JP2012018465A - Operation input device and method of controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation input device excellent in visibility and workability of an input switch and a method of controlling the same.SOLUTION: The operation input device has a structure comprising: a plurality of input switches 12 on which an input position is indicated by a transparent part; LEDs 15 which are a plurality of light emitting elements for illuminating individually each of the input switches 12; a power supply on/off switch 50 on which an input position is indicated by a transparent part and which serves as a power switch for performing lighting or lighting off of the whole device by on or off operation and lighting; and lighting off control means for sequentially performing lighting or lighting off of a plurality of LEDs 15 using the power supply on/off switch 50 as a reference based on the operation of the power supply on/off switch 50.

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation input device and a control method thereof, and more particularly to an operation input device applicable to a vehicle with improved visibility and operability of an input switch and a control method thereof.

  The center cluster arranged near the center of the driver's seat of the vehicle is provided with an operation input device for operating various in-vehicle devices such as car navigation, audio and air conditioner. This operation input device includes a touch switch panel having a switch operation surface corresponding to various in-vehicle devices as a design panel of the center cluster, and an occupant (operator) touches the touch switch panel, thereby various in-vehicle devices. The operation setting is to be performed.

  The operation input device is provided with an illumination device (backlight) that illuminates the back side of the touch switch panel when touched by an occupant and improves the visibility of the switch operation surface. If the occupant does not operate the touch switch panel, the lighting device is turned off and the switch operation surface is kept in a blackout state, which makes the switch operation surface difficult to see and improves the design of the center cluster. ing.

  In this type of touch sensor type operation input device, it is necessary for the operator to visually confirm and confirm the switch operation surface to be selected among the plurality of switch operation surfaces. However, if the operator does not touch the switch operation surface, the touch switch panel is maintained in a blackout state in which a plurality of switch operation surfaces are not displayed. It is difficult to grasp which position should be touched.

  On the other hand, when the operator's finger approaches the switch operation surface, the backlight is lit in the first pattern, a light transmission pattern is raised on the surface of the touch panel (design panel), and the operator's finger is placed on the raised portion. Has been proposed, a capacitive switch device that is turned on in the second pattern and changes the luminance, color, etc. of the light transmission pattern has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-128019 A

  By the way, even if the capacitance type switch device described in Patent Document 1 is used for the center cluster arranged near the center of the driver's seat of the vehicle, it can be operated by touching anywhere in the blackout state. There is a need to improve the visibility and operability of the input switch because it is difficult to understand whether the input device is displayed.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an operation input device excellent in the visibility and operability of an input switch and a control method therefor.

[1] In order to achieve the above object, an operation input device according to the present invention includes a plurality of input switches whose input positions are displayed by a translucent part, and a plurality of light emitting elements that individually illuminate each of the input switches. A power switch that displays the input position by the translucent part, and turns off or turns on the entire apparatus by an on or off operation, and the plurality of light emitting elements based on the power switch based on the operation of the power switch There is provided an operation input device comprising a lighting / extinguishing control means for sequentially performing lighting or extinguishing control.

[2] The operation input device according to the above [1], wherein the input position blinks even when the power switch is turned off.

[3] The above-described [1] is characterized in that the lighting on / off control means performs control to sequentially turn on the plurality of light emitting elements in order from the power switch when the power switch is turned on. The operation input device may be used.

[4] The above-described [1] is characterized in that the lighting / extinguishing control means performs control to sequentially turn off the plurality of light emitting elements in order of distance from the power switch when the power switch is turned off. The operation input device may be used.

[5] In order to achieve the above object, in the operation input device according to the present invention, the input position is displayed by the translucent part, and the on / off operation of the power switch for turning off or turning on the entire device by the on / off operation is determined. And a plurality of light emitting elements that individually illuminate a plurality of input switches whose input positions are displayed by the translucent part based on the determination result of the determination step of determining the on / off operation of the power switch. There is provided a control method for an operation input device, comprising: a lighting / extinguishing control step of sequentially performing lighting or extinguishing control with reference to the power switch.

[6] The above-described lighting and extinguishing control step performs a control of sequentially turning on the plurality of light emitting elements in order from the power switch when it is determined that the power switch is turned on. ] May be used.

[7] Further, in the lighting / extinguishing control step, when it is determined that the power switch is turned off, the plurality of light emitting elements are sequentially turned off in order of distance from the power switch. The operation input device control method described in [5] may be used.

  According to the operation input device of the present invention, it is possible to provide an operation input device excellent in the visibility and operability of the input switch and its control method.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an entire configuration of a front seat front portion of a vehicle. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the operation input device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1 when the operation input panel unit is viewed from the side. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the operation input ECU according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A shows a display example when the operation input panel unit is in the sleep mode and the standby mode, and FIG. 5B is a table when the power-off / lighting switch is turned on. It is a figure which shows an example. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation flow when the power-off / lighting switch is turned on in the operation input device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 7A to 7D are diagrams sequentially showing display states of the operation input panel unit when the power-off / lighting switch is turned on in the operation input device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation flow when the power-off / lighting switch is turned off in the operation input device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 9A to 9D are diagrams sequentially showing display states of the operation input panel unit when the power-off / lighting switch is turned off in the operation input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Embodiments of an operation input device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of front part of front seat of vehicle)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a front portion of a front seat having a driver's seat in a vehicle. In the front part of the front seat of the vehicle 1, an instrument panel 2 made of a synthetic resin and equipped with instruments, a passenger seat airbag, and the like is arranged in the vehicle width direction. A center cluster 3 is disposed near the center of the instrument panel 2. A display 4 capable of displaying various images such as a selection menu is provided on the design surface side of the center cluster 3. An operation input panel unit 10 that is an embodiment of the operation input device of the present invention is provided in the periphery of the display 4 of the center cluster 3.

(Configuration of operation input device 7)
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the operation input device 7 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The operation input device 7 according to the present embodiment includes an operation input panel unit 10 and an operation input electronic control device (hereinafter referred to as “operation input ECU 20”) that controls the operation input panel unit 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation input panel unit 10 and the operation input ECU 20 are connected to various devices such as an air conditioner 32, a car navigation device 33, and an audio device 34 as operation input target devices via an in-vehicle LAN 31 such as LIN or CAN. In-vehicle devices are communicably connected.

  3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1 when the operation input panel unit 10 is viewed from the side. The operation input panel unit 10 includes an operation display panel 13, a touch sensor sheet 14, and a light emitting diode substrate (hereinafter referred to as “LED substrate 16”).

  The operation display panel 13 is formed in a plate shape using, for example, an acrylic or polycarbonate transparent resin material. A plurality of switch operation surfaces 12a constituting the operation surface of the touch-type input switch 12 are formed at predetermined positions.

  On the switch operation surface 12a, as a mark indicating the operation position to the user, for example, an air conditioner 32, a car navigation device 33, an audio device 34, etc. corresponding to the operation input are outlined and outlined. The portion is formed as a translucent light transmitting portion that transmits or diffuses light. In the operation display panel 13, light shielding (substantially black) silk printing is applied to the surface area excluding the translucent part in which these characters and the like are removed.

  Note that a black film sheet in which characters on the switch operation surface 12 a are semitransparently cut out instead of silk printing on the light-shielding surface region may be attached to the back surface of the operation display panel 13. Moreover, you may apply | coat a fluorescent agent to the surface of the translucent part which shows an input position, or may mix in in the translucent part.

  In the touch sensor sheet 14, a transparent electrode 18 such as ITO (indium tin oxide) is formed in a predetermined pattern on a transparent film sheet. The touch sensor sheet 14 is affixed to the back surface of the operation display panel 13 so that each switch operation surface 12a portion of the operation display panel 13 and each transparent electrode of the touch sensor sheet 14 coincide.

  The touch sensor sheet 14 constitutes a capacitance type input switch 12 for detecting an operation input by a user via the operation input panel unit 10. That is, when the user brings his / her finger close to or touches the switch operation surface 12a of the operation display panel 13, the capacitance of the transparent electrode 18 of the touch sensor sheet 14 located behind it changes. Using this characteristic, the touch sensor detection circuit 22 of the operation input ECU 20 described later detects a change in the capacitance of the transparent electrode, whereby it is determined that an operation input has been made to the input switch 12.

  The input switch 12 of the operation input panel unit 10 may be, for example, a pressure-sensitive touch sensor disposed on the front surface of the operation display panel 13 in correspondence with each switch operation surface 12a in addition to the capacitance type. Good.

  On the LED board 16, LEDs 15 as a plurality of light emitting elements individually corresponding to the switch operation surfaces 12 a of the input switch 12 are mounted. As shown in FIG. 3, the LED board 16 is provided behind the operation display panel 13, and each LED 15 is disposed so as to illuminate a translucent portion (such as a hollow character) of the switch operation surface 12a immediately before it. Is done. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a partition plate 17 may be provided between the LEDs 15 for preventing illumination light from leaking to the adjacent switch operation surface 12a.

  When the LED 15 is turned on or blinks, the user recognizes that the light is emitted to the outside through the light transmitting portion of the corresponding switch operation surface 12a and the operation input to the input switch 12 is possible. . In addition, when the user is not using the air conditioner device 32, the audio device 34, or the like, which is the operation input target device (a state where the main power is turned off, etc.), an input switch corresponding to the device that does not function By turning off the 12 LEDs 15, characters or the like serving as a mark of operation are blacked out. As a result, it is possible to exclude an operation on a device that is not functioning because the main power is turned off.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the power-off / lighting switch 50 provided on the upper portion of the operation input panel unit 10 serves as a light-emitting element corresponding to the switch operation surface of the power-off / lighting switch 50 on the LED substrate 56. An LED 55 is mounted. The power-off / lighting switch 50 functions as a power switch for turning off or turning on the entire apparatus by an on or off operation. Even when all the input switches 12 are in the off state and the characters or the like serving as the operation marks are in a blackout state, the power off / on switch 50 blinks and the brightness decreases in a predetermined cycle. That is, the operation input panel unit 10 is notified by a blinking operation that the operation input panel unit 10 is in the sleep mode or the standby mode. Further, even when all the input switches 12 are turned off and characters or the like that are marks for operation are in a blackout state, the power-off / lighting switch 50 performs a blinking operation, so that the position to be operated becomes clear.

  When all the input switches 12 are in the lighting state, the power-off / lighting switch 50 is kept in the lighting state. By performing a switch operation such as a touch operation on the power-off / light-on switch 50 in the lit state, all the input switches 12 can be turned off to be in the sleep mode or standby mode. It should be noted that all the input switches 12 can be turned off to enter the sleep mode or the standby mode when a certain period of time elapses without any operation of the input switches 12 being performed.

  Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the operation input ECU 20. The operation input ECU 20 includes a microcomputer 21 composed of a CPU, RAM, ROM and the like. The microcomputer 21 receives output signals from the touch sensor detection circuits 22 and 23 as peripheral circuits as needed, and executes control operations for the LED drive circuit 24, the LAN control circuit 25, and the like.

  A touch sensor sheet 14 provided in the operation input panel unit 10 is connected to the touch sensor detection circuit 22. The touch sensor detection circuit 22 detects a change in the capacitance of the transparent electrode 18 of the touch sensor sheet 14, thereby switching operation of the switch operation surface 12 a corresponding to the transparent electrode 18 or the power-off / lighting switch 50. An operation input to the surface 50a is detected. The touch sensor 41 provided in the display 4 is connected to the other touch sensor detection circuit 23. The touch sensor detection circuit 23 detects the coordinates of the operation position input by the user on the screen of the display 4 based on the output from the touch sensor 41 of the display 4.

