Vehicle-mounted device control unit

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted device control unit using a manual input device with a force feedback function, and more particularly to an improving means for the force feedback function.

2. Description of the Prior Art

According to the prior art, there are already known manual input devices with a force feedback function whose knob is enabled to cause the operator to sense resistance and provide a thrust according to the quantity and direction of its manipulation to ensure accurate manipulation of the knob as the input means by enabling the operator to well feel its reaction to the manipulation.

FIG. 11

illustrates a known example of manual input device of this kind. This manual input device consists of a rotary knob

101

, a detecting device

102

for detecting the quantity and direction of the rotation of the rotary knob

101

, an actuator

103

for loading the rotary knob

101

with an external force, a control unit

104

for taking in a detection signal a supplied from the detecting device

102

and generating a control signal c for the actuator

103

, a D/A converter

105

for digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion of control signals c supplied from the control unit

104

, and a power amplifier

106

for obtaining drive power for the actuator

103

by amplifying the control signal c converted into an analog signal by the D/A converter

105

. The control unit

104

consists of a CPU

104

a

and a memory

104

b

, and in the memory

104

b

are stored control signals c matching different detection signals a in a table form. The CPU

104

a

takes in the detection signal a from the detecting device

102

, reads a control signal c matching the detection signal a that has been taken in out of the memory

104

b

, and supplies it to the D/A converter

105

.

As the actuator

103

is thereby driven and enabled to feed back an external force to the rotary knob

101

matching the quantity and direction of its manipulation, this manual input device enables the operator to well feel its reaction to the manipulation and accordingly to manipulate the rotary knob

101

dependably.

Manual input devices of this kind are used as by-wire type gear shift units for vehicles and functional regulation apparatuses for various vehicle-mounted electric appliances including the air conditioner, radio, television, CD player and car navigation system.

When applied as a gear shift device, the force feedback function that the manual input device is provided with is used as a locking means for enabling the driver to sense a click in changing the shift lever from one range to another, and thereby to forbid improper manipulation of the shift lever from one specific range to another, for instance from the P (parking) range to the R (reverse) range or from the D (drive) range to the 2nd (second speed) range. Or when used as a functional regulation apparatus for vehicle-mounted electric appliances, the force feedback function that the manual input device is provided with would be used for facilitating fine tuning of functions by enabling the rotary knob

101

to cause the operator to sense an appropriate degree of resistance or providing an appropriate thrust to the rotary knob

101

thereby to make its manipulation lighter.

While the foregoing description refers to a case in which the manual input device is equipped with a rotary knob

101

, a manual input device provided with a joystick type knob swingable in two-dimensional directions in place of the rotary knob

101

and one with a lever type knob swiveling within a fixed plane are also known.

Since any of the known vehicle-mounted device control units feeds back to the user only the external force from the actuator

103

working on the knob

101

, the user would find it difficult to sense any external force working on the knob

101

when running on a rugged road for instance, and the feedback function that the vehicle-mounted device control unit is provided with cannot always be fully exerted.

Incidentally, known examples of common such rotary knobs such as a volume control knob for audio equipment are provided with a grooved pulley with teeth coaxially with the volume control knob in which one end of each of elastic pieces is intermittently engaged with a convex part of the grooved pulley so that the convex part of the grooved pulley flip the end of each elastic piece to enable the user to sense the feel and sound of the resultant click. Where different functions of different electrical appliances are to be controlled with a single knob having such a mechanical force feedback means, only one kind each of click feel and click sound can be produced in spite of the variety of electrical appliances and differences in their functions to be controlled, therefore it cannot be applied as the force feedback means for a multifunctional vehicle-mounted device control unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention, attempted to solve the problem noted above of the prior art, is to provide a multifunctional vehicle-mounted device control unit capable of allowing the force feedback function of the manual input device even under stringent conditions.

In order to solve the problem noted above, according to the invention, there is provided a vehicle-mounted device control unit having an electrical appliance selection switch for selecting an electrical appliance whose function is to be regulated, a manual input device for regulating various functions of the electrical appliance selected with the switch, a loudspeaker and a controller. Signals from the electrical appliance selection switch and the manual input device are, supplied to the controller, which controls the manual input device and the loudspeaker. The manual input device is provided with knobs to be manipulated by a user, actuators for loading an external force onto the knobs and detecting devices for detecting a manipulated states of the knobs. The controller supplies predetermined signals according to the manipulated states of the knobs to the actuators and loudspeaker.

As the vehicle-mounted device control unit is thus provided with the electrical appliance selection switch, the manual input device, the loudspeaker and the controller, and predetermined signals are supplied from the controller to the actuators for force feedback use and the loudspeaker provided on the manual input device according to the manipulated states of the knobs provided on the manual input device, the user can know the manipulated state of a knob by both the driving force of the actuator onto the knobs and the sound emitted from the loudspeaker, therefore enable the force feedback function of the manual input device to be fully exerted even under very adverse conditions such as when running on a rugged road, and can accomplish various operations on various electrical appliances quickly and accurately.

