JP2004272805A - Multi-way input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-way input device capable of avoiding operational failures. <P>SOLUTION: In a joy stick input device adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, operation guides 111 are set in the circumference of a stick 21, and the stick is rendered operable only in a given direction depending on GUI. In the operation of the stick, an operation history storage part 407b accumulates and stores the operation frequency and operation failure frequency of the stick in an operation history table for every selection menu screen and for every operational direction. An operation history analysis part 407c calculates a wrong operation ratio for each operational. An operation load control part 407d sets the reaction characteristic of the stick to an operational stroke for every operational direction based on the wrong operation ratio, and increases the reaction for an operational direction having a high wrong operation ratio to draw an operator's attention, whereby the operational failures of the stick are reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device for selecting a command and performing an input operation by tilting or sliding an operation end.
[0002]
[Prior art]
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2001-313359
A conventional multidirectional input device includes an operation error counting unit that counts and stores the number of operation errors in each operation direction, such as an “input device” described in Patent Literature 1, for example. Has been proposed, a function (command) selected according to the operation direction is replaced with a function selected according to another operation direction to avoid an operation error.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such conventional measures for preventing operation errors, when the operation direction in a certain operation state is different from the direction of the conventional model that the operator is familiar with or different from general customs, the operator is unconscious. In addition, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation due to the operating custom of the operator, such as operating in the direction of the conventional model or in the direction that is the general custom.
[0004]
However, for the operation menu displayed on the screen, there is a difference between the function that can be realized by the selection operation from the menu and the function that the operator intends and expects, and the definition of the term of the operation menu item Is ambiguous, and the operator cannot perform the function expected by selecting an inappropriate operation menu item. there were.
[0005]
In particular, in a system such as a car navigation system in which a multi-directional input device selects a hierarchical menu displayed on a screen a plurality of times to realize a desired operation function, a desired operation procedure is used. Is difficult to get accustomed to by associating the operation directions of the multi-directional input device, and is often operated while being conscious of the operation menu on the display screen. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and has a multi-directional input device that prompts an operator to perform an operation conscious of an operation in which the operator easily makes a selection error, thereby facilitating early operation. The purpose is to provide.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
For this reason, the present invention provides a multidirectional input device in which an operation end is tilted or slid in a predetermined direction to select a command associated with the direction and perform an input operation. Operation monitoring means for monitoring the operation, an operation error determination means for determining whether or not the operator's selection operation is an operation error, an operation count for each operation direction corresponding to the command, and an operation error determination for each selection operation Operation history storage means for cumulatively storing the number of operation errors for each operation direction determined by the means as an operation history, and operation history analysis means for calculating an erroneous operation rate for each operation direction from the operation history stored in the operation history storage means And operation load control means for setting and changing a reaction force characteristic to be felt by the operator through the operation end according to the amount of operation in the radial direction when the operator tilts the operation end. Based on the erroneous operation rate, the load control means sets the reaction force characteristic, which increases in accordance with the operation amount as the erroneous operation rate in the operation direction is larger, to a steeper slope than the standard setting, or sets the operation amount position where the selection operation is completed to the standard. It is set to a position larger than the setting.
[0007]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, each selection operation is determined by the operation error determination unit as to whether or not an operation error has occurred, and the operation history storage unit accumulates and stores the number of operations and the number of operation errors for each operation direction as an operation history. Means for calculating an erroneous operation rate for each operation direction from the operation history. Since the gradient reaction force characteristic is set or the operation amount (stroke) position at which the selection operation is completed is set to a stroke position larger than that in the case of the standard setting, the operation end is tilted in a menu screen option where a selection error easily occurs. Then, since the reaction force from the operation end is larger than usual, it is possible for the operator to recognize that the selection operation in that direction requires attention.
[0008]
As a result, the operator has a chance to check or reconsider the menu screen before completing the selection operation in that direction, and if the operation direction is incorrect, the operator is likely to notice the error. Also, when the operation direction is correct, it is easy to recognize again that the operation direction is correct.
[0009]
In this way, even in an operation menu in which an operation error is likely to occur, understanding of the correspondence between the operation menu and the operation function, that is, formation of a mental model of the operator can be performed early, and as a result, operation errors can be reduced.
In addition, in order to notify the operator of an operation state in which an operation error is likely to occur by the feeling of an increase in the reaction force of the operation end, pay close attention to the operation menu on the screen for other priority operations such as operation of the vehicle interior. It is possible to reliably inform the operator of an operation state in which an operation error is likely to occur even in an operation environment where it is assumed that the user cannot pay.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the first embodiment, the multidirectional input device is a joystick-type input device that is installed on an instrument panel of a vehicle and operates a GUI (Graphical User Interface) displayed on a display.
[0011]
The joystick input device is installed on the instrument panel of the vehicle, can be operated from both the driver's seat and the passenger seat, and has a stick 21 projecting upward from the center cluster 20 as shown in FIG. By tilting in the radial direction, operations such as menu selection, cursor movement, and screen scrolling of the GUI displayed on the display 23 as the display means are executed.
In front of the stick 21, a push switch type cancel switch 22 for canceling the operation command input by the immediately preceding stick operation is provided.
[0012]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the joystick input device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the joystick input device.
The joystick input device 401 includes a stick 21 serving as an operation end, a lateral driving unit 404X including an electric motor that generates torque in the X-axis direction (see FIG. 1) of the stick 21, and rotation of the stick 21 in the X-axis direction. A horizontal position detection unit 403X for detecting an angle, a vertical drive unit 404Y composed of an electric motor for generating a torque in the Y-axis direction of the stick 21 (see FIG. 1), and a rotation angle of the stick 21 in the Y-axis direction are detected. And a vertical position detection unit 403Y.
[0013]
The end 411a (see FIG. 3) of the stick 21 is connected to a pedestal 411b having a mechanism for tilting independently on the X axis and the Y axis, and is configured to be driven by the horizontal drive unit 404X and the vertical drive unit 404Y. ing.
