Abstract: An encryption method includes the steps of (a) generating random data including a first part and a second part, the first part specifying an operation to be performed on plain text data and the second part being used in the operation, (b) performing the specified operation on the plain text data using the second part of the random data, and (c) transmitting a result of the operation together with the random data.

Abstract: A touch panel that includes a polarizing plate, and used as an input device of a display unit of a personal computer, a word processor, an electronic notebook and the like is structured by one or more films that have a low heat contraction coefficient and a low water absorption coefficient, which remarkably suppress occurrence of concave deformations of the polarizing plate after exposure to a high temperature and soaking in water, avoiding short circuits.

Abstract: A pointing device including a base section, an operating section shiftably supported on the base section, a magnet carried on one of the base section and the operating section, and a magneto-electro transducer carried on the other of the base section and the operating section at a location close to the magnet. The operating section includes a first part securely holding one of the magnet and the magneto-electro transducer and supported on the base section shiftably in a desired horizontal direction relative to the base section, and a second part connected to the first part and elastically biasing the first part toward a home position in a horizontal shifting range during a period when the first part is horizontally shifted along the base section.

Abstract: A pointing device including a base section, an operating section shiftably supported on the base section, a magnet carried on one of the base section and the operating section, and a magneto-electro transducer carried on the other of the base section and the operating section at a location close to the magnet. The operating section includes a first part securely holding one of the magnet and the magneto-electro transducer and supported on the base section shiftably in a desired horizontal direction relative to the base section, and a second part connected to the first part and elastically biasing the first part toward a home position in a horizontal shifting range during a period when the first part is horizontally shifted along the base section.

Abstract: A pointing device including a base section, an operating section shiftably supported on the base section, a magnet carried on one of the base section and the operating section, and a magneto-electro transducer carried on the other of the base section and the operating section at a location close to the magnet. The operating section includes a first part securely holding one of the magnet and the magneto-electro transducer and supported on the base section shiftably in a desired horizontal direction relative to the base section, and a second part connected to the first part and elastically biasing the first part toward a home position in a horizontal shifting range during a period when the first part is horizontally shifted along the base section.

Abstract: A pointing device including a base section, an operating section shiftably supported on the base section, a magnet carried on one of the base section and the operating section, and a magneto-electro transducer carried on the other of the base section and the operating section at a location close to the magnet. The operating section includes a first part securely holding one of the magnet and the magneto-electro transducer and supported on the base section shiftably in a desired horizontal direction relative to the base section, and a second part connected to the first part and elastically biasing the first part toward a home position in a horizontal shifting range during a period when the first part is horizontally shifted along the base section.

Abstract: A pointing device including a base section, an operating section shiftably supported on the base section, a magnet carried on one of the base section and the operating section, and a magneto-electro transducer carried on the other of the base section and the operating section at a location close to the magnet. The operating section includes a first part securely holding one of the magnet and the magneto-electro transducer and supported on the base section shiftably in a desired horizontal direction relative to the base section, and a second part connected to the first part and elastically biasing the first part toward a home position in a horizontal shifting range during a period when the first part is horizontally shifted along the base section.

Abstract: A roll paper cutter, for cutting roll paper which is fed out from a roll of paper so that it can be separated from an outer circumference of the roll of paper, comprises: a rail extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail perpendicular to the roll paper feeding direction; a stationary knife fixed at and supported by a carriage moving along the rail in the longitudinal direction of the rail; and a rotary knife pivotally supported by the carriage and rotated coming into contact with the stationary knife when the carriage is moved. When the carriage is moved in the longitudinal direction of the rail, a cutting edge intersection formed by the rotary knife, which is rotated by the movement of the carriage, and also formed by the stationary knife crosses and cuts the roll paper in the width direction.

Abstract: A pointing device including a base section, an operating section shiftably supported on the base section, a magnet carried on one of the base section and the operating section, and a magneto-electro transducer carried on the other of the base section and the operating section at a location close to the magnet. The operating section includes a first part securely holding one of the magnet and the magneto-electro transducer and supported on the base section shiftably in a desired horizontal direction relative to the base section, and a second part connected to the first part and elastically biasing the first part toward a home position in a horizontal shifting range during a period when the first part is horizontally shifted along the base section.

