Abstract: An electronic thermometer for measuring body temperature has a temperature sensor for detecting a sensed temperature and for producing an output indicative of the sensed temperature and a temperature rise detector for detecting whether the sensed temperature is rising. If the sensed temperature is rising, the temperature rise detector produces a temperature rise signal. The thermometer is provided with circuitry for generating an audible signal in response to the temperature rise signal. The device thus audibly indicates that the sensed temperature is rising and that the temperature measurement is proceeding normally. The temperature sensor includes a thermosensitive oscillator, the oscillating frequency of which changes depending on a change in its temperature, and a reference oscillator for generating a reference signal. A temperature counter counts an output signal from the thermosensitive oscillator on the basis of the reference signal.

Abstract: A drive circuit for producing scanning pulses to successively select row or column conductors of a matrix display device of the type having an active element provided for each display element in the matrix, the drive circuit comprising a shift register made up of a set of cascade-connected master-slave flip-flops, with both the master outputs and the "slave" outputs being utilized to form the scanning pulses. The number of flip-flop stages required is reduced by 1/2, by comparison with prior art drive circuits using master-slave flip-flops, and the frequency of the clock pulse signal required to drive the shift register is 1/2 of that required in the case of a prior art circuit.

Abstract: A drive circuit for sequentially driving electrodes of a matrix display device such as a liquid crystal display panel comprises a shift register divided into a plurality of groups of shift register stages and means for selectively applying a first clock signal and a second signal to the groups of stages, so that the groups become successively operative and so that power consumption of the currently inoperative groups is minimized. The second signal can comprise a low-frequency refresh clock signal, in the case of a dynamic type of shift register, or a DC potential in the case of static-type shift registers. During changeover between adjacent groups of shift register stages, the first clock signal is applied simultaneously to both groups, in order to ensure stable operation.

Abstract: A drive method for a liquid crystal matrix display panel whereby the display is driven as two or more separate regions, with each region being successively driven by row and column drive signals to display video data in a row-by-row manner during a drive phase while the remaining regions operate in a rest phase in which a potential substantially equal to zero is applied across the display elements of these other regions. The effective number of row electrodes to which sequential scanning signal pulses are applied, which determines the level of contrast obtainable with such a display panel when the number of display elements is large, is made equal to the number of row electrodes of each of these regions, so that a sufficiently high number of elements for high-resolution television display is attainable with a simple display panel and peripheral circuit configuration.

Abstract: In a matrix display device, non-linear resistance elements are coupled to each display element for controlling selective activation of display elements in response to drive signals, with each non-linear resistance element comprising sets of rectifying elements formed by thin film deposition which are connected in parallel with one another with opposing polarities. Each set comprise one or more rectifying elements formed of for example PN junctions, PIN junctions, Schottky junctions, etc., using material such as amorphous silicon as a semiconductor material, and the rectifying elements can be disposed in a multilayer configuration in order to reduce the display area occupied, or can be provided with transparent electrodes to positively utilized incident light to enhance current flow.

Abstract: A method of driving an "active matrix" display device which is driven by scanning signals to sequentially store and display image signal data by successive rows of picture elements, incorporating for example liquid crystal display elements, whereby the image signal data applied to successive picture element rows (or successive groups of rows) is alternately inverted in polarity about a fixed reference potential. Image-dependent leakage current effects caused by non-ideal characteristics of the matrix switching elements are thereby effectively reduced due to the elimination of low-frequency components other than the reference potential from the image signals applied to each column of display elements.

Abstract: A row conductor drive circuit for a matrix display device, to be formed directly upon one substrate of a display panel, is divided into a number of circuit sections connected in series each comprising at least two shift registers. Only one shift register in a circuit section is made operable to produce row conductor scanning signals, the operable shift register being selected based on testing performed after manufacture and with shift registers being selectively set in the operable or non-operable states by potentials applied to control terminals provided in the circuit sections. A set of properly operating shift registers are thereby effectively connected in series to produce row conductor scanning signals even if some shift registers of the circuit sections are defective. Manufacturing yield of the display device is thereby substantially increased.

Abstract: A method of driving a matrix display device in which each display element (e.g. a liquid crystal display element) is connected in series with a non-linear resistance element, utilizing row scanning signals which vary periodically between 4 different potentials, the potentials being selected such that an alternating bias potential is applied to each display element both in the non-activated and in the activated state thereof, and such that satisfactory operation can be attained using non-linear resistance elements having a threshold voltage which is considerably lower than has been practicable in the prior art, e.g. with the threshold voltage of a single PN junction being utilizable.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory circuit comprising a plurality of semiconductor non-volatile memory elements, with erasure of data stored in all of these elements, enabling of selective write-in to all of the elements and read-out of stored data being controlled by potentials applied to a single control terminal. Use of a single terminal for these functions, rather than a pair of terminals as in the prior art, makes the circuit highly suitable for ultra-miniature electronic device applications.

