JP2012240618A - Sensing position controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sensing position controller having ease of operation.SOLUTION: The sensing position controller includes: a touch panel 7 which is provided near a driver seat of a vehicle and which can change a sensing position to detect a user's touch operation; a steering sensor 12 and a seat sensor 13, which acquire information required to estimate the user's physique; and a display control unit 14 which estimates the user's physique on the basis of the information acquired by both sensors 12 and 13, and which locates the sensing position depending on the estimated physique. The display control unit 14 determines the presence of the user's habituation to the specific sensing position on the basis of time for maintenance of the specific sensing position. When the presence of the habituation is determined, the sensing position is fixed as the specific sensing position.

Description

  The present invention relates to a detection position control device.

  In recent years, vehicles are equipped with a navigation system that displays a current position on a display screen together with map information using a global positioning system (GPS) or the like. The navigation system of Patent Document 1 employs a touch panel for the display screen. For this reason, the user operates a switch displayed on the touch panel by a touch operation. A camera is provided on the upper edge of the touch panel. In this navigation system, an obstacle such as a steering wheel existing between the user and the touch panel is recognized through a camera image. Then, the position of the switch displayed on the touch panel is changed so that the obstacle does not get in the way when the switch is operated.

JP 2010-108185 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, the position of the switch displayed on the touch panel is changed every time the camera recognizes an obstacle. Therefore, even if the user can operate the switch, the switch position may be changed, and this situation may be annoying for the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a detection position control device with good operability.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is provided in the vicinity of a driver's seat of a vehicle, and an operation detection unit capable of changing a detection position capable of detecting a user's touch operation; A sensor that acquires information required to estimate the user's state, and a control that estimates the user's state based on the information acquired by the sensor and arranges the detection position according to the estimated state Means for determining whether the user is accustomed to the detection position at the specific position based on maintenance information indicating that the detection position is maintained at a specific position, The gist is to fix the detection position to the specific detection position when it is determined that there is familiarity.

  Normally, if the detection position arranged at the same position is continuously operated, the user becomes accustomed to the position. Therefore, even if the detection position is arranged at a position that is determined to be easy for the user to operate from the sensor information after the familiarity occurs, the position may not be easy to operate. In this regard, according to the same configuration, the control unit determines whether or not the user is accustomed based on maintenance information indicating that the detection position is maintained at a specific position. And when it is judged that the user is used to the detection position, the detection position is fixed. By configuring in this way, user operability can be maintained.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the detection position control device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the detection position control device includes a time measuring unit that measures a time from when information from the sensor is changed as the maintenance information, and the control The gist is to determine whether the user is accustomed to the detection position based on the time measured by the time measuring unit.

  The time from when the information from the sensor is changed is proportional to the user's familiarity with the detection position. According to this configuration, the control means can determine the user's familiarity based on the time from when the information from the sensor has changed. For this reason, when the user gets used to the detection position, the operability of the user can be maintained by not changing the subsequent detection positions.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the detection position control device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the detection position control device further includes a number measurement unit that measures the number of times the sensor has acquired information as the maintenance information, The gist is to determine whether the user is accustomed to the detection position based on the number of times the unit measures.

  The number of times the sensor has acquired information is proportional to the user's familiarity with the detection position. According to this configuration, the control means can determine the user's familiarity based on the number of times the sensor acquires information. For this reason, when the user gets used to the detection position, the operability of the user can be maintained by not changing the subsequent detection positions.

  The present invention can provide a detection position control device with good operability.

