JP2006293601A - Information operation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information operation apparatus that can be operated stably. <P>SOLUTION: A rotatably supported rotation operation element 111, a multidirectional movement operation element 121 movably supported within a plane perpendicular to the rotating shaft of the first rotation operation element, and a palm rest 130 on which an operator's operating hand rests are arranged in layers on the axis of the rotating shaft of the rotation operation element 111. The palm rest 130 is positioned in front of the rotation operation element 111 and the multidirectional movement operation element 121 with respect to an operation panel on which the variety of operation elements are arranged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information operating device that operates an information processing device.

  Conventionally, an information processing system that presents various types of information to a vehicle occupant is known. As an information processing system, for example, a car navigation system is well known, and this system is mainly configured by a display device, an information processing device that performs various calculations, and an information operation device that operates the information processing device. Yes. In an information operation device that is a user interface, for example, a continuous operation is required such as scrolling the map information displayed on the display device or adjusting the scale factor of the displayed map information. is there. Therefore, there is a problem that the troublesomeness of the operation increases unless the operators that individually perform these operations are laid out efficiently.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information operation device that performs an operation for adjusting a scale factor and a scroll operation using the same operator. In this information operating device, a joystick-type operation element is used. By tilting the joystick, the map information is scrolled in correspondence with the tilt direction. On the other hand, by rotating the joystick around the axis, The scale factor of the map information is adjusted according to the rotation direction.
JP 2002-243485 A

  However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the operation element is shared, there is a possibility that the adjustment operation of the scale factor and the scroll operation may affect each other. In an operating environment that frequently moves, it may be difficult to perform a stable operation.

  In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides an information operating device for operating an information processing device. This information operating device includes an operation panel, first rotation operation means, multi-directional movement operation means, and palm rest means. Various operators are arranged on the operation panel. The first rotation operation means includes a first rotation operator that is rotatably supported, and outputs a rotation operation signal corresponding to the rotation amount of the first rotation operator. The movement direction operation means includes a multidirectional movement operation element supported so as to be movable in a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis of the first rotation operation element, and outputs a slide operation signal corresponding to the movement direction of the multidirectional movement operation element. Output. An operator's operating hand is placed on the palm rest means. In this case, the first rotary operation element, the multi-directional movement operation element, and the palm rest means are arranged in a stacked manner on the axis of the rotation axis of the first rotation operation element. With respect to the first rotational operation element and the multidirectional movement operation element.

  According to the present invention, the operator operates the rotary operator or the multi-directional moving operator by a simple movement of the fingertip while the palm (or finger) is fixed on the palm rest means arranged on the front surface. can do. At this time, since the palm of the operator is stably supported by the palm rest means, a stable operation is possible even in an environment with a lot of vibration and swinging.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system 1 according to the present invention. The information processing system 1 includes an information operating device 10, an information processing device 20, and a display device 30. In the present embodiment, an information processing system 1 for vehicles is assumed. An operator (typically a driver) operates the information processing apparatus 20 using the information operation apparatus 10 and displays necessary information on the display apparatus 30.

  The information operation device 10 includes a plurality of operation units (in the figure, four operation units 11, 12, 14, and 16 are shown as examples), and various functions are assigned to these operation units. ing. When an operator operates any of the operation units, an operation signal is input from the corresponding operation unit to the information processing apparatus 20 via a cable. The information processing device 20 creates a predetermined image in accordance with an electrical signal from the operation unit and causes the display device 30 to display the image. Hereinafter, in the first to third embodiments, the information operation device 10 in which the operation units 11, 12, 14, and 16 schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 are embodied as the operation units 110, 120, 140, and 160 will be described. To do.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the information operating device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the information operating device 10 according to the first embodiment. . The information operating device 10 includes a rotation operation unit (first rotation operation unit) 110, a multi-directional movement operation unit (multi-directional movement operation unit) 120, a palm rest unit (palm rest unit) 130, and a pressing operation unit (pressing unit). The operation unit 140 is mainly configured, and these members 110 to 140 are disposed on the operation panel 150. Rotation operation unit 110 (specifically, rotary operation element 111 as its operation element), multidirectional movement operation unit 120 (specifically, multidirectional movement operation element 121 as its operation element), and palm rest unit 130 is arranged in a stacked manner on the axis of the rotation axis of the rotation operation unit 110, which will be described later. From the operation panel 150 side, the rotation operation unit 110, the multidirectional movement operation unit 120, and the palm rest unit 130 are arranged in this order. It is out. In other words, the palm rest part 130 is disposed in front of the rotation operation part 110 and the multidirectional movement operation part 120 with the operation panel 150 as a reference. In addition, a pressing operation unit 140 is provided on the palm rest unit 130. A printed circuit board 152 attached to the base substrate 151 is accommodated inside the operation panel 150.

  The rotation operation unit 110 is mainly configured by a rotation operation element (first rotation operation element) 111 and a rotation encoder 112. The rotary operation element 111 is a cylindrical member, and is supported so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis positioned substantially at the center of the information operation device 10. When the rotary operator 111 is rotated by an operator, the amount of rotation of the rotary operator 111 is detected by the rotary encoder 112 arranged on the printed circuit board 152, and according to the amount of rotation of the rotary operator 111. Rotation operation signal is output.

  Specifically, an inner cylinder 113 is fitted inside the rotary operator 111, and the inner cylinder 113 is integrated with the rotary operator 111 when the rotary operator 111 is rotated by an operator. Rotate. The movement of the inner cylinder 113 in the radial direction is restricted by an annular groove 112c formed in the case 112a of the rotary encoder 112 (therefore, the inner cylinder 113 and the rotary operator 111 are moved in the circumferential direction). Is allowed to rotate).

  On the outer wall surface of the inner cylinder 113, a convex portion protruding in the outer circumferential direction is provided over the entire circumference, and a rotating electrode 113a formed of a conductive member is provided on the convex portion. On the other hand, the rotary encoder 112 is provided with a fixed electrode 112b at a position corresponding to the rotary electrode 113a. When the inner cylinder 113 rotates in the circumferential direction, the rotary electrode 113a of the inner cylinder 113 is provided. Rotates while sliding on the fixed electrode 112b. As a result, when the operator rotates the rotary operator 111, the rotary electrode 113a and the fixed electrode 112b move relative to each other, whereby a predetermined pulse signal is transmitted via the lead wire 114 and the terminal 152a. It is output to the printed circuit board 152. The output from the rotary encoder 112 is converted into a signal (rotation operation signal) corresponding to the rotation operation amount by an electronic circuit (not shown), and is output to the information processing apparatus 20.

  The multidirectional movement operation unit 120 is mainly configured by a multidirectional movement operation element 121 and a two-dimensional encoder (two-dimensional position detection unit) 122. The multidirectional moving operation element 121 is a flat plate member having an octagonal plan shape, and the outer dimension thereof is larger than that of the palm rest part 130. The multidirectional moving operation element 121 is supported so as to be movable in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotation operation element 111 of the rotation operation unit 110. When the multidirectional moving operation element 121 is slid by an operator, the moving direction of the multidirectional moving operation element 121 is detected by the two-dimensional encoder 122, and a slide corresponding to the moving direction of the multidirectional moving operation element 121 is performed. An operation signal signal is output.

  Specifically, a cylindrical stay 153 is provided on the hollow portion of the inner diameter of the rotary encoder 112 so as to stand up from the base substrate 151, and the two-dimensional encoder 122 is placed on the stay 153. ing. An inner cylinder 123 is provided in the case 122 a of the two-dimensional encoder 122, and the inner cylinder 123 is fitted into a circular opening provided at the center of the multidirectional moving operation element 121. . For this reason, when the multidirectional moving operator 121 is slid by the operator, the inner cylinder 123 also slides integrally with the multidirectional moving operator 121.

  The outer wall surface of the inner cylinder 123 is provided with a convex portion that protrudes in the outer circumferential direction, and a predetermined angle (between the front end portion of the convex portion and the inner wall surface of the case 122a). For example, a plurality of springs 122c are provided in the circumferential direction at an interval of 45 °. The inner cylinder 123 is urged by these springs 122c so that the center thereof corresponds to the rotational axis of the rotary operation element 111. Therefore, when the operator operates the multidirectional movement operator 121, the multidirectional movement operation is performed around the rotation axis of the rotary operator 111 while resisting the urging force of the spring 122 c acting on the inner cylinder 123. The child 121 is slid. When the operator releases the force applied to the multidirectional movement operation element 121, the multidirectional movement operation element 121 returns to a predetermined center position by the tension of the spring 122c acting on the inner cylinder 123. The multi-directional movement operator 121 can move in a plurality of predetermined directions. In this embodiment, there are eight directions including upper, lower, left, right, upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left. This is the case.

  In addition, a moving electrode 123 a formed of a conductive member is provided on the convex portion of the inner cylinder 123. On the other hand, in the case 122a of the two-dimensional encoder 122, a fixed electrode 122b is provided at a position corresponding to the moving electrode 123a. When the inner cylinder 123 slides in the case 122a, The moving electrode 123a of the cylinder 123 moves while sliding on the fixed electrode 122b. Thus, when the operator slides the multidirectional moving operation element 121, the moving electrode 123a and the fixed electrode 122b move relative to each other, so that a predetermined electric signal pattern is connected to the lead wire 124 and the terminal 152b. Via the printed circuit board 152. The output from the two-dimensional encoder 122 is converted into a signal (slide operation signal) corresponding to the moving direction by an electronic circuit (not shown) and output to the information processing apparatus 20.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific configuration of the two-dimensional encoder 122. The fixed electrode 122b provided in the two-dimensional encoder 122 includes a plurality of individual electrodes 122ba to 122bh and a common electrode 122bi. The individual electrodes 122ba to 122bh are made of a conductor provided corresponding to each operation direction in consideration of the moving direction and moving distance of the inner cylinder 123. Specifically, when the multi-directional movement operation unit 120 has scroll characteristics in eight directions, the scroll of the multi-directional movement operation unit 120 is performed on the assumption that the operator faces the front of the information operation device 10. Corresponding to the characteristics, the individual electrodes 122ba to 122bh are arranged concentrically in the eight directions of upper, upper right, right, lower right, lower, lower left, left, upper left. The common electrode 122bi is configured by an annular conductor provided at a predetermined distance from the individual electrodes 122ba to 122bh inside the individual electrodes 122ba to 122bh.

  On the other hand, the moving electrode 123a that is integrated with the inner cylinder 123 and slides on the fixed electrode 122b is composed of a substantially circular conductor having a diameter larger than the interval between the common electrode 122bi and the individual electrodes 122ba to 122bh. Yes. When the multidirectional moving operation element 121 is slid, the moving electrode 123a operates as a short bar that establishes electrical connection between any of the individual electrodes 122ba to 122bh provided on the fixed electrode 122b and the common electrode 122bi. The contact signal corresponding to the operation direction is output.

  On the base substrate 151 corresponding to the hollow portion of the inner diameter of the two-dimensional encoder 122, a support column 154 is fixed with screws 155. A disc-shaped palm rest 130 centering on the rotation axis of the rotary operation element 111 is fixedly attached to the tip of the support column 154. The palm rest part 130 is a non-movable member for the operator to put his / her hand during operation, and its arrangement position and shape are set in consideration of ease of use during operation. In addition, a symbol mark simulating the own vehicle is displayed on the palm rest portion 130 so as to be recognized visually or by touch.

  The pressing operation unit 140 includes a switch unit 141 and a key top (pressing operation element) 142, and is provided at the upper center of the palm rest unit 130 (more precisely, on the rotation axis of the rotation operation element 111). Yes. From the viewpoint of suppressing erroneous operation by the operator's hand attached to the palm rest portion 130, a concave portion 130a recessed by a predetermined depth is formed at the upper center of the palm rest portion 130. Is provided inside the recess 130a.

  Specifically, the switch unit 141 is disposed on the bottom surface of the recess 130 a of the palm rest portion 130, and the key top 142 is disposed on the top surface of the switch unit 141. In the pressing operation unit 140, the upper surface of the key top 142 is slightly lower than the surface portion of the palm rest unit 130 so that the operator's hand attached to the palm rest unit 130 does not inadvertently press the switch unit 141. It is preferable that When the operator presses the switch unit 141 via the key top 142, a predetermined electrical signal is output to the printed circuit board 152 via the lead wire 143 and the terminal 152c. The output from the switch unit 141 is converted into a signal (pressing operation signal) corresponding to the pressing operation by an electronic circuit (not shown) and output to the information processing apparatus 20.

  5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams of operations of the information operation device 10 by the operator. When the operator operates the information operating device 10, the operator holds the palm (or finger) on the palm rest 130 and moves the multidirectional moving operator 121 directly below the palm rest 130 in a predetermined direction. Slide to. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the multidirectional moving operation element 121 is slid in the right direction in the figure, the operator moves a part of the inner side of the operation finger F to the periphery of the palm rest 130. The multi-directional moving operation element 121 is pushed toward the center while contacting the portion. In this case, a force is applied to the operation point Pm on the multidirectional moving operation element 121 while using the part in contact with the palm rest part 130 as the fulcrum Pf.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the operator rotates the rotary operator 111 directly below the multidirectional moving operator 121 with the palm (or finger) F <b> 1 attached to the palm rest 130. Specifically, the operator places the palm (or finger) portion of the operator on the palm rest 130 and fixes it, and rotates the rotary operator 111 with the thumb (or other finger) F2.

  Further, the operator pushes the pressing operation unit 140 disposed at the upper center of the palm rest unit 130 with the palm (or finger) attached to the palm rest unit 130. Specifically, the operator moves the operation finger along the peripheral portion of the palm rest part 130 to the center upper part and presses the key top 142.

  FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram showing the car navigation system. The information processing system 1 having such an information operation device 10 is applied to, for example, a car navigation system that provides navigation information including the current position of the host vehicle to an operator. The information processing device 20 that is a navigation device is configured mainly by the control unit 21 and displays map information read from the map data 22 on the display device 30.

  In such a navigation system, the rotation operation signal output from the rotation operation unit 110 of the information operation device 10 is assigned to a signal for adjusting the scale factor of the map information displayed on the display device 30, and the operator can The magnification operation (that is, the enlargement operation and the reduction operation) is performed in two directions by the rotation operation of the rotary operation element 111 opposite to the right. Further, the slide operation signal output from the multidirectional movement operation unit 120 is assigned to a signal for scrolling the map information displayed on the display device 30, and the operator has his own vehicle written on the palm rest unit 130. The scroll operation of the map information in the direction corresponding to the operation is performed by the slide operation of the multidirectional movement operation element 121 with reference to the direction of the symbol mark. The pressing operation signal output from the pressing operation unit 140 is assigned to a signal for determining operation on various menus or selection screens, and the operator performs the determining operation by pressing the key top 142.

  The output of the rotary encoder 112 corresponding to the rotation amount of the rotary operator 111 is converted by the interface circuit 23 and input to the control unit 21 as a signal for controlling the scale factor of the map information to be presented. The output of the two-dimensional encoder 122 corresponding to the movement amount of the multidirectional movement operation unit 120 is converted by the interface circuit 23 and input to the control unit 21 as a signal for controlling the longitude / latitude of the center position of the presented map information. The The output of the switch unit 141 is converted by the interface circuit 23 and input to the control unit 21 as a signal for determining various selections.

  The control unit 21 adjusts the latitude and longitude of the map information read from the map data 22 according to the moving direction of the multidirectional moving operation element 121, and the scale of the map information to be presented according to the operation of the rotation operation element 111. To decide. For example, when an operation signal for controlling the latitude and longitude of the center position is input, the control unit 21 creates a map screen in which the viewpoint coordinate value is moved by a predetermined amount in the designated direction, and this is displayed on the display device 30. To display. In addition, when an operation signal for controlling the scale factor is input, the control unit 21 creates a map screen so as to display the map information in the vicinity of the currently displayed coordinate axis at the designated scale factor. Is displayed on the display device 30.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the information operating device 10 includes the rotation operator 111 of the rotation operation unit 110, the multidirectional movement operation unit 121 of the multidirectional movement operation unit 120, and the palm rest unit 130 on the same axis. Are arranged in a stacked manner. In this case, the palm rest part 130 is disposed in front of the rotary operation element 111 and the multidirectional movement operation element 121 with the operation panel 150 as a reference. Therefore, the operator can operate the rotary operator 111 or the multidirectional moving operator 121 by a simple movement of the fingertip in a state where the palm (or finger) is fixed on the palm rest part 130. At this time, since the palm of the operator is stably supported by the palm rest part 130, a stable operation is possible even in an environment where there is a lot of vibration and rocking such as a vehicle. As a result, the operation accuracy can be improved and the feeling of fatigue during operation can be reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, because the palm rest part 130 that does not have an operation function is arranged on the foremost surface, even if the operators 111 and 121 are searched by groping, the palm rest part 130 causes the operators 111, 121 is covered, and the possibility that an operation unintended by the operator will occur can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to perform an operation without paying attention to the hand, and the visual load on the operator can be reduced.

  Moreover, as the information processing apparatus 20 operated by such an information operation apparatus 10, a car navigation apparatus that displays map information on a display apparatus can be applied. In this case, the rotation operation signal output from the rotation operation unit 110 is assigned to a signal for adjusting the scale factor of the map information displayed on the display device 30, and the slide operation signal output from the multidirectional movement operation unit 120 is The map information displayed on the display device 30 is assigned to a signal for scrolling. For this reason, the operator operates the rotary operator 111 for adjusting the scale of the displayed map information and scrolls the map information in each direction while placing the palm (or finger) on the palm rest 130. It is possible to easily and continuously perform the operation of the multidirectional movement operator 121 to be performed. As a result, it is possible to efficiently perform highly accurate operations even in an environment in a vehicle in which vibration or swinging occurs.

  In the present embodiment, the rotary operator 111 of the rotary operation unit 110 is disposed closer to the operation panel 150 than the multidirectional movement operator 121 of the multidirectional movement operation unit 120. In other words, the multidirectional moving operation element 121 is disposed closer to the palm rest part 130 than the rotation operation element 111. Therefore, in the navigation operation in which the scroll operation of the map information is performed more frequently than the operation of the scale magnification, the operation that is optimal in accordance with the use form is provided by providing the multi-directional movement operation element 121 on the palm rest part 130 side with high operation frequency. It is possible to improve the operability.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the multidirectional movement operation element 121 of the multidirectional movement operation unit 120 has an outer dimension larger than the outer dimension of the palm rest unit 130. Therefore, when operating the multidirectional moving operation element 121, it becomes easy for the operating finger to perform a pushing operation (sliding operation) with the palm rest part 130 as a support point. Thereby, it becomes possible to operate the multidirectional moving operation element 121 accurately and continuously. For example, in the navigation operation, the accuracy of the scroll operation is improved, and even when the map information is moved over a long distance, the feeling of fatigue associated with the operation can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the multidirectional moving operation element 121 has an octagonal shape, and the palm rest portion 130 has a disk shape. However, the multi-directional movement operation element 121 and the palm rest part 130 may be configured by a polygon having a similar shape so that the palm rest part 130 has an octagonal shape. In this case, the side where the operation finger of the palm rest part 130 is supported is a straight line, and the effect of improving the stability of the support of the operation finger is achieved. Moreover, since the operation direction of the multidirectional movement operation element 121 is emphasized by making the palm rest part 130 into a polygonal shape, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a situation in which this is erroneously operated.

  In the present embodiment, a pressing operation unit 140 that outputs a pressing operation signal according to the pressing operation of the key top 142 is provided in the upper center of the palm rest unit 130, and is output from the pressing operation unit 140. The pressing operation signal is assigned to a signal that governs the determination operation. Thereby, the determination operation can be performed without moving the operating finger greatly in conjunction with the operation of the rotation operation element 111 of the rotation operation unit 110 and the multi-direction movement operation element 121 of the multi-direction movement operation unit 120. Therefore, the overall operation efficiency can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a symbol mark simulating the host vehicle is written on the palm rest 130 so that it can be recognized visually or by touch. Thus, the operator can easily understand the operation method on the premise that the sliding direction of the multidirectional moving operation element 121 with respect to the symbol mark and the scroll direction of the map information with respect to the own vehicle are associated in advance. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, the multidirectional movement operation element 121 can move in a plurality of predetermined directions around the rotation axis of the rotation operation element 111, and the multidirectional movement operation unit 120 can move in multiple directions. A two-dimensional encoder 122 that detects the moving direction of the operation element 121 is further provided. Therefore, the target operation can be performed by sliding the multidirectional moving operation element 121 and detecting the sliding direction two-dimensionally. Also, since the scroll direction of the map information can be made to correspond to the operation direction, the operation method can be easily recalled as compared with a joystick type or trackball type operation method. As the two-dimensional encoder 122, various two-dimensional position detection means such as a contact type, a contact resistance variable type, an optical type, and a capacitance type can be used.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the information operating device 10 according to the second embodiment. The information operating device 10 according to the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that the order of the rotation operation unit 110 and the multidirectional movement operation unit 120 is switched. That is, the rotation operation unit 110 (specifically, the rotation operation element 111 that is the operation element), the multi-direction movement operation unit 120 (specifically, the multi-direction movement operation element 121 that is the operation element), The palm rest unit 130 is stacked on the axis of the rotation axis of the rotation operation unit 110 and is arranged in the order of the multi-directional movement operation unit 120, the rotation operation unit 110, and the palm rest unit 130 from the operation panel 150 side. It is out. In other words, the rotary operation element 111 is disposed closer to the operation panel 150 than the multidirectional movement operation element 121.

  The multidirectional moving operation unit 120 mainly composed of the multidirectional moving operation element 121 and the two-dimensional encoder 122 is arranged on the lowermost surface, that is, the base substrate 151 to which the printed circuit board 152 is attached. An intermediate base 156 is fixedly attached to the middle stage of the support column 154 provided in the hollow portion of the inner diameter of the two-dimensional encoder 122, and is a rotational operation mainly composed of the rotary operator 111 and the rotary encoder 112. Part 110 is arranged. Similar to the first embodiment, a palm rest part 130 is disposed on the upper part of the support column 154, and the palm rest part 130 is provided with a pressing operation part 140 on the upper part thereof. Since the configuration other than the layout change is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 9 is an overall configuration diagram showing the vehicle exterior monitoring system. The information processing system 1 having such an information operation device 10 can be applied to, for example, a vehicle exterior monitoring system that displays a captured image of a camera that captures a scene outside the vehicle. In this out-of-vehicle monitoring system, an information processing device 20a as a monitoring device is composed of a camera input switching unit 25 and a magnification conversion unit 26. The camera input switching unit 25 selectively switches images input from the eight cameras 24 </ b> A to 24 </ b> H disposed at the front, rear, left, right, and each of the four corners of the vehicle and displays the images on the display device 30. The magnification conversion unit 26 adjusts the scale magnification (or angle of view) of the captured images of the cameras 24 </ b> A to 24 </ b> H selected by the camera input switching unit 25 and displays the adjusted image on the display device 30.

  In such a vehicle exterior monitoring system, the rotation operation signal output from the rotation operation unit 110 of the information operation device 10 adjusts the scale factor (or angle of view) of the images of the cameras 24A to 24H displayed on the display device 30. The operator is assigned to the signal, and the operator performs a magnification operation in two directions (that is, an enlargement operation and a reduction operation) by rotating the rotary operation element 111 in the opposite direction. Further, the slide operation signal output from the multidirectional movement operation unit 120 is assigned to a signal for selectively switching the cameras 24A to 24H to be displayed on the display device 30, and the operator is written on the palm rest unit 130. The selection operation of the cameras 24A to 24H existing in the direction corresponding to the operation is performed by the slide operation of the multidirectional movement operator 121 with reference to the direction of the symbol mark of the own vehicle. The pressing operation signal output from the pressing operation unit 140 is assigned to a signal for determining operation on various menus or selection screens, and the operator performs the determining operation by pressing the key top 142.

  The output of the rotary encoder 112 corresponding to the rotation amount of the rotary operator 111 is converted by the interface circuit 23 and input to the control unit 21 as a signal for controlling the scale factor (or the angle of view) of the camera image to be presented. Further, the output of the two-dimensional encoder 122 corresponding to the moving direction of the multidirectional moving operation unit 120 is converted by the interface circuit 23 and input to the control unit 21 as a signal for controlling switching of the cameras 24A to 24H to be presented. The output of the switch unit 141 is converted by the interface circuit 23 and input to the control unit 21 as a signal for determining various selections.

  The control unit 21 selectively switches the input of the cameras 24 </ b> A to 24 </ b> H to be displayed according to the operation of the multidirectional movement operation element 121, and the camera image to be presented according to the operation of the rotation operation element 111. Determine the scale. For example, when an operation signal for controlling selection of the cameras 24A to 24H is input, the control unit 21 changes the camera 24A to 24H existing in the designated direction from the currently input cameras 24A to 24H. The input is switched and displayed on the display device 30. When an operation signal for controlling the scale magnification (or angle of view) is input, the control unit 21 displays the images from the cameras 24A to 24H at the designated scale magnification (or angle of view). 30 and so on.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the information operating device 10 places the multidirectional movement operation element 121 of the multidirectional movement operation unit 120, the rotation operation element 111 of the rotation operation unit 110, and the palm rest unit 130 on the same axis. Are arranged in a stacked manner. In this case, the palm rest part 130 is disposed in front of the rotary operation element 111 and the multidirectional movement operation element 121 with the operation panel 150 as a reference. Thereby, there exists an effect similar to 1st Embodiment mentioned above.

  In addition, as the information processing apparatus 20 operated by the information operation apparatus 10 as described above, monitoring is performed by selectively switching captured images from a plurality of cameras, each of which is arranged with an imaging direction offset, and displaying the images on a display device. The device can be applied. In this case, the slide operation signal output from the multidirectional movement operation unit 120 is assigned to a signal for selecting the cameras 24A to 24H that display captured images on the display device 30, and the rotation operation signal output from the rotation operation unit 110. Is assigned to a signal for adjusting the scale factor or the angle of view of the captured image displayed on the display device 30. For this reason, the operator operates the multidirectional moving operator 121 for adjusting the scale of the displayed captured image while the palm (or finger) is placed on the palm rest 130 and the cameras 24A to 24A to output the captured image. It is possible to easily and continuously perform the operation of the rotary operator 111 that performs switching of 24H. As a result, it is possible to improve the operability associated with the camera switching for monitoring the outside of the vehicle.

  In the present embodiment, the multidirectional movement operator 121 of the multidirectional movement operation unit 120 is disposed closer to the operation panel 150 than the rotation operation element 111 of the rotation operation unit 110. In other words, the rotary operator 111 is disposed closer to the palm rest part 130 than the multidirectional moving operator 121. In such a monitoring apparatus, once the camera is switched, it is assumed that an operation for adjusting the scale factor (or the angle of view) is frequently performed. Is provided on the palm rest portion 130 side, it is possible to perform an optimum operation according to the usage pattern, and to improve the operability.

  Furthermore, a symbol mark simulating the own vehicle is written on the palm rest 130 so as to be recognizable visually or by touch. Therefore, the operator can easily understand the operation method on the premise that the sliding direction of the multidirectional moving operation element 121 with respect to the symbol mark is associated with the mounting position of each camera in advance.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the information operating device 10 according to the third embodiment. The information operation device 10 according to the third embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that a rotation operation unit 160 is added (for convenience, the rotation operation unit shown in FIG. 110 is referred to as “first rotation operation unit 110”, and the added rotation operation unit 160 is referred to as “second rotation operation unit 160”).

  In the information operating device 10, the first rotation operation unit 110 (specifically, the first rotation operator 111 that is the operation element) and the multidirectional movement operation unit 120 (specifically, the operation element) The multi-directional movement operation element 121), the palm rest part 130, and the second rotation operation part 160 (specifically, the multi-directional movement operation element 121 that is the operation element) rotate the rotation operation part 110. Arranged in layers on the axis of the shaft, the first rotation operation unit 110, the multi-directional movement operation unit 120, the second rotation operation unit 160, and the palm rest unit 130 are arranged in this order from the operation panel 150 side. Yes. In other words, the second rotation operation unit 160 is disposed between the multidirectional movement operation unit 120 and the palm rest unit 130 on the rotation axis of the first rotation operation unit 110.

  The basic configuration of the second rotation operation unit 160 is the same as that of the first rotation operation unit 110, and is mainly composed of the second rotation operation unit 161 and the second rotation encoder 162. The second rotary operation element 161 is a member having a flange shape by combining a cylinder and a circular flat plate whose edge protrudes toward the outside. At the center, it is supported rotatably. An inner cylinder 163 is fitted inside the cylindrical portion of the second rotary operation element 161. When the second rotation operation element 161 is rotated by the operator, the inner cylinder 163 is in a second state. It rotates integrally with the rotary operator 161. The amount of rotation of the inner cylinder 163 is detected by the second rotary encoder 162 disposed on the inner diameter portion of the rotary encoder 112 of the first rotary operation unit 110. The output from the second rotary encoder 162 is converted into a signal (rotation operation signal) corresponding to the rotation operation amount by an electronic circuit (not shown), and is output to the information processing apparatus 20. Since the configuration other than the addition of the second rotation operation unit 160 is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 11 is an overall configuration diagram showing a car navigation system. The information processing system 1 having such an information operation device 10 is applied to a car navigation system that provides navigation information, as in the first embodiment. The information processing device 20b, which is a navigation device, displays map information including route information on the display device 30. Generally, in a car navigation system, it is difficult to equip a typewriter-type keyboard because of a limited installation space. Therefore, a pseudo keyboard (option table) in which choices such as hiragana and alphabets of 50 sounds are arranged in a table form on the display screen, a character string is input by selecting the choice by cursor operation, and the selected character is selected. A target vocabulary is searched from among a plurality of conversion candidates generated from the sequence, and input work is performed.

  In the present embodiment in which a navigation destination is set by character input, the information processing apparatus 20b includes a character input unit 27, a destination guide unit 28, and a destination setting unit 29. The character input unit 27 inputs a vocabulary representing the destination. The destination setting unit 29 converts the latitude / longitude information of the destination based on the input vocabulary. The destination guidance unit 28 calculates a travel route to the destination based on the latitude and longitude information of the destination, and causes the display device 30 to display this.

