Vehicle air conditioning setting device

A vehicle air conditioning setting device functioning with a vehicle air conditioning device for setting a direction of air blown out from an air outlet and a degree of concentration and diffusion of the air is provided. The vehicle air conditioning setting device includes: a display unit that displays an air range designation image including an occupant image representing an occupant seated on a seat of the vehicle; a touch panel overlapped with the display unit; and an air range setting unit that sets an air range representing the direction of the air and the degree of concentration and diffusion of the air based on an operation range of the touch panel on the air range designation image. When a drag operation is performed on the touch panel, the air range setting unit sets the air range based on a range of the drag operation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2016/001531 filed on Mar. 17, 2016 and published in Japanese as WO 2016/157789 A1 on Oct. 6, 2016. This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Applications No. 2015-076214 filed on Apr. 2, 2015, and No. 2016-029763 filed on Feb. 19, 2016. The entire disclosures of all of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle air conditioning setting device that performs setting relating to air conditioning in a vehicle, and particularly, to a technique for setting the direction of air blown out from an air outlet.

BACKGROUND ART

There has been conventionally known a technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1 as a technique for setting the direction of air blown out from an air outlet in a vehicle. In the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1, an image of an occupant of a vehicle is displayed on a display device on which a touch panel is superimposed, and the occupant touches a desired location to be set as an air-blowing target area on the touch panel with his/her finger to set the location as the air-blowing target area.

Further, as disclosed in Patent Literatures 2 to 5, there have also been widely known techniques for electronically controlling setting of the up-down and right-left directions of air blown out from an air outlet, setting of the degree of concentration or diffusion of air, and opening/closing of an air flow passage.

PRIOR ART LITERATURES

Patent Literature

SUMMARY

According to the technique of the Patent Literature 1, an occupant can easily set the direction of air blown out from the air outlet. However, when the concentration or diffusion of air blown out from the air outlet is set by using the technique of Patent Literature 1, it is necessary to successively touch a plurality of locations on the touch panel with a finger to diffuse the air, which is burdensome.

In view of such a circumstance, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a vehicle air conditioning setting device that enables an occupant to set the direction and the concentration or diffusion of air blown out from an air outlet by a simple operation.

According to an example of the present disclosure, a vehicle air conditioning setting device is mounted on a vehicle, and functions with a vehicle air conditioning device for setting a direction of air blown out from an air outlet and a degree of concentration and diffusion of the air. The vehicle air conditioning setting device includes: a display unit that displays an air range designation image including an occupant image representing an occupant seated on a seat of the vehicle; a touch panel overlapped with the display unit; and an air range setting unit that sets an air range representing the direction of the air and the degree of concentration and diffusion of the air based on an operation range of the touch panel on the air range designation image. When a large operation-amount operation, in which an operation amount of one of an operation distance in a direction along a surface of the touch panel and a pressing force to the touch panel is larger than a tap operation, is performed with respect to the touch panel, the air range setting unit sets the air range based on the operation amount of the large operation-amount operation.

According to the vehicle air conditioning setting device, when the large operation-amount operation having a larger operation amount than the tap operation, the operation amount being either the operation distance in the direction along the surface of the touch panel or the pressing force to the touch panel, is performed with respect to the touch panel, the air range representing the direction and the degree of concentration or diffusion of air is set on the basis of the operation amount of the large operation amount operation. That is, the direction and the degree of concentration or diffusion of air are set by a single large operation-amount operation. Thus, it is possible to set the direction and the degree of concentration or diffusion of air blown out from the air outlet by a simple operation.

EMBODIMENTS

Hereinbelow, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of Vehicle Air Conditioning System100)

A vehicle air conditioning system100illustrated inFIG. 1is mounted on a vehicle. The vehicle air conditioning system100includes a vehicle air conditioning device (hereinbelow, the air conditioning device)1, a setting device2, and a face position recognition device3. In the following description, the vehicle equipped with the vehicle air conditioning system100is referred to as an own vehicle.

The air conditioning device1is a device that air-conditions the inside of a vehicle cabin of the own vehicle. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the air conditioning device1is provided with an air conditioning ECU11, a horizontal louver12, a horizontal louver motor13, a vertical louver14, a vertical louver motor15, a temperature adjustment unit16, and a blower17.

The horizontal louver12is disposed on an air outlet or on the upstream side in an air flow passage with respect to the air outlet. The horizontal louver12is provided with a plurality of long plates each of which extends in the horizontal direction, that is, a width direction of the own vehicle. These long plates are arranged at intervals in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the long plates. Each of the long plates of the horizontal louver12is disposed turnably around a shaft which extends in the longitudinal direction of the long plate.

