On-vehicle instrument control device and on-vehicle instrument control method

Abstract

To provide an air-conditioning control device improved in operability.SOLUTION: In an air-conditioning control device according to the embodiment, a controller 30 makes a touch panel-type display 10 display a display screen including an image 50 of a seat and an image 40 of a reference region, which when touch operation to the display screen on the display 10 has a direction from the image 40 of the reference region towards the image 50 of the seat, outputs a control command to increase air volumes of air blown from an air conditioner 20, and when the touch operation has a direction going from the seat towards the reference region, outputs a control command to decrease air volumes of air blown from the air conditioner 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to In-vehicle device control Equipment and In-vehicle device control This relates to a method. [Background technology]

[0002] A touch-type operation input device for a vehicle is known that changes the set temperature and set airflow for controlling an air conditioner by a continuous touch operation on a touch surface. For example, the input device described in Patent Document 1 includes a driving state identification means for identifying whether the vehicle is driving or not, a touch operation input means for accepting a continuous touch operation, and a control means for changing a control parameter. On a temperature setting screen displayed on a screen display unit, memory images are drawn at equal intervals around a rotation axis, and a pointer image is drawn that rotates around the rotation axis to indicate the memory images, and the pointer image can be moved by a slide operation on the touch surface. Then, by changing the position indicated by the pointer image, the current set values ​​of the control parameters indicating the set temperature and the set airflow can be changed, and although the operation to change the set values ​​of the control parameters is the same when the vehicle is driving and when it is stopped, the contents to be changed are different. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-97519 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned touch-type operation input device for vehicles, the temperature setting screen displayed on the screen display unit only displays a memory indicating the temperature level and a pointer image pointing to the memory, which means that the user cannot intuitively grasp which part of the vehicle's air conditioning is being controlled, resulting in poor operability.

[0005] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to improve operability. In-vehicle device control Equipment and In-vehicle device control The objective of the present invention is to provide a method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In the present invention, a display screen including a seat image representing a seat and a reference area image representing a reference area is displayed on a touch panel display, and when a touch operation on the display screen of the display has a direction from the reference area image to the seat image, Control amount of in-vehicle devices When the touch operation has a direction from the seat image to the reference area image, a control command to increase the Control amount of in-vehicle devices The above problem is solved by outputting a control command to decrease the Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, by touching the display screen, In-vehicle This can improve operability when operating the device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an air conditioning control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of a dashboard equipped with the display of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display screen of the display of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display screen of the display of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen of the display of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display screen of the display of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the temperature display and the set temperature. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display screen of a display in an air-conditioning control system according to a modified example of this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An embodiment of an air conditioning control system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an air conditioning control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioning control system 1 is a system mounted on a vehicle, and includes a display 10, an air conditioner 20, and a controller 30. The air conditioning control system 1 according to this embodiment accepts touch operations via the touch panel display 10, and controls the air conditioner 20 based on the touch operations.

[0010] The display 10 is a touch panel type display and is mounted on a vehicle. The touch panel type display 10 includes a pressure sensor, and detects a touch operation by a user by measuring the pressure applied to the display 10 during a touch operation from a resistance value, a voltage, or the like. The mechanism of the pressure sensor is not particularly limited, and any method known at the time of filing can be used as appropriate. The touch panel is not limited to a pressure sensitive type, and may be of another type such as an electrostatic type. FIG. 2 is a front view of the vicinity of a dashboard equipped with a touch panel. As shown in FIG. 2, the display 10 is a display (center display) in the front part of the dashboard, and is disposed between the driver's seat and the passenger seat. The display 10 is provided at a position where it can be touched by a passenger sitting in the driver's seat (hereinafter also referred to as the "driver") and a passenger sitting in the passenger seat (hereinafter also referred to as the "passenger seat passenger"). As described later, the air conditioning device 20 can blow air independently to the driver and the passenger seat passenger, and by arranging the display 10 at a position where the driver and the passenger seat passenger can touch it, the driver and the passenger seat passenger can independently operate the air conditioning of the seat space. In the following description, the air conditioning device 20 refers to a device that adjusts the temperature of the seat space and a device that suppresses the defogging of the glass, and corresponds to a so-called air conditioner. In addition, the display 10 does not necessarily need to be arranged at a position where both the driver and the passenger seat passenger can touch it, and may be arranged at a position where only the driver can touch it, for example. In addition, the display 10 is not limited to being arranged on the dashboard, and may be arranged at a position where the passenger in the rear seat can touch it, for example.

[0011] The occupant selects an operation for the air conditioner 20 from the menu screen by touching the display 10 with a finger or an operating device instead of a finger, and displays a screen for operating the air conditioner 20. In the following description, the touch operation using a finger will be mainly described, but in this embodiment, the touch operation using an operating device instead of a finger may be performed. The occupant operates the air conditioner 20 by touching the display screen of the display 10. The touch operation is a pointing operation performed by a gesture using a finger, such as touching an icon or button displayed on the display 10 with a finger, or bringing a finger close to an icon or button. The touch operation is a tap (touching the screen once), a double tap (touching the screen twice), a long tap (pressing and holding the screen), a swipe (sliding a finger that has touched the screen on the screen as it is (tracing the finger)), a flick (moving a finger that has touched the screen on the screen in a quick flicking motion), a pinch in / pinch out (touching the screen with two fingers and moving the two fingers closer / farther apart), etc. The touch operation is not limited to a first gesture of touching one or more points on the screen with a finger, but may also include a second gesture of moving the contact point of the finger while touching the screen. The touch operation does not have to directly touch the display screen, and may be so-called hovering, in which a finger or the like is brought close to the display screen. The operation method of the touch operation is not limited to these, and may be other methods. In the following description, the embodiment will be described mainly using a touch operation when a finger or the like is directly touched on the display screen as an example, but in the case of hovering, the following description of "finger contact" can be replaced with hovering.

[0012] The air conditioning device 20 is an air conditioner that adjusts the temperature inside the vehicle cabin. The air conditioning device 20 is configured with an air conditioning system including a compressor and the like, and has an outlet that blows air into the passenger seat space, a defroster for removing fog from the windshield and / or side windows, and the like. The outlet is provided on the dashboard or the lower part of the dashboard. The outlet on the dashboard is a front outlet, and is arranged to blow air toward the front of the seat. The outlet on the lower part of the dashboard is a lower outlet, and is arranged to blow air toward the lower part of the seat. The air direction changes depending on the direction of the fins inside the outlet. The defroster has an outlet that blows air from the front part of the dashboard along the windshield, and outputs the air generated by the air conditioning system.

