Abstract: A method for controlling an input portion of electronic devices enables the input portion capable of both a coordinate input operation and a pressure input operation to be easy-to-use. The input portion, which includes an operation panel, a coordinate input section disposed thereunder, and a pressure input section disposed thereunder, is connected to a controller so as to form an input device. In the coordinate input operation, the user runs a finger across the operation panel, and in the pressure input operation, the user presses a predetermined position. In the method, the distinction between the two input operations is performed by detecting the shape of the contact part of the finger in contact with the surface of the input portion based on the signal obtained from the coordinate input section and by using the detected result and predetermined criteria. The controller outputs the signal corresponding to the determination.

Abstract: A lens actuator includes a carrier having a tubular shape having a through-hole provided therein. The through-hole is arranged to mount a lens therein. The lens actuator further includes plural springs contacting upper and lower surfaces of the carrier, a coil fixed to the carrier, a first yoke, a second yoke, and a magnet contacting the first yoke and the second yoke. The coil is placed between the first yoke and the second yoke. This lens actuator moves the lens by a long distance, and has a small size.

Abstract: An input device includes an input section formed of a display sheet and a coordinate input sheet, and a switch section allowing a push-input and placed on a substrate at a place corresponding to a display section of the display sheet. A foamed layer containing air and working as an insulating resin layer is placed between the input section and the substrate. The input section is supported via the foamed layer.

Abstract: A mobile terminal unit that includes: a display section that displays thereon content data; a manipulation section that is provided close to the display section for being in charge of manipulation related to the content data; a pad section that detects the movement of an object on the display section and the manipulation section; anda control section that goes through a predetermined process with respect to the content data based on the movement of the object detected by the pad section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a trackball and an in-vehicle device controller using the trackball. The trackball provides a stable operational feel and is easy to operate even in an environment in a vehicle where vibration and movement are present. The trackball includes a ball made of a non-magnetic material and having embedded therein bar members made of a magnetic material and arranged on three axes orthogonal to one another, a case enclosing the ball such that at least an upper portion of the ball is exposed, magnetic members fixed to the case on two axes penetrating through the center of the ball and orthogonal to each other so as to allow magnetic coupling to ends of the bar members, and another magnetic member fixed to the case on an axis penetrating through the center of the ball and orthogonal to the two axes so as to allow magnetic coupling to an end of one of the bar members.

Abstract: An optical trackball device of the present invention includes a ball as an operating member, using a material that partially transmits light, and this ball is rotatably supported by a support member. Light emitted from a light emitter disposed beneath the ball is reflected on this ball. A detector detects the reflected light to identify rotation of the ball. Since the light from the light emitter is partially transmitted through the ball, the ball can be illuminated without providing an additional component. Accordingly, a location of the ball is easily recognizable even in a dark place.

Abstract: The main body of the actuator structure is generally formed into a “pitchfork”shape. The middle bar of the pitchfork forms a Y-bend at its forward end. The Y-bend is disposed so that each tip of the bend is adjacent to the outer bar on each side of the pitchfork. At least a coil is fixed on each bar of the main body. The forward ends of the Y-bend abut against a movable member. In the structure above, applying a current to a coil generates minute movements in each tip of the Y-bend, thereby moving the movable member.

Abstract: An opening mechanism has a guide mechanism which holds the movable body in such a manner as to be slidable in the predetermined direction with respect to the planar solid body. This structure allows the solid body, the movable body and the guide bodies to be made of planar materials such as a steel plate, thereby enabling the opening mechanism to have a thinner profile. In addition, these components can be produced by a comparatively simple process such as press working, making it possible to provide a less expensive opening mechanism. A thin electronic device using this opening mechanism is also provided.

Abstract: An antenna device for installation on vehicles, which antenna device including a core made of a magnetic material, a holding portion provided by a dielectric film sheet wound around the core, a coil formed with a linear conductor wound around the holding portion, a case made of a dielectric resin material for housing the core, the holding portion and the coil, and a flexible dielectric resin filling the space within the case excluding the core, the holding portion and the coil.

Abstract: The operating force and position of a front side switch and back side press button switches are determined according to the properties of the force and length of the thumb and the other fingers of a driver. The front side switch is disposed on the front side of the spoke of a steering wheel. The back side press button switches are disposed on the back side thereof. This structure improves operability of the front side switch and back side press button switches mounted on the steering wheel.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus is configured by disposing an EL element inside a stationary housing including, about its top side, an operating part including a plurality of arranged push buttons as well as inside a movable housing openably mounted to the stationary housing and having a display part at its surface, and connecting a control circuit to the EL elements, the operating part and the display part. The control circuit controls light emission of the respective EL elements of the stationary housing and the movable housing to illuminate the operating part and the display part, so that the lighting apparatus simple in structure is capable of various illuminations.

