JP2000357045A - Touch panel type input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel type input device capable of easily performing input operation intended by an operator while effectively utilizing the display ability of an input picture even when plural operating keys are adjacently displayed. SOLUTION: When the presence of touch input is judged in a step S901, the touch panel type input device detects a finger size (X, Y) in a step S902. Then, the detected result is discriminated in steps S903, S906 and S909 and corresponding to the discriminated result, a suitable reaction area size is set in a step S908 or S911 without changing an input range.

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, and more particularly to a touch panel type input device for improving input operability when a plurality of operation keys are displayed adjacent to each other.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an input device using a touch panel has been known. In this method, a touch panel is provided on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying various operation keys, and an input instruction is given by touching a touch panel portion corresponding to the operation key with a finger or the like. Since input is possible by just touching the display screen with your finger,
This touch panel type input device is widely used in image processing devices such as copiers, bank terminals, operation panels of industrial measurement systems, and the like.

[0003] In recent years, with the multifunctionality and sophistication of various devices using input devices, the amount of information for input has increased, and the number of operation items, which are options for the operator to operate, has increased. ing. In order to display a large number of operation items on one screen, the area of various operation keys on the display screen is inevitably reduced, and the operation keys are very adjacent to each other.

For this reason, when any one of the adjacent operation keys is input, a finger touches a key different from the conscious key, and an unintended input instruction is given by a reaction of the different key. I often give it. In this case, the operator has to make the input again. In order to avoid this, it is necessary to perform the input work with great care, and it cannot be said that the input device is convenient for the operator. This is a problem that cannot be ignored especially for an operator having a large finger size.

In view of such a problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
1775 proposes a technique in which a plurality of operation keys on a display screen are arranged with at least one row of key intervals in the front-rear direction with respect to an operator.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-83537 proposes a technique for setting an input range according to the size of a finger of an input operator. In this configuration, a touch panel type input device is provided with a control device for setting a display input range in accordance with the size of a finger or the like input by touch. In other words, when the operator touches the touch panel and inputs the size of the finger, the control device sets the optimum input range for the input finger size, and displays the optimum input range on the display device. It is displayed and input is made.

For example, when the finger size is standard, FIG.
When the normal display shown in FIG. 2A is performed and the size of the finger is large, an enlarged display in which the input range and the interval between the input ranges are enlarged as shown in FIG. 12B is performed.

[0008]

However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-191 discloses a technique of simply increasing the interval between operation keys.
In the technique of 757, since the amount of information that can be displayed at one time on an input screen having a fixed area is limited, there has been a problem that a large amount of information, that is, operation items cannot be displayed at one time. Therefore, in order to display a certain amount of operation items required for input, it is necessary to divide the input operation into multiple stages, which makes the operation very complicated for the operator.

Alternatively, in order to secure a certain amount of information, it is conceivable to reduce the size of various operation keys to secure the interval between the keys. There is a problem that the screen itself is difficult to see. For this reason, not only the design property is impaired, but also the operability is impaired.

The same problem as described above also occurs in the technique of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 6-83537 in which the inputtable range is changed according to the size of the operator's finger. In other words, in order to enable enlarged display for an operator with a large finger size on a screen having the same area as the screen for performing normal display, operation items that can be temporarily displayed on the input screen inevitably decrease. Become. For this reason, multi-step operation of input is required, and operability is deteriorated.

In addition, since the normal display and the enlarged display are performed on the same screen, there arises a problem that the display balance of the screen is deteriorated in terms of design.

The present invention has been conceived in order to solve such problems of the prior art, and has as its object to display a plurality of input ranges adjacently while maximizing the display capability of an input screen. An object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel type input device that can easily realize an input operation intended by an operator even when the input operation is performed.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, a touch panel type input device according to the present invention comprises: a size detecting means for detecting a size of an object on which a touch input has been performed;
A reaction area size setting unit configured to set an input reaction area size in the input range in accordance with a detection result of the size detection unit while keeping an input range displayed on the input display screen constant.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a touch panel type input device capable of easily realizing an input operation intended by an operator even when a plurality of input ranges are displayed adjacent to each other. In addition, since the input range itself on the input screen does not change, the display capability of the input screen can be maximized.

[0015]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 including a touch panel type input device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 generally includes an image reading device 100 provided at an upper portion and an image recording device 200 provided at a lower portion.

In this embodiment, an operation panel 300 for an operator to input an instruction for setting an operation mode, starting copying, and the like to the image forming apparatus 1 is installed upward as shown in the figure. .

The image reading apparatus 100 includes a document feeder 500 for feeding a document and reversing the front and back as needed, and a scanning system 1 for reading the document and converting it to an analog image signal.
0, an image signal processing device 20 for processing an analog image signal sent from the scanning system 10, and an image signal processing device 2
It is composed of an image storage unit 30 for storing digital image data sent from 0.

The image recording apparatus 200 includes a print processing section 40 for driving a semiconductor laser 61 based on digital image data sent from the image storage section 30, and a semiconductor laser 6.
An optical system 6 for guiding the laser beam from
0, an image forming system 70 for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 71 with toner, transferring the toner image onto a sheet to form an image, and storing a sheet for recording an image. The paper feed cassette 80, a re-supply unit 600 for re-supplying the paper to the transfer position, a paper discharge tray 90, and the like are provided.

Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 will be described. First, an original is set on the original transport unit 500 and a copy start command is issued from the operation panel 300. Then
The first document set on the document transport unit 500 is transported to a document reading position on the glass plate of the scanning system 10. Then, the scanning system 10 reads the image of the document as an analog image signal.

The analog image signal obtained by this reading is converted into digital data in the image processing section 20 and then subjected to processing such as scaling if necessary.
The digital image data on which the image processing has been performed as described above is transmitted to the image storage unit 30, where it is temporarily stored.

The optical system 6 is based on the digital image data sent from the image storage unit 30 by the print processing unit 40.
The 0 semiconductor laser 61 is driven to output a laser beam.

The laser light exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 71 charged by the charging charger 72 via the polygon mirror 65 and the like to form an electrostatic latent image.
The electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 73 and appears on the photosensitive drum 71 as a toner image.

In synchronization with this, the lower sheet cassette 80
Is fed to the transfer position via the timing roller 74, where the toner image on the photosensitive drum 71 is transferred to the sheet by the transfer charger 75. Then, the toner image is fixed on the sheet, and the sheet is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 90.

In the case of double-sided copying, the resupply unit 60
At 0, the sheet is turned upside down and fed again to the transfer position.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an operation panel 300 for inputting an operation mode setting, copying start, and the like in the image forming apparatus 1.

The operation panel 300 includes a start key 301 for instructing the start of operation, a numeric key 302 for inputting a numerical value of the number of copies, a clear key 303 for clearing the input numerical value, and the like. Each hard key such as a stop key 304 for instructing to stop the operation and a panel reset key 305 for initializing the set operation mode, and various operation modes (approximately left half of the panel) And an LCD 404 for displaying the operation items on the screen.

On the surface of the LCD 404, for example, a touch panel 408 of a transparent conductive film type (resistance change type)
Is installed.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing a control system of the operation panel 300. As shown in FIG.
U401 is a display unit, an input unit, and a CP of the operation panel 300.
ROM for storing programs executed in U401
412, a RAM 413 that stores the set operation mode, the state of the operation panel 300, and the like, and a main body control unit 414.

Accordingly, the CPU 401 transmits and receives information input on the operation panel 300 and the state of the main body control unit 414 via the communication line,
The display unit and the input unit of 00 are controlled.

The display of the operation panel 300 has an LCD 404 for displaying operation items for setting various modes.
V for storing data to be displayed on LCD 404
LCD controller 402 for controlling RAM 403 and LCD 404, LC for illuminating LCD 404 from the back
D backlight 406 and LCD backlight 406
An LCD display unit comprising a power supply 407 for supplying power to the
LED (Light Emitting Diode) for displaying simple status
410.

