Patent Publication Number: US-6987508-B2

Title: Manual input device which provides its control knob with plural modes of operation feeling, and car-mounted apparatus controller based thereon

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to manual input devices also called mechanical switches, and particularly to feeling providing means which can provide a knob with a plurality of operation feeling (tactile sensation or force feedback) modes. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Conventionally a manual input device which has a knob and a position sensor for detecting the amount and direction of manipulation of the knob has been well known. Generally, this type of manual input device has feeling providing means for giving the knob the required kinesthetic force or clicking sensation so that the knob can be adequately manipulated with a satisfactory operation feeling. 
     FIGS. 17A and 17B  show one example of a conventional manual input device of this type. In this case, it is a rotary manual input device; as clearly illustrated in the figures, it is mainly composed of a housing  101 ; a rotary shaft  102  which is rotatably supported by the housing  101  with one end of it protruding out through an opening  101   a  made in the housing  101 ; a knob  103  which is fixed to one end of the rotary shaft  102  protruding from the housing  101 ; feeling providing means  104  housed in the housing  101 ; and a position sensor  105 . The feeling providing means  104  comprises a disc  107 , fixed to the rotary shaft  102 , with a prescribed arrangement of many dents  106  for a feeling pattern on its circumferential surface; and a ball  109  which is held pushed in one direction by an elastic body  108  and in contact with the circumferential surface of the disk  107 . The position sensor  105  consists of a code-disc  110  fixed to the rotary shaft  102  and a photo-interrupter  111  with a light emitting element  111   a  and a light detecting element  111   b  facing each other on the front and back sides of the code-disc  110 , respectively. 
   In this manual input device, as the knob  103  is rotated around the axis of the rotary shaft  102 , the rotary shaft  102 , disc  107  and code-disc  110  rotate in the same direction by the same amount as the knob  103 . As the disc  107  rotates, the ball  109  held pushed in one direction by the elastic body  108  disengages from a dent  106  on the circumferential surface of the disc  107 , slides up onto the land (portion with no dents  106 ), then engages with a neighboring dent  106 . This cycle is repeated depending on the amount of rotation of the knob  103  and a change in the manipulation force is conveyed to the knob  103  as a clicking sensation. As the code-disc  110  rotates, slits  110   a  made in the code-disc  110  cross the set point for the light emitting element  111   a  and light detecting element  111   b ; the number of slits  110   a  which have crossed it and their direction are detected by the photo-interrupter  111  to get positional signals such as those for the amount and direction of rotation of the knob  103 . 
   This type of manual input device is usually installed in a car-mounted apparatus controller provided in a car and used to control the functions of various car-mounted electric apparatuses such as an air conditioner, radio, TV, CD player and navigation system. 
   Such a car-mounted apparatus controller integrates the following mechanisms: a selection switch for selecting an electric apparatus to be controlled; a function selection switch for selecting one of various functions of the electric apparatus selected by the selection switch; and a manual input device for controlling the function selected by the function selection switch. Here, a knob as part of the manual input device is manipulated in order to control the various functions of each electric apparatus. By using this car-mounted apparatus controller, a driver can control the various functions of each electric apparatus by means of the conveniently located electric apparatus selection switches, function selection switches and manual input device, so that he/she can control the functions of various electric apparatuses easily and adequately without his/her safe drive being interrupted. 
   However, since, as shown in  FIG. 17  the conventional manual input device has only one row of dents  106  as a feeling pattern and only one ball  109  to engage with these dents  106 , it is impossible to change the knob operation feeling as necessary. Therefore, if the conventional manual input device is applied to a car-mounted apparatus controller, the user only experiences the same operation feeling through the knob  103  when controlling, for example, the temperature of the air conditioner as when controlling its air flow rate. This tends to cause the user to fail to do functional control properly. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In order to solve the above problem in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a highly operable manual input device which can change the knob operation feeling as appropriate, and also provide a highly operable car-mounted apparatus controller which uses this type of manual input device. 
   As a solution to the above problem, a manual input device according to the present invention comprises a knob, feeling providing means which have at least two kinds of feeling patterns, and an actuator which activates the feeling providing means and changes an operation feeling provided to the knob. 
   In this constitution, the actuator is driven to activate the feeling providing means so as to change the operation feeling provided to the knob as appropriate, which improves the operability of the manual input device and makes apparatus functional control with the manual input device easy and accurate. 
   Also, a manual input device comprises a knob, feeling providing means which provides the knob with an operation feeling, an actuator which activates the feeling providing means, detecting means which detects an operating condition of the knob, and an input/output section which exchanges signals with an external device controlled by the knob, wherein the actuator is controlled according to a control signal generated based on an external signal from external detecting means connected at least with the external device. 
   When a manual input device is provided with such feeling providing means and such an actuator, the operation feeling given to the knob can be changed as appropriate by activating the feeling providing means through the actuator, so the operability of the manual input device is improved and functional control of an apparatus with the manual input device can be done easily and adequately. When the actuator for activating the feeling providing means is controlled according to a control signal generated based on an external signal at least from external detecting means, fine control of the actuator can be made in a manner to suit the condition of the external device, which prevents discrepancy between the external device&#39;s operating condition and the knob manipulation, thereby enhancing the operability and reliability of the manual input device. 
   Also, a manual input device comprises a knob, feeling providing means which provides the knob with an operation feeling, an actuator which activates the feeling providing means, a control section for the actuator, detecting means which detects an operating condition of the knob, and an input/output section which exchanges signals with an external device controlled by the knob, wherein an external signal from external detecting means connected at least with the external device is inputted into the control section through the input/output section to generate a control signal for the actuator to match at least the external signal, and wherein the actuator is controlled according to the control signal. 
   When a manual input device is provided with a control section and all detection signals and external signals are inputted into the control section in this way, it is unnecessary to modify the external device and thus application of the manual input device to the external device is easy. 
   Also, a manual input device comprises a knob, feeling providing means which provides the knob with an operation feeling, an actuator which activates the feeling providing means, a control section for the actuator, detecting means which detects an operating condition of the knob, and an input/output section which exchanges signals with an external device controlled by the knob, wherein both a detection signal at least from the detecting means and an external signal from external detection means connected with the external device are inputted into the external device to generate control information for the actuator to match the detection signal and the external signal, wherein the control information is picked up by the control section through the input/output section to generate a control signal for the actuator to match the control information, and wherein the actuator is controlled according to the control signal. 
   When control information which matches detection and external signals is generated in the external device and transmitted to the control section in this way, the workload on the control section is reduced and thus the actuator control speed can be increased. 
   Also, a manual input device comprises a knob, feeling providing means which provides the knob with an operation feeling, an actuator which activates the feeling providing means, detecting means which detects an operating condition of the knob, and an input/output section which exchanges signals with an external device controlled by the knob, wherein both a detection signal at least from the detecting means and an external signal from external detection means connected with the external device are inputted into the external device to generate a control signal for the actuator to match the detection signal and the external signal, and wherein the actuator is controlled according to the control signal. 
   When an actuator control signal which matches detection and external signals is generated in the external device to control the actuator in the manual input device in this way, the control section in the manual input device can be omitted and thus a compact, less costly manual input device can be realized. 
   Furthermore, the knob in a manual input device as mentioned above is designed to be manipulated by linear movement. 
   When a sliding manual input device is provided with such a linearly operable knob in this way, the operability of the sliding manual input device is improved and functional control of an apparatus with the sliding manual input device can be done easily and adequately. 
   Furthermore, the knob in a manual input device as mentioned above is designed to be manipulated by rotation. 
   When a rotary manual input device is provided with such a rotatable knob, the operability of the rotary manual input device is improved and functional control of an apparatus with the device can be done easily and adequately. 
   Furthermore, the knob in a manual input device as mentioned above is designed to be manipulated by rotating it in at least two directions. 
   When a joystick type manual input device is provided with such a knob rotatable in at least two directions, the operability of the joystick type manual input device is improved and functional control of an apparatus with the device can be done easily and adequately. 
   The feeling providing means in a manual input device as mentioned above is composed of a disc or cylinder which bears plural feeling patterns (rows) and is fixed to a control shaft to be manipulated by the knob; and a ball or pin elastically forced to contact the disc or cylinder; and the actuator linearly reciprocates the above ball or pin in a direction where the plural feeling patterns (rows) are arranged. 
   In this constitution, the actuator is driven to let the ball or pin selectively contact one of the feeling patterns to give the knob an operation feeling corresponding to the feeling pattern in contact with the ball or pin and thus provide the knob with different modes of operating feeling, so the operability of the manual input device is improved and functional control of an apparatus with the device can be done easily and adequately. 
   The feeling providing means in a manual input device as mentioned above is composed of a disc or cylinder which bears a feeling pattern (row) and is fixed to a control shaft to be manipulated by the knob; and plural balls or pins elastically forced to contact the disc or cylinder; and the actuator linearly reciprocates one of the plural balls or pins in a direction where it selectively engages with the feeling pattern. 
   In this constitution, the actuator is driven to let one of the balls or pins contact the feeling pattern to give the knob an operation feeling corresponding to the shape or size of that ball or pin and thus provide the knob with different modes of operation feeling, so the operability of the manual input device is improved and functional control of an apparatus with the device can be done easily and adequately. 
   The feeling providing means in a manual input device as mentioned above consists of a rotary polyhedron which bears plural feeling patterns (rows) arranged in parallel in an axial direction of its outer surface; and the actuator reciprocally rotates the above rotary polyhedron around its axis, with one end of a control shaft to be manipulated by the knob being in contact with the outer surface of the rotary polyhedron bearing the feeling patterns. 
   In this constitution, the actuator is driven to rotate the rotary polyhedron around its axis and let one end of the control shaft to be manipulated by the knob contact one of the plural feeling patterns formed on the outer surface of the rotary polyhedron to give the knob an operation feeling corresponding to the feeling pattern in contact with one end of the control shaft and thus provide the knob with different modes of operation feeling, so the operability of the manual input device is improved and functional control of an apparatus with the device can be done easily and adequately. 
   On the other hand, the car-mounted apparatus controller incorporates a function selection switch for selecting one function among various functions to be controlled and a manual input device for controlling the function selected by the function selection switch. Here, the manual input device comprises a knob, feeling providing means having at least two kinds of feeling patterns and an actuator for activating the feeling providing means and changing an operation feeling given to the knob. 
   When the car-mounted apparatus controller uses such a manual input device comprising a knob, feeling providing means having feeling patterns and an actuator for activating the feeling providing means and changing the operation feeling given to the knob, the actuator is driven to activate the feeling providing means to change the operation feeling given to the knob as appropriate so that a different operation feeling can be provided to the knob depending on the type of control required for each car-mounted electric apparatus and, therefore, the operability of the car-mounted apparatus controller is improved and functional control of an apparatus with it can be done easily and adequately. 
   Also, a car-mounted apparatus controller comprises: an electric apparatus selection switch for selecting an electric apparatus to be controlled; a function selection switch for selecting one of various functions of the electric apparatus selected by the apparatus selection switch; and a manual input device for controlling a function selected by the function selection switch. Here, the manual input device comprises: a knob, feeling providing means for providing the knob an operation feeling, an actuator for activating the feeling providing means, detecting means for detecting an operating condition of the knob, and an input/output section which exchanges signals with an external device controlled by the knob. The actuator is controlled according to a control signal generated based on both a detection signal at least from the detecting means and an external signal from external detecting means connected with the external device. 
   When the car-mounted apparatus controller uses such a manual input device comprising a knob, feeling providing means and an actuator for the feeling providing means, the actuator is driven to activate the feeling providing means to change the operation feeling given to the knob as appropriate so that a different operation feeling can be provided to the knob depending on the type of control required for each car-mounted electric apparatus. Therefore, the operability of the car-mounted apparatus controller is improved and functional control of an apparatus with it can be done easily and adequately. Also, when the manual input device in the car-mounted apparatus controller uses an actuator which is controlled according to a control signal generated based on both a detection signal at least from detecting means and an external signal from external detecting means connected with the external device, the actuator can be finely controlled in a manner to match the condition of the electric apparatus, which prevents discrepancy between the operating condition of the electric apparatus and the manipulation of the knob, thereby enhancing the operability and reliability of the car-mounted apparatus controller. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  shows the configuration of a manual input device according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows the configuration of a manual input device according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  shows the configuration of a manual input device according to a third embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 4  shows the configuration of a manual input device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  shows the configuration of a manual input device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 6  shows the configuration of a manual input device according to a sixth embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 7  shows the configuration of a manual input device according to a seventh embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing a first application example of a manual input device based on the invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram showing a second application example of a manual input device based on the invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing a third application example of a manual input device based on the invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a block diagram showing a fourth application example of a manual input device based on the invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a waveform chart concerning an example of operation feeling provided to the knob of the manual input device as the fourth application example; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing the main part of a car-mounted apparatus controller according to an embodiment which is installed on the dashboard; 
       FIG. 14  is a top view partially showing the inside of a car in which a car-mounted apparatus controller according to the embodiment is installed; 
       FIG. 15  is a functional block diagram for a carmounted apparatus controller according to the embodiment; 
       FIG. 16  is an operational block diagram for a car-mounted apparatus controller according to the embodiment; and 
       FIGS. 17A and 17B  show the configuration of a conventional manual input device. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Next, manual input devices as preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. 
   &lt;Manual Input Device—Embodiment 1&gt; 
     FIG. 1  shows a manual input device  1 A according to a first embodiment of the invention. This manual input device  1 A is of the rotary type; as clearly seen from this figure, it comprises: a housing  1 ; a control shaft  2  which is rotatably supported by the housing  1  with one end of it protruding out through an opening  1   a  made in the housing  1 ; and a knob  3  which is fixed to one end of the control shaft  2  protruding from the housing  1 , wherein the housing  1  houses feeling providing means  4 , first detecting means  5  for detecting the amount and direction of rotation of the control shaft  2  and knob  3 , an actuator  6  for activating the feeling providing means  4  to change the operation feeling given to the knob  3  and second detecting means  7  for detecting the amount and direction of drive of the actuator  6 . This manual input device  1 A further comprises: an input/output section  8  which exchanges signals with an external device (not shown); a controller  9  which generates and outputs a control signal c for the actuator  6  based on an external signal b from external detecting means connected with the invisible external device, or based on control information e generated based at least on external signal b; a D/A converter  10  for converting the control signal c from the controller  9  into an analog signal; and a power amplifier  11  for amplifying the analog signal as a result of conversion of the control signal c by the D/A converter  10  to obtain the power to drive the actuator  6 . Here, if the actuator  6  is a stepping motor, the D/A converter  10  can be omitted. 
   The feeling providing means  4  comprises plural discs (in  FIG. 1 , three discs)  12 ,  13 ,  14  all fixed to the control shaft  2  and a ball holder  15  for providing an operation feeling to the knob  3  in conjunction with the discs  12 ,  13 ,  14 . Formed on the circumferential surface of the disc  12  is a first feeling pattern FP 1  where dents  12   a  with a large diameter are evenly spaced with a medium pitch; formed on the disk  13 &#39;s circumferential surface is a second feeling pattern FP 2  where dents  13   a  with a medium diameter are evenly spaced with a large pitch; and formed on the disk  14 &#39;s circumferential surface is a third feeling pattern FP 3  where dents  14   a  with a small diameter are evenly spaced with a small pitch. The ball holder  15  has a ball  15   a  elastically forced to selectively contact one of the discs  12 ,  13 ,  14 , and an elastic material  15   b  which pushes and holds the ball  15   a  outward to elastically force it to contact the circumferential surface of one of the discs  12 ,  13 ,  14 . 
   The first detecting means  5  is a rotary encoder consisting of a code-disc  16  fixed to the control shaft  2  and a photo-interrupter  17  with a light emitting element  17   a  and a light detecting element  17   b  facing each other on the front and back sides of the code-disc  16 , respectively. The code-disc  16  has many slits  16   a  arranged in a prescribed manner and the slit  16   a  which has crossed the photo-interrupter  17  is detected to get positional signals such as those for the amount and direction of rotation of the control shaft  2  and knob  3 . 
   The actuator  6  has an electromagnet  6   a  and a solenoid which consists of a drive shaft  6   b  which linearly reciprocates in steps by means of the electromagnet  6   a , with the ball holder  15  mounted on the tip of the drive shaft  6   b . On the drive shaft  6   b  is a rack  6   c  engaged with a pinion  7   b  fixed to a rotary shaft  7   a  of second detecting means  7  (mentioned below) for driving the second detecting means  7 . The actuator  6  changes the excited state of the electromagnet  6   a  to alter the amount of protrusion of the drive shaft  6   b  to change the disc ( 12 ,  13  or  14 ) to contact the ball  15   a . When the ball  15   a  is elastically made to contact the circumferential surface of the disc  12 , a continuous operation feeling with a large tactile sensation is provided to the knob  3 . When the ball  15   a  is elastically made to contact the circumferential surface of the disc  13 , an intermittent operation feeling with a large tactile sensation is provided to the knob  3 . When the ball  15   a  is elastically made to contact the circumferential surface of the disc  14 , a continuous operation feeling with a small tactile sensation is provided to the knob  3 . 
   The second detecting means  7  is a rotary position sensor such as a rotary encoder or rotary variable resistor. This second detecting means  7  is connected to the drive shaft  6   b  of the actuator  6  through the rack  6   c  and the pinion  7   b  engaged with the rack  6   c ; it detects the amount of protrusion of the drive shaft  6   b  from the electromagnet  6   a  and which disc ( 12 ,  13  or  14 ) is in contact with the ball  15   a.    
   The input/output section  8  consists of a transmitting interface  8   a  and a receiving interface  8   b ; the transmitting interface  8   a  sends detection signals a 1  and a 2  from the first detecting means  5  and the second detecting means  7  to an external device (not shown). 
   The controller  9  consists of a CPU  9   a  and a memory  9   b ; the memory  9   b  stores data and a program for analyzing the external signal b or control information e generated based at least on the external signal b, as well as data and a program for driving the actuator  6 . The CPU  9   a  picks up the external signal b or control information e, analyzes the external signal b or control information e according to the data and program stored in the memory  8   b , determines a control signal c to match the external signal b or control information e according to the data and program in the memory  8   b , then outputs it to the D/A converter  10  to drive the actuator. 
   The control signal c is a signal which corresponds to an operation feeling given to the knob  3 . Such signals are categorized into several types: ones to “make vibration”, ones to “make impact” and ones to “modify working force” and so on. In the case of a signal to make vibration, the control signal c will represent the intensity, form, vibration application duration and frequency of vibration. In the case of a signal to make impact, the control signal c will represent the intensity, form and number of application times of impact. In the case of a signal to modify working force, the control signal c will represent the intensity, direction and application duration of working force. Control information e is a command version of the control signal c. If working force is to be modified according to a pattern, control information e may be a command to express the pattern. Alternatively, control information e may contain the detection signal a showing the amount of application and a signal from another external detecting means (not shown) which is inputted to the external device. 
   In this manual input device  1 A, the actuator  6  is driven to move the ball holder  15  to change the disc ( 12 ,  13  or  14 ) to elastically contact the ball  15   a . After the ball  15   a  is made to contact the circumferential surface of the required disc ( 12 ,  13  or  14 ), as the user rotates the knob  3  around the axis of the control shaft  2 , the control shaft  2  and the disc  12 ,  13  or  14  turns along with the knob  3 , the ball  15   a , which is held pushed in one direction by the elastic material  15   b , disengages from a dent  12   a ,  13   a  or  14   a  on the circumferential surface of the disc  12 ,  13  or  14 , slides up to the land, then engages with a neighboring dent  12   a ,  13   a  or  14   a ; this cycle is repeated as the knob  3  is turned. As the manipulation force changes, a clicking sensation is thus given to the knob  3 . As mentioned above, the circumferential surfaces of the discs  12 ,  13  and  14  bear feeling patterns FP 1  to FP 3  made up of plural dents  12   a ,  13   a  and  14   a  which differ in size and the pitch between dents, respectively. By changing the disc ( 12 ,  13  or  14 ) to contact the ball  15   a , the clicking sensation provided to the knob  3  can be changed. As the knob  3  is rotated, the code-disc  16  also turns along with the control shaft  2  and the amount and direction of rotation of the knob  3  are detected by the photo-interrupter  17 . 
   Thus, in this manual input device  1 A, the feeling providing means  4  comprises plural discs  12 ,  13 ,  14  fixed to the control shaft  2 , bearing different feeling patterns FP 1  to FP 3  respectively on the circumferential surfaces, and a ball holder  15  which holds the ball  15   a  to contact the circumferential surface of one of these discs so that the disc ( 12 ,  13 , or  14 ) to contact the ball  15   a  is selected by means of the actuator  6 . This makes it possible to provide different modes of operation feeling to the knob  3  fixed to the control shaft  2 ; therefore, functional control of an apparatus can be done easily and adequately with this manual input device  1 A. Further, provision of plural discs  12 ,  13 ,  14  fixed to the control shaft  2  means that it is easy to change the feeling pattern (FP 1  to FP 3 ) or increase/decrease the number of feeling patterns. In addition, in this manual input device  1 A, the CPU  9   a  picks up an external signal b or control information e from external detecting means connected with an external device (not shown) in order to determine a control signal c for the actuator  6 , so the actuator  6  can be appropriately controlled in a manner to suit the condition of the external device. Accordingly, depending on the condition of the external device, the actuator  6  can be driven so as to let the ball  15   a  in the ball holder  15  contact the disc which bears a feeling pattern disabling manipulation of the knob  3 ; this prevents discrepancy between the external device operating condition and the knob manipulation, thereby enhancing the operability and reliability of the manual input device  1 A. 
   &lt;Manual Input Device—Embodiment 2&gt; 
     FIG. 2  shows a manual input device  1 B according to a second embodiment of the invention. The feeling providing means  4  in this manual input device  1 B comprises a single disc  12  fixed to the control shaft  2  and plural ball holders (in  FIG. 2 , three holders)  15 ,  18 ,  19  which work in conjunction with the disc  12  to provide an operation feeling to the knob  3 . 
   The ball holders  15 ,  18  and  19  are fitted to the drive shaft  6   b  of the actuator  6 . The circumferential surface of the disc  12  bears a feeling pattern FP where dents  12   a  with a specific shape and a specific size are evenly spaced with a specific pitch. The ball holders  15 ,  18 ,  19  respectively hold balls  15   a ,  18   a ,  19   a  elastically forced to contact the disc  12  selectively, and elastic materials  15   b ,  18   b ,  19   b  which push and hold the balls  15   a ,  18   a ,  19   a  outward to elastically force them to contact the disc  12 . The ball holders  15 ,  18 ,  19  hold balls  15   a ,  18   a ,  19   a  of different sizes and elastic materials  15   b ,  18   b ,  19   b  with different degrees of elasticity. The other components shown in  FIG. 2  are the same as in the manual input device  1 A according to the first embodiment, so they are marked with the same reference numerals as in  FIG. 1  and their description is omitted here. 
   In this manual input device  1 B, the actuator  6  is driven to move the ball holders  15 ,  18 ,  19  in the same direction by the same amount simultaneously to change the ball ( 15   a ,  18   a  or  19   a  ) to elastically contact the disc  12  and its circumferential surface. After the required ball ( 15   a ,  18   a  or  19   a  ) is made to contact the circumferential surface of the required disc  12 , as the user rotates the knob  3  around the axis of the control shaft  2 , the control shaft  2  and disc  12  turn together with the knob  3 , the ball ( 15   a ,  18   a  or  19   a  ), which is held pushed in one direction by the elastic material  15   b ,  18   b  or  19   b , disengages from a dent  12   a  on the circumferential surface of the disc  12 , slides up to the land, then engages with a neighboring dent  12   a ; this cycle is repeated as the knob  3  is turned. As the manipulation force changes, a clicking sensation is thus given to the knob  3 . As mentioned above, the ball holders  15 ,  18 ,  19  hold balls  15   a ,  18   a ,  19   a  of different sizes and/or elastic materials  15   b ,  18   b ,  19   b  with different degrees of elasticity, so by changing the ball ( 15   a ,  18   a  or  19   a  ) to contact the circumferential surface of the disc  12 , the clicking sensation provided to the knob  3  can be changed. The way the other components work is the same as in the manual input device  1 A according to the first embodiment and its description is omitted here. 
   Thus, in this manual input device  1 B, the feeling providing means  4  comprises a single disc  12  fixed to the control shaft  2  and ball holders  15 ,  18 ,  19  which respectively hold the balls  15   a ,  18   a ,  19   a  to selectively contact the circumferential surface of the disc  12  with dents  12   a  on it so that the ball ( 15   a ,  18   a  or  19   a  ) to contact the disc  12  is selected by means of the actuator  6 . This makes it possible to provide different modes of operation feeling to the knob  3 ; therefore, functional control of an electric apparatus can be done easily and adequately with this manual input device  1 B. Also, since there is only one disc  12  fixed to the control shaft  2 , the manual input device can be compact, lightweight and less costly. 
   &lt;Manual Input Device—Embodiment 3&gt; 
     FIG. 3  shows a manual input device  1 C according to a third embodiment of the invention. The feeling providing means  4  in this manual input device  1 C comprises a single cylinder  20  fixed to the control shaft  2  and a single ball holder  15  which works in conjunction with the cylinder  20  to provide an operation feeling to the knob  3 . In the upper area on the outer surface of the cylinder  20  is a first feeling pattern FP 1  where dents  12   a  with a large diameter are evenly spaced with a medium pitch; in its center area is a second feeling pattern FP 2  where dents  13   a  with a medium diameter are evenly spaced with a large pitch; and in its lower area is a third feeling pattern FP 3  where dents  14   a  with a small diameter are evenly spaced with a small pitch. The other components shown in  FIG. 3  are the same as in the manual input device  1 A according to the first embodiment, so they are marked with the same reference numerals as in  FIG. 1  and their description is omitted here. The way the other components work is the same as in the manual input device  1 A according to the first embodiment and its description is omitted here. 
   In this manual input device  1 C, the feeling providing means  4  comprises a single cylinder  20  fixed to the control shaft  2  and a single ball holder  15  which works in conjunction with the cylinder  20  to provide an operation feeling to the knob  3 , so it brings about the same effects as the manual input devices  1 A and  1 B according to the first and second embodiments but uses a smaller number of components, leading to cost reduction. 
   &lt;Manual Input Device—Embodiment 4&gt; 
     FIG. 4  shows a manual input device  1 D according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The feeling providing means  4  in this manual input device  1 D comprises a single disc  12  fixed to the control shaft  2  and a ball holder  15  which works in conjunction with the disc  12  to provide an operation feeling to the knob  3 , wherein there are plural (in  FIG. 4 , three) feeling patterns (rows) FP 1  to FP 3  concentrically formed on the surface of the disc  12  and the ball holder  15  is moved in the radial direction of the disc  12  by the actuator  6 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , the surface of the disc  12  bears three concentric patterns, a first, a second, and a third feeling pattern FP 1 , FP 2 , FP 3 , where FP 1  is a wave pattern with alternate tops  21   a  and bottoms  21   b , FP 2  has small-diameter dents  12   a  spaced with a small pitch and FP 3  has large-diameter dents  12   b  spaced with a large pitch. The actuator  6  is equipped with a linear motor such as a voice coil motor and a ball holder  15  is fitted to the tip of the drive shaft  6   b  stretching in the radial direction of the disc  12 . The actuator  6  modifies the amount of protrusion of the drive shaft  6   b  and selects one of the feeling patterns FP 1  to FP 3  to contact the ball  15   a  elastically. When the ball  15   a  is in contact with the first feeling pattern FP 1 , a feeling of continuous vertical motion can be given to the knob  3 ; when the ball  15   a  is in contact with the second feeling pattern FP 2 , a feeling of intermittent motion with a small tactile sensation can be given to the knob  3 ; and when the ball  15   a  is in contact with the third feeling pattern FP 3 , a feeling of intermittent motion with a large tactile sensation can be given to the knob  3 . The other components shown in  FIG. 4  are the same as in the manual input device  1 A according to the first embodiment, so they are marked with the same reference numerals as in  FIG. 1  and their description is omitted here. The way the other components work is the same as in the manual input device  1 A according to the first embodiment except the moving direction of the ball holder  15  and its description is omitted here. 
   In this manual input device  1 D, the feeling providing means  4  comprises a single disc  12  fixed to the control shaft  2  and a ball holder  15  which works in conjunction with the disc  12  to provide an operation feeling to the knob  3 , so it brings about the same effects as the manual input devices  1 A and  1 B according to the first and second embodiments but uses a smaller number of components, leading to cost reduction. In addition, since the ball holder  15  is moved in the radial direction of the disc  12 , a thinner model of manual input device can be realized. 
   &lt;Manual input device—Embodiment 5&gt; 
     FIG. 5  shows a manual input device  1 E according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. This manual input device  1 E is of the slider type; it uses feeling providing means  4  which comprises a rotary polyhedron  22  which is rotatably supported by a housing  1  (not shown, see  FIG. 1 ) and a single ball holder  15  which is fixed to the control shaft  2  and works in conjunction with the rotary polyhedron  22  to provide an operation feeling to the knob  3 , wherein an actuator  6  reciprocally rotates the rotary polyhedron  22  around its axis to change the operation feeling given to the knob  3 . 
   The rotary polyhedron  22 &#39;s sectional profile which is perpendicular to its axis is hexagonal and a feeling pattern is formed on each of the six faces which are parallel to the axis ( FIG. 5  shows only three patterns FP 1  to FP 3 ). The first feeling pattern FP 1  is a wave pattern with alternate tops  21   a  and bottoms  21   b , the second feeling pattern FP 2  has small-diameter dents  12   a  spaced with a small pitch and the third feeling pattern FP 3  has large-diameter dents  12   b  spaced with a large pitch. The actuator  6  uses a rotating motor which reciprocally rotates the rotary polyhedron  22  around its axis. First detecting means  5  is a sliding type variable resistor which outputs a positional signal according to the amount and direction of movement of the control shaft  2  and knob  3 , where a slider (not shown) is connected with it through the ball holder  15  and a coupling  23 . Second detecting means  7  uses a rotary position sensor such as a rotary encoder or rotary variable resistor whose drive shaft  7   a  is directly connected with the polyhedron  22  so as to detect the rotational position of the rotary polyhedron  22 , namely the feeling pattern (FP 1 , FP 2  or FP 3 ) which is in contact with the ball  15   a.    
   In this manual input device  1 E, the actuator  6  is rotated to switch one feeling pattern (FP 1 , FP 2  or FP 3 ) to contact the ball  15   a  to another. After the ball  15   a  is made to contact the required feeling pattern (FP 1 , FP 2  or FP 3 ), as the knob  3  is linearly moved along the axis of the rotary polyhedron  22 , the control shaft  2  and the ball holder  15  move in the same direction by the same amount as the knob  3  and thus the operation feeling matched to the form and/or arrangement of the feeling pattern (FP 1 , FP 2  or FP 3 ) in contact with the ball  15   a  is given to the knob  3 . When the ball  15   a  is in contact with the first feeling pattern FP 1 , a feeling of continuous vertical motion with a strong impact can be given to the knob  3 ; when the ball  15   a  is in contact with the second feeling pattern FP 2 , a feeling of intermittent motion with a small tactile sensation can be given to the knob  3 ; and when the ball  15   a  is in contact with the third feeling pattern FP 3 , a feeling of intermittent motion with a large tactile sensation can be given to the knob  3 . The rotational position of the rotary polyhedron  22  is detected by the second detecting means  7 . As the knob  3  is manipulated, the slider (not shown) provided in the first detecting means  5  moves through the control shaft  2 , ball holder  15  and coupling  23  in the same direction by the same amount as the knob  3 , so the first detecting means can detect the amount and direction of manipulation of the knob  3 . 
   Thus, in this manual input device  1 E, the feeling providing means  4  comprises a rotary polyhedron  22  and a single ball holder  15  which is fixed to the linearly movable control shaft  2  and works in conjunction with the rotary polyhedron  22  to provide an operation feeling to the knob  3  and the actuator  6  reciprocally rotates the rotary polyhedron  22  around its axis to change the operation feeling given to the knob  3  so that different modes of operation feeling can be given to the knob of this slider type manual input device and functional control of an electric apparatus with this manual input device can be done easily and adequately. 
   &lt;Manual Input Device—Embodiment 6&gt; 
     FIG. 6  shows a manual input device  1 F according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. This manual input device  1 F is two-dimensionally manipulated. It comprises: a housing (not shown); a control shaft  2  which is laterally movably supported by the housing; and a knob  3  which is fixed to one end of the control shaft  2 ; a converter  26  for converting the lateral movement of the control shaft  2  into rotation of an X rotor  24  and a Y rotor  25  which are perpendicular to each other; plural discs (in  FIG. 6 , two discs)  12 A and  13 A fixed to the center shaft  24   a  of the X rotor  24 , and X first detecting means  5 A; feeling patterns FP 1 A and FP 2 A formed on the circumferential surfaces of the discs  12 A and  13 A; a ball holder  15 A holding a ball  15   a  to elastically contact the circumferential surfaces of the discs  12 A and  13 A; an X actuator  6 A for driving the ball holder  15 A to select the disc  12 A or  13 A to contact the ball  15   a ; X second detecting means  7 A for detecting the amount and direction of drive of the X actuator  6 A; plural discs (in  FIG. 6 , two discs)  12 B and  13 B fixed to the center shaft  25   a  of the Y rotor  25  and Y first detecting means  5 A; feeling patterns FP 1 B and FP 2 B formed on the circumferential surface of the discs  12 B and  13 B; a ball holder  15 B holding a ball  15   a  to elastically contact the circumferential surfaces of the discs  12 B and  13 B; a Y actuator  6 B for driving the ball holder  15 B to select the disc  12 B or  13 B to contact the ball  15   a ; Y second detecting means  7 B for detecting the amount and direction of drive of the Y actuator  6 B; an input/output section  8  which exchanges signals with an external device (not shown); a controller  9  which generates and outputs a control signal c 1  for the X actuator  6 A and a control signal c 2  for the Y actuator  6 B based on an external signal b from external detecting means connected with the external device (not shown), or control information e generated based at least on the external signal b; an X D/A converter  10  and a Y D/A converter  10 B for converting the control signals c 1  and c 2  from the controller  9  into analog signals; and an X power amplifier  11 A and a Y power amplifier  11 B for amplifying the analog signals as a result of conversion of the control signals c 1  and c 2  by the D/A converters  10 A and  10 B to obtain the power to drive the actuators  6 A and  6 B. 
   The X first detecting means  5 A, X second detecting means  7 A, Y first detecting means  5 B and Y second detecting means  7 B may use rotary encoders, potentiometers or the like. The X actuator  6 A and Y actuator  6 B may use solenoids, linear motors or the like. The input/output section  8 , controller  9  and control signals c 1  and c 2  as commands from the controller  9  are the same as in the manual input device  1 A according to the first embodiment, so they are marked in  FIG. 6  with the same reference numerals as in  FIG. 1  and their description is omitted here. 
   In this manual input device  1 F, as the control shaft  2  is laterally moved, the amount and direction of the lateral movement are converted into a rotational amount and direction of the X rotor  24  and Y rotor  25  which are perpendicular to each other. At the same moment, the discs  12 A and  13 B rotate along with the X rotor  24  and the discs  12 B and  13 B rotate along with the Y rotor  25  so that an operation feeling corresponding to feeling pattern FP 1 A, FP 2 A, FP 1 B or FP 2 B is provided to the knob  3 . The operation feeling given to the knob  3  can be changed by driving the X actuator  6 A and/or Y actuator  6 B to change the feeling pattern (FP 1 A, FP 2 A, FP 1 B or FP 2 B) to contact the ball  15   a . The amount and direction of lateral movement of the knob  3  can be calculated from detection signals a 1  and a 3  coming from the X first detecting means  5 A and Y first detecting means  5 B. The switching position for the ball holders  15 A and  15 B can be detected according to detection signals a 2  and a 4  from the X second detecting means  7 A and Y second detecting means  7 B. 
