Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and system for waveform shaping. The device includes at least two nonlinear loop mirrors (NOLM1 and NOLM2). Each of the NOLM1 and the NOLM2 includes a first optical coupler including first and second optical paths and directionally coupled to each other, a loop optical path formed of a nonlinear optical medium for connecting the first and second optical paths, and a second optical coupler including a third optical path directionally coupled to the loop optical path. The second optical path of the NOLM1 is optically connected to the third optical path of the NOLM2.

Abstract: The constant-current generator comprises a bias transistor whose drain and gate are connected to each other, and an outputting transistor. The threshold voltage of the outputting transistor is smaller than that of the bias transistor. The outputting transistor has the same source voltage and the same gate voltage as those of the bias transistor. Therefore, the gate-to-source voltages of the outputting transistor and the bias transistor are always kept equal. On the other hand, the drain-to-source current of the outputting transistor becomes larger than that of the bias transistor in accordance with the difference between the threshold voltages of the outputting transistor and the bias transistor. Accordingly, the outputting transistor can output a stable drain-to-source current even when the drain voltage of the bias transistor has shifted to lower the gate-to-source voltage thereof.

Abstract: A thermal printer is provided. The thermal printer includes a thermal head module, a platen module, and a gear module. The platen module and the gear module are connected to the thermal head module. When setting a recording sheet to the printer, the operator lifts up a knob provided to the platen module, so that the platen module is rotated counterclockwise around a pin provided to the thermal head module. In this manner, the platen separates from the thermal head, and setting a recording sheet becomes easier.

Abstract: By a gain control circuit which has: a first differential input circuit comprising a differential pair of transistors Tr1 and Tr3 in which transistors Tr2 and Tr4 connected to diodes are inserted; a second differential input circuit comprising a pair of the transistor Tr3 and a transistor Tr5; and a current source circuit comprising a transistor Tr6 and an emitter resistor R3, and to which first to third individual control input signals VCLS1 to VCLS3 each having a predetermined inclination and an offset value, obtained by shifting the level of a control input signal VCNT are supplied, gain control signals VAGC having a linear characteristic, a monotone increase characteristic of which curve opens upwards, and a monotone increase characteristic of which curve opens sharply upwards are supplied in accordance with a monotone increase region of which curve opens upwards, a linear region, and a monotone increase region of which curve opens downwards, respectively, of a differential pair of transistors Tr11 and Tr

Abstract: The present invention provides an information speech system that can reduce the time that the user waits for connection to the network in a so called mobile environment. Menu information is transmitted from an information station to a mobile terminal by utilizing text broadcasting, so that the number of times of connection of the mobile terminal to the network can be reduced.

Abstract: An optical amplifier including a pumping source for supplying pump light to an optical fiber transmission line is provided so that at least a part of the optical fiber transmission line produces Raman amplification to an optical signal. An optical filter unit for selectively switching between a first condition where the optical signal and the pump light are passed and a second condition where the optical signal is passed and the pump light is not passed is connected between the optical fiber transmission line and the optical amplifier. The power of the optical signal in the first condition is compared with that in the second condition, and the characteristics of the optical fiber transmission line, such as a splice loss therein, is evaluated according to the result of this comparison.

Abstract: A chemical amplification resist composition comprising an acid sensitive copolymer wherein the protecting group of a protected carboxyl group bonded to the side chain of a first monomer unit is represented by the following formula (I): where R1 represents hydrogen or another substituent, L represents a linking group and n is an integer of 1 to 4, and a second monomer unit has an acidic functional group protected with an acid-unstable protecting group, bonded to its side chain. It can be used to form fine resist patterns that have practically usable sensitivity and undergo no swelling.

Abstract: A computer-aided design apparatus improves operability in CAD and includes a view function which automatically enlarges a view frame or automatically modifies the display scale factor if a drawing element that exceeds the view frame is input. The computer-aided design apparatus performs design work by setting a plurality of views of different origins and coordinate systems on a screen.

Abstract: A continuous paper treating apparatus is provided which includes a tractor for feeding continuous paper and a paper treating unit for treating the paper. The tractor includes a driving belt provided with tractor pins, a tractor lid for covering the driving belt, a support base having a paper support surface for supporting the continuous paper. The tractor also includes a presser member supported by the tractor lid. The presser member is variable in position and posture relative to the tractor lid, and has a pressing surface for pressing the paper. In the tractor, use is made of springs for urging the presser member toward the paper supporting surface, so that the pressing surface presses the continuous paper onto the paper supporting surface.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for extracting a common structure from two three-dimensional structures each formed from a set of sequenced points. The apparatus is constructed so as to extract one of common portions with which the common portion length of the two point sets superposed with each other exhibits a greatest length and the cumulative sum of distances between matched points of the two point sets superposed with each other exhibits a lowest value as an optimum common structure. The common structure extraction apparatus is suitably used to analyze a molecular structure to make clear a mechanism for manifestation of a function of a substance in order to investigate a property of a novel substance such as a protein or artificially produce a novel substance in the fields of physics, chemistry and so forth.

Abstract: An optical communication system having a transmitting station for outputting WDM (wavelength-division multiplexing) signal light, an optical fiber transmission line, a receiving station, and an optical repeater including an optical amplifier. The transmitting station includes a supervisory circuit for detecting the number of channels of the WDM signal light and transmitting supervisory information including the number of channels to the optical repeater. The optical repeater further includes a circuit for controlling the optical amplifier so that the output level of the optical amplifier becomes a target level. The target level is set according to the supervisory information. According to the structure, it can be possible to provide a system which can easily respond to a change in the number of WDM channels.

