Abstract: A microlouver has, as a basic unit, a light-controlling layer in which a light-absorbing layer and a transparent layer are laminated together, and a plurality of basic units L and S comprising a plurality of types of light-controlling layers having different layer thicknesses or optical constants, disposed in the direction of the layer thickness of the basic units. The array mode of the basic units L and S is determined based on a random number or a sequence-generating rule. For this reason, the microlouver has a large number of frequency components in terms of spatial frequency, and moire fringes that have a specific period and are normally caused by the interference with other optical elements are therefore prevented from occurring.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal display device capable of switching the range of viewing angles while being able to reduce the cost and thickness of the device, and to provide an electronic appliance having the same. The display device according to the present invention includes: a liquid crystal type display panel having a diffusive reflection part which diffusively reflects light irradiated from the front side while transmitting light from the back side; and a backlight source disposed on a back face of the display panel along the display panel for switchably outputting transmission light of different directivities.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a powder core and method for making the same that is equipped with insulative coating having superior heat resistance, with the coating making it possible to adequately restrict the flow of eddy currents between particles. The powder core is equipped with a plurality of compound magnetic particles bonded to each other. Each of said plurality of composite magnetic particles includes: a metal magnetic particle 10; an insulative lower layer coating 20 surrounding a surface 10a of said metal magnetic particle 10; an upper layer coating 30 surrounding said lower layer coating 20 and containing silicon; and dispersed particles 50 containing a metal oxide compound and disposed in said lower layer coating 20 and/or said upper layer coating 30. A mean particle diameter R of the dispersed particles 50 meets the condition 10 nm<R?2 T, where the average thickness of the coating combining the lower layer coating 20 and the upper layer coating 30 is T.

Abstract: An optical element includes a microlouver including transparent layers and light absorbing layers alternately disposed, the light absorbing layers constraining the extent of the direction in which light passing through the transparent layers exits, and a diffusion layer provided on the microlouver. The angle of the field of view varies in such a way that the angle of the field of the view light passing thorough the peripheral area of the optical element is smaller than the angle of the field of view of light passing thorough the central area of the optical element.

Abstract: A micro-louver (1) includes: a transparent substrate (2); a concavoconvex shape portion (5) formed on at least one surface of the transparent substrate (2) and in a prescribed pattern for diffracting incident light to form an image; and a light controlling layer (7) including at least one transparent layer (3) and at least light-absorption layer (4) arranged alternately on said at least one surface of the transparent substrate (2), each of said at least one transparent layer (3) and said at least one transparent layer (4) extending in a direction that intersects said at least one surface of the transparent substrate (2).

Abstract: An optical element manufacturing method according to the present invention includes: disposing a mask on a transparent photosensitive resin; patterning said transparent resin by applying an exposure light to said transparent photosensitive resin through said mask to form a transparent layer; forming a light absorbing layer by filling a gap in the transparent layer with a black curable resin; and illuminating a mask surface of the mask with the exposure light at an angle.

Abstract: The invention is an optical element for limiting the propagation of light in oblique directions with respect to the optical element surface, and includes: a transparent substrate and a light ray control layer formed on a flat surface of said transparent substrate, wherein the light ray control layer has a transparent portion and a light absorbing portion, the transparent portion has a plurality of independent pattern elements having an identical configuration separated by said light absorbing portion and arranged at intervals.

Abstract: A microlouver includes a periodic structure in which a transparent layer and a light absorption layer are alternately disposed with a constant, repetitive period. The range of the exit direction of a light beam passing through the transparent layer is restricted by the light absorption layer. The periodic structure includes a periodic structure portion divided in the direction that intersects the direction in which the transparent layer and the light absorption layer are repeatedly disposed. In the periodic structure portion, between the periodic structures adjacent to each other, there is a difference of 180 degree in the phase of spatial frequency of each periodic structure.

Abstract: A soft magnetic material includes a plurality of composite magnetic particles (40) each including a metal magnetic particle (10) and an insulation coating (20) covering the surface of the metal magnetic particle (10), wherein the insulation coating (20) contains Si (silicon), and 80% or more of Si contained in the insulation coating constitutes a silsesquioxane skeleton. Therefore, it is possible to effectively decrease a hysteresis loss while suppressing an increase in eddy-current loss.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display element is disclosed for displaying an image. The liquid crystal display element comprises a liquid crystal display layer in which voltages are applied to a transmissive display unit and a reflective display unit, defined in one pixel, independently of each other, and a light source for irradiating the liquid crystal display layer with light from the back, and a reflection control element disposed between the liquid crystal display layer and light source. The liquid crystal display element is switched between a reflective state and a transmissive state in accordance with a voltage applied to the reflection control element. The liquid crystal display element is switched among a transmissive display mode, a combined reflective/transmissive display mode, and a reflective display mode, by utilizing the transmissive display unit and reflective display unit to display an image independently of each other.

