Abstract: A parallel processing system consists of a plurality of processor elements and a network for connecting the processor elements to each other. The processor includes a processor, a memory and a data transfer apparatus, all connected to a common bus. The data transfer apparatus includes of three buffers, while a data relay includes two buffers. In data transfer from a processor element to another processor element, a data is relayed in a third processor element only with use of a buffer, or a write/read operation is not performed in the third processor element. Then, the overhead is decreased and the transfer capability is improved. Further, the data transfer apparatus does not access the common bus, so that the width of the bus can be increased, and the processing performance of the processor can be improved.

Abstract: An optical pickup head apparatus comprises a first coherent light source for emitting a coherent light serving as a main beam, and a second coherent light source for emitting a coherent light having a polarized plane at a right angle to the polarized plane of the coherent light emitted from the first coherent light source. When the coherent light emitted from the second coherent light source is incident upon a phase plate, the phase plate yields a sub-beam presenting a distribution of light intensity having peak values at at least both sides of the center of the sub-beam on a plane vertical with respect to the optical axis of the coherent light. Focusing means overlaps the main beam emitted from the first coherent light source on the sub-beam emitted from the phase plate, causing the resulting overlapped beam to be focused on the information-recorded surface of an optical disk.

Abstract: A spacer for maintaining separation between a first and a second blade in a razor blade cartridge, both the first and second blades having a forward cutting edge. The spacer includes a member forming an upper and lower surface having a plurality of holes extending therethrough, and a protrusion disposed around each opening on the upper surface of the member so as to form channels between one another. The spacer further includes an arcuate shaped skin engaging portion disposed on a forward edge of the member such that the arcuate shaped skin engaging portion intersects the plane formed by the cutting edge of the first and second blade.

Abstract: An acid solution is fed onto a TiN film formed on a semiconductor substrate. So, the TiN film is dipped into the acid solution, whereupon the surface of the semiconductor substrate is neutralized or is made less basic. Then, a chemically amplified resist, containing an acid generator which produces an acid when irradiated with radiant rays and a compound reactive to acids, is applied to the semiconductor substrate, to form a resist film. This is followed by a step for sending radiant rays upon the resist film to expose it. Then, the exposed resist pattern is developed to form a resist pattern without footing or scumming and under-cutting.

Abstract: A chewing gum composition is disclosed that contains about 0.1% to about 0.6% maltodextrin. The maltodextrin provides an initial stiffness so that the gum can be easily wrapped. However, at the low levels used, the maltodextrin does not have a significant impact on the chew properties of the gum.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit of registers and combinational logic circuits connected between the registers is generated by a top-down design technique. When performing the logic synthesizing of such a semiconductor integrated circuit by making use of data of register transfer level, a combinational logic circuit with a critical path is driven with power from a high-voltage source, a combinational logic circuit without a critical path is driven with power from a low-voltage source, and a level converter capable of converting an input signal of low voltage level into a high-voltage-level output is arranged in a register located upstream of a combinational logic circuit with a critical path. Compared with a technique in which only critical paths are driven with power from a high-voltage source, it becomes easier to determine where to arrange level converters. Additionally, the number of level converters required can be reduced, thereby facilitating design work.

Abstract: In a data processor, image data of a pixel matrix is subjected to orthogonal transformation to coefficient data, the coefficient data is quantized with a first quantization table for character image and a second quantization table for half-tone image, and the image data is discriminated to be character image data or half-tone image data according to the quantization data. The selected data is then coded. In another processor, image data are divided into first and second processing blocks of m*m and M*M pixel matrices wherein M>m and the second processing block includes one of first processing blocks and adjacent pixels. Image data in a first and second processing block are subjected to orthogonal transformation to coefficient data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming bump electrodes on an electronic part such as a chip or a substrate. Conventional methods for forming bump electrode had a factor causing high cost, but with the invention, instead of solder balls, low cost solder wires are used, that is, solder wires are cut in a predetermined length, the cut solder wires are vacuum-attracted to the lower face of a pick up head and transferred onto a chip, then the solder pieces transferred are heated to melt, then cooled to solidify and results in forming bump electrodes of hemisphere shape.

Abstract: A sample and hold circuit has an analog switch, a hold capacitor, a voltage-follower type operational amplifier, and a ringing cancel circuit. The ringing cancel circuit is interposed between a non-inverted input terminal of the operational amplifier and a signal ground so that the ringing cancel circuit is connected in parallel with the hold capacitor. The ringing cancel circuit is made up of a resistance and a capacitor connected in series with each other. With this arrangement, a high-speed, highly accurate, low power consumptive sample and hold circuit can be realized.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for transferring a flatwork article. A transfer mechanism grips a leading edge portion of the article between leading corner portions thereof and moves the article from a loading station to a pickup station. A positioning device locates a trailing edge portion of the article at the pickup station for engagement with a moving mechanism. A moving mechanism picks up the trailing edge portion of the article at the pickup station and moves the article to a desired location.

