JP2001101954A - Device for controlling equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for easy and convenient operation of connected equipments installed in a motor vehicle, etc. SOLUTION: A device according to the present invention comprises an operating lever 10 movable along plurality of moving paths crossing or adjoining each other and means for controlling selection and operation of function of the connecting equipment in response to moving operation of the operating lever 10. According to this constitution, selection of the connecting equipment or selection of other function of the connecting equipment can be manipulated in response to a position of the operating lever 10 to be moved. Further, it is possible to select and operate different function with simple operation in a few times, such as moving the operating lever 10 in frontward, rearward, right, and left directions, along the moving paths 18.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device control device for operating connected devices, and more particularly to a device control device for operating various on-vehicle devices mounted in a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, some connecting devices such as video equipment, audio equipment, and air conditioning equipment are arranged in a car or a home. These connected devices usually have a plurality of functions. Operation means including a plurality of levers, knobs, and the like are provided to select and operate a plurality of functions of these connected devices, and a desired function is selectively operated by performing a predetermined operation on each of the operation means. However, in order to reduce the burden of operation, a plurality of switches arranged adjacent to each other are operated to select a function, or a rotating knob is operated to operate a function according to a predetermined rotation angle 2. Description of the Related Art A device control device for making a selection is known.

In particular, in an automobile, there are a plurality of in-vehicle devices such as an air conditioner as an air conditioner, a car stereo as an audio device, and a car navigation device for notifying a destination. 2. Description of the Related Art A predetermined operation of a desired device is performed by holding and holding a remote control having a plurality of switches shared for selecting and operating a function of a vehicle-mounted device.

[0004]

However, in the conventional device control device, in order to select and operate a desired function among a plurality of functions of the connected device, the position of the lever or switch and the lever are operated and stopped. It was necessary to check the position to be operated directly, or to check whether the operation of the device after the selection operation was actually performed as desired.

In addition, it is difficult to store the operation position because there are a plurality of operation positions, and even if the user intends to store the operation position and perform the desired operation, he or she accidentally operates the adjacent operation means. In some cases, a different function was selected than desired.

In particular, in the operation of the on-vehicle equipment, it is necessary to make the operation easy to memorize in order to reduce the burden of the driving operation.

The present invention solves these problems,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device control device capable of reliably selecting a plurality of different functions with a simple operation.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus control device, comprising: an operation lever capable of moving along a plurality of moving paths intersecting or touching each other; and connected equipment in accordance with the operation of moving the operation lever. And a device control means for selectively performing the above function. With this configuration, different functions can be selected according to the movement position of the operation lever, and different functions are selected by combining simple and small operations such as front, rear, left, and right to operate the operation lever along the movement path Can be done.

Further, the device control device of the present invention, in the above configuration, has a configuration in which the operation lever moves along a moving path formed of a plurality of straight lines. With this configuration,
The operation of the operation lever becomes a linear movement, and different functions can be selectively operated by combining simple operations that move linearly.

[0010] In addition, the apparatus control device of the present invention, in each of the above configurations, has a configuration in which the operation lever moves along an opposing moving path and a moving path connecting the opposing moving paths. . According to this configuration, the same operation can be performed on the moving paths in which the operation levers face each other, and the opposing moving paths can be selected through the moving paths connecting the operating levers.

Further, the device control device of the present invention has a configuration in which the operation lever and the device control means are integrally formed in each of the above-described configurations. With this configuration, the configuration of the device control device can be reduced in size and simplified.

Further, in the device control device of the present invention, in each of the above-described configurations, the operation lever can be operated to have a component in a direction normal to the direction of the movement operation along the movement path in the operation direction, The device control means has a configuration in which the function of the connected device is selectively operated by the normal direction operation of the operation lever. According to this configuration, more functions can be easily selected and operated by enabling up and down operation in a direction different from the movement operation along the movement path.

Further, in the apparatus control device of the present invention, in each of the above-mentioned configurations, the apparatus control means has a configuration in which a function is selected according to any one of an operation of pushing, tilting, and rotating an operation lever. With this configuration, the device control operation can be performed by lever operation.

Further, the device control device of the present invention has a configuration in each of the above-mentioned configurations, wherein the device control means is a switch that can be pushed, tilted, or rotated. With this configuration, the device control operation can be performed by a simple switch operation.

Further, the equipment control device of the present invention has a configuration in which the operation lever is disposed on a wall of a center console or a cockpit in the vehicle. With this configuration, a driver or a passenger can operate the operation lever with a simple operation while the vehicle is running or stopped.

