JP2008087566A - Information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information input device capable of reducing erroneous operations without changing the shape of a grip of a steering wheel. <P>SOLUTION: The information input device comprises a reception means 110 having a plurality of electrodes arranged on a surface of a grip of a steering wheel to detect the contact of a human body, and a control means 111 which measures the values of the electrostatic capacities of the plurality of electrodes or the changes thereof to output control information based thereon. The reception mans has a first area disabling the output of control information by the contact of the human body and a second area enabling the output of the control information by the contact of the human body. The second area is arrayed to be narrowed by the first area on the grip surface in the arc direction of the steering wheel. The control means outputs control information when the value of the electrostatic capacity of the electrode in the second area, or the change thereof, or the changing speed thereof exceeds the predetermined threshold, and when the value of the electrostatic capacity of the electrode in the first area, or the change thereof, or the changing speed thereof does not exceed the predetermined threshold. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information input device for operating a vehicle-mounted device on a steering wheel.

  Along with the development of hardware technology, in-vehicle equipment such as air conditioning equipment, video and music playback recorders and car navigation equipment has become diversified and complicated in the field of automobiles. Along with this, the burden on the driver of a car to operate those devices has increased. In many cases, the operation panel of the in-vehicle device is located between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat. Therefore, in order for the driver to operate them safely, stop driving and put the line of sight on the in-vehicle device. It is necessary to turn the switch and the volume knob. Due to these burdens, for example, when a panel is operated during a red light and suddenly changes to a green light, or when a vehicle suddenly collides with another vehicle, it is impossible to immediately return to the driving position, ensuring safety. It was an obstacle.

  On the other hand, various improvements and contrivances have been devised for the input device in order to reduce the operation burden on the driver's in-vehicle equipment. A typical example is an input interface arranged on a part of a steering wheel. In the past, there is one in which a sensor based on capacitance described in Patent Document 1 below is attached to a steering wheel. In addition, as shown in FIG. 13A, there is a switch having a switch 132 disposed at the root of the middle portion 133 of the steering wheel and the grip 131. In addition, as shown in FIG. 13B, there is a type in which a protruding switch 135 is provided in the rear part of the steering wheel.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13C, a structure in which a touch pad is arranged instead of a switch has been proposed (see Patent Document 2 below). In addition, as shown in FIG. 13D, there is one in which a small dish-shaped touch pad 138 using a light reflection sensor is arranged on a grip 137 of a steering wheel (see Patent Document 3 below). Further, as shown in FIG. 14 (a), a contact sensor (functional surface) 140 by the driver's hand is arranged on the entire surface of the circular shaft of the steering wheel, and it is determined at which position the hand is gripped. There is one that can be configured (see Patent Document 3 below). Moreover, as shown in FIG.14 (b), there exists what can sense whether the driver is holding the steering wheel (refer the following patent document 4). In particular, in the examples of FIGS. 13D, 14A and 14B, the interface is arranged on the surface of the circular axis of the grip of the steering wheel. Safety can be improved against unexpected situations in that the vehicle-mounted device can be operated in a close state.
Published utility model application No. 64-51564 Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-96519 (FIG. 6) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-231622 (FIGS. 1A and 4) JP 2005-537992 (FIG. 1)

  However, since the steering wheel is gripped during driving, there is a risk that the in-vehicle device is erroneously operated in FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b). On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 13 (d), as a measure against accidental operation, a device is devised such that the dish-shaped touch pad 138 of the sensor portion is disposed in the recessed portion. Therefore, among the conventional input interfaces described above, the example of FIG. 13D has the advantage that it can be operated in a state close to the driving posture with fewer erroneous operations while holding the handle. However, it is necessary to deform a part of the shape of the grip of the steering wheel into a dish shape, so that it becomes an obstacle during driving, and even if some misoperation is reduced, the finger still touches the dish part by mistake. May cause malfunction during operation.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information input device that can reduce malfunctions without changing the shape of a grip of a steering wheel.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a receiving means disposed on a grip surface of a steering wheel of a vehicle and having a plurality of electrodes for detecting contact with a human body, and the plurality of electrodes of the receiving means Control that outputs the control information for controlling the in-vehicle device of the vehicle based on the measured value of the capacitance of the plurality of electrodes or the change thereof An information input device comprising: means, wherein the accepting means comprises the electrodes, and comprises two or more first regions that disable the output of the control information by contact with the human body, and the electrodes, One or more second regions that enable the output of the control information by contact with a human body, and the second region is sandwiched between the first regions on the grip surface in the arc direction of the steering wheel. The control means is configured such that the capacitance value of the electrode in the second region, the amount of change thereof, or the change speed exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and the electrode of the electrode in the first region Provided is an information input device configured to output the control information to the in-vehicle device when it is determined that the value of the capacitance, the amount of change thereof, or the rate of change does not exceed the predetermined threshold. . With this configuration, it is possible to reduce malfunctions without changing the shape of the steering wheel grip. Note that the above-described detection of contact includes detection of proximity (approach) in addition to detection of actual touch. The human body is mainly the driver's hand (finger). The same applies hereinafter.

  Further, in the information input device of the present invention, when the electrode in the second region is composed of a plurality of electrodes, the control means is configured to control the static electrode of a predetermined electrode among the plurality of electrodes in the second region. The value of capacitance, or the amount of change thereof, or the rate of change exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the value of capacitance of the electrode in the first region, the amount of change thereof, or the rate of change exceeds the predetermined threshold. It is a preferable aspect of the present invention to output the control information to the in-vehicle device when it is determined that it does not exceed. With this configuration, detailed information can be input.

  Further, according to the present invention, a light source that is disposed on a grip surface of a steering wheel of a vehicle and is used for detecting contact with a human body, and a light reflection receiver that receives reflected light from the human body irradiated by the light source. A plurality of receiving means, and the intensity value of the reflected light in the plurality of light reflection receivers of the receiving means or a change thereof, and the measured intensity of the reflected light of the plurality of light reflection receivers Control means for outputting control information for controlling on-vehicle equipment of the vehicle based on a value or a change thereof, wherein the accepting means comprises the light reflection receiver, and the human body Two or more first areas in which the output of the control information is disabled by the contact of the two, and one or more second areas that are provided with the electrodes and enable the output of the control information by the contact of the human body The second region is arranged to be sandwiched between the first regions on the grip surface in the arc direction of the steering wheel, and the control means is configured to control the reflected light of the light reflection receiver in the second region. The intensity value, the amount of change thereof, or the rate of change exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and the intensity value of the reflected light of the light reflection receiver in the first region, or the amount of change, or the rate of change thereof is the predetermined value. An information input device configured to output the control information to the in-vehicle device when it is determined that the threshold value is not exceeded is provided. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce malfunctions without changing the shape of the steering wheel grip.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the receiving means disposed on the grip surface of the steering wheel of the vehicle and having a plurality of resistance detectors for detecting contact with a human body, and the resistances of the plurality of resistance detectors of the receiving means And control means for outputting control information for controlling the in-vehicle device of the vehicle based on the measured resistance values of the plurality of resistance detectors or changes thereof. In the information input device, the reception unit includes the resistance detector, includes two or more first regions that disable output of the control information by contact with the human body, the electrode, and the human body. One or more second regions that enable the output of the control information by contact, and the second region is sandwiched between the first regions on the grip surface in the arc direction of the steering wheel. The resistance of the resistance detector in the second region, the amount of change thereof, or the rate of change exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the resistance detector in the first region An information input device configured to output the control information to the in-vehicle device when it is determined that the resistance value, the amount of change thereof, or the change rate thereof does not exceed the predetermined threshold value is provided. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce malfunctions without changing the shape of the steering wheel grip.

  In addition, according to the present invention, an ultrasonic generator that is disposed on a grip surface of a steering wheel of a vehicle and is used to detect contact with a human body, and a reflected wave from the human body that is irradiated by the ultrasonic generator. Receiving means having a plurality of reflected wave receivers for receiving, and measuring the value of the reflected wave in the plurality of reflected wave receivers of the receiving means or a change thereof, and measuring the measured reflected wave receivers A control means for outputting control information for controlling an in-vehicle device of the vehicle based on a value of the intensity of the reflected wave or a change thereof, wherein the receiving means receives the reflected wave Two or more first regions that disable the output of the control information due to contact with the human body, and one or more that includes the electrode and enables the output of the control information upon contact with the human body. The second region is arranged so that the second region is sandwiched by the first region on the grip surface in the arc direction of the steering wheel, and the control means is configured to reflect the reflected wave of the second region. The intensity value of the reflected wave of the receiver, or the amount of change thereof, or the rate of change exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the value of the intensity of the reflected wave of the reflected wave receiver in the first region, or the amount of change thereof. Alternatively, there is provided an information input device configured to output the control information to the in-vehicle device when it is determined that the change speed does not exceed the predetermined threshold. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce malfunctions without changing the shape of the steering wheel grip.

  Moreover, in the information input device of the present invention, it is a preferred aspect of the present invention that the length of the steering wheel in which the receiving means is disposed in the arc direction is 5 cm or less. With this configuration, malfunctions can be reduced.

  The information input device of the present invention has the above-described configuration, and can reduce malfunctions without changing the shape of the steering wheel grip. That is, an information input device is provided in which a driver can perform an input operation in a state close to a driving posture and does not malfunction even if the hand touches the steering wheel carelessly. As a result, malfunction does not occur even if the steering wheel is gripped to drive.

  Hereinafter, an information input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig.1 (a) is a figure which shows an example of the steering wheel carrying the information input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG.1 (b) is a figure which shows an example of the other steering wheel which mounts the information input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of an example of the information input interface according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is an enlarged view showing an example of another information input interface according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a state where the driver sits on the seat and holds the steering wheel in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of a range in which the information input interface functions effectively according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which a steering wheel equipped with an information input interface according to the embodiment of the present invention is being operated. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of a state when information is input using a steering wheel provided with an information input interface according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an electrode group wound around the surface of the steering wheel in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the electrode groups in the exclusive region as seen from a plane perpendicular to the steering wheel grip in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the electrode groups in the input region as seen from a plane perpendicular to the steering wheel grip in the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the electrode group in the input region and the arrangement of the fingers for operating the hand as viewed from a plane perpendicular to the grip of the steering wheel in the embodiment of the present invention. is there. FIG. 7B shows an example of the arrangement of the electrode groups in the input area and other arrangements of the fingers of the hand operating the same as seen from a plane perpendicular to the grip of the steering wheel in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a list when selecting a desired item by operating the input area in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow from measurement of the amount of change in capacitance in the electrode segment to determination of whether or not to send control information (signal) in the embodiment of the present invention. . FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of values obtained by adjusting the amount of change in capacitance in each electrode segment measured in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information input device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12A is an enlarged view of an example of another information input interface according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.12 (b) is a figure which shows the state by which the driver | operator's hand has been arrange | positioned in the enlarged view of Fig.12 (a) in embodiment of this invention.

  First, an example of an information input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a steering wheel equipped with an information input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an information input interface (corresponding to the receiving means described above, also referred to as an interface unit) 11 for inputting information from a driver is formed on a cylindrical surface of a grip 10 of the steering wheel as viewed from the driver. It is arranged at the upper right. Of course, as shown in FIG.1 (b), it can arrange | position in the upper left position, and can arrange | position in both right and left. The interface unit 11 includes, for example, three electrode groups (also simply referred to as electrodes), and as illustrated in FIG. 1A, an electrode group 12 as an exclusive region (corresponding to the first region described above), an electrode group 14 and an electrode group 13 as an input region (corresponding to the second region described above).

  Further, on the grip 18 shown in FIG. 1B, an electrode group 15 and an electrode group 17 as exclusive areas and an electrode group 16 as an input area are arranged as an interface for the left hand, and an interface for the right hand is provided. The electrode group 13 and the electrode group 15 as the exclusive region and the electrode group 14 as the input region are arranged. Of course, these electrode groups are arranged so as to be insulated from other electrode groups, and are wired so that when the driver's finger approaches, the amount of change in capacitance of the electrode groups can be measured independently. Here, the capacitance may be a capacitance between the electrode and the human body (finger) (between the space and the ground), or may be a capacitance between a plurality of electrodes. . In the following description, control information is output based on the amount of change in capacitance. However, it is not limited to the amount of change, and control information is output based on the value of capacitance or the change speed. You may make it do.

  The input area here refers to the case where the amount of change in capacitance exceeds the calculated threshold value due to the contact, approach, or proximity of a finger to an electrode (electrode segment, also simply referred to as a segment) in the area. This is a region where input information (which is an input signal and corresponds to the control information described above) is transmitted to a vehicle-mounted device (not shown) through a circuit. In addition, the exclusive region referred to here means that if the amount of change in capacitance exceeds a calculated threshold value due to contact, approach, or proximity of a finger to an electrode in the region, An area where transmission of input signals from electrodes is stopped. The threshold will be described later.

  These electrode groups and the entire steering wheel can be covered with an insulator made of a thin film material for reasons such as design, appearance, and slip prevention. Note that the above-described contact, approach, or proximity to an electrode refers to a case where a finger touches the electrode directly or a finger touches a thin film of an insulator covering the electrode. Moreover, a thumb is included in the finger said here.

  FIGS. 2A and 2B are enlarged views of examples of information input interfaces constituting these electrode groups. First, in FIG. 2A, on the grip 20 of the steering wheel, an electrode group 22 constituting an area B indicating an input area, and an electrode group 21 and an electrode group 23 constituting areas A and C indicating exclusive areas are provided. The electrode group 22 in the region B is disposed between the electrode group 21 in the region A and the electrode group 23 in the region C on the surface on the axis of the grip 20 along the arc direction of the grip 20 of the steering wheel. Must have been. That is, it is arranged in the order of exclusive area (area A) -input area (area B) -exclusive area (area C) along the arc direction.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 2B, two electrode groups (electrode groups 24 and 26) are arranged in a region B indicating an input region corresponding to FIG. 2A, and an insulating portion 25 is provided between these electrode groups. The insulated part 25 is made of the same material as that of the insulated grip 20. In this case, the driver can operate a more complicated vehicle-mounted device (not shown) by picking or rotating the electrode group 24 or the electrode group 26 without touching the electrode groups 21 and 23 in the exclusive area. . The insulating unit 25 may be configured as the exclusive region described above.

  The reason for the arrangement as described above is largely related to the position of the arm and hand (back of hand) when the driver holds the steering wheel. As shown in FIG. 3A, consider a case where a driver sits on a seat and holds a steering wheel. In this case, if the information input interface arranged as “exclusive area-input area-exclusive area” as proposed by the present invention is arranged along the arc direction of the steering wheel 40, the input shown in FIG. As long as the circumference of the arc of the area 42 is smaller than the back of the hand or the width of the finger, even if the input area 42 is touched, the exclusive area 43 or the exclusive area 44 is also touched at the same time.

  Thereby, even if the hand 41 contacts the input area 42, the information input process does not start because the hand 41 also contacts the exclusive areas 43 and 44. This is based on the fact that an information input interface of an in-vehicle device (not shown) does not want to be activated due to a malfunction when the steering wheel is held in a driving posture during driving. In the present invention, the length of the region B shown in FIG. 2A (the length of the portion of the steering wheel arc where the region B is disposed) or the length of the electrode group 22 (the arc of the steering wheel). The length of the electrode group 22 is 5 cm or less, and the combined length of the electrode groups 24 and 26 shown in FIG. 2B and the insulating portion 25 (the input region in the arc of the steering wheel is It is desirable that the length of the arranged portion is 5 cm or less. However, implementation is possible even if it is not 5 cm or less. The principle described above can be similarly applied to the case where the information input interface proposed by the present invention is at the upper left as shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the arrangement of the electrodes on the grip developed by the present invention and developed from the example shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B can be considered. FIG. 12A shows the arrangement of each electrode group. FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a state in which the driver's hand 126 is actually placed on the electrode group in FIG. 12A and an in-vehicle device (not shown) is about to be operated. The electrodes in the region A (exclusive region) on the grip 20 have the same configuration as the example shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B described above, and similarly in the example in FIGS. There are a group 21 and an electrode group 23 in a region C (exclusive region). In the area B, the electrode group 120 and the electrode group 122 (all of the rectangular shapes drawn in the area B other than the electrode group 120) of the input area are arranged. In this example, the part other than the electrode groups 120 and 122 in the input region of the region B is configured by the electrode group 121 in the exclusive region such as the region A and the region C. Of course, each electrode group is insulated on the surface of the grip 20.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, the thumb 123 and the middle finger 125 of the driver's hand 126 trying to operate a vehicle-mounted device (not shown) are in contact with the electrode group 122 in the input area. The index finger 124 touches the electrode group 120 in the input area. Hand parts other than those fingers do not touch the electrode group 121 in the exclusive region. When an electrode group senses the proximity of an object as a capacitance sensor, capacitance changes occur between the electrode group in each exclusive area and the electrode group in the input area, and the ratio of those changes, singular point extraction, etc. It can be specified whether or not the hand 126 is in a state as shown in FIG. In this state, when the thumb 123 and the middle finger 125 slide on the electrode group 122 in the input area, the movement of the finger is detected, and an in-vehicle device (not shown) can be operated.

  Next, an operation when the driver intends to operate an unillustrated in-vehicle device using the information input interface will be described with reference to FIG. When operating a vehicle-mounted device (not shown), for example, only the input area 42 on the grip of the steering wheel 40 is picked with the thumb and index finger. By doing so, the hand 41 (finger) does not touch the exclusive area 43 and the exclusive area 44 greatly. Therefore, the amount of change in capacitance in the exclusive region 43 and the exclusive region 44 is small enough not to exceed the threshold value, but in the input region 42, the amount of change in capacitance becomes a large value exceeding the threshold value. The information (signal) that the driver touched is sent to a circuit (not shown) that controls a vehicle-mounted device (not shown).

  According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether the driver is holding the grip for driving or is in contact with the grip for information input, and the specificity of the latter state is increased. It functions as a safe information input device with few malfunctions.

  Also, the posture of picking the steering wheel 40 shown in FIG. 4B with the thumb and forefinger is just a change in the movement of the finger, and immediately returns to the driving posture of grasping the steering wheel 40 as shown in FIG. Therefore, even if an accident such as a rear-end collision occurs during operation of the vehicle equipment, the driver can act quickly and avoid danger.

  Here, when the steering wheel is turned in the state shown in FIG. 3 (a) and the information input interface is positioned at the lower part, that is, near the driver's knee, the finger is The information input interface is touched substantially perpendicular to the arc. In this case, the middle finger or the like may accidentally touch only the input area 32, and the information input interface may malfunction even during driving.

  As an improvement measure against this, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), a malfunction is caused by limiting the function of the information input interface to be effective only when the rotation angle by turning of the steering wheel 30 is within a predetermined angle range. Can be prevented. For example, in the case of an information input interface for the right hand as viewed from the driver side, only when the information input interface is located within a range of 180 degrees from the 10 o'clock direction to the 4 o'clock direction clockwise. Restrictions are provided so that control information (signals) can be transmitted. This prevents malfunction.

