Operation apparatus and operation system

Abstract

To provide an operation apparatus and an operation system capable of outputting sound according to the preferences or requests of a user.SOLUTION: An operation apparatus CTR comprises one or more operation units 2 for receiving input operations from an operator. Furthermore, the operation apparatus CTR includes a sound output unit 3 for outputting sound. The sound output unit 3 outputs the sound based on the operation received by the operation unit 2, and the sound output from the sound output unit 3 can be adjusted based on the operation received from the operation unit 2. Moreover, the operation apparatus CTR can be configured to adjust the sound in synchronization with the operation received by the operation unit 2. Furthermore, the operation apparatus CTR can be configured to generate load on the operation unit 2 in synchronization with the output of sound.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation device that accepts an input operation from an operator, and an operation system that uses such an operation device. [Background technology]

[0002] Operating devices such as mice and keyboards that are communicatively connected to electronic devices such as computers and accept input operations from users are becoming widespread. In such operating devices, switches such as microswitches that open and close a circuit upon receiving a pressing operation from the operator are used (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Operating devices such as mice and keyboards are required to have various characteristics according to various uses and situations. One of the characteristics required of operating devices is, for example, a pleasant clicking sound and clicking feeling, and Patent Document 1 discloses a mouse device that aims to improve the clicking feeling and quietness. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-163480 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a conventional operating device such as a mouse, sounds generated by an operation, such as a click sound, depend on, for example, a built-in microswitch, and therefore it has been difficult to change the sound.

[0005] However, the tastes and demands of users are becoming more diverse, and there are cases where a change in sound based on an operation is required according to the user's taste or according to the user's operation.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and a main object of the present application is to disclose an operating device that is capable of adjusting sound based on an operation.

[0007] A further object of the present application is to disclose an operation system using such an operation device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the operating device disclosed in the present application is an operating device having one or more operating units that receive input operations from an operator, and is equipped with a sound output unit that outputs sound, and the sound output unit is configured to output sound based on the operation received by the operating unit, and is capable of adjusting the sound output from the sound output unit based on the operation received from the operating unit.

[0009] Furthermore, the operating device disclosed in the present application is an operating device having one or more operating units that receive input operations from an operator, and is characterized in that it comprises a sound output unit that outputs sound, and a control unit that controls the sound output from the sound output unit, and the control unit comprises an adjustment means that adjusts the sound output from the sound output unit based on the operation received by the operating unit, and an output control means that outputs the sound adjusted by the adjustment means from the sound output unit in synchronization with the operation received by the operating unit.

[0010] In addition, the operating device disclosed in the present application is characterized in that it includes a memory unit that stores original sound data used to output sound, and the adjustment means of the control unit performs adjustment including pitch adjustment or tempo adjustment based on the original sound data.

[0011] In addition, the operating device disclosed in the present application is characterized in that it includes a load unit that generates a load on the operation of the operating unit, and the control unit generates a load on the operating unit by the load unit in synchronization with the output of sound from the sound output unit.

[0012] In the operating device disclosed in the present application, the load unit is a fluid brake that generates a load using a magnetorheological material.

[0013] In addition, in the operating device disclosed in the present application, the operating unit is provided with a rotation operation unit that accepts a rotation operation, and the adjustment means adjusts the sound output from the sound output unit based on the rotation speed due to the rotation operation accepted by the rotation operation unit, and the output control means outputs the sound adjusted by the adjustment means from the sound output unit in synchronization with the rotation operation accepted by the rotation operation unit used to adjust the sound.

[0014] The operating device disclosed in the present application is characterized by including the operating section that accepts a pressing operation, a rotating operation, a tilting operation, or a sliding operation.

[0015] Furthermore, the operation system disclosed in the present application is an operation system comprising a first operation unit and a second operation unit that accept input operations from an operator, and is characterized in that it comprises a sound output unit that outputs sound, and a control unit that controls the sound output from the sound output unit, and the control unit comprises an adjustment means that adjusts the sound output from the sound output unit based on the operation accepted from the first operation unit, and an output control means that outputs the sound adjusted by the adjustment means from the sound output unit in synchronization with the operation accepted from the second operation unit. Effect of the Invention

