Abstract: A keyboard apparatus according to an embodiment includes a keyboard and a mutual capacitance proximity sensor. The keyboard includes a first key and a second key arranged in an array direction with respect to the first key. The proximity sensor includes a first electrode having a portion extending from at least a first area below the first key to a second area below the second key, a second electrode arranged in the first area, and a third electrode arranged in the second area. The proximity sensor is a mutual capacitance type sensor and is configured to use a change in capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode and a change in capacitance between the first electrode and the third electrode.

Abstract: A biometric sensor 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a fixed member 20 having a frame 21 which is ring-shaped; and a first strain sensor element 31 and a second strain sensor element 32, each of the first strain sensor element and the second strain sensor element being string-shaped or strip-shaped, and the first strain sensor element and the second strain sensor element being stretchable and recoverable in a lengthwise direction of the first strain sensor element and a lengthwise direction of the second strain sensor element, wherein the first strain sensor element 31 and the second strain sensor element 32 extend across the frame 21 and are disposed such that the first strain sensor element 31 and the second strain sensor element 32 cross each other, and wherein the frame 21 is configured to be deformable at least in the lengthwise direction of the first strain sensor element 31 and the lengthwise direction of the second strain sensor element 32.

Abstract: Provided is a strain sensor unit that enables inhibition of a positional deviation of a strain sensor. The strain sensor unit includes: a substrate that is stretchable; at least one strip-shaped or string-shaped strain sensor that is arranged on the substrate along a direction of stretching and contracting of the substrate; and a deformation restraining member that is arranged in proximity to longitudinal end portions of the at least one strain sensor respectively, to extend in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the strain sensor, and restrains deformation of the substrate.

Abstract: The method for producing a carbon nanotube web includes preparing a carbon nanotube array disposed on a substrate, the carbon nanotube array including a plurality of carbon nanotubes vertically aligned relative to the substrate; and drawing a carbon nanotube web from the carbon nanotube array so that the plurality of carbon nanotube single yarns are arranged in parallel, wherein in the step of drawing a carbon nanotube web, the carbon nanotube web is oscillated in a direction crossing both the thickness direction of the substrate and the drawing direction of the carbon nanotube web.

Abstract: Provided is a filamentous strain sensor element capable of detecting a relatively great tensile strain. The strain sensor element of which resistance value changes in response to stretch and to contraction in a longitudinal direction, includes: a first conductive portion that is filamentous and formed from a carbon nanotube bundle; and a second conductive portion that covers a peripheral surface of the first conductive portion and is elastic and conductive, in which the first conductive portion is discontinuous at one or a plurality of positions.

Abstract: Provided is a data glove which imparts little discomfort when worn, and is capable of accurately detecting movement of a hand. The data glove includes a glove main body and a plurality of strain sensors which are disposed on the dorsal side of the glove main body in regions corresponding to at least one finger, and which detect stretch and contraction of the glove main body. The strain sensors preferably include two strain sensors which are disposed on the dorsal side of the glove main body to correspond respectively to a proximal interphalangeal joint and a metacarpophalangeal joint of at least one finger of the second through fifth fingers, and which detect stretch and contraction of the glove main body in a proximal-distal direction. The data glove preferably further includes a plurality of stretch prevention parts which limit the elongation of the glove main body.

Abstract: The method for producing a carbon nanotube web includes preparing a carbon nanotube array disposed on a substrate, the carbon nanotube array including a plurality of carbon nanotubes vertically aligned relative to the substrate; and drawing a carbon nanotube web from the carbon nanotube array so that the plurality of carbon nanotube single yarns are arranged in parallel, wherein in the step of drawing a carbon nanotube web, the carbon nanotube web is oscillated in a direction crossing both the thickness direction of the substrate and the drawing direction of the carbon nanotube web.

Abstract: Provided is a strain sensor unit that enables inhibition of a positional deviation of a strain sensor. The strain sensor unit includes: a substrate that is stretchable; at least one strip-shaped or string-shaped strain sensor that is arranged on the substrate along a direction of stretching and contracting of the substrate; and a deformation restraining member that is arranged in proximity to longitudinal end portions of the at least one strain sensor respectively, to extend in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the strain sensor, and restrains deformation of the substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a filamentous strain sensor element capable of detecting a relatively great tensile strain. The strain sensor element of which resistance value changes in response to stretch and to contraction in a longitudinal direction, includes: a first conductive portion that is filamentous and formed from a carbon nanotube bundle; and a second conductive portion that covers a peripheral surface of the first conductive portion and is elastic and conductive, in which the first conductive portion is discontinuous at one or a plurality of positions.

Abstract: A golf club has within the grip a main device, a connector, a wireless module, an antenna, a light emitting element, and an optical fiber. The main device is a device that includes a sensor such as a motion sensor, a circuit such as a CPU, and a battery. The light emitting element is an indicating means that emits light in accordance with the state of a component mounted in the golf club. The light emitted by the light emitting element is guided to the grip end by the optical fiber and emitted to the outside of the grip via the grip end.

Abstract: Provided is a data glove which imparts little discomfort when worn, and is capable of accurately detecting movement of a hand, comprising: a glove main body; and a plurality of strain sensors which are disposed on the dorsal side of the glove main body in regions corresponding to at least one finger, and which detect stretch and contraction of the glove main body. The strain sensors preferably include a first strain sensor and a second strain sensor which are disposed on the dorsal side of the glove main body to correspond respectively to a proximal interphalangeal joint and a metacarpophalangeal joint of at least one finger of the second through fifth fingers, and which detect stretch and contraction of the glove main body in a proximal-distal direction. The data glove preferably further comprises a plurality of stretch prevention parts which limit the elongation of the glove main body.

Abstract: A golf club has within the grip a main device, a connector, a wireless module, an antenna, a light emitting element, and an optical fiber. The main device is a device that includes a sensor such as a motion sensor, a circuit such as a CPU, and a battery. The light emitting element is an indicating means that emits light in accordance with the state of a component mounted in the golf club. The light emitted by the light emitting element is guided to the grip end by the optical fiber and emitted to the outside of the grip via the grip end.

Abstract: A strain sensor provided with a substrate that has flexibility; a carbon nanotube (CNT) film that is provided on the surface of the substrate and that has a plurality of CNT fibers oriented in one direction; and a pair of electrodes that are arranged at both ends in the orientation direction of the CNT fibers in the CNT film; in which the CNT film has a plurality of CNT fiber bundles that consist of the plurality of CNT fibers, and a resin layer that covers the peripheral surface of the plurality of the CNT fiber bundles and joins with the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A strain sensor includes a flexible substrate, a CNT film made of a plurality of CNT fibers aligned in an orientation direction, a pair of electrodes, and a protective coat. The electrodes are formed at the opposite ends of the CNT film in a perpendicular direction to the orientation direction of the CNT fibers. The protective coat protecting the CNT film is made of a resin, a water-based emulsion, or an oil-based emulsion. The protective coat is placed in contact with at least part of the CTN fibers on the surface of the CNT film. The strain sensor including the protective coat is able to prevent damage/breakage of the CNT film and to prevent foreign matters from entering into gaps between CNT fibers, thus improving durability in maintaining adequate sensing functionality.

Abstract: A strain sensor includes a flexible substrate, a CNT film made of a plurality of CNT fibers aligned in an orientation direction, a pair of electrodes, and a protective coat. The electrodes are formed at the opposite ends of the CNT film in a perpendicular direction to the orientation direction of the CNT fibers. The protective coat protecting the CNT film is made of a resin, a water-based emulsion, or an oil-based emulsion. The protective coat is placed in contact with at least part of the CTN fibers on the surface of the CNT film. The strain sensor including the protective coat is able to prevent damage/breakage of the CNT film and to prevent foreign matters from entering into gaps between CNT fibers, thus improving durability in maintaining adequate sensing functionality.

Abstract: A golf club measuring system is designed to dynamically measure physical values of a golf club shaft during its swinging motion. A sensor wiring substrate includes a flexible board (e.g. polyethylene terephthalate material), a connector, a plurality of couplers, and a plurality of wires. A plurality of sensors is connected to the sensor wiring substrate via a plurality of couplers. The sensor wiring substrate is helically wound about the golf club shaft such that the flexible board is slightly warped and closely attached to the curved surface of a golf club shaft, thus reducing air resistance occurring on the golf club shaft being swung. An external device (e.g. a strain measuring device) is connected to the connector of the sensor wiring substrate so as to receive signals representing physical values (e.g. strain values), occurring on the golf club shaft being swung, from a plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A strain sensor provided with a substrate that has flexibility; a carbon nanotube (CNT) film that is provided on the surface of the substrate and that has a plurality of CNT fibers oriented in one direction; and a pair of electrodes that are arranged at both ends in the orientation direction of the CNT fibers in the CNT film; in which the CNT film has a plurality of CNT fiber bundles that consist of the plurality of CNT fibers, and a resin layer that covers the peripheral surface of the plurality of the CNT fiber bundles and joins with the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A motion analysis device includes an observation data acquisition unit that acquires observation data indicating a trajectory of a target observation point which moves in conjunction with motion of a user (for example, a specified point in a club used by the user); a comparison unit that compares each of a plurality of reference data indicating a predetermined trajectory of the target observation point with the observation data acquired by the observation data acquisition unit; and an audio control unit that generates an audio signal according to a comparison result obtained by using the comparison unit.

Abstract: An earphone microphone is constituted of a main unit and an insert portion which are united in an L-shape. Two receivers are attached to the external surface of the main unit and exposed externally of a user's ear, while one receiver is attached to a distal end of the insert portion that is inserted into a user's external auditory canal and disposed opposite to a user's eardrum. A signal processor produces a difference signal between the output signals of two receivers exposed externally of the user's ear. The difference signal is subjected to high-pass filtering and subsequently added to the output signal of the receiver disposed inside the user's external auditory canal, thus producing a sound signal representing a user's sound. The sound signal includes a sufficient number of frequency components (e.g. frequency components higher than 3 kHz) prerequisite for discriminating the user's sound.

Abstract: A golf club measuring system is designed to dynamically measure physical values of a golf club shaft during its swinging motion. A sensor wiring substrate includes a flexible board (e.g. polyethylene terephthalate material), a connector, a plurality of couplers, and a plurality of wires. A plurality of sensors is connected to the sensor wiring substrate via a plurality of couplers. The sensor wiring substrate is helically wound about the golf club shaft such that the flexible board is slightly warped and closely attached to the curved surface of a golf club shaft, thus reducing air resistance occurring on the golf club shaft being swung. An external device (e.g. a strain measuring device) is connected to the connector of the sensor wiring substrate so as to receive signals representing physical values (e.g. strain values), occurring on the golf club shaft being swung, from a plurality of sensors.