Abstract: [Object] To control the focal position of an optical system with a more favorable aspect, in accordance with the band targeted for observation. [Solution] A medical observation device includes: a computation section that applies, to an imaging signal corresponding to each of a plurality of different spectral components based on a light receiving result regarding observation target light from a subject in vivo from an image sensor, weights of the plurality of spectral components corresponding to a band targeted for observation from among bands in the observation target light, and computes an evaluation value indicating a degree of being in-focus on a basis of the imaging signal to which the weights are applied; and a control section that controls, on a basis of the evaluation value, a position of at least one optical member in an optical system that forms an image of the observation target light from the subject onto the image sensor, and thereby controls a focal position of the optical system.

Abstract: [Object] To control the focal position of an optical system with a more favorable aspect, in accordance with the band targeted for observation. [Solution] A medical observation device includes: a computation section that applies, to an imaging signal corresponding to each of a plurality of different spectral components based on a light receiving result regarding observation target light from a subject in vivo from an image sensor, weights of the plurality of spectral components corresponding to a band targeted for observation from among bands in the observation target light, and computes an evaluation value indicating a degree of being in-focus on a basis of the imaging signal to which the weights are applied; and a control section that controls, on a basis of the evaluation value, a position of at least one optical member in an optical system that forms an image of the observation target light from the subject onto the image sensor, and thereby controls a focal position of the optical system.

Abstract: A non-contact charging apparatus for a mobile body has a power-receiving device disposed in an electric car, and a power-transmitting device disposed in a manner of non-contact with the power-receiving device. The power-receiving device has a plurality of power-receiving coils distributively arranged in prescribed locations of the car to receive external electric power. The power-transmitting device has a plurality of power-transmitting coils arranged in prescribed locations outside of the electric car corresponding to the plurality of power-receiving coils to transmit electric power. The non-contact charging apparatus for a mobile body transmits electric power in a non-contact manner from the plurality of power-transmitting coils to the plurality of power-receiving coils and charges a secondary battery. Since a plurality of power-receiving coils are provided, electric power can be transmitted efficiently even when there are installation-space or installation-shape constraints.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging device receiving light from an object through an imaging lens at a predetermined imaging plane and performing photoelectric conversion of an object image to generate a captured image; a phase-difference detector for receiving the light from the object and generating a phase-difference detection signal corresponding to a focus level of the object image; an evaluation-value calculator for calculating a predetermined evaluation value corresponding to a contrast of the object image on the basis of the captured image; and a determining unit for selecting an optimum AF method from among a plurality of AF methods in which the phase-difference detection signal obtained by the phase-difference detecting unit and the predetermined evaluation value based on the captured image are used selectively or in combination, the optimum AF method being selected in accordance with image-capturing conditions of the object.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image-taking apparatus including, a image pickup device, an optical viewfinder, focusing controlling means, display controlling means, setting means, and alarming means.

Abstract: An electric motor drive system having current detecting sections for detecting the currents flowing into electric motors, speed variation calculating sections for calculating the speed variation estimating values for the electric motors in accordance with the motor currents detected by the current detecting sections and the current command values for the motors corresponding to the detected currents and a speed uniformizing voltage compensating section for delivering the values that serve to compensate the amplitudes of the voltages applied to the electric motors in such a manner that the speed variation estimating values calculated by the speed variation calculating sections become equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus, a light receiving unit produces a first signal at a first timing and a second signal at a second timing later than the first timing. First and second parameters for detecting a scene change are acquired based on the first and second signals, respectively. The presence or the absence of a scene change is determined based on both the parameters. The apparatus further includes a selecting unit configured to select a focusing target AF area from among a plurality of AF areas, and a focusing control unit configured to execute focusing control by using focusing information with respect to the AF area selected by the selecting unit. When the determining unit determines that the scene change is not present, the selecting unit selects the AF area having been selected at the first timing, as the focusing target AF area, at the second timing continuously.

Abstract: A system (and method) assists consideration of selection that recommends selection candidates to a considerer who is considering selection in a certain field in order to assist determination of selection with which the considerer is satisfied. A question concerning the field is sent to a considerer and answer data is received from the considerer by the system. A degree-of-significance of each evaluation item in the field is estimated from the answer data. A degree-of-recommendation representing to which degree each selection candidate can be recommended to the considerer is calculated from evaluation data for each evaluation item with respect to each piece of selection candidate data in the field and the degree-of-significance of the considerer with respect to each evaluation item. Then, degrees of recommendation of selection candidate data in the field are presented to the considerer without change or after processing the data.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a relative phase detecting unit operable to detect an amount of change in a relative phase associated with movement of a movable portion; an origin point position detecting unit operable to detect that the position of a reference part passes through an origin point; a relative position deriving unit operable to derive information on a relative position of the movable portion; a relative detection position retaining unit operable to retain a relative detection position of the movable portion based on the information on the relative position obtained at the time of the detection by the origin point position detecting unit; a calculating unit operable to calculate an absolute detection phase based on the relative detection position of the movable portion and to generate a drive signal based on the absolute detection phase; and a driving unit operable to move the movable portion to the reset position based on the drive signal.

Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus, a light receiving unit produces a first signal at a first timing and a second signal at a second timing later than the first timing. First and second parameters for detecting a scene change are acquired based on the first and second signals, respectively. The presence or the absence of a scene change is determined based on both the parameters. The apparatus further includes a selecting unit configured to select a focusing target AF area from among a plurality of AF areas, and a focusing control unit configured to execute focusing control by using focusing information with respect to the AF area selected by the selecting unit. When the determining unit determines that the scene change is not present, the selecting unit selects the AF area having been selected at the first timing, as the focusing target AF area, at the second timing continuously.

Abstract: An electric motor drive system having current detecting sections for detecting the currents flowing into electric motors, speed variation calculating sections for calculating the speed variation estimating values for the electric motors in accordance with the motor currents detected by the current detecting sections and the current command values for the motors corresponding to the detected currents and a speed uniformizing voltage compensating section for delivering the values that serve to compensate the amplitudes of the voltages applied to the electric motors in such a manner that the speed variation estimating values calculated by the speed variation calculating sections become equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image-taking apparatus including, a image pickup device, an optical viewfinder, focusing controlling means, display controlling means, setting means, and alarming means.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging device receiving light from an object through an imaging lens at a predetermined imaging plane and performing photoelectric conversion of an object image to generate a captured image; a phase-difference detector for receiving the light from the object and generating a phase-difference detection signal corresponding to a focus level of the object image; an evaluation-value calculator for calculating a predetermined evaluation value corresponding to a contrast of the object image on the basis of the captured image; and a determining unit for selecting an optimum AF method from among a plurality of AF methods in which the phase-difference detection signal obtained by the phase-difference detecting unit and the predetermined evaluation value based on the captured image are used selectively or in combination, the optimum AF method being selected in accordance with image-capturing conditions of the object.

Abstract: A motor driving apparatus includes: a current instruction calculator, for calculating a current instruction value based on a deviation between a speed instruction value and an estimated speed value; a current controller, for controlling an output current based on the current instruction value; a frequency instruction calculator, for calculating a frequency instruction value based on an output voltage instruction value or an output voltage detection value, wherein, when an induction motor is to be activated, the current instruction value and the frequency instruction value are calculated directly using the speed instruction value, and an output current and an output frequency are controlled in accordance with the current instruction value and the frequency instruction value.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a relative phase detecting unit operable to detect an amount of change in a relative phase associated with movement of a movable portion; an origin point position detecting unit operable to detect that the position of a reference part passes through an origin point; a relative position deriving unit operable to derive information on a relative position of the movable portion; a relative detection position retaining unit operable to retain a relative detection position of the movable portion based on the information on the relative position obtained at the time of the detection by the origin point position detecting unit; a calculating unit operable to calculate an absolute detection phase based on the relative detection position of the movable portion and to generate a drive signal based on the absolute detection phase; and a driving unit operable to move the movable portion to the reset position based on the drive signal.

Abstract: A motor driving apparatus includes: a current instruction calculator, for calculating a current instruction value based on a deviation between a speed instruction value and an estimated speed value; a current controller, for controlling an output current based on the current instruction value; a frequency instruction calculator, for calculating a frequency instruction value based on an output voltage instruction value or an output voltage detection value, wherein, when an induction motor is to be activated, the current instruction value and the frequency instruction value are calculated directly using the speed instruction value, and an output current and an output frequency are controlled in accordance with the current instruction value and the frequency instruction value.

Abstract: A system (and method) assists consideration of selection that recommends selection candidates to a considerer who is considering selection in a certain field in order to assist determination of selection of a considerer with which the considerer is satisfied. At least one question concerning a field of consideration is sent to a considerer one after another and answer data is received from the considerer by a question-and-answer transmitting and receiving portion. A degree-of-significance representing how much significance the considerer attaches to each evaluation item in the field of consideration is estimated from the answer data by a degree-of-significance estimating portion.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an exchange arm drive control system which is adopted as the automatic tool exchanger of a vertical quadruple spindle type machining center and enabled to contribute to sparing the space and improving the machinability. The drive control system is comprised mainly of means for clamping a tool and moving a tool holder in a Z-axis, means for rotating the tool holder by 180 degrees, means for turning exchange arms by 90 degrees and controlling the position of the tool holder; and means for moving the exchange arms on a Y-axis. Especially, in the 90-degree exchange arm turning and tool holder positioning means of those means, there is adopted a hollow shaft (16) for keeping a rotary shaft (2) away from associating with the 90-degree turn of the exchange arm (11) so that the tool can be conveyed with the tool holder being held in a constant position.

Abstract: A fluidized-bed kiln equipped with preheating means comprises suspension-type material preheating means having one or more cyclones, a fluidized-bed calciner for receiving the preheated material from the cyclone or the lowermost of the cyclones and forming a fluidized bed of the material within the calciner, and a collecting cyclone for collecting the hot gases carrying the calcined material, separating them into solids and gases, and conducting the calcined material into cooling means and the hot gases into the cyclone or the lowermost of the cyclones. The cooling means is, for example, a fluidized-bed cooler.