JP2012228975A - Vehicle operation input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a vehicle operation input device that has such superior operability that can move a position indicative image displayed on a screen to a target destination in a shorter time.SOLUTION: In the vehicle operation input device, when a movement operation input for moving the position indicative image relatively to a background image is inputted to a remote control unit a plurality of times in the same operation direction within a predetermined time, a control unit performs setting for increasing a movement speed of the position indicative image that is operated by the movement operation input.

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation input device for a vehicle that displays an operation image (icon) on a screen and performs an operation on the operation image from an operation knob provided at a position different from the screen.

  In contrast to the conventional operation input device that provided a large number of switches corresponding to the device functions of a large number of in-vehicle devices, in recent years, a plurality of operation images are displayed on the screen of the display device and arranged at hand. There are an increasing number of operation input devices that are remotely operated by one multi-function operation unit (Patent Document 1). As an application example of the latter operation input device, for example, there is a vehicle navigation device.

JP 2009-176432 A

  In the case of this type of operation input device, for example, a navigation device, by operating an operation knob, a position indication image such as a cursor or a pointer is moved on a background image displayed on the screen, thereby selecting and determining an operation image. There is an operation input mode for performing operations. However, in the conventional case, since the movement speed of such a position indication image is fixedly set, there is a problem that if the distance to the target movement destination is long, the time to reach the movement destination becomes long. It was happening.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to realize a vehicle operation input device with superior operability that can move to a target destination for a position indication image displayed on a screen in a shorter time.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

In order to solve the above-described problems, an operation input device for a vehicle according to the present invention includes:
A display unit capable of displaying a position indication image on a background image; and an operation input unit capable of operation input in a plurality of predetermined operation directions, and a movement direction corresponding to the operation direction by the operation input. Further, in the vehicle operation input device capable of moving the position instruction image relative to the background image,
As the operation input mode of the operation input means, an operation input mode setting means capable of setting a first operation input mode for moving the position indication image relative to the background image by the operation input;
When the first operation input mode is set, when the operation input is performed a plurality of times in the same operation direction with respect to the operation input unit, the background image is compared with the case where the operation input is performed once. A moving speed variable means for increasing and setting the moving speed of the position indicating image;
It is characterized by providing.

  According to the present invention described above, the movement of the position instruction image is performed by performing a plurality of operation inputs for moving the position instruction image such as the pointer and the cursor on the operation input means provided separately from the display means. In addition, it is possible to change the setting to increase the moving speed of the position indicating image. As a result, the position indication image can be moved to the target destination in a short time.

  The moving speed variable means according to the present invention is configured such that when the first operation input mode is set, the operation input means is operated when the operation input is made a plurality of times in the same operation direction within a predetermined time. The moving speed of the position indicating image with respect to the background image can be increased and set as compared with the case where the input is made once. According to this configuration, if the operation input for moving the position instruction image is performed a plurality of times within a predetermined time with respect to the operation input means, the setting change is made to increase the movement speed of the position instruction image. It is possible to easily increase the moving speed of the image.

  The operation input mode setting means in the present invention sets the operation input mode when the operation input in the same operation direction is performed a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time when the first operation input mode is set. It can comprise so that it may switch to the 2nd operation input mode in which the control content different from said 1st operation input mode is implemented. According to the above configuration, when the first operation input mode is set, in order to increase the movement speed of the position indication image, the number of operation inputs performed within a predetermined time is a predetermined number of times. The operation input mode set in the operation input means can be switched to a mode in which control different from control for changing the movement of the position indication image and its movement speed is executed. In the operation input mode after switching, since new control can be executed, the number of control contents that can be operated increases. For this reason, a large number of operations can be performed by one operation input means, and an operation input device having excellent operability can be obtained.

  The movement speed variable means of the present invention can be set so that the movement speed increases as the number of the operation inputs in the same operation direction increases. According to this configuration, the moving speed of the position indicating image can be easily changed in a plurality of stages depending on the number of operation inputs made to the operation knob within a predetermined time.

  In the present invention, the operation input means has an operation knob that can be moved in a plurality of predetermined operation directions around a predetermined reference position, and the operation input is performed by moving the operation knob. It can be configured to be moved to a predetermined input position in the operation direction. In this case, when the first operation input mode is set, the operation knob moved to the predetermined input position includes a moving operation immediately before the position holding while the operation knob is held at the predetermined input position. The position indicating image can be moved relative to the background image at a moving speed corresponding to the number of operation inputs by the moving operation. As a result, among the moving operations performed on the operation knob, the last moving operation is performed as an operation for holding the position at the predetermined input position, so that the moving operation including the last moving operation is performed. The position indicating image can be moved as it is at a moving speed corresponding to the number of times. In other words, since the last movement operation is an operation to determine the movement speed of the position instruction image, and at the same time, an operation to actually move the position instruction image, the setting of the movement speed of the position instruction image and its movement Can be executed efficiently.

  In the present invention, the predetermined number of times of switching the operation input mode is determined to increase the movement speed of the position indication image with respect to the background image, and the maximum number of times of the operation input in the same operation direction within the predetermined time (The upper limit number of times: that is, the number of times that the movement speed does not increase even if the operation input is repeated beyond this number) can be set as one more number of times. According to this configuration, the operation input mode is switched when the number of operation inputs corresponding to the same movement direction made within a predetermined time with respect to the operation input means is the maximum (the above maximum number +1). Easy to distinguish from the operation to change the speed.

  The second operation input mode in the present invention may be an operation input mode that receives an input based on an operation of a different type from the operation in which the operation input is performed. For example, if the above-mentioned operation input is performed by moving or tilting the operation knob in a predetermined direction in the first operation input mode, another operation input by rotating the operation knob is performed in the second operation input mode. It can be configured as follows. Thereby, the difference between the first operation input mode and the second operation input mode becomes clear, and it becomes possible to prevent an erroneous operation.

  In the second operation input mode of the present invention, the position instruction image is displayed on the map image as the background image in a shorter time than the first operation input mode, and a longer distance on the map in the map image is set. Relative movement can be performed, or a short-time movement mode in which a longer distance on the map in the map image can be relatively moved in a shorter time than in the first operation input mode. Thus, in the first operation input mode, the position instruction image is simply moved at a predetermined speed on the map, while in the second operation input mode, the position instruction image is more distantly moved on the map. Since it becomes possible easily, both operation input modes can be used properly according to the purpose, and convenience is increased.

  The short-time movement mode in the present invention can be a scale change mode for changing the display scale of the map image as the background image. According to this configuration, the moving speed of the position indicating image is simply increased without changing the display scale, or the moving speed of the position indicating image on the screen is not changed. It is possible to select whether to increase the moving speed at the time, and both can be used properly according to the purpose, which increases convenience.

  The short-time movement mode in the present invention can be a display area switching mode in which the position indication image is moved relative to the background image by switching the display area of the map image that is the background image to another area. . According to this configuration, in the second operation input mode, a jump movement operation (jump movement operation that skips the movement process to a predetermined point on the map without changing the movement speed of the position indication image on the map image ( Shortcut operation). As a result, it is possible to easily specify a position to a distant area on the map that does not fit within the screen of the display means.

