JP2012201330A - On-vehicle apparatus operation support device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a support device for facilitating operation when a driver being a user performs the operation of an on-vehicle apparatus.SOLUTION: Switches 101a-d are arranged around a driver's seat of a vehicle, and respectively output a driving operation signal of a specific on-vehicle apparatus. Sensors 102a-d are respectively arranged in the vicinity of the corresponding switches 101a-d, and detect an approaching object to the switches. Approach signal processing parts 103a-d respectively output an approach signal corresponding to an approach degree of the approaching object based on an output signal of the corresponding sensors 102a-d. Presenting information processing parts 104a-d respectively output switch state information for indicating a switch state when the approach degree is within a predetermined distance A based on the approach signal output from the corresponding approach signal processing parts 103a-d, and output operation guide information or recommending operation information on the switches when the approach degree is within a predetermined distance B (B>A).

Description

  This patent relates to a support device for facilitating the operation when a driver as a user operates an in-vehicle device.

  In recent years, a large number of on-vehicle devices (in-vehicle devices) are installed in a limited space in the vehicle, and each device tends to have many functions. Taking the operation of the vehicle door mirror as an example, the door mirror operation switch group is concentrated in a specific location on the door side of the driver's seat, and the user selects a specific switch from these switch groups. The specific door mirror is adjusted to a desired position by pressing a specific part of the specific switch.

  There are multiple such switches in the car, each in a different location. Moreover, it is not always easy to perform a desired operation after immediately grasping the state of a part operated by a certain switch. In the above example, for example, when the user wants to control the state of the door mirror on the driver's seat, which switch must be operated, and the switch for the driver's side door mirror operation is in the ON state. In order to confirm whether or not, etc., it is generally required to visually confirm the switch once.

  However, such a visual confirmation operation is not preferable from the viewpoint of ensuring driving safety. In particular, for the elderly and the physically handicapped, the visual confirmation of the degree of switch operation obstructs safe driving and results in a heavy burden.

  Incidentally, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-210169) discloses an invention of a switch type notification device for facilitating operation of an operation switch of an in-vehicle device. In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a part of the human body is brought close to one of the operation switches, audio information and display information indicating the operation content of the operation switch are output, and the desired line-of-sight is maintained in the forward direction. The operation switch can be easily found.

  However, in the device disclosed in Patent Document 1, although it is possible to determine whether or not the user is a switch intended for operation, in order to perform the control for which the switch is in the state or for the purpose. No information is provided on how to operate the switch. For this reason, it is necessary to visually check the switch for the confirmation as described above, and the danger and inconvenience caused by the switch operation still remain.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-210169

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to determine in what state the switch that the user intends to operate is in order to perform the desired control. It is to be able to confirm how to operate the switch without visually observing the switch, and to eliminate the danger and inconvenience caused by the switch operation.

  In order to solve the problem, an in-vehicle device operation support device of the present invention is provided around a driver's seat of a vehicle and outputs a drive operation signal for a specific in-vehicle device, and is provided in the vicinity of the switch. Based on the output signal of the detection unit, the proximity signal processing unit that outputs an approach signal corresponding to the proximity of the proximity object, and the approach signal processing unit. A presentation information processing unit that outputs at least two types of switch-related information according to the degree of the approach based on the approach signal.

  For example, the presentation information processing unit outputs switch state information indicating the state of the switch when the degree of approach is within a predetermined distance A based on the approach signal output from the approach signal processing unit. When the degree of approach is within a predetermined distance B (B> A), the switch operation guide information or recommended operation information is output.

  The in-vehicle device operation support apparatus according to the present invention further includes an information presentation unit that provides the user with the information output from the presentation information processing unit as at least one of audio information and display information. Can do.

  In the in-vehicle device operation support apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of the switches are provided, and the detection unit, the approach signal processing unit, and the presentation information processing unit are associated with each of the plurality of switches. The predetermined distances A and B may be determined for each of the detectors provided in association with each of the plurality of switches.

  According to the in-vehicle device operation support device of the present invention, the state of the switch for operating the in-vehicle device, operation guidance, and the like can be confirmed without visual observation. Improves.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structural example of the vehicle equipment operation support apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing content which a vehicle-mounted apparatus operation assistance apparatus performs. It is a figure which shows the mode of the switch of a constant speed driving assistance apparatus (cruise control). It is a figure which shows a mode that the proximity sensor is provided in the vicinity of the cruise control switch. It is a figure which shows the meter display state at the normal time. It is a figure which shows the meter display state in which the state of the cruise control switch is displayed. It is a figure which shows the meter display state in which the recommended operation of a cruise control switch is displayed. It is a figure for demonstrating the mode of information provision when a driver brings a finger close to the sensor provided in the vicinity of the switch of the winker. It is a figure for demonstrating the mode of information provision when a driver brings a finger close to the sensor provided in the vicinity of the switch of the winker. It is a figure for demonstrating the mode of information provision when a driver brings a finger close to the sensor provided in the vicinity of the switch of the winker.

  Hereinafter, an in-vehicle device operation support apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, it is assumed that there are two types of switch-related information output based on the approach signal output from the approach signal processing unit. However, the present invention can be applied even when there are three or more types of switch-related information. Obviously it is possible.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of an in-vehicle device operation support apparatus of the present invention. This in-vehicle device operation support apparatus 100 includes switches 101a to 101d, sensors (detection units) 102a to 102d, approach signal processing units 103a to 103d, presentation information processing units 104a to 104d, and an information presentation unit 105. Yes.

  In the configuration example shown in this figure, four sets of switches, sensors (detection units), approach signal processing units, and presentation information processing units are provided, but there may be one set or five or more sets. The presentation information selection unit denoted by reference numeral 106 in the figure is for selecting which switch information is presented when there are a plurality of switches. In addition, although only one information presenting unit 105 is provided, an aspect provided for each presentation information processing unit may be used. In the case where a plurality of switches are provided, the above-described predetermined distances A and B can be set for each detector provided in association with each of the plurality of switches.

  The switches 101a to 101d are provided around the driver's seat of the vehicle, and each is means for outputting an operation signal for driving a specific in-vehicle device.

  Each of the sensors 102a to 102d is provided in the vicinity of the associated switch 101a to 101d, and is a means for detecting a proximity object to the switch.

  The approach signal processing units 103a to 103d are means for outputting an approach signal corresponding to the degree of approach of the proximity object based on the output signals of the associated sensors 102a to 102d.

  The presentation information processing units 104a to 104d respectively indicate switch states when the degree of approach is within the predetermined distance A based on the approach signals output from the associated approach signal processing units 103a to 103d. It is means for outputting information and outputting switch operation guide information or recommended operation information when the degree of approach is within a predetermined distance B (B> A).

  Here, the switch state information is information such as whether the switch is ON or OFF, for example.

  The switch operation guidance information is, for example, information about where and how the switch can be operated, and the recommended operation information is, for example, that an operation to be performed should be performed with care. Information such as recommendations.

  The information presenting unit 105 is means for providing information output from the presentation information processing units 104a to 104d to the user as at least one of audio information and display information.

  The presentation information selection unit 106 is used to select which switch information is to be presented when there are a plurality of switches. When the user's hand or finger of the driver is near a plurality of types of switches, This is means for determining which switch the driver is going to operate (prioritization, etc.) based on the proximity to each switch.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed by the in-vehicle device operation support apparatus 100. In addition, in this flowchart, it demonstrates as a process which a switch, a sensor, an approach signal process part, and a presentation information processing part perform by 1 set.

  First, when the user turns on the engine of the vehicle (S101), the sensor is activated (S102). Here, the sensor is a proximity sensor that detects the approach of the user's hand or finger with near infrared rays, and this sensor is a switch of a constant speed driving assist device (cruise control) on the back side of the steering as shown in FIG. 3A. It is provided in the vicinity of (cruise switch) in the state as shown in FIG. 3B. The sensor may be one that detects the approach of a proximity object by ultrasonic waves.

  When a user's hand or finger approaches the sensor, a signal corresponding to the degree of the approach is output to the approach signal processing unit by infrared rays. Based on this output signal, the approach of the user's hand or finger (proximity object) is output. An approach signal corresponding to the degree is output.

  The presentation information processing unit determines the degree of approach based on the approach signal output from the approach signal processing unit, and indicates the state of the switch when the degree of approach is within the predetermined distance A (S103: Yes). Output switch status information. The information presentation unit receives this switch state information and provides it to the user as at least one of voice information and display information (S104).

