Abstract: A silicon oxide film 102, a Pt film 103x, a Ti film 104x and a PZT film 105x are deposited in this order over a Si substrate 101. The Si substrate 101 is placed in a chamber 106 so that the PZT film 105x is irradiated with an EHF wave 108. The irradiation with the EHF wave locally heats a dielectric film such as the PZT film. As a result, it is possible to improve, for example, the leakage property of the dielectric film without adversely affecting a device formed on the Si substrate 101.

Abstract: A digital camera which allows to make thickness, height and width of its camera body small. The camera has a first optical member for generally perpendicularly bending a first optical axis of light coming from an object through a lens opening part, a second optical member for bending a second optical axis of light coming from the first optical member, and an image taking element having a light receiving surface for receiving a third optical axis of light coming from the second optical member in which the light receiving surface crosses the third optical axis of light. The third optical axis of light is included in a plane which is different from a plane including both of the first optical axis of light and the second optical axis thereof.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus such as a digital still camera, a scene is judged with using an image data outputted from an area sensor in a preparation state in which an image displayed on a monitor display serves as a viewfinder, and another image data to be recorded in a recording medium in an image recording mode is compensated corresponding to a result of judgment of the scene. By such the compensation, an image using the image data recorded in the recording medium can properly be reproduced by an image outputting apparatus such as a printer.

Abstract: A wireless transmission apparatus of multi-mode operation with superior power efficiency is provided. Switches (115 and 117) are switched over in such a manner that a modulation signal outputted from a wireless GSM/EDGE (UB) signal formation circuit (101-3) of a high-frequency signal processing circuit (101) is outputted to a high-frequency power amplifier (104) at the time of output of a GSM modulation signal, and is outputted to a high-frequency amplifier (105) at the time of output of an EDGE modulation signal. As a result, the EDGE modulation signal is power amplified using a high-frequency power amplifier (105) for an UMTS modulation signal use that is compatible with regards to the EDGE modulation signal and the maximum output power and presence or absence of envelope fluctuation. It is therefore possible to amplify the EDGE modulation scheme wireless signal with high efficiency.

Abstract: An art of a driving device for appropriately improving a response of an SMA actuator will be provided. A portable telephone 1 has an image stabilization system 10 for driving an image pickup unit 9 by a pair of driving members 15a and 15b functioning as actuators, thereby performing image stabilization. Driving members 15a and 15b are formed as a wire of shape memory alloy (SMA) and when a voltage is applied to both ends and a current is supplied, driving force is generated in the contraction direction. With respect to the wire diameter of the SMAs, the wire diameter of the SMAs is set between 10 ?m and 80 ?m, thus the mountability and response are improved appropriately.

Abstract: On an Si substrate 1, a buffer layer 2, a SiGe layer 3, and an Si cap layer 4 are formed. A mask is formed on the substrate, and then the substrate is patterned. In this manner, a trench 7a is formed so as to reach the Si substrate 1 and have the side faces of the SiGe layer 3 exposed. Then, the surface of the trench 7a is subjected to heat treatment for one hour at 750° C. so that Ge contained in a surface portion of the SiGe layer 3 is evaporated. Thus, a Ge evaporated portion 8 having a lower Ge content than that of other part of the SiGe layer 3 is formed in part of the SiGe layer 3 exposed at part of the trench 7a. Thereafter, the walls of the trench 7a are oxidized.

Abstract: A position detector includes a magnet, a pair of Hall effect devices, and a processing circuit for detecting relative positions of the magnet and the pair of Hall effect devices. The processing circuit detects a difference in magnitude between output values of the Hall effect devices, as position outputs, with an input value to each of the Hall effect devices being controlled such that a sum of magnitudes of respective output values of the Hall effect devices is constant.

Abstract: A driving device for an ultrasonic actuator for driving a movable member is provided with a member sensor for detecting a present position of the movable member, a calculator for calculating a control target position of the movable member, a driving circuit for generating such a drive voltage as to drive the ultrasonic actuator in a specified resonant state, and a control circuit for controlling an operative state of the movable member by adjusting at least one of physical quantities specifying the drive voltage as a maneuverable physical quantity in accordance with a difference between the present position and the control target position so that the movable member pursues the control target position. There can be provided a driving device capable of executing a position servo control while being driven in a specified resonant state, and a position controller and a camera provided with such a driving device.

Abstract: A field effect transistor comprises: a semiconductor substrate; a semiconductor layer provided on the semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor layer including a body region which contains an impurity of a first conductivity type; a gate dielectric film provided on the semiconductor layer; a gate electrode provided on the gate dielectric film; and a source region and a drain region provided in the semiconductor layer at positions below the sides of the gate electrode, the source region and the drain region containing an impurity of a second conductivity type. The gate electrode and the body region are electrically short-circuited. In the semiconductor layer except for the source region and the drain region, at least part of a junction portion bordering on the source region or the drain region contains the impurity of the first conductivity type with a higher concentration than in the body region except for junction portions bordering on the source region and the drain region.

Abstract: In a digital camera using an image pickup device such as CCD, a high resolution and properly exposed image is obtained by composition a plurality of image data of the same object taken by a plurality of image pickup operation when a luminance of the object is lower. Each image data is taken under a condition that an integration time (a charge storage time) of the image pickup device is shorter than a limit integration time causing a camera shake. A position of a frame on the image pickup device from which electric charges of the pixels are read out as the image data is corrected so as to cancel the movement of the camera between the image pickup operations.

Abstract: A breather device of an engine is connected to an engine suction system. A breather chamber thereof for separating a blowby gas generated inside a crank chamber of the engine into gas and liquid is formed so as to face to a mating face of a plurality of cases, including a crankcase, connected to each other via a gasket, and a communication port is formed to the gasket, through which the blowby gas comes and goes in a space within the plurality of cases to thereby carry out the gas-liquid separation of the blowby gas. A cam chamber receiving a cam for driving a valve train provided for a cylinder head of the engine is arranged at a connection portion of the plurality cases including the crankcase in a sectioned manner in adjacent to the crank chamber in an axial direction of the crankshaft, and the breather chamber is formed above the cam chamber, the breather chamber being provided with a main opening so as to face to the cam chamber.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes: an image pickup device in which photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to color components are arranged in a predetermined pattern; an acquisition unit that successively acquires a plurality of images by using the image pickup device; a detector that detects a positional deviation among the plurality of images; and a synthesis unit that compensates the positional deviation to synthesize the plurality of images by addition, wherein the synthesis unit adds the plurality of images in a state where the images have the same color layout as that of the photoelectric conversion elements in the image pickup device.

Abstract: A determination is made whether a moving speed of a slider section with respect to a rod section in a piezoelectric actuator is lower than a predetermined speed. When the moving speed is lower than the predetermined speed, it is considered that a friction-bonded portion between the rod section and the slider section is in a fastened state or a nearly fastened state. A resonance frequency of the piezoelectric actuator or a frequency proximity to the resonance frequency is set as a driving frequency for the piezoelectric actuator. The slider section is moved in a reciprocating manner plural times with respect to the rod section. As a result, an abnormal state is eliminated from the piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: An image printer system that prints out images using image data taken by a digital camera and recorded in a recording medium and that saves the image data in the recording medium in another recording medium. In this system, parameters are set for the printing operation and for the saving operation before they are begun, and the two operations are performed simultaneously or in one sequence. The image data may be corrected for the printing, but the image data that is saved is the original image data.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a transmitter high in efficiency, good in linearity and capable of covering an output level in a wide range. Either linear operating mode or saturation operating mode is set as the operating mode of a high-frequency power amplifier (15) on the basis of an operating mode set signal (107). The gain of a variable gain amplifier (14) provided in front of the high-frequency power amplifier (15) and values of output voltage (109) and bias current supplied from a supply voltage/bias current control circuit (17) to the high-frequency power amplifier (15) are switched. The gain of the variable gain amplifier (14) in the saturation operating mode is formed so as to be higher by a predetermined value than that in the linear operating mode. Accordingly, the high-frequency power amplifier 15 operates in the designated operating mode, so that the output transmission power range can be widened.

Abstract: A position detector includes a magnet, a pair of Hall effect devices, and a processing circuit for detecting relative positions of the magnet and the pair of Hall effect devices. The processing circuit detects a difference in magnitude between output values of the Hall effect devices, as position outputs, with an input value to each of the Hall effect devices being controlled such that a sum of magnitudes of respective output values of the Hall effect devices is constant.

Abstract: A base plate, a first slider and a second slider are fit in one another to produce one assemblage. The first slider is caused to move relative to the base plate along an X axis by a first actuator. The second slider moves in unison with the first slider, and also is caused to solely move along a Y axis by a second actuator. A magnetic sensor unit is provided in the base plate, and a magnet support is provided in the second slider so as to face the magnetic sensor unit. A magnet is disposed on a lower face of the magnet support. The magnetic sensor unit and the magnet form a position detection mechanism, and the second slider in which the magnet is disposed requires no electric wiring.

Abstract: A position detector includes a pair of magnetic sensors spaced from each other and a magnetic force generator movable relative to the pair of magnetic sensors. The length of the magnetic force generator along the space between the magnetic sensors is equal to or larger than a length of a space between the magnetic sensors. Preferably, the length of the magnetic force generator along the space between the magnetic sensors is equal to or larger than a sum of the length of the space between the magnetic sensors and an allowable moving distance of the magnetic force generator.

Abstract: Two shape memory alloy members d7 and d8 are connected to a movable member. Continuously, one and then the other of the shape memory alloy members d7 is heated alternately by application of a voltage or current thereto so that, by the generated force exerted by one shape memory alloy member d7 deformed by being heated, the other shape memory alloy member d8 is deformed and the movable member is moved. The shape memory alloy members d7 and d8 are made of a Ti—Ni—Cu alloy subjected to heat treatment at 300° C. or higher, and has an operating temperature of 70° C. or higher.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes: a yaw sensor for detecting a shake of the image sensing apparatus in a yaw direction, a pitch sensor for detecting a shake of the image sensing apparatus in a pitch direction, the pitch sensor having a detection precision higher than the yaw sensor, and a shake correcting section for correcting a shake of the image sensing apparatus based on an output signal from the yaw sensor and an output signal from the pitch sensor. The shake correction can be performed with higher precision.