Patent Description:
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open (<CIT> discloses an operation device that includes a push switch and a touch switch. The push switch has a first operation surface and detects push operations performed on the first operation surface. The touch switch has an adjacent operation surface adjacent to the first operation surface and detects touch operations performed on the adjacent operation surface. The operation device performs control to not accept a touch operation performed on the touch switch for a predetermined period of time after receiving a push operation performed on the push switch.

In the operation device disclosed in <CIT>, when the user consecutively performs operations with respect to the push switch of the first operation surface and the touch switch of the adjacent operation surface, even if the operations performed were intentional operations and not erroneous operations, the operation with respect to the touch switch has sometimes ended up being canceled, leaving the user with a feeling that something is wrong.

The document <CIT> discloses a comparable operation control device.

This invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances and provides an operation control device, an operation device, a steering device, a vehicle, an operation control method, and an operation control program storage medium that may more effectively limit execution of processes corresponding to unintended operations.

The operation control device includes a memory; and a processor connected to the memory, the processor being configured to: in a case in which the processor receives, at an operation unit that includes a first operation region and a second operation region adjacent to the first operation region, an operation performed on the first operation region in a direction of the second operation region, limit execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region until a predetermined condition is met.

In a configuration where the operation unit includes the first operation region and the second operation region adjacent to the first operation region, when an operation performed on the first operation region is an operation in the direction of the second operation region, the probability that an operation subsequently performed on the second operation region is an unintended operation becomes higher. Based on this, in a case in which the processor receives an operation performed on the first operation region in the direction of the second operation region, the processor limits execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region until the predetermined condition is met. Because of this, execution of processes corresponding to unintended operations may be more effectively limited.

The processor is configured not to limit execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region in a case in which the processor receives an operation performed on the first operation region in a direction other than the direction of the second operation region.

In a case in which an operation performed on the first operation region is an operation in a direction other than the direction of the second operation region, the probability that an operation subsequently performed on the second operation region is an intended operation is high. Based on this, in the second aspect, in a case in which the processor receives an operation performed on the first operation region in a direction other than the direction of the second operation region, the processor does not limit execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region. Because of this, intended operations may be inhibited from ending up being canceled.

The first operation region includes a wheel switch, and the processor limits execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region in a case in which the processor receives a rotational operation with respect to the wheel switch in the direction of the second operation region.

In a configuration where the first operation region is provided with the wheel switch, execution of processes corresponding to unintended operations may be more effectively limited.

The processor is configured not to limit execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region in a case in which the processor receives at least one of a rotational operation with respect to the wheel switch in the opposite direction of the direction of the second operation region or a push operation on the wheel switch.

In a configuration where the first operation region is provided with the wheel switch, intended operations may be inhibited from ending up being canceled.

The predetermined condition is a condition where a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

In a case in which the processor receives an operation performed on the first operation region in the direction of the second operation region, the processor limits execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region until the predetermined amount of time elapses. Because of this, limiting execution of processes corresponding to unintended operations may be realized by a simple process.

The predetermined condition is a condition where an operation performed on the second operation region has been discontinued.

In a case in which the processor receives an operation performed on the first operation region in the direction of the second operation region, the processor limits execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region until an operation performed on the second operation region is discontinued. Because of this, after performing on operation with respect to the first operation region in the direction of the second operation region, when the user continues an unintended operation with respect to the second operation region, such as continuing to touch the second operation region for example, execution of the process corresponding to that unintended operation may be limited.

The predetermined condition is a condition where an amount of time decided in accordance with the speed of an operation performed on the first operation region has elapsed.

