JP2006134166A - Input system using touch panel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input system using a touch panel that can shorten time for confirmation response to an input operation to a touch panel. <P>SOLUTION: The input system 12 has: a display device 20 having a monitor 22, the touch panel 24 and a vibration panel 26; a system control device 30 including a detection part 32 for detecting an input operation to the touch panel 24, a main microcomputer 36 for determining whether or not the input operation to the touch panel 24 is effective according to the detection result by the detection part 32, and an FFB part 34 for vibrating the vibration panel 26 in dependence on the determination result; and a navigation device 40 connected to the system control device 30 to provide image data to be displayed on the monitor 22. The main microcomputer 36 determines whether or not the input operation is effective by using input operation determination data stored in a memory 38. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an input system using a touch panel, and more particularly to an input system for confirming that an input operation to a touch panel is effective by vibration.

  The touch panel is also called a touch screen mounted on a liquid crystal or CRT screen, and is widely used as an input means to electronic devices such as PDAs, bank ATMs, station ticket machines, navigation devices, and AV devices. When the screen is touched with a finger or a dedicated pen, the touch panel detects the touched position, and thereby can determine the presence or absence of an input operation. There are two types of touch panels: one that is placed under the display to detect pressure changes, and the other that covers the screen with a dedicated transparent screen. Further, there are a pressure-sensitive method and an electrostatic method for detecting contact with the screen. The former senses changes in pressure, and the latter senses electrical signals due to static electricity.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an invention related to an input device using such a touch panel. In the touch panel input method of Patent Document 1, when an operator's finger touches and releases a screen displaying objects such as characters and figures, the coordinates of the touched and released screen position are obtained, and Based on this, an object when the finger touches and releases the screen is determined, and event processing corresponding to the object is executed. At that time, event processing is executed only when the object at the time of contact and the object at the time of release are equal, thereby preventing the operator from operating erroneously.

  Also, when the touch panel screen is touched or pressed, it may be difficult to determine whether or not the input operation has been performed appropriately. For this reason, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique that, when an input operation is performed, vibrates the touch panel and feeds back that the input operation is effective.

JP-A-9-62446 JP 2001-350592 A

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an input system using a conventional touch panel. The input system 10 includes a display device 20, a system control device 30 connected to the display device 20, and a navigation device 40 connected to the system control device 30. Another electronic device 50 such as a DVD player can be connected to the system control device 30 as necessary.

  The display device 20 includes a monitor 22 that displays an image using liquid crystal or the like, a touch panel 24 attached on the monitor 22, and a vibration panel 26 attached on the touch panel 24. The system controller 30 vibrates the vibration panel 26 when the input operation to the touch panel 24 is valid, and the detection unit 32 that detects the touched or pressed coordinate position and the operation input to the touch panel 24 are valid. A force feedback (hereinafter referred to as FFB) unit 34 and a main microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as microcomputer) 36 are provided. The main microcomputer 36 controls the detection unit 32 and the FFB unit 34 and performs communication control with an electronic device connected to the system control device 30.

  The navigation device 40 includes a main microcomputer 42 connected to the main microcomputer 36 of the system control device 30 via a communication line S1, and a navigation microcomputer 44 that controls the navigation function. The main microcomputer 42 performs communication control with the system control device 30, and data such as a control signal from the main microcomputer 42 is given to the navigation microcomputer 44 via the communication line S2. The navigation microcomputer 44 supplies image data to the monitor 22 via the image signal line 46 and displays a necessary image there.

  When the touch panel 24 is pressed by the user, the coordinate position on the touch panel 24 is detected by the detection unit 32, and information indicating the coordinate position is transmitted to the main microcomputer 36. The main microcomputer 36 transmits the coordinate position information to the main microcomputer 42 on the navigation device side via the communication line S1, and the main microcomputer 42 transmits the coordinate position information to the navigation microcomputer 44 via the communication line S2. In response to this, the navigation microcomputer 44 determines whether the coordinate position information is valid. For example, it is determined whether or not the input instruction area displayed on the monitor 22 has been pressed. When it is determined that it is valid, the fact is transmitted to the main microcomputer 36, and the main microcomputer 36 vibrates the vibration panel 26 through the FFB unit 34 for a certain period of time.

