Input device and agent device

Abstract

It accepts voice and manual operation without compromising its design aesthetics. [Solution] An input device is provided that accepts input operations from a user, comprising a dial that accepts rotation operations from the user, wherein the dial also serves as an agent form embodying an agent function that interacts with the user, and the top surface of the dial and the top surface of the housing of the input device have the same or similar design.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various devices for receiving input from users have been developed. Such devices include devices having an agent function that receives input from a user through interaction with the user. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle agent system that conducts voice conversations with a user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the in-vehicle agent system disclosed in Patent Document 1, an agent (i.e., an object of conversation as seen by the user) is produced using an image on a display. Thus, in a system having an agent function, the object of conversation is often visualized. Although means for visualizing the object of conversation using a dedicated device without relying on an image are conceivable, the design may be impaired and the cost may increase.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to accept voice operations and manual operations without impairing the design.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, an input device is provided that accepts input operations from a user, comprising a dial that accepts rotation operations from the user, wherein the dial also serves as an agent form embodying an agent function that interacts with the user, and the top surface of the dial and the top surface of the housing of the input device have the same or similar design.

[0007] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, an agent device is provided comprising an input device that accepts input operations by a user and a control device that controls an agent function, wherein the input device comprises a dial that accepts rotation operations by a user, the dial also serves as the external form of an agent embodying the agent function that interacts with the user, and the top surface of the dial and the top surface of the housing of the input device have the same or similar design. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, the present invention makes it possible to accept voice and manual operation without compromising the design. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This diagram illustrates the overview of agent device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the overview of the agent device 1 according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the agent device 1 according to the same embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the input device 10 according to the same embodiment. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the first to fourth forms of the agent device 1 according to the same embodiment. [Figure 6]This diagram illustrates the state of the dial 110 in each configuration adopted by the agent device 1 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> <<1.1. Overview>> As mentioned above, in recent years, technologies have been developed that allow users to input while engaging in voice dialogue with them using agent functions.

[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, when visualizing the object being interacted with from the agent's, i.e., the user's, perspective using images or dedicated devices, there is a possibility that the design aesthetic may be compromised. In particular, since each vehicle product has a meticulous design concept, it has been difficult to embody an object being interacted with that is suitable for all products.

[0014] Furthermore, since some users may be unfamiliar with voice control, resistant to it, or prefer manual operation over voice control, it is common practice to also implement a configuration that accepts manual input, even when implementing agent functionality.

[0015] However, implementing the above configuration for each function that is operated manually would also compromise the aesthetic design.

[0016] The technical idea according to an embodiment of the present invention was conceived by focusing on the above points, and enables accepting voice operations and manual operations without impairing the designability.

[0017] For this purpose, the manual operation reception unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it also serves as an agent outer shape embodying an agent function for interaction with a user.

[0018] According to the above characteristics, unlike the case of using an image or a dedicated device, the manual operation reception unit implemented from the beginning can visualize the interaction object, and the designability can be ensured.

[0019] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are diagrams for explaining an overview of an agent device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the agent device 1 according to the present embodiment may include, for example, an input device 10 and a display device 20.

[0021] The input device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a dial 110 that accepts a rotation operation by a user. The dial 110 according to the present embodiment is an example of the manual operation reception unit.

[0022] The dial 110 may be configured to be commonly used for operating a plurality of functions. The functions targeted by the rotation operation using the dial 110 are controlled by a control device 40 (see FIG. 3).

[0023] In this way, by providing the dial 110 so that it can be commonly used for operating a plurality of functions, it is possible to avoid an increase in the number of manual operation reception units and impairment of the designability.

[0024] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the dial 110 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that it is provided so as to be storable inside the housing of the input device 10.

[0025] According to the above features, in situations where the dial 110 is not needed (or should not be used), it is possible to avoid the dial 110 detracting from the design.

[0026] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, when the dial 110 is available, the dial 110 protrudes from the housing of the input device 10, thereby accepting rotational operation by the user.

[0027] Furthermore, as described above, the dial 110 according to this embodiment also serves as the external form of an agent that embodies the agent function.

[0028] In the example shown in Figure 2, the state representation unit 140 represents the agent's outline by applying decorations to the dial 110 that mimic the agent's eyes. The state representation unit 140 may also apply decorations around the dial 110. The state representation unit 140 switches the presence or absence of such decorations using, for example, lighting or a display.

[0029] With the above configuration, the availability of the agent function can be expressed by the presence or absence of decoration, and the possibility that the decoration may impair the design when the agent function is unavailable can be eliminated.

[0030] In the above example, the agent's appearance is represented by applying an eye-like decoration to the dial 110, but the representation of the agent's appearance is not limited to this example. The agent's appearance only needs to make the user aware of the agent's presence, and may be represented using, for example, an illustration of a creature that makes the agent seem more approachable. The agent's appearance can be flexibly modified according to the specifications of the agent device 1, the target of application, and the expected users.

[0031] The above describes the outline of the agent device 1 according to this embodiment. The agent device 1 according to this embodiment makes it possible to accept voice and manual operations without compromising the design.

[0032] <<1.2. Example Configuration>> Next, an example of the configuration of the agent device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The agent device 1 according to this embodiment may be mounted on a moving object such as a vehicle.

[0033] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the agent device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, 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.

[0034] (Input device 10) The input device 10 according to this embodiment accepts input from the user via manual operation and voice operation.

[0035] The input device 10 outputs information related to the received operation to the control device 40.

[0036] (Display device 20) The display device 20 according to this embodiment displays various types of information in accordance with the control of the control device 40. For this purpose, the display device 20 is equipped with a display.

[0037] (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.

[0038] (Control device 40) The control device 40 according to this embodiment controls the operation of each component of the agent device 1.

[0039] Furthermore, the control device 40 according to this embodiment controls the agent function.

[0040] The functions of the control device 40 according to this embodiment are realized through the cooperation of various processors and memory.

[0041] 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 3, is merely an example, and the configuration of the agent device 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to this example.

[0042] For example, agent device 1 does not necessarily need to be equipped with a display device 20.

[0043] 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.

[0044] The configuration of the agent device 1 according to this embodiment can be flexibly modified according to specifications, operation, etc.

[0045] Next, we will describe an example of the functional configuration of the input device 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the input device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0046] As shown in Figure 4, the input device 10 according to this embodiment may include a dial 110, an actuator 120, an audio input unit 130, a state expression unit 140, a control unit 150, and a communication unit 160.

[0047] (Dial 110) The dial 110 according to this embodiment accepts rotational operation by the user.

[0048] The dial 110 according to this embodiment is an example of a manual operation reception unit that accepts manual operations by the user.

[0049] Furthermore, one of the features of the dial 110 according to this embodiment is that it also serves as an agent form that embodies the agent function for interacting with the user.

[0050] (Actuator 120) The actuator 120 according to this embodiment controls the operation of the manual operation receiving unit.

[0051] Specifically, the actuator 120 according to this embodiment controls the retraction of the manual operation receiving unit into the housing and the protrusion of the manual operation receiving unit to the outside of the housing.

[0052] The actuator 120 according to this embodiment includes mechanical components such as a motor.

[0053] (Voice input unit 130) The voice input unit 130 according to this embodiment accepts voice operations from the user. For this purpose, the voice input unit 130 according to this embodiment is equipped with a microphone.

[0054] (State expression unit 140) The state representation unit 140 according to this embodiment represents the state of the agent function.

[0055] The status of the agent function mentioned above includes whether or not the agent function is available.

[0056] In this embodiment, the state expression unit 140 expresses whether the agent function is available or not, allowing the user to intuitively and clearly understand whether the agent function is available or not.

[0057] Furthermore, the state expression unit 140 switches whether or not decoration is applied to the manual operation reception unit depending on whether the agent function can be used, thereby ensuring aesthetic appeal even when the agent function cannot be used.

[0058] Furthermore, the state of the agent function expressed by the state expression unit 140 may include the agent's emotions, processing status, etc.

[0059] Furthermore, the state expression unit 140 may also express warnings, alerts, etc., to the user.

