Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including memory cells, word lines which select the memory cells, bit lines which transfer data of the memory cells, a sense amplifier circuit which amplifies data transferred to the bit lines, a first dummy cell group including first dummy cells, a dummy word line which selects the first dummy cell group, a dummy bit line to which data of the first dummy cell group is transferred, a generation circuit which generates an activation signal to activate the sense amplifier circuit based on a variation in a potential level of the dummy bit line, and a potential generating circuit which generates a first source potential applied to the first dummy cell group. The first source potential is different from a power supply potential.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a sense amplifier of a semiconductor memory apparatus including a sense amplifier control unit that controls an enable point of a sense amplifier control signal which is generated by an active command and a precharge command, according to whether a refresh signal is enabled. A sense amplifier driver that generates a sense amplifier driving signal in response to input of the sense amplifier control signal and a bit line equalization signal.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device comprises a plurality of bit lines BL; memory cells MC disposed at the respective plurality of bit lines, and each including a magnetoresistive effect element MTJ whose resistance value is changed with changes of magnetization direction, and a select transistor Tr connected to the magnetoresistive effect element MTJ, the magnetoresistive effect element MC having one terminal connected to the bit line BL and the other terminal connected to a first signal line GND via the select transistor; dummy cells DC disposed at the respective plurality of bit lines BL, and each including a resistance element R of a constant resistance value, the resistance element having one terminal connected to the bit line BL and the other terminal connected to a second signal line SIGD; and a voltage sense amplifier SA connected to the plurality of bit lines BL.

Abstract: An integrated semiconductor memory with refreshing of memory cells includes a temperature sensor to detect a chip temperature of the integrated semiconductor memory, a connection to apply a command signal, a frequency generation unit to generate a frequency signal, and a memory cell to store a data item, the stored data item being refreshed at the frequency of the frequency signal. The frequency generation unit generates the frequency signal at a first frequency on the basis of a chip temperature detected by the temperature sensor when a first state of the command signal is applied and the frequency generation unit generates the frequency signal at a second frequency, which is changed in comparison with the first frequency, at the same chip temperature when a second state of the command signal is applied.

Abstract: A method for providing a bulk erase tool having a portion of reduced field strength is provided. A bulk erase tool is received. The bulk erase tool has a first polarity top main magnet, a first polarity bottom main magnet, a second polarity top main magnet and a second polarity bottom main magnet. At least one first polarity cancel magnet is provided at a portion of each of the second polarity top and bottom main magnets. Additionally, at least one second polarity cancel magnet is provided at a portion of each of the first polarity top and bottom main magnets. In so doing, the bulk erase tool field strength at a first portion of the bulk erase tool is reduced.

Abstract: A bulk erase tool is provided. The bulk erase tool includes first polarity top and bottom main erase magnets. Additionally, the bulk erase tool includes second polarity top and bottom main erase magnets. The bulk erase tool also includes first polarity top and bottom cancel magnets at portions of the second polarity top and bottom main magnets. The bulk erase tool additionally includes second polarity top and bottom cancel magnets at portions of the first polarity top and bottom main magnets. In so doing, the first polarity top and bottom cancel magnets and the second polarity top and bottom cancel magnets reduce the bulk erase tool field strength at a first portion of the bulk erase tool.

Abstract: A method for utilizing a bulk erase tool to erase perpendicularly recorded media is provided. A bulk erase tool having a first polarity erase magnet and a second polarity erase magnet is received. An offset is provided between the first polarity erase magnet and the second polarity erase magnet, wherein the offset provides a non-parallel non-vertical applied magnetic field suitable for erasing perpendicularly recorded media.

Abstract: A bulk erase tool for erasing perpendicularly recorded media is provided. The bulk erase tool includes a first polarity erase magnet and a second polarity erase magnet offset from the first polarity erase magnet. In so doing, the offset between the first polarity erase magnet and the second polarity erase magnet produces a non-parallel non-vertical applied field utilized for erasing perpendicularly recorded media.

Abstract: A refresh method for a semiconductor memory device features high noise resistance, lower power consumption, and lower cost. All word lines of one or more memory cell blocks that have not been selected in a self refresh mode are controlled to have a floating potential substantially at ground level. Even when a word line and a bit line are short-circuited, this control prevents destruction of memory cell information, which may be caused by noise, and also prevents generation of leakage current. A fuse, etc., for preventing generation of leakage current is unnecessary, so that lower cost is realized.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a memory device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the memory device includes at least one memory array having a plurality of memory cells addressed by a plurality of word lines and bit lines. At least one word line decoder is coupled to the word lines for selecting the memory cell for read or write operation. The word line decoder includes at least one last stage driver having at least one PMOS transistor and at least one NMOS transistor, the PMOS transistor having a threshold voltage substantially higher than that of the NMOS transistor, thereby reducing the power consumption of the memory device in the stand-by mode.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a bank that includes a core block where a memory cell array is disposed and a control block to drive the memory cell array, a ground power supply pad that is supplied with a ground power through a ground line, a switch that connects the ground line and the core block, and a block control unit that controls an on/off operation of the switch.

