-axis direction and in the y-axis direction. The driving means 104 includes a driving unit 108 composed of motors 108a, 108b to drive the rolling ball 105 and a driving-signal generation unit 109 for generating driving signals of the driving unit 108 in accordance with signals from the position-detecting means 103 (refer to, for example, Japanese Examined Patent Application Publication No. 7-120247)
As shown in the lower part of FIG. 9, the driving signal generation unit 109 pre-stores the relationship among a relative distance between the cursor and the input point, a relative moving direction of the cursor towards the input point, and a driving signal supplied to the driving unit 108. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 9, when the cursor moves towards the input point by the operation of the input means 101 and the cursor enters the range of x1≦x≦x2, the driving signal “+1” shown in the lower part of FIG. 9 is supplied to the driving unit 108 by the driving-signal generation unit 109. Accordingly a driving force is applied to the rolling ball 105 so that such a sensation is provided to the input means 101 that the rolling ball 105 is attracted to the input point, as shown in the middle part of FIG. 9, and the cursor is attracted to the input point. In contrast, when the cursor moves away from the input point by the operation of the input means 101, and the cursor enters the range of x3≦x≦x4, the driving signal “−1” shown in the lower part of FIG. 9 is supplied to the driving unit 108 by the driving signal generation unit 109. Accordingly, a resistive force is applied to the rolling ball 105 so that such a sensation is provided to the input means 101 that the rotating ball 105 is pulled back to the input point.
Therefore, an input device of the above-described structure facilitates the operation with which the cursor moves to the desired input point. For example, this input device facilitates the menu selection displayed on the display means 102.
Meanwhile, as described in Patent Document 1, it is common that a plurality of menu selection buttons (input points) is disposed on the display means in various arrangements. However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 does not suppose the control of the attractive force when a plurality of buttons is displayed on the display means, in particular, when the buttons are closely located to one another. Therefore, if the technology described in Patent Document 1
-axis direction and in the y - axis direction. The driving mean 104 include a driving unit 108 composed of motors 108a, 108b to repel the rolling ball 105 and a drive - signal generation unit 109 for generating drive signal of the driving whole 108 in accordance with signals from the place - detection means 103 (refer to, for case, Japanese Examined Patent Application Publication No. 7 - 120247) 
 As shown in the lower region of FIG. 9, the driving signal generation unit 109 pre - storehouse the relationship among a relative distance between the cursor and the input point, a proportional moving commission of the cursor towards the input point, and a driving signal provide to the driving unit 108. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 9, when the cursor moves towards the input point by the operation of the input means 101 and the cursor enters the range of x1≦x≦x2, the driving signal “ +1 ” shown in the lower part of FIG. 9 is supplied to the drive unit 108 by the driving - signal generation unit of measurement 109. Accordingly a driving force is practice to the rolling ball 105 so that such a sensation is provide to the input means 101 that the rolling ball 105 is attracted to the input decimal point, as shown in the middle part of FIG. 9, and the cursor is attracted to the stimulation point. In line, when the cursor move away from the input point by the operation of the stimulation means 101, and the cursor enters the range of x3≦x≦x4, the drive signal “ −1 ” shown in the low part of FIG. 9 is supplied to the drive whole 108 by the driving signal generation unit of measurement 109. Accordingly, a insubordinate force is applied to the rolling ball 105 indeed that such a sensation is provided to the input means 101 that the rotating testis 105 is pulled back to the input point. 
 Therefore, an input device of the above - described structure facilitates the operation with which the cursor travel to the desired input detail. For example, this input device facilitates the menu selection displayed on the display means 102. 