In order to solve the problem noted above, the vehicle-mounted device control unit may as well have a configuration provided with an electrical appliance selection switch for selecting an electrical appliance whose function is to be regulated, a manual input device for regulating various functions of the electrical appliance selected with the switch, a loudspeaker, a display unit and a controller, into which signals from the electrical appliance selection switch and manual input device are entered, for controlling the electrical appliance, manual input device, loudspeaker and display unit, wherein the manual input device is provided with knobs to be manipulated by a user, actuators for loading an external force onto the knobs and detecting devices for detecting manipulated states of the knobs, and wherein the controller supplies predetermined signals according to the manipulated states of the knobs to the actuators, loudspeaker and display unit.

As the vehicle-mounted device control unit is thus provided with the electrical appliance selection switch, the manual input device, the loudspeaker, the display unit and the controller, and predetermined signals are supplied from the controller to the actuators for force feedback use, the loudspeaker and the display unit provided on the manual input device according to the manipulated states of knobs provided on the manual input device, the user can know the manipulated state of a knob by three means including the driving force of the actuator on to the knobs, the sound emitted from the loudspeaker, and the image displayed on the display unit, therefore enable the force feedback function of the manual input device to be fully exerted even under very adverse conditions such as when running on a rugged road, and can accomplish various operations on various electrical appliances quickly and accurately.

The invention also provides for a configuration in which the controller synchronously supplies mutually associated signals according to the manipulated states of the knobs to the actuators and loudspeaker.

As the controller thus synchronously supplies mutually associated signals according to the manipulated states of the knobs to the actuators and the loudspeaker, no discrepancy is perceived between the contact force feedback sensed by touching the knob and the aural force feedback sensed by hearing the sound from the loudspeaker, thereby allowing the user to feel a satisfactory sense of manipulation.

The invention also provides for a configuration in which the controller synchronously supplies mutually associated signals according to the manipulated states of the knobs to the actuators, loudspeaker and display unit.

As the controller thus synchronously supplies mutually associated signals according to the manipulated states of the knobs to the actuators, the loudspeaker and the display unit, no discrepancy is perceived among the contact force feedback sensed by touching the knob, the aural force feedback sensed by hearing the sound from the loudspeaker, and the visual force feedback sensed by seeing the image displayed on the display unit, thereby allowing the user to feel a satisfactory sense of manipulation.

The invention also provides for a configuration in which the controller is integrated with the manual input device.

As this integrated configuration of the controller and the manual input device requires no alteration in the external unit, the vehicle-mounted device control unit can be readily applied to the external unit.

The invention also provides for a configuration in which a joystick type knob and a rotary knob are provided as the knobs in the first or second means of solving the problem, a first actuator for loading an external force onto the joystick type knob and a second actuator for loading an external force onto the rotary knob are provided as the actuators, and a first detecting device for detecting the manipulated state of the joystick type knob and a second detecting device for detecting the manipulated state of the rotary knob are provided as the detecting devices in the first or second means of solving the problem.

This configuration of providing the manual input device with the joystick type knob, the rotary knob, the first and second actuators for separately loading an external force onto each of these knobs, and the first and second detecting devices for separately detecting the manipulated state of each knob enables the plurality of knobs to be differentiated in use according to the type or function of the electrical appliance to be regulated, making it possible to improve the operating ease of the vehicle-mounted device control unit and make it adaptable to multiple functions. Concentric arrangement of the knobs would result in saving the installation space of each knob and thereby contribute to reducing the size of the vehicle-mounted device control unit. Further, providing each knob with a separate actuator for force feedback use would serve to minimize the required number of actuators to be provided on a vehicle-mounted device control unit. Therefore, it serves to make the configuration of the vehicle-mounted device control unit more concise than where two or more actuators are provided on a joystick type knob, thereby contributing to reducing the size, cost and power consumption of the vehicle-mounted device control unit.

The invention also provides for a configuration in which a loudspeaker provided on vehicle-mounted audio equipment is used as its loudspeaker.

The use of the loudspeaker provided on vehicle-mounted audio equipment as the loudspeaker for force feedback use dispenses with the need to specially provide a separate loudspeaker for force feedback use, and serves to make the configuration of the vehicle-mounted device control unit more concise, thereby contributing to reducing the size, cost and power consumption of vehicle-mounted device control unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

illustrates the system configuration of a vehicle-mounted device control unit embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2

is a perspective drawing illustrating the configuration of a stick controller provided in the vehicle-mounted device control unit embodying the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3

is a perspective view of essential parts showing how the vehicle-mounted device control unit embodying the invention is fitted to the dashboard;

FIG. 4

is a plan of essential parts showing the interior state of a vehicle fitted with the vehicle-mounted device control unit embodying the invention;

FIG. 5

is a block diagram illustrating the functions of various operating units provided on the vehicle-mounted device control unit embodying the invention;

FIG. 6

illustrates the operation that takes place where a joystick type knob is applied for selection of a function and functional regulation of a vehicle-mounted air conditioner;

FIG. 7

illustrates the operation that takes place where a rotary knob is applied for functional regulation of a vehicle-mounted air conditioner;

FIG. 8

illustrates the operation that takes place where a rotary knob is applied for tuning of a vehicle-mounted radio;

FIG. 9

illustrates the operation that takes place where a rotary knob is applied for music selection for a vehicle-mounted CD player;

FIG. 10

illustrates the operation that takes place where a rotary knob is applied for volume control for a vehicle-mounted radio or a vehicle-mounted CD player; and

FIG. 11

illustrates the configuration of a manual input device according to the prior art;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

One example of vehicle-mounted device control unit embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

1

and FIG.

2

.

FIG. 1

illustrates the system configuration of a vehicle-mounted device control unit embodying the invention, and

FIG. 2

, is a perspective drawing illustrating the configuration of a stick controller.

As shown in

FIG. 1

, the vehicle-mounted device control unit embodying the invention in this mode mainly consists of an electrical appliance selection switch

1

for selecting the electrical appliance (not shown) whose function is to regulated, a manual input device

2

for regulating various functions of the electrical appliance selected with the switch

1

, a loudspeaker

3

, a display unit

4

, and a controller

5

for controlling the whole system including the electrical appliances not shown, the manual input device

2

, the loudspeaker

3

and the display unit

4

.

The electrical appliance selection switch

1

is provided with six push-button switches

1

a,

1

b,

1

c,

1

d,

1

e

and

1

f.

By pressing one of these push-button switches, the corresponding one of prescribed selection signals a

1

through a

6

is supplied to select the desired out of vehicle-mounted electrical appliances such as air conditioner, radio, television, CD player, car navigation system, steering wheel tilting device, seat posture regulating device, telephone and gear shift.

The manual input device

2

is provided with a ball bearing

11

, a joystick type knob

12

held swingably by the ball bearing

11

, a rotary knob

13

concentrically arranged with the joystick type knob

12

, a first actuator

14

for loading the joystick type knob

12

with an external force, a second actuator

15

for loading the rotary knob

13

, a first detecting device

16

for detecting the manipulated state of the joystick type knob

12

, and a second detecting device

17

for detecting the manipulated state of the rotary knob

13

.

The joystick type knob

12

consists of a grip

12

a

, a spherical part

12

b

, a link

12

c

and a bearing

12

d

, and the spherical part

12

b

is fitted swingably to the ball bearing

11

. A push-button switch

18

is fitted to part of the grip

12

a

, so that a signal supplied from the first detecting device

16

can be determined by pressing the push-button switch

18

at a prescribed timing after manipulating the grip

12

a

. To the link

12

c

is connected the manipulating lever

16

a

of the first detecting device

16

. As the first detecting device

16

can be used a stick controller.

The stick controller as the first detecting device

16

, as shown in

FIG. 2

, consists of the manipulating lever

16

a

held swingably by a case

21

, a converter

24

for converting the swinging motions of the manipulating lever

16

a

into rotating motions of two rotary members

22

and

23

arranged in directions of a right angle to each other, and two rotary encoders or variable resistors

25

and

26

for converting the quantities and directions of rotation of the two rotary members

22

and

23

into electrical signals. The encoders or variable resistors

25

and

26

supply first detection signals b

1

matching the quantity and direction of the swinging of the grip

12

a.

In the rotary knob

13

which is formed in a bowl shape, an internal gear

13

a

is formed on its inner surface in the circumferential direction. A pinion

26

adhered to the drive shaft

15

a

of the second actuator

15

is engaged with the internal gear

13

a

, and the drive shaft (not shown) of the second detecting device

17

is linked to the drive shaft

15

a

of the second actuator

15

. As the second actuator

15

, a rotary motor such as a D.C. motor and a stepping motor can be provided. As the second detecting device

17

, an encoder or a variable resistor for converting the quantity and direction of the rotation of the rotary knob

13

into electrical signals can be used, and the second detecting device

17

supplies a second detection signal b

2

matching the quantity and direction of the rotation of the rotary knob

13

.

As the first actuator

14

, on the other hand, a linear motor such as a voice coil motor or a solenoid, for instance, is provided. The bearing

12

d

of the joystick type knob

12

and the drive shaft

14

a

of the first actuator

14

are swingably linked via a first linking member

27

and a second linking member

28

. Thus, as shown in

FIG. 1

, the bearing

12

d

is a ball bearing, and one end of the first linking member

27

linked to it is spherical, so that the first linking member

27

is swingably linked to the joystick type knob

12

. The second linking member

28

consists of a wire having at its two ends pin joints

28

a

and

28

b

, and these pin joints

28

a

and

28

b

are pinned to the lower end of the first linking member

27

and the drive shaft

14

a

of the first actuator

14

, respectively. Therefore, the joystick type knob

12

and the first actuator

14

are always mechanically linked to each other irrespective of the quantity and direction of the swinging of the joystick type knob

12

, so that the driving force of the first actuator

14

can be loaded onto the joystick type knob

12

. To add, reference numeral

29

in the drawing denotes a wire guide, and a roller

29

a

can be installed at the tip of the wire guide

29

to smoothen the action of the second linking member

28

.