The horizontal louver motor13is a motor for driving the shaft of each of the long plates of the horizontal louver12and, for example, includes a plurality of motors so as to individually drive the shafts of the respective long plates.

The vertical louver14is disposed near the horizontal louver12on the air outlet or on the upstream side in the air flow passage with respect to the air outlet. The vertical louver14is provided with a plurality of long plates each of which extends in the arrangement direction of the long plates of the horizontal louver12. These long plates are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the long plates of the horizontal louver12. Each of the long plates of the vertical louver14is disposed turnably around a shaft which extends in the longitudinal direction of the long plate.

The vertical louver motor15is a motor for driving the shaft of each of the long plates of the vertical louver14and, for example, includes a plurality of motors so as to individually drive the shafts of the respective long plates.

The orientation of the vertical louver14is controlled by the vertical louver motor15, which adjusts the right-left direction of air blown out from the air outlet which is located on the downstream side of the vertical louver14and the degree of concentration or diffusion of the air.

Specifically, when the interval between adjacent long plates of the vertical louver14is reduced along the blow-out direction, the width in the right-left direction of air to be blown out is reduced. On the other hand, when the interval between adjacent long plates of the vertical louver14is increased along the blow-out direction, the width in the right-left direction of air to be blown out is increased.

Further, when each of the long plates of the vertical louver14is turned with the intervals between the long plates of the vertical louver14at the air outlet side maintained, the direction of air is adjusted in the right direction or the left direction of the own vehicle with the degree of concentration or diffusion of the air maintained.

The orientation of the horizontal louver12is controlled by the horizontal louver motor13, which adjusts the up-down direction of air blown out from the air outlet which is located on the downstream side of the horizontal louver12. In the present embodiment, a case in which the degree of concentration or diffusion in the up-down direction of air blown out from the air outlet is not adjusted will be described. However, the degree of concentration or diffusion in the up-down direction of air blown out from the air outlet may be adjusted. The width in the up-down direction of air to be blown out can be reduced by reducing the interval between adjacent long plates of the horizontal louver12along the blow-out direction. On the other hand, the width in the up-down direction of air to be blown out can be increased by increasing the interval between adjacent long plates of the horizontal louver12along the blow-out direction.

The temperature adjustment unit16includes a heat exchanger and adjusts the temperature of air blown out from the air outlet. The blower17adjusts the volume of air blown out from the air outlet.

The air conditioning ECU11is provided with a CPU and memories such as a ROM and a RAM. The air conditioning ECU11executes a control program stored in the ROM on the basis of a signal input from the setting device2to execute processing relating to air conditioning in the own vehicle. Note that some or all of functions executed by the air conditioning ECU11may be configured as hardware by one or more ICs.

The processing relating to air conditioning includes control of the temperature in the vehicle cabin using the temperature adjustment unit16, control of the volume of air using the blower17, and adjustment of the direction and the degree of concentration or diffusion of air using the horizontal louver12, the horizontal louver motor13, the vertical louver14, and the vertical louver motor15.

The setting device2as a vehicle air conditioning setting device is provided with a display ECU21, a display unit22, and a touch panel23. The display unit22is capable of performing color display and can be configured using, for example, a liquid crystal display. The touch panel23is superimposed on the display unit22. The display unit22with the touch panel23superimposed thereon is disposed at a position within the reach of a driver who is seated on a driver's seat.

The display ECU21is provided with a CPU and memories such as a ROM and a RAM. The CPU executes a control program stored in the ROM while using a temporary storage function of the RAM, so that the display ECU21functions as a display control unit211and an air conditioning setting unit212. Although, in the present embodiment, the display ECU21functions as the display control unit211and the air conditioning setting unit212, separate ECUs may function as the display control unit211and the air conditioning setting unit212. Further, some or all of functions executed by the display ECU21may be configured as hardware by one or more ICs.

The display control unit211displays various setting images for performing setting with respect to the air conditioning device1on the display unit22. The setting images include an air range designation image4illustrated inFIG. 2and the like. Further, a screen that indicates a state of air conditioning performed by the air conditioning device1is also displayed on the display unit22.

The air conditioning setting unit212performs various kinds of setting with respect to the air conditioning device1on the basis of signals input from the touch panel23with a setting screen for performing the setting with respect to the air conditioning device1displayed on the display unit22.

Examples of the setting with respect to the air conditioning device1include temperature setting, selection of the air blow port, and setting of the volume of air. Further, the examples also include setting of the direction of air to the vicinity of the driver's seat and the degree of concentration or diffusion of the air and setting of the direction of air to the vicinity of a passenger seat and the degree of concentration or diffusion of the air. Thus, the air conditioning setting unit212corresponds to an air range setting unit.

