Abstract: An optical keyswitch includes a keycap, a support mechanism, and a switch module. The support mechanism is disposed below the keycap and configured to support the keycap moving upward and downward, the support mechanism comprising a first frame and a second frame, the first frame having a sliding end. The switch module includes a circuit board, an emitter, and a receiver, the emitter and the receiver are electrically connected to the circuit board, and the emitter emitting an optical signal to the receiver. When the keycap is pressed, the first frame is driven by the keycap to slide substantially parallel to the circuit board and block the optical signal with the sliding end, so the switch module is triggered to generate a triggering signal.

Abstract: An optical measurement device is provided. The device includes first and second optical fibers; first and second reaction vessels, and a light guide stage coupled to the first and second optical fibers. The light guide stage is driven to simultaneously optically connect the first and second optical fibers with the first and second reaction vessels. The device includes a measurement device for receiving emissions from the first and second reaction vessels, and a connecting end arranging body that supports the first and second optical fibers along a path. The arranging body is driven along the path between a first position, in which the first optical fiber is optically connected with the measurement device so that light is transmittable from the first reaction vessel, and a second position, in which the second optical fiber is optically connected with the measurement device so that light is transmittable from the second reaction vessel.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a keyboard key structure, a light guide for the keyboard key structure, and a computer key mechanism. The keyboard key structure can include a substrate; a key switch where the bottom of the key switch is configured to be coupled to the substrate; a keycap including a transparent region; a light guide coupled to the side of the key switch, the light guide comprising: a planar bottom surface and a planar top surface that is wider than and parallel to the bottom surface; a light emitting element coupled to the substrate and configured under the bottom surface of the light guide such that the light emitting element, the light guide, and the transparent region of the key cap are in a collinear arrangement.

Abstract: A mouse device includes a casing, a button, a connecting rod assembly, an elastic member, and an optical switch. A pressing block of the button extends into the casing. The connecting rod assembly is disposed in the casing and is rotatably disposed on a shaft base of the casing. The elastic member is disposed in the casing and elastically abuts against the connecting rod assembly, so that the connecting rod assembly abuts against the pressing block to allow the button at an initial position. The optical switch is disposed in the casing and adjacent to the connecting rod assembly. The button can be moved from the initial position to a pressed position relative to the casing so as to drive the connecting rod assembly to rotate, so that the connecting rod assembly is moved relative to the optical switch to trigger the optical switch.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method to manufacture a keycap for keys of a keyboard, including: providing a top fabric layer and a molding film disposed beneath the top fabric layer; molding the molding film and the top fabric layer to form a film structure having an inner surface; and providing a keycap body having an upper surface, wherein the outline of the upper surface matches with that of the inner surface to form the keycap. In the present invention, the keycap is formed using the film structure and the keycap body by plastic injection or adhesion agent, the keycap is further manufactured as keys, and a symbol is engraved on the upper surface of the film structure by laser. Because the backlit device's light transmits through the keycap, users can recognize the symbols on the keys.

Abstract: An electronic device may have a reconfigurable keyboard. The keyboard may be formed from an array of keys coupled to a housing. Each key may have a movable key member and an associated key display. Control circuitry in the keyboard may direct the key displays to display dynamically adjustable key labels for the keys. Each key movable key member may be formed from a fiber optic plate. The fiber optic plate may be formed from a coherent fiber bundle with opposing first and second surfaces. The first surface may be adjacent to the key display and may receive key label images from the key display. The second surface may face outwardly towards a user and may receive key press input from the fingers of a user while presenting key label images for viewing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a shift device for a control system for a vehicle. The shift device may include at least one optical fiber for conducting a light signal, where the light signal has an input characteristic when entering the shift device, and where the light signal has an output characteristic when exiting the shift device. The shift device may further include a control element, where the control element can be moved between a home position, a first actuation position, and a second actuation position by an actuation force. The control element may have an adjustment device for adjusting the characteristic of the light signal, where the adjustment device is configured to set the output characteristic of the light signal to a first value when the control element is in the home position.

Abstract: An electronic device may have a reconfigurable keyboard. The keyboard may be formed from an array of keys coupled to a housing. Each key may have a movable key member and an associated key display. Control circuitry in the keyboard may direct the key displays to display dynamically adjustable key labels for the keys. Each key movable key member may be formed from a fiber optic plate. The fiber optic plate may be formed from a coherent fiber bundle with opposing first and second surfaces. The first surface may be adjacent to the key display and may receive key label images from the key display. The second surface may face outwardly towards a user and may receive key press input from the fingers of a user while presenting key label images for viewing.

