Abstract: An input mechanism, such as a crown, detects amounts of applied force. In various examples, an assembly including an input mechanism has an enclosure; a stem coupled to the enclosure such that the stem is rotatable, translatable, and transversely moveable with respect to the enclosure; a sensor, coupled between the stem and the housing, to which force is transferred when the stem moves with respect to the housing; and a processing unit coupled to the sensor. The processing unit is operable to determine a measurement of the force, based on a signal from the sensor.

Abstract: An electronic watch may include a tactile switch and/or one or more sensors for detecting rotational and translational inputs. The watch may include a display configured to produce graphical outputs that may change in response to rotational inputs, translational inputs, and/or touch inputs received at the display. The watch include a crown positioned along an exterior of the watch enclosure and a shaft coupled to the crown and extending into the enclosure. The tactile switch and/or the one or more sensors may be used to detect rotational and/or translational inputs provided at the crown.

Abstract: A user interface includes a front panel that has an exterior surface and an interior surface. A flange outwardly extends from the exterior surface and defines a notch. A receiving body extends from the interior surface of the front panel that is proximate the flange. A receiving body has an angled edge and defines a drainage channel that extends through a portion of the notch that is defined by the flange.

Abstract: A watch can include a user input component that employs an optical sensor to receive input from a user. The input components provide an ability for a user to interact with the watch in a manner similar to how a user would interact with a crown that is rotatable and/or translatable. The user can provide motions and gestures near the input component that the input component can detect and interpret and user inputs to control an aspect of the watch. The motions and gestures provided by the user can be directly detected with optical systems of the input component, so that the number of moving parts are reduced and space within the watch is more efficiently utilized. While providing these benefits, the input component provides a user experience that simulates user interactions with a crown that is rotatable and/or translatable.

Abstract: A switch assembly including a socket, a top cap, and an intermediate cart located in the socket. The intermediate cart is slidable with the socket. The top cap is in a spherical or pivot engagement with the intermediate cart. An activation force of the sliding movement is lower than an activation force of the spherical or pivot movement.

Abstract: A switch having a push panel, a rocker, and a rocker actuator that actuates the rocker each time the push panel is pushed by a user. The switch includes a conductive switch member, that is toggled by the rocker, to connect and disconnect a first terminal from a second terminal. The switch is constructed to help reduce dust and debris from entering into the wall switch, and the switch may provide a visual cue to indicate a current ON/OFF state of the switch.

Abstract: A vertical clutch device for a timepiece includes along a vertical axis a first wheel rotatably mounted about the vertical axis, a clutch disc, a spring, and a second wheel rotatably mounted about the vertical axis. The vertical clutch device is able to assume a clutched position where the second wheel is rotated by the first wheel under the action of the spring exerting a vertical force Fe to press the clutch disc against the first wheel and a disengaged position where the clutch disc is subjected against the action of the spring to a vertical force Fd separating it from the first wheel so that the second wheel is not rotated by the first wheel. The spring of the vertical clutch device is made of a shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A dial type shift control apparatus for an electronic shift system is provided. The dial type shift control apparatus includes a main housing having a boss portion protruding upward, a bearing fitted to an outside of the boss portion, a rotator fitted to an outside of the bearing, and a shift dial coupled to the rotator. The shift dial covers the rotator and the bearing from above, and the shift dial is configured to rotate with the rotator when operated by a driver.

Abstract: Multi-functional keyboard assemblies include an array of keys formed from stacked component layers. A top portion of the key may be capable of travelling vertically with respect to a base of the key. The top portion can include a keycap and a circuitry module coupled to the keycap. The keys may be capable of receive at least two distinct types of inputs and/or receiving at least one type of input and providing at least one type of output. Such output may include use of one or more light sources, displays, and/or haptic feedback devices.

Abstract: An electronic watch may include a tactile switch and/or one or more sensors for detecting rotational and translational inputs. The watch may include a display configured to produce graphical outputs that may change in response to rotational inputs, translational inputs, and/or touch inputs received at the display. The watch include a crown positioned along an exterior of the watch enclosure and a shaft coupled to the crown and extending into the enclosure. The tactile switch and/or the one or more sensors may be used to detect rotational and/or translational inputs provided at the crown.

