JP2008189123A - Operation supporting device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform a guide with good operability according to an intention of a user. <P>SOLUTION: In this operation supporting method, operations performed for each of a plurality of operation parts provided in a vehicle and classified into a first classification and a second classification in advance are detected, and an attached function of the vehicle corresponding to each of the operation parts is executed. When the operation for the operation part classified into the first classification is detected, the other operation part classified into the first classification is guided before executing the attached function corresponding to the operation part having the detected operation. When the operation for the operation part classified into the second classification is detected, the other operation part classified into the second classification is guided after executing the attached function corresponding to the operation part having the detected operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation support apparatus and method for operating an operation unit provided in a vehicle.

The vehicle is provided with an operation unit for executing various attached functions such as adjustment of the driving position and angle adjustment of the mirror in the vehicle. In recent vehicles, since many such operation units are provided, it takes time to reach an ideal state that should be obtained by operating a plurality of operation units even if a plurality of operation units are operated on a dark cloud. . For example, if a plurality of operation units are operated in the dark clouds when setting the driving position, it becomes difficult to set the driving position because it is necessary to adjust the operated operation unit again as a result of performing a certain operation. Therefore, a technique for setting an appropriate driving position by operating an operation unit in a predetermined order is known (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-313784 A

In the prior art, it has been impossible to provide easy-to-use guidance according to the user's intention.
That is, in the plurality of operation units provided in the vehicle, many of them are related to each other, but it is not always necessary to operate the operation units in a predetermined operation order. When the operation order is guided to such an operation unit, other operation units are guided to a user who desires to perform a certain operation, and the user-friendliness is inferior.

Furthermore, even if the operation units are related in a predetermined order, the user may not want to operate according to the order. That is, even in a plurality of operation units that may have an operation order, there is a case where it is desired to carry out a certain operation independently rather than realizing the ideal state by the operation in the order. In such a case, if the operation order is always guided, the user will be instructed with poor usability.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide easy-to-use guidance according to the user's intention.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a plurality of operation units are classified in advance into a first classification and a second classification, and an attached function corresponding to the first classification is executed for the first classification. Guidance is given to other operation units previously classified in the first category, and for the second category, guidance is provided to other operation units classified in the second category after executing an attached function corresponding to the second category. To do.

  That is, in a plurality of operation units, when it is easier to operate the other operation unit before operating one operation unit, the operation unit is easily classified into the first classification, Although it is easier to reach the ideal state when another operation unit is operated along with the operation, an operation unit whose operation order is arbitrary is classified into the second classification. As a result, the operation unit can be guided in the order in which it is easy to reach the ideal state with respect to the operation unit of the first category, and the operation unit related to the operation unit of the second category without interrupting the operation selected by the user. Can be guided. Therefore, it is possible to guide an appropriate operation unit to be operated to reach the ideal state intended by the user, and it is possible to provide easy-to-use guidance.

  Here, the plurality of operation units may be operation units that give instructions for executing the attached functions of the vehicle, and are hardware switches that give instructions to use the attached functions by giving physical motions with fingers or the like. There may be a software switch that clearly indicates information indicating an attached function on the screen and an operation unit that gives an instruction to use the information, and various operation units can be provided. As a hardware switch, for example, a switch that accepts a usage instruction by pushing a button, lever, knob, dial, or the like, swinging, rotating, moving, or the like can be employed. As the software switch, it is possible to adopt a switch or the like in which an attached function or an operation unit is indicated by an image or a character.

  The first classification and the second classification need only be set in advance, and the classification data indicating this setting is stored in a predetermined storage medium, and the classification of each operation unit is acquired by referring to the classification data In addition, when the operation unit is operated, a signal indicating that the operation unit is operated is output, and a signal indicating the classification is also output from the operation unit, and the classification is performed based on the signal. The structure which discriminate | determines may be employ | adopted and various structures are employable.

  The operation detection unit only needs to be able to detect that an operation has been performed on each operation unit. For example, the operation detection unit detects a physical operation performed on the operation unit in a hardware switch, or touches the screen with a software switch. It is possible to adopt a configuration that detects an operation or a key operation provided on the screen.

  The accessory function executing means only needs to be able to execute the accessory function of the vehicle associated with each operation unit. Here, as functions attached to the vehicle, all functions for instructing use by the operation unit are assumed. For example, a position adjustment function such as a steering, a seat, a mirror, a headrest, an angle adjustment function, a seat heater function, a driving position, etc. All functions that can be used by operation parts such as switches such as memory function, air conditioner function, glass condensation prevention function, audio function, parking assist execution instruction function, guidance execution instruction function by navigation system, wiper function, window opening / closing function This corresponds to the attached function.

  The operation unit guiding means only needs to be able to guide another operation unit before or after the execution of the attached function according to the classification of the operated operation unit. That is, in order to realize a user-desired ideal state using a plurality of operation units, when a preferable operation order is assumed, guidance is performed so that the operation is performed according to the preferable operation order, and the preferable operation order is When an operation unit that is not assumed but should be operated in conjunction is assumed, the operation unit to be operated in association may be guided. In the guidance for this purpose, it is only necessary to allow the user (driver or passenger) to recognize the operation unit. For example, the operation unit may be guided on a predetermined screen mounted on the vehicle, or voice output may be performed. The operation unit may be guided by a variety of configurations such as highlighting the operation unit by turning on the operation unit with a light emitting unit provided in the operation unit.

