Abstract: A gate valve, a substrate processing apparatus, and a substrate processing method which can improve the airtightness and cleanliness of a vacuum processing chamber and a vacuum preliminary chamber. A gate valve has a face facing a vacuum processing chamber and a face facing a vacuum preliminary chamber, the faces abutting on annular sealing members surrounding entire circumferences of substrate loading/unloading ports of the vacuum processing chamber and the vacuum preliminary chamber, and openably and closably connects the vacuum processing chamber and the vacuum preliminary chamber. The gate valve includes sealing channels provided between the sealing members doubly provided outside and inside surrounding the entire circumference of at least one of the substrate loading/unloading ports and between other sealing members doubly provided outside and inside in one or more parts inside the gate valve, and a gas circulation channel including the sealing channels.

Abstract: Interlace noises of the image of an iris included in the image of an eye picked up through an interlaced scheme are corrected precisely within a short time. An image processing apparatus (30) corrects a digital image P based on only low-brightness pixels configuring the image of a pupil included in the digital image P of an eye. Accordingly, interlace noises included in the image of the pupil of the eye and that of the iris can be corrected precisely within a short time. Next, a checking apparatus (50) performs authentication on a subject person based on the image of the iris specified based on the corrected digital image P. Hence, precise authentication is enabled.

Abstract: An image of the iris contained in an image of an eye is accurately specified. An image of the iris contained in a digital image (P) of an eye is accurately specified. In view of low-intensity pixels of the digital image (P) of the eye, and high-intensity pixels having a predetermined relationship with the low-intensity pixels, a reference pixel (PX0) that defines the center of the pupil is determined. Thereby, the center of the pupil can be specified more accurately when compared to the case where, for example, it is determined only from the low-intensity pixels. Therefore, the accuracy of the process to specify the iris image on the basis of the reference pixel is improved, and as a result, the iris image can be accurately specified.

Abstract: A plurality of pieces of information related to the iris pattern of an eye can be checked against each other in a short time. Characteristic curves (S(1)-S(8)), which are in accordance with eight ring areas (A1-A8) formed by dividing an image of an iris, are generated. The polarities of the gradients of these characteristic curves are then arranged, thereby generating codes (1-8) to be checked. Each of these codes (1-8) to be checked consists of a ternary combination of +, ? and zero, whereby the amount of data to be handled during the checking process can be reduced. As a result, checking the codes to be checked can be performed in a short time.

Abstract: A plurality of pieces of information related to the iris pattern of an eye can be checked against each other in a short time. Characteristic curves (S(1)-S(8)), which are in accordance with eight ring areas (A1-A8) formed by dividing an image of an iris, are generated. The polarities of the gradients of these characteristic curves are then arranged, thereby generating codes (1-8) to be checked. Each of these codes (1-8) to be checked consists of a ternary combination of +, ? and zero, whereby the amount of data to be handled during the checking process can be reduced. As a result, checking the codes to be checked can be performed in a short time.

Abstract: A plurality of pieces of information related to the iris pattern of an eye can be checked against each other in a short time. Characteristic curves (S(1)-S(8)), which are in accordance with eight ring areas (A1-A8) formed by dividing an image of an iris, are generated. The polarities of the gradients of these characteristic curves are then arranged, thereby generating codes (1-8) to be checked. Each of these codes (1-8) to be checked consists of a ternary combination of +, ? and zero, whereby the amount of data to be handled during the checking process can be reduced. As a result, checking the codes to be checked can be performed in a short time.

Abstract: A region of an iris image where eyelash and other part images are mixed is identified with accuracy. The noise region of an iris image contained in a digital eye image (P1) where, for example, eyelash and eyelid parts are mixed is identified with accuracy based on characteristic curves obtained by scanning the iris image with arcs (AR1) and (AR2). Then, authentication is performed using data created based on the iris image from which the noise region is excluded. In this way, the subject can be authenticated with accuracy without being affected by noise.