  In such a navigation system, the rotation operation signal output from the first rotation operation unit 110 of the information operation device 10 is assigned to a signal for switching various input modes such as alphanumeric input, Roman input, hiragana input, and the like. Yes. The operator performs an input mode selection operation by rotating the rotary operator 111 in the opposite direction. For example, when the rotary operator 111 is rotated clockwise, the input mode is switched in the order of alphanumeric input, Roman input, hiragana input, and when rotated counterclockwise, the input mode is switched in the reverse order. That's right. The slide operation signal output from the multi-directional movement operation unit 120 is assigned to a signal for moving a cursor for designating a specific character in a table (option table) in which different character groups are arranged in a matrix. . The operator refers to the option table displayed on the display device 30 and moves the cursor to the character existing in the direction corresponding to the slide operation of the multidirectional moving operation element 121. The rotation operation signal output from the second rotation operation unit 160 is assigned to a signal for selecting a specific vocabulary in the list of vocabulary candidates. The operator refers to the list of vocabulary candidates displayed on the display device 30 and selects a specific vocabulary from the list of vocabulary candidates by the rotation operation of the second rotation operator 161. The pressing operation unit 140 is assigned with a determination function in various selection menus, and is selected by a character top determination operation or a list of vocabulary candidates specified by a cursor on the option table by a key top 142 push operation. Various decision operations such as vocabulary decision operations are possible.

  The output of the first rotary encoder 112 corresponding to the rotation amount of the first rotary operator 111 is converted by the interface circuit 23 and input to the selection table switching unit 27A as a signal for controlling the switching of the input mode. Further, the output of the two-dimensional encoder 122 corresponding to the amount of movement of the multidirectional movement operator 121 is converted by the interface circuit 23 and input to the table operation processing unit 27B as a signal for controlling the cursor position on the option table. The output of the second rotary encoder 162 corresponding to the rotation amount of the second rotary operator 161 is converted by the interface circuit 23 and input to the conversion candidate calculation unit 27C as a signal for controlling switching of the presented vocabulary candidates. Is done. The output of the switch unit 141 is converted by the interface circuit 23 and input to the character input unit 27 as operation signals for determining various selections.

  The selection table switching unit 27A outputs the input mode designated by the operator to the table operation processing unit 27B in accordance with the operation of the first rotary operator 111. The table operation processing unit 27B includes an option table corresponding to various input modes such as alphanumeric input, Roman input, hiragana input, etc., and causes the display device 30 to display an option table corresponding to the input mode. Then, the table operation processing unit 27B moves the cursor on the option table according to the operation of the multi-directional movement operator 121, and the character corresponding to the cursor position on the option table according to the push operation of the key top 142. Is specified as an input character. The table operation processing unit 27B outputs the input character string (or character) to the conversion candidate calculation unit 27C. The conversion candidate calculation unit 27C includes vocabulary groups with various patterns, and causes the display device 30 to display a list of vocabulary candidates corresponding to the input character string (or character). The conversion candidate calculation unit 27C sequentially displays vocabulary candidates from the list of vocabulary candidates according to the operation of the second rotation operator 161, and inputs the corresponding vocabulary candidates according to the push operation of the key top 142. Identify as a vocabulary. The conversion candidate calculation unit 27C outputs the determined vocabulary to the destination setting unit 29. When these series of input operations are performed, the destination guidance unit 28 and the destination setting unit 29 calculate a travel route to the destination corresponding to the input vocabulary and display it on the display device 30.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the information operation device 10 includes the first rotation operation element 111 of the first rotation operation unit 110, the multi-direction movement operation element 121 of the multi-direction movement operation unit 120, and the second The second rotary operation member 161 of the rotary operation unit 160 and the palm rest unit 130 are stacked on the same axis. In this case, the palm rest part 130 is disposed in front of the first rotary operation element 111, the multidirectional movement operation element 121, and the second rotation operation element 161 with the operation panel 150 as a reference. Therefore, the operator can fix the palm (or finger) on the palm rest part 130 and perform the first rotation operation element 111, the multidirectional movement operation element 121, or the second rotation operation by a simple movement of the fingertip. The child 161 can be operated. Thereby, there can exist an effect similar to 1st Embodiment mentioned above.

  In addition, a car navigation device that displays map information including a route to a destination on the display device 30 is applied as the information processing device 20b operated by such an information operation device 10. In this case, the rotation operation signal output from the first rotation operation unit 110 is assigned to a signal for switching the input mode, and the slide operation signal output from the multi-directional movement operation unit 120 is a matrix of different characters. The rotation operation signal output from the second rotation operation unit 160 is a signal for selecting a specific vocabulary in the list of vocabulary candidates. Assigned to. As a result, a series of input operations such as input mode switching, character input using the option table, and conversion candidate selection can be performed in one place. Thereby, the operativity can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the second rotation operation unit 160 is disposed between the multidirectional movement operation unit 120 and the palm rest unit 130 on the rotation axis of the first rotation operation unit 110. For this reason, the operation units 110, 120, and 160 are arranged in accordance with a series of work procedures such as input mode switching, character selection using a cursor, and conversion candidate selection from the back as viewed from the operator. Accordingly, it is possible to realize an optimum operation form. This facilitates understanding of the operation method and can improve operability.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, one of the features of the present invention has been described in the individual embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and is within the scope of the present invention, such as adding a third rotation operation unit or adding a second multi-directional movement operation unit. Appropriate changes can be made. In each embodiment, the information processing system 1 for in-vehicle use has been described. However, the information operation device 10 is preferably used in an environment with vibration and swinging such as an aircraft, a ship, and various vehicles. It is possible to use.

