Control Value Setting Device and Control Value Setting Program

Abstract

To improve operability when setting a control value for controlling a predetermined function.SOLUTION: A control value setting device for setting a control value for controlling a predetermined function includes: a touch detection part for detecting a user's touch operation to a screen; and a mode setting part for setting to a first mode capable of setting a first control value to a first predetermined function by touch operation when touch operation detected by the touch detection part satisfies a first condition, and for shifting from the first mode to a second mode capable of setting a second control value to a second predetermined function by touch operation when a user's touch operation continues even after the first condition is satisfied and continuing touch operation satisfies a second condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control value setting device and a control value setting program.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a control value setting device for setting a control value for controlling a predetermined function. The specific configuration of this type of control value setting device is described, for example, in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The control value setting device described in Patent Document 1 detects the maximum pressing force applied during the period from when the user presses and releases an operation key in the standby mode, and sets a function (for example, a volume adjustment function) according to the detected pressing force. After setting the function, the control value setting device again detects the maximum pressing force applied during the period from when the user presses and releases the operation key, and sets an adjustment mode (for example, a volume up mode or a volume down mode) according to the detected pressing force. After setting the adjustment mode, the control value setting device sets a control value (for example, a control value for controlling the volume) according to the pressing operation on the operation key.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Thus, in the control value setting device described in Patent Document 1, when setting a control value, the user needs to repeat the operation of pressing and releasing the operation key. Further, in order to set the control value of another function, the user needs to repeat the operation of pressing and releasing the operation key after performing an operation to return to the standby mode. In the control value setting device described in Patent Document 1, since complicated operations are required, for example, in a situation where it is difficult for the user to concentrate on the operation, there is a risk that it is difficult to set the control value intended by the user.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to improve the operability at the time of setting a control value in a control value setting device and a control value setting program for setting a control value for controlling a predetermined function.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A control value setting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device for setting a control value for controlling a predetermined function, and includes a touch detection unit that detects a touch operation of a user on a screen, and when the touch operation detected by the touch detection unit satisfies a first condition, sets the device to a first mode in which a first control value for a first predetermined function can be set by the touch operation, and when the touch operation by the user continues even after the first condition is satisfied and the continuous touch operation satisfies a second condition, a mode setting unit that transitions from the first mode to a second mode in which a second control value for a second predetermined function can be set by the touch operation.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the control value setting device and the control value setting program according to an embodiment of the present invention, the operability at the time of setting a control value is improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, a control value setting device and a control value setting program according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0011] The control value setting device according to one embodiment of the present invention is, for example, an in-vehicle device such as a car audio or a navigation device. Note that the control value setting device is not limited to an in-vehicle device, and may be other forms of devices such as a smartphone, a feature phone, a tablet terminal, a PC (Personal Computer), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a PND (Portable Navigation Device), or a portable game machine.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control value setting device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the control value setting device 1 includes a control unit 100, a communication interface unit 110, an operation unit 120, a display unit 130, an audio output unit 140, and a vibration unit 150. Note that in FIG. 1, main components necessary for explaining this embodiment are illustrated, and for some components, such as the housing which is an essential component of the control value setting device 1, the illustration thereof is appropriately omitted.

[0013] The control unit 100 controls the entire control value setting device 1 and is a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 100A, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 100B, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 100C, an input / output port 100D, and a bus line connecting these ports.

[0014] The CPU 100A reads the program stored in the ROM 100C and controls the control value setting device 1 according to the read program. The CPU 100A includes, as functional blocks, a touch detection unit 100a, a position estimation unit 100b, a threshold setting unit 100c, a mode setting unit 100d, and a control value setting unit 100e.

[0015] The RAM 100B is a storage unit that temporarily stores programs and data and provides a work area. The RAM 100B is, for example, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0016] The ROM 100C is a non-volatile memory that stores various programs and data including a control value setting program 102. The ROM 100C is, for example, a flash memory.

[0017] The control value setting program 102 stored in the ROM 100C is a program for setting control values for controlling a predetermined function, and includes a touch detection step for detecting a user's touch operation on the screen, and a first control value for a first predetermined function when the touch operation detected in the touch detection step satisfies a first condition. A setting step of setting to a first mode in which the value can be set by the touch operation, and when the touch operation by the user continues after the first condition is satisfied and the continuous touch operation satisfies a second condition, a transition from the first mode to a second mode in which a second control value for a second predetermined function can be set by the touch operation. The transition step is executed by the CPU 100A, which is a computer. By executing the control value setting program 102, the operability at the time of setting the control value is improved. The details of the control value setting program 102 will be described later.

