Operation device, steering wheel, electronic apparatus and control method for operation panel

Abstract

To provide an operation device, a steering wheel, an electronic apparatus and a control method for an operation panel, which allow a user to easily recognize a contact position when the user contacts an operation panel.SOLUTION: An operation device includes: an operation panel having a tactile panel having a first main surface and a second main surface on an opposite side to the first main surface, a touch panel that has a third main surface and a fourth main surface on an opposite side to the third main surface and opposite to the first main surface and outputs a detection signal according to a contact position of the tactile panel, and a piezoelectric actuator that is arranged on the first main surface and generates a vibration; and a control device that receives input of the detection signal output from the touch panel and outputs a drive signal according to the contact position of the tactile panel to the piezoelectric actuator while receiving the input of the detection signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an operating device, a steering wheel, an electronic device, and a control method for an operation panel. [Background technology]

[0002] Some electronic devices, such as smartphones and car navigation systems, are equipped with a force feedback function that generates vibrations when the touch panel is operated to notify the user that the input has been accepted. In recent years, in addition to vibrations for notification, haptic technologies have been studied and developed that can express the feel of displayed objects and grasp the operation position by providing various variations in vibrations.

[0003] This type of haptic technology can be realized by vibrating a piezoelectric actuator attached to a tactile panel at an ultrasonic frequency. The ultrasonic vibration creates standing waves in the tactile panel, and when the tactile panel is touched with a finger or the like, a tactile sensation can be sensed. By changing the signal pattern supplied to the piezoelectric actuator, a wide variety of tactile sensations can be expressed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-65511 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In conventional electronic devices with touch panels, even if they have a force feedback function, users must operate the electronic device while viewing the screen displayed on the device. For this reason, when operating a car navigation system while driving or a smartphone while walking, users must look away from the direction of travel.

[0006] Patent Document 1 describes a technology for making it easier to identify the position of an operating section on the surface of a steering wheel. However, if the number of types of inputs via the operating section increases, there is a risk that it will become impossible to identify the position of the operating section.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an operation device, a steering wheel, an electronic device, and a method for controlling an operation panel that make it easy to recognize the touch position when touching the operation panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an operating device includes a touch panel having a tactile panel having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite the first main surface, a third main surface and a fourth main surface opposite the third main surface and facing the first main surface, the touch panel outputting a detection signal corresponding to a position where the tactile panel is touched, and a piezoelectric actuator disposed on the first main surface and generating vibrations; and a control device that receives the detection signal output from the touch panel and outputs a drive signal to the piezoelectric actuator corresponding to the position where the tactile panel is touched while the detection signal is being input. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily recognize the touched position when touching an operation panel. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an operation device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a side view showing an operation panel included in the operation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a top view showing an operation panel included in the operation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is a bottom view showing an operation panel included in the operation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5]2 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation panel included in the operating device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a piezoelectric actuator included in the operating device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a basic operation of an operation panel. [Figure 8] 5 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling the operation panel by the control device. [Figure 9] 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a plurality of regions set on a touch panel by a control device; FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a steering wheel according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations may be denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.

[0012] (First embodiment) First, a first embodiment will be described. The first embodiment relates to an operating device.

[0013] [Configuration of operation device] The configuration of the operation device according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the operation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an operation panel included in the operation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a top view showing an operation panel included in the operation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing an operation panel included in the operation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation panel included in the operation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0014] 1, the operation device 1 according to the first embodiment includes an operation panel 100 and a control device 200. The control device 200 controls the operation panel 100 and also controls an external output device 300 connected to the control device 200. Examples of the external output device 300 include a display device, an audio device, and a communication device.

[0015] The control device 200 is a computer, and includes a bus 201, a processing device 202, a first input / output unit 203, a second input / output unit 204, a storage device 205, and a memory device 206. The processing device 202, the first input / output unit 203, the second input / output unit 204, the storage device 205, and the memory device 206 are connected to the bus 201. The processing device 202, the first input / output unit 203, the second input / output unit 204, the storage device 205, and the memory device 206 are connected to each other via the bus 201.

[0016] The operation panel 100 is connected to the first input / output unit 203 , and the external output device 300 is connected to the second input / output unit 204 .

