JP6681134B2 - Touch panel tablet personal computer, control method thereof, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a touch panel tablet personal computer , a control method thereof, and a computer program, and particularly, to reduce the need for an operation of releasing one hand on a tablet personal computer (hereinafter also referred to as a tablet PC) having a larger screen than a smartphone. The present invention relates to a touch panel tablet personal computer that can be safely operated in a stable state with both hands, a control method thereof, and a computer program.

  When using a tablet PC that has a screen larger than that of a smartphone as a control computer for a measuring machine, "operation while holding with one hand" is a barrier that increases the risk of operation error or drop. A typical operation of the tablet PC is a touch panel operation called tap, which corresponds to a mouse click operation.

  In the case of a tablet PC 1 having a large display (touch panel 10 in the figure) as shown in FIG. 1, holding it with both hands 2 and 6 is the most stable way to hold it, but when selecting an option displayed on the screen, As shown in FIG. 2, any one of the options 16 must be tapped with the index finger 3 of the right hand 2, for example, and one hand (the right hand 2 in the example of FIG. 2) must be released from the tablet PC 1 to operate. difficult.

  With a large display (touch panel) tablet PC, it is difficult to hold it with one hand for a long time, and even when tapping, the touch panel is not fixed so easily that an operation error is likely to occur. Further, in the state where the tablet PC is held with one hand, the risk of dropping the tablet PC constantly increases.

  A tablet PC is most stable when held with both hands, so if you can perform these operations without releasing one hand from the tablet PC as much as possible, not only will the stability increase, but also accidents such as dropping the tablet PC will occur. Can be reduced.

  Although it is not possible to operate with both hands like the present invention, operability when holding a portable terminal with a small screen size with one hand and touch input with the other hand is provided. As a technique for enhancing the above, in Patent Document 1, a position where a (parent) finger is in contact with the touch panel when the mobile terminal is held with one hand is detected, and the position of the user interface is changed to a position close to the contact position. It is described to display.

  Further, as in Patent Document 1, Patent Documents 2 and 3 describe techniques for facilitating an operation performed while holding with one hand.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 4, in order to facilitate an input operation with both hands, a three-dimensional distance sensor that outputs a three-dimensional position from a shift due to parallax of images obtained from the left and right image pickup devices is provided in a mobile terminal. It is described that the device is mounted and the operation target is moved to a position on the mobile terminal that is easy to operate and displayed by using the three-dimensional position information of the face or hand obtained from the three-dimensional distance sensor.

JP, 2013-125471, A JP, 2002-73249, A JP, 2010-79442, A JP2012-155480A

  However, when the user interface is displayed near the thumb in the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is easy to operate when the back surface of the mobile terminal is supported by the other four fingers and the thumb can be freely moved. Therefore, it is assumed that the mobile terminal has a small screen size. Similarly, in Patent Documents 2 and 3, unlike the present invention, it is not possible to perform an operation while holding with both hands. Further, Patent Document 4 has a problem that it is necessary to provide a three-dimensional distance sensor, the configuration is complicated and the cost is high.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and reduces the need for an operation to release one hand without complicating the configuration, and stabilizes the touch panel tablet personal computer while holding it with both hands. The task is to enable safe operation in the state.

The present invention relates to a touch panel type tablet personal computer adapted to perform display and input operations using a touch panel, a contact sensor for detecting that the tablet type personal computer is held by both hands, and the contact sensor. While holding the tablet personal computer detected by both hands with the operator's thumb pressed against the touch panel, a drag operation detection unit for detecting a thumb drag operation traced from the screen edge of the touch panel toward the center, and At the edge of the screen around the thumb where the thumb drag operation is performed, a display control unit for displaying an option display unit displaying options and the tablet personal computer are held by both hands, and one of the options is displayed. Tap operation detection to detect when one is tapped When provided with an operation control unit for controlling the operation according to option selected by the tap operation, as option display unit displayed by the thumb drag operation, and displays the choices different functions with respect to the left and right thumbs The option display unit displayed by the thumb drag operation is displayed by the thumb scroll operation by tracing the surface of the option display unit displayed by the thumb drag operation in the vertical direction of the screen. By tapping the place other than with the thumb with the thumb, or by not operating for a certain time or more, it is made to return to the original display state in which the option display section is not displayed, and the information of the option displayed on the option display section is displayed. , The association can be changed for each application, and the tablet personal computer can be used with both hands. If you need to select the operator in lifting state automatically to display the option display unit on the screen edge, a mark that prompts the thumb drag operation be displayed around the thumb, the It is a solution to the problem.

