Abstract: This invention provides a method for commissioning and upgrading an optical ring network using its internal amplifiers as Automatic Spontaneous Emission sources of light that are used in making measurements. A modular segmented approach is adopted and the network is commissioned segment by segment. A flexible method is used for upgrading a commissioned network by adding or deleting a node or changing the internal configuration of a node. The method uses techniques for the correction of the Optical Signal to Noise Ratio induced error as well as the Spectral Filtering Error during the loss computation required for adjusting the gains of the amplifiers at each network node to an appropriate value. Since the method does not require an external laser source that needs to be moved manually from node to node it greatly reduces the commissioning time. Since it uses only the components of the network itself and does not deploy any additional device it also leads to a significant saving in cost.

Abstract: In the three-terminal optical signal amplifying device 10, a portion of the neighboring light LS at other wavelength than that of the first wavelength ?1 that is selected from the output light from the element 14 by the optical add drop filter 16, and the control light LC at the second wavelength ?2 input from the external are together input to the second semiconductor optical amplifying element 18. The output light including the output signal light LOUT at the second wavelength ?2 and the neighboring light at the neighboring wavelength to the second wavelength ?2 that is modulated and controlled by the control light LC in the cross gain modulation is output from the second semiconductor optical amplifying element 18. And the output signal light LOUT at the second wavelength ?2 passes through the wavelength selecting filter 20.

Abstract: A first reflection-property adjusting film (430) is detachably provided on a surface of an optical-property adjusting film (420) of an optical function film (400). The optical function film (400) is attached such that the first antireflection film 430 does not face a display surface (321). Accordingly, for example, when repairing damage on a surface of the optical function film (400) that is a surface of the first antireflection film 430, such repair can be performed only by detaching the first antireflection film (430) attached in a detachable manner. Since the optical function film (400) is provided with the first antireflection film (430) and the second antireflection film in advance, it is possible to reliably prevent deterioration in display performance, displacement in position in attaching a later-added reflection film, deterioration in transmittance or change in color tones which may be caused by an air bubble or dust contained in attaching the later-added reflection film.

Abstract: An inverted microscope that follows an innovative and ergonomic user concept so that a user can properly operate the motorized inverted microscope using the plurality of the control buttons present on the stand even without visual contact. In particular, a plurality of control buttons for operating the motorized microscope functions is provided on the first, second and front faces, the control buttons being brought together into a plurality of groups, each group comprising a plurality of control buttons at least some of which are proved near a tactile element as an aid for user orientation. More particularly, the object of the invention is achieved via an inverted microscope described as follows: An inverted microscope of the invention has a base stand part, which carries a lens turret and a microscope stage, and, furthermore, on which base part a lighting stand part is mounted. The base stand part has a first lateral face, a second lateral face and a front intended to face a user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a living-specimen observation and measurement system for storing a predetermined observation condition and controlling the predetermined observation condition based on an activity specific to a living specimen. The predetermined observation condition is information (items) about, for example, observation and culturing. More specifically, the predetermined observation condition includes the type of a living specimen, the incubation temperature, the pH, the seeding concentration, the cell density, time elapsed from seeding, the fluorochrome type, the fluorochrome concentration, the presence of delivered drug, the amount of light radiated onto the living specimen (e.g., irradiation light intensity per cell, irradiation light illuminance, etc.), the wavelength of irradiation light, the continuity of irradiation light (CW, pulse frequency, pulse width), the duration of a single irradiation, the number of observations, the observation interval, and so forth.

Abstract: A diffusing sheet is glossy and is capable of displaying images in satisfactory contrast and a rear projection screen includes the diffusing sheet. A diffusing sheet 11 has an exit surface 12 facing the viewer and an entrance surface 13. The exit surface 12 meets a condition that a value obtained by dividing a value obtained through the discrete Fourier transform of roughness data obtained by measuring the surface roughness of the exit surface by the number of data is 0.04 ?m or below for frequencies of 80 mm?1 or above. Preferably, the exit surface 12 of the diffusing sheet 11 has an arithmetical average roughness Ra of 0.50 ?m or below.

