JP2014059682A - Input device and input system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device that can be easily operated by utilizing inclusion of a plurality of operation modes.SOLUTION: An operation plate on which an operation surface is formed is mounted on an input device. A contact position with which a finger is in contact on the operation surface is detected and outputted as a first input signal, and a position of the operation plate is detected and outputted as a second input signal. Thus, an operation mode in which the finger is in contact with the operation surface (including an operation mode in which the finger is slid on the operation surface) and an operation mode in which the operation plate is moved are achieved. In these operation modes, switching can be easily performed only by changing the degree of force exerted by the finger, and equal operation easiness is achieved. Therefore, by utilizing fully inclusion of two operation modes, an input device that can be easily operated can be achieved.

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device and an input system that are used to input a signal to a control device and are operated using a finger.

  An input device that selects a desired menu by displaying a plurality of menus on a screen in a selectable manner and moving an operation knob while viewing the screen is widely known.

  In addition, in order to easily select a desired menu from the hierarchical menu, a first operation mode in which the rotation operation knob is rotated without being depressed, and the rotation operation knob is depressed. An input device that enables the second operation mode has also been proposed (Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-3815

However, in the proposed input device described above, the second operation mode tends to be used as an auxiliary operation mode of the first operation mode for the following reasons, and the two operation modes are fully utilized. There was a problem that could not be done.
That is, when the rotation angle of the rotation operation knob increases, it is necessary to change the rotation operation knob during the operation. In the second operation mode, the rotation operation knob has to be rotated while being pushed down. Therefore, when the rotation operation knob is changed, the rotation operation knob that has been pushed down returns to a state where it is not depressed. As a result, when the operation is resumed, an erroneous operation may occur in the first operation mode (or only for a moment). Of course, it is possible to maintain the state where the rotary operation knob is pushed down, but in this case, when the operation mode is shifted from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, an operation of lifting the rotary operation knob is performed. This is not preferable because the operation is complicated.
For this reason, the application range of the second operation mode tends to be limited to an operation having a smaller rotation angle than the first operation mode, and as a result, the application range of the auxiliary operation of the first operation mode is limited. There is a problem that it is not possible to fully utilize the provision of two operation modes.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an input device and an input system that can be easily operated by fully utilizing the provision of a plurality of operation modes.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the input device of the present invention includes an operation plate on which an operation surface is formed. Then, the contact position where the finger is touching on the operation surface is detected and output as the first input signal, and the position of the operation plate is detected and output as the second input signal.

  By doing so, it is possible to realize an operation mode in which a finger slides on the operation surface (including an operation mode in which the finger touches the operation surface) and an operation mode in which the operation plate is moved. These operation modes can be easily switched simply by changing the finger force, and the ease of operation is hardly different between the two operation modes. For this reason, it is possible to realize an input device that can be easily operated by fully utilizing the provision of two operation modes.

  In the input device of the present invention described above, a reaction force increasing / decreasing unit that periodically increases / decreases a reaction force when the operation plate is moved may be provided.

  In this way, the operation plate does not move when a finger is slid on the operation surface, or the operation plate does not go too far when the operation plate is moved. For this reason, an input device that can be operated more easily can be realized.

  In the input device of the present invention described above, the operation plate may be rotatable.

  By doing so, it is possible to operate by rotating the operation plate using the thumb or sliding the thumb on the operation surface while holding the input device.

  In the input device of the present invention described above, the deformation of the operation plate is detected when the operation plate is pressed at a portion not held by the holding unit, and is output to the electronic device as a third input signal. Also good.

  If it carries out like this, in addition to the operation aspect which slides a finger | toe on an operation surface, and the operation aspect which moves an operation board, the operation aspect which pushes and deform | transforms an operation board can also be implement | achieved.

  Moreover, this invention can also be grasped | ascertained in the aspect of the input system provided with the input device of this invention mentioned above and the control apparatus which processes the signal input from the input device.

  In the control device of the input system of the present invention, the first processing means for processing the first input signal from the input device of the present invention and the second processing unit for processing the second input signal from the input device of the present invention. And processing means.

  By doing so, it is possible to cause the control device to execute different processes by operating the input device in different modes. For this reason, it becomes possible to implement | achieve the input system which fully utilized that an input device was provided with the several operation aspect.

  In the input system of the present invention described above, even if the first input signal is input, the processing of the first input signal may be stopped while the second input signal is being input.

  In this way, when the second input signal is input by moving the operation panel, even if the movement of the finger is detected at the same time and the first input signal is input, the processing of the first input signal is performed. Without any problem, the second input signal can be processed.

  In the input system of the present invention described above, the following may be performed. First, a display device is connected to the control device, and the first selection item is displayed in a selectable manner on the screen of the display device. Further, the second selection item is displayed in a selectable manner in a manner that is visible on the back side of the screen from the first selection item. Then, the display content of the first selection item is changed based on the first input signal, and the display content of the second selection item is changed based on the second input signal.

  The first input signal is a signal corresponding to an operation of sliding a finger on the operation surface of the input device, and the second input signal is a signal corresponding to an operation of moving the operation plate of the input device. The operation of sliding a finger on the operation surface is reminiscent of operating an object in a higher hierarchy than the operation of moving the operation plate. Therefore, the first input signal changes the display content of the first selection item that appears on the near side of the second selection item, and the second input signal shows the second content that appears on the back side of the first selection item. If the display content of the selection item is changed, it is possible to realize an input system that can be operated intuitively and easily by effectively utilizing the input device having two operation modes. .

It is explanatory drawing which shows an input system provided with the input device of a present Example. It is an exploded view showing the rough structure of the input device of this embodiment. It is an exploded view of the switch box mounted on the input device. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the contact switch incorporated in the switch box. It is a block diagram of the input system of a present Example. It is a flowchart of the first half part of the selection setting process which selects or sets various items using an input device. It is a flowchart of the latter half part of a selection setting process. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the home screen displayed by selection setting processing. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated a mode that a setting screen switches according to the selected menu icon. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated a mode that the setting content of a setting screen is changed by rotating an operation board. It is explanatory drawing about the input device of a modification.

Hereinafter, examples will be described in order to clarify the contents of the present invention described above.
A. overall structure :
FIG. 1 illustrates a case where an input system 1 including the input device 10 of this embodiment is applied to a vehicle. As shown in the figure, the input system 1 of this embodiment is connected to an input device 10 that is operated by an operator touching a finger, a control device 20 that processes a signal from the input device 10, and a control device 20. And a display device 30 for displaying various images. The control device 20 of the present embodiment is not only the control device 20 constituting the input system 1, but also corresponds to the “electronic device” in the present invention.
In the illustrated example, the input device 10 is mounted on the steering wheel 2 (steering wheel) of the vehicle, and the driver of the vehicle can operate the input device 10 with the thumb while holding the steering wheel 2. Further, the result of the driver operating the input device 10 is reflected in the display of the display device 30 via the control device 20 mounted in the dashboard 4. Since the display device 30 is incorporated in the instrument panel 3 of the vehicle, the driver moves the line of sight with almost the same movement as when checking various instruments during driving of the vehicle. Can be confirmed.
Further, since the input device 10 has the following structure, the driver can easily operate without moving his / her line of sight to the input device 10 only by touching the thumb. For this reason, even when the input device 10 is operated during driving of the vehicle, the driver does not feel a burden.

A-1. Input device configuration:
FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the internal structure of the input device 10 of this embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the input device 10 includes a main body case 11 having a circular operation window 11a formed on the upper surface, a disk-shaped operation plate 13 having a larger outer diameter than the operation window 11a, and a lower portion of the operation plate 13. The sheet-like touch panel 14 provided on the touch panel 14, the switch box 15 on which the touch panel 14 is placed, the substrate 18 on which the rotary encoder 17 is mounted, the bottom plate 19 to be assembled to the main body case 11, and the like.
The touch panel 14 incorporates small electrostatic electrodes at a plurality of locations, and when a driver's finger approaches one of the electrostatic electrodes, a capacitor is formed between the electrode and the finger. For this reason, the position of the finger can be detected by detecting the change in the capacitance of the capacitor at each electrostatic electrode.

  The switch box 15 is provided with a through hole 15 a in the center, and the touch panel 14 is placed on the upper surface of the switch box 15. The touch panel 14 is formed in a substantially annular shape, and the lower surface side is bonded to the switch box 15 in a state where the center of the annular shape is aligned coaxially with the through hole 15 a of the switch box 15. Further, on the upper surface side of the touch panel 14, a thin resin sheet 14 a punched and formed in a substantially annular shape is provided for the purpose of protecting the electrostatic electrodes incorporated in a plurality of locations and simultaneously improving the detection sensitivity of the finger position. It is glued.

On the upper surface side of the operation plate 13, an operation surface 13 a that is operated by the driver sliding his / her finger is formed. Further, a circular tube-shaped convex portion 13 b is projected from the center of the lower surface side of the operation plate 13, and this convex portion 13 b is fitted into the through hole 15 a of the switch box 15 in a rotatable state. Furthermore, the inner peripheral surface of the circular tube-shaped convex portion 13b opens to the upper surface side of the operation plate 13, and a substantially cylindrical center button 12 is fitted into the opening portion from above the operation plate 13, When the operation plate 13 is rotated, the center button 12 is also rotated at the same time.
And the switch box 15 is assembled | attached to the main body case 11 from the downward direction using the set screw 16 in the state in which these touch panels 14, the operation board 13, and the center button 12 were mounted.

The main body case 11 with the switch box 15 assembled is assembled to the bottom plate 19 from above. The main body case 11 and the bottom plate 19 can be assembled by screwing or bonding. A substrate 18 is mounted on the upper surface side of the bottom plate 19, and a rotary encoder 17 is mounted almost at the center of the substrate 18.
The rotary shaft 17a of the rotary encoder 17 is formed in a shape (so-called D-cut shape) in which a part of the outer peripheral side surface is cut flat. A recess (not shown) having a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the rotating shaft 17a is also formed on the center button 12 side. When the main body case 11 is assembled to the bottom plate 19, the rotational position of the rotary shaft 17 a of the rotary encoder 17 and the rotational position of the center button 12 are matched, and the rotary shaft 17 a is inserted into the recess of the center button 12. Assemble.

For this reason, when the driver rotates the operation plate 13, the movement is transmitted to the rotation shaft 17 a of the rotary encoder 17 via the center button 12, and the rotation angle of the operation plate 13 can be detected. In addition, when the driver slides his / her finger on the operation surface 13a without rotating the operation plate 13, the touch panel 14 can detect how the position of the finger moves on the operation surface 13a. In order to detect the position of the finger on the operation surface 13a with high sensitivity using the touch panel 14, the operation plate 13 is preferably formed of a dielectric material (dielectric material). Further, if a dielectric (for example, plastic) having excellent plasticity is used, the operation plate 13 can be easily manufactured.
In this embodiment, the touch panel 14 corresponds to the “first detection unit” and the “first output unit” in the present invention, and the rotary encoder 17 corresponds to the “second detection unit” and the “second output unit” in the present invention. Corresponding to

Further, the rotary shaft 17a of the rotary encoder 17 rotates stepwise with a reaction force by a certain angle. For this reason, although the driver is not trying to rotate the operation plate 13, the operation plate 13 does not rotate arbitrarily.
In addition, when the driver tries to rotate the operation plate 13, the finger feels a reaction force when starting to rotate or every time the operation plate 13 is rotated, and a force is applied to the finger against the reaction force. If it is inserted, the operation plate 13 can be rotated, and if no force is applied to the finger, the finger can be slid on the operation surface 13 a of the operation plate 13.
As a result, the driver can easily switch between the operation of sliding the finger on the operation surface 13a and the operation of rotating the operation plate 13 only by changing the force applied to the finger. It is possible to immediately recognize whether or not the movement is being performed only by the touch of a finger.
In this embodiment, the rotary encoder 17 corresponds to the “reaction force increasing / decreasing portion” in the present invention. Further, since the operation plate 13 of this embodiment is held by the rotating shaft 17a via the center button 12, the center button 12 and the rotating shaft 17a correspond to the “holding portion” in the present invention.

  Further, the rotary encoder 17 of this embodiment uses a rotary encoder 17 with a so-called push switch, and a contact switch (not shown) is built in the base end side of the rotating shaft 17a. For this reason, when the center button 12 is pushed, the rotary shaft 17a of the rotary encoder 17 is pushed down and the contact switch is turned on.

  FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the switch box 15. As illustrated, the switch box 15 includes an upper box case 15b and a lower box case 15c that is assembled to the upper box case 15b from below. At the center of the lower box case 15c, a circular tube-shaped positioning convex portion 15d is projected. Then, the upper box case 15b and the lower box case 15c are positioned by inserting the outer peripheral side surface of the portion where the through hole 15a on the upper box case 15b side is formed into the inner peripheral surface of the positioning convex portion 15d. To do.

  Further, contact switches 15e are attached to the lower box case 15c at a plurality of locations (four locations in the illustrated example), and push pins 15f are provided above the contact switches 15e. When the lower box case 15c is assembled to the upper box case 15b, the push pins 15f are inserted and guided through the guide holes 15g formed in the upper box case 15b, and the upper end portion of the push pin 15f extends from the guide hole 15g. Protruding. Therefore, the driver can also turn on the contact switch 15e by pressing the operation plate 13. In this embodiment, the contact switch 15e corresponds to the “third detection unit” and the “third output unit” in the present invention.

FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional view of the input device 10 taken at the contact switch 15e in a state where the driver does not push the operation plate 13. FIG. As illustrated, the contact switch 15e is placed on the lower box case 15c, and a push pin 15f is placed on the contact switch 15e.
As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the touch panel 14 (and the resin sheet 14a) is placed on the upper surface of the upper box case 15b, but the upper end of the push pin 15f is the touch panel 14 (and the resin sheet 14a). It is in a state protruding from the upper surface.

FIG. 4B shows a state where the driver has pushed the operation plate 13. When the driver presses the operation plate 13, the operation plate 13 is bent, the lower surface pushes down the upper end of the push pin 15f, and the contact switch 15e is turned on.
Even in the state where the operation pin 13 is pushed down, the upper end of the push pin 15f still protrudes from the upper surface of the touch panel 14 (and the resin sheet 14a). For this reason, the lower surface of the operation plate 13 does not contact the upper surface of the touch panel 14 (and the resin sheet 14a), and the surface of the touch panel 14 (and the resin sheet 14a) is not scratched.
When the driver stops pressing the operation plate 13, the bent operation plate 13 returns to the original shape. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4A, the lower surface of the operation plate 13 is separated from the upper end of the push pin 15f, and the contact switch 15e is turned off.

FIG. 4C shows a state where the center button 12 fitted in the center of the operation plate 13 is pressed. When the center button 12 is pressed, it is pressed down along the inner peripheral surface of the circular tube-shaped convex portion 13b of the operation plate, and the contact switch built in the rotary encoder 17 is turned ON.
As shown in FIG. 4D, the entire operation plate 13 may be pushed down when the center button 12 is pushed. That is, when the driver is not pressing the operation plate 13, a slight gap is formed between the upper end of the push pin 15 f protruding from the upper surface of the upper box case 15 b and the lower surface of the operation plate 13. When the center button 12 is pressed, the entire operation plate 13 is pressed down. However, in this state, the lower surface of the operation plate 13 does not contact the upper end of the push pin 15f. For this reason, even when the driver presses the center button 12, the contact switch 15e does not turn ON against the driver's intention.

  As described above, the input device 10 according to the present embodiment includes the operation plate 13 that is rotatably provided and the touch panel 14 that is provided on the back side of the operation plate 13, and the driver rotates the operation plate 13. It is possible to detect an action or an action of sliding a finger on the operation surface 13a of the operation plate 13. For the driver, whether the operating plate 13 is rotated or whether the finger is slid only on the surface of the operating plate 13 (the operating surface 13a) can be immediately determined by just touching the finger, There is no risk of incorrect operation.

  In addition, since these two operations can be switched only by adjusting the finger force, both have the same operability. For this reason, it is not necessary to use one operation as an auxiliary operation of the other operation, and the fact that two operations are possible can be fully utilized.

  In addition, the operation of sliding a finger on the surface (operation surface 13a) of the operation plate 13 and the operation of rotating the operation plate 13 naturally remind the driver of a hierarchical structure. Then, the driver intuitively understands that he / she is operating a higher level than the case where the operation plate 13 is rotated by sliding his / her finger on the operation surface 13a. For this reason, the input device 10 of this embodiment is particularly excellent as an input device for selecting and setting an arbitrary item from a menu having a hierarchical structure.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the input device 10 is assumed to be used in such a manner that the driver operates while holding the handle 2. In this way, when operating with a hand holding something, it is normal to operate using the thumb, and the movement of the thumb at this time is mainly the movement of rotating the fingertip around the base of the finger. Become. In the input device 10 of the present embodiment, both the operation of rotating the operation plate 13 and the operation of sliding the finger on the operation surface 13a are both rotated, so that it can be operated naturally using the thumb. It is.

Further, in the input device 10 of this embodiment, the contact switch in the rotary encoder 17 can be turned on by pressing the center button 12, or the contact switch 15 e can be turned on by pressing the operation plate 13. For this reason, in addition to the two operations described above, it is possible to operate in a different manner.
In addition, the operation of pressing the center button 12 or the operation plate 13 reminds the driver that he is operating a lower level than the operation of rotating the operation plate 13. Therefore, the present invention can be suitably applied as an input device for selecting or setting an arbitrary item from a menu having a hierarchical structure of three or more layers.

  The input system 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is configured so that a driver can easily and intuitively operate a menu having a hierarchical structure by using the input device 10 having such characteristics. Has been.

A-2. Input system configuration:
FIG. 5 shows a rough block diagram of the input system 1 using the input device 10 described above. As described above, from the input device 10, a signal indicating the finger contact position detected by the touch panel 14 (first input signal) and a signal indicating the rotation angle of the operation panel 13 detected by the rotary encoder 17 (second input). Input signal), a signal from a contact switch built in the rotary encoder 17, and a signal (third input signal) from each contact switch 15e built in the switch box 15.

Further, the control device 20 includes a first port 21 to which a first input signal from the touch panel 14 is input, a second port 22 to which a second input signal from the rotary encoder 17 is input, and a rotary encoder 17. A third port 23 to which a signal from each contact switch or contact switch 15e in the switch box 15 is input, and a control unit 24 connected to these ports are provided.
The control unit 24 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like, and after executing various processes based on signals from the first port 21, the second port 22, and the third port 23, the results are displayed on the display device 30. Output to. The control unit 24 according to the present embodiment executes processing (selection setting processing) for selecting and setting an arbitrary item from a menu having a hierarchical structure using the characteristics of the input device 10 described above.

B. Selection setting process:
6 and 7 show flowcharts of the selection setting process executed by the control unit 24 of this embodiment. In the selection setting process, first, a home screen is displayed on the screen of the display device 30 (S100).
FIG. 8 illustrates a home screen. As shown in the figure, the home screen has a two-layer structure in which images of a plurality of buttons (hereinafter referred to as menu icons) representing a selection menu are displayed on a background image. In the illustrated example, the plurality of menu icons are displayed vertically on the right side of the screen. Hereinafter, the portion on the right side of the screen where the menu icons are displayed side by side is referred to as “first layer”, and the portion on the left side of the screen where the background image is displayed is referred to as “second layer”.

The first level of the home screen shown in FIG. 8 includes a menu icon representing “temperature setting”, a menu icon representing “air flow setting”, a menu icon representing “balloon selection”, and “contact selection”. And a menu icon representing “destination setting” are displayed. In this embodiment, these menu icons correspond to the “first selection item” in the present invention.
In addition, information selected in advance (in the illustrated example, information relating to fuel efficiency, which may be calendar, time, outside temperature, etc.) is displayed on the second level (the left part of the screen) of the home screen. Has been.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the driver has pressed the center button 12 (S102). When the center button 12 is pressed, the contact switch built in the rotary encoder 17 is turned on, and the signal is input to the control unit 24 via the third port 23 (see FIG. 5). Therefore, the control unit 24 can immediately determine whether or not the center button 12 has been pressed.
As a result, if it is determined that the center button 12 has been pressed (S102: yes), the category of the menu icon displayed on the first hierarchy is changed (S104). That is, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the menu icon displays a category related to driving of the vehicle such as “temperature setting” and “air flow setting”, but if the center button 12 is pressed, the menu operation is performed. Switch to the related category menu icon (for example, "Radio", "Internal Storage", "External Storage").
Then, it returns to S100 and displays a home screen again. At this time, the information displayed on the second hierarchy is updated to the latest contents. In this way, when the home screen is displayed, the category of the menu icon can be switched each time the center button 12 is pressed.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the center button 12 has not been pressed (S102: no), it is determined whether or not the driver has touched the surface (operation surface 13a) of the operation plate 13 (S106). If the driver touches the operation surface 13a, the touch panel 14 can immediately detect it. As a result, if it is determined that the operation surface 13a has not been touched (S106: no), the process returns to S100, the home screen is displayed again, and the above-described processing (S102 to S106) is repeated.
If the driver touches the operation surface 13a while repeating such processing, “yes” is determined in S106. Thereafter, the currently selected menu icon is highlighted on the first level (S108), and a setting screen corresponding to the selected menu icon is displayed on the second level (S110). Note that immediately after switching from the home screen, the menu icon previously selected by the driver is selected.

FIG. 9A illustrates the display of a screen in a state where the “temperature setting” menu icon is selected. In the first layer, the menu icon of “temperature setting” is highlighted, and in the second layer, a setting screen for setting the temperature is displayed. Further, an image 13g of the operation panel 13 is also displayed on the setting screen of the second hierarchy.
FIG. 9B illustrates the case where the “air volume setting” menu icon is selected, and FIG. 9C illustrates the case where the “contact selection” menu icon is selected. ing. As described above, the setting screen of the second hierarchy is set according to the menu icon selected in the first hierarchy.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the movement of the finger contact position on the operation surface 13a is detected (S112 in FIG. 6). When the contact position of the finger moves on the operation surface 13a, it can be immediately detected by the touch panel 14. When the movement of the finger contact position is detected (S112: yes), the movement distance of the contact position is detected (S114), and the rotation angle of the operation plate 13 is further detected (S116).
That is, even when the movement of the finger contact position is detected on the touch panel 14, it can be considered that the driver slides his / her finger on the operation surface 13 a and the operation plate 13 is rotated. Therefore, when the movement of the finger contact position is detected (S112: yes), the rotation angle of the operation plate 13 is also detected in order to determine which case corresponds. The rotation angle of the operation plate 13 can be detected by the rotary encoder 17.

  As a result, when the rotation angle of the operation panel 13 is equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold angle (S118: no in FIG. 7), it can be determined that the driver has slid his / her finger on the operation surface 13a. The menu icon to be highlighted on the first hierarchy is changed according to the movement distance of the contact position (S120). For example, if the moving distance is more than 1 time and less than 2 times the threshold distance, the next menu icon is highlighted, and if the moving distance is more than 2 times the threshold distance and less than 3 times Highlight the next two menu icons. If the moving distance is less than the threshold distance, the menu icon to be highlighted is not changed.

  Subsequently, the setting screen displayed on the second layer is changed to a setting screen corresponding to the menu icon highlighted on the first layer (S122). As a result, as the driver slides his / her finger on the operation surface 13a, the menu icon highlighted on the first level is switched, and at the same time, the setting screen displayed on the second level is also switched (FIG. 9).

  If the operation plate 13 has been rotated by the threshold angle or more in S118 (S118: yes), it can be determined that the driver has rotated the operation plate 13. Therefore, the setting contents displayed on the setting screen of the second layer are changed while the display of the menu icon in the first layer is kept as it is (S124). Further, the amount of change at this time is determined according to the rotation angle of the operation plate 13.

FIG. 10 illustrates a state in which the setting screen of the second hierarchy is changed as the driver rotates the operation plate 13.
For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the operation panel 13 is rotated in a state where the menu icon of “temperature setting” is highlighted on the first level, the temperature displayed on the setting screen on the second level However, it increases or decreases according to the rotation angle and rotation direction of the operation plate 13.
Further, since the image 13g of the operation panel 13 is displayed on the setting screen, the driver can intuitively understand that the operation panel 13 may be rotated in order to change the set temperature.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the operation panel 13 is rotated in a state where the menu icon of “contact selection” is highlighted on the first level, it is registered on the setting screen on the second level. The displayed contact information is scrolled according to the rotation angle of the operation panel 13. At this time, one of the displayed contacts is highlighted, and the driver can select the highlighted contact by pressing the operation panel 13.

  As described above, when the driver slides his / her finger on the operation surface 13a, the process of changing the display on the first layer based on the signal (first input signal) from the touch panel 14 is controlled. The unit 24 executes. Therefore, the control unit 24 of this embodiment corresponds to the “first processing means” and the “first display means” in the present invention. Further, when the driver rotates the operation panel 13, the control unit 24 executes a process of changing the display in the second hierarchy based on the signal (second input signal) from the rotary encoder 17. Therefore, the control unit 24 of the present embodiment also corresponds to “second processing means” and “second display means” in the present invention.

  When the movement of the finger contact position is detected on the operation surface 13a (S112 in FIG. 6), after the display of the first hierarchy or the second hierarchy is changed as described above (S120 in FIG. 7, In step S122 or S124, the moving distance of the contact position on the operation surface 13a and the rotation angle of the operation plate 13 are reset (S126).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the center button 12 has been pressed (S128).
As a result, when the center button 12 is not pressed (S128: no), the process returns to S112, and it is determined whether or not the movement of the finger contact position on the operation surface 13a is detected, and then the series of operations described above. Execute the process.
If the center button 12 is pressed (S128: yes), the process returns to S100 to display the home screen, and then a series of subsequent processes are executed.

As described above, in the input system 1 of the present embodiment, the driver selects and sets a desired item using the input device 10 from a menu having a hierarchical structure. The input device 10 according to the present embodiment includes an operation mode in which the operation plate 13 is rotated and an operation mode (an operation mode in which a finger slides on the operation surface 13a) that recalls a higher hierarchy than the operation mode. ing. For this reason, the driver can select and set a desired item intuitively and extremely easily from a menu having a hierarchical structure.
Further, the input device 10 according to the present embodiment can immediately switch between an operation mode in which the operation plate 13 is rotated and an operation mode in which the finger is slid on the operation surface 13a only by changing the finger force. For this reason, it is possible to immediately change the selection contents and the setting contents for any hierarchy of menus having a hierarchical structure without performing an operation for switching the hierarchy.

C. Modified example:
The input device 10 of this embodiment described above has been described on the assumption that the operation plate 13 provided above the touch panel 14 rotates and moves along the direction of the operation surface 13a. However, the movement mode of the operation plate 13 does not need to be rotational movement, and may be moved in parallel in the direction of the operation surface 13a, for example.

  FIG. 11A shows the appearance of the input device 40 according to such a modification. FIG. 11B is a rough exploded view of the input device 40 according to the modification. As shown in FIG. 11A, the input device 40 according to the modified example has a flat box shape, a rectangular operation window 41a is provided on the upper surface, and the operation window 41a has a rectangular shape. The surface of the operation plate 43 (operation surface 43a) is touched with a finger.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the input device 40 according to the modification includes a main body case 45 in which a rectangular touch panel 44 is accommodated, a moving frame body 42 inserted into the main body case 45 from the side, An outer lid 41 attached to the main body case 45 from above is provided.
A groove 42a is formed on the inner side of the moving frame body 42, and the operation plate 43 is slidably inserted into the groove 42a. A groove 45a is also formed in the main body case 45, and the movable frame body 42 is slidably inserted into this 45a. Furthermore, the direction in which the operation plate 43 slides with respect to the moving frame body 42 and the direction in which the moving frame body 42 slides with respect to the main body case 45 are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, the operation plate 43 can be freely moved in a plane parallel to the touch panel 44 using a finger from the operation window 41a.

