JP2003345511A - Image recorder/reproducer with touch panel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recorder/reproducer with a touch panel to be easily operated by a user in accordance with the using condition of the operation panel of the user. <P>SOLUTION: This touch panel device attached to an image recorder/ reproducer is provided with a touch panel for detecting touching by the user in a matrix, a recognizing means for recognizing a region on the touch panel as a plurality of input blocks, and a display body for instructing the input block. The recognizing means is provided with a using condition decision device for determining the using condition of the touch panel in accordance with the area of the detected point detected according as the touch panel is touched. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording / reproducing apparatus equipped with a touch panel device in which a touch panel is attached to the surface of a screen such as a liquid crystal display device. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Unlike an input device using hard keys, a touch panel device can integrate a display portion for displaying input contents and an input portion for inputting a user's decision intention, so that space efficiency is improved and a display screen is further improved. The layout and design can be intuitively understood by the user, and predetermined information can be input directly on the display screen while looking at the display screen, so it is often easier and more convenient to use than other input devices. Are widely used as input methods for devices having various user interfaces.

[0003] As such a touch panel device, a display such as a liquid crystal display device for displaying a section for indicating an input section, and detection points arranged on the surface thereof and capable of detecting a touch, are arranged in a matrix. A device having a touch panel disposed is known. In this touch panel device, when a specific input section of the display body is touched (touched) with a finger or a pointing pen, a detection point belonging to the input section detects it, and a predetermined process previously associated with the input section is performed. Is executed.

[0004]

Conventionally, a touch panel touches the screen with a finger or a pointing pen when operating.
A touch panel mounted on a small device such as an image recording / reproducing device has a limited size, and a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen is formed within the limited size, so that a large amount of information is displayed in one screen. Will be.
Therefore, there are many small display parts. For example, when a plurality of buttons are arranged adjacent to each other, if a finger is touched even if the size of the button is sufficient to touch with the pointing pen, a cause of erroneous operation such as a wrong press may be caused. Had become.

As described above, in the operation by the finger, an erroneous operation such as an operation unintended by the user is caused by detecting a detection point different from the operation point intended by the user by substantially simultaneously pressing a plurality of input sections. Is easy to occur.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording / reproducing apparatus with a touch panel having a display mode that is easy for a user to use in accordance with the use condition of an operation panel by an operator.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a touch panel device provided in an image recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: a touch panel for detecting a user's touch in a matrix; Recognizing means capable of recognizing an area of the object as a plurality of input sections;
A display body for displaying a section for indicating the input section, wherein the recognition means determines a use state of the touch panel according to an area of a detection point detected by being touched. And characterized in that:

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a view for schematically explaining a touch panel to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 1 shows a matrix of detection points on a touch panel. An operation signal is input for each row of the matrix in FIG. 1, and an operation signal is output for each column. The intersection of the row and the column is a detection point, and in FIG. 1, each of the grids is a detection point. This detection point functions as a switch that is brought into contact with the operator when pressed by the operator. In this example, when the input section (x, y) is pressed, the inputs y1 to y14 and the outputs x1 to y4 constituting the detection point located at the (x, y) are depressed.
The pressed point is detected from x17.

The detection point is pressed by a finger or a pointing pen. However, as shown in FIG. 2, when the touch panel is pressed with a finger and when the touch panel is pressed with a pointing pen, the detection point is pressed at a time. Range is different. Explaining in detail with reference to FIG. 2, a detection point exists on the matrix of the touch panel (201). It is assumed that the display screen (202) is displayed on the touch panel device. At this time, when performing an operation of selecting a part of the display screen by touching with the pointing pen (204), a single detection point (206) by the pointing pen is detected at the position (x4, y10).

However, when an operation of selecting a part of the display screen by touching with the finger (203) is performed, a plurality of adjacent detection points (205) by the finger are set to (x
4, y4) (x4, y5) (x5, y4) (x5, y
5) are detected as four points. When pressed with the pointing pen in this manner, a narrow range of detection points (206) is detected, but when pressed with a finger, a wide range of detection points (205) is detected.
Are detected almost simultaneously. In the case of the operation with the finger, the user cannot determine whether the top row of the display screen (202) is detected or the second row is detected by the instruction with the finger as in the example of FIG. May cause unintended operation.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a system using the touch panel.

A touch panel (302) for performing position determination by the above mechanism is used by being superimposed on a display screen of a display device (301) such as a liquid crystal screen. Touch panel (3
The output obtained by touching 02) is detected as an absolute position on the touch panel by the touch position detection device (307). Next, the use state judging device (306) investigates whether or not the detection points detected almost at the same time are adjacent to each other. Is determined to be operated, and if it is determined that there is only a single detection point, it is determined that the operation is performed by the pointing pen.

