JP7137962B2 - Switching device and control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a switch device and a control device.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many devices have been developed to improve the convenience of users in operating functions. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a character input device that displays characters corresponding to a plurality of buttons on a display monitor and inputs characters corresponding to buttons pressed by a user.

JP-A-2003-256119

However, in the input device described in Patent Document 1, in order to select the character set corresponding to the above button, it is necessary to operate a rotary switch provided separately from the above button, so the input operation is simplified. It can be said that there is still room for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved switch device capable of realizing intuitive function control with fewer operations. and to provide a control device.

In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, an operation unit including a plurality of switches having a plurality of contacts; a display unit that displays a plurality of icons corresponding to each of the plurality of switches; wherein the plurality of contacts includes a first contact that switches between an energized state and a non-energized state according to a first physical quantity, and a second physical quantity that exceeds the first physical quantity, and switches between the energized state and the non-energized state. and a second contact, and when the slide operation is detected based on the fact that the first contacts of the plurality of switches are sequentially energized, the display section displays the plurality of first contacts. The icon is slid and displayed based on the direction in which the contacts are energized in order, and when the decision operation is detected based on the fact that any of the second contacts is energized, the display unit displays the energized state A switch device is provided for displaying the icon corresponding to the second contact that has been brought into the state, related to the decision operation.

Further, the operation section and the display section may be arranged close to each other, and the display section may display the plurality of icons at display positions respectively corresponding to the physical positions of the plurality of switches.

Further, the display unit may display some of the plurality of icons, which are present in a number equal to or greater than the number of the switches, in association with the switches based on the slide operation.

Further, the plurality of icons may correspond to different functions, the functions may be selected based on the slide operation, and execution/non-execution may be switched based on the determination operation.

Further, the function may have a level related to execution, and the level may be adjusted based on the slide operation.

Further, the display unit may display the icon on the function selection screen based on the display/non-display setting of the icon determined by the slide operation and the determination operation on the display setting screen.

Further, the display unit may preferentially display the icon determined based on the recognized environment among the plurality of icons.

In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of icons corresponding to each of a plurality of switches having a plurality of contacts are displayed based on signals detected by a plurality of switches having a plurality of contacts. wherein the plurality of contacts includes a first contact that switches between an energized state and a non-energized state according to a first physical quantity, and a energized state that is controlled by a second physical quantity that exceeds the first physical quantity. and a second contact that switches between a non-conducting state and a non-conducting state. The icon is slid and displayed based on the direction in which the first contacts are sequentially energized, and the control unit detects a determination operation based on which one of the second contacts is energized. In this case, there is provided a control device that performs display control related to the determination operation of the icon corresponding to the second contact that is in an energized state.

As described above, according to the present invention, intuitive function control can be realized with fewer operations.

1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a switch device according to the embodiment; FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating slide operation which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating determination operation which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the level adjustment regarding execution of the function which concerns on the same embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of control by the switch device according to the same embodiment; It is a figure for demonstrating customization of the display icon which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the icon display based on the recognition environment which concerns on the same embodiment. It is an example of sectional drawing of the switch which concerns on the same embodiment.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, constituent elements having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, thereby omitting redundant description.

<1. embodiment>
<<1.1. Overview＞＞
First, the outline of the present invention will be explained. As described above, in recent years, many devices have been developed to improve the convenience of the user in operating functions. Such devices include, for example, a character input device for an in-vehicle information device disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to the character input device described in Patent Literature 1, it is possible to input characters more easily and improve convenience for the user.

However, as described above, in the character input device described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to separately operate the rotary switch and the button in order to input arbitrary characters. More specifically, the user visually recognizes a plurality of displayed character sets, selects an arbitrary character set from the plurality of character sets by operating a rotary switch, and then selects a plurality of characters included in the displayed character set. Furthermore, it is required to visually recognize and press a button corresponding to an arbitrary character.

