JP2018072159A - Grip operation determination device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a grip operation determination device capable of setting suitable grip detection sensitivity.SOLUTION: A touch determination unit 34 determines an operation state when a user performs touch operation to a touch face, that is, presence of glove wearing, based on an output of a touch detection unit 27 for detecting touch operation by a touch operation device 9 for receiving an input to various apparatuses according to an approach state or contact conditions to a surface of the touch operation device 9. A threshold value adjustor 35 adjusts a holding detection sensitivity threshold value K used at the time of determination by an operation determination unit 33 for determining a holding state of a steering wheel by an output of a grip holding detection sensor 16 provided with the steering wheel based on determination results of the touch determination unit 34. Thereby, the holding detection sensitivity threshold value K of the grip holding detection sensor 16 is set at an appropriate value according to presence of glove wearing when a touch surface is subjected to touch operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a grip operation determination device that determines a grip holding state of a steering wheel by a user.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a grip operation determination device that determines a gripping state when a user grips a grip of a steering wheel is well known (see Patent Document 1, etc.). This type of grip operation determination device is assumed to be of a capacitance type that detects a grip gripping state based on a capacitance that changes when a human body (hand or the like) touches.

JP 2014-190712 A

  In order to prevent erroneous determination of whether or not the grip is gripped by the capacitive grip operation determination device, for example, it is better that the grip detection sensitivity is low. However, if the grip detection sensitivity is set to a low value, as a contradiction, for example, when a grip grip operation is performed while wearing a glove, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to detect this operation. Therefore, there has been a development need for a technique that can set a suitable grip detection sensitivity in accordance with the grip grip operation state.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a grip operation determination device capable of setting a suitable grip detection sensitivity.

  The grip operation determination device that solves the above problem is based on an output signal of a touch detection unit that detects a touch operation in a touch operation device that receives an input to a target device according to an approach state or a contact state to the touch surface. The gripping state of the steering wheel is determined by a detection signal detected by a touch determination unit that determines an operation state when the touch surface is touched and a grip detection unit of a grip grip detection sensor of the steering wheel mounted on the moving body. A threshold adjustment unit that adjusts a grip detection sensitivity threshold used by the operation determination unit for determination based on the determination result of the touch determination unit.

  According to this configuration, the operation state when the user performs a touch operation on the touch surface of the touch operation device is determined by the touch determination unit, and the grip detection sensitivity threshold of the grip grip detection sensor is adjusted based on the determination result. Accordingly, it is possible to set a suitable grip detection sensitivity according to the operation state of the touch operation by the user. As a result, both the prevention of erroneous operation that prevents the user's willingness to operate and the grip gripping operation being detected unexpectedly and the detection sensitivity ensuring that the operation is reliably detected when the user grips the grip are achieved. It becomes possible.

  In the grip operation determination device, the touch determination unit determines whether or not the touch operation is an operation in a state where a glove is worn, and the threshold adjustment unit determines that the touch determination unit If it is determined that the operation is an operation in which a hand wears gloves, it is preferable to set a predetermined reference value as the grip detection sensitivity threshold. According to this configuration, when gripping the steering wheel with the glove worn, it is possible to set the grip detection sensitivity threshold of the grip grip detection sensor to a value suitable for glove wear. It is possible to ensure the detection sensitivity in the gripping operation while being worn.

  In the grip operation determination device, if the threshold adjustment unit determines that the touch operation is an operation in which a hand is not wearing a glove as a result of the determination by the touch determination unit, the threshold value adjustment unit is more than the reference value. It is preferable to set a high value as the grip detection sensitivity threshold. According to this configuration, it is possible to set the detection sensitivity to an appropriate value in the gripping operation when the glove is not worn.

  In the grip operation determination device, the grip grip detection sensor is a capacitance type sensor that detects a grip operation based on a change in capacitance, and the operation determination unit is the grip detection unit of the grip grip detection sensor. It is preferable to determine the gripping state based on at least one parameter of the number, position, and sensitivity of detection electrodes input from the electrodes. According to this configuration, since it is possible to perform determination using various parameters such as the number of detection electrodes, position, sensitivity, and the like when determining the grip state of the grip by the user, the state of the grip grip operation is detailed. It becomes possible to judge.

  In the grip operation determination device, the threshold adjustment unit determines the grip gripping state based on the determination result of the touch determination unit or the detection signal detected by the grip grip detection sensor. It is preferable to adjust the grip detection sensitivity threshold using the result. According to this configuration, the grip detection sensitivity threshold can be adjusted from either the touch surface touch operation or the grip grip operation, so the grip detection sensitivity threshold is set to a suitable value at an early stage. It becomes possible.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to set a suitable grip detection sensitivity in the grip operation determination device.

The perspective view which shows the outline | summary of the driver's seat of 1st Embodiment. The block diagram of a grip operation determination apparatus. The electrical block diagram of a grip operation determination apparatus. The operation figure of a grip operation judging device when a touch operation device is touch-operated. The table | surface which put together the setting pattern of the holding | grip detection sensitivity threshold value. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram when a grip of a steering wheel is gripped. The block diagram of the grip operation determination apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. The table | surface which put together the setting pattern of the holding | grip detection sensitivity threshold value.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, 1st Embodiment of a grip operation determination apparatus is described according to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a steering wheel 2 that is operated when the vehicle 1 is steered is provided in the driver's seat of the vehicle 1. The center cluster 3 in the vehicle is provided with a display 5 serving as an interface when operating the target device 4 mounted on the vehicle. The display 5 is preferably a touch panel, for example. The target device 4 includes, for example, a car navigation device, an air conditioner device, an audio device, and the like. The user operates the target device 4 by touching the display 5 or operating the switches 6 provided around the display 5.

  The vehicle 1 includes a touch operation device 9 that activates the target device 4 by remotely operating selection and determination on the display 5. The touch operation device 9 is a so-called capacitive touch pad, and is touch-operated with a finger or the like. The touch operation device 9 is provided, for example, in the console box 10 next to the driver's seat. When the touch surface 11 of the touch operation device 9 is dragged with a finger or the like, the cursor of the display 5 moves, and when the touch surface 11 is tapped or pushed (hereinafter, also referred to as touch operation), the cursor is moved. The icon etc. is transferred to the decision.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 1 includes a grip operation determination device 15 that determines a gripping state when the user grips the grip 14 of the steering wheel 2. The grip operation determination device 15 is used when the user grips the grip 14 based on the detection signal Sa detected by the grip detection unit 17 (the electrode 18 in this example) of the grip grip detection sensor 16 provided on the steering wheel 2. It is possible to determine the gripping state of the touch panel and operate in cooperation with the touch operation device 9.

  The grip grip detection sensor 16 is a capacitance type sensor that detects a grip operation based on a change in capacitance, and detects, for example, whether the user's hand gripping the grip 14 is with or without gloves. To do. The grip grip detection sensor 16 controls the operation of the grip grip detection sensor 16 on the basis of a grip detection unit 17 (electrode 18 in this example) that can detect a human body that touches the grip 14 and a detection signal Sa input from the electrode 18. And a controller 21. A pair of substantially semicircular electrodes 18 are provided so as to be arranged on the left and right sides, respectively, so that the electrodes 18 are arranged almost in a zone of the annular grip 14, and each is connected to the controller 21. The controller 21 is electrically connected to the touch operation device 9 through the wiring 22.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 21 of the grip grip detection sensor 16 includes a control unit 25 that controls the operation of the grip grip detection sensor 16 and a communication unit 26 that enables transmission and reception of signals in the grip grip detection sensor 16. Prepare. The touch operation device 9 includes a touch detection unit 27 (in this example, an electrode 28) that can detect a human body that touches the touch surface 11, a control unit 29 that controls the operation of the touch operation device 9, and a signal in the touch operation device 9. And a communication unit 30 that enables transmission and reception. In the grip grip detection sensor 16 and the touch operation device 9, the communication units 26 and 30 are electrically connected to each other through the wiring 22.

