Operation control apparatus, processing apparatus, and computer program

Abstract

To improve the convenience of an input device which is mounted on an operation control apparatus gripped by a hand of a user and receives an operation input using the hand to control operation of a device to be controlled.SOLUTION: An axial section 111 can be rotatable around a rotation axis A extending in a reference direction. A grip section 112 can be gripped by a hand 40 of a user and is moved along a moving path for executing first controlled operation, thereby rotating the axial section 111 around the rotation axis A. An input device 12 is arranged between the axial section 111 and the grip section 112 in the reference direction, and includes an operation receiving region for receiving operation of the hand 40 for executing second controlled operation which is different from the first controlled operation. A detection unit 14 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the position of the hand 40 on the grip section 112. A processing apparatus changes at least one of the position, shape, and size of the operation receiving region, based on the detection signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a motion control device including a gripper to be held by a user's hand and an input device that accepts operations by the hand to control the motion of a controlled device. The present disclosure also relates to a processing device that can cooperate with the motion control device and a computer program that can be executed by a processor installed in the processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a steering device that changes the direction of travel of a vehicle as a controlled operation. The steering device includes a shaft portion that can rotate around a rotation axis, and a ring-shaped grip portion that can be held by the driver's hand and has the rotation axis as its center. The steering device is equipped with an input device that accepts operation input from the driver to realize a controlled operation other than steering of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-206692 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for improving the convenience of input devices that are mounted on motion control devices held by a user's hand and that accept operation inputs for controlling the motion of controlled devices by the hand. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One example aspect provided by the present disclosure is a motion control device, comprising: a shaft portion configured to be rotatable about an axis extending in a reference direction; a gripping portion that can be held by a user's hand and that rotates the shaft portion about the axis by being moved along a movement path to perform a first controlled action; an input device that is disposed between the shaft portion and the grip portion when viewed from the reference direction, and has an operation receiving area that can receive an operation by the hand to perform a second controlled operation that is different from the first controlled action; a detection device that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the position of the hand on the gripping portion; a processing device that changes at least one of the position, shape, and size of the operation reception area based on the detection signal; It is equipped with:

[0006] One example embodiment provided by the present disclosure is a shaft portion configured to be rotatable about an axis extending in a reference direction; a gripping portion that can be held by a user's hand and that rotates the shaft portion about the axis by being moved along a movement path to perform a first controlled action; an input device that is disposed between the shaft portion and the grip portion when viewed from the reference direction, and has an operation receiving area that can receive an operation by the hand to perform a second controlled operation that is different from the first controlled action; A processing device capable of cooperating with an operation control device comprising: an interface that receives a detection signal corresponding to the position of the hand on the gripping unit; a processor that changes at least one of the position, shape, and size of the operation reception area based on the detection signal; It is equipped with:

[0007] One example embodiment provided by the present disclosure is a shaft portion configured to be rotatable about an axis extending in a reference direction; a gripping portion that can be held by a user's hand and that rotates the shaft portion about the axis by being moved along a movement path to perform a first controlled action; an input device that is disposed between the shaft portion and the grip portion when viewed from the reference direction, and has an operation receiving area that can receive an operation by the hand to perform a second controlled operation that is different from the first controlled action; A computer program executable by a processor installed in a processing device capable of cooperating with an operation control device comprising: When executed, the processing device: receiving a detection signal corresponding to the position of the hand on the gripping portion; At least one of the position, shape, and size of the operation reception area is changed based on the detection signal.

[0008] According to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, the ease with which a user can input an operation to the input device by the user's hand can be changed depending on the position at which the user's hand grips the grip portion of the steering member. This improves the convenience of the input device, which is mounted on a motion control device held by the user's hand and accepts an operation input for controlling the operation of a controlled device by the user's hand. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a vehicle equipped with a steering device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of the steering device of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 2 illustrates a driver's hands gripping the steering member of FIG. 1; [Figure 4] 2 shows an example of the operation of the steering device of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] 2 shows another example of the operation of the steering device of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 2 shows another example of the operation of the steering device of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings used in the following description, the scale has been appropriately changed so that the illustrated elements can be clearly seen.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a cabin of a vehicle 20 equipped with a steering device 10 according to an embodiment. The steering device 10 is a device for causing the vehicle 20 to perform an operation (steering operation) to change the direction of travel. The steering device 10 is an example of a motion control device. The steering operation is an example of a first controlled operation. The vehicle 20 is an example of a moving body.

