JP2008129689A - Input device equipped with touch panel and its input reception method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To faciliate an input operation by a touch panel. <P>SOLUTION: An input device equipped with a touch panel on the front face of a display device is provided with a switch for detecting the hand of a user placed at a prescribed position; and an input reception button display means for displaying when the switch detects the hand of the user, an input acceptance button to be displayed at the display device closely to the predetermined position in comparison with the case that the hand of the user is not detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device including a touch panel.

  Some information devices such as an in-vehicle navigation device include a touch panel on the front surface (display screen side) of the display screen as an input device. Such an information device displays, for example, a menu including a plurality of options on the display screen. The user confirms the selection by touching the desired option.

JP-A-7-195962

  By the way, it is not always easy to touch the location of the target option from the displayed options. For example, in the case of an in-vehicle device, there may be a case where a target option cannot be touched well due to shaking of the vehicle. On the other hand, even if the wrist is placed somewhere in front of the touch panel to stabilize the hand, the finger may not reach the desired option on the display screen.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object thereof is to facilitate an input operation using a touch panel.

In order to solve the above problems, the first aspect of the present invention is:
An input device having a touch panel on the front surface of the display device,
A switch for detecting a user's hand placed in a predetermined position;
An input reception button display means for displaying an input reception button displayed on the display device closer to the predetermined position when the switch detects a user's hand compared to a case where the user's hand is not detected. It is an input device characterized by comprising.

In addition, the second aspect of the present invention includes
An input device having a touch panel on the front surface of the display device,
A switch for detecting a user's hand placed in a predetermined position;
Corresponding to the input reception mode, a first input reception screen displayed when the switch does not detect the user's hand, and a second input displayed when the switch detects the user's hand Means for storing a reception screen;
If the switch does not detect the user's hand, the first input reception screen corresponding to the input reception mode at that time is displayed. If the switch detects the user's hand, the input at that time is displayed. An input device comprising: an input reception button display means for displaying the second input reception screen corresponding to the reception mode.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an in-vehicle navigation device 1 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, the in-vehicle navigation device 1 includes a control device 10, a current position calculation device 20, an input device 30, and a display device 40.

  The current position calculation device 20 is a device for calculating the current position, and includes a vehicle speed sensor, a gyro sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, and the like.

  The input device 30 is a device for receiving an instruction from a user. The input device 30 includes a touch panel 31 provided on the front surface (display surface side) of the display device 40 and capable of seeing through the display screen, and an armrest switch 32 built in the armrest.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the vehicle-mounted navigation device 1 is installed on the instrument panel 2 of the vehicle.

  As shown in the drawing, the in-vehicle navigation device 1 is usually installed at the center (between the driver seat and the passenger seat) of the instrument panel 2 arranged over the width of the windshield in the vehicle. The display screen of the display device 40 faces the rear of the vehicle so that it can be easily seen by the user. This direction is called a display direction. Below the display direction of the vehicle-mounted navigation device 1, there is an armrest 3 for the user to put his hand during operation to stabilize it. The armrest switch 32 is built in the armrest 3.

  The armrest switch 32 is turned on / off by the weight of the hand. That is, it is normally in the OFF state, but when the user's hand is placed, the mechanism is in the ON state. The armrest switch 31 may be configured by a contact sensor and provided on the surface of the armrest 3. And it may be made to detect that a user's hand was put by contact of a user's hand.

  Returning to FIG. The display device 40 includes a liquid crystal display device and the like, and is a unit that displays graphics information generated by the control device 10.

  The control device 10 is a device for controlling other devices (current position calculation device 20, input device 30, display device 40, etc.). The control device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an interface with other devices (current position calculation device 20, input device 30, display device 40, etc.), these It is constituted by a general-purpose computer system including a bus for connecting the two.

  The control device 10 includes a processing execution unit 11, an input content analysis unit 12, and a screen display unit 13 as functional units.

  The process execution unit 11 is a central unit that performs various processes. For example, from the output from the current position calculation device 20, the current position is calculated by map matching processing using map data stored in the storage device. In addition, a user request is received via the input content analysis unit 12, and processing corresponding to the received request is executed. In addition, the screen display unit 13 is instructed to generate information to be displayed on the display device 40 and display the generated information. In addition, the screen display unit 13 is instructed to display an input reception screen corresponding to the processing mode.

  The input content analysis unit 12 analyzes a request from the user input via the input device 30 and sends the result to the process execution unit 11.

  The screen display unit 13 displays information on the display device 40 in accordance with an instruction from the process execution unit 11. For example, when the process execution unit 11 is in a state of accepting input from the user via the touch panel, a corresponding input acceptance screen is extracted from the input acceptance screen data 14 and displayed on the display device 40. The input reception screen is also referred to as a menu screen.