Abstract: A sensor unit includes a support body having a concave surface, a spherical body formed of a magnetic material and placed on the concave surface of the support body so as to roll freely thereon, a permanent magnet producing a magnetic field affecting the magnetic spherical body, and a magnetic sensor detecting a change in the magnetic field caused by the movement of said magnetic spherical body. The magnetic spherical body and the permanent magnet are provided to oppose each other with a given distance therebetween in a vertical direction. The magnetic sensor is provided between the magnetic spherical body and the permanent magnet. An output is produced in accordance with the detection by the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a paper roll containing part containing a paper roll; a printer unit provided side by side with the paper roll containing part, the printer unit printing information on paper pulled from the paper roll and cutting a piece off the pulled paper on which piece the information is printed; and a presenter unit. The presenter unit includes a reception opening formed on an upper side thereof and receiving the cut piece of paper delivered from the printer unit, first and second ejection openings formed on opposite ends of the presenter unit and ejecting the cut piece of paper, and a conveying mechanism conveying the cut piece of paper between the first and second ejection openings. The presenter unit is provided below the paper roll containing part and the printer unit so that the cut piece of paper is delivered into the reception opening.

Abstract: An acceleration-sensing system for sensing acceleration in a three-dimensional manner is proposed. The acceleration-sensing system includes a first acceleration-sensing unit for sensing acceleration in a two-dimensional manner along first and second directions that are perpendicular to each other and a second acceleration-sensing unit for sensing acceleration in a one-dimensional manner along at least another direction that is perpendicular to the first and second directions.

Abstract: A key switch includes a switch provided on a base, a key top for operating the switch, and a link mechanism supported on the base and supporting the key top on its upper side, a shape of the link mechanism being changed when the key top is depressed. A movable plate is provided on the base, in stacked relationship; such that the movable plate is moved when the key top is depressed so as to change the shape of the link mechanism to a flat shape. An auxiliary link mechanism has a first part supported on the moveable plate and, in turn, by the base and a second part supporting the key top.

Abstract: A data exchange system comprises a plurality of computers and a computer switcher connected to each of the computers. Each computer has a data exchanger configured to generate a data transfer request. The computer switcher has an interface controller configured to receive the data transfer request from a first computer, obtain requested data from a second computer or from data storage, and supply the requested data to the first computer.

Abstract: An encryption method includes the steps of (a) generating random data including a first part and a second part, the first part specifying an operation to be performed on plain text data and the second part being used in the operation, (b) performing the specified operation on the plain text data using the second part of the random data, and (c) transmitting a result of the operation together with the random data.

Abstract: A touch panel that includes a polarizing plate, and used as an input device of a display unit of a personal computer, a word processor, an electronic notebook and the like is structured by one or more films that have a low heat contraction coefficient and a low water absorption coefficient, which remarkably suppress occurrence of concave deformations of the polarizing plate after exposure to a high temperature and soaking in water, avoiding short circuits.

Abstract: An acceleration-sensing system for sensing acceleration in a three-dimensional manner is proposed. The acceleration-sensing system includes a first acceleration-sensing unit for sensing acceleration in a two-dimensional manner along first and second directions that are perpendicular to each other and a second acceleration-sensing unit for sensing acceleration in a one-dimensional manner along at least another direction that is perpendicular to the first and second directions.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a paper roll containing part containing a paper roll; a printer unit provided side by side with the paper roll containing part, the printer unit printing information on paper pulled from the paper roll and cutting a piece off the pulled paper on which piece the information is printed; and a presenter unit. The presenter unit includes a reception opening formed on an upper side thereof and receiving the cut piece of paper delivered from the printer unit, first and second ejection openings formed on opposite ends of the presenter unit and ejecting the cut piece of paper, and a conveying mechanism conveying the cut piece of paper between the first and second ejection openings. The presenter unit is provided below the paper roll containing part and the printer unit so that the cut piece of paper is delivered into the reception opening.

Abstract: A roll paper cutter, for cutting roll paper which is fed out from a roll of paper so that it can be separated from an outer circumference of the roll of paper, comprises: a rail extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail perpendicular to the roll paper feeding direction; a stationary knife fixed at and supported by a carriage moving along the rail in the longitudinal direction of the rail; and a rotary knife pivotally supported by the carriage and rotated coming into contact with the stationary knife when the carriage is moved. When the carriage is moved in the longitudinal direction of the rail, a cutting edge intersection formed by the rotary knife, which is rotated by the movement of the carriage, and also formed by the stationary knife crosses and cuts the roll paper in the width direction.

Abstract: A sensor unit includes a support body having a concave surface, a spherical body formed of a magnetic material and placed on the concave surface of the support body so as to roll freely thereon, a permanent magnet producing a magnetic field affecting the magnetic spherical body, and a magnetic sensor detecting a change in the magnetic field caused by the movement of said magnetic spherical body. The magnetic spherical body and the permanent magnet are provided to oppose each other with a given distance therebetween in a vertical direction. The magnetic sensor is provided between the magnetic spherical body and the permanent magnet. An output is produced in accordance with the detection by the magnetic sensor.