[0013] The controller 30 is configured by a computer having hardware and software, and has a memory storing a program, a CPU executing the program stored in the memory, and the like. The controller 30 has a display control unit 31 and an air conditioning control unit 32 as functional blocks, and programs for realizing each function of the display control unit 31 and the air conditioning control unit 32 are stored in the memory. Then, the computer included in the controller 30 executes the program to realize each function of the functional block. The controller 30 is connected to the display 10 and the air conditioning equipment 20 via a CAN communication network or the like, and controls the air conditioning equipment 20 as a control target in addition to the display 10. The controller 30 has a control block for controlling various systems in the vehicle cabin, such as a function for controlling an audio system, in addition to the display 10 and the air conditioning control unit 32, and controls other in-vehicle equipment in addition to the display 10 and the air conditioning equipment 20. Note that various systems included in the vehicle are controlled by multiple ECUs, and in FIG. 1, the multiple ECUs are illustrated as the controller 30. Note that a device having the controller 30 corresponds to the "air conditioning control device" of the present invention.

[0014] The display control unit 31 controls the display screen of the display 10. When the display control unit 31 detects a touch operation by the display, it accepts an operation command according to the position of the touch operation on the display screen and the type of the touch operation. The display control unit 31 generates an image showing the operating state of the air conditioner 20 on the display screen and outputs it to the display 10. The operating state of the air conditioner 20 is displayed so that the occupant can identify it by changing the shape, color, pattern, animation, etc. of the image included on the display screen. The display control unit 31 also outputs the accepted operation command to the air conditioning control unit 32.

[0015] The air conditioning control unit 32 controls the air conditioner 20 based on the touch operation. The air conditioning control unit 32 identifies a control item from the content of the touch operation, and controls the system on / off, selection of an air outlet, and the volume, temperature, and direction of the air blown out from the air outlet according to the identified control item. The air conditioning control unit 32 outputs a control command according to the control item to the air conditioner 20. The control items are predetermined according to the specifications of the air conditioner, such as air volume setting, air direction setting, temperature setting, and selection of an air outlet. The control items are selected by touch operation of the display 10 or a switch provided in the vehicle. The air conditioning control unit 32 also manages the operating state of the air conditioner 20 and the environment in the vehicle cabin. The environment in the vehicle cabin is managed using a temperature sensor, etc.

[0016] The control of the air conditioner 20 by the air conditioning control unit 32 and the control of the display screen by the display control unit 31 are associated with each other by an application (software). The display control unit 31 accepts an operation command by touching the display screen, and the air conditioning control unit 32 identifies a control item corresponding to the operation command and outputs a control command corresponding to the control item to the air conditioner 20. In addition, when the air conditioning control unit 32 changes the operation of the air conditioner 20 according to the temperature environment in the vehicle cabin while the air conditioner 20 is being controlled with the automatic setting, the air conditioning control unit 32 transmits a signal indicating the operation state after the change to the display control unit 31. The display control unit 31 displays the current operation state of the air conditioner 20 on the display 10 based on the signal received from the air conditioning control unit 32. This allows the occupant to operate the air conditioner 20 using the display 10 and check the operation state of the air conditioner 20 from the display screen of the display 10.

[0017] Next, a control method for the air conditioner 20 using the display 10 and a display screen of the display 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5. Figs. 3 to 5 show the display screen of the display 10, which is an operation screen for controlling the air conditioner 20. The control method described below is effective when the display screen of the display 10 displays an operation screen for the air conditioner 20. The display screen of the display 10 is long horizontally. The display screens shown in Figs. 3 to 5 are displayed when operating the air conditioner 20 at the front of the vehicle. In Figs. 3 to 5, the x-axis represents the width direction (left-right direction) of the vehicle, the y-axis represents the depth in the traveling direction (forward direction) of the vehicle, and the z-axis represents the height direction (up-down direction).

[0018] When the occupant turns on the main switch of the display 10, the display control unit 31 displays a top screen on the display 10. The occupant touches "air conditioner" as an operation target from the menu display in the top screen, and the display 10 detects the touch operation. The controller 30 starts an application for operating the air conditioner 20. The application for controlling the air conditioner 20 may be started before selecting "air conditioner". The display control unit 31 outputs a control command to the display 10 in order to display the display screens shown in Figs. 3 to 5 on the display 10. When operating the air conditioner 20, the initial display screen of the display 10 may display the items at the time of the previous setting. For example, the air volume, air direction, temperature, etc. at the time of the previous operation of the air conditioner 20 are displayed on the current initial display screen. Alternatively, if the operation of the air conditioner 20 is determined by initial setting, the operation contents of the initial setting are displayed on the current initial display screen. The initial settings may be changeable by the passenger or may be changed by the system.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the display screen of the display 10 includes a main switch button 11, a mode switch button 12, a steering wheel icon 13, a reference area image 40, a seat image 50, a synchronization switch button 70, temperature adjustment bars 81, 82, and temperature display images 91, 92. The main switch button 11 is a button for switching the air conditioner 20 on and off by touch operation. The button display is white in the off state, and the white part is orange in the on state. In the following description, the on and off displays of other button icons are similarly expressed as white and orange. The mode switch button 12 is a switch for switching the operation mode (AUTO, MANUAL) of the air conditioner 20. The steering wheel icon 13 is located on the right side of the display screen, and indicates that the seat on the right side of the display screen is the driver's seat. The icons and buttons displayed on the display screen define an area in which touch operation is enabled to control the air conditioner 20 according to their types. Therefore, the user can operate the air conditioner 20 by touching the icons and buttons.

[0020] The reference area image 40 is an image within a predetermined range with the center point of the display screen as the center of the area, and has at least a fan icon 41. The fan icon 41 is represented by a figure imitating an air outlet (fan) at the center of the display screen. In other words, the fan icon 41 is an icon imitating the air conditioner 20 to be controlled. The display screen of the display 10 includes the reference area image 40 representing the reference area and a seat image 50 representing a seat. The reference area is an area set to determine a direction for performing a touch operation having a certain direction (vector) such as tapping, swiping, or flicking (hereinafter also referred to as a directional touch operation). In other words, when a directional touch operation is performed on the display screen for adjusting the air volume as described later, the reference area is provided to indicate on the display screen the position where the finger is to be touched in the directional touch operation, or the direction of the finger's movement. In other words, the directional touch operation may be a touch operation in which the movement of the contact point of the finger or the like accompanying the touch operation has a vector. In the examples of Figs. 3 to 5, the reference area is a vertically elongated area (area surrounded by a dotted ellipse) with a fan icon (fan shape) 41 at the center. The reference area is defined as a closed space such as a rectangle, a circle, an ellipse, etc. The reference area image does not necessarily need to be an image that allows the occupant to recognize the boundary of the reference area, and it is sufficient if it includes at least the fan icon 41. In other words, the reference area should be set on the display screen so that the occupant can specify the direction in which to move the finger and / or the position where the finger first touches when operating the screen with a directional touch operation.

