Controller

• US 6,354,945 B1
• Filed: 05/05/1999
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Furuki, Shigeru, Takigawa, Makito
• Primary Examiner(s): Sager, Mark
• Application Number:
  US09/305,729
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 463/36-38, 463/46, 463/47, 273/148.B, 345/156, 345/161, 345/157
• US Class Current: 463/38
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04755 Magnetic sensor, e.g. hall generator, pick-up coil
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04766 providing feel, e.g. indexing means, means to create counterforce
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/013 Force feedback applied to a game
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks

Abstract

In a controller, a control member includes a stick portion to be manipulated with the hand, and a spherical portion, which are integrally formed. The control member is provided with a coil spring for urging the spherical portion, and a magnetic attracting member for attracting the control member opposite from the urging direction. When the control member is urged by the urging means, the spherical portion is held by a friction member so as to increase the load on the control member. In contrast, when the control member is attracted by the magnetic attracting member, the spherical portion is separated from the friction member so as to decrease the load on the control member.

Claims

1. A controller having a movable control member to be manipulated by a hand, and a detecting section for detecting the motion of said control member, said controller comprising a load variable mechanism for changing an operating load on said control member, wherein said load variable mechanism includes a spring member for urging said control member in an urging direction, and a magnetic attracting unit for attracting said control member in a direction opposite to the urging direction, wherein a friction force applied by a sliding surface, on which said control member slides, differs between a first condition when said control member is not attracted by said magnetic attracting unit, and a second condition when said control member is attracted by said magnetic attracting unit.

2. A controller according to claim 1, wherein vibrations are provided to said control member by said load variable mechanism.

3. A controller according to claim 1, wherein an object on a screen is controlled according to data detected by said detecting section.

4. A controller having a movable control member to be manipulated by a hand, and a detecting section for detecting the motion of said control member, said controller comprising a load variable mechanism for changing an operating load on said control member, wherein said control member includes a stick and a spherical portion, and rotation of said spherical portion, which is urged by an urging member and attracted by a magnetic attracting unit, is detected on at least two axes by said detecting section.

5. A controller according to claim 4, wherein vibrations are provided to said control member by said load variable mechanism.

6. A controller according to claim 4, wherein an object on a screen is controlled according to data detected by said detecting section.

7. A controller having a control member, a support section for supporting said control member, and a detecting section for detecting the motion of said control member, said controller comprising:

a brake member for applying a variable operating load to said control member;

a driving section including a motor and a gear; and

a pressing member for transmitting a driving force from said driving section to said brake member,

wherein the driving force is transmitted from the motor of said driving section to said brake member via said gear and said pressing member to operate said brake member so as to alter a frictional force between said control member and said brake member, said pressing member transmitting said driving force to said brake member in response to a rotation of said gear.

8. A controller according to claim 7, wherein said control member is made of metal, and said brake member is made of resin.

9. A controller according to claim 7, wherein said control member includes a spherical portion to be manipulated by a hand, and a stick portion, and a rotation of said spherical portion is detected by said detecting section on at least two axes.

10. A controller according to claim 7, wherein said brake member can rotate about a first end in a direction so as to press against said control member, and a pressing member is provided to press a second end of said brake member, said pressing member being driven by said gear.

11. A controller having a control member, a support section for supporting said control member, and a detecting section for detecting the motion of said control member, said controller comprising:

a brake member for changing an operating load on said control member; and

a driving section including a motor and a gear,

wherein a driving force of said motor is transmitted to said brake member via said gear to operate said brake member so as to change a frictional force between said control member and said brake member, and

wherein said control member is made of metal, and said brake member is made of resin.

12. A controller according to claim 11, wherein said control member includes a spherical portion to be manipulated by a hand, and a stick portion, and a rotation of said spherical portion is detected by said detecting section on at least two axes.

13. A controller according to claim 11, wherein said brake member can rotate about a first end in a direction so as to press against said control member, and a pressing member is provided to press a second end of said brake member, said pressing member being driven by said gear.

14. A controller having a control member, a support section for supporting said control member, and a detecting section for detecting the motion of said control member, said controller comprising:

a brake member for changing an operating load on said control member; and

a driving section including a motor and a gear,

wherein a driving force of said motor is transmitted to said brake member via said gear to operate said brake member so as to change a frictional force between said control member and said brake member, and

wherein said brake member can rotate about a first end in a direction so as to press against said control member, and a pressing member is provided to press a second end of said brake member, said pressing member being driven by said gear.

15. A controller according to claim 14, wherein said control member is made of metal, and said brake member is made of resin.

16. A controller according to claim 14, wherein said control member includes a spherical portion to be manipulated by a hand, and a stick portion, and a rotation of said spherical portion is detected by said detecting section on at least two axes.