Abstract: In each of a plurality of memory chips in the semiconductor integrated circuit device, an address signal of a defective memory cell in a memory circuit is obtained by a pattern generation tester circuit and a repair analysis circuit, and stored in a replacement storage circuit. The address signal read out of the replacement storage circuit is set to a replacement-repair circuit, and the defective memory cell is replaced with a spare memory cell. The replacement of a defective memory cell with a spare memory cell is allowed even after packaging, so that the yield is increased. The test time is also reduced, as the plurality of memory chips are tested in parallel.

Abstract: Using a synthetic molecular spring device in a system for dynamically controlling a system property, such as momentum, topography, and electronic behavior. System features (a) the synthetic molecular spring device having (i) at least one synthetic molecular assembly each featuring at least one chemical unit including at least one: (1) atom; (2) complexing group complexed to at least one atom; (3) axial ligand reversibly physicochemically paired with at least one complexed atom; and (4) substantially elastic molecular linker; and, (ii) an activating mechanism directed to at least one atom-axial ligand pair; and, (b) a selected unit operatively coupled to synthetic molecular assembly, and exhibiting the system property.

Abstract: In the conventional column-side block redundancy for DRAM, competition for the replacing regions occurs unless a repair address of a large number of bits is stored in order to replace with a small replacement unit. According to one aspect of the invention, replacement decision is performed in order that a second replacement region can be made smaller than a first replacement and that the second replacement is given priority over the first replacement. Therefore, the first replacement can be controlled by a repair address of a small number of bits, thus making it possible to achieve a semiconductor device having a defect repair circuit with small area and high repair efficiency.

Abstract: A memory cell array includes spare elements for saving a defective cell. Fuse sets each contain a defective address and mapping information indicative of the relationship between the fuse sets and the spare elements. When the defective address matches an input address, each fuse set outputs a signal for activating a corresponding spare element. The number of the fuse sets within a chip is smaller than the number of the spare elements.

Abstract: A memory cell array includes spare elements for saving a defective cell. Fuse sets each contain a defective address and mapping information indicative of the relationship between the fuse sets and the spare elements. When the defective address matches an input address, each fuse set outputs a signal for activating a corresponding spare element. The number of the fuse sets within a chip is smaller than the number of the spare elements.

Abstract: A method of verifying a semiconductor integrated circuit apparatus includes (a) providing a semiconductor integrated circuit apparatus including: a first transistor which has a floating gate in which a potential is floated and to which data is written; a second transistor which has a floating gate connected together with the floating gate and reads out the data written to the first transistor; and a control gate unit, which is coupled to the floating gate, controlling an operation of reading out the data of the second transistor; (b) comparing a first data outputted through the second transistor when a first potential is applied to the control gate unit with a second data outputted through the second transistor when a second potential is applied to the control gate unit to generate a comparison result; and (c) verifying the data written to the floating gate based on the comparison result. The first potential is different from the second potential.

Abstract: There are provided a semiconductor memory device and a data access method therefor, which can reduce current charged/discharged to bit lines because of charge recycling in order to improve the data holding characteristic of a cell capacitor and to reduce current consumption in stand-by mode. For the restore operation, a higher-voltage-side drive wire of the sense amplifier group is switched to a second voltage (V2). Charge stored in a recycling capacitor is used for charging bit lines from an equalizing voltage to the second voltage (V2). Next, the higher-voltage-side drive wire is switched from the second voltage (V2) to a first voltage (V1) so that a memory cell is restored. For the equalizing operation, the higher-voltage-side drive wire is switched to the second voltage (V2), and the charge in the bit lines is returned to the recycling capacitor. After that, the sense amplifying operation is terminated, and the bit line pair is shorted so as to be equalized to ½ of the second voltage (V2).

