Abstract: A solid-state imaging device comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion accumulation sections arranged two-dimensionally on a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of vertical CCDs for vertically transferring signal charges read out from the photoelectric conversion accumulation sections, and a horizontal CCD for receiving and horizontally transferring the signal charges transferred by the vertical CCDs. A gap between transfer electrodes of the horizontal CCD is less than a gap between transfer electrodes of the vertical CCDs. The transfer electrodes of the vertical CCDs have a single-layer electrode structure formed by patterning a first polysilicon film. The transfer electrodes of the horizontal CCD have an overlapping double-layer electrode structure comprising alternately arranged electrodes formed by patterning the first polysilicon film and electrodes intervening between the alternately arranged electrodes which are formed by patterning a second polysilicon film.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate, an array of cells on the substrate, a plurality of vertical charge transfer sections extending in a first direction on the substrate, and a horizontal charge transfer section extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction on the substrate and being coupled to the vertical charge transfer section. The cell array includes a plurality of columns of cells that are associated with a corresponding one of the vertical transfer sections. The cell columns include a predetermined number of spaced-part cells that are series-connected along the second direction to constitute a NAND type cell structure. At least one cell-to-cell charge transfer electrode overlies a channel region as defined between adjacent ones of the NAND cells in the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a precise grinding grindstone in which the-heights of the grinding particles can be aligned even if large particles are employed. An underlying plated layer is formed on a substrate, and grinding particles are dispersed as a single layer thereon. The grinding particles are pressed toward the plated layer by a mold member and are partly pressed into the plated layer, whereby the heights of the grinding particles are aligned. Then, the particles are supported by a binding plated layer. The protrusion of the particles can be arbitrarily selected by regulating the thickness of the binding plated layer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a polishing apparatus utilizing a gel material as the polishing tool, in which the gel material is rotated in the vicinity of a surface to be polished, or is given rotating and rocking motions in direct contact with the surface to be polished.

Abstract: An element checking system for use in forward inference system is disclosed. When checking elements, each element is read out as a token and transmitted through a checking network. The element checking system includes memory for storing an element checking network. The network has a plurality of inputs for receiving the tokens one at a time, and a plurality of nodes for checking features of the received token. The system also includes working memory for storing elements, each element carrying data identifying a particular node from which the checking procedure in the networks starts. An additional memory is included which stores a pattern table including a plurality of different patterns with a pattern number assigned to each pattern, and a linking table including a pattern number and a corresponding node number for designating a starting node number for an element having a corresponding one of the plurality of patterns.

Abstract: An interrogating device which includes a rule memory for storing forward inference rules utilizable in a forward inference control system or backward inference rules utilizable in a backward inference control system, a working memory for storing facts, and a forward inference control section for adding or deleting a fact relative to the working memory according to the forward inference rules or a backward inference control section for conducting a search according to the backwad inference rules.

Abstract: There is disclosed a polishing apparatus utilizing a gel material as the polishing tool, in which the gel material is rotated in the vicinity of a surface to be polished, or is given rotating and rocking motions in direct contact with the surface to be polished.

Abstract: A foamed glass high in mechanical strength and high in resistance to heat and thermal shocks is obtained by dispersing therein 0.2-5 wt % of 3-50 mm long pieces of a corrosion resistant steel wire whose thermal expansion coefficient is equivalent to or slightly larger than that of the glass, such as a ferritic chromium stainless wire. The glass itself is an ordinary glass such as alkali-lime glass. A similarly heat resistant foamed glass is obtained by dispersing therein less than 10 wt % and not less than 1 wt % of at least one inorganic non-metallic heat-resistant filler, which is selected from fibrous and flaky materials 0.1-3 mm in length of each particle and powdery and granular materials 0.8-1000 .mu.m in particle or grain size. Typical examples of useful nonmetallic fillers are wollastonite, shale flakes, pyrophyllite, alumina-chromium cermets and corundum.

Abstract: An interrogating device includes a memory for storing forward rules and facts, which are used in a forward inference control system, and a control unit operable to add or delete a fact to the memory. In this interrogating device, the accuracy indicates the probability degree of preparation for a conclusion section of the rule. The fact is added to the conclusion section of the rule and is stored in the memory. Also, the accuracy may be used in a strategy for a conflict resolution of a forward inference control. The fact for the accuracy that is obtained in the backward inference has a structure identical to the fact which the accuracy is added for use in the forward inference. By adding the accuracy negatively to the fact and the rule, an inference which uses uncertain data in the forward inference is possible.

