Abstract: To read and display the hiragana character “e” on a display device, an operator traces the outline of an input button three times with a finger. This allows a character on the display device to be changed sequentially from “a” to “i”?“u”?“e”.

Abstract: A switch device is provided that includes a first switch portion in which an upper electrode and lower electrodes face each other at a predetermined gap and a second switch portion having metal domes which are disposed at a lower side facing the first switch portion and expand to a predetermined height. A first spacer having a predetermined thickness A is disposed in the first switch portion to form a gap between the upper electrode and the lower electrodes, a second spacer having a thickness B equal to or greater than the expanded height of the metal domes is disposed in the second switch portion, and the thickness of the second spacer is greater than that of the first spacer.

Abstract: A display apparatus with input devices includes a display unit including a liquid crystal display and a frame surrounding the periphery of the display unit. The input devices that are disposed on the frame are being used to switch a switching circuit when touched by an operator. A plurality of menu items corresponding to a plurality of function menus is displayable on the display unit. A predetermined function menu is started and/or selected by operating the input devices provided at a position corresponding to a predetermined menu item displayed on the display unit.

Abstract: A controller is provided with an artificial retina chip. The artificial retina chip is connected to a display unit via a game machine body. Before starting the game, the artificial retina chip is instructed to recognize an image of frame of the display unit to store such image as the reference image. After starting the game, the controller is moved to recognize the image of frame of the display unit in order to detect the designated position by comparing the coordinate position data after the movement and the coordinate position data of the reference image.

Abstract: An operation unit is provided with an operation body operated by hand, a first detection unit for detecting the inclination operation of the operation body, and a second detection unit for detecting the pushing-down operation of the operation body. Any of 26 alphabetical characters “A, B, C, . . . , X, Y, and Z” is selected corresponding to the inclination direction of the operation body. The displayed character is changed successively by rotating the operation body in X-Y coordinate plane. The selected character is finalized by pushing down the operation unit in Z-direction.

Abstract: A coordinate input device includes a housing containing a movable member, a resilient member formed of a coil spring, and first and second detectors for detecting the sliding direction and the sliding distance of the movable member. The movable member in an initial position before a sliding operation faces a supporter of a first cover provided in the housing. When the movable member is slid in a certain direction, the resilient member is stretched in the certain direction and the first and second detectors detect the sliding direction and the sliding distance of the movable member. When the sliding operation of the movable member is finished, a resilient force of the resilient member stretched in the certain direction forces the movable member to return automatically to the initial position.

Abstract: An input device includes a pressure-sensitive or capacitive planar input unit with an indicator sheet which has input sections being secured to the surface of the planar input unit. A tactile feedback generator is provided at the back side of the planar input unit. The tactile feedback generator includes dome-shaped inversion plates that are separately provided at locations corresponding to the input sections and provide feedback to the operator. When an input section is pressed, an operation signal in accordance with what is indicated at the pressed input section is generated.

Abstract: A strap controller (input device) includes a band-shaped strap, a connecting member which connects the strap in a looped shape, and a connecting cord which connects the connecting member to a portable audio device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an input device capable of detecting an acceleration, in which a detecting section constituted by a combination of a weight, a coiled spring, and detecting means is supported by a support. The support is fixed to a tip end within a case of the input device. By applying a force having a predetermined or higher acceleration in W direction with a grip part of the input device as fulcrum, thereby causing the input device to rotate, the weight is moved by the resulting centrifugal force in a direction in which the coiled spring is compressed, and an electric signal outputted from the detecting means varies according to the amount of the movement of the weight. By detecting this variation it is possible to detect an acceleration upon rotation of the input device.

Abstract: A rotating body has paired anchoring projections and small projections projectingly disposed on one side thereof. On a shutter plate are formed guide holes in which the paired anchoring projections and small projections inserted in the shutter plate are slidable within a predetermined allowance angle range. When rotation input to a handle is broken during rotation input, the shutter plate is rotated respective to the rotating body in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rotating body within the allowance angle range, and the light transmission paths are closed by the shutter plate.