Abstract: A leakage current of the MOS transistor of a power control section at a standby time is drastically reduced and the reduction of the consumption power is achieved. A memory module is provided with power control sections. When either of the memory mats is not selected, the power control sections stop the power supply voltage to a non-selected memory mat, a word driver, an input-output circuit, a control circuit and an output circuit. At the standby time of the memory module, the power control section stops a power supply to power control sections, a control circuit, a predecoder circuit, and an input circuit. In this manner, the leakage current of the MOS transistor of the power control sections at the standby time can be drastically reduced.

Abstract: A memory control method, a memory controller, and a memory device implementing the method are provided. The memory controller controls the memory device comprising a plurality of banks, and a first row in a bank is activated for access. The memory controller receives a request for access of a second row in the bank and delivers a special command to the memory device. The memory device deactivates the first row and activates the second row upon receipt of the special command.

Abstract: A memory device has a first core memory array, a second core memory array, a third core memory array and a fourth core memory array, and a first common reference section for the first core memory array and the second core memory array, and a second common reference section for the third core memory array and the fourth core memory array. Another memory device with shared signals and a method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for initializing a control device of a memory, the control device executing commands for accessing the memory transmitted to the memory by a control signal, the method comprising steps of detecting the switching on of the memory and of at least partially initializing the control device following the switching on of the memory. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises steps of detecting a specific event in the control signal, and of at least partially initializing the control device following the detection of the specific event.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device that speeds up its operation. A multiplexer puts one of word lines into an active state to select one memory cell in each local block. Another multiplexer puts one of local block selection signals into an active state and puts one of p-channel transistors into the ON state to select one of local blocks arranged in a column direction. A NAND element inverts the logical product of a signal output from a local block selected by a local block selection signal and a signal output from a block not selected and outputs a result obtained to put an n-channel transistor into the ON or OFF state. The n-channel transistor grounds a common bit line when it goes into the ON state. Each of the p-channel transistors is selected by a column switch (not shown) and send read data to a data bus.

Abstract: A method for generating a selected word line voltage is provided. In this method, a constant voltage that is substantially independent of a temperature change is generated. Additionally, a current that varies in proportion to a temperature is generated. To generate the selected word line voltage, the current is converted to a voltage that varies in proportion to the absolute temperature and the voltage is subtracted from the constant voltage.

Abstract: A column selection signal generator includes a timing generating unit that enables a column selection signal using a read or write command at timing according to a time control signal, a timing control unit that generates the timing control signal to control the enable timing of the column selection signal, and a pulse width generating unit that controls the column selection signal to have a prescribed pulse width and outputs a final column selection signal.

Abstract: With a semiconductor memory device according to the invention, it is possible to perform level shift of a word driver by a change in voltage at a line for a word driver P-channel control signal connected to a P-channel transistor, without a change in size of the P-channel transistor and that of an N-channel transistor, even at a low voltage of output from a row decoder. Thus, it is possible to maintain a small size ratio between the N-channel transistor and the P-channel transistor.

Abstract: A synchronous output signal generated by an integrated circuit (IC) component is synchronized to an applied clock signal for each individual IC component. A variable feedback delay in the IC component is incrementally altered to alter the phase skew between the clock signal and the output signal. The relative phase order of the clock and output signals is monitored in the IC component. In response to detecting a swap in the relative phase order of the clock and output signals, the variable feedback delay ceases to be altered. In some embodiments, the IC component may be a SDRAM component.

Abstract: A memory controller having a time-staggered request signal output. A first timing signal is generated with a phase offset relative to a first clock signal in accordance with a first programmed value, and a second timing signal is generated with a phase offset relative to the first clock signal in accordance with a second programmed value. An address value is transmitted in response to the first timing signal and a control value is transmitted in response to the second timing signal, the address value and control value constituting portions of a first memory access request.

