JPH10340152A - On-vehicle audio system and its operating method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate operation inputs by containing an audio unit in a device body which is equipped with an operation plane which is provided with a mode switching part and an operation inputting part which inputs with the operations of pushing, turning and reciprocation. SOLUTION: A device body 1 is contained in an audio unit, a CD inserting and taking out part 11 is provided at an upper part of an operation plane of the body 1 and an audio control displaying part 14 which comprises liquid crystal display elements is provided under the part 11. A cassette inserting and taking out part 15 is provided under the part 14, and mode switching buttons 18 are provided under the part 15. An operation input knob 19 which performs an operation input in each mode through pushing, turning and reciprocation is attached to the side of the buttons 18. This makes it possible to facilitate operation inputs and to prevent operation mistakes.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a CD (compact disc), a radio, a cassette, and an MD (mini disc).
The present invention relates to an in-vehicle audio device equipped with a device and the like, and an operation method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in addition to CDs, MDs have rapidly become widespread.
Is also equipped with an MD. Therefore,
In car audio, CDs and MDs are being operated in addition to radios and cassettes. Therefore, as the number of audio modes increases, the number of operation buttons inevitably increases.

[0003] On the other hand, in developing in-vehicle products such as car audio, ensuring safety is the biggest factor. That is, it is important for a vehicle-mounted product to eliminate the need for a complicated operation so that the user does not have to perform a long operation while driving.

[0004]

As described above, in car audio, in addition to radios and cassettes, CDs and Ms.
If you start to operate D and increase the number of operation buttons, the operation will be complicated by all means, and you may not know which button you are operating while driving, so pay attention to the operation buttons for a long time to confirm it You have to pay. Therefore, there is a demand for a car audio that is a simple operation and does not require attention to the operation for a long time even during driving.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide an in-vehicle audio device which is easy to operate and has high security even if it has a plurality of audio modes.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has taken the following means. The invention according to claim 1 is a device main body that accommodates an audio unit and has an operation surface, a mode switching input unit provided on the operation surface and switching an audio mode, and a push-button unit provided on the operation surface. An operation input unit capable of inputting by rotation and swing operations is provided.

[0007] According to this configuration, since the operation input unit can perform input by pushing, rotating, and swinging operations, the operation performed by the operation buttons is captured by the operation input unit, and the operation in each mode is input to the operation input unit. It can be done only in the department. That is, after a mode is selected by the mode switching input unit, a main operation in the mode can be performed by the operation input unit. Therefore, once you grasp the operation input unit, you can operate without releasing your hand,
The operation can be performed without paying much attention.
As a result, the operation can be performed relatively safely even during driving. In addition, erroneous operation can be prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the operation input unit is arranged outside of the inner knob, and an inner knob for performing input in each mode by pushing and swinging. A configuration having an outer knob for performing input in each mode by rotation is adopted.

[0009] The invention described in claim 3 is the first invention.
In the invention described in the above, the operation input unit has a configuration having an inner knob that performs input in each mode by pushing and rotating, and an outer knob that is arranged outside the inner knob and performs input in each mode by swinging. take.

[0010] According to these constructions, the construction which enables the pushing, rotation and swinging of the operation input section can be divided into the inner knob and the outer knob. Thus, it is possible to perform at least two operations of pushing, rotating, and swinging without paying attention to the hand. Further, the configuration of the operation input unit can be simplified.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the operation input section has a large diameter portion provided on the operation surface side and a small diameter portion connected to the large diameter portion. Take the configuration.

[0012] The configuration that enables pushing, rotation, and swinging at the operation input unit can be divided into a large diameter part and a small diameter part. Thereby, even if the operation input unit is configured by one member, it can be pushed, rotated,
And at least two operations of rocking.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, two or more operation input units are provided on the operation surface.

According to this configuration, even in a device having a large number of modes, since the operation input section is multifunctional, the operation can be performed only by the operation input section, and the number of button operations is reduced as much as possible conventionally. be able to.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when a mode is selected, a display means for displaying an operation guide for input in this mode is provided. Take the configuration provided.

According to this configuration, it is possible to display only the functions that the user wants to use or the functions that he or she is using as guidance. This facilitates operation input in each mode.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an audio mode is selected by a mode switching input unit provided on an operation surface of a device main body accommodating an audio unit.
An operation guide at the time of input in this mode is displayed on a display unit provided on the operation surface, and all operations in a mode selected by an operation input unit provided on the operation surface are performed based on the operation guide. Take the configuration.

According to this configuration, since the operation in each mode can be performed only by the operation input unit, the operation becomes simple even after selecting the mode, even with a multifunctional audio device. For this reason, safety is improved as compared with the conventional in-vehicle audio equipment.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the seventh aspect, the operation input section employs a structure capable of pushing, rotating, and swinging.

According to this configuration, the input operation at the operation input unit is a completely different operation such as pushing, rotating, and swinging, so that the proficiency and habit of the operation can be improved. For this reason, erroneous operation can be prevented.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of an in-vehicle audio device according to the present invention.
This on-vehicle audio equipment (car audio) 1
It is a DIN type and is installed in the vehicle with the operation surface facing the driver's seat side.

A CD loading / unloading section 11 for loading / unloading a CD is provided at an upper portion of the operation surface. The CD insertion / reception section 11 has a slit shape approximately the thickness of one CD. A CD eject button 12 and a CD repeat button 13 are provided beside the CD slot 11.

Below the CD input / output unit 11, an audio control display unit 14 composed of a liquid crystal display element is provided. The audio control display section 14 displays a control display in each audio mode. The display for this control is changed by an input to a mode switching button described later, and each display content is changed by an input by an operation input knob described later.

Below the audio control display section 14, a cassette access section 15 is provided. The cassette entrance 15 has a rectangular shape having a height substantially equal to the thickness of one cassette and a width approximately equal to the width of the cassette. A cassette eject button 16 and a feed / return button 17 are provided on both sides of the cassette entrance 15.

A mode switching button 18 is provided below the cassette entrance 15. The mode switching button 18 includes a CD button, a cassette button, a radio button, and a traffic information button. When any one of these buttons is input, the display of the audio control display section changes.

An operation input knob 19 is attached to the side of the mode switching button 18. This operation input knob 1
9 can be input by pushing, rotating, and swinging (here, four directions of up, down, left, and right). Operation input knob 19
When the input is made, the display content of the audio control display section 14 changes in conjunction with the input, and
The audio mode based on the displayed content is executed.

On the operation input knob 19, an operation guide display section 20 composed of a liquid crystal display element is provided.
The operation guide display section 20 includes an operation guide of the operation input knob 19 in each audio mode and other guide information, for example, a radio mode guide, as shown in FIG.
A CD mode guide, a cassette mode guide, a traffic information mode guide, an audio guide, a power guide, and the like are displayed. The display of the operation guide display section 20 is changed by the input of the mode switching button 18 or the input by the audio mode switching button 21 described later.

Mode switch button 18 and operation input knob 1
9, an audio mode switching button 20 is provided. This audio mode switching button 20
By pressing, an audio guide as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the operation guide display section 20. Therefore, BAL operation, T
Perform RE operation, FADER operation, BASS operation, VOL operation, etc. These operations are performed by rotating the operation input knob 19. In addition, the audio guide display changes in conjunction with these operations.

In the on-vehicle audio equipment having such a configuration, the operation input knob 19 has a shape shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). That is, the operation input knob 19 includes a large diameter portion 19a close to the operation surface and a large diameter portion 19a.
a and a small-diameter portion 19b connected thereto. A step 19c is provided between the large diameter portion 19a and the small diameter portion 19b.
Are formed. An uneven portion 19d is formed on the side surface of the small-diameter portion 19b so that the user does not slip when gripping the knob. Thus, the small diameter portion 19
By providing b, the operation can be facilitated when performing the swinging operation by grasping the knob. In addition, the small diameter portion 19b
By increasing the distance, a stroke for the swing operation can be obtained, and the swing operation can be more easily performed.

When operating the in-vehicle audio device having the above-described configuration, for example, when listening to a CD, first, the user pushes the operation input knob 19 to turn on the power, and the display of the operation guide display section 20 is as shown in FIG. Power guide display. Next, the user presses the CD button of the mode switching button 18 to select the CD mode. At this time, the contents of the CD mode are displayed on the audio control display section 14, and the CD mode guide is displayed on the operation guide display section 2.
Displayed as 0.