The horizontal position detection unit 403X and the vertical position detection unit 403Y are photo encoders that optically detect a rotation angle so as to detect the tilt angle of the pedestal 411b of the stick independently on the X axis and the Y axis. It is configured.
[0014]
The joystick input device 401 further includes the cancel switch 22, a stick control operation device 407, and a communication unit 408.
The stick control arithmetic unit 407 includes an operation error determination unit 407a, an operation history storage unit 407b, an operation history analysis unit 407c, an operation load control unit 407d, and an operation monitoring unit 407e.
The stick control calculation device 407 receives the current GUI state from the operation / display processing calculation unit 409 via the communication unit 408.
The stick control calculation device 407 determines a later-described operation direction layout of the stick 21 based on the current GUI state (operation type, hierarchical position, number of options), and a movable area so that the stick 21 can move according to the operation direction layout. Control.
[0015]
Note that the hardware configuration of the stick control arithmetic unit 407 is for input / output processing of input signals from the horizontal position detecting unit 403X and the vertical position detecting unit 403Y and output signals to the horizontal driving unit 404X and the vertical driving unit 404Y. A / D conversion circuit and D / A conversion circuit, an operation error determination unit 407a, an operation history storage unit 407b, an operation history analysis unit 407c, an operation load control unit 407d, and an operation monitoring unit 407e. It consists of a CPU, ROM, and RAM.
The communication unit 408 includes a serial interface circuit that communicates with the outside.
[0016]
The operation / display processing calculation unit 409 is connected to the communication unit 408, outputs the current GUI state to the stick control calculation device 407, and outputs a signal of an option input from the stick control calculation device 407 and the current GUI state. The signal is converted into a corresponding operation input signal and output to the information processing operation unit 410.
The operation / display processing calculation unit 409 generates a display video signal according to the current GUI state and the presence / absence of an operation input signal, and outputs the display video signal to the display 23 to display the GUI state in a video.
[0017]
The information processing operation unit 410 performs information processing corresponding to the operation input signal input from the operation / display processing operation unit 409, and outputs a GUI update request to the operation / display processing operation unit 409 as necessary.
The operation / display processing calculation unit 409 and the information processing calculation unit 410 have separate functions here, but these functions can be integrated and realized by one device.
[0018]
The operation direction layout is a type of layout in which, for example, when the GUI has a menu arrangement as shown in FIG. 4A, the direction in which the tilt direction of the stick 21 is determined to be the operation direction is eight directions. In the case of the menu layout as shown in FIG. 4B, the layout is of a four-direction type.
FIG. 5A shows the movable area of the stick corresponding to the operation direction layout of eight options as shown in FIG.
[0019]
(1) to (8) shown in FIG. 5A indicate the operation direction numbers of the operation direction layout such as eight or four operation directions determined by the setting of the GUI. Corresponding.
Hereinafter, the “operation direction” refers to an operation direction indicated by an operation direction number of (1) to (8) corresponding to each option of the GUI. The clockwise angle of the stick 21 tilted from the 0 ° direction reference line 34 during the stick operation is referred to as “operation direction angle”.
[0020]
An operation guide 111 is set in the circumferential direction around the stick 21 as shown by a hatched area in FIG. The operation guide 111 is an area in which the stick 21 cannot enter. When the positions detected by the horizontal position detecting unit 403X and the vertical position detecting unit 403Y (hereinafter referred to as “stick position”) try to enter this area, the stick control is performed. As shown in FIG. 5B, which is an enlargement of part A of FIG. 5A, the arithmetic unit 407 applies a force to push back the stick 21 from the operation guide 111 by the horizontal drive unit 404X and the vertical drive unit 404Y. generate.
[0021]
Thus, the white area between the adjacent operation guides 111 becomes the movable area 114, and when the stick 21 is tilted in the radial direction from the play area 113 in the center play area circle 134, the operation direction number ▲ 1 If the angle of the operation direction substantially coincides with any one of the movable areas 114 indicated by ▼ to ８8, the stick 21 is guided in a desired operation direction.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, an operation interruption circle 115 is set in the play area 113, and an operation start circle 116 is set outside the operation interruption circle 115 so as to cross the operation guide 111.
[0022]
The operation monitoring unit 407e determines the operation amount (stroke) and the steering direction angle of the stick 21 based on the stick position, and performs the following processing.
First, when the operator operates the stick 21 and the operation monitoring unit 407e detects that the distance of the stick position from the neutral point 120 is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the operation start shown in FIG. When detecting that the stick has exceeded the circle 116, the operation monitoring unit 407e determines which operation direction the stick 21 is located in the movable area 114, and sends the operation start signal and the operation direction i to the operation load control unit 407d. Output.
[0023]
When the operation monitoring unit 407e detects that the operation amount (stroke) of the stick has exceeded the click point described later, it determines that the selection operation has been completed, and the stick control calculation device 407 transmits a signal of the option via the communication unit 408. Output to the external operation / display processing calculation unit 409.
Further, the operation monitoring unit 407e outputs the operation presence signal and the operation direction number i to the operation error determination unit 407a.
[0024]
Further, when the stick 21 returns to the neutral position 120 in a state where the selection operation has not been completed and is located inside the operation interruption circle 115, the operation monitoring unit 407e determines that the operation in the previous operation direction has been interrupted. Then, an operation interruption signal is output to the operation load control unit 407d.
[0025]
Next, load control of the stick 21 in the operation load control unit 407d will be described.
The reaction force (operation load) applied to the hand of the operator when the stick 21 is tilted from the neutral point 120 shown in FIG. Will be explained.
The horizontal axis indicates the operation amount (stroke) of the stick, and the vertical axis indicates the reaction force (operation load). The play section on the horizontal axis indicates a stroke section from the neutral point 120 to the vertex 112 of the operation guide 111 in FIGS. 5A and 5B, and the guide section is sticked by the operation guide 111 on the outside in the radial direction. Is a section in which the operation direction angle is guided. The stroke position s corresponds to the position of the operation start circle 116.
[0026]
An operation load characteristic curve 501 shows a normal stroke-operation load characteristic. The operation load increases as the stroke increases, and the operation load temporarily and discontinuously decreases at the stroke position a, and thereafter, the operation load rapidly increases.
This stroke position a is called a "click point", and when the click point is exceeded, the operator feels a click feeling due to discontinuity of the operation load. The operation monitoring unit 407e generates the above-mentioned operation presence signal when the signal exceeds the click point a.
[0027]
When the tilting force of the operator applied to the stick 21 is reduced, the stick 21 automatically returns to the neutral point 120, and the operation load is correspondingly reduced as shown in FIG. Thus, the operation load of the stick 21 returns to the low load, which is the operation load in the play area 113 near the neutral point.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 6A, the operation load is set to increase as the stroke increases, and the operation start circle 116 is set at the stroke position s. Is slightly deviated from the neutral point 120, the stick control arithmetic unit 407 does not erroneously recognize that the operation of the stick 21 has started.
[0029]
Next, control of the stick 21 in the stick control arithmetic device 407 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a basic flowchart showing the entire flow of the stick control.
In step 101, the operation error determination unit 407a receives an operation direction and an operation presence signal from the operation monitoring unit 407e and an operation signal of the cancel switch 22, and performs a series of operations of a selection operation, its cancellation operation, and subsequent re-operation. It is determined whether the operation corresponds to an operation error.
[0030]
In step 102, the operation history storage unit 407b prepares an operation history table for each menu of each GUI, receives a signal from the operation monitoring unit 407e and the determination of the operation error determination unit 407a, and determines an operation direction corresponding to the menu selection. The operation history such as the number of operations, the number of operation mistakes, and the re-operation direction after the cancellation of the operation mistakes is accumulated.
[0031]
In step 103, the operation history analysis unit 407c monitors the operation history storage unit 407b, and after updating each operation history, determines each option of the menu from the number of operations, the number of operation errors, and the number of reoperations of the cumulative operation history of the corresponding menu screen. The operation probability, the erroneous operation rate, and the re-operation probability are calculated and stored.
In step 104, the operation load control unit 407d controls the load characteristics of each movable area of the stick 21 when the stick is operated.
[0032]
Next, the operation error determination processing, the operation history storage processing, the operation history analysis processing, and the operation load control processing will be described in detail in order.
First, an operation error determination process performed by the operation error determination unit 407a will be described.
The determination of the operation error is performed by switching between the two determination methods based on the operation type information which is one of the information on the current GUI state.
[0033]
The operation type information includes a binary code indicating whether the current GUI is a hierarchical menu or a direct input menu. The hierarchical menu is a menu of a format in which when a menu is selected by a stick operation, the GUI is updated and a different menu is reconfigured. For example, as described above, the configuration is such that “communication” is selected in the 8-select menu as shown in FIG. 4A and the display is switched to the display in FIG. 4B.
[0034]
On the other hand, the direct input type menu is a menu in which even if a menu is selected by a stick operation, the menu configuration does not change and the menu selection itself is treated as an input operation to the device. For example, when "loud volume" is selected as shown in FIG. 4C, the volume of the speaker is immediately increased by one step, but the menu configuration does not change. Different operation mistakes are determined depending on the current GUI operation type.
[0035]
First, a case where the operation type is a hierarchical menu will be described with reference to FIG. As shown by the dotted line, MENU 4 is selected on a menu screen of a certain higher hierarchy by a stick operation, and MENU 1 is selected from options (MENU 1, MENU 2, MENU 3, MENU 4,...) Of the subsequent lower menu screen. , It is assumed that a cancel operation is performed and a different MENU 2 is selected again.
Here, the measurement of the operation time is started from the time when the selection of the option is completed on each menu screen, and the operation time is measured when the next selection operation is completed. Start measuring the operating time.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 8B, when a series of these operations are performed in less than a predetermined time, the operation error determination unit 407a determines that the operation performed during this period is one time earlier than the current level by the cancellation operation. Check whether or not you have made a round trip between the layers. When these conditions are satisfied, the first selection operation is determined to be an operation error, and the operation direction in the first selection operation is “misoperation direction”, and the operation direction in the reselection operation after the cancel operation is “correct operation operation”. Direction ”.
The determination result is output to the operation history storage unit 407b.
[0037]
Here, when the first operation direction is the same as the second operation direction, a provisional determination is made as an operation error, and the number of operation errors is stored in a buffer. Then, in the next operation, when this is determined to be an operation error, the number of operation errors stored in the buffer is added to be the number of operation errors. This is a process for counting continuous operation errors, assuming a case where an operation error is made twice or more consecutively in an adjacent operation direction in an attempt to select a certain operation direction.
[0038]
Next, a case where the operation type is a direct input type menu will be described as a case where a command 1 is selected by a stick operation and then a different command 2 is selected again as shown in FIG. 9A. As shown in FIG. 9B, when these series of operations are performed for less than the predetermined time, the operation error determination unit 407a determines that the operation is incorrect, and sets the operation direction in the first selection operation to the “missed operation direction”. , The operation direction in the reselection operation is determined to be “correct operation direction”.
[0039]
Here, as in the case of the hierarchical menu, the measurement of the operation time starts from the time when the selection of the command on the menu screen is completed, and ends when the next selection operation is completed. At the same time, it is determined whether or not the operation time is shorter than the predetermined operation time. Here, there is no cancellation operation.
Therefore, the operation error determination unit 407a checks whether or not the operation time is shorter than the predetermined time when the selection operation is performed and the measurement of the operation time is completed. The first operation direction is output to the operation history storage unit 407b as the “misoperation direction” and the second operation direction as the “correct operation direction”.
[0040]
Here, if the first operation direction is the same as the second operation direction, a temporary determination is made as an operation error as in the case of the hierarchical menu, and the number of operation errors is stored in a buffer. Then, the next operation is determined as an operation error, and when the “missed operation direction” and the “correct operation direction” can be separated as different operation directions, the number of operation errors stored in the buffer is added to the number of operation errors. And
[0041]
FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the flow of the operation error determination process.
