Touch panel device

Abstract

A touch panel device (100) comprises: a first detection unit (12) for detecting an operation on a touch operation unit (11), i.e., a first operation; a second detection unit (24, 26, 27) for detecting an operation on a rotation operation unit (23) arranged near the touch operation unit (11), i.e., a second operation; and a control unit (50) for determining which of the first operation and the second operation is to be given priority, and outputting an action instruction corresponding to the first operation or the second operation in accordance with the determination. The second detection unit (26) is provided at six or more locations along the outer peripheral surface (23a) of the rotation operation unit in the circumferential direction, and the control unit outputs an action instruction corresponding to the first operation when the first detection unit detects the first operation, and if the second detection unit (26) further detects a touch operation on the outer peripheral surface beyond a specified range, the control unit does not output an action instruction corresponding to the first operation even if the first operation is detected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a touch panel device having a touch operation unit and a rotation operation unit. Background Art

[0002] As such a device, a device that invalidates the touch operation when the touch icon is touched when operating the control panel with two or more fingers is known in the past. Such a device is described, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-210685 (JP2015-210685A). In addition, a device is also known that provides an electrostatic capacitance virtual sensor on the operating knob and invalidates the operation of the touch switch when the virtual sensor detects the touch of the operating knob. Such a device is described, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6123590 (JP6123590B).

[0003] However, the device described in JP2015-210685A only invalidates the touch operation in the control panel operation, and JP2015-210685A does not mention the state when the control panel operation is performed during the touch operation. On the other hand, in the device described in JP6123590B, a virtual sensor is provided only for detecting the touch of the operation knob, and a sensor is required to detect the command generated based on the operation of the operation knob, so the sensor is not used efficiently. Summary of the invention

[0004] A touch panel device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a touch operation unit extending along a plane; a first detection unit detecting an operation on the touch operation unit, i.e., a first operation; a rotation operation unit arranged near the touch operation unit and protruding from the plane; a second detection unit detecting an operation on the rotation operation unit, i.e., a second operation; and a control unit determining which of the first operation detected by the first detection unit and the second operation detected by the second detection unit is to be prioritized, and outputting an action command corresponding to the first operation or the second operation in accordance with the determination. The second detection unit has a plurality of touch sensors arranged at six or more locations along the outer peripheral surface of the rotation operation unit in the circumferential direction, and detecting the presence or absence of a touch operation on the rotation operation unit at each location, and the control unit outputting an action command corresponding to the first operation when the first detection unit detects the first operation, and if the plurality of touch sensors further detect a touch operation on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation operation unit beyond a predetermined range, the control unit does not output an action command corresponding to the first operation even if the first detection unit detects the first operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The purpose, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent through the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0006] Figure 1 is a front view showing a schematic structure of a main body of a navigation unit of a touch panel device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 2 It is composed Figure 1 A perspective view of a knob of an input portion of a navigation unit,

[0008] Figure 3A Yes means Figure 2 The diagram of the operation example of the knob,

[0009] Figure 3B Yes means Figure 2 Other examples of operation of the knob are shown in the figure.

[0010] Figure 3C Yes means Figure 2 FIG. 1 is another diagram of another operation example of the knob,

[0011] Figure 4A Yes means Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the input section of the navigation unit,

[0012] Figure 4B Yes means Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another example of the operation of the input unit of the navigation unit,

[0013] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing a main part structure of a touch panel device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Fig. 6A is a timing chart showing an example of the operation performed by the touch panel device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 6B is a timing chart showing another example of the operation performed by the touch panel device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 7 It means by Figure 5 A flowchart of an example of a process performed by a controller,

[0017] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a diagram collectively showing an example of a plurality of operations performed by a touch panel device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Fig. 9 It specifically indicates Figure 8 The diagram of the action of brightness change in the action of

[0019] Fig.10 Yes means Figure 7Flow chart of a modified example,

[0020] Fig.11 Yes means Figure 7 Flowchart of other variations of . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 11 An embodiment of the present invention will be described. A touch panel device according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided in, for example, a navigation unit mounted in front of a driver's seat of a vehicle.

