Abstract: A manual gearshift device for an automotive automatic transmission operative in an automatic shift mode in which a gear ratio is automatically varied according to driving conditions and a manual mode in which a gear ratio is manually changed is disclosed. The manual gear shift device, that is installed to spokes of a steering wheel extending in substantially diametrically opposite horizontal directions, comprises a first gearshift switch which is installed to one of the spokes at an obverse side of the steering wheel and provides a shift-up command signal and a second gearshift switch, desirably different in shape and operative direction from the first gearshift switch, which is installed to one of the spokes at a reverse side of the steering wheel and provides a shift-up command signal.

Abstract: A manual gearshift device for an automotive automatic transmission operative in an automatic shift mode in which a gear ratio is automatically varied according to driving conditions and a manual mode in which a gear ratio is manually changed is disclosed. The manual gear shift device, that is installed to spokes of a steering wheel extending in substantially diametrically opposite horizontal directions, comprises a first gearshift switch which is installed to one of the spokes at an obverse side of the steering wheel and provides a shift-up command signal and a second gearshift switch, desirably different in shape and operative direction from the first gearshift switch, which is installed to one of the spokes at a reverse side of the steering wheel and provides a shift-up command signal.

Abstract: A seatbelt system for a front seat of a vehicle having such a double door that a front door (2) and a rear door (3) open outwardly forward and rearward, respectively, to form an uninterrupted doorway (14) to a passenger compartment (A) and the front door (2) overlaps the rear door from the outside so as to allow the rear door (3) to open and close while the front door is open comprises a retractor (28) installed in the rear door (3) and retracting a seatbelt (27) therein, a seatbelt lock mechanism (37) operative to lock the seatbelt (27) when the seatbelt (27) attains a predetermined acceleration, and a lock canceling mechanism (38) operative to put the seatbelt lock mechanism (37) inoperative when activated, The seatbelt system activates the lock canceling mechanism (38) to put the seatbelt lock mechanism (37) inoperative when the seatbelt (27) is unbuckled while the front door and/or the rear door is open or not properly closed and deactivates the lock canceling mechanism (38) to put the seatbelt lock mecha

Abstract: A manual gearshift device for an automotive automatic transmission operative in an automatic shift mode in which a gear ratio is automatically varied according to driving conditions and a manual mode in which a gear ratio is manually changed is disclosed. The manual gear shift device, that is installed to spokes of a steering wheel extending in substantially diametrically opposite horizontal directions, comprises a first gearshift switch which is installed to one of the spokes at an obverse side of the steering wheel and provides a shift-up command signal and a second gearshift switch, desirably different in shape and operative direction from the first gearshift switch, which is installed to one of the spokes at a reverse side of the steering wheel and provides a shift-up command signal.

Abstract: A switch device in a steering wheel includes a front switch assembly and a back switch. The front switch assembly is provided on a front side of the steering wheel that faces the driver, and rotates integrally with the steering wheel. The back switch is provided on a back side of the steering wheel. The front switch assembly includes at least one front switch. The front switch assembly also includes a circuit board. A front switch light source is provided on the circuit board. The front switch light source illuminates a switch marking provided on the front switch. On the circuit board is also provided a back switch light source for illuminating a switch marking provided on the back switch. Accordingly, a manipulation switch on the steering wheel is reliably illuminated regardless of the rotation angle of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A switch device in a steering wheel includes a front switch assembly and a back switch. The front switch assembly is provided on a front side of the steering wheel that faces the driver, and rotates integrally with the steering wheel. The back switch is provided on a back side of the steering wheel. The front switch assembly includes at least one front switch. The front switch assembly also includes a circuit board. A front switch light source is provided on the circuit board. The front switch light source illuminates a switch marking provided on the front switch. On the circuit board is also provided a back switch light source for illuminating a switch marking provided on the back switch. Accordingly, a manipulation switch on the steering wheel is reliably illuminated regardless of the rotation angle of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A seatbelt system for a front seat of a vehicle having such a double door that a front door (2) and a rear door (3) open outwardly forward and rearward, respectively, to form an uninterrupted doorway (14) to a passenger compartment (A) and the front door (2) overlaps the rear door from the outside so as to allow the rear door (3) to open and close while the front door is open comprises a retractor (28) installed in the rear door (3) and retracting a seatbelt (27) therein, a seatbelt lock mechanism (37) operative to lock the seatbelt (27) when the seatbelt (27) attains a predetermined acceleration, and a lock canceling mechanism (38) operative to put the seatbelt lock mechanism (37) inoperative when activated, The seatbelt system activates the lock canceling mechanism (38) to put the seatbelt lock mechanism (37) inoperative when the seatbelt (27) is unbuckled while the front door and/or the rear door is open or not properly closed and deactivates the lock canceling mechanism (38) to put the seatbelt lock mecha

