Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel configured to display an image and a plurality of vibration generating devices on a rear surface of the display panel, the display panel being at least one of a vibration plate configured to output sound and a vibration plate configured to output a haptic vibration. Each of the plurality of vibration generating devices includes a first electrode under the display panel, a piezoelectric member under the first electrode, a damping member in a periphery the piezoelectric member, and a second electrode under the piezoelectric member.

Abstract: A vibration-generating apparatus, includes: a microphone apparatus disposed at an object including a plurality of regions, the microphone apparatus being configured to receive noise near the object, a sound processing circuit configured to: receive a sound source signal and a noise signal corresponding to the noise, generate a noise removal signal having an antiphase of the noise signal, and generate a vibration driving signal, based on the sound source signal and the noise removal signal, and a vibration apparatus disposed at the object to vibrate based on the vibration driving signal to vibrate the object.

Abstract: A Transducer in a downhole environment with an increased amplitude of the transducer output at lower frequencies. A transducer may include a bender bar, wherein the bender bar may include a first piezoelectric layer disposed on one surface of the bender bar, a second piezoelectric layer disposed on the opposite surface of the bender bar, and a metallic substrate disposed between the first piezoelectric layer and the second piezoelectric layer. The transducer may further include a first fixed end is attached to the bender bar and connects the bender bar to a base, a second fixed end opposite the first fixed end that attaches the bender bar to the base, and a compartment disposed within the base.

Abstract: For direct chip-on-array for a multi-dimensional transducer array, the generally rigid and conductive dematching layer is extended beyond a footprint of the transducer array. The ASIC is directly connected to the dematching layer on one side, while the other side provides for electrical connection to the elements of the array and I/O pads for connections (e.g., flex-to-dematching layer) to the ultrasound imaging system. By using the dematching layer rigidity, the ASIC may be protected during formation of the acoustic stack. By using the dematching layer conductivity, any mis-alignment is compensated by the routing through the dematching layer, and/or a large flat region is provided for I/O, allowing for good low temperature asperity contact connections with larger area than flip-chip solder bumps. By providing the I/O for the system connections on a different side of the dematching layer than the ASIC, a large keep-out distance due to underfill may be avoided.

Abstract: One of the main objects of the present invention is to provide a speaker with optimized overall acoustic performance. To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a speaker including: a base with an accommodation cavity; a vibration sounding assembly accommodated in the accommodation cavity, including a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm, and a driver fixed to the first diaphragm for driving the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm to vibrate and produce sound. The second diaphragm stacks on the first diaphragm, and a stiffness of the second diaphragm is different from a stiffness of the first diaphragm.

Abstract: A micro-machined ultrasonic transducer is proposed. The micro-machined ultrasonic transducer includes a membrane element for transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves, during the transmission/reception of ultrasonic waves the membrane element oscillating, about an equilibrium position, at a respective resonance frequency. The equilibrium position of the membrane element is variable according to a biasing electric signal applied to the membrane element. The micro-machined ultrasonic transducer further comprises a cap structure extending above the membrane element; the cap structure identifies, between it and the membrane element, a cavity whose volume is variable according to the equilibrium position of the membrane element. The cap structure comprises an opening for inputting/outputting the ultrasonic waves into/from the cavity. The cap structure and the membrane element act as tunable Helmholtz resonator, whereby the resonance frequency is variable according to the volume of the cavity.

Abstract: An ultrasonic MEMS acoustic transducer formed in a body of semiconductor material having first and second surfaces opposite to one another. A first cavity extends in the body and delimits at the bottom a sensitive portion, which extends between the first cavity and the first surface of the body. The sensitive portion houses a second cavity and forms a membrane that extends between the second cavity and the first surface of the body. An elastic supporting structure extends between the sensitive portion and the body and is suspended over the first cavity.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic resonator comprises a piezoelectric substrate on which an electrode structure is disposed. The electrode structure comprises a metal layer of aluminum and copper, a barrier layer forming a barrier against the diffusion of copper and another metal layer disposed on the barrier layer comprising aluminum. An AlCu intermetallic phase formed after an anneal is restricted to the portion beneath the barrier layer so that Galvano-corrosion of the electrode structure is avoided.

