Abstract: A unique code is used to register a virtual pet or other item using a code that is associated with the pet, and which, when entered, allows viewing and interacting with a virtual representation of the actual item on the website. If the code is entered during a specific time period, it allows obtaining at least one additional item, for example an exclusive item that cannot be obtained in any other way. The specific time period can be extended, e.g., using supplemental codes. The codes may specify fixed or variable time periods, and may be generic extension codes and extend other things other than this period.

Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device including a gate insulating film which can be formed into a thin film and of which film composition is easy to be controlled. The manufacturing method includes: forming a manganese oxide film for serving as a gate insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, on which a transistor is formed; forming a conductive film for serving as a gate electrode on the manganese oxide film; and forming a gate electrode and a gate insulating film by processing the conductive film and the manganese oxide film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing 2,4-dinitroimidazole, wherein separation of 1,4-donitroimidazole in powder form is avoided so that it is possible to eliminate allergy problems in workers and simplify the process, thereby improving process economy.

Abstract: A system for capturing carbon dioxide is provided including a feed line transporting an exhaust gas, a first separator, a first compressor, a first membrane, a first ejector, a second separator, a second compressor, and a carbon dioxide storage tank. The first membrane is configured to filter the exhaust gas into a retentate stream of exhaust gas and a permeate stream of exhaust gas. The permeate stream of exhaust gas includes a larger amount of carbon dioxide than the retentate stream. The first ejector is configured to compress the permeate stream. The second compressor is configured to further compress the exhaust gas received from the second separator. The carbon dioxide storage tank is configured to receive the exhaust gas from the second compressor. A second membrane can be on the retentate stream of the first membrane, where a second ejector is on the permeate side of the second membrane.

Abstract: An electromechanical switch includes a first beam, a second beam arranged in parallel with the first beam and connected to the first beam through a connecting portion, a first electrode formed so as to have a first gap with respect to the first beam, a voltage applying portion which applies a voltage between the first beam and the first electrode, and a second electrode formed so as to have a second gap with respect to the second beam. The second gap is greater than the first gap. The first beam is displaced when the voltage applying portion applies the voltage between the first beam and the first electrode, so that switching between the second beam and the second electrode is performed in a state that the first beam is not electrically connected to the first electrode.

Abstract: An onboard electric power control device which comprises a power unit, a control unit and a power source unit, in which: an opening portion of a case containing components of the power unit and an opening portion of a case containing components of the control unit are abutted so as to be coupled; a case of the power supply unit is fitted to an opening portion being provided on a side surface of the case of the power unit so that the both cases are coupled; the power unit and the control unit is connected by a flexible connecting conductor; and the connecting conductor is folded and is contained between a resin molded portion formed inside of the case of the power unit and a resin molded portion formed inside of the case of the control unit.

Abstract: In a micro-liquid transfer apparatus including two washing tanks (first washing tanks A and B), operations to transfer a sample are carried out using two pin tools (pin tools A and B) alternately. While one pin tool A is being mounted on a pin tool holder and is being used to transfer a liquid, the other pin tool B is waiting in a state where the lower end portions of their associated pins are immersed in the first washing tank B. While one pin tool A is being mounted on a pin tool holder and is being used to transfer a very small amount of liquid, the lower end portions of the respective pins of the other pin tool are washed, whereby the liquid transfer operations can be made in progress with no interruption and thus the generation of the operation waiting time can be prevented.

Abstract: A device comprises a basic clock movement MB whose time indicators are driven by a first barrel connected to a first wheelwork and a first regulator organ, and an autonomous chronograph module MCA whose indicators are driven by a second barrel independent from the first, connected to a second wheelwork and a second regulator organ. The chronograph module is exclusively composed of mechanical elements. The frequency of oscillation supplied by its regulator is equal N times the frequency of oscillation supplied by the regulator of the base movement, with the coefficient N being definable according to a specific application of the chronograph, so that any chronograph module thus previously defined can work with the same base movement. The chronograph regulator remains constantly engaged with the corresponding wheelwork. The chronograph module allows a time interval to be read with a minimum precision of a hundredth of second.

Abstract: Acoustical signals from the acoustical surrounding (U) which impinge upon a reception unit 30 are evaluated and direction of arrival (DOA) of such signals is determined. From signals indicative of such direction of arrival (DOA) a histogram is formed in unit 32. The behavior of such histogram is classified under different aspects or criteria and dependent on classification results in a classifying unit 34 the hearing device and thereby especially its signal transfer characteristic from input acoustical signals to output mechanical signals is controlled or adjusted.

Abstract: Refrigeration apparatus comprising a cold storage compartment, accessible from the outside, and provided internally with a sealed container adapted to accommodate a flexible and compressible receptacle holding a beverage; there are provided pneumatic or air-compression means to generate a selectively controllable pneumatic pressure inside said container, but outside said flexible receptacle, and said sealed container is capable of being opened from the outside by means of a closure applied on a face thereof, wherein said closure is provided with a through-aperture, through which there extends a drawing-off conduit. Whenever a need arises for beverage to be drawn off the receptacle, a pressure increase is triggered inside the sealed container, and said pressure increase will act upon the walls of the internal receptacle so that the latter is caused to collapse and reduce its volume, thereby causing the beverage to be ejected therefrom and, therefore, drawn off.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a sampling mixer and a receiver, capable of optimizing a sampling rate of an output signal in response to a fractional band of a modulation band with respect to an RF frequency of the received signal. A sampling mixer of the present invention, includes a history capacitor 6 for integrating a received signal that is converted in terms of current in a continuous time, rotation capacitors 7 to 14 for repeating an integration and a discharge of an input signal, a digital controller 104 for controlling integration periods of the rotation capacitors 7 to 14, and a controlling portion 105 for controlling discharges of the rotation capacitors 7 to 14, wherein the number of the rotation capacitors 7 to 14 connected at a time to a buffer capacitor 15 is switched in answer to a fractional band of the modulation band with respect to a RF frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a color wheel which allows for an easy to perform balancing. The color wheel comprises a motor and a color rotor with a carrier. Filter segments are mounted to the carrier. In addition the color rotor comprises a body with a surface perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotor. The surface comprises a two dimensional matrix of holes which can be filled with balancing masses. In order to balance the color rotor it is rotated. During rotation, the unbalance is detected. In addition the location where to put balancing mass is detected. At this location balancing mass, such as for example adhesive is filled into the respective hole.

Abstract: To provide a method of segmenting a semiconductor wafer, which is capable of preventing chippings. A semiconductor wafer 1 is partitioned into a circumferential ring-shaped region 1a and a segmentation region placed in the inner side of the ring-shaped region 1a. The semiconductor wafer 1 included in the segmentation region is cut into the form of a lattice along a plurality of perpendicular cutting lines 4 and is segmented into a plurality of chips 2. On the other hand, the semiconductor wafer 1 included in the ring-shaped region 1a is cut along two partition lines 5 extending in parallel to the cutting lines 4 from the center O of the semiconductor wafer 1 and is partitioned into four independent regions.

Abstract: Electronic circuit for the detection of a capacitive variation on two distinct contact capacitors, (C1, C2), comprising means able of squaring the signals generated by a conventional pulse generator and filtered by two filters (R1, C1-R2, C2), wherein the respective capacitors (C1, C2) are the same said contact capacitors which are connected to a respective terminal to a common ground (G); said means are also able to generate respective signals formed of trains of squared pulses, to compare said two signals and to provide an output signal depending on the result of said signals comparison. Said output signal depends on the phase difference between the pulses of said two trains of squared pulses.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a sampling filter apparatus and a wireless communication apparatus, which are capable of changing a filter characteristic without employing complex waveforms as control signals, and also, capable of performing filtering process operations without performing a decimation, while utilizing a wide frequency space. A sampling filter apparatus 100 includes a controller 140, a plurality of integrators 150 to 154, a plurality of switches 130, 160 to 164, 170 to 174, 180 to 184, and a plurality of voltage/current converters 120 to 123. An inputted current is stored in four pieces of integrators selected among the plurality of integrators 150 to 154 by one clock, and electric charges which have been stored from four preceding clocks up to one preceding clock are added to each other so as to output the added electric charges from the remaining one integrator.

Abstract: A cage for holding a filling material includes a housing have a first part and a second part. An orifice is defined between the first part and the second part for holding a filling material. The housing is shaped in a manner such that is it insertable inside a cavity and has an open position in which filling material may be inserted into the orifice. The housing also has a closed position in which the filling material is trapped within the orifice. The housing is cage-like for holding the filling material. The housing may include a handle, hinges for joining the first and second parts, and a latching mechanism for latching the first and second parts together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum chamber and to its production. According to the invention, the vacuum chamber comprises a frame into which insert plates are placed. The insert plates form together with the frame a closed space in which a vacuum can be created. Preferably, the shell of the frame is extracted from an integrally formed metal piece, with a large portion of material being removed, leading to openings for the insert plates to be created. This has among others the advantage that no welding seams are necessary where the individual plates are inserted.