  When the user's hand or finger further approaches the sensor and the degree of the approach is within a predetermined distance B (B> A) (S105: Yes), the presentation information processing unit displays switch operation guide information or recommended operation information. The information presentation unit receives the operation guidance information or the recommended operation information, and provides it to the user as at least one of audio information and display information (S106).

  4A to 4C are diagrams for explaining how information related to cruise control is presented to the user by way of example, FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a meter display state in a normal state, and FIG. 4B is a diagram of a cruise control switch FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a meter display state in which a recommended operation of the cruise control switch is displayed.

  When the user actually provides switch operation guidance information or recommended operation information (S107: Yes), the operation result may be presented to the user (S108).

  As shown in FIG. 4A, when the user does not intend to operate the cruise control switch, since the user's hand or finger is not close to the switch, the state of the switch is not displayed.

  When the user tries to operate the cruise control switch, when the hand or finger is brought close to the switch to a predetermined distance A (for example, about 5 cm), as shown in FIG. 4B, the current state of the cruise control switch (here, ACC is OFF). A certain state) is displayed on the meter.

  When the user brings his / her hand or finger closer to the switch and is within a predetermined distance B (for example, about 2 cm), as shown in FIG. 4C, a desired state can be obtained by operating which part of the cruise control switch. Information (operation guidance information) is displayed on the meter (in this case, the ACC is turned on when the button switch portion is depressed).

  In such a series of operations, it is not necessary for the driver who is a user to silently watch the cruise control switch, and it is only necessary to confirm the information displayed on the control panel while confirming the front.

  Note that, as described above, such information need not be provided only by display, may be provided by voice, and both may be presented.

Embodiment 2
In Embodiment 1 described above, the switch is a cruise control switch. In the second embodiment, a case where the switch is a lane change switch will be described. Since the basic processing flow is as described above, repeated description is omitted.

  FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining a state of providing information when a driver brings a finger close to a sensor provided in the vicinity of a switch for direction indication (blinker).

  When the driver turns his / her finger to a winker switch for a right turn (or left turn) to a predetermined distance A (for example, about 2 cm), there is no pedestrian, vehicle, or obstacle behind the right side of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 5A. This is indicated to the driver by display, or an image obtained from cameras provided on the left and right door mirrors is displayed as an image of an electronic mirror, as shown in FIG. 5B.

  For example, after displaying the images of the left and right electronic mirrors as shown in FIG. 5B, when the driver further brings the finger closer to the switch and is within a predetermined distance B (for example, about 1 cm), as shown in FIG. The electronic mirror has a blue border and can be safely turned left, while the right electronic mirror has a yellow border and information that the right turn should be done with care (recommended operation information) is displayed on the electronic mirror on the meter. Is displayed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes such as, for example, a safety check at the rear when moving backward and a safety check when opening the door.

  As described above, according to the in-vehicle device operation support device of the present invention, the state of the switch for operating the in-vehicle device, operation guidance, and the like can be confirmed without visual observation. The convenience of the driver is improved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Vehicle equipment operation assistance apparatus 101a-d Switch 102a-d Sensor 103a-d Approach signal processing part 104a-d Presentation information processing part 105 Information presentation part 106 Presentation information selection part

Claims (4)

A switch that is provided around the driver's seat of the vehicle and outputs an operation signal for driving a specific in-vehicle device;
A detection unit provided in the vicinity of the switch for detecting an object close to the switch;
Based on the output signal of the detection unit, an approach signal processing unit that outputs an approach signal according to the degree of approach of the proximity object,
Based on the approach signal output from the approach signal processing unit, a presentation information processing unit that outputs at least two types of switch related information according to the degree of the approach,
An in-vehicle device operation support apparatus.   The presentation information processing unit outputs switch state information indicating a state of the switch when the degree of approach is within a predetermined distance A based on the approach signal output from the approach signal processing unit, The in-vehicle device operation support device according to claim 1, wherein when the degree of approach is within a predetermined distance B (B> A), the switch operation guide information or recommended operation information is output.   The in-vehicle device operation support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an information presentation unit that provides information output from the presentation information processing unit to a user as at least one of audio information and display information. .   A plurality of the switches are provided, and the detection unit, the approach signal processing unit, and the presentation information processing unit are provided in association with each of the plurality of switches, and the predetermined distance A and The in-vehicle device operation support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein B is determined for each of the detectors provided in association with each of the plurality of switches.

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