital video camera.

Abstract: In an electric characteristic testing process corresponding to a process of the semiconductor apparatus manufacturing processes, in order to test a large area of the electrode pad of the body to be tested in a lump, an electric characteristic testing is performed by pressing a testing structure provided with electrically independent projections having a number equal to a number of conductor portions to be tested formed on an area to be tested of a body to be tested to the body to be tested.

Abstract: An image recording/playback control apparatus includes a moving image capturing section capturing a moving image and generating moving image data; a still image capturing section capturing a still image and generating still image data; a still image information generation section generating still image information in which the moving image data and the still image data are associated with each other by an image-capturing time; moving and still image coding sections coding the moving and still image data, respectively; a recording section recording the coded moving and still image data; a separation section separating the coded moving and still image data; moving and still image decoding sections decoding the coded moving and still image data, respectively; a still image information indication section indicating the moving or still image data; a selection section selecting the moving and still image data; and a display control displaying the moving or still image data.

Abstract: A speedometer for a vehicle includes a display part, formed into a circular shape and that includes a movable portion rotatable about a center thereof, the movable portion having an indication design, a pointer that rotates to indicate the indication design for displaying the running speed of the vehicle. During a normal driving, the pointer rotates to indicate a position on the indication design of the movable portion that corresponds to a current running speed of the vehicle while the movable portion is fixed. During a driving with an adaptive cruse control system, the movable portion rotates so that the pointer indicates a position on the indication design of the movable portion that corresponds to the current running speed of the vehicle while the pointer is fixed.

Abstract: A variable valve mechanism performs a valve lift switching operation for an intake valve. ECU defines valve lift switching characteristics corresponding to the engine operating region and executes the valve lift switching operation based on the switching characteristics. ECU calculates a parameter fluctuation amount of an engine occurring in response to the valve lift switching operation, and corrects the valve lift switching characteristics when the calculated parameter fluctuation amount exceeds a predetermined judgment value.

Abstract: In a recording/reproducing apparatus having a large number of probes, being still usable continuously when several pieces of the probes are in trouble, wherein a plural number of probes are so disposed that they can make recording and/or reproducing onto the same recording area, which is in charge of the probes, respectively, and when defect, such as, a trouble is generated within a first probe, that defect is detected, automatically, so as to exchanged into a spare probe built within the frame, thereby compensating the defect.

Abstract: A head-up display apparatus includes a display unit outputting display light, a mirror for reflecting the display light toward an eye point, a mirror holder to is turned up/down for receiving and holding the mirror, a holder top cover extending toward the eye point when the mirror holder is turned up, and a holder rear cover so as to be placed at an opposite side of the eye point when the mirror holder is turned up. The holder rear cover has a surface shape to become in the same outline as that of the instrument panel when the holder rear cover covers totally an opening provided at the instrument panel in case that the mirror holder is turned down. The holder rear cover is continued to the holder top cover with an acute angle.

Abstract: When a polarization axis of a first polarizing plate is parallel to that of a second polarizing plate, a light emitted from a backlight is transmitted, on the other hand, when a polarization axis of the first polarizing plate is orthogonal with that of the second polarizing plate, a light emitted from the backlight is mostly blocked off. A character and scale are constructed by a ½? phase difference plate, so that the emitted light from the backlight, which enters to the character and scale, has a deflection direction reverse to that of the first polarizing plate. When the light emitted from the backlight is blocked, differently from a conventional artificial (pseudo) black color, a color extremely close to black color is seen. The contrast ratio and visibility are improved.

Abstract: A variable valve mechanism performs a valve lift switching operation for an intake valve. ECU defines valve lift switching characteristics corresponding to the engine operating region and executes the valve lift switching operation based on the switching characteristics. ECU calculates a parameter fluctuation amount of an engine occurring in response to the valve lift switching operation, and corrects the valve lift switching characteristics when the calculated parameter fluctuation amount exceeds a predetermined judgment value.

Abstract: After a thin first conductive film is formed on a barrier film having a crystal structure, a second conductive film is formed on the first conductive film. Thereafter, the first conductive film and the second conductive film are heated such that the first and second conductive films are integrated to form a third conductive film.

