Manual input device with force feedback function and vehicle-mounted equipment controller using same

• US 6,591,175 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2001
• Issued: 07/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• 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: Numata, Hidetaka, Onodera, Mikio, Seino, Kenichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US10/036,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20020128753A1
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/51, 701/52, 701/53, 701/62, 701/64
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/126 Rotatable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/25 using haptic output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/106 for selecting a programme, variable or parameter
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/03 Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/008 with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction

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. The vehicle-mounted equipment controller includes selection switches for vehicle-mounted electric equipment, function selection switches, and the manual input device to adjust functions of the vehicle-mounted electric equipment selected.

Claims

1. A manual input device, comprising:

a knob to operate an external device;

an actuator to apply force to said knob;

a control portion to control said actuator,

a sensor to detect an operation state of said knob; and

an input/output portion to send a first signal to the external device and to receive a second signal from the external device,

wherein the external device is connected to an external sensor that outputs an external signal, and said control portion receives, at least, the external signal to generate a control signal for said actuator, the control signal corresponding to the external signal, thereby controlling said actuator.

9. A manual input device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor is coupled to an operation shaft of said knob, and said knob and said actuator are coupled via a power transmission portion.

10. A manual input device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor is coupled to a drive shaft of said actuator, and said knob and said actuator are coupled via a power transmission portion.

11. A manual input device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor is coupled with said knob via a power transmission portion.

12. A manual input device according to claim 1, wherein said knob is arranged so as to pivot in at least two directions, and said actuator comprises at least one actuator for each direction in which said knob is pivoted.

13. A manual input device according to claim 9, wherein said knob extends in a direction perpendicular to the operation shaft of said knob, and said knob is rotated within a plane perpendicular to the operation shaft.

14. A manual input device according to claim 9, wherein the operation shaft of said knob is arranged in a horizontal direction, and said knob extends in a direction perpendicular to the operation shaft and is rotated within a plane perpendicular to the operation shaft.

15. A manual input device according to claim 11, wherein said knob is a slide-type knob that is slidably operated, and the power transmission portion is integrally formed with said knob.

16. A manual input device according to claim 11, wherein said knob is a slide-type knob that is slidably operated, the power transmission portion is integrally formed with said knob, and the sensor is provided between said knob and said actuator.

17. A manual input device according to claim 12, wherein a sensor is provided for each direction in which said knob is pivoted.

2. A manual input device, comprising:

a knob to operate an external device;

an actuator to apply force to said knob;

a control portion to control said actuator;

a sensor to detect an operation state of said knob; and

an input/output portion to send a first signal to the external device and to receive a second signal from the external device,

wherein, upon receipt of both of a detection signal outputted from said sensor and an external signal outputted from an external sensor, the external device generates control information for said actuator, the control information corresponding to, at least, the external signal, and transmits the control information to said control portion through said input/output portion, and said control portion generates a control signal for said actuator, the control signal corresponding to the control information, thereby controlling said actuator.

3. A manual input device, comprising:

a knob to operate an external device;

an actuator to apply force to said knob;

a sensor to detect an operation state of said knob; and

an input/output portion to send a first signal to the external device and to receive a second signal from the external device,

wherein, upon receipt of both of a detection signal outputted from the sensor and an external signal outputted from an external sensor, the external device generates control information for said actuator, the control information corresponding to, at least, the external signal, thereby controlling said actuator.

4. A manual input device, comprising:

a knob to operate an external device;

an actuator to apply force to said knob;

a sensor to detect an operation state of said knob; and

an input/output portion to send a first signal to the external device and to receive a second signal from the external device,

wherein the external device is connected to an external sensor that outputs an external signal, and said actuator is controlled by a control signal generated in accordance with the external signal.

