Abstract: A load detecting device includes a sensor element including a function for generating and detecting a vibration within a single element, the sensor element converting a load or an acceleration into a detection signal, a driving portion for outputting a driving signal for vibrating the sensor element, a vibration detecting portion for extracting the detection signal from the sensor element and for detecting a vibration characteristic value of the sensor element, a wiring for electrically connecting the sensor element, the driving portion and the vibration detecting portion to one another, and for transmitting a superimposed signal constituted by superposition of the driving signal from the driving portion and the detection signal from the sensor element, and a calculating portion for calculating one of or both of a load and an acceleration applied to the sensor element based on the vibration characteristic value from the vibration detecting portion.

Abstract: A biosignal intensity distribution measuring apparatus, includes a supporting member for supporting a human body, a plurality of detecting portions arranged in two dimensions within a target detection area of the supporting member, the detecting portions detecting pressure fluctuations and outputting signals corresponding to the pressure fluctuations respectively, a filter extracting a biosignal having a predetermined frequency band based from the signal outputted from each of the detecting portions, an intensity calculating portion calculating an intensity value of the biosignal, and an intensity distribution producing portion producing intensity distribution in which the intensity value corresponds to a position of the detecting portion.

Abstract: A thermoelectric converting device includes a P type thermoelectric element, an N type thermoelectric element, the N type thermoelectric element connected with the P type thermoelectric element alternately to be electrically in series, an electrode circuit contacting the P type thermoelectric element and the N type thermoelectric element, an insulation substrate, at least one electric circuit forming a layer with the electrode circuit via the insulation substrate, and a conduction member for electrically conducting the electrode circuit and the electric circuit.

Abstract: A biological information pressure sensor having a planer shape disposed on an elastic support element for supporting a human body, for detecting an external force due to one or both of a load variation caused by the human body and vibration generated by the human body. The sensor includes a sensing portion having sensitivity with respect to the external force, wherein the sensing portion is configured by using a piezoelectric material, and is configured to have flexibility and anisotropy.

Abstract: A load detecting device includes a sensor element including a function for generating and detecting a vibration within a single element, the sensor element converting a load or an acceleration into a detection signal, a driving portion for outputting a driving signal for vibrating the sensor element, a vibration detecting portion for extracting the detection signal from the sensor element and for detecting a vibration characteristic value of the sensor element, a wiring for electrically connecting the sensor element, the driving portion and the vibration detecting portion to one another, and for transmitting a superimposed signal constituted by superposition of the driving signal from the driving portion and the detection signal from the sensor element, and a calculating portion for calculating one of or both of a load and an acceleration applied to the sensor element based on the vibration characteristic value from the vibration detecting portion.

Abstract: A thermoelectric converting device includes a P type thermoelectric element, an N type thermoelectric element, the N type thermoelectric element connected with the P type thermoelectric element alternately to be electrically in series, an electrode circuit contacting the P type thermoelectric element and the N type thermoelectric element, an insulation substrate, at least one electric circuit forming a layer with the electrode circuit via the insulation substrate, and a conduction member for electrically conducting the electrode circuit and the electric circuit.

Abstract: An angular rate sensor comprises an oscillator excited for oscillation in x-direction, a movable electrode disposed in opposing relationship with a stationary electrode along z-direction, and a movable electrode support for transmitting the oscillation of the oscillator in the z-direction to the movable electrode while interrupting the transmission of the oscillation in the x-direction, and is formed by a micromachining operation. The movable electrode support includes an oscillator support beam continuing from the oscillator and extending in y-direction, an electrode support beam continuing from the oscillator support beam and extending in the x-direction, and a connector stem extending in the x-direction form the electrode support beam and connected to the movable electrode at a position which represents the center of gravity of the movable electrode.

Abstract: A seismic mass 41 is supported by a beam 37 which has opposite ends secured to a housing 11 so that its gravity center G is positioned away from a straight line connecting the opposite ends the beam 37. Thus, a rotating force is given to the seismic mass 41 in response to an acceleration. The rotating force given to the seismic mass 41 causes displacement of the beam 37. Then, a capacitance between a movable electrode 43, 45 and a fixed electrode 21, 23, 25, 31, 33, 35 changes, and such a change defines a magnitude of the acceleration.

Abstract: A micropump is disclosed including an input port, an output port, a fluid channel space located therebetween, a first oscillating member for opening or closing between the fluid channel space and the input port, a second oscillating member for opening or closing between the fluid channel space and the output port, and at least one third oscillating member for reducing/enlarging the volume of the fluid channel space. The micropump is provided with pressure correcting means which applies a pressure, substantially equal to a fluid pressure at the input port, to a space located outside the fluid channel space and in which the first oscillating member oscillates.

