Abstract: A tuning device includes an analog-to-digital converter for converting sound waves propagated from a piano to an audio signal in synchronism with a sampling signal and a data processor for visualizing a difference between a target pitch of a tone and an actual pitch of the tone; since the sampling signal is less accurate in frequency, the data processor previously determines the frequency difference between a design frequency and an actual frequency of the sampling signal by using a calendar clock signal as a measure; the data processor eliminates noise due to the sampling signal from visual images of the pitch difference, and makes the visual images more accurate.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention for fabricating an organic thin film transistor including a substrate, a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, metal oxide source/drain electrodes and an organic semiconductor layer wherein the metal oxide source/drain electrodes are surface-treated with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) forming compound containing a sulfonic acid group. According to example embodiments of the present invention, the surface of the source/drain electrodes may be modified to be more hydrophobic and/or the work function of a metal oxide constituting the source/drain electrodes may be increased to above that of an organic semiconductor material constituting the organic semiconductor layer. Organic thin film transistors fabricated according to one or more example embodiments of the present invention may exhibit higher charge carrier mobility.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon trap that includes a sheet paper element and a plurality of fingers. The paper element is at least partially formed of a material capable of adsorbing and desorbing gaseous hydrocarbons. The paper element is arranged into a plurality of adjacent sheet members. The fingers are disposed between and support adjacent pairs of the sheet members so that each adjacent pair of the sheet members forms a flow channel. A method for filtering gaseous hydrocarbons from an air flow is also provided.

Abstract: A bottom seal, at the lower end of a step screen, is adapted to convey solid particles and other objects positioned in flowing water. The step screen has a grating including alternately fixed and movable lamellar rods with intermediate gaps to allow the water to pass through the grating. The bottom seal extends substantially across the entire width of the grating to seal the ducts that arise between the fixed lamellar rods at their lowermost step as the movable lamellar rods move upwards between the fixed lamellar rods. The bottom seal includes an elongate bottom cover, which at its longitudinal edge upstream is, via hinges, pivotally connected to the step screen via a bottom step upstream of the bottom cover.

Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region. The nitrogen-incorporated active region may be formed within the first region. A first gate electrode may be formed on the nitrogen-incorporated active region. A first gate dielectric layer may be interposed between the nitrogen-incorporated active region and the first gate electrode. The first gate dielectric layer may include a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer may be a nitrogen contained dielectric layer. A second gate electrode may be formed on the second region. A second gate dielectric layer may be interposed between the second region and the second gate electrode. The first gate dielectric layer may have the same or substantially the same thickness as the second gate dielectric layer, and the nitrogen contained dielectric layer may contact with the nitrogen-incorporated active region.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes an inductor, a synchronous rectifier (SR) connected to the inductor, and an active switch connected to the inductor and the SR. An active resonant tank (ART) cell is connected to the SR or a transformer in parallel such that a resonant capacitor of the ART cell is charged through the active switch and discharged through the synchronous rectifier so that during a switch transition period energy is pumped out of the resonant capacitor by activating the ART cell to eliminate reverse recovery switching loss and achieve Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS).

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device and methods thereof. The example semiconductor memory device may include a semiconductor substrate, a first source line and a second source line oriented in a first direction, the first and second source lines not in contact with each other, at least one bit line oriented in the first direction and at least one drain positioned between the first and second source lines and the at least one bit line. A first example method may include applying a first voltage to a source line, connected to the memory cell, during a write operation of the memory cell and applying a second voltage to the source line during a read operation of the memory cell, the first and second voltages not being the same and the second voltage not being a ground voltage.

Abstract: A furniture item includes a support member and a rotatably pinned mechanism operable in rocking and reclining motions. The mechanism includes first and second side plates; a first pair of forward link members each rotatably connected to one of the side plates; a pantograph linkage set connected to the first pair of forward link members to extend and retract a footrest assembly in the reclining motion; and a drive rod rotatable between the side plates. Rotating the drive rod extends or retracts the pantograph linkage set. An escutcheon connected to the drive rod has a snap-engaged handle to manually rotate the drive rod. At least one U-shaped spring connected between the support member and the mechanism allows rocking motion. A seat pan has flat body springs extending over a seat pan aperture to support an occupant. A detent at one end of each flat spring engages the seat pan.

Abstract: A transmit-side STA transmits a wireless packet using a wireless channel which has been determined to be idle by both a physical carrier sense for determining based on received power whether the wireless channel is busy or idle and a virtual carrier sense for determining the wireless channel to be busy during set transmission inhibition time. At this time, the transmit-side STA sets transmission time used for the virtual carrier sense to a paired wireless channel which is affected by leakage from a transmitting wireless channel. This allows for setting transmission inhibition time to a paired wireless channel even when the paired wireless channel cannot successfully receive due to the effect caused by leakage from the transmitting wireless channel.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to an image sensor and a fabrication method thereof, capable of reducing dark current and a fabrication method thereof. The image sensor may include a semiconductor substrate including an active region defined by an isolation layer, a photoelectric-conversion region and a charge-movement-prevention region formed at an interface between the photoelectric-conversion region and the isolation layer.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses both apparatuses and methods for providing capabilities of facilitating utilitarian functions that are flexible in both their configuration and circumstances of utilization. In various embodiments, this multi-functional utility system is capable of being manually transportable, compactable, customizable, and is capable of operation in a variety of settings. In certain representative embodiments, the present invention includes folding legs, a base utility portion, a supplementary utility portion that is moveable relative to the base utility portion, and an assembly for arresting the motion of the supplementary utility portion, relative to the base utility portion. The supplementary utility portion is capable of assuming at least one closed disposition and at least one operative disposition, wherein the operative disposition is oriented at an angle between 0 and 180 degrees relative to the orientation of the supplementary utility portion when in the closed disposition.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having a metal gate pattern is provided in which capping layers are used to control the relative oxidation rates of portions of the metal gate pattern during a oxidation process. The capping layer may be a multilayer structure and may be etched to form insulating spacers on the sidewalls of the metal gate pattern. The capping layer(s) allow the use of a selective oxidation process, which may be a wet oxidation process utilizing partial pressures of both H2O and H2 in an H2-rich atmosphere, to oxidize portions of the substrate and metal gate pattern while suppressing the oxidation of metal layers that may be included in the metal gate pattern. This allows etch damage to the silicon substrate and edges of the metal gate pattern to be reduced while substantially maintaining the original thickness of the gate insulating layer and the conductivity of the metal layer(s).

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device and methods of manufacturing and operating the same are provided. In a method of manufacturing a non-volatile memory device, a substrate having a stepped portion that may include a first horizontal face, a second horizontal face lower than the first horizontal face, and a vertical face connected between the first and second horizontal faces may be prepared. A first impurity region may be formed under the first horizontal face. A tunnel insulation layer may be continuously formed on the vertical face and the second horizontal face. A floating gate electrode having a tip higher than the first horizontal face may be formed on the tunnel insulation layer. A dielectric layer may be formed on the floating gate electrode. The floating gate electrode may be covered with a control gate electrode. A second impurity region horizontally spaced apart from the floating gate electrode may be formed under the second horizontal face.

Abstract: An information-added imaging method includes an imaging step, a receiving step of an imaging device (105) receiving information through a communication line (112), an adding step of adding additional information to picture data on the basis of the information, a displaying step of displaying, in the imaging device (105), picture data to which the additional information has been added while picture data is being captured, and a recording step of recording the picture data to which the additional information has been added.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power generation, distribution, and on-board power supply system for low-emission surface marine (navy) ships of different classes and sizes. The system is embodied as an equipment segment and includes at least one cruising speed drive unit, which can be supplied with electrical power from a DC network, and at least one auxiliary drive unit, e.g. a hydrojet, which can be supplied with electrical power from an AC network and can be connected as required. The DC network and the AC network are configured in such a way that power can be mutually transferred.

Abstract: A substrate 201 has a reflective layer 211 thereon having apertures 211a, and the reflective layer has a color filter 212 thereon having coloring layers 212r, 212g, 212b. One coloring layer at each pixel has a hyperchromic portion 212c above the corresponding aperture 211a of the reflective layer 211, and a hypochromic portion 212d on the reflective layer 211. There is a region in which no hyperchromic portion 212c is disposed above the corresponding aperture 211a (FIG. 1(A)) or another region in which no hypochromic portion 212d is disposed on the reflective layer 211 (FIG. 1(B)).

Abstract: A switch device having a base, a first electrically conductive pad coupled to the base, a second electrically conductive pad coupled to the base, a first electrically conductive projection and a second electrically conductive projection. The second electrically conductive pad is spaced apart from the first electrically conductive pad by a first predetermined distance. The first electrically conductive projection is coupled to the first electrically conductive pad and extends into the first gap. The second electrically conductive projection is coupled to the second electrically conductive pad and extends into the first gap. The second electrically conductive projection is spaced apart from the first electrically conductive projection by a second predetermined distance. The first and second electrically conductive projections form an electrical interface.