Abstract: A surface fastener and a product attached with the same surface fastener, having a structure for reducing a sound generated upon separation of a surface fastener member itself and capable of reducing a sound generated upon separation of the product attached with the same surface fastener. A sheet material is attached to a rear surface of a flat base material of a surface fastener member comprising an engaging-element-formation region having multiple engaging elements on a front surface of the flat base material and an engaging-element non-formation region having no engaging elements or comprising a sewing region and a non-sewing region. The sheet material has apparent density of 0.5 g/cm3 or less at least in a region corresponding to the engaging-element-formation region or the non-sewing region as sound transmission restricting means, or has at least one through hole as the sound transmission restricting means. Further, the apparent density of the flat base material is set to 0.5 g/cm3.

Abstract: A flame-retardant fastening product (a molded article and a fabric product) which is made of a flame retardancy-imparting material or contains or/and is coated with the flame retardancy-imparting material, wherein the flame retardancy-imparting material comprises 100 parts by weight of a synthetic resin and 1 to 400 parts by weight of a flame-retardant containing an inorganic flame-retardant which exhibits such a volume change as expansion and/or foaming at the time of combustion, more preferably at least one member selected from the group consisting of hydrated metallic compounds and thermally expansible graphite, the flame-retardant being dispersed in the synthetic resin. Such flame-retardant products are useful as various molded articles and fabric products, such as surface fasteners, slide fasteners, and resin buttons.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical switch for making part of incident light, which has been made incident on an optical waveguide, selectively emergent to a light emergence portion provided outside the optical waveguide. The optical switch includes a liquid crystal device for selective emergence of the incident light. An arbitrary layer of the liquid crystal device is set such that letting ?n be a difference between a refractive index no of the optical waveguide and a refractive index n1 of the arbitrary layer of the liquid crystal device, “d” be a thickness of the arbitrary layer, and ? be a wavelength of the incident light, the values of ?n, “d”, and ? satisfy a condition of 2.20×10?3?|?n·d·??1|?3.03×10?3. With this optical switch, the uniformity of a light emergence efficiency can be easily realized by making use of a small change region in which the light emergence efficiency is not largely varied. The present invention also provides a display unit using the optical switches.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical switch for making part of incident light, which has been made incident on an optical waveguide, selectively emergent to a light emergence portion provided outside the optical waveguide. The optical switch includes a liquid crystal device for selective emergence of the incident light. An arbitrary layer of the liquid crystal device is set such that letting ?n be a difference between a refractive index n0 of the optical waveguide and a refractive index n1 of the arbitrary layer of the liquid crystal device, “d” be a thickness of the arbitrary layer, and ? be a wavelength of the incident light, the values of ?n, “d”, and ? satisfy a condition of 2.20×10?3?|?n·d·??1|?3.03×10?3. With this optical switch, the uniformity of a light emergence efficiency can be easily realized by making use of a small change region in which the light emergence efficiency is not largely varied. The present invention also provides a display unit using the optical switches.

Abstract: A method of paying the fee of recycling a used product is disclosed, which includes the steps of managing ID information of a recycle certificate issued and sales information indicating the recycle certificate sold to a discharger in a corresponding relation with each other to form a recycle certificate information, calculating a recycle certificate sales price based on contents of the recycle certificate information and demanding and receiving the calculated recycle certificate sales price, and paying the demanded recycle certificate sales price. As a result, the account for the fees of the product recycle among plural entities involved in the product recycle can be settled both accurately and properly.

Abstract: An information receiving/display apparatus, which can receive and display third sensory information such as tactual information or olfactory information in addition to visual and/or audio information. A number of image display optical fibers and tactual representation fibers both having cores made of a liquid are arranged in alignment, and a number of image display control signal lines and tactual representation control signal lines made of piezoelectric element are aligned across the fibers, thereby to form the information receiving/display apparatus.