The input unit includes a touch panel 408 mounted on the LCD 404, hard keys 409 such as a start key 301 and a numeric keypad 302, and a buzzer 411 for generating a warning sound.

The LCD backlight 406, LED 410, touch panel 408, hard key 409, and buzzer 411 are connected to the CPU 401 via a parallel I / O 405 for controlling input / output.

Next, a CPU for controlling the operation panel 300
The operation of 401 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the CPU 401.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the program is started by turning on the power of image forming apparatus 1 or the like, first, in step S401, initial settings of CPU 401 such as clearing of RAM 413 and setting of various registers are performed. Subsequently, in step S402, the image forming apparatus 1
Of the operation mode is performed.

Next, in step S403, the CPU 401
The built-in timer is started. The value of this timer is stored in the ROM 401 in advance, and set to that value at the time of the initial setting in step S401.

Subsequently, at step S404, the LCD 40
4 and the display of the LED 410 are performed. In step S405, an input process of controlling the input to the touch panel 408 and the hard keys 409 is performed.
Then, in step S406, other processing (processing other than the above processing) is performed, and in step S407,
The process waits for the end of the timer counting started in step S403. If the counting of the timer is completed, that is, if the determination in step S407 is Yes, step S4
03, and the processing up to step S407 is repeated.

The subroutine of the display process (step S404) in the main routine will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S501, the main body control unit 414 of the image forming apparatus 1
It is determined whether or not a request to change the lighting state of 410 has been issued. The request to change the lighting state is issued when the state in which the LED 410 should be turned on changes due to a change in the operation state of the image forming apparatus 1 or the progress of the input operation on the operation panel 300.

When there is a request to change the lighting state,
In the case of Yes, in step S502, the lighting of the LED 410 is changed in accordance with the request, and the process proceeds to step S503. If there is no rewrite request, that is, if No, the process directly proceeds to step S503.

Then, in step S503, the main body control unit 414 of the image forming apparatus 1
It is determined whether a rewrite request of No. 4 has been issued. This rewrite request is also caused by a change in the operation state of the image forming apparatus 1 or the progress of the input operation of the operation panel 300, and
Emitted when the state of the CD 404 to be displayed changes.

When there is a rewrite request, that is, Yes
In step S504, the display content of the LCD 404 is changed in accordance with the request in step S504, and the subroutine of FIG. 5 ends. If there is no rewrite request,
That is, in the case of No, the subroutine ends as it is,
It returns to the main routine of FIG. Then, step S40
The process proceeds to the input process of No. 5.

FIG. 6 shows the input processing of FIG. 4 (step S40).
It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of 5). First, in step S601, a finger size detection process is performed. This is because, when a touch input is performed on any of the operation keys displayed on the touch panel 408, the size of the touched finger is detected, and processing such as switching of the reaction area size is performed based on the detection result of the finger size. It is to do.

Next, in step S602, a hard key input process is performed. This is start key 3
It detects the presence or absence of a hard key input such as 01 or a numeric keypad 302, and if the input is detected, performs processing in accordance with the content of the instruction.

Then, in step S603, input processing of the touch panel is performed. That is, when a touch input is made, control is performed based on an operation key corresponding to the touch position. Then, thereafter, the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 4 and proceeds to other processes of step S406.

FIG. 7 shows a finger size detection process (step S).
FIG. 601) is a diagram for explaining the detection principle. The resistance change type touch panel is made by stacking two transparent conductive films in which resistors are arranged in parallel at regular intervals, with an insulating spacer interposed between them so that the resistors form a matrix in the XY directions. It is. Therefore, as shown in the figure, when the touch panel is viewed from the front, it looks as if the resistors are arranged at regular intervals in a matrix in the XY directions. Then, when the operator touches any location on the coordinates, the resistance value changes, and the resistance value is scanned and measured to obtain a touch position (for example, X2 and Y5) which is an intersection of the resistor.
Can be found.

In this case, if the matrix is formed at intervals smaller than the finger size, it becomes possible to recognize the size of the finger in a pseudo manner by detecting a plurality of touch positions.
According to the example of this figure, since the finger touches eight touch positions X2-X9 in the X direction and seven touch positions Y3-Y9 in the Y direction, the finger size (X, Y) is (8, Y). 7).

