JP2001159954A - Multifunction switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the visibility of a display while securing the operability of a multifunction switch. SOLUTION: An input panel 2 is constituted by arranging multiple switches one a plane so as to reflect an image on a display device 1 by the surfaces of respective switches. The display device 1 and the input panel 2 are arranged on respective positions allowing a user to observe the multiple switches and the image of the display device 1 which is reflected by the surfaces of the witches when looking at the panel 2 and the menu pictures of respective switches are displayed on the display device 1. Since such restriction to a conventional display device 1 that the device 1 should be arranged on a position close to user's hands can be solved, the display device 1 can be arranged on a position of the highest visibility and the multifunction switch (2) can be arranged on a position of the highest operability. Consequently the visibility of the display device 1 can be improved while securing the operability of the multi-function switch (2).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a multifunction switch that allows a switch menu image displayed on a display to be reflected on a switch panel surface and visually recognized.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A touch-panel type multi-function that displays a switch menu image on a display, detects a switch operated by a touch panel sensor placed on the front of the display, and performs processing corresponding to the operation switch. Switches are known.

However, in this type of touch panel switch, since the touch panel sensor is installed on the front of the display, dirt such as fingerprints adhere to the screen each time the switch is operated, making the screen difficult to see. There is. Furthermore, since the touch panel switches are installed on the screen of the display, the display must be installed within reach of the user in order to operate the switches, for example, where the visibility is best for the occupant driving the vehicle. There is also a problem that a display cannot be installed in a computer.

[0004] In some cases, a multi-function switch is arranged around a display screen, and a switch menu is displayed near each switch on the display screen. Even with this type of multifunction switch, there is a problem that the display must be installed within an accessible range in order to operate the switch, and the visibility of the display must be compromised to some extent.

An object of the present invention is to improve the visibility of a display while ensuring the operability of a multifunction switch.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 showing an outline of an embodiment of the present invention. (1) The invention according to claim 1 is a display device 1 for displaying an image
A control unit for controlling image display of the display 1; and an input panel in which a plurality of switches are arranged on a plane, the input panel being capable of reflecting an image of the display 1 on the surface of each switch. Control means for arranging the display 1 and the input panel 2 at positions where the plurality of switches and the image of the display 1 reflected on the surface thereof are visible when the input panel 2 is viewed. Displays the menu image of each switch on the display 1. (2) The multi-function switch of claim 2 is
A polarizing plate 3 for deflecting a predetermined color in the direction of the input panel 2 is disposed on the front of the display 1, and the control unit superimposes the menu image of each switch drawn in the predetermined color on the image of the display 1. It is intended to be displayed. (3) The multifunction switch according to claim 3 is
In addition to displaying the reference position of the display 1, the input panel 2
Are arranged at the two-dimensional coordinate position, and when the switch corresponding to the reference position of the display device 1 projected on the input panel 2 is operated by the control means, the relative coordinates with the switch as the reference point are obtained. The menu of another switch is specified. (4) The multi-function switch of claim 4 is used in a vehicle, wherein the display 1 is installed at the upper center of the instrument panel, and the input panel 2 is installed on the center console.

In the section of the means for solving the above-described problem, a diagram of one embodiment is used for easy understanding of the description, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. .

