Input device

Abstract

This input device comprises: an operation member having an operation surface; a vibration generation device for vibrating the operation surface; a detection unit for detecting an operation on the operation surface by an operation body; and a control unit for generating a vibration on the operation surface by controlling the vibration generation device according to the result of detecting the operation by the detection unit. The control unit controls the vibration generation device so that a first vibration is generated on the operation surface according to how far the operation body has moved from a starting point on the operation surface, and a second vibration of a different frequency than the first vibration is generated immediately after the first vibration is generated.

Description

Input Devices

[0001] The present invention relates to an input device.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-144993 discloses a technique for providing a clicking sensation to an operator by vibrating a vibrator attached to a top panel when the operator scrolls on a touch panel.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 listed below discloses a technology in which uneven portions are provided on the end face of a rotating body, and as the rotating body rotates, the convex portion of the engaging portion of the engaging member slides over the mountain-shaped uneven portion, thereby providing a clicking sensation when the rotating body is rotated.

[0004] International Publication No. 2016 / 163000 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-250457

[0005] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 can provide the operator with a clicking sensation similar to that produced when a push switch is pressed (a clicking sensation produced by the reversing action of a dome-shaped metal spring), but cannot provide the operator with a clicking sensation equivalent to that produced when an elastically biased protrusion slides over a mountain-shaped uneven portion, as disclosed in Patent Document 2.

[0006] An input device according to one embodiment includes an operating member having an operating surface, a vibration generating device that vibrates the operating surface, a detection unit that detects an operation on the operating surface by an operating body, and a control unit that generates vibrations on the operating surface by controlling the vibration generating device in accordance with the detection result of the operation by the detection unit, and the control unit controls the vibration generating device so that a first vibration is generated on the operating surface in accordance with the amount of movement of the operating body from a starting point on the operating surface, and immediately after the first vibration is generated, a second vibration having a frequency different from that of the first vibration is generated.

[0007] According to an input device according to an embodiment, it is possible to provide the operator with a clicking sensation equivalent to the clicking sensation that occurs when a protrusion slides over a mountain-shaped concave-convex portion.

[0008] a perspective view of the appearance of an input device according to one embodiment; a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of an input device according to one embodiment; a diagram showing the operation of a click mechanism provided in an incremental encoder; a graph showing the values ​​over time of acceleration occurring when a wheel operating member is continuously rotated at an approximately constant speed via an elastic member and rotational torque applied to a cam portion in an incremental encoder; a graph showing the values ​​over time of acceleration occurring when a wheel operating member is continuously rotated at an approximately constant speed via an elastic member and rotational torque applied to a cam portion in an incremental encoder; a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure by a control circuit provided in an input device according to one embodiment; a diagram showing an example (first example) of a slide operation on a slider portion in an input device according to one embodiment;

[0009] An embodiment will be described below. For convenience, in the following description, the X-axis direction in the drawings will be referred to as the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction in the drawings as the front-rear direction, and the Z-axis direction in the drawings as the up-down direction. The positive X-axis direction will be referred to as the rightward direction, the positive Y-axis direction as the forward direction, and the positive Z-axis direction as the upward direction. These directions indicate relative positional relationships within the device and do not limit the installation direction or operation direction of the device. Any devices that have the same relative positional relationships within the device, even if they have different installation directions or operation directions, are all within the scope of the present invention.

[0010] (Configuration of input device 100) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an input device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the input device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0011] 1 and 2, the input device 100 is provided on the steering wheel of a vehicle such as an automobile, and is operated by the driver of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the input device 100 includes a housing 110, a cover plate 120, an electrostatic sensor 130, a pressure sensor 135, a vibration generator 140, and a control circuit 150.

[0012] The housing 110 is a resin container-shaped member that is relatively thin in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and has an internal space. The housing 110 has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from above (positive Z-axis direction). The housing 110 has a generally rectangular upper opening 110A on its top surface.

[0013] The cover plate 120 is a horizontal, flat member. In a plan view, the cover plate 120 has substantially the same shape (i.e., a generally rectangular shape) as the upper opening 110A of the housing 110. The cover plate 120 is placed in the upper opening 110A of the housing 110 to close the upper opening 110A.

