Abstract: The optical film for protecting a polarizer of the present invention contains a mixture containing a polypropylene resin containing a propylene copolymer, and 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol. An optical film for protecting a polarizer is provided that has an ultraviolet ray absorbing function and is excellent in optical characteristics.

Abstract: An optical film for protecting a polarizer is provided that is excellent in mass productivity and is capable being imparted with characteristics by application while maintaining optical characteristics and moisture resistance of polypropylene polymerized with a metallocene catalyst. A polarizer film and an image display device using the same are also provided that have high performance. The optical film for protecting a polarizer of the present invention contains a mixed resin containing polypropylene that is polymerized with a metallocene catalyst, and graft-modified polypropylene.

Abstract: The communication system includes: an apparatus that mounts a processing unit which executes transmission and reception of a signal with an external apparatus and which processes the received signal; and a relay apparatus that relays transmission and reception of a signal between the external apparatus and the apparatus. The relay apparatus is provided with: a transmission and reception unit that receives a signal from the external apparatus and transmits a signal to the external apparatus; an analysis unit that analyzes whether or not the signal received by the transmission and reception unit is a signal to be processed by the processing unit of the apparatus; and a determination unit that determines whether or not to execute transfer processing of the received signal to the apparatus based on a result of the analysis by the analysis unit.

Abstract: Such an optical film is provided that has excellent optical characteristics, such as small haze, excellent transparency, high visible light transmittance and low birefringence, is excellent in water vapor transmission rate, and has excellent ultraviolet ray absorbing capability, and a polarizer film using the optical film and an image display device using the polarizer film are provided. The optical film for a protective film for a polarizer, contains a polypropylene resin mixture containing, as a major component, a polypropylene resin synthesized with a metallocene catalyst, having a benzotriazole compound added thereto, and a content of the benzotriazole compound is from 0.08 to 5.5% by mass based on the polypropylene resin mixture. The polarizer film has the optical film provided on at least one surface of a polarizer, and the image display device contains the polarizer film.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes an ultrasonic detecting element, an acoustic matching member, and an oscillation damping member. The ultrasonic detecting element detects an ultrasonic wave. The acoustic matching member has a receiving surface that is adapted on a side of the certain object to be exposed to a space, in which the detected body exists. The receiving surface receives the ultrasonic wave reflected by the detected body. The acoustic matching member is made of a material having an acoustic impedance larger than that of air and smaller than that of the ultrasonic detecting element. The oscillation damping member is disposed between an attachment portion and the acoustic matching member. The attachment portion is adapted for attaching the ultrasonic sensor to the certain object. The oscillation damping member damps transmission of oscillation from the certain object to the acoustic matching member.

Abstract: A speaker apparatus that even when being relatively thin and compact, realizes reduction of generation of abnormal noise by contact between a lead wire and another member, reduction of breakage of lead wire and reduction of deterioration of sound quality. The speaker apparatus is one comprising magnetic circuit (2) provided with a magnetic gap in which voice coil (33) is fitted with play; vibrator (3) directly or indirectly fixed to the voice coil (33); frame (5) supporting the vibrator (3), provided thereinside with the magnetic circuit (2); and terminal part (6) to which lead wire (4) from the voice coil (33) is connected, wherein lead path (7) for passage of the lead wire (4) coming from the voice coil (33) is disposed between the voice coil (33) fitted with play in the magnetic gap (G) and the terminal part (6) provided in the frame (5).

Abstract: An aqueous ink composition comprising at least water, a pigment dispersed by polymer, a sulfonyl group-containing (co)polymer, and an ultra-penetrating agent. Also disclosed are a recording process using the ink composition, an ink cartridge containing the ink composition, and a recorded article having an image recorded by the recorded method.

Abstract: Provided are an optical film for a protection film for polarizer, excellent in optical properties such as small haze, excellent transparency and small birefringence, having good mechanical strength and heat resistance, and excellent in water vapor transmission rate; a polarizing film having the film as a protection film on one or both surfaces of a polarizer; and an image display device comprising the polarizing film. The optical film for a protection film for polarizer comprises a polypropylene-based resin produced with a metallocene catalyst.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a resin substrate and an ultrasonic oscillator. The ultrasonic oscillator is provided approximately at the center of a component side of the resin substrate and generates and detects an ultrasonic wave. The resin substrate is made of, for example, a polycarbonate resin, i.e., the same material as a car bumper, and is shaped into a flat plate. The component side of the resin substrate is provided with a pad 11 adjacent to the ultrasonic oscillator. The pad is used for metal wiring based on wire bonding. The pad is made of a hard metal material excellent in conductivity and heat resistance such as stainless steel, and Al or Al alloy, for example. The resin substrate is formed as a single piece through insert molding by pouring a melted resin. Through this process, the pad is provided for the component side of the resin substrate.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor composed of a substrate and a piezoelectric vibrator mounted on the substrate is advantageously used as a sensor for detecting a distance to an object located in front of an automotive vehicle. Ultrasonic waves transmitted from the sensor are reflected by the object, and the reflected waves are received by the sensor. Based on the reflected waves, the distance from the vehicle to the object is calculated. To reduce rigidity and thereby to lower a resonant frequency of the substrate to a desirable level, grooves are formed in the substrate. A thickness of the substrate is not reduced to maintain its mechanical strength against an impact force. A resonant frequency which is desirable to realize a sufficiently high directivity and sensitivity is obtained in this manner without enlarging a size of the ultrasonic sensor.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes an ultrasonic detector for detecting an ultrasonic wave, an acoustic matching member joined to the ultrasonic detector, a housing in which the ultrasonic detector and the acoustic matching member are accommodated, a vibration isolator located between the acoustic matching member and an inner side wall of the housing to damp an unwanted vibration from outside, and a cushion member located between the ultrasonic detector and an inner bottom wall of the housing to absorb external force applied to the ultrasonic sensor The cushion member is not in contact with the acoustic matching member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor for detecting an ultrasonic wave, which is output from an ultrasonic generator and reflected by an object to be detected, the ultrasonic sensor includes: an acoustic matching layer having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface which receives the ultrasonic wave, and the second surface which is opposite to the first surface; and an ultrasonic detection element including a vibration member. The vibration member is coupled with the second surface of the acoustic matching layer. The acoustic matching layer is repeatedly deformable in accordance with a standing wave, which is generated in the acoustic matching layer by the received ultrasonic wave. The vibration member resonates with the repeat deformation of the acoustic matching layer.

