Abstract: A solar-shading light-transmissive panel has a light-transmissive sheet, an absorbing layer disposed on said light-transmissive sheet, a first transparent dielectric layer disposed on said absorbing layer, an Ag-rich layer comprising Ag as a main component disposed on said first transparent dielectric layer, and a second transparent dielectric layer disposed on said Ag-rich layer. The solar-shading light-transmissive panel, which basically has the four layers and can be manufactured relatively inexpensively, has an ornamentally excellent appearance, a relatively high solar-shalding capability, and a relatively high visible light transmittance.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted three dimensional sound signal reproducing-silencing unit includes at least two speakers disposed for each of seats to be occupied by listeners so as to generate a three dimensional sound field space in a region inclusive of left and right external ears of each of the listeners, and three dimensional signal processing means for converting an output signal from a sound source into a three dimensional sound field signal for supplying it to each of the speakers, thereby reproducing a three dimensional sound field with rich presence for each of the seats. The unit also includes antiphase signal generating means for supplying a silencing signal to the three dimensional signal processing means, thereby silencing sounds for each of the seats without giving an effect on the other seats.

Abstract: In response to a voice request from a facility judgment means which judges the location of such a facility from the current position selected in advance based on the current position and map data, the voice guidance generated by guidance synchronizing means is converted by stereophonic or three dimensional signal processing means into a stereophonic or three dimensional sound field signal, and outputted to at least two or more speakers which generate a stereophonic or three dimensional sound field reproducing space corresponding to the left and right external ears of a listener. The distance to, and the direction of, the facility that has been selected in advance are informed by the movement of an image of a stereophonic or three dimensional sound with rich presence.

Abstract: An article having a substrate and a photocatalyst coating film formed thereon by the sputtering method, characterized in that the photocatalyst coating film comprises a titanium oxide as a main component and at least one metal having a sputtering rate for Ar which is 0.9 to 2.7 times that of Ti, preferably at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, V, Mo, Nb, Al and Cr in an amount of 0.01 to 10 wt % in terms of the sum of such metals. The coating film is formed on the substrate by a method using a sputtering target of Ti metal or a Ti suboxide containing the at least one metal in an amount of 0.01 to 10 wt % in terms of the sum of such metals, or a method using two sputtering targets to which reversing voltages are applied in a manner such that the two targets become a positive electrode and a negative electrode alternatively.

Abstract: A transparent touch panel substrate comprising a transparent substrate and deposited thereon a transparent conductive metal oxide film which contains zinc, indium, and tin as metallic elements and is soluble in acids. The transparent conductive metal oxide film preferably contains zinc in an amount of from 40 to 65 atomic % based on all metals and contains indium in an amount of from 0.25 to 1.3 times the amount of tin on an atomic basis. The film preferably has a thickness of from 100 to 160 nm. Unlike the conventional substrate for resistive film type transparent touch panels which comprises a glass plate coated with a transparent conductive ITO film, the touch panel substrate of the invention combines three properties: high light transmittance; ease of processing in forming a transparent electrode by acid etching; and the transparent conductive film has a moderate sheet resistance of from 500 to 5,000&OHgr;.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gain equalizer which can adequately flatten the gain spectrum of an optical amplifier by reducing a deviation in center wavelength in accordance with a change in temperature, thereby improving the reproducibility and mass-productivity. The gain equalizer includes a minus filter. The minus filter includes a dielectric multilayer filter which has a transparent base having a first surface, a first dielectric thin film formed on the first surface and a second dielectric thin film formed on the first dielectric thin film. A difference between a refractive index of the first dielectric thin film and a refractive index of the second dielectric thin film is relatively small so that the minus filter has a reflection characteristic for reflecting an optical signal of a predetermined wavelength band including the peak wavelength of the gain spectrum.

Abstract: A large number of microscopic recess portions are formed on a surface of a glass substrate in a single dimension or two dimensions by conducting a wet etching through a mask. The large number of microscopic recess portions are aligned densely by again conducting the wet etching but not through the mask. A separating agent is applied upon the surface of the glass substrate and a light-curable or heat-curable resin material of high refractive index is applied thereon. The high refractive index resin material is cured, after piling a first glass substrate upon the high refractive index resin material so as to extend the high refractive index resin material thereon. The high refractive index resin material which is cured and the first glass substrate are separated from the glass substrate, and a low refractive index resin material is applied on the high refractive index resin material which is cured on the first glass substrate.

Abstract: A sunlight shielding translucent glass panel has a transparent glass sheet, an absorbing layer disposed on the transparent glass sheet, and transparent dielectric films and mainly Ag films that are alternately arranged on the absorbing layer.

Abstract: An audio and/or video device of a vehicle that allows an operation panel to be attached to and detached from a main unit of the device with either front or back side of the operation panel being directed forwards for the purpose of preventing the device from being stolen. The device includes a retention mechanism for releasably retaining the operation panel in the main unit of the device. The retention mechanism allows the operation panel to be retained in the device main unit with either the front or back side of the operation panel being directed forwards or exposed.

Abstract: A transparent touch panel substrate comprising a transparent substrate and deposited thereon a transparent conductive metal oxide film which contains zinc, indium, and tin as metallic elements and is soluble in acids. The transparent conductive metal oxide film preferably contains zinc in an amount of from 40 to 65 atomic % based on all metals and contains indium in an amount of from 0.25 to 1.3 times the amount of tin on an atomic basis. The film preferably has a thickness of from 100 to 160 nm. Unlike the conventional substrate for resistive film type transparent touch panels which comprises a glass plate coated with a transparent conductive ITO film, the touch panel substrate of the invention combines three properties: high light transmittance; ease of processing in forming a transparent electrode by acid etching; and the transparent conductive film has a moderate sheet resistance of from 500 to 5,000 &OHgr;.

Abstract: A spark arrester includes a buffer plate against which exhaust gases discharged from the outlet end of a tail pipe strike directly. Upon impingement on the buffer plate, the exhaust gases become turbulent or agitated whereupon temperature distribution of the exhaust gases is made uniform. The buffer plate has a plurality of through-holes arranged to allow passage of the exhaust gases after the exhaust gases impinge against the buffer plate. After passing through the through-holes, the exhaust gases flow through a wire screen during which time sparks in the exhaust gases are caught by the wire screen. The exhaust gases are then guided downstream along a guide tube and finally released from an outlet end of the guide tube. A stream of exhaust gases discharged from the guide tube has only a limited length of high-temperature zone.