The operation is performed by the operation input knob 19 according to the CD mode guide. In this case, the operation input knob 19
By swinging the small diameter portion 19b in the vertical direction,
RACK UP / DOWN and SEARCH UP / DO
The WN operation can be performed, and the DISC SELECT operation can be performed by swinging the small-diameter portion 19b in the left-right direction. Further, by rotating while holding the operation input knob 19, the operation of VOL UP / DOWN can be performed.

As described above, according to the above-described in-vehicle audio equipment, after the mode is selected by the mode switching input unit, all operations can be performed by the operation input unit. Therefore, once the operation input unit is grasped, the operation is performed without releasing the hand, so that the operation can be performed without paying much attention to the hand. As a result, the operation can be performed relatively safely even during driving. In addition, erroneous operation can be prevented.

The operation with the operation input knob 19 differs depending on each mode. In the cassette mode, for example, by swinging up and down, an APS (Auto Prog)
ram Search) can be performed, and by swinging in the left-right direction, FF / REW,
B-SKIP SET, DOLBY ON / OFF operation can be performed. Further, in the radio mode, for example, the TUNE
UP / DOWN and SEEK UP / DOWN operations can be performed.
RESET SELECT operation can be performed.

Further, an audio mode switching button 21
After the audio mode is switched, the BAL UP / DOWN, FA
DER UP / DOWN, TRE UP / DOWN, M
Operation of ID UP / DOWN, BASS UP / DOWN can be performed.

The present invention can be applied to various modifications other than the embodiment described above. For example, as the operation input knob 19, in addition to the integral type as shown in FIG. 3, the operation input knob 19 includes an inner knob 22 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, and an outer knob 23 disposed outside the knob. But it is good. With this configuration, the configuration that enables the pushing, rotating, and swinging operations can be distributed to the inner knob and the outer knob.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the inner knob 22 is capable of pushing and swinging (in the direction of the arrow), and the outer knob 23 is capable of rotating. 5A and 5B, the inner knob 22 may be capable of rotating and pushing, and the outer knob 23 may be swinging (in the direction of the arrow). Also, as shown in FIG.
The second finger contact portion may have a concave shape so that the finger can be operated without grasping the knob.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), an interlocking button 22a is provided on the inner knob 22, and when the interlocking button 22a is depressed, the same switching as the swing operation is performed. Is also good. In this case, the inner knob 22 can be pushed in, and the outer knob 2
3 is rotatable. 8A and FIG.
(B) As shown in FIG.
a may be provided, and the same switching as the swing operation may be performed by pressing the interlocking button 23a.
In this case, the inner knob 22 is capable of pushing and rotating. As described above, the operation input is performed by the interlocking buttons 22a and 23a instead of the swing operation, whereby the operation input can be easily performed without applying force.

Further, the audio equipment mounted on a vehicle according to the present invention comprises:
Two or more operation input knobs 19 may be provided. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, an operation input knob 19 may be provided. Specifically, in the case shown in FIG. 9, a combination of an operation input knob capable of swinging operation and an operation input knob capable of pushing and rotating operation, an operation input knob capable of swinging and pushing operation, and a rotation operation Combination with possible operation input knob, operation input knob capable of swinging and pushing operation, combination with operation input knob capable of pushing and rotating operation, operation input knob capable of swinging and rotating operation, pushing Combination with an operable operation input knob, and the like can be given.

In the case shown in FIG. 10, a combination of an operation input knob capable of swinging operation, an operation input knob capable of pushing operation, and an operation input knob capable of rotating operation, an operation input knob capable of swinging operation, A combination of an operation input knob capable of pushing operation, an operation input knob capable of pushing operation and rotation operation, an operation input knob capable of swinging operation and pushing operation, an operation input knob capable of pushing operation, a pushing operation and Combination with an operation input knob that can rotate, an operation input knob that can swing and push, and an operation input knob that can push and rotate,
Combination with an operation input knob capable of pushing operation and rotation operation, an operation input knob capable of swinging operation and pushing operation, and an operation input knob capable of swinging operation and pushing operation,
Combination with operation input knob capable of pushing operation and rotation operation, combination of operation input knob capable of swinging operation, operation input knob capable of pushing operation and rotation operation, operation input knob capable of pushing operation and rotation operation, etc. Is mentioned. The functions provided to these operation input knobs are appropriately selected and set.

