Force-feedback input device

• US 7,214,929 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2004
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2003
• 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: Kobayashi, Ayumu
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu; Thanh X.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WYATT, KEVIN S
• Application Number:
  US10/842,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20040233162A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 250/231.13, 250/231.14, 250/231.15, 250/231.16, 250/231.17, 250/231.18, 345/161, 345/163, 345/164, 345/165, 345/166, 345/167, 341/9, 341/10, 341/11, 341/13, 341/16
• US Class Current: 250/231.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/2451 Incremental encoders G01D5/2454 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/007 Indication of measured value by tactile means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• 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 code disk rotates around the shaft fixed to a base in a case. A half of the upper surface of the code disk is exposed from the case. The code disk functions as an operating member on which an operator puts his or her finger to rotate it. A transparent body is layered under the code disk and fixed to the shaft. The transparent body is a circular film member including a piezoelectric element and a transparent electrode. A rotation angle of the code disk is detected by a light emitter and a light receiver. According to the rotation angle, alternating-current is applied to the transparent electrode of the transparent body to drive the piezoelectric element. External force is thus applied to the code disk from the transparent body.

Claims

1. A force-feedback input device comprising:

a case;

a rotatable operating member accommodated in the case;

a rotation angle detector detecting a rotation angle of the operating member;

an external force applier applying external force to the operating member; and

a controller controlling the external force applier according to the rotation angle of the operating member detected by the rotation angle detector;

wherein the external force applier is a transparent body including a piezoelectric element and a transparent electrode.

2. The force-feedback input device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation angle detector is a rotary encoder, and the operating member is a code disk of the rotary encoder.

3. The force-feedback input device according to claim 2, wherein the rotary encoder has a light emitter and a light receiver, and the code disk is transparent and layered on the transparent body, the layers of the code disk and the transparent body being disposed between the light emitter and the light receiver opposite each other.

4. The force-feedback input device according to claim 2, wherein the rotary encoder has an integrated light emitter and receiver, and the code disk has a reflective code pattern.

5. The force-feedback input device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of projections are disposed on a surface of the code disk, the surface being touched by an operator during operation.