Patent Publication Number: US-7218312-B2

Title: Information display device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an information display device, and more particularly, it belongs to a technical field of an information display device suitable for displaying an operation menu at the time of blind operation of on-vehicle apparatuses by a multifunction switch, the on-vehicle apparatuses being a navigation system, an audio apparatus, and so on mounted on a vehicle. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Conventionally, a multifunction switch has been well known that is intended for use in operating a navigation system, an audio apparatus, an airconditioner, and so on by blind operation from a driver&#39;s seat or a front passenger&#39;s seat of a vehicle while the vehicle is being driven (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2000-276976). 
   This multifunction switch is so structured that operation switches are disposed at positions where respective fingers are situated when an operator holds the multifunction switch, thereby enhancing operability, and it is provided with a jog encoder switch with a push function, thereby realizing diversified switch operations. This multifunction switch enables an operator to operate the apparatuses by blind operation while seeing a hierarchical operation menu displayed on a display screen mounted on a vehicle. 
   In a conventional information display device using the above-described multifunction switch, the following two methods have been typically implemented as methods for displaying an operation menu on a display screen. 
   (1) Menu display is kept on stand-by at a normal time and the menu is displayed by switch operation. When no switch operation is executed for a predetermined period of time, the menu is erased from a display screen. 
   (2) A part of the screen is reserved as a menu display area for constantly keeping the menu displayed thereon. 
   However, the former method of the above prior arts requires, before the operation of the apparatus, switch operation for the display of an initial menu, which poses a problem of low operability. 
   In the latter method, the screen appears cluttered due to a large amount of information displayed on the screen. Moreover, an area for displaying other apparatus information becomes small. This is especially disadvantageous for a navigation function since a map display area is forced to be small. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is made in view of the problems stated above, and an object thereof is to provide an information display device that is excellent in operability in which quick menu display is possible when an operator operates a switch for an apparatus and a menu non-display window appears again after the switch operation is completed, thereby preventing the obstruction to a display area of apparatus information. 
   In order to achieve the objects stated above, an information display device according to the present invention includes: a display having a display screen on which information on an apparatus is displayed; an input means including an operation switch through which operation control of the apparatus is performed and outputting a switch signal when the operation switch is operated; a proximity detector that detects that an operator&#39;s hand comes in a range which is a predetermined distance away from the input means; and a menu display controller that causes a hierarchical menu showing an operation item group of the apparatus to be displayed on the display screen in response to the switch signal from the input means when the operator&#39;s hand comes in the range, and terminates menu display when the operator&#39;s hand is taken off the input means. 
   In the information display device, a menu is displayed on the display screen when an operator&#39;s hand comes in the range, in other words, immediately before the operator touches the input means. Then, menu display is terminated when the operator&#39;s hand is taken off the input means. 
   Therefore, compared with the prior art requiring switch operation for menu display, the operation procedure steps can be lessened, so that the operation burden on an operator can be lightened. In addition, since a menu is displayed only when the apparatus is to be operated, an area for constant display of the menu is not required, so that a display area of other apparatus information can be enlarged, compared with the prior art in which a part of a screen is set as a menu display area. 
   Further, in the information display device, the menu display is continued while the operator&#39;s hand is in the range. 
   Here, the control performed in the device of the prior art is such that, when a predetermined period of time has passed after switch operation, menu display is terminated and a display screen is changed to a menu non-display window. However, in this case, when an operator interrupts the switch operation for a predetermined period of time or longer, the operator is forced to take trouble of searching again for a desired menu from an initially displayed menu on the top hierarchical level (initial menu). 
   In the information display device, the state in which the operator&#39;s hand is in the range is judged to indicate that the operator has an intention to continue the switch operation, and accordingly, the menu display is continued, which can save the operator the aforesaid trouble. 
   The information display device may further include: a counter that counts a period of time during which the operator&#39;s hand is in the range; and a delay time setting means for setting, based on the counted period of time, a delay time that is a period of time from an instant at which the operator&#39;s hand is taken off the input means until the menu display is terminated, and, when the operator&#39;s hand is taken off the input means, the menu display controller terminates the menu display after the set delay time has passed. 
   In the information display device, the period of time during which the operator&#39;s hand is in the range is counted in advance, and when the operator&#39;s hand is taken off the input means, the menu display is continued for the delay time that is set based on the counted period of time. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the trouble of repeating a previous operation when the operator returns to the switch operation after momentarily concentrating on driving due to some unexpected disturbance which occurs during the switch operation. 
   Here, menus on upper hierarchical levels close to the initial menu are accessible from the initial menu with a small number of switch operations, but menus on lower hierarchical levels require a larger number of switch operations, which lengthens the accessible time from the initial menu. Therefore, based on such recognition as “the period of time during which the operator&#39;s hand is in the range is longer=a menu on a lower hierarchical level is displayed”, the delay time is set longer for a menu on a lower hierarchical level. In this manner, the operation burden of executing the display of a menu on a lower hierarchical level can be lightened. 