[0017] The storage device 205 stores a control program for controlling the operation panel 100 and the external output device 300. The memory device 206 reads out and stores the control program from the storage device 205 when the control device 200 is started. The arithmetic processing device 202 then realizes various processes, which will be described later, in accordance with the control program stored in the memory device 206.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 5, the operating device 1 according to the first embodiment has an operating panel 100 and a control device 200. The operating panel 100 has a display panel 101, a touch panel 102, a tactile panel 103, and a piezoelectric actuator 104. As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the operating panel 100 is flat and has a rectangular shape when viewed in the thickness direction. In each drawing of the present disclosure, for convenience, the longitudinal direction of the operating panel 100 is defined as the X direction, the lateral direction is defined as the Y direction, and the thickness direction is defined as the Z direction.

[0019] The display panel 101 is a panel that displays an image, and is a display panel that uses liquid crystal or organic EL (electro-luminescence), etc. The configuration of the display panel 101 is not particularly limited, and it can be a display having a general configuration. One end of a first signal line 131 is connected to the display panel 101. The other end of the first signal line 131 is connected to a control device 200. A control signal from the control device 200 is input to the display panel 101 via the first signal line 131.

[0020] The touch panel 102 is disposed on the display panel 101 and detects an operation of the operation panel 100 by a user's finger or the like. The touch panel 102 is configured to detect, for example, touches and taps on the tactile panel 103. The touch panel 102 includes arranged touch sensors, and the touch sensors are preferably capacitive. The touch panel 102 may be a laminate of a touch panel body and a protective cover glass, or may be a combination of the touch panel body and the protective cover glass. As shown in FIG. 5, the touch panel 102 has a third main surface 102c on the display panel 101 side and a fourth main surface 102b on the opposite side to the third main surface 102c. One end of a second signal line 132 is connected to the touch panel 102. The other end of the second signal line 132 is connected to the control device 200. A detection signal indicating a detection result by the touch panel 102 is input to the control device 200 via the second signal line 132. The detection signal indicates at least the touched position of the tactile panel 103.

[0021] The tactile panel 103 is disposed on the touch panel 102 and presents a tactile sensation to the user. As shown in FIG. 2, the tactile panel 103 has a longer side than other members such as the touch panel 102, and has a portion 103a that protrudes from the other members. A piezoelectric actuator 104 is joined to this portion 103a, and vibrations are generated by the piezoelectric actuator 104. The tactile panel 103 is made of a light-transmitting material such as glass or resin. As shown in FIG. 5, the tactile panel 103 has a first main surface 103c that faces the fourth main surface 102b of the touch panel 102, and a second main surface 103b that is opposite to the first main surface 103c. The first main surface 103c and the fourth main surface 102b may be in contact with each other as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, but a gap may be provided between the first main surface 103c and the fourth main surface 102b so that the vibration of the tactile panel 103 is not attenuated. This gap is set to an extent that allows the touch panel 102 to detect touches and taps on the tactile panel 103.

[0022] The piezoelectric actuator 104 is joined to the tactile panel 103 and generates vibrations. As shown in Fig. 2, the piezoelectric actuator 104 is joined to a first main surface 103c at a portion 103a of the tactile panel 103. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the piezoelectric actuator 104. As shown in Fig. 6, the piezoelectric actuator 104 includes a piezoelectric body 121, a first electrode 122, and a second electrode 123. The piezoelectric body 121 is made of a piezoelectric material such as PZT (lead zirconate titanate).

[0023] The first electrode 122 includes a first internal electrode 124 and a first external electrode 125. The first internal electrode 124 is made of a conductive material and is provided in a plurality of layers in the piezoelectric body 121. The first external electrode 125 is made of a conductive material and is connected to the first internal electrode 124. The second electrode 123 includes a second internal electrode 126 and a second external electrode 127. The second internal electrode 126 is made of a conductive material and is provided in a plurality of layers in the piezoelectric body 121. The second external electrode 127 is made of a conductive material and is connected to the second internal electrode 126.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 6, the first internal electrodes 124 and the second internal electrodes 126 are alternately arranged and face each other via the piezoelectric body 121. The number of layers of the first internal electrodes 124 and the second internal electrodes 126 is not limited to three each. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a first wiring 128 is connected to the first electrode 122, and a second wiring 129 is connected to the second electrode 123. The first wiring 128 and the second wiring 129 are connected to the control device 200, and transmit a drive signal output from the control device 200 to the first electrode 122 and the second electrode 123.