Next, in the input judgment device (305),
The data is compared with the display data (304), the user determines which position on the display screen has been touched, and the processing mechanism (3)
Operation such as processing or setting determined in step 08) is performed to update the display data (304). In response to the update of the display data (304), the display means (303) updates the screen display of the display (301).

Next, the operation of the touch panel according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, when the embodiment is started (401), an initial screen (FIG. 5) is displayed on the display (301) of FIG.

Next, an input to the touch panel on the display screen is detected (403). In the initial screen (FIG. 5), when the OK button on the screen is pressed with a finger, (50
3), detected by the touch position detection device (307) in FIG. The detection points detected in this case are (x5, y1
2) (x6, y12) (x5, y13) (x6, y1
The three points 3) are detected almost simultaneously.

Regarding the detection point detected in (403),
The use state judging device (306) in FIG. 3 examines adjacent points to judge the use state (404, 405). In this example, if two or more adjacent points at the top and bottom and two or more adjacent points at the left and right are pressed almost simultaneously, it is determined that the operation is performed by a finger. Instead, it is necessary to respond flexibly, for example, in accordance with the accuracy of the touch panel or the like, when three or more vertically and three or more horizontally are adjacent to each other, it is determined that the operation is performed by a finger.

Subsequently, in the input determination device (305) of FIG. 3, the touch position is compared with the display data, and the operation instructed by the user on the display screen is determined. In this example, it is determined that the OK button on the screen has been pressed with a finger. Then, in the processing mechanism (308) of FIG.
The operation associated with the button is executed (406), the display data (304) is updated, and the display means (303) changes the display content of the display (301) to a screen assumed to be used by a finger (407). .

When a new display screen for finger operation (FIG. 6) is displayed, it waits again for the user to make an input corresponding to the display screen (408). The operation unit of the display screen that assumes this finger operation is large enough to be instructed by a finger, and includes character strings and icons that can easily associate the operation that occurs by the operation. If the entire image cannot be displayed, the screen configuration is devised for finger operation such as attaching an up / down display switching button for scrolling the previous / next list.

Next, when something is newly input to the touch panel, if a series of processing such as setting is determined to be the same usage status, the usage status determination will be made in the future. Not performed (flow in FIG. 4). On the other hand, when the usage status is determined for each input as in claim 7, the flow of FIG. 4 is executed.

When the usage status is determined for each input, the process (406) for the input is performed when the current display screen is for the pointing pen and the finger is operated on the current display screen.
If the detection point straddles two or more operation points on the display screen and the user's operation intention cannot be determined, a display screen for the finger that plays the same role as the display screen for the current pointing pen is displayed ( 407), and an operation of requesting the operator to perform the operation with the finger again (408) is performed.

Next, in the initial screen of (402), when the CANCEL button on the initial display screen of FIG. 5 is pressed with the pointing pen, a single detection point (504) is set to the touch position detection device (307) of FIG. ) Is detected (403).

For the detection point detected in (403),
The use state determination device (306) of FIG. 3 investigates adjacent points to determine the use state (404). This time (x12,
Since only a single point is detected in y13), it is determined that CANCEL on the display screen has been pressed with the pointing pen. Then, FIG.
In the processing mechanism (308), the operation associated with the CANCEL button on the display screen is executed (409), the display data (304) is updated, and the display means (303) indicates the display content of the display body (301) with the pen. (410).

Display screen for new pointing pen operation (FIG. 7)
Is displayed, the process waits again for the user to make an input corresponding to the display screen (411). The operation unit of the display screen supposed to be operated by the pointing pen is large enough to be instructed by the pointing pen, and includes a character string, an icon, and the like that can easily associate an operation caused by the operation. I have.

The subsequent operations and operations are the same as those of the above-described example of the operation by the finger, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

<Embodiment 2> In this embodiment, a system that realizes an operation that is realized by simultaneously pressing two operation points on a display screen will be introduced. Since such a system does not perform an operation of holding two pointing pens and pressing them at the same time, it is an operation that occurs only when a finger is operated (for example, the index finger and the middle finger are simultaneously pressed). The configuration of the system can be realized by the same configuration as the configuration shown in the first embodiment (FIG. 3). It is assumed that the first embodiment is executed until the display screen for performing the simultaneous pressing operation is displayed on the display (301) in FIG.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8 and the display screen of FIG.

First, when the process for requesting the simultaneous pressing operation is entered (801), a display screen (FIG. 9) for performing the simultaneous pressing operation is displayed on the display (301) in FIG. 3 (802).

Here, the display screen of FIG. 9 will be described. The display screen of FIG. 9 has six display components (buttons) (902, 903, 904, 90) on the touch panel (901).
5,906,907) are arranged, and the setting items (9
04, 905, 906, and 907), while increasing / decreasing operations (902 and 903) are performed while selecting one of them. The screen is designed to require simultaneous pressing of display components.

When FIG. 9 is displayed, an input to the touch panel is awaited (803). If there is an input to the touch panel, it is first determined whether the operation is with the finger or the pointing pen (80).
4).

