Operation system, operation method and program using 6-axis force sensor

Abstract

To provide an operating system, operating method and program, which allow for reducing the number of operating switches using a simpler configuration than the conventional technique.SOLUTION: An operating system (1) comprises: a six-axis force sensor (10); a rod (15) for transmitting received force or moment to a strain body (11) of the six-axis force sensor (10); and a control unit (30) for detecting a direction of the force or moment received by the rod (15) according to an output of the six-axis force sensor (10) and generating an operational signal for an operation target according to the detected direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation system, an operation method, and a program using a six-axis force sensor. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in passenger cars, the electrification of in-vehicle equipment is progressing, and as a result, many operating switches are being installed inside the vehicle. However, if there are many operating switches, many locations are required for them. However, if there are many operating switches inside the vehicle, the driver may feel that the operation is complicated and it may be difficult to know where each operating switch is located. Therefore, it is preferable to have as few operating switches as possible.

[0003] Furthermore, when there are many operating switches, they may be located far from the steering wheel. Operating switches located far from the steering wheel may require the driver to check their location. However, checking the location of operating switches while driving a car may require the driver to divert their eyes from the road ahead, which can be dangerous.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a low-cost, robust alternative to a multi-axis computer input device, such as a six-axis computer input device and a high-resolution transducer element, which is said to provide a simple, easy-to-manufacture six-axis computer input device that is made up of as few components as possible. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-090707 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 specifically uses, for example, an optical transducer array composed of one or more light emitters and one or more photodetectors, or one or more ion conductive elements, etc. However, there is a demand for an operating system that has an even simpler configuration than such conventional technology and that can reduce the number of operating switches.

[0007] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to realize an operation system, an operation method, and a program that can reduce the number of operation switches with a simpler configuration than conventional techniques. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An operation system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a six-axis force sensor, a rod that transmits an received force or moment to a strain-generating body of the six-axis force sensor, and a control unit that detects the direction of the force or moment received by the rod based on the output of the six-axis force sensor and generates an operation signal for an object to be operated according to the detected direction.

[0009] An operation method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of detecting the direction of a force or moment applied to a six-axis force sensor from the output of the six-axis force sensor, and generating an operation signal for an object to be operated according to the detected direction.

[0010] An operating device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a six-axis force sensor and a rod that transmits an applied force or moment to a strain-generating element of the six-axis force sensor.

[0011] The control unit according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the operation program of the operating system that realizes the control unit by the computer by making the computer operate as each unit (software element) that the control unit has, and the computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded, also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize an operation system, an operation method, and a program that can reduce the number of operation switches with a simpler configuration than conventional techniques. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an operation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an operation unit according to the first embodiment and the direction of force detected by a six-axis force sensor. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of an operation unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the layout of an operation display unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is one example of a configuration in which the control unit is configured using a computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] [Embodiment 1] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an operation system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The operation system 1 is used to control the state of on-board equipment of a moving body (e.g., a vehicle). As shown in FIG. 1, the operation system 1 includes a six-axis force sensor 10, a rod 15, and a control unit 30. The components including the six-axis force sensor 10 and the rod 15 are also referred to as an operation unit (or operation device) 20. The six-axis force sensor 10 includes a strain body 11 and a base 12. The rod 15 is fixed to the strain body 11 via a support 16. The control unit 30 is connected to the six-axis force sensor 10 so as to receive the output of the six-axis force sensor 10. The "rod" in this embodiment refers to a generally rod-shaped operating tool that can be pushed down or depressed by an operator with their fingers, but the shape of the rod is not limited thereto. As will be described later, the rod body may be any body that can be configured to transmit the force or moment it receives to the strain element 11 of the six-axis force sensor 10.

[0015] The rod 15 is disposed upright relative to the strain body 11. In Fig. 1, a cylindrical rigid body with an expanded diameter at the top end is shown as the rod 15. The rod 15 is configured to transmit the force or moment it receives to the strain body 11 of the six-axis force sensor 10.

[0016] Specifically, when the six-axis force sensor 10 is viewed from above, the rod 15 is supported by the support 16 so that an operator (e.g., a driver) can push (tilt) the rod 15 in the up, down, left, and right directions, or rotate it around the axis of the cylinder, like a joystick. The operator can also push the rod 15 downward, as if pressing into the strain body 11. When the operator releases the rod 15, it returns to its original upright state. In this embodiment, "force" refers to a force applied to the rod 15 in the up, down, left, and right directions and downward. Furthermore, "moment" refers to a force applied to the rod 15 that rotates it around the axis. In the following explanation, force and moment may be collectively referred to simply as "force."

[0017] The support part 16 is attached to the flexure body 11, for example, with a screw, and transmits the force or moment received by the rod 15 to the flexure body 11. The six-axis force sensor 10 outputs an output signal corresponding to the direction and magnitude of the force or moment applied to the flexure body 11 to the control unit 30. For example, if the flexure body 11 is a cross beam type, the rod 15 is fixed to the center of the cross beam.

[0018] (Control unit) The control unit 30 detects the direction of the force or moment received by the rod 15 based on the output of the six-axis force sensor 10, and generates an operation signal for the operation object according to the detected direction. The control unit 30 also detects the magnitude of the force or moment received by the rod 15 based on the output of the six-axis force sensor 10, and generates an operation signal according to the direction and magnitude of the detected force or moment. Details of the operation object will be described later.

[0019] The control unit 30 includes a direction detection unit 31, a power detection unit 32, an operation signal generation unit 33, a display signal generation unit 34, and an input / output unit 35. The direction detection unit 31 detects the direction of the force received by the rod body 15 based on the output of the six-axis force sensor 10, and outputs the detected direction to the operation signal generation unit 33. The power detection unit 32 detects the magnitude of the force received by the rod body 15 based on the output of the six-axis force sensor 10, and outputs the detected magnitude to the operation signal generation unit 33.

[0020] The operation signal generation unit 33 generates an operation signal for the operation target object according to the direction of the force acquired from the direction detection unit 31 and the magnitude of the force acquired from the power detection unit 32. The operation signal is a signal that controls the state of the in-vehicle equipment of the mobile object. The operation signal generation unit 33 outputs the generated operation signal to the outside via the input / output unit 35. The operation signal generation unit 33 also outputs the operation signal to the display signal generation unit 34. The display signal generation unit 34 generates a display signal according to the direction of the force acquired from the operation signal generation unit 33.

[0021] The input / output unit 35 receives the output of the six-axis force sensor 10 and transmits it to the direction detection unit 31 and the power detection unit 32. The input / output unit 35 also outputs the operation signal generated by the operation signal generation unit 33 and the display signal generated by the display signal generation unit 34.

[0022] Next, the direction of force detected by the direction detection unit 31 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the operation unit 20 and the direction of force detected by the six-axis force sensor 10. The direction of force detected by the six-axis force sensor 10 is determined by the configuration of the strain body 11, and in this first embodiment, it is the direction shown by 2001. Specifically, these are the three orthogonal axes: the X direction (positive and negative directions, the same applies below), the Y direction, and the Z direction; the Mx direction which is a moment about the X axis; the My direction which is a moment about the Y axis; and the Mz direction which is a moment about the Z axis. The magnitude of the force applied by the operator to the rod 15 is detected by the six-axis force sensor 10 for each of these directions.

[0023] On the other hand, the direction of the force (excluding moments) detected by the direction detection unit 31 is as follows. When viewed on the XY plane, as shown in 2002, if the resultant vector of the X and Y directions of the force (excluding moments) detected by the 6-axis force sensor 10 is in region A, the direction detection unit 31 detects the direction of the force as the -Y direction. As described above, the direction detection unit 31 detects all directions within a predetermined range as a single predetermined direction, so it is also said that the direction detection unit 31 "determines" a direction. If the resultant vector of the X and Y directions is in region B, the direction detection unit 31 determines the direction of the force to be the -X direction. Furthermore, if the resultant vector of the X and Y directions is in region C, the direction detection unit 31 determines the direction of the force to be the +Y direction. Furthermore, if the resultant vector of the X and Y directions is in region D, the direction detection unit 31 determines the direction of the force to be the +X direction. The boundaries of areas A to D are all at 45 degrees from the X-axis and Y-axis, and the following boundaries are set in the same manner.

[0024] Furthermore, when viewed on the XZ plane, as shown in 2003, if the resultant vector of the X and Z directions of the forces detected by the six-axis force sensor 10 is in region E, the direction detection unit 31 determines that the direction of the force is the -Z direction. If the resultant vector of the X and Z directions is in region B, the direction detection unit 31 determines that the direction of the force is the -X direction. If the resultant vector of the X and Z directions is in region F, the direction detection unit 31 determines that the direction of the force is the +Z direction. If the resultant vector of the X and Z directions is in region D, the direction detection unit 31 determines that the direction of the force is the +X direction.

[0025] Furthermore, when viewed on the YZ plane, as shown in 2004, if the resultant vector of the Y and Z directions of the forces detected by the six-axis force sensor 10 is in region E, the direction detection unit 31 determines that the direction of the force is the -Z direction. If the resultant vector of the Y and Z directions is in region A, the direction detection unit 31 determines that the direction of the force is the -Y direction. If the resultant vector of the Y and Z directions is in region F, the direction detection unit 31 determines that the direction of the force is the +Z direction. If the resultant vector of the Y and Z directions is in region C, the direction detection unit 31 determines that the direction of the force is the +Y direction.

[0026] The above has been explained with respect to the direction of the resultant force vector as viewed in three planes, but in reality, six three-dimensional regions A to F are defined. Therefore, the direction detection unit 31 can determine the direction of the force depending on which of the three-dimensional regions A to F the three-dimensional resultant force vector belongs to.

[0027] In this embodiment, the direction detection unit 31 detects and outputs only forces in the directions of area A, area B, area C, area D, and area F. Furthermore, the direction detection unit 31 detects and outputs only moments around the Z axis (±Mz).

[0028] The power detection unit 32 detects the magnitude of the force in the direction of the force detected by the direction detection unit 31. In other words, the power detection unit 32 detects the magnitude (scalar) of the three-dimensional resultant force vector applied to the rod 15 by the operator.

[0029] In the above-described detection method, if the resultant force vector is significantly different from both the X-axis and Y-axis directions, it is considered to be an erroneous operation, and the direction detection unit 31 may determine that the direction is undetectable. Alternatively, instead of the above-described detection method, the direction detection unit 31 may simply detect the direction in which the component force vector is largest among the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions. Furthermore, the power detection unit 32 may detect the scalar of the component force vector in the X-axis, Y-axis, or Z-axis direction instead of the scalar of the resultant force vector. This is because an operator usually intentionally applies force in a specific axial direction, so a large force is applied in that axial direction, and the component forces in other directions are considerably small.

[0030] Furthermore, the power detection unit 32 may determine the largest component force in each axial direction as the magnitude of the force applied to the rod 15 by the operator, instead of the magnitude of the three-dimensional resultant force vector described above.

[0031] The only moment that can be detected by the operation unit 20 of this embodiment 1 is a moment ±Mz about the Z axis. This moment is generated by twisting the rod body 15 clockwise or counterclockwise. However, the operation unit may also be capable of detecting and using moments about the X axis or the Y axis. For example, a handle may be attached to the side of the strain body 11 of the six-axis force sensor 10, and the handle may be twisted to apply a moment about the X axis or the Y axis (not shown).

[0032] (Layout of operation panel) Next, the arrangement of the operation unit 20 and the operation target will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the operation unit 20. In this embodiment, as shown by 3001 in FIG. 3, two operation units 20A and 20B are arranged on a steering wheel 40 of a vehicle. Specifically, the two operation units 20A and 20B are provided on the front sides of the left and right spokes 42 of the steering wheel 40. Providing the operation units on the spokes 42 of the steering wheel 40 has the advantage that the driver does not need to avert his or her eyes from the front when operating the operation units 20A and 20B. For both operation units 20A and 20B, the left-right directions as viewed in the drawing are ±X directions, and the up-down directions are ±Y directions. Note that while FIG. 3 shows only the front side of the steering wheel 40, two operation units 20C and 20D are also arranged on the back sides of the left and right spokes 42 (not shown). In the following, when referring to an individual operation unit 20, a specific reference numeral will be given, such as "operation unit 20A," and when referring to a plurality of operation units 20A, 20B, etc. collectively, the term "operation units 20" will be used.

[0033] As shown in 3002 of FIG. 3, the operation unit 20E is disposed on the center console 50 on the left side of the driver's seat. The center console 50 is located in a position where the driver can reach it by lowering his or her left hand, which has the advantage that the driver does not need to take his or her eyes away from the front when operating the operation unit 20E. Another advantage is that the person sitting in the passenger seat can operate the operation unit 20E. However, it is preferable that the operation unit 20E not be configured with operations that should be performed by the driver. The location of the operation unit 20 is not limited to the example described above. For example, the operation unit 20 may be attached to the inside of the door on the driver's seat side.

[0034] (Objects operated by the operation unit) The operation objects of the operation units 20A to 20D and the operation contents therefor are set, for example, as follows.

[0035] [Table 1]

[0036] Moreover, the operation objects of the operation unit 20E and the operation contents therefor are set, for example, as follows.

[0037] [Table 2]

[0038] The operation objects and operation contents shown in Tables 1 and 2 are merely examples, and any operation can be assigned to each direction of each operation unit 20. Furthermore, in the case of an operation in which the operation speed or operation amount can be adjusted, such as opening and closing a power window or the air volume of an air conditioner, the speed or amount can be changed depending on the strength of the force applied to the rod 15. In other words, the greater the force applied to the rod 15, the greater the change in the opening and closing speed of the power window or the air volume of the air conditioner. However, in the case of turning the engine on and off, opening the gas filler cap, operating the windshield wipers, etc., the strength of the force applied to the rod 15 has no effect on the operation content.

[0039] (Prevention of erroneous operation) It is preferable to be able to prevent erroneous operations when operating the operation unit 20. In the first embodiment, erroneous operations are prevented by performing multiple steps of operation on the operation unit 20. Specifically, the operation signal generation unit 33 generates an operation signal after the direction detection unit 31 detects the direction of the force or moment multiple times.

[0040] For example, the operator pushes the rod 15 in the direction to which the operation to be executed is assigned, and then releases the hand. The rod 15 returns to its original position. At this point, the direction detection unit 31 detects the force applied in that direction. This stage is the operation selection stage. Next, the rod 15 is pushed in the Z-axis direction. That is, the rod 15 is pushed downward. At this point, the direction detection unit 31 detects the force applied in the downward direction. This stage is the operation content determination stage. Next, the driver pushes the rod 15 again in the direction to which the operation to be executed is assigned. At this point, the direction detection unit 31 detects the force applied in that direction. At this stage, the operation signal generation unit 33 generates an operation signal. In other words, the operation is executed at this stage. In this way, the configuration is such that an operation is executed by applying force to the rod 15 multiple times, so that the operation is not executed even if the rod 15 is accidentally pressed only once.

[0041] There may also be a method for canceling an operation. For example, the previous operation may be canceled by pushing the rod 15 in a certain direction and then pushing the rod 15 in a different direction other than downward. Also, the operation may be canceled after a certain period of time has passed without any operation after the first operation. Note that the multi-step operation is not limited to the above-mentioned method. It is also preferable that the driver be able to confirm the type of operation he or she has performed. Furthermore, as will be described below, it is preferable that the driver be able to confirm the operation selection stage, operation decision stage, and execution stage.

[0042] (display signal) Next, the function of the display signal generation unit 34 will be described. The display signal generation unit 34 generates a display signal that indicates the type of operation signal generated by the operation signal generation unit 33. For example, when the operator first presses the rod 15 in a certain direction, the display signal generation unit 34 generates a signal that displays the operation content corresponding to that direction (for example, the text "Open right window") on the operation display unit 62. This is the stage where the operation content is selected. Next, when the operator presses the rod 15, the display signal generation unit 34 generates a signal that, for example, changes the displayed color. This is the stage where the operation content is determined. Next, when the operator presses the rod 15 again in the initial direction, the display signal generation unit 34 generates a signal that, for example, causes the display to blink. This is the stage where the operation is executed. As described above, the operator can visually confirm which stage the operation content he or she has performed is at.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the operation display unit 62 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation display unit 62 is disposed, for example, on an instrument panel 60 in front of the driver's seat. FIG. 4 illustrates a state in which the operation display unit 62 displays the words "Open Right Window" in white as the operation content. This indicates that the operation signal generation unit 33 has selected the operation of opening the right window (driver's seat side window). That is, when the rod 15 of the operation unit 20A is first pressed in the +X direction, the words are displayed in white (selection stage). When the rod 15 is then pressed downward, the words are displayed in red (decision stage). When the rod 15 is then pressed again in the same +X direction as the first time, the words flash (execution stage). This configuration allows the operator to visually confirm the operation stage. Note that instead of generating a signal to be displayed on the operation display unit 62, the display signal generation unit 34 may generate, for example, an audio signal to inform the operator of the operation stage by sound or voice.

[0044] According to the operation system 1 according to the first embodiment, for example, six operations can be performed on three operation targets with one operation unit 20A. This allows for a simpler configuration than the prior art and reduces the number of operation switches inside the vehicle. Furthermore, since the operation units 20 are both located within easy reach, such as on the steering wheel and the center console, there is no need to take your eyes off the road while driving.

[0045] (Variation 1) In the above-described first embodiment, the operation signal generating unit 33 generates an operation signal based on the direction and magnitude of the force received by the rod body 15. However, the operation signal generating unit 33 may generate an operation signal based only on the direction of the force received by the rod body 15. In this case, the operation signal generating unit 33 generates only a signal for performing a predetermined operation, without including signals such as the magnitude of the operation speed or the magnitude of the operation amount.

[0046] (Variation 2) In the above-described first embodiment, the rod 15 is fixed to the flexure body 11 via the support 16, but the rod 15 may also be fixed directly to the flexure body 11 by welding or the like. Note that, because the deformation of the flexure body 11 is small, the support 16 may be such that the rod 15 has a certain degree of elasticity. With this configuration, the rod 15 can deform in response to the force it receives, while transmitting a force in response to the received force to the flexure body 11. The operator can recognize the direction in which the rod 15 is deformed and confirm their operation.

[0047] (Variation 3) In the above-described first embodiment, the rod body 15 is exemplified as being cylindrical with an expanded diameter at the upper end. However, the shape of the rod body 15, particularly the shape of the upper end, is not critical as long as it is a shape that is easy for the operator to operate. For example, the upper end of the rod body 15 may be a chamfered rectangle so that the operator can easily transmit force in four directions and around an axis.

[0048] [Software implementation example] The control blocks of the control unit 30 (particularly the direction detection unit 31, power detection unit 32, operation signal generation unit 33, and display signal generation unit 34) may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be realized by software. In the latter case, each function of the control unit 30 is realized by, for example, a computer that executes instructions of a program P, which is software.

[0049] An example of such a computer (hereinafter referred to as computer C) is shown in Figure 5. Computer C includes at least one processor C1 and at least one memory C2. Memory C2 stores a program P for causing computer C to operate as control unit 30. In computer C, processor C1 reads and executes this program P from memory C2, thereby realizing each function of control unit 30.

[0050] The processor C1 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a micro processing unit (MPU), a floating point number processing unit (FPU), a physics processing unit (PU), a microcontroller, or a combination thereof. The memory C2 may be, for example, a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a combination thereof.

[0051] The computer C may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program P during execution and for temporarily storing various data. The computer C may also include a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices. The computer C may also include an input / output interface for connecting input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and / or output devices such as a display and a printer.

[0052] Furthermore, the program P can be recorded on a non-transitory tangible recording medium M that can be read by the computer C. Such a recording medium M can be, for example, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit. The computer C can acquire the program P via such a recording medium M. The program P can also be transmitted via a transmission medium. Such a transmission medium can be, for example, a communication network or broadcast waves. The computer C can also acquire the program P via such a transmission medium.

[0053] 〔summary〕 The operation system according to aspect 1 of the present invention includes a six-axis force sensor, a rod configured to transmit an applied force or moment to a strain-generating element of the six-axis force sensor, and a control unit that detects the direction of the force or moment applied to the rod based on the output of the six-axis force sensor, and generates an operation signal for an object to be operated according to the detected direction.

[0054] According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize an operation system that has a simpler configuration than the prior art and that can reduce the number of operation switches.

[0055] In the operation system according to aspect 2 of the present invention, the control unit may be configured to detect the magnitude of the force or moment received by the rod body, and generate the operation signal according to the direction and magnitude of the detected force or moment.

[0056] According to the above configuration, the operation content, operation speed, operation amount, etc. can be changed depending on the magnitude of the force or moment in addition to the direction.

[0057] In the operation system according to the third aspect of the present invention, the operation signal may be a signal for controlling the state of an in-vehicle device of a moving object.

[0058] According to the above configuration, the states of a large number of in-vehicle devices in, for example, a passenger car can be controlled with a small number of operation units.

[0059] In the operation system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, at least the six-axis force sensor and the rod may be disposed on a handle of the moving body or on a center console of the moving body.

[0060] According to the above configuration, a driver of a passenger vehicle or the like can operate on-board equipment without taking his or her eyes off the road.

[0061] In the operation system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the control unit may be configured to generate the operation signal after detecting the direction of the force or moment multiple times.

[0062] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent erroneous operations.

[0063] In the operation system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the control unit may be configured to generate a display signal that displays the type of the operation signal to be generated.

[0064] According to the above configuration, the operator can check the content of the operation he or she has performed.

[0065] An operating method according to aspect 7 of the present invention includes the steps of detecting the direction of a force or moment applied to a six-axis force sensor from the output of the six-axis force sensor, and generating an operation signal for an object to be operated according to the detected direction.

[0066] According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize an operation method that can reduce the number of operation switches with a simpler configuration than the prior art.

[0067] An operation program according to aspect 8 of the present invention is an operation program for causing a computer to function as the operation system described in any one of aspects 1 to 6, and is an operation program for causing a computer to function as the control unit.

[0068] According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize an operation system that has a simpler configuration than the prior art and that can reduce the number of operation switches.

[0069] An operating device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes a six-axis force sensor and a rod that transmits an applied force or moment to a strain-generating element of the six-axis force sensor.

[0070] According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize an operating device that has a simpler configuration than the prior art and that can reduce the number of operating switches.

[0071] [Additional Notes] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1...operation system, 10...6-axis force sensor, 11...strain element, 12...base portion, 15...rod body, 16...support portion, 20...operation portion, 30...control portion, 31...direction detection portion, 32...power detection portion, 33...operation signal generation portion, 34...display signal generation portion, 35...input / output portion, 50...center console, 60...instrument panel, 62...operation display portion

Claims

1. A six-axis force sensor; a rod body that transmits the received force or moment to the strain element of the six-axis force sensor; a control unit that detects the direction of the force or moment received by the rod body based on the output of the six-axis force sensor before generating an operation signal for a moving body that is an operation target, and generates the operation signal according to the detected direction as a result of applying the force or moment to the rod body in the same direction multiple times; The control unit detects the direction of the force or moment in the operation selection stage, which is the same direction, and the direction of the force or moment in the operation decision stage, and then generates the operation signal for the direction of the force or moment detected in the operation selection stage, and in the operation decision stage, determines the operation when a force directed downward is applied to the rod body. Operation system.

2. The operation system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit detects a magnitude of a force or moment applied to the rod body, and generates the operation signal according to a direction and a magnitude of the detected force or moment.

3. 3. The operation system according to claim 1, wherein at least the six-axis force sensor and the rod body are arranged on a steering wheel or a center console of the mobile object.

4. The operation system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit generates a display signal that displays a type of the operation signal to be generated.

5. a step of detecting the direction of a force or moment applied to the six-axis force sensor multiple times from an output of the six-axis force sensor, detecting the direction of the force or moment at an operation selection stage and the direction of the force or moment at an operation decision stage; generating an operation signal for an operation object according to the direction of the force or moment detected in the selection stage of the operation; Including, The direction is a direction to which an operation to be executed is assigned, and after applying the force or moment in the same direction in the operation selection stage and in the direction in the operation decision stage, the operation signal is generated according to the detected direction, and in the operation decision stage, the operation is decided when a force directed downward is applied to the rod; Including operation instructions.

6. 5. An operation program for causing a computer to function as the operation system according to claim 1, wherein the operation program causes the computer to function as the control unit.

7. A six-axis force sensor; a rod body that transmits the received force or moment to the strain element of the six-axis force sensor; a control unit that detects the direction of a force or moment received by the rod body and the magnitude of the force or moment based on the output of the six-axis force sensor before generating an operation signal for an object to be operated, and generates the operation signal according to the detected direction and magnitude as a result of applying the force or moment to the rod body in the same direction multiple times; the operation signal is a signal for controlling a state of an in-vehicle device of a moving body, The control unit detects the direction of the force or moment in the operation selection stage, which is the same as the direction of the force or moment in the operation decision stage, and then generates the operation signal for the direction of the force or moment detected in the operation selection stage. In the operation decision stage, the control unit determines the operation when a downward force is applied to the rod. Operation system.

8. The operation system according to claim 7 , wherein the control unit does not generate the operation signal when the direction of the force or moment is detected only once.

9. a step of detecting the direction of a force or moment applied to the six-axis force sensor multiple times from an output of the six-axis force sensor, detecting the direction of the force or moment at an operation selection stage and the direction of the force or moment at an operation decision stage; generating an operation signal for an in-vehicle device of a moving object that is an operation target according to the direction of the force or moment detected in the selection stage of the operation; Including, The direction is a direction to which an operation to be executed is assigned, and after applying the force or moment in the same direction in the operation selection stage and in the direction in the operation decision stage, the operation signal is generated according to the detected direction, and in the operation decision stage, the operation is decided when a force directed downward is applied to the rod; Including, how to operate.

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