Abstract: An optical membrane switch device includes a first membrane layer, a second membrane layer, and a spacer layer. The first membrane layer includes a first surface and light input lines. The light input lines are disposed on the first surface. Each light input line is slantingly extended with first branch lines. The second membrane layer includes a second surface and light output lines. The light output lines are disposed on the second surface. Each light output line is slantingly extended with second branch lines. The second branch lines respectively extend to the corresponding first branch lines to form contact regions. The spacer layer is clamped between the first membrane layer and the second membrane layer and includes through holes respectively corresponding to the contact regions. The first and second branch lines corresponding to the through holes at least partially overlap each other and keep a preset interval from each other.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an image sensor that captures a sequence of image frames that includes a plurality of different vehicles. The electronic device further includes control circuitry configured to identify a first group of frames from the captured sequence of image frames that belong to a first vehicle. A first bounding box is generated on a first vehicle region within a first frame of the identified first group of frames. A first license plate region of the first vehicle is detected within the first bounding box in the first frame and within a specific area in subsequent frames of the identified first group of frames, based on a reference of the spatial position of the first bounding box of the first vehicle in the first frame. At least the first vehicle is tracked based on the detected first license plate region of the first vehicle.

Abstract: A handheld device is configured with a mode indicator to provide an easily seen indication of a defined mode of operation. A command may be received by the handheld device to enter the defined mode of operation. After entering the defined mode of operation, the device may set one or more specific pixels on a display of the handheld device to a predefined color indicative of the defined mode of operation. The mode indicator on the handheld is illuminated by transporting colored light generated by the one or more specific pixels to the mode indicator.

Abstract: Light emitters are made of one or more cladded flat optical fibers having opposite flat sides and disruptions along at least a portion of the length of the fibers to cause light entering at least one end to be emitted from at least one side. The ends of the flat optical fibers may have substantially the same thickness as a light source and a width substantially equal to or substantially greater than the width of the light source for ease of optically coupling one or more such light sources to the flat optical fiber ends.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device includes an enclosure having a sidewall with a button aperture defined therethrough, a display connected to the enclosure, a processing element in communication with the display. The device also includes a sensing element in communication with the processing element and an input button at least partially received within the button aperture and in communication with the sensing element, the input button configured to receive two types of user inputs. During operation, the sensing element tracks movement of the input button to determine the two types of user inputs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for interfaces featuring surface-based haptic effects are described. One described system includes a sensor configured to detect a touch in a touch area when an object contacts a touch surface. The touch surface may correspond to the display area or may correspond to a non-display surface of a computing device or peripheral interfaced to a computing device. The system can further include an actuator in communication with the processor and coupled to the touch surface, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect and a processor configured to select a haptic effect to generate. The haptic effect can be selected based on a position of the touch and recognizing an input gesture provided by the touch and/or content displayed in a graphical user interface at a location mapped to a position in the touch area at or near the touch. The haptic effect may provide a texture, simulate an obstacle, and/or adjust the coefficient of friction of the surface.

Abstract: A system and method for the secure storage and transmission of data is provided. A data aggregate device can be configured to receive secure data from a data source, such as a sensor, and encrypt the secure data using a suitable encryption technique, such as a shared private key technique, a public key encryption technique, a Diffie-Hellman key exchange technique, or other suitable encryption technique. The encrypted secure data can be provided from the data aggregate device to different remote devices over a plurality of segregated or isolated data paths. Each of the isolated data paths can include an optoisolator that is configured to provide one-way transmission of the encrypted secure data from the data aggregate device over the isolated data path. External data can be received through a secure data filter which, by validating the external data, allows for key exchange and other various adjustments from an external source.

Abstract: A keypad with optical sensors is provided. The keypad comprises keycaps, each keycap having a top surface. One or more optical sensors are located beneath top surfaces of adjacent keycaps. One or more light guides extend from a respective optical sensor towards the top surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a haptic controller comprising a base (2), at least one maneuvering body (8) which is movably mounted on the base such that it can be moved under the action of a user, mechanical connection means (4, 15) comprising at least one deformable abutment consisting of an elastomer material between the maneuvering body and the base, and suitable for exerting a monotonous, non-linear resistive effort against an actuating effort of the maneuvering body, at least one sensor (12) placed in the haptic controller in such a way as to generate a signal representative of said actuating effort, and associated built-in or remote means (18) for processing the signal generated by the sensor, in order to supply an output signal for controlling at least one characteristic of a sound.

