JP2001282433A - Display input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display input device in which keys can flexibly be arranged like a touch panel with a simple structure and control and positions of keys can be recognized with a tactile perception, and also which is easily and viscerally operated by a user. SOLUTION: A display input part 2 of the display input device 1 is constituted by two-dimensionally arranging plural display input modules 3 having image display parts in the rectangular shape, etc., on their top surfaces. Each display input module 3 is provided with a push key switch function by depression and displays a key icon image on its image display part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to public information equipment such as automatic ticket vending machines for railways, ATMs for banks, and information providing terminals.
The present invention relates to a display input device having a display and input function, which can be used as a user interface of an information device such as a copy machine or a facsimile, and enables a user to provide input means by intuitive operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, touch panel displays have been frequently used as user interfaces for performing display output and selection input in computer terminals and automatic ticket vending machines. By changing the screen display on the touch panel, it has become possible to provide a flexible input interface that could not be achieved with an input device using a conventional push button or the like.

[0003] In a touch panel display, an icon imitating a button is displayed so as to appear three-dimensionally by means of shading a screen that is originally flat, or a sound corresponding to an input is output, so that a sense of incongruity is obtained. A device has been devised to allow input.

However, in reality, (1) even if pressed, it does not dent like an actual push button switch, so it is not possible to judge whether the input has been correctly performed from the feel of the finger, and it is intuitively understood. It is not easy to use, and it is unfriendly to elderly people who are not used to it.

[0005] (2) Even if it is possible to recognize that the finger can be pressed, it is difficult to accurately press the target position, for example, when the movement of the finger is difficult because there is no unevenness as a clue, or (3) For the same reason, it is difficult to determine whether the input has been correctly received.

(4) In the case of an actual push button switch, an input is made only when the button is pressed down to an appropriate position. However, in the case of a touch panel, the input is completed only by touching lightly, so that an erroneous input is likely to occur.

(5) For the visually impaired, it is difficult to know where the button is located, and the button cannot be used at all for the reason (4).

[0008] There is such a disadvantage.

As a solution to this, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 9-17278 and 11-327756, a button having a thickness and elasticity is provided on the upper surface of a touch panel display to provide a clue for the button position without relying on visual perception. In addition to this, operability that is intuitive and easy to understand is realized by giving a click feeling or the like when pressed.

In these techniques, the number and arrangement of buttons are not changed regardless of the display contents of the touch panel.
Further, in the -332601, an element whose thickness can be changed arbitrarily is arranged on the upper surface or the lower surface of the display for displaying a screen, and unevenness is changed according to the display, thereby enabling a three-dimensional display, and a button arrangement similar to a touch panel display The layout flexibility, button position recognition, and intuitive operability are both compatible.

[0011]

However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
According to the technology of −332601, a device for changing the thickness is arranged between flexible sheets,
The drawbacks are that it is difficult to provide unevenness having a clear step or a height difference, an image appears distorted on the boundary of unevenness, and visibility is poor.

Further, since the unevenness control method of changing the thickness of the element in accordance with the signal detected by the contact sensor arranged on the display surface is employed, complicated control is required to adjust the thickness of each element. On the other hand, it is necessary to eliminate the time-lag between the user's pressing operation and the change in thickness, and the effects that cause the user to feel uncomfortable, such as the inability to obtain a clear click feeling. Have difficulty.

[0013]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above problems, it is possible to lay out a flexible button arrangement with a simple structure and control,
In order to realize an input interface in which a button position can be recognized by touch and which is intuitive and intuitive to a user, the present invention employs the following means. (A) A plurality of screens arranged in a plane And a display input module.

(B) Each of the display input modules is provided with a display device capable of displaying an image on the entire surface.

(C) Each of the display input modules is provided with a spring or the like at a lower portion thereof, so that the display input module can be pressed by pressing the surface, and the input by the press is sensed.

(D) In order to realize the second and third aspects, each of the display input modules is variably disabled from being pressed, or is fixed to a position at the time of pressing the display input module. Provide a mechanism.

(E) In order to realize claim 4, a contact sensor is provided on the surface of each display input module. (F) To realize claim 6, display input modules adjacent to each display input module are connected to each other. Provide a mechanism to perform.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The display input unit 2 of the display input device 1 is the same as that shown in FIG.
The display input module 3 has a rectangular shape as shown in FIG.

In the display input module 3, a backlight 4, a liquid crystal panel 5, and a fiber lens 6 are arranged as shown in FIG. In the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 5, light from the backlight 4 passes through the panel, is enlarged through a fiber lens, and is projected on a display surface. This can also be realized by combining an LED panel, an organic EL panel, an optical lens, a mat surface screen, and the like in place of the above 4 to 6.

In addition, a transparent touch sensor 7 is provided on the display surface of the display input module 3 so as to provide a function for explaining a button when the user touches the button. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the display input module 3 allows vertical movement by pressing and as shown in FIG.
The coil spring 9 is arranged at the lower part, and is supported on all sides by the guide 10, so that it moves up and down within a certain range along the guide, and returns to the original height when the pressed finger is released due to the elasticity of the spring. . It is also possible to use elastic rubber, a leaf spring, or the like instead of the coil spring 9.

In order to fix a module which cannot be depressed in this display / input device, one or more actuators 11 are provided in a guide 10 for one module 3 as shown in FIG. Is moved horizontally to penetrate the module 3, and the module 3
The vertical position is fixed.

In order to fix the non-pressable module 3 at a lower position than the pressable module 3, one or more electromagnets 13 are provided for one module 3, and the corresponding iron piece 14 is attached to the module 3. Provided at the bottom, when the module is set to not be pressed, energize the electromagnet,
Adsorb iron pieces. Furthermore, if the pin 10 is inserted by the actuator 11 at the pressed position of the module 3 after the attraction by the electromagnet, it is not necessary to always supply the power.

In order to press two or more modules together in the present display input device, as shown in FIG.
As described above, the module is provided with a pin that is moved by the actuator 11 and penetrates into an adjacent module, so that the module can be integrally moved up and down. In the present display input device, in order to allow the user to visually recognize the pressable module 31 as a push button, as shown in FIG.
Is displayed on the entire surface of the module 3. In the present display input device, as shown in FIG.
1, the button icon 15 is displayed, and the non-pressable module 30 is fixed at a lower position than the pressable module 31, so that the user can intuitively recognize the function as a push button and visually recognize the function. The position of the push button can be identified without relying on it. Further, in the present display input device, as shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to display a large-sized button icon 15 extending over a plurality of modules 31 according to the importance of the function of the button.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for realizing a function for explaining the operation of the button when the user touches the button. Instead of the contact sensing by the touch sensor, an explanation function can be provided when the button is shallow, and an input function can be provided when the button is deep, depending on the depth of the button press.

Although the module 3 has a rectangular shape as the first embodiment of the present invention, an embodiment in which the module 3 has a triangular or hexagonal shape as shown in FIGS. Can be By providing such a module shape and making a button in which a plurality of modules are combined, it is possible to design an interface design that is more varied and easier for the user to understand.

[0027]

According to the present invention, the display input module arranged on the plane can be variably used as a button for input. As a result, (1) it becomes easier to suggest to the user the range in which input can be made, depending on whether the button can be pressed or whether it is uneven.

(2) Since the input is performed only when the button is pressed and the button is depressed, it becomes easy for the user to intuitively understand whether the input has been correctly received.

(3) Similarly, since no input is made unless the button is depressed, it is possible to avoid inputting only by touching the surface, and it is easy to avoid erroneous operation by the user.

(4) The function of the button is explained by touching or half-pressing the button, so that the user can easily perform a complicated operation.

(5) The position, number, size and the like of the buttons can be flexibly set, so that the versatility is high.

(6) By arranging the display input modules adjacent to each other, it is possible to provide a continuous display with a sense of unity over the entire screen. In addition, a display with high visibility is possible.

As is clear from the above description, this display / input device can provide a flexible input screen layout according to the situation, similarly to the touch panel display. In addition to this, it is possible to give the user an intuitive operation feeling and prevent erroneous input, as compared with the touch panel display. In addition, by giving the height difference to the button position module, the button position can be easily determined even by a blind person, and furthermore, it assists the operation of a blind person and the elderly, etc. It is possible to operate.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display input unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the display input module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a fixing mechanism of the display input module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a coupling mechanism of a plurality of display input modules according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a button display example according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an example of a button display according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a button display example according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an operation of a button explanation function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a display input unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a display input unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 display input device, 2 display input unit, 3 display input module, 4 backlight, 5 liquid crystal panel, 6 fiber lens, 7 touch sensor, 8 power supply / signal line, 9 coil spring, 10 guide, 11 actuator, 12 pin, 13 Electromagnet, 14 Iron piece, 15
Button icon, 30 Display input module that cannot be pressed, 31 Display input module that can be pressed

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 3/03 380 G09F 9/00 366G 3/033 360 G06F 3/023 310L G09F 9/00 366 F term ( Reference) 5B020 AA15 CC12 DD02 DD30 FF17 GG05 GG13 5B068 AA05 AA22 AA31 BE08 CD01 CD06 DE11 5B087 AA09 AB02 CC12 CC26 DD02 DE03 5E501 AA09 AC37 BA02 CA04 CB05 EA11 EB05 FA04 FA23 FA43 FA45 FB43 5G435 BB43 BB43

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A display input device comprising an image display unit capable of displaying an image on an upper surface thereof and having a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged display input modules having a push-button switch function when pressed, and To have a push button function,
A display input device displaying a button icon image on the image display unit. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein whether or not the module can be pressed is arbitrarily set for each module, and only the modules that can be pressed have elasticity in the pressing direction, and the module is pressed. A display input device that can be fixed so that a disabled module cannot be pressed. 3. The display input device according to claim 2, wherein the display surface of the module that cannot be pressed can be fixed at a position lower than the display surface of the display input module that can be pressed. 4. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a function of receiving an input by sensing a touch on an image display unit for each of the modules, and displaying an image of a module that can be pressed by a user. Display input device having a function of presenting an explanation of an action that occurs when the display input module is pressed when the user touches the display unit 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the user half-presses the screen of the display input module that can be pressed, a function for presenting an explanation of an action that occurs when the display input module is fully pressed. Display input device comprising 6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a button icon image extending over any two or more adjacent modules is displayed, and when one of the modules is pressed, the display is performed. A display input device having a function of integrally recessing adjacent modules.