Further, in the device control device of the present invention, in each of the above-described configurations, the operation lever is incorporated in the operation box, the operation box is stored in a storage portion provided in the vehicle, and the operation lever is operated to operate the connection device. Is selected. With this configuration, the device control device can be reduced in size and installed at an arbitrary location in the vehicle.

Further, in the device control device according to the present invention, in each of the above-described configurations, the operation box includes a transmitting unit that transmits a device control signal, and the connected device includes a receiving unit that receives the device control signal. A device control signal generated in response to the operation of the operation lever is transmitted to the connection device to select one of the connection devices. With this configuration, it is possible to select a connected device by remote control operation.

Further, the apparatus control apparatus of the present invention, in each of the above-mentioned configurations, includes a control signal transmitting means for transmitting the apparatus control signal by the apparatus control means, and the connected apparatus outputs the apparatus control signal outputted from the control signal transmitting means. A control signal receiving means for receiving a signal through a control signal transmission line is provided, and the function of the connected device is selectively controlled by the device control signal. With this configuration, when the connected device is selectively operated by the device control signal corresponding to the operation of the operation lever, the device control signal is communicated by wire using an electric wire or an optical cable, or wirelessly using a radio wave or an optical signal (including an infrared signal). It is easy to connect multiple devices as connected devices because they are transmitted through a control signal transmission path, and operate in a position that is easy to operate, such as near the handheld device away from the connected devices, without following the installation position of the connected devices Lever can be installed. Also. Operation means provided beforehand on the front of the connected device or the like can also be used in combination.

Further, the equipment control device of the present invention has a configuration in which the operation lever and the equipment control means are integrated and separated from the connected equipment in each of the above structures. With this configuration, the operation lever and the device control unit are integrated into an operation unit. Therefore, only a single operation unit can be installed at a position that is easy to operate, such as near the hand, away from the connected device.

Further, in the apparatus control apparatus of the present invention, in each of the above-mentioned configurations, the connection device is an audio device, and the device control means controls the function of the audio device. With this configuration, it is possible to perform a selection operation of a function of an audio device having a plurality of functions such as selection of a sound source and adjustment of sound quality characteristics including volume adjustment.

Further, the equipment control device of the present invention has a configuration in each of the above-mentioned configurations, wherein the connection equipment is an audio equipment, and the equipment control means controls the volume of the audio equipment in accordance with a rotation operation of an operation lever. ing. With this configuration, the volume can be adjusted by a rotation operation that is similar to the operation of a rotation knob often used for volume adjustment.

Further, in the apparatus control device of the present invention, in each of the above-mentioned configurations, the operation lever has a rotation axis, and can be rotated around the rotation axis, and the apparatus control means is the operation lever. The function of selecting and operating the function of the connected device in accordance with the rotation operation of. With this configuration,
By providing a rotation operation different from a linear operation such as a moving operation along a moving path or a vertical operation, more functions can be easily selected and operated.

Further, in the device control device of the present invention, in each of the above-described configurations, the connection device is a vehicle-mounted device mounted in an automobile, and the operation lever and the device control means are mounted in the same vehicle as the vehicle-mounted device. Configuration. With this configuration, a movement operation similar to the operation of the operation lever for selecting the transmission gear in the driving operation can be performed also in the operation of the vehicle-mounted device, and a desired function can be easily selected and operated.

Further, the apparatus control device of the present invention has a configuration in each of the above-mentioned configurations, wherein the device control device is provided with a display device for displaying an operation position by the operation lever. With this configuration,
Since the operation position of the operation lever can be displayed on the display device, the operation state can be confirmed not only by touch but also visually.

Further, in the device control device according to the present invention, in each of the above-described configurations, the operation lever can be moved in a direction normal to the direction of the moving operation along the moving path, and the operation lever can be moved in the normal direction. A configuration is provided in which a function of the connected device is selectively operated in accordance with a movement position along a movement path at a plurality of movement positions. With this configuration, more functions can be selected with a small area and a simple moving path configuration.

Further, in the above-described apparatus control device, when the operation lever is moved in the moving path in each of the above configurations,
It has a configuration having lock means for fixing at the moving position. With this configuration, erroneous operation of the operation lever can be suppressed.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the concept of a device control device according to the present invention. The basic principle of the device control device according to the present invention is to use the operating lever 10 as a control device for operating connected devices. The operation lever 10 is provided at an arbitrary position in the automobile, moves along a moving path 18 in which a plurality of moving paths 18 intersect or contact each other, and is movably provided in a plurality of shift positions 11. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the moving paths 18 cross each other. At the top of the operation lever 10, a mode switch 20 as control means for connected equipment is mounted. Mode switch 20
Will be described later in detail.

The operation lever 10 is moved
Either the case where the grip portion, which is the distal end portion, moves and the other end portion is fixed, or the case where the other end portion moves together with the grip portion.

The driving operation of an automobile is usually performed by an operation lever, a steering wheel, and a foot pedal. Therefore, the driver is accustomed to the operation of the operation lever, and there is no resistance to controlling the connected device by the operation lever 10.
In addition, since an operation lever for driving control is present in the vehicle, it is preferable in terms of design that the operation lever 10 be present in the vehicle.

The mounting position of the operating lever 10 according to the present invention may be set at any position in the vehicle, but it may be installed in consideration of the fact that most of the operating levers for driving control are floor shifts. For example, when it is troublesome for two operating levers to come out of the floor, the operating lever of the present invention may be shifted to a column. In addition, the design of the operation lever according to the present invention can be devised and arranged near the operation lever for operation control, so that the vehicle compartment design can be given a characteristic. Of course, it may be provided in the cockpit.

Further, it is also possible to make it removable without fixing it in the vehicle. In this case, for example, a person sitting in a front passenger seat, a rear seat, or the like can operate with his / her hand. At this time, if you display the screen as described later,
Not only the operator, but also the driver and the passenger can easily instruct and confirm the operation.

FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining the first operation principle of the device control device according to the present invention. The operation lever 10 is always at the center position 12, and by selecting the front position 13, the rear position 14, the left position 15, and the right position 16, the selection of the connection device to be operated and the operation selection of the function of the connection device are set. can do. In this case, the selection of the connection device to be operated and the operation selection of the function of the connection device are set by stopping the operation lever 10 at any of the shift positions 12 to 16, but it is not always necessary to stop the operation lever at each shift position. Instead, the selection may be made by simply moving the shift position. A mode switch 15 is provided on the top of the operation lever 10 and selects the operation of the function of the connected device according to the shift position of the operation lever 10 by a push operation, a front-rear left-right operation, and a rotation operation.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an in-vehicle equipment control device according to the first embodiment with respect to the position of the operation lever 10 in FIG. When the operation lever is at the center position 12, the control position 21 of the navigation device is set.
Is shifted to the control position 22 for AM / FM radio reception, when the operating lever 10 is shifted to the rear position 14, the control position 23 for television reception, and when the operating lever 10 is shifted to the left position 15, CD. When the control position 24 for reproduction and the operation lever 10 are shifted to the right position 16, the control position 25 for MD reproduction is set. Specific control of the control of the navigation device, the control of AM / FM radio reception, the control position 23 of television reception, the control of CD reproduction, and the control of MD reproduction are performed by the mode switch 20.

As described above, the in-vehicle equipment control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention uses the control position 21 of the navigation device and the AM / FM as the shift position of the operation lever 10.
Control position 22 for radio reception, control position 2 for television reception
3. CD playback control position 24, MD playback control position 25
Is provided, the control of the navigation device and the television and audio devices in the vehicle can be centrally controlled by the operation lever 10 and the mode switch 20.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the in-vehicle equipment control device according to the second embodiment with respect to the position of the operation lever 10 in FIG. When the operating lever 10 is at the center position 12, the control position 31 of the navigation device is shifted. When the operating lever 10 is shifted to the front position 13, control of a broadcast receiving system such as AM / FM radio reception, television reception, digital broadcast reception, and the like. Position 32, when the operating lever 10 is shifted to the rear position 14, a control position 33 of an information service receiving system such as a telephone or network communication system, and when the operating lever 10 is shifted to the left position 15, CD, MD, DVD. When the operation lever 10 is shifted to the right position 16, the control position is set to the control position 34 of the package software reproduction system such as reproduction and the control position 35 of the air conditioning system such as an air conditioner. A control position 31 for a navigation device, a control position 32 for a broadcast reception system such as AM / FM radio reception, television reception, digital broadcast reception, a control position 33 for a telephone or information service reception system, a control position 34 for a package software reproduction system, Selection and control of specific equipment at each control position of the control position 35 of the air conditioning system such as an air conditioner are performed by the mode switch 20.

As described above, in the in-vehicle equipment control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the control position 31 of the navigation device, the control position 32 of the broadcast receiving system, the information service Control position 3 of receiving system
3. Since the control position 34 of the package software reproduction system and the control position 35 of the air conditioning system are provided, the control of various in-vehicle devices for setting the in-vehicle environment can be centrally controlled by the operation lever 10 and the mode switch 20. it can.