  In the display area switching mode according to the present invention, when the operation input is made, the indicated position of the displayed position indication image is selected from among a plurality of registered points registered in advance on the map image forming the background. The display area of the displayed map image can be switched so as to be located on the moving direction side corresponding to the input operation direction and to be a registration point closest to the current designated position. As a result, a jump movement operation (shortcut operation) for moving the display area on the map image in the direction desired by the user is possible.

  In the display area switching mode according to the present invention, as the operation input is made, the current instruction position of the displayed position instruction image is the current instruction among a plurality of registration areas registered in advance for the map image. The display area of the map image can be changed so as to be a registration area adjacent to the registration area including the position on the moving direction side corresponding to the operation input. Here, the registration area can be a divided area that is previously divided into a plurality of areas on the map in the map image, and can be, for example, a prefecture or a city on the map. In this way, from the currently designated prefecture to the neighboring prefecture in the direction corresponding to the operation direction, or from the currently designated city to the city adjacent to the direction corresponding to the operation direction, in the direction desired by the user And jump movement operation (shortcut operation) for moving the display area. The registration area may be classified according to the display scale of the map image being displayed, and a jump movement operation using the registration area according to the display scale being displayed may be enabled.

  In the display area switching mode according to the present invention, in the display area switching mode, a registration point for newly instructing the displayed position indication image is selected from a plurality of registration points registered in advance for the map image. When the selection operation input is enabled and any one of the registered points is selected by the selection operation input, the displayed position indication image indicates the registered point input by the selection operation. The display area of the map image can be changed. For example, a configuration in which a plurality of registration points registered in advance for a map image are displayed in a list, and a selection operation input for selecting a registration point to be newly designated in the position indication image from the registered registration points displayed in the list can be performed. it can. Thereby, a jump movement operation (shortcut operation) for moving the display area on the map image to an arbitrary registration point desired by the user can be performed.

  In the present invention, when the second operation input mode is set, the predetermined number of the operation inputs made for switching to the second operation input mode, or the operation after switching to the mode. By the input, it is possible to select an in-vehicle device that is associated in advance with the operation direction of the operation input, and a selection input for selecting one to be executed from among various control contents related to the selected in-vehicle device is made. It can be configured as follows. Thereby, first, by selecting an in-vehicle device to be used by executing an operation input in one of the operation directions, and then selecting which control content of the selected in-vehicle device is to be executed. Become. The operation target is easy to operate because it can be selected by narrowing down the operation target in order.

  At the time of setting the second operation input mode in the present invention, the control contents assigned to the operation image displayed on the screen of the display means or the mechanical switch arranged around the screen of the display means are given to them. It can be set as an alternative operation input mode that can be executed instead. According to this configuration, an operation to replace an operation image (such as an icon) that is likely to be arranged on the outer peripheral side of the screen or a mechanical switch that is likely to be arranged on a peripheral portion outside the screen is easier than actually operating them. It becomes possible to operate.

The block diagram which shows simply the structure of the operation input device for vehicles which is one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a vehicle interior view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle operation input device of the present invention. The figure which shows simply an example of the remote control part applied to the operation input device for vehicles of this invention. The perspective view of the remote control part of FIG. The top view of the remote control figure of FIG. The AA cross section and BB cross section when the remote control part of FIG. 5 exists in a reference position. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA and BB when the remote control unit in FIG. 5 is in a tilted position. The perspective view of the state which removed the housing | casing of the remote control part of FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the operation input process of a remote control part about the movement speed of a position instruction | indication image. Movement speed setting information that defines the correspondence between the number of operations within a predetermined time and the movement speed of the position indicating image. An example of the front view of the display apparatus used for this embodiment. The first example of the screen display in this embodiment. The 1st screen display example which shows the movement of the position instruction | indication image on a background image in 1st operation input mode. The 2nd screen display example which shows the movement of the position instruction | indication image on a background image in 1st operation input mode. The 1st screen display example which shows the movement of a background image with respect to a position indication image when a position indication image is located in the screen edge part in 1st operation input mode. The 2nd screen display example which shows the movement of a background image with respect to a position instruction | indication image when a position instruction | indication image is located in positions other than a screen edge part in 1st operation input mode. The 1st example of the flowchart which shows the flow of the operation input process in 2nd operation input mode. FIG. 18 is a first example of screen display in the operation input process of FIG. 17. 18 is a second example of screen display in the operation input process of FIG. The 2nd example of the flowchart which shows the flow of the operation input process in 2nd operation input mode. The 3rd example of the flowchart which shows the flow of the operation input process in 2nd operation input mode. Registered spot information on a map registered for each scale range used in the processing of FIG. 20 or FIG. The registration point movement example in the screen display in the operation input process of FIG. 20 or FIG. In the operation input process of FIG. 20 or FIG. 21, the first example of the screen display immediately after switching the screen to the registration point. In the operation input process of FIG. 20 or FIG. 21, the 2nd example of the screen display immediately after switching the screen to a registration point. FIG. 20 is a third example of screen display immediately after switching the screen to a registration point in the operation input process of FIG. 20 or FIG. 21. The 4th example of the flowchart which shows the flow of the operation input process in 2nd operation input mode. The 1st example of the screen display in the operation input process of FIG. The 2nd example of the screen display in the operation input process of FIG. The 5th example of the flowchart which shows the flow of the operation input process in 2nd operation input mode. The 1st example which shows the correspondence of the operation direction of movement operation, and the content of control. The 2nd example which shows the correspondence of the operation direction of movement operation, and the content of control. The 3rd example which shows the correspondence of the operation direction of movement operation, and the content of control. The 4th example which shows the correspondence of the operation direction of movement operation, and the content of control. The 1st example which shows the operation screen of vehicle equipment. The 2nd example which shows the operation screen of vehicle equipment. The 3rd example which shows the operation screen of vehicle equipment. The 4th example which shows the operation screen of vehicle equipment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle operation input device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a vehicle operation input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, the vehicle operation input device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a display device (display means) 3 capable of displaying a position indicating image 300P on a background image 300B, and a position representing a pointer with respect to the background image 300B. As an operation input for movement for relatively moving the instruction image 300P in a plurality of predetermined movement directions (for example, specific directions defined in the screen 300 such as four directions on the screen 300 in FIG. 12). An operation input corresponding to each of the movement directions is possible, and a remote operation unit (operation input means) 2 that moves the position instruction image 300P in the movement direction corresponding to the movement operation input is provided. . The vehicle operation input device 1 of the present embodiment is configured as a vehicle navigation device capable of displaying a map image as the background image 300B.

  In the vehicle navigation apparatus 1, a position detector 9 that detects the current position of the vehicle and a storage device (Hard Disk Drive: hereinafter abbreviated as HDD) 8 that stores map data and the like are connected to the control unit 10. Have a well-known structure. In addition, the control unit 10 also receives a display device 3 such as an LCD for displaying the current position mark of the vehicle, the recommended route, and map data in an overlapping manner, and an operation input from the user. Operation input device 12, voice input / output device (voice input / output unit) 6, such as a speaker for voice guidance, a microphone for voice input, etc., VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System: road) arranged near the road A wireless communication device 7 for wirelessly receiving traffic information and the like from a fixed station for a traffic information system (registered trademark) service is connected. In addition, the control unit 10 is communicably connected to the other in-vehicle device 100 via the communication interface (communication I / F) via the in-vehicle LAN 13, and can exchange data and control signals with these devices. It is.

