JP2010201971A - Control method and control device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a control device in which a running performance and a state of a vehicle do not change even when operation switches are operated by an infant sitting in a passenger seat.
A control device that controls the operation of an operation target of a switch 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 based on an operation input to the switch 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 installed in a vehicle. Determination means 3 and 35 for determining whether or not the operation input to the switches 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 is an operation from the driver's seat, and determination that the determination means 3 and 35 are not operations from the driver's seat When it does, it is the structure provided with the means 3 which invalidates operation input.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a control method and a control apparatus for controlling the operation of an operation target of an operation switch based on an operation input to a switch installed in a vehicle.

  The operation switches for driving the vehicle and the operation switches for the vehicle air conditioner, audio equipment, car navigation, etc. are provided in the instrument panel provided in front of the driver seat and the passenger seat, and the driver seat and the passenger seat. It is installed in the console box provided in between. However, since the operation from the driver's seat must be possible, the operation switches are not installed on the passenger seat side of the instrument panel.

  In Patent Document 1, a common object image is displayed on the first viewpoint side and the second viewpoint side while displaying the first viewpoint side image and the second viewpoint side image on one screen. A multi-view display device is disclosed that includes control means for on-screen display on an image.

JP 2007-11061 A

  When an infant is sitting on the passenger seat, the infant's hand reaches the console box and the operation switches installed in the middle part (center cluster) between the driver's seat and the passenger seat of the instrument panel. There is a risk of being. In particular, there is a problem that driving switches such as ESCs that are operated without the driver's knowledge may interfere with driving and may cause traffic safety problems. Note that ESC (Electronic Stability Control) is a function that prevents side-slip and maintains running stability when the vehicle posture is disturbed by an emergency steering wheel operation in an emergency, and running performance differs between on and off.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances. In the first invention, even if the operation switches are operated by an infant sitting in the passenger seat, the running performance and state of the vehicle do not change. An object is to provide a control method.
It is an object of the second to ninth aspects of the invention to provide a control device that does not change the running performance and state of a vehicle even when operation switches are operated by an infant sitting in a passenger seat.

  A control method according to a first aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling the operation of an operation target of a switch based on an operation input to a switch installed in a vehicle, wherein the operation input to the switch is an operation from a driver's seat. Determination means for determining whether or not the operation input is made, and when the determination means determines that the operation is not from the driver's seat, the operation input is invalidated.

  A control device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a control device for controlling the operation of an operation target of a switch based on an operation input to a switch installed in a vehicle, wherein the operation input to the switch is an operation from a driver's seat. And determining means for determining whether or not there is, and means for invalidating the operation input when the determining means determines that the operation is not from the driver's seat.

  In the control method according to the first invention and the control device according to the second invention, the operation of the switch operation target is controlled based on the operation input to the switch installed in the vehicle. When the determination means determines whether or not the operation input to the switch is an operation from the driver's seat, and the determination means determines that the operation input from the driver's seat is not an operation, the means for disabling the operation to the switch Disable input.

  In the control device according to a third aspect of the present invention, the determination means includes weight detection means and / or sitting height detection means provided in the passenger seat, and the value detected by the weight detection means and / or sitting height detection means is a predetermined weight. When it is below the value and / or the predetermined seat height value, it is configured to determine whether or not the operation is from the driver's seat.

  In the control device according to the third invention, the determination means operates when the value detected by the weight detection means and / or the seat height detection means provided in the passenger seat is equal to or less than the predetermined weight value and / or the predetermined seat height value. It is determined whether the operation is from the seat.

  In the control device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the determination means includes an infrared sensor that detects a moving direction of an infrared generation source approaching the switch, and based on the moving direction of the infrared generation source detected by the infrared sensor, a driver's seat It is characterized by determining whether it is operation from.

  In the control device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the determination means detects the moving direction of the infrared generation source approaching the switch by the infrared sensor, and is operated from the driver's seat based on the moving direction of the infrared generation source detected by the infrared sensor. It is determined whether or not there is.

  The control device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is configured such that the determination unit includes a camera that captures the switch, and determines whether the operation is from the driver's seat based on an image captured by the camera. It is characterized by being.

  In the control device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the determination means determines whether or not the operation is from the driver's seat based on an image captured by the camera and captured by the camera.

  In the control device according to a sixth aspect of the invention, the weight detection means is two seating sensors having different weight thresholds for detecting seating in the passenger seat, and when only one of the seating sensors detects seating. It is configured to be not more than the predetermined weight value.

  In the control device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the weight detection means is two seating sensors having different weight thresholds for detecting the seating in the passenger seat, and when only one of the seating sensors detects the seating, the weight detection means is predetermined. Suppose that it is below the weight value.

  In the control device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the weight detecting means is a pressure sensor having two pressure thresholds for detecting the pressure on the passenger seat, and the pressure sensor detects an intermediate value of the two pressure thresholds. It is configured to be less than or equal to the predetermined weight value at the time.

  In the control device according to the seventh aspect, the weight detecting means is a pressure sensor having two pressure thresholds for detecting the pressure on the passenger seat, and when the pressure sensor detects an intermediate value of the two pressure thresholds. Suppose that it is below a predetermined weight value.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control device comprising: means for outputting a signal for invalidating an operation input to the switch to an engine control device and / or a transmission control device as an operation target.

  In the control device according to the eighth aspect of the invention, the outputting means outputs a signal for invalidating the operation input to the switch to the engine control device and / or the transmission control device that is the operation target.

  A control device according to a ninth aspect of the invention is a body control device comprising means for outputting a signal for invalidating an operation input to the switch to an engine control device and / or a transmission control device as an operation target. To do.

  The control device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is a body control device, and the means for outputting the body control device outputs a signal for invalidating the operation input to the switch to the engine control device and / or transmission control device that is the operation target. To do.

  According to the control method of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize a control method that does not change the running performance and state of the vehicle even when the operation switches are operated by an infant sitting in the passenger seat.

  According to the control device of the second to ninth inventions, it is possible to realize a control device that does not change the running performance and state of the vehicle even when the operation switches are operated by an infant sitting in the passenger seat.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of embodiment of the control method and control apparatus which concern on this invention. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the installation condition of the operation switches in a console box. It is explanatory drawing which shows the installation condition in case an operation direction sensor is an infrared sensor. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an installation condition in case an operation direction sensor is a camera, and a screen. It is a flowchart which shows the example of operation | movement of body ECU. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of embodiment of the control method and control apparatus which concern on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a seating sensor and an infrared sensor (sitting height detection means). It is a flowchart which shows the example of operation | movement of body ECU. It is a flowchart which shows the example of operation | movement of body ECU.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of Embodiment 1 of a control method and a control apparatus according to the present invention.
This control device is a body ECU (body control device) 3 and is installed near the feet of the driver's seat in the passenger compartment. The body ECU 3 is connected to the meter ECU 4 through a body multiplex communication line. The body ECU 3 and the meter ECU 4 are each connected to the gateway ECU 2 by a body multiple communication line.

The gateway ECU 2 is connected to a communication I / F 7 in the engine control computer 1 by a CAN (Controller Area Network) communication line. The suspension control ECU 14 is also connected.
The engine control computer 1 incorporates an engine computer (engine control device) and a transmission computer (transmission control device).
The engine control computer 1 is installed in the engine room.

  The body ECU 3 includes operation signals from an ETC (Electronic Throttle Control) pattern select switch 30, a TRC (Traction Control System) OFF switch 31, a rear sunshade switch 32, a vehicle height selection switch 33, and an AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension System) switch 34. Is entered. Further, a detection signal from the operation direction sensor 35 is given.

  The operation signals from the ETC pattern select switch 30, the TRC OFF switch 31, the vehicle height selection switch 33 and the AVS switch 34 are transmitted to the engine computer and transmission computer in the engine control computer 1 as necessary. It is given separately.

The ETC pattern select switch 30 has three driving modes, a normal driving mode (urban area, highway, etc.), a PWR (POWER) mode (mountainous area, etc.), and a SNOW mode (snow road, etc.) according to the driving / use conditions. You can choose.
The TRC OFF switch 31 suppresses the idling of the driving wheels that occurs when starting and accelerating on a slippery road surface, and stops the function of securing the directional stability and driving force of the vehicle.
The rear sunshade switch 32 adjusts a sunshade (sunshade) provided on the rear window.

The vehicle height selection switch 33 can select the vehicle height from “NORM” (normal / low) and “HIGH” (normal / high). The vehicle height is adjusted by the suspension.
The AVS switch 34 can be selected from a NORM mode (riding comfort emphasis) and a SPORT mode (sports driving) in accordance with the running hardness of the suspension.

The engine control computer 1 is provided with detection signals from a throttle position sensor 20 and a transmission rotational speed sensor 23.
An operation signal for the ignition switch 24 is also input to the engine control computer 1.

The engine control computer 1 also directly exchanges information with the electronic control fuel injection control unit 11, the electronic control throttle control unit 12, and the ESC (Electronic Stability Control) control unit 13, respectively.
The engine control computer 1 controls on / off of a solenoid group 8 for valve control and belt clamping pressure in the transmission.

Meter ECU4 gives each display signal to the display part 15 which has a shift position indicator, a sequential shift indicator, and a check engine warning lamp. The meter ECU 4 receives a vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor 19 and gives a display signal indicating that the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed to a cruise indicator included in the display unit 15 in a constant speed traveling mode not depending on an accelerator operation.
The shift position indicator displays the shift position in the automatic mode. The sequential shift indicator displays the shift position of the gear in the sequential shift mode in which the gear is automatically shifted up / down one step at a time.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing an installation state of operation switches in the console box.
The console box 41 is provided with a shift lever 39 for sequential shift and automatic on the driver seat side on the upper surface of the center front part. ETC pattern select switch 30, TRC OFF switch 31, AVS switch 34, vehicle height selection switch 33, rear sunshade switch 32 from the driver seat side to the passenger seat side in front of the center rear upper surface of console box 41 and armrest 40. Are arranged in a row.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an installation situation when the operation direction sensor 35 is an infrared sensor.
The operation direction sensor 35 includes two infrared sensors 43 and 45 in the front and one infrared sensor 44 in the rear so as to surround the row of the operation switches 30, 31, 34, 33, and 32. It is installed on the top surface.
In this operation direction sensor 35, the infrared sensors 43, 44, 45 detect infrared rays from fingers that operate the operation switches 30, 31, 34, 33, 32. Based on the time-series changes in the amounts of infrared rays detected by the infrared sensors 43, 44, and 45, the moving direction of the infrared ray generation source (finger) can be identified. Whether or not the finger is from the driver's seat can be determined from the movement direction of the identified finger before and after the switch operation.

FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram showing an installation situation when the operation direction sensor 35 is a camera.
In the operation direction sensor 35, a camera 42 is installed at a position where the operation switches 30, 31, 34, 33, and 32 can be seen below the armrest 40 and on the upper surface of the console box 41.
The operation direction sensor 35 divides the imaging screen of the camera 42 into, for example, 12 as shown in FIG. 4B, determines which divided screen the moving object (finger) has a large amount of movement before and after the switch operation, It can be determined whether the operation is from the driver's seat.

The operation of the body ECU (body control device) 3 having such a configuration will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The body ECU 3 constantly determines whether or not the operation direction sensor 35 detects the moving body (S1). When the moving body is detected, it is determined whether or not there is an operation input to the operation switches 30 to 34. For example, the determination is made for several seconds (S3). If there is no operation input, it is determined whether the operation direction sensor 35 detects a moving body (S1).
If there is an operation input to the operation switches 30 to 34 (S3), the body ECU 3 determines whether the operation input is from the driver's seat side (S5).

If the operation input is from the driver's seat (S5), the body ECU 3 validates the operation input (S9), and then determines whether or not the operation direction sensor 35 detects the moving body (S1). ). If the operation input is not from the driver's seat (S5), after the operation input is invalidated (S7), it is determined whether or not the operation direction sensor 35 detects the moving body (S1).
When the operation input is invalidated (S7), the body ECU 3 transmits a signal for invalidating the operation input to the engine computer 5 or the transmission computer 6 to which the operation signal is separately given.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the second embodiment of the control method and the control apparatus according to the present invention.
The body ECU 3 is supplied with a detection signal from a seating sensor (weight detection means) 37 provided in the passenger seat. In addition, a detection signal of an infrared sensor (sitting height detection means) 38 for detecting the sitting height of a person sitting on the passenger seat is given.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the seating sensor 37 is provided in the seat portion of the passenger seat. The seating sensor 37 is a pressure sensor, and it is determined whether or not the detected pressure (weight) is, for example, 20 kg or less.
As shown in FIG. 7B, the infrared sensor 38 is provided at a position on the indoor side of the center pillar corresponding to a sitting height threshold (for example, about 70 cm) for discriminating between an infant and a person other than an infant. When an infant other than an infant sits on the passenger seat, the infrared sensor 38 detects an infrared generation source (person), but does not detect an infrared generation source when an infant sits.
The other configuration of this control device is the same as the configuration of the control device (FIGS. 1 to 4) described in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

Hereinafter, the operation of the body ECU 3 having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The body ECU 3 detects the body weight with the seating sensor 37 (S11), and determines whether or not the detected body weight is 20 kg or less (S13).
If the detected body weight is not 20 kg or less (S13), the body ECU 3 determines whether or not there is an operation input to the operation switches 30 to 34 (S25). If there is no operation input, the weight is detected by the seating sensor 37 (S11).
If there is an operation input to the operation switches 30 to 34 (S25), the body ECU 3 validates the operation input (S27), and then detects the weight with the seating sensor 37 (S11).

If the detected body weight is 20 kg or less (S13), the body ECU 3 determines whether or not the infrared sensor 38 detects an infrared ray generation source (S15). If the infrared sensor 38 detects the infrared ray generation source, it is determined whether or not there is an operation input to the operation switches 30 to 34 (S25).
If the infrared sensor 38 has not detected an infrared ray generation source (S15), the body ECU 3 determines whether or not the operation direction sensor 35 has detected a moving body (S17). If no moving body is detected (S17), the weight is detected by the seating sensor 37 (S11).

When the operation direction sensor 35 detects a moving body (S17), the body ECU 3 determines whether there is an operation input to the operation switches 30 to 34, for example, for a few seconds (S19). If there is no operation input, the weight is detected by the seating sensor 37 (S11).
If there is an operation input to the operation switches 30 to 34 (S19), the body ECU 3 determines whether the operation input is from the driver's seat side (S21).

If the operation input is from the driver's seat (S21), the body ECU 3 validates the operation input (S27), and then detects the weight with the seating sensor 37 (S11). If the operation input is not from the driver's seat (S21), the operation input is invalidated (S23), and then the weight is detected by the seating sensor 37 (S11).
When the operation input is invalidated (S23), the body ECU 3 transmits a signal for invalidating the operation input to the engine computer 5 or the transmission computer 6 to which the operation signal is separately given.

In the above-described operation, there is one seating sensor 37, but two seating sensors 37 and 37a can be used. Further, the infrared sensor (sitting height detection means) 38 can be omitted.
In this case, the seating sensors 37 and 37a are provided in the seat portion of the passenger seat as shown in FIG. Each seating sensor 37 has a weight threshold of 20 kg, for example, and the seating sensor 37 a has a weight threshold of 4 kg, for example. When a signal indicating that the weight threshold has been exceeded is received only from the seating sensor 37 a, an infant sits in the passenger seat. It is determined that

Hereinafter, the operation of the body ECU 3 in such a case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the body ECU 3 determines whether or not a detection signal indicating that the body weight exceeds the threshold value (4 kg) is received from only one seating sensor 37a (S31).
If the body ECU 3 has not received a detection signal from only one of the seating sensors 37a (S31), the body ECU 3 determines whether or not there is an operation input to the operation switches 30 to 34 (S41). If there is no operation input, it is determined whether or not a detection signal indicating that the weight exceeds the threshold is received (S31).

