Input device and information processing device

Abstract

To further enhance the feel and usability of the controls. [Solution] An input device is provided, comprising an operation display unit that receives input operations from a user and displays information related to the input operations, wherein the operation display unit comprises a display that displays information related to the input operations, a plurality of knobs that cover the display surface of the display, the back surface of the display, and at least one side surface of the display, and a plurality of contacts arranged on the back side of the display.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an input device and an information processing device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various devices for receiving input from users have been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that detects the presence or absence of a push operation on an operation surface by a switch and detects the position of the push operation by a resistive film method or a capacitance method. According to such a configuration, the execution of a function according to the position of the push operation can be controlled.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied to a device having a relatively large operation surface, the operation feeling may become heavy.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to further improve the operation feeling and operability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, an input device is provided comprising an operation display unit that receives user input operations and displays information related to the input operations, wherein the operation display unit comprises a display that displays information related to the input operations, a plurality of knobs covering the display surface of the display, the back surface of the display, and at least one side surface of the display, and a plurality of contacts arranged on the back side of the display.

[0007] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, an information processing device is provided comprising: an input device for receiving input operations by a user; and a control device for controlling a predetermined function based on the input operation, wherein the input device comprises an operation display unit for receiving the input operation and displaying information related to the input operation, and the operation display unit comprises a display for displaying information related to the input operation, a plurality of knobs covering the display surface of the display, the back surface of the display, and at least one side surface of the display, and a plurality of contacts arranged on the back side of the display. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, the present invention makes it possible to further improve the feel and operability of the controls. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of agent device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the external appearance of the agent device 1 according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the display of the operation display unit 110 according to the same embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the operation display unit 110 according to the same embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a function display spanning multiple knobs 130 according to the same embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0011] <1. Embodiments> As mentioned above, a variety of devices for receiving user input have been developed in recent years. These devices include those with agent functions that receive user input through interaction with the user.

[0012] With the technology described above, users can operate the system by voice without using their hands. For example, when this technology is applied to a moving object such as a vehicle, users can perform various operations by voice without taking their hands off the steering wheel, improving both convenience and safety.

[0013] However, since some users may be unfamiliar with voice control, resistant to it, or prefer manual input over voice control, even when implementing agent functionality, it may be necessary to also implement a configuration that accepts manual input. In this case, the user experience when performing manual operations becomes important.

[0014] For example, according to the device disclosed in Patent Document 1, physical feedback can be returned by a switch in response to a push operation on the operating surface, improving the user experience compared to general touch panel operation.

[0015] However, the device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to have a single switch on the operating surface, and when the entire operating surface is pressed by a push operation, the switch is also pressed.

[0016] Furthermore, the device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is characterized by being positioned on the surface side of the steering wheel and having a relatively small operating surface.

[0017] On the other hand, when applying the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 to a relatively large operation surface, since the user is required to press the entire relatively large operation surface, the operation feeling may become heavy.

[0018] The technical idea according to an embodiment of the present invention was conceived by focusing on the above points, and it enables the operation feeling and operability to be further enhanced.

[0019] First, a configuration example of the agent device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The agent device 1 according to this embodiment may be mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle.

[0020] Note that the agent device 1 according to this embodiment is an example of an information processing device.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the agent device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the agent device 1 according to this embodiment may include an input device 10, a display device 20, an audio output device 30, and a control device 40.

[0022] (Input device 10) The input device 10 according to this embodiment accepts input by the user's manual operation and input by voice operation.

[0023] The input device 10 outputs information related to the received operation to the control device 40.

[0024] (Display device 20) The display device 20 according to this embodiment displays various types of information according to the control by the control device 40. For this purpose, the display device 20 includes a display.

[0025] (Audio output device 30) The audio output device 30 according to this embodiment outputs various types of audio according to the control of the control device 40. For this purpose, the display device 20 is equipped with a speaker, amplifier, etc.

[0026] (Control device 40) The control device 40 according to this embodiment controls the operation of each component of the agent device 1.

[0027] Furthermore, the control device 40 according to this embodiment controls predetermined functions based on input operations received by the input device 10.

[0028] Furthermore, the control device 40 according to this embodiment controls the agent function.

[0029] The functions of the control device 40 according to this embodiment are realized through the cooperation of various processors and memory.

[0030] The above describes an example of the configuration of the agent device 1 according to this embodiment. Note that the above configuration, described with reference to Figure 1, is merely an example, and the configuration of the agent device 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to this example.

