Operation device and operation system

Abstract

Provided are an operation device and an operation system capable of outputting a sound according to a preference or a request of a user.　The operation device CTR comprises one or a plurality of operation units 2 that receive an input operation from an operator. The operation device CTR further comprises a sound output unit 3 that outputs sound. The sound output unit 3 outputs sound on the basis of the operation received by the operation unit 2 and can adjust the sound output from the sound output unit 3 on the basis of the operation received from the operation unit 2. Also, the operation device CTR can be configured so as to adjust sound in synchronization with the operation received by the operation unit 2. Further, the operation device CTR can be configured so as to generate a load on the operation unit 2 in synchronization with the output of sound.

Description

Operating device and operating system

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

[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. Such operating devices use switches such as microswitches that open and close circuits in response to pressure from the operator (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Operating devices such as mice and keyboards are required to have various characteristics depending on 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 reduce noise.

[0003] JP 2018-163480 A

[0004] In conventional operating devices such as mice, sounds generated by operations, such as click sounds, depend on built-in microswitches, for example, and it has been difficult to change the sounds.

[0005] However, user preferences and demands are becoming more diverse, and there are cases where users desire to change the sound based on operations in accordance with their preferences or demands.

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

[0007] Another object of the present application is to disclose an operation system using such an operation device.

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the operating device disclosed in the present application is characterized by comprising an operating unit that receives input operations from an operator, a sound output unit that outputs sound based on the operations received by the operating unit, and a control unit that adjusts the sound output from the sound output unit based on the operations received from the operating unit.

[0009] Furthermore, the operating device disclosed in the present application comprises an operating unit that receives input operations from an operator, 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 is characterized in that it has 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 further includes a memory unit that stores original sound data used to output sound, and the adjustment means of the control unit performs adjustments including pitch adjustment or tempo adjustment based on the original sound data.

[0011] Furthermore, the operating device disclosed in the present application is characterized in that it further 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] Furthermore, in the operating device disclosed in the present application, the operating unit has a rotation operation unit that accepts a rotation operation, the adjustment means adjusts the sound output from the sound output unit based on the rotation speed of 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 comprises a first operation unit and a second operation unit that accept input operations from an operator, 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 is characterized in that it has 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.

[0016] The operating device disclosed herein includes a sound output unit that outputs sound and can adjust the sound output based on the operation, thereby providing excellent effects such as the ability to meet the preferences or needs of the user.

[0017] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an operating device disclosed herein. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an operating device disclosed herein. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the appearance of an operating device disclosed herein. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the appearance of an operating device disclosed herein. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an operating system using an operating device disclosed herein. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an operating device disclosed herein. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of an operating device disclosed herein. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a display unit provided in an electronic device connected to an operating device disclosed herein. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of an operating device disclosed herein. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an operating device disclosed herein. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal structure of a load unit provided in an operating device disclosed herein. FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded sectional view showing an example of the internal structure of a load unit provided in an operating device disclosed herein. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the properties of a magnetorheological fluid used in a load unit provided in an operating device disclosed herein. 1 is a graph showing the characteristics of a magnetorheological fluid used in a load unit included in the operating device disclosed herein. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the operating device disclosed herein. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an operating system using the operating device disclosed herein.

[0018] <Application Examples> Below, examples of embodiments of the operating device disclosed herein are described with reference to the drawings. The operating device disclosed herein is realized as a device such as a mouse, keyboard, stick controller, or audio mixer used to operate electronic devices such as personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs), game devices, industrial equipment, and audio / visual devices. The operating device includes one or more operating units that accept input operations from an operator. The operating units can be classified into various operating units, such as a pressing operation unit that accepts pressing operations, a rotating operation unit that accepts rotating operations, a tilting operation unit that accepts tilting operations, and a sliding operation unit that accepts sliding operations. Below, various devices illustrated as operating devices CTR are described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] <Implementation Forms> First, the external appearances of a plurality 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 herein. Fig. 1 shows, as a first embodiment, an example in which the operating device CTR disclosed herein is applied to a mouse used to operate an electronic device ELD such as a personal computer. The operating device CTR includes a housing 1 incorporating various components described below. An operating unit 2 that accepts operations by an operator is disposed in the housing 1 of the operating device CTR. The operating device CTR (mouse) illustrated in Fig. 1 includes 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 rotation operation.

