JP6105434B2 - Image display apparatus and operation method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a table-type image display device in which an image display surface of a touch panel display is arranged horizontally, and in particular, a table-type image display device that can be operated by placing an input device such as a keyboard on the touch panel display and its operation. Regarding the method.

  In recent years, portable information processing apparatuses have become widespread. As the user interface device, a display in which a touch panel is arranged on an image display surface (hereinafter referred to as a touch panel display) is employed. In addition to direct touch operations on the target displayed on the touch panel display, a touch keyboard (hereinafter also referred to as software keyboard) is displayed on the screen when input of characters and numbers (hereinafter referred to as character input) is required. However, it has become common to operate this.

  Due to this influence, a touch panel display is also installed in a computer, and a touch operation is adopted instead of a conventional computer keyboard (hereinafter simply referred to as a keyboard) and a computer mouse (hereinafter simply referred to as a mouse). I came. An operating system (hereinafter referred to as an OS) that employs a user interface that assumes a touch operation is also provided.

  The touch screen display has been increased in screen size, and it is expected that the touch panel display will be used for various purposes in the future. For example, it has been proposed to use an electronic blackboard or the like as a table (such as an office table or a conference table) in which an image display surface is horizontally arranged and can be touched.

  With the widespread use of such touch panel displays, improvements in touch operations are desired. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique for avoiding a touch operation that is not intended by the user. Specifically, in a camera-integrated VTR that employs a touch screen as a monitor, a technique for solving the problem that a finger holding a device hits the touch screen and a function unintended by the operator operates is disclosed. Has been. This camera-integrated VTR includes an invalid area setting unit that sets an invalid area for a touch operation on a touch screen. When the camera-integrated VTR is powered on, the invalid area setting unit sets a width of about 2 mm from the frame end of the touch screen as the input invalid area. The operation buttons in the touch input mode are arranged in an effective area other than the invalid area, and in the handwriting mode, only the effective area is a handwriting input range. In addition, it is disclosed that an invalid area is set only in a side portion where a finger holding the device is located, and an input invalid area is displayed with a white frame.

JP 2000-39964 A

  However, a large-screen touch panel display still has a problem with respect to improving operability. For example, an image display apparatus using a large-screen touch panel display with an image display surface arranged horizontally and used as a table has the following problems.

  When an image is displayed on the table surface and operated, the touch operation is more intuitive and preferable. On the other hand, if continuous character input or long-time character input is required, using a conventional hardware keyboard is faster and more reliable than displaying a touch keyboard on the screen and inputting characters by touch operation. Since it can be input, it can be said that it is preferable. Therefore, if it is a touch panel display which can connect a hardware keyboard, in such a case, a user may connect and use a hardware keyboard. Although it is preferable that the keyboard can be operated by placing it on the table surface (touch panel), it is determined that the operation is a touch operation and causes an erroneous operation. Therefore, there is a problem that a place for placing the keyboard must be secured separately from the table surface. In addition, once the touch detection on the touch panel display is disabled, the keyboard can be placed on the touch panel. However, when the operation for that purpose and the use of the keyboard are finished, an operation for returning the touch detection to enabled is necessary. Yes, it is complicated.

  When the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied, if the touch operation is valid, the predetermined area is always set as an invalid area for touch input. Therefore, even if the hardware keyboard is not used, the area where the touch detection is invalid. Therefore, the entire screen cannot be used effectively.

  Therefore, the present invention is a table-type image display device in which the image display surface of the touch panel display is arranged horizontally, and can be operated by placing an input device such as a keyboard on the touch panel display. And an operation method thereof.

  An image display device according to the present invention includes a display unit for displaying an image, and a position specified by an operation that is arranged on the image display surface of the display unit and specifies a position on the image displayed by the display unit. A detection unit for detecting, an effective mode receiving unit for receiving an effective mode setting instruction for enabling input by the external device, and an external device by the detecting unit in response to the receiving of the effective mode setting instruction by the effective mode receiving unit. And an invalid setting unit that invalidates detection of a position designated by an operation of designating a position on the placement area for placement. The display unit displays an image representing the placement area when the effective mode receiving unit receives the effective mode setting instruction.

  Preferably, the image display device further includes a first device and a second device. The first device includes a display unit and a detection unit, and the second device includes an effective mode reception unit and an invalid setting unit. The second apparatus further includes an output unit that outputs image data representing the placement area to the display unit when the valid mode receiving unit receives the valid mode setting instruction.

