JP2008054035A - Portable electronic device and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable electronic device which mounts a sensor element, and gives comfortable operability without making a user feel troublesome. <P>SOLUTION: When the display of a display unit is controlled according to a contact which a sensor element in respective sensor element groups mounted in the portable electronic device, if at least one of sensor elements (L3, L4) in either of a plurality of sensor element groups (G1, G2) detects a first contact, and one or more sensor elements (R1) in the other sensor element groups adjacent to the sensor element group including the sensor element which detects the first contact, detects a second contact succeeding the first contact, only a group which includes more sensor elements detecting the contact is made valid out of the first contact and the second contact (the group in which the number of sensors relating to the contact is small, is made invalid). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic device, and more particularly to a portable electronic device provided with a plurality of sensor elements that detect contact as an operation input unit and a control method thereof.

  Conventionally, various interfaces and configurations have been developed as operation input units for portable electronic devices. For example, there is a technique in which a rotary electronic input device is provided in a portable electronic device, and a cursor displayed on a display unit is moved according to the amount of rotation of the rotary dial input device (see Patent Document 1). However, since these conventional technologies use a “rotary dial” that involves physical and mechanical rotation, malfunctions and breakdowns are likely to occur due to mechanical wear, etc., and maintenance of the operation input unit is required. There was also a problem that the service life was short.

In view of this, a technique using a sensor element as an operation input unit that does not involve physical or mechanical rotation has been proposed (see Patent Documents 2 and 3). In this proposed technology, a plurality of sensor elements are arranged in an annular shape, and contact detection from each sensor element is monitored. When continuous contact detection is detected, according to the movement of the contact detection location, It is determined that an instruction to move the display position has occurred.
JP 2003-280792 A JP 2005-522797 JP2004-311196

25 and 26 show conventional sensor elements and control examples thereof. For example, when a sensor element provided in an annular shape as shown in FIGS. 25A and 26A is traced clockwise with a finger as indicated by an arrow AR in FIG. An operation target area (such as a cursor shown on LS3 by hatching) indicating which one of the items LS1-8 on the display unit in (b) is selected is scrolled downward, and an arrow in FIG. When tracing counterclockwise like AR, a “movement rule” such as scrolling upward as shown in FIG. However, in such a “movement rule”, when the finger is traced clockwise from the lower left to the “upper” of the sensor element provided in the annular shape, for example, the operation target area in the item LS1-8 of the display unit Since LS3 “scrolls downward”, the movement direction of the user's finger and the scroll direction of the items on the display unit do not match, and many users feel uncomfortable with the operability. The general user intuitively expects the display item to move in the same way as the direction of his / her finger, but with this proposed technology, the display operation on the opposite side is different from his / her expectation. You will feel stress. That is, the physical movement (circular movement) of the user's finger that instructs the movement and the scrolling movement (vertical direction, horizontal direction) of the display items are not consistent with the sensor element type as well as the rotary dial type. It is a problem.

  In addition, it is desirable to mount the sensor element and the display unit on the outer surface of the casing in a small portable electronic device having a small mounting area on the outer surface of the casing without impairing operability and design. In that case, the sensor element is inevitably small, and the sensor element at the position intended by the user cannot be touched correctly, and the cursor and the operation target area displayed on the display unit move in an unexpected direction. . For example, if the user's finger that instructs movement on the sensor element touches a sensor element that causes an unintended instruction operation due to excessive movement, the operation of the display unit different from that intended by the user Become. This can also be a factor that causes the user to feel stress. This is particularly noticeable before the user is accustomed to using the portable electronic device. Accordingly, there is a need for a technique that avoids / invalidates erroneous contact of sensor elements that may occur due to carelessness or inexperience of the user while faithfully following the user's instruction operation.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, appropriately handles the user's instruction operation, and avoids / invalidates an operation that can be performed unintentionally by the user (that is, an erroneous instruction operation). It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable electronic device that provides a comfortable operability that does not make people feel uncomfortable.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the mobile electronic device according to the first invention is arranged such that a plurality of sensor elements whose contact is detected are continuously arranged to form a plurality of groups, and an end portion of each group is provided. Contact is detected by a plurality of sensor elements arranged so as to be adjacent to each other, and any one of the plurality of sensor element groups, and in succession to the contact, another sensor element group And a control unit that validates only the contact detection result in the sensor element group on the side including many sensor elements that detect the contact.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable electronic device that detects a first sensor element group having a plurality of sensor elements in which contacts arranged continuously and adjacently are detected, and contacts arranged continuously and adjacently. A second sensor element group having a plurality of sensor elements, wherein one end of the first sensor element group and one end of the second sensor element group are arranged next to each other, By arranging the other end of the first sensor element group and the other end of the second sensor element group next to each other, the first sensor element group and the second sensor element group Is formed in an annular shape, and contact is detected by one of the first and second sensor element groups, and contact is detected by the other sensor element group following the contact. The sensor on the side that contains the most sensor elements where contact is detected And further comprising a control unit to enable only contact detection results of the service element group.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the portable electronic device, the control unit detects contact with one sensor element in any one of the sensor element groups, and subsequently continues with two or more in the other sensor element group. When the contact is detected by the sensor element, only the detection result by the sensor element group on the side including the sensor element where the two or more contacts are detected is validated.

  Furthermore, in the portable electronic device according to a fourth aspect of the invention, the control unit continuously detects contact with two or more sensor elements in one of the sensor element groups, and then continues to the other sensor element group. When the contact is detected by one of the sensor elements, only the detection result by the sensor element group on the side including the sensor elements where the two or more contacts are detected is validated.

  A portable electronic device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention further includes a display unit, and the control unit is based on a detection result that is valid among contacts detected by the sensor elements of the plurality of sensor element groups. The display of the display unit is controlled.

  A mobile electronic device according to a sixth aspect of the invention is characterized in that a plurality of sensor elements arranged in each of the plurality of sensor element groups are arranged along the periphery of the display unit.

As described above, the solution of the present invention has been described as a device (apparatus). However, the present invention can also be realized as a method, a program, and a storage medium storing the program. It should be understood that these are included in the scope of the invention.
For example, a control method of a portable electronic device according to a seventh invention that realizes the present invention as a method includes a plurality of sensor elements in which contact is detected, wherein each sensor element group is arranged continuously and adjacently, A control method of a portable electronic device comprising a plurality of sensor element groups, wherein at least one end of each sensor element group is arranged next to an end of another sensor element group, Detecting a contact with at least one sensor element in any one of the sensor element groups; and from any one of the plurality of sensor element groups to another sensor element group. And a step of validating only the contact detection result in the sensor element group on the side including a large number of sensor elements that have detected the contact when the contact is detected continuously.

