Abstract: A string instrument includes a saddle inserted into a groove of an instrument main body and supporting strings, and a pickup including a piezoelectric element having a porous layer that is stretchable and compressible, and that outputs a detection signal in accordance with a stretching/compressing deformation of the porous layer. The piezoelectric element is disposed between a first side surface of the saddle and a first inner side surface of the groove. A width of the groove from the first inner side surface to the second inner side surface of the groove is greater than a width of the saddle in an arrangement direction in which the first and the second inner side surfaces are arranged. A thickness of the piezoelectric element under no load in the arrangement direction is greater than or equal to the difference between the width of the groove and the width of the saddle.

Abstract: A biosensor includes a sheet-like piezoelectric element, a spacer disposed around the piezoelectric element in plan view with a gap therebetween, and a covering member that covers a front side of each of the spacer and the piezoelectric element. The spacer supports the covering member from a rear side of the covering member, and the piezoelectric element is fixed to the covering member.

Abstract: An audio signal generation device (20) includes: an acquirer (210) configured to acquire biological information of a human subject; an audio signal generator (245) configured to generate an audio signal based on at least one of a plurality of pieces of sound information; and a switching cycle decider (241) configured to decide a switching cycle, such that first sound information switches to second sound information at a cycle that is in accordance with the biological information, the first sound information and the second sound information being included in the plurality of sound information pieces, and the audio signal generator (245) generates an audio signal based on the second sound information, at the switching cycle decided by the switching cycle decider (241).

Abstract: A vibration sensor in one aspect of the present invention includes a vibration detection element that has a sheet-shaped piezoelectric element and a pair of electrodes superposed on a front side and a rear side of the piezoelectric element, and a rear surface side gel layer superposed on a side where the vibration detection element faces a surface of a living body.

Abstract: A MEMS device including a fixed member and a movable member supported via a resilient body. The MEMS device includes an impact alleviation mechanism provided at a position where the movable member and the fixed member collide during operation. The impact alleviation mechanism includes a stopper provided to either the fixed member or the movable member and that protrude to be parallel between sides of the two members with at least one side edge fixed to the respective member. Moreover, the impact alleviation mechanism includes an elongate protruding member provided on the other of the fixed member and the movable member. The elongate protruding member and the stopper are configured such that as collision force increases between the movable member and the fixed member during operation, an abutment area of an outer edge position of the elongate protruding member approaches the fixed side edge of the stopper.

Abstract: An audio signal generation device (20) includes: an acquirer (210) configured to acquire biological information of a human subject; an audio signal generator (245) configured to generate an audio signal based on at least one of a plurality of pieces of sound information; and a switching cycle decider (241) configured to decide a switching cycle, such that first sound information switches to second sound information at a cycle that is in accordance with the biological information, the first sound information and the second sound information being included in the plurality of sound information pieces, and the audio signal generator (245) generates an audio signal based on the second sound information, at the switching cycle decided by the switching cycle decider (241).

Abstract: A MEMS structure includes a planar substrate, a support body coupled to the planar substrate, a fixed electrode coupled to the planar substrate and a moveable portion. The movable portion is spaced from and faces the fixed electrode. The movable electrode includes a movable weight and an intermediate frame surrounding an outer edge of the movable weight. A plurality of elastic supports connect the movable weight to the intermediate frame. The elastic supports are elastically deformable in a first direction extending parallel to the plane of the substrate such that the movable weight can move in the first direction. At least one torsion bar pivotally connects one end of the intermediate frame to the support body so as to allow the intermediate frame, and with it the movable weight, to pivot around an axis which extends parallel to the plane of the substrate and perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A sound signal generation device includes a sound information acquirer acquiring biological information of a subject user, a change timing determiner determining a change timing that allows a first piece of sound information to be changed to a second piece of sound information in a cycle corresponding to the biological information acquired by the biological information acquirer, a sound signal generator generating a sound signal based on the second piece of sound information at a timing determined by the change timing determiner, and an amplitude of a waveform of a sound signal generated by the sound signal generator based on at least one piece of sound information, among a plurality of pieces of sound information including the first piece of sound information and the second piece of sound information, generally decreases from a maximum amplitude point, in which the amplitude is maximized, towards the end of the waveform, or generally increases from the start of the waveform towards a maximum amplitude point,

