JP2013171400A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device for performing the accurate input and sharp change of a parameter.SOLUTION: An input device 100 which inputs a parameter 2 includes: a convex sensor part 22 forming a cylindrical surface-shaped sensing face 22a; contact detection means 31 for detecting the contact position of a user with the sensing face 22a; and control means 32 for controlling a parameter 2 on the basis of the contact position. The control means 32 executes: a normal variable mode in which while the slide change of the contact position occurs in the circumferential direction of the sensing face 22a, the parameter 2 is changed in accordance with the slide change of the contact position; a stop mode in which while the slide change of the contact position stops in the normal variable mode, the change of the parameter 2 stops in a static state in which the contact of the user with the sensing face 22a is continued; and a resumption variable mode in which when the static state is continued in a predetermined time T or more in the stop mode, the change of the parameter 2 is resumed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an input device is known in which a dial member is provided so as to be rotatable by a user, and a parameter that determines an operating state of a predetermined device is changed according to the rotational position of the dial member. However, since this type of input device uses a mechanically rotating dial member as a user interface, it is necessary to consider the durability of a bearing or the like that supports the dial member.

  Therefore, in recent years, there has been provided an input device that includes a sensor unit in which a plurality of sensor elements are arranged in a ring shape along a planar sensing surface, and changes a parameter displayed by the display unit according to a contact position of the user with respect to the sensing surface. For example, it is proposed in Patent Document 1. Specifically, in the input device of Patent Document 1, when a user slides and changes the contact position of a finger on an annular operation panel forming a sensing surface, a signal is output from a sensor element nearest to the contact position. Is done. By detecting the contact position of the user with respect to the sensing surface based on the output signal, various information items as parameters displayed on the display unit change according to the contact position. As described above, since the input device of Patent Document 1 uses a sensor element that is electrically sensed as a user interface, not only can durability be improved, but also the degree of freedom in design can be improved.

JP 2008-52567 A

  However, in the input device of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to slide the finger contact position in the circumferential direction on the planar sensing surface of the operation panel. It is difficult to accurately detect the contact position in the direction. Therefore, the parameter changed according to the contact position has a problem that an error occurs with respect to the input value intended by the user. In addition, since there is a design upper limit for the dimensions of the operation panel that forms the sensing surface, there is a problem that it is difficult to change the parameters significantly only by the input form in which the contact position is slid in the circumferential direction. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that enables accurate input and substantial change of parameters.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an input device for inputting a parameter for determining an operating state of a predetermined device, and a convex sensor portion that protrudes so as to be contactable by a user and forms a cylindrical sensing surface; A contact detection means for detecting a contact position of the user with respect to the sensing surface; and a control means for controlling a parameter based on the contact position detected by the contact detection means. The control means is detected by the contact detection means. While the contact position slides in the circumferential direction of the sensing surface, the normal variable mode for changing parameters according to the slide change of the contact position and the slide change of the contact position detected by the contact detection means are in the normal variable mode. However, in a stationary state where the user's contact with the sensing surface continues, a stop mode that stops parameter changes and a static mode during the stop mode When the state continues for a predetermined time or more, it executes a resumption variable mode to resume the change of parameters.

  In the normal variable mode of the present invention, while the contact position of the user with respect to the cylindrical sensing surface of the convex sensor portion slides and changes in the circumferential direction of the sensing surface, the parameter that determines the operating state of the predetermined device is a change in the contact position. Can be changed according to Therefore, the user can variably input parameters by bringing a finger into contact with the cylindrical sensing surface and slidingly changing the contact position in the circumferential direction. That is, since the user can change the contact position of the finger along the cylindrical sensing surface as if operating the mechanical rotary dial member, the movement of the finger is unlikely to occur when parameters are input. According to this, it is possible to input parameters more accurately than in the case where the contact position is slid on the planar sensing surface.

  Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, although the change of the contact position by the user normally stops during the variable mode, the stop mode is executed in the stationary state where the user's contact with the sensing surface is continued. In the stop mode, the parameter change is temporarily stopped, but if the stationary state continues for a predetermined time or more during the stop mode, the parameter change is resumed by executing the restart variable mode. Is done. According to this, the user can further variably input parameters by continuing the contact while stopping the contact position with respect to the sensing surface. That is, since the user can input parameters by not changing the contact position after inputting the parameters by changing the contact position on the sensing surface, even if there is a design limit on the size of the sensing surface, It is possible to change the parameters greatly.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an input device that enables accurate input and large change of parameters.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the control means changes the parameter to the increase side in the normal variable mode and the restart variable mode when the change direction of the contact position detected by the contact detection means is one of the circumferential directions. When the change direction of the contact position detected by the contact detection means is the other in the circumferential direction, the parameter is changed to the decrease side in the normal variable mode and the restart variable mode.

  In the normal variable mode and the restart variable mode of the present invention, the parameter changes to the increase side when the change direction of the contact position with respect to the sensing surface is one of the circumferential directions, while the parameter changes when the change direction is the other of the circumferential directions. It changes to the decrease side. Therefore, the parameter increased in the normal variable mode is further increased in the restart variable mode, and conversely, the parameter decreased in the normal variable mode is further decreased in the restart variable mode. Therefore, depending on the direction of the slide change of the contact position, the user can not only increase / decrease the parameter in the normal variable mode according to the slide change but also increase / decrease the parameter in the restart variable mode after the slide change is stopped. Can also be decided, so you can feel the ease of use. In addition, since the increase / decrease direction of the parameters is the same in the normal variable mode and the subsequent restart variable mode, the user does not feel uncomfortable. According to these, it is possible to improve the user friendliness of the input device that executes the restart variable mode in addition to the normal variable mode in order to greatly change the parameter.

  In the invention according to claim 3, the contact detection means detects the contact position when the user's contact with the sensing surface is started as the start position, and when the slide change of the contact position stops during the normal variable mode. The contact position is detected as the end position, and the control means calculates the amount of movement of the contact position from the difference between the start position and the end position detected by the contact detection means, and according to the amount of movement in the restart variable mode. The parameter is changed with the time change rate.

  The time change rate when changing the parameter in the resumable variable mode of the present invention depends on the movement amount of the contact position calculated from the difference between the start position and the end position when the user's contact with the sensing surface is started. It will be decided. Therefore, the user can control the time change rate of the parameter in the resumable variable mode by the amount of movement of the contact position in the normal variable mode in which the slide is changed with respect to the sensing surface. According to this, it is possible to improve the user friendliness of the input device that executes the restart variable mode in addition to the normal variable mode in order to change the parameter significantly.

  In the invention according to claim 4, the contact detection means detects the contact position when the user's contact with the sensing surface is started as the start position, and when the slide change of the contact position stops during the normal variable mode. The contact position is detected as an end position, and the control means calculates the amount of movement of the contact position from the difference between the start position and the end position detected by the contact detection means, so that a plurality of threshold values to be compared with the amount of movement are calculated. And changing the parameter change mode in the restart variable mode according to a threshold value that exceeds the movement amount.

  In this invention, the movement amount of the contact position calculated from the difference between the start position and the end position when the user's contact with the sensing surface is started is compared with a plurality of threshold values, and the threshold value exceeds the movement amount. Accordingly, the change mode of the parameter in the restart variable mode is changed. As a result, the user can change the parameter change mode in the restart variable mode by increasing or decreasing the amount of movement of the contact position in the normal variable mode in which the slide is changed, so that the user-friendliness can be improved. According to this, it is possible to improve the user friendliness of the input device that executes the restart variable mode in addition to the normal variable mode in order to change the parameter significantly.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, the control means has a limit value that is an upper limit value or a lower limit value of the parameter, and sets the parameter to the limit value in the restart variable mode.

  In the resumable variable mode of the present invention, the parameter is set to a limit value that is the upper limit value or the lower limit value thereof, so that the user can change the parameter to the limit value at a stroke only by maintaining the contact position with respect to the sensing surface. be able to. According to this, it is possible to realize a large parameter change by maintaining the contact position in a short time and to input a fixed limit value, so accurate parameter input without waiting for the user is possible It becomes.

  In the invention described in claim 6, the convex sensor section has a plurality of sensor elements arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction along the sensing surface, and the contact detection means is closest to the contact position of the user with respect to the sensing surface. The contact position is detected based on a signal output from the sensor element.

  According to the present invention, parameter input is performed based on a signal output from a sensor element closest to a contact position of the user with respect to the sensing surface among a plurality of sensor elements arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction along the sensing surface. The contact position that determines the value can be accurately detected in the circumferential direction of the sensing surface. According to this, it is possible to contribute in terms of accurate input of parameters.

  In a seventh aspect of the invention, the control means controls a vehicle parameter that determines an operating state of the vehicle device as a parameter displayed by the display unit mounted on the vehicle together with the convex sensor unit.

  In this invention, the vehicle parameter which determines the operating state of the vehicle equipment is set as the control target as the display parameter of the display unit mounted on the vehicle together with the convex sensor unit. As a result, even in a vehicle that is prone to vibration, the user can accurately adjust the vehicle parameters while looking at the display unit by grasping the cylindrical sensing surface of the convex sensor unit and slidingly changing the contact position with the sensing surface. Can be entered.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of an input device. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display method of the parameter in the display part of 1st embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the input part and control part in 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross section of the convex-shaped sensor part in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the control flow in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the control flow in 2nd embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining how to catch the movement amount in 3rd embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the control flow in 3rd embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the control flow in 4th embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol to the corresponding component in each embodiment. When only a part of the configuration is described in each embodiment, the configuration of the other embodiment described above can be applied to the other part of the configuration. In addition, not only combinations of configurations explicitly described in the description of each embodiment, but also the configurations of a plurality of embodiments can be partially combined even if they are not explicitly specified unless there is a problem with the combination. .

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used for a user to input a parameter 2 that defines an operating state of a predetermined device 1. Here, the parameter 2 is a set temperature of the blown air set in a predetermined temperature range (for example, 18 ° C. to 32 ° C.) in the vehicle air conditioner as the vehicle equipment 1 mounted on the vehicle, for example. The parameter 2 can be input by the input device 100 so that the vehicle interior temperature according to the user's preference is obtained. In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle device 1 of the present embodiment includes a display unit 3 such as a liquid crystal display that displays the parameter 2, and the user can observe the parameter while viewing the display on the display unit 3. 2 inputs are possible.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 100 includes an input unit 20 and a control unit 30. The input unit 20 and the control unit 30 are arranged at a position where the vehicle occupant who is a user can easily operate, for example, in the vehicle interior, such as the front of the center position of the instrument panel.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the input unit 20 includes a sensor panel 21, a convex sensor unit 22, a film member 25, a sensor element 26, and a wiring unit 27. The sensor panel 21 is formed in a plate shape with resin, and constitutes an outer design surface 21 a in the input unit 20. The sensor panel 21 is provided along the front surface of an instrument panel of a vehicle, for example.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the convex sensor portion 22 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape integral with the sensor panel 21 by resin. The convex sensor part 22 is provided so that it can contact with a user's finger | toe by projecting from the design surface 21a of the sensor panel 21. FIG. The outer peripheral surface 22a having a cylindrical surface shape in the convex sensor portion 22 functions as a sensing surface 22a that senses contact of the user's finger. The appearance of the convex sensor section 22 is the same as that of a mechanical rotary dial member that has been conventionally used.

  The film member 25 is a flexible thin film member, and is formed of, for example, a resin such as polyethylene terephthalate or polyimide. The film member 25 has a ring-shaped portion 28 and a strip-shaped portion 29. The ring-shaped part 28 is formed in an annular shape along the inner peripheral surface 22 b of the convex sensor part 22, and is accommodated coaxially in the convex sensor part 22. The belt-like portion 29 extends from one place in the circumferential direction of the ring-like portion 28 to the side opposite to the bottom portion of the convex sensor portion 22.

  The sensor element 26 is formed in a thin film shape, for example, by a printing member containing metal or a conductive substance, and a plurality of sensor elements 26 (for example, 14 in this embodiment) on the outer peripheral surface 28a of the ring-shaped portion 28 of the film member 25, It is joined. The sensor elements 26 are arranged at regular intervals so as to be aligned in the circumferential direction along the sensing surface 22a of the convex sensor portion 22 surrounding the outer peripheral side. Each sensor element 26 forms a capacitor via the convex sensor part 22 between the sensing surface 22a and the user's contact point, and the capacitance between the sensor element 26 and the user's finger, for example, is reduced. Output a signal that represents Accordingly, since the sensor element 26 closest to the contact position of the user with respect to the sensing surface 22a outputs a signal representing the largest capacitance, the contact position of the user is detected based on the output signal. It can be accurately identified in the circumferential direction 22a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the wiring portion 27 is formed in a linear shape by, for example, a printing member containing metal or a conductive substance, and extends from the outer peripheral surface 28 a of the ring-shaped portion 28 to the outer peripheral surface 29 a of the strip-shaped portion 29. Bonded to the film member 25. The same number of wiring parts 27 as the sensor elements 26 are prepared, and a plurality of wiring parts 27 are provided so as to form a pair with each sensor element 26. Each wiring unit 27 has one end connected to the corresponding sensor element 26 and the other end connected to the control unit 30, thereby transmitting an output signal from the corresponding sensor element 26 to the control unit 30.

  The control unit 30 shown in FIG. 1 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and is electrically connected to the wiring unit 27 of the input unit 20 and the display unit 3 of the vehicle device 1. The control part 30 implement | achieves two functional blocks for changing the parameter 2 of the vehicle equipment 1 according to the input value of the input part 20 by running a computer program.

  The contact detection block 31 which is the first functional block captures the output signal of each sensor element 26 via each wiring portion 27 at every predetermined sampling period (for example, every several tens of milliseconds). Further, the contact detection block 31 identifies the signal representing the maximum capacitance among the output signals from the captured sensor elements 26, thereby determining whether or not there is contact with the sensing surface 22a and the circumferential direction of the sensing surface 22a. Detect the contact position.

  The change control block 32, which is the second functional block, has a normal variable mode, a stop mode, and a restart as a control mode for changing the parameter 2 of the vehicle device 1 based on the contact position detected by the contact detection block 31. Execute variable mode. Specifically, the change control block 32 is a normal variable mode in which the parameter 2 is changed in accordance with the slide change of the contact position while the contact position detected by the contact detection block 31 slides in the circumferential direction of the sensing surface 22a. Execute. In addition, the change control block 32 stops the change in the slide of the contact position detected by the contact detection block 31 during the normal variable mode, but changes the parameter 2 in the stationary state in which the user's contact with the sensing surface 22a is continued. Execute the stop mode to stop. Further, the change control block 32 executes the resumable variable mode in which the change of the parameter 2 is resumed when the stationary state continues for the predetermined time T or more during the stop mode. Therefore, when the change control block 32 executes the restart variable mode from the normal variable mode through the stop mode, the parameter 2 changes even though the contact position is stopped for a predetermined time T or more after the slide change. For a person, a long turning state is realized as if the mechanical rotary dial is continuously turned. Here, the predetermined time T is a time required for the user to consciously continue the contact with the sensing surface 22a at a predetermined contact position in order to change the parameter. Is set.

  In particular, the change control block 32 is used when the change direction of the contact position detected by the contact detection block 31 is one of the circumferential directions of the sensing surface 22a, for example, the clockwise direction as viewed from the user side in the present embodiment. The parameter 2 is changed to the increase side in the normal variable mode and the restart variable mode. On the other hand, when the change direction of the contact position detected by the contact detection block 31 is the other of the circumferential directions of the sensing surface 22a, for example, in this embodiment, the change control block 32 is counterclockwise when viewed from the user side. Then, the parameter 2 is changed to the decreasing side in the normal variable mode and the restart variable mode. Furthermore, the change control block 32 defines an upper limit value (for example, 32 ° C.) and a lower limit value (for example, 18 ° C.) of the variable range of the parameter 2 as limit values, and the parameter 2 is changed on the variable side in the restart variable mode. Change to the limit value (that is, the upper limit value when changing on the increase side, and the lower limit value when changing on the decrease side), the change is stopped.

  Next, a control flow of the input device 100 by the control unit 30 will be described with reference to FIG. This control flow starts when the vehicle device 1 is turned on and ends when the vehicle device 1 is turned off.

  In S101 of the control flow, the contact detection block 31 determines whether or not the user has touched the sensing surface 22a of the input unit 20 based on the output signal of each sensor element 26. While the negative determination is made in S101, S101 is repeatedly executed, and when the positive determination is made in S101, the process proceeds to S102.

