Abstract: A lighting unit 12 of the present invention includes a first light source unit LU1, a second light source unit LU2, and a light guide plate 19. The first light source unit LU1 includes a first light source group 171 and a first board 181 having a first mount portion 181a and a first empty portion 181b. The second light source unit LU2 includes a second light source group 172 and a second board having a second mount portion 182a and a second empty portion 182b. The light guide plate 19 is a plate member and includes a first light entrance portion 191c, a first fixing portion 191b, a second light entrance portion 192c, a second fixing portion 192b, and a light exit portion 19a. The light guide plate 19 includes the first light entrance portion 191c on one edge portion 191 of the plate member and light enters the light guide plate 19 through the first light entrance portion 191c.

Abstract: Provided is an illuminating device wherein replacement of a light source is facilitated and generation of luminance nonuniformity is suppressed. An illuminating device (10) is provided with a light source module (5) which is attached to a bottom section (1a) from a rear surface side of a case member (1). On a prescribed section on the bottom section (1a), a through hole (1b) is formed, and a prescribed section of the through hole protrudes to the side of a storing space (10a). An LED (6) is arranged to face a light incoming surface (3a) of a light guide plate (3) by having the LED (6) protrude to the side of the storing space (10a) through the through hole (1b).

Abstract: A satellite antenna switching apparatus has LNB ports to which LNBs are connected, receiver ports to which receivers that exchange signals with the LNBs are connected, cascade ports to which another switching apparatus is cascade-connected, and impedance circuits that function as means for detecting the signals exchanged between the LNBs and receivers. The impedance circuits provide impedances according to the connection states of the cascade ports, and are electrically disconnected from the signal paths when another switching apparatus is cascade-connected to the cascade ports. With this configuration, the satellite antenna switching apparatus suffers from less attenuation of the exchanged signals even in a cascade connection of a plurality of stages of switching apparatuses.

Abstract: An optical pickup includes a semiconductor laser for emitting light at a wavelength ?1 and a semiconductor laser for emitting light at a different wavelength ?2 from the wavelength ?1. The light at the wavelength ?1 transmitted through an objective lens forms a light-collecting spot on an optical disk to record/reproduce information thereon. The light at the wavelength ?2 transmitted through the objective lens forms a light-collecting spot on an optical disk to record/reproduce information thereon, the two optical disks having different substrate thicknesses. Between the semiconductor laser and the objective lens is there provided a combination-type diffractive element fabricated by combining two raw materials having different refractive index behaviors in relation to wavelength at a combining plane shaped as a grating. The structure facilitates good recording/reproduction on the two types of recording media irrespective of the reproduction wavelengths or substrate thicknesses of the recording media.

Abstract: A charging device for use in an image forming apparatus is disclosed which charges an object to be charged by contacting a conductive charging member with the surface of the object and then applying a voltage across the charging member and the object,wherein at least a contact portion of the charging member comprises a conductive material having a hygroscopic degree of 0.2% or less.