Abstract: This invention is directed to the provision of a data input device that is operated by a novel method of inputting the force applied on a force sensor as polar coordinate data and subjecting the data to input processing which utilizes the r value and the ? value. A portable telephone 1 detects the force applied on a force sensor 51 of an input unit 50 as rectangular coordinate data and converts the detected rectangular coordinate data into polar coordinate data. Then, with reference to an allocating table that has recorded characters and ranges of ? values to which the individual characters are allocated, the character allocated to the obtained ? value is selected. Then, when the r value larger than a prescribed threshold is input, the entry of the selected parameter is determined.

Abstract: A data input device that enables the user to execute a scrolling operation rapidly and infallibly without enduring any operational burden is provided. The data input device comprises a force detecting unit for detecting an applied force as a rectangular coordinate data, a converting unit for converting the rectangular coordinate data detected by the force detecting unit into a polar coordinate data, a scrolling amount deciding unit for deciding the scrolling amount of an element displayed in a display based on the r value of the polar coordinate data converted by the converting unit, and a scrolling direction deciding unit for deciding the scrolling direction of the element based on the change in the ? value of the polar coordinate data converted by the converting unit.

Abstract: Two input modes can be switched by a change of input to one input part. A portable telephone set 100 has an analog input part 152 provided with four capacitance-type analog sensors 20a to 20d arranged above, below, right and left on a substrate 10, five switches 30a to e arranged above, below, right and left and a center on the substrate 10 and a key top part 40 arranged above them. A processing mode of analog input from the analog sensor is switched by presence or absence of switch input.

Abstract: The invention provides an elastic body that reduces the cost of manufacture, has high deformation stability and excellent restoration capability, and is easy to be formed, a force sensor and an acceleration sensor equipped with said elastic body. The elastic body includes a first elastic part with electroconductivity and a second elastic part made of a tabular member which is harder than the first elastic part and is insertion-formed into the first elastic part.

Abstract: A force sensor converts a force into capacitance and makes it possible to generate a plurality of outputs with different output characteristics, force detection system, and a digital force detection program for it. The force sensor 20 has a displacement unit 24 for generating a displacement when a force is applied; a single or a plurality of first sensor units (36, 36A, 36B, 36C, and 36D) for generating a first output C1 from said displacement of the displacement unit; and a second sensor unit 44, which is annexed to the first sensor unit, for generating a second output C2 from the displacement of said displacement unit. The force detection system enhances the output accuracy by means of the first and second outputs of such a force sensor. The force detection program is used in the force detection system for executing the output process.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the provision of a data input device that is operated by a novel method of inputting the force applied on a force sensor as polar coordinate data and subjecting the data to input processing which utilizes the r value and the ? value. A portable telephone 1 detects the force applied on a force sensor 51 of an input unit 50 as rectangular coordinate data and converts the detected rectangular coordinate data into polar coordinate data. Then, with reference to an allocating table that has recorded characters and ranges of ? values to which the individual characters are allocated, the character allocated to the obtained ? value is selected. Then, when the r value larger than a prescribed threshold is input, the entry of the selected parameter is determined.

Abstract: The invention provides a force detector in which power consumption is suppressed. Four electrodes E11 through E14 are formed on a substrate, and an elastic deformable body formed of a rubber film is disposed thereon. A conductive coating is applied on the lower surface of the elastic deformable body to provide a displacing conductive layer 26. Four capacitance elements C11 through C14 are comprised by the electrodes E11 through E14 and the displacing conductive layer 26 opposed to the electrodes. The capacitance values thereof are converted into voltage values V11 through V14 by C/V converter circuit 50, and based on operation by signal processing circuit 60, an external force applied to the elastic deformable body is detected.

Abstract: An efficient rotational-operation-quantity input device suitable to be built into a small electrical appliance is provided. An operational force applied by an operator is input in time series as a coordinate value (x, y) in an XY two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system by a two-dimensional force sensor 100, and is converted into a coordinate value (r, ?) by a polar-coordinate converting section 200. When a value r of the coordinate value (r, ?) obtained in time series is larger than a predetermined threshold rt, an operation-quantity recognizing section 300 recognizes the coordinate value (r, ?) as a significant coordinate value, and, when the value ? generates a variation ?? exceeding a predetermined threshold ?t with respect to a value “? before” immediately therebefore during a period during which a significant coordinate value (r, ?) is obtained continuously, it recognizes a value corresponding to the variation ?? as an operation quantity indicating a rotation.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a force sensor that converts a force into capacitance and makes it possible to generate a plurality of outputs with different output characteristics, force detection system, and a force detection program for it. The force sensor 20 has a displacement unit 24 for generating a displacement when a force is applied; a single or a plurality of first sensor units (36, 36A, 36B, 36C, and 36D) for generating a first output C1 from said displacement of the displacement unit; and a second sensor unit 44, which is annexed to the first sensor unit, for generating a second output C2 from the displacement of said displacement unit. The force detection system enhances the output accuracy by means of the first and second outputs of such a force sensor. The force detection program is used in the force detection system for executing the output process.

Abstract: The invention provides a force detector in which power consumption is suppressed. Four electrodes E11 through E14 are formed on a substrate, and an elastic deformable body formed of a rubber film is disposed thereon. A conductive coating is applied on the lower surface of the elastic deformable body to provide a displacing conductive layer 26. Four capacitance elements C11 through C14 are comprised by the electrodes E11 through E14 and the displacing conductive layer 26 opposed to the electrodes. The capacitance values thereof are converted into voltage values V11 through V14 by C/V converter circuit 50, and based on operation by signal processing circuit 60, an external force applied to the elastic deformable body is detected.

