JP5630172B2 - Input device using touch panel - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an input equipment using a touch panel.

  In an electronic apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, an input device using a touch panel is generally used as a means for a user to input data and the like. The touch panel is a device for inputting an operation instruction or data to an electronic device when a user touches an icon such as an operation button displayed on the touch panel, and a display unit that displays the operation button or the like is superimposed on the display unit. And a transparent position detector that detects the position touched by the user.

  In an input device using such a touch panel, an operation button is displayed on the display unit, and a coordinate range on the position detection unit corresponding to the display position range is associated with each operation button. When performing an input operation, the user visually checks the position of the operation button displayed on the display unit through the transparent position detection unit, and presses the position detection unit on the desired operation button, for example. The input device confirms the position coordinates of the pressed location by the position detection unit, specifies the operation button associated with the coordinates, and outputs the input data assigned to the operation button.

  However, in the conventional input device described above, since the operation button is displayed on the display unit, the contents of the input operation may be looked into by others around the user. There is a problem that there is a risk that information will be disclosed to others.

  As a method of solving this problem, the coordinate range on the position detection unit associated with the operation button is set to the operation button so that the touch panel of the input device can be frustrated while the electronic device is in the pocket or bag of the clothes. A method is known in which the input device can specify the user's input contents even if the user operates the display position of the operation button outside the display range to some extent (Patent Document 1). reference).

  In addition, by providing steps at the four corners of the touch panel so that the position can be specified by groping, and a method of arranging operation buttons at the positions of these four corners (see Patent Document 2), from one of the four vertices of the touch panel A method is known in which 12 motion instructions can be input as a whole by defining specific motions for 12 types of operations of sliding a finger to another vertex (see Patent Document 3). ).

  However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to widen the interval between the operation buttons in order to allow operation outside the position range of the operation buttons. As described above, in the case of an input operation in which a large number of operation buttons must be arranged in a limited space on the touch panel, there is a problem that application is difficult. In the methods of Patent Documents 2 and 3, since the number of identifiable operations is limited to 4 or 12, for example, an input operation that requires a large number of operation buttons such as password input using alphanumeric characters. However, it has a problem that it cannot cope with various input operations.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable accurate and diverse input operations without displaying operation buttons on a screen in an input device using a touch panel. It is.

The present invention is an input device using a touch panel, wherein a user generates contact with a position of the virtual button on the touch panel surface, and button generation means for generating a virtual button used for a user's input operation and arranging the virtual button on the touch panel surface. Feedback means for allowing the user to perceive that, the button generation means uses the position on the touch panel that the user touches at the beginning of the input operation as a reference point, and the virtual button based on the reference point. The position is determined , and a guide area indicating a range in which the virtual button is arranged is virtually generated on the touch panel, and the feedback means allows the user to perceive that the user has touched the position of the guide area. Input device for guiding the user from the reference point to the end position of the virtual button array A.

  According to the present invention, in an input device using a touch panel, accurate and various input operations can be realized without displaying operation buttons on the screen.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the input device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the controller of the input device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus to which an input device according to a first embodiment is applied. In the input device concerning a 1st embodiment, it is an example of a virtual button generated on a position detection part. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the input device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the virtual button and guide area | region produced | generated on a position detection part in the input device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The input device 1 controls a touch panel 2 that performs an input operation when touched by a user, and a controller that controls the operation of the touch panel 2 and outputs user input contents to a device (host device) in which the input device 1 is incorporated. 3. The touch panel 2 is arranged so as to overlap with a display unit for displaying icons such as operation buttons, for example, a liquid crystal display unit 21 and the liquid crystal display unit 21, and outputs a signal corresponding to the contact position when the user touches the surface. Vibration is applied to the position detection unit 22 and a feedback generation unit that allows the user to perceive that the user has touched a virtual button (described later) displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 21 via the position detection unit 22, for example, the user's finger or the like. And a vibration generator 23.

In this embodiment, the liquid crystal display unit 21 is used as a display unit for displaying icons. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display composed of a light emitting diode made of an organic compound or white and black particles. And a microcapsule type display device that displays white and black by moving white and black particles by arranging an electric field in the thickness direction by arranging microcapsules containing fluid in a plane.
The surface of the position detection unit 22 is a part used by the user for the input operation as the surface of the touch panel 2. In the following description, the “surface of the position detection unit 22” is the same as the “surface of the touch panel 2”. It shall have the meaning of

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller 3.
The controller 3 includes an input / output interface unit 31 that communicates with internal function units such as the liquid crystal display unit 21 and a host device, and a processing unit 32 that controls the touch panel 2 and the like. The processing unit 32 is a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a program is written, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporary storage of data, and the like. The position detection unit 321 detects the user's contact position on the position detection unit 22 based on the output signal and calculates the coordinates of the contact position, and an operation button for the user to input instructions and data. 22 has a button generation means 322 virtually generated on the surface of 22.

