Abstract: The technique of the present invention increases a variation in status used for management of print jobs, thereby enhancing utility of a printer. In a printing system constructed via a network LAN, a printer PRT includes a job management apparatus that manages statuses of print jobs in conformity with International Standard ISO/IEC10175-1. The job management apparatus has a create control module 6 in addition to diverse functional blocks for processing the print jobs based on the International Standard. When the user gives an instruction ‘create’ to a print job in a ‘held’ status, the create control module 6 creates a new daughter job from the print job in the ‘held’ status as a mother job and executes printing of either the mother job or the daughter job, while keeping at least one print job in the ‘held’ status. This arrangement enables a registered document to be reprinted iteratively at any arbitrary time.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a scanner that allows the scan to start quickly.

Abstract: A scanner using a self-collection light source, is composed of a light source either with its tube walls coated with a layer of total reflective material, or a tube wall made to have a converging lens-like wall, so that the light source itself has built-in light converging ability. The original scattered light is first collected into a light beam before emitted to the scan line on the document. Thus, the light flux on the scan line can be substantially enhanced. Furthermore, by including the auxiliary light sources on both sides of this kind of main light source with self-collection capability, associating with a light intensity adjusting control circuitry, The light flux density on the two sides of the main light source is improved, so that it effectively improves the flux uniformity of light incident on the light detector.

Abstract: A mirror attachment structure for an image-reading apparatus that includes a carriage for mounting a light source for illuminating a document and a photoelectric conversion device for receiving light from the document includes a reinforcement sheet metal member. The reinforcement sheet metal member includes first and second sections that do not lie in the same plane and a mirror that is fixed to one of the sections. The carriage supports the reinforcement sheet metal member. The reinforcement sheet metal member may be formed into a proper shape by bending. The mirror may be directly bonded to the reinforcement sheet metal member, mounted on a support attached to the reinforcement sheet metal member, or formed directly on the reinforcement sheet metal member by evaporating aluminum onto the reinforcement sheet metal member.

Abstract: A data card reader for optically reading data from a card includes a reader unit and a card transport assembly. The reader unit includes an elongated piece of transparent material formed with a longitudinal emit lens that is disposed to focus light from internal LEDs onto the data card. A series of light sensors are disposed along the transparent material beneath an array of corresponding reflected light lenses that serve to focus light reflected from a card onto the light sensors in use. In one embodiment the light sensors comprise a CCD array.

Abstract: An image display apparatus has: a display element for displaying an image; a light source section for supplying an illumination light to the display element; a reflection type hologram for diffracting and reflecting the illumination light so as to guide the illumination light to the display element; and an eyepiece optical system for guiding an image light from the display element to an eye of a viewer so as to provide an enlarged virtual image of the image. The reflection type hologram has diffusing properties. Since the reflection type hologram diffuses the illumination light, an incident angle of the illumination light with respect to the display element is widened to a certain extent. Since the display element does not change a propagating direction of a light ray, a propagating direction of the image light is widened similarly to widening of the incident angle, thereby enlarging the observation pupil.

Abstract: Static arrays of optical traps can be used to sort microscopic objects with exponential sensitivity to size. Such optical fractionation relies on competition between an externally applied force and the moving objects' differing affinities for optical gradient traps. In a reverse fractionation method, objects that are more strongly influenced by the traps tend to become kinetically locked in to the array and are systematically deflected back into an input flow. In a thermal ratcheting method, patterns are spaced to allow particle diffusion, thus providing the opportunity for forward or reverse movement through the patterns. Unlike other sorting techniques, optical fractionation can operate continuously and can be continuously optimized. The exponential sensitivity arises quite generally from the particle size dependence of the potential wells' apparent widths.

Abstract: A laser cutting system, including a steering mirror assembly for directing a laser beam through a predetermined cutting path along a workpiece or substrate material. The steering mirror assembly includes a base, and a mirror pivotally supported on the base by a flexure assembly which confines pivotal movement of the mirror about a vertical Y-axis and/or about a horizontal X-axis. A pair of electrical actuator assemblies include movable bobbin assemblies connected to the mirror by control rod flexures at locations on the mirror which are spaced 90° apart from one another. In operation, selective electrical energization of the actuator assemblies controls movement of the bobbin assemblies to pivot the mirror about the vertical Y-axis and/or about the horizontal X-axis throughout a number of angular orientations to thereby direct the laser beam through a predetermined cutting operation pattern along the substrate surface to cut materials from the substrate.