Abstract: Micromachined ultrasonic transducers integrated with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) substrates are described, as well as methods of fabricating such devices. Fabrication may involve two separate wafer bonding steps. Wafer bonding may be used to fabricate sealed cavities in a substrate. Wafer bonding may also be used to bond the substrate to another substrate, such as a CMOS wafer. At least the second wafer bonding may be performed at a low temperature.

Abstract: A Signal acquisition device is described for acquiring three-dimensional wave field signals. The signal acquisition device comprises an acoustically reflective plate (PLT) comprising two planar sides facing oppositely and a two-dimensional array of inherently omnidirectional sensors (TSS) arranged on one of the two sides, characterized in that the sound recording device comprises another two-dimensional array of inherently omnidirectional sensors (BSS) arranged on the other of the two sides.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an acoustic transduction unit, a manufacturing method thereof and an acoustic transducer. The acoustic transduction unit includes a substrate, and a first electrode, a vibrating film and a second electrode sequentially arranged on the substrate, a cavity is formed between the first electrode and the vibrating film, orthographic projections of the first electrode, the cavity, the vibrating film and the second electrode on the substrate are at least partially overlapped with each other at a first overlapping region, and a hollowed-out pattern is formed in the vibrating film, and the orthographic projection of the hollowed-out pattern on the substrate and the orthographic projection of the cavity on the substrate are overlapped with each other, and the orthographic projection of the hollowed-out pattern on the substrate is distributed in a discontinuous manner around the first overlapping region.

Abstract: The invention relates to an object positioning system including an actuator system and a measurement system. The actuator system includes an actuator made of a material with predominantly electrostrictive properties and substantially no net polarization in absence of an electric field. The actuator system is configured to apply an electric field to the actuator, which electric field includes a bias electric field and an actuation electric field superimposed on the bias electric field, a field strength of the actuation electric field being equal to or smaller than a field strength of the bias electric field. The measurement system is configured to measure an electrical property of the actuator which is representative for a mechanical state of the actuator. The measurement system includes a bridge circuit including an actuator and a reference element having electrical properties matched to the electrical properties of the actuator.

Abstract: A thin-film transistor may include an amorphous semiconductor channel layer, an organic material piezoelectric stress gate layer formed adjacent to the amorphous semiconductor channel layer, a source electrode coupled to the organic material piezoelectric stress gate layer, a drain electrode coupled to the organic material piezoelectric stress gate layer and a gate electrode coupled to the organic material piezoelectric stress gate layer. In some embodiments, the amorphous semiconductor channel layer may be amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide. In some embodiments, the organic material piezoelectric stress gate layer may be organic polyvinylidene fluoride. In some embodiments, the amorphous semiconductor channel layer may be formed on a flexible substrate.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) die includes a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm, wherein the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm bound a sealed chamber. A stationary electrode is disposed within the sealed chamber between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm. A tunnel passes through the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm without passing through the stationary electrode, wherein the tunnel is sealed off from the chamber. The MEMS die further includes a substrate having an opening formed therethrough, wherein the tunnel provides fluid communication from the opening, through the second diaphragm, and through the first diaphragm.

Abstract: A PMUT includes a substrate, a membrane, and a sacrificial layer. The substrate has a cavity penetrating the substrate. The membrane is disposed over the cavity and includes a first piezoelectric layer, a bottom electrode, a top electrode, and a second piezoelectric layer. The first piezoelectric layer is disposed over the cavity and includes an anchor portion, where the anchor portion of the first piezoelectric layer is in direct contact with the substrate. The top and bottom electrodes are disposed over the first piezoelectric layer. The second piezoelectric layer is disposed between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. The sacrificial layer is disposed between the substrate and the first piezoelectric layer, and a vertical projection of the sacrificial layer does not overlap a vertical projection of portions of the membrane disposed over the cavity.

Abstract: Devices and processes for preparing devices are described for a bulk acoustic wave resonator. A stack includes a first electrode that is coupled to a first side of a piezoelectric layer and a second electrode that is coupled to a second side of the piezoelectric layer. The stack is configured to resonate in response to an electrical signal applied between the first electrode and the second electrode. A cavity frame is coupled to the first electrode and to the substrate. The cavity frame forms a perimeter around a cavity. Optionally, a heat dissipating frame is formed and coupled to the second electrode. The cavity frame and/or the heat dissipating frame improve the thermal stability of the bulk acoustic resonator.

