Abstract: A charge transfer device for transferring information charge packet in accordance with a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal. The charge transfer device includes a capacitor for storing information charge packet. An output amplifier is connected to the capacitor to be supplied with and operated by a first voltage. The output amplifier receives the potential at the capacitor and generates an image signal corresponding to the potential at the capacitor. The supply of the first voltage to the output amplifier is stopped during a blanking period of the vertical and horizontal synchronization signals.

Abstract: An imaging device that is activated quickly and prevents deterioration of an image signal. The imaging device includes a boosting circuit for boosting an input voltage to generate a boosted voltage. A solid state imaging device receives the boosted voltage and generates the image signal. A clock signal generation unit is connected to the boosting circuit to determine a timing for generating the image signal in correspondence with a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal and to generate a boosting clock signal for operating the boosting circuit. The clock signal generation unit continuously generates the boosting clock signal during a predetermined period in which the imaging operation starts and, after the predetermined period, generates the boosting clock signal during at least part of a blanking period of the vertical synchronization signal and the horizontal synchronization signal.

Abstract: A step-up/step-down circuit can be simplified as compared with conventional circuits by including a step-down unit for receiving a system clock pulse alternately providing a reference voltage (GND) and a system voltage VDD in a repeated manner to output a voltage V4 lower than the reference voltage (GND) by using a potential difference between the reference voltage (GND) and the system voltage VDD, a level shift unit for receiving the system clock pulse and the voltage V4 output from the step-down unit to output a pulse signal Vo having a greater potential difference than the potential difference between the reference voltage (GND) and the system voltage VDD, and a step-up unit for receiving the pulse signal Vo output from the level shift unit to output a voltage V7 higher than the reference voltage (GND).

Abstract: A first charge pump circuit section generates a first voltage, and a second charge pump circuit section generates a second voltage. A drive pulse supply section includes buffer elements supplying driving pulses to switching elements in the first charge pump circuit section and the second charge pump circuit section. A charge pulse supply section generates clock pulses supplied to capacitors connected to the switching elements in the first charge pump circuit section and the second charge pump circuit section.

Abstract: A ternary pulse generation circuit includes a logic circuit section including three logic elements and a switching control section including three switching elements each controlled by an output of corresponding one of the three logic elements, and the circuit outputs three different voltage values in a switching manner by controlling the three switching elements such that the three switching elements are not turned on simultaneously.

Abstract: A drive apparatus that guarantees the stable operation of a CCD image sensor. The drive apparatus includes a drive circuit for supplying a pulse signal to the CCD image sensor. A power supply circuit is connected to the drive circuit to supply the drive circuit with a voltage for generating the pulse signal. The power supply circuit includes an over-boosting circuit for temporarily over-boosting the voltage supplied to the drive circuit to generate an over-boosted voltage, prior to the charge transfer operation of the CCD image sensor.

Abstract: An image signal processor for reducing power consumption. The image signal processor is connected between a solid-state imaging device, which generates a first image signal, and an external device, and includes first and second regulators, a switch circuit, a signal processing circuit, and an output circuit. The first regulator generates a first voltage that is in accordance with an output level of the solid-state imaging device. The second regulator generates a second voltage that is in accordance with an input level of the external device. The switch circuit supplies the power supply voltage or the second voltage to the output circuit in accordance with the operating state of the imaging external device. The signal processing circuit operates with the first voltage and generates a second image signal. The output circuit provides the second image signal to the external device.

Abstract: A driver circuit is improved in drive capability corresponding to a resolution increase for a CCD sensor while suppressing chip size of a driver circuit. A preceding-stage circuit, operating on VDD2 (>VDD) and VLOW2 (<VLOW), is provided in a stage preceding an output-stage circuit operating on VDD and VLOW. The output-stage has a transistor QPd that turns on when supplied with a gate voltage VLOW2 from the preceding-stage circuit, thus outputting, onto an output terminal Vout, a voltage VDD and a current according to a voltage Vgs (=VDD?VLOW2). In addition, a transistor QNd turns on when supplied with a gate voltage VDD2 from the preceding-stage circuit, thus outputting, onto an output terminal Vout, a voltage VLOW and a current according to a voltage Vgs (=VDD2?VLOW). Because these Vgs are greater than VDD?VLOW, the output-stage circuit can be improved in drive capability and transistor size be correspondingly suppressed.

Abstract: A rolling guide unit has a separator to adjust an interval between any two adjacent rolling elements. The separator is made to have flexibility or elasticity enough to afford any desired elastic deformation, even with keeping sufficient mechanical stiffness or rigidity to positively admit the interaction among the rolling elements inclusive of a circular shell. The separator is comprised of axially opposite end sides depressed inward to fit over the adjacent rolling elements, a circular shell to define an outside contour of the separator, and fingers lying in the depressions in a way extending from the shell towards centers of the depressions so as to make elastic contact with the rolling elements. Each finger has a surface facing the associated rolling element, the surface being made into any one of a depressed spherical surface, a depressed conical surface and a depressed pyramid surface.

Abstract: A signal processor for reducing power consumption. The signal processor includes a first regulator for generating a first regulated voltage with a power supply voltage and supplying the first regulated voltage to a signal processing circuit. A second regulator generates a second regulated voltage with the power supply voltage and supplies the second regulated voltage to an output circuit. The second regulator shifts the second regulated voltage in accordance with a change in an input level of the external device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control device including a negative voltage generating section that outputs a voltage from an output end that can be grounded via a capacitor, an inverter that receives a clock control signal to output a charged voltage of the capacitor to the outside at predetermined points in time, a pulse generating section that receives a pulse control signal to output a pulse voltage from an output end that can be connected to an output end of the negative voltage generating section via the capacitor, and a control section which outputs a clock control signal to the inverter and which controls the pulse control signal at predetermined points in time under the control of the clock control signal. This makes it possible to reduce the magnitude of a variation in a control voltage for a charge transfer element without the need to increase the size of the device.

