JP2013084052A - Operation device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow an operator with a glove to do operation without causing increase in cost and size.SOLUTION: An operation device for vehicle includes a touch operation part to enable operation of plural operation items, an electrostatic sensor provided in a touch operation part, depression pressure detection means provided in the touch operation part for detecting pressure or load applied to the touch operation part, and a controller. The controller includes selection operation detection means for detecting selection operation of an operation item on the basis of output of the electrostatic sensor, and determination operation detection means for detecting determination operation of an operation item on the basis of output of the depression pressure detection means. If the selection operation detection means does not detect selection operation and the determination operation detection means detects determination operation, the controller increases detection sensitivity of selection operation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle operating device using an electrostatic sensor.

  Conventionally, the touch switch using an electrostatic sensor does not operate when the finger of the operator does not directly contact the touch switch surface, such as when the operator is wearing gloves. There is known a technique in which a push switch is provided that operates when pressed against the back side (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, the touch panel is provided with a dedicated mechanical switch only for sensitivity adjustment, and a touch sensor is provided on the surface of the mechanical switch, and when the mechanical switch is operated, the resistance value of the touch sensor is measured, so that the glove is worn. A technique for determining the presence or absence and adjusting the sensitivity of the touch panel according to the determination result is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 63-43230 A JP 2008-33701 A (paragraph 0020)

  According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, the push switch functions even in a situation where the touch operation is impossible, such as when the operator is wearing gloves, so the function of the operation button is maintained. be able to.

  However, it is sometimes difficult to equip all of the operation buttons with both the electrostatic sensor and the push switch because the cost increases and the size of the operation device increases.

  On the other hand, according to the technique described in Patent Document 2, when it is determined that the operator is wearing a glove, an operation with the glove applied can be performed by adjusting the sensitivity of the electrostatic sensor. Make it possible.

  However, in order to determine whether the operator is wearing gloves, it is necessary to provide a touch sensor on the surface of the mechanical switch, and the touch sensor that is not directly related to the switch operation (or the mechanical switch with the touch sensor). Installation) is required separately. In this case as well, there is a risk of increasing the cost and increasing the size of the operating device.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular operating device that can be operated even when an operator is wearing gloves without increasing the cost and enlarging the size.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a touch operation unit capable of operating a plurality of operation items;
An electrostatic sensor provided in the touch operation unit;
A pressing pressure detecting means provided in the touch operation unit for detecting a pressure or a load applied to the touch operation unit;
A control device,
The controller is
Selection operation detecting means for detecting an operation item selection operation based on the output of the electrostatic sensor;
A determining operation detecting unit that detects a determining operation of the operation item based on an output of the pressing pressure detecting unit;
The control device increases detection sensitivity of the selection operation when the selection operation is not detected by the selection operation detection unit and the determination operation is detected by the determination operation detection unit. A vehicle operating device is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a vehicular operating device that enables operation even when the operator is wearing gloves without increasing the cost or enlarging the size.

1 is a system diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a vehicle operating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a top view schematically showing a touch pad 10. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-section of a main part of the touch pad 10. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation menu displayed on the display 20. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the sensitivity change process which may be performed by the control part 16 of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the sensitivity change process which may be performed by the control part 16 of a present Example. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of the display 20 from which the message was output. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the message output process which may be performed by the display control part 30 of a present Example instead of the process shown in FIG.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a main configuration of a vehicle operating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view schematically showing the touch pad 10. FIG. 2 schematically shows a hand for operating the touch pad 10. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-section of the main part of the touch pad 10. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation menu displayed on the display 20.

  The vehicle operation device 1 includes a touch pad 10, a display control unit 30, and a display 20.

  The touch pad 10 is provided at an appropriate place in the vehicle interior. The touch pad 10 is preferably disposed at a position that is easy for the driver to operate (a position where the hand reaches out while maintaining the driving posture). The touch pad 10 may be disposed, for example, on the console box or around it. The touch pad 10 includes a coordinate detection unit 12, a pressing pressure detection unit 14, a control unit 16, and a memory 18.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the coordinate detection unit 12 includes a two-dimensional substantially flat touch operation surface. The coordinate detection unit 12 includes an electrostatic sensor, and a detection signal thereof is sent to the control unit 16. The coordinate detection unit 12 is configured by, for example, an electrostatic pad. The electrostatic pad has, for example, a structure in which an electrode (electrostatic sensor) extends linearly with an insulator sandwiched between the X direction and the Y direction on a plane. When a person's finger approaches these electrodes with an insulator panel in between, a capacitor having the electrode and the finger as an electrode plate is formed, and the amount of charge (and the associated capacitance) of the electrode changes. In this case, an electrode detection signal (a signal indicating the amount of change in the charge accumulated in the electrode) may be sent to the control unit 16.

