JPH03219301A - Operation device for electric apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability of the operation device by providing the device with plural input sensors arranged in parallel on the inside of a panel so as to be operated from the external and a control means fro changing the display states of plural display means in accordance with the direction and speed of operation when at least two input sensors among plural ones are continuously operated. CONSTITUTION:The display means 3 to 8 capable of display the contents of operation in plural stages are arranged on the panel 1 of the electric apparatus, plural input sensors 9 to 11 to be operated from the external are arranged on the inside of the panel 1, and when at least two sensors among the sensors 9 to 11 are continuously operated, the display states of the display means 3 to 8 are changed by the control means in accordance with the direction and speed of the operation of the sensors. The direction of changing the display states of the means 3 to 8 are determined by the direction of the speed and the degree of changing steps of the display states is determined by the speed of the operation. Consequently, the display states of the display means 3 to 8 can easily be changed to required states in accordance with the direction and speed of the operation and infiltration of water into the panel 1 can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an operating device for selecting and executing operation contents in an electrical device.

(Prior Art) In electrical appliances such as washing machines, an operation panel is provided with a timer for setting a washing operation time, for example. Conventionally, this timer is of the so-called mechanical type, in which the operating time is set by rotating the operating knob.
Equipped with a display LED that displays operating time in multiple stages and one push-button key, each time the key is pressed, the display LED
There is a so-called electronically controlled type in which the operating time is set by changing the display state of the display one step at a time in one direction.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Among the conventional devices mentioned above, the mechanical type has the disadvantage that water cannot be avoided from entering the main shaft of the timer to which the operating knob is attached. The disadvantage is that the operation is troublesome because it is necessary to operate the . On the other hand, with an electronically controlled type, there is almost no risk of water entering the operation panel. However, with this device, the display state of the display LED can only be changed one step at a time in one direction with one key operation, so even when changing the operating time in a hurry,
After all, the keys need to be operated as many times as necessary, which can be cumbersome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an operating device for electrical equipment that can easily change the display state to a desired state, improve operability, and eliminate the risk of water intrusion into the panel. .

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The operating device for electrical equipment of the present invention is provided with display means capable of displaying operation details in multiple stages on the panel of the electrical equipment, and a A plurality of operable input sensors are provided side by side, and when at least two of the plurality of input sensors are operated in succession, the display state of the display means is changed according to the direction and speed of the operation. It is characterized by a configuration in which a control means is provided.

(Function) According to the above means, when at least two input sensors are operated in succession, the direction of the operation is determined by detecting the order in which the human power sensors are operated, and The speed of operation is determined by detecting the time from when one input sensor is operated until when another input sensor is operated. Then, by determining the direction in which the display state of the display means is changed depending on the direction of the operation, and determining the degree of the step in which the display state is changed depending on the speed of the operation, the display means is changed according to the direction and speed of the operation. The display state of the can be easily changed to a desired state. Also, with this type, unlike mechanical type, there is no risk of water entering the panel.

(Example) Hereinafter, a first example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

First, FIGS. 2 and 3 show a portion of an operation panel 1 of a washing machine, and a wiring board 2 is attached to the back side of the operation panel 1. As shown in FIG. On the upper surface of this wiring board 2, for example, there are multiple stages of washing operation time, in this case, 15.12.1.
Six display LEDs 3 to 8, which are display means for displaying in six stages of 0.7 and 5.2 (minutes), are arranged in parallel facing the operation panel 1. Touch sensors 9, 10, and 11, which are input sensors, are arranged in parallel so as to be in contact with the inner surface of the operation panel 1. Each of the touch sensors 9 to 11 includes an electrode 12 and an oscillator 13, for example, as shown in FIG. f/V converter 14. When a human finger touches the operation panel 1 corresponding to the electrode 12, the capacitance changes, and input is detected based on this change in capacitance. Outputs a detection signal.

As shown in FIG. 5, each of these touch sensors 9 to 11 is connected to an input port P of a microcomputer 17, which is a control means, via an I/FC interface, Z-S, respectively.
I, P2. Connected to P3. Further, each of the six display LEDs 3 to 8 is connected to an output port of the microcomputer 17. The microcomputer 17 controls each of the display LEDs 3 to 8 according to the detection signal from each touch sensor 9 to 11 based on the flowchart in FIG. The washing motor 18 is controlled accordingly.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be explained according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the power is turned on, initial settings are first made (step Sl). In this initial setting, for example, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the display LED 5 corresponding to the standard washing time of "10" is lit (see the solid diagonal line).

And input ports PI, P2. By determining whether there is an input signal in any one of P3, it waits until any one of the three touch sensors 9, 10, 11 is operated (steps S2, S3, S4). .