   The delay time setting means may set the delay time longer as a level of a displayed menu is lower in hierarchy, when a plurality of menus are provided in a hierarchical manner on lower levels of an initial menu that is a menu displayed when the operator&#39;s hand comes in the range. 
   In the information display device, as a level of a finally displayed menu is lower in hierarchy, the delay time is set longer, which can lighten the burden on the operator, similarly to the above effect. 
   The information display device may further include an operation history memory that stores an operation history based on the inputted switch signal, and the delay time setting means sets the delay time based on the operation history. 
   In the information display device, the delay time is set based on the operation history, which makes it possible to set the delay time according to each operator. 
   For example, in the case of an operator who often makes a display selection of a menu on an upper hierarchical level relatively close to the initial menu, it is inferred that this operator often interrupts the operation while this menu is being displayed. Therefore, the delay time of a menu that is frequently used is set longer even if it is a menu on an upper hierarchical level, so that the trouble of redisplaying a desired menu can be reduced. 
   The information display device may further include an operation completion detector that detects operation completion of the apparatus, and the delay time setting means sets the delay time shorter when the operation of the apparatus is completed than when the operation of the apparatus is not completed. 
   In the information display device, the delay time is set shorter when the operation of an apparatus is completed than when the operation of an apparatus is not completed, so that the display of a menu on the display screen for a long time, thus obstructing the display of necessary apparatus information, even though the operation is completed can be prevented. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information display device of this embodiment; 
       FIG. 2(   a ) and  FIG. 2(   b ) are views each showing a display screen of a display; 
       FIG. 3  is a view showing a hierarchical structure of a menu; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the structure of a multifunction switch  2 ; and 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing the flow of a time-out time setting control process performed by a menu display controller. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings. 
     FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information display device of this embodiment. 
   The display device comprises a display  1 , a multifunction switch (corresponding to an input means)  2 , a menu display controller  3 , a counter  4 , a timer  5 , a memory (corresponding to an operation history memory)  6 , and on-vehicle apparatuses  7  such as a navigation system, an audio apparatus, and an airconditioner. 
   The display  1  has a display screen on which information on the on-vehicle apparatuses  7  such as the navigation system, the audio apparatus, and the airconditioner is displayed. Further, the display screen displays a hierarchical menu showing an operation control command group of each of the on-vehicle apparatuses  7  when a driver or a passenger in a front passenger&#39;s seat (hereinafter, referred to as an operator) is to operate any one of the on-vehicle apparatuses  7 . 
     FIG. 2(   a ) and  FIG. 2(   b ) are views each showing a display screen  1   a  of the display  1 .  FIG. 2(   a ) shows a menu non-display window, on which, for example, navigation information or the like is being displayed.  FIG. 2(   b ) shows a state when a main menu (initial menu) A that is a menu on a top hierarchical level is displayed on a part of the display screen  1   a . Four items, namely, audio, airconditioner, navigation, and command are displayed in this main menu A. 
   Note that, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a main item menu B and a submenu C are provided as menus on lower hierarchical levels of the main menu A. Functions of an item selected in the main menu A are displayed in the main item menu B. In the submenu C, items such as visual, vehicle information, option, and setting are displayed. 
   Further, on a lower hierarchical level of the main item menu B, an operation menu D for each function selected in the main item menu B is provided. Moreover, on a lower hierarchical level of the submenu C, provided is a sub item menu E in which each function of the item selected in the submenu C is displayed, and an operation menu F for each function selected in the sub item menu E is provided on a lower hierarchical level of the sub item menu E. When one of the operation items displayed in the operation menu D or F is selected, the selected item is executed. 
   The aforesaid multifunction switch  2  is a switch through which a selection from a menu displayed on the display screen of the display  1  is made to operate any one of the on-vehicle apparatuses  7 , and it has an IR sensor (corresponding to a proximity detector)  8  that detects whether or not an operator&#39;s hand is in a range  28  which is a predetermined distance away from the multifunction switch  2 . The structure of this multifunction switch  2  will be described later. 
   The aforesaid menu display controller  3  is intended for controlling screen display of the display  1  according to a switch input from the multifunction switch  2 . Further, according to an operation control command of the on-vehicle apparatus  7  selected by the operator from the menu, the menu display controller  3  outputs a control signal to a control section of the on-vehicle apparatus  7 . The menu display controller  3  functions as a delay time setting means. 
   The aforesaid counter  4  measures the period of time (count value) between the detection of the operator&#39;s hand by the IR sensor  8  and an instant at which the operator&#39;s hand becomes undetected and outputs the count value to the menu display controller  3 . 