[0012] The steering device 10 includes a steering member 11. The steering member 11 has a shaft portion 111 and a grip portion 112.

[0013] The shaft portion 111 is configured to be able to rotate about a rotation axis A. The rotation axis A extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle 20. The front-rear direction is an example of a reference direction.

[0014] The grip portion 112 is configured to be able to be held by the driver's hand. The driver is an example of a user. The grip portion 112 is configured to be able to turn along a turning path P centered on a turning axis A. When the grip portion 112 is turned by the driver's hand, the shaft portion 111 turns in the same direction. The direction of the turning corresponds to the changed traveling direction of the vehicle 20.

[0015] The steering device 10 includes an input device 12. The input device 12 is disposed between the shaft portion 111 and the grip portion 112 when viewed from the direction along the rotation axis A. The input device 12 is a device for causing the controlled device 30 mounted on the vehicle 20 to perform an operation other than a steering operation.

[0016] Examples of controlled devices 30 include audiovisual equipment, air conditioning equipment, lighting devices (headlights, turn signals, fog lights, interior lights, etc.), visibility improvement devices (wipers, cleaners, etc.), devices for adjusting the position of steering members or seats, power window devices, locking / unlocking devices, etc. The operation executed by controlled device 30 is an example of a second controlled operation.

[0017] 2 illustrates an example of the functional configuration of the steering device 10. The input device 12 has an operation reception area 121. The operation reception area 121 is configured to receive an operation for causing the controlled device 30 to perform a predetermined operation. The operation is performed by the driver's fingers holding the grip portion 112.

[0018] The input device 12 may be configured to detect contact of or approach of a driver's finger with respect to the operation reception area 121. As an example, the input device 12 may be configured to detect a change in capacitance in the operation reception area 121 due to contact of or approach of a driver's finger, and to output a first detection signal DS1 indicating that the driver's finger has contacted or approached the operation reception area 121 based on the change.

[0019] As another example, the input device 12 can be configured to detect a pressure change or displacement in the operation reception area 121 due to contact with the driver's finger, and based on the change or displacement, output a first detection signal DS1 indicating that the driver's finger has contacted the operation reception area 121.

[0020] The first detection signal DS1 is configured to include information indicating the position where the driver's finger has touched or approached in the operation reception area 121. The first detection signal DS1 may be an analog signal or a digital signal depending on the specifications of the input device 12.

[0021] The steering device 10 includes a processing device 13. The processing device 13 may be built into the input device 12, or may be provided at an appropriate position independent of the input device 12.

[0022] The processing device 13 includes an input interface 131. The input interface 131 is configured as a hardware interface that receives the first detection signal DS1. When the first detection signal DS1 is an analog signal, the input interface 131 includes an appropriate conversion circuit including an A / D converter that converts the analog signal into a digital signal. This description also applies to other signals that can be received by the input interface 131, which will be described later.

[0023] The processing device 13 includes a processor 132 and an output interface 133. The processor 132 is configured to output a first control signal CS1 from the output interface 133 in response to the first detection signal DS1. The first control signal CS1 is configured to cause the controlled device 30 to perform an operation corresponding to the operation input to the operation receiving area 121.

[0024] That is, the output interface 133 is configured as a hardware interface capable of outputting the first control signal CS1. The first control signal CS1 may be an analog signal or a digital signal depending on the specifications of the controlled device 30. When the first control signal CS1 is an analog signal, the output interface 133 includes an appropriate conversion circuit including a D / A converter. This description similarly applies to other signals that can be output by the output interface 133, which will be described later.

[0025] The steering device 10 includes a detection device 14. The detection device 14 is configured to output a second detection signal DS2 corresponding to the position of the driver's hand on the grip portion 112 of the steering member 11.

[0026] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the detection device 14 can be realized by a plurality of electrodes arranged on the grip portion 112 so as to detect a change in capacitance accompanying contact or approach of the driver's hand 40.