Abstract: Described are transducer assemblies and imaging devices comprising: a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) die including a plurality of piezoelectric elements; a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) die electrically coupled to the MEMS die by a first plurality of bumps and including at least one circuit for controlling the plurality of piezoelectric elements; and a package secured to the CMOS die by an adhesive layer and electrically connected to the CMOS die.

Abstract: A sensing arrangement for detection of electrical discharges in an electrical apparatus is described. The sensing arrangement includes an acoustic sensor and a signal enhancing structure with a funnel region. The acoustic sensor is positioned outside the funnel region on an apex side of the funnel region. An electrical switchgear is described. The electrical switchgear includes a sensing arrangement for detection of electrical discharges in an electrical apparatus. The sensing arrangement includes an acoustic sensor and a signal enhancing structure with a funnel region.

Abstract: A phased array ultrasound device includes transducer elements arranged in a two dimensional array; first electrodes, each first electrode extending along a first direction; and second electrodes, each second electrode extending along a second direction, where each transducer element is associated with one first electrode and one second electrode, where each transducer element includes a material located between its associated first electrode and second electrode, and is configured to emit an ultrasonic wave induced by a vibration force or an oscillation force of its material when the transducer element is actuated based on control signals applied to its associated first electrode and second electrode, where each transducer element has a unipolar actuation force direction, and where the phased array ultrasound device is configured to create a pressure focus point by actuating a set of transducer elements to form a combined ultrasonic wave.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a casing and a piezoelectric vibrator element. The casing includes a first unit made of a metal and a second unit made of a resin. The first unit has a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape extending in a first direction. The second unit is connected to one end of the first unit in the first direction and includes a cylindrical section and a bottom plate. The cylindrical section extends in the first direction. The bottom plate is a disk-shaped portion which closes an end of the cylindrical section positioned farther away from the first unit in the first direction. The piezoelectric vibrator element is mounted on the bottom plate.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a vibration plate, a first electrode, a piezoelectric body, and a second electrode. The first electrode is laminated on the vibration plate, that has a length along a surface of the vibration plate in a first direction, and that has a width Wbe along the surface of the vibration plate in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. The width Wbe is not more than the length. The piezoelectric body is laminated on the first electrode and has a width Wpz in the second direction. The second electrode is laminated on the piezoelectric body. A ratio Wbe/Wpz between the width Wbe of the first electrode and the width Wpz of the piezoelectric body is not less than 0.1 and not more than 0.8.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer system (DES) variable stiffness actuator (VSA) is provided. In an embodiment, the DES VSA includes a variable stiffness module (VSM). The VSM includes a DES that softens when energized and stiffens when unpowered, an outer frame, and an inner frame member. The stiffness of the DES is variable. The outer frame supports the DES and the inner frame member, which is disposed within the DES. The inner frame member is configured to be displaceable with respect to the outer frame. The DES VSA also includes an actuation motor mechanically coupled to the inner frame member that is configured to cause a force to be applied to the inner frame member and the actuation motor is configured to control an equilibrium position of the DES VSA.

Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure relate to acoustic wave filters configured to filter radio frequency signals. An acoustic wave filter includes a first bulk acoustic wave resonator on a substrate, a second bulk acoustic wave resonator on the substrate, a conductor electrically connecting the first bulk acoustic wave resonator in anti-series with the second bulk acoustic wave resonator, and an air gap positioned between the conductor and a surface of the substrate. The air gap can reduce parasitic capacitance associated with the conductor. Acoustic wave filters disclosed herein can suppress a second harmonic.

Abstract: The present technology relates to an information processing apparatus configured to obtain high comfortability. The information processing apparatus includes a plurality of board portions, an acquisition unit placed on one of the board portions and configured to acquire information associated with a wearer, and a connection portion being flexible and configured to connect the board portion to another of the board portions. The present technology is applicable to wearable devices.

Abstract: In described examples, one or more devices include: apparatus including a lens element and a transducer to vibrate the lens element at an operating frequency when operating in an activated state; and controller circuitry. The controller circuitry is arranged to measure an impedance of the apparatus, to determine an estimated temperature of the apparatus in response to the measured impedance, to compare the estimated temperature against a temperature threshold for delineating an operating temperature range of the apparatus, and to toggle an activation state of the transducer in response to comparing the estimated temperature against the temperature threshold.

