Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes flanges 23A, 23B, and a swivel mechanism includes swiveling shaft 25. Spring 26 energizes the swiveling mechanism. Resilient repulsion of spring 26 energizes the swiveling mechanism to swivel toward either end of a swivelable range from a neutral position.

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 multidirectional control switch of the present invention is used in a variety of electronic apparatuses including a portable telephone and a personal digital assistant. A first switch contact of this switch outputs a first signal continuously varying as a top surface of a substantially disc-shaped operating member undergoes a sliding press along a locus substantially in arc form. With a stronger press, a second switch contact outputs a second signal. The multidirectional control switch has a simple structure and can be reduced in size because these two switch contacts are integrally formed, thereby eliminating a need to combine discrete elements.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a page browsing apparatus for browsing page data at a site connected to a network, comprises: a storage unit, for storing previously browsed page data; a display unit, for displaying, using a tree structure, page data and predetermined data representing previously browsed pages and recorded in the storage unit; a selection unit, for selecting data for a desired page from the predetermined data that are displayed, using the tree structure, on a display screen for the display unit; and a unit, for displaying, on the display screen of the display unit, the data for the desired page selected by the selection unit.

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: 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: In a multi-directional operation switch, an operating disk, upon being pressed at its upper side, tilts to depress a elastic pressing member, thus making hard rings of the driving member to press a resistor sheet sequentially. This operation allows resistor layers beneath the resistor sheet to directly contact annular electrically conductive layers facing the resistor layers in a desired sequence, respectively. The multi-directional operation switch has a reduced height and can produce a number of switching signals according to desired angular directions of switching operations.

Abstract: A multidirectional control switch of the present invention is used in a variety of electronic apparatuses including a portable telephone and a personal digital assistant. A first switch contact of this switch outputs a first signal continuously varying as a top surface of a substantially disc-shaped operating member undergoes a sliding press along a locus substantially in arc form. With a stronger press, a second switch contact outputs a second signal. The multidirectional control switch has a simple structure and can be reduced in size because these two switch contacts are integrally formed, eliminating the need to combine discrete elements.

Abstract: Portable electronic equipment capable of changing the display on a display means so that the display has letters of a desired size, by a simple operation. The portable electronic equipment has (a) a display means for displaying information, (b) a first manipulator means for performing a first screen process on the information displayed on the display means, (c) a second manipulator means for performing a second screen process on the information by operation in a circumferential direction thereof, and (d) a controller means. The controller means controls the first manipulator means, the second manipulator means, and the display means. Thereby, the controller can perform the first screen process of scrolling the screen in an arbitrary direction to select a display position and the second screen process of scaling up, scaling down, and switching the screen with the selected display position as a reference.

Abstract: In a multi-directional operation switch, an operating disk, upon being pressed at its upper side, tilts to depress a elastic pressing member, thus making hard rings of the driving member to press a resistor sheet sequentially. This operation allows resistor layers beneath the resistor sheet to directly contact annular electrically conductive layers facing the resistor layers in a desired sequence, respectively. The multi-directional operation switch has a reduced height and can produce a number of switching signals according to desired angular directions of switching operations.

Abstract: When elastic driver (13) tilts, elastic pressing portion (13B) thereof depresses the upper face of flexible insulated substrate (15), thereby bringing circular-ring-like upper resistor layer (16) on the bottom face of flexible insulated substrate (15) into partial contact with lower conductor layer (17) opposed to the upper resistor layer. In this state, a computing unit (not shown) recognizes the tilt direction and the tilt angle of elastic driver (13) according to information from leads of upper resistor layer (16) and lower conductor layer (17).

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: When elastic driver (13) tilts, elastic pressing portion (13B) thereof depresses the upper face of flexible insulated substrate (15), thereby bringing circular-ring-like upper resistor layer (16) on the bottom face of flexible insulated substrate (15) into partial contact with lower conductor layer (17) opposed to the upper resistor layer. In this state, a computing unit (not shown) recognizes the tilt direction and the tilt angle of elastic driver (13) according to information from leads of upper resistor layer (16) and lower conductor layer (17).

Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes flanges 23A, 23B, and a swivel mechanism includes swiveling shaft 25. Spring 26 energizes the swiveling mechanism. Resilient repulsion of spring 26 torqued energizes the swiveling mechanism to swivel toward either end of a swivelable range.

Abstract: In a high-operability switching device (11) with an actuator and two other actuators disposed apart from the one actuator on both its sides, the one actuator is a cylindrical dial (23) supported rotatably about a pair of spindle bearings (26) included in a base plate (25) and depressibly, the base plate (25) supporting the dial (23) is fitted in a frame (22), the outer actuators are pivotable in a direction generally perpendicularly to a direction in which the three actuators are arrayed and about a pivot generally perpendicular to a direction in which operating surfaces (35) thereof are pushed, to press a contact (30) disposed on the frame (22) when the outer actuator is pivoted, and each of the outer actuators has a to-be-supported piece (34) extending to a position where the outer actuator is deviated away from the lateral edge of the dial (23) in the rotating direction as viewed from front.

Abstract: A push and rotation operating type electronic component that allows for rotary manipulation in a tangential direction of a peripheral surface of a cylindrical operating knob projecting from a control surface of an apparatus, and also for pushing manipulation in a direction toward a central axis of rotation of the knob. The electronic component provides for a reduction in overall dimensions of a main portion, thereby reducing a height size of an enclosure of the end-use apparatus, smooth movement to a depressing manipulation, and easy to assemble.

Abstract: The disclosed rotary encoder includes contact substrate 31 and movable contact plate 32. Substrate 31 contains three fan-shaped conductive layers 34A, 34B, and 34C on positions having a same distance from the center of substrate 31. On the other hand, movable contact plate 32 retains three elastic contacts 36A, 36B, 36C, and rotates. The three contacts have continuity with each other and disposed at positions with a same distance from the center of substrate 31, spaced at a radial angle of 120°. When contact plate 32 is rotated, any two out of three elastic contacts 36A, 36B, and 36C consecutively contact with any two out of three conductive layers 34A, 34B, and 34C. Through the continuity, an electric signal is led out from terminals 35A, 35B, and 35C.

Abstract: A rotary-push type electronic component is provided for use in an electronic appliance such as a mobile phone. The electronic component includes a base unit, a frame mounted to the base unit, a support shaft coupling the frame to the base unit for pivotal and vertical movement of the frame relative to the base unit, a generally cylindrical operation knob rotatably mounted to the frame, a rotary operation device for emitting an electric signal upon rotation of the generally cylindrical operation knob, and a pair of self-restoring push operation parts spaced apart on the base unit below the frame so as to be operated by pivoting of the frame about the support shaft relative to the base unit. The support shaft is disposed at a rear portion of the frame, and the push operation parts are disposed beneath a front portion of the frame.

Abstract: A game machine encoder with a rotatable rotary contact panel having a top, a bottom, and a rotary shaft, plural contact portions having a comb-shaped contact portion, a common contact portion, and a further contact portion disposed at the bottom of the rotary contact panel, and plural contact brushes biased toward each contact portion of these plural contact portions. The further contact portion has a detection signal portion for detecting the origin position of the rotary contact panel. Each contact portion of the comb-shaped contact portion, common contact portion and further contact portion is disposed on concentric circles having centers corresponding with the center of the rotary shaft. When the encoder rotates, two sets of contact brushes out of the plural contact brushes open and close to provide a first signal and a second signal having waveforms mutually different in phase, and another set of contact brushes opens and closes to provide a detection signal for detecting the origin position.

Abstract: A dustproof push-on switch for use in an electronic device is provided which includes a base, a movable contact, a stationary contact, and a push button. The push button is made of an elastic member and hermetically held by the base to protect the movable contact and the stationary contact from dust and dirt. The base has formed thereon an annular peripheral side wall and an annular rib to form an annular groove therebetween. The push button is fitted into the annular groove in elastically tight engagement therewith.