[0027] Alternatively, the detection device 14 may be realized by a plurality of piezoelectric sensors arranged on the grip portion 112 so as to detect pressure changes or displacements caused by contact with the driver's hand 40 .

[0028] 2, the second detection signal DS2 output from the detection device 14 is received by the input interface 131 of the processing device 13. The processor 132 is configured to output a second control signal CS2 for changing the position of the operation reception area 121 of the input device 12 from the output interface 133, in accordance with the position of the driver's hand 40 indicated by the second detection signal DS2.

[0029] 4, the input device 12 according to this embodiment includes a display device 122 capable of displaying images. In this embodiment, the input device 12 provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for controlling the operation of the audiovisual equipment. The display device 122 displays an image corresponding to the content to be played.

[0030] The display device 122 has a touch panel function. The operation reception area 121 is displayed on the display device 122 as a button image for receiving a touch operation that causes the audiovisual device to perform a predetermined operation (play, stop, skip forward, etc.). The touch operation can be performed by the driver moving his / her fingers 41 while gripping the grip portion 112 of the steering member 11.

[0031] Fig. 4 illustrates an example of the initial position of the operation reception area 121 corresponding to the position of the hand 40 illustrated in Fig. 3. When the processor 132 of the processing device 13 determines, based on the second detection signal DS2, that the hand 40 is located within a predetermined reference area in the grip portion 112 of the steering member 11, the processor 132 outputs, from the output interface 133, a second control signal CS2 that causes the operation reception area 121 to be displayed in its initial position on the display device 122.

[0032] The position of the hand 40 can be appropriately identified based on the second detection signal DS2 corresponding to the detection result by at least one electrode or piezoelectric sensor arranged on the grip portion 112 of the steering member 11. When the second detection signal DS2 corresponds to the detection results by a plurality of electrodes or piezoelectric sensors, the reference position of the hand 40 can be identified by applying an appropriate calculation. Examples of the reference position include the center of gravity position, the top end position, and a position corresponding to the base of the thumb.

[0033] 3, hand 40A indicated by a two-dot chain line is positioned above the reference area of ​​grip portion 112. When it is determined based on second detection signal DS2 that the driver's hand is in this position, processor 132 outputs, from output interface 133, second control signal CS2 that changes the position at which operation reception area 121 is displayed on display device 122, as shown in FIG.

[0034] Specifically, the display position is changed so that the center position of operation reception area 121 moves upward from the initial state illustrated in Fig. 4. This makes it easier for the driver to reach operation reception area 121 with their fingers even if they are holding a part of grip portion 112 that is above the reference area.

[0035] 3, hand 40B is positioned below the reference area on grip portion 112. When it is determined based on second detection signal DS2 that the driver's hand is in this position, processor 132 outputs, from output interface 133, second control signal CS2 that changes the position at which operation reception area 121 is displayed on display device 122, as shown in FIG.

[0036] Specifically, the display position is changed so that the center position of operation reception area 121 moves downward from the initial state illustrated in Fig. 4. This makes it easier for the driver to reach operation reception area 121 with their fingers even if they are holding a portion of grip portion 112 below the reference area.

[0037] That is, the processor 132 changes the position of the operation reception area 121 so as to facilitate operation input to the input device 12, depending on the position of the driver's hand on the grip portion 112. With this configuration, the driver can smoothly perform operation input to the input device 12 without having to perform an action of changing the position or posture of the hand.

[0038] As another example, the processor 132 may be configured to change the position of the operation reception area 121 so as to make it difficult for a driver holding a part of the grip portion 112 other than the reference area to input an operation to the input device 12 using their hands.

[0039] In this example, when it is determined that the driver's hand is located above the reference area of ​​the grip portion 112, the position where the operation reception area 121 is displayed on the display device 122 is changed as shown in Fig. 6. This makes it difficult for the fingers of the driver who is holding a part of the grip portion 112 above the reference area to reach the operation reception area 121.

[0040] When it is determined that the driver's hand is located below the reference area of ​​the grip portion 112, the position where the operation reception area 121 is displayed on the display device 122 is changed as shown in Fig. 5. This makes it difficult for the fingers of the driver who is holding a part of the grip portion 112 below the reference area to reach the operation reception area 121.