[0016] The operating device disclosed in the present application includes a sound output unit that outputs sound and is capable of adjusting the sound output based on the operation. This provides an excellent effect that the operating device disclosed in the present application can meet the preferences or requirements of the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an operating device disclosed herein; [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an operating device disclosed herein; [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an operating device disclosed herein; [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the appearance of an operating device disclosed herein; [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the appearance of an operating device disclosed herein. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an operation system using an operation device disclosed herein. [Figure 7] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an operation device disclosed in the present application. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of the operation device disclosed in the present application. [Figure 9] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a display unit included in an electronic device connected to an operating device disclosed in the present application. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of the operation device disclosed in the present application. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of the operation device disclosed in the present application. [Figure 12] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an operation device disclosed in the present application. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an internal structure of a load section included in an operating device disclosed herein; [Figure 14] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional exploded perspective view showing an example of an internal structure of a load section included in an operating device disclosed herein; [Figure 15] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the characteristics of a magnetorheological fluid used in a load section included in an operating device disclosed in the present application; [Figure 16] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the characteristics of a magnetorheological fluid used in a load section included in an operating device disclosed in the present application; [Figure 17] 11 is a graph showing the characteristics of a magnetorheological fluid used in a load section provided in the operating device disclosed in the present application. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of the operation device disclosed in the present application. [Figure 19] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an operation system using an operation device disclosed in the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] <Application Examples> Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the operating device disclosed in the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. The operating device disclosed in the present application is realized as a device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a stick controller, an audio mixer, etc., used to operate electronic devices such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC), a game device, an industrial device, and an audio / visual device. The operating device has one or more operating units that accept input operations by an operator. The operating units can be classified into various operating units such as a pressing operation unit that accepts a pressing operation, a rotating operation unit that accepts a rotating operation, a tilting operation unit that accepts a tilting operation, and a sliding operation unit that accepts a sliding operation. Hereinafter, various devices illustrated as the operating device CTR will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] <Implementation form> First, the external appearances of a number of embodiments will be illustrated and described as implementation forms that embody the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application.

[0020] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an operating device CTR disclosed in the present application. FIG. 1 shows, as a first embodiment, an example in which the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application is applied to a mouse used to operate an electronic device ELD such as a personal computer. The operating device CTR has a housing 1 incorporating various components described later. An operating unit 2 that accepts an operation by an operator is disposed in the housing 1 of the operating device CTR. The operating device CTR (mouse) illustrated in FIG. 1 has a plurality of operating units 2, such as a pressing operation unit 2A such as a mouse button that accepts a pressing operation, and a rotating operation unit 2B such as a mouse wheel that accepts a vertical rotating operation.

[0021] The operating device CTR includes a sound output unit 3, such as a speaker that outputs sound, in the housing 1. In Fig. 1, for convenience, a slit-shaped opening in the housing 1 is illustrated as the sound output unit 3, but the actual sound output unit 3 is disposed at a position corresponding to the opening inside the housing 1. The sound output unit 3 outputs, for example, a sound associated with a pressing operation, a sound that imitates a so-called clicking sound, in synchronization with a pressing operation on the pressing operation unit 2A.

[0022] The operation device CTR performs wired or wireless communication with the external electronic device ELD. The operation device CTR illustrated in FIG. 1 performs wired communication via a communication line, and the communication line mediates transmission and reception of electrical signals between the operation device CTR and the electronic device ELD.

[0023] The pressing operation unit 2A and the rotating operation unit 2B are names based on the shape and structure of the operating unit 2 included in the operating device CTR. The operating unit 2 included in the operating device CTR has a function of receiving an operation and outputting a sound from the sound output unit 3 in synchronization with the operation, and a function of receiving an operation and adjusting the sound output from the sound output unit 3. When the operating device CTR is a mouse as exemplified in FIG. 1, for example, the mouse wheel functions as the rotating operation unit 2B for adjustment, and the mouse button functions as the pressing operation unit 2A for outputting the synchronized sound. The operating device CTR can also be configured so that one mouse button has the functions of adjusting and outputting the sound.

[0024] <Second embodiment> Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application. Fig. 2 shows an example in which the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application is applied to a keyboard used to operate an electronic device ELD such as a personal computer, as a second embodiment. The operating device CTR includes a housing 1, and a plurality of key switches such as letter keys, numeric keys, and function keys are arranged on the housing 1 as a pressing operation unit 2A.

[0025] The operating device CTR has a sound output unit 3 built in a housing 1, and a slit-shaped opening is formed in the housing 1 at a position corresponding to the sound output unit 3. The sound output unit 3 outputs a sound that imitates a sound associated with a pressing operation, for example, in synchronization with a pressing operation on the pressing operation unit 2A.

[0026] <Third embodiment> Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application. Fig. 3 shows an example in which the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application is applied to a stick controller as a third embodiment. The operating device CTR includes a housing 1, and the housing 1 includes a tilt operation unit 2C such as a stick that is operated by tilting. The stick also functions as a pressing operation unit 2A that accepts a pressing operation and a rotating operation unit 2B that accepts a horizontal rotation operation.

[0027] <Fourth embodiment> Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application. Fig. 4 shows an example in which the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application is applied to an audio mixer as a fourth embodiment. The operating device CTR includes a housing 1, and the housing 1 includes a pressing operation unit 2A such as a push button that receives a pressing operation, a rotation operation unit 2B such as a dial that receives a rotation operation of horizontal rotation, and a sliding operation unit 2D such as a slider that receives a sliding operation.

[0028] The operating device CTR has a sound output unit 3 (not shown) built in a housing 1, and the sound output unit 3 outputs sounds associated with operations such as pressing, rotating, sliding, etc. in synchronization with the operations.

[0029] <Fifth embodiment> Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the appearance of the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application. Fig. 5 shows an example in which the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application is applied to a composite controller as a fifth embodiment. The operating device CTR includes a housing 1, and the housing 1 includes various operating units 2, such as a pressing operation unit 2A that receives a pressing operation, a rotation operation unit 2B that receives a rotation operation of horizontal rotation, a rotation operation unit 2B that receives a rotation operation of vertical rotation, and a tilt operation unit 2C that receives a tilt operation.

[0030] The operating device CTR has a housing 1 equipped with a sound output unit 3, which outputs sounds associated with the operations in synchronization with the operations.

[0031] Sixth embodiment Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an operation system using the operation device CTR disclosed in the present application. Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an operation system using a plurality of operation devices CTR as a sixth embodiment. The operation device CTR disclosed in the present application can also be configured as an operation system using a plurality of devices for operating an electronic device ELD such as a personal computer.

[0032] 6 illustrates an example of a configuration in which a keyboard and a mouse are used as the operation devices CTR, but it is possible to form an operation system using a plurality of the various operation devices CTR illustrated as the first to fifth embodiments. The plurality of operation devices CTR used as the operation system can communicate directly or indirectly via the electronic device ELD.

[0033] <Functional configuration and processing> Next, as examples of the functional configuration and processing of the operation device CTR disclosed in the present application, a number of embodiments will be illustrated and described.

[0034] First Embodiment 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application. The operating device CTR includes an operating unit 2 such as the pressing operation unit 2A, the rotating operation unit 2B, the tilting operation unit 2C, and the sliding operation unit 2D described above, and a sound output unit 3, and includes a control board 4 in a housing 1. The operating unit 2 includes a detection unit 20 such as a mouse encoder that detects the operation content and outputs a detection signal indicating the detection content to the control board 4. The control board 4 includes various circuits such as a control unit 40, a storage unit 41, a communication unit 42, a D / A conversion unit 43, a sound element adjustment unit 44, an amplifier unit 45, and a volume adjustment unit 46. The various circuits included in the control board 4 are supplied with power from a power source (not shown).

[0035] The control unit 40 is a circuit that controls the entire device, and is configured using a control circuit such as a microcomputer equipped with integrated circuits such as VLSI and LSI.

[0036] The storage unit 41 is a memory such as a semiconductor memory that stores various information processed by the control unit 40. The storage unit 41 stores various information such as a plurality of original sound data 41a that are the source of sounds to be output as operation sounds such as click sounds. The original sound data 41a is digital data capable of reproducing the waveform of the operation sound. The original sound data 41a is generated, for example, based on the sampling results of various sounds. The storage unit 41 stores a plurality of original sound data 41a capable of reproducing various sound waveforms such as metallic sounds, dull sounds, and soft sounds. The stored plurality of original sound data 41a are linked to each system such as metallic sounds, dull sounds, and the like, and are also grouped as a library according to the operator's preferences.

[0037] The communication unit 42 is a circuit that communicates with other electronic devices ELD such as a personal computer through wired or wireless communication. In the case of wired communication, the communication unit 42 includes a communication line and various circuits for communication. In the case of wireless communication, the communication unit 42 includes an antenna and various circuits for communication.

[0038] The D / A conversion unit 43 is a circuit that converts digital data such as the original sound data 41a into an analog electrical signal.

[0039] The sound element adjustment unit 44 is a circuit that adjusts sound elements such as pitch, tempo, and frequency of the electrical signal converted into analog data by the D / A conversion unit 43 .

[0040] The amplifier 45 is an amplifier that amplifies the electrical signal of analog data and outputs it to the sound output unit 3 .

[0041] The volume adjustment unit 46 is a circuit that adjusts the volume of the sound output from the sound output unit 3.

[0042] Next, a process in the first embodiment will be described. The operation device CTR disclosed in the present application outputs a sound from the sound output unit 3 based on an operation received by the operation device CTR. In addition, the output sound can be adjusted based on an operation received from the operation unit 2.