[0018] In the present embodiment, each functional block of the CPU 100A is realized by a control value setting program 102 which is software. Note that each functional block of the CPU 100A may be realized in part or in whole by hardware such as a dedicated logic circuit.

[0019] The input / output port 100D connects the control unit 100 and other components (specifically, the communication interface unit 110, the operation unit 120, the display unit 130, the audio output unit 140, and the vibration unit 150).

[0020] The communication interface unit 110 is an interface responsible for communication processing with other terminal devices. The control value setting device 1 is communicably connected to other terminal devices via a communication line of a closed network such as a public line or a VPN (Virtual Private Network) by the communication interface unit 110.

[0021] The operation unit 120 is an operation member such as a button or a switch for the user to operate the control value setting device 1.

[0022] The display unit 130 includes a touch panel display 132 and a display driver 134 that drives the touch panel display 132. The touch panel display 132 is configured such that the entire screen is touch-operable. Note that the “touch panel display” may be simply referred to as a “touch panel”, or may also be referred to as a “touch screen” or a “touch display screen”.

[0023] The touch panel display 132 is configured using, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence). For the touch panel display 132, for example, a resistive film method, a capacitance method, an ultrasonic surface acoustic wave method, an infrared optical imaging method, or an electromagnetic induction method is adopted. The touch panel display 132 incorporates a pressure sensor 136 that senses the pressure of touching the screen (in other words, the touch-operable area).

[0024] The audio output unit 140 includes a speaker 142 and a speaker driver 144 that drives the speaker 142. When the speaker 142 is driven by the speaker driver 144, for example, music or audio stored in the ROM 100C or a storage medium (HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), removable memory card, etc.) not shown is output from the speaker 142.

[0025] The vibration unit 150 includes a vibrator 152 and a vibrator driver 154 that drives the vibrator 152. The vibrator 152 is configured using, for example, an ERM (Eccentric Rotating Mass), an LRA (Linear Resonant Actuator), or a piezo. When the vibrator 152 is driven by the vibrator driver 154, the screen of the touch panel display 132 vibrates.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the screen 138 of the touch panel display 132. The entire area of the screen 138 is configured to be touch-operable. In each diagram showing an example of an image display including FIG. 2, a hand icon indicating how the user touches the screen 138 is drawn. The position of the fingertip of this icon is the touch position TP of the user with respect to the screen 138. The touch position TP of the user with respect to the screen 138 is acquired as two-dimensional coordinate information of X and Y. The left-right direction of the screen 138 corresponds to the X-axis direction, and the up-down direction of the screen 138 corresponds to the Y-axis direction. The larger the X coordinate value within the screen 138, the more to the right side, and the larger the Y coordinate value within the screen 138, the more to the upper side.

[0027] The user can set a control value for controlling a predetermined function by a touch operation on the screen 138. Examples of the predetermined functions include, for example, the temperature adjustment function of the air conditioner, the air volume adjustment function, the drive mode switching function (switching to snow mode or dirt mode, switching between 2WD and 4WD, etc.), the vehicle height adjustment function by the air suspension, the equalizer mode switching function of the car audio (switching between genres such as J-Pop and orchestra), the adjustment function of the effectiveness of equalizing in the selected equalizer mode, the noise cancellation mode switching function (switching between external sound capture mode, no noise cancellation, etc.), and the application range switching function of the noise cancellation mode (switching between applying noise cancellation to all seats, applying noise cancellation only to the front seat side, applying noise cancellation only to the rear seat side, etc.).), the adjustment function of the media playback speed in the car audio, the switching function of the playback direction of the media (rewinding, fast forwarding, etc.), the switching function of the output mode of the speaker 142 (for example, switching between outputting only from the speaker 142 near the driver's seat, outputting only from the front seat side speakers 142, outputting from all speakers 142, etc.), the volume adjustment function of the speaker 142, the adjustment function of the seat surface height of the seat, the position adjustment function of the seat in the front-rear direction, the strength adjustment function of the seat massage, the temperature adjustment function of the seat heater, the scale change function of the map for navigation.

