In-vehicle device control device and in-vehicle device control method

Abstract

To provide an air-conditioning control device improved in operability.SOLUTION: In an air-conditioning control device according to the embodiment, a controller 30 makes a touch panel-type display 10 display a display screen including an image 50 of a seat and an image 40 of a reference region, which when touch operation to the display screen on the display 10 has a direction from the image 40 of the reference region towards the image 50 of the seat, outputs a control command to increase air volumes of air blown from an air conditioner 20, and when the touch operation has a direction going from the seat towards the reference region, outputs a control command to decrease air volumes of air blown from the air conditioner 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention provides In-vehicle device control Equipment and In-vehicle device control This relates to the method. [Background technology]

[0002] A touch-type operation input device for a vehicle is known that changes the temperature and airflow settings for controlling an air conditioner by continuously touching the touch surface. For example, the input device described in Patent Document 1 includes a driving state determination means for determining whether the vehicle is driving, a touch operation input means for accepting continuously touching operations, and a control means for changing control parameters. The temperature setting screen displayed on the screen display unit displays memory images at equal intervals around a rotation axis, and a pointer image that rotates around the rotation axis to point to the memory images. The pointer image can be moved by sliding the touch surface. The current settings of the control parameters indicating the temperature and airflow settings can be changed by changing the position of the pointer image. Although the operation to change the control parameter settings is the same when the vehicle is driving and when it is stopped, the changes made differ. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-97519 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned touch-type operation input device for a vehicle, the temperature setting screen displayed on the screen display unit only displays a memory indicating the temperature value and a pointer image pointing to the memory, which means that the user cannot intuitively grasp which part of the vehicle's air conditioning is being controlled, resulting in low operability.

[0005] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to improve operability. In-vehicle device control Equipment and In-vehicle device control The purpose is to provide a method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides Target area corresponding to multiple control targets Images and base A display screen including the quasi-region image is displayed on a touch panel display, and a touch operation on the display screen of the display is performed from the reference region image to the reference region image. Target Area If the direction is toward the image, a control command is output to increase the control amount of the in-vehicle device, and the touch operation Target Area When the direction is from the image toward the reference area image, the above problem is solved by outputting a control command to reduce the control amount of the in-vehicle device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, by touching the display screen, In-vehicle This improves operability when operating the device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an air conditioning control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of a dashboard equipped with the display of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display screen of the display of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the display screen of the display of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen of the display of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the display screen of the display of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the temperature display and the set temperature. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display screen of a display in an air conditioning control system according to a modified example of this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of an air conditioning control system according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an air conditioning control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioning control system 1 is a system mounted on a vehicle, and includes a display 10, air conditioning equipment 20, and a controller 30. The air conditioning control system 1 according to this embodiment accepts touch operations via the touch panel display 10 and controls the air conditioning equipment 20 based on the touch operations.

[0010] The display 10 is a touch panel type display mounted on a vehicle. The touch panel type display 10 is equipped with a pressure sensor and detects a touch operation by a user by measuring the pressure applied to the display 10 during a touch operation from a resistance value, voltage, or the like. The mechanism of the pressure sensor is not particularly limited, and any method known at the time of filing may be used as appropriate. The touch panel is not limited to a pressure sensitive type, and other types, such as an electrostatic type, may also be used. FIG. 2 is a front view of the vicinity of a dashboard equipped with a touch panel. As shown in FIG. 2, the display 10 is a display (center display) on the front portion of the dashboard and is disposed between the driver's seat and the passenger seat. The display 10 is disposed in a position where it can be touched by both a passenger sitting in the driver's seat (hereinafter also referred to as the "driver") and a passenger sitting in the passenger seat (hereinafter also referred to as the "passenger seat passenger"). As will be described later, the air conditioning device 20 can blow air independently to the driver and the front passenger, and by arranging the display 10 in a position where the driver and the front passenger can touch it, the driver and the front passenger can independently operate the air conditioning in the seating space. In the following description, the air conditioning device 20 refers to a device that adjusts the temperature in the seating space and a device that prevents the windows from fogging up, and is equivalent to a so-called air conditioner. Furthermore, the display 10 does not necessarily need to be arranged in a position where both the driver and the front passenger can touch it; for example, it may be arranged in a position where only the driver can touch it. Furthermore, the display 10 is not limited to being arranged on the dashboard, and may be arranged in a position where, for example, the rear seat passengers can touch it.

[0011] The occupant selects an operation for the air conditioner 20 from a menu screen by touching the display 10 with a finger or an operating device that replaces a finger, and a screen for operating the air conditioner 20 is displayed. Note that the following description mainly describes touch operations using a finger, but in this embodiment, touch operations using an operating device instead of a finger may also be performed. The occupant operates the air conditioner 20 by touching the display screen of the display 10. A touch operation is a pointing operation performed by a gesture using a finger, such as touching an icon or button displayed on the display 10 with a finger or bringing a finger close to an icon or button. Touch operations include tapping (touching the screen once), double tapping (touching the screen twice), long tapping (pressing and holding the screen), swiping (sliding a finger that has touched the screen across the screen (tracing the finger)), flicking (moving a finger that has touched the screen across the screen in a quick, flicking motion), pinching in / pinch out (touching the screen with two fingers and moving the two fingers closer / farther apart), etc. The touch operation is not limited to a first gesture in which a finger touches one or more points on the screen, but may also include a second gesture in which the finger moves the contact point while touching the screen. Furthermore, the touch operation does not have to directly touch the display screen, and may be so-called hovering, in which a finger or the like approaches the display screen. Note that the operation method for the touch operation is not limited to these and may be other methods. Note that the following description will mainly explain the embodiment using a touch operation when a finger or the like directly touches the display screen as an example, but in the case of hovering, the following description of "finger contact" can be replaced with "hovering."

[0012] The air conditioning equipment 20 is an air conditioner that adjusts the temperature inside the vehicle cabin. The air conditioning equipment 20 is composed of an air conditioning system including a compressor and other components, and has an outlet that blows air into the passenger seating area, a defroster for defrosting the windshield and / or side windows, and other components. The outlets are provided on the dashboard or the bottom of the dashboard. The dashboard outlet is a front outlet and is arranged to blow air toward the front of the seats. The dashboard outlet is a bottom outlet and is arranged to blow air toward the bottom of the seats. The air direction changes depending on the orientation of the fins inside the outlet. The defroster has an outlet that blows air from the front part of the dashboard along the windshield and outputs the air generated by the air conditioning system.

[0013] The controller 30 is configured by a computer equipped with hardware and software, and includes a memory storing programs and a CPU for executing the programs stored in the memory. The controller 30 has a display control unit 31 and an air conditioning control unit 32 as functional blocks, and programs for implementing the functions of the display control unit 31 and the air conditioning control unit 32 are stored in the memory. The computer included in the controller 30 executes the programs to implement the functions of the functional blocks. The controller 30 is also connected to the display 10 and the air conditioning unit 20 via a CAN communication network or the like, and controls the air conditioning unit 20 as a control target in addition to the display 10. The controller 30 has control blocks for controlling various systems in the vehicle cabin, such as a function for controlling the audio system, in addition to the display 10 and the air conditioning unit 20, and controls other in-vehicle devices in addition to the display 10 and the air conditioning unit 20. Note that various systems included in the vehicle are controlled by multiple ECUs, and in FIG. 1, the multiple ECUs are illustrated as the controller 30. Note that a device including the controller 30 corresponds to the "air conditioning control device" of the present invention.

