Abstract: A synchronous controller is formed with a cycle master module and one or more control modules doubly connected through a synchronous bus and an event bus. The event bus is used for transmitting data with a larger volume. The control modules each cyclically carry out execution of a user program for controlling an object apparatus to be controlled. The cycle master module exchanges data with the control modules through the event bus and the synchronous bus. Each of the control modules carries out one cycle of the execution of the user program by using reception of synchronous data transmitted from the cycle master module through the synchronous bus as a trigger.

Abstract: A still image reproducing apparatus in which a user selects one piece of information, and production of still images and music associated with the mood in time of the production is provided. A still image reproducing apparatus 100 comprises: an image feature extraction unit 102 which analyzes image data, so as to extract feature; a music feature extraction unit 106 which extracts a music feature quantity from music data; and a mapping process unit 109 which uses each feature, so as to respectively map image data and music data on each sensitivity map using two axes. The user selects, from the sensitivity map, via a menu input unit 111, a quadrant for music or images desired in a slide show. Thus, the slide show associated with the mood is automatically produced in a slide show generation unit 110.

Abstract: In a spindle motor utilizing dynamic-pressure bearings having a full-fill structure, a bearing configuration that balances and sustains at or above atmospheric pressure the internal pressure of the bearing oil. Thrust and radial bearing sections are configured within oil-filled bearing clearances in between the rotor, the shaft, and a shaft-encompassing hollow bearing member. A communicating passage one end of which opens on, radially inwardly along, the thrust bearing section is formed in the bearing member. Either axial ends of the bearing clearance in between the bearing member and shaft communicate through the passage. The communicating passage enables the oil to redistribute itself within the bearing clearances. Pressure difference between the axial upper and lower ends of the oil retained in between the bearing member and the shaft is compensated through the communicating passage, preventing incidents of negative pressure within the oil and of over-lift on the rotor.

Abstract: A method of modifying a solid surface from non-adhesive to adhesive and a solid material are provided. In a method of modifying a solid surface, a gaseous mixture comprising a modifier compound containing at least silane atom, titanium atom or aluminum atom is sprayed on the solid surface while the gas is heated to 400° C. or more with a heat source, or a gaseous mixture comprising a compound containing at least a silane atom, a titanium atom, or an aluminum atom is sprayed on the solid surface, and then the solid surface is heated to 400° C. or more.

Abstract: A data input apparatus that includes an image acquiring unit for acquiring the image of data displayed on the data display section of a measuring instrument, a number reading unit for reading numbers in the above described acquired image and a display unit for displaying the numbers read, with the above described image acquiring unit also acquiring the image of a portion other than the data display section of the above described measuring instrument at the same time, the image recognition unit reading information on the above described measuring instrument other than the above described numbers from the acquired image and the information on the read measuring instrument being used when the above described number reading unit reads numbers.

Abstract: In a spindle motor utilizing dynamic-pressure bearings having a full-fill structure, a bearing configuration that balances and sustains at or above atmospheric pressure the internal pressure of the bearing oil. Thrust and radial bearing sections are configured within oil-filled bearing clearances in between the rotor, the shaft, and a shaft-encompassing hollow bearing member. A communicating passage one end of which opens on, radially inwardly along, the thrust bearing section is formed in the bearing member. Either axial ends of the bearing clearance in between the bearing member and shaft communicate through the passage. The communicating passage enables the oil to redistribute itself within the bearing clearances. Pressure difference between the axial upper and lower ends of the oil retained in between the bearing member and the shaft is compensated through the communicating passage, preventing incidents of negative pressure within the oil and of over-lift on the rotor.

Abstract: A bearing suitable for use in PC card type ultra-thin hard disk drive devices is provided. The bearing device includes two bearings assembled on a shaft. Each bearing includes an inner ring, an outer ring and rolling members such as balls. The outer rings of the bearings are in close contact with each other. A space greater than 2&dgr;, i.e., the sum of axial one-sided rattle &dgr; of each of the two bearings is created between the two inner rings by virtue of a difference between the total width dimensions of the two outer rings and the total width dimensions of the two inner rings. Therefore, the amount of preload applied to the outer edge of either inner ring can be adjusted over a wide range and the rattling of the bearing device can be eliminated, and at the same time the desired precision and rigidity of the bearing device can be maintained. The ends of the bearings with inner ring and the outer ring aligned are apart from each other when the bearings are assembled.

Abstract: The bearing device contains two rolling bearings installed on a shaft 9 and a preload is applied to the inner ring of the rolling bearings. The respective dimension for the two rolling bearing inner rings is shortened on both sides in the orientation of the width dimensions of the inner ring, centered on the grooves for the inner ring, with each being set smaller than the dimension of the outer rings. The difference in dimensions is double the difference in the dimensions capable of eliminating rattling of the rolling bearings, when a preload is applied to the outer edge of the inner ring. The outer rings and races are respectively formed to be in a position at half the width dimension of the inner ring from the outer edges of the two outer rings for the two rolling bearings.

Abstract: An apparatus to supply a pivot assembly manufacturing method that can reliably fix a hub cap and, in addition, can solve the problem of out gas also, and can reduce the expense and man-days incidental to the pre-load of a ball bearing. Ball bearings 2 are mated to both ends of a shaft 1, and in the outer circumferences of these ball bearings 2 a spacer 31 mated a sleeve 3 disposed between both ball bearings 2, and to the inner circumference of the upper end part of the shaft 1 a hub cap 4 that blocks the outside end face of the ball bearings 2 is fixed by laser welding.

Abstract: A plant cultivation method, wherein plants are cultivated by using means for irradiating pulsed light with a period of 2 &mgr;sec to 1 msec and a duty ratio (DT ratio) of 20 to 70%, using a light emitting diode that emits white light or two types of light of white and red as the light source, and a plant cultivation illuminator used therein.

Abstract: A short film generation/reproduction apparatus for generating video of a short film using at least one still picture and reproducing such video is comprised of: a picture feature extraction unit 1107 for extracting picture features from an input picture; a picture-to-style feature conversion unit 1115 for converting the picture features into style features; a picture-to-musical feature conversion unit 1118 for converting the picture features into musical features; a style determination unit 1116 for determining a style based on the style features; a music determination unit 1119 for determining a piece of music based on the musical features; and a scenario generation unit 1117 for generating a scenario by using the still picture, music and style.

Abstract: A foreign-matter removal capacity is improved in a cleaning process. When a wafer is cleaned while a brush is moved from the center of the wafer toward the outer circumference thereof, a discharge flow rate of cleaning liquid flowing into the brush is regulated so that the interval between the brush and the wafer is kept constant.

Abstract: A semiconductor temperature detecting circuit use semiconductor temperature sensors each comprising bipolar transistors connected in a Darlington connection to provide a semiconductor temperature detecting circuit capable of automatically compensating for variations in fabrication of a reference voltage for comparing outputs of temperature sensors. The semiconductor temperature detecting circuit includes a first and a second semiconductor temperature sensor each having bipolar transistors connected in Darlington connection and respectively receiving different constant currents (I and nxI). Temperature detected is based on a corresponding relationship between a ratio of output voltages of the first and the second semiconductor temperature sensors and the temperature.

Abstract: A vital signs detection system has

Abstract: Information necessary for authenticating a target (target information) is obtained by a target information obtainment unit 11 and a user input unit 12. Obtained target information is inputted in an authentication target information processing unit 40 via an operation control unit 30, and a person, an item and the like are authenticated by a target information authentication unit 41. Also, location information necessary for identifying a present location by a GPS data receiving unit 51 or a location information receiving unit 52. This location information is obtained from a base station and the like of a GPS satellite, a cellular phone and a PHS. Location information authentication unit 71 authenticates a location based on the obtained location information and information stored in a storage unit 90 in advance. Location information DB 72 is used at the time of this authentication.

Abstract: A sensor device 10A is comprised of a power generating unit 111A that takes in energy externally (a power carrier radio wave) and generates direct current power from such energy, a vital sign detecting unit 112A that detects a vital sign of a user while being supplied with the direct current power from the power generating unit 111A, and a vital sign transmitting unit 116A that transmits the detected vital sign cordlessly while being supplied with the direct current power from the power generating unit 111A.

Abstract: A foreign-matter removal capacity is improved in a cleaning process. When a wafer is cleaned while a brush is moved from the center of the wafer toward the outer circumference thereof, a discharge flow rate of cleaning liquid flowing into the brush is regulated so that the interval between the brush and the wafer is kept constant.

Abstract: A vital signs detection system has

Abstract: In a semiconductor temperature detecting circuit using semiconductor temperature sensors each comprising bipolar transistors connected in Darlington connection, to provide a semiconductor temperature detecting circuit capable of automatically compensating for a dispersion in fabrication of reference voltage for comparing outputs of temperature sensors, the semiconductor temperature detecting circuit includes a first and a second semiconductor temperature sensor each having bipolar transistors connected in Darlington connection, the steps of for supplying different constant currents (I and n×I) to the first and the second semiconductor temperature sensors and detecting temperature based on a corresponding relationship (FIG. 2) between a ratio of output voltages of the first and the second semiconductor temperature sensors and the temperature.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus has a first objective lens for a first optical disc such as a CD and a second objective lens for a second optical disc such as a DVD. The first and second objective lenses are mounted on a base that is transferrable in a direction of radii of the first and second optical discs coaxially installed in the optical disc apparatus. A first center of the first objective lens is located on a first line passing through a center of the first optical disc. On the other hand, a second center of the second objective lens is located on a second line orthogonal to the first line. The first and centers are separated from each other by a predetermined distance.