  Here, “virtually generated” means that a specific position range on the surface of the position detection unit 22 (that is, the surface of the touch panel 2) is determined as a region having a specific meaning (in this case, an operation button). This means that the position coordinates of the area are stored in the RAM of the processing unit 32 or the like. The operation button virtually generated in this way is referred to as a virtual button.

  The processing unit 32 also includes feedback control means 323 that controls the operation of the vibration generating unit 23 when the user touches a virtual button or the like so that the user perceives that the operation button has been touched. Note that the various means described above are function realizing means realized by a computer including a CPU by a program, for example. The computer program can be stored in any storage medium.

  Here, the feedback means for causing the user to perceive that the user touches the virtual button is, for example, a vibration generating unit 23 that is a feedback generating unit that gives a perceptual stimulus to the user and a feedback control unit 323 that controls the perceptual stimulus. Composed. Instead of using the vibration generator 23 as the feedback generator, a piezoelectric element that applies vibration to the entire position detector 22 can be used (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-186188), or a rectangular element. Piezoelectric elements that are arranged on the four sides or two orthogonal sides of the position detection unit 22 to bend and vibrate the position detection unit 22 can also be used (see, for example, JP-A-2007-86990).

  Further, as another alternative means of the feedback generation unit, a speaker is used instead of the vibration generation unit 23, and the user perceives that a specific part on the position detection unit 22 is touched by sound generated from the speaker. It can also be. Furthermore, instead of the vibration generating unit 23, an insulating film having a plurality of electrodes on the back surface, and by controlling the voltage applied to the back surface electrode to change the charge distribution state on the surface of the insulating film, the insulating film A sensory stimulation device that changes the tactile sensation of the surface (see, for example, JP 2009-087359 A) can also be used.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of an image forming apparatus to which the input device 1 is applied.
The image forming apparatus 4 includes a printing unit 41 that prints an image on a recording medium such as recording paper, a device control unit 42 that controls the operation of the printing unit 41, and the input device 1 according to the present embodiment. Yes. Here, the input device 1 is connected to the device control unit 42, and plays a role of recognizing instructions and data input from the user and transmitting them to the device control unit 42.
In the above description, the image forming apparatus 4 is shown as an application example of the input apparatus 1. However, the input apparatus 1 is an image reading apparatus provided with an image reading unit such as a scanner for reading a document image, or a portable telephone or the like. The present invention can be applied to devices and other devices that require an input operation from a user.

  Next, the outline of the operation of the input apparatus 1 will be described using the image forming apparatus 4 shown in FIG. 3 as an example. The input device 1 includes a normal operation mode (normal button mode) in which an operation button is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 21 and a virtual button on the position detection unit 22 without displaying the operation button on the liquid crystal display unit 21. It has an operation mode (virtual button mode) that is arranged and operated. Here, it is assumed that the operation of the image forming apparatus 4 is permitted only to a specific user, and the identification code and the password of the user permitted to operate are registered in the apparatus control unit 42. .

  First, when the user turns on the image forming apparatus 4 and the image forming apparatus 4 starts up, for example, the apparatus control unit 42 of the image forming apparatus 4 requests the input apparatus 1 to input an identification code and a password. A screen is displayed and an instruction to start an input operation in the virtual button mode is given.

After the input device 1 shifts to the virtual button mode, when the user starts an input operation and touches the position detection unit 22, the button generation unit 322 of the controller 3 uses the initial contact position as a reference point, and the position detection unit A virtual button is arranged on 22.
FIG. 4 shows an example of a virtual button that the button generation unit 322 generates on the position detection unit 22. The button generation unit 322 uses the initial contact position A of the user as a reference point, and from a position B that is separated from the reference point by a predetermined distance C along a predetermined line D (a straight line extending in the horizontal direction in FIG. 4). For example, virtual buttons 501 to 510 representing values of 1 to 9 and 0, respectively, are arranged. Here, when the identification code and the password are input, it is predetermined that the virtual buttons representing 1 to 9 and 0 are arranged on the position detection unit 22 in that order, and the user recognizes this. It shall be.

