JP7238036B2 - Touch panel input device and control program - Google Patents

Description

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a touch panel input device and a control program for causing a computer to function as the touch panel input device.

When a touch key is touched, the touch panel input device accepts input of information assigned to the touch key. Such a touch panel input device is used, for example, in a self-service POS terminal that allows a customer to pay for purchased products.

Touch keys typically display text or images representing the information assigned to the key. Therefore, the user can know the information assigned to the touch key from the text or image displayed on the touch key. On the other hand, there is a demand to notify the user of information related to the information assigned to the touch keys. For example, a retail store where a self-service POS terminal has been introduced may carry out a sales promotion of doubling the service points for shoppers who pay with their own credit cards. In such cases, conventionally, shoppers are notified of the sales promotion by posting POP advertisements describing the sales promotion in the store or by displaying the sales promotion on a display in the store. However, there is a concern that POP advertisements or announcements using in-store displays may not be recognized by shoppers.

JP 2009-282572 A

The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a touch panel input device capable of enhancing the user's recognition of information related to information assigned to touch keys.

In one embodiment, a touch panel input device includes a touch panel that displays a screen on which touch keys are arranged and receives touch input to the touch keys, a key information storage unit, an association information storage unit, and processing means. . The key information storage unit stores, for each touch key, first information representing a position on the screen and second information input by a touch operation of the touch key. The association information storage unit stores identification information of an icon indicating third information accompanying the second information in association with identification information of a touch key for inputting the second information accompanying the third information. do. The processing means arranges the touch keys on the screen based on the first information and the second information stored in the key information storage section, and further arranges the touch keys on the screen from the information stored in the association information storage section. When an icon is associated, the icon is attached to the touch key.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the self-service POS terminal; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of transition of screens displayed on the touch panel; The figure which shows an example of a shopping selection screen. The figure which shows an example of a goods selection screen. The figure which shows an example of a payment selection screen. Schematic diagram showing the data structure of a main data table. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of screen display processing executed by a CPU; 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of input acceptance processing executed by a CPU; Schematic diagram showing a main data table of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of screen display processing executed by the CPU in the second embodiment; FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a touch panel input device will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that this embodiment exemplifies a touch panel input device that functions as a display device and an input device of a self-service POS terminal.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the essential circuit configuration of a self-service POS terminal. The self-service POS terminal includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3, an auxiliary storage section 4, a clock section 5, a communication interface 6, a bill change unit 7, and a coin change unit. 8, weighing unit 9 , reader/writer 10 , card reader 11 , printer 12 , scanner 13 , touch panel 14 and system bus 15 . The self-POS terminal constitutes a computer by connecting the CPU 1 , ROM 2 , RAM 3 and auxiliary storage unit 4 via a system bus 15 .

CPU 1 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The ROM2 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The ROM 2 stores the above operating system and application programs. The RAM 3 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The RAM 3 stores data necessary for the CPU 1 to execute processing. The auxiliary storage unit 4 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 4 is, for example, an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

Clock unit 5, communication interface 6, bill change unit 7, coin change unit 8, scale unit 9, reader/writer 10, card reader 11, printer 12, scanner 13, and touch panel 14 are connected directly or indirectly via a signal input/output circuit. connected to the system bus 15.

The clock unit 5 functions as a time information source for the self-service POS terminal. The CPU 1 clocks the current date and time based on the time information clocked by the clock unit 5 . The communication interface 6 performs data communication with equipment (eg, attendant terminal, store server, etc.) connected via a LAN, according to a preset communication protocol. The banknote change unit 7 counts the banknotes inserted from the banknote slot by denomination, calculates the amount of money inserted, and stores the inserted banknotes in the safe by denomination. In addition, the banknote change unit 7 takes out the banknotes required as change from the safe and delivers them to the banknote dispensing opening in response to a change dispensing command given from the CPU 1 . The coin change unit 8 counts the coins inserted from the coin slot by denomination to calculate the inserted amount and stores the inserted coins in the safe by denomination. In addition, the coin change unit 8 takes out the necessary coins as change from the safe and dispenses them to the coin dispensing opening in response to a change dispensing command given from the CPU 1 . The scale unit 9 weighs the products registered via the scanner 13 or the touch panel 14 . The reader/writer 10 reads data recorded in an IC card and writes data to the IC card without contact. An IC card is, for example, an electronic money card, a point card, a credit card, or the like. A card reader 11 reads data recorded on a magnetic card. A magnetic card is, for example, a credit card, a point card, or the like. The printer 12 prints receipt data representing details of commercial transactions on a predetermined receipt paper. A scanner 13 optically reads the bar code. Many products have a bar code that indicates a product code unique to the product.

The touch panel 14 functions as a display device that displays various screens including touch keys, and an input device that receives touch input from touch keys and receives input of information assigned to the touch keys. The touch panel 14 configures a touch panel input device 20 in cooperation with the CPU 1, ROM 2, RAM 3, and auxiliary storage section 4. As shown in FIG. The touch panel input device 20 will be specifically described below.

FIG. 2 shows an example of transition of screens displayed on the touch panel 14 . When the self-service POS terminal is in the default state, the touch panel input device 20 causes the touch panel 14 to display the start screen 21 . The start screen 21 is provided with a touch key (start key) for instructing the start of settlement. When the start key is touch-operated, the touch panel input device 20 causes the touch panel 14 to display a shopping selection screen 22 . A plurality of touch keys (shopping keys) are arranged on the shopping selection screen 22 for allowing the user (shopper) to select a shopping method (bring your own bag, use a shopping bag, shopping sticker, etc.). When any shopping key is touch-operated, the touch panel input device 20 causes the touch panel 14 to display a registration screen 23 . The registration screen 23 has an area for displaying the details and total amount of registered products, as well as a plurality of touch keys (product group keys) for designating product groups without barcodes (for example, vegetables, fruits, seafood, side dishes, etc.). , and a touch key (accounting key) for completing the registration of purchased products and instructing accounting.

When any product group key is touch-operated, the touch panel input device 20 causes the touch panel 14 to display a product selection screen 24 . A plurality of touch keys (product keys) to which products belonging to the product group assigned to the touch-operated product group key are assigned are arranged on the product selection screen 24 . When any product key is touch-operated, the touch panel input device 20 returns the screen of the touch panel 14 to the registration screen 23 . At this time, the sales data of the product assigned to the touch-operated product key is registered in the self-POS terminal, and the details thereof are displayed on the registration screen 23 .

When the accounting key is touch-operated, the touch panel input device 20 causes the touch panel 14 to display a payment selection screen 25 . A plurality of touch keys (payment keys) for allowing the user to select a payment method (cash, credit card, electronic money, etc.) are arranged on the payment selection screen 25 . When any of the payment keys is touch-operated, the touch panel input device 20 causes the touch panel 14 to display the checkout screen 26 . At this time, the self-POS terminal executes accounting processing according to the payment method touched. Accounting information (for example, payment amount, change amount, electronic money balance, etc.) is displayed on the accounting screen 26 . After completing the accounting process, the touch panel input device 20 returns the touch panel 14 to the start screen 21 .

The touch panel input device 20 that changes screens in the order shown in FIG. 2 has a function of selectively adding icons to touch keys on the screen. The icon indicates information that accompanies the information that is input by the touch operation of the touch key. In this embodiment, the accompanying information is sales promotion information.

Specific examples are shown in FIGS. FIG. 3 shows an example in which an icon 31 of "Double points" is added to the shopping key 22a of "bring my bag" on the shopping selection screen 22. FIG. This example is in response to the sales promotion information "service points are doubled for shoppers who bring their own bags". FIG. 4 shows an example in which an icon 32 of "advertisement product" is added to the product key 24a of "carrot" on the product selection screen 24. As shown in FIG. This example is in response to the promotional information "Carrots are an advertising item". FIG. 5 shows an example of the payment selection screen 25, in which the payment key 25a of "company credit" is added with an icon 31 of "double points". This example is in response to promotional information "Double service points for shoppers who pay with their own credit card."

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, in this embodiment, the shape of the touch key is a rectangle with rounded corners. Let XL be the length of one side in the horizontal direction of this square, and YL be the length of one side in the vertical direction. The length XL and the length YL are determined by the number of touch keys displayed on one screen. Also, in this embodiment, the shape of the icon added to the touch key is a horizontally long oval. Then, the long axis of this ellipse is matched with the upper side of the touch key. Also, the minor radius of this ellipse is set to ⅓ of the length YL.

In order to realize such functions, the touch panel input device 20 has data tables 41 to 43 shown in FIG.

The data table 41 stores the data necessary for arranging the touch keys on each of the screens 21-25 for each of the screens 21-25. That is, there are as many data tables 41 as there are screens 21-25. The data table 41 has a screen code area, a key number area, and a plurality of key data areas. A unique screen code set for each of the screens 21 to 25 is set in the screen code area. The number n of touch keys displayed on the screen specified by the screen code is set in the key number area. A key ID, base point coordinates, size data and key information are set in the key information area for each touch key. A key ID is a unique code that individually identifies each touch key. The base point coordinates and size data are parameters representing the arrangement position and size of the touch key. The key information includes display data (text or image) representing information assigned to the key and attributes (background color, etc.).

