IN-VEHICLE MANIPULATION APPARATUS AND IN-VEHICLE INPUT APPARATUS

• US 20100073291A1
• Filed: 09/22/2009
• Published: 03/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: MASUDA, Koichi, NAKAGAWA, Kunihiro, TACHIIRI, Motoki, SASAKI, Hiroaki, HISATSUGU, Shinsuke, AOKI, Takashi, WADA, Hiromune, UCHIDA, Tsuneo
• Granted Patent: US 8,436,814 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/161
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03548 Sliders, in which the moving part moves in a plane
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20012 Multiple controlled elements

Abstract

A two-dimensional operation section includes a stick-shaped rocking shaft having an end having an operation knob. The operation knob is operated within a predetermined two-dimensional operation surface determined as an operation range such that a rocking axis of the rocking shaft tilts from a predetermined neutral angular position to a direction corresponding to an instructed position. A one-dimensional operation section has an operation surface exposed in a main surface of the operation knob, the main surface being an end surface of the rocking shaft. The one-dimensional operation section can be operated in a predetermined one-dimensional operation direction determined within the two-dimensional operation surface relative to the operation surface.

Claims

1. An in-vehicle manipulation apparatus located in an operable position for a user sitting on a seat, comprising:

a two-dimensional operation section including a stick-shaped rocking shaft having an end having an operation knob, the operation knob being operated within a predetermined two-dimensional operation surface as an operation range such that a rocking axis of the rocking shaft tilts from a predetermined neutral angular position to a direction corresponding to an instructed position; and

a one-dimensional operation section having an operation surface exposed from a main surface of the operation knob, the main surface being an end surface of the rocking shaft, the one-dimensional operation section can be operated in a predetermined one-dimensional operation direction relative to the operation surface within the two-dimensional operation surface.

2. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a display device disposed in a screen-viewable manner for the user;

two-dimensional operation control means for two-dimensionally moving a predetermined display object being displayed on a screen of the display device based on operation to the two-dimensional operation section; and

one-dimensional operation control means for performing at least one of the following i) and ii) to the predetermined display object being displayed on the screen based on operation to the one-dimensional operation section;

i) display movement control of moving the display object in a predetermined one-dimensional display direction corresponding to the one-dimensional operation direction along which operation is performed; and

ii) control content change control of sequentially changing a plurality of control contents in predetermined changing order to one of forward and reverse directions of the changing order corresponding to the one-dimensional operation direction along which operation is performed.

4. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display object is a scroll image part, a part of which is displayed within a predetermined display area on the screen of the display device, and remainder of which can be displayed by scrolling.

5. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display object is a pointer image that can move to an optional position on the screen of the display device.

6. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display object is a pointer image that sequentially moves on a plurality of predetermined operation images displayed on the screen of the display device.

7. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:

a position specifying input section for performing position specifying input to a position indicated by the pointer image within the screen of the display device.

8. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 7,

wherein the one-dimensional operation section can perform pressing operation in a rocking axis direction of the two-dimensional operation section, and

the position specifying input section also functions as the one-dimensional operation section, and the pressing operation functions as the position specifying input.

9. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the one-dimensional operation section is a rotational operation section having a rotational operation member that can be subjected to rotational operation in forward and reverse of two directions about a predetermined rotation axis perpendicular to the rocking axis of the two-dimensional operation section,

the operation surface has an outer circumferential surface of the rotational operation member including an exposed surface from the main surface of the operation knob,

the rotational operation includes rotational feed operation and rotational back operation along the one-dimensional operation direction, and

the one-dimensional operation section detects rotational displacement of the rotational operation member caused by the rotational operation.

10. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the rotational operation member is in a wheel shape.

11. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 9,

wherein the exposed surface is in a plane parallel to the main surface of the operation knob,

the rotational operation member has a rotational orbit, and

the rotational operation member rotates along the rotational orbit.

12. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising:

rotational-operation force sense applying means applying a certain force sense to the user, as the user performs a certain amount of rotational operation to the rotational operation member.

13. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the one-dimensional operation section is a touchpad operation section,

the operation surface has a touch operation surface, and

the touchpad operation section detects moving displacement in the one-dimensional operation direction of touch movement operation where the touchpad operation section moves while the user touches the touch operation surface.

14. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the touch operation surface is the whole of the main surface of the operation knob.

15. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the touch operation surface is in a rectangular shape where a width in the one-dimensional operation direction is larger than a width in a direction perpendicular to the one-dimensional operation direction.

16. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the touch operation surface has guide walls projecting from both edge positions in a direction perpendicular to the one-dimensional operation direction.

17. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising:

touch-operation force sense applying means applying a certain force sense to the user as the user performs touch operation to the touch operation surface.

18. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising:

touch-movement force sense applying means applying a certain force sense to the user as the user performs touch movement operation causing a certain amount of moving displacement to the touch operation surface.

21. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main surface of the operation knob has a plurality of operation surfaces of the one-dimensional operation sections.

22. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the plurality of operation surfaces of the one-dimensional operation sections are arranged such that the one-dimensional operation directions of the operation surfaces are parallel to one another.

23. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the plurality of operation surfaces of the one-dimensional operation sections include operation surfaces different in the one-dimensional operation direction from one another.

24. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the operation surfaces of the one-dimensional operation sections being different in the one-dimensional operation direction respectively have the corresponding one-dimensional display directions different from one another.

25. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the plurality of operation surfaces of the one-dimensional operation sections are arranged such that the one-dimensional operation directions are perpendicular to one another, and the one-dimensional display directions are also perpendicular to one another.

26. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 25,

wherein each of the one-dimensional operation sections is a touchpad operation section,

each of the operation surfaces has a touch operation surface,

the touchpad operation section detects moving displacement in the one-dimensional operation direction of touch movement operation where the touchpad operation section moves while the user touches the touch operation surface,

each of the touch operation surfaces is in a rectangular shape where a width in the one-dimensional operation direction is larger than a width in a direction perpendicular to the one-dimensional operation direction, and

the touch operation surfaces is in a cross shape where lengthwise directions of the touch operation surfaces are perpendicular to one another.

27. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 26,

wherein each of the one-dimensional operation sections is a touchpad operation section,

each of the operation surfaces has a touch operation surface,

the touchpad operation section detects moving displacement in the one-dimensional operation direction of touch movement operation where the touchpad operation section moves while the user touches the touch operation surface,

each of the touch operation surfaces has a rectangular shape where a width in the one-dimensional operation direction is larger than a width in a direction perpendicular to the one-dimensional operation direction, and

the touch operation surfaces of the touchpad operation sections have lengthwise directions perpendicular to one another, and one of the orthogonal operation surfaces is located in a position biased to one end side in a lengthwise direction of the other operation surface.

28. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising:

operation-surface position customizing means for customizing a position of each of the operation surfaces on the main surface of the movable operation section.

29. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 28,

wherein each of the one-dimensional operation sections is a touchpad operation section,

each of the operation surfaces has a touch operation surface,

the touchpad operation section detects moving displacement in the one-dimensional operation direction of touch movement operation where the touchpad operation section moves while the user touches the touch operation surface,

the touchpad operation section has an operation surface settable area on the main surface of the movable operation section, and

the touchpad operation section has the operation-surface position customizing means for customizing a setting position of the touch operation surface within the operation surface settable area.

30. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the two-dimensional operation section has a manipulation apparatus body supporting the rocking shaft in a rocking-allowable manner,

the manipulation apparatus body has a tilting displacement detection section within the body, the tilting displacement detection section detecting tilting displacement of the rocking shaft occurring along with operation of the operation knob by the user, and

the one-dimensional operation section includes

a one-dimensional operation member having the operation surface as an operation object of the user,

an operation amount detection section for detecting amount of operation performed to the one-dimensional operation member,

a signal output section for outputting an operation signal based on the detected operation amount, and

a signal wiring section including a bendable member extending to the manipulation apparatus body in order to input the outputted operation signal to a main control circuit section accommodated in the manipulation apparatus body.