Abstract: A multi-beam scanner includes light sources, a deflector deflecting the beams emitted from the light sources at an equiangular velocity, a scanning image-forming optical system guiding the deflected beams to a surface so as to be formed into light spots on the scanned surface, a light receiving device receiving the beams deflected toward optical write-in starting portions on the scanned surface as synchronizing beams, and a synchronizing beam optical system guiding the beams deflected toward the optical write-in starting portions on the scanned surface to the light receiving device. The scanning image-forming optical system includes two or more scanning positive lenses, with a region having a positive power in a main scanning direction on an optical write-in starting side, and each deflected beam received by the light receiving device passes through one or more but not all of the scanning positive lenses to be guided to the light receiving device.

Abstract: An optical transistor is disclosed. The optical transistor consists of a high speed photodetector region incident to a light intensity modulating region which separates a drain and source region. The disclosed optical transistor is able to exhibit high speed performance with good signal isolation and high amplification gain.

Abstract: A display system includes a light source 110 and a spatial light modulator 122 located to receive light from the light source. The spatial light modulator (e.g., a DMD) includes a number of independently controllable elements that are activated for a period of time to display light of a desired brightness. A light sensor 136 is located to determine a characteristic of light from the light source 110. A control circuit 126 is coupled to the spatial light modulator 122 and controls the period of time that the independently controllable elements are activated. This period of time is based at least in part by an input received from the light sensor 136.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical system comprising a substrate including a surface region and a flexible member coupled at a first end to the surface region. The system further comprises a base region and a tip region. The system also comprises a reflective member coupled to the flexible member, including a reflective surface and a backside region, the backside region being coupled to the second end of the flexible member, the reflective surface being substantially parallel to the surface region while the reflective member is in a first state and being substantially non-parallel to the surface region while the reflective member is in a second state. The flexible member moves from a first position characterized by the first state to a second position characterized by the second state and the angle between the first state and the second state is greater than 12°.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrophoretic display comprising cells of well-defined shape, size and aspect ratio which cells are filled with charged pigment particles dispersed in a solvent, and novel processes for its manufacture.

Abstract: An optical, multi-channel, Differential Phase Shift Keying (DPSK) receiver demodulates multiple Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) channels using a single interferometer. This distributes expense of the interferometer over all channels of an optical signal, allowing for deployment of cost-effective, scalable, wideband, WDM DPSK systems. For example, for an 80 channel WDM link, the receiver uses a single interferometer instead of eighty interferometers and associated stabilization hardware, dramatically reducing size, weight, power, and cost. The receiver is architecturally compatible with existing interferometer technologies so previous development and qualification efforts can be leveraged. This allows for expedited technology insertion into existing optical communications networks, including terrestrial and space-based optical networks.

Abstract: An optical signal amplifier comprises a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier SOA used as semiconductor Amplified Spontaneous Emission ASE source. This SOA produces optical pumping seed which has to be amplified to get a large pump power. With such large pump power, it will be possible to counteract the loss in a fiber link of optical signals transmitted through it by applying said amplified pumping seed as Raman amplification on the optical signals. The invention further relates to a method for amplifying an optical signal comprising the combination of a semiconductor ASE source together with a high-power pump source. Latter will be used to amplify optical pumping seed to be produced by the semi-conductor ASE source. Accordingly, the obtained amplified pumping seed will be used to act as a Raman amplification of optical signals.

Abstract: In one of several embodiments, a method of communicating optical signals comprises communicating a plurality of optical signals over an optical communications medium, wherein each of at least some of the plurality of optical signals comprises a launch power that is a function of a noise property measured at or near a center wavelength of that signal. Launch powers of the plurality of optical signals primarily decrease with increasing center wavelengths of the plurality of optical signals.

Abstract: A coherent laser beam combining system wherein the output of a single master oscillator is split into a plurality of signals, the signals are electronically modulated at unique frequencies. One signal is designated a reference signal while the remaining signals are passed through phase adjusters. All signals are optically amplified, aligned and passed through a beam splitter to split off a small sample that is imaged onto a photodetector. The photodetector output is fed to a signal processor that produces phase error signals that drive the phase adjusters resulting in a high-powered optically coherent output signal.

