Abstract: A solid-state imaging device has a configuration for selecting from a plurality of reference pixels at least one reference pixel for outputting a reference signal.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device is configured such that an effective pixel and a reference pixel are connected to first and second signal lines, respectively. The solid-state imaging device includes a difference signal output unit configured to perform difference processing on a signal output from a first amplifying transistor included in the effective pixel and a signal output from a second amplifying transistor included in the reference pixel. The difference signal output unit is provided separately from the first and second amplifying transistors.

Abstract: Dark current from a transfer transistor is suppressed and power-supply voltage in a second semiconductor substrate is lowered. A solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel array, a plurality of common output lines receiving signals read out from a plurality of pixels, a transfer scanning unit sequentially driving the plurality of transfer transistors, a signal processing unit processing the signals output to the common signal lines, and a level shift unit making amplitude of a pulse supplied to a gate of the transfer transistor larger than amplitude of a pulse supplied to a gate of a transistor constituting the signal processing unit. The pixel array and the level shift unit are arranged on a first semiconductor substrate, whereas the plurality of common output lines and the signal processing unit are arranged on a second semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid-state image pickup device. The device includes a first substrate including a photoelectric conversion element and a transfer gate electrode configured to transfer charge from the photoelectric conversion element, a second substrate having a peripheral circuit portion including a circuit configured to read a signal based charge generated in the photoelectric conversion element, the first and second substrates being laminated. The device further includes a multilayer interconnect structure, disposed on the first substrate, including an aluminum interconnect and a multilayer interconnect structure, disposed on the second substrate, including a copper interconnect.

Abstract: A spark plug comprising: a cylindrical metal shell; a cylindrical insulator provided in an inner hole of said metal shell; a center electrode provided in a leading end side inner hole of said insulator; and a ground electrode having one end bonded to a leading end side of said metal shell and having another end face forming a spark discharge gap with said center electrode, wherein said ground electrode comprises an electrode material containing from 0.5 to 1.5 wt. % of Si, from 0.5 to 1.5 wt. % of Al, from 0.02 to 1.0 wt. % of at least one of Ti, V, Zr, Nb and Hf, from 0.03 to 0.09 wt. % of C and 95.5 wt. % or more of Ni, and having a specific resistance at 20° C. of 25 tincm or less.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel region including photoelectric conversion units, FDs, and transfer transistors, reset transistors, amplifier transistors, and a reference voltage supply line used to supply reference voltages to the photoelectric conversion units. In the device, the pixel region and the reference voltage supply line are disposed on a first semiconductor substrate, and at least the reset transistors or the amplifier transistors are disposed on a second semiconductor substrate. Furthermore, power supply lines used to supply voltages to the reference voltage supply line are disposed on the second semiconductor substrate. The device further includes second electric connection units which electrically connect the reference voltage supply line to the power supply line. The first electric connection units are disposed in the pixel region whereas the second electric connection units are disposed outside the pixel region.

Abstract: A machine tool 1 comprises a bed 11, a column 12, a spindle head 15, a spindle 16, a saddle 17, a table 18, a feed mechanism for moving the spindle head 15, the saddle 17 and the table 18 in Z-axis, Y-axis and X-axis directions respectively, a position detector for detecting the positions of the spindle head 15, saddle 17 and table 18, a controller for feedback controlling the feed mechanism, a position detector 51 for detecting the position of the spindle head 15, a position detector 54 for detecting the position of the spindle head 15, a position detector 57 for detecting the position of the table 18, and a measurement frame 50 which is configured with a different member from the bed 11 and the column 12 and on which readers 53, 56, 59 of the position detectors 51, 54, 57 are disposed.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an A/D converter including a holding unit holding a pixel signal as a voltage level, a comparator comparing the voltage level held with a reference level, a circuit capable of changing the voltage level so as to approach the reference level at first and second rates, wherein the voltage level is changed at the first rate to determine higher bits in accordance with inversion of a relationship between the reference level and the voltage level, after that, the voltage level is changed at the second rate to determine lower bits in accordance with inversion of the relationship between the reference level and the voltage level, and an adjusting unit which adjusts the voltage level during a period until the voltage level is changed at the second rate after determination of the higher bits so that the lower bits and the voltage level hold a linear relationship.

Abstract: A spark plug (100) includes: a center electrode (2); and a ground electrode (30) which is to be exposed in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and which forms a spark discharge gap with the center electrode (2), wherein at least one of the center electrode (20) and the ground electrode (30) contains an electrode material whose principal component is Ni and in which an intermetallic compound is precipitated at least intergranularly and intragranularly.

