Operation device

Abstract

To provide an operation device capable of easily detecting a touch operation.SOLUTION: The operation device 1 is provided on the operation surface 10 on which a touch operation is performed by the operation finger 91 of the occupant 9 in the reference state 840, and includes a plurality of operation regions serving as a reference of the touch operation, a plurality of detection regions used for determination of the touch operation for each of the plurality of operation regions, a detection unit 2 that detects the touch operation performed on the operation surface 10, and a calculation unit 3 that calculates the detection point 30 based on a detection result of the detection unit 2. And the controller 4 configured to determine a touch operation on the extended detection region by using at least one of at least one extended detection region obtained by extending at least a part of the detection region close to the rotation center 800 of the steering wheel 80 in the direction of the hand 90 of the occupant 9 in the reference state 840 and a moved detection point obtained by moving the detection point 30 away from the hand 90 of the occupant 9 in the reference state 840.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating device. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional technology, a steering switch is known which comprises a first touch panel supported by a housing and a second touch panel which is integrated into the housing with its back to back facing the first touch panel, and which is attached to a steering wheel so that the housing can be rotated to change the operating surface (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The touch electrodes that detect touch operations on the first touch panel are electrodes of a capacitance sensor and also serve as touch electrodes that detect touch operations on the second touch panel. The first touch panel and the second touch panel are provided with display areas where touch operations are performed according to the touch electrodes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-075219 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] With conventional steering switches, when a passenger performs a touch operation while gripping the steering wheel, depending on the size and position of their hands, it can be difficult to reach the display area away from the steering wheel, making it difficult for the touch operation to be detected.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an operation device that can make touch operations more easily detected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides an operating device that includes a plurality of operation areas provided on an operating surface where touch operations are performed by the operating fingers of an occupant in a reference state where the handle of the steering wheel of a vehicle is gripped, and that serve as a guide for touch operations; a plurality of detection areas used to determine touch operations for each of the plurality of operation areas; a detection unit that detects touch operations performed on the operating surface; a calculation unit that calculates a detection point based on the detection result of the detection unit; and a determination unit that determines a touch operation on the extended detection area using at least one of the plurality of detection areas, which is obtained by extending at least a portion of a detection area close to the rotation center of the steering wheel in the direction of the occupant's hand in the reference state, and a moved detection point, which is obtained by moving the detection point away from the occupant's hand in the reference state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to make a touch operation more easily detectable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of the interior of a vehicle according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is a diagram for explaining an example of a reference grip position and a reference state of an occupant. [Figure 2] FIG. 2(a) is a diagram showing an example of an operation area and a detection area according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2(b) is an example of a block diagram of an operation device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the detection electrodes, operation area, and detection area in the first embodiment, and an example of the detection area and the expansion amount, and FIG. 3(b) is a diagram showing an example of the detection points and expansion area. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of a first trajectory in a reference state according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4(b) is a diagram showing an example of a second trajectory in a quasi-reference state. [Figure 5] 5(a) to 5(f) show examples of the extended detection area according to the modified example. [Figure 6]FIG. 6(a) is an example of a block diagram of an operating device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 6(b) is a diagram showing an example of a detection electrode region. [Figure 7] FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing an example of movement detection points according to the second embodiment, and FIGS. 7(b) and 7(c) are diagrams showing examples of movement detection points according to modified examples. [Figure 8] FIG. 8(a) is an example of a block diagram of an operating device according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing an example where a detection electrode region and an extended detection region intersect. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the operating device according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Summary of the embodiment) The operating device according to the embodiment is provided on an operating surface where touch operations are performed by the operating finger of an occupant in a reference state where the grip of the steering wheel of a vehicle is gripped, and is generally configured to include a plurality of operation areas that serve as guides for touch operations, a plurality of detection areas used to determine touch operations for each of the plurality of operation areas, a detection unit that detects touch operations performed on the operating surface, a calculation unit that calculates a detection point based on the detection results of the detection unit, and a determination unit that determines a touch operation on the expanded detection area using at least one of the detection areas that are close to the rotation center of the steering wheel and that are at least a portion of the detection areas that are close to the rotation center of the steering wheel and that are extended in the direction of the occupant's hand in the reference state, and a moved detection point that is moved so that the detection point is away from the occupant's hand in the reference state.

[0011] This operating device determines touch operations on an extended detection area using at least one extended detection area in which at least a portion of the detection area near the center of rotation of the steering wheel, which is difficult for the operating fingers to reach, is extended in the direction of the occupant's hand in the reference state, and / or a moved detection point in which the detection point is moved away from the occupant's hand in the reference state, making it easier to detect touch operations compared to when this configuration is not adopted.