[0021] The seat image 50 is drawn as the seat looks like when viewed from the rear. The seat image 50 includes a right seat image 51 and a left seat image 52. When the vehicle travel direction (forward direction) is the front, the right seat image 51 represents the right seat (driver's seat), and the left seat image 52 represents the left seat (passenger seat). The seat image 50 corresponds to an icon indicating the position of the user. For example, the right seat image 51 indicates the position of the driver. The reference area image 40 is located between the right seat image 51 and the left seat image 52 on the display screen. The right seat image 51 and the left seat image 52 are displayed on the display screen in the arrangement when the right seat and the left seat are viewed from the rear. The left and right seat images 51, 52 and the fan icon 41 are displayed in a front-to-back positional relationship in the y-axis direction so as to have depth on the display screen. The left and right seat images 51, 52 are displayed so that each seat faces the front fan icon 41 by rotating the right seat counterclockwise from the front about the z axis and the left seat clockwise from the front about the z axis by a predetermined angle (for example, in the range of 10 degrees to 45 degrees). In other words, the reference area image 40 and the left and right seat images 51, 52 are arranged so that the left and right seats face the reference area on the display screen. This allows a passenger looking at the display screen to visually grasp from the display 10 that the left and right seats face the front fan icon 41.

[0022] The positional relationship in the z-axis direction between the reference area image 40 and the seat image 50 will be described. The right seat image 51 and the left seat image 52 are displayed on the display screen at the same height in the z-axis direction. The fan icon 41 is displayed on the display screen so as to be at the same height as the chests of the left and right seat images 51, 52 in the z-axis direction. As will be described later, an image (icon) showing the wind from the air conditioner 20 is displayed between the reference area image 40 and the seat image 50. The heights of the reference area and the seat images are specified so that the area between the fan icon 41 and the chest of the seat image 50 on the display screen can be distinguished into an upper area and a lower area relative to this area.

[0023] Next, the display of the wind blown from the air conditioner 20 will be described. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a right wind image 61 is displayed between the reference area image 40 and the right seat image 51, and a left wind image 62 is displayed between the reference area image 40 and the left seat image 52. The right wind image 61 is an image of wind blown from the air conditioner 20 toward the right seat, and the left wind image 62 is an image of wind blown from the air conditioner 20 toward the left seat. The right wind image 61 is displayed in touch areas 610 to 630, which will be described later, and the left wind image 62 is displayed in touch areas 640 to 660, which will be described later. The right wind image 61 and the left wind image 62 are not displayed when the air volume level is "0", and are displayed when the air volume level is higher than "0". The right wind image 61 and the left wind image 62 indicate whether or not wind is blowing, and the passenger can easily understand whether or not wind is blowing based on whether or not the right wind image 61 and the left wind image 62 are displayed.

[0024] The reference area image 40 includes a "+" icon 42 and a "-" icon 43 in addition to the above-mentioned fan icon 41. The "+" icon 42 is a button for increasing the air volume, and the "-" icon 43 is a button for decreasing the air volume. When the occupant touches the "+" icon 42 once on the display screen, the air volume increases by one step, and when the occupant touches the "-" icon 43 once, the air volume decreases by one step. The air volume level increases or decreases according to the number of touches. When the "+" icon 42 is touched with a long tap, the air volume level becomes the maximum value, and when the "-" icon 43 is touched with a long tap, the air volume level becomes zero or the minimum value (greater than 0).

[0025] The area between the reference area image 40 and the right seat image 51 is divided into a touch area 610 between the fan icon 41 and the chest of the right seat image 51, a touch area 620 between the "+" icon 42 and the head of the right seat image 51, and a touch area 630 between the "-" icon 43 and the lower part (seat part) of the right seat image 51. The touch area 610 is an area for operating the wind blown from the front outlet to the right seat, the touch area 620 is an area for operating the defroster, and the touch area 630 is an area for operating the wind blown from the lower outlet to the lower part of the right seat. That is, the control target of the air conditioner 20 changes depending on the position of the touch operation. For example, when the occupant adjusts the volume of the wind blown from the front outlet to the right seat, the occupant may touch the touch area 610. Note that a specific operation method for adjusting the volume of the wind will be described later. The area between the reference area image 40 and the left seat image 52 is also divided into touch areas 640, 650, and 660 in the same manner. Touch area 640 is an area for controlling the airflow coming out of the front air outlet to the left seat, touch area 650 is an area for controlling the defroster, and touch area 660 is an area for controlling the airflow coming out of the lower air outlet to the lower part of the left seat. On the display screen, touch areas 610 and 640 are adjacent to the fan icon 41, touch areas 620 and 650 are adjacent to the "+" icon 42, and touch areas 630 and 660 are adjacent to the "-" icon 43.

[0026] A wind icon 611 representing wind blowing toward the front of the right seat, a defroster icon 621 representing a defroster, and a wind icon 631 representing wind blowing toward the lower part of the right seat surface are displayed on the display screen of the display 10. On the display screen of the display 10, the wind icon 611 is displayed between the fan icon 41 and the chest of the right seat image 51, the defroster icon 621 is displayed between the "+" icon 42 and the head of the right seat image 51, and the wind icon 631 is displayed between the "-" icon 43 and the lower part (seat surface) of the right seat image 51. The wind icons 611 and 631 are represented by arrows, and the direction of the arrows is from the reference area image 40 to the right seat image 51.

[0027] A wind icon 641 representing wind blowing toward the front of the left seat, a defroster icon 651 representing a defroster, and a wind icon 661 representing wind blowing toward the bottom of the left seat surface are displayed on the display screen of the display 10. On the display screen of the display 10, the wind icon 641 is displayed between the fan icon 41 and the chest of the left seat image 52, the defroster icon 651 is displayed between the "+" icon 42 and the head of the left seat image 52, and the wind icon 661 is displayed between the "-" icon 43 and the bottom (seat surface) of the left seat image 52. The wind icons 641 and 661 are represented by arrows, and the direction of the arrows is from the reference area image 40 to the left seat image 52.

[0028] Wind icons 611, 631, 641, and 661 are displayed in touch areas 610, 630, 640, and 660, respectively, to visually indicate to the occupant that the wind from the air outlet to the front and bottom of the seat can be adjusted by touching the touch areas 610, 630, 640, and 660. Defroster icons 621 and 651 are displayed in touch areas 620 and 650, respectively, to visually indicate to the occupant that the defroster can be adjusted by touching the touch areas 620 and 650. The directions of the wind icons 611, 631, 641, and 661 indicate the operation direction of the directional touch operation when increasing the amount of wind.

[0029] Next, the operation method for adjusting the air volume and the display form of the air volume will be described. The touch areas 610 to 660 represent areas where touch operations for operating the air conditioner 20 are enabled independently for each area. That is, the touch area 610 represents an area where touch operations for adjusting the airflow from the front air outlet to the right passenger are enabled. The touch areas 620 and 650 represent areas where touch operations for controlling the defroster are enabled. The touch area 630 represents an area where touch operations for adjusting the airflow from the lower air outlet to the right passenger are enabled. The touch areas 640 and 660 represent areas where touch operations for adjusting the airflow from the air outlet to the left passenger are enabled, similar to the touch areas 610 and 630.