Abstract: A ROM or other memory may include two or more partitions and a precharge circuit. Each of the partitions may be coupled to separate sets of output conductors, to which the precharge circuit may be coupled. The precharge circuit may precharge the conductors of the partition to be read, while not precharging the other conductors. In one embodiment, the precharge may be to a voltage representing a binary value. In one implementation, the non-precharged conductors may be held to a predetermined voltage different from the voltage to which the precharged conductors are precharged. The predetermined voltage may represent the opposite binary value to the binary value represented by the precharge voltage. The ROM may also include an output circuit which may, in certain embodiments, comprise a logic circuit which logically combines the signals on respective conductors from each partition to provide output signals from the ROM.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a single ended sense amplifier, which is engaged in receiving signals of a memory apparatus of a semiconductor, and generates output signals in an output terminal. The single ended sense amplifier comprises: a first loading unit, which offers a loading current; a first sense switch unit, which is in between a memory apparatus of semiconductor and the first loading unit to couple them together, and connects to the first loading unit to form an output terminal in order to be as a channel switch for a channel from semiconductor memory apparatus to the output terminal of the sense amplifier; a second loading unit, which offers a charging current; a second sense switch unit, which is in between the semiconductor memory apparatus and the second loading unit to couple them together; an inverse logic unit, which is among the semiconductor memory apparatus, the first sense switch unit and the second sense switch unit for controlling the plural sense switch units.

Abstract: A DRAM improves cell read margins using bias, or reference, circuitry. The reference circuitry is coupled to a complimentary digit line to improve a differential voltage with an active digit line. One embodiment, improves one's margin by decreasing the complimentary digit line voltage. The reference circuitry can be an unprogrammed DRAM cell, a non-volatile ROM memory cell or a conductor coupled to a reference voltage.

Abstract: A temperature detection circuit is provided. A first delay unit has a first delay time that varies based on a temperature. The first delay unit receives a reference signal and generates a first delayed reference signal. A second delay unit has a second delay time that varies based on the temperature, wherein the second delay time varies less than the first delay time for a given temperature variance. The second delay unit to receives the reference signal and generates a second delayed reference signal. A temperature detecting unit receives the first and second delayed reference signals and generates a temperature detection signal based on the first and second delayed reference signals.

Abstract: An asynchronous First-In-First-Out memory integrated circuit is equipped with a Built-In Self Test logic structure which allows extensive full-frequency asynchronous memory testing requiring minimal external test equipment. Memory input data patterns are generated by write data pattern circuitry responsive to a write clock signal. The write data generator considers the full status of the FIFO memory device. A read data generator provides an expected output data pattern corresponding to the data pattern provided by the write data generator responsive to a read clock signal such that the status of the FIFO memory device is taken into account. A read data error circuit compares the expected output data with the actual output data, indicating any mismatch between the two. Further this asynchronous First-In-First-Out memory device stores information regarding the nature of any mismatches and allows this information to be serially read from its output.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a refresh operation of a memory device capable of performing an internal refresh after a power-up sequence is completed. The apparatus an apparatus for controlling a refresh operation of a memory device comprising DRAM memory cells and a SRAM interface, comprises a control circuit for outputting a control signal in a second state in response to a power-up signal during a predetermined period, the second state for disabling refresh operations, and for outputting the control signal in a first state in response to a command signal, wherein the command signal is a first active command input signal after the predetermined period, and a refresh pulse generating circuit for outputting a pulse signal for refreshing the DRAM memory cells in response to the control signal in the first state.

Abstract: A refresh apparatus for a semiconductor memory device and a refresh method thereof that can reduce a test time by simultaneously refreshing a normal cell and a redundant cell in one test mode is disclosed. The refresh apparatus for the semiconductor memory device may include a redundant cell refresh signal generator for generating a redundant cell refresh signal for refreshing a redundant cell when a refresh is requested in a test mode, a wordline enable signal generator for generating a normal main wordline enable signal and a redundant main wordline enable signal in response to the redundant cell refresh signal in a redundant cell test mode and a wordline driver for simultaneously refreshing the normal and redundant cells by simultaneously driving a normal main wordline and a redundant main wordline in response to the redundant cell refresh signal, the normal main wordline enable signal, the redundant main wordline enable signal and a row address in the redundant cell test mode.

Abstract: Row access information transfer devices and methods are disclosed which use an internal wiring of a memory cell array to transfer information to a column fuse box array. The disclosed techniques and structures can increase the efficiency of a circuit by transferring sense amplifier and wordline control signals relating to a specific row block corresponding to an inputted row address to a column fuse box array using wiring within the cell array, when the row block is accessed in DRAM.