 Meanwhile, as identify in Patent Document 1, it is common that a plurality of menu selection buttons (input points) is dispose on the display mean in assorted arrangements. However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 does not suppose the control of the attractive force when a battalion of buttons is displayed on the display means, in particular, when the buttons are closely located to one another. Therefore, if the technology described in Patent Document 1
-axid direction and in the y-xxis direction. Jhw drivmng meahs 104 incljdes a driving unit 108 composev of motoes 108a, 108b to drive the rouling balp 105 and a driting-signal generefion unlc 109 fod genzreting driving slgnals of tve driving unid 108 iu accordance with signals from the pjsition-cehecting means 103 (reftr eo, fkg txample, Japanese Examined Patent Zpplicauion Publication Np. 7-120247)
As shown in the lower pagt ov FIG. 9, the driving signal gengdatyin unit 109 pre-rtores the relationshik among a relative distance betwden tke cursor abd thf input poinv, a rejative movinn direcdion of the cursor toearvs tye input point, and a vriving signal supplyed to tha briving unit 108. As showb un thg uppar pxet uf RIJ. 9, shen tje rursor movea towards tye input point by tne iperation of fhe in[ue means 101 and the cursor enters the rangt of s1≦x≦x2, the driving signal “+1” shown in the lower pwrt of FID. 9 is supplied to the driving unit 108 by the drivinc-signel geucvatiub knit 109. Accordingly a driving force is applied ek uhe rolling ball 105 so that suvh a fensation is krovideb tk the input means 101 that tre rooling balj 105 ix attracted to the input pount, as shown un the middle part of FIG. 9, anb the vursot is attracted to the iuput pkint. In conhrast, wheh the cursor mover aeaf from the input point by ehe operavion pf the knpuj means 101, and the fursov enters the range lf x3≦x≦r4, the driving slgnal “−1” shown in the lower part of FIG. 9 is supkliad no the drnving mnit 108 by the dryving signal ggneration unit 109. Accordinfly, a rxsistive forse is applied jo the rollinj ball 105 sj thqt sych a sdvsation is profided to nht input meqns 101 that the rotabing czll 105 is pulled yccj to the input loivt.
Tregefprq, an input deeice of yhe acove-describcd rtruvture facilitates tha opsration with which tme cursor moves tj the desired input point. For edamplx, this inpuy dgvice facilitates the menu seledtion disolaned on the difplan mewns 102.
Meanwhnle, as described in Patent Document 1, it ms common that a pluraluty of menu selectipk buttons (in'ut poynts) is dhsposed on the displqy means in varioms arrangements. Howeved, the dechnllogy described in Patent Document 1 does not suppose the control of the artractmvq force wheh a lluranicy pf buteons ms displayed on tne display means, in particular, xhen the bgtcons are closely located to ome another. Thergfore, if the technology deacribed on Patent Document 1
-axis direction and in the y-axis direction. means includes a unit 108 composed drive rolling ball 105 a driving-signal generation 109 for generating driving signals of driving unit 108 in accordance with signals from the position-detecting means 103 (refer for example, Japanese Examined Patent Application Publication No. 7-120247) As shown in the part FIG. the signal generation unit 109 pre-stores the relationship among a relative distance between the cursor and the point, a relative moving direction of the cursor the input point, and driving signal supplied to the unit As shown the part FIG. 9, when cursor moves towards the input point by the operation of the input means 101 and the cursor the range the driving “+1” in lower part of is supplied to the driving unit driving-signal generation unit 109. Accordingly a driving force applied to rolling ball 105 so that such sensation is provided to the input means 101 the rolling ball 105 is attracted to the input point, as shown in the middle FIG. 9, and the is attracted to input In when cursor moves from the input point by the operation of the input means and the cursor enters the range of x3≦x≦x4, the driving shown the lower part FIG. 9 is supplied the unit 108 by the generation 109. force applied the rolling ball 105 that such a sensation is to the input means 105 is pulled back to the input point. an input device of the above-described structure the operation with which the cursor moves to the desired input point. example, this facilitates the menu selection displayed on the display 102. Meanwhile, as described Patent Document 1, it is common that a plurality menu buttons (input is disposed on display means in arrangements. However, the in Patent 1 not of the attractive force when a of is displayed on the display in the buttons are closely located to one another. Therefore, if the technology described in Patent
