Abstract: In a mask pattern forming method, a resist film is formed over a thin film, the resist film is processed into resist patterns having a predetermined pitch by photolithography, slimming of the resist patterns is performed, and an oxide film is formed on the thin film and the resist patterns after an end of the slimming step in a film deposition apparatus by supplying a source gas and an oxygen radical or an oxygen-containing gas. In the mask pattern forming method, the slimming and the oxide film forming are continuously performed in the film deposition apparatus.

Abstract: The frog-leg-arm robot is provided with a torque motor connected to a wrist rotation shaft to supply torque to a rotation shaft to which the torque motor itself is connected and a control unit in which, when each of arms constituting the frog-leg-arm robot is able to shift from the present posture to any plurality of postures including a targeted posture by a driving device, the torque motor is electrically controlled so that the torque is supplied to the wrist rotation shaft in a direction in which each of the arms is able to shift to the targeted posture.

Abstract: To reduce a frequency of recording communication management information for communication disconnection countermeasure. A digital content distribution system includes a license server (101) that issues a license, and a user terminal (103) that controls use of content based on the issued license. The license server (101) judges, according to the license to be issued, whether or not the communication management information for the communication disconnection countermeasure needs to be recorded, and notifies the user terminal of a result of the judgment. This enables the user terminal (103) to reduce the frequency of recording the communication management information.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including plate fins stacked at respective intervals relative to one another, and heat exchanger tubes penetrating the fins in. The heat exchanger exchanges heat between first and second fluids flowing, respectively, inside and outside the heat exchanger tubes. Each of the fins includes a substantially planar main body and cut-raised portions extending from the main body and disposed at an upstream side of flow of the second fluid. Each of the cut-raised portions corresponds to a respective heat exchanger tube and includes first and second opposed side ends connected to the main body of the fin. The first side end is nearer to the corresponding heat exchanger tube than is the second side end, the first side end is longer than the second side end, and the first side end is disposed at a downstream side of the flow of the second fluid, facing the corresponding heat exchanger tube.

Abstract: A content distribution management system includes a plurality of content distributing devices, which each include a content storage processing unit operable to store and distribute a content, a user interface unit operable to provide viewing and information of a content for a user, a content acquisition processing unit operable to acquire a content from a content providing device, etc. and to perform purchase processing of the content, and a sending/receiving unit operable to exchange data via a communication network. The content distribution management system also includes a content distribution management device, which includes a payment management processing unit operable to perform payment processing of a content, and a copyright management processing unit operable to manage and send copyright-related information (a usage rule, key information, etc.). The content distributing devices and the content distribution management system are configured via the communication network, etc.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first sector (12) having data that are all to be erased and having flash memory cells; a second sector (14) having data that are all to be retained and having flash memory cells; a sector select circuit (16) selecting a pair of sectors from among sectors during erasing the data in the first sector, said pair of sectors being the first sector and the second sector; and an SRAM array (storage) (30) retaining the data of the second sector. The present invention can provide a semiconductor device in which a reduced number of sector select circuits is used so that the area of memory cell array can be reduced and provide a method of controlling the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first sector (12) having data that are all to be erased and having flash memory cells; a second sector (14) having data that are all to be retained and having flash memory cells; a sector select circuit (16) selecting a pair of sectors from among sectors during erasing the data in the first sector, said pair of sectors being the first sector and the second sector; and an SRAM array (storage) (30) retaining the data of the second sector. The present invention can provide a semiconductor device in which a reduced number of sector select circuits is used so that the area of memory cell array can be reduced and provide a method of controlling the semiconductor device.

Abstract: Example embodiments provide a semiconductor memory device and method of forming a semiconductor memory device that may equalize load due to a coupling capacitance between a line and a component signal when the line intersects the component signal in a memory cell array. A line may intersect a memory cell region between a transmitting point (A) and a receiving point (B) of a signal. A line between the transmitting point (A) and the receiving point (B) may be bent at two portions of each of bit lines. Because areas where the line and the bit lines extend parallel to each other may be equal in dimension at each bit line, coupling capacitances between the line and the bit lines may be equalized. The read characteristic may not be affected by the coupling capacitances.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including plate fins and, the tubes fins being stacked at respective intervals relative to one another, and heat exchanger tubes penetrating the fins in a fin-stacking direction. The heat exchanger exchanges heat between fluids flowing, respectively, inside and outside the heat exchanger tubes, through the heat exchanger tubes and the fins. Each of the fins includes cut-raised portions with a bridge shape having leg and beam segments. The cut-raised portions associated with each of the heat exchanger tubes are located substantially only in a region of the fin satisfying Ws=(1??)Dp+?D ?>0.5, where Ws is spread width of the cut-raised portions in a direction (column direction) extending along an end of the fin on the upstream side of the second fluid, and D is outer diameter of the heat exchanger tube. Dp is alignment pitch of the heat exchanger tubes in the column direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first sector (12) having data that are all to be erased and having flash memory cells; a second sector (14) having data that are all to be retained and having flash memory cells; a sector select circuit (16) selecting a pair of sectors from among sectors during erasing the data in the first sector, said pair of sectors being the first sector and the second sector; and an SRAM array (storage) (30) retaining the data of the second sector. The present invention can provide a semiconductor device in which a reduced number of sector select circuits is used so that the area of memory cell array can be reduced and provide a method of controlling the semiconductor device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rights management terminal that can securely send and receive usage information while preventing spoofing and protecting user's privacy.

Abstract: To provide a content distribution system which can prevent use of content which has been temporarily stored after the valid period. A content distribution system (1) including a license server (101) which issues a license, a content server (102) which transmits the content, a terminal device (103) which controls use of the content based on the issued license. The terminal device (103) does not allow the use of the received encrypted content when it is judged that the encrypted content received from the content server (102) is not the content received in real time.

Abstract: An IC card (processing terminal) divides a process into process blocks, and holds a time period required for processing each process block. A receiver (receiving terminal) notifies the IC card of a time period which can be spent for processing non-real-time process data when causing the IC card to perform the processing. The IC card processes the process blocks which can be processed within the notified time period. After the processing, the IC card once sends a response back to the receiver, and then transitions into a state in which it can receive a new request. Accordingly, it becomes possible for the IC card to process real-time process data such as an ECM. In the case where the receiver continues the suspended processing, it notifies the IC card of the continuation of the processing so that it causes the IC card to continue the processing of non-real-time process data.

Abstract: To reduce a frequency of recording communication management information for communication disconnection countermeasure. A digital content distribution system includes a license server (101) that issues a license, and a user terminal (103) that controls use of content based on the issued license. The license server (101) judges, according to the license to be issued, whether or not the communication management information for the communication disconnection countermeasure needs to be recorded, and notifies the user terminal of a result of the judgment. This enables the user terminal (103) to reduce the frequency of recording the communication management information.

Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor device provides a pull-up transistor (M1) for a word line drive which can be downsized.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit design apparatus includes: an association information creating unit which creates association information for associating wiring information of a signal line with wiring information of a shield line placed for the signal line; an association information storage unit which stores the thus created association information; and a shield wiring unit which, when the placement of the signal line is changed, changes in interlinking fashion with the changed placement the placement of the shield line that is associated with the signal line by the association information.

Abstract: This method for producing silicon single crystals includes: growing a silicon single crystal by the Czochralski method while cooling at least part of the silicon single crystal under growth with a cooling member which circumferentially surrounds the silicon single crystal and has an inner contour that is coaxial with a pull axis, wherein an ambient gas in which the silicon single crystal is grown includes a hydrogen-atom-containing substance in gaseous form. This silicon single crystal is produced by the above method.

Abstract: A silicon single crystal wafer for a particle monitor is presented, which wafer has an extremely small amount in the surface density of light point defects and is capable of still maintaining a small surface density even after repeating the SC-1. The wafer is prepared by slicing a silicon single crystal ingot including an area in which crystal originated particles are generated, and the surface density of particles having a size of not less than 0.12 mum is not more than 15 counts/cm2 after repeating the SC-1. More preferably, a silicon single crystal wafer having a nitrogen concentration of 1×1013 1×1015 atoms/cm3 provides a surface density of not more than 1 counts/cm2 for the particles having a diameter of not less than 0.12 mum even after repeating the SC-1. Hence, a high quality wafer optimally used for a particle monitor can be obtained and a very small number of defects in the wafer make it possible to produce devices.

Abstract: A discharger includes: a discharge electrode member that is placed opposedly to a member to be charged; an opposed electrode member that is placed opposedly to the discharge electrode member; and a power source circuit that applies a discharge voltage for generating a discharge between the discharge electrode member and the opposed electrode member, and the electrode member having a surface that includes a covered layer covered by a covering material is formed on a surface opposed thereto, and the covering material containing a carbon atom, or a carbon atom and another atom or other plural atoms as a main component, and having an SP3 structure by a carbon atom.

Abstract: A key management apparatus which can be used to encrypt/decrypt content data in a content playback device includes a storing unit for storing a secret key, a key information decrypting unit for decrypting encrypted key information and an updating unit operable to update the secret key with an algorithm stored therein, when the decrypted key information is key-updating information. Seed information can be received for use with the algorithm to provide a new secret key, and preliminary trigger information can be used to poll a group of appliances to request key information to determine any duplication of appliances.