JP2000137576A - Touch panel type input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel type input device capable of confirming key touch by oscillation and to provide a user inter-face except for display screen and sound in a portable game machine having a touch panel. SOLUTION: The touch panel type input device is provided with a liquid crystal display unit(LCD) 2, an LCD display control part 6 for controlling the display of characters or graphics on the LCD 2, a transparent touch panel 1 arranged on the upper part of the LCD 2 and capable of reading out the display contents of the LCD 2 from the upper part, a touch panel detection part 5 capable of detecting the depression of the panel 1 and its detecting position when prescribed depressing operation to the panel 1 executed, an oscillation unit 3 for generating oscillation in accordance with an instruction from the detection part 5 and transmitting the oscillation to a user's finger tip, an oscillation unit driving part 7 for controlling the drive of the unit 3, and a CPU 4 for controlling the detection part 5, the control part 6 and the driving part 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a touch panel type input device provided with a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly to a function of causing the input device itself to vibrate by an input operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an ATM (automatic teller machine) equipped with a liquid crystal display device with a touch panel, an OA device such as a facsimile, an FA facility used in a factory, etc., when an input operation is performed by touching the touch panel. A device that emits a key touch sound to make the user confirm that a key input has been made has been put to practical use. As a means for confirming the key input, there is a method of changing the display content of the liquid crystal display screen by the key input, but
Intuitively, a means of appealing to the auditory sense of a key touch sound is effective.

[0003]

However, in the above-described method of confirming a key input by a key touch sound, there is a problem in that the key touch sound is difficult to hear due to ambient noise, which hinders operation. Also, in a mobile phone without a touch panel, an incoming call display vibrator (vibrator) that the mobile phone has when a numeric keypad or the like is pressed
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
As described in Japanese Patent No. 13507, there is no touch panel type input device that generates vibration by input.

[0004] Further, in a home video game machine and the like that vibrates a game operation controller connected from a main body by a cable, a liquid crystal display device with a touch panel is used in a portable game machine. There is no equipment provided, and the operation is performed solely by independent operation buttons, cross buttons, and the like. In order to increase the interest in the game, it has been a problem to realize a function of operating a portable game machine with a touch panel and vibrating the game machine itself by touch panel input.

The present invention has been made in view of such a background. In addition to providing input confirmation means for a touch panel which generates vibration by key touch, the input confirmation means utilizes whether or not an input valid area is present. The purpose of the present invention is to improve the user interface such as notifying a user or confirming the execution of an irreversible operation such as erasing data, and to provide a touch panel type input device having a new operation feeling when used in a game machine or the like. .

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal display unit (LCD), an LCD display control unit for controlling display of characters or figures displayed on the LCD, and A transparent touch panel disposed and capable of reading the display content of the LCD from above, a touch panel detecting section for detecting a pressing operation and a pressing position when a predetermined pressing operation is performed on the touch panel, and the touch panel detecting section A vibration unit that generates vibration according to the instruction and transmits the vibration to a fingertip; a vibration unit control unit that controls the driving of the vibration unit; and control of the touch panel detection unit, the LCD display control unit, and the vibration unit driving unit. And a touch panel type input device provided with a CPU for performing the above.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the time during which the vibration unit generates vibration can be set to a time during which the touch panel is pressed, or to a predetermined time. 1. A touch panel input device according to item 1.

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the vibration unit control section can arbitrarily set a vibration time, a vibration magnitude, or a vibration pattern in accordance with a pressing state of the touch panel. A touch panel type input device according to claim 1 or 2 is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the vibration unit control section determines whether or not a vibration is generated, a time of the vibration, or a time of the vibration depending on which area of the display screen the touch panel is pressed according to the display contents of the LCD. 4. A vibration pattern can be set arbitrarily.
A touch panel input device according to any one of the above.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the touch panel input device of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display device on a lower surface thereof and a vibration unit for generating vibration.
The vibration magnitude and vibration pattern of the vibration unit
It can be set in advance, and can be set in conjunction with the time when the touch panel is pressed. Also, depending on the display content displayed by the liquid crystal display device on the lower surface of the touch panel, the presence / absence of vibration, vibration time, and vibration pattern can be arbitrarily set depending on which area of the display screen the touch panel is pressed.

