In-vehicle operation apparatus

An in-vehicle operation apparatus has an operation switch, a candidate selection operation unit, and a command assignment operation unit, all of which are operable by a user. The operation switch may control multiple in-vehicle devices based on a desired command assigned thereto. In particular, the candidate selection operation unit selects a plurality of candidate commands from among a plurality of commands respectively for in-vehicle devices. The command assignment operation unit selects and assigns the desired command from among the plurality of candidate commands to the operation switch. Accordingly, the operation switch controls the in-vehicle device associated with the desired command. Thus, the apparatus reduces the amount of operation switches required and allows the user to easily select and assign a command to the operation switch for controlling a desired in-vehicle device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-24314 filed on Feb. 7, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to an in-vehicle operation apparatus that provides a common operation switch for controlling operations of multiple in-vehicle devices.

BACKGROUND

A vehicle may include a common operation switch that controls multiple in-vehicle devices in a unified manner and reduces the number of operation switches that would be operated by a user. Specifically, a simple operation switch may allow the user to select and search through a hierarchy of command menus for each of the in-vehicle devices available through an interface displayed on a screen. Such a common operation switch is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-8246 (JP '246).

For instance, a top menu in the hierarchy would allow the user to select one operation target device from among the in-vehicle devices available, such as a navigation device, an audio system, a television, a radio, and an air-conditioner. After selecting, for example, a television in such menu, a television menu would appear to allow the user to input a TV operation, such as a volume control and a channel selection. After selecting a channel selection, a bottom menu in the hierarchy would appear, allowing the user to select a desired channel. The user would then select a desired channel (i.e., a desired command), which is displayed in a menu on the screen.

In such a case, an input operation performed by the user (e.g., a driver of the vehicle) via the operation switch may be very simple for enabling the driver to perform a quick selection of one option from among many options or commands. By providing the quick selection, the driver is able to operate the in-vehicle device while driving the vehicle.

However, simply providing many options and choices for the disposal of the user may not assist in quick selection. In other words, a menu with too many options may distract the driver from driving the vehicle for a prolonged period of time by requiring too many switch operations.

SUMMARY

In an aspect of the present disclosure, an in-vehicle operation apparatus includes: an operation switch, a candidate selection operation unit, and a command assignment operation unit.

The operation switch is operable by the user for controlling multiple in-vehicle devices based on a desired command assigned thereto. In particular, the candidate selection operation unit, which is operable by the user, selects multiple candidate commands from among multiple commands respectively for the in-vehicle devices. The command assignment operation unit, which is also operable by the user, selects and assigns the desired command from among the multiple candidate commands to the operation switch, thereby allowing the operation switch to control the in-vehicle device associated with the desired command.

According to the present disclosure, the user that operates the in-vehicle device, such as an occupant of the vehicle, may assign a frequently used command to the operation switch, thereby allowing the operation switch to function as a shortcut key. Therefore, the user is enabled to perform only a few operations to quickly select the desired command, and such operation scheme achieves the ease of operating a device even in a traveling vehicle.

Here, the frequently used commands may vary depending on the environment and/or user preference. For example, in seasons where the temperature of the outside air greatly differs from comfortable temperature, the air-conditioner (i.e., Heat Ventilation Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system) is frequently used. Further, the frequency at which an audio device or, even, operations related to changing sound levels may vary user to user. Therefore, even in a traveling vehicle, the ability to change the assignment of the desired command to the operation switch may be needed. For accommodating such a need, the assignment operation for assigning the desired command to the operation switch needs to be performable in a very short time.

In view of such a need, the in-vehicle operation apparatus of the present disclosure allows the user to pre-select candidate commands from among all of the available commands (i.e., objects of candidate selection), and then allows the user to make a final selection, that is, selection of the desired command that is actually assigned to the operation switch. Therefore, by pre-performing a candidate selection at a free time, e.g., at a stop time of the vehicle, or at an engine stop time, the driver in the travel time of the vehicle is only required to make a final command selection from among the “sifted” commands, i.e., from among the candidate commands. Therefore, in comparison to the selection of an assigned command from among all available commands, such a pre-selection plus final selection scheme reduces a selection time for selecting the assigned command, which makes it safer and more beneficial for the user who is making the change of the assigned command in a traveling vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A variety of embodiments of an in-vehicle operation apparatus regarding the present disclosure are described in the following with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, like parts have like numbers, and the description of like parts will not be repeated.

With reference toFIG. 1, a remote operation apparatus10is disposed in a vehicle within a reach range of a hand of a driver (i.e., a user). Information is displayed on a far-side display unit20(i.e., display unit20for brevity). The display unit20is installed in proximity to a front windshield30. The remote operation apparatus10is installed in a panel31(i.e., a disposition member) of a center console that is located between a driver seat and a passenger seat. The remote operation apparatus10and the display unit20have separate bodies, and are separately disposed, and the position of the display unit20is higher than the position of the remote operation apparatus10.

By having a separate arrangement of the remote operation apparatus10and the display unit20, the driver does not have to substantially move his/her eyes (i.e., a look direction) when he/she looks at the display unit20while driving the vehicle. In other words, the driver is able to glance over at the display unit20, and may not have to fully avert their eyes from the road. Further, the driver is able to operate the remote operation apparatus10and still maintain his/her posture while driving the vehicle, because the remote operation apparatus10is positioned close to the driver's hand.

With reference toFIG. 2, the remote operation apparatus10is a device for operating a plurality of in-vehicle devices40installed in the vehicle by operating a device control menu that controls operation of the in-vehicle device. A few examples of the in-vehicle devices40include a navigation apparatus, an audio device, a television, a radio, and an air conditioner, which are installed in the vehicle. Also, a play or fast-forward operation for the audio device are examples of operation contents of the audio device that are displayed in the device control menu.

Operation contents of the in-vehicle devices40are displayed on the display unit20, as well as operation conditions of the devices40and operation menus, which are commands that are selectable and operable by the user by way of the remote operation apparatus10.

The remote operation apparatus10has plural operation switches11,12,13and a touch pad14that are operable by the user. The operation switches11,12,13are mechanical switches in which a terminal contact condition is turned on and off by a press operation of the user. The terminal contact condition may be arranged in a row along a vehicle right-left direction (i.e., a right-left direction ofFIG. 1). The operation switches11,12,13may respectively be operated by a ring (i.e., a third) finger, a middle (i.e., a second) finger, and a forefinger (i.e., a first finger) on the left hand of the driver when the vehicle is manufactured for left-side traffic, such as in Japan. The operation switches11,12,13may similarly be arranged for the right hand of the driver when the vehicle is manufactured for right-side traffic, such as in the United States of America.

The touch pad14is disposed next to the operation switches11to13. The touch pad14may be positioned on the lower part of the remote operation apparatus10below the operation switches11,12,13(FIG. 1).

The touch pad14detects a movement of the driver's finger on an operation plate based on a change of capacitance. Specifically, the touch pad may detect various operations, such as a contact position and a trace movement performed by the movement of the driver's finger on the operation plate, as well as a tap operation in which the operation plate is tapped by the finger (FIG. 4A), a slide operation in which the finger is moved to a target position (FIG. 4B), and a flick operation in which the finger is flicked on the operation plate (FIG. 4C). The tap operation may also be detected by having a pressure sensor in the operation plate of the touch pad14.

The operation switches11,12,13and the touch pad14may be blindly operated by the user. In other words, the user may operate the remote operation apparatus without looking at his/her finger or hand. Instead, the user may simply look at an operation menu displayed on the display unit20to perform a required operation for controlling the device40.

The remote operation apparatus10also includes a filter circuit15, an electrostatic detection circuit16, a microprocessor unit (MPU)17, and a communication circuit18(FIG. 2). The touch pad14outputs, as a finger operation signal, the capacitance change that is caused by the finger. The filter circuit15removes the noise from the finger operation signal, and then provides the noise free finger operation signal to the electrostatic detection circuit16. The electrostatic detection circuit16outputs the finger operation signal as a serial signal to the MPU17.

The MPU17generates and outputs an operation signal based on the finger operation signal outputted from the electrostatic detect circuit16and an ON-OFF signal output from the operation switches11,12,13. The communication circuit18allows a two-way communication between the display unit20, the devices40, and the MPU17by a communication protocol such as a Controller Area Network (CAN). Accordingly, the operation signal from the MPU17is transmittable to the display unit20and the devices40.

The display unit20and various devices40operate according to the control contents specified by the operation signal.

The MPU17may function as an assignment control unit to assign a command to each of the operation switches11,12,13. Upon having an ON operation on one of the operation switches11,12,13, the operation signal that instructs an execution of an assigned command that is assigned to the operation switch is outputted. In other words, when the user operates (e.g. presses) one of the operation switch11,12,13, an operation signal associated with the execution of the assigned command assigned therein is outputted.

Further, the MPU17may function as a display control unit to control the information displayed on the display unit20. In particular, as the display control unit, the MPU17controls the display of the operation menu on the display unit20according to the operation signal.

In the following, the information displayed and the assignment of the command are described with reference toFIG. 3toFIG. 6.

FIG. 3Ashows a situation in which none of the in-vehicle devices40set in the operation menu are being used, which is provided in a normal display mode. The MPU17controls the display unit20to set and display an assignment display areas21,22,23and a navigation display area24. The assignment display areas21,22,23, or command slots21,22,23, are display areas for displaying commands that are respectively assigned to the operation switches11,12,13. The text displayed by the command slots21,22,23for indicating the command assigned to the operation switches11,12,13are predetermined. The command slots21,22,23may also be referred to as the operation menu, which are operable by the user. The navigation display area24is an area in which map information from the navigation apparatus is displayed.

In the example ofFIG. 3A, a command to start a radio, a command to start an audio system and a command to start a DVD player are respectively assigned to the operation switches11,12,13, and such commands are displayed in the command slots21,22,23.

Upon receiving an ON operation to the operation switch13from the user, the operation signal associated with the command assigned to the operation switch13, (i.e., an audio startup command), is outputted. In other words, when the user operates (e.g. presses) the operation switch13, an operation signal associated with the audio startup command assigned to the operation switch13is outputted. The operation signal is then received by the audio device40, and the audio device40is turned on.

InFIG. 3B, when the device40in the operation menu (i.e., one of the command slots21,22,23) is being used, such as the audio device40, the MPU17controls the display unit20to set and display an active application display area25, in which the application currently being used appears. Further, the MPU17changes the commands assigned to the operation switches11,12,13to the predetermined commands associated with the device40being used.

The predetermined commands associated with the operation of the device40being used are set to the command slots21,22,23. For instance, for the audio device40, which is the device40currently being used, a rewind command, a play/pause command, and a fast-forward command are respectively assigned to the operation switches11,12,13and are displayed in the command slots21,22,23.

To access an assignment change mode, a predetermined operation associated with the assignment change mode (e.g., a tap operation) is detected by the operation switches11,12,13or by the touch pad14and the MPU17changes the display contents of the display unit20to the assignment change mode (FIG. 4A). In the assignment change mode, the commands assigned to the operation switches11,12,13can be changed according to an operation of the touch pad14(i.e., a command assignment operation unit in claims).

In the assignment change mode, multiple candidate commands are displayed as available commands that can be assigned to the operational switches11,12,13. The candidate commands are set by the user in advance. Specifically, the commands currently assigned to the operational switches11,12,13(i.e., assigned commands) are displayed in the command slots21,22,23, and commands that are available (i.e., candidate commands), which are not assigned to any one of the operation switches11,12,13, are displayed in a candidate display area26. The information displayed (i.e., multiple candidate commands) on the display unit in the assignment change mode may be referred to as a second operation screen in the claims. In addition, the assignment change mode, which may include the function of the touch pad14and the MPU17, may be referred to as a command assignment operation unit in claims.

In the example ofFIG. 4A, the candidate commands include a command to operate the navigation apparatus, and a command to control the temperature. The command for controlling temperature may be to set a temperature to which the vehicle compartment is adjusted via the vehicle HVAC. The candidate commands for the navigation apparatus and the temperature are displayed in the candidate display area26as “Navi” and “TEMP” respectfully.

In the assignment change mode, the user selects one of the operation switches11,12,13, which is to have its assigned command changed, by operating the touch pad. In the example ofFIG. 4B, a slide operation is performed on the touch pad14to select the operation switch11,12,13that is a target of the assignment change. As a result, the position of the candidate display area26on the display unit20is moved according to the slide operation. In particular, the position of the candidate display area26moves to a position that is next to the assignment display area21of the operation switch11. Therefore, the operation switch11becomes the target of the assignment change.

In the assignment change mode, a new command is assigned to the target of the assignment change, which is the operation switch11in this example, by an operation of the touch pad14. In the example ofFIG. 4C, a flick operation on the touch pad14is performed to change the assigned command of the operation switch11, and the command displayed in the assignment display area21is also changed. In addition, when the flick operation is performed, a drum of commands (i.e., a drum shape command selection menu having the candidate display area26and the assignment display area21) is rotated. For example, per the flick operation inFIG. 4C, the assignment display area21is changed from “Radio” to “Navi” by moving “Navi” to the assignment display area21, and moving “Radio” to the end of the candidate display area26, such that it appears that “Radio” and “Navi” rotated into their respective new positions.

