JP2008083946A - Non-contact operation device, electronic appliance and on-vehicle equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability by shortening a time required for an operation. <P>SOLUTION: This non-contact operation device 10 is provided with right side and left side optical sensor devices 11R and 11L for outputting a detection signal corresponding to a distance to a detection object and a signal processing unit 12 for determining and oututting manipulated variables based on detection signals PDR and PDL of those respective and right side and left side optical sensors 11R and 11L. The signal processing unit 12 determines the manipulated variables corresponding to inclination between two points on the detection object based on the detection signals PDR and PDL of the respective right side and left side optical sensor devices 11R and 11L. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a contactless operation device for enabling various operations on a device without a user touching an operator, an electronic device including the contactless operation device, and an in-vehicle device.

  In recent years, with the development of display device technology such as a liquid crystal display, the size of display devices mounted on various electronic devices has increased, contributing to improved visibility in information presentation. Similarly, in-vehicle devices such as in-vehicle acoustic devices and in-vehicle information devices, the size of display devices is increasing, and accordingly, display contents are enhanced and visibility is improved. However, in the case of an in-vehicle device, unlike a general household device, there is a restriction on the size of the device body because it is installed in a space where the space inside the vehicle interior is limited. There is a problem that an arrangement space for arranging various operation buttons for operating is reduced. Especially for in-vehicle devices, it is important that various operation buttons are arranged on the in-vehicle device with a layout that allows the passenger to easily operate from the seated position. Therefore, it is very difficult to arrange various operation buttons in a layout that does not impair operability in a space limited by the above.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to downsize the operation button, but there is a limit to the downsizing of the operation button. For example, as an operator for volume adjustment, in order to make it easy for the user to grasp the volume adjustment amount, a slider operator having a knob portion that slides in a straight line having a resistance component inside, or a knob It is common to use a rotary operator that rotates. However, this type of operation element has a knob portion and a mechanical structure that is driven according to the operation of the knob portion, and also requires a space for moving the knob portion. In addition, there is a limit to downsizing the operation element, and further, there is a problem that the position where this type of operation element can be disposed is limited because the knob portion protrudes from the front surface of the in-vehicle device.

In addition to the above-mentioned types of controls, the controls for volume adjustment include controls that include two press switches, a press switch for volume up and a press switch for volume down. Although it may be used, even with this operation element, it is necessary to dispose a mechanical structure called two push switches, and there is a problem in that the places where it can be disposed are limited.
Therefore, when the above-described operation element is disposed around the display device, the size of the display device is limited due to the size of the operation element and the low degree of freedom of the arrangement location.

  Therefore, in recent years, a display device having a touch panel on a panel portion has been widely put into practical use in order to reduce the number of operators to be arranged around the display device by providing the display device with the function of an operator. . However, if the volume adjustment of the in-vehicle device is performed by operating the touch panel, for example, in the in-vehicle device such as a car audio device, the volume adjustment is a function that needs to be always operable. Need to be constantly displayed on the display device. For this reason, when developing an application to be executed on an in-vehicle device, it is necessary to provide a function for displaying an operation key for volume adjustment on the GUI (graphical user interface) of each application, and the development work of the application is complicated. become.

As an alternative to the above-mentioned various controls that require the user to operate the operation keys displayed on the knob or touch panel, the user's operation is detected using an optical sensor, and the operation of the device is performed by the operation. A technique that enables input (hereinafter referred to as “contactless operation technique”) has been proposed. In this non-contact operation technique, an operation is input according to a change in the amount of light received by the optical sensor when the user moves a finger or the like so as to cross over the optical sensor. In addition, by arranging two optical sensors in parallel, a difference in the on / off timing of each optical sensor when the user moves a finger or the like across the two optical sensors is detected, Based on this, it is possible to estimate the moving direction and moving speed of a finger or the like, and to change the amount of operation according to the moving direction and moving speed so that the operation can be input (for example, see Patent Document 1). ).
JP-A-9-281963

  However, the conventional non-contact operation technique has the following problems. That is, in a configuration in which an operation is detected using two optical sensors, detection of one operation requires time for a detection target such as a finger to pass once over at least two optical sensors. Therefore, when the user repeats the operation many times, the finger is passed over the two optical sensors and the operation is performed once, and then the second time after the finger is returned to the original position again. As a result, the time required for one operation is approximately doubled.

  Therefore, when the conventional non-contact operation technique is applied to, for example, a volume adjustment operation, the user performs an operation such as slowly moving a finger or the like to decrease the adjustment amount, or quickly moving to increase the adjustment amount. The target volume is repeatedly adjusted, but in that case, there is a problem that it takes a lot of time to adjust the target volume. In particular, in a passenger compartment, a problem arises when the volume raised by one operation is increased. Therefore, the volume is increased repeatedly little by little, and the number of operations is inevitably increased. In addition, such problems are not limited to volume adjustment operations, and even when the above technique is applied to a selection operation for selecting a target item from a large number of items, there are many problems until the target item is selected. The same problem arises from the fact that the above repeating operation is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a contactless operation device, an electronic device, and an in-vehicle device that can shorten the time required for operation and improve operability. To do.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention determines the operation amount based on two non-contact sensors that output detection signals corresponding to the distance to the detection target and the respective detection signals of the non-contact sensors. And the signal processing unit determines the operation amount according to the inclination between the two points on the detection object based on the detection signals of the non-contact sensors. A non-contact operating device is provided.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, comprising at least three or more of the non-contact sensors, wherein the signal processing unit is based on each detection signal of the non-contact sensor between two points on the detection object. A plurality of inclinations are specified, and the operation amount is determined according to each inclination.

  In the invention described above, the signal processing unit may determine the operation amount indicating a moving direction and a moving amount of an object displayed on a display device based on each of the plurality of inclinations. And

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the signal processing unit increases or decreases an operation amount corresponding to the inclination according to an average distance from each of the non-contact sensors to the detection target. .

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the signal processing unit increases or decreases an operation amount corresponding to the inclination according to an average distance from each of the non-contact sensors to the detection target. .

  In the invention described above, the time interval for the signal processing unit to capture the detection signals of the non-contact sensors and output the operation amount can be set for each user or each operation target. Features.

  In the invention described above, the present invention is characterized in that the detection object is a part of a human body.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electronic apparatus comprising the contactless operation device according to any one of the above inventions.

  According to the present invention, in the above invention, a display device having a display panel is provided, and the non-contact operation device is provided on the back side of the display panel.

  In the above invention, the present invention is an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an in-vehicle device configured to output sound into a vehicle compartment and adjust the volume of the sound, and is provided at a front portion of the apparatus main body. Two non-contact sensors that output a detection signal corresponding to the distance to the palm of the user, and a signal processing unit that determines and outputs the operation amount of the operation target based on the respective detection signals of the non-contact sensor And the signal processing unit has a non-contact operation device that determines and outputs the operation amount according to the inclination between two points in the palm based on each detection signal of the non-contact sensor. The sound volume is adjusted based on the operation amount output from the non-contact operation device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an in-vehicle device having a display device in a front portion of a device main body provided in a vehicle compartment, and a user provided at the front portion of the device main body and held over the front portion. Two non-contact sensors that output detection signals according to the distance to the palm of the hand, and a signal processing unit that determines and outputs the operation amount of the operation target based on the respective detection signals of the non-contact sensors. The signal processing unit has a non-contact operation device that determines and outputs the operation amount according to the inclination between two points in the palm based on the detection signals of the non-contact sensors, The object displayed on the display device is moved in a direction and a movement amount corresponding to the operation amount output by the non-contact operation device.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the non-contact operating device includes at least three or more non-contact sensors, and the signal processing unit is configured to detect the detection object based on detection signals of the non-contact sensors. A plurality of inclinations between the above two points are specified, and the operation amount is determined according to each inclination, the display device displays a map image, and the map image displayed on the display device is changed to the contactless operation. The scroll display is performed in a scroll direction and a scroll amount corresponding to the operation amount output by the apparatus.

  According to the present invention, since the operation amount according to the inclination between two points on the detection target is determined based on the detection signals of the two non-contact sensors, only by tilting the detection target, An operation with a desired operation amount can be executed, and it is not necessary to repeat the operation over and over, and the time required for the operation is shortened. In addition, since operation input is possible simply by tilting the object to be detected above the two non-contact sensors, there is no need to operate an operation knob, etc. Can be improved. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide a mechanical structure such as an operating member such as a knob, it is possible to reduce the size and improve the degree of freedom of the arrangement location.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a car audio device 1 that is one mode of an in-vehicle device. As shown in FIG. 1A, a car audio device 1 includes a device main body 2 housed in a center console of a vehicle so as to expose a front portion 2A, and a display device 3 having a liquid crystal panel 4 as a display panel. The display device 3 is disposed on the front portion 2A of the device body 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the liquid crystal panel 4 of the display device 3 has a high transmittance region in the infrared wavelength band, and the back side of the liquid crystal panel 4 faces the front of the front portion 2A. A non-contact operating device 10 having a right optical sensor device 11R and a left optical sensor device 11L that radiate infrared light to detect a detection target is disposed.

  Specifically, the contactless operation device 10 receives a volume (volume) adjustment operation of the car audio device 1, and the right optical sensor device 11 </ b> R and the left optical sensor device 11 </ b> L are spaced apart on the back side of the liquid crystal panel 4. W is provided side by side. The right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L have an infrared laser or an infrared LED and radiate infrared light toward the front of the liquid crystal panel 4, and the infrared light is reflected by an object located in front of the light emitting device. And a light receiving device that receives the reflected light returning and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the received light intensity as a detection signal (both not shown), and the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L Volume adjustment is performed based on the detection signal. Details of the volume adjustment based on the detection signal will be described later.

  The display device 3 displays, for example, various information such as music information (music title, performance time, artist name, etc.) currently being played and current volume (volume), and a non-contact operating device 10 is provided. The operation area notification window 5 for notifying the operation area together with the method of operation input is displayed at the place where the operation is performed in order to indicate the position to the user.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the user holds the palm 8 over the contactless operation device 10 and tilts the palm 8 so that the right finger is down (closer to the liquid crystal panel 4) (see FIG. 2). B)), or by performing a leftward tilting operation (FIG. 2C) that tilts the palm 8 so that the left finger is down (closer to the liquid crystal panel 4), the motion is detected by the non-contact operating device 10. The volume is adjusted according to the inclination of the palm 8 at that time and the distance from the liquid crystal panel 4 to the palm 8.
The operation area notification window 5 does not need to be constantly displayed on the display device 3. That is, when the location of the contactless operation device 10 is described in an operation manual or the like, or when an operation input from the contactless operation device 10 is performed even once, the user can contact the contactless operation device 10. Therefore, the operation area notification window 5 need not be displayed.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the car audio apparatus 1. As shown in this figure, the car audio device 1 includes the display device 3 and the contactless operation device 10 described above, and further includes an overall control device 20, a storage media device 21, an acoustic signal amplification device 22, And an acoustic signal output device 23.

The overall control device 20 centrally controls each part of the car audio device 1, and executes, for example, music playback control or control for changing the volume based on an operation on the non-contact operating device 10.
The storage media device 21 is a device that reproduces a recording medium such as a CD, DVD, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or flash memory in which music data and music information such as a music title, performance time, and artist name are recorded. The music data is output as PCM data to the acoustic signal amplifying device 22 in accordance with instructions from the overall control device 20.
The acoustic signal amplifying device 22 converts the PCM data output from the storage media device 21 from digital to analog, amplifies the signal by an amount corresponding to the volume instructed from the overall control device 20, and outputs the acoustic signal as an acoustic signal. Output to.
The acoustic signal output device 23 outputs the acoustic signal output from the acoustic signal amplifying device 22 into the vehicle interior, and has, for example, a speaker as a sound emitting device.

The non-contact operating device 10 is a volume adjustment signal DV indicating the volume adjustment amount based on the right and left optical sensor devices 11R, 11L and the detection signals output by the right and left optical sensor devices 11R, 11L. And a signal processing unit 12 for outputting to the overall control device 20.
As described above, the right and left optical sensors 11R and 11L are disposed on the back side of the liquid crystal panel 4 with a space W between them, and emit infrared light toward the front of the apparatus main body 2, and the apparatus It receives reflected light from a detection object (in this embodiment, palm 8 in this embodiment) located in front of the main body 2 and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the received light intensity as a detection signal. Input to unit 12.

The signal processing unit 12 includes a difference detection device 13, an average detection device 14, and a sensor signal analysis device 15.
The difference detection device 13 sends a signal corresponding to the difference between the signal strength of the detection signal PDR of the right optical sensor device 11R and the signal strength of the detection signal PDL of the left optical sensor device 11L to the sensor signal analysis device 15 as a difference signal DD. Output. In the present embodiment, the signal corresponding to the difference between the signal strength of the detection signal PDR and the signal strength of the detection signal PDL is defined by (signal strength of the detection signal PDR) / (signal strength of the detection signal PDL). The detection signal intensity ratio signal is used as the difference signal DD.

The average detector 14 outputs an average intensity signal DA indicating the average intensity of the detection signals PDR and PDL to the sensor signal analyzer 15. The sensor signal analysis device 15 generates the volume adjustment signal DV indicating the volume adjustment amount based on the difference signal DD and the average intensity signal DA, and outputs the volume adjustment signal DV to the overall control device 20.
Each of the difference detection device 13, the average detection device 14, and the sensor signal analysis device 15 converts the detection signals PDR and PDL into analog signals by an analog / digital converter even if the detection signals PDR and PDL are processed as analog signals. The structure to process may be sufficient. When the analog signal is processed as it is, the difference detection device 13 and the average detection device 14 can be configured by a difference circuit, an addition circuit, or the like configured using an operational amplifier circuit, for example.

Next, the difference signal DD and the average intensity signal DA will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L and the palm 8 held above these viewed from the cross-sectional direction.
As shown in FIG. 4A, when the palm 8 is substantially parallel to the surface of the liquid crystal panel 4 (palm tilt angle φ = 0), the right optical sensor device 11R to the detection point P1 of the palm 8 is detected. Both the distance and the distance from the left optical sensor device 11L to the detection point P2 of the palm 8 are substantially equal distances L0.

  Generally, in a non-contact sensor such as an optical sensor, a detection signal having an intensity corresponding to the distance to a detection target is output. At this time, the signal intensity of the detection signal fluctuates due to a change in reflectance due to a difference in the tilt angle of the detection target and a non-linear change in the emitted light intensity with respect to the distance to the detection target. For simplicity, it is assumed that the reflectance is constant regardless of the inclination angle of the detection object, and that the emitted light intensity changes linearly with respect to the distance to the detection object. In addition, since each of the optical sensor devices 11R and 11L detects the same detection object, the reflectance of the detection object with respect to the emitted light of the optical sensor devices 11R and 11L is substantially equal.

  From the above, when the tilt angle φ = 0, the signal intensity of the detection signal PDR of the right optical sensor device 11R and the signal intensity of the detection signal PDL of the left optical sensor device 11L are substantially equal. Therefore, in this case, the signal intensity ratio and the average intensity value are as follows, and are respectively input to the sensor signal analysis device 15 as the difference signal DD and the average intensity signal DA.

Signal strength ratio = (signal strength of detection signal PDR) / (signal strength of detection signal PDL) = 1
Average intensity value = {(signal intensity of detection signal PDR) + (signal intensity of detection signal PDL)} / 2
= PDR signal strength (= PDL signal strength)
In the following, the average intensity value when the tilt angle φ = 0 is assumed to be Iav.

In FIG. 4A, when a right tilt operation is performed in which the right side of the palm 8 is lower than the left side (state (I), tilt angle = −φ), the detection point is detected from the right optical sensor device 11R. Since the distance to P1 is L1 (<L0) and the distance from the left optical sensor device 11L to the detection point P2 is L2 (> L0), the signal intensity of the detection signal PDR of the right optical sensor device 11R is on the left side. The signal intensity of the detection signal PDL of the optical sensor device 11L is smaller.
Accordingly, in this case, the signal intensity ratio and the average intensity value are as follows.
Signal strength ratio = (signal strength of detection signal PDR) / (signal strength of detection signal PDL)> 1
Average intensity value = {(signal intensity of detection signal PDR) + (signal intensity of detection signal PDL)} / 2
= Iav

On the other hand, in FIG. 4A, when the left tilt operation is performed in which the right side of the palm 8 is higher than the left side (state (II), tilt angle = φ), the detection point P1 is detected from the right optical sensor device 11R. Since the distance from the left optical sensor device 11L to the detection point P2 is L1 (<L0), the distance from the left optical sensor device 11R to the detection point P2 is less than the signal intensity of the detection signal PDR of the right optical sensor device 11R. The signal intensity of the detection signal PDL of the sensor device 11L is greater.
Accordingly, in this case, the signal intensity ratio and the average intensity value are as follows.
Signal strength ratio = (signal strength of detection signal PDR) / (signal strength of detection signal PDL) <1
Average intensity value = {(signal intensity of detection signal PDR) + (signal intensity of detection signal PDL)} / 2
= Iav

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4B, as the palm 8 is brought closer to the liquid crystal panel 4, the distance L0 ′ from each of the optical sensor devices 11R, 11L to the palm 8 becomes shorter than the distance L0. The signal strength of each of PDR and PDL increases, and as a result, the average strength value increases.

  From the above, whether the palm 8 is tilted to the left or right side is specified based on the value of the signal intensity ratio, and from the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L depending on the magnitude of the average intensity value. It can be seen that the perspective up to palm 8 is specified. At this time, the greater the inclination angle φ of the palm 8, the greater the difference between the signal intensity of the detection signal PDR and the signal intensity of the detection signal PDL, and therefore the magnitude of the inclination angle φ is specified by the magnitude of the signal intensity ratio. It will be.

  The detection points P1 and P2 of the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L need to be different from each other on the palm 8 that is a detection target. That is, assuming that the width of a general palm 8 is H and the maximum inclination angle of the palm 8 is φmax, the interval W between the right optical sensor device 11R and the left optical sensor device 11L is H × sin ( needs to be smaller than (φmax). However, if the interval W is too narrow, the detection points P1 and P2 of the right and left optical sensors 11R and 11L may be overlapped. Therefore, the minimum value of the interval W is such that the detection points P1 and P2 are mutually different. It is defined by the width that does not overlap. At this time, by adjusting the right and left optical sensors 11R and 11L by providing optical lenses or slits to the light emitting portions and the light receiving portions of the right and left optical sensors 11R and 11L, adjustments such as narrowing the range that the right and left optical sensors 11R and 11L can detect are performed. In this case, it is easy to prevent the detection points P1 and P2 from overlapping even if the interval W is narrowed. In the present embodiment, as the right and left optical sensors 11R and 11L, sensors whose radiant infrared light divergence angle is about 5 ° are used. In addition, by driving the right and left optical sensors 11R and 11L exclusively to each other, it is possible to prevent interference between the emitted lights of the right and left optical sensors 11R and 11L.

Now, when the difference signal DD and the average intensity signal DA are input, the sensor signal analysis device 15 increases or decreases the volume by an adjustment amount according to the inclination of the palm 8 and the distance to the non-contact operating device 10. For this purpose, a volume adjustment signal DV is generated.
More specifically, in the present embodiment, the volume is increased when the right tilt operation is performed, and the volume is decreased when the left tilt operation is performed. At this time, the larger the inclination φ of the palm 8 with respect to the liquid crystal panel 4 and the closer the palm 8 is to the non-contact operating device 10, the larger the volume up or down width. In order to make it possible, the sensor signal analyzing device 15 determines the volume adjustment amount SVR from the following equation (1) and outputs the volume adjustment amount SVR to the overall control device 20 as a volume adjustment signal DV.
Volume adjustment amount SVR = A × (intensity ratio coefficient K1) × (average intensity value coefficient K2) (1)
(However, A is a constant)

The intensity ratio coefficient K1 is a coefficient for converting the signal intensity ratio indicated by the difference signal DD into a volume down or volume up of an adjustment amount according to the inclination angle φ of the palm 8, and the average intensity value coefficient K2 is This is a coefficient for converting the average intensity value indicated by the average intensity signal DA into a volume adjustment amount according to the distance between the palm 8 and the non-contact operating device 10 (right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L).
The relationship between the difference signal DD and the intensity ratio coefficient K1 and the relationship between the average intensity signal DA and the average intensity value coefficient K2 are the intensity ratio coefficient conversion table 30 and the average intensity value coefficient stored in advance in the sensor signal analyzer 15. Each is defined by the conversion table 31.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the intensity ratio coefficient conversion table 30 divides the value of the signal intensity ratio into a plurality of ranges according to the magnitude of the value, and an intensity ratio coefficient K1 having a different value is assigned to each range. ing. At this time, when the signal intensity ratio is larger than “1” (that is, when a rightward tilting operation is performed), the intensity ratio coefficient K1 takes a positive value to indicate a volume increase, and the signal intensity ratio is smaller than “1”. In other words, when the tilting operation is performed to the left, the intensity ratio coefficient K1 is set to indicate a volume down by taking a negative value. Further, the absolute value of the intensity ratio coefficient K1 increases as the value of the signal intensity ratio becomes larger than “1” or becomes smaller than “1” (that is, as the inclination angle φ of the palm 8 becomes larger). The volume adjustment amount per time is set to be large. When the value of the signal intensity ratio is substantially “1”, that is, when the palm 8 is substantially horizontal with respect to the liquid crystal panel 4, the intensity ratio coefficient K1 is set to be “0”. In this case, since the value of the volume adjustment amount SVR is “0” according to the expression (1), the volume does not change.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the average intensity value coefficient conversion table 31 divides the average intensity value into a plurality of ranges according to the magnitude of the value, and an average intensity value coefficient K2 having a different value is assigned to each range. Yes. At this time, the average strength value coefficient K2 is set to increase as the average strength value increases, that is, as the palm 8 approaches the non-contact operating device 10, and the volume adjustment amount per time is set. It is getting bigger.

  When the volume adjustment signal DV of the volume adjustment amount SVR determined by the above equation (1) is input, the overall control device 20 receives the sound with the amplification factor according to the magnitude of the volume adjustment amount SVR. The signal is amplified, and the volume is adjusted. As an operation at the time of volume adjustment, an operation at the time of detecting a volume adjustment operation will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the volume adjustment operation detection.
As shown in this figure, when the detection mode for detecting the palm 8 is detected by the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L in order to accept the volume adjustment operation (step Sa1: YES), the signal processing unit 12 performs the time interval of T1. The detection signals are taken in from the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L at the sensor detection timing, and the volume adjustment signal DV is generated based on the detection signals and sent to the overall control device 20.

This time interval T1 defines the response (sensitivity) to the operation by the palm 8 of the user. By shortening the time interval T1, the detection interval of the tilting motion of the palm 8 is shortened and the response is enhanced. On the contrary, by increasing the time interval T1, the response can be blunted.
Further, since the detection signal is taken in every time interval T1 and the volume adjustment signal DV is generated, the palm 8 is held over the non-contact operating device 10 for the time Ts while the palm is tilted. Then, (Ts / T1) operations are detected.

That is, if the time T1 is shortened, the number of operations per unit time can be increased, and conversely, if the time interval T1 is increased, the number of operations per unit time can be decreased.
Therefore, even when the tilt angle φ of the palm 8 is small and the volume adjustment amount Vsr per time is small, if the time interval T1 is shortened, the number of operations per unit time increases, and the volume adjustment amount per unit time increases. Since the cumulative value becomes large, the volume can be greatly changed with a small movement. On the other hand, if the time interval T1 is increased, the number of operations per unit time is reduced, and the cumulative value of the volume adjustment amount per unit time is reduced, so that the volume can be finely adjusted.

  The time interval T1 can be set by the user so that a volume adjustment operation that matches the user's preference, the size of the palm 8 for each user, and the characteristics of the movement can be realized. Further, when the vehicle is running, the operation time can be shortened by shortening the time interval T1 and increasing the volume adjustment amount per unit time. In addition, by enabling the time interval T1 to be set automatically or by the user for each of various operations such as volume operation and menu selection operation, an operation input that matches the operation target can be realized.

  At the sensor detection timing (step Sa2), the right optical sensor device 11R emits infrared light toward the detection point P1 to detect the palm 8 (step Sa3), and the left optical sensor device 11L detects it. Infrared light is emitted toward the point P2 to detect the palm 8 (step Sa4). Then, detection signals PDR and PDL are input from the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L to the difference detection device 13 and the average detection device 14, respectively, and the difference detection device 13 generates a difference signal DD indicating the signal intensity ratio. Are output to the sensor signal analyzer 15 (step Sa5), and the average detector 14 outputs the average intensity signal DA indicating the average intensity value to the sensor signal analyzer 15 (step Sa6).

When the difference signal DD and the average intensity signal DA are input, the sensor signal analysis device 15 determines the intensity ratio coefficient K1 based on the difference signal DD and also determines the average intensity value coefficient K2 based on the average intensity signal DA. (Step Sa7), the value of the intensity ratio coefficient K1 is evaluated to determine whether or not the operation input is normal (Step Sa8).
More specifically, when the palm 8 is removed from either of the detection points P1 and P2, the signal intensity ratio becomes extremely large, and the intensity ratio coefficient K1 has the maximum absolute value among the predetermined values. A value (“3” or “−3” in this embodiment) is selected. Therefore, the sensor signal analysis device 15 determines whether or not the absolute value of the intensity ratio coefficient K1 exceeds a specified value specified in advance (for example, the absolute value is the maximum or the second largest value). Thus, it is determined whether or not the operation input is normal.

  If the sensor signal analysis device 15 determines that the operation input is normal (step Sa8: OK) as a result of the evaluation at step Sa8, the sensor signal analysis device 15 calculates the volume adjustment amount SVR according to the above equation (1). (Step Sa9), the volume adjustment amount SVR is sent to the overall control device 20 as a volume adjustment signal DV (Step Sa10), and the processing procedure is returned to Step Sa1 to accept the next operation.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the operation input is abnormal as a result of the evaluation in step Sa8 (step Sa8: NG), the volume is increased against the user's intention when the volume is adjusted based on the intensity ratio coefficient K1. Since there is a possibility of fluctuation, the sensor signal analyzing device 15 resets the value of the intensity ratio coefficient K1 to “0” so that the volume is not adjusted by the current detection (step Sa11), and then the above equation ( The volume adjustment amount SVR is calculated according to 1) (step Sa9). As a result, the volume adjustment amount SVR having a value of “0” is calculated, and the volume adjustment amount SVR is sent to the overall control device 20 as a volume adjustment signal DV (step Sa10).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the volume adjustment amount corresponding to the inclination between the two points of the palm 8 is determined based on the detection signals PDR and PDL of the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L. Since the contact operating device 10 is provided in the car audio device 1, the user can simply adjust the volume by simply tilting the palm 8 over the non-contact operating device 10 without operating the knob or touch keys. Therefore, the operability is improved.
Further, since the volume adjustment amount is specified by the inclination of the palm 8, it is possible to easily perform operations such as changing the volume to a large level or changing it to a small level with a single operation, thereby reducing the time required for the operation. The

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the non-contact operating device 10 does not have a mechanical structure such as an operating member such as a knob, so that the size of the operating device can be reduced and the degree of freedom of the arrangement location can be improved. Can be achieved. In particular, according to the present embodiment, since the non-contact operating device 10 is arranged on the back side of the liquid crystal panel 4, the size of the liquid crystal panel 4 is not limited due to the arrangement of the operation elements.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the volume adjustment amount is set according to the distance from the contactless operation device 10 to the palm 8, that is, the average of the distance from each of the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L to the palm 8. Since it is configured to increase or decrease, the volume adjustment amount can be finely controlled with respect to the same inclination of the palm 8.

