JP2013257655A - Operation input system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve an operation input system for enabling a user to perform an operation input without gazing at a display screen, which is excellent in convenience when a map image or the like is displayed on the display screen.SOLUTION: The operation input system includes a state switching part for switching an operation surface state in accordance with a map correspondence state in which a protruding member is put in a protruding state in association with in-map content information included in a map image displayed on a display screen and a burial input acceptance state in which the protruding member of an operation surface is put in a burial state. When the operation surface state is the map correspondence state, and an object to be detected is detected in a burial area, the state switching part switches the operation surface state from the map correspondence state to the burial input acceptance state, and executes first switching processing of putting the protruding member included in the switching acceptance area in a protruding state, and when the operation surface state is the burial input acceptance state, and the pressing operation to the protruding member is detected in the switching acceptance area, executes second switching processing of switching the operation surface state from the burial input acceptance state to the map correspondence state.

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation input system including a touch pad as a pointing device.

  For example, in a notebook personal computer or the like, a device equipped with an operation input system having a touch pad as a pointing device as a standard is used. An operation cursor displayed on a display screen connected to the touch pad so as to be able to transmit information by sliding the fingertip or the stylus pen tip on the operation surface provided on the touch pad surface. Move. Further, for example, by performing a predetermined operation on the operation surface with the operation cursor displayed on the display screen over an operation mark (for example, an operation button or an operation icon), the function associated with the operation mark is displayed. make it happen. The operation input system provided with such a touchpad can also be used for performing predetermined operation input to an in-vehicle terminal device (hereinafter also referred to as “navigation device”) in the navigation system.

  By the way, the navigation device is often operated by the driver of the vehicle. In such a case, since the user (vehicle driver) operates the navigation device between driving, it is difficult to perform the operation while paying attention to the display screen, and to perform the desired operation accurately. May not be possible. In view of such a point, an operation input system has been proposed in which operation input can be performed without using a tactile sensation (tactile sensation) without gazing at a display screen. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-268068 (Patent Document 1), the entire operation surface is covered with fiber hairs, and fiber hairs located on the operation surface corresponding to the position of the operation mark displayed on the display device are raised. Techniques for making them disclosed are disclosed.

JP 2006-268068 A

  In the system of Patent Document 1, the region where the tactile sensation on the operation surface is changed by raising fiber hairs or the like is the display region of the operation mark on the display screen (Embodiment 1 to 3 etc.) or the display screen. It is limited to the area (Embodiment 4) associated with the display area of the above operation mark according to a predetermined rule. However, when a device or system that mainly displays a map image (that is, an image including a road) on a display screen, such as a navigation system, is an operation input target, an area other than the operation mark display area It may be preferable from the viewpoint of convenience to change the tactile sensation even in the portion on the operation surface corresponding to. In this regard, no consideration has been given to the system of Patent Document 1.

  Therefore, it is possible to perform an operation input without paying attention to the display screen, and it is desired to realize an operation input system excellent in convenience when an image including a road such as a map image is displayed on the display screen. .

  The characteristic configuration of the operation input system according to the present invention includes a display device capable of displaying various images on a display screen, and an operation plate having an operation surface formed on the front surface, and an object to be detected that is in contact with or close to the operation surface. And a touch pad that receives an input corresponding to the detected position, and is arranged in accordance with a predetermined rule along the operation surface, and is provided so as to protrude independently from the operation surface through the operation plate. A plurality of projecting members, and an input device for performing input to the display device, and a position of the projecting member in the projecting direction with respect to the operation surface. A projection control unit that controls between a state and a buried state in which the height of the tip portion is equal to or less than the operation surface, and map content information included in the map image when a map image is displayed on the display screen Let me correspond The map corresponding state in which the protruding member is in the protruding state, and the burying input in which the protruding member included in the specific reception area which is a continuous surface area set in advance on the operation surface regardless of the map content information is in the buried state A state switching unit that switches the operation surface state between the reception state and the state switching unit in the buried region where the operation surface state is the map-corresponding state and the protruding member is in the buried state. When the detected object is detected, the operation surface state is switched from the map correspondence state to the buried input reception state, and the protruding member included in the switching reception area different from the specific reception area is in the protruding state. When the operation surface state is the buried input acceptance state and a pressing operation on the protruding member is detected in the switching acceptance region Is that performing a second switching process for switching the operation surface state from the buried input receiving state to the map corresponding state.

  According to this characteristic configuration, when performing an operation on the touch pad, a large buried area can be secured by switching to the buried input acceptance state, and input to the touch pad is facilitated. On the other hand, when it is desired to recognize the map content information, the map content information can be easily acquired by tactile sensation by switching to the map compatible state. Further, the first switching process can be performed by detecting an object to be detected in the buried area, and the second switching process can be performed by pressing the protruding member included in the switching reception area. It is possible to easily switch the operation surface state between the map correspondence state and the buried input acceptance state. Thus, the user can easily switch the operation surface state without paying attention to the display screen or the operation surface, and can easily perform the desired operation input. Therefore, according to this characteristic configuration, it is possible to perform more reliable operation input than before without paying attention to the display screen and the operation surface, and it is possible to perform operation input with excellent convenience.

  Here, an input pattern determination unit that determines an input pattern for the touchpad by the detected object based on a detection result of the detected object that is in contact with or close to the operation surface, and the state switching unit includes: When the operation surface state is the map correspondence state and the detected object is detected in the buried region, the input pattern by the detected object is any of multi-touch input, slide input, and long press input. As a further condition, it is preferable to execute the first switching process.

  According to this configuration, the operation surface state is changed from the map correspondence state to the buried input reception state even when an input pattern that requires a large buried region for input is input to the operation surface of the map correspondence state with a narrow buried region. Since it is possible to secure a wide buried area by switching to, it becomes possible to easily input.

  In addition, when a different process is assigned according to the input pattern, the operation surface state is the buried input acceptance state, and the input pattern to which the process is assigned to the touch pad is input, It is preferable to further include a pattern input process execution unit that executes the process assigned to the input pattern.

  According to this configuration, since each process is assigned to the input pattern, the user can execute the process by performing an input operation with an input pattern corresponding to a desired process in the buried input acceptance state. Command can be entered. Therefore, by selecting an input pattern, an execution instruction for a desired process can be more easily performed.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus further includes a drawing control unit that performs drawing control of a display image on the display screen, and the drawing control unit is located at a position in the display screen according to a position on the operation surface of the switching reception area. It is preferable to display the operation mark to which the two switching process is assigned.

  According to this configuration, since the operation mark to which the second switching process is assigned is also displayed on the display screen, the user recognizes the protruding member included in the switching reception area not only by touch but also visually. Can do. Therefore, the second switching process can be performed more easily.

  In addition, it is preferable that the state switching unit executes the second switching process when the input to the touch pad is not detected continuously for a predetermined time after the execution of the first switching process. .

  According to this feature configuration, even if the device is unintentionally switched to the embedment input acceptance state, if the input to the touchpad is not performed as it is, the map automatically returns to the map compatible state, thus improving convenience. Can do.

  In addition, for each of the projecting members that are in the projecting state in the map corresponding state, a different process is assigned according to the map content information corresponding to the projecting member, and a pressing operation on the projecting member is detected. And a projection input process execution unit that executes a process assigned to the projecting member, and the state switching unit presses the projecting member to which a process corresponding to the map content information is not assigned in the map corresponding state. Even when an operation is detected, it is preferable to execute the first switching process.

  According to this feature configuration, even on the operation surface in the map corresponding state with a small buried area, the operation surface state is changed to the map corresponding state by a simple operation of pressing a protruding member to which processing according to the map content information is not assigned. Can be switched to the buried input acceptance state.

  In addition, it is preferable that the state switching unit executes the first switching process even when it is detected that a pressing operation is simultaneously performed on the plurality of protruding members in the map correspondence state.

  According to this configuration, the operation surface state can be switched from the map correspondence state to the embedment input acceptance state by a simple operation of simultaneously pressing a plurality of protruding members even on the operation surface in the map correspondence state with a small buried area. .

It is a schematic diagram which shows the mounting state to the vehicle of the operation input system. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a navigation apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of an operation input system. It is a figure of the display screen with which an operation input device is equipped, and a touchpad. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a drive mechanism. It is a schematic diagram shown about the update of the protrusion state of a protrusion member. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation input using an operation input system. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation input using an operation input system. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation input using an operation input system. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation input using an operation input system. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation input using an operation input system. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation input using an operation input system. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation input using an operation input system. It is a flowchart which shows the whole process sequence of the operation input system. It is a flowchart which shows a display image image creation process. It is a flowchart which shows a protrusion state determination process. It is a flowchart which shows an input determination process. It is a flowchart which shows a switching process.

  An embodiment of an operation input system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an operation input system 3 for performing a predetermined (predetermined) operation input to the navigation system (in this example, the vehicle-mounted navigation device 1) will be described as an example. The operation input system 3 includes a display input device 40 and an operation input device 4 which are connected to the navigation device 1 so as to be able to transmit information. Below, the schematic structure of the navigation apparatus 1, the schematic structure of the operation input apparatus 4, the structure of the operation input system 3, and the process of the operation input system 3 are demonstrated.

1. Schematic Configuration of Navigation Device A schematic configuration of the navigation device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. The navigation device 1 is configured to be able to realize basic functions such as own position display, route search from a departure place to a destination, route guidance, and destination search. Therefore, the navigation apparatus 1 is provided with the control calculating part 6 as shown in FIG. The control arithmetic unit 6 includes an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU as a core member, and is implemented by hardware and / or software (program) or both as a functional unit for performing various processes on input data. It is configured. The control calculation unit 6 includes a navigation calculation unit 70. The control calculation unit 6 is connected to the GPS receiver 81, the direction sensor 82, the distance sensor 83, the map database 85, the display input device 40, the touch pad 10, the voice input device 87, and the voice output device 88 so as to be able to transmit information. Has been.

The GPS receiver 81 receives a GPS signal from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite. The direction sensor 82 detects the traveling direction of the host vehicle or its change. The distance sensor 83 detects the vehicle speed and travel distance of the host vehicle. As is well known, the navigation calculation unit 70 calculates the estimated position based on information obtained from the GPS receiver 81, the direction sensor 82, and the distance sensor 83, and also based on known map matching. Derivable. The GPS receiver 81, the azimuth sensor 82, and the distance sensor 83 constitute a local position information acquisition unit 8 that acquires local position information that indicates the current position of the host vehicle. In addition, the navigation calculation unit 70 acquires a map image and map content information around the own position from the map database 85 based on the derived estimated own position. Then, based on the map image and the map content information, the navigation calculation unit 70 turns the turn list centered on its own position, the branch route list including branch points and branch routes connected to the turn list, and the turn A facility list of facilities Q to be listed is created. The navigation calculation unit 70 outputs the created turn list information, branch path list information, information including facility list information (hereinafter, list information), a map image around the own position, and map content information to the drawing control unit 51. . Here, the map image is a map image for navigation including a self-position image indicating the self-position acquired by the self-position information acquisition unit 8. In the present embodiment, the map content information included in the map image includes road R information and facility Q information, that is, attribute information of each link described later.

