WO2015129287A1 - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an input device for presenting the feeling of operation at a discretionary position of contact irrespective of the content of a user operation. An input device (1) has: a display unit (2) for displaying, on a display screen (20), buttons (200, 201) as objects to be operated on; a touch pad (32) for outputting an operation signal on the basis of a position of contact on the operation surface (32a), the touch pad (32) having an operation surface (32a) that has a coordinate system corresponding to coordinates on the display screen (20); an ultrasonic vibrator (31) for imparting vibration to the touch pad (32); a support unit (30) for supporting the touch pad (32) using projection-type support members (300, 301) at a discretionary position on the touch pad; and a controller (4) for controlling the support unit (30) so that areas on the touch pad (32) corresponding to the buttons (200, 201) are supported by the projection-type support members (300, 301).

Description

Input device

The present invention relates to an input device for remotely operating an in-vehicle device such as an air conditioner, an audio device, and a navigation device.

An input that has a touch pad that has an operation surface that is input by the user when remotely operating the in-vehicle device, and allows the user to input more accurately by changing the frictional resistance of the operation surface of the touch pad. An apparatus is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

This input device includes a display in which function items for executing functions of a connected in-vehicle device are displayed in a button shape, a touch pad corresponding to an instruction position and an operation position for display on the display, and a touch pad The piezoelectric element that vibrates the touch pad with high frequency and the operation position where the user's finger is touching the touch pad are detected and the display position corresponding to the operation position is indicated on the function item. And a control unit that controls the piezoelectric element so as to vibrate the touch pad in other cases, and not to vibrate in other cases.

JP 2012-69048 A

In the input device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a plurality of fingers of a user are in contact with each other, different frictional resistances cannot be generated in each region at the same time. There was a problem that it was not possible to recognize the outside of the area. The reason for this is that when only one finger of the user is in contact with the touch pad, the user can recognize the outside of the area of the function item and the inside of the area by the difference in frictional resistance of the operation surface. Yes, but when a user's fingers are in contact with each other and one finger is in the area and the other finger is outside the area, it is not possible to generate different frictional resistance in each area at the same time. It is.

An object of the present invention is to provide an input device that allows a certain operational feeling to be presented at an arbitrary contact position of a touchpad even when a plurality of fingers of a user are in contact.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a display unit that displays an operation target on a display screen;
A touch pad having an operation surface having a coordinate system corresponding to the coordinates of the display screen of the display unit, and outputting an operation signal based on a contact position with respect to the operation surface;
A vibrator for applying vibration to the touchpad;
A support for supporting the touchpad at an arbitrary position;
There is provided an input device including a controller that controls the support unit so as to support an area on the touchpad corresponding to the operation target on the display screen or an area other than the area.

The support portion includes a plurality of protruding support members, and protrudes a protruding support member corresponding to an area on the touch pad corresponding to the operation target on the display screen or an area other than the area. The touch pad may be supported.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a display unit that displays an operation target on a display screen;
A touch pad having an operation surface having a coordinate system corresponding to the coordinates of the display screen of the display unit, and outputting an operation signal based on a contact position with respect to the operation surface;
A vibrator for applying vibration to the touchpad;
A support for supporting the touchpad at an arbitrary position;
There is provided an input device including a controller that controls the support unit so as to support a periphery of an area on the touch pad corresponding to the operation target on the display screen.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an input device that allows a reliable operational feeling to be presented at an arbitrary contact position of a touchpad even when a plurality of user's fingers are in contact. it can.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of an input device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the operation unit 3 of FIG. FIG. 3A is a front view for explaining an example of the operation of the input apparatus 1. FIG. 3B is a plan view for explaining an example of the operation of the input apparatus 1.

[Embodiment]
(Configuration of input device)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the input device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the configuration of the operation unit 3.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicating the whole schematically illustrates a typical input device according to the embodiment. Although this input device 1 is not specifically limited, For example, it is used in order to control the operation | movement of the vehicle equipment which is the air conditioner 5, and is used in order to control the operation | movement of an audio apparatus, a navigation apparatus, etc. May be.

The input device 1 includes a display unit 2 that displays a control screen of the air conditioner 5, an operation unit 3 that includes a touch pad 32 that outputs an operation signal in accordance with a contact operation on the operation surface 32 a, a display unit 2, and an operation unit 3. And a controller 4 for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 5.

