Abstract: A switch device includes: a first touch sensor portion to which one end of a first wiring portion is connected; a second touch sensor portion to which one end of a second wiring portion is connected; and a touch wiring portion having one end of which is connected only to the second wiring portion and the other end of which is open; the touch wiring portion being arranged such that when one capacitance is produced between the touch surface and the first wiring portion by a touch operation, the other capacitance is produced between the touch surface and the touch wiring portion by the touch operation; and the touch operation is disabled when detecting the one capacitance and the other capacitance. A finger touches a portion other than a touch sensor portion (wiring portion), and the touch is disabled, and thereby, a high reliability is achieved.

Abstract: The touch-operating input device is configured so that when the control circuit turns on the main light source corresponding to each of the translucent operation buttons that can be operated, the control circuit, on condition that the translucent operation button corresponding to the main light source that is turned on is operated, turns off the sub-light source corresponding to the translucent operation button that is turned on simultaneously with the main light source. Ease of operation is increased by enabling the operator to distinguish operated translucent operation buttons from translucent operation buttons that have not been operated according to whether or not the main light sources are lit.

Abstract: A switch device includes: a first touch sensor portion to which one end of a first wiring portion is connected; a second touch sensor portion to which one end of a second wiring portion is connected; and a touch wiring portion having one end of which is connected only to the second wiring portion and the other end of which is open; the touch wiring portion being arranged such that when one capacitance is produced between the touch surface and the first wiring portion by a touch operation, the other capacitance is produced between the touch surface and the touch wiring portion by the touch operation; and the touch operation is disabled when detecting the one capacitance and the other capacitance. A finger touches a portion other than a touch sensor portion (wiring portion), and the touch is disabled, and thereby, a high reliability is achieved.

Abstract: A joystick type switch device is provided that includes an operating shaft having an operating knob provided at one end, and a case supporting the operating shaft so that the operating shaft can move between a return position and a pushed-in position and tilt from a neutral position around a tilt center, it being possible to detect pushing of the operating shaft into the pushed-in position and tilting of the operating shaft from the neutral position into eight directions, wherein the operating shaft (16) has a magnet mounted at the other end, and a portion, facing the magnet, of a base plate (22) mounted on the case has at least three Hall elements (43A to 43D) fixed thereto at equal intervals around the axis of the operating shaft (16) in the neutral position. This enables excellent durability to be obtained and the number of components to be reduced.

Abstract: The touch-operating input device is configured so that when the control circuit turns on the main light source corresponding to each of the translucent operation buttons that can be operated, the control circuit, on condition that the translucent operation button corresponding to the main light source that is turned on is operated, turns off the sub-light source corresponding to the translucent operation button that is turned on simultaneously with the main light source. Ease of operation is increased by enabling the operator to distinguish operated translucent operation buttons from translucent operation buttons that have not been operated according to whether or not the main light sources are lit.

Abstract: Paddle levers protrude from lower sides of a center pad of a steering wheel into two lower spaces partitioned using a horizontal spoke and a vertical spoke of the steering wheel. The paddle lever is formed of a transparent photoconductor, and a periphery of the paddle lever is illuminated in a rimmed shape. Hence, the paddle lever can be visually recognized easily, and a finger touching the paddle lever can be visually recognized instantaneously. Therefore, operation almost nearly equivalent to complete blind touch operation can be attained, and the operability is improved.

Abstract: Paddle levers protrude from lower sides of a center pad of a steering wheel into two lower spaces partitioned using a horizontal spoke and a vertical spoke of the steering wheel. The paddle lever is formed of a transparent photoconductor, and a periphery of the paddle lever is illuminated in a rimmed shape. Hence, the paddle lever can be visually recognized easily, and a finger touching the paddle lever can be visually recognized instantaneously. Therefore, operation almost nearly equivalent to complete blind touch operation can be attained, and the operability is improved.

Abstract: A joystick type switch device is provided that includes an operating shaft having an operating knob provided at one end, and a case supporting the operating shaft so that the operating shaft can move between a return position and a pushed-in position and tilt from a neutral position around a tilt center, it being possible to detect pushing of the operating shaft into the pushed-in position and tilting of the operating shaft from the neutral position into eight directions, wherein the operating shaft (16) has a magnet mounted at the other end, and a portion, facing the magnet, of a base plate (22) mounted on the case has at least three Hall elements (43A to 43D) fixed thereto at equal intervals around the axis of the operating shaft (16) in the neutral position. This enables excellent durability to be obtained and the number of components to be reduced.

Abstract: Is disclosed an inclination sensor for detecting a tilted state of a case by detecting by a magnetic sensor a magnetized portion of a pendulum type movement mounted rotatably on a shaft in accordance with inclination of the case, wherein the shaft fitted with a clearance in a rotation shaft hole of the movement is further provided at both ends with loosely fitted thereon spacers and mounted in the case. This realizes non-restricted state of both the movement and the shaft. Thus, the movement obtains an improved response characteristic and an increased stability since no oscillation of a running vehicle is transmitted through the shaft to the movement.

Abstract: Is disclosed an inclination sensor for detecting a tilted state of a case by detecting by a magnetic sensor a magnetized portion of a pendulum type movement mounted rotatably on a shaft in accordance with inclination of the case, wherein the shaft fitted with a clearance in a rotation shaft hole of the movement is further provided at both ends with loosely fitted thereon spacers and mounted in the case. This realizes non-restricted state of both the movement and the shaft. Thus, the movement obtains an improved response characteristic and an increased stability since no oscillation of a running vehicle is transmitted through the shaft to the movement.