  The control unit 10 is mainly composed of a well-known microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like (not shown), and the ROM stores a navigation program executed by the CPU and data necessary for it. The HDD 8 stores map data. The map data stores not only road information but also road-related information such as traffic regulations for each road indicated by the road information. For example, information such as one-way information set for each road is stored. Has been.

  Further, the control unit 10 executes the navigation program stored in the ROM, thereby calculating the current position of the vehicle as a set of coordinates and traveling directions based on each detection signal from the position detector 9, and calculating the calculated current Based on map display processing for reading out map data in the vicinity of the position from the HDD 8 and displaying a map or the like in the designated range on the display device 3 together with the calculated current position, or the point input data stored in the HDD 8, the operation input device 12. A route guidance process is performed in which a destination facility is selected in accordance with an operation input to, a route calculation is performed to automatically obtain an optimum route from the current position to the destination, and route guidance is performed. A technique such as the Dijkstra method is known as a technique for automatically setting an optimum route in this way.

  The position detector 9 receives a radio wave transmitted from an artificial satellite for GPS (Global Positioning System) via a GPS antenna, detects a position, direction, speed, etc. of the vehicle, and a vehicle. A gyroscope 92 for detecting the magnitude of the rotational motion to be applied, a distance sensor 93 for detecting the distance traveled from the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle, and the like, and a geomagnetic sensor 94 for detecting the traveling direction from the geomagnetism are provided. Each of these sensors 91 to 94 has an error of a different property, and is configured to be used while complementing each other.

  The operation input device 12 has a main operation unit such as a touch panel (touch operation unit) 4 provided on a screen 300 (see FIG. 2) of the display device 3 and a mechanical switch (screen peripheral switch) 5 provided in the vicinity thereof. In addition, the operation images (icons: for example, reference numerals 301 to 304, etc .: refer to FIGS. 12 to 16) provided on the screen 300 of the display device 3 are displayed remotely. A remote control unit 2 is provided for operating the system.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the remote operation unit 2 here includes a single operation knob 200 that can be moved in a plurality of predetermined operation directions around a predetermined reference position. ing. That is, the remote operation unit 2 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to perform a movement operation (movement operation input) that moves at least the operation knob 200 in a direction perpendicular to the reference axis Z. The moving operation here is a tilting operation in which the operation knob 200 is tilted and displaced from a reference position where the own axis line z coincides with the reference axis line Z. Note that the reference axis Z of the operation knob 200 in the present embodiment extends in the vehicle vertical direction, and the operation direction of the operation knob 200 in the vehicle front-rear direction perpendicular to the reference axis Z is the screen vertical direction of the display device 3. Similarly, the left / right operation direction perpendicular to the reference axis Z corresponds to the left / right movement direction of the display device 3. In this manner, by moving the operation knob 200 in any operation direction (operation input for movement), as shown in FIG. 12, the position instruction image 300P is moved to the background image 300B by the movement operation (for movement). It is possible to make relative movement at a predetermined movement speed in a direction (movement direction) corresponding to the operation direction of (operation input). Further, the remote operation unit 2 moves the position instruction image 300P displayed on the screen 300 and performs an operation input such as selection / determination for the operation images (for example, 301 to 304 in FIG. 12) also displayed on the screen 300. Can do.

  Note that the remote operation unit 2 in the present embodiment is less burdensome on the user than the main operation unit such as the touch panel 4 provided on the screen 300 or the mechanical switch 5 of the display device 3 disposed in the vicinity thereof. As such, they are disposed closer to a predetermined seat in the vehicle cabin than those. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the user (passenger) sitting in the driver's seat 2D and the passenger seat 2P is provided at a position where both can be operated while sitting on the back of each seat. Yes. Specifically, the remote control unit 2 is disposed in a region (here, a center console) C sandwiched between both left and right seats (here, the driver's seat 2D and the passenger seat 2P). On the other hand, the display device 3 is arranged on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the remote control unit 2 so as to face the rear of the vehicle so as to be visible from a user sitting on both the seats 2D and 2P.

  The remote operation unit 2 can perform operation inputs corresponding to the movement directions as movement operation inputs for moving the position instruction image 300P relative to the background image 300B in a plurality of predetermined movement directions. The position instruction image 300P may be moved relative to the background image 300B in the movement direction corresponding to the movement operation input by the movement operation input. For example, in addition to the tilting operation of the operation knob as described above, the operation knob 200 is translated in a direction perpendicular to the reference axis Z while the axis z of the operation knob 200 itself is held parallel to the reference axis Z. It may be an operation of (moving horizontally here).

  The case 290 of the remote operation unit 2 includes an operation detection unit 280 that detects a moving operation in each predetermined operation direction. In the present embodiment, when a movement operation to the operation knob 200 is performed, any of the four operation detection units 280 arranged in a cross shape around the reference axis Z detects the operation and sends the operation to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 that has received the operation signal specifies the operation direction of the moving operation based on which operation detection unit 280 has received the operation signal. The operation detection unit 280 here is a tact switch, and is pressed when a tilting operation (moving operation) that causes a predetermined displacement in a corresponding operation direction from a predetermined reference position to the operation knob 200 is performed, and an operation signal Is output to the control unit 10.

  Further, the remote operation unit 2 may be a composite operation unit that can be operated by an operation method different from the moving operation as described above. The remote operation unit 2 of the present embodiment is configured as a composite operation means configured to be capable of independently performing a plurality of types of operations including the moving operation. Here, the moving operation and the operation knob 200 are set as described above. A rotation operation for rotating around the reference axis Z is possible. Further, a pressing operation for pressing the operation knob 200 in the reference axis Z direction is also possible. That is, the remote operation unit 2 of the present embodiment can perform three types of operations with different operation directions. The above pressing operation is detected when the four operation detection units (tact switches) 280 are simultaneously pressed and the control unit 100 receives operation signals from the four operation detection units (tact switches) 280 at the same time. The

  Here, the detailed structure of the remote control unit of the present embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the remote control unit 2 includes a central shaft portion 210 and a peristaltic support portion 250. The central shaft portion 210 has a hemispherical portion 212 having a hemispherical lower side formed in the central portion. The peristaltic support part 250 supports the central shaft part 210 so that the hemispherical part 212 is slidably mounted (rotational sliding support surface 252). Further, the upper shaft portion 211 located above the central shaft portion 210 has a rotating shaft portion 220 that is assembled so as to be rotatable around the axis of the central shaft portion 210. Further, it has a peristaltic shaft portion 240 that does not rotate integrally with the rotation of the rotation shaft portion 220 in such a manner that it can be integrated with the central shaft portion 210 and the rotation shaft portion 220 so as to be swingable.

  The rotating shaft part 220 has an upper cylindrical part 221 arranged so as to surround the upper shaft part 211 of the central shaft part 210. The upper cylindrical portion 221 is assembled so as to be able to rotate and slide with respect to the upper shaft portion 211 of the central shaft portion 210 located inside. Further, the rotating shaft part 220 has an outer peripheral wall part 222 formed so as to be folded back to the outer peripheral side at the upper end of the upper cylindrical part 221. The operation knob 200 is integrally assembled to the outer peripheral wall 222 so as to cover the upper end side and the upper end outer peripheral side, and can be rotated. Further, the outer peripheral wall portion 222 of the rotating shaft portion 220 has a gear portion 223 having a gear 224 formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and on the outer side thereof, as shown in FIG. It has a fixed gear shaft 230. When the operation knob 200 is rotated, the rotation shaft portion 220 rotates integrally with the operation knob 200, while the gear shaft portion 230 having the gear 233 that meshes with the gear portion 223 of the rotation shaft portion 220 also has its own. Rotate around the axis. A rotation detection unit (known rotary encoder) 260 that detects the rotation is mounted on the circuit board 270 at the lower end of the gear shaft unit 230, and an operation signal is generated when the operation knob 200 is rotated. (Pulse signal) is input to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 specifies the rotation operation displacement due to the rotation operation.