The setting of the direction of air to the vicinity of the driver's seat and the degree of concentration or diffusion of the air is performed with the air range designation image4displayed on the display unit22by the display control unit211. Further, the setting of the direction of air to the vicinity of the passenger seat and the degree of concentration or diffusion of the air is also performed with the air range designation image4displayed on the display unit22by the display control unit211.

The face position recognition device3has a known configuration provided with a camera which captures an image of the face of a front seat occupant (that is, the driver and an occupant of the passenger's seat) and the vicinity thereof and a control unit which analyzes the image captured by the camera and determines a face position of the front seat occupant. The face position recognition device3successively outputs signals indicating the determined face position of the front seat occupant to the display control unit211of the display ECU21.

(Setting of Air Range)

Next, the setting of the direction of air to the vicinity of the driver's seat and the degree of concentration or diffusion of the air and the setting of the direction of air to the vicinity of the passenger seat and the degree of concentration or diffusion of the air which are performed by the air conditioning setting unit212will be described.

In order to set the direction and the degree of concentration or diffusion of air, an air range is set in the present embodiment. When an operation for displaying the air range designation image4is performed with respect to the touch panel23, the air conditioning setting unit212outputs an instruction for displaying the air range designation image4illustrated inFIG. 2on the display unit22to the display control unit211.

The operation for displaying the air range designation image4can be performed with respect to each of the driver's seat and the passenger seat. An air range to the vicinity of the driver's seat can be set using the air range designation image4with respect to the driver's seat. An air range to the vicinity of the passenger seat can be set using the air range designation image4with respect to the passenger seat. A method for setting the air range to the vicinity of the driver's seat is the same as a method for setting the air range to the vicinity of the passenger seat after the air range designation image4is displayed.

The air range designation image4of the present embodiment has a square shape and includes an occupant image41, a grid horizontal line42, and a grid vertical line43. The occupant image41is an image representing an occupant who is seated on the front seat. The occupant image41of the present embodiment is not an image of the front seat occupant that is actually captured, but an image that is previously prepared. However, an image of the driver or the passenger seat occupant that is actually captured may be used as the occupant image41.

As described above, a signal indicating the face position of the front seat occupant recognized by the face position recognition device3is input to the display control unit211. The display control unit211updates a display position of the occupant image41on the basis of the signal so that the position of the occupant image41within the air range designation image4corresponds to the actual position of the front seat occupant.

A plurality of the grid horizontal lines42are displayed on the air range designation image4. Specifically, inFIG. 2, four grid horizontal lines42a,42b,42c,42dare displayed. When the grid horizontal lines42a,42b,42c,42dare not distinguished from each other, the grid horizontal lines42a,42b,42c,42dare merely referred to as the grid horizontal lines42. All the four grid horizontal lines42extend in the vehicle-width direction, and are parallel to each other and arranged at regular intervals. The interval between the grid horizontal lines42is longer than a contact length in the up-down direction of a fingertip with respect to the touch panel23when the touch panel23is touched with the fingertip, for example, approximately twice the contact length.

Similarly, a plurality of the grid vertical lines43are displayed on the air range designation image4. Specifically, four grid vertical lines43a,43b,43c,43dare displayed. When the grid vertical lines43a,43b,43c,43dare not distinguished from each other, the grid vertical lines43a,43b,43c,43dare merely referred to as the grid vertical lines43. These four grid vertical lines43extend in the up-down direction, and are parallel to each other and arranged at regular intervals.

Further, in the present embodiment, the interval between the grid horizontal lines42is equal to the interval between the grid vertical lines43. Thus, a rectangular range44which is surrounded by two grid horizontal lines42and two grid vertical lines43has a square shape. In the air range designation image4illustrated inFIG. 2, rectangular ranges44of 3 rows·3 columns are formed by the four grid horizontal lines42and the four grid vertical lines43.

FIG. 3illustrates a state in which a drag operation is performed on the air range designation image4with an index finger6. As widely known, a drag operation is an operation of moving an operation body such as a finger along the surface of the touch panel23with the operation body remaining in contact with the surface of the touch panel23. On the other hand, in a tap operation, an operation body is brought into contact with the touch panel23and then released from the touch panel23without sliding the operation body. Thus, a drag operation has a longer operation distance in the direction along the surface of the touch panel23than a tap operation and corresponds to a large operation amount operation.

In the drag operation illustrated inFIG. 3, a starting point is the lower left rectangular range44, and an end point is the lower right rectangular range44. The index finger6moves between the grid horizontal lines42c,42dfrom the starting point to the end point without crossing the grid horizontal lines42c,42d.