Abstract: A musical tone signal generation apparatus accommodated for multiple users to play music in an ensemble is configured by a main unit and a prescribed number of performance operators, which are physically separated from each other. The main unit installs speakers that are arranged in connection with the performance operators respectively. At least one of the performance operators is configured as a hold operator that is configured using a pressure sensor mounted on a base member and encapsulated in a hold member which is made by elastic material (e.g., urethane foam) and is formed in a round shape suited for grip of the user. Each of other performance operators installs at least a pad, which is manually operated by each user to issue tone-generation instructions. Performance data (e.g.

Abstract: Pulp is treated with a hemicellulase, e.g. a xylanase such as that derived from Bacillus sp. SD902, prior to being chemically modified. This results in excellent cellulose derivatives that could not be obtained by any conventional methods. Specifically, the cellulose derivatives produced by this method have improved filterability and increased water-solubility. In addition, according to this method, the formation of microgel is minimized, and the distribution of the substituents in the cellulose derivatives through the intramolecular substitution in the method is made more uniform.

Abstract: Pulp is treated with a hemicellulase, e.g. a xylanase such as that derived from Bacillus sp. SD902, prior to being chemically modified. This results in excellent cellulose derivatives that could not be obtained by any conventional methods. Specifically, the cellulose derivatives produced by this method have improved filterability and increased water-solubility. In addition, according to this method, the formation of microgel is minimized, and the distribution of the substituents in the cellulose derivatives through the intramolecular substitution in the method is made more uniform.

Abstract: Pulp is treated with a hemicellulase, e.g. a xylanase such as that derived from Bacillus sp. SD902, prior to being chemically modified. This results in excellent cellulose derivatives that could not be obtained by any conventional methods. Specifically, the cellulose derivatives produced by this method have improved filterability and increased water-solubility. In addition, according to this method, the formation of microgel is minimized, and the distribution of the substituents in the cellulose derivatives through the intramolecular substitution in the method is made more uniform.

Abstract: A musical tone signal generation apparatus accommodated for multiple users to play music in an ensemble is configured by a main unit and a prescribed number of performance operators, which are physically separated from each other. The main unit installs speakers that are arranged in connection with the performance operators respectively. At least one of the performance operators is configured as a hold operator that is configured using a pressure sensor mounted on a base member and encapsulated in a hold member which is made by elastic material (e.g., urethane foam) and is formed in a round shape suited for grip of the user. Each of other performance operators installs at least a pad, which is manually operated by each user to issue tone-generation instructions. Performance data (e.g.

Abstract: A musical tone signal generation apparatus accommodated for multiple users to play music in an ensemble is configured by a main unit and a prescribed number of performance operators, which are physically separated from each other. The main unit installs speakers that are arranged in connection with the performance operators respectively. Each performance operator installs at least a pad, which is manually operated by each user to issue tone-generation instructions. Performance data (e.g., MIDI data) and tone color data are provided with respect to at least a single musical tune constructed by plural parts respectively corresponding to plural tone colors, which are automatically assigned to the performance operators. In case of automatic performance, musical tone signals are automatically generated based on the performance data, so that the speakers produce corresponding musical tones.

Abstract: A table-type electronic percussion instrument is constructed by a table board, legs, pads as well as a musical tone generation circuit and a speaker system. Herein, the table board has a specific shape such as a pentagon-like shape which enables multiple persons to seat. The table board is supported by the legs and is constructed by a base material having a high rigidity and a dressing board like a plywood. The dressing board covers a surface of the base material through which holes are formed. The pads are arranged on a surface of the dressing board to match with locations of the holes. Sensors are provided inside of the holes and are attached to a backside of the dressing board. So, the sensors are arranged to detect striking force which is imparted to each of the pads by the persons. The musical tone generation circuit is provided beneath the table board to convert electric signals of the sensors to musical tone signals. The speaker system is located beneath the table board to generate musical tones (e.g.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus weighs a grown crystal that is being pulled from melt thereof. The lower end of a rope of known weight is connected to the crystal, while the upper end of the rope is connected to the drum of a rope-winding unit. The rope-winding unit includes a driver coupled to the drum so as to rotate the drum and wind the rope thereon, and the weight of the rope-winding unit including the drum and driver is known. At least one weight sensor is coupled to the rope-winding unit so as to measure the magnitude of gravity acting on the rope-winding unit. Whereby, the weight of the grown crystal is determined by subtracting the sum of the known weights of the rope and the rope-winding unit from the measured magnitude of the gravity acting on the rope-winding unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel xylanases, a process for producing the enzyme, a microorganism capable of producing the enzyme, a method for the treatment of pulp with the xylanase enzyme, and a process for producing xylose or xylo-oligosaccharide using the enzyme.

Abstract: A method for the production of a desiccant for HFC-32, HFC-152a and blended refrigerants containing HFC-32 and/or HFC-152a comprises immersing formed articles of 3A type zeolite having 20 to 60% in ion equivalent weight of its sodium ions exchanged for potassium ions in an aqueous solution of at least one member selected from the group consisting of sodium silicate and potassium silicate, thereby effecting deposition of SiO.sub.2 on the formed articles, removing the SiO.sub.2 -deposited formed articles from the aqueous solution, dehydrating the wet formed articles and subsequently activating the dehydrated formed articles. Also provided is a desiccant for HFC-32, HFC-152a and blended refrigerants containing HFC-32 and/or HFC-152a produced by this method.