[0028] The user can specify the function for which the control value is to be set by operating the operation unit 120 or by touching the screen 138. The functions that can be specified are, for example, two functions that are related to each other. In the present embodiment, the following description will be given assuming that the temperature adjustment function (first predetermined function) and the air volume adjustment function (second predetermined function) are specified. Since both the temperature adjustment function and the air volume adjustment function are air conditioning functions, they can be said to be functions related to each other.

[0029] For example, a user driving a vehicle needs to concentrate on driving. Therefore, during driving, the user cannot gaze at the screen 138 and it is difficult to concentrate on the operation. Thus, in a situation where it is difficult for the user to concentrate on the operation, it is difficult for the user to set the temperature inside the vehicle compartment by the air conditioner to the intended temperature or to set the air volume of the air conditioner to the intended air volume.

[0030] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control value setting program 102 is executed by the CPU 100A. By executing the control value setting program 102, the operability when setting the control values of the temperature adjustment function and the air volume adjustment function is improved. Therefore, even in a situation where it is difficult for the user to concentrate on the operation, the user can easily set the control value to the intended value (for example, the temperature inside the vehicle compartment by the air conditioner to the intended temperature). Due to the improvement in operability, the user can, for example, concentrate on driving while performing appropriate temperature adjustment and air volume adjustment.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing of the control value setting program 102 executed by the CPU 100A in an embodiment of the present invention. For example, when a pressure equal to or higher than a certain value (hereinafter referred to as "pressing force") is detected by the pressure-sensitive sensor 136 (in other words, when the user touches the screen 138 with a certain strength), the execution of the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is started.

[0032] The control value setting program 102 operates as a touch detection unit 100a that detects a user's touch operation on the screen 138 based on the output of the display unit 130. When a pressing force equal to or greater than a certain value is detected, the control value setting program 102 controls the display unit 130 to fade out the image being displayed on the screen 138 (step S101).

[0033] When a detachment from the screen 138 is detected (that is, when the user's finger is lifted from the screen 138), the execution of the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 ends. In other words, the execution of the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 continues as long as a detachment from the screen 138 is not detected (that is, as long as the touch operation by the user continues). When the execution of the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 ends, the display state of the screen 138 returns to the original state.

[0034] The control value setting program 102 estimates the position of the user with respect to the screen 138 according to the touch position TP(x1, y1) within the screen 138 where a pressing force equal to or greater than a certain value is detected (step S102). Exemplarily, when any area within the right half of the screen 138 is touched, the control value setting program 102 estimates that the user is positioned on the right side with respect to the screen 138 (that is, the driver's seat for a right-hand drive vehicle and the passenger seat for a left-hand drive vehicle). When any area within the left half of the screen 138 is touched, the control value setting program 102 estimates that the user is positioned on the left side with respect to the screen 138 (that is, the passenger seat for a right-hand drive vehicle and the driver's seat for a left-hand drive vehicle). In this embodiment, the description is made assuming a right-hand drive vehicle.

[0035] In this way, in step S102, the control value setting program 102 operates as a position estimation unit 100b that estimates the position of the user with respect to the screen 138 according to the touch position TP(x1, y1) within the screen 138 detected by the touch detection unit 100a.

[0036] In another embodiment, the position of the user with respect to the screen 138 may be estimated by using in combination the captured image by the in-vehicle camera installed in the vehicle equipped with the control value setting device 1 and the touch position TP(x1, y1). For example, the central region of the screen 138 is easy to touch from both the driver's seat side and the passenger seat side. Therefore, it is difficult to determine on which seat the user who touched the screen 138 is located. Thus, when the central region of the screen 138 is touched, the control value setting program 102 estimates the position of the user who touched the screen 138 from the captured image by the in-vehicle camera.

[0037] Also, the control value setting program 102 may estimate the position of the user who touched the screen 138 by using only the captured image by the in-vehicle camera regardless of the touch position TP(x1, y1) with respect to the screen 138.

[0038] The control value setting program 102 sets a control target according to the position of the user estimated in step S102 (step S103). Exemplarily, the vehicle equipped with the control value setting device 1 is provided with an air conditioner as a control target for each seat so that the temperature can be adjusted independently for each of the driver's seat and the passenger seat. When the user is estimated to be located in the driver's seat, the control value setting program 102 sets the air conditioner for the driver's seat as the control target. When the user is estimated to be located in the passenger seat, the control value setting program 102 sets the air conditioner for the passenger seat as the control target.