  Furthermore, the operation unit classified into the first classification is an operation unit in which a preferable operation order is assumed, and when an operation on a certain operation unit is performed, as a configuration example for guiding another more preferable operation, You may employ | adopt the structure which sets a recommended operation order previously to the operation part classified into the 1st classification. That is, of the operation units, the recommended operation order data indicating that the operation unit is classified into the first classification and the recommended operation order is set in each operation unit is stored in a predetermined storage medium in advance, and the operation unit guide means The recommended operation order data is acquired.

  If the recommended operation order data is acquired by the operation unit guidance means, it is possible to easily determine whether or not there is an operation unit to be operated before the operation unit when an operation on the operation unit is detected. The other operation units can be guided so that the operations are performed in the recommended operation order. It should be noted that the operation unit guidance means only needs to be able to guide a higher-level operation unit than the operation unit that detected the operation when the operation for the operation unit classified in the first category is detected. The recommended operation order of the operation unit to be guided can be selected as appropriate.

  For example, it may be configured to guide the uppermost operation unit in the recommended operation order, or may be configured to detect whether or not the operation unit has been operated based on flag data or the like to detect the operation. When there is an operation unit in which the order ahead of the operated operation unit is set, the operation unit with the recommended operation order in the remaining operation units excluding the operated operation unit is guided. May be.

  Furthermore, an operation unit related to the driving position may be employed as the first-class operation unit for setting the recommended operation order. That is, in order to set the driving position to the ideal state desired by the user, it is preferable to adjust the sheet to the user-desired state and further adjust the mirror after setting the sheet. Therefore, a plurality of operation units corresponding to the attached functions for changing the driving position and a plurality of operation units corresponding to the attached functions to be executed in accordance with the change of the driving position are defined as the first-class operation units. If the recommended operation order is set in the operation unit, it is possible to guide the operation unit so that the user can easily set the driving position.

  Various functions can be used as accessory functions for changing the driving position. For example, functions such as seat reclining, seat back and forth movement, vertical movement, angle adjustment, steering tilt, It is possible to adopt a function that performs forward / backward movement. As the recommended operation order, for example, a configuration in which the order of the operation units is set so as to execute a function having a high effect of improving safety by executing an attached function first can be employed. More specifically, adjusting the relationship between the pedals and feet of the vehicle contributes to safety, and setting the recommended operation sequence in the order of back-and-forth movement of the seat, vertical movement, and angle adjustment, and then reclining It is possible to adopt a configuration in which a recommended operation order is set so that steering adjustment is performed thereafter.

  In addition, the accessory functions that should be executed when the driving position is changed are accessory functions that can be different from the ideal state by changing the driving position, and these accessory functions include the side functions provided in the vehicle. The adjustment function of a mirror and a rearview mirror is mentioned. Therefore, if the recommended operation order of the operation unit is set so that these functions are used as the first classification after the driving position is changed, other functions can be set to the ideal state after the driving position is changed. .

  Furthermore, the operation unit classified into the second classification may be an operation unit that is related to each other but does not set the recommended operation order, and a plurality of operation units for performing air conditioning in the vehicle are set as the second classification. Is possible. For example, as an auxiliary function to adjust the air inside the vehicle, to operate the temperature adjustment function in the air conditioner function, the wind direction adjustment function, the outside air intake enable / disable setting function, the ventilation function and the heating wire heating function in the glass dew condensation prevention function The operation unit can be configured as the second classification. In other words, these air conditioning functions have an arbitrary operation order on the assumption that there is no particularly recommended operation order. In addition, since dew condensation may be generated by the air in the vehicle, the heating wire heating function is also an air conditioning function here.

  Furthermore, if the operation unit is set to be guided in the recommended operation order for the first category and in any order for the second category, the user can easily guide the operation unit to realize a specific ideal state. However, the operation intention of the operation unit by the user is various, and the operation for realizing a specific ideal state is not always performed. Therefore, if guidance according to the operation preference or preference of each user is provided, guidance that is easier for the user to use can be provided. In the present invention, as a configuration example for this purpose, the operation unit may be configured to measure the number of operations, and the operation unit having a large number of operations may be preferentially guided. According to this configuration, since the operation unit having a higher operation frequency of the user is guided with higher priority, the more the user uses the operation unit, the more the user's preference is met. Good guidance can be implemented.

  Further, as a configuration example for performing guidance according to the user's preference and preference, the operation unit was set when an instruction to operate the operation unit in an order different from the recommended operation order was acquired. A configuration for canceling the recommended operation order may be adopted. For example, it is configured to accept a continuation instruction for continuing the operation by the operation unit that has detected the operation after guiding the other operation unit classified into the first classification, and the operation by the other operation unit is performed. When an instruction to continue the operation by the operation unit that has detected the operation is received instead of performing the operation, the operation unit is excluded from the first classification.

  According to this configuration, in response to an operation on a certain operation unit, the user is guided to perform an operation in accordance with the recommended operation order once. Thereafter, the operation unit is excluded from the first classification. Therefore, even when the operation unit is operated again, it is possible to use the attached function instructed by the operation unit without guiding the operation unit conforming to the recommended operation order. For this reason, a user who wants to perform a specific operation in a different order from the recommended operation order does not repeatedly guide the operation unit differently from the intention (in the order according to the recommended operation order). The attached function can be executed by the operation unit as intended.