  More preferably, the image display device further includes a first device and a second device. The first device includes a display unit and a detection unit, and the second device includes an effective mode reception unit and an invalid setting unit. The valid mode receiving unit outputs a valid setting signal in response to receiving the valid mode setting instruction, and the first device represents the placement area on the display unit in response to receiving the valid setting signal. An output unit for outputting image data is further included.

  More preferably, in the image display device, the detection of the position relative to the placement area by the detection unit is set to be invalid by the invalid mode receiving unit that receives an invalid mode setting instruction for invalidating the input by the external device and the invalid setting unit. In this state, in response to the invalid mode setting instruction being accepted by the invalid mode accepting unit, the valid setting unit that enables detection of the position specified by the operation of designating the position on the placement area by the detecting unit And further including. In response to the reception of the invalid mode setting instruction by the invalid mode receiving unit, the display unit erases the image representing the placement area.

  Preferably, in the second device, the detection of the position relative to the placement region by the detection unit is set to be invalid by the invalid mode receiving unit that receives an invalid mode setting instruction for invalidating the input by the external device and the invalid setting unit. In this state, in response to the invalid mode setting instruction being accepted by the invalid mode accepting unit, the valid setting unit that enables detection of the position specified by the operation of designating the position on the placement area by the detecting unit And further including. The output unit stops outputting the image data representing the placement area to the display unit in response to the reception of the invalid mode setting instruction by the invalid mode receiving unit.

  More preferably, in the second device, the invalid mode receiving unit that accepts an invalid mode setting instruction for invalidating the input by the external device and the invalid setting unit set the detection of the position relative to the placement area by the detection unit to be invalid. In this state, upon receiving the invalid mode setting instruction received by the invalid mode receiving unit, the valid setting for enabling the detection of the position designated by the operation of designating the position on the placement area by the detecting unit And a part. The invalid mode receiving unit outputs an invalid setting signal in response to receiving the invalid mode setting instruction, and the output unit is an image representing a placement area on the display unit in response to receiving the invalid setting signal. Stop data output.

  More preferably, the placement area is an area for placing a keyboard, and the image display device further includes an instruction unit for instructing the display unit to display the software keyboard. The valid mode accepting unit accepts the valid mode setting instruction when the instruction unit is operated by a method different from the operation method for instructing display of the software keyboard.

  Preferably, the valid mode receiving unit accepts a valid mode setting instruction by pressing a predetermined key on the software keyboard.

  More preferably, the valid mode receiving unit displays a menu including options for accepting a valid mode setting instruction in response to a predetermined key on the software keyboard being pressed.

  More preferably, the image display device includes a connection detection unit that detects a type of the connected external device, and a determination unit that determines the size of the placement area according to the type of the external device detected by the connection detection unit. And further including.

  An operation method according to the present invention includes a display unit and a detection unit that is disposed on the image display surface of the display unit and detects a position specified by an operation of specifying a position on the image displayed by the display unit. It is the operation method of an image display apparatus. The operation method includes a step of displaying an image on the display unit, a step of detecting a position designated by an operation of designating a position on the image displayed by the display unit by the detection unit, and an input by an external device. An effective mode receiving step for receiving an effective mode setting instruction to be performed, and a position on the mounting area for mounting the external device by the detection unit in response to the receiving of the effective mode setting instruction by the effective mode receiving step. An invalid setting step for disabling detection of the position specified by the operation for specifying and an image representing the placement area is displayed on the display unit upon receipt of the valid mode setting instruction in the valid mode receiving step. Including the step of.

  According to the present invention, when a mode for enabling an external input device such as a keyboard is set in an image display device in which the display surface of the touch panel display is horizontally arranged, the input device is mounted on the touch panel display. An area for placing can be secured, and an input device can be placed on the touch panel display. Therefore, an efficient input operation by the input device can be performed without causing the touch panel display to malfunction (erroneous detection).

  Further, by determining the size and shape of the placement area according to the type of the input device, it is possible to avoid providing an area that cannot be touched unnecessarily.

It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the image display apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the detection method of a touch input. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed on a display part. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program for ensuring the mounting area | region of an input device on a touch detection part. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a display part, when the mounting area | region of an input device is ensured on the touch detection part. It is a figure which shows the state by which the touch keyboard was displayed on the display part. It is a figure which shows the state from which the image of the touch keyboard was changed into the image showing the mounting area | region of a keyboard. It is a figure which shows the method of instruct | indicating reservation of a keyboard mounting area | region from the touch keyboard displayed on the display part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image display apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image display apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image display apparatus which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

  In the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  Hereinafter, the keyboard means a hardware keyboard. In order to distinguish from a hardware keyboard, the keyboard displayed on the screen is called a touch keyboard or a software keyboard.

