JP2020067840A - Rotary switch control device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a rotary switch control device that allows a user to obtain information associated with a route by a new method by using an operation member generally provided in a vehicle.SOLUTION: An in-vehicle device 1 includes a tactile control unit 13 that, when an operator of a rotary switch 2 is rotated from one state corresponding to one point on a map to another state corresponding to another point on the map, changes tactile sensation transmitted to a finger during a rotational operation in accordance with an event on a route from the one point to the other point, and provides information on the route by way of tactile sensation applied to a user's finger.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotary switch control device, and is particularly suitable for use in a rotary switch control device that controls a rotary switch having an operator capable of rotating operation.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an on-vehicle device that provides information on a route from one point to another point on a map, such as a route from a starting point to a destination, by means of displaying or voice output. For example, for the route from the departure point to the destination, information indicating the distance from one intersection to the next intersection, information indicating the status of road congestion included in the route, information indicating the shape of the intersection included in the route. There is known a vehicle-mounted navigation device that displays the above information on a display panel provided in the center of a dashboard of a vehicle, and outputs a sound by a speaker provided in the vehicle.

  There is also known a map display device capable of scrolling a map with a joystick (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The map display device of Patent Document 1 obtains an altitude difference between the area to which the pointer currently belongs on the map and the area located in the movement direction of the pointer, and the larger the altitude difference, the stronger the reaction force with respect to the operation of the joystick. generate. According to Patent Document 1, the user can grasp the change in altitude at the point of the moving pointer by tactile sense.

JP, 2004-226301, A

  In the case of a device that provides information about a route by display or audio output like the above-described device, the user can only obtain the information through the visual sense and the auditory sense that he or she normally uses when perceiving the information. Therefore, from the viewpoint of user satisfaction, there has been a demand for a technique that enables a user to obtain information about a route by a new method. In particular, from the viewpoint of reducing the manufacturing cost of the device and downsizing of the device, it is possible to realize such a thing without using a dedicated mechanism or the like by using an operating member generally provided in a vehicle. Was required. Here, the technique of Patent Document 2 enables the user to grasp the change in altitude of the point of the moving pointer by tactile sense, and like the technique of Patent Document 2, the user can obtain information about the route through the tactile sense. If it can be obtained, it can be a new technology for acquiring information about a route by a new method, but there is a technology for realizing such a thing by using an operation member generally provided in a vehicle. I didn't.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and enables a user to obtain information regarding a route by a new method using an operation member generally provided in a vehicle. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the present invention, the operator of the rotary switch moves from one state corresponding to one point on the map to another state corresponding to another point on the map. When the rotation operation is performed, the tactile sensation transmitted to the finger during the rotation operation is changed according to an event on the route from one point to another point.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, when the rotation operation is performed from one state corresponding to one point on the map to another state corresponding to another point on the map, The tactile sensation transmitted to the user's finger changes according to the phenomenon of. Therefore, the user can recognize the event on the path through the tactile sensation transmitted to the finger when the rotary switch is rotated. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to allow a user to obtain information regarding a route by a new method by using a rotary switch, which is a general member widely used as an operation member in a vehicle. You can

It is a front view of the vehicle-mounted device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an example of functional composition of an in-vehicle device concerning this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a manner in which an operator rotates and a manner in which a rotational resistance force applied to a rotary operation changes. It is a figure which shows the mode of rotation resistance force added with respect to a rotation operation. It is a figure showing an example of a guidance course and the amount of rotation corresponding to a guidance intersection. It is a figure which shows the mode of rotation resistance force added with respect to a rotation operation. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how the state of the manipulator changes and how the display content of the display screen changes. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how the state of the manipulator changes and how the display content of the display screen changes. It is a figure which shows the mode of rotation resistance force added with respect to a rotation operation. It is a figure which shows a mode that the amount of rotation corresponding to a guidance intersection and the rotation resistance force added with respect to a rotation operation change. It is a figure which shows a mode that the amount of rotation corresponding to a guidance intersection and the rotation resistance force added with respect to a rotation operation change.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of an in-vehicle device 1 (corresponding to a “rotary switch control device” in claims) according to the present embodiment. The in-vehicle device 1 is a so-called navigation device mounted on a vehicle, and has a function of detecting a current position of the vehicle and a route to a destination set by a user (in this embodiment, a driver). It has the function of searching and guiding. The in-vehicle device 1 is provided at a position where a user sitting in a driver's seat can operate the rotary switch 2, such as a central portion of a dashboard. Hereinafter, the vehicle in which the vehicle-mounted device 1 according to the present embodiment is mounted is particularly referred to as “own vehicle”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a touch screen 3 is provided on the front surface of the housing of the vehicle-mounted apparatus 1. On the front surface of the housing, below the touch screen 3, a power switch, an input switch for inputting an instruction, and a rotary switch 2 are provided. The rotary switch 2 includes a column-shaped operator 4 that protrudes forward from the front surface of the housing of the vehicle-mounted apparatus 1. The user can hold the manipulator 4 and rotate it in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The rotary switch 2 is used, for example, to adjust the volume of the sound output by the vehicle-mounted device 1, and is also used to input various instructions to the user interface displayed on the touch screen 3. The rotary switch 2 is provided in many navigation devices mounted on a vehicle because of its good operability and the convenience that it can be operated without visually recognizing the operating element 4.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the rotary switch 2 is installed in the housing of the vehicle-mounted device 1 provided in the central portion of the dashboard or the like is taken as an example. However, the location where the rotary switch 2 is provided is not limited to the location illustrated in the present embodiment. As an example, the rotary switch 2 may be provided separately from the vehicle-mounted device 1 in the console box or in the vicinity thereof.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the vehicle-mounted device 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle device 1 includes a vehicle position detection unit 10, a route guidance unit 11, an operation detection unit 12, and a tactile control unit 13 as a functional configuration example. Each of the functional blocks 10 to 13 can be configured by any of hardware, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and software. For example, when configured by software, each of the functional blocks 10 to 13 is actually configured by including a CPU, RAM, ROM of a computer, and a program stored in a recording medium such as RAM, ROM, hard disk or semiconductor memory. Is realized by operating.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle-mounted device 1 includes a guide route related information storage unit 15 and a map data storage unit 16 as storage means. Information stored in the guide route related information storage unit 15 will be described later. The map data storage unit 16 stores map data 17. The map data 17 includes drawing data used for drawing the background of the map, roads on the map, character strings (place names, etc.) clearly indicated on the map, and the like. The map data 17 also includes road data used to search for a guide route. The road data includes information about a node defined for each node in the road network and information about a link defined for each road section between the nodes.

  The vehicle position detection unit 10 is based on the detection results of various sensors (all not shown) such as a GPS unit, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, and a vehicle speed sensor (hereinafter, referred to as "vehicle position"). To detect.

  The route guidance unit 11 uses the map data 17 stored in the map data storage unit 16 in accordance with a user's instruction via the touch screen 3 (it may be an instruction by other means), and Setting, searching for a route from the vehicle position to the destination (hereinafter referred to as “guide route”), and guiding the guide route. Guidance of the guide route is basically performed by clearly indicating the own vehicle position and the route from the own vehicle position to the destination on the map displayed in the display area of the touch screen 3. .

  When the guidance route is searched, the route guidance unit 11 stores information indicating the destination, the guidance route, and the guidance intersection set by the user in the guidance route related information storage unit 15. The information indicating the destination is information that can specify the destination on the map, and is, for example, coordinates (latitude + longitude) of the destination. The information indicating the guide route is information that can identify the guide route on the map, and is, for example, a combination of links and nodes that form the guide route. In addition, in the present embodiment, the guidance intersection is an intersection where a left turn is performed among the intersections included in the guide route, and when the vehicle passes through the guidance intersection, an enlarged view of the intersection or the like is used for details. Guidance will be given. Note that the guidance intersection is not limited to an intersection where a right turn or a left turn is made (that is, an intersection that goes straight ahead is not positively excluded), and may be a guidance target intersection. The information indicating the guidance intersections stored in the guide route related information storage unit 15 is information that can identify the guidance intersection on the map such as the node ID corresponding to the guidance intersection.

  The operation detection unit 12 detects an operation indicating the content of the rotational operation performed when the operator 4 of the rotary switch 2 is rotationally operated. The content of the rotation operation is a combination of the rotation direction and the rotation amount (rotation angle). More specifically, the rotary switch 2 has an operation signal output mechanism 20. The operation signal output mechanism 20 includes a stator fixed to the housing of the rotary switch 2, a rotor that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the operator 4 inside the stator, and a relative angle of the rotor with respect to the stator. And a position sensor for detecting the direction of rotation. The position sensor may be magnetic or optical. The operation signal output mechanism 20 outputs the detection value of the position sensor (hereinafter, referred to as “operation signal”) to the operation detection unit 12. The operation detection unit 12 inputs an operation signal and detects the content of the rotation operation performed on the operator 4 based on the change in the input operation signal.

  As a basic function, the haptic control unit 13 applies a rotational resistance force that prevents the rotational operation of the operating element 4 when the user holds the operating element 4 with a finger and rotationally operates the operating element 4. Has a function of changing the torque required for the rotation operation and transmitting various tactile sensations to the finger holding the operating element 4. Further, the haptic control unit 13 executes the process described later when the operation mode is the “tactile use mode”. The basic functions of the tactile control unit 13 will be described below, and then the processing of the tactile control unit 13 when the operation mode is the tactile use mode will be described in detail.

<Basic Functions of Tactile Control Unit 13>
First, the basic function of the tactile control unit 13 will be described. The rotary switch 2 has a magnetic attraction force generation mechanism 21. The magnetic attraction force generation mechanism 21 includes a coil that generates a magnetic attraction force between the stator and the rotor. The larger the magnetic attraction force generated by the magnetic attraction force generation mechanism 21, the greater the rotation resistance force that hinders the rotation operation on the operator 4, and the greater the torque required for the rotation operation. The tactile control unit 13 dynamically changes the timing, length, and magnitude of the magnetic attraction force generated by the magnetic attraction force generation mechanism 21 by performing energization control on the coil, and thereby the operator 4 is moved. It controls the tactile sensation that is transmitted to the fingers that hold it.

  Specifically, the haptic control unit 13 can control the haptic in the following modes. FIG. 3A is a diagram schematically showing how the manipulator 4 rotates. In FIG. 3A, reference numeral M1 is a mark for making it easier to understand how the operating element 4 rotates. In the following, as shown in FIG. 3A, the operator 4 in the state J1 is rotated clockwise to reach a state J2 rotated by 90 ° and then a state J3 rotated by 180 °. A case will be described as an example of a tactile sensation that can be provided by the tactile control unit 13.

  The tactile control unit 13 can give a click feeling (corresponding to “specific operation feeling” in the claims) according to the timing when the operation element 4 enters a specific state. FIG. 3B is a diagram used for explaining the rotational resistance force that is generated when the click feeling is given according to the timing when the operator 4 is in the state J2. In FIG. 3B, the horizontal axis represents the rotation amount when the state J1 is the starting point, and the vertical axis represents the rotational resistance force. That is, FIG. 3B shows how the rotational resistance force applied to the rotary operation changes when the state of the operator 4 is displaced from the state J1 to the state J3. The same applies to FIGS. 3 (C), 4 (A), (B), and (C).

  In the example of FIG. 3B, when the rotary operation is performed on the operating element 4 in the clockwise direction from the state J1, the tactile control unit 13 keeps a constant rotational resistance force (zero) for the rotary operation for a while. (= The state where the coil is not energized) may be given. On the other hand, when the rotation amount of the manipulator 4 approaches the rotation amount corresponding to the state J2, the tactile control unit 13 sharply increases the rotation resistance force and reaches the rotation amount corresponding to the state J2. The rotation resistance force reaches its peak at a certain margin), and then the rotation resistance force is sharply reduced to the original constant rotation resistance force. The tactile sensation generated by the change in the rotational resistance force with respect to the rotating operation as described above is the click feeling. The user obtains a click feeling through a tactile sensation so that the operator 4 feels that the operator 4 is caught at the position against the rotational operation (the brake is suddenly applied, and when the position is exceeded, the brake is suddenly released. It is possible to obtain such a feeling of operation as described above, and accurately recognize that the operating element 4 has entered the state J2 (= rotating the operating element 4 until the operating element 4 has entered the state J2) through tactile sense.

  FIG. 3C shows how the rotational resistance changes when a click feeling is applied in a manner different from that of FIG. 3B. In the example of FIG. 3C, the tactile control unit 13 determines that the peak value (B value) of the rotational resistance force is the peak value (A value (<B value)) of the rotational resistance force in the example of FIG. 3B. I'm trying to be higher than. In this way, the tactile control unit 13 can dynamically change the peak value of the rotational resistance force when giving the click feeling. In the case of FIG. 3C, as compared with the case of FIG. 3B, the user has a stronger sense of resistance (more than a sense of resistance) with respect to the sporadic resistance when the operator 4 is rotated beyond the state J2. You will get a strong feeling).

  It should be noted that the tactile sensation that the user obtains when the tactile sensation control unit 13 imparts a click sensation (tactile sensation transmitted to the user's finger) is not affected only by the peak value of the rotational resistance force but causes the click sensation. It is affected by various factors such as the timing of starting the application of the rotational resistance force, the shape of the waveform toward the peak value, and the shape of the waveform after the peak value. However, the effect of factors other than the peak value of rotation resistance on the tactile sensation of the user is minor compared to the peak value, so for convenience of explanation below, if other assumptions are the same, rotation resistance will be the same. When the peak value of is increased, the resistance feeling that the user feels when the click feeling is obtained is simply increased.

  Further, the haptic control unit 13 can adjust the rotational resistance force in an arbitrary range when the operating element 4 is rotationally operated. Each drawing of FIG. 4 shows how the rotational resistance changes when the manipulator 4 is rotationally operated in the manner shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 4A, the haptic control unit 13 sets the rotation resistance force in the range H1 in the range from the state J1 to the state J2 excluding the range in which the click feeling is generated to a constant C value, while The rotational resistance force in the range H2 from immediately after J2 to the third state is constant at a D value (<C value). In the example of FIG. 4A, when the user is rotating the operating element 4 in the range H2, the user has a stronger sense of resistance (rotating operation) than when rotating the operating element 4 in the range H1. The operator 4 is rotated while feeling the operation feeling as if the brakes were applied more strongly against the force applied.

  In the example of FIG. 4B, the haptic control unit 13 gradually increases the rotational resistance force in the range H1. In the example of FIG. 4 (B), the user feels that the operating element 4 becomes heavier as the operating element 4 is rotated while rotating the operating element 4 in the range H1. Resistance will be stronger, and you will get a feeling that the movement gradually slows down). In the example of FIG. 4C, the haptic control unit 13 gradually reduces the rotational resistance force in the range H1. In the example of FIG. 4C, the user feels that the operating element 4 becomes lighter as the operating element 4 is rotated while rotating the operating element 4 in the range H1. The resistance to the will become weaker and you will get a feeling of operation that makes the movement gradually smooth).

<Process of the haptic control unit 13 in the haptic use mode>
Next, the processing of the haptic control unit 13 when the operation mode is the haptic use mode will be described in detail. The user can set the operation mode to the haptic use mode by a touch operation on the touch screen 3 or other means at an arbitrary timing after the route guidance unit 11 has searched for the guidance route. When the operation mode becomes the haptic use mode, the haptic control unit 13 recognizes the guide route based on the information stored in the guide route related information storage unit 15.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram schematically showing an example of the guide route YD1 in a mode suitable for description. The guide route YD1 illustrated in FIG. 5A is a route from the vehicle position SP1 to the destination GL1. On the guide route YDK1, on the way from the vehicle position SP1 to the destination GL1, there are guidance intersections in the order of intersection KS1 → intersection KS2 → intersection KS3. As shown in FIG. 5A, the distance from the vehicle position SP1 to the intersection KS1 is “1 km”, and the vehicle turns right at the intersection KS1. The distance from the intersection KS1 to the intersection KS2 is “2 km”, and the vehicle turns left at the intersection KS2. The distance from the intersection KS2 to the intersection KS3 is "3 km", and the vehicle turns right at the intersection KS3. The distance from the intersection KS3 to the destination GL1 is “2 km”. In the following description, when the own vehicle position on the guide route, the destination and the guidance intersection are not distinguished, they are referred to as “points on the guide route”.

  When recognizing the guide route from the vehicle position to the destination, the haptic control unit 13 recognizes each position of the guide route points and the route connecting the guide route points adjacent to each other, and further adjoins each other. Recognize the distance of the route connecting points on the guide route. In the case of the example in FIG. 5A, the haptic control unit 13 causes the “route from the vehicle position SP1 to the intersection KS1”, the “route from the intersection KS1 to the intersection KS2”, and the “route from the intersection KS2 to the intersection KS3”. , And the distances of the “route from the intersection KS3 to the destination GL1” are recognized.

  Furthermore, the haptic control unit 13 determines, for each of the guidance intersections, "distance from the vehicle position to the destination" (not the straight line distance, but the travel distance when traveling along the guide route. ")" To "the distance from the vehicle position to the guidance intersection". In the case of the example in FIG. 5 (A), since the total guidance route distance is “8 km”, the haptic control unit 13 calculates “1/8” for the intersection KS1 and “3/8” for the intersection KS2. Then, "6/8" is calculated for the intersection KS3.

  Next, the haptic control unit 13 calculates a value obtained by multiplying “360 °”, which is the rotation amount (rotation angle) when the operator 4 is rotated once, by the ratio calculated for each guidance intersection. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the rotation amounts calculated for the intersections KS1, KS2, and KS3 in the case of the example of FIG. 5A in a mode suitable for description. As shown in FIG. 5B, with respect to the guide route YD1 illustrated in FIG. 5A, the haptic control unit 13 calculates “45 °” for the intersection KS1 and “135 °” for the intersection KS2. , “270 °” is calculated for the intersection KS3. The rotation amount for each guidance intersection calculated here is calculated based on the assumption that the rotation amount for rotating the operator 4 once (that is, “360 °”) corresponds to the total guidance route distance. It can be said that the rotation amount corresponds to the distance (traveling distance) up to. Hereinafter, the rotation amount calculated for the guidance intersection is referred to as "intersection-corresponding rotation amount".

  Here, regarding the tactile use mode, the user obtains information about the guide route through a tactile sensation by rotating the operating element 4 clockwise for one round, assuming the guide route from the vehicle position to the destination. Information is given that it is possible. For example, the information to that effect is transmitted to the user through a manual in a paper medium or an electronic medium. Based on this, the user, after shifting the operation mode to the tactile sense mode, holds the operating element 4 with his / her finger and rotates it clockwise. At that time, the user basically rotates the operating element 4 for one round. However, rotating the operating element 4 for one revolution is not an indispensable work, and the user can stop the rotating operation on the way or perform the rotating operation again after interrupting the rotating operation. .

  The tactile control unit 13 recognizes a rotation operation performed by the user on the operation element 4 at any time based on the detection result of the operation detection unit 12, and controls the tactile sensation transmitted to the user's finger according to the rotation operation. , Control the display content of the display screen of the touch screen 3.

  FIG. 6 shows how the rotational resistance force applied to the rotating operation changes when the rotating operation of rotating the operator 4 for one revolution is performed in the case of the example of FIG. 5 (A). There is. In the following, the initial state of the operator 4 (the state in which the rotation operation is not performed after the haptic use mode is entered) is referred to as the state Q0, and the operation corresponding to the intersection-corresponding rotation amount (45 °) related to the intersection KS1 is rotated from the initial state. The state after being operated is the state Q1, and the state after being rotated by the intersection corresponding rotation amount (135 °) related to the intersection KS2 from the initial state is the state Q2, and the intersection corresponding rotation state related to the intersection KS3 from the initial state ( The state after being rotated by 270 °) is referred to as state Q3, and the state rotated by one rotation (360 °) from the initial state is referred to as state Q4.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the haptic control unit 13 generates a click sensation according to the timing of being in the states Q1 to Q4. In the present embodiment, the range R1 before the click feeling corresponding to the state Q1, the range R2 before the click feeling corresponding to the state Q2, the range R3 before the click feeling corresponding to the state Q3, and the state Q4 are supported. In each of the ranges R4 before the click feeling, the rotation resistance force is the same in E value. Further, in the present embodiment, the peak value of the rotational resistance force is the same F value for each of the four click feelings. As a result, when the user rotates the operating element 4 for one revolution, the user can obtain a click feeling through the tactile sense according to the timing when the rotation amount reaches 45 °, 135 °, 270 °, 360 °.

  FIGS. 7 and 8 are views showing a state in which the state of the operating element 4 is changed and the display content of the display screen of the touch screen 3 is changed when the user rotates the operating element 4 by one turn. Is. FIG. 7 (A) shows the state of the manipulator 4 and the contents of the display screen of the touch screen 3 in the state Q0, and FIGS. 7 (B), (C), FIG. 8 (A), and (B) respectively. , The states of the manipulator 4 in the states Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 and the contents of the display screen of the touch screen 3 are shown. In the display screens of FIGS. 7 and 8, the elements corresponding to those in FIG. 5A are denoted by the same reference numerals for convenience.

  When the operation mode is the haptic use mode, the haptic control unit 13 moves from the vehicle position SP1 to the destination GL1 together with the information indicating that the operation mode is the haptic use mode, as shown in FIG. A map including the guide route to reach is displayed on the display screen. Further, the haptic control unit 13 displays a mark MK2 representing the vehicle at a position corresponding to the own vehicle position SP1 on the map.

  After that, when the operating element 4 is rotated by the user, as shown in FIG. 7B, the haptic control unit 13 displays it on the display screen when the rotating amount of the operating element 4 becomes 45 °. The mark MK2 is moved according to the rotating operation so that the mark MK2 reaches the intersection KS1 on the map. That is, the haptic control unit 13 continuously moves the mark MK2 on the map from the vehicle position SP1 to the intersection KS1 in association with the rotation of the operator 4 from the state Q0 to the state Q1. As described above, the haptic control unit 13 imparts a click sensation according to the timing when the operator 4 is in the state Q1 (see also FIG. 6).

  Further, when the manipulator 4 is rotated, as shown in FIGS. 7 (C), 8 (A), and (B), the tactile control unit 13 makes a mark when the manipulator 4 is in the state Q2. When the MK2 reaches the intersection KS2 and the operator 4 enters the state Q3, the mark MK2 reaches the intersection KS3, and when the operator 4 enters the state Q4, the mark M reaches the destination GL1. The mark MK2 is moved on the map in conjunction with the rotation of 4. As described above, the haptic control unit 13 imparts a click feeling in accordance with the timing when the operator 4 enters the states Q2, Q3, and Q4 (see also FIG. 6).

  In the present embodiment, the haptic control unit 13 is configured to move the mark mark MK2 representing the vehicle on the map including the guide route. However, how to display the guide route and the mark MK2 representing the vehicle The moving method is not limited to the method exemplified in this embodiment. For example, as when the map is displayed in the heading-up mode, the haptic control unit 13 displays the map of the scale specified by the user (may be the map displayed before the transition to the haptic use mode). On the other hand, while displaying the map, the map may be scrolled according to the rotation of the manipulator 4 while maintaining the state in which the mark MK2 is arranged substantially in the center of the display screen.

  The above is the contents of the operation performed by the user in the haptic use mode and the processing performed by the haptic control unit 13 in response to the user's operation. The haptic use mode has the following effects. That is, as described above, the user is informed in advance that the rotation of the operator 4 for one round corresponds to the traveling of the guide route from the vehicle position to the destination. Rotates the manipulator 4 for one revolution while simulating the traveling of the guide route from the vehicle position to the destination. The ratio of the rotation amount of the manipulator 4 to the rotation amount for one lap corresponds to the "distance from the actual vehicle position to the destination" (the total distance of the guide route) from the actual vehicle position to the guidance intersection. At the timing when it becomes equal to the ratio of “distance”, the user obtains a click feeling through the sense of touch.

  For this reason, while the operator 4 is rotated for one round, the user can visually recognize the feeling of clicking when rotating the operator 4 through the tactile sensation, and thus guide the user in the entire guidance route. You can intuitively recognize the approximate position of the intersection. In particular, the user should use the tactile sensation that he or she rarely uses to obtain information about the route (guide route), rather than the visual or auditory information normally used when obtaining information about the route (guide route). Since it can be obtained, that point is stimulating to the user, and the user's satisfaction can be improved.

  That is, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the operator 4 of the rotary switch 2 is operated to rotate from the state corresponding to the vehicle position (one point) to the state corresponding to the destination (another point). In this case, the tactile sensation transmitted to the user's finger changes according to the position of the guidance intersection (event on the route) existing on the guidance route. Therefore, if the user wants to obtain information about the position of the guidance intersection on the guidance route, he or she can rotate the operator 4 of the rotary switch 2 to guide the user through the tactile sensation transmitted to the finger during the rotation operation. You can intuitively recognize the approximate position of the intersection. That is, according to the present invention, the user can obtain the information about the route by a new method by using the rotary switch 2, which is a general member widely used as an operating member provided in the vehicle. Can be

  Further, in the haptic use mode, the haptic control unit 13 synchronizes the timing at which the click feeling is given and the timing at which the mark (the mark MK2 in each of FIGS. 7 and 8) representing the host vehicle reaches the guidance intersection on the display screen. Let Therefore, the user visually recognizes the movement of the mark representing the own vehicle on the display screen and perceives the tactile sensation (clicking sensation) transmitted to the finger holding the operating element 4, thereby providing guidance through the tactile sensation and the visual sense. More accurate information about the location of the intersection can be obtained.

  However, in the present embodiment, the user does not necessarily have to visually recognize the display screen when rotating the rotary switch 2 to obtain information about the guide route. That is, the user can perceptually recognize the approximate position of the guidance intersection on the entire guidance route through the tactile sensation that is transmitted to the finger during the rotation operation without visually recognizing the display screen. In other words, the configuration of the present embodiment is also superior in that information relating to the guide route can be obtained through the tactile sensation by a simple operation of rotating the operating element 4 without using vision. is there. Therefore, the display screen exemplified in this embodiment may not be displayed in the haptic use mode, or the user may select whether to display the display screen.

<First Modification>
Next, the first modified example will be described assuming that the guide route that is a target for providing information to the user is the guide route YD1 illustrated in FIG. 5A. In the above-described embodiment, the peak value of the click feeling generated corresponding to each of the guidance intersections KS1, KS2, and KS3 is the same for the F value (see FIG. 6). On the other hand, in the first modification, the haptic control unit 13 increases the peak value of the click feeling (intensifies the specific operation feeling) as the importance of the guidance intersection (intersections KS1, KS2, KS3) increases. In this modification, the importance of the guidance intersection is high when the driver is required to be highly alert when traveling (passing) through the guidance intersection. It is the size of the road, the number of roads connected to the guidance intersection, and the accident rate at the guidance intersection.

  Hereinafter, a case where the peak value of the click feeling is increased when the accident occurrence rate at the guidance intersection is high will be described as an example. The haptic control unit 13 acquires the accident occurrence rate for each guidance intersection when the operation mode becomes the haptic use mode. The road data included in the map data 17 stored in the map data storage unit 16 includes information indicating the accident occurrence rate for each intersection (node), and the tactile control unit 13 is based on the road data. , Get the accident rate at each guidance intersection. It should be noted that instead of the configuration in which the in-vehicle device 1 stores all the necessary information as in this modification, at least a part of the required information may be acquired by communication with an external device (server) via a network. Good.

  For example, assume that the accident rate is high in the order of the intersection KS3, the intersection KS2, and the intersection KS1. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9 (A), the tactile control unit 13 determines the peak value of the click feeling in the order of the state Q3 corresponding to the intersection KS3, the state Q2 corresponding to the intersection KS2, and the state Q1 corresponding to the intersection KS1. Increase with. According to the configuration of this modification, the following effects are further exerted in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment. That is, when the user rotates the operating element 4 for one round in the haptic use mode, the user not only obtains information about the position of the guidance intersections but also the importance of each guidance intersection, especially when traveling while haptic. It is possible to intuitively obtain the high level of attention required in (in the above example, the magnitude of the accident rate). Therefore, the convenience for the user can be improved.

  The “high importance level of the point (guidance intersection in the above example)”, which is an element for increasing the peak value of the click feeling, is not limited to the above example. For example, the user may explicitly specify the degree of importance based on his / her own experience. Also, depending on whether the driver makes a right turn, a left turn, or goes straight at the guidance intersection, the driver must be careful in the order of right turn, left turn, and straight ahead. Good.

<Second Modification>
Next, the second modification will be described assuming that the guide route that is the target of providing information to the user is the guide route YD1 illustrated in FIG. 5A. In the above-described embodiment, the rotational resistance force generated by the haptic control unit 13 has the same and constant E value in the ranges R1, R2, R3, and R4 of the graph of FIG. On the other hand, when the operating element 4 is rotationally operated, the haptic control unit 13 according to the present modified example operates the operating element in accordance with the environment at a position separated from the vehicle position SP1 by a distance corresponding to the rotation amount of the operating element 4. The magnitude of the rotational resistance force generated against the rotation of 4 is adjusted. Hereinafter, a specific example of the process of the haptic control unit 13 according to the present modification will be described.

  When the operation mode becomes the haptic use mode, the tactile control unit 13 acquires the condition of the gradient of each route connecting the points on the adjacent guide route. In this example, the "route from the vehicle position SP1 to the intersection KS1" is a downhill, and the "route from the intersection KS1 to the intersection KS2" and the "route from the intersection KS2 to the intersection KS3" are horizontal (even on the uphill. It is not a downhill), and the "route from the intersection KS3 to the destination GL1" is an uphill.

  The haptic control unit 13 adjusts the rotational resistance force in the range corresponding to the route according to the condition of the gradient. Specifically, in the case of the present example, the haptic control unit 13 rotates the rotational resistance in the range R1 in such a manner that the rotational resistance becomes weaker as the operator 4 rotates further, as shown in FIG. 9B. Give power. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the haptic control unit 13 keeps the rotational resistance force constant at a low value in the ranges R2 and R3. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the tactile control unit 13 applies the rotation resistance force in the range R4 in such a manner that the rotation resistance force becomes stronger as the rotation of the operator 4 advances.

  According to the configuration of this modification, the following effects are further exerted in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment. That is, when the user rotates the operating element 4 for one round in the tactile sense mode, the user can sense not only the information about the position of the guidance intersection but also the condition of the gradient of the route connecting the guide route points through the tactile sense. Can be recognized. Therefore, the convenience for the user can be improved.

  In this modification, the haptic control unit 13 gradually increases the rotational resistance force when the route is an uphill, and gradually increases the rotation resistance force when the route is a downhill. Although it was made weaker, the rotation resistance force in the range corresponding to the route is made constant, while the rotation resistance force on the uphill is made larger than the rotation resistance force on the horizontal road, The rotation resistance force related to (1) may be made smaller than the rotation resistance force related to a horizontal road. Further, in the present modification, the rotation resistance force in the corresponding range is adjusted according to the gradient of the route (road), but the rotation resistance force may be adjusted based on other factors. In addition, in the range R1 (the range corresponding to the downhill) of FIG. 9B, the value of the rotational resistance force to be applied first does not need to be higher than the rotational resistance force on the horizontal road, and the value of the horizontal resistance is It may be equal to or smaller than the rotational resistance force on the road. The same applies to the range R4 in FIG. 9 (B).

  Further, due to the factors that affect the difficulty of the road when traveling on the road to which the position separated from the vehicle position SP1 by the distance corresponding to the rotation amount of the operator 4, the rotation resistance force in the range corresponding to the road. The following effects can be obtained by adjusting. That is, the user can recognize the information about the difficulty of the road while linking the difficulty of the operation when the operator 4 is rotated and the difficulty in passing the road when traveling on the corresponding road. User convenience can be effectively improved. For example, the haptic control unit 13 may increase the rotational resistance force in the range corresponding to the road as the curve of the road becomes steeper or as the traffic congestion on the road increases. Further, the first modification and the second modification may be combined.

<Third Modification>
Next, the third modification will be described assuming that the guidance route that is a target for providing information to the user is the guidance route YD1 illustrated in FIG. 5A. In the above-described embodiment, one rotation of the operator 4 corresponds to the distance from the vehicle position SP1 to the destination GL1. With respect to this point, in the present modified example, one rotation is made to correspond to a predetermined distance, and the haptic control unit 13 causes the predetermined point from the departure place SP when the operator 4 is rotated. The tactile sensation is controlled according to an event within the distance (distance traveled).

  For example, assume that the predetermined distance is 4 km. In this case, referring to FIG. 5 (A), the intersection KS1 (point 1 km from the own vehicle position SP1) and the intersection KS2 (from the own vehicle position SP1) within a predetermined distance from the own vehicle position SP1 as the starting point. There is a 3 km point). In this case, as shown in FIG. 10 (A), when 4 km corresponds to 360 °, the haptic control unit 13 sets 90 ° corresponding to 1 km as the rotation amount corresponding to the intersection KS1 and corresponds to 3 km. Let 270 ° be the rotation amount corresponding to the intersection KS2. Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, the tactile control unit 13 gives a click feeling when the operating element 4 is in a state S1 rotated by 90 ° from the initial state, and further, the operating element 4 is in the initial state. A click feeling is given when the state S2 is rotated by 270 ° from. The user recognizes that the predetermined distance is 4 km (the equivalent distance when rotating the operating element 4 for one round is 4 km), and therefore the rotation amount when the click feeling is felt. Based on, it is possible to intuitively recognize the approximate distance to the guidance intersection existing within the predetermined distance range.

  The amount of rotation of the operator 4 corresponding to the predetermined distance does not have to be "one round", and may be "half round", for example. Further, at least one of the first modified example and the second modified example may be combined with the third modified example.

<Fourth Modification>
Next, a fourth modified example will be described assuming that the guide route that is a target for providing information to the user is the guide route YD1 illustrated in FIG. 5A. In the above-described embodiment, one rotation of the operator 4 corresponds to the distance from the vehicle position SP1 to the destination GL1. In this regard, in this modification, the haptic control unit 13 makes the predetermined rotation amount correspond to a predetermined distance (in this modification, 1 km), and then performs the operation. The tactile sense is controlled according to the rotation operation on the child 4.

  For example, the predetermined rotation amount set in advance is 30 °. Further, the predetermined distance set in advance is 1 km. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11A, the rotation amount corresponding to the intersection KS1 is 30 ° (30 ° × 1 (km)), and the rotation amount corresponding to the intersection KS2 is 90 ° (30 ° × 3). (Km)), and the rotation amount corresponding to the intersection KS3 is 180 ° (30 ° × 6 (km)). The amount of rotation corresponding to the destination GL1 is 240 ° (30 ° × 8 (km)). Then, the haptic control unit 13 imparts a click feeling when the operating element 4 is in the state X1 rotated by 30 ° from the initial state, and when the operating element 4 is in the state X2 rotated by 90 ° from the initial state. A click feeling is given, and further, a click feeling is given when the operating element 4 is in a state X3 rotated 180 ° from the initial state. Since the user recognizes that the rotation amount of the operator 4 for 30 ° is 1 km, the user can intuitively recognize the approximate distance to the guidance intersection based on the rotation amount when the click feeling is felt. can do. At least one of the first modification and the second modification may be combined with the fourth modification.

  Although the embodiment and the modified example of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiment is merely an example of the embodiment for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is limited thereby. Should not be construed as. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or the main features thereof.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the haptic control unit 13 controls the haptic sense in order to provide information about the route from the current position (starting point) to the destination. In this case, “one point” in the claims corresponds to the current position, and “other point” corresponds to the destination. However, the “one point” and the “other point” are arbitrary and, for example, both can be specific points designated by the user.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, in the haptic use mode, the haptic control unit 13 displays the map on the display screen, but it is not always necessary to display the map. For example, a schematic diagram schematically showing the guide route is schematically shown. May be displayed, and the mark representing the vehicle may be moved on this schematic diagram.

  Further, the rotary switch 2 may be provided with a mechanism having a vibration function (vibration function), and the tactile sense control unit 13 may give a tactile sense generated by vibration instead of the click feeling.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the rotation amount corresponding to the total distance of the guide route is set to “a rotation amount for one rotation”, but the rotation amount is not limited to “a rotation amount for one rotation”, and for example, “a rotation amount for a half rotation”. May be Further, the direction in which the user rotates the operating element 4 is clockwise, but this may be counterclockwise, or may be clockwise or counterclockwise.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the point to which the click feeling (specific operation feeling) is given is the guidance intersection, but a point other than the guidance intersection may be a target to which the click feeling is given. For example, an intersection other than the guidance intersection or a waypoint set by the user may be the target to which the click feeling is given.

1 In-vehicle device (rotary switch control device)
2 rotary switch 4 operator 12 operation detector 13 contact controller

Claims (15)

An operation detection unit that detects a rotation operation of the operator of the rotary switch,
A tactile control unit configured to control a tactile sensation transmitted to a finger holding the operator according to a rotation operation on the operator detected by the operation detector.
The tactile control unit,
When the operating element is rotated from one state corresponding to one point on the map to another state corresponding to another point on the map, the one point to the other point A rotary switch control device characterized by changing the tactile sensation transmitted to a finger during a rotating operation in response to an event on the path leading to. The tactile control unit,
When the manipulator is rotationally operated from the one state to the other state, for each of one or more relay points existing on a route from the one point to the other point, The rotary switch control device according to claim 1, wherein a specific operation feeling is generated when the amount of rotation of the operator reaches an amount corresponding to the distance from the one point to the relay point. The tactile control unit,
The ratio of the rotation amount from the one state to the current state, relative to the rotation amount from the one state to the other state, is from the one point to the other point. The rotary switch control device according to claim 2, wherein the specific operation feeling is generated at a timing equivalent to a ratio of a distance from the one point to the relay point to a distance. The tactile control unit,
While displaying at least a part of the route from the one point to the other point, when the operating element is rotationally operated from the one state to the other state, according to the rotational operation, While moving the mark representing the vehicle relative to the displayed route,
The rotary switch control device according to claim 3, wherein a timing at which a mark representing a vehicle arrives at each of the relay points on the displayed route is synchronized with a timing at which the specific operation feeling is generated. The tactile control unit,
The rotary switch control device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the higher the importance of the relay point, the stronger the specific operation feeling. The tactile control unit,
The rotary switch control device according to claim 5, wherein the more specific the driver's attention is when the vehicle travels through the relay point, the stronger the specific operation feeling is. The relay point is an intersection,
The tactile control unit,
The greater the scale of the intersection that is the relay point, the more roads that connect to the intersection that is the relay point, or the greater the accident rate at the intersection that is the relay point, the stronger the specific operation feeling is. The rotary switch control device according to claim 6, wherein:   The one point is the current position of the vehicle, the other point is a destination set by the user, the relay point includes a guidance intersection or a waypoint set by the user, The rotary switch control device according to any one of claims 2 to 7.   The one point is the current position of the vehicle, the other point is a point separated from the current position of the vehicle by a predetermined distance, and the relay point is a guidance intersection or a waypoint set by the user. The rotary switch control device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising:   The rotary switch control device according to claim 2, wherein the specific operation feeling is a tactile sensation generated by a click feeling or a vibration. The tactile control unit,
When the manipulator is rotationally operated from the one state to the other state, a distance corresponding to a rotation amount of the manipulator in the path from the one point to the other point is used. The magnitude of the resistance force generated against the rotation of the operator in the range corresponding to the road is adjusted according to the situation of the road to which the position away from the point belongs. 10. The rotary switch control device according to any one of 10. The tactile control unit,
In the range corresponding to the road according to the condition of the slope of the road to which the position separated from the one point by the distance corresponding to the rotation amount of the operator belongs in the route from the one point to the other point. The rotary switch control device according to claim 11, wherein the magnitude of the resistance force generated against the rotation of the operator is adjusted. The tactile control unit,
The higher the difficulty in traveling on the road to which the position separated from the one point by the distance corresponding to the rotation amount of the operator on the route from the one point to the other point, the higher the difficulty of the operator. The rotary switch control device according to claim 11, wherein the resistance force generated against the rotation is increased. The tactile control unit,
The steeper the curve of the road to which the position separated from the one point by the distance corresponding to the rotation amount of the operator on the route from the one point to the other point is, or the road to which the position belongs 14. The rotary switch control device according to claim 13, wherein the greater the traffic congestion in the, the greater the resistance force generated against the rotation of the operating element.   15. The rotary switch control device according to claim 1, wherein the other state is a state in which the operator in the one state is rotated by one turn.