Abstract: An integrated tactile visual interface for device control within a vehicle comprises a touch pad that generates an input signal in response to touch input from a user. The interface further comprises a display having at least one display region and a user focus or cursor. A software component receives the input signal and communicates an output signal to the display, wherein the output signal is indicative of the input signal. The software component generates a feedback signal if the user focus traverses a boundary of the display region on the display. A feedback device is integrated with the touchpad and provides tangible feedback to the user in response to the feedback signal.

Abstract: An integrated tactile visual interface for device control within a vehicle comprises a touch pad that generates an input signal in response to touch input from a user. The interface further comprises a display having at least one display region and a user focus or cursor. A software component receives the input signal and communicates an output signal to the display, wherein the output signal is indicative of the input signal. The software component generates a feedback signal if the user focus traverses a boundary of the display region on the display. A feedback device is integrated with the touchpad and provides tangible feedback to the user in response to the feedback signal.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor is disclosed having a sensing element and a pair of driven mass drive elements. The driven mass drive elements have a support structure which defines at least one vibrational node. the driven mass drive element drive elements are coupled to the sensing element at the node so as to allow the driven mass drive elements to oscillate about an axis to generate Coriolis forces, which are measured by the sensing element.

Abstract: An angular rate sensor is characterized by having electrodes constituting an exciting unit for providing a vibrator with vibration, an electrode constituting a means for detecting a vibration level of the vibrator, an electrode constituting a first detection means for detecting Coriolis' force generated responsive to an angular rate, a second detecting electrode for detecting a signal of reverse polarity to that of the first detecting electrode, a driving circuit for taking as an input a signal from the electrode for detecting the vibration level and outputting a signal to the electrodes, and a first detection circuit and a second detection circuit for taking respective inputs of detected signals from the first detecting electrode and the second detecting electrode.

Abstract: An angular rate sensor driving circuit shortens a start-up time without increasing a maximum level of amplification factor of a variable gain amplifier beyond a predetermined degree An output signal of a first amplifier is input to a positive input terminal of a third amplifier, a first resistor is inserted between a negative input terminal of the third amplifier and an output terminal of the third amplifier, a voltage having a potential in the vicinity of ½ of a power supply voltage is impressed on the negative input terminal of the third amplifier through a capacitor, a second resistor and a switch are connected in series between the output terminal of the third amplifier and an input terminal of a second amplifier, and the switch is activated by an output of a level judgement circuit.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor driving circuit includes a driving part for a vibrator, a vibration level detector, a coriolis force detector, a first amplifier for amplifying an output signal of the vibration level detector, a rectifying circuit, a variable gain amplifier, a voltage amplifier, a level judging circuit and switching means. The gain of the voltage amplifier or the gain of a variable gain amplifier is varied by a switching circuit which is controlled by the output signal of a level judging circuit which compares the output signal of the rectifying circuit and a reference voltage. By using the switching circuit rapid start up of the angular velocity sensor can be achieved.

Abstract: In an angular velocity sensor device, a vibration isolation member, a sensor support plate on which a tuning fork unit functioning as a vibrating type angular velocity sensor is mounted, a collar, a circuit board on which a circuit pattern is formed for driving the tuning fork unit and processing a signal output therefrom are provided by having a plurality of pins inserted, in this order, which extend from the bottom surface of a concave-shaped case. The circuit pattern and the tuning fork unit are connected with each other via a flexible printed circuit board. These components are accommodated inside the concave-shaped case. A cover is fitted in an open top of the case so as to completely seal the case. The angular velocity sensor device with the aforementioned arrangement does not suffer variation in the operational properties due to disturbance vibration and deterioration in the vibration isolation property.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an angular velocity sensor utilized as a gyroscope and particularly, to a high-performance angular velocity sensor having a tuning-fork construction. The vibrator is formed of a metal base plate which is bent about 90 degrees along a center line defined by two opposite slits extending from their respective side edges to a central region of the metal base plate so that its two bent parts are orthogonal to each other. Two piezoelectric elements are bonded to the corresponding surfaces of the two parts of each vibrator which in turn serve as an actuator and a detector.

Abstract: An angular rate sensor detects an angular rate which is produced when a mobile body such as a motor vehicle moves. The angular rate detecting device comprises at least two angular rate sensors housed in a case perpendicularly to each other. The angular rate sensor comprising a pair of vibratory units which are interconnected by a connector in a tuning-fork configuration. The vibratory units of the angular rate sensors are vibrated at different frequencies. The angular rate sensors may be accommodated in a damper block, which may be housed in the case. Since the angular rate sensors are housed in the single case, the angular rate detecting device is compact in structure and small in size. With the angular rate sensors accommodated in the damper block, they are protected from resonance, crosstalk interferences, and noise, and hence can produce reliable detected output signals.

Abstract: A driving piezoelectric bimorph element for tuning fork vibration and a detecting piezoelectric bimorph element for angular rate detection are aligned and put together, end to end, with their vibration directions positioned perpendicular to each other.Two of the above structure are made into a tuning fork like angular rate sensor. The polarization directions of the piezoelectric elements, that make up the piezoelectric bimorph element by bonding them together are made the same and also the two outer electrodes of the bimorph element are connected electrically with each other, with a resultant angular rate sensor capable of detecting angular rates in a stable manner against changing ambient temperatures. Particularly, the use of a conductive film electrode for making a connection between two outer electrodes and the almost equal surface areas between two outer electrodes made it possible for the angular rate sensor to detect angular rates with much stability and less temperature drifts.

Abstract: An angular rate sensor of the type, using oscillation of piezoelectric elements, which includes a pair of sensor elements each including a vibratory piezoelectric detecting element and a vibratory piezoelectric drive element joined together by a joint member in longitudinal alignment and oriented substantially at right angles relative to each other, and a resilient joint member joining the pair of sensor elements at respective free ends of the drive elements so as to form, jointly with the sensor elements, a tuning-fork structure. The turning-fork structure has an improved joint structure between each of the driving elements and the resilient joint member, which has a thickness to width ratio of approximately 3:10 to 7:10 to enable the angular rate sensor to have a low resonance impedance and stable performance characteristics.

Abstract: An angular rate sensor detects an angular rate which is produced when a mobile body such as a motor vehicle moves. The angular rate detecting device comprises at least two angular rate sensors housed in a case perpendicularly to each other. Each angular rate sensor comprises a pair of vibratory units which are interconnected by a connector in a tuning-fork configuration. The vibratory units of different angular rate sensors are vibrated at different frequencies. The angular rate sensors may be accommodated in a damper block, which may be housed in the case. Since the angular rate sensors are housed in the single case, the angular rate detecting device is compact in structure and small in size. With the angular rate sensors accommodated in the damper block, they are protected from resonance, crosstalk interferences, and noise, and hence can produce reliable detected output signals.

Abstract: An angular rate sensor has a tuning fork structure composed of vibratory components. The vibratory components include piezoelectric drive and detection elements which are joined together into a tuning fork configuration, the drive and detection elements lying in respective orthogonal planes. Leads are electrically connected to the drive and detection elements, and lead terminals are electrically connected to the leads, respectively. The vibratory components are covered with a coating which is of a material having a lower elasticity than the elasticities of the vibratory components. The coating on the vibratory components effectively reduces the propagation of unwanted vibrations, thereby reducing output signal drifts.