Abstract: The optical path for a rear projection television is disclosed, having emission from a projection lens, an optional reflection from a turning mirror, reflection from a curved mirror, reflection from one or two flat mirrors, and projection onto the rear surface of a viewing screen. When two flat mirrors are present, there is one flat mirror parallel to the screen near the rear of the television cabinet, and the other flat mirror perpendicular to the screen near the top or the bottom of the cabinet. When only one flat mirror is present, it is located near the top or bottom of the cabinet, and is inclined with a small but finite angle toward the screen. The optional turning mirror can allow the lens barrel to be located in an otherwise unused part of the cabinet, and can further reduce the size of the cabinet. The pedestal height divided by the screen height may be less than roughly 1/10, and the casing depth divided by the screen height may be less than roughly ?.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) display apparatus includes an image generation subsystem (IGS) for generating at least one two-dimensional (2D) image and providing filtered rays derived from the at least one 2D image to an optical element for modulating the filtered rays and producing a 3D image, wherein the filtered rays comprise limited overlap of pixel information. A method and a computer program product for generating 3D images are provided.

Abstract: An optical device includes a polarizer having a polarizing layer, a first light-transmissive substrate bonded on one surface of the polarizing layer of the polarizer, and a second light-transmissive substrate bonded on the other surface of the polarizing layer of the polarizer. The first light-transmissive substrate and the second light-transmissive substrate are made of an inorganic material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical element having a three-dimensional structure which can function in a visible range and can improve adherence at a structural interface of the element, and a method of manufacturing the optical element. The optical element including a substrate and at least a first layer and a second layer on the substrate is manufactured such that each of the first layer and the second layer has a repetition structure of spaces and structural parts at a pitch equal to or less than a wavelength of visible light, and at an interface between the first layer and the second layer, overlapped structures are provided in which the repetition structure of the first layer and the repetition structure of the second layer overlap in a stack direction of the layers.

Abstract: A thin film interference filter system includes a plurality of stacked films having a determined reflectance; a modeled monitor curve; and a topmost layer configured to exhibit a wavelength corresponding to one of the determined reflectance or the modeled monitor curve. The topmost layer is placed on the plurality of stacked films and can be a low-index film such as silica or a high index film such as niobia.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensing device including an anti-reflection structure that uses polysilicon and a method of manufacturing the same, in which the solid-state image sensing device includes a photodiode region and a transistor region. The photodiode region includes a semiconductor substrate, a first anti-refection layer, a second anti-reflection layer, and a top layer. The first anti-reflection layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate, and the second anti-reflection layer is formed on the first anti-reflection layer. The top layer is formed on the second anti-reflection layer. Each of the semiconductor substrate and the second anti-reflection layer is formed of a first material, and each of the first anti-reflection layer and the top layer is formed of a second material different from the first material.

Abstract: Fluidic adaptive lens devices, and systems employing such lens devices, along with methods of fabricating and operating such lens devices, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a lens material is optimally selected to provide one or more desired characteristics for a variety of applications related to adaptive lens devices. In another embodiment, a fluidic medium is optimally chosen to provide one or more desired characteristics for a variety of applications related to adaptive lens devices.

Abstract: A zoom lens having an effective focal length fw for the wide angle mode comprises a first lens group, a second lens group and a third lens group. The first lens group has a negative effective power and an effective focal length f1, wherein 2.1<|f1/fw|<2.6. The first lens group comprises a first lens and a second lens. The first lens has a first negative power and at least a first concave aspheric lens surface. The second lens has a first positive power. The second lens group has a first positive effective power and an effective focal length f2, wherein 1.5<|f2/fw|<1.8. The second lens group comprises a third lens and a fourth lens. The third lens has a second positive power and at least a second aspheric lens surface. The fourth lens has a third positive power. The third lens group has a second positive effective power.

Abstract: A wide-angle lens system includes a negative front lens group and a positive rear lens group, in this order from the object. The negative front lens group includes a negative first sub-lens group and a positive second sub-lens group, in this order from the object. The positive rear lens group includes cemented lens elements having a positive R1 lens element and a negative R2 lens element, a positive R3 lens element having a convex surface facing toward the image, and a positive R4 lens element, in this order from the object. The wide-angle lens system satisfies the following conditions: ?0.8<f1a/f1b<?0.1 ??(1) 0.6<f/fR<1.1 ??(2) wherein f1a designates the focal length of the negative first sub-lens group; f1b designates the focal length of the positive second sub-lens group; f designates the focal length of the entire wide-angle lens system; and fR designates the focal length of the positive rear lens group.

