Abstract: In a photocatalyst which is obtained by adding a co-catalyst to semiconductor particles containing strontium titanate and which causes a water decomposition reaction in which water molecules are decomposed into oxygen molecules and hydrogen molecules according to light emission, the semiconductor particles are doped with barium or additionally with scandium. A method of synthesizing a semiconductor for the photocatalyst includes a process of synthesizing semiconductor particles containing strontium titanate doped with barium by mixing barium titanate or additionally with scandium oxide into strontium chloride or mixing strontium titanate or additionally scandium oxide into strontium chloride and barium chloride and performing firing.

Abstract: In a target image generated by multi-resolution processing, a pixel of interest and a group of reference pixels are designated. In a corresponding image belonging to a level that is one level above, pixel value patterns are compared between a corresponding region of interest and corresponding reference regions so as to calculate weights. A modified pixel-of-interest value is determined by means of multiplying the reference pixel values by the weights.

Abstract: A proximity sensor that outputs presence or absence of a detection object or a position of the detection object as a detection result includes: a detection part configured to include a detection coil and a capacitor; an oscillation circuit configured to excite the detection part; an analog/digital conversion circuit configured to detect a signal change occurring in the detection part and output a digital signal indicating the detected signal change; a temperature detection part configured to detect a temperature inside a casing of the proximity sensor; a storage part configured to store a characteristic parameter unique to the proximity sensor in advance; a control calculation part configured to process a digital signal from the analog/digital conversion circuit to calculate a signal indicating a distance to the detection object, compensate the calculated signal using the characteristics parameter stored in the storage part, and output the compensated signal as the detection result.

Abstract: A proximity sensor and a method of changing a detection distance are provided to suppress changes in a consumption current of an oscillation circuit. The proximity sensor includes an oscillation circuit having an oscillation amplitude that changes with a feedback current, a comparing part comparing the oscillation amplitude with a threshold, a detecting part detecting a target object based on a comparison result of the comparing part, a voltage value signal generating part generating a voltage value signal based on the feedback current and the detection distance, a threshold setting part setting an analog signal converted from the voltage value signal as the threshold, a current value signal generating part generating a current value signal based on the detection distance and the voltage value signal, and a current value setting part setting an analog signal converted from the current value signal as a current value of the feedback current.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a proximity sensor and a manufacturing system for the proximity sensor capable of improving detection precision or expanding a detectable range are provided. A method of manufacturing a proximity sensor outputting presence or absence of a detection object or a position of the detection object as a detection result is provided. The manufacturing method includes: disposing the proximity sensor in a temperature-changeable environment; setting an environment of the proximity sensor to a plurality of different temperatures respectively and storing temperature detected by the temperature detection part of the proximity sensor in association with the detection result output by the control calculation part at each temperature; determining a characteristic parameter unique to a target proximity sensor based on the stored temperature and detection result; and setting the determined characteristic parameter for the target proximity sensor.

Abstract: To ensure omnidirectional visibility of a proximity sensor with high luminance using a single light emitting element. A proximity sensor (1) includes a substrate (14) on which a control unit (20) is formed and in which a normal direction of the substrate is perpendicular to an axial direction of a coil section (13), a light emitting element (15) which emits light in the axial direction on the substrate, a light diffusion section (16a) which diffuses emitted light in a direction other than the axial direction, and a light guide section (16b) which guides diffused light to a display section (21) on a side surface.

Abstract: An output circuit outputs communication signals and communicates with an external device ED, and includes: a PNP first transistor, which is capable of outputting a collector current as the communication signals; and a first current source, which is capable of changing a base current of the first transistor, and which reduces the base current to a predetermined current value after the first transistor is turned on and before the first transistor is turned off.

Abstract: A proximity sensor and a method of changing a detection distance are provided to suppress changes in a consumption current of an oscillation circuit. The proximity sensor includes an oscillation circuit having an oscillation amplitude that changes with a feedback current, a comparing part comparing the oscillation amplitude with a threshold, a detecting part detecting a target object based on a comparison result of the comparing part, a voltage value signal generating part generating a voltage value signal based on the feedback current and the detection distance, a threshold setting part setting an analog signal converted from the voltage value signal as the threshold, a current value signal generating part generating a current value signal based on the detection distance and the voltage value signal, and a current value setting part setting an analog signal converted from the current value signal as a current value of the feedback current.

Abstract: An output circuit outputs communication signals and communicates with an external device ED, and includes: a PNP first transistor, which is capable of outputting a collector current as the communication signals; and a first current source, which is capable of changing a base current of the first transistor, and which reduces the base current to a predetermined current value after the first transistor is turned on and before the first transistor is turned off

Abstract: A proximity sensor that outputs presence or absence of a detection object or a position of the detection object as a detection result includes: a detection part configured to include a detection coil and a capacitor; an oscillation circuit configured to excite the detection part; an analog/digital conversion circuit configured to detect a signal change occurring in the detection part and output a digital signal indicating the detected signal change; a temperature detection part configured to detect a temperature inside a casing of the proximity sensor; a storage part configured to store a characteristic parameter unique to the proximity sensor in advance; a control calculation part configured to process a digital signal from the analog/digital conversion circuit to calculate a signal indicating a distance to the detection object, compensate the calculated signal using the characteristics parameter stored in the storage part, and output the compensated signal as the detection result.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a proximity sensor and a manufacturing system for the proximity sensor capable of improving detection precision or expanding a detectable range are provided. A method of manufacturing a proximity sensor outputting presence or absence of a detection object or a position of the detection object as a detection result is provided. The manufacturing method includes: disposing the proximity sensor in a temperature-changeable environment; setting an environment of the proximity sensor to a plurality of different temperatures respectively and storing temperature detected by the temperature detection part of the proximity sensor in association with the detection result output by the control calculation part at each temperature; determining a characteristic parameter unique to a target proximity sensor based on the stored temperature and detection result; and setting the determined characteristic parameter for the target proximity sensor.

