Haptic controller with functions connecting particular points for force feedback calculation

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a haptic controller that is provided in a manipulation device for manipulating a vehicular apparatus, for example, and gives a manipulative feel to a manipulator, that is, stimulates his force sense (haptic sense), through a manipulation member by supplying a prescribed force to the manipulation member in accordance with its position.

2. Description of the Related Art

Among conventional manipulation devices for manipulating a vehicular apparatus are ones that are equipped with a haptic controller of the above kind.

There is a conventional haptic controller that is provided with 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 a computing means for calculating, in accordance with the position of the manipulation member detected by the detecting section, a control value to be used for controlling the actuator.

The computing means is provided with a storing section in which a preset force pattern to be used for supplying a prescribed force to the manipulation member in accordance with its position is stored, and a computing section for producing a control value on the basis of the force pattern in accordance with a position of the manipulation member detected by the detecting section.

The force pattern is formed by points in which forces to be supplied to the actuator are set for respective fine sections of a movement range of the manipulation member.

In the above-configured haptic controller, a position of the manipulation member is detected by the detecting section as soon as the manipulation member is manipulated. In the computing means, the computing section produces a control value on the basis of the force pattern that is stored in the storing section in accordance with a position of the manipulation member and sends it to the actuator. The actuator outputs a force on the basis of the control value and the force is transmitted to the manipulation member, which gives a manipulative feel to the manipulator.

However, in the above conventional haptic controller, the force pattern is formed by points in which forces to be supplied to the manipulation member are set for respective fine sections of the movement range of the manipulation member and hence the number of points that are set to form the force pattern is very large. Therefore, to adjust or alter the force pattern, it is necessary to modify a large number of points one by one; such work is troublesome.

In accordance with preamble of claim 1, <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US6145201A"><text>US-A-6 145 201</text></patcit> discloses a haptic controller in which the actuator outputs a controlled force sensation to the manipulation member, wherein the force sensation is based on a selected mode. Specifically, a force pattern switching means is provided for enabling the user to switch from one force pattern to another force patter. This feature may be used to mark certain positions of the manipulation member.

A similar haptic controller is known from <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US20010045941A1"><text>US 2001/0045941 A1</text></patcit>.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the invention is therefore to provide a haptic controller in which a force pattern to be used for supplying a prescribed force to a manipulation member in accordance with a manipulation on the manipulation member can be set with a small amount of data.

To attain the above object, the invention provides a haptic controller comprising the features of claim 1.

In the above-configured haptic controller, as soon as the manipulation member is manipulated the detecting section detects a position of the manipulation member. In the computing means, the computing section calculates a force to be supplied to the manipulation member on the basis of the force pattern that is stored in the storing section. More specifically, which region between particular positions the position of the manipulation member belongs to, is judged, and a control value to be supplied to the actuator is calculated on the basis of a prescribed function connecting particular points that correspond to the two respective particular positions forming the region thus found.

A force that is produced by the actuator on the basis of the control value is transmitted to the manipulation member and stimulates the force sense of the manipulator. That is, the manipulator receives a manipulative feel from the manipulation member.

According to the invention, the amount of data that are necessary to set a force pattern can be made small because particular points are stored in the storing section and a function connecting particular points that correspond to respective adjoining particular positions is determined by the computing section.

In the invention, at least one of the particular points in the movement range of the manipulation member may be a reversing point to reverse the direction of force to be supplied to the manipulation member.

In the thus-configured haptic controller, even if the manipulator stops manipulating the manipulation member at an arbitrary position in the movement range, the manipulation member is supplied with such a force as to be directed toward one of the two positions forming the movement range. Therefore, the manipulation member can be relocated to the one of the two positions forming the movement range.

In the invention, a plurality of force patterns may be set, and a force pattern switching section is provided that switches between force patterns in a state that the manipulation member is located in a prescribed region of the movement range of the manipulation member.

In the thus-configured haptic controller, force pattern switching is not made at a certain position but in a prescribed region. This makes it easier to judge whether switching is necessary and increases the reliability of the force pattern switching.

In the invention, the force pattern switching section switches between force patterns when forces of the force patterns concerned are in the same direction.

In the thus-configured haptic controller, the direction of a force that is supplied to the manipulation member after force pattern switching remains the same as that before the switching. This makes it possible to reduce the degree of an incongruous feeling the manipulator may have due to a force change at the time of force pattern switching.

In the invention, the force pattern switching section may switch between force patterns when the difference between the magnitudes of forces of the respective force patterns concerned is within a prescribed value.