[0014] The cover plate 120 is an example of an "operation member," and the top surface of the cover plate 120 is a smooth, planar operation surface 121 that is touched by an operator. As shown in FIG. 1 , a slider portion 121A is provided in the center of the operation surface 121, which receives a sliding operation from the operator in the forward and backward directions (Y-axis direction). Furthermore, a plurality of buttons 121B that receive a pressing operation from the operator are provided around the slider portion 121A on the operation surface 121. Note that the operation surface 121 is not limited to being completely planar, and may be provided with protrusions, depressions, etc., so that the operator can tactilely identify the positions, shapes, etc. of the slider portion 121A and each button portion 121B.

[0015] The cover plate 120 is made of a hard material (for example, hard resin, glass, etc.) The operation surface 121 of the cover plate 120 is provided with a plurality of patterns, which are printed or the like, indicating operation positions and operation contents.

[0016] 2, the cover plate 120 is supported by the housing 110 via an elastic member 111 such as rubber or silicone. This makes the cover plate 120 more likely to vibrate relative to the housing 110. Although not shown, the housing 110 is provided with a receiving portion for the cover plate 120 to prevent the cover plate 120 from moving upward and coming off the housing 110.

[0017] The electrostatic sensor 130 is a sheet-like member that is superimposed on the underside of the cover plate 120. The electrostatic sensor 130 is configured to have a plurality of detection electrodes (not shown). The electrostatic sensor 130 is an example of a "detection unit," and when an operator's finger touches the operation surface 121 of the cover plate 120, the electrostatic capacitance of the detection electrode changes depending on the operation position, thereby detecting the touch operation.

[0018] The plurality of detection electrodes for detecting the operator's sliding operation in the Y-axis direction on slider portion 121A may have any configuration. For example, a configuration in which a plurality of electrodes extending in the X-axis direction and a plurality of electrodes extending in the Y-axis direction are arranged in a matrix, or a configuration in which a plurality of detection electrodes extending linearly or bent in the X-axis direction are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction. In this case, since the output of each detection electrode increases the closer it is to the operator's finger, control circuit 150 may determine the operator's position in the Y-axis direction at a predetermined time from the relationship between the outputs of each detection electrode, and perform this at predetermined time intervals to detect the operator's sliding operation in the Y-axis direction.

[0019] As another example, a pair of detection electrodes, one of which gradually widens in the positive direction of the Y axis and the other of which gradually narrows in the positive direction of the Y axis, may be arranged side by side in the X axis direction. In this case, the control circuit 150 may determine the position of the operator in the Y axis direction at a predetermined time based on the output ratio of the pair of detection electrodes, and may detect the operator's slide operation in the Y axis direction by performing this at predetermined time intervals.

[0020] Furthermore, the detection electrodes for detecting touch operations on the plurality of buttons 121B may have any configuration. For example, a configuration in which a plurality of electrodes extending in the X-axis direction and a plurality of electrodes extending in the Y-axis direction are arranged in a matrix may be used, or a configuration in which electrodes are provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of buttons 121B may be used.

[0021] The pressure sensor 135 is provided on the underside of the cover plate 120. When a pressing operation is performed on the operation surface 121 of the cover plate 120, the pressure sensor 135 is pressed by the cover plate 120, thereby detecting the operating pressure of the pressing operation.

[0022] The vibration generator 140 is provided on the underside of the cover plate 120. The vibration generator 140 generates vibrations under the control of the control circuit 150, thereby vibrating the operation surface 121 of the cover plate 120. For example, the vibration generator 140 is configured to include a coil, a magnet, a vibrating body, etc. When a current is supplied to the coil, the vibration generator 140 generates a Lorentz force between the coil and the magnet, causing the vibrating body, which is provided with either the coil or the magnet, to vibrate, thereby generating vibrations.

[0023] The control circuit 150 is an example of a "control unit" and controls the electrostatic sensor 130 and the vibration generating device 140. For example, the control circuit 150 detects a touch operation on the operation surface 121 of the cover plate 120 by driving the electrostatic sensor 130 and detecting a change in the electrostatic capacitance of each detection electrode in the electrostatic sensor 130. Then, the control circuit 150 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the touch operation to a controlled device (not shown) provided outside the input device 100.

[0024] Furthermore, for example, when the detected touch operation satisfies a predetermined vibration generation condition, the control circuit 150 drives the vibration generator 140 to generate vibrations in the vibration generator 140, thereby vibrating the operation surface 121 of the cover plate 120. This allows the input device 100 to present vibrations to the operator's fingers.

[0025] In particular, when a sliding operation on the slider portion 121A of the operation surface 121 is detected, the control circuit 150 can vibrate the operation surface 121 of the cover plate 120 so as to present the operator with a clicking sensation equivalent to the clicking sensation that occurs when the protrusion slides over the mountain-shaped uneven portion.

[0026] Specifically, when the control circuit 150 detects a slide operation on the slider portion 121A of the operation surface 121, it generates a first vibration (described below) on the operation surface 121 in accordance with the amount of movement d of the slide operation in the Y-axis direction, and then immediately generates a second vibration (described below), thereby enabling the operator to experience a clicking sensation equivalent to the clicking sensation that occurs when the protrusion slides over the mountain-shaped uneven portion.

[0027] For example, the control circuit 150 is realized by an integrated circuit (IC). Note that, although the control circuit 150 is provided inside the housing 110 in the example shown in Fig. 2, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control circuit 150 may be provided outside the housing 110, for example.

[0028] (Click mechanism provided in incremental encoder 10) Figure 3 is a diagram showing the operation of the click mechanism provided in the existing incremental encoder 10 disclosed in Patent Document 2. Note that the incremental encoder 10 has no rotation stopper and is rotatable endlessly, and generates a click sensation intermittently at every fixed rotation angle as it rotates, generating a rectangular wave along with the click sensation. Therefore, the click mechanism provided in the incremental encoder 10 is a click mechanism that generates a click sensation intermittently at every fixed rotation angle.

[0029] 3, the click mechanism of the incremental encoder 10 is configured such that a semicircular protrusion 12 is elastically brought into contact with a cam portion 11A (a mountain-shaped concave / convex portion) provided on the wheel operating member 11 by the biasing force of an elastic member (not shown), such as a coil spring. The cam portion 11A has cam lobes (convex portions) having a cam apex P2 and cam grooves (concave portions) having a cam stable point P1, which are alternately arranged in succession. The incremental encoder 10 is an example of an "envisioned incremental encoder with a click."

[0030] When the protrusion 12 is located near the cam stable point P1, a force (torque) that tries to fit the protrusion 12 into the cam groove is applied to the wheel operating member 11 by the biasing force of an elastic member (not shown), and when the protrusion 12 is located at the cam stable point P1, a force (torque) that tries to keep the protrusion 12 in the cam groove is applied. The pressure of the elastic member that elastically contacts the protrusion 12 toward the cam portion 11A is smallest at the cam stable point P1 and largest at the cam apex P2.