Abstract: A fluid-flow regulating device is comprised of (a) a plurality of driving mechanisms each of which has a chamber, a diaphragm disposed at an opening of the chamber, a light-heat conversion substance accommodated in the chamber, and an operating fluid stored in the chamber, (b) a fluid-flow passage along which the plurality of driving mechanisms are arranged in such a manner that each of the diaphragm is opposed to the fluid-flow passage, (c) a plurality of optical fibers corresponding to the plurality of the chambers, and (d) a controller having a plurality of optical sources corresponding to the plurality of optical fibers which are set to be turned on and turned off in order to move an amount of fluid through the fluid-flow passage in any one of the normal and the reverse directions.

Abstract: A vibration motor comprises a first member for receiving an external vibration, a second member set to be brought into collision with the first member as a result of the receipt of the external vibration, and a converting mechanism provided at the first member and/or the second member and having an asymmetric configuration for establishing a relative movement of the second member upon collision of the first member thereto.

Abstract: An actuator is comprised of a main body, an inner space filled with an amount of thermally expansive gas and having a first portion in the form of a shallow configuration with an opening oriented toward one side of the main body, a second portion and a bottleneck passage located therebetween, a membrane in the form of a thin film connected to the side of the main body for closing the opening of the first portion of the inner space, a substance for converting the light into heat, and a guide device for guiding light into the second portion of the inner space. Upon an unexpected application of an external force on the thin film, the deformation of the thin film is limited at minimum by being supported by the bottom surface of the first portion. This ensures the prevention of the breakage of the thin film.

Abstract: An actuator includes a closed space defined by a deformable member in which an amount of thermally expansible gas is filled. In the closed space, there is also a substance which changes the light into the heat. A control device is set to establish the supply of the light into the closed space. Upon turning-on of the control device, the substance changes the supplied light into the heat, resulting in that the resultant heat brings the expansion of the gas. Thus, the member is brought into deformed condition. The deformation can be used as a force for operating a specific element.

Abstract: An actuator is comprised of a main body having an opening at its one side, an inner space defined within the main body and filled with an amount of thermally expansive gas, a substance for converting the light into the heat which is accommodated in the inner space, a guide device for guiding light into the second portion of the inner space, and a membrane connected to the side of the main body for closing the opening and deflected previously toward the inner space so as to establish a snap action toward outward of the main body when the inner pressure exceed a set value.

Abstract: An actuator is comprised of a plurality of three-dimensionally arranged containers each of which is constructed into deformable configuration and each of which is set to accommodate therein an amount of expandable fluid in response to the increase of the temperature, a heat supply device for supplying the heat to the fluid in each of the containers, a cooling device for cooling the fluid in each of the containers and a control device for controlling the heat supply device and the cooling device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system which permits an automobile driver to control electrical devices installed on an automobile by moving his or her pupils and mouth intentionally. The system includes a TV camera, a light, a first microprocessor which controls the electrical devices according to the changes in the shape of the driver's mouth, a second microprocessor for performing various arithmetic operations, and memories. Reference values have been previously assigned to various elements of the driver's face and stored in one of the memories. The second microprocessor normalizes the distances between the elements of the face with the distance between the pupils of the eyes and compares the normalized distances with the reference values to calculate the degrees of similarity of the elements.

Abstract: In a real time image recognition circuit, an image signal amplifier recognizes mouth or eye movement by which different functions within an automobile, including operation of a radio, air conditioner, cruise control, door locks, sun roof, windows, wipers, lighter, headlights, and defroster may be controlled. Improved focusing on pertinent portions of a human head, such as eyes and mouth, lessens the need to compensate for contrast in ambient light conditions, and thus enhances recognizability.

Abstract: An apparatus controls an on/off condition of an electrical device or devices mounted on an automobile, such as a car radio set, an air conditioner, a cigar lighter or the like. The face of a driver who is mounted on the vehicle is photographed by a television camera, which produces a video signal that is subject to a digital processing operation for storage in a frame memory. A video signal processing system essentially comprising CPU, RAM and ROM is operative, based upon the video data stored in the frame memory, to detect the pupil and mouth of the driver as well as their locations and configurations. A change in the location of the pupil as well as a change in the configuration of the pupil and the mouth is detected as a time sequence, and an on/off command signal is supplied to an electrical device in accordance with such changes.