  Here, the above-described threshold is not limited to a mere constant or a fixed number with respect to the amount of change in capacitance, but is measured in each of the electrode region in the exclusive region and the input region due to hand contact, approach, or proximity. Includes relative values calculated from multiple capacitance changes, normalized values, correlation values, values divided by the area of the corresponding electrode, and thresholds for discriminating output from neural networks using these as input values. It is a waste.

  Next, the electrode group wound around the surface of the steering wheel described above will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the electrode group is arranged separately in order from the region A indicating the exclusive region, the region B indicating the input region, and the region C indicating the exclusive region. In particular, the electrode group in the region B is shown in FIG. By dividing the segment into fine electrically insulated segments as shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to set more detailed information input. Furthermore, the peculiarity of the arrangement of the hand (finger) when the driver intends to input information shown in FIG. 4B can be further enhanced. It will be described in detail.

  6A and 6B are simplified views of the arrangement of the electrodes on the surface, as viewed from a surface (cross section) cut substantially perpendicular to the arc of the grip of the steering wheel. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, electrodes 61 and 63 are arranged on the outer sides (surroundings) of the grip cores 62 and 64, respectively. 6A shows a cross section in the region A or the region C, and FIG. 6B shows a cross section in the region B. As can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6B, the electrodes in the region B are composed of eight electrically insulated electrodes and wirings in this example. As shown in FIG. 6B, the respective electrodes are referred to as B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, and B8.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B show the arrangement of the hand (finger) when the driver intends to use the information input interface as shown in FIG. Only the area B) is picked with the thumb and index finger. 7A and 7B show grip cores 72 and 74 and electrodes 71 and 73, respectively. The example of FIG. 7A shows a case where the thumb and index finger are in contact with B1 and B5 in the input area. Actually, there is a large variation in the change in capacitance, such as when a finger enters (positions) between segments, but the finger mainly touches which segment (electrode) from the ratio or distribution of the change in capacitance. You can judge whether you are doing.

  In the example in which the electrode is divided into eight segments, as a condition for transmitting control information (signal) to an in-vehicle device (not shown), a certain electrode (for example, B1) among the electrodes B1 to B8 arranged on the circumference is used. ) And only the opposite electrode (for example, B5) that is symmetrical to the electrode (for example, B1) with respect to the center of the cross section of the grip is more severe. There are conditions. Thereby, the specificity of finger placement in the information input state is increased, and the probability of malfunction of the information input interface in the driving state can be reduced. Further, the eight electrodes arranged on the circumference can be set so that the proximity sensor device due to a change in capacitance can also be used as a touch-type jog dial.

  In the example of FIG. 7B, the case where the thumb and the index finger are in contact with the electrodes B8 and B4 is shown. In this state, the thumb and index finger are moved to the positions of the electrodes B8 and B4 from the state shown in FIG. 7A, so that the electrodes that sense proximity change from B1 to B8 and from B5 to B4. As a result, rotation information having a pseudo directionality is obtained, and the information is transmitted to an in-vehicle device (not shown). This is useful for operations such as moving the cursor up and down to select a desired item from the list list or changing the volume of music on a video and music playback device or car navigation system as shown in FIG. Yes, it can be done easily and intuitively.

  Here, a processing flow from the measurement of the amount of change in capacitance at the electrode described above to whether or not to transmit control information (signal) will be described with reference to FIG. First, the amount of change in capacitance at each electrode is measured (S901). Details of the measured amount of change in capacitance at each electrode will be described later. It is determined whether or not the measured value of any electrode in the region B exceeds a threshold value (S902). When the measured value of any electrode in the region B exceeds the threshold value, it is determined whether or not the measured value of the region A corresponding to the time when the measured value is measured does not exceed the threshold value (S903). When the measured value of the area A does not exceed the threshold value, it is determined whether or not the measured value of the area C corresponding to the time when the measured value is measured does not exceed the threshold value (S904).

  When the measurement value of the region C does not exceed the threshold value, the measurement value at the corresponding time of the corresponding electrode of the region B exceeding the threshold value and the electrode at the symmetrical position with respect to the center of the cross section of the grip exceeds the threshold value. It is determined whether or not (S905). That is, this is to determine whether or not the electrode on the grip surface is picked by two fingers (for example, thumb and index finger).

  When the measured value exceeds the threshold value, it is determined whether or not the information of the electrode adjacent to the electrode in the area B exceeding the threshold value is recorded in the predetermined storage area (S906). This is, for example, sensing the above-described movement from FIG. 7A to FIG. 7B (operation like a jog dial). That is, the positional relationship between the electrode in the region B that has been close to the finger in the past and the electrode currently in contact is determined.

