Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to a vehicular control unit.

A vehicle is provided with an operation unit for a driver to operate apparatuses mounted on the vehicle (hereinafter, also referred to as "vehicle mounted apparatuses") (for example, see <CIT>). The operation unit is provided on or near a center console. When the driver views the operation unit provided near the center console in order to operate the vehicle mounted apparatus, the driver sometimes turns their line of sight away from the forward direction while driving.

<CIT> discloses a vehicle heads-up display system. <CIT> discloses a system and a method to generate a touch-based user interface that allows users to reliably carry out tasks in a low-attention environment. <CIT> discloses a touch pad input device for a vehicle. <CIT> discloses an electronic equipment and an information processing device thereof, wherein the electronic equipment comprises a touch-sensitive display unit and a processing unit which is coupled with the same. <CIT> discloses an electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface, a display, and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface. <CIT> discloses a haptic feedback based on input progression. <CIT> discloses systems and methods for pressure-based haptic effects.

The present invention provides a vehicular control unit according to claim <NUM>, and a vehicular control unit according to claim <NUM>.

(Embodiment) A vehicular control unit according to the present embodiment may be a vehicle mounted apparatus.

[Unit Configuration] As illustrated in <FIG>, a vehicular control unit <NUM> includes a controller <NUM>, a touch sensor <NUM>, a tactile sensation presentation unit <NUM>, a pressing detector <NUM>, and a display <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is respectively connected to the touch sensor <NUM>, the tactile sensation presentation unit <NUM>, the pressing detector <NUM>, and the display <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured to output a signal or information associated with a signal to each of the connected units. Information associated with a signal is also referred to as control information. The controller <NUM> is configured to acquire control information from each of the connected units. In <FIG>, each arrow connecting the controller <NUM> and the respective unit indicates the main direction in which control information is outputted. For example, the controller <NUM> and the touch sensor <NUM> are connected by an arrow directed from the touch sensor <NUM> to the controller <NUM>. In this case, it indicates that control information is mainly outputted from the touch sensor <NUM> to the controller <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> includes a memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may be constituted by a semiconductor memory or the like. In the memory <NUM>, various kinds of information, a program for operating the vehicular control unit <NUM>, or the like is stored. The memory <NUM> may function as a working memory.

The controller <NUM> is configured to store control information in the memory <NUM>, and acquire control information from the memory <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured to control each of the connected units in accordance with control information.

The controller <NUM> is connected to apparatuses mounted on the vehicle. The apparatuses mounted on the vehicle are also referred to as vehicle mounted apparatuses <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured to output control information for operating the vehicle mounted apparatuses <NUM> in response to input to the touch sensor <NUM>. Control information for operating the vehicle mounted apparatuses <NUM> is also referred to as apparatus operation information. The controller <NUM> is configured to acquire control information indicating the state of the vehicle mounted apparatuses <NUM>.

In order to operate the vehicle mounted apparatuses <NUM>, the controller <NUM> is configured to execute applications for operating the vehicle mounted apparatuses <NUM>. The applications for operating the vehicle mounted apparatuses <NUM> are also simply referred to as applications. The controller <NUM> is configured to generate apparatus operation information in response to a user's input to an application. The controller <NUM> is configured to output apparatus operation information to the vehicle mounted apparatuses <NUM>. The vehicle mounted apparatuses <NUM> are configured to operate based on the apparatus operation information acquired from the controller <NUM>. As to the vehicle mounted apparatuses <NUM> operated by the applications, various kinds are applicable. For example, the vehicle mounted apparatuses <NUM> may include a car navigation system, an air conditioner, an audio, a television, and a communication apparatus. Details of the applications will be described later.

The touch sensor <NUM> is for detecting touch by an object such as a finger or a stylus on the touch sensor <NUM>. In the following description, it is assumed that the touch sensor <NUM> is touched with a finger, however, it makes no difference when the touch sensor <NUM> is touched with an object such as a stylus. As a method for the touch sensor <NUM> to detect a touch, any method such as an electrostatic capacitance method, a resistive film method, a surface acoustic wave method or an ultrasonic method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, a load detection method, or the like can be used.

When the touch sensor <NUM> detects a finger touch, it acquires the coordinates of the touched position. The touch sensor <NUM> then outputs the coordinates of the touched position as control information to the controller <NUM>. The user can make an input corresponding to the touched position by touching the touch sensor <NUM> with a finger. In addition, by sliding the finger touching the touch sensor <NUM>, the user can input a pattern such as a character or a figure corresponding to the slide path.

The tactile sensation presentation unit <NUM> is configured to present tactile sensation to the user's finger touching the touch sensor <NUM> by generating vibrations of various patterns according to a drive signal acquired from the controller <NUM>. That is, the controller <NUM> outputs a drive signal as control information to the tactile sensation presentation unit <NUM>, to thereby start driving of the tactile sensation presentation unit <NUM>.

The tactile sensation presentation unit <NUM> is constituted by a piezoelectric element, an ultrasonic vibrator, a vibration motor or an eccentric motor, or the like. For example, the tactile sensation presentation unit <NUM> generates a vibration based on a vibration pattern corresponding to a click feeling, a material texture, or the like, and presents the tactile sensation such as a click feeling, a material texture, or the like to the user's finger touching the touch sensor <NUM>.

The pressing detector <NUM> is configured to detect pressure generated by the user touching the touch sensor <NUM> with a finger, a stylus, or the like and further pressing the touch sensor <NUM>. Pressure generated by pushing the touch sensor <NUM> is also referred to as pressing. The pressing detector <NUM> is configured to output data based on pressing as control information to the controller <NUM>.

The pressing detector <NUM> may be constituted by a strain gage sensor, a piezoelectric element or the like, whose physical or electrical characteristics such as strain, resistance, or voltage change according to pressing. For example, when the pressing detector <NUM> is constituted by a piezoelectric element, the voltage value of the piezoelectric element, which is an electrical characteristic, varies according to the magnitude of the load caused by pressing against the touch sensor <NUM>. The voltage value which is an electrical characteristic is included in data based on pressing. The data based on pressing may not only include the voltage value, but also include the magnitude of the load caused by pressing, the resistance value, and the like.

The pressing detector <NUM> may be constituted in accordance with the detection method of the touch sensor <NUM>. For example, when the detection method of the touch sensor <NUM> is a resistive film method, the magnitude of resistance according to the size of contact area can be associated with the pressing load on the touch sensor <NUM>. When the touch sensor <NUM> uses an electrostatic capacitance method, the capacitance size can be associated with the pressing load on the touch sensor <NUM>. With such a configuration, the pressing detector <NUM> can be constituted without using a strain gage sensor, a piezoelectric element or the like.

The controller <NUM> may determine an input to the operation object at the touched position when the data based on pressing acquired from the pressing detector <NUM> is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value. Here, data based on pressing equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value corresponds to pressing equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. An input determined when data based on pressing is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value, namely, when pressing is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure is also referred to as a pressing input.

The controller <NUM> may set multistage threshold values with respect to the magnitude of pressing. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller <NUM> sets a first stage threshold value and a second stage threshold value. In the case in which a first stage threshold value and a second stage threshold value are set, the controller <NUM> is configured to determine whether data based on pressing acquired from the pressing detector <NUM> has reached the first stage threshold value and the second stage threshold value. The controller <NUM> executes different control according to the determination result. The second stage threshold value is assumed to be higher than the first stage threshold value. An input when data based on pressing reaches the first stage threshold value and an input when data based on pressing reaches the second stage threshold value are also respectively referred to as a first stage pressing input and a second stage pressing input. In the above description, two threshold value stages are set, however, three or more threshold value stages may be set.

The tactile sensation presentation unit <NUM> and the pressing detector <NUM> may be integrated. When both the tactile sensation presentation unit <NUM> and the pressing detector <NUM> are constituted using a piezoelectric element, these can share a piezoelectric element. This is because a piezoelectric element generates a voltage when pressure is applied and deforms when a voltage is applied thereto.

The display <NUM> is configured to display characters, images or the like that can be visually recognized by the user, based on control information acquired from the controller <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be a head-up display. A head-up display is also referred to as a HUD. The HUD is configured to project an image on the front wind shield <NUM> of the vehicle (see <FIG>), and cause the user to visually recognize reflected light of the projected image as a virtual image.

The display <NUM> may be a liquid crystal display, an organic or inorganic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like. A liquid crystal display is also referred to as a LCD. The display <NUM> may be provided on the upper part of the center console of the vehicle such that, as far as possible, the user does not need to move the line of sight from the vehicle forward direction while driving the vehicle. Note that the display <NUM> is not limited to the above configuration.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the touch sensor <NUM> is disposed between the vehicle mounted apparatus <NUM> and the shift lever <NUM>. In <FIG>, a HUD is disposed as the display <NUM>. The display <NUM> is disposed on the dashboard such that a display surface 20a is formed at the center of the lower part of the front wind shield <NUM>. The display surface 20a is visually recognized by the driver as a virtual image of the image projected from the display <NUM>.

The display surface 20a is formed on the extended line of the traveling direction of the vehicle from the touch sensor <NUM>. With such a configuration, the user can easily operate the touch sensor <NUM> by blind touching the touch sensor <NUM> while visually recognizing the display surface 20a without turning their line of sight away from the vehicle forward direction.

The controller <NUM> of the vehicular control unit <NUM> according to the present embodiment is configured to execute applications for operating the vehicle mounted apparatuses <NUM>. Each vehicle mounted apparatus <NUM> is associated with an application for operating it. For example, when the user operates an air conditioner as a vehicle mounted apparatus <NUM>, the controller <NUM> activates an application corresponding to the air conditioner.

The vehicular control unit <NUM> includes a menu for selecting and activating an application corresponding to the vehicle mounted apparatus <NUM> that the user intends to operate. The menu includes, for example, objects for activating applications for operating a car navigation system, an air conditioner and the like. When the user makes a pressing input and selects an object, the controller <NUM> activates an application corresponding to the object.

The objects are associated with predetermined positions on the touch sensor <NUM> such that the user can select by pressing input. That is, when a pressing input is made at a predetermined position on the touch sensor <NUM>, an object associated with the predetermined position is selected. The correspondence relationship between the objects and the touch sensor <NUM> is set by the controller <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is configured to cause the display <NUM> to display the correspondence relationship between the objects and the touch sensor <NUM> on the display surface 20a. The display <NUM> is configured to display such that the shape of the display surface 20a is similar to that of the touch sensor <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the shape of the touch sensor <NUM> and the display surface 20a is assumed to be a rectangle. Note that the touch sensor <NUM> and the display surface 20a are not limited to a rectangle and may have other shapes. When an object is associated with the upper left of the touch sensor <NUM>, the display <NUM> displays the object on the upper left of the display surface 20a. That is, the display <NUM> is configured to display on the display surface 20a a menu screen in which objects associated with applications are arranged so as to correspond to the positions on the touch sensor <NUM>. By associating the positions on the touch sensor <NUM> with the display positions of the objects, the user can know the correspondence relationship between the objects and the touch sensor <NUM>.

In the menu screen according to the present embodiment, it is assumed that the number of objects simultaneously associated with the touch sensor <NUM>, namely, the number of objects simultaneously displayed on the display surface 20a is four. It is further assumed that the four objects are respectively associated with predetermined positions provided near the four corners of the touch sensor <NUM>. Note that the number of objects simultaneously associated with the touch sensor <NUM> is not limited to four, and may be three or less, or five or more.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the display <NUM> may display four objects (<NUM>) to (<NUM>) on the display surface 20a. The object (<NUM>) is associated with the upper left area of the touch sensor <NUM>. In addition, the objects (<NUM>) to (<NUM>) are respectively associated with the upper right area, the lower left area, and the lower right area of the touch sensor <NUM>. Although no object is displayed at the center of the display surface 20a, note that this is not necessary. For example, an object associated with the central area of the touch sensor <NUM> may be displayed in the central ellipse area.

The controller <NUM> is configured to, based on control information acquired from the touch sensor <NUM> and the pressing detector <NUM>, determine whether a pressing input is made at a position associated with an object, namely, whether an object is selected. When an object is selected, the controller <NUM> activates an application corresponding to the object. For example, in the case in which the object (<NUM>) is associated with an application for operating a car navigation system, the controller <NUM> activates the application for operating a car navigation system in response to the selection of the object (<NUM>).

In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the number of objects to be displayed is four. When the vehicular control unit <NUM> is capable of operating five or more vehicle mounted apparatuses <NUM>, applications that can be activated by the displayed objects are limited to the applications corresponding to the first to fourth vehicle mounted apparatuses <NUM>. That is, in the example illustrated in <FIG>, the display <NUM> cannot display on the display surface 20a the object for activating the application corresponding to the fifth vehicle mounted apparatus <NUM>. In order to display objects for activating applications corresponding to the fifth and subsequent vehicle mounted apparatuses <NUM>, the controller <NUM> is configured to switch the menu screen. The menu screen illustrated in <FIG> is also referred to as a first menu screen. The menu screen switched from the first menu screen by the controller <NUM> is also referred to as a second menu screen.

As illustrated in <FIG>, four objects (<NUM>) to (<NUM>) are displayed on the display surface 20a by the display <NUM>. In this case, the object (<NUM>) is associated with the upper left area of the touch sensor <NUM>. In addition, the objects (<NUM>) to (<NUM>) are respectively associated with the upper right area, the lower left area, and the lower right area of the touch sensor <NUM>. The description of the central area of the display surface 20a will be omitted for being similar to that described in relation to <FIG>.

The controller <NUM> is configured to switch a menu screen in response to an input to the touch sensor <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may provide an object configured to execute menu switching on the menu screen. The controller <NUM> may switch the menu screen in response to a pressing input to the object configured to execute menu switching.

In the state in which a menu screen is displayed on the display surface 20a, the controller <NUM> may switch the menu screen when a second stage pressing input is made. In this case, an input to select an object is set as a first stage pressing input. With such a configuration, it is possible to switch a menu screen without selecting an object, regardless of the position on the touch sensor <NUM> at which a second stage pressing input is made.

In the case in which a menu screen is switched in response to a second stage pressing input, a condition may be further added that the second stage pressing input is executed while touching at least two points. According to an embodiment of the present invention, by making a second stage pressing input with two fingers, the second stage pressing input is executed while touching two points. With such a configuration, unintended switching of the menu screen by the user can be reduced.

In the state in which a menu screen is displayed on the display surface 20a, the controller <NUM> may switch the menu screen when a slide input including a predetermined gesture is made to the touch sensor <NUM>. A slide input including a predetermined gesture is also referred to as a gesture input. The predetermined gesture may be, for example, a swipe input that simply slides in one direction. The predetermined gesture may represent a specific character such as Z, V, O, N or the like, according to the path of the slide. The predetermined gesture may represent a specific figure such as a triangle, a square, a star or the like, according to the path of the slide.

In the case in which a menu screen is switched in response to a gesture input, a condition may be further added that the gesture input is executed while touching at least two points. For example, by executing a slide input while touching with two fingers, a gesture input can be executed while touching two points. With such a configuration, switching of menu screen unintended by the user can be reduced.

By switching a menu screen in the above described way, the user can switch a menu screen without viewing the touch sensor <NUM>, namely, without turning their line of sight away from the vehicle forward direction. As a result, the driving of the vehicle can be performed safely.

When an application for operating one vehicle mounted apparatus <NUM> is activated by the vehicular control unit <NUM>, the user may want to operate another vehicle mounted apparatus <NUM>. In this case, it is possible to operate another vehicle mounted apparatus <NUM> by switching the application. As one method of switching an application, an object for an operation of returning to the menu screen may be provided in the application. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, an object indicated as "home" may be provided. The controller <NUM> may switch to the menu screen in response to an input to the object indicated as "home". The user may return to the menu screen once by selecting the object indicated as "home", and then select another object on the menu screen to activate another application corresponding to another vehicle mounted apparatus <NUM>.

As another method of switching an application, the controller <NUM> may switch directly to another application during application startup. The controller <NUM> may switch an application in response to an input to the touch sensor <NUM>. With such a configuration, the user can switch an application more speedily without returning to the menu screen.

In a state in which the operation screen of an application is displayed on the display surface 20a, the controller <NUM> may switch the application when a second stage pressing input is made. In this case, an input to select an object on the operation screen of an application is set as a first stage pressing input. With such a configuration, the user can switch an application without selecting an object, regardless of the position on the touch sensor <NUM> at which a second stage pressing input is made.

In the case in which an application is switched in response to a second stage pressing input, a condition may be further added that the second stage pressing input is executed while touching at least two points. According to an embodiment of the present invention, by executing a second stage pressing input with two fingers, the second stage pressing input is executed while touching two points. With such a configuration, unintended switching of an application can be reduced.

The operation screen of an application illustrated in <FIG> includes an object indicated as "Air Flow" for air volume setting of an air conditioner. The operation screen also includes an object indicated as "Temp" for temperature setting of the air conditioner. The operation screen further includes objects indicated as "ON" and "OFF" for setting on /off of the air conditioner. In <FIG>, irrespective of the presence or absence of the objects, the application can be switched regardless of the position on the touch sensor <NUM> at which a second stage pressing input is made. For example, the application may be switched between that illustrated in <FIG> and that illustrated in <FIG>. Also, the application may be sequentially switched to another application.

In the state in which the operation screen of an application is displayed on the display surface 20a, the controller <NUM> may switch the application when a slide input to the touch sensor <NUM> including a predetermined gesture is made. Description of the predetermined gesture will be omitted for being similar to that related to switching of menu screen described above.

In the case in which an application is switched in response to a gesture input, a condition may be further added that the gesture input is executed while touching at least two points. For example, by executing an input that slides while touching with two fingers, a gesture input can be executed while touching two points. With such a configuration, unintended switching of application can be reduced.

By switching an application in the above described way, the user can switch an application without viewing the touch sensor <NUM>, namely, without turning their line of sight away from the vehicle forward direction. As a result, the driving of the vehicle can be performed safely. In addition, the user can switch an application without returning to the menu screen. As a result, operational comfort can be improved.

The controller <NUM> may execute the control method illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The controller <NUM> causes the pressing detector <NUM> to start detection of pressure (Step S11 in <FIG>).

Then, the controller <NUM> acquires data based on pressing from the pressing detector <NUM>, and determines whether the data based on pressing is equal to or larger than the first stage threshold value (Step S12).

When the data based on pressing is not equal to or larger than the first stage threshold value (Step S12: NO), the controller <NUM> proceeds to Step S41 of <FIG>.

On the other hand, when the data based on pressing is equal to or larger than the first stage threshold value (Step S12: YES), the controller <NUM> stores the data based on pressing in the memory <NUM> (Step S13). The controller <NUM> may cause the tactile sensation presentation unit <NUM> to present the user with a tactile sensation such as a click feeling corresponding to the first stage pressing input at the time when the data based on pressing is determined to be equal to or larger than the first stage threshold value.

The controller <NUM> acquires data based on pressing from the pressing detector <NUM>, and determines whether the data based on pressing is equal to or larger than the second stage threshold value (Step S14).

When the data based on pressing is equal to or larger than the second stage threshold value (Step S14: YES), the controller <NUM> stores the data based on pressing in the memory <NUM> (Step S15). The controller <NUM> may cause the tactile sensation presentation unit <NUM> to present the user with a tactile sensation such as a click feeling corresponding to the second stage pressing input at the time when the data based on pressing is determined to be equal to or larger than the second stage threshold value.

On the other hand, when the data based on pressing is not equal to or larger than the second stage threshold value(Step S14: NO), the controller <NUM> acquires data based on pressing from the pressing detector <NUM> and determines whether the data based on pressing is smaller than the first stage threshold value (Step S16). When the data based on pressing is not smaller than the first stage threshold value (Step S17: NO), the controller <NUM> returns to Step S13.

When the data based on pressing is smaller than the first stage threshold value (Step S16: YES), the controller <NUM> determines whether the maximum value of the data based on pressing stored in the memory <NUM> is equal to or larger than the second stage threshold value (Step S17).

When the maximum value of the data based on pressing is not equal to or larger than the second stage threshold value (Step S17: NO), the controller <NUM> determines that a first stage pressing input has been made (Step S18).

Then, the controller <NUM> selects the object associated with the position at which the first stage pressing input was made (Step S19). When a menu screen is displayed on the display surface 20a, the controller <NUM> activates the application corresponding to the object. When the operation screen of an activated application is displayed on the display surface 20a, the controller <NUM> outputs apparatus operation information corresponding to the object to the vehicle mounted apparatus <NUM>. Then, the controller <NUM> ends the processing of the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>.

On the other hand, when the data based on pressing is equal to or larger than the second stage threshold value (Step S17: YES), the controller <NUM> determines that a second stage pressing input has been made (Step S20).

When a menu screen is displayed on the display surface 20a, the controller <NUM> switches the menu screen (Step S21). When the operation screen of an activated application is displayed on the display surface 20a, the controller <NUM> switches the application. Then, the controller <NUM> ends the processing of the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>.

In the processing illustrated in the flowchart of <FIG>, the first stage pressing input and the second stage pressing input are determined after the data based on pressing is determined to be smaller than the first stage threshold value. With such a configuration, it is possible to cope with multistage inputs of the third or more stages. On the other hand, if the controller <NUM> is configured to not accept a pressing input of the third or more stages, the controller <NUM> may determine the second stage pressing input at the time when the data based on pressing is determined to be equal to or larger than the second stage threshold value. With such a configuration, operability can be improved.

After the data based on pressing is determined to be equal to or larger than the first stage threshold value, the controller <NUM> may determine the first stage pressing input when the state in which the data based on pressing is equal to or larger than the first stage threshold value and smaller than the second stage threshold value has lasted for a predetermined time.

<Gesture Input> In Step S12 of <FIG>, when the data based on pressing is not equal to or larger than the first stage threshold value (Step S12 of <FIG>: NO), the controller <NUM> proceeds to Step S41 of <FIG>. The controller <NUM> determines whether the finger touching the touch sensor <NUM> has slid (Step S41 of <FIG>). When the finger has not slid (Step S41: NO), the controller <NUM> returns to Step S12 of <FIG>.

On the other hand, when the finger has slid (Step S41: YES), the controller <NUM> determines whether the slide input includes a predetermined gesture (Step S42). When the slide input does not include a predetermined gesture (Step S42: NO), the controller <NUM> returns to Step S12 of <FIG>.

On the other hand, when the slide input includes a predetermined gesture (Step S42: YES), the controller <NUM> determines that a gesture input has been made (Step S43). At this time, the controller <NUM> may cause the tactile sensation presentation unit <NUM> to present a tactile sensation such as a click feeling corresponding to the gesture input.

When a menu screen is displayed on the display surface 20a, the controller switches the menu screen. When the operation screen of an application is displayed on the display surface 20a, the controller <NUM> switches the application. Then, the controller <NUM> ends the processing of the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>.

By executing the control method illustrated in the flowcharts of <FIG> and <FIG>, the user can switch an application without viewing the touch sensor <NUM>, namely, without turning their line of sight away from the vehicle forward direction.

In the flowcharts of <FIG> and <FIG>, switching of menu screen and application is executed by pressing input and gesture input. Switching may be executed by one of pressing input and gesture input.

According to the vehicular control unit <NUM> of the present embodiment, the user can switch an application without viewing the touch sensor <NUM>, namely, without turning their line of sight away from the vehicle forward direction. As a result, driving of the vehicle can be performed safely. Further, the user can switch an application without returning to the menu screen. As a result, operational comfort can be improved.

Claim 1:
A vehicular control unit (<NUM>), comprising:
a touch sensor (<NUM>) for placement in a first location in a vehicle;
a pressing detector (<NUM>) for detecting pressing against the touch sensor (<NUM>);
a display (<NUM>) for placement at a second location relatively distant from said first location in said vehicle, said display (<NUM>) configured to display a first menu screen including one or more first objects each for activating a respective different application for operating a corresponding different apparatus (<NUM>) mounted on said vehicle, and to display a second menu screen including one or more second objects each for activating a respective different application for operating a corresponding different apparatus (<NUM>) mounted on said vehicle, wherein the second objects correspond to different apparatuses (<NUM>) than the first objects;
a controller (<NUM>) configured to:
acquire data based on the pressing from the pressing detector (<NUM>), the data based on the pressing indicating a detected pressure;
set a first stage threshold value and a second stage threshold value larger than the first stage threshold value, which are related to the data based on the pressing;
activate an application corresponding to an object when a touch is exerted in an area on the touch sensor (<NUM>) corresponding with the area where said object is displayed on the display (<NUM>) and when the data based on the pressing is equal to or larger than the first stage threshold value but not equal to or larger than the second stage threshold value; and
switch the first menu screen to the second menu screen when the data based on pressing reaches the second stage threshold value and at least two touch points are detected.