[0043] A sound setting process by the operating device CTR will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the process of the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application. The operator operates the operating device CTR to transition to a sound setting mode. The control unit 40 of the operating device CTR that has transitioned to the setting mode presents candidate sounds in response to an operation on the operating unit 2 by the operator (S101). The operator performs an operation to select a desired sound from the presented sounds. The control unit 40 of the operating device CTR accepts an operation to select a sound from the operating unit 2 (S102) and stores the selected content in the storage unit 41 (S103). The operating device CTR can adjust the sound to be output when an operation is accepted on the operating unit 2 by the setting process.

[0044] The presentation of sounds is performed by outputting candidate sounds from the sound output unit 3. The operation device CTR can also be configured to present sounds and accept selection in a single operation as a setting process. For example, when the "Ctrl" key and the "F1" key are pressed simultaneously, the operation device CTR disclosed in the present application can be deployed in various forms, such as having a function as a shortcut key that sets a sound and outputs the set sound.

[0045] Furthermore, the presentation of the sounds may be performed by displaying candidate sound options in the form of a menu tree or the like on a display unit such as a liquid crystal monitor of the connected electronic device ELD. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a display unit of the electronic device ELD connected to the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application. FIG. 9 shows candidate sound options in the form of a menu tree. The original sound data 41a related to the candidate sounds are linked to each system, and the menu tree is determined based on the systematized state. In FIG. 8, four types of sound systems, menus A to D, are shown as the top menu, and menu B is selected. In menu B, four types of sound systems are shown as the first submenu, and menu B3 is selected. In menu B3, five types of sound systems are shown as the second submenu, and menu B34 is selected. In menu B34, four types of sounds are shown as the third submenu, and menu B344 is selected. The operator performs an operation of displaying the options as a menu tree and selecting a preferred sound by following the displayed options.

[0046] Next, a sound output process by the operating device CTR will be described. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the process of the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application. The operating device CTR accepts a user's operation at the operating unit 2 and starts the sound output process. The operating device CTR detects the operation by the detection unit 20 (S201), and outputs a detection signal indicating the detected operation content to the control board 4.

[0047] The operation device CTR receives the detection signal at the control board 4, and under the control of the control unit 40, reads the selected original sound data 41a from the storage unit 41 based on the contents adjusted in the setting process (S202).

[0048] The control unit 40 converts the read original sound data 41a into an analog electric signal by the D / A conversion unit 43 (S203). The analog electric signal D / A converted in step S203 is an electric signal that indicates the waveform of the sound.

[0049] The control unit 40 performs an adjustment process on the original sound data 41a converted into an analog electric signal, by using the sound element adjustment unit 44 to adjust elements such as pitch and tempo based on the settings (S204). In step S204, the sound element adjustment unit 44 may adjust the amplitude for each frequency band, i.e., perform equalizer processing, in addition to adjusting the pitch and tempo, as the adjustment of elements.

[0050] The control unit 40 amplifies the adjusted analog electric signal using the amplifier 45 (S205), adjusts the volume using the volume adjustment unit 46 (S206), and outputs the signal as sound from the sound output unit 3 (S207). Since the sound output in step S207 is performed in synchronization with the operation received from the operation unit 2, the operator recognizes the output sound as an operation sound such as a click sound associated with the operation.

[0051] Through the above process, the operation device CTR disclosed in the present application adjusts the sound to be output based on the settings adjusted using the operation unit 2. Therefore, the operation device CTR disclosed in the present application can set and output a desired operation sound. The inventors of the present application have found through experiments and the like that the operation sensation of the operator is affected by the operation sound, and it is possible to adjust the operation feel by adjusting the operation sound. In addition, it is possible to recognize what operation has been performed from the operation sound.

[0052] <Second embodiment> The second embodiment is an embodiment in which the sound adjustment setting and sound output are performed synchronously in the first embodiment. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the operation device CTR disclosed in the present application. The operation device CTR accepts a user's operation at the operation unit 2 and starts the setting and output processing. The operation device CTR detects the operation by the detection unit 20 (S301), and outputs a detection signal indicating the detected operation content to the control board 4.

[0053] The operation device CTR receives the detection signal at the control board 4, and under the control of the control unit 40, reads original sound data 41a based on the operation content from the storage unit 41 based on the detected operation content (S302).

[0054] The control unit 40 converts the read original sound data 41a into an analog electrical signal by the D / A conversion unit 43 (S303).

[0055] The control unit 40 performs an adjustment process on the original sound data 41a converted into an analog electrical signal, adjusting elements such as pitch, tempo, etc., based on the detected operation content, using the sound element adjustment unit 44 (S304).

[0056] The control unit 40 amplifies the adjusted analog electrical signal using the amplifier 45 (S305), adjusts the volume using the volume adjustment unit 46 (S306), and outputs the signal as sound from the sound output unit 3 (S307).

[0057] The operation device CTR reads the original sound data 41a in step S302 and performs an adjustment process in step S304 according to the detection contents. For example, when a rotary operation unit 2B such as a dial is used as the operation unit 2 and a rotary operation is performed as the operation, the original sound data 41a is read and adjusted according to the detection contents. Specifically, the control unit 40 of the operation device CTR detects a rotary operation on the rotary operation unit 2B in step S301. Then, the control unit 40 reads the original sound data 41a selected based on the rotary speed or rotary angle of the rotary operation in step S302, and adjusts the sound to be output based on the rotary speed or rotary angle of the rotary operation in step S304. That is, when the operation device CTR receives an operation from the rotary operation unit 2B such as a dial, the operation device CTR changes the sound to be output based on the rotary angle, and can change the pitch of the sound to be output in the first and second revolutions, for example. Furthermore, when the operating device CTR receives an operation from the rotation operating unit 2B, the operating device CTR can change the sound to be output based on the rotation speed, and can appropriately set, for example, to output a higher-pitched sound as the rotation speed becomes faster. Note that, if the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application can adjust the sound to be output according to the rotation angle, such as the first rotation or the second rotation, the operating device CTR may adjust the sound by selecting original sound data 41a based on the operation content for each rotation, or may adjust the sound by performing an adjustment process on one original sound data 41a based on the operation content. The same applies to the adjustment for the rotation speed.

[0058] As an application example of the second embodiment, the operating device CTR, which is a mouse, can adjust the sound output during a rotation operation of the rotation operation unit 2B, such as a mouse wheel. For example, the operating device CTR can be configured to adjust the frequency of sound output, the length of sound, the pitch, etc., according to the rotation speed, and output the adjusted sound.

[0059] Furthermore, as an application example of the second embodiment, the operation device CTR, which is an audio mixer, can adjust the sound output during a sliding operation of the sliding operation unit 2D such as a slider. For example, the operation device CTR can be configured to perform processing such as generating a sound according to the distance every time a certain distance is moved, adjusting the pitch steplessly during the sliding operation, and adjusting the pitch with a certain resolution during the sliding operation, and outputting the adjusted sound.

[0060] Furthermore, as an application example of the second embodiment, the operating device CTR, which is a keyboard, can be configured in various ways, such as changing the sound for operating a specific pressing operation unit 2A, for example, when the "Ctrl" key and the "F1" key are pressed simultaneously, the sound for operating other keys changes.

[0061] <Third embodiment> The third embodiment is a form in which the operation feel can be adjusted in addition to the sound output in the first or second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an operating device CTR disclosed in the present application. The operating device CTR includes an operating unit 2 such as a pressing operation unit 2A, a rotating operation unit 2B, a tilting operation unit 2C, and a sliding operation unit 2D, and further includes a sound output unit 3, a control board 4, and other components. The operating unit 2 includes a detecting unit 20 such as a linear sensor, a load unit 21 such as an MR fluid brake, and other components. The control board 4 is equipped with various circuits such as a control unit 40, a memory unit 41, a communication unit 42, a D / A conversion unit 43, a sound element adjustment unit 44, an amplifier unit 45, a volume adjustment unit 46, and a control connection unit 47.

[0062] The storage unit 41 stores various information such as the original sound data 41a, as well as load data 41b. The load data 41b is digital data capable of reproducing the load caused by the operation of the operation unit 2.

[0063] The control connection unit 47 is an interface circuit such as a motor driver that outputs a command to control the load unit 21 of the operation unit 2 based on the load data 41b.

[0064] The MR fluid brake used as the load unit 21 will be further described. The MR fluid brake is a mechanism that uses a magnetorheological material to generate a load in response to an operation on the operating unit 2. As the magnetorheological material, a material such as a magnetorheological fluid or magnetorheological powder is used. In the following, an embodiment using a magnetorheological fluid (hereinafter, illustrated and described as MR fluid 210) as the magnetorheological material will be described as an example. The operating device CTR disclosed in the present application generates an operating feeling, a so-called clicking feeling, in response to a rotation operation by generating a load by the load unit 21 on the rotation axis 2B0, which is the axis of rotation, for the operating unit 2 that is the rotation operating unit 2B.