In a case in which an unintended operation is performed on the second operation region after an operation has been performed with respect to the first operation region in the direction of the second operation region, the amount of time until the operation is performed on the second operation region after the operation has been performed on the first operation region is correlated to the speed of the operation performed on the first operation region. Based on this, in the seventh aspect, in a case in which the processor receives an operation performed on the first operation region in the direction of the second operation region, the processor limits execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region until an amount of time decided in accordance with the speed of the operation performed on the first operation region elapses. Because of this, it becomes possible to optimize, in accordance with the speed of operations performed on the first operation region, the period of time in which the processor limits execution of processes performed on the second operation region.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> illustrates an in-vehicle system <NUM> pertaining to the embodiment. The in-vehicle system <NUM> includes a left steering switch group <NUM> and a right steering switch group <NUM>, an operation control electronic control unit (ECU) <NUM>, a head-up display (HUD) <NUM>, a meter display <NUM>, and in-vehicle devices <NUM>.

The left steering switch group <NUM>, the right steering switch group <NUM>, the operation control ECU <NUM>, the HUD <NUM>, the meter display <NUM>, and the in-vehicle devices <NUM> are connected to a system bus <NUM> so as to be communicable with each other. The in-vehicle devices <NUM> include, for example, devices such as an air conditioner, an audio device, a car navigation system, and a voice input device.

It will be noted that in this embodiment the left steering switch group <NUM> is an example of an operation unit in this disclosure and the operation control ECU <NUM> is an example of an operation control device and an operation device pertaining to this disclosure. Additionally, the left steering switch group <NUM> and the operation control ECU <NUM> are an example of a steering device pertaining to this disclosure. In this embodiment, the left steering switch group <NUM> and the operation control ECU <NUM> will be collectively called a "steering device <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the in-vehicle system <NUM> including the steering device <NUM> is installed in a vehicle <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> has a cabin in the front portion of which an instrument panel <NUM> is disposed. A windshield <NUM> is disposed on the front end portion of the instrument panel <NUM>. The windshield <NUM> extends in the vehicle up and down direction and the vehicle width direction and partitions the cabin interior from the cabin exterior. The range of the windshield <NUM> denoted by reference sign <NUM> is a range in which images are projected by the HUD <NUM>.

On the driver's seat side (that is, the vehicle right side) of the instrument panel <NUM>, a steering wheel <NUM> is provided via a steering column not illustrated in the drawings. The steering wheel <NUM> includes a substantially annular rim portion 100A. On the inner peripheral side of the rim portion 100A, a hub portion 100B that configures a central portion of the steering wheel <NUM> is provided. The rim portion 100A and the hub portion 100B are interconnected by plural (for example, in this embodiment, three) spoke portions 100C.

The spoke portions 100C are provided in three locations, between the right side of the rim portion 100A and the hub portion 100B, between the left side of the rim portion 100A and the hub portion 100B, and between the lower side of the rim portion 100A and the hub portion 100B. Here, the left steering switch group <NUM> is provided on the spoke portion 100C between the left side of the rim portion 100A and the hub portion 100B. Furthermore, the right steering switch group <NUM> is provided on the spoke portion 100C between the right side of the rim portion 100A and the hub portion 100B.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the left steering switch group <NUM> includes a thumbwheel switch <NUM>, a left first tact switch <NUM>, and a left second tact switch <NUM>. Of these, the left first tact switch <NUM> and the left second tact switch <NUM> are each configured by contact detection switches. The left steering switch group <NUM> also includes a left first electrostatic sensor <NUM> and a left second electrostatic sensor <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an operation region of the left steering switch group <NUM> is partitioned, sequentially from above in the vehicle up and down direction, into three regions, a first operation region 12A, a second operation region 12B, and a third operation region 12C. The thumbwheel switch <NUM> is provided in the first operation region 12A in such a way that the rotational direction of a thumbwheel <NUM> with which the thumbwheel switch <NUM> is provided is oriented along the vehicle up and down direction. The thumbwheel switch <NUM> includes a rotation sensor <NUM>, which detects rotational operations with respect to the thumbwheel <NUM>, and a push switch <NUM>, which detects push operations with respect to the thumbwheel <NUM>. In this embodiment, the thumbwheel switch <NUM> is allocated the function of changing the volume of the audio device.