  These functional units are achieved by executing a program loaded into the memory by the CPU. Therefore, a program for performing each process is stored in the ROM.

  [Description of Operation] Next, the operation of the vehicle-mounted navigation device 1 of this embodiment will be described. Note that description of navigation processing such as route search and route guidance, which are the original basic operations, is omitted.

  The process execution unit 11 displays a menu screen in various modes (for example, point search, route search, etc.). On the menu screen, a plurality of choices (for example, address search, destination setting, etc.) are presented, and a user request is accepted by selecting one of the choices. At that time, a button corresponding to the option (referred to as an “input reception button”) is displayed on the display screen, and a touch (selection) on any of the input reception buttons is received via the touch panel 31.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the input acceptance button display process performed during the option selection process.

  When the armrest switch 32 is in the OFF state, the process execution unit 11 displays the input acceptance button in a normal arrangement (S11). Specifically, the process execution unit 11 extracts a menu screen corresponding to the mode at that time from the input reception screen data 14 stored in advance in the storage device. Then, the process execution unit 11 instructs the screen display unit 13 to display the extracted menu screen on the display device 40. In response to this, the screen display unit 13 displays a menu screen on the display device 40 in a normal manner. The menu screen includes an input reception button for receiving selection of options. The input reception screen data 14 stores the normal arrangement of each input reception button (when the armrest switch 32 is in the OFF state) for each menu screen.

  While the input acceptance button is displayed in the normal arrangement, the process execution unit 11 monitors whether or not the armrest switch 32 is turned on via the input content analysis unit 12 (S12). When the armrest switch 32 is turned on (Y in S12), the process execution unit 11 instructs the screen display unit 13 to change the arrangement of the input reception buttons in the menu screen.

  In response to this, the screen display unit 13 changes the arrangement of the input reception buttons in the menu screen (S13).

  FIG. 4 is a screen transition diagram for explaining how to change the arrangement of the input reception buttons. When the armrest switch 32 is OFF, the screen display unit 13 displays the input reception button 401 in the menu screen at a predetermined position on the display screen 400 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, in the state where the armrest switch 32 is ON, as shown in FIG. 4B, the input acceptance button 402 is moved and displayed below the display screen 400 compared to the case where the armrest switch 32 is OFF.

  Thereby, the input reception button 402 can be brought close to the range where the user's finger can reach.

  Thereafter, the process execution unit 11 monitors whether or not the armrest switch 32 is turned off via the input content analysis unit 12. When the armrest switch 32 is turned off (N in S12), the process execution unit 11 returns to S11 and instructs the screen display unit 13 to change the arrangement of the input reception buttons to the normal arrangement. In response to this, the screen display unit 13 displays the input reception screen with the arrangement of the input reception buttons set to the normal arrangement.

  The input reception screen data 14 may store the arrangement of the input reception button when the armrest switch is OFF and the arrangement of the input reception button when the armrest switch is ON in the menu screen for each mode. Then, when the armrest switch is OFF, the screen display unit 13 changes the arrangement of the input reception buttons according to the arrangement of the input reception buttons when the armrest switch is OFF on the menu screen of the mode at that time. When the armrest switch is ON, the arrangement of the input reception button is changed according to the arrangement of the input reception button when the armrest switch is ON on the menu screen of the mode at that time.

  In addition, when predetermined information (for example, construction information) that needs to be continuously displayed is displayed at the bottom of the display screen, such important information is hidden by moving the input reception button 401 downward. It is inconvenient. Therefore, the screen display unit 13 displays the information displayed on the display screen 400 in a case where the information type or position is a predetermined information type (for example, construction information) or a predetermined position (for example, downward). The input acceptance button 401 may not be moved even when the armrest switch 32 is in the ON state.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

  According to the embodiment, when the armrest switch 32 is turned on, the input reception button on the display screen moves in a direction closer to the user's finger. Therefore, the user can easily input to the touch panel.

<Modification 1>
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiment can be variously modified.

  For example, the display mode switching process may be operated only when the vehicle is shaking (for example, when the vehicle is traveling). Specifically, in S12 of FIG. 3, the process execution unit 11 detects whether or not the vehicle is traveling from the current position calculation device 20 (for example, a vehicle speed sensor). When the vehicle is not running, even if the armrest switch 32 is turned on, the screen display unit 13 is not instructed to change the display position of the input reception button. That is, only when the vehicle is running and the armrest switch 32 is turned on, the screen display unit 13 is instructed to change the display position of the input reception button (S13).

  By doing so, the input reception button being displayed can be brought close to the position of the user's hand only when the vehicle is shaking during traveling and the user places his hand on the armrest 3 in order to stabilize the hand. That is, it is possible to suppress a useless process in which the display position of the input reception button is changed until the vehicle is stopped and there is no difficulty in operation.

