JP2007193589A - Display device, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability. <P>SOLUTION: An operation detecting part 51 detects contact to a touch panel by an operation of a user. An operation determination part 52 determines whether or not a first region of the touch panel for which contact is detected is within the limits of a second region for directing a certain operation according to the operation of the user on the touch panel. A pressed area extending part 53 extends the first region or the second region so as to be within a predetermined limit when it is determined that the first region is within the limit of the second region. An extended area information processing part 55 executes a process corresponding to the operation directed by the second region, thus enhancing the operability when the first region is within the second region and the contact is no longer detected. The present invention is applicable to a digital still camera. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device, method, and program, and more particularly, to a display device, method, and program that can improve operability.

  Devices using touch panels that perform operations by directly touching a screen with a user's fingertip or the like are widespread.

  In the touch panel, when the user's fingertip or stylus is released from the touch panel, which is generally referred to as OFF edge detection, if the released position is within the valid button range, the pressing operation of the button is enabled. On the other hand, when the separated position does not fall within the valid button range, control for invalidating the button pressing operation is performed.

  In addition, the applicant first detects the position touched by the user, determines the shape formed by sequentially connecting the detected positions, and further determines the process associated with the determination result. (For example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-165733 A

  However, if the end of the effective range of the touch panel is pressed with the user's fingertip or stylus, the pressing operation is invalidated due to the extremely slight movement of the fingertip or stylus. There was a problem of losing.

  In the conventional touch panel, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the end of the effective range of the button 1a (the position indicated by the pressing area A1 in FIG. 1) among the buttons 1a to 1c displayed on the touch panel by the user. ) Is pressed, the state where the upper button 1a in the figure is enabled and the state where the lower button 1a in the figure is disabled are repeated, and the user intends to press the button 1a. However, the feedback on the screen could become unstable, which could cause discomfort and discomfort.

  Further, in the case of a pressing operation in which one button is continuously pressed, there is a possibility that a phenomenon in which a long press is interrupted on the way is likely to become conspicuous against the user's will.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, in a paint application that is software for drawing on the image 2a by the user pressing the buttons 2c to 2f, the effective range in the image 2a as indicated by the dotted line 2b is shown. When performing a pressing operation such as specifying a range by tracing the boundary, there is a possibility that the operability of the pressing operation related to the boundary may be reduced, for example, the range to be specified may be interrupted due to blurring of the fingertip or stylus. .

  Furthermore, in the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-165733, it is possible to instruct execution of a predetermined process by executing an operation such as drawing a line. When the end of the effective range is pressed, the pressing operation is invalidated due to blurring of a fingertip or a stylus, and the button may be missed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is intended to improve operability.

  In one aspect of the present invention, in a display device having a touch panel, a detection unit that detects contact with the touch panel by a user operation, and a first region of the touch panel in which contact is detected are on the touch panel, Determining means for determining whether or not it is within a range of a second area for instructing a certain operation according to a user operation, and determining that the first area is within the range of the second area When the contact is no longer detected, the first region or the second region is enlarged so that the first region or the second region becomes a predetermined range. And a processing unit that executes a process corresponding to an operation instructed by the second area when it is within the range of the second area.

  The area enlarging means may enlarge the first area so that the first area before enlargement and after the enlargement have a similar shape.

  The area enlarging means can enlarge the second area so that the second area before enlargement and after the enlargement have a similar shape.

  The predetermined range may be a range determined by a resolution of the touch panel or a position where the second region is arranged on the touch panel.

  Storage means for storing information of the enlarged first area or the second area is provided, and the processing means corresponds to an operation instructed by the second area indicated by the stored information. It is possible to execute processing to be performed.

  The second area may be arranged so as to be close to another second area for instructing another operation in accordance with the operation of the user.

  One aspect of the present invention is a display method of a display device having a touch panel, wherein a detection step of detecting contact with the touch panel by a user operation, and a first region of the touch panel where contact is detected are on the touch panel. A determination step of determining whether or not the second region is within the range of the second region for instructing an action in response to the user's operation, and the first region is within the range of the second region When it is determined that there is an area expansion step for expanding the area so that the first area or the second area is a predetermined range, and when the contact is not detected, the first area And a processing step of executing a process corresponding to an operation instructed by the second area when the area is within the range of the second area.

  In one aspect of the present invention, in a program for causing a computer of a display device having a touch panel to perform display processing, a detection step of detecting contact with the touch panel by a user operation, and a first of the touch panel in which contact is detected A determination step of determining whether or not the region is within a range of a second region for instructing a certain operation in response to the user's operation on the touch panel, and the first region is the first region If it is determined that the area is within the range of the second area, an area enlargement step for enlarging the area so that the first area or the second area falls within a predetermined range, and the contact is detected. A process step of executing a process corresponding to an operation instructed by the second area when the first area is within the range of the second area, It is a free program.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a contact with the touch panel by a user's operation is detected, and a first region of the touch panel in which the contact is detected has an operation on the touch panel according to the user's operation. When it is determined whether or not it is within the range of the second region for indicating, and when it is determined that the first region is within the range of the second region, the first region or the first region When the area is enlarged so that the area of 2 becomes a predetermined range and the contact is not detected, the second area is within the range of the second area. Processing corresponding to the operation instructed by the area is executed.

  As described above, according to one aspect of the present invention, operability can be improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between constituent elements of the present invention and the embodiments described in the specification or the drawings are exemplified as follows. This description is intended to confirm that the embodiments supporting the present invention are described in the specification or the drawings. Therefore, even if there is an embodiment which is described in the specification or the drawings but is not described here as an embodiment corresponding to the constituent elements of the present invention, that is not the case. It does not mean that the form does not correspond to the constituent requirements. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. It's not something to do.

