User interface device, control device, and computer program

Abstract

To increase the operability of a user interface device.SOLUTION: A display device displays an arrow icon image 111c related to a control target parameter and movable between a first position and a second position. When an instruction to move the arrow icon image 111c is received, processing of changing the control target parameter is started. The shape of the arrow icon image 111c is changed to have a part which shows a direction in which the arrow icon image can move on a route which connects the first position and the second position to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a user interface device, a control device that can be installed in the user interface device, and a computer program executable by a processor installed in the control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a user interface device for controlling the operation of a controlled device mounted on a vehicle, which is an example of a moving object. The device includes a display and a touchpad. Images such as icons and buttons indicating functions of the controlled device are displayed on the screen of the display. A user selects the image and executes the function associated with the image by touching a detection area of ​​the touchpad with a finger to input an operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-022986 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for improving the operability of such user interface devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One example aspect provided by the present disclosure is a user interface device, comprising: A display device; a control device that displays an icon image, which is associated with a controlled parameter and is movable between a first position and a second position, on the display device, and starts a process of changing the controlled parameter by receiving an instruction to move the icon image; It is equipped with The control device changes the shape of the icon image so that it has a portion indicating a direction in which the icon image can move on a path connecting the first position and the second position.

[0006] One example aspect provided by the present disclosure is a control device, comprising: a processor for displaying on a display device an icon image associated with the controlled parameter and movable between a first position and a second position; an interface for receiving an instruction to move the icon image; It is equipped with The processor: starting a process of changing the controlled parameter based on the instruction; The shape of the icon image is changed so as to have a portion indicating a direction in which the icon image can move on a path connecting the first position and the second position.

[0007] One example of an aspect provided by the present disclosure is a computer program executable by a processor installed in a control device, By being executed, the control device displaying on the display device an icon image associated with the controlled parameter and movable between a first position and a second position; starting a process of changing the controlled parameter based on an instruction to move the icon image; The shape of the icon image is changed so as to have a portion indicating a direction in which the icon image can move on a path connecting the first position and the second position.

[0008] According to the configurations of the above aspects, the user can intuitively understand the currently permitted direction of operation for the icon image being moved to change the controlled parameter. In addition, the icon image itself, which is the object of operation, indicates the direction by changing its shape as it moves, so the display area can be used efficiently without unnecessarily increasing the amount of information presented to the user through the display device. Therefore, the operability of the user interface device can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an example of the appearance of a vehicle in which a user interface device according to an embodiment is installed. [Figure 2] 2 illustrates an example of the passenger compartment of the vehicle of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 3 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of the user interface device of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 shows an example of a control screen displayed on the display device of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 3 shows another example of the control screen displayed on the display device of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] 3 shows another example of the control screen displayed on the display device of FIG. 2. [Figure 7] 3 shows another example of the control screen displayed on the display device of FIG. 2. [Figure 8] 3 shows another example of the control screen displayed on the display device of FIG. 2. [Figure 9] 3 shows another example of the control screen displayed on the display device of FIG. 2. [Figure 10] 3 shows another example of the control screen displayed on the display device of FIG. 2. [Figure 11] 3 shows another example of the control screen displayed on the display device of FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings used in the following description, the scale has been changed appropriately so that each element can be clearly seen.

[0011] 1 illustrates a vehicle 20 equipped with a user interface device according to one embodiment. The vehicle 20 includes a left front door 21, a right front door 22, a left rear door 23, a right rear door 24, and a rear door 25. Each of the left front door 21, the right front door 22, the left rear door 23, the right rear door 24, and the rear door 25 is an example of a movable body.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a passenger compartment of a vehicle 20. The user interface device 10 is equipped with a display device 11. The user interface device 10 is a device for automatically executing locking / unlocking operations and opening / closing operations for each of a left front door 21, a right front door 22, a left rear door 23, a right rear door 24, and a rear door 25 through the display device 11. In the following description, the left front door 21, the right front door 22, the left rear door 23, the right rear door 24, and the rear door 25 will be collectively referred to as an "opening / closing body" as necessary.

[0013] 3 illustrates an example of the functional configuration of the user interface device 10. The user interface device 10 includes a control device 12. The control device 12 is a device that causes the display device 11 to display information for displacing the movable body and controls the displacement of the movable body. The control device 12 is disposed at an appropriate location in the vehicle 20.

[0014] The control device 12 includes an input interface 121 , a processor 122 , and an output interface 123 .

