Abstract: In a moving structure, stability of swing motion of a moving plate is increased by enhancing tensional rigidity or flexural rigidity while restraining torsion rigidity of the hinge units. The hinge units of ladder shape with honeycombed portions are formed by twin supporting rods and crosspieces bridged between the twin supporting rods so as to support the moving plate rotatably. The tensional rigidity or the flexural rigidity is increased while restraining the torsion rigidity of the hinge units by the honeycombed portions of the hinge units.

Abstract: A method for measuring the concentration of creatinine includes the steps of: (A) mixing a sample containing creatinine with a creatinine quantitative reagent including 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium in the absence of picric acid and any enzyme responsive to creatinine, to cause the creatinine to reduce the 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium; (B) electrochemically or optically measuring the amount of the 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium reduced in the step (A); and (C) determining the concentration of the creatinine contained in the sample from the amount of the reduced 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium measured in the step (B).

Abstract: A method for measuring the concentration of creatinine includes the steps of: (A) mixing a sample containing creatinine with a creatinine quantitative reagent including 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium in the absence of picric acid and any enzyme responsive to creatinine, to cause the creatinine to reduce the 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium; (B) electrochemically or optically measuring the amount of the 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium reduced in the step (A); and (C) determining the concentration of the creatinine contained in the sample from the amount of the reduced 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium measured in the step (B).

Abstract: A method for measuring the concentration of creatinine includes the steps of: (A) mixing a sample containing creatinine with a creatinine quantitative reagent including 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium in the absence of picric acid and any enzyme responsive to creatinine, to cause the creatinine to reduce the 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium; (B) electrochemically or optically measuring the amount of the 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium reduced in the step (A); and (C) determining the concentration of the creatinine contained in the sample from the amount of the reduced 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium measured in the step (B).

Abstract: A video signal input-output circuit and a recording-reproduction apparatus in which a digitally compressed video signal input in packet form can be recorded and reproduced efficiently and in stable fashion. In this apparatus, a clock reference is detected from a packet signal containing the clock reference and a digitally compressed video signal, a time stamp for a packet is generated using a clock signal in phase with the clock reference and added to the particular packet, and the packet signals with the time stamp added thereto are recorded closely to each other in a data storage element such as a magnetic recording medium. At playback, the packet interval is output by being restored to the original length on the basis of the time stamp added to the packet in store.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus is disclosed, wherein a hard disk drive or a flash memory in a video camera is accessed by a personal computer having a control program for the recording and reproducing process, through a USB-I/F circuit kept on. A CPU in the video camera, on the other hand, is connected to an external dubbing optical disk having a control program for the recording and reproducing process, through a SATA-I/F circuit only in the case where a user command is given through a switch or power is supplied from an AC adaptor. As a result, the connection with the personal computer is established at an arbitrary timing, and the I/F circuit of the external optical disk can save the power consumption.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image-taking device capable of preventing “howling.” When a television set 5 as an external device is connected to an external output terminal of a video camera 1, a controller 17 generates image information to be output via the external output terminal in accordance with the type of external output terminal and outputs the image information to the television set 5; when the operation mode set by a mode setting unit 16 is play-mode, the controller 17 generates sound information to be output via the external output terminal in accordance with the type of external output terminal and outputs the image information to the television 5; and when the operation mode is camera-mode or record-mode, the controller 17 stops the output of sound information performed via external output terminals.

Abstract: This information recording/playback apparatus has a memory for storing data and which includes a plurality of storage cells configured from a capacitor for accumulating charge. When an issue interval time for issuing a read/write command to an arbitrary storage cell is shorter than a threshold time for retaining a charge amount for the arbitrary storage cell to read correct data, a dummy read command for simulatively reading data stored in storage cells other than the arbitrary storage cell is issued to storage cells other than the arbitrary storage cell, and dummy read processing is executed for replenishing charge in the capacitor configuring storage cells other than the arbitrary storage cell.

Abstract: A video signal input-output circuit and a recording-reproduction apparatus in which a digitally compressed video signal input in packet form can be recorded and reproduced efficiently and in stable fashion. In this apparatus, a clock reference is detected from a packet signal containing the clock reference and a digitally compressed video signal, a time stamp for a packet is generated using a clock signal in phase with the clock reference and added to the particular packet, and the packet signals with the time stamp added thereto are recorded closely to each other in a data storage element such as a magnetic recording medium. At playback, the packet interval is output by being restored to the original length on the basis of the time stamp added to the packet in store.

