JP2008201275A - Remotely-controlled input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remotely-controlled input device capable of ensuring the high operability of the button selecting operation irrespective of the position of a seat when performing the selection designation operation of various kinds of selection buttons displayed on a display device. <P>SOLUTION: The remotely-controlled input device 8 is provided on a vehicle 1, which is capable of performing the selection and determination operation of an item button 5 and an icon 6 displayed on a display 4 from the position aside a seat. The remotely-controlled input device 8 tilts an operation lever 11 to select the position of the screen coordinate, and performs the determination operation or the return operation by depressing a first operation switch 15 and a second operation switch on a top surface of the operation lever 11. Further, the vehicle 1 has a discrimination function of discriminating which operator of the remotely-controlled input device 8 is a person seated in which seat. Based on the result of discrimination, the switch function allocated to the first operation switch 15 and the second operation switch 16 is changed according to the device operator. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote-controlled input for performing selection selection of various selection buttons displayed on a screen of a display device by moving a selected coordinate position of the screen of the display device by an input device located at a position away from the display device. Relates to the device.

Conventionally, as a type of operation input device for in-vehicle devices such as car navigation devices and air conditioner devices, vehicles are input by touching various item buttons and icons displayed on the display screen. A touch panel type operation input device for performing an operation is widely used. An example of such a touch panel type operation input device is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 and the like. This type of in-vehicle touch panel type operation input device is arranged at the center position of the center cluster of the vehicle, for example, and the item buttons and icons assigned and displayed for each of various functions on the screen are displayed on the screen by, for example, pointing. A selection input operation is performed by performing a touch operation by, for example.
JP 2006-347478 A

  By the way, the item buttons and icons assigned and displayed on the touch panel have the button arrangement (icon arrangement) on the screen opposite to the right and left when viewed from the driver's seat and when viewed from the passenger seat. This type of touch panel is operated by both the driver seated in the passenger seat and the passenger seated in the passenger seat, so for example, if the decision button is assigned and displayed near the driver seat In addition, even though this decision button is easy to operate from the driver's seat side, the position is far from the passenger seat side, so that the touch operation becomes difficult. Accordingly, there has been a demand for ensuring the operability of the button selection operation regardless of the driver seat and the passenger seat when selecting and specifying various item buttons and icons displayed on the display.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control type input device capable of ensuring high operability of button selection operation regardless of a seat position when selecting and specifying various selection buttons displayed on a display device. It is in.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, the screen coordinate position of the display device is selected using an input device located away from the display device, and a plurality of mechanical devices provided in the input device are provided. In the remote control type input device in which one of the function switches is operated after the coordinate position is selected to determine various selection buttons displayed on the screen of the display device, the seat of the operator of the input device is selected. Determining means for determining whether the person is a seated person, and assigning means for assigning each switch function of the plurality of function switches to an array corresponding to the seated person who operates the input device, based on the determination result of the determining means The main point is that

  According to this configuration, a general input device is provided with a plurality of mechanical function switches as switches for, for example, decision operations. The switch function of these function switches is determined by the operator of the input device. Depending on whether the person is a seat occupant, the arrangement of the switch functions is assigned differently. By the way, if the seating position of the operator of the input device is different on the left and right, for example, the hand when operating the input device is also reversed left and right. However, in this configuration, the input depends on the seating position at that time. Since the switch function array of the device is assigned, for example, both the operator seated in the right seat and the operator seated in the left seat can operate the function switch that is most frequently operated and frequently operated with the index finger. It is also possible to assign functions. For this reason, when various selection buttons to be displayed on the display device are selected and determined by the input device, it is possible to ensure high button selection operability regardless of the seat position at that time.

  In the present invention, the allocating means shifts each of the switch functions allocated to the two function switches provided in the input device to the selected state in the selected button, and the input device. The gist is that the operation state is replaced and assigned according to the operator between the return function for returning the operation state to the previous state.

  According to this configuration, even if the operator of the input device has different seating positions from time to time, the function switch that operates the determination switch that is frequently used in this type of input device with the index finger that is most easily operated. It is possible to assign a switch function to. For this reason, assigning the decision function to the function switch operated with the index finger is very effective because the switch function assignment is effective when the number of operations is considered.

  According to the present invention, when selecting and specifying various selection buttons displayed on the display device, high operability of the button selection operation can be ensured regardless of the seat position.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a remote control input device embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 is provided with an operation switch device 2 as an operation system for various in-vehicle devices such as an air conditioner device, an audio device, and a car navigation device. The operation switch device 2 of this example uses a graphical user interface (GUI) for the purpose of improving visibility and operability during button selection operations. This type of GUI-type operation switch device 2 graphically displays item buttons 5 and icons 6 on a display 4 provided in the center cluster 3, and a remote input device 8 located on a center console 7 away from the display 4. An input operation is performed by selecting and determining the button focus 9 and the cursor 10 on the display 4.

