Control input device with vibrating function

• US 20060146032A1
• Filed: 11/30/2005
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kajimoto, Tomomi, Tsunokake, Yasuharu, Ishida, Satoshi
• Granted Patent: US 7,639,239 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3652 Guidance using non-audiovisual output, e.g. tactile, haptic or electric stimuli
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00

Abstract

A vibration-function-equipped control input system includes: a display panel capable of displaying a control screen; a touch panel; a pressure-position detector; a vibration section that generates vibration to apply to the touch panel; and a controller operatively connected to the display panel, the touch panel, the pressure-position detector, and the vibration section. The controller directs the vibration section to generate a vibration of a first vibration pattern when a predetermined time has passed after the part of the touch panel corresponding to the position of a control key displayed on the control screen is pushed, and subsequently directs the vibration section to generate a vibration of a second vibration pattern when a change of a control object controlled by the control key is detected after the predetermined time has passed.

Claims

1. A vibration-function-equipped control input system comprising:

a display panel operable to display a control screen;

a touch panel disposed on the display panel, a part of the touch panel corresponding to the location of a control key displayed on the control screen;

a pressure-position detector operable to detect the position of the touch panel pressed;

a vibration section operable to generate vibration to apply to the touch panel; and

a controller operatively connected to the display panel, the touch panel, the pressure-position detector, and the vibration section, wherein

the controller directs the vibration section to generate a first vibration pattern when a predetermined time has passed after the control key is pushed, and subsequently directs the vibration section to generate a second vibration pattern when a control object controlled by the control key is changed.

2. The vibration-function-equipped control input system according to claim 1, wherein the second vibration pattern varies every time the control object changes.

3. The vibration-function-equipped control input system according to claim 2, wherein the control object is music to be played by a sound reproducing system.

4. The vibration-function-equipped control input system according to claim 1, wherein the control object is music to be played by a sound reproducing system.

5. The vibration-function-equipped control input system according to claim 1, wherein the control object is a folder of selectable music pieces.

6. The vibration-function-equipped control input system according to claim 1, wherein the control object is a section of video to be played by a video reproducing system.

7. A vibration-function-equipped control input system comprising:

a display panel operable to display a control screen;

a touch panel disposed on the display panel, a part of the touch panel corresponding to the location of a control key displayed on the control screen;

a pressure-position detector operable to detect the position of the touch panel pressed;

a vibration section operable to generate vibration to apply to the touch panel; and

a controller operatively connected to the display panel, the touch panel, the pressure-position detector, and the vibration section, wherein

the controller directs the vibration section to generate a first vibration pattern when a predetermined time has passed after the control key is pushed, and subsequently directs the vibration section to generate a second vibration pattern when a gradually varying control object controlled by the control key has passed a predetermined reference point.

8. The vibration-function-equipped control input system according to claim 7, wherein the second vibration pattern varies depending upon the direction of the change in the gradually varying control object.

9. The vibration-function-equipped control input system according to claim 7, wherein the gradually varying control object has a lower limit, a median, and a higher limit, wherein after changing from the lower limit to the higher limit, the control object shifts to the lower limit, and after changing from the higher limit to the lower limit, the control object shifts to the higher limit.

10. The vibration-function-equipped control input system according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined reference value is the median of the gradually varying control object.

11. The vibration-function-equipped control input system according to claim 10, wherein the control object is the set value of a gradually, continuously varying sound level.

12. The vibration-function-equipped control input system according to claim 10, wherein the control object is the set value of a gradually, continuously varying visual setting.

13. The vibration-function-equipped control input system according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined reference point is the higher limit or the lower limit of the gradually varying control object.

14. A vibration-function-equipped control input system comprising:

a display panel operable to display a control screen;

a touch panel disposed on the display panel, a part of the touch panel corresponding to the location of a control key displayed on the control screen;

a pressure-position detector operable to detect the position of the touch panel pressed;

a vibration section operable to generate vibration to apply to the touch panel; and

a controller operatively connected to the display panel, the touch panel, the pressure-position detector, and the vibration section, wherein

the controller directs the vibration section to generate a first vibration pattern when a predetermined time has passed after the control key is pushed, and subsequently directs the vibration section to generate a second vibration pattern when a control object controlled by the control key has reached a predefined value.

15. The vibration-function-equipped control input system according to claim 14, wherein the second vibration pattern varies every time the control object varies.

16. The vibration-function-equipped control input system according to claim 15, wherein the predefined value is field intensity associated with reception of broadcasting.

17. The vibration-function-equipped control input system according to claim 14, wherein the predefined value is field intensity associated with reception of broadcasting.

18. The vibration-function-equipped control input system according to claim 17, wherein the control object is field intensity associated with receiving FM broadcasting.

19. The vibration-function-equipped control input system according to claim 17, wherein the control object is field intensity associated with receiving AM broadcasting.

20. The vibration-function-equipped control input system according to claim 17, wherein the control object is field intensity associated with receiving TV broadcasting.