Abstract: A haptic-sense-generation input device is provided with a manipulation knob, a shaft that holds the manipulation knob and is held rotatably by a bearing, a motor having a motor shaft that is parallel with the shaft, a rotation detecting unit for detecting a rotation angle of the manipulation knob, a first gear that is attached to the shaft so as to be rotated by the manipulation knob, and a second gear that is attached to the motor shaft and is rotated by the first gear. A haptic sense that is generated by the motor is transmitted to the manipulation knob via the first gear and the second gear.

Abstract: A manual input device which comprises a mechanism, a major function select switch, a confirm switch, a display unit, and a controller. The mechanism is composed of: a laterally movable motor for applying an external force which is mounted on a frame; a knob fitted to a drive shaft of the motor; an encoder for detecting rotation of the knob; a stick controller for detecting lateral movement of the motor; a first guide plate and a second guide plate for limiting a range of movement of the knob; and a first solenoid and a second solenoid for driving the guide plates individually. The guide groove pattern is different between the first and second guide plates. The range in which the knob can be moved when the first guide plate only is engaged with the drive shaft of the motor is different from that when both the first and second guide plates are engaged with the drive shaft of the motor.

Abstract: In an input device according to the invention, when a manipulating member slides, a sliding member slides in the same direction as the manipulating member, and respective engaging positions of first and second drive members are made changeable to enable each of the first and second drive members to shift linearly, the linear shifting of the first and second drive members enabling first and second detecting members to be operated. Accordingly, the drive members linearly shift along with the sliding of the sliding member, eliminating a need to rotate arc-shaped interlocked members in a conventional configuration and making it possible to reduce a required space in a longitudinal direction, resulting in an input device made more compact in a longitudinal dimension.

Abstract: An outer casing having an opening, an operating lever pivotably supported by a stick controller disposed in the outer casing, encoders for detecting the amount and the direction of the pivotal movement of the operating lever, motors for imparting a desired external force to the operating lever, and a monitor for displaying various menus and the current position of the operating lever are provided, a plurality of key switches arranged on the outer casing projecting from the opening of the outer casing so as to surround the operating lever, and the selecting operation of equipment selected from equipment menu options displayed on the monitor is determined by pressing the corresponding key switch.

Abstract: A force sense imparting type input apparatus includes an exterior decoration plate having an opening, an operation lever supported by a stick controller positioned inside the exterior decoration plate in such a manner as to be capable of rocking, encoders for detecting a rocking amount and a rocking direction of the operation lever, motors for imparting desired external force to the operation lever, and a control unit for controlling driving of the motors on the basis of an output signal outputted from the encoders, wherein an operation knob is provided to an upper end of the operation lever protruding outward from the opening, and can be pushed or pulled in an axial direction of the operation lever with a neutral position of the operation knob as a reference, and the push-pull operation of the operation knob selectively operates first and second push switches.

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 input device includes a mechanical section including a tilting shaft, an operation section mounted to an end of the tilting shaft, first to fourth pressure sensors disposed between the tilting shaft and the operation section, first and second direct-current motors for applying a force to the operation section, first and second position sensors for detecting the direction and amount of rotation of the first and second direct-current motors, and a controller. The first to fourth pressure sensors detect a torque ripple of the first and second direct-current motors in order for the controller to output a correction signal for eliminating the torque ripple.

Abstract: Since an outer casing having an opening, an operating lever being pivotably supported by a stick controller disposed in the outer casing, encoders for detecting the amount of pivotal movement and the direction of pivotal movement of the operating lever, and motors for imparting a desired external force to the operating lever are provided, the outer casing is formed with a projecting shoulder of a square shape in plan view, four outer surfaces of the projecting shoulder constitute fingerhooks respectively, and the operating lever is projected from the opening formed at the center of the projecting shoulder, when the operator pivots the operating lever, he/she can pivot the operating lever with his/her finger in a state in which his/her other fingers are placed on any one of fingerhooks of the projecting shoulder.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted input device for controlling by a single manual control section the function of air conditioner, radio, television, CD player, car navigation system, etc. mounted on a motor vehicle. The manual control section has finger detector, for example a photo interrupter, and alerter, for example vibrator, which vibrates in a mode corresponding to the control position of the manual control section. When the manual control section is held by hand, the finger detector detects the driver's finger, and the alerter vibrates in a mode corresponding to a selected control position of the manual control section, thereby enabling the driver to see the control position of the manual control section before and after a changeover by a blind touch, that is, without observing a display device. Thus it helps facilitate driving the motor vehicle and changing the function of the vehicle-mounted electronic apparatus.