Abstract: An electrical disconnect switch including an over-rotation protective feature to protect the load switch from damage is disclosed. The electrical disconnect switch may include an enclosure, a load switch, and a handle assembly coupled to the load switch. The disconnect switch may include a detent between the handle assembly and the load switch so that during excessive rotation or torqueing the handle assembly is permitted to decouple or break-away from the load switch to prevent excessive stress from being transferred to the load switch and thus prevent any damage to the load switch.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic device having a proximity sensor for determining whether an object, such as a user's finger, is in proximity to or in contact with an input mechanism of the electronic device.

Abstract: A winding mechanism is for a timepiece including at least one first and one second power accumulators. The winding mechanism includes a winding stem, a winding pinion and a sliding pinion having face gear toothings, facing one another. The winding stem and the sliding pinion occupy the same axial winding position. The winding mechanism includes a coupling device which cooperates with the winding pinion and is provided to occupy a first coupling position for coupling the winding pinion and the first power accumulator when the winding stem is turned in one direction, the second power accumulator being uncoupled, without any contact with the coupling device, and a second coupling position for coupling the winding pinion and the second power accumulator when the winding stem is turned in the other direction, the first power accumulator being uncoupled, without any contact with the coupling device.

Abstract: An encoder may be configured to receive a first input from a user. The encoder may include a first user input area. A configurator may be configured to communicate with the encoder and the encoder may be configured to communicate with a CPU. The encoder may receive the first input from the user at the first user input area based on an encoder configuration defined by the configurator. The encoder may communicate the first input to the CPU based on the encoder configuration defined by the configurator. A panel may be configured to receive a first input from a user. The panel may include a plurality of input areas. A portable computing device may comprise a configurator. The portable computing device may be configured to communicate with a CPU.

Abstract: A lighting control switch harness includes a plurality of elements each including a body for a respective gas tap, one or more light sources, and a printed circuit. A first switch includes a first member couplable to a mobile stem of the gas tap for integrally rotating therewith and taking contacts of the first switch towards one another. A second switch includes a second member couplable to the stem of the tap for translating parallelly thereto and taking contacts of the second switch towards one another. The elements are connected to one another only by a first wire connected to a first contact of the second switch of each element, a second wire connected to a second contact of the first switch of each element, and a third wire connected to a second contact of the second switch of each element and to the printed circuit.

Abstract: A portable radio includes a printed circuit board, a frame positioned in front of the printed circuit board, a speaker positioned within the frame, a support platform positioned in front of the speaker and the frame, a button positioned in front of the support platform, and electrical components linked between the button and the printed circuit board. The button is movable between a first position where an electrical signal is sent through the plurality of electrical components to the printed circuit board, and a second position where the electrical signal is interrupted.

Abstract: An audio device, comprising a housing, a circuit board, a rotating shell, a contact switch, and a trigger; the circuit board is disposed in the housing; the housing is rotatably connected to the rotating shell; the contact switch is disposed on the circuit board, and the trigger is disposed on the rotating shell; during rotation of the rotating shell relative to the housing, the trigger triggers the contact switch.

Abstract: This shifting device is equipped with an operation unit that is operated for switching among a plurality of shift ranges of a transmission installed in a vehicle. The operation unit includes: a first operation portion that is operated by pressing; and a plurality of second operation portions that are arranged on either side of the first operation portion and are operated in different directions about their common turning axis.

Abstract: The operating device for a vehicle comprises a capacitively operating touch panel having an upper face with a touch sensitive surface, and an operating unit having a movable operating element which can be grasped manually and has an electrically conductive surface and a plate shaped holding element, provided with an upper face and a lower face facing away from the upper face, on which the operating element is movably arranged and which for its part is arranged on the touch-sensitive surface of the upper face of the touch panel. The operating element comprises at least one wiper, electrically connected to the electrically conductive surface of the operating element, sliding along a sensing path of the upper face of the holding element when the operating element is moved. The holding element comprises alternately successively arranged first sections and second sections along the sensing path.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a circuit board comprising a contact terminal, a key cap, a housing comprising at least one key cap hole configured to penetrate the key cap, an elastic support member configured to support the key cap for moving the key cap and to press the contact terminal while the key cap moves in a downward direction, a link configured to guide an elevation movement of the key cap by connecting a first end of the link to the bottom of the key cap; a rotational support plate configured to be connected to a second end of the link and to rotate on the center of the elastic support member, and a fixing support plate comprising a circular groove configured to internally accommodate the rotational support plate.

