Abstract: An in-vehicle operation apparatus has an operation switch, a candidate selection operation unit, and a command assignment operation unit, all of which are operable by a user. The operation switch may control multiple in-vehicle devices based on a desired command assigned thereto. In particular, the candidate selection operation unit selects a plurality of candidate commands from among a plurality of commands respectively for in-vehicle devices. The command assignment operation unit selects and assigns the desired command from among the plurality of candidate commands to the operation switch. Accordingly, the operation switch controls the in-vehicle device associated with the desired command. Thus, the apparatus reduces the amount of operation switches required and allows the user to easily select and assign a command to the operation switch for controlling a desired in-vehicle device.

Abstract: A manipulating apparatus includes a manipulation control portion and a touch sensor detecting manipulation to a first manipulation surface by a manipulator's finger, while acquiring a manipulation body distance from the first manipulation surface to the finger. The manipulation in a first manipulation space where the manipulation body distance is less than a first threshold distance is distinguished from the manipulation in a second manipulation space where the manipulation body distance is not less than the first threshold distance. The first movement of the finger in the first manipulation space and the second movement of the finger in the second manipulation space are respectively associated with a focus and a submenu image, to change their display modes. To assist an input by the finger in the second manipulation space, a second manipulation surface is formed to a location apart from the first manipulation surface by a first threshold distance or more.

Abstract: An input apparatus for a vehicle includes: an operation element operable by an occupant of the vehicle; a biological information acquisition element acquiring biological information of the occupant; an unawakened state detection element detecting an unawakened state of the occupant based on the biological information, wherein the unawakened state is defined by a predetermined state different from an awakened state; and an operation disabling element disabling an operation input from the operation element when the unawakened state detection element detects the unawakened state.

Abstract: An input apparatus for a vehicle includes: an operation element operable by an occupant of the vehicle; a biological information acquisition element acquiring biological information of the occupant; an unawakened state detection element detecting an unawakened state of the occupant based on the biological information, wherein the unawakened state is defined by a predetermined state different from an awakened state; and an operation disabling element disabling an operation input from the operation element when the unawakened state detection element detects the unawakened state.