[0022] Figure 1 FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic structure of a main body (navigation body 1) of a navigation unit of a touch panel device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the navigation body 1 includes a display unit 10 for displaying various information such as information related to route guidance and setting information of the navigation unit, and an input unit 20 for inputting various instructions to the navigation unit through the operation of the passenger. The navigation body 1 has a function not only as a navigation device but also as an audio device.

[0023] The surface (front surface) of the display unit 10 extends on an imaginary vertical plane (imaginary plane) PL, and the display unit 10 is composed of an electrostatic capacitance touch panel 11 that covers most of the front surface of the navigation body 1. Therefore, the display unit 10 also functions as an input unit 20. In addition, in order to distinguish it from a touch panel device, the touch panel 11 is referred to as a touch screen below. The touch screen 11 is not limited to an electrostatic capacitance type, and various touch screens such as a resistive film type that detect passenger operations can also be used. The touch screen 11 is provided with a touch sensor 12 that detects the operation position on the touch screen.

[0024] The input unit 20 includes buttons 21 and a knob 23 arranged on the side of the touch screen 11 (for example, on the driver's seat side). The buttons 21 are a plurality of push-type operating components arranged in the vertical direction along the side edge of the touch screen 11, and a predetermined command can be input by pressing each button 21. For example, a switch command to a menu screen, a switch command to an audio screen, a display command of the current position, etc. can be input. Each button 21 is provided with a push switch 22 for detecting a push operation on each button 21.

[0025] The knob 23 is a substantially cylindrical operating member protruding from the imaginary plane PL. The knob 23 is supported on the navigation body 1 so as to be rotatable around an axis CL perpendicular to the imaginary plane PL. By rotating the knob 23, a volume change instruction and a channel (e.g., a radio station) switching instruction can be input. The rotation amount of the knob 23 is detected by a rotation detector 24 such as a rotary encoder provided at the base end of the knob 23. In addition, an insertion port 25 for inserting a disk for music and data is provided above the display unit 10.

[0026] A touch sensor for detecting operation of the knob 23 is also provided on the surface of the knob 23 . Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the knob 23 showing the configuration of the touch sensor. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , an electrostatic capacitive touch sensor 26 is provided in the area ARa indicated by the hatching on the outer peripheral surface 23a of the cylindrical knob 23. Although not shown in the figure, the touch sensors 26 are provided at six or more locations (e.g., 10 to 20) in the circumferential direction, for example, at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Thus, the controller ( Figure 5 ) can determine the number of fingers touching the outer surface 23a of the knob 23.

[0027] Specifically, if a first predetermined number (for example, half of the total number) or more of the touch sensors 26 are turned on, it can be determined that the knob 23 is turned on. Figure 3A As shown in FIG. 1 , if the number of touch sensors 26 less than the first predetermined number is turned on, it can be determined that the knob 23 is turned on. Figure 3B As shown, the knob 23 is operated with two fingers or with one finger. In addition, the judgment of whether it is operated with two fingers can be performed by judging whether the touch sensors 26 with a second prescribed number or more that is smaller than the first prescribed number are turned on. It is also possible that the controller judges whether the knob 23 is operated with one finger, two fingers or three fingers, taking into account not only the number of the turned-on touch sensors 26 but also whether the turned-on multiple touch sensors 26 deviate from each other by more than a prescribed angle (for example, 90°) in the circumferential direction centered on the axis CL1, and the positional relationship of the turned-on multiple touch sensors 26. In addition, the multiple touch sensors 26 may be arranged at unequal circumferential intervals instead of being arranged at equal circumferential intervals, for example, concentrated at the operated circumferential portion of the knob 23.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the knob 23 is provided with an electrostatic capacitive touch sensor 27 not only on the outer peripheral surface 23a but also on the surface of the front end portion (top surface 23b) and in the shaded area ARb. By turning on the touch sensor 27, it is possible to detect Figure 3C As shown, the top surface 23b of the knob 23 is operated by a finger.