Abstract: A method for performing differential interference contrast microscopy on a specimen includes collecting at least two images with illumination respectively having first and second beam-shear directions relative to a rotational orientation of the specimen, determining data associated with an intensity distribution of each of the collected images, and calculating values having a spatial distribution that is substantially independent of the rotational orientation of the specimen. A differential interference contrast microscope includes a beam-shearing assembly that includes a beam-shearing component. The beam-shearing assembly is configured to provide a variable shear vector without a movement of the beam-shearing component. A microscopy system can include the microscope and an imaging-control unit.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a microscope 1. The microscope 1 encompasses a microscope stand 2, an objective 4 having an optical axis 5, a microscope stage 6 serving to receive a specimen 7, and a focusing device 20 serving to focus the specimen 7. With the focusing device 20, the objective or the microscope stage 6 is positionable relative to the microscope stand 2 in the direction of the optical axis 5 of the objective 4. The focusing device 20 comprises at least one operating element 8 with which an operator controls the positioning of the objective 4 or of the microscope stage 6. For adaptation of the spatial arrangement of the operating element 8 to the needs of an operator, the microscope 1 according to the present invention is characterized in that the spatial arrangement of the operating element 8 relative to the microscope stand 2 is modifiable.

Abstract: A slider for positioning multiple optical elements is disclosed. Also disclosed is a microscope that contains the slider (25) according to the present invention. The slider (25) encompasses a slider carrier (35) that is guided on a first shaft (31) and a second shaft (32). The second shaft (32) is equipped with multiple detent positions (34) so as thereby to position the slider (25) exactly in the optical axis (20) of the microscope (1). The slider carrier (35) is guided on the second shaft (32) by a first roller (36) and a second roller (38). The second roller (38) is arranged below the center axis of the second shaft (32).

Abstract: A compact laser-scanning microscope that allows in-vivo observation, particularly of cells, with wavelengths ranging from the visible to the infra-red, can be provided. The laser-scanning microscope includes a laser light source unit, an optical fiber, a collimator optical system, an optical scanning unit, a pupil projection optical system, an objective optical system, and a detection optical system that detects fluorescence or reflected light from the specimen, via the objective optical system, the pupil projection optical system, the optical scanning unit, the collimator optical system and the optical fiber. The objective optical system can be attached to and detached from the pupil projection optical system near the intermediate image position.

Abstract: A specimen temperature adjusting apparatus includes a specimen stage that the observation specimen is to be placed on and a temperature adjustment element that is attached to the specimen stage. The specimen stage has a groove surrounding a portion where the observation specimen is to be placed. The temperature adjustment element is located in the groove of the specimen stage.

Abstract: A screen member for a transmission screen includes: a microlens substrate, a light incident face thereof being formed with a plurality of microlenses for condensing incident light; a black matrix formed on a light emission face of the microlens substrate, which has a plurality of openings on light paths of the light transmitted by the microlenses of the microlens substrate; and a plurality of light diffusion portions for diffusing the light transmitted by each microlens of the microlens substrate. Each microlens of the microlens substrate is designed so that the light transmitting each microlens is focused on the side of the light emission face of the microlens substrate beyond the black matrix. Further, each light diffusion portion is formed into a protrusion that protrudes from the surface of the black matrix.

Abstract: Provided is an image display screen having wide horizontal and vertical viewing angles and a projection television including the same. The image display screen includes a Fresnel screen, a first lenticular screen that widens a horizontal viewing angle and a second lenticular screen including a first portion that widens a vertical viewing angle and a second portion that prevents degradation of contrast due to external light, and a protective screen. The second lenticular screen and the protective screen can be replaced by an integrated screen or a composite screen having the characteristics of both. In addition, a pattern may be formed on the rear surface of the Fresnel screen to perform the same function as the first portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a stereoscopic display to display a high-quality three-dimensional video which can be viewed without using polarizing glasses. A stereoscopic display according to the present invention includes an electronically-formed, multi-viewpoint light beam group and an image-forming device to reproduce a conjugate image of the multi-viewpoint light beams. The stereoscopic display further includes a cylindrical, or partially cylindrical parallax barrier and a rotating light-emitting array as a multi-viewpoint-light-beam forming device. In addition, the stereoscopic display further includes a polarizing element and a polarization separation device to increase the display contrast. The numerical aperture of the rearmost optical element is preferably increased in order to increase the viewing area, and a reflective optical element with a large aperture is used as the image-forming device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for spectral-beam combining light from a plurality of high-power fiber lasers that, in some embodiments, use two substantially identical diffraction gratings in a parallel, mutually compensating configuration to combine a plurality of separate parallel input beams each having a slightly different successively higher wavelength into a single output beam of high quality. In other embodiments, a single diffraction grating is used to combine a plurality of different wavelengths, wherein the input laser beams are obtained from very narrow linewidth sources to reduce chromatic dispersion. In some embodiments, diagnostics and adjustments of wavelengths and/or positions and angles are made dynamically in real time to maintain the combination of the plurality input beams into a single high-quality output beam.