  According to the present invention, while faithfully following the user's instruction operation, avoiding erroneous sensor element contact that may occur due to user's carelessness or unfamiliarity, and providing comfortable operability without causing the user to feel bothered A portable electronic device can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is applied to a mobile phone terminal as a typical example of a portable electronic device.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the mobile phone terminal of this embodiment. The mobile phone terminal 100 shown in the figure includes a control unit 110, a sensor unit 120, a display unit 130, a storage unit (flash memory or the like) 140, an information processing unit 150, a telephone function unit 160, a key operation unit KEY, and a speaker SP. Further, the communication unit COM is connected to a CDMA communication network (not shown) to perform communication. Further, the sensor unit 120 uses a sensor element group including a plurality of sensor elements (for example, a contact sensor whose detection unit is provided on the outer surface of the device housing and detects contact / proximity of an object such as a finger) Corresponding to n, that is, the first sensor element group G1, the second sensor element group G2, and the nth sensor element group G3. The storage unit 140 includes a storage area 142 and an external data storage area 144. Yes. The control unit 110 and the information processing unit 150 are preferably configured by a calculation unit such as a CPU and a software module. Note that a serial interface unit SI, which will be described later, an RFID module RFID connected to the control unit 110 via the serial interface SI, an infrared communication unit, a camera 180, a light 190, a microphone MIC, a radio module RM, a power source PS, A power supply controller PSCON and the like are connected to the control unit 110, but are omitted here for simplification.

  The function of each block in the block diagram of FIG. 1 will be briefly described. The control unit 110 detects contact of an object such as a user's finger by the sensor unit 120, stores the detected information in the storage area 142 of the storage unit 140, and controls processing of the information stored by the information processing function unit 150. . Then, information corresponding to the processing result is displayed on the display unit 130. Further, the control unit 110 controls the telephone function unit 160 for the normal call function, the key operation unit KEY, and the speaker SP. The display unit 130 includes a sub display unit ELD and a main display unit (not shown) (a display unit provided at a position where the mobile phone terminal 100 is hidden in the closed state and exposed in the open state).

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mobile phone terminal 100 of the present embodiment in which the sensor element is mounted on the housing. In addition to the closed state as shown in FIG. 2, the mobile phone terminal 100 can form an open state by rotating and sliding the hinge portion, and the touch sensor unit 170 can be operated even in the closed state. Is provided. FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the mobile phone terminal 100. The cellular phone terminal 100 includes a touch sensor unit 170 (in terms of appearance, a panel PNL described later with reference to FIG. 3 covering the sensor unit 120, that is, the sensor elements G1 and G2), a camera 180, and a light 190. FIG. 2B illustrates the mobile phone terminal 100 according to the present embodiment in which the panel PNL is omitted and only the arrangement around the sensor element and the sub display unit ELD is displayed for explaining the operation of the touch sensor according to the present embodiment. It is a perspective view. As illustrated, the sensor elements L1 to L4 and R1 to R4 are arranged side by side along the periphery of the sub display unit ELD. The sensor elements R1 to R4 and L1 to L4 constitute a first sensor element group and a second sensor element group, respectively. The first sensor element group and the second sensor element group are arranged with the separation portions SP1 and SP2 therebetween. In contrast to the layout of the first sensor element group G1, the second sensor element group G2 has a line-symmetric layout with the display unit interposed therebetween and the direction in which the selection candidate items are arranged as a center line. In this embodiment, an organic EL display is used for the sub display unit ELD. However, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like can be used. In this embodiment, a capacitive contact sensor is used as the sensor element, but a thin film resistance contact sensor or the like can also be used.

  In the mobile phone terminal 100 of FIG. 2, the sub display unit ELD displays information according to the use of the mobile phone terminal 100. For example, when the mobile phone terminal 100 is used as a music player, the sub-display unit ELD displays a song that can be played. A combination of a song name and an artist name is one item, that is, a “selection candidate item”. The user operates the touch sensor unit 170 as an operation input unit to change the capacitances of the sensor elements R1 to R4 and L1 to L4, and moves items and operation target areas displayed on the sub display unit ELD. Select the song. At this time, if the touch sensor has a configuration in which sensor elements are arranged around the sub display unit ELD as shown in FIG. 2, it is not necessary to occupy a large mounting portion in the external housing of a small portable electronic device, and The user can operate the sensor element while viewing the display on the sub display unit ELD.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration around the display unit on which the cellular phone terminal 100 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is mounted. For ease of understanding, the members are shown separately in the order of construction. As shown in the figure, a donut-shaped panel PNL is arranged along the periphery of the display unit ELD made of organic EL elements. The panel PNL is preferably thin enough so as not to affect the sensitivity of the sensor element provided in the lower part. Under the panel PNL, eight capacitive elements L1-L4 and R1-R4 that can detect the contact of a human finger are arranged in a substantially ring shape. The left four sensor elements L1-L4 constitute a first sensor element group, and the right four sensor elements R1-R4 constitute a second sensor element group. A clearance (gap) is provided between adjacent sensor elements in each sensor element group so that adjacent sensor elements do not interfere with the contact detection function. Note that this clearance is not necessary when using a sensor element that does not interfere. Between the sensor element L4 located at one end of the first sensor element group and the sensor element R1 located at one end of the second sensor element group, a clearance larger than the clearance (for example, a length of twice or more). ) Is provided. Similarly to the separation portion SP1, the separation portion SP2 is provided between the sensor element L1 located at the other end of the first sensor element group G1 and the sensor element R4 located at the other end of the second sensor element group G2. Provide. Such separation portions SP1 and SP2 can prevent fingers from interfering with each other when the first sensor element group G1 and the second sensor element group G2 function separately.

  Each sensor element of the first sensor element group G1 is arranged in an arc shape, and the center of the tact switch SW1 is arranged in the center of the arc, that is, in the lower part between the sensor elements L2 and L3. Similarly, the tact switch SW2 is arranged at the center of the arc formed by the sensor elements of the second sensor element group G2, that is, at the lower part between the sensor elements R2 and R3. In this way, by arranging the tact switch substantially in the center in the arrangement direction of the sensor element group that is not associated with the directionality, the direction instruction by the movement instruction operation with the direction of the finger by the user on the sensor element is possible. The user can easily grasp that the switch is an operation that is not directly related. If the tact switch is arranged at the end (for example, L1 or L4) instead of the center of the arrangement direction of the sensor element group, the movement direction by the touch sensor is continued to remind the directionality toward the end side. It is easy to give the user a misunderstanding that it is a “switch” that is long-pressed. On the other hand, if the tact switch is arranged in the center of the arrangement direction of the sensor element group as in the configuration of the present invention, such misunderstanding can be prevented and a more comfortable user interface can be provided. It is. In addition, since the tact switch is placed under the sensor element and is not exposed to the outside of the device, the number of operation parts that are exposed on the external appearance of the device can be reduced, and a smart impression that does not require complicated operation and Become. In addition, when providing in places other than switch panel PNL lower part, it is necessary to provide a through-hole separately in an apparatus housing | casing, However, A housing | casing intensity | strength fall may arise depending on the position which provides a through-hole. In this configuration, by disposing the tact switch below the panel PNL and the sensor element, it is not necessary to provide a new through-hole, and the housing strength can be prevented from being lowered.

  For example, when the user sequentially traces the sensor elements L1, L2, L3, and L4 upward in a circular arc shape with a finger, for example, selection candidate items displayed on the display unit ELD (for example, sound, display, data, camera, etc.) ), The items displayed as the selection target area (inverted display, highlighting in another color, etc.) are sequentially changed to the upper one, or the selection candidate items are scrolled upward. When a desired selection candidate item is displayed as the selection target area, the user presses the tact switch SW1 through the panel PNL and the sensor elements L2 and L3 to make a selection decision, or presses the tact switch SW2. The display situation can be changed to another screen. That is, the panel PNL is reversible enough to depress the tact switches SW1 and SW2, or is attached to the device housing so as to be slightly tiltable, and also has a pusher role for the tact switches SW1 and SW2. .

