JP2010257077A - Operation input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation input device making only a target function operate without making an unintended function operate in the process for selection of the target function. <P>SOLUTION: An operation input device 1 substantially includes; an operation knob 11 wherein an electrically-conductive member is arranged; an operative position detection part 12 detecting an operative position of the operation knob 11 and outputting an operative position signal; an electrostatic capacity sensor 14 detecting electrostatic capacity occurring in the electrically-conductive member and outputting an electrostatic capacity signal; and a control part 15 determining the operative position of the operation knob 11 based on the operative position signal and a function of a device to be controlled assigned to the operative position, and outputting a control signal for controlling the device to be controlled based on the determined function. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation input device.

  As a conventional technique, an air conditioning controller for a vehicle that can select a plurality of air conditioning functions by rotating a dial knob is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  According to this vehicle air conditioning controller, a desired air conditioning function can be easily selected from a plurality of air conditioning functions by operating the dial knob.

JP 2008-120201 A

  However, in the conventional vehicle air conditioning controller, when the desired air conditioning function is selected from the air conditioning function currently being executed by the dial knob, once the other air conditioning function is selected, the desired air conditioning function is selected. There is a problem that there is a time during which other air conditioning functions operate.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an input operation device that can operate only a target function without operating an unintended function that is routed in the process of selecting the target function.

  One embodiment of the present invention includes an operation input unit in which a conductive member is disposed, an operation position detection unit that detects an operation position of the operation input unit and outputs an operation position signal, and electrostatic generated in the conductive member. A capacitance sensor that detects a capacitance and outputs a capacitance signal, and determines the operation position of the operation input unit and the function of the controlled device assigned to the operation position based on the operation position signal. A control unit that outputs a control signal for controlling the controlled device based on the determined function, and the control unit determines whether or not the operation input unit is touched based on the capacitance signal. An operation input device that does not output the control signal for switching the function of the controlled device when the operation is determined to be determined and the operation on the operation input unit is not completed is determined.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to operate only a target function without operating an unintended function that is routed in the process of selecting the target function.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an operation input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the interior of the vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the operation unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an operation knob according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[First embodiment]
(Configuration of operation input device)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an operation input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, an example in which the operation input device is mounted on a vehicle will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operation input device 1 includes an operation knob 11 as an operation input unit in which a conductive member is disposed, and an operation position detection unit that detects an operation position of the operation knob 11 and outputs an operation position signal. 12, a capacitance sensor 14 that detects a capacitance generated in the conductive member and outputs a capacitance signal, an operation position of the operation knob 11 based on the operation position signal, and a target assigned to the operation position. And a control unit 15 that determines a function of the control device and outputs a control signal for controlling the controlled device based on the determined function.

  The controlled device is, for example, an electronic device such as an air conditioner, a music playback device, an image display device, or a car navigation device.

(Configuration of operation unit)
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the interior of the vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 10 is schematically configured to include an operation knob 11 and an operation position detection unit 12. Moreover, the operation part 10 is provided in the center console 20 between the driver's seat and front passenger seat of the vehicle 2, for example, as shown in FIG.

  For example, the operation knob 11 is formed in a rectangular shape from an insulating resin member, and an electrode 13 formed of a conductive member is provided on a part or the whole of the inner side of the operation knob 11. The electrode 13 is made of a metal material such as copper having conductivity. The electrode 13 is connected to the capacitance sensor 14 by a harness.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the operation unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The operation position detector 12 includes, for example, a mechanical switch in which a plurality of contacts are formed based on the operation position of the operation knob 11, and outputs an operation position signal based on the operation position by the slide operation of the operation knob 11. To do. The operation position detection unit 12 is configured such that the operation knob 11 can be slid within the opening 100. The operation position detector 12 is not limited to a mechanical switch, and may include a non-contact sensor such as a magnetic sensor.

  Here, the operation positions in the present embodiment include, for example, first to fourth operation positions. By selecting each operation position with the operation knob 11, the selected first to fourth functions are covered. It is comprised so that it may be performed by the control apparatus.

(Configuration of capacitance sensor)
The capacitance sensor 14 is, for example, a sensor that detects a change in capacitance due to electrostatic coupling between an operator's finger and the electrode 13, and outputs the detected capacitance as a capacitance signal. It is configured. For example, the capacitance sensor 14 is configured such that the capacitance increases when a finger contacts or approaches the operation knob 11. The capacitance sensor 14 is not limited to the above-described example, and the capacitance sensor 14 may be configured such that the capacitance decreases by the approach or contact of a finger with the operation knob 11. In addition, a control unit may be provided to output the presence or absence of contact as a signal.

(Configuration of control unit)
The control unit 15 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like, and stores a threshold value 150 in the ROM. This threshold value 150 is a value that is compared with a capacitance based on a capacitance signal output from the capacitance sensor 14. The control unit 15 is configured to determine that the operator's finger has touched the operation knob 11 when the capacitance becomes greater than the threshold value 150 due to, for example, the approach or contact of the finger with respect to the operation knob 11. Yes. For example, when the capacitance sensor 14 is configured so that the capacitance is reduced by the approach or contact of the finger with respect to the operation knob 11, the control unit 15 is configured by the approach or contact of the finger with respect to the operation knob 11. When the capacitance is smaller than the threshold value 150, the operator's finger may be determined to have touched the operation knob 11.

  Further, the control unit 15 outputs a control signal for controlling the controlled device based on the operation position signal output from the operation unit 10 and the capacitance signal output from the capacitance sensor 14. This control signal may be output to a controlled device, for example, or may be output to a vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit) mounted on the vehicle 2 so that the controlled device is controlled by the vehicle ECU.

(Operation of the first embodiment)
Hereinafter, the operation of the operation input device according to the first embodiment will be described in detail according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 with reference to FIGS. A slide operation of the operation knob 11 from a state where the operation knob 11 is at the first operation position and the first function of the controlled device is operating will be described.

  In order to switch the function of the controlled device from the first function to the third function, the operator performs a slide operation by grasping the operation knob 11.

  At this time, the finger of the operator contacts the operation knob 11. The capacitance sensor 14 outputs the capacitance formed by the operator's fingers and the electrode 13 of the operation knob 11 to the control unit 15 as a capacitance signal.

  The control unit 15 determines that the operation knob 11 is operated when the capacitance based on the capacitance signal is larger than the threshold value 150, that is, when Yes is established in Step 1, that is, the operation Is determined not to end. The control unit 15 is operating the controlled device until the slide operation ends at the operation position intended by the operator so that the function not intended by the operator is not performed by the slide operation based on the determined result. Are maintained (S2).

  In other words, when the operator performs a slide operation from the first operation position to the third operation position, the operator always passes through the second operation position. In the past, when the second operation position is passed, assuming that the second operation position is selected, the controlled device has operated the function assigned to the second operation position. A control signal based on the operation position was output. However, since the function intended by the operator is the third function and the second function is not intended, it is desirable that the function does not operate. The operation input device 1 according to the present embodiment detects the contact of the operator's finger with the operation knob 11 by the capacitance sensor 14, and switches the function while the operator's finger is in contact, for example. Since no control signal is output to the controlled device, switching of functions not intended by the operator can be prevented.

  Next, when No is established in Step 3, that is, when the operator finishes selecting the function and releases the hand from the operation knob 11, the control unit 15 performs a function based on the operation position of the operation knob 11, that is, Then, a control signal based on the third function is output to the controlled device, and the controlled device switches the function from the first function to the third function based on the control signal (S4).

  Here, when Yes is established in step 3, that is, when the operator is holding the operation knob 11, the control unit 15 determines that the operation is continued, and proceeds to step 2.

(Effects of the first embodiment)
According to the operation input device 1 in the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the operation input device 1 can detect the contact of the operator's finger by providing the operation knob 11 with the electrode 13, it can be determined whether or not the operation on the operation knob 11 has been completed. it can.
(2) Since the operation input device 1 can determine whether or not the operation on the operation knob 11 has been completed, it is possible to prevent the function of the controlled device from being switched when the operation is not completed.
(3) Since the operation input device 1 can determine whether or not the operation with respect to the operation knob 11 has been completed, the function during operation of the controlled device is determined based on the operation position signal after the operation is completed. Switch to function.
(4) Since the operation input device 1 can determine whether or not the operation on the operation knob 11 has been completed based on whether or not the operator's finger touches the capacitance sensor 14, Compared to the case where the operation is not provided, it is possible to accurately determine the end of the operation, and it is possible to prevent the operation of the function not intended by the operator. That is, the operation input device 1 can operate only the target function without operating the unintended function that is passed in the process of selecting the target function.

[Second Embodiment]
(Configuration of operation unit)
The operation input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In addition, about the part which has the same function and structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol as 1st Embodiment is attached | subjected and detailed description shall be abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an operation knob according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the operation knob 11 has a cylindrical shape and can be rotated. In other words, the shape of the operation knob 11 and its operation method are different. Further, a mark 110 shown in FIG. 5 is provided on the upper surface of the operation knob 11, and the operator can select the first to fourth functions by indicating each function by the mark 110.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the operation input device 1 is schematically configured to include an operation knob 11 having a cylindrical shape. The operation position detection unit 12 is configured to be able to detect a rotation operation up to the first to fourth operation positions with respect to the operation knob 11.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the operation knob 11 is formed of an insulating resin member, and an electrode 13 formed of a conductive member is provided on a part or the whole of the inside. . The electrode 13 is made of a metal material such as copper having conductivity. The electrode 13 is connected to the capacitance sensor 14 by a harness.

(Operation of Second Embodiment)
The operation of the input operation device according to the second embodiment will be described below.

  In order to switch the function of the controlled device from the first function to the third function, the operator performs a rotation operation by grasping the operation knob 11.

  At this time, the finger of the operator contacts the operation knob 11. The capacitance sensor 14 outputs the capacitance formed by the operator's fingers and the electrode 13 of the operation knob 11 to the control unit 15 as a capacitance signal.

  When the electrostatic capacity based on the electrostatic capacity signal is larger than the threshold value 150, the control unit 15 determines that the operation on the operation knob 11 has not ended. The control unit 15 operates the controlled device until the slide operation ends at the operation position intended by the operator in order to prevent a function unintended by the operator from operating by the rotation operation based on the determined result. Keep the function. That is, the control unit 15 does not output a control signal for switching the function of the controlled device.

  Next, when the operator finishes selecting the function and releases his hand from the operation knob 11, the control unit 15 outputs a function based on the operation position of the operation knob 11, that is, a control signal based on the third function. Output to the controlled device, and the controlled device switches the function from the first function to the third function based on the control signal.

(Effect of the second embodiment)
According to the operation input device 1 in the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
The operation input device 1 can obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment regardless of the shape of the operation knob 11 and the operation method.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and combinations can be made without departing from or changing the technical idea of the present invention.

  For example, the operation knob 11 according to the first and second embodiments described above has a rectangular shape and a cylindrical shape. However, the operation knob 11 is not limited to this, and it is not limited to this. Any shape can be used as long as it can be manipulated.

  Further, for example, the operation position detection unit 12 according to the first and second embodiments described above detects a slide operation or a rotation operation, but is not limited to this, and a push operation, a pull operation, or A tilting operation or the like may be detected. For example, the operation input device may be such that an electrode is provided on the operation unit of the joystick.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Operation input device, 2 ... Vehicle, 10 ... Operation part, 11 ... Operation knob, 12 ... Operation position detection part, 13 ... Electrode, 14 ... Capacitance sensor, 15 ... Control part, 20 ... Center console, 100 ... Opening, 110 ... mark, 150 ... threshold

Claims (3)

An operation input unit in which a conductive member is disposed;
An operation position detection unit that detects an operation position of the operation input unit and outputs an operation position signal;
A capacitance sensor that detects a capacitance generated in the conductive member and outputs a capacitance signal;
A control signal for determining the operation position of the operation input unit based on the operation position signal and the function of the controlled device assigned to the operation position, and controlling the controlled device based on the determined function A control unit for outputting
With
The control unit determines whether or not the operation input unit is in contact based on the capacitance signal, and determines that the operation on the operation input unit has not ended when the control unit determines that the contact is present. An operation input device that does not output the control signal for switching the function of the device.   2. The operation input according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs the control signal for switching to the function based on the operation position signal when the operation on the operation input unit is finished when it is determined that there is no contact. apparatus.   The operation input device according to claim 2, wherein the operation position detection unit detects the operation position based on a slide operation, a rotation operation, a push operation, a pull operation, or a tilt operation of the operation input unit.

Images