Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a lower electrode made of a Ti-containing film on a substrate; forming a niobium oxide film on the lower electrode; forming an oxide-based high-dielectric-constant film on the niobium oxide film; forming an upper electrode on the oxide-based high-dielectric-constant film; and performing annealing, wherein, through the forming of the oxide-based high-dielectric-constant film, the forming of the upper electrode, and the performing of the annealing, the niobium oxide film is modified into a low-oxidation-number niobium oxide film that is primarily made of a niobium oxide with an oxidation number lower than Nb2O5.

Abstract: Provided is a microcomputer simulator capable of quickly dealing with change of a target microcomputer to thereby enable a speedy development of software. The microcomputer simulator is a microcomputer simulator for simulating a microcomputer including therein a CPU and a peripheral circuit of the CPU, and includes a mother board including a CPU for executing application software to be processed by the CPU provided in the microcomputer, and an IO board for executing, at an FPGA thereof, processing of the peripheral circuit provided in the microcomputer and IO processing executed by the CPU provided in the microcomputer. The FPGA includes a common memory portion so that the microcomputer simulator updates data stored in the common memory portion through a communication bus provided between the mother board 10 and the IO board, and causes data to be exchanged between the CPU provided in the mother board and the FPGA.

Abstract: In order to simultaneously exert a plurality of functions such as execution of internal EGR, application of engine braking, improvement in fuel consumption and purification of exhaust gas, a variable valve apparatus for an internal combustion engine of the invention includes a cam shaft arranged to be rotatable on a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine, a rocker shaft arranged to be capable of oscillation in the internal combustion engine, a continuous variable rocker arm mechanism which is driven by a cam formed on the cam shaft, opens or closes air intake valves and exhaust valves, and continuously makes a lift of the valves variable, and a switching rocker arm mechanism which is driven by the cam formed on the cam shaft, opens or closes the air intake valves and the exhaust valves, and switches the lift of the valves in a stepwise manner.

Abstract: Provided is a microcomputer simulator capable of quickly dealing with change of a target microcomputer to thereby enable a speedy development of software. The microcomputer simulator is a microcomputer simulator for simulating a microcomputer including therein a CPU and a peripheral circuit of the CPU, and includes a mother board including a CPU for executing application software to be processed by the CPU provided in the microcomputer, and an IO board for executing, at an FPGA thereof, processing of the peripheral circuit provided in the microcomputer and IO processing executed by the CPU provided in the microcomputer. The FPGA includes a common memory portion so that the microcomputer simulator updates data stored in the common memory portion through a communication bus provided between the mother board 10 and the IO board, and causes data to be exchanged between the CPU provided in the mother board and the FPGA.

Abstract: An apparatus for notifying presence of a vehicle to a periphery of the vehicle includes a control unit that controls an operating unit that operates to cause the vehicle to drive, generating an operation sound; a judging unit that judges whether it is necessary to notify the presence of the vehicle to the periphery of the vehicle; and a notifying unit that notifies, when the judging unit judges that it is necessary to notify the presence of the vehicle to the periphery of the vehicle, the presence of the vehicle to the periphery of the vehicle using the operation sound, by changing a content of a control by the control unit.

Abstract: This variable valve train has a camshaft, a rocker shaft, and a rocker arm mechanism for transmitting a motion of a cam formed on the camshaft to a valve. The rocker arm mechanism includes a first arm which drives the valve, a second arm, a third arm, and a variable mechanism which rocks the rocker shaft. The first arm is rockably supported on the rocker shaft. The second arm is driven by the cam and rocks around a universal joint as a pivot on the side of the rocker shaft. The third arm is displaced to drive the first arm as the second arm rocks.

Abstract: A variable valve apparatus comprises a rocker shaft having an eccentric shaft rendered eccentric, a cam provided below the rocker shaft and rotationally driven, a support shaft disposed at a height equal to the rocker shaft, a first arm rockingly supported by the rocker shaft and capable of driving a valve, a second arm rockingly supported by the eccentric shaft and driven by the cam, and a third arm rockingly supported by the support shaft and displaced by rocking of the second arm for driving the first arm, and turns the rocker shaft in the direction of R2 to continuously change the valve opening timing and lift amount of the valve.