Abstract: There is provided an operation device. An operation knob rotatable on an axial line, configured to include: a cylindrical base member extending in an axial direction; a cylindrical outer member disposed on an outer side in a radial direction of the base member; and an inner member disposed on an inner side in the radial direction of the base member. The cylindrical outer member has protruding parts extending inward in the radial direction and abutting on the inner member via through-holes formed through the base member in the radial direction.

Abstract: A touch structure includes a first touch electrode and a second touch electrode. The first touch electrode includes multiple ring-shaped electrodes, which are concentrically arranged around a center. The second touch electrode is electrically insulated from the first touch electrode, and includes multiple first block-shaped electrode and multiple second block-shaped electrodes. An area of each of the first block-shaped electrodes is A1, an area of each of the second block-shaped electrodes is A2, and A1?A2. The first block-shaped electrodes are arranged from the center toward a direction away from the center and are electrically connected to each other to form a first electrode string. The second block-shaped electrodes are arranged from the center toward a direction away from the center and are electrically connected to each other to form a second electrode string. The first electrode string and the second electrode string are electrically connected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a push-type rotary switch having display function, comprising: a bearing seat having a signal producing unit and an IR interruption sensing signal producing unit, and a first signal being produced when pressing the signal producing unit, when a space between the IR reception end and the IR emission end is not interrupted, the circuit base emits a second signal; a rotating seat rotatably setting on the bearing seat, the signal producing unit being optionally pressed on the rotating seat; a key cap covering with the rotating seat, when the key cap is pushed, the key cap further presses the rotating seat, when the key cap is forced to rotate, the rotating seat correspondingly rotates, and the space between the IR reception end and the IR emission end is optionally interrupted when the key cap rotates; and a display being correspondingly set under the transparent wall.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device is provided. The handheld electronic device includes a housing, wherein a universal ball structure is provided at a corner of the housing. The universal ball structure includes a groove, and a ball in the groove.

Abstract: A button assembly includes a touchpad having an upper surface extending in a generally flat plane and movable between a first position and a second position displaced from the first position in response to the application of a pressing force perpendicular to the upper surface. Additional, smaller pushbuttons may be located adjacent the touchpad. A sub-bezel includes a housing defining a cavity for holding a linear bearing for guiding the touchpad in a linear path perpendicular to the upper surface. The linear bearing includes a plurality of first ball bearings and second ball bearings separated by a first distance perpendicular to the upper surface. The ball bearings may be sandwiched between a bearing outer member and a bearing inner member which includes an inner-top member secured to an inner-bottom member with a screw. A bearing carrier holds the ball bearings within troughs in the bearing outer member.

Abstract: Human Computer Interfaces (HCI) may allow a user to interact with a computer via a variety of mechanisms, such as hand, head, and body gestures. Various of the disclosed embodiments allow information captured from a depth camera on an HCI system to be used to recognize such gestures. Particularly, by training a classifier using vectors having both base and extended components, more accurate classification results may be subsequently obtained. The base vector may include a leaf-based assessment of the classification results from a forest for a given depth value candidate pixel. The extended vector may include additional information, such as the leaf-based assessment of the classification results for one or more pixels related to the candidate pixel. Various embodiments employ this improved structure with various optimization methods and structure to provide more efficient in-situ operation.

Abstract: A switch includes a housing including a bottom surface and a protrusion formed on the bottom surface, a board that is placed on the bottom surface of the housing and includes a fixed contact, the board and the protrusion being fitted together, a movable contact that is disposed to cover at least portions of the fixed contact and the protrusion and configured to be inverted, and an operation part that presses the movable contact toward the fixed contact.