[0065] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal structure of the load unit 21 included in the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application. FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional exploded perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the load unit 21 included in the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application. The load unit 21 includes a substantially cylindrical container 211 with a bottom, and a rotation shaft 2B0 is inserted through the center of one of the bottom surfaces of the container 211. In the following description, for convenience, the upper side of FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 will be referred to as the top, and the lower side as the bottom. Note that the up and down directions are names for convenience of description, and do not limit the mounting direction. The container 211 includes a substantially cylindrical container 211a with a bottom whose upper bottom side is open, and a substantially disk-shaped lid portion 211b that closes the open opening of the container 211a. A part of the rotating shaft 2B0 is rotatably housed in the housing 211, and one end side of the rotating shaft 2B0 protrudes from the center of the lid part 211b of the housing 211 and is attached to the rotation operation part 2B. A first bearing part 212 such as a roller bearing is arranged near the center of the lid part 211b through which the rotating shaft 2B0 is inserted, and supports the rotating shaft 2B0 rotatably. The other end side of the rotating shaft 2B0 is rotatably supported by a second bearing part 213 such as a slide bearing attached to the inner surface of the lower bottom side of the housing 211, and is housed in the housing 211. A substantially disc-shaped disk part 214 is formed on the rotating shaft 2B0 so as to protrude in the radial direction, and the disk part 214 is housed in the housing 211. A cylindrical rotor 215 that rotates together with the disk part 214 is attached to the lower surface of the disk part 214 by a method such as screwing or bonding, or is integrally molded with the disk part 214.

[0066] Inside the housing 211, a fluid chamber 216 is formed in which the MR fluid 210 is sealed so that the MR fluid 210 comes into contact with members such as the disk portion 214 and the rotor 215 of the rotating shaft 2B0. Since the MR fluid 210 sealed in the fluid chamber 216 comes into contact with the disk portion 214 and the rotor 215 of the rotating shaft 2B0, the viscosity of the MR fluid 210 becomes a load that hinders the rotation of the rotating shaft 2B0. Below the rotor 215, a magnetic field generating unit 217 such as a coil that generates a magnetic field for controlling the viscosity of the MR fluid 210 is arranged so as to wind around the rotating shaft 2B0. Inside the housing 211, a yoke 218 is arranged to efficiently control the viscosity of the MR fluid 210 by the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit 217. Note that the MR fluid brake described using FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 is an example of the load unit 21 that can be deployed in various forms, and is not limited thereto. The operating device CTR disclosed in the present application can include a load unit 21 that generates loads in various ways in response to operations received by the operating unit 2, such as the rotating operating unit 2B.

[0067] The MR fluid 210 will be further described. FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are explanatory diagrams that show the characteristics of the MR fluid 210 (magnetorheological fluid) used in the load unit 21 of the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application. FIG. 15 conceptually shows the MR fluid 210 in a state where it is not affected by a magnetic field, and FIG. 16 conceptually shows the MR fluid 210 in a state where a magnetic field is generated. The MR fluid 210 is a functional fluid in which ferromagnetic particles having a diameter of 1 to 10 μm are dispersed in a liquid such as water or oil. As shown in FIG. 15, in a state where it is not affected by a magnetic field, the particles are uniformly dispersed in the liquid. As shown in FIG. 16, when it is affected by a magnetic field, the ferromagnetic particles are magnetized and attract each other to form clusters, so that the viscosity of the liquid increases. The degree of cluster formation can be controlled by a magnetic field, so that it is possible to adjust the viscosity by controlling the magnetic field, and control the load on the rotating shaft 2B0 by the adjusted viscosity.

[0068] Fig. 17 is a graph showing the characteristics of the MR fluid 210 (magnetorheological fluid) used in the load section 21 included in the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application. Fig. 17 shows the relationship between the strength of the magnetic field on the horizontal axis and the viscosity of the MR fluid 210. As illustrated in Fig. 17, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the magnetic field and the viscosity, so it is possible to adjust the viscosity by controlling the magnetic field.

[0069] Next, the processing in the third embodiment will be described. The processing for setting the operation load by the load unit 21 is substantially similar to the setting processing in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 8. Next, the load processing by the load unit 21 of the operation device CTR will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the operation device CTR disclosed in the present application. The operation device CTR accepts a user's operation at the operation unit 2 and starts the load processing. The operation device CTR detects the operation by the detection unit 20 (S401), and outputs an operation signal indicating the detected operation content to the control board 4.

[0070] The operating device CTR receives the detection signal at the control board 4, and reads the load data 41b from the storage unit 41 based on the set contents under the control of the control unit 40 (S402).

[0071] The control unit 40 sends the read load data 41b to the control connection unit 47, and outputs a command to vibrate the load unit 21 from the control connection unit 47 to the operation unit 2. The operation unit 2 generates a load by the load unit 21 based on the input command (S403). The operation device CTR generates a load by the load unit 21, for example, in response to a rotation operation on the rotation operation unit 2B, according to settings such as a predetermined rotation angle and a predetermined rotation speed.

[0072] The load processing illustrated in FIG. 18 applies a load to the rotation shaft 2B0 of the rotation operation unit 2B in response to the rotation. The operator feels the load from the rotation operation as an operational sensation such as "click, click." The operation device CTR disclosed in the present application can synchronously execute the sound output processing and the load processing associated with the operation. Therefore, the operator can feel the operation sound and operational sensation associated with the operation as a click sound and a click sensation.

[0073] The operating device CTR disclosed in the present application may also be provided with a load unit 21 for an operating unit 2 other than the rotating operating unit 2B, such as the pressing operating unit 2A, the tilting operating unit 2C, or the sliding operating unit 2D. For example, when the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application is provided with the load unit 21 for the sliding operating unit 2D, it may be deployed in various forms, such as generating a clicking sensation according to the distance of the sliding operation. Also, for example, the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application may be deployed in various forms, such as generating a clicking sensation at any position by providing the load unit 21 for the pressing operating unit 2A using a linear switch that does not inherently generate a clicking sensation.

[0074] <Fourth embodiment> The fourth embodiment is a form in which a plurality of operating devices CTR are used in the first, second or third embodiment. For example, this is a functional configuration applied to the sixth embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6 as an example of the appearance of the embodiment. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an operating system using an operating device CTR disclosed in the present application. FIG. 19 illustrates an operating system including a plurality of operating devices CTR, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The configuration of each of the plurality of operating devices CTR is substantially similar to that of the operating device CTR illustrated in the first embodiment and the like, and further includes a communication connection unit 48 that communicates with the other operating devices CTR. Then, the one operating device CTR and the other operating devices CTR transmit and receive information by wireless or wired communication via the communication connection unit 48. Note that the one operating device CTR and the other operating devices CTR may communicate via an electronic device ELD. In that case, the one operating device CTR and the other operating devices CTR communicate via the communication unit 42 instead of or in addition to the communication connection unit 48.

[0075] The operation unit 2 of one operation device CTR and the operation unit 2 of the other operation device CTR can be assigned functions. For example, the control unit 40 of one operation device CTR can adjust the sound output from the sound output unit 3 of the device based on the operation received from the other operation unit 2. Then, the control unit 40 of one operation device CTR outputs the adjusted sound from the sound output unit 3 of the device in synchronization with the operation received from the operation unit 2 of the device. The process related to the adjustment and output of the sound of the operation device CTR of the operation system is substantially similar to the process exemplified in the first embodiment and the like. Therefore, the operation system disclosed in the present application makes it possible to set, for example, the click sound of the mouse, which is one operation device CTR, by the keyboard, which is the other operation device CTR. The setting and adjustment of the sound by the operation unit 2 of one operation device CTR may be performed before the operation by the operation unit 2 of the other operation device CTR, or may be performed in synchronization with the operation.

[0076] As described above, the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application has excellent effects such as being able to adjust (set) sounds generated based on operations, etc. As a result, the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application has excellent effects such as being able to provide an operating feel that meets the preferences or requirements of the user.

[0077] Furthermore, the operating device CTR etc. disclosed in the present application can adjust the sound output during operation, which provides excellent effects such as making it possible to know the operating status, such as the number of rotations performed, from the operating sound.

[0078] Furthermore, the operating device CTR and the like disclosed in the present application can adjust the load on the operation, thereby providing an excellent effect of enabling an operating feel that meets the preferences or requirements of the user.

[0079] Furthermore, the operating device CTR etc. disclosed in the present application may be configured so that one operating unit 2 is responsible for adjustment and sound output, or the adjustment and sound output may be shared between two operating units 2, or further, the two operating units 2 may be implemented as being provided on different operating devices CTR.

[0080] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various other forms. Therefore, the above-described embodiment is merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as being restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is described by the claims, and is not restricted in any way by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and changes within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

[0081] That is, the operating device CTR disclosed in the present application can be developed into various forms according to the following supplementary notes.

[0082] (Appendix 1) An operation device including one or more operation units that receive an input operation from an operator, A sound output unit is provided for outputting sound, The sound output unit outputs a sound based on an operation received by the operation unit, The sound output from the sound output unit can be adjusted based on the operation received from the operation unit. An operating device characterized by:

[0083] (Appendix 2) An operation device including one or more operation units that receive an input operation from an operator, a sound output unit that outputs sound; a control unit that controls the sound output from the sound output unit; Equipped with The control unit is an adjustment unit that adjusts the sound output from the sound output unit based on an operation received by the operation unit; an output control means for outputting the sound adjusted by the adjustment means from the sound output unit in synchronization with the operation received by the operation unit; Equipped An operating device characterized by:

[0084] (Appendix 3) 3. An operating device according to claim 2, A storage unit is provided for storing original sound data used for outputting sound, The adjustment means of the control unit Perform adjustments including pitch adjustment or tempo adjustment based on the original sound data An operating device characterized by:

[0085] (Appendix 4) 10. The operating device according to claim 2, a load unit that generates a load when the operation unit is operated, The control unit is A load is applied to the operation unit by the load unit in synchronization with the output of sound from the sound output unit. An operating device characterized by:

[0086] (Appendix 5) 5. An operating device according to claim 4, The load unit is a fluid brake that generates a load using a magnetic rheological material. An operating device characterized by:

[0087] (Appendix 6) 6. An operating device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, The operation unit includes a rotation operation unit that receives a rotation operation, the adjustment means adjusts the sound output from the sound output unit based on a rotation speed of the rotation operation received by the rotation operation unit, The output control means outputs the sound adjusted by the adjustment means from the sound output unit in synchronization with the rotation operation received by the rotation operation unit used to adjust the sound. An operating device characterized by:

[0088] (Appendix 7) 6. An operating device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, The operation unit is provided to receive a pressing operation, a rotating operation, a tilting operation, or a sliding operation. An operating device characterized by:

[0089] (Appendix 8) An operation system including a first operation unit and a second operation unit that accept an input operation from an operator, a sound output unit that outputs sound; a control unit that controls the sound output from the sound output unit; Equipped with The control unit is an adjustment unit that adjusts the sound output from the sound output unit based on an operation received from the first operation unit; an output control means for outputting the sound adjusted by the adjustment means from the sound output unit in synchronization with the operation received from the second operation unit; Equipped An operating system characterized by: [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] CTR operating device 2 Control section 2A Pressing operation part 2B Rotation operation part 2C Tilt operation unit 2D sliding operation unit 20 Detection unit 21 Load section 210 MR fluid {Magnetic viscous material (magnetic viscous fluid)} 3 Sound output section 4 Control Board 40 Control section 41 Storage section 41a Original sound data 41b Load Data 44 Sound element adjustment section (adjustment section) ELD electronic equipment

Claims

1. An operation device including one or more operation units that receive an input operation from an operator, A sound output unit is provided for outputting sound, The sound output unit is configured to output a sound based on an operation received by the operation unit, The sound output from the sound output unit can be adjusted based on the operation received from the operation unit. An operating device characterized by:

2. An operation device including one or more operation units that receive an input operation from an operator, a sound output unit that outputs sound; a control unit that controls the sound output from the sound output unit; Equipped with The control unit is an adjustment unit that adjusts the sound output from the sound output unit based on an operation received by the operation unit; an output control means for outputting the sound adjusted by the adjustment means from the sound output unit in synchronization with the operation received by the operation unit; Equipped An operating device characterized by:

3. The operating device according to claim 2, A storage unit is provided for storing original sound data used for outputting sound, The adjustment means of the control unit Perform adjustments including pitch adjustment or tempo adjustment based on the original sound data An operating device characterized by:

4. The operating device according to claim 2 or 3, a load unit that generates a load when the operation unit is operated, The control unit is A load is applied to the operation unit by the load unit in synchronization with the output of sound from the sound output unit. An operating device characterized by:

5. The operating device according to claim 4, The load unit is a fluid brake that generates a load using a magnetic rheological material. An operating device characterized by:

6. The operating device according to claim 2 or 3, The operation unit includes a rotation operation unit that receives a rotation operation, the adjustment means adjusts the sound output from the sound output unit based on a rotation speed of the rotation operation received by the rotation operation unit, The output control means outputs the sound adjusted by the adjustment means from the sound output unit in synchronization with the rotation operation received by the rotation operation unit used to adjust the sound. An operating device characterized by:

7. The operating device according to claim 2 or 3, The operating unit is provided to receive a pressing operation, a rotating operation, a tilting operation, or a sliding operation. An operating device characterized by:

8. An operation system including a first operation unit and a second operation unit that accept an input operation from an operator, a sound output unit that outputs sound; a control unit that controls the sound output from the sound output unit; Equipped with The control unit is an adjustment unit that adjusts the sound output from the sound output unit based on an operation received from the first operation unit; an output control means for outputting the sound adjusted by the adjustment means from the sound output unit in synchronization with the operation received from the second operation unit; Equipped An operating system characterized by:

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