  The display device according to one aspect of the present invention (for example, the digital still camera 11 in FIG. 3) is a detection unit (for example, the operation in FIG. 4) that detects contact with the touch panel (for example, the touch panel 24 in FIG. 3) by a user operation. The detection unit 51) and a first region (for example, a pressing area) of the touch panel in which contact is detected are a second region (for example, a button) for instructing a certain operation on the touch panel in response to a user operation. When it is determined that the determination unit (for example, the operation determination unit 52 in FIG. 4) determines whether or not the first area is within the range of the second area, When the contact is no longer detected with the area enlarging means (for example, the pressing area enlarging unit 53 in FIG. 4) for enlarging the area so that the area or the second area becomes a predetermined area, Area is second area When in range, comprising processing means for executing processing corresponding to the operation indicated by the second region (e.g., larger area processing unit 55 of FIG. 4) and.

  The area enlargement means can enlarge the first area so that the first area before enlargement and the first area after enlargement have a similar shape.

  The area enlargement means can enlarge the second area so that the second area before enlargement and the second area after enlargement have a similar shape.

  The predetermined range may be a range determined by the resolution of the touch panel or the position where the second region is arranged on the touch panel.

  The storage means (for example, the enlarged area information storage unit 54 in FIG. 4) for storing the information of the enlarged first area or the second area is provided, and the processing means is the second information indicated by the stored information. A process corresponding to the operation instructed by the area can be executed.

  The second area can be arranged so as to be close to the other second area for instructing another operation in accordance with a user operation.

  The display method or program according to one aspect of the present invention includes a detection step (for example, the process of step S11 in FIG. 5) for detecting contact with a touch panel by a user operation, and a first area of the touch panel in which contact is detected. A determination step (for example, the process of step S12 in FIG. 5) for determining whether or not the position is within the range of the second region for instructing a certain operation in response to a user operation on the touch panel; When it is determined that the area is within the range of the second area, an area enlargement step (for example, FIG. 5) is performed to enlarge the area so that the first area or the second area becomes a predetermined range. Step S13), and when the contact is no longer detected, and when the first area is within the range of the second area, the process corresponding to the operation instructed by the second area is executed. Flop (for example, step S17 in FIG. 5) and a.

  The program of one aspect of the present invention can be recorded on a recording medium (for example, the removable medium 221 in FIG. 21).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the digital still camera 11 to which the present invention is applied.

  The digital still camera 11 is an example of a display device having a touch panel therein. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the digital still camera 11 will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a digital video camera, a personal computer, a television receiver, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), etc. have a touch panel. It can also be applied to equipment.

  The digital still camera 11 includes a microcomputer 21, a memory 22, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 23, a touch panel 24, a speaker 25, and a camera unit 26.

  The microcomputer 21 controls each unit of the digital still camera 11 such as the LCD 23, the speaker 25, or the camera unit 26 according to a program stored in the memory 22. Further, the memory 22 is composed of, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as a RAM, an EEPROM, or a flash memory, and stores a program executed by the microcomputer 21 and various data.

  The microcomputer 21 controls display so that an image is displayed on the screen of the LCD 23. For example, the microcomputer 21 displays image data of a subject image taken by the camera unit 26 so that the subject image corresponding to the image data supplied from the camera unit 26 is displayed on the screen of the LCD 23. Control.

  The LCD 23 is provided so as to overlap the touch panel 24. The touch panel 24 is configured to pass through the LCD 23 and accepts a user's pressing operation for selecting buttons (icons) for instructing operations of various functions by the digital still camera 11 displayed on the screen of the LCD 23. Then, a signal indicating the position information of the operation position (hereinafter referred to as a panel operation signal) is supplied to the microcomputer 21.

  Based on the panel operation signal supplied from the touch panel 24, the microcomputer 21 causes the LCD 23 or the speaker 25 to execute a process corresponding to the operation instruction of the function indicated by the panel operation signal.

  For example, the microcomputer 21 controls the display of an image so that an image corresponding to the operation instruction of the function indicated by the panel operation signal is displayed on the screen of the LCD 23. Further, for example, the microcomputer 21 controls the output of the sound so that the sound corresponding to the operation instruction of the function indicated by the panel operation signal is output from the speaker 27.

  Under the control of the microcomputer 21, the camera unit 26 performs processing related to various shootings according to user operations. The camera unit 26 includes a video / audio input unit 31, a video / audio signal processing unit 32, a drive 33, and a recording medium 34.

  The video / audio input unit 31 includes, for example, an optical system such as a lens, an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices), a video signal circuit that processes video signals, and the like. The video / audio input unit 31 converts the captured image into image data, and supplies the converted image data to the video / audio signal processing unit 32.

  The video / audio input unit 31 includes, for example, a (built-in) microphone, an audio signal processing circuit that processes audio signals, and the like. The audio / video input unit 31 converts audio collected by the microphone into audio data, and supplies the converted audio data to the audio / video signal processing unit 32.

  When recording data on the recording medium 34, the video / audio signal processing unit 32 modulates image data or audio data supplied from the video / audio input unit 31 to a method suitable for recording on the recording medium 34. The above process is performed and supplied to the recording medium 34 via the drive 33 and recorded. The recording medium 34 is configured by a memory card such as a Memory Stick (trademark), for example, and is attached to the digital still camera 11 as necessary. At this time, the video / audio signal processing unit 32 supplies the image data to the microcomputer 21 so that the image taken by the user is displayed on the screen of the LCD 23.

  Further, when reproducing the data recorded on the recording medium 34, the video / audio signal processing unit 32 has a method suitable for displaying the image data read from the recording medium 34 via the drive 33 on the LCD 23. Processing such as demodulation or demodulation of audio data read from the recording medium 34 into a method suitable for outputting from the speaker 25 is performed, and the data subjected to such processing is supplied to the microcomputer 21. Furthermore, the video / audio signal processing unit 32 superimposes image data such as buttons (icons) for instructing operations of various functions and image data read from the recording medium 34 as necessary, and superimposes them. The image data obtained by doing so is supplied to the microcomputer 21.