Abstract: This variable valve train has a camshaft, a rocker shaft, and a rocker arm mechanism for transmitting a motion of a cam formed on the camshaft to a valve. The rocker arm mechanism includes a first arm which drives the valve, a second arm, a third arm, and a variable mechanism which rocks the rocker shaft. The first arm is rockably supported on the rocker shaft. The second arm is driven by the cam and rocks around a universal joint as a pivot on the side of the rocker shaft. The third arm is displaced to drive the first arm as the second arm rocks.

Abstract: A variable valve apparatus comprises a rocker shaft having an eccentric shaft rendered eccentric, a cam provided below the rocker shaft and rotationally driven, a support shaft disposed at a height equal to the rocker shaft, a first arm rockingly supported by the rocker shaft and capable of driving a valve, a second arm rockingly supported by the eccentric shaft and driven by the cam, and a third arm rockingly supported by the support shaft and displaced by rocking of the second arm for driving the first arm, and turns the rocker shaft in the direction of R2 to continuously change the valve opening timing and lift amount of the valve.

Abstract: A variable valve mechanism has a switching mechanism for transmitting cam displacement to a first rocker arm from a second rocker arm. A camshaft is disposed obliquely above a rocker shaft. A first abutting portion and a second abutting portion are disposed in a dead space between an upper side of the rocker shaft and a side of the camshaft. The first abutting portion rotationally displaces in a rotational direction of rocker arms together with the first rocker arm. The second abutting portion rotationally displaces together with the second locker arm. The second abutting portion abuts on the first abutting portion from a rotating direction of rocker arms. In the switching mechanism thus configured, displacement of the second rocker arm is transmitted to the first rocker arm with reduced stress burden.

Abstract: An apparatus for notifying presence of a vehicle to a periphery of the vehicle includes a control unit that controls an operating unit that operates to cause the vehicle to drive, generating an operation sound; a judging unit that judges whether it is necessary to notify the presence of the vehicle to the periphery of the vehicle; and a notifying unit that notifies, when the judging unit judges that it is necessary to notify the presence of the vehicle to the periphery of the vehicle, the presence of the vehicle to the periphery of the vehicle using the operation sound, by changing a content of a control by the control unit.

Abstract: The valve drive apparatus of the invention comprises an exhaust valve drive mechanism capable of changing an open/close timing of an exhaust valve, and a control device which controls the exhaust valve drive apparatus so as to release the exhaust valve during an intake stroke, independently of an exhaust stroke, in an EGR mode. Preferably, the exhaust valve drive mechanism comprises a first exhaust cam which defines the exhaust valve releasing timing and the amount of valve lift in the exhaust stroke, and a second exhaust cam which defines the exhaust valve releasing timing and the amount of valve lift during the intake stroke. In an normal mode, the displacement of the first exhaust cam is transmitted to the exhaust valve, and in the EGR mode, the displacement of the second exhaust cam is transmitted to the exhaust valve, in addition to the displacement of the first exhaust cam.

Abstract: The valve drive apparatus of the invention comprises an exhaust valve drive mechanism capable of changing an open/close timing of an exhaust valve, and a control device which controls the exhaust valve drive apparatus so as to release the exhaust valve during an intake stroke, independently of an exhaust stroke, in an EGR mode. Preferably, the exhaust valve drive mechanism comprises a first exhaust cam which defines the exhaust valve releasing timing and the amount of valve lift in the exhaust stroke, and a second exhaust cam which defines the exhaust valve releasing timing and the amount of valve lift during the intake stroke. In an normal mode, the displacement of the first exhaust cam is transmitted to the exhaust valve, and in the EGR mode, the displacement of the second exhaust cam is transmitted to the exhaust valve, in addition to the displacement of the first exhaust cam.