  The button generation unit 322 further virtually generates feedback generation areas 601 to 610 inside the virtual buttons 501 to 510. The feedback generation areas 601 to 610 are areas for allowing the user to perceive that the virtual buttons 501 to 510 are arranged. When the user touches the feedback generation areas 601 to 610, the vibration generation unit 23 positions the feedback generation areas 601 to 610. A vibration is generated in the detection unit 22, and the user can perceive that the virtual buttons 501 to 510 are touched by the vibration.

  After starting the input operation, the user slides his / her finger horizontally from the first contact position A and touches the feedback generation area 601. Then, the vibration generating unit 23 generates vibration, and the user perceives this vibration and knows that it is the arrangement position of the first virtual button 501, that is, the virtual button representing the number “1”. Similarly, when the user further slides his / her finger, whenever the remaining feedback areas 602 to 610 are touched, the vibration generating unit 23 generates vibration, which can be perceived by the user. For this reason, the user can determine from which number of virtual buttons the current touched virtual button is based on the number of vibrations perceived from the first contact position A to the current position (the number of times perceived), and thus which It can be operated by specifying whether it is a virtual button representing a number.

  Since the input operation using the virtual buttons 501 to 510 is performed without displaying the operation button on the liquid crystal display unit 21, it is not known to others what operation is being performed. Even if another person knows what operation is being performed, the display position of the virtual buttons 501 to 510 is changed every time an input operation is performed with the first contact position A as a reference point. The input content is not guessed by another person from the contact position of the finger on the display unit 21. For this reason, when inputting an identification code, a password, or the like, such information is not known to other people around. Further, since the virtual buttons can be arranged on the position detection unit 22 with the same size and interval as the normal operation buttons displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 21, various virtual buttons such as password input using alphanumeric characters are required. Can handle input operations.

Next, the operation procedure of the input device 1 in the virtual button mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The operation in the virtual button mode shown in FIG. 5 is started after the input device 1 receives a virtual button mode operation start instruction from the host device.

(1) When the virtual button mode operation is started, the controller 3 first waits for the user to touch the position detection unit 22 (S101, No), and when touched (S101, Yes), the position detection means 321 The coordinates of the first contact position are specified (S102). Next, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the button generation unit 322 uses the initial contact position A as a reference point, and moves along a predetermined line D from a position B that is a predetermined distance C away from the reference point. The virtual buttons 501 to 510 are arranged (S103).

  Here, the “predetermined line D” may be a straight line extending in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 4, an inclined straight line, a curved line, a broken line, or a button generation each time the virtual buttons 501 to 510 are arranged. The means 322 may determine the shape at random. In addition, the “predetermined distance” from the reference point and the interval between the virtual buttons 501 to 510 can be determined randomly each time the virtual buttons 501 to 510 are arranged. Furthermore, the interval between adjacent virtual buttons in the array of virtual buttons 501 to 510 can be made random. By making these random settings, it becomes more difficult for others in the vicinity to guess the input content from the position of the user's finger on the liquid crystal display unit 21, and the safety of the input operation is improved. In FIG. 4, the virtual buttons 501 to 510 represent numbers 1 to 9 and 0. However, the numbers are not limited to numbers, and the numbers of virtual buttons may be increased to represent alphabets A to Z, respectively. Further, a virtual button for canceling the data input so far, a virtual button for confirming the input data, and ending the input operation may be included.

(2) Next, the button generation unit 322 virtually generates and arranges the feedback generation areas 601 to 610 inside the virtual buttons 501 to 510 (S104). Subsequently, the position detection unit 22 acquires the coordinates of the contact position of the user at regular time intervals, and waits until the contact position enters one of the feedback generation areas 601 to 610 of the virtual buttons 501 to 510 ( S105, No). When the contact position enters any of the feedback generation regions 601 to 610 (S105, Yes), the feedback control unit 323 starts the vibration operation of the vibration generation unit 23, and the finger moves the virtual buttons 501 to 510. The user is made to perceive that it is on either one (S106).

  In FIG. 4, a part of the position range of the virtual buttons 501 to 510 is the feedback generation areas 601 to 610, but the entire virtual buttons 501 to 510 may be the feedback generation areas 601 to 610, respectively. However, in this case, it is necessary to determine the arrangement interval of the virtual buttons 501 to 510 so that the fingertip can recognize the difference in the positions of the feedback generation areas 601 to 610.