  Further, the operation input ECU 20 is provided with an image display control circuit 30 that performs image display control on the display 4. The image display control circuit 30 is mounted on the same substrate as the microcomputer 21 of the operation input ECU 20. However, the image display control circuit 30 is incorporated into the display 4, for example, and used as an integral unit with the operation input ECU 20. It may be done.

  The LED driving circuit 24 controls the power-off / lighting switch 50 and the lighting order of the plurality of input switches 12 in accordance with an instruction command from the microcomputer 21. That is, the blinking state and lighting state of the LED 55 are controlled, and the lighting order of the LED 15 is controlled based on the switch operation of the power-off / lighting switch 50. In addition to the lighting order of the LEDs 15, the lighting brightness can be controlled according to the lighting order.

  The image display control circuit 30 includes an image processor 26, an image data storage unit 27, an image display RAM 28, and an image display drive unit 29. In response to an instruction command from the microcomputer 21, the image processor 26 reads image data such as a selection menu based on the instruction from the image data storage unit 27. Alternatively, in response to an instruction command from the microcomputer 21, image data to be displayed on the display 4 is received from an external device such as the car navigation device 33. Then, the image data is decompressed or demodulated as necessary, and the read image data is written in the image display RAM 28 in which an address is associated with each screen pixel of the display 4. When the image data is written in the image display RAM 28, the image display drive unit 29 modulates the image data into a video signal or converts it into a digital signal and transfers the data to the display 4. Thereby, the selection menu image and the content image based on the image signal are displayed on the display 4. The display 4 can be set so that the initial screen is displayed when the power-off / lighting switch 50 is turned on. This initial screen can be set in advance, or the screen when the power-off / lighting switch 50 is turned off can be used as the initial screen for the next startup.

(Sequential lighting operation of the input switch 12 by turning on the power-off / lighting switch 50)
FIG. 5A shows a display example when the operation input panel unit is in the sleep mode and the standby mode, and FIG. 5B is a table when the power-off / lighting switch is turned on. It is a figure which shows an example.

  When the operation input panel unit 10 shown in FIG. 5A is in the sleep mode or standby mode, the power-off / lighting switch 50 is blinking, the display 4 is not displayed, and the operation display panel 13 Each input switch 12 is in a black state because the respective LED 15 is turned off, and the operation display panel 13 is in a so-called blackout state. On the other hand, when the operation input panel unit 10 shown in FIG. 5B is on, the power-off / lighting switch 50 is lit, a predetermined screen is displayed on the display 4, and all the input switches 12 are lit. Therefore, the translucent portions (such as hollow characters) of each switch operation surface 12a are transmitted and illuminated by the respective LEDs 15 on a black background.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation flow when the power-off / lighting switch is turned on in the operation input device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the operation when the power-off / lighting switch is turned on will be described according to this flowchart.

(Step01)
In the start state, as shown in FIG. 7A, the power-off / lighting switch 50 is in a blinking state. The microcomputer 21 first determines whether or not the power-off / lighting switch 50 is turned on. That is, the touch sensor detection circuit 22 shown in FIG. 4 detects a change in the capacitance of the transparent electrode 18 corresponding to the switch operation surface 50a of the power-off / lighting switch 50, and determines whether it is turned on. If it is determined that it is turned on, the process proceeds to the next Step 02, and if it is not determined that it is turned on, the determination of Step 01 is repeated.

(Step02)
The microcomputer 21 sequentially turns on the input switch 12 from the top to the bottom as shown in FIGS. 7B, 7C, and 7D through the LED drive circuit 24. FIG. That is, from the blackout state shown in FIG. 7A, as shown in FIG. 7B, the uppermost “current location” and “air conditioner” displays are turned on. Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, the “destination” and “audio” indications in the second row are turned on and sequentially turned on from above, and as shown in FIG. Turn on the display. In this way, the LEDs 15 corresponding to the respective input switches 12 are sequentially lit from top to bottom, and the selection items are sequentially lit from top to bottom. This lighting control can give the user an impression of going out of the power-off / lighting switch 50.

(Step 03)
The microcomputer 21 determines whether all the LEDs 15 are lit. If it is determined that all the LEDs 15 are turned on, the process proceeds to the next Step 04. If it is not determined that the LEDs 15 are turned on, the process returns to Step 02 and the lighting operation is repeated.

(Step 04)
The power OFF / ON switch 50 is changed from the blinking state to the ON state.

(Step 05)
A menu or the like is displayed on the screen of the display 4. The displayed screen is an initial screen, which can be set in advance, or the screen when the power-off / lighting switch 50 is turned off can be used as the initial screen for the next startup. it can. Note that the control order of Step 04 and Step 05 may be reversed or may be simultaneous.

  As described above, when the power-off / lighting switch 50 is turned on, a series of operation flows in which the operation input panel unit 10 shifts from the blackout state to the normal screen display during operation is completed.

(Sequential extinguishing operation of the input switch 12 by turning off the power off / lighting switch 50)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation flow when the power-off / lighting switch is turned off in the operation input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

(Step 11)
In the start state, as shown in FIG. 9A, the power-off / lighting switch 50 is in a lighting state. The microcomputer 21 first determines whether the power-off / lighting switch 50 has been turned off. That is, the touch sensor detection circuit 22 shown in FIG. 4 detects a change in the capacitance of the transparent electrode 18 corresponding to the switch operation surface 50a of the power extinguishing / lighting switch 50, and determines whether it is turned off. If it is determined that it has been turned off, the process proceeds to the next Step 12, and if it is not determined that it has been turned off, the determination in Step 11 is repeated.

(Step 12)
The microcomputer 21 sequentially turns off the input switch 12 from the bottom to the top as shown in FIGS. 9B, 9C, and 9D via the LED drive circuit 24. That is, from the state where all the displays shown in FIG. 9 (a) are turned on, the lowermost display is turned off as shown in FIG. 9 (b). Next, as shown in FIG. 9C, the display of “image quality / off” and “menu” in the second row from the bottom is turned off and then turned off sequentially from the bottom, as shown in FIG. 9D. Turn off all displays. In this way, the LEDs 15 corresponding to the input switches 12 are sequentially turned off from the bottom to the top, and the selection items are sequentially turned off from the bottom to the top. This turn-off control can give the user an impression of being accommodated in the power-off / light switch 50.

(Step 13)
The microcomputer 21 determines whether all the LEDs 15 are turned off. If it is determined that all the LEDs 15 are extinguished, the process proceeds to the next Step 14, and if it is not determined that the LEDs are extinguished, the process returns to Step 12 to repeat the extinguishing operation.

(Step 14)
The power OFF / ON switch 50 is changed from the lighting state to the blinking state.

(Step 15)
The display 4 is turned off. In addition, the control order of Step14 and Step15 may be reverse, and may be simultaneous.

  As described above, when the power-off / lighting switch 50 is turned off, a series of operation flows in which the operation input panel unit 10 shifts from the normal screen display during operation to the blackout state is completed.

(Effects of operation input device)
The operation input device of the present embodiment described above has a power-off / lighting switch 50 that is provided at the top of the operation input panel unit 10 and functions as a power switch for turning off or lighting the entire device by an on or off operation. is doing. The power-off / lighting switch 50 blinks and the brightness of the power-off / lighting switch 50 even when all the input switches 12 are in a light-off state and characters or the like that are marks for operation are in a blackout state. It is decreasing at a predetermined cycle. Accordingly, the operation input panel unit 10 is notified by a blinking operation that the operation input panel unit 10 is in the sleep mode or the standby mode, and all the input switches 12 are turned off so that the characters and the like as the operation marks are in a blackout state. Even if it exists, it has the effect that the position which should be operated at the time of power-on becomes clear.