Abstract: Aimed at providing an electrolytic Ni plating apparatus capable of suppressing passivation of the surface of a Ni anode, preventing current efficiency and rate of film formation from being degraded, providing a stable Ni plating so as to contribute to improvement in quality, and maintaining a stable production capacity. The electrolytic Ni plating apparatus of the present invention is provided with a nickel (Ni) anode having an average grain size of 10 ?m or smaller.

Abstract: A video signal input-output circuit and a recording-reproduction apparatus in which a digitally compressed video signal input in packet form can be recorded and reproduced efficiently and in stable fashion. In this apparatus, a clock reference is detected from a packet signal containing the clock reference and a digitally compressed video signal, a time stamp for a packet is generated using a clock signal in phase with the clock reference and added to the particular packet, and the packet signals with the time stamp added thereto are recorded closely to each other in a data storage element such as a magnetic recording medium. At playback, the packet interval is output by being restored to the original length on the basis of the time stamp added to the packet in store.

Abstract: A video signal input-output circuit and a recording-reproduction apparatus in which a digitally compressed video signal input in packet form can be recorded and reproduced efficiently and in stable fashion. In this apparatus, a clock reference is detected from a packet signal containing the clock reference and a digitally compressed video signal, a time stamp for a packet is generated using a clock signal in phase with the clock reference and added to the particular packet, and the packet signals with the time stamp added thereto are recorded closely to each other in a data storage element such as a magnetic recording medium. At playback, the packet interval is output by being restored to the original length on the basis of the time stamp added to the packet in store.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, either a nickel layer or a nickel-based metal layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate by using a plating process. Then, either the nickel layer or the nickel-based metal layer is washed with one of an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution and an aqueous sulfuric acid solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid video camera that can be downsized while restraining heat generation during operation. The hybrid video camera comprises: a camera block which shoots a subject and generates image data; a hard disk drive which records and reproduces the image data in relation to the hard disk; an optical disc drive which records and reproduces the image data in relation to an optical disc; and a control module which controls operations of these modules. The control module instructs only the hard disk drive to record shot image data from the camera block in the shooting mode, and selects the sleep mode in which the camera block stands ready with the minimum power consumption in the reproduction or editing mode using the optical disc drive.

Abstract: A video signal input-output circuit and a recording-reproduction apparatus in which a digitally compressed video signal input in packet form can be recorded and reproduced efficiently and in stable fashion. In this apparatus, a clock reference is detected from a packet signal containing the clock reference and a digitally compressed video signal, a time stamp for a packet is generated using a clock signal in phase with the clock reference and added to the particular packet, and the packet signals with the time stamp added thereto are recorded closely to each other in a data storage element such as a magnetic recording medium. At playback, the packet interval is output by being restored to the original length on the basis of the time stamp added to the packet in store.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a plating apparatus and a process for manufacturing a semiconductor device whereby passivation of an anode can be prevented and reduction in a current efficiency and a deposition rate of a plating film can be prevented. A plating apparatus 1 has a plating bath 11 which contains a plating solution; an anode 12 and a cathode 13 within the plating bath 11; and a switching control unit 16 which switches between a first state where a current is applied between a plating object 2 in contact with the plating solution and the anode 12 and a second state where a current is interrupted between the plating object 2 and the anode 12 while applying a current between the anode 12 and the cathode 13. The anode 12 is a soluble electrode containing a metal capable of being passivated.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, either a nickel layer or a nickel-based metal layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate by using a plating process. Then, either the nickel layer or the nickel-based metal layer is washed with one of an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution and an aqueous sulfuric acid solution.

Abstract: A data output processor is employed when forming a conductive pattern on a layer formed with a plurality of recesses by filling the plurality of recesses with a conductive material by an electrolytic plating. The data output processor includes a parameter input receiving unit which receives a proportion of a recess with a width not exceeding a first reference width in the layer with respect to that layer, an arithmetic processor which calculates an integrated current amount necessary for filling the plurality of recesses with the conductive material in accordance with the proportion, and an output unit which outputs the integrated current amount.

Abstract: Conventional transcoding techniques cannot generate a continuous encoded stream when the transcode operation is interrupted due to insufficient power, etc. and later resumed, causing a degradation in the quality of the image or sound at the point of interruption. A transcoding technique of the present invention determines whether a transcode operation is to be interrupted due to power failure, etc. and if so, stores coding information required to resume the transcode operation at the point of interruption.

Abstract: A data output processor is employed when forming a conductive pattern on a layer formed with a plurality of recesses by filling the plurality of recesses with a conductive material by an electrolytic plating. The data output processor includes a parameter input receiving unit which receives a proportion of a recess with a width not exceeding a first reference width in the layer with respect to that layer, an arithmetic processor which calculates an integrated current amount necessary for filling the plurality of recesses with the conductive material in accordance with the proportion, and an output unit which outputs the integrated current amount.