As the loudspeaker

3

, either a loudspeaker for force feedback use may be provided separately from the loudspeaker of vehicle-mounted audio equipment or the loudspeaker provided for vehicle-mounted audio equipment can be used as the loudspeaker for force feedback use as well. Where a special loudspeaker for force feedback use is provided, there is no need to alter the wiring and other arrangements for the vehicle-mounted audio equipment, and accordingly the vehicle-mounted device control unit can be applied to the vehicle more easily. On the other hand, where the loudspeaker provided for vehicle-mounted audio equipment is used to serve as the loudspeaker for force feedback use as well, since there is no need to separately provide a special loudspeaker for force feedback use, the configuration of the vehicle-mounted device control unit can be made more concise, making it possible to reduce the size, cost and power consumption of the vehicle-mounted device control unit.

As the display unit

4

, a display device capable of displaying images such as a liquid crystal and a CRT display device for instance can be used.

The controller

5

, as shown in

FIG. 1

, mainly consists of an input unit

31

, a CPU

32

for taking in selection signals a

1

through a

6

and detection signals b

1

and b

2

entered into the input unit

31

and supplying control signals c

1

through c

4

, a memory

33

, a first driver circuit

34

for generating a drive signal d

1

for the first actuator

14

, a second driver circuit

35

for generating a drive signal d

2

for the second actuator

15

, a third driver circuit

36

for generating a drive signal d

3

for the loudspeaker

3

, a fourth driver circuit

37

for generating a drive signal d

4

for the display unit

4

, and an output unit

38

.

In the memory

33

are stored data and programs for analyzing the selection signals a

1

through a

6

and the detection signals b

1

and b

2

, and drive data and drive programs for the first and second actuators

14

and

15

. The CPU

32

takes in the selection signals a

1

through a

6

and the detection signals b

1

and b

2

, analyzes the selection signals a

1

through a

6

and the detection signals bi and b

2

in accordance with the data and programs stored in the memory

33

, determines the control signals c

1

through c

4

matching the selection signals a

1

through a

6

and the detection signals b

1

and b

2

in accordance with the data and programs stored in the memory

33

, and supplies them to the first through fourth driver circuits

34

through

37

. Each of these driver circuits

34

through

37

consists of a D/A converter for digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion of the control signals c

1

through c

4

supplied from the CPU

32

and a power amplifier for amplifying the D/A converted signals. It supplies the drive signals d

1

through d

4

to the first actuator

14

, the second actuator

15

, the loudspeaker

3

or the display unit

4

via the output unit

38

.

The control signals c

1

and c

2

supplied from the CPU

32

to the first and second driver circuits

34

and

35

are signals matching the feel of manipulation provided to the knobs

12

and

13

. They may make known the “generation of vibration”, “generation of impacting force”, “changing the operating force” or the like. A control signal to make known the “generation of vibration” expresses the intensity of vibration, the form of vibration, the duration of load, frequency and so forth. A control signal to make known the “generation of impacting force” expresses the intensity of impact, the form of impact, the number of impacts suffered and so forth. Or a control signal to make known “changing the operating force” expresses the intensity of working force, the direction of working force, the duration of load and so forth.

The control signal c

3

from the CPU

32

to the driver circuit

36

expresses the feel of manipulation provided to the knobs

12

and

13

in sounds emitted from the loudspeaker

3

, and is interrelated with the control signals c

1

and c

2

. For instance, if the control signals cl and c

2

notify the “generation of vibration”, a matching control signal c

3

capable of causing a vibration sound to be emitted will be supplied, or if the control signals c

1

and c

2

notify “generation of impacting force”, a matching control signal c

3

capable of causing an impact sound to be emitted will be supplied.

The control signal c

4

from the CPU

32

to the fourth driver circuit

37

expresses the feel of manipulation provided to the knobs

12

and

13

in images displayed on the display unit

4

, and is interrelated with the control signals c

1

and c

2

. For instance, if the control signals c

1

and c

2

notify the “generation of vibration”, there will be supplied a matching control signal c

4

capable of causing an image of vibration matching the control signals c

1

and c

2

working on the knobs

12

and

13

under manipulation to be displayed, or if the control signals c

1

and c

2

notify “generation of impacting force”, there will be supplied a matching control signal c

4

capable of causing an image of impact matching the control signals c

1

and c

2

working on the knobs

12

and

13

under manipulation to be displayed.

It is preferable for the control signals c

3

and c

4

to be supplied in synchronism with the control signals c

1

and c

2

to make the knobs

12

and

13

easier to manipulate.

The controller

5

is also interconnected to electrical appliances (not shown) whose functions are to be regulated with the manual input device

2

, and a control signal e for the electrical appliance matching the selection signals a

1

through a

6

and the detection signals b

1

and b

2

is supplied to regulate the required function of the electrical appliance.

The controller

5

can be configured either integrally with the manual input device

2

or as a separate device from the manual input device

2

and provided on an external unit (e.g. the body of the vehicle). Where the controller

5

is configured integrally with the manual input device

2

, there is no need to alter any external unit, and the vehicle-mounted device control unit can be readily applied to any external unit. Or where the controller

5

is configured as a separate device from the manual input device

2

and provided on an external unit, the vehicle-mounted device control unit can be configured utilizing a controller provided on the external unit (i.e. a controller for the vehicle's own use), the controller

5

can be dispensed with, making it possible to provide a less expensive vehicle-mounted device control unit.

Next will be described an example of actual mounting of the vehicle-mounted device control unit embodying the present invention as described above with reference to FIG.

3

and FIG.