Abstract: The communication apparatus including: a communication unit communicating with external apparatuses via a communication line; a notification unit notifying, from the communication unit, the external apparatuses of stop of electric power supply to a controller controlling operation, when electric power supply to the controller is stopped; an identification information memory for storing identification information of one of the external apparatuses when, after the notification unit makes the notification, the notification unit again makes the notification to the one of the external apparatuses upon receipt of a signal from the one of the external apparatuses; and a signal processor processing a signal received from any of the external apparatuses by the communication unit. The signal processor discards a signal, when a transmission source of the signal is one of the external apparatuses having the identification information matching the identification information stored in the identification information memory.

Abstract: An infrared sensor includes a base plate having a membrane portion at the center thereof an a thick portion around the membrane, a thermocouple unit having a hot side contact member formed on the membrane portion and a cool side contact member formed on the thick portion, a heater formed near the thermocouple unit, a hot side thermo-sensitive resistor formed on the membrane portion and a cool side thermo-sensitive resistor formed on the thick portion. The heater, the hot side thermo-sensitive resistor and the cool side thermo-sensitive resistor are made of the same material as the hot side contact or the cool side contact. Therefore, additional manufacturing step is not necessary to form the heater and the resistors.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor for detecting a position and/or a shape of an object located around an automotive vehicle is mounted on a structure of the vehicle such as a bumper. The ultrasonic sensor includes a receiving member for receiving ultrasonic waves reflected on the object to be detected and receiving element having plural vibrating portions. The receiving member is sectioned by intercepting slits into plural receiving regions each corresponding to each vibrating portion. The intercepting slit eliminates or suppresses crosstalk between neighboring receiving regions, and thereby reducing detection noises due to the crosstalk and improving detection sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensor. The shape of the intercepting slit is made to satisfy the formula: 0.35?L/T?0.60, where L is a depth of the slit and T is a thickness of the receiving member. In this manner, the crosstalk resulting in detection noises is sufficiently suppressed.

Abstract: The communication system includes: an apparatus that mounts a processing unit which executes transmission and reception of a signal with an external apparatus and which processes the received signal; and a relay apparatus that relays transmission and reception of a signal between the external apparatus and the apparatus. The relay apparatus is provided with: a transmission and reception unit that receives a signal from the external apparatus and transmits a signal to the external apparatus; an analysis unit that analyzes whether or not the signal received by the transmission and reception unit is a signal to be processed by the processing unit of the apparatus; and a determination unit that determines whether or not to execute transfer processing of the received signal to the apparatus based on a result of the analysis by the analysis unit.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes an ultrasonic detector for detecting an ultrasonic wave, an acoustic matching member joined to the ultrasonic detector, a housing in which the ultrasonic detector and the acoustic matching member are accommodated, a vibration isolator located between the acoustic matching member and an inner side wall of the housing to damp an unwanted vibration from outside, and a cushion member located between the ultrasonic detector and an inner bottom wall of the housing to absorb external force applied to the ultrasonic sensor The cushion member is not in contact with the acoustic matching member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor for sending and receiving an ultrasonic wave, the ultrasonic sensor includes: an ultrasonic transducer; and a Peltier element having a thermoelectric element, a first electrode, a first substrate and a second substrate. The thermoelectric element is coupled with the first electrode. The thermoelectric element and the first electrode are disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The ultrasonic transducer is disposed on the first substrate. The ultrasonic transducer sends and receives the ultrasonic wave in accordance with a vibration of the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: An aqueous ink composition comprising at least water, a pigment dispersed by polymer, a sulfonyl group-containing (co)polymer, and an ultra-penetrating agent. Also disclosed are a recording process using the ink composition, an ink cartridge containing the ink composition, and a recorded article having an image recorded by the recorded method.

Abstract: There is provided an ink composition which can yield records possessing excellent rubbing/abrasion resistance and scratch resistance. Specifically, records possessing excellent rubbing/abrasion resistance and scratch resistance can be produced by using an ink composition comprising: an alkali-soluble copolymer; water; a colorant; and at least one member selected from the group consisting of wax, a viscosity modifier, and a wetting agent. The alkali-soluble copolymer is a copolymer, with an acid value of not more than 40, which is produced by polymerizing an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and other monomer copolymerizable with the ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer in the presence of an alcoholic hydroxyl-containing water-soluble polymer compound or a copolymerizable surfactant and has been adjusted to a pH value, at which the copolymer is soluble in water, by the addition of an inorganic base.