Abstract: An information setting apparatus in one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a clock information device, an information receiving device, a permission time calculating device, and an information setting device. The permission time calculating device calculates an operation permission time based on current time information stored in the clock information device and on start time information received by the information receiving device. The information setting device sets operation limitation information, including the operation permission time to at least one of a battery pack or an electrically-driven working machine.

Abstract: A charger for a hand-held power tool includes a power source interface, a charger base and a charging cradle rotatably supported on the charger base. The rotatable charging cradle includes at least two charging output terminals electrically connected to the power source interface. A power tool system includes the charger and the hand-held power tool. A method of charging the power tool system includes contacting charging input terminals of the power tool with the charging output terminals, rotating the charging cradle and the power tool relative to the charging base and supplying charging current to at least one battery cell while the charging cradle and the power tool are allowed to freely swing relative to the charging base.

Abstract: An adapter for a power tool powered by a detachable battery pack which adapter includes a connector configured to detachably connect the adapter directly to the power tool, an adapter controller, at least one memory and/or storage device in communication with the adapter controller and configured to store maintenance information concerning the battery pack or to store maintenance information concerning the battery pack and the power tool, at least one communication port configured to transmit electrical communications, including said maintenance information, from the adapter controller to a controller located in the power tool and vice versa, and a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the maintenance information to an external device.

Abstract: In some examples, techniques are provided for quick haptic feedback, without the use of a controller, which is local to individual, non-actuating keys, such as keys of a thin keyboard or keypad. The haptic feedback may be in the form of a simulated “key-click” feedback for an individual key that is pressed by a user such that the finger used to press the key feels the tactile sensation. The haptic feedback mimics the tactile sensation of a mechanical key (e.g., buckling spring, pop-dome key switch) to give a user the perception that they have actuated a mechanically movable key.

Abstract: A battery pack includes: a battery; a notification unit configured to notify that a fully charged state is reached; a determination unit configured to determine whether the fully charged state is reached; a processing unit configured to execute a full charge process if the fully charged state is determined, the full charge process being one of causing the notification unit to make a notification and maintaining a possible state, in which making a notification is possible; and a factor detection unit configured to detect occurrence of a predetermined increase factor during execution of the full charge process, the increase factor leading to increase in a chargeable capacity of the battery as compared with the time when the fully charged state is determined. The processing unit stops the full charge process if occurrence of the increase factor is detected during execution of the full charge process.

Abstract: A motor-driven appliance system in one aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a motor-driven appliance having a motor, at least one control circuit, and a communication device. The control circuit is configured to execute a process related to control of the motor-driven appliance. The communication device is configured to communicate with an external device. The control circuit is further configured to switch, when at least one predetermined sleep condition is satisfied, from an active mode in which the control circuit performs a normal operation to a sleep mode in which the control circuit stops part of the normal operation to thereby suppress power consumption; and to switch to the active mode when the communication device receives an external wakeup signal transmitted from the external device while the control circuit is in the sleep mode.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool includes a motor having a stator and a rotor, the motor being configured to rotate the rotor at a speed of at least 40,000 rpm, an output shaft directly driven by the rotor, a tool accessory shaft configured to support a tool accessory, and a two-stage speed reducing transmission operably connecting the output shaft to the tool accessory shaft. The two-stage speed reducing transmission is configured to drive the tool accessory shaft at a rate less than the rotor speed, for example, at a rate less than or equal to 37.5% of the rotor speed.

Abstract: An electrical device system having a battery pack, an electrical device, and a charging device, includes: a current detecting unit that detects a battery current flowing through the battery during a charge to or a discharge from the battery; a battery state detecting unit that detects at least one of a battery voltage and a temperature of a heat generating unit; and a determining unit that estimates an amount of change in at least one of the battery voltage and the temperature of the heat generating unit, based on the battery current, and calculates an amount of actual change in at least one of the battery voltage and the temperature of the heat generating unit, wherein the determining unit determines that the current detecting unit is abnormal, when the difference between the calculated amount of actual change and the estimated amount of change is a default value or more.

Abstract: A pointing device with a sensor having an input surface to detect a user's tactile interaction and a depressed portion, and an apparatus to interface with the input surface and receive the user's tactile action is described. The apparatus can include a body that allows controlled displacement during the user's tactile interaction, a tactile surface coupled to a first side of the body that is configured to receive the user's tactile interaction, and a base surface affixed to a second side of the body that is opposite the first side. The base surface can adhere the body to the input surface and be configured to translate to the input surface at least a force from the controlled displacement of the body. The second side of the body and the base surface can have a substantially same cross-sectional shape as the depressed portion of the sensor.

Abstract: An electronic device detects an object in a field of view of a camera and determines a position of a reflection of the object in a reflective surface of the electronic device as viewed from a defined observation point. When the electronic device detects selection input from a user, a control of the electronic device is activated based on an alignment between a location on a reflective surface of the electronic device and the reflection of the object on the reflective surface.