Abstract: A multiple knob structure including a knob top module having a head cover, a silicone keyboard and a head annular PCB, from top to bottom, a bearing module, which includes a bearing holder and a bearing, and a knob bottom module, which includes a bottom cover and a bottom PCB, where the knob bottom module also includes a torsional spring and a rotation damper, the torsional spring is mounted on an installing groove of the bottom cover, the rotation damper is mounted on a rotation damper installing groove of the bottom cover.

Abstract: A dimmer switch includes a main body and an operation portion. The operation portion is provided in the main body to be rotatable around a rotation axis to switch the dimmer switch among an off position, a low beam position, and a high beam position. The low beam position and the high beam position are provided above a horizontal line passing through the rotation axis and the off position is provided below the horizontal line in a state where the dimmer switch is attached to a vehicle body. A first rotation angle between the off position and the low beam position is set to be larger than a second rotation angle between the low beam position and the high beam position.

Abstract: A control device intended for a user to choose and select functions in a vehicle includes a knob that can be manipulated in rotation about a main axis with respect to a fixed support. The knob comprises a neutral position in which the main axis coincides with a neutral axis that is fixed with respect to the support. The control device also comprises a printed circuit board on which the knob and at least one direction sensor are fixed. The printed circuit board is mounted with the ability to pivot with respect to the support about an axis transverse overall to the neutral axis so as to come to occupy at least a first activated position in which the main axis is inclined with respect to the neutral axis when the knob is moved in a direction orthogonal to the neutral axis. The direction sensor is intended to detect the activated position.

Abstract: An operating device has an operating shaft, engagement protrusions, and a movable body. The movable body can rotate relative to the operating shaft. The movable body engages with the engagement protrusions at positions separate from its rotation center. The movable body rotates relative to the operating shaft through the engagement with the engagement protrusions according to the translation of the operating shaft. A base abuts against the movable body in the rotational direction of this movable body and receives a force due to the movement of the operating shaft from the movable body. Sensors detect the force acting on the base. According to this, an operating device having a novel structure allowing detection of the translation of the operating shaft is implemented.

Abstract: A rotary-type switch for controlling vehicle lighting is provided. The rotary-type switch may include a housing portion that includes multiple positions that respectively correspond to multiple operation modes and a rotary dial being configured to rotate relative to the housing portion to select an operation mode of the rotary-type switch based on a position identified by a selection indicator. A controller is configured to control and operation mode of the rotary-type switch based on a vehicular power state and when the vehicular power state is OFF, regardless of the position of the selection indicator corresponding to the selected operation mode on either the housing portion or the rotary dial, the controller controls the rotary-type switch to automatically set the operation mode to that defined by an initial-operation position corresponding to a predetermined initial-operation mode.

Abstract: A switch device (1) and its operation from an actuation side (51) are disclosed, the switch device having a plate-shaped main body (10), a plate-shaped actuation part (20), a connection device (30) located between the main body (10) and the actuation part (20) made from an elastic material, and at least one sensor (41, 42, 43, 44), which are located between the main body (10) and the actuation part (20) and viewed in the thickness direction (Z) are located at the side of the connection device (30), so that each sensor (41, 42, 43, 44) can be used to detect a position of one region, arranged on said sensor, of the second surface in the thickness direction (Z).

Abstract: A vehicular operating device includes an operating member manipulated to swing, a slider slidably fitted in a holding bore, a cam surface positioned in front of the slider, and a helical compression spring pressing the slider into pressure contact with the cam surface. The metal-made slider includes a first outer peripheral surface with a diameter being smaller than an inner diameter of the helical compression spring, and a guide portion with an outer diameter allowing the guide portion to slide along an inner peripheral surface of the holding bore. A resin-made annular spacer having an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the guide portion is fitted between the guide portion and the helical compression spring. The helical compression spring biases the slider through the annular spacer. The annular spacer holds the helical compression spring in a state not contacting the first outer peripheral surface and the guide portion.

