Patent Publication Number: US-2018046369-A1

Title: On-board operation device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority benefit of Japan Application no. 2016-156428, filed on Aug. 9, 2016. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an on-board operation device. 
     Description of Related Art 
     A technique of enlarging and displaying a predetermined area centered on a set of coordinates approached on a touch panel type display device when an approach of a finger to a touch panel is sensed has been disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1). 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Documents 
     [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 5675622 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     However, in the related art, since a set of coordinates on a screen is determined and an area centered on the determined set of coordinates is enlarged before a finger touches the touch panel, there is a possibility that an area which is not desired by an operator will be enlarged and displayed. 
     The invention is made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances and an object thereof is to provide an on-board operation device that can improve operability. 
     According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an on-board operation device including: a display unit configured to display a GUI object; a first detection unit configured to detect an approach position of an indicator on a display surface of the display unit; a process performing unit configured to perform a process corresponding to the GUI object displayed at the approach position detected by the first detection unit; a second detection unit disposed at an outer edge of the display surface of the display unit and configured to detect an approach position of the indicator; and a display control unit configured to enlarge and display the GUI object on the display unit when the approach position of the indicator is detected by the second detection unit. 
     A second aspect of the invention provides the on-board operation device according to the first aspect, wherein a plurality of the GUI objects are displayed on the display unit, and the display control unit enlarges and displays the GUI object corresponding to the approach position among the plurality of GUI objects on the display unit based on the approach position of the indicator detected by the second detection unit. 
     A third aspect of the invention provides the on-board operation device according to the second aspect, wherein the display control unit enlarges and displays the GUI object corresponding to the approach position to at least a side opposite to a side on which the second detection unit is disposed on the display unit. 
     A fourth aspect of the invention provides the on-board operation device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the display control unit enlarges and displays the GUI object on the display unit by detecting a touch on the second detection unit with the indicator. 
     A fifth aspect of the invention provides the on-board operation device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the plurality of GUI objects are displayed to be biased to an end of the display surface, and the second detection unit is disposed along the end to which the plurality of GUI objects are biased. 
     A sixth aspect of the invention provides the on-board operation device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the second detection unit is provided with boundary lines which are visually recognizable or tactually recognizable to correspond to shapes of the GUI objects displayed on the display unit. 
     A seventh aspect of the invention provides the on-board operation device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the second detection unit is formed to be inclined forward with respect to the display surface of the display unit. 
     An eighth aspect of the invention provides the on-board operation device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the second detection unit includes a capacitance sensor. 
     A ninth aspect of the invention provides the on-board operation device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein details correlated with a page displayed on the display unit are assigned to the GUI objects and the GUI objects are normally displayed on a display screen of any layer regardless of the details displayed on the display screen. 
     A tenth aspect of the invention provides the on-board operation device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the display control unit displays an area in which the GUI objects are displayed and an area in which results of processes corresponding to the GUI objects are displayed on the display surface of the display unit. 
     According to the first and tenth aspects of the invention, it is possible to improve operability of the on-board operation device. 
     According to the second and eighth aspects of the invention, it is possible to easily enlarge and display a GUI object desired by an operator based on the detection result of the second detection unit. 
     According to the third and ninth aspects of the invention, when a plurality of GUI objects are arranged, it is possible to enlarge and display a target GUI object without hiding another GUI object. 
     According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since display control for the display unit can be performed on the assumption that the second detection unit has reliably been touched with the indicator, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation. 
     According to the fifth aspect of the invention, after the GUI object displayed on the display unit is enlarged and displayed based on the detection result of the second detection unit, an operator can perform an operation of selecting the GUI object by only slightly moving the indicator. Accordingly, it is possible to improve operability. 
     According to the sixth aspect of the invention, an operator can easily select a target GUI object. 
