Abstract: In a lens holding member for holding a solid immersion lens, when a difference-in-level portion and/or slant face is constructed at least on a part of the objective side surface, a tilt margin which can be applied to a near field optical recording and reproduction solid immersion lens can be maintained. In a focusing lens using such lens holding member, the optical pickup apparatus and the optical recording and reproducing apparatus, stable transportation between the lens and the optical recording medium can be improved.

Abstract: A liquid drop discharger includes a coil for generating a magnetic field based on an electric current that is applied; a moving section, removably disposed with respect to the coil so as to be movable in a central axial direction of the coil, for generating an induced current by the magnetic field generated by the coil; device for vertically applying a magnetic field to a peripheral surface of a peripheral member, where the induced current is generated, of the moving section; and a discharge opening, which moves together with the moving section, for discharging a liquid by changing the volume of a liquid chamber containing the liquid as a result of the movement of the moving section.

Abstract: A rewrite disable control method for a non-volatile semiconductor storage device is disclosed for relying on a majority decision to determine whether a rewrite is disabled or enabled. A write disable control signal generating circuit reads three write disable flags of the same contents stored in security flag storage areas of three memory blocks, respectively, and makes a majority decision to determine a disable/enable state to establish the logic of a write disable control signal. Even if a power supply is instantaneously interrupted during an erasure of a certain block to cause a change in the security flag associated with one memory block, the security flags stored in the two remaining memory blocks maintain the original values, thereby making it possible to effectively prevent a trouble in which an unintended disable setting is validated.

Abstract: To provide a microcomputer which is improved to enable the functional selection of a functional macro and the characteristic correction without the mask option, trimming, and dedicated terminal and to quickly start the execution of the microcomputer. The microcomputer includes a main clock signal generating circuit and a ring oscillating circuit which generates a sub-clock signal that quickly enters a stable state. Initialized data is read from a flash ROM synchronously with the sub-clock signal, the read data is stored in a set data register, and a functional macro for the functional selection and characteristic correction is initialized. It is possible to end the setting of the functional macro for a clock stabilizing time necessary for the main clock signal. Further, it is possible to quickly execute the program by switching the signal to the main clock signal just after the clock stabilizing time.

Abstract: A liquid drop discharger includes a coil for generating a magnetic field based on an electric current that is applied; a moving section, removably disposed with respect to the coil so as to be movable in a central axial direction of the coil, for generating an induced current by the magnetic field generated by the coil; device for vertically applying a magnetic field to a peripheral surface of a peripheral member, where the induced current is generated, of the moving section; and a discharge opening, which moves together with the moving section, for discharging a liquid by changing the volume of a liquid chamber containing the liquid as a result of the movement of the moving section.

Abstract: With a plurality of memory blocks as a pair, a plurality of pairs of the memory blocks are provided and in a case where a pair of memory blocks is designated as a new boot region, when designating other pair of memory blocks as a boot region, a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value from an initial value set at the boot area designation flag of the memory block of all the memory block pairs is stored in the boot area designation flag of each memory block of other memory block pair and at the time of booting the system, if values of the boot area designation flags in the memory blocks of other memory block pair are equal and not the initial value, determination is made that a boot program is stored in other memory block pair.

Abstract: Rearing simulation game apparatus for a virtual living thing (VLT), as an interactive electronic game with categories of a VLT at every rearing stage increased to variegate game development. A state parameter processor A increases and decreases a “care” parameter representative of a degree of “care” in response to completeness of an operation responsive to a player request, and calculates a “metamorphosis” parameter based on the “care” parameter. Rearing stage processor D selects one category out of a plurality of categories of the VLT lodged in the succeeding rearing stage in accordance with the metamorphosis requirements depending on the “metamorphosis” parameter calculated and the metamorphosis reference value set peculiarly to the “category” of the VLT in the present rearing stage.

Abstract: A rewrite disable control method for a non-volatile semiconductor storage device is disclosed for relying on a majority decision to determine whether a rewrite is disabled or enabled. A write disable control signal generating circuit reads three write disable flags of the same contents stored in security flag storage areas of three memory blocks, respectively, and makes a majority decision to determine a disable/enable state to establish the logic of a write disable control signal. Even if a power supply is instantaneously interrupted during an erasure of a certain block to cause a change in the security flag associated with one memory block, the security flags stored in the two remaining memory blocks maintain the original values, thereby making it possible to effectively prevent a trouble in which an unintended disable setting is validated.

Abstract: Rearing simulation game apparatus for a virtual living thing (VLT), as an interactive electronic game with categories of a VLT at every rearing stage increased to variegate game development. A state parameter processor A increases and decreases a “care” parameter representative of a degree of “care” in response to completeness of an operation responsive to a player request, and calculates a “metamorphosis” parameter based on the “care” parameter. Rearing stage processor D selects one category out of a plurality of categories of the VLT lodged in the succeeding rearing stage in accordance with the metamorphosis requirements depending on the “metamorphosis” parameter calculated and the metamorphosis reference value set peculiarly to the “category” of the VLT in the present rearing stage.

Abstract: A boiling water type nuclear reactor core, in which a plurality of fuel assemblies, each enclosed in a channel box, are loaded and a plurality of control rods, each having control blades, are arranged between the channel boxes. Long blade control rods, each having control rod blades which extend in four directions, are arranged between channel boxes on diagonals of square bundle regions each formed by a plurality of fuel assemblies, and short blade control rods, each having a control rod blade length of about half of the width of one of the square bundle regions, are arranged between the channel boxes in the center of each of the square bundle regions.

Abstract: A master recording apparatus includes a revolving base (31) for revolving a substrate (1) coated with resist thereon, an irradiating mechanism (32), an elevator mechanism (33) for making the irradiating mechanism (32) capable of moving in a vertical direction and in a surface direction which is perpendicular to the vertical direction relative to the revolving base (31) and a height position displacement mechanism (35) interposing between the irradiating mechanism (32) and the elevator mechanism (33), and in which the irradiating mechanism (32) is connected with the elevator mechanism (33) through the height position displacement mechanism (35) and the irradiating mechanism (32) has such a structure in which at least a converging lens system (36) and a displacement driving mechanism (37) for adjusting a focus are supported by a gas static pressure pad housing (38), in the gas static pressure pad housing (38) a gas feeding pad (39) is disposed facing a bottom surface opposing the substrate and gas is made to be

Abstract: There is provided an electron beam irradiation apparatus, an electron beam irradiation method, an original disc, a stamper, and a recording medium, capable of effectively avoiding scattering of an electron beam and avoiding provision of a large scale vacuum chamber. An electron beam irradiation apparatus includes a support section (4) for supporting an electron beam irradiation subject (3) to be irradiated with an electron beam (2), and an electron beam irradiation head (6) opposed to the electron beam irradiation subject via a minute space, the electron beam irradiation head (6) having an electron beam emission hole (5) for irradiating the electron beam irradiation subject (3) with the electron beam (2).

Abstract: A boiling water type nuclear reactor core, in which a plurality of fuel assemblies, each enclosed in a channel box, are loaded and a plurality of control rods, each having control blades, are arranged between the channel boxes. Latitudinal long blade control rods, each having control rod blades which extend latitudinally in four directions, are arranged between channel boxes on diagonals of square bundle regions each formed by a plurality of fuel assemblies, and latitudinal short blade control rods, each having control rod blades which extend latitudinally in four directions with each control rod blade having a latitudinal length of about half of the width of one of the square bundle regions, are arranged between the channel boxes in the center of each of the square bundle regions. The long blade control rods have a latitudinal blade length which is about twice as long as the latitudinal blade length of the short blade control rods.

Abstract: In a light deflecting apparatus including a rotary polygon mirror in which a disc rotary polygon mirror is fixed to a shaft supported by a gas of a predetermined pressure. The rotary polygon mirror is fixed to the circumferential side of a shaft by direct engagement therewith, and compressed air is supplied to the thrust end surface of the rotary polygon mirror, to use the thrust end surface as a thrust bearing. Thereby, the rotary polygon mirror can be rotated with higher running accuracy.

Abstract: A device for fixing a work in position on a base having a protrusion and a hole formed adjacent the protrusion for mounting the device. The device includes a rotational member mountable in the hole of the base and rotatable around the axis of the hole. The rotational member has a shank insertable into the hole and a head disposed on an upper end of the shank. The head is provided with a lateral surface for pressing the work against the protrusion. The distance from the rotational axis of the rotational member to the lateral surface is varied in a circumferential direction of the head. The rotational member further includes a first engaging portion for engagement with a tool for rotating the rotational member. A threaded hole is formed to extend from the head to the shank along the rotational axis of the rotational member. A screw member is threadably engaged with the threaded hole of the rotational member and has a second engaging portion for engagement with another tool for rotating the screw member.

Abstract: A process for producing a carboxylic acid which comprises reacting a hydrocarbyl alcohol with carbon monoxide in the presence of a metal catalyst selected from nickel or cobalt, a halide and a specific promoter is disclosed. According to the present invention, formation rate of carboxylic acid is high.

Abstract: A process for producing acetic anhydride which comprises reacting methyl acetate or dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising (a) nickel or a nickel compound and (b) at least one halide selected from the group consisting of bromides, iodides and mixtures thereof, and together with a specific co-catalyst which is disclosed. According to this invention acetic anhydride is produced by using highly active non-expensive catalyst and co-catalyst.

Abstract: A process for producing acetic anhydride which comprises reacting methyl acetate or dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising (a) nickel or a nickel compound, (b) at least one halide selected from the group consisting of bromides, iodides and mixtures thereof and (c) at least one organic nitrogen group compound and together with a specific co-catalyst is disclosed. According to this invention acetic anhydride is produced by using highly active non-expensive catalyst and co-catalyst.

Abstract: Hydrazine sulfate having a relatively large particle diameter and a high purity is produced by hydrolysis of benzophenoneazines by sulfuric acid having a concentration of 75% by weight or less in an amount of 1.1 times by mole or more the stoichiometric amount in a very high conversion and a high yield with less operational loss.