Abstract: A vehicle operating device includes: a pad surface that is operated by contact with a finger of an operator; an X-direction actuator and a Y-direction actuator that move the pad surface in directions parallel to the pad surface; a track pad that detects a contact position of the finger of the operator on the pad surface; and a display controller and a display unit that display at least one item on a display screen, change a display mode on the display screen in accordance with the contact operation with the finger of the operator on the pad surface, and sets a virtual cursor that virtually moves on the display screen. When the virtual cursor reaches a boundary of the item, the X-direction actuator and the Y-direction actuator move the pad surface in a direction of the contact operation of the finger of the operator.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a display device located in a vehicle. The display device displays a plurality of display icons with one of the display icons representing an active display icon. A touchpad is located in the vehicle remote from the display device. The touchpad provides virtual buttons corresponding to the display icons that have relative orientations corresponding to the display icons. The touchpad establishes a home location on the touchpad based on a location where a user of the vehicle touches the touchpad. The home location corresponds to the active display icon such that the virtual button representing the active display icon is located at the home location and the other virtual buttons are oriented about the home location.

Abstract: A vehicle operating device includes: a pad surface that is operated by contact with a finger of an operator; an X-direction actuator and a Y-direction actuator that move the pad surface in directions parallel to the pad surface; a track pad that detects a contact position of the finger of the operator on the pad surface; and a display controller and a display unit that display at least one item on a display screen, change a display mode on the display screen in accordance with the contact operation with the finger of the operator on the pad surface, and sets a virtual cursor that virtually moves on the display screen. When the virtual cursor reaches a boundary of the item, the X-direction actuator and the Y-direction actuator move the pad surface in a direction of the contact operation of the finger of the operator.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a display device located in a vehicle. The display device displays a plurality of display icons with one of the display icons representing an active display icon. A touchpad is located in the vehicle remote from the display device. The touchpad provides virtual buttons corresponding to the display icons that have relative orientations corresponding to the display icons. The touchpad establishes a home location on the touchpad based on a location where a user of the vehicle touches the touchpad. The home location corresponds to the active display icon such that the virtual button representing the active display icon is located at the home location and the other virtual buttons are oriented about the home location.

Abstract: An operation system includes a sensor unit having a structure with protrusions or depressions on its surface, a display unit, and a selecting unit. The sensor unit detects a position at which a contact body touches the surface and outputs a position signal indicating the detected position. The display unit displays an image corresponding to the surface of the sensor unit and including operation key images. The selecting unit selects an operation key image corresponding to the position of the contact body from the operation key images displayed on the display unit. The position of the contact body at which selection of the operation key image is switched differs between the case where a continuous change in the position signal indicates a first direction and the case where the continuous change in the position signal indicates a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.