  The video / audio input unit 31 and the video / audio signal processing unit 32 can process both image (image data) and audio (audio data), as well as only image data. It is. For example, when recording a moving image on the recording medium 34, the video / audio input unit 31 and the video / audio signal processing unit 32 perform various types of processing on both the image data and the audio data, When recording on the recording medium 34, various processes are performed on the image data. Of course, the same applies to reproduction.

  Further, the configuration of the digital still camera 11 is not limited to the example of FIG. 3, and it is sufficient that at least the functional configuration example of FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the digital still camera 11 of FIG. The functional configuration example illustrated in FIG. 4 is realized, for example, when the microcomputer 21 executes a predetermined program recorded in the memory 22 or the like.

  The digital still camera 11 is configured to include an operation detection unit 51, an operation determination unit 52, a pressing area enlargement unit 53, an enlarged area information storage unit 54, and an enlarged area information processing unit 55.

  In the present embodiment, since the digital still camera 11 has the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 3 described above, the operation detection unit 51, the operation determination unit 52, the pressing area enlargement unit 53, and the enlarged area information processing. The unit 55 is configured, for example, as software (program) executed by the microcomputer 21 in FIG. However, by making the hardware configuration of the digital still camera 11 different from the configuration of FIG. 3, the operation detection unit 51, the operation determination unit 52, the pressing area enlargement unit 53, or the enlargement area information processing unit 55 is a single hardware unit. It can also be configured as a combination of software and hardware.

  The operation detection unit 51 detects an operation on the touch panel 24 by the user based on the panel operation signal supplied from the touch panel 24. The operation detection unit 51 supplies the detection result to the operation determination unit 52.

  Based on the detection result supplied from the operation detection unit 51, the operation determination unit 52 determines whether or not buttons for instructing operations of various functions displayed on the screen of the LCD 23 are pressed by a user operation. Determine. The operation determination unit 52 supplies the determination result to the pressing area enlargement unit 53.

  The operation determination unit 52 is pressed when a pressing operation is completed by a user operation based on the detection result supplied from the operation detection unit 51 and the enlarged area information read from the enlarged area information storage unit 54. It is determined whether the selected button is the button that was pressed first. The operation determination unit 52 supplies the determination result to the enlarged area information processing unit 55.

  When the determination result supplied from the operation determination unit 52 indicates that the button is pressed by the user's operation, the pressing area expanding unit 53 expands the pressing area into the expanded pressing area. Further, the pressing area enlargement unit 53 supplies information of the enlarged pressing area to the enlarged area information storage unit 54 and stores the information.

  Here, the pressing area is an area (area) on the touch panel 24 that is pressed (touched) by a user operation. For example, when the touch panel 24 is pressed by the user's fingertip or stylus, the pressing area is an area that is pressed (touched) by the fingertip or stylus.

  The enlarged pressing area is an area obtained by enlarging the pressing area being pressed by the user within a predetermined range so as to be similar to the shape of the pressing area. For example, when the shape of the pressing area is a circle, the enlarged pressing area is a circular area composed of a circle with a predetermined radius centered on the pressing area. The enlarged press area is, for example, a button (area) for instructing the operation of various functions displayed on the screen of the LCD 23 or the resolution of the touch panel 24 (the resolution of the device that reads the voltage value output from the touch panel 24). )) And an area expanded to an optimum range, and is not limited to the circular shape described above, and may be any shape other than a similar shape such as a polygon or an ellipse.

  Information on the enlarged press area supplied from the enlarged area information storage unit 54 and the pressed area enlargement unit 53 is stored as enlarged area information.

  The enlarged area information is information relating to the pressing area (enlarged pressing area) enlarged by the pressing area expanding unit 53. For example, when a user presses a menu button (button 101a to be described later) for instructing display of a menu screen that is a list of operation items displayed on the screen of the LCD 23, the enlarged area information is: This is information indicating an enlarged press area enlarged by pressing the menu button.

  The enlarged area information processing unit 55 performs processing corresponding to the operation of various functions indicated by the enlarged area information based on the determination result supplied from the operation determining unit 52.

  Next, the operation of the digital still camera 11 having the functional configuration example of FIG. 4 will be described. For example, when the user operates buttons for instructing various operations displayed on the screen of the LCD 23 of the digital still camera 11, the buttons displayed on the screen of the LCD 23 with the fingertip (or stylus) Will touch.

  When the microcomputer 21 is touched by the fingertip of the user via the touch panel 24, the microcomputer 21 causes each unit to execute the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 11, the operation detection unit 51 determines whether or not the touch panel 24 is touched by the user's fingertip based on the panel operation signal supplied from the touch panel 24.

  For example, an image (still image) as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the screen of the LCD 23, and a button 101 a for instructing display of a menu screen that is a list of operation items is displayed on the image. The button 101b for instructing the display of the image immediately before the image being displayed and the button 101c for instructing the display of the image immediately after the image displayed on the screen of the LCD 23 are superimposed. In step S11, the operation detection unit 51 determines whether or not the touch panel 24 transmitted through the image of FIG. 6 displayed on the screen of the LCD 23 has been touched by the user's fingertip.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the fingertip of the user is not touched, the operation of various functions of the digital still camera 11 is not instructed, and the process returns to step S11 and the above-described processing is repeated. That is, the image of FIG. 6 remains displayed on the screen of the LCD 23.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the user's fingertip has been touched, the process proceeds to step S12, and the operation determination unit 52 is displayed on the screen of the LCD 23 based on the detection result supplied from the operation detection unit 51. It is determined whether or not the buttons for instructing the operation of the various functions are pressed.