[0031] For example, agent device 1 does not necessarily need to be equipped with a display device 20.

[0032] Furthermore, combinations such as the input device 10 and the control device 40, the input device 10 and the audio output device 30, and the display device 20 and the audio output device 30 may be implemented as a single integrated device.

[0033] The configuration of the agent device 1 according to this embodiment can be flexibly modified according to specifications, operation, etc.

[0034] Next, we will describe an example of the external appearance of the agent device 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of the agent device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the input device 10 according to this embodiment includes an operation display unit 110.

[0036] The operation display unit 110 according to this embodiment receives input operations from the user and displays information related to those input operations.

[0037] The operation display unit 110 according to this embodiment may be arranged, for example, on the top surface of the input device 10.

[0038] In the example shown in Figure 2, the user performs manual operations on the operation display unit 110 while visually observing the information displayed on the display device 20 and the information displayed on the operation display unit 110.

[0039] However, as mentioned above, the agent device 1 does not necessarily need to be equipped with a display device 20.

[0040] Figure 3 shows an example of the display of the operation display unit 110 according to this embodiment.

[0041] The operation display unit 110 according to this embodiment displays various information in accordance with the control of the control device 40.

[0042] In particular, the operation display unit 110 according to this embodiment displays the function that is the target of the input operation.

[0043] The control device 40 presents the user with different sets of functions by switching the information displayed on the operation display unit 110 according to the situation.

[0044] In the example shown in the upper part of Figure 3, the control device 40 displays multiple icons related to audio playback on the operation display unit 110.

[0045] Users may be able to control actions such as playing and stopping audio, selecting tracks, and navigating to higher levels of functionality selection by pushing each icon.

[0046] On the other hand, in the example shown in the lower part of Figure 3, the control device 40 displays multiple icons related to the call (which may be a photograph of the person on the other end of the call, information such as their name, etc.) on the operation display unit 110.

[0047] Users may be able to initiate a call to any recipient by pushing each icon.

[0048] Thus, the agent device 1 according to this embodiment can accept operations for multiple functions by switching the information displayed on the operation display unit 110 according to the situation.

[0049] The control device 40 controls the execution of the corresponding function based on the information displayed on the operation display unit 110 and the detected push position.

[0050] Next, we will describe in more detail an example of the configuration of the operation display unit 110 according to this embodiment and how the push position is detected.

[0051] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the operation display unit 110 according to this embodiment.

[0052] As shown in Figure 4, the operation display unit 110 according to this embodiment includes a display 120, a plurality of knobs 130, and a plurality of contacts 140.

[0053] Figure 4 illustrates knobs 130A and 130B among the multiple knobs 130, and contacts 140A and 140B among the multiple contacts.

[0054] The display 120 according to this embodiment displays information related to input operations in accordance with the control of the control device 40.

[0055] Furthermore, one of the features of the plurality of knobs 130 according to this embodiment is that each of them covers the display surface of the display 120, the back surface of the display 120, and at least one side surface of the display 120.

[0056] Furthermore, as shown in the example in Figure 4, the display 120 and the knob 130 may be arranged such that the back surface of the display 120 and the surface of the knob 130 facing the back surface, and the display surface of the display 120 and the surface of the knob 130 facing the display surface are separated from each other. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the display 120 from moving in response to pressing the knob 130.

[0057] Each of the multiple knobs 130 according to this embodiment is formed using a transparent material such as resin or glass.

[0058] Furthermore, each of the multiple contacts 140 according to this embodiment is positioned on the back side of the display 120 such that the knob 130 is sandwiched between the contact 140 and the display 120.

[0059] Each of the multiple contacts 140 may be a contact such as a switch.

[0060] With the above configuration, when a user presses the knob 130 on the display surface side of the display 120, the entire display 120 is not pressed; rather, only the knob 130 corresponding to the pressing position is pressed, and the contact 140 is also pressed.

[0061] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user experience from becoming sluggish regardless of the display size (120 pixels).

[0062] Furthermore, with the above configuration, the user can feel the boundary between adjacent knobs 130 with the pad of their finger, making it easier to recognize each knob 130 during blind operation or operation using peripheral vision, thus preventing accidental operation.

[0063] In addition, the multiple knobs 130 and the multiple contacts 140 according to this embodiment may be arranged in a one-to-one relationship.