4

.

FIG. 3

is a perspective view of essential parts showing how the vehicle-mounted device control unit embodying the invention is fitted to the dashboard, and

FIG. 4

, a plan of essential parts showing the interior state of a vehicle fitted with the vehicle-mounted device control unit embodying the invention.

In a vehicle-mounted device control unit

41

embodying the invention in this mode, the electrical appliance selection switch

1

, the manual input device

2

, the loudspeaker

3

and the controller

5

are housed in a case

42

formed in a rectangular container shape, and over the top face of the case

42

are arranged, as shown in FIG.

3

and

FIG. 4

, the six push-button switches

1

a,

1

b,

1

c,

1

d,

1

e

and

1

f

constituting the electrical appliance selection switch

1

and the joystick type knob

2

and the rotary knob

13

constituting the manual input device

2

, with a sound hole

43

opened to let sounds emitted from the loudspeaker

3

go out. In the front face of the case

42

are opened a card slot

44

and a disk slot

45

.

This vehicle-mounted device control unit

41

, as shown in

FIG. 4

, is fitted on the dashboard A of the vehicle between the driver's seat B and the front passenger seat C. The display unit

4

is installed above the part where the vehicle-mounted device control unit

41

is fitted.

The operation of the vehicle-mounted device control unit

41

embodying the invention as described and an example of control over a vehicle-mounted electrical appliance using the vehicle-mounted device control unit

41

will be described with reference to FIG.

5

through FIG.

7

.

FIG. 5

is a block diagram illustrating the functions of various operating units provided on the vehicle-mounted device control unit embodying the invention;

FIG. 6

illustrates the operation that takes place where a joystick type knob is applied for selection of a function and functional regulation of a vehicle-mounted air conditioner; and

FIG. 7

illustrates the operation that takes place where a rotary knob is applied for functional regulation of the vehicle-mounted air conditioner.

In this example of control, as shown in

FIG. 5

, the push-button switch

1

a

provided on the vehicle-mounted device control unit

41

is connected to the air conditioner, the push-button switch

1

b

to the radio, the push-button switch

1

c

to the television, the push-button switch

1

d

to the CD player, the push-button switch

1

e

to the car navigation system, and the push-button switch if to the steering wheel tilting device. By pressing the desired push-button switch, the vehicle-mounted electric appliance connected to the push-button switch can be selected. The manual input device

2

built into the case

42

is used as the functional regulation means for the vehicle-mounted electric appliance selected with the pertinent one of the push-button switches

1

a

through if. Where the air conditioner is selected with the push-button switch

1

a

for instance, a desired one out of the front defroster, rear defogger, temperature regulation and air flow rate regulation can be selected by manipulating the joystick type knob

12

, and the temperature or air flow rate of the air conditioner can be regulated by manipulating the joystick type knob

12

or the rotary knob

13

.

When the user presses the push-button switch

1

a

to select the air conditioner, the CPU

32

changes over the joystick type knob

12

to the mode of selecting a regulating function, resulting in a state of waiting for a signal from the stick controller (the first detecting device)

16

.

As the user swings the joystick type knob

12

in this state, that motion is transmitted to the manipulating lever

16

a

of the stick controller (first detecting device)

16

via a link

19

, the encoders or variable resistors

25

and

26

provided on the stick controller

16

are driven, with the result that a first detection signal b

1

matching the quantity and direction of the swinging of the joystick type knob

12

is supplied from one of these encoders or variable resistors

25

and

26

. The CPU

32

, taking in this first detection signal b

1

, supplies control signals c

1

, c

3

and c

4

matching the first detection signal b

1

in accordance with pertinent data and programs stored in the memory

33

. Further, the first driver circuit

34

, the third driver circuit

36

and the fourth driver circuit

37

generate and supply the drive signal d

1

for the first actuator

14

, the drive signal d

3

for the loudspeaker

3

and the drive signal d

4

for the display unit

4

respectively matching the control signals c

1

, c

3

and c

4

supplied from the CPU

32

. This causes the first actuator

14

to be driven and a required external force to be loaded onto the joystick type knob

12

, and at the same time a knob working sound associated with the external force loaded onto the joystick type knob

12

is emitted from the loudspeaker

3

, together with the displaying of an image associated with the external force loaded onto the joystick type knob

12

on the display unit

4

.

FIG.

6

(

a

) illustrates the relationship among the direction of operation of the joystick type knob

12

in the mode of selecting a regulating function, the type of the function selected by operating the joystick type knob

12

, the external force applied to the joystick type knob

12

, and the knob working sound emitted from the loudspeaker

3

. In this example, by tilting the joystick type knob

12

forward, backward, leftward or rightward from its central position, the front defroster, rear defogger, temperature regulation or air flow rate regulation can be selected.

Out of the eight graphs shown in FIG.

6

(

a

), the four in the bottom part illustrate the relationship between the tilted quantity S

1

of the joystick type knob

12

and the external force F working on the joystick type knob

12

. As is evident from these graphs, an external force F differing in form with the tilted direction of the joystick type knob

12

is loaded on the joystick type knob

12

. Out of the eight graphs shown in FIG.

