Patent ID: 7463240
Filing Date: 2008-12-09
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A haptic input device comprising: display means for displaying a cursor and a plurality of buttons; input means having an operating unit, an operating amount-detecting unit for detecting an operating amount of the operating unit, and an actuator for applying a required feedback force to the operating unit; and control means for controlling the display of the cursor based on the operating amount signals from the operating amount-detecting unit and for controlling driving of the actuator so as to apply a given attractive force exerted toward one of the buttons to the operating unit based on the positional relationship between the cursor and the buttons, wherein when the cursor moves from a first attractive area that attracts the cursor to a first button displayed on the display means to a second attractive area that attracts the cursor to a second button displayed on the display means, the control means increase the attractive force exerted toward the second button to be larger than a given attractive force by extending the second attractive area during a set increment time.