Operation input devices

Abstract

To provide an input device that can suppress false detections caused by water droplets. [Solution] An operation input device 3 for a saddle-type vehicle comprises an operation surface 32 that accepts operation input by contact and a detection device that detects contact with the operation surface 32. The detection device detects changes in the contact position with respect to the operation surface 32 and recognizes only changes in the contact position that start from a point other than the upper end 33a of the outer end 33 of the operation surface 32 as gesture operations.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, among touch panel type operation input devices, those that recognize gesture operations by a user's finger are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile device that operates an application of the device by sliding a finger from the outer end of the operation screen toward the inner side of the screen.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, in conventional touch panel type operation input devices, there is a possibility that water droplets such as rainwater adhering to the operation surface when mounted on a vehicle move from outside the operation surface into the operation surface, and the movement of the water droplets is erroneously detected as a gesture operation by the user.

[0005] Accordingly, the present invention provides an operation input device capable of suppressing erroneous detection caused by water droplets.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] An operation input device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an operation input device for a saddle-ride type vehicle, comprising: an operation surface (32) that receives an operation input by contact; and a detection device (5) that detects contact with the operation surface (32), wherein the detection device (5) detects a change in a contact position on the operation surface (32), and sets only the change in the contact position that starts from a position other than a specific range of an outer end (33) on the operation surface (32) as a recognition target for a gesture operation.

[0007] According to the first embodiment, even if water droplets such as rainwater adhere to the operation input device and move onto the operation surface from outside the operation surface across a specific range at the outer edge of the operation surface, the detection device can be prevented from mistakenly recognizing the movement of the water droplets as a gesture operation by the user. Therefore, it is possible to prevent false detection of operation input to the operation input device due to water droplets.

[0008] An operation input device according to a second aspect of the present invention is an operation input device according to the first aspect described above, wherein the operation surface (32) has a size in the vertical direction, and the specific range may include the upper end (33a) of the operation surface (32).

[0009] According to the second embodiment, since water droplets are generally likely to hang down due to gravity, false detections due to water droplets can be effectively suppressed by not recognizing changes in contact position starting from the upper end of the operating surface as gesture operations by the user, and functions can be assigned to gesture operations starting from locations other than the upper end of the outer surface. Therefore, the operability of the operation input device can be improved.

[0010] In the operation input device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the detection device (5) may recognize as a gesture operation a change in the contact position moving downward from any point below the upper end (33a) of the operation surface (32).

[0011] According to the third embodiment, under conditions where it is possible to distinguish between a dripping water droplet and an operation by the user's fingers, a function can also be assigned to a user's down gesture operation. Therefore, the operability of the input device can be further improved.

[0012] An operation input device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is an operation input device according to any of the first to third aspects described above, wherein the detection device (5) includes an area identification unit (51) that identifies the area of ​​the range in which contact is detected on the operation surface (32), and an operation determination unit (52) that determines whether or not the operation input is made by a user based on the temporal change of the area, and the detection device (5) may recognize the operation only when it is determined that the operation input is made by the user.

[0013] According to the fourth embodiment, since water droplets such as rainwater generally change their contact area according to the wettability of the operating surface immediately after adhering to it, it is possible to distinguish whether the detected contact with the operating surface is a water droplet or a user's finger. Therefore, it is possible to suppress false detection of water droplets adhering to the operating surface as user input.

[0014] An operation input device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is an operation input device according to any of the first to fourth aspects described above, wherein the operation surface (32) has a size in the vertical direction, and the detection device (5) may recognize only the second change as a gesture operation when it detects a first change in the contact position starting from the upper end (33a) of the operation surface (32) and a second change in the contact position starting from a location other than the upper end (33a) on the outer end (33) of the operation surface (32).

[0015] According to the fifth embodiment, since water droplets are generally likely to hang down due to gravity, if the first and second changes are detected simultaneously, it is reasonable to determine that only the second change is a gesture operation by the user. This effectively suppresses false detections caused by water droplets and allows functions to be assigned to gesture operations initiated from locations other than the upper end of the outer edge. Therefore, the operability of the input device can be improved.

