Abstract: The present invention provides a variable capacity condenser having fewer components. A variable capacity condenser according to the present invention comprises a dielectric substance, two electrodes, and a flexible electrode. The dielectric substance has two end faces. The two electrodes are disposed on one end face of the dielectric substance. The flexible electrode faces the other end face of the dielectric substance. The flexible electrode is pressible by a pressing member to vary a distance between at least a portion of the flexible electrode and the other end face of the dielectric substance.

Abstract: A stylus for use in a coordinate input system (e.g. digitizer tablet system) includes a finger wheel. The degree of rotation of the finger wheel by the user determines the extent to which a chosen graphical parameter (e.g. line thickness, color, shading, gray scale, etc.) is varied. Thus, a user can easily vary the graphical parameter while drawing by merely rotating the finger wheel about its fixed rotational axis. Preferably, rotation of the wheel causes an intermediate gear wheel with teeth thereon to rotate which in turn causes a potentiometer to detect the degree of rotation of the finger wheel. In alternative embodiments of this invention, a touchpad for inputting finger position and/or finger pressure information may be provided on the side of the stylus instead of the finger wheel.

Abstract: A stylus for use in a coordinate input system (e.g. digitizer tablet system) includes a finger wheel. The degree of rotation of the finger wheel by the user determines the extent to which a chosen graphical parameter (e.g. line thickness, color, shading, gray scale, etc.) is varied. Thus, a user can easily vary the graphical parameter while drawing by merely rotating the finger wheel about its fixed rotational axis. Preferably, rotation of the wheel causes an intermediate gear wheel with teeth thereon to rotate which in turn causes a potentiometer to detect the degree of rotation of the finger wheel. In alternative embodiments of this invention, a touchpad for inputting finger position and/or finger pressure information may be provided on the side of the stylus instead of the finger wheel.

Abstract: A door lock apparatus has a handle switch (31), which is placed in the on condition when an actuator member for opening and closing a back door is operated, an open switch (16), which is placed in the on condition when the door is closed to within a prescribed closure range, a drive circuit, which is formed so as to drive a door lock disengaging motor (25) when both the handle switch (31) and the open switch (16) are in the on condition, and a self-holding circuit holding a condition in which the drive circuit is formed and, in response to the open switch going into to off condition, releasing the condition in which the drive circuit is formed.

Abstract: A lid opener for use in a vehicle comprises a base member secured to a vehicle body. A control lever is pivotally connected to the base member. A rear portion of the control lever is connected through a wire to a latch mechanism of a lid member. The control lever is capable of canceling a latched condition of the latch mechanism when pivoted in a normal direction from a rest position to a work position. A spring is used for biasing the control lever to assume the rest position. A first stopper structure includes the rear portion of the control lever and a part of the base member. The rear portion is kept in contact with the part of the base member when the control lever assumes the rest position. A second stopper structure includes a part of the control lever and a stopper member which is defined by either one of the vehicle floor and the base member.

Abstract: A coordinate input device (e.g. mouse-like device or cursor-like device) includes an outer housing which is movable between a first position adapted for use by right-handed users, and a second position adapted for use by left-handed users. In such a manner, the coordinate input device is easily utilized by both right and left-handed users. In certain embodiments, a rotatable thumb or finger wheel may be provided in the coordinate input device for manipulation by the user in order to adjust a parameter of an image being written/drawn on a corresponding display screen by the coordinate input device.

Abstract: An automotive lid lock device comprises a lock proper which includes a latch plate and a locking plate. The locking plate is pivotal between a locking position to lock the latch plate and an unlocking position to release the latch plate. The lid lock device further comprises a power unlocking mechanism for pivoting the locking plate to the unlocking position with an aid of an electric power. The power unlocking mechanism includes an electric motor; a worm connected to an output shaft of the motor to rotate therewith; a worm wheel operatively engaged with the worm and a release lever extending between the locking plate and the worm wheel to pivot the locking plate from the locking position to the unlocking position when the worm wheel is turned in a given direction. The release lever, the locking plate and the worm wheel are so arranged that when the worm wheel is turned in the given direction, the worm wheel pushes the release lever toward the locking plate.

Abstract: A side switch mechanism which provides comfortable operation of a pair of side switches of a stylus pen and implements facilitated construction and assembly. The side switch mechanism has a side switch member having a surface construction and a rear construction. The surface construction includes a pair of knobs which are longitudinally spaced apart from each other so as to press either of two specific switching elements when the switching elements are respectively turned on. The rear surface construction includes a pair of switch pressing sections made of projections, each being provided on the rear surface so as to correspond to each knob. The switch pressing section turns on only one of the two switching elements when a corresponding one of the pair of knobs is pressed. The rear surface construction further includes fitting portions for attaching the side switch member to the casing.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive element is arranged around a core unit along the longitudinal axis of a stylus pen (10) to detect the pressure applied to the core unit. The pressure sensitive element comprises a pressure transmittable member (30b), in an annular plate shape, for transmitting the pressure applied in the axial direction of the pressure sensitive element, a pressure sensitive member (28), in an annular plate shape, arranged coaxially in parallel to the pressure transmittable member, and a support member (18b) for supporting the pressure sensitive member between the support member against the applied pressure, arranged coaxially in parallel to the pressure transmittable member. The core unit is a push and thrust type writing unit (14).

Abstract: The invention relates to a pointing unit adapted for a stylus pen associated with a coordinate data input device which has been commonly used as one of some input devices for a computer system.