If there is an operation input to the operation switches 30 to 34 (S41), the body ECU 3 validates the operation input (S43) and then receives a detection signal indicating that the weight exceeds the threshold value. Is determined (S31).
If the body ECU 3 receives a detection signal from only one of the seating sensors 37a (S31), the body ECU 3 determines whether or not the operation direction sensor 35 has detected a moving body (S33).

When the operation direction sensor 35 detects a moving body (S33), the body ECU 3 determines whether there is an operation input to the operation switches 30 to 34, for example, for a few seconds (S35). If there is no operation input, it is determined whether or not a detection signal indicating that the weight exceeds the threshold is received (S31).
If there is an operation input to the operation switches 30 to 34 (S35), the body ECU 3 determines whether or not the operation input is from the driver's seat side (S37).

If the operation input is from the driver's seat (S37), the body ECU 3 validates the operation input (S43) and then receives a detection signal indicating that the weight exceeds the threshold value. Determine (S31).
If the operation input is not from the driver's seat (S37), the body ECU 3 invalidates the operation input (S39) and then receives a detection signal indicating that the weight exceeds the threshold value. Determine (S31).
When the operation input is invalidated (S39), the body ECU 3 transmits a signal for invalidating the operation input to the engine computer 5 or the transmission computer 6 to which the operation signal is separately given.

3 Body ECU (Body Control Device)
14 Suspension control ECU
30 ETC pattern selection switch 31 TRC OFF switch 32 Rear sunshade switch 33 Vehicle height selection switch 34 AVS switch 35 Operation direction sensor 37, 37a Seating sensor (weight detection means)
38 Infrared sensor (sitting height detection means)
41 Console box 42 Camera 43, 44, 45 Infrared sensor

Claims (9)

In a method for controlling the operation of an operation target of a switch based on an operation input to a switch installed in a vehicle,
A determination means for determining whether or not the operation input to the switch is an operation from the driver's seat is prepared, and when the determination means determines that the operation input is not an operation from the driver's seat, the operation input is invalidated A control method characterized by that. In a control device that controls the operation of an operation target of the switch based on an operation input to the switch installed in the vehicle,
Determining means for determining whether or not the operation input to the switch is an operation from the driver's seat; and a means for invalidating the operation input when the determining means determines that the operation input is not from the driver's seat; A control device comprising:   The determination means includes weight detection means and / or sitting height detection means provided in the passenger seat, and the value detected by the weight detection means and / or sitting height detection means is a predetermined weight value and / or a predetermined seat height value or less. 3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the control device is configured to determine whether or not the operation is from the driver's seat at a certain time.   The determination means includes an infrared sensor that detects a moving direction of an infrared generation source approaching the switch, and determines whether the operation is from the driver's seat based on the moving direction of the infrared generation source detected by the infrared sensor. 4. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the control device is configured to make a determination.   4. The control according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit includes a camera that captures the switch, and is configured to determine whether the operation is performed from the driver's seat based on an image captured by the camera. apparatus.   The weight detection means is two seating sensors having different weight thresholds for detecting seating in a passenger seat, and when only one of the seating sensors detects seating, the weight detection means is not more than the predetermined weight value. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the control device is configured as described above.   The weight detection means is a pressure sensor having two pressure thresholds for detecting pressure on the passenger seat, and when the pressure sensor detects an intermediate value of the two pressure thresholds, the weight detection means is equal to or less than the predetermined weight value. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the control device is configured to be.   The control device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising means for outputting a signal for invalidating an operation input to the switch to an engine control device and / or a transmission control device as an operation target.   The body control device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the body control device includes means for outputting a signal for invalidating an operation input to the switch to an engine control device and / or a transmission control device that is an operation target. Control device.

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