[0016] An operation input device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is an operation input device according to any of the first to fifth aspects described above, wherein the detection device (5) includes a contact range estimation unit (53) that estimates the range (61) that has come into contact with the operation input device (3), including the outside of the operation surface (32), when contact is detected in a range having a predetermined or greater area including the specific range of the outer end (33) of the operation surface (32), and a contact position determination unit (54) that determines whether the reference position (P) of the range (61) estimated by the contact range estimation unit (53) is located inside the outer end (33) of the operation surface (32), and the detection device (5) may recognize the change in contact position as a gesture operation when the reference position (P) at the time the change in contact position begins is located inside the outer end (33) of the operation surface (32).

[0017] According to the sixth embodiment, if the majority of the user's finger contact area with the input device is located on the operating surface, the detected contact position on the operating surface is recognized as a user gesture operation even if it includes the outer edge of the operating surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the contact of the user's finger unintentionally on the outer edge of the operating surface from being determined to be caused by water droplets. Consequently, the operability of the input device can be improved.

[0018] An operation input device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is an operation input device according to any of the first to sixth aspects described above, wherein the operation surface (32) has a size in the vertical direction, and the specific range may include the horizontal outer edge (33b) of the operation surface (32).

[0019] While the vehicle is in motion, water droplets adhering to the control input device are highly likely to move horizontally due to the airflow. Therefore, according to the seventh embodiment, when a change in contact position starting from the horizontally outer edge of the outer edge of the operating surface is detected, the change in contact position is not recognized as a gesture operation by the user, thereby effectively suppressing false detections caused by water droplets.

[0020] An operation input device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the operation input device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the detection device (5) may set the specific range when the traveling speed of a vehicle (1) on which the operation input device (3) is mounted is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.

[0021] When the vehicle is traveling at a low speed or is stopped, movement of water droplets due to traveling wind is unlikely to occur. Therefore, even if a change in the contact position starting from the laterally outer end at the outer end of the operation surface is detected, the possibility that the change in the contact position is caused by a water droplet is low. For this reason, according to the eighth aspect, it is possible to accurately distinguish between an operation input by a user and movement of a water droplet, and the operability of the operation input device can be improved.

[0022] An operation input device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the operation input device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the operation surface may be inclined at an angle of 45 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction.

[0023] According to the ninth aspect, since the inclination of the operation surface is closer to the vertical direction than to the horizontal direction, water droplets on the operation surface can easily flow downward, and the visibility of the operation input device can be improved. [Advantageous Effects of Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an operation input device capable of suppressing erroneous detection of an operation input to the operation input device caused by water droplets. [Brief Description of Drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a left side view showing a motorcycle equipped with the operation input device of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a view of the periphery of an information display device in the motorcycle equipped with the operation input device of the first embodiment, viewed from the rear in the normal direction of the display surface. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the operation input device of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing the information display device of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the operation input device of the second embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows a first example of the virtual range estimated by the contact range estimation unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows a second example of the virtual range estimated by the contact range estimation unit in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplication of these components may be omitted. Furthermore, directions such as front, back, up, down, left, and right in the following description are the same as directions in the vehicle described below. That is, the up and down direction coincides with the vertical direction, and the left and right direction coincides with the vehicle width direction. In the figures used in the following description, the arrow UP indicates upward, the arrow FR indicates forward, and the arrow LH indicates left.

[0027] [First Embodiment] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the operation input device 3 of this embodiment is a meter device mounted on a saddle-type vehicle such as a motorcycle 1. The operation input device 3 comprises an information display device 4 and a detection device 5. The information display device 4 is positioned in front of the steering handle 10, slightly tilted forward with respect to the vertical direction when viewed from the side of the vehicle. It is desirable that the inclination angle of the display surface in this case be within 45 degrees with respect to the vertical direction. The information display device 4 is positioned on the center C of the vehicle's width. Since the information display device 4 is covered from the front by a screen 11 that is wider and taller than the information display device 4, the entire information display device 4 is located inside the outline of the screen 11 when viewed from the rear.