[0039] In another embodiment, regardless of the position of the user estimated in step S102, the air conditioners of all seats may be set as control targets. For example, for a driver who is not used to driving, it may be difficult to touch the screen 138 during driving. In such a case, it is conceivable that such a driver asks the passenger in the passenger seat to adjust the temperature of the air conditioner. Therefore, by setting the air conditioners of all seats as control targets, the passenger in the passenger seat can, for example, touch an easy-to-touch position within the screen 138 (a position closer to the passenger seat within the screen 138) and then adjust the temperature not only on the passenger seat side but also on the driver seat side. As will be described in detail later, when a position closer to the passenger seat within the screen 138 is touched, threshold value setting suitable for the operation by the passenger in the passenger seat is performed (see step S105 and FIG. 4B described later).

[0040] The control value setting program 102 causes the speaker 142 to output a voice corresponding to the control target set in step S103 (step S104). When the user is estimated to be located in the driver seat, a voice pronouncing "driver's seat" is output from the speaker 142. When the user is estimated to be located in the passenger seat, a voice pronouncing "passenger seat" is output from the speaker 142.

[0041] In step S104, the control value setting program 102 may vibrate the screen 138 with a vibration pattern corresponding to the control target set in step S103 instead of the voice. When the user is estimated to be located in the driver seat, the screen 138 vibrates with a vibration pattern such as "bup (a short single vibration)". When the user is estimated to be located in the passenger seat, the screen 138 vibrates with a vibration pattern such as "bup bup (two short vibrations)".

[0042] In step S104, the control value setting program 102 may cause the speaker 142 to output a voice corresponding to the control target set in step S103 and vibrate the screen 138 with a vibration pattern corresponding to the control target set in step S103.

[0043] The control value setting program 102 sets a threshold value according to the position of the user estimated in step S102 (step S105). The threshold value set here is a threshold value for determining whether the pressing force of the touch operation on the screen 138 satisfies a predetermined condition, and includes two threshold values, a first threshold value and a second threshold value higher than the first threshold value.

[0044] The farther the position of the user from the user in the screen 138 is, the more difficult it is to touch strongly. Therefore, in step S105, in the screen 138, the threshold value is set so that the predetermined condition is satisfied with a weaker pressing force as the position farther from the user.

[0045] For example, the threshold value data used in step S105 is stored in the ROM 100C. FIG. 4A conceptually shows the threshold value data used when the user is estimated to be located in the driver's seat in step S102. FIG. 4B conceptually shows the threshold value data used when the user is estimated to be located in the passenger seat in step S102.

[0046] As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the threshold value data, the screen 138 is divided into six regions R1 to R6, and different threshold values are stored in association with the divided regions R1 to R6. Specifically, in the regions R1 to R6, threshold values T11 to T16 are stored in association as the first threshold value, and threshold values T21 to T26 are stored in association as the second threshold value. The values of the threshold values T11 to T16 decrease as the subscript numbers decrease. Similarly, for the threshold values T21 to T26, the values decrease as the subscript numbers decrease. For any of the regions R1 to R6, a higher value is associated with the first threshold value as the second threshold value.

[0047] Therefore, when it is estimated in step S102 that the user is located in the driver's seat, in step S105, the control value setting program 102 sets, in association therewith, smaller threshold values for regions farther from the driver's seat among regions R1 to R6 within the screen 138 (see FIG. 4A). Further, when it is estimated in step S102 that the user is located in the passenger seat, in step S105, the control value setting program 102 sets, in association therewith, smaller threshold values for regions farther from the passenger seat among regions R1 to R6 within the screen 138 (see FIG. 4B).

[0048] In this way, in step S105, the control value setting program 102 operates as a threshold value setting unit 100c that sets a lower threshold value (for example, threshold value T11, threshold value T21) for determining whether a condition is satisfied when a second region (for example, region R1) within the screen 138, which is farther from the position of the user estimated by the position estimation unit 100b than a first region (for example, region R6) within the screen 138, is touched, compared to the threshold value (for example, threshold value T16, threshold value T26) for determining whether a condition is satisfied when the first region is touched.

[0049] The control value setting program 102 identifies the region to which the current touch position TP within the screen 138 belongs from among regions R1 to R6 within the screen 138 (step S106). Note that if the user has not slid a finger on the screen 138 from the first touch position TP, the touch position TP (x1, y1) is the current touch position TP.

[0050] The control value setting program 102 determines whether the pressing force at the current touch position TP is equal to or greater than a first threshold value associated with the region identified in step S106 (in other words, whether the first condition is satisfied) (step S107). As an example, when the touch position TP belongs to region R1, the control value setting program 102 determines whether the pressing force at the touch position TP is equal to or greater than the threshold value T11.

[0051] When the pressing force at the touch position TP is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (step S107: YES), the control value setting program 102 sets the mode of the control value setting device 1 to a first mode in which a first control value for a first predetermined function can be set by a touch operation (step S108). Specifically, the control value setting program 102 sets the mode to a temperature adjustment mode (first mode) in which a control value (first control value) for temperature adjustment for the temperature adjustment function (first predetermined function) can be set by a touch operation.

[0052] In this way, in step S108, when the touch operation detected by the touch detection unit 100a satisfies the first condition, the control value setting program 102 operates as a mode setting unit 100d that sets the mode to a first mode in which a first control value for a first predetermined function can be set by a touch operation.

[0053] The control value setting program 102 notifies the user by at least one of voice and vibration means that the temperature adjustment mode has been set (step S109). As an example, a voice pronouncing "ON" is output from the speaker 142. Also, the screen 138 vibrates in a vibration pattern of "Boo (a long single vibration)".

[0054] The control value setting program 102 causes the screen 138 to display a setting screen corresponding to the position of the user estimated in step S102 (step S110).

[0055] FIGS. 5A and 5B show examples of the setting screens displayed in step S110. FIG. 5A shows an example of the setting screen displayed on the screen 138 when the user is estimated to be located in the driver's seat. FIG. 5B shows an example of the setting screen displayed on the screen 138 when the user is estimated to be located in the passenger seat. In the examples of FIGS. 5A and 5B, a setting screen for adjusting the temperature inside the vehicle by an air conditioner is displayed.

[0056] In the example of FIG. 5A, an indicator Ia for temperature adjustment is displayed at a position that is easy for the user, who is the driver, to see (toward the right within the screen 138, i.e., toward the driver's seat). In the example of FIG. 5B, the indicator Ia is displayed at a position that is easy for the user sitting in the passenger seat to see (toward the left within the screen 138, i.e., toward the passenger seat).

[0057] When the user slides a finger while touching the screen 138, the touch position TP moves. For convenience, the touch position TP before the movement is denoted as the touch position TP(x2, y2), and the touch position TP after the movement is denoted as the touch position TP(x3, y3).

[0058] The control value setting program 102 determines whether the touch position TP has moved in a predetermined direction (for example, the Y-axis direction) within the screen 138 (step S111). The amount of movement of the touch position TP in the Y-axis direction is indicated by the value obtained by dividing the coordinate value y3 by the coordinate value y2. In the following, for convenience, this amount of movement may be referred to as the "y-division value".

[0059] When the touch position TP moves in a predetermined direction (for example, the Y-axis direction) within the screen 138 (step S111: YES), the control value setting program 102 sets a control value for temperature adjustment in the temperature adjustment mode according to the y-division value indicating the amount of movement (step S112). Exemplarily, the control value setting program 102 raises the set temperature of the air conditioner to be controlled by 0.5°C every time the y-division value increases by a certain value. Also, the control value setting program 102 lowers the set temperature of the air conditioner to be controlled by 0.5°C every time the y-division value decreases by a certain value.

[0060] By limiting the amount of movement of the touch position TP referred to when setting the control value to the amount of movement in the Y-axis direction, the user can also change the set temperature of the air conditioner to be controlled even when sliding a finger appropriately (for example, in a diagonal direction) within the screen 138. Therefore, the user can easily set the set temperature of the air conditioner to be controlled to the intended temperature without concentrating on the operation.

[0061] Note that in step S111, the control value setting program 102 may determine whether the touch position TP has moved in the X-axis direction within the screen 138. In this case, in step S112, the control value setting program 102 sets the control value according to the amount of movement of the touch position TP in the X-axis direction.

[0062] In this way, in step S112, when a touch operation of sliding on the screen 138 is performed, the control value setting program 102 operates as a control value setting unit 100e that sets the control value corresponding to the mode being set according to the amount of movement of the touch position TP in a predetermined direction within the screen 138.

[0063] The control value setting program 102 identifies the region to which the current touch position TP within the screen 138 belongs from among the regions R1 to R6 within the screen 138 (step S113).