[0014] The display control unit 31 controls the display screen of the display 10. When the display control unit 31 detects a touch operation on the display, it accepts an operation command corresponding to the position of the touch operation on the display screen and the type of touch operation. The display control unit 31 generates an image that represents the operating status of the air conditioner 20 on the display screen and outputs it to the display 10. The operating status of the air conditioner 20 is displayed so that it can be identified by the occupant by changing the shape, color, pattern, animation, etc. of the image included on the display screen. The display control unit 31 also outputs the accepted operation command to the air conditioning control unit 32.

[0015] The air conditioning control unit 32 controls the air conditioner 20 based on touch operations. The air conditioning control unit 32 identifies a control item from the content of the touch operation, and controls the system on / off, selection of an air outlet, and the volume, temperature, and direction of the air blown out from the air outlet according to the identified control item. The air conditioning control unit 32 outputs a control command according to the control item to the air conditioner 20. The control items, such as air volume setting, air direction setting, temperature setting, and selection of an air outlet, are determined in advance according to the specifications of the air conditioner. The control item is selected by touch operations on the display 10 or by switches provided on the vehicle. The air conditioning control unit 32 also manages the operating state of the air conditioner 20 and the environment inside the vehicle cabin. The environment inside the vehicle cabin is managed using a temperature sensor, etc.

[0016] The control of the air conditioner 20 by the air conditioning control unit 32 and the control of the display screen by the display control unit 31 are associated by an application (software). The display control unit 31 accepts an operation command via a touch operation on the display screen, and the air conditioning control unit 32 identifies a control item corresponding to the operation command and outputs a control command corresponding to the control item to the air conditioner 20. Furthermore, when the air conditioning control unit 32 changes the operation of the air conditioner 20 in accordance with the temperature environment in the vehicle cabin while the air conditioner 20 is being controlled in an automatic setting, the air conditioning control unit 32 sends a signal indicating the changed operating state to the display control unit 31. The display control unit 31 displays the current operating state of the air conditioner 20 on the display 10 based on the signal received from the air conditioning control unit 32. This allows the occupant to operate the air conditioner 20 using the display 10 and check the operating state of the air conditioner 20 from the display screen of the display 10.

[0017] Next, a control method for air conditioners 20 using display 10 and a display screen of display 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5. Figs. 3 to 5 show the display screen of display 10, which is an operation screen for controlling air conditioners 20. The control method described below is effective when the display screen of display 10 displays an operation screen for air conditioners 20. The display screen of display 10 is displayed in landscape orientation. The display screens shown in Figs. 3 to 5 are displayed when operating air conditioners 20 at the front of the vehicle. In Figs. 3 to 5, the x-axis represents the width direction (left-right direction) of the vehicle, the y-axis represents the depth in the traveling direction (forward direction) of the vehicle, and the z-axis represents the height direction (up-down direction).

[0018] When the occupant turns on the main switch of the display 10, the display control unit 31 displays a top screen on the display 10. The occupant touches "Air Conditioner" as an operation target from the menu displayed on the top screen, and the display 10 detects the touch operation. The controller 30 launches an application for operating the air conditioner 20. Note that the application for controlling the air conditioner 20 may be launched before selecting "Air Conditioner". The display control unit 31 outputs a control command to the display 10 to display the display screens shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 on the display 10. Note that when operating the air conditioner 20, the initial display screen of the display 10 may display the items set at the previous time. For example, the air volume, air direction, temperature, etc., when the air conditioner 20 finished operating last time are displayed on the current initial display screen. Alternatively, if the operation of the air conditioner 20 is determined by initial setting, the operation content of the initial setting is displayed on the current initial display screen. The initial setting may be changeable by the occupant or may be changed by the system.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3 , the display screen of the display 10 includes a main switch button 11, a mode switch button 12, a steering wheel icon 13, a reference area image 40, seat images 50, a synchronization switch button 70, temperature adjustment bars 81 and 82, and temperature display images 91 and 92. The main switch button 11 is a button for switching the air conditioner 20 on and off by touch operation. The button display is outlined in white when in the off state, and the outlined portion is orange when in the on state. Note that in the following description, the on and off indications of other button icons are also similarly represented in outlined white and orange. The mode switch button 12 is a switch for switching the operating mode (AUTO, MANUAL) of the air conditioner 20. The steering wheel icon 13 is located on the right side of the display screen, indicating that the seat on the right side is the driver's seat. Note that icons and buttons displayed on the display screen define areas that enable touch operation for controlling the air conditioner 20 depending on their type. Therefore, the user can operate the air conditioner 20 by touching the icons and buttons.

[0020] The reference area image 40 is an image within a predetermined range with the center point of the display screen as its center, and includes at least a fan icon 41. The fan icon 41 is represented by a graphic resembling an air outlet (fan) in the center of the display screen. In other words, the fan icon 41 is an icon resembling the air conditioning equipment 20 to be controlled. The display screen of the display 10 includes the reference area image 40 representing the reference area and a seat image 50 representing a seat. The reference area is an area set to determine the direction for performing a touch operation having a certain direction (vector), such as a tap, swipe, or flick (hereinafter also referred to as a directional touch operation). In other words, when a directional touch operation is performed on the display screen for adjusting the air volume, as described below, the reference area is provided to indicate the position where a finger will touch during the directional touch operation, or the direction of the finger's movement, on the display screen. In other words, the directional touch operation may be a touch operation in which the movement of a contact point of a finger or the like associated with the touch operation has a vector. In the examples of FIGS. 3 to 5, the reference area is a vertically elongated area (area surrounded by a dotted ellipse) with a fan icon (fan shape) 41 at the center. The reference area is defined as a closed space such as a rectangle, a circle, or an ellipse. The reference area image does not necessarily need to be an image that allows the occupant to recognize the boundary of the reference area, as long as it includes at least the fan icon 41. In other words, the reference area should be set on the display screen so that the occupant can identify the direction in which to move their finger and / or the position where their finger will first touch when operating the screen with a directional touch operation.

[0021] The seat image 50 is depicted as the seat appears when viewed from the rear. The seat image 50 includes a right seat image 51 and a left seat image 52. If the vehicle's traveling direction (forward direction) is the front, the right seat image 51 represents the right seat (driver's seat), and the left seat image 52 represents the left seat (passenger seat). The seat image 50 corresponds to an icon indicating the user's position. For example, the right seat image 51 indicates the driver's position. The reference area image 40 is positioned between the right seat image 51 and the left seat image 52 on the display screen. The right seat image 51 and the left seat image 52 are displayed on the display screen in an arrangement that is the same as when the right seat and the left seat are viewed from the rear. The left and right seat images 51, 52 and the fan icon 41 are displayed in a front-to-back positional relationship in the y-axis direction so as to have depth on the display screen. The left and right seat images 51, 52 are displayed so that each seat faces the front fan icon 41 by rotating the right seat counterclockwise around the z axis and the left seat clockwise around the z axis by a predetermined angle (for example, a range of 10 to 45 degrees) from the front. In other words, the reference area image 40 and the left and right seat images 51, 52 are arranged so that the left and right seats face the reference area on the display screen. This allows a passenger looking at the display screen to visually grasp from the display 10 that the left and right seats are facing the front fan icon 41.