[0041] This configuration can prevent the driver's hand holding a part of grip portion 112 other than the reference area from unintentionally touching operation reception area 121 and making an unwanted operation input. In addition, since it is made more difficult for a hand holding a part other than the reference area to make an operation input, the driver can be prompted to hold the reference area.

[0042] As described above, the steering device 10 according to this embodiment can change the ease with which the driver can input an operation to the input device 12 with their hand depending on the position at which the driver's hand grips the grip portion 112 of the steering member 11. This can improve the convenience of the input device 12, which is mounted on the steering device 10 gripped by the driver's hand and receives an operation input for controlling the operation of the controlled device 30 with the driver's hand.

[0043] The processor 132 of the processing device 13 having the various functions described above can be realized by a dedicated integrated circuit such as a microcontroller, ASIC, FPGA, etc., which has a storage element in which a computer program for realizing the functions is pre-installed. The storage element is an example of a non-transitory computer-readable medium on which a computer program is stored.

[0044] The processor 132 may be realized by a general-purpose microprocessor operating in cooperation with general-purpose memory. Examples of the general-purpose microprocessor include a CPU, an MPU, and a GPU. Examples of the general-purpose memory include a ROM and a RAM. In this case, a computer program for realizing the function may be stored in the ROM. The general-purpose memory is an example of a non-transitory computer-readable medium on which a computer program is stored. The general-purpose microprocessor specifies at least a portion of the program stored in the ROM, expands it in the RAM, and executes the above-described processing in cooperation with the RAM. The processor 132 may be realized by a combination of a dedicated integrated circuit and a general-purpose microprocessor.

[0045] The configurations referred to above are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the present disclosure. Each configuration example can be appropriately modified or combined with other configuration examples within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the input device 12 includes the display device 122 capable of displaying an image, and the operation reception area 121 is provided as a part of the image. With such a configuration, not only can GUIs for controlling the operations of various controlled devices 30 be provided through the common display device 122, but also the position of the operation reception area 121 can be easily changed and the driver can be informed of the change. Therefore, the versatility of the input device 12 can be improved.

[0047] However, the input device 12 may have a configuration such as a touchpad device that does not include a display device. In this case, the input device 12 has a detection surface. The input device 12 is configured to detect a change in capacitance on the detection surface due to contact with or approach of a driver's finger, and to output a first detection signal DS1 indicating that the driver's finger has contacted or approached the detection surface based on the change.

[0048] The operation reception area 121 is provided as at least a part of the detection surface. The position of the operation reception area 121 can be changed by performing at least one of a process for making undetectable at least a part of the area where contact or approach of a finger is detectable, and a process for making detectable at least a part of the area where contact or approach of a finger is undetectable.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the position of the operation reception area 121 is changed according to the position of the driver's hand holding the grip portion 112. In addition to or instead of this, at least one of the shape and size of the operation reception area 121 may be changed.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the detection device 14 is disposed on the steering member 11 and detects the position of the driver's hand 40 on the grip portion 112. However, the detection device 14 does not necessarily have to be disposed on the steering member 11. The detection device 14 may be realized by an imaging device disposed at an appropriate position in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 20. In this case, the processor 132 of the processing device 13 identifies the position of the driver's hand 40 on the grip portion 112 based on the second detection signal DS2 corresponding to the image of the steering member 11 acquired by the imaging device.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the input device 12 is disposed between the shaft 111 of the steering member 11 and the grip portion 112 that is held by the driver's right hand 40. Additionally or alternatively, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the input device 12 may be disposed between the shaft 111 and the grip portion 112 that is held by the driver's left hand 40L. In this case, the steering device 10 includes a detection device 14A that detects the position of the driver's left hand 40L on the grip portion 112.

[0052] The shape of the steering member 11 does not need to be annular. The shape of the steering member 11 can be any shape as long as it is possible to define the turning path P of the grip portion 112 centered on the turning axis A. The grip portion 112 may have a shape in which the portion to be held by the driver's left hand and the portion to be held by the driver's right hand are separate.

[0053] The input device 12 may also be mounted on a steering device for changing the direction of travel of a moving body other than the vehicle 20. Examples of such moving bodies include railways, ships, and aircraft. The operation of the controlled device 30 controlled by the input device 12 may be determined appropriately according to the specifications of the moving body.

