Abstract: A standard voltage generation circuit is provided with a function of automatically stopping charging when a standard voltage reaches a stable voltage point by rapidly charging a standard voltage stabilization capacitor during transition from a standby state to a normal operation state. The standard voltage generation circuit is also provided with a function of precharging an output terminal of the circuit to a voltage close to the stable voltage by a potential division effect of the capacitor during transition from the standby state to the normal operation state. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an increase in the amount of time that is required until the standard voltage reaches the stable voltage when the state of an analog circuit included in the standard voltage generation circuit changes from its off state to its on state.

Abstract: A standard voltage generation circuit is provided with a function of automatically stopping charging when a standard voltage reaches a stable voltage point by rapidly charging a standard voltage stabilization capacitor during transition from a standby state to a normal operation state. Further, the standard voltage generation circuit is provided with a function of precharging an output terminal of the circuit to a voltage close to the stable voltage by a potential division effect of the capacitor during transition from the standby state to the normal operation state. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an increase in time required until the standard voltage reaches the stable voltage when the standard voltage generation circuit including an analog circuit changes from its off state to its on state.

Abstract: When the performance of an A/D converter required by a system changes, power consumption of the overall system can be reduced. The resolution of an A/D converter is made variable by changing a current flowing through an amplifier by an external control signal that specifies the resolution. Thus, when the performance required by a system changes, it is possible to change the performance of the A/D converter and to prevent a performance overhead of the A/D converter. Consequently, power consumption of the A/D converter is reduced, and power consumption of the system as a whole is also reduced.

Abstract: An A/D converter comprises a pipeline stage array in which plural pipeline stages are connected in series, each pipeline stage performing a pipeline operation on an inputted analog voltage to output a digital voltage; a number-of-bits control circuit for outputting a number-of-bits selection signal which indicates whether the operation of each pipeline stage should be carried out or halted, according to a number-of-bits control signal which indicates a resolution; and a correction circuit for compensating a digital value to be output, according to the number-of-bits control signal. Therefore, when resolution of the A/D converter, which is requested by the system, is changed, only the pipeline stages required for realizing the requested resolution are operated while the other pipeline stages are halted, whereby a reduction in power consumption of the A/D converter is realized and, simultaneously, a breakdown of an output from the A/D converter is avoided.

Abstract: When the performance of an A/D converter required by a system changes, power consumption of the overall system can be reduced. The resolution of an A/D converter is made variable by changing a current flowing through an amplifier by an external control signal that specifies the resolution. Thus, when the performance required by a system changes, it is possible to change the performance of the A/D converter and to prevent a performance overhead of the A/D converter. Consequently, power consumption of the A/D converter is reduced, and power consumption of the system as a whole is also reduced.

Abstract: An A/D converter comprises a pipeline stage array in which plural pipeline stages are connected in series, each pipeline stage performing a pipeline operation on an inputted analog voltage to output a digital voltage; a number-of-bits control circuit for outputting a number-of-bits selection signal which indicates whether the operation of each pipeline stage should be carried out or halted, according to a number-of-bits control signal which indicates a resolution; and a correction circuit for compensating a digital value to be output, according to the number-of-bits control signal. Therefore, when resolution of the A/D converter, which is requested by the system, is changed, only the pipeline stages required for realizing the requested resolution are operated while the other pipeline stages are halted, whereby a reduction in power consumption of the A/D converter is realized and, simultaneously, a breakdown of an output from the A/D converter is avoided.

Abstract: In a transport apparatus, a plurality of flat bodies are respectively aligned uprightly and juxtaposed laterally to form a block of the flat bodies, the block is loaded in a movable capsule, and the capsule is transported under the application of air flow through a transport pipeline. A loading mechanism having a pair of openable and closable holding arms is disposed to oppose a loading opening of a loading station, and an unloading mechanism having a pair of openable and closable holding arms is disposed to oppose an unloading opening of an unloading station.

Abstract: In a transport apparatus, a plurality of flat bodies are respectively aligned uprightly and juxtaposed laterally to form a block of the flat bodies, the block is loaded in a movable capsule, and the capsule is transported under the application of air flow through a transport pipeline. A loading mechanism having a pair of openable and closable holding arms is disposed to oppose a loading opening of a loading station, and an unloading mechanism having a pair of openable and closable holding arms is disposed to oppose an unloading opening of an unloading station.

Abstract: A transport apparatus in which a block of a plurality of flat articles, aligned uprightly and juxtaposed laterally, is transported by air flow through a transport pipeline, which comprises the pipeline, which is inclined upwards in a direction of transport at a loading station of the pipeline and stands uprightly to terminate in a downward opening at an unloading station, a push member, which is movable in the longitudinal direction of the pipeline and has an air pipe, is provided at a rear end of the pipeline, and a band, which is provided near the downward opening and actuated by an air supply means to project toward the center of the downward opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding spherical bodies from a semisolid stick wherein said semisolid stick is extruded through a nozzle; a sensing unit disposed in front of said nozzle detects it to thereby send a signal to a cutter; said cutter, upon receiving said signal, is actuated to cut said stick in fixed lengths; the sticks thus cut are received in a rotatable mold; and said rotatable mold allows said cut sticks to travel along the inside of a molding passage which comprises the rotatable mold and a fixed mold disposed opposite thereto.

Abstract: A method of producing a cheese product in snack-sized form comprising the steps of cooling a molten cheese to a temperature of about 45.degree. C. to 35.degree. C., heating a surface area extending in the radial direction from the surface of the cheese to a thickness of 1/8 to 1/6 of the cheese diameter of the cooled cheese to a temperature of about 52.degree. C. to 39.degree. C., cutting the heated cheese into snack sized pieces by rolling within a mold die for rounding the pieces of cheese, and forming each of the snack sized pieces into a rounded shape without corners, thereby providing a snack sized cheese product formed into a desirable rounded shape such as spherical, ellipsoidal, and barrel shape and having good appearance without creases and cracks on the surface thereof as well as a homogeneous texture.