[0030] A control target to be operated can be selected by performing a touch operation in an area corresponding to the control target to be operated from among the touch areas 610 to 660. The control target corresponds to a device from which wind is to be output among the entire air conditioner 20. For example, if an occupant wants to adjust the wind blowing from the front air outlet to the right seat, the occupant touches the touch area 610. Note that the touch operation for selecting the control target does not need to be a directional touch operation, and may be a touch operation that does not have a direction (a fixed direction (vector)), such as a tap. The strength of the wind volume can be switched depending on the direction of the directional touch operation within the touch area. When the directional touch operation has a direction from the reference area image 40 toward the seat image 50, the volume of the wind blown from the air conditioner 20 increases. On the other hand, when the directional touch operation has a direction from the seat image 50 toward the reference area image 40, the volume of the wind blown from the air conditioner 20 decreases. For example, if a right-side passenger wants to increase the volume of air coming out of the front air outlet, the passenger touches within the touch area 610 and moves his / her finger in the direction from the fan icon 41 toward the right seat image 51 while still touching. Also, for example, if a left-side passenger wants to decrease the volume of air coming out of the lower air outlet, the passenger touches within the touch area 660 and moves his / her finger in the direction from the left seat image 52 toward the “-” icon 43 while still touching.

[0031] As described above, the control target of the air conditioner 20 is selected by touching one of the touch areas 610 to 660. When the touch operation has a direction from the reference area image 40 to the seat image 50 on the display screen, the air conditioner control unit 32 outputs a control signal to the air conditioner 20 to increase the volume of air from the air conditioner 20. When the touch operation has a direction from the seat image 50 to the reference area image 40 on the display screen, the air conditioner control unit 32 outputs a control signal to the air conditioner 20 to decrease the volume of air from the air conditioner 20. In this way, the selection of the control target and the adjustment of the output from the control target are performed by a touch operation, and this touch operation includes a first gesture and a second gesture. The first gesture and the second gesture may be, for example, a combination of tap and swipe, only swipe or flick, two swipes or two flicks, or a combination of swipe and flick. The first gesture indicates a finger movement including at least contact between the finger and the display screen. The second gesture indicates a finger movement in a certain direction. For example, in a touch operation that combines a tap and a swipe, the first tap corresponds to the first gesture, and the second swipe corresponds to the second gesture. That is, in a combination of two touch operations, the first gesture is an operation of touching one point on the display screen, such as touching or hovering. The second gesture is an operation of moving the contact point with the finger on the display screen in a certain direction, such as swiping or flicking. In addition, as an example of a single touch operation, in the case of only a swipe or flick, the movement of the finger touching the display screen for the swipe or flick corresponds to the first gesture, and the movement of the finger moving after the finger contact (the movement of sliding the finger in the case of a swipe, or the movement of flicking the finger in the case of a flick) corresponds to the second gesture. As another example of performing a touch operation twice, a first swipe or flick corresponds to the first gesture, and a second swipe or flick corresponds to the second gesture in the case of a combination of a swipe and a flick. Note that the first and second gestures are not limited to touches, swipes, and flicks, and may be finger movements in other touch operations such as a long tap.

[0032] The display 10 detects a first gesture and a second gesture from touch operations in the multiple touch areas 610-660. When the display 10 detects the first gesture in the touch areas 610-660, the air conditioning control unit 32 selects a control target corresponding to the detected touch area 610-660. For example, when the display 10 detects the first gesture in the touch area 610, the air conditioning control unit 32 selects, as a control target, a device for blowing air from the front outlet to the right seat, among the air conditioners 20. When the display 10 detects the second gesture in the touch areas 610-660, the air conditioning control unit 32 increases the control amount of the selected air conditioner 20 when the second gesture has a direction away from the fan icon 41. On the other hand, when the display 10 detects a second gesture in the touch areas 610 to 660, if the second gesture has a direction toward the fan icon 41, the air conditioning control unit 32 reduces the control amount of the selected air conditioner 20. The control amount is the air volume. This allows the air volume to be adjusted by a touch operation. Note that the control amount is not limited to the air volume, and may be, for example, wind speed, temperature, etc.

[0033] The air conditioning control unit 32 may also adjust the amount of increase or decrease in the airflow depending on the amount and / or speed of a directional touch operation in the touch areas 610 to 660. That is, the air conditioning control unit 32 increases the amount of increase or decrease in the airflow emitted from the air conditioner 20 as the amount of operation of the directional touch operation (corresponding to the moving distance of the finger in contact in a swipe) increases. The air conditioning control unit 32 also increases the amount of increase or decrease in the airflow emitted from the air conditioner 20 as the moving speed of the directional touch operation (corresponding to the moving speed of the finger in contact in a swipe, or the moving speed of the finger when flicking in a flick) increases.

[0034] The air conditioning control unit 32 may select a control target in the air conditioning control unit 32 and / or adjust the increase / decrease amount of airflow in response to touch operations in the touch areas 610 to 660. For example, when the touch area 610 among the touch areas 610 to 660 is touched with a finger, the air conditioning control unit 32 selects the air conditioner 20 of the part that outputs airflow from the front air outlet toward the right seat as the control target, and controls the output of airflow from the front air outlet toward the right seat. The air conditioning control unit 32 may increase the airflow level according to the number of touch operations. When the touch operation is performed twice, the air conditioning control unit 32 may increase the airflow level by two steps. In this way, when the touch areas 610 and 640 are touched, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs a control command to control the output of airflow from the front air outlet, when the touch areas 620 and 650 are touched, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs a control command to control the defroster, and when the touch areas 630 and 660 are touched, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs a control command to control the output of airflow from the lower air outlet.

[0035] The volume of air coming out of the defroster, the front air outlet, and the lower air outlet is indicated by scales in the touch areas 610-660. The touch areas 610-660 include scales that indicate the magnitude of the air volume. The display screen in FIG. 3 shows a state in which the air volume of each of the defroster, the front air outlet, and the lower air outlet is zero. The display screen in FIG. 4 shows a state in which air volume level "3" is coming out of the front air outlet to the right and left seats, respectively, and no air is coming out of the defroster and the lower air outlet. The display screen in FIG. 5 shows a state in which air volume level "6" is coming out of the front air outlet to the right and left seats, respectively, and no air is coming out of the defroster and the lower air outlet.

[0036] In the display screen of FIG. 3, wind is not blowing from the defroster, the front air outlet, and the lower air outlet, and the wind images 61 and 62 are not displayed on the display screen. In the display screen of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, wind is blowing from the front air outlet toward the left and right seats, so the wind images 61 and 62 are displayed in the areas 610 and 640. In addition, in the display screen of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, wind is not blowing from the defroster and the lower air outlet, so the wind images 61 and 62 are not displayed in the areas 620, 630, 650, and 660. In this way, the wind images 61 and 62 are displayed for each of the touch areas 610 and 640. This makes it easier to understand which air outlet the wind is blowing from, which seat (left or right) the wind is blowing toward, and further, which air outlet the wind is not blowing from. The length and number of the wind images 61 and 62 may be changed according to the air volume level. For example, the higher the air volume level, the longer the length of the wind images 61 and 62 may be. Also, the higher the wind volume level, the more wind images 61, 62 may be displayed. If the wind volume level differs for each of the touch areas 610 to 660, the length and number of the wind images 61, 62 may differ for each area depending on the level. Note that the wind images 61, 62 may be displayed even when there is no wind as in the example of FIG. 3.

[0037] In the touch areas 610 to 660, six scales can be displayed to indicate seven airflow levels from "0" to "6". The six scales are expressed as a wave pattern from the reference area toward the left and right seats, and the number of airflow images 610a displayed represents the airflow level. When the airflow level is zero, all airflow images 610a are displayed in white. When the airflow level is greater than 0, the airflow images 610a are displayed in a color other than white according to the size of the airflow level. The number of airflow images 610a represents the wave pattern and the airflow level, and one airflow image 610a represents one scale. The number of airflow images 610a can be changed for each of the touch areas 610 to 660. In addition, in Figs. 3 to 5, the airflow image 610a is not displayed in white but is given a dot pattern due to the color of the paper surface, but the background of the display screen may be black and the airflow image 610a may be filled in white. Moreover, a pattern is formed by arranging a plurality of air volume images 610a. When the air volume level is zero, all of the air volume images 610a in the touch areas 610 to 660 are displayed in white. As shown in FIG. 4, when air of air volume level "3" is blown from the front air outlet to the left and right seats, three air volume images 610a are displayed in a color other than white in the areas 610 and 640, forming a three-part pattern. In the areas 610 and 640, the air volume images 610a corresponding to the scales of air volume levels "4 to 6" remain displayed in white. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, since no air is blown from the defroster and the lower air outlet, all of the air volume images 610a in the touch areas 620, 630, 650, and 660 are displayed in white. When the air volume level of the air coming out of the front air outlet to the left and right seats is changed from 3 to 6, the display screen changes from the display form shown in FIG. 4 to the display form shown in FIG. 5, and the number of patterns displayed in the touch areas 610 and 640 increases from 3 to 6. The display order of the multiple air volume images 610a corresponds to the wind direction, and they are displayed from the side closer to the reference area. That is, the display screen of the display 10 includes the air volume image 610a represented by a pattern between the reference area image 40 and the seat image 50, and the number of patterns displayed from the reference area image 40 to the seat image 50 increases according to the increase in the air volume. This allows the passenger to visually grasp the air volume level from the number of patterns and the length of the patterns.In this embodiment, when no wind is blowing from the air outlet, the air volume image 610a is displayed in white, and when wind is blowing from the air outlet, the air volume image 610a is displayed in a color other than white according to the air volume level. This makes it easier to understand when no wind is blowing and when wind is blowing, as the scale is visible. Note that the pattern formed by the air volume image 610a is not limited to a wave pattern, and may be other patterns such as a gradation pattern or a striped pattern.

[0038] In this embodiment, the air volume image 610a is displayed for each of the touch areas 610 to 660 according to the air volume level of the air coming out of each air outlet. That is, in the example of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in the touch areas 610 and 640, the scales of the number corresponding to the air volume level are displayed in the air volume image 610a having a color other than white. Also, in the touch areas 620, 630, 650, and 660, all the scales become the air volume image 610a in white. This allows the passenger to know from the display screen that the air is coming out of the front air outlet to the left and right seats, and the air volume level. Also, the passenger can know that the air is not coming out of the defroster and the lower air outlet. That is, the passenger can easily know which air outlet the air is coming out of, which seat (left or right) the air is coming out of, and further, which air outlet the air is not coming out of. Also, it is easy to know the air volume level for each area.

[0039] In this embodiment, the display of the wind images 61, 62 and the air volume image 610a is controlled for each of the touch areas 610-660, but it is not necessary to control them separately for each of the areas 610-660. For example, when air at air volume level "3" is blowing from the front air outlet to the right seat and no air is blowing from the defroster and the lower air outlet, the wind image 61 may be displayed in the areas 610-630, and three air volume images 610a may be displayed in the areas 610-630 in a color other than white.

[0040] The directional touch operation for adjusting the airflow may be performed at any position within the touch areas 610 to 660. In other words, if the position coordinates of the touch position when the display screen is touched move relatively within the touch areas 610 to 660, or in other words, if the touch position can be confirmed at any position within the touch areas 610 to 660, the directional touch operation is detected as an operation for adjusting the airflow. For example, if a right-side passenger wants to increase or decrease the volume of air coming out of the front air outlet, the passenger may touch a part close to the fan icon 41 or a part close to the right seat image 51 within the touch area 610. Then, the passenger may change the operation direction of the directional touch operation according to the increase or decrease in the airflow. Furthermore, the passenger may change the operation amount and / or operation speed of the directional touch operation according to the increase or decrease in the airflow. In this way, the passenger can touch any part within the touch areas 610 to 660 to adjust the airflow.

[0041] Furthermore, the air volume adjustment by the directional touch operation may be changed according to the position of the touch within the touch areas 610-660. In other words, when a directional touch operation is performed within the touch areas 610-660, the air volume increases or decreases to the scale that coincides with the end position of the touch operation. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, when an occupant performs a directional touch operation within the touch area 610 and the touch position moves from the first scale to the third scale, the air conditioning control unit 32 sets the air volume level of the air from the front outlet to 3. This makes it possible to change the level of the air volume according to the touch position within the touch areas 610-660.

[0042] Next, the synchronization switch button 70 will be described. The synchronization switch button 70 is a switch for synchronously adjusting the right seat wind from the air conditioner 20 toward the right seat and the left seat wind from the air conditioner 20 toward the left seat. When the synchronization switch button 70 is on, the passenger can adjust the output of both the right seat wind and the left seat wind by touching the touch areas 610 to 660. When the synchronization switch button 70 is off, the passenger cannot adjust the output of both the right seat wind and the left seat wind even if he / she touches the touch areas 610 to 660, but can adjust the output of the wind corresponding to the touched area. For example, when the synchronization switch button 70 is on and a directional touch operation is performed from the reference area image 40 toward the right seat image 51 within the touch area 610, in addition to the wind output from the front outlet toward the right seat, the wind output from the front outlet to the left seat is adjusted according to the directional touch operation. The wind direction and air volume level are also adjusted synchronously for the left and right winds. Also, for example, when the wind is not being output from the lower air outlet toward the left and right seats and the synchronization switch button 70 is on and the occupant touches the touch area 660, the wind from the lower air outlet toward the left seat and the wind from the front air outlet toward the left seat may be output synchronously. That is, when the synchronization switch button 70 is on, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs a control command to the air conditioner 20 to control the output of both the right seat wind and the left seat wind in response to a touch operation when the synchronization switch button 70 is off. Also, when the synchronization switch button 70 is off, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs a control command to the air conditioner 20 to control the output of either the right seat wind or the left seat wind in response to a touch operation. This allows the occupant to adjust both winds from the air conditioner 20 toward the left and right seats by touching either one of the left and right areas of the reference area on the display screen. In this embodiment, the volume of air blown toward the left and right seats is synchronously controlled in response to switching the synchronization switch button 70 on and off. However, it is not limited to the volume of air, and the air direction or temperature may also be synchronously controlled.In other words, when the synchronization switch button 70 is on, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs, in response to a touch operation, a control command to the air conditioning equipment 20 to synchronously control the air volume of both the right seat air and the left seat air, or a control command to synchronously control the air temperature of both the right seat air and the left seat air.