  The remote input device 8 is an input device that functions as a so-called pointing device, and is connected to the display 4 via electrical wiring (not shown). The remote input device 8 changes the selected coordinate position Px of the display 4 to change the button focus 9 (dot region in FIG. 1) and the cursor 10 on the display 4 and various item buttons 5 ( In this example, the operation lever 11 that stands up is tilted with its lever base end as a fulcrum, so that the button focus 9 on the display 4 is displayed. And a joystick type for moving the cursor 10. The display 4 corresponds to a display device, the item button 5 and the icon 6 constitute a selection button, and the remote input device 8 corresponds to an input device.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the remote input device 8 is provided with a base portion 12 that supports an operation lever 11, which is a location gripped by the operator during operation, at the lever base end. An X-axis guide plate 13 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 2) is connected to the base portion 12 so as to be rotatable around the X-axis. In the X-axis guide plate 13, a long hole 13a extending in the X-axis direction is provided through the entire plate. In the base portion 12, a Y-axis guide plate 14 extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle (Y-axis direction in FIG. 2) is rotatable along the Y-axis and intersects with the X-axis guide plate 13. It is connected with. The Y-axis guide plate 14 is provided with a long hole 14a that extends in the Y-axis direction and intersects the long hole 13a of the X-axis guide plate.

  The operation lever 11 is in an attached state in which a lever shaft 11a extending from the base end thereof is inserted into both the long hole 13a of the X-axis guide plate 13 and the long hole 14a of the Y-axis guide plate 14. For this reason, when the operating lever 11 is tilted by the operator, the operating lever 11 crosses the operating lever 11 by taking a movement in which the X-axis guide plate 13 and the Y-axis guide plate 14 rotate. The lever tilting operation with the operation direction being 360 degrees in the plane direction is allowed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface of the knob portion 11 b of the operation lever 11 is used to determine the item button 5 on the display 4 selected using the operation lever 11 or to display the display screen of the display 4 in front. A first operation switch 15 and a second operation switch 16 that are operated when returning to the screen are provided. The first operation switch 15 and the second operation switch 16 are push-type switches that are accompanied by a push operation (push operation) at the time of operation. In this example, the first operation switch 15 and the second operation switch 16 are located on the passenger seat side. The second operation switch 16 is located on the driver's seat side. The first operation switch 15 and the second operation switch 16 in this example are switches in which these switch functions are switched according to the operator of the operation lever 11, and in this example, whether the operator is on the driver's seat side or on the passenger seat side. The switch function is switched to either the decision switch or the return switch. The operation switches 15 and 16 correspond to function switches.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle 1 is provided with a device operator discrimination circuit 17 for discriminating which seat the remote input device 8 (operation lever 11) is operated by. Yes. The device operator discriminating circuit 17 is a bio-communication type that discriminates a lever operator using the seated person's human body as a signal communication path, and in this example, a driver 19 seated on the driver's seat 18 (see FIG. 1). And the passenger 21 (see FIG. 1) seated on the passenger seat 20 determines which one is operating the remote input device 8. The device operator discrimination circuit 17 constitutes discrimination means.

  The device operator discriminating circuit 17 is provided with a plurality of electrodes 22 and 23 (two in this example, a driver seat 18 and a passenger seat 20) embedded in each seat in the vehicle. In this example, the electrode embedded in the driver seat 24 is referred to as a D seat electrode 22, and the electrode embedded in the passenger seat 25 is referred to as a P seat electrode 23. The D seat electrode 22 and the P seat electrode 23 have a thin film shape made of, for example, copper foil, and are disposed at positions where the seated person seated on each seat can come into contact. Further, switch electrodes 26 a and 26 b made of various electrode materials are provided on the operation surfaces of the operation switches 15 and 16 as counter electrodes of the sheet electrodes 22 and 23.

  The device operator discriminating circuit 17 is provided with a signal generator 27 capable of outputting a high frequency signal F to the D seat sheet electrode 22 and the P seat sheet electrode 23. The signal generator 27 is a switch for switching the signal output destination by taking the operation of continuously outputting the high frequency signal F after the ignition switch of the vehicle is operated to, for example, the ACC position or the IG on position and the device operator discrimination circuit 17 is operated. It is electrically connected to the D seat electrode 22 and the P seat electrode 23 via the switch 28. The device operator discriminating circuit 17 in this example repeatedly identifies the output destination of the high-frequency signal F of the signal generator 27 between the D seat electrode 22 and the P seat electrode 23 and performs timing discrimination when performing device operator discrimination. The formula is used.

