Abstract: An electric toothbrush that detects plaque on the teeth, ensures accurate plaque detection, and performs cleaning of plaque. The electric toothbrush may include a body having a gripping part and a stem with a brush unit detachably coupled to the body. The electric toothbrush may include a light emitting element for emitting light onto the tooth and a light receiving element for receiving light that reflects off of the tooth. A controller may be included to determine an amount of plaque on the tooth based on the amount of reflected light detected. The electric toothbrush may also include a fluid dispensing system that dispenses fluid based on the amount of reflected light detected. In some aspects, the electric toothbrush may operate in multiple oscillation modes, and it may only dispense fluid in some of the modes but not all of the modes.

Abstract: A sliding member has a sliding surface sliding under a wet condition in which a lubricant oil exists. The sliding surface is coated with a laminate film comprising an upper layer and a lower layer. The lower layer comprises hydrogen-free amorphous carbon (hydrogen-free DLC) and carbon particles dispersed on or in the hydrogen-free DLC. The hydrogen-free DLC has a hydrogen content of 5 atom % or less when the lower layer as a whole is 100 atom %. The upper layer comprises boron-containing amorphous carbon (B-DLC) and has protrusions on a surface side of the upper layer along the carbon particles of the lower layer. The B-DLC has a boron content of 1-40 atom % when the upper layer as a whole is 100 atom %. The protrusions have a particle diameter of 0.5-5 ?m and exist with a density of 20 protrusions/100 ?m2 or more.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention can be a brush unit detachable from a main body unit of an electric toothbrush. The brush unit includes: a light transmitting part included on a front surface of the brush unit, a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from the front surface of the brush unit in a pressing direction, wherein the light transmitting part directs more light in a first direction, which intersects the pressing direction, than in the pressing direction; and a light receiving part included on the front surface for receiving light; wherein the light transmitting part and the light receiving part are arranged on opposing sides of the plurality of tooth cleaning elements; and wherein the first direction lies within a plane including both the light transmitting part and the light receiving part.

Abstract: The composite structural material of the present invention includes a base (X) and a layer (Y) stacked on the base (X). The layer (Y) includes a reaction product (R) of a metal oxide (A) and a phosphorus compound (B). In the infrared absorption spectrum of the layer (Y) in the range of 800 to 1400 cm?1, the wave number (n1) at which the infrared absorption reaches maximum is in the range of 1080 to 1130 cm?1.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention can be an electric toothbrush. The electric toothbrush may include a driving module configured to oscillate a brush unit; an acceleration sensor configured to generate an output signal; a signal extraction module configured to extract from the output signal (a) a first signal having a frequency at a first threshold or higher and (b) a second signal having a frequency at a second threshold or lower; a brushing site estimation module configured to estimate a brushing site of the brush unit based on the output signal of the acceleration sensor; and a correction module configured to correct the brushing site estimated by the brushing site estimation module based on an amplitude of the first signal and an amplitude of the second signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention can be an electric toothbrush including a trajectory detecting module configured to detect a trajectory of movement of a brush, the trajectory including a plurality of positions; an attitude detecting module configured to detect an attitude of the brush; a site estimating module configured to estimate a brushing site for each of the plurality of positions of the trajectory, each estimated brushing site being based on the trajectory detected by the trajectory detecting module; and a back most tooth detecting module configured to detect a back most tooth based on a change of the attitude detected by the attitude detecting module; wherein the site estimating module is further configured to correct the estimated brushing site for each of the plurality of positions of the trajectory based on the estimated site of the detected back most tooth.

Abstract: A method that determines when a first battery within a vehicle should be swapped with a second battery at a swap station. The method includes acquiring first battery information within the vehicle, and assessing a first rank of the first battery based on the first value indicated by the acquired first history information. The method also includes acquiring second battery information that is placed at the swap station, and assessing a second rank of the second battery based on the second value indicated by the acquired second history information. Additionally, the method includes comparing the assessed first rank of the first battery within the vehicle to the assessed second rank of the second battery placed at the swap station, generating output information indicating the location of the swap station based on the location information stored in the memory, and outputting the generated output information to the information presentation device.

Abstract: A sliding member has a sliding surface sliding under a wet condition in which a lubricant oil exists. The sliding surface is coated with a laminate film comprising an upper layer and a lower layer. The lower layer comprises hydrogen-free amorphous carbon (hydrogen-free DLC) and carbon particles dispersed on or in the hydrogen-free DLC. The hydrogen-free DLC has a hydrogen content of 5 atom % or less when the lower layer as a whole is 100 atom %. The upper layer comprises boron-containing amorphous carbon (B-DLC) and has protrusions on a surface side of the upper layer along the carbon particles of the lower layer. The B-DLC has a boron content of 1-40 atom % when the upper layer as a whole is 100 atom %. The protrusions have a particle diameter of 0.5-5 ?m and exist with a density of 20 protrusions/100 ?m2 or more.

Abstract: Provided is an information output method that outputs information when swapping a secondary battery for powering a vehicle. The information output method includes comparing a rank related to the performance of a first battery unit (battery unit A) on board a vehicle to a rank related to the performance of a second battery unit (battery unit B) that is installable in the vehicle in place of the first battery unit, and outputting output information according to a result of the comparison in the comparing step.

Abstract: The disclosure reduces the size and cost of a power conditioner. A power conditioner including a DC/DC converter connected to a power supply device and an inverter connected to the DC/DC converter includes: a plus side wiring connecting the DC/DC converter and the inverter; a minus side wiring connecting the DC/DC converter and the inverter; a capacitor having one end connected to the plus side wiring and an other end connected to the minus side wiring; and a fuse provided on the minus side wiring, wherein the DC/DC converter has at least one switching element; the other end of the capacitor is connected to a first connection point provided on the minus side wiring on the DC/DC converter side with respect to the fuse; and the switching element is connected to a second connection point provided on the minus side wiring on the inverter side with respect to the fuse.