  The map database 85 stores map data divided for each predetermined section. The map data includes road network data configured by a connection relationship between a plurality of nodes corresponding to intersections and a plurality of links corresponding to roads connecting the nodes. Each node has position information on the map expressed by latitude and longitude. Each link has information such as road type, link length, and road width as attribute information. Here, as an example in this embodiment, the types of road include “highway expressway”, “national road”, “main local road”, “prefectural road”, “city road”, “town road”, and “non-certified road”. "Road" is included.

  The map database 85 is referred to by the navigation computing unit 70 when executing processing such as map display, route search, and map matching. The map database 85 is provided by being stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, or a DVD-ROM.

  The display input device 40 is a combination of a display device such as a liquid crystal display device and an input device such as a touch panel. The display input device 40 includes a display screen 41 and is configured to be able to display various images including a map image on the display screen 41. The various images including the map image correspond to, for example, an image such as a map around the own position or an operation mark 44 (see FIG. 13) associated with a predetermined function. In the present embodiment, the display input device 40 corresponds to the “display device” in the present invention. Here, the operation mark 44 is operated by the touch panel or the touch pad 10, and when the operation input is transmitted to the navigation device 1 to realize a specific function, the user (here, a vehicle occupant) performs the function. It is a mark displayed on the display screen 41 so that it can be easily perceived. Such an operation mark 44 includes, for example, operation icons, operation buttons, character keys and the like drawn by an illustration or the like. The display input device 40 detects an object to be detected that is in contact with or close to the touch panel and receives an input corresponding to the detection position. For example, the user selects and associates the operation mark 44 with the fingertip or the stylus pen tip as an object to be detected displayed on the display screen 41 so as to contact or approach the operation mark 44. Functions can be realized. In addition, the user can perform, for example, point selection on a map by bringing the detected object into contact with or approaching a position other than the operation mark 44 displayed on the display screen 41.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the touch pad 10 is provided separately from the display input device 40. The touch pad 10 has an operation surface 11a, and a specific reception region K that is a continuous surface region and receives a specific input is set in advance on the operation surface 11a. The touch pad 10 detects an object D (see FIG. 4) that is in contact with or close to the specific reception area K on the operation surface 11a and receives an input corresponding to the detection position. Further, as will be described later, when the operation surface state of the operation surface 11a is switched, as shown in FIG. 13, depending on the operation surface state, it is a partial area on the operation surface 11a and a specific reception area. A switching reception area L is set at a position different from K. An operation cursor 45 (see FIG. 4) is displayed on the display screen 41 in correspondence with the detection position detected by the touch pad 10 as a pointing device. The user moves the operation cursor 45 on the display screen 41 by sliding a fingertip or the like as the detected object D in contact with or close to the operation surface 11a. Then, by performing a predetermined operation on the operation surface 11a in a state where the operation cursor 45 coincides with the operation mark 44, it is possible to select the operation mark 44 and realize a function associated therewith.

  It should be noted that the display input device 40 is disposed at a position where it can be seen without greatly changing the line-of-sight direction during driving so that it can be easily seen by the user (in particular, the driver of the vehicle here). In the example shown in FIG. 1, the display input device 40 is arranged at the center of the upper surface of the dashboard, but may be arranged at the position of the instrument panel or the like. Of course, a head-up display is also possible. On the other hand, the touch pad 10 is disposed at a position close to the user's hand so that the user can easily operate. That is, the touch pad 10 is disposed at a position closer to the user's hand than the display input device 40 and far from the line-of-sight direction. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the touch pad 10 is disposed in the center console portion, but may be disposed in the center portion of the upper surface of the dashboard, the spoke portion of the steering wheel, the door panel, or the like.

  The voice input device 87 receives voice input from the user. The voice input device 87 includes a microphone and the like. Based on the voice received by the voice input device 87, the navigation calculation unit 70 can realize functions such as destination search by voice recognition and hands-free calling. The audio output device 88 includes a speaker and the like. The navigation calculation unit 70 can realize a function such as voice guidance via the voice output device 88.

2. Configuration of Operation Input Device As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the operation input device 4 includes a touch pad 10, a protruding member 20, and a drive mechanism 30. In general, the operation input device 4 is configured such that the protruding member 20 driven by the driving mechanism 30 can protrude from the surface of the touch pad 10 (can be moved in and out).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the touch pad 10 has an operation plate 11, and an operation surface 11 a is formed on the front surface of the operation plate 11. As such a touch pad 10, various types such as a resistance film type and a capacitance type can be used. In this example, a capacitance type is adopted. A substrate and an electrode layer are provided on the back side of the operation surface 11a. The touch pad 10 detects a fingertip or the like as the detected object D that is in contact with or close to the operation surface 11a and receives an input corresponding to the detected position. In the present embodiment, the operation input device 4 corresponds to the “input device” in the present invention, and various inputs to the display input device 40 can be performed.

  The operation plate 11 is provided with a hole 12 that penetrates the operation plate 11. In the present embodiment, a plurality (a large number) of such hole portions 12 are provided. The plurality of holes 12 are arranged according to a predetermined rule along the operation surface 11a. In this example, the plurality of hole portions 12 are regularly arranged at regular intervals vertically and horizontally across the entire operation surface 11a, and are arranged in a matrix (orthogonal lattice shape) as a whole. Each hole 12 is formed in a circular shape when viewed from the front of the operation plate 11.

  Projecting members 20 are inserted into the respective holes 12. Therefore, in this example, a plurality (a large number) of projecting members 20 are also provided, and specifically, the same number of projecting members 20 as the hole portions 12 are provided. The plurality of projecting members 20 are arranged in a predetermined rule along the operation surface 11a. In this example, the plurality of protruding members 20 are regularly arranged at regular intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions over the entire operation surface 11a, and are arranged in a matrix as a whole.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the protruding member 20 includes an elongated columnar (pin-shaped) pin member 21 and a cylindrical member 22 that is generally cylindrical. The outer diameter of the pin member 21 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the hole 12. The pin member 21 is locked to the cylindrical member 22 at its lower end. In this example, the tip end (upper end) of the pin member 21 is inserted into each hole 12. In the reference state where the protruding member 20 is not driven by the drive mechanism 30 (the state on the left side in FIG. 5), the tip portion (tip surface) of the flatly formed pin member 21 matches the level of the operation surface 11a. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a drive mechanism 30 is provided on the back side of the operation plate 11. The drive mechanism 30 is a mechanism for moving the protruding member 20 forward and backward along a direction intersecting (orthogonal in this example) with respect to the operation surface 11a (referred to as a “projection direction Z”). The drive mechanism 30 includes a piezoelectric element 31.

  The piezoelectric element 31 is a passive element using a piezoelectric effect, and converts a voltage applied to the piezoelectric body into a force, or converts an external force applied to the piezoelectric body into a voltage. The piezoelectric element 31 is provided so as to vibrate in the protruding direction Z. A connecting member 33 is connected to the piezoelectric element 31, and the connecting member 33 vibrates integrally with the piezoelectric element 31. The connecting member 33 is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape (pin shape). The distal end portion of the connecting member 33 opposite to the side connected to the piezoelectric element 31 is inserted into the space inside the cylindrical member 22. The outer diameter of the connecting member 33 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the cylindrical member 22, and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member 33 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 22 are in contact with each other.

  A spring member 34 is provided so as to surround the tubular member 22 from the outer peripheral side at a contact position where the connecting member 33 and the tubular member 22 come into contact with each other. The spring member 34 provides a preload having a predetermined size toward the inner peripheral side, and generates a predetermined frictional force between the connecting member 33 and the cylindrical member 22 constituting the protruding member 20. The preload applied by the spring member 34 is set so that the static frictional force between the connecting member 33 and the cylindrical member 22 is at least greater than the component force in the protruding direction Z of gravity acting on the protruding member 20. Further, the preload is set so that these can slide in a state in which a dynamic friction force is generated between the connecting member 33 and the cylindrical member 22 due to the vibration of the piezoelectric element 31.

  In the present embodiment, the magnitude relationship between the vibration speed to one side and the vibration speed to the other side along the protrusion direction Z of the piezoelectric element 31 is the protrusion control unit 53 (included in the operation input calculation unit 50 described later). (See FIG. 3). By making the vibration speed to the projecting direction side (front side from the operation surface 11a) smaller than the vibration speed to the burying direction side (the back side from the operation surface 11a) which is the anti-projection direction side, the connecting member 33. The projecting member 20 moves to the projecting direction side based on the difference between the static friction and the dynamic friction generated between the cylindrical member 22 and the cylindrical member 22. Thereby, the front-end | tip part of the protrusion member 20 (pin member 21) protrudes to the front side rather than the operation surface 11a. In other words, the protruding member 20 can be in a state (protruding state) where the tip end portion penetrates the operation plate 11 and protrudes to the front side from the operation surface 11a. This protruding state is a state in which the height of the tip portion of the protruding member 20 along the protruding direction Z is higher than that of the operation surface 11a.

  On the other hand, the protrusion member 20 moves to the burying direction side by making the vibration speed in the burying direction side smaller than the vibration speed in the protrusion direction side. That is, the protruding member 20 can be in a state where the tip end is buried on the back side from the operation surface 11a (an embedded state). The “embedded state” includes a state in which the tip of the pin member 21 of the projecting member 20 matches the level of the operation surface 11a. This buried state is a state in which the height of the tip of the protruding member 20 along the protruding direction Z is equal to or less than the operation surface 11a.

  As described above, the plurality of projecting members 20 are provided so as to be able to project independently from the operation surface 11a by the drive mechanism 30, that is, to be movable between the projecting state and the buried state. And the unevenness | corrugation of arbitrary shapes can be expressed with many protrusion members 20 provided in the whole operation surface 11a so that it can protrude and retract.

3. Configuration of Operation Input System As shown in FIG. 3, the operation input system 3 includes the above-described operation input device 4, a display input device 40, and an operation input calculation unit 50 interposed therebetween. In this embodiment, the operation input calculating part 50 is incorporated and mounted in the control calculating part 6 which comprises the navigation apparatus 1 (refer FIG. 2). However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the operation input calculation unit 50 may be provided independently of the control calculation unit 6. The operation input device 4 and the display input device 40 are connected via an operation input calculation unit 50 so that information can be transmitted. In addition, the operation input calculation unit 50 of the present embodiment displays the operation surface state of the operation surface 11a according to the user's operation, and the map contents included in the map image when the map image is displayed on the display screen 41. A map corresponding state M (see FIG. 4) in which the protruding member 20 is in a protruding state corresponding to information, and an embedded input that facilitates input to the touch pad 10 by setting the protruding member 20 in the protruding state to an embedded state. Switching between the reception state N (see FIG. 13). Hereinafter, the operation input calculation unit 50 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation input calculation unit 50 includes a drawing control unit 51, a status determination unit 52, a protrusion control unit 53, a position detection unit 54, a state detection unit 55, an operation determination unit 56, a process execution unit 57, and a state. A switching unit 58 is provided.

