Abstract: The present invention is equipped with a USB interface 7 for being connected to a portable music player that is an external device, a browser button 27, a rotary encoder button 26, a back button 28, CPU 31 for acquiring a content list CL from the portable music player, RAM 33 for storing the content list CL acquired by the CPU 31, and a LED processing section 42 for changing how the rotary encoder button 26 illuminates to encourage the next operation at a time when the browse button 27 is operated. Accordingly, when searching pieces of music content stored in the portable music player that is an external device, one can unknowingly understand how to operate, thereby providing good operability even for searching pieces of music content of the external portable music player.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a cover for an electronic device, the process comprising forming the cover for the device, incorporating electrical circuitry into the cover during the formation, and providing on the cover an integral connector structure for connecting the electrical circuitry to an electronic component.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a main body, a panel unit removable from the main body, and an attachment unit configured to indirectly attach a removable memory device to the main body through the panel unit. The main body includes a control unit configured to logically disconnect a data line between the removable memory device and the main body at a time when a user operation for removing the panel unit from the main body is performed and before the panel unit is removed from the main body.

Abstract: A kit comprising an inductive charger having a first coil and a portable device having an energy store and a second coil coupled to the energy store whereby the energy store can be charged from a varying electrical field applied across the first coil, the charger and the device being configured remotely from the coils for encouraging coupling between the first and second coils when the charger and the device are located against each other.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing an electronically functional structural component adapted to integrate a plurality of electronic functions into a laminate cover, layer, and/or laminate component, for protecting, supporting, and/or forming a complete electronic device (such as a multimedia device). The method includes laminating a plurality of structural and/or protective layers interspersed with electronically functional layers or electronic components in communication with the multimedia device to form a supportive and electronically functional layer, cover, protective layer, and/or electronic device. Thus, the manufacturing methods provided allow for the cost-effective addition of thin and lightweight functional, protective, and/or decorative layers to a multimedia device or other electronic device at a sales location or other customization location.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a cover for an electronic device, the process comprising forming the cover for the device, incorporating electrical circuitry into the cover during the formation, and providing on the cover an integral connector structure for connecting the electrical circuitry to an electronic component.

Abstract: A semiconductor package is provided which enables various interconnections between pins at a low cost. In an embodiment of the invention, the semiconductor package has a base substrate and a group of IC's (spacer IC's, routing IC's, and flip chip IC's) stacked on the base substrate in three dimensions. The routing IC is an interposer for wiring between the pins of the chips located above and below the routing IC and enables the integration of passive elements.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device capable of obtaining an optimum delay time, a plurality of delay circuits are connected in series to one another through points of connections between two adjacent ones of the delay circuits to produce a plurality of reference delay signals derived from the delay circuits. One of the reference delay signals is decided as the optimum delay time with reference to a practical condition. Thus, the delay time can be varied in the semiconductor device.

Abstract: The semiconductor device for setting a delay time, according to the present invention, comprises: a plurality of serially connected delay circuits into which a reference signal is input; a selector switch for selecting one of delay signals output from connection points between the delay circuits; and an internal selection signal generator for producing a selection signal for switching the selector switch to select one of the connection points.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device is expected to output a multi-bit output signal at an extremely narrow timing in response to a system clock, wherein the semiconductor integrated circuit device includes synchronous latch circuits, a first phase-locked loop responsive to the system clock for producing a dummy data signal and a high-frequency intermediate clock signal, a delay circuit for producing a delayed clock signal delayed from the system clock by a predetermined number of clock pulses of the high-frequency intermediate clock signal and a second phase-locked loop comparing a dummy output signal with the delayed clock signal for producing a synchronous clock signal at appropriate timing, and the synchronous latch circuits is responsive to the synchronous clock signal for latching data signals and the dummy data signal, thereby outputting the output signals and the dummy output signal within the narrow timing.

Abstract: A sound-volume display unit for use in an audio system has a key for controlling the sound volume, a display device, and a display control device. When the key is not operated, the display control device displays information other than the sound volume on the display device. When the key is operated and when the level of the sound volume corresponding to the key operation is not minimum, the display control device displays the corresponding level of the sound volume on the display device for a predetermined duration. After a lapse of the predetermined duration, the display control device causes the display device to return to the display state used before the level of the sound volume was displayed.

Abstract: A fixing carrier for fixing an activated sludge employed in a sewage or waste-water treatment in whicha clay, containing kaolinite minerals, of from 10 to 40 parts by weight and a foaming agent of from 5 to 20 parts by weight are blended with a granulated blast furnace slag of from 60 to 90 parts by weight in the presence of water to prepare a wet mixture which is kneaded and shaped into a shaped mixture; andsaid shaped mixture is baked at a baking temperature of less than 950.degree. C. at maximum, with the proviso that each of a heat-up time required of said shaped mixture to reach said baking temperature for producing a baked product and a heat-down time required of said baked product to reach a temperature of up to 100.degree. C. is about one hour.

Abstract: A fixing carrier for fixing an activated sludge employed in a sewage or waste-water treatment in which:a clay, containing kaolinite minerals, of from 10 to 40 parts by weight and a foaming agent of from 5 to 20 parts by weight are blended with a granulated blast furnace slag of from 60 to 90 parts by weight in the presence of water to prepare a wet mixture which is kneaded and shaped into a shaped mixture; andsaid shaped mixture is baked at a baking temperature of less than 950.degree. C. at maximum, with the proviso that each of a heat-up time required of said shaped mixture to reach said baking temperature for producing a baked product and a heat-down time required of said baked product to reach a temperature of up to 100.degree. C. is about one hour.