JP4410625B2 - Touch input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch input device that performs input operations of various devices mounted on a vehicle by pressing a touch panel.

Conventionally, a touch panel is known in which a pressing position when a pressing surface or the like is pressed with a finger or the like can be accurately detected (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Further, as a touch operation input device such as a car navigation device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, a display that displays a map screen and a touch operation unit (touch tracer) having a touch panel are separated, and car navigation is performed by the touch operation unit. An apparatus that performs an input operation of an apparatus or the like is known (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  In addition, as a touch panel input device for OA equipment etc. mounted on the vehicle, the touch panel is arranged on the display screen, and the input acceptance range of the touch panel is changed between when the vehicle is running and when the vehicle is stopped, thereby improving operability. Are known (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

Furthermore, it is a keyboard equipped with a touchpad that is used as an input device of a personal computer and inputs the coordinates of the contact position by a finger etc., and the touchpad is based on commands from the personal computer body, and relative coordinate position data and absolute coordinate position data. There is known a keyboard that can selectively output either of them (see, for example, Patent Document 4).
JP 2003-216337 A JP 2002-108544 A JP 2002-108564 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-340154

  By the way, in the conventional input devices such as Patent Documents 2 and 3 using the touch panel as described in Patent Document 1, regardless of whether or not the vehicle is running, the touch position of the touch operation unit or the touch panel is determined. The operation is generally performed in an absolute position input mode in which selection items in the operation screen are selected with absolute coordinates. For this reason, when there are few selection items in the operation screen such as the operation screen while the vehicle is running, the operation can be performed by the absolute position input mode, but the operation screen when the vehicle is stopped such as a character input screen of 50 sounds. When there are many selection items, there is a problem that it is difficult to select a large number of selection items.

  In addition, the keyboard described in Patent Document 4 can output the absolute coordinates from the touchpad to the personal computer using an interface that outputs data obtained by scanning the key matrix. . In this keyboard, a key matrix is required in addition to the touch pad, and a process for obtaining data by scanning this is required. It is difficult to apply to the input device.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is not limited to quick operability while the vehicle is running, and is detailed even when there are many selection items such as an operation screen while the vehicle is stopped. An object of the present invention is to provide a touch input device that facilitates easy input operations.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an invention according to claim 1 includes a touch panel, selects a selection item in an operation screen displayed on a display unit by a selection operation of the touch panel, and performs an input operation of the selection item. In the touch-type input device to be performed, the input operation for outputting the position data of the selection means on the touch panel, and the input operation based on the absolute position data representing the absolute coordinates while the vehicle is running based on the position data, and the vehicle is stopped And a display control unit that performs the input operation using relative position data representing relative coordinates.

  According to this, when the vehicle is traveling, input operation of various devices is performed by the absolute position data representing the absolute coordinates of the selection means that has been selected, and when the vehicle is stopped, the relative position data representing the relative coordinates of the selection means that has been selected is used. Input operation can be performed. This makes it difficult to keep an eye on the operation screen and touch panel while the vehicle is running when performing input operations on equipment mounted on a vehicle such as a car navigation device. The absolute position can be recognized quickly, and the selection means on the touch panel at the absolute position corresponding to the selected item can be quickly selected and operated. In addition, since the operation screen and touch panel can be watched while the vehicle is stopped, even if there are many selection items on the operation screen, detailed selection operation of the selection means corresponding to the relative position in the operation screen of the selection item to be selected Can be easily performed.

  For this reason, it is possible to quickly input by the absolute coordinates of the selection means selected and operated while the vehicle is traveling, and fine input can be performed by the relative coordinates of the selection means selected and operated while the vehicle is stopped. Therefore, a fine input operation can be facilitated even when the number of selection items is large, such as an operation screen when the vehicle is stopped, without impairing quick operability while the vehicle is running.

  The “selection item” here refers to various menu selection items displayed together with the operation screen such as the map screen on the display screen of the display means, and the operation screen such as the character input screen on the display screen. Means various character selection items to be displayed. Further, the “input operation” is an operation for selectively selecting the various menu selection items and the like, and causing the various items of equipment such as a car navigation device to execute functions and operations according to the selected menu selection items. It is used to include operations such as selecting various character selection items and the like and inputting place names.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the touch input device according to the first aspect, the display control unit displays an operation screen in a relative position input mode in which the number of selection items is large when the vehicle is stopped on the display unit. The gist of the invention is to execute a screen switching process for causing the display means to display an operation screen in the absolute position input mode in which the number of selection items is smaller than that in the relative position input mode during vehicle travel. .

  According to this, the operation screen of the relative position input mode with a large number of selection items is displayed while the vehicle is stopped, and the absolute position input with the number of selection items is smaller than the operation screen of the relative position input mode while the vehicle is traveling. The mode operation screen is displayed. For this reason, the absolute position within the touch panel of the selection means corresponding to the selection item can be quickly recognized during traveling of the vehicle, and the operability during traveling of the vehicle is further improved and applied to a car navigation device mounted on the vehicle. This is particularly effective when

  The invention according to claim 3 is the touch-type input device according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit enlarges the display of the selection items and reduces the number of the selection items while the vehicle is traveling. And

  According to this, since the display of the selection items displayed on the operation screen in the relative position input mode is enlarged and the number of selection items is reduced while the vehicle is traveling, the input operation can be performed more quickly while the vehicle is traveling. it can.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the touch-type input device according to the second aspect, the display control unit displays a number of the selection items while prohibiting input of the selection items while the vehicle is traveling. The gist is to reduce it.

  According to this, since the number of selection items is reduced by displaying to prohibit part of the selection items displayed on the operation screen in the relative position input mode while the vehicle is traveling, the input operation during the vehicle traveling is reduced. It can be done more quickly.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the touch-type input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the display control unit is configured to display the operation screen according to the selection item selected by the selection operation. The gist of the present invention is that the drawing process for changing the display is performed using the absolute position data while the vehicle is traveling and the drawing process is performed using the relative position data while the vehicle is stopped.

  According to this, the drawing process for changing the display of the operation screen in accordance with the selection item selected by the selection operation is performed using the absolute position data while the vehicle is traveling, and using the relative position data while the vehicle is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to easily recognize the selection item for which the driver or the occupant has been selected in both cases where the vehicle is running and the vehicle is stopped.

  Note that the “drawing process” here refers to changing the display color of the selection item or indicating the selection item with a pointer that the selection item has been selected by the selection operation, or selecting the selection item selected by the selection operation. It means a process of visually recognizing on the operation screen by displaying the corresponding next screen on the operation screen.

The gist of the invention according to claim 6 is that, in the touch input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the touch panel and the display unit are configured independently.
According to this, since the touch panel and the display unit are configured independently, the display screen is larger than the display unit with a touch panel in which the touch panel is arranged on the display screen of the display unit. It becomes possible to reduce the size. In addition, even when the touch panel is downsized, it is possible to quickly input by the absolute coordinates of the selection means on the small touch panel while the vehicle is traveling, and fine input and Many types of input are possible. Furthermore, it becomes possible to arrange the touch panel at a position that is easy for the driver and passengers to use.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the touch-type input device according to the sixth aspect, the input means outputs the absolute position data as the position data to the display control unit every predetermined time, and the display control unit The absolute position data output from the input means is used as it is while the vehicle is running, and the relative position data created from the absolute position data output from the input means is used while the vehicle is stopped. The gist of this is to perform the drawing process.

According to this, since the exchange of data (data communication) between the input unit and the display control unit is one direction in which the absolute position data is sent from the input unit to the display control unit, the input unit and the display control unit are Only one dedicated line such as a data line to be electrically connected is required, and the configuration is simplified.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the touch-type input device according to the sixth aspect, the display control unit sends a detection signal during traveling to the input means while the vehicle is traveling, and a detection signal during stoppage when the vehicle is stopped. And the input means outputs the absolute position data as the position data when the travel detection signal is output from the display control unit, and the stop detection signal is output from the display control unit. The gist is to output the relative position data to the display control unit as the position data.

According to this, the exchange of data between the input means and the display control unit is bidirectional, and on the display control side, the absolute position data or the relative position data sent from the input means can be used as they are. Processing such as creating relative position data based on the data becomes unnecessary. Thus, by calculating the relative coordinates of the selection means on the touch panel on the input means side, the calculation load on the display control unit side can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a touch-type input device that facilitates a fine input operation even when the number of selection items is large, such as an operation screen when the vehicle is stopped, without impairing quick operability while the vehicle is running. be able to.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a touch input device embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
A touch input device according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows the vicinity of a driver's seat of an automobile in which a touch input device according to the first embodiment is arranged.

  A touch-type input device 1 shown in FIG. 1 selectively selects a plurality of selection items in an operation screen displayed on a display screen 3 of a display 2 as display means by pressing operation (selection operation) of a touch panel 4. Thus, various devices mounted on the vehicle, for example, an air conditioner device, an audio device, a car navigation device, and the like are input. In this example, a case where the input operation of the car navigation device is performed by the touch input device 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the display 2 is disposed at a position where the driver and passengers can easily see, for example, at the center of the front surface of the instrument panel 5, and on the display screen 3, an operation screen of the air conditioner or audio device In addition, an operation screen of the car navigation device is displayed. For example, a character input screen as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D is displayed on the display screen 3 of the display 2 as an example of an operation screen of a car navigation device (not shown). .

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the touch input device 1 includes a touch panel device 6 as an input unit having a touch panel 4 and a display control unit 7. This touch input device 1 is configured independently of the display 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel device 6 is disposed on the center console 8 at a position where the driver can easily press the touch panel 4 during operation. As shown in FIG. 3, the touch panel device 6 includes a touch panel 4 in which a plurality of touch switches 10 serving as selection units independent from each other are arranged in a matrix, and a position data control unit 9, and the plurality of touch switches 10. The position data of one touch switch 10 selected by pressing operation is output.

The touch panel 4 is configured to be small, for example, about 40 mm × 25 mm.
The position data control unit 9 is configured by a one-chip microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and outputs position data of one touch switch 10 selected by a pressing operation to the display control unit 7. In this example, the position data control unit 9 outputs, as the position data, absolute position data representing the absolute coordinates of one touch switch 10 selected by the pressing operation every predetermined time, for example, every 0.1 second. It has become.

The “absolute position data” here is a predetermined reference position, for example, the first row and the first column (see FIG. 3) among the plurality of touch switches 10 arranged in a matrix in the XY plane shown in FIG. This is data including the X coordinate and the Y coordinate when the X coordinate of the touch switch 10 in the upper left corner is “X = 1” and the Y coordinate is “Y = 1”. Since the plurality of touch switches 10 shown in FIG. 3 are arranged in 5 rows × 10 columns as an example, the absolute position data of the 50 touch switches 10 is from (X = 1, Y = 1) to (X = 10, Y = 5). In FIG. 3, X1 to X10 indicate column addresses of the touch switches 10, and Y1 to Y5 indicate row addresses of the touch switches.

  The display control unit 7 is an ECU configured by a one-chip microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and is electrically connected to the position data control unit 9 of the touch panel device 6 and one dedicated line (local bus) 11. It is connected. In addition, a vehicle speed signal output from a vehicle speed sensor 12 that detects the vehicle speed is input to the display control unit 7.

  The display control unit 7 determines whether or not the vehicle is traveling based on the vehicle speed signal output from the vehicle speed sensor 12. When the vehicle is traveling (during vehicle traveling), the display 2 displays The operation screen of the car navigation device displayed on the screen 3 is set to the operation screen in the absolute position input mode such as the character input screen shown in FIGS. 4 (b) and 4 (c). Further, the display control unit 7 displays the operation screen of the car navigation device displayed on the display screen 3 when the vehicle is stopped (when the vehicle is stopped), as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (d). The operation screen in the relative position input mode such as the character input screen shown in FIG. In this way, the display control unit 7 displays the operation screen of the car navigation device relative to the operation screen in the relative position input mode and the number of selection items with a large number of selection items based on the vehicle speed signal output from the vehicle speed sensor 12. A screen switching process for switching between the operation screens in the absolute position input mode, which is smaller than the operation screens in the position input mode, is performed.

Here, the screen switching process executed by the display control unit 7 will be briefly described.
When the vehicle is stopped, the operation screen of the car navigation device is set to the operation screen in the relative position input mode with many character selection items 31 such as the character input screen shown in FIG. Thereby, the operation screen of the relative position input mode is displayed on the display screen 3 while the vehicle is stopped.

  When the stopped vehicle starts traveling and the vehicle is traveling, an absolute position input with a small number of character selection items 21 such as the character input screen shown in FIG. Set to the mode operation screen. Thereby, the operation screen of the absolute position input mode is displayed on the display screen 3 while the vehicle is traveling.

  When one of the selection items (character selection items) displayed on the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4B is selected by pressing the touch panel 4 while the vehicle is running, the next screen is displayed. The operation screen is set in the absolute position input mode as shown in 4 (c). As a result, the operation screen is displayed on the display screen 3.

  When the vehicle stops, the operation screen is set in the relative position input mode shown in FIG. As a result, the operation screen is displayed on the display screen 3. The operation screen in the relative position input mode shown in FIG. 4D is the same as the operation screen in the relative position input mode shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, as an example, on the operation screen in the relative position input mode shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (d), multiple character selections for inputting hiragana 50-characters as a plurality of selection items. Item 31 is displayed. On the other hand, on the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4B, ten character selection items 21 are displayed as a plurality of selection items, and the operation in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. On the screen, five character selection items 22 are displayed as a plurality of selection items.

  Thus, the display control unit 7 displays the character selection items 21 and 22 as shown in the operation screen of the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4B and FIG. The character selection items 31 and 22 are made larger than the character selection items 31 on the operation screen in the relative position input mode shown in FIGS. Yes.

  In addition, the display control unit 7 performs a drawing process for changing the display of the operation screen according to the selection item selected by the pressing operation of the touch panel 4 using the absolute position data while the vehicle is traveling, and relative when the vehicle is stopped. This is done using position data. That is, the display control unit 7 displays absolute position data representing the absolute coordinates of the selected one touch switch 10 with data corresponding to the position data output from the position data control unit 9 of the touch panel device 6 while the vehicle is traveling. Use it to perform drawing processing. When the vehicle is stopped, the drawing process is performed using the relative position data created from the absolute position data.

  Specifically, when the vehicle is stopped, the display control unit 7 uses the relative position data created from the absolute position data as the position data output from the position data control unit 9 every predetermined time on the display screen 3. A drawing process is performed to change the display color of the selected character selection item 31 among the plurality of character selection items 31 on the operation screen in the relative position input mode displayed on the screen. For example, when the character selection item 31 of “I” or “K” is selected on the operation screen in the relative position input mode shown in FIGS. 4A and 4D, “I” or “K” is displayed. A drawing process is performed in which the display color of the character selection item 31 is different from that of the other character selection items 31 as indicated by the oblique lines in FIG.

  On the other hand, the display control unit 7 performs the next operation according to the selection item selected by the pressing operation as “a drawing process for changing the display of the operation screen according to the selection item selected by the pressing operation” while the vehicle is traveling. The drawing process for displaying the screen on the display screen 3 is performed using the absolute position data of the selected selection item. For example, when the character selection item 21 of “ka” is selected on the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4B, the absolute position data of the selected character selection item 21 of “ka” is used. A drawing process for displaying an operation screen (see FIG. 4C) including the character selection items 22 of “ka” to “ko” representing the characters of “ka line” is performed.

  The “relative position data” in the present embodiment is the amount of movement from the position of one touch switch 10 selected last time to the position of one touch switch 10 selected this time among the plurality of touch switches 10 shown in FIG. This is data representing (movement amount and movement direction in the X direction and movement amount and movement direction in the Y direction). For example, in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the touch switch 10 indicated by the symbol A is selected last time and the touch switch 10 indicated by the symbol B is selected this time. At this time, the display control unit 7 subtracts the absolute coordinates (X = 1, Y = 1) of the touch switch 10 of symbol A from the absolute coordinates (X = 2, Y = 1) of the touch switch 10 of symbol B. The relative position data representing the movement amount is created.

  If the touch switch 10 selected this time is the first selection, for example, the absolute position data is used as the relative position data of the touch switch 10. For example, when the touch switch 10 indicated by the symbol A is first selected and there is no touch switch selected last time, the absolute position data (X = 1, Y) is used as the relative position data of the touch switch 10 indicated by the symbol A. = 1) is used as it is.

In this example, when the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4B is displayed on the display screen 3, each character selection item 21 has a plurality of characters at corresponding coordinate positions on the touch panel 4. The size includes four (four in this example) touch switches 10. For example, the character selection item 21 of “A” shown in FIG. 4B has a size including the four touch switches 10 indicated by symbols A to D in FIG. Further, the character selection item 21 of “ka” shown in the figure has a size including the four touch switches 10 indicated by symbols E to H in FIG. 3. The same applies to each of the character selection items 21 of “SA” to “WA”, and the character selection item 21 of “WA” has a size including four touch switches 10 indicated by reference characters IL in FIG. Yes. Therefore, on the operation screen shown in FIG. 4B, for example, when selecting the character selection item 21 of “A”, one of the four touch switches 10 indicated by reference signs A to D is pressed. It ’s fine. The same selection is possible for the character selection items 21 other than the character selection item 21 for “A”.

  When the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4C is displayed on the display screen 3, there are a plurality of corresponding character selection items 22 on the touch panel 4 (four in this example). The touch switch 10 is included. For example, the character selection item 22 of “ka” shown in FIG. 4C has a size including the four touch switches 10 indicated by symbols C, D, M, and N in FIG. Further, the character selection item 22 of “ki” shown in the figure has a size including four touch switches 10 indicated by symbols G, H, P, and Q in FIG. Similarly, the “ko” character selection item 22 shown in FIG. 4C has a size including four touch switches 10 indicated by reference characters R, S, I, and J in FIG. Therefore, on the operation screen shown in FIG. 4C, for example, when the character selection item 22 of “ka” is selected, any one of the four touch switches 10 indicated by symbols C, D, M, and N is selected. May be pressed. The same selection is possible for the character selection items 22 other than the character selection item 22 for “ka”.

  Next, the above-described screen switching process and drawing process executed by the display control unit 7 when the input operation of the car navigation apparatus is performed by the touch input device 1 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. The display control unit 7 is configured to repeatedly execute the process shown in FIG. 5 every predetermined time, for example, every 0.1 second.

  First, in step S100 of FIG. 5, the absolute position data output from the position data control unit 9 every predetermined time (for example, every 0.1 second) is read. At this time, it is assumed that none of the operation screens shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D is displayed on the display 2. In this case, since the driver does not press any of the plurality of touch switches 10 of the touch panel 4 shown in FIG. 3, the content of the read absolute position data is “0”, that is, (X = 0, Y = 0). It is.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S110, and based on the vehicle speed signal output from the vehicle speed sensor 12, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling. If the vehicle is traveling, the determination result is Yes and the process proceeds to step S120. If the vehicle is stopped, the determination result is No and the process proceeds to step S140.

  When it is determined that the vehicle is traveling and the process proceeds to step S120, the operation screen of the car navigation device is set to the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. As a result, the operation screen is displayed on the display screen 3.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S130, and drawing processing is performed using the absolute position data read in step S100. At this time, since the contents of the absolute position data are (X = 0, Y = 0), the above-described drawing process is not performed. Thereafter, the process shown in FIG.

  At this time, the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4B is set and displayed on the display screen 3 of the display 2 in step S120. Therefore, the driver views one operation switch corresponding to one of the character selection items 21 shown in FIG. 4B among the plurality of touch switches 10 shown in FIG. 3 while looking at the operation screen. 10 can be pressed.

  One character selection item that the driver desires to select while viewing the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4B until the predetermined time elapses after the processing shown in FIG. Suppose that 21 is selected. For example, it is assumed that one touch switch 10 (any one of the four touch switches 10 indicated by symbols E to H) corresponding to the character selection item 21 of “ka” is pressed to select “ka row”. . As a result, the position data control unit 9 outputs absolute position data representing the absolute coordinates of the touch switch 10 that has been pressed every predetermined time. At this time, the absolute position data of the absolute coordinates (X = 3, Y = 1) is pressed when the touch switch 10 with the symbol E is pressed, and the absolute coordinates when the touch switch 10 with the symbol F is pressed. The absolute position data of (X = 4, Y = 1) is output from the position data control unit 9, respectively.

  Thereafter, when the process shown in FIG. 5 is started again, in step S100, the absolute position data output from the position data control unit 9 every predetermined time is read. At this time, for example, absolute position data of absolute coordinates (X = 3, Y = 1) or (X = 4, Y = 1) is read.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S110, and if it is determined again that the vehicle is traveling, the process proceeds to step S120. At this time, since the operation screen of the car navigation apparatus is set to the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4B in step S120 in the previous process, step S120 is passed and the next step S130 is passed. Proceed to

  In order to pass step S120 and proceed to the next step S130 as described above, although not shown in FIG. 5, in step S120, an operation screen for the absolute position input mode is set and the absolute position is set. The input mode setting flag is set to “1”. In the next processing, it is determined whether or not the absolute position input mode setting flag is “1” before execution of step S120. If the determination result is Yes, step S120 is passed and the next step 130 is performed. If not, step S120 may be executed and then the next step S130 may be executed.

Thus, when step S120 is passed and the process proceeds to step S130, the drawing process is performed using the absolute position data read in step S100.
For example, when the character selection item 21 of “ka” on the operation screen shown in FIG. 4B is selected by a pressing operation of the corresponding touch switch 10, for example, the touch switch 10 indicated by E, the touch switch Drawing processing is performed using absolute position data of 10 absolute coordinates (X = 4, Y = 1). In this drawing process, an absolute position input mode operation screen (see FIG. 4C) including the character selection items 22 of “ka” to “ko” representing the characters of “ka line” is displayed on the display screen 3. To perform the process.

  While viewing the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4C displayed on the display screen 3 by this drawing processing, for example, the touch switch 10 on the touch panel 4 corresponding to the character selection item 22 of “ka”. By pressing (any one of the four touch switches 10 indicated by symbols C, D, M, and N), the character “ka” is input. At this time, for example, the absolute position data of the absolute coordinates (X = 1, Y = 2) is pressed when the touch switch 10 with the symbol C is pressed, and absolute when the touch switch 10 with the symbol D is pressed. The absolute position data of the coordinates (X = 2, Y = 2) is output from the position data control unit 9, respectively.

Thus, after performing step S130, the process shown in FIG. 5 is once complete | finished.
The above steps S100 to S130 are repeated while the vehicle is traveling until a certain character, for example, the character “ka” is input and the character input confirmation button (not shown) is pressed. In this repetition, in step S120, the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4B is set, and in step S130, the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4C is displayed on the display screen 3. Is displayed. On the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4B, the character selection item 21 on the line including the character to be input can be selected. And the character selection item 22 of the character to input can be selected on the operation screen of the absolute position input mode shown in FIG.4 (c).

In this manner, after the input of necessary characters is completed, the input of characters during vehicle traveling is completed by pressing the confirmation button.
On the other hand, in the process shown in FIG. 5, after the execution of step S100, it is determined that the vehicle is stopped by the determination in step S110 and the process proceeds to step S140, and the operation screen of the car navigation device is displayed as shown in FIG. The operation screen is set in the relative position input mode shown in (d). As a result, the operation screen is displayed on the display screen 3 of the display 2. Here, for example, it is assumed that the operation screen in the relative position input mode shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S150, and relative position data is created based on the absolute position data read in step S100. At this time, since the driver does not press any of the plurality of touch switches 10 of the touch panel 4, the content of the absolute position data read in step S100 is “0”, that is, (X = 0, Y = 0). . Therefore, the content of the relative position data created at this time is “0”.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S160, and a drawing process is performed using the relative position data created in step S150. At this time, since the content of the relative position data created in step S150 is “0”, the drawing process is not performed for any of the plurality of character selection items 31 shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process shown in FIG.

  At this time, since the operation screen in the relative position input mode shown in FIG. 4A is set and displayed on the display screen 3 of the display 2 in step S140, the driver looks at the operation screen while viewing the operation screen. One touch switch 10 corresponding to one desired to be selected from the plurality of character selection items 31 shown in FIG. 4A can be pressed.

  One character selection item that the driver desires to select while viewing the operation screen in the relative position input mode shown in FIG. 4A until the predetermined time elapses after the processing shown in FIG. For example, it is assumed that one touch switch 10 (touch switch 10 indicated by symbol C in FIG. 3) corresponding to the character selection item 31 of “I” is pressed. Accordingly, the position data control unit 9 outputs absolute position data representing the absolute coordinates (X = 1, Y = 2) of the touch switch 10 that has been pressed at predetermined time intervals.

  Thereafter, when the process shown in FIG. 5 is started again, in step S100, the absolute position data output from the position data control unit 9 every predetermined time is read. At this time, for example, absolute position data of absolute coordinates (X = 1, Y = 2) is read.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S110, and if it is determined again that the vehicle is stopped, the process proceeds to step S140. At this time, since the operation screen of the relative position input mode shown in FIG. 4A is set as the operation screen of the car navigation device in the previous processing, step S140 is passed and the process proceeds to the next step S150.

In order to pass step S140 and proceed to the next step S150 in this way, although not shown in FIG. 5, in step S140, the operation screen for the relative position input mode is set and the relative position is set. The input mode setting flag is set to “1”. In the next processing, it is determined whether or not the relative position input mode setting flag is “1” before execution of step S140. If the determination result is Yes, step S140 is passed and the next step 150 is determined. If not, step S140 may be executed and then the next step S150 may be executed.

  In step S150, relative position data is created based on the absolute position data read in step S100. Now, as described above, when one touch switch 10 (touch switch 10 indicated by symbol C in FIG. 3) corresponding to the character selection item 31 “I” is pressed, in step S100, absolute coordinates (X = 1, Y = 2) It is assumed that absolute position data is read. In this case, in step S150, the absolute coordinates (X = 1, Y = 2) of the touch switch 10 are used as they are as the relative position data of the touch switch 10 of the symbol C.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S160, and a drawing process is performed using the relative position data created in step S150. Here, among the large number of character selection items 31 displayed on the operation screen in the relative position input mode shown in FIG. 4A, 1 corresponding to the relative position data of the touch switch 10 with the symbol C created in step S150. A process of making the display color of one character selection item 31 (character selection item 3 of “I”) different from the other character selection item 31 is performed. Thereafter, the process shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, one touch switch (FIG. 3) corresponding to, for example, the “one” character selection item 31 among the many character selection items 31 displayed on the operation screen in the relative position input mode shown in FIG. When the touch switch 10) indicated by reference numeral Q is pressed, relative position data is created based on the absolute position data read in step S100 in step S150. In this case, in step S150, the absolute coordinates (X = 1, Y = 2) of the touch switch 10 of the symbol C are subtracted from the absolute coordinates (X = 4, Y = 3) of the touch switch 10 of the symbol Q. Relative position data representing the amount of movement is created.

  Thereafter, when the process proceeds to step S160, the display color of the character selection item 31 of “one”, which is one character selection item 31 corresponding to the relative position data of the touch switch 10 of the symbol Q created in step S150, is changed to the other color. Processing different from the character selection item 31 is performed. Thereafter, the process shown in FIG.

  Similarly, when one of the many touch switches 10 shown in FIG. 3 is sequentially pressed, the touch switch 10 that is pressed among the many character selection items 31 shown in FIG. The character selection items 31 to be selected are sequentially selected, and the drawing processing is sequentially performed on the selected character selection items 31.

  As described above, when the vehicle is stopped, the operation screen of the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4A is displayed on the display screen 3 as the operation screen of the car navigation device. By pressing one of them in order, any one of the character selection items 31 shown in FIG. 4A can be selected in order. In this way, after the input of necessary characters is completed, the input of characters while the vehicle is stopped is completed by pressing the confirmation button.

According to 1st Embodiment comprised as mentioned above, there exist the following effects.
○ Relative position representing the relative coordinates of one touch switch 10 that is pressed while the vehicle is running, and input operation of the car navigation device is performed based on absolute position data that represents the absolute coordinates of one touch switch 10 that has been pressed. The input operation can be performed by data.

As a result, when performing an input operation of the car navigation device, it is difficult to gaze at the operation screen or the touch panel 4 while the vehicle is traveling, but even in this case, the absolute selection within the operation screen of the character selection item 21 or 22 to be selected is not possible. The position can be quickly recognized, and the touch switch 10 in the touch panel 4 at the absolute position corresponding to the character selection item can be quickly pressed with a finger or the like. In addition, since the operation screen in the relative position input mode as shown in FIG. 4A and the touch panel 4 can be watched while the vehicle is stopped, even if there are a large number of character selection items 31 in the operation screen, the selection is made in order. A fine selection operation of the touch switch 10 corresponding to the relative position of the item in the operation screen can be easily performed.

  For this reason, it is possible to quickly input by the absolute coordinates of the touch switch 10 that has been pressed while traveling, and it is possible to make fine inputs and various types of inputs by using the relative coordinates of the touch switch 10 that has been pressed while the vehicle is stopped. Therefore, a fine input operation can be facilitated even when the number of selection items is large, such as an operation screen when the vehicle is stopped, without impairing quick operability while the vehicle is running.

  ○ While the vehicle is traveling, 1 is selected from the character selection items 21 while the operation screen of the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4B is displayed on the display 2 as the operation screen of the car navigation device. One of the plurality of character selection items 21 can be easily selected by pressing the touch switch 10 at the position corresponding to the two.

  ○ An absolute position input mode operation screen (see FIG. 4B) with a small number of selection items is displayed while the vehicle is traveling (step S120), and a relative position input mode operation with a large number of selection items is performed while the vehicle is stopped. A screen (see FIG. 4A) is displayed (step S140). For this reason, the touch switch 10 corresponding to the absolute position of the character selection item 21 or 22 can be quickly recognized during traveling of the vehicle, and quick operability during traveling of the vehicle is further improved. This is particularly effective when applied to.

  ○ While the vehicle is traveling, the display of the character selection items 21 displayed on the operation screen of the relative position input mode shown in FIG. 4A is enlarged to reduce the number of character selection items. Can be done more quickly.

  ○ When the operation screen of the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4B is displayed on the display screen 3 while the vehicle is traveling, each character selection item 21 has a plurality of characters at the corresponding coordinate positions on the touch panel 4. The size includes four (four in this example) touch switches 10. Therefore, in the operation screen shown in FIG. 4B, when one character selection item 21, for example, the character selection item 21 of “A” is selected, any one of the four touch switches 10 indicated by symbols A to D is selected. What is necessary is just to press one. Thereby, the selection operation of the character selection item by the touch switch 10 is facilitated, and a selection operation error is unlikely to occur.

  Similarly, when the operation screen of the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4C is displayed on the display screen 3 while the vehicle is traveling, each character selection item 22 has a plurality of corresponding items on the touch panel 4. Since the size includes four touch switches 10 (in this example), the selection operation of the character selection item is facilitated and a selection operation error is unlikely to occur.

  A drawing process for changing the display of the operation screen according to the selection item selected by the pressing operation of the touch panel 4 is performed using the absolute position data while the vehicle is traveling (step S130), and the relative position data is displayed while the vehicle is stopped. (Step S160). Therefore, the character selection items 21, 22, or 31 for which the driver or the occupant has been selected can be easily recognized in both cases where the vehicle is running and the vehicle is stopped.

Since the touch panel device 6 having the touch panel 4 is configured independently of the display 2, the display screen 3 is larger than the display with the touch panel in which the touch panel is arranged on the display screen 3 of the display 2. The touch panel 4 can be downsized. In addition, even when the touch panel 4 is downsized, it is possible to quickly input by the absolute coordinates of the small touch switch 10 while the vehicle is traveling, and when the vehicle is stopped, the relative coordinates of the small touch switch 10 enable fine input and various types of input. Input is possible. Furthermore, it becomes possible to arrange the touch panel 4 at a position that is easy for the driver and passengers to use.

  ○ Data exchange (data communication) between the position data control unit 9 and the display control unit 7 of the touch panel device 6 is one direction in which absolute position data is sent from the position data control unit 9 to the display control unit 7. The configuration is simple because only one dedicated line 111 such as a data line for electrically connecting the position data control unit 9 and the display control unit 7 is required.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a touch input device 1A according to a second embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the description of the second embodiment, the description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment is omitted.

  In the touch input device 1A, as shown in FIG. 6, the display control unit 7 detects a running detection signal when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling, and detects when the vehicle is stopped when it is determined that the vehicle is stopped. Are output to the touch panel device 6 respectively. Further, when a traveling detection signal is output from the display control unit 7, the touch panel device 6 performs display control of absolute position data representing the absolute coordinates of one touch switch 10 selected by the pressing operation as the position data. Output to unit 7. The touch panel device 6 outputs the relative position data to the display control unit 7 as the position data when the stop detection signal is output from the display control unit 7.

  As described above, in the touch input device 1A, the touch panel device 6 has two types of pointing data, that is, absolute position data or relative position, according to the traveling detection signal or the stationary detection signal output from the display control unit 7. Data is output to the display control unit 7. In such a configuration, the touch input device 1A according to the second embodiment is different from the touch input device 1 according to the first embodiment.

  Next, when the input operation of the car navigation device is performed by the touch type input device 1A, the screen switching process and the drawing process executed by the display control unit 7 are controlled based on the flowchart shown in FIG. The position data creation process executed by the unit 9 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. The display control unit 7 and the position data control unit 9 are configured to repeatedly execute the process shown in FIG. 7 and the process shown in FIG. 8 every predetermined time, for example, every 0.1 second.

First, position data creation processing executed by the position data control unit 9 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
In step S300 of FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not a traveling detection signal is input from the display control unit 7 via the dedicated line 111. If the traveling detection signal is input, the determination result is Yes and the process proceeds to step S310. If the stop detection signal is input, the determination result is No and the process proceeds to step S320.

  In step S310, the absolute position data representing the absolute coordinates of one touch switch 10 selected by the pressing operation is output to the display control unit 7 via the dedicated line 111. Then, the process shown in FIG. 8 is once complete | finished.

  On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step S320, as in step S150 of FIG. 5 described above, relative position data is created based on the absolute position data, and the created relative position data is sent to the display control unit 7 via the dedicated line 111. Output. Then, the process shown in FIG. 8 is once complete | finished.

Such position data creation processing is repeatedly executed by the position data control unit 9.
Next, the screen switching process and the drawing process executed by the display control unit 7 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step S200 of FIG. 7, it is determined based on the vehicle speed signal output from the vehicle speed sensor 12 whether or not the vehicle is traveling. If the vehicle is running, the determination result is Yes and the process proceeds to step S210. If the vehicle is stopped, the determination result is No and the process proceeds to step S250.

In step S210, the traveling detection signal is output to the touch panel device 6 via the dedicated line 111.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S220, and the operation screen of the car navigation device is set to the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. As a result, the operation screen in the absolute position input mode is displayed on the display screen 3.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S230, and the absolute position data output from the position data control unit 9 via the dedicated line 111 is read.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S240, and drawing processing is performed using the absolute position data read in step S230, as in step S130 of FIG. Thereafter, the processing shown in FIG.

  The above steps S200 to S240 are repeatedly executed. Thus, while the vehicle is running, the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 4B is displayed on the display 2 and is in a position corresponding to one of the character selection items 21 to be selected. One of the character selection items 21 can be selected by pressing the touch switch 10.

  As described above, when selecting any one of the character selection items 21, for example, the character selection item 21 of “KA”, any of the four touch switches 10 indicated by reference numerals E, F, G, and H in FIG. One of them may be pressed.

When the pressing operation is performed, a drawing process for displaying the next operation screen on the display screen 3 in accordance with the selection item selected by the pressing operation is performed as in the case of the first embodiment.
On the other hand, in the process shown in FIG. 7, when it is determined that the vehicle is stopped by the determination in step S <b> 200 and the process proceeds to step S <b> 250, a stop detection signal is output to the touch panel device 6 via the dedicated line 111.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S260, where the operation screen of the car navigation device is set to the operation screen in the relative position input mode shown in FIG. Thereby, the operation screen in the relative position input mode is displayed on the display screen 3.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S270, and the relative position data output from the position data control unit 9 via the dedicated line 111 is read.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S280, and the drawing process described above is performed using the relative position data read in step S270 in the same manner as step S160 in FIG. 5 described above. Thereafter, the processing shown in FIG.

The above steps S200 and S250 to S280 are repeatedly executed. Thereby, while the vehicle is stopped, the operation screen of the relative position input mode shown in FIG. 4A is displayed on the display 2, and the touch switches 10 of the touch panel 4 shown in FIG. Characters can be input by pressing.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a touch-type input device 1B according to a third embodiment that embodies the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the description of the third embodiment, the same description as in the first embodiment is omitted.

  In the touch input device 1B, the display control unit 7 selects a drawing process while the vehicle is stopped in the step S160 shown in FIG. 5 on the operation screen in the relative position input mode shown in FIG. The number selection item (selection item) 91 is configured to perform a drawing process indicated by a pointer 100. Further, the display control unit 7 reduces the number of character selection items by displaying the display prohibiting input of a plurality of selection items, for example, character selection items on the operation screen in the absolute position input mode while the vehicle is traveling. It is configured. These configurations are different from those of the first embodiment.

The screen switching process and the drawing process executed by the display control unit 7 of the touch input device 1B will be briefly described.
When the vehicle is stopped, in step S140 shown in FIG. 5, the operation screen of the car navigation device is displayed with a plurality of (six) number selection items 91 such as the character input screen shown in FIG. Is set on the operation screen of the relative position input mode. Thereby, the operation screen is displayed on the display screen 3 while the vehicle is stopped.

  In step S160 shown in FIG. 5, as a drawing process while the vehicle is stopped, a selected one of the six number selection items 91 is selected on the operation screen in the relative position input mode shown in FIG. A drawing process indicated by the pointer 100 is performed. FIG. 9A shows a state in which the number selection item 91 of the number “1” is selected and the number selection item 91 is indicated by the pointer 100.

  When the stopped vehicle starts running and is running, in step S120 shown in FIG. 5, the operation screen of the car navigation device is selected as a character input screen shown in FIG. 9B. The absolute position input mode operation screen is set with a small number of items 92. Thus, the operation screen is displayed on the display screen 3 while the vehicle is traveling.

  In the operation screen in the relative position input mode shown in FIG. 9A, six number selection items 91 of numbers “1” to “6” are displayed. On the other hand, on the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 9B, the two number selection items of the numbers “5” and “6” are prohibited from being input, and the number “1” is displayed. "-4" number selection items 91 are displayed. In this example, the two number selection items of the numbers “5” and “6” are displayed in black (black display portion 93) as shown in FIG. 9B, and the input is prohibited.

  When one of the number selection items 92 displayed on the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 9B is selected by pressing the touch panel 4 while the vehicle is traveling, the drawing of step S130 shown in FIG. By processing, the operation screen in the absolute position input mode as shown in FIG. 9C is set as the next screen of the operation screen in FIG. 9B. As a result, the operation screen is displayed on the display screen 3.

  9C, when the number selection item 92 “1” is selected from the four number selection items 92 displayed on the operation screen in the absolute position input mode shown in FIG. 9B. The operation screen of the absolute position input mode to be displayed is shown. In this operation screen, a plurality (six) of character selection items 94 of alphabets [a] to “f” are displayed.

  When the vehicle stops, the operation screen of the relative position input mode shown in FIG. 4D is set in step S140 shown in FIG. As a result, the operation screen is displayed on the display screen 3. The operation screen in the relative position input mode shown in FIG. 9D is the same as the operation screen in the relative position input mode shown in FIG.

According to 2nd Embodiment comprised as mentioned above, in addition to the effect which the said 1st Embodiment show | plays, there exist the following effects.
○ As the drawing process while the vehicle is stopped, the drawing process for indicating the selected number selection item 91 with the pointer 100 is performed on the operation screen in the relative position input mode shown in FIG. It becomes easy to recognize 91.

  ○ While the vehicle is running, the input of some of the plurality of number selection items 91 on the operation screen of the absolute position input mode is prohibited to be displayed as in the black display portion 93 to reduce the number of character selection items. Therefore, the input operation can be performed more quickly while the vehicle is traveling.

In addition, this invention can also be changed and embodied as follows.
In each of the above embodiments, the touch panel 4 has a plurality of touch switches 10 as selection means independent from each other, and each touch switch 10 is configured to be selected by a pressing operation with a finger or the like. It is not limited to such a touch panel. As the touch panel 4, various touch panels such as an optical type and a capacitance type may be used.

  In each of the above embodiments, a case has been described where a plurality of character selection items 31 and 21 are displayed on the operation screen in the relative position input mode and the operation screen in the absolute position input mode, respectively. The present invention can also be applied when the selection items are displayed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the touch panel device 6 is disposed on the center console 8, but the touch panel device having the touch panel 4 may be configured as a remote controller that can be held by a driver or a passenger with one hand.

  In each of the above embodiments, the touch panel device 6 has a configuration independent of the display 2, but the present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which the touch panel 4 is arranged on the display screen 3 of the display 2.

  In each of the above embodiments, the character input screen has been described as the operation screen of the car navigation device while the vehicle is stopped and while the vehicle is running. However, this operation screen is an example, and other operation screens such as a map screen can also be used. The present invention applies.

  In the first embodiment, the absolute position data is read (step S100) before the setting of the operation screen (steps S120 and S140), but the reading is performed after the setting of the operation screen (steps S120 and S140). You can go.

In the above embodiments, various known relative position input devices may be used for input in the relative position input mode.
In the above embodiments, various known ones may be applied for selection by pressing operation. For example, one switch provided on the lower surface of the panel may be a confirmation button for confirming an item selected by turning on or off the switch.

Further, the confirmation button used in the relative position input mode may be used as the confirmation button in the absolute position input mode. In that case, the touch switch 10 is used to output only the position data of the selection means.

  In each of the above embodiments, in the absolute position input mode, the correspondence between the selected position on the touch panel and the item displayed on the display may be changed as appropriate. For example, the selection position on the touch panel 4 corresponding to the character selection item 22 of “ka” shown in FIG. 4C is a size including the four touch switches 10 indicated by symbols C, D, M, and N in FIG. It may be larger than this. Thereby, the input operation during traveling can be performed more quickly.

  The drawing process is not limited to that described in the above embodiments, and various processes may be applied.

The perspective view which shows the driver's seat vicinity of the motor vehicle by which the touch type input device which concerns on 1st Embodiment is arrange | positioned. The block diagram which shows the same touch-type input device and a display. Explanatory drawing which shows a touch panel. (A), (d) is explanatory drawing which shows the operation screen of relative position input mode, (b), (c) is explanatory drawing which shows the operation screen of absolute position input mode. The flowchart which shows the process which the display control part shown in FIG. 2 performs. The block diagram which shows the touch-type input device and display which concern on 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process which the display control part shown in FIG. 6 performs. The flowchart which shows the process which the position data control part shown in FIG. 6 performs. (A), (d) is explanatory drawing which shows the operation screen of the relative position input mode in the touch type input device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, (b), (c) is the operation screen of the absolute position input mode in the same input device. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A, 1B ... Touch type input device, 2 ... Display, 4 ... Touch panel, 7 ... Display control part, 10 ... Touch switch, 21, 22, 31, 94 ... Character selection item as selection item, 91, 92 ... Number selection item as selection item.

Claims (8)

In a touch input device that includes a touch panel, selects a selection item in an operation screen displayed on a display unit by a selection operation of the touch panel, and performs an input operation of the selection item.
Input means for outputting position data of the selection means on the touch panel;
Based on the position data, a display control unit that performs the input operation with absolute position data representing absolute coordinates while the vehicle is traveling, and performs the input operation with relative position data representing relative coordinates while the vehicle is stopped;
A touch-type input device comprising: The touch input device according to claim 1,
The display control unit displays an operation screen in a relative position input mode in which the number of selection items is large while the vehicle is stopped on the display unit, and displays the number of selection items in the relative position input mode during vehicle travel. A touch-type input device that performs a screen switching process for causing the display means to display an operation screen in an absolute position input mode that is smaller than the screen. The touch input device according to claim 2,
The touch-type input device, wherein the display control unit enlarges the display of the selection items to reduce the number of selection items while the vehicle is traveling. The touch input device according to claim 2,
The touch-type input device, wherein the display control unit reduces the number of the selection items by displaying the display prohibiting a part of the selection items while the vehicle is traveling. In the touch input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The display control unit performs a drawing process of changing the display of the operation screen according to the selection item selected by the selection operation using the absolute position data while the vehicle is traveling, and the relative control while the vehicle is stopped. A touch-type input device that performs drawing processing using position data. In the touch input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The touch input device, wherein the touch panel and the display unit are configured independently. The touch input device according to claim 6,
The input means outputs the absolute position data as the position data to the display control unit every predetermined time,
The display control unit performs the drawing process using the absolute position data output from the input unit while the vehicle is running, and is created from the absolute position data output from the input unit while the vehicle is stopped. A touch-type input device that performs the drawing process using the relative position data. The touch input device according to claim 6,
The display control unit outputs a detection signal during traveling to the input means while the vehicle is stopped, and a stop detection signal while the vehicle is stopped.
The input means is configured to output the absolute position data as the position data when the traveling detection signal is output from the display control unit, and to output the absolute stop data when the stop detection signal is output from the display control unit. A touch-type input device that outputs the relative position data to the display control unit as position data.

Images