[0021] The operating device CTR includes a sound output unit 3, such as a speaker that outputs sound, inside the housing 1. For convenience, in Fig. 1, 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 inside the housing 1 at a position corresponding to the opening. The sound output unit 3 outputs, for example, a sound associated with a pressing operation, a sound simulating a so-called click sound, in synchronization with a pressing operation on the pressing operation unit 2A.

[0022] The controller CTR performs wired or wireless communication with the external electronic device ELD. The controller 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 controller CTR and the electronic device ELD.

[0023] The terms "pressing operation unit 2A" and "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 the following functions: 1. In response to an operation, the operating unit 2 outputs a sound from the sound output unit 3 in synchronization with the operation; and 2. In response to an operation, the operating unit 2 adjusts the sound output from the sound output unit 3. If the operating device CTR is a mouse as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the mouse wheel functions as the adjusting rotating operation unit 2B, 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 a single 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 an operating device CTR disclosed herein. Fig. 2 shows, as a second embodiment, an example in which the operating device CTR disclosed herein is applied to a keyboard used to operate an electronic device ELD such as a personal computer. 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 the sound associated with the pressing operation, for example, in synchronization with the 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 a controller device CTR disclosed herein. Fig. 3 shows an example in which the controller device CTR disclosed herein is applied to a stick controller as a third embodiment. The controller 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 it. 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 an operating device CTR disclosed herein. Fig. 4 shows an example in which the operating device CTR disclosed herein is applied to an audio mixer as the fourth embodiment. The operating device CTR includes a housing 1. The housing 1 includes a pressing operation unit 2A such as a push button that accepts a pressing operation, a rotation operation unit 2B such as a dial that accepts a rotation operation for horizontal rotation, and a sliding operation unit 2D such as a slider that accepts a sliding operation.

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

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

[0030] The operation device CTR has a sound output unit 3 built in a housing 1, and the sound output unit 3 outputs a sound associated with an operation in synchronization with the operation.

[0031] <Sixth embodiment> Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an operation system using an operation device CTR disclosed herein. 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 herein 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 in which a keyboard and a mouse are used as the operation devices CTR, but an operation system can be formed 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, a plurality of embodiments will be described as examples of the functional configuration and processing of the controller device CTR disclosed in the present application.

[0034] 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of an operating device CTR disclosed herein. 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, as described above, and a sound output unit 3, and includes a control board 4 housed within 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. Power is supplied to the various circuits mounted on the control board 4 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 pieces 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 that can reproduce the waveform of the operation sound. The original sound data 41a is generated, for example, based on the results of sampling various sounds. The storage unit 41 stores a plurality of pieces of original sound data 41a that can reproduce various sound waveforms, such as metallic sounds, dull sounds, and soft sounds. The stored plurality of pieces of original sound data 41a are linked to each type, such as metallic sounds and dull sounds, 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 personal computers, via 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 converter 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 description will be given of the processing in the first embodiment. The controller device CTR disclosed in the present application outputs sound from the sound output unit 3 based on an operation received by the controller device CTR. The output sound can be adjusted based on an operation received from the operation unit 2.

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

[0044] The presentation of sounds is performed by outputting candidate sounds from the sound output unit 3. The operation device CTR may be configured so that the presentation of sounds and the acceptance of selection can be performed in a single operation as a setting process. For example, the operation device CTR disclosed in the present application may be implemented in various forms, such as by simultaneously pressing the "Ctrl" key and the "F1" key, which function as shortcut keys that set a sound and output the set sound.

[0045] Furthermore, sound presentation may be performed by displaying candidate sound options in the form of a menu tree or the like on a display unit, such as an LCD 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 herein. FIG. 9 shows candidate sound options in the form of a menu tree. The original sound data 41a relating to the candidate sounds are linked to each system, and the menu tree is determined based on the system assignment. In FIG. 8 , four sound systems, Menus A to D, are displayed as the top menu, and Menu B is selected. Menu B displays four sound systems as the first submenu, and Menu B3 is selected. Menu B3 displays five sound systems as the second submenu, and Menu B34 is selected. Menu B34 displays four sound systems as the third submenu, and Menu B344 is selected. The operator displays the options as a menu tree and selects a desired sound from the displayed options.

[0046] Next, a sound output process by the controller device CTR will be described. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the process of the controller device CTR disclosed herein. The controller device CTR receives a user operation via the operation unit 2 and starts the sound output process. The controller device CTR detects the operation via the detection unit 20 (S201) and outputs a detection signal indicating the detected operation 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 electrical signal by the D / A conversion unit 43 (S203). The analog electrical signal converted in step S203 is an electrical signal that represents the waveform of the sound.

[0049] 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 and tempo based on the settings using the sound element adjustment unit 44 (S204). In step S204, the sound element adjustment unit 44 may adjust the elements by adjusting amplitude for each frequency band, i.e., by using an equalizer, in addition to adjusting the pitch and tempo.

[0050] The control unit 40 amplifies the adjusted analog electrical 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). The sound output in step S207 is performed in synchronization with the operation received from the operation unit 2, so 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 operating device CTR disclosed herein adjusts the sound output based on the settings adjusted using the operating unit 2. Therefore, the operating device CTR disclosed herein can set and output a desired operation sound. The inventors of the present application have found through experiments and the like that the operating sensation of an operator is affected by the operation sound, and adjusting the operation sound makes it possible to adjust the operation feel. Furthermore, the operation sound makes it possible to recognize what operation was performed.

[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 herein. The operation device CTR accepts a user operation via the operation unit 2 and starts the setting and output processing. The operation device CTR detects the operation via 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 and tempo 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 operating device CTR reads the original sound data 41a in step S302 and performs an adjustment process in step S304 in accordance with the detected content. For example, when a rotary operation unit 2B such as a dial is used as the operating unit 2 and a rotary operation is performed as the operation, the original sound data 41a is read and adjusted in accordance with the detected content. Specifically, the control unit 40 of the operating device CTR detects a rotary operation of the rotary operation unit 2B in step S301. Then, in step S302, the control unit 40 reads the original sound data 41a selected based on the rotation speed or rotation angle of the rotary operation, and in step S304, adjusts the sound to be output based on the rotation speed or rotation angle of the rotary operation. That is, when the operating device CTR receives an operation from the rotary operation unit 2B such as a dial, the operating device CTR changes the sound to be output based on the rotation angle, for example, changing the pitch of the sound to be output in the first and second rotations. Furthermore, when the operating device CTR receives an operation from the rotation operating unit 2B, the operating device CTR changes 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 increases. 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 adjustments for the rotation speed.

[0058] As an application example of the second embodiment, the control 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 control 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 each time the sliding operation is performed a certain distance, adjusting the pitch continuously during the sliding operation, or adjusting the pitch at 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, to operate other keys.

[0061] Third Embodiment The third embodiment is an embodiment in which, in addition to the sound output, the operational feel can be adjusted in the first or second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a control device CTR disclosed herein. The control device CTR includes an operation 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, as well as a sound output unit 3 and a control board 4. The operation unit 2 includes a detection unit 20, such as a linear sensor, and a load unit 21, such as an MR (Magneto-Rheological) fluid brake. 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 load data 41b in addition to the original sound data 41a. The load data 41b is digital data that can reproduce 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 operation of the operating unit 2. Materials such as magnetorheological fluid and magnetorheological powder are used as the magnetorheological material. The following describes an example in which a magnetorheological fluid (hereinafter, illustrated and described as MR fluid 210) is used as the magnetorheological material. The operating device CTR disclosed herein generates a feeling of operation, a so-called clicking sensation, in response to a rotation operation by generating a load from the load unit 21 on the rotation axis 2B0, which serves as the axis of rotation, for the operating unit 2, which 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 herein. 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 herein. The load unit 21 includes a generally 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 FIGS. 13 and 14 will be referred to as "up" and the lower side as "down." Note that the up and down directions are used for convenience of explanation and do not limit the installation direction. The container 211 includes a generally cylindrical container 211a with a bottom and an open upper bottom, and a generally disk-shaped lid 211b that covers the open opening of the container 211a. A portion of the rotating shaft 2B0 is rotatably housed within the housing 211, and one end of the rotating shaft 2B0 protrudes from the center of the lid portion 211b of the housing 211 and is attached to the rotation operation unit 2B. A first bearing portion 212, such as a roller bearing, is disposed near the center of the lid portion 211b through which the rotating shaft 2B0 is inserted, and rotatably supports the rotating shaft 2B0. The other end of the rotating shaft 2B0 is rotatably supported by a second bearing portion 213, such as a plain bearing, attached to the inner surface of the lower bottom side of the housing 211, and is housed within the housing 211. A substantially circular disk portion 214 is formed on the rotating shaft 2B0 so as to protrude radially, and the disk portion 214 is housed within the housing 211. A cylindrical rotor 215 that rotates together with the disk portion 214 is attached to the underside of the disk portion 214 by screwing, adhesive, or other means, or is integrally molded with the disk portion 214.