Abstract: A photoelectric switch includes a base having a tubular wall surrounding an axis, and a cover coupled to the base and including a rib unit that cooperates with the tubular wall to confine a rolling chamber. The rib unit has at least one portion overlapping the tubular wall. A light passage extends through the rolling chamber and two diametrically opposite sides of the tubular wall. A photoelectric unit is enclosed by the base and the cover, and includes a light emitter and a light receiver disposed respectively on two opposite ends of the light passage, and a rolling member disposed in the rolling chamber and movable between a blocking position to block the light passage and a non-blocking position to unblock the light passage.

Abstract: A sensor switch includes a housing having a receiving chamber defined by top and bottom walls and a multi-sided chamber surrounding wall, and a light emitter and a light receiver disposed outwardly of the surrounding wall at two opposite positions. The surrounding wall is formed with two light passage holes which are aligned respectively with the light emitter and the light receiver to permit a light path to extend therethrough. The bottom wall has a bottom inclined wall face that forms an included angle of from ?80 degrees to 80 degrees with respect to a first axis. A rolling member is movable in the receiving chamber to alternately block and unblock the light path when moving to and fro on the bottom wall.

Abstract: A sensor includes: a light emitting part that emits light; a light receiving part that receives reflected light, which is emitted from the light emitting part, is reflected, and returns; and plural arranged fiber bodies that are disposed on a front side of at least one of the light emitting part and the light receiving part and operate as a filter limiting an emission angle or a light receiving angle.

Abstract: An interactive display panel includes scan lines, first data lines, sub-pixels, photo-sensors and second data lines. The scan lines and the first data lines are intersected to define sub-pixel regions. Each of the sub-pixels is located in one of the sub-pixel regions and has a display region, and each of the sub-pixels is electrically connected with one of the scan lines and one of the first data lines respectively. The photo-sensors are located outside the display regions of the sub-pixels. The scan lines and the second data lines are intersected and electrically connected with the photo-sensors.

Abstract: A light source unit is disclosed for arranging on a plane and emitting a light beam oblique to the plane. The light source unit includes an illuminant element and a transparent encapsulator. The illuminant element has an upper surface and a lower surface both parallel to the plane. The transparent encapsulator physically contacts with the illuminant element and at least covers the upper surface of the illuminant element. The transparent encapsulator has an oblique surface above the upper surface and oblique to the upper surface. In addition, an optical inputting module having the light source unit mentioned above is disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary switch mechanism includes a first rotatable member, a second rotatable member, a push button and a triggered switch. By rotating the first rotatable member, a first rotation command is executed. By rotating the second rotatable member, a second rotation command is executed. By moving a user's finger on the push button, a motion command is executed. By pressing down the push button to trigger the push switch, a pushing command is executed. In such way, the rotary switch mechanism may be used to input plural commands.

Abstract: A contact detection device includes a number of first bars and second bars. Each first bar includes a number of first sheets. Each second bar includes a number of second sheets. The first bars and the second bars intersect to form a grid with a number of nodes as a contact detection area, each node having exclusive coordinates. Each first sheet defines a light hole, and the light holes are arranged in the same column line in the grid. Opposite sides of each first sheet arranges one photosensitive member above the corresponding light hole, and position of each photosensitive member is determined according to the coordinates of the nearest node in a predetermined direction. Opposite ends of each two adjacent second bars respectively arrange one light emitter therebetween. When one point of the grid is pressed, the light emitted by the light emitter irradiates the photosensitive member.

Abstract: A touch system including a touch panel and a readout circuit is disclosed. The touch panel is integrated with a plurality of photosensitive elements within pixel elements, and capable of displaying at least touch position by at least an optical inputting. The touch panel provides a signal data when the touch panel is touched. The readout circuit is configured to receive the signal data and includes a transformation unit and a processing unit. The transformation unit generates a signal value based on the signal data and a transformation parameter. The processing unit executes a specific action when the signal value is less than a preset value.

