Operating device, operating system and fluid brake

Abstract

To provide an operation apparatus, an operation system, and a fluid brake that improve a sense of immersion of an operator.SOLUTION: An operation apparatus 1 includes a rotation operation unit 12 that receives rotation operation, a load portion 14 that uses a fluid brake 140 that generates load in a magnetic viscous fluid against rotation of the rotation operation unit 12, and a control unit 16 that controls a viscosity of the magnetic viscous fluid of the fluid brake by a magnetic field. The control unit 16 controls the viscosity of the magnetic viscous fluid so that an operator feels the load to the rotation operation of the rotation operation unit 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating device used for rotational operations, an operating system using such an operating device, and a fluid brake used in such an operating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Mice that function as pointing devices are used to operate electronic devices such as computers. Regarding mice, wheel mice equipped with a mouse wheel that accepts rotational operations are the mainstream on the market. Operation devices such as wheel mice are not limited to business applications; they are also used in various fields, such as operation devices for operating interactive games, and various applications are expected in the future. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mouse device that produces a clicking sensation (a feeling of moving) when operating the mouse wheel (roll). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-171375 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, as the fields in which the present invention is applied expand, such as in the field of interactive games, there is a demand for operation devices that can provide new operational sensations, such as a deeper sense of immersion.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its main object to provide an operating device that provides a new operating feel.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an operation system including such an operation device.

[0007] A further object of the present invention is to provide a fluid brake for use in such an operating 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 a rotational operating unit that accepts rotational operations, and is characterized by having a fluid brake that generates a load using a magnetorheological fluid in response to the rotation of the rotational operating unit, and a control unit that controls the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid of the fluid brake using a magnetic field.

[0009] The operating device further comprises a rotation shaft attached to the rotation operating unit and rotating circumferentially in accordance with the rotation of the rotation operating unit, and the fluid brake rotatably supports the rotation shaft and generates a load against the rotation of the rotation operating unit via the rotation shaft by using a magnetorheological fluid against the rotation of the rotation shaft.

[0010] Further, in the operating device, the fluid brake is provided with a housing that rotatably houses a portion of the rotating shaft and houses the magnetorheological fluid, and the rotating shaft has one end that protrudes from the housing and is attached to the rotating operating part, and the other end that is housed within the housing.

[0011] In addition, the operation device is a wheel mouse, and the rotation operation unit is a mouse wheel. It is characterized by being a roller.

[0012] The operating device may further include a detection unit that detects an operation of the rotation operation unit in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0013] Furthermore, the operation system disclosed in the present application is characterized by including the operation device and a main body device that displays an image on a display unit based on a rotation operation received by the rotation operation unit.

[0014] The operating system further includes a recording unit that records multiple pieces of magnetic field information indicating magnetic field patterns that control the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid of the fluid brake, and the control unit generates a magnetic field based on the magnetic field information recorded in the recording unit.

[0015] Further, in the operation system, when the main body device displays an image including the operating environment of a moving body that operates based on a rotation operation received by the rotation operation unit, the control unit generates a magnetic field based on magnetic field information indicating a magnetic field pattern corresponding to the operating environment of the moving body displayed on the display unit.

[0016] Furthermore, the fluid brake described in the present application is characterized in that it is used in the operating device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The operating device according to the present invention has excellent effects such as the ability to provide a new operational feel through the use of a fluid brake. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an operation system disclosed herein. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an internal structure of an operating device disclosed herein. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic front view showing an example of an internal structure of an operating device disclosed herein. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an internal structure of an operating device disclosed herein. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal structure of a fluid brake of a load section included in an operating device disclosed herein. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional exploded perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of a fluid brake of a load section provided in an operating device disclosed herein. FIG. [Figure 7]10 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the characteristics of a magnetorheological fluid used in a fluid brake of a load section provided in an operating device disclosed herein. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the characteristics of a magnetorheological fluid used in a fluid brake of a load section provided in an operating device disclosed herein. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a graph showing the characteristics of a magnetorheological fluid used in a fluid brake of a load section provided in the operating device disclosed herein. [Figure 10] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an operating system OS disclosed in the present application. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the internal structure of a fluid brake of a load section included in an operating device disclosed herein. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional exploded perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of a fluid brake included in an operating device disclosed herein. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the internal structure of a fluid brake of a load section included in an operating device disclosed herein. FIG. [Figure 14] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional exploded perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of a fluid brake included in an operating device disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] <Application example> The operation system disclosed in the present application is applied to systems such as a system in which an operation device is connected to a personal computer, a system in which an operation device is connected to a home game console, and an industrial robot system. The operation system is used to operate games, driving simulators, and robots. The operation system OS disclosed in the present application is exemplified and described below with reference to the drawings.

[0021] <System configuration example> FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an operation system OS disclosed in the present application. The operation system OS illustrated in FIG. 1 shows an example configuration using an operation device 1, a main unit 2, and a display device 3. The operation device 1 is a wheel mouse that accepts operations by an operator. The operator can perform operations such as pressing and rotating operations on the operation device 1. The main unit 2 is a device such as a personal computer or home game console to which the operation device 1 is connected, and executes computer programs such as game programs, business programs, and driving simulator programs. The display device 3 is a monitor connected to the main unit 2, and includes a display unit 30 that displays images.

[0022] The operating device 1 includes a housing 10, a pressing operation unit 11 such as a mouse button that receives pressing operations by the operator, and a rotation operation unit 12 such as a mouse wheel that receives rotation operations by the operator. The rotation operation unit 12 receives not only rotation operations but also pressing operations (so-called clicks). The rotation operation unit 12 is housed within the housing 10 except for the portion that the operator touches for operation.

[0023] <Example of operation device configuration> Fig. 2 is a schematic see-through perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the operating device 1 disclosed herein. Fig. 3 is a schematic front view showing an example of the internal structure of the operating device 1 disclosed herein. Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the operating device 1 disclosed herein. Fig. 2 shows a see-through view of the housing 10 of the operating device 1 so that the positional relationship between the housing 10 and the main parts of the internal structure can be seen. Figs. 3 and 4 show the main parts of the internal structure so that the housing 10 of the operating device 1 can be seen.

[0024] The housing 10 accommodates various components such as a rotation operation unit 12, a rotation shaft 13, a load unit 14, a press detection unit 15, a control board (control unit) 16, and the like.

[0025] A rotation shaft 13 is attached to the rotation center of the rotation operation unit 12 in a state where it passes through the rotation shaft 13. The rotation shaft 13 rotates in the circumferential direction as the rotation operation unit 12 rotates. An angle detection unit 120 is attached to one end of the rotation shaft 13 that passes through the rotation operation unit 12 as an encoder that detects the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 13 and encodes the detected rotation angle. A pressing member 121 and a load unit 14 are attached to the other end of the rotation shaft 13, and a central detection unit (detection unit) 122 that uses a tactile switch is arranged below the pressing member 121. The pressing member 121 is a member that presses the central detection unit 122 arranged below, and is formed from an arc-shaped thin plate so as to cover the lower part of the load unit 14, which is approximately cylindrical.

[0026] The load unit 14 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape and includes a fluid brake 140. The fluid brake 140 is a mechanism that generates a load by the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid (hereinafter referred to as MR fluid) 140a in response to the rotation of the rotary shaft 13. The fluid brake 140 will be described in detail later.

[0027] The rotation operation unit 12 receives from the operator a rotation operation with the rotation axis 13 as the center of rotation, and a pressing operation from above to below perpendicular to the rotation axis 13. When pressed, the rotation operation unit 12, the rotation shaft 13, the angle detection unit 120, the pressing member 121, and the load unit 14 move downward together, and the lower surface of the pressing member 121 presses the central detection unit 122. Figure 3 shows a state in which the rotation operation unit 12 moves downward in response to a pressing operation, and the lower surface of the pressing member 121 presses the central detection unit 122. When the rotation operation unit 12 is released from the pressing operation, the rotation operation unit 12, the rotation shaft 13, the angle detection unit 120, the pressing member 121, and the load unit 14 return to their original positions.

[0028] The press detection units 15 are microswitches arranged on both sides of the rotation operation unit 12, and detect press operations, or so-called click operations, of the press operation unit 11. In the following description, as necessary, the press detection unit 15 that detects a press operation of the press operation unit 11 corresponding to a so-called left click will be referred to as a left detection unit 150, and the press detection unit 15 that detects a press operation of the press operation unit 11 corresponding to a so-called right click will be referred to as a right detection unit 151.

[0029] The control board 16 is configured by mounting chips such as integrated circuits and electronic elements on a substrate, and controls various components such as the fluid brake 140.

[0030] The fluid brake 140 will be further described. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal structure of the fluid brake 140 of the load unit 14 included in the operating device disclosed herein. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional exploded perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the fluid brake 140 of the load unit 14 included in the operating device disclosed herein. The fluid brake 140 of the load unit 14 includes a substantially cylindrical container 140b with a bottom, and a rotation shaft 13 is inserted through the center of one of the bottom surfaces of the container 140b. In the following description, for convenience, the upper side of FIGS. 5 and 6 will be referred to as the top and the lower side as the bottom. Note that the up and down directions are used for convenience of explanation and do not limit the installation direction. The container 140b includes a substantially cylindrical container 140b1 with a bottom and an open upper bottom, and a substantially disk-shaped lid 140b2 that covers the open opening of the container 140b1. A portion of the rotating shaft 13 is rotatably housed within the housing 140b, and one end of the rotating shaft 13 protrudes from the center of the lid 140b2 of the housing 140b and is attached to the rotation operation unit 12. A first bearing 140c such as a roller bearing is disposed near the center of the lid 140b2 through which the rotating shaft 13 is inserted, and rotatably supports the rotating shaft 13. The other end of the rotating shaft 13 is rotatably supported by a second bearing 140d such as a plain bearing attached to the inner surface of the lower bottom side of the housing 140b, and is housed within the housing 140b. A substantially circular disk portion 130 is formed on the rotating shaft 13 so as to protrude radially, and the disk portion 130 is housed within the housing 140b. A cylindrical rotor 131 that rotates together with the disk portion 130 is attached to the lower surface of the disk portion 130 by a method such as screwing or gluing, or is integrally formed with the disk portion 130.

[0031] A fluid chamber 140e filled with the MR fluid 140a is formed inside the container 140b so that the MR fluid 140a comes into contact with components such as the disk portion 130 and rotor 131 of the rotating shaft 13. Because the MR fluid 140a formed in the fluid chamber 140e comes into contact with the disk portion 130 and rotor 131 of the rotating shaft 13, the viscosity of the MR fluid 140a acts as a load that hinders the rotation of the rotating shaft 13. Below the rotor 131, a magnetic field generating unit 140f such as a coil that generates a magnetic field for controlling the viscosity of the MR fluid 140a is arranged so as to be wound around the rotating shaft 13. A yoke 140g is arranged inside the container 140b to efficiently control the viscosity of the MR fluid 140a by the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit 140f.

[0032] 5 and 6, the housing 140b is configured as a container 140b1 and a lid 140b2, and the rotating shaft 13 is passed through only on the lid 140b2 side, so that the roller bearing can be configured as only the first bearing portion 140c. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts in the fluid brake 140 provided in the operating device disclosed herein. Furthermore, the fluid brake 140 provided in the operating device disclosed herein is configured to rotatably support the rotating shaft 13 by providing irregularities on the inner bottom surface of the lower bottom side of the container 140b1, thereby eliminating the second bearing portion 140d and further reducing the number of parts.

[0033] The MR flow will be further described. FIGS. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams schematically illustrating the characteristics of the MR fluid 140a (magnetorheological fluid) used in the fluid brake 140 of the load unit 14 included in the operating device 1 disclosed herein. FIG. 7 conceptually illustrates the MR fluid 140a when not subject to a magnetic field, and FIG. 8 conceptually illustrates the MR fluid 140a when a magnetic field is applied. The MR fluid 140a is a functional fluid in which ferromagnetic particles with a diameter of 1 to 10 μm are dispersed in a liquid such as water or oil. As illustrated in FIG. 7, when not subject to a magnetic field, the particles are uniformly dispersed in the liquid. When subject to a magnetic field, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the ferromagnetic particles are magnetized and attract each other, forming clusters, which increases the viscosity of the liquid. The degree of cluster formation can be controlled by the magnetic field, making it possible to adjust the viscosity by controlling the magnetic field.

[0034] Fig. 9 is a graph showing the characteristics of MR fluid 140a (magnetorheological fluid) used in the fluid brake 140 of the load unit 14 included in the operating device 1 disclosed herein. Fig. 9 shows the relationship between the strength of the magnetic field and the viscosity of the MR fluid 140a, with the horizontal axis representing the strength of the magnetic field. As illustrated in Fig. 9, 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.

[0035] <Control system configuration example> Next, a control system of the operation system OS disclosed herein will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the operation system OS disclosed herein. The control board 16 included in the operation device 1 is a control unit equipped with various integrated circuits, such as a central control unit 160, a performance control unit 161, and a performance recording unit (recording unit) 162. The central control unit 160 is a processor, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), that controls the entire device, and is connected via signal lines to various circuits mounted on the control board 16 and various mechanisms, such as the rotation operation unit 12. The performance control unit 161 is an integrated circuit that controls the magnetic field applied to the fluid brake 140 to control the load on the rotation of the rotation operation unit 12. The performance control unit 161 controls the rotation operation unit 12 based on various information recorded in the performance recording unit 162, thereby enabling the operator to experience, for example, the sensation of driving on various roads. The performance recording unit 162 is a memory that records performance information indicating performance patterns that indicate control methods for performance, in association with identification information that identifies the performance patterns. When applied to a racing game, for example, the effect pattern is information for producing an effect that simulates the steering load received from various road surfaces such as frozen icy road surfaces, muddy road surfaces, unpaved road surfaces with severe bumps, etc. The effect pattern includes magnetic field information that indicates the magnetic field pattern for controlling the fluid brake 140.

[0036] The pressing operation unit 11 includes various components for input, such as a left detection unit 150 and a right detection unit 151 that detect pressing operations. Furthermore, the pressing operation unit 11 includes a pressing input circuit 152 that encodes the pressing operations detected by the left detection unit 150 and the right detection unit 151 and outputs the encoded signals to the central control unit 160.

[0037] The rotation operation unit 12 includes various input components such as an angle detection unit 120 that detects a rotation angle, a central detection unit 122 that detects a pressing operation, etc. Furthermore, the rotation operation unit 12 includes a rotation input circuit 123 that encodes the rotation angle detected by the angle detection unit 120 and the pressing operation detected by the central detection unit 122 and outputs the encoded signals to the central control unit 160.

[0038] The load unit 14 includes various components such as a fluid brake 140 and a magnetic field control unit 141. The stage control unit 141 is a driver that receives a magnetic field control signal from the performance control unit 161 and controls the magnetic field that the magnetic field generation unit 140f applies to the MR fluid 140a based on the received magnetic field control signal. By controlling the magnetic field that is applied to the MR fluid 140a, the viscosity of the MR fluid 140a is controlled, and the load on the rotation of the rotation operation unit 12 is controlled.

[0039] Furthermore, the operation device 1 includes an operation connection unit 163 as an interface for connecting to the main device 2 via a communication line.

[0040] The main unit 2 includes various components such as a main unit control unit 20, a main unit recording unit 21, a main unit connection unit 22, and a display control unit 23. The main unit control unit 20 is a processor such as a CPU that controls the entire main unit 2. The main unit recording unit 21 is a circuit such as a non-volatile memory or a volatile memory that records various information. The main unit recording unit 21 records various programs and data, such as game programs. The main unit connection unit 22 is an input interface that connects input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard. In the present application, an example in which the operation device 1 is connected as the input device is shown. Note that when the operation device 1 disclosed in the present application is connected as the input device, the main unit connection unit 22 also functions as an output interface that outputs various signals to the operation device 1. The display control unit 23 is an interface that outputs image signals to the display device 3 and controls the images displayed on the display device 3.

[0041] The display device 3 includes a display unit 30 using a panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel for displaying images, and displays an image on the display unit 30 based on an image signal input from the main device 2. That is, the main device 2 causes the display unit 30 to display an image of a moving object that moves based on a rotation operation received by the rotation operation unit 12 and an image including the operating environment of the moving object. The moving object displayed on the display unit 30 is, for example, a virtual vehicle, and the operating environment of the moving object is, for example, the road surface on which the virtual vehicle travels. For example, in response to an operation of rotating the mouse wheel in a first direction from the base side to the tip side of the finger, an image of the virtual vehicle turning left is displayed, and in response to an operation of rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction, an image of the virtual vehicle turning right is displayed.

[0042] An example of the processing of various devices included in the operation system OS disclosed in the present application configured as above will be described below. The main body device 2 executes programs such as a game program and a driving simulator program recorded in the main body recording unit 21 under the control of the main body control unit 20. In the present application, an example of executing a program such as a driving game in which an operator performs input operations using the operation device 1 will be described.

[0043] Under the control of the main body control unit 20, the main body device 2 executes a driving game program and outputs an image signal from the display control unit 23 to the display device 3. By outputting the image signal, the main body device 2 causes the display unit 30 of the display device 3 to display a virtual vehicle, which is a moving object, and a road surface, which is the operating environment on which the virtual vehicle travels. In addition, the main body control unit 20 of the main body device 2 outputs, from the main body connection unit 22 to the operation device 1, driving information indicating that the virtual vehicle is traveling on the road surface displayed on the display unit 30.

[0044] The central control unit 160 of the operation device 1 receives input of driving information via the operation connection unit 163 and passes the driving information to the performance control unit 161. The performance control unit 161 passes identification information that identifies the performance pattern corresponding to the received driving information to the performance control unit 161. The performance control unit 161 reads the performance information recorded in association with the received identification information from the performance recording unit 162. Then, based on the read performance information, the performance control unit 161 outputs magnetic field information that indicates the pattern of the magnetic field that controls the viscosity of the fluid brake 140 to the magnetic field control unit 141 provided in the load unit 14. The magnetic field control unit 141 forms a magnetic field based on the magnetic field information and controls the viscosity of the fluid brake 140.

[0045] The fluid brake 140 is controlled based on a performance pattern that corresponds to the road surface on which the virtual vehicle is traveling. Therefore, the operator perceives a load that corresponds to the road surface displayed on the display unit 30.

[0046] An operation performed by the operator on the rotation operation unit 12 is detected by the angle detection unit 120 and the center detection unit 122. The angle detection unit 120 and the center detection unit 122 detect the rotation angle and the pressing operation on the rotation operation unit 12.

[0047] The central control unit 160 receives an operation signal indicating the input of the operation detected by the angle detection unit 120 and the central detection unit 122 via the rotation input circuit 123. The central control unit 160 outputs the received operation signal from the operation connection unit 163 to the main unit 2.

[0048] The main unit 2 progresses the game based on the operation signals received by the main unit connection unit 22.

[0049] <Other Configuration Examples of the Fluid Brake 140> Next, another configuration example of the fluid brake 140 will be described. FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the fluid brake 140 of the load unit 14 provided in the operating device disclosed herein. FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional exploded perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the fluid brake 140 provided in the operating device disclosed herein. The fluid brake 140 illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 includes a housing 140b having a container 140b1 and a lid 140b2, a first bearing 140c, a fluid chamber 140e, a magnetic field generating unit 140f, a yoke 140g, etc., and MR fluid 140a is sealed in the fluid chamber 140e. The housing 140b accommodates a rotating shaft 13 having a disk unit 130 and a rotor 131. The fluid brake 140 illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 has a disk portion 130 formed at the other end of the rotary shaft 13 housed in the housing 140b, and does not have a second bearing portion 140d.

[0050] Next, another exemplary configuration of the fluid brake 140 will be described. FIG. 13 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the internal structure of the fluid brake 140 of the load unit 14 included in the operating device disclosed herein. FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional exploded perspective view illustrating an example of the internal structure of the fluid brake 140 included in the operating device disclosed herein. The fluid brake 140 illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 includes a housing 140b, a first bearing 140c, a second bearing 140d, a fluid chamber 140e, a magnetic field generating unit 140f, a yoke 140g, etc., and an MR fluid 140a is sealed in the fluid chamber 140e. The housing 140b includes a substantially cylindrical body 140b3 with open top and bottom surfaces, a disk-shaped upper bottom plate 140b4 that closes the upper opening of the cylinder 140b3, and a substantially disk-shaped lower bottom plate 140b5 that closes the lower opening of the cylinder 140b3. The housing 140b accommodates a rotating shaft 13 having a disk portion 130 and a rotor 131. The fluid brake 140 illustrated in Figures 13 and 14 has a configuration in which a first bearing portion 140c such as a roller bearing is disposed at the center of an upper base plate 140b4 of the housing 140b, through which one end of the rotating shaft 13 passes, and a second bearing portion 140d such as a roller bearing is disposed at the center of a lower base plate 140b5, through which the other end of the rotating shaft 13 passes.

[0051] As described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 and FIGS. 13 and 14, the fluid brake 140 of the load section 14 provided in the operating device disclosed in the present application can be implemented in various structures.

[0052] As described above, the operation system OS disclosed in the present application generates a load in response to a rotation operation on the rotation operation unit 12 by using the fluid brake 140. As a result, the operation system OS disclosed in the present application generates a load in conjunction with a game such as a racing game, for example, to enhance the operation. This gives the operator a new operational sensation, such as a deeper sense of immersion. The load caused by the fluid brake 140 is a passive load, and creates a new sensation that differs from the active load created by driving an electric motor. This allows the operation system OS disclosed herein to create a more immersive operational sensation for the operator. Furthermore, when the operation system OS disclosed herein is configured to be linked to the image displayed on the display unit 30, it provides excellent effects, such as a deeper sense of immersion, including visual effects.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be embodied in various other forms. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as limiting. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited in any way by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and variations within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

[0054] For example, in the above embodiment, an operating system OS is shown that combines the controller device 1 with the main unit 2 such as a home game console or a personal computer, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be expanded into various forms. For example, the operating system OS disclosed in the present application can also be realized as a system of various industrial machines or the like that integrates the controller device 1, the main unit 2, and the display device 3.

[0055] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, a form in which the load section 14 generates a load on the rotation operation section 12 via the rotation axis 13 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be expanded into various forms, such as a form in which a load is generated directly in response to the rotation of the rotation operation section 12.

[0056] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, a virtual vehicle is displayed as the image of the moving object, and a road surface is displayed as the image showing the moving object's operating environment, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be expanded to various other forms. For example, examples of moving objects that operate based on a rotation operation include a rail car, an airplane, a spaceship, a ship, a submarine, an underground exploration vehicle, etc. Furthermore, examples of images showing the moving object's operating environment include a track, air, space, water surface, underwater, underground, and other virtual spaces. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] OS operating system 1 Operating device 11 Press operation section 12 Rotating operation unit 120 Angle detection unit 121 Pressing member 122 Central detection unit (detection unit) 123 Rotation input circuit 13 Rotating shaft 14 Load section 140 Fluid Brake 140a MR fluid (Magnetic Rheological Fluid) 140f Magnetic field generating unit 141 Magnetic Field Control Unit 15 Press detection unit 16 Control board (control unit) 160 Central Control Unit 161 Production Control Unit 162 Production Recording Department (Recording Department) 163 Operation Connection 2 Main unit 3 Display device 30 Display section

Claims

1. An operating device including a rotation operation unit that receives a rotation operation, a fluid brake that generates a load by a magnetorheological fluid in response to the rotation of the rotation operation unit; a control unit that controls the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid of the fluid brake using a magnetic field; a rotation shaft attached to the rotation operation unit and rotating in a circumferential direction in accordance with the rotation of the rotation operation unit; a disk portion formed to protrude radially from the rotation shaft; a cylindrical rotor attached to one surface of the disk portion; a magnetic field generating unit facing the rotor; Equipped with The fluid brake rotatably supports the rotary shaft, and the magnetic field generating unit generates a magnetic field to generate a load by a magnetorheological fluid against the rotation of the rotary shaft, the disk unit, and the rotor, thereby generating a load against the rotation of the rotary operation unit via the rotary shaft. An operating device comprising:

2. An operating device as described in claim 1, The fluid brake is a container that rotatably accommodates a portion of the rotation shaft and accommodates the magnetorheological fluid; The rotation axis is One end side protrudes from the housing and is attached to the rotation operation part, The other end is housed in the housing. An operating device characterized by:

3. 3. The operating device according to claim 1 or 2, It is a wheel mouse, The rotation operation unit is a mouse wheel. An operating device characterized by:

4. The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A detection unit is provided to detect an operation of the rotation operation unit in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation. An operating device characterized by:

5. An operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; a main body device that displays an image on a display unit based on the rotation operation received by the rotation operation unit; An operating system comprising:

6. An operating system according to claim 5, a recording unit configured to record a plurality of pieces of magnetic field information indicating a magnetic field pattern that controls the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid of the fluid brake; The control unit A magnetic field is generated based on the magnetic field information recorded in the recording unit. An operating system characterized by:

7. An operating system according to claim 6, When the main body device displays an image including an operating environment of an operating object that operates based on a rotation operation received by the rotation operation unit, The control unit A magnetic field is generated based on magnetic field information that indicates the magnetic field pattern according to the operating environment of the moving object displayed on the display unit. An operating system characterized by:

8. A fluid brake used in the operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images