Abstract: A photon operating device is capable of more effectively using five senses and muscular or other functions humans have, and capable of performing various kinds of information processing as high-level interface connecting image information of natural worlds and human brains. The photon operating device comprises a plurality of first optical fibers, a plurality of second optical fibers, which both are arranged in form of a grating on a two-dimensional plane, semiconductor lasers and CCD line sensors, which both are disposed at one-side ends and the other ends of the first optical fibers, respectively. A photon beam introduced from a light source into one end of a selected first optical fiber is divided into two correlated dual signals, i.e. a first signal traveling through the selected first optical fiber and a second signal led out from the selected first optical fiber externally of the two-dimensional plane, at an intersection between the first and second optical fibers by an optical switch.

Abstract: A method and a system wherein IC card information can be changed in either of two ways is provided. The information stored in an IC card can be changed independently of the information that a center facility maintains, and then the corresponding IC card information maintained by the center facility is updated to reflect the changes made in the IC card. Alternatively, the IC card information maintained in the center facility is changed, and then the corresponding information in the IC card is updated to reflect those changes.

Abstract: An x-ray treatment apparatus includes an x-ray generating device, a head unit, a manipulator and a microwave source. The x-ray generating device produces x-rays, by letting electrons, which have been emitted from an electron gun, be accelerated by a linear accelerator and strike a target. The acceleration of electrons is effected by microwaves. The x-ray generating device is accommodated in the head unit. The head unit is attached to a distal end portion of the manipulator. The manipulator positions the head unit such that x-rays emitted from the head unit may be applied to a part for medical treatment in a patient. The microwave source is disposed at a proximal end portion of the manipulator. Microwaves are propagated from the microwave source to the accelerator through a waveguide.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a method and system is provided wherein IC card information can be changed in either of two ways: (1) the information stored in IC card is changed independently of the information that the center facility maintains, and then the corresponding IC card information maintained by the center facility is updated to reflect the changes made in the IC card, and (2) the IC card information maintained in the center apparatus is changed, and then the corresponding information in the IC card is updated to reflect the changes made in the center apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical switch for making part of incident light, which has been made incident on an optical waveguide, selectively emergent to a light emergence portion provided outside the optical waveguide. The optical switch includes a liquid crystal device for selective emergence of the incident light. An arbitrary layer of the liquid crystal device is set such that letting &Dgr;n be a difference between a refractive index n0 of the optical waveguide and a refractive index n1 of the arbitrary layer of the liquid crystal device, “d” be a thickness of the arbitrary layer, and &lgr; be a wavelength of the incident light, the values of &Dgr;n, “d”, and &lgr; satisfy a condition of 2.20×10−3|≦&Dgr;n·d·&lgr;−1|≦3.03×10−3.

Abstract: An input apparatus includes a fiber optical waveguide and a second optical waveguide disposed so as to intersect each other and coupled to each other at the intersection portion. The intersection portion has a stress-luminescent material. When each of the first and second optical waveguides is configured as an optical fiber, the stress-luminescent material is provided in a clad of the optical fiber. The stress-luminescent material is represented by a composite material of SrAl2O4:Eu and polyester. The composite material emits luminescence, for example, by contact with a finger with the material, or applying ultrasonic vibration to the material. An optical waveguide apparatus, an optomechanical apparatus, a detecting apparatus, an information processing apparatus, a key-input apparatus, and a fiber structure, each of which uses the stress-luminescent material, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical switch for making part of incident light, which has been made incident on an optical waveguide, selectively emergent to a light emergence portion provided outside the optical waveguide. The optical switch includes a liquid crystal device for selective emergence of the incident light. An arbitrary layer of the liquid crystal device is set such that letting &Dgr;n be a difference between a refractive index n0 of the optical waveguide and a refractive index n1 of the arbitrary layer of the liquid crystal device, “d” be a thickness of the arbitrary layer, and &lgr; be a wavelength of the incident light, the values of &Dgr;n, “d”, and &lgr; satisfy a condition of 2.20×10−3≦|&Dgr;n·d·&lgr;−1|≦3.03×10−3.

Abstract: A surface fastener and a product attached with the same surface fastener, having a structure for reducing a sound generated upon separation of a surface fastener member itself and capable of reducing a sound generated upon separation of the product attached with the same surface fastener.

