Input device

Abstract

To provide an input device in which the degree of freedom in arrangement of an operation reception unit and a mark associated with the operation reception unit is increased.SOLUTION: A first operation reception unit 11 receives a user operation for executing operation of a controlled device mounted on a vehicle 20. A first mark 12 indicates a position of the first operation reception unit 11. The first operation reception unit 11 is disposed in a first region R1 of an armrest 22 of the vehicle 20. The first mark 12 is disposed in a second region R2 of the armrest 22 or in a third region R3 located at a position different from the armrest 22. A direction of a first normal N1 at a center of the first region R1 and a direction of a second normal N2 at a center of the second region R2 are different from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to input devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a power window switch device provided on the door of a vehicle, which is an example of a moving object. An operation receiving unit that receives a user's operation to operate the power window and a sign associated with the power window operation are arranged so that they appear to overlap. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-123701 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an input device with increased flexibility in the arrangement of operation reception units and markers associated with the operation reception units. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One example of an aspect provided by the present disclosure is an input device mounted on a moving object, comprising: an operation receiving unit that receives a user's operation for executing an operation of a controlled device mounted on the moving body; a sign indicating the position of the operation receiving unit; It is equipped with the operation receiving unit is disposed in a first region of an armrest of the moving body, the marking is disposed in a second region of the armrest or a third region located at a different location from the armrest; The direction of the first normal at the center of the first region is different from the direction of the second normal at the center of the second region.

[0006] When a marker associated with an operation reception unit in an input device is placed over the operation reception unit, the user can easily determine the location of the operation reception unit using the marker, but the placement of the marker must depend on the placement of the operation reception unit. On the other hand, when the marker is placed away from the operation reception unit, the degree of freedom in marker placement increases, but the ease with which the user can determine the location of the operation reception unit using the marker decreases. With the above configuration, even in situations where the normal direction at the center of the area where the operation reception unit is located on the armrest differs from the normal direction at the center of the area where the marker is located, or even in situations where the marker is located in a location different from the location where the operation reception unit is located, the marker still indicates the location of the operation reception unit, thereby encouraging the user to estimate the location of the operation reception unit based on the marker. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the placement of the operation reception unit and the marker can be increased. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of an input device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 shows an enlarged example of the configuration of the input device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 shows another example of the configuration of the input device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 4 shows an enlarged example of the configuration of the input device of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 2 shows another example of the configuration of the input device of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 2 shows another example of the configuration of the input device of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 10 shows another example of the configuration of indicator lights forming a sign. [Figure 8] 10 shows another example of the configuration of a projection device for forming a sign. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008]

[0023] The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings used for the description, the scale has been appropriately changed so that the illustrated elements can be clearly seen.

[0009] In the accompanying drawings, arrow F indicates a forward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow B indicates a rearward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow U indicates an upward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow D indicates a downward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow R indicates a rightward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow L indicates a leftward direction of the illustrated structure.

[0010] Fig. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an input device 10 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 illustrates an enlarged example of the configuration of the input device 10 in Fig. 1.

[0011] 1, the input device 10 is installed on an armrest 22 attached to a door trim 21 of a vehicle 20. The input device 10 is configured to receive an operation by a user and output a signal that causes a controlled device (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 20 to execute a desired operation based on the operation. The vehicle 20 is an example of a moving body.

[0012] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the input device 10 includes a first operation receiving unit 11. The first operation receiving unit 11 is configured to receive a user's operation for executing an operation of a power window device that opens and closes a window. The power window device is an example of a controlled device. The operation of the power window device that opens and closes a window is an example of a first operation.

[0013] First operation acceptance unit 11 is configured to be mechanically displaced in response to a user's operation. The displacement of first operation acceptance unit 11 is detected mechanically, electrically, optically, or magnetically using a known sensor, and a signal corresponding to the detected displacement of first operation acceptance unit 11 is output from the known sensor.

[0014] Note that the first operation receiving unit 11 is not limited to a configuration that detects a user's operation through mechanical displacement. For example, the first operation receiving unit 11 may include a capacitive sensor whose capacitance changes depending on the distance from the user's finger. The capacitive sensor is configured to detect that an instruction input has been made based on the change in capacitance and output a control signal corresponding to the instruction input.

