Abstract: A card is provided comprising an information setting unit configured to output a first signal including unique information of the card, and a bending sensor configured to output a second signal corresponding to a curvature of the card. An information processing apparatus is also provided comprising a card reading unit configured to acquire information from a card a processor, and a memory device. The memory device stores instructions which when executed by the processor, causes the processor to acquire unique information from the card, and acquire curvature information from the card corresponding to a curvature of the card.

Abstract: There is provided a camera module including: a lens; an image pickup device arranged on an optical axis of the lens; and an actuator section configured to reciprocate the image pickup device in an optical axis direction of the lens, wherein the actuator section includes a movable joint section on which the image pickup device is fixed, a parallel link mechanism section having a movable end section attached to the movable joint section and a mounting end section, and a movable element that is configured to perform displacement motion by a displacement amount depending on a level of a voltage to be applied and that is coupled to a coupling region between the movable joint section and the movable end section of the parallel link mechanism section in such a manner that the displacement motion is transmittable.

Abstract: A card is provided comprising an information setting unit configured to output a first signal including unique information of the card, and a bending sensor configured to output a second signal corresponding to a curvature of the card. An information processing apparatus is also provided comprising a card reading unit configured to acquire information from a card a processor, and a memory device. The memory device stores instructions which when executed by the processor, causes the processor to acquire unique information from the card, and acquire curvature information from the card corresponding to a curvature of the card.

Abstract: A polymer element includes a pair of electrode layers of which at least one includes a porous carbon material, and a polymer layer between the pair of electrode layers, in which the porous carbon material is provided with a first hole in a surface and a second hole which is smaller than the first hole and which communicates with the first hole.

Abstract: A driving unit that may improve characteristics in a low temperature environment while implementing downsizing, and a lens module as well as an image pickup device with such a driving unit are provided. The driving unit includes one or a plurality of polymer actuator elements, and a voltage supply section supplying a driving voltage and a heating voltage to the polymer actuator element.

Abstract: There is provided a camera module including: a lens; an image pickup device arranged on an optical axis of the lens; and an actuator section configured to reciprocate the image pickup device in an optical axis direction of the lens, wherein the actuator section includes a movable joint section on which the image pickup device is fixed, a parallel link mechanism section having a movable end section attached to the movable joint section and a mounting end section, and a movable element that is configured to perform displacement motion by a displacement amount depending on a level of a voltage to be applied and that is coupled to a coupling region between the movable joint section and the movable end section of the parallel link mechanism section in such a manner that the displacement motion is transmittable.

Abstract: An operation apparatus includes a base, a sensing unit, a plurality of plates, and a drive mechanism. The base has a surface. The sensing unit includes at least three pressure-sensitive detection regions that are provided at different vertex positions of a polygon having at least three corners set in each of a plurality of regions obtained by partitioning at least a part of the surface of the base. The plurality of plates are provided to correspond to the plurality of regions and cover the at least a part of the surface. The drive mechanism is configured to drive the plurality of plates on the basis of a signal generated by detection of the sensing unit.

Abstract: A polymer device includes: a pair of electrode layers; and a polymer layer provided between the pair of electrode layers and containing an acid substance.

Abstract: A polymer device includes: a pair of electrode layers; a polymer layer inserted between the pair of electrode layers; and an expansion-contraction suppression layer arranged between the pair of electrode layers, the expansion-contraction suppression layer being arranged away from the respective electrode layers, and the expansion-contraction suppression layer being configured to suppress expansion and contraction of the polymer layer.

Abstract: A drive unit includes: a holding member holding an object to be driven; a polymer actuator device provided on one side of the object to be driven; one or more supporting members provided on the other side of the object to be driven; and a fixing member directly or indirectly fixing a first end of each of the polymer actuator device and the supporting members. A second end of each of the polymer actuator device and the supporting members is directly or indirectly connected to an end of the holding member.

Abstract: There are provided a drive device and the like that are capable of suppressing characteristic degradation according to ambient environment. The drive device includes one or a plurality of polymer actuator devices each configured using an ion-exchange resin, and the ion-exchange resin contains operating ions that have activation energy equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold. Degradation in ion conductivity in the ion-exchange resin is suppressed even in environment with low humidity, high temperature, and the like.

Abstract: A variable capacitance device includes a fixing member, a fixed electrode having a first end side fixed by the fixing member, an actuator element having a first end side fixed by the fixing member directly or indirectly, a movable electrode provided to connect to the actuator element directly or indirectly and disposed to approximately face the fixed electrode, and a driving section deforming a second end side of the actuator element, to change a distance between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode.

Abstract: A geometry sensor includes: a detection surface including a plurality of polymer sensor elements and configured to detect an external object, the polymer sensor elements being arranged side-by-side along one or more directions and each generating a voltage according to a deformation; and a detecting section detecting a surface geometry of a region in the external object that is in contact with the detection surface, based on the voltage obtained from each of the polymer sensor elements in the detection surface.

Abstract: A sensor includes: a first polymer sensor element generating a first voltage corresponding to a deformation thereof; a second polymer sensor element generating a second voltage corresponding to a deformation thereof; a fixing member fixing a first end of each of the first and the second polymer sensor elements while electrically insulating the first ends from each other; and a detector detecting an acceleration and an angular acceleration based on the first voltage derived from the first polymer sensor element and the second voltage derived from the second polymer sensor element.

Abstract: A lens module includes: a lens forming an image of an object; a lens holder to hold an outer peripheral side of the lens to allow reciprocal movement in an optical axis direction of the lens; a housing at least one end side of which is opened, which includes a cylindrical receiving part having an inner surface, one surface of which, at a lateral side, contacts one surface of the lens holder at the lateral side perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and which receives the lens holder in the receiving part to allow reciprocal movement in the optical axis direction of the lens and in a sliding state; and an actuator part including a movable part which is displaced by a displacement amount corresponding to a level of an applied drive voltage and reciprocates the lens holder received in the housing between a first position and a second position in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: Provided are a lens drive device capable of moving with good accuracy a lens in the direction of an optical axis thereof, and a lens module and an image pickup device provided with such a lens drive device. By a pair of polymer actuator elements 441 and 442, a lens holding member 43 is driven via coupling members 451A, 451B, 452A, and 452B. As a result, a lens 48 can be moved with good accuracy in the direction of the optical axis Z1 thereof. In addition, preferably, the coupling members 451A, 451B, 452A, and 452B have the rigidity same as or lower than that of each of the polymer actuator elements 441 and 442.

Abstract: A drive unit capable of reducing size while maintaining drive characteristics, a method of manufacturing the same, a lens module, and an image pickup unit are provided. A drive unit includes: a fixing member; an actuator device having a first end portion directly or indirectly fixed by the fixing member; and a reinforcing member (reinforcing layer) provided on part or all of the actuator device. Mechanical strength of the actuator device is secured even when the width of the actuator device (for example, the width W12) is narrowed, by providing the above-described reinforcing member.

Abstract: A drive unit includes: a holding member holding an object to be driven; a polymer actuator device provided on one side of the object to be driven; one or more supporting members provided on the other side of the object to be driven; and a fixing member directly or indirectly fixing a first end of each of the polymer actuator device and the supporting members. A second end of each of the polymer actuator device and the supporting members is directly or indirectly connected to an end of the holding member.

Abstract: There are provided a drive unit, a lens module, an image pickup unit, a fuel cell, and an ion exchange resin, in which a characteristic deterioration depending on an ambient environment may be suppressed. The drive unit includes one or more polymer actuator devices. The polymer actuator device is configured using an ion exchange resin containing a moisturizing agent.

Abstract: An operation apparatus includes a base, a sensing unit, a plurality of plates, and a drive mechanism. The base has a surface. The sensing unit includes at least three pressure-sensitive detection regions that are provided at different vertex positions of a polygon having at least three corners set in each of a plurality of regions obtained by partitioning at least a part of the surface of the base. The plurality of plates are provided to correspond to the plurality of regions and cover the at least a part of the surface. The drive mechanism is configured to drive the plurality of plates on the basis of a signal generated by detection of the sensing unit.