Abstract: An input device includes a first part and a second part configured to move relative to each other according to an input operation, a magnetic viscous fluid whose viscosity changes according to a magnetic field, and a magnetic-field generator that generates the magnetic field applied to the magnetic viscous fluid. The second part includes a first surface and a second surface that are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a direction of relative movement between the first part and the second part. Gaps are formed between the first surface and the first part and between the second surface and the first part, and the magnetic viscous fluid is present in at least a part of the gaps.

Abstract: A manipulation feeling imparting input device has: a flat-type input, having a manipulation surface manipulated by a specific body region such as a user's fingertip, that outputs input information made by a manipulation performed on the manipulation surface; a support member that supports the input unit so as to be able to reciprocate in a pressing direction in response to a pressing manipulation performed on the input unit; and a vibration generating unit, connected to the input unit, that imparts vibration. The vibration generating unit has a vibration generating member having a movable part operable in a vibration direction; a vibration transmitting member connected to the movable part; and a base body that holds the vibration generating member. Vibration is imparted to the input unit when it is manipulated. The pressing direction of the pressing manipulation and the vibration direction in which vibration is imparted cross each other.

Abstract: A manipulation input device has a first detector and a second detector, disposed at different positions on a manipulative member, that detect the displacement of the manipulative member, the displacement being caused when the manipulative member receives a manipulation force, and also has a processor that performs processing to identify a position at which the manipulative member has received the manipulation force according to detection results obtained from the first detector and second detector and to the positions of the first detector and second detector on the manipulative member.

Abstract: Disclosed is controlling a vibration of a vibration generating device configured to reciprocatively vibrate an operating body movably supported in a first direction and a second direction which are opposite to each other, a driving signal being transmitting to a first interval and a second interval in which vibration frequencies of acceleration during movement of the operating body are different from each other, the first interval being an initial motion interval when the operating body moves toward the first direction, the second interval being an initial motion interval when the operating body moves toward the second direction. The vibration frequency of the second interval is smaller than the vibration frequency of the first interval which is equal to or smaller than 250 Hz, and the vibration frequency of the second interval is greater than the vibration frequency of the first interval which is equal to or greater than 250 Hz.

Abstract: Disclosed is controlling a vibration of a vibration generating device configured to reciprocatively vibrate an operating body movably supported in a first direction and a second direction which are opposite to each other, a driving signal being transmitting to a first interval and a second interval in which vibration frequencies of acceleration during movement of the operating body are different from each other, the first interval being an initial motion interval when the operating body moves toward the first direction, the second interval being an initial motion interval when the operating body moves toward the second direction. The vibration frequency of the second interval is smaller than the vibration frequency of the first interval which is equal to or smaller than 250 Hz, and the vibration frequency of the second interval is greater than the vibration frequency of the first interval which is equal to or greater than 250 Hz.

Abstract: The input apparatus with force feedback includes an operating unit that includes an operating surface, a detecting unit that detects an operation performed on the operating surface, a drive member that drives the operating unit, an elastic member that elastically supports the operating unit, and a base unit that holds the drive member. The drive member includes a solenoid that vertically drives an actuator connected to the operating unit and a casing member that holds the solenoid and the actuator. The actuator vertically penetrates through the casing member. The actuator includes a first damping member able to be brought into contact with a lower surface of the operating unit and a second damping member disposed between a lower surface of the casing member and part of the actuator. The second damping member is brought into contact with the actuator and the casing member as the actuator is driven.

Abstract: The input apparatus with force feedback includes an operating unit that includes an operating surface, a detecting unit that detects an operation performed on the operating surface, a drive member that drives the operating unit, an elastic member that elastically supports the operating unit, and a base unit that holds the drive member. The drive member includes a solenoid that vertically drives an actuator connected to the operating unit and a casing member that holds the solenoid and the actuator. The actuator vertically penetrates through the casing member. The actuator includes a first damping member able to be brought into contact with a lower surface of the operating unit and a second damping member disposed between a lower surface of the casing member and part of the actuator. The second damping member is brought into contact with the actuator and the casing member as the actuator is driven.

Abstract: Electrode portions located on both ends are set to detection electrode portions, ground electrode portions are set on the inside thereof, and a plurality of central electrode portions are set to driving detection portions. A coordinate position of a finger can be obtained based on an output difference between the detection electrode portions, and a vertical distance can be obtained based on an output sum. When the vertical distance of the finger is shorter than a first threshold, switching is performed so that an interval between the detection electrode portions is shortened, and when the finger approaches, a touch detection mode is set.

Abstract: All electrodes, which are arranged on the surface of a substrate, are independent electrodes that are electrically insulated from each other. The electrodes are selected in order so as to be set to a drive electrode, and drive power having a rectangular wave is applied to the drive electrode. The electrodes, which are adjacent to the drive electrode, are set to detection electrodes. Since drive power is applied to a single drive electrode, an electric field generated from the drive electrode uniformly spreads out in each direction. Accordingly, even though an operation of a space gesture is performed, it is possible to detect the operation with high resolution.

Abstract: An input device includes a control unit configured to have a first threshold value for a signal intensity, a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value, and a third threshold value for a fluctuation in a coordinate within a predetermined time, wherein the third threshold value has a predetermined range, and in the control unit, in a case where the signal intensity exceeding the first threshold value is obtained or a case where the signal intensity is situated between the first threshold value and the second threshold value and the fluctuation in a coordinate falls within the range of the third threshold value, an operation is recognized as the operation for the operation screen.