[0029] Figure 4A , Figure 4B are diagrams showing an example of the operation of the input unit 20. Figure 4A, the state in which the outer peripheral surface 23a of the knob 23 is operated and the instruction corresponding to the operation is inputted is shown. In such a state, there is a risk that the touch screen 11 around the knob 23 may be touched by the hand during the operation of the knob 23, and the touch screen 11 may be touched by mistake. Figure 4B , the touch screen 11 is operated in the direction of the arrow and a command corresponding to the operation is input. In this state, there is a risk that the outer peripheral surface 23a of the knob 23 may be touched by the hand during the operation of the touch screen 11, and the knob 23 may be accidentally touched. In order to cope with such an accidental touch operation, the present embodiment configures the touch panel device as follows.

[0030] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main structure of a touch panel device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 The touch panel device 100 shown has a controller (control unit) 50 provided in the navigation body 1. Signals from the touch sensor 12, the push switch 22, the rotation detector 24, the touch sensor 26, and the touch sensor 27 are input to the controller 50. The controller 50 performs a predetermined process based on these input signals, and outputs an action command (screen action command) corresponding to the operation of the touch screen 11 or an action command (knob action command) corresponding to the operation of the knob 23 to a target device such as the display unit 10 or an audio device.

[0031] The controller 50 is configured to include a calculation processing device having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and other peripheral circuits. The controller 50 has an operation determination unit 51, a superiority or inferiority determination unit 52, and an output unit 53 as a functional structure.

[0032] The operation determination unit 51 determines the operation mode of the input unit 20 based on the signals from the touch sensors 12, 26, 27, etc. Specifically, it determines which one of the touch screen 11 and the knob 23 is operated, which one of the outer peripheral surface 23a and the top surface 23b of the knob 23 is operated, how many fingers are operated on the outer peripheral surface 23a of the knob 23, etc.

[0033] The superiority / inferiority determining unit 52 determines which of the operation on the touch screen 11 and the operation on the knob 23 is to be prioritized, based on the determination result determined by the operation determining unit 51 . Fig. 6A , Figure 6B 1 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing in the excellence determining unit 52 . Fig. 6A Touching on / off indicates operation / non-operation of the knob 23. Figure 6B The touch on / off of represents the operation / non-operation of the touch screen 11. Fig. 6AAs shown, when the knob 23 is in the initial state of non-operation, that is, when the touch sensor 26, 27 detects no touch operation on the knob 23 (touch-off), the touch screen 11 can be operated. Therefore, if the touch screen 11 is operated in this state, the operation is validated.

[0034] If the touch screen 11 is not operated and the touch operation (touch-on) of the knob 23 is detected by the touch sensors 26 and 27 at the time point t1, the operation of the touch screen 11 is suppressed. Figure 4A As shown, if the finger touches the touch screen 11, the operation will be invalidated. When the knob 23 becomes non-operated at time t2 and the touch operation on the knob 23 ends (touch-off), the touch screen 11 can be operated again.

[0035] On the other hand, Figure 6B As shown in FIG. 1 , when the touch screen 11 is in an initial state where the touch screen 11 is not operated, that is, when no touch operation on the touch screen 11 is detected by the touch sensor 12 (touch off), the operation of the knob 23 can be performed. Therefore, if the knob 23 is operated in this state, the operation is validated. If the knob 23 is not operated but a touch operation on the touch screen 11 is detected by the touch sensor 12 at time t11 (touch on), the operation of the knob 23 is suppressed. Therefore, in this case, even if Figure 4B If a finger touches the knob 23 as shown, the operation will be invalidated.