Abstract: A region of an iris image where eyelash and other part images are mixed is identified with accuracy. The noise region of an iris image contained in a digital eye image (P1) where, for example, eyelash and eyelid parts are mixed is identified with accuracy based on characteristic curves obtained by scanning the iris image with arcs (AR1) and (AR2). Then, authentication is performed using data created based on the iris image from which the noise region is excluded. In this way, the subject can be authenticated with accuracy without being affected by noise.

Abstract: Interlace noises of the image of an iris included in the image of an eye picked up through an interlaced scheme are corrected precisely within a short time. An image processing apparatus (30) corrects a digital image P based on only low-brightness pixels configuring the image of a pupil included in the digital image P of an eye. Accordingly, interlace noises included in the image of the pupil of the eye and that of the iris can be corrected precisely within a short time. Next, a checking apparatus (50) performs authentication on a subject person based on the image of the iris specified based on the corrected digital image P. Hence, precise authentication is enabled.

Abstract: A plurality of pieces of information related to the iris pattern of an eye can be checked against each other in a short time. Characteristic curves (S(1)-S(8)), which are in accordance with eight ring areas (A1-A8) formed by dividing an image of an iris, are generated. The polarities of the gradients of these characteristic curves are then arranged, thereby generating codes (1-8) to be checked. Each of these codes (1-8) to be checked consists of a ternary combination of +, ? and zero, whereby the amount of data to be handled during the checking process can be reduced. As a result, checking the codes to be checked can be performed in a short time.

Abstract: An image of the iris contained in an image of an eye is accurately specified. An image of the iris contained in a digital image (P) of an eye is accurately specified. In view of low-intensity pixels of the digital image (P) of the eye, and high-intensity pixels having a predetermined relationship with the low-intensity pixels, a reference pixel (PX0) that defines the center of the pupil is determined. Thereby, the center of the pupil can be specified more accurately when compared to the case where, for example, it is determined only from the low-intensity pixels. Therefore, the accuracy of the process to specify the iris image on the basis of the reference pixel is improved, and as a result, the iris image can be accurately specified.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling ignition timing in an internal combustion engine includes a cam sensor for generating a standard position signal for each standard piston position, a position sensor for generating a single angle signal, a control unit for controlling ignition timing based on the standard position signal and the single angle signal, a timer for detecting a time from the standard position signal before the ignition timing, and a device for setting an ignition-starting timing after said standard position signal when an engine rotation speed is less than a predetermined rotation speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of the general formula wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each a hydrogen or an acyl, a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof or a hydrate thereof; a pharmaceutical comprising this compound; a pharmaceutical composition comprising this compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and 2-amino-2-(2-(4-(1-hydroxy-5-phenylpentyl)phenyl)ethyl)propane-1,3-diol or 2-amino-2-(2-(4-formylphenyl)ethyl)propane-1,3-diol, the derivatives of the two compounds whose amino group and/or hydroxy group are(is) protected or a salt thereof. The compound of the present invention shows superior immunosuppressive action with less toxicity and higher safety, and is useful as a drug for prevention or suppression of rejection of organs or bone marrow transplantation, or as a drug for prevention or treatment of various autoimmune diseases or allergic diseases.

Abstract: To provide a stripe pattern matching system enabling to verify minutia correspondence between a searching stripe pattern and a filed stripe pattern independent of position or direction of the searching stripe pattern, correspondence value between them is evaluated by comparing their distances, directions or relations to their each neighboring minutiae by a pairing examination means (16). The most appropriate rotation angle and the most appropriate shifting coordinates for adjusting the searching stripe pattern to the filed stripe pattern is obtained by selecting a most appropriate axial candidate giving the most concentrated coordinate deviations referring to deviation distributions of correspondence values accumulated on a deviation plane memory (18) by applying each axial candidate as the coordinate adjustment reference. Therefore, the most appropriate coordinate adjustment can be performed even when either or both of absolute direction and position cannot be specified, in the invention.