[0012] [First embodiment] (Overview of operation device 1) FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of the interior of a vehicle equipped with an operating device according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is a diagram illustrating an example of an occupant's reference grip position and a reference state. FIG. 2(a) is a diagram showing an example of an operating area and a detection area of ​​the operating device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2(b) is an example of a block diagram of the operating device. FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the detection electrodes, operating area, and detection area of ​​the operating device according to the first embodiment, as well as an example of the detection area and extension amount. FIG. 3(b) is a diagram showing an example of the detection point and the extension area. In the graph in the lower part of FIG. 3(a), the horizontal axis is the X axis and the vertical axis is the extension amount L. In the following, operating devices 1 are arranged on the left and right of a steering wheel 80, but the left operating device 1 will be mainly described. As an example, the operating device 1 according to this embodiment may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the rotation center 800 of the steering wheel 80, but may have different operating surfaces 10 and operating areas on the left and right.

[0013] In the drawings relating to the embodiments described below, the ratios and shapes of figures may differ from the actual ratios and shapes. Also, in Fig. 2(b), Fig. 6(a), and Fig. 8(a), arrows indicate the flow of main information and signals. Below, we will first explain the outline of the operating device 1 of this embodiment.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1(a) to 2(b), the operating device 1 is provided on an operating surface 10 where touch operations are performed by the operating finger 91 of an occupant 9 in a reference state 840 in which the grip portion 83 of a steering wheel 80 of a vehicle 8 is gripped, and is generally configured to include a plurality of operation areas that serve as guides for touch operations, a plurality of detection areas used to determine touch operations for each of the plurality of operation areas, a detection unit 2 that detects touch operations performed on the operating surface 10, a calculation unit 3 that calculates a detection point 30 based on the detection results of the detection unit 2, and a control unit 4 as a determination unit that determines a touch operation on the extended detection area using at least one of the detection areas that are close to the rotation center 800 of the steering wheel 80 and that are at least a portion of the detection area that is close to the rotation center 800 of the steering wheel 80 and that is extended in the direction of the hand 90 of the occupant 9 in the reference state 840, and a moved detection point that is obtained by moving the detection point 30 away from the hand 90 of the occupant 9 in the reference state 840.

[0015] The control unit 4 of this embodiment determines a touch operation using a plurality of expanded detection areas, as shown in Fig. 2(a). As shown in Fig. 3(a), the expanded detection area has a larger expansion amount L in the direction of the hand 90 of the occupant 9 in the reference state 840, as the expanded detection area is closer to the rotation center 800 of the steering wheel 80. In other words, the expansion amount L of the expanded detection area increases as the expanded detection area becomes farther from the reference position 92 of the hand 90 of the occupant 9.

[0016] As an example, the operation areas of this embodiment are, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the first operation area 11 to the fifth operation area 15, but are not limited to these in number or shape. Furthermore, the detection areas of this embodiment are, but are not limited to these in number or shape, the first detection area 111 to the fifth detection area 115, the sixth detection area 120, the seventh detection area 130, the eighth detection area 140, and the ninth detection area 150. Furthermore, the extended detection areas of this embodiment are, but are not limited to, the fifth detection area 115, the sixth detection area 120, the seventh detection area 130, the eighth detection area 140, and the ninth detection area 150 among the above-mentioned detection areas.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1(a), the operating device 1 is configured as a steering switch device disposed on a steering wheel 80. As shown in FIG. 1(b), for example, the steering wheel 80 has a horn pad portion 81 which is the central portion of the steering wheel 80, spoke portions 82 which extend in three directions from the horn pad portion 81 and connect to a grip portion 83, and the grip portion 83 which is gripped by the occupant 9. The operating device 1 is disposed on the spoke portions 82 in the left-right direction in FIG. 1(a). Note that the grip portion 83 of the steering wheel 80 has a circular ring shape, but is not limited to this and may be an irregular-shaped steering wheel.

[0018] The operation device 1 of this embodiment is configured to be able to operate an in-vehicle device 86 mounted on a vehicle 8, for example. Examples of the in-vehicle device 86 include a vehicle control device that performs overall vehicle settings and controls automatic driving functions, an air conditioning device that adjusts the temperature inside the vehicle, a navigation device that provides a map of the current location and guidance to the destination, a display device that displays menu images, etc., and a music and video playback device that plays music and videos. Note that the operation device 1 can also operate, for example, a mobile terminal or the like connected to the in-vehicle device 86 by wire or wirelessly.

[0019] About standard condition 840 1(a) and 1(b), the reference state 840 indicates a state in which the occupant 9 seated in the driver's seat 85 grips the grip portion 83 of the steering wheel 80 in a straight-travel state at a reference grip position 84. The straight-travel state indicates a state of the steering wheel 80 in which the vehicle 8 travels straight when driven by the drive unit. The reference grip position 84 is, for example, a grip position in which the connection portion between the grip portion 83 and the left and right spoke portions 82 is gripped, as shown in FIG. 1(b). In the following, it is assumed that the occupant 9 operates the operation device 1 with the operating finger 91 while gripping the steering wheel 80 at this reference grip position 84. It is also assumed that the operating finger 91 is the thumb when the occupant 9 grips the steering wheel 80 at the reference grip position 84.