6

(

a

), the four at the top illustrate the relationship between the tilted quantity S

1

of the joystick type knob

12

and the volume V of the knob working sound emitted from the loudspeaker

3

. As is evident from these graphs, in this example, a knob working sound having the same waveform as that of the external force F working on the joystick type knob

12

is produced in synchronism with the external force F. Further, on the display unit

4

, an image showing the electrical appliance selected by manipulating the electrical appliance selection switch

1

(the air conditioner in this example) and the function selected by manipulating the joystick type knob

12

is displayed. This enables the user to sense that he or she has manipulated the joystick type knob

12

in the intended direction even under very adverse conditions such as when running on a rugged road, and to select the desired function without fail.

Incidentally, while the foregoing embodiment of the invention is designed to cause the loudspeaker

3

to produce a knob working sound of the same waveform as that of the external force F working on the joystick type knob

12

in synchronism with the external force F, the purport of the invention is not limited to this, and it would be sufficient for any knob working sound associated with the external force F working on the joystick type knob

12

to be emitted from the loudspeaker

3

.

Further, while the foregoing embodiment of the invention is designed to load only an external force matching the direction and quantity of the tilting of the joystick type knob

12

, it is possible to prevent the joystick type knob

12

from being manipulated in an inappropriate direction by applying from the first actuator

14

, in addition to such an external force, another external force to guide the joystick type knob

12

always only in the appropriate direction, i.e. in the example of FIG.

6

(

a

), forward, backward, leftward or rightward from its central position.

The selection of the regulating function, i.e. whichever is desired out of the front defroster, rear defogger, temperature regulation or air flow rate regulation, is finalized by pressing the push-button switch

18

, and according to the finalized selection the CPU

32

is connected to the selected electric appliance. The CPU

32

, after the selection of the regulating function is finalized, changes over the joystick type knob

12

to the mode of functional regulation, resulting in a state of waiting for a signal from the stick controller

16

. As the user swings the joystick type knob

12

in this state, the drive signals d

1

, d

3

and d

4

are supplied from the controller

5

in the same manner as for the above-described mode of selecting a regulating function, and the first actuator

14

, the loudspeaker

3

and the display unit

4

are driven accordingly.

FIG.

6

(

b

) illustrates the relationship among the direction of operation of the joystick type knob

12

in the mode of regulating the temperature of the air conditioner, the type of functional regulation in each direction of operation, the external force applied to the joystick type knob

12

, and the knob working sound emitted from the loudspeaker

3

. In this example, by tilting the joystick type knob

12

forward from its central position, the temperature is raised, or by tilting it backward, the temperature is lowered.

Out of the four graphs shown in FIG.

6

(

b

), the two in the bottom part illustrate the relationship between the tilted quantity S

1

of the joystick type knob

12

and the external force F working on the joystick type knob

12

. As is evident from these graphs, an external force F differing in form with the tilted direction of the joystick type knob

12

is loaded on the joystick type knob

12

. Out of the four graphs shown in FIG.

6

(

b

), the two at the top illustrate the relationship between the tilted quantity S

1

of the joystick type knob

12

and the volume V of the knob working sound emitted from the loudspeaker

3

. As is evident from these graphs, in this example, a knob working sound having the same waveform as that of the external force F working on the joystick type knob

12

is produced in synchronism with the external force F. Further, on the display unit

4

, an image showing the electrical appliance selected by manipulating the electrical appliance selection switch

1

(the air conditioner in this example), the regulating function selected by manipulating the joystick type knob

12

(the temperature of the air conditioner in this example) and the type of the function to be regulated by manipulating the joystick type knob

12

(raising or lowering the temperature of the air conditioner in this example) and the change state matching the tilted quantity S

1

of the joystick type knob

12

are displayed. This enables the user to sense that he or she has manipulated the joystick type knob

12

in the intended direction and in the desired quantity of tilting even under very adverse conditions such as when running on a rugged road, and to accomplish the desired functional regulation without fail.

In this case, the mode of the external force in selecting the function of the air conditioner and that of the external force in regulating the function of the air conditioner can be either the same or different in manipulating the joystick type knob

12

in the same direction. FIGS.

6

(

a

) and

6

(

b

) illustrate a case in which they are different.

Unlike in the embodiment of the invention described above, it is also possible to select the function of the air conditioner with the joystick type knob

12

and regulate the function of the air conditioner with the rotary knob

13

. In this case, the desired regulating function is selected in the mode of selecting the regulating function and, when the push-button switch

18

is pressed to finalize the selection of the regulating function, the CPU

32

changes over the rotary knob

13

to the mode of functional regulation, and enters into a state of waiting for a signal from the second detecting device

17

.

When the user turns the rotary knob

13

in this state, as its motion is transmitted to the drive shaft of the second detecting device

17

via the internal gear

13

a

and the pinion

26

and the drive shaft of the second detecting device

17

is rotationally driven, a second detection signal b

2

matching the quantity and direction of the rotation of the rotary knob

13

is supplied from the second detecting device

17

. The CPU

32

takes in this second detection signal b

2

and supplies the control signals c

2

, c

3

and c

4

matching the second detection signal b

2

, and the second driver circuit

35

, the third driver circuit

36

and the fourth driver circuit

37

supply the drive signal d

2

for the second actuator

15

, the drive signal d

3

for the loudspeaker

3

and the drive signal d

4

for the display unit

4

respectively matching the control signals c

1

, c

3

and c

4

supplied from the CPU

32

. This causes the second actuator

15

to be driven and a required external force to be loaded onto the rotary knob

13

, and at the same time a knob working sound associated with the external force loaded onto the rotary knob

13

is emitted from the loudspeaker

3

, together with the displaying of an image associated with the external force loaded onto the rotary knob

13

on the display unit

4

.