In the process of the drag operation, as illustrated inFIG. 3, an air rangeFIG. 5which extends from the starting point of the drag operation to the position of the index finger6is successively updated with the movement of the index finger6and displayed in a superimposed manner on the air range designation image4. The air rangeFIG. 5is also displayed on the display unit22by the display control unit211.

The drag operation illustrated inFIG. 3is a normal operation which can set a range between the starting point and the end point as the air range as it is. In the case of a drag operation as a normal operation, when the drag operation is ended, that is, when the index finger6is released from the touch panel23(not illustrated inFIG. 3), the air rangeFIG. 5which extends from the drag operation starting point to the drag operation end point is displayed as it is as illustrated inFIG. 4.

In the first embodiment, when an operation body is released from the touch panel23, the air rangeFIG. 5and the air range are determined at this point in time. When a touch operation is newly performed on the air range designation image4with the air rangeFIG. 5displayed, the display control unit211deletes the displayed air rangeFIG. 5and displays an air rangeFIG. 5that is determined on the basis of the new touch operation. The air conditioning setting unit212sets an air range corresponding to the newly-displayed air rangeFIG. 5.

(Air Range in Normal Operation)

When a drag operation is a normal operation, the air conditioning setting unit212sets an air range on the basis of a range from a starting point to an end point of the drag operation. When a drag operation is not a normal operation, a range of the drag operation cannot be set as an air range as it is. Hereinbelow, a drag operation that is not a normal operation is referred to as a mistaken operation. A mistaken operation and an air range that is set in the mistaken operation will be specifically described below. First, an air range that is set in a normal operation will be described.

The air range designation image4is associated with a range in which the front seat occupant is normally located. Specifically, the air range designation image4when the driver's seat is designated corresponds to a range in which the driver seated on the driver's seat is located at the position of the normal occupant image41. The air range designation image4when the passenger seat is designated corresponds to a range in which an occupant seated on the passenger seat is located at the position of the normal occupant image41.

Thus, the air rangeFIG. 5which is displayed in a superimposed manner on the air range designation image4represents a range of air blown out to the vicinity of the driver or the passenger seat occupant. In the present embodiment, a range of air in the up-down direction is in a unit of a range between two grid horizontal lines42. On the other hand, a range of air in the right-left direction has no relation with the grid vertical lines43and corresponds to a range from a starting point to an end point of a drag operation on the air range designation image4.

When the air range is set by the drag operation illustrated inFIG. 3, the up-down direction of air blown out toward the front seat occupant from the air outlet corresponds to a range between the two grid horizontal lines42c,42dillustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4. Further, the right-left direction and the degree of concentration or diffusion of the air correspond to substantially the entire range in the right-left direction of the air range designation image4. Note that the number of air outlets from which air is blown out to the front seat occupant may be one or more.

FIGS. 5 and 6are also display examples of the air rangeFIG. 5after the end of a drag operation when the drag operation is a normal operation. When the air rangeFIG. 5is displayed at the position ofFIG. 5, the up-down direction of air blown out toward the front seat occupant from the air outlet corresponds to a range between the two grid horizontal lines42a,42b. The right-left direction and the degree of concentration or diffusion of the air correspond to a range between a point between the grid vertical lines43a,43band a point between the grid vertical lines43b,43c.

When the air rangeFIG. 5is displayed at the position ofFIG. 6, the up-down direction of air blown out toward the front seat occupant from the air outlet is the same as that ofFIG. 5. The right-left direction and the degree of concentration or diffusion of the air correspond to a range between a point between the grid vertical lines43a,43band a point between the grid vertical lines43c,43d. Although the right-left direction of the air inFIG. 6differs from that inFIG. 5, the degree of concentration or diffusion inFIG. 6is the same as that inFIG. 5.

In a display example ofFIG. 7, the display position and the size of the air rangeFIG. 5are the same as those ofFIG. 6. However, the position of the occupant image41inFIG. 7differs from that inFIG. 6. The reason why the position of the occupant image41inFIG. 7differs from that inFIG. 6is that the display control unit211displays the occupant image41within the air range designation image4at a position corresponding to the actual position of the front seat occupant on the basis of a signal input from the face position recognition device3.

FIG. 8is a display example of the air rangeFIG. 5after the end of a tap operation when the tap operation is performed instead of the drag operation. When a tap operation is performed, the air conditioning setting unit212sets a minimum range that is determined on the basis of the tap operation as an air range.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a range in the right-left direction of the air range is set irrespective of the grid vertical lines43. Thus, when a tap operation is performed, a range that includes a position determined by the tap operation and has a minimum length in the right-left direction is set as a range in the right-left direction of the air range. The minimum length in the right-left direction is determined on the basis of a length in the right-left direction of the most concentrated air blown out by the air conditioning device1. A range of air in the up-down direction is in a unit of a range between two grid horizontal lines42. Thus, a range in the up-down direction of the air range when a tap operation is performed is between two grid horizontal lines42that sandwich the tapped position therebetween.