In the thus-configured haptic controller, only a small force change occurs between a force that is supplied to the manipulation member before force pattern switching and that after the switching. This makes it possible to reduce the degree of an incongruous feeling the manipulator may have due to a force change at the time of force pattern switching.

In the invention, identification marks may be provided around the manipulation member so as to correspond to prescribed regions in the movement range of the manipulation member.

In the thus-configured haptic controller, the feel in manipulating the manipulation member can be varied relative to the identification marks.

In the invention, the haptic controller may be provided in a manipulation device for manipulating a vehicular apparatus.

In such a haptic controller, the manipulation member provided in the manipulation device of the vehicular apparatus can cause a manipulative feel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is a front view of a knob that is allowed to cause a manipulative feel by a haptic controller according to a first embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2</figref> is a block diagram showing the configuration of the haptic controller according to the first embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3</figref> illustrates a pattern of force that is supplied to the knob by the haptic controller of <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2</figref>, that is, a force pattern;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Fig. 4</figref> is a flowchart showing a process of supplying a force to the knob by the haptic controller of <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Fig. 5</figref> is a perspective view of a shift lever capable of causing a manipulative feel according to a second embodiment of the invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Fig. 6</figref> is a block diagram showing the configuration of a haptic controller according to the second embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Fig. 7</figref> illustrates a force pattern that is used in an automatic mode;</li><li><figref idref="f0006">Fig. 8</figref> illustrates a force pattern that is used in a manual mode; and</li><li><figref idref="f0007">Figs. 9</figref> and <figref idref="f0008">10</figref> are flowcharts showing a process of supplying a force to the shift lever by the haptic controller of <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 6</figref>.</li></ul>

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Haptic controllers according to embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter described with reference to the drawings.

<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is a front view of a knob capable of causing a manipulative feel according to the first embodiment. <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2</figref> is a block diagram showing the configuration of a haptic controller according to the first embodiment. <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3</figref> illustrates a pattern of force that is supplied to the knob by the haptic controller of <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2</figref>, that is, it illustrates a force pattern. <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 4</figref> is a flowchart showing a process of supplying a force to the knob by the haptic controller of <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2</figref>.

The haptic controller according to the first embodiment is provided in a vehicular apparatus, for example, it is provided for a changeover switch for switching the air outlets of an air-conditioner. As shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>, the changeover switch is equipped with a knob 1 as a manipulation member to be manipulated, that is, rotated by hand, identification marks 3-7 that are provided around the knob 1 and indicate options, and an indicator 2 for indicating a selected one of the identification marks 3-7.

As shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2</figref>, the haptic controller according to the first embodiment is provided with an actuator 11 as a motive power source for supplying force to the knob 1, a detecting section 9 for detecting a position of the knob 1, a computing means 12 for calculating a control value to be used for controlling the actuator 11 in accordance with the position, i.e., rotation angle, of the knob 1 detected by the detecting section 9, and a power transmitting section 10 such as speed reducing gears for transmitting motive power generated by the actuator 11 to the knob 1.

As shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2</figref>, the computing means 12 is provided with an input section 13 to which position data of the knob 1 detected by the detecting section 9 is input, a storing section 16 in which particular points A1-A7 (see <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3</figref>) of a force pattern A (described later) that is preset to supply a prescribed force to the knob 1 in accordance with a position of the knob 1 are stored, a computing section 14 for calculating a force to be supplied to the knob 1 on the basis of the force pattern A in accordance with a position of the knob 1 detected by the detecting section 9, that is, a control value to be supplied to the actuator 11, and an output section 15 for sending the control value calculated by the computing section 14 to the actuator 11.

An external input section 17 capable of inputting data to the storing section 16 is connected to the storing section 16 so that the force pattern A can be adjusted or altered from outside the computing means 12.

As shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3</figref>, the force pattern A is formed by particular points A1-A7 in which forces 0, ay2, ay3, 0, ay5, ay6, and 0 to be supplied to the knob 1 are set for particular positions 0, ax2, ax3, ax4, ax5, ax6, and ax7, respectively, that are set in a movable range of the knob 1 and functions represented by straight lines, for example, that connect the particular points A1 and A2, A2 and A3, A3 and A4, A4 and A5, A5 and A6, and A6 and A7, respectively. In the force pattern A, the particular point A4 (ax4, 0) is set as a reversing point to reverse the direction of force approximately at the center of the range from the particular position 0 to the particular position ax7.

The regions from the position 0 to the position ax7 that are set in the force pattern A in the above-described manner correspond to the region from the position of the identification mark 3 to the position of the identification mark 4, the region from the position of the identification mark 4 to the position of the identification mark 5, the region from the position of the identification mark 5 to the position of the identification mark 6, and the region from the position of the identification mark 6 to the position of the identification mark 7, respectively. In each of the above regions, a force based on the force pattern A is supplied to the knob 1.

