Abstract: A small and thin pressing direction sensor that can continually detect pressing directions in the angle range of 360 degrees is provided. This pressing direction sensor includes a ring-like resistive film pattern, a first electrode pattern, and a conductive member that electrically connects the resistive film pattern and the first electrode pattern when pressed. The voltage of the first electrode pattern represents the pressing direction. This pressing direction sensor may further include a second electrode pattern. A signal representing the pressing force can be obtained from the second electrode pattern when the pressed conductive member is brought into contact with the second electrode pattern.

Abstract: A coordinates input device includes an operation unit that receives an operation input, a vibration generator that applies a vibration to the operation unit, and a vibration control unit that controls the vibration generator to apply the vibration to the operation unit when the operation input is received by the operation unit. The vibration generator includes a power feed unit provided to the operation unit, and a magnetic-field applying unit having sub-units. Each of the sub-units has first and second magnets spaced apart from each other with a given gap. The magnetic flux produced by the first and second magnets crosses a current flowing in the power feed unit.

Abstract: In an inputting apparatus which is manipulated with a finger placed on a manipulating section included in the inputting apparatus, the manipulating section is configured to stimulate the tactile sense of the finger used in the manipulating, enabling to confirm the inputting.

Abstract: An input device and a driving device able to be made thin and secure sufficiently large vibration amplitude are provided. The input device comprises an input panel, a current conducting element for conducting a driving current, and a magnetic field application unit for applying a magnetic field on the current conducting element. Both of the current conducting element and the magnetic field application unit are arranged in the peripheral region of the input panel. The magnetic field applied by the magnetic field application unit is parallel to the input panel and intersects the current conducting element. When the input panel is touched, a driving current is fed into the current conducting element, and a force is imposed on the current conducting element and the magnetic field application unit, making them move. This movement further drives the input panel to vibrate. Consequently, input operations can be recognized by feeling the vibration of the input panel.

Abstract: An actuator includes magnets that are arranged in a flat form, coils that face the magnets, a moving member that is connected to the coils, a first holding member that holds the moving member in such a manner that the moving member can slide within a predetermined range; and a second holding member that holds the first holding member in such a manner that the first holding member can slide within a predetermined range in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the moving member. This actuator moves the coils against the magnets.

Abstract: An input device that transmits, to a host device having a display displaying a pointer, information relating to the pointer and includes a sensor detecting contact information, and further includes an area extracting part and a control part. The area extracting part extracts a contact area of the sensor and a finger based on the contact information detected by the sensor. The control part controls the pointer based on the contact area extracted by the area extracting part.

Abstract: An actuator includes magnets that are arranged in a flat form, coils that face the magnets, a moving member that is connected to the coils, a first holding member that holds the moving member in such a manner that the moving member can slide within a predetermined range; and a second holding member that holds the first holding member in such a manner that the first holding member can slide within a predetermined range in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the moving member. This actuator moves the coils against the magnets.

Abstract: A coordinates input device includes an operation unit that receives an operation input, a vibration generator that applies a vibration to the operation unit, and a vibration control unit that controls the vibration generator to apply the vibration to the operation unit when the operation input is received by the operation unit. The vibration generator includes a power feed unit provided to the operation unit, and a magnetic-field applying unit having sub-units. Each of the sub-units has first and second magnets spaced apart from each other with a given gap. The magnetic flux produced by the first and second magnets crosses a current flowing in the power feed unit.

Abstract: In an inputting apparatus which is manipulated with a finger placed on a manipulating section included in the inputting apparatus, the manipulating section is configured to stimulate the tactile sense of the finger used in the manipulating, enabling to confirm the inputting.

Abstract: A small and thin pressing direction sensor that can continually detect pressing directions in the angle range of 360 degrees is provided. This pressing direction sensor includes a ring-like resistive film pattern, a first electrode pattern, and a conductive member that electrically connects the resistive film pattern and the first electrode pattern when pressed. The voltage of the first electrode pattern represents the pressing direction. This pressing direction sensor may further include a second electrode pattern. A signal representing the pressing force can be obtained from the second electrode pattern when the pressed conductive member is brought into contact with the second electrode pattern.

Abstract: An input device and a driving device able to be made thin and secure sufficiently large vibration amplitude are provided. The input device comprises an input panel, a current conducting element for conducting a driving current, and a magnetic field application unit for applying a magnetic field on the current conducting element. Both of the current conducting element and the magnetic field application unit are arranged in the peripheral region of the input panel. The magnetic field applied by the magnetic field application unit is parallel to the input panel and intersects the current conducting element. When the input panel is touched, a driving current is fed into the current conducting element, and a force is imposed on the current conducting element and the magnetic field application unit, making them move. This movement further drives the input panel to vibrate. Consequently, input operations can be recognized by feeling the vibration of the input panel.

Abstract: A small and thin pressing direction sensor that can continually detect pressing directions in the angle range of 360 degrees is provided. This pressing direction sensor includes a ring-like resistive film pattern, a first electrode pattern, and a conductive member that electrically connects the resistive film pattern and the first electrode pattern when pressed. The voltage of the first electrode pattern represents the pressing direction. This pressing direction sensor may further include a second electrode pattern. A signal representing the pressing force can be obtained from the second electrode pattern when the pressed conductive member is brought into contact with the second electrode pattern.

Abstract: A small and thin pressing direction sensor that can continually detect pressing directions in the angle range of 360 degrees is provided. This pressing direction sensor includes a ring-like resistive film pattern, a first electrode pattern, and a conductive member that electrically connects the resistive film pattern and the first electrode pattern when pressed. The voltage of the first electrode pattern represents the pressing direction. This pressing direction sensor may further include a second electrode pattern. A signal representing the pressing force can be obtained from the second electrode pattern when the pressed conductive member is brought into contact with the second electrode pattern.

Abstract: An input device that transmits, to a host device having a display displaying a pointer, information relating to the pointer and includes a sensor detecting contact information, and further includes an area extracting part and a control part. The area extracting part extracts a contact area of the sensor and a finger based on the contact information detected by the sensor. The control part controls the pointer based on the contact area extracted by the area extracting part.