Abstract: A microelectronic device including an isolation device. The isolation device includes a lower isolation element, an upper isolation element, and an inorganic dielectric plateau between the lower isolation element and the upper isolation element. The inorganic dielectric plateau contains an upper etch stop layer and a lower etch stop layer between the upper isolation element and the lower isolation element. The upper etch stop layer provides an end point signal during the plateau etch process which provides feedback on the amount of inorganic dielectric plateau which has been etched. The lower etch stop layer provides a traditional etch stop function to provide for a complete plateau etch and protection of an underlying metal bond pad. The inorganic dielectric plateau also contains alternating layers of high stress and low stress silicon dioxide, which provide a means of reinforcement of the inorganic dielectric plateau.

Abstract: A vehicle state detection unit detects whether a vehicle including an information apparatus is in motion or stopped. A display control unit displays operation items related to various functions provided by the information apparatus on a display. A function execution unit executes a function corresponding to a selected operation item. An identification unit identifies the frequency of use of each operation item by classifying the items according to whether the vehicle is in motion or stopped. The display control unit further displays on a prescribed menu screen in which some of the operation items are aggregated. On the prescribed menu screen, when the vehicle is in motion, the operation item identified as having a high frequency of use when the vehicle is in motion is displayed, and when the vehicle is stopped, the operation item identified as having a high frequency of use when the vehicle is stopped is displayed.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a mounting unit, a tank, a pump, a detection unit, an obtainment unit, and a control unit. The mounting unit is configured so that a head that ejects ink can be mounted in a replaceable manner. The tank contains ink to be supplied to the head via a tube. The pump discharges ink to an outside of the head. The detection unit detects that the head mounted on the mounting unit has been replaced. The obtainment unit obtains information of a usage history which indicates whether or not the head mounted as a replacement has been used. The control unit controls a discharge operation, which is performed by the pump after head replacement, to be changed based on the information of the usage history.

Abstract: A cover unit for covering an external face of a machine tool. The cover unit is formed with small opening for allowing a workpiece to pass therethrough. The cover unit is also formed with a large opening for facilitating maintenance to the machine tool. The small opening is selectively closed by a first closure means to avoid scattering of the cutting chips and machining liquid toward outside during machining to the workpiece. The large opening is selectively closed by a second closure means during machining to the workpiece.

Abstract: A machine tool includes two movable tables on which workpiece is mounted. A base mount has an upper surface provided with at least two machinable regions and workpiece handling regions. A column is supported above the base mount and movable in a first direction, and a spindle head is supported on the column and movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The spindle head is movable over the machinable regions. The tables are arranged in parallelism and movable in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. Each of the tables is movable between each of the machinable regions and the workpiece handling regions. First, second and third drive means are connected to the column, the spindle head and the tables, respectively. The drive means are also connected to a numerical control unit for numerically controlling the movements of the column, the spindle head and the tables in the first, the second and the third directions respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for comparing frequency of an object signal with a given reference frequency, with a reference signal generator for developing a reference signal having the reference frequency. If the object signal is frequency-modulated, then its center frequency is compared with the reference frequency. A switching signal generator, switching circuitry actuated by the switching signal, a frequency discriminator, low-pass filters and a voltage comparator are also provided. Actuated by the switching signal, the discriminator alternately discriminates the frequencies of the object and reference signals, and the averaged discrimination output voltages are compared by the comparator to give the indication of comparison of the frequencies of the object and reference signals.