JP2002181575A - Command-inputting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve ease of use by resuming operation from the halfway hierarchy when a command input operation requiring a plurality of operations until completion is suspended halfway. SOLUTION: A desired destination can be set by successive selection according to the details of a screen that are successively displayed in a hierarchy on a display 14. However, when the operation needs to be suspended temporarily during a series of operation and while a specific list is being displayed on the screen, a storage command is inputted by voice or switch operation. Then, the operation procedure until that point is stored in an operation procedure storage section 10. Then, even if another screen (for example, map screen) is being displayed during driving, a specific list screen being displayed when the operation is suspended can be displayed abruptly when a re-display command is inputted by voice or switch operation when a car stops by a signal or the like. Therefore, an operation for selecting a desired screen may be executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a command input device used in a system for executing a predetermined operation in response to a command input by a user and for inputting a command from the user in an interactive manner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, there have been known systems, such as a navigation system, which acquire a command from a user in an interactive manner and execute a predetermined operation in accordance with the command. In a command input device used in such a system, there is a method of sequentially selecting desired commands hierarchically as a standard command input method. In this method, options are displayed on the screen as a user's instruction or as an initial state from the device side and presented to the user, and when the user selects a desired option from among them, lower options belonging to the selected option are displayed on the screen. This is an interactive command input method in which the user is presented again to the user to make a selection again.

For example, assuming a case where the present invention is used for a navigation system, a case where a search is performed from a list to set a destination will be described as an example. First, a menu screen is displayed by a user operating a mechanical switch or a switch display on the screen with a finger. Then, set the destination →
Decision → Specify by reading the 50th pronunciation → A → I → U ... (Region → Category) → Select from list, etc.
A desired destination can be set.

[0004]

However, in setting such a destination, the user must perform more than 10 operations. Therefore, for example, even when it is desired to set the destination while the vehicle is stopped at a traffic light, it may be assumed that these operations are not completed during the stop. Typically,
It is not possible to accept an operation while the vehicle is running, because it is problematic for the driver to watch the screen and operate the vehicle while the vehicle is running. It is good to keep the screen in the middle of the operation until the next stop timing.For example, if it is necessary to display the map screen while driving, the map around the current location can be Will be displayed.
In that case, the next time the vehicle is stopped at a traffic light or the like, it is necessary to restart the search operation that had been performed halfway last time from the beginning.

[0005] Under such circumstances, for example, the driver must stop on the road side against his / her intention and start driving after setting the destination to the end, resulting in a loss of time. Also,
If you want to avoid such a loss of time, you may choose not to set the destination itself, which may result in useful functions that are not actually used enough.

The present invention solves such a problem and requires a plurality of operations until the command input is completed. Even if the operation is interrupted during the operation, the next time the operation is started from the middle level. It is intended to improve the usability by allowing the user to resume the operation.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a command input device which requires a plurality of operations to complete a command input. In such a case, the options are displayed on the display means on a screen and input in an interactive manner. However, a command for temporarily saving without inputting the command (hereinafter referred to as a save command) is input. In this case, the operation procedure up to the display of the screen at that time is stored, and then, when a command for redisplaying (hereinafter, referred to as a redisplay command) is input by the user. Based on the stored operation procedure, the screen at the time when the command input is not completed is displayed again.

For example, in the case of the above-mentioned destination setting, for example, after displaying a menu screen, the destination setting → decision → specify by reading in 50 pronunciations → a → i → u... (Region → category) → list During the hierarchical input operation of selecting from, for example, if a save command is input at the time when the last list is displayed, then, by inputting a redisplay command, the middle hierarchy at the time of interruption, that is, the last The list can be resumed from the screen display. Therefore, for example, in the case of adoption in an in-vehicle navigation system, the list display was performed by the operation at the time of waiting for the traffic light, but even if the driving had to start at that time, the save command was input. You can memorize the operating procedure up to that point. Then, even if the map screen is displayed while driving, the next time the vehicle is stopped at a traffic light, etc., if a redisplay command is input, the list that was displayed when the operation was interrupted is displayed immediately. Therefore, an operation of selecting a desired one from it can be performed.

The screen when the above-described hierarchical selection operation is interrupted in the middle layer is an example of the screen at the time when the command input is not completed, and is not necessarily hierarchical. For example, the screen may be a screen when the operation of inputting a plurality of numbers and characters is interrupted, such as when inputting a telephone number or the like (claim 3). Even if you have to interrupt several times while selecting and inputting multiple numbers one by one with a mechanical switch etc., you can input from the continuation by inputting the save command and the redisplay command Becomes In other words, it is not necessary to input numbers and the like from the beginning.

Further, for example, when a desired option cannot be found without scrolling the screen, the screen after scrolling when the scroll operation is performed but the option is not selected is also performed at the time when the command input is not completed. Screen is considered as an example. In this case, by saving the screen obtained by performing the scroll operation and redisplaying the screen, the operation can be continued from the state immediately before the operation was interrupted, which is convenient.

The method of inputting a command by the user may be a voice input or an input by operating a mechanical switch. By the way, if there is one operation procedure to be saved, the “screen at the time of command input incomplete” based on the operation procedure can be redisplayed by the redisplay command without any problem. However, a plurality of operation procedures may be stored. In such a case, it is conceivable to store a history of the procedure for redisplaying and to notify the user of the stored redisplay procedure history in response to a request from the user (claim 6). . This makes it possible to redisplay a screen based on a desired one of a plurality of operation procedures.

Also, considering that when the user inputs a save command, the saving of the operation procedure is not always successful, the user is informed whether or not the operation procedure is stored in accordance with the save command. It is also preferable to notify (claim 7). This notification may be displayed on a screen or notified by voice.

On the other hand, if the operation procedure is stored, it is preferable to display the screen so that the user can recognize the operation procedure. In this case, if the user looks at the screen when he / she wants to redisplay, it is determined whether the operation procedure is stored and can be displayed again, or conversely, it is not stored and cannot be displayed again.

The command input device described above can be used for any system that executes a predetermined operation in response to a command input by a user. For example, in the case of a navigation system, the command input device is used by a user to input a necessary command specified when the navigation system executes a navigation process (claim 9). In particular, assuming an in-vehicle navigation system, as described above, it is not safe for the driver to watch and operate the screen while driving the vehicle, and the operation during driving is not accepted. Therefore, it can be said that the effect is great.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It is needless to say that the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following examples, and can take various forms as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle-mounted navigation system as an embodiment. The navigation system includes an operation switch unit 4 including a voice recognition device 1 and a talk switch 1a, a mechanism switch 2, and a remote control switch 3, and the operation switch unit 4
An operation control unit 5 for inputting an operation status from the user and controlling the entire navigation system, a current position calculation unit 6 for calculating a current position of the own vehicle, and an appropriate distance to the destination based on the destination set by the user. A route calculation unit 7 for calculating a route (recommended route), and based on the recommended route calculated by the route calculation unit 7, guidance necessary for smoothly driving the vehicle is provided to the user by voice or a simple map. It includes a guidance control unit 8, a map data search unit 9, an operation procedure storage unit 10, an audio output control unit 11, a speaker 12, a display control unit 13, and a display 14 for performing control processing.

Next, the operation control unit 5 is configured as a normal computer, and includes a well-known CPU,
A ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and a bus line for connecting these components are provided. In addition, the current position calculation unit 6
Is a GPS (Global Positioning System) for detecting the position of a vehicle based on radio waves from a known gyroscope, a distance sensor, and a satellite, for example.
Has a receiver. Since each of these sensors and the like has an error having a different property, the sensors and the like are configured to be used while interpolating each other. In addition,
Depending on the accuracy, it may be constituted by a part of the above, and furthermore, a geomagnetic sensor, a steering rotation sensor, a wheel sensor for each rolling wheel, or the like may be used.

Further, the map data search unit 9 includes so-called map matching data for improving the accuracy of position detection.
It is a device for inputting various data including map data and landmark data. As a medium, C
Generally, a D-ROM or DVD is used, but another medium such as a memory card may be used.

On the other hand, the operation procedure storage section 10 is for storing contents operated by the user via the operation switch section 4, that is, operation procedures. Display 14
Is constituted by, for example, a color display. On the screen, a vehicle current position mark input from the current position calculation unit 6, map data input from the map data search unit 9, and guidance for further displaying on a map are displayed. A route and additional data such as a mark of a set point to be described later can be displayed in an overlapping manner.

As the mechanism switch 2, for example, a touch switch or a mechanical switch integrated with the display 14 is used, and is used for a destination for route calculation and various inputs. Further, the same instruction input as that of the mechanism switch 2 can be input via the remote control switch 3. In the voice recognition device 1, while the mechanism switch 2 or the remote control switch 3 is used to manually designate a destination or the like, the destination or the like can be similarly determined by a user's voice input. This is a device that allows the user to give an instruction. Note that the operation switch section 4 does not necessarily have to include all of the voice recognition device 1, the mechanism switch 2, and the remote control switch 3, and any one of them can input a desired instruction. However, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that three are provided for convenience.

The voice recognition apparatus 1 converts a voice signal input through a microphone (not shown) into a form capable of data processing by A / D conversion or the like, and compares the converted voice signal with predetermined dictionary data to generate voice data. Recognize the input contents. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the voice input method in the present embodiment is a usage method in which a user inputs voice via a microphone while pressing the talk switch 1a. Specifically, when the talk switch 1a is pressed, the voice input processing via the microphone is executed.
When it is not pressed, the voice input process is not executed.

With such a configuration, in the navigation system of the present embodiment, various processes such as route setting, route guidance, facility search, and facility display can be executed by the user inputting a command. . When inputting the command, the display 1
The options are displayed on the screen and input in an interactive manner. If a save command is input in a state where the command input is not completed, the operation procedure until the screen at that time is displayed is stored. By inputting the redisplay command, the screen at the time when the command input is not completed can be redisplayed based on the stored operation procedure.

This is an effective measure in the following situation, for example. For example, a user who wants to set a route when waiting for a traffic light may perform a series of operations halfway through to a predetermined list display, but may have to start driving at that time. In that case, a save command can be input and the operating procedure up to that point can be stored. Then, even if the map screen is displayed while driving, the next time the vehicle is stopped at a traffic light, etc., if a redisplay command is input, the list that was displayed when the operation was interrupted is displayed immediately. Therefore, an operation of selecting a desired one from the list can be executed.

Next, the procedure for executing the screen saving / redisplay will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, FIG. 2 shows a procedure for saving a screen. It is determined whether or not the map screen is being displayed while the vehicle is running using the navigation system (S1) (S2). When the map screen is being displayed (S2: YES), there is no need to save the screen.
Return to 1).

On the other hand, if the map screen is not displayed (S2: NO), an instruction to save the screen is accepted. A state in which the map screen is not displayed while the navigation system is used is considered to be a state in which the user is performing an operation such as inputting a destination for route setting. The destination is set, for example, in the following procedure. When a menu display command is input via the operation switch unit 4 while the map screen is being displayed, the menu screen is displayed on the display 14.
Then, a command for selecting "destination setting" is input from the menu, and a command for determining the selected content is further input. Then, for example, a command for displaying a screen for designating the Japanese syllabary reading is input, and then, a → a → a ...
(Region → Category) → Select from list, etc. As described above, a desired destination can be set by sequentially selecting according to the contents of the screen sequentially displayed in a hierarchical manner. However, as described above, the operation must be temporarily interrupted during these series of operations. Enter the save command when the situation occurs.

The save command is issued by either voice input or manual input of a switch. In the case of voice input, when the talk switch 1a is pressed (S3: YE
S), the voice recognition device 1 fetches a voice signal input through a microphone (not shown) and converts the voice signal into a data-processable form by A / D conversion or the like (S4). And
The converted data is collated with predetermined dictionary data to recognize the voice input contents (S5). The operation control unit 5 receives the recognition processing result from the voice recognition device 1 and succeeds in voice recognition (S6: YES), and when command recognition is also successful (S7: YES). The operation procedure up to the currently displayed screen is stored in the operation procedure storage unit 10.
(S8).

The command contents that the user should input (utter) when instructing the screen save command by voice input include, for example, “copy”, “save”, “keep”,
"Staythe screen", "Keep the screen", etc. are conceivable. Further, a word such as "the screen (") "may be added before these. In other words, "copy that screen"
And so on.

On the other hand, when a switch operation for saving a screen is performed via the mechanism switch 2 or the remote control switch 3 (S9), unlike the case of voice input, a screen save command is input without fail. , To S8 to execute a screen saving process. If the screen saving process is successful (S10: YES), a normal process is performed (S1).
1). More specifically, a message indicating that the screen saving has been successful is made available via the speaker 12 and the display 14.
On-screen display. For example, a message saying “screen saved” is displayed as a talkback and on-screen display. In this case, after that, a mark indicating that the screen is being saved is displayed on the screen. For example, the character itself “storing” may be used, or an icon indicating that the screen is being saved may be displayed.

On the other hand, if the screen saving process has failed (S10: NO), an error-related process is performed (S1).
2). Specifically, for example, "screen save failed"
Is displayed in a talkback and on-screen.
In this case, a mark indicating that the screen is being saved is not displayed on the screen.

When voice input is used, command recognition may fail. In this case, (S
7: NO), an error-related process is performed (S13). Specifically, another command is erroneously recognized, and as a result, the erroneously recognized command is talked back. Further, when the voice recognition itself fails (S
6: NO), an unrecognizable process is performed (S14). Specifically, a talkback and an on-screen display indicating "not recognized" are displayed.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a procedure for redisplaying the saved screen. This screen redisplay is performed when the vehicle is running using the navigation system (S
20), accept the instruction. This screen redisplay command is performed by either voice input or manual input of a switch, similarly to the save command. In the case of voice input, when the talk switch 1a is pressed (S21: YE
S), the voice recognition device 1 captures a voice signal (S2).
2) Voice recognition (S23). If the voice recognition is successful (S24: YES) and the command recognition is also successful (S25: YES), it is determined whether or not there is a save screen (S26).

The command contents to be input (uttered) by the user when instructing the screen redisplay command by voice input include, for example, “return”, “continue”, and “Come back th
e screen ". In addition, a word such as “the screen (a) just before” may be added before these. That is, "return the screen".

On the other hand, when a switch operation for redisplaying the screen is performed via the mechanism switch 2 or the remote control switch 3 (S27), unlike the case of voice input, the screen redisplay command is securely input. Therefore, the process proceeds to S26 to determine whether there is a save screen.

If the screen is stored (S26: YES), the operation procedure stored (saved) in the operation procedure storage unit 10 is extracted (S28). In addition,
Actually, the screen itself is not saved, but the operating procedure for redisplaying the screen at the time when the save command is input is stored, but here, synonymous with "screen is Is preserved. "

If the screen extraction process is successful (S2
9: YES), normal processing is performed (S30). Specifically, for example, a message “Redisplay the screen” is displayed in a talkback and on-screen. In this case, the mark indicating that the screen is being saved, which has been displayed on the screen until then, is deleted.

On the other hand, if the screen extraction processing has failed (S29: NO), error processing is performed (S3).
1). Specifically, for example, "screen extraction failed"
Is displayed in a talkback and on-screen.
In this case, the mark displayed on the screen and indicating that the screen is being saved is displayed as it is. Therefore, for example, a command to redisplay the screen is input again.

If the command recognition fails (S25: NO), an error-related process is performed (S3).
2). Specifically, another command is erroneously recognized, and as a result, the erroneously recognized command is talked back. Furthermore, if the voice recognition itself fails (S24: NO), a process of recognizing is performed (S3).
3). Specifically, a talkback and an on-screen display indicating "not recognized" are displayed.

When a screen redisplay command is input by voice input or manual input of a switch, there is a case where there is no save screen itself. In that case, (S
26: NO), an error-related process is performed (S34). Specifically, for example, a message “screen is not saved” is displayed in a talkback and on-screen.

In this embodiment, the mechanism switch 2
Or command input via the remote control switch 3
Although the description has been made such that the screen save switch and the screen redisplay switch are distinguished from each other, they may be the same switch or separate switches. In other words, the same switch may function as a screen save switch when the screen is not saved, and may function as a screen redisplay switch when the screen is saved.

Although the above-described list search for setting a destination is a typical example that requires a hierarchical selection operation, it is needless to say that the search operation is not limited to such a search operation. For example, editing memory points is a frequently used function, but editing often requires multiple screen operations. Therefore, also in this case, it is very troublesome to restart the interrupted editing operation from the beginning, but if the screen can be saved and redisplayed as in the present embodiment, the user can immediately return to the memory point editing screen, and Thereafter, the editing process can be completed with a small number of operations.

In this embodiment, the operation procedure storage unit 10 corresponds to the operation procedure storage unit, and the operation control unit 5 corresponds to the re-display control unit. As described above, according to the navigation system of the present embodiment, when a plurality of operations are required to complete the command input, by inputting the save command in a state where the command input is not completed, The operation procedure until the screen at that point is displayed can be stored. Then, if a redisplay command is input, the screen at the time when the command input is not completed based on the stored operation procedure can be stored. Can be displayed again. For this reason, for example, a predetermined list was displayed by an operation at the time of waiting for a traffic light, but even in a situation where traveling must be started at that time, the operating procedure up to that point is stored, and a map is displayed during traveling. Even if the screen is displayed, the list displayed when the operation was interrupted can be displayed immediately when the operation is interrupted next time by a signal or the like.
Therefore, an operation of selecting a desired one from it can be performed, and the usability is greatly improved.

[Others] (1) In the above-described embodiment, the operation procedure is a screen when the hierarchical selection operation is interrupted in the middle of the hierarchy. For example, a screen may be displayed when the operation of inputting a plurality of numbers and characters is interrupted, such as when inputting a number. In this case, by inputting the save command and the redisplay command, it is possible to input from the continuation,
You don't have to enter numbers again from the beginning.

Also, the present invention can be applied to a screen after scrolling when a screen scroll operation is performed but no option is selected. In this case, save the screen obtained by scrolling and redisplay it,
Because you can continue from where you left off,
It is convenient.

(2) In the above embodiment, one operation procedure is stored, but a plurality of operation procedures may be used. In this case, the history of the procedure for redisplay is stored, and the user is notified of the stored redisplay procedure history in response to a request from the user. Then, the screen based on the procedure selected from among them may be displayed again. However, in practice, it is considered that a single operation procedure for saving as in the above-described embodiment is preferable in many cases because there is no trouble in selection and no confusing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a navigation system as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for saving a screen.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for redisplaying a screen.

[Description of Signs] 1 ... Speech recognition device, 1a ... Talk switch, 2 ... Mechanism switch, 3 ... Remote control switch, 4 ... Operation switch section,
Reference numeral 5: operation control unit, 6: current position calculation unit, 7: route calculation unit, 8: guidance control unit, 9: map data search unit, 10: operation procedure storage unit, 11: voice output control unit, 12: speaker, 13: display control unit, 14: display

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G06F 17/30 340 G06F 17/30 340B G08G 1/0969 G08G 1/0969 F term (reference) 2F029 AA02 AB01 AB07 AC02 AC04 AC14 AC18 5B075 PP13 PQ02 PQ04 PQ66 UU13 5B085 AC17 CC03 5E501 AA23 AC33 BA05 CA01 CB03 CB05 CB15 CC02 EA21 FA32 FA45 FA46 FB34 FB43 5H180 AA01 BB13 FF04 FF05 FF22 FF25 FF27 FF32

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A system for executing a predetermined operation in response to a command input by a user, wherein when a plurality of operations are required to complete the input of the command, display means is provided. A command input device that displays an option on the screen and allows input in an interactive manner, wherein the user temporarily saves the state in a state where the command input requiring a plurality of operations is not completed. When the command is inputted, an operation procedure storing means for storing the operation procedure until the screen at that time is displayed, and thereafter, when a command to redisplay is inputted by the user, A command input device, comprising: a re-display control unit that re-displays a screen when the command input is not completed based on the operation procedure stored in the operation procedure storage unit. 2. The command input device according to claim 1, wherein the screen at the time when the command input is not completed is a screen when a hierarchical selection operation is interrupted in a middle hierarchy. Input device. 3. The command input device according to claim 1, wherein the screen at the time when the command input is not completed is a screen when an operation for inputting a plurality of numbers and characters is interrupted. Command input device. 4. The command input device according to claim 1, wherein the screen at the time when the command input is not completed is a case where all options cannot be displayed without scrolling the screen, and a scroll operation is performed. Is the screen after the scroll when no option is selected. 5. The command input device according to claim 1, wherein the method of inputting the command by the user is input by voice or input by operating a mechanical switch. Command input device. 6. The command input device according to claim 1, wherein a history of a procedure for redisplaying a screen saved when the command input is not completed is stored. A command input device comprising means for notifying a user of a redisplay procedure history stored in the redisplay procedure history storage means in response to a request from a user. 7. The command input device according to claim 1, wherein when the user inputs a command to save, the operation procedure is stored in the operation procedure storage means in accordance with the command. A command input device for notifying the user of whether or not the command is stored. 8. The command input device according to claim 1, wherein when an operation procedure is stored in the operation procedure storage means, the screen is displayed so that the user can recognize the operation procedure. A command input device for displaying. 9. The command input device according to claim 1, wherein the system using the command input device is a navigation system, and the command input device includes:
A command input device, which is used by a user to input a required command specified when the navigation system executes a navigation process.