(Air Range in Mistaken Operation)

Next, an air range that is set when a drag operation is a mistaken operation will be described. The mistaken operation is a drag operation that designates an air range that cannot be set by the air conditioning device1. Specifically, the mistaken operation in the present embodiment includes the following (1) to (3): (1) a drag operation that crosses the grid horizontal line42(hereinbelow, referred to as an oblique operation); (2) a drag operation whose starting point is located at the position of the face of the occupant image41(hereinbelow, referred to as a face-starting point operation); and (3) a drag operation in which at least one of a starting point and an end point is located outside the air range designation image4(hereinbelow, referred to as a protrusion operation).

When a drag operation is a mistaken operation, an air range is set on the basis of a part of the drag operation range. For example, when a drag operation is not a face-starting point operation, but an oblique operation, a drag operation starting point on the air range designation image4is used as the part of the drag operation range, and a range that is determined on the basis of the drag operation starting point is set as an air range.

FIG. 9illustrates an example in which the direction of a drag operation is a right obliquely downward direction and the drag operation thus crosses the grid horizontal line42c. As illustrated inFIG. 9, even when a drag operation is a mistaken operation, the air rangeFIG. 5is successively updated and displayed with the movement of the index finger6during the drag operation.

FIG. 10illustrates the air range designation image4on which the air rangeFIG. 5displayed after the end of the drag operation from the state ofFIG. 9is displayed in a superimposed manner. The air rangeFIG. 5illustrated inFIG. 10is displayed within the rectangular range44that includes the starting point of the drag operation. The length in the up-down direction of the air rangeFIG. 5is equal to that of the air rangeFIG. 5during a normal operation, and the length in the right-left direction thereof is a right-left direction length that is previously set during a mistaken operation.

In an air range when the air rangeFIG. 5illustrated inFIG. 10is displayed on the display unit22, the up-down direction of air is between the grid horizontal lines42b,42c, and the right-left direction of the air is within the rectangular range44that includes the starting point of the drag operation. Further, the degree of concentration or diffusion is in a most concentrated state.

Further, inFIG. 9, the end point of the drag operation is located outside the air range designation image4. Thus, the drag operation is also a protrusion operation. However, in the present embodiment, an action for the oblique operation has a higher priority than an action for the protrusion operation.

When a mistaken operation is a face-starting point operation, a part or the whole of a right-side part of the drag operation range, the right-side part being located on the right side with respect to the occupant image41, on the air range designation image4is set as an air range. Then, an air rangeFIG. 5corresponding to the air range is displayed in a superimposed manner on the air range designation image4. The part of the right-side part of the drag operation range with respect to the occupant image41is, for example, the rectangular range44that is located on the right side with respect to the occupant image41.

Further, the occupant image41may be shifted from the center of the air range designation image4depending on the occupant position, and no part of the drag operation range may be located on the right side with respect to the occupant image41. In this case, no air range is set.

FIG. 11is a display example in the middle of the face position-starting point operation.FIG. 12illustrates the air range designation image4on which the air rangeFIG. 5displayed after the end of the drag operation from the state ofFIG. 11is displayed in a superimposed manner.

When the starting point of the drag operation is the face position of the occupant image41, as illustrated inFIG. 12, the air rangeFIG. 5is displayed within the rectangular range44that is closer to the end point of the drag operation range than the face position of the occupant image41and located on the middle of the right end column. Then, a range corresponding to the air rangeFIG. 5is set as an air range.

Further, inFIG. 11, the drag operation crosses the grid horizontal line42b. Thus, the drag operation is also an oblique operation. However, in the present embodiment, an action for the face position-starting point operation has a higher priority than an action for the oblique operation. Thus, when the drag operation ofFIG. 11is performed, the air rangeFIG. 5is displayed at the position illustrated inFIG. 12, and the range corresponding to the air rangeFIG. 5is set as the air range.

In the case of the protrusion operation, the air conditioning setting unit212sets a range on the air range designation image4in the drag operation range as an air range, and the display control unit211displays the air rangeFIG. 5corresponding to the air range in a superimposed manner on the air range designation image4.

FIG. 13is a display example during a drag operation in which both a starting point and an end point of the drag operation range are located outside the air range designation image4.FIG. 14illustrates the air range designation image4on which the air rangeFIG. 5displayed after the end of the drag operation from the state ofFIG. 13is displayed in a superimposed manner.

