Vehicle operating device

Abstract

To provide an operation device for a vehicle capable of improving the space recognition ability of an occupant during driving of the vehicle.SOLUTION: An operation device for a vehicle includes: a display device 4 that is installed on an instrument panel 16 and displays a plurality of operation items related to an on-vehicle device; an operation unit 2 capable of performing an input operation through an occupant; and a display control unit 32 that can change and / or select an operation item displayed on the display device 4 in conjunction with an input operation of the operation unit 2. The display device 4 vertically arranges the plurality of operation items, and performs a display such that an operation item located lower in position is highlighted more intensely so that the occupant recognizes that the plurality of operation items are arranged in a pseudo manner in a longitudinal direction. The operation unit 2 has a linear input unit 23 formed so as to extend in a longitudinal direction and capable of changing the operation items by a slide operation of the occupant. A pseudo display direction D1 of the plurality of operation items and an input operation direction D2 of the linear input unit 23 are made to substantially coincide with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle operating device that includes a display means capable of displaying a plurality of operation items related to in-vehicle equipment, an operation means that can be operated by an occupant to input data, and a display control means that can change and / or select the plurality of operation items in conjunction with the input operation of the operation means. [Background technology]

[0002] A vehicle interior structure has been known that includes an instrument panel on which a display is mounted that can display operation items related to the vehicle's onboard equipment (air conditioner, audio, navigation system, etc.), and a center console that protrudes upward from between the left and right front seats, extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, and is provided with a commander knob (hereinafter simply referred to as "commander") that can switch or otherwise operate the operation items displayed on the display, a gear shift operation mechanism, a parking brake lever, etc. Here, the operation items represent the types of onboard equipment that are displayed on the display and the titles of predetermined function (operation) screens.

[0003] When a person moves, the optical flow extending from the vanishing point to the person's feet is recognized as a virtual axis in a spatial coordinate system, allowing the person to objectively and accurately grasp their own location, direction of movement, and speed of movement. On the other hand, when driving a vehicle, the optical flow extending from the vanishing point in front is cut off midway by the edge of the hood, the frame of the windshield, etc., which reduces the occupant's spatial awareness, and as a result, there is a risk of a discrepancy occurring between the spatial coordinate system outside the vehicle cabin and the spatial coordinate system inside the vehicle cabin recognized by the occupant.

[0004] The vehicle display device and vehicle interior structure of Patent Document 1 includes a display installed on an instrument panel, a commander for operating operation items displayed on the display, and a display control unit for controlling the display in response to operation of the commander. The commander is located on a center console, and operation unit images corresponding to the operation items are displayed at positions along a virtual axis extending in a straight line from a vanishing point in the occupant's field of vision toward the commander. This makes it possible to actively make the occupant aware of the virtual axis corresponding to the optical flow extending from the vanishing point, and to achieve consistency between the vehicle exterior spatial coordinate system and the vehicle interior spatial coordinate system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-089458 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The vehicle display device and vehicle interior structure of Patent Document 1 intentionally positions the operation items displayed on the display on a virtual axis extending from the vanishing point in front toward the commander, thereby making the occupants aware of the virtual axis and promoting their recognition of the virtual axis. However, with the technology of Patent Document 1, the occupants cannot easily recognize the virtual axis extending in the forward and backward direction from the vanishing point toward the commander, which may lead to a mismatch between the spatial coordinate system outside the vehicle cabin and the spatial coordinate system inside the vehicle cabin.

[0007] The optical flow is a linear imaginary axis extending from the vanishing point in the forward and backward directions, while the commander is a rotation operation means that can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. Theoretically, a virtual axis connecting the vanishing point and the commander can be imagined within the vehicle interior space. However, there are basically no linear axis-like structures extending in the front-to-rear direction that can be visually confirmed around the occupant, and it is difficult to make the occupant actively aware of the virtual axis that corresponds to the optical flow.