     According to the seventh aspect of the invention, since an approach of an operator&#39;s finger can be easily detected by the second detection unit earlier than by the first detection unit, the GUI object can be enlarged and displayed before the display surface of the display unit is touched with the finger. Accordingly, the operator can easily select a target GUI object. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram schematically illustrating a vehicle  1  which is equipped with an on-board operation device according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an on-board operation device  40 . 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of GUI objects  42 A which are displayed on a display unit  42  and a second detection unit  44 . 
         FIG. 4  is a (first) diagram illustrating an example in which enlarged display is performed by a display control unit  52 . 
         FIG. 5  is a (second) diagram illustrating an example in which enlarged display is performed by the display control unit  52 . 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating another display example of GUI objects  42 A. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a display control process in the on-board operation device  40 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, an on-board operation device according to an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram schematically illustrating a vehicle  1  which is equipped with an on-board operation device according to an embodiment. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the vehicle  1  includes a seat section  10 , an instrument panel section (hereinafter referred to as an “instrument panel”)  20 , a steering wheel  30 , and an on-board operation device  40 . The seat section  10  is a seat on which an occupant driving the vehicle  1  sits. The instrument panel  20  is disposed, for example, in front of the seat section  10  on which the occupant (a driver) driving the vehicle  1  sits. The instrument panel  20  is provided with a speedometer of the vehicle  1  and an operation unit and vent holes of an air-conditioning facility which are not illustrated. 
     The steering wheel  30  receives a steering operation of the vehicle  1  from an occupant. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the on-board operation device  40  is externally attached to or is embedded in the instrument panel  20 . The on-board operation device  40  may be attached to, for example, an arbitrary place corresponding to a front passenger seat or a back seat. 
     A display unit  42  is constituted by a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence (EL) display device, or the like. The display unit  42  receives operation details of an occupant (an operator) and displays information on a function of the received operation details. Examples of the function include a navigation function of performing route guidance to a destination for the vehicle  1 , a radio function of outputting sound information transmitted at a predetermined frequency from a radio station from speakers, a media reproducing function of reproducing data stored in a digital versatile disc (DVD), a compact disc (CD), or the like, a telephone function of performing speech communication with an opposite party connected via a telephone line, and a terminal link function of linking a terminal device carried by an occupant to the on-board operation device  40 , displaying a screen displayed on the terminal device on the screen of the display unit  42  or realizing the same function as the terminal device. The information on the function includes a screen for performing the function or contents such as a video, an image, and speech which are executed by the function. The on-board operation device  40  includes a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, map information (a navigation map), and the like when the navigation function is realized. The on-board operation device  40  may include a speaker that outputs sound or a microphone that inputs speech. 
     The display unit  42  displays, for example, one or more graphical user interface (GUI) objects  42 A for switching to one of the above-mentioned functions. A GUI object  42 A receives an operation corresponding to the GUI object  42 A by an area in which the GUI object  42 A is displayed (which may include an outer edge thereof) being touched. For example, the GUI object  42 A is displayed in a shape of an icon, a button, a switch, a mark, a pattern, a figure, a symbol, or the like. 
     The display unit  42  includes a first detection unit  43  that detects an approach position of an operator&#39;s finger on a display surface thereof. The operator&#39;s finger is an example of an “indicator.” Examples of the indicator include another part of the operator&#39;s hand and a touch pen. The display unit  42  is a touch panel type display device having a function of displaying contents or the like and a function of receiving an approach position of an operator&#39;s finger to the display surface using the first detection unit  43 . 
     The first detection unit  43  includes, for example, capacitance sensors that detect capacitance. The capacitance sensors are arranged at predetermined intervals in an area of the display surface of the display unit  42 . The first detection unit  43  detects a position of the capacitance sensor of which the capacitance has changed to become equal to or greater than a threshold value among the arranged capacitance sensors as an operation position. The first detection unit  43  outputs position information indicating the detected operation position to a control unit  50  to be described later. The threshold value may be set to a value which is only exceeded by causing an operator&#39;s finger to touch the display surface of the display unit  42 . In this case, the first detection unit  43  detects an approach of the finger by a touch on the display surface with the finger. Accordingly, since display control of the display unit  42  can be performed on the assumption that the first detection unit  43  has reliably been touched with the operator&#39;s finger, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation. 
