Abstract: A memory cell array ARY includes a plurality of sub-arrays SARY. A data transfer unit DTU alternately accesses the sub-arrays SARY to transfer data between the sub-arrays SARY. Accordingly, it is possible to transfer data stored in one of the sub-arrays SARY to another sub-array SARY without outputting the data to a bus connected to a semiconductor memory MEM. For example, a microcontroller CNT in a system MSYS can use the bus during the data transfer since the bus is not used for the data transfer. As a result, it is possible to prevent the performance of the system MSYS from being deteriorated due to the data transfer.

Abstract: A conversion control unit sets a converting function of a write data conversion unit or a read data conversion unit enabled or disabled for each controller. Accordingly, for a controller which needs original external data, the external data can be inputted and outputted, whereas for a controller which needs converted internal data, the internal data can be inputted and outputted. A data converting function of a conventional controller can be realized in a semiconductor memory, which can reduce the load on the controller. As a result, the performance of a system can be improved. A disabled controller which has no access right cannot read correct data (original data before conversion). Hence, the security of data written into the semiconductor memory can be protected.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory has a field programmable unit in which logic to inter-convert external signals to be input/output to/from a memory system and internal signals to be input/output to/from a memory cell array is programmed. A program for constructing the logic of the field programmable unit is stored in a nonvolatile program memory unit. Through the field programmable unit, a controller can access the memory cell array, even when the interface of the controller accessing the semiconductor memory is different from an interface for accessing the memory cell array. Therefore, one kind of semiconductor memory can be used as plural kinds of semiconductor memories. This eliminates the need to develop plural kinds of semiconductor memories, reducing a development cost.

Abstract: A memory controller multiplexes access signals each consisting of a plurality of bits as optical signals and outputs the multiplexed optical signals. At this time, the optical signals whose wavelengths differ depending on memory devices are generated. A memory interface unit demultiplexes the multiplexed optical signals into the original optical signals and converts the demultiplexed optical signals into electrical signals. The memory interface unit determines to which of the memory devices the electrical signals resulting from the conversion should be outputted, according to the wavelengths of the demultiplexed optical signals. This frees the memory controller from a need for transmitting to the memory interface unit a signal for identifying the memory device. The memory interface unit need not include a decoding circuit for identifying the memory device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a piezoelectric device having an extremely good secular characteristic, which is a unimorph (or bimorph) element obtained by sticking to a metal plate a piezoelectric single crystal having a giant-lateral-effect piezoelectric performance of a lateral-vibration-mode electromechanical coupling factor k31 not smaller than 70%, the unimorph (or bimorph) element having a bending-vibration-mode electromechanical coupling factor kb not smaller than 50% (or 60%). A plate-form single crystal of PZNT or PMNT is brought into a mono-domain in its thickness direction and in its plate surface so as to be provided with the giant-lateral-effect piezoelectric characteristic, and the single crystal that does not cause secular deterioration is stuck to a metal plate (shim plate) while the mono-domain quality is kept as it is, as a result of which a unimorph (or bimorph) is fabricated.

Abstract: Plural transmitter units generate plural currents corresponding to plural logical values, respectively, and propagate the currents to a common signal line. The common signal line synthesizes the currents generated by the transmitter units, and propagates them to a receiver unit as a synthetic current. The receiver unit restores the logical values the transmitter units generated, in accordance with the synthetic current. The values of the currents the transmitter units generate in correspondence with the logical values each differ, so that the value of the synthetic current can be changed for every combination of logical values. Accordingly, the receiver unit can restore the logical values outputted from the respective transmitter units, based on the synthetic current. That is, employing the common signal line enables signals transmitted from the transmitter units to be simultaneously received. Consequently, the number of signal lines laid between the transmitter units and the receiver unit is reduced.

Abstract: A volatile memory has a volatile additional area for storing an error correction code for a nonvolatile memory. Data stored in the nonvolatile memory are transferred to the volatile memory together with the error correction code without making an error correction. Thus, data transfer time from the nonvolatile memory to the volatile memory can be shortened. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time from beginning of the data transfer from the nonvolatile memory to the volatile memory to a point at which data becomes accessible.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification apparatus for use in an internal combustion engine comprises an exhaust gas duct connected to the engine through which the exhaust gas containing NOx gas passes and a catalyst so disposed in the exhaust gas duct that it contacts with the exhaust gas. The catalyst chemically adsorbs NOx under the condition that a stoichiometric amount of a gaseous oxidizing agent present in the exhaust gas is larger than that of a gaseous reducing agent present in the exhaust gas for reducing NOx, while NOx being adsorbed is catalytically reduced in the presence of the reducing agent under the condition that the stoichiometric amount of the oxidizing agent is not larger that of the reducing agent. Thereby, NOx, the lean burn exhaust gas in the engine can be effectively made harmlessly.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification apparatus for use in an internal combustion engine comprises an exhaust gas duct connected to the engine through which exhaust gas containing NOx gas passes, and a catalyst disposed in the exhaust gas duct such that it contacts the exhaust gas. The catalyst chemically adsorbs NOx when a stoichiometric amount of a gaseous oxidizing agent present in the exhaust gas is larger than that of a gaseous reducing agent present in the exhaust gas for reducing NOx, adsorbed NOx is catalytically reduced in the presence of a reducing agent when the stoichiometric amount of the oxidizing agent is not larger that of the reducing agent.

