Abstract: A voice recording/reproducing device implemented by using an ADPCM (Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation) method is provided which is capable of reproducing faithfully an original voice even -at a time of performing a fast-forward reproduction by removing or culling a specified voice block from a continued series of voice blocks. The voice recording/reproducing device is so configured that an ADPCM analyzer is operated to quantize digital voice data converted by an ADC (Analog-Digital Converter), to encode it and to split to voice blocks and then to add a parameter used to decide a width for quantizing and previously reproduced value to each voice block as an intermediate data, and that an ADPCM synthesizer is operated to decode, at the time of the fast-forward reproduction, a head value of encoded data contained in the voice block to be reproduced by using the additional data. The digital voice data is then converted by the DAC to analog voice signals and original voices are faithfully reproduced.

Abstract: In a Manchester encoded data decoder a clock component is extracted from input data inputted at a prescribed rate, the extracted clock component is taken as input and transition points are extracted from the signal waveform of the filter output, a clock signal of the same rate as the input data and which is in synchronism with the phase of the extracted transition points is generated, a data component is extracted from the input data, results of comparing the extracted data component and a prescribed value are outputted as a binary level signal; and the binary level signal, taken in using the clock signal, is outputted as NRZ encoded data corresponding to the input data.

Abstract: A novel lead-free Sn—Bi based alloy having an improved wettability in comparison to conventional Sn—Bi based alloys, a melting point lower than 221° C., the eutectic point of an Sn—Ag alloy, and proper bonding and heat-resistant properties is provided. This alloy is an Sn—Bi based alloy containing tin as a major component, and 21 wt.% or less bismuth, 4 wt.% or less silver, 2 wt.% or less copper (inclusive of zero), and 0.2 wt.% or less nickel.

Abstract: An optical wavelength converter, including first and second semiconductor optical amplifiers, in which an input optical pulse signal having a first wavelength &lgr;1 and a non-modulated optical signal having a second wavelength &lgr;2 are made incident upon the first semiconductor optical amplifier. Propagation constants of the first and second semiconductor optical amplifiers are determined such that a propagation constant difference &Dgr;&bgr; between the first and the second semiconductor optical amplifiers when only the optical signal having the second wavelength &lgr;2 propagates along the first semiconductor optical amplifier is smaller than a propagation constant difference &Dgr;&bgr; when both the input optical pulse signal and non-modulated optical signal propagate along the first semiconductor optical amplifier.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention, in an echo canceler having an adaptive filter, the tap coefficients of the adaptive filter are partitioned into at least two segments, and different step gains are assigned to different segments. The step gains are used in adjusting the tap coefficients, and determine the sensitivity of the adjustment to noise in the residual signal left after echo cancellation. Comparatively small step gains are assigned to noise-sensitive segments. According to a second aspect of the invention, the step gain is switched according to the level of local background noise.

Abstract: An automatic verification apparatus and method for communication software can automatically verify the result of a regression test without manually operating a terminal for the regression test, which results in the improved efficiency of the test operation. An automatic verification apparatus for communication software comprises a virtual terminal manager for performing a pseudo-operation of a terminal connector, one or more virtual terminals, each performing a pseudo-operation of a terminal, a scenario recording unit for recording the pseudo-operation performed by each virtual terminal as a scenario, a scenario executing unit for automatically executing the recorded pseudo-operation of the terminal, and a scenario verification unit for automatically verifying if the result of the automatic execution is correct whenever the recorded pseudo-operation of the terminal is automatically executed.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for the nondestructive determination of a property of an object including a conveyer for movably supporting the object. A testing unit, including a movable member and a stroking body, is mounted adjacent the conveyer. The conveyer moves the object into and then out of engagement with the movable member. When the object is out of engagement with the movable member, it is physically impacted by the stroking body causing the object to freely vibrate at at least one natural resonant frequency mode. A detector detects the vibration of the object resulting from the physical impact on the object by the stroking body. A computer coupled to the detector processes the detector output and determines the properties of the object.

Abstract: A semiconductor storage device of the present invention comprises a plurality of alternately arranged select lines and bit lines, a plurality of word lines arranged substantially orthogonal to the select lines and bit lines, a plurality of MOS transistors, having first electrodes connected to the select lines, second electrodes connected to the bit lines and control electrodes connected to the word lines, forming a plurality of memory cells, a first voltage supply circuit connected to the select lines for supplying a first voltage to the first electrodes, and a second voltage supply circuit connected to the bit lines and the select lines for supplying a second voltage, varying in compliance with variation in the first voltage, to the second electrodes.

Abstract: An operational amplifier includes: a differential input section for generating a first signal corresponding to a differential voltage between two input signals; an amplifying section for amplifying the first signal in voltage to generate second and third complementary signals; a first MOS transistor connected between a first supply voltage and an output node, a conduction state of the first MOS transistor being controlled in accordance with the second signal; a second MOS transistor connected between a second supply voltage and the output node, a conduction state of the second MOS transistor being controlled in accordance with the third signal; and a step-up section for stepping up the first and second supply voltages to generate a step-up voltage higher than the first and second supply voltages; wherein the amplifying section is driven by the step-up voltage so that absolute value of the maximum level of the second or third signal becomes larger than the absolute value of the first or second supply voltage.