Abstract: A display apparatus for a vehicle includes a display device on which a state of the vehicle is displayed using a desired design pattern; and a transparent auxiliary member interposed between the display device and a vehicle driver. The transparent auxiliary member has an auxiliary design pattern corresponding to a vehicle type to form a part of the desired design pattern by superposing thereon, and allows the vehicle driver to see superposed design pattern displayed on the display device and the auxiliary design pattern. Transmitted light emitted from the display device illuminates the transparent auxiliary member.

Abstract: For providing a recording/reproducing apparatus, for recording/reproducing information through conduction of electricity upon contact of a probe, having large recording density and a large transfer speed, but less in deterioration of a probe chips thereof, and being long in the lifetime thereof, within the recording/reproducing apparatus, a multi-chip is formed, disposing probe chips in large numbers thereof at a tip of a cantilever, while the cantilever is of a double-sided beam type, and the multi-chip is disposed at a center of the beam, wherein recording/reproducing portions of the multi-chip are disposed to correspond to recording dots one by one, and the multi-chip forming surface is moved up and down in parallel with the surface of a recording medium, due to suction force, so as to bring it to be in contact with the recording dots, and electricity is conducted after the contact thereof, thereby conducting the recording, in the structure; wherein, since a large amount of data can be read/written at one

Abstract: The home agent system of the present invention performs not only the process of managing the position information of a mobile node, but also the process of transferring a packet to the mobile node using the position information. The home agent system comprises one or more position processing devices processing the position information notification packet transmitted from the mobile node and acquiring the position information of the mobile node and a transfer processing device transferring the packet addressed to the mobile node, which is connected to one or more position processing devices. The transfer processing device has a position information management table which stores the position information acquired by the position processing device in association with the home address of the mobile node and a transfer unit transferring the packet addressed to the mobile node using the stored position information.

Abstract: A head-up display device includes a housing; a display unit accommodated in the housing for emitting a projected image; a reflector for reflecting the projected image passing through an opening in the housing toward an eye range of a vehicle driver. The head-up display device further includes a movable member attached movably to the housing, and the display unit is fixed on the movable member. A position of the projected image is adjusted by only moving the movable member.

Abstract: A barrier layer is formed on an insulating or conducting film provided on a semiconductor substrate, and an electrode or an interconnect made from a conducting film is formed on the barrier layer. The barrier layer includes a tantalum film having the ?-crystal structure.

Abstract: A recess is formed in an insulating film, and then a conductive film is deposited over the insulating film so as to fill the recess. Thereafter, the conductive film is subjected to a first heat treatment. Subsequently, part of the conductive film located outside the recess is removed, and then the remaining part of the conductive film is subjected to a second heat treatment with the surface thereof exposed.

Abstract: A head-up display device having an excellent appearance, which has a simple structure and an excellent design upon both nonuse and use, is provided. A cover having a shape equivalent to that of an aperture formed on an upper surface of a housing is attached on an upper surface of a retractable reflector. The cover slides on the upper surface of the reflector cooperating with a retractable motion of the reflector, thereby performing the opening and closing action of the aperture. When the reflector takes its falling-down posture, the reflector and its rotation shaft can be shielded from an eye range and the number of the parting lines can be reduced.

Abstract: After a plurality of grooves are formed in an insulating film and in an anti-reflection film on the insulating film, a barrier metal film and a conductive film are deposited on the anti-reflection film such that each of the grooves is filled therewith. Subsequently, the portions of the conductive film outside the grooves are removed by polishing and then the portions of the barrier metal film outside the grooves are removed by polishing. Thereafter, respective foreign matters adhered to a polishing pad and to a surface to be polished during polishing are removed and then a surface of the anti-reflection film is polished.

Abstract: The semiconductor device of the present invention includes: a substrate; a first conductor film supported by the substrate; an insulating film formed on the substrate to cover the first conductor film, an opening being formed in the insulating film; and a second conductor film, which is formed within the opening of the insulating film and is in electrical contact with the first conductor film. The second conductor film includes: a silicon-containing titanium nitride layer formed within the opening of the insulating film; and a metal layer formed over the silicon-containing titanium nitride layer. The metal layer is mainly composed of copper.