Abstract: An arrangement for dispersing light comprises a blazed diffraction grating and a mirror. The blazed diffraction grating comprises a grating plane and a multiplicity of blazed facets. Each blazed facet is oriented at a blaze angle to the grating plane. The mirror couples to the blazed diffraction grating and is oriented parallel to the blazed facets. The arrangement permits a highly dispersive optical function in a very compact structure with low polarization dependent loss.

Abstract: An optical system comprises a Bragg reflector configured to diffract incident light having a wavelength between about 0.1 nm and about 0.7 nm. The optical system also comprises a diffraction grating comprising parallel lines engraved on a surface of the Bragg reflector. Specifically, the diffraction grating is configured to diffract incident light having a wavelength between about 0.6 nm and about 150 nm.

Abstract: A positive resist layer formed on a translucent substrate is subjected to exposure and development to form circular resist patterns disposed near each other at a predetermined distance. The exposure pattern has an opening of a plurality of circular ring shape surrounding the plurality of resist patterns. The opening may have a width equal to the predetermined distance. Since the width of the opening is constant over the whole outer periphery of each resist pattern, uniform exposure can be realized at all positions along the periphery to form a perfect circle shape. After a convex lens shape is given to each resist pattern by heating and reflow process, the convex lens shape is transferred to the substrate by dry etching process using the resist patterns as a mask to form a microlens array with convex lenses.

Abstract: Optical elements and methods of forming optical elements are described. In one example, a method applies a photosensitive ink to a substrate and exposes the ink to create an optical element, such as an optical lens or holographic recording medium.

Abstract: A zoom lens for a projection display device includes, in order from the long conjugate length side, a first lens group having negative refractive power and including at least one aspheric surface, a second lens group having positive refractive power and including at least two lens components, a third lens group, a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, and fifth and sixth lens groups. The second, third, fourth, and fifth lens groups move with coordinated movements during zooming. Preferably, the zoom lens satisfies three conditions related to the wide-angle and telephoto focal lengths and the focal lengths of the third and fifth lens groups, the fifth lens group has positive refractive power, and the first and fifth lens groups have particular lens element and lens component constructions. A projection display device uses the zoom lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a zoom optical system that can offer an effective tradeoff between size reductions and cost reductions and electronic equipment incorporating it. The zoom optical system comprises, in order from its object side, a first lens group G1 having negative refracting power, a second lens group G2 having positive refracting power, a third lens group G3 having negative refracting power and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refracting power. The second lens group G2 consists of one positive lens. The positive lens satisfies a condition regarding the temperature coefficient of refractive index.

Abstract: A lens moving mechanism which includes a moving lens for zooming or focusing; a lens holder holding the moving lens in a lens-barrel, and being supported freely movably into an optical axis direction of the moving lens; a guide shaft guiding the lens holder into the optical axis direction of the moving lens when the lens holder moves; a drive magnet attached to the lens holder; a drive coil fixed to the lens-barrel with at least part of the drive coil opposed to the drive magnet and giving an impelling force into the optical axis direction to the lens holder by being electrified; and a magnetic body fixed to the lens-barrel and located to oppose to the drive magnet on an opposite side of the drive magnet with at least a part of the drive coil put between the magnetic body and the drive magnet, and attracting the drive magnet.