[0022] The positional relationship in the z-axis direction of the reference area image 40 and the seat image 50 will be described. The right seat image 51 and the left seat image 52 are displayed on the display screen at the same height in the z-axis direction. The fan icon 41 is displayed on the display screen so as to be at the same height as the chests of the left and right seat images 51 and 52 in the z-axis direction. As will be described later, an image (icon) showing the airflow from the air conditioning equipment 20 is displayed between the reference area image 40 and the seat image 50. The heights of the reference area and the seat images are defined so that the area between the fan icon 41 and the chest of the seat image 50, as well as an upper area and a lower area relative to this area, can be distinguished on the display screen.

[0023] Next, the display of the air blowing from the air conditioner 20 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a right-side wind image 61 is displayed between the reference area image 40 and the right seat image 51, and a left-side wind image 62 is displayed between the reference area image 40 and the left seat image 52. The right-side wind image 61 is an image of air blowing from the air conditioner 20 toward the right seat, and the left-side wind image 62 is an image of air blowing from the air conditioner 20 toward the left seat. The right-side wind image 61 is displayed in touch areas 610 to 630, respectively, which will be described later, and the left-side wind image 62 is displayed in touch areas 640 to 660, respectively, which will be described later. The right-side wind image 61 and the left-side wind image 62 are not displayed when the air volume level is "0" and are displayed when the air volume level is higher than "0". The right-side wind image 61 and the left-side wind image 62 indicate whether or not air is blowing, and the occupant can easily determine whether or not air is blowing based on whether or not the right-side wind image 61 and the left-side wind image 62 are displayed.

[0024] The reference area image 40 includes a "+" icon 42 and a "-" icon 43 in addition to the fan icon 41 described above. The "+" icon 42 is a button for increasing the airflow rate, and the "-" icon 43 is a button for decreasing the airflow rate. When the occupant touches the "+" icon 42 once on the display screen, the airflow rate increases by one level, and when the occupant touches the "-" icon 43 once, the airflow rate decreases by one level. The airflow level increases or decreases depending on the number of touches. When the "+" icon 42 is touched with a long tap, the airflow level becomes the maximum value, and when the "-" icon 43 is touched with a long tap, the airflow level becomes zero or the minimum value (greater than 0).

[0025] The area between the reference area image 40 and the right seat image 51 is divided into a touch area 610 between the fan icon 41 and the chest of the right seat image 51, a touch area 620 between the "+" icon 42 and the head of the right seat image 51, and a touch area 630 between the "-" icon 43 and the lower part (seat portion) of the right seat image 51. The touch area 610 is an area for controlling the airflow from the front air outlet to the right seat, the touch area 620 is an area for controlling the defroster, and the touch area 630 is an area for controlling the airflow from the lower air outlet to the lower part of the right seat. In other words, the control target of the air conditioning device 20 changes depending on the position of the touch operation. For example, when the occupant wants to adjust the volume of airflow from the front air outlet to the right seat, the occupant simply touches the touch area 610. Note that a specific operation method for adjusting the volume of airflow will be described later. The area between the reference area image 40 and the left seat image 52 is also divided into touch areas 640, 650, and 660. Touch area 640 is an area for controlling the airflow from the front air outlet to the left seat, touch area 650 is an area for controlling the defroster, and touch area 660 is an area for controlling the airflow from the bottom air outlet to the bottom of the left seat. On the display screen, touch areas 610 and 640 are adjacent to fan icon 41, touch areas 620 and 650 are adjacent to "+" icon 42, and touch areas 630 and 660 are adjacent to "-" icon 43.

[0026] A wind icon 611 representing wind blowing in front of the right seat, a defroster icon 621 representing a defroster, and a wind icon 631 representing wind blowing in the lower part of the right seat surface are displayed on the display screen of the display 10. On the display screen of the display 10, the wind icon 611 is displayed between the fan icon 41 and the chest of the right seat image 51, the defroster icon 621 is displayed between the "+" icon 42 and the head of the right seat image 51, and the wind icon 631 is displayed between the "-" icon 43 and the lower part (seat surface) of the right seat image 51. The wind icons 611 and 631 are represented by arrows, and the direction of the arrows points from the reference area image 40 to the right seat image 51.

[0027] A wind icon 641 representing wind blowing in front of the left seat, a defroster icon 651 representing a defroster, and a wind icon 661 representing wind blowing in the lower part of the left seat surface are displayed on the display screen of display 10. On the display screen of display 10, wind icon 641 is displayed between fan icon 41 and the chest of left seat image 52, defroster icon 651 is displayed between "+" icon 42 and the head of left seat image 52, and wind icon 661 is displayed between "-" icon 43 and the lower part (seat surface) of left seat image 52. Wind icons 641 and 661 are represented by arrows, and the direction of the arrows points from reference area image 40 to left seat image 52.

[0028] Wind icons 611, 631, 641, and 661 are displayed in touch areas 610, 630, 640, and 660, respectively, to visually indicate to the occupant that the airflow from the air outlets to the front and bottom of the seats can be adjusted by touching touch areas 610, 630, 640, and 660. Defroster icons 621 and 651 are displayed in touch areas 620 and 650, respectively, to visually indicate to the occupant that the defroster can be adjusted by touching touch areas 620 and 650. The orientation of wind icons 611, 631, 641, and 661 indicates the direction of directional touch operation to increase the airflow.

[0029] Next, the operation method for adjusting the air volume and the display format of the air volume will be described. Touch areas 610 to 660 represent areas where touch operations for operating the air conditioner 20 are enabled independently for each area. That is, touch area 610 represents an area where touch operations for adjusting the airflow from the front air outlet to the right-hand passenger are enabled. Touch areas 620 and 650 represent areas where touch operations for controlling the defroster are enabled. Touch area 630 represents an area where touch operations for adjusting the airflow from the lower air outlet to the right-hand passenger are enabled. Touch areas 640 and 660, like touch areas 610 and 630, represent areas where touch operations for adjusting the airflow from the air outlet to the left-hand passenger are enabled.

[0030] A control target to be operated can be selected by performing a touch operation on an area corresponding to the control target to be operated from among the touch areas 610 to 660. The control target corresponds to the device from which air is to be output among the entire air conditioning equipment 20. For example, if an occupant wants to adjust the airflow from the front air outlet to the right seat, the occupant touches the touch area 610. Note that the touch operation for selecting the control target does not need to be a directional touch operation, and may be a touch operation that does not have a direction (a fixed direction (vector)), such as a tap. The strength of the airflow can be changed depending on the direction of the directional touch operation within the touch area. When the directional touch operation is performed in a direction from the reference area image 40 to the seat image 50, the volume of airflow emitted from the air conditioning equipment 20 increases. On the other hand, when the directional touch operation is performed in a direction from the seat image 50 to the reference area image 40, the volume of airflow emitted from the air conditioning equipment 20 decreases. For example, if a right-side passenger wants to increase the volume of air coming out of the front air outlets, the passenger touches within touch area 610 and moves their finger in the direction from fan icon 41 toward right seat image 51 while still touching. Also, for example, if a left-side passenger wants to decrease the volume of air coming out of the bottom air outlets, the passenger touches within touch area 660 and moves their finger in the direction from left seat image 52 toward "-" icon 43 while still touching.