  The changeover switch 28 is movable so that the position state is switched between the D seat side fixed contact 28a connected to the D seat electrode 22, the P seat side fixed contact 28b connected to the P seat electrode 23, and the fixed contacts 28a and 28b. A contact 28c. When the movable contact 28c is connected to the D seat side fixed contact 28a and the changeover switch 28 is in the first switch state (the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 4), the signal generator 27 is electrically connected to the D seat seat electrode 22. When the movable contact 28c is connected to the P seat side fixed contact 28b and the changeover switch 28 is in the second switch state (the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. 2), the signal generator 27 is electrically connected to the P seat seat electrode 23. It will be in a connected state.

  The vehicle 1 is provided with a switch controller 29 as a control unit that detects the operation state of the remote input device 8. The switch controller 29 includes a CPU 30 that performs overall control of the switch controller 29, a ROM 31 that stores various control programs and data, a RAM 32 that is a work area during data processing, and the like. The switch controller 29 operates based on various control programs stored in the ROM 31. In this example, the switch controller 29 detects the operation position of the remote input device 8, determines the operator of the remote input device 8, and the first operation switch 15 of the remote input device 8. In addition, various processes such as detection of the presence / absence of operation of the second operation switch 16 are performed. Note that the switch controller 29 constitutes a determination unit and an allocation unit.

  An X-axis encoder 33 that detects a tilt angle θx around the X-axis of the operation lever 11 is connected to the switch controller 29 via a first A / D conversion circuit 34. In addition, a Y-axis encoder 35 that detects a tilt angle θy around the Y-axis of the operation lever 11 is connected to the switch controller 29 via a second A / D conversion circuit 36. The switch controller 29 calculates the tilt angle of the X-axis guide plate 13 from the detection signal of the X-axis encoder 33, that is, the tilt angle θx of the operation lever 11 to the X-axis side, and also detects the Y-axis from the detection signal of the Y-axis encoder 35. The tilt angle of the guide plate 14, that is, the tilt angle θy of the operation lever 11 to the Y-axis side is calculated, and the operation position (tilt angle) of the control lever 11 is calculated by looking at the combination of these tilt angles θx and θy. .

  When the operator uses the remote input device 8 to select and designate the selected coordinate position Px on the display 4, the switch controller 29 detects this operation position as an absolute position. The absolute position detection is a position detection method in which the operation position of the operation lever 11 in the remote input device 8 and the screen coordinate position of the display 4 uniquely correspond when the selected position on the display 4 is designated. The switch controller 29 calculates the tilt angle (operation position) of the operation lever 11 from the tilt angles θx and θy, and when assigning this operation position to the screen of the display 4 as the button focus 9 or the cursor 10, this display is absolutely displayed. Displayed at the display position converted by position.

  The switch controller 29 has an output system terminal 29 a connected to the changeover switch 28 and an input system terminal 29 b connected to the switch electrodes 26 a and 26 b via the detection circuit 37. The detection circuit 37 includes an amplifier 38 that amplifies and outputs the high-frequency signal F carried from the switch electrodes 26a and 26b, and a detector 39 that detects and outputs an input signal obtained from the amplifier 38.

  The switch controller 29 outputs a rectangular wave switching signal Ssw to the changeover switch 28 to switch the switch state of the changeover switch 28. In this example, the switch controller 29 applies an H level changeover signal Ssw to the changeover switch 28. Is switched to the first switch state, and the switch 28 is switched to the second switch state by applying the L level switching signal Ssw to the switch 28. When switching the switch state of the changeover switch 28, the switch controller 29 recognizes whether the changeover switch 28 is in the first switch state or the second switch state by looking at the HL level of the changeover signal Ssw.

  When a seated person sitting on a seat in the vehicle grasps the knob portion 11b to operate the remote input device 8, the seat side electrode (that is, the D seat electrode 22 or the P seat electrode 23) and the switch are used with the human body as a signal communication path. The electrodes 26a and 26b are electrically connected by biometric communication. For example, when the driver 19 operates the remote input device 8, the D seat sheet electrode 22 and the switch electrode 26 b are electrically connected via the driver 19, and the high-frequency signal F generated from the D seat sheet electrode 22. Is output from the switch electrode 26b to the switch controller 29 as a detection signal Sout having a predetermined voltage level through bio-communication via the driver 19. The same applies when the passenger 21 operates the remote input device 8.