[0036] In the operation of the touch screen 11, there is a case where the touch screen 11 is operated again immediately after the touch operation is temporarily disconnected, such as a flick operation. In view of this, even if the touch operation on the touch screen 11 is temporarily terminated (touch disconnected) at time point t12, the operation of the knob 23 is suppressed for a predetermined time Δt (for example, about 0.4 seconds). Therefore, even if the knob 23 is touched and operated within the predetermined time Δt, the operation is invalidated. At time point t13, when the predetermined time Δt has passed from time point t12, the touch operation on the knob 23 can be performed again.

[0037] Figure 5 The output unit 53 outputs an action instruction (screen action instruction) corresponding to the operation on the touch screen 11 or an action instruction (knob action instruction) corresponding to the operation on the knob 23 according to the superiority or inferiority of the operation on the touch screen 11 and the operation on the knob 23 determined by the superiority or inferiority determination unit 52. Fig. 6A As shown in FIG. 1 , if the touch operation on the knob 23 is turned on, a knob action instruction is output, such as Figure 6B As shown, if the touch operation on the touch screen 11 is turned on, a screen action instruction is output.

[0038] The knob operation command includes a command to change the brightness of the display unit 10 (touch screen 11), a command to turn off the screen of the display unit 10, a command to change the volume, a command to switch channels of a radio station, etc., a command to remove a disk from the insertion port 25, etc. The screen operation command includes various commands related to route guidance and various commands for audio equipment. The knob operation command or the screen operation command may also include an operation command for a vehicle air conditioner, etc., and an operation command for equipment other than the display unit 10 and the audio equipment.

[0039] In addition, Figure 6B In the case where the knob 23 is touched when the touch operation on the touch screen 11 is turned on, or when the knob 23 is touched within a predetermined time Δt after the touch operation on the touch screen 11 is turned off, the touch operation is judged as an erroneous operation and is invalidated, but there are cases where the touch operation is not necessarily an erroneous operation. For example, when the knob 23 is operated with three fingers, it is considered that the operation of the knob 23 reflects the intention of the occupant and is difficult to be considered as an erroneous operation. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable to validate the touch operation on the knob 23.

[0040] Figure 7 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing executed by the controller 50 in this case. The processing shown in the flowchart starts when a touch operation on the touch screen 11 is detected by the touch sensor 12, or within a predetermined time Δt from when the touch operation is no longer detected. Figure 6B The process starts when the touch operation on the knob 23 is suppressed within the time points t11 to t13, and is repeated in a predetermined cycle.

[0041] like Figure 7 As shown, first in S1 (S: processing step), it is determined whether the outer peripheral surface 23a of the knob 23 is touched based on the signal from the touch sensor 26. If it is affirmative in S1, it proceeds to S2, and if it is negative, it proceeds to S3. In S3, based on the signal from the touch sensor 12, a screen action instruction corresponding to the operation on the touch screen 11 is output, and the processing ends.

[0042] On the other hand, in S2, based on the signal from the touch sensor 26, it is determined whether the outer peripheral surface 23a of the knob 23 is operated by three or more fingers. If it is affirmative in S2, it proceeds to S4, and if it is negative, it proceeds to S3. In S4, a knob action instruction corresponding to the operation of the knob 23 is output, and the processing is terminated. For example, if the rotation detector 24 detects the rotation of the knob 23 in a specified direction, an instruction to switch the channel to the positive side is output, and if the rotation in the opposite direction is detected, an instruction to switch the channel to the negative side is output. If the rotation of the knob 23 is not detected, an instruction to remove the disk is output.

[0043] Figure 8 2 is a diagram collectively showing an example of a plurality of knob action instructions generated based on the operation of the knob 23. Figure 8 As shown in the figure, when a touch operation is detected on the top surface 23b of the knob 23, different knob action instructions are outputted depending on whether the touch operation lasts for a predetermined time or longer. That is, when the touch operation is a short operation shorter than the predetermined time, if no touch operation is detected on the touch screen 11 (the touch is judged as disconnected), the first action instruction indicates to mute the sound. On the other hand, if a touch operation is detected on the touch screen 11 (the touch is judged as connected), the short operation on the top surface 23b of the knob 23 is invalidated.

[0044] On the other hand, when the touch operation on the top surface 23b of the knob 23 is a long operation that lasts for a predetermined time or longer, if the touch operation on the touch screen 11 is not detected, the second operation instruction instructs adjustment of the screen brightness of the display unit 10. On the other hand, if the touch operation on the touch screen 11 is detected, the long operation on the top surface 23b of the knob 23 is invalidated. Fig. 9 is a timing diagram showing the brightness change corresponding to the touch operation. Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the operation on the top surface 23b of the knob 23 continues, the brightness gradually increases over time, and returns to the minimum brightness after reaching the maximum brightness. For example, if the touch operation on the top surface 23b is started at time ta and ends at time tb in the state of brightness La, the brightness becomes Lb.

[0045] like Figure 8 As shown, when a touch operation on the outer peripheral surface 23a of the knob 23 is detected, different knob action instructions are output according to whether the touch operation is performed by three or more fingers or by less than three fingers (for example, one finger or two fingers), and whether it is accompanied by the rotation of the knob 23. That is, when the touch operation is performed by less than three fingers, if the touch operation on the touch screen 11 is not detected, the volume increase or decrease is indicated as the third action instruction when the knob 23 is rotated. On the other hand, when the knob 23 is not rotated, the screen of the display unit 10 is instructed to be turned off as the third action instruction. When the touch operation is performed by less than three fingers, if the touch operation on the touch screen 11 is detected, the touch operation on the outer peripheral surface 23a of the knob 23 is invalidated.

[0046] On the other hand, when the touch operation is performed with three or more fingers, a knob operation instruction corresponding to the rotation of the knob 23 is output regardless of whether the touch operation on the touch screen 11 is detected or not ( Figure 7That is, when the knob 23 is rotated, it indicates switching to the positive side or the negative side of the channel (for example, a radio station), and when it is not rotated, it indicates removing the disc (the fourth action instruction). Thus, when the touch screen 11 and the knob 23 are touched and operated at the same time, an action instruction consistent with the intention of the passenger can be output. In addition, the above-mentioned first action instruction to the fourth action instruction are examples and are not limited to the above.

[0047] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0048] (1) The touch panel device 100 includes: a touch screen 11 extending along an imaginary plane PL; a touch sensor 12 for detecting a touch operation on the touch screen 11; a knob 23 disposed near the touch screen 11 and protruding from the imaginary plane PL; touch sensors 26 and 27 for detecting a touch operation on the knob 23; and a controller 50 for determining which of the touch operation on the touch screen 11 detected by the touch sensor 12 and the touch operation on the knob 23 detected by the touch sensors 26 and 27 is to be given priority, and outputting an action instruction corresponding to the touch operation on the touch screen 11 or the knob 23 in accordance with the determination. Figure 1 , 2 , 5). The touch sensor 26 is composed of a plurality of touch sensors 26, which are arranged at six or more locations along the outer peripheral surface 23a of the knob 23 in the circumferential direction, and detect whether there is a touch operation on the knob 23 at each location ( Figure 2 ). When the controller 50 detects an operation on the touch screen 11 through the touch sensor 12, it outputs a screen action command corresponding to the operation. If a touch operation on the outer peripheral surface 23a of the knob 23 is further detected by the plurality of touch sensors 26 (a touch operation on the outer peripheral surface 23a within a specified range) with three or more fingers, even if the operation on the touch screen 11 is detected by the touch sensor 12, the screen action command corresponding to the operation is not output ( Figure 7 ).