Here, the width and height of the option display portion can be changed according to the reach of the thumb.

Further, the touch panel type tablet personal computer can be connected to the measuring device so as to communicate therewith.

The present invention also provides a control method of a touch panel tablet personal computer adapted to perform display and input operations using a touch panel, wherein a touch sensor detects that the tablet personal computer is held by both hands. Then, when the tablet personal computer detected by the contact sensor is held by both hands and a thumb drag operation traced from the screen edge of the touch panel toward the center is detected while the operator's thumb is pressed against the touch panel. Displays an option display section in which options are displayed at the edge of the screen around the thumb where the thumb drag operation is performed, and when the tablet personal computer is held by both hands, one of the displayed options is displayed. When one tap operation is performed, the option selected by the tap operation is followed. Controls the operation Te, alternative display part displayed by the thumb drag operation, displays the choices different functions with respect to the right and left thumbs, top and bottom of the screen surface of the alternative display part displayed by the thumb dragging When a thumb scroll operation that traces in the direction is detected, an option that is not displayed is displayed, and when a place other than the option display section displayed by the thumb drag operation is tapped with the thumb, or the operation is performed for a certain period of time or more. state when it is detected that are not, to hide the option display unit, the information of the options displayed on the option display unit, and can change the association for each application, the tablet-type personal computer is held by both hands When the operator's selection is required with, the option display area is automatically displayed at the edge of the screen, or the thumb drag is displayed. By displaying a mark that prompts the operator around the thumb, it is obtained by solving the problems as well.

The present invention also provides a computer program for controlling a touch panel tablet personal computer adapted to perform display and input operations using a touch panel, wherein the tablet personal computer is held by both hands of the computer. That the touch sensor detects the fact that the touch-sensitive sensor and the tablet-type personal computer detected by the touch sensor are held by both hands, with the operator's thumb pressed against the touch panel, from the screen edge of the touch panel toward the center. When a drag drag operation of tracing is detected, a process of displaying an option display section in which options are displayed on the screen edge around the thumb where the thumb drag operation is performed, and the tablet personal computer is held by both hands. in state, one option is the display When There is tapped includes a process of controlling the operation according to option selected by the tap operation, alternative display part displayed by the thumb drag operation, and displays the choices different functions with respect to the left and right thumbs Processing, when a thumb scroll operation of tracing the surface of the option display portion displayed by the thumb drag operation in the vertical direction of the screen is detected, processing of displaying an option that is not displayed and displaying by the thumb drag operation when location other than the option display unit is tapped with the thumb, or when it is detected that not operated a predetermined time or more, a process for hiding the alternative display part, of the options displayed on the option display unit The process of changing the association of information for each application and the state in which the tablet personal computer is held by both hands In the case it becomes necessary to select the operator, automatically to display the option display unit on the screen edge, by executing the processing for displaying a mark that prompts the thumb drag operation around the thumb, similarly It is a solution to the problem.

According to the present invention, it becomes possible to reduce the need for an operation of releasing one hand and safely perform an operation such as selection of an option in a stable state while holding a touch panel tablet personal computer with both hands. , The following effects can be expected.

(1) Improved stability Since the user interface allows operation while holding a tablet PC with both hands, it is highly stable and less likely to fall, improving safety.

(2) Reduction of operation mistakes Compared with the tap operation performed in an unstable state where the tablet PC or the like is held with one hand, reduction of operation mistakes can be expected and the user can operate with peace of mind.

Front view showing a state in which a tablet PC is held by both hands for explaining conventional problems Similarly, a front view showing a state in which an option is selected by tapping the index finger. Front view of an embodiment of the present invention Similarly a block diagram showing the hardware configuration Similarly, a block diagram showing the functional configuration Similarly, a front view showing a state in which the right side option display section is displayed by dragging the right thumb Similarly to FIG. 6, a front view showing a state in which the left option display section is also displayed by the drag operation of the left thumb. Similarly, a front view showing a state in which the right option display portion is scrolled vertically with the thumb. Similarly a flow chart showing an example of the processing procedure

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the contents described in the embodiments and examples below. The constituent features in the embodiments and examples described below include those that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the constituent elements disclosed in the embodiments and examples described below may be appropriately combined or appropriately selected and used.

  The embodiment of the present invention is one in which the present invention is applied to a tablet PC 1 having a substantially rectangular outer shape, which is illustrated in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the so-called frame portion surrounding the touch panel 10 is narrow, and most of the front surface is occupied by the touch panel 10.

  The tablet PC 1 is provided with a contact sensor 20 (FIG. 3 is not shown; see FIGS. 4 and 5) for detecting contact of an object with its peripheral portion. The contact sensor 20 can detect the contact position and the number thereof with a resolution that can determine whether the contact sensor 20 is held by both hands or by one hand.

  Although not shown in the drawings, on the outer surface of the tablet PC 1, various interfaces and mechanical elements such as a power switch, a volume operation section, a camera lens window, a ventilation section for audio output by a speaker, a connector, and a jack are provided. Are arranged.

  The tablet PC 1 is wirelessly or wired connected to a measuring device 100 such as an image measuring device, and is used for inputting a measurement-related instruction, displaying a measurement result, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the tablet PC 1 has a communication circuit 22, a storage 24, a control circuit 30, and other components (not shown) in addition to the touch panel 10 and the contact sensor 20 described above. The communication circuit 22 is used for wireless communication and wired communication between the tablet PC 1 and an external device. The storage 24 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and is used for storing and temporarily storing various data. The control circuit 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 32 as a computer that executes a control program and various applications, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 34 that is a work area for program execution, and a non-volatile memory that stores control setting values. It has a memory 36.

  A functional configuration relating to display and selection operation control in such a tablet PC 1 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the tablet PC 1 includes a drag operation detection unit 40, a display control unit 42, a tap operation detection unit 44, and an operation control unit 46. These components are realized by the CPU 32 of the control circuit 30 executing a control program.

  The drag operation detecting unit 40 detects a thumb drag operation of tracing the screen from the edge of the touch panel 10 toward the center while the operator's thumb is pressed against the touch panel 10.

  The display control unit 42 controls the display according to the drag operation detected by the drag operation detection unit 40.

  The tap operation detection unit 44 detects that one of the options has been tapped.

  The operation control unit 46 controls the operation of the tablet PC 1 according to the option selected by the tap operation.

  Hereinafter, display and control in the tablet PC 1 will be described by giving specific examples of display and selection operations.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the thumb 4 (or 7) of the right hand 2 (or left hand 6) is traced from the screen edge toward the center while the tablet PC 1 is held by both hands 2 and 6. By selecting (referred to as thumb drag), the option display section 50 (or 52 (see FIG. 7)) is displayed around the thumb on the right (or left) screen edge, and the option 54 is displayed therein with text or icons. By tapping one of them with the thumb 4 (or 7) of the right hand 2 (or the left hand 6), the item of the option 54 can be selected.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the left and right option display portions 50 and 52 displayed by dragging the left and right thumbs can be used for different purposes such as selection of a folder and selection of a file.

  Further, while the option display section 50 (or 52) is being displayed, as shown in FIG. 8, the thumb 4 (or 7) of the right hand 2 (or left hand 6) is further moved over the option display section 50 (or 52). By tracing in the vertical direction (referred to as thumb scroll), it is possible to display options that are not displayed.

  Further, while the option display sections 50 and / or 52 are being displayed, tapping a place other than the option display sections 50, 52 with the thumb 4 or 7 or by not operating for a certain period of time or more, the option display is displayed. It is possible to return to the original display state in which the parts 50 and 52 are not displayed.

  The information of the options 54 displayed on the option display units 50 and 52 can be changed in association with each application, such as a hyperlink of a Web page or a menu of an application.

  When the user needs to select the application, the option display section 50 (or 52) is automatically displayed at the right (or left) screen edge, or a mark that encourages thumb dragging is displayed around the thumb. You can also do a thumb drag.

  Further, the width and height of the option display portions 50 and 52 can be changed according to the reach of the thumbs 4 and 7.

  Hereinafter, an example of a specific processing procedure of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

  First, in step 100, it is determined whether a thumb drag operation has been performed. If the determination result is positive, the process proceeds to step 110, and the option display section 50 is displayed as illustrated in FIG. FIG. 6 shows the case where the thumb 4 of the right hand 2 is dragged, but when the thumb 7 of the left hand 6 is continuously dragged, as shown in FIG. The option display section 52 of is also displayed. The operation order of the right hand and the left hand may be reversed, and only the option display section 52 may be displayed by operating only the thumb 7 of the left hand 6.

