JP2013163415A - Equipment operation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an equipment operating device that can improve operability in operating equipment without reliable visual confirmation of an operation part by an operator.SOLUTION: An equipment operation device includes: a holding part having a guide part indicative of a specific gripped position in operating equipment by an operator; an operation part that is installed in the holding part and using a tactile sense user interface technology; a grip detection part that is disposed in the specific gripped position of the holding part and detecting whether the operator grips the gripped part with a specific gripping force; and an operation control part that generates en equipment operation signal according to input to the operation part. Only when the operator grips the holding part with the specific gripping force, input form the operation part is enabled, and the operation control part generates the equipment operation signal.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus operating device for an operator to operate while holding a grip.

  The vehicle is equipped with a plurality of devices. Each device has many functions, and an operation is performed corresponding to each function. In recent years, the operation frequency has been increasing due to an increase in the number of devices and functions provided in a vehicle. As the operation frequency increases, the number of switches arranged on a grip such as a steering wheel of a vehicle also tends to increase. When the number of switches is increased, there is a concern that an operator may misoperate or an increase in side-by-side driving due to the operator visually confirming the position of the switch.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for operating a plurality of devices using a touch panel installed on a steering wheel and an operation target display device. According to this technology, by displaying various option items on the operation target display device, it is possible to operate many devices while the operator holds the steering wheel. Further, in this technique, when the operator first touches the touch panel, the contact position is recognized as the operation center position. A plurality of contact areas are set on the touch panel corresponding to a plurality of option items with the operation center position as a center. This prevents erroneous operations due to individual differences such as grip position and hand size.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for operating a device by performing a predetermined operation on a plurality of touch panels installed on a steering wheel. According to this technology, if a plurality of predetermined operations are defined, many devices can be operated while holding the steering wheel by performing the operations. Furthermore, in this technique, the operation is recognized as an effective operation only when a predetermined operation is simultaneously performed on a plurality of touch panels. This prevents an erroneous operation caused by unintentionally touching the touch panel.

JP 2005-119540 A JP 2009-132248 A

  However, with the technology described above, a reliable operation cannot be performed unless the operator visually observes the operation unit and performs an operation. Further, if the operator does not remember the predetermined operation, the operator cannot perform the desired operation in a short time.

  The objective of this invention is providing the apparatus operating device which can improve the operativity at the time of operating an apparatus, even if an operator does not look at an operation part reliably.

  The present invention provides a grip part having a guide part indicating a specific gripping position when an operator operates the device, an operation part installed on the grip part using a tactile user interface technology, and the specification of the grip part. A grip detection unit that detects whether the operator is gripping the grip at the specific grip position, and an operation control unit that generates a device operation signal in response to an input to the operation unit. The device operation device is configured such that an input from the operation unit is validated only when the operator is holding the grip unit at the specific grip position, and the operation control unit generates the device operation signal. I will provide a.

  The device operating device includes a display unit that is provided over the operation unit and displays a switch that is operated by the operator, and an operator that holds the grip unit at the specific gripping position. A switch placement unit that determines a placement region of switches to be displayed on the display unit according to an operation, and a switch of a type desired by the operator is placed in the placement region.

  In the device operation apparatus, the operation unit outputs a pseudo switch according to the arrangement or shape of the switch being displayed on the display unit by using a tactile user interface technology.

  The device operating device includes a storage unit that stores an arrangement area, type, and arrangement of a switch desired by the operator, and the storage unit stores the arrangement area and arrangement stored in the storage unit in the display unit. The type of switch to be displayed is displayed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the operability when operating the device without the operator having to visually check the operation unit.