When the detecting section 9 detects a position of the knob 1, the computing section 14 judges which region between particular positions, that is, which of the region from the position 0 to the position ax2, the region from the position ax2 to the position ax3, the region from the position ax3 to the position ax4, the region from the position ax4 to the position ax5, the region from the position ax5 to the position ax6, and the region from the position ax6 to the position ax7, the position of the knob 1 belongs to. Then, the computing section 14 calculates a control value for the actuator 11 on the basis of the function connecting the particular points that correspond to the two respective particular positions forming the region thus found.

If the knob 1 is rotated from the position of the identification mark 3 to the position of the identification mark 4 in the r-direction, the above-configured haptic controller operates in the following manner.

As shown in <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 4</figref>, when the knob 1 is rotated, a position of the knob 1 is detected by the detecting section 9 and position data of the knob 1 is input to the input section 13 (step S1).

Then, in the computing means 12, the computing section 14 judges which region between particular positions, that is, which of the region from the position 0 to the position ax2, the region from the position ax2 to the position ax3, the region from the position ax3 to the position ax4, the region from the position ax4 to the position ax5, the region from the position ax5 to the position ax6, and the region from the position ax6 to the position ax7, the position of the knob 1 belongs to (step S2).

If it is judged that the knob 1 is located in the region from the position 0 to the position ax2, for example, a force to be supplied to the knob 1 is calculated on the basis of the function connecting the particular points A1 and A2 that correspond to the two respective particular positions 0 and ax2 forming the region between them. That is, a control value to be supplied to the actuator 11 is calculated (step S3). Then, the control value is output from the output section 15 to the actuator 11 (step S4).

Also in the case where the position of the knob 1 exists in a region other than the region from the position 0 to the position ax2, that is, one of the region from the position ax2 to the position ax3, the region from the position ax3 to the position ax4, the region from the position ax4 to the position ax5, the region from the position ax5 to the position ax6, and the region from the position ax6 to the position ax7, a control value is calculated in the same manner as described above and the actuator 11 is controlled accordingly.

As the actuator 11 is controlled in the above manner, the direction of the force supplied to the knob 1 is reversed from the l-direction to the r-direction when the position of the knob 1 passes the exact center (position ax4 in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3</figref>) between the position of the identification mark 3 (position 0 in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3</figref>) and the position of the identification mark 4 (position ax7 in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3</figref>). Subsequently, a force in the r-direction is supplied to the knob 1 until the knob 1 reaches the position of the identification mark 4. Therefore, the fingers of the manipulator receives resistance from the knob 1 if the position of the knob 1 (i.e., the indicator 2) is closer to the position of the identification mark 3 than the position of the identification mark 4, and receive an accelerating force if the position of the knob 1 is closer to the position of the identification mark 4 than the position of the identification mark 3.

Likewise, when the knob 1 is rotated in the l-direction from the position of the identification mark 4, fingers of the manipulator receive resistance from the knob 1 if the position of the knob 1 is closer to the position of the identification mark 4 than the position of the identification mark 3, and receive an accelerating force if the position of the knob 1 is closer to the position of the identification mark 3 than the position of the identification mark 4.

If the manipulator releases his fingers from the knob 1, the knob 1 is rotated automatically toward a closer identification mark.

The force pattern A of <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3</figref> is set not only for the region from the identification mark 3 to the identification mark 4 but also for each of the region from the identification mark 4 to the identification mark 5, the region from the identification mark 5 to the identification mark 6, and the region from the identification mark 6 to the identification mark 7. Therefore, in each of the latter regions, the manipulator receives the same manipulative feel as described above.

As described above, in the first embodiment, only the particular points A1-A7 are stored in the storing section 16 and the computing section 14 calculates a control value to be supplied to the actuator 11 on the basis of one of the functions connecting the particular points A1 and S2, A2 and A3, A3 and A4 , A4 and A5, A5 and A6, and A6 and A7, respectively. Therefore, the force pattern A can be set by using a small amount of data, and hence work of adjusting or altering the force pattern A can be performed easily by using the external input section 17.

In the first embodiment, even if a manipulation on the knob 1 is stopped at an arbitrary position, the knob 1 is automatically relocated to the position of a closest one of the identification marks 3-7. This makes it possible to realize a knob that provides excellent ease of operation.

In the first embodiment, the manipulative feel of the knob 1 can be changed depending on its position relative to the identification marks 3-7. This also makes it possible to realize a knob that provides excellent ease of operation.