In this manner, in order to input arbitrary characters in the character input device described in Patent Document 1, two different areas of the display monitor must be visually recognized and two switches provided at different positions must be visually recognized in the operation stage. Separate operation of the mechanism is required.

The technical idea according to the present invention was conceived by paying attention to the above points, and makes it possible to realize intuitive function control with fewer operations. For this reason, the switch device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an operation unit 110 that includes a plurality of switches having a plurality of contacts in multiple stages, and a display unit that displays a plurality of icons corresponding to each of the plurality of switches. 120; Here, the plurality of contacts includes a first contact that switches between an energized state and a non-energized state according to a first physical quantity, and a second contact that switches between an energized state and a non-energized state according to a second physical quantity that exceeds the first physical quantity. and at least the contacts of

Further, when the slide operation is detected based on the fact that the first contacts of the plurality of switches are sequentially energized, the display unit 120 displays the direction in which the plurality of first contacts are sequentially energized. , to slide display of icons. Further, when a determination operation is detected based on any second contact being energized, the display unit 120 displays an icon corresponding to the energized second contact related to the determination operation. One of the features is to perform

In other words, according to the switch device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, an icon slide operation is realized by tracing a plurality of switches with a weak physical quantity (first physical quantity), and any switch can be moved with a strong physical quantity (second physical quantity). (physical quantity), it is possible to realize an icon determination operation.

According to the above-described features of the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to intuitively select and control functions with fewer operations without providing a separate mechanism for icon selection.

<<1.2. Functional configuration example >>
Next, a functional configuration example of the switch device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of a switch device 10 according to this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the switch device 10 according to this embodiment includes an operation unit 110, a display unit 120, and a control unit .

(Operation unit 110)
One of the characteristics of the operation unit 110 according to the present embodiment is that it includes a plurality of switches having a plurality of contacts in multiple stages. As described above, the plurality of contacts includes a first contact that switches between an energized state and a non-energized state according to a first physical quantity, and a first contact that switches between the energized state and the non-energized state according to a second physical quantity that exceeds the first physical quantity. and a second contact that switches. In other words, the operation unit 110 according to the present embodiment can detect a user's pressing operation involving a relatively weak first physical quantity and a pressing operation involving a relatively strong second physical quantity. The operation unit 110 according to the present embodiment inputs to the control unit 130 signals related to the detected pressing operation involving the first physical quantity and the detected pressing operation involving the second physical quantity. A physical configuration example of the operation unit 110 according to this embodiment will be described in detail later.

(Display unit 120)
The display unit 120 according to this embodiment has a function of displaying a plurality of icons respectively corresponding to the plurality of switches included in the operation unit 110 . For this reason, the display unit 120 according to this embodiment includes a display device that presents visual information. Examples of the display device include a liquid crystal display (LCD) device and an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) device.

(control unit 130)
The control unit 130 according to the present embodiment has a function of detecting the above-described slide operation or decision operation based on a signal input from the operation unit 110 and performing display control of the display unit 120 based on the detection result.

Specifically, the control unit 130 according to the present embodiment can detect the slide operation based on the fact that the first contacts of the plurality of switches included in the operation unit 110 are sequentially energized. Further, when detecting the slide operation, the control unit 130 causes the display unit 120 to perform the slide display of the icon based on the direction in which the plurality of first contacts are sequentially energized.

In addition, the control unit 130 according to the present embodiment can detect the determination operation based on the energization of any of the second contacts included in the operation unit 110 . In addition, when the determination operation is detected, the control unit 130 performs display control related to the determination operation of the icon corresponding to the second contact in the energized state.

Also, the control unit 130 may control the function corresponding to each icon based on the result of the above detection.

The control unit 130 according to this embodiment is realized by, for example, one or two or more processors. Examples of processors include CPUs (Central Processing Units) and MCUs (Micro Controller Units).

The functional configuration example of the switch device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Note that the functional configuration described above with reference to FIG. 1 is merely an example, and the functional configuration of the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, the functions of the control unit 130 described above may be implemented by the operation unit 110 . In this case, the operation unit 110 may perform display control of the display unit 120 based on the detected slide operation or decision operation.

Also, the control unit 130 according to the present embodiment may be realized as a device separate from the operation unit 110 and the display unit 120 . In this case, the control unit 130 according to this embodiment can be regarded as a control device that controls the display of the display unit 120 based on the signal input from the operation unit 110 . The functional configuration of the switch device 10 according to this embodiment can be flexibly modified according to specifications and operations.

<<1.3. Slide operation and decision operation >>
Next, a slide operation and a decision operation according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In addition, below, the case where the switch apparatus 10 which concerns on this embodiment is provided in the vehicle interior of mobile bodies, such as a motor vehicle, is demonstrated as a main example.

In general, a plurality of switch mechanisms for controlling various functions of the mobile body are provided in the interior of the mobile body such as an automobile. By operating the switch mechanism, the user can control arbitrary functions such as setting of ABS (Antilock Brake System), operation of the headlights, operation of the air conditioner and audio, for example.

On the other hand, the switch mechanism as described above is generally physically arranged in static association with a predetermined function. Therefore, as the number of functions increases, so does the number of switch mechanisms.

Therefore, in the switch device 10 of the present invention, icons corresponding to a plurality of functions are displayed on the display unit 120, and the operation of the icons is realized by the switches provided in the operation unit 110, so that the switches related to the plurality of functions can be displayed. Makes it possible to integrate mechanisms. According to the above functions of the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to ensure the degree of freedom in vehicle design and improve the appearance.

Further, according to the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment, the physical switch 112 is provided separately from the display unit 120, unlike the screen operation on a touch panel or the like, so that the user can feel a physical tactile sensation from the switch 112. It is possible to perform intuitive blind operation while obtaining

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an overview of the switch device 10 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 shows layout features of the operation unit 110 and the display unit 120 according to the present embodiment, and images of icons displayed by the display unit 120 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 120 according to this embodiment displays icons Ia to Ie corresponding to a plurality of functions, respectively, at display positions corresponding to the physical positions of the plurality of switches 112a to 112e provided in the operation unit 110, respectively. One of the features is to display According to the features of the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment, arbitrary functions corresponding to the icons Ia to Ie can be intuitively controlled by the user by operating the switches 112a to 112e. Become. For this reason, the operation unit 110 and the display unit 120 according to the present embodiment may be arranged close to each other as illustrated.

Further, the display unit 120 according to the present embodiment may display some of the icons that are present in a number equal to or greater than the number of the switches 112 in association with the switches 112a to 112e based on the slide operation described above.

For example, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 120 displays five icons Ia to Ie among the icons corresponding to 12 functions, which are more than the number of the switches 112, in the display area. are displayed in association with In FIG. 2, the non-display icons and non-display areas that are not displayed by the display unit 120 are represented by two-dot chain lines.

At this time, the control unit 130 according to the present embodiment can slide-display icons based on the detected user's slide operation and control the icons associated with the switches 112a to 112e.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the slide operation according to this embodiment. The upper part of FIG. 3 shows an example of the icon display on the display unit 120 before the user performs the slide operation, and the lower part of FIG. 3 shows the icon display of the display unit 120 after the user performs the slide operation. An example is shown for each.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the user uses the finger F to sequentially press the switches 112b to 112d with relatively weak first physical quantities. That is, it can be said that the user is performing a slide operation using the first physical quantity.

At this time, the control unit 130 causes the switches 112b to 112d to be pressed in order by the first physical quantity based on the signal input by the operation unit 110 when the first contacts of the switches 112b to 112d are turned on. That is, it detects that the switches 112b to 112d have been slid rightward in the figure.

Further, the control unit 130 slides the icon displayed by the display unit 120 based on the rightward sliding operation detected as described above, and controls the association with the switch 112 . In the example shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 130 causes the display unit 120 to slide two icons to the right in the figure based on the two switches 112c and 112d being slid starting from the switch 112b. I am displaying. Focusing on the lower part of FIG. 3, it can be seen that the icons Id and Ie are out of the display area and the icons Iy and Iz are newly displayed in the display area as a result of the display unit 120 performing the above slide display. .

As described above, according to the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively use a limited display area and efficiently display a plurality of icons respectively corresponding to a plurality of functions.

Note that the control unit 130, for example, determines whether the first pressed switch 112 is pressed based on another switch 112 being pressed with the first physical quantity within a predetermined time period in which a certain switch 112 was pressed with the first physical quantity. A slide operation in the direction of the subsequently pressed switch 112 may be detected. For example, if the switch 112c is pressed within a predetermined period of time when the switch 112a is pressed with the first physical quantity (for example, the user's finger F is touching the switch 112, but the switch 112a is pressed with the first physical quantity even if it does not reach), it can be regarded as a slide operation in the right direction in the figure.

Further, for example, when a switch 112 is pressed with the first physical quantity and then the adjacent switch 112 is continuously pressed with the first physical quantity, the control unit 130 detects that the subsequent switch 112 is pressed with the first physical quantity. The display unit 120 may slide the icon while the first physical quantity continues to be pressed. The slide operation according to this embodiment can be flexibly deformed.

Next, a determination operation according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the determination operation according to this embodiment. The upper part of FIG. 4 shows an example of the icon display of the display unit 120 before the user performs the determination operation, and the lower part of FIG. 4 shows the icon display of the display unit 120 after the user performs the determination operation. An example is shown for each.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the user uses the finger F to press the switch 112c with a relatively strong second physical quantity. That is, it can be said that the user is performing a determination operation using the second physical quantity.

At this time, the control unit 130 detects that the switch 112c is pressed by the second physical quantity based on the signal that the operation unit 110 inputs when the first contact of the switch 112c is energized, that is, It detects that a decision operation has been performed on the switch 112c.

Further, the control unit 130 performs display control related to the determination operation of the icon Ic associated with the switch 112c based on the determination operation detected as described above. In the case of the example shown in the lower part of FIG. 4, the control unit 130 controls execution of the cooling function based on the decision operation on the switch 112c, and controls so that the icon Ic associated with the cooling function is highlighted and displayed. ing.

As described above, according to the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of functions displayed by icons are associated with the switches 112a to 112e based on the slide operation, and execution/non-execution of any function is switched based on the decision operation. becomes possible.

Also, the user may be able to adjust the execution level of any function using the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment.

For example, among the functions possessed by mobile objects, there are also functions that have execution levels, such as the temperature and air volume of an air conditioner. Therefore, in the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment, when the function selected by the decision operation has the above level, a screen for adjusting the level is displayed. Based on this, the above levels may be adjusted.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining level adjustment related to execution of functions according to the present embodiment. The upper part of FIG. 5 shows an example of a case where the user performs a decision operation on the switch 112d associated with the icon Id related to the temperature adjustment of the air conditioner. Further, in the lower part of FIG. 5, an example of an execution level adjustment screen, ie, an air conditioner temperature adjustment screen, displayed on the display unit 120 based on the above-described determination operation is shown.

The user can arbitrarily adjust the temperature of the air conditioner by performing a slide operation or a determination operation on the temperature adjustment screen shown in the lower part of FIG.

For example, the user may adjust the temperature higher by sliding the switches 112a to 112e in the right direction in the drawing, and lower the temperature by sliding the switches 112a to 112e in the left direction in the drawing.

Also, the user may adjust the temperature by, for example, performing a decision operation on the switches 112a, 112b, 112d, and 112e. In the case of the example shown in the lower part of FIG. 5, the user may be able to lower the temperature by 1° C. by performing the decision operation on the switch 112a, and lower the temperature by 0.5° C. by performing the decision operation on the switch 112b. Further, the user may adjust the temperature to be 0.5° C. higher by performing the decision operation on the switch 112d, and adjust the temperature to be 1° C. higher by performing the decision operation on the switch 112e. In this way, in the execution level adjustment by the decision operation, each switch 112 may be associated with a different level direction or degree of adjustment.

Further, in the case of the example shown in the lower part of FIG. 5, the user may be able to return to the function selection screen as shown in the upper part of FIG. 5 by performing the decision operation on the switch 112c.

The slide operation and decision operation according to the present embodiment have been described above. According to the above-described functions of the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment, the control of various functions of a mobile body or the like is centralized, and the user can intuitively control various functions with fewer operations. It is possible to perform operations related to

Next, the flow of control by the switch device 10 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the flow of control by the switch device 10 according to this embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the control unit 130 according to the present embodiment first determines whether or not the first contact of the switch 112 is energized (S1101). Control unit 130 makes the above determination based on a signal input from operation unit 110 .

Here, if it cannot be detected that the first contact is in an energized state (S1101: NO), the control unit 130 returns to step S1101.

On the other hand, if it is detected that the first contact is energized (S1101: YES), then the control unit 130 determines whether or not the second contact of the switch 112 is energized. (S1102).

Here, if it cannot be detected that the second contact has become energized (S1102: NO), then the control unit 130 detects that the second contact has become energized in step S1101. (S1103).

Here, if it cannot be detected that the first contact of the other switch 112 is in an energized state (S1103: NO), the control unit 130 returns to step S1101.

On the other hand, when it is detected that the first contact of the other switch 112 is energized (S1103: YES), the control unit 130 detects the slide operation by the user (S1104), and detects the detected slide operation. Based on the direction of (S1105), the display unit 120 executes the slide display of the icon. After controlling the slide display in step S1105, the control unit 130 returns to step S1101.

If it is detected in step S1102 that the second contact is energized (S1102: YES), then the control unit 130 controls the switch 112 to which the second contact is energized. It is determined whether the function has an execution level (S1106).

Here, if the function does not have a level related to execution (S1106: NO), the control unit 130 causes the user's determination operation to be performed on the switch 112 that detected that the second contact was energized in step S1102. It detects (S1107), and performs display control based on the determination operation (S1108). For example, the control unit 130 may control whether or not to highlight an icon associated with the switch 112 on which the decision operation has been performed, and may control whether or not to execute the function corresponding to the icon. After the control in step S1108, control unit 130 returns to step S1101.

On the other hand, if the function corresponding to the switch 112 whose second contact is energized has a level related to execution (S1106: YES), the control unit 130 causes the display unit 120 to transition to the execution level adjustment screen. control, and return to step S1101.

<<1.4. Customizing display icons >>
Next, the function of customizing display icons of the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. As described above, the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment slides and displays icons corresponding to a plurality of functions present in numbers greater than or equal to the number of switches 112, thereby allowing the user to select and control an arbitrary function. enable

On the other hand, for example, mobile objects often have a plurality of functions exceeding dozens of functions. This increases the time and effort required for searching. Moreover, it is assumed that there are functions that are used very infrequently or that are not used at all, depending on the user.

Therefore, the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment may provide a display setting screen for the user to freely customize whether or not to display icons on the function selection screen displayed by the display unit 120 . Note that the above-mentioned function selection screen means that the user selects an arbitrary function from a plurality of functions by performing a slide operation using the first physical quantity described above, and performs a decision operation using the second physical quantity. Refers to a user interface that can switch between execution and non-execution of functions.

The display setting screen may be a user interface that allows the user to set whether or not to display an icon corresponding to each function on the function selection screen, that is, whether or not to display the icon for each icon. One of the features of the display unit 120 according to the present embodiment is that the icons are displayed on the function selection screen based on the display/non-display setting of each icon determined by the user on the display setting screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining customization of display icons according to the present embodiment. The upper part of FIG. 7 shows a scene in which the user performs a determination operation using the finger F on the switch 112a associated with the icon Ix corresponding to the display/non-display setting function on the function selection screen.

Further, the lower part of FIG. 7 shows an example of a display setting screen to which transition is made by the decision operation. As described above, the display setting screen according to the present embodiment may be a screen for the user to customize whether or not icons are displayed on the function selection screen.

The user can switch whether or not to display the icon on the function setting screen by performing a decision operation on the switch 112 associated with the icon displayed on the display setting screen.

For example, in the example shown in the lower part of FIG. 7, the control unit 130 performs switching so that the icon Iy corresponding to the telephone function is not displayed on the function selection screen based on the user's decision operation on the switch 112b.

Further, similarly to the case of the function selection screen, the control unit 130 may cause the display unit 120 to perform slide display of icons displayed on the display setting screen based on the user's slide operation on the switches 112a to 112d. . Note that the control unit 130 may control the display unit 120 to return to the function selection screen when the user's decision operation on the switch 112e is detected.

As described above, the display unit 120 according to the present embodiment is characterized by displaying icons on the function selection screen based on icon display/non-display settings determined by the slide operation and the decision operation on the display setting screen. be one of

According to the display icon customization function of the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment, functions that the user does not normally use are not displayed on the display unit 120, so that the user can quickly find an icon corresponding to the desired function and display the icon. It is possible to control functions for

<<1.5. Icon display based on recognition environment >>
Next, icon display control based on the recognition environment according to the present embodiment will be described. In the above description, the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment displays a plurality of icons corresponding to a plurality of functions, respectively, and accepts a slide operation or a decision operation on the switch 112 associated with the icon, thereby allowing the user to perform any desired operation. Achieving function control was discussed.

On the other hand, for example, in a given environment, it is conceivable that functions used by the user (or functions permitted to be used by the user) are naturally limited to functions related to the environment. For this reason, the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment, when a predetermined environment is recognized, displays only the icons corresponding to the functions set for the environment, thereby allowing the user to use a large number of icons. It is possible to reduce the trouble of searching for the icon corresponding to the desired function from among them.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining icon display based on the recognition environment according to this embodiment. An example of icons Ia to Ie displayed on the display unit 120 by the control unit 130 based on the recognition of the environment A is shown in the upper part of FIG. On the other hand, the lower part of FIG. 8 shows an example of icons Ia to Ie displayed on the display unit 120 by the control unit 130 based on the environment B being recognized.

Here, when comparing the icons Ia to Ie related to the environment A in the upper part of the figure with the icons Ia to Ie related to the environment B in the lower part of the figure, different functions are associated with the environment A and the environment B. I understand.

As described above, the display unit 120 according to the present embodiment has a function of preferentially displaying an icon determined based on the recognized environment among a plurality of icons when a predetermined environment is recognized. may That is, the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment preferentially or restrictively displays icons corresponding to functions that are frequently used in a recognized predetermined environment, thereby allowing the user to select icons corresponding to desired functions. It is possible to reduce the trouble of finding out.

Note that the predetermined environment includes, for example, running of a moving object. The control unit 130 according to the present embodiment, for example, when the traveling of the mobile body is recognized based on information input from an accelerator, an acceleration sensor, etc., corresponds to a function frequently used when the mobile body is running. The icon may be preferentially displayed on the display unit 120 . The functions include, for example, operation of headlights, ABS, and the like.

In addition, for example, based on information input from an imaging device, an optical sensor, or the like, or weather recognized based on weather information, the control unit 130 displays icons corresponding to functions frequently used in the weather. You may make it display on the display part 120 preferentially. The functions include, for example, operation of headlights and wipers, operation of an air conditioner, and the like.

In addition, the control unit 130 displays icons corresponding to frequently used functions in a predetermined area or place on the display unit 120 based on location information input from a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signal receiving device, for example. may be preferentially displayed.

For example, when it is recognized from the position information that the moving object is located in a cold region, the control unit 130 causes the display unit 120 to preferentially display icons related to switching between 2-drive and 4-drive and switching between snow modes. may

Further, for example, when the control unit 130 recognizes from the position information that the mobile object is located at a gas station or a maintenance shop, the control unit 130 preferentially displays icons related to unlocking the fuel filler neck, the hood, and the like. good too.

It should be noted that icons to be preferentially displayed by the display unit 120 based on the environment may be set by the user. In this case, the user can customize by associating the predetermined environment with the display icon on the display setting screen described above.

Further, the control unit 130 according to the present embodiment can learn functions frequently used by the user in a predetermined environment, and can determine icons to be preferentially displayed on the display unit 120 based on the result of the learning. be.

Note that the control unit 130 may statically associate an icon preset for a predetermined environment with each switch 112, so that the user can use the function only by performing a decision operation without performing a slide operation. good. On the other hand, the control unit 130 may limit the number of displayed icons from the normal state so as to reduce the number of slide operations related to function selection, and may perform control such as changing the arrangement order.

Further, the control unit 130 according to the present embodiment may acquire from an external configuration that the predetermined environment has been recognized, or may have a function of recognizing the environment based on information input from a sensor or the like. good too.

According to the above-described functions of the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment, by dynamically displaying icons corresponding to functions that can be frequently used in the recognized environment, the convenience of users using the functions can be improved. can be effectively increased.

The functions of the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment have been described above in detail. In the above description, a case where the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment is arranged in a vehicle interior of a moving object such as a vehicle has been described as a main example, but the application of the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited to The switch device 10 according to this embodiment can be widely used in devices having multiple functions. The technical idea according to this embodiment can be applied to, for example, smart phones.

<<1.6. Physical Configuration Example of Switch 112 >>
Next, a physical configuration example of the switch 112 included in the operation unit 110 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is an example of a cross-sectional view of the switch 112 according to the present embodiment taken along the AA cross section shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, each of the switches 112 in this embodiment includes, for example, a knob 114 and a contact rubber 116 . Further, a substrate capable of detecting seating of the first contact and the second contact is provided below the contact rubber.

Here, the contact rubber 116 according to the present embodiment may have, for example, a first contact point and a second contact point corresponding to a double click. Further, between the knob 114 and the contact rubber 116, as shown in the figure, a configuration for causing the first contact of the contact rubber 116 to be seated on the substrate by pressing the knob 114 with a first physical quantity, and a second Arrangement is provided for seating the second contact of the contact rubber 116 against the substrate upon depression of the knob 114 by a physical quantity. The above configuration may be provided integrally with the knob 114 or may be provided separately from the knob 114 .

Also, the switch 112 according to the present embodiment may include fixing components for integrating the knob 114, the contact rubber 116, the substrate, and the like.

Also, the switches 112 according to the present embodiment may be arranged close to the display unit 120 so as to correspond to each icon displayed by the display unit 120, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the switch 112 according to this embodiment may be provided integrally with the display section 120 .

Note that the configuration shown in FIG. 9 is merely an example, and the configuration of the switch 112 according to this embodiment is not limited to this example. The switch 112 according to this embodiment can also be realized by, for example, a combination of a tact switch and a contact rubber. The configuration of the switch 112 according to this embodiment can be flexibly modified.

In the above description, the case where five of the plurality of switches 112 according to this embodiment are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction has been described as an example, but the number and arrangement of the switches 112 according to this embodiment are not limited to such an example. . For example, the switches 112 according to the present embodiment may be arranged continuously in the vertical direction, or may be arranged in an L shape or a cross shape that are continuous in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. Also, the switches 112 according to this embodiment may be arranged in two or more rows, for example.