If the operation is performed with the pointing pen, the operation waits for an input by a finger on the touch panel for the above-described reason. If the input is with a finger, the presence or absence of an input from a next non-adjacent detection point is checked (805).

If there is no non-adjacent detection point, an input to the touch panel is waited for (803). If there are input points that are not adjacent to each other, it is determined that simultaneous pressing has been performed, and processing for simultaneous pressing is performed (806). (90 in FIG. 9)
8) and (909) are examples of detection points when they are simultaneously pressed by a finger. In the case of this figure, processing for increasing the thickness of the line is executed.

Thereafter, the display screen is updated, and operations on the display screen are sequentially executed.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to design a display screen that flexibly absorbs a difference in usability depending on the use state of the touch panel when a finger is pressed and when the pointing pen is used. A good touch panel display screen can be realized.

In the first and second embodiments, the touch panel as described above is assumed. However, the touch panel may be of a type such as an infrared light shielding type, a pressure-sensitive type, an electrostatic type, or an electromagnetic transfer type. . In the present invention, it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained with all of these touch panels. Further, even in an analog detection type touch panel, the same effect can be obtained by performing digital conversion after detection.

In this embodiment, when two or more detection points adjacent in both the vertical and horizontal directions are detected almost at the same time, an operation with a finger is performed. When one of the detected points is one or more and less than 2, the pointing pen is used. It is determined that the operation is an operation, but the number of rows and columns is not a problem as long as the detection points are adjacent and almost simultaneously detected so that the finger or the pointing pen can be distinguished.

[0039]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, when a plurality of adjacent points detected by a user operation on the touch panel are detected, it is determined that the touch panel operation by the finger is being performed. On the other hand, if the detection point is detected as a single point, it is determined that the operation with the pointing pen is being performed, and the display screen created for each case is switched to be a finger operation. However, it is possible to provide the optimal operability regardless of the operation with the pointing pen, and it is possible to realize a touch panel device in which an input error hardly occurs.

When operating with the pointing pen, it is hard to imagine operating with two pointing pens. However, when operating with the finger, operations such as pressing two points simultaneously can be easily performed. . In such a case, if the present invention is applied, it is possible to design a display screen that can be operated by simultaneously pressing operation components that are not adjacent to the display screen when operating with a finger, and that the operation with the pointing pen can be performed. There is also an advantage that both display screens for finger operation can be used together.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing detection points of a touch panel.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a difference between points pressed by a finger and a pointing pen.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram using a touch panel.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a usage status determination.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an initial display screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an input waiting screen (for finger operation).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an input waiting screen (for operating a pointing pen).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of simultaneous press detection.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display screen assuming simultaneous pressing.

[Explanation of symbols]

201 Touch Panel 202 Display screen 203 fingers 204 Indicator pin 205 detection points 206 detection points 301 Display device 302 Touch Panel 303 display means 304 Display data 305 Input judgment means 306 Usage status determination device 307 Touch position detection device 308 Processing mechanism

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A touch panel device provided in an image recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein a touch panel detects a user's touch in a matrix, and a recognition unit capable of recognizing an area on the touch panel as a plurality of input sections.
A display body for displaying a section for indicating the input section, wherein the recognition means determines a use state of the touch panel according to an area of a detection point detected by being touched. An image recording / reproducing device with a touch panel, comprising: 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: determining a touched area by detecting a variation in the detection points; determining that the operation is performed by a finger according to the area; 2. The image recording / reproducing apparatus with a touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the switching is performed. 3. The touched area is determined by detecting a variation in the detection points, and the operation is determined by the pointing pen according to the area, thereby displaying the display for operation by the pointing pen. 2. The image recording / reproducing device with a touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the image recording / reproducing device is switched to a device. 4. When performing display for operation with a finger and detecting a plurality of non-adjacent input sections by substantially simultaneous inputs, it is possible to recognize that a plurality of operations have been performed simultaneously. The image recording / reproducing apparatus with a touch panel according to claim 2, wherein 5. When recording, a display for operation by a finger is used,
4. The image recording / reproducing apparatus with a touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the operation display of both the pointing pen and the finger is switched at the time of reproduction. 6. A series of operations from a setting start to a setting end of a setting operation are determined to be in the same operation state (finger operation or pointing pen operation), and the series of operations is displayed in the same mode. The image recording / reproducing apparatus with a touch panel according to claim 1, 2 or 3. 7. The display mode (finger operation mode and pointing pen operation mode) can be changed at any time in a series of operations from the start of setting operation to the end of setting operation, assuming that the operation status changes at any time. The image recording / reproducing apparatus with a touch panel according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the apparatus is capable of performing. 8. When an operation display is performed using a pointing pen,
The image recording / reproducing apparatus with a touch panel according to claim 3, wherein icons are used for display.