JP2006293463A - Electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To guarantee user's assured completion of operation in an electronic device which performs predetermined processing by user's operation. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic device has; an operation reception means 11 to receive operation from a user; a processing means 12 to perform processing to user's operation received with the operation reception means 11; and an operation completion notifying means 13 which notifies the user of the completion of the reception of the user's operation, for the user's operation received with the operation reception means 11 by feedback control to an operation object of user's operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that executes predetermined processing in response to a user operation.

  In all electronic devices such as TV broadcast receivers, general-purpose computers and other electrical appliances, as well as industrial electronic devices, processing executed by user operations from power ON / OFF to detailed processing instructions There are many.

  Taking the power ON / OFF as an example, the power is turned ON / OFF by, for example, a push switch or a push button provided in an electronic device main body or a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) attached to the electronic device.

  However, when a power switch is turned on or off or other processing instruction is given to an electronic device by pressing a push switch, the user is uneasy about whether the intended operation has actually been completed. If the target electronic device takes a long time to turn on the power, or if there is an ON / OFF switch on the back of the electronic device and cannot be pressed from the front, that is, the power switch enters the same field of view as the front of the electronic device. Such a feeling of anxiety of the user becomes more conspicuous when not taking advantage.

  For example, for a push switch that is turned ON when pressed, turned OFF when pressed again, and the protrusion is lowered when ON and the protrusion is raised (projected) when OFF, the user is pressing the switch. I don't know which state it is currently in. Furthermore, if the power source is on the side or bottom, it will not be in the same field of view, making it more difficult to understand. In addition, an LED (light emitting diode) is turned on when turned on and turned off when turned off, but the same problem occurs for an electronic device that does not enter the same field of view as the power switch. For example, even if it is the front of the electronic device, it is difficult to see if there is an LED on the lower side, and it is inconvenient if the front of the electronic device is wide (for example, if the screen is wide for a television receiver). .

  On the other hand, some electronic devices emit a push sound or the like in response to a user pressing a switch or the like. However, since there is no distinction depending on the operation such as an ON operation and an OFF operation, the user has anxiety as described above. I don't get it.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to guarantee the user's reliable operation completion in an electronic device that executes a predetermined process by a user operation.

The present invention is constituted by the following technical means in order to solve the above-described problems.
The first technical means includes an operation receiving means for receiving an operation from a user, a processing means for executing a process for the user operation received by the operation receiving means, and a user operation received by the operation receiving means in the electronic device. On the other hand, it is characterized by comprising operation completion notifying means for notifying the user that the acceptance of the user operation is completed by feedback control on the operation object of the user operation.

  According to a second technical means, in the first technical means, the operation completion notifying means is configured such that when the user operation received by the operation receiving means is an operation for a specific process in the processing means, the operation object And a means for notifying the user by a method different from the notification for the completion of reception of the user operation.

  According to a third technical means, in the first or second technical means, the operation completion notifying means performs feedback control on the operation target of the user operation in response to the user operation to be notified. It is a means for informing the user by changing the state of the object for a predetermined period.

  A fourth technical means is the third technical means, wherein the operation completion notifying means changes the state of the operation object by any one of vibration, temperature change, light emission, and sound output. Is.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in the electronic device which performs a predetermined process by user operation, it becomes possible to guarantee a user's reliable operation completion.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an electronic apparatus, 11 is an operation accepting means, 12 is a processing means, and 13 is an operation completion notifying means.

  The electronic device 1 according to the present invention includes an operation accepting unit 11 that accepts an operation from a user, and a processing unit 12 that executes a process for the user operation accepted by the operation accepting unit 11, similarly to a general electronic device. Shall be provided. In addition to these components, the electronic device 1 according to the present invention includes the following operation completion notifying unit 13 as its feature.

  The operation completion notifying unit 13 notifies the user that the user operation received by the operation receiving unit 11 has been received by feedback control on the operation target of the user operation in the operation receiving unit 11.

