Author: claimsbot

1. A method for storing a plurality of parallel data element sequences on a computer memory component and efficiently processing elements on a computer processor from a subset of said sequences, comprising:
(a) creating a plurality of dictionaries, on the computer memory component, each of unique values for one of said data element sequences, wherein said dictionaries associate numeric indexes with unique values,
(b) forming one or more n-ary trees, on the computer memory component, with leaf and interior nodes wherein:
(1) a plurality of leaf nodes on the computer memory component each correspond to one of said dictionaries,
(2) at least one interior node on the computer memory component associates a numeric index with tuples of numeric indexes from other subordinate leaf or interior nodes,
(3) at least one of said interior nodes on the computer memory component has a gate field associated with it, which is capable of representing a subset of said interior node’s subtrees,

(c) processing the subset of leaf nodes corresponding to said subset of sequences, on the computer processor, by:
(1) finding one of said interior node(s) on the computer memory component that is a common ancestor in said n-ary tree of each said leaf node in said leaf subset,
(2) setting the value of said gate field on the computer memory component for at least one of said interior nodes, to indicate which of said interior node’s branches to subordinate nodes lead to leaf nodes in said subset,
(3) following a path on the computer memory component from said common-ancestor interior node to at least one of said leaf nodes in said leaf subset, using at least one interior node’s gate field setting to select a path that leads to a leaf node in said leaf subset, and
(4) processing said element(s) in said leaf node(s) on the computer processor.
2. A method for improving compression for storing a plurality of parallel data element sequences on a computer memory component and retrieval of at least one element on a computer processor comprising:
(a) creating a plurality of dictionaries, on the computer memory component, each of unique values for one of said data element sequences, wherein said dictionaries associate numeric indexes with unique values,
(b) forming one or more n-ary trees with leaf and interior nodes on the computer memory component wherein:
(1) at least one of said leaf nodes on the computer memory component:
a. is distinct from, and represents a subset of values from one of said dictionaries, and
b. shares its dictionary with at least one other leaf node which also represents its subset of said dictionary’s values, and

(2) at least one interior node on the computer memory component associates a numeric index with tuples of numeric indexes from other subordinate leaf or interior nodes, and
(3) said distinct leaf node(s) on the computer memory component is(are) capable of retrieving the value associated with a numeric index by obtaining said value from said leaf node’s associated dictionary, and

(c) retrieving on the computer processor at least one element from one of said distinct leaf node(s) on the computer memory component.
3. A method for constructing a hierarchical data-storage structure to improve compression for storing a plurality of parallel data element sequences on a computer memory component and retrieval of at least one element on a computer processor comprising:
(a) creating a plurality of dictionaries, on the computer memory component, each of unique values for one of said data element sequences, wherein said dictionaries associate numeric indexes with unique values,
(b) forming one or more n-ary trees on the computer memory component with leaf and interior nodes wherein:
(1) a plurality of leaf nodes on the computer memory component each correspond to one of said dictionaries,
(2) at least one interior node on the computer memory component associates a numeric index with tuples of numeric indexes from other subordinate leaf or interior nodes, wherein the forming step includes:
i. defining a problem space comprising:
(1) a set of states, wherein each said state contains an n-ary tree design, said design comprising a set of leaves and zero or more interior nodes, wherein each said interior node has zero or more other nodes as children, and
(2) a value function, giving a numeric ranking of the value of any state’s n-ary tree design, wherein said numeric ranking is used to perform at least one of:
\u2003a. determine if said state’s n-ary tree design is acceptable, or
\u2003b. rank the n-ary tree designs of states reachable by applying operators to a state, to select an operator,

ii. defining one or more operators that transform one state to another, and
iii. searching said problem space, starting from an initial state and applying operators to move to other states until a state with an acceptable n-ary tree design is reached, wherein said method for forming said n-ary tree uses an estimate of interior node size, from a function of the sizes or estimated sizes of said interior node’s child nodes, and
(c) retrieving on the computer processor at least one element from one of said trees’ leaf nodes on the computer memory component.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said processing includes using values or tokens at said leaf nodes to reconstruct a subset of a stored record.
5. The method of claim 4, further including the step of adding one or more of said reconstructed record subsets to another tree.
6. The method of claim 3 wherein at least one of said operators combines a plurality of nodes under an interior node.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said leaf nodes is distinct from, and represents a subset of values from one of said dictionaries.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said dictionaries is shared by a plurality of said n-ary trees.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of said interior nodes are capable of storing one or more sequences of mutually-consecutive tuples by either
(a) representing at least one of said one or more sequences in a form that uses less storage space than representing said sequence as individual tuples, or
(b) representing at least one of said one or more sequences by explicitly or implicitly using the length of said sequence.
10. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of said dictionaries is shared by a plurality of said n-ary trees.
11. The method of claim 2, wherein one or more of said interior nodes are capable of storing one or more sequences of mutually-consecutive tuples by either:
(a) representing at least one of said one or more sequences in a form that uses less storage space than representing said sequence as individual tuples, or
(b) representing at least one of said one or more sequences by explicitly or implicitly using the length of said sequence.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein at least one of said dictionaries is shared by a plurality of said n-ary trees.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one of said leaf nodes is distinct from, and represents a subset of values from one of said dictionaries.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of said dictionaries is shared by a plurality of said n-ary trees.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one of said dictionaries is shared by a plurality of said n-ary trees.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of said dictionaries is shared by a plurality of said n-ary trees.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the forming step defines a problem space comprising:
(a) a set of states, wherein each said state contains an n-ary tree design, said design comprising a set of leaves and zero or more interior nodes, wherein each said interior node has zero or more other nodes as children, and
(b) a value function, giving a numeric ranking of the value of any state n-ary tree design, wherein said numeric ranking is used to perform at least one of:
(1) determine if said state’s n-ary tree design is acceptable, or
(2) rank the n-ary tree designs of states reachable by applying operators to a state, to select an operator,
defining one or more operators that transform one state to another, and
searching said problem space, starting from an initial state and applying operators to move to other states until a state with an acceptable n-ary tree design is reached.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the forming step defines a problem space comprising:
(a) a set of states, wherein each said state contains an n-ary tree design, said design comprising a set of leaves and zero or more interior nodes, wherein each said interior node has zero or more other nodes as children, and
(b) a value function, giving a numeric ranking of the value of any state n-ary tree design, wherein said numeric ranking is used to perform at least one of:
(1) determine if said state’s n-ary tree design is acceptable, or
(2) rank the n-ary tree designs of states reachable by applying operators to a state, to select an operator,
defining one or more operators that transform one state to another, and
searching said problem space, starting from an initial state and applying operators to move to other states until a state with an acceptable n-ary tree design is reached.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one, unique value of a leaf node or at least one unique tuple of an interior node is capable of being associated with a count of the number of times that value or tuple of values occurred in the parallel data element sequences.
20. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one unique value of a leaf node or at least one unique tuple of an interior node is capable of being associated with a count of the number of times that value or tuple of values occurred in the parallel data element sequences.
21. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one unique value of a leaf node or at least one unique tuple of an interior node is capable of being associated with a count of the number of times that value or tuple of values occurred in the parallel data element sequences.