[0064] The control value setting program 102 determines whether the pressing force at the current touch position TP is equal to or greater than a second threshold value associated with the region identified in step S113 (in other words, whether the second condition is satisfied) (step S114). As an example, when the touch position TP belongs to the region R1, the control value setting program 102 determines whether the pressing force at the touch position TP is equal to or greater than a threshold value T12 that is higher than the threshold value T11.

[0065] When the pressing force at the touch position TP is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (step S114: YES), the control value setting program 102 transitions from the first mode to a second mode in which the second control value for the second predetermined function can be set by a touch operation (step S115). Specifically, the control value setting program 102 sets to an air volume adjustment mode (second mode) in which the control value (second control value) for air volume adjustment for the air volume adjustment function (second predetermined function) can be set by a touch operation.

[0066] In this way, in step S115, when the touch operation by the user continues even after the first condition is satisfied and the continuous touch operation satisfies the second condition, the control value setting program 102 operates as a mode setting unit 100d that transitions from the first mode to a second mode in which the second control value for the second predetermined function can be set by the touch operation.

[0067] Note that when the pressing force at the touch position TP is less than the second threshold value (step S114: NO), the control value setting program 102 continuously executes the temperature adjustment mode, which is the first mode, unless it detects a detachment from the screen 138.

[0068] The control value setting program 102 notifies the user that the air volume adjustment mode has been set by at least one of voice and vibration (step S116). As an example, a voice pronouncing "Furyo" is output from the speaker 142. Also, the screen 138 vibrates in a vibration pattern of "Boo Boo (two long vibrations)".

[0069] The control value setting program 102 causes the screen 138 to display a setting screen corresponding to the position of the user estimated in step S102 (step S117).

[0070] FIG. 6 shows an example of the setting screen displayed in step S117. FIG. 6 shows an example of the setting screen displayed on the screen 138 when the user is estimated to be located in the passenger seat. In the example of FIG. 6, a setting screen for adjusting the air volume of the air conditioner is displayed.

[0071] In the example of FIG. 6, an indicator Ib for adjusting the air volume is displayed at a position (toward the left in the screen 138, that is, toward the passenger seat) that is easy for the user sitting in the passenger seat to see. Note that when the user is estimated to be located in the driver's seat, the indicator Ib is displayed at a position (toward the right in the screen 138, that is, toward the driver's seat) that is easy for the user, who is the driver, to see.

[0072] The control value setting program 102 determines whether the touch position TP has moved in a predetermined direction (for example, the Y-axis direction) within the screen 138 (step S118).

[0073] When the touch position TP moves in a predetermined direction (for example, the Y-axis direction) within the screen 138 (step S118: YES), the control value setting program 102 sets a control value for temperature adjustment in the air volume adjustment mode according to the y-division value indicating the amount of movement (step S119). Exemplarily, the control value setting program 102 increases the air volume of the air conditioner to be controlled by one step every time the y-division value increases by a certain value. Also, the control value setting program 102 decreases the air volume of the air conditioner to be controlled by one step every time the y-division value decreases by a certain value.

[0074] In step S118, the control value setting program 102 may also determine whether the touch position TP has moved in the X-axis direction within the screen 138. In this case, in step S119, the control value setting program 102 sets a control value according to the amount of movement of the touch position TP in the X-axis direction.

[0075] The control value setting program 102 determines whether the pressing force at the current touch position TP is equal to or greater than a second threshold value associated with the area specified in step S113 (in other words, whether the second condition is satisfied) (step S120).

[0076] When the pressing force at the touch position TP is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (step S120: YES), the control value setting program 102 continuously executes the air volume adjustment mode, which is the second mode, unless a detachment from the screen 138 is detected.

[0077] When the pressing force at the touch position TP is less than the second threshold value (step S120: NO), the control value setting program 102 returns from the air volume adjustment mode to the temperature adjustment mode (step S108) and continuously executes the temperature adjustment mode, which is the first mode, unless a detachment from the screen 138 is detected.

[0078] As described above, in step S120, when the touch operation by the user continues even after the transition to the second mode and the continuing touch operation no longer satisfies the second condition, the control value setting program 102 operates as the mode setting unit 100d that returns from the second mode to the first mode.

[0079] According to the present embodiment, the user can change the mode of the control value setting program 102 simply by making a simple change (for example, changing the pressing force) to the touch operation on the screen 138. Since the user can easily change the mode of the control value setting program 102 without concentrating on the operation, it is easy to set the control value for controlling various functions to the intended value.