     The on-board operation device  40  includes a second detection unit  44  in addition to the display unit  42  and the first detection unit  43 . The second detection unit  44  is disposed at an outer edge of the display surface of the display unit  42  and detects an approach position of an operator&#39;s finger. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the on-board operation device  40 . The on-board operation device  40  includes the display unit  42 , the first detection unit  43 , the second detection unit  44 , a control unit  50 , a storage unit  60 , a microphone  70 , and a speaker  80 . 
     The second detection unit  44  includes a plurality of capacitance sensors which are arranged in the arrangement direction of the GUI objects  42 A displayed on the display unit  42 , and detects a capacitance of each capacitance sensor. The second detection unit  44  detects a position of the capacitance sensor of which the capacitance is changed to be equal to or greater than a threshold value as an operation position. The second detection unit  44  outputs position information indicating the detected position to the control unit  50 . The threshold value may be set to a value which is exceeded by causing an operator&#39;s finger to touch the second detection unit  44 . In this case, the second detection unit  44  detects the approach of the finger by the touch on the display surface with the finger. Accordingly, since display control of the display unit  42  can be performed on the assumption that the second detection unit  44  has reliably been touched with the operator&#39;s finger, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation. 
     The capacitance sensors which are used for the first detection unit  43  and the second detection unit  44  may be capacitance sensors of a surface type (contact type) capacitance system in which a capacitance is changed by a touch on the surfaces of the detection units with an operator&#39;s finger or a projection type (non-contact type) capacitance system in which a capacitance is changed by causing an operator&#39;s finger to approach the display surfaces within a predetermined distance. As the first detection unit  43  and the second detection unit  44 , pressure sensors using a resistive membrane, position sensors using ultrasonic surface acoustic waves, or positions sensors using infrared rays or cameras may be used instead of the capacitance sensors. Sensors that cause a weak current to flow always and detect a change in resistance due to a touch or the like may be used as the second detection unit  44 . Each of the first detection unit  43  and the second detection unit  44  may include one sensor and may detect a position (coordinate) which is touched or approached in the sensor. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of the GUI objects  42 A displayed on the display unit  42  and the second detection unit  44 . The second detection unit  44  is disposed at the outer edge of the display unit  42  to be inclined forward with respect to the display surface of the display unit  42 . An angle θ formed by the display unit  42  and the second detection unit  44  ranges, for example, from about 75 degrees to 180 degrees. The angle θ may be an angle corresponding to the shape of the instrument panel  20  or the like. 
     A distance d between the display unit  42  and the second detection unit  44  is preferably a distance at which the first detection unit  43  and the second detection unit  44  can simultaneously output a detection result based on the length of a finger or the size of a hand and is, for example, less than about 3 [cm]. The distance d may be set to substantially zero such that the display unit  42  and the second detection unit  44  are substantially continuous. The display unit  42  and the second detection unit  44  may be formed integrally, but separately. At least one of the display unit  42  and the second detection unit  44  may be embedded in the instrument panel  20  or may be installed on the surface of the instrument panel  20 . 
     In the display unit  42 , one or more GUI objects  42 A are displayed to be biased to at least one end  42 B. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the GUI objects  42 A are displayed at the lower end of the display surface of the display unit  42 . The display position of the GUI objects  42 A is not limited to the example illustrated in  FIG. 3 . For example, the GUI objects  42 A may be displayed in at least one of the ends  42 B such as an upper end, a lower end, a left end, and a right end of the display surface. 
     Details correlated with a page displayed on the display unit  42  are assigned to the GUI objects  42 A. In  FIG. 3 , a “Map” button for displaying a current location or switching to a navigation function, a “Radio” button for switching to a radio function, a “Media” button for switching to a function of reproducing media such as a DVD, a “Phone” button for switching to a telephone function, a “Smartphone button” for switching to a terminal link function, and a “***” button for displaying a button corresponding to another function are displayed as examples of the GUI objects  42 A. The types or the number of GUI objects  42 A to be displayed are not limited thereto, and for example, a GUI object for turning on/off a screen display or a GUI object for adjusting a sound volume of sound to be output may be displayed. 
     Each GUI object  42 A is displayed, for example, in an area with the same size (w 1 ×h 1  in  FIG. 3 ). The shape of the GUI object  42 A is not limited to a rectangle, and may be a circle or an ellipse. The GUI objects  42 A are normally displayed on the display screen of any layer regardless of details displayed on the display screen. The display screen of any layer is, for example, a display screen of a layer other than a start screen of the on-board operation device  40  or a display screen of detailed functions. 
     The second detection unit  44  may include a protective cover for protecting the capacitance sensors on the surfaces of the capacitance sensors. The protective cover is formed of a resin or the like. On the front surface or the rear surface of the protective cover, boundaries  44 A for defining detection areas of the second detection unit  44  are disposed to be visually recognizable or tactually recognizable to correspond to the display areas of the GUI objects  42 A displayed on the display unit  42 . The boundaries  44 A may be formed of, for example, a concave portion, a convex portion, or a notch or a line or a shape may be formed on the surface of the protective cover. Accordingly, an operator can easily recognize the boundaries corresponding to the GUI objects  42 A visually or tactually and can easily select a target GUI object  42 A. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in the second detection unit  44 , a light emitter such as a light emitting diode (LED)  44 B may be disposed in at least a part of the surface of the protective cover. 
     The control unit  50  includes, for example, an object display position setting unit  51 , a display control unit  52 , an approach determining unit  53 , an operation determining unit  54 , and a function performing unit  55 . 
     The object display position setting unit  51  sets display position information including details and display positions of the GUI objects  42 A. A display position is, for example, coordinate information on the display surface of the display unit  42 . The display positions of the GUI objects  42 A may be set to be preset for each function displayed on the display unit  42 , or may be arbitrarily set by an operator&#39;s setting operation. The display position information of the GUI objects  42 A which are set by the object display position setting unit  51  is stored in the storage unit  60 . 
     The display control unit  52  displays the GUI objects  42 A at predetermined positions on the display unit  42  based on the display position information stored in the storage unit  60 . The display control unit  52  displays an image or contents of a layer before the GUI objects  42 A are displayed. The display control unit  52  displays an area in which the GUI objects  42 A are displayed and an area in which performance results (for example, contents) of the processes corresponding to the GUI objects  42 A are displayed on the display surface of the display unit  42 . 
     The approach determining unit  53  determines whether an operator&#39;s finger approaches the second detection unit  44  based on a signal input from the second detection unit  44  and additionally recognizes an approach position of the operator&#39;s finger. The second detection unit  44  may have only a function of outputting a signal indicating a capacitance, and the approach determining unit  53  may compare the capacitance with a threshold value and determine whether the operator&#39;s finger approaches the second detection unit  44 . 
     The display control unit  52  receiving the determination result enlarges and displays the GUI object  42 A corresponding to the approach position of the operator&#39;s finger in the second detection unit  44 . The GUI object  42 A corresponding to the approach position is, for example, a GUI object  42 A which is displayed closest to the approach position. 
