Sony Corporation

Satoko Kubo

Haruhiko Yata

Hiroyuki Ohnuma

Johnny Sin

An input apparatus compact and superior in operability is disclosed wherein, in either a folded or unfolded position, a joystick control can exhibit the same operations and an optical signal from a transmission section can be transmitted with certainty. The input apparatus includes first and second operation housings each having a plurality of input buttons, the first and second operation housings being connected for folding motion by a hinge section. The joystick control is disposed on an axis of the hinge section and has an outer circumferential portion on which input buttons are provided. The joystick control is exposed in both the folded and unfolded positions so that the same input operations can be performed. Also, a signal is transmitted from the input apparatus in both the folded and unfolded positions of the second operation housing.

Input apparatus

This invention provides an inputting apparatus with a reduced number of lines in its connection cable, a simplified structure and improved reliability. The present invention discloses a folding type of inputting apparatus, comprising a first operation housing and a second operation housing coupled together by a hinge section, the first operation housing has a first button group consisted of a plurality of input buttons and is mainly held by the user, the second housing has a second button group consisted of a plurality of input buttons, characterized in that in said second operation housing, a main substrate on which a main control unit is mounted is provided and in said first operation housing, a sub-substrate on which a sub-control unit is mounted is provided, said sub-control unit determines which input button in the first input button group on the first operation housing has been operated, makes a conversion into the serial data corresponding to this operated input button, and transmits the serial data to the main control unit on the main substrate.

Inputting apparatus

In a remote control system used in a plurality of electronic appliances equipped with radio communication circuits operable within the same frequency band, interference of radio communication between specific electronic appliances can be prevented by employing a shielding apparatus. The remote control system comprises a plurality of electronic appliances equipped with radio communication circuits operable within the same frequency band; and a shielding member arranged between specific electronic appliances among the plural electronic appliances, for shielding a communication signal derived from the communication circuit of another electronic appliance. The shielding member is formed in a transparent plate shape, or a semitransparent plate shape, into which an absorbing agent for absorbing the signal from the communication circuit has been mixed.

Shield plate, electronic appliance equipped with shield plate, remote

A folding electronic device, such as a folding remote controller for controlling a television set or a folding cordless telephone comprises a folding case consisting of a first case and a second case; a hinge pivotally joining the first and second cases; first input means arranged on the inner walls of the first and second cases so as to be concealed when the folding case is folded; and second input means arranged on the outer surface of the second case; and a control means for nullifying the operation of the second input means when the folding case is unfolded. The operation of the second input means is nullified by the control means even if the second input means are operated accidentally while the folding case is in an unfolded state. In a modification, the hinge is provided with a battery chamber for containing a power supply, so that the folding electronic device does not need any additional space for containing a power supply.

Growing community of inventors

Tokyo, Japan

Satoko Kubo