The block diagram of the apparatus operating device in one embodiment of this invention Side view of the grip portion 30 when the operation position of one finger of the operator is fixed Side view of the grip portion 30 when the operation position of the operator's four fingers is fixed The figure which shows an example of the positional relationship of the holding part 30 and the information display touch panel 50. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement for the apparatus operating device at the time of determining the arrangement | positioning area | region of a switch, a kind, and arrangement | positioning displayed on the information display touch panel 50. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the apparatus operating device when an author operates the information display touch panel 50. The figure which shows an example of the user selection screen displayed on the information display touch panel 50 The figure which shows the screen displayed on the information display touch panel 50, and prompting the operator to hold the specific grip position of the grip part 30. The figure which shows on the information display touch panel 50 the screen which prompts the operator to trace the information display touch panel 50 so that an arc may be drawn with a thumb, with the operator grasping the specific grip position of the grip portion 30. The figure which shows the operation object apparatus selection area | region 101 and the apparatus function operation area | region 102 on the information display touch panel 50. The figure which shows an example of the switch displayed on the information display touch panel 50 The figure which shows an example of the switch height of the pseudo switch which the tactile-sense user interface output part 53 outputs

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an apparatus operating device according to an embodiment includes at least one apparatus 10 mounted on a vehicle, an operation control unit 20 that controls the operation of the apparatus 10, and a gripping unit 30 such as a vehicle steering. With.

  First, the grip part 30 will be described. 2 and 3 are side views of the grip portion 30. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the grip 30 has a recess 35 for fixing the grip position of the operator's hand. As shown in FIG. 2, the shape of the grip portion 30 is a shape that fixes the position of one finger (index finger) of the operator, or four fingers of the operator (index finger, middle finger, ring finger, as shown in FIG. Any shape that fixes the position of the little finger) is conceivable, but it is desirable that the shape can fix at least the position of the index finger of the operator.

  In addition, the grip unit 30 is a grip detection unit 40 that detects the grip position of the operator's hand, an operation unit for inputting an operator's operation to the operation control unit 20, and a display unit that displays an operation screen. And an information display touch panel 50. Note that the grip detection unit 40 is provided in the recess 35. The grip detection unit 40 detects whether the operator is holding the grip unit 30 at a specific position. The grip detection unit 40 is a push button, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like, but is not particularly specified.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a positional relationship between the grip unit 30 and the information display touch panel 50. As shown in FIG. 4, the installation position of the information display touch panel 50 is considered to be preferably lower than the center of the grip portion 30, but is not particularly specified. As the number of information display touch panels 50, one is installed on the right hand side or left hand side of the operator, or one is installed on each of the right hand side and left hand side of the operator as shown in FIG. Can be considered, but not specified. Also, the installation area of the information display touch panel 50 may be installed on the entire surface of the gripper 30 or may be installed on a part of the gripper 30 as shown in FIG.

  The operator controls the operation of the device 10 by selecting a desired switch in the operation screen displayed on the information display touch panel 50 while holding the grip unit 30 at a specific grip position. The selection of the switch means that the operator touches the switch displayed on the information display touch panel 50 with a finger or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information display touch panel 50 includes an operation input unit 51, an information display unit 52, and a tactile user interface output unit 53. The operation input unit 51 transmits contact position information to the operation control unit 20 when detecting selection of a switch. The operation input unit 51 is a pressure-sensitive touch panel or an electrostatic touch panel, but is not specified. The information display unit 52 displays a switch for selecting an operation target device and an operation target function based on the switch arrangement information sent from the operation control unit 20. The information display unit 52 is preferably thin and is a liquid crystal panel, plasma panel, organic EL panel, or the like, but is not specified. The tactile user interface output unit 53 performs physical output that feels as if a switch is present on the information display touch panel 50 based on the switch arrangement information sent from the operation control unit 20. The physical output uses a tactile user interface technology and is known to be due to motor vibration or due to an electric field, but is not particularly specified.

  Next, the operation control unit 20 will be described. The operation control unit 20 displays an operation screen that allows the operator to select the operation of the device 10 on the information display touch panel 50, and controls the operation of the device 10 based on the operation information input via the information display touch panel 50. In addition, the operation control unit 20 determines whether the operator is holding a specific grip position of the grip unit 30 based on information detected by the grip detection unit 40 of the grip unit 30. The operation control unit 20 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operation control unit 20 includes a vehicle information processing unit 21, an operation signal generation unit 22, a switch arrangement storage unit 23, an operation control processing unit 24, an operation analysis unit 25, and a switch arrangement unit. 26 and a gripping state determination unit 27. The vehicle information processing unit 21 processes information indicating a state of the vehicle on which the device 10 is mounted, that is, an on / off state of the air conditioner, running, or stopped. The operation signal generation unit 22 generates a signal for controlling the device 10. The switch arrangement storage unit 23 stores the switch arrangement registered by the operator.