The left first tact switch <NUM> is provided in the second operation region 12B and, as illustrated in <FIG>, includes an up switch <NUM>, a down switch <NUM>, a right switch <NUM>, and a left switch <NUM>. For this reason, the left first tact switch <NUM> is a four-way switch and configured so that it may be pushed in the four directions of up, down, right, and left. It will be noted that the switches <NUM> to <NUM> of the left first tact switch <NUM> are multifunction switches that may change the functions that are realized when they are pushed. In this embodiment, examples of the functions allocatable to the multifunction switches include phone calling functions, functions for changing the settings of the audio device (such as turning the power on and off, skipping ahead, going back, and switching operating modes), functions for changing the settings of the air conditioner (such as changing the temperature, the air volume, and the outlets, turning an automatic mode on and off, and switching between introducing outside air and recirculating the inside air).

The left first electrostatic sensor <NUM> is provided in the left first tact switch <NUM> and may detect that a user sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle (hereinafter simply called "the user") has touched the left first tact switch <NUM>. Specifically, the left first electrostatic sensor <NUM> may detect which of the up switch <NUM>, the down switch <NUM>, the right switch <NUM>, and the left switch <NUM> of the left first tact switch <NUM> the user is touching.

The left second tact switch <NUM> is provided in the third operation region 12C and includes the left second electrostatic sensor <NUM>. The left second electrostatic sensor <NUM> may detect that the user has touched the left second tact switch <NUM>. In this embodiment, the left second tact switch <NUM> is allocated the function of switching the functions that are realized when the switches <NUM> to <NUM> of the left first tact switch <NUM> are pushed.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the right steering switch group <NUM> includes a right first tact switch <NUM>, a right second tact switch <NUM>, and a right third tact switch <NUM>. These are each configured by contact detection switches. The right steering switch group <NUM> also includes a right first electrostatic sensor <NUM>, a right second electrostatic sensor <NUM>, and a right third electrostatic sensor <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the right steering switch group <NUM>, the right first tact switch <NUM>, the right second tact switch <NUM>, and the right third tact switch <NUM> are disposed sequentially from above in the vehicle up and down direction.

The right first electrostatic sensor <NUM> is provided in the right first tact switch <NUM> and may detect that the user has touched the right first tact switch <NUM>. The right second electrostatic sensor <NUM> is provided in the right second tact switch <NUM> and may detect that the user has touched the right second tact switch <NUM>. The right third electrostatic sensor <NUM> is provided in the right third tact switch <NUM> and may detect that the user has touched the right third tact switch <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the operation control ECU <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM> and a memory <NUM> such as a read-only memory (ROM) and a random-access memory (RAM). The operation control ECU <NUM> also includes a nonvolatile storage unit <NUM> such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), a communication interface (I/F) <NUM>, and an input/output interface (I/F) <NUM>. The CPU <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, the storage unit <NUM>, the communication interface <NUM>, and the input/output interface <NUM> are communicably connected to each other via an internal bus <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> stores a function allocation table <NUM>. In the function allocation table <NUM>, the functions allocated to each of the switches of the switch groups <NUM> and <NUM> are registered. The operation control ECU <NUM> reads from the function allocation table <NUM> the functions allocated to each of the switches of the switch groups <NUM> and <NUM> and causes the HUD <NUM> and the meter display <NUM> to display, as images of the switch groups <NUM> and <NUM>, images in which icons representing the functions it has read are arranged in the same way as in the switch groups <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, <FIG> illustrates an example of an image of the switch group <NUM> displayed on the HUD <NUM> and the meter display <NUM>.

Furthermore, when any of the switches among the switch groups <NUM> and <NUM> is operated, the operation control ECU <NUM> reads from the function allocation table <NUM> the function allocated to the switch that has been operated. The operation control unit ECU <NUM> notifies the on-board device <NUM> corresponding to the function it has read that execution of the function it has read has been instructed by an operation of the switch.