[0031] As described above, a control target of the air conditioner 20 is selected by touching one of the multiple touch areas 610 to 660. When the touch operation is performed in a direction from the reference area image 40 to the seat image 50 on the display screen, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs to the air conditioner 20 a control signal that increases the volume of airflow emitted from the air conditioner 20. When the touch operation is performed in a direction from the seat image 50 to the reference area image 40 on the display screen, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs to the air conditioner 20 a control signal that decreases the volume of airflow emitted from the air conditioner 20. In this way, the selection of the control target and the adjustment of the output from the control target are performed by a touch operation, which includes a first gesture and a second gesture. Examples of the first gesture and the second gesture include a combination of a tap and a swipe, only a swipe or a flick, two swipes or two flicks, or a combination of a swipe and a flick. The first gesture refers to a finger movement that includes at least contact between the finger and the display screen. The second gesture refers to a finger movement in a certain direction. For example, in a touch operation that combines a tap and a swipe, the first tap corresponds to the first gesture, and the second swipe corresponds to the second gesture. That is, in a combination of two touch operations, the first gesture is an operation of touching a point on the display screen, such as touching or hovering. The second gesture is an operation of moving the contact point of the finger on the display screen in a certain direction, such as swiping or flicking. In addition, in the case of only a swipe or flick as an example of a single touch operation, the movement of the finger contacting the display screen for the swipe or flick corresponds to the first gesture, and the movement of the finger after contact (sliding the finger for a swipe, flicking the finger for a flick) corresponds to the second gesture. Another example of performing two touch operations is performing two swipes or two flicks, or a combination of a swipe and a flick, where the first swipe or flick corresponds to the first gesture and the second swipe or flick corresponds to the second gesture. Note that the first and second gestures are not limited to touches, swipes, and flicks, and may be finger movements in other touch operations such as long taps.

[0032] The display 10 detects a first gesture and a second gesture from touch operations in the multiple touch areas 610 to 660. When the display 10 detects a first gesture in the touch areas 610 to 660, the air conditioning control unit 32 selects a control target corresponding to the detected touch area 610 to 660. For example, when the display 10 detects the first gesture in the touch area 610, the air conditioning control unit 32 selects, as the control target, one of the air conditioners 20 that blows air from the front air outlet to the right seat. When the display 10 detects a second gesture in the touch areas 610 to 660 and the second gesture is directed away from the fan icon 41, the air conditioning control unit 32 increases the control amount of the selected air conditioner 20. On the other hand, when the display 10 detects a second gesture in the touch areas 610 to 660 and the second gesture is in a direction toward the fan icon 41, the air conditioning control unit 32 decreases the control amount of the selected air conditioner 20. The control amount is the air volume. This allows the air volume to be adjusted by touch operation. Note that the control amount is not limited to the air volume, and may be, for example, air speed, temperature, etc.

[0033] The air conditioning control unit 32 may also adjust the amount of increase or decrease in the airflow depending on the operation amount and / or operation speed of the directional touch operation within the touch areas 610 to 660. That is, the air conditioning control unit 32 increases the amount of increase or decrease in the airflow emitted from the air conditioner 20 as the operation amount of the directional touch operation (equivalent to the movement distance of the contacting finger in a swipe) increases. The air conditioning control unit 32 also increases the amount of increase or decrease in the airflow emitted from the air conditioner 20 as the operation speed of the directional touch operation (equivalent to the movement speed of the contacting finger in a swipe, or the movement speed of the finger when flicking) increases.

[0034] The air conditioning control unit 32 may also select a control target in the air conditioning control unit 32 and / or adjust the amount of airflow in response to touch operations within the touch areas 610 to 660. For example, when touch area 610 among the touch areas 610 to 660 is touched with a finger, the air conditioning control unit 32 selects the air conditioner 20 that outputs air from the front air outlet toward the right seat as the control target, and controls the output of air from the front air outlet toward the right seat. The air conditioning control unit 32 may increase the airflow level depending on the number of touch operations. When the touch operation is performed twice, the air conditioning control unit 32 may increase the airflow level by two levels. In this way, when touch areas 610 and 640 are touched, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs a control command to control the output of air from the front air outlet. When touch areas 620 and 650 are touched, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs a control command to control the defroster. When touch areas 630 and 660 are touched, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs a control command to control the output of air from the lower air outlet.

[0035] The airflow volume from the defroster, front air outlets, and lower air outlets is indicated by scales in touch areas 610-660. Touch areas 610-660 include scales that indicate the magnitude of the airflow volume. The display screen in FIG. 3 shows a state in which the defroster, front air outlets, and lower air outlets are all at zero. The display screen in FIG. 4 shows a state in which the front air outlets are blowing airflow at a volume level of "3" toward the right and left seats, respectively, and no airflow is being blown from the defroster and lower air outlets. The display screen in FIG. 5 shows a state in which the front air outlets are blowing airflow at a volume level of "6" toward the right and left seats, respectively, and no airflow is being blown from the defroster and lower air outlets.

[0036] In the display screen of FIG. 3, no wind is blowing from the defroster, front air outlets, or lower air outlets, and therefore wind images 61 and 62 are not displayed on the display screen. In the display screens of FIGS. 4 and 5, wind is blowing from the front air outlets toward the left and right seats, so wind images 61 and 62 are displayed in areas 610 and 640. Also, in the display screens of FIGS. 4 and 5, wind is not blowing from the defroster or lower air outlets, so wind images 61 and 62 are not displayed in areas 620, 630, 650, and 660. Thus, wind images 61 and 62 are displayed in each touch area 610 and 640. This makes it easy to understand which air outlet is blowing wind from, which seat (left or right) the wind is blowing toward, and which air outlet is not blowing wind from. The length and number of wind images 61 and 62 may be changed depending on the air volume level. For example, the higher the air volume level, the longer the length of wind images 61 and 62 may be. Furthermore, the higher the wind volume level, the more wind images 61, 62 may be displayed. If the wind volume level differs for each of the touch areas 610 to 660, the length and number of wind images 61, 62 may differ for each area depending on the level. Note that wind images 61, 62 may be displayed even when there is no wind, as in the example of FIG. 3.

