Abstract: According to an embodiment, a driving assistance device includes a recognizer configured to recognize a surrounding situation of a mobile object, a decider configured to decide whether or not to prompt a driver of the mobile object to perform acceleration or deceleration on the basis of the surrounding situation, and a notification controller configured to cause a speaker to output a notification sound for prompting the driver of the mobile object to perform the acceleration or deceleration on the basis of a decision result. The notification sound is a notification sound obtained by continuously changing a structure of a sound.

Abstract: A sign language interpretation apparatus for performing sign language recognition and sign language generation generates easily read sign language computer graphics (CG) animation by preparing sign language word CG patterns on the basis of actual motion of the hand through the use of a glove type sensor to generate natural sign language CG animation, and by applying correction to the sign language word CG patterns. Further, in the sign language interpretation apparatus, results of translation of inputted sign language or voice language are confirmed and modified easily by the individual input persons, whereby results of translation of the inputted sign language or voice language are displayed in a combined form desired by the user to realize smooth communication. Also, candidates obtained as a result of translation are all displayed and can be selected easily by the input person with a device such as a mouse.

Abstract: Elevator group supervisory control method and system for group supervisory control of a plurality of elevators serving a plurality of floors. The method and apparatus of the invention permits the inputting of qualitative requests (guidance), from the user, concerning elevator operation into the group supervisory control system. Qualitative requests concerning elevator operation are set in the form of guidance (or request) targets. The thus set request targets are converted into control targets for the elevators. Actual group supervisory control is executed using the control targets.

Abstract: In continuous sign language recognition, reference sign language patterns of good quality are generated. Continuous sign language patterns and reference sign language patterns are efficiently compressed. The compressed continuous sign language patterns are sequentially and directly matched with the compressed reference sign language patterns to recognize the sign language at high speed and with high precision. A reference sign pattern generating unit generates a reference sign language pattern by normalizing sample patterns while taking into consideration of their nonlinear compression/expansion and by calculating an average of the sample patterns. A continuous sign language recognition unit recognizes a continuous sign language at high speed by sequentially matching the continuous sign language of time sequential patterns with reference sign language patterns while allowing nonlinear expansion and compression in the time domain.

Abstract: A sign language interpretation apparatus for performing sign language recognition and sign language generation generates easily read sign language computer graphics (CG) animation by preparing sign language word CG patterns on the basis of actual motion of the hand through the use of a glove type sensor to generate natural sign language CG animation, and by applying correction to the sign language word CG patterns. Further, in the sign language interpretation apparatus, results of translation of inputted sign language or voice language are confirmed and modified easily by the individual input persons, whereby results of translation of the inputted sign language or voice language are displayed in a combined form desired by the user to realize smooth communication. Also, candidates obtained as a result of translation are all displayed and can be selected easily by the input person with a device such as a mouse.

Abstract: In a sign-language learning system, the data of sign-language desired by a learner can be outputted quickly and accurately and, moreover, in the display method matching the requirements of individual learners, and the individual learners can easily make additional registration. The sign-language data are stored in a sign-language dictionary, and desired sign-language data are searched on the basis of an entry word or contents by a dictionary search device. The searched sign-language data are displayed in a display output device in accordance with a requirement of a learner by image synthesis. The sign-language data are registered by a dictionary registration device.

Abstract: A high density storage medium which stores predetermined information by matching it on one-to-one basis with multiple levels of depth or height formed in predetermined plural areas of substrate surface, a storing method, a reading method and various systems using them have been disclosed.

Abstract: Elevator group supervisory control method and system for group supervisory control of a plurality of elevators serving a plurality of floors. The method and apparatus of the invention permits the inputting of qualitative requests (guidance), from the user, concerning elevator operation into the group supervisory control system. Qualitative requests concerning elevator operation are set in the form of guidance (or request) targets. The thus set request, targets are converted into control targets for the elevators. Actual group supervisory control is executed using the control targets.

Abstract: An elevator car and a counterweight is suspended on a sheave by means of a rope in a well-rope faashion. In dependence on the number of passengers on the car, the sheave is applied with an unbalance torque making appearance between the car and counterweight. Upon starting of the elevator operation by releasing a brake, upward or backward bouncing of the car takes place due to the unbalance torque. For preventing such bouncing of the car, a start compensation is performed by generating a motor torque which can cancel out the unbalance torque in precedence to the releasing of the brake. The brake is installed swingably on a winding equipment. Displacement of the brake during actuation thereof indicates the presence of the unbalance torque.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus having a character extraction unit for extracting an area whose density distribution characteristic meets a predetermined condition such as a binarization threshold and a size and a type of local filtering, from an input image of multiple gray levels, and extracts an object area as an output image from the input image by using the characteristic extraction unit. An area designation means designates an area having a uniform density distribution and containing the object area, to the input image. Condition determination means determines the condition for the characteristic extraction unit based on the density distribution characteristic of the input image in the designated area. In an image processing expert system, the image characteristics of the object image and the background in the area designated by the area designation means are evaluated and analyzed and the inquiry in the form of message is effected to quantize the evaluation of the image characteristic.

Abstract: An elevator apparatus includes an electric motor for driving the elevator apparatus, an elevator cage adapted to be lifted or lowered by the electric motor, a brake device for holding and retaining an elevator driving system, including the electric motor, and a malfunction detecting device responsive to the application of a torque to a retainer section of the brake device during the lifting or lowering of the elevator cage.