Abstract: An input apparatus includes a flat input device of a pressure-sensitive type or a capacitive type, and an indicator sheet on which indication marks are formed is fixed on the surface of the flat input device. A tactile-feel-generating unit is provided behind the flat input device. The tactile-feel-generating unit includes dome-shaped inversion plates which are disposed at positions corresponding to the indication marks. When one of the indication marks is pressed setting an input mode, an operation signal is generated in accordance with an item represented by the indication mark, and a tactile feel is generated by a reaction force of the corresponding inversion plate. When an indication mark is touched, while in an input mode, the control unit recognizes the resulting signal to be a coordinate data signal.

Abstract: An input device includes a pressure-sensitive or capacitive planar input unit with an indicator sheet which has input sections being secured to the surface of the planar input unit. A tactile feedback generator is provided at the back side of the planar input unit. The tactile feedback generator includes dome-shaped inversion plates that are separately provided at locations corresponding to the input sections and provide feedback to the operator. When an input section is pressed, an operation signal in accordance with what is indicated at the pressed input section is generated.

Abstract: Encoders as first detecting means detect rotations of a control body, and an acceleration sensor as second detecting means detects an acceleration applied to the control body. Based on the rotations and the acceleration, a ball displayed on a screen can be curved in the air. Consequently, an operator of a game can control the ball displayed on the screen or the like by controlling an impact, that is, an acceleration, a rotational direction, and a rotational speed.

Abstract: An operation unit is provided with an operation body operated by hand, a first detection unit for detecting the inclination operation of the operation body, and a second detection unit for detecting the pushing-down operation of the operation body. Any of 26 alphabetical characters “A, B, C, . . . , X, Y, and Z” is selected corresponding to the inclination direction of the operation body. The displayed character is changed successively by rotating the operation body in X-Y coordinate plane. The selected character is finalized by pushing down the operation unit in Z-direction.

Abstract: A controller has an operation member, a speaker as sound emission unit, and a support member. The operation member is rotatably supported by the support member, and the speaker is provided in a rotation central portion of the operation member. In this arrangement, a sound source can be provided near an operator. Further, a sound outputted from the speaker is transmitted as a vibration source to a grip.

Abstract: A controller is provided with an artificial retina chip. The artificial retina chip is connected to a display unit via a game machine body. Before starting the game, the artificial retina chip is instructed to recognize an image of frame of the display unit to store such image as the reference image. After starting the game, the controller is moved to recognize the image of frame of the display unit in order to detect the designated position by comparing the coordinate position data after the movement and the coordinate position data of the reference image.

Abstract: A controller is provided with a steering wheel, a support, and an actuator served as the driving means. The steering wheel is provided with a slide body that is slidable in the body of the support, and the slide body is supported slidably in the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the steering wheel. A fixed member of the actuator is fixed to the body, and a movable member of the actuator is fixed to back side of the slide body. The steering wheel is reciprocated in the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the steering wheel by controlling the actuator correspondingly to the control signal supplied from the control unit.

Abstract: A character input device includes a first manipulator for selecting columns “A”, “KA”, “SA”, . . . in the row direction, a second manipulator for selecting rows “A”, “I”, . . . in the column direction, and a third manipulator for setting a candidate of data of characters or symbols which is selected by the first and second manipulators. The first manipulator, the second manipulator, and the third manipulator are disposed adjacent each other. The first manipulator and the second manipulator are disc-shaped rotary-type input devices. The candidates of characters and the like are quickly transferred in the row and column directions by rotating the first and second manipulators, and are set by operating the third manipulator.

Abstract: A rotating body has paired anchoring projections and small projections projectingly disposed on one side thereof. On a shutter plate are formed guide holes in which the paired anchoring projections and small projections inserted in the shutter plate are slidable within a predetermined allowance angle range. When rotation input to a handle is broken during rotation input, the shutter plate is rotated respective to the rotating body in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rotating body within the allowance angle range, and the light transmission paths are closed by the shutter plate.