  Here, examples of the operation target include push-type switches and buttons. For example, when the push-type switch is an operation object, when the user performs a push-down operation of the push-type switch and confirms that the operation is completed, the operation completion notifying unit 13 indicates that the push-down operation has been completed. Feedback is provided to the push type switch, and the switch itself is notified by vibration or the like. On the other hand, for example, when the pressing operation is performed but the operation is not complete, for example, the force of pressing the switch is weak, the operation completion notifying unit 13 does not notify the user of the completion or notifies by using another notification method. . Here, for example, when the operation completion notification is continuous vibration for 1 second, another notification may be executed by intermittent vibration for 1 second.

  In this way, in an electronic device that executes a predetermined process by a user operation, it is possible to guarantee the user's reliable operation completion by feedback control on the operation target of the user operation.

  In another embodiment, the operation completion notifying unit 13 performs feedback control on the operation target when the user operation received by the operation receiving unit 11 is an operation for a specific process in the processing unit 12, and the user Means for notifying the user by a method (change) different from the notification for the completion of the operation reception is provided.

  Here, the operation for the specific process in the processing unit 12 is a case where the processing unit 12 cannot currently process (the process is not accepted), or when a certain adjustment value is set, the value is the center value and the maximum value. , When the minimum value is pointed, and also when the audio and / or video is muted. If the process cannot be accepted at present, a warning is given by notification. Also, it is particularly useful when details are difficult to see when the adjustment value shows a predetermined value. Further, when it is muted or the like, it is difficult to know whether it is operating in some cases, so such notification is useful.

  As another embodiment, the operation completion notification unit 13 performs feedback control on the operation target of the user operation and changes the state of the operation target for a predetermined period in response to the user operation that is the target of notification. Thus, it is preferable to use a means for notifying the user.

  Here, the operation completion notifying unit 13 may change the state of the operation target object by any one of temperature change caused by vibration, heating or cooling, light emission, and sound output. In this way, by using the vibration / heat / light / sound and applying feedback to the remote control key operation and key operation from the user, it is possible to guarantee the reliable operation of the user. Among them, feedback using vibration, heat, and sound enables notification to a visually impaired person. In the light notification, all the conventional buttons are not kept lit, but by turning them off for a predetermined period, a visual difference from the power lamp can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, taking a television receiver (television receiver) as an example of the electronic device, various feedback methods for guaranteeing the user's complete operation will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a television receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which 2 is a television receiver body, 3 is a remote control unit, 21a is a tuner unit, and 21b is an external input unit. , 22 is a video processing IC (Integrated Circuit), 23 is a main body microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a main body microcomputer), 24 is an audio processing IC, 25 is a display, 26L is a left speaker, 26R is a right speaker, and 27a and 31b are remote control light receptions. , 27b and 31a are remote control light transmission units, 28 is a main body operation unit, 28a is a main unit key, 28b is a main unit key light emission unit, 28c is a main body key temperature switching unit, 28d is a main body key vibration unit, and 29b is a main body key light emission unit 29c is a main body key temperature switching unit control circuit, 29d is a main body key vibration unit control circuit, and 32 is a control circuit. A microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a remote control microcomputer) 33 is a remote control operation unit, 33a is a remote control key, 33b is a remote control key light emission unit, 33c is a remote control key temperature switching unit, 33d is a remote control key vibration unit, 34b is a remote control key light emission unit A control circuit, 34c is a remote control key temperature switching unit control circuit, and 34d is a remote control key vibration unit control circuit.

  The television receiver main body 2 mainly includes a main body microcomputer 23, an antenna and a video / audio input unit such as a tuner unit 21a and an external input unit 21b, a video processing IC 22 for performing various video processes on the input video signal, and an input audio signal. An audio processing IC 24 that performs various audio processing, a main body operation unit 28 that accepts user operations, a display 25 such as a liquid crystal that displays an image-processed video signal, left and right speakers 26L and 26R that output audio signals, and a remote control unit 3 includes a remote control light receiving unit 27a that receives light from the remote control unit 3, a remote control light transmission unit 27b that transmits light to the remote control unit 3, and control circuits 29b to 29d for performing feedback control to the main body key 28a.

  The main body operation section 28 includes a plurality of main body keys 28a and a corresponding number of main body light emitting sections 28b, main body key temperature switching sections 28c, and main body key vibration sections 28d. Here, it is preferable that the main body key light emission unit 28b, the main body key temperature switching unit 28c, and the main body key vibration unit 28d are basically integrated with the corresponding main body key 28a.