Abstract: A sensing device is provided. The sensing device includes a heat regulation mechanism to regulate a temperature of a piezoelectric resonator corresponding to a voltage, and uses a sensing sensor to cause a sensing object to adsorb to and desorb from the piezoelectric resonator by increase and decrease of the temperature. A drive voltage is regulated to regulate an amplification factor of a heat regulation voltage input to a drive voltage regulator that regulates the temperature of the heat regulation mechanism corresponding to the type of a sensing sensor connected to a device main body. Therefore, when a CQCM sensor that heats a crystal resonator using a heater circuit and a TQCM sensor that regulates a heat of the crystal resonator sing a Peltier element are each used, regulation ranges of the driving powers supplied to the respective heater circuit and Peltier element can be changed.

Abstract: A transducer includes a hollow housing, and a piezoelectric sheet which is disposed on a first portion of an inner wall of the housing, and a block which is disposed on a second portion of the inner wall of the housing.

Abstract: Fresnel elevation focusing at a selected elevation angle is performed by transmitting a sequential set of Fresnel-focused ultrasound pulses, where a different Fresnel phase pattern is used for each pulse, and where the receive signals are coherently compounded. The different Fresnel patterns cause the secondary lobe energy to be reduced via averaging of variations of the pressure fields in the secondary lobe regions. In some embodiments, the method of coherently compounded Fresnel focusing is combined with coherently compounded defocused wave (e.g. plane wave or diverging wave) imaging in the azimuth direction. Each of the elevation slices are collected by changing the Fresnel patterns respectively employed when the sequence of plane waves or diverging waves are transmitted, such that the coherent compounding can benefit both planes simultaneously. Hadamard receive encoding and subsequent dynamic receive beamforming may be employed to further improve performance in the elevation direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing steam traps or other similar devices in a hot water or steam system are described. A tester includes a wand that is handheld that can communicate with a handheld electronic device which in turn can communicate with a central monitor for storing and compiling readings as historical profile data. The wand includes a probe to physically contact the device to acoustically sense the performance of the device. The probe includes a probe tip and a stack of acoustic elements, an electrode, a stack mass, and a head to covert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The handheld device includes circuitry to process the information, interact with the user, and transmit information to and from the handheld electronic device and/or the central monitor.

Abstract: A circuit for 3D ultrasound imaging systems includes multiple sensor units, multiple unit circuits and multiple row sharing circuits. The unit circuits are connected with the sensor units respectively. Each row of unit circuits share a row sharing circuit. Each unit circuit includes a first electrically controlled switch, a second electrically controlled switch and a control circuit. Each row sharing circuit includes a signal transmission bus, a signal receiving bus and a row main control circuit. The signal transmission bus and the signal receiving bus of each row sharing circuit extend through a corresponding row of unit circuits. The row main control circuit of each row is configured to transmit main control signals, transmission control signals and receiving control signals to a corresponding row of unit circuits so as to select the corresponding sensor units to transmit or receive ultrasound signals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods method of additively manufacturing distributed sensors in a structural workpiece. The apparatus includes a movable head having an actuator coupled to an ejection port to regulate dispensation of a first thermoplastic polymer fed from an elongated chamber located in the movable head and coupled to the ejection port, wherein the movable printer head comprises a pair of electrodes proximately positioned relative to the chamber so as to direct an electric field, when the electrodes are energized, thereacross or therethough. The apparatus further includes an electric circuit operatively connected to the pair of electrodes, the electric circuit being configured to generate a poling voltage.

Abstract: A filter includes a signal path connecting an input terminal and an output terminal one or more series arm circuits on the signal path, and one or more parallel arm circuits connected to one or more nodes disposed on the signal path and a ground electrode. The one or more series arm circuits define any of a section between nodes adjacent to each other, a section between a node closest to the input terminal and the input terminal, and a section between a node closest to the output terminal and the output terminal. Among the one or more series arm circuits and the one or more parallel arm circuits, one circuit does not include any acoustic wave resonator, and another circuit includes an acoustic wave resonator.

Abstract: A wearable system with a gestural interface for wearing on, for instance, the wrist of a user. The system comprises an ultrasonic transceiver array structure and may comprise a pico projector display element for displaying an image on a surface. User anatomical feature inputs are received in the form of ultrasound signals representative of a spatio-temporal cross-section of the wrist of the user by articulating wrist, finger and hand postures, which articulations are translated into gestures. Inputs from inertial and other sensors are used by the system as part of the anatomical feature posture identification method and device. Gestures are recognized using a mathematically-modeled, simulation-based set of biological metrics of tissue objects, which gestures are converted to executable computer instructions. Embodiments of the system disclosed herein may also be used to monitor biometric and health data over computer networks or using onboard systems.

Abstract: A tactile sense presenting device that includes a control unit, a driving unit, and a vibrating device. The vibrating device includes a diaphragm, a piezoelectric film that is bridged over the diaphragm and stretches and contracts in a planar direction, and spacers that are provided in a gap portion, in which the piezoelectric film and the diaphragm face each other, and are fixed to the diaphragm.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a casing holding an image capturing device, a protective cover disposed in a visual field of the image capturing device, a vibrator to vibrate the protective cover, a controller to control the vibrator, a monitor to detect an electrical characteristic value associated with a vibration of the vibrator, and a storage to store determination criteria based on which the controller evaluates the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitor. The controller is configured to evaluate the electrical characteristic value based on the plurality of determination criteria stored in the storage and clean a surface of the translucent body by controlling the vibrator according to the determination.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating particles from a fluid stream includes a flow chamber that has at least one inlet and at least one outlet. At least one ultrasonic transducer is located on a wall of the flow chamber. The transducer includes a piezoelectric array with at least two piezoelectric elements. The piezoelectric array includes a piezoelectric material to create a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave in the flow chamber. A reflector is located on the wall on the opposite side of the flow chamber from the at least one ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wave-based voice signal transmission system, where the system includes an ultrasonic modulator, a beamforming controller, an ultrasonic transducer array, and a user detector. The ultrasonic modulator is configured to modulate a voice signal onto an ultrasonic band and output the modulated voice signal to the beamforming controller. The user detector is configured to detect a user and output a detection result of the user to the beamforming controller. The beamforming controller is configured to control according to the detection result from the user detector, a phase and amplitude of the modulated voice signal to obtain an electrical signal pointing to the user, and output, to the ultrasonic transducer array, the electrical signal pointing to the user. Therefore, call convenience can be improved for the user.

Abstract: A consumption meter, e.g. a water or heat meter, for measuring a flow rate of a fluid supplied in a flow tube. First and second ultrasonic transducers are arranged at the flow tube for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals transmitted through the fluid and operated by a flow measurement sub-circuit for generating a signal indicative of the flow rate of the fluid. A noise measurement sub-circuit operates a sensor arranged at the flow tube for detection of acoustic signals of the flow tube, and being arranged to generate a signal indicative of a noise level of the flow tube accordingly. This sensor may comprise a separate transducer, or the sensor may be constituted by one or both of the first and second ultrasonic transducers. The consumption meter may communicate data representative of the noise level via a communication module along with data consumed amount of water, heat etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing liposomes, including control liposomes and immunoliposomes targeting breast cancer are provided. Systems and methods for treating breast cancer, using targeted immunoliposomes produced according to various methods are also disclosed herein. For example, trastuzumab-conjugated immunoliposomes may be used to deliver chemotherapeutic agents to breast cancer tissues for the treatment of breast cancer. Systems and methods for actuating liposomes using ultrasound are also disclosed, such as systems and methods for actuating trastuzumab-conjugated liposomes accumulated in breast cancer tissues for the treatment of breast cancer.

Abstract: The oscillating element includes a crystal blank, a pair of excitation electrodes, and a pair of pad portions. The crystal blank includes a pair of major surfaces, at least partially configured by crystal planes, and side surfaces which connect outer edges of the pair of major surfaces. Further, it includes a mesa portion and an outer peripheral portion which surrounds the mesa portion and has a thickness between the pair of major surfaces thinner than that of the mesa portion. The excitation electrodes are individually located on the pair of major surfaces. The pair of pad portions are located on one of the pairs of major surfaces and are electrically connected with the excitation electrodes. At least a portion of an edge part which is in contact with a crystal plane includes a projecting portion, which does not exceed the height of the mesa portion from the outer peripheral portion.

