Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical recording medium having a protective layer and a phase-change recording layer on a substrate, said protective layer containing a metallic oxysulfide and an optical recording medium having a protective layer and a phase-change recording layer, said protective layer being formed by sputtering using a target comprising a metallic oxysulfide.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes first through fourth memory blocks. A first block-selection signal is used to select the first and third memory blocks, to output data from the first memory block to the first data line and also to output data from the fourth memory block to the second data line. A second block-selection signal is used to select the second and third memory blocks, to output data from the second memory block to the second data line and also to output data from the third memory block to the first data line.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium comprising a substrate, a recording layer, a protective layer containing a sulfur atom, an intermediate layer in contact with the protective layer and a reflective layer containing silver as the main component in contact with the intermediate layer, wherein the intermediate layer comprises an element which does not form a compound with silver, the element contained in the intermediate layer having a solid solubility of at most 5 atomic % to silver and silver having a solid solubility of at most 5 atomic % to the element contained in the intermediate layer, on the side in contact with the reflective layer, and the intermediate layer comprises an element less reactive to sulfur or its sulfide comprises chemically stable elements, on the side in contact with the protective layer.

Abstract: In a communication system in which a server, who offers information, and clients, who receive information offering service, are connected with each other via a network, the server has a communication mode selection unit for switching over a communication mode for each client between a one-way communication mode in which information is offered to clients on a one-way basis and a two-way communication mode in which messages are transmitted to clients and messages transmitted from the clients are received.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium having a multilayer structure comprising at least a lower protective layer, a phase-change type optical recording layer, an upper protective layer and a reflective layer, on a substrate, wherein the phase-change type optical recording layer has a composition of Zn.sub..gamma.1 In.sub..delta.1 Sb.sub..zeta.1 Te.sub..omega.1, where 0.01.ltoreq..gamma.1.ltoreq.0.1, 0.03.ltoreq..delta.1.ltoreq.0.08, 0.5.ltoreq..zeta.1.ltoreq.0.7, 0.25.ltoreq..omega.1.ltoreq.0.4, and .gamma.1+.delta.1+.zeta.1+.omega.1=1, whereby overwrite recording is carried out by modulation of light intensity of at least strong and weak two levels, so that a crystalline state is an unrecorded state, and an amorphous state is a recorded state.

Abstract: An optical phase-change disc comprises a substrate having thereon a spiral groove or concentric grooves for guiding a focused light beam, and a layer structure including a recording layer and protective layers sandwiching therebetween the recording layer. The groove has wobble for recording ATIP (absolute time information) or ADIP (address information). The following relationship between the groove width GW, beam diameter R.sub.0 and wobble amplitude a.sub.w :0.25.ltoreq.GW/R.sub.0 .ltoreq.0.45 or 0.65.ltoreq.GW/R.sub.0 ; and0.03.ltoreq.a.sub.w /GW.ltoreq.0.08hold for preventing distortion of the groove caused by repeated overwriting operation to improve reliability of the optical disc.

Abstract: In a portable game machine 10, formed on the upper portion of a body portion 20 is a camera portion 30. An image display device 22 is arranged on one main surpace of the body portion 20, and operating switches 23, 24, etc., are arranged on other areas. The camera portion 30 is rotatably supported to the body portion 20, and a user can shoot images in both forward and backward directions when viewed from the user. Preferably, the camera portion 30 is supported having a prescribed angle to the body portion 20 so that its focal axis tilts with respect to main surfaces of the body portion 20.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium comprising a substrate provided with periodically wobbling guide grooves with a track pitch of 1.6.+-.0.1 .mu.m, and a lower protective layer, a phase-change type recording layer, an upper protective layer and a reflective layer formed in this sequence on the substrate, for recording, retrieving and erasing amorphous marks in the guide grooves by modulation of light intensity of at least two levels by means of a focused light having a wavelength of 780.+-.30 nm applied from the side of the substrate opposite to the recording layer side so that a crystalline state with a reflectance of from 15 to 25% is an unrecorded state, and an amorphous state with a reflectance of less than 10% is a recorded state, wherein the grooves have a depth of from 25 to 45 nm and a width of from 0.4 to 0.6 .mu.m.

