Abstract: An optical unit is disclosed which is capable of being easily assembled, enabling its optical element to smoothly move, and preventing friction loss from being generated around its nut member. A lens driving apparatus is provided for moving an optical element holder, which supports an optical element having an optical axis and is movable along a guide member, in an extension direction of the optical axis, using a nut integrally provided at the holder, and a lead screw threadedly coupled to the nut to rotate forward and backward by a driving unit. In the lens driving apparatus, the forward or backward rotation of the motor is transmitted to the lead screw via a reduction gear train. The lead screw is installed to be inclinedly movable with respect to the extension direction of the optical axis about threaded coupling portions of a threaded section of the lead screw and the nut.

Abstract: An optical unit is disclosed which is capable of being easily assembled, enabling its optical element to smoothly move, and preventing friction loss from being generated around its nut member. A lens driving apparatus is provided for moving an optical element holder, which supports an optical element having an optical axis and is movable along a guide member, in an extension direction of the optical axis, using a nut integrally provided at the holder, and a lead screw threadedly coupled to the nut to rotate forward and backward by a driving unit. In the lens driving apparatus, the forward or backward rotation of the motor is transmitted to the lead screw via a reduction gear train. The lead screw is installed to be inclinedly movable with respect to the extension direction of the optical axis about threaded coupling portions of a threaded section of the lead screw and the nut.

Abstract: A hand rotational position detection device of a watch includes a light emitting part, a reflection face which is formed on a second support body which faces a first support body in an opposed manner with a gap G defined therebetween and on which light from the light emitting part is obliquely incident, a light receiving part which is mounted at a position spaced apart from the light emitting part so as to receive light obliquely reflected on the reflection face, and a disc like rotary body which is arranged in the gap defined between the first and the second support bodies and includes an opening which opens an incident optical path Pi leading from the light emitting part to the reflection face and a reflection optical path leading from the reflection face to the light receiving part when the disc-like rotary body assumes a first rotational position with respect to the first support body, wherein when the disc-like rotary body is at the first rotational position, an imaginary line which connects the incident

Abstract: To provide a hand position detecting apparatus capable of accurately detecting that a hand reaches a predetermined position and an electronic timepiece using the same.

Abstract: An ultrasonic touch panel is offered which can detect whether there is a touch, at an improved accuracy without the need to adjust the detection sensitivities of individual piezoelectric bodies separately. The piezoelectric bodies have comb-like electrodes that excite ultrasonic waves. A sealant is applied to those of the side surfaces of the piezoelectric bodies which intersect with the direction of propagation of the excited ultrasonic waves. This suppresses reflection of the ultrasonic waves, thus attenuating ultrasonic waves propagating to the intersecting side surfaces. Generation of parasitic waves which would normally be caused by reflection of ultrasonic waves is prevented.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a casing (1), an input member (2) having an input surface, a rotary member (3) formed of a transparent base material, a light source (4), a light detecting means (5) having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, and a signal processing means (8), wherein partial images obtained from light emitted from the light source toward the input surface and reflected by troughs of a finger (6) in contact with the input surface, and a light-dark pattern provided on the surface of one end portion of the rotary member adapted to rotate while in contact with the finger, are successively detected, whereby a whole image of a fingerprint is synthesized from the partial images by the signal processing means (8).

Abstract: A coordinate reader comprises a coordinate detector body having at least one excitation line, at least one detection line, an exciting circuit connected to the excitation line for supplying an exciting signal, a signal processing circuit connected to the detection line for receiving an induction signal generated in the detection line and outputting a signal containing amplitude information of the induction signal, and a control circuit for receiving the signal outputted by the signal processing unit and outputting an excitation control signal to the exciting circuit. A coordinate indicator indicates position information obtained from the induction signal induced in the detection line. A phase detecting circuit detects a phase difference between the excitation signal and the induction signal generated in the detection line.