Abstract: A coordinate input device includes a coordinate input unit which performs a coordinate input operation by sliding an operating member on an operation surface which is formed in a convex shape, a concave shape, or the shape of a polyhedron. More specifically, the coordinate input device includes a capacitive sensor substrate formed by laminating two electrode layers with an upper substrate (dielectric layer) therebetween, each electrode layer including a plurality of electrodes arranged in a striped pattern. In addition, the coordinate input device also includes the operation surface formed in a convex (or concave) shape which is used for performing a coordinate input operation by sliding the operating member thereon.

Abstract: An input apparatus includes a flat input device of a pressure-sensitive type or a capacitive type, and an indicator sheet on which indication marks are formed is fixed on the surface of the flat input device. A tactile-feel-generating unit is provided behind the flat input device. The tactile-feel-generating unit includes dome-shaped inversion plates which are disposed at positions corresponding to the indication marks. When one of the indication marks is pressed setting an input mode, an operation signal is generated in accordance with an item represented by the indication mark, and a tactile feel is generated by a reaction force of the corresponding inversion plate. When an indication mark is touched, while in an input mode, the control unit recognizes the resulting signal to be a coordinate data signal.

Abstract: An operating device to be used, for example, as an input portion for a game controller. The operating device comprises a housing, a push button, and a switch base comprising a switch portion and a support base. The housing is provided with a support member for supporting the switch base and is also provided with an anti-dislodgement retaining portion for preventing the push button from coming off to the exterior from the housing. The push button is provided with a retaining lug for engagement with the anti-dislodgement retaining portion of the housing and is also provided with a retaining lug for engagement with the support base in the switch base. The support base is provided with an anti-dislodgement retaining portion for engagement with the retaining lug of the push button and is also provided with a guide portion. With this guide portion, the movement of the push button is guided in its pushing direction and is prevented from wobbling in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A signal input device having control levers projected out of an upper case, and a movement transmitting member movable with movement of each control transmitting member so as to change the resistance value of corresponding resistance elements by changing the contact area between the resistance element and the electrically conductive rubber in accordance with the movement of the movement transmitting member.

Abstract: An input device includes a pressure-sensitive or capacitive planar input unit with an indicator sheet which has input sections being secured to the surface of the planar input unit. A tactile feedback generator is provided at the back side of the planar input unit. The tactile feedback generator includes dome-shaped inversion plates that are separately provided at locations corresponding to the input sections and provide feedback to the operator. When an input section is pressed, an operation signal in accordance with what is indicated at the pressed input section is generated.

Abstract: Encoders as first detecting means detect rotations of a control body, and an acceleration sensor as second detecting means detects an acceleration applied to the control body. Based on the rotations and the acceleration, a ball displayed on a screen can be curved in the air. Consequently, an operator of a game can control the ball displayed on the screen or the like by controlling an impact, that is, an acceleration, a rotational direction, and a rotational speed.

Abstract: In the input device, which inputs signals to a game machine using a computer, one or more operating members are provided on each of plural outer surfaces of housing members, a filmy substrate having flexibility is bent in conformity with the insides of the plural surfaces of the housing member, contact portions adapted to perform ON-OFF operation in response to operations of the operating members are formed respectively on the bent surfaces of the substrate, and when the operating members are operated, signals corresponding respectively to operations of the operating members are inputted to the game machine.

Abstract: A controller has an operation member, a speaker as sound emission unit, and a support member. The operation member is rotatably supported by the support member, and the speaker is provided in a rotation central portion of the operation member. In this arrangement, a sound source can be provided near an operator. Further, a sound outputted from the speaker is transmitted as a vibration source to a grip.

Abstract: An operation unit is provided with an operation body operated by hand, a first detection unit for detecting the inclination operation of the operation body, and a second detection unit for detecting the pushing-down operation of the operation body. Any of 26 alphabetical characters “A, B, C, . . . , X, Y, and Z” is selected corresponding to the inclination direction of the operation body. The displayed character is changed successively by rotating the operation body in X-Y coordinate plane. The selected character is finalized by pushing down the operation unit in Z-direction.

Abstract: A controller is provided with a steering wheel, a support, and an actuator served as the driving means. The steering wheel is provided with a slide body that is slidable in the body of the support, and the slide body is supported slidably in the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the steering wheel. A fixed member of the actuator is fixed to the body, and a movable member of the actuator is fixed to back side of the slide body. The steering wheel is reciprocated in the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the steering wheel by controlling the actuator correspondingly to the control signal supplied from the control unit.

Abstract: A controller is provided with an artificial retina chip. The artificial retina chip is connected to a display unit via a game machine body. Before starting the game, the artificial retina chip is instructed to recognize an image of frame of the display unit to store such image as the reference image. After starting the game, the controller is moved to recognize the image of frame of the display unit in order to detect the designated position by comparing the coordinate position data after the movement and the coordinate position data of the reference image.