A linear encoder (not shown) is attached to the groove 42 a of the moving frame body 42, and a linear encoder (not shown) is also attached to the groove 45 a of the main body case 45. Further, a rectangular operation window 41 a is provided on the upper surface of the outer lid 41. Therefore, the movement of the operation plate 43 can be detected based on the outputs of these linear encoders.
Furthermore, when the finger is slid on the operation surface 43 a of the operation plate 43, the movement of the finger can be detected by the touch panel 44.

  Also in the input device 40 of such a modification, it is possible to switch between an operation mode in which a finger slides on the operation surface 43a and an operation mode in which the operation plate 43 is translated only by changing the finger force. For this reason, it can fully utilize having two operation modes, and can realize input device 40 which can be operated intuitively and easily.

As mentioned above, although the present Example and the modification were demonstrated, this invention is not restricted to said Example and a modification, It can implement in a various aspect in the range which does not deviate from the summary.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where it is incorporated in the vehicle handle 2 has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be suitably applied not only to the vehicle handle 2 but also to a remote control of a home appliance or a mobile phone.

1 ... Input system 2 ... Handle 3 ... Instrument panel
4 ... Dashboard, 10 ... Input device, 11 ... Body case,
11a ... operation window, 12 ... center button, 13 ... operation panel,
13a ... operation surface, 14 ... touch panel, 15 ... switch box,
15e ... contact switch, 17 ... rotary encoder, 17a ... rotating shaft,
18 ... Substrate, 20 ... Control device, 24 ... Control part,
30 ... Display device, 40 ... Input device, 41a ... Operation window,
43 ... Operation panel, 43a ... Operation surface, 44 ... Touch panel

Claims (7)

An input device that is operated using a finger and inputs a signal to an electronic device,
An operation plate on which an operation surface for sliding the finger is formed;
A first detection unit that is provided on the back side of the operation plate and detects a contact position where the finger is in contact with the operation surface;
A first output unit that outputs a detection result of the first detection unit to the electronic device as a first input signal;
A holding unit for holding the operation plate in a state movable in parallel with the operation surface;
A second detection unit for detecting the position of the operation plate;
An input device comprising: a second output unit that outputs a detection result of the second detection unit to the electronic device as a second input signal. The input device according to claim 1,
An input device including a reaction force increase / decrease unit that periodically increases / decreases a reaction force when the operation plate is moved. The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The input unit is a holding unit that holds the operation plate in a rotatable state. An input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A third detection unit for detecting deformation of the operation plate when the operation plate is pressed at a portion not held by the holding unit;
An input device comprising: a third output unit that outputs a detection result of the third detection unit to the electronic device as a third input signal. An input system comprising: a control device that processes an input signal; and an input device that is operated using a finger to input the signal to the control device,
The input device is:
An operation plate on which an operation surface for sliding the finger is formed;
A first detection unit that is provided on the back side of the operation plate and detects a contact position where the finger is in contact with the operation surface;
A first output unit that outputs a detection result of the first detection unit to the control device as a first input signal;
A holding unit for holding the operation plate in a state movable in parallel with the operation surface;
A second detection unit for detecting the position of the operation plate;
A second output unit that outputs a detection result of the second detection unit to the control device as a second input signal;
The control device includes:
First processing means for processing the first input signal;
An input system comprising: a second processing unit that processes the second input signal. The input system according to claim 5,
The input system is a means for monitoring the presence or absence of the second input signal and stopping the processing of the first input signal while the second input signal is being input. An input system according to claim 5 or claim 6,
A display device connected to the control device and displaying an image on a screen;
The control device includes:
First display means for displaying a first selection item in a selectable manner on the screen of the display device;
Second display means for displaying on the screen of the display device in a mode in which a second selection item can be selected and in a mode that is visible on the back side of the screen from the first selection item. And
The first processing means is means for changing display content of the first selection item based on the first input signal,
The input system, wherein the second processing means is means for changing display contents of the second selection item based on the second input signal.

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