JP2018085023A - Input device and input adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device capable of achieving the diversification of operation modes using other operation methods other than a touch operation according to an operator's taste in the input device, and an input adapter.SOLUTION: An input device 3 comprises: a body unit 4 including an operation body unit 7 which accepts an input operation; a detecting unit 20 which detects whether an input adapter is mounted on the body unit 4; and a control unit 30 which changes an input operation form to an operation body unit 7 on the basis of detection results of the detecting unit 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device that receives a user's operation and an input adapter attached to the input device.

  A technique for detachably connecting an accessory device to an electronic device has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The electronic device applied to the technique described in Patent Document 1 is an input device such as a touch pad. On the other hand, the accessory device is configured as a cover or the like.

JP 2013-80268 A

  By the way, since the in-vehicle input device differs for each vehicle, it is designed to be dedicated to each vehicle. When the input device only supports a touch pad, only an operation method called a touch operation can be performed. Therefore, there is a problem that even if it is desired to use an operation method other than the touch operation according to the preference of the operator, it cannot be used.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to realize diversification of operation modes in an input device.

  The present invention made to achieve the above object includes a main body having an operation main body that receives an input operation, a detection unit that detects whether or not an input adapter is attached to the main body, and a detection result of the detection unit. And a control unit that changes the input operation mode to the operation main body unit based on the input device.

  Further, in the present invention, the detection unit includes two or more detection switches, and the detection switch includes whether or not the input adapter is mounted and the type of the input adapter mounted depending on a combination of the on state and the off state. It can be set as the structure which detects.

  Further, the present invention mainly includes an input adapter that includes an operation unit that is mounted on the main body of the input device and receives an operation, and a contact unit that is provided on the operation unit and contacts the operation main body. It is configured.

  According to the present invention, diversification of operation modes can be realized in the input device.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the vehicle-mounted system which has an input device. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically an example of the input device which concerns on embodiment, Comprising: (a) is a front schematic diagram, (b) is a principal part cross-sectional schematic diagram. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically an example of the input device with which the 1st input adapter which concerns on embodiment was equipped, (a) is a front schematic diagram, (b) is a principal part cross-sectional schematic diagram. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically an example of the input device with which the 2nd input adapter which concerns on embodiment was equipped, Comprising: (a) is a front schematic diagram, (b) is a principal part cross-sectional schematic diagram. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the operation mode determination process which a control part performs.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  An in-vehicle system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a system mounted on a vehicle, and includes an in-vehicle device 2 and an input device 3.

  The in-vehicle device 2 is a device that is mounted on a vehicle and implements various functions that are defined in advance. As an example of the in-vehicle device 2, a car navigation device, an audio device, an air conditioner device, a communication device, and the like can be considered.

  The input device 3 is a device that is provided separately from the vehicle-mounted device 2 and operates the vehicle-mounted device 2 based on various images displayed on the vehicle-mounted display.

  That is, the input device 3 accepts an operation necessary for controlling the in-vehicle device 2 and outputs the accepted operation as the control signal S1. And the vehicle-mounted apparatus 2 to which control signal S1 was input performs various control according to the control signal S1.

  An example of an image displayed on the in-vehicle display is a screen for selecting various functions realized by the in-vehicle device 2. The image includes, for example, a menu screen for selecting the in-vehicle device 2 to be operated, a guidance screen by the car navigation device, an audio selection screen for selecting a function to be executed by the audio device, and an air conditioner device. An air conditioner screen for selecting a function to be executed, a communication selection screen for selecting a function to be executed by the communication device, and the like are included.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the input device 3 includes a main body unit 4, a detection unit 20, and a control unit 30.

  The main body portion 4 includes a plurality of escutcheon switches 5, an operation main body portion 7, an adapter mounting portion 8, a substrate 36, and a casing 38.

  Each of the escutcheon switches 5 is a switch that receives an operation necessary for controlling the in-vehicle device 2. Each of the escutcheon switches 5 may be disposed around the operation main body portion 7.

  The operation main body unit 7 is a well-known input device that detects the coordinates of the position where the detection target exists and receives the detected coordinates as an input. As an input device (that is, the operation main body unit 7) in the present embodiment, a capacitive touch pad is assumed.

  Specifically, the operation main body 7 includes a plurality of X coordinate electrodes and a plurality of Y coordinate electrodes. The X coordinate electrode and the Y coordinate electrode in the operation main body 7 are arranged in a grid pattern. And the operation main-body part 7 outputs the detection value of each electrode to the control part 30 as detection signal S2. The control unit 30 to which the detection value of each electrode is input obtains the coordinates of the detection target in a plane coordinate system with the specific electrode as the origin based on the detection value. Further, the control unit 30 specifies the operation content of the user with respect to the operation main body unit 7 based on the change in the detection value of each electrode (that is, the change in capacitance).

  The user's operation content includes a hover operation, a tracing operation, a tap operation, and the like on the operation main body unit 7. The detection target in the present embodiment is, for example, a part of a user's body (for example, a finger of a hand) or an input adapter 48 (FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 4 (b)).

  Although described in detail later, the input adapter 48 is an input mechanism that performs an operation on the operation main body unit 7 in an operation form different from the operation form by the user's body. One input adapter 48 is prepared in advance for each of N types of operation modes assumed in advance. Note that N is an integer equal to or greater than 1, and in the present embodiment, N is assumed to be “3”.

  As the input adapter 48 in the present embodiment, a first input adapter 50, a second input adapter 70, and a third input adapter (not shown) are assumed.

  The first input adapter 50 is an input mechanism in which a contact portion 57 as a detection target slides and moves on the operation main body portion 7. The second input adapter 70 is an input mechanism in which the contact portion 77 as a detection target rotates and moves with an axis orthogonal to the operation main body portion 7 as a rotation axis. The third input adapter is an input mechanism in which the rotary dial rotates around the axis parallel to the operation main body 7 as a rotation axis, and the contact portion of the rotary dial as the detection target contacts the operation main body 7.

  The detection unit 20 is a switch that detects whether or not the input adapter 48 is attached. The detection unit 20 in the present embodiment includes a first detection switch 21 and a second detection switch 22.

  The first detection switch 21 outputs the contact ON / OFF state to the control unit 30 as the detection signal S3. The second detection switch 22 outputs the contact ON / OFF state to the control unit 30 as the detection signal S4.

  The board 36 has a well-known structure that electrically connects each mounted part. On the substrate 36, at least the control unit 30, the first detection switch 21, and the second detection switch 22 are mounted.

  The casing 38 is a housing. In the internal space of the casing 38, the control unit 30, the substrate 36, and the first detection switch 21 and the second detection switch 22 mounted on the substrate 36 are arranged.

  The casing 38 is formed with a first through hole 23 at a position facing the first detection switch 21. Further, a second through hole 24 is formed in the casing 38 at a position facing the second detection switch 22.

  The adapter mounting part 8 is a part where the input adapter 48 is mounted. The adapter mounting portion 8 may have any structure as long as it is formed on at least a part of the outer periphery of the casing 38 and the input adapter 48 can be detachably mounted.

  As an example of the structure of the adapter mounting portion 8, a claw (convex portion) 39 constituting a snap fit is conceivable.

  2 (a) and 2 (b), it is assumed that the design bezel 90, which is a frame that surrounds the outer periphery of the operation main body 7 and the escutcheon switch 5, is mounted on the adapter mounting portion 8. FIG.

  The control unit 30 is a well-known control device having a memory 33 for storing processing programs and various information necessary for executing the processing programs, and a CPU 34 for executing various processes according to the processing programs.

  Each of the escutcheon switches 5 and the operation main body unit 7 are directly or indirectly connected to the control unit 30.

  The first input adapter 50 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is a device that accepts a slide operation of the first operation unit 56 on a plane corresponding to the operation main body unit 7.

  The first input adapter 50 includes a panel 52, a first operation unit 56, and a slide mechanism 60.

  The panel 52 is a member that covers at least the main body 4 of the input device 3. The panel 52 has a mounting structure to the adapter mounting portion 8. As an example of the mounting structure, a structure including a recess 62 that forms a snap fit and a stopper 64 that contacts the casing 38 of the input device 3 can be considered.

  That is, when the first input adapter 50 is attached to the input device 3, the concave portion 62 of the panel 52 is engaged with the convex portion 39 of the casing 38. The stopper 64 of the panel 52 contacts the casing 38 of the input device 3 to position the first input adapter 50 with respect to the input device 3.

  A rod 54 is provided on the back surface of the panel 52 at a position facing the first through hole 23 of the casing 38. The rod 54 has a rod-like structure that presses the first detection switch 21.

  That is, when the first input adapter 50 is attached to the input device 3, the rod 54 passes through the first through hole 23 and turns on the first detection switch 21.

  The first operation unit 56 is an operation knob that receives an operation by the user. A contact portion 57 projects from the back surface of the first operation portion 56 facing the operation main body portion 7 of the input device 3. The contact portion 57 is an end portion of the first operation portion 56 that comes into contact with the operation main body portion 7 when the first input adapter 50 is attached to the input device 3.

  The slide mechanism 60 is a mechanism that slides the first operation unit 56 with respect to the operation main body unit 7 of the input device 3. The slide mechanism 60 of the present embodiment is realized by a slide rail that slidably supports the first operation unit 56 with respect to the panel 52. The arrangement of the slide rails may be in both the X direction and the Y direction of the panel, or in either the X direction or the Y direction.

  That is, the first input adapter 50 is configured such that the contact portion 57 of the first operation portion 56 can slide the operation main body portion 7 when the first input adapter 50 is attached to the input device 3.

  The second input adapter 70 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is a device that accepts rotational movement of the operation unit 76 with respect to the operation main body unit 7 on a rotation axis orthogonal to the operation main body unit 7. is there.

  The second input adapter 70 includes a panel 72, a second operation unit 76, and a first rotation mechanism 80.

  The panel 72 is a member that covers at least the main body 4 of the input device 3. The panel 72 has a mounting structure to the adapter mounting portion 8. As an example of the mounting structure, a structure including a recess 84 that forms a snap fit and a stopper 86 that contacts the casing 38 of the input device 3 can be considered.

  That is, when the second input adapter 70 is attached to the input device 3, the concave portion 84 of the panel 72 is engaged with the convex portion 39 of the casing 38. The stopper 86 of the panel 72 contacts the casing 38 of the input device 3 to position the second input adapter 70 with respect to the input device 3.

  A rod 74 is provided on the back surface of the panel 72 at a position facing the second through hole 24 of the adapter mounting portion 8. The rod 74 has a rod-like structure that presses the second detection switch 22.

  That is, when the second input adapter 70 is attached to the input device 3, the rod 74 passes through the second through hole 24 and turns on the second detection switch 22.

  The 2nd operation part 76 is an operation knob which receives operation by a user. A contact portion 77 protrudes from the surface (that is, the back surface) of the second operation portion 76 that faces the operation main body portion 7 of the input device 3. The contact portion 77 is an end portion of the operation portion 76 that comes into contact with the operation main body portion 7 when the second input adapter 70 is attached to the input device 3. The contact portion 77 of the second input adapter 70 is provided at a position away from the rotation shaft 82 of the first rotation mechanism 80 along the radial direction.

  The first rotation mechanism 80 is a mechanism that rotates the second operation unit 76 on the operation main body unit 7 of the input device 3, and includes a rotation shaft 82. The rotation shaft 82 is a vertical axis with respect to the panel 72 (and thus the operation main body portion 7), and supports the second operation portion 76 in a rotatable manner.

  That is, when the second input adapter 70 is attached to the input device 3, the contact portion 77 of the operation portion 76 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the operation main body portion 7.

  Although not shown, the third input adapter includes a panel, a third operation unit, and a second rotation mechanism, and receives an operation with, for example, a thumbwheel structure.

  The panel is a member that covers at least the main body 4 of the input device 3. The panel has a mounting structure to the adapter mounting portion 8. As an example of the mounting structure, a structure including a recess that forms a snap fit and a stopper that contacts the casing 38 of the input device 3 can be considered.

  That is, when the third input adapter is attached to the input device 3, the concave portion of the panel is engaged with the convex portion of the casing 38. The panel stopper contacts the casing 38 of the input device 3 to position the third input adapter with respect to the input device 3.

  On the back surface of the panel, a first rod is provided at a position facing the first through hole 23 of the adapter mounting portion 8. Further, a second rod is provided on the back surface of the panel at a position facing the second through hole 24 of the adapter mounting portion 8. The first rod and the second rod have rod-like structures that press the first detection switch 21 and the second detection switch 22, respectively.

  That is, when the third input adapter is attached to the input device 3, the first rod and the second rod pass through the first through hole 23 and the second through hole 24, respectively, and the first detection switch 21 and the second rod. The detection switch 22 is turned on.

  A 3rd operation part is an operation knob which receives operation by a user, and is provided with at least 1 rotation dial. The rotary dial is a disk-shaped member. A contact portion that contacts the operation main body portion 7 is formed around the rotary dial.

  The second rotation mechanism is a mechanism that allows the operation unit 76 to rotate on the operation main body unit 7 of the input device 3 and has a rotation axis. The rotation axis is parallel to the operation main body portion 7 and supports the third operation portion so that the circumference of the third operation portion contacts the operation main body portion 7 and rotates.

  That is, when the third input adapter is attached to the input device 3, the contact portion of the third operation portion is configured to be rotatable with respect to the operation main body portion 7.

  Next, an operation mode determination process executed by the control unit 30 will be described.

  The operation mode determination process is a process of setting an input operation mode such that an operation mode for the input device 3 is specified and a control signal S1 corresponding to the specified operation mode is output to the in-vehicle device 2.

  The operation mode determination process in the present embodiment is repeatedly activated at a predetermined time interval specified in advance.

  When the operation mode determination process is activated as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 30 first determines whether or not the first detection switch 21 is on (S10). As a result of the determination in S10, if the first detection switch 21 is on (S10: YES), the control unit 30 shifts the operation mode determination process to S50 described later in detail.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in S10 is that the first detection switch 21 is off (S10: NO), the control unit 30 determines whether or not the second detection switch 22 is on (S20).

  If the result of determination in S20 is that the second detection switch 22 is off (S20: NO), the control unit 30 assumes that the operation mode for the input device 3 is a normal operation mode, and that the input device 3 The output mode (that is, the input operation mode) is set to the normal output mode (S30).

  The normal operation mode is a mode in which an operation on the operation main body 7 of the input device 3 is executed without using the input adapter 48. In the normal output mode, the input device 3 controls the detection signal S2 as an operation with respect to the operation main body 7, information indicating the operation for each of the escutcheon switches 5, and information indicating that the input adapter 48 is not attached. Output as signal S1.

  Then, the in-vehicle device 2 to which the control signal S1 in the normal output mode is input, the detection signal S2 included in the control signal S1, assuming that the operation input to the operation main body unit 7 of the input device 3 is a normal operation mode. And control is performed according to the operation with respect to each of the escutcheon switches 5.

  Thereafter, the control unit 30 ends the operation mode determination process.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in S <b> 20 is that the second detection switch 22 is on (S <b> 20: YES), the control unit 30 indicates that the operation mode for the input device 3 is the second input adapter 3. As an embodiment using 70, the output mode of the input device 3 is set to the second adapter mode (S40).

  In the second adapter mode, the input device 3 includes the detection signal S2 as an operation for the operation main body 7, information indicating the operation for each of the escutcheon switches 5, and information indicating that the second input adapter 70 is attached. Are output as the control signal S1.

  However, in the second adapter mode, the control unit 30 uses the coordinates of the operation main body unit 7 and the transition of the coordinates in the detection signal S2 as the rotation amount θ about the rotation axis of the operation unit of the second input adapter 70, and Convert to rotation direction. Since a known method may be used as a method of converting the coordinates of the operation main body 7 and the transition of the coordinates into the rotation amount θ and the rotation direction, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  Further, in the second adapter mode, the control unit 30 performs a click operation for pressing the operation unit 76 of the second input adapter 70 or a double click for repeatedly pressing the operation unit 76 to change the capacitance with respect to the operation main body unit 7. It may be converted into a user operation content such as an operation and included in the control signal S1.

  The in-vehicle device 2 to which the control signal S1 is input interprets the detection signal S2 and executes control according to whether or not the input adapter 48 is included and the type of the input adapter 48 included in the control signal S1.

  Thereafter, the control unit 30 ends the operation mode determination process.

  By the way, as a result of the determination in S10, in S50 that is shifted when the first detection switch 21 is on, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the second detection switch 22 is on.

  If the result of determination in S50 is that the second detection switch 22 is off (S50: NO), the controller 30 assumes that the mode of operation on the input device 3 is a mode using the first input adapter 50. The output mode of the input device 3 is set to the first adapter mode (S60).

  In the first adapter mode, the input device 3 includes the detection signal S2 as an operation on the operation main body 7, information indicating an operation on each of the escutcheon switches 5, and information indicating that the first input adapter 50 is mounted. Are output as the control signal S1.

  In the first adapter mode, the coordinates of the operation main body 7 may be converted into coordinates in the coordinate system with the specific coordinates set in the first input adapter 50 as the origin. In the first adapter mode, the control unit 30 performs a click operation for pressing the operation unit 56 of the first input adapter 50 or a double click for repeatedly pressing the operation unit 56 to change the capacitance in the operation main body unit 7. It may be converted into user operation contents such as an operation and included in the control signal S1.

  The in-vehicle device 2 to which the control signal S1 is input interprets the detection signal S2 and executes control according to the presence / absence and type of the input adapter 48 included in the control signal S1.

  Thereafter, the control unit 30 ends the operation mode determination process.

  If the result of determination in S50 is that the second detection switch 22 is on (S50: YES), the control unit 30 assumes that the mode of operation on the input device 3 is a mode using a third input adapter. The output mode of the input device 3 is set to the third adapter mode (S70).

  In the third adapter mode, the input device 3 includes a detection signal S2 as an operation on the operation main body 7, information indicating an operation on each of the escutcheon switches 5, and information indicating that the third input adapter is attached. Is output as the control signal S1.

  However, in the third adapter mode, the control unit 30 determines the coordinates of the operation main body 7 in the detection signal S2 and the transition of the coordinates, the rotation amount θ of the operation unit around the rotation axis of the third input adapter, and the rotation. Convert to direction. Since a known method may be used as a method of converting the coordinates of the operation main body 7 and the transition of the coordinates into the rotation amount θ and the rotation direction, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The in-vehicle device 2 to which the control signal S1 is input interprets the detection signal S2 and executes control according to whether or not the input adapter 48 is included and the type of the input adapter 48 included in the control signal S1.

  Thereafter, the control unit 30 ends the operation mode determination process.

  According to the input device 3 and the input adapter 48 in the present embodiment, in addition to the above effects, the following effects can be obtained.

  According to the input device 3 of the present embodiment, the input adapter 48 can be attached.

  If a plurality of types of input adapters 48 are prepared for each operation mode and the user himself / herself changes the input adapter 48 attached to the input device 3, the in-vehicle device 2 can be remotely operated in a mode that is easy for the user to operate. .

  That is, according to the input device 3, diversification of operation modes can be realized.

  In the input device 3, whether or not the input adapter 48 is attached to the input device 3 and the type of the input adapter 48 attached to the input device 3 can be specified based on the on / off of the detection switches 21 and 22.

  That is, according to the input device 3, the operation mode can be specified with a simple configuration.

  As described above, the typical configuration examples of the input device 3 and the input adapter 48 according to the present invention have been described with reference to the embodiment, the modified example, and the illustrated examples. However, various configurations are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Of course, it is possible.

  For example, the number of detection switches is not limited to two and may be one or three or more.

  In the above-described embodiment, the detection switches 21 and 22 have been described as the configuration for detecting whether or not the input adapter 48 is attached by detecting contact conduction / interruption. However, the configuration of the detection switch is not limited to this.

  For example, the detection switch may be configured by a photo interrupter in which a light emitting element that emits light and a light receiving element that receives light from the light emitting element are arranged to face each other in a through hole. When the detection switch is configured by a photo interrupter, the presence or absence of the input adapter 48 can be detected based on the light receiving state.

  In the above embodiment, the touch pad as the operation main body unit 7 has been described as a capacitance type. However, the touch pad method may be a resistive film method, a pressure sensitive method, an optical method, or the like. May be.

  Furthermore, the operation main unit 7 may be a touch panel or any other device as long as it detects the coordinates of the position where the detection target exists and accepts the detected coordinates as an input. Also good.

  Moreover, although the control part 30 in the said embodiment was a structure which sets an input operation form because the control part 30 performs the operation mode determination process, the structure of the control part 30 is not restricted to this. For example, the control unit 30 is configured such that an operation mode for the input device 3 is specified by a dedicated circuit configuration such as an ASIC, and a control signal S1 corresponding to the specified operation mode is output to the in-vehicle device 2. May be.

  The vehicle on which the input device 3 is mounted may be a four-wheeled vehicle, a motorcycle, or a working vehicle such as an agricultural machine, a construction engineering machine, or a transporting machine. . The input device 3 may be mounted on an airplane, a ship, a railroad, or the like. Furthermore, the input device 3 may be applied as an input device of various terminal devices such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, and a game machine.

  As is clear from the above description, the representative embodiments, modified examples, and illustrated examples according to the present invention do not limit the invention according to the claims. Therefore, it should be noted that not all the combinations of features described in the above embodiments, modifications, and illustrated examples are necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle-mounted system, 2 ... Vehicle-mounted apparatus, 3 ... Input device, 4 ... Main-body part, 5 ... Escussion switch, 7 ... Operation main-body part, 8 ... Adapter mounting part, 20 ... Detection part, 21 ... 1st detection switch, 22 ... 2nd detection switch, 23 ... 1st through-hole, 24 ... 2nd through-hole, 30 ... Control part, 33 ... Memory, 34 ... CPU, 36 ... Board | substrate, 38 ... Casing, 39 ... Nail | claw, 48 ... Input adapter, 50 ... 1st input adapter, 70 ... 2nd input adapter, 52, 72 ... Panel, 54, 74 ... Rod, 56, 76 ... Operation part, 57, 77 ... Contact part, 60 ... Slide mechanism, 62, 84 ... Recessed part , 64, 86 ... stopper, 80 ... rotating mechanism, 82 ... rotating shaft, 90 ... bezel, S1 ... control signal, S2, S3, S4 ... detection signal

Claims (3)

A main body having an operation main body for receiving an input operation;
A detection unit for detecting whether or not the input adapter is attached to the main body unit;
A control unit that changes an input operation mode to the operation main body based on a detection result of the detection unit;
An input device. The detection unit includes at least one detection switch,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit detects the presence / absence and type of the input adapter based on an on state and an off state of the detection switch. An operation unit that is attached to the main body of the input device according to claim 1 and receives an operation;
A contact portion provided in the operation portion and in contact with the operation main body portion;
With an input adapter.

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