Abstract: A method of sensing the amount of a thin film deposited during an ion plating process, based upon either fixing the value of voltage applied to a plasma-generating probe and measuring the current which flows through the probe into the plasma, this current varying in proportion to the rate of formation of the thin film, or fixing the level of current which flows through the probe into the plasma at a fixed value and measuring the voltage which develops at the probe, this voltage varying in proportion to the rate of formation of the thin film. The results of such measurement can be used to control the thickness of a deposited thin film to a desired value.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting damage to the cutting tool fitted in a machine tool controlled by automatic machining control circuit means such as a microprocessor, which acts to sense the level of acoustic emission generated by the machine tool during machining, compares that level with one of a plurality of different predetermined data values which are stored in a memory circuit, and generates a warning signal if the noise level exceeds the predetermined level. The different data values stored in the memory circuit are respectively utilized for different machining conditions, i.e. different combinations of cutting tool, machining material, feed rate, etc.

Abstract: An automatic assembly machine having multiple assembling heads in which a multiplicity of parts are assembled on a principal part at different positions, characterized by comprising a movable table carrying the principal part, and a plurality of assembling heads, fixedly disposed above the table along the area of movement thereof, for feeding and assembling different parts, said table being driven under the control of a numerical control device for operating on the coordinates of a position corresponding to a selected one of said assembling heads and on the coordinates of positions on the principal part at which the parts are to be assembled.

Abstract: A temperature measuring system which includes a CR oscillator circuit and a logarithmic transformation circuit. The CR oscillator circuit employs at least a thermistor as the resistance element for forming a time constant with a capacitor which serves as the capacitance element, the oscillation frequency of the oscillator circuit varying with a change in ambient temperature. The logarithmic transformation circuit subjects the information obtained from the CR oscillator circuit to a logarithmic transformation, whereby said information is logarithmically compressed to provide numerical data approximately dependent upon ambient temperature.

Abstract: An ink transfer type of dot printer utilizes thermo-sensitive ink which is solid at normal temperatures, with selected portions of the ink being liquified by heating and transferred onto recording paper. Such a printer can be of contact or of non-contact (e.g. ink-jet) configuration, and eliminates the need to utilize disposable materials such as ink ribbons etc.

Abstract: A grinding machine comprising a tool mounting head which is movable vertically between a pair of guide columns on which guide surfaces are provided for guiding the head. A plurality of workpieces are mounted on corresponding holding jigs which are mounted by means enabling them to be tilted, and measurement means such as X-ray or optical means are provided to sense the orientation of a workpiece being machined, with signals from the measurement means controlling the tilting of the corresponding holding jig. Jigs are mounted on a rotary table rotatably mounted on a workpiece slide which can be traversed below a grinding tool.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having hands incorporates a correction system whereby the user can rapidly and easily check that the operations of the hands are synchronized, and can adjust the state of synchronization if necessary, by initiating an operating mode in which the hands should rotate to indicate a predetermined reference time value. This checking and adjustment can be carried out at any time, irrespective of the current state of timepiece operation.

Abstract: A correction system for a hands display type of electronic timepiece which can display a plurality of types of time information such as an alarm time and the current time by a single set of hands, with changeover between display of the different types of information being performed by rapid rotation of the hands, with the system being characterized in that means are provided for inhibiting any input of correction signals by external switch actuations while such changeover is in progress. Errors resulting from accidental switch actuations during display changeover are thereby effectively eliminated.

Abstract: A display device incorporating an electrochromic display cell is provided with means whereby each segment electrode of the electrochromic display cell can be set into a completely electrically isolated state after a condition of coloration of a corresponding display element has been established. Since no leakage current is permitted to flow between the segment electrode and the drive transistors coupled thereto, a charge is stored on the segment electrode which maintains the coloration condition over a considerably longer period of time than has been possible hitherto, thus enabling an electrochromic display device to be realized having a very low level of power consumption.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device is disclosed which possesses many of the advantages of a dot matrix type of display, with respect to flexibility of changing character or symbol position and size, together with the advantages of a limited number of external connecting leads provided by a segment type of display which can indicate only numerals or symbols of predetermined size at predetermined locations. The display device is based upon a matrix of groups of display segments, with each group or the segments within a group being individually selectable to form numerals and characters using either individual display segments or combinations of groups of display segments.