Abstract: A disclosed antenna device includes a ground plate, a feeding unit that extends from the ground plate at a predetermined angle for a predetermined length, the feeding unit being prepared perpendicular to the ground plate, and a non-conductive section formed in the ground plate. The shape of the non-conductive section is adjusted according to a desired frequency characteristic.

Abstract: A filtering device is disclosed that can be made compact and has wide-band band-pass characteristics. The filtering device includes a first filtering unit that is composed of a distributed constant circuit and is capable of eliminating a first frequency component or a second frequency component wherein the second frequency being higher than the first frequency, and a second filtering unit that attenuates components of frequencies lower than the first frequency or components of frequencies higher than the second frequency.

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.

Abstract: A disclosed antenna device includes a plate-like ground plate, and a feeding unit that extends from the ground plate for a predetermined length at a predetermined angle. The feeding unit is constituted by a half-body, which is a body, such as a circular cone, halved by a plane perpendicular to the ground plate, and the feeding unit is prepared perpendicular to the ground plate.

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 communication device is disclosed which is comprised of: a transmitter for transmitting an ultra wide band wireless wave pulse; multiple receivers which are disposed equidistant from the transmitter and receive the ultra wide band wireless wave pulse; and distance-measuring equipment which detects a distance or a direction to an object by measuring time intervals between the first reception times when receivers receive the ultra wide band wireless wave pulse directly from the transmitter and the second reception times when the receivers receive a object-reflected wave of the ultra wide band wireless wave pulse.

Abstract: A coordinates input device includes an operation unit that receives an operation input, a vibration generator that applies a vibration to the operation unit, and a vibration control unit that controls the vibration generator to apply the vibration to the operation unit when the operation input is received by the operation unit. The vibration generator includes a power feed unit provided to the operation unit, and a magnetic-field applying unit having sub-units. Each of the sub-units has first and second magnets spaced apart from each other with a given gap. The magnetic flux produced by the first and second magnets crosses a current flowing in the power feed unit.

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 sensor unit includes a support body having a concave surface, a spherical body formed of a magnetic material and placed on the concave surface of the support body so as to roll freely thereon, a permanent magnet producing a magnetic field affecting the magnetic spherical body, and a magnetic sensor detecting a change in the magnetic field caused by the movement of said magnetic spherical body. The magnetic spherical body and the permanent magnet are provided to oppose each other with a given distance therebetween in a vertical direction. The magnetic sensor is provided between the magnetic spherical body and the permanent magnet. An output is produced in accordance with the detection by the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A design support apparatus, when designing multichip packages, verifies connections between a semiconductor chip and leads of a lead frame. Distances between two wires or distances between the wires and the other components are calculated using three-dimensional drawing data (CAD data) and semiconductor package data. Components of the semiconductor packages such as wires, lead frames, or die pads are drawn in the three-dimensional drawing data. The semiconductor package data describes specifications of the semiconductor packages such as outer sizes of the packages. Distance values are compared with design rule data. The design rule data defines constraints on the positional relationship between each wire and each component. The design support apparatus determines whether the acquired positional relationship is proper on the basis of design rule data.

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: 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 a case, circuit boards, and a support member. The case includes a rib formed therein to extend in a given direction. The circuit boards each include an input part, and are temporarily fastened to the case via the rib in process of assembling the input device. After the circuit boards are temporarily fastened to the case, the support member is fixed to the case so as to support the circuit boards between the support member and the case.

Abstract: A fuel cell device is disclosed that is capable of being made compact when being transported and in storage. The fuel cell device includes a fuel cell unit including a number of fuel cells arranged sequentially in a case. The case includes a holder frame for holding the fuel cells, a first hemi-case, and a second hemi-case. The width of the case is adjustable in the direction in which the fuel cells are arranged in a line. When the fuel cell device is being transported or in storage, the first hemi-case and the second hemi-case are pushed to approach each other, making the size of the case small. When the fuel cell device is used to generate electrical power, the first hemi-case and the second hemi-case are pulled apart from each other and, accordingly, the fuel cells are separated from each other by a springy plate.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) including a polyelectrolyte membrane having first and second sides to which a fuel electrode and an air electrode are joined, respectively; a fuel electrode housing having an internal face on which a fuel channel and a fuel-side electrode film are formed; and an air electrode housing having an air passage formed therein, the air electrode housing having an internal face on which an air-side electrode film is formed. The fuel electrode housing is joined to the MEA with the internal face thereof facing the fuel electrode of the MEA so that the fuel-side electrode film is electrically connected to the fuel electrode. The air electrode housing is joined to the MEA with the internal face thereof facing the air electrode of the MEA so that the air-side electrode film is electrically connected to the air electrode.

Abstract: An input device for inputting information corresponding to a direction of inclination and an angle of inclination of a movable part into devices such as a computer. The input device includes a substantially spherical part provided at a lower end of said movable part; bearing means which rotatably supports said substantially spherical part of said movable part; a recovery means which rotates said substantially spherical part within said bearing means so as to recover the upright position of the movable part; and inclination detecting means which detects a direction of inclination and an angle of inclination of said movable part.

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 coordinates input apparatus for designating a particular set of coordinates in three-dimensional space, the coordinates input apparatus includes a substantially box-like frame, an operating part tiltably positioned within the frame, a printed circuit board supporting the frame, a magnet, a plurality of magnetoelectric transducers and a magnetic plate.

Abstract: A design support apparatus, when designing multichip packages, verifies connections between a semiconductor chip and leads of a lead frame. Distances between two wires or distances between the wires and the other components are calculated using three-dimensional drawing data (CAD data) and semiconductor package data. Components of the semiconductor packages such as wires, lead frames, or die pads are drawn in the three-dimensional drawing data. The semiconductor package data describes specifications of the semiconductor packages such as outer sizes of the packages. Distance values are compared with design rule data. The design rule data defines constraints on the positional relationship between each wire and each component. The design support apparatus determines whether the acquired positional relationship is proper on the basis of design rule data.

Abstract: A three-dimensional coordinate input device includes an operation portion, a ferrite magnet provided within the operation portion, two pairs of Hall-effect elements provided on a substrate. One pair of the Hall-effect elements is used for detecting an X coordinate and the other pair of the Hall-effect elements is used for detecting a Y coordinate. When inclined and vertically moved by hand, the operation portion can be displaced in three-dimension. When the operation portion is inclined in any direction, an XY coordinate value can be obtained based on its inclination and inputted into a computer to be displayed on a coordinate space. By using a mean of output voltages of the Hall-effect elements, a Z coordinate value can be obtained and displayed on the coordinate space.