  Next, in step 120, it is determined whether one of the options 54 displayed in the option display section 50 and / or 52 has been tapped. If the determination result is positive, the process proceeds to step 130, and the tablet PC 1 is controlled according to the tapped option 54.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step 120 is negative, the process proceeds to step 150, and it is determined whether or not the thumb scroll operation as shown in FIG. 8 has been performed. If the determination result is positive, the process proceeds to step 160, and the display in the option display unit 50 or 52 is scrolled in the vertical direction so that the options that are not displayed can be displayed.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step 150 is negative, the process proceeds to step 170, and it is determined whether or not the non-operation state has continued for a predetermined time or more, or whether a place other than the option display section 50 or 52 is tapped. To do. If the determination result is positive, the process proceeds to step 180, the option display units 50 and 52 are hidden, and the process ends.

  If the determination result of step 170 is negative, or after step 160 ends, the process returns to step 120.

  According to this embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

(I) Internet browser Not only bookmarks and history of Internet browsers, but hyperlinks in Web pages must be tapped with one hand at present. By displaying a bookmark or a history list on the left and right option display sections 50 and 52 displayed by dragging with the thumb, it is possible to facilitate browsing by the operator. Further, the option display sections 50 and 52 are displayed by dragging with the thumb, and at the same time, the numbers such as circled numbers 1 and 2 are displayed on the hyperlink in the Web page, and the numbers are displayed on the option display sections 50 and 52. If the icon is displayed so that it can be selected, the tap of the hyperlink can be selected with the thumb. It is also possible to display an icon that is not displayed by the thumb scroll and at the same time automatically scroll the Web page to display the hyperlink of the corresponding number.

(Ii) Browsing a document When inputting a document, it may be designed so that both hands can be input with a software keyboard. However, when browsing multiple documents, tap operations such as folder operation and file operation are required to select different files.
For example, it is possible to display a list of files in the current folder on the right option display section 50 displayed by dragging with the thumb so that they can be selected, and to display a folder icon for changing the current folder on the left option display section 52. For example, you can switch between documents and view them without releasing your hands.

(Iii) Desktop operation The desktop has different display states depending on the OS, but it is necessary to scroll and tap the desktop of any OS with a finger.
By displaying an icon on the desktop in the option display sections 50 and 52 displayed by dragging the thumb, the target application can be activated without releasing the hand.
Further, the mail reception notification and the message display from the application are normally displayed in the center of the screen, but the OS or the application automatically displays the option display sections 50 and 52 to display these information. It is possible to respond without changing your hands.

(Iv) Other applications By displaying the menus of applications on the option display sections 50 and 52, the number of operations that can be performed without releasing the hand is significantly increased. Further, the application may display its own options on the option display sections 50 and 52, so that all the operations may be performed without releasing the hand. If such applications increase, it will greatly contribute to the spread of tablet PCs.

In addition, in the said embodiment, although the case where this invention was connected to the measuring device was illustrated, the touch-panel type tablet personal computer which concerns on this invention is not limited to such an example.

  As a result, the following effects can be expected.

(I) Expansion of users It will be possible to provide a wide range of users with terminals such as tablet PCs, which tend to be shunned by children and old people who have little grip.

(II) Expansion of usage scenes of tablet PCs, etc. In the following usage scenes where the advantage of the large screen could not be utilized due to the difficulty of holding with one hand, it is expected that the usage will be expanded in a wide range of age groups.
・ Presentation by elementary school students holding tablet PCs, etc. ・ Orientation with tablet PCs etc. while walking around Noyama at seniors' meetings, etc. ・ Coaching with moving images taken with tablet PCs etc. in sports etc. ・ Tablets at aquariums and zoos etc. Reference of encyclopedia and observation records by PC etc. ・ Study of creators and works of exhibits by tablet PC etc. at museums etc. ・ Map information and confirmation of tourist spots (using GPS etc.) etc. by tablet PC etc.