[0043] Next, an image around the fan icon 41 and animation of the fan icon 41 will be described. The reference area image 40 includes a plurality of scales 44 surrounding the fan icon 41. The plurality of scales 44 are arranged in a ring shape around the fan icon 41, and gaps are provided between the plurality of scales 44 to distinguish the scales. The greater the airflow level, the more the number of scales 44 displayed in the clockwise direction increases. In the example of FIG. 4, the airflow level is 3, so three scales 44 are displayed. In the example of FIG. 5, the airflow level is 6, so six scales 44 are displayed. That is, the plurality of scales 44 increase and decrease according to the volume of airflow toward the left and right seats. The fan icon 41 may also have an animation function that rotates according to the wind speed and / or volume of air coming out of the front air outlet and / or the lower air outlet. When no air comes out of the front air outlet and the lower air outlet, the fan icon 41 remains stationary. When air comes out of the front air outlet and the lower air outlet, the fan icon 41 rotates. The higher the air volume level and / or the air speed, the faster the fan icon 41 rotates. The air speed corresponds to the air volume level. Regarding the display of the multiple scales 44, when the air volume of the air heading toward the left seat and the air volume of the air heading toward the right seat are different, the number of scales 44 displayed may correspond to the larger air volume, the smaller air volume, or the average air volume.

[0044] Next, the temperature adjustment bars 81 and 82 will be described. As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the temperature adjustment bar 81 is displayed on the right side of the right seat image 51, and the temperature adjustment bar 82 is displayed on the left side of the left seat image 52. The temperature adjustment bars 81 and 82 have line segment images 81a and 82a along the z-axis and buttons 81b and 82b that can be moved on the line segment. The upper ends of the line segment images 81a and 82a are displayed in red, and the lower ends of the line segment images 81a and 82a are displayed in blue. Note that in Figs. 3 to 5, dots are used instead of colors, and similarly in other Figs. 6 to 8, dots are used instead of colors. Also, the line segment images 81a and 82a are displayed in a gradation that changes from red to blue from the upper end to the lower end. The buttons 81b and 82b on the line segment can be moved by touch operations such as tapping, swiping, and / or flicking. When the buttons 81b and 82b are moved toward the upper end of the line segment by a touch operation, the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 becomes higher. On the other hand, when the buttons 81b and 82b are moved toward the lower end of the line segment by a touch operation, the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 becomes lower. The set temperature of the air conditioner 20 changes depending on the positions of the buttons 81b and 82b included in the temperature adjustment bars 81 and 82. The temperature adjustment bar 81 is an adjustment icon for adjusting the set temperature in the space of the right seat. The temperature adjustment bar 82 is an adjustment icon for adjusting the set temperature in the space of the left seat. The temperature adjustment bars 81 and 82 can be operated by an upward touch operation and a downward touch operation. That is, when the temperature adjustment bars 81 and 82 are operated by an upward touch operation, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs a control command to increase the set temperature of the air conditioner 20, and when the temperature adjustment bars 81 and 82 are operated by a downward touch operation, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs a control command to decrease the set temperature of the air conditioner 20. This allows the occupant to easily change the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 by touching the display 10. In addition, since the ends of the temperature adjustment bars 81, 82 are differentiated in red / blue, the occupant can easily see from the display screen which direction to touch to raise or lower the temperature.

[0045] In addition, when the buttons 81b, 82b included in the temperature adjustment bars 81, 82 are operated by a directional touch operation, the change unit of the set temperature may be changed according to the operation speed of the directional touch operation. The change unit of the set temperature is preset in multiple stages, for example, 0.5°C and 1.0°C. When the movement speed of the buttons 81b, 82b is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed threshold, the air conditioning control unit 32 sets the change unit of the set temperature (temperature change amount per unit) to the minimum unit (0.5°C). When the movement speed of the buttons 81b, 82b is greater than a predetermined speed threshold, the air conditioning control unit 32 sets the change unit of the set temperature (temperature change amount per unit) to a unit larger than the minimum unit (for example, 1.0°C). For example, when the occupant operates the buttons 81b, 82b by swiping, when the movement speed of the buttons 81b, 82b by swiping is large, the change amount of the set temperature is large relative to the movement amount of the buttons 81b, 82b by swiping. On the other hand, when the buttons 81b, 82b are moved slowly by the same swipe touch operation, the amount of change in the set temperature is small even if the button is moved the same distance by the swipe. In other words, even if the buttons 81b, 82b are moved the same distance, the amount of change in the set temperature varies depending on the movement speed. The faster the movement speed of the touch operation, the larger the unit of change in the set temperature becomes, and therefore the range of change in the set temperature also becomes larger. This allows the unit of change in the set temperature to be adjusted by the movement speed of the buttons 81b, 82b by directional touch operation, making it easy to adjust the temperature.

[0046] Next, the temperature display images 91 and 92 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, the temperature display image 91 is displayed on the right side of the right temperature adjustment bar 81, and the temperature display image 92 is displayed on the left side of the left temperature adjustment bar 82. The temperature display images 91 and 92 have temperature meters 91a and 92a, up buttons 91b and 92b, and down buttons 91c and 92c. The temperature meters 91a and 92a indicate the current set temperature. The up buttons 91b and 92b are buttons for increasing the set temperature, and the down buttons 91c and 92c are buttons for decreasing the set temperature. Touching the up buttons 91b and 92b once increases the set temperature by a predetermined change unit (for example, 0.5°C). Touching the down buttons 91c and 92c once decreases the set temperature by a predetermined change unit (for example, 0.5°C). The up buttons 91b and 92b are displayed in red, and the down buttons 91c and 92c are displayed in blue. This allows the occupant to check the current set temperature and easily change the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 by touching the display 10. In addition, since the up buttons 91b, 92b and the down buttons 91c, 92c are differentiated in red and blue, the occupant can easily tell from the display screen which button to touch to raise or lower the temperature.

