JP6440915B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus having an operation unit in which a push switch and a dial switch are integrated.

  Conventionally, an electronic apparatus having an operation unit in which a push-type switch and a dial-type switch are integrated has been proposed. For example, when the volume knob of the in-vehicle audio device described in Patent Document 1 is rotated, the volume output from the speaker is adjusted, and when pressed, the on-vehicle audio device is turned on or off. The

JP 2005-94281 A

As described above, by integrating the push-type switch and the dial-type switch into one operation unit, the arrangement space of the operation unit can be reduced as compared with the case where these switches are provided as separate operation units.
However, in the conventional electronic device, the function executed by operating the push-type switch and the function executed by operating the dial-type switch are fixedly set.
For this reason, when the number of functions that can be executed by the electronic device increases, the number of operation units increases accordingly. When the number of operation units increases in this way, a space for arranging the operation units is required, and there is a concern that the electronic apparatus will be large.

  This invention solves the said subject, and it aims at obtaining the electronic device which can suppress the increase in the number of operation parts.

The electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes an operation unit, a determination unit, and a function determination unit. In this configuration, the operation unit includes a push switch and a dial switch provided on the outer periphery of the push switch. The determination unit determines the display content of the output device. The function determining unit executes the function that is executed by operating the push switch and the operation of the dial switch from the functions set for the output content determined by the determining unit among the functions set for each output content. Determine the function to be performed. The function determining unit determines a predetermined emergency processing function as a function to be executed when the push switch operation and the dial switch operation are performed in a predetermined combination. .

According to this invention, the push-type switch and the dial-type switch are integrated into one operation unit, and the function executed by the operation of the push-type switch and the function executed by the operation of the dial-type switch are output devices. It is changed according to the output contents.
As described above, since a large number of functions can be processed by one operation unit, an increase in the number of operation units can be suppressed.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the electronic device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an electronic device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example that realizes the functions of the electronic device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example that executes software that implements the functions of the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the electronic device according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a menu screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a map display screen. It is a figure which shows an example of an audio reproduction screen. It is a figure which shows an example of an air-conditioner adjustment screen.

Hereinafter, in order to describe the present invention in more detail, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a view showing an appearance of an electronic apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The electronic device 1 is realized by, for example, an in-vehicle information device. The in-vehicle information device includes a car navigation device, a car audio device, or a car multimedia device having these functions. Moreover, you may implement | achieve the electronic device 1 with portable terminals, such as a tablet apparatus, instead of the apparatus with which the vehicle interior was equipped.

  In the electronic device 1, as shown in FIG. 1, a display as the output device 3 is arranged on one surface of the housing 2, and the operation unit 4 is a non-display area on the housing surface provided with the display surface of the display. Is provided. Thereby, it is possible to operate the operation unit 4 while visually confirming the display content on the display, and the operability can be improved.

  The operation unit 4 includes a push switch 4a and a dial switch 4b. The push-type switch 4a is a switch that is turned on / off by depressing the operation unit exposed to the outside. The dial-type switch 4b is provided on the outer periphery of the push-type switch 4a and can be rotated around the axis of the push-type switch 4a.

  Although FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which the electronic device 1 includes a display as the output device 3, the display may be a display of another device connected to the electronic device 1 wirelessly or by wire. That is, the output device 3 such as a display is not an essential component for the electronic device 1 and may be an external device as long as it can appropriately output the results of information processing performed by the electronic device 1.

  When the electronic device 1 is used with the housing surface on which the display is disposed facing the user, the operation unit 4 is a non-display area on the housing surface on which the display surface of the display is provided and is displayed on the display surface when viewed from the user. It may be arranged on the lower side. By disposing the operation unit 4 at this position, it is possible to prevent the user's hand from hiding the display surface when the user operates the operation unit 4. Thereby, operativity can be improved.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the electronic device 1. In FIG. 2, the same components as those in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic device 1 includes an output device 3, an operation unit 4, a determination unit 5, a function determination unit 6, an output control unit 7, and a function execution unit 8.
The push switch 4a is turned on / off by pressing the operation unit in the direction of arrow a in FIG. The dial switch 4b can be rotated in the direction of arrow b in FIG.

The determination unit 5 is a component that determines the output content of the output device 3 such as a display.
For example, the determination unit 5 determines the output content by inquiring the output control unit 7 about the output content of the output device 3. The determination unit 5 notifies the function determination unit 6 of the output content thus determined. Examples of display contents include a menu screen, a map display screen, a media playback screen, and a device control screen.
Further, a speaker may be considered as the output device 3, and in this case, the determination unit 5 inquires of the output control unit 7 to determine the output content of the speaker.

The function determination unit 6 includes a function executed by operating the push switch 4a from a function set for the output content determined by the determination unit 5 among the functions set for each output content, and a dial switch The function executed by the operation of 4b is determined.
When the output device 3 is a display, the output content corresponds to the display content of the display, and when the output device 3 is a speaker, the output content corresponds to the audio output content of the speaker.

  For example, the function set on the menu screen, which is the display content of the display, includes a function for selecting an item from a plurality of items displayed on the menu screen, and a function for confirming execution of a process associated with the selected item And so on. When the menu screen is displayed on the display, the function determining unit 6 determines a function for selecting an item as a function to be executed by operating the dial switch 4b, and a function for confirming execution of processing of the selected item. The function to be executed is determined by operating the push switch 4a.

The functions set on the map display screen, which is the display content of the display, include, for example, a function for changing the scale of the map display and a function for screen transition from the map display screen.
When the map display screen is displayed, the function determination unit 6 determines that the function for changing the scale of the map display is a function executed by operating the dial switch 4b, and makes the screen transition from the map display screen to the menu screen. The function is determined as a function executed by operating the push switch 4a.
As described above, the function executed by the operation of the push switch 4a and the function executed by the operation of the dial switch 4b are changed according to the display content of the display, so that the increase in the number of operation units can be suppressed. it can.

The operation of the dial type switch 4b is to continuously change the dial rotation angle, and is suitable for executing a function to continuously change the parameter value.
On the other hand, since the operation of the push switch 4a is an on / off operation by pressing the operation unit, a function of changing a certain process from an unconfirmed state to a confirmed state and a function of switching output contents to new contents are executed. Is suitable.
The function determining unit 6 determines the function in consideration of the operability of the push switch 4a and the dial switch 4b. For example, the function of continuously changing the parameter value is determined as a function executed by operating the dial switch 4b, and the function of determining the process is determined as a function executed by operating the push switch 4a. . By doing in this way, the operativity of the operation part 4 can be improved.

In addition, the output content of the speaker determined by the determination unit 5 is, for example, “Which point do you want to go through? There are the following points as waypoint candidates. XX convenience store, △△ gas station, □□ parking lot, Let us consider a case where the content is to select a waypoint candidate “...”.
In this case, the function determination unit 6 determines that a parameter whose value can be changed continuously is a waypoint candidate. As a result, the function for selecting the waypoint candidate is determined as a function executed by operating the dial switch 4b, and the function for confirming the selected waypoint candidate as the waypoint is executed by operating the push switch 4a. The function to be determined.

The output control unit 7 controls the output operation of the output device 3. When the output control unit 7 receives an output content inquiry from the determination unit 5, the output control unit 7 returns the content output to the output device 3.
The function execution unit 8 executes the function determined by the function determination unit 6 when the operation unit 4 is operated. For example, when the dial switch 4b is operated when a menu screen is displayed on the display, the function execution unit 8 executes a function of selecting an item from a plurality of menu items displayed on the menu screen.

Although FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which the electronic device 1 includes the output control unit 7, the output control unit 7 may include an output device 3 provided separately from the electronic device 1.
The function execution unit 8 may be provided in an external device controlled by the electronic device 1. In this case, the function execution unit 8 executes the function notified from the function determination unit 6 of the electronic device 1 by the external device. As described above, the electronic device 1 only needs to include at least the operation unit 4, the determination unit 5, and the function determination unit 6.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example that implements the functions of the electronic device 1. FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration that executes software that implements the functions of the electronic device 1. The output device 3 in the electronic device 1 is a display 100 and a speaker 101 as shown in FIG. 3A. In addition, the operation unit 4 includes a push switch 4a and a dial switch 4b in the same manner as shown in FIG.
Each function of the determination unit 5, the function determination unit 6, the output control unit 7, and the function execution unit 8 in the electronic device 1 is realized by a processing circuit. That is, the electronic device 1 includes a processing circuit for sequentially executing these functions.
The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware or may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) that reads and executes a program stored in the memory.

When the processing circuit is the dedicated hardware processing circuit 102 illustrated in FIG. 3A, the processing circuit 102 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated). Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.
In addition, the functions of each unit of the determination unit 5, the function determination unit 6, the output control unit 7, and the function execution unit 8 may be realized by a processing circuit, or the functions of the respective units may be realized by a single processing circuit. Also good.

When the processing circuit is the CPU 103 as shown in FIG. 3B, the functions of the determination unit 5, the function determination unit 6, the output control unit 7, and the function execution unit 8 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The
Software and firmware are described as programs and stored in the memory 104. The CPU 103 reads out and executes the program stored in the memory 104, thereby realizing the functions of each unit. That is, a memory 104 is provided for storing a program in which each function is executed as a result when executed by the CPU 103.
In addition, these programs cause the computer to execute the procedure or method of the determination unit 5, the function determination unit 6, the output control unit 7, and the function execution unit 8.

  Here, the memory is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Programmable EPROM), or a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, An optical disc, a compact disc, a mini disc, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and the like are applicable.

In addition, about each function of the discrimination | determination part 5, the function determination part 6, the output control part 7, and the function execution part 8, a part may be implement | achieved by exclusive hardware and a part may be implement | achieved by software or firmware. For example, the determination unit 5 and the function determination unit 6 realize their functions by a dedicated hardware processing circuit 102, and the output control unit 7 and the function execution unit 8 execute a program stored in the memory 104 by the CPU 103. And realize that function.
As described above, the processing circuit can realize the above-described functions by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic apparatus 1, a function executed by operating the push switch 4 a and a function executed by operating the dial switch 4 b according to the display content of the display 100 that is the output device 3. This shows a series of processes in which and are determined.
First, the determination unit 5 determines the display content of the display 100 (step ST1).
For example, the determination unit 5 inquires of the output control unit 7 whether the display content of the display 100 is a menu screen, a map display screen, a media playback screen, or a device control screen.
Further, when the output device 3 is the speaker 101, the determination unit 5 may acquire the content to be output from the speaker 101 from the output control unit 7 in the form of text information.

Next, the function determining unit 6 selects a function executed by operating the push switch 4a and a function executed by operating the dial switch 4b from the functions set in the display content determined by the determining unit 5. Determine (step ST2).
When the output device 3 is the display 100, a function to be executed is set in advance for each display content of the display 100. The function determination unit 6 determines a function with reference to data in which the function set in the display content is associated with the function to be set in the push switch 4a and the dial switch 4b.

  For example, functions including a function for selecting a menu item displayed on the screen and a function for confirming the selected function are set on the menu screen. In the map display screen, functions including a function for changing the scale of the map display and a function for confirming the screen transition are set. In the media playback screen, functions including a function for adjusting the volume of media and a function for determining screen transition are set. On the device control screen of an air conditioner or the like, functions including a function for adjusting control parameters in the target device and a function for determining screen transition are set.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the menu screen 3A. When the display content is the menu screen 3A, the function determination unit 6 indicates that the parameter whose value can be continuously changed is the menu item displayed on the menu screen 3A, and the function for confirming the process is the selected menu. It is determined that this is a function for confirming execution of the process set in the item. Thereby, for example, the function for selecting the menu item displayed on the menu screen 3A is determined as the function executed by the operation of the dial type switch 4b, and the function for confirming the selection of the menu item is determined by the push type switch 4a. Determined by the function performed by the operation.