  The peristaltic shaft portion 240 is assembled in an integral manner with the central shaft portion 210 by an arm portion 214 that extends from the central portion of the central shaft portion 210 in a straight line perpendicular to the axis of the central shaft portion 210. The center shaft portion 210 swings integrally with the center shaft portion by the swinging of the center shaft portion 210 accompanying the tilting operation to the operation knob 200. The upper shaft portion 241 located above the peristaltic shaft portion 240 is provided between the upper cylindrical portion 241 and the outer peripheral wall portion 242 of the rotation shaft portion 240, and is rotatable with respect to these. Further, the peristaltic shaft portion 240 has a plurality of pressing portions 242 around the axis of the central shaft portion 210. Due to the swinging of the central shaft portion 210 accompanying the tilting operation on the operation knob 200, the pressing portion 242 corresponding to the tilting direction (the operating direction) among these pressing portions 242 is detected by the pressing operation mounted on the circuit board 270. The unit (tact switch) 280 is pressed, the operation signal is input to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 specifies the operation direction of the tilting operation. The peristaltic shaft portion 240 in this embodiment has four pressing portions 242 at regular intervals around the axis of the central shaft portion 210. Similarly, on the circuit board 270, four pressing operation detection units (tact switches) 280 are mounted at equal intervals around the axis of the central shaft unit 210, and each corresponds to one of the pressing units 242. Yes.

  A spherical portion 225 is provided at an intermediate position of the outer peripheral wall portion 222 of the rotation shaft portion 220. The spherical portion 225 has a spherical shape in which an annular outer peripheral surface centering on the central shaft portion 210 has the same distance (radius) from the swing center 210Q of the central shaft portion 210. The spherical portion 225 is disposed so as to be slidable with respect to the inner wall surface 295 of the opening above the housing 290 through which the entire shaft portions 210, 220, and 240 are inserted, and swings as the operation knob 200 is tilted. It functions as a peristaltic guide that guides the entire moving shafts 210, 220, and 240 (oscillator) from above. Further, the shaft portion 240 that swings as the operation knob 200 is tilted has a contact portion 243 that contacts the inner wall upper surface 296 of the housing 290 when the shaft 240 is swung. The abutting portion 243 functions as a positioning means (stopper) that determines the maximum inclination angle position by the swinging of the entire shaft portions 210, 220, and 240 (oscillator).

  Further, the peristaltic support part 250 has a through-hole 251 that penetrates up and down at the central part where the hemispherical part 212 of the central shaft part 210 is placed. A lower shaft portion 213 extending downward from the hemispherical portion 212 of the central shaft portion 210 is disposed so as to be inserted through the through hole 251. The lower shaft portion 213 is formed with a cylindrical hole portion having an opening at the lower end, and a pressing member is interposed inside the spring member 214 that can be biased in the axial direction (vertical direction). 215 is arranged. The pressing body 215 is located immediately below the central hole of the circuit board 270, and its tip (lower end) is disposed in contact with the bottom surface of the recess 291 that is fixed integrally with the housing 290 side. In the state of the reference position (neutral position) where the axis line z of the operation knob 200 itself coincides with the reference axis line Z (see FIG. 6), the pressing body 215 contacts the center of the bottom surface that is the deepest part of the recess 291. When the tilting operation to the operation knob 200 is performed, the pressing body 215 itself tilts, whereby the contact position with the recess 291 moves from the center of the bottom surface to the inclined surface (see FIG. 7). The inclined surface is inclined so as to become upward as it goes outward from the deepest portion, and the pressing body 215 that is in contact with the inclined surface is formed so that the urging force from the spring member 214 increases as the inclination proceeds. When the tilting operation to the operation knob 200 is released, the pressing body 215 presses the inclined surface by the urging force of the spring member 214. However, since the contact position (pressing position) is the inclined surface, the pressing body 215 is inclined by the pressing force. Sliding down the surface, the contact position of the pressing body 215 returns to the deepest part. In this way, the operation knob 200 is held at the reference position (neutral position) Z in which its own axis line z coincides with the reference axis line Z when it is not tilted. When the member 214 is compressed, an operation reaction force is applied. That is, in the present embodiment, the tilting operation (moving operation) is operated by the lower shaft portion 213 of the central shaft portion 210, the pressing body 215, the spring member, and the concave portion 291 fixed to the housing 290 side. Reaction force application means for applying reaction force is formed.

  As for the reaction force applying means, it is only necessary to apply a reaction force to the movement operation to the operation knob (here, tilting operation). In addition to the urging means such as the spring member as described above, a motor or the like is used. It may be realized by using.

  By the way, the control unit 10 according to the present embodiment uses the position instruction image 300P displayed on the screen 300 as a background by the movement operation (movement operation input) to the remote operation unit 2 as the operation input mode of the remote operation unit 2. It functions as an operation input mode setting means for setting a first operation input mode for relative movement with respect to the image 300B. In the present embodiment, when the first operation input mode is set, while the movement operation (movement operation input) for the operation knob 200 is continued (that is, any one of the operation detection units 280 is operated). The position indicating image 300P is continuously moved with respect to the background image 300B, or the background image 300B is continuously moved with respect to the position indicating image 300P.

  Then, the control unit 10 sets the first operation input mode to the remote operation unit 2 within a predetermined time (here, about 0.3 seconds, a short time determined at most 1 second). For example, when the operation knob 200 is moved in the right arrow direction in FIG. 5, the operation knob 200 is operated once in the right direction, then returned to the neutral position, and is operated again in the right direction. If the operated state is continued (the number of times is twice), the moving speed of the position indicating image 300P with respect to the background image 300 (as compared with the case where the state is maintained by operating the operation knob 200 once in the direction of the right arrow in FIG. That is, it functions to increase the relative movement speed between the background image 300 and the position instruction image 300P. Note that when the continuous holding operation of the operation knob 200 in the same direction is released, the control unit 10 stops the relative movement being executed.

  FIG. 10 shows the relationship between the number of movements of the operation knob 200 and the relative movement speed. The moving speed setting information of the position indicating image shown in FIG. 10 is stored in the storage unit in the control unit 10.

  In addition, when the first operation input mode is set, the control unit 10 causes the number of movement operations (movement operation inputs) corresponding to the same movement direction performed within the predetermined time to exceed the above two times. When it is three times (predetermined number), the operation input mode set for the remote operation unit 2 is changed to the operation input to the remote operation unit 2 (not necessarily limited to the operation input by the moving operation). Based on this, the first operation input mode functions to switch to the second operation input mode in which the control content different from the first operation input mode is implemented.