[0031] 3, in the incremental encoder 10, as the wheel operating member 11 rotates, the protrusion 12 slides up the cam portion 11A from the cam stable point P1 to the cam apex P2 (section 1), and after climbing over the cam apex P2, slides down the convex portion of the cam portion 11A to the next cam stable point P1 (section 2). In the incremental encoder 10, a clicking sensation occurs when the protrusion 12 passes the cam stable point P1. Note that since the wheel operating member 11 is continuously rotated, when the protrusion 12 passes the cam stable point P1, this is equivalent to when the protrusion 12 reaches the cam stable point P1.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the acceleration and rotational torque applied to the cam portion 11A over time when the wheel operating member 11 is continuously rotated at a substantially constant speed via an elastic member in the incremental encoder 10 shown in FIG. 3 . FIG. 4A shows the acceleration values ​​over time generated in the wheel operating member 11, with the positive side representing the rotational direction. FIG. 4B shows the torque values ​​over time generated in the cam portion 11A in the rotational direction, with the positive side representing the opposite side to the rotational direction. The wheel operating member 11 rotates by rotating the measuring jig at a constant speed, so it generally rotates at a substantially constant speed together with the measuring jig. However, because the elastic member has some elasticity, the acceleration of the wheel operating member 11 in the rotational direction is not necessarily constant, as shown in FIG. 4A . The elastic member between the measuring jig and the wheel operating member 11 simulates an actual human hand or arm.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4A , the wheel operating member 11 begins to rotate from the cam stable point P1 at approximately 0.01 seconds. Thereafter, the acceleration becomes zero, i.e., the wheel operating member rotates at a constant speed, until the protrusion 12 reaches the cam apex P2 at approximately 0.05 seconds. The wheel operating member 11 then decelerates, with its acceleration becoming negative between approximately 0.05 and 0.055 seconds. Then, the wheel operating member 11 suddenly decelerates after the protrusion 12 drops from the cam apex P2 into the cam groove between approximately 0.055 and 0.07 seconds, with its acceleration becoming negative between approximately 0.07 and 0.075 seconds. The wheel operating member 11 then increases its acceleration to a constant speed between 0.075 and 0.078 seconds, and this cycle is repeated thereafter.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4B, the rotational torque applied to cam portion 11A, i.e., the rotational torque imparted by protrusion 12 to cam portion 11A, is large immediately after rotation for approximately 0.03 seconds. Thereafter, because protrusion 12 has a roughly arcuate shape, the inclination angle decreases as protrusion 12 approaches cam apex P2. Therefore, the rotational torque applied to cam portion 11A decreases from approximately 0.03 to 0.070 seconds, and when protrusion 12 is at cam apex P2, the rotational torque applied to cam portion 11A becomes approximately zero. Thereafter, as protrusion 12 falls into the cam groove, a pulling force acts, and the rotational torque applied to cam portion 11A becomes negative. This process is repeated thereafter.

[0035] 4, timing t1 indicates the timing (time) when the protrusion 12 exceeds the cam stable point P1, timing t2 indicates the timing when the protrusion 12 exceeds the cam apex P2, and timing t3 indicates the timing when the protrusion 12 exceeds the next cam stable point P1.

[0036] In Figure 4, the reason why section 1 is longer than section 2 is that in section 1, the time required for rotating the wheel operating member 11 is long because the protrusion 12 moves up the cam lobe against the biasing force from the elastic member (i.e., the operating load becomes heavier), while in section 2, the time required for rotating the wheel operating member 11 is short because the protrusion 12 moves down the cam lobe using the biasing force from the elastic member (i.e., it moves without applying a load, so-called pulling force comes into play, and the operating load suddenly becomes lighter).

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4A, when the protrusion 12 exceeds the cam stable point P1 (timings t1 and t3), the acceleration acting on the wheel operating member 11 changes suddenly from the positive direction to the negative direction.

[0038] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the protrusion 12 exceeds the cam stable point P1 (timings t1 and t3), the value of the torque generated in the cam portion 11A changes abruptly.

[0039] When the protrusion 12 exceeds the cam stable point P1 (at times t1 and t3), such abrupt changes in acceleration and torque cause high-frequency vibrations in the wheel operating member 11. As a result, the operator of the wheel operating member 11 feels a clicking sensation.

[0040] The applicants also discovered that, as shown in Figure 4A, when the protrusion 12 exceeds the cam apex P2 (timing t2), the acceleration generated in the wheel operating member 11 changes from the negative direction to the positive direction.

[0041] Similarly, the applicants have discovered that, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the protrusion 12 exceeds the cam apex P2 (timing t2), the polarity of the torque generated in the cam portion 11A changes (the torque value changes between positive and negative), and a low-frequency acceleration vibration occurs that is lower in frequency than the high-frequency vibration generated when the cam stable point P1 is exceeded.

[0042] In other words, the applicants discovered that, as a phenomenon unique to the incremental encoder 10, not only does a high-frequency second vibration occur in the wheel operating member 11 when the protrusion 12 exceeds the cam stable point P1, but also a low-frequency first vibration occurs in the wheel operating member 11 when the previous protrusion 12 exceeds the cam apex P2.

