# US 12,109,889 B2 · Operation device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,109,889 B2 - Document ID: US12109889B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/762,784 - Filed: 2020-09-14 - Published: 2022-11-24 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2019-09-27 - Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho - Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho - Inventors: Takahiko Matsuzawa; Terumasa Suyama - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109889B2 ## CPC - G06F 3/0412: {Digitisers structurally integrated in a display} - B60H 1/00: Heating, cooling or ventilating devices - B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor - B60K 35/22: Display screens - B60K 35/29: Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions - B60K 35/60: Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) - G06F 3/044: by capacitive means - H01H 13/64: wherein the switch has more than two electrically distinguishable positions, e.g. multi-position push-button switches - H03K 17/9622: {using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard} - B60K 2360/128: Axially displaceable input devices for instruments - B60K 2360/131: Pivotable input devices for instruments - B60K 2360/1434: Touch panels - B60K 2360/1446: Touch switches - B60K 2360/145: Instrument input by combination of touch screen and hardware input devices - B60K 2360/199: for avoiding maloperation - H03K 2217/96054: Double function: touch detection combined with detection of a movable element - H03K 2217/960755: Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - B60H: ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - H03K: PULSE TECHNIQUE (measuring pulse characteristics G01R; modulating sinusoidal oscillations with pulses H03C; transmission of digital information H04L; discriminator circuits detecting phase difference between two signals by counting or integrating cycles of oscillation H03D3/04; automatic control, starting, synchronisation or stabilisation of generators of electronic oscillations or pulses where the type of generator is irrelevant or unspecified H03L; coding, decoding or code conversion, in general H03M) ## Abstract An operation device includes an operation unit configured to be movable relative to a device body of the operation device. The operation device includes a first detector that detects touching of the operation unit and a second detector that detects movement of the operation unit relative to the device body. The operation device further includes a controller that processes detection signals of the first detector and the second detector so that the movement of the operation unit relative to the device body and the touching of the operation unit correspond to inputs for operating an operation subject apparatus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An operation device, comprising: an operation switch configured to be movable relative to a device body; a first detector that detects touching of the operation switch; a second detector that detects movement of the operation switch relative to the device body; and a controller that processes detection signals of the first detector and the second detector so that the movement of the operation switch relative to the device body and the touching of the operation switch correspond to inputs for operating an operation subject apparatus, wherein the operation switch includes: a finger resting portion recessed in conformance with a finger of an operator; a first push portion defined by arrangement of the finger resting portion, the first push portion being configured to be pressed with a finger to move the operation switch relative to the device body in a first direction; and a second push portion defined by arrangement of the finger resting portion, the second push portion being configured to be pressed with a finger to move the operation switch relative to the device body in a second direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The operation device according to claim 1, wherein touch-sensitive operation buttons assigned to plural portions of the operation switch are arranged on the operation switch in a longitudinal direction of the operation switch. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the operation switch is movable by one step in each of two directions from a neutral position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the first detector is arranged on both of a first side and a second side of the operation switch. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The operation device according to claim 1, further comprising marks for touch-sensitive operation buttons assigned to plural portions of the operation switch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the operation device is connected to a monitor that is separate from the device body, and the monitor displays a current state selected through operation of the operation switch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the operation switch is configured to be rotatable about a shaft extending in a direction that intersects the first direction and the second direction, the first direction being one direction around the shaft and the second direction being the other direction around the shaft.