[0015] The input interface 121 is configured to receive an instruction signal IS for displacing the movable body. The instruction signal IS may be an analog signal or a digital signal. If the instruction signal IS is an analog signal, the input interface 121 includes an appropriate conversion circuit including an A / D converter.

[0016] The processor 122 is configured to output, from the output interface 123, a drive control signal DR for causing the drive mechanism 26 mounted on the vehicle 20 to realize a displacement of the movable body corresponding to the instruction signal IS. The drive control signal DR may be an analog signal or a digital signal. When the drive control signal DR is an analog signal, the output interface 123 includes an appropriate conversion circuit including a D / A converter.

[0017] In this embodiment, the drive mechanism 26 constitutes a part of the locking / unlocking device and the opening / closing device provided for each opening / closing body.

[0018] The processor 122 is configured to output a display control signal DS, which causes the display device 11 to display information for controlling the locking / unlocking operation and opening / closing operation of each opening / closing body, from the output interface 123. The display control signal DS may be an analog signal or a digital signal. When the display control signal DS is an analog signal, the output interface 123 is provided with an appropriate conversion circuit including a D / A converter.

[0019] 4 illustrates a control screen 110 displayed on the display device 11 based on the display control signal DS. The control screen 110 includes a first control image 111, a second control image 112, a third control image 113, a fourth control image 114, a fifth control image 115, and a vehicle body image 116. This state corresponds to a state in which all opening and closing devices are closed and locked.

[0020] The first control image 111 is an image for controlling the locking / unlocking and opening / closing operations of the left front door 21. The first control image 111 includes a lock icon image 111a, an open icon image 111b, and an arrow icon image 111c.

[0021] The lock icon image 111a is located at the right end of the first control image 111. The right end is an example of the first position. The lock icon image 111a represents a state in which the left front door 21 is locked.

[0022] The open icon image 111b is located at the left end of the first control image 111. The left end is an example of the second position. The open icon image 111b represents a state in which the left front door 21 is open.

[0023] In the initial state, the arrow icon image 111c is located at the right end of the first control image 111. The tip of the arrow is directed toward the open icon image 111b located to the left.

[0024] The display device 11 has a touch panel function. The touch panel function may be realized by an electrostatic method or a pressure-sensitive method. The user of the vehicle 20 can unlock the left front door 21 by touching the lock icon image 111a displayed on the display device 11 with his / her finger.

[0025] Specifically, when the position of a finger on the display device 11 is detected, an instruction signal IS indicating the position is input from the display device 11 to the input interface 121 of the control device 12. If the position corresponds to the display position of the lock icon image 111a, the processor 122 outputs a drive control signal DR from the output interface 123 to the drive mechanism 26 to unlock the left front door 21.

[0026] In addition, the processor 122 outputs a display control signal DS, which causes an unlock icon image 111d to be displayed on the right end of the first control image 111, from the output interface 123 to the display device 11, as illustrated in Fig. 5. The unlock icon image 111d represents a state in which the left front door 21 is unlocked.

[0027] 6, the user can change the position of the arrow icon image 111c by touching with a finger. A user who wishes to open the left front door 21 slides the arrow icon image 111c toward the open icon image 111b.

[0028] When a slide operation on the display device 11 is detected, an instruction signal IS indicating the position of the finger is input from the display device 11 to the input interface 121 of the control device 12. The processor 122 outputs a display control signal DS, which changes the display position of the arrow icon image 111c so that it follows the position, from the output interface 123 to the display device 11.

[0029] 7 illustrates a state in which the arrow icon image 111c has reached the left end of the first control image 111. This state corresponds to a state in which an input of an instruction to open the left front door 21 has been accepted.

[0030] Therefore, the processor 122 outputs, from the output interface 123, a drive control signal DR that causes the drive mechanism 26 to open the left front door 21.

[0031] In addition, the processor 122 outputs a display control signal DS that changes the vehicle body image 116 from the output interface 123 as shown in Fig. 8. Specifically, the vehicle body image 116 is changed so that an animation of the left front door image opening is presented in accordance with the actual state of the left front door 21.

[0032] When the left front door 21 is fully opened, the vehicle body image 116 shows the state illustrated in Fig. 9. At this time, the processor 122 outputs, from the output interface 123, a display control signal DS that displays a close icon image 111e, instead of the unlock icon image 111d, at the right end of the first control image 111. The close icon image 111e represents a state in which the left front door 21 is closed. In addition, the processor 122 outputs, from the output interface 123, a display control signal DS that changes the direction of the arrow icon image 111c. Specifically, the tip of the arrow is pointed toward the close icon image 111e, which is located on the right.

