JP2003068162A - On-vehicle equipment operating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-vehicle equipment operating device capable of operating equipment mounted on a vehicle having a large number of alternatives with less number of switches without reducing a forward observing time. SOLUTION: An input operating panel 15 comprises a dial device 105 and a plurality of push selection switches 101 to 104 as operating input elements. An operating control device 13 changes operating function sets allocated to the push selection switches 101 to 104 according to the rotating direction and rotating amount of the dial device 105 and displays the detail of the operating function sets on a display device 14 for each of the push selection switches 101 to 104.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device operating device capable of operating a plurality of various on-vehicle devices with a single switch device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional multi-function switch, as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-242675 (hereinafter referred to as "first prior art"), a selection item is displayed on a menu and the displayed menu item is displayed. And a method for sequentially selecting and deciding with a pointing input device, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-64
No. 068 (hereinafter, second prior art) and JP-A-8-12.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 7267 (hereinafter, referred to as third prior art), there is a method in which selectable items are displayed in an array on a display and an input device near the array is operated.

[0003]

However, in the first prior art, it is possible to continuously confirm visually that the pointer has moved to a desired menu item while operating the input device for selecting the menu item. Since the input operation is continued, there is a problem that the viewing time of the display device that displays the menu increases and the time of gazing forward tends to decrease.

In addition, in the second prior art, in order to make it easier to match the contents displayed on the display screen with the corresponding switch, it is necessary to install the corresponding switch in the vicinity of the screen. There is a problem that it is difficult to install and at the optimum positions.

Further, in the second and third conventional techniques, since the switches are arranged in a limited area near the display device, the number of switches that can be arranged is limited, and the area of each switch is large enough to have sufficient operability. There was a problem that I could not do it. In other words, it is expected that the number of options that can be selected with a single touch such as presetting will increase more and more, as seen in the increase in FM broadcasting stations.
On the other hand, the switch can be placed safely in the car, and
The area of the optimum place for operation is limited.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an in-vehicle device operating device capable of operating as many options as possible with a minimum number of switches without reducing the time to look forward. It is to be.

[0007]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In order to achieve the above object, an input operation panel including a dial device and a plurality of operation input elements, and a function of changing an operation function set assigned to the plurality of operation input elements according to a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the dial device. Assigning means, a display device for displaying the contents of the operation function set for each operation input element of the plurality of operation input elements, and a control means for controlling an in-vehicle device based on an input from the plurality of operation input elements It is an in-vehicle device operating device having as a gist.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, in the vehicle-mounted device operating device according to the first aspect, the plurality of operation input elements are arranged on the operation panel in two substantially upper and lower groups. The gist is that the dial device is arranged between the upper and lower operation input element groups.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 3 is the vehicle-mounted device operating device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a return switch for detecting an operation of pushing the dial portion of the dial device. The gist of the function allocating means is to restore the operation function set allocated to the plurality of operation input elements to the previous operation state based on the operation of the return switch.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, in the vehicle-mounted device operating device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the rotating direction of the dial device and the display device are The gist is that the display directions for displaying the operation function set candidates that can be assigned to the plurality of operation input elements are matched.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an input operation panel having a dial device and a plurality of operation input elements, and the plurality of operation input elements according to a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the dial device are provided. Function assigning means for changing the assigned operation function set, a display device for displaying the contents of the operation function set for each operation input element of the plurality of operation input elements, and an in-vehicle device based on an input from the operation input element By providing the control means for controlling the input operation panel, the input operation panel and the display device for displaying the operation function assigned to the input operation panel can be independently arranged. The display device can be placed at a position close to the user's eye, where the amount of movement of the line of sight and the amount of change in the focal length are small from the state of gaze forward. Reduced inhibition, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a legible and easy to operate vehicle equipment operation apparatus.

According to the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the invention, the plurality of operation input elements are arranged on the operation panel so as to be substantially divided into two groups, that is, the upper and lower groups. By arranging the dial device between the operation input element groups, it is possible to move from the dial device to any of the operation input element groups above and below with a slight movement of the fingertip,
This has the effect of improving operability.

According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1 or 2, a return switch for detecting an operation of pushing the dial portion of the dial device is provided, and the function assigning means is provided. Is configured to return the operation function set assigned to the plurality of operation input elements to the previous operation state based on the operation of the return switch. Even if an error is made, there is an effect that it is possible to promptly return to the previous operation state.

According to the invention of claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention of claims 1 to 3, the rotation direction of the dial device and the display device are assigned to the plurality of operation input elements. Since the display directions for displaying the possible operation function set candidates are made to coincide with each other, the operation direction of the dial device can be easily understood.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of an in-vehicle device operating apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, the in-vehicle device control device displays an input operation panel 15 including a dial device and a plurality of operation input elements, and contents of operation functions assigned to each operation input element of the plurality of operation input elements, for example. A display device 14 using a liquid crystal display device or the like, and a vehicle-mounted device based on an input from a function assigning unit and an operation input element for changing an operation function set assigned to a plurality of operation input elements according to a rotation direction and a rotation amount of a dial device. An operation control device 13 as a control means for controlling the device is provided, and the vehicle-mounted devices 10, 11, 12 connected to the operation control device 13 are configured to be controlled by an input operation from the input operation panel 15. (Claim 1).

In the present embodiment, the number of on-vehicle devices to be controlled by the on-vehicle device operating device is three,
It is not limited to this number.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the operation control device 13. The operation control device 13 includes a central control device 21 using a microprocessor and the like, image data for displaying the functions assigned to the operation input elements of the input operation panel 15, operation procedures of the on-vehicle devices 10, 11, 12 and the following. Information storage unit 22 that stores the storage destination address of the procedure of FIG. 2 and the display control device 23 for displaying the display image data read from the information storage unit 22 on the display device 14.
And an external input interface 24 for reading the operation input from the input operation panel 15 and inputting it to the central controller 21.
And an external output interface 25 that outputs an operation signal to the vehicle-mounted devices 10 to 12.

According to the present embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration, the input operation panel 15 and the display device 14 for displaying the operation function assigned to the input operation panel 15 can be independently arranged, so that the input operation panel 15 is operated. The display device 14 can be arranged at a position that is easy to operate inside, at a position where the amount of movement of the line of sight and the amount of change in the focal length are small from the state of gaze forward, and suppresses a decrease in gaze time to the front, It is possible to provide an in-vehicle device operation device that is easy to see and operate.

Further, a plurality of operation input elements (push selection switches 101 to 104) are operated by the dial device 105.
Since it is possible to change the operation function set assigned to, it is possible to operate various functions of many in-vehicle devices without increasing the number of operation input elements such as push switches.

Further, for example, setting of the temperature of the air conditioner and C
Frequently used operations such as selecting a track of the D device can be performed by selecting a relatively small number of operation input elements.

Further, even in an operation state requiring many choices such as preset selection of FM broadcasting, the operation function set assigned to the operation input element can be changed by the dial device, so that the operation input element The function can be expanded so that a large number of options can be selected by an easily understandable operation without increasing the number.

3A and 3B are views showing the configuration of the input operation panel 15. FIG. 3A is a plan view, FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along the line AB, and FIG. 3C is C. It is sectional drawing which follows -D. In FIG. 3A, on the surface of the input operation panel,
The push selection switches 101, 102, 103, and 104 (n is a plural number) which are n (a plurality of) operation input elements (the embodiment in the case of four switches is shown in the figure) are two at the upper part and two at the lower part, The dial devices 105 are arranged side by side, and the dial device 105 is arranged in the middle (claim 2).

3B and 3C, in the input operation panel, a printed circuit board 32 for electrical connection is installed in a case 31, and a mechanical stroke is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 32. There are provided n switch mechanisms 33 for converting ON / OFF of the contacts. This switch mechanism 3
Key tops 34 are joined to each of the three, and the key tops 34 are exposed on the surface of the panel 37, and the key tops 34 are pushed down by the operator's finger to turn on the electrical signal O.
Converted to N / OFF. The n switch mechanisms 33 are set, and the switch mechanisms 33 are connected to the external input interface 24 from the printed circuit board 32 via a connector (not shown) and a cable. C- in FIG.
In the D sectional view, the structure near the dial device 105 is shown. The dial device 105 is fixed to the shaft of an encoder 1200 that converts the rotation amount of the operation wheel into an electric signal in a state where the operation wheel 1110 protrudes from the surface of the panel 37 by a certain amount. This encoder 1200 is fixed to the printed circuit board 32 in such a manner that a micro switch 1132 for detecting that the operation wheel 1110 has been pushed vertically to the surface of the panel 37 is sandwiched between the encoder 1200 and the case 31. It is contained.

FIG. 4 is a front view (a) and a side view (b) showing the detailed structure of the dial device 105. Board 1
An operation wheel 1110 is rotatably attached to 150 by a center pin 1140. Operation wheel 11
A drum 1120 that rotates concentrically is attached to the drum 10. The cavities 1 are equally spaced on the side surface of the drum 1120.
121 and the wall surface 1122 are arranged side by side to form an uneven shape at equal intervals.

A switch unit 1160 is provided with a lever 1162 which can be swung to the left and right while being fitted to the unevenness of the side surface of the drum 1120, and which electrically detects the tilt of the lever 1162 in the left and right directions via the printed circuit board 1151. It is attached to the substrate 1150.

Drum 1 rotating with wheel 1110
By the cavity 1121 and the wall surface 1122 of 120, the lever 1162 is flipped to either the left or right. At this time, the switch unit 1160 having a built-in micro switch detects the right or left tilt of the lever 1162, and outputs an electric signal indicating the left / right rotation direction and rotation amount of the wheel 1110 to the lead wire 1154 via the connector 1153. . In the present embodiment, as will be described later, when the wheel 1110 is rotated to the right, an “Up” signal is input, and when the wheel 1110 is rotated to the left, an “Down” signal is input to the central controller 21. There is.

The substrate 1150 is slidable in the vertical direction in the plane of FIG.
It is slidably held with respect to the push-in base 1130 via 134. At the bottom portion 1133 of the pushing base 1130, the micro switch 11 is sandwiched between the substrate 1150 of the dial device and the bottom portion 1133.
32 is installed, and the micro switch 1 is operated by the pushing force applied to the operation wheel 1110 from above.
132 is pushed in, is output to the external input interface 24 via the printed circuit board 1132 as an electrical contact signal, and the central controller 21 can recognize it as a "Return" signal.

FIG. 5 shows push selection switches 101-1.
04 and the switches 1160 and 11 of the dial device 105.
The connection between 32 and the external input interface 24 is shown.

The input signal converted from ON / OFF electric signals from the push selection switches 101 to 104 and sent is converted by the external input interface 24 into a predetermined code corresponding to each push selection switch, and the signals are converted. It is read into the central control unit 21 via the output 45. In addition, signals from the encoder switch 1160 of the dial device 105 and the micro switch 1132 that detects pressing of the dial device 105 are also connected to the external input interface 24, and the central control device 21.
A predetermined signal is output to.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of operation input elements are arranged on the operation panel substantially in two groups, and the dial device is arranged between the upper and lower operation input element groups. It is possible to move from the dial device to any of the upper and lower operation input element groups with a small amount of movement of the fingertip, and there is an effect that operability is improved.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of vehicle-mounted device control by the vehicle-mounted device operating device of this embodiment. First, when the power is turned on and the entire sequence is activated, the initial screen information is called from the information storage unit 22 in step S510, and the initial screen information is displayed on the display device 14 via the display control unit 23 in step S520. In step S530, a procedure for executing the initial assignment function assigned to each push selection switch 101 to 104 corresponding to the initial screen information is called, and the step S5 is performed.
At 40, the initial allocation procedure is set. Step S540
In the initial allocation setting of, when the push selection switch is selected, the image data showing the contents of the function newly assigned to the switch device, the execution procedure of the newly assigned function, and the next procedure are stored. After setting the address where three types of data, that is, a certain address, are collected and stored, the input operation panel 1
Step S550, which is a state of waiting for a signal from 5, is entered.

Next, in step S550, it is determined whether or not any of the push selection switches 101 to 104 has been pushed, that is, whether or not an input signal has been input from any of the push selection switches via the external input interface 24. If there is any input signal, S
After executing the assigning function corresponding to the push selection switch having the input signal by the selection processing routine of 560, the process returns to step S550.

If there is no input signal from any of the push selection switches in step S550, the process proceeds to step S570, and the signal from the input operation panel 15 is a code corresponding to "Up" or "Down" from the dial device 105. Determine if there is.

In step S570, "Up" or "Do"
If the code corresponds to “wn”, the process branches to the page processing routine S580 and the push selection switches 101 to 101 are selected.
After setting another allocation function set for 04, the process returns to step S550.

In step S570, "Up" or "Do"
If the code does not correspond to “wn”, step S590
Then, it is determined whether or not the input signal is a code corresponding to "Return" which means returning to the state before one operation. When the dial device 105 is pushed in, the input signal generated by the micro switch 1132 becomes a code corresponding to "Return" meaning returning to the state before one operation, and in this case, a processing routine for returning to one operation before S592. After branching to and performing the process of returning to the assigned function set state before one operation, the process returns to step S550 (claim 3).

As described above, according to this embodiment,
The operation control device 13 that includes a return switch 1132 that detects an operation of pressing the dial portion of the dial device 105, and that operates as a function assigning unit, performs a plurality of operation inputs in the previous operation state based on the operation of the return switch 1132. Since the operation function set assigned to the element is restored, the effect of being able to quickly return to the previous operation state even if the idea changes during operation or if an operation error is made is there.

FIG. 7 is a detailed flowchart showing a detailed execution procedure of the selection processing routine (step S560) in FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a buffer used in executing the selection processing routine S560 and a data flow. In FIG. 8, the information storage unit 22 of the operation control device 13 is a storage device that stores image data of the initial screen and each assigned function set display screen, operation procedure data for executing each function, and an address for storing the next procedure. 720, an information control unit 730 that controls reading and writing of the storage device 720, and a display data storage buffer 740 that stores image data currently displayed on the display device.
And a function allocation buffer 750 that stores a processing procedure corresponding to each push selection switch 101 to 104, and a next procedure storage destination allocation that stores a storage device address that stores a next procedure when a certain function is selected. And a buffer 760. The other components of FIG. 8 have already been described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, and thus the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the detailed operation of the selection processing routine will be described with reference to FIGS. First, step S610
At, it is detected which of the push selection switches 101 to 104 has been operated according to the signal from the external input interface 24. Then in step S620,
The execution procedure of the function is called from the function allocation buffer 750 that stores the execution procedure of the function corresponding to the operated push selection switch. And step S630
By executing the called execution procedure, the on-vehicle device corresponding to the function is controlled via the external output interface 25.

Next, in step S640, the address where the next procedure data is stored is read from the next procedure storage destination allocation buffer 760 which stores the next operation procedure when the function is selected. The central controller 21 determines the address where the next procedure data is stored by the information control unit 73.
Transfer to 0. The information control unit 730 reads out a series of data sets guided by the address from the storage device 720 and transfers the data set to each buffer. Then, in step S650, the display image data is set in the display data storage buffer 740, in step S660, the execution procedure is set in the function allocation buffer 750, and in step S670.
Then, the next procedure storage destination address is set in the next procedure storage destination allocation buffer 760, and the process returns.

The display control unit 23 outputs the newly stored function content display image data to the display device 14 to display the function set newly assigned to the push selection switches 101 to 104 for each push selection switch. At this point, the push selection switch 1 on the input operation panel 15
01 to 104 are assigned new functions,
The contents of the assigned function are displayed on the display device.

FIG. 9 shows the storage device 7 when function allocation is performed.
20 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of data read from 20. Image data displaying the function assigned to each push selection switch, the execution procedure for each function, and the storage location of the next operation procedure. It shows that three types of information including the address and are stored as a set.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a set of function assignments is sequentially called by dial operation.

FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram for explaining the entire operation by the in-vehicle device operating apparatus of the present embodiment by using the image transition displayed on the display device.

When the power is turned on, the contents of the initial screen 810 showing the initial assignment of the operating functions are displayed on the operating function display screen. From this state, if any of the n push selection switches is pushed, for example, if the second push selection switch is operated in this figure, the audio function is selected, and the audio function selection display screen is displayed. 820 is displayed.

For example, to select this audio function,
[FM] showing reception of FM broadcast, [AM] showing reception of AM broadcast, [CD] showing operation of CD player, [TAPE] showing operation of cassette tape player, M
It has eight functions: [MP3] showing the operation of the P3 player, [MD] showing the operation of the MD player, [Satellite broadcasting] showing the reception of satellite broadcasting, and [Sound quality] showing the sound quality adjustment. In that case, the first four functions (for example, FM, AM, CD, TAPE) corresponding to the number of push selection switches (n = 4) are displayed at one time. The remaining four functions (for example, MP3, MD, satellite broadcasting, sound quality) are displayed in the next page display 900 portion as selection candidates for the second group.

In this state, when the dial device 105 in the center of the input operation panel 15 is rotated rightward, the display is switched to the audio second page display screen 910 in which the next page display 900 is displayed on the front, The assignment of functions to the four switches is, for example, MP3, M
It will be changed to a function set consisting of D, satellite broadcasting, and sound quality.

The dial device 105 is assigned with three functions: page forward by turning the dial clockwise (Up), page backward by turning the dial counterclockwise (Down), and operation return by pressing the dial (Return). The function allocation is also displayed on the screen as a dial function allocation display 930 (claim 4).

In this way, the rotation direction of the dial device 105 and the display direction in which the display device 14 displays the operation function set candidates that can be assigned to the plurality of operation input elements (push selection switches 101 to 104) are matched. As a result, the operation direction of the dial device can be easily understood.

Here, when the dial device 105 is pressed and operated, a signal indicating the operation return (Return) is output, and the screen display of the display device 14 and the functions of the push selection switches 101 to 104 are displayed in the state before one operation. The allocation is reset (claim 3).

If the pushing state of the dial device 105 is continued for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) or more, it is interpreted as a command (Home) to return to the initial state, and the state of the initial screen 810 and the state of initial function allocation are set. You can go back.

FIG. 12 is a detailed explanatory view showing the entire operation, taking the FM station selection operation as an example. First, the initial screen 810
From the state where is displayed, the audio function is selected by pressing the push selection switch 102 of the input operation panel 15 corresponding to the second selection function [audio] on the upper right of the screen. Then, the audio assignment display screen 91
0 is displayed and the audio device is turned on.

Next, an audio allocation display screen 91
Push selection switch 101 of the input operation panel 15 corresponding to the first selection function [FM] on the upper left of the screen
Select the FM reception function by pressing. Then, an FM function selection display screen (first page of FM function) 940, which displays selection options from preset FM broadcasting stations, is displayed.

On the first page of the FM function display, n (=
4) The names of preset broadcasting stations are displayed, and it becomes possible to tune to a desired broadcasting station by operating the corresponding push selection switch. If the desired broadcasting station does not exist on the FM function selection display screen (the first page of the FM function) 940, the dial device 10
Rotate 5 to the right to perform page forward operation, and
The display and the assignment are switched to the display screen 950 of the function second page.

Then, four preset broadcasting station names are newly displayed, and by pushing down the push selection switch corresponding to the desired broadcasting station name, the tuning of the audio device can be adjusted to the desired broadcasting station. It is possible to return the screen display of the display device and the function setting of the push selection switch to the stairs before one operation by depressing the dial device 105 at any of the above operation points. 10
Home that returns to the state of the initial screen 810 by continuing the pressing operation of 5 for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) or more
It becomes possible to perform an operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of an in-vehicle device operating apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation control device.

FIG. 3 (a) is a plan view showing the structure of an input operation panel,
(B) A sectional view taken along the line AB, and (c) a sectional view taken along the line CD.

FIG. 4A is a plan view showing details of a dial device;
(B) It is the same sectional view.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an input control device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart showing an outline of operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a detailed flowchart illustrating a selection processing routine.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an overall data flow in an in-vehicle device operating apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of data stored in a storage device.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating sequential calling of function allocation sets.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an operation on a screen of the display device that changes according to a change in function allocation.

FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory diagram on a screen of the display device that changes in accordance with a change in function allocation, showing a case of selecting an FM station.

[Explanation of symbols] 10-12 ... On-vehicle equipment 13 ... Operation control device 14 ... Display device 15 ... Input operation panel

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Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An input operation panel provided with a dial device and a plurality of operation input elements, and a function assigning means for changing an operation function set assigned to the plurality of operation input elements according to a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the dial device. A display device that displays the contents of the operation function set for each operation input element of the plurality of operation input elements; and a control unit that controls an in-vehicle device based on an input from the plurality of operation input elements. An in-vehicle device operating device characterized by being provided. 2. The plurality of operation input elements are arranged on the operation panel in two substantially upper and lower groups, and the dial device is arranged between the upper and lower operation input element groups. 1. The in-vehicle device operating device according to 1. 3. A return switch for detecting an operation of pressing a dial portion of the dial device, wherein the function assigning means sets the plurality of operation input elements to a previous operation state based on an operation of the return switch. The in-vehicle device operating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation function set assigned to is restored. 4. The rotating direction of the dial device and the display direction in which the display device displays an operation function set candidate that can be assigned to the plurality of operation input elements are matched. The in-vehicle device operating device according to claim 3.