   This manual input device  1 F brings about the same effects as the manual input device  1 A according to the first embodiment. In addition, since the control shaft  2  is laterally movably supported by the housing, it is possible to apply it to devices whose knob is two dimensionally rotated, such as remote controllers for various electric apparatuses. 
   &lt;Manual Input Device—Embodiment 7&gt; 
     FIG. 7  shows a manual input device  1 G according to a seventh embodiment of the invention. This manual input device  1 G is characterized in that the controller  9  in the manual input device  1 A according to the first embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1  is omitted. The other components shown in  FIG. 7  are the same as in the manual input device  1 A according to the first embodiment, so they are marked with the same reference numerals as in  FIG. 1  and their description is omitted here. Since the actuator  6  is controlled by control means provided in an external device (not shown), this manual input device  1 G brings about the same effects as the manual input device  1 A according to the first embodiment. Similarly, it is also possible to omit the controller  9  in the manual input devices  1 B (second embodiment) to  1 F (sixth embodiment)—in the case of  1 F, the X actuator  6 A and Y actuator  6 B. 
   &lt;Other Manual Input Device Embodiments&gt; 
   
       
       (1) In the abovementioned embodiments, a control signal c for the actuator  6  is generated based on external signal b or control signal e from the external detecting means connected with the external device; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. It should also be understood that a control signal c for the actuator  6  may be generated based on not only the detection signal a and/or external signal b but also an external signal from another external detection means not connected with the external device, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
       (2) In the abovementioned embodiments, the feeling providing means  4  uses a ball  15   a  but it is also possible to use a pin instead of the ball  15   a . Furthermore, in the case of using plural ball holders  15  as in the manual input device  1 B according to the second embodiment, both a ball  15   a  and a pin may be used. 
       (3) The shape of the knob  3 , the positional relation of the control shaft  2  with respect to the housing, the type of detecting means  5  and  7  and the type of actuator  6  are not limited to those illustrated for the above embodiments; modifications and variations may be made as necessary.
 
&lt;Application Example 1 of Manual Input Device&gt;
 
     
  
   Next, a gear shift controller in a car with an automatic transmission to which the sliding type manual input device  1 E according to the fifth embodiment is applied will be explained, referring to  FIG. 8 . 
   As clearly seen in this figure, this gear shift controller uses the manual input device  1 E whose input/output section  8  is connected with an external device consisting of: a transmission controller  31 , a fork drive  32  as an actuator such as a solenoid or linear motor to be controlled by the transmission controller  31 ; external device detecting means  33  for detecting the operating condition of the fork drive  32 , such as an encoder or potentiometer; a shift fork  34  to be driven by the fork drive  32 ; a transmission  35  whose gear engagement is changed by the shift fork  34 ; and an rpm sensor  36  for detecting the rpm of the output shaft of the transmission  35 . In this example, the knob  3  of the manual input device  1 E is installed inside a car and used as a shift knob for changing the transmission  35 . 
   The transmission controller  31  is composed of an input/output section  37  which is connected with the input/output section  8  of the manual input device  1 E; an external device controller  38  which generates and outputs a drive signal d for the fork drive  32  based on external signal b 1  from the external device detecting means  33  and external signal b 2  from the rpm sensor  36 ; a D/A converter  39  which converts the drive signal d from the external device controller  39  into an analog signal; and a power amplifier  40  which amplifies the analog drive signal d from the D/A converter  39  to obtain the power to drive the fork drive  32 . If the fork drive  32  uses a stepping motor, the D/A converter  39  can be omitted. 
   The input/output section  37  includes a receiving interface  37   b  to be connected with the transmitting interface  8   a  in the manual input device  1 E&#39;s input/output section  8 , and a transmitting interface  37   a  to be connected with the receiving interface  8   b  in the manual input device  1 E&#39;S input/output section  8 . The external device controller  38  is composed of a CPU  38   a  and a memory  38   b , where the memory  38   b  stores data and a program for analyzing the external signals b 1  and b 2  as well as drive data and a drive program for the fork drive  32 . The CPU  38   a  picks up the external signals b 1  and b 2 , analyzes these detection signals a 1  and a 2  and external signals b 1  and b 2  according to the data and program stored in the memory  38   b , and determines the drive signal d to match the external signals b 1  and b 2  according to the data and program in the memory  38   b . Also, the CPU  38   a  sends the external signals b 1  and b 2  to the controller  9  of the manual input device  1 E through the transmitting interface  37   a  and receiving interface  8   b.    
   The operational sequence of the gear shift controller thus configured will be explained below. 
   As the knob is manipulated, the amount and direction of the manipulation is detected by the first detecting means  5 , which outputs a detection signal a 1  depending on the amount and direction of the manipulation of the knob  3 . The engagement of the ball  15   a  with a feeling pattern (FP 1 , FP 2  or FP 3 ) is detected by the second detecting means  7 , which outputs a detection signal a 2  depending on the amount of operation of the actuator  6 . The detection signals a 1  and a 2  are sent through the transmitting interface  8   a  and receiving interface  37   b  to the external device controller  38 . The CPU  38   a  in the transmission controller  31  analyzes the detection signals a 1  and a 2  and external signals b 1  and b 2 , determines drive signal d to match these signals a 1 , a 2 , b 1  and b 2  according to the data and program stored in the memory  38   b , and outputs it to the D/A converter  39 . The D/A converter  39  converts the drive signal d into an analog signal and outputs it to the power amplifier  40 . The power amplifier  40  amplifies the analog signal from the D/A converter  39  and applies it to the fork drive  32 . This drives the fork  34  to change the gear engagement of the transmission  35  depending on how the knob  3  is manipulated. The external device controller  38  sends external signal b 1  from the external device detecting means  33  and external signal b 2  from the rpm sensor  36  through the transmitting interface  37   a  and receiving interface  8   b  to the controller  9  of the manual input device  1 E. The controller  9  analyzes the received external signals b 1  and b 2 , determines control signal c to match these signals b 1  and b 2  according to the data and program stored in the memory  9   b , and outputs it to the D/A converter. The D/A converter  10  converts the control signal c into an analog signal and outputs it to the power amplifier  11 . The power amplifier  11  amplifies the analog signal from the D/A converter  10  and applies it to the actuator  6 . This rotates the rotary polyhedron  22  to let the ball  15   a  contact the required feeling pattern; therefore, for example, when the ball  15   a  contacts a feeling pattern for providing a small reactive force to the knob  3 , a clicking sensation can be given to the knob  3  for the driver to tactilely perceive a gear shift when he/she shifts the knob  3  from position  1  to another position. If the rpm of the output shaft of the transmission  35  is high, when the driver shifts the knob  3 , for instance, from the D range to the R range, manipulation of the knob  3  is made impossible by letting the ball  15   a  contact a feeling pattern for providing a strong reactive force to the knob  3 , thereby preventing an erroneous manipulation of the knob  3 . 
   This example uses the manual input device  1 E which has a controller  9  and is designed to send external signals b 1  and b 2  to the controller  9 , so there is no need to modify the external device controller  38  and it is easy to apply the manual input device to the transmission controller  31  as an external device. 
   Instead of the manual input device  1 E according to the fifth embodiment, the two-dimensional manipulation type manual input device  1 F according to the sixth embodiment may be applied to provide a required operation feeling to the shift knob of a car with a manual transmission. 
   Instead of or in addition to external signal b 2  for information on the rpm of the output shaft of the transmission  35  sent from the rpm sensor  36  to the CPU  38   a , other external signals for information on car speed and engine rpm can be inputted. In this case, such other external signals for information on car speed, engine rpm, etc. may be either connected with the CPU  38   a  of the external device controller  38  or the CPU  9   a  of the manual input device  1 E. 