     The display control unit  52  may turn on the LED  44 B corresponding to the approach position of the operator&#39;s finger in the second detection unit  44 . The LED  44 B may have a single color or may have different colors depending on the position at which the LED  44 B is disposed. By turning on the LED  44 B, or the like, the operator can easily understand at which position on the second detection unit  44  the operator&#39;s finger has been detected. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  are diagrams illustrating an example in which enlarged display is performed by the display control unit  52 . When information indicating an approach position is input from the approach determining unit  53 , the display control unit  52  enlarges and displays the GUI object  42 A corresponding to the approach position on the display unit  42  with reference to the display position information of the GUI objects  42 A stored in the storage unit  60 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the display control unit  52  enlarges and displays a GUI object  42 A* corresponding to an approach position (t 1  illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) of the second detection unit  44  among the GUI objects  42 A displayed on the display unit  42  to at least one side opposite to the side on which the second detection unit  44  is disposed. For example, the GUI object  42 A* is enlarged and displayed in the height direction (the vertical direction) with the horizontal width set to be constant (w 1 ). The enlarged height h 2  is about two or three times (an enlargement ratio of 200% to 300%) the non-enlarged height h 1 . The height h 1  is, for example, about 5 [mm] to 10 [mm], but may be set depending on the screen size of the display unit  42  or the number of GUI objects  42 A displayed on the display unit  42 . When the GUI objects  42 A are arranged at the right end or the left end of the display surface, the display control unit  52  enlarges and displays the GUI object  42 A* on at least one side opposite to the side on which the second detection unit  44  is disposed in the width direction (the horizontal direction) with the height of the GUI object  42 A* kept constant. Accordingly, it is possible to enlarge and display a target GUI object without hiding another GUI object. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the display control unit  52  may turn on the LED  44 B corresponding to part t 1  in the areas of the second detection unit  44  which are defined by the boundaries  44 A. The display control unit  52  may enlarge characters or the like shown in the area occupied by the GUI object  42 A* which has been enlarged and displayed or may display the GUI object  42 A* which has been enlarged and displayed in a color different from that of the other GUI objects  42 A. Accordingly, by enlarging and displaying the GUI object  42 A to correspond to the position of the operator&#39;s finger, it is possible to improve visibility for an operator. The on-board operation device  40  can allow an operator to easily perform an operation of selecting the GUI objects  42 A. 
     When a change in capacitance is detected by the second detection unit  44 , the display control unit  52  may enlarge and display all the GUI objects  42 A displayed on the display unit  42  at a first magnification and may further enlarge and display the GUI object  42 A* corresponding to the approach position detected by the second detection unit  44  at a second magnification larger than the first magnification. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the display control unit  52  enlarges and displays the GUI object  42 A in the width direction as well as the height direction. For example, when an operator&#39;s finger approaches part t 1  of the second detection unit  44 , the display control unit  52  enlarges and displays all the GUI objects  42 A displayed on the display unit  42  in the height direction at a first enlargement ratio (for example, 120% to 150%) with respect to the non-enlarged size. In this case, the size of the GUI objects  42 A is w 1 ×h 3  illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In addition, the display control unit  52  enlarges and displays the GUI object  42 A* corresponding to the position of part t 1  at a second enlargement ratio (for example, 200% to 300%) which is larger than the first enlargement ratio with respect to the non-enlarged width w 1  and the non-enlarged height h 1 . As a result, the size of the GUI object  42 A* is w 2 ×h 2  illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     Accordingly, in a state in which the second detection unit  44  detects an approach position, all the objects can be made to be visually recognizable by displaying all the GUI objects  42 A at the first enlargement ratio. By further displaying the GUI object  42 A* corresponding to the approach position at the second enlargement ratio which is larger than the first enlargement ratio, the operation of selecting the GUI objects  42 A can be easily and reliably performed. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , when one GUI object  42 A is enlarged and displayed in the width direction and the height direction, the display control unit  52  may adjust the size of one GUI object  42 A and display the GUI object  42 A such that at least a part of another GUI object  42 A is not hidden.  FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating another display example of the GUI objects  42 A. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 6 , when an operator&#39;s finger approaches part t 1  of the second detection unit  44 , the display control unit  52  enlarges and displays all the GUI objects  42 A displayed on the display unit  42  at the first enlargement ratio and further enlarges and displays the GUI object  42 A* corresponding to the position of part t 1  at the second enlargement ratio. At this time, when at least a part of the GUI objects  42 A is hidden due to the above-mentioned enlargement, the display control unit  52  reduces the width of the GUI objects  42 A, which have been enlarged and displayed at the first enlargement ratio, at a predetermined reduction ratio. As a result, the size of each GUI object  42 A is w 3 ×h 3  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The reduction ratio may be the same or different for all the GUI objects  42 A. Some GUI objects  42 A (for example, the GUI objects  42 A adjacent to the GUI object  42 A*) among all the GUI objects  42 A may be reduced. 