  The pressing pressure detection unit 14 detects a pressure or a load applied to the touch pad 10 (typically, an electrostatic pad constituting the coordinate detection unit 12). That is, the pressing pressure detection unit 14 detects a pressing operation (decision operation) on the touch pad 10. The pressing pressure detection unit 14 is configured by, for example, a pressure sensor. The pressing pressure detection unit 14 may be disposed at any location as long as a load in the pressing direction applied to the operation surface of the coordinate detection unit 12 is transmitted. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the pressure sensor constituting the pressing pressure detection unit 14 is installed below the center of the coordinate detection unit 12, but the lower surface 70 of the member that supports the coordinate detection unit 12, etc. May be arranged. Moreover, the pressure sensor which comprises the pressing pressure detection part 14 may be provided in the position disperse | distributed by two or more.

  The control unit 16 and the memory 18 are configured by a microcomputer, for example.

  Based on the output (detection signal) from the coordinate detection unit 12, the control unit 16 is a coordinate signal representing the coordinate position in the operation surface, that is, the coordinate representing the coordinate position (the position of the operation finger) touched by the operator. Generate a signal. When the coordinate detection unit 12 is composed of an electrostatic pad, charge is stored in the capacitor composed of the electrode and the operation finger as described above, and the amount of change in charge at each electrode differs depending on the position of the operation finger. The position of the operation finger can be specified based on the detection signal from each electrode. Specifically, the control unit 16 generates a coordinate signal based on the maximum position of the output from the coordinate detection unit 12 when the output from the coordinate detection unit 12 exceeds a predetermined reference value. The predetermined reference value is, for example, a value related to the amount of change in the charge accumulated on the electrode. For example, the control unit 16 determines that the selection operation is performed by the operator when the change amount of the charge accumulated in the electrode (maximum charge change amount) exceeds a reference value, and determines the coordinate signal (for example, the charge amount). Coordinate signal representing a two-dimensional position where the amount of change is maximum), and when the amount of change in the charge accumulated on the electrode does not exceed the reference value, it is determined that the selection operation is not performed by the operator, and the coordinate signal Is not generated. Note that the reference value may be stored in the memory 18. The generated coordinate signal is transmitted to the display control unit 30.

  The control unit 16 changes the sensitivity of the electrostatic sensor in the coordinate detection unit 12 (detection sensitivity of the selection operation) in a predetermined case described later. The sensitivity of the electrostatic sensor may be changed, for example, by changing a threshold value (the above-described predetermined reference value) for generating a coordinate signal.

  The control unit 16 generates a determination signal based on the output from the pressing pressure detection unit 14 (detection signal representing pressure or load). For example, when the output from the pressing pressure detection unit 14 exceeds a predetermined value, a determination operation by the operator is detected and a determination signal is generated. The generated determination signal is transmitted to the display control unit 30. When a plurality of pressure sensors constituting the pressing pressure detection unit 14 are provided, the control unit 16 may generate a determination signal when the output from any one of the pressure sensors exceeds a predetermined value. Good. In this case, a plurality of pressure-sensitive sensors are not provided for the purpose of detecting the pressed position on the touch pad 10 (typically, the electrostatic pad constituting the coordinate detection unit 12), but on the touch pad 10. It may be provided for the purpose of detecting only whether or not there has been a pressing operation. Therefore, the determination signal is a signal that represents only that the determination operation has been detected, and may be a signal that does not include other information such as the position of the pressing operation.

  The control unit 16 communicates with the display control unit 30 and transmits various information (such as a coordinate signal, a determination signal, and a message output request) to the display control unit 30. A part or all of the functions of the control unit 16 may be realized by the coordinate detection unit 12.

  The display 20 may be an arbitrary display device such as a liquid crystal display or a HUD (head-up display). The display 20 is disposed at an appropriate position (for example, an instrument panel) in the vehicle interior. The display 20 may be a touch panel display or a type of display that cannot be touched. On the display 20, an operation menu (see FIG. 4) representing the operation content that can be operated with the touch pad 10 is displayed. In addition, when the operation menu is not displayed in the background of the operation menu or when the operation menu is not displayed, a map display, a TV, a video of the peripheral monitoring camera, or the like may be displayed.

  The operation menu may be displayed on the entire screen as shown in FIG. 4 or may be displayed on a part of the screen. The operation menu includes one or more operation items that can be operated with the touch pad 10, and typically includes two or more operation items that can be operated with the touch pad 10, as shown in FIG. The operation menu may include other information display units (for example, a part for displaying travel information such as TV, audio, outside air temperature, fuel consumption, entertainment information, etc.).

  The operation item corresponds to a virtual operation button, and may be related to an arbitrary type (function). That is, the content that can be operated with the touchpad 10 may be arbitrary. For example, the operation items may include an operation item for displaying (calling) a screen (menu screen) or a map screen (for example, current location display screen) for performing various settings of the navigation device on the display 20. The operation items may include an operation item for performing various settings of the air conditioner and an operation item for displaying the screen on the display 20. The operation items may include operation items for performing various settings of audio and TV (volume adjustment, etc.) and operation items for displaying the screen on the display 20. The operation item may be an operation item (icon, launcher) for starting an arbitrary application. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the operation menu is for performing various settings of the air conditioner with the touch pad 10.

  The operation item is changed from the normal display to the selection display or from the selection display to the normal display based on the coordinate signal from the touch pad 10 under the control of the display control unit 30 described later. . In the example shown in FIG. 4, a pointer 80 that can be moved by an operation on the touch pad 10 is shown on the display 20. The pointer 80 is in a state where, for example, the blower air volume “LO” is selected, and therefore, the operation item “LO” is selected and displayed. The movement mode of the pointer 80 may be arbitrary as long as it is based on a coordinate signal from the touch pad 10 (for example, including a change in the coordinate signal when the finger is moved). For example, the position of the pointer 80 may correspond to the coordinates of the coordinate signal on a one-to-one basis, or the position of the movement destination of the pointer 80 may change in the coordinate signal change mode (finger The movement mode may be determined by the above movement mode. That is, an absolute synchronization mode in which the coordinate system of the screen of the display 20 absolutely corresponds to the coordinate system of the operation surface of the touch pad 10 may be used, or the coordinate system of the screen of the display 20 may be the touch pad 10. A relative synchronization mode relatively corresponding to the coordinate system of the operation surface may be used. In addition, the pointer 80 is not necessarily required, and the operation item to be selected and displayed may change based on the coordinate signal from the touch pad 10. At this time, the operation item to be selected and displayed may be determined in such a manner that the pulling force acts on the operation item close to the coordinates of the coordinate signal.

  According to such a touch pad 10, the operator performs a selection operation by moving the operation finger within the operation surface while touching the operation surface of the coordinate detection unit 12 with the operation finger (for example, the index finger) while looking at the display 20. And a desired operation item can be selected. Then, when a desired operation item is selected and displayed, the determination operation can be performed by pressing the coordinate detection unit 12 with the operation finger at the place. In other words, the determination operation can be performed by pressing the coordinate detection unit 12 at the contact position where the desired selection has been made.

  The display control unit 30 is configured by a microcomputer, for example, and may be embodied as an ECU. The connection mode between the display control unit 30 and the touch pad 10 is arbitrary, and may be wired, wireless, or a combination thereof, or may be a direct connection or an indirect connection. In addition, part or all of the functions of the display control unit 30 may be realized by the control unit 16 of the touchpad 10 or a control unit (not shown) in the display 20, or conversely, the control unit of the touchpad 10 Part or all of the 16 functions may be realized by the display control unit 30.

  The display control unit 30 is input with vehicle speed information indicating the vehicle speed and power supply information regarding the power supply state (IG, ACC) of the vehicle. The vehicle speed information may be information based on a wheel speed sensor, or may be information based on another sensor (for example, a sensor that detects the rotation speed of a GPS receiver or a transmission output shaft).

  A mechanical switch 40 is connected to the display control unit 30 as an optional configuration. As shown in FIG. 1, the mechanical switch 40 includes a selection switch 41 and a determination switch 42. In the illustrated example, the selection switch 41 includes switches for instructing up / down / left / right. As long as the mechanical switch 40 includes the selection switch 41 and the determination switch 42, the arrangement, the installation location, and the like are arbitrary. The mechanical switch 40 may be, for example, a steering switch provided on a steering wheel.