[0028] Figure 4 is a view of the information display device 4 of the first embodiment, as seen from the direction normal to its display surface. As shown in Figure 4, the information display device 4 comprises a box-shaped housing 20 that is open to the rear, and a cover panel 21 positioned to close the opening of the housing 20. The cover panel 21 is a transparent substrate made of a transparent material such as glass or acrylic resin, and is sometimes referred to as a cover glass. However, a part of the cover panel 21 may be colored. The cover panel 21 is a flat plate that extends along a two-dimensional plane. The cover panel 21 has a size in the vertical direction and is positioned inclined with respect to the vertical direction such that the upper end is located in front of the lower end (see Figure 1). When viewed from the rear, the cover panel 21 is formed in a rectangular shape with one pair of sides extending in the vehicle width direction and another pair of sides extending in the vertical direction. The cover panel 21 has a flat surface facing the driver side (rear).

[0029] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the information display device 4 includes an input unit 30 and a notification unit 35. These input unit 30 and notification unit 35 are capable of dynamically displaying information. The input unit 30 is a touch panel 31. The notification unit 35 includes an image display device 36 and a small display unit 37.

[0030] The touch panel 31 incorporates a touch sensor into a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, which detects contact of an object with the display screen using static electricity or pressure. The touch panel 31 displays information toward the user (driver). The touch panel 31 is capable of dynamically displaying information. The touch panel 31 primarily displays infotainment information such as various vehicle settings, music, and information obtained from connections with external devices. The display area of ​​the display device is rectangular. The four sides of the display area of ​​the display device are parallel to the four sides of the cover panel 21. The touch panel 31 includes a part of the cover panel 21 as the front panel located closest to the user. The contact detection range of the touch panel 31 substantially coincides with the display area of ​​the display device. The touch panel 31 outputs an electrical signal to the detection device 5, which will be described later, when an object touches the surface of the cover panel 21. The signal output from the touch panel 31 includes information indicating a change in capacitance or a change in pressure.

[0031] The image display device 36 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The image display device 36 displays information to the user. The image display device 36 is capable of dynamically displaying information. The image display device 36 mainly displays information stipulated by law. For example, the image display device 36 displays a speedometer, tachometer, odometer, etc. The image display device 36 does not have a function to sense contact with objects, or the sensing function is disabled. The image display device 36 is located inside the housing 20, below the touch panel 31. The image display device 36 includes the remaining part of the cover panel 21 as the front panel. The display area of ​​the image display device 36 is rectangular. The four sides of the display area of ​​the image display device 36 are parallel to the four sides of the cover panel 21. The image display device 36 is smaller than the touch panel 31 in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, in the vehicle width direction, both ends of the display area of ​​the image display device 36 are inward from both ends of the display area of ​​the touch panel 31. Furthermore, the image display device 36 is smaller than the touch panel 31 in the vertical direction.

[0032] The small display unit 37 is, for example, a warning light. The small display unit 37 has a light source such as an LED. The light source is located inside the housing 20. The small display unit 37 includes the remaining part of the cover panel 21. When the light source is lit, it works in cooperation with the cover panel 21 to display icons as information to the user. The small display unit 37 displays legal icons, icons indicating the operation of various vehicle functions, etc., as an indicator. The small display unit 37 can dynamically display information by switching between a lit state and an unlit state of the light source. The small display unit 37 is located below the touch panel 31. The small display unit 37 is aligned with the image display device 36 in the vehicle width direction. One or more small display units 37 are located on each side of the image display device 36 in the vehicle width direction.

