JP4355223B2 - Vehicle input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of an input device for a vehicle that restricts a driver's input during traveling.

  Conventionally, in a switch for a vehicle, in order to restrict an operation by a driver while traveling, the operation is limited when the presence of a passenger in the passenger seat is confirmed by a sensor. The person will be able to operate.

Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the conventional vehicle input device is provided with operator discriminating means such as an infrared sensor, and when the operator is a passenger in the passenger seat, no operation restriction is performed or operation restriction is not performed. And all operations are permitted (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-306055 JP-A-8-184449

  However, in the above prior art, since the switch and the sensor are separated from each other, the detection is likely to be uncertain, and if the detection distance is increased to improve the detection accuracy, the operation is not performed even though the operator does not bring his hand close. May be detected.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input device for a vehicle that has high operator discrimination accuracy and can perform appropriate input operation restriction.

In order to achieve the above-described object, in the vehicle input device of the present invention, an input unit that is provided at a position where input is possible from both the driver's seat and the passenger's seat, operates a predetermined on-vehicle device, and is mounted on the vehicle according to the traveling state. Proximity trajectory detection for detecting a trajectory of an operator's hand proximate to the input means according to a detection order of a plurality of proximity sensors provided in an input device for a vehicle comprising an input restriction means for restricting input to the device And an operator discriminating unit for discriminating an operator based on the detected proximity trajectory, and the input limiting unit limits an input operation to the in-vehicle device according to the discriminated operator. It was.

  Therefore, in the present invention, since the operator is determined based on the trajectory of the operator's hand, the determination accuracy is high and appropriate input restriction can be performed.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below based on the first embodiment.

First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a hand controller 1 serving as an input means in the vehicle input device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the hand controller 1.

  The hand controller 1 is for operating various in-vehicle devices such as a navigation device while viewing navigation information and input menus displayed on the display device 140 (see FIG. 5).

The hand controller 1 is installed at a center console in a vehicle compartment (not shown), and is installed at a position where input is possible from either the driver's seat or the passenger seat.
In the first embodiment, a passenger seat is provided on the left side in the vehicle width direction with the hand controller 1 in between, and a driver seat is provided on the right side.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hand controller 1 includes a base 10, a multi-directional switch 20, a first detection sensor 31, a second detection sensor 32, and a third detection sensor 33 as proximity locus detection means. And a push switch 40.

  The base 10 is formed in a rectangular plate shape, the multi-directional switch 20 on the upper surface of the base 10, a first detection sensor (first proximity sensor) 31 as a proximity locus detection means, a second detection sensor (second proximity sensor). 32 and a third detection sensor (third proximity sensor) 33 are provided.

  The hand controller 1 is an input unit of a vehicle input device, and includes a multidirectional switch 20 including a finisher 22 and a knob / joypad 21, an item selection switch (thumb switch) 23, and a push switch 40.

  The finisher 22 has a shape obtained by cutting an upper part of a hollow cone with a horizontal plane, and a knob / joypad 21 is installed at an upper end opening thereof. The knob / joypad 21 is a circular operation unit that can be operated in multiple directions, and an operator inputs various in-vehicle devices by pressing the outer periphery of the knob / joypad 21.

  Two item selection switches 23 are provided on the left and right sides of the finisher 22 in the vehicle width direction, a passenger seat item selection switch 23a is provided on the left side in the vehicle width direction, and a driver item selection switch 23b is provided on the right side. Is provided at a position where the item selection switch 23 is operated with its thumb.

  This item selection switch 23 is used for selecting an item of the input menu when a display such as a navigation system is displayed on the display device 140, and when the navigation operation is started, the menu is first selected by the item selection switch 23. After that, each function is operated by other switches.

  Thus, when operating the hand controller 1, the item selection switch 23 is first operated, so that the operator first puts his palm on the multi-directional switch 20 before performing the operation.

  The push switch 40 is provided at a position closer to the front of the vehicle of the hand controller 1, and is divided into left and right in the vehicle width direction, and a left push switch 41 and a right push switch 42 are provided. These two push switches 40 are used to select a desired input from the item input menu.

  These push switches 40 are provided at positions where the operator can operate with the other finger while placing the palm on the multi-directional switch 20 of the hand controller 1 and operating the item selection switch 23 with the thumb.

  The first detection sensor 31 is provided at the lower left end position of the rectangular base 10, and the third detection sensor 33 is provided at the upper right end position of the base 10. Further, the second detection sensor 32 is provided at the vehicle rear side surface position of the finisher 22.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the passenger on the passenger seat operates the hand controller 1 with the passenger's right hand 50, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the driver operates the hand controller 1 with the driver's left hand 60. is there.

  In FIG. 3, as described above, the passenger seat item selection switch 23 a of the item selection switch 23 is provided on the left side of the multidirectional switch 20 in the vehicle width direction. The passenger on the passenger seat can operate the push switch 40 simultaneously with other fingers while operating the passenger seat item selection switch 23a with the thumb 55 of the right hand.

  In FIG. 4, the driver item selection switch 23 b is provided on the right side of the multidirectional switch 20 in the vehicle width direction. As with the passenger on the passenger seat, the driver can operate the push switch 40 with other fingers while operating the item selection switch 23b for the driver with the left thumb 64.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the three detection sensors 31 to 33 are arranged so as to detect whether the hand controller 1 is operated by the left or right hand using the shape difference between the left and right hands. .

That is, when operating the hand controller 1 arranged on the center console, the passenger on the front passenger seat is usually operated with the right hand and the driver is operated with the left hand. For example, it is possible to determine whether the operation is performed by a passenger on the passenger seat or by the driver.
Specifically, if a right hand is detected, it can be regarded as an operation by a passenger on the passenger seat, and if a left hand is detected, it can be regarded as an operation by a driver.

  As described above, the first detection sensor 31 is located at the lower left of the base 10, and when the passenger seat occupant holds the passenger seat occupant right hand 50 over the multidirectional switch 20 of the hand controller 1 for operation, as shown in FIG. When the driver puts the driver's left hand 60 on the vehicle input device, the driver's left palm 61 is hidden as shown in FIG. ing.

  On the other hand, the second detection sensor 32 is located on the vehicle rear side surface of the finisher 22 so as to always detect the operator's palm regardless of whether the passenger in the passenger seat or the driver holds his hand over the hand controller 1 for operation. Is set.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the third detection sensor 33 is operated by the passenger seat occupant holding the passenger seat occupant right hand 50 over the hand controller 1 for operation, so that the middle finger 52, the ring finger 53, and the little finger 54 of the passenger occupant are shown in FIG. 4 and is arranged at a position where the driver's index finger 62 or middle finger 63 can be detected as shown in FIG. 4 by the operation when the driver places his / her hand on the hand controller 1 for operation. ing.
Specifically, the first detection sensor 31 and the third detection sensor 33 are provided near the diagonal line of the base 10.

  As these three sensors, proximity sensors, such as an infrared sensor, can be used, for example. In the first embodiment, an infrared sensor is used, and the maximum detectable range is set to about 10 mm.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the vehicle input device according to the first embodiment.
The vehicle input device includes the above-described hand controller 1, detection sensors 31 to 33, a control device 110, a vehicle speed sensor (vehicle speed detection means) 120 such as a wheel speed sensor for detecting the vehicle speed, and a passenger seat (not shown). For example, a passenger seat seating sensor 130 using a pressure sensor embedded in a seat cushion and a display device 140 such as a liquid crystal panel are provided.

  The control device 110 includes a traveling state determination unit 111, a passenger seat occupant presence / absence determination unit 112, an input control unit 113 (operator determination unit and input restriction unit), and a counter 114.

The traveling state determination unit 111 determines whether the host vehicle is traveling based on a signal from the vehicle speed sensor 120 and outputs the determination result to the input control unit 113.
The passenger seat occupant presence / absence determination unit 112 determines the presence or absence of a passenger seat occupant based on a signal from the passenger seat seating sensor 130 and outputs the determination result to the input control unit 113.

  The counter 114 starts counting when the detection sensor 31-33 detects the driver's left hand 60 and the input to the passenger is interrupted after the detection of the passenger's left hand input, and the detection sensor 31-33. Stops counting when it detects no passenger occupant input.

The input control unit 113 switches navigation information and input menu of the display device 140 in accordance with the output of each switch of the hand controller 1. Further, the operator is discriminated based on the output results of the traveling state determination unit 111 and the passenger seat occupant presence / absence determination unit 112 and the order of the detection signals received from the three sensors of the detection sensors 31 to 33 (operations). Person discrimination means).
As a result, when it is determined that the operator is not a passenger in the passenger seat, the input control unit 113 performs input restriction (input restriction control means).

  Specifically, when it is determined that the input to the hand controller 1 is input to the driver's left hand 60, that is, the driver, the input is limited. On the other hand, if it is determined that the input is input to the right hand, that is, the passenger on the passenger seat, all inputs are possible.

  Further, when the input of the passenger in the passenger seat is detected by the detection order of the detection sensors 31 to 33, the input control unit 113 causes the counter 114 to reach a predetermined value after the input to each switch is interrupted. When the operation ends.

Next, the operation will be described.
[Operator judgment control]
In FIG. 3, when an occupant on the front passenger seat performs input on the hand controller 1 installed on the center console, the front passenger occupant right hand 50 is extended from the left side of the hand controller 1 and input is performed.

  As described above, when the hand controller 1 is operated at the start of the operation of the navigation system, a palm is placed on the multi-directional switch 20 in order to operate the item selection switch 23.

  The passenger in the front passenger seat reaches the multi-directional switch 20 of the hand controller 1 as it is, and the front passenger right hand 50 of the passenger in the front passenger seat crosses over each of the sensors 31 to 33.

  At that time, the passenger seat occupant right hand 50 of the passenger seat passenger approaching from the left side of the hand controller 1 detects the passenger seat occupant right hand 50 in the order of the first detection sensor 31, the second detection sensor 32, and the third detection sensor 33, The detection is output to the input control unit 113 of the control device 110.

  Therefore, if the detection sensors 31 to 33 detect the operator's hand in the order of the first detection sensor 31 → the second detection sensor 32 → the third detection sensor 33, it can be determined that the hand is almost the passenger's passenger's hand, and input control is performed. It is determined by the section 113 that the passenger on the passenger seat is about to operate.

  When the detection by the detection sensors 31 to 33 is other than the above, for example, when the operator's hand is detected in the order of the second detection sensor 32 → the third detection sensor 33 → the first detection sensor 31, the input control unit 113 detects the passenger seat passenger Does not determine that he is trying to operate.

[Sensor output variable control]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a standard of the position of the operator's hand and the detection intensity of the detection sensor.
In the hand controller 1, the input control unit 113 performs detection by changing the detection intensity of the detection sensors 31 to 33 depending on how close the operator's hand is to the detection sensors 31 to 33 of the hand controller 1.

When the detection sensors 31 to 33 detect the right hand 50 of the operator in the order of the first detection sensor 31 → the second detection sensor 32 → the third detection sensor 33, the input control unit 113 determines that the operation is performed by a passenger on the passenger seat. The detection intensity of each of the detection sensors 31 to 33 is reduced.
At this time, the input control unit 113 has not released the input restriction.

At this time, if the right hand 50 of the passenger in the passenger seat does not come closer to the hand controller 1 than before the decrease in detection intensity, the detection sensors 31 to 33 whose detection intensity has decreased cannot detect the right hand 50 of the passenger in the passenger seat. The input control unit 113 does not release the input restriction.
Specifically, in FIG. 6, when the right hand 50 of the passenger in the passenger seat is farther from the hand controller 1 than the position where the detection intensity is weak, it cannot be detected.