Abstract: A highly integrated semiconductor memory device capable of operating at high speed having a plurality of main word lines which extend along a first direction across memory blocks, and sub word lines disposed in each of the memory blocks and subordinate to each of the main word lines. Sub row decoders are provided corresponding to the memory blocks. Each of the sub row decoders has a plurality of sub word select signal lines extending along a second direction and selects one of the sub word lines. First and second signal supply sections, which supply sub word select signals to the sub word select signal lines disposed in the sub row decoders, are provided on either end in the first direction. A block select signal line extending in the sub row decoder along the second direction is connected with the second signal supply section. The second signal supply section generates the sub word select signal based on the potential of the block select signal line.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory and a method for operating the semiconductor memory store information items at least in triplicate at memory addresses in a plurality of memory areas, preferably memory banks, and read the information items therefrom. A checking unit contains synchronization circuits compares the data values that are read and, if the information items that are read differ, can ascertain and possibly immediately correct storage errors. The method of operating the memory enables quasi-random access to memory cells using a permutation circuit. In a test mode for the semiconductor memory, an error log circuit can output error log data instead of or in addition to data values that are read.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a circuit configuration wherein a decoder control signal &PHgr;2 is rendered unnecessary between an address buffer control signal &PHgr;1 and the decoder control signal &PHgr;2, thereby implementing speed-up in operation of a decoder circuit. The object is attained by adoption of a configuration wherein a buffer is integrated with a decoder, so that an output current path of transistors making up the address buffer, and that of transistors making up the decoder are connected with each other in series, thereby forming an output current path of decoder output. With the invention, speed-up in operation, lower power consumption, and higher cycle, of decoder circuits, can be achieved. Further, in the case of using the decoder circuits in a semiconductor memory, it is possible to achieve shortening of access time, lower power consumption, and higher cycle with reference to the semiconductor memory.

Abstract: A clock applying circuit for a synchronous memory is comprised of a clock input for receiving a clock input signal, apparatus connected to the synchronous memory for receiving a driving clock signal, and a tapped delay line for receiving the clock input signal and for delivering the clock driving signal to the synchronous memory in synchronism with but delayed from the clock input signal, the delay being a small fraction of the clock period of the clock input signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for delivering elastomeric media, the system consisting of a gear pump (1) and a screw-type extruder (10) which, viewed in the delivery direction (6) of the pumping medium, is arranged in front of the gear pump (1) and which consists of a screw (11) and of a screw casing (12).

Abstract: A cover slip mixing apparatus having a support and a flexible cover slip positioned over and forming a chamber between the support and the cover slip. A device is positioned with respect to the support and cover slip for applying a force on the cover slip and flexing the cover slip toward the support, the flexing cover slip providing a mixing action of a material located in the chamber. A microfluidic device includes a substrate with a fluid path disposed in the substrate. A flexible cover is positioned over the substrate and the fluid path, and a device is positioned with respect to the substrate and the cover. The device is operable to apply forces to the cover and flex the cover to act on fluid in the fluid path.

Abstract: A device for mixing viscous liquids, comprising a cylindrical mixing chamber (100) that is open on one front and has a side wall, at least two injection nozzles (170), the nozzle openings of which are provided with exit bores (105B) in the side wall, and a piston (150) that can be displaced inside the mixing chamber (100) in axial direction, along the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the mixing chamber (100) and which has a circular surface. A motor (135) (FIG. 1) can move the piston in axial direction as well as rotate it around its longitudinal axis inside the mixing chamber (100).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device which is used to mix materials in a mixer unit (7) which comprises a stator (24) and a rotor (17) arranged in a mixing chamber (18); The aim of the invention is to embody the stator (24) in a different manner in the mixing areas of said mixing chamber (18), said mixing areas being separated by means of a separating disk (20) associated with the rotor (17). As a result, different yield and mixing ratios can be obtained in the mixing areas of the mixing chamber (18).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for mixing a fluid dispersion disposed in a container having either a cylindrical or a square shape. The apparatus includes a holding structure having a retaining structure connected to a base. The retaining structure prevents lateral movement of the container both when the container has a cylindrical shape and when the container has a generally square shape with a width substantially equal to the diameter of the cylindrical shape. The apparatus rotates the container about at least one axis.