Abstract: An antenna device for installation on vehicles, which antenna device including a core made of a magnetic material, a holding portion provided by a dielectric film sheet wound around the core, a coil formed with a linear conductor wound around the holding portion, a case made of a dielectric resin material for housing the core, the holding portion and the coil, and a flexible dielectric resin filling the space within the case excluding the core, the holding portion and the coil.

Abstract: A trackball device including (i) a sphere, (ii) a support for rotatably supporting the sphere, (iii) a rotation detector for detecting rotation of the sphere, and (iv) a controller. The controller generates a specific output signal responsive to a signal from the rotation detector. The trackball device further includes an informer for generating auxiliary information that gives feedback of the situation to an operator according to how the sphere rotates. This structure can provide a trackball device having excellent user-friendliness. Because this trackball device gives feedback of the position of a pointer on a display to the operator, the operator doesn't have to look at the display. Thus, this trackball device is especially preferable to be incorporated into a vehicle.

Abstract: An EL element includes plural light-emitting regions for illuminating corresponding push buttons, and is disposed beneath the push buttons. The EL element is connected to a switching contact and a controller. An light-emitting operation of the EL element is controlled by the controller to illuminate a certain push button. The keyboard including the above components can provide multiple functions for illuminating the push buttons although having a simple structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a trackball and an in-vehicle device controller using the trackball. The trackball provides a stable operational feel and are easy to operate even in an environment in a vehicle where vibration and movement are present. A trackball 2 includes a ball 21 made of a non-magnetic material and having embedded therein bar members 26 to 28 made of a magnetic material and arranged on three axes orthogonal to one another, a case 22 enclosing the ball 21 such that at least an upper portion of the ball 21 is exposed, magnetic members 31 to 34 fixed to the case 22 on two axes penetrating through the center of the ball 21 and orthogonal to each other so as to allow magnetic coupling to ends of the bar members, and a magnetic member 35 fixed to the case 22 on an axis penetrating through the center of the ball 21 and orthogonal to the two axes so as to allow magnetic coupling to an end 28B of the bar member 28.

Abstract: An optical trackball device of the present invention configures a ball, an operating member, using a material that partially transmits light, and this ball is rotatably supported by a support member. Light emitted from a light emitter disposed beneath the ball is reflected on this ball. A detector detects the reflected light to identify rotation of the ball. Since the light from the light emitter is partially transmitted through the ball, the ball can be illuminated without providing an additional component. Accordingly, a location of the ball is easily recognizable even in a dark place.

Abstract: An insulating sleeve 6 made of ceramic hermetically fixed into an opening in a terminal supporting plate 7 in a battery sheath made of metal, a positive terminal 4 made of an aluminum alloy or negative terminal 5 made of a copper alloy is inserted in the insulating sleeve, and a metallic ring is fitted over the positive terminal 4 or negative terminal 5. The inner edge of the metallic ring 11 and the positive terminal 4 or negative terminal 5 are hermetically fixed to each other by an aluminum-based brazing metal 8 or copper-based brazing metal 9, and the outer edge of the metallic ring 11 and the insulating sleeve 6 are hermetically fixed to each other by an aluminum-based brazing metal 8 or copper-based brazing metal 9.

Abstract: In a battery having a aluminum or aluminum alloy casing welded to and aluminum or aluminum alloy cover, a film of a synthetic resin and a corrosion preventing agent is formed on the outer surface of the battery raising and an electrolyte comprising hydrofluoric acid is placed in the casing. The film is capable of absorbing hydrofluoric acid. In an alternative embodiment, the exterior film may be a ceramic material capable of absorbing hydrofluoric acid.

Abstract: A battery has a battery case body made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, and a battery cover fitted into the battery case body made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. The battery case body and said battery cover have bonding areas, respectively, which are connected by laser welding. In the battery, the thickness of each of bonding areas of a battery case body and a battery cover is smaller than that of the remaining areas.

Abstract: A battery has a battery case body made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, and a battery cover fitted into the battery case body made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. The battery case body and said battery cover have bonding areas, respectively, which are connected by laser welding. In the battery, the thickness of each of bonding areas of a battery case body and a battery cover is smaller than that of the remaining areas.