Abstract: An electric power tool comprises: a motor configured to drive a tool; a control unit configured to control the motor; a communication board comprising an antenna and a communication circuit, which are configured to establish close-proximity wireless communication with an external communication terminal; and a housing configured to house the motor, the control unit, and the communication board. The housing comprises a grip portion having a hollow space, which is to be gripped by a user. The communication board is arranged inside the grip portion.

Abstract: A power supply device includes battery interfaces configured to removably receive at least three batteries and a connection circuit configured to electrically connect the at least three batteries to each other. The connection circuit is capable of connecting at least two batteries in parallel and connecting at least one other battery to the at least two parallel-connected batteries in series. According to this power supply device, it is possible to supply high power to an electric device by connecting the batteries in series. In addition, it is possible to supply almost all of the electric power stored in the batteries to the electric device, even if amount of the remaining electric power in each battery is substantially uneven.

Abstract: A battery pack of an electric power tool comprises ten lithium-ion cells. The ten lithium-ion cells are connected in series. Each lithium-ion cell has a diameter equal to or less than 18 millimeters, a length equal to or less than 65 millimeters, and an internal resistance equal to or less than 30 milliohms. Because the battery pack has a high voltage in operation and is therefore able to supply large current, the battery pack is preferably configured incapable of being used in a conventional electric power tool that cannot operate under such a large current.

Abstract: A low-profile, small-footprint gel-based pointing device is described herein. The gel-based pointing device described herein includes a gel-based body, a tactile surface affixed to a first side of the gel-based body, and a base surface affixed to a second side of the gel-based body that is opposite the first side. The tactile surface is configured to receive an input from a user and the base surface couples the gel-based body to a sensor surface. In at least one embodiment, the gel-based pointing device described herein further includes a sensor for receiving the gel-based pointing device and a detector for detecting changes in at least one of resistance, capacity, pressure, or lateral or vertical position of the gel-based pointing device.

Abstract: A low-profile, small-footprint gel-based pointing device is described herein. The gel-based pointing device described herein includes a gel-based body, a tactile surface affixed to a first side of the gel-based body, and a base surface affixed to a second side of the gel-based body that is opposite the first side. The tactile surface is configured to receive an input from a user and the base surface couples the gel-based body to a sensor surface. In at least one embodiment, the gel-based pointing device described herein further includes a sensor for receiving the gel-based pointing device and a detector for detecting changes in at least one of resistance, capacity, pressure, or lateral or vertical position of the gel-based pointing device.

Abstract: In some examples, a touch surface includes at least one hole formed in the touch surface. In some instances, a touch sensor is associated with the touch surface for detecting the position of an input object relative to the touch surface. Additionally, in some cases, the touch surface may be associated with a display. Suction may be applied to the at least one hole based on at least one of an image presented on the display, or a position of the input object in relation to the touch surface. As one example, there may be a plurality of holes formed in the touch surface. Suction may be applied to a first hole of the plurality of holes and pressurized air may be emitted from a second hole of the plurality of holes.

Abstract: A battery pack of an electric power tool comprises ten lithium-ion cells. The ten lithium-ion cells are connected in series. Each lithium-ion cell has a diameter equal to or less than 18 millimeters, a length equal to or less than 65 millimeters, and an internal resistance equal to or less than 30 milliohms. Because the battery pack has a high voltage in operation and is therefore able to supply large current, the battery pack is preferably configured incapable of being used in a conventional electric power tool that cannot operate under such a large current.

Abstract: In some examples, techniques are provided for quick haptic feedback, without the use of a controller, which is local to individual, non-actuating keys, such as keys of a thin keyboard or keypad. The haptic feedback may be in the form of a simulated “key-click” feedback for an individual key that is pressed by a user such that the finger used to press the key feels the tactile sensation. The haptic feedback mimics the tactile sensation of a mechanical key (e.g., buckling spring, pop-dome key switch) to give a user the perception that they have actuated a mechanically movable key.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool includes a motor having a stator and a rotor, the motor being configured to rotate the rotor at a speed of at least 40,000 rpm, an output shaft directly driven by the rotor, a tool accessory shaft configured to support a tool accessory, and a two-stage speed reducing transmission operably connecting the output shaft to the tool accessory shaft. The two-stage speed reducing transmission is configured to drive the tool accessory shaft at a rate less than the rotor speed, for example, at a rate less than or equal to 37.5% of the rotor speed.

Abstract: A battery pack includes: a battery; a notification unit configured to notify that a fully charged state is reached; a determination unit configured to determine whether the fully charged state is reached; a processing unit configured to execute a full charge process if the fully charged state is determined, the full charge process being one of causing the notification unit to make a notification and maintaining a possible state, in which making a notification is possible; and a factor detection unit configured to detect occurrence of a predetermined increase factor during execution of the full charge process, the increase factor leading to increase in a chargeable capacity of the battery as compared with the time when the fully charged state is determined. The processing unit stops the full charge process if occurrence of the increase factor is detected during execution of the full charge process.