  Further, the signal processing unit 12 can set the time interval T1 for taking in the detection signals PDR and PDL of the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L and outputting the volume adjustment amount for each user, so that the user's preference and user can be set. It is possible to realize a volume adjustment operation that matches the size and movement characteristics of the palm 8 of each hand.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the first embodiment described above, the case where the volume adjustment is performed by the contactless operation device 10 has been described. In the present embodiment, a configuration for operating a GUI (graphical user interface) displayed on the display device 3 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the car audio apparatus 1A according to the present embodiment. In addition, in the figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same member as 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted. As shown in this figure, a menu screen 40 displaying a plurality of selection items (objects) 41 is displayed on the display device 3 of the car audio device 1A. The selection item 41 is configured to be selectable.
More specifically, the plurality of selection items 41 are arranged in a circle for each central angle θ, and when the right tilting operation is performed with the palm 8 held over the non-contact operating device 10, the selection items 41 are selected in order clockwise. On the contrary, when the left tilt operation is performed by holding the palm 8 over the non-contact operating device 10, the selection items 41 are selected in order counterclockwise. At this time, the selected selection item 41 is highlighted to clearly indicate that it is in a selected state. Each selection item 41 is selected at a speed corresponding to the tilt angle φ of the palm 8 (the highlight display moves).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of selection item selection operation detection. In the figure, the same reference numerals are given to steps for performing the same processing as in the first embodiment described above, and the description thereof is omitted.
As shown in this figure, the sensor signal analyzing device 15 receives the difference signal DD and the average intensity signal DA generated based on the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L, and the intensity ratio coefficient based on the difference signal DD. After determining K1 and determining the average intensity value coefficient K2 based on the average intensity signal DA, the selection direction (rotation direction) of the selection item 41 is determined based on the intensity ratio coefficient K1 and the average intensity value coefficient K2. Then, the selection operation amount Sω indicating the speed to the selection item 41 to be selected next is calculated (step Sb1), and the selection operation amount signal DSω indicating the selection operation amount Sω is output to the overall control device 20 (step Sb1). Step Sb2).

Specifically, the sensor signal analyzer 15 determines the selected operation amount Sω according to the following equation (2).
Selection operation amount Sω = ω0 × (intensity ratio coefficient K1) × (average intensity value coefficient K2) (2)
(Where ω0 is the initial value of the selected speed)

  The intensity ratio coefficient K1 and the average intensity value coefficient K2 are the same values as in the first embodiment. That is, the selection operation amount Sω is a positive value indicating a clockwise selection direction during a right tilt operation, and the selection operation amount Sω is a negative value indicating a counterclockwise selection direction during a left tilt operation. The selection operation amount Sω becomes larger as the inclination angle φ of the palm 8 is larger, and the selection direction and the selection speed are indicated by the selection operation amount Sω.

When the time interval T1 is long, the initial value ω0 is increased. On the other hand, when the time interval T1 is short, the initial value ω0 is decreased. May be changed according to the time interval T1.
Further, when the distance from the palm 8 to the non-contact operating device 10 (that is, the average intensity value Iav) is changed, for example, when the palm 8 is brought close to the liquid crystal panel 4 while the inclination angle φ of the palm 8 is maintained. When a certain selection item 41 has been selected for a predetermined time, the selection item 41 currently selected may be selected and confirmed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a desired selection item 41 is selected from a plurality of selection items 41, the user can freely change the selection speed only by changing the inclination of the palm 8. it can. Further, since the selection items 41 are arranged in a ring shape and each selection item 41 is cyclically selected, even if the selection of the desired selection item 41 has passed, the selection is made to go around once. Thus, the desired selection item 41 can be selected again.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the second embodiment described above, the case where the selection items 41 are arranged in a ring shape has been described. However, in this embodiment, the selection items have a hierarchical structure.
FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the car audio apparatus 1B according to the present embodiment. In addition, in the same figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same member as 1st or 2nd embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted. As shown in this figure, a menu screen 50 for displaying a plurality of selection items (objects) 51 is displayed on the display device 3 of the car audio device 1B. The selection items 51 have a hierarchical structure, and in the initial state of the menu screen 50, the selection items 51 belonging to the uppermost layer (first layer) 60-1 are displayed side by side in the upper and lower rows. When the item 51 is selected and confirmed, the selection items 51 of the second hierarchy 60-2 belonging to the selection item 51 are displayed on the menu screen 50 in a line in the vertical direction.

  In addition to the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L arranged side by side, the non-contact operating device 10A is along an axis substantially perpendicular to a line connecting the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L. And further includes an upper optical sensor device 11U and a lower optical sensor device 11D which are arranged with an interval H above and below, and each detection signal of the right, left, upper and lower optical sensor devices 11R, 11L, 11U and 11D. PDR, PDL, PDU, and PDD are input to the signal processing unit 12.

  The signal processing unit 12 determines the moving direction and moving amount between the hierarchies based on the detection signals PDR and PDL of the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L, and the upper and lower optical sensor devices 11U and 11D. Based on the detection signals PDU and PDD, the vertical movement direction and the movement amount between the selection items 51 in the same hierarchy are determined. Accordingly, the user moves between the layers by tilting the palm 8 left and right, and the fingertip side of the palm 8 approaches the contactless operation device 10A, or the wrist side of the palm 8 is contactless. By tilting the palm 8 up and down so as to approach the operating device 10A, selection items within the same hierarchy are selected.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of selection item selection operation detection according to the present embodiment. In the figure, the same reference numerals are given to the steps for performing the same processes as those in the first or second embodiment described above, and the description thereof is omitted.
As shown in this figure, when the sensor detection timing T1 is reached, each of the upper and lower optical sensor devices 11U and 11D detects the palm 8 in addition to the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L (step Sc1). , Sc2), and outputs detection signals PDU and PDD to the signal processing unit 12.

  The signal processing unit 12 calculates the signal intensity ratio and the average intensity value of the detection signals PDR and PDL of the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L (steps Sa5 and Sa6), and calculates the intensity ratio coefficient K1 and the average intensity value coefficient K2. At the same time (step Sa7), the signal intensity ratio and average intensity value of the detection signals PDU and PDD of the upper and lower optical sensor devices 11U and 11D are obtained (step Sc3, Sc4), the intensity ratio coefficient K1 ′ and the average intensity value coefficient K2 ′ is calculated (step Sc5).

