Abstract: A touch panel includes a first substrate, a first resistance layer on a surface of the first substrate, a second substrate, a second resistance layer on a surface of the second substrate, a spacer having substantially a frame shape provided between outer peripheries of the first and second substrates, a sheet having a surface attached to the surface of the second substrate with a first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on the surface of the sheet. The second resistance layer faces the first resistance layer by a predetermined gap between the second and first resistance layers. The second adhesive layer has an adhesion property weaker than that of the first adhesive layer. This touch panel can be attached onto a display element again easily.

Abstract: A method for depositing material on a channel plate such that the material is registered to one or more channels formed in the channel plate includes filling at least one of the channels with a resist that is not wetted by the material; depositing the material on at least a region of the channel plate that includes at least part of the resist, the material registering with at least one channel edge as a result of the material's abutment to the resist; and then removing the resist. The method may be used, in one embodiment, to apply an adhesive or gasket material that is used in assembling a switch.

Abstract: A sunroof and a sunroof switch are disclosed. The switch includes provisions that assist in preventing the simultaneous operation of two different modes. A mechanical arrangement is used to prevent the knob from being depressed and slid at the same time. Also, in some cases, the mechanical arrangement can help to prevent the knob from being depressed once it has been moved or moved once it has been depressed.

Abstract: An economical, force-sensing “stiff” capacitive joystick includes a user-manipulable handle coupled to an electrically conductive drive plate, and an electrically conductive surface spaced apart from the drive plate. In the preferred embodiment, one or both of the drive plate and the conductive surface are segmented to produce multiple capacitive sensing elements, such that a force applied to the handle causes a slight deflection of the drive plate, enabling the force to be computed in at least two dimensions through changes detectable in the capacitive sensing elements. One or more electrical controls may be provided on the handle to accommodate different functions. For convenient construction, the electrically conductive drive plate is non-segmented, and the electrically conductive surface forms part of a printed-circuit board having a segmented pattern.