Abstract: A broadcasting method and a broadcast signal receiving apparatus is provided wherein auxiliary information, such as video and audio data for supplementing broadcast information presented through a broadcasting network in an interlocked manner can be watched and listened to by the viewer. Broadcast information received from a broadcasting network is temporarily stored in a storage means of a broadcast signal receiving apparatus and a recording medium for storing auxiliary information used as a supplement to the broadcast information is mounted on the broadcast signal receiving apparatus. The broadcast information and the auxiliary information are then played back in an interlocked manner with a predetermined timing. As a result, a function to present information which cannot be accommodated in a broadcast frame and a parental function can be implemented.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory recovers variation in the threshold of a memory cell due to disturbance related to a word line. The nonvolatile memory continuously performs many writing operations without carrying out single-sector erasing after each writing operation, performing the additional writing operations quicker than the usual writing operation, and lightening the burden imposed on software for use in additional writing. The data stored in a designated sector is read out before being saved in a register, and the selected sector is subjected to single-sector erasing when a predetermined command is given. Then write expected value data is formed from the saved data and data to be additionally written, completing the writing operation.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which includes a timing pulse generator, an imager having an effective pixel number requiring a predetermined frequency for the horizontal scanning pulse in order to to produce a video signal having a normal aspect ratio and a video signal processing circuit for processing the signal outputted from the imager to generating a video signal. An electronic zoom signal processing circuit is provided for enlarging the video signal generated by the video signal processing circuit in the horizontal direction. The timing pulse generator supplies the imager with a horizontal pulse having a frequency higher than the predetermined frequency required by the effective pixel number of the image input element and the electronic zoom signal processing circuit enlarges the video signal generated in the horizontal direction to produce a video signal having a normal aspect ratio.

Abstract: In a system for irradiating an ultrasonic beam and imaging the insides of plate-shaped and layer-shaped samples, by using the difference between the sound velocities of a liquid medium and a sample from an ultrasonic transducer to the surface of the sample, the focusing condition is arithmetically operated from the distance between the transducer and the imaging surface which is obtained from the surface echo, and a focal point is set to an arbitrary surface in the sample, thereby correcting a phenomenon such that the focal point of the ultrasonic beam focused into the sample non-linearly moves. Thus, even if the sample is distorted, curved, or inclined, the surface can be imaged at a high resolution and a finer imaging picture can be obtained.

Abstract: This invention relates to a control circuit which controls combustion in a burner acting as a heat source of a hot-water boiler or a hot-air heater. More particularly, the present invention relates to a control circuit having a sequence which includes post-discharge such that electric discharge for ignition is still continued for a predetermined period of time, even after attainment of ignition. In a combustion control apparatus, when ignition is not attained within a predetermined safty period, the igniting operation is stopped by a safty timer for timing this safety period, thereby ensuring the safety. It is necessary to reliably discontinue the igniting operatin even when this safety timer is disabled. The present invention attains this object and ensures the safety with a reduced number of timers.

Abstract: In forming a fluorescent screen for a color picture tube having triads of phosphor materials of the three primary colors arranged in a predetermined pattern on the inner surface of a panel, a photosensitive film which exhibits stickiness when exposed to a threshold amount of light is formed on the inner surface of the panel. Locations of the photosensitive film where the three color phosphor materials respectively occupy are exposed to light from a light source through a shadow mask mounted to the panel. The amount of exposure light for a first color phosphor material is the threshold or above and that for second and third phosphor materials is below the threshold. After completion of the light exposures for the first to third color phosphor materials through the shadow mask, the shadow mask is dismounted from the panel and the first color phosphor material is deposited onto the photosensitive film.