[0049] Thus, when the knob 23 is touched during the operation of the touch screen 11, an action command consistent with the intention of the passenger can be output. That is, when the knob 23 is operated by three or more fingers, the operation of the knob 23 is given priority over the operation of the touch screen 11, so that a good action command reflecting the intention of the passenger can be output. In addition, since the touch sensor 26 is not a virtual sensor, an action command corresponding to the detection value of the touch sensor 26 is output, so the sensor can be used efficiently.

[0050] (2) The knob 23 is provided with a plurality of touch sensors 26 arranged along the outer peripheral surface 23a and a touch sensor 27 arranged on the top surface 23b at the front end of the knob 23 and detecting a touch operation on the top surface 23b. If the controller 50 detects a touch operation on the outer peripheral surface 23a of the knob 23 by three or more fingers through the touch sensor 26, even if an operation on the touch screen 11 is detected through the touch sensor 12, the controller 50 does not output a screen action command corresponding to the operation, but outputs a knob action command corresponding to the touch operation detected by the touch sensor 26 ( Figure 7 ). By providing the touch sensors 26 and 27 on the outer peripheral surface 23a and the top surface 23b of the knob 23, respectively, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of operating components and output a plurality of operation commands corresponding to the operating position of the knob 23.

[0051] (3) If the controller 50 detects an operation on the knob 23 through the touch sensor 26 when no operation on the touch screen 11 is detected through the touch sensor 12, the controller 50 outputs a knob action command corresponding to the operation on the knob 23. On the other hand, if a touch operation such as a quick slide is detected through the touch sensor 12, the controller 50 does not output an action command corresponding to the operation even if the operation on the knob 23 is detected through the touch sensor 26 within a predetermined time Δt from the time when the operation is no longer detected. Figure 6B ). Thus, it is possible to perform the validation and invalidation processing of the touch operation in consideration of the operation mode of the touch screen 11, such as operating the touch screen 11 again immediately after the quick sliding operation. That is, since the operation of the touch screen 11 is given priority immediately after the quick sliding operation, it is possible to prevent the operation of the touch screen 11 from being erroneously canceled due to the operation of the knob 23.

[0052] This embodiment can be modified in various ways. Several modified examples are described below. In the above-mentioned embodiment, if the outer peripheral surface 23a of the knob 23 is operated by more than three fingers, the action instruction generated by the touch operation on the touch screen 11 will not be output, but it can also be set that when the knob 23 is rotated by more than a specified amount, the action instruction generated by the touch operation on the touch screen 11 is not output. That is, even when the knob 23 is rotated by more than a specified amount, it is inferred that the operation is not an erroneous operation of the knob 23, but an operation in accordance with the intention of the occupant. Therefore, the operation of the knob 23 can also be given priority in this case.

[0053] Fig.10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the controller 50 for realizing such an operation. Fig.10 In the Figure 7 The same parts are marked with the same reference numerals. Fig.10As shown, if it is negative in S1 or negative in S2, it proceeds to S10. In S10, it is determined whether a rotation operation of a predetermined amount (e.g., 180°) or more of the knob 23 is detected by the rotation detector 24. If it is negative in S10, it proceeds to S3, and if it is positive, it proceeds to S4. Thus, it can be configured that if a rotation operation of a predetermined amount or more is detected by the rotation detector 24, even if a touch operation based on three or more fingers is not detected by the touch sensor 26 but a touch operation on the touch screen 11 is detected, an action instruction corresponding to the touch operation on the touch screen 11 is not output.

[0054] like Figure 4A As shown in FIG. 1 , when operating the knob 23, the area where the touch screen 11 is prone to erroneous operation is, for example, the first operation area AR1 around the knob 23. In the second operation area AR2 outside the first operation area AR1, since the hand of the passenger in operation is difficult to touch the knob 23, the possibility of erroneous operation is low. Considering this aspect, the controller 50 may be replaced by Figure 7 processing Fig.11 In addition, Fig.11 In the Figure 7 The same reference numerals are used to indicate the same parts to be processed.