  The switch controller 29 sequentially monitors the voltage value (voltage level) of the detection signal Sout output from the detection circuit 37 to determine whether or not the remote input device 8 is operated. By the way, in the device operator discriminating circuit 17 of the remote input device 8 of this example comprising the electrodes 22, 23, 26, the signal generator 27, the detection circuit 37, etc., the D seat sheet electrode 22 and the P seat sheet electrode 23 are the switch electrodes. When the human body 26a and 26b are bio-coupled by the human body, the first capacitor C1 is generated by the human body, the capacitive coupling of the device operator discriminating circuit 17 is increased, and the detection signal Sout of the detection signal Sout as shown in FIGS. The voltage value (voltage level) Va increases. The switch controller 29 sequentially calculates the voltage difference (voltage level difference) Vk based on the point where the voltage value Va of the detection signal Sout is the lowest, and sees whether or not the voltage difference Vk is equal to or greater than the specified value Vx. Thus, the presence or absence of the switch operator is determined.

  When the switch controller 29 determines that the switch operator is present when the voltage difference Vk of the detection signal Sout is equal to or greater than the specified value Vx, the switch operator at this time checks the HL level of the switching signal Ssw so that the switch operator at that time 19 or passenger 21 is discriminated. In this example, if the switching signal Ssw is H level when the voltage difference Vk of the detection signal Sout is greater than or equal to the specified value Vx, the switch controller 29 determines that the switch operator at that time is the driver 19 and the voltage difference of the detection signal Sout. If the switching signal Ssw is at L level when Vk is equal to or greater than the specified value Vx, the switch operator at that time is determined as the passenger 21.

  The switch controller 29 assigns each switch function of the first operation switch 15 and the second operation switch 16 to a function array corresponding to the operator of the remote input device 8 at that time. In the case of this example, when the operator of the remote input device 8 is the passenger 21, the switch controller 29 recognizes the first operation switch 15 as a determination switch and recognizes the second operation switch 16 as a return switch. Therefore, the switch controller 29 treats the switch signal obtained from the first operation switch 15 as a determination command, and treats the switch signal obtained from the second operation switch 16 as a return command.

  When the operator of the remote input device 8 is the driver 19, the switch controller 29 recognizes the first operation switch 15 as a return switch and recognizes the second operation switch 16 as a decision switch. Therefore, the switch controller 29 treats the switch signal obtained from the first operation switch 15 as a return command, and treats the switch signal obtained from the second operation switch 16 as a determination command. That is, the switch functions of the first operation switch 15 and the second operation switch 16 are allocated and arranged with the arrangement reversed depending on whether the device operator at that time is the driver 19 or the passenger 21.

  Now, for example, when the passenger 21 operates the operation lever 11 to operate the remote input device 8, the operator of the remote input device 8 looks at the screen of the display 4 and operates the operation lever 11 of the remote input device 8. Is tilted to select a screen coordinate position for aligning the cursor 10 on the screen with the desired item button 5, icon 6 or the like. At this time, the switch controller 29 calculates the operation position (XY axis tilt angle) of the operation lever 11 based on the detection amount obtained from the X-axis encoder 33 and the Y-axis encoder 35, and the screen position corresponding to the calculated position. The button focus 9 and the cursor 10 are displayed as images.

  After this positioning, the passenger 21 takes the action of depressing the first operation switch 15 of the remote input device 8 to determine the operation. At this time, the passenger seat 21 and the switch electrode 26a are joined to the human body by the passenger 21. In the device operator determination circuit 17, the capacitive coupling is increased by the passenger 21. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the voltage difference Vk of the detection signal Sout takes a value equal to or greater than the specified value Vx at the timing when the switching signal Ssw becomes H level. As a result, the switch controller 29 inputs the detection signal Sout in which the voltage difference Vk is equal to or greater than the specified value Vx when the switching signal Ssw is at the L level, and the operator of the remote input device 8 at this time is the passenger 21. The first operation switch 15 is recognized as a determination switch, and a switch signal obtained from the first operation switch 15 is taken in as a determination command at this time.

  When the switch controller 29 recognizes that the device operator is the passenger 21 and obtains a switch signal from the first operation switch 15 and recognizes the pressing operation of the first operation switch 15 by the passenger 21, the determination operation is performed by this operation. Recognize what happened. When the switch controller 29 recognizes the pressing operation of the first operation switch 15, the item button 5 or the button focus 9 or the cursor 10 overlapped in the screen coordinate unit immediately before the first operation switch 15 is pressed. The icon 6 is recognized as an operation request button, an operation request command is output to another control unit, and the vehicle 1 is caused to perform various processes according to the function of the operation request button.