The storage unit <NUM> also stores an operation control program <NUM>. The function control ECU <NUM> functions as a control unit <NUM> illustrates in <FIG> as a result of the operation control program <NUM> being read from the storage unit <NUM> and loaded to the memory <NUM> and the operation control program <NUM> that has been loaded to the memory <NUM> being executed by the CPU <NUM>.

In a case in which the control unit <NUM> receives an operation in the direction of the second operation region 12B performed on the thumbwheel switch <NUM> provided in the first operation region 12A of the left steering switch group <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> limits execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region 12B until a predetermined condition is met. It will be noted that the operation control program <NUM> is an example of an operation control program pertaining to this disclosure.

Next, as the operation of the first embodiment, first, a timing process repeatedly executed in predetermined cycles by the operation control ECU <NUM> (the control unit <NUM>) while the ignition switch of the vehicle <NUM> is on will be described with reference to <FIG>.

In step <NUM> of the timing process, the control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the thumbwheel <NUM> of the thumbwheel switch <NUM> has been rotated in the downward direction, that is, in the direction toward the second operation region 12B (the left first tact switch <NUM>) (see also <FIG>). In a case in which the determination in step <NUM> is yes, the control unit <NUM> moves to step <NUM>. In step <NUM> the control unit <NUM> sets a predetermined value T1 as a filter time t, and then the control unit <NUM> moves to step <NUM>. It will be noted that the initial value of the filter time t is <NUM> and the predetermined value T1 is a value corresponding to an amount of time of about several seconds. In a case in which the determination in step <NUM> is no, the control unit <NUM> skips step <NUM> and moves to step <NUM>.

In step <NUM> the control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the filter time t is <NUM>. In a case in which the determination in step <NUM> is yes, the control unit <NUM> ends the timing process. In a case in which the determination in step <NUM> is no, the control unit <NUM> moves to step <NUM>. In step <NUM> the control unit <NUM> subtracts a predetermined value α from the filter time t, and then the control unit <NUM> ends the timing process. It will be noted that the predetermined value α is a value corresponding to the execution cycle of the timing process.

Because of the above timing process, as illustrated also in <FIG>, in a case in which the thumbwheel <NUM> of the thumbwheel switch <NUM> is rotated in the downward direction, the relationship of filter time t ≠ <NUM> is set until an amount of time corresponding to the predetermined value T1 elapses since the thumbwheel <NUM> has been rotated. On the other hand, in a case in which the thumbwheel <NUM> is rotated in the upward direction and in a case in which a push operation is performed with respect to the thumbwheel <NUM>, the relationship of filter time t = <NUM> is maintained as is.

Next, a touch information output process repeatedly executed in predetermined cycles by the operation control ECU <NUM> (i.e., the control unit <NUM>) while the ignition switch of the vehicle <NUM> is on will be described with reference to <FIG>.

In step <NUM> of the touch information output process, the control unit <NUM> determines whether or not a touch operation has been performed with respect to the left first tact switch <NUM>. In a case in which the determination in step <NUM> is no, the control unit <NUM> ends the touch information output process. In a case in which the determination in step <NUM> is yes, the control unit <NUM> moves to step <NUM>.

In step <NUM> the control unit <NUM> acquires the filter time t that has been updated in the timing process. Then, in the next step <NUM> the control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the filter time t it acquired in step <NUM> is <NUM>. In a case in which the determination in step <NUM> is no, the control unit <NUM> moves to step <NUM>. Then, in step <NUM> the control unit <NUM> ends the touch information output process without outputting, to the in-vehicle devices <NUM> or the like, touch information indicating that a touch operation has been performed with respect to the left first tact switch <NUM>.

