Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a volume operation module, a first volume controller and a second volume controller. The volume operation module includes a rotary encoder module of detecting a degree of movement of a control member thereof and a potentiometer module of detecting an absolute position of the control member. The first volume controller controls the volume of the audio signal based on the detected degree of movement of the control member. The second volume controller controls the volume of the audio signal based on the detected absolute position of the control member. The volume control by the first volume controller is rendered effective when the information processing apparatus is in a power-on state. The volume control by the second volume controller is rendered effective when the information processing apparatus is in a power-off state.

Abstract: A switch element (1) for actuating a setting parameter on an electronic microdevice, such as a hearing aid, is characterized by a rotary element (7) having peripherally at least three contact points (9), said contact points being connected to one another in electrically conductive fashion. Furthermore, the switch element has an elastically mounted reset element connected with the rotary element as well as at least two electric leader contacts (3, 5), which can be switched into electrically conducting contact by turning the rotary element via the contact points.

Abstract: Simple and compact structures for an attenuator or resistor ladder can be implemented in a standard integrated circuit process as well as hybrid, thick or thin film ceramic processes, which allows metallization along with resistive components. The structure has the mathematical property that it attenuates an applied reference voltage logarithmically/exponentially along its length because of the natural solution of the Laplace equation for this type of geometry and contact configuration.

Abstract: An improved variable resistor at least partially compensates for non-linearities in an electrical circuit containing a heating element, for example, a thin-film heating element. A controllable heater includes a heating element, a voltage source (for example, a standard AC electrical outlet) coupled to the heating element, and a variable resistor coupled to the heating element and voltage source. The variable resistor includes a fixed resistive element (for example, one or more thin-film resistors) and a moveable element such as a slider control. The moveable element adjustably contacts the fixed resistive element at a contact point associated with the position such that the variable resistor has a resistance that is at least partially non-linearly related to the position, but wherein the heating element has a dissipated power that is at least partially linearly related to the position of the variable resistor.

Abstract: A sensor comprises a linear region (variable region) in which the output voltage is changed in proportion to the accelerator opening degree, and a stepped region (invariable region) in which the output voltage is not changed with respect to the accelerator opening degree. A resistor electrode for constructing the sensor is formed by laminating a resistor composed of a resistance substance on a base plate in a linear section corresponding to the linear region. In a stepped section corresponding to the stepped region, the resistor electrode is formed by laminating the resistor on a conductive layer composed of a conductive substance formed on the base plate.

Abstract: A digital potentiometer capable of being connected directly to an electronic switch is disclosed. The digital potentiometer for example may utilize a 64 step resistor array, which would then have 64 steps. Each of the steps have precise values so as to accurately attenuate a signal in logarithmic steps. The logarithmic resistor is connected to a gate device which in turn has a voltage source connected to it designed to provide the threshold or turn-on voltage for the device for each of the 64 steps and wiper points of the resistor array.

Abstract: A chip-type variable resistor is provided which includes an insulating substrate formed with a resistor strip which is arcuate at least partially and has both ends electrically connected to respective extremity electrode terminals, an intermediate terminal member mounted to the substrate, and a contact member electrically connected to the intermediate terminal member and rotatably mounted to the substrate in slidable contact with the resistor strip. The resistor strip includes at least one portion having a lower area resistivity (defined as a resistance per unit surface area) and at least another portion having a higher area resistivity.

Abstract: A digital potentiometer adapted for and connected to and interacting directly with a plurality of external switches. Specifically, the various wiper points of a semiconductor resistor array are selected, for each channel of an audio amplification device according to various switch selections. The method and apparatus disclosed also makes priority determinations if more than one external switch is selected at the same time according to which switch was selected first.

Abstract: A calibration method for a potentiometer which provides indicia reflecting an accurate indication of actual electrical resistance throughout the resistive range of a particular potentiometer. The indicia includes a number of graduation marks or symbols having a range and spacing unique to the resistive characteristics of the particular potentiometer. The indicia is fixed with respect to a known location associated with the particular potentiometer. The range and spacing of the indicia graduations is derived from measured resistance values at predetermined locations along the resistive member of the particular potentiometer.

Abstract: A control stick is supported in an outer case such that it can be swung in two orthogonal directions. A moving member is fitted to the lower portion of the control stick through a coil spring. The lower end of the moving member is urged by the coil spring to a rotation-symmetrical cup-shaped inside surface of a guide case so as to make pressure contact with the inside surface. The curvature of the inside surface is determined so as to provide such a relationship that a contraction length of the coil spring is proportional to a square root of a tilt angle of the control stick from its neutral position.