Abstract: The invention provides a force detector in which power consumption is suppressed. Four electrodes E11 through E14 are formed on a substrate, and an elastic deformable body formed of a rubber film is disposed thereon. A conductive coating is applied on the lower surface of the elastic deformable body to provide a displacing conductive layer 26. Four capacitance elements C11 through C14 are comprised by the electrodes E11 through E14 and the displacing conductive layer 26 opposed to the electrodes. The capacitance values thereof are converted into voltage values V11 through V14 by C/V converter circuit 50, and based on operation by signal processing circuit 60, an external force applied to the elastic deformable body is detected.

Abstract: The invention provides a force detector in which power consumption is suppressed. Four electrodes (E11-E14) are formed on a substrate, and an elastic deformable body formed of a ruber film is disposed thereon. A conductive coating is applied on the lower surface of the elastic deformable body to provide a displacing conductive layer (26). Four capacitance elements (C11-C14) are comprised by the electrodes (E11-E14) and the displacing conductive layer (26) opposed to the electrodes. The capacitance values thereof are converted into voltage values (V11-V14) by C/V converter circuit (50), and based on operation by signal processing circuit (60), an external force applied to the elastic deformable body is detected. A pair of contacting electrodes (E15) and (E16) are formed on the substrate, and when an external force with a predetermined strength or more is applied, the elastic deformable body deforms, and the displacing conductive layer (26) comes into contact with both electrodes (E15) and (E16).

Abstract: The invention provides a force detector in which power consumption is suppressed. Four electrodes E11 through E14 are formed on a substrate, and an elastic deformable body formed of a rubber film is disposed thereon. A conductive coating is applied on the lower surface of the elastic deformable body to provide a displacing conductive layer 26. Four capacitance elements C11 through C14 are comprised by the electrodes E11 through E14 and the displacing conductive layer 26 opposed to the electrodes. The capacitance values thereof are converted into voltage values V11 through V14 by C/V converter circuit 50, and based on operation by signal processing circuit 60, an external force applied to the elastic deformable body is detected.

Abstract: An efficient rotational-operation-quantity input device suitable to be built into a small electrical appliance is provided. An operational force applied by an operator is input in time series as a coordinate value (x, y) in an XY two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system by a two-dimensional force sensor 100, and is converted into a coordinate value (r, &thgr;) by a polar-coordinate converting section 200.

Abstract: An intermediate displacement board (120) composed of a metal plate is arranged on a printed circuit board (110) having electrode patterns (E1-E7) and then a strain generative body (130) composed of silicon rubber is arranged on top thereof. Then, the arrangement is fixed to the printed circuit board (110) with attachments (140). Depressing a displacement portion (133) causes a connecting portion (132) to be deflected and an electrode (F0) to be brought into contact with the electrodes (E1, E2) to make them conductive, thereby allowing the pushbutton switch to be turned ON. Depressing further the displacement portion (133) causes an elastic deformation portion (134) to be elastically deformed and crushed and the intermediate displacement board (120) to be pushed downward. The capacitance of capacitors (C3-C7), which are constituted by the electrodes (E3-E7) and the intermediate displacement board (120), are varied according to the depression of the intermediate displacement board (120).

Abstract: The invention provides a force detector in which power consumption is suppressed. Four electrodes E11 through E14 are formed on a substrate, and an elastic deformable body formed of a rubber film is disposed thereon. A conductive coating is applied on the lower surface of the elastic deformable body to provide a displacing conductive layer 26. Four capacitance elements C11 through C14 are comprised by the electrodes E11 through E14 and the displacing conductive layer 26 opposed to the electrodes. The capacitance values thereof are converted into voltage values V11 through V14 by C/V converter circuit 50, and based on operation by signal processing circuit 60, an external force applied to the elastic deformable body is detected.

Abstract: A bottom fixed layer 110, displacement layer 125, and top fixed layer 130 are fixed in a layered structure by way of intervening pedestals 145, 155, which serve as spacers between the layers. The bottom and top fixed layers 110, 130 are rigid dielectric substrates. The displacement layer 125 is a flexible conductive substrate. On the top of the bottom fixed layer 110 are formed an electrode E11 on the right, electrode E12 on the left, and a washer-shaped electrode E15 in the middle. On the bottom of the top fixed layer 130 are formed an electrode E21 on the right, electrode E22 on the left, and a washer-shaped electrode E25 in the middle. These electrodes and the displacement layer 125 together form capacitance elements C11 to C25. When acceleration acts on the working body 160, the displacement layer 125 is displaced and a change in capacitance occurs in various capacitance elements.

Abstract: An intermediate displacement board (120) composed of a metal plate is arranged on a printed circuit board (110) having electrode patterns (E1-E7) and then a strain generative body (130) composed of silicon rubber is arranged on top thereof. Then, the arrangement is fixed to the printed circuit board (110) with attachments (140). Depressing a displacement portion (133) causes a connecting portion (132) to be deflected and an electrode (F0) to be brought into contact with the electrodes (E1, E2) to make them conductive, thereby allowing the pushbutton switch to be turned ON. Depressing further the displacement portion (133) causes an elastic deformation portion (134) to be elastically deformed and crushed and the intermediate displacement board (120) to be pushed downward. The capacitance of capacitors (C3-C7), which are constituted by the electrodes (E3-E7) and the intermediate displacement board (120), are varied according to the depression of the intermediate displacement board (120).