Abstract: A vibration isolator (10) is a liquid-enclosed vibration isolator and includes: a tubular first mounting member (11) connected to one of a vibration generator and a vibration absorber, and a second mounting member (12) connected to the other; an elastic body (13) elastically connecting the mounting members; and a partition member (16) partitioning a liquid chamber (19) in the first mounting member (11) within which a liquid (L) is enclosed into a primary liquid chamber (14) that uses the elastic body (13) as a part of a wall surface thereof and a secondary liquid chamber (15), wherein the partition member (16) is formed with a restriction passage (24) communicating the primary and secondary liquid chambers (14, 15) with each other, and a porous body (28) having numerous pores (31), which are disposed in parallel so as to communicate a side of the primary liquid chamber (14) and a side of the secondary liquid chamber (15) with each other, is arranged in the restriction passage (24).

Abstract: An operation unit includes an operation part that is provided to be movable up and down along a movement axis, functions as a push-button switch at a first position, and functions as a joystick lever at a second position above the first position in the movement axis direction; and an operation part-detecting part that senses pressing of the operation part when the operation part is at the first position, and senses a direction in which the operation part has inclined when the operation part is at the second position.

Abstract: A variable speed motor driven fishing reel is powered by a brushless DC motor and adapted for remote control operation by adapting a salt water bait-casting reel with a motorized drive assembly including an end plate having an environmentally sealed cover removably connected thereto, and mounted on the opposite side of the reel from the manual crank, the drive assembly including a brushless DC out-runner motor having an output shaft connected to a planetary gear system configured to power rotation of the fishing reel spool axle for driving the spool. A power cable provides 12.0 volt DC power from a suitable on-board vessel power source. An electronic motor control system allows for variation of DC motor speed via a manually actuated speed control knob. A remote control device is adapted for wireless communication with the electronic motor control system to allow for remote activation of the DC motor in low and high speed modes.

Abstract: There is provided a multidirectional switch in which, when a knob in a neutral position is operated to be tilted with respect to a reference axis at the time the knob is in the neutral position, a pressing part positioned in an operating direction side of the knob moves in an axial direction of the reference axis to selectively close a switch element corresponding to the moved pressing part. The switch element and the pressing part respectively comprise four switch elements and four pressing parts that are respectively provided at intervals each having 90 degrees in the circumferential direction around the reference axis, and one pressing part is connected to another pressing part adjacent thereto in the circumferential direction around the reference axis by a flexible connecting element formed in a wave shape as viewed in a radial direction of the reference axis.

Abstract: A switch structure includes an operation key attachment, a substrate facing the operation key attachment and including a switch at least a portion of which is exposed from an opening, and an operation key including a protrusion that protrudes parallel or substantially parallel to the substrate from an opening end surface, an operation receiver at a tip end of the protrusion and that accepts a user pressing operation in the direction toward the substrate, and a pressing member that extends from the operation receiver in a direction that defines a first angle spanning between the pressing member and the protrusion, and is used to press the switch.

Abstract: An activation device for selecting shift stages of a shift-by-wire vehicle transmission comprises a housing and an activation knob which can be moved in a translatory fashion and a latching device with a latching pin and latching contour as latching elements for generating latching forces and restoring forces. The activation device is defined by a latching gearwheel which is in engagement with a toothing arrangement on the activation knob. In this context, one of the two latching elements is connected to the latching gearwheel and in this way forms a rotatable latching element. The second latching element is directly or indirectly connected to the base housing and forms the fixed latching element.

Abstract: A wiper washer apparatus sprays a washer liquid onto a windshield of a vehicle that has imaging areas of an imaging device and wipes the windshield. The apparatus includes a wiper arm that reciprocates a blade so as to wipe a predetermined wiping area, a spray unit that sprays the washer liquid onto the wiping area on the windshield from a nozzle provided on the wiper arm, a drive unit that drives the wiper arm in a mode selected from modes including at least a low speed mode and a high speed mode, and an input unit through which a user inputs a command for spraying the washer liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically drying wet floors includes a controller, a moisture detector that is operable to detect the presence of moisture at a first location and transmit a moisture detection signal to the controller in response to detecting the presence of moisture at the first location, and a blower. The blower is operative to turn on and off for drying the wet floors by directing moving air toward the first location in response to an operating signal from the controller. The controller outputs the operating signal to the blower based on the moisture detection signal.

