JP2000187554A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device which insures operability that is not less functionable than a multifunction key and is also not limited by a component layout or a design. SOLUTION: A touch pad 12 has a 1st operation area 12a provided along one side between the left and right sides of a monitor screen and a 2nd operation area 12b provided along one side between upper and lower sides. 1st and 2nd event generating means detect vertical and horizontal movements of touch coordinates in each operation area of the touch pad and generate an event signal for each movement direction. When each operation area of the pad 12 is traced by a finger, etc., an up, down, left or right event signal is generated in accordance with the direction in which tracing is performed. A menu generating means is shifted to a menu image associated with each event. It is possible to design a menu image which is excellent in a user interface and is convenient to be used without needing many mode selection keys and a multifunction key as in the conventional manner and to improve the operability of various electronic equipment.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device used for various electronic devices, and more particularly to an easy-to-use input device having an excellent user interface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an electronic device having a display device for a monitor, a menu is displayed on a monitor screen so that the user can select the menu in order to facilitate selection of an operation mode and a function. There are many things. For example, FIG. 7 is a rear view of the electronic still camera. A menu is displayed on the monitor screen 2 by operating a mode selection key group 1 provided on the upper surface, and a desired menu is displayed by operating the selection key group 1. Menu items can be selected.
3 is a shutter key, 4 is a plus key, and 5 is a minus key.

By the way, not only electronic still cameras but also electronic devices in general need to frequently add and improve functions in accordance with sophistication of user requirements and technological advances. The number of keys is on the rise, which not only complicates key operations,
There is a demand to keep the number of keys as small as possible, as it also impairs the design of electronic devices.
A touch panel is provided on the monitor screen, or a multi-function key 6 as shown in FIG. 8 (shown as a jog cursor key that realizes the functions of up, down, left, and right direction keys with one key) is provided. That is being done.

[0004]

However, the touch panel has a drawback that the touch panel is easily damaged when touching the screen, and a small monitor screen has a rough detection accuracy of touch coordinates and is not suitable for small menu selection. The disadvantage of multi-function keys is that they are expensive due to their special structure, and they also require a certain amount of installation space, which limits the layout and design of parts. There is.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an input device which ensures operability not inferior to a multi-function key and does not restrict parts layout and design.

[0006]

According to the present invention, at least a first screen provided along at least one of right and left sides of a monitor screen is provided.
A touch pad having an operation area and a second operation area provided along any one of upper and lower sides, and an up / down movement of touch coordinates in the first operation area of the touch pad, and an event signal for each movement direction A first event generating means for generating an event signal for each moving direction by detecting right and left movement of touch coordinates in a second operation area of the touch pad; and
A menu generation unit that changes a display state of a menu in association with each event signal output from the second event generation unit, a display control unit that displays a menu screen generated by the menu generation unit on the monitor screen, It is characterized by having. Further, the touch pad further has an OK key area and / or a cancel key area provided at an arbitrary position. Further, the menu generation means associates a scroll direction of the menu screen, a transition direction of the menu screen, or a selection direction of an icon displayed on the menu screen with a movement direction of the event signal. In addition, the menu generation unit may change a scroll direction of the menu screen, a transition direction of the menu screen, or a selection direction of an icon displayed on the menu screen in response to a touch on the first operation area of the touch pad. It is characterized by the direction. In addition, the menu generation unit responds to a touch on the second operation area of the touch pad, and moves up or down a scroll direction of the menu screen, a transition direction of the menu screen, or a selection direction of an icon displayed on the menu screen. It is characterized by the direction.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, taking an electronic still camera as an example.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a back surface of the electronic still camera, and reference numeral 11 denotes a liquid crystal display (monitor screen).
It is. Around the liquid crystal display 11, there is provided a touch pad 12 laid out in an appropriate shape so as to surround the liquid crystal display 11, and the touch pad 12 has a vertical operation area (first operation area) 12a,
Left and right operation area (second operation area) 12b, OK key area 1
2c and a cancel key area 12d are set.