[0037] Six scales can be displayed within the touch areas 610-660 to indicate seven airflow levels ranging from "0" to "6." The six scales are represented by a wave pattern extending from the reference area to the left and right seats, and the number of airflow images 610a displayed represents the airflow level. When the airflow level is zero, all airflow images 610a are displayed in white. When the airflow level is greater than zero, the airflow images 610a are displayed in a color other than white depending on the airflow level. The number of airflow images 610a represents the wave pattern and the airflow level, with one airflow image 610a representing one scale. The number of airflow images 610a can be changed for each of the touch areas 610-660. Note that in FIGS. 3-5, due to the color of the paper, the airflow images 610a are displayed with a dot pattern rather than in white. However, the background of the display screen may be black and the airflow images 610a may be filled in white. Furthermore, a pattern is formed by arranging multiple air volume images 610a. When the air volume level is zero, all of the air volume images 610a in the touch areas 610 to 660 are displayed in white. As shown in FIG. 4, when air at air volume level "3" is being blown from the front air outlets to the left and right seats, three air volume images 610a are displayed in a color other than white in the areas 610 and 640, forming a three-part pattern. In the areas 610 and 640, the air volume images 610a corresponding to the scales for air volume levels "4 to 6" remain displayed in white. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, since no air is being blown from the defroster and the lower air outlets, all of the air volume images 610a in the touch areas 620, 630, 650, and 660 are displayed in white. When the airflow level of the airflow from the front air outlets to the left and right seats is changed from 3 to 6, the display screen changes from the display form shown in FIG. 4 to the display form shown in FIG. 5, and the number of patterns displayed in the touch areas 610 and 640 increases from 3 to 6. The display order of the multiple airflow images 610a corresponds to the wind direction, and they are displayed starting from the side closest to the reference area. That is, the display screen of the display 10 includes the airflow image 610a represented by patterns between the reference area image 40 and the seat image 50, and the number of patterns displayed from the reference area image 40 toward the seat image 50 increases as the airflow increases. This allows the occupant to visually grasp the airflow level from the number and length of the patterns.In this embodiment, when no air is coming out of the air outlet, the air volume image 610a is displayed in white, and when air is coming out of the air outlet, the air volume image 610a is displayed in a color other than white according to the air volume level. This makes the scale visible, making it easier to understand when no air is coming out and the air volume level when air is coming out. Note that the pattern formed by the air volume image 610a is not limited to a wave pattern, and may be other patterns such as a gradation pattern or a striped pattern.

[0038] In this embodiment, the air volume image 610a is displayed for each of the touch areas 610 to 660 according to the air volume level of the air coming out of each air outlet. That is, in the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, in the touch areas 610 and 640, scales corresponding to the air volume levels are displayed in the air volume image 610a in a color other than white. Furthermore, in the touch areas 620, 630, 650, and 660, all scales are displayed in white as the air volume image 610a. This allows the occupant to know from the display screen that air is coming out of the front air outlets toward the left and right seats and the air volume level. The occupant can also know that air is not coming out of the defroster and lower air outlets. That is, the occupant can easily know which air outlet is blowing air, which seat the air is blowing toward, and which air outlet is not blowing air. The air volume level can also be easily understood for each area.

[0039] In this embodiment, the display of the wind images 61, 62 and the wind volume image 610a is controlled for each of the touch areas 610 to 660, but it is not necessary to control them separately for each of the areas 610 to 660. For example, if wind at a wind volume level of "3" is blowing from the front air outlet toward the right seat and no wind is blowing from the defroster and the lower air outlet, the wind image 61 may be displayed in the areas 610 to 630, and three wind volume images 610a may be displayed in a color other than white in the areas 610 to 630.

[0040] Note that a directional touch operation for adjusting the airflow volume may be performed at any position within the touch areas 610 to 660. In other words, if the position coordinates of the touch position when touching the display screen move relatively within the touch areas 610 to 660, or in other words, if the touch position can be confirmed anywhere within the touch areas 610 to 660, the directional touch operation is detected as an operation for adjusting the airflow volume. For example, if a right-side passenger wants to increase or decrease the volume of air coming out of the front air outlet, the passenger may touch a portion of the touch area 610 near the fan icon 41 or a portion of the touch area 610 near the right seat image 51. The passenger may then change the direction of the directional touch operation depending on whether the airflow volume is to be increased or decreased. Furthermore, the passenger may change the amount and / or speed of the directional touch operation depending on the amount of increase or decrease in the airflow volume. This allows the passenger to touch any portion of the touch areas 610 to 660 to adjust the airflow volume.

[0041] Furthermore, air volume adjustment by directional touch operation may be changed according to the touch position within the touch areas 610 to 660. In other words, when a directional touch operation is performed within the touch areas 610 to 660, the air volume increases or decreases up to the scale that corresponds to the end position of the touch operation. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, if an occupant performs a directional touch operation within the touch area 610 and the touch position moves from the first scale to the third scale, the air conditioning control unit 32 sets the air volume level of the air from the front air outlet to 3. This allows the air volume level to be changed according to the touch position within the touch areas 610 to 660.

[0042] Next, the synchronization switch button 70 will be described. The synchronization switch button 70 is a switch for synchronously adjusting the right seat airflow directed from the air conditioning device 20 to the right seat and the left seat airflow directed from the air conditioning device 20 to the left seat. When the synchronization switch button 70 is on, the occupant can adjust the output of both the right seat airflow and the left seat airflow by touching the touch areas 610 to 660. When the synchronization switch button 70 is off, the occupant cannot adjust the output of both the right seat airflow and the left seat airflow by touching the touch areas 610 to 660, but can adjust the output of the airflow corresponding to the touched area. For example, when the synchronization switch button 70 is on and a directional touch operation is performed within the touch area 610 from the reference area image 40 to the right seat image 51, in addition to the airflow output from the front air outlet to the right seat, the airflow output from the front air outlet to the left seat is adjusted in accordance with the directional touch operation. The airflow direction and airflow volume level are also adjusted synchronously for the left and right airflows. Furthermore, for example, when airflow is not being output from the lower air outlets toward the left and right seats and the synchronization switch button 70 is on and the occupant touches the touch area 660, the airflow from the lower air outlet toward the left seat and the airflow from the front air outlet toward the left seat may be output synchronously. That is, when the synchronization switch button 70 is on, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs a control command to the air conditioner 20 to control the output of both the right seat airflow and the left seat airflow in response to a touch operation. When the synchronization switch button 70 is off, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs a control command to the air conditioner 20 to control the output of either the right seat airflow or the left seat airflow in response to a touch operation. This allows the occupant to adjust both the airflows from the air conditioner 20 toward the left and right seats by touching either the left or right area of ​​the reference area on the display screen. In this embodiment, the air volume blown toward the left and right seats is synchronously controlled in response to the on / off switching of the synchronization switch button 70, but it is also possible to synchronously control not only the air volume but also the air direction and temperature.In other words, when the synchronization switch button 70 is on, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs to the air conditioning equipment 20, in response to a touch operation, a control command to synchronously control the air volume of both the right seat air and the left seat air, or a control command to synchronously control the air temperature of both the right seat air and the left seat air.

[0043] Next, the image surrounding the fan icon 41 and the animation of the fan icon 41 will be described. The reference area image 40 includes multiple scales 44 surrounding the fan icon 41. The multiple scales 44 are arranged in a ring shape around the fan icon 41, with gaps between the scales 44 to distinguish them. The higher the airflow level, the more scales 44 are displayed clockwise. In the example of FIG. 4, the airflow level is 3, so three scales 44 are displayed. In the example of FIG. 5, the airflow level is 6, so six scales 44 are displayed. In other words, the multiple scales 44 increase or decrease depending on the volume of airflow toward the left and right seats. The fan icon 41 may also have an animation function that rotates depending on the speed and / or volume of airflow coming from the front and / or lower air outlets. When no air is coming out of the front and / or lower air outlets, the fan icon 41 remains stationary. When air comes out of the front air outlet and the lower air outlet, the fan icon 41 rotates. The higher the air volume level and / or air speed, the faster the rotation speed of the fan icon 41. Note that the air speed corresponds to the air volume level. Note that, regarding the display of the multiple scales 44, if the air volume toward the left seat and the air volume toward the right seat are different, the number of displayed scales 44 may correspond to the larger air volume, the smaller air volume, or the average air volume.

[0044] Next, the temperature adjustment bars 81 and 82 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the temperature adjustment bar 81 is displayed on the right side of the right seat image 51, and the temperature adjustment bar 82 is displayed on the left side of the left seat image 52. The temperature adjustment bars 81 and 82 have line segment images 81a and 82a along the z-axis and buttons 81b and 82b that can be moved on the line segments. The top ends of the line segment images 81a and 82a are displayed in red, and the bottom ends of the line segment images 81a and 82a are displayed in blue. Note that in FIGS. 3 to 5, dots are used instead of colors, and similarly in the other FIGS. 6 to 8, dots are used instead of colors. Furthermore, the line segment images 81a and 82a are displayed in a gradation that changes from red to blue from the top to the bottom. The buttons 81b and 82b on the line segments can be moved by touch operations such as tapping, swiping, and / or flicking. When buttons 81b, 82b are moved toward the upper end of the line segment by a touch operation, the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 increases. On the other hand, when buttons 81b, 82b are moved toward the lower end of the line segment by a touch operation, the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 decreases. The set temperature of the air conditioner 20 changes depending on the positions of buttons 81b, 82b included in temperature adjustment bars 81, 82. The temperature adjustment bar 81 is an adjustment icon for adjusting the set temperature of the space of the right seat. The temperature adjustment bar 82 is an adjustment icon for adjusting the set temperature of the space of the left seat. The temperature adjustment bars 81, 82 can be operated by an upward touch operation or a downward touch operation. That is, when the temperature adjustment bars 81, 82 are operated by an upward touch operation, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs a control command to increase the set temperature of the air conditioner 20, and when the temperature adjustment bars 81, 82 are operated by a downward touch operation, the air conditioning control unit 32 outputs a control command to decrease the set temperature of the air conditioner 20. This allows the occupant to easily change the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 by touching the display 10. In addition, the ends of the temperature adjustment bars 81, 82 are differentiated in red and blue, so the occupant can easily see from the display screen which direction to touch to raise or lower the temperature.

[0045] Furthermore, when the buttons 81b, 82b included in the temperature adjustment bars 81, 82 are operated by a directional touch operation, the unit of change in the set temperature may be changed depending on the operation speed of the directional touch operation. The unit of change in the set temperature is preset in multiple stages, for example, 0.5°C and 1.0°C. When the movement speed of the buttons 81b, 82b is equal to or less than a predetermined speed threshold, the air conditioning control unit 32 sets the unit of change in the set temperature (the amount of temperature change per unit) to the minimum unit (0.5°C). When the movement speed of the buttons 81b, 82b is greater than the predetermined speed threshold, the air conditioning control unit 32 sets the unit of change in the set temperature (the amount of temperature change per unit) to a unit larger than the minimum unit (for example, 1.0°C). For example, when the occupant operates the buttons 81b, 82b by swiping, if the movement speed of the buttons 81b, 82b by swiping is fast, the amount of change in the set temperature will be greater relative to the amount of movement of the buttons 81b, 82b by swiping. On the other hand, when the same swipe touch operation is performed but the movement speed of buttons 81b and 82b is slow, the amount of change in the set temperature is small even if the button movement distance in the swipe is the same. In other words, even if buttons 81b and 82b are moved the same distance, the amount of change in the set temperature varies depending on the movement speed. The faster the movement speed of the touch operation, the larger the unit of change in the set temperature, and therefore the range of change in the set temperature. This makes it easy to adjust the temperature because the unit of change in the set temperature can be adjusted by the movement speed of buttons 81b and 82b using directional touch operation.

[0046] Next, the temperature display images 91 and 92 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the temperature display image 91 is displayed to the right of the right temperature adjustment bar 81, and the temperature display image 92 is displayed to the left of the left temperature adjustment bar 82. The temperature display images 91 and 92 have temperature meters 91a and 92a, up buttons 91b and 92b, and down buttons 91c and 92c. The temperature meters 91a and 92a indicate the current set temperature. The up buttons 91b and 92b are buttons for increasing the set temperature, and the down buttons 91c and 92c are buttons for decreasing the set temperature. Touching the up buttons 91b and 92b once increases the set temperature by a predetermined increment (e.g., 0.5°C). Touching the down buttons 91c and 92c once decreases the set temperature by a predetermined increment (e.g., 0.5°C). The up buttons 91b and 92b are displayed in red, and the down buttons 91c and 92c are displayed in blue. This allows the occupant to check the current set temperature and easily change the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 by touching the display 10. In addition, since the up buttons 91b, 92b and the down buttons 91c, 92c are differentiated by red and blue, the occupant can easily see from the display screen which button to touch to increase or decrease the temperature.

[0047] Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the colors of the wave patterns displayed in the touch areas 610 to 660 will be described. The set temperatures of the air conditioner 20 can be set differently for the right and left seats. For example, in the example of FIG. 6, air is blown toward the right seat from the defroster, front air outlets, and lower air outlets, the air volume level is set to "6," and the set temperature is set to 17.0°C. Air is blown toward the left seat from the defroster, front air outlets, and lower air outlets, the air volume level is set to "6," and the set temperature is set to 30.0°C. In this case, on the display screen of the display 10, between the reference area image and the right seat image, the air volume image 610a is displayed in a color that represents a set temperature of 17.0°C. Between the reference area image and the left seat image, the air volume image 610a is displayed in a color that represents a set temperature of 30.0°C. As a result, six wave patterns are displayed to indicate the air volume level "6," and the wave patterns are colored according to the set temperature. When the airflow level is set to "3," three of the six scales on the airflow image 610a are displayed in a color according to the set temperature, and the other three scales are displayed in white. This makes it easier to recognize the scales and grasp the strength of the airflow.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a bar graph showing the relationship between the color displayed in the wave pattern and the temperature. As shown in the graph in FIG. 7, red is displayed when the set temperature is high, and blue is displayed when the set temperature is low. Furthermore, as the set temperature decreases, the color display changes from red to white and from white to blue. In the example in FIG. 7, blue is displayed when the set temperature is below 20.5°C; light blue is displayed when the set temperature is above 20.5°C but below 23.5°C; white is displayed when the set temperature is above 23.5°C but below 26.5°C; pink is displayed when the set temperature is above 26.5°C but below 29.5°C; and red is displayed when the set temperature is above 29.5°C. In the example in FIG. 6, the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 that blows air to the right seat is set to 17°C. Therefore, the wave pattern displayed in touch areas 610 and 630 is displayed in blue. Furthermore, since the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 that blows air to the left seat is set to 30°C, the wave pattern displayed in touch areas 640 and 660 is displayed in red. In this way, the display screen of the display 10 includes a color image (corresponding to the wave pattern image in FIG. 6) that indicates the magnitude of the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 by color. When the set temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature threshold, the color of the color image is red, and when the set temperature is lower than the temperature threshold, the color of the color image is blue. This allows the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 to be ascertained from the color. Note that the color display according to the set temperature is not limited to the wave pattern in the touch areas 610 to 660, but may also be applied to the numbers on the temperature meters 91a and 92a, for example. Also, in the example of FIG. 6, the color indicating the set temperature may be applied to the wind images 61 and 62 instead of the wave pattern.

