Abstract: An electrophotographic printing or copying machine includes a functional module which can be readily removed and replaced by service personnel. The module includes a monitor in the form of an electronically-readable memory, which includes information about how the particular module is to be operated. A distribution board electronically accesses the memories within the monitors and reads therefrom information, such as how much voltage to supply to different components within each module. The distribution board can also update the number of prints made with each module, and maintain this count within the monitors.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance sensor structure has a free layer including a Co—Fe free-layer film. The Fe content is from about 12 to about 16 atomic percent, producing a saturation magnetostriction value from about −1×10−6 to about −2×10−6. Where the free layer includes only the Co—Fe free-layer film as a ferromagnetic layer, the Fe content of the Co—Fe free-layer film is from about 13 to about 14 atomic percent. Where the free layer has the Co—Fe free-layer film and a Ni-13.5 atomic percent Fe free-layer film, the Fe content is from about 12 to about 16 atomic percent.

Abstract: A wavelength locker. The wavelength locker can be mounted within an optical transceiver on a submount with the laser diode. The wavelength locker utilizes light emitted by the back facet of the laser to monitor the wavelength and power of the laser. The light is separated into two portions, at least one of which is passed through a filter to shift the wavelength thereof. Separate monitor diodes or photosensitive areas of a single monitor diode are used to measure the output of each portion of light. The outputs are analyzed to determine the wavelength of the light emitted from the back facet as well as the power of the laser and a controller can then change the temperature of the laser or otherwise adjust the wavelength of the laser when the wavelength locker detects that the wavelength of the laser is changing.

Abstract: A hair styling iron includes a body with a handle end configured for being gripped by a user, and a styling end opposite the handle end. The styling end includes a first leg and a second leg, each leg having at least one heated surface. In addition, the handle end is configured for moving the second leg relative to the first leg. A curling clamp is pivotally connected to the body for exerting a clamping force against one of the first and second legs. The legs are controlled by the handle in a scissors action.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor manufacturing method whereby reactive gas processing such as selective epitaxial growth can be carried out with high precision by correctly adjusting conditions during processing. Further disclosed are the semiconductor manufacturing method and a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus which can restrict increases in the moisture content, prevent heavy metal pollution and the like, and investigate the correlation between moisture content in the process chamber and outside regions. The moisture content in a reaction chamber and in a gas discharge system of the reaction chamber are measured when a substrate is provided, and the conditions for reactive gas processing are adjusted based on the moisture content.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display has a pixel area defined by a pair of transverse-extending gate lines and a pair of lengthwise-extending data lines. A pixel electrode is formed overlying the pixel area, and a switching element is electrically connected to the pixel electrode. At least one floating BM shielding layer is formed between the two gate lines and parallel to the data line. The floating BM shielding layer is electrically connected to one of the two gate lines.

Abstract: An image converting apparatus has: a parameter setting unit which sets parameters for converting each pixel of an input image into predetermined chromaticity coordinate values; a chromaticity coordinate converting unit which obtains conversion chromaticity coordinate values obtained by converting each pixel by the set parameters; a color region obtaining unit which obtains a color region including 2-dimensional conversion chromaticity coordinate values obtained by projecting each conversion chromaticity coordinate value onto a unit plane; an area calculation processing unit which calculates an area of the color region obtained every parameter and obtains parameter values at the time of the maximum area value; and an image converting unit which converts the input image by the parameter values. The image data unbalanced in color arrangement of an object is converted into image data obtained under an ideal white light source.

Abstract: An illumination optical apparatus (14-40) and exposure apparatus (10) provided with the illumination apparatus, capable of employing a high-output light source. The illumination apparatus comprises, in order along an optical axis, a light source (14) capable of providing a primary light beam (B) having a cross-section, a condenser optical system (30) to condense the primary light beam so as to form a convergence point (F) adjacent the condenser optical system, a light-pipe optical integrator (160) having a rectangular cross-sectional shape with a first side of length dx, a second side of length dy, and a most light-source-wise incident surface (160a) axially spaced from the convergence point by a spacing (L2). The integrator is capable of forming a plurality of secondary light sources and corresponding secondary light beams (B′) from the primary light beam. Adjacent the integrator is an imaging optical system (40) to converge the primary and secondary light beams to illuminate the illumination surface.