It is to be noted that the first and second embodiments can be combined by forming five or more shift positions and setting a moving path for each. Therefore, selection of a large number of connected devices such as audio systems, information services, and in-vehicle environments such as air conditioners can be performed with a single operation lever.

FIG. 5 shows a specific embodiment of the mode switch 20. The mode switch 20 has a disc-shaped switch 41 having a switch function by push operation and a switch function by front-rear and left-right operation, and a rotary ring 4 provided outside the switch to control an analog amount and mode setting by a rotation operation.
Two.

The disc-shaped switch 41 and the rotary ring 4
2 may be integrally formed as one knob switch, and the operations of pressing, tilting up, down, left and right, and rotating the knob switch may be performed.

The operation lever 10 itself may have the function of the mode switch 20. That is, the operating lever 10 itself can be operated in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the moving operation, for example, up and down, so that the disc-shaped switch 4 can be operated.
(1) The operation lever 10 has a rotation axis so that the operation lever 10 can be rotated around the rotation axis, and the function of the rotation ring 42 is provided by the rotation of the operation lever. Can also.

Further, the operation lever 10 and the mode switch 2
0 may be integrated into a single unit, and may be arranged near the runner in a state separated from the connected device. According to this configuration, even a person who is away from the connection device such as a rear seat can operate the connection device.

The operation lever 10 and the mode switch 20
Can be formed separately. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable to dispose the mode switch 20 near any one of the shift positions 13 to 16 of the operation lever 10. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the shift position 14 and the shift position 16 are arranged in the middle.

FIG. 7 shows an apparatus control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the mode switch 20 has a so-called remote control configuration. The mode switch 20 includes a switch 26 for controlling the function of the connected device, and a control signal generator 27 for generating a device control signal selected by the switch 26.
And a transmission switch 28 for transmitting a device control signal to the device. When transmission is instructed by the transmission switch 28, the device control signal generated by the control signal generation unit 27 is transmitted to the connected device via a transmission line by wire or wirelessly, and selectively controls the function of the connected device. According to this configuration, since the device control signal is transmitted through the transmission path in a wired or wireless manner, it is easy to connect a plurality of devices as connection devices, and the connection to the connection device is made irrespective of the installation position of the connection device. It can be installed near hand. On the other hand, on the connected device side, a remote control signal receiving window provided on the front of the connected device or the like can be used together.

FIG. 8 shows a device control apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the operation lever is made small and operated while being picked with a finger. The mounting position may be any position in the vehicle, but a position that is easy for the driver to operate is preferable. Specifically, the vicinity of the center of the cockpit or the vicinity of the center console, which is a position where one hand of the driver can reach and operate easily, is preferable. In particular,
The position adjacent to the vehicle-mounted device operated by the operation lever is preferable.

FIG. 8 shows an example in which the center console is incorporated in the upper cover. In FIG. 8, an operation lever 51 is incorporated in an operation box 50, and is detachably attached to the center console box upper cover 55. The operation lever 51 is movable along a moving path 52 formed by a cut formed in the operation box 50. The operation lever 51 includes a rod-shaped portion 511 having a diameter of about several mm so as to be picked and operated by a finger, and a knob 512 provided at the tip thereof. The knob portion 512 is formed by gradually increasing the thickness of the rod portion 511 toward the tip, or forming the rod portion 511.
It is formed by inserting a separately formed knob at the tip.

On the other hand, an operation box storage portion 55 is formed on the upper cover of the center console box 54, and a plurality of, for example, four contact terminals 56, 57,
58 and 59 are formed. The operation box 50 is attached by sliding the operation box 50 into the operation box storage portion 55 from the front, or by pushing the operation box from above.

When the operation lever 51 is moved along the moving path 52 in a state where the operation box 50 is attached to the center console box upper lid 55, the tip of the operation lever 51 becomes the four contact terminals 56, 57 of the center console box upper lid 55. , 58, 59, and the in-vehicle device corresponding to the connection terminal is selected.

The function control of the on-vehicle device after the on-vehicle device is selected is performed by providing the mode switch 20 as in the case described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 9 shows an apparatus control apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which an operation box is arranged adjacent to a car stereo section of a cockpit. The operation box 60 has an operation lever 61 and a moving path 62 similarly to the operation box 50 of FIG. On the other hand, an operation box storage section 65 is provided adjacent to the panel 64 of the car stereo apparatus, and a plurality of contact terminals 66, 67, 68, 6
9 are formed. When the operation box 60 is pushed into the operation box storage section 65 and stored, and the operation lever 61 is moved along the movement path 62, the tip of the operation lever 61 is moved to the contact terminals 66, 67, 6 in the operation box storage section 65.
8 or 69, the user can select a predetermined vehicle-mounted device.

