JPH0292016A - Audio equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily seek an object operation key among many operation keys by arranging a photo sensor at the rear side of each glass plane operation key, radiating an infrared ray at all times toward the forward direction, and informing the function of the glass plane operation key to which a finger approaches. CONSTITUTION:When a finger approaches a position, e.g., nearly 10mm at this side of an operation key 2 for sound volume increase in the normal play mode, an infrared ray radiated from a photo sensor 1 is reflected. Then the approach of the finger by the switching operation of a photodetection section 1b is sensed. When the approach of the finger is sensed, a microcomputer 3 calls the content of function display corresponding to the operation key of sound volume increase from a built-in memory 3a and allows a driver 4 to display a pattern of sound volume increase on a display device 5. Thus, the function corresponding to the operation key is displayed on the screen of the large sized display device 5 by having only to approach the finger to the operation key even with a small switch shape or silk pattern, the object operation key is easily sought.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to an audio device having a plurality of glass plane operation keys that execute functions by pressing them, and particularly relates to an audio device having a plurality of glass plane operation keys that execute functions by pressing them. This invention relates to an audio device that is improved so that operation keys can be easily found.

<Prior Art> In recent years, as audio devices have diversified features such as CDs and DATs, key operations have become complicated and the number of operation keys has increased. For this reason, efforts are being made to make the shape of each operation key smaller and to display the functions of the operation keys as easily as possible by silk printing or the like.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in the conventional technology, even if silk printing or the like is used to clearly indicate the functions of the operation keys, there is a problem in that the displayed characters are small and very difficult to see.

Particularly in the case of car audio, keys are operated while driving, so it can be dangerous to spend a long time searching for the desired operation key.

In light of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved audio device that allows a user to easily find a desired operation key from among a plurality of operation keys.

Means for Solving the Problems> FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an audio device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a photo sensor, 2 is a glass plane operation key 3 is a microcomputer, 4 is a driver, 5 is a display, and 6 is a function processing section.

Function> A photosensor 1 is arranged behind each glass plane operation key 2, and the photosensor 1 constantly emits infrared rays toward the front and receives the reflected light when the infrared rays are reflected nearby. The proximity of a finger is sensed, and the function of the glass plane operation key 2 to which the finger is close is notified by display and/or signal sound.

<Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an audio device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a photo sensor, 2 is a glass plane operation key 3 is a microcomputer, 4 is a driver, 5 is a display, and 6 is a function processing section.

The photosensor 1 is arranged behind each glass plane operation key 2, and constantly emits infrared rays toward the front from the light emitting part 1a, and when the infrared rays are reflected nearby, the reflected light is sent to the light receiving part 1b. A switching operation is performed to detect the proximity of fingers.

The glass plane operation keys 2 have a glass plane that transmits infrared rays emitted from the photosensor 1 and their reflected light, and when pressed, the function processing section 6 executes the function of each operation key. In addition.

The glass used for the operation keys does not need to be particularly transparent, as long as it transmits infrared rays.

The microcomputer 3 receives an operation signal KS□ that is input when the glass plane operation key 2 is actually pressed, a proximity detection signal KS2 of the photo sensor 1 that is activated when the finger approaches the glass plane operation key 2, and a hand/finger. is input with an operation key identification signal KRn (n=1.2...) that identifies an adjacent operation key or an actually pressed operation key, and both a proximity sensing signal Ks2 and an operation key identification signal KRn are input. When the function of the operation key is displayed on the display 5,
When the proximity sensing signal KS, the operation key specifying signal KRn, and the operation signal KSY are all input, the function processing unit 6 executes the function of the operation key. In addition.

The microcomputer 3 has a built-in memory 3a, which stores the contents of functions to be displayed corresponding to each operation key.

The driver 4 controls the display 5 based on the command from the microcomputer 3.
Outputs the opening signal. The display 5 has an LCD dot matrix, and performs various displays in response to the opening signal. The function processing unit 6 performs processing to execute the function when the operation key 2 is actually pressed.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the audio device shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an example of displaying functional contents according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2, 11 is a substrate on which the photosensor 1 is attached, 12 is an operation panel on which a glass flat operation key 29 and display 5 is attached, and 13 is a visible light cut filter, which is provided on the back side of the glass of the operation key 2. , the photo sensor 1 behind the operation keys is not visible from the front of the operation panel.

Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the CD player shown in FIG.

In a normal play state, for example, as shown in FIG.
The infrared rays emitted by the finger are reflected, and the proximity of the finger is detected by the switching operation of the light receiving section 1b. When the proximity of a finger is detected, the microcomputer 3 calls up the function display contents corresponding to the volume up operation key from the built-in memory 3a.

The driver 4 causes the display 5 to display, for example, a pattern as shown in the figure (referred to as operation guide information using a photosensor).

Therefore, even if the switch shape or silk printing is small, just by bringing your finger close to the operation key, the function corresponding to the operation key will be displayed on the dot matrix screen of the large display 5, making it easy to select the desired operation key. You can search for

Furthermore, when the volume up operation key 2 is actually pressed as shown in FIG. be informed.

Note that in one or more embodiments, the functions corresponding to the operation keys are
Although the information is displayed using a D dot matrix, if the information is configured to be notified using an audio signal, operation during driving can be made easier.

Furthermore, the use of plane operation keys is advantageous not only in terms of operation but also in terms of design.

<Effects of the Invention> According to the present invention, a photosensor is arranged behind each glass plane operation key, and infrared rays are constantly emitted from the photosensor toward the front, and when the infrared rays are reflected nearby, The structure is configured to detect the proximity of a finger by receiving the reflected light, and to notify the function of the glass plane operation key near the finger by display and/or audio signal, so it is possible to select the desired operation key from among many operation keys It is easy to find the operation keys, especially when driving or in the dark.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an audio device showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the audio device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an example of displaying functional contents according to the present invention. 1...Photo sensor, 2...Glass plane operation key 3 @ threat microcomputer. 4. Driver, 5. Display unit. 6.Function processing unit. Patent Applicant Alpine Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Chiki Saito Figure 1 Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an audio device that executes the function of each operation key by pressing a plurality of glass plane operation keys, a photo sensor is arranged behind each glass plane operation key,
The photo sensor constantly emits infrared rays in the forward direction, and when the infrared rays are reflected nearby, it detects the proximity of a finger by receiving the reflected light, and displays the function of the glass plane operation key that the finger is close to. and/or an audio device that provides notification by a signal sound.