  Further, as a configuration example for performing guidance according to user's preference and preference, when an instruction to operate the operation unit in an order different from the recommended operation order is acquired, the recommended operation order of the operation unit is changed. A higher-order configuration may be adopted. For example, it is configured to accept a continuation instruction for continuing the operation by the operation unit that has detected the operation after guiding the other operation unit classified into the first classification, and the operation by the other operation unit is performed. When an instruction to continue the operation by the operation unit that has detected the operation is received instead of performing the operation, the recommended operation order of the operation unit is made higher.

  According to this configuration, in response to an operation on a certain operation unit, the user is guided to perform an operation in accordance with the recommended operation order once. Thereafter, the recommended operation order of the operation unit becomes higher. Therefore, when operating a plurality of operation units, it is less likely that a user who tends to execute an operation by a specific operation unit first will guide a different operation unit every time the specific operation unit is operated. Disappear. Of course, in this case as well, various configurations can be employed in the continuation instruction accepting unit in the same manner as described above.

  Further, in the configuration in which another operation unit is guided according to the operation of each of the first-class operation unit and the second-class operation unit as in the present invention, the timing for guiding the other operation unit. Can be applied as a program or method. In addition, the operation support device, program, and method as described above may be realized as a single operation support device, or may be realized by using components shared with each unit provided in the vehicle. The embodiment is included. For example, it is possible to provide a navigation device, a method, and a program including the operation support device as described above. Further, some changes may be made as appropriate, such as a part of software and a part of hardware. Furthermore, the present invention is also realized as a recording medium for a program for controlling the operation support apparatus. Of course, the software recording medium may be a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or any recording medium to be developed in the future.

Here, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) Configuration of operation support device:
(2) Operation support processing:
(3) Operation by operation support processing:
(4) Other embodiments:

(1) Configuration of operation support device:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an operation support apparatus 10 mounted on a vehicle. The operation support device 10 according to the present embodiment is an operation unit provided in a vehicle, and includes operation units 20a, 20b to 20n classified into a first category and operation units 22a, 22b to 22n classified into a second category. And the actuators 21a, 21b to 21n, 23a, 23b to 23n, the navigation device 30 and the display unit 40 cooperate.

  The operation units 20a, 20b to 20n, the actuators 21a, 21b to 21n, the operation units 22a, 22b to 22n, the actuators 23a, 23b to 23n, and the display unit 40 are connected to an ECU 31 provided in the navigation device 30, and the ECU 31 Controls the respective units by exchanging signals with the operation units 20a, 20b-20n, the actuators 21a, 21b-21n, the operation units 22a, 22b-22n, the actuators 23a, 23b-23n, the display unit 40, and the respective units. Get information from.

  The operation units 20a, 20b to 20n, 22a, and 22b to 22n are mechanisms such as buttons, levers, knobs, and dials that can be physically operated by a finger or the like. When a rotation operation, a movement operation, or the like is performed, signals corresponding to the operations are output from the operation units 20a, 20b to 20n, 22a, 22b to 22n. The ECU 31 acquires the operation content by this signal.

  The display unit 40 is a unit that displays an arbitrary image on a display provided in the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the display unit 40 includes a touch panel that receives an instruction operation by touching a screen with a finger. In the present embodiment, the display unit 40 is configured to display a plurality of attached functions and operation units for instructing execution thereof, and a signal corresponding to an operation on each operation unit is displayed on the display unit 40. Is output from. The ECU 31 acquires the operation content according to this signal.

  On the other hand, the actuators 21a, 21b to 21n, 23a, and 23b to 23n are mechanisms that perform physical motion in accordance with electrical signals, and are used to realize various auxiliary functions in accordance with signals output from the ECU 31. Drive the mechanism. In the present embodiment, the operation units 20a, 20b to 20n and the operation units 22a, 22b to 22n are associated with the actuators 21a, 21b to 21n and the actuators 23a, 23b to 23n, respectively. Each operation unit is a switch for driving each actuator.

  In addition, the operation sections of the attached functions displayed on the display section 40 are associated with the actuators 21a, 21b to 21n and the actuators 23a, 23b to 23n in advance. It functions as a switch for driving each actuator. That is, in the present embodiment, a hardware switch and a software switch are provided for causing the actuators 21a and 21b to 21n and the actuators 23a and 23b to 23n to execute the accessory functions of the vehicle.

  Note that the attached functions operated by the operation unit in the present embodiment are the back-and-forth movement of the seat, the angle adjustment of the mirror, the temperature adjustment of the air conditioner, etc. described later, and the actuators 21a, 21b-21n and the actuators 23a, 23b-23n Each accessory function is realized by incorporating it into the seat, mirror, and air conditioner mechanism. Of course, in addition to actuators such as air conditioners, various accessory functions may be realized by collaboration of heaters and sensors. Therefore, in FIG. 1, an actuator is shown as a representative of the device driven corresponding to the operation unit, and another device may be driven corresponding to the operation of the operation unit.

  The navigation device 30 is a system that executes navigation processing for guiding a vehicle by using a reception signal in a GPS receiver (not shown), map information (not shown) stored in the storage medium 33, and the like. That is, the ECU 31 provided in the navigation device 30 can execute a predetermined program by a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. (not shown), and the ECU 31 executes the above-described navigation program 32.