[0043] The applicants then discovered that by generating a second vibration immediately after the first vibration in the wheel operating member 11, the operator can feel the clicking sensation unique to the wheel operating member 11 that occurs when the protrusion slides over the mountain-shaped uneven portion (cam portion 11A).

[0044] The input device 100 of one embodiment is intended to provide the operator with a clicking sensation equivalent to the clicking sensation obtained by the incremental encoder 10 (i.e., the clicking sensation that occurs when the protrusion portion 12 slides over the cam portion 11A) when the operator performs a sliding operation on the slider portion 121A of the operation surface 121.

[0045] Therefore, based on the above-described knowledge, the input device 100 according to one embodiment is configured so that when the operator performs a sliding operation on the slider portion 121A of the operation surface 121, the control circuit 150 generates the second vibration described above on the operation surface 121 immediately after generating the first vibration, thereby providing the operator with a clicking sensation equivalent to the clicking sensation obtained by the incremental encoder 10. In other words, the input device 100 according to one embodiment is configured so that the input device 100 generates the first vibration immediately before generating the second vibration, thereby providing the operator with a clicking sensation equivalent to the clicking sensation obtained by the incremental encoder 10.

[0046] (Processing Procedure by Control Circuit 150) Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure by the control circuit 150 included in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. The series of processes shown in Fig. 5 are repeatedly executed at a cycle short enough to determine which position on the slider portion 121A the operator is touching. The multiple detection electrodes of the electrostatic sensor 130 are arranged corresponding to the slider portion 121A and the multiple button portions 121B.

[0047] First, the control circuit 150 determines whether a touch operation has been performed on the operation surface 121 (step S501). For example, when a change in capacitance occurs in any of the detection electrodes of the electrostatic sensor 130, the control circuit 150 determines that a touch operation has been performed on the operation surface 121.

[0048] In step S501, if it is determined that no touch operation has been performed on the operation surface 121 (step S501: NO), the control circuit 150 ends the series of processes shown in FIG.

[0049] If it is determined in step S501 that a touch operation has been performed on operation surface 121 (step S501: YES), control circuit 150 determines whether the touch operation is performed on slider portion 121A (step S502). For example, if a change in capacitance occurs in any of the detection electrodes provided for slider portion 121A among the detection electrodes provided in electrostatic sensor 130, control circuit 150 determines that the touch operation is performed on slider portion 121A.

[0050] In step S502, if it is determined that the touch operation is not on the slider portion 121A (step S502: NO), that is, if it is determined that the touch operation is on one of the button portions 121B, the control circuit 150 executes a predetermined switch operation process (for example, a process of outputting a control signal corresponding to the touch operation on the button portion 121B to an external device to be controlled, or, if a subsequent pressing operation is detected by the pressure sensor 135, a process of outputting a control signal corresponding to the pressing operation to an external device to be controlled, a process of generating a switch feeling by generating vibrations, etc.) (step S503), and ends the series of processes shown in FIG. 5.

[0051] In step S502, if it is determined that the touch operation is on the slider portion 121A (step S502: YES), the control circuit 150 determines whether the operating pressure of the touch operation detected by the pressure sensor 135 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value a, i.e., whether the slider portion 121A is pressed down (step S504).

[0052] In step S504, if it is determined that the operating pressure of the touch operation is not equal to or greater than the threshold value a (step S504: NO), the control circuit 150 ends the series of processes shown in Fig. 5. In other words, if the operating pressure of the touch operation is not equal to or greater than the threshold value a, the control circuit 150 determines that the touch operation is not a slide operation performed intentionally by the operator, and invalidates the touch operation.

[0053] If it is determined in step S504 that the operating pressure of the touch operation is equal to or greater than the threshold value a (step S504: YES), the control circuit 150 calculates the movement distance d of the operating object in the Y-axis direction during the touch operation (step S505). For example, the control circuit 150 calculates the movement distance d of the operating object from the current touch position of the operating object, starting from the initial touch position or the cam stable point P1' set immediately before. The cam stable point P1' is a virtually set position on the slider portion 121A of the input device 100, and is a position set corresponding to the cam stable point P1 of the incremental encoder 10 described above.