[0064] In the example shown in Figure 4, the knob 130A and the contact 140A are arranged in a one-to-one relationship. When the knob 130A is pressed, the contact 140A, which is arranged in a one-to-one relationship with the knob 130A, is pressed.

[0065] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 4, the knob 130B and the contact 140B are arranged in a one-to-one relationship. When the knob 130B is pressed, the contact 140B, which is arranged in a one-to-one relationship with the knob 130B, is pressed.

[0066] In this way, by arranging the knobs 130 and contacts 140 in a one-to-one relationship, it is possible to prevent multiple contacts 140 from being pressed when one knob 130 is pressed.

[0067] However, depending on the size, shape, and material of the knob 130, it is possible to design it so that multiple contacts 140 are not pressed, even if there is a one-to-many relationship between the knob 130 and the contacts 140.

[0068] Furthermore, each of the plurality of knobs 130 according to this embodiment may have a U-shape and may be adjacent to other knobs 130 at least on the open end side of the U-shape.

[0069] With the above configuration, it is possible to arrange a group of knobs 130 in two rows or two columns on a single display 120.

[0070] In addition, the display 120 according to this embodiment may display different functions for each knob 130 in accordance with the control of the control device 40.

[0071] According to such a display, at least two different functions can be associated with a single display 120.

[0072] The operation display unit 110 according to this embodiment may include a single display 120 or multiple displays 120.

[0073] In any of the above cases, it is possible to implement a display and operation reception system as illustrated in Figure 3.

[0074] For example, in the example shown in Figure 3, the operation display unit 110 may include a single display 120 and a group of knobs 130 arranged in 2 rows x 6 columns, flanking the display 120 from both the top and bottom directions in Figure 3.

[0075] Furthermore, for example, in the example shown in Figure 3, the operation display unit 110 may include six displays 120 and six sets of two knobs 130 that sandwich each of the displays 120.

[0076] In either case, the control device 40 can identify the function that the user desires to operate based on the pressed contact 140 and the position of the icon displayed on the display 120, and control the execution of the identified function.

[0077] In the above, we mainly illustrated the case where the display 120 displays different functions for each knob 130. However, the function displays according to this embodiment are not limited to such examples.

[0078] The display 120 according to this embodiment may display the same function on multiple knobs 130 in accordance with the control of the control device 40. In other words, the display 120 according to this embodiment may display a single function across multiple knobs 130 in accordance with the control of the control device 40.

[0079] Figure 5 shows an example of a function display spanning multiple knobs 130 according to this embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 5, the display 120 displays icons related to pizza delivery orders spanning two knobs 130. The display 120 also displays icons related to searching for other restaurants spanning three knobs 130. Such a function display spanning multiple knobs 130 enables flexible information presentation without limiting the amount of information displayed to the size of the knobs 130.

[0080] As described above, the configuration of the operation display unit 110 according to this embodiment can be flexibly modified.

[0081] <2. Supplement> Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are also understood to fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 1: Agent device, 10: Input device, 110: Operation display unit, 120: Display, 130: Knob, 140: Contact, 20: Display device, 30: Audio output device, 40: Control device

Claims

1. An operation display unit that receives user input operations and displays information related to said input operations. Equipped with, The aforementioned operation display unit is A display that shows the results of the aforementioned input operation, A plurality of knobs covering the display surface of the display, the back surface of the display, and at least one side surface of the display, Multiple contacts are located on the back side of the display, Equipped with, Input device.

2. The plurality of knobs and the plurality of contacts are arranged in a one-to-one relationship. The input device according to claim 1.

3. Each of the plurality of knobs has a U-shape, and the open end of the U-shape is adjacent to other knobs. An input device according to either claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The display shows the function that is the target of the input operation. The input device according to claim 1.

5. The display shows different functions for each of the multiple knobs. The input device according to claim 4.

6. The display shows the same function for each of the multiple knobs. The input device according to claim 4.

7. The system comprises multiple of the aforementioned displays. The input device according to claim 1.

8. Mounted on a mobile vehicle, The input device according to claim 1.

9. It comprises an input device that receives input operations from a user, and a control device that controls predetermined functions based on the input operations, The input device includes an operation display unit that receives the input operation and displays information related to the input operation, The aforementioned operation display unit is A display that shows the results of the aforementioned input operation, A plurality of knobs covering the display surface of the display, the back surface of the display, and at least one side surface of the display, Multiple contacts arranged on the back side of the display, Equipped with, Information processing device.

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