22. A method for constructing a hierarchical data-storage structure to improve compression for storing a plurality of parallel data element sequences on a computer memory component and retrieval of at least one element on a computer processor comprising:
(a) creating a plurality of dictionaries on the computer memory component, each of unique values for one of said data element sequences, wherein said dictionaries associate numeric indexes with unique values,
(b) forming one or more n-ary trees on the computer memory component with leaf and interior nodes wherein:
(1) a plurality of leaf nodes on the computer memory component each correspond to one of said dictionaries,
(2) at least one interior node on the computer memory component associates a numeric index with tuples of numeric indexes from other subordinate leaf or interior nodes,
(3) one or more interior nodes store one or more sequences of mutually-consecutive tuples by representing said sequences in a form that uses less storage space than representing said sequences as individual tuples, and each of said interior nodes performs at least one of:
i. records the addition of a tuple that extends a tuple sequence by modifiying one or more fields in the representation of said sequence that are capable of representing the length of said sequence, or
ii. records the addition of a tuple that invalidates an existing tuple sequence by splitting said tuple sequence into one or more subsequences, wherein none of the tuples of said subsequences contain any element of said added tuple, or
iii. records the addition of a tuple that has not been previously added to said interior node, wherein said added tuple does not extend a tuple sequence, by adding said tuple to a tuple collection, and

(c) retrieving on the computer processor at least one element from one of said trees’ leaf nodes on the computer memory component.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein at least one of said leaf nodes on the computer memory component:
(a) is distinct from, and represents a subset of values from one of said dictionaries, and
(b) shares its dictionary with at least one other leaf node which also represents its subset of said dictionary’s values.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein at least one of said interior nodes on the computer memory component has a gate field associated with it, which is capable of representing a subset of said interior node’s subtrees.
25. The method of claim 22, wherein at least one unique value of a leaf node or at least one unique tuple of an interior node is capable of being associated with a count of the number of times that value or tuple of values occurred in the parallel data element sequences.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An image interpretation aiding method comprising the steps of:
generating first projection images of a first region in a first three-dimensional image representing a subject by projecting, onto a plane perpendicular to a first observation direction to the subject in the first three-dimensional image, pixels in the first region specified by a first cross section perpendicular to the first observation direction and a first thickness equal to a first pitch, which is a thickness from the first cross section in the first observation direction, while moving a position of the first cross section in the first observation direction by the first pitch;
generating second projection images of a second region in a second three-dimensional image representing the subject obtained at a time different from the first three-dimensional image by projecting, onto a plane perpendicular to a second observation direction to the subject in the second three-dimensional image, pixels in the second region specified by a second cross section perpendicular to the second observation direction and a second thickness equal to a second pitch, which is a thickness from the second cross section in the second observation direction, while moving a position of the second cross section in the second observation direction by the second pitch;
carrying out alignment processing for aligning the subject in each of combinations of the first projection images and the second projection images corresponding to each other; and
generating a superposed subtraction image based on a difference between all the first projection images and all the second projection images having been subjected to the alignment processing.
2. The image interpretation aiding method according to claim 1, the step of generating the superposed subtraction image comprising the steps of:
generating subtraction images from a difference in each of the combinations of the first projection images and the second projection images having been subjected to the alignment processing; and
generating the superposed subtraction image by superposing the subtraction images.
3. The image interpretation aiding method according to claim 1, the step of generating the superposed subtraction image comprising the steps of:
generating a first superposed projection image by superposing the first projection images having been subjected to the alignment processing;
generating a second superposed projection image by superposing the second projection images having been subjected to the alignment processing; and
generating the superposed subtraction image by finding a difference between the first superposed projection image and the second superposed projection image.
4. The image interpretation aiding method according to claim 1,
the first three-dimensional image and the second three-dimensional image respectively comprising cross sectional images representing slice regions generated by sequentially slicing the subject according to slice thicknesses predetermined respectively for the first three-dimensional image and the second three-dimensional image,
the first thickness being larger than the predetermined slice thickness for the first three-dimensional image, and
the second thickness being larger than the predetermined slice thickness for the second three-dimensional image.