Also in this embodiment, the function control of the vehicle-mounted device after the vehicle-mounted device is selected is performed by providing the mode switch 20 as in the case described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an example in which the operation boxes 50 and 60 are configured to be detachable from the operation box storage sections 55 and 65. It is easy to make the boxes 50 and 60 have a remote control structure. That is, the operation lever 5
By moving the control signals 1 and 61 along the moving paths 52 and 62 and transmitting control signals such as infrared rays from one side wall of the operation boxes 50 and 60 toward the devices to be operated, the devices can be remotely controlled. Can be.

It should be noted that the operation boxes 50 and 60 can of course be integrally incorporated into the operation box storage sections 55 and 65 in a non-detachable manner. In this case, there is no risk of losing the operation boxes 50 and 60.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show the operation levers 10 and 5.
It is an example of a display screen showing the relationship between the shift positions of Nos. 1 and 61 and the connected devices selected thereby. FIG. 10A is a display screen for controlling the audio system in the vehicle, which is a display screen corresponding to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.
When the operation levers 10, 51, 61 are at the center position, the navigation device is used.
The display screen indicates that FM radio, TV when shifted to the rear position, CD when shifted to the left position, and MD when shifted to the right position 16 are selected. If you make a mistake, you can make a selection while looking at the screen.

FIG. 10B is a display screen for controlling the in-vehicle environment, which is a display screen corresponding to the second embodiment described with reference to FIG. When the operation levers 10, 51, 61 are in the center position, the navigation device is used. When the operation levers are shifted to the front position, a broadcast receiving system such as AM / FM radio, television reception, digital broadcast reception, or the like is used. Information service receiving system such as telephone or network communication system, package software reproduction system such as CD, MD, DVD reproduction when shifted to the left position, and air conditioning system such as air conditioner when shifted to the right position were selected. Is displayed on the display screen.

The display screens shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B can be configured so as to be used also as a display screen of the device control device or to be fitted in a part thereof. Further, it may be provided separately from the display screen of the device control device and provided on a center console or a cockpit in the vehicle.

FIGS. 11A to 11H show the mode switch 2
10 shows an example of a display screen in various embodiments relating to 0.

FIG. 11A shows an embodiment in the case of controlling a DVD, CD and MD reproducing apparatus. Every time the disc-shaped switch 41 of the mode changer 20 is pushed, the screen changes to D.
VD → CD → MD → DVD → CD →. FIG. 7A shows an example of a DVD. When the disc-shaped switch 41 is operated left or right while looking at the display screen, the disc is selected. To select a desired song or scene from the selected desk, the disc-shaped switch 41 may be operated before or after. The track search is performed in the forward direction when operated before, and in the reverse direction when operated later. The volume can be adjusted by rotating the rotating ring 42 during reproduction.

FIG. 11B shows an embodiment in which the navigation device is controlled. Each time the disc-shaped switch 41 of the mode switch 20 is pushed, the display screen alternately switches between the menu mode and the joystick mode.
In the menu mode, the menu is switched by operating the disc-shaped switch 41 forward, backward, left and right. For example, when operated to the left, a map around the current location is displayed, when operated in front, a partially enlarged view is displayed, and when operated to the right, data such as the required time to the destination and the traveling distance are displayed. If you operate later, you will return to the first screen. In the joystick mode, the displayed map screen can be moved in the joystick operation direction. By rotating the rotating ring 42, the volume of the sound such as the route guidance in the navigation device can be adjusted.

FIG. 11C shows an embodiment in which the communication device is controlled by a car telephone. Mode switch 20
Each time the disc-shaped switch 41 is pushed, the call can be switched between calling and ending. When the disc-shaped switch 41 is operated forward, the address of the other party is displayed. If this is different from the desired one, the disc-shaped switch 41 is operated left or right to search for the desired one from the registered address and telephone number of the other party. Searches are performed in the forward direction on the left and in the reverse direction on the right. When operated later, a menu for adjusting various functions of the telephone is displayed. By rotating the rotary ring 42, the reception volume is adjusted and the function of the telephone displayed on the menu is adjusted.