Abstract: The data for being processed are transmitted by utilizing a daisy chain constitution using a plurality of semiconductor integrated circuit devices each having an input terminal for receiving an input signal containing any one of an instruction, a data, a position where the data exists or a timing signal, and an output terminal for producing a signal formed in an internal circuit in response to the input signal or fed through the input terminal, wherein among the plurality of semiconductor integrated circuit devices, the output terminal of the semiconductor integrated circuit device in the preceding stage and the corresponding input terminal of the semiconductor integrated circuit device of the next stage are connected together.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes: a memory cell array, in which electrically rewritable and non-volatile memory cells are arranged; a sense amplifier circuit configured to be coupled to the memory cell array; a data transfer circuit disposed between the sense amplifier circuit and data input/output ports; a control signal generation circuit configured to generate a plurality of control signals based on a reference clock signal externally supplied, the control signals serving for controlling data input and output of the sense amplifier circuit and data transferring timing in the data transfer circuit; and an internal clock signal generation circuit configured to generate an internal clock signal based on the reference clock signal for serving as the basis of the control signals, the internal clock signal having the same clock cycle as the reference clock signal and a constant duty ratio without regard to the duty ratio of the reference clock signal.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving the operational performance of a moving cement mixer vehicle with a rotatable mixing drum by automatically stopping the rotation of the mixing drum at select moments. The system may include a sensor adapted to deliver a signal indicative of an operational parameter, such as steering angle of the vehicle, and a processing unit adapted to receive the signal from the sensor and deliver a control signal based on the signal for stopping rotation of the mixing drum.

Abstract: A rotating disc extracts in a fan samples from a fluidized flow of particles in a container, for example a mixer. Each extracted sample overflies contrasting areas so that a camera images the fan. A programmed computer processor analyzes the images and produces size, shape, size distribution, and compositional information from the sample. The sample is representative of the flow as a whole.

Abstract: A container (15) for a blender (10) includes a bottom surface (16) having a non-symmetrically shaped perimeter. A side wall (17) extends upwardly from the perimeter of the bottom surface (16). A mixing blade assembly (20) having a plurality of blades (21) is located above the bottom surface (16) and is rotatable on an axis which is displaced from the center of the bottom surface (10). Nonuniform spaces (25, 26) are thus created between the ends of the blades (21) and the side wall (17). The bottom surface (16) is inclined at an angle relative to the plane normal to the axis of rotation of the blade assembly (20), and it, as well as the side wall (17), may be provided with a plurality of spaced vanes (31, 32).

Abstract: The present invention provides a vortex motion paint mixing machine having a paint container holder spinning about its own axis and orbiting about a second axis positioned at an angle to the container spin axis that has a paint mixing assembly pivotally connected to a base, one or more viscoelastic polymer dampers and a control arm.

Abstract: A magnetic stir element includes a stirrer of nonmagnetic material that is configured for stirring the contents of a vessel. The stirrer includes a pair of opposed cavities on opposite sides of the stirrer and a barrier that separates the opposed cavities. Magnetized magnetic material is disposed in the pair of opposed cavities to provide a magnetic flux axis for the stirrer. The magnetic material is so magnetized and disposed in the pair of separated opposed cavities that the magnetized magnetic material disposed in one of the pair of separated opposed cavities is magnetically attracted to the magnetized magnetic material disposed in the other of the pair of separated opposed cavities to thereby hold the magnetized magnetic material within the pair of separated opposed cavities.

Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, a vortex chamber tool in a conduit includes: an outer barrel; an inner barrel that is concentric with the outer barrel; and a corkscrew deflector coupled to an inside wall of the outer barrel and an outside wall of the inner barrel to organize the flow of a fluid in the vortex chamber tool. The vortex chamber tool operates to convert a turbulent flow from an input portion of the conduit into a non-turbulent laminar flow at a downstream portion of the conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for emitting seismic vibration waves mountable on a movable platform (100) comprising a vibration system for transmitting the waves into the ground and a system for supporting a device (200) on the ground, wherein the system for supporting on the ground is fixable to the movable platform (100) and transfers a charge to a ground-mounted vibration system in a ground support direction (1). Said ground-mounted vibration system is fixable to the system for supporting on the ground by compensation means (251, 252, 253) for compensating perpendicularity defects between the ground general plane and the around support direction (1).

Abstract: In one embodiment the invention comprises a method for performing a repeated marine seismic survey which includes towing at least one seismic source behind a seismic survey vessel substantially along the path of a previously conducted seismic survey, determining the position of the at least one seismic source during the repeated marine seismic survey and comparing the determined position of the at least one seismic source with a position of a seismic source during a previously conducted seismic survey. The position of the at least one seismic source is adjusted in response to said comparison.