[0054] Next, the control circuit 150 determines whether the operating object has passed the cam apex P2' based on the movement distance d calculated in step S505 (step S506). Note that the cam apex P2' is a virtual position set on the slider portion 121A of the input device 100, and is a position set corresponding to the cam apex P2 of the incremental encoder 10 described above. For example, if the movement distance d calculated in step S505 is greater than the distance between the cam stable point P1' and the cam apex P2', the control circuit 150 determines that the operating object has passed the cam apex P2'.

[0055] In step S506, if it is determined that the operating object has not passed over the cam apex P2' (step S506: NO), the control circuit 150 ends the series of processes shown in FIG.

[0056] If it is determined in step S506 that the operating object has passed the cam apex P2' (step S506: YES), the control circuit 150 determines whether the first vibration has been generated (step S507).

[0057] If it is determined in step S507 that the first vibration has not been generated (step S507: NO), the control circuit 150 executes a first vibration generation process (step S508) and ends the series of processes shown in Fig. 5. Specifically, the first vibration generation process is a process of driving the vibration generator 140 to generate a first vibration in the vibration generator 140, thereby generating the first vibration on the operation surface 121 of the cover plate 120. Although damped vibration may remain after the first vibration is generated, the vibration is sufficiently small to be negligible.

[0058] If it is determined in step S507 that the first vibration has been generated (step S507: YES), the control circuit 150 determines whether the operating object has passed the cam stable point P1′ based on the movement distance d calculated in step S505 (step S509). For example, if the movement distance d calculated in step S505 is greater than the distance between two adjacent cam stable points P1′, the control circuit 150 determines that the operating object has passed the cam stable point P1′.

[0059] If it is determined in step S509 that the operating object has passed the cam stable point P1′ (step S509: YES), the control circuit 150 executes a second vibration generation process (step S511) and terminates the series of processes shown in FIG. 5 . Specifically, the second vibration generation process is a process of driving the vibration generator 140 to generate a second vibration in the vibration generator 140, thereby generating a second vibration having a higher frequency than the first vibration on the operating surface 121 of the cover plate 120. Although damped vibration may remain after the second vibration is generated, this vibration is sufficiently small to be negligible. Furthermore, the method of determining that the cam stable point P1′ has been passed may be based on the initial touch position or the cam stable point P1′ set immediately before, or based on the cam apex P2′.

[0060] In step S509, if it is determined that the operating body has not exceeded the cam stable point P1' (step S509: NO), the control circuit 150 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the first vibration was generated (step S510).

[0061] In step S510, if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the first vibration was generated (step S510: NO), the control circuit 150 ends the series of processes shown in FIG.

[0062] In step S510, if it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the first vibration was generated (step S510: YES), the control circuit 150 executes a second vibration generation process (step S511) and ends the series of processes shown in FIG. 5.

[0063] In the above flow, only vibration generation for slider portion 121A has been described and the description thereof has been omitted, but control circuit 150 also outputs a signal corresponding to the touch position on slider portion 121A by the operator.

[0064] (First Example of a Slide Operation on the Slider Portion 121A) Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a first example of a slide operation on the slider portion 121A in the input device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 6 shows an example in which a relatively high-speed slide operation is performed.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 6, the control circuit 150 determines the position on the slider portion 121A that the operator's finger first touches as a starting point P0.

[0066] Then, when the movement distance d from the starting point P0 of the slide operation exceeds a predetermined distance D1 (the distance between the cam stable point P1' and the cam apex P2'), the control circuit 150 determines that the operating body has exceeded the first cam apex P2' and executes the first vibration generation process.

[0067] Immediately thereafter, when the movement distance d from the starting point P0 of the slide operation exceeds a predetermined distance D2 (the distance between the cam stable point P1' and the next cam stable point P1') before a predetermined time has elapsed, the control circuit 150 determines that the operating body has exceeded the first cam stable point P1' and executes a second vibration generation process.

[0068] Subsequently, when the movement distance d from the first cam stable point P1' exceeds a predetermined distance D1, the control circuit 150 determines that the operating body has passed the next cam apex P2', and executes the first vibration generating process.