Abstract: A reflective color wheel is adapted to receive composite source light provided by a light source, and includes a plurality of multi-layer light-reflecting sections for splitting the composite source light into a plurality of colored light beam components. Each of the multi-layer light-reflecting sections includes a plurality of light-filtering layers stacked along an axis. Each of the light-filtering layers of each of the multi-layer light-reflecting sections is capable of reflecting light within a predefined distinct wavelength range, and permits transmission of light outside the predefined distinct wavelength range therethrough. Sequences of the light-filtering layers of an adjacent pair of the multi-layer light-reflecting sections are different from each other.

Abstract: An electrical potential difference between a slider body and a hard disk of a hard disk drive is eliminated based on the flying-height spacing of the slider body between the slider body and the hard disk. A predetermined bias voltage is applied between the slider body and the hard disk that includes a DC component and an AC component and that is based on the detected flying-height spacing of the slider body. The flying-height spacing can be detected based a minimum slider-to-disk clearance change from a design flying height of the slider at a frequency of the AC component as the DC component of the predetermined bias voltage is varied. Alternatively, the flying-height spacing can be detected based on a minimum electrodynamic response of the slider to a first harmonic of the AC frequency of the AC component as the DC component is varied.

Abstract: Disclosed is a preamplifier circuit of a magnetic record regeneration apparatus with a write system and a read system, certainly verifying a write function in a short period of time. The preamplifier circuit includes, in the write system, a write driver; a current-voltage conversion circuit for converting the write current from the write driver into a corresponding voltage; a waveform shaping circuit for converting the output voltage from the current-voltage conversion circuit into a full-wave rectified waveform; a peak-hold circuit for holding a peak value of the output from the waveform shaping circuit; a filter circuit for outputting an average voltage of the output from the waveform shaping circuit; and a determination circuit for determining that the write driver is abnormal based on each output status of the peak-hold circuit and the filter circuit.

Abstract: A vibration extraction processing unit extracts a deflection component synchronous with a rotation from a clock signal of a non-contact sensor so as to correct a clock jitter. A clock generating unit generates a clock signal of any format frequency preliminarily set up according to the clock signal from the vibration extraction processing unit. A sector correction processing unit measures an error due to the frequency deflection so as to correct the writing start position for the format pattern signal of each sector containing a servo frame signal stored in a memory according to the measured error. Writing processing units read out the corrected format pattern signal from the memory according to a synchronous signal corresponding to a single turn of a disc and a format frequency clock signal and then writes into a disc medium face.

Abstract: A floppy disk control circuit enables a floppy disk apparatus to operate at high speed while current consumption is suppressed to no more than 500 mA, i.e. the maximum allowed current of an apparatus using a USB interface. The floppy disk control circuit outputs a reference clock to a spindle motor drive circuit that drives the spindle motor in accordance with the reference clock to rotate a floppy disk. The floppy disk control circuit outputs a slow reference clock for a low rotational speed corresponding to the maximum allowed current at the commencement of the start-up of rotation of the floppy disk and outputs a fast reference clock for a high rotational speed after lapse of a predetermined time from the commencement of the start-up of rotation.

Abstract: A disk surface has a keep-out region and a certified region. A transducer associated with the disk surface writes servo information in the keep-out region under control of a servo track writer. The transducer then writes data in a temporary utility zone in the keep-out region. Next, a self-servo write operation uses data in the temporary utility zone to write servo information in the certified region. Thereafter, data is transferred from the temporary utility zone to a final utility zone in the certified region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a method for loading a slider that eliminates the need for a dedicated landing zone at the outer diameter of a platter. In one embodiment, a slider is lowered from a ramp, which is positioned in close proximity to the outer diameter of a platter, and positioned at an initial fly height above the platter without requiring the dedicated landing zone at the outer diameter. The slider is moved towards an inner diameter of the platter. The slider is positioned at an operating fly height above the platter when the slider reaches a certain position relative to the inner diameter.

Abstract: A perpendicular writer of the present invention comprises a main pole connected to two return poles and further includes one or more shorting shields thereby reducing erasure field on double layer perpendicular media. The perpendicular writer may include side shorting shields connecting the first and second return poles thereby modifying the crosstrack field gradient. Additionally, the perpendicular writer may include a top shorting shield modifying the downtrack gradient and may additionally include a bottom shorting shield for further reduction of erasure fields. The distance between the main pole and the shorting shields may be modified to customize the write field gradient.

Abstract: A write element includes a first pole pedestal and a second pole pedestal opposing the first pole pedestal and defining a write gap between the first and second pole pedestals. A first layer of CoFeON is film positioned between the first pole pedestal and the write gap. A second layer of CoFeON film is positioned between the second pole pedestal and the write gap.

Abstract: A slider-mounted transducer has an integral wear pad for determining interference between the transducer and a disk surface. The wear pad intensifies interference events during disk drive testing and enables the threshold for slider fly-height to be set at a lower level. This, in turn, improves disk drive reliability during normal operation. The wear pad can be a carbon overlay deposited near the trailing edge of the slider or it can be an un-etched strip of alumina within a recessed region of the slider. The wear pad is substantially worn away during the test period, so it does not affect subsequent operation of the drive.

Abstract: A subambient pressure air bearing slider for disk drives and the like is presented where features of the slider are modular, in that certain parameters of the slider can be modified independently of one another. In one example, lateral dimensions and placement of side and trailing air bearing surfaces can be used to control flying height sensitivity due to crowning in the slider. Longitudinal dimensions of the side air bearing surfaces can be used to control flying height sensitivity due to camber in the slider body. Low-profile members (e.g., ones that do not form air bearing surfaces) may be used to control the dimensions of the subambient pressure region to control overall flying height.

Abstract: A magnetic head has a read sensor which includes at least one primary pinned layer, a barrier layer, and a free layer. An in-stack biasing structure having net magnetic moment near zero, notated as dM=0, is constructed above the free layer. This in-stack biasing structure acts to stabilize the free layer by exchange coupling.

Abstract: An overcurrent protection circuit for a voltage regulator has a first transistor having a gate for connection to a gate of an output transistor of the voltage regulator, a resistor connected to a drain of the first transistor, an output voltage detecting transistor having a gate connected to an output terminal of a dividing resistance circuit of the voltage regulator, and a current mirror circuit having an input terminal connected to the drain of the output voltage detecting transistor. A second transistor has a gate connected to the drain of the first transistor and a drain connected to an output terminal of the current mirror circuit. A third transistor has a gate connected to the output terminal of the current mirror circuit and a drain for connection to the gate of the output transistor of the voltage regulator.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for protecting a power supply from electrical faults. The present invention operates substantially independently of the current drawn by the load. In addition, the present invention includes a time delay circuitry for preventing false detection of ground faults when the power source is connecting to the load. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention includes a control circuitry for connecting the power supply to the load. The apparatus also preferably includes a sensor circuitry for detecting electrical faults, including ground, transient, and arc faults, and triggering the control circuitry to disconnect the power source from the electrical faults when electrical faults are detected. Thus, the present invention can protect wiring and load connections from improper operation and fire hazards that may be caused by electrical faults.

Abstract: A ground fault detection system is provided where one current sensor is used to calibrate a second sensor in order to provide automatic zeroing of the difference measurement. The calibration is done gradually in order to differentiate between sensor drift and a transition in current due to a differential fault.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a ground fault detection system and method for an inverter. The ground fault detection method for the inverter includes a reference value setting step for setting a reference value for estimating a ground fault current and a reference value for deciding a ground fault, a ground fault current estimation step for comparing a current value obtained by adding up current values flowing through each phase of an output terminal of the inverter with the reference value for estimating the ground fault current, and estimating generation of the ground fault current when the calculated current value is larger than the reference value, and a ground fault phase decision step for deciding the phase in which the ground fault has been generated on the basis of a current difference value between start and end points of 0 vector sections of each phase or between start and end points of 7 vector sections of each phase.

Abstract: An input protection circuit includes an inverting amplifier circuit which converts the potential of an input signal input in such a way that the potential of the input signal lies in the input range of the potential range of a signal inputtable to an IC internal circuit. One protection diode is connected to a virtual ground node between an input resistor and an operational amplifier and a positive power-supply terminal to allow the input signal which has excessively exceeded the input range on the positive power-supply terminal side to flow toward the positive power-supply terminal, and another protection diode is connected to an arbitrary point between an input terminal and the input resistor and a negative power-supply terminal to allow the input current of the input signal which has excessively exceeded the input range on the negative power-supply terminal side to flow toward the input terminal from the negative power-supply terminal, thereby protecting the IC internal circuit.