In each area, a design mark (for example, an upper and lower thick line mark or a left and right thick line mark with double-ended arrows) or a character symbol (for example, "OK" or "Cancel") that visually represents each operation function is provided. Is desirably printed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electronic still camera. In this figure, reference numeral 20 denotes an optical system including a photographic lens, and reference numeral 21 denotes a single-plate color solid-state imaging device (hereinafter referred to as “C
CD "), 22 is a driver for driving the CCD 21, 23 is C
A timing generator (TG) for generating a drive timing signal for the CD 21, a sample / hold circuit (S / H) 24 for sampling an output signal of the CCD 21 at a predetermined sampling frequency, and a converter 25 for converting a signal after sampling into a digital signal Analog-to-digital converter (A /
D) and 26 are color processing circuits for generating a luminance / color difference multiplex signal (hereinafter, referred to as YUV signal) from the digitally converted signal, 27 is a video transfer circuit for arbitrating the signal flow, and 28 is a YUV signal temporarily. It is a buffer memory that saves data temporarily.

Reference numeral 29 designates a YUV signal as a predetermined algorithm (generally, JPEG: joint photographic experts).
a compression / decompression circuit for compressing (encoding) or decompressing (decoding) by roup), a flash memory for recording the encoded YUV signal as a photographed image, and a centralized overall operation of the electronic still camera CPU (menu generating means, display control means) for controlling, 32 is a key input section including a shutter key and a mode key, 33 is a touch input section including the touch pad 12 in FIG. 1, and 34 is a monitor image (color process circuit 26). A digital video encoder 35 for developing a real-time image fetched from the CCD 21 through the CCD 21 and a reproduced image (an image read out from the flash memory 30 and decoded) into a display image. Reference numeral 35 denotes a bus for connecting each unit. Reference numeral 11 denotes a liquid crystal display that displays a monitor image and a reproduced image, and appropriately displays a menu screen for selecting an operation mode and a function.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the touch input unit 33. The touch input unit 33 includes a touch pad 12 having a concave cutout to fit the height and width of the liquid crystal display 11, and a touch pad 12 Y driver 40 for driving Y (horizontal direction) wiring, X driver 41 for driving X (vertical direction) wiring, and driving for generating a driving signal for driving the Y wiring and X wiring line by line. Part 42,
An analog / digital converter (A / D) 43 that converts a coordinate signal of the touch pad 12 extracted from the X driver 41 into a digital signal, and various event signals (upward movement signal, downward movement) based on the output of the A / D 43. A signal generation unit (first event generation means, second event generation means) 44 for generating a signal, a right movement signal, a left movement signal, an OK signal, a cancel signal, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a structural view of the touch pad 12, in which 50 is a touch surface, 51 is an electrostatic film, and 52 is Y wirings arranged at equal intervals on one surface of the electrostatic film 51.
3 denotes X arranged at equal intervals on the other surface of the electrostatic film 51.
Wiring. The Y wiring 52 and the X wiring 53 are arranged in an intersecting manner, and when the touch surface 50 is pressed with a finger or the like, the thickness of the electrostatic film 51 immediately below the pressing point is reduced,
As the capacitance between the Y wiring 52 and the X wiring 53 decreases and the current flowing through both wirings changes, the change in the current can be extracted as a touch coordinate signal.

The touch pad 12 having the above-described structure is of a so-called capacitance type, but is not limited thereto. For example, a touch-sensitive type using a resistance change may be used.

Next, the operation will be described. First, an outline of image recording and image reproduction of the electronic still camera will be described.
First, in the recording mode, the CCD 21 disposed behind the optical system 20 is driven by a signal from the driver 22, and the video collected by the optical system 20 is photoelectrically converted at regular intervals to generate a video signal for one image. Is output. Then, the video signal is sampled by the sampling and holding circuit 24 and converted into a digital signal by the analog-to-digital converter 25, and then a YUV signal is generated by the color process circuit 26. This YUV signal is transferred to the buffer memory 28 via the video transfer circuit 27, and after the transfer to the buffer is completed, the video transfer circuit 2
7 and the digital video encoder 3
The data is sent to the liquid crystal display 11 via the display 4 and displayed as a monitor image.

When the direction of the camera is changed in this state, the composition of the monitor image displayed on the liquid crystal display 11 changes. When a desired composition is obtained, the shutter key is "half-pressed" to expose and focus. After setting
When "full press" is performed, the YUV signal stored in the buffer memory 28 is fixed at the current YUV signal, and the monitor image displayed on the liquid crystal display 11 is also fixed at the same point.

The YUV signal stored in the buffer memory 28 at that time is sent to the compression / expansion circuit 29 via the video transfer circuit 27, and the luminance information (Y) and the color difference information (Cb, Cr) are transmitted. JPEG in units called basic blocks of 8x8 pixels for each component
After being encoded, it is written to the flash memory 30 and
It is recorded as a captured image for one image.

Next, in the reproduction mode, the path from the CCD 21 to the buffer memory 28 is stopped, and the latest captured image is read from the flash memory 30 and decompressed by the compression / decompression circuit 29. Buffer memory 28 via transfer circuit 27
Sent to The data in this buffer is transferred to the video transfer circuit 27 and the digital video encoder 3.
4 to the liquid crystal display 11 and displayed as a reproduced image.

The operation of the recording mode and the reproducing mode in the electronic still camera according to the present embodiment is as described above. The present embodiment further includes a menu mode for performing a unique setting of each mode. An example is as follows, although not particularly limited.

(1) A menu mode for selecting a shooting mode such as a normal shooting, a panorama shooting, or a moving image (movie) shooting. Each menu further includes a detailed selection menu as image quality (high definition / standard / standard). Economy)
Switching, flash on / off, switching between normal focus and close focus, and the like.

(2) An option menu mode such as title composition, and each menu further includes a detailed selection menu, such as title back shape selection, title back color selection, title character type selection, title position selection, etc. Is provided.

The electronic still camera according to the present embodiment shifts to the above-described menu mode and displays a required menu screen on the liquid crystal display 11 when an appropriate operation such as pressing down a predetermined mode key is performed. And the touchpad 1
By touching 2, the next event generation processing is executed by the signal generation unit 44 of the touch input unit 33.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the event generation process. In this flowchart, when the operation is started in response to the touch of the touch pad 12, the touch area is first determined from the touch coordinates of the touch pad 12 (S
1). The touch area to be determined is, in the case of the present embodiment,
The up / down operation area 12a, the left / right operation area 12b shown in FIG.
One of the OK key area 12c and the cancel key area 12d.

If it is determined that the up / down operation area 12a has been determined, it is next determined whether or not the movement is upward (S2). If so, an "upward movement signal" is generated (S3), and the processing is terminated. If it is not upward movement, it is determined whether or not it is downward movement (S
4) If so, a "downward movement signal" is generated (S5), and the process is terminated.

If it is determined that the left and right operation area 12b has been determined, it is next determined whether or not a rightward movement has occurred (S6). If so, a "rightward movement signal" is generated (S7), and the processing is terminated. If it is not rightward movement, it is determined whether or not it is leftward movement (S
8) If so, a "left movement signal" is generated (S9), and the process ends.

The determination of the up, down, left, and right movement directions may be made based on the change on the time axis of the touch coordinates. For example, an upward movement can be determined if the Y coordinate decreases, an downward movement can be determined if the increase changes, and a left movement can be determined if the X coordinate decreases, and a right movement can be determined if the increase changes.

It is not necessary to detect an increase or decrease in the coordinate values of the other areas, that is, the OK key area 12c and the cancel key area 12d. When detecting the XY coordinates included in the coordinate area assigned to each key,
Generate “OK signal” and “Cancel signal” respectively (S
10, S11). The OK key area 12c
When a double-touch is performed, an OK double-touch signal corresponding to a double-click of a mouse may be generated.

In the electronic still camera according to the present embodiment, when the user touches the touch pad 12 while the required menu screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display 11, at least the touch position and the manner of touching the touch pad 12 depend on the touch position. , The above-described six event signals, ie, an up signal, a down signal, a right signal, a left signal, an OK signal,
Since the cancel signal can be generated selectively,
Menu display program for the liquid crystal display 11 (CP
When designing a program to be executed in U31), an optimal user interface may be constructed by utilizing the above event signal.

FIG. 6 is a transition diagram of the user interface. First, when an appropriate operation 61 is performed on the recording mode screen (or reproduction mode screen) 60 to shift to the menu mode, the icon C at the center of the initial menu screen 62 is displayed. Is selected. For example, if a left movement signal 63 is generated in this state (the left and right operation area 12b of the touch pad 12 is traced leftward with a finger), the icon B on the left side is displayed.
Slides to the center to be in the selected state, and further generates a right movement signal 64 in that state (touch pad 1).
2), the icon C on the right slides to the center to enter the initial selection state.

In this state, when the right movement signal 65 is generated (the right and left operation areas 12b of the touch pad 12 are traced rightward with a finger), the icon D on the right side slides to the center to be in a selected state. In this state, when the left movement signal 66 is generated (the left and right operation areas 12b of the touch pad 12 are traced leftward with a finger), the left icon C is displayed.
Slides to the center to enter the initial selection state.

Alternatively, depending on the state or state, the downward movement signal 67,
68 (the vertical operation area 1 of the touch pad 12)
2a with a finger in a downward direction), and a display state of a screen including detailed selection menus B1 to B3 and C1 to C3 of the icons B and C is generated. In these states, an upward movement signal and a downward movement signal are generated. Then, each detailed selection menu can be sequentially selected.

