Alps Electric Co., Ltd.

Minoru Numata

Sadakazu Shiga

Masaru Komatsu

An operation inputting apparatus is disclosed by which, even if a load detection output remains after an operation of a stick type operation member is stopped by an operator, a load detection output which coincides with stopping of the operation of the stick type operation member can be obtained. A pressure detection sensor detects a load force applied to the stick type operation member upon operation of the stick type operation member, and a comparison circuit compares a load detection value obtained from the pressure detection sensor with a preset load value. A timer circuit adjusts a count value in response to a result of the comparison and detects the count value equal to zero to produce a zero detection output. A judgment level production section sets two judgment levels for presence or absence of an output in response to the zero detection output. The judgment levels are set such that the judgment level for presence or absence of an output when the zero detection output is supplied is higher than the judgment level for presence or absence of an output when the zero detection output is not supplied.

Operation inputting apparatus

An operational input apparatus having an internal input apparatus and an external additional input apparatus wherein the internal data obtained by the operation of the internal input apparatus and the external data obtained by the operation of the external additional input apparatus are selectively transferred to an equipment main body and including: a changeover circuit for changing over the connection to the equipment main body; a data detector for detecting the change in the internal data and the external data separately; an internal data counter and an external data counter which start counting at the detection of the respective changes in the internal and the external data and clear the count values after a predetermined period of time; and a changeover controller which controls a switch to change over periodically and alternately when the count values of the internal data counter and the external data counter are both zero, and when a count value is obtained, controls the switch to change over to the side wherein the count value is obtained.

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Iwaki, Japan

Minoru Numata