JP2003267165A - Information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information input device capable of performing an input operation with excellent visibility. <P>SOLUTION: This information input device 1 mounted on a vehicle is provided with an input panel 2 provided on a steering column of the vehicle, displaying input information and capable of performing the input operation by an operator, and a state changing part 9 for changing a display state by the input panel 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information input device mounted on a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a numeric keypad type information input device mounted on a vehicle, an information input device installed on a center panel of the vehicle has been known. The information input device is equipped with a numeric keypad having a shape used in an ordinary telephone or a calculator.

[0003]

However, this information input device requires a lot of installation space because approximately 12 electric switches are arranged on the center panel.

Further, since the information input operation is complicated, the operation while the vehicle is running is limited, and it is difficult to operate the numeric keypad installed at a low downward viewing angle in a short time. It is expected that the visibility will decrease.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a conventional problem, and its main purpose is to provide an information input device capable of performing an input operation with high visibility. is there.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is an information input device mounted on a vehicle, which is provided in a steering column of the vehicle and stores input information. It is characterized by comprising an input panel for displaying and enabling an input operation by an operator, and a state changing means for changing a display state by the input panel.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information input device according to the first aspect, the input panel includes a transparent information display section and a transparent touch panel.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information input device according to the first aspect or the second aspect, the input information includes a numeric keypad.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information input device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the input panel is a steering wheel in a state where the steering wheel is positioned in the straight direction of the vehicle. It is characterized in that it is arranged at a position visible from a gap surrounded by the wheel and the steering pad.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information input device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, there is provided a vehicle stop determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle is stopped, The state changing means displays the input information when the vehicle stop determining means determines that the vehicle is stopped, and controls to stop displaying the input information when it is determined that the vehicle is running. It is characterized by

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the input panel on which the operator can perform the input operation is provided on the steering column of the vehicle, the operator almost moves the hand while the steering wheel is held. Instead, the input operation using the input panel can be performed. Further, since the input information is displayed on the input panel, the operator can see the input information from the front of his / her vehicle with almost no movement of the line of sight.

Therefore, the operator can perform an input operation with good visibility.

Further, since the operator can perform the input operation with the other hand while holding the steering wheel or the steering pad with one hand and supporting his / her body, the operator can perform the reliable input operation. You can

Further, since the state changing means can change the display state of the input panel, the state changing means displays the input information on the input panel when the vehicle is stopped and when the vehicle is running. The display of the input information can be stopped.

With this, it is possible to prevent the operator from performing an input operation while the vehicle is traveling.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, the input panel includes a transparent information display section and a transparent touch panel. By stopping the display of the input information on the input panel, the input panel can be made transparent.

This makes it possible for the operator not to obstruct the input panel when looking at the instruments behind the input panel.

According to the invention of claim 3, claim 1 or 2
In addition to the effects of the invention described above, since the input information includes the ten-key pad, the driver can easily perform the input operation using the ten-key pad.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effects of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3,
The input panel can be easily visually recognized from the gap surrounded by the steering wheel and the steering pad when the vehicle is straight ahead.

Further, since the operator can operate the input panel through his / her hand through the space surrounded by the steering wheel and the steering pad, the input panel can be operated with almost no movement from the state of gripping the steering wheel. The input operation using can be performed.

According to the invention of claim 5, in addition to the effect of the invention of any one of claims 1 to 4, the state change means determines that the vehicle is stopped by the vehicle stop determination means. The input information is sometimes displayed, and when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling, the input information is controlled to be stopped, so that it is possible to reliably prevent the operator from performing an input operation while the vehicle is traveling. .

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the information input device 1 according to the present embodiment.
1 is a block diagram of FIG. 1, a front view of FIG. 2, and FIG.
Will be described with reference to the side view and the sectional view of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information input device 1 displays an input information such as a numeric keypad as an image and allows an input operation by an operator, an input panel 2, a multi-function control section 3, and an input panel 2. A function control unit 4 for determining whether or not an input operation using is requested, a vehicle speed sensor 5, a parking brake sensor 6, and a stop determination unit (stop determination unit) for determining whether or not the vehicle 100 is stopped. 7, an input control unit 8, a state changing unit (state changing unit) 9 for changing the display state of the input panel 2, and an LCD image creating unit 1
0, a brightness control unit 11, and an LCD display unit 12 are provided. Further, the information input device 1 is mounted on the vehicle 100 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the input panel 2 shown in FIG. 1 has a steering wheel 101 and a steering pad in a state where the steering wheel is positioned in the straight direction of the vehicle (the steering pad 102 is substantially horizontal). It is arranged at a position visible from a gap portion surrounded by 102.

Further, as seen from the gap surrounded by the steering wheel 101 and the steering pad 102,
An LC formed of a liquid crystal panel is provided behind the input panel 2.
The D display unit 12 is arranged so as to overlap the input panel 2, and a speedometer 104 and a tachometer 105 are arranged on the left and right of the LCD display unit 12, respectively.

This input panel 2 is, as shown in FIG.
Transparent touch panel 2 that allows the operator to perform input operations
1 and a transparent EL display unit (information display unit) 22 that is provided on the back side of the touch panel 21 and that displays input information such as a numeric keypad, and is fixed to the steering column 103 with a fixture 23. (See FIG. 3).

The configurations of the touch panel 21 and the EL display section 22 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

The touch panel 21 includes a transparent glass substrate 21a, a transparent resistance film 21b provided on the surface of the glass substrate 21a, and a resistance film 21b at a position separated from the surface of the resistance film 21b by a predetermined distance. A transparent resistance film 21c and a resistance film 21b provided so as to be substantially parallel to each other.
And a transparent spacer 21e for connecting the resistive film 21c with the resistive film 21c.
And the transparent resin film 2 provided on the surface of the resistance film 21c.
1d and.

The touch panel 21 is pressed when the surface of the touch panel 21 is pressed by utilizing the fact that the resistance value of the touch panel 21 changes depending on the position where the resin film 21d (that is, the surface of the touch panel 21) is pressed. Information regarding the determined position, that is, position information is created, and this position information is output to the input control unit 8 shown in FIG.

The EL display section 22 is a transparent glass substrate 2.
2a, a transparent comb-shaped electrode 22b provided on the surface of the glass substrate 22a, and a transparent comb-shaped electrode 22b provided at a position separated from the surface of the comb-shaped electrode 22b by a predetermined distance so as to be substantially parallel to the comb-shaped electrode 22b. Comb-shaped electrode 22c and a transparent glass substrate 22d provided on the surface of the comb-shaped electrode 22c.
, A transparent organic EL element 22f filled in a gap formed between the comb-shaped electrode 22b and the comb-shaped electrode 22c, and the organic EL element 22f provided at the outer peripheral portion of the gap.
A transparent spacer 22e that prevents the L display portion 22 from protruding outside is provided.

Here, the comb-shaped electrode 22b and the comb-shaped electrode 22c are provided.
And are provided such that the length directions of the respective comb teeth are shifted from each other by approximately 90 degrees.

The EL display section 22 is an organic EL element 22f when a voltage is applied between the comb-shaped electrodes 22b and 22c.
By utilizing the fact that the light is emitted, the input information such as the ten-key pad is displayed as an image as described later. The brightness of the image is adjusted by changing the magnitude of this voltage.

The multi-function control section 3 shown in FIG. 1 operates among the functions provided in the vehicle 100 based on the input information input by the operator using the input device (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 100 shown in FIG. Information regarding which function the person is requesting to use, that is, function selection information 31, is created, and the created function selection information 31 is output to the function control unit 4.

The function control section 4 determines whether or not the operator requests the use of the touch panel 21 based on the function selection information 31 provided from the multi-function control section 3, and determines that the request is made. In this case, the display request information requesting that the EL display unit 22 display an image is output to the vehicle stop determination unit 7 and the input control unit 8. On the other hand, if it is determined that the request has not been made, processing request information indicating that processing (processing other than the processing of displaying an image on the EL display unit 22) corresponding to the content of the function selection information 31 is requested. It outputs to the vehicle stop determination unit 7 and the input control unit 8.

The vehicle speed sensor 5 detects the speed of the vehicle 100, creates information relating to the detection result, that is, speed information 51, and outputs this speed information 51 to the vehicle stop determination unit 7.

The parking brake sensor 6 is used for the vehicle 10.
It detects whether or not the parking brake of 0 is operating, creates information regarding the detection result, that is, parking brake information 61, and outputs this parking brake information 61 to the vehicle stop determination unit 7.

The vehicle stop determination section 7 determines whether or not the vehicle 100 is stopped based on the speed information 51 given by the vehicle speed sensor 5 and the parking brake information 61 given by the parking brake sensor 6.

When it is determined that the vehicle 100 is stopped and the display request information is given from the function control section 4, information indicating that the image may be displayed on the EL display section 22, that is, the display is displayed. The permission information is output to the state changing unit 9, and the vehicle 1
If it is determined that 00 is running, the EL display unit 2
Information indicating that an image should not be displayed on 2, that is, display stop information is output to the state changing unit 9.

On the other hand, when the processing request information is given from the function control section 4, the brightness control section 11 is adjusted in brightness based on the speed information 51, the parking brake information 61, and the content of the processing request information. Outputs the necessary information about.

The input control section 8 is provided with a memory 81 and performs the following processing when the display request information is given from the function control section 4.

That is, the input control section 8 saves the display request information given from the function control section 4 in the memory 81 and outputs it to the state changing section 9. In addition, the touch panel 21
Based on the position information given by the operator, which numeric key is selected by the operator from among the ten keys displayed on the EL display unit 22 (that is, which number is input by the operator using the touch panel 21) is displayed. Judge and create the number selection information,
The numeral selection information is stored in the memory 81 and is output to the state changing unit 9 and the communication device (not shown).

Therefore, even if the operator operates the touch panel 21 when the operator does not request the operation using the touch panel 21, the touch panel 21 is operated by this operation.
The location information created by is ignored.

On the other hand, when the processing request information is given from the function control unit 4, the processing request information is stored in the memory 81 and is output to the LCD image forming unit 10.

The state changing unit 9 includes a KB image creating unit 91 and a brightness control unit 92, and controls these constituent elements.

When the KB image creating section 91 receives the display request information from the input control section 8, as shown in FIG.
Input information such as a numeric keypad is displayed as an image on the EL display unit 22. When the input control unit 8 receives numerical selection information, the numeric keypad selected by the operator on the basis of the numerical selection information is displayed so as to be distinguishable from other numeric keys (for example, the operator can Input information such as the selected numeric key (highlighted numeric keypad) is displayed as an image.

Further, when the brightness of the image displayed on the EL display unit 22 rises to such an extent that the operator can visually recognize the image by the processing by the brightness control unit 92 described later, the KB image creating unit 91 The numerical selection information is acquired from the memory 81, and based on the numerical selection information, the numerical information input by the operator using the touch panel 21 before the display of the image is stopped is displayed on the EL display unit 22.

The KB image creating section 91 performs processing so as to keep displaying the image on the EL display section 22 while the display request information is given from the input control section 8. However, the brightness control section 92 to be described later. There is a case where substantially nothing is displayed on the EL display unit 22 (the display of the image is stopped) by the processing by.

The brightness control unit 92 performs the following processing based on the information given from the vehicle stop determination unit 7.

That is, the brightness control section 92 receives the display permission information from the vehicle stop determination section 7 and then the EL display section 22.
The brightness of the image displayed on the screen is raised to such an extent that the operator can visually recognize the image.

On the other hand, when the display stop information is given, or when the operator does not perform an input operation for a certain period of time while the brightness of the image displayed on the EL display unit 22 is increased, the EL display is performed. The brightness of the image displayed on the section 22 is reduced to such an extent that virtually nothing is displayed on the EL display section 22. That is, the display of the image is stopped.

Based on the processing request information provided from the input control section 8, the LCD image creating section 10 has various information regarding the vehicle 100 (for example, information regarding the remaining amount of gasoline and whether or not a seat belt is worn). ), An image related to the information corresponding to the processing request information is displayed on the LCD display unit 12.

The brightness control section 11 adjusts the brightness of the image displayed on the LCD display section 12 based on the information on the brightness adjustment given from the vehicle stop determination section 7.

Next, the flow of processing performed by the information input device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 5 is a side view showing how the driver 200 who is the operator visually recognizes the input panel 2.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the driver 200 of the vehicle 100 inputs information requesting the use of the touch panel 21 using an input device (not shown) while the vehicle 100 is stopped, The multi-functional control unit 3 shown in 1
Based on this information, the function selection information 31 indicating that the operator requests the use of the touch panel 21 is created and output to the function control unit 4.

Next, the function control unit 4 changes the multi-function control unit 3
On the basis of the function selection information 31 given from the above, it is determined that the operator requests the use of the touch panel 21, and the display request information is output to the vehicle stop determination unit 7 and the input control unit 8.

Then, the input control unit 8 stores the display request information given from the function control unit 4 in the memory 81 and outputs it to the KB image creating unit 91 of the state changing unit 9.

While performing the above processing, the vehicle stop determination unit 7 stops the vehicle 100 based on the speed information 51 given by the vehicle speed sensor 5 and the parking brake information 61 given by the parking brake sensor 6. Determine that

When the vehicle stop determination unit 7 determines that the vehicle 100 is stopped, when the display request information is given from the function control unit 4, the vehicle stop determination unit 7 outputs the display permission information to the brightness control unit 92 of the state changing unit 9. .

Next, the KB image creating section 91 displays the input information such as a ten-key on the EL display section 22 as an image based on the display request information given from the input control section 8, as shown in FIG. The brightness control unit 92 raises the brightness of this image to such an extent that the driver 200 can visually recognize the input information such as the numeric keypad based on the display permission information given from the vehicle stop determination unit 7.

With the above processing, as shown in FIG. 2, since the input information of the ten-key pad or the like is displayed on the EL display section 22 with the brightness that the driver 200 can visually recognize, the driver 200 uses the ten-key pad to perform the input operation. (Input of numbers) can be performed. Specifically, as shown in FIG.
Can perform an input operation by passing a hand between the steering wheel 101 and the steering pad 102 and pressing a desired position on the touch panel 21 (a position corresponding to a numeral key on which a numeral to be inputted is displayed). it can.

Then, the driver 200 touches the touch panel 21.
When the desired position above is pressed, the touch panel 21 creates position information corresponding to the position pressed by the driver 200, and outputs the position information to the input control unit 8 shown in FIG.

Next, the input control unit 8 causes the touch panel 2
The numeral selection information is created based on the position information given from the No. 1, the numeral selection information is stored in the memory 81, and is output to the KB image creation unit 91 and the communication device (not shown).

Next, the KB image creating section 91 causes the driver 2 to operate based on the numeral selection information provided from the input control section 8.
Input information such as a numeric keypad that displays the numerical key selected by 00 so as to be distinguishable from other numerical keys is displayed on the EL display unit 22 as an image. Here, the brightness of this image is maintained by the processing of the brightness control unit 92 so that the driver 200 can visually recognize it.

When the driver 200 starts the vehicle 100 in this state, the vehicle stop determination unit 7 causes the speed information 51 given by the vehicle speed sensor 5 and the parking brake information 61 given by the parking brake sensor 6. Based on the above, it is determined that the vehicle 100 is not stopped, and the display stop information is output to the brightness control unit 92.

Next, the brightness control section 92 causes the vehicle stop determination section 7
Based on the display stop information provided by the EL display unit 2
The brightness of the image displayed in 2 is reduced to such an extent that virtually nothing is displayed on the EL display unit 22. That is, the display of the image is stopped.

As a result, the driver 200 cannot perform the input operation using the touch panel 21.

However, when the driver 200 stops the vehicle 100 again, the vehicle stop determination unit 7 displays the speed information 51 given by the vehicle speed sensor 5 and the parking brake information 61 given by the parking brake sensor 6. Based on this, it is determined that the vehicle 100 is stopped, and the display permission information is output to the brightness control unit 92 again.

Then, the brightness control section 92 raises the brightness of the image displayed on the EL display section 22 again to such an extent that the driver 200 can visually recognize it, based on the display permission information, and the image display section 91 causes the memory 81 to display. Numerical value selection information is acquired from the numerical value selection information, and the numerical value information input by the driver 200 before the display of the image is stopped is displayed on the EL display unit 22 based on the numerical value selection information.

As a result, the driver 200 can perform the input operation using the touch panel 21 again after confirming the numerical information input before the image display is stopped.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
3 is provided, the driver 200 can perform an input operation using the input panel 2 with almost no movement of the hand from the steering wheel 101.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the input panel 2 has a steering wheel 101 in a straight traveling state of the vehicle.
The driver 200 can easily visually recognize the input panel 2 in a straight traveling state of the vehicle because it is arranged at a position that can be visually recognized from a space surrounded by the steering pad 102 and the steering pad 102. An input operation using the panel 2 can be performed.

Further, since the image including the numeric keypad and the numerical information input by the driver 200 before the display of the image is stopped is displayed on the EL display section 22, the driver 2
00, as shown in FIG. 5, can see this image from the front of the vehicle 100 with almost no movement of the line of sight.

Therefore, the driver 200 can perform an input operation with good visibility.

Further, the driver 200 can perform an input operation with the other hand while holding the steering wheel 101 or the steering pad 102 with one hand and supporting his / her body. It can be performed.

Further, when the state change unit 9 shown in FIG. 1 determines that the vehicle 100 is stopped by the vehicle stop determination unit 7, the numeric keypad and the image including the numerical information already input by the driver 200 are displayed, When it is determined that the vehicle is running, control is performed to stop the display of this image.
It is possible to reliably prevent the driver 200 from performing an input operation while the vehicle 100 is traveling.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the input panel 2 is provided with a transparent EL display section 22 and a transparent touch panel 21, so that the state changing section 9 displays an image on the input panel 2. Input panel 2 by stopping the display of
Can be transparent.

As a result, the driver 200 can measure the instruments (LCD display section 12 shown in FIG.
The input panel 2 can be kept out of the way when viewing the speedometer 104, the tachometer 105, etc.).

In the present embodiment, the input information such as the numeric keypad is displayed as an image on the EL display unit 22, but other input information (for example, map information used for route guidance) is displayed as an image. May be.

Further, the EL display section 22 is replaced with the organic EL element 22.
Although the organic EL panel is composed of f or the like, it may be composed of other panels.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information input device.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an arrangement of an input panel.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the arrangement of input panels.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a configuration of an input panel.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing how the driver visually recognizes the input panel.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Information input device 2 Input panel 5 vehicle speed sensor 6 Parking brake sensor 7 Stop determination section 9 State change part 10 Image creation department 11 Brightness control section 21 Touch panel 22 EL display section (information display section) 51 Speed information 61 Parking brake information 100 vehicles 101 steering wheel 102 steering pad 103 Steering column 200 driver

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06F 3/023 G06F 3/033 360C 3/033 360 360/023 310L H03M 11/04 F term (reference) 3D020 BA04 BB01 BC02 BD03 BD09 BE01 BE03 3D030 DC01 5B020 AA01 BB10 CC11 FF17 5B087 AA09 AB01 CC01 CC36 CC37 5E501 AA22 BA05 CB05 EA10

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An information input device mounted on a vehicle, comprising: an input panel provided on a steering column of the vehicle for displaying input information and allowing an input operation by an operator; An information input device comprising: a state changing means for changing a display state. 2. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the input panel includes a transparent information display unit and a transparent touch panel. 3. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the input information includes a numeric keypad. 4. The input panel is arranged at a position visible from a gap portion surrounded by a steering wheel and a steering pad when the steering wheel is positioned in a straight direction of the vehicle. 1
The information input device according to claim 3. 5. A vehicle stop determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle is stopped is provided, and the state changing means outputs the input information when the vehicle stop determination means determines that the vehicle is stopped. The information input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the information is displayed and it is determined that the vehicle is running, the input information is controlled to be stopped.