JP2010250735A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device which prevents an operation error by feeding back a sense of operation and enables a user to easily visually recognize operations available in an input operation part. <P>SOLUTION: The input device includes: pins 12 which are arranged in a planar manner in a longitudinal direction so as to be driven; and light emitting elements 18a provided in the pins 12, and emits light through the pins 12. The pins 12 form recesses and protrusions. The pins 12 forming the recesses and protrusions constitute an input part that shows the color of light emitted by the light emitting elements 18a. It is determined whether the input part has been operated or not on the basis of detection results of position sensors 20a which detect movements of the pins 12 in the longitudinal direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device used for in-vehicle information equipment and the like.

  Some conventional input devices use the five senses of humans for the input interface, thereby making it possible to perform input operations smoothly and to prevent erroneous operations. For example, it is conceivable to feed back the operated feeling to the operator.

  Patent document 1 is disclosing the haptic input device which performs function adjustment of vehicle equipment etc. with one knob. This input device has means for giving a specific operation feeling to the knob according to the operation direction or operation position, and feeds back the feeling of input operation using the knob to the user.

  Further, Patent Document 2 includes an operable object that moves with two degrees of freedom with respect to the ground, isotonic mode in which input is performed based on the position of the operable object detected by a sensor, and a force applied to the operable object. An interface device having an isometric mode for performing input is disclosed. Also in this apparatus, the user feels feedback of the input operation in the isometric mode.

  Further, Patent Document 3 has function number information for specifying a function to be operated and touch number information for specifying a touch for each function. When an operation of the corresponding function is performed, a touch corresponding to this is given. A multi-function input device for a user is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 397875 Japanese Patent No. 3757744 Japanese Patent No. 3958944

  In conventional input devices including the devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, input operations are performed by properly using input interfaces with fixed physical shapes such as buttons, dials, and sliders according to the purpose of use. The same input interface is repeatedly used in various operation scenes, and there is a problem that the operation is inevitably complicated.

  In addition, there is an input device that intuitively performs an input operation by drawing various input units according to the purpose of use on the display screen of the touch panel, but the operation is performed by touching the two-dimensional plane of the display screen. This is to provide a so-called virtual input interface, and the recognition of the input position and input state has to depend on vision, which may cause an erroneous operation.

  Furthermore, in the input device using the touch panel, an input unit having a physically fixed shape is operated even when an attempt is made to output a voice during an input operation or to display an animation to recognize an input position or an input state. It is not possible to reproduce the feeling that is obtained in the event.

  Furthermore, in patent documents 1 and 2, it is limited to a certain input operation, and is applied as a dedicated input device corresponding to this. For this reason, there is no versatility. In addition, the multi-function input device disclosed in Patent Document 3 can input various functions registered in the function / feel library, but cannot easily visually recognize which function each input operation corresponds to. , May cause misoperation.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an input device that feeds back the feel of an operation to prevent erroneous operation and that can easily recognize an operation that can be performed by an input operation unit. Objective.

  In the input device according to the present invention, a pin group in which a plurality of pins are arranged in a plane so as to be driven in the longitudinal direction, a driving unit that drives the pins of the pin group in the longitudinal direction, and an operation on the pin group are generated in the pins. A first detecting means for detecting the movement in the longitudinal direction, a light emitting means provided on the pin, and a light emitting means through which the emitted light passes through the pin, and a driving means to drive the pins of the pin group to drive a convex or concave portion The pin that forms the convex portion or the concave portion by controlling the driving of the light emitting means constitutes an input portion that exhibits the light emission color of the light emitting means, and based on the detection result of the first detecting means, And control means for determining the presence or absence of an operation.

  According to the present invention, the driving means is controlled to drive the pins of the pin group to form the convex portion or the concave portion, and the driving of the light emitting means is controlled to form the convex portion or the concave portion. Based on the detection result of the first detection means that constitutes the color-presenting input section and detects the longitudinal movement of the pin, it is determined whether or not there is an operation on the input section. It is possible to prevent this, and there is an effect that the portion to be operated can be easily visually recognized by the emission color of the light emitting means.