Abstract: A task generation unit extracts classes forming a system from design information of the system designed on an object-oriented basis and generates tasks corresponding to the extracted classes. A dependency setting unit extracts dependency between the classes from the design information of the system and sets dependency between the corresponding tasks on the basis of the dependency. A workload estimation unit extracts complexity of the classes from the design information of the system and estimates workload required for implementation of the classes on the basis of the complexity. A Gantt chart generation unit schedules the tasks on the basis of the above information.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving etch uniformity in deep silicon etching of a monocrystalline silicon wafer. Such method includes forming a pad dielectric layer on a wafer including monocrystalline silicon, forming a silicon layer over the pad dielectric layer, and then applying a clamp to an edge of the wafer. The silicon layer is then removed except in areas protected by the clamp. Thereafter, a hardmask layer is applied and patterned on the wafer; and the wafer is then directionally etched with the patterned hardmask to etch trenches in the monocrystalline silicon.

Abstract: A sensor retainer for a bicycle sprocket assembly includes an annular member for mounting and rotating coaxially with the bicycle sprocket assembly and a sensor element fixed to the annular member. Alternatively, the sensor retainer may include a fixing member for mounting a derailleur or other transmission to a bicycle frame and a sensor element mounted to the fixing member.

Abstract: A merchandising display card for displaying products is a sheet that includes a number of slits that are adapted to receive tabs from the packaging of the products to be displayed. Each slit has a boss projecting into it. The boss is adapted to engage in a slot in the packaging tab. When the sheet is hung for display, the product is maintained thereon by gravity.

Abstract: A multi-point control unit (MCU) for a multi-point connected conference system is disclosed in which to attain low power consumption and enhance sound quality, when a speaker detection circuit 4 judges that the number of conference terminals having transmitted a voiced compressed code is one, a first selector 6 directly transmits compressed voice to a second selector 16 without decoding the voice, and the second selector 16 outputs the compressed voice to a distribution circuit 18. Thereby, since a voice signal is transmitted to the conference terminal without passing through a decoder 8, and the like, the power necessary for a processing is reduced, and the deterioration of sound quality by the voice processing, and the like are prevented from occurring.

Abstract: A sheet-copy documents producing machine is provided and includes (a) sheet supply and feeding means for supplying and feeding image receiving sheets along a path and through image forming stations; (b) image forming devices mounted at the image forming stations for forming desired images on the image receiving sheets resulting in sheet-copy documents of the desired images; and (c) plural sheet-copy documents finishing devices including (i) moving parts, and (ii) at least a first sheet-copy documents finishing device and a last sheet-copy documents finishing device for each receiving, finishing and stacking the sheet-copy documents into stacks for subsequent removal by an operator. Each the sheet-copy documents finishing devices, except the last sheet-copy documents finishing device, including a movable unload-while-running safety shield assembly for protecting hands of the operator from the moving parts during an unload-while-running operation of the copy sheet documents producing machine.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a data copy that include a source volume having a data file stored thereon, the source volume for receiving write commands from a host, executing the write commands to generate an updated data file, and generating a record of the write commands. The system and method further include a secondary volume having a copy of the data file stored thereon, the secondary volume for receiving and storing data indicated by the write command record, wherein the copy of the data file and the data indicated by the write command record are available for use in generating a copy of the updated data file.

Abstract: There is provided an illuminator to emit trichromatic light. It includes a lamp (1) which emits trichromatic light including components whose wavelengths correspond to three primary colors, respectively, and a wavelength-selective optical aperture filter (22) provided at the side of the lamp (1) from which the light of three primary colors go out and consisting of zones working as predetermined optical apertures of which one selectively attenuates or shields a component included in the trichromatic light and having a wavelength corresponding to at least one of the three primary colors while the others allow the light components whose wavelengths correspond to the other primary colors to pass through.

Abstract: A motorized seat belt retractor configured to be activated in response to a signal generated by a dangerous state detection device indicating that a vehicle is in a dangerous state. The retractor is configured so that in response to the signal the retractor operates to retract a seat belt webbing prior to a collision thereby restraining an occupant positioned in a seat in the vehicle. The retractor is activated every time a signal indicating that the vehicle is in a dangerous state is received from the detector.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and process for chemical mechanical polishing layers which have a low dielectric constant (K). The present invention lowers the temperature of the material having a low dielectric constant and then polishes that material at the lower temperature. By lowering the temperature of the low K material the hardness or stiffness of the material is improved making it easier to polish and resulting in a more planar surface.

Abstract: An over-etched defect in a semiconductor wafer is detected by applying an electrical field to the contacts in a first area and comparing the intensity measured with the intensity from a reference area. In one embodiment, one of the contacts in each of the first and reference areas is a gate contact in an MOS device and a second contact is either a source or drain contact. The selected charging field forward biases the pn junctions between the source and drain regions and the well in which they are formed. As a result, defects caused by gate contacts shorted to one of the source and drain contacts are visible using voltage contrast imaging techniques.