[0015] The first operation acceptance portion 11 is disposed in a first region R1 on the front surface 221 of the armrest 22. The direction of a first normal line N1 in the center of the first region R1 faces forward.

[0016] The input device 10 includes a first marker 12. The first marker 12 has an appearance corresponding to the operation of the controlled device operated by the first operation receiving unit 11. The appearance of the first marker 12 is expressed by at least one of a color, a letter, a number, a symbol, and a picture. In this example, the first marker 12 has a picture representing a window that is opened and closed by a power window device.

[0017] The first sign 12 is disposed in a second region R2 on the upper surface 222 of the armrest 22. The direction of the second normal N2 at the center of the second region R2 faces upward. The expression "facing upward" used in this specification includes facing at an inclination relative to the upward direction, and means facing at an inclination closer to the upward direction compared to the front-to-back and left-to-right directions.

[0018] The first marker 12 is configured to indicate the position of the first operation acceptance unit 11. In this example, the second region R2 in which the first marker 12 is located is located near the front surface 221 and adjacent to the first region R1 in which the first operation acceptance unit 11 is located. In other words, the first marker 12 is located near the first operation acceptance unit 11.

[0019] The expression "two adjacent regions" used in this specification does not only mean two adjacent regions whose normal directions at the center are the same, but also includes two adjacent regions whose normal directions at the center are different.

[0020] When markers are placed on the operation reception unit in the input device 10, the user can easily determine the location of the operation reception unit from the markers, but the placement of the markers is inevitably dependent on the placement of the operation reception unit. On the other hand, when markers are placed away from the operation reception unit, the degree of freedom in marker placement increases, but the ease with which the user can determine the location of the operation reception unit from the markers decreases. With the above-described configuration, even in a situation where the first marker 12 is placed on the upper surface 222 of the armrest 22, which is different from the front surface 221 on which the first operation reception unit 11 is provided, the first marker 12 indicates the location of the first operation reception unit 11, thereby encouraging the user to estimate the location of the first operation reception unit 11 based on the position of the first marker 12. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the placement of the first operation reception unit 11 and the first marker 12 can be increased.

[0021] In addition, in this embodiment, the first operation receiving unit 11 faces forward and is not positioned on the top surface 222 of the armrest 22, which is the part of the armrest 22 that is most easily visible to the user, thereby contributing to improving the design of the appearance of the armrest 22.

[0022] In addition, in this embodiment, the first marker 12 has an appearance that corresponds to the operation of the controlled device operated by the first operation accepting unit 11. This allows the user to understand the operation of the controlled device that can be operated by the first operation accepting unit 11 from the appearance of the first marker 12.

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the appearance of the first marker 12 is oriented toward the first region R1 in which the first operation acceptance unit 11 is located. Specifically, the direction in which a window included in the image of the first marker 12 moves up and down is oriented toward the first region R1. This allows the user to estimate the position of the first operation acceptance unit 11 from the orientation of the appearance of the first marker 12.

[0024] 3 and 4 show other examples of the configuration of the input device 10. The same components or elements having the same functions as those shown in Fig. 2 are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0025] In this example, the first region R1 in which the first operation receiving portion 11 is arranged is located on a first side surface 223 of the armrest 22. The first side surface 223 is the surface facing the door trim 21. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the direction of the first normal line N1 at the center of the first region R1 faces rightward. Note that the shape of the first operation receiving portion 11 shown in FIG. 4 is different from the shape shown in FIG. 2, but it may be configured to have the same shape as the shape shown in FIG. 2.

[0026] 3, the first marker 12 is disposed in a third region R3 on the inner surface of the door trim 21. The third region R3 is located above an area on the inner surface of the door trim 21 that faces the first region R1 in which the first operation receiving unit 11 is disposed.

[0027] According to this configuration, even in a situation where the first marker 12 is arranged on the door trim 21, which is a member different from the armrest 22 on which the first operation acceptance unit 11 is arranged, the first marker 12 indicates the position of the first operation acceptance unit 11, and therefore, the user can be prompted to guess the position of the first operation acceptance unit 11 based on the position of the first marker 12. Therefore, the degree of freedom in arranging the first operation acceptance unit 11 and the first marker 12 can be increased.

