Patent ID: 6978320

Claim:
A multifunctional input device having an operating unit, a detector that detects an operating state of the operating unit, an actuator that provides an external force to the operating unit, and a first controller that exchanges signals with a second controller, which controls at least one external electrical apparatus, and controls driving of the actuator in accordance with instructions from the second controller, wherein: the first controller is provided with a function/feel library in which is stored a relation of a plurality of actuator drive characteristics representing variations in an actuator drive signal matching detection signals supplied from the detector, feel number information including numbers specifying combinations of the actuator drive characteristics and the detection signals, and function number information including numbers specifying the detection signals; and wherein the first controller, when the first controller has received the feel number information supplied from the second controller, reads out the actuator drive signal matching the feel number information to control the driving of the actuator or, when the operating unit is manipulated, reads out the function number information matching the detection signal from the function/feel library and transmits the function number information to the second controller to selectively control at least one of the external electrical apparatus(es) via the second controller.