Patent ID: 7307359
Filing Date: 2007-12-11
Classification: B60K

Abstract:
1. An operation device, comprising: an operation switch provided between a driver seat and a front passenger seat of a vehicle, said operation switch being configured in such a manner that a palm of an operator is placed on a top surface of the operation switch to provide input by the operator; an operator detecting sensor which detects whether the palm of the operator is positioned on the top surface of said operation switch to input an operation; a pair of proximity detectors for detecting a proximity of a hand of the operator in the periphery of said operation switch, said proximity detectors being arranged on a driver seat side of said operation switch and on a front passenger seat side of said operation switch so as to have a diagonal relationship with said operations switch, wherein at least one of said proximity detectors is incapable of detecting the proximity of a hand of a driver when a palm of the driver is positioned on the top surface of said operation switch and both of said proximity detectors are capable of detecting the proximity of a hand of a passenger on the front passenger seat when a palm of the passenger is positioned on the top surface of said operation switch; and an operator identifying unit for identifying the operator based on outputs from said proximity detectors when the operator detecting sensor detects that the palm of the operator is positioned on said operation switch.