Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes ring-shaped resistance element layer 18, first conductive layer 22 and second conductive layer 23 shaping in arcs corresponding to resistance element layer 18, and knob 14 having ring-shaped protruded section 14D. Resistance element layer 18 has at least a pair of electrodes and is formed on flexible insulating substrate 16. Protruded section 14D brings resistance element layer 18 into contact with first conductive layer 22 or second conductive layer 23 when the knob is tilted. When a given voltage is applied to the electrodes and the knob is tilted, resistance element layer 18 comes in contact with first conductive layer 22 or second conductive layer 23, so that an output signal of a high resolution concerning a tilt angle can be obtained. The output signal is supplied to a microprocessor and calculated, then an angle or a direction is detected and recognized.

Abstract: A communication terminal, a display image control method using the communication terminal, a program and a medium are provided in order to display an opposite party's picture on a display part while executing a videophone communication even if it cannot keep sufficient communication quality. The communication terminal includes a videophone function, a voice communication function and the display part which displays a motion picture or a still picture. The communication terminal displays a picture acquired from an opposite party's communication terminal on a display part as a motion picture while executing the videophone communication. Further, it displays a picture acquired from the opposite party's communication terminal on the display part as a still picture after the videophone communication is switched to the voice communication when the videophone communication could not keep sufficient communication quality.

Abstract: A resistive sheet includes a flexible cover sheet, a wiring part provided on the bottom face of the cover sheet, and ring, circular-arc, or spiral resistive layer connected to the wiring part. This resistive layer has an uneven bottom face. The resistive sheet also includes a spacer layer whose bottom face is disposed at a position lower than the resistive layer. The wiring part is sandwiched between the bottom face of the cover sheet and the spacer layer.

Abstract: There is provided a pressure sensitive switch including: a cover; a slide portion that is stored in the cover and is slidable by being pressed in a horizontal direction; a pressing unit including a pressure portion that has an inner side face brought into contact with the slide portion and can be moved by being pressed by the slide potion; a sheet resistive body that has an upper face brought into contact with the pressing unit; and a conductive plate that is disposed on the lower side of the sheet resistive body with a predetermined gap arranged therebetween. The slide portion is slidable within a horizontal plane, and the pressing portion presses the sheet resistive body by sliding the slide portion, and a resistance value between the sheet resistive body and the conductive plate changes in accordance with a change in a slide operation force for sliding the slide portion.

Abstract: An input device has a circular arc resistive layer and a metal plate as a conductive layer that is faced to the circular arc resistive layer, and can detect a position operated by partial contact between them. The input device has an element unit where a linear insulating layer as a contact preventing unit for preventing both ends of the circular arc resistive layer from simultaneously coming into contact with the metal plate during operation is disposed on one end of the circular arc resistive layer.

Abstract: An input device comprises a rotatable magnet member, a lower casing and an upper casing. The rotatable magnet member has a magnet, a spherical part and a rod-like shaft. The magnet is formed into a ring-shaped disc with a through hole in the center, and magnetized with N and S poles alternately along the circumferential direction. The rod-like shaft having a flange portion near a first end is inserted in the through hole, and both ends protrude from the through hole. The lower casing rotatably supports the rod-like shaft of the rotatable magnet member. There is a space provided between an outer peripheral surface of a part of the rod-like shaft inside the through hole and an inner wall of the through hole over the entire peripheries, and the flange portion is press-fitted and fixed to the spherical part.

Abstract: A movable contact element includes a cover sheet to which a movable contact having a dome shape is bonded and which is stacked on a top surface of a pressure sensitive conductive sheet. The movable contact element is bonded to a top surface of a substrate having a fixed contact formed thereon, thereby forming a switch. Through the construction, it is possible to obtain the movable contact element, which has a simple construction and can perform various operations, and the switch using the same.

Abstract: A resistive sheet includes a flexible cover sheet, a wiring part provided on the bottom face of the cover sheet, and ring, circular-arc, or spiral resistive layer connected to the wiring part. This resistive layer has uneven bottom face. The resistive sheet also includes a spacer layer whose bottom face is disposed at a position lower than the resistive layer. The wiring part is sandwiched between the bottom face of the cover sheet and the spacer layer.

Abstract: There is provided a pressure sensitive switch including: a cover; a slide portion that is stored in the cover and is slidable by being pressed in a horizontal direction; a pressing unit including a pressure portion that has an inner side face brought into contact with the slide portion and can be moved by being pressed by the slide potion; a sheet resistive body that has an upper face brought into contact with the pressing unit; and a conductive plate that is disposed on the lower side of the sheet resistive body with a predetermined gap arranged therebetween. The slide portion is slidable within a horizontal plane, and the pressing portion presses the sheet resistive body by sliding the slide portion, and a resistance value between the sheet resistive body and the conductive plate changes in accordance with a change in a slide operation force for sliding the slide portion.