  When performing a return operation for returning the display screen of the display 4 to the previous screen, the passenger 21 depresses the second operation switch 16 assigned as the return switch. Also at this time, the switch controller 29 inputs a detection signal in which the voltage difference Vk of the detection signal Sout takes a value equal to or higher than the specified value Vx at the timing when the switching signal Ssw becomes H level as shown in FIG. Thus, it is determined that the device operator at that time is the passenger 21. Under the recognition that the device operator is the passenger 21, the switch controller 29 recognizes the second operation switch 16 as a return switch, and takes in the switch signal obtained from the second operation switch 16 at this time as a return command.

  When the switch controller 29 recognizes that the device operator is the passenger 21 and obtains a switch signal from the second operation switch 16 and recognizes the pressing operation of the second operation switch 16 by the passenger 21, the return operation is performed by this operation. Recognize what happened. When the switch controller 29 recognizes the pressing operation of the second operation switch 16, the switch controller 29 redisplays the display screen displayed on the display 4 immediately before the second operation switch 16 is pressed.

  On the other hand, when the driver 19 depresses the second operation switch 16 to make an operation decision with the remote input device 8, at this time, the D seat electrode 22 and the switch electrode 26b are combined with each other by the driver 19, and the device operator is discriminated. The capacitive coupling of the circuit 17 is increased by the driver 19. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the voltage difference Vk of the detection signal Sout takes a value equal to or greater than the specified value Vx at the timing when the switching signal Ssw becomes L level. As a result, the switch controller 29 inputs the detection signal Sout in which the voltage difference Vk is equal to or greater than the specified value Vx when the switching signal Ssw is at the L level, and the operator of the remote input device 8 at this time is the driver 19. The second operation switch 16 is recognized as a determination switch, and a switch signal obtained from the second operation switch 16 at this time is taken in as a determination command.

  Further, when performing a return operation for returning the display screen of the display 4 to the previous screen, the driver 19 presses down the first operation switch 15 assigned as a return switch. Also at this time, the switch controller 29 inputs a detection signal in which the voltage difference Vk of the detection signal Sout takes a value equal to or greater than the specified value Vx at the timing when the switching signal Ssw becomes L level as shown in FIG. Thus, it is determined that the device operator at that time is the driver 19. Under the recognition that the device operator is the driver 19, the switch controller 29 recognizes the first operation switch 15 as a return switch, and takes in the switch signal obtained from the first operation switch 15 as a return command.

  Therefore, in this example, when the remote input device 8 is operated, it is determined whether the operator is the driver 19 or the passenger 21. If the operator is the passenger 21, the first operation switch 15 is assigned to the decision switch, and the second operation switch 16 is assigned to the return switch. When the operator is the driver 19, the switch function is assigned to the reverse. For this reason, since both the passenger 21 and the driver 19 can operate a decision switch with a high operation frequency with an index finger that is easy to operate the switch, this is very effective for ensuring the operability of the remote input device 8. High effect.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the remote input device 8 is operated, the device operator is determined as to which seat the operator at this time is, and the first operation switch 15 and the second operation switch of the remote input device 8 are determined. The 16 switch functions are assigned to an array corresponding to the device operator at that time. Therefore, regardless of the seating position, it is possible to operate the determination switch with high operation frequency with an index finger that is easy to operate the switch, so that the remote input device 8 has high operability regardless of the seating position of the seat. Can be secured.

  (2) In the remote input device 8, since this type of decision switch is the switch function with the highest operation frequency, it is not possible to assign this type of decision switch to the function switch operated with the index finger that is most easily operated. From the viewpoint of the number of switch operations, this switch function assignment is effective, so that it can be said that the effect is very high from this point.

  (3) The signal output destination is switched by the changeover switch 28 so that the high frequency signal F generated by the signal generator 27 is alternately output from the D seat electrode 22 and the P seat electrode 23, and the driver seat 24 When a seated person seated on the passenger seat 25 operates the remote input device 8, the high-frequency signal F output from the signal generator 27 flows to the switch controller 29 by biometric communication. At this time, the voltage value Va of the detection signal Sout detected by the switch controller 29 increases as the capacitive coupling is increased by the human body. Therefore, when the voltage difference Vk exceeds the specified value Vx, switching at that time is performed. The level state of the signal Ssw is checked to check which of the sheet electrodes 22 and 23 has transmitted the signal, and it is determined whether the operator of the remote input device 8 is the driver 19 or the passenger 21. Accordingly, the device operator discrimination process is a discrimination process using biometric communication in which only the high-frequency signal F flows from the signal generator 27 toward the switch controller 29. Therefore, the signal flowing during biometric communication is communication that flows in only one direction. Therefore, the device operator discrimination process is simplified.