  The operation control processing unit 24 determines an output based on information from each unit. The operation analysis unit 25 analyzes the information obtained from the operation input unit 51 of the information display touch panel 50 and outputs the result (contact position information) to the operation control processing unit 24. The switch arrangement unit 26 sends information related to the arrangement or type of the switch to the information display unit 52 and the tactile user interface output unit 53 of the information display touch panel 50. The grip state determination unit 27 analyzes the information obtained from the grip detection unit 40 and determines whether the operator is holding a specific grip position of the grip unit 30.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the device operating device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. First, an operation until a switch is displayed on the information display touch panel 50 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device operating device when determining the arrangement area, type, and arrangement of switches to be displayed on the information display touch panel 50. This operation cannot be performed when the vehicle is traveling.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle information processing unit 21 determines whether or not the vehicle is stopped (step S1). If the vehicle is stopped, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S <b> 2, for example, a user selection screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the information display touch panel 50 in accordance with the information sent from the switch placement unit 26. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user selection screen displayed on the information display touch panel 50. The tactile user interface output unit 53 of the information display touch panel 50 outputs a pseudo switch in accordance with the shape of the switch displayed on the information display unit 52.

  When the operator uses a switch arrangement that has already been registered, the user n touches the display area of the switch indicated as “user n” on the user selection screen, and if the user intends to use the vehicle in the future, Touch the display area of the switch indicated as “Register”, and touch the display area of the switch indicated as “Temporary use” if the vehicle is to be used temporarily. When “user registration” is selected, the switch displayed on the information display touch panel 50 can be customized. If the customized switch layout is registered in “user 1”, for example, the next time the operator selects “user 1” on the user selection screen, the customized switch displays information on the information display touch panel 50. Displayed on the section 52.

  The operation control processing unit 24 determines whether or not the switch of “user n” in the user selection screen is selected based on the analysis result by the operation analysis unit 25 (step S3), and “user n” is selected. If a switch other than “user n” (“user registration” or “temporary use”) is selected, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S <b> 4, the operation control processing unit 24 reads the switch arrangement information of “user n” including information related to the arrangement area, type, and arrangement of the switches from the switch arrangement storage unit 23. Next, the operation control processing unit 24 instructs the switch arrangement unit 26 to display a screen corresponding to the switch arrangement information, and the switch arrangement unit 26 displays the switch on the information display touch panel 50 (step S5). The tactile user interface output unit 53 outputs a pseudo switch in accordance with the shape of the switch.

  On the other hand, in step S <b> 11, the grip state determination unit 27 analyzes the information obtained from the grip detection unit 40 and determines whether the operator is holding a specific grip position of the grip unit 30. If it is determined in step S11 that the operator is gripping a specific grip position of the grip portion 30, the process proceeds to step S13, and if the operator is determined not to grip the specific grip position of the grip portion 30. Proceed to step S12. In step S <b> 12, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a screen that prompts the operator to hold a specific grip position of the grip portion 30 is displayed on the information display touch panel 50. Then, it returns to step S11 again.

  In step S13, according to the information sent from the switch arrangement unit 26, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the information display touch panel is used to draw an arc with a thumb while the operator holds a specific grip position of the grip unit 30. 50 is displayed on the information display touch panel 50. Here, the operator traces the information display touch panel 50 so as to draw an arc with the thumb while holding the specific grip position of the grip portion 30. Next, the operation analysis unit 25 analyzes the position of the arc traced with the thumb, and the operation control processing unit 24, as shown in FIG. 10, has the operation target device selection area 101 outside the arc and the device function inside. This is defined as an operation area 102.

  Next, the operation control processing unit 24 determines whether the analysis result by the operation analysis unit 25 in step S2 is selection of “user registration” or “temporary use” (step S14). If the determination result in step S14 is “user registration”, the process proceeds to step S15, and if “temporary use” is selected, the process proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the operation control processing unit 24 reads default switch arrangement information as shown in FIG. 4, for example, from the switch arrangement storage unit 23, and proceeds to step S5. In step S5, based on the arrangement area determined in step S13 and the switch arrangement information read in step S21, the operation control processing unit 24 instructs the switch arrangement unit 26 to perform switch display, and the switch arrangement unit 26 displays the information display touch panel 50. Display the switch. The tactile user interface output unit 53 outputs a pseudo switch in accordance with the shape of the switch.