[0055] exist Fig.11 In the process, first, in S20, based on the signal from the touch sensor 12, it is determined whether the position of the touch operation (first operation) on the touch screen 11 is within the second operation area AR2, that is, whether the first operation (second area first operation) is performed in the second operation area AR2. If the result is negative in S20, it is determined that the position of the touch operation is within the first operation area AR1, that is, if it is determined that the first operation (first area first operation) is performed in the first operation area AR1, then the process proceeds to Figure 7 S1 is processed in the same manner as above.

[0056] On the other hand, if it is affirmative in S20, the process proceeds to S1, and if it is affirmative in S1, the process proceeds to S2, and if it is negative, the process proceeds to S3. If it is affirmative in S2, the process proceeds to S21, and if it is negative, the process proceeds to step S3. In S21, a knob action instruction corresponding to the touch operation on the knob 23 is output, and a screen action instruction corresponding to the touch operation on the screen is output. Thus, for example, when the passenger in the driver's seat operates the knob 23 and the passenger in the passenger seat operates the touch screen 11, the touch operation can be validated.

[0057] In addition, in the above embodiment, a single touch screen 11 is formed along the imaginary plane PL, but the touch operation unit is not limited to this, and multiple touch operation units may extend along the plane. In the above embodiment, although it is set that the operation (first operation) on the touch screen 11 is detected by the touch sensor 12, the structure of the first detection unit is not limited to the above.

[0058] In the above embodiment, although the knob 23 of a substantially cylindrical shape is provided protruding from the imaginary plane PL on the side of the touch screen 11, the rotation operation portion may be arranged at a place other than the side as long as it is near the touch screen 11 where there is a possibility of erroneous operation of the touch screen 11, and the shape of the rotation operation portion may be a shape other than the cylindrical shape. In the above embodiment, although the touch operation (second operation) on the outer peripheral surface 23a of the knob 23 is detected by the touch sensor 26 (peripheral touch sensor) and the touch operation on the top surface 23b is detected by the touch sensor 27 (top surface touch sensor), the structure of the second detection portion may be any structure as long as it includes a plurality of touch sensors configured to be provided at least six or more along the outer peripheral surface of the rotation operation portion and to detect the presence or absence of the touch operation on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation operation portion at each position.

[0059] In the above-mentioned embodiment, although the controller 50 serving as the control unit determines which of the operations on the touch screen 11 detected by the touch sensor 12 and the operations on the knob 23 detected by the touch sensors 26 and 27 is given priority, and outputs a screen action instruction or a knob action instruction in accordance with the determination, the structure of the control unit may be any structure as long as it is configured to output a screen action instruction when an operation on the touch screen 11 is detected, and when a touch operation above a specified range on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating operating unit is detected by multiple touch sensors 26, no screen action instruction is output even if an operation on the touch screen 11 is detected.

[0060] One or more of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be arbitrarily combined, and modifications may be combined with each other.

[0061] According to the present invention, when the rotation operation portion is operated during the operation of the touch operation portion, it is possible to satisfactorily determine which operation is given priority without using a dummy sensor.

[0062] As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated in connection with the preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various corrections and changes can be made without departing from the disclosure scope of the claims described later.