Abstract: A manual gearshift device for an automotive automatic transmission operative in an automatic shift mode in which a gear ratio is automatically varied according to driving conditions and a manual mode in which a gear ratio is manually changed is disclosed. The manual gear shift device, that is installed to spokes of a steering wheel extending in substantially diametrically opposite horizontal directions, comprises a first gearshift switch which is installed to one of the spokes at an obverse side of the steering wheel and provides a shift-up command signal and a second gearshift switch, desirably different in shape and operative direction from the first gearshift switch, which is installed to one of the spokes at a reverse side of the steering wheel and provides a shift-up command signal.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device capable of displaying in multiple colors, and a method for driving the liquid crystal display device using a typical monochrome liquid crystal driving IC. A display portion of a birefringence color liquid crystal display device has a usual letter display portion (41) for displaying letters in a single color and a mark display portion (42) for displaying a variety of colors. A liquid crystal cell is driven by supplying scanning signals to scanning electrodes for the letter display portion (41) and data signals to scanning electrodes for the mark display portion (42).

Abstract: To provide a colorful timepiece capable of displaying in multiple Dolors at a low power consumption and with a low development cost using a typical monochrome liquid crystal driving IC, a birefringence color liquid crystal display device (17) and a driving module (27) for driving the liquid crystal display device are installed inside a case (25) with a cover glass. A time display portion displaying normal time in a single color and a mark display portion displaying in a plurality of colors, are provided in a display portion of the liquid crystal display device (17). A liquid crystal driving circuit for driving the liquid crystal display device (17) to supply a scanning signal to scanning electrodes for the time display portion and a data signal to data electrodes for the mark display portion, is provided in the driving module (27).

Abstract: A billing system for use in a chargeable program broadcasting is capable of reliably billing a subscriber for program reception while preventing unauthorized reception thereof. A receiving terminal includes a primary terminal 100 and a secondary terminal 150. The primary terminal 100 receives a compressed video signal and confirms by an error checker 113 thereof whether there is a transmission error and bills, by a billing device 114 thereof, the receiving subscriber on the basis of an error information and a program information, etc., separated from the video signal by a separation circuit 112. The compressed video data is time-axis multiplexed with a terminal identifying code and a key signal and transmitted to the secondary terminal 150. In the secondary terminal 150, a bill for the subscriber is confirmed by the terminal identifying code and the compressed data is decoded by a decoder circuit 166 thereof.

Abstract: In a discharge lamp having a discharge medium sealed in a discharge tube assembly including electrodes for producing a discharge, a nitride layer is formed on a surface of an envelope tube of the discharge tube assembly. The nitride layer is formed by substituting an oxygen component of an oxide constituting the tube wall of the envelope tube with nitrogen, and exhibits a continuous and smooth reduction in nitride content in the direction of depth. This chemically stable nitride layer prevents a reaction between the discharge medium and the tube wall material, and removal or injection of the discharge medium. In addition, since the nitride layer also exhibits a continuous change in thermal expansion coefficient in the direction of depth, the thermal stress is reduced, and cracking, peeling, removal, and the like do not occur.