[0080] The above is the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, the content obtained by appropriately combining the embodiments explicitly exemplified in the specification or obvious embodiments is also included in the embodiments of the present application.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the second threshold value is a value that is a predetermined value higher than the first threshold value, but the configuration of the present invention is not limited to this. As a modification, the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be the same value, or the second threshold value may be a value lower than the first threshold value.

[0082] In a modified example, in step S107 of FIG. 3, when it is determined that the pressing force at the touch position TP is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, the control value setting program 102 temporarily resets the detected pressing force to zero. After the reset, even if the pressing force at the touch position TP weakens, the detected pressing force remains zero. After the reset, when the pressing force at the touch position TP is increased, a pressing force exceeding zero is detected. When the increased pressing force becomes equal to or greater than a second threshold value, in step S114 of FIG. 3, the control value setting program 102 determines that the pressing force at the touch position TP is equal to or greater than the second threshold value. Also, in step S120 of FIG. 3, when it is determined that the pressing force at the touch position TP is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the control value setting program 102 continuously executes the air volume adjustment mode, which is the second mode, unless a detachment from the screen 138 is detected.

[0083] In the modified example, the pressing force required to continue the air volume adjustment mode may be weaker than in the above-described embodiment. For example, for a user who has difficulty pressing the screen 138 strongly, the operability of the control value setting device 1 is further improved.

[0084] Also in the modified example, when the pressing force at the touch position TP becomes less than the second threshold value, the mode returns from the air volume adjustment mode to the temperature adjustment mode. In another modified example, for example, when a pressing force equal to or greater than a third threshold value, which is higher than the first threshold value and the second threshold value, is detected, the mode may return from the air volume adjustment mode to the temperature adjustment mode.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, when the pressing force at the touch position TP becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold value, it is determined that the first condition is satisfied, but the configuration of the present invention is not limited to this. The control value setting program 102 may determine that the first condition is satisfied, for example, when a touch operation is performed to simultaneously touch a plurality of locations within the screen 138.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, when the pressing force at the touch position TP becomes equal to or greater than the second threshold value, it is determined that the second condition is satisfied. However, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to this. The control value setting program 102 may determine that the second condition is satisfied, for example, when a touch operation is performed to touch a different number of locations simultaneously than when the first condition is satisfied.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the content of switching between the temperature adjustment function and the air volume adjustment function, which are two functions related to each other, has been described. However, the functions to be switched may be changeable by an operation on the operation unit 120 or a touch operation on the screen 138. Examples of two functions related to each other that are to be switched include the following.

[0088] · Drive mode switching function and vehicle height adjustment function by air suspension · Car audio equalizer mode switching function and adjustment function of the effectiveness of equalizing in the selected equalizer mode · Noise canceling mode switching function and applicable range switching function of the noise canceling mode · Function for adjusting the media playback speed in car audio and function for switching the playback direction of the media · Output mode switching function of the speaker 142 and volume adjustment function of the speaker 142 · Function for adjusting the seat surface height of the seat and function for adjusting the position of the seat in the front-rear direction · Function for adjusting the strength of the seat massage and function for adjusting the temperature of the seat heater

[0089] In the above-described embodiment, a configuration for switching between two functions related to each other has been adopted. However, a configuration for switching between two functions not related to each other is also within the scope of the present invention. Further, a configuration for switching between three or more functions related to each other or not related to each other is also within the scope of the present invention.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, different threshold values are associated with the six rectangular regions R1 to R6, but the number and shape of the divided regions are not limited to this. For example, the screen 138 may be divided into more regions, and different threshold values may be associated with each of the divided regions.

Explanation of Signs

[0091] 1: Control value setting device 100: Control unit 100A: CPU 100B: RAM 100C: ROM 100D: Input / output port 100a: Touch detection unit 100b: Position estimation unit 100c: Threshold value setting unit 100d: Mode setting unit 100e: Control value setting unit 102: Control value setting program 110: Communication interface unit 120: Operation unit 130: Display unit 132: Touch panel display 134: Display driver 136: Pressure sensor 140: Audio output unit 142: Speaker 144: Speaker driver 150: Vibration unit 152: Vibrator 154: Vibrator driver

Claims

1. A control value setting device for setting a control value for controlling a predetermined function, comprising: a touch detection unit that detects a touch operation of a user on a screen; when the touch operation detected by the touch detection unit satisfies a first condition, sets to a first mode in which a first control value for a first predetermined function can be set by the touch operation, and when the touch operation by the user continues after the first condition is satisfied and the continuous touch operation satisfies a second condition, transitions from the first mode to a second mode in which a second control value for a second predetermined function can be set by the touch operation, a mode setting unit; a threshold setting unit that sets a threshold; a position estimation unit that estimates the position of the user with respect to the screen according to the touch position within the screen detected by the touch detection unit, the threshold setting unit sets a lower threshold for determining whether the first condition and the second condition are satisfied when a second region within the screen, which is farther from the position of the user estimated by the position estimation unit than the first region, is touched, compared to the threshold for determining whether the first condition and the second condition are satisfied when the first region within the screen is touched; when the pressing force of the touch operation on the screen becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold, the first condition is satisfied; A control value setting device.

2. A control value setting device for setting a control value for controlling a predetermined function, comprising: a touch detection unit that detects a touch operation of a user on a screen; when the touch operation detected by the touch detection unit satisfies a first condition, sets to a first mode in which a first control value for a first predetermined function can be set by the touch operation, and when the touch operation by the user continues after the first condition is satisfied and the continuous touch operation satisfies a second condition, transitions from the first mode to a second mode in which a second control value for a second predetermined function can be set by the touch operation, a mode setting unit; a threshold setting unit that sets a threshold; a position estimation unit that estimates the position of the user with respect to the screen according to the touch position within the screen detected by the touch detection unit, When the first area within the screen is touched, the threshold value setting unit sets a lower threshold value for determining whether the first condition and the second condition are satisfied for a threshold value for determining whether the first condition and the second condition are satisfied when a second area within the screen, which is farther from the position of the user estimated by the position estimation unit than the first area, is touched, When the pressing force of the touch operation on the screen becomes equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the second condition is satisfied. Control value setting device.

3. After transitioning to the second mode, when the touch operation by the user continues and the continuous touch operation no longer satisfies the second condition, the mode setting unit returns from the second mode to the first mode. The control value setting device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. When a touch operation is performed in which a different number of locations are touched simultaneously from when the first condition is satisfied, the second condition is satisfied. The control value setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. When a touch operation of sliding on the screen is performed, a control value setting unit that sets a control value corresponding to the mode being set according to the amount of movement of the touch position in a predetermined direction within the screen is further provided. The control value setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A control value setting program for setting a control value for controlling a predetermined function, causing a computer to a touch detection step of detecting a touch operation of a user on a screen; a setting step of setting, when the touch operation detected in the touch detection step satisfies a first condition, to a first mode in which a first control value for a first predetermined function can be set by the touch operation; a transition step of transitioning from the first mode to a second mode in which a second control value for a second predetermined function can be set by a touch operation when the touch operation by the user continues after the first condition is satisfied and the continuous touch operation satisfies a second condition; a threshold value setting step of setting a threshold value; a position estimation step of estimating the position of the user with respect to the screen according to the touch position within the screen detected in the touch detection step, In the threshold setting step, for the threshold for determining whether the first condition and the second condition are satisfied when the first area on the screen is touched, compared with the first area, a second area on the screen that is far from the position of the user estimated in the position estimation step has a lower threshold set for determining whether the first condition and the second condition are satisfied when touched. When the pressing force of the touch operation on the screen becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold, the first condition is satisfied. Control value setting program. **Claim 7**: A control value setting program for setting a control value for controlling a predetermined function, causing a computer to perform a touch detection step of detecting a touch operation of a user on a screen; a setting step of setting, when the touch operation detected in the touch detection step satisfies a first condition, to a first mode in which a first control value for a first predetermined function can be set by the touch operation; a transition step of transitioning, when the touch operation by the user continues after the first condition is satisfied and the continuous touch operation satisfies a second condition, from the first mode to a second mode in which a second control value for a second predetermined function can be set by the touch operation; a threshold setting step of setting a threshold; a position estimation step of estimating the position of the user with respect to the screen according to the touch position in the screen detected in the touch detection step, and In the threshold setting step, for the threshold for determining whether the first condition and the second condition are satisfied when the first area on the screen is touched, compared with the first area, a second area on the screen that is far from the position of the user estimated in the position estimation step has a lower threshold set for determining whether the first condition and the second condition are satisfied when touched. When the pressing force of the touch operation on the screen becomes equal to or greater than the second threshold, the second condition is satisfied. Control value setting program.

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