Abstract: This sheet multifeed determination device is capable of accurately detecting a sheet multifeed state, and the sheet multifeed determination device includes: a separating member side sheet speed detecting part which detects a transport speed of a sheet surface on the separating member side of a sheet transported to a nip unit of a paper feed roll and a separating member pressure-contacting mutually; a multifeed sheet detecting part which detects presence of plural sheets in the course of being transported through the nip unit; and a multifeed state determination part which determines not to be in a multifeed state of sheets when the sheet speed detected by the separating member side sheet speed detecting part is V2≦0 and determines to be in the multifeed state of sheets in the case of V2>0 in a condition where the multifeed sheet detecting part detects multifed sheets.

Abstract: An opening is formed on a display screen, through which an operation member of an operation switch device protrudes for operation. The operation switch device comprises a display control section for controlling image display and an operation member drive control section for controlling driving of the operation member based on an operation pattern which is predetermined so as to correspond to an image displayed. The operation member drive control section drives the operation member so that the operation member can be operated only in directions of selection items shown in the displayed image, that is, directions of the arrows A, B, C, and D relative to an original point. In this way, the user interface creates mechanical operating feeling with superior recognition without imposing strain on a user's eye sight.

Abstract: The invention provides a tactile information transmission system or an information perception apparatus that transmits information by means of various motions of a presenter in two directions, as well as a small driving force generation apparatus that drives a presenter suitably. Thin plate-like magnets are provided on a base, and generate magnetic fields perpendicularly. A perception unit is supported above the magnets movably in the horizontal direction. Plural coils are fixed on the perception unit, some coils are provided so as to cross in X direction and the residual coils are provided so as to cross in Y direction. By controlling supplied current or applied voltage, the perception unit is driven arbitrarily in an XY plane. A user places a finger on the perception unit, recognizes the motion of the perception unit, and obtains information.

Abstract: An encased driving section includes magnets provided on a bottom surface in such a manner that their polarities are alternately oriented, a movable frame which is contained in the case and to which coils are attached, and an operating member fixed on the frame. When a state sensor unit senses a state of a vehicle or outside the vehicle, such as omission to turn off lights and the direction of wind, a control section determines whether or not the sensed state should be indicated to an operator and, when it determines that the information should be indicated, passes an electric current through the coils in a predetermined direction to drive the driving section in order to communicate the information to the operator through a haptic stimulus. The haptic interface device can communicate various information to the operator through their sense of touch.

Abstract: A haptic interface device includes a detection section for detecting the state of operation on an operating section performed by an operator or the position of the operating section and outputting a signal indicating the detected state or position; a driving section for electromagnetically driving the operating section to provide a reaction force to the operator; and a control section for controlling the driving section according to the signal output from the detection section and based on interface definition information in which is defined specification information for the operating section to behave as an interface apparatus. The control section produces a reaction force corresponding to the operation performed by the operator to provide an operational feeling that would be produced by the interface apparatus behaved by the operating section when operated.

Abstract: A magnetic actuator, comprising a magnet, mutually opposite magnetic poles thereof being arranged opposing each other, and a coil, at least one portion thereof being inserted between the corresponding magnetic poles, wherein a driving force for the coil is generated by applying an electric current to the coil in a magnetic field generated by the magnet.

Abstract: An actuator has a first yoke plate, a second yoke plate, magnets, coils, a haptic feel providing member, and a coil fixing member. The first yoke plate and the second yoke plate each assume a plate-like shape having a generally square outline, and are provided approximately parallel with each other. The magnets are fixed to that surface of the first yoke plate which is opposed to the second yoke plate. The coils are provided movably between the magnets and the second yoke and are fixed to the coil fixing member so as to form a unitary body together. Electromagnetic forces that are generated in magnetic fields of the magnets act on the coils, whereby the haptic feel providing member that is supported by the coil fixing member is moved.

Abstract: In an information processing system, common image display management means of a management apparatus transmits image data in a web site to information processing apparatuses in response to requests received from the information processing apparatuses, and causes image display sections to display a common image. Relation giving means first executes user recognition, and relates an input command to an input section concerning a first position in the common image displayed on the image display section and an input command to an input section concerning a second position in the common image displayed on the image display section to each other. Correlation stimulus presentation means causes stimulus presentation sections each to present a touch stimulus responsive to the correlation between the first position and the second position in the common images displayed on the image display sections.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus, when an operator operates an input device to move a movable member from bottom to up with the thumb, the initial non-connected state is transferred to such a state that connection to the network starts to be established. When the movable member is further moved to reach another position, connection to another apparatus through the network starts to be established. According to the transfer of the connection state, haptic stimulation corresponding to the respective connection states at the respective points of time is presented by the connection presenting means to the stimulation presenting device. The haptic stimulation presented to the stimulation presenting device is force sense or vibration applied to the forefinger of the operator touching the device.

Abstract: A pointing device is provided, enabling to specify a position in a predetermined space easily. A ball is rotatably fitted in the bottom of a body of a pointing device, and the ball rolls when the body moves over a reference surface. A first displacement detecting unit detects displacement of the body relative to the reference surface by detecting the rolling of the ball. A fixed member is fixed to an upper part of the body by way of an elastically bendable supporting member. The moving member can displace relative to the fixed member, and this displacement is detected by a second displacement detecting unit. When the moving member is depressed, the fixed member presses a switch. The switch thus detects whether or not the moving member is being depressed.