In step 201, it is checked whether or not a selection operation has been performed, that is, whether or not the operation monitoring unit 407e has issued an operation presence signal. If a selection operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step 202; otherwise, the operation error determination process ends.
In step 202, the timer starts counting up.
In step 203, the operation type of the current GUI is determined from the operation type information. In the case of the hierarchical menu, the process proceeds to step 204, and in the case of the direct input type menu, the process proceeds to step 208.
[0042]
In step 204, it is checked whether a new selection operation has been performed. If there is, the elapsed time of the timer is detected, and if the time t is shorter than the set time Th and there is a cancel operation before the selection operation, the process proceeds to step 205.
In step 208, it is checked whether or not a new selection operation has been performed as in step 204. If a selection operation has been performed, the elapsed time of the timer is detected, and if the time t is smaller than the set time Td. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step 205.
If the above determination conditions are not satisfied in steps 204 and 208, the process proceeds to step 209.
[0043]
In step 205, the number of operation errors Cm stored in the buffer is counted up by one.
In step 206, it is checked whether or not the previous selection operation and the current selection operation have the same contents. If they are different, the process proceeds to step 207, and if they are the same, the process proceeds to step 210.
In step 207, it is determined that the previous selection operation is an operation error and the current selection operation is a correct operation, and the number of operation errors Cm stored in the buffer is output to the operation history storage unit 407b. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 209.
[0044]
If the previous selection operation and the current selection operation have the same contents in the check in step 206, the current selection operation is provisionally determined as an operation error, and the number of operation errors Cm stored in the buffer is reset. The number of operation errors is carried over to the next time. If the operation direction is different when the next selection operation is performed within a predetermined time, the previous selection operation is determined to be an operation error. If the next selection operation has exceeded the predetermined time, the number of operation errors Cm is reset.
[0045]
In step 209, the number of operation errors Cm stored in the buffer is reset to zero. The resetting of the number of operation errors Cm to zero is also performed when the selection operation is performed after a predetermined time Th or Td has elapsed from the preceding selection operation. After step 209, the process proceeds to step 210.
In step 210, the timer is reset and the process returns to step 201.
[0046]
Next, the operation history storage processing in the operation history storage unit 407b will be described based on the operation history table shown in FIG. 12 and the flowchart shown in FIG.
The operation history table is a two-dimensional array that records “the number of operations” 301, “the number of operation errors” 302 in the operation direction i, and “the number of reoperations” 303 for each reoperation direction j after an operation error for each menu screen. It is a table. This operation history table is prepared for each menu screen.
[0047]
The operation history storage unit 407b counts up the corresponding column of the table when the operation error determination unit 407a determines the occurrence of an operation error and outputs “missing operation direction” and “correct operation direction”. .
In the present embodiment, the concept of a table is visualized and shown in FIG. 12, but the substance is a memory area in the stick control arithmetic unit 407, and the operation history includes the number of operations in each operation direction, the number of operation errors, and the operation error. The memory allocation method may be freely designed as long as the number of re-operations for each re-operation direction in the case of occurrence is managed for each menu screen.
[0048]
First, in step 231, the operation history storage unit 407b receives an operation presence signal from the operation monitoring unit 407e, and checks whether there has been a selection operation from the menu by a stick operation. If there is a selection operation, the process proceeds to step 232; otherwise, the process ends.
In step 232, the screen is switched to the operation history table corresponding to the current menu screen.
[0049]
In step 233, based on the operation direction number i output by the operation monitoring unit 407e, 1 is added to the “operation count” 301 of the operation direction i in the operation history table, and “total” 304 is recalculated. Remember.
In step 234, it is checked whether or not an operation error determination unit 407a outputs an operation error determination. If there is an operation mistake, the process proceeds to step 235; otherwise, the process ends.
[0050]
In step 235, the operation direction i and the number of operation errors Cm, which are stored in the buffer by the operation error determination unit 407a, are read and added to the “operation error number” 302 of the operation history table.
At step 236, the missed operation direction i and the correct operation direction (re-operation direction) j stored in the buffer of the operation error determination unit 407b are read, and 1 is added to the “re-operation number” 303 of the operation history table. The process ends after step 236.
[0051]
Next, the operation history analysis processing in the operation history analysis unit 407c will be described using the operation history analysis table in FIG. 14 and the flowchart in FIG.
The operation history analysis table is a two-dimensional array table provided corresponding to each operation history table. The “operation probability” 311 and the “erroneous operation rate” 312 for each operation direction i, and the re-operation direction j when re-operation is performed after an operation error The “reoperation probability” 313 for each is recorded.
[0052]
In step 241, it is checked whether or not a selection operation has been performed. If a selection operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step 242; otherwise, the process ends.
In step 242, the screen is switched to the operation history analysis table corresponding to the current GUI menu screen.
In step 243, the operation history table corresponding to the current GUI menu screen is read, and the operation history analysis table is updated each time the operation history table is updated.
[0053]
First, the “operation number” 301 in the operation direction i in the operation history table shown in FIG. 12 is divided by the “total” 304 of the operation number to calculate the “operation probability” 311 in the operation direction i. Next, in the operation direction i of the operation history table, the “operation error count” 302 is divided by the “operation count” 301 to calculate the “error operation rate” 312 in the operation direction i. Finally, in the operation direction i of the operation history table, the “reoperation number” 303 in the reoperation direction j is divided by the “operation error number” 302 to calculate a “reoperation probability” 313. The operation history analysis table is updated with these calculation results.
The update of the operation history analysis table in step 243 described above may be performed by updating only the minimum necessary columns every time a selection operation is performed.
[0054]
FIG. 16 shows a flowchart of the operation load control.
In step 251, the operation load control unit 407d checks whether a menu screen has been switched by a stick operation.
If the menu screen has been switched, the process proceeds to step 252; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 257.
In step 252, if the interruption operation waiting timer is operating during interruption operation waiting to be described later, the timer is stopped.
