Multifunctional input device for centralized control of plurality of actuator drive characteristics have function feel library
First Claim
1. A multifunctional input device having an operating unit, a detector that detects an operating state of the operating unit, an actuator that provides an external force to the operating unit, and a first controller that exchanges signals with a second controller, which controls at least one external electrical apparatus, and controls driving of the actuator in accordance with instructions from the second controller, wherein:
- the first controller is provided with a function/feel library in which is stored a relation of a plurality of actuator drive characteristics representing variations in an actuator drive signal matching detection signals supplied from the detector, feel number information including numbers specifying combinations of the actuator drive characteristics and the detection signals, and function number information including numbers specifying the detection signals; and
wherein the first controller, when the first controller has received the feel number information supplied from the second controller, reads out the actuator drive signal matching the feel number information to control the driving of the actuator or, when the operating unit is manipulated, reads out the function number information matching the detection signal from the function/feel library and transmits the function number information to the second controller to selectively control at least one of the external electrical apparatus(es) via the second controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The multifunctional input device is configured of an operating unit; a first detector and a second detector for detecting an operating state of the operating unit; an actuator for providing an external force to the operating unit; a controller for exchanging signals with a host computer, which controls a plurality of electrical apparatuses, and controlling driving of the actuator in accordance with instructions from the host computer; and a function/feel library in which are stored actuator driving data matching first detection signals and second detection signals supplied from the first detector and the second detector, and data for manipulating the electrical apparatuses by way of the host computer. In the function/feel library are stored a plurality of actuator drive characteristics, feel number information including numbers identifying combinations of actuator drive characteristics and detection signals, and function number information including numbers identifying the first detection signals supplied from the first detector and the second detection signals supplied from the second detector.
60 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A multifunctional input device having an operating unit, a detector that detects an operating state of the operating unit, an actuator that provides an external force to the operating unit, and a first controller that exchanges signals with a second controller, which controls at least one external electrical apparatus, and controls driving of the actuator in accordance with instructions from the second controller, wherein:
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the first controller is provided with a function/feel library in which is stored a relation of a plurality of actuator drive characteristics representing variations in an actuator drive signal matching detection signals supplied from the detector, feel number information including numbers specifying combinations of the actuator drive characteristics and the detection signals, and function number information including numbers specifying the detection signals; and
wherein the first controller, when the first controller has received the feel number information supplied from the second controller, reads out the actuator drive signal matching the feel number information to control the driving of the actuator or, when the operating unit is manipulated, reads out the function number information matching the detection signal from the function/feel library and transmits the function number information to the second controller to selectively control at least one of the external electrical apparatus(es) via the second controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of alleviating a load on a host computer connected with a multifunctional input device in a vehicle and permitting faster regulation of various functions of a plurality of electrical apparatuses connected with the multifunctional input device, the method comprising:
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manipulating an operating unit of the multifunctional input device;
detecting an operating state of the operating unit;
retrieving information from a library;
providing an external force to the operating unit using an actuator; and
controlling at least one of the electrical apparatuses and driving the actuator using different controllers and the information from the library, the controllers communicating with each other, wherein only one of the controllers receives the information from the library. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of alleviating a load on a host computer connected with a multifunctional input device in a vehicle and permitting faster regulation of various functions of a plurality of electrical apparatuses connected with the multifunctional input device, the method comprising:
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manipulating an operating unit of the multifunctional input device;
detecting an operating state of the operating unit;
retrieving information from a library;
providing an external force to the operating unit using an actuator; and
controlling at least one of the electrical apparatuses and driving the actuator using different controllers and the information from the library, the controllers communicating with each other;
wherein a first controller, which receives the information from the library, drives the actuator or transmits the information to a second controller, which selectively controls one of the electrical apparatuses dependent on the information. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of alleviating a load on a host computer connected with a multifunctional input device in a vehicle and permitting faster regulation of various functions of a plurality of electrical apparatuses connected with the multifunctional input device, the method comprising:
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manipulating an operating unit of the multifunctional input device;
detecting an operating state of the operating unit;
retrieving information from a library;
providing an external force to the operating unit using an actuator;
controlling at least one of the electrical apparatuses and driving the actuator using different controllers and the information from the library, the controllers communicating with each other; and
retrieving from the library information that includes a relation of a plurality of actuator drive characteristics representing variations in an actuator drive signal matching detection signals dependent on the operating state of the operating unit, feel number information including numbers specifying combinations of the actuator drive characteristics and the detection signals, and function number information including numbers specifying the detection signals. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A method of alleviating a load on a host computer connected with a multifunctional input device in a vehicle and permitting faster regulation of various functions of a plurality of electrical apparatuses connected with the multifunctional input device, the method comprising:
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manipulating an operating unit of the multifunctional input device;
detecting an operating state of the operating unit;
retrieving information from a library;
providing an external force to the operating unit using an actuator;
controlling at least one of the electrical apparatuses and driving the actuator using different controllers and the information from the library, the controllers communicating with each other; and
enumerating each of the electrical apparatuses capable of being controlled and controlling the electrical apparatuses dependent on the electrical apparatus number. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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30. A multifunctional input device having an operating unit, a detector that detects an operating state of the operating unit, an actuator that provides an external force to the operating unit, and a first controller that exchanges signals with a second controller, which controls at least one external electrical apparatus, and controls driving of the actuator in accordance with instructions from the second controller, wherein:
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the first controller is provided with a function/feel library in which is stored a relation of a plurality of actuator drive characteristics representing variations in an actuator drive signal matching detection signals supplied from the detector, feel specifying information assigned to the actuator drive characteristics and the detection signals, and function specifying information assigned to the detection signals; and
wherein the first controller, when the first controller has received the feel specifying information supplied from the second controller, reads out the actuator drive signal matching the feel specifying information to control the driving of the actuator or, when the operating unit is manipulated, reads out the function specifying information matching the detection signal from the function/feel library and transmits the function specifying information to the second controller to selectively control at least one of the external electrical apparatus(es) via the second controller. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification