JP2024048829A - User Interface Device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To improve the convenience of a user interface device that controls a seat position. [Solution] The user interface device 1 disclosed herein is a user interface device 1 for controlling a seat position, including a plurality of adjustable parameters, in a seat on which a user can sit. A detection unit 20 receives an instruction to register a seat position. A storage unit 34 stores setting information including values of a plurality of parameters related to the seat position based on the instruction. A touch panel display 10 displays the values of the plurality of parameters included in the setting information. [Selected Figure] FIG.

Description

The present disclosure relates to a user interface device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a user interface device that controls the seat position of a seat installed in a vehicle. The seat position is a controlled object that includes the position of the seat in the fore-aft direction of the vehicle, the seat height, and the angle of the backrest as adjustable parameters. The device is equipped with a memory switch. The user can store and reproduce a desired seat position by operating the memory switch.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-086637

There is a demand for improving the convenience of user interface devices that control seat position.

One example embodiment provided by the present disclosure is
1. A user interface device for controlling a seat position including a plurality of adjustable parameters of a seat on which a user can sit, comprising:
A reception unit that receives an instruction to register a seat position;
a storage unit that stores setting information including values of the plurality of parameters related to the seat position based on the instruction;
a display unit that displays values of the plurality of parameters included in the setting information;
It is equipped with:

According to the above configuration, the values of multiple parameters related to the seat position included in the registered setting information are displayed on the display unit, reducing the need for the user to remember the details of the setting information or to re-register forgotten setting information. This can therefore improve the convenience of the user interface device for controlling the seat position.

FIG. 1 illustrates a user interface device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates a vehicle in which the user interface device of FIG. 1 is installed. FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the display unit during operation by a user. FIG. 4 illustrates the display unit after a user operation.

The following describes an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. The scale of each drawing used in the following description has been appropriately changed so that each element is of a recognizable size.

Figure 1 illustrates a user interface device 1 according to one embodiment. As illustrated in Figure 2, the user interface device 1 is configured to be mounted on a vehicle 100. The user interface device 1 is configured to control the seat position of a seat 101 in which a user sits. The seat position includes a number of parameters, such as the position of the seat 101 in the fore-aft direction of the vehicle 100, the height of the seat 101, the angle of the backrest, etc.

The user interface device 1 includes a touch panel display 10, a detection unit 20, and a control unit 30. The touch panel display 10 is configured to display multiple parameters related to the seat position, and to receive an instruction to store the seat position from the user through the approach or contact of a part of the user's body, such as a finger. In other words, the touch panel display 10 is an example of a display unit and an example of a reception unit.

The detection unit 20 is configured to detect a user's operation on the touch panel display 10. The detection unit 20 is, for example, a capacitive sensor capable of detecting a change in the capacitance of the touch panel display 10. Alternatively, the detection unit 20 can be a pressure sensor capable of detecting contact of a part of the user's body with the touch panel display 10. The detection unit 20 may partially constitute the reception unit.

The detection unit 20 is configured to output a detection signal DS corresponding to a user's operation on the touch panel display 10 to the control unit 30. The detection signal DS may be an analog signal or a digital signal.

The control unit 30 includes an input interface 31, a processor 32, an output interface 33, and a storage unit 34. The input interface 31 is configured as a hardware interface that receives the detection signal DS output from the detection unit 20. When the detection signal DS is an analog signal, the input interface 31 includes an appropriate conversion circuit including an A/D converter. The input interface 31 may partially configure the reception unit.

When the detection signal DS received by the input interface 31 is due to an operation corresponding to an instruction to store the seat position, the processor 32 stores setting information including multiple parameters related to the seat position in the memory unit 34.

When the processor 32 determines that the detection signal DS received by the input interface 31 corresponds to a predetermined operation, the processor 32 is configured to cause the output interface 33 to output a first control signal CS1. The first control signal CS1 may be an analog signal or a digital signal. The output interface 33 is configured as a hardware interface. When the first control signal CS1 is an analog signal, the output interface 33 is provided with an appropriate conversion circuit including a D/A converter.

The first control signal CS1 is configured to cause the touch panel display 10 to display multiple parameters related to the seat position included in the setting information stored in the memory unit 34. The memory unit 34 can be realized by a semiconductor memory, a hard disk device, a magnetic tape device, etc.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the touch panel display 10 displays the values of multiple parameters related to the seat position that are included in the setting information stored in the memory unit 34.

Here, the "parameter value" is not limited to the numerical value of the physical quantity related to the seat position. The "parameter value" may be a step-by-step ranking of the physical quantities related to the seat position. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the physical quantities related to the seat position are the angle of the backrest, the height of the seat surface, and the angle of the footrest. The touch panel display 10 shows each of these physical quantities in six levels. The "parameter value" may also be an image representing the seat 101 drawn based on the physical quantities related to the seat position.

In addition, if the memory unit 34 is configured to be able to register multiple pieces of setting information, it is desirable that the touch panel display 10 is configured to allow the user to view the multiple pieces of setting information. For example, at least one of the multiple pieces of setting information may be configured to be switched and displayed on the touch panel display 10 in response to a user operation. Alternatively, the multiple registered pieces of setting information may be configured to be displayed in a list on the touch panel display 10.

In the case of a user interface device in which a registered seat position is reproduced by pressing a memory switch, as in Patent Document 1, the user must remember the setting information related to the registered seat position in association with the memory switch. If the user forgets the registered setting information, it becomes necessary to re-register the seat position.

In the user interface device 1 according to this embodiment, the values of multiple parameters related to the seat position included in the registered setting information are displayed on the touch panel display 10, reducing the need for the user to remember the details of the setting information or to re-register forgotten setting information. This can therefore improve the convenience of the user interface device for controlling the seat position.

The setting information may include at least one of information identifying the user and information identifying the date on which the setting information was stored in the storage unit 34. In this case, it is desirable that at least one of information identifying the user and information identifying the date on which the setting information was stored in the storage unit 34 is displayed on the touch panel display 10. For example, in FIG. 3, both "User name: Taro", which is information identifying the user, and "Last updated: 2022/08/08", which is information identifying the date on which the setting information was stored in the storage unit 34, are displayed.

This makes it easier for the user interface device 1 to provide information such as who registered the setting and, in addition to or instead of, when the setting was registered. In particular, when a specific user registers multiple types of settings for the same sheet 101 or when the same sheet 101 is shared by multiple users, the user interface device 1 makes it easier for the user to manage the setting information.

Next, changing the parameter values related to the seat position and the operations related to changing the parameter values will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 3 illustrates an example of the state of the touch panel display 10 during a user operation, and Fig. 4 illustrates an example of the state of the touch panel display 10 after the user operation. A seat image IM representing a seat 101 may be displayed on the touch panel display 10. The seat image IM may include a backrest image D1 representing a backrest, a seat surface image D2 representing a seat surface, and a footrest image D3 representing a footrest.

Furthermore, an operation image in which an arrow is drawn around the seat image IM may be displayed. In this embodiment, the operation images include backrest operation images d11, d12, seat operation images d21, d22, and footrest operation images d31, d32. For example, the arrows in the backrest operation images d11, d12 indicate the direction in which the backrest can be rotated. The arrows in the seat operation images d21, d22 indicate the direction in which the seat can be moved. The arrows in the footrest operation images d31, d32 indicate the direction in which the footrest can be rotated.

The touch panel display 10 is configured to accept a change instruction to change the value of at least one of the multiple parameters when a part of the user's body, such as a finger, approaches or touches the operation image. In other words, the operation image functions as an interface that accepts a change instruction to change the value of at least one of the multiple parameters.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the user's finger touches the seat operation image d21, the detection unit 20 sends a signal to the input interface 31 indicating that a change to increase the parameter value of the seat by one level has been accepted. The processor 32 overwrites and changes the parameter of the seat stored in the memory unit 34 to increase it by one level. The processor 32 changes the display of the parameter value on the touch panel display 10 to increase the parameter value of the seat by one level as illustrated in FIG. 4 by outputting a first control signal CS1 to the output interface 33. In addition, the processor 32 may change the seat image D2 displayed on the touch panel display 10 to a seat image D2' displayed at a position one level higher. Furthermore, the processor 32 may control the drive device 40 (see FIG. 1) to displace the seat of the actual seat 101 to a seat position corresponding to the changed parameter value of the seat by outputting a second control signal CS2 to the output interface 33.

In this embodiment, a change instruction to change at least one value of a plurality of parameters can be received through an image displayed on the touch panel display 10. The location where the setting information is presented and the location where changes to the setting information are accepted are unified, thereby improving operability related to controlling the seat position.

In the present embodiment, the touch panel display 10 displays an interface indicating adjustable positions and directions on the seat 101 together with the seat image IM. This makes it easier for the user interface device 1 to provide the user with a more intuitive understanding of operations related to adjusting the seat position.

The processor 32 having the various functions described above can be realized by a dedicated integrated circuit such as a microcontroller, ASIC, or FPGA that has a memory element in which a computer program for realizing the function is preinstalled. The memory unit 34 may be realized by the memory element.

The processor 32 may be realized by a general-purpose microprocessor that operates in cooperation with a general-purpose memory. Examples of the general-purpose microprocessor include a CPU, an MPU, and a GPU. Examples of the general-purpose memory include a ROM and a RAM. In this case, the ROM may store computer programs for implementing various functions. The general-purpose microprocessor specifies at least a portion of the computer program stored in the ROM, expands it on the RAM, and works with the RAM to execute the above-mentioned processing. The memory unit 34 may be realized by the general-purpose memory.

The processor 32 may be implemented using a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a dedicated integrated circuit.

The configurations described thus far are merely examples intended to facilitate understanding of this disclosure. Each configuration may be modified as appropriate or combined with other configurations without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

In the above embodiment, the touch panel display 10, which displays multiple parameters related to the seat position, also receives an instruction to register the seat position. However, the instruction may be received at a location other than the touch panel display 10.

For example, an instruction to register a seat position may be received on the operation panel 21 illustrated in FIG. 2. In this case, the operation panel 21 can be an example of a reception unit. For example, a cursor displayed on the touch panel display 10 may be moved in response to an operation on the operation panel 21. The operation panel 21 may be equipped with a sensor capable of detecting contact or approach of a part of the user's body. Examples of such sensors include an electrostatic sensor capable of detecting contact or approach of a part of the user's body with the operation panel 21, a pressure sensor capable of detecting contact of a part of the user's body with the operation panel 21, and a sensor capable of detecting a displacement of the operation panel 21 associated with an operation.

In the above embodiment, the arrow image displayed on the touch panel display 10 functions as an interface that accepts a change instruction to change the value of at least one of the multiple parameters. However, an interface that accepts the change instruction through the user's voice or gestures may also be provided.

The user interface device 1 may be mounted on a moving object other than the vehicle 100. Examples of such moving objects include trains, airplanes, ships, etc. The moving object may not require a driver.

Furthermore, the user interface device 1 does not necessarily need to be mounted on a moving object. For example, the user interface device 1 may be configured to control an appropriate seat 101 that is installed in a house or facility and allows the seat position to be adjusted. For example, the user interface device 1 may be configured to control a reclining chair, a reclining bed, etc.

The configurations listed below also form part of this disclosure.
(1):
1. A user interface device for controlling a seat position including a plurality of adjustable parameters of a seat on which a user can sit, comprising:
A reception unit that receives an instruction to register a seat position;
a storage unit that stores setting information including values of the plurality of parameters related to the seat position based on the instruction;
a display unit that displays values of the plurality of parameters included in the setting information;
Equipped with
A user interface device.
(2):
The setting information further includes at least one of information for identifying the user and information for identifying a date on which the setting information was stored in the storage unit.
A user interface device according to (1).
(3):
the reception unit includes an interface that receives a change instruction to change at least one value of the plurality of parameters,
At least one value of the plurality of parameters displayed on the display unit is changed based on the change instruction.
A user interface device according to (1) or (2).
(4):
The interface is an image displayed on the display unit.
A user interface device according to (3).
(5):
the display unit displays a sheet image representing the sheet,
the interface is displayed together with the seat image to indicate adjustable positions and orientations of the seat;
A user interface device according to (4).
(6):
The seat is mounted on a moving body.
The user interface device according to any one of (1) to (5).

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 User interface device 10 Touch panel display 20 Detection unit 21 Operation panel 30 Control unit 31 Input interface 32 Processor 33 Output interface 34 Storage unit 40 Drive device 100 Vehicle 101 Seat d11, d12 Backrest operation image d21, d22 Seat operation image d31, d32 Footrest operation image IM Seat image CS1 First control signal CS2 Second control signal DS Detection signal

Claims (6)

1. A user interface device for controlling a seat position including a plurality of adjustable parameters of a seat on which a user can sit, comprising:
A reception unit that receives an instruction to register a seat position;
a storage unit that stores setting information including values of the plurality of parameters related to the seat position based on the instruction;
a display unit that displays values of the plurality of parameters included in the setting information;
Equipped with
A user interface device. The setting information further includes at least one of information for identifying the user and information for identifying a date on which the setting information was stored in the storage unit.
The user interface device according to claim 1 . the reception unit includes an interface that receives a change instruction to change at least one value of the plurality of parameters,
At least one value of the plurality of parameters displayed on the display unit is changed based on the change instruction.
3. A user interface device according to claim 1 or 2. The interface is an image displayed on the display unit.
The user interface device according to claim 3. the display unit displays a sheet image representing the sheet,
the interface is displayed together with the seat image to indicate adjustable positions and orientations of the seat;
The user interface device according to claim 4. The seat is mounted on a moving body.
The user interface device according to claim 1 .

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