In a case in which the determination in step <NUM> is yes, the control unit <NUM> moves to step <NUM>. In step <NUM> the control unit <NUM> outputs, to the in-vehicle devices <NUM> or the like, touch information indicating that a touch operation has been performed with respect to the left first tact switch <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> also causes, as illustrated in <FIG> for example, an icon <NUM> corresponding to the up switch <NUM> of the left first tact switch <NUM> in the image of the left steering switch group <NUM> displayed on the HUD <NUM> and the meter display <NUM> to be reversely displayed. This allows the user to recognize that the touch operation with respect to the up switch <NUM> of the left first tact switch <NUM> has been received. Then, after the process of step <NUM> ends, the control unit <NUM> ends the touch information output process.

Because of the above touch information output process, while the filter time t ≠ <NUM>, that is, until an amount of time corresponding to the predetermined value T1 elapses since the thumbwheel <NUM> has been rotated in the downward direction, touch information is not output even if a touch operation is performed with respect to the left first tact switch <NUM> and processes corresponding to touch operations with respect to the left first tact switch <NUM> (e.g., the process to reversely display the icon <NUM>, etc.) are not executed.

In this way, in the first embodiment, in a case in which the control unit <NUM> receives an operation performed on the first operation region A in the direction of the second operation region 12B adjacent to the first operation region 12A of the left steering switch group <NUM> that includes the first operation region 12A and the second operation region 12B, the control unit <NUM> limits execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region 12B until a predetermined condition is met. Because of this, execution of processes corresponding to unintended operations may be more effectively limited.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the control unit <NUM> does not limit execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region 12B in a case in which the control unit <NUM> receives an operation performed on the first operation region 12A in a direction other than the direction of the second operation region 12B. Because of this, intended operations with respect to the second operation region 12B (the left first tact switch <NUM>) may be inhibited from ending up being canceled.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the first operation region 12A is provided with the thumbwheel switch <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> limits execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region 12B in a case in which the control unit <NUM> receives a rotational operation with respect to the thumbwheel switch <NUM> in the direction of the second operation region 12B. Because of this, in a configuration where the first operation region 12A is provided with the thumbwheel switch <NUM>, execution of processes corresponding to unintended operations with respect to the second operation region 12B (the left first tact switch <NUM>) may be more effectively inhibited.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the control unit <NUM> does not limit execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region 12B in a case in which the control unit <NUM> receives at least one of a rotational operation with respect to the thumbwheel switch <NUM> in the opposite direction of the direction of the second operation region 12B and a push operation on the thumbwheel switch <NUM>. Because of this, in a configuration where the first operation region 12A is provided with the thumbwheel switch <NUM>, intended operations with respect to the second operation region 12B (the left first tact switch <NUM>) may be inhibited from ending up being canceled.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the predetermined condition is a condition where a predetermined amount of time has elapsed. Because of this, limiting execution of processes corresponding to unintended operations with respect to the second operation region 12B (the left first tact switch <NUM>) may be realized by a simple process.

Next, a second embodiment of this disclosure will be described. It will be noted that the second embodiment has a similar configuration as the first embodiment, so parts are assigned the same reference signs, description of configurations is omitted, and the action of the second embodiment is described below.

<FIG> illustrates a touch information output process pertaining to the second embodiment. In step <NUM> of the touch information output process, the control unit <NUM> determines whether or not a touch operation has been performed with respect to the left first tact switch <NUM>. In a case in which the determination in step <NUM> is no, the control unit <NUM> moves to step <NUM>. In step <NUM> the control unit <NUM> sets a flag to <NUM>, and then the control unit <NUM> ends the touch information output process.

In a case in which the determination in step <NUM> is yes, the control unit <NUM> moves to step <NUM>. In step <NUM> the control unit <NUM> acquires the filter time t. Then, in the next step <NUM> the control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the filter time t it acquired in step <NUM> is <NUM>.