[0054] The moving object does not necessarily have to have a physical entity. The steering device 10 may be mounted on a simulator that simulates the movement of the moving object. In this case, the steering member 11 is used to change the direction of travel of the virtual moving object simulated by the simulator. The input device 12 is used to control the movement of the virtual controlled device simulated by the simulator.

[0055] The input device 12 does not need to be mounted on a steering device of a moving object. For example, a controller having a shaft portion 111 and a grip portion 112 can be used to control the movement of an object displayed on a display of a shooting game device in an amusement facility. The input device 12 can be used by a user to select one of multiple functions executable by the object and perform an action associated with the selected function. In this case, the controller is an example of an action control device. The movement of the object is an example of a first controlled action. The action associated with each function executable by the object is an example of a second controlled action.

[0056] The configurations listed below also form part of this disclosure. Item 1: a shaft portion configured to be rotatable about an axis extending in a reference direction; a gripping portion that can be held by a user's hand and that rotates the shaft portion about the axis by being moved along a movement path to perform a first controlled action; an input device that is disposed between the shaft portion and the grip portion when viewed from the reference direction, and has an operation receiving area that can receive an operation by the hand to perform a second controlled operation that is different from the first controlled action; a detection device that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the position of the hand on the gripping portion; a processing device that changes at least one of the position, shape, and size of the operation reception area based on the detection signal; Equipped with Motion control device. Item 2: the processor performs the modification to facilitate the operation; Item 1. The motion control device according to item 1. Item 3: the input device includes a display device capable of displaying an image; the operation reception area is a part of the image; Item 3. The motion control device according to item 1 or 2. Item 4: the first controlled action is an action of changing the direction of travel of the moving object; An operation control device according to any one of items 1 to 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10: Steering device, 111: Shaft portion, 112: Grip portion, 12: Input device, 121: Operation reception area, 122: Display device, 13: Processing device, 131: Input interface, 132: Processor, 14: Detection device, 20: Vehicle, 30: Controlled device, 40: Hand, A: Rotation axis, DS2: Second detection signal, P: Turning path

Claims

1. a shaft portion configured to be rotatable about an axis extending in a reference direction; a gripping portion that can be held by a user's hand and that rotates the shaft portion about the axis by being moved along a movement path to perform a first controlled action; an input device that is disposed between the shaft portion and the grip portion when viewed from the reference direction, and has an operation receiving area that can receive an operation by the hand to perform a second controlled operation that is different from the first controlled action; a detection device that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the position of the hand on the gripping portion; a processing device that changes at least one of the position, shape, and size of the operation reception area based on the detection signal; Equipped with Motion control device.

2. the processor performs the modification to facilitate the operation; The motion control device according to claim 1 .

3. the input device includes a display device capable of displaying an image; the operation reception area is a part of the image; The motion control device according to claim 1 .

4. the first controlled action is an action of changing the direction of travel of the moving object; The motion control device according to claim 1 .

5. a shaft portion configured to be rotatable about an axis extending in a reference direction; a gripping portion that can be held by a user's hand and that rotates the shaft portion about the axis by being moved along a movement path to perform a first controlled action; an input device that is disposed between the shaft portion and the grip portion when viewed from the reference direction, and has an operation receiving area that can receive an operation by the hand to perform a second controlled operation that is different from the first controlled action; A processing device capable of cooperating with an operation control device comprising: an interface that receives a detection signal corresponding to the position of the hand on the gripping unit; a processor that changes at least one of the position, shape, and size of the operation reception area based on the detection signal; Equipped with Processing equipment.

6. a shaft portion configured to be rotatable about an axis extending in a reference direction; a gripping portion that can be held by a user's hand and that rotates the shaft portion about the axis by being moved along a movement path to perform a first controlled action; an input device that is disposed between the shaft portion and the grip portion when viewed from the reference direction, and has an operation receiving area that can receive an operation by the hand to perform a second controlled operation that is different from the first controlled action; A computer program executable by a processor installed in a processing device capable of cooperating with an operation control device comprising: When executed, the processing device: receiving a detection signal corresponding to the position of the hand on the gripping portion; changing at least one of the position, shape, and size of the operation reception area based on the detection signal; Computer program.

Images