Next, a second embodiment will be described.

<figref idref="f0004">Fig. 5</figref> is a perspective view of a shift lever capable of causing a manipulative feel according to the second embodiment. <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 6</figref> is a block diagram showing the configuration of a haptic controller according to the second embodiment. <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 7</figref> illustrates a force pattern that is used in an automatic mode. <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 8</figref> illustrates a force pattern that is used in a manual mode. <figref idref="f0007">Figs. 9</figref> and <figref idref="f0008">10</figref> are flowcharts showing a process of supplying a force to the shift lever by the haptic controller of <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 6</figref>.

For example, the haptic controller according to the second embodiment is provided for the shift lever 21 of an automobile shown in <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 5</figref>. The shift lever 21 is movable in a guide 22, and identification marks 23-31 indicating options such as drive "D" and neutral "N" are provided beside the guide 22.

As shown in <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 6</figref>, the haptic controller according to the second embodiment is provided with an actuator 35 as a motive power source for supplying force to the shift lever 21, a detecting section 33 for detecting a position of the shift lever 21, a computing means 36 for calculating a control value to be used for controlling the actuator 35 in accordance with the position of the shift lever 21 detected by the detecting section 33, and a power transmitting section 34 such as speed reducing gears for transmitting motive power generated by the actuator 35 to the shift lever 21.

The computing means 36 is provided with an input section 37 to which position data of the shift lever 21 detected by the detecting section 33 is input, a storing section 42 in which particular points B1-B13 and C1-C13 of respective force patterns B and C (see <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 7</figref>) and particular points D1-D8 and F1-F8 of respective force patterns D and F (see <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 8</figref>) that are preset to supply a prescribed force to the shift lever 21 in accordance with a position of the shift lever 21 are stored, a computing section 39 for calculating control value to be used for controlling the actuator 35 on the basis of the force pattern B, C, D, or F in accordance with a position of the shift lever 21 detected by the detecting section 33, and an output section 40 for sending the control value calculated by the computing section 39 to the actuator 35.

An external input section 44 capable of inputting data to the storing section 42 is connected to the storing section 42 so that the force patterns B-F can be adjusted or altered from outside the computing means 36.

The force patterns B and C are used in an automatic mode in which the automobile is manipulated by moving the shift lever 21 to a desired one of the positions of identification marks 23-28. The identification mark 23 "P" means "parking," the identification mark 24 "R" means "reverse," the identification mark 25 "N" means "neutral," the identification nark 26 "D" means "drive," the identification mark 27 "2" means "second gear," and the identification mark 28 "1" means "low gear."

As shown in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 7</figref>, the force pattern B is formed by particular points B1-B13 in which forces 0, by2, by3, 0, by5, by6, 0, by8, by9, 0, by11, by12, and 0 to be supplied to the shift lever 21 are set for particular positions 0, bx2, bx3, bx4, bx5, bx6, bx7, bx8, bx9, bx10, bx11, bx12, and bx13, respectively, that are set in a movable range of the shift lever 21 and functions represented by straight lines, for example, that connect the particular points B1 and B2, B2 and B3, B3 and B4, B4 and B5, B5 and B6, B6 and B7, B7 and B8, B8 and B9, B9 and B10, B10 and B11, B11 and B12, and B12 and B13, respectively. In the force pattern B, the particular points B4, B7, and B10 are set as reversing points to reverse the direction of force to be supplied to the shift lever 21.

As shown in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 7</figref>, the force pattern C is formed by particular points C1-C13 in which forces 0, cy2, cy3, 0, cy5, cy6, 0, cy8, cy9, 0, cy11, cy12, and 0 to be supplied to the shift lever 21 are set for particular positions 0, cx2, cx3, cx4, cx5, cx6, cx7 (= bx7), cx8, cx9, cx10, cx11, cx12, and cx13 (= bx13), respectively, that are set in a movable range of the shift lever 21 and functions represented by straight lines, for example, that connect the particular points C1 and C2, C2 and C3, C3 and C4, C4 and C5, C5 and C6, C6 and C7, C7 and C8, C8 and C9, C9 and C10, C10 and C11, C11 and C12, and C12 and C13, respectively. In the force pattern C, the particular points C4, C7 (= B7), and C10 are set as reversing points to reverse the direction of force to be supplied to the shift lever 21.

For example, the region from the position 0 to the position bx13 (= cx13) for which the force patterns B and C are set in the above-described manner corresponds to the region from the identification mark 25 to the identification mark 27.

