Abstract: A higher harmonic wave generator generates a higher harmonic wave of an inputted audio signal having a predetermined band based on the inputted audio signal. Next, a multiplier modulates an amplitude of a generated higher harmonic wave of the audio signal according to a band signal having a predetermined bandwidth so as to generate an amplitude-modulated signal. A digital bandpass filter bandpass-filters a generated amplitude-modulated signal using a predetermined bandpass characteristic, and outputs a resultant signal as a band-extended signal. Further, an adder adds a bandpass-filtered amplitude-modulated signal to the inputted audio signal, and outputs an audio signal including a band-extended signal in an audio signal of an original sound and having an addition result.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus reads a digital data stream including a video signal and/or an audio signal outputted from an external apparatus according to a transmission clock different from a clock for the data stream, and outputs the video signal and/or audio signal without causing any discontinuity. The electronic apparatus includes a sample rate converter that rate-converts a predetermined volume of the audio signal in synchronization with a constant sampling clock, and changes a number of samples to be outputted, based on a data volume of an audio signal outputted by the electronic apparatus and a data volume of an audio signal transmitted from the external apparatus or transmittable from the external apparatus to the electronic apparatus.

Abstract: A bandpass filter bandpass-filters an inputted signal X to pass therethrough a partial band of a band of the inputted signal X, and a level correlated white noise generator circuit generates a white noise signal having a level changing according to a level of the inputted signal and correlated to the inputted signal. A signal processing circuit executes a signal processing that includes a predetermined bandpass filtering processing, an echo adding processing, and a level adjustment processing, and that multiplies the inputted white, noise signal by a predetermined transfer function, and outputs a processed white noise signal to an adder. The adder adds up the white noise signal from the signal processing circuit and the inputted signal X, and outputs a band-extended signal having an addition result, as an outputted signal.

Abstract: To provide a method for controlling a transmission system with quick response in which plural electronic devices are connected to one host apparatus through a common data line. The method for controlling the transmission system of the present invention comprises: a step of transmitting a command signal for releasing the data line and suspending the processing through a command signal line to the electronic device occupying the data line in the state where one of the plural electronic devices is executing the processing that occupies the data line so as to make the electronic device release the data line and suspend the processing and to perform data transmission between the host apparatus and the other one of the electronic devices; and a step of resuming the suspended processing after the data transmission between the host apparatus and the other electronic device.

Abstract: A flash memory system is disclosed. The flash memory system includes a flash memory comprising more than one physical block and more than one page, where each page can be in an enabled state, a blank state or a disabled state. In use, a merge control section reads data on an enabled page from a predetermined physical block using a read section, and writes the data onto a blank page using a write section, thereby copying the data on the enabled page onto the blank page. A merge control section then disables the enabled page using a page-disabling section. When the copying of the data from all the enabled pages in the predetermined physical block is finished, the merge control section collectively erases all the data in the physical block using an erase section.

Abstract: A control method of nonvolatile memory is provided, wherein it does not happen that data which ought to have been erased are not erased, or data which ought to have been written are lost even if a forced interruption takes place due to shutdown of a power source for a memory device, a reset command, or the like occurs when data are written in a last page of a block, the block is validated by setting the block data validation flag provided in the redundant area of the last page of block 0 (valid). Furthermore, a counter judges whether the data is new or old, and data can be protected even if the above-mentioned solution cannot be implemented.

Abstract: An IC card capable of a high-speed data transmission to/from a data transmission apparatus which is low in processing capability, is provided.

Abstract: To provide a method for controlling a transmission system with quick response in which plural electronic devices are connected to one host apparatus through a common data line. The method for controlling the transmission system of the present invention comprises: a step of transmitting a command signal for releasing the data line and suspending the processing through a command signal line to the electronic device occupying the data line in the state where one of the plural electronic devices is executing the processing that occupies the data line so as to make the electronic device release the data line and suspend the processing and to perform data transmission between the host apparatus and the other one of the electronic devices; and a step of resuming the suspended processing after the data transmission between the host apparatus and the other electronic device.

Abstract: A low-pass filter of over-sampling type oversamples an input digital audio signal T1 and filters and removes the low frequency components of the produced aliasing noise. A spectrum analyzer circuit calculates the spectrum intensity of a predetermined band of an output signal from the low-pass filter. An expanded signal generating circuit generates an expanded signal having frequency components of the output signal from the low-pass filter. A level control circuit controls the level of the expanded signal according to the spectrum analyzer circuit. An adder adds the level-controlled expanded signal to the output signal from the low-pass filter thereby to generate a digital audio signal T2.

Abstract: In a flush memory system according to the present invention, a merge control section (3f) reads data on an enabled page from a predetermined physical block using a read section (3b), and writes the data onto a blank page using a write section (3c), thereby copying the data on the enabled page onto the blank page. Then, the merge control section disables the source, enabled page using a page-disabling section (3e). When finishing the copying of data on all the enabled pages in the predetermined physical block, the merge control section collectively erases all the data in the physical block using an erase section (3d).