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input panel in which a plurality of switches are arranged on a plane.
An input panel that can reflect the image of the display on the surface of each switch is installed, and when viewing the input panel, multiple switches and the image of the display reflected on those surfaces can be viewed In addition, the display and input panel are arranged, and the menu image of each switch is displayed on the display, eliminating the limitation of the conventional device of arranging the display at an accessible position and improving visibility. The display can be arranged at the best position and the multi-function switch can be arranged at the position with the best operability, and the visibility of the display can be improved while ensuring the operability of the multi-function switch. (2) According to the multi-function switch of the second aspect, a polarizing plate for deflecting a predetermined color in the direction of the input panel is arranged on the front of the display, and a menu image of each switch drawn in the predetermined color is displayed on the display. Is superimposed on the image of the switch menu, so that there is no need to interrupt the display of images other than the switch menu and display the switch menu image, and the switch operation is not hampered, improving the operational feeling. it can. (3) According to the multi-function switch of claim 3, while displaying the reference position of the display, a plurality of switches of the input panel are arranged at two-dimensional coordinate positions, and the reference position of the display projected on the input panel is displayed. When a switch corresponding to is operated, the menu of another switch is specified by relative coordinates with the switch as a reference point, so that a plurality of operators perform operations while viewing the input panel from a plurality of viewpoints. However, the switch of the desired menu can be operated correctly. (4) According to the multi-function switch of the fourth aspect, the multi-function switch of the present invention is used in a vehicle, the display is installed at the upper center of the instrument panel, and the input panel is installed on the center console. Therefore, the indicator is placed at the position where the visibility from the driver's seat is the best, and the multifunction switch is placed at the position where the operability from the driver's seat is the best. And operability of the multi-function switch.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a multi-function switch of a vehicle will be described. Note that the present invention is not limited to vehicles, but can be applied to any device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an embodiment. The display 1 is a display that displays information and images related to in-vehicle devices such as a navigation device, a television, an audio device, and an air conditioner. The display device 1 is installed at a location where visibility from a driver's seat occupant is the best, such as the upper center of an instrument panel. The touch panel switch 2 is a multi-function switch for selecting various functions and setting values of the on-board equipment such as a navigation device, a television, an audio, an air conditioner, and the like. Install it in the place where the operability from the seat occupant and the passenger seat occupant is the best. The surface of each switch of the touch panel switch 2 is formed in a structure capable of reflecting an image on the display 1.

The polarizing plate 3 is placed on the front of the screen of the display 1 and deflects only specific light such as blue light in the direction of the touch panel 2. When a switch menu image is displayed in blue on the display 1 and an image other than the switch menu such as a road map of the navigation device is displayed in a color other than blue, the switch menu image is displayed on the touch panel switch 2 by the polarizing plate 3 as shown by a broken line. , Is reflected by the touch panel switch 2 and reaches the occupant's viewpoint 4, and an image such as a road map other than the switch menu image directly reaches the occupant's viewpoint 4 from the display 1 as shown by a solid line.

FIG. 2 shows the display 1 and the touch panel switch 2 as viewed from the driver's seat side occupant, and FIG. 3 shows the display 1 and the touch panel switch 2 as viewed from the passenger side occupant. In these figures, the switch menu of "Navi", "TV", "CD", "A / C" is displayed on the display 1 in blue, and the road map of the navigation device is displayed in a color other than blue. Is described as an example. In addition, the touch panel switch 2 arranges a total of 32 switches of eight horizontal and four vertical at a two-dimensional coordinate position, and for convenience, expresses the horizontal direction as an X axis with coordinate values of 1 to 8 and the vertical direction as well. The Y-axis is represented by the coordinate values A to D, and each switch is identified by using the X coordinate and the Y coordinate, for example, as “switch 4C”.

An image such as a road map displayed in a color other than blue on the display 1 is not deflected by the polarizing plate 3 and reaches the viewpoint 4 of the driver's occupant and the passenger's seat directly. On the other hand, the switch menu image drawn in blue is deflected by the polarizing plate 3 in the direction of the touch panel switch 2, is reflected by the touch panel switch 2, and reaches the viewpoint 4 of the driver occupant and the passenger occupant. At this time, the switch menu image of the display 1 is superimposed and visually recognized on the image of each switch of the touch panel switch 2, and it looks as if the switch menu is displayed on the surface of each switch of the touch panel switch 2.

An image such as a road map displayed in a color other than blue on the display 1 can be similarly viewed from the driver's seat side or the passenger's seat side. However, the images of the touch panel switch 2 and the switch menu are reflected on the touch panel switch 2 from the display 1 and reach the viewpoint 4 of the driver's seat occupant, and are reflected from the display 1 on the touch panel switch 2 and appear on the passenger's seat occupant's viewpoint 4. Since the reaching optical path is different, the image viewed from the driver's seat side is different from the image viewed from the passenger seat side.

When the touch panel switch 2 is viewed from the driver's seat side, as shown in FIG. 2, the switches 4C, 5C, 6C, and 7C of the touch panel switch 2 are provided with switch menus "Navi,""TV,""CD," The letters “A / C” are superimposed and visually recognized. On the other hand, when the touch panel switch 2 is viewed from the passenger seat side, as shown in FIG. 3, the switches 1C, 2C, 3C, and 4C of the touch panel switch 2 are respectively provided with "Navi", "TV", and "C" of the switch menu.
The letters “D” and “A / C” are superimposed and visually recognized.

In order to correct the shift of the switch menu display due to the viewing angle when the touch panel switch 2 is viewed from the driver's seat side and when the touch panel switch 2 is viewed from the passenger seat side, the viewing angle The display panel 5 for correction is installed outside the screen at the upper center of the display 1. The viewing angle correction display plate 5 is written in blue with “MENU”, and the image on the display plate 5 is deflected by the polarizing plate 3 in the direction of the touch panel switch 2. When viewed from the driver's seat side, the "MENU" character of the display panel 5 is visually recognized on the switch 6A as shown in FIG. 2, while when viewed from the passenger side, the display panel 5 is displayed on the switch 3A as shown in FIG. The "MENU" character is visible.

Here, the driver occupant and the passenger occupant are:
Before operating the touch panel switch 2 to select various functions and set values, a switch (hereinafter referred to as a “MENU switch”) indicated by the “MENU” character on the viewing angle correction display panel 5 is operated and the touch panel switch 2 is turned off. Is assumed to be started. When the occupant operates the MENU switch on the touch panel switch 2, as shown in FIG.
When the A switch is turned on, it can be determined that the driver is operating the driver's seat, and when the 3A switch is turned on, as shown in FIG. 3, it can be determined that the passenger is operating. Then, in the case of operation by the driver's seat occupant, the switch 6A of the touch panel switch 2 is used as a reference point for coordinates, and relative coordinates from the reference switch 6A are determined with respect to a switch operated thereafter, and a menu of operation switches is specified. . Also,
In the case of operation by a passenger in the passenger seat, the switch 3A of the touch panel switch 2 is used as a reference point of coordinates, and relative coordinates from the reference switch 3A are determined for a switch operated thereafter, and a menu of operation switches is specified.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment. Note that the same devices as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals and described. As described above, the touch panel switch 2 includes a total of 32 switches 1A to 8D, and each of the switches 1A to 8D
Is connected to the controller 6. The controller 6 includes a CPU 6a, a ROM 6b, a RAM 6c, and the like, executes a program described below, performs input processing from the touch panel switch 2, and controls display of the display 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an input processing program stored in the ROM 6b of the controller 6. The operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to this flowchart. The CPU 6a of the controller 6 operates the menu switch 6A or 3 of the touch panel switch 2.
When A is turned on, execution of the input processing program is started. In step 1, the coordinates of the operated MENU switch are set to reference points (Xs, Ys). At this time, when the MENU switch is operated by the driver in the driver's seat, the switch 6A of the touch panel switch 2 is turned on.
6 is set to the reference point coordinates Xs and A is set to Ys, and the reference point is set to the coordinates (6, A) on the touch panel switch 2. on the other hand,
When the MENU switch is operated by the passenger in the passenger seat, the switch 3A of the touch panel switch 2 is turned on. Therefore, 3 is set to the reference point coordinates Xs and A is set to Ys, and the reference point is set to the coordinates (3 , A).

In step 2, the switch menu relating to the image currently displayed on the display 1 is displayed in blue. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 described above, “Navi”, “TV”, “
This is a superimposed display of a switch menu image for selecting an in-vehicle device such as “CD” and “A / C.” In subsequent step 3, it is confirmed whether or not one of the touch panel switches 2 has been operated. Step 4 when operated
Proceed to. In step 4, the position coordinates (Xo, Yo) of the operated switch are stored.

In step 5, the position coordinates (Xo, Yo) of the operation switch are converted into relative coordinates (X, Y) from the reference point coordinates (Xs, Ys).

X = Xo-Xs, Y = Yo-Ys In the following step 6, the relative coordinates (X,
The menu is specified by Y). In this process, a menu table for the relative coordinates (X, Y) of the operation switches as shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the ROM 6b in advance, and the menu corresponding to the relative coordinates (X, Y) of the operation switches is read.

For example, if the driver in the driver's seat is the MENU switch 6
When the input operation is started by operating A, the reference point coordinates corresponding to the MENU switch are (6, A), and then the A / C (air conditioner) of the position coordinates (7, C) shown in FIG. When the switch is operated, since the relative coordinates of the A / C switch 7C are (+1, +2), the menu "A / C" of the operation switch 7C can be specified from the table shown in FIG.

In step 7, A / C function processing for the operation switch 7C is executed. For example, a switch menu image representing various air conditioner functions shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display 1, and the occupant is caused to select the air conditioner function. In step 8, the presence or absence of an operation of the touch panel switch 2 is confirmed. If there is an operation, the process returns to step 4 to perform the above-described processing on the operation switch.