     Accordingly, even when the GUI object  42 A* corresponding to the approach position is enlarged and displayed, the selecting operation can be easily and reliably performed without hiding another GUI object  42 A. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , similarly to the example illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the display control unit  52  may turn on the LED  44 B corresponding to part t 1  among the areas of the second detection unit  44  which are defined by the boundaries  44 A. 
     When one GUI object  42 A is enlarged and displayed, the display control unit  52  may display the GUI object  42 A to be enlarged at the center or the like of the display surface. When an approach position is not detected by the first detection unit  43  even after a predetermined time after the GUI object  42 A is enlarged and displayed, the display control unit  52  returns the enlarged and displayed GUI object  42 A to an original size or position or turns off the turned-on LED  44 . When the capacitance of the capacitance sensor is changed from a value equal to or greater than a threshold value to a value less than the threshold value, the display control unit  52  may return the enlarged GUI object  42 A to the original size or may turn off the turned-on LED  44 B. Accordingly, it is possible to rapidly return the enlarged GUI object to the original state. 
     The operation determining unit  54  determines whether an operator&#39;s finger approaches the first detection unit  43  and recognizes the approach position of the operator&#39;s finger, based on a signal input from the first detection unit  43 . The first detection unit  43  may have only a function of outputting a signal indicating a capacitance and the operation determining unit  54  may compare the capacitance with a threshold value and determine whether the operator&#39;s finger has approached the first detection unit  43 . 
     The operation determining unit  54  determines whether the coordinate of the approach position on the display surface of the display unit  42  is in the display area of the GUI object  42 A displayed on the display unit  42 . When the approach position is in the display area of the displayed GUI object  42 A, the operation determining unit  54  performs the function corresponding to the GUI object  42 A using the function performing unit  55 . 
     The function performing unit  55  performs a process corresponding to the GUI object  42 A based on the determination result of the operation determining unit  54 . For example, the function performing unit  55  calls the function corresponding to the GUI object  42 A displayed at the approach position from the storage unit  60  or the like and performs the called function. For example, the function performing unit  55  may switch the screen to a screen for performing the function corresponding to the GUI object  42 A or receives input of a variety of information required for performing the function and then may perform the function based on the received information. The function performing unit  55  is an example of the “process performing unit.” 
     According to the arrangement of the display unit  42  and the second detection unit  44  illustrated in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , an operator can perform an operation of selecting one GUI object  42 A displayed on the display unit  42  by only slightly moving a finger after the GUI objects  42 A are enlarged and displayed on the display unit  42  by causing the finger to approach the second detection unit  44 . Accordingly, it is possible to improve operability of the selecting operation. 
     The storage unit  60  is embodied, for example, by a nonvolatile storage medium such as a read only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or an SD card and a volatile storage medium such as a random access memory (RAM) or a register. The storage unit  60  stores a variety of setting information such as the above-mentioned display position information, the enlargement ratio of the GUI objects  42 A, or a time in which the GUI objects  42 A are kept enlarged, programs for performing various functions of the on-board operation device  40 , programs for performing a display control process in this embodiment, and the like. The microphone  70  receives a speech input to the on-board operation device  40 . The speaker  80  outputs speech based on details displayed on the display unit  42 . 
     Process Flow 
     The display control process in the on-board operation device  40  will be described below with reference to a flowchart.  FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an example of the display control process in the on-board operation device  40 . The process flow of the flowchart is repeatedly performed at predetermined intervals. 
     First, the display control unit  52  displays one or more GUI objects  42 A on the display unit  42  based on the display position information of the GUI objects  42 A set by the object display position setting unit  51  (Step S 100 ). Then, the approach determining unit  53  determines whether an approach position is detected by the second detection unit  44  (Step S 102 ). When an approach position is detected, the display control unit  52  enlarges and displays the GUI object  42 A corresponding to the approach position (the GUI object  42 A*) among one or more GUI objects  42  displayed on the display unit  42  based on the approach position detected by the second detection unit  44  (Step S 104 ). 
     Then, the operation determining unit  54  determines whether an approach position of the operator&#39;s finger to the display surface of the display unit  42  is detected by the first detection unit  43  (Step S 106 ). When an approach position is detected by the first detection unit  43 , the function performing unit  55  switches the display screen to a screen for performing the function corresponding to the GUI object  42 A displayed at the approach position (Step S 108 ). Then, the display control unit  52  displays one or more GUI objects  42 A corresponding to the switched screen on the display unit  42  (Step S 110 ). 
     When it is determined in the process of Step S 106  that an approach position is not detected by the first detection unit  43 , the display control unit  52  determines whether a GUI object  42 A is being enlarged and displayed (Step S 112 ). When an object is being enlarged and displayed, the display control unit  52  determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the GUI object  42 A has been enlarged and displayed (Step S 114 ). The predetermined time ranges, for example, from two seconds to five seconds. When the predetermined time has not elapsed after the GUI object  42 A has been enlarged and displayed, the process flow returns to Step S 106 . When the predetermined time has elapsed after the GUI object  42 A has been enlarged and displayed, the display control unit  52  returns the enlarged and displayed GUI object  42 A to the original display (Step S 116 ). Accordingly, the process flow of the flowchart ends. When it is determined in Step S 112  that a GUI object  42 A is not being enlarged and displayed, the process flow of the flowchart ends. 
     In the above-mentioned embodiment, the second detection unit  44  may be made to have a higher resolution and defined positions corresponding to the GUI objects  42 A may be controlled variably. For example, the second detection unit  44  may detect an approach position in a smaller range by setting the arrangement pitch of a plurality of capacitance sensors to be shorter than the width of the GUI objects  42 A. Accordingly, even when the number of GUI objects  42 A displayed at the end  42 B of the display unit  42  increases and the width decreases, it is possible to detect one area of the areas corresponding to the GUI objects  42 A which is approached by an operator&#39;s finger. As a result, the GUI objects  42 A can flexibly cope with a change in size of the GUI objects  42 A. The boundaries  44 A in the protective cover may be changed depending on the size of the GUI objects  42 A using a transparent liquid crystal or the like. 
     As described above, according to this embodiment, since the on-board operation device  40  includes a detection unit (the second detection unit  44 ) other than the first detection unit  43  that detects an approach position of an indicator to the display surface of the display unit  42  at an outer edge of the display surface and includes the display control unit that detects the approach position of the indicator using the second detection unit  44  and enlarges and displays the GUI object  42 A based on the detected approach position, it is possible to easily enlarge and display a GUI object desired by an operator. As a result, it is possible to improve operability for selecting the GUI object  42 A. 
     According to this embodiment, since a GUI object  42 A is enlarged and displayed when an approach of an indicator is detected instead of initially enlarging and displaying the GUI object, it is possible to make the display unit  42  compact. Accordingly, the display unit  42  can be disposed even when the instrument panel  20  of the vehicle  1  has a finite space. 
     While the invention has been described above with reference to an embodiment, the invention is not limited to the embodiment and can be modified in various forms without departing from the gist of the invention.