This paper describes how a person extracts a unknown object with pointing gesture while interacting with a robot. Using a stereo vision sensor, our proposed method consists of two stages: the detection of the operators' face, the estimation of the pointing direction, and the extraction of the pointed object. The operator's face is recognized by using the Haar-like features. And then we estimate the 3D pointing direction from the shoulder-to-hand line. Finally, we segment an unknown object from 3D point clouds in estimated region of interest. On the basis of this proposed method, we implemented an object registration system with our mobile robot and obtained reliable experimental results.

In this paper, I will present an analysis of two controversial phenomena in Japanese as "concealed clefts." One is the sluicing phenomenon and the other is the short answers to Wh-questions . The analysis of the first as a "concealed cleft" is already proposed in a number of works . The purpose here is to make it more precise. I will argue that the argument ellipsis hypothesis of Kim 1999 and Oku 1998 solves some old problems in Japanese syntax. First, it solves the apparent paradox with the "sluicing phenomenon," which is that some examples are clearly concealed clefts and yet allow sloppy interpretation. Secondly, it enables us to sharpen Nishigauchi`s 1990 analysis of Wh-question/answer pairs, and pinpoint exactly where Subjacency effects are detected in short answers. If the arguments in this paper hold, they provide further support for the argument ellipsis hypothesis.

Cho, Hye-Sun. 1998. The Meaning of English Demonstratives: The Extension of the Semantic Feature. Studies in Modern Grammar 14, 285-300. This paper shows that all the functions of English demonstratives that previous linguists have noted, such as denoting the spatial and temporal relationship to the speaker, referring anaphorically and cataphorically in discourse, expressing the speaker`s emotion, and indicating focus or the degree of attention on the referent, can be accounted for as extension of their basic semantic features, `proximal/distal`. The reason why the linguists assign so many different uses to demonstratives is that they take the whole linguistic environment where the demonstratives are used as the meaning of demonstratives. However, this paper suggests that demonstratives do not have separate meanings such as expressing sympathy, solidarity, empathy, sharedness, closeness, etc. This seeming versatility of demonstratives is a result of the extension of the basic spatial meanings of the demonstra the discourse contexts where they are used. That is, the proper demonstrative choice can be established by the result of the interaction of the semantics of these demonstratives and pragmatics.

The sensing part of the remote-indicating magnetic compass has to be placed where the ship's magnetic effects are minimum, in order that the compass may remain usable under the varying magnetic conditions likely to be experienced on board the ship. In this paper the model of the overall ship's magnetism is built using Vacquier's method frequently used in determining the geomagnetic anomaly, on the assumption that the steel ship generate the magnetic disturbance in the geomagnetic field. It was found that the values of the magnetism observed on board approximate to those of the magnetism calculated from the captioned model, under the condition that the ship's material isominated by the permanent magnetism. And on the basis of the above model, it was feasible to locate the place of the minimum magnetic field by computer calculation.

Self-contained portable remote-indicating magnetic compass was designed and tested. Its sensing part consists of main scale disk of rotary encoder with photo-etched 180, oopaque slits and three pairs of light sources and detectors seperated by a transparent index scale, so that any angular deflection of main scale disk against the bowl may be detected optically. The outputs from the sensing part are transformed into digital ship's course indication by electronics unit which consists of operational amplifier, phase discriminator, up-down counter and counting starter circuit. The results from testign the above compass with turntable at variable rate of turn are as following : 1) The main scale disk deflection against the bowl can be detected without any disturbing influence to the freedom of its north-seeking function. 2) The digital indication resolution is found to be ˚ ±1 degree. 3) Misrepresenting indication can be avoided by ensuring dimension uniformity and arrangement accuracy of slits on main and index scale disks and by centering pivot in the encoder disk. 4) Indication resolution should be improved by modifying the signal processing and by doubling the number of slits on compass card. 5) Further study should be made on developing non-conductive compass liquid, analogue repeater driving system and more compact processing element.