[0069] Immediately thereafter, when the movement distance d from the first cam stable point P1' exceeds a predetermined distance D2 before a predetermined time has elapsed, the control circuit 150 determines that the operating body has passed the next cam stable point P1' and executes a second vibration generation process.

[0070] In this way, when a relatively high-speed sliding operation is performed on the slider portion 121A, the control circuit 150 generates a first vibration on the operating surface 121 and then generates a second vibration based on the movement distance d, thereby generating the first vibration and the second vibration successively at short intervals, and thus presenting the operator with a clicking sensation equivalent to that obtained by the incremental encoder 10.

[0071] (Second Example of a Slide Operation on the Slider Portion 121A) Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a second example of a slide operation on the slider portion 121A in the input device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 7 shows an example in which a relatively slow slide operation is performed.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 7, the control circuit 150 determines the position on the slider portion 121A that the operator's finger first touches as a starting point P0.

[0073] Then, when the movement distance d from the starting point P0 of the slide operation exceeds a predetermined distance D1 (the distance between the cam stable point P1' and the cam apex P2'), the control circuit 150 determines that the operating body has exceeded the first cam apex P2' and executes the first vibration generation process.

[0074] Immediately thereafter, when a predetermined time has elapsed before the movement distance d from the starting point P0 of the slide operation exceeds a predetermined distance D2 (the distance between the cam stable point P1' and the next cam stable point P1'), the control circuit 150 regards the contact position of the operating body at that time as the first cam stable point P1', determines that the first cam stable point P1' has been exceeded, and executes the second vibration generation process.

[0075] Subsequently, when the movement distance d from the first cam stable point P1' exceeds a predetermined distance D1, the control circuit 150 determines that the operating body has passed the next cam apex P2', and executes the first vibration generating process.

[0076] Immediately thereafter, when a predetermined time has elapsed before the movement distance d from the first cam stable point P1' exceeds a predetermined distance D2 (the distance between the cam stable point P1' and the next cam stable point P1'), the control circuit 150 regards the contact position of the operating body at that time as the next cam stable point P1', determines that the next cam stable point P1' has been exceeded, and executes the second vibration generation process.

[0077] In this way, the control circuit 150 increases the frequency of the second vibration above the frequency of the first vibration, thereby obtaining vibration equivalent to the acceleration vibration that occurs when a click feeling is generated in the actual incremental encoder 10, and therefore, a click feeling equivalent to that of the actual incremental encoder 10 can be presented to the operator.

[0078] When a relatively slow sliding operation is performed on the slider portion 121A, the control circuit 150 generates a first vibration on the operation surface 121, and then generates a second vibration after a predetermined time has elapsed, thereby preventing the distance between the first vibration and the second vibration from becoming too great and preventing the operator from mistakenly perceiving the first vibration and the second vibration as separate click sensations.

[0079] Furthermore, this allows the control circuit 150 to generate a second vibration after a predetermined time has elapsed, even if the slide operation ends at a position just before the cam stable point P1' after generating the first vibration, thereby preventing the operator from experiencing an unnatural operating sensation, such as the slide operation ending with only the first vibration.

[0080] The applicants have found through experiments that setting the interval between the first vibration and the second vibration to within 40 msec makes it easier for the operator to feel the first vibration and the second vibration as a single click. Therefore, it is preferable that the control circuit 150 generates the second vibration within 40 msec after generating the first vibration.

[0081] Furthermore, the applicants have found through experiments and the like that by setting the frequency of the first vibration to 140 Hz or less, more preferably 100 Hz or less, the operator is more likely to feel the first vibration as a sensation of protrusion 12 climbing over the next cam apex P2 (i.e., a sense of force) rather than as a simple vibration. Therefore, it is preferable that control circuit 150 generates, as the first vibration, a vibration with a frequency of 140 Hz or less, more preferably a vibration with a frequency of 100 Hz or less, and 100 Hz is even more preferable.

[0082] Furthermore, the applicants have found through experiments and the like that by setting the frequency of the second vibration to 180 Hz or higher, the operator is more likely to feel as if the protrusion 12 is fitting into the cam stable point P1. Therefore, it is preferable that the control circuit 150 generates a vibration with a frequency of 180 Hz or higher as the second vibration.

[0083] Furthermore, the control circuit 150 may output a square wave signal to an external device (e.g., a device to be controlled) in synchronization with controlling the vibration generator 140 to generate the first vibration or the second vibration. For example, the control circuit 150 may output a square wave signal to an external device at the same time as generating the second vibration. This allows the control circuit 150 to synchronize the timing at which the operator feels a clicking sensation with the timing at which the square wave signal starts controlling the device to be controlled, thereby providing the operator with a more natural operating feel.

[0084] Furthermore, the applicants have found through experiments and the like that by making the amplitude of the first vibration smaller than the amplitude of the second vibration, the amplitude of the first vibration and the second vibration are more likely to be perceived as the same click sensation. This is believed to be because it is possible to obtain vibration equivalent to the acceleration vibration that occurs when a click sensation is generated in the actual incremental encoder 10. Therefore, it is preferable that the control circuit 150 make the amplitude of the first vibration smaller than the amplitude of the second vibration.

[0085] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

[0086] For example, when the moment of the incremental encoder 10 to be simulated is M, the slope of the torque curve when the protrusion 12 of the incremental encoder 10 passes through the cam apex P2 is K1, and the slope of the torque curve when the protrusion 12 of the incremental encoder 10 passes through the cam stable point P1 is K2, the frequency F1 of the first vibration is (K1 / M). 1 / 2 [rad / sec], and the frequency F2 of the second vibration is set to (K2 / M) 1 / 2 It may be set to [rad / sec].

[0087] This allows the control circuit 150 to set the frequency F1 of the first vibration to a suitable value according to the characteristics of the incremental encoder 10 to be simulated.

[0088] Furthermore, for example, the control circuit 150 may set the frequency of the first vibration higher than the frequency of the second vibration. In this case, depending on the adjustment of the frequency, etc., it may be possible to obtain a click feeling similar to that of the incremental encoder 10, or even if such a click feeling cannot be obtained, it is possible to at least provide the operator with a click feeling different from that obtained when pressing a push switch.

[0089] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-021270, filed on February 15, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0090] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Incremental encoder 11 Wheel operating member 11A Cam portion 12 Projection portion P0 Starting point P1, P1' Cam stable point P2, P2' Cam apex 100 Input device 110 Housing 110A Upper opening 111 Elastic member 120 Cover plate (operating member) 121 Operation surface 121A Slider portion 121B Button portion 130 Electrostatic sensor (detecting portion) 135 Pressure sensor 140 Vibration generating device 150 Control circuit (control portion)

Claims

1. An input device comprising: an operating member having an operating surface; a vibration generating device that vibrates said operating surface; a detection unit that detects an operation on said operating surface by an operating object; and a control unit that controls said vibration generating device in accordance with the detection result of said operation by said detection unit, so that a first vibration is generated on said operating surface in accordance with the amount of movement of the operating object from a starting point on said operating surface, and immediately after the first vibration is generated, a second vibration having a frequency different from that of the first vibration is generated.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit increases the frequency of the second vibration higher than the frequency of the first vibration.

3. The input device according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit controls the vibration generating device so that the second vibration occurs on the operation surface within a predetermined time after the first vibration has ended.

4. The input device according to claim 3, characterized in that the control unit controls the vibration generating device so that the second vibration occurs on the operation surface within 40 msec after the first vibration has ended.

5. When the moment of an assumed incremental encoder with a click is M, the gradient of the torque curve when the protrusion of the incremental encoder passes through the cam apex of the incremental encoder is K1, and the gradient of the torque curve when the protrusion passes through the cam stable point of the incremental encoder is K2, the frequency F1 of the first vibration is (K1 / M) 1 / 2 [rad / sec], and the frequency F2 of the second vibration is set to (K2 / M) 1 / 2 3. The input device according to claim 2, wherein the input speed is set to [rad / sec].

6. The input device according to claim 2, wherein the frequency of the first vibration is 140 Hz or less.

7. An input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control unit outputs a rectangular wave signal in synchronization with controlling the vibration generating device to generate the first vibration or the second vibration.

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