Abstract: A method for estimating the input power to a cable modem includes generating a look-up table containing AGC integrator accumulator values corresponding to selected frequencies and amplitudes. The look-up table is generated by first constructing a calibration matrix by inputting a plurality of calibration signals having known input frequencies and known input power levels into the cable modem's receiver, and recording AGC integrator accumulator values corresponding to several frequencies and power levels over a selected operating range as calibration points. Next, an interpolation and extrapolation process generates the look-up values corresponding to the frequencies and amplitudes in between the calibration points. During modem operation, the modem estimates the input power by checking the AGC integrator accumulator value corresponding to the input frequency and amplitude.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus for recording and/or reading a signal to and from a signal recording layer of an optical disk by applying a light beam to the signal recording layer is provided to prevent a collision between the optical disk and an objective lens, and prevent and reduce damage of the signal recording layer of the optical disk. The optical pickup apparatus is provided with the objective lens for applying a light beam to the signal recording layer, a lens holder supporting the objective lens, and a coating layer formed on the disk side end face of the lens holder. The coating layer is formed of a material softer than the optical disk and having favorable slidability, and projected over the objective lens toward the optical disk.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device is able to prevent a sensitivity from being lowered and to suppress a smear caused as a pixel size is reduced and to provide an excellent image quality even though it is miniaturized and a manufacturing method thereof is proposed. Also, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is able to form a conductive layer having an excellent adhesion with an underlayer and whose surface has an excellent flatness in the process for forming a metal interconnection and the process for burying a contact-hole. A solid-state imaging device (20) includes a light-shielding film (6) of a two layer structure comprising a first film (11) formed of a film deposited by a sputtering or vapor deposition and a second film (12) formed of a tungsten film deposited by a chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: A power-supply voltage frequency control circuit capable of changing a clock frequency in accordance with processing and assuring an operation of a target circuit when supplying a power-supply voltage in accordance therewith, comprising a clock supply circuit capable of supplying a system clock of a plurality of clock frequencies and supplying a system clock having a clock frequency in accordance with a first control signal to a target circuit performing processing in synchronization with the system clock, a power-supply voltage supply circuit for supplying a power-supply voltage of a value in accordance with a second control signal to the target circuit, and a control circuit for outputting the first control signal to the clock supply circuit and a second control signal to the power-supply voltage supply circuit by following an instruction of a frequency change value and a change time from the target circuit.

Abstract: An image-capturing device includes an external monitor which has a touch panel mounted on an image display screen having a backlight, and which has an openable/closeable and rotatable mechanism; an electronic viewfinder which is smaller than the external monitor and which has an eyepiece section; and a display device for displaying a pointer which moves within the screen of the electronic viewfinder in accordance with an operation of the touch panel and for displaying an operation area for inputting an instruction of various operations which are associated with taking a photograph by specifying and selecting the operation area by the pointer. When an image is recorded or replayed by using the electronic viewfinder, the pointer is moved by operating the touch panel in order to select a desired operation area, thereby inputting an instruction of various operations.

Abstract: An information playback apparatus is disclosed which can play back information with a high degree of accuracy. The information playback apparatus plays back the addresses from a recording medium on which a land address and a groove address are recorded at positions displaced from each other.

Abstract: A holographic stereogram printing system to print holographic stereograms with good efficiency and no drop in the operating rate of the imaging system and holographic printer. An imaging system control section of an imaging system comprises an operating section that along with controlling the operation of the camera according to the desired selection of the user such as imaging method, image size selection or image layout, also creates an information management file for the base image based on the control information. A holographic stereogram printer prints out a holographic stereogram according to the information management file provided along a transmission path.

Abstract: A plurality of positioning parts for positioning a disc chucking member that is inserted are formed in a circumferential surface of the disc engaging part of a turntable by providing stepped surfaces that are lower than a disc sliding surface of the circumferential surface of the disc engaging part. Molding pins are passed through these positioning parts, and the turntable is molded with the disk chucking member being positioned in this way. As a result, in a disc chucking apparatus and a disc-drive that use the turntable, a disc can be smoothly chucked without being impeded by the positioning parts of the disc chucking member that is inserted onto the disc engaging part, and recording and reproduction can be favorably performed.

Abstract: A recording medium manufacturing method comprises a process for forming a thermosensitive material layer 12 on a substrate comprising a recording medium or a recording medium manufacturing master, a process for forming a denatured portion 12s of a pattern corresponding to target very small concavities and convexities on the thermosensitive material layer by irradiating laser light on the thermosensitive material layer with patterns corresponding to target very small concavities and convexities and a process for forming target very small concavities and convexities by patterning the thermosensitive material layer by developing the thermosensitive material layer 12. In particular, in the laser light irradiation, there can be formed patterns independent of the length of the very small concavities and convexities by irradiation of laser light modulated by a frequency higher than a period of very small concavities and convexities.

Abstract: A light-emitting device of a top-emission type maintains a stable emission efficiency without leakage current consists of a substrate (1), a lower electrode (4), an organic layer (6) which includes at least an emission layer (6c), and a transparent upper electrode (7) provided on the organic layer (6), which are sequentially formed on top of the other. The lower electrode (4) has a double-layer structure composed of a metallic layer (2c) and a buffering thin film (3c) formed thereon. The buffering thin film (3c) is formed from either an oxide of the metallic material constituting the metallic layer (2c), the oxide having a higher conductivity than the organic layer (6), or an oxide of chromium. The thus-formed buffering thin film (3c) reduces the surface roughness of the metallic layer (2c) in the lower electrode (4) of double-layer structure. The reduced surface roughness provides a uniform space between the lower electrode (4) and the transparent upper electrode (7).