It is a block block diagram which shows the whole structure of the information processing system 1 which concerns on this invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an information operating device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the internal structure of the information operating device 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific configuration of a two-dimensional encoder 122. FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the information operating device 10 by an operator. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the information operating device 10 by an operator. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a car navigation system. It is sectional drawing explaining the internal structure of the information operating device 10 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a whole block diagram which shows a vehicle exterior monitoring system. It is sectional drawing explaining the internal structure of the information operating device 10 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a car navigation system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle information system 10 Information operation apparatus 110 Rotation operation part (1st rotation operation part)
111 rotary operator (first rotary operator)
112 rotary encoder (first rotary encoder)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 120 Multidirectional movement operation part 121 Multidirectional movement operation element 122 Two-dimensional encoder 130 Palm rest part 140 Press operation part 141 Switch unit 142 Key top 150 Operation panel 160 2nd rotation operation part 161 2nd rotation operation element 162 2nd Rotation encoder 20 Information processing device 30 Display device

Claims (12)

In an information operating device for operating an information processing device,
An operation panel on which various controls are arranged,
A first rotation operation means that includes a first rotation operation element that is rotatably supported, and that outputs a rotation operation signal corresponding to the rotation amount of the first rotation operation element;
A multi-directional moving operation element supported so as to be movable in a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis of the first rotary operating element, and outputting a slide operation signal corresponding to the moving direction of the multi-directional moving operation element Moving operation means;
A palm rest means on which an operator's operating hand is placed;
The first rotary operation element, the multi-directional movement operation element, and the palm rest means are arranged in a stacked manner on the axis of the rotation axis of the first rotation operation element,
The information operating device, wherein the palm rest means is disposed in front of the first rotary operation element and the multidirectional movement operation element with the operation panel as a reference.   The information operating device according to claim 1, wherein the first rotary operation element is disposed closer to the operation panel than the multidirectional movement operation element.   The information operating device according to claim 1, wherein the multidirectional moving operation element is disposed closer to the operation panel than the first rotation operation element. A second rotation operator supported rotatably about the rotation axis of the first rotation operator, and outputs a rotation operation signal corresponding to the rotation amount of the second rotation operator; A rotation operation means;
3. The second rotary operation element is disposed between the multidirectional movement operation element and the palm rest means on an axis of a rotation axis of the first rotary operation element. Information operating device described in 1. The palm rest means is composed of a circular or polygonal flat plate around the rotation axis of the first rotary operator,
The multi-directional moving operation element is formed of a circular or polygonal flat plate around the rotation axis of the first rotation operation element, and has an outer dimension larger than the outer dimension of the palm rest means. The information operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The multi-directional moving operator is movable in a plurality of predetermined directions around the rotation axis of the first rotating operator,
The multidirectional movement operation means further includes a contact type, a contact resistance variable type, an optical type or a capacitance type two-dimensional position detection means for detecting the movement direction of the multidirectional movement operation element. The information operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A pressing operator provided at the upper center of the palm rest means, further comprising a pressing operation means for outputting a pressing operation signal according to the pressing operation of the pressing operator;
5. The information operating device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing operation signal output from the pressing operation unit is assigned to a signal for performing a determination operation. 6. The information processing device is a car navigation device that displays map information on a display device;
The rotation operation signal output from the first rotation operation means is assigned to a signal for adjusting the scale factor of the map information displayed on the display device,
The information operation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the slide operation signal output from the multidirectional movement operation means is assigned to a signal for scrolling map information displayed on the display device. The information processing apparatus is a monitoring apparatus that selectively switches captured images from a plurality of cameras arranged with offset imaging directions, and displays the images on a display device.
The slide operation signal output from the multidirectional movement operation means is assigned to a signal for selecting a camera that displays a captured image on the display device,
The rotation operation signal output from the first rotation operation means is assigned to a signal for adjusting a scale factor or an angle of view of a captured image displayed on the display device. Information handling device. The information processing device is a car navigation device that causes a display device to display map information including a route to a destination corresponding to an input vocabulary,
The rotation operation signal output from the first rotation operation means is assigned to a signal for switching the input mode,
The slide operation signal output from the multidirectional movement operation means is assigned to a signal for moving a cursor pointing to a specific character in a table in which different character groups are arranged in a matrix,
5. The information operating device according to claim 4, wherein the rotation operation signal output from the second rotation operation means is assigned to a signal for selecting a specific vocabulary from a list of vocabulary candidates.   11. The information operating device according to claim 8, wherein the palm rest means has a symbol mark simulating the own vehicle so as to be recognizable visually or tactilely.   A first rotary operator that is rotatably supported, a multidirectional moving operator that is supported so as to be movable in a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis of the first rotary operator, and an operator's operating hand are placed. The palm rest means is arranged in a stacked manner on the axis of the rotation axis of the first rotary operation element, and the palm rest means arrangement is in front of the first rotation operation element and the multidirectional movement operation element. An information operating device characterized by being arranged.

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