Abstract: A wide-angle lens system includes a negative front lens group and a positive rear lens group, in this order from the object. The negative front lens group includes a negative first sub-lens group and a positive second sub-lens group, in this order from the object. The positive rear lens group includes cemented lens elements having a positive lens element, a negative lens element and a positive lens element. The wide-angle lens system satisfies the following conditions: ?0.8<f1a/f1b<?0.2 ??(1) 0.7<f/fR<1.1 ??(2) wherein f1a designates the focal length of the negative first sub-lens group; f1b designates the focal length of the positive second sub-lens group; f designates the focal length of the entire wide-angle lens system; and fR designates the focal length of the positive rear lens group.

Abstract: There is provided a zoom lens of variable power ratio of the order of 3 in which the whole of the zoom lens is made up of three lens elements groups and the power configuration of each of the groups has an arrangement of negative, positive and negative, whereby the reduction in overall length of its optical system is enabled, so that a compact zoom lens and a camera with it can be provided. The zoom lens comprising, sequentially from an object side thereof, a first lens elements group has a negative refraction power as a whole, a second lens elements group has a positive refraction power as a whole and the third lens element group has a negative refraction power as a whole, and a variable power is realized by shifting the positions of the first and second lens elements group in the direction of an optical axis thereof.

Abstract: A magnification varying optical system that directs light from an object to an image sensor includes in order from the object side: a first lens unit having negative optical power and including an optical axis changing element that changes the optical axis; a second lens unit having positive optical power and including three lens elements; a third lens unit having negative optical power; and a fourth lens unit having positive optical power. In this magnification varying optical system, in magnification varying from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens unit is stationary, the distance from the first lens unit to the second lens unit decreases, and the distance from the third lens unit to the fourth lens unit increases. The magnification varying optical system satisfies the specified conditions.

Abstract: A zoom lens including subsequently from an object side of the zoom lens to an image side of the zoom lens: a first lens group with a positive focal length; a second lens group with a negative focal length, an aperture arranged on an object side of a third lens group; the third lens group with a positive focal length, a forth lens group with a positive focal length. By zooming from a short focal end to a long focal end, an interval between the first lens group and the second lens group increases, an interval between the second lens group and the third lens group decreases, an interval between the third lens group and the fourth lens group increases. The first lens group has sequentially from an object side of the first lens group: a negative meniscus lens L1 having a convex surface facing the object; a positive lens L2; satisfying a conditional expression: Nd11>1.96 (Nd11: a refractive index of the negative meniscus lens L1.

Abstract: A variable focal length lens system includes first to fourth lens groups having positive, negative, positive, and positive powers, respectively, and a fifth lens group arranged in this order from an object side. When a lens zoom position is changed from a wide-angle to a telephoto, the first to fourth groups are movable and the second group is moved towards the image side and the third group is moved towards the object side so that a distance between the first and second groups increases and a distance between the second and third groups decreases, and the fourth group is moved along an optical axis direction so as to compensate for the positional change in the image plane. The fifth group includes a negative subgroup having negative power and a positive subgroup disposed on the image side of the negative subgroup and having positive power, and a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a zoom lens configured to correct chromatic aberration and having a high optical performance over the entire zoom range. The zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit of positive refractive power, a second lens unit of negative refractive power, and a third lens unit of positive refractive power. During zooming, an interval between respective adjacent lens units varies. The third lens unit includes an optical element made of a solid material having an Abbe number (?d) and a relative partial dispersion (?gF) satisfying the following condition: ?gF?(?1.665×10?7·?d3+5.213×10?5·?d2?5.656×10?3·?d+0.755)>0.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a zoom lens including a plurality of lens units, in which an interval between respective adjacent lens units varies during zooming, an aperture stop, and a refractive optical element made of a solid material having an Abbe number (?d) and a relative partial dispersion (?gF) satisfying the following condition: ?gF?(?1.665×10?7·?d3+5.213×10?5·?d2?5.656×10?3·?d+0.755)>0. The refractive optical element is located at a position in which distances (dw, dt) from the aperture stop to the refractive optical element on an optical axis at a wide-angle end and a telephoto end, respectively, satisfy the following condition: dt/dw>1.1.

Abstract: Provided is a Fresnel lens for use with an array of semiconductor pixels that are separated by inactive areas, comprising a faceted surface with a plurality of facets for receiving an imaging beam, the facets being arranged into a plurality of zones separated by zone edges, and wherein the zone edges are generally aligned with the inactive areas throughout the array. Also provided are an optical detector and an imaging system incorporating such a Fresnel lens system.