In the input device 1 according to the illustrated example, for example, the display unit 2 and the operation unit 3 are arranged on a dashboard (instrument panel) and a center console (or steering wheel) of the vehicle, respectively. In the input device 1, when the operation surface 32 a of the operation unit 3 is touched with the user's finger 6, the position of the contact point 60 is detected by the touch pad 32, and an operation signal corresponding to this position is input to the controller 4. The buttons 200 and 201 on the display screen 20 of the display unit 2 are selected and determined, and the controller 4 controls the air conditioner 5 in response to the selection determination.

The display unit 2 displays a control screen of the air conditioner 5 including a plurality of buttons 200 and 201 as an operation target (for example, a selectable function item of the air conditioner 5) on the display screen 20. Note that the arrangement and number of the buttons 200 and 201 are not particularly limited to those illustrated.

As an example, the buttons 200 and 201 on the display screen 20 have a function of raising and lowering the set temperature of the air conditioner 5. Moreover, the display part 2 may display the control screen of the navigation apparatus which is not shown in figure, and may display the control screen of several vehicle equipment in a list on one screen.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation unit 3 is provided on the back surface of the touch pad 32 to support an arbitrary position on the back surface of the touch pad 32, and applies vibration to the touch pad 32. And a support member 33 that supports a predetermined position on the back surface of the touch pad 32.

As an example, the support unit 30 includes projecting support members 300, 301... Arranged in 5 rows and 5 columns, and the touch pad 32 by projecting any projecting support members 300, 301. Support the back of the. As an example, the protruding support members 300, 301,... Are formed of a magnetostrictive element formed in a cylindrical shape or a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and elastically deform by changing the magnetic field by passing a current through the embedded coil, and the touch pad 32 side. The elastic material (vibration absorbing material) such as rubber or resin is provided on the surface in contact with the back surface of the touch pad 32, thereby suppressing the vibration of a part of the operation surface 32a of the touch pad 32. It functions as a vibration suppressing member. Further, the protruding support members 300, 301... May be anything that can be protruded, and a piezoelectric element or the like may be used.

As an example, the support unit 30 is shown in which the protruding support members 300, 301,... Are arranged in 5 rows and 5 columns. However, if the support unit 30 can support any position on the back surface of the touch pad 32, the operation can be performed. You may comprise so that a vibration suppression member can be moved mechanically in parallel with the surface 32a, or prepare several vibration suppression members which cover the back surface of the touchpad 32 with a predetermined pattern, and select these It may be used.

Further, the support 30 is not limited to a member that protrudes the vibration suppressing member itself. For example, a plate-shaped vibration suppressing member (vibration absorbing material such as an elastic material) is made of a member of a cylindrical or other rectangular shape. It may be configured to push up and partially support the back surface of the touch pad 32.

The ultrasonic transducer 31 generates vibration by applying an AC voltage to a piezoelectric element using a piezoelectric material such as piezoelectric ceramics, a piezoelectric polymer film, and a piezoelectric thin film, and applies vibration to the touch pad 32. Note that the vibration frequency is ultrasonic vibration of 20 kHz or more. Note that a piezoelectric element having a variable resonance frequency may be used, or a plurality of ultrasonic transducers having different resonance frequencies may be prepared. Further, although an example in which ultrasonic vibration is applied in order to efficiently obtain a squeeze effect described later is shown, a piezoelectric element that applies vibration at a frequency lower than that of the ultrasonic wave may be used.

The touch pad 32 outputs an operation signal in accordance with a contact operation on the operation surface 32a, and the indicated position on the display screen 20 of the display unit 2 and the coordinates of the contact point 60 on the touch pad 32 are one-to-one. The corresponding absolute coordinate system shall be assumed. As an example, the touch pad 32 is a touch pad in which an ITO film is formed between two glass plates and has a thickness of 3 mm. The material and thickness of the touch pad 32 are not limited to those described above as long as the vibration of the ultrasonic transducer 31 propagates to the entire surface.

The touch pad 32 has a rectangular display / operation surface. However, an arbitrary external shape can be selected by a curve or a straight line, and the display / operation surface is divided into a plurality of parts. May be. Moreover, you may apply to a relative coordinate system.

The support member 33 is made of a material such as rubber or resin, and is formed in a cylindrical shape or a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The support member 33 supports the touch pad 32, and may or may not function as a vibration suppression member in the same manner as the protruding support members 300, 301,. 1 and 2, the touch pad 32 is supported at three points, but the present invention is not limited to this.

The controller 4 functions as display means 40, vibration control means 41, support position control means 42, operation detection means 43, device control means 44, and the like.

The display means 40 controls display of the display unit 2 by a display control signal. Specifically, the operation targets such as the buttons 200 and 201 are displayed based on the state of the air conditioner 5.

The vibration control means 41 controls the operation of the ultrasonic transducer 31 by a vibration control signal. Specifically, the ultrasonic vibrator 31 is vibrated when the operation unit 3 receives a user operation.

The support position control means 42 makes the protruding support members 300, 301,... Specifically, a position on the operation surface 32a of the touch pad 32 where vibration is not applied by the ultrasonic transducer 31 is determined based on the display content of the display means 40, and the vibration of the protruding support members 300, 301. The thing corresponding to the position not given is made to protrude. The protruding support members 300, 301,... To be protruded may be singular or plural.

The operation detection unit 43 detects the operation content of the finger 6 based on the operation signal output from the operation unit 3.

When the buttons 200 and 201 on the display screen 20 of the display unit 2 are selected and determined based on the operation content detected by the operation detection unit 43, the device control unit 44 sets the air conditioner 5 in response to the selection determination. Control.

(Operation of the embodiment)
Hereinafter, the operation of the input device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3B.

3A and 3B are a front view and a plan view for explaining an example of the operation of the input device 1.

When the origin is the upper left corner of the display screen 20, as an example, the button 200 is in the region x ₁ ≦ x ≦ x ₂ , y ₁ ≦ y ≦ y ₂ , and the button 201 is in the region x ₃ ≦ x ≦ x ₄ , y _1. The case where ≦ y ≦ y ₂ exists will be described. Incidentally, the value _x 1 of the coordinates on the display screen _{20, x 2, x 3,} x 4, y 1, coordinate values on the operating surface 32a of the touch pad 32 corresponding to _{y 2} is _{x 1} ', _{x 2'} , X ₃ ′, x ₄ ′, y ₁ ′, y ₂ ′.

First, the display unit 40 transmits a display control signal to the display unit 2 and displays the buttons 200 and 201 as operation targets on the display screen 20 based on the state of the air conditioner 5.

Next, the vibration control means 41 transmits a vibration control signal to the ultrasonic transducer 31 to vibrate the ultrasonic transducer 31 and vibrate the operation surface 32 a of the touch pad 32.

When the operation surface of the operation unit 3 is vibrated by the ultrasonic vibrator 31, the frictional resistance between the user's finger 6 and the operation surface of the operation unit 3 becomes lower due to the squeeze effect than when there is no vibration. This is because the surrounding gas (or liquid) is drawn between the finger 6 and the operation surface due to pressure fluctuation due to vibration.

In addition, the support position control means 42 transmits a support control signal to the support portion 30 simultaneously with the operation of the vibration control means 41 to cause the protruding support members 300 and 301 to protrude. The protrusion-type support members 300 and 301 are regions x ₁ ′ ≦ x ′ ≦ x ₂ ′, y ₁ ′ ≦ y ′ ≦ y ₂ ′ of the operation surface 32 a of the touch pad 32 where vibration is not applied by the ultrasonic transducer 31. And the region x ₃ ′ ≦ x ′ ≦ x ₄ ′, y ₁ ′ ≦ y ′ ≦ y ₂ ′.

The protruding support members 300 and 301 support the back surface of the operation surface 32a of the touch pad 32, so that a region where vibration is propagated and a region where vibration is suppressed can be formed on the operation surface 32a. In the region where the vibration propagates, the frictional resistance between the user's finger 6 and the operation surface of the operation unit 3 is lower than the case where there is no vibration due to the influence of the squeeze effect, and the friction is small. Further, in the region where vibration is suppressed, the influence of the squeeze effect is small, and the frictional resistance between the user's finger 6 and the operation surface of the operation unit 3 is equivalent to the case where there is no vibration, and the friction becomes large.

That is, in the region x ₁ ′ ≦ x ′ ≦ x ₂ ′, y ₁ ′ ≦ y ′ ≦ y ₂ ′, and the region x ₃ ′ ≦ x ′ ≦ x ₄ ′, y ₁ ′ ≦ y ′ ≦ y ₂ ′ The friction becomes large, and in the other region, the friction becomes small.

Next, the user performs a touch operation on the operation surface 32a of the operation unit 3 with the fingers 6, searches for a region with a large friction in order to change the set temperature of the air conditioner 5, and performs a determination operation in the region.

