Abstract: A printer receives print information from a host apparatus. An image memory stores image data produced from the print information. A total quantity of output detector determines a total quantity of output that should be printed. A reference quantity storing section stores a reference quantity. A comparing section compares the reference quantity with the total quantity of output to determine whether the total quantity of output is larger than the reference quantity. If the total quantity of output is larger than the reference quantity, a controller reads a fraction of the image data from the image memory and sends a first command to a printing section. The first command causes the printing section to perform test printing where the printing section prints the fraction of the image data and then enters a standby state.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for recording data with pseudo-merge are provided. The apparatus comprises a storage medium for storing a first and a second files and a File Allocation Table (FAT) for recording a first start position and a first end position for the first file and recording a second start position and a second end position for the second file. The method modifies the first end position of the first file to be the second start position of the second file so as to merge the first and second files into a first merged file.

Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device that permits free setting of characteristics of individual semiconductor elements which are mixedly mounted and have different characteristics, and is free of steps between formed semiconductor elements, in a manufacturing method for the semiconductor device, an n-type silicon layer is deposited on a p-type silicon substrate by epitaxial growth, and then an SOI layer is deposited thereon through the intermediary of a BOX layer. A junction transistor using a part of the n-type silicon layer as a channel region and a MOS transistor using the SOI layer are produced.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering system includes a motor driving circuit connected between a power supply and a ground for driving a multi-phase motor, PWM signal generating unit for generating an each-phase PWM signal for controlling a current flowing through each of phases of the multi-phase motor and feeding the each-phase PWM signal to the motor driving circuit, a single current sensor connected between the motor driving circuit and the power supply or the ground, and each-phase current value computing unit for finding an each-phase current value flowing through each of the phases of the multi-phase motor on the basis of an output of the current sensor. The PWM signal generating unit shifts the fall or rise timing of a carrier wave of the each-phase PWM signal by a predetermined phase shift amount.

Abstract: A coordinate-capturing apparatus suitable for inputting handwritten characters or diagrams to a computer or a printer is disclosed. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic transmitter mounted on an input pen for transmitting ultrasonic waves, two ultrasonic receivers for receiving ultrasonic waves transmitted form the ultrasonic transmitter, and a distance calculating device for calculating distances between the input pen and the two ultrasonic receivers in order to determine coordinates representing a position of the input pen on the basis of the calculated distances. The apparatus of the invention can perform coordinate detection smoothly even when the input pen moves fast, and has reduced electric power consumption in the input pen to increase the life-span of a battery included in the input pen.

Abstract: An ergonomic mouse has a sliding cap matching the curvature of a normal human palm. The sliding cap may be slid on the top of a hollow body to reach a desired operation position, then fine-tuned and anchored. Thus when the mouse is moved during operation, it can absorb reaction forces to avoid hurting the user's wrist and better meet ergonomic requirements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing semiconductor device. The method includes providing a semiconductor wafer having a main surface; defining a chip forming region which includes chip regions defined by scribe lines, and a peripheral region which surrounds the chip forming region, on the main surface; forming circuit elements and electrode pads connected to the circuit elements on the chip areas; forming an insulating film, which exposes respective portions of the electrode pads, on the main surface; forming protruded electrodes on the insulating film provided in the chip areas so that the protruded electrodes are arranged at predetermined intervals in the chip area; forming an encapsulating material, which exposes top faces of the protruded electrodes, on the insulating film; and cutting the semiconductor wafer along the scribe lines.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a semiconductor substrate, at least one of a protruding electrode and wiring formed on one surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a first resin film formed on this surface. The first resin film has elasticity low enough to reduce stress induced by a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the semiconductor substrate and the first resin film. A second resin film, having higher elasticity or higher strength than the first resin film, may be formed on the other surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus sets an image reference position in an input image, calculates a distribution of weights from the image reference position, sets a starting position in the input image, and partitions the input image into areas by working outward from the starting position, using the distribution of weights to calculate thresholds for adding picture elements to existing areas. The distribution of weights may, for example, allow picture elements distant from the image reference position to be added to a background area more easily than picture elements closer to the image reference position. In addition, multiple starting positions may be set. These provisions enable the background to be identified as a single area without requiring user input of an outline around each non-background area.