5. The image interpretation aiding method according to claim 1, wherein the alignment processing comprises the steps of:
observation direction alignment processing for determining the combinations of the first projection images and the second projection images corresponding to each other by respectively selecting the second projection images having the highest correlation of pixel values with the respective first projection images; and
two-dimensional alignment processing comprising global matching, local matching, and warping,
the global matching being overall linear alignment processing for detecting an overall amount of rotation andor translation between the two projection images comprising each of the combinations,
the local matching being local non-linear alignment processing for detecting shift vectors between corresponding local areas in the two projection images and for determining shift vectors between each pair of corresponding pixels in the two projection images based on the shift vectors between the local areas, and
the warping being processing for nonlinearly transforming one of the two projection images to the other one of the two projection images based on the shift vectors between the pixels.
6. The image interpretation aiding method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
setting a three-dimensional volume of interest in the first three-dimensional image;
calculating magnitude of displacement and rotation of the volume in the case where pixel values of the volume show the highest correlation with pixel values of a corresponding volume in the second three-dimensional image while translating and rotating the volume in the second three-dimensional image; and
carrying out overall alignment between the two three-dimensional images by translating and rotating pixels in one of the two three-dimensional images based on the magnitude of displacement and rotation, wherein
the steps of generating the first projection images and the second projection images are carried out after the overall alignment.
7. An image interpretation aiding apparatus comprising:
first cross section specification means for specifying a first cross section perpendicular to a first observation direction to a subject in a first three-dimensional image representing the subject;
first thickness specification means for specifying a first thickness from the first cross section in the first observation direction;
first projection image generation means for generating first projection images of a first region in the first three-dimensional image by projecting, onto a plane perpendicular to the first observation direction, pixels in the first region specified by the first cross section and the first thickness while moving a position of the first cross section in the first observation direction by a pitch equal to the first thickness;
second cross section specification means for specifying a second cross section perpendicular to a second observation direction to the same subject in a second three-dimensional image representing the subject and obtained at a time different from the first three-dimensional image;
second thickness specification means for specifying a second thickness from the second cross section in the second observation direction;
second projection image generation means for generating second projection images of a second region in the second three-dimensional image by projecting, onto a plane perpendicular to the second observation direction, pixels in the second region specified by the second cross section and the second thickness while moving a position of the second cross section in the second observation direction by a pitch equal to the second thickness;
alignment processing means for carrying out alignment processing on the subject in each of combinations of the first projection images and the second projection images corresponding to each other; and
superposed subtraction image generation means for generating a superposed subtraction image based on a difference between all the first projection images and all the second projection images having been subjected to the alignment processing.
8. The image interpretation aiding apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the superposed subtraction image generation means generates:
subtraction images based on a difference in each of the combinations of the first projection images and the corresponding second projection images having been subjected to the alignment processing, and
the superposed subtraction image by superposing the subtraction images.
9. The image interpretation aiding apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the superposed subtraction image generation means generates:
a first superposed projection image by superposing the first projection images having been subjected to the alignment processing,
a second superposed projection image by superposing the second projection images having been subjected to the alignment processing, and
the superposed subtraction image by finding a difference between the first superposed projection image and the second superposed projection image.
10. The image interpretation aiding apparatus according to claim 7,
the first three-dimensional image and the second three-dimensional image respectively comprising cross sectional images representing slice regions generated by sequentially slicing the subject according to slice thicknesses predetermined respectively for the first three-dimensional image and the second three-dimensional image, wherein
the first thickness specification means and the second thickness specification means respectively examine values specified respectively as the first thickness and the second thickness and respectively display a warning message in the case where the value specified as the first thickness is not larger than the predetermined slice thickness for the first three-dimensional image and in the case where the value specified as the second thickness is not larger than the predetermined slice thickness for the second three-dimensional image.
11. The image interpretation aiding apparatus according to claim 7,
the first three-dimensional image and the second three-dimensional image respectively comprising cross sectional images representing slice regions generated by sequentially slicing the subject according to slice thicknesses predetermined respectively for the first three-dimensional image and the second three-dimensional image, wherein
the first thickness specification means and the second thickness specification means respectively display the predetermined slice thickness for the first three-dimensional image and the predetermined slice thickness for the second three-dimensional image in advance for prompting specification of values larger than the displayed slice thicknesses.
