Abstract: A printing apparatus has a casing, a card supply opening at one side of the casing, a printing unit that performs a predetermined recording to a card supplied from the card supply opening, nip rollers that nip the card when being recorded at the printing unit, a magnetic encoder unit disposed adjacent to the printing unit that performs a predetermined recording to the card nipped by the rollers, and a card discharge outlet that discharges the card recorded at the printing and/or magnetic encoder units. The card supply opening, the printing unit and the magnetic encoder unit are disposed sequentially and substantially horizontally along the card conveyance path, and the card discharge outlet is provided in a side of the casing so that the card supply opening and card discharge output are positioned substantially vertically.

Abstract: A thermal printer detects an environmental temperature, and directly or indirectly detects a change in tension of an ink ribbon R. A correction value is read or calculated according to at least one of the detected environmental temperature and the detected change in the tension of the ink ribbon R. Thermal energy of each heating element in the thermal head is controlled based on the correction value so as to adjustably increase or reduce number of print lines on a print medium in a sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a sphygmomanometer that is easy to use. The sphygmomanometer according to the present invention measures blood pressure in accordance with an oscillation in an artery wall, resulting from an arterial pulse correspondent with a change in cuff pressure. It comprises a cuff that is connected to the sphygmomanometer main body by a tube, a display unit for displaying the results of blood pressure measurements, and an air supply unit for supplying air to, and thus pressurizing, the cuff, which is detachable from the sphygmomanometer main body. The air supply unit is screwed into the sphygmomanometer main body with a screw assembly, and the screwed-in state is preserved by a caulking ring. The air supply unit also comprises a filter for keeping dust from entering the sphygmomanometer main body.

Abstract: Oil level detection sensor detects an oil level in a crankcase. First charging circuit includes a serial connection of a first charging capacitor for charging a reverse voltage produced in a primary coil, the detection sensor, and a first diode. Thyristor is turned on, in response to voltage-charging of the first charging capacitor, to disable an ignition operation of an ignition circuit. Second charging circuit includes a serial connection of a second charging capacitor for charging a forward voltage, produced in the primary coil, and a second diode. Transistor is turned on, in response to voltage-charging of the second charging capacitor, to disable a turning-on operation of the thyristor.

Abstract: A printing apparatus has a casing, a card supply opening at one side of the casing, a printing unit that performs a predetermined recording to a card supplied from the card supply opening, nip rollers that nip the card when being recorded at the printing unit, a magnetic encoder unit disposed adjacent to the printing unit that performs a predetermined recording to the card nipped by the rollers, and a card discharge outlet that discharges the card recorded at the printing and/or magnetic encoder units. The card supply opening, the printing unit and the magnetic encoder unit are disposed sequentially and substantially horizontally along the card conveyance path, and the card discharge outlet is provided in a side of the casing so that the card supply opening and card discharge output are positioned substantially vertically.

Abstract: A plurality of cushions are provided in the airbag of a cuff apparatus, spaced apart from one another and thus maintaining the airbag in an inflated state before compressed air is introduced into the airbag. This shortens the time required to supply the compressed air and minimizes the resistance to the body part being inserted into the cuff apparatus. Therefore, the body part can smoothly enter the cuff apparatus and the flow of blood can be sufficiently suppressed.

Abstract: Oil level detection sensor detects an oil level in a crankcase. First charging circuit includes a serial connection of a first charging capacitor for charging a reverse voltage produced in a primary coil, the detection sensor, and a first diode. Thyristor is turned on, in response to voltage-charging of the first charging capacitor, to disable an ignition operation of an ignition circuit. Second charging circuit includes a serial connection of a second charging capacitor for charging a forward voltage, produced in the primary coil, and a second diode. Transistor is turned on, in response to voltage-charging of the second charging capacitor, to disable a turning-on operation of the thyristor.

Abstract: Transports cards to an image forming portion, and turns cards over after forming images on one side of cards at the image forming portion. Transports an intermediate transfer sheet to an image forming portion, forms images on the intermediate transfer sheet at the image forming portion and transports cards to the transfer portion along with transporting the intermediate transfer sheet to the transfer portion, and transfers images formed on the intermediate transfer sheet at the image forming portion to the other side of cards at the transfer portion. Switching between a direct transfer method and an indirect transfer method makes either transfer method applicable thereby improving printer user convenience, enables the forming of images to a recording medium using the optimum image forming method and reduces running costs.

