Patent ID: 7639239
Filing Date: 2009-12-29
Classification: G01C,G06F

Abstract:
1. A vibration-function-equipped control input system comprising: a display panel operable to display a control screen; a touch panel disposed on the display panel, an area of the touch panel defining a control key, the control key being displayed on the control screen and configured to adjust a setting of a control object controlled by pressing at least a portion of the area of the touch panel defining the control key; a pressure-position detector operable to detect a pressed position of the touch panel when the touch panel is pressed; a position comparing section operable to determine if the pressed position of the touch panel is within a same area as the area of the touch panel defining the control key; a vibration section operable to generate vibration to apply to the touch panel; and a controller operatively connected to the display panel, the touch panel, the pressure-position detector, the position comparing section, and the vibration section, wherein the controller directs the vibration section to generate a vibration for confirming a key entry when the position comparing section determines that the pressed position of the touch panel is within the area of the touch panel defining the control key; and when the position comparing section determines that the pressed position of the touch panel is within the area of the touch panel defining the control key, a timer starts measuring a time elapsed during which the pressed position of the touch panel (1) remains within the area of the touch panel defining the control key and (2) has been continuously pressed, and if the time elapsed that the pressed position of the touch panel remains within the area of the touch panel defining the control key and has been continuously pressed reaches a pre-determined time, the controller further directs the vibration section to generate a first vibration pattern at the area of the touch panel defining the control key to confirm the entry of a long key press, and subsequently directs the vibration section to generate a second vibration pattern at the area of the touch panel defining the control key if the pressed position of the touch panel remains within the area of the touch panel defining the control key and is continued to be pressed for a period of time after the entry of the long key press such that a current setting of the control object controlled by the control key is changed by the continued pressing of at least a portion of the area of the touch panel defining the control key.