  When the main body key 28a is pressed and the operation is completed, the main body key light emission unit control circuit 29b controls the main body key light emission unit 28b to cause the main body key 28a to emit light. As a method of light emission, a method of changing the luminance, a method of switching the luminance, or providing two or more LEDs such as two LEDs may be notified by the lighting condition of the LEDs. Similarly, the main body key temperature switching unit control circuit 29c controls the main body key temperature switching unit 28c to switch the temperature of the corresponding main body key 28a between high temperature / low temperature. The main body key vibration unit control circuit 29d controls the main body key vibration portion 28d to cause the corresponding main body key 28a to vibrate. Here, the vibrator may be used for vibration or a small speaker may be used for vibration. Further, although feedback may be performed in addition to the main body key 28a itself, a close place is preferable. In addition, you may provide each part 28b-28d and each control circuit 29b-29d used as a pair with only one or two types.

  In addition, the main body key 28a, the video processing IC 22, the audio processing IC 24, the remote control light receiving section 27a, and the remote control light transmitting section 27b, as well as the control circuits 29b to 29d, are controlled by the main body microcomputer 23.

  On the other hand, the remote control unit 3 mainly includes a remote control microcomputer 32, a remote control light receiving unit 31b that receives light from the remote control light transmission unit 27b, a remote control light transmission unit 31a that transmits light to the remote control light reception unit 27a, and a remote control operation that accepts user operations. It is comprised by each control circuit 34b-34d for performing the feedback control to the part 33 and the remote control key 33a. Here, an example in which two-way communication is possible between the remote control unit 3 and the television receiver body 2 is described as an example.

  The remote control operation unit 33 includes a plurality of remote control keys 33a and a corresponding number of remote control light emission units 33b, remote control key temperature switching units 33c, and remote control key vibration units 33d. Here, it is preferable that the remote control key light emitting unit 33b, the remote control key temperature switching unit 33c, and the remote control key vibrating unit 33d are basically integrated with the corresponding remote control key 33a.

  When the remote control key 33a is pressed and the operation is completed (the completion here may be detected when infrared transmission is performed and the result returns to the remote control side), the remote control key light emission unit control circuit 34b emits the remote control key. The unit 33b is controlled to cause the remote control key 33a to emit light. As a method of light emission, a method of changing the luminance, a method of switching the luminance, or providing two or more LEDs such as two LEDs may be notified by the lighting condition of the LEDs. Similarly, the remote control key temperature switching unit control circuit 34c controls the remote control key temperature switching unit 33c to switch the temperature of the corresponding remote control key 33a between high temperature / low temperature. Here, instead of the corresponding remote control key 33a, the temperature of a predetermined part (part always held by hand) of the remote control unit 3 may be switched. Further, the remote control key vibration part control circuit 34d controls the remote control key vibration part 33d to vibrate the corresponding remote control key 33a. Here, the vibrator may be vibrated using a small speaker, or may be vibrated using a small speaker, or the entire remote controller unit 3 may be vibrated instead of the corresponding remote controller key 33a. In this way, feedback may be provided in addition to the remote control key 33a itself, but a close location is preferable. In addition, you may provide each part 33b-33d and each control circuit 34b-34d used as a pair with only one or two types.

  In addition to the control circuits 34b to 34d, the remote control key 33a, the remote control light transmitting unit 31a, and the remote control light receiving unit 31b are controlled by the remote control microcomputer 32.

  As described above, as a feedback method to the user using the push SW or the remote controller, first, feedback of the power ON / OFF state to the user's operation can be mentioned. For example, vibrate the power button twice when the power is on, vibrate once when the power is off, or warm the button while the power is on, cool it when it is off, or keep the button inside when the power is on Lights with an LED, and turns off when it is off, or plays a sound when the power is turned on, and another sound when it is turned off.

  In addition, as feedback when selecting an inoperable item for the operation of the up / down / left / right key, when the cursor is on the inoperable item, the button is vibrated, the button is warmed, or the button is Notification is made by illuminating or making a sound.