Abstract: A beam direction control element has transparent areas and light absorption areas alternately arranged on a surface of a substrate, wherein the light absorption areas function as a louver for controlling the direction of a beam of light. The beam direction control element is manufactured by disposing an optically transparent material on a first transparent substrate to form transparent ridges which constitute the transparent areas, filling curable and photo-absorptive fluid in gaps between the transparent ridges, and then curing the fluid to form the light absorption areas.

Abstract: A soft magnetic material includes a plurality of composite magnetic particles (30) having metallic magnetic particles (10) that are composed of pure iron, and an insulation film (20) that surrounds the surface of the metallic magnetic particles (10), wherein the manganese content of the metallic magnetic particles (10) is 0.013 mass % or less, and is more preferably 0.008 mass % or less. Hysteresis loss can thereby be effectively reduced.

Abstract: A display device, capable of changing view angle range and suitable for reducing thickness and weight, is provided. One compensating panel has such a structure that two polymer films, having birefringence, adhere to each other. The birefringence directions of the polymer films are parallel or orthogonal to the liquid crystal orientation direction. Similarly, another compensating panel has such a structure that two polymer films, having birefringence, adhere to each other. The birefringence directions of the polymer films are parallel or orthogonal to the liquid crystal orientation direction. Since the compensating panel does not include glass substrates but includes polymer films, the display device can be thin and light.

Abstract: To provide a sight controllable display device that is capable of switching a regular display and a concealed display easily. A display panel and a modulator are disposed between two polarizing plates. The display panel performs a regular display drive. Meanwhile, the modulator drives to operate at a speed faster than twice the speed of the display panel and modulate the display image of the display panel. When displaying an image that is desired to be concealed, the period where the modulator is not in action is selected and viewed by a shutter. By stopping the action of the modulator, the regular display can be viewed as it is without the shutter.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a soft magnetic material exhibiting excellent magnetic characteristics regardless of the frequency to be applied and a dust core produced from the soft magnetic material. The means for solving the invention is a soft magnetic material that comprises metal magnetic particles 10 containing iron and oxygen. The ratio of oxygen contained in metal magnetic particles 10 is more than 0 and less than 0.05% by mass. A dust core produced using such a soft magnetic material has a coercive force of 2.0×102 A/m or less.

Abstract: After light from a planar light source is switched to scattered light or collimated light by a switching element, the light is incident on a display panel, and an image is displayed. At this time, the luminance of the planar light source is adjusted, the contrast voltage of the display panel is reset, and adjustment is performed so that the luminance and hue of the frontal image does not vary before and after switching.

Abstract: A microlouver has, as a basic unit, a light-controlling layer in which a light-absorbing layer and a transparent layer are laminated together, and a plurality of basic units L and S comprising a plurality of types of light-controlling layers having different layer thicknesses or optical constants, disposed in the direction of the layer thickness of the basic units. The array mode of the basic units L and S is determined based on a random number or a sequence-generating rule. For this reason, the microlouver has a large number of frequency components in terms of spatial frequency, and moire fringes that have a specific period and are normally caused by the interference with other optical elements are therefore prevented from occurring.

Abstract: A light source device which is uniform in the intensity of distribution of an emitted light and high in the optical utilization efficiency, a display device which is high in recognability and is energy-saving, and an information terminal are provided. A reflecting portion is formed on a surface opposed to an emitting surface of a linear light guide. The reflecting portion is periodically formed with a total reflecting surface guiding a light incident on a linear light guide from a point light source, a light extracting surface allowing the light to reflect in such a way as to emit the light guiding the linear light guide from the emitting surface, and a re-incidence plane which takes the light transmitted but not reflected on the light extracting surface into the linear light guide again. By changing the size of the light extracting surface and the re-incidence plane, the intensity of distribution of the emitting light from the linear light guide can be made uniform.

Abstract: A heat generating unit is incorporated in a mask in order to actively supply warm steam, and also drug vapor, to the nose and throat, and moisturize the upper respiratory tract. It is preferable that a metal powder, salt, and water be contained in the heat generating unit, and that an exothermic composition that releases steam in conjunction with the oxidation reaction of the metal powder be used therein. It is preferable that either an inhalation valve or exhalation valve be provided in the main mask body.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a soft magnetic material, a soft magnetic material, a method for manufacturing a P/M soft magnetic material, and a P/M soft magnetic material which achieve the desired magnetic properties. In the method for manufacturing the soft magnetic material of the present invention, there is a first heat treatment step (step S3) in which a metal magnetic particle 10, which has iron as its main component, is heat treated to a temperature of 900 degrees C. or greater and less than the melting point of metal magnetic particle 10. After the first heat treatment step (step S3), there is a step for forming a plurality of composite magnetic particles 30 which are metal magnetic particles 10 surrounded by an insulation covering 20 (step S6).