The force patterns D and F are used when the shift lever 21 is manipulated in the region from the position of the identification mark 29 to the position of the identification mark 31, that is, in a manual mode in which a shift-up manipulation and a shift-down manipulation can be performed. In the manual mode, gear shifting-up is effected by moving the shift lever 21 from the position of the identification mark 30 "·" to the position of the identification mark 31 "+" and gear shifting-down is effected by moving the shift lever 21 from the position of the identification mark 30 "•" to the position of the identification mark 29 "-."

As shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 8</figref>, the force pattern D is formed by particular points D1-D8 in which forces dy1, dy2, 0, dy4, dy5, dy6, dy7, and dy8 to be supplied to the shift lever 21 are set for particular positions 0, dx2, dx3, dx4, dx5, dx6, dx7, and dx8, respectively, that are set in a movable range of the shift lever 21 and functions represented by straight lines, for example, that connect the particular points D1 and D2, D2 and D3, D3 and D4, D4 and D5, D5 and D6, D6 and D7, and D7 and D8, respectively. In the force pattern D, the particular point D3 is set as a reversing point to reverse the direction of force to be supplied to the shift lever 21.

As shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 8</figref>, the force pattern F is formed by particular points F1-F8 in which forces fy1, fy2, fy3, fy4, fy5, 0, fy7, and fy8 to be supplied to the shift lever 21 are set for particular positions 0, fx2, fx3, fx4, fx5, fx6 (= dx3), fx7, and fx8 (= dx8), respectively, that are set in a movable range of the shift lever 21 and functions represented by straight lines, for example, that connect the particular points F1 and F2, F2 and F3, F3 and F4, F4 and F5, F5 and F6, F6 and F7, and F7 and F8, respectively. In the force pattern F, the particular point F6 (= D3) is set as a reversing point to reverse the direction of force to be supplied to the shift lever 21.

The region from the position 0 to the position dx8 (= fx8) for which the force patterns D and F are set in the above-described manner corresponds to the region from the the position of the identification mark 29 to the position of the identification mark 31.

In particular, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the computing means 36 is provided with a mode switching section 41 and a force pattern switching section 38.

When a changeover switch 43 that is provided on the steering wheel, for example, is turned on, the mode switching section 43 makes switching from the automatic mode to the manual mode or vice versa if the shift lever 21 is located in a switching region W1 (see <figref idref="f0005">Figs. 7</figref> and <figref idref="f0006">8</figref>) that is a particular region in the movable range of the shift lever 21.

In the automatic mode, the force pattern switching section 38 selects the force pattern B if the shift lever 21 is being moved in the switching region W1, W2, or W3 in an f-direction and selects the force pattern C if the shift lever 21 is being moved in the switching region W1, W2, or W3 in a b-direction. The force patterns B and C are set in such a manner that in the switching regions W1, W2, and W3 the points B1, B7, and B13 of the force pattern B coincide with the points C1, C7, and C13 of the force pattern C, respectively, and forces of the force patterns B and C are in the same direction and their difference is small and within a prescribed value.

In the manual mode, the force pattern switching section 38 selects the force pattern D if the shift lever 21 is being moved in the switching region W1, W4, or W5 (see <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 8</figref>) in the f-direction and selects the force pattern F if the shift lever 21 is being moved in the switching region W1 W4, or W5 in the b-direction.

If the detecting section 33 detects a position of the shift lever 21 in a state that the force pattern B is used, the computing section 39 judges which region between particular positions, that is, which of the region from the position 0 to the position bx2, the region from the position bx2 to the position bx3, the region from the position bx3 to the position bx4, the region from the position bx4 to the position bx5, the region from the position bx5 to the position bx6, the region from the position bx6 to the position bx7, the region from the position bx7 to the position bx8, the region from the position bx8 to the position bx9, the region from the position bx9 to the position bx10, the region from the position bx10 to the position bx11, the region from the position bx11 to the position bx12, and the region from the position bx12 to the position bx13, the position of the shift lever 21 belongs to. Then, the computing section 39 calculates a control value to be supplied to the actuator 35 on the basis of a function connecting the particular points that correspond to the two respective particular positions forming the region thus found.

If the detecting section 33 detects a position of the shift lever 21 in a state that the force pattern C is used, the computing section 39 judges which region between particular positions, that is, which of the region from the position 0 to the position cx2, the region from the position cx2 to the position cx3, the region from the position cx3 to the position cx4, the region from the position cx4 to the position cx5, the region from the position cx5 to the position cx6, the region from the position cx6 to the position cx7, the region from the position cx7 to the position cx8, the region from the position cx8 to the position cx9, the region from the position cx9 to the position cx10, the region from the position cx10 to the position cx11, the region from the position cx11 to the position cx12, and the region from the position cx12 to the position cx13, the position of the shift lever 21 belongs to. Then, the computing section 39 calculates a control value to be supplied to the actuator 35 on the basis of a function connecting the particular points that correspond to the two respective particular positions forming the region thus found.