[0047] Next, referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the color of the wave pattern displayed in the touch area 610-660 will be described. The set temperature of the air conditioner 20 can be set to different temperatures for the right and left seats. For example, in the example of FIG. 6, air is blown from the defroster, the front air outlet, and the lower air outlet toward the right seat, the air volume level is set to "6", and the set temperature is set to 17.0°C. Also, air is blown from the defroster, the front air outlet, and the lower air outlet toward the left seat, the air volume level is set to "6", and the set temperature is set to 30.0°C. In this case, on the display screen of the display 10, between the reference area image and the right seat image, the air volume image 610a is displayed in a color that represents a set temperature of 17.0°C. Also, between the reference area image and the left seat image, the air volume image 610a is displayed in a color that represents a set temperature of 30.0°C. As a result, six wave patterns are displayed to indicate the air volume level "6", and the wave patterns are given colors according to the set temperatures. In addition, when the air volume level is "3", three of the six scales of the air volume image 610a are displayed in a color according to the set temperature, and the other three scales are displayed in white. This makes it easier to grasp the strength of the air volume because the scales are recognizable.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a bar graph showing the relationship between the color displayed in the wave pattern and the temperature. As shown in the graph of FIG. 7, red is displayed when the set temperature is high, and blue is displayed when the set temperature is low. Furthermore, as the set temperature decreases, the color display changes from red to white, and from white to blue. In the example of FIG. 7, blue is displayed when the set temperature is less than 20.5°C, light blue is displayed when the set temperature is 20.5 or more and less than 23.5°C, white is displayed when the set temperature is 23.5°C or more and less than 26.5°C, pink is displayed when the set temperature is 26.5°C or more and less than 29.5°C, and red is displayed when the set temperature is 29.5°C or more. In the example of FIG. 6, the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 for blowing air to the right seat is set to 17°C. Therefore, the wave pattern displayed in the touch areas 610 and 630 is displayed in blue. Furthermore, the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 for blowing air to the left seat is set to 30°C, so the wave pattern displayed in the touch areas 640 and 660 is displayed in red. In this way, the display screen of the display 10 includes a color image (corresponding to the wave pattern image in FIG. 6) that indicates the magnitude of the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 by color, and when the set temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature threshold, the color of the color image is red, and when the set temperature is lower than the temperature threshold, the color of the color image is blue. This allows the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 to be understood from the color. Note that the color display according to the set temperature is not limited to the wave pattern in the touch areas 610 to 660, but may be applied to the numbers on the temperature meters 91a and 92a, for example. Also, in the example of FIG. 6, the color indicating the set temperature may be applied to the wind images 61 and 62 instead of the wave pattern.

[0049] As described above, in the air conditioning control system according to this embodiment, the controller 30 displays a display screen including the seat image 50 and the reference area image 40 on the touch panel display 10, and outputs a control command to increase the volume of air from the air conditioner 20 when a touch operation on the display screen of the display 10 is from the reference area image 40 to the seat image 50, and outputs a control command to decrease the volume of air from the air conditioner 20 when the touch operation is from the seat to the reference area. In this embodiment, the air conditioning control method executed by the controller 30 outputs a control command to display a display screen including the seat image 50 and the reference area image 40 on the touch panel display 10, and outputs a control command to increase the volume of air from the air conditioner 20 when a touch operation on the display screen of the display 10 is from the reference area image 40 to the seat image 50, and outputs a control command to decrease the volume of air from the air conditioner 20 when the touch operation is from the seat to the reference area. This enables touch operations along the airflow or against the airflow, allowing the user to intuitively operate the air conditioner 20. As a result, it is possible to improve operability when operating the air conditioner 20 by touch operations on the display screen.

[0050] In this embodiment, the seat image includes a right seat image 51 representing the right seat and a left seat image 52 representing the left seat when the traveling direction of the vehicle is the front. This allows the occupant to understand from the display screen of the display 10 that the airflow to the left and right seats can be controlled by touching the display. Also, the reference area image 40 is located between the right seat image 51 and the left seat image 52 on the display screen. This allows the occupant to understand that to adjust the airflow, a directional touch operation should be performed based on the reference area image.

[0051] In this embodiment, the right seat image 51 and the left seat image 52 are displayed on the display screen in the position of the seats as seen from the rear. This allows the passenger to grasp the relationship between the positions of the seats in the vehicle cabin and the airflow to be controlled on the display screen. As a result, the user can intuitively operate the air conditioner 20.

[0052] In this embodiment, the seats represented by the right seat image 51 and the left seat image 52 face the reference area image on the display screen. This allows the passenger to grasp the relationship between the positions of the seats arranged in the vehicle cabin and the air to be controlled on the display screen. As a result, the user can intuitively operate the air conditioner 20.

[0053] In this embodiment, the reference area image 40 includes a fan icon 41 that resembles a fan and is located in the center of the display screen, the left seat image is located to the left of the reference area image on the display screen, the right seat image 51 is located to the right of the reference area image on the display screen, and the left seat image 52 is located to the left of the reference area image on the display screen. This allows the passenger to get the feeling from the display screen that the wind from the fan is blowing toward the left and right seats. As a result, the user can intuitively operate the air conditioner 20.

[0054] In this embodiment, when the synchronization switch button 70 is on, the controller 30 outputs a control command to control the output of both the right seat wind and the left seat wind in response to a touch operation, and when the synchronization switch button 70 is off, the controller 30 outputs a control command to control the output of one of the right seat wind and the left seat wind in response to a touch operation. When the synchronization switch button 70 is on, the controller 30 outputs a control command to control one of the wind volume, wind direction, and temperature of both the right seat wind and the left seat wind in response to a touch operation, and when the synchronization switch button 70 is off, the controller 30 outputs a control command to control one of the wind volume, wind direction, and temperature of one of the right seat wind and the left seat wind in response to a touch operation. This makes it possible to switch between a mode in which the winds of the left and right seats can be controlled synchronously and a mode in which one wind can be controlled.

[0055] In this embodiment, the display screen includes an air volume image represented by a pattern between the seat image 50 and the reference area image 40, and the number of patterns displayed from the reference area image toward the seat image increases as the air volume increases. This allows the user to easily grasp the air volume.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reference area image 40 includes a plurality of scales 44 surrounding the fan icon 41, and the fan icon 41 has an animation function that changes the rotation speed of the fan according to the wind speed of the air blown from the air conditioner 20, and the plurality of scales increase and decrease according to the volume of the air blown from the air conditioner 20. This allows the user to easily grasp the volume of the air.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display screen includes temperature adjustment bars 81, 82 that can adjust the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 by a first touch operation in one direction and a second touch operation in the other direction, and the controller 30 outputs a control command to increase the set temperature when the temperature adjustment bars 81, 82 are operated by the first touch operation, and outputs a control command to decrease the set temperature when the temperature adjustment bars 81, 82 are operated by the second touch operation. This allows the user to intuitively operate the air conditioner 20.

[0058] In this embodiment, the display screen includes a color image that indicates the magnitude of the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 by color, and the color is red when the set temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature threshold, and blue when the set temperature is below the temperature threshold. This allows the user to easily understand the set temperature.

[0059] In this embodiment, the controller 30 sets the change unit of the set temperature to the minimum unit when the operation speed of the touch operation is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed threshold, thereby enabling the user to easily change the adjustment range of the set temperature.

[0060] In this embodiment, the controller 30 outputs a control command to control the output of air from the front outlet when touch areas 610, 640 (corresponding to the "first touch area" of the present invention) are touched, outputs a control command to control the defroster when touch areas 620, 650 (corresponding to the "second touch area" of the present invention) are touched, and outputs a control command to control the output of air from the lower outlet when touch areas 630, 660 (corresponding to the "third touch area" of the present invention) are touched. This allows the user to intuitively operate the air conditioner 20.