  Here, as the second operation input mode, for example, a display area switching mode (see FIG. 17) for changing the display scale of the map image that is the background image 300B can be set. In addition, there are a short-time movement mode (FIGS. 20, 21, and 27) as described later, an alternative operation input mode (FIG. 30), and the like.

  Hereinafter, the operation input process of the remote operation unit 2 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in S1, the control unit 10 displays a map image as the background image 300B on the display device 3, and further, on the map image 300B, an operation input to the operation knob 200 of the remote operation unit 2 of the operation input device 12 is performed. A navigation screen displaying a position indicating image 300P that can move on the map image is displayed.

  In subsequent S2, as the operation input mode of the remote operation unit 2, the control unit 10 receives a movement operation (operation input for movement) from the operation knob 200 of the remote operation unit 2 of the remote operation unit 2 and receives the position instruction image 300P. A first operation input mode in which the movement speed of the position indicating image can be changed by a plurality of movement operations (operation inputs for movement) corresponding to the same movement direction performed within a predetermined time. Set.

  In S <b> 3, the control unit 10 determines whether or not there is a movement operation (movement operation input) to the operation knob 200 of the remote operation unit 2. If it is determined that there is a movement operation (movement operation input), the process proceeds to S4. In S4, the control part 10 starts time count using the well-known timer function with which it is provided. Then, during the time counting, the control unit 10 counts how many times the movement operation in the same operation direction as the first movement operation (movement operation input) performed in S3 is performed. Note that the first movement operation (movement operation input) performed in S3 is also counted. Further, the count of the number of movement operations here is counted up when the operation knob 200 reaches a predetermined input position by the movement operation. )) Is not counted up.

  In S5, when it is determined in the control unit 10 that the predetermined time has elapsed based on the time count in S4, the predetermined time elapses after the control unit 10 starts the time counting in S6. The number of movement operations (operation inputs for movement) in the same operation direction that have been performed so far is one (in this embodiment, it is counted as “one time” when the movement operation is performed. It is determined whether the position is held at a predetermined input position in the operation direction. In the case of YES in S6, referring to the moving speed setting information (see FIG. 10) of the position indicating image stored in the storage unit in the control unit 10, the number of times of the moving operation (movement operation input) is 1 The moving speed (normal) corresponding to the time is read and set (S7), and the relative movement of the position indicating image 300P with respect to the map image as the background image 300B is started (S8). This relative movement is continuously performed until the position holding state of the operation knob 200 of the remote control unit 2 held at the predetermined input position is released. With the release of the position holding (S9: YES), The relative movement stops (S10).

  On the other hand, if NO in S6, the process proceeds to S12.

  In S <b> 12, the number of movement operations (operation inputs for movement) in the same operation direction performed until the predetermined time elapses after the time counting in S <b> 4 is started by the control unit 10 is two times (this embodiment). In this case, the first movement operation is performed, and after the second movement operation is performed, the second movement operation is counted as “twice.” The second movement operation is “released”. It is determined whether the position is held at a predetermined input position in the operation direction. If YES in S12, the movement speed setting information (see FIG. 10) of the position indicating image stored in the storage unit in the control unit 10 is referred to, and the number of times of the movement operation (movement operation input) is twice. Is read and set (S13), and relative movement of the position indicating image 300P with respect to the map image as the background image 300B is started (S14). This relative movement is continuously performed until the position holding state of the operation knob 200 held at the predetermined input position is released, and the relative movement stops with the release of the position holding (S15: YES). (S16).

  Here, in the present embodiment, the relative movement process of the position indication image 300P executed in S8 and S14 with respect to the map image 300B will be described with reference to FIGS.

  On the navigation screen 300 on which the map image 300B is displayed, a pointer that is the position instruction image 300P is displayed, and the position instruction image 300P is located at the center of the screen that is not the outer edge of the screen as shown in FIG. In this case, when the remote operation unit 2 is tilted (moved), the position instruction image 300P moves on the stationary map image 300B in a direction (moving direction) corresponding to the operating direction. The movement speed at this time is set in S7 and S12. In the case of S7, the movement speed is as shown in FIG. 13, and in the case of S12, the movement speed is faster than that in FIG.

  When the position instruction image 300P reaches the outer edge of the screen that cannot move further outside the screen as shown in FIG. 14, this time, the background image 300B remains stationary at the position. As shown in FIG. 15, the position indicating image 300P is moved in the direction opposite to the previous moving direction. The moving speed of the background image 300B conforms to the contents set in S7 and S12.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the position indication image 300P is an image 300R in which a predetermined position on the screen is fixedly indicated, and the operation knob 200 is not moved by moving the operation knob 200. Alternatively, only the map image that is the background image 300B may be moved relative to the image 300R by the moving operation.

  Returning to FIG. If NO in S12, the process proceeds to S17.

  In S17, it is determined whether or not the number of movement operations (operation inputs for movement) in the same operation direction, which is performed until the predetermined time elapses after the control unit 10 starts the time counting in S4, is 3 times. (In this embodiment, the first movement operation is performed, the second movement operation is performed after the movement operation is canceled, and the third movement operation is performed after the second movement operation is canceled. At the stage where it is made, it is counted as “3 times.” It is not counted with the “release” of the third movement operation). When it is determined that the number of times is three, the process proceeds to S18, and the control unit 10 switches the operation input mode set in the remote operation unit 2 from the first operation input mode to the second operation input mode ( Operation input mode setting means). Then, in S19, the control unit 10 performs a dedicated operation input process in the second operation input mode (an operation input process for executing control contents different from the first operation input mode: for example, FIG. 17, FIG. 21, FIG. 27, FIG. 30 etc.).

  In S17, when the control unit 10 determines that the number of movement operations in the same operation direction after the predetermined time has elapsed after the time counting in S4 is started is not three times, The operation performed on the remote operation unit 2 is determined to be invalid (S20), and the process returns to S3.

  When S10, S16, and S19 are completed, it is determined whether or not to end the operation input process. This operation input process is terminated when, for example, an operation for switching the screen to another screen different from the navigation screen or an operation such as turning off the power of the vehicle navigation device is performed. When it is determined that the operation input process is to be ended (S11: YES), the control unit 10 ends the operation input process, and when it is determined that the operation input process is not to be ended, the process returns to S2 and the first operation is performed again. Set the input mode.

  Here, a first example of the process in the second operation input mode executed in S19 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the operation input in the second operation input mode is performed when the operation knob 200 is separated from the predetermined input position where the input (moving operation input) by the third tilting operation (immediately before) is performed (input state). It becomes possible by canceling.

  In the operation input process of FIG. 17, as the second operation input mode, the position instruction image 300 </ b> P is applied to the map image as the background image 300 </ b> B in a shorter time than the first operation input mode. This is processing that is executed when a short-time movement mode is set in which a long distance can be relatively moved. Here, a scale change mode for changing the display scale of the map image that is the background image 300B is set as the short-time movement mode.

  First, in S101, the control unit 10 displays a display scale change operation window (display scale change operation display unit) 310 so as to be superimposed on the map image 300B. As shown in FIG. 18, the display scale change operation window 310 has a scale engraved between the map image enlargement side (detail side) and the scale reduction side (wide area side). Either of them is indicated by the position indicating image 310P.

  In S <b> 102, the control unit 10 performs a display scale change operation on the operation knob 200 that is performed by moving the position instruction image 310 </ b> P on the scale of the display scale change operation window 310 to another scale in order to change the display scale. It is determined whether or not an input has been accepted. When the display scale change operation input is received (S102: YES), the display scale is specified based on the received display scale change operation input (S103), and the scale of the specified display scale is displayed as shown in FIG. The position indicating image 310P is moved, and the display scale of the map image as the background image 300B is changed to the specified display scale (S104), and the process proceeds to S105. When the display scale change operation input is not accepted (S102: NO), S103 and S104 are omitted and the process proceeds to S105.

  In S105, the control unit 10 determines whether or not a display scale determination operation input for determining the display scale of the map image 300B at the current display scale has been received, and if it has been received (S105: YES), The present process is terminated without changing the display scale, and the display scale change operation window 310 is deleted from the background image 300B, and the process returns to the process of FIG. On the other hand, when the display scale determining operation input is not received (S105: NO), the display scale changing operation window 310 is left as it is, and the process returns to S102 again.

  The display scale changing operation input may be performed by the above-described tilting operation of the operation knob 200 (for example, the tilting operation on the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side). May be another type of operation (at least an operation with a different operation direction). Here, the position indication image 310P is moved up and down by the above-described rotation operation (forward rotation operation and reverse direction rotation operation) on the operation knob 200, and the display scale is changed.

  The display scale determining operation input may be the above-described pressing operation of the operation knob 200, but here, it is assumed to be performed by the above-described tilting operation (moving operation) of the operation knob 200. The tilting operation performed as the display scale determining operation input is defined as one tilting operation (moving operation) in all operation directions. After changing the display scale, it is a general flow to return to the first operation input mode and move the position indication image 300P. Therefore, the operation is the same operation as the display scale determination operation input. Thus, it is possible to smoothly move to the operation after changing the display scale.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this, and the knowledge of those skilled in the art can be used without departing from the spirit of the claims. Various modifications based on this are possible. Hereinafter, an embodiment different from the above embodiment will be described.

  In the above-described embodiment, three types of operations (front / rear / left / right cross operation, rotation operation around the Z-axis, and Z-direction pressing operation) can be performed on the operation knob 200. These two types may be used, and other types of operations may be possible. Further, if the configuration does not require a plurality of types of operations in the first and second operation input modes, at least the movement for relatively moving the position indicating image 300P on the background image 300B as shown in the above embodiment. It only needs to be operable.

  In the above embodiment, the number of movement operations (movement operation inputs) performed within the predetermined time is counted as the movement operation is detected, but “release” of the movement operation is detected. The number of times may be counted along with this. In this case, while the last movement operation that has been repeatedly performed within the predetermined time continues, the number of the repeated movement operations has not been determined, and the number of movement operations that have been performed is canceled. Is fixed. As for the last movement operation, if the movement operation is detected within the predetermined time, even if the last movement operation is canceled after the predetermined time, the last movement operation is It may be counted as the number of moving operations within a predetermined time. According to this configuration, the repetitive operation of the movement operation (movement operation input) within the predetermined time is an operation specialized for setting the movement speed. It should be noted that immediately after the first operation input mode is set, one single movement operation (movement operation input) is performed, and if the operation is continued, a predetermined preset value is set. The relative movement of the position indicating image 300P with respect to the background image 300 is executed at the moving speed.

  In the above embodiment, the number of movement operations that are repeatedly performed within the predetermined time for setting the movement speed of the position indicating image 300P is set to one time and two times. Is not set, but the movement speed may be set for the number of times of three times or more so that the movement speed can be switched in multiple stages. However, the moving speed set for each number may be set so as to increase as the number increases.

  In the above embodiment, the scale change mode for changing the display scale of the map image that is the background image 300B is defined as the second operation input mode, but an operation input mode different from this may be used.

  For example, the operation input process as shown in FIG. 20 may be executed by the control unit 10 by setting the second operation input mode.

  In the operation input process of FIG. 20, as the second operation input mode, the position instruction image 300P is applied to the map image that is the background image 300B in a shorter time than the first operation input mode, A short-time movement mode that sets a long distance to each other is set. Here, as the short-time movement mode, a display area switching mode in which the position indication image 300P is moved relative to the background image 300B by switching the display area of the map image that is the background image 300B to another area is set. . More specifically, when the tilting operation is repeated a predetermined number of times to switch to the second operation input mode (a predetermined number of movement operation inputs), the indicated position of the displayed position indication image 300P becomes a map. Indicate in the screen 300 a registered point closest to the current indicated position that is located on the side corresponding to the operation direction of the repeated tilt operation among a plurality of registered points registered in advance for the image 300B. Thus, the display area of the map image 300B is switched. For example, when the predetermined number of times is three, when the third tilting operation is performed within a predetermined time, the screen moves to a registration point on the side corresponding to the operation direction.

  Specifically, first, in S201, the control unit 10 performs the tilting operation (predetermined number of times) three times (predetermined triple operation in FIG. 20) when switching to the second operation input mode. ) Specify the operation direction. In S202, the control unit 10 specifies the display scale of the currently displayed map image 300B. In S203, the control part 10 specifies the point on the map used as a movement destination. More specifically, the HDD 8 stores in advance registration point information associated with its position information (here, coordinate information) for various points on the map drawn by the map image. Among the points, the nearest registered point on the side corresponding to the operation direction specified in S201 from the pointed position of the current position pointing image 300P is the current pointed position and registered point information (position information of various registered points). Identify based on. The registration point information in this embodiment is determined for each predetermined display scale range as shown in FIG. 22, and corresponds to the display scale range to which the display scale specified in S202 belongs in S203. From the registered points registered in step S201, the closest registered point on the side corresponding to the operation direction specified in S201 is specified. In subsequent S204, the map image is displayed without changing the original display scale with the specified registration point as the center of the screen. Thereby, the area | region on the map displayed on the screen 300 switches. After S204 ends, the process returns to the process of FIG. 9 (proceeds from S19 to S11).

  An example of the operation input of FIG. 20 is shown in FIG. For example, when the operation knob 200 is tilted three times forward in the predetermined time within the predetermined time with respect to the current position indicated by the position instruction image 300P (triple operation in FIG. 23), the mode is switched to the second operation input mode. Based on the tilting operation performed for this mode switching, the nearest registration point (registration point corresponding to the current display scale) located on the upper side (north side) of the map area displayed on the screen 300 is centered. The registration point is newly designated by the position indication image 300P (for example, switching display from FIG. 19 to FIG. 26). Similarly, when the operation knob 200 is tilted three times toward the rear of the vehicle (moving operation input) with respect to the position indicated by the current position instruction image 300P, the map image displayed on the screen 300 is also displayed below. Move to the nearest registered point (registered point corresponding to the current display scale) and indicate this registered point. If the tilting operation (moving operation input) is performed three times in succession, the map display area displayed on the screen 300 is visually recognized in the form of continuous switching (for example, FIG. 12 to FIG. 12). 24, and further switching display from FIG. 24 to FIG. 25). In addition, considering that the tilting operation of 3 times is performed twice, considering that the process of FIG. 20 (S19 of FIG. 9) is a process that ends when the registration point is moved once, In FIG. 9, after implementing S19 (process of FIG. 20) (once), it returns to S2 through S11, and implement | achieves S19 again (twice).

  In addition, although the registration point is defined here as the location of the prefectural office or city hall, it may be the location of a facility such as a station or may include the location of various types of facilities.

  In this case, there is no operation input received after the second operation input mode is set, and the second operation input mode is based on the operation input made for switching to the second operation input mode. The control contents according to the above are configured to be executed.

  Further, the operation input process as shown in FIG. 21 may be executed by the control unit 10 by setting the second operation input mode.

  In the operation input process of FIG. 21, as the second operation input mode, the position instruction image 300P is applied to the map image as the background image 300B in a shorter time than the first operation input mode, A short-time movement mode is set in which a long distance can be relatively moved. Here, the display area switching mode similar to that of the above-described embodiment is set as the short-time movement mode. However, slightly different from the above-described embodiment, after the second operation input mode is set, the input operation waiting state of the tilt operation (movement operation input) is entered. Then, when the tilting operation is performed in this state, the current pointing position of the displayed position pointing image 300P is selected from among a plurality of registered points registered in advance with respect to the map image 300B. The display area of the map image 300 </ b> B is switched so as to indicate on the screen 300 the registration point closest to the current instruction position, which is located on the side corresponding to the operation direction.

  Specifically, first, in S301, the control unit 10 specifies the display scale of the currently displayed map image 300B. In S302, the control unit 10 determines whether or not there is a tilting operation (movement operation input). When it is determined that there has been a tilting operation (movement operation input) (S302: YES), the operation direction of the tilting operation is specified (S303). Here, the tilting operation (movement operation input) may be performed once. In subsequent S304, the operation specified in S303 is selected from the registered points corresponding to the display scale range to which the display scale specified in S301 belongs with reference to the registration point information described above (see FIG. 22). Identify the nearest registration point on the side corresponding to the direction. In subsequent S305, a map image centered on the specified registration point is displayed without changing the original display scale. Thereby, the area | region on the map displayed on the screen 300 switches. After S305 ends, the process returns to the process of FIG. 9 (proceeds from S19 to S11).

  In this case, for example, when the second operation input mode is set and then a tilting operation (moving operation input) is performed forward of the vehicle, it is on the upper side (north side) with respect to the indicated position by the current position indicating image 300P. It moves to the map area centering on the closest registered point (registered point corresponding to the current display scale), and this registered point is newly indicated by the position instruction image 300P (for example, switching from FIG. 19 to FIG. 26). display). If the tilt operation (moving operation input) is performed twice after the second operation input mode is set, the map display area displayed on the screen 300 is continuously switched. It is visually recognized (for example, continuous switching display from FIG. 12 to FIG. 24 and further from FIG. 24 to FIG. 25). In addition, considering that the tilting operation is performed twice continuously, considering that the process of FIG. 21 is a process that ends when the moving operation is accepted once (when the registration point is moved once), In FIG. 9, after implementing S19 (process of FIG. 20) (once), it returns to S2 through S11, and it implement | achieves in the form which implements S19 again (twice).

  In addition, the operation input process as shown in FIG. 27 may be executed by the control unit 10 by setting the second operation input mode.

  In the operation input process of FIG. 27, as the second operation input mode, the position instruction image 300P is applied to the map image as the background image 300B in a shorter time than the first operation input mode, and the map image on the map image is displayed. A short-time movement mode is set to wait for an operation input capable of relative movement over a long distance. Here, the display area switching mode similar to that of the above-described embodiment is set as the short-time movement mode. However, slightly different from the above-described embodiment, a selection operation input (movement destination designation operation input) for selecting a registration point from a plurality of registration points registered in advance with respect to the map image can be performed. When any registered point is selected by the operation input, the displayed position indication image 300P changes the display area of the map image so as to indicate the registered point input by the selection operation.

  Specifically, first, in S401, the control unit 10 specifies the display scale of the currently displayed map image 300B. In S402, the control unit 10 displays a destination point designation operation window (a destination point designation operation display unit) 340 so as to be superimposed on the map image 300B. As shown in FIG. 28, the destination point designation window 340 displays a list of registration points registered corresponding to the display scale range to which the display scale specified in S401 belongs, and any one of them is registered. A position indicating image (pointer or cursor) 340P indicates the point.

  In S403, the control unit 10 moves the position indicating image 340P indicating one of the registered points displayed in the list in the destination point specifying window 340 to a position indicating another registered point. It is determined whether or not a point designation operation input has been made to the operation knob 200. When the destination point designation operation input is made (S403: YES), as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, on the list in the destination point designation window 340 based on the accepted destination point designation operation input. The position indication image 340P is moved at the same time, the registration point indicated by the position indication image 340P in the list is specified, and the display area of the map image which is the background image 300B is displayed as the specified registration point. (S404), and the process proceeds to S405. Here, the display area of the map image is switched so that the specified registration point is located in the center of the screen without changing the current display scale. If the destination point designation operation input has not been accepted (S403: NO), S404 is omitted and the process proceeds to S405.

  In S405, the control unit 10 determines whether or not a display area determination operation input for determining the display area of the map image has been received, and if this is received (S405: YES), the current display scale is changed. If not, the process is terminated, the destination point designation window 340 is deleted from the background image 300B, and the process returns to the process of FIG. 9 (proceeds from S19 to S11). On the other hand, when the display area determination operation input is not accepted (S405: NO), the destination point designation window 340 is left as it is, and the process returns to S403 again.

  Further, the operation input process as shown in FIG. 30 may be executed by the control unit 10 by setting the second operation input mode.

  In the operation input process of FIG. 30, a predetermined number of operation inputs made for switching to the second operation input mode or an operation input after switching to the mode corresponds in advance to the operation direction of the operation input. The attached control content is selected, and the selected control content can be executed.

  Specifically, first, in S501, the control unit 10 specifies the operation direction of three tilt operations (predetermined number of times) in the same operation direction performed when switching to the second operation input mode. In S502, the control unit 10 specifies the control content corresponding to the specified operation direction. Since the control content is stored in advance in the storage unit of the control unit 10 in a form corresponding to each operation direction of the operation knob 200, in S502, the control unit 10 refers to this and corresponds to the operation direction. Specify the control details to be performed. In step S503, the control unit 10 executes the specified control content and returns to the process in FIG. 9 (proceeds from step S19 to step S11).

