Abstract: A pan head apparatus includes a head unit for mounting a camera, a base unit having a stationary portion, a rotating mechanism, and a rotary portion which is rotated with respect to the stationary portion by the rotating mechanism, and a connecting member which pivotally connects the head unit and the rotary portion of the base unit. In addition, a detector detects whether or not the head unit is set in an upright state with respect to the base unit by pivot motion of the connecting member. When the detector detects that the head unit is upright, rotation of the rotary portion by the rotating mechanism is permitted.

Abstract: A pan head apparatus that can provide a camera device with a pan head includes a head unit where a camera can be mounted, a base unit having a stationary portion, a rotating mechanism, and a rotary portion which is rotated with respect to the stationary portion by the rotating mechanism, and a hinge unit which pivotally connects the head unit and the rotary portion of the base unit. When the head unit and the base unit are pivoted by the hinge unit, a state wherein the head unit and the base unit are placed substantially flat side by side and a state wherein the head unit is upright with respect to the base unit can be proposed.

Abstract: When a schedule is updated, a check is performed to determine whether matters concerning the updated schedule are included in a To Do List, in which all processes to be performed are registered, and a schedule list. When there is an associated undertaking, added to a task table is a notification task for notifying a user and reminding him of the existence of that undertaking. Then, a notification process for reminding the user of the schedule for the pending undertaking is performed under appropriate conditions.

Abstract: A coordinate input apparatus has an optical scanning/detection unit for touch input, and a vibration sensor for pen input. While no coordinate input is made, some components of the optical scanning/detection unit are activated to detect the size of an object that approaches or contacts an input board. When the detected size is smaller than a predetermined value (as large as about the fingertip), it is determined that touch input has been made, and the optical scanning/detection unit is activated to acquire the coordinate value of the touch input. On the other hand, when the detected size is larger than the predetermined value (larger than a fist), it is determined that pen input has been made, and coordinate detection using the vibration sensor is done.

Abstract: A rotary drum assembly is arranged so that upper and lower drums can rotate about a central shaft with respect to each other via a dynamic-pressure bearing. In the rotary drum assembly, the central shaft is press-fitted into the rotary upper drum, a sleeve which is formed so that the central shaft can be rotatably fitted thereinto is supported by the fixed lower drum, and a dynamic-pressure generating groove is formed in either one of the central shaft and the sleeve, whereby a dynamic-pressure bearing is formed between the central shaft and the sleeve.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on or from a tape-shaped recording medium includes a head arranged to record and/or reproduce information on or from the recording medium, and a rotary drum which has the head mounted thereon and is arranged to have the tape-shaped recording medium wrapped around the outer peripheral surface thereof. A plurality of grooves are formed in the outer peripheral surface in such a way as to surround the outer peripheral surface. The outer peripheral surface includes a first outer peripheral surface and a second outer peripheral surface which has a smaller diameter than the first outer peripheral surface. Each of the plurality of grooves are sandwiched in between the first and second outer peripheral surfaces.

Abstract: In an audio mirror speaker, an uneven area is formed on a planar mirror surface and a directivity distribution is controlled by changing a relative position of a diaphragm facing the mirror surface and the mirror. The directivity distribution of such a speaker is determined by a radius of curvature of the uneven area. Since the directivity changes with various movements of the planar mirror, a freedom in setting the directivity distribution is enhanced.

Abstract: A rotary drum device includes a brush unit for supplying a signal or a current to a rotary portion. The rotary drum device has a guide portion along which the brush unit can move such that a contact force of a brush at the contacting point between the rotary portion and the brush can be maintained substantially constant.