[0028] In the above-described embodiment and modifications, the input device 10 may be configured to include a plurality of operation receiving sections and a plurality of markers.

[0029] For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the input device 10 includes a second operation receiving unit 13 and a second marker 14.

[0030] The second operation receiving unit 13 is configured to receive a user's operation to perform an operation of a power window device that opens or closes a window different from the window associated with the first operation receiving unit 11. The second operation receiving unit 13 is configured to detect a user's operation through mechanical displacement, a change in capacitance, or the like. The operation of the power window device that opens or closes a window is an example of a second operation.

[0031] The second operation acceptance unit 13 is disposed in a fourth region R4 on the front surface 221 of the armrest 22. The direction of the third normal N3 at the center of the fourth region R4 faces forward. In other words, the direction of the third normal N3 at the center of the fourth region R4 where the second operation acceptance unit 13 is disposed faces the direction of the first normal N1.

[0032] The second marker 14 has an appearance corresponding to the operation of the controlled device operated by the second operation receiving unit 13. In this example, the second marker 14 has a pattern representing a window that is opened and closed by the power window device.

[0033] The second sign 14 is disposed in a fifth region R5 on the upper surface 222 of the armrest 22. The direction of the fourth normal N4 in the center of the fifth region R5 faces upward.

[0034] The second marker 14 is configured to indicate the position of the second operation acceptance unit 13. In this example, the fifth region R5 in which the second marker 14 is located is adjacent to the fourth region R4 in which the second operation acceptance unit 13 is located. In other words, the second marker 14 is located near the second operation acceptance unit 13. The appearance of the second marker 14 is oriented toward the fourth region R4 in which the second operation acceptance unit 13 is located. In this example, the window pattern on the second marker 14 is oriented toward the fourth region R4.

[0035] According to this configuration, the second operation acceptance unit 13 is disposed on the front surface 221 where the first operation acceptance unit 11 is disposed, so that the user can operate different windows with the minimum necessary movements, thereby improving the operability of the input device 10.

[0036] 3 and 4, the second operation receiving portion 13 may be arranged in the fourth region R4 of the first side surface 223 of the armrest 22 where the first operation receiving portion 11 is arranged. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the second marker 14 may be arranged in the sixth region R6 on the inner surface of the door trim 21 where the first marker 12 is arranged.

[0037] Fig. 5 shows another example of the configuration of the input device 10. The same components or elements having the same functions as those shown in Fig. 2 are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0038] The input device 10 includes a third operation receiving unit 15 and a third marker 16. The third operation receiving unit 15 is configured to receive a user's operation for executing a locking operation of the door lock device. The third operation receiving unit 15 is configured to detect a user's operation through mechanical displacement, a change in capacitance, or the like. The locking operation of the door lock device is an example of a second operation.

[0039] The third operation acceptance unit 15 is disposed in a seventh region R7 of the second side surface 224 of the armrest 22. The first side surface 223 is the side surface facing the seat 23 illustrated in FIG. 1. The direction of a fifth normal line N5 at the center of the seventh region R7 faces leftward. In other words, the direction of the fifth normal line N5 at the center of the seventh region R7 where the third operation acceptance unit 15 is disposed faces a different direction from the direction of the first normal line N1.

[0040] The third marker 16 has an appearance corresponding to the operation of the controlled device operated by the third operation receiving unit 15. In this example, the third marker 16 has a pattern representing a key locked by the door lock device.

[0041] The third marker 16 is disposed in an eighth region R8 of the upper surface 222 of the armrest 22. A sixth normal N6 of the eighth region R8 faces upward.

[0042] The third marker 16 is configured to indicate the position of the third operation acceptance unit 15. In this example, the seventh region R7 in which the third marker 16 is located is located near the front surface 221 and adjacent to the sixth region R6 in which the third operation acceptance unit 15 is located. In other words, the third marker 16 is located near the third operation acceptance unit 15.

[0043] According to this configuration, the third operation acceptance unit 15 is disposed on the second side surface 224, which is different from the front surface 221 on which the first operation acceptance unit 11 is disposed, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from operating the operation acceptance unit associated with the object other than the one intended by the user, between the first operation acceptance unit 11 and the third operation acceptance unit 15. This improves the convenience of the input device 10.