Abstract: A tactile-stimulus generation apparatus is enabled to apply an electric stimulus to a fingertip of a user, and a tactile-stimulus generation sheet configured by arranging a tactile-sensation generation electrode group on an insulating layer is installed on a front surface of a capacitive type coordinate input device. The tactile-sensation generation electrode group is distributed at positions where tactile-sensation generation electrodes overlap first or second electrodes of the coordinate input device as seen in plan view. If the fingertip is in proximity with the insulating layer, the fingertip is capacitively coupled to positive and negative electrodes of the tactile sensation generation electrode group to which a differential voltage is applied, and thus, a portion of a current directing from the positive electrode to the negative electrode passes through the fingertip, so that an electric stimulus is applied to the user due to the current.

Abstract: A tactile-stimulus generation apparatus is configured to apply an electric stimulus to a specific body part of a user, such as a fingertip. A tactile sensation generation electrode group is arranged on an insulating layer, which is installed beneath a front surface of a coordinate input device as a tactile-stimulus generation sheet. When the specific body part is placed in proximity with the insulating layer, the specific body part is capacitively coupled to both positive and negative side electrodes of the tactile sensation generation electrode group which causes differential voltages to be applied as a controlled stimulus across the positive and the negative electrode, where the amount of current which passes from the positive side electrode to the specific body part, is equal to the amount of current which flows out of the specific body part to the negative side electrode.

Abstract: An input device performs various input operations in a secure manner on the same operation plane. A sheet-like display member formed of an organic electroluminescence selectively displays a keyboard input display pattern, a specific operation plane display pattern, and a pad input section display pattern. Additionally, a partial pressing member is configured to press operation areas of the display patterns from downside so that the operations areas are partially deformed in a protruding manner. As a result, the protruding operation areas are clearly sensed by means of sight and touch. Furthermore, a contact position of a finger is detected by an electrostatic capacitance type sheet-like detection member laminated on the sheet-like display member.

Abstract: A catheter with a balloon for mitral valve formative operation includes a double tube having an inner tube and an outer tube disposed concentrically. A balloon is fastened at one end to the inner tube and at the other end to the outer tube. A balloon-extending pipe stopper is disposed at the tip of the inner tube and includes an entry diameter at one end sized to receive a balloon-extending pipe with an allowance. An inner diameter of the balloon-extending pipe stopper at an opposite end is smaller than the entry diameter. The inner diameter of the extending pipe stopper is substantially equivalent to a diameter of the balloon-extending pipe. In use, the balloon-extending pipe is inserted into the inner tube and brought into contact with the balloon-extending pipe stopper for axially extending the balloon for contraction in diameter.

Abstract: A vibration generator system is capable of generating vibrations of a frequency that can be bodily sensed by humans, notwithstanding a small size, and making setting of a configuration of vibrations easy. When a drive signal composed of a set of an accumulation signal and a damping signal is given as a natural frequency of a movable body, a vibrational waveform of the movable body makes an envelope. Since a frequency of the envelope is in a lower frequency band than the natural frequency of the movable body, humans can surely sense vibrations. When the number of and a current quantity of excitation signals and reverse excitation signals included in the accumulation signal are changed and the number of and a current quantity of inhibition signals and reverse inhibition signals included in the damping signal are changed, the envelope can be changed in frequency and amplitude, so that it becomes possible to generate a variety of vibrations.

Abstract: A vibration generator system is capable of generating vibrations of a frequency that can be bodily sensed by humans, notwithstanding a small size, and making setting of a configuration of vibrations easy. When a drive signal composed of a set of an accumulation signal and a damping signal is given as a natural frequency of a movable body, a vibrational waveform of the movable body makes an envelope. Since a frequency of the envelope is in a lower frequency band than the natural frequency of the movable body, humans can surely sense vibrations. When the number of and a current quantity of excitation signals and reverse excitation signals included in the accumulation signal are changed and the number of and a current quantity of inhibition signals and reverse inhibition signals included in the damping signal are changed, the envelope can be changed in frequency and amplitude, so that it becomes possible to generate a variety of vibrations.

Abstract: A zone where a head is positioned is determined in a track to be one of zones 1 to 4 according to a combination of the polarities of phase-A and phase-B detection outputs having different phases, and the positional deviation of the head from the current position to the center of the target track is obtained from the phase-B detection output in the zone. The phase-B detection output is provided with a dead zone corresponding to a range where both detection outputs have a phase-difference error. Therefore, even if the phase difference has an error, the positional deviation of the head is accurately calculated.

Abstract: A head-controlling device of a disk apparatus is provided that can precisely move a head stepwise to the position of each track on a recording surface of a disk. When detection output values A1 and B1 of phases A and B that are out of phase satisfy a relational value, a determination is made that a magnetic head is aligned with the position of a track. The calculation of the relational value of the phase A and the phase B detection values makes it possible to reliably align the head with each track position even when the phase difference of the two phases is not correct.

Abstract: The radius range of a formatted zone in each medium differs. A floppy disk and an another-standard high-capacity medium are distinguished by reading a reproduction output at an inside position in the formatted zone by heads. Since the another-standard high-capacity medium has a formatted zone starting from a more inside position than that for the floppy disk, both media can be distinguished by reading a reproduction output by the heads to check a difference in the inside position of the formatted zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter with a balloon, comprising a double tube consisting of an inner tube and an outer tube disposed concentrically and a balloon fastened at one end to the inner tube and at the other end to the outer tube, and further satisfying the following requirement (A) or (B):