Abstract: In an electro-rheological composition comprising an electrical insulating medium and solid particles dispersed therein, insulating solid particles possessed of morphological anisotropy are used as the solid particles. In a preferred embodiment, the insulating solid particles mentioned above are plate-like insulating solid particles, preferably plate-like insulating solid particles having a diameter (particle diameter) not less than 1 &mgr;m, more preferably plate-like aluminum oxide particles having a diameter not less than 1 &mgr;m. In another preferred embodiment, the insulating solid particles which have undergone a surface treatment with organic molecules or a semiconducting inorganic material, particularly the insulating solid particles having a metal oxide such as tin oxide and titanium oxide adhered to the surfaces thereof are used as the particles. Still another preferred embodiment is the ER composition of which electrical insulating medium is gelled.

Abstract: An x-ray treatment apparatus includes an x-ray generating device, a head unit, a manipulator and a microwave source. The x-ray generating device produces x-rays, by letting electrons, which have been emitted from an electron gun, be accelerated by a linear accelerator and strike a target. The acceleration of electrons is effected by microwaves. The x-ray generating device is accommodated in the head unit. The head unit is attached to a distal end portion of the manipulator. The manipulator positions the head unit such that x-rays emitted from the head unit may be applied to a part for medical treatment in a patient. The microwave source is disposed at a proximal end portion of the manipulator. Microwaves are propagated from the microwave source to the accelerator through a waveguide.

Abstract: A laser structure of the present invention is composed of microparticles cyclically arrayed so as to have a face centered cubic lattice structure or a closest-packed hexagonal lattice structure. Bragg reflection occurs from such regularly arrayed microparticles. The laser structure causes laser oscillation with a luminous material such as a pigment or an organic electroluminescence material taken as a laser medium. The laser structure has an advantageous that it is small in both size and weight and can be easily produced, and is applicable to a variety of application fields such as a light emitting device, an image display unit, and an optical amplifier.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical switch for making part of incident light, which has been made incident on an optical waveguide, selectively emergent to a light emergence portion provided outside the optical waveguide. The optical switch includes a liquid crystal device for selective emergence of the incident light. An arbitrary layer of the liquid crystal device is set such that letting &Dgr;n be a difference between a refractive index n0 of the optical waveguide and a refractive index n1 of the arbitrary layer of the liquid crystal device, “d” be a thickness of the arbitrary layer, and &lgr; be a wavelength of the incident light, the values of &Dgr;n, “d”, and &lgr; satisfy a condition of 2.20×10−3≦|&Dgr;n·d·&lgr;−1|≦3.03×10−3.

Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor light emitting device whose operating voltage can be easily reduced, a method of producing the same, and an optical device. An n-type clad layer, a first guide layer, an active layer, a second guide layer, a p-type clad layer, a first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer of ZnSe are successively grown on an n-type substrate. An alkali compound layer of Na2Se is then formed thereon. Subsequently, a heat treatment is performed by means of irradiation of an excimer laser beam so that at least a part of the second semiconductor layer and at least a part of the alkali compound layer are altered thereby forming a contact layer. Furthermore, a p-side electrode is formed on the contact layer. The contact layer contains an alkali metal serving as a p-type impurity so that the contact layer has a low electric resistance thereby achieving a reduction in the operating voltage and thus a reduction in the operating power.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser comprises: a first cladding layer of a first conduction type; an active layer stacked on the first cladding layer; and a second cladding layer of a second conduction type stacked on the active layer. The first cladding layer, the active layer and the second cladding layer are made of II-VI compound semiconductors. Pulse oscillation occurs with characteristics of a threshold current Ith(A), a threshold voltage Vth(V) of the diode composed of the first cladding layer, the active layer and the second cladding layer, a differential resistance RS(&OHgr;) of the diode after the rising, a thermal resistance Rt(K/W) and a characteristic temperature To(K). When two amounts &agr; and &bgr; are defined by: &agr;≡(Rt/To)IthVth &bgr;≡(Rt/To)RSIth2 the point (&agr;,&bgr;) exists in an area on the &agr;-&bgr; plane surrounded by the straight line &agr;=0, the straight line &bgr;=0, and the curve ((21n t−1)/t, (1−ln t)/t2) having t as a parameter.