  When information of adjacent electrodes (for example, information B2) is recorded in a predetermined storage area, a signal based on the positional relationship between the current electrode and the electrode recorded as information is output (S907). That is, for example, when it is determined that the change is between adjacent electrodes on the surface of the grip, such as a change from the electrode B1 to B8 or a change from B5 to B4, information such as the rotation direction and the rotation movement angle. (Corresponding to the control information described above) is transmitted to a vehicle-mounted device (not shown). Thereby, a pseudo jog dial-like continuous input function can be provided. In S906, if the information on the electrode adjacent to the electrode in the region B exceeding the threshold is not recorded in the predetermined storage region, the information on the electrode in the region B exceeding the threshold is recorded in the predetermined storage region ( S908). In S902 to S905, if “NO” is determined, the process returns to S902.

  It should be noted that the threshold value that serves as a reference for the determination described above is not limited to a constant, but includes a ratio of the change amount in the regions A and C to the change value of the capacitance in the region B, a relative value, and the like. By doing so, when the finger touches the boundary of the region, it is necessary to take into account errors such as noise in the response of the electrode and the hysteresis characteristic of the capacitance value when it is in contact and non-contact. it can.

  Next, FIG. 10 shows values obtained by adjusting the amount of change in capacitance at each electrode measured in S901 of FIG. 9 described above. As shown in FIG. 10, there are graphs for each electrode from (a) to (j) from the top, and in order, (a) is a graph for the electrode in region A, (b) is a graph for the electrode in region C, (c ) Is a graph for the B1 electrode in the region B, (d) is a graph for the B2 electrode in the region B, (e) is a graph for the B3 electrode in the region B, (f) is a graph for the B4 electrode in the region B, and (g) is A graph for the B5 electrode in the region B, (h) a graph for the B6 electrode in the region B, (i) a graph for the B7 electrode in the region B, and (j) a graph for the B8 electrode in the region B. In the graph, the horizontal axis represents the measurement time, and the vertical axis represents the value obtained by adjusting the amount of change in the capacitance of the electrode obtained by the measurement. The value adjusted here is a normalized value, a relative value, a value for discrimination in a neural network, or the like. In addition, you may make it use as it is, without adjusting the variation | change_quantity of the electrostatic capacitance of an electrode.

  Here, as a simple example, it is assumed that the calculated value rises higher than normal and reaches the threshold when a finger touches the electrode. Further, (k) in FIG. 10 indicates whether or not control information (signal) is finally output to an in-vehicle device (not shown) from values obtained by calculating these observed values.

  In the example of FIG. 10, it is easy to understand by first checking whether there is a finger contact or the like in the regions (exclusive regions) A and C of FIGS. When the driver grips the regions A and C, that is, when the value rises and exceeds the threshold value in the vertical axes of FIGS. 10A and 10B, as shown in the graph of FIG. The information input interface is in an exclusive period and no processing is performed. This is a state where the driver is driving with a grip.

  After time t1 on the horizontal axis in FIG. 10 (k), the driver's hand has left the exclusive area and nothing has been done yet, but operation in a jog dial manner in area B indicating the input area from time t2 to t3. It can be seen that That is, a finger first contacts B1 and B5, then a finger contacts B4 and B8, then a finger contacts B3 and B7, and then a finger contacts B2 and B6. The information input interface can be operated continuously by the driver by transmitting the rotation direction and the amount of movement to an in-vehicle device (not shown). Since the finger is in contact with the region C at time t3, the information input is again stopped.

  As a further contrivance, even if only the input area is touched, a setting is made such that it does not function unless a time of 0.8 seconds elapses, for example, when the input area is touched and the exclusive area is not touched. You can also. As a result, when the driver tries to drive and grips the steering wheel, even if the hand is in the state shown in FIG. Can be prevented.

  Another idea is to divide the electrodes in the exclusive region into a plurality of electrically insulated segments, so that the amount of change in capacitance in the electrode group in the exclusive region and the capacitance of the electrode group in the input region can be reduced. From the distribution and correlation with the amount of change in capacity, it is possible to calculate input and exclusivity, and more accurately determine whether the driver is holding or trying to operate the information input interface .

  In addition, when inputting through the information input interface, the first menu screen is activated by tapping the input area, for example, allowing the user to perform operations such as rubbing and picking only after touching the tonton with a finger twice. , The way of input can be developed. Furthermore, the advantage of the present invention is to promote the driver's safety posture by actively encouraging the driver to always put his hand on the steering wheel through the act of operating the in-vehicle device. There is also an effect.

  Next, the configuration of the information input device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the information input device includes a receiving unit 110 and a control unit 111. The configuration of the information input device is not limited to this, and other components may be included. The receiving means 110 is disposed on the grip surface of the steering wheel of the vehicle, and has a plurality of electrodes (see FIG. 5) for detecting contact with a human body (for example, a finger). The receiving unit 110 includes an electrode, and includes two or more first regions (corresponding to exclusive regions) that cannot output control information by contact with the human body, and an electrode, and outputs control information by contact with the human body. One or more second regions (corresponding to the input region), and arranged such that the second region is sandwiched between the first regions on the grip surface in the arc direction of the steering wheel (FIG. 2). (See (a), (b)).