If the detecting section 33 detects a position of the shift lever 21 in a state that the force pattern D is used, the computing section 39 judges which region between particular positions, that is, which of the region from the position 0 to the position dx2, the region from the position dx2 to the position dx3, the region from the position dx3 to the position dx4, the region from the position dx4 to the position dx5, the region from the position dx5 to the position dx6, the region from the position dx6 to the position dx7, and the region from the position dx7 to the position dx8, the position of the shift lever 21 belongs to. Then, the computing section 39 calculates a control value to be supplied to the actuator 35 on the basis of a function connecting the particular points that correspond to the two respective particular positions forming the region thus found.

If the detecting section 33 detects a position of the shift lever 21 in a state that the force pattern F is used, the computing section 39 judges which region between particular positions, that is, which of the region from the position 0 to the position fx2, the region from the position fx2 to the position fx3, the region from the position fx3 to the position fx4, the region from the position fx4 to the position fx5, the region from the position fx5 to the position fx6, the region from the position fx6 to the position fx7, and the region from the position fx7 to the position fx8, the position of the shift lever 21 belongs to. Then, the computing section 39 calculates a control value to be supplied to the actuator 35 on the basis of a function connecting the particular points that correspond to the two respective particular positions forming the region thus found.

The above-configured haptic controller according to the second embodiment operates in the following manner.

First, an operation in the automatic mode will be described.

If the shift lever 21 is moved in the region from the position of the identification mark 25 to the position of the identification mark 27, a position of the shift lever 21 is detected by the detecting section 33 and position data of the shift lever 21 is input to the input section 37 (step T1).

Then, the mode switching section 41 judges whether the changeover switch 43 is turned on (step T2). If at present the automatic mode is used and the changeover switch 43 is off (no), the force pattern switching section 38 of the computing means 36 judges whether the shift lever 21 is located in one of the switching regions W1, W2, and W3 shown in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 7</figref> (step T7). If the shift lever 21 is not located in any of the switching regions W1, W2, and W3 (no), the computing section 39 calculates a force to be supplied to the shift lever 21 on the basis of a force pattern currently used, for example, the force pattern B, and the actuator 35 is controlled so that the calculated force is supplied to the shift lever 21 (steps T11-T13).

In steps T11-T13, first the computing section 39 judges which region between particular positions, that is, which of the region from the position 0 to the position bx2, the region from the position bx2 to the position bx3, the region from the position bx3 to the position bx4, the region from the position bx4 to the position bx5, the region from the position bx5 to the position bx6, the region from the position bx6 to the position bx7, the region from the position bx7 to the position bx8, the region from the position bx8 to the position bx9, the region from the position bx9 to the position bx10, the region from the position bx10 to the position bx11, the region from the position bx11 to the position bx12, and the region from the position bx12 to the position bx13, the position of the shift lever 21 belongs to (step T11).

If it is judged that the shift lever 21 is located in the region from the position bx2 to the position bx3, for example, a control value to be supplied to the actuator 35 is calculated on the basis of the function connecting the particular points B2 and B3 that correspond to the two respective particular positions bx2 and bx3 forming the region between them (step T12) and is output from the output section 40 to the actuator 35 (step T13).

Also in the case of calculating a force to be supplied to the shift lever 21 on the basis of the force pattern C, which region between particular positions the position of the shift lever 21 belongs to, is judged (step T11), and a control value to be supplied to the actuator 35 is calculated on the basis of a function connecting particular points that correspond to the two respective particular positions forming a region thus found (step T12) and is output from the output section 40 to the actuator 35 (step T13).

If it is judged at step T7 that the shift lever 21 is located in one of the switching regions W1-W3 shown in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 7</figref> (yes), it is judged whether the shift lever 21 is being moved in the f-direction (step T8). For example, if it is judged that the shift lever 21 is being moved in the f-direction (yes), the force pattern B is selected (step T9). If it is judged that the shift lever 21 is not being moved in the f-direction (no), that is, the shift lever 21 is being moved in the b-direction, the force pattern C is selected (step T10).

Therefore, when, for example, the shift lever 21 is moved from the position of the identification mark 26 (the position bx7 or cx7 in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 7</figref>) to the position of the identification mark 25 (the position bx13 or cx13 in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 7</figref>), the force to be supplied to the shift lever 21 is controlled on the basis of the force pattern B. That is, when the shift lever 21 starts to be moved from the position of the identification mark 26, strong resistance (i.e., a force in the b-direction) against the manipulation force (i.e., a force in the f-direction) is given to the fingers of the manipulator. When the shift lever 21 comes closer to the position of the identification mark 25 than the position of the identification mark 26, an accelerating force toward the position of the identification mark 25 (i.e., a force in the f-direction) is produced.