(b) Here, if the user chooses the washing time, for example, the standard "10"
If you want to change the time to a shorter time than 10 minutes, operate from left to right in FIG. 2 while touching the top surface of the operation panel 1 corresponding to the touch sensors 9, 10, and 11 with your finger. Then, each touch sensor 9, 10, 11 detects the operation and sends a detection signal to each input port P1. P2. Output to P3. At this time, each person's capo Pi, P2. For example, an input signal as shown in FIG. 7(a) is input to P3.

In this case, when the input of "Pl" is detected in step S2, the timer is started to count (step S5). Then, in step S6, it is determined whether or not "P2" is input, and if there is an input, the timer starts counting. The count is stopped (step S7). Here, "Pl
” and “P2” input order (from left to right)
can be determined. Also, after inputting “Pl”, “P”
The operating speed can be determined based on the count value t of the timer until input of "2" is made. Therefore, the count value t is compared with a preset reference value T (step S8), and if the count value t is larger (slower) than the reference value T, the process shown in FIG. 6(b) is performed in step S9. As shown in “
Turn on the display LED 6 one step below the ``10'' minute mark to indicate ``7''.
If the count value t is less than the reference value T (if it is fast), the display LED 7 two steps below the "10" minute is turned on in step SIO to display the "5" minute. (see dashed diagonal line). After this, the timer is initialized (step 511) and the process returns to step S2.

Note that, for example, if the user's operation is skipped and the central touch sensor 10 cannot detect the human power, there is no input of "P2" in step S6, so step S
12, determines whether or not "P3" is input, and selects "P3".
”, the timer is stopped counting (step 81B), and the count value t is compared with twice the reference value T (2T) in step S14. If the count value t is larger than 2T, 1 from "10"
Turn on the display LED 6 at the bottom of the row to display "7" minutes (Step 515); if the count value t is less than 2T, turn on the display LED 7 two rows below "10" minutes to display "5" minutes. '' minutes (step 816). After this, the timer is initialized (step 517) and the process returns to step S2. Furthermore, after ``Pl'' is input in step S2, if one second passes without inputting either ``P2'' or ``P3'' (step 518), the timer is initialized (step 519), and the process returns to step S2. .

(b) On the other hand, if the user wants to change the washing time to a time longer than the standard "10" minutes, touch the touch sensor 9,
10. While touching the top surface of the operation panel 1 corresponding to 11, operate from right to left in FIG. 2, contrary to the above.

Then, each touch sensor 9.1'0.11 detects the operation and sends a detection signal to each input port Pi, P2. Output to P3. At this time, each input port Pi, P2 . For example, an input signal as shown in FIG. 7(b) is input to P3.

In this case, when the input of "P3" is detected in step S3, the timer is started to count (step 520).Then, in step S21, it is determined whether or not "P2" is input, and if there is an input, the timer starts counting. The count is stopped (step 522). here,
The operating direction (right to left) can be determined by the input order of rP3J and "P2". Further, the operation speed can be determined based on the count value t from when rP3J is input until when "P2" is input. Therefore, the count value t is compared with the reference value T (step 823), and if the count value t is larger than the reference value T, in step S24, as shown in FIG. If the count value t is less than or equal to the reference value T, the display LED 4 one step above is lit to display "12" minutes. LED
3 is lit to display "15" minutes (see the dashed diagonal line). After this, initialize the timer (step 526),
Return to step S2.

In this case, for example, if the user's operation is skipped,
If the central touch sensor 10 cannot detect the input, there is no input of "P2" in step S21, so the process moves to step S27, where it is determined whether or not there is an input of "Pl". If there is an input of
). If the count value t is greater than 2T, the display LED 4 one step higher than "10" is lit to display "12" (step 530), and if the count value t is less than 2T, "12" is displayed (step 530). The display LED 3 two steps above the 10" minute is turned on to display the 15" minute (step 531). After this, initialize the timer in step 5.
32), return to step S2. Also, after "P3" is input in step s3, "P2" and "Pl
If one second has passed without any input of "" (step 534), the tie is initialized (step 535), and the process returns to step S2.

(c) Also, if the user operates, for example, in the right direction from the part corresponding to the central touch sensor 10, when the input of "P2" is detected in step S4, the timer starts counting (step 535), Next, in step S36, it is determined whether or not "P3" has been input, and if there is an input, the count of the timer is stopped (step 537). Here, the direction of operation (from right to left) can be determined by the input order of "P2" and rP3J. Further, the operating speed can be determined based on the count value t from when rP2J is input until when "P3" is input. Therefore, the count value t is compared with the reference value T (step 538), and if the count value t is larger than the reference value T, the display LED 6 one step below "10" is turned on in step s39. If the count value t is less than the reference value T, the display LED 7 two rows below the "10" minute is turned on in step S40 to display "7" minutes.
5" minutes is displayed. After this, the timer is initialized (step 541) and the process returns to step s2.

Further, if the user operates, for example, to the left from the part corresponding to the central touch sensor 10, step S4
When the input of "P2" is detected in step 535), the timer is started to count (step 535), and then in step S36 it is determined that there is no input of "P3", and the process moves to step S42. In this step S42, “P
It is determined whether or not there is an input of "Pl", and when the input of "Pl" is detected, the count of the timer is stopped (step 84
3). Here, the operating direction (from left to right) can be determined by the input order of "P2" and "Pl". Further, the operation speed can be determined based on the count value t from when rP2J is input until when "Pl" is input. Therefore, step 544) compares the count value t with the reference value T.
If the count value t is larger than the reference value T, in step S45, the display LED 4 is set one step higher than "10".
is lit to display "12" minutes, and if the count value t is less than the reference value T, in step S46, the display LED 3 two steps higher than "10" minutes is lit to display "15" minutes. . After this, initialize the timer in step 54.
7), return to step S2. In this case as well, if 1 second has passed without inputting either "P3" or "Pl" after "P2" is input in step S4 (
Step 548) Initialize the timer (Step 54)
9), return to step S2.

In each of the above cases, if the desired time is not displayed with one operation, the operation may be performed again, and if the desired time is exceeded, the operation may be performed in the opposite direction.

In addition, in this product, six display LEDs 3 to 8
If the touch sensors 9 to 11 are operated further to the right while the rightmost display LED 8 (r2J) is lit, the rightmost display LED 8 remains lit and the display state does not change. Also, when the touch sensors 9 to 11 are further operated to the left while the leftmost display LED 3 (r15J) is lit, the leftmost display LED 3 is turned on in the same manner as described above. remains lit and the display status does not change.

As described above, according to the first embodiment described above, the display of the driving time can be changed by one step or two steps in the down direction or up direction depending on the direction and speed of the operation on the touch sensors 9 to 11. Therefore, the operability can be improved compared to a push-button type key that can only change one step at a time in one direction with a single operation. Moreover, in this case, the touch sensors 9 to 1 are used as the operation section.
1, there is no risk of water entering the operation panel 1, unlike a mechanical timer.

8 and 9 show a second embodiment of the present invention, and this second embodiment will be described below.

The operation panel 20 of the washing machine has a button for setting washing time.
Two 7-segment display LEDs 21 and 22 are provided as display means for displaying the washing time in two digits, and three touch sensors 23 to 25 are provided as input sensors. "Strong" 1 "Medium", "Weak"
Three display LEDs 26 to 28 are provided as display means for displaying in three stages, and three touch sensors 29 to 31 are provided as input sensors. Each of the touch sensors 23 to 25 and 29 to 31 is connected to an input port P of a microcomputer 32 serving as a control means via an I/F.
4 to P9, and each display LED 21.22
Further, 26 to 28 are connected to each output port of the microcomputer 32. Note that the washing time is set to, for example, a minimum of "2" minutes and a maximum of "15" minutes.

In this case, as in the first embodiment, when the touch sensors 23 to 25 for setting the washing time are operated to the right, the display LEDs 21 and 22 will shorten the washing time depending on the operating speed.
(down), and if you reversely operate it to the left, the display LED 21.22 will change depending on the operation speed.
changes to lengthen (increase) the washing time, and touch sensors 29 to 3 for setting the water flow.
When 1 is operated to the right, the display LEDs 26 to 28 change to weaken (down) the water flow according to the operating speed, and vice versa. The display LEDs 26 to 28 change in the direction of increasing the water flow.

This second embodiment also provides the same effects as the first embodiment.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings; for example, the number of touch sensors as input sensors may be two or four as long as there is a plurality of touch sensors. The invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the invention, such as being applicable to operating devices for electrical equipment other than machines, such as clothes dryers, for example.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the display state of the display means is changed according to the direction and speed of operation on a plurality of input sensors. It is possible to easily change the display state to the desired display state, thereby improving operability. Furthermore, since the input sensor is provided within the panel, unlike mechanical sensors, there is no risk of water entering the panel.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing control details, FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the operation panel, and FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of the same part. , Figure 4 is a configuration diagram of the touch sensor, Figure 5 is a configuration diagram of the control circuit, Figure 6 is a partial plan view of the operation panel showing the display state, and Figure 7 is a configuration diagram of the touch sensor.
The figure shows an input signal. Also, Figures 8 and 9
The figures show a second embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 8 being a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2, and FIG. 9 being a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5. In the drawing, 1 is an operation panel, 3 to 8 are display LEDs (display means), 9 to 11 are touch sensors (input sensors), and 17
is a microcomputer (control means), 20 is an operation panel, 21.22 is a display LED (display means), 23-2
5 is a touch sensor (input sensor), 26 to 28 are display LEDs (display means), 29 to 31 are touch sensors (input sensor), and 32 is a microcomputer (control means)
shows.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A display means provided on a panel of an electrical device and capable of displaying its operation details in multiple stages; a plurality of input sensors arranged in parallel on the inner surface of the panel and operable from the outside; An operating device for an electrical appliance, comprising: a control means for changing the display state of the display means according to the direction and speed of the operation when at least two of the display means are operated in succession.