12. The image interpretation aiding apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second cross section specification means specifies a cross section corresponding to the first cross section in the second three-dimensional image as the second cross section, and
the second thickness specification means specifies a value that is the same as the first thickness as the second thickness.
13. The image interpretation aiding apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the alignment processing means comprises:
an observation direction alignment processing unit for determining the combinations of the first projection images and the second projection images corresponding to each other by respectively selecting the second projection images having the highest correlation of pixel values with the respective first projection images; and
a two-dimensional alignment processing unit for carrying out global matching, local matching, and warping,
the global matching being overall linear alignment processing for detecting an overall amount of rotation andor translation between the two projection images comprising each of the combinations,
the local matching being local non-linear alignment processing for detecting shift vectors between corresponding local areas in the two projection images and for determining shift vectors between each pair of corresponding pixels in the two projection images based on the shift vectors between the local areas, and
the warping being a process for nonlinearly transforming one of the two projection images to the other one of the two projection images based on the shift vectors between the pixels.
14. The image interpretation aiding apparatus according to claim 7, the image interpretation aiding apparatus further comprising:
means for setting a three-dimensional volume of interest in the first thee-dimensional image,
for calculating magnitude of displacement and rotation of the volume in the case where pixel values of the volume show the highest correlation with pixel values of a corresponding volume in the second three-dimensional image while translating and rotating the volume in the second three-dimensional image, and
for carrying out overall alignment between the two three-dimensional images by translating and rotating the pixels in one of the two three-dimensional images based on the magnitude of displacement and rotation, wherein
the first cross section specification means and the second cross section specification means respectively specify the first cross section and the second cross section after the overall alignment.
15. A computer-readable recording medium storing an image interpretation aiding program for causing a computer to function as:
first cross section specification means for specifying a first cross section perpendicular to a first observation direction to a subject in a first three-dimensional image representing the subject;
first thickness specification means for specifying a first thickness from the first cross section in the first observation direction;
first projection image generation means for generating first projection images of a first region in the first three-dimensional image by projecting, onto a plane perpendicular to the first observation direction, pixels in the first region specified by the first cross section and the first thickness while moving a position of the first cross section in the first observation direction by a pitch equal to the first thickness;
second cross section specification means for specifying a second cross section perpendicular to a second observation direction to the same subject in a second three- dimensional image representing the subject and obtained at a time different from the first three-dimensional image;
second thickness specification means for specifying a second thickness from the second cross section in the second observation direction;
second projection image generation means for generating second projection images of a second region in the second three-dimensional image by projecting, onto a plane perpendicular to the second observation direction, pixels in the second region specified by the second cross section and the second thickness while moving a position of the second cross section in the second observation direction by a pitch equal to the second thickness;
alignment processing means for carrying out alignment processing on the subject in each of combinations of the first projection images and the second projection images corresponding to each other; and
superposed subtraction image generation means for generating a superposed subtraction image based on a difference between all the first projection images and the second projection images having been subjected to the alignment processing.
16. A computer-readable recording medium storing the image interpretation aiding program of claim 15, the image interpretation aiding program causing the computer to cause the superposed subtraction image generation means to generate:
subtraction images based on a difference in each of the combinations of the first projection images and the corresponding second projection images having been subjected to the alignment processing, and
the superposed subtraction image by superposing the subtraction images.
17. A computer-readable recording medium storing the image interpretation aiding program of claim 15, the image interpretation aiding program causing the computer to cause the superposed subtraction image generation means to generate:
a first superposed projection image by superposing the first projection images having been subjected to the alignment processing,
a second superposed projection image by superposing the second projection images having been subjected to the alignment processing, and
the superposed subtraction image by finding a difference between the first superposed projection image and the second superposed projection image.