It is a perspective view which shows the input interface part of the input device by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the utilization form of the vehicle equipment to which the input device by Embodiment 1 is applied. It is a figure which shows the utilization form of the vehicle equipment to which the input device by Embodiment 1 is applied. It is a figure which shows the utilization form of the vehicle equipment to which the input device by Embodiment 1 is applied. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a pin configuration of an input interface unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another configuration of the pins of the input interface unit according to the first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an input device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for displaying an operation guide on the input interface unit according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of command input by character recognition in the input interface unit according to the first embodiment.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a perspective view showing an input interface unit of an input device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an input interface unit 10 is a pin in which a plurality of pins 12 having a cylindrical shape (for example, about φ4 mm) are arranged in a plane on a base 11 so as to be movable up and down in the longitudinal direction and the end surfaces thereof are aligned. 12 groups are provided. Each pin 12 is formed of a transparent or translucent material (for example, acrylic resin) so that when the light emitting element emits light, the pin 12 is colored with the light emission color.

  In the input device according to the first embodiment, the raised portion (convex portion) and the recessed portion (concave portion) formed in the group of pins 12 by driving the pins 12 in the longitudinal direction by an actuator (not shown) on the base 11 side, The color is classified according to the emission color of the light emitting element provided for each pin 12. The raised portion (convex portion) and the recessed portion (concave portion) thus color-coded are used as an input unit corresponding to various operation scenes.

  For example, in an operation scene that requires a plurality of push buttons, a part of the group of pins 12 is simultaneously moved upward in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. Buttons 13 of various colors and shapes can be formed. Further, if a part of the group of pins 12 is simultaneously moved downward in the longitudinal direction to be recessed, it can be used as the slider 14 for continuously changing the numerical value. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, an arrow can be displayed in the direction in which the slider 14 is operated by causing the light emitting element of the pin 12 at the input operation to emit light in a color different from the surroundings.

  As described above, in the input device according to the first embodiment, the raised portion and the recessed portion formed in the group of pins 12 are colored with the light emission color of the light emitting element provided on the pin 12, and the input unit is configured. According to the operation scene, the physical shape and color of the input unit and the input operation area can be dynamically changed, and an optimal input unit can be provided to the user.

  In addition, in the input device using the conventional touch panel, the input position and the input state are recognized only by vision. However, the input device according to the present invention can input the input interface unit 10 by touching the input interface unit 10 by hand. It is possible to recognize the input position and the input state from the vision distinguished by the color of the part. For example, the color of the group of pins 12 constituting the button is gradually changed (gradation) from the color of the surrounding pins 12, and an input operation for the button (operation part) is guided by light illumination. Even if it does in this way, the visibility and operativity to an input part will improve.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a usage form of the in-vehicle device to which the input device according to the first embodiment is applied. FIG. 2A illustrates a case where a button is formed, and FIG. 2B illustrates a case where a slider is formed. Is shown. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2A, an input screen 16 a on which four buttons 17 a to 17 d are described is displayed by application software executed by the in-vehicle device 15. In this case, the pin 12 of the input interface unit 10 is driven upward in the longitudinal direction, and the operation input buttons 13a to 13d having the colors corresponding to the buttons 17a to 17d are classified according to the light emission colors of the light emitting elements of the pins 12. Form.

  When the user performs an input operation for selecting the buttons 17a to 17d described on the input screen 16a, the user may press the operation input buttons 13a to 13d. Thus, by forming an input interface having a shape and color corresponding to the operation scene, the input operation can be executed quickly. In addition, since the input is executed by actually pressing the pin 12, it is possible to feed back to the user the feeling that is originally obtained when the button is pressed.

  Further, in the example of FIG. 2B, the in-vehicle temperature adjustment screen 16b is displayed on the display screen of the in-vehicle device 15, and the color changes in response to pressing of the pin 12 as an input unit for adjusting the temperature. In this example, the slider 14 is formed on the input interface unit 10. The user further depresses the pin 12 along the groove of the slider 14 to change its color, so that the numerical value corresponding to the area of the region formed by the depressed pin 12 is an air controller (not shown) ) And the temperature inside the vehicle is adjusted.

3 and 4 are diagrams showing a usage pattern of the in-vehicle device to which the input device according to the first embodiment is applied. If the pin 12 is the light emitting color of the light emitting element, the input interface unit 10 can also be used as a display unit. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a clock is displayed in the light emission color of the light emitting element of the pin 12.
As shown in FIG. 4, the input interface unit 10 may be used as an input panel for handwriting input. In this case, the input character (“ko” in FIG. 4) may be displayed on the display screen of the in-vehicle device 15, but by changing the pin 12 pressed by handwriting input to a color different from the surroundings, Characters may be displayed on the input interface unit 10.

  5A and 5B are diagrams showing the configuration of the pins of the input interface unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5A is a side view, FIG. 5B is a top view, and FIG. 5C is FIG. It is a figure which shows schematically the cross section of the AA line in the inside. As shown in FIG. 5A, in the input interface unit 10 </ b> A, a pin vertical drive actuator (drive means) 20 is provided for each pin 12, and the pin 12 is driven up and down via a column 19 extending from the pin vertical drive actuator 20. Let For the pin vertical drive actuator 20, an ultrasonic motor, a small stepping motor, a servo motor, biometal, a polymer actuator, or the like is used as a drive source.

  Between the pin 12 and the support column 19, a light emitting / detecting unit 18 having a light emitting element such as a three primary color LED and a sensor for detecting contact or approach of an object to the pin 12 is provided. As the sensor of the light emission / detection unit 18, a sensor that optically detects an object is conceivable. For example, a reflective object recognition device (photo interrupter) is used. In addition to what is detected optically, an electrostatic sensor that detects a change in capacitance between a finger or pen and the pin 12 or a pressure sensor that detects a pressure change caused by pressing the pin 12 is used. Also good.

  The pin 12 according to the first embodiment is made of a transparent material such as acrylic resin in order to color the light emission color of the light emitting element in the light emitting / detecting unit 18 provided on the lower end face side. FIG. 5B shows a case where the light emitting element (light emitting unit) 18a of the light emitting / detecting unit 18 is a three primary color LED and the sensor (second detecting unit) 18b is a photo interrupter. In the photo interrupter 18b, when an object such as a finger contacts or approaches the upper end surface of the pin 12, probe light (for example, infrared rays) output from the light emitting unit 18b-1 is reflected by the object (finger), and the light receiving unit 18b- 2 is input. Accordingly, a detection signal indicating the presence or absence of an object that contacts or approaches the upper end surface of the pin 12 is output from the light receiving unit 18b-2.

  In this way, by using a photo interrupter for the sensor 18b, it is possible to recognize the presence or absence of an object that touches or approaches the end face of the group of pins 12, so that the character recognition technology is applied to the character formed by the input pin 12 By doing so, handwriting input as shown in FIG. 4 becomes possible. This configuration is effective when a simple command (command) is input.