Abstract: A first film disposed in a first direction on an integrated circuit chip and having uniformly spaced taps provides progressively increasing resistance values. A second film disposed on the chip in a direction opposite to the first direction at a position displaced in any direction from the first film may have a construction corresponding to that of the first film. First and second reference voltages may be respectively applied to the first and second ends of the first and second films. Particular taps on the first film may be connected to taps in corresponding positions on the second film with corresponding voltages. A plurality of differential comparators are provided, each with a signal input and a reference input. Each comparator reference input is connected to an individual one of the taps on the first film, but not necessarily to successive taps. The reference input connections to the taps may have a non-linear (e.g. a luminance) spacing in the first direction to provide a non-linear voltage (e.g.

Abstract: A plurality of equally spaced terminals may be disposed at a side edge of a substantially uniformly resistive thin film. A reference potential (e.g. ground) may be applied to the second side of the film. An energizing voltage may be applied at the juncture between the first side edge and a particular one of the top and bottom edges of the film. In this way, the successive terminals receive voltages with a logarithmic relationship relative to the terminal positions. When a linear relationship of voltages is desired at successive terminals in a low range, no reference potential is applied to the second side edge of the thin film. Instead, the other one of the top and bottom edges may receive the reference voltage. Alternatively no reference voltage may be applied and terminals indicating the linear voltages may be disposed at such other edge.

Abstract: An inexpensive potentiometer circuit having an approximately logarithmic characteristic that can be accurately determined is obtained if a resistance element having a linearly adjustable ohmic resistance value is connected parallel to a negative impedance converter (1) having an output port connected to a fixed ohmic resistor (8).

Abstract: The invention provides new potentiometer-type function generators that have (1) a resistance element having a two-dimensional contact surface with boundaries arranged so that a non-uniform voltage distribution is produced when the resistance element is electrified and (2) a contact member which is mounted so as to permit relative movement in two different directions between it and the contact surface of the resistance element.

Abstract: Waveform generating apparatus for synthesizing a non-linear waveform by sampling voltage levels along a series string of resistances. The series string of resistances is a linear resistance fabricated in a monolithic integrated circuit structure and includes a series of contiguous resistance elements of approximately the same physical configuration and of approximately equal resistance value. Each resistance element has a projection or nub. Particular ones of the nubs serve as source regions for MOS switching transistors at the sampling point. The intervening nubs are unconnected. The symmetry of the structure compensates for errors otherwise introduced by the presence of source region nubs at sampling points spaced in a non-linear relationship.

Abstract: Thin film resistors (FIG. 1) are produced on flexible tape 1 to provide at low cost a very wide range of precision resistors having low inductance. A reel of tape 70 coated with resistive material is etched to create a plurality of sinuous resistor patterns 3 and an array of spaced interconnection pads 102 suitable for connection to external leads via intermediate wires. Formation of a resistor of the desired precision value is performed by a selection of two pads, preferably by automated means by a trial and error technique. Prior to pad selection, the resistor can be covered with a material 4 which provides stability of resistance, mechnical protection and facilitation of assembly.

Abstract: In a variable resistor of the type wherein there is formed on an insulating substrate a resistive member having wide portions and narrow portions in the sliding direction of a slide member and ends thereof wired respectively to a ground terminal and an input terminal. A plurality of contact elements formed on said slide member are brought into sliding contact with said resistive member and a high resistance film allowing the passage of electrostatic charges therethrough is formed at portions of said insulating substrate lying within the sliding passage of said contact elements so that a part of said contact elements comes into contact therewith when it comes off from said resistive member.

Abstract: A cam program controlled system providing a continuous set point signal representing a time function relationship using an impulse or stepping drive motor. The drive motor impulses are electronically derived; and therefore, the system's time base or speed can be readily varied using switches and/or jumpers, instead of requiring gear train or motor changes. Also, the drive motor is coupled to the cam program through only a pinion and an anti-backlash drive gear. The cam follower arm is biased against the cam with a constant force. Controls are provided so that a cam scriber built into the cam follower and a controller which is normally provided in the system enables the system to be used for preparing new cams.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to ornamental lighting controls and particularly to a lighting control for Christmas tree lighting having preferably at least four duty cycle outputs and wherein the duty cycle pattern of each output differs, with respect to a predetermined time interval, from the duty cycle pattern of each of the other outputs of the control thereby to produce, in a plurality of ornamental lighting strings respectively connected to the outputs of the control, a coordinated condition of continuously changing light intensities between strings and that occur in predetermined sequential time differing order to result in an overall lighting effect totally unobtainable by any other form of light controlling apparatus.

Abstract: A variable output function double bias potentiometer having first and second low resistance zones to provide two bias voltages and a high resistance zone with which output means are in contact to provide an output function which can be freely varied between the two bias voltages.

Abstract: A variable resistor provided with a mechanism which permits the tap resistance to be varied non-linearly; that is, the mechanism permits a contactor to be displaced at a varying rate in response to the operation of input means at a constant rate.