Next, when the position of the contact point 60 is detected by the touch pad 32 and an operation signal corresponding to the large friction area is input to the controller 4, the operation detection unit 43 is a button on the display screen 20 of the display unit 2. 200 or button 201 is selected and determined.

Next, the apparatus control means 44 controls the air conditioner 5 according to the selected content, and changes preset temperature.

(Effect of embodiment)
According to the above-described embodiment, the operation surface 32a of the touch pad 32 is vibrated at a predetermined frequency outside the area corresponding to the buttons 200 and 201 by using the squeeze effect, and within the area corresponding to the buttons 200 and 201. In the region corresponding to the buttons 200 and 201, the friction other than the region corresponding to the buttons 200 and 201 is reduced, and the user's finger 6 operates the region corresponding to the operation target. A feeling can be imparted.

Further, even when a plurality of fingers are in contact and one finger is in the region and the other finger is outside the region, different frictional resistances can be simultaneously generated in the respective regions.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the region corresponding to the buttons 200 and 201 is supported by the protruding support members 300 and 301 is shown, but the region other than the region corresponding to the buttons 200 and 201 is supported. Also good. Further, the periphery of the area corresponding to the buttons 200 and 201 may be supported.

[Modification]
As described above, the typical configuration example of the input device 1 according to the present invention has been described with reference to each of the above-described embodiments and illustrated examples. However, the following modifications are possible.
(1) The input device 1 can be applied not only to an in-vehicle device but also to input devices of various electronic / electrical devices.
(2) The input device 1 can appropriately select the number of arrangement, the arrangement position, the arrangement form, etc. according to the purpose of use, for example.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from or adjusting the technical idea of the present invention.

The present invention can be applied to an input device for remotely operating an in-vehicle device such as an air conditioner, an audio device, and a navigation device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input device 2 Display part 3 Operation part 4 Controller 5 Air conditioner 6 Finger 20 Display screen 30 Support part 31 Ultrasonic vibrator 32 Touch pad 32a Operation surface 33 Support member 40 Display means 41 Vibration control means 42 Support position control means 43 Operation Detection means 44 Device control means 60 Contact point 200 Button 201 Button 300 Projection type support member

Claims (8)

A display unit for displaying an operation target on the display screen;
A touch pad having an operation surface having a coordinate system corresponding to the coordinates of the display screen of the display unit, and outputting an operation signal based on a contact position with respect to the operation surface;
A vibrator for applying vibration to the touchpad;
A support for supporting the touchpad at an arbitrary position;
An input device comprising: a controller that controls the support unit so as to support an area on the touchpad corresponding to the operation target on the display screen or an area other than the area. The support portion includes a plurality of protruding support members, and protrudes a protruding support member corresponding to an area on the touchpad corresponding to the operation target on the display screen or an area other than the area. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device supports the touchpad. A display unit for displaying an operation target on the display screen;
A touch pad having an operation surface having a coordinate system corresponding to the coordinates of the display screen of the display unit, and outputting an operation signal based on a contact position with respect to the operation surface;
A vibrator for applying vibration to the touchpad;
A support for supporting the touchpad at an arbitrary position;
An input device comprising: a controller that controls the support unit so as to support a periphery of an area on the touchpad corresponding to the operation target on the display screen. A display unit for displaying an operation target on the display screen;
A touch pad having an operation surface having a coordinate system corresponding to the coordinates of the display screen of the display unit, and outputting an operation signal based on a contact position with respect to the operation surface;
A vibrator for applying vibration to the touchpad;
A support for supporting the touchpad at an arbitrary position;
A vibration absorber disposed between the touchpad and the support;
An input device comprising: a controller that controls the support unit so as to support an area on the touch pad corresponding to the operation target on the display screen or the periphery thereof. The support portion has a plurality of protruding type support members,
While the vibrator applies vibration to the touch pad, a protruding support member corresponding to a region on the touch pad or the periphery thereof is brought into contact with the vibration absorbing material to partially vibrate the touch pad. The input device according to claim 4, wherein the input device is suppressed. The input device according to claim 4, wherein the vibration absorbing material is made of an elastic material. The input device according to claim 4, wherein the support portion includes a protruding support member having a vibration absorbing material at a tip. The display unit is mounted on a dashboard of the vehicle,
The input device according to claim 4, wherein the touch pad is attached to a center console or a steering wheel of the vehicle.

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