  Note that the vertical position level of the pin 12 in the longitudinal direction is driven up and down in, for example, four stages according to the length of the pin 12. In this case, before the input portion is formed, the pin vertical drive actuator 20 pushes it up to a reference position level (0 level) and arranges so that the end faces of the pins 12 are substantially aligned on the same plane. When forming a button-shaped input unit from this state, the button 12 is formed by moving the pin 12 upward in the longitudinal direction to, for example, the +2 level. When the position sensor detects that the pin 12 has been pressed down to +1 level or less, it is determined that the button has been pressed. When the slider 14 is formed, the slider groove is formed by moving the pin 12 downward to, for example, -1 level. When it is detected by the position sensor that the level sensor has been pressed down to −2 level, it is determined that the slider 14 has been operated.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another configuration of the pins of the input interface unit according to the first embodiment. The input interface unit 10B shown in FIG. 6 includes a feeling imparting unit (feel imparting means) 21 that gives a mechanical feel between the light emitting / detecting unit 18 and the support column 19 when the pin 12 is input. By providing, for example, a tact switch (metal dome switch) as the feel imparting unit 21, an input unit in which the sense of pressing can be easily understood (a good click feeling) can be provided even through the pin 12.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the input device according to the first embodiment. 7, the UI unit 22 includes a part of the device provided with the input device according to the first embodiment, and includes a display monitor that displays the operation screen as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4 and executes application software. CPU (not shown). The CPU (hereinafter referred to as the host CPU) does not control the input device like the CPU 30 described later, but may be configured to also use the control function of the CPU 30. An application executed by the host CPU is called a host application.

  In the input device according to the first embodiment, input unit information corresponding to each operation scene of the upper application executed by the upper CPU of the UI (User Interface) unit (external device) 22 is stored in the UI unit 22 side, RAM (Random Access Memory). ) 31a or a hard disk device (not shown) or the like. The input unit information is information that defines the shape pattern of the input unit according to each operation scene, and the position coordinates of the pin 12 and the vertical position of the pin 12 for defining the shape pattern of the input unit. Information indicating the level is included.

  The variable input device 23 is provided on the base 11 side of the input interface unit 10 shown in FIG. 1, and includes a pin vertical drive actuator 20, a position sensor 20a, a light emitting element 18a, and a sensor 18b. The pin vertical drive actuator 20 is an actuator that drives the pin 12 up and down in the longitudinal direction by the drive current from the current driver 33. A stepping motor, a servo motor, an ultrasonic motor, a polymer actuator, etc. that are driven by the drive current are used. Configured as a drive source. The position sensor (first detection means) 20a is a sensor that detects the vertical position of the pin 12 in the longitudinal direction.

  Based on the sensor information from the position sensor 20a, the CPU 30 determines whether or not an input operation formed on the group of pins 12 has been input. If it is determined that an input operation has been performed, the CPU 30 notifies the UI unit 22 accordingly. Thereby, the UI unit 22 executes information processing according to the input operation in the upper application.

  Note that the group of pins 12 of the input interface unit 10 is configured, for example, by arranging hundreds to thousands of pins 12 in a matrix. The CPU 30 of the control unit 24 defines a two-dimensional coordinate system for the group of pins 12 in which the pins 12 are arranged in a matrix, and specifies the position coordinates of the pins 12 based on the two-dimensional coordinate system. As shown in FIG. 5, the light emitting element 18 a is provided for each pin 12 as a component of the light emitting / detecting unit 18, and emits light when a current from the current driver 34 is input. As the light emitting element 18a, any light emitting color in the visible region may be used. For example, red (R), blue (B), and green (G) three primary color LEDs are used.

  When performing the simple display or the color classification for indicating the button position as shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 30 generates an image image corresponding to the simple display or the button arrangement, and this image image is displayed with the light emission color of the light emitting element 18a. The matrix driver 27 controls the current supply to the light emitting element 18a by the current driver 34 so as to realize it. As a result, the light emitting elements 18a of the pins 12 arranged in a matrix as the group of pins 12 emit light in a color according to this image image, and simple display and button coloring are realized.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the sensor 18 b is provided for each pin 12 as a component of the light emission / detection unit 18, and outputs a detection signal indicating the presence or absence of an object that has contacted or approached the upper end surface of the pin 12. For example, when the sensor 18b is a photo interrupter, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the probe light reflected by the object is input to the light receiving unit 18b-2, an electrical signal having a significant signal level is obtained. Thus, the presence / absence of an object in contact with or approaching the upper end surface of the pin 12 is converted into the strength of the output signal level of the sensor 18b.