  For example, in step S12, as shown in FIG. 6, the operation determination unit 52 determines that the button 101a to the button 101c are superimposed on the image displayed on the screen of the LCD 23 by the user's operation. It is determined whether any one of the buttons 101a to 101c is pressed.

  If it is determined in step S12 that the button is not pressed, for example, the user's fingertip touches an area other than the area where each of the buttons 101a to 101c is displayed. Returning to the above, the above-described processing is repeated. That is, the image of FIG. 6 remains displayed on the screen of the LCD 23.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S13, and the pressing area enlargement unit 53 turns the pressing area into an enlarged pressing area based on the determination result supplied from the operation determination unit 52. Enlarge. In addition, the pressing area enlargement unit 53 supplies information on the enlarged pressing area to the enlarged area information storage unit 54 to be stored.

  For example, in step S13, when the user's fingertip touches the pressing area A2 on the button 101a as shown by the left button 101a in FIG. 7, the pressing area enlargement unit 53 uses the right button 101a in FIG. As shown, the area is enlarged so as to be a circle with a predetermined radius centered on the pressing area A2, and the pressing area A2 touched by the user's fingertip is expanded to the enlarged pressing area P1.

  That is, the pressing area expanding unit 53 expands the pressing area A2 to the expanding pressing area P1. And the press area expansion part 53 supplies the information of the expansion press area P1 to the expansion area information storage part 54, and memorize | stores it.

  In step S <b> 14, the enlarged area information storage unit 54 stores information on the enlarged press area supplied from the press area enlargement unit 53 as enlarged area information. For example, in step S14, the enlarged area information storage unit 54 stores, as enlarged area information, information indicating that the pressing area A2 has been enlarged to the enlarged pressing area P1. At this time, in the enlarged area information storage unit 54, the button that is first pressed by the enlarged press area P1 based on the information of the enlarged press area P1 supplied from the press area enlargement unit 53 is the button 101a. Information indicating this may also be stored as enlarged area information.

  In step S <b> 15, the operation detection unit 51 determines whether or not the user's fingertip touching the touch panel 24 has been released based on the panel operation signal supplied from the touch panel 24.

  If it is determined in step S15 that the user's fingertip has not been released, the process returns to step S15 and the above-described processing is repeated. That is, in the OFF edge detection, when the user's fingertip moves away from the touch panel 24, the operation of various functions is instructed, so that the image of FIG. 6 remains displayed on the screen of the LCD 23.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S15 that the user has moved away from the fingertip of the user, the process proceeds to step S16, where the operation determination unit 52 detects the detection result supplied from the operation detection unit 51 and the enlarged area information read from the enlarged area information storage unit 54. Based on the area information, it is determined whether or not the button has been pressed first. For example, in step S <b> 16, the operation determination unit 52 expands the pressure when the user moves away from the fingertip based on the detection result supplied from the operation detection unit 51 and the expanded area information read from the expanded area information storage unit 54. It is determined whether or not the area P1 is pressing the button 101a that has been pressed first.

  If it is determined in step S16 that the button has not been pressed first, the operation instructed by the button is not executed, the process returns to step S11, and the above-described processing is repeated.

  In this way, the operation determination unit 52 limits the operation of the touch panel 24 by the user to the operation of the button 101a that is pressed first. As a result, even when the enlarged pressing area P1 extends over another button or area (for example, the button 101b or the button 101c), the operation is limited to the operation of the button 101a. It doesn't mean that As a result, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in button layout, for example, by reducing the size of the button or reducing the dead area.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S16 that the button has been pressed first, the operation instructed by the button is executed, so that the process proceeds to step S17, and the enlarged area information processing unit 55 performs the operation determination unit 52. The processing corresponding to the enlarged area information is performed on the basis of the determination result supplied from, and the pressing area enlargement processing by the microcomputer 21 is completed.

  For example, in step S17, the enlarged area information processing unit 55 indicates that the determination result supplied from the operation determining unit 52 indicates that the enlarged press area P1 is pressing the button 101a as shown in FIG. If it is, the menu screen whose operation is instructed by the button 101a is displayed. At this time, a menu screen (not shown) as a list of operation items is displayed on the screen of the LCD 23.

  Further, in the processing from step S15 to step S17, as shown in FIG. 8, due to the blurring of the fingertip of the user, the pressing area A2 on the left side in the figure becomes the outer side of the button 101a as the pressing area A2 on the right side in the figure As shown in the upper right in the figure, when the pressing area A1 is not enlarged to the enlarged pressing area P1, when the user's fingertip is separated, the user's fingertip is separated from the touch panel 24 in the OFF edge detection. Sometimes, the operation of various functions is instructed, so that the button 101a is not operated, and the operation is not instructed by the button 101a.

  On the other hand, as shown in the lower right in the figure, when the pressing area A2 is enlarged to the enlarged pressing area P1, the operation of the button 101a is not instructed to be the pressing area A2 when the user presses away from the fingertip. Since the enlarged enlarged pressing area P1 is pressing the button 101a, the button 101a is operated by detecting the OFF edge, and the operation is instructed by the button 101a.

  As described above, when a button on the touch panel is pressed, the pressing area being pressed by the user can be expanded to the enlarged pressing area, so that the button or area on the touch panel can be pressed due to fingertip or stylus blurring. Damage can be reduced. In other words, it can be said that so-called robustness against blurring is improved.

  Further, by enlarging the pressing area being pressed by the user to the enlarged pressing area, for example, the above-described unstable screen feedback in FIG. 1 is eliminated, and a range along a certain boundary in FIG. It is possible to reliably perform a pressing operation such as designating.