  By determining the function in this way, menu items are sequentially selected as shown by an arrow c in FIG. 5 in accordance with the rotation operation of the dial switch 4b. When confirming the execution of the processing of the selected menu item, the push-type switch 4a is pressed with the menu item selected. When the push switch 4a is pressed while the menu item “MAP” is selected, execution of the transition process to the map display screen associated with the menu item “MAP” is confirmed. Thereby, the menu screen 3A transits to a map display screen 3B described later.

In addition, although the menu screen 3A was mentioned as an example as an item selection screen, it is not limited to this. For example, a screen for selecting a waypoint from a plurality of waypoint candidates may be used.
That is, in the first embodiment, any screen may be used as long as an item is selected from a plurality of items.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the map display screen 3B. When the display content is the map display screen 3B, the function determining unit 6 determines that the parameter whose value can be continuously changed is the scale of the map display, and the function for confirming the processing is displayed on the menu from the map display screen 3B. It is determined that the function is a transition to the screen 3A. As a result, the function of changing the scale of the map display is determined as the function executed by operating the dial switch 4b, and the function of changing the screen from the map display screen 3B to the menu screen 3A is executed by operating the push switch 4a. The function to be determined.
By determining the function in this way, the scale of the map display in FIG. 6 is gradually changed according to the rotation operation of the dial switch 4b. When returning from the map display screen 3B to the menu screen 3A, the push switch 4a may be pressed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the audio playback screen 3C. When the display content is the audio playback screen 3C, the function determination unit 6 determines that the parameter whose value can be continuously changed is the audio volume, and the function for confirming the process is changed from the audio playback screen 3C to the menu screen 3A. It is determined that this is a function that makes a transition to. As a result, the function of changing the audio volume is determined as the function executed by operating the dial switch 4b, and the function of changing the screen from the audio playback screen 3C to the menu screen 3A is executed by operating the push switch 4a. It is decided to function.
By determining the function in this way, the audio volume is gradually changed in accordance with the rotation operation of the dial switch 4b. When returning from the audio playback screen 3C to the menu screen 3A, the push switch 4a may be pressed.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the air conditioner adjustment screen 3D. When the display content is the air conditioner adjustment screen 3D, the function determination unit 6 determines that the parameter whose value can be continuously changed is the set temperature of the air conditioner, and the function for confirming the process is displayed on the menu from the air conditioner adjustment screen 3D. It is determined that the function is a transition to the screen 3A. As a result, the function of changing the set temperature of the air conditioner is determined as the function executed by operating the dial switch 4b, and the function of changing the screen from the air conditioner adjustment screen 3D to the menu screen 3A is determined by operating the push switch 4a. Decide on the function to be performed.

By determining the function in this way, the set temperature of the air conditioner is gradually changed in accordance with the rotation operation of the dial switch 4b. When returning from the air conditioner adjustment screen 3D to the menu screen 3A, the push-type switch 4a may be pressed.
The function executed by operating the dial switch 4b may be any function that continuously changes the parameter value. Therefore, a function for changing the air volume of the air conditioner may be determined as a function executed by operating the dial switch 4b.

As exemplified with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, when a parameter whose value can be changed continuously is clear from the display content, the function for changing this parameter is a function executed by operating the dial switch 4b. It is determined. Thereby, the correspondence between the display contents and the operation becomes clear, and the operability can be improved.
Similarly, when a parameter whose value can be changed continuously is clear from the audio output content, the function for changing this parameter is determined as a function executed by operating the dial switch 4b. Even in this case, the correspondence between the audio output content and the operation becomes clear, and the operability can be improved.

Further, when there are a plurality of parameters whose values can be changed continuously in one output content, the function to be switched by the operation of the dial switch 4b can be changed to the function to be performed by the operation of the push switch 4a. Good.
For example, on the air conditioner adjustment screen 3D, a function that has already been determined as a function to be executed by operating the dial switch 4b may be switched by pressing the push switch 4a. Thereby, it becomes possible to switch from the function of changing the set temperature of the air conditioner to the function of changing the air volume of the air conditioner.
However, the content of the push operation of the push switch 4a may be changed so that the screen transition operation and the function switching are not the same operation. For example, it is possible to change the pressing time or the number of pressings of the push type switch 4a.

