Abstract: An operation input device includes an operation input unit that is configured to receive a tracing operation performed in a one-dimensional direction. The operation input unit includes a plurality of mechanical switches that are arranged side by side in an operation direction and each include an operation surface subjected to the tracing operation, the operation surface defining a curved surface along the operation direction.

Abstract: An operation input device includes an operation input unit that is configured to receive a tracing operation performed in a one-dimensional direction. The operation input unit includes a plurality of mechanical switches that are arranged side by side in an operation direction and each include an operation surface subjected to the tracing operation, the operation surface defining a curved surface along the operation direction.

Abstract: An operation input device includes an operation detection unit that detects an operation made on an operating surface divided into a plurality of operation regions to which functions executed by a controlled device are assigned and at least one border region located between adjacent operation regions of the plurality of operation regions; and a controller that outputs control information for controlling the controlled device to collectively change states of the functions assigned to operation regions, of the plurality of operation regions, adjacent to a border region, of the at least one border region, in which an operation has been detected, on the basis of a trajectory of the operation detected in the border region.

Abstract: A database management apparatus including an auxiliary storage unit for storing structured data and a database management part for managing the structured data, which extracts all paths showing a storage position of the structured data to be processed from an SQL statement for processing the structured data; when a plurality of the paths are extracted, the database management apparatus compares the extracted paths with each other, and extracts as a common path a common part of both the paths; and processes using the SQL statement the structured data of nodes of the storage position or lower shown by the extracted common path.

Abstract: A method of impregnating wood with liquid puts the wood in a pressure vessel, immerses the wood in the liquid contained in the pressure vessel, pressurizes the liquid to compress the wood while keeping the temperature of the wood at or above the softening point of the wood, and reduces pressure in the pressure vessel so that the wood may cause volume relaxation in the liquid and be impregnated with the liquid.