Patent Publication Number: US-2016227123-A1

Title: Mirror control device and mirror control system

Description:
The present application is based on Japanese patent application No. 2015-018435 filed on Feb. 2, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a mirror control device and a mirror control system. 
     2. Related Art 
     A door mirror switch is known which is configured as a rocker switch capable of detecting a push operation using a push switch detecting a push operation and a joystick switch detecting a multi-directional input in at least four directions (see e.g., JP-A-2009-154777). 
     The door mirror switch can adjust a door mirror which is selected by an adjacently arranged selector switch. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The door mirror switch allows only the multi-directional input and the push operation. Thus, if an electronic mirror is used so as to zoom in or out an image around a vehicle, it needs to be equipped with other switch therefor. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a mirror control device and a mirror control system that are flexibly adapted to mirror devices with different functions. 
     (1) According to an embodiment of the invention, a mirror control device comprises: 
     a touchpad that is mounted on a vehicle and detects an operation performed on an operation surface; and 
     a control unit that controls at least one of an optical mirror device and an electronic minor device mounted on the vehicle based on an operation detected by the touchpad and adjusts an image around the vehicle to be visually checked by an operator through the optical mirror device and/or the electronic mirror device. 
     (2) According to another embodiment of the invention, a mirror control system comprises: 
     a touchpad that is mounted on a vehicle and detects an operation performed on an operation surface; 
     at least one of an optical mirror device and an electronic mirror device mounted on the vehicle; and 
     a control unit that controls the optical mirror device and/or the electronic mirror device based on an operation detected by the touchpad and adjusts an image around the vehicle to be visually checked by an operator through the optical mirror device and/or the electronic mirror device. 
     Effects of the Invention 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, a mirror control device and a mirror control system can be provided that are flexibly adapted to mirror devices with different functions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Next, the present invention will be explained in more detail in conjunction with appended drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is an illustration diagram showing a vehicle mounting a mirror control device in a first embodiment when viewed from the rear side of the vehicle; 
         FIG. 1B  is an illustration diagram showing an example of a steering wheel area in which the mirror control device is arranged; 
         FIG. 1C  is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a minor control system including the mirror control device; 
         FIG. 2A  is an illustration diagram showing an example of the mirror control device in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2B  is an illustration diagram showing an example of a relation between operation objects and functions of the mirror control device; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing an example operation of the mirror control device in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4A  is an illustration diagram showing a vehicle mounting a mirror control device in a second embodiment when viewed from the rear side of the vehicle; 
         FIG. 4B  is an illustration diagram showing an example of a steering wheel area in which the mirror control device is arranged; and 
         FIG. 5A  is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a mirror control system including the mirror control device in the second embodiment; and 
         FIG. 5B  is an illustration diagram showing an example of a relation between operation objects and functions of the mirror control device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Summary of the Embodiments 
     Minor control devices in the embodiments are generally composed of a touchpad that is mounted on a vehicle and detects an operation performed on an operation surface, and a control unit that controls mirror devices mounted on the vehicle based on the operation detected by the touchpad and adjusts an image around the vehicle to be visually checked by an operator through the mirror devices, the mirror devices being at least either optical mirror devices or electronic mirror devices. 
     First Embodiment 
     Configuration of Mirror Control Device  1   
       FIG. 1A  is an illustration diagram showing a vehicle mounting a mirror control device in the first embodiment when viewed from the rear side of the vehicle,  FIG. 1B  is an illustration diagram showing an example of a steering wheel area in which the mirror control device is arranged, and  FIG. 1C  is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a mirror control system including the mirror control device.  FIG. 2A  is an illustration diagram showing an example of the mirror control device in the first embodiment and  FIG. 2B  is an illustration diagram showing an example of a relation between operation objects and functions of the mirror control device. “SW ON” shown in  FIG. 2B  means that a switch is in the on state. 
     A scale ratio in each drawing of the embodiments may be different from the actual scale ratio. In addition, in  FIG. 1C  and  FIG. 5A  (described later), flows of main signals and information are indicated by arrows. “Right” and “left” herein mean right and left of an operator sitting on the driver&#39;s seat of a vehicle  5 . “Front” is the front of the operator and “rear” is backward. In addition, the vehicle  5  is a right-hand drive vehicle in which a steering wheel  54  is located in front of the operator sitting on the right seat. 
     The mirror control device  1  in the first embodiment is configured to control optical mirror devices. The optical mirror device is to produce an image of the rear side of the vehicle  5  on a mirror surface using reflection of light. The mirror control device  1  can adjust an angle of the mirror surface. 
     In detail, as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the minor control device  1  is configured to be able to adjust angles of a left mirror  22  of a left optical mirror device  2  and a right mirror  32  of a right optical minor device  3  which are arranged on the exterior of a vehicle body  50  of the vehicle  5 . The left optical mirror device  2  is arranged on a left door  51  of the vehicle  5  and the right optical mirror device  3  is arranged on a right door  52 . 
     The mirror control device  1  is arranged on, e.g., a panel  56  on the lower right side of the steering wheel  54 , as shown in  FIG. 1B . Alternatively, the mirror control device  1  may be arranged on, e.g., the interior side of the right door  52  or another position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1C and 2A , the mirror control device  1  is generally composed of a touchpad  10  which is mounted on the vehicle  5  and detects an operation performed on an operation surface  100 , and a control unit  16  which controls the left optical minor device  2  and the right optical mirror device  3  as the optical mirror devices mounted on the vehicle  5  based on the operation detected by the touchpad  10  and adjusts an image around the vehicle  5  to be visually checked by an operator through the left optical minor device  2  and the right optical mirror device  3 . 
     The control unit  16  generates and stores history information  160  as a history of adjustment, retrieves the history information  160  based on a predetermined operation performed on the touchpad  10  and restores the pre-adjustment state. 
     The mirror control device  1  is provided with, e.g., an auto-switch  12  and an L/R selector switch  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 1C and 2A . 
     Configuration of Left Optical Mirror Device  2   
     The left optical mirror device  2  is generally composed of, e.g., a left main body  20 , a drive unit  21  and the left mirror  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1C . 
     The drive unit  21  is provided with, e.g., a motor and a gear portion for transmitting rotation of the motor to the left mirror  22 . The motor is configure to rotate forward and reverse based on a left drive signal S 4  (described later). 
     The left mirror  22  is configured to rotate in vertical and horizontal directions relative to the left main body  20 , as viewed in the plane of  FIG. 1A . In the following description, in case of horizontal rotation, counterclockwise rotation means rotation which causes a side portion of the left mirror  22  on the vehicle body  50  side to enter the left main body  20 . Meanwhile, in case of vertical rotation, clockwise rotation means rotation which causes the upper side of the left mirror  22  to enter the left main body  20 . The vertical and horizontal rotation allows the left mirror  22  to be adjusted to any angle with respect to the left main body  20  within an acceptable range. 
     Configuration of Right Optical Mirror Device  3   
     The right optical mirror device  3  is generally composed of, e.g., a right main body  30 , a drive unit  31  and the right mirror  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1C . 
     The drive unit  31  is provided with, e.g., a motor and a gear portion for transmitting rotation of the motor to the right mirror  32 . The motor is configure to rotate forward and reverse based on a right drive signal S 5  (described later). 
     The right mirror  32  is configured to rotate in vertical and horizontal directions relative to the right main body  30 , as viewed in the plane of  FIG. 1A . In the following description, in case of horizontal rotation, clockwise rotation means rotation which causes a side portion of the right mirror  32  on the vehicle body  50  side to enter the right main body  30 . Meanwhile, in case of vertical rotation, counterclockwise rotation means rotation which causes the upper side of the right mirror  32  to enter the right main body  30 . The vertical and horizontal rotation allows the right mirror  32  to be adjusted to any angle with respect to the right main body  30  within an acceptable range. 
     Configuration of Touchpad  10   
     The touchpad  10  is a touch sensor which detects a position on the operation surface  100  touched by, e.g., a portion of the body of an operator (e.g., a finger) or a special pen. As the touchpad  10 , it is possible to use, e.g., resistive, infrared, SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave), and capacitive touch sensors, etc. The touchpad  10  in the first embodiment is, e.g., a capacitive multi-touch sensor. In the following description, an operation by an operator&#39;s finger (an operating finger) will be explained. 
     The touchpad  10  generates touch information S 1  corresponding to the operation performed on the operation surface  100  and outputs the touch information S 1  to the control unit  16 . The touch information S 1  is periodically generated. The touchpad  10  also can detect, e.g., a swipe operation, a long press operation, a double click operation, a tap operation, a pinch-in operation and a pinch-out operation, etc. 
     The swipe operation is an operation performed by bringing an operating finger into contact with the operation surface  100  and then sliding the operating finger in one direction while keeping the contact with the operation surface  100 . The long press operation is an operation performed by keeping a contact of the operation finger with the operation surface  100  for not less than a predetermined period of time. The double click operation is an operation performed by tapping the operation surface  100  twice by the operating finger. The tap operation is an operation performed by tapping the operation surface  100  once by the operating finger. The pinch-in operation is an operation performed by bringing two operating fingers into contact with the operation surface  100  and then pinching the two operating fingers together while keeping the contact with the operation surface  100 . The pinch-out operation is an operation performed by bringing two operating fingers into contact with the operation surface  100  and then spreading the two operating fingers apart while keeping the contact with the operation surface  100 . 
     Configuration of Auto-Switch  12   
     The auto-switch  12  is a switch to adjust mirrors according to the traveling direction of the vehicle  5 . The auto-switch  12  is arranged at the upper left of the touchpad  10 , as viewed in the plane of  FIG. 2A . In addition, the auto-switch  12  is configured as, e.g., a push momentary switch which can be push-operated. The auto-switch  12  generates switch information S 2  in response to the push operation and outputs the switch information S 2  to the control unit  16 . 
     Configuration of L/R Selector Switch  14   
     The L/R selector switch  14  is a switch to select an optical mirror device to be adjusted. The L/R selector switch  14  is arranged at the upper right of the touchpad  10 , as viewed in the plane of  FIG. 2A . The L/R selector switch  14  is configured as, e.g., a push momentary switch which can be push-operated. The L/R selector switch  14  generates switch information S 3  in response to the push operation and outputs the switch information S 3  to the control unit  16 . 
     Configuration of Control Unit  16   
     The control unit  16  is, e.g., a microcomputer composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) performing calculation and processing, etc., of the acquired data according to a stored program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) which are semiconductor memories. The ROM stores, e.g., a program for operation of the control unit  16 . The RAM is used as, e.g., a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results, etc., and is also configured to store the history of mirror position in chronological order as the history information  160 . 
     The control unit  16  generates the left drive signal S 4  or the right drive signal S 5  based on the acquired touch information S 1 , switch information S 2  and switch information S 3 . The control unit  16  generates the left drive signal S 4  also based on vehicle information S 6  when the auto-switch  12  is in the on state. 
     The vehicle information S 6  is output from, e.g., a vehicle control unit of the vehicle  5  and is information associated with at least the traveling direction and speed of the vehicle  5 . 
     Functions Which Can Be Instructed By Mirror Control Device  1   
     The Case Where the Operation Object is the Touchpad  10   
     When the operation object is the touchpad  10 , the mirror control device  1  executes different functions depending on the swipe operation, the long press operation and the double click operation, as shown in  FIG. 2B . 
     When it is determined, based on the touch information S 1  acquired from the touchpad  10 , that the swipe operation is performed, the control unit  16  moves a mirror in the swipe direction. When it is determined that the swipe operation is performed from, e.g., left to right as viewed in the plane of  FIG. 2A , the control unit  16  outputs the left drive signal S 4 , when the left mirror  22  is selected, to rotate the left mirror  22  counterclockwise in the horizontal direction, or the right drive signal S 5 , when the right mirror  32  is selected, to rotate the right mirror  32  counterclockwise in the horizontal direction. 
     Meanwhile, when the swipe operation is performed, e.g., from top to bottom as viewed in the plane of  FIG. 2A , the control unit  16  outputs the left drive signal S 4 , when the left mirror  22  is selected, to rotate the left mirror  22  counterclockwise in the vertical direction, or the right drive signal S 5 , when the right mirror  32  is selected, to rotate the right mirror  32  clockwise in the vertical direction. The rotation amount depends on a swipe distance. 
     Furthermore, when the swipe operation is performed, e.g., diagonally as viewed in the plane of  FIG. 2A , the control unit  16  resolves a trace of the swipe operation into a horizontal component and a vertical component and rotates the selected mirror according to each component. 
     When it is determined, based on the touch information S 1 , that the long press operation is performed, the control unit  16  moves the adjusted mirror back to the pre-adjustment position (state). The control unit  16  controls the mirror to move back to the pre-adjustment position based on, e.g., the history information  160 . The predetermined operation mentioned previously is the long press operation. 
     In addition, when it is determined, based on the touch information S 1 , that the double click operation is performed, the control unit  16  memorizes the mirror position, which is an object to be adjusted, as the history information  160 . 
     The Case Where the Operation Object is the Auto-Switch  12   
     When the auto-switch  12  is the operation object and is in the on state, the control unit  16  executes functions to move the mirrors in conjunction with reverse or turning based on the vehicle information S 6  acquired from the vehicle  5 . 
     The motion in conjunction with reverse is a function to move the left mirror  22  when the control unit  16  determines based on the vehicle information S 6  that the vehicle  5  is moving backward, so that the left mirror  22  produces the image around the left rear wheel which is hard to see from the operator&#39;s position. Then, when it is determined that the backward movement is finished, the control unit  16  moves the left mirror  22  back to the pre-movement position. Furthermore, when the operator repeats forward and backward movements for several times, the left mirror  22  is kept at a position at which the image around the left rear wheel is produced since it is not possible to keep up with such movement if the mirror is driven each time. 
     The Case Where the Operation Object is the L/R Selector Switch  14   
     The L/R selector switch  14  as the operation object is a switch to switch an optical mirror device to be adjusted upon each push operation. 
     The control unit  16  determines the optical mirror device to be adjusted, based on the switch information S 3  acquired from the L/R selector switch  14  and the history information  160 . 
     As a modification, the mirror control device  1  may be configured as a part of a mirror control system  6 , as shown in  FIG. 1C . The mirror control system  6  is generally composed of the touchpad  10  which is mounted on the vehicle  5  and detects an operation performed on the operation surface  100 , the left optical mirror device  2  and the right optical mirror device  3  mounted on the vehicle  5 , and the control unit  16  which controls the left optical mirror device  2  and the right optical mirror device  3  based on the operation detected by the touchpad  10  and adjusts an image around the vehicle  5  to be visually checked by an operator through the left optical mirror device  2  and the right optical mirror device  3 . 
     Next, an example operation of the mirror control device  1  in the first embodiment will be described in accordance with the flowchart of  FIG. 3 . 
     Operation 
     When the vehicle  5  is powered on, the control unit  16  of the mirror control device  1  acquires the touch information S 1  and the switch information S 3  and also checks the history information  160 . 
     Next, based on the switch information S 3 , the control unit  16  determines L/R, i.e., determines which of the left optical mirror device  2  and the right optical mirror device  3  is selected (S 1 ). 
     Next, based on the touch information S 1 , the control unit  16  determines whether or not an operation is performed. When the operation is performed (S 2 : Yes), the control unit  16  determines a type of the performed operation. 
     Next, the control unit  16  generates and outputs a drive signal corresponding to the type of the performed operation to the selected optical mirror device which is then adjusted based on the determined operation (S 3 ). The selected optical mirror device moves the mirror according to the acquired drive signal. 
     Here, when any operation is detected in Step  2  (S 2 : No), the control unit  16  returns to Step  1  and determines L/R. 
     Effects of the First Embodiment 
     The mirror control device  1  in the first embodiment is flexibly adaptable to mirror devices with different executable functions. In detail, the minor control device  1  in the first embodiment can adjust the positions of the mirrors of the optical mirror devices (the left optical mirror device  2  and the right optical mirror device  3 ) based on the operation performed on the touchpad  10 , can move the mirrors back to the pre-adjustment positions based on the history information  160  and can also memorize the post-adjustment positions, without adding switches for such functions. The touchpad  10  can detect the tap operation and the pinch-in operation, etc., in addition to the swipe operation, the long press operation and the double click operation, and other functions can be assigned to these operations. Thus, the minor control device  1  can be flexibly adapted even when an object to be controlled is changed to a different optical mirror device. 
     The mirror control device  1  can drive the mirrors according to the swipe direction on the touchpad  10  and thus has better operability than when adjusting the mirrors to a desired angle by individually operating in the vertical and horizontal directions. 
     Second Embodiment 
     The second embodiment is different from the other embodiments in that electronic mirror devices are controlled. 
       FIG. 4A  is an illustration diagram showing a vehicle mounting a mirror control device in the second embodiment when viewed from the rear side of the vehicle and  FIG. 4B  is an illustration diagram showing a schematic view showing an example of a steering wheel area in which the mirror control device is arranged.  FIG. 5A  is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a mirror control system including the mirror control device in the second embodiment and  FIG. 5B  is an illustration diagram showing an example of a relation between operation objects and functions of the mirror control device. Outer mirrors are not provided on the vehicle  5  shown in  FIG. 4A , but outer mirrors may be provided. 
     In the second embodiment, portions having the same functions and configurations as the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as the first embodiment and the explanation thereof will be omitted. 
     The mirror control device  1  in the second embodiment is configured to control electronic mirror devices. The electronic mirror device is to take an image of the rear view from a side of the vehicle  5  using a camera and to display the image on a display portion, and zoom-in/zoom-out, etc., of the image displayed on the display portion can be controlled by the mirror control device  1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5A , the mirror control device  1  is generally composed of the touchpad  10  which is mounted on the vehicle  5  and detects an operation performed on the operation surface  100 , and the control unit  16  which controls an left electronic mirror device  2   a  and an right electronic mirror device  3   a  as the electronic mirror devices mounted on the vehicle  5  based on the operation detected by the touchpad  10  and adjusts an image around the vehicle  5  to be visually checked by an operator through the left electronic mirror device  2   a  and the right electronic mirror device  3   a.    
     Configuration of Left Electronic Mirror Device  2   a  and Right Electronic Mirror Device  3   a    
     The left electronic mirror device  2   a  is generally composed of a left camera  22   a  as an imaging portion for taking an image around the vehicle  5 , an image processor  23   a  for processing imaging information S 7  obtained based on the image taken by the left camera  22   a , and a left display  24   a  as a display portion for displaying a display image  240   a  produced by processing the imaging information S 7 . 
     The right electronic mirror device  3   a  is generally composed of a right camera  32   a  as an imaging portion for taking an image around the vehicle  5 , an image processor  33   a  for processing imaging information S 10  obtained based on the image taken by the right camera  32   a , and a right display  34   a  as a display portion for displaying a display image  340   a  produced by processing the imaging information S 10 . 
     A drive unit  21   a  and a drive unit  31   a  are configured to drive, e.g., the left camera  22   a  and the right camera  32   a  in vertical and horizontal directions. 
     The left camera  22   a  and the right camera  32   a  are cameras based on, e.g., a solid-state image sensor such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensor. The left camera  22   a  is arranged on, e.g., the left door  51 . The right camera  32   a  is arranged on, e.g., the right door  52 . The left camera  22   a  and the right camera  32   a  may be configured to be capable of optical zoom under control of the control unit  16 . 
     The image processor  23   a  processes, e.g., the imaging information S 7  acquired from the left camera  22   a  and generates display image information S 9  to be output to the left display  24   a . The left display  24   a  produces and display the display image  240   a  based on the display image information S 9 . 
     The image processor  23   a  processes the imaging information S 7  also according to an instruction based on, e.g., a control signal S 8  output from the control unit  16  and then generates the display image information S 9 . This process according to the instruction is, e.g., zoom-in/zoom-out of the display image  240   a  displayed on the left display  24   a.    
     The image processor  33   a  processes, e.g., the imaging information S 10  acquired from the right camera  32   a  and generates display image information S 12  to be output to the right display  34   a . The right display  34   a  produces and display the display image  340   a  based on the display image information S 12 . 
     The image processor  33   a  processes the imaging information S 10  also according to an instruction based on, e.g., a control signal S 11  output from the control unit  16  and then generates the display image information S 12 . This process according to the instruction is, e.g., zoom-in/zoom-out of the display image  340   a  displayed on the right display  34   a.    
     The left display  24   a  and the right display  34   a  are arranged on, e.g., a meter panel  55  so as to sandwich a meter display  550 , as shown in  FIG. 4B . The left display  24   a , the right display  34   a  and the meter display  550  are, e.g., liquid-crystal displays. The meter display  550  displays, e.g., instruments such as speedometer. 
     Alternatively, the left display  24   a  and the right display  34   a  may be arranged on outer mirrors or may be arranged in a vehicle cabin so that an operator can visually check the images in the same manner as visually checking the outer mirrors. In addition, the vehicle  5  may be provided with both the optical mirror devices and the electronic mirror devices. 
     Functions Which Can Be Instructed By Mirror Control Device  1   
     The Case Where the Operation Object is the Touchpad  10   
     When the operation object is the touchpad  10 , the mirror control device  1  executes different functions depending on the swipe operation, the long press operation, the double click operation, the pinch-in operation and the pinch-out operation, as shown in  FIG. 5B . 
     When it is determined, based on the touch information S 1  acquired from the touchpad  10 , that the swipe operation is performed, the control unit  16  moves a camera in the swipe direction. When it is determined that the swipe operation is performed from, e.g., left to right as viewed in the plane of  FIG. 2A , the control unit  16  outputs the left drive signal S 4 , when the left electronic mirror device  2   a  is selected, to rotate the left camera  22   a  counterclockwise in the horizontal direction, or the right drive signal S 5 , when the right electronic mirror device  3   a  is selected, to rotate the right camera  32   a  counterclockwise in the horizontal direction. 
     Meanwhile, when the swipe operation is performed, e.g., from top to bottom as viewed in the plane of  FIG. 2A , the control unit  16  outputs the left drive signal S 4 , when the left electronic mirror device  2   a  is selected, to rotate the left camera  22   a  counterclockwise in the vertical direction, or the right drive signal S 5 , when the right electronic mirror device  3   a  is selected, to rotate the right camera  32   a  clockwise in the vertical direction. 
     Furthermore, when the swipe operation is performed, e.g., diagonally as viewed in the plane of  FIG. 2A , the control unit  16  resolves a trace of the swipe operation into a vertical component and a horizontal component and rotates the selected camera according to each component. 
     When the imaging area of the left camera  22   a  and the right camera  32   a  is sufficiently wide, the display image may be scrolled by image processing without moving the camera. 
     When it is determined, based on the touch information S 1 , that the long press operation is performed, the control unit  16  moves the adjusted camera back to the pre-adjustment position (state). The control unit  16  controls the camera to move back to the pre-adjustment position based on, e.g., the history information  160 . 
     In addition, when it is determined, based on the touch information S 1 , that the double click operation is performed, the control unit  16  memorizes the camera position, which is an object to be adjusted, as the history information  160 . 
     Furthermore, when it is determined, based on the touch information S 1 , that the pinch-in operation is performed, the control unit  16  outputs a control signal to the image processer to zoom in the display image which is an object to be adjusted. For example, when the left electronic mirror device  2   a  is controlled, the control signal S 8  to zoom in the display image  240   a  is output from the control unit  16  to the image processor  23   a . The image processor  23   a  generates the display image information S 9  associated with the display image  240   a  zoomed in based on the control signal S 8  and outputs the display image information S 9  to the left display  24   a  via the control unit  16 . The zoom percentage depends on, e.g., a travel distance of the operating finger during the pinch-in operation. 
     Still further, when it is determined, based on the touch information S 1 , that the pinch-out operation is performed, the control unit  16  outputs a control signal to the image processer to zoom out the display image which is an object to be adjusted. For example, when the left electronic mirror device  2   a  is controlled, the control signal S 8  to zoom out the display image  240   a  is output from the control unit  16  to the image processor  23   a . The image processor  23   a  generates the display image information S 9  associated with the display image  240   a  zoomed out based on the control signal S 8  and outputs the display image information S 9  to the left display  24   a  via the control unit  16 . The zoom percentage depends on, e.g., a travel distance of the operating finger during the pinch-out operation. 
     The Case Where the Operation Object is the Auto-Switch  12   
     When the auto-switch  12  is the operation object and is in the on state, the control unit  16  executes functions to move the cameras in conjunction with reverse or turning and a zoom function based on the vehicle information S 6  acquired from the vehicle  5 . 
     In the motion in conjunction with reverse, when the control unit  16  determines based on the vehicle information S 6  that the vehicle  5  is moving backward, the control unit  16  moves the left camera  22   a  so that the left camera  22   a  can take the image around the left rear wheel which is hard to see from the operator&#39;s position. When it is determined that the backward movement is finished, the control unit  16  moves the left camera  22   a  back to the pre-movement position. Furthermore, when the operator repeats forward and backward movements for several times, the left camera  22   a  is kept at a position at which the image around the left rear wheel can be taken since it is not possible to keep up with such movement if the camera is driven each time. 
     The zoom function is a function to zoom in the display image to reduce burden of the operator when the speed of the vehicle  5  is faster than a predetermined level. The predetermined level is, e.g., not less than 80 km/h. As an example, when the mirror control device  1  determines, based on the vehicle information S 6 , that the speed of the vehicle  5  is increased and the vehicle  5  is traveling along a highway, the zoomed-in display image  240   a  is displayed on the left display  24   a.    
     The Case Where the Operation Object is the L/R Selector Switch  14   
     The L/R selector switch  14  as the operation object is a switch to switch an electronic mirror device to be adjusted upon each push operation. 
     The control unit  16  determines the electronic mirror device to be adjusted, based on the switch information S 3  acquired from the L/R selector switch  14  and the history information  160 . 
     As a modification, the mirror control device  1  may be configured as a part of the mirror control system  6 , as shown in  FIG. 5A . The mirror control system  6  is generally composed of the touchpad  10  which is mounted on the vehicle  5  and detects an operation performed on the operation surface  100 , the left electronic mirror device  2   a  and the right electronic minor device  3   a  mounted on the vehicle  5 , and the control unit  16  which controls the left electronic mirror device  2   a  and the right electronic mirror device  3   a  based on the operation detected by the touchpad  10  and adjusts an image around the vehicle  5  to be visually checked by an operator through the left electronic mirror device  2   a  and the right electronic mirror device  3   a . In this case, the operator visually checks the image around the vehicle  5  through the left display  24   a  of the left electronic mirror device  2   a  and the right display  34   a  of the right electronic mirror device  3   a.    
     Next, an example operation of the mirror control device  1  in the second embodiment will be described in accordance with the flowchart of  FIG. 3 . 
     Operation 
     When the vehicle  5  is powered on, the control unit  16  of the mirror control device  1  acquires the touch information S 1  and the switch information S 3  and also checks the history information  160 . 
     Next, based on the switch information S 3 , the control unit  16  determines which of the left electronic mirror device  2   a  and the right electronic mirror device  3   a  is selected (S 1 ). 
     Next, based on the touch information S 1 , the control unit  16  determines whether or not an operation is performed. When the operation is performed (S 2 : Yes), the control unit  16  determines a type of the performed operation. 
     Next, the control unit  16  generates and outputs a drive signal or a control signal corresponding to the type of the performed operation to the selected electronic mirror device which is then adjusted based on the determined operation (S 3 ). The selected electronic mirror device moves the camera according to the acquired drive signal or performs zoom-in or zoom-out of the display image according to the acquired control signal. 
     Here, when any operation is detected in Step  2  (S 2 : No), the control unit  16  returns to Step  1  and determines L/R. 
     Effects of the Second Embodiment 
     The mirror control device  1  in the second embodiment is flexibly adaptable to mirror devices with different executable functions. In detail, the mirror control device  1  in the second embodiment can instruct the positions of the cameras of the electronic mirror devices (the left electronic mirror device  2   a  and the right electronic mirror device  3   a ) and zoom-in or zoom-out of the display image based on the operation performed on the touchpad  10 , can move the cameras back to the pre-adjustment positions based on the history information  160  and also can memorize the post-adjustment positions, without adding switches for such functions. The controlled object is an optical mirror device in the first embodiment but is an electronic mirror device in the second embodiment. As such, the mirror control device  1  can be flexibly adapted even when an object to be controlled is changed from the optical mirror device to the electronic mirror device. 
     The mirror control device  1  can drive the cameras according to the swipe direction on the touchpad  10  and thus has better operability than when adjusting the cameras to a desired angle by individually operating in the vertical and horizontal directions. 
     The mirror control device  1  can easily perform zoom-in and zoom-out of the display image by an pinch-in operation and a pinch-out operation, which cannot be realized by the optical mirror device. Therefore, visibility and operability are good. 
     As a modification, when the vehicle  5  has a camera at a position allowing the image of the rear side of the vehicle  5  to be taken, such as a trunk lid, and is configured that the image taken by the camera is displayed on a rear-view mirror in a vehicle cabin, the mirror control device  1  may be configured to control such a camera. 
     The mirror control device  1  and the mirror control system  6  in the embodiments and the modifications may be partially realized by a computer executable program, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc., depending on the intended use. 
     Although some embodiments and modifications of the invention have been described above, the embodiments and modifications are merely an example and the invention according to claims is not to be limited thereto. These new embodiments and modifications may be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions and changes, etc., can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. In addition, all combinations of the features described in the embodiments and modifications are not necessary to solve the problem of the invention. Further, these embodiments and modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention and also within the invention described in the claims and the equivalency thereof.