Abstract: An IO-Link master includes: an IO-Link communication port that communicates with an IO-Link device according to a predetermined communication protocol; a digital input port that receives a first signal value output from the IO-Link device; and a determiner that determines whether abnormality is generated in a digital input line connecting the digital input port to the IO-Link device based on a second signal value received with the IO-Link communication port and the first signal value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a proximity switch, which can detect whether a detected object containing multiple metals exists in a specific range. The induction type proximity switch includes: an oscillation switch of which the amplitude is attenuated due to the proximity of the detected object containing metal, so as to detect the excessive proximity of the detected object; a detection circuit for detecting the amplitude of a high frequency generated by the oscillation of the oscillation circuit; an operation and comparison part for comparing the detected amplitude of the high frequency with the threshold set for the amplitude, i.e., a boundary as the excessive proximity, and outputting a detection signal of the excessive proximity when the detected amplitude is under the threshold; and a threshold setting part, for selecting a threshold corresponding to a designated metal type according to the designation on the metal type from the outside.

Abstract: The present invention provides a proximity switch, which can detect whether a detected object containing multiple metals exists in a specific range. The induction type proximity switch includes: an oscillation switch of which the amplitude is attenuated due to the proximity of the detected object containing metal, so as to detect the excessive proximity of the detected object; a detection circuit for detecting the amplitude of a high frequency generated by the oscillation of the oscillation circuit; an operation and comparison part for comparing the detected amplitude of the high frequency with the threshold set for the amplitude, i.e., a boundary as the excessive proximity, and outputting a detection signal of the excessive proximity when the detected amplitude is under the threshold; and a threshold setting part, for selecting a threshold corresponding to a designated metal type according to the designation on the metal type from the outside.

Abstract: To ensure omnidirectional visibility of a proximity sensor with high luminance using a single light emitting element. A proximity sensor (1) includes a substrate (14) on which a control unit (20) is formed and in which a normal direction of the substrate is perpendicular to an axial direction of a coil section (13), a light emitting element (15) which emits light in the axial direction on the substrate, a light diffusion section (16a) which diffuses emitted light in a direction other than the axial direction, and a light guide section (16b) which guides diffused light to a display section (21) on a side surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a proximity switch, which can detect whether a detected object containing multiple metals exists in a specific range. The induction type proximity switch includes: an oscillation switch of which the amplitude is attenuated due to the proximity of the detected object containing metal, so as to detect the excessive proximity of the detected object; a detection circuit for detecting the amplitude of a high frequency generated by the oscillation of the oscillation circuit; an operation and comparison part for comparing the detected amplitude of the high frequency with the threshold set for the amplitude, i.e., a boundary as the excessive proximity, and outputting a detection signal of the excessive proximity when the detected amplitude is under the threshold; and a threshold setting part, for selecting a threshold corresponding to a designated metal type according to the designation on the metal type from the outside.

Abstract: An IO-Link master includes: an IO-Link communication port that communicates with an IO-Link device according to a predetermined communication protocol; a digital input port that receives a first signal value output from the IO-Link device; and a determiner that determines whether abnormality is generated in a digital input line connecting the digital input port to the IO-Link device based on a second signal value received with the IO-Link communication port and the first signal value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a proximity switch, which can detect whether a detected object containing multiple metals exists in a specific range. The induction type proximity switch includes: an oscillation switch of which the amplitude is attenuated due to the proximity of the detected object containing metal, so as to detect the excessive proximity of the detected object; a detection circuit for detecting the amplitude of a high frequency generated by the oscillation of the oscillation circuit; an operation and comparison part for comparing the detected amplitude of the high frequency with the threshold set for the amplitude, i.e., a boundary as the excessive proximity, and outputting a detection signal of the excessive proximity when the detected amplitude is under the threshold; and a threshold setting part, for selecting a threshold corresponding to a designated metal type according to the designation on the metal type from the outside.

Abstract: A float operated switch (21) is actuated when the level of refrigerant fluid in a reservoir (11) is below a predetermined value to produce an electrical signal. The signal is delayed by 10 to 30 seconds and applied to a switch circuit (54) to disengage an electromagnetic clutch (63) and thereby de-energize a compressor (64). The clutch (63) is also disengaged by the action of a thermal switch (61) when the temperature in a space which is being air conditioned drops below a predetermined value. The operation of the float operated switch (21) is inhibited when the sensed temperature is below the predetermined value and also when a motor which drives the compressor (64) is not operating to prevent erroneous de-energization of the compressor (64).