[0049] As described above, in the air conditioning control system according to this embodiment, the controller 30 displays a display screen including the seat image 50 and the reference area image 40 on the touch panel display 10, and outputs a control command to increase the volume of air emitted from the air conditioner 20 when a touch operation on the display screen of the display 10 is performed in a direction from the reference area image 40 to the seat image 50, and outputs a control command to decrease the volume of air emitted from the air conditioner 20 when the touch operation is performed in a direction from the seat to the reference area. Also, in this embodiment, the air conditioning control method executed by the controller 30 outputs a control command to display a display screen including the seat image 50 and the reference area image 40 on the touch panel display 10, and outputs a control command to increase the volume of air emitted from the air conditioner 20 when a touch operation on the display screen of the display 10 is performed in a direction from the reference area image 40 to the seat image 50, and outputs a control command to decrease the volume of air emitted from the air conditioner 20 when the touch operation is performed in a direction from the seat to the reference area. This enables touch operations along the airflow or against the airflow, allowing the user to intuitively operate the air conditioner 20. As a result, operability can be improved when operating the air conditioner 20 by touching the display screen.

[0050] In this embodiment, the seat images include a right seat image 51 representing the right seat and a left seat image 52 representing the left seat when the traveling direction of the vehicle is considered to be the front. This allows the occupant to understand from the display screen of the display 10 that they can control the airflow to the left and right seats by touching the display. Furthermore, the reference area image 40 is located between the right seat image 51 and the left seat image 52 on the display screen. This allows the occupant to understand that to adjust the airflow, they can perform a directional touch operation based on the reference area image.

[0051] In this embodiment, the right seat image 51 and the left seat image 52 are displayed on the display screen in the layout of the seats as seen from the rear. This allows the occupant to grasp on the display screen the relationship between the seat positions in the vehicle cabin and the airflow to be controlled. As a result, the user can intuitively operate the air conditioner 20.

[0052] In this embodiment, the seats represented by the right seat image 51 and the left seat image 52 face the reference area image on the display screen. This allows the occupant to grasp the relationship between the position of the seats in the vehicle cabin and the airflow to be controlled on the display screen. As a result, the user can intuitively operate the air conditioner 20.

[0053] In this embodiment, the reference area image 40 includes a fan icon 41 resembling a fan and is located in the center of the display screen, the left seat image is located to the left of the reference area image on the display screen, the right seat image 51 is located to the right of the reference area image on the display screen, and the left seat image 52 is located to the left of the reference area image on the display screen. This allows the passenger to get the feeling from the display screen that the air from the fan is blowing toward the left and right seats. As a result, the user can intuitively operate the air conditioner 20.

[0054] In this embodiment, when the synchronization switch button 70 is on, the controller 30 outputs a control command in response to a touch operation to control the output of both the right seat airflow and the left seat airflow, and when the synchronization switch button 70 is off, the controller 30 outputs a control command in response to a touch operation to control the output of either the right seat airflow or the left seat airflow. When the synchronization switch button 70 is on, the controller 30 outputs a control command in response to a touch operation to control one of the airflow volume, airflow direction, and temperature of both the right seat airflow and the left seat airflow, and when the synchronization switch button 70 is off, the controller 30 outputs a control command in response to a touch operation to control one of the airflow volume, airflow direction, and temperature of either the right seat airflow or the left seat airflow. This makes it possible to switch between a mode in which the airflow from the left and right seats can be controlled synchronously and a mode in which only one airflow can be controlled.

[0055] In this embodiment, the display screen includes an air volume image represented by a pattern between the seat image 50 and the reference area image 40, and the number of patterns displayed from the reference area image toward the seat image increases as the air volume increases, allowing the user to easily grasp the air volume.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reference area image 40 includes a plurality of scales 44 surrounding a fan icon 41, and the fan icon 41 has an animation function that changes the rotation speed of the fan according to the wind speed of the air coming out of the air conditioner 20, and the plurality of scales increase and decrease according to the volume of the air coming out of the air conditioner 20. This allows the user to easily grasp the volume of the air.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display screen includes temperature adjustment bars 81, 82 that can adjust the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 by a first touch operation in one direction and a second touch operation in the other direction, and the controller 30 outputs a control command to increase the set temperature when the temperature adjustment bars 81, 82 are operated by the first touch operation, and outputs a control command to decrease the set temperature when the temperature adjustment bars 81, 82 are operated by the second touch operation. This allows the user to intuitively operate the air conditioner 20.

[0058] In this embodiment, the display screen also includes a color image that indicates the magnitude of the set temperature of the air conditioner 20 by color, with the color being red if the set temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature threshold, and blue if the set temperature is below the temperature threshold, allowing the user to easily understand the set temperature.

[0059] In this embodiment, the controller 30 sets the unit of change in the set temperature to the minimum unit when the operation speed of the touch operation is equal to or less than a predetermined speed threshold, thereby enabling the user to easily change the adjustment range of the set temperature.

[0060] In this embodiment, when touch areas 610 and 640 (corresponding to the "first touch area" of the present invention) are touched, controller 30 outputs a control command to control the output of air from the front air outlet, when touch areas 620 and 650 (corresponding to the "second touch area" of the present invention) are touched, controller 30 outputs a control command to control the defroster, and when touch areas 630 and 660 (corresponding to the "third touch area" of the present invention) are touched, controller 30 outputs a control command to control the output of air from the bottom air outlet. This allows the user to intuitively operate air conditioner 20.

[0061] As a modification of this embodiment, the right seat image 51 and the left seat image 52 may be displayed on the display screen of the display 10 with the seats facing each other. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the display screen of the display 10 according to this modification. As shown in FIG. 8, the right seat image 51 and the left seat image 52 are oriented sideways and are arranged so that the front of the seats faces the reference area. This allows the passenger to grasp the positional relationship between the seats and the airflow to be controlled on the display screen. As a result, the user can intuitively operate the air conditioning equipment 20.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the display screen displays two seat images, and the control and operation methods for controlling the airflow toward the two seats have been described. However, a single seat image may be displayed on the display screen of the display 10, and the airflow toward one seat may be controlled in response to touch operations on the display 10. For example, the controller 30 displays an image corresponding to the right half of the display screen of FIGS. 3 to 5, including the reference area image 40, on the display 10 for the right seat, and an image corresponding to the left half of the display screen of FIGS. 3 to 5, including the reference area image 40, on the display 10 for the left seat. The controller 30 then controls the airflow from the air conditioner 20 to the right seat in response to touch operations on the display 10 for the right seat. The controller 30 also controls the airflow from the air conditioner 20 to the left seat in response to touch operations on the display 10 for the left seat. The methods described above may be appropriately applied to the display screen operation method and the air conditioner 20 control method. This enables touch operations along the airflow or against the airflow, allowing the user to intuitively operate the air conditioner 20. As a result, it is possible to improve the operability when operating the air conditioner 20 by touching the display screen. Furthermore, in this embodiment, three or more seat images may be displayed on the display screen of the display 10, and the airflow toward each seat may be controlled in response to touching the display 10.

