Abstract: A controller of a navigation apparatus acquires audio information when it is determined in a display switch process that a display of a display device is stored in a center console portion. An audio information image is generated from the acquired audio information. The generated audio information image is displayed on an exposed portion of a viewing area of the display. Even if the viewing area of the display is partially concealed by the center console portion, an exposed portion of the viewing area, which is not concealed by the center console portion, is effectively used. Useful information image such as an audio information image other than a usual navigation information image can be thus provided in the partially exposed portion of the viewing area of the display.

Abstract: A remote control apparatus is disclosed that includes a display unit, a remote control unit, and a controller. The controller is configured to: causes the display unit to display multiple select switch image items over an image; divide the image into multiple regions in correspondence with the multiple select switch image items; specify an operation position existing region as corresponding to one of the multiple regions that the operation position is positioned in; and configured to cause one select switch image items corresponding to the operation position existing region to appear as being in a selectable status. When the controller receives a select switch selection command from the remote control unit, the controller is configured to determine that the one select switch image item being in the selectable status is selected and the controller is configured to issue a device operation command.

Abstract: A controller of a navigation apparatus acquires audio information when it is determined in a display switch process that a display of a display device is stored in a center console portion. An audio information image is generated from the acquired audio information. The generated audio information image is displayed on an exposed portion of a viewing area of the display. Even if the viewing area of the display is partially concealed by the center console portion, an exposed portion of the viewing area, which is not concealed by the center console portion, is effectively used. Useful information image such as an audio information image other than a usual navigation information image can be thus provided in the partially exposed portion of the viewing area of the display.

Abstract: An operation apparatus for an on-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle includes a display device, a touch sensitive panel, a hard key, and a control device. The display device is configured to display a selection picture, in which a plurality of selection items are arranged. The touch sensitive panel is disposed on a screen of the display device. The control device is configured to scroll the plurality of selection items in the selection picture in accordance with a user operation. The control device scrolls the plurality of selection items in the selection picture by a first amount when the user operation is a touch operation by a user to the touch sensitive panel. The control device scrolls the plurality of selection items in the selection picture by a second amount when the user operation is a switch operation by the user to the hard key.

Abstract: In a navigation system, when a command of a voice recognizable type is input manually, a user is notified, by displaying an application screen and a command on a display device, that such a command can be input in voice. For instance, when a menu screen is displayed in response to manual inputs of commands, the display device provides a visual guidance by displaying a message “You may input voice messages. Please voice menu screen in a map screen.” In addition or alternatively, a voice guidance may be provided by sounding the same message from a speaker. The user thus notified can input commands in voice from next time on while eliminating manual inputting operation through a switch device or the like.

Abstract: A transmissive screen for use in a video projector or the like and a manufacturing method thereof is provided wherein a UV-curable resin is coated on a back film or a mold. One surface of a lens surface of opposite shape is formed by the mold. The UV-curable resin is sandwiched between the back film and the mold, ultraviolet rays are irradiated on the UV-curable resin and the screen is released from the mold, thereby forming a transmissive screen in which the lens surface is formed on one surface by the UV-curable resin and the back film is formed on the other surface. Thus, the screen can be reduced in weight and thickness, and can be mass-produced.

Abstract: A single crystal manufacturing apparatus has a pulling mechanism and a magnetic field generating unit. The pulling mechanism grows a single crystal by inserting a seed crystal into a melting liquid of a single crystal raw material and pulling the seed crystal from the melting liquid at a predetermined speed. The generating unit has a pair of superconductive magnets for applying a magnetic field to the melting liquid. The magnetic field applied from the magnets suppresses a thermal convection in the vicinity of the surface of the melting liquid and allows the thermal convection in the region of the melting liquid below the surface thereof.

Abstract: Coin ruminant slot machine games comprising a plurality of slot machines, back feeders, blockaders and a belt conveyer, the slot machines being respectively coupled with the back feeders, the back feeders being respectively coupled with the blockaders, the slot machines being located above the belt conveyer and the back feeders below the belt conveyer. The blockaders are located above a lower section of the conveyer belt and the slot machines discharge the coins to an upper section of the conveyer belt. The back feeders feed the coins back up to the slot machines and the belts of the conveyer, and the blockaders take the coins off of the lower belt to drop them into the back feeders.