[0008] Furthermore, the rotation axis of the commander held by the occupant is designed to extend vertically, and when rotating the commander, the occupant becomes aware of the vertical rotation axis through their sense of touch. In addition to the fact that there is little functional correlation between the commander, which operates the operational items of the in-vehicle equipment displayed on the display, and the optical flow related to vehicle operation such as driving and braking, when rotating the commander, it is difficult to make the occupant, who perceives up and down by touch, aware of the virtual axis extending in the forward and backward directions from the vanishing point toward the commander. That is, it is not easy to improve the spatial awareness of the occupant when driving a vehicle.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle operating device or the like that can improve the spatial awareness of a vehicle occupant when driving a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The vehicle operation device of claim 1 comprises a display means installed on an instrument panel and capable of displaying a plurality of operation items related to in-vehicle equipment, an operation means that can be input and operated by an occupant, and a display control means that can change and / or select the plurality of operation items displayed on the display means in conjunction with an input operation of the operation means, wherein the display means arranges the plurality of operation items in a vertical direction and highlights the operation items arranged lower so that the occupant perceives the plurality of operation items as if they were lined up in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and the operation means has a linear input section formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and that can change the operation items by an input operation using a sliding motion by the occupant, the linear input unit has a capacitance sensor that detects the proximity or contact of an occupant based on a change in capacitance; The present invention is characterized in that the pseudo display direction of the plurality of operation items and the input operation direction of the line-shaped input unit are made to substantially coincide with each other.

[0011] In this vehicle operating device, the display means arranges the multiple operation items in an up-and-down direction and highlights the operation items arranged lower so that the occupant perceives the multiple operation items as being arranged in a pseudo-line in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, thereby making the occupant visually aware of a virtual axis oriented in the fore-and-aft direction via the pseudo display direction. The operating means is formed to extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, and therefore the shape of the operating means can make the occupant visually aware of the imaginary axis oriented in the fore-and-aft direction. The operation means has a linear input unit that can change the operation items through input operations by the occupant sliding, and therefore the occupant can be made tactilely aware of a virtual axis oriented in the front-rear direction via the input operation direction of the linear input unit. Since the pseudo display direction of the plurality of operation items and the input operation direction of the linear input unit are approximately the same, the occupant can be made actively aware of the virtual axis oriented in the front-rear direction using both vision and touch, thereby improving the occupant's spatial awareness. Furthermore, the linear input unit has a capacitance sensor that detects the proximity or contact of an occupant by a change in capacitance, so that input operations by the occupant's sliding motion can be detected easily and reliably.

[0012] Claim 2 The vehicle operation device includes a display means that is installed on an instrument panel and is capable of displaying a plurality of operation items related to in-vehicle equipment, an operation means that can be input and operated by an occupant, and a display control means that can change and / or select the plurality of operation items displayed on the display means in conjunction with an input operation of the operation means, and the vehicle operation device includes a center console that protrudes upward from a central portion in a vehicle width direction and extends in a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body, and the display means arranges the plurality of operation items in a vertical direction and highlights operation items that are arranged lower so that the occupant recognizes that the plurality of operation items are arranged in a pseudo-line in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body, and the operation means The center console has a linear input section that is formed to extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the body and to protrude forward and upward from the upper surface of the center console, and is arranged on the center console, and the operation items can be changed by input operation using a sliding motion by the occupant. The linear input section is arranged in the center part of the upper surface of the operation means in the vehicle width direction, and has a decorative section that is made of a material and a color different from adjacent parts. The decorative section is arranged so as to be continuous from the front end side part of the operation means to the upper surface of the center console, and the pseudo-display direction of the multiple operation items and the input operation direction of the linear input section are approximately aligned.

[0013] In this vehicle operating device, the display means arranges the multiple operation items in an up-and-down direction and highlights the operation items arranged lower so that the occupant perceives the multiple operation items as being arranged in a pseudo-line in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, thereby making the occupant visually aware of a virtual axis oriented in the fore-and-aft direction via the pseudo display direction. The operating means is disposed on a center console that protrudes upward in the central portion of the vehicle width and extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, and is formed so as to protrude forward and upward from the upper surface of the center console and extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, so that the shape of the operating means makes the occupant visually aware of a virtual axis oriented in the fore-and-aft direction. The operation means has a linear input section at the center of its upper surface in the vehicle width direction, which allows the occupant to change the operation items through input operation by sliding the section, and the occupant can be made tactilely aware of a virtual axis oriented in the front-to-rear direction via the input operation direction of the linear input section. Since the pseudo-display direction of the multiple operation items and the input operation direction of the linear input section are approximately the same, the occupant can be made actively aware of the virtual axis oriented in the front-to-rear direction using both vision and touch, thereby improving the occupant's spatial awareness. Furthermore, the linear input section can be used to emphasize the operation means, allowing the occupant to intuitively operate them. The linear input section is provided with a decorative portion, the material and color of which are different from those of the adjacent portions, that is arranged continuously from the front end portion of the operating means to the upper surface of the center console. This decorative portion clearly indicates the input operation direction of the linear input section, allowing the occupant to reliably recognize the input operation direction.