  The time required for one communication between microcomputers is about 50 ms. Therefore, in the current input system, it takes about 200 ms from when the user touches the touch panel 24 until the confirmation is received by vibration. If the touch period on the touch panel is 200 ms, the user feels uncomfortable. If this response period is too long, the user may release his / her hand from the touch panel before receiving confirmation by vibration. Further, some users may understand that the input operation is invalid and repeatedly perform the input operation. In this case, although it is a technique that appeals to the sense of touch called pulse touch, a response by formal vibration cannot be made.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an input system using a touch panel that solves the above-described conventional problems and can shorten the confirmation response time for an input operation to the touch panel.

  An input system using a touch panel according to the present invention is effective for display means including at least a touch panel and a vibration member, detection means for detecting an input operation to the touch panel, and input operation to the touch panel based on a detection result of the detection means. A determination means for determining whether or not the vibration means and an interface means including a vibration means for vibrating a predetermined area of the vibration member in response to a determination result of the determination means; and connected to the interface means and displayed on the display means And at least one electronic device that provides image information. Preferably, the display means is a laminate of a touch panel and a vibration panel on a monitor such as a liquid crystal. Preferably, the interface means includes a microcomputer or the like, and controls at least the display means and has a communication function with the connected electronic device.

  According to the input system of the present invention, since it is determined on the interface means side whether or not the input operation to the touch panel is valid, the confirmation response time due to vibration can be shortened compared to the conventional input system. Can do. The time from when the user touches the touch panel until obtaining confirmation can be within 150 ms, and does not give the user a sense of incongruity. Further, even when a plurality of electronic devices are connected to the interface means, the confirmation response time of the input operation can be constantly stabilized regardless of the connection status with the electronic devices.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of an input system using a touch panel according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The input system according to the present invention is preferably implemented in an in-vehicle navigation system.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the input system according to the present embodiment. In the figure, the same components as those used in the conventional description are given the same reference numerals. The input system 12 of the present embodiment includes a display device 20, a system control device 30, and a navigation device 40. In the display device 20, a touch panel 24 that enables input by touching a finger or the like is attached on a monitor 22 such as a liquid crystal, and a vibration panel 26 that vibrates is attached to check whether the input operation is valid. It has been. As the touch panel 24 and the vibration panel 26, for example, a sheet-like one provided with a transparent electrode can be stacked on a liquid crystal monitor, and the arrangement order of the touch panel 24 and the vibration panel 26 in the vertical direction is not limited. Preferably, the display device 20 includes a display unit in which a monitor 22, a touch panel 24, and a vibration panel 26 are integrated, and is attached to, for example, an in-dash in a vehicle.

  The system control device 30 is connected to the display device 20 and can be connected to a plurality of electronic devices. The system control device 30 serves as an interface between the display device 20 and a plurality of electronic devices. The system control device 30 may be integrated with the display device 20 or may be configured separately from the display device 20. In this example, a navigation device 40 is connected to the system control device 30, and in addition to this, another electronic device 50 is connected. The other electronic device 50 is, for example, an audio / video (AV) device such as a DVD player or a CD player. When a plurality of electronic devices are connected, which electronic device is used as a source is determined by an instruction from the user. In response to an instruction from the user, the system control device 30 supplies an enable signal for making the selected electronic device operable to the selected electronic device via the communication line S1. The electronic device in the operable state can supply image data to the monitor 22 of the display device 20 via the image signal line 46 and display a desired image there.

  The system control device 30 includes a detection unit 32, an FFB (force feedback) unit 34 that vibrates the vibration panel 26, a main memory 36, and a memory 38. The detection unit 32 detects an input operation to the touch panel 22 and outputs detected coordinate position information. The FFB unit 34 vibrates the vibration panel 26 in response to an instruction from the main microcomputer 36. The main microcomputer 36 receives the detection result of the detection unit 32, determines whether the input operation to the touch panel 22 is valid or invalid, and controls data communication such as control signals between the navigation 40 and other electronic devices 50. To do. As will be described later, the memory 38 receives input operation determination data for determining whether the input operation is valid or invalid from the navigation device 40 or another electronic device 50 and stores it.

  The navigation device 40 includes a main microcomputer 42 that communicates with the system control device 30 and a navigation microcomputer 44 that controls a navigation function. Data such as a road map necessary for navigation is stored in a large-capacity storage medium 48 such as a hard disk. These data may be stored in the storage medium 48 as downloaded from an external server using communication means. The navigation microcomputer 44 guides a road map around the vehicle position and searches for a guidance route to the destination. Further, an image signal is supplied to the monitor 22 via the image signal line 46 for the user interface.