Abstract: A rotor to establish a swirling flow in liquid(s) contained in a vessel. In one form the rotor includes two parallel spaced apart discs. An array of vanes is interposed between the discs. One of the discs is annular to define an inlet to the array of vanes. The inlet controls the size of an inner core region of the swirling flow. In another form the rotor has at least two hollow spokes directed radially outwardly from the central hub. The spokes each have a passage with an inlet directed toward the hub and a radially directed outlet. Rotation of the rotor produces a flow through the spokes that contributes to the rotational radially outward flow that establishes the swirling flow. In another form of the invention the rotor includes at least two blades directed radially outwardly from a central hub. The blades include at least one surface inclined to the direction of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A accurate time measurement circuit. The design is amenable to implementation as a CMOS integrated circuits, making the circuit suitable for a highly integrated system, such as automatic test equipment where multiple time measurement circuits are required. The circuit uses a delay locked loop to generate a plurality of signals that are delayed in time by an interval D. The signal to be measured is fed to a bank of delay elements, each with a slightly different delay with the difference in delay between the first and the last being more than D. An accurate time measurement is achieved by finding coincidence between one of the TAP signals and one of the delay signals. The circuit has much greater accuracy than a traditional delay line based time measurement circuit with the same number of taps. It therefore provides both accuracy and fast re-fire time and is less susceptible to noise.

Abstract: To provide a hand, free from hand deviation and disengagement, having integrated engaging and wing portions and formed of a low-density material.

Abstract: There is provided an information storage apparatus including recording medium and a head. The recording medium has an electrode layer, a magnetic layer that is stacked on the electrode layer, and a wear-resistant thin film that is stacked on the magnetic layer. The head has a conductive probe for injecting charge to record information and sensing the charge injected into the recording medium to reproduce information in a state that the conductive probe contacts the recording medium. A magnetic medium, which is coated with a wear-resistant thin film, stores charges to record information and reproduce information using an electrostatic force. Thus, it is possible to stably store highly integrated information. Also, a probe contacts a recording medium to record and reproduce information at a high speed. Thus, sensitivity and resolution can be improved.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a coil for generating a magnetic field, and an electroconductive film superposed over the coil in the axial direction of the coil. The film is formed with a hole in the center. The electroconductive film is composed of a non-magnetic substance, and a first slit is formed in the electroconductive film extending from the hole to the outer peripheral edge of the electroconductive film. A second slit surrounds the inner peripheral edge of the electroconductive film. A continuity component is formed to electrically connect the inner peripheral edge of the electroconductive film to a radially outer region of the electroconductive film.

Abstract: A converter that records or reproduces information to or from a recording medium while making a movement relative to the recording medium is mounted on a slider. The slider has at least a pair of openings on a side face thereof, and airflow generated by the movement relative to the recording medium flows in via one of the paired openings, passes in a vicinity of a surface of the converter other than a surface thereof facing the recording medium, and thereafter flows out via the other one of the paired openings. With this, the ability to cool the converter is improved.

Abstract: A magneto-optical recording medium 11 is irradiated with a reproducing light beam 13 so that only a minute magnetic domain 313b, which is subjected to recording in a recording layer 18 and which is smaller than ½ of a spot radius of the recording light beam 13, is selected by a gate layer 17 and transferred to a magnetic domain-magnifying and reproducing layer 3. The magnetic domain transferred to the magnetic domain-magnifying and reproducing layer 3 is magnified by using a magnifying and reproducing magnetic field 411 of an alternating magnetic field. A large reproduction signal is obtained from the magnified magnetic domain 419, and the minute magnetic domain can be subjected to reproduction at a high resolving power and at a high S/N ratio. The magnified magnetic domain 419 is reduced by using a reducing reproducing magnetic field 415 of the alternating magnetic field. The gate layer 17 has a thickness which is not less than a thickness of a magnetic wall of the magnetic domain.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reproduction method and also to a reproduction apparatus adapted to transmit a first digital signal for main data of a piece of music and additional data accompanying the main data and including the number of the piece of music and the elapsed time on the track and a second digital signal for main data of the piece of music and accompanying absolute time data on a common digital interface.

Abstract: An optical disk unit includes the following: a storage part temporarily storing data to be written to an optical disk; a processing part processing the data; an encoder part modulating and outputting the processed data; a writing control part controlling writing of the data to the optical disk; and a writing command part detecting an occurrence of a state of suspension of supply of the data to the storage part and providing an operation command to the writing control part in accordance with the, detection result. In the case of suspending the writing of the data to the optical disk, the writing control part causes the processing and encoder parts to stop accessing the storage part by setting the processing and encoder parts in a wait state after the processing and encoder parts access the storage part, and causes the storing of the data in the storage part to be stopped.

Abstract: Recordable compact disc player and media. Improved power consumption, aerodynamics and use of data compression allow large quantities of music to be stored and played back. Storage space is increased by recording information on the land and grooves of 8 cm recordable media. Aerodynamic guide vanes are provided on the disc enclosure interior and the discs are textured for improved aerodynamic performance. A play list and play list is browser is further provided and media can also be visibly labeled whilst written, providing a storage device with a visible fingerprint or identifier characteristic of the owner.

Abstract: Disk changer apparatus employs a commercially-available drive device that includes a sliding tray having an opening preformed therein. Disk elevator section has a portion movable through the opening of the sliding tray and thereby allows a disk to be transferred between a disk transport section and the sliding tray of the drive device utilizing the opening of the sliding tray.

Abstract: An optical information processing apparatus includes: an optical head for irradiating an optical information recording medium with light, converting the light reflected by the optical information recording medium into a head signal and outputting the head signal; a signal quality index detector for detecting a signal quality index representing quality of the head signal on the basis of the head signal; and a two-dimensional probe for varying the focal position and the spherical aberration of the light radiated onto the optical information recording medium so as to search for a focal position and a spherical aberration that optimize the signal quality index detected by the signal quality index detector.

Abstract: A link method and system for providing recorded data continuity in a compact disc. When a buffer underrun occurs, the width of an EXTENDED SYNC signal indicating the time interval between an absolute time in pre-groove synchronization (ATIP SYNC) signal and a SUBCODE SYNC signal is stored in a predetermined place, and is then used for accurate data recording continuity when data recording restarts after the buffer underrun is corrected.

Abstract: In an optical disc apparatus in which data are recorded onto and reproduced from an optical disc 1 by an optical pickup 3, a system controller 10 records an execution result of power calibration in which a recording laser power is optimized, into an area in a main channel block of a PMA of an optical disc on which the power calibration is executed, the area being allocated to the manufacturer. In a subsequent recording process, the execution result of power calibration that is recorded in the manufacturer area is read out and is once stored into an SRAM 6 in the apparatus, and the recording laser power is determined on the basis of the stored execution result.

Abstract: A control method for a rotation speed is used in an optical disc drive. When the angular velocity of the optical disc in rotation is fixed and the rotation direction is the same as the direction of the torque, then a breaking torque, having the same magnitude as the rotational torque but in the opposite direction, is applied to cause the rotation of the optical disc to cease. In other situation, a fixed rotational torque of the same magnitude as that of the angular velocity is first applied to cause the optical disc to have a fixed angular velocity. Then, a breaking torque having the same magnitude as the fixed rotational torque but in the opposite direction is applied to cause the rotation of the optical disc to cease. In this manner, no matter what rotation speed of the optical disc is, the rotation of the optical disc can always be ceased by a fixed period of time.

Abstract: An optical storage device having a lens opposite to a storage medium comprises an actuator that moves the lens,a mechanical shock acceleration sensing means that senses a mechanical shock acceleration, a collision prevention control means that drives the actuator for a predetermined period of time with a first driving force greater than the maximum rating force of the actuator when the mechanical shock acceleration sensed by the mechanical shock acceleration sensing means becomes a value equal to a predetermined value, and then, that drives the actuator with a second driving force smaller than the maximum rating force of the actuator.