Abstract: A glass or ceramic plate, which may be foamed glass or ceramic plate, is reinforced by incorporating therein a thin reinforcement layer in which fibrous or flaky pieces of an inorganic heat-resistant reinforcing material such as, e.g., steel wire pieces 3 to 50 mm in length are scattered so as to be two-dimensionally randomly oriented. The reinforcement layer is parallel to two opposite major surfaces of the plate, and this layer is either a buried layer or a surface layer. The plate may have a plurality of reinforcement layers which are distant from each other. In any case the reinforcing material exists only in the reinforcement layer(s).

Abstract: There is disclosed a polishing apparatus utilizing a gel material as the polishing tool, in which the gel material is rotated in the vicinity of a surface to be polished, or is given rotating and rocking motions in direct contact with the surface to be polished.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus for polishing a surface of a work piece requiring high surface precision such as an optical component or a metal mold by applying a tool, in which the tool is given a rocking motion of the surface of work to be polished while the work is given a rotary motion. Besides the rotary motion of the work, the rotation and rocking motion of the tool and the movement of the tool on the surface to be polished are detected and are controlled according to the working information for the surface to be polished.

Abstract: A conversation type inquiry-and-answering system that can be used, for example, in a diagnosing system. The inquiry-and-answering system can process data in a conversational manner between an operator and the system on the basis of a knowledge data base. The knowledge data base includes a first memory for storing information, such as facts and rules, and a second memory for storing the contents of inquiry and their responses. Also, there is an editing system for the data base.

Abstract: An expert system having a forward inference control method in which an inference process (hereinafter referred to as trace) is displayed in consideration of the condition of a negation when the trace is displayed to verify a rule inputted to the expert system, whereby, a user can confirm that a rule is unexecutable because of the condition of the negation being not satisfied.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an inputting system for an inquiry-and-answer which removes the necessiates for strict analysis of the meaning of a response to an inquiry in order to extract necessary facts for inferences. By considering the response by an operator along with its corresponding inquiry from the system, the inputting system is enabled to editing the knowledge data base in a much easier fashion than the prior art. The inputting and editing system analyzes the answer to an interrogative and matches the pronouns and other elements of the answer with their corresponding elements from the interrogative so that the operator does not have to answer the interrogative with the exact language of the interrogative for the system to understand and utilize the answer properly.

Abstract: A primer composition comprising:(A) 100 parts by weight of copolymer obtained by reacting(1) an acrylic compound represented by the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 respectively represent groups selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and monovalent substituted or non-substituted hydrocarbon group; with(2) a silane compound represented by the following formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sup.3 represents a group selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and monovalent substituted or non-substituted hydrocarbon groups, R.sup.4 represents a monovalent substituted or non-substituted hydrocarbon group, and Q.sup.1 represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms,in the weight ratio of 0.1 to 1,000 wt % with respect to the component (1), in the presence of a free-radical initiator;(B) 0.

Abstract: A solar cell including at least a thin film formed of an amorphous silicon material and having p-type conductivity. The thin film comprises a multi-layer structure including at least one non-doped layer formed of a material of an amorphous silicon material and having a thickness of 10 to 300 .ANG. and at least one p-type doped amorphous silicon layer of a given thickness. The p-type doped amorphous silicon layer is stacked such that at least one face thereof is in contact with said at least one non-doped layer of amorphous silicon material so that the thin film of multi-layer structure exhibits in effect p-type conductivity.

Abstract: An optical glass forming apparatus for molding an optical element such as a lens by pressurizing optical glass, wherein a mold for molding one functional surface (optically functional surface) of the optical element is designed to be urged against the upper edge portion of a mold for forming the other functional surface of the optical element.

Abstract: A plurality of photovoltaic devices (e.g., solar cells) connect with each other and form a photo-electric conversion apparatus. The photovoltaic devices concerned are so connected with each other that when a given pattern of light is irradiated upon the photo-electric conversion apparatus concerned, the electrical output generated when the whole of it is irradiated is smaller than that generated when some parts of it are irradiated. Since an electronic system equipped with this apparatus as a power supply can be designed to work when the apparatus is irradiated with such a pattern of light that irradiates only a part of the apparatus, an electronic system having such an identifying faculty can be made easily.Further, an apparatus like this type may be made by connecting the elements of this apparatus in series or in reverse direction to form units, and by connecting this plurality of units in series and/or in parallel.

Abstract: There is provided a method of forming a stainproof film on silicone elastomers comprised of coating a surface with a combination of an aminoxy functional organosilicon compound, a mixture or condensation products, of a benzene soluble polyorganosiloxane and a silanol-terminated polydiorganosiloxane, together with a mixed solvent comprised of a volatile organosilicon compound and a hydrocarbon solvent.