[0066] A fluid chamber 216 containing the MR fluid 210 is formed inside the housing 211 so that the MR fluid 210 comes into contact with components such as the disk portion 214 and rotor 215 of the rotating shaft 2B0. Because the MR fluid 210 sealed in the fluid chamber 216 comes into contact with the disk portion 214 and rotor 215 of the rotating shaft 2B0, the viscosity of the MR fluid 210 acts as 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 to control the viscosity of the MR fluid 210 is arranged so as to wind around the rotating shaft 2B0. A yoke 218 is also arranged inside the housing 211 to efficiently control the viscosity of the MR fluid 210 using the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit 217. Note that the MR fluid brake described using FIGS. 13 and 14 is one example of a load unit 21 that can be deployed in various forms, and is not limited to this. 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. FIGS. 15 and 16 are explanatory diagrams schematically illustrating the characteristics of the MR fluid 210 (magnetorheological fluid) used in the load unit 21 included in the operating device CTR disclosed herein. FIG. 15 conceptually illustrates the MR fluid 210 when not subjected to a magnetic field, and FIG. 16 conceptually illustrates the MR fluid 210 when a magnetic field is applied. The MR fluid 210 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. 15 , when not subjected to a magnetic field, the particles are uniformly dispersed in the liquid. As illustrated in FIG. 16 , when subjected to a magnetic field, the ferromagnetic particles are magnetized and attract each other, forming clusters, thereby increasing the viscosity of the liquid. The degree of cluster formation can be controlled by the magnetic field, so the viscosity can be adjusted by controlling the magnetic field, and the load applied to the rotating shaft 2B0 can be controlled using the adjusted viscosity.

[0068] Fig. 17 is a graph showing the characteristics of the MR fluid 210 (magnetorheological fluid) used in the load unit 21 included in the operating device CTR disclosed herein. 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, processing in the third embodiment will be described. The processing for setting the operation load by the load unit 21 is substantially the same as the setting processing in the first embodiment described using FIG. 8. Next, load processing by the load unit 21 of the operation device CTR will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the operation device CTR disclosed in the present application. The operation device CTR accepts a user operation at the operation unit 2 and starts 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 operation 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 of the rotation operation unit 2B, in accordance with settings such as a predetermined rotation angle and a predetermined rotation speed.

[0072] 18 , a load is applied to the rotation shaft 2B0 of the rotation operation unit 2B. The operator perceives the load from the rotation operation as an operational sensation such as a "click, click." The operation device CTR disclosed in the present application can synchronously execute the sound output process and the load process associated with the operation. Therefore, the operator can perceive the operation sound and operational sensation associated with the operation as a click sound and a click sensation.

[0073] The operating device CTR disclosed herein 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 herein is provided with a load unit 21 for the sliding operating unit 2D, it can be deployed in various forms, such as generating a clicking sensation according to the distance of the sliding operation. Furthermore, the operating device CTR disclosed herein may be deployed in various forms, such as providing a load unit 21 for the pressing operating unit 2A that uses a linear switch that does not inherently generate a clicking sensation, thereby generating a clicking sensation at any position.