18. A computer-readable recording medium storing the image interpretation aiding program of claim 15,
the first three-dimensional image and the second three-dimensional image respectively comprising cross sectional images representing slice regions generated by sequentially slicing the subject according to slice thicknesses predetermined respectively for the first three-dimensional image and the second three-dimensional image, and the image interpretation aiding program causing the computer to cause
the first thickness specification means and the second thickness specification means to respectively examine values specified as the first thickness and the second thickness and to respectively display a warning message in the case where the value specified as the first thickness is not larger than the predetermined slice thickness for the first three-dimensional image and in the case where the value specified as the second thickness is not larger than the predetermined slice thickness for the second three-dimensional image.
19. A computer-readable recording medium storing the image interpretation aiding program of claim 15,
the first three-dimensional image and the second three-dimensional image respectively comprising cross sectional images representing slice regions generated by sequentially slicing the subject according to slice thicknesses predetermined respectively for the first three-dimensional image and the second three-dimensional image, and the image interpretation aiding program causing the computer to cause
the first thickness specification means and the second thickness specification means to respectively display the predetermined slice thickness for the first three-dimensional image and the predetermined slice thickness for the second three-dimensional image in advance for prompting specification of values larger than the displayed slice thicknesses.
20. A computer-readable recording medium storing the image interpretation aiding program of claim 15, wherein the image interpretation aiding program causes the computer to cause:
the second cross section specification means to specify a cross section corresponding to the first cross section in the second three-dimensional image as the second cross section, and
the second thickness specification means to specify a value that is the same as the first thickness as the second thickness.
21. A computer-readable recording medium storing the image interpretation aiding program of claim 15, wherein the image interpretation aiding program causes the computer to cause the alignment processing means to function as:
an observation direction alignment processing unit for determining the combinations of the first projection images and the second projection images corresponding to each other by respectively selecting the second projection images having the highest correlation of pixel values with the respective first projection images; and
a two-dimensional alignment processing unit for carrying out global matching, local matching, and warping,
the global matching being overall linear alignment processing for detecting an overall amount of rotation andor translation between the two projection images comprising each of the combinations,
the local matching being local non-linear alignment processing for detecting shift vectors between corresponding local areas in the two projection images and for determining shift vectors between each pair of corresponding pixels in the two projection images based on the shift vectors between the local areas, and
the warping being a process for nonlinearly transforming one of the two projection images to the other one of the two projection images based on the shift vectors between the pixels.
22. A computer-readable recording medium storing the image interpretation aiding program of claim 15, the image interpretation aiding program further causing the computer to further function as:
means for setting a three-dimensional volume of interest in the first three-dimensional image,
for calculating magnitude of displacement and rotation of the volume in the case where pixel values of the volume show the highest correlation with pixel values of a corresponding volume in the second three-dimensional image while translating and rotating the volume in the second three-dimensional image, and
for carrying out overall alignment between the two three-dimensional images by translating and rotating the pixels in one of the two three-dimensional images based on the magnitude of displacement and rotation, wherein
the first cross section specification means and the second cross section specification means specify the first cross section and the second cross section after the overall alignment.
23. The image interpretation aiding method according to claim 1, wherein said superposed subtraction image is the same size as the first and second projection images, and
the first projection images, the second projection images, and the superposed subtraction image are digital image data.

