Abstract: An actuator includes: a base member; a first slider that is placed slidably in a first axial direction with respect to the base member; a second slider that is placed slidably in a second axial direction with respect to the base member, the second axial direction being perpendicular to the first axial direction; a moving piece that is placed at a crossing point between the first slider and the second slider, and is capable of moving in a plane, the moving piece being slidably engaged with the first slider and the second slider; a magnet that is fixed to one end of the first slider, and a magnet that is fixed to one end of the second slider; and coils that are designed to allow the magnets to move inner spaces thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a decoration technique for providing iridescent color effects or glittering luster effects to a resin casing by attaching a polarizing film in contact with a resin casing, and for finishing a cut-off edge portion of the polarizing film smooth. After forming the polarizing film on a mold having a prescribed shape, a thermoplastic resin is injected into the mold to produce a thermoplastic resin casing to which the polarizing film is firmly attached. When cutting off an excess portion of the polarizing film by using a cutting die, a heater built into the cutting die is energized, and the cut-off edge portion of the polarizing film is fused by the heating of the cutting die, thus fixing the edge portion to the thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A pointing device includes a movable member, a guide mechanism, an operation member, a press board and a switch. The guide mechanism guides the movable member in a first axis direction and in a second axis direction so that the movable member is movable, the first axis and the second axis being at right angles to each other. The operation member moves with the movable member and is movable in a pressing direction. The press board deforms elastically when engaged with the operation member being pressed. The switch having an electrical contact state is changed when the switch is pressed by the press board deformed elastically.

Abstract: In an inputting apparatus which is manipulated with a finger placed on a manipulating section included in the inputting apparatus, the manipulating section is configured to stimulate the tactile sense of the finger used in the manipulating, enabling to confirm the inputting.

Abstract: A touch panel includes: a first layer and a second layer that are arranged to face each other, with a predetermined gap being formed between the first layer and the second layer; a first resistance film that is formed on a surface of the first layer, the surface facing the second layer; a second resistance film that is formed on a surface of the second layer, the surface facing the first layer; and a power supply unit that is provided on the first resistance film. In this touch panel, the first resistance film and the second resistance film form an antenna.

Abstract: A tactile panel includes a vibration panel, a yoke provided to face the vibration panel, drive coils secured on a circumference of the vibration panel, and a set of permanent magnets arranged between the vibration panel and the yoke. The vibration panel is held by panel holding members, into which both sides of the vibration panel are inserted in a direction substantially perpendicular to a vibration direction of the vibration panel.

Abstract: An input device and a driving device able to be made thin and secure sufficiently large vibration amplitude are provided. The input device comprises an input panel, a current conducting element for conducting a driving current, and a magnetic field application unit for applying a magnetic field on the current conducting element. Both of the current conducting element and the magnetic field application unit are arranged in the peripheral region of the input panel. The magnetic field applied by the magnetic field application unit is parallel to the input panel and intersects the current conducting element. When the input panel is touched, a driving current is fed into the current conducting element, and a force is imposed on the current conducting element and the magnetic field application unit, making them move. This movement further drives the input panel to vibrate. Consequently, input operations can be recognized by feeling the vibration of the input panel.

Abstract: An input device includes an operation portion, a holding portion, a detection portion and at least a switch. The holding portion holds the operation portion so that the operation portion is rotatable around a given axis. The detection portion detects a rotational position of the operation portion with respect to the holding portion. A condition of the switch changes according to an external force exerted to the operation portion.

Abstract: An operation device includes: an operated boy; an operation signal producing part that produces an operation signal based on an operation on the operated body; and a tactile information presenting part that presents tactile information through the operated body. The operation device may be applied to an electronic book device for flipping of pages.

Abstract: An input device, which detects a position of a movable object moving on a given plane and inputs an instruction, includes a first detection portion and a second detection portion. The first detection portion detects the position of the movable object in a first direction. The second detection portion detects the position of the movable object in a second direction crossed at right angle to the first direction. The first detection portion and the second detection portion detect movement amounts of the movable object in the first direction and in the second direction, based on a change of either a light quantity or a magnetic flux.