[0020] (Configuration of detection unit 2) The detection unit 2 is, for example, a capacitive touch sensor, but is not limited to this as long as it can detect a touch operation. As shown in Figures 2(b) and 3(a), the detection unit 2 detects an operating finger 91 approaching or touching the operation surface 10. For example, an XY coordinate system is set for this operation surface 10.

[0021] The X-axis is a coordinate axis in which the positive direction is from left to right on the paper surface of FIGS. 2(b) and 3(a). The Y-axis is set so as to intersect with the X-axis, and is a coordinate axis in which the positive direction is from top to bottom. Therefore, the origin of the XY coordinate system is set to the upper left. The XY coordinate system in this embodiment is, as an example, a Cartesian coordinate system. Furthermore, as an example, the XY coordinate system is defined so that the X-axis coincides with the top side of the operation surface 10 and the Y-axis coincides with the left side, as shown in FIG. 3(a), but is not limited to this. Therefore, the detection unit 2 can detect the approach or contact of the operating finger 91 at any position on the operation surface 10.

[0022] For example, nine detection electrodes 20 are arranged at equal intervals along the X-axis, corresponding to the X0 to X8 coordinates. For example, five detection electrodes 20 are arranged at equal intervals along the Y-axis, corresponding to the Y0 to Y4 coordinates. The intervals between the detection electrodes 20 along the X-axis are the same as the intervals between the detection electrodes 20 along the Y-axis. The detection electrodes 20 along the X-axis are insulated from the detection electrodes 20 along the Y-axis.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2(b), the X-axis detection electrodes 20 and the Y-axis detection electrodes 20 are electrically connected to the detection control unit 22. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 3(a), these detection electrodes 20 are arranged directly below the operation surface 10 via an insulator.

[0024] The detection electrode 20 is formed, for example, using a highly conductive metal material such as copper or ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). As shown in FIG. 3(a), the detection electrode 20 is formed by connecting a plurality of square electrodes.

[0025] The detection control unit 22 switches the connection between the X-axis detection electrodes 20 and the Y-axis detection electrodes 20, and reads out the capacitance for all combinations. One of the X-axis detection electrodes 20 and the Y-axis detection electrodes 20 serves as a drive electrode, and the other serves as a readout electrode.

[0026] The detection control unit 22 generates capacitance information S1, which is information on the capacitances read out for all combinations, and outputs it to the calculation unit 3. This capacitance information S1 includes information on the capacitances for one period.

[0027] (Configuration of calculation unit 3) As shown in FIG. 3(b), the calculation unit 3 calculates the detection point 30 where the operating finger 91 is detected based on the capacitance information S1 acquired from the detection control unit 22.

[0028] After calculating the detection points 30, the calculation unit 3 generates detection point information S2 and outputs it to the control unit 4. This detection point information S2 includes at least information on the coordinates of the detection points 30.

[0029] (Configuration of control unit 4) The control unit 4 is a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on acquired data according to stored programs, and semiconductor memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM stores, for example, programs for the operation of the control unit 4. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results. The control unit 4 also has a means for generating a clock signal therein and operates based on this clock signal.

[0030] The control unit 4 has detection area information 40. This detection area information 40 is information relating to the coordinates of the first detection area 111 to the fifth detection area 115, the sixth detection area 120, the seventh detection area 130, the eighth detection area 140, and the ninth detection area 150. The operation area, the detection area, and the extended area will be described below.

[0031] (Operation area, detection area and extended detection area) As shown in Fig. 2(a), the first operation area 11 has a cross shape. This first operation area 11 is provided with five designs, a first design 11a to a fifth design 11e, which represent assigned functions. The first operation area 11 is configured so that the boundaries of the area can be seen by printing or grooves provided on the operation surface 10.

[0032] The first detection area 111 is an area for detecting a touch operation performed on the first operation area 11, which is provided with a circular first design 11a. As shown in Fig. 2(a), this first detection area 111 is a rectangular area with the first design 11a at its center. As an example, the first detection area 111 is assigned a function such as a selection confirmation function.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2(a), the second detection area 112 to the fifth detection area 115 are areas for detecting touch operations made in the first operation area 11, which is provided with the second design 11b to the fifth design 11e, which are triangles indicating up, down, left, and right. That is, the first operation area 11 is provided with the first detection area 111 to the fifth detection area 115, which detect touch operations made targeting the first design 11a to the fifth design 11e. For example, the second detection area 112 to the fifth detection area 115 are assigned functions such as moving a cursor up, down, left, and right, increasing or decreasing a setting value, and selecting an icon. As described above, the fifth detection area 115 is an extended detection area that is extended in the direction of the hand 90 of the occupant 9.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 2(a), the second operation area 12 and the third operation area 13 have the same rectangular shape and are arranged side by side above and below the operation surface 10. The second operation area 12 and the third operation area 13 are provided with a sixth design 12a and a seventh design 13a that imitate the assigned functions. The second operation area 12 and the third operation area 13 are configured so that the boundaries of the areas can be seen by printing or grooves provided on the operation surface 10.