Abstract: A light emitting diode array includes a light emitting area formed on a semiconductor substrate, a diffusion prevention layer formed on the semiconductor substrate, and an insulating layer formed on the diffusion prevention layer. The diffusion prevention layer has a lower edge and the insulating layer has a level drop at this lower edge. An interconnection conductor extends on the insulating layer and is in ohmic contact with the light emitting region through holes in the insulating layer and the diffusion prevention layer. The interconnection conductor has a stepped portion at the level drop of the insulating layer, the stepped portion being located in a wide-width segment of the interconnection conductor.

Abstract: A variable attenuation type optical power attenuator permits easier adjustment of the amount of optical attenuation and it is able to securely maintained an adjusted or set amount of attenuation. The variable attenuation type optical power attenuator employs a fixed ferrule and a rotating ferrule that have their end surfaces polished, together with the central optical fibers thereof, to be formed into inclined end surfaces. An alignment sleeve supports the fixed and rotating ferrules with optical fibers so that the distal ends thereof are opposed and that the ferrules may be relatively rotated, thus making up an assembly composed of a pair of ferrules. The assembly of the paired ferrules is supported in a rotating housing by a fixed housing. The variable attenuation type optical power attenuator adjusts the distance between the optical fiber end of the fixed ferrule and that of the rotating ferrule by rotating the rotating housing to change the relative rotational angle in relation to the fixed housing.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory circuit comprises a sense amplifier, a first data storing circuit for temporally storing and outputting the data from the sense amplifier in response to a latch signal and erasing the stored data in response to a first clear signal, a first determination circuit for determining whether the first data storing circuit stores the data and outputting a first determination signal representing the determination.

Abstract: In a method of CDMA communication, a page message notice signal is transmitted over a page message notice channel, which is different from paging channels.

Abstract: An M-sequence generator has a linear feedback shift register, a mask table, a masked operation circuit, and a control unit. The mask table stores mask data corresponding to different phase shifts. The masked operation circuit performs logic operations on the mask data and the contents of the linear feedback shift register to obtain shifted register state data. The control unit selects the mask data, and loads the shifted register state data into the linear feedback shift register. An arbitrary phase shift is produced as a sum of phase shifts for which mask data are stored in the mask table.

Abstract: A first supply voltage is applied to a computer-controlled apparatus and to a first block of a simulator, while a second supply voltage is applied to a designator unit and to a second block of the simulator. The operation of the computer-controlled apparatus is simulated by the simulator in response to instruction signals supplied from the designator unit.

Abstract: A plurality of types of settlement conditions exist for transactions with electronic money. An electronic transaction system capable of being applied to a plurality of types of settlement conditions using a single automatic teller machine is provided. In order to achieve this, this system has the following configuration. Namely, in this electronic transaction system for carrying out transaction settlements using electronic money stored on a customer card while using an automatic teller machine, customer identification information and an electronic money amount are stored as balance information for each customer account established at a financial institution, with the customer card being such that stored information can be updated based on pre-decided transaction conditions. The automatic teller machine then houses customer cards corresponding to a plurality of transaction conditions and a plurality of ATM cards, and a plurality of control software is prepared.

Abstract: An apparatus for polishing leads of a semiconductor package includes a package holder unit on which a plurality of semiconductor packages are arranged; and a polishing member that automatically polished the leads of the semiconductor package on the package holder unit. A mask may be used to cover the plurality of semiconductor packages to expose at least a part of the leads to the polishing member.

Abstract: A mobile radio system includes a base station and a plurality of mobile radio apparatuses, with each mobile radio apparatus including a control CPU for controlling the mobile radio apparatus and monitoring the state of the hardware of the mobile radio apparatus, a transmitter unit for transmitting data in the form of radio waves, and a CPU monitor unit. The control CPU regularly monitors and checks for any abnormalities in the hardware of the mobile radio apparatus, and the CPU monitor unit regularly monitors and checks for any abnormalities in the control CPU. If there is an abnormality, a disabled transmission out put acceptance signal is supplied to the transmitter unit to inhibit or suppress the output of radio waves thereby avoiding interference to the system caused by unnecessary radio wave transmission from an abnormal mobile radio apparatus.

Abstract: A rotary switch type optical fiber switch according to the present invention includes a plurality of lined-up sleeves disposed on at least one concentric circle about a reference axis and a fixed side ferrule with optical fiber mounting plate assembly for supporting fixed side ferrules with optical fibers. A movable side ferrule with optical fiber assembly supports a movable side ferrule with an optical fiber in parallel with the reference axis at a position apart from the reference axis a distance corresponding to the radius of the concentric circle and rotates about the reference axis as well as is movable in parallel with the reference axis.

Abstract: An ultra-stable microwave output with less jitter than a prior art atomic oscillator is obtained and an ultra-short optical pulse train is generated with a repetition frequency stabilized at the same level as a time standard. The repetition frequency of a regeneratively mode-locked laser pulse oscillator with a superior low-jitter characteristic is locked directly to a resonance frequency of various atoms. The oscillator provides the means for detecting the frequency difference between the clock signal frequency and a predetermined atomic resonance frequency and outputting it as an error signal, a cavity length tuning device for varying the length of a laser cavity so that the clock signal frequency and the predetermined resonance frequency coincide, and a device for negatively feeding back the error signal output from the frequency difference detection device to the cavity length tuning device.