  FIG. 4 is a detailed functional block diagram of the mobile phone terminal 100 to which the present invention is applied. Needless to say, the various types of software shown in FIG. 4 operate based on a program stored in the storage unit 140, and when the control unit 110 executes a work area on the storage unit 140. As shown in the figure, various functions of the mobile phone terminal are divided into software blocks and hardware blocks. The software block includes a base application BA having a flag storage unit FLG, a sub display unit display application AP1, a lock security application AP2, other applications AP3, and a radio application AP4. The software block further includes an infrared communication application APIR and an RFID application APRF. When these various applications (application software) control various hardware of the hardware block, the infrared communication driver IRD, RFID driver RFD, audio driver AUD, radio driver RD, and protocol PR are used as drivers. For example, the audio driver AUD, the radio driver RD, and the protocol PR control the microphone MIC, the speaker SP, the radio module RM, and the communication unit COM, respectively. The software block also includes a key scan port driver KSP that monitors and detects the operation state of the hardware, and includes touch sensor driver-related detection, key detection, and open / close detection that detects opening / closing of mobile phone terminals such as a folding type and a sliding type. And earphone attachment / detachment detection.

  The hardware block includes a key operation unit KEY including dial keys and various buttons including tact switches SW1 to SW4, which will be described later, an open / close detection device OCD that detects open / close based on the operating state of the hinge unit, and a microphone MIC attached to the device body. , Earphone EAP, speaker SP, communication unit COM, radio module RM, serial interface unit SI, and switching control unit SWCON. The switching control unit SWCON drives the infrared communication unit IR, the RFID module (radio identification tag) RFID, the touch sensor module TSM (the sensor unit 120 and the sensor unit 120 such as an oscillation circuit) according to an instruction from the corresponding block of the software block. The hardware to be selected (IR, RFID, TSM) is switched so that the serial interface unit SI picks up the signal. The power supply PS supplies power to the selection target hardware (IR, RFID, TSM) via the power supply controller PSCON.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a more detailed configuration of the touch sensor function of the mobile phone terminal 100 of this embodiment described above. The mobile phone terminal 100 shown in the figure includes a touch sensor driver block TDB, a touch sensor base application block TSBA, a device layer DL, an interrupt handler IH, a queue QUE, an OS timer CLK, and various applications AP1 to AP3. Here, the touch sensor base application block TSBA includes a base application BA and a touch sensor driver upper application program interface API, and the touch sensor driver block TDB includes a touch sensor driver TSD and a result notification unit NTF. The device layer DL includes a switching control unit SWCON, a switching unit SW, a serial interface unit SI, an infrared communication unit IR, an RFID, and a touch sensor module TSM, and the interrupt handler IH includes a serial interrupt monitoring unit SIMON and a confirmation unit CNF. Is provided.

  Next, the function of each block will be described with reference to the drawings. In the touch sensor base application block TSBA, whether or not to activate the touch sensor is exchanged between the base application BA and the touch sensor driver upper application program interface API. The base application BA is an application that is a base of the sub display unit display application AP1 that is an application for the sub display unit, the lock security application AP2 that is an application that locks the mobile phone terminal 100 for security protection, and other applications AP3. Yes, when activation of the touch sensor is requested from the respective applications to the base application BA, activation of the touch sensor is requested to the application program interface API higher than the touch sensor driver. The sub-display unit is a sub-display unit ELD shown in each drawing, and refers to a display unit surrounded by sensor elements in the mobile phone terminal 100 in this embodiment.

  In response to the activation request, the touch sensor upper application program interface API confirms whether or not the touch sensor can be activated in a block (not shown) that manages the activation of the application in the base application BA. That is, an application for which the touch sensor cannot be activated in advance, such as lighting of the sub-display unit ELD indicating that application selection is being performed, or an application attached to the FM radio or other mobile phone terminal 100 or the like. Check for the presence of a flag indicating activation. As a result, when it is determined that the touch sensor can be activated, the touch sensor upper application program interface API requests the touch sensor driver TSD to activate the touch sensor module. That is, power supply from the power source PS to the touch sensor module TSM via the power source controller PSCON is substantially started.

  When the activation is requested, the touch sensor driver TSD requests the serial interface unit SI in the device layer DL to control to open a port with the touch sensor driver TSD in the serial interface unit SI.

  Thereafter, the touch sensor driver TSD outputs a signal having information on the sensing result of the touch sensor (hereinafter referred to as a contact signal) to the serial interface unit SI at a cycle of 20 ms by the internal clock of the touch sensor module TSM. To control.

  The contact signal is output as an 8-bit signal corresponding to each of the eight sensor elements R1 to R4 and L1 to L4. That is, when each sensor element detects a contact, a signal corresponding to the sensor element that has detected the contact is set with “flag: 1” indicating contact detection, and the contact signal is formed by these bit strings. Is done. That is, the contact signal includes information indicating “which sensor element” is “one of contact / non-contact”.

  The serial interrupt monitoring unit SIMON in the interrupt handler IH takes out the contact signal output to the serial interface unit SI. Here, the confirmation unit CNF confirms the True / False of the extracted contact signal in accordance with the condition set in advance in the serial interface unit SI, and puts only True signal data into the queue QUE (signal True). The type of / False will be described later.) The serial interrupt monitoring unit SIMON also monitors other interrupt events of the serial interface unit SI during activation of the touch sensor, such as occurrence of pressing of the tact switch.

  When the detected contact is the first contact, the monitoring unit SIMON puts a signal indicating “press” into the queue QUE (queuing) before the contact signal. Thereafter, the contact signal is updated at a cycle of 45 ms by the OS timer CLK of the operation system, and if no contact is detected a predetermined number of times, a signal indicating “release” is put in the queue QUE. This makes it possible to monitor the movement of contact detection between sensor elements from the start of contact to release. Note that “first contact” refers to an event in which a signal having “flag: 1” is generated when there is no data in the queue QUE or when the latest input data is “release”. Through these processes, the touch sensor driver TSD can know the detection state of the sensor element in the section from “press” to “release”.

  At the same time, when the contact signal output from the touch sensor is a signal that satisfies the condition of “False”, the monitoring unit SIMON generates a pseudo-signal indicating “release” and puts it in the queue QUE. Here, the conditions to be False (false) are “when contact is detected by two discontinuous sensor elements”, “when an interrupt occurs during activation of the touch sensor (for example, sub-display by notification such as incoming mail) "When the ON / OFF state of the part ELD is changed)", "When a key press occurs while the touch sensor is activated", or "When a contact across a plurality of sensor element groups is detected" as described later. Is set.

  In addition, for example, when the monitoring unit SIMON detects contact with two adjacent sensor elements such as the sensor elements R2 and R3 at the same time, the monitoring unit SIMON corresponds to the element that detects the contact as in the case of detecting a single element. The contact signal flagged in the bit to be put is put in the queue QUE.

  The touch sensor driver TSD reads a contact signal from the queue QUE at a period of 45 ms, and determines an element that has detected contact based on the read contact signal. The touch sensor driver TSD considers the change in contact determined by the contact signal sequentially read from the queue QUE and the positional relationship with the detected element, and “contact start element”, “contact moving direction (right / Counterclockwise) "and" the number of elements moved from press to release (ie, movement distance) ". The touch sensor driver TSD writes the determined result in the result notification unit NTF and notifies the base application BA to update the result.