Abstract: The invention concerns with an exposure control mechanism for use in an image pickup apparatus in which a diaphragm aperture formed by a plurality of diaphragm blades moving straightforward in opposite directions is covered by an ND filter, and intends to prevent deterioration of image quality caused by diffraction even in an image pickup device having a small picture size and a short pixel pitch. The image pickup apparatus comprises an exposure control mechanism for adjusting the quantity of light flux entering a shooting lens system. The exposure control mechanism comprises a diaphragm made up of diaphragm blades movable on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis in opposite directions to define a diaphragm aperture, and an ND filter made up of at least two ND filter elements having different transmittances.

Abstract: A modulation circuit for outputting a pulse signal modulated in accordance with the value of input data by a predetermined period, comprising a clock generation circuit for generating and outputting a first clock pulse changing in frequency by the predetermined period, a clock counting circuit for receiving the first clock pulse, counting the first clock pulse from a predetermined initial value in an initial stage of the predetermined period, and outputting a clock count and a pulse signal output circuit for comparing magnitudes of the clock count and the value of the input data and inverting a level of the pulse signal in the vicinity of a time when the magnitudes of the clock count and the value of the input data invert.

Abstract: A display panel comprising a substrate, a fluorescence layer which is to be caused to emit light by electrons from a vacuum space, and an anode electrode which is to direct the electrons toward the fluorescence layer, wherein the anode electrode comprises a lower electrode and an upper electrode.

Abstract: A structure for securing a spindle motor (15) supported on a motor substrate (32) to a chassis (13). The motor substrate (32) and the chassis (13) are coupled by at least three coupling sections (33). At least two of the coupling sections (33) are fixed support members (33a) which hold and space the motor substrate (32) and the chassis (13) from each other at a prescribed distance. The remaining coupling section is an adjusting support member (33b) that holds the motor substrate (32) and the chassis (13) from each other at a variable distance. Rigid holding means is incorporated in the adjusting support member (33b) and holds the motor substrate (32) and the chassis (13) so that the motor substrate (32) and the chassis (13) remain rigid.

Abstract: The port for a removable module of a set-top box in a cable television system incorporates guide members of a thermally conductive material to provide a new primary heat dissipation path to manage thermal energy generated by operation of the module. The guide members may also be used to guide the module into proper connection with a module connector which electrically connects the circuit on the module with the circuitry of the set-top box. The guide members may be attached to the chassis of the set-top box or integrally formed in the chassis. Thus, heat from the module is provide directly to the chassis of the set-top box from which it is released by convention into the ambient environment.

Abstract: An optical device for bar-code reading capable of improving the degree of freedom in design of component lenses so as to allow free positional adjustment of the lenses while ensuring downsizing and weight reduction of the device, and a method for manufacturing are disclosed. An optical device for bar-code reading comprises a light emitting element; a light projection lens for focusing light from the light emitting element so as to irradiate a bar code; a light receiving lens for focusing reflected light from the bar code and having formed therein a penetrating hole which penetrates a plane of incidence of light and a plane of outgoing of light, in which the light projection lens is inserted; and a light receiving element for receiving the light focused by the light receiving lens so as to perform photo-electric conversion.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to obtain a memory array capable of preventing coupling noise from being produced on a cell plate voltage line. A memory array of the invention comprises: first and second dummy word lines (DWL0 and DWL1); a first dummy memory cell (DMC0) connected to a first bit line (BL), the first dummy word line (DWL0) and a common cell plate voltage line (VL); and a second dummy memory cell (DMC1) connected to a second bit line (BLB), the second dummy word line (DWL1) and the voltage line (VL), wherein second dummy data having opposite polarity to polarity of first data are written in the second dummy memory cell (DMC1) so as to write the first data in a first memory cell (MC0), and first dummy data having opposite polarity to polarity of second data are written in the first dummy memory cell (DMC0) so as to write the second data in a second memory cell (MC1).

Abstract: Light-emitting devices are formed on a support substrate, whereas a black matrix is provided on a transparent opposed substrate. The support substrate and the opposed substrate are adhered to each other in the condition where the display devices are sealed with an adhesive resin and the adhesive resin is charged between the support substrate and the opposed substrate. In this case, alignment of the support substrate and the opposed substrate is conducted so that the surface of the opposed substrate provided with the black matrix is faced to the surface of the support substrate provided with the light-emitting devices and the black matrix is disposed faced to the spaces between the light-emitting devices. The alignment is conducted by disposing alignment marks provided on the surface of the support substrate provided with the light-emitting devices and alignment marks provided on the opposed substrate into a predetermined condition.

Abstract: An electronic money system and an electronic money terminal used therein which facilitate and promote the transaction by card representing cash. A user carries out a transaction by using an information card storing data representing monetary value, and in a case where the balance on the card is insufficient, the balance due is charged to a designated account or paid by loan. The user of the information card is able to carry out a transaction solely by information card even when the balance stored in the information card is insufficient.

Abstract: A head apparatus which is tough against disturbing noise and superior in the S/N ratio and which can cope with an increase of the capacity of a recording medium is disclosed. A first playback amplifier for amplifying the playback signal of a MR head and a register circuit for setting the bias current to the MR head are formed as a COS IC. The COS IC is mounted on a suspension together with the MR head. A feeble playback signal outputted from the MR head is amplified by the first playback amplifier once and then transmitted to a mother IC over a pair of signal lines. The amplified playback signal is tough against disturbing noise during transmission.