FIG. 7

illustrates the operation that takes place where the rotary knob

13

is applied for functional regulation of a vehicle-mounted air conditioner. The temperature of the air conditioner can be raised or lowered, or the air flow rate of the air conditioner can be decreased or increased, by turning the rotary knob

13

leftward or rightward, respectively, from its central position.

Out of the eight graphs shown in

FIG. 7

, the four graphs in the bottom part illustrate the relationship between the rotational direction and rotated quantity S

2

of the rotary knob

13

on the one hand and the pertinent external force F working on the rotary knob

13

on the other. As is evident from these graphs, an external force F differing in form with the rotational direction and rotated quantity S

2

of the rotary knob

13

is loaded onto the rotary knob

13

. Out of the eight graphs shown in

FIG. 7

, the four at the top illustrate the relationship between the rotational direction and rotated quantity S

2

of the rotary knob

13

on the one hand and the volume V of the knob working sound emitted from the loudspeaker

3

. As is evident from these graphs, in this example, a knob working sound having the same waveform as that of the external force F working on the rotary knob

13

is produced in synchronism with the external force F. Further, on the display unit

4

, an image showing the electrical appliance selected by manipulating the electrical appliance selection switch

1

(the air conditioner in this example), the regulating function selected by manipulating the joystick type knob

12

(the temperature of the air conditioner in this example) and the varying state of the function to be regulated by manipulating the rotary knob

13

(raising or lowering the temperature of the air conditioner in this example) are displayed. This enables the user to sense that he or she has manipulated the rotary knob

13

in the intended direction and in the desired quantity of rotation even under very adverse conditions such as when running on a rugged road, and to accomplish the desired functional regulation without fail. The mode of the external force when the temperature of the air conditioner is to be regulated and that of the external mode when the air flow rate of the air conditioner is to be regulated may be either the same as or different from each other in the same direction of manipulating the rotary knob

13

.

FIG. 7

shows a case in which they are different.

Whereas functional regulation of the air conditioner has been described regarding this embodiment of the invention by way of example, the applications of the manual input device embodying the invention are not limited to this example and can include the control of various vehicle-mounted electric appliances including radio, television, CD player, car navigation system, steering wheel tilting device, seat posture regulating device, telephone, voice recognition and gear shift in addition to air conditioner.

FIG. 8

illustrates the operation that takes place where the rotary knob

13

is applied for tuning of a vehicle-mounted radio.

FIG. 8A

shows the relationship between the rotational direction of the rotary knob

13

and the position on the knob of the one tuned to, out of radio stations 0 through 7;

FIG. 8B

, the relationship between the rotational position of the rotary knob

13

and the magnitude of the external force applied to the rotary knob

13

;

FIG. 8C

, the relationship between the rotational position of the rotary knob

13

and the volume of the knob working sound emitted from the loudspeaker

3

; and

FIG. 8D

, the radio station displayed on the display unit

4

. When the rotary knob

13

is turned, every time a mark

13

a

indicated on the rotary knob

13

arrives at one of predetermined specific rotational positions (0 through 7), a prescribed radio station is tuned to, and an external force is loaded onto the rotary knob

13

as shown in

FIG. 8B

to give the user a feel of click. Also, a knob working sound is emitted from the loudspeaker

3

as shown in

FIG. 8C

to aurally reinforce the feel of click given to the user. Further on the display unit

4

, as shown in

FIG. 8D

, an image expressing the radio station tuned to (characters “RADIO NHK AM 1” in this case) is displayed. vehicle-mounted radio.

FIG. 8A

shows the relationship between the rotational direction of the rotary knob

13

and the position on the knob of the one tuned to, out of radio stations 0 through 7;

FIG. 8B

, the relationship between the rotational position of the rotary knob

13

and the magnitude of the external force applied to the rotary knob

13

;

FIG. 8C

, the relationship between the rotational position of the rotary knob

13

and the volume of the knob working sound emitted from the loudspeaker

3

; and

FIG. 8D

, the radio station displayed on the display unit

4

. When the rotary knob

13

is turned, every time a mark

3

a

indicated on the rotary knob

13

arrives at one of predetermined specific rotational positions (0 through 7), a prescribed radio station is tuned to, and an external force is loaded onto the rotary knob

13

as shown in

FIG. 8B

to give the user a feel of click. Also, a knob working sound is emitted from the loudspeaker

3

as shown in

FIG. 8C

to aurally reinforce the feel of click given to the user. Further on the display unit

4

, as shown in

FIG. 8D

, an image expressing the radio station tuned to (character “RADIO NHK AM 1” in this case) is displayed.

FIG. 9

illustrates the operation that takes place where the rotary knob

13

is applied for music selection for a vehicle-mounted CD player.