Abstract: In a machine tool of the present invention, a spindle head rotatably supports a vertical tool spindle. On the spindle head base, a guide mechanism is provided so as to guide the spindle head in mutually orthogonal first and second horizontal directions and in a vertical direction. A workpiece is supported on a workpiece supporting base provided at a front side of the spindle head base. The workpiece is surrounded with a side cover assembly on the workpiece support base so as to define a machining area therewithin. The upper end of the side cover assembly is covered with a top cover assembly. The top cover assembly has a spindle hole through which a nose portion of the spindle head passes so as to permit the tool spindle to reach the machining area, and is flexibly operable to follow the movements of the spindle head in the first and second horizontal directions.

Abstract: An immunosuppressive drug, an autoimmune disease treating drug, an immunosuppression enhancing drug and a cell adhesion inhibitor, each containing a thienotriazolodiazepine compound wherein the 2-position of its diazepine ring is alkylated as an active ingredient, an immunosuppression method, an autoimmune disease treating method, an immunosuppression enhancing method and a cell adhesion inhibiting method, each of which comprising administering the compound, and uses of the compound for the production of an immunosuppressive drug, an autoimmune disease treating drug, an immunosuppression enhancing drug and a cell adhesion inhibitor.

Abstract: In a fingerprint image processing system for use in processing a fingerprint image prior to identification of a fingerprint, edition or correction is made by adding true minutiae and/or deleting false minutiae from the fingerprint image displayed on an output device to leave only real minutiae and to formulate a minutia list which registers a location of each minutia, a minutia direction, and minutia relations representative of adjacent minutia pairs. Edition of the minutiae may be carried out by handling the minutiae as an image while correction may be made by recognizing the minutiae as data. Ridge numbers between two adjacent ones of the minutiae are included in the minutia relations and may be manually or automatically extracted from the fingerprint image.

Abstract: A pallet exchange apparatus has a bed and an arm assembly supported on the bed to be rotatable between a workpiece loading-and-unloading station and workpiece machining station. A pair of cylindrical holes are formed at both ends of the arm assembly for receiving the pallets. The apparatus is further provided with driving means for rotating the arm assembly, a turntable rotatably mounted on the bed at a position corresponding to the workpiece machining station, first engagement portions formed at the ends of the arm assembly, second engagement portions formed on the pallets so as to be engaged with the first engagement portions for preventing the rotation of the pallets, and a moving device disposed on the turntable for moving the pallet located at the workpiece machining station in the vertical direction. When the pallet is lowered by the moving device, the pallet is separated from the turntable and the second engagement portion of the pallet is engaged with the first engagement portion.

Abstract: 3,4-Dihydrothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds having immunoregulating and carcinostatic actions of the general formula ##STR1## wherein A represents a C.sub.1-4 alkylene; R.sup.1 represents hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl which may be substituted or --N(R.sup.7)(R.sup.8); R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 represent hydrogen, a halogen, hydroxy, an alkyl which may be substituted by a halogen, an alkoxy, nitro, cyano or --N(R.sup.9)(R.sup.10); R.sup.5 represents hydrogen, a halogen, nitro, amino, cyano, an alkyl or an alkoxycarbonyl; R.sup.6 represents hydrogen, a halogen, nitro, amino, cyano, an alkyl, an alkoxycarbonyl, a halogenosulfonyl or --SO.sub.2 N(R.sup.12)(R.sup.13); or R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 may, taken together, form a C.sub.3-6 alkylene chain, and their pharmaceutical use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of the general formula wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each a hydrogen or an acyl, a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof or a hydrate thereof; a pharmaceutical comprising this compound; a pharmaceutical composition comprising this compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and 2-amino-2-(2-(4-(1-hydroxy-5-phenylpentyl)phenyl)ethyl)propane-1,3-diol or 2-amino-2-(2-(4-formylphenyl)ethyl)propane-1,3-diol, the derivatives of the two compounds whose amino group and/or hydroxy group are(is) protected or a salt thereof. The compound of the present invention shows superior immunosuppressive action with less toxicity and higher safety, and is useful as a drug for prevention or suppression of rejection of organs or bone marrow transplantation, or as a drug for prevention or treatment of various autoimmune diseases or allergic diseases.