  The drawing control unit 51 performs drawing control of a display image on the display screen 41. The drawing control unit 51 creates a display image based on the list information acquired from the navigation calculation unit 70, the map image around the own position, and the map content information, and displays the display image on the display screen 41. Specifically, the drawing control unit 51 generates a plurality of layers including image images such as the background around the position, the road R, and the name. In addition, the drawing control unit 51 displays a layer including an image of the own position mark P representing the current position of the host vehicle, or a layer including an image image of a guide route to the destination when the destination is set. Generate. Further, the drawing control unit 51 generates a layer including an image image of the predetermined operation mark 44 and a layer including an image image of the predetermined operation cursor 45. Then, the drawing control unit 51 generates a single display image by superimposing these layers, and displays it on the display screen 41 (see FIGS. 4 and 13). In addition, the drawing control unit 51 outputs the list information acquired from the navigation calculation unit 70, the map image around the own position, and the map content information to the status determination unit 52 and the process execution unit 57.

  Here, the drawing control unit 51 displays the operation mark 44 on the display screen 41 in accordance with the user's operation, the running state of the vehicle, or the like. The drawing control unit 51 appropriately switches display / non-display of various operation marks 44 according to the situation. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the drawing control unit 51 uses the information from the state switching unit 58 (described later) when the operation surface state is switched from the map correspondence state M to the buried input acceptance state N. Based on this, the operation mark 44 to which the map resumption process (second switching process) that is the process of switching the operation surface state to the map correspondence state M again is displayed. In other words, the drawing control unit 51 controls the operation mark to which the second switching process is assigned at a position in the display screen 41 corresponding to the position on the operation surface 11a of the switching reception area L to which the second switching process is assigned. 44 is displayed. Note that the operation mark 44 to which the map resumption process is assigned in the present embodiment is a character image of “map resumption” shown in FIG. 13.

  In addition, the drawing control unit 51 switches display / non-display of the operation cursor 45 as appropriate according to a request from the user. In the present embodiment, the drawing control unit 51 hides the operation cursor 45 when the contact or proximity of the detected object D to the operation surface 11a is not detected. On the other hand, when the contact or proximity of the detected object D to the operation surface 11a is detected, the drawing control unit 51 displays a display screen corresponding to the detected position on the operation surface 11a acquired from the position detection unit 54. In this example, a circular operation cursor 45 is displayed at a position on 41.

  Moreover, the drawing control unit 51 appropriately switches the display form of various roads R according to the situation. For example, the drawing control unit 51 displays a road R that is congested or congested in a manner that is visually different from other roads R. Further, for example, the drawing control unit 51 displays the road R corresponding to the protruding member 20 that is set in a protruding state by the protrusion control unit 53 described later in a manner visually different from the other roads R. For example, the drawing control unit 51 displays other image images (other line segments, dotted lines, etc.) along a line segment representing a specific road R, thereby visually displaying the road R and other roads R. Can be different. In addition, the drawing control unit 51 changes, for example, the thickness, shape, line type, brightness, color, and the like of a line segment representing a specific road R from the normal mode, so that the road R and other roads R Can be visually different.

  The status determination unit 52 determines a protrusion status representing a protruding state for each of the protruding members 20 according to the image content displayed on the display screen 41. In this embodiment, the protrusion status includes a “high protrusion state”, a “low protrusion state”, and an “embedded state”. Here, the “embedded state” as one of the projecting statuses is a state in which the projecting member 20 is at the minimum displacement position within the movable range in the projecting direction Z (the tip portion of the pin member 21 matches the level of the operation surface 11a. State). The “high protruding state” is a state where the protruding member 20 is at the maximum displacement position within the movable range in the protruding direction Z, and the “low protruding state” is the state where the protruding member 20 is “high protruding” within the movable range in the protruding direction Z. The state is lower than the “state” and higher than the “embedded state”, and here is a state intermediate between the “highly protruding state” and the “embedded state”. In the present embodiment, the status determination unit 52 alternatively determines whether each protruding member 20 is in a high protruding state, a low protruding state, or an embedded state. The high protruding state and the low protruding state in the present embodiment correspond to the protruding state of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the status determination unit 52 determines the protruding status for each of the protruding members 20 based on the list information, the map image around the current position, and the map content information acquired from the drawing control unit 51. Specifically, the display screen 41 can display a map image around the own position, an image of the own position mark P, and the like, but the status determination unit 52 configures a guide route in the road R on the display screen 41. When the image including the road S to be displayed is displayed, the protrusion status of the plurality of protruding members 20 having the positional relationship corresponding to the mutual positional relationship of the coordinates of each point included in the locus representing the road S is “ It is determined as “high protrusion state”. In addition, when an image including a road T other than the road S constituting the guide route among the roads R is displayed on the display screen 41, the status determination unit 52 displays each point included in the trajectory representing the road T. With respect to the plurality of projecting members 20 having a positional relationship corresponding to the mutual positional relationship of coordinates, the projecting status is determined as “low projecting state”. In the present embodiment, the status determination unit 52 associates the coordinates of the display screen 41 with the coordinates of the operation surface 11a, and corresponds to the coordinates of each point included in the trajectory representing each of the displayed road S and road T. With respect to the plurality of projecting members 20 located at the coordinates of each point on the operation surface 11a, the projecting statuses are determined as “high projecting state” and “low projecting state”, respectively.

  Further, when an image including the own position mark P is displayed on the display screen 41, the status determination unit 52 sets the protrusion status of the protruding member 20 corresponding to the own position mark P to “high protruding state”. judge. In addition, when the image including the facility Q having the characteristic to be a landmark is displayed on the display screen 41, the status determination unit 52 sets the protruding status of the protruding member 20 corresponding to the facility Q to “high protruding”. State ".

  In addition, the status determination unit 52 performs an operation corresponding to the coordinates of each point in an area where none of the road R, the own position mark P, the facility Q, and the operation mark 44 is displayed in the image displayed on the display screen 41. About the protrusion member 20 located in the coordinate on the surface 11a, the protrusion status is determined to be "buried state".

  Further, when the image displayed on the display screen 41 is changed, the status determination unit 52 determines, for each of the protruding members 20, a protruding status corresponding to the image before switching and a protruding status corresponding to the image after switching. The difference is determined. The status determination unit 52 selects one of “no change”, “transition to a high projecting state”, “transition to a low projecting state”, and “transition to an embedded state” for each projecting member 20. Judgment. Here, in particular, when the map image (image including the road R) displayed on the display screen 41 is changed, the status determination unit 52 determines whether the protruding member 20 is in accordance with the change mode of the road R included in the image. Each difference in protrusion status is determined.

  In addition, when the operation surface state is switched to the buried input acceptance state N, the status determination unit 52 sets the protruding status of the protruding member 20 that is in the protruding state according to the map content information to the buried state. A command is received from the switching unit 58. The status determination unit 52 determines the difference between the protrusion status before and after the switching of the operation surface state based on the command. That is, the protruding member 20 in the high protruding state or the low protruding state is determined as “transition to the buried state”, and the protruding member 20 already in the buried state is determined as “no change”.

  Further, when the operation surface state is switched to the buried input reception state N, the status determination unit 52 causes the protruding member 20 included in the switching reception region L on the operation surface 11a to which the map restart process is assigned to be in the protruding state. A command is received from the state switching unit 58. Based on the command, the status determination unit 52 determines the difference between the protruding statuses before and after the switching of the operation surface state for the protruding members 20 included in the switching reception area L.

  The status determination unit 52 outputs the protrusion status determined for each of the protrusion members 20 or the difference information to the protrusion control unit 53.

  The protrusion control unit 53 determines the position of the protrusion member 20 in the protrusion direction with respect to the operation surface 11a between a protrusion state in which the tip portion is higher than the operation surface 11a and a buried state in which the tip portion is below the operation surface 11a. Control between. The protrusion control unit 53 controls the drive mechanism 30 based on the information received from the status determination unit 52 and controls the position of the protrusion member 20 in the protrusion direction Z with respect to the operation surface 11a. In the present embodiment, when the operation surface state of the operation surface 11a is the map correspondence state M, the protrusion control unit 53 causes the protrusion member 20 to protrude corresponding to the road R and the facility Q, and the buried input acceptance state N If it switches to (2), the protrusion member 20 in these protrusion states will be buried. Here, the coordinates of the display screen 41 and the coordinates of the operation surface 11a are associated with each other. Therefore, the protrusion control unit 53 can cause the protruding member 20 disposed at the coordinate position of the operation surface 11a associated with the coordinates of the road R and the facility Q on the display screen 41 to protrude.

  Hereinafter, the protrusion control unit 53 when the operation surface state of the operation surface 11a is the map correspondence state M will be described. In this embodiment, the projecting member 20 corresponding to the road S constituting the guide route and the projecting member 20 corresponding to the facility Q having the characteristic to be a mark are other roads, that is, other than the road S constituting the guide route. It protrudes so that the protrusion amount becomes larger than the protrusion member 20 corresponding to the road T. Therefore, the user can grasp the position of the facility Q having the characteristic to be the guide route and the mark by touching the protruding member 20 protruding from the operation surface 11a.

  In the present embodiment, the protrusion control unit 53 applies a pulse voltage to vibrate the piezoelectric element 31. In that case, the protrusion control part 53 is comprised so that the magnitude relationship of the vibration speed to the one side along the protrusion direction Z and the vibration speed to the other side can be adjusted. Such a configuration can be realized by changing the duty ratio according to the vibration direction of the piezoelectric element 31. The protrusion control part 53 moves the protrusion member 20 to the protrusion direction side by making the vibration speed to the protrusion direction side smaller than the vibration speed to the burying direction side. On the other hand, the protrusion control part 53 moves the protrusion member 20 to the burying direction side by making the vibration speed to the burying direction side smaller than the vibration speed to the protrusion direction side.

  When the image further including the own position mark P is displayed on the display screen 41, the protrusion control unit 53 moves the protruding member 20 located at the coordinates on the operation surface 11a corresponding to the coordinates of the own position mark P. Are also “highly protruding” or “lowly protruding”.

  The protrusion control unit 53 moves the protruding member 20 located at the coordinates on the operation surface 11a corresponding to the coordinates on the display screen 41 of an area (for example, background) where neither the road R nor the own position mark P is displayed. It is set as “buried state” (see FIG. 4). In this manner, the protrusion control unit 53 sets the protrusion member 20 corresponding to the specific road R and the own position mark P displayed on the display screen 41 to the “high protrusion state” or the “low protrusion state”. When the determination result by the status determination unit 52 is obtained as the difference of the protrusion status, the protrusion control unit 53 determines that each of the protrusion members 20 is “high protrusion state”, “low protrusion state”, based on the determination result. Alternatively, it is maintained in the “embedded state” or switched between the “high projecting state”, the “low projecting state”, and the “buried state”.