(3) Next, it is determined by the position detection means 321 whether or not the user's contact position is stopped (S107), and when it is stopped (S107, Yes), the user presses the position detection unit 22. It is determined whether or not the force (pressing force) exceeds a predetermined value (S108). When the force exceeds the predetermined value (S108, Yes), the number represented by the virtual button is determined as an input character, and the input Characters are stored in, for example, the RAM of the processing unit 32 (S109), and the input process for one character is completed.

(4) In the above step S107, when the contact position of the user has moved (S107, No), it is determined whether or not the contact position has deviated from the feedback generation areas 601 to 610 (S110). (S110, Yes), after the vibration control of the vibration generator 23 is stopped by the feedback control means 323 (S111), the process returns to step S105 and is repeated. On the other hand, when the arrangement positions of the feedback generation areas 601 to 610 are not deviated (S110, No), the process returns to step S105 and the process is repeated.
(5) In step S108, when the pressing force does not exceed the predetermined value, the process returns to step S107 and is repeated.

  Note that when the user lifts his / her finger from the position detection unit 22, the input device 1 returns to step S <b> 101 by an interrupt process and waits for the user's input operation. Therefore, when the user wants to input the next character after completing the input processing for one character in step S109, once the user removes his / her finger from the position detection unit 22, the user returns to step S101 and performs the input operation again. Can start. Further, when all the numbers have been input, for example, a hard key (not shown) is provided in the input device 1 and is pressed to cause the input device 1 to output all numeric inputs to the host device. At the same time, the input device 1 can be returned from the virtual button mode to the normal button mode.

  In steps S108 and S109 described above, it is determined that the input number is confirmed when the pressing force exceeds a predetermined value. However, as another determination method, the dwell time at the same contact position exceeds the predetermined time. , A method of determining when the finger is once released and then touching the same position again, a method of determining when the finger is released at the contact position, or a hard key provided on the input device 1 It is possible to use a method of determining by pressing (shown).

Next, an input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In this input device, the button generation means 322 in the input device according to the first embodiment arranges virtual buttons on the position detection unit 22 along a predetermined line starting from the first contact position of the user. Two guide regions are virtually generated and arranged at positions facing each other across the virtual button along the length direction of a predetermined line, and the feedback control unit 323 touches the guide region. The vibration generating unit 23 is sometimes vibrated to allow the user to perceive the position of the guide region and guide the user from the reference point to the end position of the virtual button array.

  According to the present embodiment, since the user can perceive touching the guide area by the vibration of the vibration generating unit 23, the virtual buttons 501 to 510 are arranged along a curve or a broken line. However, the input operation can be performed by specifying a desired operation button without deviating from the arrangement of the virtual buttons 501 to 510.

  FIG. 6 shows examples of virtual buttons and guide areas generated on the position detection unit 22 of the input device. In FIG. 6, virtual buttons 501 to 510 representing the numbers 1 to 9 and 0 are a predetermined distance along a predetermined line D (curve) from a position A (reference point) first touched by the user during the input operation. Two guide regions 701 and 702 are provided in the longitudinal direction with the arrangement of these virtual buttons 501 to 510 arranged from a position B away from each other.

  When the user slides his / her finger from the position A (reference point), when the user touches the guide area 701 or 702, the user perceives the vibration of the position detecting unit 22 and knows that the virtual button 501 to 510 is out of the arrangement range. be able to. Therefore, the user can know the positions of the virtual buttons 501 to 510 using the guide areas 701 and 702 as a clue, and can specify and operate a desired virtual button.

Next, an input device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In this input device, in the input device according to the second embodiment, the feedback control unit 323 has a vibration generating unit when the user touches the feedback generation areas 601 to 610 and when the user touches the guide areas 701 and 702. 23, the mode of vibrations to be generated (for example, amplitude, frequency, number of vibrations generated, etc.) is changed, and the mode of perceptual stimulation perceived by the user is different.

  According to the present embodiment, the user senses a difference in the mode of vibration generated from the vibration generating unit 23 and determines whether the currently touched part is the feedback generation area 601 to 610 or the guide areas 701 and 702. Can be clearly identified. As a result, it becomes easier to specify the positions of the virtual buttons 501 to 510.