Abstract: An optical disc drive according to an embodiment of this invention includes a light-receiving section for receiving light, a conversion section for converting the light received by the light-receiving section into an electrical signal, a generation section for generating a slewing rate control signal, and a signal processing section for processing the electrical signal using the slewing rate control signal.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for generating a transition in a laser control signal at a precise point in time. A write strategy processor is configured to input a sequence of data and to determine a transition in a laser control signal from the sequence of data. The transition is specified by a number of pulse clock units and a delay. A write pulse generator is configured to input the number of pulse clock units and the delay and to generate a transition by creating a signal having a transition at the time specified by the number of pulse clock units and delaying the transition by the specified delay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording and reproducing method and apparatus for an optical disk of the phase transition type that can be overwritten. According to this invention, the capacity of repeated rewriting of the optical disk is expanded by recording either non-inverted write data or inverted write data at random. The deterioration due to the repeated rewriting at a start point and an end point of the recording is suppressed by recording a synchronizing signal before the write data and/or dummy data after the write data in the way such that thermal stress is less likely to occur. A record end position can be determined precisely by detecting a stop pulse to stop recording.

Abstract: A recording medium having a dummy signal area on at least one side of a recording area is used and information is recorded with a dummy signal added to at least one of the leading and trailing sides in the recorded information signal. The user data area remains unaffected by repeated overwriting so that recorded user data is reproduced correctly. In particular, the wave form distortion caused by fluidization of a recording film remains at the dummy signal area and does not affect the user data area, so that the reproduction of the target information (user data) is assured.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for recording wobble signals on an optical disc and an optical disc on which the wobble signals are recorded. After pre-coding bit data of address information to be recorded on an optical disc on the basis of at least 4 wobble units, wobble data pre-coded on at least 4 wobble units is modulated by a BPSK (Binary Phase Shift Keying) or ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) method, and the modulated wobble data is alternately recorded on both sides of a land and/or groove of the optical disc. The case where wobble signals, recorded on sides of signal tracks of a groove and a land, in anti-phase are consecutively repeated is avoided. Further, the case where wobble signals, recorded on sides of signal tracks of a groove and a land, having different amplitudes are consecutively repeated is avoided.

Abstract: A disc player that incorporates a single piece disc enclosure and a chassis section is described. The incorporation of the disc enclosure and the chassis section into a single piece eliminates the requirement for a separate damping system. As well as reducing the cost of manufacturing the device this also allows for the tolerance between the spindle motor and the disc enclosure to be precisely controlled so enabling miniaturization of the disc player.

Abstract: A recording media unit is provided that includes a slot through which a recording media is inserted into and ejected out of the recording media unit, a recording media holder, movably attached inside the recording media unit, for supporting a recording media, and a recording media holding mechanism, connected to the recording media holder, having a spring member. The recording media holder that supports the recording media that has been moved to an intermediate position along a direction in which the recording media is inserted is moved by a spring force of the spring member to a position where the recording media is pulled inside the recording media unit or to a position where the recording media protrudes from the slot.

Abstract: A coating comprising a urethane resin as a base, and at least polyurethane particles and fluororesin powder is formed on a surface of a member that is, or can be, contacted with an optical disk in an optical disk apparatus. The coating can prevent the optical disk, i.e., a CD, a DVD and the like, from damaging, even if the optical disk is contacted with a tray or an objective lens.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a disk player by which position detection of a disk inserted and discrimination about whether the disk is a large one or a small one can be performed through a simple construction. A circuit board is provided either one side of a pair of detection levers which are rotated to be spread/closed while mutually interlocking with insertion of a disk or a disk guide board to which the detection levers are attached and a contact is provided on the other, and a rotary switch is composed of the circuit board and the contact so that through difference in output signal of the rotary switch, position detection of a disk and discrimination about whether the disk is a large one or a small one are performed.

Abstract: A disc player 10 which moves a disc stopper 55 controlling the movement of a drawn disc 1 and clamps and chucks the disc on a turntable, wherein the disc stopper is designed so that is it positioned in a positioning position where the disc and the turntable are positioned concentric with each other and in a retracted position where the disc stopper is spaced from the disc clamped and chucked to a turntable.