When an OK signal is generated while an appropriate detailed menu is selected (touches the OK key area 12c of the touch pad 12 with a finger), the contents of the selected detailed menu are executed, and an upward movement signal is further issued. When 69 and 70 are generated, the state is restored. Further, when the left movement signal 71 and the right movement signal 72 are generated in the state, the states are switched.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the up / down operation area 12 a and the left / right operation area 12
By tracing b with a finger or the like, an "upward movement signal"
Four movement events of “down movement signal”, “right movement signal” and “left movement signal” can be generated.
By touching the K key area 12c or the cancel key area 12d with a finger or the like, an "OK event" and a "cancel event" can be generated.

Therefore, by constructing a user interface using these six event signals, a user-friendly menu selection program can be freely designed without requiring many mode selection keys or multi-function keys. A unique effect of being able to do so.

In the present invention, "menu selection"
Basically, it refers to selecting one item from several candidate items, but "item" is not limited to a pure menu item. For example, it may be an image or the like. That is,
The order of the reproduced images may be operated by the touch pad 12.

The configuration of the menu screen is not limited to that shown in FIG. The screen may be divided into right and left and up and down, and each divided screen may be shared by the operation area of the touch pad 12. For example, when the screen is divided into left and right, two upper and lower operation areas of the touch pad 12 are provided on the left and right sides, and the left and right operation areas are assigned to the left screen and the right and upper and lower operation areas are assigned to the right screen. Just do it.

[0037]

According to the present invention, when a finger or the like traverses the first operation area or the second operation area of the touch pad, up, down, left, and right event signals are generated in accordance with the tracing direction, and are associated with each event. Transit to the menu screen. Therefore, an easy-to-use menu screen having an excellent user interface can be designed without requiring many mode selection keys and multi-function keys as in the related art, and the operability of various electronic devices can be improved. If an OK key area or a cancel key area is provided on the touch pad,
It is possible to further increase the types of event signals, and to design a user-friendly menu screen having an excellent user interface.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic still camera.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic still camera.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a touch input unit.

FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of a touch pad.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an event generation process.

FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram of a menu screen.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a conventional electronic still camera (provided with a number of mode selection keys).

FIG. 8 is an external view of a conventional electronic still camera (provided with multi-function keys).

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 11 Liquid crystal display (monitor screen) 12 Touch pad 12a Up / down operation area (first operation area) 12b Left / right operation area (second operation area) 12c OK key area 12d Cancel key area 31 CPU (menu generation means, display control means) 44 Signal generating unit (first event generating means, second event generating means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (reference) H04N 5/225 H04N 5/225 F 5/232 5/232 A F term (reference) 2H102 BA01 BB08 CA03 CA34 5B019 DA08 DB10 HD04 5B087 AA09 AE09 CC02 DD03 DD09 DD10 DE03 DE06 5C022 AA13 AC01 AC13 AC31 AC42 AC69 5E501 AA20 AC37 BA05 CA04 CB08 CB14 EA17 EA18 EB02 EB05 FA05 FA22 FA43 FB03 FB32 FB43

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A touch pad having at least a first operation area provided along one of right and left sides of a monitor screen and a second operation area provided along one of upper and lower sides of the monitor screen; A first event generating means for detecting the vertical movement of the touch coordinates in the first operation area and generating an event signal for each moving direction; and detecting the left and right movement of the touch coordinates in the second operation area of the touchpad. A second event generating means for generating an event signal for each moving direction; a menu generating means for changing a display state of a menu in association with each of the event signals output from the first and second event generating means; An input device, comprising: display control means for displaying the menu screen generated by the generation means on the monitor screen. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the touch pad further has an OK key area and / or a cancel key area provided at an arbitrary position. 3. The menu generation means associating a scroll direction of a menu screen, a transition direction of a menu screen, or a selection direction of an icon displayed on the menu screen with a movement direction of the event signal. 2. The input device according to 1. 4. The menu generation means, in response to a touch on the first operation area of the touch pad, changes a menu screen scroll direction, a menu screen transition direction, or an icon selection direction displayed on the menu screen. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device is set to a right or left direction. 5. The menu generation means, in response to a touch on the second operation area of the touch pad, changes a menu screen scroll direction, a menu screen transition direction, or an icon selection direction displayed on the menu screen. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device is directed upward or downward.