[0014] The vehicle operation device of claim 3 comprises a display means installed on an instrument panel and capable of displaying a plurality of operation items related to in-vehicle equipment, an operation means that can be operated by an occupant through input, and a display control means that can change and / or select the plurality of operation items displayed on the display means in conjunction with input operations on the operation means, wherein the display means arranges the plurality of operation items in a vertical direction and highlights the operation items arranged lower so that the occupant perceives the plurality of operation items as being arranged in a pseudo-line in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, the operation means has a line-shaped input unit that is formed to extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body and can change the operation items through input operations performed by the occupant through a sliding motion, the pseudo display direction of the plurality of operation items and the input operation direction of the line-shaped input unit are made to approximately coincide, and an extension line indicating the pseudo display direction of the plurality of operation items approximately coincides with a vanishing point in the field of view of an occupant of a predetermined body type seated in a driver's seat arranged at a predetermined reference position and looking forward.

[0015] In this vehicle operating device, the display means arranges the multiple operation items in an up-and-down direction and highlights the operation items arranged lower so that the occupant perceives the multiple operation items as being arranged in a pseudo-line in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, thereby making the occupant visually aware of a virtual axis oriented in the fore-and-aft direction via the pseudo display direction. The operating means is formed to extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, and therefore the shape of the operating means can make the occupant visually aware of the imaginary axis oriented in the fore-and-aft direction. The operation means has a linear input unit that can change the operation items through input operations by the occupant sliding, and therefore the occupant can be made tactilely aware of a virtual axis oriented in the front-rear direction via the input operation direction of the linear input unit. Since the pseudo display direction of the plurality of operation items and the input operation direction of the linear input unit are approximately the same, the occupant can be made actively aware of the virtual axis oriented in the front-rear direction using both vision and touch, thereby improving the occupant's spatial awareness. Furthermore, since the extension line of the pseudo display direction of multiple operation items approximately coincides with the vanishing point in the field of vision of an occupant of a specified body type seated in a driver's seat positioned at a specified reference position and looking forward, the occupant can be actively made aware of the optical flow extending from the vanishing point via the virtual axis, and it is easy to achieve alignment between the exterior space coordinate system and the interior space coordinate system.

[0016] The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 3, the display means is arranged on an extension of the line-shaped input section in a plan view. According to this configuration, the virtual axis set by the operation item and the virtual axis set by the operation means can be made continuous on the same straight line, thereby further improving the occupant's spatial awareness.

[0017] The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 4, the display means displays the operation items arranged lower in the display area larger so that the occupant perceives the multiple operation items as being arranged in a pseudo-line in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, or displays the operation items so that the brightness difference between the screen background and the operation items is greater. According to this configuration, a pseudo display direction can be formed by optical illusion using the display of a plurality of operation items, and the passenger can be reliably made aware of the pseudo display direction.

[0018] The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 5, the linear input section is formed in a shape that slopes upward toward the front. According to this configuration, the display means and the operating means can be placed closer to each other, making the occupant more aware of the virtual axis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the vehicle operating device of the present invention, by actively making the occupant aware of the virtual axis using the occupant's sight and touch, out of the five senses, the occupant's spatial awareness can be improved when driving the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a control system block diagram of a vehicle operating device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 5A is a vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC. [Figure 7] 10 is an example of a home screen. [Figure 8] 10 is an example of an entertainment function screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first operation mode. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third operation mode. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an optical flow and a pseudo display direction. [Figure 12] 10 is a modified example of the home screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description exemplifies the application of the present invention to a vehicle operating device, and does not limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses. [Example]

[0022] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The vehicle V is configured to improve the occupants' ability to perceive the location, direction of movement, and speed of the vehicle V by aligning the exterior spatial coordinate system recognized by the occupants with the interior spatial coordinate system, thereby enhancing their spatial awareness, or so-called sense of axis. This vehicle V enhances the sense of center by utilizing the visual and tactile functions of the occupants' five senses.

[0023] A vehicle V is provided with a vehicle operation device 1 that enables a passenger to operate in-vehicle devices while driving. The in-vehicle devices include, for example, an audio system, a navigation system, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle operating device 1 mainly comprises an operating section 2 (operating means) that can be manually operated by a vehicle occupant, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 3, a display device 4 (display means) that displays various information, and an electric parking brake device 5 that applies braking force to the left and right wheels of the front and rear wheels.

[0024] First, the cabin structure and main interior components of the vehicle V will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, a driver's seat 12a on the right side and a passenger's seat 12b on the left side are arranged as front seats on a floor panel 11 that constitutes the floor surface of the vehicle compartment. Between these seats 12a, 12b, there is a tunnel portion (not shown) that protrudes upward and extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, and a center console 13 that extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body is provided on top of this tunnel portion. In the following description, in the drawings, arrow F indicates the front of the vehicle body, arrow L indicates the left side of the vehicle body, and arrow U indicates the top of the vehicle body.

[0025] A windshield 14, an instrument panel 16, a steering wheel 17, etc. are arranged in front of the seats 12a and 12b. The front windshield 14 is hung between a pair of left and right front pillars 15 . The steering wheel 17 is disposed between the right side area of ​​the instrument panel 16 and the seat back of the driver's seat 12a.

[0026] 2, the instrument panel 16 is formed to extend in the vehicle width direction at the front of the passenger compartment, and its lower central portion is connected to the front end of the center console 13. This synthetic resin instrument panel 16 includes, for example, an upper surface portion extending in the front-rear direction, a rear surface portion extending rearward and downward from the rear end of the upper surface portion, and a lower surface portion extending forward from the lower end of the rear surface portion.

[0027] Inside the instrument panel 16, an instrument panel member (not shown) is provided as a strength member that connects a pair of left and right hinge pillars (not shown) in the vehicle width direction, and a support stay (not shown) that supports the instrument panel member is stretched between the instrument panel member and the tunnel portion. The instrument panel 16 also includes a plurality of defroster outlets (not shown), a pair of left and right center vent outlets 16a, a pair of left and right side vent outlets 16b, a meter panel 16c, a display device 4, and the like.

[0028] The defroster outlet is provided on the upper surface of the instrument panel 16 at a front end portion facing the lower portion of the windshield 14 . 2, a pair of center vent outlets 16a are formed adjacent to each other in the middle of the rear surface in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of side vent outlets 16b are formed at both ends of the rear surface in the vehicle width direction. Both outlets 16a, 16b are connected to an air conditioning duct. A display device 4 having a substantially rectangular display screen (display panel) is mounted in the center of the vehicle width direction on the upper surface of the instrument panel 16. The display screen of the display device 4 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or a plasma display panel.

[0029] The meter panel 16c is provided on the rear surface of the instrument panel 16, facing the steering wheel 17 and corresponding to the portion immediately in front of the steering wheel 17. On this meter panel 16c, for example, a circular engine tachometer with an analog display and a circular speedometer with an analog display adjacent to the engine tachometer are arranged. These meters may be digital displays or may be a combination of analog and digital displays. Reference numeral 18 denotes an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal.

[0030] Returning to the description of the vehicle operation device 1, As shown in FIG. 2, the operating unit 2 protrudes forward and upward from the upper surface of the center console 13 and near the side of the driver's seat 12a (seat cushion). The operation unit 2 is an input interface that combines a pseudo lever for driving the vehicle V, braking, etc., and a pseudo commander for in-vehicle devices. The operation unit 2 is configured so that the occupant can hold it with their left hand alone and operate the in-vehicle devices, etc., while operating the steering wheel 17 with their right hand.

[0031] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the operating unit 2 includes a rod-shaped (long) main body 25 that is elongated in the front-to-rear direction, and a covering portion 26 that partially covers the surface of the main body 25 and the portion of the upper surface of the center console 13 that is rearward of the main body 25. The rear half of the main body 25 is joined to the upper surface of the center console 13 via a joint, and the front half is formed in a forward upward sloping shape that moves away from the upper surface of the center console 13 as it approaches the front. In a plan view, the extension of the axis of the operating unit 2 is directed toward the display device 4.

[0032] The covering portion 26 is configured to cover the main body portion 25 and the upper surface portions of the center console 13 using a covering material, for example, black synthetic leather. This covering portion 26 covers the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 25 and also partially covers the upper surface portion of the center console 13 from the middle portion of the main body portion 25 in the longitudinal direction to the rear. The portion of the covering portion 26 that covers the upper surface of the center console 13 is configured so that its dimension in the vehicle width direction increases toward the rear, and its ends are sewn to the upper surface portion of the center console 13 to form a seam 26a.

[0033] The main body 25 has an upper surface 25a formed in a generally teardrop shape and facing the upper space, a lower surface 25b formed in a manner generally parallel to the tip end portion of the upper surface 25a and facing the lower space, and a side surface 25c. As shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(c), the side surface 25c gradually rises from the surface of the center console 13 toward the front, forming a curved side surface of the main body 25 and converging to the lower surface 25b further forward.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 2 includes a front input unit 21 that can be operated by the occupant with the left hand while driving to control the drive system and the braking system, and a rear input unit 22 that can be operated by the occupant with the left hand while driving to control each of a plurality of operation items displayed on the display device 4. The operation items are a general term for the types of in-vehicle devices and titles of predetermined function (operation) screens displayed on the display device 4. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the front input unit 21 is formed in a semicircular shape in a plan view and a trapezoidal shape in a side view, and is disposed at the front end side portion of the top surface 25a. The front input unit 21 is, for example, a pressure sensor that can detect pressure exceeding a first threshold value.

[0035] Next, the rear input unit 22 will be described. 3 to 5, the rear input section 22 includes a line-shaped input section 23 and area-shaped input sections 24a to 24e. The line-shaped input section 23 is attached to the center section of the main body section 25 in the vehicle width direction and extends in the front-rear direction from a longitudinally intermediate section to the rear end section of the main body section 25. A linear decorative section 27 is provided on the upper part of the line-shaped input section 23 so as to cover the line-shaped input section 23.

[0036] The decorative portion 27 is provided so as to extend in the front-rear direction from the front end portion of the main body portion 25 (the front end portion of the linear input portion 23) to the upper surface portion of the center console 13. The decorative portion 27 is formed using a synthetic resin material that is brighter than the covering portion 26, for example, a silver color. Therefore, the display device 4 is disposed on an extension of the decorative portion 27 extending forward in a plan view.

[0037] The linear input unit 23 is configured, for example, with a linear capacitance sensor that can detect the proximity or contact of an occupant by a change in capacitance. This capacitance sensor has a detection electrode that the human body approaches or touches, and measures the change in stray capacitance caused by the human body or the capacitance between the human body and the ground. Specifically, when the occupant approaches, a pseudo-capacitor is generated between the electric field and the hand, and the proximity of the person is detected when the capacitance accumulated in this capacitor increases or decreases. Since capacitance sensors are a well-known technology, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0038] Next, the area-shaped input sections 24a to 24e will be described. 3 to 5, the area-shaped input section 24c is set to have a predetermined area near the front end of the decorative section 27, the area-shaped input section 24b is set to have a predetermined area near the front right side of the decorative section 27, and the area-shaped input section 24d is set to have a predetermined area near the front left side of the decorative section 27. The area-shaped input section 24c is disposed near the front end of the decorative section 27 (the line-shaped input section 23) and at a position spaced a predetermined distance rearward from the rear end of the front input section 21.

[0039] Furthermore, area-shaped input section 24a is set on right side surface 25c at a predetermined area below and rearward of area-shaped input section 24b, and area-shaped input section 24e is set on left side surface 25c at a predetermined area below and rearward of area-shaped input section 24d. Area-shaped input sections 24a to 24e are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other. Since variations in the size of the first and fifth fingers are expected due to movement errors and differences in physique, area-shaped input sections 24a and 24e are formed larger than area-shaped input sections 24b to 24d.

[0040] The area-shaped input units 24a to 24e are configured, for example, with area-shaped pressure sensors capable of detecting pressure exceeding a second threshold. For example, semiconductor pressure sensors are used as these pressure sensors. The second threshold of the area-shaped input units 24a to 24e is set to a value smaller than the first threshold of the front input unit 21. This ensures the operability of the area-shaped input units 24a to 24e while preventing erroneous operation of the front input unit 21. Note that the pressure sensors are not limited to semiconductor pressure sensors, and may be strain gauge pressure sensors or metal thin film pressure sensors.

[0041] The area-shaped input sections 24a to 24e are short-circuiting push buttons that, when pressed, can display a screen that has been preset for each input section on the display device 4. These area-shaped input sections 24a to 24e are set to correspond to the five fingers of the occupant's left hand, respectively. The area-shaped input unit 24a displays the previous screen that was displayed previously when operated with the first finger (thumb), the area-shaped input unit 24b displays the navigation function screen when operated with the second finger (index finger), and the area-shaped input unit 24c displays the home screen when operated with the third finger (middle finger). Furthermore, the area-shaped input section 24d displays an entertainment function screen when operated with the fourth finger (ring finger), and the area-shaped input section 24e displays a pre-registered favorite screen when operated with the fifth finger (pinky finger).

[0042] Next, the ECU 3 will be described. The ECU 3 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM, RAM, an internal interface, an external interface, etc. The ROM stores various programs and data for brake control, display control, etc., and the RAM has a processing area used when the CPU performs a series of processes. The ECU 3 includes an electric parking brake control unit 31 and a display control unit 32 (display control means).

[0043] When the front input unit 21 is pressed down, the electric parking brake control unit 31 sets a wheel braking force appropriate for the parking environment (road surface condition, gradient, etc.) and transmits an operation command signal to the electric parking brake device 5. Upon receiving the operation command signal, the electric parking brake device 5 activates an electric brake mechanism driven by an electric actuator to apply braking force to the wheels (both not shown).

[0044] When the rear input unit 22 is pressed or slid, the display control unit 32 transmits an operation command signal to the display device 4. Upon receiving the operation command signal, the display device 4 controls a plurality of operation items displayed on the screen. The rear input unit 22 is made up of the above-mentioned line-shaped input unit 23 and five area-shaped input units 24a to 24e. The ECU 3 controls the in-vehicle devices corresponding to each operation item to execute their respective functions in synchronization with the display timing of the operation items on the display device 4.

[0045] Next, the display device 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the display device 4 displays a home screen, which is an initial screen, at startup. The home screen displays multiple operation items, the air conditioning airflow level, the temperature of the air blown from each outlet, the current time, etc. These operation items are displayed as icons such as "Information," "Entertainment," "Communication," "Navigation," and "Setting," arranged adjacently in the vertical direction.

[0046] Here, "Information" corresponds to the function screen for fuel economy, various maintenance information, etc., "Entertainment" corresponds to the function screen for internet radio, audio, TV, CD / DVD, etc., "Communication" corresponds to the function screen for hands-free calling, short message reading, etc. Furthermore, "Navigation" corresponds to the function screen for road map display, route guidance, route guidance, etc., and "Setting" corresponds to the function screen for sound settings and adjusting the brightness and angle of the Active Driving Display, etc.

[0047] The lower the operation items are located, the more visually emphasized they are so that the occupant perceives them as being lined up in the front-to-rear direction in a pseudo- or optical illusion. Specifically, the lower the operation items are located, the larger the text size is displayed. As a result, when a passenger looks at the display device 4, due to an optical illusion, the passenger will recognize that the upper operation item is in the back (forward) and the lower operation item is in front (rear).

[0048] In this embodiment, the initials of the operation items are arranged so that the extension of the line connecting the initials of the operation items points toward vanishing point P located ahead in the direction of travel, in other words, along optical flow F (see FIG. 11). Note that vanishing point P is the vanishing point position (convergence point) in the field of view of an occupant of a predetermined body type seated in driver's seat 12a placed at a predetermined reference position and looking forward. In addition, the line connecting the initials of the multiple operation items (and its extension) corresponds to a virtual axis, and the direction of the connecting line (and its extension) corresponds to the pseudo display direction D1 of the multiple operation items.

[0049] Next, the operation of each input unit will be described. First, a first operation mode for operating the front input unit 21 will be described. 9, the fifth finger of the left hand is placed on the lower front end portion of main body 25 corresponding to the portion near the front end of seam 26a, and main body 25 is held vertically between the first finger and the second to fifth fingers. In this first operation mode, front input unit 21 is provided at a position facing the first finger. This allows the occupant to operate front input unit 21 blindly using the stopper function of main body 25 while minimizing the movement distance of the left hand that is holding steering wheel 17 when driving the vehicle.

[0050] Next, a second operation mode for operating the line-shaped input section 23 will be described. The occupant performs a sliding action (input operation) by sliding any finger on the decorative portion 27 (linear input portion 23) in the input operation direction D2 (including the forward and reverse directions), thereby rotating (scrolling) the operation item in conjunction with this sliding action to select and display it. On the display screen of the display device 4, the operation item displayed at the lowest position among the operation items corresponds to the operation item selected by the occupant. Here, an extension line of the sliding linear input unit 23 corresponds to the virtual axis line, and the direction of the extension line corresponds to the input operation direction D2 of the linear input unit 23 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). In this embodiment, the extension line of the decorative unit 27 is formed so as to substantially coincide with the extension line of the line connecting the initial letters of the operation items (extension line indicating the pseudo display direction D1).