  The control unit 25 of the grip grip detection sensor 16 determines the grip state when the user grips the grip 14 based on the detection signal Sa detected by the grip detection unit 17 (the electrode 18 in this example) of the grip grip detection sensor 16. An operation determining unit 33 for determining is provided. Based on the detection signal Sa input from the electrode 18 of the grip grip detection sensor 16, the operation determination unit 33 determines the grip state when the user grips the grip 14 of the steering wheel 2 from the change in the capacitance of the electrode 18. judge. The operation determination unit 33 determines the grip state based on at least one parameter of the number, position, and sensitivity of the detection electrodes detected by the electrode 18 of the grip grip detection sensor 16. The operation determination unit 33 determines, for example, whether the gripping of the grip 14 by the user is with or without gloves, or with either a single hand or both hands.

  The grip operation determination device 15 touches based on the output signal Sb of the touch detection unit 27 (in this example, the electrode 28) in the touch operation device 9 that receives an input to the target device 4 depending on an approaching state or a contact state with the touch surface 11. A touch determination unit 34 that determines an operation state at the time of operation is provided. The touch determination unit 34 is provided in the control unit 29 of the touch operation device 9. The touch determination unit 34 determines an operation state when the user performs a touch operation on the touch surface 11 from a change in capacitance of the electrode 28 of the touch operation device 9. The touch determination unit 34 of this example determines whether or not the touch operation is an operation in a state where a glove is worn based on the value (change amount) of the electrode 28 when the touch operation is performed.

  The grip operation determination device 15 determines the gripping state of the steering wheel 2 based on the detection signal Sa detected by the grip detection unit 17 (the electrode 18 in this example) of the grip grip detection sensor 16 of the steering wheel 2 mounted on the moving body 36. A threshold adjustment unit 35 that adjusts the grip detection sensitivity threshold K used by the operation determination unit 33 for determination based on the determination result of the touch determination unit 34 is provided. The threshold adjustment unit 35 is provided in the control unit 25 of the grip holding detection sensor 16.

  As a result of determination by the touch determination unit 34, the threshold adjustment unit 35 sets a predetermined reference value as the grip detection sensitivity threshold K if it is determined that the touch operation is an operation with a glove on the hand. Note that the predetermined reference value is preferably a value at which a gripping operation can be detected even when gloves are worn. Further, as a result of the determination by the touch determination unit 34, the threshold adjustment unit 35 sets a value higher than the reference value to the grip detection sensitivity threshold K if it is determined that the touch operation is an operation without wearing a glove on the hand. Set as. The threshold adjustment unit 35 sets the grip detection sensitivity threshold value K high when the touch operation determination result is without a glove, and sets the grip detection sensitivity threshold value K low when the touch operation determination result is with a glove.

Next, the operation and effect of the grip operation determination device 15 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 4, when a user (driver) performs a touch operation on the touch surface 11 of the touch operation device 9, this touch operation is detected by the electrode 28 of the touch operation device 9, and the output signal Sb is output from the control unit 29. Is output. When the touch operation device 9 is a capacitance type, the capacitance of the electrode 28 of the touch operation device 9 is changed by the touch operation of the touch surface 11 by the user, and the electrode 28 outputs according to the change amount of the capacitance. The signal Sb is output to the control unit 29.

  The touch determination unit 34 determines whether the touch operation is an operation with a glove on the basis of the output signal Sb obtained from the electrode 28 of the touch operation device 9. In this example, the touch determination unit 34 determines the bare hand / glove of the touch operation from the capacitance change of the electrode 28 of the touch operation device 9. Here, for example, if the change value within a certain period of time after detecting a change in capacitance is large, it can be determined that the operation is a bare hand operation, and the change value within a certain period of time after detecting the change in capacitance can be small. For example, it can be determined that the operation is a glove operation. The touch determination unit 34 outputs determination result information Sr (bare hand / glove information) representing the determination result to the grip grip detection sensor 16 through the wiring 22.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the threshold adjustment unit 35 sets a grip detection sensitivity threshold K corresponding to the bare hand / glove of the touch operation based on the determination result information Sr acquired from the touch determination unit 34. In the case of this example, when the determination result by the operation determination unit 33 is “touch operation without gloves”, the threshold adjustment unit 35 sets the grip detection sensitivity threshold K to a high-value bare finger threshold (a state in which the grip detection sensitivity is low). ). By doing so, priority is given to prevention of erroneous detection in which a gripping operation is detected although the user does not intend. Even when the grip 14 is not being gripped, the grip detection sensitivity threshold value K is preferably set to the bare finger threshold value in order to prioritize prevention of erroneous detection of the gripping operation.

  On the other hand, when the determination result of the operation determination unit 33 is “touch operation with gloves”, the threshold adjustment unit 35 sets the grip detection sensitivity threshold value K to a low normal threshold value (a state where the touch detection sensitivity is high). . By doing so, the detection accuracy during the gripping operation with gloves is ensured. In the case of this example, the normal threshold is a detection sensitivity (default value) of a general gripping operation, and the bare finger threshold is a detection sensitivity lower than normal. The threshold adjustment unit 35 holds the changed value after the grip detection sensitivity threshold K is changed, for example, until the vehicle power is turned off.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the user (driver) grips the grip 14 of the steering wheel 2, this gripping operation is detected by the grip gripping detection sensor 16 (electrode 18), and the detection signal Sa is sent to the control unit 25. Is output. When the grip grip detection sensor 16 is a capacitance sensor, the capacitance of the electrode 18 of the grip grip detection sensor 16 is changed by gripping the grip 14 by the user, and the electrode 18 is detected according to the amount of change in the capacitance. The signal Sa is output to the control unit 25.

  The operation determination unit 33 uses the detection signal Sa input from the grip grip detection sensor 16 and the grip detection sensitivity threshold value K that is currently selected to determine whether the grip 14 is gripped or not. A determination, a determination as to whether the gripping operation of the grip 14 is an operation of both hands or one hand, and the like are executed. In the case of this example, the operation determination unit 33 performs determination of one hand / both hands and bare hands / gloves for grip operation of the grip 14 from the capacitance change of the electrode 18 of the grip grip detection sensor 16. The operation determination unit 33 outputs various information of the determination result to other ECUs that require the information.

  In the case of this example, the operation state when the user touches the touch surface 11 of the touch operation device 9 is determined by the touch determination unit 34, and the grip detection sensitivity of the grip grip detection sensor 16 is determined based on the determination result. The threshold value K is adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to set a suitable grip detection sensitivity according to the operation state of the touch operation by the user. This prevents both erroneous operation that prevents the user's willingness to operate and grip grip operation from being detected unexpectedly, and ensures detection sensitivity when the user grasps the grip 14 and reliably detects the operation. can do.

  The touch determination unit 34 determines whether or not the touch operation is an operation in a state where a glove is worn, and the threshold adjustment unit 35 determines that the touch operation is an operation in which a glove is worn on the hand as a result of the determination by the touch determination unit 34. Is determined as the grip detection sensitivity threshold value K, a predetermined reference value is set. Therefore, when gripping the steering wheel 2 with the gloves on, the grip detection sensitivity threshold value K of the grip grip detection sensor 16 can be set to a value suitable for wearing the gloves. In the grip operation as it is, the detection sensitivity can be ensured.

  As a result of the determination by the touch determination unit 34, the threshold adjustment unit 35 determines a value higher than the reference value as the grip detection sensitivity threshold K if it is determined that the touch operation is an operation in which no glove is worn on the hand. Set. Therefore, the detection sensitivity can be set to an appropriate value in the gripping operation when the glove is not worn.

  The grip grip detection sensor 16 is a capacitance sensor, and the operation determination unit 33 grips based on at least one parameter of the number, position, and sensitivity of detection electrodes detected by the electrode 18 of the grip grip detection sensor 16. Determine the state. Therefore, when determining the gripping state of the grip 14 by the user, it is possible to make a determination using various parameters such as the number of detection electrodes, position, sensitivity, and the like, so that the state of the grip gripping operation can be determined in detail. Can do.

  The touch determination unit 34 determines whether the touch operation is an operation with a glove attached. Therefore, when the grip 14 is gripped with gloves, the grip detection sensitivity threshold value K is set to a value suitable for the touch operation mode. However, the operation can be reliably detected.

  The threshold adjustment unit 35 sets the grip detection sensitivity threshold value K high when the touch operation determination result is without a glove, and sets the grip detection sensitivity threshold value K low when the touch operation determination result is with a glove. Therefore, the optimal grip detection sensitivity threshold value K can be set for each operation mode with and without gloves.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment is an example in which the grip detection sensitivity threshold value K is adjusted based on the output of the electrode 18 of the grip grip detection sensor 16. In the case of this example, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof is omitted, and only different parts will be described in detail.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the threshold adjustment unit 35 adjusts the grip detection sensitivity threshold K using the determination result of the operation determination unit 33 or the determination result of the touch determination unit 34. In this case, the threshold adjustment unit 35 adjusts the grip detection sensitivity threshold K using the determination result obtained earlier from the determination result of the operation determination unit 33 or the determination result of the touch determination unit 34.

  When the user (driver) grips the grip 14 of the steering wheel 2, the grip operation is detected by the electrode 18 of the grip grip detection sensor 16, and the detection signal Sa is output to the control unit 25. Here, it is assumed that the end operation of the grip 14 is performed earlier than the touch operation of the touch operation device 9. When the grip grip detection sensor 16 is a capacitance sensor, the capacitance of the electrode 18 is changed by the grip operation of the grip 14 by the user, and a detection signal Sa corresponding to the change amount is input to the control unit 25.

  Based on the detection signal Sa input from the electrode 18, the operation determination unit 33 determines whether or not the grip 14 is operated by wearing a glove. In the case of this example, the operation determination unit 33 performs determination of bare hands / gloves for gripping operation from the change in capacitance of the electrode 18 of the grip gripping detection sensor 16. For example, if the change value within a certain time after detecting the capacitance change with the electrode 18 is large, it can be determined that the operation is a bare hand operation, and within a certain time after the capacitance change is detected with the electrode 18. If the change value is small, it can be determined that the operation is a glove operation.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, the threshold adjustment unit 35 adjusts the grip detection sensitivity threshold K corresponding to each of the bare hands / gloves based on the determination result of the operation state of the grip operation of the grip 14. In the case of this example, the threshold adjustment unit 35 sets the grip detection sensitivity threshold value K to a high-handed bare finger threshold value in the case of the “gripping operation without gloves”. On the other hand, the threshold adjustment unit 35 sets the grip detection sensitivity threshold K to a low normal threshold value in the case of the “gripping operation with gloves”.

  Thus, in the case of this example, the threshold adjustment unit 35 adjusts the grip detection sensitivity threshold K using the determination result of the touch determination unit 34 or the determination result of the operation determination unit 33. Therefore, since the grip detection sensitivity threshold value K can be adjusted regardless of whether the touch operation on the touch surface 11 or the grip 14 is performed, the grip detection sensitivity threshold value K is set to a suitable value at an early stage. be able to.

Note that the embodiment is not limited to the configuration described so far, and may be modified as follows.
-In each embodiment, the electrode 18 of the grip holding | grip detection sensor 16 may be affixed on the surface of the grip 14, and may be integrated in the inside of the grip 14. FIG.

  In each embodiment, the grip detection sensitivity (grip detection sensitivity threshold K) is set to a normal sensitivity when performing an operation without gloves or when performing a two-hand operation with a glove, and when performing a one-hand operation with a glove. The touch detection sensitivity may be switched to a lower state than usual.

  -In each embodiment, determination of a grip holding state is not limited to determination of the presence or absence of a glove or determination of one-handed two-hand operation. For example, it is possible to change to various determination modes such as measuring the grip time of the grip 14 and setting the grip detection sensitivity threshold value K according to the grip time.

  -In each embodiment, you may change the electrode 18 of the grip holding | grip detection sensor 16 into the annular | circular shape extended 1 round along the shape of the grip 14, for example. Further, the electrode 18 of the grip holding detection sensor 16 may have a shape partitioned into three or more.

-In each embodiment, the grip holding | grip detection sensor 16 (gripping detection part 19) is not limited to an electrostatic capacitance sensor, What is necessary is just what can detect the holding | grip of the grip 14. FIG.
In each embodiment, the predetermined reference value of the grip detection sensitivity is not limited to the normal sensitivity, and various values can be adopted.

  In each embodiment, the setting pattern of the grip detection sensitivity threshold value K is not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. That is, the setting pattern is not particularly limited as long as the grip detection sensitivity threshold value K is changed according to the touch operation state of the touch surface 11.

-In each embodiment, the touch detection part 27 is not limited to an electrostatic capacitance type, For example, it can change into other systems, such as a piezoelectric sensor.
In each embodiment, the touch surface 11 is not limited to detecting the contact state of the human body, but includes, for example, a touch surface that can detect the approaching state of the human body.

In each embodiment, the touch operation device 9 is not limited to being disposed on the console box 10, and may be disposed at another position such as the steering wheel 2.
In each embodiment, the connection between the touch operation device 9 and the grip grip detection sensor 16 is not limited to a wired connection and may be wireless.

-In each embodiment, the display 5 is not restricted to the display of a car navigation apparatus, You may change into the thing of another apparatus.
-In each embodiment, the object apparatus 4 is not restricted to the example described in the Example, It can change into various things.

In each embodiment, the grip operation determination device 15 is not limited to being applied to the vehicle 1 but can be applied to other devices and systems.
In each embodiment, the moving body 36 can be changed to something other than the vehicle 1.

  In each embodiment, the touch operation device 9 is not limited to being separate from the display 5, and may be configured to be integrated into the display 5, for example.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle which is an example of a mobile body, 2 ... Steering wheel, 4 ... Target apparatus, 5 ... Display, 9 ... Touch operation apparatus, 11 ... Touch surface, 14 ... Grip, 15 ... Grip operation determination apparatus, 16 ... Grip grip Detection sensor, 17 ... grip detection unit, 18 ... electrode as an example of grip detection unit, 27 ... touch detection unit, 28 ... electrode as an example of touch detection unit, 33 ... operation determination unit, 34 ... touch determination unit, 35 ... Threshold adjustment unit, 36... Moving body, Sa... Detection signal, Sb.

Claims (5)

Based on an output signal of a touch detection unit that detects a touch operation in a touch operation device that receives an input to the target device according to an approach state or a contact state to the touch surface, an operation state when the user touches the touch surface is determined. A touch determination unit for determining;
A grip detection sensitivity threshold value used in determination by the operation determination unit that determines the grip state of the steering wheel based on a detection signal detected by a grip detection unit of a grip detection sensor of a steering wheel mounted on a moving body is set to the touch determination. A grip operation determination device comprising: a threshold adjustment unit that adjusts based on a determination result of the unit. The touch determination unit determines whether the touch operation is an operation in a state where a glove is worn,
The threshold adjustment unit sets a predetermined reference value as the grip detection sensitivity threshold if it is determined that the touch operation is an operation of wearing a glove on a hand as a result of the determination by the touch determination unit. The grip operation determination device according to claim 1. If it is determined that the touch operation is an operation in which a glove is not worn on a hand as a result of the determination by the touch determination unit, the threshold adjustment unit sets a value higher than the reference value to the grip detection sensitivity. The grip operation determination device according to claim 2, wherein the grip operation determination device is set as a threshold value. The grip grip detection sensor is a capacitance type sensor that detects a grip operation by a change in capacitance,
The said operation determination part determines the said grip state based on at least 1 parameter of the number of detection electrodes, a position, and a sensitivity input from the electrode as said grip detection part of the said grip grip detection sensor. The grip operation determination apparatus as described in any one of them. The threshold adjustment unit uses the determination result of the touch determination unit or the determination result of the operation determination unit to determine the grip state of the grip based on the detection signal detected by the grip grip detection sensor. The grip operation determination device according to claim 1, wherein the detection sensitivity threshold is adjusted.

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