Abstract: The disclosed tactile interface device conveys a diversity of information to its operator through the operator's tactile sense without requiring the operators visual confirmation. The tactile interface device comprises a substructure on which magnets are arranged so that the positive and negative magnets are alternately placed, a frame that is movable on the substructure and on which coils are installed, and a pushbutton switch fixed to the frame. The operating element drive control means drives the switch in the two-dimensional direction by allowing current to flow through the coils in a predetermined direction, so that a motion pattern appropriate for the information to be conveyed to the operator is generated. Information is imparted to the operator from the switch through the operator's tactile sense.

Abstract: A pointing device is provided, enabling to specify a position in a predetermined space easily. A ball is rotatably fitted in the bottom of a body of a pointing device, and the ball rolls when the body moves over a reference surface. A first displacement detecting unit detects displacement of the body relative to the reference surface by detecting the rolling of the ball. A fixed member is fixed to an upper part of the body by way of an elastically bendable supporting member. The moving member can displace relative to the fixed member, and this displacement is detected by a second displacement detecting unit. When the moving member is depressed, the fixed member presses a switch. The switch thus detects whether or not the moving member is being depressed.

Abstract: A mark is provided on an object surface of an object under measurement, and the mark provides two intersection points P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 between first and second straight lines L.sub.1, L.sub.2, and between second and third lines L.sub.2, L.sub.3, in which an angle ".alpha." defined by the first and second straight lines L.sub.1 and L.sub.2, another angle ".beta." defined by the second and third straight lines L.sub.2 and L.sub.3, and a distance between P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 are known. This mark is imaged on at least one set of one-dimensional optical sensor. When a sensor signal having a light intensity distribution along a longitudinal direction is outputted from the one-directional optical sensor, a calculation unit calculates positions of the straight lines L.sub.1 to L.sub.3 of the mark image on the one-dimensional optical sensor in response to the sensor signal. Based upon this calculation result, another calculation is made of at least one position of the two intersection points P.sub.1 and P.sub.

Abstract: A mark is provided on an object surface of an object under measurement, and the mark provides two intersection points P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 between first and second straight lines L.sub.1, L.sub.2, and between second and third lines L.sub.2, L.sub.3, in which an angle ".alpha." defined by the first and second straight lines L.sub.1 and L.sub.2, another angle ".beta." defined by the second and third straight lines L.sub.2 and L.sub.3, and a distance between P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 are known. This mark is imaged on at least one set of one-dimensional optical sensor. When a sensor signal having a light intensity distribution along a longitudinal direction is outputted from the one-directional optical sensor, a calculation unit calculates positions of the straight lines L.sub.1 to L.sub.3 of the mark image on the one-dimensional optical sensor in response to the sensor signal. Based upon this calculation result, another calculation is made of at least one position of the two intersection points P.sub.1 and P.sub.

Abstract: A date communication apparatus in which a message stored in advance is transmitted to a receiving station so as to notify the receiving station that a call-waiting signal has been received, if a call-waiting signal is received by a transmitting station during communication. The reception of a request for line connection from a third station is detected by the call-waiting-signal detecting unit of a transmitting station on the basis of the call-waiting signal transmitted by an exchange. If the call-waiting signal is detected, a preset message is read from a message storage unit, and is transmitted to the other station. This message is transmitted either upon completion of the transmission of all the predetermined data or upon completion of the transmission of data, for instance, in units of pages.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus receives data from a transmitting station and is provided with a capability for determining when an interrupt request signal has been received from another station. It is first judged whether an error has occurred in received image information on one line. If an error occurrence is detected, its time period is then measured. If the error period coincides with the output time period for a prescribed interrupt request signal, it is determined that an interrupt request signal has been received. Further, it may additionally be determined whether the coincidence has occurred a plurality of times in succession thereby affirming the reception of an interruption request signal.

Abstract: When an interrupt completion detecting unit detects completion of an interrupt processing, a hooking unit executes hooking automatically. A busy tone detecting unit judges whether or not a station of a suspended telephone communication has been holding the telephone circuit. If not, a call is directed to the suspended station on the basis of stored information on its dialing number. At the same time as the hooking is executed, an on-hook judging unit judges whether or not a handset at the own station is in an on-hook state. If it is on the hook, a predetermined processing for urging an operator to lift the handset is executed. This processing selectively causes ringing of a bell incorporated in a telephone unit or of a buzzer, or indication by a display unit or a lamp. With the above procedure, the telephone communication with the suspended station can automatically be restored in accordance with the situations at the suspended and own stations.

Abstract: In a data communication apparatus, when detecting a "catch phone" signal sent out from an exchange, a receiving station requests a transmitting station to resend data by use of protocol information. At the transmitting station, the data resending request is detected in a protocol information analyzing unit, and a predetermined unit of data which was transmitted immediately before the present time is resent. The receiving station has a page deleting unit to save the memory area used to store the data resent and avoid printing of unnecessary data. The page deleting unit enables deletion of data received when a "catch phone" call comes in and permits the resent data to be effectively stored in a memory. Also, in the apparatus, a "catch phone" detecting unit in a transmitting station detects that a circuit connection request comes in from a third station on the basis of a "catch phone" signal sent out from an exchange. A page-end detecting unit detects completion of transmission of a predetermined unit of data.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus in which if it is determined that a distant station presently in communication is a called station by a distant-station discriminating means, and a call-waiting signal is detected by a call-waiting-signal detecting means, a call-waiting-telephone controlling means is activated. This call-waiting-telephone controlling means switches over the line to the interrupting-station side by controlling a line switching means, and commences processing for an interrupt communication by a call-waiting telephone. Thereby, even if there has been an interrupt request signal, an interrupt communication is not allowed if a distant station presently in communication is in a chargeable state.