When the drag operation range does not cross the grid horizontal lines42, but the starting point and the end point thereof are located outside the air range designation image4as illustrated inFIG. 13, a range from a starting point to an end point on the air range designation image4in the drag operation range is set as an air range, and the air rangeFIG. 5corresponding to the air range is displayed in a superimposed manner on the air range designation image4as illustrated inFIG. 14.

(Summary of First Embodiment)

In the present embodiment described above, when the direction of air blown out to the front seat occupant from the air outlet and the degree of concentration of diffusion of the air are adjusted, the display control unit211displays the air range designation image4on the display unit22with the touch panel23superimposed thereon.

When a drag operation is performed on the touch panel23with the air range designation image4displayed on the display unit22, the air conditioning setting unit212sets an air range that represents the direction and the degree of concentration or diffusion of air on the basis of a range of the drag operation. Thus, the direction and the degree of concentration or diffusion of air can be set by a single drag operation. Therefore, the direction and the degree of concentration or diffusion of air blown out from the air outlet can be set by a simple operation.

Further, in the present embodiment, when a tap operation is performed on the touch panel23with the air range designation image4displayed on the display unit22, the air conditioning setting unit212sets a minimum range that is determined on the basis of the tap operation as an air range. Thus, it is possible to set air blown out from the air outlet to a most concentrated state and also easily perform an operation for setting the direction of the air in the most concentrated state.

Further, it is difficult for a person to accurately perform a drag operation in a straight line in the horizontal direction while riding in a vehicle. Even if a person tries to perform a drag operation in a straight line, a range of the drag operation becomes a slightly curved shape. On the other hand, it is considered that an intentional drag operation with a slightly curved shape is hardly performed. Thus, in the present embodiment, when a drag operation is performed on the air range designation image4and the drag operation does not cross the grid horizontal lines42, the air conditioning setting unit212sets the air range assuming that the drag operation is performed in a straight line in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, even if the occupant erroneously performs a slightly curved drag operation in spite of the fact that the occupant has an intention of designating the air range in a straight line in the horizontal direction, the air range is set in a straight line as intended by the occupant.

Further, in the present embodiment, when a drag operation is a mistaken operation that designates a range of air that cannot be set by the air conditioning device1, the air conditioning setting unit212sets an air range on the basis of a part of the drag operation range that is located on the air range designation image4and includes one of a starting point and an end point on the air range designation image4. Thus, the air range can be set even in the mistaken operation.

When a mistaken operation is not a face position-starting point operation, but an oblique operation, the air conditioning setting unit212sets an air range on the basis of a starting point on the air range designation image4of the drag operation range. When a drag operation is an oblique operation, the end side of the drag operation is more likely to be deviated from an intended position than the staring side of the drag operation. Thus, in the oblique operation, when an air range is set on the basis of the starting point on the air range designation image4of the drag operation range, the air range is likely to relatively reflect the intention of a person who has performed the drag operation.

Further, when air is unintentionally blown to the face of the front seat occupant, the visibility on the front side may be disadvantageously reduced. Thus, in the present embodiment, a part corresponding to the occupant image41is not set as an air range in a face-starting point operation. Accordingly, even if a drag operation is a face starting point operation, it is possible to prevent air from blowing to the face of the front seat occupant.

Here, an occupant who has performed a drag operation as a face-starting point operation may have an intention to set the starting point at the left side of the occupant image41or set the starting point at the right side of the occupant image41. Thus, setting the air range at the right side of the occupant image41and setting the air range at the left side of the occupant image41in the face-starting point operation may both be against the intention of the occupant. Thus, when the face-starting point operation is performed, there is also a high possibility that the occupant performs the drag operation again.

A drag operation can be more easily performed by moving a finger from left to right than moving a finger from right to left similarly to the case of writing characters regardless of a right-handed person or a left-handed person. Thus, when a drag operation is performed again, the drag operation is performed from left to right. In the drag operation performed again, when the air rangeFIG. 5is displayed on the left side of the occupant image41to be a starting point of the drag operation, it is psychologically hard to perform the drag operation again.

However, in the present embodiment, in the face-starting point operation, a part or the whole of the right-side part of the drag operation range, the right-side part being located on the right side with respect to the occupant image41, on the air range designation image4is set as an air range. This makes it possible to easily perform the drag operation again.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following description of the second embodiment, an element having a reference sign used in the preceding embodiment is the same as an element having the same reference sign in the preceding embodiment unless otherwise specifically noted. Further, when only a part of a configuration is described, the embodiment previously described can be applied to the other part of the configuration.

