Abstract: A control device 200 calibrates a magnetic-field sensor 100 by computation. A computation unit 210 calculates the magnetic-field intensity based upon the outputs of X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis magnetic-field detection devices of the magnetic-field sensor 100. Such calculation is performed for four or more different points. The calculation is performed such that at least one point is not positioned on a plane including the other points. The computation unit 210 converts the outputs from the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis magnetic-field detection devices of the magnetic-field sensor 100 into three-dimensional spatial coordinate points. Then, the computation unit 210 creates a sphere on which the four or more coordinate points thus obtained are positioned. The coordinate point of the center of the sphere thus created represents the magnetic-field offset.

Abstract: A control device 200 calibrates a magnetic-field sensor 100 by computation. A computation unit 210 calculates the magnetic-field intensity based upon the outputs of X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis magnetic-field detection devices of the magnetic-field sensor 100. Such calculation is performed for four or more different points. The calculation is performed such that at least one point is not positioned on a plane including the other points. The computation unit 210 converts the outputs from the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis magnetic-field detection devices of the magnetic-field sensor 100 into three-dimensional spatial coordinate points. Then, the computation unit 210 creates a sphere on which the four or more coordinate points thus obtained are positioned. The coordinate point of the center of the sphere thus created represents the magnetic-field offset.

Abstract: A mobile terminal apparatus 1 uses an acceleration sensor as a tilt angle sensor 24, and realizes various applications based on this detection result. A processing unit 10 counts the number of steps of a human based on acceleration components of low frequency detected by the tilt angle sensor that detects the acceleration components. At that time, the acceleration component of an axis among three axes which most approximates a gravity axis is mainly used. A viewpoint relative to a three-dimensional object or a three-dimensional space displayed on a display unit 36 is moved. By effectively utilizing the detection result of the tilt angle sensor, it is possible to realize a mobile terminal apparatus 1 featuring greater usefulness.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor assembly comprising magnetic detection elements is provided. In a magnetic sensor assembly 100 according to the present invention, a magnetic detection element 140 is fixed to a base member 110 and, by having the base member 110 stand upright, it is possible to stand the magnetic detection element 140 upright. Thereby, it becomes easy to manufacture magnetic detection devices which detect three-axis components of terrestrial magnetism vector. In the base member 110, first terminals 120 are provided on a first surface 112 whereas second terminals 124 are provided on a second surface 114. The first terminals 120 are electrically connected with electrodes of the magnetic detection element 140 whereas the second terminals 124 are electrically connected to external wires.

Abstract: A mobile terminal apparatus 1 uses an acceleration sensor as a tilt angle sensor 24 and delivers a variety of applications based on a result of detection. A processing unit 10 counts the number of steps that a person takes, based on low-frequency acceleration components detected by the tilt angle sensor 24. Further, the processing unit 10 is capable of turning on or off a power supply or adjusting a screen scroll speed in accordance with the detected acceleration. By taking advantage of the result of detection by the tilt angle sensor 24, it is possible to configure the mobile terminal apparatus 1 as a highly useful apparatus.

Abstract: A wireless input apparatus by which a user can input various types of information is provided. A conventional remote control of electronic equipment has many buttons or switches to perform various kinds of functions. Therefore, its operability is likely to be lost because of the complexity and the bulkiness of the remote control. The wireless input apparatus has a LCD to display a screen for operation and a 3-D mouse for a user to operate. The user can input various types of operations on the screen and remotely control the equipment. Moreover, a pressure-sensitive resistance film is applied to the 3-D mouse for sensing pressure applied by the user. Even if a very slight amount of pressure is applied to the mouse, the pressure can be effectively detected.

Abstract: A hybrid three-axis magnetic sensor for calculating the accurate direction of the earth magnetism. The hybrid three-axis magnetic sensor includes: a flux gate type magnetic sensor which is so formed that a base serves as a main member and detects two axis components of a magnetic vector defined by a plane parallel to the base; a Hall element which detects another component of the magnetic vector orthogonal to the base; a tilt sensor which detects a tilt angle of the base; and a CPU, wherein the flux gate type magnetic sensor and the Hall element are integrally structured together as a hybrid IC. The thus detected three dimensional magnetic vector is corrected in the light of inclination of the base, so that the direction of the earth magnetism is accurately calculated.