When the shift lever 21 is moved from the position of the identification mark 25 to the position of the identification mark 26, the force to be supplied to the shift lever 21 is controlled on the basis of the force pattern C. That is, when the shift lever 21 starts to be moved from the position of the identification mark 25, strong resistance (i.e., a force in the f-direction) against the manipulation force (i.e., a force in the b-direction) is given to the fingers of the manipulator. When the shift lever 21 comes closer to the position of the identification mark 26 than the position of the identification mark 25, an accelerating force toward the position of the identification mark 26 (i.e., a force in the b-direction) is produced.

Therefore, the manipulator can receive the same manipulative feel when he moves the shift lever 21 in the f-direction and in the b-direction.

At the time of switching between force patterns, a large change does not occur between a force that is supplied to the shift lever 21 before the switching and that after the switching, because the points B1, B7, and B13 of the force pattern B coincide with the points C1, C7, and C13 of the force pattern C, respectively, and forces of the force patterns B and C are in the same direction and their difference is small and within the prescribed value.

Next, a description will be made of an operation that is performed when switching is made from the automatic mode to the manual mode.

When the shift lever 21 is manipulated, its position is detected by the detecting section 33 and position data of the shift lever 21 is input to the input section 37 (step T1).

At this time, the mode switching section 41 of the computing means 36 judges whether the changeover switch 43 is turned on (step T2). Since the changeover switch 43 is turned on (yes), it is judged whether the shift lever 21 is close to the position of the identification mark 26, that is, whether the shift lever 21 is located in the switching region W1 (step T3). If the shift lever 21 is located in the switching region W1 (yes), it is judged whether the current mode is the automatic mode (step T4). Since the current mode is the automatic mode (yes), switching is made to the manual mode shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 8</figref> (step T5).

Then, the force pattern switching section 38 of the computing means 36 judges whether the shift lever 21 is located in one of the switching regions W1, W4, and W5 (step T7). Since the shift lever 21 is located in the switching region W1 (yes), it is judged whether the shift lever 21 is being moved in the f-direction (step T8). If the shift lever 21 is being moved in the f-direction (yes), the force pattern D is selected (step T9). If the shift lever 21 is being moved in the b-direction (no), the force pattern F is selected (step T10). If the force pattern D, for example, is selected, the computing section 39 calculates a force to be supplied to the shift lever 21 on the basis of the force pattern D and the actuator 35 is controlled so that the calculated force is supplied to the shift lever 21 (steps T11-T13).

In steps T11-T13, first the computing section 39 judges which region between particular positions, that is, which of the region from the position 0 to the position dx2, the region from the position dx2 to the position dx3, the region from the position dx3 to the position dx4, the region from the position dx4 to the position dx5, the region from the position dx5 to the position dx6, the region from the position dx6 to the position dx7, and the region from the position dx7 to the position dx8, the position of the shift lever 21 belongs to (step T11).

If it is judged that the shift lever 21 is located in the region from the position dx4 to the position dx5, for example, a control value to be supplied to the actuator 35 is calculated on the basis of the function connecting the particular points D4 and D5 that correspond to the two respective particular positions dx4 and dx5 forming the region between them (step T12) and is output from the output section 40 to the actuator 35 (step T13).

In the manual mode, the force pattern switching section 38 judges whether the shift lever 21 is located in one of the switching regions W1, W4, and W5 (step T7). If it is judged that the shift lever 21 is located in one of the switching regions W1, W4, and W5 (yes), it is judged whether the shift lever 21 is being moved in the f-direction (step T8). If the shift lever 21 is being moved in the f-direction (yes), the force pattern D is selected (step T9). If the shift lever 21 is being moved in the b-direction (no), the force pattern F is selected (step T10). As a result, the force that is supplied to the shift lever 21 always acts as resistance against the manipulation force, whereby the manipulator receives the same manipulative feel (resistance) when he performs a shift-down manipulation and a shift-up manipulation.

If the manipulator releases his fingers from the shift lever 21 at a halfway position while moving the shift lever 21 from the position of the identification mark 30 (the position dx3 or fx6 in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 8</figref>) toward the position of the identification mark 29 (the position dx8 or fx8 in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 8</figref>), the shift lever 21 is returned to the position of the identification mark 30 because a force in the b-direction is being supplied to the shift lever 21. Similarly, if the manipulator releases his fingers from the shift lever 21 at a halfway position while moving the shift lever 21 from the position of the identification mark 30 toward the position of the identification mark 31 (the position dx1 or fx1 in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 8</figref>), the shift lever 21 is returned to the position of the identification mark 30 because a force in the f-direction is being supplied to the shift lever 21.