Abstract: Implementations of various technologies for a method for processing seismic data. In one implementation, the method includes (a) selecting a first trace from a first seismic data set and a second trace from a second seismic data set; (b) extracting one or more features of the same types from the first trace and the second trace; (c) matching the extracted features from the first trace with the extracted features from the second trace; and (d) calculating for a displacement field using one or more of the matching features of the first trace and the second trace.

Abstract: A method is used to convert seismic data between bounding upper and lower surfaces in the time domain to the depth domain. An upper depth surface corresponding to the upper time surface is determined, either from well data or by time-depth conversion of the upper time surface. An interval velocity value is determined for each seismic sample between the bounding time surfaces from velocity data generated from well logs. The seismic times between the bounding time surfaces are then converted to the depth domain by adding the thickness of each seismic sample to the upper depth surface, wherein the thickness of each seismic sample is a function of the seismic sample rate and interval velocity value for each seismic sample. The seismic attribute values from the converted seismic data can be interpolated to a linear depth sampling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method according to which a clock is adapted to be illuminated by, for example, one or more light-emitting-diode bulbs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle display device which allows a driver to instantaneously grasp driving force information. A meter_ECU displays a driving force display image which displays driving force information of a vehicle on an MID, displays an acceleration-torque line (driving force characteristic line) L corresponding to the currently selected mode M and, at the same time, changes a power level which is indicated in a power display region P set within the acceleration-torque line L interlockingly with an accelerator operation of a driver. Due to such a constitution, the vehicle display device allows the driver to instantaneously grasp the driving force information.

Abstract: A multifunction watch provides plural worlds, each world supporting one or more modes of operation within the world. Separate configurations can be maintained for each world and separate navigation menus can be provided for each world. Modes of operation may be configurable. Duplicate worlds and duplicate modes within worlds are provided. In certain embodiments a desired world can be selected by manipulating a bezel. In some embodiments the bezel rotates to engage and activate one of a plurality of switches, thereby selecting a corresponding world. Each world operates independently of other worlds and some functions can be shared between worlds and between modes within worlds. An example is described in which a multimode watch provides four worlds including TIME, RIDE, COMPASS and SPEED.

Abstract: The driving apparatus including a rotation driving unit in the bottom which has an electric motor for rotation which is provided to a base plate for rotation and a train of gears for reducing rotation speed which reduces the rotation of the motor to rotate a base plate for elevation; a elevation driving unit in the middle which has an electric motor provided to the base plate for elevation and a train of gears which reduces the rotation of the motor as well as moves a base plate for tilting up and down via an elevating means, and; the driving unit on the top which has an electric motor for tilting which is provided to the base plate for tilting and a train of gears for tilting and reducing rotation speed which reduces the rotation speed of the motor and tilts a tilting plate provided to the flat display via a tilting means.

Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece including a case (10) and a crystal (22) together defining a housing (18) for a movement (20), and further including an element that is mobile in rotation (30) actuated by a control member (36) including a stem (42) of longitudinal axis AA, passing radially through said case (10), a crown (44) mounted on a first proximal end of said stem and a pinion (46) fixedly mounted in rotation on a second distal end of said stem (42). The control member (36) is fitted with a part (48) for axially securing said pinion (46) on said stem (42), arranged on the proximal side of said stem (42), said securing part (48) including: a first slit ring (62) mounted so as to be locked axially and radially on a first of the pinion (46)/stem (42) elements, and means for axially locking the second of the pinion (46)/stem (42) elements, secured to said slit ring (62).

Abstract: A digital downloading jukebox system including a mechanism for delivering custom services to a recognized user is provided. For example, information specific to a recognized user may be stored and optionally may include a recognized user avatar representative of the recognized user. The user avatar may be an image, video, and/or animation, which may be displayed on and/or played through the jukebox. The user avatar may be associated with transactions associated with the user. For example, an avatar may be displayed when a playlist of the recognized user is played, when a message is sent, etc. In other examples, the avatar may introduce instances of media by playing an audio and/or video message, and the avatar may sing, dance, etc. while an instance of media is playing.

Abstract: An optical disk device is capable of reducing a thickness of a loading portion equipped with plural sheets of trays. Trays installed in a main body are energized to put an optical disk between them in the thickness direction. Therefore, a thickness of plural sheets of trays can be reduced by cutting down a clearance between the tray and the optical disk, and thus a reduction in size of the optical disk device can be achieved. Also, plural sheets of trays are energized by spring members to be put elastically between them in the thickness direction. Therefore, an excessive pushing force is not applied to the optical disk loaded on the tray, and a failure of the loaded optical disk can be prevented. Also, a hollow portion of the tray is formed such that projection portions protruded in excess of a standard thickness dimension of the optical disk do not interfere with the tray.