1 ... Tablet PC
2, 6 ... Hands 4, 7 ... Thumb 10 ... Touch panel 20 ... Contact sensor 22 ... Communication circuit 24 ... Storage 30 ... Control circuit 32 ... CPU
34 ... RAM
36 ... Non-volatile memory 40 ... Drag operation detection unit 42 ... Display control unit 44 ... Tap operation detection unit 46 ... Operation control unit 50, 52 ... Choice display unit 54 ... Choice 100 ... Measuring device

Claims (5)

In a touch panel tablet personal computer that is configured to perform display and input operations using a touch panel,
A contact sensor for detecting that the tablet personal computer is held by both hands;
A drag operation detection unit that detects a thumb drag operation traced from the screen edge of the touch panel toward the center while pressing the operator's thumb against the touch panel while holding the tablet personal computer detected by the contact sensor with both hands When,
At the screen edge around the thumb where the thumb drag operation is performed, a display control unit for displaying an option display unit in which options are displayed,
With the tablet personal computer held by both hands, a tap operation detection unit that detects that one of the options is tapped,
An operation control unit that controls an operation in accordance with the option selected by the tap operation,
The option display section displayed by the thumb drag operation is configured to display different function options for the left and right thumbs,
By the thumb scroll operation of tracing the surface of the option display portion displayed by the thumb drag operation in the vertical direction of the screen, the options that are not displayed are displayed.
By tapping a place other than the option display section displayed by the thumb drag operation with the thumb, or by not operating for a certain period of time, the option display section is returned to the original display state in which it is not displayed,
The information of the options displayed in the options display section, the association can be changed for each application,
When the operator needs to select the tablet personal computer while holding it with both hands, the option display section is automatically displayed at the edge of the screen, or the mark for urging the thumb drag operation is displayed around the thumb. A touch panel tablet personal computer characterized in that it is adapted to be displayed on.   2. The touch panel tablet personal computer according to claim 1, wherein the width and height of the option display portion can be changed according to the reach of the thumb.   The touch panel tablet personal computer according to claim 1 or 2, which is connected to a measuring device so as to communicate therewith. In a control method of a touch panel type tablet personal computer adapted to perform display and input operation using a touch panel,
A contact sensor detects that the tablet personal computer is held by both hands,
When the tablet personal computer detected by the contact sensor is held by both hands and the operator's thumb is pressed against the touch panel and a thumb drag operation tracing from the screen edge of the touch panel toward the center is detected, At the edge of the screen around the thumb where the thumb drag operation is performed, an option display section in which options are displayed is displayed,
When the tablet personal computer is held by both hands and one of the displayed options is tapped, the operation is controlled according to the option selected by the tap operation,
The option display section displayed by the thumb drag operation displays options of different functions for the left and right thumbs,
When a thumb scroll operation of tracing the surface of the option display portion displayed by the thumb drag operation in the vertical direction of the screen is detected, the options not displayed are displayed,
When a place other than alternative display part displayed by the thumb drag operation has been tapped by the thumb, or when it is detected that not operated a predetermined time or more, to hide the option display unit,
The option information displayed on the option display section can be associated with each application,
When the operator needs to select the tablet personal computer while holding it with both hands, the option display section is automatically displayed at the edge of the screen, or the mark for urging the thumb drag operation is displayed around the thumb. A method for controlling a touch-panel tablet personal computer, characterized by being displayed on the screen . In a computer program for controlling a touch panel tablet personal computer that is configured to perform display and input operations using a touch panel, a computer,
A process for detecting that the tablet personal computer is held by both hands by a contact sensor ;
When the tablet personal computer detected by the contact sensor is held by both hands and the operator's thumb is pressed against the touch panel and a thumb drag operation tracing from the screen edge of the touch panel toward the center is detected, A process of displaying an option display section in which options are displayed at the screen edge around the thumb where the thumb drag operation is performed;
When the tablet personal computer is held by both hands and one of the displayed options is tapped, a process of controlling the operation according to the option selected by the tapping operation,
The option display unit displayed by the thumb drag operation displays the options of different functions for the left and right thumbs,
When a thumb scroll operation of tracing the surface of the option display portion displayed by the thumb drag operation in the vertical direction of the screen is detected, a process of displaying options that are not displayed,
Wherein when the thumb place other than alternative display part displayed by the drag operation has been tapped by the thumb, or when it detects that the predetermined time or more is not operated, the processing for hiding the option display unit,
A process of changing the association of the information of the options displayed on the option display unit for each application,
When the operator needs to select the tablet personal computer while holding it with both hands, the option display section is automatically displayed at the edge of the screen, or the mark for urging the thumb drag operation is displayed around the thumb. A computer program characterized by causing a process to be displayed on a computer to be executed.