Abstract: A character input device includes a first manipulator for selecting columns “A”, “KA”, “SA”, . . . in the row direction, a second manipulator for selecting rows “A”, “I”, . . . in the column direction, and a third manipulator for setting a candidate of data of characters or symbols which is selected by the first and second manipulators. The first manipulator, the second manipulator, and the third manipulator are disposed adjacent each other. The first manipulator and the second manipulator are disc-shaped rotary-type input devices. The candidates of characters and the like are quickly transferred in the row and column directions by rotating the first and second manipulators, and are set by operating the third manipulator.

Abstract: A roller stamp includes a stamp case and a stamp roller mounted to the stamp case for rotation. The stamp roller is made of foamed polyolefin having pores capable of being impregnated with ink. A stamp pattern is formed on the stamp roller after the stamp roller is mounted to the stamp case. After the stamp roller is mounted to the stamp case, a stamp pattern is formed on the stamp roller by using a thermal head to selectively heat and close the pores in accordance with the stamp pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thin x-y direction input device for moving a cursor on a screen in any direction. The x-y direction input device includes a casing having an opening and an operating member that is resting on the casing and capable of sliding. A cursor appearing on a display moves in any direction according to movement of the operating member. The operating member includes a flat plate sliding over a receiver surface lying in the casing, and a projection that projects from the flat plate and engages with first and second moving members having either detecting elements or elements to be detected, and the projection is exposed from the aperture. This enables smooth movement of the moving members. The operating member is provided with elastic tongues pushing back the first and second moving members from their ends of movement to the center.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-Y direction input device which shifts a cursor on a screen in any direction, and particularly to an X-Y direction input device capable of not only decreasing its thickness to realize a compact size but increasing its resolution or realizing superior operability. An X-Y direction input device comprises a casing for forming an outer body and an operating body accommodated in the casing to be mutually shiftable so that a cursor displayed on a display apparatus can be shifted in any direction in response to a shifting motion of this operating body. This input device comprises a base plate on which an X-direction pattern and a Y-direction pattern are respectively provided, a first holder which is provided to be shiftable in a Y-direction, a second holder which is provided to be shiftable in an X-direction, a plurality of cover plates covering an opening formed on the casing and provided to be shiftable independently with each other.

Abstract: A fuel injection system comprises a fuel injection valve of the fuel swirling type which is provided in an intake passage upstream of an intake valve that is arranged in an inlet port, the fuel injection valve being equipped with an adapting device for adapting the form of the fuel spray, which is injected through the fuel injection valve in a swirling manner, to the configuration of the inlet port as seen from the position where the fuel injection valve is mounted. With this structure, the fuel can be prevented from impinging on the upper and lower walls of the inlet port, thereby preventing the fuel injected into the combustion chamber forming a liquid film. This helps to enhance the combustion efficiency of the associated internal combustion engine and to reduce the HC content in the exhaust gas, thereby improving the starting performance at low temperature of the engine.

Abstract: An X-Y input apparatus is suitable for a graphic display apparatus and a pattern input apparatus. The X-Y input apparatus includes a rotatable ball, first and second rotating shafts provided in contact with the rotatable ball and orthogonally arranged in an X-Y direction, and a rotatable-angle detector. A stepped-portion is formed on each portion of the first and second rotating members, adjacent to the contacting portion for the rotatable ball. Then, the contamination such as dust is transferred from the rotatable roller to the grooves formed on the first and second rotating members, but is not deposited on the stepped-portion.

Abstract: An X-Y input device comprises a position sensor, a switch for use in signal processing of the position sensor, and a switch lever actuatable by pressing by the finger the outwardly-projecting key portion to operate the switch to become closed and opened, and a case consisting of a bottom plate and a cap mounted thereon and adapted to hold the switch and switch lever. The input device further comprises posts on the bottom plate, each post supporting the associated switch lever at an intermediate site between the key portion at one end of the switch lever and the abutment portion for abutting against the undersurface of the top wall of the cap at the other end, so that the switch lever can be resiliently flexed by pressing the key portion. These features of the invention enables reaction of the key portion to finger's pressure to remain constant and makes installation of the switch lever simpler.

Abstract: In an electromagnetic fuel injection valve of the axial flow type, a tubular member with both its ends open is disposed in a penetration path that is formed in a stationary core, and an area is sealed between the outer periphery of the tubular member on the side of nozzle and the inner periphery of the penetration path. Further, the path formed between the tubular member and the penetration path is communicated with fuel space formed around the outer periphery of the stationary core. Therefore, the fuel circulates when it is allowed to flow out or flow in via the inner path of the tubular member.