Haptic feedback controller, method of controlling the same, and method of transmitting messages that uses a haptic feedback controller

• US 20060255683A1
• Filed: 11/09/2004
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fukoku Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Takahiko Suzuki
• Inventors: Kodaira, Takeshi, Suzuki, Takahiko
• Granted Patent: US 7,570,254 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/317
• 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: G05G 1/10 Details, e.g. of discs, knobs, wheels or handles G05G1/085 takes precedence
• 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: 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: H02N 2/163 Motors with ring stator

Abstract

A haptic feedback controller 100 according to the present invention is a haptic feedback controller that controls a controlled appliance and includes a base 110, a cap 120, a piezoelectric motor 130, a rotation control device, and a rotational state detecting device.

According to haptic feedback controller 100 of the present invention, the piezoelectric motor 130 that can produce a large torque even when rotating at low speed is used, so that even when the cap 120 is rotated at low speed, sufficiently large haptic feedback can be applied to the cap 120. Also, since the base 110 and the cap 120 are respectively fixed to the stator 140 and the rotor 150 of the piezoelectric motor 130, there is no backlash. As a result, according to the present invention it is possible to provide a haptic feedback controller for which there is no loss in the ability to express haptic feedback, so that a wide variety of haptic feedback can be expressed.

Claims

1. A haptic feedback controller for controlling a controlled appliance, comprising:

a base;

a cap that is rotatable with respect to the base;

a piezoelectric motor including a ring-shaped stator that is fixed to the base and a ring-shaped rotor that is fixed to the cap;

a rotation control device for controlling a rotational state of the piezoelectric motor; and

a rotational state detecting device for detecting the rotational state of the cap with respect to the base or the rotational state of the piezoelectric motor.

2. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 1,

further comprising an input/output device that has a function for outputting rotational state information based on a detection result of the rotational state detecting device and a function for receiving an input of feedback information used for controlling the rotational state of the piezoelectric motor.

3. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 1,

wherein a shock absorbing member is provided between the base and the stator and/or between the cap and the rotor.

4. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 3,

wherein a ring-shaped sliding member is provided between the stator and the rotor.

5. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 1,

further comprising a mechanism for changing a distance between the base and the cap in a direction in which pressure is applied.

6. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 1,

wherein the base and the cap are integrated with a bearing mechanism in between.

7. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 1,

wherein the rotational state detecting device includes an encoding barcode fixed to an inner surface of the cap and a sensor unit fixed to an inner surface of the base, and by detecting movement of the encoding barcode with the sensor unit, detects the rotational state of the cap with respect to the base.

8. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 1,

wherein the rotational state detecting device detects the rotational state of the piezoelectric motor by analyzing a current flowing through the piezoelectric motor.

9. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 1,

wherein the haptic feedback controller is ring-shaped.

10. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 9,

wherein the base and the cap are disposed so as to face one another with a predetermined gap between the respective outer circumferential parts thereof, and a plurality of contact switches disposed apart from one another in a circumferential direction are disposed on at least one of the outer circumferential parts.

11. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 9,

wherein a plurality of contact switches disposed apart from one another in a circumferential direction are disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the haptic feedback controller.

12. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 1,

wherein a non-slip member is provided on a bottom surface of the base.

13. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 1,

further comprising a function for controlling the piezoelectric motor, when the user has rotated the cap, to maintain a rotated state.

14. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 1,

further comprising a function for controlling the piezoelectric motor, when the user has rotated the cap, so that the rotor moves in a direction away from the stator.

15. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 1,

further comprising a function for controlling the piezoelectric motor, when the user has caused a change in the rotational state of the cap, so that the rotational state after the change is maintained.

16. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 1,

further comprising a function that controls the piezoelectric motor to have various kinds of sound emitted, to have various kinds of vibration produced, and/or to have various kinds of resistance applied to the cap.

17. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 1,

further comprising a plurality of light sources disposed apart from one another in a circumferential direction.

18. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 1,

wherein the input/output device includes an input/output interface that can obtain a power supply from the controlled appliance.

19. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 1,

wherein the input/output device includes an input/output interface that can wirelessly exchange information with the controlled appliance.

20. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 1,

wherein the rotation control device and the rotational state detecting device are disposed in a space formed between the base and the cap.

21. A haptic feedback controller according to claim 1,

wherein the controlled appliance is one of a PC, a household electrical good, a game system, a toy, a content editing appliance, a means of transport, a machine tool, and a medical tool.

22. A method of controlling a haptic feedback controller that controls a haptic feedback controller including a piezoelectric motor as a driving source for causing haptic feedback, the method comprising:

a step of controlling the piezoelectric motor, when the user has caused the piezoelectric motor to rotate, to maintain a rotated state thereof.

24. A method of controlling a haptic feedback controller according to claim 22,

further comprising a step of controlling the piezoelectric motor, when the user has caused a change in a rotational state of the piezoelectric motor, to maintain the rotational state thereof after the change.

23. A method of controlling a haptic feedback controller that controls a haptic feedback controller including a piezoelectric motor as a driving source for causing haptic feedback, the method comprising:

a step of controlling the piezoelectric motor, when the user has caused the piezoelectric motor to rotate, so that a rotor of the piezoelectric motor moves away from a stator of the piezoelectric motor.

25. A method of transmitting messages using a haptic feedback controller, comprising:

a step of controlling a motor for causing haptic feedback to have various kinds of sound emitted, to have various kinds of vibration produced, and/or to have various kinds of resistance applied to transmit a message relating to language information to the user.