Abstract: A real-time wobble detector and an adaptive layer distance balancing calculator are added in a layer jump control device of a high-speed optical drive to solve failure and instability caused by the wobble effect of the optical drive during layer jump. A layer jump control method of the optical drive is also provided.

Abstract: An objective lens holding device includes a first objective lens, a second objective lens, and a lens holder, wherein an axis-to-axis distance between a central axis of the first objective lens and a central axis of the second objective lens is set to a distance, depending on a first length and a second length, which distance prevents a second edge portion from butting against a turntable when the first objective lens focuses light from a first laser on an innermost circumference of the information recording layer of an optical disc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement by means of which a signal-to-noise ratio which is as optimum as possible is obtained during the recovery of a signal which itself is used for recovery of the address information contained in a wobble track on an optical storage medium.

Abstract: To increase the information density of a satisfactorily readable information structure of a record carrier (2), the rearside (4) of the record carrier can be provided with means (82,84;86) for reflecting read beam radiation at an acute angle with respect to the chief ray of the incident read beam (20). In this way sub-beams b(0), b(+1), b(?1) diffracted by the information structure in different orders can be shifted with respect to the pupil of an objective lens (18) without introducing aberrations into the read spot (21). Said means may have a sawtooth or triangular shape (82,84) or be formed by a regular diffraction grating (86).

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing an information recording medium, a configuration is provided in which strict information management and an information recording medium manufacturing process are realized. In a configuration in which master data as original data of recording data for an information recording medium is generated and recording data for the information recording medium is generated on the basis of the master data, master data containing a dummy data area in a partial area of the master data is generated, and the dummy data area is identified and a process for setting significant information is performed on the basis of the stored information of an auxiliary file. Therefore, it is not necessary to obtain data of significant information when the master data is to be generated, and it becomes possible to generate the master data without obtaining specific information, such as an encrypted key block.

Abstract: A method of recording control information in a recording medium, such as an optical disc, including at least one recording layer is provided Velocity information and per recording velocity write strategy (write strategy parameters) is included in control information, such that standardized control information can be uniformly applied to cope with the playback of a recorded optical disc. The method includes steps of recording, per applicable recording velocity, the control information within a management area of the at least one recording layer of the optical disc; and recording at least one write strategy information per the applicable recording velocity within the control information.

Abstract: A method of recording control information in a recording medium, such as an optical disc, including at least one recording layer is provided Velocity information and per recording velocity write strategy (write strategy parameters) is included in control information, such that standardized control information can be uniformly applied to cope with the playback of a recorded optical disc. The method includes steps of recording, per applicable recording velocity, the control information within a management area of the at least one recording layer of the optical disc; and recording at least one write strategy information per the applicable recording velocity within the control information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the read stability of an optical disc are provided. Specifically, readout of the optical disc is repeated at each of at least two read laser beams powers being different from each other. A graph is drawn in which the inverses of the read powers are plotted on a horizontal axis and in which on a vertical axis is plotted the logarithm of a repeated readout number for each of the read powers. Here, the repeated readout number is the number of repetitions of the readout when a characteristic value for the number of repetitions of the readout varies and reaches a predetermined value. The read stability of the optical disc is evaluated by using the gradient of the graph.

Abstract: An integrated semiconductor memory with generation of data comprises a clock connection to apply a clock signal, a memory cell array with memory cells to store data of a first data record and a data generator circuit with a first input connection to apply the data of the first data record, with a first output connection to output data of a second data record, and with a second output connection to generate a first control signal. The data generator circuit includes an evaluation unit whose input is supplied with the first data record, the second data record and a second control signal, the second control signal being delayed by one clock period of the clock signal with respect to the first control signal. The data generator circuit is adapted to generate the data values of the data of the second data record in dependence on the evaluation of the data values of the first and second data record and the second control signal.

Abstract: A method for determining recording laser power on a super-resolution optical recording medium, on which information is recorded on a super-resolution optical recording medium by irradiating a laser beam modulated into a recording pulse train according to recording data to thereby form a recording mark train including recording marks and spaces smaller than the resolution limit of a reproduction optical system and recording marks and spaces equal to or larger than the resolution limit, is provided. At the time of recording, the method determines a minimum value and a maximum value of recordable laser powers determined by test-writing before recording, and determines a maximum value of a recordable range of laser power by adding to the minimum value one-third of a difference between the maximum value of the recordable laser powers and the minimum value. The method determines an optimal range of recording laser power from the minimum value of recordable laser powers to the maximum value of the recordable range.