JP2012176631A - Control apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control apparatus with which a user is enabled to easily perform a touch operation and operation input can be smoothly performed.SOLUTION: A control apparatus includes storage means 300 and device control means 200. The storage means 300 stores operation areas resulting from dividing an operable area of an operation panel of input means 100 into a plurality of areas with a projection or a recess as a criterion. The device control means 200 performs on a predetermined device 20 control corresponding to locus information obtained by locus information acquisition means 200 and a depressing operation detected by switch means 120. When it is determined on the basis of the locus information and a detection result of the operation that a user traces any operation area, first control is executed by the device control means 200 and when it is determined on the basis of the locus information and the detection result of the depressing operation that the user depresses any operation area, second control different from the first control is executed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, an input device including a contact sensor that receives a contact operation from a user is provided in the steering of a vehicle, and in-vehicle electronic devices such as a car navigation device and an audio device are controlled according to the contact operation. Technology is disclosed.

JP 2009-298285 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the user performs an eye-free contact operation without looking at the contact sensor during driving of the vehicle, but the user touches and operates the contact sensor. Because I do not know whether it was difficult to do the contact operation. In addition, as the number of functions for operation increases and the operation method becomes complicated with the increase in the number of functions of in-vehicle electronic devices, the user is troublesome when operating with an eye-free operation, and smooth operation input is desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a control device in which a user can easily perform a contact operation.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an input means formed with at least one of a raised portion or a recessed portion on an operation surface that a user contacts,
Trajectory information acquisition means for acquiring trajectory information representing a trajectory traced on the operation surface by the user;
Switch means arranged to face the input means and detecting a pressing operation of the operation surface by the user;
Storage means for storing an operation area obtained by dividing the operable area of the operation surface into a plurality of parts based on the raised portion or the recessed portion;
Device control means for executing control corresponding to the pressing operation detected by the input information acquired by the input information acquisition means and the switch means on a predetermined device,
When it is determined that the user has traced the operation area based on the trajectory information and the detection result of the pressing operation, the device control means executes the first control as the control, and the trajectory information and the pressing operation When it is determined that the user has pressed down the operation area based on the detection result, a second control different from the first control is executed as the control.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an input means formed with at least one of a raised portion or a recessed portion on an operation surface that a user contacts,
Trajectory information acquisition means for acquiring trajectory information representing a trajectory traced on the operation surface by the user;
Storage means for storing an operation area obtained by dividing the operable area of the operation surface into a plurality of parts based on the raised portion or the recessed portion;
Device control means for executing control based on the trajectory information acquired by the trajectory information acquisition means for a predetermined device,
The storage means stores a condition that varies depending on the operation area as an execution condition of the control,
The control device means performs the control when it is determined that the trajectory represented by the trajectory information satisfies the condition.

  According to the control device of the present invention, a user can easily perform a contact operation, and smooth operation input is possible.

1 is a configuration diagram of a system including an input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a general-view figure near the driver's seat in the vehicle carrying an input device. (A) is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of an input device, (b) is a perspective view after assembling each part shown to this figure (a). (A) is a top view of a contact sensor, (b) is AA sectional drawing of the surface cover in the contact sensor in this figure (a), a sensor sheet | seat, and a spacer. It is a figure explaining the 1st sensor row and the 2nd sensor row which a sensor sheet has. It is a top view of a contact sensor. It is a figure which shows the list of operation area | region, execution conditions, and corresponding | compatible action data. It is a flowchart of the vehicle-mounted electronic device control process which the control apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment performs. (A) And (b) is a figure for demonstrating an example of a gesture feature-value. It is the figure which showed an example of operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted electronic device performed according to gesture operation in a protruding part, and correspondingly. It is the figure which showed an example of operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted electronic device performed by pressing operation in a protruding part, and according to it. It is the figure which showed an example of operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted electronic device performed according to gesture operation and pressing operation in a hollow part according to it.

  An input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1. 1st Embodiment The input device which concerns on 1st Embodiment is the input device 100 mounted in the vehicle 1 shown in FIG. When a user (usually a driver) of the vehicle 1 operates the input device 100, the control device 1000 causes the in-vehicle electronic device 20 to perform various operations according to the operation.

(Configuration of vehicle 1)
As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 1 includes a steering 10 and an in-vehicle electronic device 20.

  The steering 10 is a part of the steering device of the vehicle 1, and includes a main body 11 and a steering wheel 12.

  The main body 11 is a spoke connected to a steering shaft (not shown) of the vehicle 1 and includes an input device 100 on the right side. The main body 11 is formed with a mounting hole (not shown) that matches the shape of the input device 100. By attaching the input device 100 to the attachment hole, only an operation surface (described later) of the input device 100 is exposed.

  The steering wheel 12 is a ring-shaped member attached to the main body 11 and gripped when the driver steers the vehicle 1.

  The in-vehicle electronic device 20 is an audio device, a car navigation device, etc. In addition to the electronic device fitted in the instrument panel of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle electronic device 20 is detachable in the vehicle by a cradle placed on a dashboard or the like. And an electronic device that is simply brought into the vehicle and operated in the vehicle, and includes a high-function mobile phone called a smartphone. The in-vehicle electronic device 20 is electrically connected to a control unit 200 described later, and operates according to a control signal received from the control unit 200. The in-vehicle electronic device 20 displays an image corresponding to the operation on the display unit 21.

(Configuration of control device 1000)
The control device 1000 includes an input device (input unit) 100, a control unit (trajectory information acquisition unit and device control unit) 200, and a storage unit 300.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the input device 100 includes a contact sensor 110 and a switch device 120.

  When the user performs an operation of touching the operation surface with a thumb or the like or a tracing operation so as to draw a predetermined locus (hereinafter referred to as a gesture operation), the contact sensor 110 controls the control unit 200 described later. Originally, it is a touch pad device that detects a position where a thumb or the like touches the operation surface, and includes a front cover 111, a sensor sheet 112, a spacer 113, a backlight 114, a lower case 115, an upper case 116, Is provided.

  The front cover 111 is formed in a sheet shape from a light-transmissive insulating material such as acrylic resin, and has an operation surface that is touched by a user's finger or the like when a touch operation or a gesture operation is performed. As shown in FIG. 4B, the operation surface of the front cover 111 has irregularities, and a step is formed on this operation surface. Such an operation surface includes a flat surface portion 111a, a ring-shaped raised portion 111b, a hollow portion 111c, a bar-shaped raised portion 111d, and rectangular-shaped raised portions 111e to 111g.

  The flat portion 111 a is a flat portion of the surface cover 111.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the ring-shaped protruding portion 111b is a portion that protrudes in a ring shape so as to rise from the flat surface portion 111a in the front side direction. From the front side, as shown in FIG. 4A, it can be seen that the ring-shaped raised portion 111b is formed so as to surround the circular recess 111c. The “front side” refers to the user side with respect to the input device 100 as indicated by the double-ended arrows in FIG. 3A, and the “back side” refers to the opposite side. Further, the ring-shaped raised portion 111b is provided with a plurality of projections 111h (four in this embodiment) that protrude from the raised portion 111b in the front direction at a predetermined interval. It can be seen that the ring-shaped raised portion 111b is regularly stepped and is divided into four equal parts by the convex portion 111h.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the recess 111 c is located at the approximate center of the operation surface, and the flat portion 111.
It is a portion that is recessed in a circular shape so as to sink in the back side direction from a, and is formed inside the ring-shaped raised portion 111b as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the bar-like raised portion 111d is a portion that is located on the upper side of the operation surface and is raised in a bar shape so as to rise in the front direction from the plane portion 111a, and from the ring-like raised portion 111b. Is also formed on the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the rectangular raised portions 111e to 111g are portions that are located on the lower side of the operation surface and are raised in a substantially rectangular shape so as to rise in the front direction from the flat surface portion 111a. It is formed outside the raised portion 111b.

  The flat surface portion 111a, the ring-shaped raised portion 111b, the recessed portion 111c, the bar-shaped raised portion 111d, and the rectangular raised portions 111e to 111g are shown in FIG. 4B so as not to hinder the user's touch operation and gesture operation. As shown, the cross-sectional shapes are smoothly connected to each other.

  The sensor sheet 112 is a projected capacitance type sensor sheet having a plurality of sensors 1120 (detection electrodes) for detecting the position of a detection object such as a finger, and is located on the back side of the front cover 111. The sensor 1120 is made of a translucent material, and the sensor sheet 112 is light-transmitting.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the sensor sheet 112 has a layer having a first sensor array 112a for detecting the position of the detected object in the X direction and a first position for detecting the position of the detected object in the Y direction. A layer having two sensor rows 112b is roughly configured to overlap. By combining the first sensor row 112a and the second sensor row 112b, the sensor 1120 is arranged in a matrix on the sensor sheet 112 as a result. The first sensor row 112a and the second sensor row 112b are each electrically connected to a control unit 200 described later.

  When a detection object such as a finger touches the front cover 111, the capacitance between the sensor 1120 located on the back side and the detection object changes. Since the control part 200 and each sensor 1120 are electrically connected, the control part 200 can detect the change of the electrostatic capacitance in each sensor. The control unit 200 calculates an input coordinate value (X, Y) indicating the contact position of the detection target based on the change in capacitance. The input coordinate value is a coordinate value in the XY coordinate system of each sensor 1120 set in advance on the operation surface. The input coordinate values are the X coordinate assigned to the center of gravity position of the distribution of changes in capacitance in the X direction (for example, the position of the sensor 1120 where the capacitance is higher than a certain threshold value and the largest), and the Y direction. And the Y coordinate assigned to the position of the center of gravity of the distribution of the change in the electrostatic capacity (for example, the position of the sensor 1120 where the electrostatic capacity is higher than a certain threshold value and the largest). The control unit 200 calculates the input coordinate value (X, Y) by calculating the X coordinate and the Y coordinate.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the sensor sheet 112 is integrally formed with the surface cover 111 by drawing, so that the sensor sheet 112 is processed into the same shape as the surface cover 111 (see FIG. 4B). By being integrally molded in this way, the surface cover 111 and the sensor sheet 112 become like a single sheet, and the operation surface has a ring-shaped raised portion 111b, a recessed portion 111c, a bar-shaped raised portion 111d, a rectangular shape The step shapes such as the raised portions 111e to 111g are formed by bent portions of the single sheet. In addition, the back surface of the front cover 111 and the front surface of the sensor sheet 112 come into contact with each other by being integrally molded in this way. Thereby, the sensor 1120 is arranged corresponding to the step shape of the front cover 111. Since the sensor 1120 is arranged in this way, even when the gesture operation is performed on the operation surface having a stepped shape such as the ring-shaped raised portion 111b, the control unit 200 determines the capacitance of each sensor. Change can be detected.

  The spacer 113 is located on the back side of the sensor sheet 112, and is formed according to the shape of the integrally formed surface cover 111 and sensor sheet 112 as shown in FIG. 4B. It is a member that holds these shapes when pressure is applied from the front side.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the backlight 114 is an illuminating unit that illuminates the operation surface of the input device 100, is located on the back side of the spacer 113, passes through the spacer 113, the sensor sheet 112, and the front cover 111 and operates on the operation surface. Shine. Although detailed illustration of the backlight 114 is omitted, for example, a diffusion sheet, a light guide plate, and a reflection sheet are overlapped from the front surface side, and a light source such as an LED is disposed on the side surface side of the reflection sheet. It is stored on the front side of the middle case.

  The lower case 114 is a box-shaped member formed of synthetic resin or the like, and houses the above-described portions 111 to 113 on the front side.

  The upper case 115 is a lid portion that covers the lower case 114 that houses the above-described portions 111 to 113 from the front side, and has an opening that exposes the operation surface of the front cover 111 and is made of synthetic resin or the like.

  The switch device 120 is located on the back side of the contact sensor 110 and is electrically connected to the control unit 200. When the user performs an operation of pressing the operation surface of the input device 100 (hereinafter referred to as a pressing operation), the switch device 120 is pressed and transmits a predetermined input signal to the control unit 200. As will be described later, the pressing operation is performed when a control different from the control by the gesture operation on the operation surface of the input device 100 is executed.

  Here, the input device 100 is attached to the main body 11 of the steering 10 by, for example, the upper case 115 of the contact sensor 110 being welded to the main body 11 with a soft resin. By being attached in this way, when the user presses the operation surface, the contact sensor 110 sinks and the switch device 120 is pressed.

The input device 100 is configured by the above-described units. An overview after the input device 100 is assembled is shown in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the control unit 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and executes an operation program stored in the storage unit 300 to perform various processes and controls. At least a part of the control unit 200 may be configured by various dedicated circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

  The storage unit 300 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, and the like, and includes a work area of a CPU that configures the control unit 200, a program area that stores an operation program executed by the CPU, and data It functions as an area.

  The program area stores an operation program such as a program for executing vehicle-mounted electronic device control processing described later.

  In the data area, as shown in the figure, an operation region R, execution conditions D, corresponding operation data C, and the like are stored in advance.

  The operation area R is an area that is set by virtually dividing the operation surface of the input device 100. As a feature of the present embodiment, the operation area of the operation surface (area where contact is possible) This is an area divided into a plurality of parts with reference to a part. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the operation region R includes operation regions R1 to R4 indicating regions obtained by dividing the link-like raised portion 111b into four portions by the convex portions 111h, and an operation region R5 indicating the recess 111c. , An operation region R6 showing a bar-like raised portion 111d, and operation regions R7 to R9 showing rectangular raised portions 111e to 111g, respectively.

  The execution condition D is data serving as a trigger for transmitting a control signal to the in-vehicle electronic device 200 in each of the operation regions R1 to R9, that is, for controlling the in-vehicle electronic device 200. There are a plurality of execution conditions D, and different conditions are associated with each operation region R1 to R9. In the present embodiment, the execution condition D includes a condition as to whether or not it is a specific locus, a condition as to whether or not a predetermined operation region R has been touched, and a condition as to whether or not a pressing operation has been detected. A plurality of execution conditions D can be set for each of the operation areas R1 to R9. In this embodiment, whether or not the operation areas R1 to R4 are a specific locus and a pressing operation are detected. Whether or not the operation region R5 is in contact with the operation region R5, and whether or not a pressing operation is detected is determined for the operation regions R6 to R9. Each condition of whether or not is detected is stored in the data area. The “specific trajectory” is, for example, an arc-shaped trajectory along the ring-shaped raised portion 111b.

The corresponding operation data C is data of a control signal that causes the in-vehicle electronic device 20 to execute a predetermined operation. There are a plurality of corresponding operation data C, each of which is associated with the operation region R and the execution condition D. That is, the control device 1000 can execute a plurality of different controls on the in-vehicle electronic device 20 depending on the combination of the position of the operation surface with which the user contacts and the pattern of the gesture operation.
For example, the operation region R3 indicating the left portion of the ring-shaped ridge 111b has a condition as to whether or not it is a specific trajectory corresponding to the execution condition D (here, an arc-shaped trajectory along the ring-shaped ridge 111b). The command data for transmitting the control signal for causing the in-vehicle electronic device 20 to execute the volume control as the corresponding operation data C associated with the corresponding operation data C is associated with the condition whether or not the pressing operation corresponding to the execution condition D is detected. Command data for transmitting a control signal for executing the function of the left cursor key is stored in advance in the data area as the corresponding action data C.
Further, the operation area R5 indicating the depression 111c is displayed on the display screen of the electronic device 20 as the corresponding operation data C associated with the condition whether or not the operation area R5 that is the corresponding execution condition D is touched. The command data for transmitting the control signal for moving the cursor according to the trajectory is the corresponding action data associated with the condition indicating whether or not the pressing operation as the corresponding execution condition D has been detected. Control signals for confirming selection are stored in advance in the data area.
In addition, the corresponding action data C associated with each of the operation areas R1 to R9 and the execution condition D is as shown in FIG. 7, for example.

  Each data stored in the storage unit 300 is appropriately stored as a default value or by a user's own operation using a known data registration method.

(Operation)
The control device 1000 having the above configuration controls various operations of the in-vehicle electronic device 20 according to a touch operation or a gesture operation performed on the operation surface of the contact sensor 110. A vehicle-mounted electronic device control process for realizing such control will be described.

[Vehicle electronics control processing]
The process according to the flowchart of FIG. 8 is executed by the control unit 200. This process is started on condition that the in-vehicle electronic device 20 is activated, for example.

  When starting the process, the control unit 200 determines whether an operation input is being performed in the contact sensor 110 (step S101). Whether or not an operation is being input is determined by whether or not there is a sensor 1120 whose capacitance is higher than the certain threshold in the X and Y directions. When such a sensor 1120 is in the X direction and the Y direction, there is a high possibility that the detection target is touching the operation surface, and thus there is a high possibility that an operation input is being performed. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 200 determines that an operation input is accepted (step S101; Yes), and performs the process of step S102. In other cases, the control unit 200 determines that no operation input has been received (step S101; No), and performs the process of step S101. In this way, the control unit 200 stands by until an operation input is performed. The control unit 200 measures time using a timer (not shown) or the like, but if time measurement has already been performed and it is determined No in step S101, the time measurement is terminated. In addition, when it is determined Yes in step S101, the control unit 200 continues timing when the timing has already been performed, but starts counting when the timing has not been performed. In this way, the control unit 200 continuously counts time from the first contact until the contact is released.

  In step S102, the control unit 200 calculates an input coordinate value (X, Y) (see above), and proceeds to step S103. The control unit 200 records the calculated input coordinate values in the storage unit 300 in chronological order. The input coordinate value is recorded until a predetermined period elapses after the time measurement is completed or recorded along the time series. As a result, a plurality of input coordinate values calculated between the present time and a timing that is a predetermined time back from the present time are recorded.

  In step S103, the control unit 200 determines which of the operation areas R1 to R9 among the operation areas R is operated based on the input coordinate value (X, Y), and proceeds to step S104. Here, after determining the operation region R for the first time after the start of timing, even if a new input coordinate value (X, Y) is calculated, no change is made, and reset when the timing ends in step S101. To do.

  In step S104, the control unit 200 calculates various gesture feature amounts, and proceeds to step S105.

Here, the gesture feature amount is an amount indicating the feature of the trajectory drawn by the currently performed gesture operation. The gesture feature amount is an amount calculated based on the time measurement, the input coordinate value (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) calculated first after the start of time measurement, and the currently calculated input coordinate value (X, Y). The input coordinate value (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) calculated first after the start of time measurement represents the initial position when the operation input is started.

The gesture feature amount includes the currently calculated input coordinate value (X, Y), the distance (Lx) between the coordinates in the X direction from the input coordinate value (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) to the input coordinate value (X, Y), and The distance between coordinates in the Y direction (Ly), the direction (d), and the movement time (t) (see FIG. 9A). Lx is XX ₀ , Ly is YY ₀ , d is an amount calculated from Lx and Ly, and t is a time interval from the start of timing. By the combination of these gesture feature amounts, the control unit 200 can acquire trajectory information representing a trajectory traced by the user on the operation surface of the input device.

The gesture feature amount is not limited to the above pattern because it may be an amount obtained by extracting the feature of the trajectory drawn by the gesture operation. What kind of amount is selected as the gesture feature amount and how the selected amount is combined are appropriately determined in view of the nature of the gesture operation to be recognized. If it is desired to recognize the gesture operation in the rotation direction, the rotation direction (θ) or the rotation angle may be calculated as the gesture feature amount (see FIG. 9B), or the inter-coordinate distance (L = {(Lx ) ² + (Ly) ² } ^1/2 ) and speed (V = L / t) may be calculated.

  If two input coordinate values are not stored in step S102, the gesture feature amount is not calculated. In this case, the process proceeds to step S105. In step S104, the calculated gesture feature amount is stored until the time measurement is completed.

  In step S <b> 105, the control unit 200 detects whether or not the user has pressed the operation surface of the input device 100 based on the presence or absence of an input signal from the switch operation 120.

In step S106, the control unit 200 performs the operation input by the user determined in step S103 based on the gesture feature value (trajectory information) calculated and stored in step S104 and the detection result of the pressing operation in step S105. It is determined whether or not the execution condition D corresponding to the region R is satisfied. Here, a method of determining whether or not the operation input by the user satisfies the execution condition D is appropriately determined for each condition of the execution condition D.
For example, if the execution condition D is a condition as to whether or not the trajectory by the user's gesture operation is an arc-shaped trajectory (specific trajectory) along the ring-shaped ridge 111b, a plurality of gesture feature quantities are included. It is determined whether or not the execution condition D is satisfied depending on whether or not the length of the trajectory in which the input coordinate values are connected in a straight line in time series and the rotation direction and rotation angle with respect to the center of the operation surface reach a predetermined set value. can do. When it is determined that the operation input by the user satisfies the execution condition D (step S106; Yes), the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, when it is determined that the execution condition D is not satisfied (step S106; No), the process returns to step S101.

  In step S107, the control unit 200 reads out the corresponding operation data R corresponding to the operation region R determined in step S103 and the execution condition D determined to be satisfied in step S106 from the storage unit 300, and based on the corresponding operation data C. A control signal is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted electronic device 20, and the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S108, the control unit 200 transmits a light emission control signal for causing the backlight 114 to emit light to the backlight 114, and returns to step S101. By causing the backlight 114 to emit light after transmitting the control signal, the user can recognize that the operation input has been correctly received.

  The above is the procedure of the in-vehicle electronic device control process. Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, an example of the gesture operation and the pressing operation in the present embodiment and the operation executed by the in-vehicle electronic device 20 in accordance with the gesture operation and the pressing operation will be described.

(Example of operation input at the ridge)
<Gesture operation OP10 at the raised part>
When operating power is supplied with the ignition turned on, the in-vehicle electronic device 20 displays an initial screen 21 a shown in FIG. 10 on the display unit 21. When the user performs a gesture operation OP10 in which the ring-shaped protruding portion 111b is traced clockwise starting from the left side portion of the ring-shaped protruding portion 111b on the operation surface in the state of the initial screen 21a, the control unit 200 executes the execution condition D. Is determined to be the operation region R3 corresponding to the starting point of OP10, and a determination is made that satisfies the condition that the trajectory by OP10 is a specific trajectory that is the execution condition D of the operation region R3. Corresponding operation data C for executing volume control associated with the region R3 and the execution condition D is read, and a control signal is transmitted. The in-vehicle electronic device 20 that has received the control signal switches the initial screen 21a to the volume operation screen 21b and changes the audio volume according to OP10. Thus, the user can change the audio volume of the in-vehicle electronic device 20 by performing OP10. In the operation of OP10, since the user traces the left side portion, the upper side portion, the right side portion, and the lower side portion of the ring-shaped raised portion 111b in order, the operation region R is continuously connected to the operation regions R3, R4, R1, and R2. However, as described in the description of step S103, the operation region R3 including the start point of OP10 is determined as the operation region R for determining the execution condition D, and thereafter, the operation region R is not changed during OP10. The sound volume control that is the operation process corresponding to the operation region R3 can be continuously executed.

<Pressing operation OP20 at the raised portion>
As shown in FIG. 11, in the state of the initial screen 21a, the user presses down the left side portion of the ring-shaped raised portion 111b on the operation surface (operation corresponding to “AUDIO” in the initial screen 21a). Then, the control unit 200 determines the operation region R for determining the execution condition D as the operation region R3 corresponding to the start point of OP20, and a pressing operation in which OP20 is the execution condition D of the operation region R3 is detected. The corresponding condition data C for executing the function of the right cursor key associated with the operation region R3 and the execution condition D is read and a control signal is transmitted. The in-vehicle electronic device 20 that has received the control signal switches the initial screen 21a to the audio operation screen 21c as a function of the right cursor key on the initial screen 21a. Thus, even when the same operation region R3 is operated, the control unit 200 executes the first control (volume control) when it is determined that the user has traced the operation region R3. When it is determined that the operation area R3 has been pressed, second control (execution control of the function of the right cursor key) different from the first control can be executed.

<Gesture operation OP30, depression operation OP40 in a hollow part>
As illustrated in FIG. 12, when the user performs a gesture operation OP30 that traces the inside of the depression 111c of the operation surface of the input device 100 in the state of the audio operation screen 21c, the control unit 200 performs an operation for determining the execution condition D. The region R is determined as the operation region R5 corresponding to the starting point of OP30, and the operation region R5 and the execution condition D are determined by determining that the OP30 satisfies the condition of contact with the operation region R, which is the execution condition D of the operation region R5. The corresponding operation data C for executing the movement of the pointer cursor PC associated with is read and a control signal is transmitted. The in-vehicle electronic device 20 that has received the control signal moves the position of the pointer cursor PC on the audio operation screen 21c according to the path of OP30. In FIG. 12, the pointer cursor PC moves from the center to a position corresponding to “Source” on the upper right. After that, when the user performs a pressing operation OP40 that pushes down the depression 111c, the control unit 200 determines that the operation region R for determining the execution condition D is the operation region R5, and OP40 executes the execution condition D of the operation region R. Is determined to satisfy the condition that the pressing operation is detected, the corresponding operation data C for confirming the selection by the pointer cursor PC associated with the operation region R5 and the execution condition D is read, and the control signal is transmitted. . The in-vehicle electronic device 20 that has received the control signal confirms the selection of “Source” by the pointer cursor PC, and switches the audio operation screen 21c to the sound source selection screen 21d.

  In the example given above, the operation area R and the execution condition D corresponding to each of the operations OP10 to 40 are stored in the data area of the storage unit 300, and the corresponding operation data C is associated with each of these combination patterns. This is realized by executing the above-described in-vehicle electronic device control process on the condition that The type of the corresponding action data C that is associated with each pattern is appropriately determined in view of the priority, the operation region R, and the characteristics of the execution condition D.

  In the control apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, the user can accurately perform an intended operation while feeling a step shape such as the ring-shaped raised portion 111b and the recessed portion 111c provided on the operation surface of the input device 100 with his / her fingertip. It can be performed. In addition, the control unit 200 recognizes a gesture operation performed on the basis of the stepped shape such as the ring-shaped raised portion 111b by the in-vehicle electronic device control process, and performs the operation of the in-vehicle electronic device 20 according to the recognized gesture operation. Control. That is, according to the control device 1000 according to the present embodiment, the user can easily perform a gesture contact. Moreover, even when the user performs an operation (eyes-free operation) without looking at the operation surface of the input device 100 while the vehicle 1 is traveling due to the step shape such as the ring raised portion 111b on the operation surface. Easy to operate gestures.

  In addition, a ring-shaped raised portion 111b is formed on the operation surface of the input device 100 according to the present embodiment. As a result, even when the vehicle 1 is running, smooth operation input can be performed in accordance with the arc-shaped movement that is assumed when the user moves the thumb around the base of the thumb while holding the steering wheel 12. It is.

  Further, since the depression 111c is formed on the operation surface, the finger fits well when the user performs a gesture operation on the operation surface.

  In the control apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, when it is determined that the user has traced the operation areas R1 to R5 based on the trajectory information including the gesture feature amount and the detection result of the pressing operation, the first control is executed, When it is determined that the user has pressed down the operation areas R1 to R5 based on the information and the detection result of the pressing operation, the second control different from the first control is executed. That is, according to the control device 1000 according to the present embodiment, even when the vehicle-mounted electronic device 20 that is multifunctional is controlled by assigning different functions to the same operation regions R1 to R5 for each operation method. The number of divisions of the operation area R can be reduced, and by reducing the choices of the operation area R, the time until the user selects the operation area R and reaches the operation input can be reduced, and smooth operation input can be achieved. Is possible. Further, the operation region R is divided on the basis of the ring-shaped raised portion 111b and the recessed portion 111c, and the switch device 120 that can be recognized by tactile sensation is provided on the back surface of the contact sensor 100, so that it is difficult to recognize with a touch sensor only with a flat surface. Recognition of the operation region R or operation input by tactile sense can be provided, and smooth operation input is possible. In the control apparatus 1000, when it is determined that the user has traced the operation areas R1 to R5 based on the trajectory information and the detection result of the pressing operation, the first control and the second control Different third control may be executed, the number of divisions of the operation area R can be further reduced, and the user selects the operation area R by reducing the choices of the operation area R, leading to an operation input. Time can be reduced, and smooth operation input is possible.

  In the control device 1000 according to the present embodiment, the operation regions R1 to R4 and the operation region R5 stored by dividing the operation surface of the input device 100 have different conditions as the control execution condition D based on the trajectory information. The control unit 200 executes the control when it is determined that the trajectory tracing the operation regions R1 to R5 represented by the trajectory information satisfies these conditions. That is, according to the control apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the operation area R can be distributed according to the operation method, a predetermined function can be obtained even when controlling the multifunctional vehicle-mounted electronic device 20. Without complicating the operation method for operating the device, it is possible to reduce the time until the user grasps the operation method and reaches the operation input, and smooth operation input is possible. Specifically, as the characteristics of the operation based on the trajectory of the touch sensor, a one-dimensional operation for drawing a straight line or a curve in a specific direction as a trajectory, a two-dimensional operation for freely drawing a trajectory on the operation surface, There is. Therefore, in the control device 1000 according to the present embodiment, in the operation regions R1 to R4, as the execution condition D, a condition as to whether or not the trajectory is a trajectory along the ring-shaped ridge 111b is set, so that one-dimensional. The operation area R for performing various operations, and the operation area R5 for performing the two-dimensional operation by setting a condition as to whether or not the operation area R5 is touched in the operation area R5. Therefore, even when trying to operate various functions, the user does not hesitate about the operation region R to be operated, and smooth operation input is possible. In the control apparatus 1000, the operation areas R6 to R9 are operated in a zero-dimensional manner (no contact points only), and a high-priority function is assigned to these operations. It is possible to further improve the performance. Further, the control device 200 can further perform a zero-dimensional operation even in the operation regions R1 to R5 in which a one-dimensional operation or a two-dimensional operation is performed by providing the switch device 120. In addition, it is preferable to arrange the operation area R to which a high-priority function is assigned among the operation areas R1 to R9 near the center of the operation surface because the convenience of the operation is further improved. In addition, a depression portion for performing a one-dimensional operation is provided on the operation surface, and whether or not the locus by the user operation is a locus along the depression portion as the execution condition D of the operation region R corresponding to the depression portion. Such a condition may be set.

  In addition, when it is determined that the user continuously traces the plurality of operation areas R based on the trajectory information and the detection result of the pressing operation, the control unit 200 performs control according to the operation area R including the start point of the trajectory (operation processing). ) Is executed continuously. That is, according to the control apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, if the desired operation areas R1 to R5 are first touched, the control content to be executed by the gesture operation can be determined. It is not necessary to increase the area of R1 to R5, and other types of functions can be executed by gesture operation even on a small operation surface.

  Further, on the operation surface of the input device 100, a step due to the convex portion 111h is regularly formed on the ring-shaped raised portion 111b. Thereby, it is possible to make the user recognize by touch the amount (length) that is being operated during a gesture operation that traces the ring-shaped raised portion 111b. In addition to the formation of a step by the convex portion 111h, a step may be formed by regularly forming a recess, and a portion having a different tactile sensation is regularly formed by forming a portion having a different surface processing regularly. Even if it is formed, the same effect can be obtained.

  Further, in the control device 1000 according to the present embodiment, at least a part of the operation surface of the input device 100 is light transmissive, the backlight 114 is provided on the back side of the operation surface, and the control unit 200 is a vehicle-mounted electronic device. The backlight 114 is caused to emit light in accordance with the transmission result of the control signal for executing the control 20. According to this, it is possible to make the user recognize by light that the user's operation has been recognized by the in-vehicle electronic device 20, and it is not necessary to stare at the input device 100 at the time of confirming the operation input. The convenience of operation can be improved. Note that a plurality of light sources having different emission colors may be provided as the light source of the backlight 114, and these may be appropriately combined to emit light with different color patterns. For example, if the configuration includes light sources of three colors of RGB, light is emitted in red when a control signal transmission error or operation input error occurs, and blue when the control signal is normally transmitted to the in-vehicle electronic device 20. The light can be emitted, and the user can be notified of the normal time and the abnormal time separately. It is also possible to notify the importance of the error by the blinking speed and the number of times. Also, if the light is slowly emitted and then extinguished, the operation input acceptance status can be reliably notified without causing the user to feel a sense of crisis even during driving. In addition, by combining the three colors of RBG, it is possible to change the emission color for each operation content or to set the emission color by the user himself. More detailed information is notified to the user for the convenience of operation. Further improvement can be achieved. In addition, a transparent design or a non-transparent design is partially formed on the display surface, or a plurality of light guide plates each having a transmission part formed on different parts are overlapped to guide different emission colors toward the operation surface. With the configuration, it is possible to emit light in different colors for each step shape on the operation surface.

2. Modifications The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. Examples of modifications are shown below.

  The step shape of the operation surface of the input device 100 is not limited to the shape according to the above embodiment. The shape, number, or arrangement of the raised portions and the recessed portions can be freely set.

  Moreover, although the input device 100 showed the example which is not provided with the control part 200 and the memory | storage part 300 above, it is not restricted to this. The input device 100 may include the control unit 200. Further, the input device 100 may include the control unit 200 and the storage unit 300.

  The control unit 200 and the storage unit 300 are not provided in the control device 1000 as well as the input device 100, but are shared with a control system of the in-vehicle electronic device 20 or a circuit of an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle 1. In-vehicle electronic device control processing may be performed by being integrated.

  In the above embodiment, the sensor sheet 112 has a configuration in which the sensor 1120 that is a detection electrode is formed on the entire surface. However, the sensor sheet 112 may have a configuration in which no electrode pattern is formed in a portion that does not correspond to the operation region R on the operation surface. Good. According to this, it is possible to contribute to a reduction in power consumption by forming a necessary minimum electrode pattern. In the present embodiment, the electrode pattern is provided only on the ring-shaped raised portions 111b, the recessed portions 111c, the bar-shaped raised portions 111d, the rectangular raised portions 111e to 111g, and the portions facing the vicinity thereof corresponding to the operation regions R1 to R9. The power consumption can be reduced if the electrode pattern is not formed at the portion that is formed and faces the flat portion 111a that does not correspond to the operation region R. In addition, the sensor sheet 112 is a projected capacitance type, but is not limited thereto. The surface capacitance method may be used, or a method other than a capacitance method such as a resistance film method may be used. Even in this case, the sensor sheet 112 may be integrally formed with the front cover 111 (operation surface).

  Further, in the above embodiment, only one input device 100 is provided in the steering 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of input devices 100 may be arranged on the steering 10. For example, even if a total of two input devices 100 are arranged on the steering wheel 10 by providing another input device 100 at a position where the user can operate the main body 11 of the steering wheel 10 with the left thumb while holding the steering wheel 10. Good. Further, two input devices 100 are further provided on the back surface of the two input devices 100 provided in this way (the back side of the main body 11) so that they can be operated with the index fingers of both hands, and the steering device 10 has a total of four input devices. 100 may be arranged.

  Moreover, in the above embodiment, although the input device 100 was arrange | positioned at the main-body part 11 of the steering 10, it is not restricted to this. The input device 100 may be arranged in any position as long as the user can easily operate the vehicle 1 while driving the vehicle 1. For example, the input device 100 may be disposed on the steering wheel 12, or may be disposed near a shift lever (not shown) or a power window switch.

  In the above embodiment, an example of a vehicle on which the input device 100 is mounted is a vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be mounted on a ship, an aircraft, or the like.

  Moreover, although the program executed in order to implement | achieve this invention was demonstrated as what is beforehand memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 300, such an operation program and various data are with respect to the computer contained in the control apparatus 1000. It may be distributed and provided by a removable recording medium. Furthermore, the operation program and various data may be distributed by downloading from another device connected via a telecommunication network or the like.

  The execution form of each process is not only executed by attaching a removable recording medium, but also temporarily stores the operation program and various data downloaded via a telecommunication network or the like in a built-in storage device. Or may be directly executed using hardware resources on the other device side connected via a telecommunication network or the like. Furthermore, each process may be executed by exchanging various data with other devices via a telecommunication network or the like.

  It should be noted that modifications (including deletion of components) can be added to the embodiments and the drawings as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle 10 ... Steering 11 ... Main-body part 12 ... Steering wheel

1000 ... Control device 100 ... Input device 110 ... Contact sensor
111 ... Surface cover
111a ... Plane portion, 111b ... Ring-like ridge, 111c ... Depression, 111d ... Bar-like ridge, 111e-111g ... Rectangular ridge
112 ... Sensor sheet
112a ... first sensor array
112b ... second sensor array
1120 Sensor
113 ... Spacer
114 ... Backlight
115 ... Lower case
116 ... Upper case 120 ... Switch device 200 ... Control unit 300 ... Storage unit R ... Operation area, D ... Execution condition, C ... Corresponding operation data

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Car-mounted electronic device 21 ... Display part 21a ... Initial screen, 21b ... Volume operation screen, 21c ... Audio operation screen 21d ... Sound source selection screen

OP10: Gesture operation along the raised portion OP20: Press operation at the raised portion OP30: Gesture operation at the depressed portion OP40: Press operation at the depressed portion

Claims (9)

An input means formed by forming at least one of a raised portion or a recessed portion on the operation surface that the user contacts;
Trajectory information acquisition means for acquiring trajectory information representing a trajectory traced on the operation surface by the user;
Switch means arranged to face the input means and detecting a pressing operation of the operation surface by the user;
Storage means for storing an operation area obtained by dividing the operable area of the operation surface into a plurality of parts based on the raised portion or the recessed portion;
Apparatus control means for executing control corresponding to the pressing operation detected by the trajectory information acquired by the trajectory information acquisition means and the switch means on a predetermined device,
When it is determined that the user has traced the operation area based on the trajectory information and the detection result of the pressing operation, the device control means executes the first control as the control, and the trajectory information and the pressing operation When it is determined that the user has pressed down the operation area based on the detection result of the control, a second control different from the first control is executed as the control. When it is determined that the user has traced the operation area while being pressed based on the trajectory information and the detection result of the pressing operation, the device control means performs the first control and the second control as the control. The control device according to claim 1, wherein a third control different from the control is executed. The storage means stores different operation processes set for the operation areas as the first control,
The apparatus control means includes the operation region including a start point of the locus when it is determined that the user continuously traces a plurality of operation regions of the operation region based on the locus information and the detection result of the pressing operation. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation process according to the operation is continuously performed. An input means formed by forming at least one of a raised portion or a recessed portion on the operation surface that the user contacts;
Trajectory information acquisition means for acquiring trajectory information representing a trajectory traced on the operation surface by the user;
Storage means for storing an operation area obtained by dividing the operable area of the operation surface into a plurality of parts based on the raised portion or the recessed portion;
Device control means for executing control based on the trajectory information acquired by the trajectory information acquisition means for a predetermined device,
The storage means stores a condition that varies depending on the operation area as an execution condition of the control,
The control device is configured to execute the control when it is determined that the trajectory represented by the trajectory information satisfies the condition. The condition is a condition as to whether or not the trajectory is a trajectory along the raised portion or the recessed portion, or a condition as to whether or not a predetermined operation area is touched in the operation area. The control device according to claim 4. The storage means stores different operation processes set for the operation areas as the control,
When it is determined that the user continuously traces a plurality of operation areas among the operation areas based on the detection result of the trajectory information, the apparatus control unit is configured to respond to the operation area including the start point of the trajectory. The control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the operation process is continuously executed. 5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the raised portion or the recessed portion is formed with a step or a portion having a different tactile sense regularly. The operation surface is at least partially light transmissive, and includes illumination means on the back side of the operation surface,
The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control device causes the illumination device to emit light according to a transmission result of a control signal for executing the control. The control device according to claim 8, wherein the illumination unit can emit light in a plurality of different emission colors.

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