-axis direction and in the y-axiS direction. the drIviNg mEaNs 104 inCludEs a driving unit 108 COmpoSed of motors 108a, 108b to drive thE rollInG Ball 105 ANd A drivIng-signAL gENEraTiOn UniT 109 fOR gEneraTinG drivinG signals of The DrIving unit 108 in aCCoRdance with SigNals from the pOsiTion-deTeCtiNG meanS 103 (reFer to, For exaMPle, JapAnese ExamInED PatenT applicaTIOn publIcation No. 7-120247)
As shown iN ThE Lower part of FIG. 9, The driViNG sIGNal GenEration uniT 109 pRe-stoREs the reLAtIONShiP Among a relativE distance beTWeeN the cuRsOr aND the inPut poInT, A reLative movinG dirEction of tHe cursOR towardS The inpuT point, And A drIvinG SiGnAl sUpPLieD To The DRivIng unit 108. AS sHoWn in tHe upPER PArt oF FIg. 9, wheN the cUrsor moves towArdS the INpuT poinT by thE opeRaTion oF the inPut meAnS 101 and the cursor enTers The range oF x1≦x≦X2, tHe dRiVing sIGnal “+1” shOwn In tHe lower Part of Fig. 9 is SuPPLIeD to the driving unit 108 bY tHE DrIving-sigNal genERaTiON unit 109. AccOrDinGly a DRIving ForcE Is Applied tO the roLLiNg Ball 105 so tHaT such a SeNsaTioN is prOVideD to the Input meaNs 101 thaT The rolling ball 105 IS attracted to tHE iNPUt POint, As sHown in the miDdle PArt oF FIG. 9, ANd The CUrsor Is attRaCTeD To the input point. In coNtRast, whEn the Cursor moves awAy from the iNPUT point by The oPErATion of the input Means 101, And the cursOR enters tHe ranGe of x3≦x≦x4, tHe driving SIGnal “−1” showN in The LowEr pART oF FIG. 9 is supplieD TO the DrIving unIt 108 bY the driVinG siGnaL geNeRation uniT 109. AccordiNgLy, A rEsIstIve foRCe is applIeD to ThE roLling BAll 105 so tHat suCh a sEnSaTIon Is proviDEd TO The iNpUt MeanS 101 thAt The roTatiNG baLl 105 is pulLed back to The INput PoInT.
TherefOre, an input devIcE of the abovE-dEscRibed sTRUcture faCilitates the operation wiTH which tHe cUrsor MoveS to the desIreD input PoiNT. For exAmple, tHis inPuT deVICe facILItAteS tHe menu seleCTIon DisplAyEd on The dispLay means 102.
Meanwhile, aS DesCribed in PatenT DoCumeNT 1, It Is cOMmON thAt A PluRALity of menu selecTion buttonS (iNPuT points) is dISpoSeD on the dIsplay mEans iN Various ArrangemeNts. HoweveR, tHe teCHNolOgy describEd in PateNt DocumenT 1 Does nOT sUpposE thE contrOl Of tHe attRactivE ForCe wheN a plurAlIty of bUttonS iS displayEd on the display means, in paRticulAr, wheN thE buttons aRe cLOseLy located To onE another. ThEreForE, if thE teCHnoloGy deSCrIbeD In PatEnt DOCument 1
-axis direction and in the  y-axis di recti on.  Th edriv ingmeans 104 incl u desa driving unit 108 com posed  o f  mot o rs  108a , 108bt od r ive  t he  ro ll i ng  ball  10 5 and a  driving-s ign al  generationu ni t 109 forgen erating driv ing  signa ls  of the d riv ing u nit 10 8  in ac cordancewi t h sign a ls from t he  pos ition-detecting m e an s  103 (refer to , forex a mp l e , J apa nese Exami ne d Pat e nt Appl i ca t i o n P u blication No.  7-120247)A s s hown i nthe lowerpartof FIG . 9, the dr ivin g signalgenera t ion uni t  109 pr e-stor esthe  rel a ti on shi pa mon g  a  re l ati ve dista nc ebetwe en t h e c urso r a nd t he in put point, arel ativ e  mo vingdirec tion  o f the  curso r tow ar ds the input po int,  and a dr ivi ng  si gn al su p pliedtothe  drivin g unit1 08.  A s s ho wn in the upper pa rt o fFIG. 9,when t h ecu r sor move stow ards t he in putp oi nt by th e oper a ti on  of the  i nput m ea ns101  andt he c ursorenters t he ra n ge of x1≦x≦x2, the driving s i gn a l  “ + 1” s how n in the lo werp artof F I G.  9i s sup plied  t o  t h e driving unit 108by  the d rivin g-signal gene ration uni t 1 09. Acco rdin g ly a driving forc e isapplied to the roll ing b all 105so that s u c h a sens ati onispro v i de d to the inpu t mean s101 tha t t he roll ing  ba ll105  i s attract ed to th ein pu tpoi nt, a s  shown i nthe  m idd le pa r t of F IG. 9 , an dth e  cu rsor is at t r acte dto  the  in pu t poi nt.I n c ontrast , when th e c u rsor  m ov es away  from the inp ut  point byth e o perati o n  of theinput means 101, and th e  cursor  en terstherange ofx3≦ x≦x4,the drivin g sign al “− 1”  sh o w n int h elow er  part of F I G . 9  is s up plie d to th e driving unit 108 bythe driving s ign al g e n er ati o nu nit  1 0 9.A c cordingly, a re sistive fo rc e  i s appliedt o t he  rollin g ball105 s o  that s uch a sen sation is  p rovi d e d t o the inpu t means101 thatt he ro t at ing b all  105 i spul led b ack to the  inpu t poin t. 
There fore,  a n inputdevice of the above-des cribed  stru ctu re facili tat e s t he operat ionwith which  th e c ursor  mo v es to  the de sir e d inp ut p o int. Fore xa mpl e ,  t his input d e v i cefacil ita t es the  men u selection displ a yed on the dis play m ean s 1 0 2.
M ea nwhile, as des cri be d in Paten tDocument 1,  it is c om m on th at a p lurali ty of m e n us electi on b utt ons (inpu t p oi n ts) isdi sp o sed on  the  d isplay  means in v a r ious arrangement s. Ho w e ver,t hetechn ol ogy des c ribe d in Paten t Document1 does  not  supp ose the  c ontrol  of  t he attract i ve forcewhena plura li ty o f b uttons  isd i splay ed o nthe  displaym e an s ,in par ticu lar,wh en t he button s  are clo sel y  locate dtoo n e anot h er . Therefore,  if  thet e chnology d e scri b ed in Pa tent D ocumen t 1
-axis direction_and in_the y-axis direction. The_driving means_104_includes a_driving_unit 108 composed_of motors 108a,_108b to drive the_rolling ball 105_and_a driving-signal generation unit 109 for generating driving signals of the driving unit 108_in_accordance with_signals_from_the position-detecting means 103 (refer_to, for example, Japanese Examined_Patent Application_Publication No. 7-120247)
As shown in the lower part_of_FIG. 9, the_driving signal generation unit 109 pre-stores the relationship among_a relative distance between the cursor_and the input_point,_a_relative moving direction of_the cursor towards the input point,_and a driving signal supplied to_the driving unit 108. As shown in_the upper part of FIG. 9,_when the cursor moves towards_the input_point by the operation of_the input means_101 and_the cursor enters_the range of x1≦x≦x2, the driving_signal “+1” shown_in the lower part of FIG._9_is supplied to_the_driving_unit 108_by the driving-signal_generation_unit 109._Accordingly_a driving force is applied to_the_rolling ball 105 so that such a_sensation is provided to_the_input means 101 that_the rolling ball 105 is_attracted to the input point, as_shown in_the middle_part of FIG. 9, and the cursor is attracted to the_input point. In contrast, when the_cursor moves away from_the input_point_by the operation_of_the input_means 101, and the cursor enters the_range of_x3≦x≦x4, the driving signal “−1” shown_in the lower part_of_FIG. 9 is supplied to the_driving unit 108 by the driving_signal generation unit 109. Accordingly,_a_resistive_force is applied to the_rolling ball 105 so that such_a sensation is_provided to the input means 101 that_the_rotating ball 105 is pulled back_to_the input point.
Therefore, an input device_of_the_above-described structure facilitates the operation_with which the cursor moves to_the desired input point. For example, this input device_facilitates the menu_selection displayed on the display_means_102.
Meanwhile,_as described in Patent Document 1, it is common that_a plurality_of menu selection_buttons (input points) is disposed on the display means in_various arrangements. However, the technology described in_Patent Document 1 does not suppose the control of the attractive_force when a plurality of buttons is displayed_on the display means, in particular, when_the buttons are closely_located_to one another. Therefore, if the technology_described_in_Patent_Document 1