  As the control content associated with the operation direction stored in the storage unit of the control unit 10, settings of various operation input modes for moving the position indication image can be assigned as shown in FIG. 31, for example. . In the case of FIG. 31, for the first operation direction (here, the front of the vehicle), the control content for returning the operation input mode of the remote operation unit 2 to the first operation input mode is assigned, and the second operation direction (here, The control content for switching the operation input mode of the remote operation unit 2 to the mode for executing the process of FIG. 26 is assigned to the rear operation unit 2, and the remote operation unit 2 for the third operation direction (here, the vehicle left side). The control content for switching the operation input mode to the mode for executing the process of FIG. 17 is assigned, and the operation input mode of the remote operation unit 2 is set to the process of FIG. 27 for the fourth operation direction (here, the vehicle right side). The control content for switching to the execution mode is assigned.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 32, a function assigned to an operation image (icon: symbol 301 to 304) displayed in the screen 300 can be assigned. In the case of FIG. 32, for the first operation direction (here, in front of the vehicle), the control content for returning the operation input mode of the remote operation unit 2 to the first operation input mode is assigned, and the second operation direction (here, The control content for executing the function X assigned to the switch A (reference numeral 5A) in FIG. 11 is assigned to the rear side of the vehicle, and the switch B in FIG. 11 is assigned to the third operation direction (here, the left side of the vehicle). The control content for executing the function Y assigned to (reference numeral 5B) is assigned, and the function Z assigned to the switch C (reference numeral 5C) in FIG. The control content to be executed is assigned. The second operation input mode in which the control content of FIG. 32 is defined is an alternative operation input mode.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 33, a function assigned to each mechanical switch 5 arranged around the screen can be assigned. In the case of FIG. 33, for the first operation direction (here, the front of the vehicle), control details for returning the operation input mode of the remote operation unit 2 to the first operation input mode are assigned, and the second operation direction (here, The control content for executing the route setting function assigned to the operation image 304 is assigned to the rear of the vehicle, and the point registration function assigned to the operation image 303 is assigned to the third operation direction (here, the vehicle left side). The control content for executing the map image scale changing function assigned to the operation images 301 and 302 is assigned to the fourth operation direction (here, the vehicle right side). The second operation input mode in which the control content of FIG. 33 is defined is also an alternative operation input mode of the present invention.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 34, it is possible to assign the operation of the vehicle navigation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment or the in-vehicle device 100 that is connected to be communicable with the vehicle navigation apparatus 100 and can operate the vehicle navigation apparatus 1. In the case of FIG. 34, the control content for returning the operation input mode of the remote operation unit 2 to the first operation input mode is assigned to the first operation direction (here, the front of the vehicle). Further, for the second operation direction (here, the rear of the vehicle), a control content for executing a route setting operation which is a device function of the car navigation device 1 which is an in-vehicle device is assigned. Here, the route setting of FIG. The screen content of the display device 3 is switched to the screen (destination setting screen) 510, and the control content that allows the route setting operation to be received from the operation images 511 to 516 on the screen 510 is assigned. For the third operation direction (here, the left side of the vehicle), control contents for executing various operations of the car air conditioner 110 which is an in-vehicle device are assigned. Here, the display device 3 is displayed on the air conditioner operation screen 520 of FIG. The contents of the control are assigned such that operations for executing and setting various air conditioner functions can be received from the operation images 521 to 526 on the screen 520. For the fourth operation direction (here, to the right of the vehicle), a control function for executing various operations of the car audio device 120 that is an in-vehicle device is assigned. Here, the display device 3 is displayed on the audio operation screen 530 in FIG. The contents of the control are assigned such that operations for executing various audio functions can be received from the operation images 531 to 536 on the screen 530. It should be noted that an operation window 350 is displayed on the background image 300B as shown in FIG. 38 instead of the control contents for switching the entire screen as in FIGS. 35 to 37, for example, a position instruction image 350P in the window 250. It is good also as the control content which can accept various operation to the vehicle equipment 100 by selection / determination operation by.

1 Vehicle operation input device (vehicle navigation device)
2 Remote control unit (operation input means)
200 Operation knob 3 Display device (display means)
300 screen 300B background image 300P position indication image 301-304 operation image (icon)
4 Touch panel (touch operation part)
5 Mechanical switches (screen peripheral switches)
10 Control unit (moving speed variable means, operation input mode setting means)
100 Other in-vehicle equipment

Claims (14)

A display unit capable of displaying a position indication image on a background image; and an operation input unit capable of operation input in a plurality of predetermined operation directions, and a movement direction corresponding to the operation direction by the operation input. Further, in the vehicle operation input device capable of moving the position instruction image relative to the background image,
As the operation input mode of the operation input means, an operation input mode setting means capable of setting a first operation input mode for moving the position indication image relative to the background image by the operation input;
When the first operation input mode is set, when the operation input is performed a plurality of times in the same operation direction with respect to the operation input unit, the background image is compared with the case where the operation input is performed once. A moving speed variable means for increasing and setting the moving speed of the position indicating image;
A vehicle operation input device comprising:   The moving speed variable means is configured such that when the first operation input mode is set, if the operation input is made a plurality of times in the same operation direction with respect to the operation input means within a predetermined time, The vehicle operation input device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle operation input device is configured to increase the moving speed of the position indication image with respect to the background image, compared to the case where the operation is performed once.   The operation input mode setting means sets the operation input mode when the first operation input mode is set and the operation input mode in the same operation direction is performed a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time. The vehicle operation input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation input device is switched to a second operation input mode in which control content different from the operation input mode is implemented.   The vehicle operation input according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the movement speed variable means is set so that the movement speed increases as the number of the operation inputs in the same operation direction increases. apparatus. The operation input means includes an operation knob capable of moving in a plurality of predetermined operation directions around a predetermined reference position, and the operation input is performed by moving the operation knob. It is made in the form of moving to a predetermined input position,
When the first operation input mode is set, the moving operation includes a moving operation immediately before holding the position while the operating knob moved to the predetermined input position is held at the predetermined input position. The vehicle operation input device according to claim 4, wherein the position instruction image is moved relative to the background image at a movement speed corresponding to the number of operation inputs by the control unit. Comprising the requirements of claim 3;
The predetermined number of times is determined to be one more than a maximum number of times of the operation input in the same operation direction, which is determined to increase a movement speed of the position indication image with respect to the background image. The vehicle operation input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Comprising the requirements of claim 3;
The vehicle operation according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second operation input mode is an operation input mode that receives an input based on an operation of a different type from the operation in which the operation input is performed. Input device. Comprising the requirements of claim 3;
In the second operation input mode, the position indication image is moved relative to the map image as the background image in a shorter time than the first operation input mode, and the map image is moved over a longer distance on the map. The vehicle operation input device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the operation input device is in a short-time movement mode in which the state is changed to a possible state or is relatively moved.   The vehicle operation input device according to claim 8, wherein the short-time movement mode is a scale change mode for changing a display scale of the map image as the background image.   The short-time movement mode is a display area in which the indication position of the position indication image can be moved to the switched display area by switching the display area of the map image as the background image to another area. The vehicle operation input device according to claim 8, which is in a switching mode.   In the display area switching mode, when the operation input is made, the indicated position of the displayed position indication image is the operation of the operation input among a plurality of registered points registered in advance on the map image. The vehicle operation input device according to claim 10, wherein a display area of the displayed map image is switched so as to be located at the moving direction side corresponding to a direction and to be a registration point closest to the current indication position. .   In the display area switching mode, a selection operation input for selecting a registration point to be newly instructed on the displayed position indication image from a plurality of registration points registered in advance with respect to the map image is enabled. When any one of the registered points is selected by the selection operation input, the display area of the map image is displayed so that the displayed position instruction image indicates the registered point input by the selection operation. The vehicle operation input device according to claim 10, wherein the operation input device is switched. Comprising the requirements of claim 3;
When the second operation input mode is set, the operation is performed by the operation input of the predetermined number of times made for switching to the second operation input mode or the operation input after switching to the mode. The in-vehicle device previously associated with the operation direction of the input is selected, and selection input for selecting one to be executed from various control contents related to the selected in-vehicle device becomes possible. The vehicle operation input device according to claim 1. Comprising the requirements of claim 3;
In the second operation input mode, the control content assigned to the operation image displayed on the screen of the display means or the mechanical switch arranged around the screen of the display means can be executed instead. The vehicle operation input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation input mode is an alternative operation input mode.