  The control unit 111 measures the capacitance values of the plurality of electrodes of the receiving unit 110 or changes thereof (for example, changes in capacitance), and measures the measured capacitance values of the plurality of electrodes or changes thereof. Based on (for example, the amount of change in capacitance), control information for controlling an in-vehicle device (not shown) of the vehicle is output. In addition, the control unit 111 determines that the capacitance value of the electrode in the second region, the amount of change thereof, or the rate of change (for example, the amount of change in capacitance) exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the electrode in the first region. Output the control information to an in-vehicle device (not shown) when it is determined that the capacitance value, the amount of change, or the rate of change (for example, the amount of change in capacitance) does not exceed a predetermined threshold It is.

  In the above description, it is determined whether to output control information based on the amount of change in capacitance. However, the present invention is not limited to that based on the amount of change in capacitance. For example, it is based on a commonly used optical system (specifically, it depends on the value of the intensity of reflected light by visible light or infrared light, the amount of change thereof, or the rate of change, and the above-described light reflection reception). The value of the intensity of reflected light in the vessel, or the amount of change, or the rate of change), the resistance film type (specifically, the value of the change in electricity passed by touching, or the amount of change thereof, or It depends on the speed of change, and is based on the resistance value of the resistance detector mentioned above, or its amount of change, or based on the speed of change), or by the ultrasonic method (specifically, the intensity of the reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave). Value, or the amount of change thereof, or the rate of change, based on the value of the intensity of the reflected wave in the reflected wave receiver described above, or the amount of change or rate of change thereof) What it is also possible to practice the present invention.

  Since the information input device according to the present invention can reduce malfunctions without changing the shape of the grip of the steering wheel, it is useful for an information input device for operating an in-vehicle device of an automobile on the steering wheel.

(A) It is a figure which shows an example of the steering wheel carrying the information input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (B) It is a figure which shows an example of the other steering wheel carrying the information input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) It is a figure which shows the enlarged view of an example of the information input interface in embodiment of this invention. (B) It is a figure which shows the enlarged view of an example of the other information input interface in embodiment of this invention. (A) It is a figure which shows a mode that the driver | operator in embodiment of this invention sat down on the seat and grasped the steering wheel. (B) It is a figure which shows an example of the range which functions effectively of the information input interface in embodiment of this invention. (A) It is a figure which shows an example of the state at the time of driving | operating by grasping the steering wheel provided with the information input interface in embodiment of this invention. (B) It is a figure which shows an example of the state when inputting information using the steering wheel provided with the information input interface in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the electrode group wound around the surface of the steering wheel in embodiment of this invention. (A) It is a figure which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the electrode group in an exclusive area seen from the surface perpendicular | vertical with respect to the grip of the steering wheel in embodiment of this invention. (B) It is a figure which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the electrode group in an input area seen from the surface perpendicular | vertical with respect to the grip of the steering wheel in embodiment of this invention. (A) It is a figure which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the electrode group in an input area | region, and arrangement | positioning of the finger of the hand which operates it seen from the surface perpendicular | vertical with respect to the grip of the steering wheel in embodiment of this invention. (B) It is a figure which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the electrode group in an input area | region, and other arrangement | positioning of the finger of the hand which operates it seen from the surface perpendicular | vertical with respect to the grip of the steering wheel in embodiment of this invention. . It is a figure which shows an example of the list at the time of selecting a desired item by operation to the input area in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing flow from the measurement of the variation | change_quantity of the electrostatic capacitance in the electrode segment in embodiment of this invention until it judges whether control information (signal) is transmitted. It is a figure which shows an example of the value which prepared the variation | change_quantity of the electrostatic capacitance in each electrode segment measured in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the information input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) It is a figure which shows the enlarged view of an example of the other information input interface in embodiment of this invention. (B) It is a figure which shows the state by which the driver | operator's hand has been arrange | positioned in the enlarged view of Fig.12 (a) in embodiment of this invention. (A)-(d) The figure which shows the information input interface provided in the conventional steering wheel (A) The figure which shows the other information input interface provided in the conventional steering wheel (b) The figure which shows the other information input interface provided in the conventional steering wheel

Explanation of symbols

10, 18, 20, 131, 134, 137 Grip 11 Information input interface (interface section)
12, 14, 15, 17, 21, 23, 121 Exclusive region electrode group 13, 16, 22, 24, 26, 120, 122 Input region electrode group 25 Insulating part 30, 40 Steering wheel 31, 33, 43, 44 Exclusive area 32, 42 Input area 41 Hand 61, 63, 71, 73 Electrode 62, 64, 72, 74 Core 110 Receiving means 111 Control means 123 Driver's thumb 124 Driver's index finger 125 Driver's middle finger 126 Driver Hand 132 Switch 133, 136 Middle part of steering wheel 135 Protruding switch 138 Dish-shaped touch pad 140 Contact sensor (functional surface)

Claims (6)

A receiving means disposed on a grip surface of a steering wheel of a vehicle and having a plurality of electrodes for detecting contact with a human body;
The capacitance values of the plurality of electrodes of the receiving means or changes thereof are measured, and the in-vehicle devices of the vehicle are controlled based on the measured capacitance values of the plurality of electrodes or changes thereof. An information input device comprising control means for outputting control information for
The receiving means includes the electrode, and includes two or more first regions that disable the output of the control information by contact with the human body, and the electrode, and the control information can be output by contact with the human body. One or more second regions, and arranged so that the second region is sandwiched between the first regions on the grip surface in the arc direction of the steering wheel,
The control means includes a value of the capacitance of the electrode in the second region, a change amount thereof, or a change speed exceeding a predetermined threshold value, and a value of the capacitance of the electrode in the first region. Or an information input device configured to output the control information to the in-vehicle device when it is determined that the amount of change or the rate of change does not exceed the predetermined threshold. When the electrode of the second region is composed of a plurality of electrodes,
The control means includes a capacitance value of a predetermined electrode of the plurality of electrodes in the second region, a change amount thereof, or a change speed exceeding a predetermined threshold value, and the first region The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the control information is output to the in-vehicle device when it is determined that a value of the capacitance of the electrode, a change amount thereof, or a change speed does not exceed the predetermined threshold. . A light receiving unit disposed on a grip surface of a steering wheel of a vehicle and used for detecting contact of a human body and a plurality of light reflection receivers for receiving reflected light from the human body irradiated by the light source;
Based on the measured value of the reflected light of the plurality of light reflection receivers or the change thereof, measuring the intensity value of the reflected light in the plurality of light reflection receivers of the receiving means or the change thereof. An information input device comprising control means for outputting control information for controlling the in-vehicle device of the vehicle,
The reception means includes the light reflection receiver, and includes two or more first regions that disable the output of the control information by contact with the human body, and the electrode, and the control information of the control information by contact with the human body. One or more second regions that enable output, and arranged such that the second region is sandwiched between the first regions on the grip surface in the arc direction of the steering wheel,
The control means includes a value of the intensity of the reflected light of the light reflection receiver in the second region, a change amount thereof, or a change speed exceeding a predetermined threshold, and the light reflection receiver in the first region. An information input device configured to output the control information to the in-vehicle device when it is determined that the intensity value of the reflected light, the amount of change, or the change speed does not exceed the predetermined threshold. A receiving means disposed on a grip surface of a steering wheel of a vehicle and having a plurality of resistance detectors for detecting contact with a human body;
The resistance values of the plurality of resistance detectors of the receiving means or changes thereof are measured, and on-vehicle equipment of the vehicle is controlled based on the measured resistance values of the plurality of resistance detectors or changes thereof. An information input device comprising control means for outputting control information for
The receiving means includes the resistance detector, includes two or more first regions that disable the output of the control information by contact with the human body, and the electrode, and outputs the control information by contact with the human body. One or more second regions that allow the second region to be sandwiched by the first regions on the grip surface in the arc direction of the steering wheel,
The control means includes a value of the resistance of the resistance detector in the second region, a change amount thereof, or a rate of change exceeding a predetermined threshold, and a value of the resistance of the resistance detector in the first region. Or an information input device configured to output the control information to the in-vehicle device when it is determined that the amount of change or the rate of change does not exceed the predetermined threshold. A plurality of ultrasonic wave generators disposed on a grip surface of a steering wheel of a vehicle and used for detecting contact of a human body and a reflected wave receiver for receiving a reflected wave from the human body irradiated by the ultrasonic wave generator Having a receiving means,
Measure the intensity value of the reflected wave in the plurality of reflected wave receivers of the receiving means or change thereof, and based on the measured value of the intensity of the reflected wave of the plurality of reflected wave receivers or change thereof An information input device comprising control means for outputting control information for controlling the in-vehicle device of the vehicle,
The receiving means includes the reflected wave receiver, and includes two or more first regions that disable the output of the control information by contact with the human body, and the electrode, and the control information of the control information by contact with the human body. One or more second regions that enable output, and arranged such that the second region is sandwiched between the first regions on the grip surface in the arc direction of the steering wheel,
The control means includes a reflected wave intensity value of the reflected wave receiver in the second region, a change amount thereof, or a change speed exceeding a predetermined threshold, and the reflected wave receiver of the first region. An information input device configured to output the control information to the in-vehicle device when it is determined that the intensity value of the reflected wave, the change amount thereof, or the change speed does not exceed the predetermined threshold.   The information input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a length of the steering wheel in which the receiving unit is disposed in an arc direction is 5 cm or less.

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