[0033] A user who wishes to close the left front door 21 slides the arrow icon image 111c toward the close icon image 111e. When the arrow icon image 111c reaches the right end of the first control image 111, the control screen 110 returns to the state illustrated in FIG. 5. The processor 122 outputs a drive control signal DR, which causes the drive mechanism 26 to close the left front door 21, from the output interface 123. Although not shown in the drawings, the vehicle body image 116 is changed so as to present an animation in which the left front door image closes in accordance with the actual state of the left front door 21.

[0034] 5, the left front door 21 can be locked by touching the unlock icon image 111d with a finger. Specifically, when the position of a finger on the display device 11 is detected, an instruction signal IS indicating the position is input from the display device 11 to the input interface 121 of the control device 12. If the position corresponds to the display position of the unlock icon image 111d, the processor 122 outputs a drive control signal DR from the output interface 123 to cause the drive mechanism 26 to lock the left front door 21.

[0035] In addition, the processor 122 outputs a display control signal DS, which causes the lock icon image 111a to be displayed at the right end of the first control image 111 as illustrated in FIG. 4, from the output interface 123 to the display device 11.

[0036] As described above, in this embodiment, the arrow icon image 111c is movable between the right end and the left end of the first control image 111. The control device 12 is configured to start processing for changing the position of the left front door 21 between the closed position and the open position by receiving an instruction to move the arrow icon image 111c. The right end of the first control image 111 corresponds to the closed position of the left front door 21. The left end of the first control image 111 corresponds to the open position of the left front door 21. The position of the left front door 21 is an example of a controlled parameter.

[0037] In addition, the control device 12 is configured to change the shape of the arrow icon image 111c so that the arrow icon image 111c has a portion indicating a possible direction of movement. As described above, when the arrow icon image 111c is displayed at the right end of the first control image 111, the direction of the tip of the arrow is changed to indicate possible movement to the left. Similarly, when the arrow icon image 111c is displayed at the left end of the first control image 111, the direction of the tip of the arrow is changed to indicate possible movement to the right.

[0038] With this configuration, the user can intuitively understand the currently permitted direction of operation for the arrow icon image 111c that is moved to open or close the left front door 21. In addition, the arrow icon image 111c itself, which is the object to be operated, indicates the direction by changing its shape as it moves, so the display area can be used efficiently without unnecessarily increasing the amount of information presented to the user through the display device 11. Therefore, the operability of the user interface device 10 can be improved.

[0039] As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, in this embodiment, a lock icon image 111a and an unlock icon image 111d, which are signs for receiving instructions to lock or unlock the left front door 21, are displayed within an arrow icon image 111c.

[0040] This configuration minimizes the amount of movement of the user's fingers when locking, unlocking, and opening / closing the left front door 21 are successively performed, thereby improving the operability of the user interface device 10. However, the relationship between the display position of the lock icon image 111a or the unlock icon image 111d and the display position of the arrow icon image 111c can be determined as appropriate.

[0041] 8, the processor 122 of the control device 12 can be configured to output a display control signal DS for displaying a stop icon image 111f from the output interface 123 during the process of opening the left front door 21. The stop icon image 111f is displayed between the open icon image 111b and the unlock icon image 111d. In other words, the stop icon image 111f is displayed on the movement path of the arrow icon image 111c.

[0042] The stop icon image 111f is a sign for receiving an instruction to stop the process of opening the left front door 21. If the user wishes to interrupt the operation of opening the left front door 21 for some reason, the user touches the stop icon image 111f. If the position of the touch operation indicated by the instruction signal IS received by the input interface 121 corresponds to the display position of the stop icon image 111f, the processor 122 outputs, from the output interface 123, a drive control signal DR that causes the drive mechanism 26 to stop the operation of opening the left front door 21.

[0043] The timing at which the stop icon image 111f is displayed may be at the same time as the arrow icon image 111c reaches the left end of the first control image 111, as illustrated in FIG. 7, or may be after the arrow icon image 111c is erased, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0044] Although not shown in the drawings, the processor 122 also displays the stop icon image 111f in the same position while the process of closing the left front door 21 is being executed. In this case, the stop icon image 111f is a sign for accepting an instruction to stop the process of closing the left front door 21. If the user wishes to interrupt the operation of closing the left front door 21 for some reason, the user touches the stop icon image 111f. In this case, the processor 122 outputs, from the output interface 123, a drive control signal DR that causes the drive mechanism 26 to stop the operation of closing the left front door 21.