  In the following, “touch” means that the input position detection device is in a state in which the position can be detected. When touching and pressing the detection device, touching without pressing, and contact Including the case of close proximity without. The input position detection device is not limited to a contact type, and a non-contact type device can also be used. In the case of a non-contact type detection device, “touch” means a state in which the input position is close to the detection device up to a detectable distance.

(First embodiment)
Referring to FIG. 1, an image display device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an arithmetic processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 102, a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) 104, and rewritable. Memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 106, recording unit 108, interface unit (hereinafter referred to as IF unit) 110, touch detection unit 112, display unit 114, display control unit 116, video memory (hereinafter referred to as VRAM) 118 And a bus 120. The CPU 102 controls the entire image display apparatus 100.

  As will be described later, the touch detection unit 112 and the display unit 114 constitute a touch panel display, the image display surface of the touch panel display is horizontally arranged, and the image display device 100 is used as a table.

  The ROM 104 is a non-volatile storage device, and stores programs and data necessary for controlling the operation of the image display device 100. The RAM 106 is a volatile storage device from which data is erased when power is turned off. The recording unit 108 is a non-volatile storage device that retains data even when power is cut off, and is, for example, a hard disk drive or a flash memory. The recording unit 108 may be configured to be detachable. The CPU 102 reads a program from the ROM 104 onto the RAM 106 via the bus 120 and executes the program using a part of the RAM 106 as a work area. The CPU 102 controls each part constituting the image display device 100 according to a program stored in the ROM 104.

  Connected to the bus 120 are a CPU 102, a ROM 104, a RAM 106, a recording unit 108, an IF unit 110, a touch detection unit 112, a display control unit 116, and a VRAM 118. Data (including control information) is exchanged between the units via the bus 120.

  The display unit 114 is a display panel (liquid crystal panel or the like) for displaying an image. The display control unit 116 includes a drive unit for driving the display unit 114, reads out image data stored in the VRAM 118 at a predetermined timing, generates a signal for display as an image on the display unit 114, and displays it. Output to the unit 114. The image data to be displayed is read from the recording unit 108 by the CPU 102 and transmitted to the VRAM 118.

  The touch detection unit 112 is a touch panel, for example, and detects a touch operation by the user. The touch detection unit 112 is arranged so as to be superimposed on the display screen of the display unit 114. The touch on the touch detection unit 112 is an operation of designating a point of the image displayed on the display screen corresponding to the touch position. Therefore, in the present specification, in order to eliminate the redundancy of the description, in the case where it is described as a touch on the image displayed on the display unit 114, this description is to the position on the corresponding touch detection unit 112. Means touch. The detection of a touch operation when a touch panel is used as the touch detection unit 112 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The IF unit 110 is an interface for connecting an input device (hereinafter referred to as an input device) such as a keyboard or a mouse. Typically, it is a USB socket, but is not limited to this and is arbitrary. The IF unit 110 may be a wired connection or a wireless connection (for example, Wi-Fi connection or Bluetooth (registered trademark) connection). The IF unit 110 may include an interface for connecting to a communication network, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card).

  FIG. 2 shows an infrared cut-off detection type touch panel (touch detection unit 112). The touch panel is arranged in a row so as to face the LED rows 200 and 202, and the light emitting diode rows (hereinafter referred to as LED rows) 200 and 202 arranged in a row on two adjacent sides of the rectangular writing surface. The two photodiode arrays (hereinafter referred to as PD arrays) 210 and 212 are provided. Infrared light is emitted from the LEDs of the LED rows 200 and 202, and the PDs of the PD rows 210 and 212 facing each other detect the infrared light. In FIG. 2, infrared rays are indicated by upward and leftward arrows from the LEDs of the LED rows 200 and 202.

  The touch panel includes, for example, a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) (an element including a CPU, a memory, an input / output circuit, and the like), and controls light emission of each LED. Each PD outputs a voltage corresponding to the intensity of the received light. The output voltage of the PD is amplified by an amplifier. Further, since signals are simultaneously output from a plurality of PDs in each of the PD columns 210 and 212, the output signals are temporarily stored in a buffer and then output as serial signals according to the arrangement order of the PDs and transmitted to the microcomputer. The The order of the serial signals output from the PD column 210 represents the X coordinate. The order of the serial signals output from the PD column 212 represents the Y coordinate.