[0055]
In step 253, the operation load of each operation direction in the operation layout of the current GUI menu screen is returned to the state when the stick 21 is located at the neutral point 120 as initialization processing.
In step 254, the screen is switched to the operation history analysis table corresponding to the current menu screen.
In step 255, the erroneous operation rate for each operation direction is read out from the operation history analysis table, and control is performed to increase the operation load according to the erroneous operation rate for the tilted operation direction of the stick 21.
[0056]
For example, in the operation history analysis table, when the erroneous operation rate is less than 0.25 among the erroneous operation rates in each operation direction, the operation load characteristic in the operation direction is represented by an operation load characteristic curve 501 shown in FIG. When the erroneous operation rate is 0.25 or more, the operation load characteristic curve 502 is set to have a larger gradient of the operation load.
The operation load characteristic curve 502 has a click point set at a stroke position b larger than the operation load characteristic curve 501.
[0057]
To change the stroke-to-operation load characteristic according to the erroneous operation rate in three stages, for example, when the erroneous operation rate is less than 0.25, 0.25 to less than 0.5, and 0.5 or more, the operation load characteristic curves 501, 502, What is necessary is just to use properly like 503.
In order to increase the operation load while maintaining a good click feeling, it is desirable to increase the decrease in the operation load at the click point as shown in FIG.
In the example of the operation history analysis table shown in FIG. 14, the operation load characteristic curve 503 is applied to the operation direction (3), and the operation load characteristic curve 502 is applied to the operation direction (4).
[0058]
In step 256, for the operation direction in which the erroneous operation rate is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the operation load is reduced or the stick is automatically pulled in the operation direction according to the operation probability.
For example, in the operation direction in which the erroneous operation rate is 0.1 or less, such as the operation direction (5) in the operation history analysis table in FIG. 14, the operation probability is 0.5 or more. As shown by a curve 504, the setting is such that the gradient of the operation load is smaller than that of the operation load characteristic curve 501. The operation load characteristic curve 504 also has a click point set at a stroke position d smaller than the operation load characteristic curve 501.
[0059]
In order to reduce the operation load while maintaining a good click feeling, it is desirable that the temporary decrease width of the operation load at the click point be reduced in accordance with the decrease in the operation load, as shown in the operation load characteristic curve 504.
[0060]
If the operation probability is 0.99 or more, the automatic operation of the stick 21 is performed.
Even if the operator does not apply a force to tilt the stick 21, the stick 21 moves in the operation direction with the operation probability of 0.99 or more, and returns to the neutral point 120 after the completion of the selection operation.
The moving speed of the stick 21 is set to an appropriate value so that the operator does not feel uncomfortable during the automatic operation. Normally, the time from the start to the end of the operation is about 0.5 to 1.0 seconds.
Also, in order to give priority to the stick operation of the operator, the operation monitoring unit 407e determines the presence or absence of the operator's override operation based on the moving speed or acceleration of the stick at the time of the automatic operation. Stop the operation.
After step 256, the process proceeds to step 257.
[0061]
In step 257, it is checked whether or not the operation monitoring unit 407e has issued an operation interruption. When the operation interruption is detected, the process proceeds to step 258. Here, for example, it is assumed that the stick 21 has returned to the neutral point 120 direction after having passed the operation start circle 116 in the operation direction {circle around (3)}, and has returned inside the operation interruption circle 115.
If no operation interruption has been detected, the operation proceeds to 259.
In step 258, in order to limit the operation load control after the operation interruption, which will be described later, within a predetermined time (interruption operation standby time Tr), the interruption operation standby timer is reset once, and then the count-up is started. After step 258, the process proceeds to step 259.
[0062]
In step 259, if the interruption operation is waiting, it is checked whether the elapsed time after the operation interruption is smaller than the interruption operation waiting time Tr. If it is shorter than the interruption operation waiting time Tr, the process proceeds to step 260; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 262.
At step 260, the operation load characteristic curve in the interrupted operation direction (in this case, the operation direction {circle around (3)}) is released from the operation load increase control corresponding to the erroneous operation rate set at step 255, and the normal operation load characteristic curve 501 is obtained. Set to.
[0063]
In step 261, an operation load characteristic curve in each operation direction different from the interrupted operation direction (in this case, an operation direction other than the operation direction {circle around (3)}) is set according to the re-operation probability. For example, for a re-operation direction having a re-operation probability of 0.5 or more, an operation load characteristic curve 504 having a smaller operation load than the normal operation load characteristic curve 501 is set, and the process returns to step 251.
If the interruption operation standby time Tr has elapsed in step 259, the process proceeds to step 262, where the interruption operation standby timer is stopped, and the process returns to step 251.
The interruption operation standby time Tr depends on the operation environment, the operator, and the like, but usually 3 to 5 seconds is appropriate.
[0064]
When the selection operation is completed, regardless of what the preceding operation is and regardless of the elapsed time from the preceding operation, the menu screen is switched thereafter. At that time, the process returns to step 251 and proceeds to a series of routes from step 252 to step 256 after checking in step 251.
Therefore, if the interruption operation waiting timer is operating in step 252, the timer is stopped.
When the operation interruption is detected in step 257 and the process returns to step 251 via steps 258 to 261, the operation is resumed after the operation interruption, so that the menu screen is the same as when the operation was interrupted, and the process proceeds to step 257. In step 257, since the interruption of the operation is not detected, the process further proceeds to step 259, and the path is divided into the path of steps 260 and 261 or the path of step 262 depending on whether the elapsed time after the interruption operation is shorter than Tr.
[0065]
As described above, in the case of the stick operation within the predetermined time Tr after the interruption of the operation, the operation load is increased in the operation direction with a higher erroneous operation rate based on the probability value of the operation history analysis table as in steps 255 and 256, The operation direction in which the erroneous operation rate is extremely small and the operation probability is high is different from the operation load control in which the operation load is reduced or automatic operation is performed. Unlike the operation load control in which the erroneous operation rate is high, the operation load in steps 260 and 261 is reduced. Perform control.