  The protrusion control unit 53 vibrates the piezoelectric element 31 for a predetermined time longer than the time required to switch the protrusion member 20 between the “high protrusion state”, the “low protrusion state”, and the “embedded state” After that, the vibration is stopped. That is, a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 31 for the predetermined time, and thereafter the voltage application is stopped. Even after the voltage application is stopped, the protruding member 20 maintains the position in the protruding direction Z due to the static friction between the connecting member 33 and the cylindrical member 22.

  Moreover, the protrusion control part 53 updates the protrusion state of the protrusion member 20 according to the change of the positional relationship of the own position and map accompanying a movement of an own position. The movement of the own position is a movement of the own position by traveling in real space. With such movement, the map image on the display screen 41 is also updated. Accordingly, the form of the road R displayed in the display screen 41 changes from moment to moment according to traveling. Further, the protruding state is a protruding aspect of the protruding member 20 composed of a “high protruding state”, a “low protruding state”, and an “embedded state”. The protrusion control part 53 updates the protrusion state of the protrusion member 20 of the operation surface 11a with the form of the road R which changes every moment.

  A form relating to such update of the protruding state is shown in FIG. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C show a situation where the host vehicle is traveling straight along the guide route. As the vehicle travels, it is shown that the vehicle is approaching a corner to turn right on the guide route. FIG. 6D shows an image displayed on the display screen 41 after turning a corner to the right according to the guide route from the state of FIG. 6C, and the protruding member 20 whose protruding state is controlled accordingly. . Thus, the protrusion control part 53 which concerns on this embodiment updates the protrusion state of the protrusion member 20 so that the protrusion state of the protrusion member 20 may follow the map displayed on the display screen 41. FIG.

  The position detection unit 54 acquires the detection position of the detection object D on the operation surface 11 a of the touch pad 10. The position detection unit 54 determines the position of the electrode that the detected object D is closest to based on the change in capacitance between the electrodes that occurs when a fingertip or the like as the detected object D contacts or approaches the operation surface 11a. Identify. And the position detection part 54 acquires the position of the specified electrode as a detection position on the operation surface 11a. With such a function of the position detection unit 54, the touch pad 10 can accept an input corresponding to a detection position on the operation surface 11a. The position detection unit 54 outputs the acquired detection position information to the drawing control unit 51 and the operation determination unit 56.

  The state detection unit 55 detects the degree of protrusion of the protruding member 20, and detects the “high protrusion state”, the “low protrusion state”, and the “embedded state” in an identifiable manner. The state detection unit 55 is configured to be able to acquire information from, for example, a position sensor (not shown). The state detection unit 55 determines that the actual protrusion status of each protrusion member 20 is “high protrusion state”, “low protrusion state”, and “buried” based on the acquired position information of each protrusion member 20 in the protrusion direction Z. It is detected whether it is in "Status". The state detection unit 55 outputs information on the detection result to the operation determination unit 56.

  The operation determination unit 56 determines a predetermined operation input to the navigation device 1 by the user based on at least an input operation on the operation surface 11a. Note that the input operation includes a pressing operation on the protruding member 20. The pressing operation is an operation of pushing the protruding member 20 in the protruding state into the operation surface 11a side. Here, the detection that the protruding member 20 is pushed in is performed based on the output of a sensor that detects the position of the protruding member 20, or the protruding member 20 that is in the “high protruding state” or the “low protruding state”. This is performed based on detection of contact by the touch pad 10 at a position on the touch pad 10 where the touch pad 10 is provided.

  When the operation determination unit 56 detects an input operation on an operation surface whose operation surface state can be switched, the operation determination unit 56 receives the input operation in a different manner for each operation surface, and determines a predetermined process corresponding to the input operation. When the operation determination unit 56 detects a pressing operation on the protruding member 20 in the protruding state when the operation surface state is the map correspondence state M, the operation determining unit 56 performs a predetermined process on the protruding member 20 that has been pressed. It is determined whether or not it is assigned. In addition, when the operation surface state is the map correspondence state M, the operation determination unit 56 detects the pressing operation on the protruding member 20 in the protruding state, and simultaneously presses the plurality of protruding members 20. It is determined whether or not Further, when the operation surface state is the map correspondence state M, the operation determination unit 56 determines the input pattern of the input operation when detecting an input operation on the buried region of the touch pad 10, and for each input pattern A predetermined process is determined as a predetermined operation input to the navigation device 1. Further, when the operation surface state is the buried input acceptance state N, when an input operation to the touch pad 10 is detected, a process different from the process predetermined for each input pattern in the map correspondence state M is received. The operation determination unit 56 determines the input pattern of the input operation, and performs processing predetermined for the input input state N for the navigation device 1 for the state N. It is determined as a predetermined operation input.

  Further, the operation determination unit 56 includes an input pattern determination unit 59 that determines an input pattern for the touch pad 10 by the detected object D based on the detection result of the detected object D that is in contact with or close to the operation surface 11a. The “input pattern” that serves as a reference for determination by the input pattern determination unit 59 includes an operation (touch input) for bringing the detected object D that is not in contact with the operation surface 11a into contact with the operation surface 11a, and a contact with the operation surface 11a The object D to be detected is lifted from the operation surface 11a and then brought into contact again (tap input), the tap operation is repeated twice within a predetermined time (double tap input), and a plurality of operation surfaces 11a The operation of simultaneously touching the detected object D at the point (multi-touch input), the operation of sliding the detected object D while contacting the operation surface 11a (slide input), and an arbitrary point on the operation surface 11a for a predetermined time This includes an operation of continuing to press the object to be detected D while making contact (long press input). In addition, for multi-touch input, an operation (pinch-out input) for relatively moving a plurality of detected objects D that are in contact with the operation surface 11a away from each other, and a plurality of detected objects that are in contact with the operation surface 11a. An operation (pinch-in input) or the like of relatively moving D so as to approach each other is included.

  In the present embodiment, the operation determination unit 56 has different processing contents depending on whether the operation surface state of the operation surface 11a is the map correspondence state M or the buried input reception state N. The case where the state 11a is the map corresponding state M as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 to 12 and the case where it is the buried input acceptance state N as shown in FIG. 13 will be described separately.

(Description of processing in map correspondence state M)
Here, the operation surface state is the map correspondence state M. When the operation determination unit 56 detects a pressing operation to the protruding member 20 that is in a protruding state corresponding to the map content information based on the information acquired from the position detection unit 54 and the state detection unit 55, The protruding member 20 having the gap is specified. And the operation determination part 56 determines whether the specific process is allocated to the protrusion member 20 with which the said press operation was referred with reference to the process map for map corresponding states. Here, the map corresponding state processing map is a process in which a process assigned to the protruding member 20 based on the map content information by the process execution unit 57 described later is stored, and the protruding member 20 to which the process is assigned is stored. And the correspondence between these processes is specified. The map correspondence state processing map is stored in a storage medium. When the operation determination unit 56 determines that a specific process is assigned to the protruding member 20 that has performed the pressing operation, the operation determining unit 56 outputs information on the protruding member 20 that has performed the pressing operation to the processing execution unit 57. . On the other hand, when the operation determination unit 56 determines that a specific process is not assigned to the protruding member 20 that has undergone the pressing operation, the operation determination unit 56 outputs the determination result to a state switching unit 58 described later. In addition, when the operation determination unit 56 detects that a plurality of protruding members 20 are simultaneously pressed, the operation determination unit 56 outputs the determination result to the state switching unit 58.

  The operation determination unit 56 determines an input pattern by the input pattern determination unit 59 when a touch operation is detected in the buried region where the protruding member 20 is buried. When the input pattern determination unit 59 determines that the input pattern is other than long press such as multi-touch, the operation determination unit 56 outputs the determination result to the state switching unit 58. If it is determined that the input pattern is the first long press input, the operation determination unit 56 performs navigation so as to execute POI search processing for a point on the display screen 41 according to the detection position where the touch operation has been performed. Command to the operation unit 70 (see FIG. 2). Then, the POI search process corresponding to the detected position is executed by the navigation calculation unit 70, and POI information is displayed on the display screen 41 for a certain period of time. Here, the first long press input is an input pattern in which the time t1 measured from the time when the detected object D is brought into contact with or close to the buried region on the operation surface 11a is longer than the predetermined time T1. Say. When the input pattern determination unit 59 determines that the input pattern is the second long press input, the operation determination unit 56 outputs the determination result to the state switching unit 58. Here, the second long press input is an input pattern in which the time t1 measured from the time when the detected object D is brought into contact with or close to the buried region on the operation surface 11a is longer than the predetermined time T2. Say. Here, T2 is set as a time longer than T1. That is, when the operation determination unit 56 is pressed longer than the first long press input (second long press input), the determination result is output to the state switching unit 58 to switch the operation surface state. To do.

  As described above, when the operation surface state is the map correspondence state M, the operation determination unit 56 executes the operation surface state switching process when it is determined that the input pattern is other than the first long press input. The determination result is output to the state switching unit 58 as much as possible, and if it is determined that the input is the first long press input, the navigation apparatus 1 is instructed to execute the POI information search process for the detected position.

Next, the processing content of the operation determination unit 56 after the operation surface state is switched to the buried input acceptance state N by the state switching unit 58 will be described.
(Description of processing in the buried input acceptance state N)
Here, the operation surface state is the buried input acceptance state N. When the operation determination unit 56 detects a touch operation on the operation surface 11a, the input pattern determination unit 59 determines the input pattern of the touch operation based on information from the position detection unit 54 and the state detection unit 55. To do. Then, the operation determination unit 56 outputs the determination result of the input pattern determination unit 59 to the pattern input process execution unit 60 described later. The operation determination unit 56 measures a non-operation time t2 that is a time during which the touch operation on the operation surface 11a is not detected in the buried input acceptance state N, and the non-operation time t2 exceeds a predetermined time T3. If so, information indicating that is output to the state switching unit 58. In the non-operation time t2, the touch operation is not continuously detected after the operation surface state is switched to the buried input acceptance state N, or the touch operation is performed after the last touch operation is detected in the buried input acceptance state N. This includes the time that is not continuously detected.

  In addition, when the operation determination unit 56 determines that the operation surface state is the buried input reception state N and the pressing operation on the protruding member 20 in the switching reception region L is detected, the determination result is sent to the state switching unit 58. Output.

  As described above, in the case where the operation surface state is the buried input acceptance state N, when a touch operation is detected on the operation surface 11a, the operation determination unit 56 determines an input pattern and a process assigned in advance to the input pattern. Is output to the pattern input process execution unit 60. If a touch operation is not detected even after a predetermined time has elapsed, a determination result is output to the state switching unit 58 in order to execute the operation surface state switching process. In addition, even when the operation determination unit 56 determines that a pressing operation on the protruding member 20 in the switching reception region L has been detected, the operation determination unit 56 outputs a determination result to the state switching unit 58 in order to execute the operation surface state switching process.