  On the other hand, in step S15, the operation control processing unit 24 arranges each switch in the arrangement area determined in step S13. At this time, the operation control processing unit 24 determines the arrangement of each switch stepwise as described below. First, the operation control processing unit 24 sets the number of switches to be arranged in the operation target device selection area 101 and the device function operation area 102, respectively. Since the area of the operation target device selection area 101 and the area of the device function operation area 102 differ depending on the operator, the minimum area of each arrangement area is determined in advance. The operation control processing unit 24 may provide an upper limit on the number of switches that can be arranged in each of the operation target device selection region 101 and the device function operation region 102 after satisfying the minimum area of each arrangement region.

  Next, the operation control processing unit 24 sets an operation target device to be arranged in the operation target device selection area 101. Examples of the operation target device include “audio device”, “navigation device”, “air conditioner”, “auto cruise system”, and the like. The operator selects an operation target device that the operator himself / herself uses frequently among the operation target device candidates as a switch arranged in the operation target device selection area 101.

  Subsequently, the operation control processing unit 24 sets a device function operation to be arranged in the device function operation area 102. At this time, the operator arranges a switch to be set in the device function operation region 102 among the switch candidates for operating each operation target device arranged in the operation target device selection area 101 in the device function operation area 102. Select as a switch. For example, when the operator selects “audio device” as the operation target device, the switches that can be set in the device function operation area 102 are “VOL UP”, “VOL DOWN”, “TRACK” as shown in FIG. UP "," TRACK DOWN "," SOURCE "and the like.

  It should be noted that the switch arrangement in the operation target device selection area 101 may be one column or a plurality of columns as shown in FIG. Further, the switches in the device function operation area 102 may be arranged in one row or in a plurality of rows as shown in FIG. Further, the operation control processing unit 24 may change the display color of the switch in the operation target device selection area 101 and the device function operation area 102. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the operation control processing unit 24 determines the switch height of the pseudo switch output from the tactile user interface output unit 53 with the operation target device selection area pseudo switch 201 and the device function operation area pseudo switch 202. You may change it.

  After step S15, the operation control processing unit 24 saves the switch type and arrangement in each arrangement area determined in step S15 in the switch arrangement storage unit 23 (step S16). Next, the operation control processing unit 24 instructs the switch arrangement unit 26 to display a switch based on the arrangement area determined in step S13 and the type and arrangement of the switches stored in the switch arrangement storage unit 23, and the switch arrangement unit 26. Displays a switch on the information display touch panel 50 (step S5). The tactile user interface output unit 53 outputs a pseudo switch in accordance with the shape of the switch.

  In step S1, when the vehicle information processing unit 21 determines that the vehicle is not stopped, the process proceeds to step S31. In step S <b> 31, the operation control processing unit 24 reads default switch arrangement area information as illustrated in FIG. 4 from the switch arrangement storage unit 23. Subsequently, the operation control processing unit 24 reads default switch arrangement information as illustrated in FIG. 4 from the switch arrangement storage unit 23 (step S32), and proceeds to step S5. In step S5, based on the switch arrangement area read in step S31 and the switch arrangement information read in step S32, the operation control processing unit 24 instructs the switch arrangement unit 26 to perform switch display, and the switch arrangement unit 26 displays the information display touch panel. A switch is displayed at 50. The tactile user interface output unit 53 outputs a pseudo switch in accordance with the shape of the switch.

  If the vehicle information processing unit 21 determines that the vehicle is not stopped during the series of operations described above, the operation control processing unit 24 immediately proceeds to step S31.

  Next, the operation of the device operating device when the operator operates the information display touch panel 50 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device operating device when the operator operates the information display touch panel 50.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the operation control processing unit 24 confirms whether or not the grip state determination unit 27 determines that the operator is holding a specific grip position of the grip unit 30 (step S <b> 51). When the specific grip position of the grip unit 30 is gripped, the process proceeds to step S52. When the specific grip position is not gripped, the operation control processing unit 24 causes the operator to touch the information display touch panel 50 by mistake. It is determined that it has been closed, and the operation on the information display touch panel 50 by the operator is ignored.