  By the way, in the above-described example, it has been described that the frequency of occurrence of failure to press the button on the touch panel 24 is reduced by enlarging the pressing area. You may make it expand the area of the button touched by operation. The operation of enlarging the button area by the digital still camera 11 will be described below.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the functional configuration example of the digital still camera 11 of FIG. The functional configuration example illustrated in FIG. 9 is realized, for example, when the microcomputer 21 executes a predetermined program recorded in the memory 22 or the like.

  In FIG. 9, the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. That is, in FIG. 9, the digital still camera 11 is configured to include a button area enlargement unit 121 instead of the pressing area enlargement unit 53, as compared with the block diagram of FIG.

  When the determination result supplied from the operation determination unit 52 indicates that the button is pressed by a user operation, the button area expansion unit 121 expands the button area into an expansion button area. In addition, the button area enlargement unit 121 supplies information on the enlargement button area to the enlargement area information storage unit 54 and stores the information.

  Here, the button area is an area (area) on the touch panel 24 of buttons displayed on the screen of the LCD 23 pressed by a user operation. For example, when the button 101a displayed on the screen of the LCD 23 is pressed by the user's fingertip, stylus, or the like, the pressed button 101a is displayed in the button area as shown in FIG. It becomes an area.

  The enlarged button area is an area obtained by enlarging the button area pressed by the user within a predetermined range so as to be similar to the shape of the button area. For example, when the shape of the button area is a rectangle, the enlarged button area is a rectangular area obtained by enlarging the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the button area by a predetermined range. The enlarged button area is, for example, a button (area) for instructing the operation of various functions displayed on the screen of the LCD 23 or the resolution of the touch panel 24 (the resolution of the device that reads the voltage value output from the touch panel 24). ) And the like, and an area expanded to an optimum range is not limited to the rectangle described above, and may be any shape other than a similar shape such as a polygon or an ellipse.

  The enlargement area information storage unit 54 stores information on the enlargement button area supplied from the button area enlargement unit 121 as enlargement area information. At this time, the enlarged area information is information relating to the button area (enlarged button area) enlarged by the button area enlargement unit 121.

  Next, the operation of the digital still camera 11 having the functional configuration example of FIG. 9 will be described. For example, when the user operates buttons for instructing various operations displayed on the screen of the LCD 23 of the digital still camera 11, the buttons displayed on the screen of the LCD 23 with the fingertip (or stylus) Will touch.

  When the microcomputer 21 is touched by the fingertip of the user via the touch panel 24, the microcomputer 21 causes each unit to execute the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  The processing in step S21 and step S22 is the same as the processing in step S11 and step S12 in FIG.

  In step S23, the button area enlargement unit 121 enlarges the button area to the enlargement button area based on the determination result supplied from the operation determination unit 52. In addition, the button area enlargement unit 121 supplies information on the enlargement button area to the enlargement area information storage unit 54 to be stored.

  For example, in step S23, when the user's fingertip touches the pressing area A3 on the button 101a as shown by the left button 101a in FIG. 11, the button area enlargement unit 121 uses the right button 101a in FIG. As shown, the area is enlarged so as to surround the button area of the button 101a, and the button area where the button 101a can be pressed is expanded to the enlarged button area B1 by the user's operation.

  That is, the button area enlargement unit 121 enlarges the button area where the button 101a can be pressed to the enlargement button area B1. Then, the button area enlargement unit 121 supplies the information of the enlargement button area B1 to the enlargement area information storage unit 54 and stores it.

  In step S <b> 24, the enlarged area information storage unit 54 stores information on the enlarged button area supplied from the button area enlarging unit 121 as enlarged area information. For example, in step S24, the enlarged area information storage unit 54 stores, as enlarged area information, information indicating that the button area of the button 101a has been enlarged to the enlarged button area B1. At this time, the enlarged area information storage unit 54 uses the information of the enlarged button area B1 supplied from the button area expanding unit 121, and the button first pressed by the pressing area A3 is displayed in the enlarged button area B1. Information indicating that the button 101a has been enlarged may also be stored as enlarged area information.

  The process of step S25 is the same as the process of step S15 of FIG.

  In step S <b> 26, the operation determination unit 52 determines whether or not the button has been pressed first based on the detection result supplied from the operation detection unit 51 and the enlarged area information read from the enlarged area information storage unit 54. judge. For example, in step S <b> 26, the operation determination unit 52 determines the pressing area when the user's fingertip is released based on the detection result supplied from the operation detection unit 51 and the enlarged area information read from the enlarged area information storage unit 54. It is determined whether or not A3 is pressing the button 101a enlarged in the enlarged button area B1, which was first pressed.

  If it is determined in step S26 that the button has not been pressed first, the operation instructed by the button is not executed, the process returns to step S21, and the above-described processing is repeated.

  In this way, the operation determination unit 52 limits the operation of the touch panel 24 by the user to the operation of the button 101a that is pressed first. Thereby, even when the pressing area A3 extends over other buttons and areas (for example, the button 101b and the button 101c) other than the button 101a enlarged in the enlarged button area B1, the button 101a can be operated. Since it is limited, it does not mean that two places are pressed at the same time. As a result, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in button layout, for example, by reducing the size of the button or reducing the dead area.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S26 that the button has been pressed first, the operation instructed by the button is executed, so that the process proceeds to step S27, where the enlarged area information processing unit 55 performs the operation determination unit 52. The process corresponding to the enlarged area information is performed on the basis of the determination result supplied from, and the button area enlargement process by the microcomputer 21 ends.

  For example, in step S26, the enlarged area information processing unit 55 determines that the determination result supplied from the operation determining unit 52 is that the pressing area A3 has pressed the button 101a expanded to the enlarged button area B1, as shown in FIG. If it indicates that the user is operating, a process is performed to display a menu screen whose operation is instructed by the button 101a. At this time, a menu screen (not shown) as a list of operation items is displayed on the screen of the LCD 23.

