JP2013222299A - Operation support device, operation system, operation support method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation support device that performs support display when an operator temporarily has difficulty in operation of an operation device.SOLUTION: On the basis of at least one of a line of sight, a behavior and utterance of an operator of an operation device 14 including an operation reception unit 18 for receiving operation and a display unit 16 provided to the operation reception unit 18, a control unit 28 of an operation support device 12 determines whether or not support for operation by the operator to the operation reception unit 18 is needed. When determining that such support is needed, the control unit 28 controls the display unit 16 to perform support display for supporting operation by the operator to the operation reception unit 18.

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation support device, an operation system, an operation support method, and a program, and more particularly, to an operation support device, an operation system, an operation support method, and a program that support an operation of an operator who operates a device.

  A display device for a vehicle that images the outside of a vehicle and displays it to an operator of the vehicle, and displays an image captured by the imaging means when detecting that the line of sight of the operator of the vehicle is looking at the display means 2. Description of the Related Art A vehicular display device that controls to display clearly on a device is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, when an operator is interested in predicting matters, information related to the predicted matters is collected to obtain presentation information, and it is determined that the operator's line of sight has moved to a specific device. A line-of-sight movement detection information presentation device that outputs information corresponding to a specific device that has moved to the outside from the presentation information is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-6-233306 JP 2001-194161 A

  However, it is detected that the above-mentioned conventional technology simply looks at the display means or a specific device on the premise that the vehicle operator supports constant confirmation work during driving, such as watching a video outside the vehicle. It is configured to perform support display that supports an operator such as an operator. When the above technique is used for assistance display for assisting operation of an operation panel or the like provided in the vehicle, the assistance display occurs every time even when the operator is familiar with the operation, which is troublesome. Therefore, it is desirable to perform necessary support display when necessary.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and an operation support device, an operation system, and an operation support method that can perform support display when an operator feels difficulty in operating the operation device, And to provide a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an operation support apparatus according to the present invention includes an operation accepting unit that accepts an operation and an operator's line of sight, behavior, and utterance of an operation device that includes a display unit provided for the operation accepting unit. A determination unit that determines whether or not it is necessary to support the operation of the operation reception unit by the operator based on at least one; and the operation when the determination unit determines that the support is necessary Display control means for controlling the display means so as to perform support display for assisting the user's operation on the operation accepting means.

  As described above, when it is determined whether it is necessary to determine whether or not it is necessary to support the operation of the operation receiving means by the operator based on at least one of the operator's line of sight, behavior, and utterance. Since the support display is performed, the support display can be performed when the operator feels difficulty in operating the operation device.

  In addition, based on an image receiving unit that receives an operation, an imaging unit that captures an operator of an operating device having a display unit provided for the operation receiving unit, and a captured image captured by the previous imaging unit, Analyzing means for analyzing the line of sight of the operator or analyzing the pointing direction and movement of the fingertip of the operator, and the judging means is configured such that the line of sight of the operator or the fingertip faces the direction of the operating device. The analysis that the time or the ratio of the time per unit time exceeds a predetermined value, and the movement speed indicating the line of sight of the operator or the movement distance of the fingertip exceeds the predetermined speed. When analyzed by means, it may be determined that the support is necessary.

  In this way, the time when the operator's line of sight or fingertip is facing the direction of the operating device or the ratio of the time per unit time exceeds a predetermined value, and the movement of the line of sight or fingertip per unit time of the operator When it is analyzed that the moving speed indicating the distance exceeds the predetermined speed, the support display is performed. Therefore, it is easily detected that the operator feels difficulty in operating the operation device and the support display is displayed. Can be done.

  The operation accepting unit includes a plurality of operation elements for executing different functions, and the display control unit is configured to divide the plurality of operation elements into a plurality of groups when the operator's line of sight or When the analysis means analyzes that the fingertip is moving between a plurality of groups, the display means is controlled to highlight the group classification as the support display, and the operator When the analysis means analyzes that the line of sight or the fingertip is moving within one group of the plurality of groups, the operation element belonging to the group to which the line of sight is directed as the support display is displayed. You may make it control the said display means so that each may be highlighted.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to perform support display suitable for the type of difficulty felt by the operator.

  Further, the visual guidance obtained by adding the positive visual guidance field calculated from the operation element and the negative visual guidance field calculated from the partition part having a function of dividing the group of the manipulation elements. In the field distribution, a point cloud having a visual induction field value corresponding to a predetermined threshold value may be used as a boundary line of the group used for the analysis means among the plurality of groups.

  With such a configuration, for example, even when the type or arrangement of operation elements changes, it is possible to appropriately analyze the line of sight and perform support display.

  The operation system of the present invention includes an operation receiving unit that receives an operation, an operation device having a display unit provided for the operation reception unit, and the operation support device.

  In addition, the operation support method of the present invention is based on at least one of the line of sight, behavior, and utterance of an operator of an operating device having an operation receiving means for receiving an operation and a display means provided for the operation receiving means. A determination step for determining whether or not it is necessary to support the operation of the operator with respect to the operation reception means; and when the support is determined to be necessary in the determination step, the operation reception means of the operator A display control step for controlling the display means so that a support display for supporting an operation on the display is performed.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as an analysis unit and a display control unit of the operation support apparatus.

  Such an operation system, operation support method, and program can also perform support display when the operator feels difficulty in operating the operation device.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effect that support display can be performed when the operator feels difficulty in operating the operation device.

It is the figure which showed typically the function structure of the operation system which concerns on 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the operation assistance process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which showed typically the operation area | region in a vehicle. (A) is a figure which shows an example of a normal display, (B) is a figure which shows an example of a highlight display. It is a figure which shows the example of a layout of the component of the operating device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the operation assistance process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is the figure which showed typically the function structure of the operation system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the visual induction field. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a guidance field calculation result. It is a flowchart of the operation assistance process which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows the flowchart of the specific process of a psychological group, (B) is a figure which shows the calculation result of the induction field of an operation element typically, (C) is an induction field of a partition. (D) is a figure which shows the total induction field which added the induction field of the operation element, and the induction field of the partition. It is a figure which shows an example of the image of an operating device. It is a figure which shows typically the summation process of an induction field. It is a figure which shows an example of the relationship between the threshold value of a visual induction field, and the number of groups.

  [First Embodiment]

  Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of the operation system 10 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, although the operation system 10 is demonstrated as an operation system provided in the vehicle, the present invention is not limited to the operation system 10 provided in the vehicle, and can be applied to various operation systems. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation system 10 according to the present embodiment includes an operation support device 12 and an operation device 14. In addition, since the driver of a vehicle is also an operator who operates the operating device 14, the driver of a vehicle is called an operator below.

  The operation device 14 includes a touch panel display 30, a switch 36, and a light emitting unit 38. In the present embodiment, an example in which each of the touch panel / display 30 and the switch 36 is provided in the operation device 14 will be described, but only one of them may be provided. A plurality of switches 36 may be provided.

  The switch 36 is provided in the operating device 14 as an operating element for operating various devices (for example, devices such as an air conditioning system, an audio system, and a car navigation system) provided in the vehicle. The switch 36 is provided with a mechanism that generates an electrical signal when pressed. The touch panel display 30 is configured by a touch panel sensor 34 superimposed on a display 32. When an icon image for operating the device is displayed on the touch panel display 30, the icon is also handled as an operation element.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the switch 36 and the touch panel display 30 are fitted into an opening of a panel 39 (not shown in FIG. 1) of the operation device 14, and the operator switches from the operator's seat side. 36 and the touch panel sensor 34 of the touch panel display 30 can be operated.

  The operator of the vehicle, which is an operator, operates various devices provided in the vehicle by operating the switch 36 included in the operation device 14. When an icon image as an operation element is displayed on the display 32 of the touch panel display 30, the operator touches the part corresponding to the display position of the icon image on the touch panel sensor 34 with a fingertip or the like. By operating, various devices provided in the vehicle are operated. In this way, each of the operation elements is associated with a predetermined device and a predetermined function of the device, and by operating the operation element, the associated device is associated. The function is executed. The operating device 14 may be detachable from the vehicle. In the present embodiment, an area where the operation device 14 is arranged is referred to as an operation area.

  The light emitting unit 38 is assumed to be composed of a plurality of light emitting elements such as light emitting diodes. In the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 38 is provided as a backlight on the back surface of the panel 39 of the operating device 14, and when the light emitting unit 38 emits light, the opening of the panel 39 and the switch 36 fitted in the opening, The light emitted from the light emitting unit 38 is transmitted through a gap (outer peripheral edge) with the touch panel display 30 so that the transmitted light can be visually recognized by an operator seated in the driver's seat (not shown in FIG. 3). .) As a result, the contour portions of the switch 36 and the touch panel display 30 are illuminated. The arrangement positions of the light emitting units 38 are not limited to this, and may be arranged on the surface of the panel 39 of the operation device 14 in the vicinity of the switch 36 and the touch panel display 30, for example. .

  Each of the display 32 and the light emitting unit 38 is a component having a visual effect, and each of the touch panel sensor 34 and the switch 36 can be said to be a component that receives an operation of the operator. Therefore, hereinafter, the display 32 and the light emitting unit 38 are collectively referred to as the display unit 16, and the touch panel sensor 34 and the switch 36 are collectively referred to as the operation receiving unit 18.

  The operation support apparatus 12 includes a photographing unit 20 and a control unit 28.

  The photographing unit 20 is a camera that photographs the operator sitting in the driver's seat. The imaging unit 20 images at least a region including the operator's eyes. Image data of a photographed image photographed by the photographing unit 20 is used by the control unit 28.

  The control unit 28 includes a line-of-sight analysis unit 22 and a display control unit 24. The line-of-sight analysis unit 22 performs line-of-sight analysis of the operator based on the image data obtained by photographing by the photographing unit 20. The display control unit 24 controls display on the display unit 16 based on the analysis result of the line-of-sight analysis unit 22. In the present embodiment, the display control unit 24 controls light emission of the light emitting unit 38 by controlling the amount of current to the light emitting unit 38 included in the display unit 16.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 28 is assumed to be configured by a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). For example, the ROM is used as a storage medium that stores programs for executing the functions of the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 and the display control unit 24 of the control unit 28, and the CPU uses the program stored in the ROM as a work area. Each function of the control unit 28 may be realized by executing the above. The storage medium for storing the program is not limited to the ROM, and may be a recording medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Device), a CD-ROM, or a flash memory. The control unit 28 may be constructed by hardware such as an electronic circuit having the functions of the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 and the display control unit 24.

  Hereinafter, an example of the operation support process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the operation support apparatus 12 is activated, a processing routine of this operation support process is started, and the photographing of the operator by the photographing unit 20 is also started. The photographing unit 20 continuously photographs the operator while the operation support device 12 is activated.

  In step S <b> 100, the display control unit 24 controls the display unit 16 so that normal display is performed until a predetermined time elapses immediately after the operation support device 12 is activated. As shown in FIG. 4A, the normal display refers to a state where the light emitting unit 38 of the display unit 16 is not emitting light, or a state where the light amount of the light emitting unit 38 emits light below a predetermined value. .

  In step S <b> 102, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 acquires image data of a photographed image obtained by photographing with the photographing unit 20 and stores the image data in a predetermined storage unit (for example, the RAM or the like).

  In step S <b> 104, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines whether the imaging time started after the operation support device 12 is activated has exceeded a predetermined time. If the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines in step S104 that the photographing time does not exceed the predetermined time, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 returns to step S102. If the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines in step S104 that the imaging time has exceeded the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S106. That is, here, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start and a captured image for a period sufficient to perform the line-of-sight analysis is acquired, the line-of-sight analysis is performed using each of the image data of the captured image. Yes.

  In step S106, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 performs line-of-sight analysis based on image data captured and stored in a period (hereinafter referred to as an analysis period) from a current time to a time that is a predetermined time later. Specifically, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 first detects the line-of-sight direction of the operator from the captured image represented by the image data.

  The line-of-sight direction is detected using a known technique. For example, you may use facelab of seeingmachine (http://www.seeingmachines.com/index.htm). In this case, the eye coordinates and the line-of-sight vector can be measured with the installation position of the photographing unit 20 as a reference. By determining the installation coordinates of the photographing unit 20 in the vehicle in advance, the coordinate position of the operator's eye with respect to the vehicle can be calculated, and the line-of-sight direction vector can be obtained from the eye coordinate position. The line-of-sight direction is detected for each of the image data of the captured images captured during the analysis period.

  Next, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 calculates the line-of-sight stay rate in the operation area during the analysis period. Here, the line-of-sight stay rate indicating the ratio per unit time of the time during which the line-of-sight direction faces the direction of the operation area is calculated. More specifically, the ratio of the time during which the line-of-sight direction faces the direction of the operation area with respect to the analysis period is calculated as the line-of-sight stay rate. Further, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 calculates the line-of-sight movement distance (hereinafter referred to as line-of-sight velocity) per unit time of the operator during the analysis period.

  In step S108, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines whether or not the line-of-sight stay rate in the operation region exceeds a predetermined value. The predetermined value to be compared with the calculated line-of-sight stay rate is set in advance as a threshold value. When the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines in step S108 that the line-of-sight stay rate in the operation region exceeds a predetermined value, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines whether or not the line-of-sight speed exceeds a predetermined speed in step S110. The value of the predetermined speed to be compared with the calculated line-of-sight speed is set in advance as a threshold value.

  When the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines in step S110 that the line-of-sight speed exceeds the predetermined speed, the line-of-sight analysis result indicates that the operator feels difficulty in operating the operation device 14, so that It is determined that it is necessary to support the user's operation on the operation receiving unit 18. Therefore, in step S112, the display control unit 24 controls the display unit 16 so that highlighting is performed as support display for supporting the operation of the operation device 14 of the operator on the operation receiving unit 18. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the highlighting means that each of the operation elements of the operation device 14 or a group of a plurality of operation elements (operation element group) is emphasized. A state in which the 16 light emitting units 38 emit light with a light amount (also referred to as luminance) exceeding a predetermined value. The highlighting increases the brightness of the outlines of the switch 36 and the touch panel display 30 and makes it easier for the operator to operate the operation device 14.

  If highlighting has already been performed in step S112, the display control unit 24 controls the display unit 16 so that highlighting is continued.

  On the other hand, when the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines in step S108 that the line-of-sight stay rate in the operation area does not exceed the predetermined value, and in step S110, when it determines that the line-of-sight speed does not exceed the predetermined speed, Since the line-of-sight analysis result indicates that the operator is not in a state of difficulty in operating the operation device 14, in step S114, the display control unit 24 displays the display unit 16 so that normal display is performed. Control.

  In step S114, if the normal display has already been performed, the display control unit 24 controls the display unit 16 so that the normal display is continued.

  In the present embodiment, the operator detects the intention of the operator to operate the operation device 14 (operation intention) and the situation of hesitation that he / she is confused about the operation of the operation device 14. The system detects that it is difficult to operate.

  The intention of the operation is detected from the eye gaze stay rate of the operator. When the line-of-sight stay rate exceeds a predetermined value, it can be estimated that the operator is looking toward the operation area and searching for an operation element of some function included in the operation device 14. Here, the line-of-sight stay rate is used, but the time during which the line-of-sight direction faces the direction of the operation region (line-of-sight stay time) may be used. The situation of hesitation is detected by the line-of-sight speed. This is based on an empirical rule that the line-of-sight speed increases under the situation where the operator is searching for an operation element. In the present embodiment, the normal display is switched to the emphasis display (support display) when both conditions of the intention of operation and the situation of hesitation are met. Thereby, the operation burden on the operator is reduced.

  In addition, when the search time of the operating device 14 by an operator becomes long, it will lead to lack of attention to the periphery, and in vehicles etc., it may lead to lack of attention to the periphery. Conversely, if display control is performed so that the operating elements of the operating device 14 are always conspicuous, such as the light emitting unit 38 of the display unit 16 is always lit, the search time for operating elements of the operating device 14 is shortened, but In this case, it may lead to a lack of attention to the surroundings. In this embodiment, since the display is changed from the normal display to the highlight display only when the operator temporarily needs the support display, the search time in the operation device 14 is shortened.

  Here, the case where the operation system 10 is an operation system provided in a vehicle has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be an operation system provided in a manufacturing factory, for example. . Specifically, a case where the manufacturing manager controls the operation of the manufacturing equipment by operating the operation receiving unit 18 of the operating device 14 in the manufacturing factory can be considered. Even in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained by performing the gaze analysis of the operator as described above and performing support display when necessary.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the emphasis display which light-emits the backlight (light emission part 38 of the display part 16) of the panel 39 of the operating device 14 by light quantity larger than predetermined light quantity was mentioned as an example of assistance display, it is limited to this. Is not to be done. For example, the light emitting unit 38 may blink. Further, the light emitting unit 38 of the display unit 16 may be arranged on the surface of the panel 39 of the operating device 14 and in the vicinity of the outline of each operation element or operation element group, and the light emitting unit 38 may be turned on or blinked.

  Further, when a support display is performed when a plurality of icons are displayed as operation elements on the touch panel display 30, each icon is highlighted by giving the contrast of the display 32 of the touch panel display 30. The display unit 16 may be controlled. Alternatively, the color of the outline portion may be changed or blinked so that the outline of the icon or icon group is emphasized. Alternatively, the color of the icon itself may be changed to a conspicuous color. In this case, the normal display refers to a state in which the icon is not highlighted, that is, a state in which display control is performed so that the contrast value of the display 32 of the touch panel display 30 becomes the reference value. It can be in a state where display control is performed so that the color of the outline portion of the icon becomes a normal color (original color) and a state where display control is performed so that the outline portion of the icon does not blink.

  Moreover, although the example which judges whether it is necessary to support operation with respect to the operator's operation reception part 18 based on an operator's eyes | visual_axis was demonstrated above, it is not limited to this. For example, it may be determined whether or not the support is necessary based on the behavior or utterance of the operator. Specifically, the operation support device 12 is provided with a voice recognition function, and when it is recognized that the operator has made a speech indicating that the operation is difficult, it is determined that the support is necessary. It may be. In addition, a button to be pressed may be provided when assistance is required, and it may be determined that the assistance is necessary when a behavior that the operator has pressed the button is detected. The buttons are designed to be clearly distinguishable from the operation elements of the operation device 14, and can be arranged at positions completely different from the arrangement positions of the operation elements of the operation device 14.

  Further, as another example of determining whether or not the above-mentioned support is necessary based on the behavior of the operator, for example, the instruction direction and movement of the operator's fingertip are analyzed from the photographed image of the photographing unit 20, and the above-mentioned support is performed. You may make it judge whether it is required. Specifically, in the analysis period, the ratio of the time during which the fingertip of the operator faces the direction of the operation area (or the time during which the fingertip faces the direction of the operation area) exceeds a predetermined value, and the fingertip moves When the speed is higher than a predetermined speed, it may be determined that the support is necessary.

  [Second Embodiment]

  In the second embodiment, each operation element of the operation device 14 of the operation system 10 is divided into a plurality of groups. From the line-of-sight analysis of the operator, whether the operator's search status for the operation device 14 is a search between groups or a group. A description will be given of an example in which it is determined whether or not the search is performed and the support display according to the situation is performed.

  The operation system 10 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the operation system 10 according to the first embodiment except that each operation element of the operation device 14 is divided into a plurality of groups in advance. Is omitted.

  In FIG. 5, the example of arrangement | positioning of the switch 36 of the operating device 14 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is shown. As shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of switches 36 are divided into two groups. In grouping, for example, a plurality of switches 36 having the same device to be operated may be set as the same group, or a plurality of switches 36 having the same or similar type or function of the device to be operated may be set as the same group. Hereinafter, this group is referred to as a functional group. Note that the operator, the administrator of the operation device 14, or the like may be configured so that the functional grouping of the plurality of switches 36 can be set in advance.

  In the operation device 14 shown in FIG. 5, the upper group G1 includes, for example, a switch 36 for operating a CD player, a switch 36 for operating a radio receiver, a switch 36 for adjusting the volume, and the like of audio system equipment. This is a functional group to which each of the plurality of switches 36 for operation belongs. The lower group G2 includes a plurality of switches 36 for operating the air conditioning system equipment, such as a switch 36 for operating the air conditioner, a switch 36 for adjusting the air volume, and a switch 36 for adjusting the air direction. The functional group to which each belongs.

  In the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 38 of the display unit 16 is a boundary between the group G1 and the group G2 in addition to the light emitting unit as a backlight that illuminates the outlines of the plurality of switches 36 described in the first embodiment. A long light emitting portion for illuminating the line is provided (in FIG. 5, the reference numeral 38a is attached). The long light emitting portion 38a is arranged in a boundary region between the group of switches G1 of the group G1 and the group of switches 36 of the group G2.

  An example of the operation support process according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As in the first embodiment, when the operation support device 12 is activated, a processing routine for this operation support process is started, and photographing of the operator by the photographing unit 20 is also started. The photographing unit 20 continuously photographs the operator while the operation support device 12 is activated.

  In step S <b> 200, the display control unit 24 controls the display unit 16 so that normal display is performed until a predetermined time elapses immediately after the operation support device 12 is activated. In step S202, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 acquires image data of a captured image obtained by capturing by the capturing unit 20, and stores the acquired image data in a predetermined storage unit (for example, the RAM or the like).

  In step S <b> 204, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines whether or not the imaging time started after the operation support device 12 is activated has exceeded a predetermined time. If the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines in step S204 that the shooting time does not exceed the predetermined time, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 returns to step S202. If the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines in step S204 that the imaging time has exceeded the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S206.

  In step S <b> 206, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 performs line-of-sight analysis based on image data captured and stored in a period (analysis period) from the current time to a time that is a predetermined time back. In the second embodiment, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 performs the line-of-sight trajectory (hereinafter referred to as line-of-sight) in addition to detection of the line-of-sight direction of the operator, calculation of the line-of-sight stay rate, and line-of-sight velocity as line-of-sight analysis. (Referred to as trajectory).

  In step S208, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines whether the line-of-sight stay rate in the operation region exceeds a predetermined value. If the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines in step S208 that the line-of-sight stay rate in the operation region exceeds a predetermined value, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines whether or not the line-of-sight speed exceeds a predetermined speed in step S210.

  If the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines in step S210 that the line-of-sight speed exceeds the predetermined speed, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 proceeds to step S212, and the line of sight of the operator moves between a plurality of groups based on the detected line-of-sight locus. (In other words, when one part of a group is seen and another group is seen (inter-group search)), or the operator ’s line of sight is within one of the groups. It is determined whether the user is moving (in other words, an action of searching for an operation element in a certain group in order (in-group search) is performed). For example, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines that an inter-group search is performed if the line-of-sight trajectory intersects a boundary line that divides a plurality of groups, and the line-of-sight trajectory does not intersect the boundary line, and almost one When the line of sight is moving within the group, it may be determined that the group search is being performed.

  In step S212, when the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines that the operator is searching in the group, in step S214, the display control unit 24 displays the functional group of the region in which the operator is looking at the line of sight. The display unit 16 is controlled so that each of the operation elements (here, the switch 36) belonging to is highlighted. For example, in FIG. 5, when the switch 36 of the functional group G1 is highlighted, only the light emitting element as the backlight arranged in the position corresponding to the functional group G1 in the light emitting unit 38 is turned on (for example, And the light emitting element 38a disposed in the boundary region of the functional group and the light emitting element as a backlight disposed at a position corresponding to the functional group G2. The display unit 16 is controlled so that the element does not light up. This highlighting increases the brightness of the outline of the switch 36 of the group that the operator is searching for, and makes it easy to distinguish each of the switches 36.

  If the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines in step S212 that the operator is searching between groups, in step S216, the display control unit 24 uses the operation device 14 to classify functional groups. The display unit 16 is controlled to be highlighted. For example, in the operation device 14 shown in FIG. 5, the long light emitting unit 38 a arranged in the boundary region of the functional group is turned on (for example, light is emitted with a light amount exceeding a predetermined value). The unit 16 is controlled. This highlighting makes it easy to grasp the boundaries of functional groups. For example, in a state where the operator is searching for the switch 36 in a state where the operator does not know where the same functional group is, the support display for the inter-group search is performed, so that the switch 36 for the extra functional group can be obtained. Since it is not necessary to perform a search, the burden on the operator is reduced.

  On the other hand, if the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines in step S208 that the line-of-sight stay rate in the operation region does not exceed the predetermined value, and if it is determined in step S210 that the line-of-sight speed does not exceed the predetermined speed, Since the line-of-sight analysis result indicates that the operator is not in a state of difficulty in operating the operation device 14, in step S218, the display control unit 24 displays the display unit 16 so that normal display is performed. Control.

  As described above, the search load on the operator can be reduced by changing the support display method for the inter-group search and the intra-group search and displaying the support according to each search.

  Here, an example has been described in which a plurality of switches 36 belonging to the same functional group are arranged together. However, a plurality of switches 36 belonging to the same functional group are arranged dispersedly at different positions. Even if it is, it is possible to perform support display for supporting search between groups. For example, instead of using the light emitting unit 38a which is the above-mentioned division or the like, the light emission color or blinking state of the light emitting unit 38 as a backlight corresponding to each functional group is changed for each functional group, etc. Support display may be performed.

  Although illustration is omitted here, in the case where a plurality of icons belonging to the same functional group are displayed as operation elements on the touch panel display 30 included in the operation device 14, support display for search within the group is displayed. For example, the display unit 16 may be controlled so that the contrast of the display 32 of the touch panel display 30 is increased and each icon is highlighted. In some cases, a plurality of icon groups with different functional groups may be displayed on the touch panel display 30. In this case, when the support display for supporting the inter-group search is performed, an image representing a break in the boundary area of the functional group is displayed on the display 32, or the color of the icon is changed for each functional group. By changing the icon display form for each functional group, such as by flashing or blinking, it is possible to display support for searching between groups.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the example in which the intra-group search and the inter-group search are determined based on the analysis result of the line of sight has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, based on the movement trajectory of the operator's fingertip. You may make it judge. Since this determination may be performed in the same manner as in the case where the line-of-sight locus is used, description thereof is omitted here. Moreover, based on an operator's utterance, you may perform the search in a group, and a search between groups. For example, it can be determined depending on whether the recognized content of the voice of the operator is a content that specifies an intra-group search or an inter-group search.

  [Third Embodiment]

  In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which a group of each operation element of the operation unit is specified using the gaze guidance field theory and reflected on the support display. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of the operation system 40 according to the third embodiment. Hereinafter, although the operation system 40 is demonstrated as an operation system provided in the vehicle, the present invention is not limited to the operation system 40 provided in the vehicle, and can be applied to various operation systems. As shown in FIG. 7, the operation system 40 according to the present embodiment includes an operation support device 50 and an operation device 14. Since the operation device 14 has the same configuration as that of the first and second embodiments, the description thereof is omitted.

  The operation support device 50 includes a photographing unit 20 and a control unit 29.

  The control unit 29 includes a line-of-sight analysis unit 22, a display control unit 24, and a psychological group identification unit 26. The control unit 29 is realized by a computer including a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, similarly to the control unit 28 of the first embodiment. The line-of-sight analysis unit 22 and the display control unit 24 operate in substantially the same manner as in the second embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted. Here, the psychological group identification unit 26 will be mainly described.

  The psychological group specifying unit 26 specifies a psychological group of operation elements of the operation device 14. Here, the group felt by the operator is referred to as a “psychological group” and will be described separately from the functional group described above.

  The psychological group specifying unit 26 specifies a psychological group by applying a well-known “visual induction field” theory. Here, the basic concept of visual induction field theory is briefly explained. The visual induction field is a psychological concept that explains the visual perception phenomenon assuming a field such as an electric field around a figure or the like. When a person looks at a figure or the like, it is considered that not only the line of the figure itself but also the gap between the lines, the periphery of the figure, the arrangement of the figures and the like are recognized. The visual influence potential field (guidance field) indicated by contour lines is distributed around the figure, and the strength of the field becomes weaker as the distance from the figure increases.

  A more specific description will be given with reference to FIG. For example, according to Michihiro Nagaishi (1996), Verification of Psychological Experiment Results during Pattern Recognition Using a Visual Guidance Field Model, “Journal of the Institute of Television Engineers”, 50 (12), 1965-1973 Assuming that the pixel constituting the outline of the pattern included in is a point charge of positive charge 1, the distribution of the induced field in the digital image is calculated from the accumulation of the Coulomb potential generated by them.

As shown in FIG. 8A, it is assumed that a visual induction field is formed at a point P by a curve f (s) composed of n point sequences. When the distance from the point P to the point i on the curve f (s) is denoted by r _i , the induction field strength M _p at the point P is defined as follows.

As shown in FIG. 8B, when there are a plurality of curves, the strength of the induction field at the point P is the sum of the induction fields created by the individual curves at the point P. At this time, the guidance field contributes only to the outline of the figure (see “Yokose Yoshimasa (1986),“ Psychology of Shape ”, Nagoya University Press)”, so the above formula is a constraint that only the part visible from the point P is summed Gatsuku. for example, in FIG. 8 (B), the part of the curve f ₃ (s) and the curve f ₂ (s), because blocked by the curve f ₁ (s) not visible from the point P, the sum is taken Absent.

  FIG. 9 shows a specific example of a simple induction field calculation result. When the visual induction field is calculated using the white rectangular portion shown in FIG. 9A as the switch 36, a calculation result as shown in FIG. 9B is obtained. The numbers shown in FIG. 9B are numbers indicating the strength (height) of the induction field, and a collection of points having the same induction field height is indicated by contour lines. Further, the closer to the switch 36, the higher the value of the induction field.

  The “visual induction field” is suitable for revealing a psychological group of elements such as the switch 36. In the present embodiment, the guidance field is calculated from the constituent pixels of the operation element included in the captured image of the operation device 14 in consideration of the distance and the shielding, and the psychological group is specified. In this way, in order to identify the group that the operator feels using the psychological concept of visual guidance field, in this embodiment, the group that the operator feels is distinguished from the functional group described above as “psychological group”. It is called.

  In the third embodiment, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines whether it is an intra-group search or an inter-group search based on the position of the psychological group specified by the psychological group specifying unit 26 instead of the position of the functional group. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the intra-group search is referred to as “psychological intra-group search”, and the inter-group search is referred to as “psychological inter-group search”, and will be described separately.

  An example of the operation support process according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the operation support device 50 is activated, the processing routine of the operation support process is started, and the photographing of the operator by the photographing unit 20 is also started. The photographing unit 20 continuously photographs the operator while the operation support device 50 is activated.

  In step S300, the display control unit 24 displays the display unit so that normal display is performed in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments until a predetermined time elapses immediately after the operation support device 50 is activated. 16 is controlled.

  In step S302, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 acquires image data of a captured image obtained by capturing by the capturing unit 20, and stores the acquired image data in a predetermined storage unit (for example, the RAM or the like).

  In step S304, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines whether or not the imaging time started after the operation support device 50 is activated has exceeded a predetermined time. If the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines in step S304 that the shooting time does not exceed the predetermined time, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 returns to step S302. If the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines in step S304 that the imaging time has exceeded the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S306, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 performs line-of-sight analysis based on image data captured and stored in a period (analysis period) from the current time to a time that is a predetermined time back. The line-of-sight analysis unit 22 detects the line-of-sight direction of the operator, calculates the line-of-sight stay rate, calculates the line-of-sight velocity, and detects the line-of-sight locus of the operator as line-of-sight analysis.

  In step S308, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines whether the line-of-sight stay rate in the operation region exceeds a predetermined value. When the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines in step S308 that the line-of-sight stay rate in the operation region exceeds a predetermined value, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines whether or not the line-of-sight speed exceeds a predetermined speed in step S310.

  If the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines in step S310 that the line-of-sight speed exceeds the predetermined speed, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 proceeds to step S314 and acquires information on the operation device 14 currently used by the operator.

  Here, the expression “currently used” is used for the following reason. The switch 36 provided in the operation device 14 is an operation element provided as a mechanical and electrical structure, and it is difficult for the operator to freely change the contents and arrangement thereof. The icon as the operation element displayed on the touch panel display 30 of the device 14 can be changed according to the software module for displaying the screen. Therefore, for example, when the vehicle is equipped with a mechanism that allows the operator or the like to freely change the type of icons displayed on the touch panel display 30 and the arrangement of the icons, During startup, the contents and layout of icons displayed on the touch panel display 30 may be changed. Therefore, the expression “currently used” is used here.

  Note that the information on the currently used operating device 14 includes identification data for identifying the layout of the constituent elements of the currently used operating device 14, and psychological group data of each operating element of the operating device 14. Is stored in association with each other. Note that when the psychological group specifying process described later is not executed for the operating device 14 currently in use, the psychological group data may not be stored for the identification data.

  In step S <b> 316, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines whether the acquired information on the operation unit includes data on a corresponding psychological group for the operation device 14 currently used by the operator. If a negative determination is made in step S316, the psychological group identification unit 26 of the psychological group identification unit 26 in step S318 determines that the psychological group identification of the operating device 14 that is currently used has not been executed. The specific process is executed.

  FIG. 11A shows a flowchart of the psychological group specifying process.

  In step S <b> 400, the psychological group specifying unit 26 may display an image showing the current arrangement of the operation elements of the operation device 14 (a captured image taken in advance from the front of the operation device 14, CAD, or the like). Is divided into an image area of the operation element of the operation device 14 and an image area of a partition having a function of dividing a psychological group.

  In addition, the partition image may be, for example, an operation element group that gives a group (group) sense, for example, a feeling that separates the group, that is, a step image or a decorative image. It is done.

  Here, the step will be described. The operating device 14 often has a three-dimensional shape, and there are steps. For example, there are steps in adjacent portions of each panel when the operation device 14 is provided with a plurality of panels, steps between the panel 39 and its lower layer components, and the like. Accordingly, this step is recognized by the subject (in this case, the operator) as an object representing a partition that divides the psychological group (see also FIG. 12).

  Next, decoration will be described. If the switch 36 has a color different from the color of the panel 39, the color difference between the switch 36 and the panel 39 increases. However, the portion where the color difference is large (herein referred to as decoration) The subject (in this case, the operator) is recognized as an object representing a partition that separates psychological groups (see also FIG. 12).

  Note that the image showing the partition is not limited to the above. For example, when the switches 36 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance, the joint of the panel between the switch 36 and the switch 36 is also effective for the partition. Therefore, this may be treated as a partition image. In the touch panel display 30, for example, a decoration line displayed on the display 32, a boundary line of a region having a different background color, or the like can be extracted as a partition image that separates icons.

  In step S402, the psychological group identification unit 26 calculates a visual guidance field (hereinafter referred to as a manipulation field guidance field) for the operation elements such as the switch 36 and icons. The guidance field for the operating element may be calculated for each type of operating element. For example, the guidance field of the switch 36 and the guidance field of the icon may be calculated separately.

  In step S404, the psychological group identification unit 26 calculates a visual guidance field (hereinafter referred to as a partition guidance field) for the partition. The guidance field for the partition may also be calculated for each partition type.

  The guidance field may be calculated using the method described in the above-mentioned literature based on the image data representing the image of the controller device 14. However, the guidance field of the operating element is calculated as a positive visual guidance field using the above method, and the guidance field obtained using the above method is assigned a minus sign to the guidance field of the partition. Calculate as a negative visual induction field. However, as long as it can be identified that the calculated guidance field of the partition is treated as a negative visual guidance field later, it is not necessary to add a minus sign here. Either step S402 or step S404 may be performed first, or may be performed in parallel.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of an image of the operation device 14. In the example shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of switches 36 are arranged on the panel 39 of the operating device 14. Here, the touch panel display 30 is omitted. The guidance field of the operation element calculated in step S402 is a guidance field whose field strength increases as it approaches the area where the switch 36 is arranged. FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional model representing the calculated guidance field of the operation element at the cross-sectional line portion viewed from the viewpoint direction shown in FIG. FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional view of the solid model representing the calculated induction field of the partition, taken along the cross-sectional line portion viewed from the viewpoint direction shown in FIG. Here, the decoration induction field and the step induction field are shown separately. The partition induction field has a convex direction opposite to that of the operation element.

  By the way, the image data representing the image of the operating device 14 used in steps S400 to S404 can be stored in a storage unit mounted in advance on the vehicle, except for the image data representing the image on the touch panel display 30. As for the display image on the touch panel display 30, the image data currently used for display on the touch panel display 30 is used and synthesized with the fixed image data representing the image of the switch 36 of the operation device 14. Steps S400 to S404 may be executed using the image data as image data representing the image of the controller device 14, or steps S400 to S404 may be executed individually without being combined.

  After calculating each guidance field, the psychological group identification unit 26 adds up each guidance field to calculate a total (total guidance field) in step S406. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing the induction field summing process. Here, as shown in FIG. 13, a decoration induction field obtained by multiplying the value of the induction field of the operating element by a predetermined coefficient α, and a value of the induction field of the step obtained by multiplying the predetermined coefficient β. Is added to obtain the total. In this addition, values at positions corresponding to each other are added. The coefficient by which the value of the negative induction field is multiplied is determined in advance so that the higher the function as the partition, the larger the value.

  Even if the partition induction field value is not calculated to be a negative value in step S404 (that is, when a minus sign is not added), the partition induction field is determined in step S406. Treat as a negative visual induction field. That is, in step S406, the partition induction field is not added to the operation element induction field, but is subtracted. Alternatively, the coefficients α and β may be negative values. Furthermore, here, an example has been described in which the value of the partition induction field calculated in step S404 is multiplied by some coefficient, and then summed, but the coefficient need not be multiplied.

  Furthermore, when adding, the induction field of the operation element may be multiplied by a predetermined coefficient. In this case, the coefficient may be changed for each type of operation element.

  In this way, by adding the positive visual guidance field and the negative visual guidance field, as shown in FIG. 11D and FIG. 13, the “total guidance field” is calculated.

  Next, in step S407, a threshold value (initial value) is set. In step S408, the psychological group identification unit 26 counts the number of psychological groups corresponding to the threshold value. FIG. 14 shows an example of the relationship between the visual induction field threshold and the number of psychological groups. In the processing to be described later, a threshold value is determined from the range from the minimum value to the maximum value in the total induction field (-0.2 to 0.3 in the example shown in FIG. 14), and the contour line corresponding to the threshold value is used as the group boundary line. A psychological group to which each of the plurality of operation elements belongs. Therefore, here, in order to determine which value to set the threshold value, the threshold value is changed at a predetermined step interval, and each of the regions separated by the boundary line (the value of the induction field is the threshold value). The number of each of the regions exceeding (1) is counted as the number of psychological groups extracted by the threshold value. FIG. 14 shows the result of counting by changing the threshold at intervals of 0.02.

  In step S410, the psychological group identification unit 26 determines whether or not the counted number of psychological groups is within a predetermined range, and when it is determined that the counted number of psychological groups is within the predetermined range. In step 411, the threshold value is increased by one unit, and the process returns to step 408, and the number of groups corresponding to the increased threshold value is counted in the same manner as described above. When the threshold value is increased, the number of groups counted is larger than when the threshold value is small (see also FIG. 14). When the psychological group specifying unit 26 determines in step S410 that the number of psychological groups is outside the predetermined range, in step S412, each of the counted number of groups for each threshold is stored in advance. It memorize | stores in a means (for example, RAM mentioned above etc.). Here, the threshold number of groups whose psychological group count value is outside the predetermined range may not be stored.

  The predetermined range is a range of the number of psychological groups predicted empirically, and can be set by a designer or an operator. For example, when the predetermined range is set to 2 to 10, there is an effect that the counting process from 11 to the total number of operation elements can be omitted. Here, the reason why the lower limit (for example, 2) of the number of groups is provided is that, for example, when the number of groups is one, it is equivalent to a state where no grouping is performed. The reason why the upper limit (for example, 10) of the number of groups is provided is that there is a high possibility that the number of groups is counted in units of operation elements if the number of groups is too large.

  In step S414, the psychological group specifying unit 26 specifies the longest threshold width among the threshold widths in which the number of groups does not vary based on the stored number of groups for each threshold. Here, the portion where the number of groups does not change even if the threshold value is slightly changed is the portion where the operator can feel the group (group) most strongly psychologically, and the longest threshold width is specified. .

  In step S416, the psychological group specifying unit 26 specifies the contour line (boundary line) when the median value of the longest threshold width is set as the threshold value as the psychological group boundary line felt by the operator.

  FIG. 14 shows an example in which a reasonable number of groups is limited to two or more and a threshold of 5 groups corresponding to the longest threshold width is adopted and visualized. In the schematic diagram of the operating device 14 illustrated in the upper left area of the graph, the boundary lines of the groups are indicated by dotted lines. Each operation element arranged in the area surrounded by the dotted line is specified as an operation element belonging to the same psychological group.

  The number of contour lines that contain the obtained operation element of the induction field coincides with the number of groups at a certain threshold. Therefore, by using the median value of the induction field band with the longest interval in which this number is constant as a threshold value, it is possible to draw a boundary line of a psychological group that is generally easy for the subject to feel.

  After the psychological group specifying process described with reference to FIG. 11, the psychological group specifying unit 26 uses the data of the specified psychological group in step S320 of FIG. It is stored in a predetermined storage means in association with identification data to be identified.

  After the process of step S320 or when an affirmative determination is made in step S316, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 calls the stored psychological group data in step S322. Thereby, the boundary line of the psychological group is grasped about the operating device 14 currently in use.

  In step S324, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines whether the operator is performing a psychological group search or a psychological group search based on the detected line-of-sight locus. Specifically, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 moves the line of sight of the operator between a plurality of psychological groups (in other words, looking at a part of a certain psychological group and looking at another psychological group) Or the operator's line of sight is moving within one psychological group (in other words, within a psychological group) It is determined whether or not the operation element is searched for in order (being a psychological group search). For example, the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines that a search between psychological groups is being performed if the line-of-sight trajectory intersects a boundary line that divides a plurality of psychological groups, and the line-of-sight trajectory does not cross the boundary line. If the line of sight is moving in almost one psychological group, it may be determined that the psychological group search is being performed.

  In step S324, when the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines that the operator is searching in the psychological group, in step S326, the display control unit 24 determines that the operator's line of sight is moving. The display unit 16 is controlled so that each operation element such as the switch 36 belonging to the functional group corresponding to the group is highlighted. The functional group corresponding to the psychological group refers to, for example, a functional group having a part or all of the operation elements included in the psychological group, or a functional group located near the psychological group. For example, the light emitting elements constituting the light emitting unit 38 as the backlight are divided into functional groups, and only the light emitting elements in the functional group corresponding to the psychological group in which the operator's line of sight is moving are caused to emit light. Also good.

  In step S324, when the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines that the operator is searching between psychological groups, in step S326, the display control unit 24 highlights the functional group classification. The display unit 16 is controlled in such a manner. Here, the psychological group is a group that is specifically used to determine the support display method, and the actual support display is performed according to the functional group classification.

  By the way, unlike the icons of the touch panel / display 30, the switches 36 have almost no change, and therefore the psychological group classification is likely not to change. Therefore, for example, the switch 36 is not subjected to psychological group identification processing, and the icons of the touch panel display 30 are subjected to dynamic psychological group identification processing in the same manner as described above to classify psychological groups. You may do it.

  On the other hand, when the line-of-sight analysis unit 22 determines in step S308 that the line-of-sight stay rate in the operation region does not exceed the predetermined value, and in step S310, it determines that the line-of-sight speed does not exceed the predetermined speed, Since the line-of-sight analysis result indicates that the operator is not in a difficult state to operate the operation device 14, in step S312, the display control unit 24 displays the display unit 16 so that normal display is performed. Control. When the normal display is already performed, the display control unit 24 controls the display unit 16 so that the normal display is continued, and when any highlighted display is performed, the display control unit 24 24 controls the display unit 16 to switch from normal display to normal display.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform support display along the group felt by the operator as compared to the case where support display is performed according to the fixed boundary line described in the second embodiment (for example, shown in FIG. 5). become. In addition, since the operator can calculate the grouping at the stage of operating the operation device 14, the type and arrangement of the constituent elements are arbitrarily changed as in the GUI using the touch panel display 30. Even if applicable.

  In the present embodiment, the example of performing the psychological group specifying process during the execution of the operation support process routine has been described. However, when the type and arrangement of the operation elements are not dynamically changed, Psychological group identification processing is performed (before execution of the operation support processing routine or at the manufacturing stage of the operation device 14), and the group division result is stored in a predetermined storage means, and the storage result is stored in the operation support processing routine. You may make it call and use the classified result.

  Also in the third embodiment, as described in the first and second embodiments, instead of the operator's line of sight (or along with the line of sight), for example, the behavior of the operator (movement of the fingertip, etc.) is detected. Analysis to determine whether the operator needs a support display and whether the operator is performing a psychological group search or a psychological group search. . Further, these determinations may be made based on the operator's utterance.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Operation system 12 Operation support apparatus 14 Operation apparatus 16 Display part 18 Operation reception part 20 Imaging | photography part 22 Gaze analysis part 24 Display control part 26 Psychological group identification part 28, 29 Control part 30 Touch panel display 32 Display 34 Touch panel sensor 36 Switch 38, 38a Light emitting unit 39 Panel 40 Operation system 50 Operation support device

Claims (8)

Based on at least one of an operator's line of sight, behavior, and utterance of an operating device having an operation receiving unit that receives an operation and a display unit provided for the operation receiving unit, the operator's operation receiving unit A determination means for determining whether it is necessary to support the operation;
Display control means for controlling the display means so that support display for assisting the operation of the operator with respect to the operation accepting means is performed when the determination means determines that the support is necessary;
An operation support apparatus comprising: An imaging unit for imaging an operator of an operating device having an operation receiving unit for receiving an operation and a display unit provided for the operation receiving unit;
Analysis means for analyzing the line of sight of the operator or analyzing the pointing direction and movement of the fingertip of the operator, based on the photographed image photographed by the photographing means;
Further comprising
The determination means includes a time when the operator's line of sight or the fingertip of the operator is facing the direction of the operating device, or a ratio per unit time of the time exceeds a predetermined value, and the unit of the operator The operation support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support is determined to be necessary when the analysis unit analyzes that a moving speed indicating a line of sight per hour or a moving distance of a fingertip exceeds a predetermined speed. . A plurality of operation elements for executing different functions are arranged in the operation receiving means,
In the case where the display control means analyzes the fact that the operator's line of sight or fingertip is moving between a plurality of groups when the plurality of operation elements are divided into a plurality of groups. The display means is controlled so that the division of a plurality of groups is highlighted as the support display, and the operator's line of sight or fingertip is moving within one of the plurality of groups. The operation support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when analyzed by an analysis unit, the display unit is controlled so that each of the operation elements belonging to the group to which the line of sight is directed is highlighted as the support display. . Of the visual guidance field obtained by adding the positive visual guidance field calculated from the operation element and the negative visual guidance field calculated from the partition part having a function of dividing the group of the manipulation elements. The operation support apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a point cloud having a visual induction field value corresponding to a predetermined threshold in the distribution is used as a boundary line of a group used for the analysis unit among the plurality of groups. An operation device having an operation receiving means for receiving an operation and a display means provided for the operation receiving means;
The operation support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Operation system equipped with. Based on at least one of an operator's line of sight, behavior, and utterance of an operating device having an operation receiving unit that receives an operation and a display unit provided for the operation receiving unit, the operator's operation receiving unit A determination step for determining whether it is necessary to support the operation;
A display control step for controlling the display means so that support display for supporting the operation of the operator with respect to the operation accepting means is performed when it is determined that the support is necessary in the determining step;
Operation support method with Computer
The program for functioning as an analysis means and a display control means of the operation assistance apparatus of any one of Claims 1-4. Computer
The program for functioning as an analysis means and a display control means of the operation assistance apparatus in the operation system of Claim 5.