In this embodiment, positions (points) on the screen of the touch panel 14 are represented by a two-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system (x, y). As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the lower left corner of the touch key is set as a base point P, and the orthogonal coordinates of this base point P are set as base point coordinates (xi, yi). Also, the lengths XL and YL of each side of the touch key are used as size data. That is, the base point coordinates and size data stored in the data table 41 are the first information representing the position on the screen for each touch key. The key information similarly stored in the data table 41 is the second information input by the touch operation of the touch key. Here, the data table 41 constitutes a key information storage unit.

The data table 42 stores data relating to icons added to the selection of the touch keys on each of the screens 21-25. The data table 42 has an icon ID area and an icon information area. An icon ID is set in the icon ID area. The icon ID is a unique code that individually identifies each icon. In the icon information area, information (sales promotion information) announced by icons, such as "double points", "three times points", "advertisement product", etc., is set.

The data table 43 stores, for each screen code, the key ID of the touch key arranged on the screen specified by the screen code and the icon ID of the icon added to the touch key. The data table 43 has a screen code area, a key ID area, and an icon ID area. The screen code of the screen including the touch key to which the icon is added is set in the screen code area. A key ID of a touch key to which an icon is added is set in the key ID area. The icon ID of the icon added to the touch key specified by the corresponding key ID is set in the icon ID area. That is, the data table 43 inputs the icon identification information (icon ID) indicating the third information (icon information) associated with the second information (key information), and the second information associated with the third information. An association information storage unit is configured to store in association with the identification information (key ID) of the touch key for the touch key.

Thus, the computer of the touch panel input device 20 executes information processing according to the procedures shown in the flow charts of FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the procedure of screen display processing executed by the CPU 1 according to the control program stored in the ROM 2 or the auxiliary storage unit 4. As shown in FIG. This process starts when the screen code is generated. Note that the contents of the processing shown in FIG. 7 and described below are merely examples, and various processing capable of obtaining similar results can be used as appropriate.

In the self-POS terminal, when the start key on the start screen 21 is touched, a screen code for the shopping selection screen 22 is generated. When the shopping key on the shopping selection screen 22 is touch-operated, a screen code for the registration screen 23 is generated. When the product group key on the registration screen 23 is touch-operated, a screen code for the product selection screen 24 is generated. Also, when the accounting key on the registration screen 23 is touch-operated, a screen code for the payment selection screen 25 is generated. When the payment key on the payment selection screen 25 is touch-operated, a screen code for the checkout screen 26 is generated.

When the screen code is generated in this way, the CPU 1 detects the screen code (Act 1). When the screen code is detected, the CPU 1 inputs the touch key data (n key IDs, base point coordinates P, size, key information) of the data table 41 in which the screen code is set (Act 2). Based on the touch key data, the CPU 1 edits the image data so that n touch keys are arranged on the screen specified by the screen code (Act 3: processing means).

Next, the CPU 1 confirms whether the detected screen code is set in the data table 43 (Act 4). If the screen code is not set (NO in Act 4), the CPU 1 causes the touch panel 14 to display the screen of the image data edited in the process of Act 3 (Act 5). With this, the screen display processing ends. Therefore, in this case, no icon is attached to the touch key on the screen.

On the other hand, if the detected screen code is set in the data table 43 (YES in Act4), the CPU 1 detects the key ID and icon ID associated with the screen code (Act6). Next, the CPU 1 inputs the base coordinate P and the size data stored in association with the key ID from the data table 41 of the detected screen code. Then, the CPU 1 determines the center coordinates Q (Xn, Yn) of the icon based on the base point coordinates P and the size data (Act 7: position determining means). The CPU 1 also determines the size of the icon based on the same size data (Act 8: size determining means).

Specifically, the CPU 1 obtains a point moved from the base point coordinates Px by 1/2 of the length XL in the X direction and further moved by the length YL in the Y direction, and converts the coordinates of this point to the center coordinates Q (Xn, Yn). In addition, the CPU 1 sets 1/2 of the length XL as the long radius of the icon, and 1/3 of the length YL as the short radius of the icon.