[0066]
The stick 21 in this embodiment constitutes the operation end of the present invention, the horizontal position detection unit 403X, the vertical position detection unit 403Y, and the operation monitoring unit 407e constitute an operation monitoring unit. Step 102 constitutes an operation history storage means, step 103 constitutes an operation history analysis means, and step 104 constitutes an operation load control means.
[0067]
As described above, in this embodiment, in the joystick input device installed in the center cluster 20 of the vehicle, for each menu screen, the number of times of operation of the stick 21 for each operation direction, the number of operation errors, and the re-operation direction after the operation error And the operation load applied to the stick 21 increases more than usual based on the erroneous operation rate.
[0068]
As a result, the operator can recognize that attention is required from the operation feeling when performing the operation in that direction, and prompt the user to reconsider whether the operation can be performed as it is.
If the operation direction is wrong, it becomes easy to notice the error, and even if the operation is correct, it becomes easy to recognize the operation again. In this way, even on the selection menu screen where an operation error is likely to occur, the operator naturally learns and stores the correct operation, and the mental model formation of the operator is promoted.
[0069]
In addition, when the operator stops the tilt of the stick 21 halfway before the click occurs due to an increase in the operation load, and performs the stick operation again, when the operation direction is the same as before the stop, the normal operation load characteristic is set. In other words, when the operation direction is different, the operation direction having a higher re-operation probability is set to an operation load characteristic lower than the normal operation load characteristic.
As a result, the operation load at the time of operating the stick again, which is likely to be correct, is reduced, and it is not necessary to alert the user of the operation direction in which the number of operation errors is large, so that the selection operation can be performed smoothly.
[0070]
Furthermore, for a stick operation that is unlikely to cause a selection error based on the analysis result of the operation history on a certain menu screen, an operation load characteristic in a direction with a higher operation probability is set to an operation load characteristic lower than usual. As a result, for the selection operation on the menu screen in which the mental model has already been formed for the operator, the operation load of the stick is small, so that the selection operation can be performed smoothly without disturbing the operator.
[0071]
Furthermore, when a certain menu screen is selected from the operation history analysis result, the stick is automatically operated for the operation direction in which the selection operation is almost surely performed, and the selection operation is completed, so that the operation efficiency is improved.
As a method of automatically selecting a specific menu option when a certain menu screen is selected, a method in which only the menu screen options displayed on the display 23 are automatically selected and the stick 21 is not driven may be considered. Can be
However, in this embodiment, at this time, the stick 21 is driven in the operation direction of the automatic operation by the horizontal drive unit 404X and the vertical drive unit 404Y. And the operator can easily override the automatic operation.
[0072]
As described above, the formation of the mental model is promoted, and the operation load of the stick 21 is small on the menu screen where the formation of the mental model is partially completed, so that the efficiency of the stick operation is improved as a whole.
In addition, since it is realized through the operational feeling of the reaction force of the stick, it can reliably alert the operator even in an operating environment such as the front seat of a car where it is anticipated that attention will not be paid to the menu screen, reducing selection errors The effect of promoting the formation of a mental model can be obtained.
[0073]
In the present embodiment, the guidance of the stick 21 in the operation direction corresponding to the selection menu screen is performed by controlling the reaction force on the stick 21 by setting the area of the operation guide 111. It may be realized by physical contact with a plate cut into the diameter of 411a.
Further, in the present embodiment, the setting of the erroneous operation rate, the re-operation probability, and the setting of the operation load characteristic changed according to the operation probability are controlled stepwise as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C. May be set and controlled continuously.
[0074]
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the joystick input device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the joystick input device.
The first embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the joystick input device 401 'does not have a horizontal drive unit and a vertical drive unit, but is provided with a stick vibrating unit 406 for applying vibration to the stick 21'. A vibration control unit 407d 'for instructing the start, stop, and vibration frequency of vibration at 406 is provided in the stick control arithmetic unit 407', and there is no operation load control unit.
[0075]
Next, the stick control arithmetic unit 407 'is partially different from the first embodiment in the processing of the operation history storage, the operation history analysis, and the operation determination. These operations are performed by the operation history storage unit 407b 'and the operation history analysis unit 407c' and the operation monitoring unit 407e ', respectively.
Also, instead of having a virtual operation guide driven by the stick, the stick 21 ′ is guided by physical contact of a plate cut into the diameter of the stick end 411 a ′.
[0076]
The determination of the start of the operation and the interruption of the operation in the operation monitoring unit 407e 'is the same method as in the first embodiment. The determination of the completion of the selection operation is made by detecting that an operation completion circle 118 set outside the operation start circle 116 (see FIG. 5A) is exceeded.
The operation error determination unit 407a has the same configuration.
17 and 18, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
The appearance of the joystick 21 'of this embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment.
[0077]
FIG. 19 shows a basic flowchart showing the entire flow of the stick control.
In step 151, an operation error determination process is performed by monitoring the stick operation. The detailed flowchart of this process is the same as in FIGS. 10 and 11 in the first embodiment.
In step 152, the operation history storage unit 407b 'records the number of operations in the operation history table 301 and the number of operation errors in the "operation error number" 302 of the operation history table for each operation direction of the stick operation.
The flow of the operation history storage processing is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the “number of re-operations” 303 of the operation history table for each menu screen shown in FIG. 12 is not recorded.
[0078]
In step 153, the operation history analysis unit 407c 'reads the "operation count" 301 and "operation error count" 302 stored in the operation history storage unit 407b', and updates the operation history analysis table as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, only the “error operation rate” 312 in each operation direction is calculated and recorded.
In step 154, the vibration control unit 407d 'controls the vibration applied to the stick 21' at the time of operating the stick in accordance with the erroneous operation rate in each operation direction.
[0079]
Next, details of the stick vibration control processing in step 154 will be described with reference to FIG.
In step 601, the vibration control unit 407d 'checks whether a menu screen has been switched.
If the menu screen has been switched, the process proceeds to step 602; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 605.
[0080]
In step 602, if a timer for waiting for an interruption operation to be described later is counting time, the timer is stopped.
In step 603, if the stick 21 'is vibrating, the vibration is stopped.
In step 604, the screen is switched to the operation history analysis table corresponding to the current menu screen.
[0081]
In step 605, it is checked whether or not the operation start of the stick 21 'has been detected. If the operation start has been detected, it is determined whether or not the operation direction is not waiting for the interruption operation, that is, the operation direction and the operation direction before the interruption operation are determined. Check if they are different. When the operation direction before the interruption operation is different from the operation direction, the process proceeds to step 606, and when the operation direction is the same, the process proceeds to step 607.
In step 606, the erroneous operation rate in the operation direction is read from the operation history analysis table, and the stick vibrator 406 is instructed to generate vibration on the stick 21 'according to the erroneous operation rate.
[0082]
For example, in the operation history analysis table, among the erroneous operation rates in each operation direction, when the erroneous operation rate is less than 0.25, no vibration is generated, and when the erroneous operation rate is less than 0.25 to 0.5, the vibration is performed at 100 Hz. In the case of 0.5 or more, it vibrates at 200 Hz.
In step 607, it is checked whether or not the operation monitoring unit 407e 'has transmitted the interruption of the operation direction selection. If the interruption of the operation direction selection is detected, the process proceeds to step 608; otherwise, the process proceeds to 610.
In step 608, a command is issued to the stick vibrating unit 406 to stop the vibration of the stick 21.
In step 609, in order to limit the vibration control after the interruption of the operation to a predetermined time (interruption operation standby time Tr), the interruption operation standby timer is reset once, and then the count-up is started.
[0083]
At step 610, it is checked whether or not the elapsed time after the interruption of the operation during the interruption operation standby is smaller than the interruption operation standby time Tr. If it is smaller than the interruption operation waiting time Tr, the process returns to step 601; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 611.
In step 611, the interruption operation waiting timer is stopped, and the process returns to step 601.
The interruption operation standby time Tr depends on the operation environment, the operator, and the like, but usually 3 to 5 seconds is appropriate.
[0084]
When the selection operation is completed, regardless of what the preceding operation is and regardless of the elapsed time from the preceding operation, the menu screen is switched thereafter. At that time, the process returns to step 601 and proceeds to a series of routes from step 602 to step 604 after checking in step 601.
Therefore, if the interruption operation waiting timer is operating in step 602, the timer is stopped.
[0085]
When the operation interruption is detected in step 607 and the process returns to step 601 via steps 608 to 610, the operation is resumed after the operation interruption, so the menu screen is the same as when the operation was interrupted, and the process proceeds to step 605.
In step 605, the operation is started after the interruption of the operation. If the operation direction is the same as that before the interruption operation, the process proceeds to step 607, and the start of the vibration of the stick 21 'is not commanded. To start the vibration, and the process proceeds to step 607.
[0086]
In step 607, since the operation interruption is not detected this time, the process proceeds to step 610, and returns to step 601 as it is depending on whether the elapsed time after the interruption operation is shorter than Tr, or waits for the interruption operation via step 611. The timer is stopped and the process returns to step 601.
As described above, the stick operation is performed within the predetermined time Tr after the interruption of the operation, and the stick is not vibrated in the same operation direction as the operation direction before the interruption of the operation, even if the operation direction has a high erroneous operation rate.
[0087]
The stick 21 'in this embodiment constitutes the operation end of the present invention, and the horizontal position detection unit 403X, the vertical position detection unit 403Y, and the operation monitoring unit 407e' constitute an operation monitoring unit.
Also, step 151 of the flowchart constitutes an operation error determination unit, step 152 constitutes an operation history storage unit, step 153 constitutes an operation history analysis unit, and step 154 constitutes a vibration control unit.
[0088]
According to the present embodiment, in each menu screen, when a stick operation is performed in an operation direction in which a selection error is likely to occur from a past operation history, the stick 21 ′ vibrates, and the operator performs operation in that direction. It is possible to recognize from the operation feeling that attention is required, and it is urged to reconsider whether the operation can be performed as it is.
If the operation direction is wrong, it becomes easy to notice the error, and even if the operation is correct, it becomes easy to recognize the operation again. In this way, even on the selection menu screen where an operation error is likely to occur, the operator naturally learns and stores the correct operation, and the mental model formation of the operator is promoted.
[0089]
In addition, the vibration of the stick 21 'is prohibited for the selection operation in the same operation direction after the operation is interrupted by the operator due to the vibration of the stick 21'. Thus, for an operation with certainty after confirmation or reconsideration, it is possible to prevent troublesomeness of alerting due to vibration of the stick 21 '.
In addition, since the formation of the mental model is promoted and the stick 21 'does not vibrate in the operation direction on the menu screen in which the formation of the mental model is partially completed, the efficiency of the stick operation can be improved as a whole. .
[0090]
As described above, these effects are realized by feeling from the stick 21 ', so that it is possible to surely obtain the operation environment in which a state in which attention is not paid to the menu screen, such as a front seat of an automobile, is expected.
Furthermore, instead of applying a reaction force to the stick as in the first embodiment, the stick is configured to apply vibration, so that it can be realized at lower cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a layout of a joystick input device according to an embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the joystick input device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the joystick input device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a selection menu.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a movable region of a stick.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation load characteristic with respect to an operation stroke at the time of a stick operation.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of stick control.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the concept of operation error determination in the case of a hierarchical menu.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the concept of operation error determination in the case of a direct input type menu.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation error determination process.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation error determination process.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an operation history table.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation history storage process.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an operation history analysis table.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation history analysis process.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation load control process.
FIG. 17 is a control block diagram of the joystick input device according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a joystick input device according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of stick control.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a vibration control process.
[Explanation of symbols]
20 Center Cluster
21 stick
22 Cancel switch
23 Display
340 0 direction reference line
111 Operation Guide
112 vertex
113 Play area
114 movable area
115 Operation interruption circle
116 Operation start circle
118 Operation complete circle
120 neutral point
134 play area circle
301 Number of operations
302 Number of operation errors
303 Re-operation count
304 total
311 Operation probability
312 Error rate
313 Reoperation probability
401, 401 'joystick input device
403X horizontal position detector
403Y Vertical position detector
404X horizontal drive
404Y vertical drive
406 Stick vibrating part
407, 407 'stick control arithmetic unit
407a Operation error determination unit
407b, 407b 'Operation history storage unit
407c, 407c 'Operation history analysis unit
407d Operation load control unit
407d 'Vibration control unit
407e, 407e 'Operation monitoring unit
408 Communication unit
409 Operation / display processing calculation unit
410 Information processing operation unit
411a, 411a 'end
411b, 411b 'base
501 to 504 Operating load characteristic curve

Claims (9)

By tilting or sliding the operating end in a predetermined direction, a command associated with the direction is selected, and in a multidirectional input device that performs an input operation,
Operation monitoring means for monitoring the selection operation completion and operation direction of the operation end,
Operation error determination means for determining whether or not the operator's selection operation is an operation error;
An operation history storage unit for accumulating and storing, as the operation history, the number of operations for each operation direction corresponding to the command and the number of operation errors for each operation direction determined by the operation error determination unit, for each of the selection operations,
Operation history analysis means for calculating an erroneous operation rate for each operation direction from the operation history stored in the operation history storage means,
When the operator tilts the operation end, the operation end control means for changing the setting of the reaction force characteristic to make the operator feel through the operation end in accordance with the operation amount in the radial direction,
The operation load control means sets, based on the erroneous operation rate, a reaction force characteristic, which increases according to the operation amount as the erroneous operation rate in the operation direction is larger, a steeper slope than a standard setting, or the selection operation is completed. A multidirectional input device, wherein an operation amount position is set to a position larger than a standard setting. The operation load control means is configured to, when the operator tilts the operation end, change the reaction force characteristic that the operator feels through the operation end according to the operation amount in the radial direction to the operation amount in a low operation amount region. In response, the reaction force increases, and if the operation amount is further increased, the selection operation is completed.
And, based on the erroneous operation rate, the reaction force characteristic, which increases according to the operation amount as the erroneous operation rate in the operation direction is larger, is steeper than the standard setting, and at the same time, the operation amount position causing the click feeling is operated from the standard setting. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, wherein the multi-directional input device is set at a position having a large amount. The operation monitoring means, in addition to the selection operation completion and operation direction, monitors the start of the operation, the interruption of the operation,
The operation load control means, when the start of the operation is detected within a predetermined time after the interruption of the operation is detected, when the operation direction at that time is the same as the operation direction before the interruption, the operation direction of the operation direction is determined. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the reaction force characteristic is set to a standard setting regardless of a value of an erroneous operation rate. The operation monitoring means, in addition to the selection operation completion and operation direction, monitors the start of the operation, the interruption of the operation,
If the next selection operation is performed within a predetermined time after the completion of the selection operation and the content of the selected command is different, the operation error determination unit determines that the previous selection operation is an operation error and the subsequent selection operation Is determined to be a correct operation,
The operation history storage means, for each of the operation directions, stores the number of operations, the number of operation mistakes, and the number of operations in the operation direction of the re-operation in association with the missed operation direction,
The operation history analysis means calculates a re-operation probability of the operation direction of the re-operation in association with the missed operation direction,
The operation load control means, when the start of the operation is detected within a predetermined time after the interruption of the operation is detected, based on the re-operation probability, the larger the re-operation probability for each of the operation directions, the larger the operation amount. The reaction force characteristic that increases in accordance with the above is set to a slope that is gentler than the standard setting, or the operation amount position where the selection operation is completed is set to a position where the operation amount is smaller than the standard setting. The multidirectional input device according to any one of the above. The operation history analysis unit calculates an operation probability in a selection direction corresponding to an option on the selection menu screen,
The operation load control means, when the erroneous operation rate and the operation probability in the operation direction satisfy a predetermined condition, for the operation direction, a reaction force characteristic that increases according to the operation amount has a slope that is gentler than a standard setting. The multidirectional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an operation amount position at which the selection operation is completed is set to a position smaller than a standard setting. When the operation probability and the erroneous operation rate in the operation direction with the maximum operation probability satisfy a predetermined condition, the operation load control unit operates in the operation direction with the maximum operation probability when switching to the selection menu screen. The multidirectional input device according to claim 5, wherein the operation direction is automatically selected by tilting the end. By tilting or sliding the operating end in a predetermined direction, a command associated with the direction is selected, and in a multidirectional input device that performs an input operation,
Operation monitoring means for monitoring start of operation in the operation direction corresponding to the command of the operation end, operation completion and operation direction,
Operation error determination means for determining whether or not the operator's selection operation is an operation error;
An operation history storage unit for accumulating and storing, as the operation history, the number of operations for each operation direction corresponding to the command and the number of operation errors for each operation direction determined by the operation error determination unit, for each of the selection operations,
Operation history analysis means for calculating an erroneous operation rate for each operation direction from the operation history stored in the operation history storage means,
Vibration control means for controlling the vibration of the operation end,
The multi-directional input device, wherein the vibration control means, when a signal indicating the start of the operation in the operation direction is detected, performs vibration control in accordance with the erroneous operation rate in the operation direction. The operation monitoring means monitors the start of the operation, the operation direction, and the interruption of the operation in addition to the completion of the operation,
When the start of the operation is detected within a predetermined time after the interruption of the operation is detected, if the operation direction is the same as the operation direction before the interruption of the operation, the vibration control unit may determine an erroneous operation rate of the operation direction. The multi-directional input device according to claim 7, wherein the operation end does not vibrate regardless of the value of. The operation history storage means accumulates and stores an operation history corresponding to each selection menu screen,
9. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation history analysis unit analyzes the operation history for each selection menu screen and stores a result.

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