Abstract: In a thin-film transistor to be used in an active matrix liquid crystal display device, each of a gate signal line, a source signal line, and a drain extraction electrode has a three-layer structure. Specifically, each of these members is made up of a lower layer made of a titanium film, an intermediate layer made of an aluminum film, and an upper layer made of a titanium film containing nitrogen. Since the respective upper layers, in contact with a gate insulating film or an interlayer insulating film made of a silicon nitride film, are made of titanium films containing nitrogen, they have superior adhesion to the silicon nitride film. Consequently, film peeling, etc. during the manufacturing process can be suppressed. Further, providing the titanium film beneath the aluminum film contributes to reduction of the resistance of the aluminum film.

Abstract: The invention produces a document-image reading device that can analyze a speed fluctuation state of a scanner when scanning an image in the feed direction by separately extracting speed fluctuation components by determining a change in density of references scale lines; and, on the basis of the analysis result, prevents the occurrence of an image blur that can result from unstable factors of a driving mechanism of the device. The document-image reading device, which reads document image data at a specified time interval given by a reference clock signal, comprises an image sensor that can read a document image while the document-image reading device or the document moves in the feed direction. Additionally, the document-image reading device includes a chart reader for reading a reference chart portion having alternations of high-density and low-density divisions that are arranged one after another at a distance interval equal to the least pitch readable by the document-image reading device.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to obtain achromatic display with high contrast and high lightness. A reflection type liquid crystal display device of NB mode comprises a liquid crystal cell having an STN type liquid crystal layer; a first phase difference plate; a second phase difference plate; a polarizing plate, the first and second phase difference plates and polarizing plate being disposed on one surface of the liquid crystal cell in this order; and a reflecting layer disposed in the liquid crystal cell, the reflecting layer forming the other surface of the liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal layer retardation &Dgr;nLC.dLC, the first phase difference plate retardation &Dgr;n1.d1 and the second phase difference plate retardation &Dgr;n2.d2 are selected from the ranges of 660 nm to 830 nm, 120 nm to 240 nm and 300 nm to 430 nm, respectively. A twist angle &khgr; is selected from the range of 220° to 260°.

Abstract: Thickness information and refractive index information of a light transmitting layer are recorded in advance on an optical recording medium. Based on the thickness information and the refractive index information of the light transmitting layer, space between two lens units of an objective lens system is adjusted in an optical recording and reproducing apparatus, so that spherical aberration is adjusted. Accordingly, in the optical recording and reproducing apparatus using two lens units, it becomes possible to correctly record or reproduce the information to and from the optical recording medium.

Abstract: A composite casting process for the production of brake elements is described. The brake element has a hub and a flange for fastening to a vehicle wheel, and brake body component bearing a friction surface for interaction with brake jaws for braking The brake body component is made of a first cast iron material having lamellar graphite with a high resistance to thermal shocks, and the hub and the flange are made of a second cast iron material with a higher-grade tensile strength greater than the tensile strength of the first cast iron material. The brake body component is connected to the hub by forming a material union between the hub and the brake body component by casting a melt of one of the cast iron materials on a solid body of the other cast iron material that is placed into a mold cavity. After the casting of the melt forming the material union, which forms a juncture between the cast iron materials, a temperature is provided that is at least 10° C.