Abstract: This photovoltaic power generation device is provided with: a mounting bracket which is fixed to a roof and on which a frame, arranged on the ridge-side end of a solar cell module, and a frame, arranged on the eave-side end of a solar cell module, are mounted; and a fixing bracket which is arranged in the space between the frame and the frame, and which is fixed to the mounting bracket and holds said frames from above.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention can be an electric toothbrush. The electric toothbrush may include a driving module configured to oscillate a brush unit; an acceleration sensor configured to generate an output signal; a signal extraction module configured to extract from the output signal (a) a first signal having a frequency at a first threshold or higher and (b) a second signal having a frequency at a second threshold or lower; a brushing site estimation module configured to estimate a brushing site of the brush unit based on the output signal of the acceleration sensor; and a correction module configured to correct the brushing site estimated by the brushing site estimation module based on an amplitude of the first signal and an amplitude of the second signal.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a group III nitride semiconductor crystal substrate includes providing, as a seed crystal substrate, a group III nitride single crystal grown by a liquid phase growth method, and homoepitaxially growing a group III nitride single crystal by a vapor phase growth method on a principal surface of the seed crystal substrate. The principal surface of the seed crystal substrate is a +c-plane, and the seed crystal substrate has an atomic oxygen concentration of not more than 1×1017 cm?3 in a crystal near the principal surface over an entire in-plane region thereof.

Abstract: A glazing is disclosed comprising at least one ply of glass having an electrically conductive component on at least one surface, and an electrical connector electrically connected to the electrically conductive component through a soldered joint, the solder of the joint having a composition comprising 0.5 wt % or more indium, wherein the electrical connector comprises a nickel plated contact for contacting the solder. Also disclosed are solders having a composition comprising 14 to 75 wt % In, 14 to 75 wt % Sn, to 5 wt % Ag, to 5 wt % Ni, and less than 0.1 wt % Pb. Also disclosed is use of a solder having a composition comprising 0.5 wt % or more indium to solder a nickel plated electrical connector to an electrically conductive component on the surface of a ply of glass. The aspects of the invention improve the durability of electrical connections on glazing.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens includes a first liquid crystal cell, a second liquid crystal cell, and an intermediate layer sandwiched therebetween. The first liquid crystal cell includes a pair of a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate, a first liquid crystal layer, and a first electrode. The second liquid crystal cell includes a pair of a third transparent substrate and a fourth transparent substrate, a second liquid crystal layer aligned in a direction perpendicular to the first liquid crystal layer, and a second electrode. The intermediate layer includes a high dielectric constant layer and a third electrode including one or a plurality of opening portions.

Abstract: Provided is an information output method that outputs information when swapping a secondary battery for powering a vehicle. The information output method includes comparing a rank related to the performance of a first battery unit (battery unit A) on board a vehicle to a rank related to the performance of a second battery unit (battery unit B) that is installable in the vehicle in place of the first battery unit, and outputting output information according to a result of the comparison in the comparing step.

Abstract: A glazing is disclosed comprising at least one ply of glass having an electrically conductive component on at least one surface, and an electrical connector electrically connected to the electrically conductive component through a soldered joint, the solder of the joint having a composition comprising 0.5 wt % or more indium, wherein the electrical connector comprises a nickel plated contact for contacting the solder. Also disclosed are solders having a composition comprising 14 to 75 wt % In, 14 to 75 wt % Sn, to 5 wt % Ag, to 5 wt % Ni, and less than 0.1 wt % Pb. Also disclosed is use of a solder having a composition comprising 0.5 wt % or more indium to solder a nickel plated electrical connector to an electrically conductive component on the surface of a ply of glass. The aspects of the invention improve the durability of electrical connections on glazing.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens includes a first liquid crystal cell, a second liquid crystal cell, and an intermediate layer sandwiched therebetween. The first liquid crystal cell includes a pair of a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate, a first liquid crystal layer, and a first electrode. The second liquid crystal cell includes a pair of a third transparent substrate and a fourth transparent substrate, a second liquid crystal layer aligned in a direction perpendicular to the first liquid crystal layer, and a second electrode. The intermediate layer includes a high dielectric constant layer and a third electrode including one or a plurality of opening portions.

Abstract: A photovoltaic light-polarizing element includes a first transparent electrode, an alignment film, an electron collector, dichroic dye molecules, a second transparent electrode and an electron supplier. The first transparent electrode is formed on a first transparent substrate. The alignment film is formed on the first transparent electrode and is alignment-processed in a first direction. The electron collector is formed on the alignment film as a porous layer having pores aligned in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The second transparent electrode is formed on a second transparent substrate, the second transparent electrode facing the first transparent electrode with a predetermined gap. The electron supplier is arranged in the gap between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode. And the dichroic dye molecules are arranged in the pores of the porous layer such that the dichroic dye molecules are aligned in the second direction.

Abstract: In the light flux controlling member (5), the angle between an optical path of light output from the light emission center (14) of a light emitting element (4) and optical axis L1 is ?2. Light is incident on the light flux controlling member (5) through an input surface and travels inside the light flux controlling member at an angle ?2 with respect to optical axis L1. Then, light is output from a light control output surface (10) at an angle ?3 with respect to optical axis L1. The input surface (15) and the light control output surface (10) are formed such that, in a range 0<?1??1max, the relationship between ?1 and ?2 is reversed from ?1<?2 to ?1>?2 when ?1 increases, and the relationship between ?1 and ?3 is reversed from ?1<?3 to ?1>?3 when ?1 increases.