[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the input device 10 may be configured to include a plurality of operation receiving sections and a plurality of markers on the second side surface 224.

[0045] Fig. 6 shows another example of the configuration of the input device 10. The same components or elements having the same functions as those shown in Fig. 2 are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0046] The first marker 12 and the second marker 14 are arranged on the upper surface 222 of the armrest 22 away from the front surface 221 .

[0047] The first marker 12 has an appearance that indicates the position of the first operation receiving unit 11. In this example, the first marker 12 has a picture of an arrow pointing in the direction of the first region R1. The second marker 14 has an appearance that indicates the position of the second operation receiving unit 13. In this example, the second marker 14 has a picture of an arrow pointing in the direction of the fourth region R4.

[0048] With this configuration, the user can ascertain the positions of the first operation acceptance unit 11 and the second operation acceptance unit 13 from the appearance of the first marker 12 and the second marker 14. Furthermore, since the first marker 12 and the second marker 14 do not need to be arranged so that the first operation acceptance unit 11 and the second operation acceptance unit 13 are adjacent to each other, the degree of freedom in marker arrangement can be further increased.

[0049] The first marker 12 and the second marker 14 may be disposed on the upper surface 222 of the armrest 22 near the front surface 221 .

[0050] In the above embodiment and variations, the first marking 12, the second marking 14, and the third marking 16 may be formed by light emitted from behind the area where the marks are to be placed.

[0051] 7, the input device 10 includes an indicator light 31. When the sign is disposed on the armrest 22, the indicator light 31 is disposed inside the armrest 22. The indicator light 31 includes a light source 311, a light-transmitting member 312, and a light-blocking member 313.

[0052] The light source 311 is configured to emit light L1 toward the rear of the area where the sign is placed. The light source 311 may be a semiconductor light emitting element such as a light emitting diode or an EL element, or may be a lamp light source.

[0053] The light-transmitting member 312 is configured to allow the passage of light L1 emitted from the light source 311. The light-transmitting member 312 forms the outer surface of the area of the armrest 22 where the sign is to be placed.

[0054] The light-shielding member 313 has an opening that transmits a portion of the light L1 emitted from the light source 311. The opening has a shape that corresponds to the outline of a sign, for example. As a result, the light emitted from the light source 311 and passing through the opening and the light-transmitting member 312 is visually recognized by the user as a sign.

[0055] When the sign is arranged on the door trim 21, the indicator lamp 31 is arranged inside the door trim 21.

[0056] In the above embodiment and variations, the first marking 12, the second marking 14, and the third marking 16 may be formed by light projected onto the area where the markings are to be placed.

[0057] 8, the input device 10 includes a projection device 32. The projection device 32 is configured to project light L2 that forms the sign toward an area where the sign is to be placed. When the sign is placed on the door trim 21, the projection device 32 may be placed inside the armrest 22 or on a member other than the armrest 22.

[0058] With this configuration, the projection device 32 is placed in a location other than the area where the sign is located, which increases the freedom in the placement of the projection device 32 compared to when a sign is formed using an indicator light 31, and also increases the freedom in the location of the sign and the structure of the components.

[0059] The sign is not limited to a configuration formed by light from the indicator lamp 31 or the projection device 32. For example, the sign may be a sign printed on the outer surface of the armrest 22 or the door trim 21.

[0060] The configurations referred to above are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the present disclosure. Each configuration example may be appropriately modified or combined with other configuration examples within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0061] In the above-described embodiment and modifications, the input device 10 can be used to control the operation of a controlled device other than a power window device and a door lock device. In this case, the first operation and the second operation may be different operations of the same device or the same operation of different devices.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the armrest 22 is formed to have a planar front surface 221, a planar first side surface 223, and a planar second side surface 224. However, the armrest 22 may be formed, for example, so that at least two adjacent surfaces of the front surface 221, the first side surface 223, and the second side surface 224 are smoothly connected to form a single curved surface.

[0063] The armrest 22 is not limited to being provided on the door trim 21. For example, the armrest 22 may be attached to the seat 23.

[0064] The input device 10 can also be applied to moving objects other than the vehicle 20. Examples of other moving objects include trains, airplanes, flying objects, and ships. The moving objects do not necessarily need a driver. Furthermore, the moving objects do not necessarily need to actually move. For example, the input device 10 can be installed in a simulator for simulating the running of a moving object.