  The screen display unit 134 may determine whether or not the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed (for example, 20 km / h), and if so, the display position of the input reception button may be changed.

  Further, the screen display unit 134 may change the display position of the input reception button when detecting a vibration having a predetermined intensity by a sensor that detects vibration.

<Modification 2>
In addition, when the position of the input reception button is changed by turning on the armrest switch 32, the size or interval of the input reception button may be changed.

  FIG. 5 is a screen transition diagram showing how the arrangement of the input reception buttons is changed in such a case. When the armrest switch 32 is OFF, the screen display unit 13 displays the input reception button 411 in a predetermined arrangement on the display screen 400 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, in the state where the armrest switch 32 is ON, as shown in FIG. 5B, the size of the input reception button 412 is reduced and the interval is reduced as compared with the case where the armrest switch 32 is OFF. The display is moved to the area below the display screen 400 and displayed.

  In this way, even when there are many input reception buttons, each input reception button can be moved downward, and the input operation of the user who placed his hand on the armrest 3 can be facilitated.

<Modification 3>
In addition, when changing the position of the input reception button, the display of a part of the input reception button may be omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a screen transition diagram showing how the arrangement of the input acceptance buttons is changed in such a case. When the armrest switch 32 is OFF, the screen display unit 13 displays the input reception button 421 in a predetermined arrangement on the display screen 400 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the armrest switch 32 is ON, as shown in FIG. 6B, the input reception buttons 422 are displayed with a reduced number compared to when the armrest switch 32 is OFF. At this time, the screen display unit 13 displays a scroll icon 423 and a pull-down icon. Then, in response to a scroll request or pull-down request from the user, the omitted input acceptance button is displayed.

  In this way, even when there are many choices, the input acceptance button can be displayed in the lower area, and the input operation of the user placing his hand on the armrest 3 can be facilitated.

<Modification 4>
Further, when changing the position of the input reception button, the arrangement of the input reception buttons and the mutual positional relationship may be changed.

  FIG. 7 is a screen transition diagram showing how the arrangement of the input acceptance buttons is changed in such a case. When the armrest switch 32 is OFF, the screen display unit 13 displays the input reception button 431 in a predetermined arrangement on the display screen 400 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the armrest switch 32 is ON, as shown in FIG. 7B, the positional relationship of each input acceptance button 432 is changed and displayed below the display screen 400. Specifically, the input reception buttons 431 enumerated in a single vertical row are partly arranged side by side to fit in the lower area.

  In this way, even when there are many choices, the input acceptance button can be displayed in the lower area, and the input operation of the user placing his hand on the armrest 3 can be facilitated.

<Modification 5>
Further, when there is information (for example, a map) displayed in a superimposed manner, the display manner of the information displayed in a superimposed manner may be changed when the display manner of the input reception button is switched.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, an input acceptance button 431 may be displayed over the map 441 around the current position 451. When the input reception button 431 is moved downward, the screen display unit 13 displays a portion (part of the map 443 in FIG. 7) hidden by the input reception button 431 before the movement. On the other hand, the mark 451 indicating the current position may be hidden by the input reception button 432 by itself, so that the mark 451 indicating the current position is corrected to a position not hidden by the input reception button 432. Specifically, when the position of the input reception button is changed, the screen display unit 13 sets predetermined display contents (for example, the current position) for information displayed behind the input reception button by the superimposed display. It is checked whether or not the mark indicating) is hidden. Then, if it is hidden, the essential display content is corrected to a position that is not hidden by the input reception button whose position has been changed (in the example of FIG. 7, above the display screen 400).

  In this way, when the map indicating the current position is displayed, even if the position of the input reception button is changed, the mark indicating the current position is not hidden.

<Modification 6>
Further, considering that the user's finger moves about the wrist placed on the armrest 3 as an axis, a change may be made so that the input acceptance button is arranged on the movement locus of the finger.

  FIG. 8 is a screen transition diagram showing how the arrangement of the input acceptance buttons is changed in such a case. When the armrest switch 32 is OFF, the screen display unit 13 displays the input reception button 461 in a predetermined arrangement on the display screen 400 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the armrest switch 32 is ON, as shown in FIG. 8B, the input reception button 462 is arranged on the finger movement locus (for example, a fan shape) and displayed below the display screen 442. .

  Since the user may touch with a plurality of fingers, the accept button may be arranged at a position corresponding to each finger position.