As described above, in the second embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, the particular points B1-B13 are stored in the storing section 42 to set the force pattern B, the particular points C1-C13 are stored in the storing section 42 to set the force pattern C, the particular points D1-D8 are stored in the storing section 42 to set the force pattern D, and the particular points F1-F8 are stored in the storing section 42 to set the force pattern F. And the computing section 39 calculates a control value for the actuator 35 on the basis of a function connecting adjoining particular points of each force pattern. Therefore, each of the force patterns B-F can be set by using a small amount of data, and hence work of adjusting or altering the force patterns B-F can be performed easily by using the external input section 44.

According to the second embodiment, a large change does not occur between a force that is supplied to the shift lever 21 before switching between the force patterns B and C and that after the switching. This allows a manipulator to have almost no incongruous feeling due to a force change at the time of force pattern switching.

According to the second embodiment, the feel in manipulating the shift lever 21 can be varied in accordance with the position of the shift lever 21 relative to the identification marks 23-31. This makes it possible to realize a shift lever that provides excellent ease of operation.

According to the second embodiment, even if a manipulator stops manipulating the shift lever 21 at an arbitrary position, the shift lever 21 can automatically be relocated to the position of a closest one of the identification marks 23-28. This also contributes to realization of a shift lever that provides excellent ease of operation.

In the first and second embodiments, each force pattern is represented by functions defined on a plane because the position of the knob 1 or the shift lever 21 can be represented by the one-dimensional coordinate. However, the invention is not limited to such a case. For example, a force pattern may be represented by functions defined in a space in the case where a manipulation member is manipulated in many directions as in the case of a manipulation lever that is swung back and forth and to the right and left.

Although in the first and second embodiments each adjoining pair of particular points are connected by function representing a straight line, the invention is not limited to such a case. Each adjoining pair of particular points may be connected by a function representing a curve.

As described above, according to the invention, a force pattern can be set by using a small amount of data because the force pattern is set by storing particular points in the storing section and a function connecting particular points that correspond to respective adjoining particular positions is determined by the computing section. This makes it easier to perform work of adjusting or altering the force pattern.

In the invention, at least one of the particular points in the movement range of the manipulation member may be a reversing point to reverse the direction of force to be supplied to the manipulation member. In this case, even if a manipulator stops manipulating the manipulation member at an arbitrary position in the movement range, the manipulation member is supplied with such a force as to be directed toward one of the two positions forming the movement range. Therefore, the manipulation member can be relocated to the one of the two positions forming the movement range. This makes it possible to realize a manipulation member that provides excellent ease of operation.

In the invention, a plurality of force patterns may be set, and a force pattern switching section may be provided that switches between force patterns in a state that the manipulation member is located in a prescribed region of the movement range of the manipulation member. In this case, force pattern switching is not made at a certain position but in a prescribed region. This makes it easier to judge whether switching is necessary and increases the reliability of the force pattern switching. Therefore, an erroneous control on the force to be supplied to the manipulation member can be prevented.

In the invention, the force pattern switching section may switch between force patterns when forces of the force patterns concerned are in the same direction. In this case, the direction of a force that is supplied to the manipulation member after force pattern switching remains the same as that before the switching. This makes it possible to reduce the degree of an incongruous feeling a manipulator may have due to a force change at the time of force pattern switching, and allows the manipulator to manipulate the manipulation member smoothly.

In the invention, the force pattern switching section may switch between force patterns when the difference between the magnitudes of forces of the respective force patterns concerned is within a prescribed value. In this case, only a small force change occurs between a force that is supplied to the manipulation member before force pattern switching and that after the switching. This also contributes to reducing the degree of an incongruous feeling a manipulator may have due to a force change at the time of force pattern switching, and allowing the manipulator to manipulate the manipulation member smoothly.

In the invention, identification marks may be provided around the manipulation member so as to correspond to prescribed regions in the movement range of the manipulation member. In this case, the feel in manipulating the manipulation member can be varied relative to the positions of the identification marks. This makes it possible to realize a manipulation member that provides excellent ease of operation.

In the invention, the haptic controller may be provided in a manipulation device for manipulating a vehicular apparatus. In this case, the manipulation member provided in the manipulation device of the vehicular apparatus can cause a manipulative feel. Therefore, the operability of not only the manipulation device but also the vehicular apparatus can be enhanced.