The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 08, 2007
Filed:
May. 11, 2004
Ayumu Kobayashi, Miyagi-ken, JP;
Ayumu Kobayashi, Miyagi-ken, JP;
Alps Electric Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A code disk rotates around the shaft fixed to a base in a case. A half of the upper surface of the code disk is exposed from the case. The code disk functions as an operating member on which an operator puts his or her finger to rotate it. A transparent body is layered under the code disk and fixed to the shaft. The transparent body is a circular film member including a piezoelectric element and a transparent electrode. A rotation angle of the code disk is detected by a light emitter and a light receiver. According to the rotation angle, alternating-current is applied to the transparent electrode of the transparent body to drive the piezoelectric element. External force is thus applied to the code disk from the transparent body.