  The determination of the moving direction and the moving distance of contact is performed by a combination of detection of adjacent sensor elements and detection of each sensor element, and various methods (determination rules) can be applied to this (details will be described later). ). For example, when a contact transitions from one sensor element (for example, R2) to an adjacent sensor element (in this example, R2 and R3), one element (for one item in the sub display unit) is moved in that direction. Judged to be moving.

  As described above, when the update of the result is notified to the base application BA by the touch sensor driver TSD, the base application BA confirms the result notification unit NTF, and further describes the content of the information notified to the result notification unit NTF. Notification is made to a higher-order application that requires a touch sensor result (such as a display unit display application AP1 for displaying a menu screen on the sub display unit and a lock security application AP2 for lock control).

  FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram for explaining data processing of contact detection by each sensor element in the mobile phone terminal 100 of the present embodiment. For simplicity of explanation, only the sensor elements R1 to R4 are shown, but the same applies to the sensor elements L1 to L4.

  A high frequency is applied to each of the sensor elements R1 to R4, and calibration is performed in consideration of a change in a certain stray capacitance, and the high frequency state at this time is set as a reference. (R1 pre-processing unit 200a, R2 pre-processing unit 200b, R3 pre-processing unit 200c, R4 pre-processing unit 200d) detects a change in a high-frequency state based on a change in capacitance due to finger contact or the like Then, it is transmitted to the A / D converter 210 (A / D converter 210a for R1, A / D converter 210b for R2, A / D converter 210c for R3, A / D converter 210d for R4), It is converted into a digital signal indicating contact detection. The digitized signals are transmitted to the control unit 220, and the information held by the signals is stored in the storage unit 230 as a set of collected signals as a sensor element group. Thereafter, this signal is sent to the serial interface unit and the interrupt handler. The interrupt handler converts the signal into a signal that can be read by the touch sensor driver, and puts the converted signal in a queue. Note that the control unit 220 detects the direction when contact is detected by two or more adjacent sensor elements based on the information stored in the storage unit 230. Although FIG. 7 shows an example in which the control unit 220 and the storage unit 230 dedicated to sensor element detection are provided, these units may be shared with the control unit 110 and the storage unit 140 of FIG.

  Hereinafter, the response of the sub display unit to the operation of the sensor element will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 20, (a) is a schematic diagram illustrating only a sub display unit mounted on a mobile phone terminal and sensor elements arranged side by side along the periphery thereof, and (b). FIG. 7A is a diagram showing sensor elements detected with time, and FIG. 8C is a diagram showing a change in position of the operation target area of the sub-display unit ELD according to the detected sensor elements. In (a) of these drawings, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. In the display of the sub display unit ELD in (c), TI indicates the title of the item list displayed by the sub display unit, and LS1 to LS4 indicate items that are selection candidate items (for example, several scrollable lines). Also, in the sub-display part of (c), the item in the state to be operated is placed on the item so that it can be identified as the current operation target region, or the item itself is highlighted. Highlight with In these figures, the items displayed as the operation target area are hatched and highlighted. For convenience of explanation, “moving target” will be described using only the operation target region, but the sub-display unit operates on the same principle when moving (scrolling) the item itself.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the response of the sub display unit when the user traces on the sensor element. In FIG. 6A, when the sensor elements are continuously traced from the top to the bottom indicated by the arrow AR1, for example, using a contact means such as a finger, the control unit makes contact with the time transition shown in FIG. Detect. In this case, the sensor elements R1, R2, R3, and R4 are in this order. Since the detected continuous contact from R1 to R4 detects the contact with two or more of the adjacent sensor elements, the direction is detected, and depending on the number of times the adjacent sensor elements are transitioned and the direction thereof, The operation target area moves on the list displayed on the sub display unit ELD. Although the operation target area is represented by hatching, an area with a narrow hatching pitch is an initial position, and an area with a wide hatching pitch is a position after movement. In this case, if the initial position of the operation target area is the item LS1 as shown in (c), the operation target area moves from the top to the bottom by three items to the item LS4. As described above, according to this configuration, the “operation target area moves downward” on the display unit, like the user ’s “downward finger pointing operation”, the user can operate with his / her finger. You will feel as if you are moving the area freely. That is, the operation feeling as intended by the user can be obtained.

  Similarly, if the sensor elements are traced in the direction indicated by the arrow AR2 in FIG. 6A, the sensor elements L4, L3, L2, and L1 are in this order among the sensor elements as shown in FIG. In this case, since the contact is detected by the transition of three sensor elements adjacent from top to bottom as in the case of the arrow AR1, the operation target area is 3 from the item LS1 to the item LS4 from top to bottom as shown in (c). Move one minute.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a case where the sensor element is traced in the opposite direction to FIG. 7, that is, from the bottom to the top. When traced in the direction of the arrow AR1 as shown in FIG. 4A, the sensor elements R4, R3, R2, and R1 among the sensor elements detect contact in this order as shown in FIG. Similarly, in the direction of the arrow AR2, L1, L2, L3, and L4 among the sensor elements detect contact in this order as shown in (b). In these cases, if the initial position of the operation target area is item LS4 in (c), both of the operation target areas move from bottom to top up to item LS1.

  In the following description, the response of the sub display unit when the sensor element is continuously contacted so as to exceed the separated part of the sensor element group, which is not intended by the user, is shown together with the contact when the separated part is not exceeded.

  9 to 12 show a case where two adjacent sensor elements are continuously contacted. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the response of the sub display unit when the user traces on the sensor element. When the sensor elements are continuously traced from the bottom to the top indicated by the arrow AR in FIG. 4A, the control unit detects contact with the time transition shown in FIG. In this case, the sensor elements L3 and L4 are in this order. The detected continuous contact from the sensor elements L3 to L4 detects the direction because two or more adjacent sensor elements detect the contact, and the direction is detected. Thus, the operation target area moves on the item list displayed on the sub display unit ELD. In this case, if the initial position of the operation target area is LS2 as shown in (c), the operation target area moves one item from bottom to top up to LS1.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the response of the display unit when the first sensor element group G1 and the second sensor element group G2 are continuously contacted beyond the separation part. When the sensor elements are continuously traced from left to right as indicated by an arrow AR in FIG. 4A, the control unit detects contact with the transition shown in FIG. In this case, the sensor elements L4 and R1 are in this order. The mobile phone terminal (electronic device) according to the present invention is a sensor in which at least one sensor element in the sensor element group detects a first contact, and the first contact is detected continuously to the first contact. When one or more sensor elements in another sensor element group adjacent to the sensor element group including the element detects a second contact, the contact is detected among the first contact and the second contact. Only the one that contains more sensor elements is valid (one that has a small number of sensors related to contact is invalid). Therefore, in this case, since the same number of sensor elements are detected in the first and second sensor element groups, the first contact detected in the first sensor element group G1 and the second sensor element group G2 are detected. The second contact made becomes invalid. Therefore, as shown in (c), the operation target area of the sub display unit ELD does not move.