[0051] After selecting an operation item, the occupant taps the decorative portion 27 with their hand (fingertip) to determine the desired function screen. For example, when the occupant wants to operate an in-vehicle device with an entertainment function (CD / DVD, etc.), the occupant slides the decorative portion 27 forward and backward to select "Entertainment" from among multiple operation items on the home screen. Next, with "Entertainment" displayed at the bottom, the occupant taps the decorative portion 27 with their fingertip to display the entertainment function screen shown in FIG. 8. This allows the occupant to blindly operate the area-shaped input portions 24a to 24e by pressing them down or scrolling through the operation items without looking at them.

[0052] Next, a third operation mode for operating the area-shaped input sections 24a to 24e will be described. 10, the third finger of the left hand is lightly placed on the front end portion of decorative portion 27. In this third operation mode, main body 25 is configured so that the first finger faces area-shaped input portion 24a, the second finger faces area-shaped input portion 24b, the extended third finger faces area-shaped input portion 24c, the fourth finger faces area-shaped input portion 24d, and the fifth finger faces area-shaped input portion 24e. In this state, the desired area-shaped input portion is pressed down to operate it.

[0053] Next, the operation and effects of the vehicle operating device 1 of this embodiment will be described. According to this vehicle operation device 10, the display device 4 arranges multiple operation items in a vertical direction and highlights the operation items arranged lower so that the occupant perceives the multiple operation items as being arranged in a pseudo-line in the front-to-rear direction, thereby making the occupant visually aware of a virtual axis oriented in the front-to-rear direction via the pseudo display direction D1. Since the operating unit 2 is formed to extend in the front-rear direction, the shape of the operating unit 2 can make the occupant visually aware of an imaginary axis oriented in the front-rear direction. The operation unit 2 has a linear input unit 23 that allows the occupant to change operation items through input operations using a sliding motion, and therefore the occupant can be made tactilely aware of a virtual axis oriented in the front-to-rear direction via the input operation direction D2 of the linear input unit 23. Since the pseudo display direction D1 of the multiple operation items and the input operation direction D2 of the linear input unit 23 are approximately aligned, the occupant can be made actively aware of the virtual axis oriented in the front-to-rear direction using both vision and touch, and the occupant's spatial awareness can be improved.

[0054] Since the display device 4 is positioned on an extension of the linear input unit 23 in a planar view, the virtual axis set by the operation item and the virtual axis set by the operation unit 2 can be made continuous on the same straight line, thereby further improving the occupant's spatial awareness.

[0055] The display device 4 highlights the operation items by displaying them larger as they are positioned lower so that the occupant perceives the multiple operation items as being arranged in a pseudo-line in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, the display of the multiple operation items can create an optical illusion of a pseudo display direction D1, allowing the occupant to reliably perceive the pseudo display direction D1.

[0056] The linear input unit 23 has a capacitance sensor that detects the proximity or contact of an occupant by a change in capacitance, so that an input operation by a sliding movement of the occupant can be detected simply and reliably.

[0057] The vehicle is provided with a center console 13 that protrudes upward in the center portion in the vehicle width direction and extends in the longitudinal direction, and the operating unit 2 is arranged on the center console 13 and is formed so as to protrude forward and upward from the upper surface of the center console 13, and the linear input unit 23 is arranged on the upper surface of the operating unit 2 in the center portion in the vehicle width direction, so that the operating unit 2 can be emphasized using the linear input unit 23, allowing for intuitive operation by the occupant.

[0058] The linear input unit 23 has a decorative portion 27 that is different in material and color from the adjacent portions, and the decorative portion 27 is arranged so as to extend from the front end portion of the operating unit 2 to the upper surface portion of the center console 13. Therefore, the decorative portion 27 can clearly display the input operation direction D2 of the linear input unit 23, allowing the occupant to reliably recognize the input operation direction D2.

[0059] Since the linear input section 23 is formed in a forward upward inclination, the display device 4 and the operation section 2 can be brought closer together, making the occupant more aware of the imaginary axis.

[0060] 11, the extension line indicating the pseudo display direction D1 of the multiple operation items substantially coincides with the vanishing point P in the field of view of an occupant of a predetermined body type seated in a driver's seat placed at a predetermined reference position and looking forward, so that the occupant can be made actively aware of the optical flow F extending from the vanishing point P via the virtual axis, and it is easy to make the vehicle exterior space coordinate system coincide with the vehicle interior space coordinate system. In particular, because the extension lines of the pseudo display direction D1 and the input operation direction D2 are both placed on the optical flow F so as to be continuous with the optical flow F, the occupant can be made even more aware of the optical flow F.