[0033] The input unit 30 has an operating surface 32 that receives operation input. The operating surface 32 is an area of ​​the surface of the cover panel 21 that coincides with the contact sensing range of the touch panel 31. The operating surface 32 is located on at least a portion of the upper half when the surface of the cover panel 21 is equally divided vertically. The operating surface 32 has a gap around its entire perimeter with respect to the outer edge of the cover panel 21. The operating surface 32 has an outer end 33. The outer end 33 comprises an upper end 33a, a lower end, and a pair of horizontally outward side ends 33b.

[0034] The notification unit 35 has a non-operation surface 38 that does not accept operation input. The non-operation surface 38 is an area of ​​the cover panel 21 surface that coincides with the display range of the image display device 36 and the display range of the small display unit 37. When viewed from the direction normal to the surface of the cover panel 21, the non-operation surface 38 is located below the operation surface 32 and overlaps with the operation surface 32 in the vertical direction. The vertical dimension of the non-operation surface 38 is smaller than the vertical dimension of the operation surface 32. In this embodiment, the non-operation surface 38 is divided by the image display device 36 and the small display unit 37. In this case, the vertical dimension of the non-operation surface 38 is the distance between the two ends of the non-operation surface 38 in the vertical direction.

[0035] The operating surface 32 is positioned in front of the non-operating surface 38 due to the cover panel 21 being inclined downwards towards the rear. The input unit 30 and the notification unit 35 are integrally formed as a single unit. The operating surface 32 of the input unit 30 and the non-operating surface 38 of the notification unit 35 are formed on the same continuous surface as they are formed on the surface of the common cover panel 21.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the information display device 4 further includes a non-display section 40. The non-display section 40 does not accept operation input and does not display dynamic information. The non-display section 40 is located between the input section 30 and the notification section 35. The non-display section 40 extends in the vehicle width direction with a certain width at least between the touch panel 31 and the image display device 36. The non-display section 40 includes the remaining part of the cover panel 21. The non-display section 40 may display information that does not change its display manner, such as icons or logos expressed by coloring the cover panel 21, for example.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the detection device 5 processes the sensor information output by the touch panel 31. The detection device 5 detects contact of an object with the operating surface 32 of the information display device 4 and performs only input processing to the information display device 4. The detection device 5 is composed of, for example, a CPU that comprehensively controls the entire operation input device 3. The detection device 5 is located, for example, inside the housing 20. The detection device 5 includes an operation detection processing unit 51 and an operation determination unit 52.

[0038] The operation detection processing unit 51 acquires sensor information from the touch sensor of the touch panel 31. The sensor information includes information indicating the range (contact range) in which contact with an object is detected on the operating surface 32 of the input unit 30. Information indicating the contact range is, for example, a set of coordinates indicating the contact range. Based on the acquired sensor information, the operation detection processing unit 51 can identify the position, shape, area, etc., of the contact range.

[0039] The operation detection processing unit 51 detects changes in the contact position (coordinates) of an object based on the information contained in the continuously acquired signals and determines whether the input to the operation surface 32 is a tap (or long press) operation or a gesture operation. In this application, a gesture operation refers to detecting something that is intentionally touched on the screen by the operator, such as a finger or stylus, and includes taps, movement of the contact area, i.e., swiping operations.

[0040] The operation determination unit 52 determines whether the contact of an object to the operation surface 32 is an operation input by a user, based on the temporal change in the area of ​​the range where contact is detected on the operation surface 32. For example, if the area of ​​the range where contact is detected decreases by a predetermined percentage or more from the time the contact of an object to the operation surface 32 is detected, the operation determination unit 52 determines that it is not an operation input by a user and excludes the contact of the object from recognition.

[0041] The operation determination unit 52 determines whether the change in contact position with respect to the operating surface 32 detected by the operation detection processing unit 51 is to be recognized as a gesture operation by the user. The operation determination unit 52 recognizes only changes in contact position that start outside a specific range of the outer end 33 on the operating surface 32 as gesture operations by the user. In this embodiment, the specific range of the outer end 33 is the entire upper end 33a. That is, in this embodiment, the operation determination unit 52 does not recognize changes in contact position that start from the upper end 33a on the operating surface 32 as gesture operations by the user.

[0042] Furthermore, when the operation determination unit 52 detects a first change in contact position starting from the upper end 33a of the operating surface 32 and a second change in contact position starting from a location other than the upper end 33a on the outer end 33 of the operating surface 32, it recognizes only the second change as a gesture operation. In this embodiment, when a gesture operation from bottom to top is detected, a function is assigned to call up a multifunction screen for selecting various functions and changing or adjusting settings as appropriate.

[0043] As described above, the operation input device 3 of this embodiment includes an operating surface 32 that accepts operation input by contact, and a detection device 5 that detects contact with the operating surface 32. The detection device 5 detects changes in the contact position with respect to the operating surface 32, and recognizes only changes in the contact position that start from outside a specific range of the outer edge 33 of the operating surface 32 as gesture operations. With this configuration, even if water droplets such as rainwater adhere to the operation input device 3, and the water droplets move onto the operating surface 32 from outside the operating surface 32 across a specific range of the outer edge 33 of the operating surface 32, the detection device 5 can be prevented from mistakenly recognizing the movement of the water droplets as a gesture operation by the user. Therefore, erroneous detection of operation input to the operation input device 3 due to water droplets can be suppressed.

[0044] The specified range mentioned above includes the upper end 33a of the operating surface 32. With this configuration, since water droplets are generally likely to hang down due to gravity, changes in contact position starting from the upper end 33a of the operating surface 32 are not recognized as gesture operations by the user, thereby effectively suppressing false detections due to water droplets. Furthermore, functions can be assigned to gesture operations that start from locations other than the upper end 33a of the outer end 33. Therefore, the operability of the operation input device 3 can be improved.

[0045] The detection device 5 recognizes a change in contact position as a gesture operation, starting from any point below the upper end 33a of the operating surface 32 and moving downward. With this configuration, under conditions where it is possible to distinguish between a dripping water droplet and an operation by the user's fingers, a function can also be assigned to a downward gesture operation by the user. Therefore, the operability of the operation input device 3 can be further improved.

[0046] The detection device 5 includes an operation detection processing unit 51 that identifies the area of ​​the range where contact is detected on the operating surface 32, and an operation determination unit 52 that determines whether or not the operation input is made by a user based on the temporal change in the area. The detection device 5 recognizes an operation only when it is determined to be an operation input made by a user. With this configuration, since water droplets such as rainwater generally change their contact area according to the wettability of the operating surface 32 immediately after adhering to it, it is possible to distinguish whether the detected contact on the operating surface 32 is a water droplet or a user's finger. Therefore, it is possible to suppress false detection of water droplets adhering to the operating surface 32 as an operation input made by a user.

[0047] When the detection device 5 detects a first change in contact position starting from the upper end 33a of the operating surface 32 and a second change in contact position starting from a location other than the upper end 33a on the outer end 33 of the operating surface 32, it recognizes only the second change as a gesture operation. With this configuration, since water droplets are generally likely to hang down due to gravity, if the first and second changes are detected simultaneously, it is reasonable to determine that only the second change is a gesture operation by the user. This effectively suppresses false detections caused by water droplets and allows a function to be assigned to gesture operations that start from locations other than the upper end 33a on the outer end 33. Therefore, the operability of the operation input device 3 can be improved.

[0048] The operating surface 32 is inclined at an angle of 45 degrees or less with respect to the vertical. With this configuration, the inclination of the operating surface 32 is closer to the vertical direction than to the horizontal direction, which makes it easier for water droplets on the operating surface 32 to flow downwards and improves the visibility of the operating input device 3.

[0049] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. As shown in Figure 5, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the detection device 5 further includes a contact range estimation unit 53 and a contact position determination unit 54. Other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment, except as described below.