Abstract: A lens system includes a first lens which is formed of a medium exhibiting negative refraction and a second lens which is formed of a medium having a positive refractive index. Abbe's number for a material which forms the first lens differs from Abbe's number for a material which forms the second lens. Moreover, a lens system includes a first lens which is formed of a medium exhibiting negative refraction and a second lens which is formed of a medium exhibiting negative refraction. Abbe's number for a material which forms the first lens differs from Abbe's number for a material which forms the second lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical lens holder (1) comprising a supporting means (2) and a first and a second arm (10, 20, 30) defining a lens holder general plane, first and second arms being relatively movable with regards to each other and each arm having spaced apart first and second end portions (10a, 20a, 30a, 10c, 20c, 30c) and an intermediate portion (10b, 20b, 30b), the arms being mounted on the supporting means through their first end portions and the second end portions of each arm comprising an optical lens accommodating means (21, 22) facing each other, whereby an optical lens (3) can be maintained within the accommodating means of the first and second arms with its optical axis orthogonal to the general plane of the lens holder through at least one, preferably one or two contact points between the lens periphery and each of the first and second lens accommodating means, wherein at least the second end portion of each arm comprises a material having a dielectric constant at 1 MHz equal to or hig

Abstract: An optical element, in particular a lens, comprising an element body (2.1) with an optically effective first region (2.2), which has an optical axis (2.3), and a peripheral region (2.6) extending in a circumferential direction of the element body (2.1), in which at least a first holding region (2.7) is disposed, the first holding region (2.7) having at least a first contact region (2.8) which is designed to co-operate with a first holding device (3) in order to hold the element body (2.1), and the peripheral region (2.6) forming the first contact region (2.8), in a manner limited in the circumferential direction of the element body (2.1), only at a first circumferential region limited in the circumferential direction, and/or the peripheral region (22.6) forming the first contact region (22.8), in a manner limited in the direction of the optical axis (22.3), only at two contact surfaces (22.10, 22.11) of the element body (22.1), spaced apart from one another in the direction of the optical axis (22.

Abstract: There is provided a zoom lens unit excellent in shock resistance and space-saving. Second, third lens holders 29, 30 have shaft holes, into which shafts 27, 28 are inserted, so as to be movable in an optical axis direction. By first, second helical springs 31, 32 fitted to the shafts 27, 28, the second lens holder 29 is biased to a wall member 18 provided on a subject side, and the third lens holder 30 is biased to a wall member 19 provided on an image pickup element 12 side. As the power is turned off, the second lens holder 29 moves toward the subject side and, upon contact with the wall member 18, is stopped, while the third lens holder 30 moves toward the image pickup element 12 side and, upon contact with the wall member 19, is stopped.

Abstract: A side mirror 14 which improves a working efficiency for mounting.

Abstract: A recording-medium inspection apparatus checks whether a protrusion provided on a recording medium to be inspected has a height larger than a predetermined height by detecting a contact between the protrusion and a head slider by a sensor while the head slider is flying above the rotating recording medium. The inspection apparatus includes an output-value obtaining means for obtaining an output value from the sensor when the head slider comes into contact with a protrusion having the predetermined height and provided on a reference recording medium, a flying-height adjusting means for adjusting a flying height of the head slider by changing a voltage applied between the head slider and the reference recording medium on the basis of the obtained output value, and a checking means for checking whether the recording medium is good or defective while the head slider is placed at the adjusted flying height.

Abstract: A disk device, in which information is written by a magnetic head at an arbitrary position on a magnetic recording surface of a disk and the information written at the arbitrary position is read out, includes a control unit for controlling an operation of writing information at the arbitrary position on the magnetic recording surface of the disk and for controlling an operation of reading out the information written at the arbitrary position. The disk device also includes a modulation detecting unit for detecting that a modulation has been generated, by contact between the magnetic head and the disk, on the basis of a regenerative signal of a single frequency data region which is reproduced by a reproducing head element when the magnetic head is moved to a predetermined position in each track, wherein the single frequency data region is previously formed at the predetermined position in each track.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus which enables parameters for carrying out processing on substrates to be changed easily by a user. A storage device stores parameters that are for controlling the processing and are categorized into a plurality of categories. A control device carries out the processing on the substrate based on the parameters. A parameter changing device enables each of the parameters to be changed in accordance with the category of that parameter. A parameter category changing device changes the category of some of the parameters. A category change defining device is detachable from the substrate processing apparatus and specifies parameters whose category is to be changed out of the parameters. The parameter category changing device changes the category of each of the parameters specified by the category change defining device.