After the detection intensity of the detection sensors 31 to 33 is lowered, if the right hand 50 of the passenger in the passenger seat comes closer to the hand controller 1 than before the reduction of the detection intensity, even the detection sensors 31 to 33 having the reduced detection intensity can sufficiently detect. When approaching the position, each of the sensors 31 to 33 can detect the right hand 50 of the passenger on the passenger seat.
Specifically, in FIG. 6, when the right hand 50 of the passenger in the passenger seat is at a position with a weak detection intensity, the detection is detected by the detection sensors 31 to 33, and the input control unit 113 releases the input restriction.

[Input mode switching control processing]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the input mode switching control process executed by the input control unit 113 of the control device 110, and each step will be described below.

  In step S1, the traveling state determination unit 111 determines whether the vehicle is traveling. If YES, the process proceeds to step S2, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S2, the passenger seat occupant presence / absence determination unit 112 determines the presence or absence of a passenger. If YES, the process proceeds to step S3, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S <b> 3, the input control unit 113 determines the detection order of the three detection sensors 31 to 33. If the detection order is the first detection sensor 31 → the second detection sensor 32 → the third detection sensor 33, the process proceeds to step S4, and if not, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S4, the input control part 113 reduces the output of each detection sensor of the detection sensors 31-33, and transfers to step S5.

  In step S <b> 5, the input control unit 113 determines whether each of the detection sensors 31 to 33 detects the operator's hand. If the operator's hand is detected, the process proceeds to step S6. If not detected, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S6, the operation mode is set to the passenger seat mode, and the process proceeds to step S9. Here, the “passenger seat mode” refers to an operation mode in which all operations are possible.

  In step S7, the operation mode is set to the driver mode, and this control is terminated. Here, the “driver mode” refers to an operation mode that restricts complicated operations.

  In step S8, the operation mode is set to the stop mode, and this control is terminated. Here, the “stop mode” refers to an operation mode in which all operations are possible as in the passenger seat mode.

  In step S9, the counter 114 is started and the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, the input control unit 113 determines whether or not there is an operation input to the hand controller 1. If YES, the process proceeds to step S11, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S11, the input of the local controller 1 is processed and output to the in-vehicle device that is the input target, and the process returns to step S10.

  In step S12, it is determined whether or not the time t measured by the counter 114 is smaller than a preset set time T. If YES, the process returns to step S10, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, the counter 114 is stopped and the control is terminated.

[Input mode switching control action]
(1) While traveling, there is an occupant in the passenger seat, and the operator's hand is detected in the order of the first detection sensor 31 → the second detection sensor 32 → the third detection sensor 33, and the operator's hand is detected thereafter. In this case, in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the process proceeds from step S1, step S2, step S3, step S4, step S5, and step S6.
That is, in step S6, the operation mode becomes the passenger seat mode, and all inputs by the passenger in the passenger seat are possible even while traveling.

(2) After the operation mode is changed to the passenger seat mode in step S6, when there is an operation input in the hand controller 1, the flow returns to step S6 → step S9 → step S10 → step S10 in the flowchart of FIG. .
That is, the passenger seat mode is continued until the operation input to the hand controller 1 is completed, and all inputs by the passenger in the passenger seat are possible.

(3) After the operation mode is changed to the passenger seat mode in step S6, there is no operation input in the hand controller 1, but when the time during which the passenger in the passenger seat is operating does not exceed the set time of the counter 114, FIG. In the flowchart, the flow returns to step S6 → step S9 → step S10 → step S12 → step S10.
That is, when the passenger seat occupant does not exceed the set time T after starting the operation input to the hand controller 1, the passenger seat mode continues until the set time T elapses, assuming that the operation input has not ended.

(4) After the operation mode is changed to the passenger seat mode in step S6, when there is no operation input to the hand controller 1, and the time during which the passenger on the passenger seat is operating exceeds the set time T of the counter 114, FIG. In this flowchart, the flow proceeds from step S6 to step S9 to step S10 to step S12 to step S13.
In other words, if the time after the detection of the passenger of the passenger seat by the detection sensors 31 to 33 exceeds the set time T, the operation input is ended and the control is ended.

(5) When a passenger in the passenger seat is present while traveling and the operator's hand is detected in the order of the first detection sensor 31 → the second detection sensor 32 → the third detection sensor 33, but is not detected thereafter In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the flow proceeds from step S1, step S2, step S3, step S4, step S5, and step S7.
That is, in step S7, the operation mode becomes the driver mode, and the complicated operation becomes impossible.

(6) If a passenger in the passenger seat is present during traveling and the operator's hand is not detected in the order of the first detection sensor 31 → the second detection sensor 32 → the third detection sensor 33, the steps in the flowchart of FIG. The flow proceeds from S1 to step S2 to step S3 to step S7.
That is, in step S7, the operation mode becomes the driver mode, and the complicated operation becomes impossible.

(7) When no passenger is present in the passenger seat while traveling, the flow proceeds from step S1 to step S2 to step S7 in the flowchart of FIG.
That is, in step S7, the operation mode becomes the driver mode, and the complicated operation becomes impossible.

  (8) When the vehicle is stopped, the flow proceeds from step S1 to step S8 in the flowchart of FIG. That is, in step S8, the operation mode becomes the stop mode, and all operations are possible.

Next, the effect will be described.
In the car navigation device according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) Detection sensors 31 to 33 that detect the locus of the operator's hand in proximity to the hand controller 1 and an input control unit 113 that determines the operator based on the detected proximity locus are provided. No. 113 restricts the input operation to the in-vehicle device according to the determined operator.
As a result, it is possible to more reliably determine the operator, and it is possible to provide a vehicle input device that performs appropriate operation restriction. Further, by providing the detection sensors 31 to 33 in the hand controller 1, it is possible to reduce the size.

(2) The first detection sensor 31 is provided at a position closer to the rear of the passenger seat side vehicle of the hand controller 1, the second detection sensor is provided at the vehicle width center position, and the third detection sensor 33 is provided at a position closer to the front of the driver seat side vehicle. When the operator's hand is detected in the order of the first detection sensor 31, the second detection sensor 32, and the third detection sensor 33, the input control unit 113 determines that the operator is a passenger in the passenger seat and performs input control. The unit 113 does not limit the input operation to the in-vehicle device.
As a result, the operation restriction can be released after the operation of the passenger on the passenger seat is reliably detected, and the reliability of the operation restriction can be further improved.

(3) Three proximity sensors are arranged at positions where the operator's hand is reliably detected when the operator places his / her hand on the multi-directional switch 20, and the input control unit 113 includes all the detection sensors 31 to 33. While detecting the hand of the operator, the hand controller 1 is set to the passenger seat mode to cancel the input operation restriction to the navigation system.
Thereby, while the passenger's occupant right hand 50 is detected, all operations of the navigation system can be performed, and appropriate operation restrictions can be performed.

(4) In order to select menu items in the navigation system, two item selection switches 23 for selecting menu items are provided on the left and right sides of the multi-directional switch 20 in the vehicle width direction.
Thereby, when the operation of the navigation system is started, the operator tries to operate the item selection switch 23 by placing his / her palm on the multi-directional switch 20, so the first detection sensor 31 provided in the hand controller 1, The sensors of the second detection sensor 32 and the third detection sensor 33 can reliably detect the operator's hand, and the reliability of the operation restriction can be improved.

(5) When the operator's hand is detected in the order of the first detection sensor 31, the second detection sensor 32, and the third detection sensor 33, the outputs of the three detection sensors 31 to 33 are reduced, and the input control unit 113 After the output of the detection sensors 31 to 33 is reduced, when all the detection sensors 31 to 33 detect the operator's hand, the input operation restriction to the in-vehicle device is not performed.
As a result, first, after detecting the passenger's hand, it can be detected again whether or not the right hand 50 of the passenger in the passenger seat is very close to the hand controller 1, and the operation restriction can be released, and the detection accuracy can be improved. Can be increased.