If contact by the finger is not detected over a predetermined period, the assignment change mode is switched to the normal display mode (e.g.,FIGS. 3A and 3B). In the normal display mode, the command slots21,22,23(FIG. 4DorFIG. 3A) are displayed, and the candidate display area26is no longer shown.

To access a candidate registration mode, a predetermined operation associated with the candidate registration mode (e.g., a repeated tap operations) is detected by the operation switches11to13or by the touch pad14(i.e., a candidate selection operation unit in claims) and the MPU17switches the information displayed on the display unit20to the candidate registration mode (FIG. 5). The information displayed (i.e., list of selectable commands) on the display unit in the candidate registration mode may be referred to as a first operation screen in the claims.

In the candidate registration mode, all selectable commands that may serve as a candidate command, which includes the currently assigned commands, are displayed in an all command display area27. In the candidate registration mode, the user is able to set the candidate commands that can be selected in the assignment change mode, and, therefore, appear in the candidate display area26. When a command is selected from all of the commands display in the all command display area, the command selected may be emphasized by adding a highlight, thereby indicating that the command selected is set as the candidate command. The selection of the candidate command from among all of the commands in the all command display area27may be determined by the slide operation on the touch pad14.

The MPU17prohibits accessing the candidate registration mode in a traveling vehicle. Therefore, the selection and the setting of the candidate commands is allowed only when the vehicles is stopped (i.e., at a vehicle stop time). Switching the display to the normal display mode and to the assignment change mode is allowed even in the traveling vehicle.

The operation menu has a hierarchical structure. A menu for selecting a target operation device (i.e., the in-vehicle device40to be operated) is displayed in an upper-most menu level (FIG. 3A). Upon selecting the target operation device, a menu displaying the operation contents for controlling the target operation device selected is displayed (FIG. 3B). The menu for selecting a target operation device may be referred to as an application selection menu and the menu displaying the operation contents for controlling the target operation device selected may be provided as a device control menu.

InFIGS. 4 and 5, an application selection menu is displayed and is used to describe changing an application start command via the assignment change mode and the candidate registration mode. In addition to changing the application start command by the application selection menu, commands for operating or controlling an active device (i.e., the target operation device) may also be changed by displaying the device control menu. In other words, the commands (i.e., the operation contents) for controlling the active device may be changed via the assignment change mode.

For instance, with reference toFIG. 6, the device control menu displays a command display area28, which provides all the commands for the active device, in addition to the command slots21,22,23. By performing a slide operation on the touch pad14, the command corresponding to the slide position is selected as a change target from among the commands in the command slots21,22,23. Then, by performing a flick operation on the touch pad14, the command already assigned to the operation switch12, which been selected as the change target by the slide operation, is changed to a new command that is in accordance with the flick operation. Accordingly, the command displayed in the command slot22is changed to the new command.

Further, as shown by a numeral27ainFIG. 5, operation commands of the active application (e.g., a temperature control command for controlling a temperature setting) may be displayed in the application selection menu. By simultaneously displaying commands in different menu levels, that is, application selection commands and operation commands, the assigned commands may be selected from different levels.

A display contents change procedure for changing information (i.e., contents) of the display unit20under control of the MPU17is described with reference to flowcharts inFIGS. 7 and 8. The process ofFIGS. 7 and 8may be performed at predetermined intervals while an operation electric power is supplied for the MPU17.

With reference toFIG. 7, the MPU17determines whether the assignment change mode is being accessed at S10. For instance, the MPU17may determine that a change request of an assigned command exists (i.e., the assignment change mode is requested) when a tap operation is detected in the normal display mode.

At S11, the MPU17changes the information displayed on the display unit20from the one in the normal display mode (FIG. 3) to the one in the assignment change mode (FIG. 4A). Subsequently, the MPU17determines, at S12, whether a setting of the assigned command is finished in the assignment change mode. For instance, in the example ofFIG. 4D, when contact by the finger on the touch pad14is not detected for a time longer than a predetermined period, the MPU17determines that the assigned command setting is finished (S12:Yes). The MPU17continues to display the display unit20in the assignment change mode until the setting of assignment commands is finished (S12:NO). Upon determining that the setting of assignment commands is finished, the MPU17, at S13, switches the display from the assignment change mode to the normal display mode.

With reference toFIG. 8, the MPU17determines, at S20, whether a registration change request of a candidate command exists, or, in other words, whether the candidate registration mode is being accessed. For instance, the MPU17may determine that a change request of a candidate command exists when a repeated tap operations is detected in the normal display mode (S20:Yes).