Abstract: Apparatuses for playing signals received from the internet or other information highway or a stored database on one or more speakers are described. The apparatus has a receiver for receiving information from preselected addresses; a processor for interpreting the signals; and at least one speaker for playing signals from the internet. There is at least display device in the form of a holographic projector connected to the receiver for displaying a 3D holographic image received from the internet. The processor selects images that correspond with the signals played by the speaker. The speaker projects the sound into certain areas of the environment, so that it appears that the sound is coming from a place other than the actual speaker itself. A holographic projector connected to the processor projects a 3D holographic image onto the place from which the sound appears to originate, rather than on the actual speaker itself.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transducer device having a planar array of electroacoustic cells, each including a piezoelectric bilayer unit. The transducer device achieves high transmission sensitivity across a broad bandwidth. The transducer device may be designed to have a broad or a focused directivity pattern, or may be multi-frequency, depending on the particular application and has a range of applications. For example, the transducer device may be used with an implanted passive ultrasonically excitable resonating sensor, to excite the sensor and/or to interrogate the sensor, for example in conjunction with Doppler-based analysis of the resonance frequency of the sensor, and/or to locate an implanted sensor. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the device.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a passive substrate. A passive-on-glass (POG) device is on the passive substrate. A bulk acoustic wave (BAW) filter is on the passive substrate. The POG device can be any type of passive component/device, such as an inductor, capacitor, LC-resonator or filter. The POG device can include a piezoelectric material. The POG device and the BAW filter may be side-by-side on the passive substrate.

Abstract: A ladder filter includes at least one series arm resonator connected in a path between first and second input/output terminals, at least two parallel arm resonators each connected between a connection node in the path and a ground, and an inductor connected in series to the at least one series arm resonator. The inductor is closer to the first input/output terminal than are the at least one series arm resonator and the at least two parallel arm resonators. Of the at least two parallel arm resonators, a first parallel arm resonator connected closest to the second input/output terminal has the highest anti-resonant frequency.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aerosol generator (1), comprising a housing (20, 22), having a first holding member (24, 24?, 24?) and a second holding member (38), and a vibratable element (4) for generating an aerosol. The vibratable element (4) is at least partially accommodated in the housing (20, 22). The vibratable element (4) is contacted by and held between the first and second holding members (24, 24?, 24?; 38). The first holding member (24, 24?, 24?) is less flexible than the second holding member (38). Further, the invention relates to an aerosol delivery device comprising the aerosol generator (1).

Abstract: A piezoelectric film having a porosity between 20 and 40%, a thickness ranging from tens of microns to less than a few millimeters can be used to form an ultrasonic transducer UT for operation in elevated temperature ranges, that emit pulses having a high bandwidth. Such piezoelectric films exhibit greater flexibility allowing for conformation of the UT to a surface, and obviate the need for couplings or backings. Furthermore, a method of fabricating an UT having these advantages as well as better bonding between the piezoelectric film and electrodes involves controlling porosity within the piezoelectric film.

Abstract: An acoustic resonator includes a first electrode disposed over a substrate; a piezoelectric layer disposed over the first electrode; a second electrode disposed over the piezoelectric layer; and a ring disposed in either the first electrode, or in the second electrode. The ring defines at least a portion of a perimeter along an active region of the acoustic resonator.

Abstract: The ultrasonic tubular transducer is activated at the centre thereof by two symmetrical electromechanical converters. The vibration generated by the two electromechanical converters is converted and then transmitted to the tube via a coupler. The ultrasonic transducer can be vibrationally isolated from the interfaces thereof by caps equally suitable for connecting the transducer to a stationary frame, a free end or another similar ultrasonic transducer. A device for pre-stressing electromechanical converters has a hole bored at the centre thereof in order to allow cables from the transducer as well as from adjacent transducers to pass therethrough.

Abstract: An operation switch unit attached to a game machine includes a spin button that receives an input operation of an operator, an input detector that detects that the input operation of the operator is performed, and a controller that controls a directional speaker such that the directional speaker emits a directional sound, which does not spread uniformly but has directionality, to the operator as a notification that an operation input is performed based on a detection signal from the input detector.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The probe includes a backing layer, a piezoelectric layer disposed on one side of the backing layer, a matching layer disposed on one side of the piezoelectric layer, a signal connector disposed inside the backing layer to transfer a signal to the piezoelectric layer, and a ground connector disposed outside the signal connector. The backing layer, the piezoelectric layer and the matching layer are sequentially disposed and the signal connector is electrically connected to the piezoelectric layer at the other side of the piezoelectric layer. The probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a stack of the backing layer, the piezoelectric layer and the matching layer, in which the piezoelectric layer is formed to have a certain curvature, thereby achieving performance improvement through minimization of interference from a signal connector and a ground connector.