  Note that the speaker and the sensory stimulation device, which are alternative means of the vibration generating unit 23 described above for the input device 1 according to the first embodiment, can also be used in the third embodiment, and these alternative means , The feedback control means 323 is configured to generate sound (e.g., timbre) from the speaker when the user touches the feedback generation areas 601 to 610 and when the user touches the guide areas 701 and 702, respectively. , Frequency, amplitude, number of times of sound generation, etc.) and the tactile sensation of the insulating film surface of the sensory stimulation device can be different.

  As described above, in the first to third embodiments, the virtual buttons 501 to 510 and the feedback generation areas 601 to 610 are virtually generated on the surface of the position detection unit 22, and the user selects the virtual buttons 501 to 510. When the feedback generation areas 601 to 610 in the position range of the touch are touched, the vibration generation unit 23 generates vibrations in the position detection unit 22 so that the user perceives that any of the virtual buttons 501 to 510 is touched. .

  Since the input operation using the virtual buttons 501 to 510 is performed without displaying the operation button on the liquid crystal display unit 21, it is not known to others what operation is being performed. Even if another person knows what operation is being performed, the display position of the virtual buttons 501 to 510 is changed every time an input operation is performed with the first contact position A as a reference point. The input content is not guessed by another person from the contact position of the finger on the display unit 21. For this reason, when inputting an identification code, a password, or the like, such information is not known to other people around. Furthermore, since the virtual buttons can be arranged on the position detection unit 22 with the same size and interval as the normal operation buttons displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 21, various virtual buttons such as alphabets for password input are required. Can handle input operations.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Input device, 2 ... Touch panel, 3 ... Controller, 21 ... Liquid crystal display part, 22 ... Position detection part, 23 ... Vibration generation part, 31 ... Input-output interface 32, processing unit, 321 ... position detection unit, 322 ... button generation unit, 323 ... feedback control unit, 4 ... image forming apparatus, 41 ... printing unit, 42. ..Device control unit, 501 to 510... Virtual buttons, 601 to 610... Feedback generation area, 701, 702.

JP 2009-123004 A JP 2007-286996 A JP 2001-154766 A

Claims (8)

An input device using a touch panel,
A button generating means for generating a virtual button used for a user's input operation and arranging it on the surface of the touch panel;
Feedback means for allowing the user to perceive that the user has touched the position of the virtual button on the surface of the touch panel;
Have
The button generation means determines a position of the virtual button based on the reference point based on the position on the touch panel that the user touches at the beginning of the input operation , and displays the virtual button on the touch panel. Virtually generate a guide area that indicates the range of placement,
The feedback unit is an input device that guides the user from the reference point to the end position of the virtual button array by causing the user to perceive that the user has touched the position of the guide region. An input device using a touch panel,
A button generating means for generating a virtual button used for a user's input operation and arranging it on the surface of the touch panel;
Feedback means for allowing the user to perceive that the user has touched the position of the virtual button on the surface of the touch panel;
Have
The button generation means determines the position of the virtual button based on the reference point based on the position on the touch panel that the user has contacted at the beginning of the input operation, and creates a predetermined line starting from the reference point. The virtual button is arranged along the virtual area, and a guide area indicating a range in which the virtual button is arranged by two areas facing each other across the virtual button along the length direction of the predetermined line is virtually displayed on the touch panel. Generated
The feedback unit is an input device that guides the user from the reference point to the end position of the virtual button array by causing the user to perceive that the user has touched the position of the guide region. The input device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The feedback means includes a vibration generating unit that generates vibration on the surface of the touch panel, and transmits the vibration generated by the vibration generating unit to the user via the touch panel, so that the virtual button or the guide region is transmitted. An input device that allows the user to perceive contact. The input device according to claim 3 ,
The feedback device is an input device in which a mode of vibration generated by the vibration generating unit is different when a user touches the virtual button and when the user touches the guide region. The input device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The feedback means includes a sensory stimulation device that changes a tactile sensation on the surface of the touch panel, and changes a tactile sensation on the surface of the touch panel with the sensory stimulation device, thereby perceiving the user that the virtual button or the guide region is touched Input device to let you. The input device according to claim 5 , wherein
The input device in which the feedback means makes a tactile sensation generated on the surface of the touch panel by the sensory stimulation device depending on when the user touches the virtual button and when the user touches the guide region. The input device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The feedback means includes an speaker, and causes the user to perceive that the user has touched the virtual button or the guide region by generating sound in the speaker. The input device according to claim 7 , wherein
The input device in which the feedback unit is configured to change a sound generated by the speaker when the user touches the virtual button and when the user touches the guide area.

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