Abstract: A small-sized and low-cost transmission apparatus and a transmission method (having a high responsivity) capable of transmitting an interrupt signal with a small number of input/output terminals (without a dedicated line for interrupt signals) are provided. A first transmission apparatus of the present invention comprises a central processing unit for carrying out an interrupt process in response to an interrupt signal; an input/output section having at least one data line for transmitting data signals between a second transmission apparatus and the first transmission apparatus and for transmitting an interrupt signal from the second transmission apparatus to the first transmission apparatus; and an interrupt signal detecting section for detecting an interrupt signal from among signals transmitted from the second transmission apparatus via the data line.

Abstract: A spark plug has a central electrode, an insulator surrounding the central electrode and a metallic shell retaining therein the insulator and provided with no thread thereon. The spark plug is clearance fitted in a plug hole of a cylinder head, without being screwed into the plug hole, in such a manner that a front end portion of the metallic shell is accommodated in a front end section of the plug hole with a clearance therebetween provided with a sealant so as to transmit heat from the spark plug to the cylinder head. The clearance is preferably given by the following expression: 0.005≦D−d1≦0.05, where D is an inner diameter (mm) of the front end section and d1 is an outer diameter (mm) of the front end portion. By this, the spark plug can be easily attached to the cylinder head and attain improved heat resistance.

Abstract: A control method of nonvolatile memory, wherein it does not happen that data which ought to have been erased are not erased or data which ought to have been written are lost even in the case where forced interruption takes place due to shutdown of power source for memory device, reset command or the like, is provided.

Abstract: An ignition system has a spark plug and a positive voltage applying unit. The spark plug includes a central electrode, a porcelain insulator for holding the central electrode, a main metallic shell for holding the porcelain insulator, and a ground electrode electrically connected to the main metallic shell. The positive voltage applying unit applies a positive voltage to the central electrode of the spark plug in comparison with the ground electrode, so that an ignition high voltage is applied between the central electrode and the ground electrode. In the spark plug, a spark discharge gap is formed between the ground electrode and a distal end portion of the central electrode. The ground electrode is positioned so that a rear edge of a mating face opposed to a peripheral side of the central electrode is positioned in the side of the distal end of the central electrode in comparison with an end face of the porcelain insulator.

Abstract: In an ink jet recording apparatus having an ink jet head, an ink discharge from the head is executed to maintain and recover the discharge performance thereof. A cap is located opposite to the ink jet head when the maintaining and recovering ink discharge is performed, and receives the discharged ink. A waste ink tank receives ink exhausted from the cap. An ink pump transports ink received by the cap to the waste ink tank by performing idle suction. The number of times the idle suction is performed is variable, and is controlled by a control unit. The idle suction includes idle suction for recovery suction and idle suction for idle discharge. The idle suction for recovery suction is characterized as suction of ink when the cap caps the ink jet head, and the idle suction for idle discharge is characterized as suction of ink when the cap is communicated with atmosphere. The number of times of the idle suction is less for the idle suction for idle discharge than for the idle suction for recovery suction.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for performing recording onto a recording medium includes a transporting device for transporting the receding medium, the transporting device including a combination of driving elements including a transporting motor and a transporting roller and set so that, upon completion of a turn of the transporting roller, the other driving elements are reset to an initial state, a detecting section, arranged on the transporting roller, showing a reference position of the transporting roller, a reference position detector detecting the detecting section and outputting a detection signal, a rotation angle measuring device, being detachably attached to the transporting roller, for measuring a rotation angle of the transporting roller, a storage unit for previously storing a number of driving pulses corrected so that the amount of transportation generated by the transporting roller is kept constant, on the basis of information from the rotation angle measuring device for a turn of the transporting rol

Abstract: An ignition system has a spark plug and a positive voltage applying unit. The spark plug includes a central electrode, a porcelain insulator for holding the central electrode, a main metallic shell for holding the porcelain insulator, and a ground electrode electrically connected to the main metallic shell. The positive voltage applying unit applies a positive voltage to the central electrode of the spark plug in comparison with the ground electrode, so that an ignition high voltage is applied between the central electrode and the ground electrode. In the spark plug, a spark discharge gap is formed between the ground electrode and a distal end portion of the central electrode. The ground electrode is positioned so that a rear edge of a mating face opposed to a peripheral side of the central electrode is positioned in the side of the distal end of the central electrode in comparison with an end face of the porcelain insulator.

Abstract: A spark plug has a central electrode, an insulator surrounding the central electrode and a metallic shell retaining therein the insulator and provided with no thread thereon. The spark plug is clearance fitted in a plug hole of a cylinder head, without being screwed into the plug hole, in such a manner that a front end portion of the metallic shell is accommodated in a front end section of the plug hole with a clearance therebetween provided with a sealant so as to transmit heat from the spark plug to the cylinder head. The clearance is preferably given by the following expression: 0.005≦D−d1≦0.05, where D is an inner diameter (mm) of the front end section and d1 is an outer diameter (mm) of the front end portion. By this, the spark plug can be easily attached to the cylinder head and attain improved heat resistance.

Abstract: A discharge maintaining and recovery apparatus which maintains and recovers a state of ink discharge from a recording head which discharges ink on a recording medium.