In a case in which the determination in step <NUM> is no, the control unit <NUM> moves to step <NUM>. In step <NUM> the control unit <NUM> sets the flag to <NUM>. Then, in step <NUM> the control unit <NUM> ends the touch information output process without outputting, to the in-vehicle devices <NUM> or the like, touch information indicating that a touch operation has been performed with respect to the left first tact switch <NUM>.

In a case in which the determination in step <NUM> is yes, the control unit <NUM> moves to step <NUM>. In step <NUM> the control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the flag is <NUM>. In a case in which the determination in step <NUM> is no, the control unit <NUM> moves to step <NUM> and ends the touch information output process without outputting touch information to the in-vehicle devices <NUM> or the like. In a case in which the determination in step <NUM> is yes, the control unit <NUM> moves to step <NUM>.

In step <NUM> the control unit <NUM> outputs, to the in-vehicle devices <NUM> or the like, touch information indicating that a touch operation has been performed with respect to the left first tact switch <NUM>. Furthermore, the control unit <NUM> causes, as illustrated in <FIG> for example, the icon <NUM> corresponding to the up switch <NUM> of the left first tact switch <NUM> in the image of the switch group <NUM> displayed on the HUD <NUM> and the meter display <NUM> to be reversely displayed. Then, the control unit <NUM> ends the touch information output process.

Furthermore, the flag is set to <NUM> while the filter time t ≠ <NUM>, and the flag is set to <NUM> after a touch operation with respect to the left first tact switch <NUM> is discontinued (when the determination in step <NUM> is no). Consequently, in a case in which the filter time t = <NUM> and, after a touch operation with respect to the left first tact switch <NUM> has been discontinued once, a touch operation is performed again, touch information is output and the process corresponding to the touch operation with respect to the left first tact switch <NUM> is executed.

In this way, in the second embodiment, the predetermined condition is a condition where an operation performed on the second operation region 12B has been discontinued. Because of this, even in a case in which, after performing an operation with respect to the first operation region 12A in the direction of the second operation region 12B, the user continues an unintended operation with respect to the second operation region 12B (the left first tact switch <NUM>), such as continuing to touch the second operation region 12B (the left first tact switch <NUM>) for example, execution of the process corresponding to the unintended operation may be limited.

Next, a third embodiment of this disclosure will be described. It will be noted that the third embodiment has a similar configuration as the first embodiment, so parts are assigned the same reference signs, description of configurations is omitted, and the action of the third embodiment is described below.

<FIG> illustrates a timing process pertaining to the third embodiment. In step <NUM> of the timing process, the control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the thumbwheel <NUM> of the thumbwheel switch <NUM> has been rotated in the downward direction. In a case in which the determination of step <NUM> is yes, the control unit <NUM> moves to step <NUM>. In step <NUM> the control unit <NUM> acquires a rotational speed v of the thumbwheel <NUM> from the rotation sensor <NUM>. It will be noted that in a case in which the rotation sensor <NUM> has a configuration where it outputs pulse signals with pulse numbers corresponding to the rotational amount of the thumbwheel <NUM>, the rotational speed v of the thumbwheel <NUM> may be acquired by counting the pulse numbers per unit of time in the pulse signals.

Here, in the third embodiment, the relationship between the rotational speed v and a filter time T2 is predetermined so that as the rotational speed v of the thumbwheel <NUM> increases, the filter time T2 decreases. In the next step <NUM> the control unit <NUM> calculates the filter time T2 corresponding to the rotational speed v of the thumbwheel <NUM> it acquired in step <NUM> based on the above relationship. In step <NUM> the control <NUM> sets a predetermined value T2 as the filter time t, and then the control unit <NUM> moves to step <NUM>.

In a case in which the determination in step <NUM> is no, the control unit <NUM> skips steps <NUM> to <NUM> and moves to step <NUM>. The processes of step <NUM> on are the same as those in step <NUM>, so description thereof will be omitted.