[0063] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments have been described to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, the elements disclosed in the above embodiments are intended to include all design modifications and equivalents that fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1. Air conditioning control system 10. Display 11 Main switch button 12 mode switch buttons 13 Handlebar Icon 20 Air conditioning equipment 30 Controllers 31 Display control unit 32 Air conditioning control unit 40 Reference Area Images 50 Seat Images 51 Right seat image 52 Left seat image

Claims

1. In an in-vehicle device control device that controls in-vehicle devices mounted in a vehicle, a controller that controls a display screen of a touch panel display and controls the in-vehicle device based on a touch operation on the display screen; The display screen includes: The apparatus includes a target area image corresponding to a plurality of control objects, a reference area image serving as a reference, and a synchronization operation means for synchronously adjusting the plurality of control objects, The controller outputting a control command to increase a control amount of the in-vehicle device when the touch operation has a direction from the reference area image toward the target area image; outputting a control command to decrease a control amount of the in-vehicle device when the touch operation has a direction from the target area image toward the reference area image; When the synchronization operation means is enabled, the in-vehicle device control device outputs a control command for synchronously controlling control amounts of the plurality of control targets in response to the touch operation.

2. 2. The in-vehicle device control device according to claim 1, The controller increases or decreases a control amount as the operation speed of the touch operation between the reference area image and the target area image increases.

3. 3. The in-vehicle device control device according to claim 1, The target area image includes a right seat image representing a right seat and a left seat image representing a left seat when the traveling direction of the vehicle is the front.

4. 4. The in-vehicle device control device according to claim 3, The reference area image is positioned between the right seat image and the left seat image on the display screen.

5. 5. The in-vehicle device control device according to claim 3, The in-vehicle device control device displays the right seat image and the left seat image on the display screen in a position where the seats are viewed from the rear, or in a position where the seats face each other.

6. The in-vehicle device control device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, The vehicle-mounted device control device, in which the seats represented by the right seat image and the left seat image face the reference area image on the display screen.

7. The in-vehicle device control device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, the reference area image includes a fan icon resembling a fan and is located in a central portion of the display screen; the right seat image is located on the right side of the reference area image on the display screen, The left seat image is located on the left side of the reference area image on the display screen.

8. An in-vehicle equipment control device that controls in-vehicle equipment mounted in a vehicle, a controller that controls a display screen of a touch panel display and controls the in-vehicle device based on a touch operation on the display screen; The display screen includes: a seat image representing a seat, a reference area image representing a reference area, and a synchronization switch button for synchronously adjusting right seat airflow from an air conditioning device to a right seat and left seat airflow from the air conditioning device to a left seat, The controller outputting a control command to increase a control amount of the in-vehicle device when the touch operation has a direction from the reference area image toward the seat image; outputting a control command to decrease a control amount of the in-vehicle device when the touch operation has a direction from the seat image toward the reference area image; When the synchronization switch button is on, a control command is output to the air conditioning device in response to the touch operation to control the output of both the right seat airflow and the left seat airflow, When the synchronization switch button is off, the vehicle equipment control device outputs a control command to the air conditioning equipment to control the output of one of the right seat airflow and the left seat airflow in response to the touch operation.

9. 9. The in-vehicle device control device according to claim 8, The controller When the synchronization switch button is on, a control command is output in response to the touch operation to control any one of the air volume, the air direction, and the temperature of both the right seat airflow and the left seat airflow, When the synchronization switch button is off, the vehicle equipment control device outputs a control command to control one of the air volume, air direction, and temperature of one of the right seat airflow and the left seat airflow in response to the touch operation.

10. The in-vehicle device control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the display screen includes an air volume image represented by a pattern between the target area image and the reference area image, The number of patterns displayed from the reference area image toward the target area image increases as the amount of airflow increases.

11. The in-vehicle device control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The reference area image includes a fan icon resembling a fan.

12. The in-vehicle device control device according to claim 11, the reference area image includes a plurality of scales surrounding the fan icon; the fan icon has an animation function that changes the rotation speed of the fan according to the speed of the wind blown from the in-vehicle device; The plurality of scales increase and decrease according to the volume of airflow coming out of the in-vehicle device.

13. 2. The in-vehicle device control device according to claim 1, the display screen includes an adjustment icon that allows adjustment of a control amount of the in-vehicle device by a first touch operation in one direction and a second touch operation in the other direction; The controller When the adjustment icon is operated by the first touch operation, a control command to increase the control amount is output; When the adjustment icon is operated by the second touch operation, the in-vehicle device control device outputs a control command to decrease the control amount.

14. The in-vehicle device control device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the display screen includes a color image that represents the magnitude of the set temperature of the air conditioner by color; If the set temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature threshold, the color is red; When the set temperature is less than the temperature threshold, the color is blue.

15. The in-vehicle device control device according to claim 14, The controller controlling the set temperature of the air conditioning device in response to the touch operation; When the operation speed of the touch operation is equal to or less than a predetermined speed threshold, the in-vehicle equipment control device sets the change unit of the set temperature to the minimum unit.

16. The in-vehicle device control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the in-vehicle device includes a defroster, a front air outlet that blows air toward a front of the seat, and a bottom air outlet that blows air toward a bottom of the seat, the display screen includes, between the target area image and the reference area image, a first touch area for enabling the touch operation for adjusting the airflow from the front air outlet, a second touch area for enabling the touch operation for controlling the defroster, and a third touch area for enabling the touch operation for adjusting the airflow from the lower air outlet; The controller outputs a control command to control the output of air from the front air outlet when the first touch area is touched, outputs a control command to control the defroster when the second touch area is touched, and outputs a control command to control the output of air from the lower air outlet when the third touch area is touched.

17. 1. An in-vehicle device control method for controlling in-vehicle devices mounted in a vehicle, comprising: A control command is output to display on a touch panel display a display screen including target area images corresponding to a plurality of control objects, a reference area image serving as a reference, and a synchronous operation means for synchronously adjusting the plurality of control objects. outputting a control command to increase a control amount of the in-vehicle device when a touch operation on the display screen has a direction from the reference area image toward the target area image; outputting a control command to decrease a control amount of the in-vehicle device when the touch operation has a direction from the target area image toward the reference area image; When the synchronization operation means is enabled, the method outputs a control command for synchronously controlling control amounts of the plurality of control targets in response to the touch operation.

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