5. A vehicle-mounted equipment controller, comprising;

at least one function selection switch to select a function from among a plurality of various functions to be adjusted; and

a manual input device to adjust the function selected with said function selection switch, said manual input device comprising;

a knob to operate an external device;

an actuator to apply force to said knob;

a control portion to control said actuator;

a sensor to detect an operation state of said knob; and

an input/output portion to send a first signal to the external device and to receive a second signal from the external device,

wherein the external device is connected to an external sensor that outputs an external signal, and said control portion receives, at least, the external signal to generate a control signal for said actuator, the control signal corresponding to the external signal, thereby controlling said actuator.

6. A vehicle-mounted equipment controller, comprising:

at least one function selection switch to select a function from among a plurality of various functions to be adjusted; and

a manual input device to adjust the function selected with said function selection switch, said manual input device comprising;

a knob to operate an external device;

an actuator to apply force to said knob;

a control portion to control said actuator;

a sensor to detect an operation state of said knob; and

an input/output portion to send a first signal to the external device and to receive a second signal from the external device,

wherein, upon receipt of both of a detection signal outputted from said sensor and an external signal outputted from an external sensor, the external device generates control information for said actuator, the control information corresponding to, at least, the external signal, and transmits the control information to said control portion through said input/output portion, and said control portion generates a control signal for said actuator, the control signal corresponding to the control information, thereby controlling said actuator.

7. A vehicle-mounted equipment controller, comprising:

at least one function selection switch to select a function from among a plurality of various functions to be adjusted; and

a manual input device to adjust the function selected with said function selection switch, said manual input device comprising;

a knob to operate an external device;

an actuator to apply force to said knob;

a sensor to detect an operation state of said knob; and

an input/output portion to send a first signal to the external device and to receive a second signal from the external device,

wherein, upon receipt of both of a detection signal outputted from said sensor and an external signal outputted from an external sensor, the external device generates control information for said actuator, the control information corresponding to, at least, the external signal, thereby controlling said actuator.

8. A vehicle-mounted equipment controller, comprising:

at least one function selection switch to select a function from among a plurality of various functions to be adjusted; and

a manual input device to adjust the function selected with said function selection switch, said manual input device comprising;

a knob to operate an external device;

an actuator to apply force to said knob;

a sensor to detect an operation state of said knob; and

an input/output portion to send a first signal to the external device and to receive a second signal from the external device,

wherein the external device is connected to an external sensor that outputs an external signal, and said actuator is controlled by a control signal generated in accordance with the external signal.

18. A manual input device, comprising:

a knob to operate an external device;

a sensor to detect an operation state of the knob and output a sensor signal in accordance with the operation state of the knob;

an actuator to apply force to the knob, the actuator controlled by a control signal that is dependent on both the operation state of the knob and a status of the external device; and

an input/output portion to transmit and receive signals between the manual input device and the external device.

19. The manual input device of claim 18, further comprising a control portion to supply the control signal.

20. The manual input device of claim 19, wherein the external device comprises an external sensor, and an output of the external sensor is transmitted to the input/output portion as the status of the external device.

21. The manual input device of claim 19, wherein the external device comprises an external sensor, control information is based on an output of the external sensor and has a simpler data structure than that of the output of the external sensor, and the control information is transmitted to the input/output portion as the status of the external device.

22. The manual input device of claim 18, wherein the control signal is transmitted from the external device.

23. The manual input device of claim 19, wherein the external device comprises a plurality of external sensors having outputs that are received by the input/output portion as the status of the external device.

24. The manual input device of claim 19, wherein the external device comprises a plurality of external sensors, control information is based on outputs of the external sensors, the control information has a simpler data structure than that of the outputs of the external sensors, and the control information is received by the input/output portion as the status of the external device.

25. The manual input device of claim 22, wherein the external device comprises a plurality of external sensors and a control portion that receives outputs of the external sensors and transmits the control signal.

26. The manual input device of claim 22, wherein the external device comprises a control portion to supply the control signal.

27. The manual input device of claim 20, wherein the external device comprises a control portion that receives the output of the external sensor and transmits the output of the external sensor to the input/output portion.

28. The manual input device of claim 21, wherein the external device comprises a control portion to supply the control information.