Abstract: A model format storing unit stores a model format representing a cyclic process of brand knowledge creation. Arrangement of dynamic evaluation parameters obtained by factor analysis of several indices for brand-creation process evaluation is set in the model format. A target brand parameter acquiring unit acquires dynamic evaluation parameters for a target brand. A model creating unit arranges the dynamic evaluation parameters for the target brand in accordance with the setting of the model format. In this way, a model of the target brand is created and outputted. The dynamic evaluation parameters are six parameters of contact, cognition, interaction, coherence, characterization, and alignment. With this model, circulation of brand knowledge creation is represented with appropriate parameters.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor device having a ferroelectric capacitor formed on a semiconductor substrate covered with an insulator film, wherein the ferroelectric capacitor comprises: a bottom electrode formed on the insulator film; a ferroelectric film formed on the bottom electrode; and a top electrode formed on the ferroelectric film. The ferroelectric film has a stacked structure of either of two-layer-ferroelectric film or three-layer-ferroelectric film. The upper ferroelectric film is metallized and prevents hydrogen from diffusing in lower ferroelectric layer. Crystal grains of the stacked ferroelectric films are preferably different.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor device having a ferroelectric capacitor formed on a semiconductor substrate covered with an insulator film, wherein the ferroelectric capacitor comprises: a bottom electrode formed on the insulator film; a ferroelectric film formed on the bottom electrode; and a top electrode formed on the ferroelectric film. The ferroelectric film has a stacked structure of either of two-layer-ferroelectric film or three-layer-ferroelectric film. The upper ferroelectric film is metallized and prevents hydrogen from diffusing in lower ferroelectric layer. Crystal grains of the stacked ferroelectric films are preferably different.

Abstract: A plurality of cushions are provided in the airbag of a cuff apparatus, spaced apart from one another and thus maintaining the airbag in an inflated state before compressed air is introduced into the airbag. This shortens the time required to supply the compressed air and minimizes the resistance to the body part being inserted into the cuff apparatus. Therefore, the body part can smoothly enter the cuff apparatus and the flow of blood can be sufficiently suppressed.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes an image forming portion for selectively forming images to a card and to an intermediate transfer sheet, and a transfer portion for transferring images formed onto an intermediate transfer medium to a card. The image forming portion and transfer portion are opposingly arranged to a card transport path and are arranged offset along the card transport path. This allows the shared use of members for direct transfer and indirect transfer to enable smooth printing. The apparatus switches between the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method to print to the card and enables lower costs and improved printing speed.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit has a ferroelectric capacitor. The ferroelectric capacitor includes a first insulation film formed above a semiconductor substrate, a first electrode which is buried in a fist hole formed in the first insulation film and whose surface is flattened, a second insulation film formed above the first insulation film and having a second hole above the first electrode, a ferroelectric film formed in the second hole, and a second electrode formed in the second hole and above the ferroelectric film and flattened so as to be flush with a surface of the second insulation film.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor device having a ferroelectric capacitor formed on a semiconductor substrate covered with an insulator film, wherein the ferroelectric capacitor comprises: a bottom electrode formed on the insulator film; a ferroelectric film formed on the bottom electrode; and a top electrode formed on the ferroelectric film. The ferroelectric film has a stacked structure of either of two-layer-ferroelectric film or three-layer-ferroelectric film. The upper ferroelectric film is metallized and prevents hydrogen from diffusing in lower ferroelectric layer. Crystal grains of the stacked ferroelectric films are preferably different.

Abstract: The semiconductor device is constituted in such a manner that a switching transistor having a drain region and a source region which are comprised of an impurity-diffused region is formed in the surface layer portion of a semiconductor substrate. On the semiconductor substrate containing the transistor, a first insulation film is formed, and, at the upper layer side of the first insulation film, a capacitor is formed. The capacitor is comprised of a lower electrode, an inter-electrode insulation film comprising one of ferroelectric and high-permittivity dielectric, and an upper electrode. Before the inter-electrode insulation film is formed, a second insulation film is formed so as to cover the side face portion of the inter-electrode insulation film, the second insulation film protecting the side face portion of the inter-electrode insulation film.

Abstract: A process control method allowing an operator to readily confirm an order of operation processes includes steps of: reading magnetic data of a control card when the control card is inserted; transmitting completion data based on a lot number identified from read magnetic data to a host computer; receiving update data by the host computer; writing next process data in the received data as a visually recognizable image on the control card; and writing the next process data as a visually recognizable image based on process data identified by the read magnetic data when a predetermined time period passes without receiving update data.

Abstract: The semiconductor device is constituted in such a manner that a switching transistor having a drain region and a source region which are comprised of an impurity-diffused region is formed in the surface layer portion of a semiconductor substrate. On the semiconductor substrate containing the transistor, a first insulation film is formed, and, at the upper layer side of the first insulation film, a capacitor is formed. The capacitor is comprised of a lower electrode, an inter-electrode insulation film comprising one of ferroelectric and high-permittivity dielectric, and an upper electrode. Before the inter-electrode insulation film is formed, a second insulation film is formed so as to cover the side face portion of the inter-electrode insulation film, the second insulation film protecting the side face portion of the inter-electrode insulation film.

Abstract: An optical disk driver using a top-loading mechanism is coupled to an operational processor, such as a personal computer. The term “a top-loading mechanism” means a mechanism for inserting and/or ejecting an optical disk via a top surface of the optical disk driver. Additionally, a display unit used for the operational processor can be located on an operational processing apparatus comprising such an optical disk driver and an operational processor.