Abstract: A position detection device includes an electromagnetic conversion element and a magnetic field generator. The electromagnetic conversion element is arranged on a given plane. The magnetic field generator is arranged facing one side of the electromagnetic conversion element in a direction vertical to the given plane and generates a magnetic field covering the electromagnetic conversion element. A relative position between the electromagnetic conversion element and the magnetic field generator is detected when a relative displacement parallel to the given plane is made by the electromagnetic conversion element and the magnetic field generator based on an output signal of the electromagnetic conversion element. The magnetic field generator has an opposed face that tilts to the electromagnetic conversion element, and generates the magnetic field from the opposed face.

Abstract: A haptic panel apparatus is disclosed that enables an operator to sense movement of a touch panel through touch when an input is made. The touch panel is accommodated within a base member, and an electromagnetic drive mechanism is provided between the touch panel and the base member. When the operator operates the touch panel with his/her fingertip and an input is made, the electromagnetic drive mechanism is driven to induce the touch panel to recede. In turn, the operator senses the receding of the touch panel through his/her fingertip to recognize that an input has been properly made.

Abstract: An input device includes a substrate and a movable object that moves on the substrate. One of the substrate and the movable object includes a magnetic field generator and the other of the substrate and the movable object includes electromagnetic conversion elements provided to detect magnetic fields generated outside of the magnetic field generator.

Abstract: An input device includes: magnets that are arranged in a flat state; coils that are arranged so as to face the magnets, and are moved in relation to the magnets; a mobile member that is connected to the coils; a first guide member that slidably guides the mobile member; a second guide member that slidably guides the first guide member in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the mobile member; and a switch that is operated by an operator to carry out an input operation. In this input device, the switch is formed on the mobile member.

Abstract: A tactile presenting device includes a panel presenting tactile, and a control unit that vibrates the panel in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the panel by magnetic force, the control unit vibrating the panel at a frequency equal to or lower than 50 Hz.

Abstract: A tactile panel includes a vibration panel, a yoke provided to face the vibration panel, drive coils secured on a circumference of the vibration panel, and a set of permanent magnets arranged between the vibration panel and the yoke. The vibration panel is held by panel holding members, into which both sides of the vibration panel are inserted in a direction substantially perpendicular to a vibration direction of the vibration panel.

Abstract: An input apparatus includes a touch panel upper member for outputting a detection signal corresponding to an input position at which an input operation is executed, a moveable lower member disposed with respect to the touch panel upper member, an operation unit for executing the input operation, and an operation mechanism which, in accordance with the input operation of the operation unit, is operable to urge the moveable lower member into contact with the touch panel upper member at the input position to thereby transmit the input position to the touch panel upper member and output the detection signal corresponding to the input position.

Abstract: An actuator includes magnets that are arranged in a flat form, coils that face the magnets, a moving member that is connected to the coils, a first holding member that holds the moving member in such a manner that the moving member can slide within a predetermined range; and a second holding member that holds the first holding member in such a manner that the first holding member can slide within a predetermined range in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the moving member. This actuator moves the coils against the magnets.

Abstract: A plane plate vibration device includes a plane plate, a coil portion having a first coil and a second coil, the first coil being wound on a circumference of the plane plate in parallel with the plane plate, the second coil being wound along inside of the first coil in parallel with the plane plate, and magnetic field generating mechanisms that are provided in parallel with the plane plate and generate magnetic fields in directions perpendicular to directions of currents respectively flowing through the first coil and the second coil. The currents flow through the first coil and the second coil in reverse directions, the directions of magnetic fields perpendicular to the currents respectively flowing through the first coil and the second coil give forces in the same direction, and the plane plate vibrates in a direction of thickness by adjusting the currents respectively flowing through the first coil and the second coil.

Abstract: An actuator includes: a magnetic field generator that has different magnetic poles alternately arranged in a plane, with a predetermined position being the center of the magnetic poles; a coil holder that holds a plurality of coils that are radially arranged and face the magnetic field generator, relative motion being caused between the magnetic field generator and the coil holder; and an electromagnetic conversion unit that detects the relative motion and is mounted on either the magnetic field generator or the coil holder.