JP2009274640A - Information device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To satisfy user preference and to improve usability and convenience. <P>SOLUTION: An information device with a plurality of hard switches comprises a function setting means (3a) for giving identification information uniquely to each hard switch (1) and setting a specific function for the identification information, an execution means (3b) for executing the set function, and a control means (3c) for activating and controlling the execution means for executing the function set for the identification information given to the hard switch when the hard switch is operated; wherein the plurality of hard switches are detachably attached. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information device in which a hard switch is detachably attached.

Information devices such as in-vehicle devices usually have a push button type fixed switch (hereinafter referred to as a hard switch) around the screen, but the number of hard switches that can be placed around a small screen is limited. . Therefore, in navigation devices etc., for example, by operating the destination setting hard switch and transitioning to the destination setting screen, by operating the touch switch on the screen and sequentially transitioning the setting screen, Various functions are realized with few hard switches.
In addition, in navigation devices, etc., it has also been proposed that the functions of hard switches can be switched with a rotary switch in order to simplify character input operations such as kanji, kana, kana, and alphabet with a limited number of hard switches. (Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-256119 A

In the conventional in-vehicle device, the switch is fixedly arranged around the screen, so that it cannot satisfy the preference of each user in terms of design. Moreover, although it is considered that the arrangement of hard switches that are easy to use differs depending on the user, the ease of use of each user cannot be satisfied due to the fixed arrangement. This also applies to Patent Document 1.
In addition, in order to realize various functions with few hard switches, the method that combines hard switches and touch switches, even if a function that requires multiple operations is frequently used, must be applied the same time each time. Since the function cannot be executed, it is not necessarily sufficient in terms of usability.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. A hard switch can be attached and detached so that the mounting position thereof can be changed, and a variety of switches are provided to satisfy the user's preference, as well as ease of use and ease of use. It aims at improving.
According to the present invention, in an information device including a plurality of hard switches, identification information is uniquely given to each hard switch, and a function setting unit that sets a specific function for the identification information is set. An execution means for executing a function; and a control means for activating and controlling the execution means for executing the function set for the identification information of the hard switch when the hard switch is operated, The switch is detachably attached.

  The present invention makes it possible to attach and detach a hard switch, change its attachment location, and prepare a wide variety of switches to satisfy user's preference and improve ease of use and usability.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an information device according to the present embodiment. The information device targeted in this embodiment is an arbitrary device in which a plurality of push button type hard switches are arranged around the screen and a predetermined function is executed by a switch operation, such as an in-vehicle device such as a navigation device or a small information terminal. It is.

  Reference numeral 1 denotes a push button type hard switch group (hard SW1, hard SW2,...), Which is a switch that is detachably mounted around the screen of the information device and whose mounting location can be changed. Reference numeral 2 denotes a touch switch group (touch SW1, touch SW2,...) Of the touch panel, which is a switch group operated on a screen that is transitioned by a hard switch operation. In order to execute a predetermined function, the process starts by starting with the hard switch and then sequentially shifting to the operation screen of the touch switch. Reference numeral 3 denotes a central processing unit, which uniquely assigns identification information (ID) to each hard switch, and is set by function setting means 3a and function setting means for assigning and setting a specific function to the identification information An execution means 3b for executing a function and a function corresponding to each switch, and a control means 3c for activating and controlling the execution means 3b when each switch is operated are provided. Reference numeral 4 denotes a storage device, which stores a table 4a describing the relationship between the identification information given by the function setting means 3a and the functions assigned in correspondence with each other, a program for executing each function, and the like. It shows that this program is read and processing is executed.

  In this embodiment, identification information is uniquely assigned to each hard switch, and when the hard switch is operated, the control means 3c activates an execution means (program) that executes a standard function assigned to the identification information. However, the user changes the standard function assigned to the identification information by the function setting means to another function, or adds the function executed by the touch switch to the standard function and expands the function of the hard switch. It is also possible.

Below, this embodiment is described in detail based on the example of the vehicle equipment which has a navigation function.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a standard state of an in-vehicle device having a navigation function.
In the figure, the function setting screen of the hard switch is displayed, and identification information (for the “current location”, “menu”, “destination”,... “Audio” hard switches located at the bottom of the screen is displayed. ID) 01, 02, 03,... 06 is uniquely assigned, 01: current position display, 02: menu screen display, 03: destination setting screen display,... 06: audio screen display. On the other hand, a specific function is set. Although not shown, the “image quality” switch is a display of an image quality adjustment screen, and the “information” switch is a display of a selection screen for vehicle information, main menu, FM multiplexing, TEL, peripheral monitor, maintenance, and the like. . In this embodiment, these hard switches are detachably attached. When the hard switch is operated, the function assigned to the identification information is executed. For example, when the “destination” is operated, a transition is made to the destination setting screen, although illustration is omitted, 50 sounds, phone number, genre, address The setting screen is displayed, and the destination screen is set by sequentially changing the setting screen by touch switch operation.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which only the arrangement of hard switches for the left vehicle is changed with respect to the standard state of FIG.
Since the hard switch is detachably mounted, only the mounting position of the hard switch is replaced with the left and right for the left car with respect to the standard arrangement. Since the assignment of the identification information and the function of each hard switch is the same, the function of the hard switch does not change even if it is rearranged.

  2 and 3, the functions assigned to the identification information are the same. For example, the audio screen display function can be assigned to the identification information 02 of the “menu” switch according to the user's preference. is there. In this case, when the “menu” switch is operated, an audio screen is displayed, which is convenient for a user who likes audio.

  In this way, by making each hard switch detachable, it is possible to change the hardware design by changing the mounting location according to the user's preference, and it is possible to change various functions by changing the function of the switch A hard switch can be prepared, satisfying the user's preference, and improving ease of use and convenience. Also, identification information is uniquely assigned to each hard switch so that the user can set the assignment of the identification information and the function, and the intended function is executed regardless of the position of the hard switch according to preference. It becomes possible.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of expanding the function assigned to the identification information.
In this example, the original SW1 and the original SW2 are set according to the user's preference.
By assigning the identification information 11 with the switch of “current location” as the original SW1 of the car icon and assigning the function of displaying the current location, when the vehicle icon button is operated, the current location display screen is displayed and it can be expected that the user's preference is satisfied.
As described above, when a hard switch is operated, a transition is made to the operation screen on the touch panel associated therewith. For example, as described above, when the “information” switch is operated, the display transits to a display screen for selecting vehicle information, main menu, FM multiplexing, TEL, peripheral monitor, maintenance, etc., and when “TEL” is selected, a call is made. For example, when 119 is selected, 119 is notified. In other words, in order to report 119, three steps of operations such as an information switch, TEL switch, and 119 input are required. Therefore, in this example, the “information” switch is set as the original SW2 of the telephone icon, the identification information 12 is given, and a series of functions of TEL, 119 notification is assigned to the information screen display. As a result, when the original SW2 of the telephone icon is operated, a series of operations of the information switch, the TEL switch, and the 119th input can be shortcutted and the 119th notification can be made. Thus, by registering shortcuts to the hard switch, it is possible to reduce the number of operations related to frequently performed operations.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the function executed by the touch switch is assigned to the hard switch and the touch switch on the display screen is not displayed.
For example, in FIG. 5A, a map is displayed on the screen, and the scale of the map can be changed by the “details” and “wide area” touch switches at the bottom of the screen. Here, “Detail” and “Wide area” hard switches that can change the scale of the map are provided, and each switch is displayed with unique identification information assigned and assigned with “Detail” and “Wide area” functions. Since there is no need to do this, the display can be deleted and hidden as shown in FIG. Thus, by assigning the function executed by the touch switch to the hard switch, it becomes possible to effectively use the display screen without an unnecessary touch switch.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of information equipment. It is a figure which shows the standard state of the vehicle equipment which has a navigation function. It is a figure which shows the example which changed only arrangement | positioning of the hard switch for left vehicles. It is a figure which shows the example which expands the function allocated to identification information. It is a figure which shows the example which allocates the function performed with a touch switch to a hard switch.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hard switch, 2 ... Touch switch, 3 ... Central processing unit, 3a ... Function setting means, 3b ... Execution means, 3c ... Control means, 4 ... Memory | storage device, 4a ... Identification information-function table.

Claims (5)

In information equipment with multiple hard switches,
A function setting unit that uniquely assigns identification information to each hard switch, and sets a specific function for the identification information;
An execution means for executing the set function;
Control means for activating and controlling execution means for executing a function set for the identification information of the hard switch when the hard switch is operated;
The information device, wherein the plurality of hard switches are detachably attached. The information device according to claim 1, wherein a function set for the identification information can be changed by the function setting means. Display means for displaying further information;
A touch switch displayed on the display means,
The information device according to claim 1, wherein the function setting unit can additionally set a function of a touch switch with respect to the identification information. 4. The information apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a touch switch function is added to the hard switch function to make a series of operations shortcut. 4. The information device according to claim 3, wherein when the function setting unit additionally sets a function of a touch switch for the identification information, the corresponding touch switch is hidden.

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