   The aforesaid timer  5  counts down a time-out time that is set by the menu display controller  3  based on the count value and outputs a time-out signal to the menu display controller  3 . 
   The aforesaid memory  6 , which is a nonvolatile memory device such as EEPROM, stores an operation history of the operator based on a switch signal outputted from the multifunction switch  2  to the menu display controller  3 . 
   Next, an example of the structure of the multifunction switch  2  will be explained. 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the structure of the multifunction switch  2 . 
   The shape of this multifunction switch  2  is such that it is constituted of a grip portion  2   a  for having an operator&#39;s palm placed thereon and a switch portion  2   b , which is provided in a front direction of this grip portion  2   a , for having operator&#39;s four fingers placed thereon. 
   The aforesaid IR sensor  8  is provided on an upper face of the grip portion  2   a . Further, a jog encoder switch  21  that is operated with the thumb is provided on a periphery portion of the grip portion  2   a.    
   On an upper face of the switch portion  2   b , provided are four select switches  22  to  25  arranged in a square with a cross-shaped interval therein, a submenu changeover switch  26  positioned on a vehicle front side of these select switches  22  to  25 , and a return switch  27  positioned on a vehicle rear side of the select switches  22  to  25 . All of them are push-type switches. 
   The aforesaid select switches  22  to  25  are switches for use in selecting a desired item from the items (audio, airconditioner, navigation, command) displayed in the main menu A or from the items (selection of visual, vehicle information, option, and setting) displayed in the submenu C, and when a switch corresponding to a desired item out of the displayed items is pushed, the main item menu B or the sub item menu E corresponding to the selected item is displayed. 
   The aforesaid submenu changeover switch  26  is a switch for use in changing the main menu A to the submenu C. The return switch  2  is a switch for use in displaying a menu one-level higher in hierarchy than the menu displayed on the display screen  1   a.    
   In  FIG. 3  described above, in the state in which the main menu A is displayed on the display screen  1   a  of the display  1 , the operation of any one of the select switches  22  to  25  causes the main item menu B to be displayed, while the operation of the submenu changeover switch  26  causes the submenu C to be displayed. Further, the operation of any one of the switches  22  to  25  while the submenu C is displayed causes the sub item menu E to be displayed. 
   The jog encoder switch  21  is used in order to display the operation menu D or E for each function from the main item menu B or the sub item menu E. 
   Next, the operation will be explained. 
   Time-out Time Setting Control Process 
     FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing the flow of a time-out time setting control process by the menu display controller  3 . 
   In Step S 1 , it is detected based on a sensor signal from the IR sensor  8  whether or not the operator&#39;s hand is in the range  28  around the multifunction switch  2 . When the operator&#39;s hand is in the range  28  around the multifunction switch  2 , the control proceeds to Step S 2 . When, on the other hand, the operator&#39;s hand is not in the range  28  around the multifunction switch  2 , Step S 1  is repeated. 
   In Step S 2 , a command for the display of the main menu A on the display screen  1   a  is outputted to the display  1 . 
   In Step S 3 , a count-ON signal is outputted to the counter  4  so that the counter  4  starts counting. 
   In Step S 4 , it is detected based on a sensor signal from the IR sensor  8  whether or not the operator&#39;s hand is taken off the multifunction switch  2 . When the operator&#39;s hand is taken off the multifunction switch  2 , the control proceeds to Step S 5 . When, on the other hand, the operator&#39;s hand is in the range  28  around the multifunction switch  2 , Step S 4  is repeated. 
   In Step S 5 , a count-OFF signal is outputted to the counter  4  so that the counter  4  stops counting, and the count value is received. 
   In Step S 6 , a time-out time (corresponding to a delay time) T 0  is set based on the count value, and the timer  5  is started. 
   In Step S 7 , it is detected whether or not the current state is an operation completion state, in other words, whether or not one of the operation items displayed in the operation menu D or F has been already selected. When the operation item has been already selected, the control proceeds to Step S 15 , and when the operation item has not been selected yet, the control proceeds to Step S 8 . The operation completion of the apparatus is detected by an operation completion detector. The menu display controller  3  functions as the operation completion detector. 
   In Step S 8 , it is judged whether or not the main menu A is displayed on the display screen  1   a . When the main menu A is displayed, the control proceeds to Step S 9 , and otherwise, the control proceeds to Step S 10 . 
   In Step S 9 , a time-out time (corresponding to a delay time) T 1  (T 1 &gt;T 0 ) is set based on the count value. This time-out time is set longer as the count value is larger. Note that the set time-out time (corresponding to a delay time) T 1  is adjusted according to an operation history stored in the memory  6 . For example, when a menu frequently used is displayed, the time-out time is set longer, and when a menu seldom used is displayed, the time-out time is set shorter. 