<2. Summary>
As described above, the switch device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an operation unit 110 that includes a plurality of switches having a plurality of contacts, and a display unit that displays a plurality of icons corresponding to each of the plurality of switches. 120; The plurality of contacts include a first contact that switches between an energized state and a non-energized state according to a first physical quantity, and a second contact that switches between an energized state and a non-energized state according to a second physical quantity that exceeds the first physical quantity. and at least the contacts of

Further, when the slide operation is detected based on the fact that the first contacts of the plurality of switches are sequentially energized, the display unit 120 displays the direction in which the plurality of first contacts are sequentially energized. , to slide display of icons. Further, when a determination operation is detected based on any second contact being energized, the display unit 120 displays an icon corresponding to the energized second contact related to the determination operation. One of the features is to perform According to the above configuration, intuitive function control can be achieved with fewer operations.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can conceive of various modifications or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

Also, the effects described herein are merely illustrative or exemplary, and are not limiting. In other words, the technology according to the present disclosure can produce other effects that are obvious to those skilled in the art from the description of this specification, in addition to or instead of the above effects.

It is also possible to create a program for causing hardware such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM built into a computer to exhibit functions equivalent to those of the configuration of the switch device 10 or the control device. A recording medium readable by a computer may also be provided.

10 switch device, 110 operation unit, 120 display unit, 130 control unit, 112 switch, 114 knob, 116 contact rubber

Claims (5)

an operation unit including a plurality of switches having a plurality of contacts;
a display unit arranged in proximity to the operation unit and configured to display a plurality of icons at display positions corresponding to physical positions of the plurality of switches;
with
The plurality of contacts includes a first contact that switches between an energized state and a non-energized state according to a first physical quantity, and a second contact that switches between an energized state and a non-energized state according to a second physical quantity that exceeds the first physical quantity. including at least a contact and
When the slide operation is detected based on the sequential energization of the first contacts of the plurality of switches, the display section displays the direction of the energization of the plurality of first contacts. to slide the icon,
When the determination operation is detected based on the energization of any of the second contacts, the display unit responds to the determination operation of the icon corresponding to the energized second contact. display the
The plurality of icons correspond to different functions,
The function is switched between execution/non-execution based on the determination operation,
When the function has a level related to execution, the display unit displays a screen for adjusting the level based on the decision operation,
the level is adjusted based on the slide operation;
switch device. The display unit displays a part of the plurality of icons, which are present in a number equal to or greater than the number of the switches, in association with the switches based on the slide operation.
The switch device according to claim 1 . The display unit displays the icon on the function selection screen based on the display/non-display setting of the icon determined by the slide operation and the decision operation on the display setting screen.
The switch device according to claim 1 . The display unit preferentially displays the icon determined based on the recognized environment among the plurality of icons.
The switch device according to claim 1 . Based on a signal detected by an operation unit provided with a plurality of switches having a plurality of contacts, a plurality of switches are arranged in proximity to the operation unit and displayed at display positions corresponding to the respective physical positions of the plurality of switches. a control unit that controls the display of the display unit that displays icons;
with
The plurality of contacts includes a first contact that switches between an energized state and a non-energized state according to a first physical quantity, and a second contact that switches between an energized state and a non-energized state according to a second physical quantity that exceeds the first physical quantity. including at least a contact and
When the slide operation is detected based on the sequential energization of the first contacts of the plurality of switches, the control unit detects the direction in which the plurality of first contacts are energized in sequence. , to slide the icon,
When detecting a determination operation based on the energization of any of the second contacts, the control unit performs the determination operation on the icon corresponding to the energized second contact. display control ,
The plurality of icons correspond to different functions,
The function is switched between execution/non-execution based on the determination operation,
When the function has a level related to execution, the control unit causes the display unit to display a screen for adjusting the level based on the decision operation,
the level is adjusted based on the slide operation;
Control device.

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