Abstract: An improved electrical switch that provides for manual connection and disconnect of power by hand by utilizing a compressible stack of elements to load force over a radial distance as rotated by a user of the switch to establish a high force, low resistance connection.

Abstract: A coaxial switch having a housing and a shaft extending through and rotatably mounted to the housing. The shaft extends from opposite ends of the housing. Connector body members are attached to the housing and a support plate is mounted to the shaft. Conductor members are joined to the support plate. Each conductor member has a conductor and is configured to be inserted into a connector body member. The conductors of the conductor members are electrically connected together. When the coaxial switch is engaged, the conductor members are inserted into the connector body members. The coaxial switch becomes disengaged when a force is exerted on the shaft that causes the conductor members to be withdrawn from the connector body members. An axial force-producing mechanism produces a constant axial force on the shaft to maintain the coaxial switch in the engaged state.

Abstract: An actuating device for actuating a function on a motor vehicle includes a touch surface actuated by a user. The touch surface is arranged in such a way that it can be moved under pressure from a first end position to a second end position. An elastic reset urges the touch surface into the first end position. A contact switch is arranged between the touch surface and a support surface. A guide sleeve and a guide pin guide the touch surface when actuated. When moving the touch surface, the guide pin is moved in an axial direction into the sleeve and is secured against lateral movement in a small diameter section of the pin. However, the guide pin can be tipped in the sleeve about a pivot point in the small diameter section, thus preventing the touch surface from being jammed in the event of a decentralized impact.

Abstract: An operation command transmitting device includes a coupling portion coupling a bar portion to a housing so that the bar portion is movable relative to the housing along a central axis and the bar portion is allowed to be tilted around a supporting axis passing through the bar portion, and an abutment portion with which the bar portion comes into abutment when the bar portion is tilted from an untilted neutral condition. The operation command transmitting device includes an axis defining portion defining the supporting axis so that a position of the supporting axis relative to the housing does not change regardless of a tilting of the bar portion and a movement of the bar portion along the central axis.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which is a wire feeder for a welding operation having two or more wire driving devices and a switching device which directs the welding current to the appropriate wire driving device for a welding operation.

Abstract: Systems (300) and methods (900) for packaging an antenna (702) in a communication device (300). The methods involve coupling the antenna to a Printed Circuit Board (“PCB”) such that the antenna is mechanically supported thereby. A hollow shaft (510) of a control knob (304) is positioned over the antenna and at least a portion of PCB (706) such that the antenna is embedded within the control knob. Thereafter, the control knob is mechanically secured to a housing (308) of the communication device. The control knob is arranged such that it can move in a radial direction and a vertical direction (516) relative to the chassis. The control knob is also arranged such that the hollow shaft is able to move freely over the antenna without coming in contact therewith.

Abstract: An electronic device, comprising a rotating switch mechanism for switching a conduction state of a predefined electronic circuit corresponding to a rotating operation of a rotating operation part rotatably provided on a housing on the predefined rotational axis, a locking mechanism for locking the rotation of the rotating operation part relative to the housing, and a switching member for switching an operating state and a non-operating state of the electronic device, wherein the locking mechanism locks the rotation of the rotating operation part relative to the housing when the electronic device is in the operating state and does not lock the rotation of the rotating operation part relative to the housing when the electronic device is in the non-operating state so that the rotation of the rotating operation part of the rotating switch mechanism provided to the electronic device can be locked with improved usability.

Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine, a control panel assembly of which has an improved structure to minimize problems caused by a shaking of a rotary knob and the interference of the rotary knob with other surrounding parts. The control panel assembly of the washing machine includes a control panel, a knob guide installed on the control panel, and a rotary knob rotatably mounted on the knob guide and including a boss passing through the knob guide. The knob guide includes a boss insertion part restricting the boss to prevent the rotary knob from shaking. The boss insertion part includes an extension extended from the bottom surface of the knob guide and forming a boss insertion hole, into which the boss is inserted, therein.