In the above-described embodiment, a description is given of a 2DIN in-vehicle audio device, but the present invention can be applied to in-vehicle audio devices of other sizes.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a CD, a cassette, and a radio can be used as on-vehicle audio equipment.
The present invention can also be applied to an in-vehicle audio device having a function of a cassette, a radio, an MD, and any combination of other audio functions.

In the above embodiment, the case where the audio control display section and the operation guide display section are provided as separate displays has been described, but these display sections are constituted by one display. Is also good.

Further, it goes without saying that the number, arrangement, or size of buttons (input units) and display units can be appropriately changed and used in the present invention.

[0044]

As described above, in the on-vehicle audio device and the operation method thereof according to the present invention, the operation input section can be input by pushing, rotating, and swinging. Only can be done. That is, after the mode is selected by the mode switching input unit, the main operation in the mode can be performed by the operation input unit. Therefore, once the operation input unit is grasped, the operation is performed without releasing the hand, so that the operation can be performed without looking at the hand. As a result, the operation can be performed relatively safely even during driving. In addition, erroneous operation can be prevented.

Therefore, the in-vehicle audio device of the present invention has a simple operation input and high security even if it has a plurality of audio modes.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of an in-vehicle audio device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation input guide screen in the audio equipment for vehicle mounting of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a front view showing an example of an operation input unit of the in-vehicle audio device of the present invention. (B) A side view showing an example of an operation input unit of the in-vehicle audio device of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a front view showing another example of the operation input unit of the in-vehicle audio device of the present invention. (B) A side view showing another example of the operation input unit of the in-vehicle audio device of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a front view showing another example of the operation input unit of the in-vehicle audio device of the present invention. (B) A side view showing another example of the operation input unit of the in-vehicle audio device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing another example of the operation input unit of the in-vehicle audio device of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a front view showing another example of the operation input unit of the in-vehicle audio device of the present invention. (B) A side view showing another example of the operation input unit of the in-vehicle audio device of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a front view showing another example of the operation input unit of the in-vehicle audio device of the present invention. (B) A side view showing another example of the operation input unit of the in-vehicle audio device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing another embodiment of the in-vehicle audio device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing another embodiment of the in-vehicle audio device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 In-vehicle audio equipment 11 CD in / out section 12 CD eject button 13 CD repeat button 14 Audio control display section 15 Cassette in / out section 16 Cassette eject button 17 Send / return button 18 Mode switch button 19 Operation input knob 19a Large diameter section 19b Small diameter section 19c Stepped portion 19d Uneven portion 20 Operation guide display portion 21 Audio mode switching button 22 Inner knob 22a, 23a Interlocking button 23 Outer knob

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus body accommodating an audio unit and having an operation surface, a mode switching input unit provided on the operation surface for switching an audio mode, and a push-in, rotation, and swing-down unit provided on the operation surface. An in-vehicle audio device, comprising: an operation input unit capable of inputting a motion. 2. An operation input unit comprising: an inner knob for performing input in each mode by pushing and swinging; and an outer knob disposed outside the inner knob and for performing input in each mode by rotation. 2. The in-vehicle audio device according to 1. 3. The operation input unit includes an inner knob for performing input in each mode by pushing and rotating, and an outer knob disposed outside the inner knob and performing input in each mode by swinging. 2. The in-vehicle audio device according to 1. 4. The in-vehicle audio device according to claim 1, wherein the operation input unit has a large diameter portion provided on the operation surface side and a small diameter portion connected to the large diameter portion. 5. The in-vehicle audio device according to claim 1, wherein two or more operation input units are provided on the operation surface. 6. The in-vehicle audio device according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying an operation guide when inputting in this mode when the mode is selected. 7. An audio mode is selected by a mode switching input unit provided on an operation surface of a device main body accommodating an audio unit, and display means provided on the operation surface for operation guidance for input in this mode. And performing all operations in a mode selected by an operation input unit provided on the operation surface based on the operation guidance. 8. The operation method for an in-vehicle audio device according to claim 7, wherein the operation input unit is capable of pushing, rotating, and swinging operations.