Abstract: The key device of the present invention is provided with: first light-emitting portions that emit light propagating in a first direction; second light-emitting portions that emit the light R propagating in a second direction; converters H that can convert a propagating direction of light from the first direction to the second direction, or from the second direction to the first direction; first light-receiving portions that receive light propagating in the first direction through the converters; second light-receiving portions that receive light propagating in the second direction through the converters; and a plurality of keys, which are provided correspondingly to the converters, and which determine whether the propagating direction of light is converted in the converters.

Abstract: An optical sensor for a touch-sensitive push button of a control mechanism for an electronic household appliance has a transmitter, which emits electromagnetic radiation, and a receiver, which receives reflected electromagnetic radiation. A cover is at least partly transparent to the electromagnetic radiation and the transmitter and the receiver are arranged behind the cover. A radiation guide mechanism, for example a diaphragm frame, is provided between the transmitter and the receiver, on the one hand, and the cover, on the other hand, for guiding the radiation emitted from the transmitter towards the cover and to guide the reflected radiation penetrating the cover to the receiver. The diaphragm frame broadens the emission characteristic of the transmitter outward from the cover and/or the reception characteristic of the receiver inward into the cover.

Abstract: An optical controlling circuit and an electrical controlled circuit such as a motor control circuit are interconnected by an electro-optic interface. A passive optical switch located in the optical circuit at a position remote from the electrical circuit is physically actuated to generate a change in optical transmission state of the optical circuit. At the electro-optic interface, the change in optical transmission state of the optical circuit is detected and triggers a change in the electrical transmission state of the electric circuit. Embodied as STOP and START pushbuttons, a pair of such passive optical switches at a position remote from the electric circuit reduces the risk that actuating motor control circuits and the like will cause arcing and, in hazardous environments, explosion.

Abstract: A mobile communication device having a keyboard with a set of keys representing alpha-numeric characters, the keyboard comprising a light source, located within said mobile communication device; for providing a light; a set of sensors, associated with said keys, for sensing an amount of said light in a vicinity of each of said set of sensors, to determine which of said set of keys has been selected; and a transparent flat cover, overlying said set of sensors, displaying said set of alpha-numeric characters, for associating said set of alpha-numeric characters with said set of sensors.

Abstract: A photoelectric switch is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the photoelectric switch includes at least one light source, a reflective surface provided in light-receiving relationship with respect to the at least one light source, a release button engaging the reflective surface and positional between first and second positions, a photocell provided in light-receiving relationship with respect to the reflective surface when the release button is disposed in the first position, a latch control circuit connected to the photocell and a latch connected to the latch control circuit. The light path incorporates a collimator to restrict operation of the system to the relationship of the light source and the retroreflector.

Abstract: A switch for a domestic appliance, such as a cooking range, that includes a radiation emitter, an auxiliary radiation emitter and a radiation receiver, the radiation receiver adapted to receive at least part of the radiation emitted from the radiation emitter and auxiliary radiation emitter and to generate one or more reception signals whose values depend on the radiation received. A controller associated with the switch generates a periodic control pulse (Pc) at a first time interval to cause the radiation emitter to emit radiation for a duration of time and a periodic test pulse (Pt) at a second time interval different than the first time interval to cause the auxiliary radiation emitter to emit radiation for a duration of time. The controller configured to evaluate the one or more reception signals to determine if an error or malfunction exists in the switch.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive momentary-contact switch includes an infrared-radiation-emitting transmitter, an infrared-radiation-receiving receiver and at least one visible-light-emitting signal element. The transmitter, receiver and signal element radiate into a single light-guiding element. Due to optical beam guidance, a separation of a transmission channel and a reception channel in the light-guiding element is effected in such a way that at a top-side area of the light-guiding element remote from the transmitter and the receiver, a superimposition of a region that can be irradiated by the transmitter and a region that can be detected by the receiver is produced only on a small portion of the area. An operating device for a domestic appliance including at least one touch-sensitive momentary-contact switch, is also provided.

Abstract: An input device includes an input detection portion which enables detection of position inputs according to change of capacitance; a position detection portion which reads detection signals from the input detection portion and detects positions thereof; a light emitting portion placed near the input detecting portion; driving portion which drives the light emitting portion; a monitoring portion which monitors a driving voltage applied from the driving portion to the light emitting portion; and a control portion which controls a generation of pulse signals at times when the position detection portion reads the position inputs from the input detection portion, the generation of the times being based on the driving voltage monitored by the monitoring portion.

Abstract: A keypad is provided. The keypad includes an optical waveguide on the top surface of which at least one prism pattern is formed, a light source for generating light and causing the light to be incident to a side surface of the optical waveguide, and at least one optical detector located below the optical waveguide to correspond to the at least one prism pattern.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a touch proximity sensing system detecting the presence or absence of a triggering object. The system includes a reflective optical sensor, an active surface, and a light pipe in combination. The reflective optical sensor has an emitter for creating a light and a receiver for detecting a reflected light of the emitter. The active surface is suitable for receiving the triggering object, such as a stylus or finger, or the like. The light pipe is disposed between the reflective optical sensor and the active surface. The length of the light pipe is such that the reflective optical sensor and the active surface are spaced-apart from each other. The light pipe transports the light from the emitter to the active surface. In the presence of the triggering object, light from the emitter is reflected and the light pipe transports the reflected light to the receiver.

Abstract: A scanning microscope with a first and at least one other detection channel is disclosed. The first detection channel comprises at least one first detector and the other detection channel comprises at least one other detector to detect the detection light given off by a sample. A switching mechanism is provided that selectively directs the detection light into the first or into the other detection channel.

Abstract: In an optical input device based on movement of an object (15) and the device relative to each other and which comprising at least one optical sensor unit including a laser (3) having a laser cavity for generating a measuring beam (13), converging means (50) for converging the measuring beam in an action plane and for converging measuring beam radiation reflected by the object in the laser cavity to generate a self-mixing effect in the laser and measuring means for measuring the result of the self-mixing effect, which effect is determined by said movement, the converging means (50) is adapted to provide a self-mixing effect that is smaller than a possible maximum but larger than a detection threshold for an extended range of distances (?Z) between the object and the device. This allows obtaining the required self-mixing effect in an extended range of distances between the object and the device.

Abstract: An infrared momentary-contact switch for a control device of a domestic appliance, has a transmitter which emits infrared radiation and a receiver which receives infrared radiation. The transmitter and receiver are disposed behind a cover through which at least some of the infrared radiation passes. In order to achieve a good ratio of useful signal to interference signal for the momentary-contact switch, the transmitter has an associated first optical fiber element and the receiver has an associated second optical fiber element. The ends of these optical fiber elements which respectively face away from the transmitter and receiver are adjacent one another and adjoin the cover. A control device is also provided.

Abstract: Keys, which are incorporated in an automatic player piano, are monitored with an optical transducer system. The optical transducer system includes sensor heads provided on both sides of the key trajectories, LEDs connected to predetermined sensor heads through optical fibers, LDDs connected to the other sensor heads through optical fibers and a controlling unit. A luminescence controller is connected to the LEDs for optimizing the luminescence, and bias controllers are respectively connected to the LDDs. The luminescence controller and bias controllers optimize the luminescence of emitted light and the bias level of electric signals so that the optical transducer system is free from the individuality of component parts and the deterioration.

Abstract: An optical transducer includes a photo-electric converter supported by a shank flange rail and optical modulators respectively attached to hammers of an automatic player piano; since a neck portion makes a photo-modulating pattern closer to the rotational axis of each hammer than a boss portion adhered to the side surface of the hammer shank, the photo-modulating pattern is rotated in a narrow space in the vicinity of the rotational axis so as to permit the photo-electric converter to monitor the hammer motion between the rest position and the end position without any interference with other component parts, and the boss portion is easily adhered to the side surface under the condition that a worker lifts the hammer over the adjacent hammers.

Abstract: The member comprises: a support structure presenting a control zone, said control zone having a through hole; a non-conductive elastic covering covering a control face of the control zone, at least in register with the through hole; and a touch-sensitive detector at least partially in register with the through hole and mounted on or in the vicinity of the face of the control zone that is opposite from its control face; the elastic covering having a rest position in which the finger of an operator contacting the free surface of the elastic covering lies outside the touch detection space of the detector, and a deformed position in which the finger of the operator in contact with the free surface of the elastic covering lies within the touch detection space of the detector. According to the invention, in the rest position, the elastic covering is spaced apart from the touch-sensitive detector, and in the deformed position, the elastic covering is in contact with the touch-sensitive detector.

Abstract: An optical position transducer is provided for each of the black/white keys incorporated in a composite keyboard musical instrument; the optical position transducer includes a photo-coupler radiating a light beam, an optical filter moved across the light beam, a recess formed in the black/white key at a proper position where the optical filter is aligned with a target trajectory crossing the light beam and an elastic coupler pressed to an inner surface defining the recess and secured to the optical filter so that a worker assembles the optical filter with the key by inserting the elastic coupler into the recess.

Abstract: A fiber optic control system for controlling remotely located devices. The control system includes an illumination source for producing a light beam and a plurality of optical fibers. Each fiber is arranged to receive a respective portion of a light beam at a coupling end. A planar light switch, including a plurality of light attenuating pixels, is positioned between the illumination source and the optical fiber coupling ends. Each of the pixels of the planar light switch is electronically controllable for selectively coupling portions of the light beam to respective coupling ends of the optical fibers. A plurality of light activated circuits are optically coupled to a respective illumination ends of the optical fiber. The light activated circuits are responsive to the respective portion of the light beam radiated from the respective illumination ends for providing a control signal to a remotely located device.

Abstract: An array of micro electromechanical switches (MEMs) (21–35) is actuated by a source of one or more light beams, such as a laser (60). A positioning unit (70) is arranged to direct the one or more light beams onto the MEMs, thereby actuating them without the need for control lines. The positioning unit may include a scanning unit (80) which positions a rotatable mirror (72).

Abstract: An input device comprising a fixed light source, a plurality of light detectors surrounding the light source, and a member comprising reflective surface portions slidably mounted above the light source. When the member is slid from a neutral position to one of a plurality of activating position, light from the light source is reflected by one of the reflective surface portions directly from the light source to an associated light detector.

Abstract: An optical position transducer is provided for each of the black/white keys incorporated in a composite keyboard musical instrument; the optical position transducer includes a photo-coupler radiating a light beam, an optical filter moved across the light beam, a recess formed in the black/white key at a proper position where the optical filter is aligned with a target trajectory crossing the light beam and an elastic coupler pressed to an inner surface defining the recess and secured to the optical filter so that a worker assembles the optical filter with the key by inserting the elastic coupler into the recess.

Abstract: MEMS Device Having Contact and Standoff Bumps and Related Methods. According to one embodiment, a movable MEMS component suspended over a substrate is provided. The component can include a structural layer having a movable electrode separated from a substrate by a gap. The component can also include at least one standoff bump attached to the structural layer and extending into the gap for preventing contact of the movable electrode with conductive material when the component moves.

Abstract: A shutter holder has a frame-like base portion and a tie plate inwardly projecting from a side portion of the base portion in a cantilever fashion, and the tie plate has a rectangular cross section smaller in thickness and/or width, i.e., second moment of inertia than the cross section of the base plate at the boundary; even if a staple is deeply driven into a moving object such as a wooden key, the tie plate is widely deflected so as to absorb the deformation of the wooden key, and permits a shutter plate to keep itself perpendicular to the lower surface of the wooden key.

Abstract: An optically controlled micro-electromechanical (MEM) switch is described which desirably utilizes photoconductive properties of a semiconductive substrate upon which MEM switches are fabricated. In one embodiment the bias voltage provided for actuation of the switch is altered by illuminating an optoelectric portion of the switch to deactivate the switch. In an alternative embodiment, a photovoltaic device provides voltage to actuate the switch without any bias lines at all. Due to the hysteresis of the electromechanical switching as a function of applied voltage, only modest variation of voltage applied to the switch is necessary to cause the switch to open or close sharply under optical control.

Abstract: Piezoelectric members are arranged in a rectangular array of 32 columns and 32 rows and a polyimide film is sandwiched at front and back sides thereof by spacers having through-holes formed only around cross-points of optical waveguides therebetween. An end of a piezoelectric member in the shape of a plate is fixed to the polyimide film with the spacer interposing therebetween. As an opening/closing operation mechanism for a cut section for change-over between propagation directions of light, there is used piezoelectric member constituted of a piezoelectric element capable of pressing a region around a cross-point point of optical waveguides from one side to the other side. With such a construction adopted, there can be obtained an optical switch capable of not only reducing an optical loss, but also preventing a change-over abnormality and burning from occurring and in addition, capable of further downsizing.