Abstract: There is interposed a buffer film composed of IIa group fluoride and having characteristics of orientation to a surface direction (111), in which mismatching in lattice constant with a crystal element of a semiconductor substrate is large and mismatching in lattice constant with IV-VI group compound ferroelectric substance is small, between the semiconductor substrate having a surface direction (100) and a ferroelectric gate film comprising the IV-VI group compound ferroelectric substance and having characteristics of polarization to the surface direction (111). Since the buffer film is an orientation film in the direction of (111) without influenced by a crystal element of the semiconductor substrate serving as a base material, the ferroelectric gate film can be oriented in the direction of (111) which is the same as the direction of polarization of the ferroelectric substance.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a capacitor comprises the steps of forming a silicon oxide layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first silicon nitride layer on the silicon oxide layer, forming a polycrystalline silicon layer as a lower electrode layer of the capacitor on the first silicon nitride layer, subjecting the polycrystalline silicon layer to the natural outside atmosphere so as to form a native oxide layer on the polycrystalline silicon layer, removing the native oxide layer to expose the polycrystalline silicon layer to an inactive gas atmosphere, Forming a second silicon nitride layer on the exposed polycrystalline silicon layer subjecting the second silicon nitride layer to the outside atmosphere so as to form a capacitor oxide layer on the polycrystalline silicon layer, the second silicon nitride layer and the capacitor oxide layer working as a dielectric layer of the capacitor, and forming an upper electrode layer of the capacitor on the capacitor oxide layer.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, the passage of paper is detected by light and compact optical sensor apparatus including a plurality of light emitting devices, a plurality of optical sensor units, each of which includes an optical sensor disposed so as to receive the light from the light emitting device and an output circuit for selectively outputting a signal from the optical sensor, and a control unit connected to the optical sensor units through common cables. The output circuit of each optical sensor unit passes the sensor signal from the optical sensor of the unit to an output terminal or outputs the signal to one of the terminals of the unit, according to a selection signal generated at the control unit for exclusively designating the optical sensor units. Since each optical sensor unit outputs the sensor signal only when selected, all optical sensor units can use a common output cables, thereby reducing the weight and the size of the apparatus.

Abstract: A cassette holder assembly includes a first cassette holder for detachably attaching a first ink ribbon cassette at a position that the ink ribbon is supplied to a printing face of a print head, and a second cassette holder detachably mounted on the first cassette holder when the first ink ribbon cassette is detached from the first cassette holder and provided with a ribbon shifting mechanism for shifting the ink ribbon of a second ink ribbon cassette with respect to the printing face of the print head. In accordance, the cassette holders can be replaced easily by an operator, and the printer can be used effectively.

Abstract: A multifunctional printer includes a printing portion for printing data on a print medium, a read head for reading data on a read medium, and an enclosed medium carrying passage. The printing portion comprises an electrophotographic record portion. The enclosed medium carrying passage is disposed so as to surround the printing portion and is capable of transferring both the print medium and the read medium. A reversing portion is disposed on the enclosed medium carrying passage to turn the medium upside down. With the arrangement of this multifunctional printer, it is possible to perform double-sided printing on the printed medium and to perform double-sided reading on the read medium. It is also possible to make a multifunctional small-sized printer.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating feed bars to move a workpiece between stages of a pressing machine includes cylinder devices. Each of the cylinder devices serves to move the feed bars linearly and each has a respective absolute encoder. The cylinder devices include a feed cylinder device which is responsive to hydraulic pressure to linearly advance and return the feed bars. First and second clamp cylinder devices are responsive to hydraulic pressure to move the feed bars linearly so as to clamp and unclamp the workpiece between the feed bars A hydraulic pressure supply circuit is connected commonly to each of the cylinder devices. Hydraulic pressure is applied to the cylinder devices through respective servo valves of a hydraulic valve arrangement.

Abstract: A data reading circuit of the present invention comprises a pair of data buses supplied with complementary potentials respectively, a first reference voltage source having a first potential, a second reference voltage source having a second potential, a first switch connected to the first reference voltage source and the pair of data buses and responsive to a first clamping signal thereby to electrically connect the first reference voltage source to the pair of data buses, and a second switch connected to the second reference voltage source and the pair of data buses and responsive to a second clamping signal thereby to electrically connect the second reference voltage source to the pair of data buses.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device for storing data in a flip flop circuit comprising field effect transistors having respective ferroelectric gate films. A pair of writing/reading transistors is connected to the flip flop circuit. Each of the field effect transistors constituting the flip flop circuit retains its channel formation state because of a residual polarization in the ferroelectric gate film. Thus, when power goes OFF, the flip flop circuit retains its state just before power goes OFF. In this way, data can be stored on a nonvolatile basis, and stored data can be read without destroying the data. Additionally, no refreshing is needed, and therefore, a power demand in standby is reduced.

Abstract: A synchronous counter circuit comprises first and second counting circuits and a latch circuit. Each of the first and second counting circuits includes a clock terminal for receiving a clock signal, an enable terminal for receiving an enable signal, a counter coupled to the clock terminal for counting pulses of the clock signal, a carry signal generating circuit coupled to the counter for generating a carry signal in response to a finish of the counting of the counter, and a ripple carry signal generating circuit coupled to the clock terminal and the carry signal generating circuit for generating a ripple carry signal in response to the clock signal and the carry signal.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device having a field effect transistor for storing, which includes source and drain regions in a semiconductor substrate with a channel region interposed between them and a gate electrode above the channel region with a ferroelectric gate film sandwiched between them. Barrier metal is formed in contact with the source region of the field effect transistor for storing to make a Schottky diode in serial connection with the field effect transistor for storing. In reading information, voltage is applied to a serial circuit consisting of the field effect transistor for storing and the Schottky diode to turn the Schottky diode on.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a bonding pad region, and a method of its fabrication. A conductive layer is formed on an isolation layer separating transistors of the device, to anchor the interconnection layer on the bonding region. The conductive layer may be formed from the same layer of material that gate electrodes of the transistors are formed. An oxide insulation layer covers the conductive layer and has at least one opening exposing the conductive layer in the bonding pad region. A barrier metal layer, formed on the diffusion regions and the insulation layer, extends into the opening where it makes a firm direct connection with the exposed conductive layer. A bonding pad is formed on the barrier metal layer by providing the interconnection layer on the barrier metal layer. Since the conductive layer and the barrier metal layer are firmly connected, and secures the interconnection layer in the bonding pad structure.

Abstract: A sheet guide attaching mechanism comprises front and rear end portions of the sheet guide which respectively serve as turning fulcrums and are detachable from a printer. When printing is performed on a cut sheet, the rear end portion is detached from the printer and the sheet guide is turned about the front end portion as the fulcrum and is held by a holding portion while the sheet guide remains standing. When printing is performed on a continuous forms sheet, the front end portion is detached from the printer and the sheet guide is turned about the rear end portion as the fulcrum, to a standing position. The continuous forms sheet is set on the printer in this state.

Abstract: A crankshaft mechanism for use with a press having a slide member, which includes an eccentric crankshaft. In one form of the mechanism, the crankshaft has a cylindrical eccentric portion. An eccentric sheave is rotatably mounted on the circumference of the eccentric portion so that its center is displaced radially from the center of the eccentric portion. A connecting member is rotatably mounted on the circumference of the sheave. The eccentric portion, sheave, and connecting member have pin-receiving bores whose axes intersect the crankshaft axis. The bores in the crankshaft and connecting rod are both aligned with the sheave bores when the crankshaft and the sheave are in predetermined angular positions. Lock pins in the eccentric portion bore are selectively engageable with the sheave bores to fix the sheave to the eccentric portion. Lock pins in the connecting rod bore are selectively engageable with the sheave bores to fix the sheave to the connecting member.

Abstract: In a memory cell according to the present invention, when positive high voltages are respectively applied to a gate( 20 ) and a drain region( 14 ) and a source region( 13 ) is grounded, hot electrons are produced in the boundary between the drain region(14) and a channel(25). The hot electrons are locally injected into an insulation film(19), to be trapped therein. Consequently, information is written. At the time of reading out information, the drain region(14) is grounded, a positive read voltage is applied to the source region(13), and a predetermined sense voltage is applied to the gate(20). At this time, the area between the source and the drain is kept in a non-conduction state if electrons are stored in the insulation film(19), while conduction occurs between the source and the drain if no electrons are stored therein.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer capable of quickly starting after being turned on and reproducing high quality color images, includes a photosensitive roller forming a charge pattern according to an ink transferred portion on an ink sheet at a time that the photosensitive roller is exposed to light from a light source through ink transferred portion of the ink sheet while the ink sheet is superimposed on the photosensitive roller. Nonconductive, charged ink powder is applied only to the ink transferred portion by electrostatic force produced in correspondence with the charge pattern. The ink powder filled in the ink transferred portion is then fused by a heating roller to form a uniform thickness of the ink layer of the ink sheet, and the ink sheet is used again for the thermal head of the printer.

Abstract: A belt-type part holder unit to be used in a track conveyor system of a sewing factory or the like having a large number of work stations in it in order to transfer a part from a work station to another. The unit includes a belt pulley provided in it with a ring-type spring such as a coil spring or a spiral spring so that the belt of the holder unit can be selectively held to an expanded condition or taken up by the pulley and a part of an article of dress held by the holder unit can be sewed without being taken out of the unit.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a semiconductor memory device which uses a field effect transistor having a ferroelectric gate film to store data therein. A storing field effect transistor is connected to a reading transistor in series. The storing field effect transistor has its gate connected to a writing and erasing transistor. In writing data, the writing and erasing transistor is made conductive, and writing voltage is applied to the gate of the storing field effect transistor through the writing and erasing transistor. This permits a polarization of the ferroelectric gate film to have a direction corresponding to data to be written. There is no need of controlling a potential at a semiconductor substrate provided with the storing field effect transistor in writing data, and therefore, no undesired voltage is applied to any other elements formed in the semiconductor substrate.