   &lt;Application Example 2 of Manual Input Device&gt; 
   Next, a second application example of a manual input device will be explained below referring to  FIG. 9 . This example also concerns an application of the sliding type manual input device  1 E according to the fifth embodiment to the gear shift controller in a car with an automatic transmission. However, it is different from the first example as follows: unlike the first example in which external signals b 1  and b 2  are sent from the external device controller  38  to the controller  9 , control information e is sent to the controller  9  wherein the external device controller  38  converts detection signals a 1  and a 2  and external signals b 1  and b 2  or external signals b 1  and b 2  into control information e whose data structure is simpler. 
   The memory  38   b  in the external device controller  38  stores a conversion program for converting the detection signals a 1  and a 2  and external signals b 1  and b 2  or external signals b 1  and b 2  picked up by the CPU  38   a  into control information e whose data structure is simpler; the CPU  38   a  starts the conversion program repeatedly to convert the picked-up detection signals a 1  and a 2  and external signals b 1  and b 2 , or external signals b 1  and b 2  into control information e and sends it through the transmitting interface  37   a  and receiving interface  8   b  to the controller  9  of the manual input device  1 E. For input of other external signals such as those for car speed and engine rpm, these external signals are connected with the CPU  38   a  in the external device controller  38 . 
   The CPU  9   a  of the manual input device  1 E analyzes control information e, determines a control signal c to match the control information e according to the data and program in the memory  9   b  and outputs it to the D/A converter  10 . The other components and the way they work are the same as in the first example, so they are marked in  FIG. 9  with the same reference numerals as in  FIG. 8  and their description is omitted here. 
   In this example, the CPU  38   a  in the external device controller  38  generates control information e whose data structure is simpler than that of detection signals a 1  and a 2  and external signals b 1  and b 2  and the controller  9  in the manual input device  1 E analyzes this control information e, which reduces the workload on the controller  9  and thereby increases the speed of controlling the actuator  6 . 
   &lt;Application Example 3 of Manual Input Device&gt; 
   Next, a third application example of a manual input device will be explained referring to  FIG. 10 . This example concerns an application of the manual input device  1 G according to the seventh embodiment to the gear shift controller in a car with an automatic transmission. It is characterized in that control signal c for the actuator  6  is sent from the external device controller  38  to the manual input device  1 G. 
   The memory  38   b  in the external device controller  38  stores data and a program for analyzing detection signals a 1  and a 2  and external signals b 1  and b 2  picked up by the CPU  38   a  and drive data and a drive program for the actuator  6 ; the CPU  38   a  starts the drive program repeatedly to generate control signal c for the actuator  6  to match the picked-up detection signals a 1  and a 2  and external signals b 1  and b 2 , or external signals b 1  and b 2  and sends it to the D/A converter  10 . The other components and the way they work are the same as in the first example, so they are marked in  FIG. 10  with the same reference numerals as in  FIG. 9  and their description is omitted here. 
   In this example, the CPU  38   a  in the external device controller  38  controls the actuator  6  in the manual input device  1 G so the control section in the manual input device  1 G can be omitted, leading to a compact, less costly manual input device. 
   Other external signals such as those for car speed and engine rpm are connected with the CPU  38   a  in the external device controller  38 . 
   &lt;Application Example 4 of Manual Input Device&gt; 
   Next, a radio to which a rotary manual input device  1 A according to the first embodiment is applied will be explained, referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
   As clearly understood from these figures, in this radio, the input/output section  8  of the manual input device  1 A is connected with an external device consisting of the following: a radio controller  41 ; a tuner drive  42  which consists of an actuator like a DC motor or stepping motor to be controlled by the controller  41 ; external detecting means  43  for detecting the operating condition of the tuner drive  42 , such as an encoder or potentiometer; a tuner  44  to be driven by the tuner drive  42 ; and tuning detecting means  45  for detecting the tuner  44 &#39;s tuning to a radio station. In this example, the knob  3  of the manual input device  1 A is installed inside a car and used as a tuner control knob for controlling the tuner  44 . 
   The radio controller  41  is composed of an input/output section  46  which is connected with the input/output section  8  of the manual input device  1 A; an external device controller  47  which generates and outputs drive signal d for the tuner drive  42  based on detection signals a 1  and a 2  from the detecting means  5 , external signal b 3  from the external device detecting means  43  and external signal b 4  from the tuning detecting means  45 ; a D/A converter  48  which converts the drive signal d from the external device controller  47  into an analog signal; and a power amplifier  49  which amplifies the analog drive signal d from the D/A converter  48  to obtain the power to drive the tuner drive  42 . If the tuner drive  42  uses a stepping motor, the D/A converter  49  can be omitted. 
   The input/output section  46  includes a receiving interface  46   b  to be connected with the transmitting interface  8   a  in the manual input device  1 A&#39;s input/output section  8 , and a transmitting interface  46   a  to be connected with the receiving interface  8   b  in the manual input device  1 A&#39;s input/output section  8 . The external device controller  47  is composed of a CPU  47   a  and a memory  47   b , where the memory  47   b  stores a program and data for analyzing the detection signals a 1  and a 2  and the external signals b 3  and b 4  as well as a drive program and data for the tuner drive  42 . The CPU  47   a  picks up the detection signals a 1  and a 2  and the external signals b 3  and b 4 , analyzes the detection signals a 1  and a 2  and the external signals b 3  and b 4  according to the data and program stored in the memory  47   b , and determines drive signal d to match the detection signals a 1  and a 2  and the external signals b 3  and b 4  according to the data and program in the memory  47   b . Also, the CPU  47   a  sends the external signals b 3  and b 4  to the controller  9  of the manual input device  1 A through the transmitting interface  46   a  and receiving interface  8   b.    
   The operational sequence of the radio controller thus configured will be explained below. 
   As the knob  3  is manipulated, the amount and direction of the manipulation is detected by the first detecting means  5 , which outputs detection signal a 1  depending on the amount and direction of the manipulation of the knob  3 . The engagement of the ball  15   a  with a feeling pattern (FP 1 , FP 2  or FP 3 ) is detected by the second detecting means  7 , which outputs detection signal a 2  depending on the amount of operation of the actuator  6 . The detection signals a 1  and a 2  are sent through the transmitting interface  8   a  and receiving interface  46   b  to the external device controller  47 . The CPU  47   a  in the radio controller  41  analyzes the detection signals a 1  and a 2  and external signals b 3  and b 4 , determines drive signal d to match these signals a 1 , a 2 , b 3  and b 4  according to the data and program stored in the memory  47   b , and outputs it to the D/A converter  48 . The D/A converter  48  converts the drive signal d into an analog signal and outputs it to the power amplifier  49 . The power amplifier  49  amplifies the analog signal from the D/A converter  48  and applies it to the tuner drive  42 . This drives the tuner  44  to select a desired radio station. The external device controller  47  sends external signal b 3  from the external device detecting means  43  and external signal b 4  from the tuning detecting means  45  through the transmitting interface  46   a  and receiving interface  8   b  to the controller  9  of the manual input device  1 A. The controller  9  analyzes the received external signals b 3  and b 4 , determines control signal c to match these signals b 3  and b 4  according to the data and program stored in the memory  9   b , and outputs it to the D/A converter  10 . The D/A converter  10  converts the control signal c into an analog signal and outputs it to the power amplifier  11 . The power amplifier  11  amplifies the analog signal from the D/A converter  10  and applies it to the actuator  6 . This moves the ball holder  15  to let the ball  15   a  contact a required feeling pattern. Therefore, for example, if the ball  15   a  is made to contact a feeling pattern for providing a relatively strong reactive force to the knob  3  each time the tuner  44  is tuned to a domestic radio station, and the ball holder  15  is driven so as to contact a feeling pattern for providing the ball  15   a  with a relatively small reactive force each time the tuner  44  is tuned to a foreign radio station, tuning to a domestic or foreign radio station can be done accurately. Even if the channel to which the radio has been tuned in with a reactive force is not the desired radio station channel, the knob  3  can be rotated easily by applying a stronger force than the reactive force, and thus the desired station can be selected by this method more quickly than by an auto-scan tuner system in which the tuner stops station by station. In short, this radio controller allows the tuner  34  to tune to a desired station easily and quickly. 
   The above explanation assumes use of the manual input device  1 A according to the first embodiment; however, it should be understood that use of any of the manual input devices  1 B to  1 D (second to fourth embodiments) brings about the same effects as mentioned above. 
   &lt;Car-mounted Apparatus Controller Embodiment&gt; 
   Next, a car-mounted apparatus controller according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described, referring to  FIGS. 13 to 15 .  FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing the main part of a car-mounted apparatus controller according to the embodiment which is installed on the dashboard;  FIG. 14  is a top view partially showing the inside of a car in which a carmounted apparatus controller according to the embodiment is installed; and  FIG. 15  is a functional block diagram for a car-mounted apparatus controller according to the embodiment. 
   As shown in  FIG. 13 , the car-mounted apparatus controller  51  according to this embodiment uses a housing  52  in the form of a rectangular enclosure of a desired size which houses one of the manual input devices  1 A to  1 G according to the first to seventh embodiments with the device&#39;s knob  3  located on the top of the housing. On the top surface of the housing  52  are six pushbutton switches  54   a ,  54   b ,  54   c ,  54   d ,  54   e  and  54   f , which are arranged along an arc with the position of the knob  3  as its center, three pushbutton switches,  55   a ,  55   b  and  55   c , which are arranged concentrically around the group of the six pushbutton switches, and a volume control knob  56 . On the front of the housing  52  are a card slot  57  and a disk slot  58 . 
   This car-mounted apparatus controller is to be located on the dashboard A, between the driver&#39;s seat B and the front passenger&#39;s seat C, as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
   The six pushbutton switches  54   a  to  54   f  arranged along an arc are used to select various car-mounted electric apparatuses to be operated using this carmounted apparatus controller  51 , such as a radio, air conditioner, television, CD player, car navigation system, steering wheel tilting device, seat angle adjuster and telephone, and are individually connected with these apparatuses. Which pushbutton switch should be associated with which car-mounted electric apparatus can be freely determined. In this car-mounted apparatus controller  51 , as shown in  FIG. 15 , the pushbutton switches  54   a ,  54   b ,  54   c ,  54   d ,  54   e  and  54   f  are respectively connected with the radio, air conditioner, television, CD player, car navigation system and steering wheel tilting device. By pushing in the knob of any desired pushbutton switch, the user can select the car-mounted electric apparatus connected with that pushbutton switch. 
   The three pushbutton switches  55   a  to  55   c  located around the above six pushbutton switches are used to select a function of a car-mounted electric apparatus selected by one of the pushbutton switches  54   a  to  54   f . For example, if the radio is selected by the pushbutton switch  54   a , the three pushbutton switches  55   a  to  55   c  serve as a tuner (station selection) switch, a volume switch, and a sound quality switch, respectively, as shown in  FIG. 15 . The functions selectable by the pushbutton switches  55   a  to  55   c  vary depending on the type of electric apparatus selected by each of the pushbutton switches  54   a  to  54   f . The manual input device  1 A (or any of  1 B to  1 G) housed in the housing  52  is used as means to control the function selected by the pushbutton switch  55   a ,  55   b  or  55   c ; for instance, if the tuner function is selected by the pushbutton switch  55   a , tuning of the radio can be done using the knob  3 . The tuning sequence and force feedback control of the knob  3  in tuning are the same as previously described under the heading &lt;Application example 4 of manual input device&gt; and thus their description is omitted here. 
   Next, the operational sequence of this car-mounted apparatus controller will be explained, referring to  FIG. 16 .  FIG. 16  is an operational block diagram for a car-mounted apparatus controller according to this embodiment. 
   After a car-mounted electric apparatus is selected by one of the pushbutton switches  54   a  to  54   f , one of the pushbutton switches  55   a  to  55   c  is used to select a function of the selected apparatus; then a function controller  30  outputs a control signal a to an actuator  6  depending on the selected electric apparatus and its selected function and the current position of the actuator  6  detected by a second position sensor  7 , which drives the actuator  6  to decide the feeling pattern FP 1 , FP 2  or FP 3  to be combined with (to contact) the ball  15   a . As the knob  3  is manipulated in this condition, an operation feeling is provided to the knob  3  depending on the feeling pattern to be combined with the ball  15   a  so that the user can tactilely feel that the function selected by him/her is being controlled with the knob  3 . When a different electric apparatus and a different function are selected, the feeling pattern (FP 1 , FP 2  or FP 3 ) to contact the ball  15   a  is different and a different mode of operation feeling is provided to the knob  3 . As the knob  3  is manipulated, a signal b which depends on the amount and direction of manipulation of the knob  3  is sent from a first position sensor  5  and the function controller  30  outputs a control signal c according to this signal b and controls the selected function of the selected car-mounted electric apparatus. 
   As mentioned above, this car-mounted apparatus controller uses a manual input device (any of  1 A to  1 G) which can provide plural modes of operation feeling to the knob  3  as means for functional control of car-mounted electric apparatuses so that a different operation feeling can be provided to the knob  3  depending on the electric apparatus type and function to be controlled. 
   Furthermore, since it enables central control of plural car-mounted electric apparatuses, the driver can control various car-mounted electric apparatuses easily, permitting him/her to drive the car with more safety. The operation feeling given to the knob  3  is controlled according to the condition of the electric apparatus to be controlled, so the operability of the knob  3  is improved and electric apparatus functional control with this car-mounted apparatus controller can be done easily and adequately. 
   Since the manual input device according to the present invention comprises a knob, feeling providing means which have at least two kinds of feeling patterns, and an actuator which activates the feeling providing means and changes the operation feeling given to the knob, the actuator can be driven to activate the feeling providing means so as to change the operation feeling given to the knob as appropriate, so the operability of the manual input device is improved and apparatus functional control with the manual input device is can be done easily and adequately. 
   Also, since the car-mounted apparatus controller according to the present invention, designed as a manual input device for functional control of an electric apparatus selected by a switch, comprises a knob, feeling providing means which have at least two kinds of feeling patterns, and an actuator which activates the feeling providing means and changes the operation feeling given to the knob, the actuator can be driven to activate the feeling providing means so as to change the operation feeling given to the knob as appropriate, and a different operation feeling can be provided to the knob depending on the car-mounted electric apparatus type and function to be controlled. Therefore, the operability of the car-mounted apparatus controller is improved and electric apparatus functional control with the car-mounted apparatus controller can be done easily and adequately.