JP2006013872A - Electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to set a desired function by a simple configuration without arranging a communication means, etc., by allowing a function relative to the operation of an operation means to be arbitrarily changed in setting. <P>SOLUTION: When the button function of the operation part 23 is changed in setting, an in-vehicle apparatus 21 detects button setting data in a recording medium 12, reads the button setting data 13 from the recording medium 12, and stores them in a storage 25. Thus, a mode is changed from a default button setting mode into a user button setting mode. In the case of the user button setting mode, previously held button setting data are replaced by the button setting data which are stored in the storage 25 by user setting so as to change an operation function relative to a button signal. The change in setting in the button function is displayed in a display unit 24 and reported to the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device such as an in-vehicle device, a radio, a television, and an audio device, and more particularly to an electronic device that allows a user to change an operation function of an operation means.

  Conventionally, when an electronic device such as a radio, a television, and an audio is operated, it is necessary for the user to select each function of the electronic device with an operation button or the like and to instruct the operation of the device. Therefore, in such an electronic apparatus, a predetermined function is defined and registered in advance in the operation button, and the target function can be operated by the user operating the operation button. In this type of electronic device, there has been proposed an electronic device in which the function of the operation button can be changed depending on the user's preference or usage situation. For example, in the case of an electronic device such as an in-vehicle device, it is desirable for a driver who is driving a vehicle to set functions and arrangements that are easy to use for each user so that the operability is good.

  As a device that can change the registration function of the operation button, for example, there is a registration button function control device for a communication terminal disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-350713 (Patent Document 1). In this device, a code-corresponding registration button data section storing registration button data for the function of the registration button defined by each user is provided in the exchange in correspondence with the personal code assigned to each individual user in advance. When a user registers a personal code at an arbitrary communication terminal, the subscriber control unit extracts registration button data corresponding to the corresponding personal code from the code corresponding registration button data unit, and the personal code is registered. The registered button data is transferred and set in the terminal button function memory of the communication terminal. As a result, any communication terminal can use the registration button with the registration contents according to the user's own definition, and the desired button can be changed to a function different from the conventional one.

JP-A-6-350713

  In the button function changing device as in the above conventional example, it is necessary to connect the communication terminal for changing the button function to the exchange using the communication means. For this reason, it is possible to change the button function only in a communicable electronic device having a communication means, and it is difficult to change the button function in an electronic device incapable of communication. Also, the function corresponding to the button is selected and set from those registered in advance in the exchange, and the user cannot define any function or flexibly change the setting to any function. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, the function for the operation of the operation means can be arbitrarily set and the desired function for the user can be set with a simple configuration without providing a communication means or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device that can perform the above-described operation.

An electronic apparatus according to the present invention accesses a recording medium on which operation function setting information based on user settings is recorded, and obtains the operation function setting information, and uses the operation function setting information to operate the operation unit. And an operation input processing means for executing a predetermined function corresponding to the operation input signal.
Thereby, the function for the operation of the operation means can be arbitrarily set and changed by the operation function setting information acquired from the recording medium, and a desired function for the user can be set with a simple configuration without providing a communication means or the like. Is possible.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the electronic apparatus includes a storage unit that stores operation function setting information acquired by the operation function setting acquisition unit.
Thereby, the operation function setting information by the user setting can be stored and used for changing the setting of the operation function.

Further, as one aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device described above, when the operation function setting information is stored in the storage unit, a first operation function setting mode based on a default setting and a second setting based on a user setting It is assumed that an operation function setting switching unit that can be switched to any one of the operation function setting modes is provided.
Thereby, it becomes possible to switch the function with respect to operation of an operation means to a default setting and a user setting using the operation function setting information by a user setting.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the electronic device includes notification means for notifying at least one of a storage state of the operation function setting information and a state of the operation function setting mode.
Thereby, the user can easily recognize the storage state of the operation function setting information or the state of the operation function setting mode.

Further, as one aspect of the present invention, the electronic apparatus includes the operation function setting change unit that replaces the operation function setting information acquired by the operation function setting acquisition unit with operation function setting information based on a default setting. To do.
Thereby, it is possible to change the function for the operation of the operation means by replacing the default setting by using the operation function setting information by the user setting.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the electronic device includes notification means for notifying a change state of an operation function based on the operation function setting information.
Thereby, the user can easily recognize the change state of the operation function by the user setting.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the electronic device includes notification means for notifying function information related to an operation function executed by the operation input processing means.
Thereby, when executing a function corresponding to the operation of the operation means, the user can easily recognize information related to the operation function.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the function with respect to operation of an operation means can be arbitrarily set and the electronic apparatus which can set a user's desired function with a simple structure without providing a communication means etc. can be provided. .

  In the present embodiment, a configuration example of an in-vehicle device having functions such as a radio, a television, an audio, and a car navigation is shown as an example of an electronic device. In the present embodiment, the function of the operation button provided on the in-vehicle device can be arbitrarily changed by the user using a setting device such as a personal computer (PC) or a dedicated device.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The in-vehicle device 21 is mounted on a vehicle and realizes functions such as radio, television, audio, and car navigation. The in-vehicle device 21 includes a recording medium reading unit 22, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, a storage unit 25, and a control unit 26, and the recording medium 12 can be detachably mounted. As the recording medium 12, a portable recording medium such as a CD, a DVD, or a memory card is used.

  The recording medium reading unit 22 includes a data input / output interface and the like, and realizes the function of the operation function setting acquisition unit. The recording medium reading unit 22 accesses the recording medium 12 and reads and acquires operation function setting information including button setting data described later. To do. The operation unit 23 corresponds to an example of an operation unit, and includes an input device such as an operation button. The operation unit 23 inputs various operation instructions by the user, and sends an operation input signal such as a button signal to the control unit 26 according to the user's operation. The display unit 24 corresponds to an example of a notification unit, and includes a liquid crystal display device, an LED, and the like, and displays various information such as an operation state of the in-vehicle device 21.

  The storage unit 25 is configured by a memory or the like, and realizes a function of a storage unit that stores the acquired button setting data and the like. The control unit 26 includes a microcomputer, a processor, and the like, and controls each unit of the in-vehicle device 21. The control unit 26 includes a button setting changing unit 27 and a button signal processing unit 28 as functions related to button setting of the operation unit 23. In addition, it is good also as a structure provided with the memory | storage part 25 in the control part 26. FIG.

  The button setting changing unit 27 implements the functions of an operation function setting changing unit and an operation function setting switching unit. The button setting changing unit 27 acquires button setting data from the recording medium 12 via the recording medium reading unit 22 and stores the button setting data in the storage unit 25. By storing the setting data, the button setting mode can be changed from the default button setting mode to the user button setting mode. Here, the default button setting mode is an operation mode for executing a preset button function, and the user button setting mode is an operation mode for executing a button function based on a user setting. The button setting changing unit 27 displays the state of the button setting mode on the display unit 24.

  The button signal processing unit 28 realizes the function of the operation input processing unit, takes in the button signal from the operation unit 23, refers to the button setting data according to the button setting mode, and the function of the button signal and the corresponding device. And a predetermined function corresponding to the button signal is executed. In the user button setting mode, the button setting data corresponding to the predetermined button function in the default button setting mode is replaced with the button setting data read and stored as the user setting, and the function set by the user is executed. Further, the button signal processing unit 28 displays the operation content to be executed on the display unit 24.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the setting device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The setting device 11 is an information processing device that includes a personal computer (PC) or the like and includes a processor, a memory, an operation unit, a display unit, and the like. The setting device 11 can be detachably mounted on the recording medium 12 and has a function of recording button setting data on the recording medium 12 in a format that the vehicle-mounted device 21 can identify.

  The button setting data 13 recorded on the recording medium 12 includes header information 14 and data 15. The header information 14 is information for identifying whether the in-vehicle device 21 is the button setting data 13, and the data 15 is setting information such as a key matrix indicating the setting contents of the button function.

  When the setting of the button function is changed by the user, the setting device 11 records the button setting data 13 in the recording medium 12 in a format that the vehicle-mounted device 21 can identify. At this time, the user operates the setting device 11 to instruct the desired button to set a desired function, and records the button setting data 13 corresponding to the setting result on the recording medium 12 in a predetermined data format. Let Then, the recording medium 12 on which the button setting data 13 is recorded is attached to the in-vehicle device 21.

  When detecting the button setting data 13 in the mounted recording medium 12, the in-vehicle device 21 reads the button setting data 13 from the recording medium 12 and stores it in the storage unit 25. Thereby, it is possible to change from the default button setting mode to the user button setting mode. In the case of the user button setting mode, the button setting data held in advance is replaced with the button setting data 13 by the user setting stored in the storage unit 25, and the operation function for the button signal is changed. The button function setting change is displayed on the display unit 24 to notify the user.

  Next, in the in-vehicle device 21 configured as described above, an operation when the button function is changed centering on the control unit 26 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when acquiring button setting data for changing the button function. When the button function is changed, the recording medium 12 on which the button setting data 13 set by the user is recorded is loaded. The button setting changing unit 27 of the control unit 26 detects whether there is button setting data (step S11). Here, the button setting change unit 27 accesses the recording medium 12 via the recording medium reading unit 22 and detects the button setting data 13 by identifying the header information 14.

  When the button setting data 13 is detected in step S11, the button setting changing unit 27 switches the button setting mode to the user button setting mode. Here, it is determined whether or not the user button setting mode has been changed (step S12). If the user button setting mode has been entered, the button setting data 13 is subsequently requested to the recording medium reading unit 22 (step S13). In addition to changing to the user button setting mode by detecting the button setting data, the user button setting mode may be switched by the operation of the operation unit 23 of the user.

  In response to the button setting data request, the recording medium reading unit 22 reads the button setting data 13 from the recording medium 12 and transfers the button setting data 13 to the control unit 26. The button setting changing unit 27 receives the button setting data 13 from the recording medium reading unit 22 (step S14), and stores the button setting data 13 in the storage unit 25 (step S15). Thus, by saving the button setting data 13 in the storage unit 25 and making it usable, it is possible to switch between the default button setting mode and the user button setting mode (step S16). Further, the button setting state such as the acquisition of the button setting data by the user setting and the update of the button setting data is displayed on the display unit 24 and notified to the user (step S17). When the button setting data 13 by user setting is read and saved, the button setting mode may be changed to the user button setting mode.

  On the other hand, if the button setting data 13 has not been detected in step S11, or if the user button setting mode has not been changed in step S12, the processing ends.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when a button signal is received from the operation unit by a button operation. When the user presses the operation button of the operation unit 23, a button signal corresponding to the pressed button is output to the control unit 26. The button signal processing unit 28 of the control unit 26 determines whether or not a button signal has been received (step S21). If a button signal is received, it subsequently determines whether or not the button setting mode is the user button setting mode (step S21). S22). In the user button setting mode, the button setting mode is switched by a user operation when the mode can be changed, or by saving determination of button setting data.

  When the button setting mode is the user button setting mode in step S22, the button signal processing unit 28 replaces the button setting data with the button setting data 13 by the user setting stored in the storage unit 25, and the button setting data 13 To assign functions to the button signals (step S23). On the other hand, if the button setting mode is the default button setting mode in step S22, the function is assigned to the button signal using the default button setting data stored in advance as it is (step S24).

  Then, the button signal processing unit 28 executes the corresponding function for the button signal assigned by the button setting data (step S25). Further, information related to the operation of the button operation such as the function name of the operation function being executed is displayed on the display unit 24 and notified to the user (step S26). In the user button setting mode, it may be displayed that the function corresponding to the button operation is a button function by user setting.

  In the above-described embodiment, the button setting data 13 is read from the recording medium 12 and stored in the storage unit 25. However, the button setting data 13 recorded on the recording medium 12 is used as it is, and the control unit 26 is used. Can perform an arbitrary button function based on a user setting by performing an operation corresponding to a button signal from the operation unit 23 based on the button setting data 13 of the recording medium 12. In addition, button signals and functions corresponding to one operation button are not limited to one-to-one correspondence, and a plurality of operations can be performed on one operation button according to the type of operation such as a normal pressing operation, a long pressing operation, and a double click operation. It is also possible to set functions. Further, the number of operation buttons may be either singular or plural.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the button setting data in which any function is set by the user in the setting device is recorded on the recording medium, and the button setting data is read and acquired from the recording medium in the in-vehicle device. It is possible to arbitrarily change the setting of the function for the operation buttons. In this case, it is possible to set a desired function for the user with a simple configuration without requiring communication means for exchange of setting change data and the like.

  The setting of the button function is not limited to a preset function, and an arbitrary function can be set. Also, any number of functions can be implemented without depending on the number of buttons. By these, the selection range of user setting can be increased.

  In this embodiment, the button function is described as being set. However, the operation means is not limited to the button, and the same effect can be obtained by applying to other operation means such as a jog dial, joystick, and touch panel. is there.

  The present invention can arbitrarily set and change the function for the operation of the operation means, and has an effect that a user can set a desired function with a simple configuration without providing a communication means or the like. It is useful for electronic devices such as in-vehicle devices, radios, televisions, audio devices and the like that can change operation functions.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the vehicle equipment which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the setting apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure at the time of acquiring the button setting data for button function change in this embodiment The flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure at the time of receiving the button signal by button operation from the operation part in this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Setting apparatus 12 Recording medium 13 Button setting data 14 Header information 15 Data 21 In-vehicle apparatus 22 Recording medium reading part 23 Operation part 24 Display part 25 Storage part 26 Control part 27 Button setting change part 28 Button signal processing part

Claims (7)

An operation function setting acquisition means for accessing the recording medium in which the operation function setting information by the user setting is recorded, and acquiring the operation function setting information;
Using the operation function setting information, an operation input processing unit that associates an operation input signal from the operation unit with a function of the device and executes a predetermined function corresponding to the operation input signal;
An electronic device comprising: The electronic device according to claim 1,
An electronic apparatus comprising storage means for storing operation function setting information acquired by the operation function setting acquisition means. The electronic device according to claim 2,
When the operation function setting information is stored in the storage means, an operation that can be switched to one of a first operation function setting mode based on a default setting and a second operation function setting mode based on a user setting. An electronic device comprising function setting switching means. The electronic device according to claim 3,
An electronic apparatus comprising notification means for notifying at least one of a storage state of the operation function setting information and a state of the operation function setting mode. The electronic device according to claim 1,
An electronic apparatus comprising operation function setting change means for replacing operation function setting information acquired by the operation function setting acquisition means with operation function setting information based on default settings. The electronic device according to claim 5,
An electronic apparatus comprising notification means for notifying a change state of an operation function based on the operation function setting information. The electronic device according to claim 1,
An electronic apparatus comprising notification means for notifying function information related to an operation function executed by the operation input processing means.

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