Because of the above timing process, in a case in which the thumbwheel <NUM> of the thumbwheel switch <NUM> is rotated in the downward direction, the relationship of filter time t ≠ <NUM> is set until the filter time T2 corresponding to the rotational speed v of the thumbwheel <NUM> elapses since the thumbwheel <NUM> has been rotated. On the other hand, in a case in which the thumbwheel <NUM> is rotated in the upward direction and in a case in which a push operation is performed with respect to the thumbwheel <NUM>, the relationship of filter time t = <NUM> is maintained as is.

In this way, in the third embodiment, the predetermined condition is a condition where the filter time T2 decided in accordance with the speed of an operation performed on the first operation region 12A has elapsed. Because of this, it becomes possible to optimize, in accordance with the speed of operations performed on the first operation region 12A (the left first tact switch <NUM>), the period of time in which the control unit <NUM> limits execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region 12B (the left first tact switch <NUM>).

Although in the above embodiment an aspect has been described where the thumbwheel switch <NUM> is allocated the function of adjusting the volume of the audio device, the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the thumbwheel switch <NUM> may also be allocated another function, such as the function of adjusting the temperature setting of the air conditioner or the function of adjusting the air volume of the blower of the air conditioner.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an aspect has been described where the second operation region 12B is disposed on the lower side of the first operation region 12A, but the disclosure is not limited to this, and the second operation region 12B may also, for example, be provided on the upper side of the first operation region 12A. Furthermore, the thumbwheel <NUM> of the thumbwheel switch <NUM> may also be oriented so as to be rotatable in the vehicle right and left direction, and in this case the disclosure may be applied if the second operation region 12B is disposed on the left side or the right side of the first operation region 12A.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an aspect has been described where the left steering switch group <NUM>, which is an example of an operation unit in the disclosure, is provided on the spoke portion 100C between the left side of the rim portion 100A and the hub portion 100B of the steering wheel <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited to this, and the right steering switch group <NUM> provided on the spoke portion 100C between the right side of the rim portion 100A and the hub portion 100B of the steering wheel <NUM> may also serve as an example of the operation unit in the disclosure.

Moreover, in the above embodiment, an aspect has been described where, in a case in which the control unit <NUM> receives an operation performed on the first operation region 12A in the direction of the second operation region 12B, the control unit <NUM> limits execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region 12B by not outputting touch information until a predetermined condition is met. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, in a case in which the control unit <NUM> receives an operation performed on the first operation region 12A in the direction of the second operation region 12B, the control unit <NUM> may limit execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region 12B by masking signals from switches or sensors provided in the second operation region 12B until a predetermined condition is met.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an aspect has been described where the first operation region 12A is provided with the thumbwheel switch <NUM>, but the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the first operation region 12A may be provided with a touch sensor or the like instead of the thumbwheel switch <NUM>. In that case, regarding the range in which an operation performed on the first operation region 12A is regarded as an operation in the direction of the second operation region 12B, as illustrated in <FIG> for example, a range <NUM> of ±<NUM>° about a line <NUM> extending from the center of the first operation region 12A to the center of the second operation region 12B may be applied.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an aspect has been described where the left steering switch group <NUM>, which is an example of an operation unit in the disclosure, is provided in the steering wheel <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited to this, and the operation unit in the disclosure may be provided in a location other than the steering wheel <NUM>, such as a center console, for example.

Claim 1:
An operation control device (<NUM>) comprising:
a memory (<NUM>); and
a processor (<NUM>) connected to the memory (<NUM>), characterised in that the processor is configured to:
in a case in which the processor (<NUM>) receives, at an operation unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) that includes a first operation region (12A) and a second operation region (12B) adjacent to the first operation region (12A), an operation performed on the first operation region (12A) in a direction of the second operation region (12B), limit execution of processes corresponding to operations performed on the second operation region (12B) until a predetermined condition is met.