  The process execution unit 57 assigns a predetermined process to a predetermined target and executes the predetermined process when an operation on the predetermined target is detected. The process input unit 61 and the pattern input process And an execution unit 60.

  The protrusion input process execution unit 61 assigns a different process to each of the protrusion members 20 according to the map content information corresponding to each of the protrusion members 20. Specifically, when the process execution unit 57 acquires the list information, the map image around the own position, and the map content information via the drawing control unit 51, the protrusion input process execution unit 61 performs a process on each protrusion member 20. The assignment, the process, and the projecting member to which the process is assigned are associated with each other and stored in the storage medium as a map correspondence state process map. And when the determination result that there was pressing operation to the protrusion member 20 to which the specific process was allocated from the operation determination part 56 is acquired, the protrusion with the said pressing operation with reference to the map corresponding | compatible process map. The specific process assigned to the member 20 is executed. That is, the protrusion input process execution unit 61 assigns a different process to each protrusion member 20 that is in the protrusion state in the map correspondence state M according to the map content information corresponding to the protrusion member 20, and presses the protrusion member 20. When an operation is detected, the process assigned to the protruding member 20 is executed.

  The pattern input process execution unit 60 assigns different processes depending on the input pattern, and when the operation surface state is the buried input acceptance state N and the input pattern to which the process is assigned is input to the touch pad 10 Then, the process assigned to the input pattern is executed. Specifically, the pattern input process execution unit 60 assigns a process to each input pattern to the touch pad 10 in the embedded input acceptance state N in advance, and associates the process with the input pattern to which the process is assigned. And stored in a storage medium as a processing map for an embedded input acceptance state. And the pattern input process execution part 60 will perform the process according to the said input pattern with reference to the process map for embedment input reception states, if the determination result in the input pattern determination part 59 is acquired from the operation determination part 56. FIG. For example, the pattern input process execution unit 60 can assign a map image enlargement process to a pinch-out input operation and a map image reduction process to a pinch-in input operation. In this case, when the pattern input process execution unit 60 obtains a determination result indicating that there is a pinch-in input operation in the buried input reception state N from the operation determination unit 56, the pattern input process execution unit 60 refers to the buried input reception state processing map and performs pinch-in A map image reduction process assigned to the input operation is executed, and information indicating that the reduction process is executed is also output to the drawing control unit 51. Then, the drawing control unit 51 redraws the map image after the reduction process on the display screen 41. At this time, if there is a pressing operation to the protruding member 20 in the switching reception area L to which the map resumption process is assigned, according to the map content information included in the reduced map image displayed on the display screen 41. The protruding member 20 is in a protruding state. That is, it is possible to express the reduced map content information in the map correspondence state M where the map has been resumed.

Next, specific processing of the protruding input processing execution unit 61 in the present embodiment will be described.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the map content information includes road information. In particular, in this embodiment, the protrusion input process execution part 61 assigns a different process to each protrusion member 20 according to the attribute information which prescribes | regulates the attribute of a road. The attribute information includes at least one of a route attribute and a position attribute. The route attribute is an attribute indicating whether the road constitutes a guide route from the departure point to the destination or a road other than the road constituting the guide route. In addition, the position attribute is the position on the guide route from the own location to the destination, or the location on the guide route from the departure location to the own location with respect to the roads constituting the guide route. This attribute indicates whether or not there is. The protrusion input process execution unit 61 assigns different processes to the protrusion members 20 arranged on the operation surface 11a according to the attributes as described above.

  Thereby, the protrusion input process execution part 61 is arranged according to whether the route attribute indicates a road that constitutes the guide route or a road other than the road that constitutes the guide route. If the route attribute indicates a road that constitutes a guide route, the position attribute indicates that it is the location of the user or the location on the guide route from the location to the destination Different processing is assigned to each of the projecting members 20 depending on whether it is a position on the guide route from the departure point to the own position. That is, the protrusion input process execution unit 61 performs different processing depending on whether the route attribute indicates a road that constitutes the guide route or a road other than the road that constitutes the guide route. Assign to each of the protruding members 20. In addition, when the route attribute indicates that the road constitutes a guide route, the protrusion input process execution unit 61 indicates that the position attribute is the own position or from the own position to the destination. Different processes are assigned to each of the projecting members 20 depending on whether it is a position on the guide route or a position on the guide route from the starting point to the own position.

  In the present embodiment, the protrusion input processing execution unit 61 causes the guide route to pass through the position on the road T corresponding to the protrusion member 20 through the protrusion member 20 corresponding to the road T other than the road S constituting the guide route. Assign the route resetting process to be reset. The processing assigned in this way is shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 7 (a), the road constituting the guide route is the road R to which the symbol S is attached. The protruding member 20 corresponding to such a road S is set to a “high protruding state”. On the other hand, the operation surface 11a also shows roads other than the road S constituting the guide route. Such roads are labeled T. The protruding member 20 corresponding to such a road T is set to a “low protruding state”.

  When the protrusion input process execution unit 61 detects that the protrusion member 20 has been pushed, the protrusion input process execution unit 61 executes a process assigned to the pushed protrusion member 20. As shown in FIG. 7A, when the projecting member 20 corresponding to a road T other than the road S constituting the guide route is pushed by the user, for example, the projecting input processing execution unit 61 projects the projecting pushed by the user. The guide route is reset so as to pass the position on the road T corresponding to the member 20. The road S constituting the reset guide route is displayed on the display screen 41 (see FIG. 7B), and the protruding state of the protruding member 20 is also updated accordingly.

  Moreover, the protrusion input process execution part 61 allocates the rematching process which recalculates the road which matches a self position to the protrusion member 20 corresponding to a self position. Here, the re-matching process is to re-execute a calculation process for matching the own position to the road based on the latest information at the time of starting the process. The latest information used here includes information such as the current position at that time, the traveling direction of the current position, the movement locus of the current position, the road position, and the road shape. For example, if the GPS receiver 81 cannot acquire the location information when passing through a tunnel or the like, there is a possibility that an error is included in the location on the map when exiting the tunnel. The rematching process is effective when it is desired to correct such an error quickly.

  When the protrusion input process execution unit 61 detects that the protrusion member 20 corresponding to its own position has been pushed in, as a rematching process, the protrusion input process execution unit 61 applies to the road whose own position is matched before the rematching process. Then, it is confirmed whether or not there are parallel roads within a predetermined distance. If the parallel roads exist, a process of matching the position with the parallel roads is executed. That is, when the protrusion input process execution unit 61 detects that the protrusion member 20 corresponding to its own position has been pushed in, the protrusion input process execution unit 61 is within a preset distance with respect to the road whose own position is currently matched. Check if there are parallel roads in parallel. If the parallel road is not within the preset distance, the process execution unit 57 executes the normal rematching process as described above.

  On the other hand, if there is a parallel road that is parallel to the road whose position is currently matched within a preset distance, the protrusion input processing execution unit 61 matches the position to the parallel road as a rematching process. The parallel road matching process is executed. Such processing is shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the route constituting the guide route is the road R to which the reference sign S is attached. The protruding member 20 corresponding to such a road S is set to a “high protruding state”. On the other hand, a symbol U is attached to a road parallel to the road S constituting the guide route. The protruding member 20 corresponding to such a road is in a “low protruding state”.

  For example, in a state where there is a parallel road parallel to the road whose own position is matched, when the projecting member 20 corresponding to the own position mark P is pushed by the user, the projecting input process execution unit 61 displays FIG. As shown in the figure, the own position is matched with the parallel road U. Thereby, the own position is matched on the parallel road U corresponding to the protruding member 20 pushed in by the user. Further, in this example, the guide route is reset so as to pass through the parallel road U. Accordingly, the protruding state of the protruding member 20 is also updated. Thus, for example, when there is a road composed of an elevated road such as an expressway or a bypass and a parallel road U running under the elevated road or on the side of the elevated road, the actual position of these roads actually travels. Even when the road is matched with a road that has not been used, the user's position can be corrected in accordance with the user's intention.

  Further, the protrusion input process execution unit 61 performs destination route information display processing for displaying information on the guide route from the own position to the destination on the protruding member 20 corresponding to the position on the guide route from the own position to the destination. Assign and pass route information display processing for displaying information on the guide route from the departure point to the own position is assigned to the projecting member 20 corresponding to the position on the guide route from the departure point to the own location. The information related to the guide route from the own position to the destination includes, for example, the distance from the own position to the destination, the expected arrival time, the weather of the place passing from the own position to the destination, and the like. Further, the information on the guide route from the departure place to the own position includes, for example, the distance from the departure place to the own position, the traveling time, and the like.

  FIG. 9 shows an example in which information on the guide route from the own position to the destination is displayed. As shown in the figure (lower figure) showing the touchpad 10 in FIG. 9, when the protruding member 20 corresponding to the road S constituting the guide route from its own position to the destination is pushed by the user, the protruding input processing execution unit 61, as shown in the figure (upper figure) showing the display input device 40 of FIG. 9, the display screen 41 passes the distance from the own position to the destination, the estimated arrival time, and the position from the own position to the destination. The drawing control part 51 is made to process so that the weather of the place to perform may be displayed. Thereby, it becomes possible for the user to easily acquire information on the guide route from his / her position to the destination. Of course, it is also possible to configure such that information related to the guidance route is output as voice from the voice output device 88.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of displaying information on the guide route from the departure place to the own position. As shown in the figure (the lower figure) showing the touch pad 10 in FIG. 10, when the protruding member 20 corresponding to the road S constituting the guide route from the departure place to the own position is pushed by the user, the protruding input processing execution unit 61, as shown in the figure (upper figure) showing the display input device 40 in FIG. 10, the drawing control unit 51 processes the display screen 41 to display the distance from the departure place to the own position and the traveling time. Thereby, it becomes possible for the user to easily acquire information on the guide route from the departure place to the user's own position. Of course, it is also possible to configure such that information related to the guidance route is output as voice from the voice output device 88.

  Furthermore, the protrusion input process execution unit 61 assigns a facility information display process for displaying information about the facility Q to the protruding member 20 corresponding to the facility Q. The information related to the facility Q is various information related to the facility Q such as the name, type, attribute, and telephone number of the facility Q, for example. As the facility Q to which such facility information display processing is assigned, a facility having a feature that can be a landmark during traveling, that is, a facility having a larger area than the surrounding facility or a facility taller than the surrounding facility, A facility called a landmark is suitable.

  FIG. 11 shows an example in which information about the facility Q is displayed. As shown in the figure (lower figure) showing the touch pad 10 in FIG. 11, when the protruding member 20 corresponding to the facility Q is pushed in by the user, the protruding input processing execution unit 61 shows the display input device 40 in FIG. As shown in the figure (upper figure), the drawing control unit 51 is caused to process the display screen 41 to display the name and attributes (such as height) as information about the facility Q. Thereby, the user can easily acquire information on the facility Q. Of course, it is also possible to configure such that information related to the facility Q is output from the audio output device 88 as audio.

  The state switching unit 58 switches the operation surface state of the operation surface 11a between the map correspondence state M and the buried input reception state N. That is, the state switching unit 58 switches the operation surface state by changing the irregular shape of an arbitrary shape on the operation surface 11a expressed by the plurality of protruding members 20. Specifically, the state switching unit 58 includes a map corresponding state M that causes the protruding member 20 to be in a protruding state corresponding to the map content information included in the map image when a map image is displayed on the display screen 41, Regardless of the map content information, the operation surface state is switched between the buried input reception state N in which the protruding member 20 included in the specific reception region K which is a continuous surface region preset on the operation surface 11a is buried.

  The state switching unit 58 switches the operation surface state from the map correspondence state M to the buried input reception state N, and sets the protruding member 20 included in the switching reception region L different from the specific reception region K to the protruding state. A switching process and a second switching process for switching the operation surface state from the buried input acceptance state N to the map corresponding state M are executed. The state switching unit 58 executes the first switching process when the object to be detected D is detected in the buried region where the operation surface state is the map correspondence state M and the protruding member 20 is buried. The two switching process is executed when the operation surface state is the buried input receiving state N and the pressing operation on the protruding member 20 is detected in the switching receiving region L.

  Here, the first switching process in the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, when the operation surface state is the map correspondence state M and the state switching unit 58 does not assign a specific process to the protruding member 20 that has been pressed, the state switching unit 58 simultaneously applies to the plurality of protruding members 20. When there is a pressing operation and when there is a touch operation in the buried area (excluding the first long press input), the operation surface state is switched to the buried input acceptance state N.

  Specifically, when the operation surface state is the map correspondence state M, the operation determination unit 56 obtains a determination result that a specific process is not assigned to the protruding member 20 that has been pressed. In addition, in order to switch the operation surface state of the operation surface 11a from the map correspondence state M to the embedment input acceptance state N, the status determination unit 52 is instructed and the projecting member 20 in the projecting state is set to the embedment state via the projecting control unit 53. To do. That is, when the state switching unit 58 detects a pressing operation on the protruding member 20 to which no process according to the map content information is assigned in the map correspondence state M, the state switching unit 58 performs the first switching process. Further, when the state switching unit 58 obtains a determination result indicating that the pressing operation to the plurality of protruding members 20 has been detected from the operation determination unit 56, the state switching unit 58 changes the operation surface state of the operation surface 11 a from the map correspondence state M. In order to switch to the embedment input acceptance state N, the status determination unit 52 is instructed to place the projecting member 20 in the projecting state through the projecting control unit 53 into the buried state. That is, the state switching unit 58 also executes the first switching process when it is detected that the pressing operations are simultaneously performed on the plurality of protruding members 20 in the map correspondence state M.

  In addition, when the state switching unit 58 obtains a determination result that the input pattern of the touch operation in the buried region is a pattern other than long press from the operation determination unit 56, the state switching unit 58 changes the operation surface state of the operation surface 11a to the map corresponding state M. In order to switch from the embedment input acceptance state N to the embedment input acceptance state N, the status determination unit 52 is instructed to place the projecting member 20 in the projecting state through the projecting control unit 53 into the buried state. That is, when the detected object D is detected in the buried area where the operation surface state is the map correspondence state M and the protruding member 20 is buried, the operation surface state is changed from the map correspondence state M to the buried input acceptance state. Switch to N. Further, when the state switching unit 58 obtains a determination result that the input pattern in the buried area is the second long press input from the operation determining unit 56, the operation surface state of the operation surface 11a is input from the map corresponding state M to the buried input. In order to switch to the acceptance state N, the status determination unit 52 is commanded, and the protruding member 20 in the protruding state is set in the buried state via the protruding control unit 53. When the operation surface state is the map correspondence state M and the detected object D is detected in the buried area, the state switching unit 58 sets the input pattern by the detected object D to multi-touch input, slide input, and long press. It is good also as a structure which switches from the map corresponding | compatible state M to the burying input reception state N on the further condition that it is either input.

  As shown in the example of FIG. 13, the state switching unit 58 operates the switching reception area L to which the map restart process is assigned when the operation surface state is switched from the map correspondence state M to the buried input reception state N. It is set to a partial area on the surface 11a. Then, the state switching unit 58 instructs the status determination unit 52 to place the protruding member 20 included in the switching reception region L into the protruding state, and the protruding member included in the switching reception region L via the protrusion control unit 53. 20 is a protruding state. According to this, since the protruding member 20 in the switching receiving area L is in the protruding state, the user can easily set the switching receiving area L by touch on the operation surface 11a using the protruding member 20 in the protruding state as a mark. Can be recognized. As a result, the user can easily perform the map restart process. In addition, when the state switching unit 58 switches the operation surface state from the map correspondence state M to the buried input reception state N, the position on the operation surface 11a of the switching reception region L to which the map restart process is assigned to the drawing control unit 51. Output information.

  Next, the second switching process in this embodiment, that is, the map restart process will be described. In the present embodiment, the state switching unit 58 operates the determination result that the pressing operation on the protruding member 20 in the protruding state in the switching receiving region L is detected when the operation surface state is the buried input receiving state N. If it acquires from the determination part 56, a map resumption process will be performed. That is, when the operation surface state is the buried input reception state N and the pressing operation on the protruding member 20 is detected in the switching reception region L, the state switching unit 58 changes the operation surface state from the buried input reception state N to the map. A second switching process for switching to the state M is executed. At this time, the state switching unit 58 instructs the status determination unit 52 to acquire new map content information and the like, and the status determination unit 52 receives the new map content information and the like via the drawing control unit 51. get. Then, the status determination unit 52 determines the protrusion status of the protrusion member 20 based on the acquired new map content information and the like, and outputs the protrusion status to the protrusion control unit 53. Thereby, the state switching unit 58 can switch the operation surface state to the map corresponding state M in which new map content information is reflected. In addition, when the state switching unit 58 obtains information from the operation determination unit 56 that the touch operation on the operation surface 11a is not detected even when the non-operation time t2 exceeds the predetermined time T3, the operation surface state is buried. The status determination unit 52 is instructed to switch from the input acceptance state N to the map correspondence state M. That is, the state switching unit 58 executes the second switching process even when the input to the touch pad 10 is not detected continuously for a predetermined time after the first switching process is performed.

4). Processing of Operation Input System Processing performed by the operation input system 3 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The processing described below is executed by hardware or software (program) or both constituting each functional unit of the operation input calculation unit 50. When each of the above functional units is configured by a program, the arithmetic processing device included in the control arithmetic unit 6 including the operation input arithmetic unit 50 operates as a computer that executes the program configuring each functional unit.

  As shown in FIG. 14, first, various preparation processes are executed (step # 01). This preparation process includes, for example, preparation of a work area for creating a display image. Next, a display image image creation process is executed (step # 02). Here, a display image is actually created.

  In the display image image creation process, as shown in FIG. 15, first, the own position information acquisition unit 8 acquires own position information indicating the own position, and outputs it to the navigation calculation unit 70 (step # 21). The navigation calculation unit 70 that has acquired the own position information acquires a map image and map content information around the current position from the map database 85 (steps # 22 and # 23). Based on the acquired map image and map content information, the navigation calculation unit 70 creates a turn list centered on its own position (step # 24). Then, a branch route list including a branch point and a branch route connected to the turn list is created from the map image (step # 25). In addition, the navigation calculation unit 70 extracts the facility Q to be put on the turn list from the map content information, and creates the facility list (step # 26). Then, in addition to the created list information (turn list information, branch path list information, facility list information), the navigation calculation unit 70 draws the map image and map content information around the current position acquired from the map database 85. Output to the control unit 51. The drawing control unit 51 creates a display image image based on the information acquired from the navigation calculation unit 70 (step # 27). The drawing control unit 51 outputs the list information acquired from the navigation calculation unit 70, the map image around the current position, and the map content information to the status determination unit 52 and the process execution unit 57. The display image image creation process is thus completed.

  Next, a protrusion state determination process is executed (step # 03). In the protruding state determination process, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the protruding state of the protruding member 20 corresponding to the guide route from the turn list created in step # 24 acquired by the status determination unit 52 through the drawing control unit 51 is displayed. Is determined (step # 31). Further, the status determination unit 52 determines the protruding state of the protruding member 20 corresponding to the branch path from the branch path list created in step # 25 (step # 32). Furthermore, the status determination unit 52 determines the protruding state of the protruding member 20 corresponding to the facility Q from the facility list created in step # 26 (step # 33). Moreover, the status determination part 52 determines the protrusion state of the protrusion member 20 corresponding to the own position mark P which displays an own position based on the own position information acquired at step # 21 (step # 34). The status determination unit 52 combines the determination results of the protruding states of the protruding members 20 determined in Steps # 31 to # 34 (Step # 35), and determines the overall protruding state determination result of the protruding members 20. Is output to the protrusion control unit 53. The protruding state determination process is thus completed.

  Returning to FIG. 14, when the protruding state determination process ends, the drawing control unit 51 controls the display screen 41 to display an image based on the display image image created in step # 02 (step # 04). Further, the protrusion control unit 53 drives the protrusion member 20 to advance and retreat based on the determination result of the protrusion state synthesized in step # 35 (step # 05). As a result, the projecting members 20 such as the specific road R and the own position mark P displayed on the display screen 41 are brought into a projecting state. That is, the protruding member 20 is set in a protruding state so as to correspond to the map content information included in the map image displayed on the display screen 41 (map corresponding state M).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 14, in the map correspondence state M (step # 05), when the position detection unit 54 and the state detection unit 55 detect a pressing operation to the protruding member 20 in the protruding state, and When the touch operation is detected in the buried region in which the protruding member 20 on the operation surface 11a is buried (Step # 06: Yes), the operation determination unit 56 performs the process in advance by the process execution unit 57. Is determined to be an operation to the projecting member 20 assigned (step # 08). When the operation determination unit 56 determines that the operation is an operation on the protruding member 20 to which the process is assigned in advance (step # 08: Yes), an input determination process is executed (step # 09). On the other hand, when the operation determination unit 56 determines that the operation is not an operation to the projecting member 20 to which the process is assigned in advance (step # 08: No), the state switching process is executed (step # 10). ). In the map correspondence state M, when neither the position detection unit 54 nor the state detection unit 55 detects the pressing operation on the protruding member 20 and the touch operation on the touch pad 10 (step # 06: No), the screen Whether or not there is a transition is determined (step # 07). When it is determined that there is a screen transition (step # 07: Yes), a display image image after the transition is created (step # 02), and the processes after step # 03 are repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no screen transition (step # 07: No), it is determined whether or not the system power is turned off (step # 11). When it is determined that the system power is off (step # 11: Yes), the process of the operation input system is finished. When it is determined that the system power is on (step # 11: No), the steps after step # 07 are performed. The process is repeated.