Further, the function determining unit 6 determines that a predetermined emergency processing function is to be executed when the operation of the push switch 4a and the operation of the dial switch 4b are performed in a predetermined combination. May be.
Examples of the emergency processing function include a function of resetting the operation of the electronic device 1 or a function of performing a failure diagnosis.
Further, the predetermined combination includes an operation that is not performed in the normal operation of the electronic device 1. For example, the push switch 4a is continuously pressed three times, and then the dial switch 4b is rotated three times in the right direction and twice in the left direction. Such an operation is not normally performed. When this operation is detected, an emergency processing function is executed. Thereby, the convenience of operation can be improved.

  As described above, in the electronic device 1 according to the first embodiment, the push-type switch 4a and the dial-type switch 4b are integrated into one operation unit 4. Further, the function executed by the operation of the push switch 4a and the dial switch 4b is changed according to the display content of the display 100. As a result, a plurality of functions can be executed by operating one operation unit 4, so that an increase in the number of operation units can be suppressed.

In the electronic device 1 according to the first embodiment, the function determination unit 6 determines the function to continuously change the parameter value as the function executed by operating the dial switch 4b, and confirms the process. Is determined as a function to be executed by operating the push switch 4a.
With this configuration, the operability of the operation unit 4 can be improved.

Furthermore, in the electronic device 1 according to the first embodiment, the operation unit 4 is arranged in a non-display area on the housing surface on which the display surface of the display 100 is provided.
By comprising in this way, the operation part 4 can be operated, visually recognizing the display content of a display, and operativity can be improved.

  In the present invention, any component in the embodiment can be modified or any component in the embodiment can be omitted within the scope of the invention.

  The electronic device according to the present invention is suitable for an electronic device that is mounted in a space where the arrangement space is limited, such as a vehicle interior, because an increase in the number of operation units can be suppressed.

  1 electronic device, 2 housing, 3 output device, 3A menu screen, 3B map display screen, 3C audio playback screen, 3D air conditioner adjustment screen, 4 operation unit, 4a push type switch, 4b dial type switch, 5 discriminating unit, 6 Function determination unit, 7 output control unit, 8 function execution unit, 100 display, 101 speaker, 102 processing circuit, 103 CPU, 104 memory.

Claims (7)

An operation unit having a push-type switch and a dial-type switch provided on an outer periphery of the push-type switch;
A discriminator for discriminating the output content of the output device;
Of the functions set for each output content, the function set for the output content determined by the determination unit, the function executed by the operation of the push switch, and the operation of the dial switch A function determining unit that determines the function ,
The function determining unit determines a predetermined emergency processing function as a function to be executed when the push switch operation and the dial switch operation are performed in a predetermined combination. Electronic equipment characterized by   The function determining unit determines a function for continuously changing a parameter value as a function executed by operating the dial switch, and a function for confirming a process is a function executed by operating the push switch. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is determined.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is arranged in a non-display area on a housing surface provided with a display surface of a display which is the output device.   The function determination unit determines a function to select an item displayed on the item selection screen as a function to be executed by operating the dial switch when the display content is an item selection screen, and selects an item. 3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a function for determining the function is determined to be a function executed by operating the push-type switch.   When the display content of the display is a map display screen, the function determination unit determines a function to change the scale of the map display as a function executed by the operation of the dial switch, and the screen transitions from the map display screen. 3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the function is determined as a function executed by operating the push switch.   The function determining unit determines that the function of adjusting the volume of the media is a function executed by operating the dial switch when the display content of the display is a media playback screen, and the screen transitions from the media playback screen. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein a function executed by operating the push-type switch is determined.   When the display content of the display is a device control screen, the function determining unit determines a function for adjusting a control parameter in the target device as a function executed by operating the dial switch, and screen transition from the device control screen The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein a function to be performed is determined as a function executed by operating the push switch.

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