  Further, in the processing of step S25 and step S27, as shown in FIG. 12, due to the blurring of the user's fingertip, the left pressing area A3 in FIG. 12 becomes the button 101a like the right pressing area A3 in FIG. If the button area of the button 101a is not enlarged to the enlargement button area B1, as shown in the upper right in the figure, when the user's fingertip is released, the OFF finger detection causes the user's fingertip to be touched. Since the operation of various functions is instructed when the user is away from 24, the button 101a is not operated, and the operation of the button 101a is not instructed.

  On the other hand, as shown in the lower right in the figure, when the button area of the button 101a is enlarged to the enlarged button area B1, the button area of the button 101a is determined to be the button area of the button 101a when it is released from the fingertip of the user. Although the operation is not instructed, the user presses the enlarged button area B1 in which the pressing area A3 is enlarged. Therefore, the button 101a is operated by detecting the OFF edge, and the operation of the button 101a is instructed. become.

  As described above, when a button on the touch panel is pressed, the button area of the button being pressed by the user can be expanded to the enlarged button area. Can be reduced.

  Further, by enlarging the button area being pressed by the user to the enlargement button area, for example, the above-described unstable screen feedback in FIG. 1 is eliminated, and a range along a certain boundary in FIG. It is possible to reliably perform a pressing operation such as designating.

  By the way, in the above-described example, the pressing area and the button area have been described as being separately expanded, thereby reducing the frequency of button failure on the touch panel 24. However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto. Instead, for example, both the pressing area and the button area may be enlarged. Hereinafter, an operation of enlarging both the pressing area and the button area by the digital still camera 11 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing still another configuration of the functional configuration example of the digital still camera 11 of FIG. The functional configuration example illustrated in FIG. 13 is realized by, for example, the microcomputer 21 executing a predetermined program recorded in the memory 22 or the like.

  In FIG. 13, the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. That is, in FIG. 13, the digital still camera 11 is configured to include an area enlargement unit 141 instead of the pressing area enlargement unit 53, as compared with the block diagram of FIG.

  When the determination result supplied from the operation determination unit 52 indicates that the button is pressed by the user's operation, the area expansion unit 141 expands the press area into the expansion press area and displays the button area. Zoom in to the zoom button area. In addition, the area enlargement unit 141 supplies information on the enlargement press area and the enlargement button area to the enlargement area information storage unit 54 and stores the information.

  The enlargement area information storage unit 54 stores information on the enlargement press area and the enlargement button area supplied from the area enlargement unit 141 as enlargement area information. At this time, the enlarged area information is information related to the press area (enlarged press area) and the button area (enlarged button area) enlarged by the area enlarging unit 141.

  The area enlargement unit 141 is configured to include a pressing area enlargement unit 151 and a button area enlargement unit 152.

  In the same manner as the pressing area expanding unit 53 in FIG. 4, the pressing area expanding unit 151 is pressed when the determination result supplied from the operation determining unit 52 indicates that the button is pressed by a user operation. Enlarge the area into an enlarged press area.

  Similarly to the button area enlargement unit 121 in FIG. 9, the button area enlargement unit 152 displays a button when the determination result supplied from the operation determination unit 52 indicates that the button is pressed by a user operation. Enlarge the area into an enlarge button area.

  Next, the operation of the digital still camera 11 having the functional configuration example of FIG. 13 will be described. For example, when the user operates buttons for instructing various operations displayed on the screen of the LCD 23 of the digital still camera 11, the buttons displayed on the screen of the LCD 23 with the fingertip (or stylus) Will touch.

  When the microcomputer 21 is touched by the fingertip of the user via the touch panel 24, the microcomputer 21 causes each unit to execute the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  The processing of step S31 and step S32 is the same as the processing of step S11 and step S12 of FIG.

  In step S33, the area enlargement unit 141 performs area enlargement processing.

  Here, details of the area enlargement processing by the area enlargement unit 141 in step S33 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 41, the pressing area enlargement unit 151 enlarges the pressing area into the enlarged pressing area based on the determination result supplied from the operation determination unit 52.

  For example, in step S41, when the user's fingertip touches the pressing area A4 on the button 101a as shown by the left button 101a in FIG. 16, the pressing area enlargement unit 151 uses the right button 101a in FIG. As shown, the area is enlarged so as to be a circle with a predetermined radius centered on the pressing area A4, and the pressing area A4 touched by the user's fingertip is expanded to the enlarged pressing area P2.

  In step S42, the button area enlargement unit 152 enlarges the button area to the enlargement button area based on the determination result supplied from the operation determination unit 52.

  For example, in step S42, when the user's fingertip touches the pressing area A4 on the button 101a as shown by the left button 101a in FIG. 16, the button area enlargement unit 152 uses the right button 101a in FIG. As shown, the area is enlarged so as to surround the button area of the button 101a, and the button area where the button 101a can be pressed is expanded to the enlarged button area B2 by the user's operation.

  That is, the area enlargement unit 141 enlarges the pressing area A4 to the enlarged pressing area P2, and further enlarges the button area of the button 101a to the enlargement button area B2. Then, the area enlargement unit 141 supplies the information of the enlarged press area P2 and the enlargement button area B2 to the enlargement area information storage unit 54 to be stored.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 14, in step S <b> 34, the enlarged area information storage unit 54 stores information on the enlarged press area and the enlarged button area supplied from the area enlarging unit 141 as enlarged area information. For example, in step S34, the enlarged area information storage unit 54 indicates information indicating that the pressed area A4 has been expanded to the expanded button area P2, and information indicating that the button area of the button 101a has been expanded to the expanded button area B2. Is stored as enlarged area information. At this time, the enlarged area information storage unit 54 determines that the button first pressed by the enlarged press area P2 based on the information of the enlarged press area and the enlarged button area supplied from the area enlargement unit 141 is the enlarge button. Information indicating that the button 101a is enlarged in the area B2 may also be stored as enlarged area information.