  When a user (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 2) 220 touches the touch panel with a finger, infrared rays are blocked at the touched position. Therefore, the output voltage of the PD that has received the infrared light before being cut off decreases. Since the signal portion from the PD corresponding to the touched position (XY coordinate) is decreased, the microcomputer detects the portion where the signal level of the two received serial signals is lowered and obtains the touched position coordinate. . The microcomputer transmits the determined position coordinates to the CPU 102. Since the process of detecting the touch position is repeated at a predetermined detection cycle, if the same point is touched for a longer time than the detection cycle, the same coordinate data is repeatedly output. If it is not touched anywhere, the microcomputer will not transmit the position coordinates.

  Since the touched position detection technique described above is well known, further description will not be repeated. The touch detection unit 112 may be a touch panel (capacitance method, surface acoustic wave method, resistance film method, or the like) other than the infrared blocking method. In the capacitance method, the position can be detected without contact as long as the sensor is close to the sensor.

  The image display apparatus 100 is configured as described above, and the user can operate the image display apparatus 100 in the same manner as a computer. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the user touches a user interface (such as the operation button 302) on the screen 300 displayed on the display unit 114 via the touch detection unit 112 to start an application program. The operation on the window displayed by the activated application can be performed via the touch detection unit 112. In such a state, when the user desires to use an input device such as a keyboard connected to the IF unit 110, the image display apparatus 100 secures a placement area for the input device on the touch detection unit 112. . With reference to FIG. 4, a process for securing the input device placement area on the touch detection unit 112 will be described below.

  The program for securing the input device placement area on the touch detection unit 112 shown in FIG. 4 is read from, for example, the ROM 104 and executed when the power of the image display apparatus 100 is turned on. Here, it is assumed that the input device is a keyboard.

  After the initial settings necessary for executing this program are performed, in step 400, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the touch detection unit 112 has been touched. As described above, the CPU 102 determines whether coordinate data has been received from the touch detection unit 112. The touch detection unit 112 does not output the position coordinates unless touched, and outputs the position coordinates (X coordinate, Y coordinate) of the touched point when touched. If it is determined that the touch has been made, the control proceeds to step 404. Otherwise control passes to step 402.

  In step 402, the CPU 102 determines whether or not to end. For example, when the power-off button is pressed, the CPU 102 ends the program. Otherwise, control returns to step 400 and steps 400 and 402 are repeated until touched.

  In step 404, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the touch operation detected in step 400 is an operation for instructing the change of the input mode. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the button 302 is touched by the user on the screen 300 shown in FIG. Since the screen 300 displayed on the display unit 114 is generated under the control of the CPU 102, the CPU 102 can acquire the position and shape of each button on the screen. Therefore, the CPU 102 can determine whether or not the predetermined button has been touched based on whether or not the coordinates of the touch position are located on the predetermined button. If it is determined that the touch operation is an operation for instructing to change the input mode, the control proceeds to step 406. Otherwise, control passes to step 408.

  In step 406, the CPU 102 inverts the flag indicating the input mode. The flag is, for example, a 1-bit area reserved in the RAM 106 in advance, and its initial value is set to a value indicating an invalid state of the external input device (keyboard), for example, “0” by the above-described initial setting. And When step 406 is executed first, the flag is inverted to “1” (a value indicating that the external input device is valid). That is, each time the button 302 is pressed, the flag is inverted, and the invalid / valid of the external input device is switched.

  In step 408, the CPU 102 executes the process assigned to the selected button. Control then returns to step 400. As a result, as described above, the user can start the application and perform an operation on the displayed window.

  In step 410, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the flag is a value that enables the keyboard. Specifically, the flag is read from the RAM 106 and it is determined whether or not the value is “1”. If it is determined that the flag is a value that enables the keyboard, control proceeds to step 414. Otherwise control passes to step 418.

  In step 412, the CPU 102 sets a predetermined area (an area for placing a keyboard, hereinafter referred to as a keyboard placement area) of the touch detection unit 112 as an area where the touch operation is invalid, and the display unit 114 corresponds to the area. A partial image representing the keyboard placement area is displayed at the position. Specifically, the CPU 102 reads information for specifying a keyboard placement area stored in advance in the recording unit 108. The information for specifying the keyboard placement area includes, for example, the size of the rectangular area (for example, vertical and horizontal lengths) and the position of a representative point (for example, the upper left point, the lower right point, or the center point). Coordinates. As shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 102 displays a partial image 312 representing the keyboard placement area on the screen 310.

  Even when the partial image 312 is touched, the touch detection unit 112 outputs the touched position coordinates, but the CPU 102 ignores the position coordinates. That is, if the received position coordinates are on the keyboard placement area, the position coordinates are not processed as a result of a touch operation. Therefore, even when the keyboard is placed, the position coordinates of the point pressed by the keyboard are output from the touch detection unit 112, but the CPU 102 does not process as a touch operation.

  In FIG. 5, a message that clearly indicates the keyboard placement area is displayed on the partial image 312. The display content of this message is arbitrary. The shape, size, and display position of the partial image 312 to be drawn are initially set in advance. The shape and size of the partial image 312 to be drawn may be any shape and size that can place the entire keyboard. The position where the partial image 312 is displayed may be determined in consideration of the size of the display screen of the display unit 114 and the convenience when the user operates the placed keyboard.

  In step 414, the CPU 102 determines whether a keyboard is connected to the IF unit 110. Specifically, the CPU 102 determines whether or not a keyboard is connected based on whether or not a signal is received from the keyboard via the IF unit 110. If it is determined that the connection has been established, control proceeds to step 416. Otherwise, step 314 is repeated.

  In step 416, the CPU 102 reads the device driver for the connected keyboard from the recording unit 108 to the RAM 106. This process can be executed by, for example, a known plug and play technique adopted in a computer. This enables the connected keyboard. That is, the CPU 102 can receive a signal corresponding to a key operated on the keyboard via the IF unit 110, determine a corresponding code (character code or control code), and execute processing corresponding to the code. . Control then returns to step 400.

  When the flag is not a value for enabling the keyboard, in step 418, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the keyboard is placed in the keyboard placement area. Whether or not the keyboard is placed can be determined by whether or not any point on the keyboard placement area corresponding to the partial image 312 on the touch detection unit 112 is pressed. If it is determined that the keyboard has been removed from the touch detection unit 112, control proceeds to step 420. Otherwise, if the keyboard remains on the touch detector 112, step 418 is repeated.

  In step 420, the CPU 102 deletes the partial image 312 representing the keyboard placement area from the display unit 114 and touches the area on the touch detection unit 112 corresponding to the partial image 312 (the area that was the keyboard placement area). Enable the operation. The CPU 102 also unloads (for example, deletes) the keyboard device driver from the RAM 106. Control then returns to step 400.

  Thus, when an area on the touch detection unit 112 where the partial image 312 is displayed is touched, the CPU 102 receives the position coordinates output from the touch detection unit 112 and performs processing corresponding to a normal touch operation. Execute. Even if the keyboard remains connected to the IF unit 110, it cannot be used.

  As described above, when a predetermined button displayed on the display unit 114 of the image display device 100 is touched and the keyboard enters the input mode, the partial image 312 corresponding to the keyboard placement area is displayed on the display unit 114. The touch operation on the keyboard placement area on the corresponding touch detection unit 112 can be invalidated. Therefore, if the partial image 312 representing the keyboard placement area is displayed, the user can operate with the keyboard placed in the keyboard placement area with peace of mind. Further, when the input operation using the keyboard is unnecessary, the user simply presses the predetermined button again and removes the keyboard from the touch detection unit 112 (the order of pressing the button and removing the keyboard is arbitrary), and automatically The image 312 representing the keyboard placement area is deleted, and the touch operation on the corresponding area of the touch detection unit 112 can be validated. Therefore, the user does not feel the complexity of the operation, and the user who recognizes that the partial image representing the keyboard placement area has been erased can know at a glance that the touch on the area has become effective.

  The program shown in FIG. 4 can be executed with various modifications. For example, in the above description, when the button 302 is touched and the keyboard enters the input mode, the partial image representing the keyboard placement area is displayed on the display unit 114 and the keyboard placement area on the touch detection unit 112 is touched. Although the case of invalidating the operation has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in FIG. 3, it is assumed that when the button 302 is touched, the touch keyboard 322 is displayed as shown in FIG. In such a case, when the same button 302 is pressed for a long time (how to keep touching for a predetermined time or longer), as shown in FIG. 5, the partial image 312 corresponding to the keyboard placement area is displayed on the display unit 114. And the touch operation on the corresponding keyboard placement area may be invalidated.

  In addition, when the button 302 is touched and a predetermined key, for example, the key 324 is touched on the touch keyboard 322 displayed on the screen 320 in FIG. 6, the keyboard placement area is represented as shown in FIG. 7. The partial screen 332 may be displayed to disable the touch operation on the keyboard placement area. In FIG. 7, a character or the like displayed on each key is deleted from the touch keyboard 322 in FIG. 6, and a partial image in which the outline of each key is left and a message is superimposed is displayed as a keyboard placement area. What screen is displayed as the partial image representing the keyboard placement area is arbitrary.

  Further, on the screen 320 shown in FIG. 6, a touch keyboard 340 shown in FIG. 8 may be displayed instead of the touch keyboard 322. When a key 342 is touched on the touch keyboard 340, a menu 344 for selecting a device to be connected is displayed. When an icon displayed on the menu, for example, an icon 346 is touched, as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. Alternatively, a partial image representing the keyboard placement area may be displayed on the display unit 114 to disable the touch operation on the keyboard placement area.

  Further, the switching of the input mode is not limited to the case where a predetermined button or key is touched by the user, and may be performed by each application. For example, when character input is requested during execution of an application or when the application is activated, the keyboard placement area may be secured by switching the input mode. For example, assume that a user ID and password are required when starting an application, and a login screen is displayed. When the user name input area is touched on the login screen, a keyboard placement area may be secured. In this case, when the OK button on the login screen is touched, the partial image representing the keyboard placement area may be erased and the touch operation on the corresponding area on the touch detection unit 112 may be validated.

  In the above description, the touch detection unit 112 always outputs the coordinates of the touched position, and if the CPU 102 ignores the position coordinates if the position coordinates are on the keyboard placement area, the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, when receiving an instruction to use an input device, the CPU 102 outputs information on the keyboard placement area to the touch detection unit 112, and the microcomputer of the touch detection unit 112 uses this to determine the touched position as a keyboard. You may determine whether it exists on a mounting area | region. By doing so, even if the input device is placed in the keyboard placement area, the position coordinates are not output from the touch detection unit 112. In order to return the keyboard placement area to the area where the touch is effective, a predetermined signal may be output from the CPU to the touch detection unit 112.

  Although the case where the external input device is a keyboard has been described above, an input device other than a keyboard may be used. For example, it may be a mouse, a trackball, or a keypad on which a numeric keypad is mainly arranged.

  A plurality of input devices may be connected at the same time. For example, when the button 302 is pressed, an input mode for enabling the keyboard and the mouse may be set, and the keyboard and the mouse may be placed on the touch detection unit 112. In this case, the input device mounting area may be an area having an area larger than an area necessary for a plurality of input devices (for example, an area including a keyboard size and a mouse operation range). Not limited to this, a plurality of areas may be secured for each input device.

  Moreover, although the case where the operation input device is placed on the touch detection unit 112 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a camera that can be connected to a computer via USB may be used.

  In the above description, the case where the shape, size, and display position of the placement area of the input device are preset as initial values has been described. However, these initial values may be changeable by the user. For example, the user may arbitrarily input the size of the placement area (for example, the vertical and horizontal lengths of the rectangular area) according to the input device to be used. Also, a plurality of candidates may be prepared in advance, and the candidates may be displayed on the screen before the placement area is secured, so that the user can select according to the input device to be used.

  Further, the size and position of the placement area may be determined according to the user operation history. For example, each time the input device is used, the image display apparatus 100 (CPU 102) stores the set size and position of the placement area in the recording unit 108 in association with the date / time information. As a result, when the image display apparatus 100 (CPU 102) receives an instruction to connect the input device after the history mode is set to be valid, the image display apparatus 100 (CPU 102) reads the history information from the recording unit 108 and, for example, sets the previous setting. The size and position of the placement area can be used.

  Further, after the placement area is displayed, the user may be able to change the shape and position thereof. For example, if the display screen is large, the user may touch the placement area so that the placement area can be moved or the shape of the placement area can be changed so as not to disturb the displayed window. . Accordingly, the partial image representing the placement area is also changed.

  Further, the type of the input device to be connected may be determined, and the size of the placement area may be determined according to the determination result. For example, in the case of a USB connection device, a USB Descriptor is received from the connected device, and the type of the input device can be determined based on the Vendor ID, Product ID, Class ID, and the like included in the USB Descriptor. Therefore, in FIG. 4, for example, between step 410 and step 412, a process for determining whether or not a device is connected and a process for determining the type of the connected device are added, depending on the connected device. After determining the shape, size, and display position of the placement area, step 412 may be executed.

  In the above, after the button 302 is touched in a state where the input device is valid, the input device is removed from the placement area (Yes in Step 418), and the area that was the placement area is touched. Although the case of returning to effective has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. In response to the disconnection from the input device, the touch on the area that was the placement area may be returned to the effective state. Specifically, if it is a wired connection, the connection cable with the device is removed from the IF unit 110, and if it is a wireless connection, the power of the input device is turned off and wireless communication becomes impossible. You may return the touch to the area | region which was the mounting area | region to effective. In this case also, it is preferable to confirm that the input device has been removed from the placement area (Yes in step 418).