[0060] The state representation unit 140 is equipped with lighting such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or a display in order to perform the above-mentioned representations.

[0061] (Control unit 150) In this embodiment, the control unit 150 works in conjunction with the control device 40 to control each component of the input device 10.

[0062] Furthermore, if the input device 10 and the control device 40 are implemented as an integrated device, the control unit 150 may have the same configuration as the control device 40.

[0063] The functions of the control unit 150 are realized through the cooperation of various processors and memory.

[0064] (Communications Section 160) The communication unit 160 according to this embodiment communicates with other components of the agent device 1.

[0065] For example, if the input device 10 and the control device 40 are provided as different devices, the communication unit 160 transmits information regarding user operations to the control device 40 and receives various control signals from the control device 40.

[0066] On the other hand, when the input device 10 and the control device 40 are provided as an integrated device, the communication unit 160 transmits control signals to the display device 20 and the audio output device 30, respectively.

[0067] The above describes an example of the configuration of the input device 10 according to this embodiment. Note that the above configuration, described with reference to Figure 4, is merely an example, and the functional configuration of the input device 10 according to this embodiment is not limited to this example.

[0068] For example, the above example illustrates a case where the input device 10 is equipped with a dial 110 as a manual operation receiving unit, but the manual operation receiving unit is not limited to this example. The manual operation receiving unit may be a switch, button, lever, etc., in addition to a dial. Furthermore, the input device 10 may be equipped with multiple manual operation receiving units of the same or different types. For example, the input device 10 may be equipped with two dials as manual operation receiving units, or it may be equipped with one dial, one switch, and one lever as manual operation receiving units. The manual operation receiving unit can be any configuration that is subject to at least one of the following: operation control by the actuator 120 and switching control of whether or not decoration is applied by the state expression unit 140.

[0069] Furthermore, for example, the state expression unit 140 may express a function that is the target of operation using the manual operation reception unit.

[0070] The configuration of the input device 10 according to this embodiment can be flexibly modified according to specifications, operation, etc.

[0071] <<1.3.Operation>> Next, the operation of the agent device 1 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0072] The agent device 1 according to this embodiment has multiple configurations depending on whether the dial 110 can be used and whether the agent function can be used.

[0073] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the first to fourth forms of the agent device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0074] The first form is the configuration that the agent device 1 takes when the dial 110 is unavailable and the agent function is unavailable. For example, the agent device 1 may take the first form when the engine of the mobile body on which it is mounted is OFF, or when the power supply to the mobile body is OFF.

[0075] The second form is the form that the agent device 1 takes when the dial 110 is unavailable and the agent function is available. That is, in the second form, the agent device 1 accepts only voice commands. For example, the agent device 1 may take the second form when the user (driver) should concentrate on driving the vehicle (especially manual driving). Also, for example, the agent device 1 may take the second form when it is difficult for the user to operate it manually. Examples of such situations include when the agent device 1 is located at the front of the vehicle and the user is in the back seat, or when there is a child user who cannot reach the agent device 1.

[0076] The third form is the configuration that the agent device 1 takes when the dial 110 is available and the agent function is unavailable.

[0077] Furthermore, the fourth embodiment is the form that the agent device 1 takes when the dial 110 is usable and the agent function is usable.

[0078] In other words, the agent device 1 accepts manual operation only in the third or fourth form. For example, the agent device 1 may take the third or fourth form in situations where the user (driver) does not need to concentrate on driving the vehicle. Such situations include, for example, when the vehicle is stopped, during autonomous driving, during lane keeping control, or during ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control).

[0079] In the first and third embodiments in which the agent device 1 is in a state where the agent function cannot be used, the state representation unit 140 disables the embellishments related to the agent function in accordance with the control unit 150.

[0080] The control described above allows users to intuitively and clearly understand when the agent function is unavailable, while also preventing any compromise in design aesthetics.

[0081] In the second and fourth embodiments in which the agent device 1 is in a state where the agent function is available, the state representation unit 140 enables the embellishment related to the agent function in accordance with the control of the control unit 150.

[0082] Through the control described above, users can intuitively and clearly understand that the agent function is available.

[0083] Furthermore, the dial 110 can be extended to the outside of the casing or retracted into the casing, depending on whether it is in use or not.

[0084] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the state of the dial 110 in each configuration.

[0085] As shown in Figure 6, in the first or second configuration in which the agent device 1 is in a state where the dial 110 is unusable, the actuator 120 retracts the dial 110 into the housing.

[0086] In this case, the actuator 120 may control the position of the dial 110 so that the top surface of the dial 110 and the top surface 115 of the housing are flush.

[0087] The control described above enhances the sense of unity between the dial 110 and the casing, ensuring aesthetic appeal.

[0088] However, in the second embodiment, the actuator 120 may cause the dial 110 to protrude to such an extent that the user cannot hold the side of the dial 110, i.e., to such an extent that the user cannot use the dial 110 (for example, about 5 mm). With this type of control, unlike the first embodiment, it is easier for the user to recognize that the agent function is available, and by making the dial 110 unusable, the user can be encouraged to use voice control.

[0089] On the other hand, in a third or fourth form in which the agent device 1 makes the dial 110 usable, the actuator 120 causes the dial 110 to protrude outside the housing so that the user can hold the side of the dial 110.

[0090] According to the control described above, the user will be able to perform line operations on Dial 110.

[0091] The first to fourth forms of the agent device 1 according to this embodiment have been described above. With the form control described above, it is possible to accept voice and manual operation without impairing the design.

[0092] Furthermore, the top surface of the dial 110 and the top surface 115 of the housing may have the same or similar design, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5. In this case, the aesthetic appeal is further ensured, especially in the first and second embodiments, by forming the same (similar) design surfaces on the top surface of the dial 110 and the top surface 115 of the housing.

[0093] The same or similar designs described above can be expressed using, for example, color, pattern, texture, etc. More specifically, the same or similar designs may be expressed using, for example, wood grain, metallic, carbon fiber patterns, fabric patterns, animal patterns, geometric patterns, etc.

[0094] Furthermore, the entire top surface of the dial 110 may be composed of a display. In this case, the display will show a design identical or similar to that of the top surface 115 of the housing. In this case, the display will also serve as the state display unit 140.

[0095] Furthermore, the status of the agent function may be represented by the degree of protrusion (height) of the dial 110. In this case, in combination with visual control by the status representation unit 140, it becomes possible to represent the status of the agent function in a more diverse manner.

[0096] <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.

[0097] Furthermore, the series of processes performed by each device described herein may be implemented by a program stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Each program is, for example, loaded into RAM when executed by a computer and executed by a processor such as a CPU. The storage medium may be, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or flash memory. Alternatively, the program may be distributed without using a storage medium, for example, via a network. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0098] 1: Agent device, 10: Input device, 110: Dial, 120: Actuator, 130: Voice input unit, 140: State expression unit, 150: Control unit, 160: Communication unit, 20: Display device, 30: Voice output device, 40: Control device

Claims

1. An input device that accepts input operations from a user, A dial that accepts rotational operation by the user. Equipped with, The aforementioned dial also serves as the external form of an agent that embodies the agent function for interacting with the user. The top surface of the dial and the top surface of the housing of the input device have the same or similar design. Input device.

2. A state representation unit that represents the state of the agent function, Furthermore, The input device according to claim 1.

3. The status of the agent function includes whether the agent function is available or unavailable. The input device according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned dial is provided so as to be retractable inside the housing. An input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. An actuator that controls the retraction of the dial into the housing and the protrusion of the dial outside the housing. Furthermore, The input device according to claim 4.

6. There are multiple forms depending on whether the dial can be used and whether the agent function can be used, The input device according to claim 5.

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

8. It comprises an input device that accepts user input operations and a control device that controls agent functions, The input device includes a dial that accepts rotational operation by the user, The aforementioned dial also serves as the external form of an agent that embodies the agent function for interacting with the user. The top surface of the dial and the top surface of the housing of the input device have the same or similar design. Agent device.

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