  The display control unit 30 assists operations on the touch pad 10 by synchronizing the display 20 and the touch pad 10 as a main function. Specifically, the display control unit 30 displays an operation menu (see FIG. 4) on the display 20, and selects and determines various operation items based on signals (coordinate signals and determination signals) from the touch pad 10. Process. That is, as described above, the display control unit 30 selects and displays any one operation item in the operation menu based on the coordinate signal from the touch pad 10 (that is, responds to “selection operation”). In the initial state, any one operation item may be selected and displayed by default, or any operation item may be non-selected and displayed. The selection display is optional as long as the operator can recognize that the operation item is selected. For example, the brightness and color of the operation item to be selected and displayed can be changed to other operations. It may be realized by being different from the item, or the outer frame of the operation item may be highlighted. Further, based on the determination signal from the touch pad 10, the display control unit 30 realizes the operation content of the operation item selected and displayed at that time (that is, responds to the “decision operation”). This operation content depends on the operation item, but involves screen transition such as a change of the operation menu, start of an application, transmission of a control signal to an operation target device (for example, an air conditioner), and the like. It may be. Further, when the determination operation is detected, the display of the determined operation item may be appropriately changed in order to notify the user that the “decision operation” has been detected.

  In the configuration including the mechanical switch 40, the display control unit 30 assists the operation of the mechanical switch 40 by synchronizing the display 20 and the mechanical switch 40. Specifically, the display control unit 30 displays an operation menu (see FIG. 4) on the display 20 and performs various operations based on signals from the mechanical switch 40 (operation signals of the selection switch 41 and the determination switch 42). Performs operation item selection / determination processing. That is, the display control unit 30 selects and displays any one operation item in the operation menu based on the operation signal of the selection switch 41 (that is, responds to “selection operation”). Further, the display control unit 30 realizes the operation content of the operation item selected and displayed at that time based on the operation signal of the determination switch 42 (that is, responds to the “determination operation”). Thus, in the configuration including the mechanical switch 40, the operator can perform the same operation by selectively using either the touch pad 10 or the mechanical switch 40. A plurality of mechanical switches 40 may be provided in the vehicle interior.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of sensitivity change processing that may be executed by the control unit 16 of the present embodiment.

  In step 500, it is determined whether or not the ignition switch (IG) has changed from the off state to the on state. If the ignition switch has been turned on, the process proceeds to step 502. That is, the processing routine of FIG. 5 is executed from step 502 when the ignition switch is turned on.

  In step 502, it is determined whether or not there is an output greater than the reference value from the coordinate detection unit 12. That is, it is determined whether or not the level of the output from the coordinate detection unit 12 (detection signal indicating the amount of change in charge) is equal to or higher than the reference value. Here, as described above, the reference value corresponds to the minimum amount of change in electric charge necessary for generating the coordinate signal. Therefore, in this step 502, in other words, it is determined whether or not a coordinate signal is generated (whether or not a selection operation has been performed). In step 502, a default reference value is used as the reference value. The default reference value is a value smaller than the level of a detection signal generated when the coordinate detection unit 12 is touched with a bare hand (without gloves). On the other hand, the default reference value is set to a value larger than the level of a detection signal generated when a glove is put on and the coordinate detection unit 12 is touched. For this reason, when the operator wears gloves and touches the coordinate detection unit 12, no output exceeding the reference value is generated from the coordinate detection unit 12, and as a result, no coordinate signal is generated. This is because if the reference value is set low, the selection operation can be performed while wearing gloves, but it is susceptible to noise and an unstable selection operation can occur (for example, under the TV tower). Unintentional selection operation is realized when the vehicle is located in a strong electric field area, etc., or when operating with the index finger, unintentional selection operation is realized in response to the middle finger that is not aware of the operation. Sometimes).

  If there is an output greater than or equal to the reference value from the coordinate detection unit 12 in step 502, the process proceeds to step 504. In other cases, that is, if no coordinate signal is generated (selection operation is not detected), step Proceed to 506.

  In step 504, the sensitivity of the electrostatic sensor in the coordinate detection unit 12 (detection sensitivity of the selection operation) is maintained in a default state. That is, the reference value is maintained at the default reference value. This is because the operator can determine that he / she is wearing a glove and is not performing a selection operation (that is, performing a selection operation with bare hands).

  In step 506, it is determined whether or not there is an output greater than a predetermined value from the pressing pressure detection unit 14. That is, it is determined whether or not a determination signal is generated (whether or not a determination operation has been performed). The predetermined value is set to a value that can properly detect a normal pressing operation. If there is an output greater than or equal to the predetermined value from the pressing pressure detector 14 in this step 506, the process proceeds to step 508, and otherwise returns to step 502 (selection or determination operation waiting state).

  In step 508, the sensitivity of the electrostatic sensor in the coordinate detection unit 12 (the detection sensitivity of the selection operation) is increased. That is, the reference value is changed from the default reference value to a lower value. At this time, the reference value may be changed to a value lower than the default reference value by a predetermined value. Alternatively, the reference value may be set based on the current output from the coordinate detection unit 12 (detection signal level). In this case, the reference value may be set to a value slightly lower than the current output from the coordinate detection unit 12 (however, a value equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit value). At this time, the current output from the coordinate detection unit 12 serving as a reference for setting the reference value may be an average value of outputs within a predetermined time.

  Here, when the operator is not wearing gloves, unless there is any abnormality, basically, the selection operation is not detected and the determination operation is not detected. This is because the determination operation is a pressing operation of the touch pad 10 and inevitably involves touching the touch pad 10. On the other hand, when the operator is wearing gloves, the determination operation may be detected without detecting the selection operation. This is because when the operator is wearing gloves, the amount of charge does not change greatly during a touch operation compared to the case of bare hands.

  In this regard, according to the processing shown in FIG. 5, when the determination operation is detected in a state where the selection operation is not detected (affirmative determination in step 506), the sensitivity (selection operation) of the electrostatic sensor in the coordinate detection unit 12. Detection sensitivity). Therefore, the selection operation is possible even when the operator is wearing gloves. Thereby, even when the driver | operator driving | wearing with gloves is an operator, selection operation by this driver | operator is enabled and the convenience can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since it is determined whether the operator is wearing gloves based on the relationship between the detection status of the selection operation and the detection status of the determination operation, the switch operation and Such a determination can be realized without providing an unrelated special sensor. That is, according to the present embodiment, the touch pad 10 and the display 20 are synchronized, and various operations can be performed by combining the selection operation and the determination operation, and these operations can be realized. Only the necessary hardware (or only the signals generated during these operations) can be used to determine whether the operator is wearing gloves. Thereby, it is possible to perform the selection operation even when the operator is wearing gloves without increasing the cost or enlarging the size.

  The process shown in FIG. 5 is started at the timing when the ignition switch is turned on, and the sensitivity setting of the electrostatic sensor is performed based on the first operation. However, the process shown in FIG. 5 is performed at an arbitrary timing. It may be activated. For example, it may be started periodically or every time a stop state is formed. In addition, when the ignition switch is in the ON state, the detection status of the selection operation and the detection status of the determination operation may be constantly monitored (every predetermined short period), and the detection sensitivity of the selection operation may be changed as appropriate.

  5 is executed by the control unit 16 on the touch pad 10 side, but part or all of the processing shown in FIG. 5 may be executed by the display control unit 30. For example, the display control unit 30 can determine whether the operator is wearing gloves based on the relationship between the reception status of the coordinate signal transmitted from the touch pad 10 and the reception status of the determination signal. When it is determined that the operator is wearing gloves, the display control unit 30 may transmit a command to the control unit 16 on the touch pad 10 side so as to increase the sensitivity of the electrostatic sensor in the coordinate detection unit 12. .

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the sensitivity changing process that may be executed by the control unit 16 of the present embodiment. The processing routine shown in FIG. 6 may be executed at predetermined intervals, for example, when the ignition switch is on. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the processing in step 610, and shows an example of the screen of the display 20 on which a message is output.

  The processing in steps 602, 604, 606, and 608 in FIG. 6 may be the same as the processing in steps 502, 504, 506, and 508 in FIG.

  In step 606, if there is an output greater than or equal to a predetermined value from the pressing pressure detector 14, the process proceeds to step 607. Otherwise, the processing of the current cycle is terminated as it is.

  In step 607, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is stopped based on the vehicle speed information. For example, when the vehicle speed is substantially zero, it may be determined that the vehicle is stopped. For this determination, information other than vehicle speed information (for example, whether or not the brake pedal is operated) may be considered. If the vehicle is stopped, the process proceeds to step 610. If the vehicle is not stopped (that is, the vehicle is traveling), the process proceeds to step 608.

  In step 610, a message output request for outputting a message prompting the operator to remove the gloves to the display 20 is generated, and the message output request is transmitted to the display control unit 30. Upon receiving this message output request, the display control unit 30 outputs a message prompting the operator to remove the gloves on the display 20 (see FIG. 7A). In the example shown in FIG. 7A, a message that prompts the operator to remove the gloves is superimposed on the display 20. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7B, a message that prompts the operator to remove gloves or operate with a steering switch (an example of the mechanical switch 40) may be output. In either case, the operator can understand that the selection operation cannot be performed due to wearing gloves, and can perform a desired operation by appropriately performing an action in accordance with the message. . The message output mode is arbitrary, and a voice message may be output instead of or in addition to such a display message.

  As described above, according to the processing shown in FIG. 6, even when the determination operation is detected in a state where the selection operation is not detected (affirmative determination in step 606), the coordinate detection unit 12 does not increase the sensitivity of the electrostatic sensor (the detection sensitivity of the selection operation), and instead, a message that prompts the operator to remove the gloves is output. This is because the act of removing the gloves does not interfere with safety while the vehicle is stopped. When a message prompting the operator to remove gloves or operate with the steering switch is output, the operator can select any one of the correspondences to realize a desired operation. The mechanical switch 40 such as a steering switch can be operated while wearing gloves. On the other hand, when the determination operation is detected in a state where the selection operation is not detected (affirmative determination in step 606) and the vehicle is traveling, the sensitivity (selection) of the electrostatic sensor in the coordinate detection unit 12 is selected. Operation detection sensitivity) is increased. This is because the act of removing the gloves may interfere with safety while the vehicle is running. In addition, while the vehicle is traveling, even if the sensitivity of the electrostatic sensor is increased, an unstable selection operation will not continue if it passes through a strong electric field area such as under a TV tower.

  In the process shown in FIG. 6, when the determination operation is detected in a state where the selection operation is not detected (affirmative determination in step 606) and the vehicle is running, the operation is performed with the steering switch. A message prompting the user may be output.

  5, the process shown in FIG. 6 is executed by the control unit 16 on the touchpad 10 side, but part or all of the process shown in FIG. 6 is executed by the display control unit 30. May be executed.

  Incidentally, the processes shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 described above relate to a sensitivity change process for increasing the sensitivity of the electrostatic sensor in a predetermined case. However, as will be described with reference to FIG. 8 below, instead of increasing the sensitivity of the electrostatic sensor, a message may be output as described in the processing shown in FIG. .

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a message output process that may be executed by the display control unit 30 of this embodiment instead of the process illustrated in FIG. 5 or 6.

  In step 800, it is determined whether a coordinate signal is received from the touch pad 10 side. The state in which the coordinate signal is received from the touch pad 10 means a state in which a selection operation is detected on the touch pad 10. If the coordinate signal is received from the touch pad 10, the process ends. If the coordinate signal is not received from the touch pad 10, the process proceeds to step 802.

  In step 802, it is determined whether a determination signal is received from the touch pad 10 side. The determination signal is generated and transmitted to the display control unit 30 when a determination operation is detected as described above. If the determination signal is received from the touch pad 10 side, the process proceeds to step 804. Otherwise, the process of the current cycle is terminated as it is.

  In step 804, a message prompting the operator to remove the gloves is output on the display 20 (see FIG. 7A). The display mode of the message may be the same as that in step 610 of FIG. Similarly, a message that prompts the operator to remove gloves or operate with a steering switch may be output (see FIG. 7B).

  As described above, according to the process shown in FIG. 8, when the determination signal is received in a state where the coordinate signal is not received (affirmative determination in step 802), a message that prompts the operator to remove the gloves is output. Is done. Alternatively, a message that prompts the operator to remove gloves or operate with the steering switch is output. In either case, the operator can understand that the selection operation cannot be performed due to wearing gloves, and can perform a desired operation by appropriately performing an action in accordance with the message. .