3. An in-vehicle manipulation apparatus mounted in an operable position for a user sitting on a seat, comprising:

a display device viewable for the user;

a two-dimensional operation section including a stick-shaped rocking shaft having an end having an operation knob, the operation knob being operated within a predetermined two-dimensional operation surface as an operation range such that a rocking axis of the rocking shaft tilts from a predetermined neutral angular position to a direction corresponding to a direction in which the display object moves on the screen;

a one-dimensional operation section having an operation surface exposed from a main surface of the operation knob, the main surface being an end surface of the rocking shaft, the one-dimensional operation section can be operated in a predetermined one-dimensional operation direction relative to the operation surface;

two-dimensional operation control means for two-dimensionally moving a predetermined display object displayed on the screen of the display device based on operation to the two-dimensional operation section; and

one-dimensional operation control means for performing at least one of the following i) and ii) to the predetermined display object being displayed on the screen of the display device based on operation of the one-dimensional operation section;

i) display movement control for moving the display object in a predetermined one-dimensional display direction corresponding to the one-dimensional operation direction along which operation is performed; and

ii) control content change control for sequentially changing a plurality of control contents in predetermined changing order to one of forward and reverse directions of the changing order corresponding to the one-dimensional operation direction along which operation is performed.

19. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 3,

wherein the one-dimensional operation section has a push operation member provided on the end surface of the operation knob, and

the one-dimensional operation section:

moves the display object being displayed on the screen of the display device in one of forward and reverse directions of the predetermined one-dimensional display direction within the screen according to push operation to the push operation member;

or

changes a plurality of control contents in predetermined changing order to one of forward and reverse directions of the changing order.

20. The in-vehicle manipulation apparatus according to claim 19,

wherein the one-dimensional operation section has four operation surfaces, which are arranged in a cross shape, and

each of the operation surfaces is assigned with the one-dimensional display direction of one of forward and reverse directions of each of two orthogonal axes on the screen of the display device.

31. An in-vehicle input apparatus, comprising:

a first input device manipulated by operation of an operator;

a second input device manipulated by operation of an operator and integrally provided with the first input device as a part of the first input device, the operation being similar to or different from the operation to the first input device; and

holding means for stopping operation of the first input device and holding the first input device,

wherein when the following condition i) is satisfied, the holding means temporarily locks operation of the first input device so as to hold the first input device not to work;

i) operation to the second input device is performed.

32. The in-vehicle input apparatus according to claim 31,

wherein the holding means locks the first input device in response to start of operation of the second input device as a trigger, and

the holding means detects that the operation of the second input device is finished, thereby releases lock of the first input device.

33. The in-vehicle input apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising:

a joystick device,

wherein the first input device has a block body mounted on an end of a shaft of the joystick device,

the first input device has a structure where an operator pushes or pulls the first input device, thereby the first input device works integrally with the shaft, and

the holding means is connected to the joystick device, and has a structure of electrically holding a motor connected to the shaft via a connection member.

34. The in-vehicle input apparatus according to claim 31, wherein a first operation section, which is operated by an operator, of the first input device is larger than a second operation section, which is operated by an operator, of the second input device.

35. The in-vehicle input apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the second input device is a wheel or a dial that is rotated by an operator with a finger and thus operated.

36. An in-vehicle input apparatus performing predetermined input to an output device, comprising:

a first input device manipulated by operation of an operator;

a second input device manipulated by operation of an operator, the operation being similar to or different from the operation to the first input device, and integrally provided with the first input device as a part of the first input device; and

holding means for stopping operation of the first input device and holding the first input device,

wherein when the following conditions i) and ii) are satisfied, the holding means temporality locks operation of the first input device so as to hold the first input device not to work;

i) operation to the second input device is performed during operation of the first input device, and

ii) output from the output device relates to output produced when the second input device is manipulated.

37. The in-vehicle input apparatus according to claim 36,

wherein the holding means locks the first input device in response to start of operation of the second input device as a trigger, and

the holding means detects that the operation of the second input device is finished, thereby releases lock of the first input device.

38. The in-vehicle input apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising:

a joystick device,

wherein the first input device has a block body mounted on an end of a shaft of the joystick device,

the first input device has a structure where an operator pushes or pulls the first input device, thereby the first input device works integrally with the shaft, and

the holding means is connected to the joystick device, and has a structure of electrically holding a motor connected to the shaft via a connection member.

39. The in-vehicle input apparatus according to claim 36, wherein a first operation section, which is operated by an operator, of the first input device is larger than a second operation section, which is operated by an operator, of the second input device.

40. The in-vehicle input apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the second input device is a wheel or a dial that is rotated by an operator with a finger and thus operated.