[0035] The sixth detection area 120 is an area for detecting a touch operation made with the sixth design 12a as the target. The seventh detection area 130 is an area for detecting a touch operation made with the seventh design 13a as the target. As an example, the sixth detection area 120 is assigned a function for increasing the volume based on the touch operation. As an example, the seventh detection area 130 is assigned a function for decreasing the volume based on the touch operation. As described above, the sixth detection area 120 and the seventh detection area 130 are extended detection areas that are extended in the direction of the hand 90 of the occupant 9.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 2(a), the fourth operation area 14 and the fifth operation area 15 have the same shape as the second operation area 12 and the third operation area 13, and are arranged side by side above and below the operation surface 10. The fourth operation area 14 and the fifth operation area 15 are provided with eighth designs 14a and ninth designs 15a that imitate the assigned functions. The fourth operation area 14 and the fifth operation area 15 are configured so that the boundaries of the areas can be seen by printing, grooves, etc. provided on the operation surface 10.

[0037] The eighth detection area 140 is an area for detecting a touch operation made with the eighth design 14a as the target. The ninth detection area 150 is an area for detecting a touch operation made with the ninth design 15a as the target. As an example, the eighth detection area 140 is assigned a function of returning to a previous operation based on a touch operation. As an example, the ninth detection area 150 is assigned a function of receiving a phone call based on a touch operation. As described above, the eighth detection area 140 and the ninth detection area 150 are extended detection areas that are extended in the direction of the hand 90 of the occupant 9.

[0038] About the extended detection area 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of a first trajectory of the operating finger in a reference state according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4(b) is a diagram showing an example of a second trajectory of the operating finger in a quasi-reference state. The reference state 840 is, for example, a state in which the occupant 9 firmly grips the grip portion 83 at the reference grip position 84 to perform an operation. The quasi-reference state 841 is, for example, a state in which the occupant 9 performs an operation with the palm of the hand on which the operating finger 91 is located slightly raised.

[0039] In the reference state 840, as shown in FIG. 4( a), for example, the trajectory of the operating finger 91 of the occupant 9 moving in an arc around a reference position 92 is a first trajectory 93 that passes between the first operation area 11, the second operation area 12, and the third operation area 13. This reference position 92 is, for example, around the base of the thumb. Note that this first trajectory 93 is just an example, and its position and shape change depending on the size of the hand 90 of the occupant 9 and the way it is held. In particular, in the reference state 840, if the operating finger 91 is firmly held at the reference holding position 84, it is difficult for the operating finger 91 to move, and the first trajectory 93 is closer to the reference holding position 84.

[0040] 4(b), for example, the operating finger 91 is more easily movable in the quasi-reference state 841 than in the reference state 840, and the trajectory of the operating finger 91 moving in an arc around the quasi-reference position 94 becomes a second trajectory 95 that passes through the second operation area 12 and the third operation area 13. For example, this quasi-reference position 94 is around the base of the index finger. Note that this second trajectory 95 is just an example, and the position and shape of the second trajectory 95 change depending on the size of the hand 90 of the occupant 9 and the way of gripping the device.

[0041] As described above, it is difficult for the occupant 9 to perform a touch operation on an operation area that is away from the first trajectory 93 in the reference state 840 and the second trajectory 95 in the quasi-reference state 841. Away from the first trajectory 93 and the second trajectory 95 refers to an area that is outside the trajectories and on the side of the rotation center 800 of the steering wheel 80.

[0042] The fifth design 11e to the ninth design 15a are located close to the rotation center 800 of the steering wheel 80, that is, in positions that are far from the operating finger 91 and difficult to reach, so that touch operations are difficult to determine if the shapes correspond to the operation area.

[0043] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the fifth detection area 115 to the ninth detection area 150 of this embodiment are set so that the amount of expansion L increases as they move away from the hand 90 in the reference state 840, that is, the detection areas are set so that they expand in the direction of the hand 90. The fifth detection area 115 to the ninth detection area 150 are expanded detection areas, and have the expanded area indicated by diagonal lines in FIG. 2(a). As shown in FIG. 3(b), this expanded area indicates an area expanded from the original reference detection area 100 set around the design.

[0044] As shown by the diagonal lines in Fig. 2(a), the fifth detection area 115 is expanded in the direction of the hand 90 in the reference state 840 by the expanded area 116. As shown by the dashed line in Fig. 3(a), this expanded area 116 is an area from boundary position 116a of the fifth detection area 115, which is closest to the hand 90 before expansion, to boundary position 116b after expansion, and the amount of expansion is ΔL1.

[0045] As shown by the diagonal lines in Fig. 2(a), the sixth detection area 120 is expanded in the direction of the hand 90 in the reference state 840 by an expanded area 121. As shown by the dashed line in Fig. 3(a), this expanded area 121 is an area extending from a boundary position 120a of the sixth detection area 120 closest to the hand 90 before expansion to a boundary position 120b after expansion, and the amount of expansion is ΔL2.

[0046] As shown by the diagonal lines in Fig. 2(a), the seventh detection area 130 is expanded in the direction of the hand 90 in the reference state 840 by an expanded area 131. As shown by the dashed line in Fig. 3(a), this expanded area 131 is expanded by the same expansion amount ΔL2 as the sixth detection area 120. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3(a), the expanded area 131 is an area from a boundary position 120a close to the hand 90 before expansion to a boundary position 120b after expansion.

[0047] As shown by the diagonal lines in Fig. 2(a), the eighth detection area 140 is expanded in the direction of the hand 90 in the reference state 840 by an expanded area 141. As shown by the dashed line in Fig. 3(a), this expanded area 141 is an area extending from boundary position 140a of the eighth detection area 140 closest to the hand 90 before expansion to boundary position 140b after expansion, and the amount of expansion is ΔL3.

[0048] As shown by the diagonal lines in Fig. 2(a), the ninth detection area 150 is expanded in the direction of the hand 90 in the reference state 840 by an expanded area 151. As shown by the dashed line in Fig. 3(a), this expanded area 151 is expanded by the same expansion amount ΔL3 as the eighth detection area 140. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3(a), the expanded area 151 is an area from a boundary position 140a close to the hand 90 before expansion to a boundary position 140b after expansion.

[0049] As described above, the operation area that is the target of the touch operation is offset from the detection area in the expanded areas 116, 121, 131, 141, and 151. The expanded areas 116, 121, 131, 141, and 151 are formed by moving the detection area parallel to the direction of the hand 90 in the reference state 840 without changing the area or shape of the detection area before expansion.

[0050] The expansion amount L increases in proportion to the value of the X coordinate, as shown in the graph at the bottom of Figure 3(a). Therefore, the expansion amount L increases in the order of expansion amount ΔL1, expansion amount ΔL2, and expansion amount ΔL3. As an example, as shown in Figure 3(a), the expansion area can be expanded according to the graph even if the shape or position of the operation area is different. Note that the graph shown in Figure 3(a) is not limited to being linear and may be a nonlinear graph.

[0051] 3(b), when the occupant 9 performs a touch operation on the second operation area 12, the calculated detection point 30 may be outside the sixth detection area 120 even if the operating finger 91 is in contact with the second operation area 12. However, when the extended area 121 is set as in this embodiment, the detection point 30 is within the extended area 121, and therefore the control unit 4 can determine that the touch operation has been performed on the second operation area 12.

[0052] The control unit 4 generates operation information S3 including information about the operation area where the touch operation was performed, and outputs the operation information S3 to the electrically connected in-vehicle device 86. The in-vehicle device 86 executes the function assigned to the operation area where the touch operation was performed, based on the operation information S3.

[0053] (Modifications of the extended detection area) 5(a) to 5(f) are examples of expanded detection areas according to modified examples. In FIGS. 5(a) to 5(f), the left side of the drawings indicates the direction of the hand 90 of the occupant 9, and the right side indicates the direction of the rotation center 800. In the present embodiment, the expanded detection area is expanded by translating the reference detection area 100, but this is not limitative and the area may be expanded according to the modified example shown below. The expansion of the second operation area 12 will be described below. The sixth detection area 120 before expansion is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 5(a) as the reference detection area 100.

[0054] 5(a), the sixth detection area 120, which is an expanded detection area, is expanded to include the second operation area 12. In this sixth detection area 120, an expanded area 121 is formed around the second operation area 12. Therefore, the area of ​​the expanded sixth detection area 120 is larger than the area of ​​the reference detection area 100.

[0055] 5(b), a part of the sixth detection area 120, which is the expanded detection area, is expanded in a rectangular shape outside the second operation area 12. This sixth detection area 120 is not moved in parallel, but the area on the hand 90 side of the occupant 9 is expanded as an expanded area 121. Therefore, the expanded sixth detection area 120 is larger in area than the reference detection area 100.

[0056] 5(c), a part of the sixth detection area 120, which is an expanded detection area, is expanded in a triangular shape outside the second operation area 12. Therefore, the expanded sixth detection area 120 is larger in area than the reference detection area 100.

[0057] 5(d), a part of the sixth detection area 120, which is the expanded detection area, is expanded in the direction of the reference position 92 of the hand 90 of the occupant 9. The expanded area 121 has, by way of example, a shape that tapers toward the reference position 92, but is not limited to this. Therefore, the expanded sixth detection area 120 is larger in area than the reference detection area 100.

[0058] 5(e), the sixth detection area 120, which is the expanded detection area, is expanded by moving toward the reference position 92 of the hand 90 of the occupant 9. As an example, this movement is performed along the dashed line connecting the reference position 92 and the center of the second operation area 12.

[0059] The above-described expanded detection area is achieved by expanding the coordinates of the detection area in the XY coordinate system set on the operation surface 10. The expanded detection area may also be expanded by changing the size or number of detection electrodes.

[0060] 5(f), the detection electrode 24 and the detection electrode 25 are arranged corresponding to the second operation area 12. The detection electrode 24 and the detection electrode 25 have the same shape and area, and the detection electrode 24 is below the second operation area 12, and a part of the detection electrode 25 forms an extended area 121 that extends outside the second operation area 12. The detection electrode 24 and the detection electrode 25 form a sixth detection area 120 that extends toward the hand 90 of the occupant 9. In this way, the extended area 121 may be formed by a detection electrode located outside the operation area.

[0061] An example of the operation of the operating device 1 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0062] (operation) The calculation unit 3 of the operation device 1 calculates the detection point 30 based on the capacitance information S1 acquired from the detection unit 2. The calculation unit 3 generates detection point information S2 regarding the calculated detection point 30 and outputs it to the control unit 4.

[0063] The control unit 4 determines the operation area where the touch operation was performed based on the detection point 30 based on the acquired detection point information S2 and the detection area information 40. If there is an operation area including the detection point 30, the control unit 4 determines that a touch operation was performed, generates operation information S3 regarding the operation area where the touch operation was performed, and outputs it to the in-vehicle device 86. The in-vehicle device 86 executes the function assigned to the operation area where the touch operation was performed based on the acquired operation information S3.

[0064] (Effects of the first embodiment) The operating device 1 according to this embodiment can make a touch operation easier to detect. Specifically, the operating device 1 expands an operation area that is difficult for the operating finger 91 of the occupant 9 to reach in the direction of the hand 90 of the occupant 9. Therefore, compared to a case where the operation area is not expanded, the touch operation is easier to detect even when the detection point 30 is outside the operation area despite touching the operation area.

[0065] The expansion amount L of the operating device 1 increases as it moves away from the hand 90 of the occupant 9, so erroneous detection of unintentional touch operations is suppressed in the expanded detection area close to the hand 90, improving operability compared to when this configuration is not adopted.

[0066] The operation device 1 can be set so that the detection area is shifted to the outside of the operation area that is the target of the touch operation, so that, compared to when this configuration is not adopted, an extended area can be set and operability can be improved even if the operation area is crowded.

[0067] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the detection point is moved to the fingertip 910 of the operating finger 91.

[0068] Fig. 6(a) is an example of a block diagram of an operating device according to a second embodiment, and Fig. 6(b) is a diagram showing an example of a detection electrode region. Fig. 7(a) is a diagram showing an example of a movement detection point of an operating device according to a second embodiment, and Figs. 7(b) and 7(c) are diagrams showing examples of movement detection points according to a modified example. In the embodiments described below, parts having the same functions and configurations as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and their description will be omitted.

[0069] The detection unit 2 of this embodiment has, below the operation surface 10, a plurality of detection electrodes 20 corresponding to a plurality of operation areas, similar to the first embodiment.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 7(a), the calculation unit 3 of this embodiment is configured to calculate a movement detection point 32 by moving the detection point 30 in the direction of the rotation center 800 of the steering wheel 80 based on the detection electrode area 34 formed by the detection electrodes 20 that detected the operating finger 91. The control unit 4 then determines a touch operation using the movement detection point 32. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the calculation unit 3 outputs movement detection point information S4, which is information about the movement detection point 32, to the control unit 4. Note that in FIGS. 6(b) to 7(c), the left side of the drawings corresponds to the direction of the reference position 92, and the right side corresponds to the direction of the rotation center 800 of the steering wheel 80.

[0071] (Regarding the detection electrode area 34) As shown in Fig. 6(b), the detection electrode area 34 is determined based on the outermost detection electrode 20 among the detection electrodes 20 that detected the operating finger 91. In Fig. 6(b), as an example, the area where the operating finger 91 contacts the operation surface 10 is illustrated as a contact area 33.

[0072] When the operating finger 91 comes into contact with the operating surface 10 to form a contact area 33, as an example, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the detection electrodes 20 at the X2 coordinate to the detection electrodes 20 at the X5 coordinate detect the operating finger 91, and the detection electrodes 20 at the Y0 coordinate to the detection electrodes 20 at the Y2 coordinate detect the operating finger 91.

[0073] In this case, the outermost detection electrodes 20 are the detection electrode 20 at the X2 coordinate, the detection electrode 20 at the X5 coordinate, the detection electrode 20 at the Y0 coordinate, and the detection electrode 20 at the Y2 coordinate. Therefore, the calculation unit 3 determines the detection electrode region 34 based on these outermost detection electrodes 20.

[0074] 7(a), the calculation unit 3 calculates an ellipse 35 that is tangent to the outermost detection electrode 20, and also calculates the center 31 of this ellipse 35. As a modified example, the center 31 may be the focal point of the ellipse 35 on the side of the rotation center 800 of the steering wheel 80. Furthermore, since the center 31 is also the center of the detection electrode region 34, the calculation unit 3 may use the center of the detection electrode region 34 as the center 31 without calculating the ellipse 35.

[0075] Next, the calculation unit 3 divides the radius 36 from the center 31 of the ellipse 35 by a predetermined constant A to calculate the distance R1, and calculates the point that is the distance R1 away from the center 31 along the radius 36 as the moving detection point 32. The calculation unit 3 outputs moving detection point information S4, which is information about the calculated moving detection point 32, to the control unit 4. This radius 36 is the diameter of the ellipse 35 in a direction parallel to the X-axis, as shown in FIG. 7(a). The center 31 and the moving detection point 32 are points on this radius 36. Note that the constant A is a positive number.

[0076] For example, when radius 36 is 10 and constant A is 2, moving detection point 32 is calculated as a point that is a distance R1 from center 31, where distance R1 is calculated by dividing radius 36 by constant A (5). Note that the method of calculating moving detection point 32 is not limited to the above method, and may be a point that is within detection electrode area 34 and that is a constant B away from center 31 along radius 36. This constant B is a positive number.

[0077] - Calculation of other moving detection points 32 7(b), the calculation unit 3 may calculate a straight line 37 connecting the reference position 92 and the center 31, and determine a position on the straight line 37 that is a distance R2 away from the center 31 and the reference position 92 as the movement detection point 32. The reference position 92 may be a quasi-reference position 94.

[0078] 7(c), the calculation unit 3 calculates an ellipse 35 inscribed in the detection electrode area 34 so that the radius 36 is located in the direction of the straight line 37, and calculates the distance R3 by dividing the radius 36 from the center 31 of the ellipse 35 by a predetermined constant C, and calculates the point that is the distance R3 from the center 31 along the radius 36 as the movement detection point 32. This constant C is a positive number.

[0079] An example of the operation of the operating device 1 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0080] (operation) The calculation unit 3 of the operating device 1 calculates the detection electrode area 34 and also calculates the movement detection point 32 based on the capacitance information S1 acquired from the detection unit 2. The calculation unit 3 generates movement detection point information S4 regarding the calculated movement detection point 32 and outputs it to the control unit 4.

[0081] The control unit 4 determines the operation area where the touch operation was performed based on the movement detection point 32 based on the acquired movement detection point information S4 and the detection area information 40. The control unit 4 generates operation information S3 regarding the operation area including the movement detection point 32, and outputs it to the in-vehicle device 86. The in-vehicle device 86 executes a function assigned to the operation area where the touch operation was performed based on the acquired operation information S3.

[0082] (Effects of the second embodiment) The operating device 1 of this embodiment determines a touch operation by a moved detection point 32 that is obtained by moving the detection point 30 toward the fingertip 910 of the operating finger 91, and therefore, compared to a case in which this configuration is not adopted, it is possible to prevent a touch operation from not being detected even though the operating finger 91 is touching the operating area.

[0083] [Third embodiment] The third embodiment differs from the other embodiments in that it performs at least one of a determination using an expanded detection area and a determination using a moving detection point.

[0084] FIG. 8(a) is an example of a block diagram of an operating device according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing an example where a detection electrode region and an extended detection region intersect.

[0085] The control unit 4 is configured to determine a touch operation based on the moved detection point 32 and the expanded detection area 160 calculated by controlling the calculation unit 3 when the detection electrode area 34 and the expanded detection area 160 intersect and the detection point 30 is not included in the expanded detection area 160.

[0086] The calculation unit 3 is also configured to output, to the control unit 4, detection point information S2 including information on the detection points 30 and the detection electrode regions 34, for example.

[0087] Fig. 8(b) shows an example of the operation area 16 and the expanded detection area 160. As shown in Fig. 8(b), the control unit 4 does not determine that a touch operation has been performed on the operation area 16 because the detection point 30 is located outside the expanded detection area 160.

[0088] When the detection electrode area 34 and the expanded detection area 160 intersect, the control unit 4 of this embodiment moves the detection point 30 in the direction of the expanded detection area 160, that is, moves the detection point 32 toward the tip of the operating finger 91, and determines the touch operation. Therefore, the control unit 4 can easily determine the touch operation on the operation area 16 that is far from the reference position 92.

[0089] An example of the operation of the operating device 1 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0090] (operation) The control unit 4 of the operating device 1 acquires the detection points 30 and the detection electrode areas 34 from the calculation unit 3 (Step 1). The control unit 4 determines the touch operation based on the acquired detection points 30 and detection area information 40. As a modified example, the calculation unit 3 may be configured to calculate the detection points 30, the movement detection points 32, and the detection electrode areas 34 and output them to the control unit 4. In this case, the control unit 4 is configured to selectively use the detection points 30 and the movement detection points 32 depending on the operation area.