  In addition, when the adjustment reaches the center value, or when the adjustment reaches the minimum value or the maximum value, feedback can be applied to the user's operation by the same method. Thereby, it is recognized by the user that the set value does not change even if the button is pressed further. Further, it is only necessary that the mark can be clearly shown in the center value of the set value. However, there is a model in which the mark cannot be added due to the number of fonts, which is suitable in such a case.

  Furthermore, even if it is difficult to determine whether the operation is in some cases, such as audio mute and video mute, it is possible to provide feedback to the user's operation in the same manner. In such a case, it is difficult to understand even if a graphical user interface (GUI) is used, and it may be difficult to understand even if it is turned ON / OFF depending on the state of video or audio. For example, taking a TV receiver or PC monitor as an example, if there is an item that cannot be adjusted because it is currently in the PC input state, it may be displayed as “cannot operate” on the GUI. By applying the present invention that performs the above, it is not necessary to display such a display with a GUI.

  In addition, even when the input is switched or when the channel is switched, it is possible to allow a person with impaired eyes or ears to grasp the set state by applying feedback to the user's operation in the same manner. For example, the AV1 input may be vibrated once, and the channel may be vibrated 12 times if the channel is CH12.

  Furthermore, even in a model that can be selected from a plurality of language settings, the language setting is confirmed by a method other than the character display in OSD (On Screen Display) by applying feedback according to the user's language setting in the same manner. be able to. In an electronic device, there are many languages registered in the OSD, and when a user just purchases, a menu appears in a language that he / she does not know. Therefore, by deciding to vibrate once in the case of English when a key is pressed, it is possible to appropriately bring up the GUI that one can understand without looking at the GUI in an unknown language.

  Furthermore, even when the electronic device is not responding smoothly (for example, 1 to 3 minutes) such as when the memory card is being read when the power is turned on, feedback according to the language setting of the user (for example, “work” By applying “sound output” or the like, it is possible to prevent the user from misunderstanding that the user has failed, and to reassure the user. In order to prevent a user's misunderstanding, it is possible to lengthen a bar graph, but in such a case, the bar graph may also stop for 15 to 20 seconds and may not advance further.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic device which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of the television receiver which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic device, 2 ... Television receiver main body, 3 ... Remote control unit, 11 ... Operation reception means, 12 ... Processing means, 13 ... Operation completion notification means, 21a ... Tuner part, 21b ... External input part, 22 ... Video processing IC, 23 ... main body microcomputer, 24 ... voice processing IC, 25 ... display, 26L ... left speaker, 26R ... right speaker, 27a, 31b ... remote control light receiving unit, 27b, 31a ... remote control light transmitting unit, 28 ... main unit operation unit, 28a ... Main unit key, 28b ... Main unit key light emission unit, 28c ... Main unit key temperature switching unit, 28d ... Main unit key vibration unit, 29b ... Main unit key light emission unit control circuit, 29c ... Main unit key temperature switching unit control circuit, 29d ... Main unit key Vibrating part control circuit, 32... Remote control microcomputer, 33... Remote control operation part, 33 a. Light unit, 33c ... remote control key temperature switching unit, 33d ... remote control key vibrating portion, 34b ... remote control key emitting unit control circuit, 34c ... remote control key Temperature switch unit control circuit, 34d ... remote control key vibration unit control circuit.

Claims (4)

  Operation accepting means for accepting an operation from the user, processing means for executing processing for the user operation accepted by the operation accepting means, and acceptance of the user operation for the user operation accepted by the operation accepting means has been completed. An electronic device comprising: an operation completion notifying unit that notifies a user of feedback by feedback control on an operation target of the user operation.   The operation completion notifying means is a feedback control for the operation target when the user operation received by the operation receiving means is an operation for a specific process in the processing means, and a notification for the reception completion of the user operation. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying a user by a method different from the method described above.   The operation completion notifying means notifies the user by performing feedback control on the operation target of the user operation and changing the state of the operation target for a predetermined period in response to the user operation to be notified. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus is a means.   The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the operation completion notification unit changes the state of the operation target object by any one of vibration, temperature change, light emission, and sound output.

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