  The control unit (control means) 24 includes a matrix driver 27, a VRAM (Video RAM) 27a, an actuator control unit 28, a sensor signal processing unit 29, a CPU 30, a RAM 31a, and an external interface (external IF) 32. The matrix driver 27 is a component that drives the light emitting element 18a based on display data of an image stored in the VRAM 27a. The display data for the image is generated by the CPU 30 and stored in the VRAM 27a.

  The actuator control unit 28 is a component that drives the pin 12 up and down by controlling current supply from the current driver 33 to the pin vertical drive actuator 20 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 30. The sensor signal processing unit 29 is a component that controls the matrix scan of each sensor 18b of the group of pins 12 arranged in a matrix. The sensor signal processing unit 29 acquires scan result data and outputs it to the CPU 30.

  The CPU 30 receives input unit information corresponding to the operation scene of the higher-level application from the UI unit 22 via the external interface 32 or information for specifying the operation scene from the UI unit 22 (for example, an operation screen of the higher-level application) When the corresponding input unit information is read out from the RAM 31a, SRAM (Static RAM) 31b, Flash ROM 31c, etc., the actuator control unit 28 controls the drive of the pin vertical drive actuator 20. An input portion having a shape specified by the input portion information is formed, and further, the matrix driver 27 controls light emission of the light emitting element 18a to perform coloring specified by the input portion information. When the input unit is formed, the CPU 30 confirms whether or not the drive position of the pin 12 has reached the specified position based on the sensor information of the position sensor 20a, and according to this result, the CPU 12 moves up and down in the longitudinal direction of the pin 12. Adjust the position level.

  The analog multiplexer 35 is a component that inputs an output signal of the sensor 18b of each pin 12 arranged in a matrix and outputs the output signal to an operational amplifier (OPAMP) 36 that is an analog buffer. The operational amplifier 36 is a component that amplifies the input signal from the analog multiplexer 35 and outputs the amplified signal to the AD converter 37. Further, the AD converter 37 is a component that converts an input signal from the operational amplifier 36 into a digital signal, and outputs the digitally converted signal to the sensor signal processing unit 29.

Next, the operation will be described.
Here, a specific process using the light emission / detection unit 18 according to the first embodiment will be described.
(1) Display of operation guide First, processing for detecting an input operation of the input interface unit 10 and displaying an operation guide for smoothly executing this input operation will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for displaying an operation guide on the input interface unit according to the first embodiment, and shows a case where an operation guide is performed on the input unit already formed in the group of pins 12. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the sensor 18b is a photo interrupter.

The sensor signal processing unit 29 instructs the sensor 18b of each pin 12 constituting the input unit to execute a detection operation. Thereby, the light emission part 18b-1 of the sensor 18b of the pin 12 which comprises an input part outputs probe light in order in synchronization with a predetermined scanning period.
At this time, the analog multiplexer 35 inputs the output signal of the sensor 18b, with the sensor 18b outputting the probe light in synchronization with the scan cycle as a scan target.
This signal is output from the analog multiplexer 35 to the CPU 30 via the operational amplifier 36, AD converter 37, and sensor signal processing unit 29. Up to this point corresponds to an operation for one cycle of the matrix scan (step ST1).

  The CPU 30 compares the digital signal input from the sensor signal processing unit 29 with a predetermined threshold value and determines whether or not the signal level is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold value (step ST2). When the signal level is not equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold (step ST2; NO), the CPU 30 returns to the process of step ST1 and inputs a digital signal corresponding to the next sensor 18b to be scanned from the sensor signal processing unit 29, and Repeat the process.

  On the other hand, when the signal level is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold (step ST2; YES), the CPU 30 determines that an object such as a finger is in contact with or approaches the upper end surface of the pin 12, and each pin 12 of the pin 12 group. The position coordinates of the pin 12 (the position coordinates of the two-dimensional coordinates defined for the group of pins 12) are calculated based on the address defined in (Step ST3).