If the change request of the candidate command exists, the MPU17, at S21, determines whether the vehicle is traveling. If the vehicle is traveling (S21:YES), the MPU17finishes the process without changing the display to the candidate registration mode. On the other hand, if the vehicle is not traveling (S21:NO), the MPU17, at S22, changes the display contents of the display unit20to the candidate registration mode (FIG. 5).

The display in the candidate registration mode continues until it is determined that the registration change is finished at S23. After determining that the registration change is finished (S23:Yes), the MPU17, at S24, changes the display from the candidate registration mode to the normal display mode.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

The commands for starting and controlling an application, such as an in-vehicle device40, which may be frequently used, are assigned to the operation switches11,12,13, thereby allowing the operation switches11,12,13to be serving as shortcut keys. The user is, therefore, enabled to perform only a few operations to quickly select a desired application or command, and achieve the ease of device operation in a traveling vehicle.

In the candidate registration mode, multiple candidate commands are selected and registered from among all available commands. The candidate commands are then used in the assignment change mode to change the assigned command of the operation switch to one of the candidate commands. In addition, the candidate registration mode may only be accessed when vehicle is stopped, thereby allowing the user sufficient amount of time to set the candidate commands. By performing the pre-registration of the candidate commands at a stop time of the vehicle, the candidate command, which is selected, may be selected from among a fewer number of pre-registered candidate commands at a travel time of the vehicle. In other words, the time required to change the assigned command of the operation switch may be decreased by providing a short list of candidate commands from which the user may select during a travel time of the vehicle, which is more safe and desirable in comparison to presenting a long list of all of the available commands.

The user operability of the remote operation apparatus10is improved, in comparison to the operation under a voice only guidance without having displayed guidance. For instance, operability is improved by displaying all available commands (i.e., objects of candidate command selection) on the display unit20, which are selectable by using the touch pad14. In addition, operability is improved by displaying the multiple candidate commands on the display unit20, after the selection of the multiple candidate commands by using the touch pad14.

Further, in the present embodiment, the display unit20and the remote operation apparatus10are separately disposed at two separate positions, the display unit20is positioned to be within a look direction of the driver and the remote operation apparatus10is positioned close to the driver (i.e., within the reach of the driver). Therefore, the user's operability is improved by allowing the driver to look or glance at the displayed guidance to visually confirm the operation performed via the remote operation apparatus10.

The touch pad14may serve as a candidate selection operation unit for selecting and setting a candidate command, and may also serve as a command assignment operation unit for selecting an assigned command from among the candidate commands selected. Specifically, the touch pad14may receive various operations, such as a tap/slide/flick operation on an input plate of the touch pad14, which allows the user to select and set such commands. Therefore, by employing the touch pad14, a superior operation feel is achieved by a blind operation, which allows an intuitive and free movement of the user finger.

The user is allowed to select a command only from among the candidate commands in the assignment change mode, while he/she is allowed to select from among all of the available commands in the candidate registration mode, which may take a longer determination time for determining the candidate commands. In view of such a situation, an operation of the touch pad14is prohibited in the candidate registration mode when the vehicle is traveling. More practically, switching of the display to the candidate registration mode is prohibited. Therefore, distracted driving, with one's concentration deteriorated and distracted away from the driving operation, is prevented.

In the second embodiment, a combination of commands (i.e., command combination) are predetermined for each of the operation switches11,12,13, and multiple combinations of predetermined commands are stored in a memory17a(FIG. 1). With reference toFIGS. 9A to 9C, examples of three command combinations that are set in advance are illustrated. For ease of explanation, the illustration only shows the command combination as they may appear in the command slots21,22,23, and does not show the entire display unit20and the remote operation apparatus10.

FIG. 9Aillustrates a combination of three audio device commands of “REWIND,” “PLAY,” and “FAST-FORWARD” assigned to the operation switches11,12,13.FIG. 9Billustrates a combination of three television commands of “CH DOWN” (i.e., channel down), “MUTE”, and “CH UP” (i.e., channel up) assigned to the operation switches11,12,13.FIG. 9Cillustrates a combination of three air-conditioner commands of “TEMP DOWN” (i.e., temperature down), “ECO MODE ON/OFF,” and “TEMP UP” (i.e., temperature up) assigned to the operation switches11,12,13.

In the assignment change mode, which allows the change of the assigned commands to the operation switches11,12,13, the user may select one of command combinations, such as the ones shown inFIGS. 9A to 9C, by using the touch pad14. The user may generate different command combinations by using the touch pad14in the candidate registration mode.