FIG. 11D shows an embodiment in which the AM / FM radio and television receivers are controlled. Each time the disc-shaped switch 41 of the mode switch 20 is pushed, the display screen is switched in the order of radio → television → radio → television →. When the disc-shaped switch 41 is operated left or right, presetting of the receiving station can be performed. Preset stations can be selected on the left side on the low frequency side and on the right side on the high frequency side. When searching for a receiving station without presetting, the disc-shaped switch 41 may be operated before or after. The receiver is searched for on the high frequency side when operated before, and on the low frequency side when operated afterwards. By rotating the rotation ring 42 during reproduction, the volume of the sound of the receiving station can be adjusted.

FIG. 11E shows an embodiment in which control is performed when information is transmitted and received in a communication type navigation device or the like. Disc switch 41 of mode changer 20
Is pushed at the time of screen switching or selection of transmission information and reception information. The menu is switched by operating the disk-shaped switch 41 forward, backward, left and right. For example, when operated to the left, a map near the current position is displayed, when operated to the front, a part of the map is enlarged and displayed, and when operated to the right, traffic jam information is displayed. If you operate later, you will return to the first screen.
By rotating the rotating ring 42, the volume of the received guide voice can be adjusted.

FIG. 11F shows a screen display in the embodiment in which the power supply, sound quality, and image quality are set. The disc-shaped switch 41 of the mode switch 20 is turned on and off by pushing. The disc-shaped switch 41 is
Operating to the left sets the environment setting mode, operating to the right sets the mode to turn off the screen display, operating to the front sets the sound quality adjustment mode, and operating to the rear sets the image quality adjustment mode. The mode adjustment in each mode can be performed by digitally rotating the rotating ring 42.

FIG. 11G shows an embodiment in which vehicle information and maintenance information are set. Mode switch 20
When the switch 41 is operated to the left, a maintenance mode for displaying the maintenance status of the vehicle is displayed. When the switch 41 is operated to the right, a personal mode for displaying information particularly set by the owner of the vehicle is displayed. The mode is set to the vehicle information mode for managing information, and to the mode for returning to the first screen when operated later. The mode adjustment in each mode is performed by digitally rotating the rotary ring 42, and the selection can be performed by pushing the disk switch 41.

FIG. 11H shows an embodiment in the case of controlling the air conditioner. Disc switch 4 of mode changer 20
Every time 1 is pushed, the mode switches from cooling to heating to cooling →. Operate the disc-shaped switch 41 to the left to adjust the wind direction to the wind direction mode, operate it to the right to adjust the air flow to adjust the air volume, operate it to the front to adjust the temperature, and operate it later to automatically adjust the temperature. Is set to the auto mode. The mode adjustment in each mode is performed by rotating the rotating ring 42.

FIGS. 12 to 15 correspond to FIGS. 2, 8 and 9 respectively.
Operation levers 10, 51, 61 and shift position 11 shown in FIG.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another variation regarding the moving paths 18, 52, and 62. In addition. In the following description, FIG.
Will be described, but the same applies to the operation lever and the moving path in the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9. In each figure, a circle indicates a shift position, and lines and arrows indicate a moving path and a moving direction of the operation lever 10. In each case, a plurality of moving paths intersect or are adjacent to each other.

FIG. 12 shows an example of shifting to five positions having four symmetrical arrangements with the center position as the center. FIG. (B), the shift position is arranged symmetrically with respect to the center and diagonally to the center, and the moving path is H-shaped. (C), the shift position is at the center and the 45-degree direction with respect to it. Are symmetrically arranged and the movement path is a cross and a square direction surrounding the cross. FIG.
1 (A) shift position is arranged in front, back, left and right or up, down, left and right with respect to the center, and those where the movement path crosses in a cross shape are the most popular when moving to five positions, floor and console boxes Of course, it is the most familiar when installed on any of the cockpit panel surfaces. In the case where the moving path in FIG. 12C is H-shaped, it is similar to a floor shift operation of an automobile, so that it is easy to learn how to operate the operation lever 10.

FIGS. 13A to 13J show examples in which adjacent patterns at shift positions are arranged in a relationship of 90 degrees or 180 degrees with respect to adjacent positions. FIG. 13A shows a T-shaped arrangement. FIG. 13 (B) is a vertical three-crank arrangement, FIG. 13 (C) is a U-shaped arrangement, FIG. 13 (D) is a symmetric L-shaped arrangement, and FIG.
13 (F) shows a one-row arrangement, FIG. 13 (G) shows a crank-shaped arrangement, FIG. 13 (H) shows a substantially F-shaped arrangement, and FIG. 13 (J) shows a modified crank-shaped arrangement. The movement path for each shift position is as shown by the line and the arrow. The single-row arrangement shown in FIG. 13 (F) is similar to the shift lever of an automatic car, and has a structure that is easy for a driver of the automatic car.

FIGS. 14A to 14D show examples of shift positions in a case where adjacent patterns are mixed in a relationship of 90 degrees or 180 degrees and 45 degrees. 14 (A) is a modified crank-shaped arrangement, FIG. 14 (B) is a modified F-shaped arrangement, FIG. 14 (C) is a bale-stacked arrangement, and FIG. 14 (D) is a triangular arrangement with a beard. It is a variation of the shift direction.

FIGS. 15A to 15Z show various arrangement examples of five shift positions. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the direction of the moving path with respect to each shift position can be changed a lot for one shift position, and can be changed for each shift position in FIGS. 15 (A) to (Z). Similarly, many moving paths can be formed.

In each of the above arrangements, the shift positions correspond to five positions. However, in the present invention, it is needless to say that the number of shift positions is not limited to five positions and can be appropriately increased or decreased according to the control target.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment in which the operating lever is movable in the axial direction, that is, in the normal direction to the moving path, and is moved along the moving path in the state of moving in the normal direction. Show. According to this embodiment, there are three normal lines: a position where the operation lever is pulled forward (above the normal direction), a center position, and a position where the operation lever is pushed forward (below the normal direction) at the center position of the moving path. In the case where the direction position is set, three times the number of functions can be selected with respect to the number of movement positions along the movement path. In the example shown in FIG. 16, when the traveling path is viewed perpendicularly to the plane of the paper, there are only five positions: the center, the upper right, the lower right, the upper left, the lower left, and the operation lever is pulled toward the center of the traveling path. When the pressed state, the center position, and the state pushed forward are combined, 5 positions can be selected for each of the three axial positions, so that a total of 15 positions can be selected, and 15 functions can be selected.

In FIG. 2, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 12 to FIG. 15, the shift position along the moving path is five positions. The shift position can be expanded to the position. Therefore, more function selections can be realized with a small area and a simple moving path configuration.

FIGS. 17 to 19 each show an example in which the position at which the operation lever can move in the normal direction in the moving path is different from that of FIG.

In FIG. 17, a position below the normal direction is at the center of the moving path, a position at the center in the normal direction is at the upper left of the moving path, and a position above the normal direction is only at the center of the moving path. To each other, and at each normal position,
The operation lever can be operated along moving paths provided at the center, upper right, lower right, upper left, and lower left.

In FIG. 18, the operation lever is provided along the moving path provided at the center, upper right, lower right, upper left, and lower left at positions below the normal direction, the center in the normal direction, and the position on the normal direction. Can be operated, except that in the position below the normal direction, it is possible to move each other to the upper left position of the movement path in the center of the normal direction in the center of the movement path, and to move to the center of the movement path in the position of the center in the normal direction. At the upper left of the moving path in the normal direction.

In FIG. 19, the operation lever can be operated in the normal direction at the upper left position of the moving path at the center in the normal direction, and the normal line can be operated at the lower right position of the moving path at the center in the normal direction. The operation lever can be operated in the downward direction, and the function is selected without moving along the moving path at the positions above and below the normal direction.

In FIGS. 17 and 18, at each normal direction position, the operating lever may be made operable on the corresponding moving path in the vertical direction, and at that time, the operating lever may be operated in accordance with the position of the moving path. The functions selected by the operation along the movement path after moving to the vertical position in the linear direction and after the movement may be different, and the number of selectable functions may be increased.

In each of the above structures, a lock mechanism may be provided to prevent the operation lever from moving from the shift position and malfunctioning. That is, when the operation lever is operated to the shift position, the operation lever does not move from the shift position unless a predetermined force such as a latch mechanism is applied, so that the operation lever is easily paused at the time of operation, or the operation lever is unlocked. By providing a lock mechanism having a function to prevent movement unless the lock is released, erroneous operation of the operation lever can be suppressed.

[0080]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the function of the connected device is selectively operated in accordance with the operation of the operation lever capable of performing the operation of moving along a plurality of moving paths that intersect or contact each other. The selection of the connected device and the different functions of the connected device can be selected according to the moving position of the operating lever, and the simple and few operations such as front, rear, left and right to operate the operating lever along the movement path,
It is possible to provide a device control device having an excellent effect that different functions can be selectively operated in an operation state including stopping at the different operation stop positions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the concept of a device control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a first operation principle of the device control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an operation of the device control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the device control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a control unit of the device control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a second operation principle of the device control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a device control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention (remote control).