As described above, a touch panel switch in which a plurality of switches are arranged at two-dimensional coordinate positions, a touch panel switch capable of reflecting an image on a display on the surface of each switch is installed, and the touch panel switch is viewed. A polarizing plate that arranges a display and a touch switch panel at a position where sometimes a plurality of switches and an image of a display reflected on the surface thereof can be visually recognized, and deflects a predetermined color toward a touch panel switch on the front of the display. Is arranged and the menu image of each switch drawn in a predetermined color is superimposed on the image of the display, so that the restriction of the conventional device of arranging the display at an accessible position is solved, and the While placing the display in the best position,
The multi-function switch can be arranged at the position where the operability is the best, and the visibility of the display can be improved while ensuring the operability of the multi-function switch. Further, since there is no need to interrupt the display of the image other than the switch menu and display the switch menu image, the switch operation is not hampered, and the operational feeling can be improved.

In addition to displaying the reference position of the display, a plurality of switches of the touch panel switch are arranged at two-dimensional coordinate positions, and when a switch corresponding to the reference position of the display projected on the touch panel switch is operated, the switch is operated. Since the menu of other switches is specified by relative coordinates with the switch as the reference point, even if the driver looks at the touch panel switch from the viewpoint of the driver's seat occupant and the passenger's seat occupant, the switch of the desired menu is correctly set. Can be operated.

In the above embodiment, the display 1 constitutes a display, the touch panel switch 2 constitutes an input panel, and the controller 6 constitutes control means.

In the above-described embodiment, the polarizing plate 3 is used.
Although the example in which the switch menu image is deflected in the direction of the touch panel switch 2 using is described, it is not always necessary to provide a polarizing plate. When the polarizing plate is not used, the display of images other than the switch menu is temporarily stopped and only the switch menu image is displayed, and the occupant visually recognizes the image of the touch panel switch and the switch menu image reflected by the touch panel switch in an overlapping manner. Then, input processing of menus and setting values is performed. When the input processing is completed, the display of the switch menu image is terminated, and a general image such as a road map is displayed on the display.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the viewing angle correction display plate 5 is installed outside the screen of the display 1 has been described. However, the viewing angle correction display plate is provided at the upper center in the switch menu screen. You may make it draw and display it on a screen.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the touch panel switch 2 is used as the multi-function switch has been described. However, the multi-function switch is not limited to the touch panel switch. Any switch may be used as long as the switch reflects light.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which a plurality of touch panel switches are arranged at two-dimensional coordinate positions. However, when the number of switches is small, the switches need not always be arranged at two-dimensional coordinate positions. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a display and a touch panel switch as viewed from a driver's seat side.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a display and a touch panel switch viewed from a passenger seat side.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an input process according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a switch menu with respect to relative coordinates of operation switches.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the switch function for the relative coordinates of the operation switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 display 2 touch panel switch 3 polarizing plate 4 viewpoint 5 viewing angle correction display plate 6 controller 6a CPU 6b ROM 6c RAM

Claims (4)

[Claims] A display for displaying an image; a control means for controlling the display of an image on the display; and an input panel on which a plurality of switches are arranged on a plane. An input panel capable of reflecting an image of the display, wherein the plurality of switches and the image of the display reflected on the surface of the plurality of switches can be visually recognized when the input panel is viewed. And the input panel, and a menu image of each switch is displayed on the display by the control means. 2. The multi-function switch according to claim 1, further comprising: a polarizing plate for deflecting a predetermined color in a direction of the input panel on a front surface of the display, wherein the control unit controls the display device to display the predetermined color in the predetermined color. A multi-function switch, wherein the drawn menu image of each switch is displayed so as to be superimposed on the image of the display. 3. The multi-function switch according to claim 1, wherein a reference position of the display is displayed, and a plurality of switches of the input panel are arranged at two-dimensional coordinate positions. A multi-function device comprising: when a switch corresponding to a reference position of the display projected on the input panel is operated, a menu of another switch is specified by relative coordinates using the switch as a reference point. switch. 4. The multi-function switch according to claim 1, wherein the multi-function switch is used in a vehicle, and the display is installed at the upper center of an instrument panel, and the input panel is installed on a center console. A multi-function switch characterized by: