JP2012194617A - Operation input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation input device which displays an operation target in three-dimensions to enhance functional effects.SOLUTION: A remote controller 1 is provided with operation switches 5 which receive operations on an operation surface 10, and has a display panel which three-dimensionally displays operation marks 50 to be visually observed in the air on the operation surface 10 in association with detection areas 210. A rising amount of a detection are 210 of an operation mark 50 corresponding to any of the operation switches 5 is configured to be different from the other operation switches 50.

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation input device that inputs an operation for operating a target device.

  Conventionally, as an operation input device that inputs various operations for operating the target device, an input that realizes a three-dimensional display as an operation target of a virtual image that emerges and is viewed stereoscopically, and realizes a non-contact operation with respect to the operation target An apparatus is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). Such an operation input device capable of non-contact operation is suitable for application to a kitchen, a wash basin that requires an operation with a wet hand, a multifunctional toilet or the like where touch operation may be avoided.

  However, the conventional operation input device that stereoscopically displays the conventional operation target has the following problems. There are few functional differences compared to non-contact switches without 3D display. For example, in the case of a non-contact switch that detects a fingertip approaching within a few centimeters, if there is a plane mark or the like representing the operation switch, the operation target is substantially There is little trouble with. As described above, in the conventional operation input device, it cannot be said that the stereoscopic display is sufficiently utilized, and merely improves the decorative effect, and the functional input inherent to the operation input device is limited to the cost increase associated with the stereoscopic display. There is a problem that the effective effects are not sufficiently enhanced.

JP-A-10-223102

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and is an operation input device that stereoscopically displays an operation target, and intends to provide an operation input device that enhances functional effects by stereoscopic display. Is.

The present invention is an operation input device provided with an operation switch for receiving an operation on the operation surface side,
3D display means for stereoscopically displaying an operation target that emerges from the operation surface and is visually observed in association with the operation switch;
If the amount of lift from the operation surface of the operation target corresponding to any one of the operation switches is different in time, or if another operation switch exists, the amount of lift is different from that of the other operation switch. Are in different operation input devices (claim 1).

  In the operation input device of the present invention, the floating amount of the operation target corresponding to any one of the operation switches is temporally different or different from other operation switches. For example, if one of the operation targets is set so as to appear to be higher than the other operation target, the operation switch corresponding to the one of the operation targets can be emphasized and made more conspicuous than the other operation switches. Further, if a change in which the floating amount of any operation target varies with time is given, it is possible to change the enhancement degree of the corresponding operation switch.

  As described above, according to the operation input device of the present invention, when the operation target is displayed in a three-dimensional manner, it is possible to provide a difference in the degree of emphasis of the corresponding operation switch according to the amount of floating. Can be realized.

  In the present invention, if there are a plurality of the operation switches, it is possible to make the amount of the operation target corresponding to any one of the operation switches different from that of the other operation switches. It is also possible to vary the amount of emergence of the operation target in terms of time. Also, increase the amount of operation target that corresponds to operation switches with high operation frequency and operation switches with high priority, and increase the amount of operation target that corresponds to operation switches with low operation frequency and operation switches with low priority. It is also good to make it smaller. In this case, an operation switch with a high operation frequency can be emphasized and made conspicuous, and easy-to-understand operability can be realized.

An operation pattern storage means for storing an operation pattern representing an operation order of the plurality of operation switches;
An operation predicting unit that predicts an operation switch that is likely to be operated next with reference to the operation pattern stored in the operation pattern storage unit,
It is preferable that the three-dimensional display means make the amount of floating of the operation target corresponding to the operation switch that is likely to be operated next larger than that of the other operation switches.

  In this case, it is possible to emphasize an operation switch that is likely to be operated next. By sequentially highlighting the operation switches that are likely to be operated next, navigation of operation procedures can be realized for users who are unfamiliar with the operation of the target device or users who are not good at operating the target device. . For example, if the basic operation order of the target device is set as the operation pattern, it is possible to perform basic operation of the target device simply by sequentially operating the operation switches corresponding to the operation targets that appear more prominent. . Further, it is possible to calculate the degree of possibility that the operation switch will be operated next for each operation switch, and to set the floating amount of the operation target according to the degree.

  Note that the operation pattern stored in the operation pattern storage means may be one pattern, or may be a plurality of patterns. As the operation pattern, a pattern corresponding to an applied operation may be prepared in addition to a pattern corresponding to a basic operation to be operated. Further, the operation predicting means may be configured to prepare a plurality of types of operation patterns and gradually narrow down the operation patterns as the operation progresses. If comprised in this way, the processing burden for estimating an operation switch can be reduced.

Also, comprising an operation detection means having a detection region in the height direction with respect to the operation surface,
Preferably, the operation detection means changes the position of the detection region in the height direction in accordance with a variation in the amount of the operation target that is raised.

In this case, it is possible to form the detection area corresponding to the amount of floating of the operation target displayed in three dimensions, and to improve the operational feeling during the non-contact operation. The detection area may be an area extending in the height direction from the operation surface, but more preferably the area in the height direction from the operation surface is limited to a predetermined range. good.
As the operation detection means, means using various sensors such as an optical sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a radio wave sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a capacitance sensor, and a pyroelectric sensor can be adopted.

  Furthermore, it is also possible to employ a light blocking sensor that detects an operation when light is blocked by a fingertip or the like. In this case, it is preferable that the operation surface is set at the bottom of the recess recessed from the periphery, and the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are provided on the inner peripheral side surface of the recess.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment when looking up at a remote controller. The perspective view which looks at the remote control in Example 1 from the front side. Explanatory drawing explaining the mode of operation in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an assembly perspective view showing a laminated structure of the display panel in the first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a remote controller in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another light guide plate in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an assembly perspective view showing a laminated structure of a display panel in Example 2. The block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the remote control in Example 2. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the mode of operation in Example 2. FIG. Explanatory drawing explaining the operation pattern which the operation pattern memory | storage means in Example 2 memorize | stores. Explanatory drawing which illustrates the fluctuation pattern of the floating amount of the operation mark in Example 2. FIG.

Example 1
This example is an example related to the remote controller 1 that stereoscopically displays an operation mark (operation target). This will be described with reference to FIGS.
The remote controller 1 of this example is an operation input device for remotely operating a toilet with a shower function (not shown) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The remote controller 1 has an elongated box-shaped casing 11 and is installed at a position where a user sitting on a toilet seat can easily operate, for example, a wall of a toilet room. The operation surface 10 of the remote controller 1 is formed on the surface on the toilet room side.

  The operation surface 10 of the remote controller 1 is a smooth surface without unevenness. Five operation switches 5 are provided on the operation surface 10 side. As the operation switch 5, a stop switch 5A, a butterfly shower shower switch 5B, a bidet switch 5C, a drying switch 5D, and a water washing switch 5E are arranged in this order from the left side.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each operation switch 5 is a non-contact operation switch configured by a combination of a three-dimensional operation mark 50 and a detection area 210 for detecting an operation. In the remote control 1 of this example, all the operation marks 50 are displayed in three dimensions, while the amount of the operation mark 50 that rises corresponding to the stop switch 5A and the water washing switch 5E (the dimension indicated by F in the figure) is other. The operation switches 5B to 5D are larger (see FIG. 1). In the remote controller 1, the detection area 210 is set to a height corresponding to the amount by which the operation mark 50 is lifted. Therefore, the remote controller 1 can operate the corresponding operation switch 5 in a non-contact manner by operating any one of the operation marks 50 with a fingertip or the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the operation panel 10 of the remote controller 1 is provided with a display panel (stereoscopic display means) 4 that stereoscopically displays the operation mark 50. Above and below the display panel 4 on the operation surface 10 are a light emitting unit 312 including a distance measuring LED that projects light toward a detection target, and a light receiving element that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the incident position of the light. A light receiving unit 311 including a PSD (Position Sensitive Device) is provided. In the remote control 1 of this example, the operation detection sensor 31 is formed by a combination of the light emitting unit 312 and the light receiving unit 311. The operation detection sensor 31 is provided corresponding to each operation switch 5.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the display panel 4 is a sheet-like panel in which a lenticular sheet 40 and a light guide plate 43 for illumination are stacked in order from the side facing the toilet room.
The lenticular sheet 40 is a sheet-like member that displays an operation mark 50 that is three-dimensionally lifted and viewed. The lenticular sheet 40 has a two-layer structure of a lenticular lens 41 and a 3D image sheet 42 on which a 3D image is printed.

  The 3D image sheet 42 is a sheet in which a 3D image that is an original picture of the operation mark 50 is printed on the surface of a transparent sheet. In the 3D image sheet 42, strip-shaped left image areas 421 on which left-eye images are printed and strip-shaped right image areas 422 on which right-eye images are printed are alternately arranged. In this example, a 3D image is printed with a translucent paint so that the illumination effect by the light guide plate 43 is enhanced.

  The lenticular lens 41 is a transparent sheet in which a plurality of ridge-shaped convex portions 411 covering a set of the left image area 421 and the right image area 422 are provided for each set of the areas 421 and 422. Each of the hook-shaped convex portions 411 has a lens function that forms an image for the left eye of the 3D image sheet 42 on the retina of the left eye of the viewer and an image for the right eye on the retina of the right eye. ing.

  When the 3D image sheet 42 is viewed through the lenticular lens 41, the right-eye image is visually recognized by the viewer's right eye, and the left-eye image is visually recognized by the left eye. In the 3D image sheet 42 of this example, a stereo image that causes a so-called stereoscopic effect is set as the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye, and the operation mark 50 that appears three-dimensionally is made visible to the viewer. Is possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the light guide plate 43 is an acrylic sheet in which an illumination unit 433 including three color LEDs is arranged on the outer peripheral side portion. The light of the illumination unit 433 diffuses inside the sheet while repeating reflection at the boundary surface with the outside. If the light diffuses in this way, the entire light guide plate 43 can emit light with high uniformity. As described above, in this example, the 3D image that is the original picture of the operation mark 50 is printed with the translucent paint. Therefore, according to the illumination of the light guide plate 43, the operation mark 50 can be made to emit light like stained glass.

  Furthermore, the light guide plate 43 of the present example is provided with a partition 431 that separates the operation switches 5A to 5E. Illumination units 433 are individually provided in the sections divided by the partitions 431, and the operation marks 50 corresponding to the operation switches 5A to 5E can emit light with different colors.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the remote controller 1 houses a control board 2 to which an operation detection sensor 31 and an infrared transmitter 33 are electrically connected for each of the operation switches 5A to 5E. The control board 2 is provided with a detection control unit 21 that controls each operation detection sensor 31, an operation detection unit 22 that determines the presence or absence of an operation, and a transmission control unit 23 that controls the infrared transmitter 33 according to the operation. Yes. In the remote controller 1 of this example, an operation detection unit is configured by a combination of the operation detection sensor 31, the detection control unit 21, and the operation detection unit 22.

The detection control unit 21 controls the light emitting unit 312 and the light receiving unit 311 so that the light receiving and emitting operations by the operation detection sensor 31 are executed in synchronization with each other, and outputs a sensor signal that is an output signal of the PSD constituting the light receiving unit 311. The data is captured and input to the operation detection unit 22.
The operation detection unit 22 specifies the incident position of the reflected light with respect to the PSD based on the sensor signal of the operation detection sensor 31, and measures the distance to the detection target based on the principle of triangulation. The operation detection unit 22 determines that there is an operation when a distance within a range corresponding to the detection region 210 is measured, and outputs an operation detection signal. The operation detection signal includes a switch ID indicating which operation switch 5 corresponds to the signal.

  When receiving the operation detection signal from the operation detection unit 22, the transmission control unit 23 controls the infrared transmitter 33 to output a corresponding infrared signal. For example, when the shower switch 5B is operated, the infrared transmitter 33 is operated so as to output an infrared signal corresponding to the start signal of the buttock shower.

  In the remote controller 1 of the present example configured as described above, the operation marks 50 corresponding to the operation switches 5A to 5E are displayed in a three-dimensional manner. According to the remote controller 1, a toilet with a shower function can be operated by a non-contact operation without touching the operation surface 10. Further, in the remote controller 1, the floating amount of the operation mark 50 of the stop switch 5 </ b> A and the flush switch 5 </ b> E is set larger than that of the other operation marks 50. If the flushing switch 5E is emphasized and made conspicuous, the user can intuitively grasp the essential operation method of washing the toilet bowl. Further, if the stop switch 5A is emphasized more than the shower switch 5B, the bidet switch 5C, and the like, it is possible to suppress the possibility of unintentional buttocks shower and bidet shower operations.

  Furthermore, in the remote controller 1 of this example, the operation marks 50 of the operation switches 5A to 5E can be individually illuminated. If the brightness and hue of the operation mark 50 are individually set, it is possible to emphasize a specific operation switch 5 depending on the brightness and hue. If the brightness and color are made different in addition to the amount of floating, the emphasis effect of the operation switch 5 can be further enhanced.

While the partition 431 (FIG. 4) of the light guide plate 43 of this example is omitted, as shown in FIG. 6, the region 435 corresponding to any of the operation switches 5 (in FIG. 6, the region corresponding to the stop switch 5A is shown). For example, it is also possible to adopt a reddish light guide plate 43 different from the others. In this case, only the operation mark 50 of the stop switch 5A can be displayed in a reddish hue.
Further, in the remote controller 1 of this example, the floating amount of the operation mark 50 of the stop switch 5A and the flush switch 5E is set large, but the floating amount of the other operation switches 5 may be set large.

  In this example, the lenticular lens 41 is used to realize the stereoscopic display of the operation mark 50. However, as a stereoscopic display method, instead of the lenticular method of this example, left and right using a slit, liquid crystal, or the like is used. Employ other 3D display methods such as a parallax barrier (parallax barrier) system that realizes 3D display by forming different images in the eyes, a holography system that enables 3D display using holograms, and a microlens array. You can also.

  Instead of the operation detection sensor 31 using the combination of the distance measuring LED and the PSD in this example, an operation detection sensor that combines a light emitting unit that projects slit light at a predetermined angle and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light is used. It can also be adopted. In this case, it is necessary to adjust the projection angle of the light emitting unit so that the detection area 210 is set to a height corresponding to the amount of lifting of the operation mark 50. A fingertip or the like inserted into the detection region 210 can be detected according to the incidence of reflected light on the light receiving unit.

  In addition, although this example is an example regarding the remote control 1 for operating the toilet bowl with a shower function, the operation target may be a hot water supply device, an air conditioning facility, a water supply device, or the like. Furthermore, the operation input device of this example can be incorporated in the target device.

(Example 2)
In this example, the amount of floating of the operation mark 50 of each of the operation switches 5A to 5E can be changed based on the remote controller of the first embodiment. The contents will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the remote control 1 of this example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the display panel 4 is changed to a display panel 4 in which a lenticular lens 41 is attached to a display surface 450 of a liquid crystal display 45 with a backlight. In addition, the control board 2 is additionally provided with an operation pattern storage unit 26, an operation prediction unit 25 that predicts an operation, and a display control unit 27 that controls the liquid crystal display 45.

  According to the display panel 4 of this example, the operation mark 50 can be three-dimensionally displayed as in the first embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that a 3D image can be switched and displayed under the control of the display control unit 27. If the 3D image is switched and displayed, the floating amount of the operation mark 50 can be changed. In this example, the 3D image displayed on the liquid crystal display 45 is switched according to the prediction result of the operation prediction unit 25 described in detail later. In this example, various patterns of 3D images to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 45 are stored in advance in a storage element such as a ROM. Instead of this example, a 3D image for realizing a desired three-dimensional effect can be calculated and obtained and displayed on the liquid crystal display 45 at any time.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the operation detection unit 22 of the present example changes the position of the detection area 210 in the height direction according to the amount of rise of the corresponding operation mark 50. Specifically, the position in the height direction of the detection area 210 is changed by changing the distance range for determining that there is an operation for the measurement distance by the operation detection unit 22. When the measurement distance is within a predetermined distance range, the operation detection unit 22 determines that there is an operation because a fingertip or the like is detected in the detection area 210.

  The operation pattern storage means 26 is a means for storing various operation patterns of a toilet with a shower function that is an operation target. As shown in FIG. 10, various operation patterns such as operation patterns A to C starting from the shower switch 5B and operation patterns D to F starting from the bidet switch 5C are stored as the operation patterns. The circled numbers on the horizontal axis in FIG.

  The operation prediction unit 25 is a unit that predicts the operation switch 5 that is likely to be operated next. The operation prediction unit 25 refers to the operation pattern stored in the operation pattern storage unit 26 and predicts the operation switch 5 that is likely to be operated next. For example, referring to the operation pattern illustrated in FIG. 10, it can be predicted that the first operation switch to be operated is likely to be the shower switch 5B or the bidet switch 5C. At this time, on the display panel 4, display switching to a 3D image that increases the floating amount of the operation mark 50 corresponding to the predicted operation switch 5 is executed.

  When the shower switch 5B is actually operated, the operation patterns A to C can be narrowed down. Based on the operation patterns A to C, it can be predicted that the possibility that the stop switch 5A will be operated next is high. Thereafter, if the water washing switch 5E is operated after the stop switch 5A is actually operated, the operation patterns A and B can be further narrowed down.

  In the remote controller of this example having the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 11, the operation mark 50 having a large lifting amount varies depending on the operation flow. For example, when none of the operation switches 5 is operated, the floating amount of the operation mark 50 of the shower switch 5B and the bidet switch 5C is set large as shown in the upper part of FIG. Thereafter, after the shower switch 5B or the bidet switch 5C is operated, the lift amount of the operation mark 50 of the stop switch 5A increases as shown in the middle stage. When the stop switch 5A is operated, the amount of lifting of the operation mark 50 of the drying switch 5D and the water washing switch 5E increases as shown in the lower part. In the figure, the main body of the remote controller 1 is not shown.

According to the remote controller 1 of this example, it is possible to emphasize the operation switch 5 that is highly likely to be operated next in accordance with the amount by which the operation mark 50 is lifted, and thus the operation procedure can be navigated to the user.
Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In this example, several kinds of predetermined operation patterns are stored in the operation pattern storage means 26. In addition to this, when a toilet with a shower function is actually used and a new operation pattern appears, the operation pattern may be additionally stored as needed.
Furthermore, it is also possible to set the degree of selectability for each operation pattern stored in the operation pattern storage means 26, and to provide a difference in the degree of selectability reflecting the actual use situation. In this case, the operation switch 5 having an operation pattern having a higher selection possibility is predicted to have a higher operation possibility. For example, if the operation patterns A to C are more likely to be selected than the operation patterns D to F in FIG. 10, the operation of the shower switch 5 </ b> B rather than the bidet switch 5 </ b> C in the upper stage of FIG. 11. Since the possibility increases, it is only necessary to further increase the floating amount of the operation mark 50 corresponding to the shower switch 5B.

It should be noted that the following three types of operation detection sensors may be employed in place of the operation detection sensor 31 that is a combination of the ranging LED and PSD of this example.
A 1st operation detection sensor is a sensor which implement | achieves distance measurement according to the attenuation ratio of the reflected light with respect to projection light while providing a light-receiving part and a light-emitting part in the same position.
The second operation detection sensor is a sensor provided with a plurality of combinations of a light emitting unit that projects slit light at a predetermined angle and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light. In this operation detection sensor, the height setting of the detection region is different for each set of light emitting / receiving units. The height of the detection area can be changed by selecting a combination of light receiving and emitting units for operation detection according to the amount of lift of the operation mark.
The third operation detection sensor is a sensor in which a plurality of light receiving units that selectively receive reflected light with different incident angles are combined with a light emitting unit that projects light. In this operation detection sensor, the light receiving unit to which the reflected light is incident is switched according to the distance to the detection target. The height of the detection area can be changed by selecting a light receiving unit for detecting operation.

  The operation input device of this example is a remote control 1 including five operation switches 5A to 5E. For an operation input device having only one operation switch, the amount of operation mark lifting of the operation switch may be changed over time. Furthermore, this operation input device may be incorporated in a faucet or the like. For example, when this operation input device is applied to a spout water switch, the amount of lift may be small during water stop and the amount of lift may be increased during spout. Unintentional water discharge start can be avoided in advance, and water stop operation can be performed promptly.

  As described above, specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail as in the first and second embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to a toilet remote controller with a shower function, but is a faucet discharge switch or a switch that adjusts flow rate, temperature, and the like. The operation input device of the present invention may be used. These specific examples merely disclose an example of the technology included in the claims. Needless to say, the scope of the claims should not be construed as limited by the configuration, numerical values, or the like of the specific examples. The scope of the claims includes techniques obtained by variously modifying or changing the specific examples using known techniques, knowledge of those skilled in the art, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Remote control (operation input device), 10 ... Operation surface, 2 ... Control board, 21 ... Detection control part, 22 ... Operation detection part, 23 ... Transmission control part, 25 ... Operation prediction means, 26 ... Operation pattern memory | storage means, 27 ... Display control unit, 210 ... Detection region, 31 ... Operation detection sensor, 311 ... Light receiving unit, 312 ... Light emitting unit, 4 ... Display panel (stereoscopic display means), 40 ... Lenticular sheet, 41 ... Lenticular lens, 42 ... 3D Image sheet 43 ... Light guide plate 45 ... Liquid crystal display 5 ... Operation switch 50 ... Operation mark (operation target)

Claims (3)

An operation input device in which an operation switch for receiving an operation is provided on the operation surface side,
3D display means for stereoscopically displaying an operation target that emerges from the operation surface and is visually observed in association with the operation switch;
If the amount of lift from the operation surface of the operation target corresponding to any one of the operation switches is different in time, or if another operation switch exists, the amount of lift is different from that of the other operation switch. Are different operation input devices. In Claim 1, the operation pattern storage means which memorizes the operation pattern showing the operation order of a plurality of operation switches,
An operation predicting unit that predicts an operation switch that is likely to be operated next with reference to the operation pattern stored in the operation pattern storage unit,
The three-dimensional display means is an operation input device that makes a floating amount of an operation target corresponding to an operation switch that is likely to be operated next larger than other operation switches. In Claim 2, comprising an operation detection means having a detection region in the height direction with respect to the operation surface,
The operation detection device is an operation input device that changes the position of the detection region in the height direction in accordance with a change in the amount of floating of the operation target.

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