In the second embodiment, a touch panel23has a configuration that is capable of detecting multi-touch and capable of detecting a pressing force to the touch panel23classified into a plurality of levels. In the present embodiment, the number of levels is three corresponding to the number of rectangular ranges44in the right-left direction in an air range designation image4. Known touch panels having various configurations can be used as the touch panel23of the second embodiment. For example, a touch panel including a capacitance type sensor and a pressure sensor which are stacked may be used.

Further, it is not necessary for the touch panel23of the first embodiment to detect multi-touch, and it is only necessary to detect that the touch panel23is touched. Thus, a capacitance type touch panel that does not detect a pressing force can be used as the touch panel23of the first embodiment. However, the touch panel23that is the same as one used in the second embodiment may be used in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, an air conditioning setting unit212has the same function as that of the first embodiment. An air range is set similarly to the first embodiment when the touch panel23is single-touched and the pressing force is in the lowest pressing force level.

When the touch panel23is multi-touched and the pressing force to the touch panel23is in the second pressing force level or higher, the air conditioning setting unit212sets an air range different from that in the first embodiment. Note that the multi-touch indicates a state in which a plurality of positions on the touch panel23are simultaneously touched.

When the touch panel23is multi-touched, the same air range as that of the first embodiment is set on the basis of each of the plurality of touch positions. Thus, when drag operations are performed by multi-touch, the same processing as that of the first embodiment is performed with respect to each of the drag operations to set the air range.FIG. 15illustrates a state in which drag operations are performed on the air range designation image4with an index finger6and a middle finger7. The drag operation with the index finger6has a starting point within a lower left rectangular range44and an end point within a lower right rectangular range44. The drag operation with the middle finger7has a starting point within a center rectangular range44on the left column and an end point within a center rectangular range44on the right column.

Also in the process of the drag operations with the index finger6and the middle finger7, air rangeFIGS. 5a, 5bextending from the starting points of the drag operations to the index finger6and the middle finger7are successively updated with the movement of the index finger6and the middle finger7and displayed in a superimposed manner on the air range designation image4.

It is determined whether each of the drag operations with the index finger6and the middle finger7is a normal operation or a mistaken operation similarly to the first embodiment, and an air range is set to a range corresponding to the normal operation or the mistaken operation.FIG. 16illustrates air rangeFIGS. 5a, 5bthat are displayed when the drag operation with the index finger6and the drag operation with the middle finger7are both normal operations. Since each of the drag operations is a normal operation, each of the air rangeFIGS. 5a, 5billustrated inFIG. 16extends from the drag operation starting point to the drag operation end point. The air conditioning setting unit212sets an air range corresponding to the air rangeFIGS. 5a, 5billustrated inFIG. 16.

Next, an air range that is set by the air conditioning setting unit212when the pressing force to the touch panel23is in the second pressing force level or higher will be described. Hereinbelow, an operation to the touch panel23in the second pressing force level or higher is referred to as a strong pressing operation. Further, when the pressing force is in the lowest pressing force level and an operation to the touch panel23is finished with no drag operation, the operation is determined to be a tap operation. Thus, the strong pressing operation has a larger pressing force than a tap operation and corresponds to the large operation amount operation.

When a strong pressing operation is performed with respect to the touch panel23and an operation position of the strong pressing operation is within the air range designation image4, in addition to a standard range that is determined on the basis of the position of the strong pressing operation, a range extending to one of right and left from the standard range is set as an air range.

The standard range in the present embodiment is the same as the minimum range set in a tap operation. An extending direction, either the right or left direction, of the air range with respect to the standard range differs according to the position where the strong pressing operation is performed.

When the position of the strong pressing operation is a right end part of the air range designation image4, the air range is extended in the left direction from the standard range. On the other hand, when the position of the strong pressing operation is a left end part of the air range designation image4, the air range is extended in the right direction from the standard range. The end part in the present embodiment corresponds to one rectangular range44. However, the end part may be smaller than the rectangular range44or larger than the rectangular range44differently from the present embodiment.

The length in the right-left direction of the extended part of the air range extended with respect to the standard range is determined according to the level of the pressing force. Specifically, when the pressing force level is the second lowest pressing force level, in other words, the lowest pressing force level as a strong pressing operation, the air range is extended from the standard range by a length corresponding to one rectangular range44.

When the pressing force level is the third lowest pressing force level, in other words, the second lowest pressing force level as a strong pressing operation, a range extended with respect to the standard range by a length corresponding to two rectangular ranges44is defined as an air range. Note that the length in the up-down direction is not changed from the standard range.