[0025] When a voltage is applied between the first electrode 122 and the second electrode 123 by this drive signal, the piezoelectric body 121 is deformed by the inverse piezoelectric effect, and vibration occurs. Here, in the operation panel 100, the control device 200 supplies the ultrasonic drive signal to the piezoelectric actuator 104, so that the piezoelectric actuator 104 can generate vibration in the ultrasonic band. The frequency of the ultrasonic band is, for example, 20 kHz or more. The frequency of the ultrasonic band may be 20 kHz or more and 60 kHz or less. Note that the piezoelectric actuator 104 may have a layered structure in which the first electrode 122 and the second electrode 123 are alternately layered with the piezoelectric body 121 interposed therebetween, as shown in FIG. 6, or may have another structure.

[0026] [Basic operation of the operation panel] The basic operation of the operation panel 100 will be described. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the basic operation of the operation panel 100. As shown in Fig. 7, when a user vibrates the piezoelectric actuator 104 (see Fig. 2) in the ultrasonic band while the user places his / her finger F in contact with the second main surface 103b of the tactile panel 103, the vibration is transmitted to the tactile panel 103, causing the tactile panel 103 to vibrate. This allows the finger F to sense touch.

[0027] Furthermore, contact of the finger F with the tactile panel 103 is detected by the touch panel 102 and input to the control device 200 via the second signal line 132. Furthermore, the display panel 101 is controlled by the control device 200 via the first signal line 131, and an image displayed by the display panel 101 can be viewed via the touch panel 102 and the tactile panel 103.

[0028] [Control program by the control device] The following describes the control performed by the control device 200. Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing a method for controlling the operation panel 100 by the control device 200.

[0029] When the operating device 1 starts to operate, the control device 200 first sets a plurality of regions on the touch panel 102 (step S1). For example, as shown in FIG. 9, nine congruent regions 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, and 229 are set on the touch panel 102. The regions 221 to 229 are set so that three are arranged in the X direction and three are arranged in the Y direction. The region 222 is set on the +X side of the region 221, and the region 223 is set on the +X side of the region 222. The region 224 is set on the -Y side of the region 221, the region 225 is set on the -Y side of the region 222, and the region 226 is set on the -Y side of the region 223. The region 227 is set on the -Y side of the region 224, the region 228 is set on the -Y side of the region 225, and the region 229 is set on the -Y side of the region 226. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a plurality of regions that the control device 200 sets on the touch panel 102. As shown in FIG.

[0030] Next, the control device 200 sets, for each of the regions 221-229, a vibration frequency for driving the piezoelectric actuator 104 (step S2). For example, nine different frequencies may be set for each of the regions 221-229. Alternatively, the regions 221-229 may be divided into a plurality of groups, and a different frequency may be set for each group.

[0031] Next, the control device 200 judges whether a detection signal is input from the touch panel 102 via the second signal line 132 (step S3). Then, when a detection signal is input to the control device 200, it judges whether the detection signal indicates a touch such as a swipe or a tap (step S4). The control device 200 judges that a touch has occurred when contact continues for a certain period of time or more, for example.

[0032] When the detection signal indicates a touch, the control device 200 controls the piezoelectric actuator 104 and the display panel 101 (step S5). Specifically, the control device 200 identifies the area where the touch of the tactile panel 103 is detected from the areas 221 to 229, and outputs a drive signal to the piezoelectric actuator 104 through the first wiring 128 and the second wiring 129 while the detection signal is being input so that vibration of the frequency set in step S2 occurs in the area. If a frequency of 0 Hz is set for the area, it is not necessary to output a drive signal. In addition, the control device 200 outputs a control signal corresponding to the area where the touch of the tactile panel 103 is detected to the display panel 101 through the first signal line 131. The image displayed by the display panel 101 is visible through the touch panel 102 and the tactile panel 103.

[0033] If the detection signal indicates a tap, the control device 200 controls the display panel 101 and the external output device 300 (step S6). Specifically, the control device 200 outputs a control signal corresponding to the area where the touch of the tactile panel 103 is detected to the display panel 101 via the first signal line 131, and also outputs a control signal for the external output device 300 to the external output device 300.