  Here, the input determination process (step # 09) will be described with reference to FIG. First, the operation determination unit 56 specifies the position of the protruding member 20 that has been pressed (input), and determines whether or not the protruding member 20 is on the turn list (step # 81). The operation determining unit 56 indicates that the protruding member 20 that has been pressed is not on the turn list (step # 81: Yes), not on the branch path (step # 82: Yes), and on the facility Q If it is determined that it is not (No at Step # 83), the input determination process is terminated because there is a possibility of erroneous detection, and the processes after Step # 11 in FIG. 14 are repeated.

  If the protruding member 20 that has been pressed is not on the turn list (step # 81: Yes) and not on the branch path (step # 82: Yes), but is on the facility Q ( Step # 83: No), the operation determination unit 56 instructs the navigation calculation unit 70 to output information on the facility Q via the process execution unit 57 (step # 84). If this is a process that can be executed by the navigation device 1 (step # 85: Yes), the navigation calculation unit 70 executes a process such as displaying the information of the facility Q on the display screen 41 for a certain time (step). # 86) The input determination process ends. On the other hand, if it is not the process which can be performed by the navigation apparatus 1 (step # 85: No), the navigation calculating part 70 will complete | finish an input determination process, without performing a process.

  When the protruding member 20 that has been pressed is not on the turn list (step # 81: Yes), but is on the branch path (step # 82: No), the operation determination unit 56 Then, the processing execution unit 57 is instructed to perform a reroute (route re-search) so as to pass through a point corresponding to the protruding member 20 where the pressing operation has been performed (step # 87). Thereafter, the processing is continued from step # 85.

  If the protruding member 20 on which the pressing operation has been performed is on the turn list (step # 81: No), the details of the position are further determined. If the input is at the own position (step # 88: Yes) and there is a parallel road within a preset distance from the guide route (step # 89: Yes), the operation determination unit 56 is a process execution unit 57. Then, the navigation computing unit 70 is caused to execute parallel road matching processing for matching its own position to the parallel road (step # 90). Thereafter, the processing is continued from step # 85.

  The protruding member 20 that has been pressed has the input at its own position (step # 88: Yes), but there is no parallel road within a preset distance from the guide route (step # 89: No). The operation determination unit 56 causes the navigation calculation unit 70 to execute a normal rematching process that re-executes the calculation process for matching the own position with the road via the process execution unit 57 (step # 91). Thereafter, the processing is continued from step # 85.

  The protruding member 20 that has been pressed is not the one at its own position (step # 88: No), but is the protruding member 20 corresponding to the guide route from the starting point to the current position (step # 92: Yes), the operation determination unit 56 instructs the navigation calculation unit 70 via the processing execution unit 57 to display the passage route information regarding the guidance route from the departure place to the current location (step # 93). Thereafter, the processing is continued from step # 85.

  The protruding member 20 that has been pressed is not the one at its own position (step # 88: No), and is not the protruding member 20 corresponding to the guide route from the departure place to the current position (step # 92: No), the operation determination unit 56 instructs the navigation calculation unit 70 via the processing execution unit 57 to display destination route information regarding the guide route from the current location to the destination (step # 94). Thereafter, the processing is continued from step # 85.

  Next, the state switching process (step # 10) will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the state switching process (step # 10), in the case of the map correspondence state M, when the pressing operation to the protruding member 20 in the protruding state is detected, and the touch operation is performed in the buried region on the operation surface 11a. When it is detected (step # 06: Yes in FIG. 14), it is executed when it is determined that it is not a pressing operation to the projecting member 20 to which the process is assigned in advance (step # 08: No). That is, in the state switching process, even when a touch operation is detected in the buried region and when a pressing operation to the protruding member 20 in the protruding state is detected, an operation is performed on the protruding member 20 to which no process is assigned in advance. This is executed when it is determined that the pressing operation is performed on the plurality of protruding members 20.

  In the state switching process, first, the operation determination unit 56 specifies the input form of the input operation on the operation surface 11a (step # 61). Here, the input form refers to various input patterns when a touch operation is detected in the buried region, pressing operations to the plurality of protruding members 20, and pressing operations to the protruding members 20 to which no process is assigned in advance. Next, the operation determination unit 56 determines that the time t1 measured from the time when the input form is in contact with or close to the detection object D with respect to the buried region of the operation surface 11a is greater than the predetermined time T1. It is determined whether or not it is a long first long press input (t1> T1) (step # 62). When the operation determination unit 56 determines that the input form is the first long press input (step # 62: Yes), it further determines whether or not the long press input continues (step # 63). That is, in step # 63, the operation determination unit 56 determines in advance a time t1 that is measured from the time when the input form makes the detected object D contact or approach the buried region of the operation surface 11a. It is determined whether or not the second long press input (t1> T2> T1) is longer than the time T2. T2 is set as a time longer than T1. When the operation determination unit 56 determines that the input form is the second long press input (step # 63: Yes), the state switching unit 58 is in a protruding state corresponding to the map content information. 20 is buried (step # 64). Also, when the operation determination unit 56 determines that the input form is other than the first long press input (step # 62: No), the state switching unit 58 is in a protruding state corresponding to the map content information. The protruding member 20 that is present is buried (step # 64). Then, the state switching unit 58 puts the protruding member 20 in the switching receiving area L into a protruding state (step # 67). In step # 64 and step # 67, the state switching unit 58 switches the operation surface state from the map correspondence state M to the buried input acceptance state N. On the other hand, in step # 63, the time t1 measured from the time when the operation determination unit 56 presses the detected object D against the buried area of the operation surface 11a is longer than the predetermined time T1, and from T2. Is determined to be short (T2> t1> T1), that is, when it is determined that the input form is not the second long press input but the first long press input (step # 63: No), The calculation unit 70 executes POI search processing for a point on the display screen 41 corresponding to the detection position of the detection object D (step # 65). Then, the navigation calculation unit 70 displays the POI information on the display screen 41 for a predetermined time (step # 66), and ends the state switching process.

  When the operation surface state is switched to the buried input acceptance state N in step # 67, the operation determination unit 56 first determines whether or not a touch operation has been performed on the touch pad 10 (step # 68). If the operation determination unit 56 determines that the touch operation has been performed (step # 68: Yes), the operation determination unit 56 determines the input pattern of the touch operation, and executes processing according to the input pattern via the processing execution unit 57. (Step # 70). On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no touch operation (step # 68: No), the operation determination unit 56 does not detect the touch operation on the operation surface 11a when the operation surface state is the buried input acceptance state N. It is determined whether or not the non-operation time t2 is longer than a predetermined time T3 (step # 69). If the operation determination unit 56 determines that the non-operation time t2 is longer than the predetermined time T3 (step # 69: Yes), the operation surface state is switched to the map corresponding state M by the state switching unit 58. (Step # 72), the state switching process ends. When the operation determination unit 56 determines that the non-operation time t2 is shorter than the predetermined time T3 (step # 69: No), the pressing on the protruding member 20 in the switching reception area L to which the map restart process is assigned. It is determined whether or not an operation has been detected (step # 71). When the operation determination unit 56 detects a pressing operation on the protruding member 20 in the switching reception area L (step # 71: Yes), the operation surface state is switched to the map corresponding state M by the state switching unit 58 ( Step # 72), the state switching process ends. If the operation determination unit 56 does not detect a pressing operation on the protruding member 20 in the switching reception area L (step # 71: No), the processing from step # 68 is continued. In step # 70, when the process according to the input pattern is executed, the process from step # 71 is continued.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the coordinates of the display screen 41 and the coordinates of the operation surface 11a are associated with each other, and the protruding member 20 corresponding to the specific road R, the own position mark P, or the like displayed on the display screen 41. Is projected. According to the said structure, since the protrusion member 20 in the protrusion state protrudes clearly from the operation surface 11a with respect to the flat part in which the protrusion member 20 is buried, the user protrudes directly with a fingertip etc. The part can be tactilely recognized.

  Further, the user is conscious of the aggregate shape formed by the aggregate of the tip portions of the plurality of projecting members 20 in the projecting state recognized by the tactile sense and the shape of the road R and the like displayed on the display screen 41. It can be easily correlated in contrast. Therefore, the position where the input operation is desired can be specified using the plurality of projecting members 20 projecting so as to correspond to the shape of the displayed road R, and the touch operation on the operation surface 11a at the position, etc. It can be performed. Therefore, the user can easily perform a desired operation input without paying attention to the display screen 41 or the operation surface 11a.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protruding member 20 corresponding to the road S constituting the guide route and the protruding member 20 corresponding to the road T other than the road S are controlled so that the positions thereof are different in the protruding direction Z. Thus, the road S and the road T can be clearly distinguished on the display screen 41 to allow the user to visually recognize them, and even the tactile sense can be clearly distinguished and allowed to be recognized by the user.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the protrusion member 20 is made to protrude corresponding to the map content information contained in the map image currently displayed on the display screen 41, a user uses the fingertip etc. for the protrusion member 20 with map content information. Direct tactile recognition is possible. Further, by pushing in the protruding member 20 that can recognize such a tactile sense, the user can execute the process assigned to the protruding member 20 without gazing at the display screen 41 or the operation surface 11a.

  In this embodiment, when the user wants to perform an operation on the touch pad 10, the user switches to the buried input acceptance state N that can secure a wide flat portion, and when the user wants to recognize the map content information, the map content information is acquired by touch. It is possible to switch to the map correspondence state M that can be performed. Further, switching from the map corresponding state M to the buried input accepting state N can be performed by detecting the detected object D in the buried region, and switching from the buried input accepting state N to the map corresponding state M (map resuming process). ) Can be performed by pressing the protruding member 20 included in the switching reception area L. Thus, in the present embodiment, the operation surface state can be easily switched between the map correspondence state M and the buried input acceptance state N. Therefore, the user can easily switch the operation surface state without paying attention to the display screen 41 or the operation surface 11a even during driving of the vehicle.

  In the present embodiment, when an input pattern such as a slide input or a multi-touch input is performed on the operation surface 11a in the map corresponding state M with few flat portions, an input pattern that requires a wide flat portion is input. Even so, by switching the operation surface state from the map correspondence state M to the buried input acceptance state N, it is possible to secure a wide space in the flat portion. Therefore, even in such a case, the input operation can be performed easily and accurately.

5. Other Embodiments Finally, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration of each embodiment described below is not limited to being applied independently, and can be applied in combination with the configuration of other embodiments as long as no contradiction arises.