Abstract: Network interface logic includes first logic executing a credit-based flow-control protocol (e.g., Quantum Flow Control or QFC) and second logic executing a rate-based flow control protocol (e.g. Explicit Rate or ER). The second logic transfers data cells between a network link and the first logic and inserts and extracts forward (FRM) and backward (BRM) flow-control/resource management (RM) cells. The second logic further (i) obtains cell buffer utilization information from the first logic, (ii) supplies transmission credits to the first logic based on rate information in BRM cells, (iii) induces the first logic to emit “dummy” RM cells when an RM cell is to be transmitted, and (iv) converts the dummy cells to either FRM or DRM cells for forwarding on the link. Rate information in the transmitted RM cells is calculated from the buffer utilization information and rate information in extracted BRM cells.

Abstract: A test station is provided to test a circuit board unit. The test station includes a disk drive storing uncompiled files which are interpretatively processed in order to carry out test operations. A bar code reader can scan a label on the unit, in order to accurately identify the unit. The label information can be used to ensure accurate programming of any programmable devices on the unit, and accurate selection of the correct test definition files for the unit. Step-by-step instructions can be provided to an operator regarding every manual act required during a test definition, and can include a graphic image of each such manual act. The test station can have two different test modes, where at least one command of the test definition is carried out for one mode but not the other. The test station has a debug mode, which includes capabilities for breakpoints, step mode, dynamic alteration of test definitions, and dynamic observation and alteration of variables.

Abstract: A semiconductor device production method and a semiconductor device production apparatus are provided. The semiconductor device production method includes the steps of: sticking a wafer to a stretch tape stretchable by a physical process; dicing the wafer into individual semiconductor chips; stretching the stretch tape by performing the physical process on the stretch tape after the dicing; and grinding the rear surface of the wafer stuck to the stretch tape after the tape stretching.

Abstract: A manufacturing process which enables the opening of a downwardly protruding window for a dual damascene structure, etc. both easily and in a well-controlled fashion even in a case where the opening is small. After a depression constituted by a silicon nitride film, etc. has been configured above an interlayer insulating film, a mask is obtained by configuring a window on a portion of it in such a way that said interlayer insulating film will become bared to its bottom. Next, this mask is etched back, followed by the etching of the interlayer insulating film underneath, as a result of the interlayer insulating film becomes etched while the thickness disparity within the mask is being reflected by the corresponding attribute of the interlayer insulating film underneath, and accordingly, a downwardly protruding window (e.g., dual damascene structure, etc.) can be easily formed within said interlayer insulating film.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide an inkjet head and a method for manufacturing the inkjet head which not only protects a member at and/or near a surface onto which the nozzle plate is connected (nozzle connection surface), but also shortens the manufacturing time. A protective layer is provided between the nozzle plate and the piezo-electric element, enabling only the protective layer to be polished, protecting the piezo-electric element from being damaged by the polishing when the nozzle connection surface is formed. After the inkjet head is completed, the protective layer prevents ink leakage to the piezo-electric element.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for supplying a semiconductor memory device with power to perform refreshing. The power supply circuit is connected to an external power supply. The power supply circuit includes a first power supply circuit, which generates a step down voltage by decreasing a first voltage on the external power supply in a normal operation mode, a second power supply circuit, which supplies the internal circuit with a second voltage on the external power supply in a self-refresh mode, and a detection circuit, which detects entry to the self-refresh mode and a voltage level of the external power supply and generates a detection signal based on the detection. During the self-refresh mode, the first power supply circuit receives the second voltage from the external power supply, and the first and second power supply circuits supply the internal circuit with the second voltage based on the detection signal.

Abstract: In an optical amplifying technique using remote pumping, an optical transmitting apparatus and an optical repeating apparatus are provided. An optical repeating apparatus comprises a first optical transmitting unit, a first loopback unit, a second optical transmitting unit, a second loopback unit, and four optical couplers, wherein transmission light and reception light are transmitted through one optical fiber cable, whereby the installation cost and maintenance cost of the optical cable are decreased. Disconnect of the optical cable is detected by a monitoring function using pumping light and residual pumping light, whereby reliability and safety of the system are remarkably improved. Additionally, adjustment of the optical output level of the repeating station can be most suitably set according to an actual transmission distance.

Abstract: Provided are first to fourth switch circuits of the same configuration as each other, each connected to complementary bus lines DB and *DB to be precharged to the same potential. In the first switch circuit, switches 11 and 15 are connected between an input data signal line SI1 and the DB and between an input data signal line *SI1 and the *DB, respectively, and dummy switches 31 and 32 are connected between the SI1 and the *DB and between the *SI1 and the DB, respectively. Switches 11 to 18 are selectively on/off controlled by outputs of a decoder 20, whereas dummy switches 31 to 38 are normally off.

Abstract: First and second gate electrodes are formed on first and second regions of a semiconductor substrate. Second conductivity type impurities are implanted into the second region to form first impurity diffusion regions. Spacer films are formed on the side surfaces of the first and second gate electrodes. Second conductivity type impurities are implanted into the first and second regions to form second impurity diffusion regions. After the spacer films are removed, second conductivity type impurities are implanted into the first region to form third impurity diffusion regions. The third activation process is performed so that the gradient of impurity concentration distribution around the third impurity diffusion region becomes steeper than the gradient of impurity concentration distribution around the first impurity diffusion region.