Abstract: A power supply unit is arranged between a CPU and a power supply device for supplying power to the CPU. Information necessary in proceeding with a program is evacuated from the CPU to an information holding unit. When a power shutdown factor is generated, a power supply control unit outputs a shutdown request signal to the CPU. The CPU, upon receiving the shutdown request signal, activates a power shutdown microprogram, evacuates the information necessary in proceeding with the program to the information holding unit, and outputs an evacuation completed signal to the power supply control unit after the evacuation is completed. Upon receiving the evacuation completed signal, the power supply control unit outputs a power shutdown control signal to the power supply unit. Upon receiving the power shutdown control signal from the power supply control unit, the power supply unit shuts down power supply to the CPU.

Abstract: A differential amplifier circuit includes: a differential transistor pair composed of first and second transistors; a first resistance connected to a junction point of the first and second transistors at one terminal and to a first voltage node at the other terminal; second and third resistances provided between the first and second transistors, respectively, and a second voltage node; and first and second passive circuits respectively connected to the second and third resistances, the load characteristics of the passive circuits changing according to a control signal supplied. A ring oscillator is composed of a plurality of such differential amplifier circuits connected in a loop.

Abstract: A transaction information processing apparatus and the like for carrying out electronic business transactions of various products and services is provided. Equipped with a subscription information database (12) for storing a subscription total number or a subscription total amount, a bid information database (15) for storing a bid unit price and a bid number or a bid total amount, and successful bid processing section (21h) for carrying out a successful bid processing of a transaction item. This successful bid processing section (21h) includes a successful bid stock price determination section (21j) for determining the same successful bid price to all the successful bidders, and a successful bid stock number determination section (21k) for determining successful bid numbers to all the successful bidders. According to this apparatus, it is possible to determine objectively and rationally prices of products of which actual transaction volumes are small.

Abstract: A power supply unit is arranged between a CPU and a power supply device for supplying power to the CPU. Information necessary in proceeding with a program is evacuated from the CPU to an information holding unit. When a power shutdown factor is generated, a power supply control unit outputs a shutdown request signal to the CPU. The CPU, upon receiving the shutdown request signal, activates a power shutdown microprogram, evacuates the information necessary in proceeding with the program to the information holding unit, and outputs an evacuation completed signal to the power supply control unit after the evacuation is completed. Upon receiving the evacuation completed signal, the power supply control unit outputs a power shutdown control signal to the power supply unit. Upon receiving the power shutdown control signal from the power supply control unit, the power supply unit shuts down power supply to the CPU.

Abstract: A differential amplifier circuit includes: a differential transistor pair composed of first and second transistors; a first resistance connected to a junction point of the first and second transistors at one terminal and to a first voltage node at the other terminal; second and third resistances provided between the first and second transistors, respectively, and a second voltage node; and first and second passive circuits respectively connected to the second and third resistances, the load characteristics of the passive circuits changing according to a control signal supplied. A ring oscillator is composed of a plurality of such differential amplifier circuits connected in a loop.

Abstract: A local image processor is configured as a plurality of image processor elements each having a local image memory, and a single shift register circuit for supplying to the local image memories successive local images formed of an array of pixels of a source image. Each processor element includes a register holding a count value indicating the position within the source image of data that are currently being processed by that element, and the processor elements also include mutually interconnected registers whereby intermediate computation results obtained by one processor element can be utilized by another element during parallel processing operation.