Operating device

An operating device for controlling a display screen, which includes a rotatable operating member of cylindrical shape, and a slidable operating member having a cylindrical tip portion located above an upper end of the rotatable operating member. The diameter of an upper surface of the slidable operating member cylindrical tip portion is reduced relative to a diameter of a lower surface of the cylindrical tip portion, and the diameter of the lower surface of the slidable operating member cylindrical tip portion is equal to or less than a diameter of an upper surface of the rotatable operating member. An operating device is provided which prevents a misoperation in slide operation and rotation operation and improves operability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-352947, filed Oct. 10, 2003, and on Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-87714, filed Mar. 27, 2003, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to an operating device for controlling a display screen by using a rotatable operating member and a slidable operating member.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, an operating device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. 2001-524708 which is provided with an operating member displaceable in an axial direction and rotatable around the axial direction, and in which selection is made among various processing items on the display screen of a display in accordance with an inputting operation by this operating member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the conventional technique, however, because the slidable member and the rotatable member were a one-piece member, if only one of the slide and rotation operations was intended by the operator, the intended operation often caused an unexpected operation, i.e., rotating and sliding of the operating member, respectively, thus posing an unfavorable problem from the viewpoint of operability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and an object thereof is to provide an operating device which enables preventing a misoperation when performing the slide or rotation operation, and which makes an improvement in operability.

In order to solve the above problem, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operating device for controlling a display screen, comprising: a rotatable operating member of cylindrical shape; and a slidable operating member having a cylindrical tip portion located above an upper end of the rotatable operating member, the rotatable operating member and the slidable operating member being used for controlling the display screen, wherein a diameter of an upper surface of the cylindrical tip portion of the slidable operating member is reduced relative to a diameter of a lower surface of the cylindrical tip portion, and the diameter of the lower surface of the cylindrical tip portion of the slidable operating member is equal to or less than a diameter of an upper surface of the rotatable operating member.

With the above operating device, since the rotatable and slidable operating members are constructed as separate members, and the diameter of the upper surface of the slidable operating member tip portion is reduced relative to the diameter of the lower surface of the slidable operating member tip portion, an operator can grasp these operating members from above without interference by an upper portion thereof, leading to an easy operation. In addition, because the diameter of the lower surface of the slidable operating member tip portion is equal to or less than the diameter of the upper surface of the rotatable operating member, a misoperation may be prevented that is caused by an operator touching the slidable operating member when he operates the rotatable operating member, thereby improving the rotation operability.

Preferably, in the above operating device, a height of the rotatable operating member is greater than a height of the cylindrical tip portion of the slidable operating member.

With the above structure, because it is easier for an operator to grasp the rotatable operating member from above without touching the slidable operating member, the rotation operability can further be improved. In addition, because the height of the slidable operating member tip portion is smaller than the height of the rotatable operating member, the slidable operating member can be reduced in weight, making it possible for a slide operation to be performed with a small force and improving the slide operability.

Preferably, the diameter of the lower surface of the cylindrical tip portion of the slidable operating member is less than the diameter of the upper surface of the rotatable operating member to provide a relief portion on the upper surface of the rotatable operating member.

With the above structure, because the slidable operating member tip portion and the rotatable operating member are different in diameter, an operator can easily distinguish the operating members from each other without looking at them. In addition, because the slidable operating member does not interfere with a finger when an operator holds the rotatable operating member, the operator can operate the slidable operating member with the palm of his hand while manipulating the rotatable operating member with his fingers. Thus, the operation can be done without exchanging one for the other of the operating members, leading to an improved operability. Furthermore, because the slidable operating member is reduced in weight, an easier operation of the slidable operating member is attainable.

Preferably, the rotatable operating member is provided on a projection such that a side surface of the rotatable operating member is contiguous to the projection.

With the above structure, because the projection provides a spacing between the rotatable operating member and a general surface that corresponds to the dimension of the projection, even if an operator grasps at the base side of the rotatable operating member, the nail or finger tip of the operator may be prevented from contacting the general surface. Thus, the operator will not suffer discomfort, leading to an improved operability. In addition, by catching hold of the projection with a finger, a misoperation due to vibrations of the vehicle or the like may be prevented, leading to improved operability. Furthermore, by making the rotatable operating member a rotation-only member, its effect may be further improved.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operating device comprising: a rotatable operating dial that is rotated to make a selection among menus displayed on a screen; and a slidable operating member that is depressed to make a decision on the menus, wherein a modify feature is allocated to slide operation of the slidable operating member.

With the above operating device, because the modification can be done through only one slide operation of the slidable operating member, unlike the case where the modification is done with the rotatable operating member, the adjustment of its rotation amount for switching from the selected menu to the menu with a modify feature and the screen viewing work that accompanies the above adjustment becomes unnecessary, leading to a reduction in operation time and an improved convenience.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operating device for controlling a display screen, comprising: a rotatable operating member of cylindrical shape; a slidable operating member having a tip portion located above an upper end of the rotatable operating member, the rotatable operating member and the slidable operating member being used for controlling the display screen, wherein a diameter of an upper surface of the rotatable operating member is reduced relative to a diameter of a lower surface of the rotatable operating member to provide an inclined side surface, and wherein the tip portion of the slidable operating member is located inwardly of an imaginary line extending from the inclined side surface of the rotatable operating member.

With the above operating device, an operator may grasp these operating members from above without interference by an upper portion thereof, leading to an easy operation. In addition, because the slidable operating member is located inwardly of the imaginary line extending from the inclined side surface of the rotatable operating member, a misoperation may be prevented that is caused by the operator touching the slidable operating member when he operates the rotatable operating member, thus improving the rotation operability.

Preferably, in the above operating device, the rotatable operating member is provided on a projection such that the inclined side surface of the rotatable operating member is contiguous to the projection.

With the above structure, even if an operator grasps at the base side of the rotatable operating member, the nail or finger tip of the operator may be prevented from contact with a general surface. Thus, the operator will not suffer from discomfort, leading to an improved operability.

Advantageously, in the preceding operating devices, the diameter of the upper surface of the rotatable operating member is also reduced relative to a diameter of a lower surface of the rotatable operating member.

The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of an operating device of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1is a schematic structural view of a vehicle1with an operating device2according to the embodiment of the present invention mounted thereon.

The vehicle1is equipped with the operating device2, a GPS sensor3, a vehicle speed sensor4, a speaker5, a display6, and a navigation system7. The navigation system7is inputted with respective signals from the operating device2, the GPS sensor3and the vehicle speed sensor4, and produces output to the speaker5and the display6based on these signals.

Each device will be described below.

The operating device2is operated by an inputting operation by an operator (vehicle occupant in this case) and can perform input work to the display6through the navigation system7. The details will be described later.

The GPS sensor3detects the positional information of the vehicle1, and the vehicle speed sensor4detects the velocity V of the vehicle1, and their respective detected values are inputted into the navigation system7.

The navigation system7includes a database8, a memory9, a CPU10, and a program11. The database8stores data concerning various items and their contents that are to be displayed on the display6. Speech recognition lexicons are stored in memory in the database8in correspondence to various data.

Furthermore, data extracted from the database8, data inputted from the operating device2, speech recognition lexicons of these data, and the like are written and erased as appropriate in the memory9. The CPU10operates on the program11and performs the extracting processing of data from the database8to the memory9, conversion processing of speech recognition lexicons associated with the extracted data into a speech file, outputting processing to the speaker5and the display6, and the like. The display6displays data and map data, which are outputted from the memory9by the CPU10, on its display screen. The speaker5voice-outputs the speech file outputted by the CPU10.