  Next, the operation of the input system of this embodiment will be described. First, the operation when the input operation determination data is stored in the memory 38 of the system control device 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When a source selection instruction is issued from the user (step S101), the main microcomputer 36 of the system control device 30 outputs an enable signal for enabling the selected electronic device via the communication line S1. (Step S102). Here, it is assumed that the navigation device 40 is selected as a source and an enable signal is output to the navigation device 40.

  The enable signal is transmitted from the main microcomputer 36 to the main microcomputer 42 of the navigation device 40 via the communication line S1, and further transmitted to the navigation microcomputer 44 via the communication line S2. The microcomputer 44 recognizes that the data source is selected by the enable signal. Then, the microcomputer 44 reads the input operation determination data necessary for determining whether the input operation to the touch panel is valid or invalid from the storage medium 48 (step S103), and outputs the read determination data to the microcomputer 42. . The input operation determination data includes coordinate position data for determining whether an input operation on the touch panel is within a predetermined area of the image displayed on the monitor 22, and image data displayed on the monitor 22. And a table showing the relationship with the coordinate position data.

  For example, it is assumed that a genre search screen as shown in FIG. On the search screen, displays J1 to J10 for instructing input are drawn, and an input instruction can be given by touching any of these displays. Incidentally, the displays J1 to J6 are inputs for selecting a genre, the displays J7 and J8 are inputs for scrolling the genre, and the display J9 is an input for returning to the previous screen. J10 is used to input a switch to a road guidance screen around the vehicle position.

  FIG. 3B shows coordinate position data for determining whether the input operation to the genre search screen is valid or invalid. The coordinate position data R1 to R10 correspond to the displays J1 to J10 instructing input on the genre search screen. If the input operation is included in the area indicated by the coordinate position data R1 to R10, the input operation is determined to be valid. If the input operation is not included in the area of any coordinate position data R1 to R10, the input operation is determined. Is determined to be invalid.

  Further, FIG. 4 shows a table example included in the input operation determination data. The table stores the relationship between the identification code of the image data and the corresponding identification code of the coordinate position data. For example, when the genre search screen (FIG. 3A) is displayed on the monitor 22, the coordinate position data (FIG. 3B) for determining the validity / invalidity of the input operation on the search screen is specified by referring to the table. Is done. For example, if the identification code of the genre search screen is “G0001”, the identification code of the coordinate position data is “P0110”.

  Returning to FIG. 2 again, the input operation determination data output from the navigation microcomputer 44 is transmitted to the main microcomputer 36 of the system controller 30 via the communication line S1 by the microcomputer 42 (step S104). The main microcomputer 36 stores the received input operation determination data in the memory 38 (step S105). At this time, if old input operation determination data is stored in the memory 38, the data is updated.

  Next, an operation when an input operation to the touch panel is performed will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. The microcomputer 44 of the navigation device 40 supplies the image data to the monitor 22 via the image signal line 46. At the same time, the microcomputer 44 transmits an image data identification code to the main microcomputer 36 by inter-microcomputer communication to be displayed on the monitor 22 (step S101). For example, when the genre search screen is displayed on the monitor 22, the identification code is transmitted to the main microcomputer 36.

  The main microcomputer 36 searches for the identification code of the coordinate position data corresponding to the identification code of the transmitted image data using the table stored in the memory 38 (step S202), and the coordinate position data of the searched identification code. Is read from the memory 38 (step S203).

  When a user performs an input operation on the screen displayed on the monitor 22, the input operation is detected by the detection unit 32 (step S204). The detection unit 32 detects the coordinate position where the input operation has been performed (step S205), and outputs this to the main microcomputer 36 (step S206). For example, when the transportation facility J4 is selected by the user on the genre search screen, the detection unit 32 detects the contact position and outputs the detected coordinate position information to the main microcomputer 36.

  The main microcomputer 36 compares the coordinate position data with the detected coordinate position information (step S207), and whether the coordinate position information is included in the area of the coordinate position data (for example, R1 to R10 in FIG. 3B). It is determined whether or not (step S208). If it is included in the area, it is determined that the input operation is valid (step S209). If it is not included in the area, it is determined that the input operation is invalid (step S210).

  When determining that the input operation is valid, the main microcomputer 36 outputs a vibration instruction signal to the FFB unit 34, and vibrates the vibration panel 26 for a certain period (step S211). The area to be vibrated corresponds to the area where the input operation is performed by the user. For example, when there is an input operation for the transportation facility J4 on the genre search screen, the area R4 shown in FIG. 3B is vibrated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the input operation is invalid, the main microcomputer 36 outputs a vibration prohibition signal to the FFB unit 34, whereby the vibration panel 26 is not vibrated (step S212).