Abstract: An optical phase-change disc comprises a substrate having thereon a spiral groove or concentric grooves for guiding a focused light beam, and a layer structure including a recording layer and protective layers sandwiching therebetween the recording layer. The groove has wobble for recording ATIP (absolute time information) or ADIP (address information). The following relationship between the groove width GW, beam diameter R.sub.0 and wobble amplitude a.sub.w :0.25.ltoreq.GW/R.sub.0 .ltoreq.0.45 or 0.65.ltoreq.GW/R.sub.0 ; and0.03.ltoreq.a.sub.w /GW.ltoreq.0.08hold for preventing distortion of the groove caused by repeated overwriting operation to improve reliability of the optical disc.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium comprising a substrate provided with periodically wobbling guide grooves with a track pitch of 1.6.+-.0.1 .mu.m, and a lower protective layer, a phase-change type recording layer, an upper protective layer and a reflective layer formed in this sequence on the substrate, for recording, retrieving and erasing amorphous marks in the guide grooves by modulation of light intensity of at least two levels by means of a focused light having a wavelength of 780.+-.30 nm applied from the side of the substrate opposite to the recording layer side so that a crystalline state with a reflectance of from 15 to 25% is an unrecorded state, and an amorphous state with a reflectance of less than 10% is a recorded state, wherein the recording layer is a thin film of an alloy of My.sub.y (Sb.sub.x Te.sub.1-x).sub.1-y where 0.ltoreq.y<0.3, 0.5<x<0.

Abstract: There is provided a communication apparatus, adapted to be used as a user terminal, connected to a message communication system in which a plurality of user terminals are interconnected, the plurality of user terminals sharing virtual worlds and avatars (symbols) of users each operating an associated one of the user terminals, and messages are exchanged among the plurality of user terminals while creating an atmosphere such that as if one's own self enters the virtual world and has conversations. In the communication apparatus, the users (symbols) are classified into a plurality of categories, and action contents of the symbols are controlled in accordance with the categories. According to the communication apparatus, a symbol with a great deal of individuality is produced, so that a virtual world full of variety may be implemented.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium for recording, retrieving and erasing mark length-modulated amorphous marks, which comprises a substrate, and a lower protective layer, a phase-change recording layer, an upper protective layer and a reflective layer having a thickness of from 40 to 300 nm and a volume resistivity of from 20 to 150 n.OMEGA..multidot.m, formed in this sequence on the substrate.

Abstract: Plural client computers 10 manipulated by individual users, a data management computer 200, and a host computer 100 are mutually connected through a network NW. The data management computer 200 manages the VRML file expressing a virtual space, and also transfers the VRML file to each client computer 10 through the network NW according to the request from each client computer 10. Each client computer 10 displays the virtual space according to the VRML file, and also displays in inside of the virtual space the object capable of updating the property data by the manipulation of the user. The host computer 100 manages the property data (position, shape, speech text, etc.) of the object changed by the operation inputted by the user at each client computer 10, so that the users of the client computers 10 sharing the same virtual space can communicate with each other through the behavior and speech of the objects in the virtual space.

Abstract: Calibration data is generated by an external device, and calibration of a printer is performed based on the calibration data. When a printer detects change in printing conditions, such as temperature, it transmits a calibration request and information on change in printing conditions (e.g., measured temperature) to an external device. The external device generates calibration data (e.g., data used for correcting density) on the basis of the information on the printing conditions, and calibration of the printer is performed on the basis of the calibration data.

Abstract: An audio interactive system including a plurality of terminals each having an audio input means for converting voices into aural signals and an audio output means for converting aural signals into voices, the plurality of terminals being connected to a communication line; and a server connected with the plurality of terminals via the communication line to perform collection and distribution of the aural signals, in which a conversation is made through voices between the plurality of terminals. The server comprises a buffer for temporarily storing the aural signals transmitted from the terminals, and a scheduler for controlling the distribution of the aural signals stored in the buffer.

Abstract: There is provided an ink capable of being used in a ballpoint pen, the ink comprising: 2 to 10% by weight of a dye, 20 to 30% by weight of a wetting agent, 5 to 10% by weight of urea, 0.2 to 0.4% by weight of cross-linked acrylic acid polymer, 0.05 to 0.2% by weight of xanthan gum, 1.0 to 5.0% by weight of sorbitol, and the balance, water.

Abstract: There is provided a communication apparatus for exchanging messages while a virtual space and avatars (symbols) of users are displayed on a display screen. The communication apparatus has a viewpoint element inputting unit for inputting a viewpoint element (a viewpoint position and a viewpoint direction). An image of the virtual space is produced on the basis of the viewpoint element inputted from the viewpoint element inputting unit. According to the communication apparatus, it is possible to increase a degree of freedom in plotting the virtual space.

Abstract: A process for producing a cyclic unsaturated aldehyde is herein disclosed which comprises the step of reacting a cyclic conjugated diene compound with an aldehyde represented by the general formula (I)R--CH.dbd.CH--CHO (I)wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms,in the presence of a solid acid catalyst in accordance with the Diels-Alder reaction.According to the process of the present invention, the cyclic unsaturated aldehydes useful as the raw materials of traction oils and the like can efficiently and industrially advantageously be produced through the Diels-Alder reaction at a low cost without causing the corrosion of an apparatus and without requiring any treatment after the reaction.