FIG. 2is a front view of the instrument panel where the operating device as shown inFIG. 1is disposed. As shown in the figure, the operating device2is provided in a projecting manner substantially at the center of the instrument panel20. The operating device2will be described below.

FIG. 3is a perspective view of the operating device as shown inFIG. 1. The operating device2is configured such that a slidable operating member22has its tip portion (a knob51) projecting above a rotatable operating member21. The rotatable operating member21is formed with a cylindrical contour, and the diameter LK1(FIG. 5) of its upper surface is reduced relative to the diameter LK2of its lower surface, thereby providing an inclined side surface. As will be described later in connection withFIG. 5, the rotatable operating member21allows only rotating operation centering around the axis P (in the direction of a double-headed arrow R) and is set to be inoperable in the axis P direction and in directions X and Y perpendicular thereto.

On the other hand, the slidable operating member22is formed with a cylindrical contour having the same axis P as the rotatable operating member21and is located inwardly of an imaginary line S extending from the inclined side surface of the rotatable operating member21. The slidable operating member22is capable of being depressed in the axis P direction as indicated by an arrow Q and is capable of sliding in the two directions X and Y perpendicular to the axis P direction. Note that in the present embodiment the term “slide” includes horizontal movement of the slidable operating member22in the directions X and Y relative to the axis P and rocking movement in the directions X and Y relative to the axis P.

Regarding the knob51of the slidable operating member22, like the rotatable operating member21, the diameter LS1of its upper surface is reduced relative to the diameter LS2of its lower surface, thereby providing an inclined side surface. The diameter of the lower surface of the slidable operating member knob51is smaller than the diameter of the upper surface of the rotatable operating member21. Due to the above, an upper surface outer circumference side of the rotatable operating member21is exposed from below the lower surface of the slidable operating member knob51, so as to provide a later-described relief portion25. In addition, the height HK (FIG. 5) of the rotatable operating member21is set greater than the height HS of the knob51of the slidable operating member22.

Furthermore, the rotatable operating member21is provided on, and has its side surface contiguous to, a projection23on a general surface24so as to secure a spacing between the rotatable operating member21and the general surface24that corresponds to the dimension of the projection23(double-headed arrow H inFIG. 3).

The internal structure of the operating device2will be described in detail with reference made toFIG. 5, which is a sectional view of the operating device2. As shown inFIG. 5, the operating device2has a region exposed from the general surface24of the instrument panel20that is semicircular in section and a region buried in the general surface24that is convex-shaped in cross section.

The rotatable operating member21has a rotatable knob53exposed to the outside and an outer holder54extending downwardly in the axial direction from an inner circumference side of the underside of the rotatable knob53. The outer holder54extends downwardly along and in opposed relation to the inner circumferential surface of a casing67. The outer holder54is rotatably fitted inside the casing67. Due to the above, if an operator rotates the rotatable knob53, the outer holder54rotates around the axis P integrally with the rotatable knob53. In addition, if the operator tries to move the rotatable knob53in the axis P direction or in a direction perpendicular thereto (direction X or Y), such movement is restricted by the casing67. Thus, only rotation can be given to the rotatable operating member21. Furthermore, an encoder (not shown) is mounted inside the casing67and detects the rotation angle of the rotatable operating member21to output a signal to the navigation system7.

On the other hand, if an operator presses the knob51in the axis P direction, the knob51moves downwardly along the axis P direction so as to press an enter switch (not shown) disposed inside the casing67.

In addition, if the knob51is operated to slide in a direction (direction X or Y) perpendicular to the axis P by the operator, the slide operating direction is detected by a switch (not shown) provided inside the casing67that detects the displacement in the directions X and Y. After completion of a slide operation, the slidable operating member22is returned to a predetermined position by a return mechanism which is not shown.

With the construction as described above, when the operating members21and22are grasped by an operator from above, an upper portion does not interfere, making it possible for the operator to easily perform each operation (slide and rotation operations). In addition, because the diameter LS2of the lower surface of the slidable operating member knob51is equal to or less than the diameter LK1of the upper surface of the rotatable operating member21, a misoperation may be prevented that is caused by an operator touching the slidable operating member22when he operates the rotatable operating member21, thereby improving the rotation operability. Furthermore, because the diameter LS2of the lower surface of the slidable operating member knob51is set smaller than the diameter LK1of the upper surface of the rotatable operating member21, and the height HS of the slidable operating member knob51is set smaller than the height HK of the rotatable operating member21, it is possible to light the slider portion of the slidable operating member22. Due to this, the slide operation may be performed with a small force, thereby improving the slide operability.

In addition, because the rotatable operating member21and the knob51of the slidable operating member22have different diameters, it is possible for an operator to easily distinguish the operating members21and22from each other without looking at them. Furthermore, the relief portion25formed on the rotatable operating member21enables a finger tip or nail of the operator not to be interfered with. Because the slidable operating member22does not interfere with a finger when an operator holds the rotatable operating member21, the operator may operate the slidable operating member22with the palm of his hand while operating the rotatable operating member21with his fingers. Thus, it is possible to operate without exchanging one for the other of the operating members21and22, thereby leading to an improved operability.

In addition, because a spacing is secured between the rotatable operating member21and the general surface24, which spacing corresponds to the dimension H of the projection23, even if the operator makes a grasp at the base side of the rotatable operating member21, the nail or finger tip of the operator may be prevented from contact with the general surface24(A and B inFIG. 4). Thus, the operator will not suffer from discomfort which would otherwise be caused by contact of his nail or finger tip with the general surface24when operating the rotatable operating member21, thereby improving the operability.

In the present embodiment, a modify feature is allocated to the slide operation of the slidable operating member22, which will be described with reference toFIGS. 7 to 10.

FIGS. 7 to 10are explanatory views showing one example of a display screen of the display as shown inFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 7, a plurality of menus31are displayed in a substantially elliptical shape on the display screen of the display6, of which the menu at the bottom of the ellipse is the modify (designation deletion) menu32. A selection can be made among these menus31by rotating the rotatable operating member21(FIG. 8), a decision can be made on the menus31by depressing the slidable operating member22(FIG. 9), and the decided menu31can be modified by sliding the slidable operating member22. In other words, by sliding among the slidable operating member menus31, the menu once decided (Police Station D in this case) can be cancelled (deleted) as shown inFIG. 10. Note that in the present embodiment, it is possible to perform the following five modifications, although modifications are not limited thereto.1) Deletion of one from a history by slide operation2) Deletion of what has been inputted by slide operation (deletion of an inputted number such as a telephone number)3) Pointing at the object to be deleted with the cursor by slide operation and entering to delete4) Moving to the deletion menu by slide operation and entering to delete5) Cancellation of what has been selected (such as a menu) by slide operation

Thus, because the input modification can be performed through only one slide operation of the slidable operating member22, unlike the case where the input modification is performed with the rotatable operating member21, the adjustment of its rotation amount for switching from the selected menu31to the modification menu32with a modify feature and the screen viewing work that accompanies the above adjustment becomes unnecessary, leading to a reduction in operation time and an improved convenience.

FIG. 6is a sectional view of an operating device40which is a variant example of the operating device2as shown inFIG. 5. Like reference numerals are given to like elements as inFIG. 5. In the operating member40, the diameter of the lower surface of a knob43at the tip of a slidable operating member42is substantially equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the upper surface of a rotatable operating member41. Also in this case, like the operating device2, a misoperation in performing the slide operation or rotation operation can be prevented, improving the operability.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment of an operating member. For example, the shape of a slidable operating member may be a conical or pyramidal one. Furthermore, the operating device of the present invention may be applied for operating, in addition to the navigation system, an air conditioner and other equipment. In addition, the rotatable operating member, provided that it is separate from the slidable operating member, may also be operable in other ways than rotation.