JP2008047027A - Display controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a "display controller" for displaying input buttons in an item included in list display when a finger of a user is made to come close to a touch panel. <P>SOLUTION: When the user's finger is made to come close to the display, the display controller detects the finger to display input buttons J5, J6 and J7 to urge the user to make an input in a selected item J4 in the list display. Thus, a limited display space is effectively utilized, and the next input instruction can be promoted while providing the user with as much information as possible. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display control apparatus that displays a list of a plurality of items, and more particularly to a technique for displaying input buttons that can be input using a touch panel or the like.

  The touch panel is mounted on a liquid crystal or CRT screen, also called a touch 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 by a finger or a dedicated pen, the touch panel detects the touched position and thereby can determine whether or not an input operation has been performed.

  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. However, a display or the like has a limited display screen size, and the amount of information that a single display screen can provide to a user is limited.

  In Patent Document 1, when a user operation is received via a touch panel arranged on a display screen, a menu is displayed by the approach of a finger to the touch panel. A sensor is arranged on the surface of the touch panel so that the approach of the user's finger can be detected. Thereby, various information can be reliably provided to the user.

JP 2002-358162 A

  In a vehicle-mounted navigation device, an audio device, and the like, the amount of information to be handled tends to increase significantly as a storage medium such as a large-capacity hard disk or DVD is used. While an increase in the amount of information provides convenience for the user, desired information must be extracted quickly and efficiently from such information. For example, when searching for a desired piece of music from stored audio data or searching for a desired facility from an address database, a list including a plurality of items is displayed on the display, and hierarchical narrowing is performed therefrom. It is common. Although the number of characters that can be displayed is limited by the size of the display, it is desirable to present as much information as possible to the user. Therefore, as in Patent Document 1, normally, the menu screen or the like is not displayed, the entire screen can be used for displaying information, and the menu screen is displayed only when a finger approaches the touch panel.

  However, if there is no restriction on the position and size of the menu screen displayed on the display, important information may be hidden by the menu screen, and the maximum information is always presented to the user. However, it was difficult to say.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display control device that displays an input button in a list item when a user's finger approaches the display. .

  A display control apparatus according to the present invention includes a display, a storage unit that stores information, a first display unit that displays a plurality of items on the display based on information read from the storage unit, and an object that approaches the display. And a second display unit that displays at least one input button that prompts an input in at least one item when the approach of the object to the display is detected by the detection unit.

  The item is an area where information can be displayed, and its display form and type are not limited and are not limitedly understood. The input button is a display that prompts the user for input or a display that guides the input, and is widely understood. For example, a menu display, input keys, operation keys, selection buttons, and the like are included.

  Preferably, the detection unit detects a two-dimensional position where the object approaches, and the second display unit displays an input button in an item selected based on the two-dimensional position. For example, the item closest to the close position of the object is selected. The first display means may display a plurality of items as a list.

  Preferably, when the input button is displayed in the item, the second display means displays a scroll key for scrolling information in the item. The second display means deletes the display of the input button from the item when the input operation for the input button is not performed within a predetermined time.

  Preferably, the display control device further includes input detection means for detecting an input by touching the display, and when the input button is touched, the input to the input button is detected.

  According to the display control apparatus of the present invention, since an input button is displayed in an item when an object such as a user's finger approaches the display, the maximum possible information is presented to the user. When necessary, input guidance to the next operation can be performed.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the display control apparatus according to the present embodiment. The display control device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a display 20, a system control device 30, and an audio device 40. In the display 20, a touch panel 24 that allows input by touching a finger or the like is attached to a display panel 22 such as a liquid crystal display. As the touch panel 24, for example, a sheet-like one provided with a transparent electrode can be laminated on the display panel 22. Further, an infrared sensor 26 is attached on the touch panel 24, and an approach of an object to the touch panel 24 can be detected. Preferably, the display 20 includes a display unit in which the display panel 22, the touch panel 24, and the infrared sensor 26 are integrated.

  The system control device 30 is connected to the display 20 and connects a plurality of electronic devices, and serves as an interface between the display 20 and the plurality of electronic devices. In the present embodiment, an audio 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, a device such as a portable device or a navigation device. 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 display 20 via the image signal line 46 and display a desired image there.

  The system control device 30 includes a detection unit 32 that detects an input to the touch panel 24, a main microcomputer (hereinafter, main microcomputer) 36, and a memory 38. When there is an input to the touch panel 24, the detection unit 32 outputs position data where the input is performed. The infrared sensor 26 detects the approach of an object to the display 20 and outputs the detection result to the main microcomputer 36. The memory 38 stores input operation determination data and the like for determining whether or not the input operation to the touch panel 24 is valid. The input operation determination data is in response to the display on the display 20 and the audio device 40. Alternatively, it is supplied from another electronic device 50. The main microcomputer 36 receives the position data from the detection unit 32 and compares the position data with the input determination data read from the memory 38 to determine whether the input operation is valid or invalid. The main microcomputer 36 determines whether or not there is an approach of the object to the touch panel 24 based on the output of the infrared sensor 26 and determines the two-dimensional position of the approached object. Further, the main microcomputer 36 controls data communication such as control signals between the audio device 40 and other electronic devices 50.

