JP2005050028A - Command input device and vehicle mounted with command input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a command input device which does not induce visual line induction. <P>SOLUTION: The command input device is provided with a detecting means 1 to detect the shape of a certain object in a predetermined detection area and/or the movement of the object, an extracting means 2 to extract the shape of a hand and/or the movement of the hand from the detected information, a deciding means 3 to decide a command corresponding to the extracted shape and/or movement of the hand and an executing means 4 to execute the decided command. A supporting means 5 to support the hand or arm to input the command is arranged at a predetermined position in the detection area of the detecting means 1, and the supporting means 5 is provided with a switch 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to a command input device that is mounted on a vehicle and that receives an input of a command given to an in-vehicle computer by the shape and / or movement of a passenger's hand.
[0002]
[Background]
With the diversification of in-vehicle devices mounted on vehicles, input operations performed by drivers have become complicated. In order to reduce the burden on the driver during driving, there has been proposed an input device that inputs commands according to hand shape and hand movement (see Patent Document 1). According to this operation input device, an input operation can be performed without viewing the input button.
[0003]
However, since this type of input device detects the shape of the hand and the movement of the hand to determine the command, there is a problem that the user's hand cannot be recognized or misrecognized unless it is in the detectable area. It was. In other words, in order to accurately input a command, the user must be aware of the position of the detectable area and indicate the command after confirming that the hand is within the detectable area. There was the inconvenience of inducing induction.
[0004]
[Prior art]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-216069
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a command input device that does not induce gaze guidance.
[0006]
According to the present invention, a command input device that is mounted on a vehicle and accepts an input of a command expressed by the shape and / or movement of an occupant's hand of the vehicle, the object being in a predetermined detection region Extracted by the detecting means for detecting the shape and / or movement of the object, the extracting means for extracting the shape and / or hand movement of the hand as an image from the information detected by the detecting means, and extracted by the extracting means A determination means for determining a command corresponding to the shape of the hand and / or the movement of the hand; and an execution means for executing the command determined by the determination means; and at a predetermined position with respect to the detection region of the detection means, It is possible to provide a command input device provided with support means for supporting a hand or an arm for inputting the command.
[0007]
This allows the occupant to recognize the detectable area of the command expressed by the shape of the hand and / or the movement of the hand without visual confirmation, and accurately input the command without moving the line of sight. Can do.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The command input device 100 according to the present embodiment is a device that receives input of a hand command expressed by the shape and / or hand movement of a vehicle occupant, specifically, a driver driving. The hand command of the present embodiment is a command given to a computer that controls a vehicle-mounted device by a vehicle occupant, for example, a driver, and controls the navigation device 200, the audio device 300, the air conditioner control device 400, and the communication device 500 mounted on the vehicle. It is an instruction. These in-vehicle devices and the command input device 100 are connected so as to be able to exchange information via an in-vehicle LAN. That is, the command received by the command input device 100 is sent to each device for command execution via the in-vehicle LAN. The operation of the command input means 100 is not limited to the driver, and it is also possible to accept an input of an occupant's hand command that can reach the command input device 100.
[0009]
A block configuration of the command input device 100 of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the command input device 100 includes a detection unit 1, an extraction unit 2, a determination unit 3, an execution unit 4, a support unit 5, and a switch 6. Specifically, a ROM that stores a program for detecting at least the shape and / or movement of the occupant's hand and determining the content of the command based on an image extracted from the detection result, and the ROM stored in the ROM By executing the program, the CPU includes a CPU functioning as the extraction unit 2, the determination unit 3, and the execution unit 4, and a RAM that stores necessary information.
[0010]
The detection means 1 detects the shape of the object and / or the movement of the hand in a predetermined detection area. In this embodiment, an infrared sensor that detects the temperature of the object is used. The infrared sensor of this embodiment detects the temperature and temperature distribution of each point in a predetermined two-dimensional detection region. The “predetermined detection area” is set to a position where the shape of the driver's hand and / or hand movement can be easily detected. Moreover, it is preferable to set the detection region so that there is no other object that generates heat in the background of the detection object. The infrared sensor 1 used in the command input device 100 is not particularly limited, and may be a thermal sensor or a quantum sensor. In this embodiment, a thermocouple type infrared sensor is used, but a thermoelectromotive force type infrared sensor or a pyroelectric type infrared sensor may be used. Further, the “predetermined detection area” may be a three-dimensional predetermined space.
[0011]
A driver who wants to input a command places his hand over the detection area of the infrared sensor 1 and shows a specific hand shape and / or a specific hand movement in the detection area. The hand shape and / or hand movement shown in the detection area is detected by the infrared sensor 1 as a distribution of hot spots or a change in the distribution of hot spots. In the present embodiment, an infrared sensor is used as the detection means 1, but a hand shape and / or hand movement may be detected using a CCD camera.
[0012]
The detection area is formed in the vehicle interior space, and the driver cannot perceive the boundary of the detection area. For this reason, the driver has to visually confirm the detection area. In the present embodiment, the support means 5 is provided at a predetermined position with respect to the detection region of the infrared sensor 1. The support means 5 supports a hand or an arm for inputting a command. That is, when the driver inputs a command with the left hand, the driver's left hand, left hand wrist, left hand arm, left hand elbow and the like are supported by the support means 5. As described above, since the support means 5 is provided at a predetermined position with respect to the detection area, the driver can recognize the position of the detection area on the basis of the position of the support means 5 and learn this. In other words, the driver can recognize the position of the non-perceptible detection area from the position of the perceptible support means 5.
[0013]
The position where the support means 5 is provided is not particularly limited, but when the hand or arm is supported by the support means 5, the support means is particularly arranged so that the part to be detected (for example, the finger part of the hand) is located in the detection region. 5 is preferably provided. Thus, if the hand for inputting the command is supported by the support means 5, the driver's hand can be positioned in the detection region.
[0014]
The support means 5 of this embodiment has a convex part or a concave part corresponding to the shape of the hand or arm of the driver to be supported. The support means 5 of the present embodiment supports the wrist of the driver from the palm side and has a concave portion corresponding to the warp of the driver's wrist (the warp bent toward the back side). This concave shape part was comprised by the curved surface so that the curvature of the wrist of a driver might be fitted. By providing such support means 5, the driver can unconsciously place the wrist on the support means 5. The driver's hand supported by the support means 5 is naturally located in the detection area, and the detection means 1 accurately detects the shape and movement of the hand.
[0015]
The shape of the support means 5 is not particularly limited, and may be a shape that fits the elbow of the driver, a shape having a concave shape that fits the bent elbow, or a concave shape that fits the wrist from the elbow of the driver. It is good also as a shape which has, and it is good also as a shape which has a convex-shaped part which supports a wrist and an arm of a driver.
[0016]
The extraction unit 2 extracts the hand shape and / or hand movement as an image from the information detected by the detection unit 1. Specifically, the distribution of the hot spots included in the temperature band based on the human skin temperature (32 to 34 ° C.) is extracted, and the shape of the human hand and / or the movement of the human hand is determined from this temperature distribution. Extract.
[0017]
The determination unit 3 determines the content of the command based on the hand shape and / or hand movement extracted by the extraction unit 2. The determination method is not particularly limited, and the extracted hand shape and / or hand movement may be recognized from its characteristics, or may be determined by a pattern matching method. In the present embodiment, the extracted hand shape and / or hand movement is compared with the hand shape and / or hand movement previously assigned to the command, and Determine hand movement commands. The determination unit 3 acquires correspondence information in which the content of the command is associated with the hand shape and / or hand movement in advance from a readable storage unit (RAM or ROM). In the correspondence information, a predetermined command associated in advance from the hand shape and / or hand movement is specified. A predetermined hand shape (for example, the number of fingers) or the like may be associated with a predetermined command (for example, device ON / OFF), or a predetermined hand shape (for example, a finger A combination of the number (number), etc., and a predetermined command (for example, volume UP / DOWN after audio selection) may be associated.
[0018]
The command may include a command for selecting a control target such as “the control target is the navigation device 200” or “the control target is the audio device 300”. Further, a command for selecting a mode such as “set audio device 300 in radio mode” or “set audio device 300 in CD playback mode” may be included. Further, a command for adjusting a changeable parameter such as “increase the volume of CD playback” or “decrease the set temperature of the air conditioner” may be included.
[0019]
The execution unit 4 causes the command determined by the determination unit 3 to be executed. The execution means 4 sends the command to the device controlled by the determined command. Each device (200 to 500) that has acquired the command executes the acquired command.
[0020]
Further, in the present embodiment, the support unit 5 is provided with a switch 6 to which a predetermined signal is input by contact. When a signal is input via the switch 6, the execution means 4 executes the command determined by the determination means 3 based on the signal input via the switch 6.
[0021]
The predetermined signal input by the switch 6 can be arbitrarily defined as “a signal indicating completion of command input”, “a signal indicating confirmation of a recognized command”, “a signal indicating a trigger for command input”, or the like. . For example, when one command is determined from the detected hand shape, the driver can check whether the determination result is correct via the switch 6. That is, the driver can indicate that the determined command is input based on his / her own intention by inputting a predetermined signal via the switch 6. In other words, by providing the switch 6, it is possible to distinguish between a command input by one's own intention and a command that has been unknowingly recognized.
[0022]
As described above, when the signal input through the switch 6 is used for command execution, the driver must continuously operate the switch 6 and present the hand command when inputting the command. In this embodiment, since the switch 6 is provided in the support means 5, the operation of the switch 6 and the input of a hand command can be performed with one hand without moving the hand. That is, the driver who wants to input a command places his hand or arm on the support means 5 using the switch 6 as a mark. By placing a hand or arm on the support means 5, the hand of the driver to be detected is positioned in the detection area. As a result, the shape of the driver's hand is accurately detected.
[0023]
For example, when the support means 5 has a concave shape portion that supports the wrist of the driver from the palm side, the driver shows a predetermined hand shape with the wrist in contact with the concave shape portion. When the hand shape indicated by the driver is recognized as a command intended by the driver, the driver presses the switch 6 provided in the concave shape portion with the wrist in order to input a “signal for confirming the recognized command”. . The execution unit 5 confirms that the determination result of the determination unit 3 is correct based on the input signal, and sends the determined command to the corresponding device (200 to 500). In this way, by providing the switch 6 on the support means 5 that supports the hand or arm for command input, the driver can input a hand command and a signal with one hand without moving the hand. .
[0024]
Hereinafter, based on FIGS. 2-9, the example of arrangement | positioning of the support means 5 and the switch 6 is divided into five patterns, and is demonstrated. The command input device 100 shown in these arrangement examples operates in the same manner as the above-described embodiment, and has the same effects.
[0025]
The first arrangement example is an example in which the support means 5 and the switch 6 are provided on the armrest 15 of the vehicle. 2 and 3 are views showing the interior of the vehicle in which the support means 5 and the switch 6 are provided on the armrest 15. FIG. FIG. 2 is a view of the support means 5, the switch 6 and the like as viewed obliquely from behind the driver. FIG. 3 is a view of the support means 5 and the switch 6 as viewed from above the driver.
[0026]
The support means 5 is provided at a predetermined position with respect to the detection area 11 of the detection means 1. The position of the support means 5 may be defined by the positional relationship with the detection means 1. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the driver inputs a hand command with the left hand. The support means 5 supports the wrist of the left hand of the driver from the palm side. Since the support means 5 is disposed at a position where the wrist of the driver hits, the wrist of the driver is naturally placed on the support means 5. For this reason, the driver's hand whose wrist is supported by the support means 5 is naturally guided to the detection area. Since the driver can input a command toward the detection area without searching for the position of the detection area, it is not necessary to move the line of sight. Further, by providing the support 6 with the switch 6, it is possible to input a command and a signal with only one hand without moving the hand.
[0027]
The support means 5 of this embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the support means 5 of the present embodiment has a concave portion corresponding to the warp of the wrist of the driver to be supported. A switch 6 is provided at the center of the concave portion. Thereby, the support means 5 fits the shape of the wrist, and comfortably supports the driver's hand. The driver can press the switch 6 with his hand bent to the back side. The switch on the bottom surface of the concave shaped portion can be consciously pressed at the warped portion of the wrist, and can input a signal based on the driver's consciousness. In addition, the other example of the support means 5 was shown in FIG.4 (b). The support means 5 shown in FIG. 4B has a convex portion corresponding to the bent portion of the wrist when the driver's wrist is bent toward the palm.
[0028]
An example of the switch 6 of this embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A, the button switch 5 is provided in the concave portion of the support means 5. FIG. 5B shows a schematic view of the switch shown in FIG. 5A viewed from the side. A predetermined signal can be input by pressing the switch 5 in the direction of arrow a.
[0029]
The second arrangement example is an example in which the support means 5 and the switch 6 are provided on the armrest 15 on the opposite side to the first arrangement example. That is, in the first arrangement example, the support means 5 and the switch 6 are provided on the armrest 15 on the left side of the driver, whereas in the second arrangement example, the armrest 15 on the right side of the driver is provided. FIG. 6 is a view of the interior of the vehicle in which the support means 5 and the switch 6 are provided on the armrest 15 as viewed from the rear of the driver seat.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 6, the support means 5 and the switch 6 are provided on the armrest on the door side. The detection means 1 is also provided on the door side of the vehicle so that the position of the driver's hand (particularly the finger portion) supported by the support means 5 is included in the detection area. By arranging the support means 5 and the switch 6 as shown in FIG. 6, the same effects as in the first arrangement example can be obtained.
[0031]
The third arrangement example is an example in which the support means 5 and the switch 6 are provided on the shift lever 16. FIG. 7 is a view of the interior of the vehicle in which the support means 5 and the switch 6 are provided on the shift lever 16 as viewed from the rear of the driver seat. As shown in FIG. 7, the support means 5 and the switch 6 are provided in the grip portion of the shift lever 16. In this embodiment, the convex portion of the support means 5 is a convex portion of the grip portion, and the switch 6 is directly provided on the grip portion of the shift lever 16. The detection means 1 also includes an instrument panel portion in the vicinity of the shift lever 16 so that the position of the driver's hand (particularly the finger portion) supported by the support means 5 (the grip portion of the shift lever 16) is included in the detection region. Is provided. By arranging the support means 5 and the switch 6 as shown in FIG. 7, the driver's hand holding the shift lever 16 is guided to the detection area where the command is input, and the driver does not need to visually check in the detection area. Commands can be shown. Moreover, since the switch 6 is provided in the support means 5 (grip part of the shift lever 16), command input and signal input can be executed with only one hand.
[0032]
The fourth arrangement example is an example in which the support means 5 and the switch 6 are provided on the door side surface 17. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the door side surface 17 provided with the support means 5 and the switch 6.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 8, the support means 5 and the switch 6 are provided on the door side surface 17 along the direction in which the wrist extends from the elbow of the driver. The support means 5 has a concave portion, and the concave portion is shaped to fit from the arm to the wrist. The driver puts his arm on the concave portion, and when inputting a signal, the driver may press the door side surface 17 (the switch 6 provided on the door side surface 17) with the arm. The detection means 1 is also provided in the vicinity of the door 17 so that the position of the driver's hand (particularly the finger portion) supported by the support means 5 is included in the detection region. By arranging the support means 5 and the switch 6 as shown in FIG. 8, the driver's hand is guided to the detection area where the command is input, and the driver can show the command in the detection area without visual confirmation. it can. Moreover, since the switch 6 is provided in the support means 5, command input and signal input can be executed with only one hand without moving the hand.
[0034]
The fifth arrangement example is an example in which the support means 5 and the switch 6 are provided on the instrument panel 18 of the vehicle. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the inside of the vehicle provided with the support means 5 and the switch 6.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 9, the support means 5 and the switch 6 are provided in the lower part of the instrument panel. The detection means 1 is also provided on the instrument panel so that the position of the driver's hand (particularly the finger portion) supported by the support means 5 is included in the detection region. By arranging the support means 5 and the switch 6 as shown in FIG. 9, the driver's hand is guided to the detection area where the command is input, and the driver can show the command in the detection area without visual confirmation. it can. Further, since the switch 6 is provided on the support means 5, command input and signal input can be executed with only one hand.
[0036]
The operation of the command input device 100 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the control procedure of the command input device 100 according to this embodiment.
[0037]
After the activation, the infrared sensor of the detecting means 1 detects the shape of the object and / or the movement of the object in the predetermined detection area (S101). The extraction unit 2 extracts the hand shape and / or hand movement from the detected information as an image (S102). The determination means 3 acquires correspondence information on the hand shape and / or hand movement previously assigned to the predetermined command, and reads the definition of the command (S103). The judging means 3 further compares the extracted hand shape and / or hand movement with the hand shape and / or hand movement associated with the command (S104). Then, the determination unit 3 determines the extracted hand shape and / or hand movement command (S105).
[0038]
The execution unit 4 presents the command determined by the determination unit 3 to the driver. This presentation may be performed via a display or by voice. The driver determines whether the determination result is in accordance with the intention. In the present embodiment, a signal input via the switch 6 is used to determine whether or not the detected shape of the object is a command based on the driver's intention. That is, when the command input by the driver is correctly recognized, the driver presses the switch 6 and inputs a “confirmation signal”. On the other hand, if the command input by the driver is not correctly recognized, the driver does not press the switch 6.
[0039]
The execution means 4 determines whether or not the switch 6 is turned on, that is, whether or not a “confirmation signal” is input. When the switch 6 is turned on, the command determination result is correct. Therefore, the execution means 4 sends the command determined by the determination means 4 to the device (200 to 500) corresponding to the command and executes it (S108).
[0040]
Since the command input device 100 of the present embodiment is configured and functions as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
[0041]
Since the support means 5 that supports the driver's hand or arm for inputting a command is provided at a predetermined position with respect to the detection area, the driver's hand indicating the command is naturally guided to the detection area. That is, it is possible to input a command within the detection area without allowing the user to confirm the position of the detection area. Thereby, the input command can be received correctly without inducing the driver's line-of-sight guidance.
[0042]
Since the switch 6 to which a predetermined signal is input is provided in the support means 5, the driver can input a command and a predetermined signal with only one hand without moving the hand. That is, an operation necessary for command input can be performed with only one hand.
[0043]
Since the support means 5 has a convex or concave portion corresponding to the shape of the driver's hand or arm, the driver's hand or arm fits the support means 5 and supports the hand or arm without making the driver aware of it. 5 can be guided. If the driver's hand or arm is supported by the support means 5, the hand indicating the command can be positioned in the detection region. As a result, accurate command input recognition and determination can be ensured.
[0044]
From the viewpoint of allowing the driver to place his / her hand or arm naturally (can be supported by the support means 5), the support means 5 is provided with a vehicle armrest, a vehicle shift lever, a vehicle door side, It was arranged at any position on the instrument panel. As a result, the driver can place a hand or arm on the support means 5 in a natural posture and perform command input in a natural posture. Since the command can be input while maintaining the posture, the driver can concentrate on driving.
[0045]
The embodiment described above is described for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a command input device according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first arrangement example of the support means 5 and the switch 6;
FIG. 3 is another view showing a first arrangement example of the support means 5 and the switch 6;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining the support means 5 and the switch 6; FIG.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are other views for explaining the support means 5 and the switch 6. FIGS.
6 is a view showing a second arrangement example of the support means 5 and the switch 6. FIG.
7 is a view showing a third arrangement example of the support means 5 and the switch 6. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a fourth arrangement example of the support means 5 and the switch 6;
9 is a view showing a fifth arrangement example of the support means 5 and the switch 6. FIG.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Command input device 1 ... Detection means 11 ... Detection area 2 ... Extraction means 3 ... Determination means 4 ... Execution means 5 ... Support means 6 ... Switch 9 ... Driver 91 ... Driver Hand 10 ... Vehicle 200 ... Navigation device 300 ... Audio device 400 ... Air conditioner control device 500 ... Communication device 15 ... Armrest 16 ... Shift lever 17 ... Door side surface 18 ... ·instrument panel

Claims (7)

A command input device that is mounted on a vehicle and receives an input of a command expressed by the shape and / or movement of a hand of an occupant of the vehicle,
Detection means for detecting the shape of the object and / or movement of the object in a predetermined detection area;
Extraction means for extracting a hand shape and / or hand movement from the information detected by the detection means;
Determining means for determining a command corresponding to the hand shape and / or hand movement extracted by the extracting means;
Execution means for executing the command determined by the determination means,
A command input device provided with support means for supporting a hand or an arm for inputting the command at a predetermined position with respect to a detection area of the detection means. A switch for inputting a predetermined signal by contact is provided in the support means,
The command input device according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit executes a command determined by the determination unit based on a signal input through the switch. The command input device according to claim 1, wherein the support means has a convex portion or a concave portion corresponding to the shape of the hand or arm of the occupant to be supported. A vehicle equipped with the command input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The support means is a vehicle provided on an armrest of the vehicle. A vehicle equipped with the command input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The support means is a vehicle provided on a shift lever of the vehicle. A vehicle equipped with the command input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The support means is a vehicle provided on a side surface of the door of the vehicle. A vehicle equipped with the command input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The support means is a vehicle provided on an instrument panel of the vehicle.

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