  In step S52, when the operation control processing unit 24 determines from the analysis result by the operation analysis unit 25 that the switch arranged in the operation target device selection area 101 has been selected, the operation control processing unit 24 proceeds to step S53 and enters the device function operation area 102. If it is determined that the arranged switch has been selected, the process proceeds to step S55. In step S <b> 53, the operation control processing unit 24 reads information corresponding to the selected switch from the switch arrangement storage unit 23. Next, the operation control processing unit 24 instructs the switch placement unit 26 to display a switch based on the information corresponding to the read switch, and the switch placement unit 26 displays the switch on the information display touch panel 50 (step S54). . The tactile user interface output unit 53 outputs a pseudo switch in accordance with the shape of the switch. On the other hand, in step S55, the operation control processing unit 24 instructs the operation signal generation unit 22 to generate an operation signal corresponding to the switch based on the selected switch, and the operation signal generation unit 22 corresponds to the corresponding device. An operation signal is transmitted to 10.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the gripping position when the information display touch panel 50 installed on the gripping unit 30 is operated by the operator is fixed by the shape of the gripping unit 30, so that the operator Does not need to visually confirm the position of the switch displayed on the information display touch panel 50. As a result, side-view driving can be reduced. Further, since the switch displayed on the information display touch panel 50 can be arranged in advance according to the finger of the operator before the vehicle starts driving, the operator visually confirms the position of the switch when operating the switch. And it is not necessary to release the hand from the grip portion 30. As a result, the device can be operated without difficulty during operation.

  Further, in the case of a user who repeatedly uses the vehicle, such as the owner of the vehicle or a user who frequently drives the vehicle, the switch arrangement storage unit for each operator indicates the switch arrangement and switch type according to the fingers of the operator. 23 can be registered. When setting the switch type, the switch can be selected by the operator himself, so that the number of switches is also suitable for the operator himself. In addition, if the switch arrangement is set by the operator, the operator can easily store the switch arrangement as compared with the default arrangement or the arrangement by another person. As a result, the operator can operate without viewing the information display touch panel 50, and can reduce the side-view driving during the operation.

  Further, by using the information display touch panel 50, switches for operating many functions can be installed in a small space. Furthermore, by providing the tactile user interface output unit 53, it is possible to reduce operator's erroneous operation due to the fact that the operator contact surface of a general touch panel is a flat surface.

  The apparatus operating device according to the present invention is useful as an in-vehicle apparatus operating switch or the like installed in a grip portion of a vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Apparatus 20 Operation control part 21 Vehicle information processing part 22 Operation signal generation part 23 Switch arrangement | positioning memory | storage part 24 Operation control processing part 25 Operation analysis part 26 Switch arrangement | positioning part 27 Gripping state judgment part 30 Gripping part 35 Recess 40 Grasping detection part 50 Information Display touch panel 51 Operation input unit 52 Information display unit 53 Tactile user interface output unit

Claims (4)

A gripping part having a guide part indicating a specific gripping position when the operator operates the device;
An operation unit installed in the gripping unit and using a tactile user interface technology;
A grip detection unit that is disposed at the specific grip position of the grip unit and detects whether the operator is gripping the grip unit at the specific grip position;
An operation control unit that generates a device operation signal according to an input to the operation unit,
Only when the operator is gripping the grip at the specific grip position, input from the operation unit is validated, and the operation control unit generates the device operation signal. A display unit that is provided over the operation unit and displays a switch operated by the operator;
A switch arrangement unit that determines an arrangement area of a switch to be displayed on the display unit in response to an operation of the operation unit by an operator holding the grip unit at the specific gripping position;
The apparatus operating device according to claim 1, wherein a switch of a type desired by the operator is arranged in the arrangement area.   The apparatus operating device according to claim 2, wherein the operation unit outputs a pseudo switch in accordance with an arrangement or a shape of a switch being displayed on the display unit by using a tactile user interface technology. A storage unit for storing a switch placement region, type and placement desired by the operator;
The device operating device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the display unit displays an arrangement area stored by the storage unit and a type of switch stored by the storage unit in an arrangement.

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