In addition, embodiment is not limited to the structure until now, You may change into the following aspects.
As shown in FIG. 7, the sheet electrodes 22 and 23 may have a structure in which a GND pattern 22b grounded to GND is provided in addition to the normal signal input electrode 22a. In this case, the sheet electrodes 22 and 23 are formed by arranging ring-shaped GND patterns 22b made of, for example, copper foil or the like around the circular thin film signal input electrodes 22a at predetermined intervals in the radial direction. 22a and the GND pattern 22b are sandwiched between a pair of transparent thin film laminates 41a and 41b. By the way, as shown in FIG. 8, if the device operator approaches the body ground, the device operator discriminating circuit 17 generates a second capacitance C2 due to the human body, but the sheet electrodes 22 and 23 have the GND. When the pattern 22b is provided, since the coupling between the device operator and the body ground is constant, when the device operator operates the remote input device 8, the device operator approaches the body ground. Even if not approaching, the voltage value Va of the detection signal Sout obtained from the switch electrode 26a (26b) by the switch controller 29 does not change greatly. Therefore, the same discrimination result can be obtained both when the device operator is approaching the body ground and when it is not, which is highly effective in improving the accuracy of device operator discrimination.

  The signal generator 27 is not limited to being shared by the two sheets 24 and 25, and as shown in FIG. 9, individual signal generators 27a and 27b are provided for the sheet electrodes 22 and 23, respectively. May be provided. In this case, the one connected to the D seat electrode 22 is the first signal generator 27a, the one connected to the P seat electrode 23 is the second signal generator 27b, and the first signal generator 27a is The first high frequency signal F1 is supplied to the D seat electrode 22, and the second signal generator 27b supplies the second high frequency signal F2 having a frequency different from that of F1 to the P seat electrode 23.

  Further, the detection circuit 37 is provided with band-pass filters 38a and 38b that pass signals only in a predetermined frequency band in accordance with the number of sheet electrodes 22 and 23 (two in this example). In this case, what can pass the first high-frequency signal F1 output from the first signal generator 27a is the first bandpass filter 38a, and what can pass the second high-frequency signal F2 output from the second signal generator 27b. The second bandpass filter 38b is used. When the D seat electrode 22 is connected to the switch electrode 26a or the switch electrode 26b, the detection circuit 37 receives the first high-frequency signal F1, which passes through the first bandpass filter 38a and passes through the amplifier 38 and the detector 39. This is output to the switch controller 29 as the D seat touch detection signal Sout1. Further, when the P seat electrode 23 is coupled to the switch electrode 26a or the switch electrode 26b, the second high-frequency signal F2 is input to the detection circuit 37, which passes through the second band-pass filter 38b and passes through the amplifier 38 and the detector. This is output to the switch controller 29 as the P seat touch detection signal Sout2.

  The switch controller 29 uses a so-called frequency identification formula to determine the device operator by looking at the frequencies of the detection signals (D seat touch detection signal Sout1, P seat touch detection signal Sout2) input from the detection circuit 37. Make a decision. If the input signal obtained from the detection circuit 37 is the D seat touch detection signal Sout1, the switch controller 29 determines that the device operator at that time is the driver 19, and the input signal obtained from the detection circuit 37 is the P seat touch detection signal. If it is Sout2, the device operator at that time is identified as the passenger 21.

  As described above, when the frequency identification formula is used as the device operator discrimination method, the high frequency signals F1 and F2 having the frequency corresponding to the seat position are switched at the timing when the device operator holds the remote input device 8. When the remote input device 8 is operated, the device operator discrimination is started immediately. Therefore, for example, even if the number of seat electrodes is increased to increase the number of seats to be detected, the processing time required for device operator determination is not changed, so that it takes a long processing time for device operator determination. Don't worry.

  -The device operator discrimination method is not necessarily limited to the biometric communication method using the operator as a signal path. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the device operator discrimination method may be an infrared detection type using an infrared sensor 42. In this case, the driver's seat 18 is provided with an infrared light emitting unit 43a capable of emitting infrared rays and an infrared light receiving unit 43b that receives the infrared rays, and the passenger seat 20 has a similar infrared light emitting unit 44a. And the infrared light-receiving part 44b is provided. When the operator operates the remote input device 8, the operator blocks the infrared rays, so that the infrared light receiving units 43b and 44b detect the sitting position of the operator by looking at the state where the infrared rays cannot be received. . In this case, the device operator can be identified using a simple structure called the infrared sensor 42. The infrared sensor 42 constitutes a discrimination unit.

  -The device operator identification method is not necessarily limited to the biometric communication type or the infrared detection type. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a camera 45 is installed in the vehicle, and image data acquired by the camera 45 is analyzed to detect which seat occupant is operating the remote input device 8. May be. In this case, since there is no need to install a device operator detection part for each seat, the number of parts installation steps required for the device operator discrimination circuit 17 and concerns such as securing the part arrangement space are considered. You do n’t have to. The camera 45 constitutes a determination unit.

  ・ Device operator identification can be combined with the various formats described above. In this case, the device operator can be determined as accurately as possible, and the operator can be prevented from being erroneously determined.

  The structure of the remote input device 8 is not limited to the joystick type that selects and designates the screen coordinate position of the display 4 by tilting the operation lever 11, but may be a slide type as shown in FIG. When the remote input device 8 is a slide type, an operation knob 46 that is held by the operator is attached and fixed to the pair of X-axis sliders 48 a and 48 b via the first wire 47, and the pair of Y axes via the second wire 49. The shaft sliders 50a and 50b are attached and fixed. The X-axis sliders 48a and 48b are slidable in the X-axis direction along the pair of X-axis guide rails 51a and 51b, and the Y-axis sliders 50a and 50b are Y-axis along the pair of Y-axis guide rails 52a and 52b. It can slide in the direction. The movement positions of the X-axis sliders 48 a and 48 b are detected by the X-axis potentiometer 53, the movement positions of the Y-axis sliders 50 a and 50 b are detected by the Y-axis potentiometer 54, and the detection values acquired from these potentiometers 53 and 54 are used as the basis. Then, the operation amount of the operation knob 46 is calculated, and the selected coordinate position Px on the display 4 at that time by the operator is obtained from the calculated value.

  The structure of the remote input device 8 is not limited to the joystick type or the slide type described above, but may be a dial type that switches the screen coordinate selection position by rotating the knob portion 11b, for example.

The switch electrodes 26a and 26b are not necessarily embedded in the operation switches 15 and 16, but may be provided in the knob portion 11b of the operation lever 11 so as to share them, for example.
The number of function switches of the remote input device 8 is not necessarily limited to two (the first operation switch 15 and the second operation switch 16), and may be three or more. For example, when there are three function switches, examples of the switch function include an initial screen return function for returning the display screen of the display 4 to the initial screen in addition to the determination function and the return function.

When the display 4 is a dual display, the screen displayed on the driver side screen and the passenger side screen may be different.
If the operation switches 15 and 16 have a “decision” or “return” display, the switch functions of these operation switches 15 and 16 are switched based on the determination result of the switch operator. Good.

  When assigning switch functions to the operation switches 15 and 16 according to the device operator at that time, for example, there are a total of five types of switch functions, and each of the two operation switches 15 depends on whether the device operator is the driver 19 or the passenger 21. , 16 may be different from each other.

The operation position detection of the remote input device 8 is not necessarily limited to absolute position detection, and relative position detection may be used for this.
The switch operator discrimination target is not limited to the driver 19 and the passenger 21. For example, electrodes may be provided on the rear seat, and it may be determined who operated the remote input device 8 among three or more of the driver, the passenger, and the rear seat occupant.

  -The mounting target of the input system operator discrimination device of this example is not necessarily limited to the vehicle 1. In other words, when there are a plurality of seat occupants, the adoption target is not particularly limited as long as it is a device or apparatus that needs to determine who among them has operated the input system.

Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below together with their effects.
(1) In Claim 1 or 2, the determination means is provided for each of the signal generation means for generating a notification signal that can pass through the human body and the seat on which the operator is seated, and the notification from the signal generation means. When a plurality of seat electrodes each receiving supply of signals, an operation electrode provided in the input device, and a seated person touches the input device and the seat electrode and the operation electrode are energized through the human body, The biocommunication system includes an execution unit that takes in the notification signal flowing through the operation electrode by biometric communication and performs operator discrimination using the notification signal. In this case, when the operator seated on the seat operates the input device, the seat electrode and the operation electrode are connected by a human body, and a notification signal generated from the signal generation unit is output to the execution unit by biometric communication. The execution means uses the acquired notification signal, and performs an operator determination to determine which seat is the occupant who operated the input device at that time. Therefore, since signals exchanged during biometric communication flow only in one direction from the seat side to the device side, for example, compared to the case where a discrimination process in which signals are exchanged alternately between the seat and the device is used, Communication discrimination processing is simplified.

  (2) In the technical idea (1), the signal generation means includes one signal generator that transmits the notification signal, and a plurality of seat electrodes that are output destinations of the notification signal transmitted by the signal generator. A switching circuit that selectively switches between the switching circuit, and the execution means sequentially recognizes the output destination of the notification signal by looking at a connection state of the switching circuit, and whether or not the operation means is operated by the operator The signal level change of the notification signal that changes in the above is detected, and the operator discrimination is performed using the output destination and the signal level change. In this case, since one signal generator is shared between the plurality of seat electrodes, the device size (circuit board size) can be reduced.

  (3) In the technical idea (1), the signal generation unit includes a plurality of signal generators that respectively transmit the notification signals having different frequencies, and the execution unit includes the electrode and the electrode when the biological communication is established. The operator discrimination is performed by identifying the frequency of the notification signal obtained through the operator. In this case, at the timing when the operator operates the input device, a notification signal corresponding to the seat position is output to the execution means, and when the input device is operated, the operator determination process is started immediately. Therefore, even if the number of operator detection targets increases, the processing time required for performing operator discrimination can be shortened.

  (4) In any one of the technical ideas (1) to (3), in addition to the signal input electrode to which the notification signal is applied, the seat electrode is a ground electrode connected to a reference potential point of the input device Is provided. In this case, since the coupling between the operator and the body ground is constant, the coupling capacity of the electric circuit generated when the operator touches the electrode is in contact with the body ground when the operator operates the input device. However, it does not change the value. For this reason, since the signal level value of the notification signal does not change depending on whether or not the operator is in contact with the body ground, it is possible to improve the accuracy of operator discrimination.

(5) In Claim 1 or 2, the determination means is provided for each of the operators to be detected, and is provided for each of the operators to be detected as well as infrared transmission means capable of transmitting infrared rays. It is an infrared detection type provided with the said infrared reception which can receive the said infrared rays which the said infrared transmission means transmitted, and the execution means which performs operator discrimination | determination by seeing the said infrared reception state of the said infrared reception means. In this case, the operator of the input device can be discriminated by a simple discriminating method in which it is determined whether or not the infrared ray receiving unit can receive the infrared ray transmitted by the infrared ray transmitting unit.

  (6) In Claim 1 or 2, the discrimination means performs an operator discrimination by analyzing an image of the image data based on an imaging means capable of photographing the operator and image data obtained by the imaging means. It is an image processing formula provided with the execution means to perform. In this case, it is not necessary to prepare a part group for operator detection for each operator, so that the number of parts required for operator discrimination can be reduced.

The perspective view showing the appearance in the car in one embodiment. The top view which shows the internal structure of a remote input device. The top view which shows the external appearance of a remote input device. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of an operation switch apparatus. The wave form diagram of a switching signal and a detection signal when a passenger operates an input system. The wave form diagram of the switching signal and detection signal when a driver operates an input system. The disassembled perspective view which shows the specific example of the sheet electrode in another example. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the operation switch apparatus of another example. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the operation switch apparatus of another example. The vehicle interior perspective view which shows schematic structure of the operation switch apparatus of another example. The vehicle interior perspective view which shows schematic structure of the operation switch apparatus of another example. The conceptual diagram which shows schematic structure of the remote input device of another example.

Explanation of symbols

  4 ... Display as display device, 5 ... Item button constituting selection button, 6 ... Icon constituting selection button, 8 ... Remote input device as input device, 15 ... First operation switch constituting function switch, 16 2nd operation switch constituting function switch, 17 ... Device operator discrimination circuit constituting discrimination means, 29 ... Switch controller constituting discrimination means and allocation means, 42 ... Infrared sensor constituting discrimination means, 45 ... Discrimination Camera constituting the means, Px... Screen coordinate position.

Claims (2)

A screen coordinate position of the display device is selected using an input device at a position away from the display device, and one of a plurality of mechanical function switches provided on the input device is operated after the coordinate position is selected. By this, in the remote control type input device in which the determination operation of various selection buttons displayed on the screen of the display device is performed,
A discriminating means for discriminating which seat the operator of the input device is seated with;
A remote operation type, comprising: assignment means for assigning each switch function of the plurality of function switches to an array corresponding to the seated person who operates the input device, based on a determination result of the determination means Input device.   The assigning means includes: a decision function that shifts each of the switch functions assigned to the two function switches provided in the input device to a decision state; and an operation state by the input device. The remote operation type input device according to claim 1, wherein the remote operation input device is assigned with a return function for returning to a previous state in accordance with the operator.

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