29. The manual input device of claim 23, wherein the external device comprises a control portion that receives the outputs of the external sensors and transmits the outputs of the external sensors to the input/output portion.

30. The manual input device of claim 24, wherein the external device comprises a control portion to supply the control information.

31. The manual input device of claim 18, wherein the input/output portion receives only one signal from the external device as the status of the external device.

32. The manual input device of claim 19, wherein the input/output portion receives only one signal from the external device as the status of the external device.

33. The manual input device of claim 18, wherein the input/output portion receives a plurality of signals from the external device as the status of the external device.

34. The manual input device of claim 19, wherein the input/output portion receives a plurality of signals from the external device as the status of the external device.

35. The manual input device of claim 18, wherein the external device comprises a transmission, an external actuator to drive the transmission, a first external sensor to detect a driving state of the external actuator and supply a driving state output, and a second external sensor to detect revolutions per minute (RPM) of the transmission and supply a RPM output, and the driving state output and RPM output are received by the input/output portion as the status of the external device.

36. The manual input device of claim 19, wherein the external device comprises a transmission, an external actuator to drive the transmission, a first external sensor to detect a driving state of the external actuator and supply a driving state output, and a second external sensor to detect revolutions per minute (RPM) of the transmission and supply a RPM output, and the driving state output and RPM output are received by the input/output portion as the status of the external device.

37. The manual input device of claim 18, wherein the external device comprises a transmission, an external actuator to drive the transmission, an external control portion, a first external sensor to detect a driving state of the external actuator and supply a driving state output, and a second external sensor to detect revolutions per minute (RPM) of the transmission and supply a RPM output, and the control portion receives and transforms the driving state output and RPM output into the control signal.

38. The manual input device of claim 18, wherein the external device comprises a tuner, an external actuator to drive the tuner, a first external sensor to detect an actuation status of the external actuator and supply an actuation status output, and a second external sensor to detect when the tuner is tuned to a station and supply tuning output, and the actuation status output and tuning output are received by the input/output portion as the status of the external device.

39. The manual input device of claim 19, wherein the external device comprises a tuner, an external actuator to drive the tuner, a first external sensor to detect an actuation status of the external actuator and supply an actuation status output, and a second external sensor to detect when the tuner is tuned to a station and supply tuning output, and the actuation status output and tuning output are received by the input/output portion as the status of the external device.

40. The manual input device of claim 18, wherein the external device comprises a tuner, an external control portion, an external actuator to drive the tuner, a first external sensor to detect an actuation status of the external actuator and supply an actuation status output, and a second external sensor to detect when the tuner is tuned to a station and supply tuning output, the external control portion receives and transforms the actuation status output and tuning output into control information received by the input/output portion as the status of the external device, and the control information has a simpler data structure than that of the actuation status output and tuning output.

41. The manual input device of claim 19, wherein the external device comprises a tuner, an external actuator to drive the tuner, an external control portion, a first external sensor to detect an actuation status of the external actuator and supply an actuation status output, and a second external sensor to detect when the tuner is tuned to a station and supply tuning output, the external control portion receives and transforms the actuation status output and tuning output into control information received by the input/output portion as the status of the external device, and the control information has a simpler data structure than that of the actuation status output and tuning output.

42. The manual input device of claim 18, wherein the external device comprises a tuner, an external control portion, an external actuator to drive the tuner, a first external sensor to detect an actuation status of the external actuator and supply an actuation status output, and a second external sensor to detect when the tuner is tuned to a station and supply tuning output, the external control portion receives and transforms the actuation status output and tuning output into the control signal.

43. The manual input device of claim 38, wherein the actuator applies force to the knob when the tuner is tuned to a station.

44. The manual input device of claim 39, wherein the actuator applies force to the knob when the tuner is tuned to a station.

45. The manual input device of claim 40, wherein the actuator applies force to the knob when the tuner is tuned to a station.

46. The manual input device of claim 41, wherein the actuator applies force to the knob when the tuner is tuned to a station.

47. The manual input device of claim 42, wherein the actuator applies force to the knob when the tuner is tuned to a station.