An object is to provide a semiconductor device of which a manufacturing process is not complicated and by which cost can be suppressed, by forming a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor film typified by zinc oxide, and a manufacturing method thereof. For the semiconductor device, a gate electrode is formed over a substrate; a gate insulating film is formed covering the gate electrode; an oxide semiconductor film is formed over the gate insulating film; and a first conductive film and a second conductive film are formed over the oxide semiconductor film. The oxide semiconductor film has at least a crystallized region in a channel region.

Semiconductor device, and manufacturing method thereof

A method for providing unequal allocation of rights among agents while operating according to fair principles, comprising assigning a hierarchal rank to each agent; providing a synthetic economic value to a first set of agents at the a high level of the hierarchy; allocating portions of the synthetic economic value by the first set of agents to a second set of agents at respectively different hierarchal rank than the first set of agents; and conducting an auction amongst agents using the synthetic economic value as the currency. A method for allocation among agents, comprising assigning a wealth generation function for generating future wealth to each of a plurality of agents, communicating subjective market information between agents, and transferring wealth generated by the secure wealth generation function between agents in consideration of a market transaction. The method may further comprise the step of transferring at least a portion of the wealth generation function between agents.

Multifactorial optimization system and method

Improved approaches for users to with graphical user interfaces of computing devices are disclosed. A rotational user action supplied by a user via a user input device can provide accelerated scrolling. The accelerated nature of the scrolling enables users to scroll or traverse a lengthy data set (e.g., list of items) faster and with greater ease. The amount of acceleration provided can be performed in successive stages, and/or performed based on the speed of the rotational user action. In one embodiment, the rotational user action is transformed into linear action with respect to a graphical user interface. The resulting acceleration effect causes the linear action to be enhanced such that a lengthy data set is able to be rapidly traversed.

Method and apparatus for accelerated scrolling

Improved approaches for users of computing devices to interact with graphical user interfaces are described. According to one aspect, a rotational user action supplied by a user at a user input device is transformed into linear action with respect to a graphical user interface. According to another aspect, a portion of an extended list of items is displayed by a graphical user interface and, through rotational user actions at a user input device, the portion of the list being displayed can be varied with welcomed ease of use. Although the type of computing device can vary, the improved approaches are particularly well-suited for use with a portable media player.

Method and apparatus for use of rotational user inputs

An input device is disclosed. The input device includes a movable touch pad capable of detecting an object in close proximity thereto so as to generate a first control signal. The input device also includes a movement indicator capable of detecting the movements of the movable touch pad so as to generate one or more distinct second control signals. The control signals being used to perform actions in an electronic device operatively coupled to the input device.

Movable touch pad with added functionality

Various apparatus, methods and systems for insertion of advertisements in various environments are provided. Apparatus, methods and systems for profiling users, registering advertisement impressions and generating feedback in response to advertisement viewing are also disclosed.

Advertisement insertion, profiling, impression, and feedback

Advertisement information appropriated beforehand is inserted into contents such as a game downloaded by a user at the point that the user activates the contents, based on advertisement-insertable information within the game data or the like, and subsequently advertisement information is displayed at corresponding areas while the contents are running, thereby realizing an advertisement system capable of dealing with network infrastructures.

In-contents advertising method, in-contents advertising server, and program-transferring medium for realizing in-contents advertising

A portable electronic device (100) for removable connection to an external device comprises a housing (101) having an access opening. A display (130) is positioned within the housing (101) for displaying information thereon. An electrical circuit is accommodated in the housing (101) and has a terminal accessible via the access opening in the housing (101). The electrical circuit determines a display orientation of information on the display (130) based upon a state in which the portable electronic device (100) is connected to the external device.

Portable electronic device

A security system for preventing disc players from being used with unauthorized software is disclosed. The security code is stored through modulating an offset of the physical position of a plurality of data bits from a nominal track position. A two part optical read head provides an RF signal corresponding to the presence of a physical offset modulation. The RF signal is present when there is a physical offset of the data bits defining a first logical state and the absence of the RF signal defines a second logical state. A digital security code is encoded and decoded in this manner. A system for encoding a security code through modulating the physical offset of a plurality of data bits from a nominal track position is also disclosed.

Compact disc player security system reproducing method and apparatus

A high-security content providing system is disclosed . The content providing system includes a content provider connected to a large number of user terminals via a network. A content including user information specific to a particular user and an electronic watermark embedded therein is transmitted from the content provider to a user terminal. When the content is executed on the user terminal, the user information and the electronic watermark are checked by the user terminal or by the content provider. The content is allowed to be executed only when the checking indicates that the content is an authorized content.

Ken Kutaragi

Papers

Advertisement insertion, profiling, impression, and feedback

In-contents advertising method, in-contents advertising server, and program-transferring medium for realizing in-contents advertising

Portable electronic device

Compact disc player security system reproducing method and apparatus

Content providing method, content providing server, and client terminal in a content providing infrastructure