  Further, the main microcomputer 36 transmits the determination result of the input operation to the navigation microcomputer 44 via the communication lines S1 and S2. This determination result includes coordinate position information detected when the operation input is valid, in addition to whether the operation input is valid or invalid. The microcomputer 44 receives the determination result and, if the input operation is valid, executes a process according to the input operation. At this time, the content of the input operation is checked with reference to the detected coordinate position information. When an input operation for selecting the transportation facility J4 is performed, the microcomputer 44 starts the transportation facility search process and outputs the transportation facility retrieval image data to the monitor 22 via the image signal line 46. At the same time, the identification code of the image data is transmitted to the main microcomputer 36 by microcomputer communication in order to determine the next input operation.

  On the other hand, when the microcomputer 44 receives the determination result that the input operation is invalid, the microcomputer 44 outputs image data indicating an operation error to the monitor 22 via the image signal line 46.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the validity / invalidity of the input operation is determined in the system control device 30, the response confirmation time for the input operation can be shortened. In the case of the present embodiment, the time from when the user touches the touch panel 22 until the vibration is applied can be achieved with a margin of 150 ms or less which does not cause a sense of incongruity for the user.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the second embodiment shows an example in which the input operation determination result is responded by an image and sound in addition to vibration. The input system 14 includes a speaker 60, and the speaker 60 is connected to the main microcomputer 36, the navigation microcomputer 44, and other electronic devices 50 through audio signal lines 62. Further, the main microcomputer 36 is connected to the image signal line 46 and can supply image data to the monitor 22. In addition to the input operation determination data, the memory 38 stores determination result display data and determination result audio data for displaying the determination result of the input operation.

  When determining that the input operation to the touch panel is effective, the main microcomputer 36 monitors an image indicating that the input operation is effective based on the determination result display data stored in the memory 38 in addition to the vibration by the FFB unit 34. 22 is displayed. For example, when it is determined on the genre search screen shown in FIG. 3A that the input operation to the transportation facility J4 is valid, the main microcomputer 36 displays the area corresponding to the transportation facility J4 in blue. Alternatively, the characters “input operation valid” may be displayed on the monitor 22. Further, the main microcomputer 36 outputs a sound indicating that the input operation is valid from the speaker 60 based on the determination result sound data stored in the memory 38. For example, a beep sound may be output, or “transportation selection is valid” may be output. Similarly, when it is determined that the input operation is invalid, the display on the monitor 22 and the sound output from the speaker 60 are performed so that the user can easily identify the input operation as valid.

  According to the second embodiment, in addition to vibration caused by tactile sensation, the user can surely recognize the validity or invalidity of the input operation in a short time by performing an input confirmation response visually and auditorily.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments according to the present invention, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Deformation / change is possible.

  An input system using a touch panel according to the present invention can be widely used in electronic devices that execute processing in response to input from a user, such as navigation devices, AV devices, and ATMs.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the input system using the touchscreen which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the input system of a present Example. 3A is a genre search screen displayed on the monitor, and FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining the coordinate position data for input operation determination of FIG. 3A. It is a figure which shows the table contained in the data for input operation determination. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of the touch panel input in the input system of a present Example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the input system using the touchscreen which concerns on the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the input system using the conventional touch panel.

Explanation of symbols

12, 14: Input system 20: Display device 22: Monitor 24: Touch panel 26: Vibration panel 30: System control device 32: Detection unit 34: FFB unit 36: Main microcomputer 38: Memory 40: Navigation device 42: Main microcomputer 44: Microcomputer for navigation 46: Image signal line 48: Storage medium 50: Other electronic device 60: Speaker 62: Audio signal line

Claims (5)

An input system using a touch panel,
Display means including at least a touch panel and a vibration member;
Detection means for detecting an input operation to the touch panel, a determination means for determining whether the input operation to the touch panel is valid based on a detection result of the detection means, and a vibration member in response to the determination result of the determination means Interface means including vibration means for vibrating a predetermined area of
At least one electronic device connected to the interface means and providing image information displayed on the display means;
Input system. The input system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit includes a memory that receives input operation determination data for determining whether or not an input operation is valid from the electronic device, and stores the input operation determination data. . The input system according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit compares the detection result of the detection unit with the input operation determination data stored in the memory to determine whether the input operation is valid. The input system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device receives a determination result by the determination unit and executes a process according to the determination. The vibration member is vibrated by the vibration means in less than 150 milliseconds after the input operation to the touch panel is generated when the determination means determines that the input operation to the touch panel is valid. Thru | or any one of 4 input systems.

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