1. A method for configuring sharing of an Internet connection at a first device, the method comprising the steps of:
transmitting a program for configuring the Internet connection from the first device to a second device via a cable, wherein the program is stored in the first device;
exchanging messages between the first device and the second device, via the cable, for configuration of network interfaces of the first device and the second device, after the second device executes the program;
configuring a network interface of the first device in accordance with the program and the messages exchanged between the first device and the second device; and
sharing the Internet connection of at least one of the first device and the second device based on the configured network interface of the first device.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining whether sharing the Internet connection is valid based on the configured network interface of the first device; and
selectively restoring configurations of the network interfaces of the first device and the second device to configurations prior to the sharing of the Internet connection based on the result of the determination.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the Internet connection is a connection via the cable, and determining whether sharing the Internet connection is valid comprises determining whether the connection via the cable is maintained.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the Internet connection is a Wireless Local Area Network (LAN) connection, and determining whether sharing the Internet connection is valid comprises determining whether the wireless LAN connection is maintained.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining whether the wireless LAN connection is maintained is based on hello packets that are periodically transmitted or received.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the messages comprise at least one of first information that defines whether the cable provides a connection for data transmission and reception or a connection for network interface configuration, and second information which defines a mode for sharing the Internet connection.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the mode comprises at least one of a mode for sharing the Internet connection of the second device via the cable connection, a mode for sharing the Internet connection of the second device via the wireless LAN connection, a mode for accessing an access point (AP) to which the second device is connected, a mode for using the first device as an AP, and a mode for sharing the Internet connection of the first device via the cable connection.
8. A method for configuring sharing of an Internet connection at a second device, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving a program for configuring the Internet connection at the second device, from a first device, via a cable, wherein the program is stored in the first device;
executing the program on the second device;
exchanging messages between the first device and the second device, via the cable, for configuration of network interfaces of the first device and the second device;
configuring a network interface of the second device in accordance with the program and the messages exchanged between the first device and the second device; and
sharing the Internet connection of at least one of the first device and the second device based on the configured network interface of the second device.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
determining whether sharing the Internet connection is valid based on the configured network interface of the first device; and
selectively restoring configurations of the network interfaces of the first device and the second device to configurations prior to the sharing of the Internet connection based on the result of the determination.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the Internet connection is a connection via the cable, and determining whether sharing the Internet connection is valid comprises determining whether the connection via the cable is maintained.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the Internet connection is a Wireless Local Area Network (LAN) connection, and determining whether sharing the Internet connection is valid comprises determining whether the wireless LAN connection is maintained.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining whether the wireless LAN connection is maintained is based on hello packets that are periodically transmitted or received.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein the messages comprise at least one of first information that defines whether the cable provides a connection for data transmission and reception or a connection for network interface configuration, and second information which defines a mode for sharing the Internet connection.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the mode comprises at least one of a mode for sharing the Internet connection of the second device via the cable connection, a mode for sharing the Internet connection of the second device via the wireless LAN connection, a mode for accessing an access point (AP) to which the second device is connected, a mode for using the first device as an AP, and a mode for sharing the Internet connection of the first device via the cable connection.
15. A method for configuring sharing of an Internet connection, the method comprising the steps of:
transmitting a program for configuring the Internet connection from a first device to a second device via a cable, wherein the program is stored in the first device;
executing the program at the second device;
exchanging messages between the first device and the second device, via the cable, for configuration of network interfaces of the first device and the second device, after the second device executes the program;
configuring the network interfaces of the first device and the second device in accordance with the program and the messages exchanged between the first device and the second device; and
sharing the Internet connection of at least one of the first device and the second device based on the configured network interfaces of the first device and the second device.
16. An Internet connection configuring apparatus for configuring sharing of an Internet connection at a first device, the apparatus comprising:
a program transmitting unit that transmits a program for configuring the Internet connection from the first device to a second device via a cable, wherein the program is stored in the first device; and
a network configuring unit that exchanges messages between the first device and the second device for configuration of network interfaces of the first device and the second device, after the second device executes the program, configures a network interface of the first device in accordance with the program and the messages exchanged between the first device and the second device, and shares the Internet connection of at least one of the first device and the second device based on the configured network interface of the first device.
17. An Internet connection configuring apparatus for configuring sharing of an Internet connection of a second device, the apparatus comprising:
a program receiving unit that receives a program for configuring the Internet connection at the second device, from the first device, via a cable, wherein the program is stored in the first device; and
a network configuring unit that exchanges messages between the first device and the second device for configuration of network interfaces of the first device and the second device, after the second device executes the program, configures a network interface of the second device in accordance with the program and the messages exchanged between the first device and the second device, and shares the Internet connection of at least one of the first device and the second device based on the configured network interface of the second device.