  The navigation program 32 is configured to execute guidance of the operation unit as a part of the function in the above-described navigation processing, easily realizes a predetermined ideal state, and also a user (driver or passenger) Guidance is provided so that an operation that matches the user's preference can be realized. In other words, the operation units 20a, 20b to 20n, the operation units 22a, 22b to 22n, and the operation unit displayed on the display unit 40 according to the present embodiment are basically switches for driving the actuators as described above. However, a predetermined ideal state can be easily realized by guiding other operation units before and after driving each actuator in accordance with an operation on each operation unit.

  In the present embodiment, an ideal state is realized by a driving position and devices related to the driving position, and a configuration for making the air state in the vehicle an ideal state is adopted. That is, the operation units 20a, 20b to 20n classified into the first classification are mechanisms for changing the driving position and mechanisms for driving according to the change of the driving position. The operation units 22a and 22b to 22n classified in the second classification are operation units for giving instructions to execute functions related to air conditioning in the vehicle.

  In the present embodiment, the operation unit classified into the first classification is defined by the first classification data 33a stored in advance in the storage medium 33, and the operation unit classified into the second classification is stored in the storage medium 33. It is defined by the second classification data 33b stored in advance. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first classification data 33a and the second classification data 33b. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the first classification data includes seat longitudinal movement, seat vertical movement, seat surface angle adjustment, reclining, steering longitudinal movement, steering vertical movement, side mirror adjustment, and rearview mirror adjustment. It is registered that the operation units for executing these functions are the operation units 20a, 20b to 20n.

  The driving position is ideal for the user to drive easily and to easily use the equipment necessary for driving, and the position of another part can be changed as the position of one part changes. Is preferred. For example, the ideal state can be achieved by setting the front / rear position of the seat so that the accelerator pedal and brake pedal can be easily used, and adjusting the vertical position of the seat and the angle of the side mirror according to this position. Realized.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, a recommended operation order is set in advance for the operation of the operation unit related to the driving position, and recommended operation order data 33c indicating the recommended operation order is stored in the storage medium 33 in advance. In the present embodiment, the highest order of the recommended operation order is the seat back-and-forth movement, and the operation is performed in the order of seat up-and-down movement, seat angle adjustment, reclining, steering back-and-forth movement, steering up and down movement, side mirror adjustment, and rearview mirror adjustment. Is set to That is, the operation order of the attached functions described at the top in the first classification data 33a shown in FIG. 2 is set higher. Of course, the recommended operation order only needs to be set in advance, and the mode of the data can be changed as appropriate, such as assuming that the order defined in the first classification data 33a is equal to the recommended operation order.

  In the recommended operation order described above, the attached functions related to the seat, that is, the seat back-and-forth movement, the seat up-and-down movement, the seat surface angle adjustment, and the reclining operation order are made higher than the operation order of other parts. In other words, the adjustment of the parts that define the relationship between the pedals and the feet of the vehicle is important for driving the vehicle while ensuring high safety. Furthermore, after adjusting the seat-related accessory functions, the operation order of the accessory functions related to the steering is made higher. This is a result of considering that the position of the steering operated for driving is the next most important element after the pedal in order to ensure high safety and the ease of driving operation.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the setting is made such that the auxiliary function related to the mirror is adjusted after the auxiliary function related to the steering is operated. In other words, the operation order is determined based on the idea that the mirrors used for driving are important for improving safety next to the devices that are directly operated for driving. In the present embodiment, the operation order necessary for realizing the ideal state by operating the operation unit related to the driving position is determined based on the above idea.

  Therefore, when the operation unit is operated in an order different from the recommended operation order described above, the navigation program 32 is configured to guide the higher-level operation unit, and this configuration makes it easy to realize the ideal state. Give good guidance. In this embodiment, in order to realize the ideal state, an operation according to the recommended operation sequence is preferable. However, the driving position is not set to the ideal state, and adjustment for a specific part is performed. A user or a user who frequently adjusts a specific part may feel annoyed when the recommended operation order is guided.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when an operation on a certain operation unit is accepted, other operation units are guided, but when an instruction to continue the operation is received by the accepted operation unit, the operation unit is thereafter It is configured not to perform guidance according to the recommended operation order. As a result, guidance that matches the user's preference can be implemented. The above processing will be described in detail later.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, air conditioner temperature adjustment, air conditioner wind direction adjustment, outside air intake, windshield warm air, and rear glass heating wire are registered as the second classification data 33b. It shows that the operation units for execution are the operation units 22a and 22b to 22n. The operation units classified into the second category are operation units for performing air conditioning in the vehicle. In the present embodiment, these are classified into the second category as related operation units. Is not set.

  That is, in the air conditioning in the vehicle, an ideal state for a user to drive comfortably is assumed, but the order of operating the air conditioning function is arbitrary. Therefore, in the second classification, although a plurality of operation units that are preferably operated at the time of air conditioning are associated, the recommended operation order is not set, and after executing a corresponding accessory function by a certain operation unit, An ideal state can be easily realized by guiding other related operation units.

(2) Operation support processing:
In the present embodiment, in order to implement the above guidance, the navigation program 32 is provided with an operation detection unit 32a, an attached function execution unit 32b, and an operation unit guide unit 32c, and guides the operation unit by the following processing. To do. The navigation program 32 performs the processing shown in FIG. 3, and when the ECU 31 acquires output signals from the operation units 20a, 20b to 20n, 22a, and 22b to 22n, the ECU 31 sends a signal indicating the operation content to the navigation program 32. Pass to.

  The operation detection unit 32a grasps the operation unit operated based on the signal output from the ECU 31, and acquires the classification of the operation unit (step S100). That is, the operation detection unit 32a detects that the operation unit has been operated based on a signal output from the ECU 31, and grasps the operated operation unit. Then, referring to the first classification data 33a and the second classification data 33b, whether the classification of the operated operation unit is the first classification or the second classification, or the operation unit not included in these classifications Get what it is.

  When the operation detection unit 32a identifies the operation unit classification, the operation unit guide unit 32c determines whether the operated operation unit is the first classification or the second classification (step S105). . In step S105, when it is not determined that the operated operation unit is the first classification or the second classification, the accessory function execution unit 32b controls the ECU 31 and corresponds to the operated operation unit. The actuator is driven (step S110, the operation unit and the actuator are not shown in FIG. 1).

  When it is determined in step S105 that the operated operation unit is either the first category or the second category, the operation unit guide unit 32c further determines whether or not the operation unit is the first category. Is determined (step S115). That is, the operation unit guide unit 32c refers to the first classification data 33a, and determines whether or not the operated operation unit is classified into the first classification. If it is determined in step S115 that the operated operation unit is the first classification, the recommended operation order of the operation unit is acquired (step S120). That is, the operation unit guide unit 32c refers to the recommended operation order data 33c, and acquires the recommended operation order of the operated operation unit.

  Further, based on the acquired recommended operation order, the operation unit guide unit 32c determines whether or not the recommended operation order of the operated operation unit is the highest order (step S125). When it is determined in step S125 that the recommended operation order of the operation unit is the highest order, the attached function execution unit 32b drives the actuator corresponding to the operation unit (step S130).

  That is, the accessory function execution unit 32b outputs a signal indicating the operation unit to the ECU 31, and the ECU 31 outputs a signal for driving the actuator corresponding to the instructed operation unit. As a result, the attached function corresponding to the operation unit defined as the top of the recommended operation order is executed. After executing the attached function as described above, a flag indicating that the operation has been completed is set in a flag associated with each operation unit in advance, and stored as flag data 33d in the storage medium 33 (step S135). The processing after step S115 is repeated. Of course, when all the operation units have been operated, or when the user has explicitly instructed to end the operation, the process exits from this repeated loop. At the end of the processing, the set value of the flag is returned to the initial value (flag indicating no operation).

  On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S125 that the recommended operation order of the operated operation unit is the highest order, all other operation units having a recommended operation order higher than the operated operation unit are operated. It is determined whether or not it has been completed (step S140). That is, as described above, since the flag indicating that the operation unit has been operated is set in the flag data 33d as described above, it is recommended from the operated operation unit with reference to the flag data 33d. It is determined whether or not all other operation units having higher operation orders have been operated.

  In step S140, when it is determined that all other operation units having a higher recommended operation order than the operated operation unit have been operated, this is the order in which the operated operation unit should be operated. The accessory function execution unit 32b performs the above-described step S130 to drive the actuator corresponding to the operation unit.

  If it is not determined in step S140 that all other operation units having a higher recommended operation order than the operated operation unit have been operated, the highest operation unit among the non-operated operation units is guided. (Step S145). That is, referring to the flag data 33d, an operation unit having a recommended operation order higher than the operated operation unit and having no operation flag set is extracted. Then, the operation unit set at the highest level among the extracted operation units is guided.

  In the present embodiment, this guidance is performed on the display unit 40 under the control of the operation unit guide unit 32c. Specifically, the operation unit guide unit 32c outputs a signal for displaying the operation unit set at the highest level among the extracted operation units to the display unit 40 via the ECU 31, and the display unit 40 In response to this signal, guides the operation unit set at the highest level among the extracted operation units. That is, when setting the driving position, if there is an unoperated operation unit that is preferably operated before the operation unit for which the operation instruction is given, the ideal state of the driving position is determined by the operation first. The display unit 40 guides that it can be set easily. With the above processing, the other operation unit is guided before the attached function corresponding to the operated operation unit is executed.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, after performing this guidance, the display unit 40 displays a continuation instruction confirmation unit for confirming whether or not to continue the operation by the operated operation unit (step S150). ). That is, the operation unit guide unit 32c outputs a signal for displaying the continuation instruction confirmation unit to the display unit 40 via the ECU 31, and the display unit 40 displays the continuation instruction confirmation unit according to this signal. .

  The operation unit guide unit 32c determines whether or not a continuation instruction has been issued (step S155). When it is determined that a continuation instruction has been issued, the operated operation unit is excluded from the first classification (step S160). That is, the operation unit guide unit 32c deletes the operated operation unit from the first classification data 33a and the recommended operation order data 33c. After performing step S160, the attached function execution unit 32b performs step S130 to drive the actuator corresponding to the operated operation unit.

  As a result of the above processing, guidance that there is a more preferable operation unit is performed according to the recommended operation sequence, but the operation by the original operation unit (the operated operation unit) is continued instead of the guided operation unit. When the continuation instruction is issued, the actuator is driven by the operation unit according to the continuation instruction, and thereafter, when the operation unit according to the continuation instruction is operated, other operation units included in the first classification are not guided. It will be. Therefore, when the user tends to use the operation unit related to the continuation instruction frequently, the actuator can be driven by the operation unit related to the continuation instruction without being guided by other operation units, and unnecessary guidance is provided. The operation can be performed without bothering the user.