FIG. 8 shows an example of the reaction area size according to the size of the operator's finger. The solid line frame indicates the size of the operation key as an input range, and the broken line frame indicates the size of the reaction area in which the input is valid. The hatched portion indicates a non-reaction area.

For example, when the finger size (X, Y) is (3, 3)
If it is determined to be the following, as shown in FIG. 8A, the reaction area size is set to “large” and set to match the key size. When it is determined that the finger size (X, Y) is not less than (4, 4) and not more than (7, 7), the reaction area size is set to "medium" as shown in FIG. It is set slightly smaller than the key size. When it is determined that the finger size (X, Y) is equal to or larger than (8, 8), the reaction area size is set to “small” as shown in FIG. , Are set smaller.

When the values of X and Y of the finger size (X, Y) are different, the reaction area size is determined based on the larger value. Therefore, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 7, since the finger size is (8, 7), the X component is used as a reference, and it is determined that the finger size is not less than (8, 8).
(C) The reaction area size is set to small.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the finger size detection process (step S601) in FIG. This figure corresponds to the case of FIG. 8 showing an example of the reaction area size according to the size of the operator's finger.

First, in step S901, it is determined whether a touch input has been made on touch panel 408. When it is determined that there is no touch input, that is, in the case of No,
The subroutine ends.

If it is determined that there is a touch input, that is, if Yes, the finger size (X, Y) is detected from the coordinates of the detected touch position in step S902. Then, in step S903, it is determined whether the finger size (X, Y) is equal to or less than (3, 3).

If Yes in step S903, that is,
If the finger size (X, Y) is equal to or less than (3, 3), the finger size is registered in step S904, and in step S905, the response area size matches the key size in FIG. Area size is set to "large".
Then, the subroutine ends.

If No in step S903, that is, if the finger size (X, Y) is not smaller than (3, 3), in step S906, the finger size (X, Y) is (7,
7) It is determined whether or not:

If Yes in step S906, that is,
If the finger size (X, Y) is not less than (4, 4) and not more than (7, 7), the finger size is registered in step S907, and in step S908, the reaction area is slightly smaller than the key size. (B) “Reaction area is medium”
Is set to Then, the subroutine ends.

If No in step S906, that is, if the finger size (X, Y) is not smaller than (7, 7), in step S909, the finger size (X, Y) is set to (8, Y).
8) It is determined whether or not this is the case.

If Yes in step S909, ie,
If the finger size (X, Y) is equal to or more than (8, 8), the finger size is registered in step S910, and in step S911, the "reaction area" of FIG. Set to "small size".
Then, the subroutine ends.

If No in step S909, that is, if the finger size (X, Y) is not equal to or more than (8, 8), it is determined that the finger size (X, Y) has been detected incorrectly, and the process returns to step S909.
Returning to step 901, the processing for detecting the finger size (X, Y) is performed again.

In this manner, the finger size detection processing (step S601) of setting the reaction area size based on the finger size detection result is performed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the touch panel input processing (step S603) in FIG. As shown in the figure, first, in step S1001, it is determined whether or not a touch input has been made on the touch panel 408. If it is determined that there is no touch input, that is, if No, the subroutine ends and returns to the main routine.

In this case, since the determination of the presence or absence of a touch input in step S901 of the finger size detection process (FIG. 9) is always the same, that is, No,
Assuming that there is no input instruction from the touch panel 408,
Returning to the main routine of FIG.

If it is determined in step S1001 that a touch input has been made, that is, if Yes, step S1001 is executed.
At 1002, it is determined whether the coordinates of the position where the touch input has been made are within the reaction area.

When it is determined that the touch input is within the reaction area, that is, in the case of Yes, the touch input is validated in step S1003. That is, the input instruction corresponding to the operation key is treated as being selected, and the instruction is executed.

