IP Library Granted Patent US 6,937,929
Granted Patent B2
US 6,937,929 · App. 10/963,319 · Granted Aug 30, 2005

Force-feedback input device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,937,929
App. No.
10/963,319
Granted
Aug 30, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A force-feedback input device includes an operating unit manipulated by an operator, a detecting unit for detecting the operational state of the operating unit, a force-feedback unit for providing a force feedback to the operating unit, and a controlling unit for controlling the operation of the force-feedback unit to provide a predetermined force feedback according to the operational state of the operating unit to the operating unit. The controlling unit includes an operational-state-calculating subunit, a returning-force-calculating subunit, a damping-force-calculating subunit, and a resultant-force-calculating subunit. The damping-force-calculating subunit calculates the damping coefficient by multiplying a returning force calculated in the returning-force-calculating subunit by the required proportionality coefficient and then calculates a damping force by multiplying the obtained damping coefficient by an operation speed of the operating unit.

Claims (11)

1. A force-feedback input device comprising:

an operating unit manipulated by an operator;

a detecting unit for detecting an operational state of the operating unit;

a force-feedback unit for providing a force feedback to the operating unit; and

a controlling unit for controlling operation of the force-feedback unit based on detection signals output from the detecting unit, the controlling unit comprising:

a returning-force-calculating subunit for calculating a returning force based on an operating position of the operating unit;

a damping-force-calculating subunit for calculating a damping force based on an operation speed and a damping coefficient of the operating unit; and

a resultant-force-calculating subunit for calculating a resultant force based on the returning force and the damping force,

wherein the damping-force-calculating subunit calculates the damping coefficient based on the returning force.

2. The force-feedback input device according to claim 1 , wherein the damping-force-calculating subunit calculates the damping coefficient by multiplying the returning force by a proportionality coefficient.

3. The force-feedback input device according to claim 1 , wherein the returning force gradually increases from a returning start point to a predetermined position.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 31, 2019
From: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
To: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 048200/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2004
From: HAYASAKA, SATOSHI
To: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 015890/0297 →