  If it is not determined in step S155 that a continuation instruction has been issued, an accessory function is provided to drive the actuator corresponding to the other operation unit (the highest operation unit among the unoperated operation units) guided in step S145. The execution unit 32b performs step S130. Therefore, the operation can be performed according to a predetermined recommended operation sequence, and the driving position can be easily set. Of course, when an attached function is executed based on another operation unit as described above, an operation input of the other operation unit is received and the attached function is controlled so that an operation according to the operation input is performed. .

  On the other hand, when it is not determined in step S115 that the operated operation unit is the first category, that is, when the operated operation unit is the second category, the operation unit of the second category is displayed. On the other hand, since the recommended operation order is not set, the attached function execution unit 32b drives the actuator corresponding to the operated operation unit (step S165). As a result, the attached function corresponding to the operation of the operation unit is executed.

  Although the recommended operation order is not set in the operation unit of the second category for performing air conditioning, other operation units of the second category can be operated in order to bring the air in the vehicle into an ideal state. Preferably, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not all other operation units in the second category have been operated (step S170). That is, with reference to the flag data 33d, it is determined whether or not the second-class operation unit other than the operated operation unit has been operated.

  If it is not determined in step S170 that all other operation units in the second category have been operated, an operation unit that has not been operated among the operation units classified in the second category is guided (step S175). . That is, the operation unit guide unit 32c refers to the flag data 33d, and sends a signal indicating any one of the operation units that have not been operated and are classified into the second category to the display unit 40 via the ECU 31. Output. In response to this signal, the display unit 40 guides the operation unit that has not been operated and is classified into the second category.

  Also, after step S175, or when it is determined in step S170 that all other operation units in the second category have been operated, the flag of the operated operation unit is turned on in step S135. The process ends. Through the above processing, after the attached function corresponding to the operated operation unit is executed, another operation unit is guided. As a result, an operation unit that is preferably operated to bring the air in the vehicle into an ideal state is guided, and the user can easily make the air in the vehicle into an ideal state by performing an operation according to this guidance. it can.

(3) Operation by operation support processing:
Next, an example of an operation by the above-described operation support process will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation relating to the operation unit of the first classification, and FIG. 4A shows a state in which the driving position setting screen is displayed on the screen 41 of the display unit 40. That is, on the screen 41, an image indicating the operation is displayed together with an image indicating the steering, the seat, and the door mirror, and each function is indicated by this display. In addition, an operation unit corresponding to the operation of each function is displayed as a triangular image, and the usage instruction is given. In the example shown below, it is assumed that none of the operation units has been operated. In this state, when the user operates an arbitrary operation unit, for example, the operation unit 41a that rotates the seat back portion backward using the seat reclining function, the other operation unit guides the user before executing the reclining function. Is done.

  That is, when the operation unit 41a is determined to be the operation unit classified in the first classification by steps S105 and S115, and the recommended operation order of the operation unit 41a is determined not to be the highest order by steps S120 and S125. In step S140, it is determined that another operation unit has not been operated. Accordingly, in step S145, the front / rear movement of the seat whose recommended operation order is the highest order is guided, and in step S150, a continuation instruction for using the reclining function is displayed on the display unit 40.

  FIG. 4B shows an example of guidance for moving the seat back and forth. In this example, the screen 41 displays a message that prompts the user to move the seat back and forth before reclining to set the driving position. In addition, the buttons 41b and 41c for instructing either the seat back-and-forth movement or the reclining function are displayed so that the reclining function can be instructed to continue.

  When the user instructs to move the seat back and forth with the button 41b in accordance with the guidance shown in FIG. 4B, it is determined in step S155 that there is no continuation instruction, and an operation of moving the seat back and forth is accepted in step S130. FIG. 4C shows a display example of a screen 41 that accepts the operation of moving the seat back and forth. A triangular operation unit corresponding to the seat back and forth movement is highlighted (indicated by hatching in FIG. 4C) and the front and back of the sheet are displayed. Accept move operation. Therefore, it is possible to guide the operation unit in an order that makes it easy to reach the ideal state, and it is possible to easily set the driving position to the ideal state.

  On the other hand, when the user instructs the reclining function with the button 41c in accordance with the guidance shown in FIG. 4B, it is determined that the continuation instruction is made in step S155, and the reclining function is changed to the first classification data 33a and the recommended operation order in step S160. The data is deleted from the data 33c, and the reclining function is executed in step S130. FIG. 4D shows a display example of the screen 41 when the reclining function is executed, and the operation unit 41a operated before displaying the screen shown in FIG. 4D is highlighted (indicated by hatching in FIG. 4D). Indicating that the reclining function is being executed. As described above, when the user gives an instruction to continue, the operation can be performed in an order different from the recommended operation order, and when the reclining function is used again, the guidance according to the recommended operation order is not performed. be able to. Therefore, the operation unit different from the intention is not repeatedly guided to the user who frequently uses the reclining function, and the attached function can be executed by the operation unit as the user intends.