Abstract: Further miniaturization of capsule-type endoscopes is intended. A CCD image sensor composed of an imaging section, a horizontal transfer section, and an output section is incorporated in a capsule-type endoscope. The inside of a human body is basically in a dark state. Therefore, by setting a desired exposure time on the basis of a light emission period of an LED, the CCD image sensor does not require, separately from light-receiving pixels, vertical shift registers that are shielded from light like the storage sections of frame-transfer-type CCD image sensors and the vertical shift registers of interline-transfer-type CCD image sensors. Since no shielded-from-light regions for maintaining signal charges are necessary, the CCD image sensor can be miniaturized accordingly, which enables further miniaturization of capsule-type endoscopes.

Abstract: A first solid-state image pickup element accumulates first information electric charge generated in response to a first object image in a plurality of light reception pixels. As first drive circuit drives the first solid-state image pickup element to obtain a first image signal. A second solid-state image pickup element accumulates second information electric charge generated in response to a second object image in a plurality of light reception pixels. A second drive circuit derives the second solid-state image pickup element to obtain a second image signal. A selector circuit selectively supplies a predetermined voltage VOH in synchronization with the operation timing of the first and the second solid-state image pickup element.

Abstract: A solid state image capturing device comprises a vertical transfer section including a plurality of vertical shift registers which vertically transfer information charges generated in a plurality of light-receiving pixels arranged in a matrix form, and a horizontal transfer section including a horizontal shift register in which each bit thereof is coupled to each of the vertical shift registers of the vertical transfer section, wherein the information charges corresponding to a plurality of light-receiving pixels transferred by the horizontal shift register are added and then horizontally transferred. Thus, transfer time of the information charges during horizontal transfer can be reduced.

Abstract: In exposure control of an imaging apparatus, if a vertical scanning period is enlarged to increase an exposure time when the exposure time reaches an upper limit value, there occurs a problem in that a frame rate is reduced. Accordingly, when a subject is dark, an auto exposure control circuit sets the vertical scanning period V to a standard value Vst, increases the exposure time E to the upper limit value Emax (P60) and then increases a gain a of an AGC circuit (P62). If the image is still dark even when the gain ? reaches the upper limit value amax, the auto exposure control circuit switches the vertical scanning period V to an enlarged value Vex and thus more increases the exposure time E (P64).

Abstract: A step-up/step-down circuit can be simplified as compared with conventional circuits by including a step-down unit for receiving a system clock pulse alternately providing a reference voltage (GND) and a system voltage VDD in a repeated manner to output a voltage V4 lower than the reference voltage (GND) by using a potential difference between the reference voltage (GND) and the system voltage VDD, a level shift unit for receiving the system clock pulse and the voltage V4 output from the step-down unit to output a pulse signal Vo having a greater potential difference than the potential difference between the reference voltage (GND) and the system voltage VDD, and a step-up unit for receiving the pulse signal Vo output from the level shit unit to output a voltage V7 higher than the reference voltage (GND).

Abstract: A charge pump circuit for converting an input voltage to a predetermined voltage. The charge pump circuit includes switching transistors, which are connected in series between an output terminal and reference potential terminal of the charge pump circuit, and a capacitor connected to a node between the first and second transistors. The switching transistors include a first transistor connected to the reference potential terminal and a second transistor connected to the first transistor. The capacitor has a first terminal connected to a node between the transistors and a second terminal connected to a delay circuit. The delay circuit is connected between the second terminal of the capacitor and a control terminal of the first transistor. The delay circuit delays a clock signal received by the control terminal by a predetermined time and provides the delayed first clock signal to the second terminal of the capacitor.

Abstract: A lubricating plug is provided which may be applied easily to the stud-type roller bearing with tracking wheel, roller, whether new or already existing, with no need of adding any modification to design of a lubrication hole. The lubricating plug is most suitable for certain replenishment of lubricant and also made slim in construction even with low cost. The lubricating plug is comprised of a radially enlarged portion of cylindrical contour adapted to make the fit-engagement with the lubrication hole in the stud, and a radially reduced portion made integral with the radially enlarged portion. An injection hole is bored throughout in both the radially enlarged portion and the radially reduced portion to accommodate detachably therein a lubricant feeder nozzle.

Abstract: A drive apparatus that guarantees the stable operation of a CCD image sensor. The drive apparatus includes a drive circuit for supplying a pulse signal to the CCD image sensor. A power supply circuit is connected to the drive circuit to supply the drive circuit with a voltage for generating the pulse signal. The power supply circuit includes an over-boosting circuit for temporarily over-boosting the voltage supplied to the drive circuit to generate an over-boosted voltage, prior to the charge transfer operation of the CCD image sensor.

Abstract: A booster for generating stable boosted voltage with respect to fluctuation of power supply voltage and load current. The booster has a charge pump circuit including a plurality of boosting units connected in series to selectively validate the boosting units and generate the boosted voltage in accordance with the number of validated boosting units. A boost control circuit is connected to the charge pump circuit to determine whether the boosted voltage is in a predetermined range and change the number of validated boosting units in accordance with the determination.