   In Step S 10 , it is judged whether or not the main item menu B or the submenu C is displayed on the display screen  1   a . When the main item menu B or the submenu C is displayed, the control proceeds to Step S 11 , and otherwise, the control proceeds to Step S 12 . 
   In Step S 11 , a time-out time (corresponding to a delay time) T 2  (T 2 &gt;T 1 ) is set based on the count value. Adjustment of the set time-out time (corresponding to a delay time) T 2  may be further made according to the operation history. 
   In Step S 12 , it is judged whether or not the operation menu D or the sub item menu E is displayed on the display screen  1   a . When the operation menu D or the sub item menu E is displayed, the control proceeds to Step S 13 , and when the operation menu F is displayed, the control proceeds to Step S 14 . 
   In Step S 13 , a time-out time (corresponding to a delay time) T 3  (T 3 &gt;T 2 ) is set based on the count value. Adjustment of the set time-out time (corresponding to a delay time) T 3  may be further made according to the operation history. 
   In Step S 14 , a time-out time (corresponding to a delay time) T 4  (T 4 &gt;T 3 ) is set based on the count value. Adjustment of the set time-out time T 4  (corresponding to a delay time) may be further made according to the operation history. 
   In Step S 15 , it is judged whether or not the timer  5  has reached the time-out time based on whether or not the timer  5  has outputted a time-out signal. When the timer  5  has reached the time-out time, the control proceeds to Step S 16 , and when the timer  5  has not reached the time-out time, the control proceeds to Step S 17 . 
   In Step S 16 , the timer  5  is stopped. 
   In Step S 17 , it is detected based on a sensor signal from the IR sensor  8  whether or not the operator&#39;s hand is in the range  28  around the multifunction switch  2 . When the operator&#39;s hand is in the range  28  around the multifunction switch  2 , the control proceeds to Step S 18 . When, on the other hand, the operator&#39;s hand is not in the range  28  around the multifunction switch  2 , the control returns to Step S 15 . 
   In Step S 18 , the timer  5  is stopped and initialized. 
   In Step S 19 , the menu display is terminated, and a command for the display of the menu non-display window on the display screen  1   a  is outputted to the display  1 . 
   In Step S 20 , the counter  4  and the timer  5  are initialized, thereby finishing this control. 
   Next, the effects will be explained. 
   In the information display device of this embodiment, the effects listed as follows are obtainable. 
   (1) Based on the sensor signal of the IR sensor  8 , the main menu A is displayed on the display screen  1   a  when the operator&#39;s hand comes in the range  28  around the multifunction switch  2 , and when the operator&#39;s hand is taken off the multifunction switch  2 , a menu is erased and the menu non-display window is displayed. This makes it possible to reduce the operation procedure steps to lighten the operation burden on the operator, compared with a prior art requiring switch operation for menu display. In addition, since a menu is displayed only when an apparatus is to be operated, an area for constant display of the menu is not required, so that a display area of other apparatus information can be enlarged, compared with the prior art in which a menu display area is set in a part of a screen. 
   (2) The menu non-display window is displayed after the time-out time has passed after the operator&#39;s hand is taken off the multifunction switch  2 . This makes it possible to save the operator the trouble of repeating a previous operation when the operator returns to switch operation after momentarily concentrating on driving due to some unexpected disturbance during the switch operation. 
   (3) As a menu that is displayed on the display screen  1   a  when the operator&#39;s hand is taken off the multifunction switch  2  is farther from the main menu A in terms of the level in the hierarchy, the time-out time is set longer. This makes it possible to lighten the operation burden in the re-display of the operation menu D or F, or the sub item menu E, which requires a lot of trouble for display, from the main menu A. 
   (4) The operation history is stored in the memory  6 , and as a displayed menu is a more frequently used one, the time-out time is set longer. This makes it possible to reduce the trouble of redisplaying a frequently used menu. 
   (5) The time-out time T 0  in the operation completion state is set shorter than the time-out times T 1  to T 4  not in the operation completion state. This makes it possible to prevent the display of the menu for a long time in spite of that the operation has been completed. 
   Hitherto, the embodiment of the present invention is explained, but the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and changes in design and so on not departing from the spirit of the present invention are to be embraced in the present invention. 
   For instance, an example when the IR sensor is used as the proximity detector is shown in this embodiment, but any sensor may be used as long as it is a proximity sensor or a touch sensor capable of detecting a human body. Moreover, the proximity detector may be a separate structure from the input means. 
   Further, the constitution of menus, the number of menu hierarchical levels, the structure of the multifunction switch (input means), and so on are not limited to those in this embodiment. For example, seesaw switches and other switches may be used as the select switches  22  to  25 , the submenu changeover switch  26 , and the return switch  27 .