  In S102, the change control block determines whether or not the contact position detected by the contact detection block 31 based on the output signal of each sensor element 26 has changed in the circumferential direction of the sensing surface 22a within the sampling period of the output signal. 32. While a negative determination is made in S102, the process returns to S101, and when an affirmative determination is made in S102, the process proceeds to S103.

  In S103, the change control block 32 executes the normal variable mode. Specifically, in the normal variable mode of S103, the change direction of the contact position detected by the contact detection block 31 is determined. As a result, when the determined change direction is clockwise, the parameter 2 is changed to the increase side. On the other hand, when the determined change direction is counterclockwise, the parameter 2 is changed to the decreasing side. At this time, in the present embodiment, the parameter 2 is gradually changed according to the change of the contact position detected by the contact detection block 31, so that the parameter 2 is changed by turning the mechanical rotary dial member. Input.

  In subsequent S104, the change control block 32 determines whether or not the change in the contact position detected in the contact detection block 31 is continued in the change direction determined in S103 in the circumferential direction. While an affirmative determination is made in S104, the process returns to S103, and when a negative determination is made in S104, the process proceeds to S105.

  In S105, after the timer is started in the change control block 32, in S106, whether or not the user continues to contact the sensing surface 22a is determined by the contact detection block 31 as an output signal of each sensor element 26. Judgment based on. If a negative determination is made in S106, the timer is stopped and the process returns to S101. If an affirmative determination is made in S106, the process proceeds to S107 while the timer is continued.

  In S107, the change control block 32 executes a stop mode in which the change of the parameter 2 is stopped. Further, in S108, the change control block 32 determines whether or not a predetermined time T or more has elapsed since the timer start. While a negative determination is made in S108, the process returns to S106, and when an affirmative determination is made in S108, the process proceeds to S109.

  In S109, the resuming variable mode is executed by the change control block 32. Specifically, in the resumable variable mode in S109, the parameter 2 is gradually changed at a constant time change rate or stepwise changed discretely (stepwise). At this time, if the parameter 2 is increased in the immediately preceding S103, the parameter is also increased in S109, while if the parameter 2 is decreased in the immediately preceding S103, the parameter 2 is also decreased in S109. Migrate to

  In S110, it is determined by the contact detection block 31 based on the output signal of each sensor element 26 whether or not the user continues to contact the sensing surface 22a. If a negative determination is made in S110, the process returns to S101. If an affirmative determination is made in S110, the process proceeds to S111.

  In S111, the change control block 32 determines whether or not the parameter 2 changed in the immediately preceding S109 has reached a limit value that is a preset upper limit value or lower limit value. While a negative determination is made in S111, the process returns to S109. If a positive determination is made in S111, the process proceeds to S112, and in S112, the change of parameter 2 is stopped.

As described above, after the changed parameter 2 is reflected on the display of the display unit 3, the process returns to S101 from S112, and S101 and its subsequent steps are appropriately executed.
(Function and effect)
The effect by the input device 100 of 1st embodiment mentioned above is demonstrated in detail below.

  In the normal variable mode of the first embodiment, the operating state of the predetermined device 1 is determined while the contact position of the user with respect to the cylindrical sensing surface 22a of the convex sensor unit 22 slides in the circumferential direction of the sensing surface 22a. Parameter 2 is changed according to the change of the contact position. Therefore, the user can variably input the parameter 2 by bringing his / her finger into contact with the cylindrical surface 22a and sliding the contact position in the circumferential direction. That is, the user can change the contact position of the finger along the cylindrical sensing surface 22a as if the user operated a mechanical rotary dial member. hard. According to this, compared with the case where the contact position is slid on the planar sensing surface 22a, the parameter 2 can be input accurately.

  Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the stop mode is executed in a stationary state in which the change of the contact position by the user stops during the normal variable mode but the user's contact with the sensing surface 22a continues. In the stop mode, the change of the parameter 2 is temporarily stopped. However, when the stationary state continues for the predetermined time T or more during the stop mode, the restart variable mode is further executed, so that the parameter 2 Change is resumed. According to this, the user can further change the parameter 2 by continuing the contact while stopping the contact position with respect to the sensing surface 22a. That is, since the user can input the parameter 2 by not changing the contact position after inputting the parameter 2 by changing the contact position with respect to the sensing surface 22a, there is a design limit on the size of the sensing surface 22a. Even so, the parameter 2 can be significantly changed. Based on the above, it is possible to provide the input device 100 that enables accurate input and significant change of the parameter 2.

  In the normal variable mode and the restart variable mode of the first embodiment, the parameter 2 changes to the increase side when the change direction of the contact position with respect to the sensing surface 22a is one of the circumferential directions, while the change direction is the circumferential direction. If it is the other of these, it changes to the decreasing side. Therefore, the parameter 2 increased in the normal variable mode is further increased in the restart variable mode, and conversely, the parameter 2 decreased in the normal variable mode is further decreased in the restart variable mode. Therefore, depending on the direction of the slide change of the contact position, the user not only increases / decreases the parameter 2 in the normal variable mode according to the slide change but also sets the parameter 2 in the restart variable mode after the slide change is stopped. Since the direction of increase / decrease can be determined, you can feel the ease of use. In addition, since the increase / decrease direction of the parameter 2 is the same in the normal variable mode and the subsequent restart variable mode, the user does not feel uncomfortable. According to these, it is possible to improve the user friendliness of the input apparatus 100 that executes the restart variable mode in addition to the normal variable mode in order to greatly change the parameter 2.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, among the plurality of sensor elements 26 arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction along the sensing surface 22a, the sensor element 26 that is closest to the contact position of the user with the sensing surface 22a is output. Based on the signal, the contact position that determines the input value of parameter 2 can be accurately detected in the circumferential direction of the sensing surface 22a. According to this, it is possible to contribute in terms of accurate input of the parameter 2.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, as the display parameter 2 of the display unit 3 mounted on the vehicle together with the convex sensor unit 22, the vehicle parameter 2 that determines the operating state of the vehicle device 1 is set as the control target. As a result, even in a vehicle in which vibration is likely to occur, the user can slide the contact position with respect to the sensing surface 22a by grasping the cylindrical sensing surface 22a of the convex sensor unit 22 while looking at the display unit 3. It becomes possible to input the vehicle parameter 2 accurately.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide the input device 100 that enables accurate input and significant change of the parameter 2.

(Second embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 6, the second embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the change control block 32 in the restart variable mode sets the parameter 2 to the limit value that is one of the upper limit value and the lower limit value set in advance according to the change direction in the normal variable mode. Set with the start of. Specifically, when the change direction in the normal variable mode is clockwise, the parameter 2 is set to the upper limit value as the limit value, thereby changing the parameter 2 to the increase side at once. On the other hand, when the change direction in the normal variable mode is counterclockwise, by setting the parameter 2 to the lower limit value as the limit value, the parameter 2 is rapidly changed to the decreasing side.

  In such a second embodiment, in the restart variable mode executed in S2109 of the control flow shown in FIG. 6, when the change direction calculated in S103 is clockwise, the parameter 2 is set to the upper limit value as the limit value. On the other hand, when the change direction is counterclockwise, the parameter 2 is set to the lower limit value as the limit value. Note that after executing S2109, the process returns to S101 without executing S110 to S112 of the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the increase / decrease direction of the parameter 2 is the same in the normal variable mode and the subsequent restart variable mode. Therefore, from the same principle as in the first embodiment, the user friendliness of the input device 100 is improved. It is possible to increase.

  Further, in the restart variable mode of the second embodiment, since the parameter 2 is set to a limit value that is the upper limit value or the lower limit value, the user only needs to maintain the contact position with respect to the sensing surface 22a. It can be changed at a stretch to the limit value. According to this, since a significant change of the parameter 2 due to the maintenance of the contact position can be realized in a short time and a fixed limit value can be input, accurate parameter 2 input that does not wait for the user is possible. Is possible.

(Third embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 7, the third embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the contact detection block 31 detects the contact position when the user's contact with the sensing surface 22a is started as the start position Ps, and when the contact position slides and stops after the start of the contact. Is detected as the end position Pf. Accordingly, the change control block 32 calculates the movement amount Q of the contact position from the difference between the start position Ps and the end position Pf in the stop mode, and sets the parameter with the time change rate corresponding to the calculated movement amount Q in the restart variable mode. 2 is gradually changed or step-changed. For example, in the present embodiment, the time rate of change of parameter 2 is set larger as the movement amount Q is larger, and the rate of change of parameter 2 is set smaller as the movement amount Q is smaller.

  Here, a method for deriving the movement amount Q will be specifically described. In FIG. 7, each of the plurality of sensor elements 26 is S1 to Sn. Each of S1 to n is arranged such that the sensor number increases along the circumferential direction of the sensing surface 22a. The contact detection block 31 detects the position of the sensor element 26 having the maximum capacitance at the start of contact with the sensing surface 22a as the start position Ps (in the example of FIG. 7, the check box is blacked out S3). Further, when the sliding change of the contact position with respect to the sensing surface 22a stops, the contact detection block 31 detects the position of the sensor element 26 having the maximum capacitance as the end position Pf (in the example of FIG. 7, a check box is displayed). S4) painted black. Then, the change control block 32 calculates the difference between the start position Ps and the end position Pf thus detected as a movement amount Q (1 in the example of FIG. 7).

  In such a third embodiment, when an affirmative determination is made in S101 of the control flow shown in FIG. 8, the process proceeds to S3102a, the start position Ps is detected by the contact detection block 31, and the process proceeds to S102. Further, after execution of S105 of the control flow, the process proceeds to S3106a, the end position Pf is detected by the contact detection block 31, and the process proceeds to S106. Further, when an affirmative determination is made in S108, the process proceeds to S3109a, and the movement amount Q is calculated from the difference between the start position Ps detected in the immediately preceding S3102a and the end position Pf detected in the immediately preceding S3106a. Subsequently, in the restart variable mode of S3109b, the parameter 2 is changed at a time change rate corresponding to the calculated movement amount Q.

  As described above, the time change rate when changing the parameter 2 in the restart variable mode of the third embodiment is the difference between the start position Ps and the end position Pf when the user's contact with the sensing surface 22a is started. It is determined according to the movement amount Q calculated from the difference. Therefore, the user can control the time change rate of the parameter 2 in the resumable variable mode by the movement amount Q of the contact position in the normal variable mode in which the sensing surface 22a is slid and can feel good usability. it can. According to this, it is possible to improve the user friendliness of the input apparatus 100 that executes the restart variable mode in addition to the normal variable mode in order to greatly change the parameter 2.

(Fourth embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 9, the fourth embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the third embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the change control block 32 prescribes a plurality of threshold values to be compared with the movement amount Q discretely (stepwise), and the change mode of the parameter 2 in the restart variable mode according to the threshold value exceeding the movement amount Q. To change. For example, in the present embodiment, parameter 3 is gradually changed when the movement amount Q exceeds the minimum threshold value among the three threshold values of the minimum, intermediate and maximum, and parameter 2 is set when the movement amount Q exceeds the intermediate threshold value. When the movement amount Q exceeds the maximum threshold value, the parameter 2 is set as the limit value with the upper limit value or the lower limit value described in the second embodiment, and is changed at once. In particular, in this embodiment, the time change rate when the parameter 2 is gradually changed and the time change rate when the parameter 2 is changed stepwise change the parameter 2 at a stroke according to the corresponding movement amount Q. It is set to be larger than the time change rate at the time of making it. That is, the time change rate of parameter 2 is also changed. Note that the time change rate when the parameter 2 is gradually changed and the time change rate when the parameter 2 is changed stepwise may be made to coincide with each other.

  In the fourth embodiment as described above, when the movement amount Q is calculated in S3109a as shown in the control flow shown in FIG. 9, the process proceeds to S4109a to determine a threshold value that the movement amount Q exceeds, and the subsequent S4109b. The change mode of the parameter 2 in the restart variable mode is determined.

  According to the fourth embodiment described above, the movement amount Q of the contact position calculated from the difference between the start position Ps and the end position Pf when the user's contact with the sensing surface 22a is started has a plurality of threshold values. At least the change mode of the parameter 2 in the restart variable mode is changed according to the threshold value that is compared and exceeds the movement amount Q. As a result, the user can change at least the change mode of the parameter 2 in the resumable variable mode by increasing / decreasing the movement amount Q of the contact position in the normal variable mode in which the slide is changed, thereby improving the user-friendliness felt by the user. Can be. According to this, it is possible to improve the user friendliness of the input apparatus 100 that executes the restart variable mode in addition to the normal variable mode in order to greatly change the parameter 2.

(Other embodiments)
Although a plurality of embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not construed as being limited to these embodiments, and various embodiments and combinations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Can be applied.