Abstract: A MEMS device including a fixed member and a movable member supported via a resilient body. The MEMS device includes an impact alleviation mechanism provided at a position where the movable member and the fixed member collide during operation. The impact alleviation mechanism includes a stopper provided to either the fixed member or the movable member and that protrude to be parallel between sides of the two members with at least one side edge fixed to the respective member. Moreover, the impact alleviation mechanism includes an elongate protruding member provided on the other of the fixed member and the movable member. The elongate protruding member and the stopper are configured such that as collision force increases between the movable member and the fixed member during operation, an abutment area of an outer edge position of the elongate protruding member approaches the fixed side edge of the stopper.

Abstract: A MEMS structure includes a planar substrate, a support body coupled to the planar substrate, a fixed electrode coupled to the planar substrate and a moveable portion. The movable portion is spaced from and faces the fixed electrode. The movable electrode includes a movable weight and an intermediate frame surrounding an outer edge of the movable weight. A plurality of elastic supports connect the movable weight to the intermediate frame. The elastic supports are elastically deformable in a first direction extending parallel to the plane of the substrate such that the movable weight can move in the first direction. At least one torsion bar pivotally connects one end of the intermediate frame to the support body so as to allow the intermediate frame, and with it the movable weight, to pivot around an axis which extends parallel to the plane of the substrate and perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A resonance frequency adjustment module is disclosed forming a MEMS sensor for detecting an angular velocity. The resonance frequency adjustment module includes a movable electrode; a fixed electrode facing the movable electrode to form a capacitor; and an elastic body supporting the movable electrode so as to be displaceable in one direction. The movable electrode and the fixed electrode have surfaces facing each other to form a capacitor, and the surface can be inclined to a displacement direction. A region sandwiched between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode has a volume fixed region where the volume is not decreased by movement of the movable electrode.

Abstract: A pressure sensor (e.g., a condenser microphone) includes a plate having a fixed electrode, a diaphragm having a moving electrode positioned opposite to the fixed electrode, and a support, wherein the diaphragm is subjected to displacement due to pressure variations applied thereto, and the support has a first interior wall forming a first cavity, in which the end portions of the plate are fixed, and a second interior wall, in which a step portion is formed in the thickness direction of the diaphragm in relation to the first interior wall and which forms a second cavity whose cross-sectional area is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first cavity in the plane direction of the diaphragm. The first and second cavities can be redesigned to communicate with each other via a passage, whereby it is possible to improve both of low-frequency characteristics and high-frequency characteristics in the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A pressure sensor (e.g., a condenser microphone) includes a plate having a fixed electrode, a diaphragm having a moving electrode positioned opposite to the fixed electrode, and a support, wherein the diaphragm is subjected to displacement due to pressure variations applied thereto, and the support has a first interior wall forming a first cavity, in which the end portions of the plate are fixed, and a second interior wall, in which a step portion is formed in the thickness direction of the diaphragm in relation to the first interior wall and which forms a second cavity whose cross-sectional area is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first cavity in the plane direction of the diaphragm. The first and second cavities can be redesigned to communicate with each other via a passage, whereby it is possible to improve both of low-frequency characteristics and high-frequency characteristics in the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A pressure sensor (e.g., a condenser microphone) includes a plate having a fixed electrode, a diaphragm having a moving electrode positioned opposite to the fixed electrode, and a support, wherein the diaphragm is subjected to displacement due to pressure variations applied thereto, and the support has a first interior wall forming a first cavity, in which the end portions of the plate are fixed, and a second interior wall, in which a step portion is formed in the thickness direction of the diaphragm in relation to the first interior wall and which forms a second cavity whose cross-sectional area is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first cavity in the plane direction of the diaphragm. The first and second cavities can be redesigned to communicate with each other via a passage, whereby it is possible to improve both of low-frequency characteristics and high-frequency characteristics in the pressure sensor.