  The audio device 40 includes a main microcomputer 42 that communicates with the system control device 30 and an audio microcomputer 44 that controls various settings and playback operations of the audio device 40. Music data, user interface image data, and the like are stored in a large-capacity storage medium 48 such as a hard disk. Music data downloaded from an external server using communication means may be stored in the storage medium 48. The audio microcomputer 44 reproduces the music selected by the user and controls the connected speaker 60 and the like. Further, an image signal is supplied to the display 20 via the image signal line 46 for the user interface.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view seen from the front showing the arrangement of the infrared sensor 26 attached to the touch panel 24. The infrared sensor 26 is configured by using a plurality of pairs of light emitting elements 26 a and light receiving elements 26 b that are paired, and each pair is disposed on the touch panel 24 so as to be two-dimensionally opposed. The infrared light 26c emitted from the light emitting element 26a is received by the corresponding light receiving element 26b. As a result, a scanning network is formed such that the infrared light 26c is arrayed on the touch panel 24.

  When an object approaches the touch panel 24, the infrared light 26c is blocked, and the main microcomputer 36 detects the approach of the object based on the output of the infrared sensor 26. Further, the main microcomputer 36 can detect the two-dimensional position where the object approaches based on the position of the infrared light 26c blocked by the object. In the present embodiment, the infrared sensor 26 is used. However, as long as the sensor detects the approach to the touch panel 24, another approach detection sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor may be used.

  Next, the display operation of the display control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Hereinafter, an example in which the speaker is set with reference to the display on the display will be described. In the vehicle, a plurality of speakers 60 are installed at the front center, front right side, front left side, rear right side, and the like. First, the user gives an instruction to set a speaker from the touch panel 24 or other input device (not shown). This instruction is transmitted to the audio device 40 via the system control device 30. The audio microcomputer 44 reads image data for speaker setting from the storage medium 48 and displays a list as shown in FIG. 4 on the display 20 via the image signal line 46 (step S101).

  As shown in FIG. 4, a list including items J1 to J4 of the front center, the front right side, the front left side, and the rear right side is displayed. Although the number of characters that can be displayed for each item J1 to J4 is limited, the entire width of the display 20 is used as the item display area so that the user can easily select an item that the user wants to operate from among the items J1 to J4. In addition, as much information as possible is presented to the user. In each item J1 to J4, for example, the installation position of the speaker, the power state of the speaker, and the output sound pressure level of the speaker are displayed.

  Next, when the user brings a finger close to the display 20, the main microcomputer 36 determines whether or not the user's finger has approached the display 20 (step S102). When it is determined that the finger is not approaching the display 20, the main microcomputer 36 maintains the list display shown in FIG. 4 (step S103) and does not display the input button.

  When determining that the finger has approached the display 20, the main microcomputer 36 detects the position at which the finger has approached. The main microcomputer 36 predicts for which item in the list the user is going to perform the next operation, and specifies the item closest to the position where the finger approaches (step S104).

  For example, when the finger is approached toward the item J4 indicating “rear right speaker”, the item J4 is specified. The main microcomputer 36 informs the audio microcomputer 44 of the audio apparatus 40 to display an input button for guiding the input in the item J4 via the communication lines S1 and S2.

  The audio microcomputer 44 reads the image data of the input button for speaker setting from the storage medium 48 based on the instruction of the main microcomputer 36 and displays it in the item J4 of the display 20 via the image signal line 46. (Step S105).

  FIG. 5A is a display example when the user's finger approaches the item J4 indicating “rear right speaker”. When the user brings his / her finger close to the item J4, input buttons J5 to J7 are displayed in the item J4 so that the next operation can be input. The input buttons include, for example, an input button J5 for turning on the speaker, an input button J6 for turning off, and a setting button J7 for performing other settings. The user can turn on or off the power state of the rear right speaker 60 or change the output sound pressure level by touching these input buttons J5 to J7.

  Next, the user operates the input button displayed on the display to instruct input. Based on the output of the detection unit 32, the main microcomputer 36 determines whether or not the user has performed an input operation on the input button (step S106). When the input operation to the input button is not performed within a certain time, the main microcomputer 44 deletes the input button (step S107).

  Next, the main microcomputer 36 identifies the input button that is the target of the input operation. For example, when an input operation to the input button J6 is performed to turn off the power in the item J4, the main microcomputer 36 receives the position data received from the detection unit 32 and the input determination data read from the memory 38. The user input operation is determined by comparison (step S108).

  FIG. 5B shows input determination data for determining an input operation to the speaker setting screen shown in FIG. The input determination data R1 to R4 correspond to the items J1 to J4, respectively, and the input determination data R5 to R7 correspond to the input buttons J5 to J7, respectively. If the input operation is included in the input operation determination data R5 to R7, the input operation is determined to be valid. If the input operation is not included in any of the input determination data R5 to R7, the input operation is determined to be invalid. Is done.