18. An article of manufacture for configuring sharing of an Internet connection at a first device, comprising a machine readable medium containing one or more programs which when executed implement the steps of:
transmitting a program for configuring the Internet connection from the first device to a second device via a cable, wherein the program is stored in the first device;
exchanging messages between the first device and the second device, via the cable, for configuration of network interfaces of the first device and the second device, after the second device executes the program;
configuring a network interface of the first device in accordance with the program and the messages exchanged between the first device and the second device; and
sharing the Internet connection of at least one of the first device and the second device based on the configured network interface of the first device.
19. An article of manufacture for configuring sharing of an Internet connection at a second device, comprising a machine readable medium containing one or more programs which when executed implement the steps of:
receiving a program for configuring the Internet connection at the second device, from a first device, via a cable, wherein the program is stored in the first device;
executing the program on the second device;
exchanging messages between the first device and the second device, via the cable, for configuration of network interfaces of the first device and the second device;
configuring a network interface of the second device in accordance with the program and the messages exchanged between the first device and the second device; and
sharing the Internet connection of at least one of the first device and the second device based on the configured network interface of the second device.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An image displaying device, comprising:
a plurality of pixels disposed in a matrix pattern on a substrate, each being driven independently of others; and
a plurality of photosensing devices disposed in a matrix pattern, each being driven independently of others,
wherein the pixels and the photosensing devices are combined into a matrix pattern;
wherein each of the photo-sensors includes a semiconductor layer that is a photoelectric conversion layer connected to at least a first electrode and a second electrode; and
wherein a center axis of the interface between the first electrode and the semiconductor layer is separated from a center axis of the interface between the second electrode and the semiconductor layer.
2. The image displaying device according to claim 1,
wherein the photosensing device includes a switching element and is configured to take out a current generated in the semiconductor layer according to the on-timing of the switching element.
3. The image displaying device according to claim 1,
wherein one end of the semiconductor layer is connected to the first electrode, which also functions as one of the two electrodes of the switching element and the other end thereof is connected to the second electrode.
4. The image displaying device according to claim 2,
wherein the semiconductor layer is deposited on the first insulation film deposited so as to cover the switching element and one end of the semiconductor layer is connected to the first electrode of the switching element and the other end thereof is connected to the second electrode deposited on the second insulation film so as to cover itself through a through-hole formed in the second insulation film.
5. The image displaying device according to claim 2,
wherein the switching element is a bottom gate type one;
wherein the semiconductor layer is deposited in the same layer as the semiconductor layer of the switching element;
wherein the first electrode is one of the two electrodes of the switching element, which is extended on the surface of the semiconductor layer at one end side thereof; and
wherein the second electrode is connected to the surface of the semiconductor layer at the other end side thereof through a through-hole formed in the insulation film deposited so as to cover the semiconductor layer.
6. The image displaying device according to claim 1,
wherein the semiconductor is a non-conductive semiconductor layer.
7. The image displaying device according to claim 1,
wherein the semiconductor layer is a conductive semiconductor layer.
8. The image displaying device according to claim 1,
wherein the semiconductor layer is a non-conductive semiconductor layer and a conductive semiconductor layer is provided between the non-conductive semiconductor layer and the first electrode.
9. The image displaying device according to claim 1,
wherein the semiconductor layer is an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer is provided between the n-type semiconductor and the second electrode.
10. The image displaying device according to claim 1,
wherein the semiconductor layer is a non-conductive semiconductor layer and an n-type semiconductor layer is provided between the non-conductive semiconductor layer and the first electrode and a p-type semiconductor layer is provided between the non-conductive semiconductor layer and the second electrode.
11. The image-displaying device according to claim 1,
wherein the semiconductor layer is a non-conductive semiconductor layer and the first electrode is made with an n-type polycrystalline semiconductor layer.