Abstract: The vehicle-mounted device control unit is provided with an electrical appliance selection switch for selecting an electrical appliance whose function is to be regulated, a manual input device for regulating various functions of the electrical appliance selected with the switch, a loudspeaker, a display unit, and a controller. Signals from the electrical appliance selection switch and the manual input device are supplied to the controller, which controls the manual input device, the loudspeaker and the display unit. The manual input device is provided with knobs, actuators for loading external forces on the knobs, and detecting devices for detecting the manipulated states of the knobs. The controller drives the actuators, the loudspeaker and the display unit by supplying drive signals matching manipulated states of the knobs and carries out force feedback to a user.

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 input device contains a tiltable first operating member, a pair of first detecting members for detecting a tilt position of the first operating member and operated by the first operating member, and a pair of motors for conveying a force of the first operating member; and further having a detection means operated while slaved to movement of the first operating member, and since the tilt position of the first operating member can be detected by the detection means, even if the first detecting members break down, the tilt position of the first operating member can be detected by an auxiliary detection means installed separately from the first operating means, so that tilt position of the first operating member can be reliably detected.

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 force-feedback input device is comprised by a tiltable first operating member, a pair of first detecting members for detecting a tilt position of the first operating member and operated by the first operating member, and a pair of motors for conveying a force of the first operating member; and further having a detection means operated while slaved to movement of the first operating member, and since the tilt position of the first operating member can be detected by the detection means, even if the first detecting members break down, the tilt position of the first operating member can be detected by an auxiliary detection means installed separately from the first operating means, so that tilt position of the first operating member can be reliably detected.

Abstract: A by-wire shift lever device for a vehicle that is compact, lightweight, and has a desirable operability. The by-wire shift lever device includes a shift lever; a lock release switch provided in the shift lever; a position sensor for transmitting a position signal according to a direction and an amount of operation of the shift lever; and an actuator for applying an external force to the shift lever. When the shift lever at a predetermined position is operated in a certain direction without operating the lock release switch, the actuator is driven to apply an external force in a direction opposite to the direction of operation to the shift lever so as to prohibit the operation of the shift lever to other shift positions.

Abstract: In an input device according to the invention, when a manipulating member slides, a sliding member slides in the same direction as the manipulating member, and respective engaging positions of first and second drive members are made changeable to enable each of the first and second drive members to shift linearly, the linear shifting of the first and second drive members enabling first and second detecting members to be operated. Accordingly, the drive members linearly shift along with the sliding of the sliding member, eliminating a need to rotate arc-shaped interlocked members in a conventional configuration and making it possible to reduce a required space in a longitudinal direction, resulting in an input device made more compact in a longitudinal dimension.

Abstract: In an input apparatus of the invention, since driving levers are made to perform seesaw operations, it is not necessary to perform a rotating operation by an arc shape like a conventional interlocking member, a space in the vertical direction can be made small, and the input apparatus which can be miniaturized in the vertical direction can be provided.

Abstract: A haptic-sense-generation input device is provided with a manipulation knob, a shaft that holds the manipulation knob and is held rotatably by a bearing, a motor having a motor shaft that is parallel with the shaft, a rotation detecting unit for detecting a rotation angle of the manipulation knob, a first gear that is attached to the shaft so as to be rotated by the manipulation knob, and a second gear that is attached to the motor shaft and is rotated by the first gear. A haptic sense that is generated by the motor is transmitted to the manipulation knob via the first gear and the second gear.