  The intensity ratio coefficients K1 and K1 ′ and the average intensity value coefficients K2 and K2 ′ are obtained based on the intensity ratio coefficient conversion table 30 and the average intensity value coefficient conversion table 31 as in the first embodiment. Evaluation will be performed (step Sc6). At this time, in general, it is desirable that the operation of moving between layers has priority over the selection operation of the selection item 51 in the same hierarchy. Therefore, in the coefficient evaluation of step Sc6, the operation of step Sa8 of the first embodiment Similarly, in addition to determining whether or not the intensity ratio coefficients K1 and K1 ′ exceed a specified value, the magnitude ratio coefficient K1 and the intensity ratio coefficient K1 ′ are compared in magnitude. If the intensity ratio coefficient K1 is larger, the determination result is NG. In step Sa11, the coefficient value of the intensity ratio coefficient K1 ′ is set to “0”, and the selection operation amount of the selection item 51 is set to “0”. Therefore, priority is given to the interlayer movement operation.

  Next, the signal processing unit 12 determines the movement direction (upper layer or lower layer) based on the intensity ratio coefficient K1 and the average intensity value coefficient K2 obtained from the detection signals PDR and PDL of the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L. The movement ratio SKI indicating the movement speed and the movement speed is calculated using the following expression (3), and the intensity ratio obtained from the detection signals PDU and PDD of the upper and lower optical sensor devices 11U and 11D Based on the coefficient K1 ′ and the average intensity value coefficient K2 ′, an item selection operation amount SKS indicating the movement direction (vertical direction) and movement speed of the selection item 51 in the same layer is calculated using the following equation (4). (Step Sc7), the selected operation amount signal DSS is sent to the overall control device 20 (Step Sc8).

Hierarchy move operation amount SKI =
B × (intensity ratio coefficient K1) × (average intensity value coefficient K2) (3)
Item selection operation amount SKS =
C × (intensity ratio coefficient K1 ′) × (average intensity value coefficient K2 ′) (4)
(B and C are both constants)

  Here, in step Sc8, the operation of moving between hierarchies and the operation of selecting the selection item 51 within the same hierarchy need to be performed exclusively, so the hierarchy move operation amount SKI and the item selection operation amount When both SKS values are other than “0”, the signal having the smaller absolute value is set to “0”, the operation is invalidated, and then sent to the overall control device 20 as the selected operation amount signal DSS. It will be.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first to third embodiments described above, the car audio devices 1, 1 </ b> A, and 1 </ b> B have been described as one aspect of the in-vehicle device according to the present invention. To do.
FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the car navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment. In the figure, the same members as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. As shown in this figure, a navigation screen 70 for displaying a map (object) 71 is displayed on the display device 3 of the car navigation device 100. The map 71 is scroll-displayed vertically, horizontally, or obliquely by operating the non-contact operation device 10A described in the third embodiment. At this time, the map 71 is scrolled at a speed corresponding to the inclination angle φ of the palm 8.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of scroll operation detection according to the present embodiment. In the figure, the same reference numerals are assigned to steps for performing the same processes as those in the first to third embodiments described above, and the description thereof is omitted.
As shown in this figure, in this embodiment, the signal processing unit 12 is based on the intensity ratio coefficient K1 and the average intensity value coefficient K2 obtained from the detection signals PDR and PDL of the right and left optical sensor devices 11R and 11L. Then, the X-direction scroll operation amount SSX indicating the left and right scroll direction and scroll speed is calculated using the following equation (5), and is obtained from the detection signals PDU and PDD of the upper and lower optical sensor devices 11U and 11D. Based on the intensity ratio coefficient K1 ′ and the average intensity value coefficient K2 ′, the Y-direction scroll operation amount SSY indicating the vertical scroll direction and the scroll speed is calculated using the following equation (6) (step Sd1).

X-direction scroll operation amount SSX =
D × (intensity ratio coefficient K1) × (average intensity value coefficient K2) (5)
Y-direction scroll operation amount SSY =
D × (intensity ratio coefficient K1 ′) × (average intensity value coefficient K2 ′) (6)
(However, D is a constant)

  In the third embodiment, since the interlayer movement operation and the selection item selection operation are exclusive operations, the magnitude ratio coefficient K1 is compared with the magnitude ratio coefficient K1 ′ in step Sc6 for evaluating the coefficient. However, in the present embodiment, since the scroll operation in the left-right direction and the scroll operation in the up-down direction coexist as the scroll operation in the oblique direction, in step Sa8 for performing coefficient evaluation, only an abnormal operation is determined. Only the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed.

  Then, the signal processing unit 12 performs a vector composition operation on the X-direction scroll operation amount SSX and the Y-direction scroll operation amount SSY, and calculates the scroll direction and scroll speed of the map 71 in the navigation screen 70. The scroll operation signal DSC is sent to the overall control device 20 (step Sd2).

  In this embodiment, only the perspective is changed by moving the palm 8 closer to or away from the non-contact operating device 10A while the palm 8 is in a horizontal state with respect to the non-contact operating device 10A. In this case, the map 71 may be enlarged or reduced according to the change in distance.

The first to fourth embodiments described above merely show one aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the present invention.
For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration using the optical sensor device as an example of the non-contact sensor is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any non-contact sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor can be used.

  Further, for example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the intensity ratio coefficient K1 and the average intensity value coefficient K2 are set to discrete values with respect to the signal intensity ratio and the average intensity value, as shown in FIGS. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each of the relationship between the signal strength ratio and the strength ratio coefficient K1 and the relationship between the average strength value and the average strength value coefficient K2 is preliminarily expressed as an arithmetic expression for the signal strength ratio and the average strength value. By configuring the intensity ratio coefficient K1 and the average intensity value coefficient K2 so as to continuously change, a smooth operation can be realized for the operation of the palm 8.

  Further, for example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the contactless operation devices 10 and 10A calculate and output the volume adjustment amount, operation item selection speed, and map scroll speed, which are operation targets, to the overall control device 20. However, the contactless operation devices 10 and 10A are not limited to this, and the non-contact operation devices 10 and 10A have a uniform operation amount according to the inclination angle φ and the distance of the palm 8 of the user based on the intensity ratio coefficient K1 and the average intensity value coefficient K2. The overall control device 20 may convert the operation amount into an operation amount such as an actual adjustment amount, a selection speed, or a scroll amount according to the type of operation target such as a volume, a selection item, or a map.