[0065] The configurations listed below also form part of this disclosure. Item 1: An input device mounted on a moving body, an operation receiving unit that receives a user's operation for executing an operation of a controlled device mounted on the moving body; a sign indicating the position of the operation receiving unit; It is equipped with the operation receiving unit is disposed in a first region of an armrest of the moving body, the marking is disposed in a second region of the armrest or a third region located at a different location from the armrest; An input device, wherein a direction of a first normal at the center of the first region is different from a direction of a second normal at the center of the second region. Item 2: 2. The input device according to item 1, wherein the indicator has an appearance that corresponds to the operation of the controlled device. Item 3: 3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the first normal is directed other than upward. Item 4: the operation reception unit includes a first operation reception unit that receives a user's operation to execute a first action, and a second operation reception unit that receives a user's operation to execute a second action; 4. The input device according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the direction of a normal at the center of an area in which the first operation receiving unit is disposed and the direction of a normal at the center of an area in which the second operation receiving unit is disposed are directed in the direction of the first normal. Item 5: the operation reception unit includes a first operation reception unit that receives a user's operation to execute a first action, and a second operation reception unit that receives a user's operation to execute a second action; 4. The input device according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein one of the direction of a normal at the center of the area in which the first operation receiving unit is disposed and the direction of a normal at the center of the area in which the second operation receiving unit is disposed is different from the direction of the first normal. Item 6: 6. The input device according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the second area or the third area is adjacent to the first area. Item 7: 6. The input device according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the marker has an appearance that indicates the position of the operation receiving unit. Item 8: 8. An input device according to any one of items 1 to 7, comprising a light source that emits light forming the marking from behind the second area or the third area. Item 9: 8. The input device of any one of items 1 to 7, further comprising a projection device that projects light forming the sign onto the second area or the third area. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10: Input device, 11: First operation reception unit, 12: First identifier, 13: Second operation reception unit, 14: Second identifier, 15: Third operation reception unit, 16: Third identifier, 20: Vehicle, 21: Door trim, 22: Armrest, 23: Seat, 31: Indicator light, 32: Projection device, 221: Front surface, 222: Upper surface, 223: First side surface, 224: Second side surface, 311: Light source, 312: Light-transmissive member, 313: Light-blocking member, L1: Light, L2: Light, N1: First normal line, N2: Second normal line, N3: Third normal line, N4: Fourth normal line, N5: Fifth normal line, N6: Sixth normal line, R1: First region, R2: Second region, R3: Third region, R4: Fourth region, R5: Fifth region, R6: Sixth region, R7: Seventh region, R8: Eighth region

Claims

1. An input device mounted on a moving body, an operation receiving unit that receives a user's operation for executing an operation of a controlled device mounted on the moving body; a sign indicating the position of the operation receiving unit; It is equipped with the operation receiving unit is disposed in a first region of an armrest of the moving body, the marking is disposed in a second region of the armrest or a third region located at a different location from the armrest; An input device, wherein a direction of a first normal at the center of the first region is different from a direction of a second normal at the center of the second region.

2. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein the indicator has an appearance that corresponds to the operation of the controlled device.

3. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein the first normal line is oriented in a direction other than upward.

4. the operation reception unit includes a first operation reception unit that receives a user's operation to execute a first action, and a second operation reception unit that receives a user's operation to execute a second action; 3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein a direction of a normal at the center of an area in which the first operation receiving unit is disposed and a direction of a normal at the center of an area in which the second operation receiving unit is disposed are aligned in the direction of the first normal.

5. the operation reception unit includes a first operation reception unit that receives a user's operation to execute a first action, and a second operation reception unit that receives a user's operation to execute a second action; one of a direction of a normal line at the center of an area where the first operation reception unit is disposed and a direction of a normal line at the center of an area where the second operation reception unit is disposed is different from the direction of the first normal line; 3. The input device according to claim 1.

6. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein the second area or the third area is adjacent to the first area.

7. The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the indicator has an appearance that indicates the position of the operation receiving unit.

8. The input device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a light source that emits light forming the mark from behind the second area or the third area.

9. The input device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a projection device that projects light forming the mark onto the second area or the third area.

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