[0034] After the process of step S5 or S6, the control device 200 judges whether or not there is an instruction to end the control (step S7). If there is an instruction to end the control, the control ends, and if there is no instruction to end the control, the process returns to step S3 and judges whether or not a detection signal is input from the touch panel 102 via the second signal line 132.

[0035] [Effects of the control device] In the operation device 1, when a user touches the tactile panel 103, the control device 200 drives the piezoelectric actuator 104 in accordance with the position of the touch. Therefore, when the user touches the operation panel 100, the user can recognize the position of the touch.

[0036] For example, with regard to input to the external output device 300, assume that at a certain point in time, the area to be tapped is area 221, 223, 225, 227, or 229, and tapping areas 222, 224, 226, and 228 will not allow input to the external output device 300. In this case, an ultrasonic band frequency is set for areas 222, 224, 226, and 228, and a frequency of 0 Hz is set for areas 221, 223, 225, 227, and 229. If the user is informed by an instruction manual or the like that the area with ultrasonic band vibration is the area to be tapped, the user can recognize whether the finger F is in an area where input can be performed or an area where input cannot be performed.

[0037] Also, the user can be guided to a specific position on the operation panel 100 by setting a frequency for each of the regions 221-229. For example, an ultrasonic frequency band is set for the regions 221-224 and 226-229, and a frequency of 0 Hz is set for the region 225. With the frequencies set in this manner, when the user touches the regions 221-224 and 226-229, the finger F slides on the second main surface 103b due to the squeeze film effect, and when the user touches the region 225, the finger F feels as if it is caught rather than slipping. In this way, the user can be intuitively guided to the region 225.

[0038] In this embodiment, nine regions 221-229 are set on the touch panel 102, but the number of regions set is not limited to nine, and may be eight or less, or ten or more, as long as it is a plurality of regions. In addition, the planar shapes of the regions do not need to be congruent with each other.

[0039] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment relates to a steering wheel equipped with an operating device having an operating panel and a control device. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a steering wheel according to the second embodiment. In the description of the second embodiment, down, left, and right are directions seen from the driver operating the steering wheel when the steering wheel is in a state to drive the car straight.

[0040] 10, a steering wheel 400 according to the second embodiment has an annular ring portion 401, a boss portion 402, a lower spoke portion 411, a left spoke portion 412, and a right spoke portion 413. The boss portion 402 is disposed in a space surrounded by the ring portion 401. The lower spoke portion 411 connects the boss portion 402 and the ring portion 401 below the boss portion 402, the left spoke portion 412 connects the boss portion 402 and the ring portion 401 on the left side of the boss portion 402, and the right spoke portion 413 connects the boss portion 402 and the ring portion 401 on the right side of the boss portion 402.

[0041] The steering wheel 400 further includes operation panels 421, 422, and 423. The operation panel 421 is provided on the driver's side surface of the lower spoke portion 411, the operation panel 422 is provided on the driver's side surface of the left spoke portion 412, and the operation panel 423 is provided on the driver's side surface of the right spoke portion 413. The operation panels 421, 422, and 423 have the same configuration as the operation panel 100 in the first embodiment. The planar shape of the operation panels 421, 422, and 423 is, for example, a square, a rectangle, a trapezoid, or an irregular shape. For example, the size of the tactile panel included in each of the operation panels 421, 422, and 423 is 2.0 inches to 14 inches diagonally, and the thickness is 0.3 mm to 10 mm.

[0042] The steering wheel 400 further includes a control device 425 that controls the operation panels 421, 422, and 423. The control device 425 has a similar configuration to the control device 200 in the first embodiment.

[0043] To the control device 425, for example, a console display, a multi-display, or a head-up display, and a car navigation system linked to these displays are connected as the external output device 300. By operating the operation panels 421, 422, and 423, it is possible to switch the screen of the console display, the multi-display, or the head-up display, and to input various information to the car navigation system. The steering wheel 400 and the external output device 300 are combined to configure an electronic device.

[0044] When the operation panels 421, 422, and 423 are operated, ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to the driver's fingers under the control of the control device 425. Therefore, the driver can switch between the screens of the console display, multi-display, or head-up display, and can input various information to the car navigation system, without having to take his / her hands off the steering wheel 400 or turn his / her eyes away from the direction of travel. This can significantly improve the safety of driving a car.