[0074] Fourth Embodiment The fourth embodiment is a configuration in which multiple operating devices CTR are used in the first, second, or third embodiment. For example, this functional configuration is applied to the sixth embodiment described using FIG. 6 as an example of the external appearance of the embodiment. FIG. 19 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the functional configuration of an operating system using an operating device CTR disclosed herein. FIG. 19 illustrates an operating system including multiple operating devices CTR, such as a keyboard and a mouse. The configuration of each of the multiple operating devices CTR is substantially similar to that of the operating device CTR illustrated in the first embodiment and the like, and each includes a communication connection unit 48 for communicating with the other operating devices CTR. The first operating device CTR and the other operating devices CTR transmit and receive information via wireless or wired communication via the communication connection unit 48. The first operating device CTR and the other operating devices CTR may communicate via an electronic device ELD. In this case, the first operating device CTR and the other operating devices CTR communicate via a 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, respectively. For example, the control unit 40 of one operation device CTR can adjust the sound output from the sound output unit 3 of the operation device based on an operation received from the operation unit 2 of the other operation device CTR. The control unit 40 of one operation device CTR then outputs the adjusted sound from the sound output unit 3 of the operation device CTR in synchronization with the operation received from the operation unit 2 of the operation device CTR. The processing related to sound adjustment and output of the operation device CTR of the operation system is substantially similar to the processing exemplified in the first embodiment and other embodiments. Therefore, the operation system disclosed herein allows, for example, the click sound of a mouse, which is one operation device CTR, to be set using a keyboard, which is the other operation device CTR. The sound setting and adjustment by the operation unit 2 of one operation device CTR may be performed before or synchronized with the operation by the operation unit 2 of the other operation device CTR.

[0076] As described above, the operating device CTR disclosed herein has excellent advantages, such as the ability to adjust (set) sounds generated based on operation, and the ability to provide an operating feel that meets the preferences or needs 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 etc. disclosed in the present application can adjust the load on the operation, thereby achieving excellent effects such as the ability to create an operating feel that meets the preferences or demands 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 so that two operating units 2 share the responsibility for adjustment and sound output, or further, the two operating units 2 may be implemented in a form in which each of the two operating units 2 is provided in a different operating device CTR.

[0080] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and 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.

[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] CTR operating device 1 Housing 2 Operating section 2A Pressing operation section 2B Rotating operation section 2B0 Rotating shaft 2C Tilt operation section 2D Sliding operation section 20 Detecting section 21 Load section 210 MR fluid (magnetic rheological material) 211 Container 211a Container 211b Lid section 212 First bearing section 213 Second bearing section 214 Disk section 215 Rotor 216 Fluid chamber 217 Magnetic field generating section 218 Yoke 3 Sound output section 4 Control board 40 Control section 41 Memory section 41a Original sound data 41b Load data 42 Communication section 43 D / A conversion section 44 Sound element adjustment section (adjustment section) 45 Amplifying section 46 Volume adjustment section 47 Control connection section 48 Communication connection section ELD electronic equipment

Claims

1. An operating device comprising: an operating unit that receives input operations from an operator; a sound output unit that outputs sound based on the operation received by the operating unit; and a control unit that adjusts the sound output from the sound output unit based on the operation received from the operating unit.

2. An operating device comprising: an operating unit that receives input operations from an operator; a sound output unit that outputs sound; and a control unit that controls the sound output from the sound output unit, wherein the control unit has: 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 causes the sound adjusted by the adjustment means to be output from the sound output unit in synchronization with the operation received by the operating unit.

3. An operating device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a memory unit for storing original sound data used to output sound, and wherein the adjustment means of the control unit performs adjustments including pitch adjustment or tempo adjustment based on the original sound data.

4. An operating device as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising a load section which generates a load on the operation of the operating section, and wherein the control section causes the load section to generate a load on the operating section in synchronization with the output of sound from the sound output section.

5. An operating device according to claim 4, characterized in that the load section is a fluid brake that generates a load using a magnetorheological material.

6. An operating device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the operating section has a rotation operation section which accepts a rotation operation, the adjustment means adjusts the sound output from the sound output section based on the rotation speed of the rotation operation accepted by the rotation operation section, and the output control means outputs the sound adjusted by the adjustment means from the sound output section in synchronization with the rotation operation accepted by the rotation operation section used to adjust the sound.

7. An operating device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, comprising an operating section that receives a pressing operation, a rotating operation, a tilting operation or a sliding operation.

8. An operation system comprising: a first operation unit and a second operation unit that accept input operations from an operator; a sound output unit that outputs sound; and a control unit that controls the sound output from the sound output unit, wherein the control unit has: 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, from the sound output unit, the sound adjusted by the adjustment means in synchronization with the operation accepted from the second operation unit.

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