Abstract: A constant current source has a first current source circuit for outputting a first current; a second current source circuit for outputting a second current according to a reference voltage; a current comparison circuit for comparing magnitudes of the first and second currents; and a current adjustment unit for adjusting a current value of the first current output from the first current source circuit in accordance with a comparison result of the current comparison circuit.

Abstract: To prevent two contacts that have different heights, share at least one interlayer insulating film and are disposed close to each other from being short-circuited to each other due to misalignment thereof, a semiconductor device according to the invention has a recess in an interlayer insulating film in which a first contact having a lower height, the recess being formed by the upper surface of the first contact, and a silicon nitride sidewall is formed in the recess to extend from the upper surface of the first contact and along the side surface of the recess.

Abstract: When a horizontal skipping operation is performed in a solid-state imaging apparatus that includes an A/D converting circuit in each column and that applies an arithmetic operation process to a digitalized signal and an arithmetic operation is performed with signals held by a plurality of register circuits, A/D converters and register circuits in columns in which signals are skipped, or not read out, are not involved in the operations. A more consideration is needed in terms of the use efficiency of circuits. A unit for connecting a register circuit of a certain column and a register circuit of a different column is arranged.

Abstract: Provided is a bidirectional converter which has flexibility to be applicable in various conditions and performs stable switching of operation mode at high efficiency. An electronic device which supplies power in various conditions and operates with excellent efficiency is also provided. An electronic device is provided with a bidirectional converter, which has a reactor and four switches between power supply input terminals and a secondary battery, and a system circuit is supplied with an operation voltage through the bidirectional converter. A status signal indicating the operation status of the system circuit is transmitted to a microcomputer of the bidirectional converter, and based on the status signal, switching of operation mode of the bidirectional converter is controlled.

Abstract: To prevent two contacts that have different heights, share at least one interlayer insulating film and are disposed close to each other from being short-circuited to each other due to misalignment thereof, a semiconductor device according to the invention has a recess in an interlayer insulating film in which a first contact hiving a lower height, the recess being formed by the upper surface of the first contact, and a silicon nitride sidewall is formed in the recess to extend from the upper surface of the first contact and along the side surface of the recess.

Abstract: When a horizontal skipping operation is performed in a solid-state imaging apparatus that includes an A/D converting circuit in each column and that applies an arithmetic operation process to a digitalized signal and an arithmetic operation is performed with signals held by a plurality of register circuits, A/D converters and register circuits in columns in which signals are skipped, or not read out, are not involved in the operations. A more consideration is needed in terms of the use efficiency of circuits. A unit for connecting a register circuit of a certain column and a register circuit of a different column is arranged.

Abstract: There is provided a charging power source apparatus by which quick charging can be carried out within a required range without imposing a burden on a secondary battery or a charging circuit. The charging power source apparatus is equipped with a plurality of control modes (e.g. normal charging mode and quick charging mode) for operating respectively with a plurality of output characteristics where the magnitudes of output currents being limited are different, and a detecting circuit for detecting a voltage appearing between the output terminals, and is configured such that one of the plurality of control modes is selected based on detection result from the detection circuit to perform an output operation.

Abstract: An apparatus according to the present invention in which a first substrate including a photoelectric conversion element and a gate electrode of a transistor, and a second substrate including a peripheral circuit portion are placed upon each other. The first substrate does not include a high-melting-metal compound layer, and the second substrate includes a high-melting-metal compound layer.

Abstract: A charge and discharge circuit and a battery pack, both capable of voluntarily perform proper switching between a charge operation and a discharge operation of a secondary battery according to various situations, are provided. The charge and discharge circuit of a secondary battery is one capable of charging the secondary battery E2 by a power source voltage and of supplying power from the secondary battery E2 to an external device 3.

Abstract: To prevent such a situation that a signal from a pixel in a dark state is output at a level shifted from an originally set level to deteriorate an image quality, and to improve the image quality.

Abstract: The invention offers an electrode member for a cold cathode fluorescent lamp, the member having excellent ability to attain intimate contact between the lead portion and glass, and a production method thereof. The electrode member 10 has an electrode portion 11, a lead portion 12, and a glass portion 13. The lead portion 12 is formed such that at least its surface side is composed of an iron-containing metal. The lead portion 12 has on its surface an oxide film 12s at the place covered by the glass portion 13. The oxide film 12s contains FeO. In comparison with an oxide film composed of Fe2O3 and Fe3O4, the oxide film 12s containing FeO tends to have great ability to attain intimate contact with glass. Consequently, the electrode member 10 can bring the lead portion 12 into sufficient intimate contact with the glass portion 13, enabling the constituting members from the lead portion 12 to the glass tube of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp to attain sufficient intimate contact between them.