After obtaining the center coordinates Q (Xn, Yn) of the icon and the size data of the major and minor radii, the CPU 1 inputs the icon information associated with the icon ID from the data table 42 (Act 9). Then, the CPU edits the image data based on the center coordinates Q (Xn, Yn), the size data, and the icon information so that the icon is added to the touch key on the screen specified by the screen code (Act 10: Processing means). After that, the CPU 1 causes the touch panel 14 to display the screen of the image data edited in the processes of Act 3 and Act 10 (Act 11). With this, the screen display processing ends. Therefore, in this case, an icon for announcing sales promotion information is added to any touch key on the screen.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the procedure of input reception processing executed by the CPU 1 according to the control program stored in the ROM 2 or the auxiliary storage unit 4. As shown in FIG. This processing starts when a screen including touch keys is displayed on the touch panel 14 . Note that the contents of the processing shown in FIG. 8 and described below are merely examples, and various processing capable of obtaining similar results can be used as appropriate.

In the self-POS terminal, a start screen 21, a shopping selection screen 22, a registration screen 23, a product selection screen 24, and a payment selection screen 25 include touch keys. When these screens are displayed, the CPU 1 waits for a touch operation on the screen (Act 21). When it is detected that the screen has been touch-operated by a signal from the touch panel 14 (YES in Act 21), the CPU 1 detects the position of the touch-operation (Act 22). Then, the CPU 1 confirms whether or not the touch-operated position is within the area of the touch key (Act 23).

If it is within the area of the touch key (YES in Act 23), the CPU 1 accepts the input of this touch key (Act 26). With this, the input acceptance process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is outside the touch key area (NO in Act 23), the CPU 1 checks whether it is inside the icon area (Act 24). If it is within the icon area (YES in Act 24), the CPU 1 searches the data table 43 and identifies the touch key associated with the icon (Act 25). That is, the CPU 1 acquires the key ID associated with the icon ID of the icon. Then, the CPU 1 accepts the input of the touch key identified by this key ID (Act 26: accepting means). With this, the input acceptance process is terminated.

When the input acceptance process ends, the CPU 1 executes the input process of the information assigned to the input touch key. For example, when the start key is touch-operated while the start screen 21 is being displayed, the CPU 1 generates a screen code for the shopping selection screen 22 . For example, when the purchase key is touch-operated while the purchase selection screen 22 is displayed, the CPU 1 generates a screen code for the registration screen 23 . At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, if the touch-operated shopping key is the My Back key 22a on which the double points icon 31 is displayed, the CPU 1 performs processing for doubling the service points. to run. Since these input processes are already executed in existing self-service POS terminals, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when there is accompanying information for information assigned to a touch key, an icon representing the accompanying information is added to the touch key. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the information attached to the touch key from the icon attached to the touch key. As a result, it is possible to increase the user's awareness of information related to the information assigned to the touch key.

Further, according to this embodiment, the icon is added so as to have the same width as the touch key and partially overlap. Also, when the user touches the icon area, information assigned to the touch key to which the icon is attached is input. Therefore, the relationship between the information input by the touch key and the information notified by the icon is clear, and even if the user touches the icon, the touch panel input device 20 displays the touch key to which the icon is added. can be considered as an input for

(Second embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the data table 43 is changed to the data table 44 shown in FIG. That is, period data is added to the data table 44 . The period data is the display period of the icon identified by the corresponding icon ID. The period data includes, for example, the date of the start date of the period and the date of the end date of the period. In addition to the date, the start time and end time may be included.

In the second embodiment having the data table 44 having such a configuration, part of the screen display processing procedure differs from that in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of screen display processing executed by the CPU 1 in the second embodiment. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same actions (Act) as in FIG. 7, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the second embodiment, when the detected screen code is set in the data table 43 (YES in Act 4), the CPU 1 sets the screen code in the data table 43 in association with it. Detecting period data Then, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the current date and time kept by the clock unit 5 is within the period determined by the period data (Act 31). If it is within the period (YES in Act31), the CPU 1 executes the processes of Acts 6 to 11 described above. If it is outside the period (NO in Act31), the CPU 1 executes the processing of Act5 described above.

According to the second embodiment having such a configuration, it is possible to arbitrarily set the period during which the icon is attached to the touch key. Therefore, even if the information notified by the icon is for a limited period, it is possible to easily attach the icon to the touch key only during that period.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.
For example, the reference coordinates and size of an icon added to a touch key may not be determined from the reference coordinates and size of the touch key. An icon having a preset size may be displayed so as to overlap at least a portion of the touch key.

Further, in the above embodiment, the touch panel input device functioning as the display device and input device of the self-service POS terminal was exemplified, but the touch panel input device of electronic equipment other than the self-service POS terminal can be similarly applied.

It should be noted that the transfer of the touch panel input device is generally carried out in a state in which programs such as a control program are stored in a ROM. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a control program or the like assigned separately from the computer device may be written in a writable storage device included in the computer device according to the user's operation. Transfer of the control program or the like can be performed by recording it on a removable recording medium or by communication via a network. The recording medium may be of any form, such as CD-ROM, memory card, etc., as long as it can store the program and can be read by the device. Also, the functions obtained by installing or downloading a program may be realized in cooperation with an OS (Operating System) or the like inside the apparatus.

Additionally, while several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... CPU, 2... ROM, 3... RAM, 4... Auxiliary memory part, 14... Touch panel, 20... Touch panel input device, 21... Start screen, 22... Shopping selection screen, 23... Registration screen, 24... Product selection screen, 25... Payment selection screen, 26... Accounting screen, 41 to 44... Data table.

Claims (8)

a touch panel that displays a shopping selection screen on which a plurality of touch keys for selecting a shopping method are arranged and that receives touch input to the touch keys;
a key information storage unit for storing, for each of the touch keys, first information representing a position on the shopping selection screen and second information input by a touch operation of the touch key;
Association for storing identification information of an icon indicating third information accompanying said second information in association with identification information of said touch key for inputting said second information accompanying said third information an information storage unit;
arranging the touch keys on the shopping selection screen based on the first information and the second information stored in the key information storage unit, and selecting the shopping item from the information stored in the association information storage unit; processing means for displaying the icon in addition to the touch key for selecting a shopping method when the icon is associated with the touch key on the screen;
receiving means for receiving, when the icon is displayed at a touch input position outside the area of the touch key on the screen displayed on the touch panel, a touch input of the touch key associated with the icon;
A touch panel input device comprising: 2. The touch panel input device according to claim 1, wherein said touch key includes a touch key for selecting bring my bag. a touch panel that displays a payment selection screen on which a plurality of touch keys for selecting a payment method are arranged and that receives touch input to the touch keys;
a key information storage unit for storing, for each of the touch keys, first information representing a position on the payment selection screen and second information input by a touch operation of the touch key;
Association for storing identification information of an icon indicating third information accompanying said second information in association with identification information of said touch key for inputting said second information accompanying said third information an information storage unit;
The touch keys are arranged on the payment selection screen based on the first information and the second information stored in the key information storage unit, and the payment selection is made from the information stored in the association information storage unit. processing means for adding and displaying the icon to the touch key for selecting a payment method when the icon is associated with the touch key on the screen;
receiving means for receiving, when the icon is displayed at a touch input position outside the area of the touch key on the screen displayed on the touch panel, a touch input of the touch key associated with the icon;
A touch panel input device comprising: 4. The touch panel input device according to claim 3, wherein said payment method includes cash and credit card. 4. The touch panel input device according to claim 3, wherein said payment method includes cash and electronic money payment. 6. The touch panel input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said icon is an icon indicating information regarding point award. a function of displaying a shopping selection screen on which a plurality of touch keys for selecting a shopping method are arranged on a touch panel, receiving touch input to the touch keys; and the second information input by the touch operation of the touch key, and the identification information of the icon indicating the third information accompanying the second information. A computer equipped with a function of reading information from an association information storage unit that stores the second information accompanied by the information of 3 in association with the identification information of the touch key for inputting the second information,
a function of arranging the touch keys on the shopping selection screen based on the first information and the second information stored in the key information storage unit;
When the icon is associated with the touch key on the shopping selection screen based on the information stored in the association information storage unit, the icon is displayed in addition to the touch key for selecting the shopping method. and the ability to
a function of accepting a touch input of the touch key associated with the icon when the icon is displayed at a touch input position outside the area of the touch key on the screen displayed on the touch panel;
A control program for realizing A function of displaying a payment selection screen on which a plurality of touch keys for selecting a payment method are arranged on a touch panel, and receiving a touch input to the touch keys; and the second information input by the touch operation of the touch key, and the identification information of the icon indicating the third information accompanying the second information. A computer equipped with a function of reading information from an association information storage unit that stores the second information accompanied by the information of 3 in association with the identification information of the touch key for inputting the second information,
a function of arranging the touch keys on the payment selection screen based on the first information and the second information stored in the key information storage unit;
When the icon is associated with the touch key on the payment selection screen from the information stored in the association information storage unit, the icon is displayed in addition to the touch key for selecting the payment method. and the ability to
a function of accepting a touch input of the touch key associated with the icon when the icon is displayed at a touch input position outside the area of the touch key on the screen displayed on the touch panel;
A control program for realizing

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