  FIG. 11 is also a diagram illustrating the response of the sub display unit when the user traces on the sensor element. When the sensor elements are continuously traced from the bottom to the top indicated by the arrow AR in FIG. 4A, the control unit detects contact with the time transition shown in FIG. In this case, the sensor elements R2 and R1 are in this order. Similarly to the case of FIG. 8, in this case, if the initial position of the operation target area is LS2 as shown in (c), the operation target area moves one item from the bottom to the top to LS1. .

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the response of the sub display unit when the first sensor element group G1 and the second sensor element group G2 are continuously in contact with each other beyond the separation part SP1 as in FIG. When the sensor elements are continuously traced in the direction from right to left indicated by the arrow AR in (a), the control unit detects contact with the transition shown in (b). In this case, the sensor elements R1 and L4 are in this order. The first contact in the second sensor element group G2 and the second contact in the first sensor element group G1 are invalidated by the same idea as in FIG. 10, and the sub display unit ELD operates as shown in (c). The target area does not move.

  In FIGS. 13-16, it shows about the case where three adjacent sensor elements are contacted continuously. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the response of the sub display unit when the user traces on the sensor element. When the sensor elements are continuously traced from the bottom to the top indicated by the arrow AR in FIG. 4A, the control unit detects contact with the time transition shown in FIG. In this case, the order is sensor elements L2, L3, and L4. As in the case of FIG. 8, in this case, if the initial position of the operation target area is LS3 as shown in (c), the operation target area moves two items from the bottom to the top up to the item LS1. To do.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a response of the sub display unit when the first sensor element group G1 and the second sensor element group G2 are continuously contacted beyond the separation part SP1. When the sensor elements are continuously traced from left to right as indicated by an arrow AR in (a), the control unit detects contact with the time transition shown in (b). In this case, the sensor elements L3, L4, and R1 are in this order. As shown in the figure, the number of sensor elements that detected contact in the first sensor element group is “2”, and that in the second sensor element group is “1”. Therefore, since the number of sensor elements in which contact is detected in the first sensor element group is larger than that in the second sensor element group, the first contact detected in the first sensor element group G1 is effective. Thus, the second contact detected by the second sensor element group G2 becomes invalid. As in the case described with reference to FIG. 10, the list selected according to the number of transitions between adjacent sensor elements and the direction thereof moves on the list displayed on the sub display unit ELD, as shown in (c). If the initial position of the operation target area is the item LS2, the operation target area moves one item from the bottom to the top to the item LS1.

  FIG. 15 is also a diagram illustrating the response of the sub display unit when the user traces on the sensor element. When the sensor elements are continuously traced in the direction from the left to the right indicated by the arrow AR in (a), the control unit detects contact with the transition shown in (b). In this case, the sensor elements L4, R1, and R2 are in this order. As shown in the figure, the number of sensor elements that detected contact in the first sensor element group is “1”, and that in the second sensor element group is “2”. Therefore, since the number of sensor elements in which contact is detected in the second sensor element group is larger than that in the first sensor element group, the first contact detected in the first sensor element group G1 is invalid. Thus, the second contact detected by the second sensor element group G2 is effective. As in the case described with reference to FIG. 14, if the initial position of the operation target area is the item LS2 as shown in FIG. 14C, in this case, the operation target area has one item from top to bottom until the item LS3. Move minutes.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the response of the sub display unit when the user traces on the sensor element. When the sensor elements are continuously traced from the bottom to the top indicated by the arrow AR in (a), the control unit detects contact with the time transition shown in (b). In this case, the order is sensor elements R3, R2, and R1. As in the case described with reference to FIG. 13, if the initial position of the operation target area is the item LS3 as shown in (c), in this case, the operation target area has two items from the bottom to the top up to the item LS1. Move minutes.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the response of the sub display unit when the user traces on the sensor element. When the sensor elements are continuously traced from left to right as indicated by an arrow AR in (a), the control unit detects contact with the time transition shown in (b). In this case, the order is sensor elements R2, R1, and L4. As shown in the figure, the number of sensor elements that detected contact in the first sensor element group is “1”, and that in the second sensor element group is “2”. Therefore, since the number of sensor elements in which contact is detected in the second sensor element group is larger than that in the first sensor element group, the first contact detected in the second sensor element group G2 is effective. Thus, the second contact detected by the first sensor element group G1 becomes invalid. Similarly to the case described with reference to FIG. 10, if the initial position of the operation target area is the item LS2 as shown in FIG. 10C, in this case, the operation target area has one item from the bottom up to the item LS1. Move minutes.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the response of the sub display unit when the user traces on the sensor element. When the sensor elements are continuously traced in the direction from right to left indicated by the arrow AR in (a), the control unit detects contact with the transition shown in (b). In this case, the sensor elements R1, L4, and L3 are in this order. As shown in the figure, the number of sensor elements that detected contact in the first sensor element group is “2”, and that in the second sensor element group is “1”. Accordingly, since the number of sensor elements in which contact is detected in the first sensor element group is larger than that in the second sensor element group, the first contact detected in the second sensor element group G2 is invalid. Thus, the second contact detected by the first sensor element group G1 is effective. As in the case described with reference to FIG. 10, assuming that the initial position of the operation target area is the item LS2 as shown in FIG. 10C, in this case, the operation target area has one item from top to bottom until the item LS3. Move minutes.

  The case where there are two sensor element groups has been described above, but there may be two or more sensor element groups. FIG. 19 shows three sensor element groups including a first sensor element group G1 (L1 to L3), a second sensor element group G2 (R1 to R3), and a third sensor element group G3 (M1 to M3). The case where it arrange | positions along the circumference | surroundings of the sub display part ELD across the separation parts SP1-SP3 is shown.

  FIG. 19 will be described. When the sensor elements are continuously traced from left to right as indicated by an arrow AR in (a), the control unit detects contact with the time transition shown in (b). In this case, the sensor elements L2, L3, and R1 are in this order. As shown in the figure, the number of sensor elements that detected contact in the first sensor element group is “2”, and that in the second sensor element group is “1”. Therefore, since the number of sensor elements in which contact is detected in the first sensor element group is larger than that in the second sensor element group, the first contact detected in the first sensor element group G1 is effective. Thus, the second contact detected by the second sensor element group G2 becomes invalid. Similarly to the case described with reference to FIG. 10, if the initial position of the operation target area is the item LS4 as shown in (c), in this case, the operation target area has one item from the bottom up to the item LS3. Move minutes. Here, the display of the sub display unit ELD has been shown as an example of scrolling in the vertical direction of the screen. However, depending on the application, the display may be scrolled in the horizontal direction of the screen.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a case where the sensor element groups are arranged in a line. The first, second and third sensor element groups G1 to G3 are arranged so as to be aligned in a row with the separation portions SP1 and SP2 therebetween. In this case, the sub display unit ELD (not shown in (a)) is arranged away from the sensor element group. When the sensor element is continuously traced from left to right as indicated by arrow AR in (a), the control unit detects contact with the time transition shown in (b). In this case, the sensor elements L3, R1, and R2 are in this order. As shown in the figure, the number of sensor elements that detected contact in the first sensor element group is “1”, and that in the second sensor element group is “2”. Therefore, since the number of sensor elements in which contact is detected in the second sensor element group is larger than that in the first sensor element group, the first contact detected in the first sensor element group G1 is invalid. Thus, the second contact detected by the second sensor element group G2 is effective. As in the case described with reference to FIG. 10, if the initial position of the operation target area is the item LS5 as shown in (c), in this case, the operation target area has one item from the bottom to the top up to the item LS4. Move minutes.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the above-described touch sensor control method in the mobile phone terminal of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, when contact is detected, it is determined whether or not the contact has been “released” in step S10 (whether contact of the sensor element has ended). If the contact is released, it is determined in step S12 whether the sensor element group that detected the first contact (“press”) and the final contact (“release”) is different. If the sensor element groups are the same, the process proceeds to step S14, where the moving distance is determined from the number of elements that have detected contact, and the moving direction is determined from the positional relationship between the “press” and “release” elements. If the sensor element groups are different in step S12, the process proceeds to step S16, where the sensor element to which the sensor element that detects “press” belongs (first contact) and the sensor element to which the sensor element that detects “release” belongs. The number of elements for each contact (second contact) in the group is obtained. Thereafter, in step S18, it is determined whether or not the number of elements in the first contact and the second contact is equal. If the number of elements is equal, the process proceeds to step S20, and the data relating to contact is invalidated. If the number of elements is different, the process proceeds to step S22, and the data with the smaller number of touched elements is invalidated. Thereafter, in step S24, the moving direction is obtained from the number of elements that have detected contact and the moving distance, and the positional relationship between the elements of “press” and “release”. In step S18, the detection result in the sensor element group in which only contact detection for one element can be detected is invalidated, and the detection result in the sensor element group in which contact involving movement is detected for two or more elements is valid. The same result can also be achieved by the process.

  FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram showing the sensor element detection state divided into 16 so as to determine not only a single element detection state but also a multiple element detection state in which two adjacent elements are further detected. is there. Although it is substantially the same as the structure of FIG. 3, it is the structure which provided the tact switch between the 1st sensor element group G1 and the 2nd sensor element group G2. That is, a tact switch SW3 is newly provided between the sensor element L4 and the sensor element R1, and a tact switch SW4 is newly provided between the sensor element R4 and the sensor element L1. If the detection states of the eight sensor elements are managed one by one, the eight detection states can be managed. However, in the eight detection states, since the number of states, that is, state changes are small, it is not possible to perform very precise control. For example, in the case of the tact switch SW1 arranged across the sensor elements, when the tact switch SW1 is pressed, contact with the sensor elements L2 and L3 is detected first. There is a fear. That is, when the sensor elements L2 and L3 are detected in this order, the upward movement instruction is given regardless of the tact switch SW1 pressing operation for some determination instruction, and the operation target area is set to “1” upward. There is a possibility that the selection operation by depressing the tact switch SW1 is finalized after “displacement”, and an unintended item is instructed to be determined.

  In order to appropriately process the pressing process of the tact switch SW1-4, there is a method of holding the confirmation of the movement instruction until two or three detection state changes (movements) are detected in the 16 detection states. is there. A method of discarding the detection state (result) of the sensor element up to that point when the tact switch has been pressed can be considered, and will be described in detail below with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the movement confirmation process (that is, the hold process) in the 16 detection states, and this flowchart every time it is detected that any one detection state occurs in the queue QUE. Processing is performed by the touch sensor driver TSP. The first detected position (any one of 16 detected states) from the released state is set as the first reference point. From this reference point, the current detection position (detection state newly entered in the queue QUE), and the previous detection position (previous detection state remaining in the queue QUE), the movement distance (detection state) Transition). As shown in the figure, in step K10, it is determined whether or not the previous position has been released. If it is determined that it has been released (the previous data remaining in the queue QUE is “release”), the process proceeds to step K12, and whether or not the current detection position has been released (ie, newly entered) Whether or not the data is “release”). If it is determined that the current detection position has been released, the process ends. If not, the process proceeds to step K14, where the reference point and the previous detection position are set as the current detection position.

  If it is determined in step K10 that the previous position has not been released (that is, if another detection has occurred and the current detection follows), the process proceeds to step K16, where the current detection position is It is determined whether or not it has been released (that is, whether or not the newly input signal is “release”). If it is determined that the current detection position is released, the reference point and the previous detection position are initialized (cleared), and the process ends (step K18). If it is determined in step K16 that the current detection position has not been released, the distance between the previous detection position and the current detection position is calculated (step K20), and is the calculated distance 1 or 2? It is determined whether or not (step K22). If it is determined that the calculated distance is not 1 or 2 (that is, 3 or more), the sensor element is skipped and it is determined that the detection state is discontinuous (step K24), and the reference point is set to the current detection position. Set (step K26), proceed to step K36. If it is determined that the distance calculated in step K22 is 1 or 2, the distance between the current detection position and the reference point is calculated (step K28). In the calculation of the distance, the detection position for each sensor element is known by the signal put in the queue QUE. Therefore, any of the 16 detection states can be determined between the previous detection position and the current detection position. The touch sensor driver TSD determines whether there is a difference corresponding to the number.

  Further, it is determined whether or not the distance calculated in step K28 is 2 or 3 (step K30). If the condition is not satisfied (that is, 4 or more), the process proceeds to step K36 as an error, and the condition is satisfied ( If the distance is 2 or 3, the movement is confirmed (step K32). That is, the first touched position is set as the “reference point”, and then the “previous position” is updated when contact is continuously detected without being “released”, and finally the latest detected position “ Only when it is determined that “current position” is “moved 2 or 3” with respect to the reference point, it is determined that “there is movement”. Further, since the single element detection state and the multiple element detection state are continuously detected, it is determined that the movement is “2”. Therefore, on the sensor element, the sensor element is not used until the above “2 movement”. One finger is moved. The next reference point is set to a position that is moved by two in the movement direction from the previous reference point (step K34), and the process proceeds to step K36. In step K36, the “previous detection position” is set to the “current detection position” for the next process, and the process ends.

  When the tact switches SW1 to SW4 are pressed, the previous detection position and reference point set at the time of pressing detection are initialized (cleared). Next, a process when the tact switch in FIG. 22 is pressed will be described using the movement confirmation process of the flowchart. When the tact switch SW1 is pressed, if the detection state transitions in the order of “L2 detection state” and “L2-L3 detection state”, only one detection state transitions (moves / changes) at this time. Therefore, the movement is not fixed. When the finger is released after the tact switch SW1 is pressed, the detection state may transition in the order of “L2-L3 detection state” and “L3 detection state”. At this time, if the detection state until the tact switch is pressed is held, two detection states transition in the order of “L2 detection state”, “L2-L3 detection state”, and “L3 detection state”. Although the movement may be confirmed, as described above, since the past detection result is discarded when the tact switch SW1 is pressed, the erroneous detection when the finger is released is prevented. Therefore, when the tact switch is released, it is not erroneously recognized as a movement instruction of the sensor element.