Abstract: A communication terminal, a display image control method using the communication terminal, a program and a medium are provided in order to display an opposite party's picture on a display part while executing a videophone communication even if it cannot keep sufficient communication quality. The communication terminal includes a videophone function, a voice communication function and the display part which displays a motion picture or a still picture. The communication terminal displays a picture acquired from an opposite party's communication terminal on a display part as a motion picture while executing the videophone communication. Further, it displays a picture acquired from the opposite party's communication terminal on the display part as a still picture after the videophone communication is switched to the voice communication when the videophone communication could not keep sufficient communication quality.

Abstract: A dispersion-type EL device includes a short-bar contact, a first insulating layer, a back electrode layer, a dielectric layer, a luminescent layer, and an optically transparent electrode layer, which are sequentially formed on a temporary substrate that has been processed with an exfoliation treatment. This configuration realizes a reduction in size in a thickness direction. Furthermore, an illuminated switch unit is provided, in which a dispersion-type EL device peeled off from a temporary substrate and a wiring board having a comb-like contact are connected to each other.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a pad which can detect an operating coordinate position by a touch operation, and a single push-switch provided under the pad. A touch operation to the pad at a given place allows a preliminary announcement of a function, and a further press-down of the pad being kept at the same position prompts the push-switch to work and determine the function preliminary announced. This structure allows excellent operability, and a single push-switch allows reducing the number of components of the operating section, so that the electronic device having these advantages is obtainable.

Abstract: A movable contact element includes a cover sheet to which a movable contact having a dome shape is bonded and which is stacked on a top surface of a pressure sensitive conductive sheet. The movable contact element is bonded to a top surface of a substrate having a fixed contact formed thereon, thereby forming a switch. Through the construction, it is possible to obtain the movable contact element, which has a simple construction and can perform various operations, and the switch using the same.

Abstract: A neutral position returning mechanism includes an actuator, a spring member including plural elastic extending portions having spiral shapes identical to each other, and a case holding the spring member as to apply a stress to the elastic extending portions. The elastic extending portions extend spirally in a predetermined direction on a predetermined surface from the actuator as a center of each of the spiral shapes. The elastic extending portions extend from the actuator by equal angular intervals about the actuator. The neutral position returning mechanism provides an input device having a low profile.

Abstract: An input device has a circular arc resistive layer and a metal plate as a conductive layer that is faced to the circular arc resistive layer, and can detect a position operated by partial contact between them. The input device has an element unit where a linear insulating layer as a contact preventing unit for preventing both ends of the circular arc resistive layer from simultaneously coming into contact with the metal plate during operation is disposed on one end of the circular arc resistive layer.

Abstract: An input device of the present invention includes a substantially ring-shaped resistor including two pair of electrodes projecting along a Y direction and an X direction orthogonal to the Y direction, a substantially ring-shaped conductor facing the resistor across a clearance, and a controller for successively applying a voltage between the pair of electrodes along the X direction and between the pair of electrodes along the Y direction when the resistor and the conductor contact each other due to pressing. The controller determines an angle which a pressed position makes with high precision, from one of a resultant vector of vectors that are directed in the respective X and Y directions and detected based on voltages output from the conductor when the voltage is applied in the X and Y directions, and a mean value of angles detected based on the conductor's output voltages.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a pad which can detect an operating coordinate position by a touch operation, and a single push-switch provided under the pad. A touch operation to the pad at a given place allows a preliminary announcement of a function, and a further press-down of the pad being kept at the same position prompts the push-switch to work and determine the function preliminary announced. This structure allows excellent operability, and a single push-switch allows reducing the number of components of the operating section, so that the electronic device having these advantages is obtainable.

Abstract: A neutral position returning mechanism includes an actuator, a spring member including plural elastic extending portions having spiral shapes identical to each other, and a case holding the spring member as to apply a stress to the elastic extending portions. The elastic extending portions extend spirally in a predetermined direction on a predetermined surface from the actuator as a center of each of the spiral shapes. The elastic extending portions extend from the actuator by equal angular intervals about the actuator. The neutral position returning mechanism provides an input device having a low profile.

Abstract: A dispersion-type EL device includes a short-bar contact, a first insulating layer, a back electrode layer, a dielectric layer, a luminescent layer, and an optically transparent electrode layer, which are sequentially formed on a temporary substrate that has been processed with an exfoliation treatment. This configuration realizes a reduction in size in a thickness direction. Furthermore, an illuminated switch unit is provided, in which a dispersion-type EL device peeled off from a temporary substrate and a wiring board having a comb-like contact are connected to each other.

Abstract: A switching device having a central actuator and two outer actuators disposed separately from the central actuator on two sides, wherein the central actuator is a cylindrical dial (23) supported rotatably and depressibly by a pair of spindle bearings (26) included in a base plate; the base plate (25) supporting the dial (23) is fitted in a frame; the outer actuators are pivotable in a direction approximately perpendicular to a direction in which the three actuators are arrayed and about a pivot approximately perpendicular to a direction in which operating surfaces of the outer acutators are pushed to press a contact (30) disposed on the frame; and each of the outer actuators has a to-be-supported piece (34) extending to a position where the outer actuator deviates from a lateral edge of the dial (23) in the rotating direction as viewed from the front.