[0061] As a modified example of this embodiment, the right seat image 51 and the left seat image 52 may be displayed on the display screen of the display 10 with the seats facing each other. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the display screen of the display 10 according to the modified example. As shown in FIG. 8, the right seat image 51 and the left seat image 52 are oriented sideways and are arranged so that the front of the seats faces the reference area. This allows the passenger to grasp the positional relationship between the seats and the air to be controlled on the display screen. As a result, the user can intuitively operate the air conditioner 20.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the display screen displays two seat images, and the control method and operation method for controlling the wind toward the two seats have been described. However, one seat image may be displayed on the display screen of the display 10, and the wind toward one seat may be controlled in response to a touch operation on the display 10. For example, the controller 30 displays an image including the reference area image 40 and corresponding to the right half of the display screen of Figs. 3 to 5 on the display 10 for the right seat, and displays an image including the reference area image 40 and corresponding to the left half of the display screen of Figs. 3 to 5 on the display 10 for the left seat. Then, the controller 30 controls the wind blowing from the air conditioner to the right seat in response to a touch operation on the display 10 for the right seat. Also, the controller 30 controls the wind blowing from the air conditioner 20 to the left seat in response to a touch operation on the display 10 for the left seat. The above-mentioned methods may be appropriately applied as the operation method of the display screen and the control method of the air conditioner 20. This enables touch operation along the flow of the wind or against the flow of the wind, allowing the user to intuitively operate the air conditioner 20. As a result, it is possible to improve operability when operating the air conditioner 20 by touching the display screen. Furthermore, in this embodiment, three or more seat images may be displayed on the display screen of the display 10, and the air flow toward each seat may be controlled in response to the touch operation on the display 10.

[0063] The above-described embodiments are described for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the present invention, and are not described for the purpose of limiting the present invention. Therefore, the elements disclosed in the above embodiments are intended to include all design modifications and equivalents that fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1. Air conditioning control system 10. Display 11 Main switch button 12 Mode Switch Button 13 Handle Icon 20 Air conditioning equipment 30 Controller 31 Display control unit 32 Air conditioning control unit 40 Reference Area Images 50 Seat Images 51 Right seat image 52 Left seat image

Claims

1. In an air conditioning control device that controls an air conditioning device mounted on a vehicle, a controller that controls a display screen of a touch panel display and controls the air conditioning device based on a touch operation on the display screen; the display screen includes a seat image representing a seat and a reference area image representing a reference area; The controller: When the touch operation has a direction from the reference area image toward the seat image, a control command is output to increase an amount of airflow from the air conditioning device; an air conditioning control device that outputs a control command to reduce the volume of air blown from the air conditioning device when the touch operation has a direction from the seat image toward the reference area image;

2. 2. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1, The seat image includes a right seat image representing a right seat and a left seat image representing a left seat when the traveling direction of the vehicle is the front.

3. 3. The air conditioning control device according to claim 2, The reference area image is an air conditioning control device located between the right seat image and the left seat image on the display screen.

4. The air conditioning control device according to claim 2 or 3, The right seat image and the left seat image are displayed on the display screen in a manner such that the seats are arranged as viewed from the rear, or the seats face each other.

5. In the air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, An air conditioning control device in which the seats represented by the right seat image and the left seat image face the reference area image on the display screen.

6. In the air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, the reference area image includes a fan icon resembling a fan, and is located in a central portion of the display screen; the right seat image is located to the right of the reference area image on the display screen, The left seat image is an air conditioning control device located to the left of the reference area image on the display screen.

7. In the air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the display screen includes a synchronization switch button for synchronously adjusting a right seat airflow from the air conditioner to the right seat and a left seat airflow from the air conditioner to the left seat, The controller: When the synchronization switch button is on, a control command is output in response to the touch operation to control the output of both the right seat wind and the left seat wind, When the synchronization switch button is off, the air conditioning control device outputs a control command to control the output of one of the right seat airflow and the left seat airflow in response to the touch operation.

8. The air conditioning control device according to claim 7, The controller: When the synchronization switch button is on, a control command is output in response to the touch operation to control any one of the air volume, the air direction, and the temperature of both the right seat airflow and the left seat airflow, When the synchronization switch button is off, the air conditioning control device outputs a control command in response to the touch operation to control one of the air volume, air direction, and temperature of one of the right seat airflow and the left seat airflow.

9. In the air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the display screen includes an air volume image represented by a pattern between the seat image and the reference area image, An air conditioning control device in which the number of patterns displayed from the reference area image toward the seat image increases as the air volume increases.

10. The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The reference area image includes a fan icon resembling a fan.

11. The air conditioning control device according to claim 10, the reference area image includes a plurality of scales surrounding the fan icon; the fan icon has an animation function that changes the rotation speed of the fan according to the speed of airflow from the air conditioner; An air conditioning control device in which the multiple scales increase and decrease depending on the volume of air coming out of the air conditioning equipment.

12. 2. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1, the display screen includes an adjustment icon for adjusting a set temperature of the air conditioner by a first touch operation in one direction and a second touch operation in the other direction; The controller: When the adjustment icon is operated by the first touch operation, a control command to increase the set temperature is output, an air conditioning control device that outputs a control command to lower the set temperature when the adjustment icon is operated by the second touch operation;

13. The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, The display screen includes a color image that indicates the magnitude of the set temperature of the air conditioning equipment 20 by color, If the set temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature threshold, the color is red; If the set temperature is less than the temperature threshold, the color becomes blue.

14. In the air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, The controller: Controlling a temperature setting of the air conditioner in response to the touch operation; When the operation speed of the touch operation is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed threshold, the air conditioning control device sets the change unit of the set temperature to the minimum unit.

15. In the air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, The air conditioner includes a defroster, a front air outlet that blows air toward a front of the seat, and a lower air outlet that blows air toward a lower part of the seat, the display screen includes, between the seat image and the reference area image, a first touch area for enabling the touch operation for adjusting the airflow from the front air outlet, a second touch area for enabling the touch operation for controlling the defroster, and a third touch area for enabling the touch operation for adjusting the airflow from the lower air outlet; The controller outputs a control command to control the output of air from the front air outlet when the first touch area is touched, outputs a control command to control the defroster when the second touch area is touched, and outputs a control command to control the output of air from the lower air outlet when the third touch area is touched.

16. An air conditioning control method for controlling an air conditioning device mounted on a vehicle, comprising: A control command is output for displaying, on a touch panel display, a display screen including a seat image representing a seat and a reference area image representing a reference area. When the touch operation on the display screen has a direction from the reference area image toward the seat image, a control command is output to increase an amount of airflow from the air conditioning device; The air conditioning control method outputs a control command to reduce an amount of airflow from the air conditioner when the touch operation has a direction from the seat image to the reference area image.

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