(Other examples)
Although the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described based on the first embodiment, the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, infrared sensors are installed on the lower left and upper right portions of the hand controller 1 and on the side surface of the finisher 22. However, if it can be detected whether the operation is performed by the passenger's passenger right hand 50 or the driver left hand 60, Other installation methods may be used.

  The operation menu may be set separately at the time of the first detection when the detection intensity of the detection sensors 31 to 33 is strong, and the operation restriction may be performed based on the second detection result obtained by reducing the detection intensity.

It is a perspective view which shows a hand controller. It is a top view of a hand controller. It is a figure where a passenger in a passenger seat operates a hand controller with the right hand. It is a figure which a driver | operator operates a hand controller with a left hand. It is a block diagram which shows the control performed with the input device for vehicles. It is the figure which showed the standard of the position of an operator's hand, and the detection strength of a detection sensor. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the input mode switching control process performed by the input control part of a control apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Hand controller 10 Base 20 Multi-directional switch 21 Joypad knob 22 Finisher 23 Item selection switch 23a Passenger seat item selection switch 23b Driver item selection switch 31 First detection sensor 32 Second detection sensor 33 Third detection sensor 40 Push switch 41 Left push switch 42 Right push switch 50 Passenger right occupant right 51 Passenger occupant right palm 52 Passenger occupant middle finger 53 Passenger occupant ring finger 54 Passenger occupant little finger 55 Passenger occupant thumb 60 Driver left hand 61 Driver's left palm 62 Driver Index Finger 63 Driver Middle Finger 64 Driver Thumb 110 Control Device 111 Traveling State Judgment Unit 112 Passenger Seat Crew Presence / Absence Judgment Unit 113 Input Control Unit 114 Counter 120 Vehicle Speed Sensor 130 Passenger Seat Sitting Sensor 140 Display Device

Claims (5)

Input means provided at a position where input can be performed from both the driver's seat and the passenger's seat, and operating a predetermined in-vehicle device;
Input limiting means for limiting input to the in-vehicle device according to the running state;
In a vehicle input device comprising:
Proximity trajectory detection means for detecting the trajectory of the operator's hand close to the input means according to the detection order of a plurality of proximity sensors provided ;
Operator discriminating means for discriminating an operator based on the detected proximity locus;
Provided,
The vehicle input device according to claim 1, wherein the input restricting means restricts an input operation to the in-vehicle device according to the determined operator. The vehicle input device according to claim 1,
The proximity locus detecting means includes a first proximity sensor provided at a position closer to the rear of the vehicle on the passenger seat side of the input means, a second proximity sensor provided at a center position in the vehicle width direction of the input means, and a driver seat side of the input means. A third proximity sensor provided at a position closer to the front of the vehicle,
The operator determination means determines that the operator is a passenger in the passenger seat when the operator's hand is detected in the order of the first proximity sensor, the second proximity sensor, and the third proximity sensor,
The input device for a vehicle, wherein when the operator is determined to be a passenger in the passenger seat, the input restricting unit cancels the input operation restriction to the in-vehicle device. The vehicle input device according to claim 2,
The three proximity sensors are arranged at positions where the operator's hand is detected when the operator places his / her hand on the input means,
The vehicle input device according to claim 1, wherein the input restriction unit releases the restriction on the input operation to the in-vehicle device while all the proximity sensors detect the operator's hand. In the vehicle input device according to claim 3,
The input means includes
A multi-directional switch provided at a position between the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor;
When the operator puts his palm on the multi-directional switch, a thumb switch provided at a position operable with the thumb and a push switch provided at a position operable with a finger other than the thumb;
An input device for a vehicle, comprising: The vehicle input device according to claim 4,
The proximity trajectory detection means reduces the outputs of the three proximity sensors when the operator's hand is detected in the order of the first proximity sensor, the second proximity sensor, and the third proximity sensor,
The input restriction unit releases the restriction of the input operation to the in-vehicle device when all the proximity sensors detect the operator's hand after the output of the proximity sensor is reduced.

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