Abstract:
An automatic ice making apparatus having a sensor which can detect continuously a temperature of an ice making tray is used as a temperature sensor. The temperature and a temperature variation rate of the ice making tray are detected by an electronic control circuit having a function corresponding to an A/D converter and a microprocessor or the like to determine a freezing state of water. Further, a thermistor is used as the temperature sensor, and by and A/D converter including a microprocessor a water level in the ice making tray is detected and a solenoid valve for determining an amount of supply water is controlled so as to suppress the water amount variation due to a water pressure change or the like.
Abstract:
The satellite signal tracking method performed during the initial phase of satellite tracking operation, wherein three or more GPS satellites in a first orbit are selected for searching in sequence through one receiving channel of a GPS receiver and performing the positioning on the earth upon receipt of navigation data from the captured GPS satellite, whereby, if a first GPS satellite is failed to be caught within a specified period of time, a second GPS satellite among the selected GPS satellites in the same orbit, which is at the furthermost point from the first GPS satellite, is picked out for searching and, further, if any of the selected GPS satellites in the same orbit is failed to be caught, three or more GPS satellites in another orbit are selected for reiterating the same operation as for the first orbit, and these changes of mode provides a quick restart of the position reckoning even when the GPS receiver has lost all the navigation data in a backup memory required therefor and an expeditious operation in catching satellite signals for initializing the GPS receiver.
Abstract:
A display device applied to a navigation system for a vehicle displaying map information by using a color pallet. The device comprises means for supplying at least a signal distinguishing a bright and a dark environment according to the degree of brightness degree in a passenger compartment of the vehicle. Color pallets have their contents changed according to the information from the supply means. The contents of the registers are changed so that a degree of brightness of background color of a display unit is decreased to less than a decreased degree of brightness of colors displaying the information on the display unit when the output information of the supply means changes from the brightness to the darkness.
Abstract:
A momentarily changing position of a travelling vehicle is correctly identified by a vehicular nagivation system on which a magnetism sensor, angular velocity sensor, travel distance sensor and global positioning system are mounted. The current position of the vehicle is identified by, for example, storing data of a road on a map in the form of numerical values, measuring a predetermined distance which the vehicle has travelled and computing the current position on the road based upon the predetermined distance thus measured.
Abstract:
In an on-board navigation system for motor vehicles, having a memory device in which map data in digital form is stored, and adapted to read-out from the memory device map data of a region of a given area including a present location of the vehicle while recognizing the present location of the vehicle and to display a map on a display screen on the basis of the map data, a switching device for selectively supplying an electric power to the memory device is provided. The switching device is controlled to supply the electric power to the memory device only when the map data is read-out from the memory device. A power switch for selectively supplying the power current to a display unit is also provided, thereby further reduction of the electric power consumption is possible.
Abstract:
Input device in which a defect of a control disk is eliminated while making use of an advantage of the control disk and an electronic device using the input device. The input device may include: an operation panel, which may be operated by a user; a board, which may be arranged to be opposed to a surface opposite to an operation surface of the operation panel operated by the user; a conductive elastic body and a pusher, which may be fixed on the operation panel; and a sensor portion and a member to be pressed, which may be placed on the board to be opposed to the conductive elastic body and the pusher, respectively.
Abstract:
A multidirectional switch member and an electronic device includes an operation plate in which a pressing operation may be performed in a plurality of directions including four standard directions and a median direction extending between the four standard directions, a PCB that is located at the back side of the operation plate, a plurality of conductive bodies that are provided on the back side of the operation plate, a group of standard direction contact electrodes that each have a first electrode and a first ground potential electrode along each of the standard directions, and a group of median direction contact electrodes that have two of a second electrode and a second ground potential electrode along the median direction, wherein the two second electrodes and the first electrodes, which are located along both sides of the median direction, are located next to each other and are electrically connected to each other.
Abstract:
Input device in which a defect of a control disk is eliminated while making use of an advantage of the control disk and an electronic device using the input device. The input device may include: an operation panel, which may be operated by a user; a board, which may be arranged to be opposed to a surface opposite to an operation surface of the operation panel operated by the user; a conductive elastic body and a pusher, which may be fixed on the operation panel; and a sensor portion and a member to be pressed, which may be placed on the board to be opposed to the conductive elastic body and the pusher, respectively.
Abstract:
A portable information processor includes a storage unit that stores information; a connecting unit that connects to one of the device; an information acquiring unit that acquires information from the connected device; an operation information generating unit supplied with a driving power from a power source of the connected device and generating operation information relating to the predetermined operation executable by the connected device based on device identification information and the acquired information acquired by the information acquiring unit, and the information stored in the storage unit; and a control unit that controls the connected device based on the operation information generated by the operation information generating unit.
Abstract:
A temperature regulator has two headers connected to both ends of a heat receiving tube in which gas flows. The heat receiving tube has a heating element at the outer periphery thereof and a mixer accommodated therein to cause turbulent flow of gas passing through the heat receiving tube. The headers each have fins radially attached thereto, thereby ensuring strength of the headers and improving heat exchange efficiency.