Abstract: A discrete track recording method records information on a magnetic recording medium having mutually adjacent tracks that are separated in advance by a groove. The discrete track recording method carries out a recording using a recording head having a core width in a range greater than or equal to a first value CW1 and less than a second value CW2 satisfying CW1<CW2 with respect to a first magnetic recording medium having a first track pitch TP1, and carries out a recording a recording head having a core width in a range greater than or equal to the second value CW2 and less than a third value CW3 satisfying CW2<CW3 with respect to a second magnetic recording medium having a second track pitch TP2 satisfying TP1<TP2.

Abstract: A method for determining a flying height of a head of a hard disk drive. The disk drive includes a pre-amplifier and an automatic gain control (“AGC”) circuit that are connected to the head. The method includes determining a first automatic gain control value based on AGC values at two delta pre-amplifier gain settings. A second automatic gain control value is determined based on AGC values at two different flying heights. A difference between the flying heights can be determined from the first and second automatic gain control values. If one of the flying heights is set to 0 the difference in gain values is equal to the flying height of the head.

Abstract: A disk drive that contains a fly on demand head (FOD) and a process for determining contact between the FOD head and a disk. The head includes a heating coil that can receive various levels of power. The process includes using a routine to obtain head position estimate error data. A standard deviation of the estimate error data is then determined. Standard deviation values for estimate error data are generated for different power values and used to determine a contact point between the head and the disk.

Abstract: A system method and apparatus for determining a position error signal (PES) for servo tracking in a data recording system using a data track. The PES is determined using a sensor array that includes a plurality of sensors offset from one another by certain predetermined distances in a direction perpendicular to the track direction. Correlation functions can be determined for pairs of sensors in the sensor array based on the signals read by the sensors. The results of these correlation functions can then be used to determine a PES by using a look up table or computational processor.

Abstract: A method of inserting a preceding element and then a following element in the ground, along a calculated path, in order to construct a work, the method including: a step of determining an absolute positioning error of a preceding element relative to the nominal position at which the preceding element ought to have been inserted; and a step of automatically guiding the inserter arm towards a target position at which a following element is to be inserted as a function of the absolute positioning error determined for the preceding element in such a manner as to reduce the positioning error of the following element relative to the preceding element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multilayer tape for simultaneously providing shielding of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and evidence of tampering with an electronic device to which it is applied. The multilayer tape can be attached to an electronic device to cover a seam or other opening in the electronic device. An embossed surface provides evidence of the disruption of the tape, and the tape includes a conductive adhesive to provide EMI shielding. The multilayer tape is particularly useful for sealing the seams of a disk drive device.

Abstract: A case of a disk device has an open-topped rectangular base and a top cover in the form of a rectangular plate screwed to the base. A label is pasted on the top cover. Provided in the case are a disk-shaped recording medium, a head for recording and reproducing information to and from the recording medium, and a mechanical section. The top cover has a depression formed by drawing, the label is pasted on the top cover so as to cover the depression, and at least a part of the depression is exposed to form an opening portion.

Abstract: A data storage device is provided having a drive hub that may be utilized with a plurality of individual data storage disks that are selectively engageable with the drive hub. In such an arrangement, a plurality of data storage disks may be stored in an inactive state at a storage location and selectively retrieved in an automated process for engagement with the drive hub. Once engaged with the drive hub, data may be accessed from the data storage disk and/or data may be written to the data storage disk. The device allows use of multiple data storage disks with a single drive hub and corresponding sets of read-write heads thereby reducing the per disk cost for storage purposes. The device may be utilized for large scale data storage and/or data back-up applications. In one arrangement, multiple devices may be utilized together in, for example, a RAID configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a magnetic head slider which includes a magnetic recording/reproducing element and a heater which are formed in an air outflow end surface of a slider. The heater includes a heating portion, terminal portions extending from both ends of the heating portion, and lead portions overlapping the respective terminal portions at an overlap ratio of approximately 50% or more.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a read head for a data storage device including a sensor for reading data from a data storage medium, a first shield disposed adjacent to the sensor and characterized as moment-compensated, and a second shield disposed adjacent to the sensor, the second shield being moment-compensated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a stabilized top shield in a read head used for the longitudinal or perpendicular magnetic recording is disclosed. The top shield includes a laminate structure including at least three layers of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic films in a frame. Unidirectional anisotropy induced at the interface of the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic films is optimized by selecting suitable compositions and thicknesses to achieve the stabilization of the top shield while maintaining high permeability. In an alternative method, the top shield includes a ferromagnetic Ni—Fe film in a central region and multiple layers comprising ferromagnetic Co—Fe and Ni—Fe layers and an antiferromagnetic layer.

Abstract: There is provided a magnetization direction control method for controlling magnetization directions of first to third ferromagnetic layers (11-13) within a synthetic antiferromagnet structure (10A) having the first to the third ferromagnetic layers (11-13) and first and second non-magnetic layers (21, 22) interposed therebetween, without coupling antiferromagnetic material. The magnetization direction control method is composed of steps of (a) applying an external magnetic field HE to the synthetic antiferromagnet structure (10A) so as to direct the magnetizations of the first to third ferromagnetic layers in the same direction, and (b) reducing the external magnetic field to reverse the magnetization of one or some of the first to third ferromagnetic layers (11-13).

Abstract: An advantage of the application is to provide a magnetoresistance element capable of increasing a plateau magnetic field Hp1 while maintaining high ?RA. A magnetic layer 4c1 adjacent to a non-magnetic material layer 5 in a second fixed magnetic layer 4c constituting the fixed magnetic layer 4 is formed of a first Heusler-alloy layer represented by Co2x(Mn(1-z)Fez)x?y (where the element a is any one element of 3B group, 4B group, and 5B group, x and y all are in the unit of at %, 3x+y=100 at %). Additionally, the content y is in the range of 20 to 30 at % and a Fe ratio z in MnFe is in the range of 0.2 to 0.8. Accordingly, the plateau magnetic field Hp1 may increase while maintaining high ?RA.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise an electrical power distribution panel, which can comprise a Source Line Evaluation Detector. The Source Line Evaluation Detector can be configured to open a contactor responsive to at least one condition from a plurality of monitored electrical source line conditions. The Source Line Evaluation Detector can be configured to monitor the one or more monitored electrical source line conditions.

Abstract: A resolver/digital-converter having a self-fault-detection function without breaking normal operation is provided. The resolver/digital-converter, which has a normal operation function section, a temperature characteristic identification function section, and a first temperature characteristic correction function section of correcting estimated angle output from the normal operation function section based on a temperature characteristic identification value by the temperature characteristic identification function section, includes (1) a holding function section of holding the temperature characteristic identification value, and (2) a second temperature characteristic correction function section of correcting estimated angle output from the temperature characteristic identification function section based on the temperature characteristic identification value by the temperature characteristic identification function section, the value being held in the holding function section.

Abstract: The inverter according to the invention includes a control microcomputer including a protector circuit that stops the inverter when an anomaly is caused, a counter that counts the driving clock signals of the microcomputer from the instance at which the protector circuit starts working, and a conversion circuit that converts the clock signals counted by the counter to a numerical time expression in the time units and outputs the converted numerical time expression. The inverter according to the invention, manufacturable with low manufacturing costs and easy to operate, facilitates informing the installation manager of the period of time from the instance at which the inverter stopped due to an anomaly and such a cause, without impairing the time measurement precision.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting an integrated circuit from electrostatic discharge (ESD) includes an RC trigger device configured between a pair of power rails, a first control path coupled to the RC trigger device, and a second control path coupled to the RC trigger device. A power clamp is configured between the power rails for discharging current from an ESD event, the power clamp having an input coupled to outputs of the first and second control paths, the power clamp independently controllable by the first and second control paths. The first and second control paths are further configured to prevent the power clamp from reactivating following an initial deactivation of the power clamp.

Abstract: A non-conductive carrier having a conductive component comprising a plurality of sections to disrupt the conductive component's conductive path. Each section is isolated from other sections such that a charge accumulated in one section cannot combine with the charge accumulated in another section, thereby minimizing any potential electrostatic discharge from the carrier.

Abstract: The semiconductor integrated circuit device includes: a circuit to be protected connected between a power supply line and a ground line; a first resistance connected to an external input terminal at one terminal and to an input terminal of the circuit to be protected at the other terminal; a first electrostatic discharge protection circuit including a first voltage drop circuit connected to the power supply line at one terminal and to the input terminal of the circuit to be protected at the other terminal; and a second electrostatic discharge protection circuit including a second voltage drop circuit connected to the input terminal of the circuit to be protected at one terminal and to the ground line at the other terminal.