Accordingly, frequently used command sets (i.e., combinations) are prepared as predetermined sets of commands, thereby simplifying the user operation for changing the command assignments, and effectively reducing a command selection time for selecting the assigned commands.

In the third embodiment, the touch pad14has a display function. For example, with reference toFIGS. 10A to 10C, information displayed on the candidate display area26and the command slots21,22,23, which are displayed on the display unit20, are also displayed in a display part14aand in a display part14bof the touch pad14in the assignment change mode.

Specifically, when the display part14adisplays commands that are not assigned to any one of the operation switches11to13(FIG. 10A), a flick operation of the user finger on one of the candidate commands leads to a desired operation switch, and allows the desired operation switch to be assigned a command of one of the candidate commands. That is, by putting the finger on a desired command (i.e., a DVD start command in the illustration) and by performing a flick operation to flick the desired command toward the desired operation switch (i.e., the operation switch12at a center in the row), the assigned command of the operation switch12is changed from a current one to the DVD start command.

After the completion of the change operation, the assigned commands are displayed in the display part14b(FIG. 10B). Then, in the normal display mode, the display of the display part14ais finished and the display of the display unit14bis kept unchanged (FIG. 10C).

According to the third embodiment, the assigned commands are displayed on the touch pad14in the normal display mode, allowing the user to visually recognize the assigned commands of the operation switches11to13while operating the operation switches11,12,13. Further, since the candidate commands are displayed on the touch pad14, the operability of the change operation on the touch pad14for changing the assigned command is improved.

In the fourth embodiment, the touch pad14and the operation switches11,12,13have a display function. For example, with reference toFIGS. 11A and 11B, information displayed on the candidate display area26and the command slots21,22,23, which are displayed on the display unit20, are also displayed in the display part14aand in a display part14cof the touch pad14in the assignment change mode.

More practically, the contents of the display part14bin the third embodiment are displayed in display parts11a,12a,13a, which respectively correspond to the operation switches11,12,13. Further, the display part14cof the touch pad14displays the active device (i.e., a DVD ofFIG. 11B).

According to the above control, the information displayed in the command slots21,22,23are also displayed in the display parts11a,12a,13acorresponding to the operation switches11,12,13. Therefore, the user is allowed to operate the operation switches11,12,13while visually recognizing the assigned commands displayed in the display parts11a,12e.13a, thereby improving operability of the operation switches11,12,13.

The present disclosure is not limited to the present disclosure, but may be changed in the following manner. The features of the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be arbitrarily combined to form further variations.

In each of the above embodiments, functions provided by the MPU17of the remote operation apparatus10, to be serving as a display control unit for controlling the information displayed of the operation menu, may also be provided by a MPU of various in-vehicle devices40and a MPU of the display unit20.

In each of the above embodiments, selection of the candidate commands and the change of command assignment performed by the touch pad14(i.e., a candidate selection operation unit, a command assignment operation unit in claims) may also be performed by other pointing devices such as a track ball, and a mouse. Further, an operation stick that is shaken/swung by the user, a direction switch that is tilted in four directions of up/down/right/left (i.e., a joystick-like device) and the like may also replace the touch pad14.

In each of the above embodiments, selection of the candidate commands and the change of command assignment are performed by only one device, i.e., by the touch pad14(i.e., a candidate selection operation unit, a command assignment operation unit in claims). However, the candidate selection operation unit and the command assignment operation unit may be provided as two separate units. That is, one of the candidate selection operation unit may be provided as a touch pad, and the other may be provided as an operation stick.

In each of the above embodiments, the candidate registration mode and the assignment change mode are both displayed as the operation guidance for the user, which may be changed to a sound guidance or the like. That is, one or both of the two modes may be provided as a sound/voice operation guidance.

In the first embodiment, the commands assigned to the operation switches11,12,13come from the same/single menu level. For example, in a situation before starting any application, which is illustrated inFIG. 3A, only the application start commands are displayed and selectable as an assigned command, and in a situation after starting one application, which is illustrated inFIG. 3B, only the operation commands for the started application are displayed and selectable. However, the operation switches11,12,13may be configured to simultaneously have the assigned commands from different/various menu levels.

In each of the above embodiments, multiple operation switches11,12,13are provided. However, the operation switch may be provided as only one switch. Further, when the operation switches11,12,13respectively have the display function as shown in the fourth embodiment, the display function of the touch pad14may be dispensed with.

Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.