[0091] If the control unit 4 does not determine a touch operation (Step 2: No) and the detection electrode area 34 intersects with the expanded detection area 160 (Step 3: Yes), it outputs a control signal S5 to cause the calculation unit 3 to calculate the movement detection point 32.

[0092] The control unit 4 acquires the moving detection point 32 based on the moving detection point information S4 from the calculation unit 3 (Step 4), and compares the moving detection point 32 with the expanded detection area 160. If the moving detection point 32 is within the expanded detection area 160 and a touch operation is determined (Step 5: Yes), the control unit 4 outputs operation information S3 related to the operation area where the touch operation was performed (Step 6), and ends the operation.

[0093] Here, in step 2, if the control unit 4 determines that a touch operation has been performed (Step 2: Yes), the control unit 4 advances the process to step 6 and outputs operation information S3.

[0094] Furthermore, in step 3, if the detection electrode region 34 and the extended detection region 160 do not intersect (Step 3: No), the control unit 4 ends the process.

[0095] Furthermore, in step 5, if the control unit 4 determines that no touch operation has been performed (Step 5: No), the process ends.

[0096] (Effects of the third embodiment) The operating device 1 of this embodiment determines touch operations using the extended detection area 160 and the moving detection point 32, making it easier to determine touch operations in an operating area closer to the rotation center 800 of the steering wheel 80 than when this configuration is not adopted.

[0097] Here, the operating device 1 of another embodiment may be configured to determine a touch operation using the moving detection point 32 and the expanded detection area 160, without determining whether the detection electrode area 34 and the expanded detection area 160 intersect.

[0098] In still another embodiment, the operation device 1 may be configured such that the constant used to calculate the movement detection point 32 increases as the operation device approaches the rotation center 800 of the steering wheel 80, and the calculation unit 3 calculates the movement detection point 32 instead of the detection point 30. In this case, the control unit 4 compares the detection area and the expanded detection area with the movement detection point 32 to determine whether a touch operation has been performed.

[0099] According to the operation device 1 of at least one of the embodiments described above, it is possible to make a touch operation more easily detectable.

[0100] The operating device 1 according to the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be partially realized by a program executed by a computer, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like, depending on the application.

[0101] Although several embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments and modifications are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. These novel embodiments and modifications may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in these embodiments and modifications are necessarily essential to solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, these embodiments and modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1...operation device, 2...detection unit, 3...calculation unit, 4...control unit, 8...vehicle, 9...occupant, 10...operation surface, 11-15...first operation area to fifth operation area, 11a-11e...first design to fifth design, 12a-15a...sixth design to ninth design, 16...operation area, 20, 24, 25...detection electrode, 22...detection control unit, 30...detection point, 31...center, 32...movement detection point, 33...contact area, 34...detection electrode area, 35...ellipse, 36...radius, 37...straight line, 83...gripping portion, 84...reference gripping position, 90...hand, 91...operating finger, 92...reference position, 93...first trajectory, 94...quasi-reference position, 95...second trajectory, 100...reference detection area, 111-115...first detection area to fifth detection area, 116, 121, 131, 141, 151...extended area, 120-150...sixth detection area to ninth detection area, 160...extended detection area, 800...center of rotation, 840...reference state, 841...quasi-reference state, 910...fingertip

Claims

1. a plurality of operation areas that are provided on an operation surface to be touched by an occupant's operating finger in a reference state where the occupant is gripping a grip portion of a steering wheel of the vehicle, and that serve as a guide for the touch operation; a plurality of detection areas used to determine the touch operation for each of the plurality of operation areas; a detection unit that detects the touch operation performed on the operation surface; a calculation unit that calculates a detection point based on a detection result of the detection unit; a determination unit that determines the touch operation on the expanded detection area using at least one of at least one expanded detection area obtained by expanding at least a part of the detection area close to the rotation center of the steering wheel toward the hand of the occupant in the reference state, and a moved detection point obtained by moving the detection point away from the hand of the occupant in the reference state; and An operating device comprising:

2. the determination unit determines the touch operation using a plurality of the extended detection areas; the amount of expansion of the expansion detection area in the direction of the occupant's hand in the reference state increases as the distance from the rotation center of the steering wheel decreases, The operating device according to claim 1 .

3. the detection unit has a plurality of detection electrodes below the operation surface corresponding to the plurality of operation areas, the calculation unit calculates the moved detection point by moving the detection point toward the rotation center of the steering wheel based on a detection electrode area formed by the detection electrodes that detected the operating finger; the determination unit determines the touch operation using the movement detection point. The operating device according to claim 1 .

4. when the detection electrode area and the expanded detection area intersect and the detection point is not included in the expanded detection area, the determination unit determines the touch operation based on the movement detection point and the expanded detection area calculated by controlling the calculation unit. The operating device according to claim 3 .

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