Next, the CPU 30 generates an image image for a predetermined operation guide based on the position coordinates of the pin 12 where the contact or approach of the object is detected, and outputs the image image display data to the matrix driver 27. The matrix driver 27 is controlled to display the operation guide with an LED (step ST4).
For example, among the pins 12 constituting the input unit, the color of the pin 12 in which contact or approach of an object is detected is gradually changed (gradation) from the color of the surrounding pin 12 to light the input unit. Guide operation with illumination.
In addition, by displaying an arrow whose tip is positioned on the pin 12 where contact or approach of an object is detected with the color of the peripheral pin 12, it is possible to accurately guide which input unit to operate. Can do.

(2) Command Input by Character Recognition FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a command input flow by character recognition in the input interface unit according to the first embodiment. Again, it is assumed that the sensor 18b is a photo interrupter.
The sensor signal processing unit 29 instructs the sensor 18b of each pin 12 in the pin 12 group of the input interface unit 10 to execute a detection operation. As a result, the light emitting unit 18b-1 of the sensor 18b of the pin 12 sequentially outputs the probe light in synchronization with a predetermined scan cycle. The analog multiplexer 35 inputs the output signal of the sensor 18b with the sensor 18b outputting the probe light in synchronization with the scan cycle as a scan target. This signal is output from the analog multiplexer 35 to the CPU 30 via the operational amplifier 36, AD converter 37, and sensor signal processing unit 29. Up to this point corresponds to the processing of step ST1a.

  The CPU 30 compares the digital signal input from the sensor signal processing unit 29 with a predetermined threshold value and determines whether or not the signal level is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold value (step ST2a). When the signal level is not equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold (step ST2a; NO), the CPU 30 returns to the process of step ST1a, inputs a digital signal corresponding to the next sensor 18b to be scanned from the sensor signal processing unit 29, and Repeat the process.

  On the other hand, when the signal level is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold (step ST2a; YES), the CPU 30 determines that an object such as a finger is in contact with or approaches the upper end surface of the pin 12, and each pin 12 of the pin 12 group. Based on the address defined in (2), the position coordinates of the pin 12 (the position coordinates of the two-dimensional coordinates defined in the group of pins 12) are calculated (step ST3a). In this way, the CPU 30 sequentially calculates the position coordinates of the pins 12 at which the contact or approach of the object is detected, and stores them in the RAM 31a.

In step ST4a, the CPU 30 obtains the position coordinates of the pin 12 where the contact or approach of the object is detected, specifies the locus of the object in the group of pins 12 as an input pattern, and this input pattern is obtained from the recognition pattern library. It collates with the read recognition pattern and recognizes the character represented by the input pattern from the collation result. Note that not only characters but also symbols may be recognized by registering symbol recognition patterns in the library.
The CPU 30 is preliminarily set with data indicating correspondence relationships between characters and symbols and various commands. The CPU 30 interprets the command corresponding to the recognized character based on this correspondence. The recognition pattern library is stored in, for example, the RAM 31a, the SRAM 31b, or the Flash ROM 31c.

The CPU 30 executes a command corresponding to the character recognized in step ST4a or notifies the UI unit 22 via the external interface 32 (step ST5a).
For example, the input unit is not formed in the group of pins 12 of the input interface unit 10, and when the pin 12 in which contact or approach of an object is detected is subsequently pressed, the pin 12 is recognized as an input switch, The UI unit 22 is caused to execute predetermined processing.
Further, the actuator controller 28 may be controlled to change the upper and lower position levels of the pin 12 so that the pin 12 in which contact or approach of the object is detected jumps upward by a pressed reaction, and may be used as an input button. .
Further, the CPU 30 executes a command corresponding to the recognized character so that the clock display as shown in FIG.
The CPU 30 may notify the command to the UI unit 22 via the external interface 32 and the upper CPU of the UI unit 22 may execute the command. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the recognized character can be displayed on the display unit of the UI unit 22.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the pin vertical drive actuator 20 is controlled to drive the pins 12 of the group of pins 12 to form the convex portion or the concave portion, and the driving of the light emitting element 18a is controlled. The presence or absence of an operation on the input unit based on the detection result of the position sensor 20a that detects the movement of the pin 12 in the longitudinal direction, in which the pin forming the convex part or the concave part constitutes the input part that exhibits the emission color of the light emitting element 18a. Based on the detection result of the sensor 18b that detects the contact or approach of the object to the pin 12, the pin 12 that is about to be operated by the input unit is specified. Thereby, visibility is improved by coloring the input part formed by the group of pins 12 of the input interface part 10 to a desired color, and the input operation can be performed quickly. In addition, it is possible to feed back to the operator the feeling that an input unit having a physical shape has been input and operated, thereby reducing erroneous operations. Furthermore, the sensor 18b can predict that the input operation is not actually performed but the operation is about to be performed, and an appropriate operation guide corresponding to the situation can be realized by the color display of the pin 12.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the pin 12 is cylindrical is shown as an example, but it may be a polygonal column such as a triangular column or a quadrangular column.

  10, 10A, 10B Input interface unit, 11 base, 12 pins, 13, 13a-13d operation input buttons, 14 sliders, 15 in-vehicle devices, 16a, 16b operation screens, 17a-17d buttons, 18 light emission / detection unit, 18a Light emitting element (light emitting means), 18b sensor (second detecting means), 18b-1 light emitting section, 18b-2 light receiving section, 19 struts, 20 pin vertical drive actuator (driving means), 20a position sensor (first detection) Means), 21 feel imparting section (feel imparting means), 22 UI section (external device), 23 variable input device, 24 control section (control means), 27 matrix driver, 27a VRAM, 28 actuator control section, 29 sensor signal Processing unit, 30 CPU, 31a RAM, 31b SRAM, 31c Flash ROM, 32 an external interface, 33 current driver, 35 analog multiplexer, 36 an operational amplifier, 37 AD converter.

Claims (8)

A pin group in which a plurality of pins are arranged in a plane so as to be driven in the longitudinal direction;
Drive means for driving the pins of the pin group in the longitudinal direction;
First detection means for detecting longitudinal movement generated in the pins by an operation on the pin group;
A light emitting means provided on the pin, wherein the emitted light is transmitted through the pin;
The driving means is controlled to drive the pins of the pin group to form a convex part or a concave part, and the pin that controls the driving of the light emitting means to form the convex part or the concave part is the emission color of the light emitting means. An input device comprising: a control unit configured to determine whether or not there is an operation on the input unit based on a detection result of the first detection unit.   2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control means displays the predetermined content on the pin group by causing the pin to exhibit the light emission color of the light emitting means.   The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a second detection unit that is provided on the pin and detects contact or approach of an object to the pin.   When the second detection means detects the contact or approach of the object to the pin, the control means displays the locus of the object on the pin group by causing the detected pin to exhibit the emission color of the light emission means. The input device according to claim 3.   When the pin for which the contact or approach of the object has been detected by the second detection means is a pin constituting the input unit, the control unit causes the pin to exhibit a light emission color of the light emission unit and performs predetermined operation guidance for the input unit. 5. The input device according to claim 3, wherein the input device is displayed on the pin group. It has a recognition pattern library in which character and symbol recognition patterns are registered.
The control means specifies a locus by the object whose contact or approach to the pin is detected by the second detection means as an input pattern, collates the specified input pattern with the recognition pattern, and the input pattern is The input device according to claim 3, wherein the character and the symbol to be shown are recognized. The control means
Correspondences between characters and symbols and various commands are preset,
7. When the character and the symbol indicated by the input pattern are recognized, a command corresponding to the character or the symbol is executed, or the command is notified to an external device connected to the input device on which the character is mounted. The input device described.   The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a feeling imparting unit which is provided on the pin and gives the operator a feeling of pressing the pin.

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