Abstract: An optical head for optical recording and reproducing apparatuses is disclosed. The optical head comprises a semiconductor laser, a mirror for reflecting a light beam emitted from the semiconductor laser, a diffraction grating for dividing the light beam into zero order, plus and minus first-order beams. It also comprises a holographic diffraction grating being arranged at an optical path of the beams divided by the diffraction grating, an objective lens for focusing the beams on a disk and causing the beams reflected from the disk to be incident on the holographic diffraction grating to diffract the beams, and a photodetector for detecting a tracking error signal by receiving the beams diffracted by the holographic diffraction grating. The semiconductor laser has a beam incident area onto which the beam reflected from the disk is incident. The beam incident area acts to scatter or absorb the incident beam. As a result, the optical head is able to obtain a stable tracking error signal.

Abstract: A novel atomic frequency standard includes an absorption cell containing a first volume of atoms for varying an intensity of light energy passing therethrough; at least one dielectric resonator for generating an evanescent electromagnetic field that effects hyperfine energy level transitions of the first volume of atoms; a waveguide for housing the absorption cell and one or more dielectric resonator(s); a photo detector mounted near an end of the waveguide for receiving light energy; and an electromagnetic energy injector for electromagnetically exciting the dielectric resonator(s). Preferably, a filter cell is positioned adjacent to a dielectric resonator between the absorption cell and the light source.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of medical waste, including solid and non-solid materials, permits the collection of such medical waste at the point and at the time of its generation in a solid container. The contained medical waste can be subsequently transported for pulverization, decontamination and safe disposal. A separate portable processing chamber, with an integral means to treat medical waste, can be used at locations remote from its power unit for the collection of medical waste and then moved to the location of the power unit to drive the waste-treatment means within the chamber.

Abstract: An automatic filling system for a compressed gas tank includes a controller that measures the rate of fill of a tank being filled in order to provide an accurate estimate of the fill time for the tank, given available source pressure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an ink-jet type recorder comprising reserving means for withholding a recording liquid consisting of a mixture of electroviscous liquids (EVL) and coloring materials, the reserving means including a plurality of nozzles from which a jet of the recording liquid spouts out, and a plurality of pairs of electrodes for impressing a voltage to the recording liquid withheld in the reserving means, wherein the impressed voltage to the plurality of pairs of electrodes is controlled in order to change the viscosity of EVL so that a jet of the recording liquid spouts out from the plurality of nozzles onto recording media.

Abstract: A flash apparatus which allows flashlight photographing of various subjects in a photographing screen in appropriate exposure by simple operation without failure. The flash apparatus comprises a flashlight emitting section having a predetermined irradiation angle with respect to a light emission optical axis, and irradiating direction changing means for automatically changing the direction of the light emission optical axis of the flashlight emitting section in response to subject information such as distribution information of brightness values of or distances to subjects in a photographing screen. Also a camera is disclosed which assures photographing of a main subject with appropriate exposure even when the main subject is in a backlighted condition or when another body is positioned nearer to the camera than the main subject.

Abstract: A method for making a fuel tank containing an internal gas removal system by introducing a breathing and/or a venting system into a blow mold for a fuel tank and subsequently blow-molding the fuel tank around these systems.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprising a pair of bit lines, a word line, a cell plate electrode, a memory cell connected to each of the bit lines, the word line and the cell plate electrode, and a prevention means that permits only a predetermined number of readouts of data stored in the memory cell, after which the data is destroyed and is not retrieved with subsequent readout attempts.

Abstract: In a driver circuit for driving a pair of data lines, the amplitude of a differential input signal is reduced from 2.5 V to 0.6 V, which is smaller than a conventional lower-limit source voltage (approximately 1.5 V). The amplitude of the differential signal transmitted through the pair of data lines is amplified to 2.5 V by an amplifying circuit and the resulting signal is then latched by a latch circuit. After the latching by the latch circuit, the operation of the amplifying circuit is halted. The driver circuit is constituted solely by a plurality of NMOS transistors so as not to increase a leakage current flowing in the off state. Here, the threshold voltage of the NMOS transistor positioned on the ground side is reduced to a conventional lower-limit value (0.3 V to 0.6 V), while the threshold voltage of the NMOS transistor on the power-source side to a value lower than the above lower-limit value (0 V to 0.3 V), thereby enhancing a driving force of the NMOS transistor on the power-source side.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for supporting a breast shield of a breast pump upon a woman's breast in a "hands-free" manner. Such a breast shield support includes, for example, a base member, such as a garment, that is adapted to be carried on a woman's torso. Part of the breast pump, such as the breast shield, is releasably attached to the base member and supports the breast shield on the exposed breast. Embodiments include corresponding fasteners on the breast shield and a brassiere, a harness-type strap arrangement for holding the shield against the breast and a breast shield which slips through a flap formed in a brassiere cup and is supported by the cup material.