Claims

1. A touch panel device, characterized in that: have: A touch operation portion (11) extending along a plane (PL); a first detection unit (12) for detecting an operation on the touch operation unit (11), namely, a first operation; a rotation operation unit (23) arranged near the touch operation unit (11) and protruding from the plane (PL); a second detection unit (24, 26, 27) for detecting an operation on the rotation operation unit (23), namely, a second operation; and a control unit (50) for determining which of the first operation detected by the first detection unit (12) and the second operation detected by the second detection unit (24, 26, 27) is to be given priority, and outputting an action instruction corresponding to the first operation or the second operation according to the determination result, The second detection unit (24, 26, 27) has a plurality of touch sensors (26), which are arranged at six or more locations along the outer peripheral surface (23a) of the rotation operation unit (23) in the circumferential direction, and detect whether or not the rotation operation unit (23) is touched at each location. The control unit (50) outputs an action command corresponding to the first operation when the first detection unit (12) detects the first operation, and if a touch operation beyond a specified range on the outer peripheral surface (23a) of the rotation operation unit (23) is further detected by the plurality of touch sensors (26), the control unit (50) does not output an action command corresponding to the first operation even if the first detection unit (12) detects the first operation. If the control unit (50) detects the second operation through the second detection unit (24, 26, 27) when the first operation is not detected by the first detection unit (12), the control unit (50) outputs an action instruction corresponding to the second operation. On the other hand, if the specified first operation is detected by the first detection unit (12), even if the second operation is detected by the second detection unit (24, 26, 27) within a specified time (Δt) from the time when the specified first operation cannot be detected, the action instruction corresponding to the second operation is not output.

2. The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein: The second detection unit (24, 26, 27) further includes a rotation detector (24) for detecting a rotation operation of the rotation operation unit (23). If the control unit (50) detects a rotation operation exceeding a specified amount through the rotation detector (24), even if an operation exceeding the specified range on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation operation unit (23) is not detected through the touch sensor (26) and the first operation is detected through the first detection unit (12), no action instruction corresponding to the first operation will be output.

3. The touch panel device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The plurality of touch sensors (26) provided along the outer peripheral surface (23a) of the rotation operation portion (23) are outer peripheral touch sensors (26), The second detection unit (24, 26, 27) further includes a top surface (23b) provided at the front end of the rotation operation unit (23) and a top surface touch sensor (27) for detecting a touch operation on the top surface (23b). If the control unit (50) detects a touch operation above a specified range on the outer peripheral surface (23a) of the rotating operating unit (23) through the peripheral touch sensor (26), or detects a specified touch operation on the top surface (23b) through the top surface touch sensor (27), then even if the first operation is detected by the first detection unit (12), the control unit (50) will not output an action instruction corresponding to the first operation, but will output an action instruction corresponding to the touch operation detected by the peripheral touch sensor (26) or the top surface touch sensor (27).

4. The touch panel device according to claim 3, wherein: The control unit (50) outputs a first action instruction if the control unit (50) detects a touch operation on the top surface (23b) that lasts less than a specified time through the top surface touch sensor (27). On the other hand, if the control unit detects a touch operation on the top surface (23b) that lasts longer than the specified time, it outputs a second action instruction that is different from the first action instruction.

5. The touch panel device according to claim 4, wherein: The second action instruction is an instruction to adjust the brightness of a display unit (10) provided with the touch operation unit (11).

6. The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein: The operation area of ​​the touch operation unit (11) includes a first operation area (AR1) around the rotation operation unit (23) and a second operation area (AR2) outside the first operation area (AR1). The first detection unit (12) detects an operation on the first operation area (AR1), i.e., a first-area first operation, and an operation on the second operation area (AR2), i.e., a second-area first operation. When the control unit (50) detects a touch operation above the specified range on the outer peripheral surface (23a) of the rotating operation unit (23) through the multiple touch sensors (26), even if the first operation in the first area is detected by the first detection unit (12), the action command corresponding to the first operation in the first area is not output. On the other hand, if the first operation in the second area is detected by the first detection unit (12), the action command corresponding to the first operation in the second area is output.

7. The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein: Touch operations within the predetermined range correspond to operations performed by the user using three or more fingers.

8. The touch panel device according to claim 7, wherein: If the control unit (50) does not detect the first operation through the first detection unit (12), but detects a touch operation on the outer surface (23a) of the rotating operation unit (23) that is smaller than the specified range through the multiple touch sensors (26), the control unit (50) outputs a third action instruction. On the other hand, if a touch operation on the outer surface (23a) of the rotating operation unit (23) that is larger than the specified range is detected, the control unit (50) outputs a fourth action instruction that is different from the third action instruction.

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