  Next, the main microcomputer 36 notifies the audio microcomputer 44 of the input button on which the input operation has been performed via the communication lines S1 and S2. The audio microcomputer 44 executes processing corresponding to the input button (step S109). For example, as described above, if the input is to turn off the power of the speaker installed on the rear right side, the speaker is turned off according to the input.

  In this way, when the list is displayed on the display and the next input operation is performed from there, the input button is displayed on the display for the first time when the finger approaches, so before the user input operation, Information about each item in the list can be presented to the user as much as possible. In addition, since the input button is displayed in the item display area, other items are not hidden by the input button. Then, by operating the displayed input button, the user can select an item and determine an operation related to the item at a time.

  In the above embodiment, the speaker setting screen in the in-vehicle audio apparatus has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 6A, when searching for music to be played back from audio data stored in the storage medium 48, a plurality of screens are displayed. A list including album names (or artist names and song names) is displayed, and when the finger approaches, a plurality of input buttons are displayed in the selected item. Also, as shown in FIG. 6B, when setting a destination in the navigation device, a list including a plurality of facilities is displayed. Even in such a screen, when the finger approaches, the item selected A plurality of input buttons can be displayed inside. In addition to this, a plurality of items are displayed in a list on the apparatus setup screen as shown in FIG. 7A. For example, “ON”, “OFF”, “NEXT” are included in the items for saving power consumption. An input button is displayed. As shown in FIG. 7B, in the case of a telephone number transmission history list, input buttons of “CALL”, “Delete”, and “Edit” are displayed, or a TV program list using terrestrial digital broadcasting is displayed. If there are, input buttons for “detail”, “view”, and “reservation” are displayed in the same manner. The type of the input button is appropriately selected according to the contents of the list display.

  In the above embodiment, based on the position information of the approaching finger, the item closest to the position is selected, and the input button is displayed in the item (in the item display area). When a finger approaches, input buttons may be displayed in a plurality of items, or input buttons may be displayed in all items in the list display.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, when a mark M indicating that there are a large number of items in addition to the items J1 to J4 is displayed in the list display, as shown in FIG. When the finger approaches the vicinity of the mark M, the display of the items J1 to J4 may be reduced and the scroll button J10 may be displayed. The user performs an input operation of the scroll button J10 to scroll the items in the list and display other items that are not displayed.

  In addition, when a plurality of input buttons are displayed for an item in the list display, the display of characters or the like in the item may be hidden by the input button. In such a case, characters or the like in the item are automatically scrolled and displayed in this item display area (in the area excluding the input button display area), or as shown in FIG. A scroll button J10 that scrolls the character display in the horizontal direction may also be displayed.

  In the above embodiment, when the user brings his finger close, the input button is displayed in the item in the list display. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the list display. For example, as shown in FIG. 9B, when there are menu displays J1 to J4 on the display, the input buttons J5 to J8 are displayed in the display area in the menu display J1 corresponding to the position where the user brings his finger close. It may be.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, while the display area of the display is effectively used, the user's finger approaches the touch panel so that the input button that the user will operate next is appropriately displayed. It is designed for convenience. Thereby, a lot of information can be presented before the user's decision to select an item.

  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.

  The display control device 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 display control apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is the top view seen from the front which shows arrangement | positioning of an infrared sensor. It is a flowchart explaining the display operation | movement in the display control apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a speaker setting. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a display example of the rear right speaker setting. FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining the coordinate position data for determining the input operation in FIG. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a display example of a reproduction list by the audio device. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a display example of the destination setting list by the navigation device. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a display example of a setup list. FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a display example of a call history list. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a display example of a reproduction list. FIG. 8B is a display example of scroll buttons for scrolling the list. FIG. 9A shows a display example of the scroll button J10 for scrolling the character display in the item. FIG. 9B is a display example of menu display.

Explanation of symbols

10: Display control device 20: Display 22: Display panel 24: Touch panel 26: Infrared sensor 26a: Light emitting element 26b: Light receiving element 26c: Infrared light 30: System control device 32: Detection unit 36: Main microcomputer 38: Memory 40: Audio device 42: Main microcomputer 44: Audio microcomputer 46: Image signal line 48: Storage medium 50: Other electronic device 60: Speaker 62: Audio signal line

Claims (6)

Display,
Storage means for storing information;
First display means for displaying a plurality of items on a display based on information read from the storage means;
Detecting means for detecting that an object has approached the display;
Second display means for displaying at least one input button for prompting input in at least one item when the approach of the object to the display is detected by the detection means;
A display control device. The display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects a two-dimensional position where the object approaches, and the second display unit displays an input button in an item selected based on the two-dimensional position. . The display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first display unit displays a plurality of items as a list. The display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the input button is displayed in the item, the second display unit displays a scroll key for scrolling information in the item. 5. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein the second display unit deletes the display of the input button from the item when an input operation is not performed on the input button within a predetermined time. 6. . The display control device further includes input detection means for detecting an input by touching a display, and when the input button is touched, an input to the input button is detected. The display control apparatus according to one.

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