  In the third and fourth embodiments described above, the right, left, upper, and lower optical sensor devices 11R, 11L, 11U, and 11D have four horizontal tilts and vertical tilts of the palm 8. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the upper optical sensor device 11U is disposed on the upper side of the right optical sensor device 11R (the right, left and upper optical sensor devices 11R, 11L, and 11U have three optical elements). It is also possible to detect the inclination of the palm 8 in the vertical direction based on the detection signals PDR and PDU of the right optical sensor device 11R and the upper optical sensor device 11U.

  Moreover, in each embodiment mentioned above, although the structure which has arrange | positioned the non-contact operating devices 10 and 10A in the back side of the liquid crystal panel 4 of the display apparatus 3 was illustrated, as shown in FIG. Of course, it may be arranged on the front portion 2A.

  Moreover, in each embodiment mentioned above, although the case where the non-contact operating device which concerns on this invention was applied to the vehicle equipment was illustrated, it is possible to apply not only to this but arbitrary electronic devices.

The figure which shows the structure of the car audio apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure for demonstrating the aspect of volume adjustment operation. The block diagram which shows the functional structure of a car audio apparatus. The figure for demonstrating the inclination detection of a palm. The figure which shows an intensity ratio coefficient conversion table. The figure which shows an average intensity value coefficient conversion table. The flowchart of volume adjustment operation detection. The figure which shows the structure of the car audio apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart of selection item selection operation detection. The figure which shows the structure of the car audio apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart of selection item selection operation detection. The figure which shows the structure of the car navigation apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart of scroll operation detection. The figure which shows the modification of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A, 1B Car audio apparatus 2 Apparatus main body 3 Display apparatus 4 Liquid crystal panel 10, 10A Non-contact operation apparatus 11R, 11L, 11U, 11D Optical sensor apparatus 12 Signal processing unit 13 Difference detection apparatus 14 Average detection apparatus 15 Sensor signal analysis Device 20 Overall control device 30 Intensity ratio coefficient conversion table 31 Average intensity value coefficient conversion table 41, 51 Selection item 100 Car navigation device K1, K1 ′ Intensity ratio coefficient K2, K2 ′ Average intensity value coefficient P1, P2 Detection point

Claims (13)

Two non-contact sensors that output detection signals according to the distance to the object to be detected;
A signal processing unit that determines and outputs an operation amount based on each detection signal of the non-contact sensor,
The said signal processing unit determines the said operation amount according to the inclination between two points on the said detection target based on each detection signal of the said non-contact sensor. The non-contact operating device characterized by the above-mentioned. In the non-contact operating device according to claim 1,
Comprising at least three or more non-contact sensors;
The signal processing unit specifies a plurality of inclinations between two points on the detection object based on respective detection signals of the non-contact sensor, and determines the operation amount according to each inclination. Non-contact operating device. In the non-contact operating device according to claim 1,
The said signal processing unit determines the said operation amount which shows the moving direction and moving amount of the object currently displayed on the display apparatus based on each of these inclinations. The non-contact operating device characterized by the above-mentioned. In the non-contact operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The said signal processing unit increases / decreases the operation amount according to the said inclination according to the average of the distance from each of the said non-contact sensor to the said detection target. The non-contact operating device characterized by the above-mentioned. The contactless operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The said signal processing unit increases / decreases the operation amount according to the said inclination according to the average of the distance from each of the said non-contact sensor to the said detection target. The non-contact operating device characterized by the above-mentioned. In the non-contact operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The non-contact operation device, wherein the signal processing unit can set a time interval for taking in each detection signal of the non-contact sensor and outputting the operation amount for each user or each operation target. In the non-contact operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The non-contact operation device, wherein the detection object is a part of a human body.   An electronic apparatus comprising the contactless operation device according to claim 1. The electronic device according to claim 8,
A display device having a display panel;
An electronic apparatus comprising the contactless operation device on a back side of the display panel. The electronic device according to claim 8 or 9,
An electronic device characterized by being an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle. In-vehicle equipment configured to output sound into the passenger compartment and adjust the volume of the sound,
Two non-contact sensors that are provided at the front portion of the apparatus main body and output a detection signal corresponding to the distance to the palm of the user held over the front portion;
A signal processing unit that determines and outputs an operation amount of an operation target based on each detection signal of the non-contact sensor;
The signal processing unit has a non-contact operation device that determines and outputs the operation amount according to the inclination between two points in the palm based on each detection signal of the non-contact sensor,
The in-vehicle device, wherein the volume is adjusted based on the operation amount output from the non-contact operation device. In an in-vehicle device provided with a display device in the front part of the device body provided in the vehicle interior,
Two non-contact sensors that are provided at the front portion of the apparatus main body and output a detection signal corresponding to the distance to the palm of the user held over the front portion;
A signal processing unit that determines and outputs an operation amount of an operation target based on each detection signal of the non-contact sensor;
The signal processing unit has a non-contact operation device that determines and outputs the operation amount according to the inclination between two points in the palm based on each detection signal of the non-contact sensor,
An in-vehicle device, wherein an object displayed on the display device is moved in a direction and a movement amount corresponding to the operation amount output by the non-contact operation device. The in-vehicle device according to claim 12,
The non-contact operation device includes at least three or more non-contact sensors, and the signal processing unit is configured to calculate a plurality of inclinations between two points on the detection object based on respective detection signals of the non-contact sensors. The operation amount is determined according to each specified inclination,
The display device displays a map image;
The in-vehicle device, wherein the map image displayed on the display device is scroll-displayed in a scroll direction and a scroll amount corresponding to the operation amount output by the non-contact operation device.

Images