  On the other hand, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation related to the operation unit of the second classification. In FIG. 5A, operation units 22a and 22b for adjusting the air conditioner temperature are provided at the lower part of the screen 41 of the display unit 40. An example is shown. That is, the operation unit 22a is assigned an air conditioner temperature increase operation, and the operation unit 22b is assigned an air conditioner temperature decrease operation, and the actuators 23a and 23b for increasing the air conditioner temperature or decreasing the air conditioner temperature are driven by the operation of each operation unit. It is the composition to do. In FIG. 5A, other operation units are omitted, and in the example shown here, each operation unit is not operated.

  In this state, when the user operates an arbitrary operation unit, for example, the operation unit 22a for increasing the air conditioner temperature, the other operation unit is guided after the air conditioner temperature is increased. That is, if it is determined in steps S105 and S115 that the operation unit 22a is the operation unit classified in the second classification, the set temperature of the air conditioner is increased in step S165. In steps S170 and S175, other operation units in the second category are guided.

  FIG. 5B shows a display example on the screen 41 when guiding another operation unit of the second classification. In this example, the screen 41 shown in FIG. 5B is displayed after the set temperature of the air conditioner is raised. . In the screen 41 shown in FIG. 5B, other operation units that are preferably used to bring the air in the vehicle into an ideal state are guided as adjustment candidates, and air conditioner wind direction adjustment, outside air intake, windshield warm air on / An operation unit for turning off is displayed. Further, an arrow scroll button 41d indicates that an operation unit other than the operation unit displayed on the screen 41 is an adjustment candidate. That is, in this case, an unoperated operation unit among the operation units defined in the second classification data 33b shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the screen 41, and the operation selected by the user is interrupted in the above guidance. Without making it happen, it is possible to guide the operation unit that is preferable to use the air in the vehicle in an ideal state. Therefore, the user can easily set the air in the vehicle to an ideal state.

(4) Other embodiments:
The above embodiment is an example for carrying out the present invention, as long as the timing for guiding other operation units according to the classification of the operation units is controlled before and after the execution of the attached function. Various embodiments can be employed. For example, in the above-described operation support device, when an operation unit classified in the first category is operated, one operation unit that is the first operation unit and has not been operated and whose recommended operation order is higher is extracted. However, here, it is only necessary to be able to guide another operation unit of the first classification before executing the attached function corresponding to the operated operation unit. Accordingly, before executing the attached function corresponding to the operated operation unit, various operations such as extracting and guiding a plurality of operation units of the first category that are not operated and have a higher recommended operation order are provided. A configuration can be adopted.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is adopted in which the operation unit is excluded from the first classification when a continuation instruction for the operated operation unit is received. A configuration may be adopted in which the recommended operation order is set higher. According to this configuration, although guidance is provided so as to perform an operation in accordance with the recommended operation order once, if a continuation is instructed against the guidance, the recommended operation order of the operation unit becomes higher after that. . Therefore, when operating a plurality of operation units, it is less likely that a user who tends to execute an operation by a specific operation unit first will guide a different operation unit every time the specific operation unit is operated. Thus, the usability of the operation unit can be improved.

  In this configuration, when a continuation instruction is accepted, it is only necessary that the recommended operation order of the operated operation unit can be set higher, and when the operation is performed in an order contrary to the recommended operation order, the operation is performed. Various configurations, such as a configuration that sets the recommended operation order of a part to the highest level, and a configuration that sets one or more recommended operation orders for the operation unit to the higher order when operated in a sequence that violates the recommended operation order Can be adopted.

  Furthermore, if the operation unit is set to be guided in the recommended operation order for the first category and in any order for the second category, the user can easily guide the operation unit to realize a specific ideal state. However, the operation intention of the operation unit by the user is various, and the operation for realizing a specific ideal state is not always performed. Therefore, if guidance according to the operation preference or preference of each user is provided, guidance that is easier for the user to use can be provided.

  For this reason, it is good also as measuring the frequency | count of operation of each operation part, and preferentially guiding the operation part with many operations. According to this configuration, since the operation unit having a higher operation frequency of the user is guided with higher priority, the more the user uses the operation unit, the more the user's preference is met. Good guidance can be implemented. In this configuration, for the operation unit of the second category, the guidance order may be determined only by the number of operations, but in the operation unit of the first category, two elements of the recommended operation sequence and the number of operations coexist. Therefore, the guidance order is determined based on a predetermined recommended operation order until the number of operations on the operation unit reaches a specific number of operations, and after the specific number of operations is reached, guidance is performed based on the number of operations. A configuration for determining the order can be adopted.

  Whether or not to exclude the operation unit from the first classification based on the number of operations of the operation unit in the configuration in which the operation unit is excluded from the first classification when the operation unit of the first classification is operated as described above. It is good also as a structure which determines. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the operation unit is not excluded from the first classification until the number of operations reaches a predetermined number, and is excluded from the first classification when the number of operations is a predetermined number or more.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the operation unit related to the setting of the driving position is exemplified as the operation unit of the first class, and the operation unit related to air conditioning is illustrated as the operation unit of the second class. Definitions are not limited to these definitions. For example, an operation unit for setting an ideal parking state may be defined as the first-class operation unit. More specifically, the recommended operation order is set in the order of transmission operation, automatic storage of the side mirror, and light off, and when any of these is operated, for example, when the automatic storage operation of the side mirror is performed, It is possible to employ a configuration that performs guidance to be set to neutral or parking by operating the transmission before executing the automatic storage function.

  Of course, examples of the operation unit classified into the first classification and the second classification are not limited to the above-described examples, but the position adjustment function and the angle adjustment function of the headrest, the seat heater function, the storage function of the driving position, the air conditioner function, Examples include an operation unit for executing various functions such as an audio function, a parking assist execution instruction function, a guidance execution instruction function by a navigation system, a wiper function, and a window opening / closing function. That is, in order to realize a user-desired ideal state using a plurality of operation units, when a preferable operation order is assumed, the operation is classified into the first classification so that the operation is performed according to the preferable operation order. When an operation order is not assumed but an operation unit to be operated in cooperation is assumed, the operation unit to be operated in association may be classified into the second classification.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the other operation unit is performed on the screen 41 of the display unit 40. However, as a matter of course, the guidance method is not limited to the screen, and may be a voice, or the operation unit may be a light emitting unit. It is possible to employ a configuration in which the operation unit is made to emit light or the operation unit is illuminated. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the first classification is one set, and the second classification is one set. Of course, even if two or more first classifications are set and two or more second classifications are set. good.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the classification of each operation unit is indicated by the first classification data 33a and the second classification data 33b. However, the operation unit classification may be defined by another configuration. For example, in a configuration that outputs a signal indicating that an operation has been performed on the operation unit when the operation unit is operated, a signal indicating a classification is also output from the operation unit, and classification is performed based on the signal. It is good also as a structure which discriminate | determines. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, signals from a plurality of operation units are acquired by one ECU 31, but signals from a plurality of operation units are acquired by a plurality of ECUs to control the navigation system. You may employ | adopt the structure delivered to ECU. Furthermore, the screen 41 of the display unit 40 only needs to be able to display at least an image corresponding to the display content as a software switch, and may use image display means such as an instrument panel or use HUD or the like. You may do it.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the operation assistance apparatus mounted in the vehicle. It is a figure which shows the example of 1st classification data and 2nd classification data. It is a flowchart of an operation assistance process. (4A), (4B), (4C), and (4D) are diagrams showing examples of guidance of the operation unit. (5A) and (5B) are diagrams showing a guide example of the operation unit.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Operation assistance apparatus, 20a, 20b-20n, 22a, 22b-22n ... Operation part, 21a, 21b-21n, 23a, 23b-23n ... Actuator, 30 ... Navigation apparatus, 31 ... ECU, 32 ... Navigation program, 32a Operation detection unit 32b Attached function execution unit 32c Operation unit guide unit 33 Storage medium 33a First classification data 33b Second classification data 33c Recommended operation order data 33d Flag data 40 ... display unit, 41 ... screen, 41a ... operation unit

Claims (8)

A plurality of operation units provided in the vehicle, the operation units previously classified into a first classification and a second classification;
Operation detecting means for detecting that an operation has been performed on each of the operation units;
Attached function execution means for executing the attached function of the vehicle corresponding to the operation unit;
When an operation on the operation unit classified into the first classification is detected, the auxiliary function corresponding to the operation unit that detected the operation is classified into the first classification before being executed by the auxiliary function execution unit. When the other operation unit is guided and the operation on the operation unit classified in the second category is detected, the auxiliary function corresponding to the operation unit that has detected the operation is executed by the auxiliary function execution unit, and then Operation unit guidance means for guiding other operation units classified into the second classification;
An operation support apparatus comprising: A recommended operation order is set in advance in the operation unit classified in the first classification,
When the operation unit guiding unit detects an operation on the operation unit classified in the first classification, an operation unit higher in order than the operation unit in which the recommended operation order is detected is set as the other operation unit. ,
The operation support apparatus according to claim 1. The operation unit classified into the first classification includes a plurality of operation units corresponding to an attached function for changing a driving position, and a plurality of operation units corresponding to an attached function to be executed when the driving position is changed. including,
The operation support apparatus according to claim 2. The operation unit classified into the second classification includes a plurality of operation units for performing air conditioning in the vehicle.
The operation assistance apparatus in any one of Claims 1-3. The operation detecting means includes an operation number measuring unit that measures the number of operations for the operation unit,
The operation unit guiding means preferentially guides the operation unit having a large number of operations when guiding the operation unit.
The operation assistance apparatus in any one of Claims 1-4. The operation unit guiding means includes a continuation instruction receiving unit that receives a continuation instruction for continuing the operation by the operation unit that has detected the operation after guiding another operation unit classified into the first classification,
When the continuation instruction is accepted, the operation unit that has detected the operation is excluded from the first classification.
The operation support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The operation unit guiding means includes a continuation instruction receiving unit that receives a continuation instruction for continuing the operation by the operation unit that has detected the operation after guiding another operation unit classified into the first classification,
When the continuation instruction is received, the recommended operation order of the operation unit that has detected the operation is set higher.
The operation assistance apparatus in any one of Claims 2-5. An operation detecting step for detecting that an operation has been performed on each of the operation units which are provided in the vehicle and are previously classified into the first classification and the second classification;
An auxiliary function execution step of executing an auxiliary function of the vehicle corresponding to the operation unit;
When an operation on the operation unit classified into the first classification is detected, the operation unit is classified into the first classification before executing the auxiliary function corresponding to the operation unit detected by the auxiliary function execution step. When the other operation unit is guided and an operation on the operation unit classified in the second category is detected, the auxiliary function corresponding to the operation unit that has detected the operation in the auxiliary function execution step is executed. An operation unit guidance process for guiding other operation units classified into the second classification;
Operation support method including

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