  In the above-described embodiment (including the processes shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8), when the determination operation (pressing operation) is detected in a state where the selection operation is not detected (that is, the coordinate signal is not received). Display control unit 30 does not need to respond to the determination operation itself, or if any operation item is selected and displayed at that time, the display control unit 30 does not respond. The function of the item may be realized. In particular, if none of the operation items is selected and displayed at that time, it is not necessary to respond to the determination operation itself (that is, it responds in the sense that the sensitivity change described above is performed). Does not respond in the sense that it does not realize the function of the operation item).

  As is clear from the above, the “selection operation” typically means an operation for selecting one desired operation item among a plurality of operation items. Accordingly, not only the operation at one point in time when one desired operation item can be selected, but also the operation in the process (the selected state), for example, while the pointer 80 is moved toward the desired one operation item. Including operations. That is, the operation for generating the coordinate signal is the selection operation. The “decision operation” means an operation for determining the selected operation item, but the pressing operation when the operation item is pressed without being selected is also included in the determination operation. That is, the operation for generating the determination signal is the determination operation.

  In the embodiment described above, the “control device” in the claims is realized by the control unit 16 or by the control unit 16 and the display control unit 30. As described above, the division of functions between the control unit 16 and the display control unit 30 is arbitrary, and part or all of one function may be realized by the other. When all of one function is realized by the other, naturally, communication between the two becomes unnecessary. Further, the functions of the control unit 16 and the display control unit 30 may be realized in cooperation with three or more control units.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Can be added.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not the operator wears gloves based on the relationship between the detection status of the selection operation and the detection status of the determination operation. It may be determined whether the operator is wearing gloves by performing image processing on the captured image of the camera. In this case, when both the determination results are affirmative determination, it may be finally determined that the operator is wearing gloves.

  The pressing pressure detection unit 14 may be realized by a switch such as a load sensor, a tact switch (including a push switch), or a membrane switch instead of the pressure sensor. The membrane switch refers to a switch that sandwiches and bonds an insulating material (spacer) between the upper contact sheet and the lower contact sheet and presses the upper contact to make it conductive. In addition, a sensor based on the principle of detecting a change in electrical resistance due to the piezoresistance effect generated by the deformation of the diaphragm by an external force (pressure), or a static electricity generated by the deformation of the movable pole by an external force (pressure). A sensor based on the principle of detecting a change in capacitance may be used. For example, when a tact switch is used, the ON signal of the tact switch becomes the determination signal as it is. That is, it is determined whether or not a determination operation has been performed based on the on / off state of the tact switch.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle operation apparatus 10 Touchpad 12 Coordinate detection part 14 Pressing pressure detection part 16 Control part 18 Memory 20 Display 30 Display control part 40 Mechanical switch 41 Selection switch 42 Determination switch 80 Pointer

Claims (5)

A touch operation unit capable of operating a plurality of operation items;
An electrostatic sensor provided in the touch operation unit;
A pressing pressure detecting means provided in the touch operation unit for detecting a pressure or a load applied to the touch operation unit;
A control device,
The controller is
Selection operation detecting means for detecting an operation item selection operation based on the output of the electrostatic sensor;
A determining operation detecting unit that detects a determining operation of the operation item based on an output of the pressing pressure detecting unit;
The control device increases detection sensitivity of the selection operation when the selection operation is not detected by the selection operation detection unit and the determination operation is detected by the determination operation detection unit. A vehicle operating device. A display for displaying a plurality of operation items operable by the touch operation unit;
2. The vehicle operation device according to claim 1, wherein when the selection operation is detected by the selection operation detection unit, the control device displays the selected operation item on the display as a selection display. 3.   The control device has a function corresponding to the operation item that is selected and displayed when the determination operation is detected by the determination operation detection unit in a situation where an arbitrary operation item is selected and displayed. The vehicle operating device according to claim 1, which is realized.   The control device detects the selection operation when the determination operation is detected by the determination operation detection unit without detecting the selection operation by the selection operation detection unit when the vehicle is running. While increasing the sensitivity, when the vehicle is stopped, the selection operation detection unit does not detect the selection operation, and the determination operation detection unit detects the determination operation. The vehicular operating device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicular operating device outputs a guidance that prompts the user to remove gloves or a prompt that prompts the user to operate a mechanical switch.   The control device, instead of increasing the detection sensitivity of the selection operation when the determination operation is detected by the determination operation detection unit without the selection operation being detected by the selection operation detection unit. The vehicle operating device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle operating device outputs a guidance for prompting the operator to remove gloves or a guidance for operating a mechanical switch.

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