Abstract: To provide an operation input device capable of realizing operation input by changing the posture of the operation input device even without a posture determining sensor. This is an operation input device for use by a user while being held by his/her hand, for obtaining a captured image captured by an image capturing unit provided to the operation input device, and determining the posture of the operation input device, based on the result of analysis on the captured image obtained.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solid-state image pickup device is provided. The image pickup apparatus includes a photoelectric conversion portion disposed on the semiconductor substrate, a first insulating film over the photoelectric conversion portion, functioning as an antireflection film, a second insulating film on the first insulating film, disposed corresponding to the photoelectric conversion portion, and a waveguide having a clad and a core whose bottom is disposed on the second insulating film. The method includes forming an opening by anisotropically etching part of a member disposed over the photoelectric conversion portion, thereby forming the clad, and forming the core in the opening. In the method, the etching is performed under conditions where the etching rate of the second insulating film is lower than the etching rate of the member.

Abstract: An ink-jet print head has a piezoelectric ceramic plate having grooves for receiving ink, a nozzle plate connected to the piezoelectric ceramic plate and having nozzle apertures each disposed in communication with respective ones of the grooves, and an ink storing device for storing ink. An ink chamber plate is connected to the piezoelectric ceramic plate and has an ink chamber for supplying ink from the ink storing device to the grooves. A base plate is connected to a side of the ink chamber plate and has an ink reservoir defining a portion of an ink flow path for transporting ink from the ink storing device to the ink chamber of the ink chamber plate. The ink reservoir has at least one tapered portion progressively diverging in a direction toward the ink chamber of the ink chamber plate.

Abstract: Providing an ink-jet print head and ink-jet recording apparatus capable of preventing the dwell of air bubbles contained in ink and relatively easily removing the air bubbles. In an ink-jet print head 10 comprising a plurality of grooves 22 communicated with nozzle apertures 28; an ink chamber 26 for supplying ink to the individual grooves 22; and an ink reservoir 31 defining a communication portion of a flow path with the ink chamber 26, the flow path intercommunicating ink storage means for storing the ink and the ink chamber 26, the ink reservoir 31 includes at least one of a tapered portion 37 opened progressively wider toward the ink chamber 26 and a throttling portion 38 progressively narrowing the flow path toward the ink chamber 26.