Abstract: A variable valve mechanism has a switching mechanism for transmitting cam displacement to a first rocker arm from a second rocker arm. A camshaft is disposed obliquely above a rocker shaft. A first abutting portion and a second abutting portion are disposed in a dead space between an upper side of the rocker shaft and a side of the camshaft. The first abutting portion rotationally displaces in a rotational direction of rocker arms together with the first rocker arm. The second abutting portion rotationally displaces together with the second locker arm. The second abutting portion abuts on the first abutting portion from a rotating direction of rocker arms. In the switching mechanism thus configured, displacement of the second rocker arm is transmitted to the first rocker arm with reduced stress burden.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that can detect even small amounts of gas leakage and can perform a proper fail-safe operation when gas leakage is detected. When an engine is stopped and a gas shut-off valve is closed, the amount of decrease of gas pressure is calculated by comparing initial gas pressure with the gas pressure detected after the elapse of a prescribed time, to detect gas leakage. In one embodiment, gas leakage is detected by calculating the accumulated value of the amount of decrease of gas pressure each time the engine is stopped. In another embodiment, gas leakage is detected by calculating the rate of decrease of gas pressure from the initial gas pressure to the gas pressure detected after the elapse of a prescribed time. In a further embodiment, gas leakage is detected by calculating the accumulated value of the rate of decrease of gas pressure each time the engine is stopped. Further, when gas leakage is detected, the gas shut-off valve is closed and a warning is issued.

Abstract: A compressed natural gas-fueled automotive vehicle is disclosed in which the fail-safe control operation is performed thereby to secure the safety of the vehicle when the gas pressure drops. If the remaining amount of the gas is very small, an engine misfire occurs. If the catalyst temperature is high, the uncombusted gas begins to burn on contact with the high-temperature catalyst in the catalyst unit. In view of this, upon detection of both a gas pressure drop and the vehicle moving condition or upon detection of both a gas pressure drop and an increased catalyst temperature, the fuel supply is stopped or the vehicle speed is reduced to thereby reduce the catalyst temperature. As a result, uncombusted gas is not burnt in the catalyst unit and the catalyst unit is prevented from being destroyed.

Abstract: The charging system of the invention comprises a primary charging device 4 disposed at a predetermined location, and a secondary charging device 6 mounted on the body 1 of a bicycle. The secondary charging device 6 comprises a secondary coil unit 50, rectifying circuit and charging control circuit which are housed in a casing 610. The secondary coil unit 50 is connected to a battery 20 mounted on the bicycle body 1 by a cord, and comprises a secondary coil 502 provided around an iron core 501. On the other hand, the primary charging device 4 comprises a primary coil unit 30 and charging circuit which are housed in a casing 410. The primary coil unit 30 comprises a primary coil 302 provided around an iron core 301. When the secondary coil unit 50 is positioned close to the primary coil unit 30, the battery 20 can be charged by the charging system.

Abstract: A power inverter for use in the system interconnection of a direct-current supply with a commercial alternating-current supply includes an inverter circuit and a filter circuit. Feedback signals affecting the frequency of an output to be produced by the inverter circuit are taken from the filter circuit having frequency response characteristics such that the phase angle is reduced to 0.degree. at three frequencies consisting of a higher frequency, lower frequency and commercial frequency, the last of which lies halfway between the first and second. Under the normal condition, the frequency of the output produced by the inverter circuit is equal to the commercial frequency. In the event of a power failure or power cut in the commercial alternating-current supply system, deviation from the commercial frequency is caused by the characteristics of the filter circuit.

Abstract: A reaction barrier is formed at an interface region between adjacent layers of a multilayer composite integrated circuit by implanting one or more active ionic species at energies effective to place the ionic species at or near the interface. A further step may include annealing the structure formed above to promote efficacy of the reaction barrier.

Abstract: A control device for an absorption refrigerator which forms a refrigeration cycle by connecting an evaporator, an absorption unit, a generator, a condenser and the like to control a heating amount of the generator. Singular or plural amounts of change representative of externasl conditions are detected. A heating amount of the generator is controlled by a fuzzy logic calculation.