  The process of step S35 is the same as the process of step S15 of FIG.

  In step S <b> 36, the operation determination unit 52 determines whether the button has been pressed first based on the detection result supplied from the operation detection unit 51 and the enlarged area information read from the enlarged area information storage unit 54. judge. For example, in step S <b> 36, the operation determination unit 52 expands and presses when the user's fingertip is released based on the detection result supplied from the operation detection unit 51 and the expanded area information read from the expanded area information storage unit 54. It is determined whether or not the area P2 is pressing and operating the button 101a enlarged to the enlarged button area B2 that was first pressed.

  If it is determined in step S36 that the button has not been pressed first, the operation instructed by the button is not executed, the process returns to step S31, and the above-described processing is repeated.

  In this way, the operation determination unit 52 limits the operation of the touch panel 24 by the user to the operation of the button 101a that is pressed first. Accordingly, even when the enlarged pressing area P2 extends over other buttons and areas (for example, the button 101b and the button 101c) other than the button 101a enlarged in the enlarged button area B2, the operation of the button 101a is performed. Therefore, it does not mean that two places are pressed at the same time. As a result, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in button layout, for example, by reducing the size of the button or reducing the dead area.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S36 that the button has been pressed first, the operation instructed by the button is executed, so that the process proceeds to step S37, and the enlarged area information processing unit 55 performs the operation determination unit 52. The processing corresponding to the enlarged area information is performed on the basis of the determination result supplied from, and the processing for enlarging the pressed area and the button area by the microcomputer 21 ends.

  For example, in step S36, the enlarged area information processing unit 55 determines that the result of determination supplied from the operation determining unit 52 is that the enlarged press area P2 is enlarged to the enlarged button area B2, as shown in FIG. When the pressing operation is indicated, a process of displaying a menu screen in which an operation is instructed by the button 101a is performed. At this time, a menu screen (not shown) as a list of operation items is displayed on the screen of the LCD 23.

  Further, in the processing of step S35 and step S37, as shown in FIG. 17, due to the blur of the user's fingertip, the left pressing area A4 in FIG. 17 becomes the button 101a like the right pressing area A4 in FIG. If the enlarged press area P2 and the enlarged button area B2 are not enlarged, as shown in the upper right in the figure, when the user's fingertip is separated, the user's fingertip is detected when the OFF edge is detected. Since the operation of various functions is instructed when the user leaves, the button 101a is not operated, and the operation of the button 101a is not instructed.

  On the other hand, when the pressing area A4 is enlarged to the enlarged pressing area P2 and the button area of the button 101a is enlarged to the enlarged button area B2, as shown in the lower right in the figure, the user can move away from the fingertip. When the area is the pressing area A4, the operation of the button 101a is not instructed, but the area is enlarged to the enlarged pressing area P2 and the enlarged button area B2, and the enlarged button area B2 in which the enlarged pressing area P2 is enlarged is pressed. Therefore, the button 101a is operated by detecting the OFF edge, and the operation of the button 101a is instructed.

  Thus, when pressing a button on the touch panel, the pressing area being pressed by the user can be expanded to an enlarged pressing area, and further the button area of the button can be expanded to the expanding button area. It is possible to reduce the failure of pressing buttons and areas on the touch panel due to stylus shake.

  Further, by expanding the pressing area being pressed by the user to the enlarged pressing area and further expanding the button area to the expanding button area, for example, the above-described feedback of the unstable screen of FIG. 1 is eliminated. A pressing operation such as designating a range along a certain boundary in FIG. 2 can be reliably performed.

  Further, as in the example described above, the degree of freedom in button layout can be increased by enlarging the pressing area or the button area. Hereinafter, the layout of the button arrangement will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 18, for example, when buttons A to C having a length × width of 8 (mm) × 10 (mm) are displayed on the screen of the LCD 23, the pressing area and the button area are displayed. When it is not enlarged, it is necessary to provide a certain insensitive area such as providing 5.0 mm for each of the buttons A to C in order to cope with blurring of the user's fingertip or stylus.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 19, for example, in the button areas of the buttons A to D each having a length × width of 8 (mm) × 10 (mm), By expanding the range of each of the left and right sides to the outside of the outer periphery 1.5 (mm), it is possible to detect blurring due to the user's fingertips and stylus by pressing area or button area, so it is necessary to provide a dead area Disappear. As a result, since it is not necessary to provide an interval such as 5.0 (mm) between the buttons, the interval between the buttons can be reduced. For example, in FIG. 18, only three buttons can be arranged in the horizontal direction. In FIG. 19, four buttons can be arranged.

  Similarly, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, in the case of the button arrangement on the upper side in the drawing in which the pressing area and the button area are not enlarged, a dead area is required, and thus the nine buttons A to I are required. Only the buttons can be arranged. On the other hand, in the case of the button arrangement on the lower side in the figure in which the pressing area or the button area is enlarged, the dead area is not necessary, so the 16 buttons of buttons A to P Can be arranged.

  As described above, by expanding the pressing area or the button area, the degree of freedom in the layout of the button arrangement can be expanded. In particular, when the size of the panel of the LCD 23 is limited due to the configuration of the device, such as the digital still camera 11, since the distance between the buttons can be reduced, a greater effect can be obtained.

  In general, when the interval between buttons is increased (when the dead area is wide) and when the interval between buttons is reduced (when the dead area is reduced), the user determines It is assumed that the operation becomes rough (rough) and the amount of blurring of the fingertip during the operation increases because the operation when the size is increased often feels secure. Therefore, depending on the button layout, for example, when the button interval is large, the range to be enlarged is larger, and when the button interval is narrow, the range to be enlarged is narrowed. You may make it change to. As a result, the operability can be further improved.