FIG. 9A

shows the relationship between the rotational direction of the rotary knob

13

and the position on the knob of the selected one, out of musical numbers 0 through 15;

FIG. 9B

, the relationship between the rotational position of the rotary knob

13

and the magnitude of the external force applied to the rotary knob

13

;

FIG. 9C

, the relationship between the rotational position of the rotary knob

13

and the volume of the knob working sound emitted from the loudspeaker

3

; and

FIG. 9D

, the state of music selection displayed on the display unit

4

. When the rotary knob

13

is turned, every time the mark

13

a

indicated on the rotary knob

13

arrives at one of predetermined specific rotational positions (0 through 15), a prescribed musical number is cued up, and an external force is loaded onto the rotary knob

13

as shown in

FIG. 9B

to give the user a feel of click. Also, a knob working sound is emitted from the loudspeaker

3

as shown in

FIG. 9C

to aurally reinforce the feel of click given to the user. Further on the display unit

4

, as shown in

FIG. 9D

, an image expressing the selected musical number (characters “CD SELECTION 5” in this case) is displayed.

FIG. 10

illustrates the operation that takes place where the rotary knob

13

is applied for sound volume regulation of the vehicle-mounted radio or the vehicle-mounted CD player.

FIG. 10A

shows the relationship between the rotational direction of the rotary knob

13

and the sound volume;

FIG. 10B

, the relationship between the rotational position of the rotary knob

13

and the magnitude of the external force applied to the rotary knob

13

;

FIG. 10B

, the relationship between the rotational position of the rotary knob

13

and the volume of the knob working sound emitted from the loudspeaker

3

; and

FIG. 10D

, the state of volume regulation displayed on the display unit

4

. When the rotary knob

13

is turned, the sound volume of the vehicle-mounted radio or the vehicle-mounted CD player is regulated according to rotational position indicated by the mark

13

a

on the rotary knob

13

, and an external force is loaded onto the rotary knob

13

as shown in

FIG. 10B

to give the user an appropriate feel of resistance. Also, a knob working sound is emitted from the loudspeaker

3

as shown in

FIG. 10C

to aurally reinforce the feel of resistance given to the user. Further on the display unit

4

, as shown in

FIG. 10D

, an image expressing the state of volume regulation (a “scale visually expressing the sound volume” in this case) is displayed. Although

FIG. 10

illustrates a case in which the external force F and the knob working sound V of a fixed wavelength are supplied irrespective of the rotational speed of the rotary knob

13

, it is obviously possible to vary the wavelength or the waveform of the external force F and knob working sound V according to the rotational speed of the rotary knob

13

.

While it is supposed that in this embodiment of the invention the external force for force feedback use is loaded onto the joystick type knob

12

or the rotary knob

13

, a knob working sound to supplement the force feedback to the knobs

12

and

13

is to be emitted from the loudspeaker

3

, and an image to supplement the force feedback to the knobs

12

and

13

is to be displayed on the display unit

4

, the displaying of the image on the display unit

4

can as well be dispensed with.

Since the vehicle-mounted device control unit embodying the invention is thus able to centrally control a plurality of vehicle-mounted electric appliances, the functional regulation of each vehicle-mounted electric appliance can be readily accomplished, making it possible to enhance the safety of vehicle driving. Further, as what is provided with a plurality of knobs

12

and

13

is used as the manual input device

2

, the plurality of knobs

12

and

13

can be differentiated in use according to the type or function of the electric appliance to be regulated, and the vehicle-mounted device control unit can be improved in operating ease and multifunctionalized.

Since the vehicle-mounted device control unit according to the invention is equipped with an electric appliance selection switch, a manual input device, a loudspeaker and a controller, and signals of the same waveform and the same wavelength, both predetermined, are synchronously supplied from the controller to actuators on the manual input device for force feedback use and the loudspeaker, the user can know the manipulated state of the knob according to both the driving forces of the actuators applied to the knob and the sound emitted from the loudspeaker. Therefore, even under very adverse conditions such as when running on a rugged road, the force feedback function of the manual input device can be fully exerted, enabling various operations on various electric appliances to be accomplished quickly and accurately. Moreover, as signals of the same waveform and the same wavelength are synchronously supplied from the controller to the actuators and the loudspeaker, no discrepancy is perceived between the contact force feedback sensed by touching the knob and the aural force feedback sensed by hearing the sound from the loudspeaker, thereby giving the user to feel a satisfactory sense of manipulation.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
2001-078880	Mar 2001	JP
2002-006269	Jan 2002	JP

Number	Name	Date	Kind
5847704	Hartman	Dec 1998	A
5916288	Hartman	Jun 1999	A
6128006	Rosenberg et al.	Oct 2000	A
6225584	Ase et al.	May 2001	B1
6404354	Decker et al.	Jun 2002	B1
6536825	McAndrew et al.	Mar 2003	B2
20010004044	Sotome et al.	Jun 2001	A1
20010016794	Falck et al.	Aug 2001	A1
20020128753	Numata et al.	Sep 2002	A1

Vehicle-mounted device control unit

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

Agents

CPC

US Classifications

Field of Search

US

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (2)

US Referenced Citations (9)