[0045] 10 illustrates an example of the control screen 110 when the stop icon image 111f is operated. The processor 122 causes the display device 11 to display an arrow icon image 111c instead of the stop icon image 111f. In this case, the arrow icon image 111c has a bidirectional arrow shape with one tip pointing left and the other tip pointing right. In other words, the arrow icon image 111c indicates that it can be operated either leftward or rightward.

[0046] If the process of opening the left front door 21 is interrupted, the user can move the arrow icon image 111c to the left to resume the process of opening the left front door 21. Conversely, if the user moves the arrow icon image 111c to the right, the process is stopped and the left front door 21 is closed. The user can select either option depending on the situation.

[0047] 11 illustrates a case where the arrow icon image 111c is moved to the right from the state illustrated in FIG. 10. When the arrow icon image 111c reaches the right end of the first control image 111, the close icon image 111e changes to the unlock icon image 111d, and the stop icon image 111f is redisplayed on the path of the arrow icon image 111c. This makes it possible to accept an instruction to stop the process of closing the left front door 21. When the left front door 21 is completely closed, the control screen 110 returns to the state illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0048] If the process of closing the left front door 21 is interrupted, the user can move the arrow icon image 111c to the right to resume the process of closing the left front door 21. Conversely, if the user moves the arrow icon image 111c to the left, the process is stopped and the left front door 21 is opened. The user can select either option depending on the situation.

[0049] The second control image 112 is an image for controlling the locking / unlocking and opening / closing operations of the right front door 22. The arrangement and displacement direction of various icon images included in the second control image 112 are bilaterally symmetrical to those of the first control image 111. The processing related to the display of the second control image 112 and the operation control of the drive mechanism 26 executed by the control device 12 is substantially the same as the processing related to the first control image 111, so repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0050] The third control image 113 is an image for controlling the locking / unlocking and opening / closing operations of the left rear door 23. The arrangement and displacement direction of various icon images included in the third control image 113 are the same as those of the first control image 111. The processing related to the display of the third control image 113 and the operation control of the drive mechanism 26 executed by the control device 12 is substantially the same as the processing related to the first control image 111, so repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0051] The fourth control image 114 is an image for controlling the locking / unlocking and opening / closing operations of the right rear door 24. The arrangement and displacement direction of various icon images included in the fourth control image 114 are bilaterally symmetrical to those of the first control image 111. The processing related to the display of the fourth control image 114 and the operation control of the drive mechanism 26 executed by the control device 12 is substantially the same as the processing related to the first control image 111, so repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0052] The fifth control image 115 is an image for controlling the locking / unlocking and opening / closing operations of the rear door 25. The arrangement and displacement direction of various icon images included in the fifth control image 115 are the same as those of the first control image 111. The processing related to the display of the fifth control image 115 and the operation control of the drive mechanism 26 executed by the control device 12 is substantially the same as that related to the first control image 111, and therefore repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0053] The processor 122 of the control device 12 having the various functions described above can be realized by a dedicated integrated circuit such as a microcontroller, ASIC, or FPGA, which has a storage element in which a computer program for realizing the function is pre-installed. In this case, the storage element is an example of a non-transitory computer-readable medium on which a computer program is stored.

[0054] Alternatively, the processor 122 may be realized by a general-purpose microprocessor operating in cooperation with general-purpose memory. Examples of the general-purpose microprocessor include a CPU, an MPU, and a GPU. Examples of the general-purpose memory include a ROM and a RAM. In this case, a computer program for realizing the function may be stored in the ROM. The general-purpose microprocessor specifies at least a portion of the program stored in the ROM, expands it in the RAM, and executes the above-described process in cooperation with the RAM. In this case, the general-purpose memory is an example of a non-transitory computer-readable medium on which a computer program is stored.

[0055] The processor 122 may be implemented by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a dedicated integrated circuit.

[0056] The above-described embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the present disclosure. The configurations according to the above-described embodiments may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0057] The user interface device 10 may be configured to control the opening and closing operations of other opening / closing bodies mounted on the vehicle 20. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the vehicle 20 may be equipped with a sunroof 27. In this case, a GUI similar to the first control image 111 described above may be displayed by touching a roof selection area 117a on the control screen 110 illustrated in FIG. 4. The GUI described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 11 is displayed by touching a door selection area 117b on the control screen 110.

[0058] 4 is touched, the processor 122 outputs a drive control signal DR from the output interface 123 to cause the drive mechanism 26 to lock all the opening / closing bodies. Similarly, when the full-close selection area 117d shown in FIG. 4 is touched, the processor 122 outputs a drive control signal DR from the output interface 123 to cause the drive mechanism 26 to close all the opening / closing bodies.

[0059] Another example of an opening / closing body mounted on the vehicle 20 is a door window. In this case, the control screen 110 may include an area capable of receiving a touch operation to provide a GUI similar to the first control image 111 for each door window.

[0060] The user interface device 10 may be configured to change the position of other movable objects mounted on the vehicle 20. Examples of other movable objects include a steering wheel, a seat, and door mirrors.

[0061] The user interface device 10 can be configured to change controlled parameters of various devices mounted on the vehicle 20. Examples of such controlled parameters include the temperature, air volume, and air direction of an air conditioner, and the brightness and lighting direction of a lighting device.

[0062] The user interface device 10 may be mounted on a moving object other than the vehicle 20. Examples of such moving objects include trains, airplanes, ships, etc. The moving object may not require a driver.

[0063] The user interface device 10 does not need to be mounted on a mobile object. The user interface device 10 can be used to change the position of any suitable movable object installed in a home or facility. Examples of such movable objects include doors, windows, shutters, blinds, curtains, and screens. Alternatively, the user interface device 10 can be used to change any suitable controlled parameter that needs to be controlled in the home or facility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10: User interface device, 11: Display device, 111a: Lock icon image, 111c: Arrow icon image, 111d: Unlock icon image, 111f: Stop icon image, 12: Control device, 121: Input interface, 122: Processor, 21: Left front door

Claims

1. A display device; a control device that displays an icon image, which is associated with a controlled parameter and is movable between a first position and a second position, on the display device, and starts a process of changing the controlled parameter by receiving an instruction to move the icon image; It is equipped with The control device changing the shape of the icon image so that it has a portion indicating a direction in which the icon image can move on a path connecting the first position and the second position; displaying a sign on the path for receiving an instruction to stop the process while the process of changing the controlled parameter is being executed; User interface device.

2. A display device, a control device that displays an icon image, which is associated with a controlled parameter and is movable between a first position and a second position, on the display device, and starts a process of changing the controlled parameter by receiving an instruction to move the icon image; It is equipped with the controlled parameter is a position of the opening / closing body, the first position corresponds to a closed position of the opening / closing body, and the second position corresponds to an open position of the opening / closing body; The control device changing the shape of the icon image so that it has a portion indicating a direction in which the icon image can move on a path connecting the first position and the second position; a sign for receiving an instruction to lock or unlock the opening / closing body at the first position is displayed within the icon image; User interface device.

3. a processor for displaying on a display device an icon image associated with the controlled parameter and movable between a first position and a second position; an interface for receiving an instruction to move the icon image; It is equipped with The processor: starting a process of changing the controlled parameter based on the instruction; changing the shape of the icon image so that it has a portion indicating a direction in which the icon image can move on a path connecting the first position and the second position; displaying a sign on the path for receiving an instruction to stop the process while the process of changing the controlled parameter is being executed; Control device.

4. A computer program executable by a processor mounted on the control device, By being executed, the control device displaying on the display device an icon image associated with the controlled parameter and movable between a first position and a second position; starting a process of changing the controlled parameter based on an instruction to move the icon image; changing the shape of the icon image so that it has a portion indicating a direction in which the icon image can move on a path connecting the first position and the second position; displaying a sign on the path for receiving an instruction to stop the process while the process of changing the controlled parameter is being executed; Computer program.

5. A processor that displays on a display device an icon image associated with the position of an opening / closing body and movable between a first position corresponding to the closed position of the opening / closing body and a second position corresponding to the open position of the opening / closing body; an interface for receiving an instruction to move the icon image; It is equipped with The processor: starting a process of changing the position of the opening / closing body based on the instruction; changing the shape of the icon image so that it has a portion indicating a direction in which the icon image can move on a path connecting the first position and the second position; a sign for receiving an instruction to lock or unlock the opening / closing body at the first position is displayed within the icon image; Control device.

6. A computer program executable by a processor mounted on a control device, By being executed, the control device displaying on a display device an icon image associated with a position of the opening / closing body and movable between a first position corresponding to a closed position of the opening / closing body and a second position corresponding to an open position of the opening / closing body; starting a process of changing the position of the opening / closing body based on an instruction to move the icon image; changing the shape of the icon image so that it has a portion indicating a direction in which the icon image can move on a path connecting the first position and the second position; a sign for receiving an instruction to lock or unlock the opening / closing body at the first position is displayed within the icon image; Computer program.

Images