In order to enable an operator to unfailingly recognize a retrieved character string displayed on a display unit as a result of retrieval from a target such as text, a character string retrieval apparatus 1 for retrieving the character string from the target includes a display unit 20 for displaying a retrieval result of the character string, an operation unit 30 for detecting an input operation, a tactile sensation providing unit 40 for vibrating the operation unit 30, and a control unit 10 for shifting an area of the retrieval result of the character string displayed on the display unit 20, based on the input operation detected by the operation unit 30, and, when displaying the retrieved character string on the display unit 20, for controlling the tactile sensation providing unit 40 such that a tactile sensation is provided to an object pressing the operation unit 30.

The invention relates to a motor vehicle control device comprising: a touch surface (2) for detecting contact from a finger of a user and locating the contact on the touch surface (2); and a haptic and/or audio feedback module (4) configured such as to cause the touch surface (2) to vibrate and/or such as to generate audio feedback to the user, in response to contact with the touch surface (2), characterized in that said motor vehicle control device comprises a control unit (5) configured such as to control the haptic and/or audio feedback module (4) such that the value of at least one parameter of the haptic and/or audio feedback depends on the distance (D) between the location (P1) of the finger of the user and a target area (Zc) for controlling the touch surface (2). The invention also relates to a control method.

An apparatus, method, computer program and apparatus wherein the apparatus comprises: at least one processor: and at least one memory including computer program code; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, enable the apparatus to: provide a user selectable part; and configure the apparatus in either a first active state or a second active state wherein, in the first active state the user selectable part is actuated in response to a first mode of actuation and in the second active state the user selectable part is not actuated in response to the first mode of actuation; and configure the apparatus to provide a tactile indication when the apparatus is in the first active state that the user selectable part is actuated in response to the first mode of actuation.

A vehicle computing system may provide a vehicle safety warning in a vehicle, using a vehicle processor and a three dimensional accelerometer of the vehicle. A touch display may display windows with different vibrations to provide the vehicle safety warning. A vibration may vary in relation to data from the three dimensional accelerometer based on motion of the vehicle.

An electronic device includes: a top panel having a manipulation input surface; a coordinate detector configured to detect coordinates of a manipulation input performed on the manipulation input surface; a housing; a first vibrating element disposed on the top panel; at least one support configured to support the top panel with respect to the housing, support stiffness of the at least one support with respect to the housing being switchable between a first level and a second level; and a controlling part configured to set the support stiffness to the first level when driving the first vibrating element by using a first driving signal for generating a natural vibration in an ultra sound frequency band and to set the support stiffness to the second level when driving the first vibrating element by using a second driving signal for generating a vibration in an audible range.

The invention relates to a control device for a motor vehicle, comprising: a tactile surface (2) for detecting the contact of the finger of a user and the movement of the finger on the tactile surface; and a haptic and/or acoustic feedback module (4) designed to make the tactile surface (2) vibrate and/or to generate an acoustic feedback for the user, in response to contact on the tactile surface (2); characterised in that it comprises a management unit (5) designed to manage the haptic feedback and/or acoustic feedback module (4) in order to generate a haptic and/or acoustic feedback pattern when a movement of the finger is detected on a border (6) separating two areas (Z1, Z2) of the tactile surface (2). The invention also relates to a control method.

An operating device may include an operating element that is axially moveable about an axis of rotation, and a display unit arranged radially inside the operating element with respect to the axis of rotation and stationary with respect to the operating element. The display unit may be at least partially surrounded by the operating element. A control unit may control the display unit such that at least one selection region is displayed, which can be selected based on a displacement of the operating element. When a selection region is selected using the operating element, an operating function currently associated with the selection region is triggered. The operating device supports intuitive operation based on the immediate proximity of the operating element to the display unit.

A vibration structure that includes a frame member having an opening therein; a vibration part within the opening in the frame member; a support part that connects the vibration part and the frame member and supports the vibration part within the opening in the frame member; a film that deforms in a planar direction in response to voltage application; and a connection member that connects the film to the vibration part and the frame member such that the vibration part vibrates in the planar direction when the film deforms in the planar direction.

A display device includes a display panel, a vibrator and an adhesive layer. The vibrator is disposed on a surface of the display panel. The adhesive layer is disposed between the display panel and the vibrator, and a part of the adhesive layer contacts the display panel and another part of the adhesive layer contacts the vibrator.

A method includes a processor of an electronic device receiving first input signals from a first sensor in response to user contact at a first edge of the device and second input signals from a second sensor in response to user contact at a second edge of the electronic device. The first and second sensors are covered by a housing of the device. The processor determines an external context of the device based on analysis of the first input signals and the second input signals. The determined external context indicates at least a position of the device relative to a user or an orientation of the device relative to a user. Responsive to determining the external context, the electronic device executes a particular user input action.