FIG. 8 is a perspective view (console) of a device control device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view (cockpit) of a device control device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displaying a shift position of an operation lever of the device control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in various embodiments of the control unit of the device control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an example of an arrangement pattern of shift directions and shift positions of operation levers of the device control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a variation in another example of the arrangement pattern of the shift direction and the shift position of the operation lever of the device control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a variation in still another example of the arrangement pattern of the shift direction and the shift position of the operation lever of the device control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing still another variation of the arrangement pattern of the shift position of the operation lever of the device control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing still another variation of the shift position of the operation lever of the device control device according to the present invention.

17 is a plan view showing still another variation of the shift position of the operation lever in FIG.

18 is a plan view showing still another variation of the shift position of the operation lever in FIG.

19 is a plan view showing still another variation of the shift position of the operation lever in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 Operation lever 11 Shift position 12 Center position 13 Front position 14 Rear position 15 Left position 16 Right position 18 Moving path 20 Mode switch 26 Switch 27 Control signal generator 28 Transmission switch 41 Disk switch 42 Rotating ring 50, 60 Operation box 51 61 operation lever 52, 62 moving path 54 center console box 55 operation box storage section 56, 57, 58, 59, 66, 67, 68, 69 contact terminal 64 panel 65 operation box storage section 511 rod-shaped section 512 knob section

Claims (19)

[Claims] An operation lever capable of moving along a plurality of moving paths that intersect or contact each other is provided, and a device control means for selecting and operating a function of a connected device according to a movement operation of the operation lever. An apparatus control device, characterized in that: 2. The device control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation lever moves along a moving path composed of a plurality of straight lines. 3. The device control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation lever moves along an opposing moving path and a moving path connecting the opposing moving paths. 4. The device control device according to claim 1, wherein said operation lever and said device control means are integrally formed. 5. The operating lever is operable to have a component in a direction normal to the direction of the moving operation along the moving path in the operating direction, and the device control means may include a component in a direction normal to the operating lever. 5. The device control device according to claim 1, wherein a function of the connected device is selectively operated by an operation. 6. An apparatus control device having a depression switch portion provided on a grasping portion of the operation lever, and a rotating ring portion for selecting a function by a rotation angle is provided on the grasping portion of the operation lever. Item 6. The device control device according to any one of Items 1 to 5. 7. The device control means includes: pressing an operation lever;
7. The device control device according to claim 1, wherein a function is selected according to any one of a tilting operation and a rotation operation. 8. The device control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation lever is disposed on a wall of a center console or a cockpit in the vehicle. 9. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation lever is incorporated in an operation box, the operation box is stored in a storage portion provided in a vehicle, and the connected device is selectively operated by operating the operation lever. Item 9. The device control device according to any one of Items 1 to 8. 10. The operation box includes transmission means for transmitting a device control signal, and the connection device includes reception means for receiving the device control signal, and transmits a device control signal generated in response to operation of the operation lever. 10. The device control device according to claim 1, wherein the device is transmitted to the connection device and selects one of the connection devices. 11. A control signal receiving unit, wherein the device control unit includes a control signal transmitting unit that transmits a device control signal, and the connected device receives a device control signal output from the control signal transmitting unit through a control signal transmission path. The device control device according to claim 1, further comprising a unit, wherein a function of the connected device is controlled by the device control signal. 12. The device control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation lever and device control means are integrated and separated from a connected device. 13. The device control device according to claim 1, wherein the connection device is an audio device, and the device control means controls a function of the audio device. 14. The operation lever has a rotation axis and can be rotated around the rotation axis, and the device control means selects and operates a function of the connected device by rotating the operation lever. The device control device according to claim 1, wherein: 15. The device control according to claim 14, wherein the connection device is an audio device, and the device control means controls a volume of the audio device in accordance with a rotation operation of an operation lever. apparatus. 16. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said connection device is a vehicle-mounted device mounted in a vehicle, and said operation lever and said device control means are mounted in the same vehicle as said vehicle-mounted device. The device control device according to any one of the above. 17. The device control device according to claim 1, further comprising a display device that displays an operation position of the operation lever. 18. The operating lever is movable in a direction normal to a direction of a moving operation along a moving path, and moves along the moving path at a plurality of moving positions in the normal direction of the operating lever. 18. The device control device according to claim 1, wherein a function of the connected device is selectively operated according to a moving position. 19. The apparatus control device according to claim 1, further comprising a lock means for fixing the operating lever at the moving position when the operating lever is moved in the moving path.