If it is determined that the vehicle is not within the reaction area,
That is, in the case of No, the touch input is invalidated in step S1004. That is, the input instruction corresponding to the operation key is treated as not being selected, and the instruction is ignored. Then, step S100
After the processing of step 3 or step S1004 is performed, the subroutine ends and returns to the main routine.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when a plurality of operation keys are adjacent to each other, even if a finger or the like touches an adjacent operation key that is not intended to be input, if the reaction area is not touched. The input is invalidated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an unintended operation of the image forming apparatus due to an erroneous input instruction and a situation in which re-input is required.
In particular, for an operator with a large finger size, the finger often touches an adjacent operation key, so that the troublesomeness of requiring careful attention can be resolved and the input operability can be greatly improved.

Further, since the size of each operation key, which is the input range to be displayed, does not change, the display balance of the touch panel is good, and the design problem which cannot be ignored in operation can be solved. .

In the present embodiment, the reaction area size is divided into three stages as shown in FIGS.
The present invention is not limited to these three stages, and can be changed at any stage within the display input range (within the size of the operation key).

The reference finger sizes (X, Y) for setting the reaction area size are (3, 3), (7, 7)
, X = Y, but X> Y or X <
It may be Y. Also in this case, the detected finger size X
The reaction area size is set based on the larger value of the component and the Y component.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9 and the like, in the present embodiment, the setting of the reaction area size is performed for each operation, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the reaction area size may be set only when a certain period has elapsed.

In the subroutine of the finger size detection process (step S601) shown in FIG. 11, first, in step S1100, it is determined whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed since the last touch input. If the fixed period has not elapsed, that is, if No, the subroutine ends. Therefore, the reaction area size set previously is used in the determination process (step S1002) in FIG.

If the predetermined period has elapsed, that is, if No is determined in step S1100, the process proceeds to step S1100.
The process proceeds to 901. Hereinafter, the finger size detection processing from step S901 to step S911 described with reference to FIG. 9 is performed. Therefore, only when a certain period has elapsed since the last touch input, the finger size (X, Y) is detected again and the reaction area size is set accordingly. Then, this reaction area size is used in the determination process (step S1002) in FIG.

As described above, besides the fact that the reaction area size is set only when a certain period has elapsed, for example,
Only when there is a touch input at a certain place on the touch panel, the size of the finger or the like may be detected and the reaction area size may be set.

In this embodiment, the touch panel type input device is used for the image forming apparatus. However, the touch panel type input device may be used for other OA equipment, a bank terminal, and the like.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the touch input with a finger as in the present embodiment, but also includes a case where a coordinate touch input device using something other than a finger such as a touch pen is used.

The embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects, and should not be considered as limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an operation panel 300.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing a control system of an operation panel 300.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a main routine of a CPU 401.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a display process (step S404) in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the input process (step S405) of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a touch panel for explaining a detection principle in a finger size detection process (step S601).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a reaction area size according to the size of an operator's finger.

FIG. 9 shows the finger size detection process of FIG. 6 (step S60).
It is a flowchart which showed the subroutine of 1).

FIG. 10 shows a touch panel input process of FIG. 6 (step S6);
It is a flowchart which showed the subroutine of 03).

FIG. 11 is a process for detecting the size of a finger in FIG. 6 (step S60);
5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of 1) (when setting a reaction area size only after a certain period of time has elapsed).

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an input range of the touch panel input device according to the size of a finger.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Image Forming Apparatus 300 Operation Panel 401 CPU 404 LCD 408 Touch Panel 410 LED 414 Main Body Control Unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Naotaka Funagawa 2-3-113 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Inside the Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Tomoji Tanaka Inventor 2-chome Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City No. 3-13 Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5B068 AA05 AA22 BE06 CC01 CD01 5B087 AA09 AB02 CC01 CC05 CC26 DD09

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A touch panel type input device for performing a touch input by touching an input range displayed on a display device with an object, wherein: a size detecting means for detecting a size of the object to which the touch input has been performed; A reaction area size setting means for setting a reaction area size within the displayed input range in accordance with the detection result of the size of the object by the size detection means while keeping the input range constant. Input device.