  Further, according to the operation input device of the present embodiment, when the power-off / lighting switch 50 is turned on, the operation display panel 13 is turned on sequentially from the so-called blackout state and the input switch 12 is turned on from top to bottom. That is, it is possible to give the user an impression of going out from the power-off / lighting switch 50 by the lighting control in which the LEDs 15 corresponding to the respective input switches 12 are sequentially lighted from top to bottom. Thereby, the operation of turning on the power has an effect of visually recognizing. Further, when the power-off / lighting switch 50 is turned off, the input switches 12 are sequentially turned off from the bottom to the top, and the operation display panel 13 is in a so-called blackout state. That is, it is possible to give the user an impression that the LED 15 corresponding to each input switch 12 is housed in the power-off / lighting switch 50 by the lighting control in which the LEDs 15 corresponding to each input switch 12 are sequentially turned off from the bottom to the top. As a result, the power-off operation has an effect of visually recognizing.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the sequential turn-off operation of the input switch 12 by turning off the power-off / lighting switch 50, the microcomputer 21 first determines whether or not the power-off / lighting switch 50 has been turned off. Even when the operation display panel 13 is not operated at all, the input switch 12 may be sequentially turned off. Further, although the power-off / lighting switch 50 is assumed to have the input position blinking even when the entire apparatus is turned off, the power-off / lighting switch 50 may be turned on with a predetermined luminance. Further, in STEP05 and STEP15, the display on the display 4 is controlled in conjunction with the power-off / lighting switch 50. However, the screen display on the display 4 can be controlled independently of the power-off / lighting switch 50. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle, 2 ... Instrument panel, 3 ... Center cluster, 4 ... Display, 5 ... Steering wheel, 7 ... Operation input device 10 ... Operation input panel unit, 12 ... Input switch, 12a ... Switch operation surface, 13 ... Operation Display panel, 14 ... Touch sensor sheet, 15 ... LED, 16 ... LED substrate, 17 ... Partition plate, 18 ... Transparent electrode 20 ... Operation input ECU, 21 ... Microcomputer, 22, 23 ... Touch sensor detection circuit, 24 ... LED Drive circuit 25 ... LAN control circuit 26 ... Image processor 27 ... Image data storage unit 28 ... Image display RAM 29 ... Display drive circuit 30 ... Image display control circuit,
31 ... In-vehicle LAN, 32 ... Air conditioner, 33 ... Car navigation device, 34 ... Audio device,
41 ... Touch sensor,
50 ... Power OFF / ON switch, 50a ... Switch operation surface, 55 ... LED, 56 ... LED substrate

Claims (7)

A plurality of input switches whose input positions are displayed by the translucent part;
A plurality of light emitting elements individually illuminating each of the input switches;
An input position is displayed by the translucent part, and a power switch for turning off or turning on the entire device by an on or off operation;
Based on the operation of the power switch, on / off control means for sequentially turning on or off the plurality of light emitting elements with reference to the power switch;
An operation input device comprising:   The operation input device according to claim 1, wherein the input position of the power switch is blinking even when the entire device is turned off.   2. The operation input device according to claim 1, wherein when the power switch is turned on, the lighting / extinguishing control unit performs control to sequentially turn on the plurality of light emitting elements in order from the power switch.   2. The operation input device according to claim 1, wherein when the power switch is turned off, the on / off control unit performs control to sequentially turn off the plurality of light emitting elements in order of distance from the power switch. A determination step of determining an on or off operation of a power switch that displays the input position by the translucent part and turns off or turns on the entire device by an on or off operation;
Based on the determination result of the step of determining whether the power switch is turned on or off, a plurality of light-emitting elements that individually illuminate a plurality of input switches whose input positions are displayed by the translucent part are used as a reference. A turn-on / off control step for sequentially turning on / off control,
A method for controlling an operation input device, comprising:   6. The lighting / extinguishing control step performs control of sequentially turning on the plurality of light emitting elements in order from the power switch when it is determined that the power switch is turned on. Control method of operation input device. 6. The lighting / extinguishing control step performs control of sequentially turning off the plurality of light emitting elements in order of distance from the power switch when it is determined that the power switch is turned off. Control method of operation input device.