Abstract: In the multi-layer coil component, the via conductor electrically connecting the coil layers adjacent to each other in the stacking direction of the element body protrudes from the coil region toward the side surface of the element body when viewed from the stacking direction of the element body. Therefore, the coil has a concave-convex portion. When a force is applied to the multi-layer coil component from the outside, the force is dispersed in the concave-convex portion of the coil, and thus defects are less likely to occur in the coil than in a coil in which the side of the side surfaces is flat.

Abstract: In the multi-layer coil component, the lead conductor is exposed from the end surface of the element body and is connected to the external electrode provided on the end surface. When the lead conductor is led out to the end surface of the element body, the lead area can be easily increased as compared with the case where the lead conductor is led out to the side surface of the element body. Therefore, by connecting the coil and the external electrode via the lead conductor, high connectivity between the coil and the external electrode is achieved.

Abstract: A substrate processing method forms a plated film which is thin and has a high flatness by covering the surface (outermost surface) of a substrate, excluding interior surfaces of recesses such as trenches, with a plating inhibiting material such as an SAM-forming molecular species. The substrate processing method comprises: preparing a substrate having recesses formed in a surface; attaching a plating inhibiting material for inhibiting plating to an outermost surface, which excludes interior surfaces of the recesses, of the substrate surface; and then carrying out electroplating of the surface of the substrate, thereby filling the recesses with a plated metal.

Abstract: An electronic asset utilization system is constituted of a stationary terminal 11, such as a set-top box (STB), a mobile terminal 13, such as a portable cellular phone, and a server 15. The server 15 receives an order for an electronic asset from the stationary terminal 11 or the mobile terminal 13; downloads to the stationary terminal 11 or the mobile terminal 13 an electronic asset and an exchange or receipt certificate to be described later; retains the thus-issued electronic asset, exchange certificate, or receipt certificate; and settles a charge billed to the thus-ordered electronic asset. The stationary terminal 11, the mobile terminal 13, and the server 15 are connected to a communications network.

Abstract: A beam source has a plasma generating chamber, an antenna for generating plasma in the plasma generating chamber, a first electrode disposed in the plasma generating chamber, and a second electrode disposed in the plasma generating chamber. Both of the antenna and the second electrode face the first electrode. The beam source also includes a power supply for applying a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode to extract particles from the plasma generated by the antenna. The beam source applies various kinds of beams having a large diameter, such as a positive ion beam, a negative ion beam, and a neutral particle beam, uniformly to a workpiece.

Abstract: A beam source has a plasma generating chamber and a gas inlet port for introducing a gas into the plasma generating chamber. The beam source includes a plasma generator for generating positive-negative ion plasma containing positive ions at a density of at least 1010 ions/cm3 and negative ions from the gas. The beam source also includes a plasma potential adjustment electrode disposed in the plasma generating chamber and a grid electrode having a plurality of beam extraction holes formed therein. The beam extraction holes have a diameter of at least 0.5 mm. The beam source has a first power supply for applying a voltage of at most 500 V between the plasma potential adjustment electrode and the grid electrode.

Abstract: A beam source has a plasma generating chamber, an antenna for generating plasma in the plasma generating chamber, a first electrode disposed in the plasma generating chamber, and a second electrode disposed in the plasma generating chamber. Both of the antenna and the second electrode face the first electrode. The beam source also includes a power supply for applying a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode to extract particles from the plasma generated by the antenna. The beam source applies various kinds of beams having a large diameter, such as a positive ion beam, a negative ion beam, and a neutral particle beam, uniformly to a workpiece.

Abstract: A beam source has a plasma generating chamber and a gas inlet port for introducing a gas into the plasma generating chamber. The beam source includes a plasma generator for generating positive-negative ion plasma containing positive ions at a density of at least 1010 ions/cm3 and negative ions from the gas. The beam source also includes a plasma potential adjustment electrode disposed in the plasma generating chamber and a grid electrode having a plurality of beam extraction holes formed therein. The beam extraction holes have a diameter of at least 0.5 mm. The beam source has a first power supply for applying a voltage of at most 500 V between the plasma potential adjustment electrode and the grid electrode.

Abstract: A user views contents by a terminal unit at a different place and bit rate in divided times and upon resumption of viewing, and resumed from an end position automatically. A content distribution control server includes a table to record the end position of the content and user ID, content ID and an end position upon interruption of the service. Upon resumption of the service, the end position is retrieved from the table and the content distribution is resumed from the end position. Further, upon resumption of the service, the control server reads in user information (the user position, the terminal unit used, the reproduction software, the bit rate and the like), so that the content distribution service is performed in the condition optimum to user's current utilization environment irrespective of user information used before interruption.

Abstract: A solar cell is manufactured by bringing a front side of a semiconductor crystal substrate into contact with an electrolytic liquid containing a fluoride, placing an electrode in the electrolytic liquid, passing a current between the electrode and the semiconductor crystal substrate and applying light to the semiconductor crystal substrate to generate pairs of holes and electrons. Etching of the substrate proceeds by combining the holes with ions in the front side of the semiconductor crystal substrate which is held in contact with the electrolytic liquid, thereby forming at least one surface irregularity structure thereon.

Abstract: A dendritic web solar cell shingled array comprises at least two dendritic web solar cells. A first cell overlaps a portion of a second cell such that a back contact of the first cells interconnects with a top contact of the second cell. The cells are less than 150 microns thick, allowing a direct connection between the back contact and top contact of the two cells without the use of a visible busbar. The cells may be shingled together using soldering material and/or electrically conductive adhesives.

Abstract: Because the conventional search service with the WWW search engine assumes keyword input by end users, it is impossible for users to request a search by specifying visual information rendered by TV broadcast or from other sources as a search key or, in reverse, issue a search request for a scene of a TV program by specifying a keyword. The disclosed invention provides an information linking method, terminal devices and a server equipment operating, based on this method, a computer program of the method, and a method of charging for services feasible by the method. This method makes the following possible: linking visual information distributed by TV broadcast or over a computer network with text information such as keywords; and searching WWW sites/pages with a search key of visual information such as an visual object on a image from a TV program or, in reverse, searching for a scene of a TV program from a keyword.

Abstract: The invention provides an information exchange method allowing for the following: when watching a TV program or the like, a plurality of terminal users in remote locations exchange information, simultaneously watching a visual object displayed on the TV receiver screen, wherein visual information and messages such as chat are linked up. Assuming that two or more terminal devices connect to a computer network and information about content of interest rendered by media is communicated over the network, information to identify the content, target area selected to define a part or all of an object from the content, and messages are sent and received between or across two or more terminals via the computer network.

Abstract: A semiconductor crystal substrate is fixed in a bent state to a support body. Preferably, the semiconductor crystal substrate is bonded to a transparent resin member provided between a surface cover member and a back cover member.

Abstract: A solar cell is manufactured by bringing a front side of a semiconductor crystal substrate into contact with an electrolytic liquid containing a fluoride, placing an electrode in the electrolytic liquid, passing a current between the electrode and the semiconductor crystal substrate and applying light to the semiconductor crystal substrate to generate pairs of holes and electrons. Etching of the substrate proceeds by combining the holes with ions in the front side of the semiconductor crystal substrate which is held in contact with the electrolytic liquid, thereby forming at least one surface irregularity structure thereon.

Abstract: A face side of the semiconductor crystal substrate is brought into contact with an electrolytic liquid containing a fluoride, and an electrode is disposed in the electrolytic liquid. A current is produced between the electrode and the semiconductor crystal substrate and applying light to a reverse side of the semiconductor crystal substrate to generate pairs of holes and electrons. The semiconductor crystal substrate is etched by combining the holes with ions in the electrolytic liquid thereby to form a multiplicity of through-holes in the semiconductor crystal substrate.

Abstract: In the case that provided information which is owned by an information providing apparatus connected via a network is specified by designating address information so as to acquire the provided information, an address managing unit (125) stores/manages address information (205) in combination with an identification flag (201) and an identification number (203); an address selecting unit (123) selects one address information based upon the identification flag (201) and the identification number (203) instructed via the input unit (111) by a user; and an information acquiring unit (121) acquires the provided information via the network, which is specified based upon the selected address information

Abstract: A solar cell having self-aligned metal electrodes and underlying relatively deep emitter regions joined by relatively shallow emitter regions under the surface not covered by the electrodes is formed in a semiconductive substrate by forming relatively shallow p+ and n+ diffusion regions on the front and back surfaces, respectively, of a silicon semiconductive substrate, screen printing aluminum onto the front surface of the substrate in a desired electrode pattern, heat treating the developing cell to form the relatively deep p+ type emitter regions underneath the electrode pattern, while growing an oxide passivation layer over the uncovered portions of the substrate surface, applying an antireflective coating to the front surface in the regions not covered by the electrodes, and screen printing silver over the electrodes on the front surface and over the back surface of the solar cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discharging hydrogen from a vacuum vessel using a roughing vacuum pump and a turbo-molecular pump. During discharge of hydrogen from the vacuum vessel, a material which has excellent reactivity with hydrogen, such as a material which has been excited or ionized by microwave or laser radiation, is introduced into the exhaust system. The material reacts with hydrogen to convert hydrogen into another substance of large molecular weight, whereby the evacuating performance of the vacuum exhaust system is improved with respect to discharging of hydrogen.

Abstract: A coating composition for leak detection in an air test, consists of an aqueous solution containing from 1.6 to 9.6 wt% of soluble starch, from 0.04 to 0.75 wt% of water-soluble acrylic resin, from 0.05 to 0.5 wt% of gelatin, and from 0.5 to 1.0 wt% of a foaming agent, and is adjusted to a pH range between 4 and 10. The composition may be adjusted to a pH range between 4 and 6. It may also be an aqueous solution containing a coagulation modifier, with the pH adjusted to a range between 8 and 10 with the addition of a small amount of caustic alkali.