[0045] It is not necessary for the steering wheel 400 to have all of the operation panels 421, 422, and 423, and the steering wheel 400 may have only one or two of the operation panels 421, 422, and 423.

[0046] The operation device 1 may be mounted on an electronic device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a remote controller. In this case, an imaging device, an audio device, a communication device, or the like of the electronic device can be connected to the control device 200 as the external output device 300. According to an electronic device mounted with the operation device 1, when operating the touch panel 102, an auxiliary function of operation can be added by providing a tactile sensation to the fingers.

[0047] Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0048] Aspects of the present disclosure are, for example, as follows.

[0049] <1> an operation panel including: a tactile panel having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface, a touch panel having a third main surface and a fourth main surface opposite to the third main surface and facing the first main surface, the touch panel outputting a detection signal corresponding to a touched position on the tactile panel, and a piezoelectric actuator disposed on the first main surface and generating vibrations; a control device that receives the detection signal output from the touch panel and outputs a drive signal to the piezoelectric actuator according to a touched position on the tactile panel while the detection signal is being input; An operating device having

[0050] <2> The control device sets a plurality of regions on the touch panel and sets the drive signal to each of the regions. <1> The operating device described in

[0051] <3> the control device sets a vibration frequency of the piezoelectric actuator for each of the regions. <2> The operating device described in

[0052] <4> The control device does not vibrate the piezoelectric actuator in a part of the plurality of regions. <2> or <3> The operating device described in

[0053] <5> A ring portion and A spoke portion connected to the ring portion; <1> ~ <4> An operating device according to any one of the preceding claims, having The operation panel is provided on the spoke portion of a steering wheel.

[0054] <6> <5> a steering wheel according to A display device connected to the control device; An electronic device having

[0055] <7> <1> ~ <4> The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The electronic device, wherein the operation panel has a display panel facing the first main surface.

[0056] <8> A method for controlling an operation panel, comprising: The operation panel includes: a tactile panel having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; a touch panel having a third main surface and a fourth main surface opposite to the third main surface and facing the first main surface, the touch panel outputting a detection signal corresponding to a touched position on the tactile panel; a piezoelectric actuator disposed on the first main surface and configured to generate vibrations; having the touch panel outputting the detection signal to a control device; a step of the control device outputting, to the piezoelectric actuator, a drive signal corresponding to a touched position on the tactile panel while the detection signal is being input; A method for controlling an operation panel comprising the steps of: [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1: Operating device 100, 421, 422, 423: Operation panel 101: Display panel 102: Touch panel 103: Tactile panel 104: Piezoelectric actuator 200, 425: Control device 300: External output device 400:Steering wheel

Claims

1. an operation panel including: a tactile panel having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface, a touch panel having a third main surface and a fourth main surface opposite to the third main surface and facing the first main surface, the touch panel outputting a detection signal corresponding to a touched position on the tactile panel, and a piezoelectric actuator disposed on the first main surface and generating vibrations; a control device that receives the detection signal output from the touch panel and outputs a drive signal to the piezoelectric actuator according to a touched position on the tactile panel while the detection signal is being input; An operating device having

2. The operation device according to claim 1 , wherein the control device sets a plurality of regions on the touch panel, and sets the drive signal for each of the regions.

3. The operating device according to claim 2 , wherein the control device sets a frequency of vibration of the piezoelectric actuator for each of the regions.

4. The operating device according to claim 2 , wherein the control device does not vibrate the piezoelectric actuator in some of the plurality of regions.

5. A ring portion and A spoke portion connected to the ring portion; An operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; having The operation panel is provided on the spoke portion of a steering wheel.

6. A steering wheel according to claim 5; A display device connected to the control device; An electronic device having

7. The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The electronic device, wherein the operation panel has a display panel facing the first main surface.

8. A method for controlling an operation panel, comprising: The operation panel includes: a tactile panel having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; a touch panel having a third main surface and a fourth main surface opposite to the third main surface and facing the first main surface, the touch panel outputting a detection signal corresponding to a touched position on the tactile panel; a piezoelectric actuator disposed on the first main surface and configured to generate vibrations; having the touch panel outputting the detection signal to a control device; a step of the control device outputting, to the piezoelectric actuator, a drive signal corresponding to a touched position on the tactile panel while the detection signal is being input; A method for controlling an operation panel comprising the steps of:

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