The perspective view of the vehicle in this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a driving posture of a driver seated on a seat. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the display control system of this embodiment. The front view which shows the arrangement | positioning aspect of the switch in a touchscreen.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the display control system of the present invention is embodied will be described with reference to FIGS.
<Configuration of display control system>
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a steering wheel 2 that steers wheels, and a driver seat 3 on which a user (driver) sits to operate the steering wheel 2. The steering 2 protrudes rearward from the right part of the instrument panel 8. As shown in FIG. 2, the steering 2 can be changed in distance and angle with respect to the instrument panel 8. The distance here is the length between the instrument panel 8 and the turning center of the steering 2 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the angle is an angle formed by a straight line connecting the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the steering 2 and the instrument panel 8 when the steering 2 is viewed from the side. . Steering position information, which is information on the distance and angle, is detected by a steering sensor 12 built in the steering 2. Further, the driver seat 3 is configured such that the distance between the instrument panel 8 and the seat portion 3a in the vehicle front-rear direction and the angle of the backrest 3b with respect to the instrument panel 8 can be changed. The sheet position information, which is information on the distance and angle, is detected by the sheet sensor 13 built in the driver seat 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a speaker 4 that is provided at each vehicle door and provides music to the occupant, and a display 5 that also provides the occupant with a map, a TV image, and the like that display the position of the vehicle. With. The display 5 having an L shape that is upside down is provided in the center of the instrument panel 8. An operation detection unit 6 that detects a user's touch operation is provided on the front surface of the display 5. The operation detection unit 6 has a transparent sheet shape and does not hinder the visual recognition of the display 5. The display 5 and the operation detection unit 6 constitute a touch panel 7.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle 1 is provided with a display control unit 14 that is electrically connected to the touch panel 7. The display control unit 14 acquires control of an image to be displayed on the display 5 and touch operation information of the operation detection unit 6 by the user. The display control unit 14 includes an audio control unit 15 that controls audio information such as the volume of the speaker 4 and a navigation control unit 16 that controls navigation information such as a map for navigating the vehicle and the vehicle position. Electrically connected. The display control unit 14 displays the audio information input from the audio control unit 15 on the display 5 and outputs the touch operation information of the operation detection unit 6 to the audio control unit 15. Similarly, the display control unit 14 displays the navigation information input from the navigation control unit 16 on the display 5 and outputs the touch operation information of the operation detection unit 6 to the navigation control unit 16. The audio control unit 15 and the navigation control unit 16 control the display of the display 5 and each control target in accordance with the user's operation in the operation detection unit 6.

  The display control unit 14 is provided with a non-volatile memory 14a made of, for example, an EEPROM. The memory 14a stores a driver physique information table estimated from the steering position information and the seat position information. The physique information table is statistically calculated, and stores arm length information of the user (driver) based on the shoulder position based on the steering position information and the seat position information. The display control unit 14 is electrically connected to the previous steering sensor 12 and seat sensor 13. The display control unit 14 receives the steering position information and the seat position information detected by the sensors 12 and 13. The display controller 14 estimates the driver's physique, that is, the arm length, with reference to the physique information table stored in the memory 14a based on the steering position information and the seat position information. The display control unit 14 determines the position of the switch to be displayed on the display 5 according to the length of the driver's arm.

  Further, the display control unit 14 is provided with a time measuring unit 17 that measures an elapsed time after the information on the steering position and the seat position is input from the steering sensor 12 and the seat sensor 13 to itself. When the display control unit 14 recognizes through the time measuring unit 17 that the elapsed time from the input of the position information from both the sensors 12 and 13 has passed a predetermined time, the steering position and the seat thereafter. Even if the position is changed, the switch position displayed on the display 5 is not changed. The display control unit 14 is activated when the vehicle 1 is turned on. The display control unit 14 resets the measurement time of the time measurement unit 17 every time the display control unit 14 is activated.

<Operation of display control unit>
The display control unit 14 that has estimated the physique of the driver calculates a detection position that the driver can easily operate with the left hand. Normally, as shown in FIG. 2, the driver slightly bends both elbows so that the steering wheel 2 can be easily operated, so that both arms have room. On the other hand, when operating the touch panel 7, it is often operated by extending the elbow and moving the wrist and fingers. This is because it is easier to operate the touch panel 7 when the arm is extended. Therefore, the display control unit 14 is a difference between the length of the state where the elbow of the left arm is bent and the length of the state where the elbow is extended based on each information of the steering position information, the seat position information, and the physique information. A clear distance X is calculated. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the display control unit 14 calculates a virtual sphere in which the radius with the center O at the 9 o'clock position of the steering wheel 2 is the clear distance X. Then, a position at which the driver can easily operate on the touch panel 7 calculated by the intersection line between the virtual sphere and the touch panel 7 is calculated.

  When arranging the volume selection switch, the destination selection switch, etc., the display control unit 14 arranges these switches at positions where the driver can easily operate. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, switches are arranged along an arc that is a line of intersection between the touch panel 7 and the virtual sphere. By arranging in this way, the driver who operates these switches operates the touch panel 7 by extending the elbow from the driving posture in which the elbow is bent. That is, the switch is disposed at a position where the driver can easily operate.

  Further, the display control unit 14 measures an elapsed time after information on the steering position and the seat position is input to the steering sensor 12 and the seat sensor 13 through the time measurement unit 17. When the elapsed time measured by the time measuring unit 17 passes a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes), the display control unit 14 changes the switch position displayed on the display 5 even if the steering position and the seat position are changed thereafter. do not do. For a user who is visually accustomed to the switch position displayed on the display 5, the switch position is fixed even if the steering position or the seat position is finely adjusted.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) A steering sensor 12 is provided for acquiring steering position information, which is information on the distance and angle between the instrument panel 8 and the steering 2. The display control unit 14 calculates a position where the user can easily operate from the information detected by the steering sensor 12, and arranges the switch on the touch panel 7 at the position where the user can easily operate. Moreover, the seat sensor 13 which acquires the seat position information which is the information of the distance of the instrument panel 8 and the seat 3a of the seat 3 and the angle between the instrument panel 8 and the backrest 3b of the seat 3 is provided. Then, the display control unit 14 calculates the position that the user can easily operate by combining the information detected by the seat sensor 13 in addition to the information detected by the steering sensor 12, and puts the position on the touch panel 7 at the position where the user can easily operate. A switch was arranged. Thereby, the operability of the switch displayed on the user's touch panel 7 is improved.

  (2) The display control unit 14 is provided with a time measurement unit 17 that measures an elapsed time after the steering position and the seat position information are input to the display control unit 14 and the seat sensor 13. Then, when the display control unit 14 recognizes through the time measurement unit 17 that the elapsed time from the input of the position information from both the sensors 12 and 13 has passed a predetermined time, the steering position is thereafter determined. The switch position displayed on the display 5 is not changed even if the sheet position is changed. As a result, for the user who is visually familiar with the switch position displayed on the display 5, the switch position displayed on the display 5 is fixed even if the steering position or the seat position is finely adjusted after a predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, operability is good.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, the touch panel 7 is provided in the central part of the instrument panel 8, but the position where the touch panel is provided is not limited to the central part. The entire instrument panel 8 may be a touch panel. Furthermore, the position where the touch panel is provided is not limited to the instrument panel, but may be a center console, a vehicle door, or the like. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to the said embodiment can be acquired.

  In the above embodiment, since the touch panel 7 is fitted in the center of the instrument panel 8, assuming that the user operates the touch panel 7 with the left hand, the center O serving as a reference for arranging the switch is Although the position is 9 o'clock, the position of the center O is not limited to the 9 o'clock position of the steering wheel 2. For example, when the entire instrument panel 8 is a touch panel, the position of the center O may be set to the three o'clock position of the steering wheel 2 assuming that the instrument panel 8 is operated with the right hand. In this way, even when the user operates the touch panel with the right hand, it is possible to obtain the same effects as in the above embodiment.

  In the above embodiment, what the steering sensor 12 measures is the distance and angle between the steering 2 and the instrument panel 8, but when the steering 2 is configured to be movable in the width direction of the vehicle, The position in the width direction may also be measured. If comprised in this way, even if the width direction position of the steering wheel 2 is changed, the switch position displayed on the touch panel 7 can be changed correspondingly.

  In the above embodiment, the seat sensor 13 measures the distance between the seat 3a and the instrument panel 8, and the angle between the backrest 3b and the instrument panel 8, but from the floor of the seat 3a. You may make it measure height. Further, the seat sensor 13 may measure the angle of the seat portion 3a with respect to the instrument panel 8. If comprised in this way, a user's physique can be estimated more correctly compared with the said embodiment. Therefore, the clearance distance X can be calculated more accurately. For this reason, the switch position arranged based on the clear distance X is a position that is easier for the user to operate.

  In the above embodiment, the display control unit 14 controls the switch position that is displayed on the touch panel 7 by combining the steering position information and the seat position information, but even if the switch position is controlled based on only the steering position information. Good. Even with this configuration, the switch position displayed on the touch panel 7 is an easily operable position.

  In the above embodiment, the time measuring unit 17 measures the elapsed time after the steering position and seat position information is input to the steering sensor 12 and the seat sensor 13, but the time is not limited to this elapsed time. Absent. For example, it may be an elapsed time after the display control unit 14 is activated, or an elapsed time after a drive source for driving a vehicle such as an engine (internal combustion engine) is started. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to the said embodiment can be acquired.

  In the above embodiment, the display control unit 14 does not change the switch position when the elapsed time measured by the time measurement unit 17 has passed a predetermined time of 10 minutes, but the predetermined time is The unit is not limited to minutes, but may be seconds, hours, or years. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to the said embodiment can be acquired.

  In the above embodiment, the display control unit 14 determines whether to change or fix the switch position according to the elapsed time after the steering position and seat position information is input from the steering sensor 12 and the seat sensor 13 to itself. However, it may be determined under other conditions. For example, the number of engine starts, the number of switch operations displayed on the display 5, and the like may be used. In this case, instead of the time measuring unit 17, a start number measuring unit is provided for the former, and an operation number measuring unit is provided for the latter. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to the said embodiment can be acquired. The display control unit 14 changes the switch position every time the steering position measured by the steering sensor 12 or the seat position measured by the seat sensor 13 is changed. However, the steering position or the seat position is significantly changed. The switch position may be changed in response to this. That is, when the change in the steering position or the seat position is small, the display control unit 14 does not change the switch position. With this configuration, for example, for a user who is visually accustomed to the switch position, the operability is good because the switch position is not changed even when the seat position is moved by a small amount.