When the position of the strong pressing operation is a central part of the air range designation image4, the air range is extended to both sides in the right-left direction. However, in the present embodiment, the air range is not simultaneously extended to right and left. When the pressing force with respect to the touch panel23is in the second pressing force level, the air range is extended to the right side. In the present embodiment, the central part of the air range designation image4corresponds to a central one of the three columns of rectangular ranges44included in the air range designation image4. However, the central part may be wider than the rectangular ranges44in the central column or, on the other hand, may be narrower than the rectangular ranges in the central column.

When the pressing force with respect to the touch panel23becomes stronger and the level thereof becomes the third lowest pressing force level, the air range is extended to the left side in addition to the right side. An extending length of the air range is a length corresponding to one rectangular range44.

Also when a strong pressing operation is performed, an air rangeFIG. 5corresponding to the air range is displayed in a superimposed manner on the air range designation image4during the operation.FIG. 17illustrates a state in which a part where the face of the occupant image41is displayed within the air range designation image4is touched with the index finger6. At the beginning of the operation, the pressing force is in the lowest pressing force level. Thus, the air rangeFIG. 5having the same range as that in a tap operation is displayed.

Then, when it is detected that the pressing force has become the second lowest pressing force level, the air rangeFIG. 5extends to the right side from the range ofFIG. 17. Further, when it is detected that the pressing force has become the third lowest pressing force level, as illustrated inFIG. 18, the air rangeFIG. 5becomes a shape extending to right and left from the air rangeFIG. 5illustrated inFIG. 17.

FIG. 19illustrates a state in which the central rectangular range44on the left end column within the air range designation image4is touched with the index finger6. In this state, the displayed air rangeFIG. 5is the same as the air rangeFIG. 5that is displayed when the touch position of the index finger6is tapped. Then, when it is detected that the pressing force has become the second lowest pressing force level, as illustrated inFIG. 20, the air rangeFIG. 5becomes a shape extending to the right side from the air range figure illustrated inFIG. 19by one rectangular range44.

In the second embodiment, when drag operations are performed by multi-touch on positions on the air range designation image4of the touch panel23, the air range is set on the basis of each of the drag operations. Thus, it is possible to set an air range that is wider than an air range designated by a drag operation by a single touch by a simple operation.

Further, in the second embodiment, the air range can be set also by a strong pressing operation. Thus, it is possible to easily set the direction of air blown out from the air outlet and the degree of concentration or diffusion of the air by a single strong pressing operation.

The embodiments have been described above as examples. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be changed to various modes including the following modifications.

For example, in the above embodiments, the number of grid horizontal lines42is four, and the number of grid vertical lines43is four. However, the number of grid horizontal lines42may be five or more, and the number of grid vertical lines43may be five or more. Further, the number of grid horizontal lines42may not be equal to the number of grid vertical lines43.

Further, in the above embodiments, the range of air in the right-left direction is set irrespective of the grid vertical lines43. However, the range of air in the right-left direction may be set in a unit of a range between two grid vertical lines43.

In the above embodiments, the oblique operation is defined as a mistaken operation. However, an air range may be obliquely set without defining the oblique direction as a mistaken operation.

In the above embodiments, the air range is adjusted by adjusting the angle of each long plate of the horizontal louver12and the angle of each long plate of the vertical louver14. However, the Coanda effect may be used instead of the louvers or in addition to the louvers to adjust the air range.

In the second embodiment, the extending stage of the air range is determined according to the pressing force level, and the pressing force applied to the touch panel23can be classified into three levels and detected. However, the detection classification of the pressing force applied to the touch panel23may be two stages or four or more stages, and the number of stages of extension of the air range may be set according to these number of stages of the detection classification.

In the above embodiments, when an operation body is released from the touch panel23, the air rangeFIG. 5and the air range are determined at this point in time. Then, when a touch operation is newly performed on the air range designation image4with the air rangeFIG. 5displayed, the displayed air rangeFIG. 5is deleted, and an air rangeFIG. 5that is determined on the basis of the new touch operation is displayed.

However, it may be possible that the air rangeFIG. 5can be added within a preset certain time after the release of the operation body from the touch panel23. Accordingly, it is possible to display the air rangeFIG. 5aillustrated inFIG. 15by performing a drag operation with a single finger, then display the air rangeFIG. 5bby performing a drag operation, and set an air range corresponding to these two air rangeFIGS. 5a,5b.

In the second embodiment, when a strong pressing operation is performed in the central part of the air range designation image4, the air range is extended to the right side first and then to the left side. However, the air range may be simultaneously extended to the right side and the left side. In this case, for example, the sum of an extending length of the air range to the right side and an extending length to the left side at the first stage is made equal to the extending length of the air range to the right side in the second embodiment. Further, the sum of the extending length to the right side and the extending length to the left side may be longer than the extending length to the right side in the second embodiment. Further, the air range may be extended to the left side first and then to the right side.