  Furthermore, immediately after the touch panel is pressed by the user, the range that is recognized as being pressed is expanded to the range that seems to be optimal based on the resolution of the touch panel, button layout, etc. The frequency of occurrence can be reduced. In addition, by limiting the reception of the touch panel to the first pressed button (area), when the area of the range that is recognized as being pressed is expanded, the expanded area extends over other buttons (areas). Even if the two places are not pressed at the same time, it is possible to execute the operation instructed by the first pressed button. As a result, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in button layout, for example, downsizing of buttons and reduction of dead areas.

  FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a personal computer that executes the above-described series of processing by a program. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 211 executes various processes according to a program recorded in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 212 or a recording unit 218. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 213 appropriately stores programs executed by the CPU 211 and data. These CPU 211, ROM 212, and RAM 213 are connected to each other by a bus 214.

  An input / output interface 215 is also connected to the CPU 211 via the bus 214. The input / output interface 215 is connected to an input unit 216 including a switch and a microphone, and an output unit 217 including a display and a speaker. The CPU 211 executes various processes in response to commands input from the input unit 216. Then, the CPU 211 outputs the processing result to the output unit 217.

  The recording unit 218 connected to the input / output interface 215 includes, for example, a hard disk, and records programs executed by the CPU 211 and various data. The communication unit 219 communicates with an external device via a network such as the Internet or a local area network. Further, the program may be acquired via the communication unit 219 and recorded in the recording unit 218.

  The drive 220 connected to the input / output interface 215 drives a removable medium 221 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and drives the program or data recorded therein. Get etc. The acquired program and data are transferred to the recording unit 218 and recorded as necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 21, a program recording medium for storing a program that is installed in a computer and can be executed by the computer is a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk), an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only). Memory, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magneto-optical disk, a removable medium 221 that is a package medium made of a semiconductor memory, or the like, a ROM 212 in which a program is temporarily or permanently stored, or a recording unit 218 It is comprised by the hard disk etc. which comprise. The program is stored in the program recording medium using a wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting via a communication unit 219 which is an interface such as a router or a modem as necessary. Done.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program stored in the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in chronological order according to the described order, but is not necessarily performed in chronological order. It also includes processes that are executed individually.

  The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is a figure explaining the conventional touch panel. It is a figure explaining the conventional touch panel. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the digital still camera to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structural example of the digital still camera of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the process of a press area expansion. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD. It is a figure explaining expansion of the pressing area of a certain button. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement instruct | indicated by a certain button when a press area is expanded. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration of the functional configuration example of the digital still camera of FIG. 3. It is a flowchart explaining the process of button area expansion. It is a figure explaining expansion of the button area of a certain button. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement instruct | indicated with a certain button when a button area is expanded. It is a block diagram which shows the further another structure of the functional structural example of the digital still camera of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the process of expansion of a press area and a button area. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of an area expansion process. It is a figure explaining the press area of a certain button, and expansion of a button area. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement instruct | indicated by a certain button when a press area and a button area are expanded. It is a figure explaining arrangement | positioning of a button. It is a figure explaining arrangement | positioning of a button. It is a figure explaining arrangement | positioning of a button. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a personal computer.

Explanation of symbols

  11 digital still camera, 21 microcomputer, 22 memory, 23 LCD, 24 touch panel, 25 speaker, 26 camera unit, 31 video / audio input unit, 32 video / audio signal processing unit, 33 drive, 34 recording medium, 51 operation detection unit, 52 Operation determination unit, 53 Press area enlargement unit, 54 Enlargement area information storage unit, 55 Enlargement area information processing unit, 121 Button area enlargement unit, 141 Area enlargement unit, 151 Press area enlargement unit, 152 Button area enlargement unit

Claims (8)

In a display device having a touch panel,
Detecting means for detecting contact with the touch panel by a user operation;
Determining means for determining whether or not the first area of the touch panel in which contact is detected is within the range of the second area for instructing a certain operation on the touch panel in response to the user's operation. When,
When it is determined that the first area is within the range of the second area, the area is expanded so that the first area or the second area becomes a predetermined range. Means,
When the contact is no longer detected, a processing unit that executes processing corresponding to an operation instructed by the second region when the first region is within the range of the second region. apparatus. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the area enlargement unit enlarges the first area so that the first area before enlargement and after the enlargement have a similar shape. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the area enlargement unit enlarges the second area so that the second area before enlargement and after the enlargement have a similar shape. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined range is a range determined by a resolution of the touch panel or a position where the second region is arranged on the touch panel. Storage means for storing information of the enlarged first region or the second region;
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit executes a process corresponding to an operation designated by the second area indicated by the stored information. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the second area is arranged so as to be close to another second area for instructing another operation in accordance with an operation of the user. In a display method of a display device having a touch panel,
A detection step of detecting contact with the touch panel by a user operation;
A determination step of determining whether or not the first region of the touch panel in which contact is detected is within a range of a second region on the touch panel for instructing a certain operation according to the user's operation. When,
When it is determined that the first area is within the range of the second area, the area is expanded so that the first area or the second area becomes a predetermined range. Steps,
When the contact is no longer detected, the display includes a processing step of executing processing corresponding to an operation instructed by the second region when the first region is within the range of the second region. Method. In a program for causing a computer of a display device having a touch panel to perform display processing,
A detection step of detecting contact with the touch panel by a user operation;
A determination step of determining whether or not the first region of the touch panel in which contact is detected is within a range of a second region on the touch panel for instructing a certain operation according to the user's operation. When,
When it is determined that the first area is within the range of the second area, the area is expanded so that the first area or the second area becomes a predetermined range. Steps,
A program including a processing step of executing a process corresponding to an operation instructed by the second area when the contact is no longer detected and the first area is within the range of the second area. .

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