  Although several modifications have been described above, the above modifications can be combined as appropriate. For example, the method of changing the display mode of the input reception button may be changed according to the mode for displaying the menu. Moreover, you may receive designation | designated of the change method of a display mode from a user.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the switch which detects a user's hand position was provided in the armrest 3 below the display direction of the display apparatus 40, it is not restrict | limited to this. There is no restriction on the location of the switch (device) that detects the user's hand. For example, the upper part, the left side, or the right side of the display device 40 may be used.

  In a portable information device, some users may operate by hooking a specific finger (for example, little finger) on the side. In consideration of this, a switch for detecting the user's hand may be provided on the side surface of the casing of the touch panel (the casing of the display device). And when a user's hand is detected, the screen display part 13 moves arrangement | positioning of an input reception button so that it may approach the installation direction of the switch.

  The input device of the present invention is not limited to a vehicle-mounted navigation device, and can be applied to input devices of various information devices.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an in-vehicle navigation device to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state where the in-vehicle navigation device is installed. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the input reception button display process. FIG. 4 is an example of screen transition when the armrest switch is ON. FIG. 5 is an example of screen transition when the armrest switch is ON. FIG. 6 is an example of screen transition when the armrest switch is ON. FIG. 7 is an example of screen transition when the armrest switch is ON. FIG. 8 is an example of screen transition when the armrest switch is ON.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... In-vehicle navigation device,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Control apparatus, 11 ... Processing execution part, 12 ... Input content analysis part, 13 ... Screen display part, 14 ... Input reception screen data 20 ... Current position calculation apparatus 30 ..Input devices, 31 ... touch panel, 32 ... armrest switch,
40 ... Display device

Claims (12)

An input device having a touch panel on the front surface of the display device,
A switch for detecting a user's hand placed in a predetermined position;
An input reception button display means for displaying an input reception button displayed on the display device closer to the predetermined position when the switch detects a user's hand compared to a case where the user's hand is not detected. An input device comprising the input device. The input device according to claim 1,
The input acceptance button display means includes
An input device, wherein when the switch detects a user's hand, the input reception button is displayed in a reduced size as compared with a case where the user's hand is not detected. The input device according to claim 1,
The input acceptance button display means includes
When the switch detects the user's hand, the input device displays the input reception buttons with a smaller interval than when the switch does not detect the user's hand. The input device according to claim 1,
The input acceptance button display means includes
An input device, wherein when the switch detects a user's hand, the number of the input reception buttons is reduced and displayed by scrolling or pull-down as compared with a case where the user's hand is not detected. The input device according to claim 1,
The input acceptance button display means includes
An input device, wherein when the switch detects a user's hand, a mutual positional relationship among a plurality of input reception buttons displayed on the display device is changed and displayed. The input device according to claim 1,
The input acceptance button display means includes
When the switch detects a user's hand, the input acceptance button is displayed in a fan shape. The input device according to claim 1,
While displaying a map showing a mark indicating the current position, when the switch detects the user's hand and the input reception button display means changes the arrangement of the input reception button,
An input device comprising: means for changing a position of the mark indicating the current position with respect to a display screen so that the mark indicating the current position is displayed without being hidden by the input reception button. The input device according to claim 1,
The input acceptance button display means includes
When the predetermined information is displayed on the display device, the display mode of the input reception button is not changed even when the switch detects a user's hand. The input device according to claim 1,
The switch
It is installed below the display direction of the display device and detects a user's hand placed below the display direction.
The input acceptance button display means includes
When the switch detects a user's hand, the input position of the input reception button is changed downward as compared with a case where the user's hand is not detected. An input device having a touch panel on the front surface of the display device,
A switch for detecting a user's hand placed in a predetermined position;
Corresponding to the input reception mode, a first input reception screen displayed when the switch does not detect the user's hand, and a second input displayed when the switch detects the user's hand Means for storing a reception screen;
If the switch does not detect the user's hand, the first input reception screen corresponding to the input reception mode at that time is displayed. If the switch detects the user's hand, the input at that time is displayed. An input device comprising: an input reception button display means for displaying the second input reception screen corresponding to the reception mode. An input receiving method for an input device having a touch panel on the front surface of the display device,
The input device is:
It has a switch to detect the user's hand placed in place,
When the switch detects a user's hand, an input reception button displayed on the display device is displayed closer to the predetermined position than when the user's hand is not detected. Input acceptance method. An input receiving method for an input device having a touch panel on the front surface of the display device,
The input device is:
A switch for detecting a user's hand placed in a predetermined position;
Corresponding to the input reception mode, a first input reception screen displayed when the switch does not detect the user's hand, and a second input displayed when the switch detects the user's hand Means for storing the reception screen,
If the switch does not detect the user's hand, the first input reception screen corresponding to the input reception mode at that time is displayed. If the switch detects the user's hand, the input at that time is displayed. An input receiving method for an input device, wherein the second input receiving screen corresponding to the receiving mode is displayed.

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