(1) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, when the operation surface state is the map correspondence state M, the touch operation is detected in the buried region of the operation surface 11a, and the input pattern is If it is determined that the input is the first long press (T2> t1> T1) (step # 62: Yes, step # 63: No), the detection position of the object D is detected via the navigation calculation unit 70. The POI search process for the point on the corresponding display screen 41 is executed (step # 65), and the POI information is displayed on the display screen 41 for a certain period of time (step # 66). If it is determined that the input pattern is the second long press input (t1> T2> T1) (step # 63: Yes), the operation surface state is switched to the buried input acceptance state N, and the map restart process is assigned. The operation surface state is not switched to the map corresponding state M until a pressing operation (map resumption instruction) on the protruding member 20 is detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When it is determined that the input pattern is the first long press input, information related to the input detection position may be displayed on the display screen 41. When it is determined that the input is the second long press input, the operation surface state is once switched to the buried input acceptance state N, and the POI search process centered on the detected position is executed. The protruding member 20 on the surface 11a may be in a protruding state so as to correspond to the POI information. That is, it may be configured to switch to the map correspondence state M corresponding to the POI information by the second long press input. In this case, the POI information can be displayed on the display screen 41 for a certain period of time.

(2) In the above embodiment, a part of the plurality of protruding members 20 having a positional relationship corresponding to the mutual positional relationship of the coordinates of each point included in the trajectory representing the road T other than the road S constituting the guide route. When the operation surface state is the map correspondence state M and the pressing operation of the protruding member 20 to which no process is assigned is detected, the configuration is switched to the buried input acceptance state N. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a process of switching the operation surface state from the map correspondence state M to the buried input acceptance state N is assigned to the projecting member 20 corresponding to a part of the road T, and the projection member 20 to which the switching process is assigned is pressed. It is good also as a structure which switches an operation surface state from the map corresponding | compatible state M to the buried input reception state N when operation is detected.

(3) In the above embodiment, when it is detected that there are simultaneous pressing operations on the plurality of projecting members 20 in the projecting state, the operation surface state is switched from the map corresponding state M to the buried input accepting state N. did. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. It is good also as a structure which performs the process allocated to the protrusion member 20 with many pressed numbers, when the several protrusion member 20 to which the different process was allocated is pressed simultaneously. For example, when the projecting member 20 to which no process is assigned and the projecting member 20 to which a predetermined process is assigned are simultaneously pressed, the projected member 20 to which no process is assigned among the pressed projecting members 20. If the ratio is larger, it may be configured that the process of switching the operation surface state is performed on the assumption that the protruding member 20 to which no process is assigned is pressed. On the other hand, when the ratio of the protruding member 20 to which the predetermined process is assigned is larger, the predetermined process may be executed.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, when the operation surface state is the buried input reception state N, the pressing operation to the protruding member 20 in the switching reception region L, that is, the state detection unit 55 is in the protruding state of the protruding member 20 When the change of the projecting status from the buried state to the buried state is detected, it is assumed that there is a pressing operation, and the operation surface state is switched from the buried input receiving state N to the map corresponding state M. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. A pressing operation on the protruding member 20 in the switching reception area L by detecting an input to the switching reception area L in the touch pad 10 instead of detecting a change in the protruding status of the protruding member 20 in the switching reception area L. The operation surface state may be switched from the buried input acceptance state N to the map corresponding state M.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, as the operation mark 44, a configuration is displayed on the display screen 41 as a “map resumption” mark to which the operation surface state is assigned the switching process from the buried input acceptance state N to the map corresponding state M. It was. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the “map restart” mark may not be displayed on the display screen 41. Of course, the operation mark 44 to which other processes are assigned may be displayed on the display screen 41.

(6) In the above embodiment, when the map restart process is performed, the operation surface state is switched from the buried input reception state N to the map corresponding state M by the pressing operation of the protruding member 20 in the switching reception region L. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. When an input operation is performed to “resume map” that is the operation mark 44 displayed on the display screen 41, the operation determination unit 56 determines that the function associated with the operation mark 44 is selected. Also good. That is, the operation determination unit 56 may be configured to instruct the state switching unit 58 to execute the map resumption process when detecting an input operation of “map resumption” which is the operation mark 44 displayed on the display screen 41. .

(7) In the above embodiment, when the operation surface state is the map correspondence state M, when detecting a touch operation in the buried region, the operation determination unit 56 determines the input pattern of the touch operation, and the input pattern It is the structure which has instruct | indicated to each function part to perform the process according to. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. As in the case of the buried input acceptance state N, the pattern input process execution unit 60 assigns each process to each input pattern for the map correspondence state M, and executes the assigned process when a touch operation by the input pattern is detected. It is good also as composition to do. For example, the pattern input process execution unit 60 performs the POI information search process for the first long press input, and the operation surface state switching process for input patterns other than the first long press input such as the second long press input and multi-touch. A map in which these input patterns are associated with the assigned processes may be stored in a storage medium.

(8) In the above embodiment, it has been described that the map content information includes road information, and the protruding member 20 is assigned different processing according to attribute information that defines the attribute of the road. However, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this. The map content information can be configured not to include road information, and the projecting member 20 can be configured not to be assigned processing according to attribute information that defines road attributes. Is possible.

(9) In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which the plurality of projecting members 20 are regularly arranged at regular intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions over the entire operation surface 11a and arranged in a matrix (orthogonal lattice) as an example. As explained. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the plurality of projecting members 20 may be arranged at least along the operation surface 11a according to a predetermined rule, and may be arranged, for example, in a honeycomb shape (hexagonal lattice shape) over the entire operation surface 11a. In these cases, the plurality of protruding members 20 may be arranged not on the entire operation surface 11a but on only a part thereof.

(10) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the drive mechanism 30 includes the piezoelectric element 31 has been described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the specific configuration of the drive mechanism 30 is arbitrary as long as the protruding member 20 can be moved back and forth along the protruding direction Z to move the protruding member 20 between the protruding state and the buried state. It is. For example, a drive mechanism 30 that uses fluid pressure such as liquid pressure or atmospheric pressure, or a drive mechanism 30 that uses electromagnetic force such as an electromagnet may be used.

(11) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the protruding member 20 is driven back and forth along the protruding direction Z set in a direction orthogonal to the operation surface 11a has been described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the protruding direction Z may be set in a direction that is inclined without being orthogonal to the operation surface 11a. In this case, for example, when the touch pad 10 is disposed substantially horizontally on the center console portion as in the above-described embodiment, the protruding direction Z may be set to be inclined to the driver's seat side.

(12) In the above embodiment, the configuration using the capacitive touch pad 10 capable of detecting the detection object D that is in contact with or close to the operation surface 11a has been described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the resistive touch pad 10 may be used instead of the capacitive touch pad 10. Moreover, you may utilize the pressure sensitive touchpad 10 which can detect the to-be-detected object D which contacts the operation surface 11a.

(13) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the operation input device 4 is connected to the display input device 40 in which the display device and the input device such as the touch panel are integrated is described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, it is not essential to include a touch panel, and the operation input device 4 may be connected to a display device (display device) having at least the display screen 41.

(14) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the operation input calculation unit 50 includes the function units 51 to 61 has been described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the assignment of the function units described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and a plurality of function units can be combined or one function unit can be further divided.

(15) In the above embodiment, the operation input system 3 for performing an operation input to the in-vehicle navigation device 1 (an example of a navigation system) in which all configurations are mounted on the vehicle has been described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, a navigation system of a client / server type in which each configuration of the navigation device 1 described in the above embodiment is divided into a server device and an in-vehicle terminal device, a notebook personal computer, a game machine, and various machines. Other systems or devices such as control devices can also be targets of operation input by the operation input system 3 according to the present invention.

  The present invention can be suitably used for an operation input system provided with a touch pad as a pointing device.

3: Operation input system 4: Operation input device (input device)
10: Touchpad 11: Operation plate 11a: Operation surface 20: Projecting member 40: Display input device (display device)
41: Display screen 53: Projection control unit 58: State switching unit 59: Input pattern determination unit 60: Pattern input process execution unit 61: Projection input process execution unit 57: Process execution unit D: Object to be detected Q: Facility R: Road S: Road T: Road K: Specific reception area L: Switching reception area M: Map correspondence state N: Buried input reception state U: Parallel road Z: Projection direction

Claims (7)

A display device capable of displaying various images on a display screen;
A touch pad having an operation surface formed on the front surface, detecting a detected object in contact with or close to the operation surface and receiving an input corresponding to the detection position; and a predetermined along the operation surface A plurality of projecting members arranged in a rule and penetrating the operation plate so as to be able to project independently from the operation surface, and an input device for inputting to the display device;
Projection for controlling the position of the projecting member in the projecting direction with respect to the operation surface between a projecting state in which the height of the tip is higher than the operation surface and a buried state in which the height of the tip is equal to or less than the operation surface. A control unit;
When the map image is displayed on the display screen, the map corresponding state in which the projecting member is in the projecting state corresponding to the map content information included in the map image, and the operation surface regardless of the map content information A state switching unit that switches the operation surface state between the projecting member included in the specific receiving region that is a continuous surface region that is preset in the buried input accepting state in which the projecting member is in the buried state, and
The state switching unit
When the operation surface state is the map corresponding state and the projecting member detects the object to be detected in the buried region, the operation surface state is changed from the map corresponding state to the buried input. The first switching process is performed in which the protruding member included in the switching reception area different from the specific reception area is set to the protruding state while switching to the reception state.
When the operation surface state is the buried input reception state and a pressing operation on the projecting member is detected in the switching reception area, the operation surface state is switched from the buried input reception state to the map correspondence state. An operation input system that executes switching processing. An input pattern determination unit that determines an input pattern for the touchpad by the detected object based on a detection result of the detected object that is in contact with or close to the operation surface;
When the operation surface state is the map-corresponding state and the detected object is detected in the buried region, the state switching unit detects that the input pattern by the detected object is a multi-touch input, a slide input, a long The operation input system according to claim 1, wherein the first switching process is executed on the condition that the input is a push input.   A different process is assigned according to the input pattern, and when the operation surface state is the buried input acceptance state and the input pattern to which the process is assigned is input to the touch pad, the input pattern The operation input system according to claim 2, further comprising: a pattern input process execution unit that executes a process assigned to. A drawing control unit for controlling drawing of the display image on the display screen;
The said drawing control part displays the operation mark to which the said 2nd switching process was allocated in the position in the said display screen according to the position in the said operation surface of the said switching reception area | region. The operation input system according to claim 1.   The said state switching part performs said 2nd switching process, when the input to the said touchpad is not detected continuously for predetermined time after execution of said 1st switching process. The operation input system according to any one of the above. For each of the protruding members that are in the protruding state in the map corresponding state, a different process is assigned according to the map content information corresponding to the protruding member, and when a pressing operation on the protruding member is detected, A protrusion input process execution unit for executing a process assigned to the protrusion member;
The said state switching part performs said 1st switching process also when the pressing operation with respect to the said protrusion member to which the process according to the said map content information is not allocated in the said map corresponding | compatible state is detected. The operation input system according to any one of the above.   The said state switching part performs said 1st switching process also when it detects that pressing operation was simultaneously performed with respect to the said several protrusion member in the said map corresponding | compatible state. The operation input system according to one item.

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