  Alternatively, when the tact switch SW1 is released, the detection state may transition in the order of “L2 detection state” and “L2-L3 detection state”. Even if the detection result before the tact switch is pressed is discarded, the sensor element may be touched again when the tact switch is released. However, even in such a case, according to the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 23, only one detection state is changed, so that it is erroneously recognized as a sensor element movement instruction when the tact switch is released. There is no.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining a determination process when the process of the flowchart of FIG. 23 is applied to the contact from the sensor elements L1 to L4 of FIG. As shown in the figure, the detection state changes are “L1 detection”, “L1-L2 detection”, “L2 detection”, “L2-L3 detection” “L3 detection”, “L3-L4 detection”, “L4 detection”. It becomes. That is, the single element detection state, the multiple element detection state, and L1 to L4 are repeatedly detected. First, the first “L1 detection” is set to the reference point BP1 (K14). Next, when “L1-L2 detection” occurs, since the previous position is not “release” but “L1 detection”, the previous position is compared with the current position detected this time (K20). Here, it is validated because it is the movement of one frame from L1 to “L1-L2”, and this time, the reference point is compared with the current position (K28). Here, since both the reference point and the previous position are set to the same L1, the movement amount is still one frame, and the movement is not confirmed at this stage, and the L1-L2 detection state of the current position is set to the previous position PP1. (K36).

  Further, if “L2 detection” occurs without “release” in the middle, the previous position is “L1-L2 detection”, so the previous position is compared with the current position CP1 detected this time (K20). . Here, the movement is one frame from L1-L2 to L2, which is valid because the determination condition “1 or 2?” Is satisfied. Next, the reference point is compared with the current position (K28). Since the reference point is set to the same L1 as in the L1 detection again this time, the positional relationship with L2 is two frames, so the movement amount is determined to be two frames (K30). The movement is confirmed for the first time here (K32). Then, for the next determination, the reference point BP2 is set to a point where two frames are shifted in the moving direction from “L1 detection”, that is, “L2 detection” is set (K34), and the previous position is set to the current position “L2 detection”. The setting process 1 is completed again.

  In this way, the touch sensor driver determines the movement “1” by detecting the transition of the detection state of two frames. That is, when the movement is confirmed in step K32, the movement direction component (the clockwise direction from L1 to L4, that is, the direction from SP2 to SP1) and the movement of “1” and the movement of “1” are stored in the result notification unit NTF. The update of the storage content is notified to the application, and the base application extracts the update content and notifies the sub display unit display application AP1 and the like. If the sub display unit display application AP1 is in use, a movement amount of “1” is given to the “direction from bottom to top” based on the movement direction component. The display of the part ELD is changed. Specifically, when the list display as shown in FIG. 8C is performed and the operation target area is located at LS4, the operation target area moves to LS3 based on the confirmation process 1. . By the way, in the same manner as in the determination process 1, the detection states of the second sensor element group R1-R4 are continuously detected as “R4-R3 detection” and “R3 detection” from the “R4 detection” state. Even when the transition is made, the touch sensor gives the sub-display unit display application AP1 via the base application information on the “direction from the bottom to the top” and the movement amount of “1” based on the movement direction component. On the screen display of the list display, the operation target area changes from the item LS4 to LS3 as in the operation in the first sensor element unit.

  Next, a case where the finger movement continues without “release” subsequent to the confirmation process 1 will be described. As in the case of the confirmation process 1, as shown in the confirmation process 2 in the figure, the detection state from the reference point BP2 is “L2-L3 detection” as the previous position PP2, and “L3 detection” is the current position CP2. Since the distance between the reference point BP2 and the current position CP2 is two frames, the movement “1” is further determined. That is, the movement of the total “2” is confirmed by both the confirmation process 2 subsequent to the confirmation process 1. Then, for further subsequent processing, the reference point is changed with “L3 detection” two frames ahead from the reference point BP2 “L2 detection” as a new reference point BP3.

  Similarly, as shown in the confirmation process 3 in the figure, the detection state advances two frames from the reference point BP3, and “L3-L4 detection” is set to the previous position CP3, and “L4 detection” becomes the current position CP3. At that time, since the distance becomes two frames, “1” movement is further confirmed, and a total of “3” movements are confirmed together with the confirmation processes 1 and 2. In this way, a total of “3” moves are notified to the application.

  As the display on the sub display part ELD, the sub display part display application AP1 is notified of the movement confirmation of “1” twice in the “direction from bottom to top” following the confirmation process 1. The operation target area changes from LS3 to LS1 that has moved "2" upward. Here, not only the detection of a single element detection state but also a detection state of a plurality of elements is detected and the detection state is subdivided, but the movement amount determined by the movement of two state transitions is “ As a result, in the case of a sensor element composed of four sensor elements as in the example, the movement confirmation of a maximum of “3” is finally performed. In other words, in the case where the number of sensor elements is four and the movement is confirmed only by single element detection, the final amount of movement is very approximate, but only the single element is accurately positioned. Even if it is not touched, a movement amount of “3” at the maximum can be ensured, and inaccurate operation by the user can be dealt with in a form that meets the user's wishes without causing any reaction. In this way, when an item is selected by the touch sensor and the tact switch is subsequently pressed, the key detection driver prompts the determination instruction by pressing the donut-shaped panel that is in contact with the touch sensor during operation. Since it can be given to an in-use application such as a sub display unit display application via the user interface, a more comfortable user interface with less finger movement for the user is provided.

  In the case of a sensor element group composed of “4” sensor elements, “3”, which is obtained by subtracting “1” for the sensor element that comes into contact first, is the maximum movement determination amount. Therefore, when displaying the selection items on the sub display unit ELD as a list, it is preferable that the sub display unit display application displays the selection items of “4” rows, which is the same number as the number of sensor elements “4”. By performing display control in this way, contact detection is first performed on the sensor elements L1 and R4 at the bottom (SP1 side), and when contact detection continues to the top (SP2 side), the movement of “3” is confirmed. Is supplied to the sub-display unit display application, the selection target area moves from the lowermost level (LS4) to the uppermost level (LS1). That is, since the maximum movement from the bottom to the top is the maximum movement from the bottom to the top on the display, the movement operation to the touch sensor coincides with the movement display on the sub display unit ELD. It is possible to provide a user interface that is very easy to grasp the operation content.

  Furthermore, since the first sensor element group and the second sensor element group are arranged in a symmetrical form with the sub display unit ELD interposed therebetween, the same operation instruction can be given regardless of which one is operated. In addition, since the end portions are arranged side by side, for example, when the contact detection state is shifted clockwise from the sensor element L1 to the detection state of the sensor element R4, the following is displayed on the sub display unit ELD. Such a display change occurs. That is, when the operation target area moves from the lowermost stage LS4 to the uppermost stage LS1 from the detection of L1 to the time point of L4, and subsequently the detection state transitions from R1 to R4, the operation target area changes from the uppermost stage LS1 to the lowermost stage LS4. Will return. As a result, the user can hold the finger up and down at the time of selecting the selection item or return the operation target area to the original position without having to release the finger. High operational feeling can be given.

  In addition, when the user carrying the mobile phone performs an operation in a place where vibration is likely to occur, there may be a case where the finger leaves the touch sensor for a moment during movement of the finger due to external vibration. In such a case, if a rough detection method that detects only movement by detecting only the number of sensor elements is used to detect movement, detection omissions are unlikely to occur, but not only single element detection but also multiple element detection In the case of a precise detection method that also detects the state, it is conceivable that even if the instruction is momentarily left, the detection state may be skipped because the finger continues to rotate. However, if the distance between the previous position and the current position is 1 or 2 in step K22, the continuous movement detection state is established even if two movements have been made from the previous position, that is, even if one is skipped from the previous position. Because it can be handled, it can be as close as possible to the user's desired action even under vibration.

