A press sensor that includes a board, an adhesive material, and a sensor unit on a first main surface of the board with the adhesive material interposed therebetween. When an elastic modulus of the board is E.sub.1, an elastic modulus of the adhesive material is E.sub.A, and an elastic modulus of the sensor unit is E.sub.S, E.sub.A<E.sub.S and E.sub.A<E.sub.1.

An automatic hold switch is disclosed. The automatic hold switch provides a means for automatically switching a hold feature on and off. When the hold feature is on, one or more input devices of a portable electronic device are disabled or prevented from providing input signals. When the hold feature is off, one or more input devices of a portable electronic device are enabled or allowed to provide input signals. Because the user no longer has to manually control the hold feature, the number of actions that need to be taken by the user is reduced. In one example, the automatic hold switch is embodied with light sensors that detect when the device is in a dark environment and when the device is in a light environment. A dark environment indicates to the portable electronic device that the user wishes not to input and therefore the hold feature is turned on. A lighted environment indicates to the portable electronic device that the user wishes to input and therefore the hold feature is turned off.

Provided is an object detection device capable of controlling to stop operation of a sensor that detects an object shape when operation of this sensor is not needed. An object detection device (1) includes a feature extraction unit (2) and a sensor activation unit (4). When an object passes an irradiation area of irradiation light from a first sensor configured to detect a feature of a part of a surface of an object by applying irradiation light, the feature extraction unit (2) extracts a feature of the object in the irradiation area. The sensor activation unit (4) activates a second sensor configured to detect an object shape when variation of the extracted feature falls below a predetermined first threshold.

A limited reflection type sensor which irradiates exit light from a light emitting unit toward an object sensing region through an exit light lens and receives, at a light receiving unit, reflected light from an object existing in the object sensing region through a reflected light lens, may include a casing including a latching portion formed on a side surface and a first opening facing the object sensing region, the casing accommodating the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit; and a lens part including a light incident/exit part formed integrally with the exit light lens and the reflected light lens, and a side surface covering part in which an end of the light incident/exit part is extended along the side surface, in which the lens part covers the first opening with the light incident/exit part and the side surface covering part is latched by the latching portion.

A detection device includes: a detector having an inherent detection area to detect entry of a detection target into the inherent detection area; a restrictor for restricting the inherent detection area to a specific set detection area; a body having a detector opening part; a detector fixer for fixing the detector; and a restrictor fixer whose position is fixed to the detector fixer and to which the restrictor is fixed, the restrictor fixer configured so that a relative position between the detector and the restrictor is fixed by fixing a position of the restrictor to the detector fixer via the restrictor fixer. The detector and the restrictor whose positions are thus fixed are assembled to the body so that a circumferential edge of the detector opening part is located outside the set detection area while the restriction of the inherent detection area by the restrictor is maintained.

A detection device includes: a detector having an inherent detection area to detect entry of a detection target into the inherent detection area; a restrictor for restricting the inherent detection area to a specific set detection area; a body having a detector opening part; a detector fixer for fixing the detector; and a restrictor fixer whose position is fixed to the detector fixer and to which the restrictor is fixed, the restrictor fixer configured so that a relative position between the detector and the restrictor is fixed by fixing a position of the restrictor to the detector fixer via the restrictor fixer. The detector and the restrictor whose positions are thus fixed are assembled to the body so that a circumferential edge of the detector opening part is located outside the set detection area while the restriction of the inherent detection area by the restrictor is maintained.

A switch device capable of safely opening or short-circuiting an electrical circuit in response to an abnormality such as wetting with water or liquid leaking from a battery is provided. The device includes a conductor connected to an external circuit, and a reaction part including a liquid-soluble material which opens the conductor and the external circuit and which dissolves on contacting a liquid entering the device interior to electrically connect the conductor and the external circuit.

A switch device capable of safely opening or short-circuiting an electrical circuit in response to an abnormality such as wetting with water or liquid leaking from a battery is provided. The device includes a conductor connected to an external circuit, and a reaction part including a liquid-soluble material which opens the conductor and the external circuit and which dissolves on contacting a liquid entering the device interior to electrically connect the conductor and the external circuit.

Electronic leakage reduction techniques are provided, whereby a device is configured to detect characteristics of an appliance and its power supply when the appliance is off or otherwise placed in a mode for reduced power use by said appliance, and whereby voltage and power provided to the appliance are then substantially reduced. In other aspects of the disclosed technology, user behavior may also manually control power delivered to the appliance, for example, with a switch. In still other aspects of the disclosed technology, a device is configured to detect characteristics of an appliance and its power supply when the appliance is on or otherwise placed in a mode for higher power use by said appliance, and increases power to the appliance.

Electronic leakage reduction techniques are provided, whereby a device is configured to detect characteristics of an appliance and its power supply when the appliance is off or otherwise placed in a mode for reduced power use by said appliance, and whereby voltage and power provided to the appliance are then substantially reduced. In other aspects of the disclosed technology, user behavior may also manually control power delivered to the appliance, for example, with a switch. In still other aspects of the disclosed technology, a device is configured to detect characteristics of an appliance and its power supply when the appliance is on or otherwise placed in a mode for higher power use by said appliance, and increases power to the appliance.