[0050] The contact range estimation unit 53 estimates a virtual range that has come into contact with the operation input device 3, including the area outside the operation surface 32, if the contact range identified by the operation detection processing unit 51 includes the outer edge 33 of the operation surface 32 and the area of ​​the contact range is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The virtual range estimated by the contact range estimation unit 53 (virtual range) straddles the outer edge 33 of the operation surface 32 and has a predetermined shape. For example, the predetermined shape is circular or elliptical. The virtual range is the smallest range that includes part of the shape of the contact range identified by the operation detection processing unit 51.

[0051] Figure 6 shows a first example of the virtual range 61 estimated by the contact range estimation unit 53 in the second embodiment. Figure 7 shows a second example of the virtual range 61 estimated by the contact range estimation unit 53 in the second embodiment. In the examples shown in Figures 6 and 7, the contact range 60 identified by the operation detection processing unit 51 includes the upper end 33a of the operating surface 32. The contact range estimation unit 53 identifies the smallest circular shape that includes the contact range 60 as its lower end. The contact range estimation unit 53 estimates the range corresponding to the identified circular shape as a virtual range 61 in which the object contacts the operation input device 3, including the area outside the operating surface 32.

[0052] The contact position determination unit 54 determines whether the reference position P of the virtual range 61 estimated by the contact range estimation unit 53 is located inside the outer end 33 of the operating surface 32. For example, the reference position P is the centroid of the shape of the virtual range 61, or the widest point of the shape of the virtual range 61 in the direction of extension of the outer end 33 of the operating surface 32 that passes through the virtual range 61. The contact position determination unit 54 outputs the result of the above determination to the operation determination unit 52. In the example shown in Figure 6, the contact position determination unit 54 determines that the reference position P (centroid) of the virtual range 61 is located inside the outer end 33 (upper end 33a) of the operating surface 32. In the example shown in Figure 7, the contact position determination unit 54 determines that the reference position P (centroid) of the virtual range 61 is not located inside the outer end 33 (upper end 33a) of the operating surface 32.

[0053] The operation determination unit 52 recognizes the change in contact position as a gesture operation by the user if the determination result of the contact position determination unit 54 is positive when the detected change in contact position begins, and determines that the gesture operation started from a location inside the outer edge 33 of the operating surface 32. As a result, even if the contact range 60 identified by the operation detection processing unit 51 when the detected change in contact position begins includes the outer edge 33 of the operating surface 32, the operation determination unit 52 recognizes the change in contact position as a gesture operation by the user.

[0054] As described above, in this embodiment, the detection device 5 recognizes a change in contact position as a gesture operation when a change in contact position begins, and the reference position P of the virtual range 61 estimated by the contact range estimation unit 53 is located inside the outer edge 33 of the operating surface 32. With this configuration, if the majority of the contact range 60 of the user's fingers with respect to the operation input device 3 is located on the operating surface 32, the detected contact position with respect to the operating surface 32 is recognized as a gesture operation by the user, even if it includes the outer edge 33 of the operating surface 32. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the misinterpretation of a user's fingers unintentionally touching the outer edge 33 of the operating surface 32 as being caused by water droplets. Consequently, the operability of the operation input device 3 can be improved.

[0055] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above with reference to the drawings, and various modifications are conceivable within its technical scope. For example, in the above embodiment, the operation determination unit 52 recognizes only changes in contact position that start from a point other than the upper end 33a on the operating surface 32 as gesture operations by the user, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the operation determination unit 52 may recognize only changes in contact position that start from a point other than the horizontally outer side end 33b on the operating surface 32 as gesture operations by the user. In other words, the operation determination unit 52 does not need to recognize changes in contact position that start from the horizontally outer side end 33b on the operating surface 32 as gesture operations by the user. With this configuration, since water droplets attached to the operation input device 3 are likely to move horizontally or diagonally downward along the horizontal direction due to the airflow while the vehicle is in motion, if a change in contact position that starts from the horizontally outer side end 33b on the outer end 33 of the operating surface 32 is detected, the change in contact position is not recognized as a gesture operation by the user, thereby effectively suppressing false detections due to water droplets.

[0056] When the vehicle is traveling at low speed or stopped, the movement of water droplets due to the airflow is unlikely to occur. Therefore, even if a change in contact position starting from the horizontally outer side edge 33b of the outer end 33 of the operating surface 32 is detected, it is unlikely that the change in contact position is due to water droplets. For this reason, the detection device 5 may only recognize changes in contact position starting from a point other than the horizontally outer side edge 33b of the operating surface 32 as user gesture operations, only when the vehicle on which the operation input device 3 is mounted is traveling at a predetermined speed or higher. This configuration allows for accurate differentiation between user operation input and the movement of water droplets, thereby improving the operability of the operation input device 3.

[0057] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the cover panel 21 of the information display device 4 is arranged at an inclination with respect to the vertical direction, but the configuration is not limited to this. The cover panel may be arranged parallel to the vertical direction.

[0058] Furthermore, although the above embodiment includes a notification unit that does not have a function to sense contact with an object, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. That is, the present invention may be applied to an operation input device in which substantially the entire screen is formed by a touch panel.

[0059] Furthermore, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate, and the above embodiments and their variations may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 1…Motorcycle (vehicle) 3…Operation input device 5…Detection device 32…Operation surface 33…Outer end 33a…Upper end (specific range) 33b…Side end (specific range) 51…Operation detection processing unit (area determination unit) 52…Operation determination unit 53…Contact range estimation unit 54…Contact position determination unit P…Reference position

Claims

1. An operating surface (32) that accepts operation input by contact, A detection device (5) for detecting contact with the operating surface (32), In an operation input device for a saddle-type vehicle equipped with, The aforementioned detection device (5) The change in the contact position with respect to the operating surface (32) is detected, Only changes in the contact position that begin outside a specific range of the outer end (33) of the operating surface (32) are recognized as gesture operations. Operation and input device.

2. The operating surface (32) has dimensions in the vertical direction, The specified range includes the upper end (33a) of the operating surface (32), The operation input device according to claim 1.

3. The detection device (5) recognizes a change in the contact position moving downward from any point below the upper end (33a) of the operating surface (32) as a gesture operation. The operation input device according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned detection device (5) An area identification unit (51) identifies the area of ​​the range in which contact was detected on the operating surface (32), An operation determination unit (52) that determines whether or not the operation input is made by the user based on the temporal change of the area, It has, The detection device (5) recognizes operations only when it is determined that the operation is an input by the user. An operation input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The operating surface (32) has dimensions in the vertical direction, The detection device (5) recognizes only the second change as a gesture operation when it detects a first change in the contact position starting from the upper end (33a) of the operating surface (32) and a second change in the contact position starting from a location other than the upper end (33a) on the outer end (33) of the operating surface (32). The operation input device according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned detection device (5) When contact is detected in an area having a predetermined or greater area including the specific range of the outer end (33) of the operating surface (32), the contact range estimation unit (53) estimates the range (61) that has come into contact with the operation input device (3), including the outside of the operating surface (32), A contact position determination unit (54) determines whether the reference position (P) of the range (61) estimated by the contact range estimation unit (53) is located inside the outer end (33) of the operating surface (32), It has, The detection device (5) recognizes the change in contact position as a gesture operation when the reference position (P) at the time the change in contact position begins is located inside the outer end (33) of the operating surface (32). An operation input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The operating surface (32) has dimensions in the vertical direction, The specified range includes the horizontally outer end (33b) of the operating surface (32), An operation input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. The detection device (5) sets the specific range when the driving speed of the vehicle (1) on which the operation input device (3) is mounted is above a predetermined level. The operation input device according to claim 7.

9. The aforementioned operating surface is inclined at an angle of 45 degrees or less with respect to the vertical. An operation input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images