Abstract: A screen-integrated speaker in which mutual interference among channels does not occur easily, a high quality sound and a wide range of frequency are ensured, flexible and light, and downsizing for storage and transport are easy owing to its easiness of rolling up and deployment under a multi-channel structure is provided. The screen-integrated speaker according to an aspect of the invention includes a screen mainly composed of a fibrous structure and an exciter mounted to the back surface of the screen. Preferably, a exciting panel is interposed between the exciter and the screen.

Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus includes an image-capturing unit configured to sequentially output image data in a RAW format related to each of captured images as a result of a continuous series of image capturing operations; a signal processor configured to perform a predetermined process on the image data in a RAW format and output processed image data; image processing circuits configured to perform a luminance/color-difference conversion process and a data compression process on the processed image data and output compressed image data; and a recording controller configured to cause compressed image data output from the image processing circuits to be recorded in a predetermined recorder. The signal processor includes a selection output unit configured to selectively output the processed image data related to each of the captured images to the image processing circuits and cause the image processing related to each captured image to be shared by the image processing circuits.

Abstract: The present invention provides an amplifying circuit capable of accomplishing high-impedance input/output, and providing a high gain and low power consumption. The amplifier amplifies a signal received through an input terminal, and outputs the signal through an output terminal. A control circuit comprised of the inductors, and the switches turns input/output impedances of the amplifier into a high impedance.

Abstract: A process for rectifying N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone by crystallization is described. The process is characterized in that the crystallization is performed for a mother liquid having crude N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone in the presence of a stabilizer. In the process for rectifying N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone by crystallization, the yield of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone is improved.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing purified N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone free of odorous components. The method is composed of distilling with a distillation column a liquid, which is formed by adding to an odorous components-containing liquid having a N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone purity of not lower than 90 wt %, a compound having boiling point lower than that of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, and whereby removing the odorous components together with said low-temperature boiling compound as the distillate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an amplifying circuit capable of accomplishing high-impedance input/output, and providing a high gain and low power consumption. The amplifier amplifies a signal received through an input terminal, and outputs the signal through an output terminal. A control circuit comprised of the inductors, and the switches turns input/output impedances of the amplifier into a high impedance.

Abstract: Digital camera techniques improve the convenience of a live view display and the like. Image processing in a digital camera includes image processing (i.e., live view processing) for real-time display of a subject on a liquid crystal monitor and image processing performed on image signals followed by image capture for recording. Both the image processing is performed by a single common image processor. In image capture for recording, high-priority live view processing (Pc) is performed between writing (Pa) of image signals outputted from a CCD into memory and captured image processing (Pb). This shortens the time of not displaying a live view image, thereby preventing a shutter release opportunity from being missed and improving the convenience of a live view display.

Abstract: A method for obtaining high purity N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone satisfactory for use as an intermediate material for N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone from a reaction liquid formed of a reaction between y-butyrolactone and 2-aminoethanol, i.e., a liquid containing N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone, compounds having boiling points lower than that of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone and compounds having boiling points higher than that of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone. The method is characterized by distilling said reaction liquid using a distillation column, whereby obtaining a liquid containing the compounds having the lower boiling points than that of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone and N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone as a distillate liquid from the column top and a liquid containing compounds having boiling points higher than that of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone as a bottom liquid.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing purified N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone free of odorous components. The method comprises distilling with a distillation column a liquid, which is formed by adding to an odorous components-containing liquid having a N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone purity of not lower than 90 wt %, a compound having boiling point lower than that of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, and whereby removing the odorous components together with said low-temperature boiling compound as the distillate.

Abstract: A method for obtaining high purity N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone satisfactory for use as an intermediate material for N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone from a reaction liquid formed of a reaction between y-butyrolactone and 2-aminoethanol, i.e., a liquid containing N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone, compounds having boiling points lower than that of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone and compounds having boiling points higher than that of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone. The method is characterized by distilling said reaction liquid using a distillation column, whereby obtaining a liquid containing the compounds having the lower boiling points than that of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone and N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone as a distillate liquid from the column top and a liquid containing compounds having boiling points higher than that of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone as a bottom liquid.

Abstract: Provided is a heat collector comprising a linear tubular heat collector member defining an internal passage for conducting fluid; a base member provided with a front surface defining a trough-shaped recess partly surrounding the heat collector member; and a plate member fitted in the recess and provided with a reflective front surface. Preferably, the plate member is engaged by the base member at both side edges thereof, and placed under a compressive load so as to undergo a buckling deformation and substantially conform to a surface contour of the recess.

Abstract: A process for recovering N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone is provided which allows to recover N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone efficiently and steadily and in high purity by continuous distillation from a mixed liquid containing N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone, compounds having a higher boiling point than N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and water. The process includes continuously distilling the mixed liquid using a distilling column, controlling the temperature of the bottom liquid of the distilling column at 180° C. or less.

Abstract: In a solar energy collector assembly comprising a tubular heat collector member and a reflector extending along a length of the tubular heat collector member, the reflector consists of a modified compound parabolic concentrator having a bottom part defined by a linear segment in cross section. Thus, the shape of the reflector is significantly simplified without substantially impairing the efficiency in the collection of heat.

Abstract: In a heat collector comprising a linear tubular heat collector member defining an internal passage for conducting fluid a reflector having a reflecting surface partly surrounding the heat collector member and a heat insulating member provided in association with the reflector. The insulating member is typically directly attached to the reflector. The heat insulating member improves the thermal efficiency of the heat collector.

Abstract: In a radiation heat collector, comprising: a linear tubular heat collector member defining an internal passage for conducting fluid and a reflector having a reflecting surface partly surrounding the heat collector member, the reflector is rotatably supported around the heat collector member so that the angular position can be changed at will so as to optimize the orientation of the reflector for the given location, inclination of the solar collector, time of the year and time of the day.

Abstract: Digital camera techniques improve the convenience of a live view display and the like. Image processing in a digital camera includes image processing (i.e., live view processing) for real-time display of a subject on a liquid crystal monitor and image processing performed on image signals followed by image capture for recording. Both the image processing is performed by a single common image processor. In image capture for recording, high-priority live view processing (Pc) is performed between writing (Pa) of image signals outputted from a CCD into memory and captured image processing (Pb). This shortens the time of not displaying a live view image, thereby preventing a shutter release opportunity from being missed and improving the convenience of a live view display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal compound having a negative dielectric constant anisotropy value of a large absolute value, a controlled optically anisotropy value, a high resistivity, a high voltage retention, and high stability against heat and ultraviolet radiation; a liquid crystal composition containing such a liquid crystal compound; and a liquid crystal display element fabricated from such a liquid crystal composition.There is disclosed a liquid crystal compound having 6,6-difluorotetrahydropyran-2,5-diyl, 6,6-difluoro-2,3-dihydro-6H-pyran-2,5-diyl, and/or 6-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-2,5-diyl in the skeleton thereof; a liquid crystal composition containing such a liquid crystal compound; and a liquid crystal display element fabricated from such a liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: In a switch circuit, at least one transistor has a source, a drain, a gate for receiving a control voltage and a back gate. At least one resistor is connected between the back gate of the transistor and a ground terminal.

Abstract: A reaction mixture in a gas form which is obtained by intramolecular dehydration of glycol ether in a gas phase is liquidized and collected by using as a collecting agent the glycol ether which is a raw material of the reaction mixture. The collected liquid thus obtained is continuously distilled by using a continuous distillation column so that a distillate containing alkyl vinyl ether and water is obtained, while a bottom product containing glycol ether is obtained. The distillate is left to stand in a separation vessel whereby separating into an oleaginous layer and an aqueous layer, so that alkyl vinyl ether is collected as the oleaginous layer. On the other hand, in the case where the bottom product contains water, the bottom product is continuously distilled together with an azeotrope former by using a continuous distillation column whereby a distillate containing an azeotrope of water and the azeotrope former, so that glycol ether is collected as a bottom product.

Abstract: Both enantiomers of optically active 2-alkanol are produced by transesterification reaction of racemic 2-alkanol and aliphatic acid 2,2,2-trichloroethylester in the presence of enzyme derived from Candida antarctica.Both enantiomers of optically active 2-alkanol, which are useful as starting materials of liquid crystal materials and have optical purity of 99% or more, can be efficiently produced.