  Specifically, in the first to fourth embodiments, the convex sensor unit 22 has been described as being formed in a flat cylindrical shape. However, the convex sensor unit 22 is not limited to this, and the convex sensor unit 22 has a bottom surface. May be oval or polygonal cylindrical. Since it is necessary to literally rotate a general rotary switch, it is common sense to make it substantially cylindrical, but in the present invention, the convex sensor portion 22 itself does not substantially rotate. Thus, for example, by making the ellipse as described above, the input device 100 having a novel design that has not been possible in the past can be obtained.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the sensor element 26 is a capacitive sensor. However, the sensor element 26 is not limited to this, and a pressure-sensitive sensor element that generates a position signal with a pressing force at the time of contact is used. Also good.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the sensor element 26 is bonded to the outer surface of the ring-shaped portion 28 of the film member 25, but may be bonded to the inner surface. Further, the film member 25 may be eliminated, and the sensor element 26 may be directly joined to the inner peripheral surface 22b of the sensing surface 22a of the convex sensor portion 22.

  Regarding the input device 100 of the first to fourth embodiments, the set temperature of the vehicle air conditioner is input, but in addition, the amount of blown-out air (air flow rate) of the conditioned air into the vehicle interior is input. It is also possible to input a blowing mode (face mode, foot mode, etc.). Moreover, it is good also as what inputs the volume in a vehicle audio, or a radio channel selection. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to the input device 100 of various household devices as well as vehicles.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle equipment, 2 Parameter, 3 Display part, 20 Input part, 22 Convex sensor part, 22a Sensing surface, 26 Sensor element, 30 Control part, 31 Contact detection block, 32 Change control block, 100 Input device, Pf End position , Ps start position, Q travel,

Claims (7)

An input device for inputting a parameter for determining an operating state of a predetermined device,
A convex sensor part that protrudes so as to be contactable by the user and forms a cylindrical sensing surface;
Contact detection means for detecting a contact position of the user with respect to the sensing surface;
Control means for controlling the parameter based on the contact position detected by the contact detection means,
The control means includes
A normal variable mode in which the parameter is changed according to the slide change of the contact position while the contact position detected by the contact detection means slides in the circumferential direction of the sensing surface;
While the slide change of the contact position detected by the contact detection unit stops during the normal variable mode, the stop of changing the parameter is stopped in a stationary state where the user's contact with the sensing surface continues. Mode,
An input device that executes a resumable variable mode that resumes the change of the parameter when the stationary state continues for a predetermined time or more during the stop mode.   When the change direction of the contact position detected by the contact detection means is one of the circumferential directions, the control means changes the parameter to the increase side in the normal variable mode and the restart variable mode, 2. The parameter is changed to a decreasing side in the normal variable mode and the restart variable mode when the change direction of the contact position detected by the contact detection means is the other of the circumferential directions. The input device described in 1. The contact detection means detects the contact position when the user's contact with the sensing surface is started as a start position, and the contact when the slide change of the contact position stops during the normal variable mode. Detect position as end position,
The control means calculates a movement amount of the contact position from a difference between the start position and the end position detected by the contact detection means, and in the restart variable mode, at a rate of time change corresponding to the movement amount. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the parameter is changed. The contact detection means detects the contact position when the user's contact with the sensing surface is started as a start position, and the contact when the slide change of the contact position stops during the normal variable mode. Detect position as end position,
The control means has a plurality of thresholds to be compared with the movement amount by calculating the movement amount of the contact position from the difference between the start position and the end position detected by the contact detection means, and the movement The input device according to claim 1, wherein a change form of the parameter in the restart variable mode is changed according to the threshold value exceeding the amount.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit has a limit value that is an upper limit value or a lower limit value of the parameter, and sets the parameter to the limit value in the restart variable mode. . The convex sensor part has a plurality of sensor elements arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction along the sensing surface,
The said contact detection means detects the said contact position based on the signal output from the said sensor element nearest to the said user's contact position with respect to the said sensing surface. The input device according to item.   2. The control unit, as the parameter displayed by the display unit mounted on the vehicle together with the convex sensor unit, sets a vehicle parameter that determines an operating state of a vehicle device as a control target. The input apparatus as described in any one of -6.

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