Abstract: A method of forming a layered structure comprising a domain pattern of a self-assembled material utilizes a negative-tone patterned photoresist layer comprising non-crosslinked developed photoresist. The developed photoresist is not soluble in an organic casting solvent for a material capable of self-assembly. The developed photoresist is soluble in an aqueous alkaline developer and/or a second organic solvent. A solution comprising the material capable of self-assembly and the organic casting solvent is casted on the patterned photoresist layer. Upon removal of the organic casting solvent, the material self-assembles, thereby forming the layered structure.

Abstract: Bilayer systems include a bottom layer formed of polydimethylglutarimide, an acid labile dissolution inhibitor and a photoacid generator. The bilayer system can be exposed and developed in a single exposure and development process.

Abstract: In a masking sound generation apparatus, a CPU analyzes a speech utterance speed of a received sound signal. Then, the CPU copies the received sound signal into a plurality of sound signals and performs the following processing on each of the sound signals. Namely, the CPU divides each of the sound signals into frames on the basis of a frame length determined on the basis of the speech utterance speed. Reverse process is performed on each of the frames to replace a waveform of the frame with a reverse waveform, and a windowing process is performed to achieve a smooth connection between the frames. Then, the CPU randomly rearranges the order of the frames and mixes the plurality of sound signals to generate a masking sound signal.

Abstract: A hands-free loudspeaker system which is capable of achieving high-quality voice amplification without requiring a human speaker to move to a microphone or a microphone to be moved to a human speaker. A microphone whose input level has continued to be above a threshold value for not shorter than a predetermined time period is detected, based on input signals from dispersedly arranged microphones. An input signal from the microphone is selected and outputted to a loudspeaker at an output level or with a delay time, according to a location of the loudspeaker. A preset lowest threshold level is initially set to the threshold value, and an input level of the microphone higher than the threshold value is newly set to the same, while when the input level is lower than the threshold value, a lower value is set to the same in a step-by-step manner.

Abstract: In a masking sound generation apparatus, a CPU analyzes a speech utterance speed of a received sound signal. Then, the CPU copies the received sound signal into a plurality of sound signals and performs the following processing on each of the sound signals. Namely, the CPU divides each of the sound signals into frames on the basis of a frame length determined on the basis of the speech utterance speed. Reverse process is performed on each of the frames to replace a waveform of the frame with a reverse waveform, and a windowing process is performed to achieve a smooth connection between the frames. Then, the CPU randomly rearranges the order of the frames and mixes the plurality of sound signals to generate a masking sound signal.

Abstract: A sound field controlling apparatus for a public-address system comprises a microphone that picks up a sound of a speaker, a loudspeaker that sound a sound signal based on the sound picked up by the microphone, a sound source position detector that detects a position of a sound source, and a signal processor that controls a level, delay time and equalizing property of the sound signal output to the loudspeaker in accordance with the sound source position detected by the sound source position detector.

Abstract: In a masking sound generation apparatus, a CPU analyzes a speech utterance speed of a received sound signal. Then, the CPU copies the received sound signal into a plurality of sound signals and performs the following processing on each of the sound signals. Namely, the CPU divides each of the sound signals into frames on the basis of a frame length determined on the basis of the speech utterance speed. Reverse process is performed on each of the frames to replace a waveform of the frame with a reverse waveform, and a windowing process is performed to achieve a smooth connection between the frames. Then, the CPU randomly rearranges the order of the frames and mixes the plurality of sound signals to generate a masking sound signal.

Abstract: A sound reinforcement system which enables handsfree and high-quality sound reinforcement without requiring a person who is speaking to move to a microphone or move a microphone. At least one microphone and a plurality of speakers are arranged in a room. A speaker output adjusting section outputs sound picked up by the microphone to the plurality of speakers at predetermined levels.

Abstract: Photoresist compositions include a blend of at least one fully protected calix[4]resorcinarene and at least one unprotected calix[4]resorcinarene, wherein the fully protected calix[4]resorcinarene has phenolic groups protected with acid labile protective groups; a photoacid generator; and a solvent, and wherein the blend and the photoacid generator are soluble in the solvent. Also disclosed are processes for generating a resist image on a substrate using the photoresist composition.

Abstract: A method of forming a layered structure comprising a domain pattern of a self-assembled material comprises: disposing on a substrate a photoresist layer comprising a non-crosslinking photoresist; optionally baking the photoresist layer; pattern-wise exposing the photoresist layer to first radiation; optionally baking the exposed photoresist layer; and developing the exposed photoresist layer with a non-alkaline developer to form a negative-tone patterned photoresist layer comprising non-crosslinked developed photoresist; wherein the developed photoresist is not soluble in a given organic solvent suitable for casting a given material capable of self-assembly, and the developed photoresist is soluble in an aqueous alkaline developer and/or a second organic solvent. A solution comprising the given material capable of self-assembly dissolved in the given organic solvent is casted on the patterned photoresist layer, and the given organic solvent is removed.

Abstract: Bilayer systems include a bottom layer formed of polydimethylglutarimide, an acid labile dissolution inhibitor and a photoacid generator. The bilayer system can be exposed and developed in a single exposure and development process.

Abstract: Photoresist compositions include a blend of at least one fully protected calix[4]resorcinarene and at least one unprotected calix[4]resorcinarene, wherein the fully protected calix[4]resorcinarene has phenolic groups protected with acid labile protective groups; a photoacid generator; and a solvent, and wherein the blend and the photoacid generator are soluble in the solvent. Also disclosed are processes for generating a resist image on a substrate using the photoresist composition.

Abstract: A hands-free loudspeaker system which is capable of achieving high-quality voice amplification without requiring a human speaker to move to a microphone or a microphone to be moved to a human speaker. A microphone whose input level has continued to be above a threshold value for not shorter than a predetermined time period is detected, based on input signals from dispersedly arranged microphones. An input signal from the microphone is selected and outputted to a loudspeaker at an output level or with a delay time, according to a location of the loudspeaker. A preset lowest threshold level is initially set to the threshold value, and an input level of the microphone higher than the threshold value is newly set to the same, while when the input level is lower than the threshold value, a lower value is set to the same in a step-by-step manner.

Abstract: A hands-free loudspeaker system which is capable of achieving high-quality voice amplification without requiring a human speaker to move to a microphone or a microphone to be moved to a human speaker. A microphone whose input level has continued to be above a threshold value for not shorter than a predetermined time period is detected, based on input signals from dispersedly arranged microphones. An input signal from the microphone is selected and outputted to each loudspeaker at an output level or with a delay time, according to a location of the loudspeaker. A preset lowest threshold level is initially set to the threshold value, and an input level of the microphone higher than the threshold value is newly set to the same, while when the input level is lower than the threshold value, a lower value is set to the same in a step-by-step manner.

Abstract: Original voice uttered in a first space is acquired via a microphone and a series of digital waveform data of the acquired original voice are obtained. The waveform data are sequentially segmented into plural frames and the waveform data of the individual frames are written into a memory. In parallel with writing, into the memory, of the waveform data, individual ones of the frames already written in the memory are sequentially or randomly selected and read out in a direction opposite to a direction the waveform data of the frame have been written so that a reverse-reproduced voice signal is generated. As the original voice is transmitted, as a leaked voice from the first space to a second space near the first space, a scrambling voice based on the reverse-reproduced voice signal is spatially mixed with the leaked voice in the second space.

Abstract: In a masking sound generation apparatus, a CPU analyzes a speech utterance speed of a received sound signal. Then, the CPU copies the received sound signal into a plurality of sound signals and performs the following processing on each of the sound signals. Namely, the CPU divides each of the sound signals into frames on the basis of a frame length determined on the basis of the speech utterance speed. Reverse process is performed on each of the frames to replace a waveform of the frame with a reverse waveform, and a windowing process is performed to achieve a smooth connection between the frames. Then, the CPU randomly rearranges the order of the frames and mixes the plurality of sound signals to generate a masking sound signal.

Abstract: Working efficiency improvement of shipping and receiving operations in a materials storage location is contemplated. An optimal location is provided so as to minimize work volume in shipping operation when receiving materials control objects in a materials storage location to improve working efficiency in the materials stockroom. As means to achieve it, a location information of the materials control objects stocked in the materials storage location and vacant area where the materials control objects to be received can be stocked are calculated by use of location information of the materials control objects in the materials storage location and materials dimensions and shape information represented by the three-dimensional CAD used in design to select and decide the area to minimize work volume when shipping. Consequently, shipping operation efficiency can be improved.

Abstract: A hands-free loudspeaker system which is capable of achieving high-quality voice amplification without requiring a human speaker to move to a microphone or a microphone to be moved to a human speaker. A microphone whose input level has continued to be above a threshold value for not shorter than a predetermined time period is detected, based on input signals from dispersedly arranged microphones. An input signal from the microphone is selected and outputted to each loudspeaker at an output level or with a delay time, according to a location of the loudspeaker. A preset lowest threshold level is initially set to the threshold value, and an input level of the microphone higher than the threshold value is newly set to the same, while when the input level is lower than the threshold value, a lower value is set to the same in a step-by-step manner.

Abstract: A sound field controlling apparatus for a public-address system comprises a microphone that picks up a sound of a speaker, a loudspeaker that sound a sound signal based on the sound picked up by the microphone, a sound source position detector that detects a position of a sound source, and a signal processor that controls a level, delay time and equalizing property of the sound signal output to the loudspeaker in accordance with the sound source position detected by the sound source position detector.

Abstract: A sound reinforcement system which enables handsfree and high-quality sound reinforcement without requiring a person who is speaking to move to a microphone or move a microphone. At least one microphone and a plurality of speakers are arranged in a room. A speaker output adjusting section outputs sound picked up by the microphone to the plurality of speakers at predetermined levels.