Abstract: An ignition/fuel injection system adapted with an auxiliary power source to exclusively supply power needed for the operation of the system, and a separation charging power source to separate that from the batteries for starting the motor so to avoid affecting the normal start-up of an engine by the sudden drop of the working voltage of the ignition/fuel injection system while the voltage of the batteries significantly drops as greater amperage is required to start the motor during the start-up of the engine; or to provide normal working voltage to the ignition/fuel injection system to ensure of good ignition status in case of lower engine rpm and insufficient voltage of generator in case of an engine started manually without the installations of motor and batteries.

Abstract: A key module and its manufacturing method are provided in the present invention. The steps of the method include: providing a mold; forming a key body having multiple opening portions on the mold; jostling a combination of a display body and an elastic body to the key body; and finally, tightly attaching the display body to the key body and stuffing the display body into the opening portions of the key body. Therein, the elastic body has a lower end formed with a contact block contacting a circuit board. By compressing, injecting or infusing a silicone rubber material or an elastic material into the opening portions, the gap located between the key body and the display body or between the key body and the elastic body is smaller than 0.01 mm. Thus, the appearance of the key module of the present invention is almost seamless.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit has a first functional block, a second functional block, and a signal line routed from the first functional block to the second functional block in a metal interconnection layer. A complementary pair of metal-oxide-semiconductor circuits with source, gate, and drain terminals are located near the signal line between the first and second functional blocks. The drain terminals extend to the same metal interconnection layer as the signal line, but are not connected to the signal line. The circuit can be redesigned to invert the signal transmitted on the signal line by altering a single mask defining the metal interconnection layer, so as to divide the signal line into a first part connected to the gate terminals and a second part connected to the drain terminals of the complementary pair of metal-oxide-semiconductor circuits.

Abstract: A fixing device for an extension card having a bracket with a bent portion has a casing and a metal pressing member. The casing has a support portion. The metal pressing member has a longitudinal bottom plate, a pivotal structure, and a resilient latching structure. The pivotal structure is pivotally connected to the casing. The bent portion of the bracket of the extension card is placed on the support portion of the casing. The longitudinal bottom plate of the metal pressing member presses on the bent portion. The resilient latching structure of the metal pressing member detachably latches onto the casing. As a result, the extension card is capable of being retained in or dismounted from the casing easily and quickly.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to adjust the operating wavelength of a decoder, in order to coordinate the operating characteristics of an encoder and the decoder. To this end, an optical code division multiplex transmission device of the present invention comprises a second SSFBG in the decoder, and has a mechanism to perform adjustment (phase adjustment step) of the fixation portion interval L which is the interval between a first and second fixation portions fixing in place the second SSFBG, such that the extent of the eye opening of optical pulses output from the second SSFBG is maximum. The extent of the eye opening is measured using a correlation waveform monitor, and the measurement data is sent to the wavelength control portion. A signal is sent from the wavelength control portion to the movement control portion to set the fixation portion interval L, based on data relating to the extent of the eye opening sent from the correlation waveform monitor.

Abstract: A method and computer system for accessing initialization data stored in a boot memory space. After the power supply starts up, the south bridge starts up and sends an initiating signal to the north bridge for starting up the north bridge. Once the north bridge has started up, it sends the south bridge a transaction which requests that the south bridge reads the initialization data from the memory space and sends the initialization data to the south bridge. Then, the CPU starts up and operates normally after the CPU receives an initiating signal and the initialization data sent by the north bridge.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device comprises the steps of: preparing a semiconductor substrate having a gate insulation film and a gate electrode, the gate insulation film being formed on a predetermined active region in the semiconductor substrate, and the gate electrode being formed on the gate insulation film; forming a first insulation film covering the gate electrode and at least a part of the semiconductor substrate; charging the first insulation film; and forming a second insulation film for charge storage on the first insulation film.