Haptic controller which performs control using a force pattern that is represented by prescribed functions each connecting particular points

1. A haptic controller comprising:

an actuator as a motive power source for supplying force to a manipulation member that is manipulated manually;

a detecting section for detecting a position of the manipulation member; and

computing means for calculating a control value to be used for controlling the actuator on the basis of the position of the manipulation member detected by the detecting section, the computing means comprising:

a storing section for storing a force pattern that is preset to supply a prescribed force to the manipulation member in accordance with the position of the manipulation member; and

a computing section for calculating the control value on the basis of the force pattern and the position of the manipulation member detected by the detecting section,

wherein the force pattern is formed by particular points in which forces to be supplied to the manipulation member are set for a plurality of particular positions that are within a movement range of the manipulation member and prescribed functions connect each pair of adjoining ones of the particular positions,

wherein regions are defined between the particular positions, and

wherein the computing section determines in which region the position of the manipulation member detected by the detecting section is located, and calculates the control value on the basis of the prescribed function that corresponds to the region.

2. The haptic controller according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the particular points in the movement range of the manipulation member comprises a reversing point to reverse a direction of force to be supplied to the manipulation member.

3. The haptic controller according to claim 2 , wherein the haptic controller is provided in a manipulation device for manipulating a vehicular apparatus.

4. The haptic controller according to claim 2 , further comprising identification marks around the manipulation member to correspond to prescribed regions in the movement range of the manipulation member.

5. The haptic controller according to claim 4 , wherein the haptic controller comprises a portion of a manipulation device for manipulating a vehicular apparatus.

6. The haptic controller according to claim 2 , wherein a plurality of force patterns are set, wherein each of the plurality of force patterns are characterized by a magnitude and a direction, and wherein the haptic controller further comprises a force pattern switching section for switching between force patterns wherein the manipulation member is located in a prescribed region of the movement range of the manipulation member.

7. The haptic controller according to claim 6 , wherein the force pattern switching section switches between force patterns when a difference between magnitudes of the forces of the respective force patterns is within a prescribed value.

8. The haptic controller according to claim 6 , wherein the force pattern switching section switches between force patterns when the forces of the force patterns are in the same direction.

9. The haptic controller according to claim 8 , wherein the force pattern switching section switches between force patterns when a difference between the magnitudes of forces of the respective force patterns is within a prescribed value.

10. The haptic controller according to claim 1 , wherein respective force patterns are set, wherein each of the plurality of force patterns are characterized by a magnitude and a direction, and wherein the haptic controller further comprises a force pattern switching section for switching between force patterns when the manipulation member is located in a prescribed region of the movement range of the manipulation member.

11. The haptic controller according to claim 3 , wherein the force pattern switching section switches between force patterns when the forces of the force patterns are in the same direction.

12. The haptic controller according to claim 11 , wherein the haptic controller comprises a portion of a manipulation device for manipulating a vehicular apparatus.

13. The haptic controller according to claim 11 , wherein the force pattern switching section switches between force patterns when a difference between magnitudes of the forces of the respective force patterns is within a prescribed value.

14. The haptic controller according to claim 11 , further comprising identification marks around the manipulation member to correspond to prescribed regions in the movement range of the manipulation member.

15. The haptic controller according to claim 3 , wherein the force pattern switching section switches between force patterns when a difference between the magnitudes of forces of the respective force patterns is within a prescribed value.

16. The haptic controller according to claim 15 , further comprising identification marks around the manipulation member to correspond to prescribed regions in the movement range of the manipulation member.

17. The haptic controller according to claim 15 , wherein the haptic controller comprises a portion of a manipulation device for manipulating a vehicular apparatus.

18. The haptic controller according to claim 10 , further comprising identification marks around the manipulation member to correspond to prescribed regions in the movement range of the manipulation member.

19. The haptic controller according to claim 10 , wherein the haptic controller comprises a portion of a manipulation device for manipulating a vehicular apparatus.

20. The haptic controller according to claim 1 , wherein the haptic controller comprises a portion of a manipulation device for manipulating a vehicular apparatus.