Abstract: A force feedback device comprising an operation unit, an actuator for providing a feel sensation (force) to the operation unit and a control unit for controlling the actuator, wherein the control unit stores a plurality of different unit force patterns, forms composite force patterns by combining the unit force patterns and controls the actuator based on the composite force patterns to provide feel sensations to the operation unit.

Abstract: A changeable operation feeling (tactile sensation) is provided for a user manipulating the knob of manual input device. The manual input device includes a feeling providing device which has plural discs fixed to a control shaft, bearing feeling patterns on their circumferential surfaces and a ball holder which works in conjunction with the discs to provide an operation feeling to the knob. An actuator is driven to move up or down the ball holder to select the feeling pattern to be elastically forced to contact the ball to change an operation feeling as the user rotates the knob. A car-mounted apparatus controller incorporates this type of manual input device for functional control of car-mounted electric apparatuses.

Abstract: A manual in put device is provided with a spherical bearing, a joystick type knob held swingably on the spherical bearing, a rotary knob disposed coaxially with the joystick type knob, a first actuator for loading an external force on the joystick type knob, a second actuator for loading an external force on the rotary knob, a control unit for controlling these first and second actuators, a guide member for defining an operation direction of the joystick type knob, first detection means for detecting an operation state of the joystick type knob, and second detection means for detecting an operation state of the rotary knob. In an onboard instrument control device, the built-in manual input device is contained in a box and the joystick type knob and the rotary knob and push button switches used for instrument selection are disposed on an upper surface of the box.

Abstract: A manual input device has a configuration consisting of a case, a joystick type knob and a rotary knob concentrically arranged over the top face of the case, one force feedback actuator for loading these knobs with external forces, a control unit for controlling the force feedback actuator, first and second power transmission mechanisms for individually transmitting the drive power of the force feedback actuator to the knobs, first and second detecting devices for individually detecting manipulated states of the knobs, and a push-button switch for finalizing signals set in the joystick type knob. A vehicle-mounted device control unit has a configuration consisting of the manual input device built into a case, on the top face of which are arranged the joystick type knob and the rotary knob provided for the manual input device, a clutch change-over switch, and push-button switches for selection of appliances.

Abstract: A force applying device includes an operating unit for moving a cursor on a two-dimensional plane surface, actuators for applying forces to the operating unit in accordance with the movement of the operating unit, and a controlling unit for controlling the actuators. When the cursor is on a first area on the two-dimensional plane surface, a predetermined first force is applied to the operating unit. When the cursor is on a second area, a second force, which is different from the first force, is applied to the operating unit. The second force is stored in the first memory 10a, and the second area that provides the second force is disposed on the two-dimensional plane surface.

Abstract: A force feedback device comprising an operation unit, an actuator for providing a feel sensation (force) to the operation unit and a control unit for controlling the actuator, wherein the control unit stores a plurality of different unit force patterns, forms composite force patterns by combining the unit force patterns and controls the actuator based on the composite force patterns to provide feel sensations to the operation unit.

Abstract: A ROM provided in a computer stores tables showing the relationships between the direction and amount of operation of a manual operating section, and external force to be applied from electric motors. A CPU determines the direction and amount of external force to be applied to the manual operating section based on positional information output from encoders and the tables, and drives the electric motors via a motor driver. The operator can feel the resistance produced thereby at the manual operating section. Therefore, it is possible to finely operate the manual operating section, and to thereby control the functions of car-mounted electrical devices. By applying external force to the manual operating section when the manual operating section is operated to the moving limit, the operator can sense the moving limit of the manual operating section, and can select a car-mounted electrical device.

Abstract: A manual input device and a vehicle-mounted equipment controller are provided. The manual input device includes: a knob secured to an operation shaft and sensing portion for detecting the operation state of the operation shaft; an actuator to apply force to the knob; a power transmission portion for transmitting power between the operation shaft and a drive shaft of the actuator; and an input/output portion to send a first signal to the external device and to receive a second signal from an external device. The device further includes a control portion for generating a control signal for the actuator in accordance with an external signal outputted from an external sensing portion, or in accordance with control information generated in accordance with, at least, the external signal.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted input unit excellent in versatility and functional performance, which allows a manual operation section to be used as a mouse for a navigation system or a personal computer. The vehicle mounted input unit is composed of a body of equipment, a panel installed on an operating side of the body of equipment, an X-Y table, an engaging pin, a guide plate, a solenoid, a stick controller and a manual operation section. The guide plate is fitted to the X-Y table to be movable up and down and driven up and down through the solenoid. When the guide plate is lifted, the engaging pin and a guide groove are engaged with each other SO that the vehicle mounted input unit can be used as an operating unit for electronic equipment mounted in the motor vehicle. On the other hand, when the guide plate is lowered, the engaging pin and the guide groove are released form their engagement, at which time the manual operation section can be used as a mouse.

Abstract: A manual input device and a vehicle-mounted equipment controller are provided. The manual input device includes: a knob secured to an operation shaft and sensing portion for detecting the operation state of the operation shaft; an actuator to apply force to the knob; a power transmission portion for transmitting power between the operation shaft and a drive shaft of the actuator; and an input/output portion to send a first signal to the external device and to receive a second signal from an external device. The device further includes a control portion for generating a control signal for the actuator in accordance with an external signal outputted from an external sensing portion, or in accordance with control information generated in accordance with, at least, the external signal.

Abstract: A signal input device includes a movable operating section for inputting a desired signal by selecting the shift position thereof, a shift position detecting device for detecting the shift position of the operating section, and an indication device for giving an operator information in different modes based on a shift position signal from the shift position detecting device.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted input unit excellent in versatility and functional performance, which allows a manual operation section to be used as a mouse for a navigation system or a personal computer. The vehicle mounted input unit is composed of a body of equipment, a panel installed on an operating side of the body of equipment, an X-Y table, an engaging pin, a guide plate, a solenoid, a stick controller and a manual operation section. The guide plate is fitted to the X-Y table to be movable up and down and driven up and down through the solenoid. When the guide plate is lifted, the engaging pin and a guide groove are engaged with each other so that the vehicle mounted input unit can be used as an operating unit for electronic equipment mounted in the motor vehicle. On the other hand, when the guide plate is lowered, the engaging pin and the guide groove are released form their engagement, at which time the manual operation section can be used as a mouse.

Abstract: The invention provides a small-sized and low-cost manual input device excellent in operability and multifunctionality, and provides an onboard instrument control device having the abovementioned manual input device. A manual input device is provided with a spherical bearing, a joystick type knob held swingably on the spherical bearing, a rotary knob disposed coaxially with the joystick type knob, a first actuator for loading an external force on the joystick type knob, a second actuator for loading an external force on the rotary knob, a control unit for controlling these first and second actuators, a guide member for defining an operation direction of the joystick type knob, first detection means for detecting an operation state of the joystick type knob, and second detection means for detecting an operation state of the rotary knob.

Abstract: A compact and low-cost manual input device improved in operatability and multifunctionality and a compact and low-cost vehicle-mounted device control unit provided with a manual input device of this kind is to be provided. A manual input device has a configuration consisting of a case, a joystick type knob and a rotary knob concentrically arranged over the top face of the case, one force feedback actuator for loading these knobs with external forces, a control unit for controlling the force feedback actuator, first and second power transmission mechanisms for individually transmitting the drive power of the force feedback actuator to the knobs, first and second detecting devices for individually detecting manipulated states of the knobs, and a push-button switch for finalizing signals set in the joystick type knob.

Abstract: This invention provides a manual input device by which the operation feeling (tactile sensation) provided to the user manipulating its knob can be changed as appropriate, and also a car-mounted apparatus controller which uses this type of manual input device. A manual input device comprises: a housing; a control shaft which is rotatably supported by the housing; a knob fixed to one end of the control shaft; and feeling providing means, actuator and first and second position sensors which are all housed in the housing. The feeling providing means comprises: plural discs fixed to the control shaft, bearing first to third feeling patterns on their circumferential surfaces; and a ball holder which works in conjunction with the discs to provide an operation feeling to the knob. The actuator is driven to move up or down the ball holder to select the feeling pattern to be elastically forced to contact the ball to change an operation feeling as the user rotates the knob.

Abstract: A steering apparatus capable of accurately recognizing operations of an operation section and of reducing the number of parts and simplifying its structure. The steering apparatus is composed of a steering wheel for controlling movements, operation sections mounted on the steering wheel for operating equipment, and a vibration section for giving vibrations to at least a portion of the steering wheel in relation to the operations of said operation sections.

Abstract: A steering apparatus capable of accurately recognizing operations of an operation section and of reducing the number of parts and simplifying its structure. The steering apparatus is composed of a steering wheel for controlling movements, operation sections mounted on the steering wheel for operating equipment, and a vibration section for giving vibrations to at least a portion of the steering wheel in relation to the operations of said operation sections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power window switch device capable of informing the driver of the occurrence of a malfunction in the opening and closing of power windows. A power window switch device includes a plurality of pairs of power window switches individually connected to a plurality of power window motors, a detecting section for detecting a malfunction in the opening and closing of the power windows and outputting a malfunction signal, a control section for detecting the malfunction signal output from the detecting section and outputting an actuator drive signal, and a vibrating device driven by the drive signal output from the control section. The vibration of the vibrating device is transmitted to the finger operating the power window switches to thereby inform the driver of the occurrence of a malfunction.

Abstract: A rotation detecting device which issues a plurality of code signals by a simple configuration so as to detect the rotational angle position and the direction of rotation of a rotor according to the code signals. The rotation detecting device has a knob member which is rotatably attached to a part of an enclosure, a plurality of projections which are formed on the periphery of one end of the knob member, and two detection switches which selectively engage with the projections to turn ON/OFF and issue signals. These detection switches are disposed on a printed circuit board in such a manner that they turn ON/OFF at different timings as the knob member rotates. Thus, the rotational position and the direction of rotation of the knob member are detected by the combinations of the ON/OFF signals of the detection switches.

Abstract: A transistor protective circuit includes a transistor transmitting a current to a load to drive same, and a switching element provided in a preceding stage of the transistor and responsive to an abnormal current in the load to turn off the transistor to protect it against destruction.