# US 2021/0278962 A1 · Operation input device, control device, non-transitory storage medium > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0278962 A1 - Document ID: US20210278962A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/192,128 - Filed: 2021-03-04 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-05 - Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho - Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho - Inventors: Shuri ARAKAWA; Haruhiko HASHIMOTO; Alan YEE; Eric DERNAY - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210278962A1 ## CPC - G06F 3/0482: Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus - G06F 3/04847: Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials - B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor - G06F 3/02: Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials - G06F 3/044: by capacitive means - G06T 7/50: Depth or shape recovery - B60K 2360/111: for controlling multiple devices - B60K 2360/113: Scrolling through menu items - B60K 2360/115: Selection of menu items - B60K 2360/128: Axially displaceable input devices for instruments - B60K 2360/139: Clusters of instrument input devices - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL ## Abstract There is provided an operation input device comprising: an operation section configured to detect an operation performed by a user; a display section configured to display visual information; and a control section configured to identify a control target device serving as a control target on a basis of the operation performed by the user on the operation section, and control a function of the control target device, wherein the control section causes the display section to display an indicator related to a hierarchical structure including a plurality of layers, each of which is configured to be associated with at least one control target device, and the indicator includes information indicating a selected layer in the hierarchical structure, and information indicating execution states of respective functions of the control target devices associated with the layers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An operation input device comprising: an operation section configured to detect an operation performed by a user; a display section configured to display visual information; and a control section configured to identify a control target device serving as a control target on a basis of the operation performed by the user on the operation section, and control a function of the control target device, wherein the control section causes the display section to display an indicator related to a hierarchical structure including a plurality of layers, each of which is configured to be associated with at least one control target device, and the indicator includes information indicating a selected layer in the hierarchical structure, and information indicating execution states of respective functions of the control target devices associated with the layers. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The operation input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation section includes at least a layer selection section configured to be used for selecting a layer in the hierarchical structure, and a function operation section configured to be used for operating the function of the target control device associated with the selected layer, and the control section selects any of the layers in the hierarchical structure on a basis of an operation performed by the user on the layer selection section, identifies the control target device serving as the control target on a basis of the operation performed by the user on the function operation section, and controls the function of the operation target device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The operation input device according to claim 2, wherein the number of the function operation sections included in the operation section is same as the number of the control target devices configured to be associated with the layers, and the control section identifies a control target device corresponding to the function operation section operated by the user, as the control target among the control target devices associated with selected layer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The operation input device according to claim 2, wherein the function operation section is configured to enter one of at least two states in response to an operation performed by the user, and the control section controls whether to execute or stop the function of the control target device serving as the control target, in accordance with the state of the function operation section, which has been changed by the operation performed by the user. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The operation input device according to claim 1, wherein the control section causes the display section to display function images corresponding to the respective control target devices associated with selected layer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The operation input device according to claim 5, further comprising a connector section configured to connect the control section to the control target device, which is removable. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The operation input device according to claim 6, wherein the control section acquires function information indicating a functional characteristic of the control target device from the control target device connected to the connector section, and sets the function image corresponding to the control target device on a basis of the function information. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The operation input device according to claim 6, wherein the control section acquires function information indicating functional characteristics of the control target devices from the control target devices connected to the connector section, and associates the plurality of control target devices, which are related to each other, with a same layer on a basis of the function information. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The operation input device according to claim 6, wherein the control section sets the function image selected by the user for the control target device associated with the selected layer, on a basis of an operation performed by the user on the operation section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The operation input device according to claim 9, wherein the operation section further includes an image setting section configured to be used for an operation of setting the function image, and the control section sets the function image selected by the user for the control target device associated with the selected layer, on a basis of a series of operations beginning with an operation performed on the image setting section. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The operation input device according to claim 2, wherein the layer selection section is arranged on a line extended from an axis representing a depth direction of the hierarchical structure of the indicator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The operation input device according to claim 11, wherein the layer selection section and the function operation section have different external shapes from each other. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The operation input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation input device is configured to be arranged at a position that allows a user who is sitting on a seat to operate the operation input device, in a vehicle interior of a mobile object. ### Claim 14 A control device comprising: a control section configured to identify a control target device serving as a control target among a plurality of control target devices on a basis of an operation performed by a user on an operation section, and control a function of the control target device, wherein the control section causes a display section to display an indicator related to a hierarchical structure including a plurality of layers, each of which is configured to be associated with at least one control target device, and the indicator includes information indicating a selected layer in the hierarchical structure, and information indicating execution states of respective functions of the control target devices associated with the layers. ### Claim 15 A non-transitory storage medium having a program stored therein, the program causing a computer to achieve a control function of identifying a control target device serving as a control target among a plurality of control target devices on a basis of an operation performed by a user on an operation section, and controlling a function of the control target device, wherein the control function causes a display section to display an indicator related to a hierarchical structure including a plurality of layers, each of which is configured to be associated with at least one control target device, and the indicator includes information indicating a selected layer in the hierarchical structure, and information indicating execution states of respective functions of the control target devices associated with the layers.