Abstract: Nitrogen oxides contained in an exhaust gas emitted from a lean-burn engine-mounted internal combustion engines are eliminated with a high efficiency. In an exhaust gas purification apparatus and process for eliminating nitrogen oxides contained in a combustion exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine with a reducing gas such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, etc. contained in the exhaust gas in the presence of a catalyst, a catalyst comprising all of Rh, Pt and Pd, at least one member selected from alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, and Mn or its compound, supported on a porous carrier is used.

Abstract: A domain controlled piezoelectnc single crystal is disclosed which uses a lateral vibration mode for an electromechanical coupling factor k31 not less than 70% and a piezoelectric constant −d31 not less than 1200 pC/N, with an electromechanical coupling factor k33 in the longitudinal vibration mode not less than 80% and a piezoelectric constant d33 not less than 800 pC/N. Also, a piezoelectric single crystal is disclosed which uses a high-performance longitudinal vibration mode with k31 not more than 30%. A fabrication method applies a DC electric field of 400 V/mm to 1500 V/mm for a maximum of two hours in a temperature range of 20° C. to 200° C. as polarization conditions in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric single crystal. The method can include cooling, or heating and cooling between temperature boundaries of rhombohedral and tetragonal crystals or between tetragonal and cubic crystals or within a cubic crystal temperature range.

Abstract: A system and method of logically partitioning shared memory structures between computer domains is disclosed. In one embodiment, each domain is assigned a unique address space identifier. The unique address space identifier preferably has tag extension and index extension bits. This permits the tag and index bits of a conventional local domain address to be extended with tag extension and index extension bits. Data entries in the shared memory structure may be accessed using an extended index value. Hits may be determined using an extended tag value.

Abstract: An electronic device has a wiring board mounted with an electronic circuit chip. A recess or through-hole is formed in a major surface of the wiring board on which the electronic circuit chip is mounted at a position corresponding to a central portion of the electronic circuit chip. Air trapped in a space between the electronic circuit chip and the wiring board is collected in the recess or through-hole to form a void separated from the electronic circuit chip.

Abstract: Nitrogen oxides contained in an exhaust gas emitted from a lean-burn engine-mounted internal combustion engines are eliminated with a high efficiency.

Abstract: In an exhaust gas purification process for eliminating nitrogen oxides contained in a combustion exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine with a reducing gas such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, etc. contained in the exhaust gas in the presence of a catalyst, a catalyst comprising all of Rh, Pt and Pd, at least one member selected from alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, and Mn or its compound, supported on a porous carrier is used.

Abstract: A domain controlled piezoelectric single crystal is disclosed which uses a lateral vibration mode for an electromechanical coupling factor k31 not less than 70% and a piezoelectric constant −d31 not less than 1200 pC/N, with an electromechanical coupling factor k33 in the longitudinal vibration mode not less than 80% and a piezoelectric constant d33 not less than 800 pC/N. Also, a piezoelectric single crystal is disclosed which uses a high-performance longitudinal vibration mode with k31 not more than 30%. A fabrication method applies a DC electric field of 400 V/mm to 1500 V/mm for a maximum of two hours in a temperature range of 20° C. to 200° C. as polarization conditions in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric single crystal. The method can include cooling, or heating and cooling between temperature boundaries of rhombohedral and tetragonal crystals or between tetragonal and cubic crystals or within a cubic crystal temperature range.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a rotary encoder that has a code member which rotates so as to draw an accurate circle as a shaft rotates. Such rotary encoder includes a casing; a detection element attached to the casing; and a rotatable rotor having a mounting aperture for inserting a shaft at the center thereof and being provided with a code member opposing to the detection element, in which an inner peripheral surface of the mounting aperture is provided with a spring member having a base and a plurality of tongues for energizing the shaft toward the center of the mounting aperture so as to set a position of the shaft at the center of the mounting aperture.

Abstract: A catalyst being formed of a porous supporter supporting alkali metals, Ti and noble metal, or further supporting at least one of rare earth metal and magnesium, being disposed in a flow passage of the internal combustion engine, and being used to purify NOx contained in the exaust gas. The above catalyst has excellent NOx resistance not only to the exaust gas burnt with the stoichiometric air-to-fuel ratio or rich condition, but to the exhaust gas burnt with the lean condition, and furthermore has a high resistivity to poisoning of SOx slightly contained in the fuel.

Abstract: An article management system generally includes an exit monitoring device, a storage shelf unit and a non-contact id tag. Each of these components are optionally equipped with a detection enhancing device for enhancing the transmission and or reception of signals between the non-contact id tag and the exit monitoring device or between the non-contact id tag and the storage shelf unit. The detection enhancing device includes a loop conductive line or an additional loop antenna.

Abstract: A liquid-cooled circuit device including: a module having a circuit element and a module base plate on surface of which the circuit element is mounted; a circuit case for accommodating the module; and a cooling liquid chamber for flowing a cooling liquid in contact with a back face of the module base plate of said module. The module base plate of the module is fitted into an opening provided in a member forming the cooling liquid chamber and welded without a gap.