  In the above embodiment, the vehicle 1 may be equipped with a user identification and authentication system, perform user authentication using this system, and place the switch position based on the information.

  For example, the vehicle 1 may perform mutual wireless communication with a mobile phone possessed by the user to identify the user. Specifically, a transmission / reception unit that is connected to the display control unit 14 and capable of transmitting a radio signal is provided in the vehicle 1. The memory 14a of the display control unit 14 stores the physique information of the mobile phone and the user who carries the mobile phone. A request signal is transmitted from the vehicle 1 and a response signal in response to the request signal is transmitted from the mobile phone. The request signal and the response signal include unique information for mutual authentication between the vehicle 1 and the mobile phone.

  The display control unit 14 transmits a request signal to the communication area set in the driver seat via the transmission / reception unit. When the display control unit 14 receives a response signal to the request signal via the transmission / reception unit, the display control unit 14 calculates the physique information of the user carrying the mobile phone from the specific information of the mobile phone included in the response signal. And the position of the switch displayed on the display 5 is changed according to the physique information. At this time, when it is determined that the steering position and the seat position are significantly different from the physique information, the display control unit 14 determines the switch position based on the clearance distance X calculated from the position information. On the other hand, when the difference between the physique information and these position information is small, the switch position is determined based on the physique information registered in advance in the memory 14a. By configuring in this way, even when a plurality of users drive the vehicle, the switch can be arranged at a position familiar to the driving user.

  In the above embodiment, the display control unit 14 controls the switch position that is displayed on the touch panel 7 by combining the steering position information and the seat position information, but even if the switch position is controlled based on only the steering position information. Good. Further, in this case, the display control unit 14 may control the switch position based on either one of the information indicating the distance between the instrument panel 8 and the steering wheel 2 and the angle between the two. . Even with this configuration, the switch position displayed on the touch panel 7 is an easily operable position. Note that the seat position information can also be controlled based on one of the information indicating the distance between the instrument panel 8 and the seat 3a and the angle between the instrument panel 8 and the backrest 3b. Good.

  -In above-mentioned embodiment, although the display control part 14 estimated the physique as a user's state, and has arrange | positioned switch position based on the physique, it estimates states other than a physique and arrange | positions switch position from this state May be. For example, the user's posture may be estimated as the user's state. Even if it does in this way, the effect similar to the said embodiment can be acquired.

Next, the technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment and other examples will be described below.
(A) The operation detection unit is a touch panel combined with a display unit that displays the detection position, and the control unit displays the detection position on the display unit and the detection on the operation detection unit. The display control system provided with the detection position control apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-3 which makes a position respond | correspond.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a display control system with good operability of the detection position displayed on the touch panel.

O ... center, X ... distance, 1 ... vehicle, 2 ... steering, 3 ... (driver) seat, 3a ... seat surface, 3b ... back surface, 4 ... speaker, 5 ... display (display unit), 6 ... operation detection unit, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 7 ... Touch panel, 8 ... Instrument panel, 12 ... Steering sensor, 13 ... Seat sensor, 14 ... Display control part (control means), 14a ... Memory, 15 ... Audio control part, 16 ... Navigation control part, 17 ... Time measurement Department.

Claims (3)

An operation detection unit provided near the driver's seat of the vehicle and capable of changing a detection position capable of detecting a user's touch operation;
A sensor that obtains information needed to estimate the user's condition;
Control means for estimating a user's state based on information acquired by the sensor and arranging the detection position in accordance with the estimated state;
The control means determines whether or not a user is accustomed to the detection position based on maintenance information indicating that the detection position is maintained at a specific position, and is determined to be accustomed. A detection position control device for fixing the detection position to the specific detection position when The detection position control device according to claim 1,
A time measuring unit that measures the time from when the information from the sensor has changed as the maintenance information;
The said control means is a detection position control apparatus which judges the presence or absence of the user to the said detection position based on the time which the said time measurement part measures. The detection position control device according to claim 1,
A number of times measurement unit that measures the number of times the sensor has acquired information as the maintenance information,
The said control means is a detection position control apparatus which judges the presence or absence of the user to the said detection position based on the frequency | count which the said frequency | count measurement part measures.

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