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the program that secures the placement area of the input device on the touch detection unit is configured as one program, but the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing functions of the image display device 100 including the touch detection unit 112 and the display unit 114 as modules for each function according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Here, the function module means, for example, a software module for executing a function or a hardware module realized using an IC such as an ASIC.

  FIG. 9 shows a case where a function for securing the placement area of the input device on the touch detection unit is integrally formed, and corresponds to FIG. That is, upon receiving an instruction to secure the input device placement area, the input mode detection unit 130 sends an input mode switching signal to the display control unit 116 and the validity determination unit 132 to instruct the change of the input mode. Output. The input mode switching signal at this time is a level signal (for example, a high level signal) indicating an instruction to validate input by the input device. In response to this, the display control unit 116 reads the image data representing the placement area from the recording unit 108, and includes screen data including a partial image based on the image data (a screen in which an image representing the placement area is superimposed on the background image). ) Is output to the display unit 114 and displayed as an image. In response to receiving the input mode switching signal (high level), the validity determination unit 132 reads information for specifying the placement area from the recording unit 108. When the touched position coordinate is input from the touch detection unit 112 to the validity determination unit 132, the validity determination unit 132 uses the information read from the recording unit 108 to input the input position coordinate into the placement area. Determine if it is above. If the input position coordinates are on the placement area, the validity determination unit 132 ignores the position coordinates. That is, the validity determination unit 132 invalidates the touch operation on the placement area. Only when the input position coordinates are outside the placement area, the validity determination unit 132 outputs a touch operation signal to the touch operation processing unit 134. In response to this, the touch operation processing unit 134 executes processing corresponding to the touch operation.

  On the other hand, when the input mode detection unit 130 receives an instruction to open the reserved input device mounting area, the input mode detection unit 130 sends an input mode switching signal to the display control unit 116 and the validity to instruct to change the input mode. The data is output to the determination unit 132. The input mode switching signal at this time is a level signal (for example, a low level signal) indicating an instruction to invalidate input by the input device. In response to this, the display control unit 116 outputs image data not including the placement area to the display unit 114. As a result, the image representing the placement area is erased from the display unit 114. In response to receiving the input mode switching signal (low level), the validity determination unit 132 stops the process of invalidating the touch on the placement area. That is, the validity determination unit 132 outputs a touch operation signal to the touch operation processing unit 134 regardless of the touch position coordinates. In response to this, the touch operation processing unit 134 executes processing corresponding to the touch operation.

(Third embodiment)
In the first and second embodiments, the case where the image display device 100 including the touch detection unit 112 and the display unit 114 is integrally formed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image display device 100 includes a plurality of devices. Also good. For example, the configuration of FIG. 9 can be changed as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing functions of the image display device according to the third embodiment of the present invention as modules for each function. In FIG. 10, the display control unit 116, the input mode detection unit 130, the validity determination unit 132, and the touch operation processing unit 134 are different devices 152 from the touch panel display 150 configured by the touch detection unit 112 and the display unit 114. Configure. For example, a computer can be used as the device 152. Since the function of each component is the same as described above, description thereof will not be repeated. In this case, the output (image data) from the display control unit 116 to the display unit 114 is transmitted by, for example, an HDMI (registered trademark) cable, a DVI cable, a VGA cable, or the like. The output (touch position coordinates) from the touch detection unit 112 to the validity determination unit 132 is transmitted by a USB cable or the like. Note that the image data and the touch position coordinates may be transmitted wirelessly.

(Fourth embodiment)
The configuration of FIG. 9 can be changed as shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the image display apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention as modules for each function. In FIG. 11, the display control unit 116 and the validity determination unit 132 are included in the touch panel display 154 together with the touch detection unit 112 and the display unit 114, and the input mode detection unit 130 and the touch operation processing unit 134 are combined with the touch panel display 154. Constitutes another device 156. The device 156 can be a computer, for example. Since the function of each component is the same as described above, description thereof will not be repeated. In this case, the output (input mode switching signal) from the input mode detection unit 130 to the display control unit 116 and the validity determination unit 132 is transmitted via a USB cable or the like. An output (touch operation signal) from the validity determination unit 132 to the touch operation processing unit 134 is transmitted by, for example, a USB cable. Note that the input mode switching signal and the touch operation signal may be transmitted wirelessly.

  The present invention has been described above by describing the embodiment. However, the above-described embodiment is an exemplification, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and is implemented with various modifications. be able to.

100 Image Display Device 102 Arithmetic Processing Unit (CPU)
104 Read-only memory (ROM)
106 Rewritable memory (RAM)
108 Recording unit 110 Interface unit (IF unit)
112 Touch detection unit 114 Display unit 116 Display control unit 118 Video memory (VRAM)
120 bus

Claims (11)

Display means for displaying an image;
A detecting unit arranged on an image display surface of the display unit and detecting a position designated by an operation of designating a position on the image displayed by the display unit;
An effective mode receiving means for receiving an effective mode setting instruction for enabling input by an external device;
Detection of a position designated by an operation of designating a position on a placement area for placing the external device by the detection means in response to the valid mode acceptance means accepting the valid mode setting instruction. And invalid setting means for invalidating
The image display device, wherein the display means displays an image representing the placement area when the valid mode accepting means accepts the valid mode setting instruction. Further comprising a first device and a second device;
The first device includes the display means and the detection means,
The second apparatus includes the valid mode accepting unit and the invalid setting unit.
The second apparatus further includes output means for outputting image data representing the placement area to the display means in response to the valid mode accepting means accepting the valid mode setting instruction. The image display device according to claim 1. Further comprising a first device and a second device;
The first device includes the display means and the detection means,
The second apparatus includes the valid mode accepting unit and the invalid setting unit.
The effective mode receiving means outputs an effective setting signal in response to receiving the effective mode setting instruction,
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first apparatus further includes output means for outputting image data representing the placement area to the display means in response to receiving the valid setting signal. Image display device. An invalid mode receiving means for receiving an invalid mode setting instruction for invalidating input by the external device;
In response to the invalid mode setting unit receiving the invalid mode setting instruction in a state where the detection unit detects the position relative to the placement area by the invalid setting unit, the detection is performed. And valid setting means for enabling detection of the position designated by the operation of designating the position on the placement area by the means,
4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit deletes the image representing the placement area in response to the reception of the invalid mode setting instruction by the invalid mode reception unit. 5. The image display device described in 1. The second device includes:
An invalid mode receiving means for receiving an invalid mode setting instruction for invalidating input by the external device;
In response to the invalid mode setting unit receiving the invalid mode setting instruction in a state where the detection unit detects the position relative to the placement area by the invalid setting unit, the detection is performed. And valid setting means for enabling detection of the position designated by the operation of designating the position on the placement area by the means,
The output means, when receiving the invalid mode setting instruction by the invalid mode accepting means, stops outputting image data representing the placement area to the display means. 2. The image display device according to 2. The second device includes:
An invalid mode receiving means for receiving an invalid mode setting instruction for invalidating input by the external device;
In response to the invalid mode setting unit receiving the invalid mode setting instruction in a state where the detection unit detects the position relative to the placement area by the invalid setting unit, the detection is performed. And valid setting means for enabling detection of the position designated by the operation of designating the position on the placement area by the means,
The invalid mode receiving means outputs an invalid setting signal in response to receiving the invalid mode setting instruction,
The image display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the output unit stops outputting image data representing the placement area to the display unit in response to receiving the invalid setting signal. The placement area is an area for placing a keyboard,
Further comprising instruction means for instructing the display means to display a software keyboard;
7. The effective mode receiving unit receives the effective mode setting instruction by operating the instruction unit by a method different from an operation method for instructing display of a software keyboard. The image display device according to claim 1.   The image display device according to claim 7, wherein the valid mode accepting unit accepts the valid mode setting instruction when a predetermined key on the software keyboard is pressed. The effective mode receiving means is
8. The image display according to claim 7, further comprising means for displaying a menu including options for accepting the effective mode setting instruction in response to a predetermined key on the software keyboard being pressed. apparatus. Connection detection means for detecting the type of connected external device;
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines a size of the placement area according to a type of the external device detected by the connection detection unit. 11. Image display device. An operation method of an image display device, comprising: a display unit; and a detection unit that is arranged on an image display surface of the display unit and detects a position specified by an operation of specifying a position on an image displayed by the display unit Because
Displaying an image on the display unit;
Detecting a position designated by an operation of designating a position on an image displayed by the display unit by the detection unit;
An effective mode receiving step for receiving an effective mode setting instruction for enabling input by an external device;
In response to receiving the valid mode setting instruction in the valid mode accepting step, the position of the position designated by the operation of designating the position on the placement area for placing the external device by the detection unit. A disable setting step to disable detection;
And a step of displaying an image representing the placement area in response to receiving the valid mode setting instruction in the valid mode accepting step on the display unit. .

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