  In step K30, not only 2 frames but also 3 frames are valid. Therefore, even when the finger is momentarily detached due to vibration or when a detection state is detected by a quick operation, it moves. Operation can be detected. In addition, when detecting the amount of movement for three frames, not only is the amount of movement “1” fixed as in the case of the next two frames, but the setting of the reference point for the next detection is the same as when moving two frames. Since only two frames are moved relative to the previous reference point, even when movement is confirmed by detecting three frames, an amount of movement confirmation of “n−1” obtained by subtracting 1 from the number n of sensor elements is secured. This makes it possible for the user to obtain a stable operation feeling of the same operation feeling regardless of how the user touches.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and corrections based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these variations and modifications are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, functions included in each member, each means, each step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and a plurality of means, steps, etc. can be combined or divided into one. Is possible. In the embodiment, the description has been made using the capacitive sensor as the touch sensor, but the touch sensor is not limited to this system. For example, there are touch sensors such as a thin film resistance method that detects contact by measuring current fluctuation by detecting contact between a plurality of thin film electrodes, but the present invention is realized even if such a touch sensor is used. Is possible. For example, in the embodiment, the sensor element layout provided in an annular shape has been described. However, sensor element groups arranged in a U-shape may be arranged to face each other with the display unit interposed therebetween. Moreover, although the sensor element group was demonstrated in the Example of arrangement | positioning on either side, you may comprise in upper and lower 2 groups. Furthermore, in the embodiments, the description has been made with reference to a mobile phone terminal, but a mobile wireless terminal other than a telephone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), a portable game machine, a portable audio player, a portable video player, a portable electronic dictionary, a portable electronic The present invention can be widely applied to portable electronic devices such as a book viewer. In the embodiment, the capacitance type contact sensor is used as the sensor element. However, the thin film resistance type described above, the optical method for detecting the contact based on the fluctuation of the amount of received light, and the contact by the attenuation of the surface acoustic wave. You may use the sensor element of the SAW system to detect, and the electromagnetic induction system sensor which detects a contact by generation | occurrence | production of an induced current. Some types of contact sensors use an indicator such as a dedicated pen other than a finger, but the principle of the present invention can also be applied to portable electronic devices equipped with such contact sensors. .

It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the mobile telephone terminal of a present Example. It is a perspective view of the mobile telephone terminal of a present Example. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the display part periphery mounted in the mobile telephone terminal of a present Example. It is a detailed functional block diagram of a present Example. It is a block diagram which shows the more detailed structure of the touch sensor function of the mobile telephone terminal of a present Example. It is a schematic block diagram of the data processing of the contact detection by each sensor element in the mobile phone terminal of the present embodiment. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the sensor element of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the sensor element of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the sensor element of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the sensor element of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the sensor element of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the sensor element of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the sensor element of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the sensor element of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the sensor element of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the sensor element of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the sensor element of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the sensor element of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the sensor element of Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the sensor element of Example 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control method of the touch sensor in the mobile telephone terminal of a present Example. It is the conceptual diagram which divided and showed the sensor element detection state to 16. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the movement confirmation process in 16 detection states. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a determination process when the process of the flowchart of FIG. 23 is applied to contact from the sensor elements L1 to L4 of FIG. It is a figure explaining the conventional sensor element and its control example. It is a figure explaining the conventional sensor element and its control example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Mobile phone terminal 110 Control part 120 Sensor part 130 Display part 140 Storage part 142 Storage area 144 External data storage area 150 Information processing function part 160 Telephone function part KEY Key operation part SP Speaker COM Communication part 170 Touch sensor 180 Camera 190 Light ELD Sub display part PNL Panel R1-R4 Sensor element L1-L4 Sensor element G1-G3 Sensor element group SP1, SP2 Separation part SW1-SW4 Tactile switch AP1-AP4 Application BA Base application FLG Flag storage part APRF RFID application APIR Infrared communication application IRD Infrared communication driver RFD RFID driver KSP Key scan port driver AUD Audio driver PR Protocol RD Radio driver SI Serial interface SWCO N Switching control unit KEY Key operation unit OCD Open / close detection device (magnetic)
MIC Microphone EAP Earphone RM Radio module SW Switching unit IR Infrared communication unit RFID RFID module TSM Touch sensor module PSCON Power supply controller PS Power supply QUE Queue CNF Confirmation unit SIMON Serial interrupt monitoring unit IH Interrupt handler DL Device layer CLK OS timer TSB Touch sensor driver Block TSBA Touch sensor base application block API Application program interface 200 Preprocessing system 210 A / D converter 220 Control unit 230 Storage unit AR, AR1, AR2 Arrow TI Title LS1 to LS8 List items M1 to M3 Sensor elements BP1 to BP3 Reference point PP1 to PP3 Previous position CP1 to CP3 Current position

Claims (7)

A plurality of sensor element groups in which a plurality of sensor elements in which contact is detected are continuously arranged so as to constitute a plurality of groups, and end portions of each group are arranged next to each other;
When contact is detected by any one of the plurality of sensor element groups, and when contact is detected by another sensor element group following the contact, the sensor element that detects the contact is detected. A control unit that enables only the contact detection result in the sensor element group on the side including many;
A portable electronic device comprising: A first sensor element group having a plurality of sensor elements for detecting contact arranged continuously and adjacent to each other;
A second sensor element group having a plurality of sensor elements for detecting contact arranged continuously and adjacent to each other,
One end of the first sensor element group and one end of the second sensor element group are arranged next to each other, and the other end of the first sensor element group and the other of the second sensor element group By arranging the ends next to each other, the first sensor element group and the second sensor element group are formed in an annular shape,
When contact is detected by one of the first sensor element group and the second sensor element group, contact is detected when contact is detected by the other sensor element group following the contact. A control unit that validates only the contact detection result in the sensor element group on the side including many sensor elements;
A portable electronic device characterized by that. The portable electronic device according to claim 1 or 2,
The control unit detects contact with one sensor element in one of the sensor element groups, and subsequently detects contact with two or more sensor elements in the other sensor element group. The portable electronic device is characterized in that only the detection result by the sensor element group on the side including the sensor element in which the two or more contacts are detected is validated. The portable electronic device according to claim 1 or 2,
The control unit continuously detects contact with two or more sensor elements in one of the sensor element groups, and subsequently detects contact with one sensor element in the other sensor element group. When it is made, only the detection result by the sensor element group on the side including the sensor element where the two or more contacts are detected is validated. The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A display unit;
The said control part controls the display of the said display part based on the detection result validated among the contacts detected by each sensor element of these sensor element groups, The portable electronic device characterized by the above-mentioned. The portable electronic device according to claim 5, wherein
A plurality of sensor elements arranged in each of the plurality of sensor element groups are arranged along the periphery of the display unit. Each sensor element group includes a plurality of sensor elements that are continuously and adjacently arranged to detect contact, and at least one end of each sensor element group is adjacent to an end of the other sensor element group. A method for controlling a portable electronic device comprising a plurality of sensor element groups,
Detecting contact with at least one sensor element in any one of the plurality of sensor element groups;
When contact is continuously detected from any one of the plurality of sensor element groups in another sensor element group, contact detection in the sensor element group on the side including a large number of sensor elements that have detected contact is detected. A step that only validates the result;
A method for controlling a portable electronic device, comprising:

Images