[0061] Next, a modified example in which the above embodiment is partially modified will be described. 1) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the closer an operation item is perceived to be (located lower), the larger the character size is for highlighting. However, other highlighting methods may be used. As shown in FIG. 12, the closer an operation item is perceived to be (located lower), the greater the contrast (brightness difference) with the background. Also, the lower an operation item is, the closer it may be displayed in three dimensions. Note that the operation item selected by the occupant (the operation item located at the bottom) is highlighted by underlining or by increasing the thickness of the character lines.

[0062] 2) In the above embodiment, the pseudo display direction D1 is described as being an approximately constant direction, but it is also possible to set a vanishing point P according to the operating angle of the steering wheel 17 or the steering angle of the front wheels, and set the pseudo display direction D1 based on this vanishing point P.

[0063] 3) In addition, a person skilled in the art may implement the present invention in various forms by adding various modifications to the above-mentioned embodiments or by combining the various embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention also includes such modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 Vehicle operating device 2 Control section 4 Display device 13 Center console 16 Instrument panel 23 Linear input section 25a (Main body) top surface 27 Decoration Department 32 Display control unit D1 Pseudo display direction D2 Input operation direction P vanishing point V vehicle

Claims

1. A vehicle operation device includes a display means that is installed on an instrument panel and is capable of displaying a plurality of operation items related to in-vehicle devices, an operation means that can be operated by an occupant through input, and a display control means that can change and / or select the plurality of operation items displayed on the display means in conjunction with an input operation of the operation means, the display means arranges the plurality of operation items in a vertical direction and highlights the operation items arranged at the bottom so that the occupant recognizes that the plurality of operation items are arranged in a pseudo-line in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, the operation means has a line-shaped input section that is formed to extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body and that can change the operation item by an input operation performed by a sliding motion by an occupant, the linear input unit has a capacitance sensor that detects the proximity or contact of an occupant based on a change in capacitance; An operation device for a vehicle, characterized in that a pseudo display direction of the plurality of operation items and an input operation direction of the linear input section are substantially the same.

2. A vehicle operating device comprising: a display means installed on an instrument panel and capable of displaying a plurality of operation items related to in-vehicle equipment; an operation means that can be operated by an occupant through input; and a display control means that can change and / or select the plurality of operation items displayed on the display means in conjunction with input operations on the operation means, A center console is provided in the center of the vehicle width direction, protruding upward and extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. the display means arranges the plurality of operation items in a vertical direction and highlights the operation items arranged at the bottom so that the occupant recognizes that the plurality of operation items are arranged in a pseudo-line in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, the operation means is disposed on the center console so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and to protrude forward and upward from an upper surface of the center console, and has a line-shaped input portion that can change the operation item by an input operation performed by a sliding motion of an occupant, the linear input portion is disposed in a central portion in the vehicle width direction on the upper surface portion of the operation means, and has a decorative portion that is different in material and color from adjacent portions; the decorative portion is disposed so as to extend from a front end portion of the operating means to an upper surface portion of the center console, An operation device for a vehicle, characterized in that a pseudo display direction of the plurality of operation items and an input operation direction of the linear input section are substantially the same.

3. A vehicle operating device comprising: a display means installed on an instrument panel and capable of displaying a plurality of operation items related to in-vehicle equipment; an operation means that can be operated by an occupant through input; and a display control means that can change and / or select the plurality of operation items displayed on the display means in conjunction with input operations on the operation means, the display means arranges the plurality of operation items in a vertical direction and highlights the operation items arranged at the bottom so that the occupant recognizes that the plurality of operation items are arranged in a pseudo-line in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, the operation means has a line-shaped input section that is formed to extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body and that can change the operation item by an input operation performed by a sliding motion by an occupant, A vehicle operating device characterized in that the pseudo display direction of the plurality of operation items and the input operation direction of the line-shaped input unit are approximately aligned, and an extension line indicating the pseudo display direction of the plurality of operation items approximately coincides with a vanishing point in the field of view of an occupant of a specified body type seated in a driver's seat positioned at a specified reference position when the occupant looks forward.

4. A vehicle operating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the display means is arranged on an extension line of the line-shaped input section in a planar view.

5. The display means, as the highlighting display, displays the operation items arranged lower in the display so that they are larger so that the occupant perceives the multiple operation items as being pseudo-lined up in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, or displays the operation items so that the brightness difference between the screen background and the operation items is greater. A vehicle operation device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A vehicle operating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the line-shaped input portion is formed in an upwardly inclined forward shape.

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