Abstract: A wireless input apparatus by which a user can input various types of information is provided. A conventional remote control of electronic equipment has many buttons or switches to perform various kinds of functions. Therefore, its operability is likely to be lost because of the complexity and the bulkiness of the remote control. The wireless input apparatus has a LCD to display a screen for operation and a 3-D mouse for a user to operate. The user can input various types of operations on the screen and remotely control the equipment. Moreover, a pressure-sensitive resistance film is applied to the 3-D mouse for sensing pressure applied by the user. Even if a very slight amount of pressure is applied to the mouse, the pressure can be effectively detected.

Abstract: A hybrid three-axis magnetic sensor for calculating the accurate direction of the earth magnetism. The hybrid three-axis magnetic sensor includes: a flux gate type magnetic sensor which is so formed that a base serves as a main member and detects two axis components of a magnetic vector defined by a plane parallel to the base; a Hall element which detects another component of the magnetic vector orthogonal to the base; a tilt sensor which detects a tilt angle of the base; and a CPU, wherein the flux gate type magnetic sensor and the Hall element are integrally structured together as a hybrid IC. The thus detected three dimensional magnetic vector is corrected in the light of inclination of the base, so that the direction of the earth magnetism is accurately calculated.

Abstract: A portable terminal device includes: a position detecting unit for detecting a position on the basis of a GPS signal; an orientation detecting unit for detecting an orientation by a flux gate type magnetic sensor or a geomagnetic sensor; an arithmetically operating unit for correcting the positional information detected by the position detecting unit by the orientation detecting unit; a map information storing unit for storing map information therein; a positional information display unit for displaying the present position decided on the basis of the arithmetically operating unit together with the map information; and display processing unit for subjecting the map information displayed by the positional information display unit to rotation scroll by the amount of changed angle on the basis of an output signal from the orientation detecting unit with a change of orientation of the present position; wherein when the orientation is changed by the movement of the portable terminal device, the map information is

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a weak-field magnetic sensor with the following features: etched circuit coils are substituted for conventional coil technology. The sensor includes an amorphous core having epoxy bases stacked relative to one another on the top and bottom surfaces thereof. One epoxy base has a coil Y etched thereon. A second epoxy base has a coil X etched thereon. The remaining epoxy base has circular patterns etched thereon. The amorphous core is formed from at least two amorphous thin boards stacked on opposite sides of an epoxy base thin board. The epoxy base thin board has a particular pattern etched thereon and the capacity for vertical conductivity. The coil conductor size and position accuracy is controlled in increments of microns by the etching process. The range of detection errors and the level of reception has no non-uniformities. A thin and small sensor in terms of the structure is therefore enabled.

Abstract: An electrode-provided sheet-like pressure-sensitive resistance member includes a sheet-like pressure-sensitive resistance member which includes conductive particles arranged such that the conducting direction of the conductive particles intersects a surface of the sheet-like pressure-sensitive resistance member, a sheet-like protective member for protecting the sheet-like pressure-sensitive resistance member, and a sheet-like electrode member composed of a substrate and electrodes formed thereon. Accordingly, it becomes possible to sufficiently increase the durability of the electrode-provided sheet-like pressure-sensitive resistance member and to form it into an arbitrary shape.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a weak-field magnetic sensor with the following features: etched circuit coils are substituted for conventional coil technology. The sensor includes an amorphous core having epoxy bases stacked relative to one another on the top and bottom surfaces thereof. One epoxy base has a coil Y etched thereon. A second epoxy base has a coil X etched thereon. The remaining epoxy base has circular patterns etched thereon. The amorphous core is formed from at least two amorphous thin boards stacked on opposite sides of an epoxy base thin board. The epoxy base thin board has a particular pattern etched thereon and the capacity for vertical conductivity. The coil conductor size and position accuracy is controlled in increments of microns by the etching process. The range of detection errors and the level of reception has no non-uniformities. A thin and small sensor in terms of the structure is therefore enabled.