[0011]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a touch panel input device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The components will be described with reference to FIG. Symbol 1 is
Although a touch panel is used here, a resistive analog touch panel is used, but any type of touch panel may be used. It may be a digital type.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a liquid crystal display unit (LCD). The display contents of the LCD 2 can be read from above through the transparent touch panel 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes a vibration unit, the structure of which will be described later. Reference numeral 5 denotes a touch panel detection unit that detects pressing of a touch panel and detection of a pressed position. 6 is an LCD display control unit,
The display of characters and graphics to be displayed on D2 is controlled. Reference numeral 7 denotes a vibration unit driving unit that controls driving of the vibration unit 3. Control vibration time, vibration magnitude and vibration pattern.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a central processing unit (CPU), which is a touch panel detecting unit 5, the LCD display control unit 6, the vibration unit driving unit 7, and other devices equipped with the present input device (not shown). Performs overall control combining parts. The touch panel 1, the LCD 2, and the vibration unit 3 are separately illustrated in FIG. 1 for explanation, but are actually configured to be in close contact with each other with the LCD 2 interposed therebetween, as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the structure of a vibration unit used in the present invention. The components in this figure will be described. Reference numeral 21 denotes a motor, 22 denotes a rotation axis of the motor, 23 denotes a weight having an asymmetric shape with respect to the axis, 24 denotes a screw hole for mounting,
Reference numeral 25 denotes a lead for supplying a drive current to the motor 21. When the motor 21 is rotated, the weight 23
As a result, vibration occurs. When the driving current is increased, the magnitude of the vibration is also increased.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention. The components in FIG. 3 will be described. Reference numeral 1 denotes the above-described touch panel, 2 denotes the above-described LCD, and 3 denotes the above-described vibration unit. Reference numeral 8 denotes a frame for supporting the input device of this embodiment. This frame need not be metal. Reference numeral 9 denotes a spring, and in this embodiment, L
A total of four are used at the four lower corners of the CD2. This spring is
It is necessary to vibrate only the portion of the input device independently of the device on which the input device is mounted. However, when applied to a portable game machine, this spring can be omitted because the game machine body may vibrate other than the touch panel surface of the input device. Reference numeral 10 denotes a decorative plate.

Next, the operation of the first application example of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen displayed on the input device of the present invention. This screen requires the user to enter a password. The only items that can be pressed on this screen are 1, 2,
..., Only in the square area where the number 0 is displayed.

In FIG. 1, when the user presses the surface of the touch panel 1, the touch panel detecting section 5 detects that a touch input has been made on the touch panel, and the position on the touch panel (the position on the X and Y coordinates) at which the touch was pressed. Is detected. Description of the detection method is omitted because it is a known technique. Touch panel detection section 5 notifies central processing unit (CPU) 4 of the detected information. In the CPU 4, the position of the character / graphic displayed on the LCD 2 by the CPU 4 via the LCD display control unit 6 (the position on the X and Y coordinates, which is equal to the position on the touch panel 1) is notified from the touch panel detection unit 5. Compare the positions. As a result of the comparison, if the pressed position on the touch panel 1 is within the rectangular area where the numbers 1, 2,..., 0 are displayed, the vibration unit 3 is caused to vibrate by the vibration unit driving unit 7. Issue instructions.

When the effective area is pressed, an instruction is issued to vibrate for a short time (for example, 0.5 seconds). The vibration unit driving unit 7 is set at 0.5 to the vibration unit 3.
The vibration unit 3 for supplying a drive current for seconds has a structure shown in FIG. 2. When a drive current is supplied from a lead wire 25 in FIG. 2, the rotating shaft 22 of the motor 21 rotates. Since the weight 23 is asymmetric with respect to the rotation shaft 22, vibration occurs. The motor 21 uses a screw hole for mounting, and
Because it is firmly fixed to the lower surface of CD2 with screws,
The vibration is transmitted to the surface of the touch panel 1 through the LCD 2. Since the user's finger is touching the surface of the touch panel 1, this vibration is transmitted to the user's finger, and the user can know that the correct area has been pressed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the input device of the present invention is supported by a spring 9. This spring is necessary to vibrate only the portion of the input device independent of the device on which the input device is mounted. If the pressed position on the touch panel 1 is not within the rectangular area where the numbers 1, 2,...
U4 does not issue a vibration instruction to the vibration unit drive unit 7.
The user can know that the area is invalid because there is no reaction of pressing.

Next, the operation of the second application example will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 shows an example of a screen displayed on the input device of the present invention. This screen requests the user to select one of three types of processing: data saving, data erasing, and all data erasing. What is valid when pressed on this screen is only in the three horizontally long rectangular areas where the numbers 1, 2, and 3 and the instruction are displayed.

When the user presses the inside of the rectangular area of "1. Save this data", the vibration unit is vibrated for a short time (for example, 0.5 second) in the same manner as in the first application example.

When the rectangular area of "2. Erase this data" is pressed, since the data once erased cannot be restored, the vibration unit is vibrated for a slightly longer time (for example, two seconds) for the purpose of giving a warning. The CPU 4 in FIG. 1 issues a vibration instruction to the vibration unit driving unit 7 for 2 seconds. After this vibration, although not shown, the screen is switched through the LCD display control unit 6 and [Data is erased. Is it OK. "Yes" or "No"] is displayed.

When the user presses the inside of the rectangular area of "3. Erase all data", the user is seriously damaged if all data is erased by mistake, and a warning is issued to the user. The first CPU 4 issues a vibration instruction to the vibration unit driving section 7 with a larger vibration than before.
Although not shown, switch the screen and select [Erase all data. System operation will not be able to continue. Are you sure? "Yes" or "No"] is displayed. Next, the vibration is continued until the user presses any of “Yes” and “No”.

The vibration unit driving section 7 includes the vibration unit 3
By causing a larger driving current to flow, larger vibration can be generated. If any other area than the three horizontally long rectangular areas is pressed, no vibration is generated.

Next, the operation of the third applied example will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 shows an example of a display screen when the input device of the present invention is applied to a portable game machine. In this screen, the user (player) has a mission to destroy the enemy fortress with a missile. In FIG.
2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are enemy fortresses. Fortresses may hide nuclear weapons, conventional weapons, or food, but some are forged and empty.

The player must quickly destroy the enemy fortress in the game screen that changes every moment. The attack is performed by touching the touch panel on the screen with a fingertip. When the player touches the hidden fortress of a conventional weapon, the player shakes the bull, bull, and bull three times with medium vibration to notify the player of the result of the attack.
If you touch the fortress that has hidden nuclear weapons, you will be buzzing! It vibrates the first small and the last large to inform the big result.

If the user touches the food storage, the user is caused to vibrate in a short time with a moderate amount of vibration. If you touch the camouflaged fortress, make it vibrate very shortly. If you touch a place other than the fortress, it will not vibrate. As described above, in this example, the amount of bodily sensation information to the player is increased by changing the vibration pattern. As described above, the pattern is changed using the time, the magnitude of the vibration, the intermittent vibration, and the continuous change in the magnitude of the vibration. The magnitude of the vibration can be controlled by the magnitude of the current supplied to the vibration unit.

When the present invention is applied to a portable game machine, the vibration transmitted to the entire game machine rather enhances the interest in the game. Therefore, the support structure of the input device by the spring shown in FIG. Absent.

To summarize the above, when the user presses the touch panel, the touch panel detects this,
Vibrates the vibration unit. The vibration of the vibration unit causes the entire input device to vibrate, and the vibration is transmitted to the user's finger. The user can know the reaction of the input by experiencing the vibration transmitted to his / her finger. When the touch panel is pressed, the touch panel can be caused to vibrate for a certain period of time, or can be vibrated only for a time period when the touch panel is pressed.

Further, the magnitude of the vibration can be set in advance, and can be set to a magnitude at which the vibration can be recognized, or can be set to be large enough to surprise the user. While the button is pressed, the vibration can be increased gradually, or it can be set so as to change the magnitude of the vibration depending on the operation step.

Further, when the display content displayed on the liquid crystal display device on the lower surface of the touch panel is, for example, an icon of an operation button or the like, if the correct button is pressed in the current operation step, a short vibration is caused, and It can be set to vibrate for a long time when the button is pressed. The long vibration allows the operator to know the erroneous operation.
This is an analogy that the key touch sound is short for a correct input and long for a subsequent input, and is an operation interface that is easy for the user to understand. When applied to a game machine, it can be made to increase the interest in the game, such as generating a large vibration when an operation to hit the opponent is performed on the touch panel.

The operation of one embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and a design change or the like may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. The present invention is also included in the present invention.

[0033]

As described above, the first effect of the present invention is that a user can confirm a key touch even in an environment where it is difficult to hear a key touch sound. The reason is that the touch panel surface vibrates at the time of key touch, and this is transmitted to the user's finger, so that the key touch can be visually confirmed.

The second effect is that the user can confirm the key touch even in a hearing impaired person who cannot hear the key touch sound. The reason is that the touch panel surface vibrates at the time of key touch, and this is transmitted to the user's finger, so that the key touch can be visually confirmed.

The third effect is that the key touch area can be used for issuing a warning. The reason is that the vibration pattern (magnitude of vibration, time, etc.) can be selectively changed by detecting the touch position and comparing the display contents.

A fourth effect is that when applied to a game machine such as a portable game machine, the interest in the game is increased more than when only the display contents and sound of the screen are used. The reason is that an effective vibration pattern can be used depending on the touch position according to the content of the game.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a touch panel input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a vibration unit according to the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a first application example by the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a second application example by the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a third application example by the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 touch panel 2 liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 3 vibration unit 4 central processing unit (CPU) 5 touch panel detection unit 6 LCD display control unit 7 vibration unit drive unit 8 frame 9 spring 10 decorative panel DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Motor 22 ... Rotating axis 23 ... Weight 24 ... Mounting screw hole 25 ... Lead wire

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A liquid crystal display unit (LCD), an LCD display control unit for controlling display of characters or graphics to be displayed on the LCD, and disposed above the LCD to read display contents of the LCD from above. A touch panel that can perform a press detection and a press position detection when a predetermined press operation is performed on the touch panel; and a vibration generated by an instruction of the touch panel detection unit to generate the vibration at a fingertip. A vibration unit for transmitting, a vibration unit control unit for controlling the drive of the vibration unit, and a touch panel type input device comprising: a CPU for controlling the touch panel detection unit, the LCD display control unit, and the vibration unit drive unit . 2. The touch panel type input device according to claim 1, wherein a time during which the vibration unit generates vibration can be set to a time during which the touch panel is pressed or to a predetermined time. apparatus. 3. The vibration unit control unit according to claim 1, wherein the vibration time, the magnitude of the vibration, or the vibration pattern can be arbitrarily set according to a pressing state of the touch panel. The touch panel type input device according to the above. 4. The vibration unit control section can arbitrarily set presence / absence of vibration, vibration time, or vibration pattern depending on which area of the display screen the touch panel is pressed according to the display content of the LCD. The touch panel type input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: