JP2009031914A - Operation device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation device and an image forming apparatus for preventing any erroneous operation by aiding the touch operation of a user by correcting the detection value of a detected touch position. <P>SOLUTION: This operation device displays a plurality of operation buttons on a touch panel, and detects the touch position of a user on the touch panel, and collates whether or not the touch position is within the range of a recognition area more widely set than the display area of the operation button, and decides presence/absence of an operation to the operation button. The operation device is provided with: a direction recognition means for recognizing a touch position deviation direction from the display area on the basis of touch frequency made outside the area of the display area in the recognition area; and a detection value correcting means for adding a prescribed correction value to the touch position detection value when the region in the touch position deviation direction side from the recognition area is touched for correcting the touch position detection value so that the touch position can be within the area of the recognition area of the operation button. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operating device and an image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile apparatus includes an operation device as a man-machine interface, and an operation device using a touch panel is known.
As is well known, the touch panel is an operation device having both a display function and a detection function. The touch panel displays operation buttons as images and detects a user's operation position (press position) using a press sensor or the like provided on the display surface. To do.
For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 listed below disclose an image forming apparatus provided with such a touch panel, which has an angle adjustment function for the operation surface (display surface) of the touch panel. This angle adjustment function is a function for variably setting the tilt angle of the touch panel in order to provide a comfortable operating environment for the operating device regardless of the height of the user.
JP 2002-361968 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-323084

By the way, the user who uses the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 for the first time may operate the touch panel while the operation surface is set at an inappropriate angle. There are cases where a touch is made outside the recognition area or an operation button displayed adjacently is touched.
Because, if the tilt angle of the touch panel is set large, a user with a low height such as a wheelchair user can easily perform a touch operation, but a user with a standard height tends to unconsciously press a position shifted upward, On the other hand, if the tilt angle of the touch panel is set to be small, it becomes easy for a user with a standard height to operate, but a user with a short height tends to unintentionally depress the position shifted downward.
From such a background, in particular, in order to make the angle adjustment means of the touch panel more practical, even if the touch panel is not used at an optimal angle setting, the user's touch operation is assisted and an erroneous operation is performed. It can be said that development of technology to prevent is essential.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and provides an operation device and an image forming apparatus that assist a user's touch operation and prevent an erroneous operation by correcting a detected value of a detected touch position. It is intended to do.

The operation device and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention employ the following means in order to solve the above problems.
The operation device according to the first invention displays a plurality of operation buttons on the touch panel, detects the touch position of the user on the touch panel, and the touch position is within a recognition area set wider than the display area of the operation buttons. An operation device that determines whether or not an operation button is operated, and determines a direction of a touch position shift with respect to the display area based on a touch frequency made outside the display area of the recognition area. A predetermined correction value is added to the direction recognition means to be certified and the touch position detection value when the touch position shift area side of the recognition area is touched so as to be within the recognition area of the operation button. And a detected value correcting means for correcting.

Further, the detection value correction means adds a correction value to the touch position detection value of the area up to the display area of the adjacent operation button adjacent to the touch position shift direction side.
Further, the detection value correction means adds a correction value to the touch position detection value and corrects the touch position detection value so as to be within the display area.
And the angle adjustment means which can change the inclination-angle of a touchscreen is comprised, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  An image forming apparatus according to a second invention is characterized by including the operation device according to the first invention.

  According to the first invention, based on the touch frequency made outside the display area of the recognition area, with respect to the touch position detection value when touching the area closer to the touch position than the recognition area. Since a predetermined correction value is added and correction is performed so as to be within the range of the operation button recognition area, for example, even when a touch operation is performed between the recognition areas of adjacent operation buttons, the desired operation is performed. Button operation can be performed.

  Furthermore, the detection value correction means adds the correction value to the touch position detection value in the area up to the display area of the adjacent operation button adjacent to the touch position shift direction side, so that the area to be corrected can be expanded as much as possible. it can. Therefore, even if the user accidentally performs a touch operation near the display area of the adjacent operation button, the operation button desired by the user can be operated.

  Then, the detection value correction means corrects the touch position detection value within the range of the display area, so that a reliable touch position detection value can be obtained.

  In addition, when an angle adjustment unit that can change the tilt angle of the touch panel is provided, even if the tilt angle of the touch panel is inappropriate for the user, detection of the touch position outside the recognition area of the operation button desired by the user Since the value is corrected, it is possible to effectively assist the user's touch operation and prevent an erroneous operation.

  According to the second invention, since the operation device according to the first invention is provided, the user is assisted and the erroneous operation is suppressed, so that the image forming apparatus can be operated comfortably.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the copying machine A according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine A includes an operation display unit 1, an image reading unit 10, an image storage unit 20, an image processing unit 30, a printing unit 40, and a main control unit 50.

  As shown in the figure, the operation display unit 1 includes a touch panel 2, a variable angle support mechanism 5, an operation key 6, and an operation display control unit 7, and functions as a man-machine interface that associates the user with the copying machine A. To do.

The touch panel 2 is configured integrally with the touch detection unit 3 and the display panel unit 4.
The touch detection unit 3 employs an analog resistance film method as a detection method of the coordinates of the pressed position (touch position), and operates the analog voltage signals (Vx, Vy) indicating the X coordinate and the Y coordinate of the pressed position. Output to the display control unit 7.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the touch detection unit 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the touch detection unit 3 has a configuration in which a lower glass substrate 3a and a translucent upper film 3b are overlapped via a spacer 3c. Transparent electrode layers 3d and 3e made of ITO or the like are formed on the opposing surfaces of the film 3b.
In the touch detection unit 3 having such a configuration, when the upper film 3b is pressed by the user, the transparent electrode layer 3e on the upper film 3b side and the transparent electrode layer 3d on the lower glass substrate 3a side come into contact at the pressed position. become.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the left-right direction of the upper film 3b is taken as the X axis and the up-down direction of the lower glass substrate 3a is taken as the Y-axis, a predetermined distance is provided between the electrodes formed on the left and right ends of the upper film 3b. Is applied to the electrode formed on the lower glass substrate 3a (one electrode at both upper and lower ends: not shown) becomes an analog voltage signal Vx indicating the X coordinate of the pressed position. In addition, a predetermined voltage is applied between the electrodes (not shown) formed at the upper and lower ends of the lower glass substrate 3a, and the potential generated at the electrode formed on the upper film 3b (one electrode at the left and right ends may be used). Becomes the analog voltage signal Vy indicating the Y coordinate of the pressed position.
In FIG. 2, the illustration of a voltage generator that generates a voltage to be applied between the electrodes formed on the left and right ends of the upper film 3b or between the electrodes formed on the upper and lower ends of the lower glass substrate 3a is omitted.

  The display panel unit 4 is, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and displays an image corresponding to a drive signal (scanning signal or data signal) input from the operation display control unit 7. This image will be described later.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an angle setting state of the touch panel 2 by the variable angle support mechanism 5.
The variable angle support mechanism 5 (angle adjustment means) is a mechanism that supports the tilt angle of the touch panel 2 so as to be changeable. The variable angle support mechanism 5 variably sets the tilt angle of the touch panel 2 between a “default” state and a “down” state as shown in the figure by rotatably supporting shafts provided on both side surfaces of the touch panel 2. . The “default” state is a setting state in which the tilt angle of the touch panel 2 is reduced so that a user with standard height can easily operate the operation surface (display surface) of the touch panel 2, while the “down” state is a standard state. This is a setting state in which the tilt angle of the touch panel 2 is increased so that a user who is shorter than a normal height user can easily operate.

  The operation key 6 is an operation key (hardware key) other than the operation button B displayed on the touch panel 2 (display panel unit 4) such as a clear key for canceling the operation content, a power button, a copy start button, and the like. The operation button B displayed on the touch panel 2 is displayed on the touch panel 2 in terms of software based on a predetermined program stored in the internal memory in the operation display control unit 7. Reference numeral 6 is physically provided as a hardware key. Then, an operation signal based on the user operation is output to the operation display control unit 7.

The operation display control unit 7 is a control device that controls the touch panel 2 and the operation key 6 under the control of the main control unit 50, and includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an internal memory, the touch panel 2, the operation key 6, and the main key. It is composed of an interface circuit and the like that exchanges various signals with the control unit 50.
The operation display control unit 7 receives an operation display control program stored in its internal memory, an analog voltage signal input from the touch detection unit 3, an operation signal input from the operation key 6, and input from the main control unit 50. Based on the control command and setting information (to be described later) of various areas set in the internal memory, a signal based on the operation display control of the touch panel 2 and the operation instruction from the user is transmitted to the main control unit 50.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the operation button B displayed on the touch panel 2 (display panel unit 4).
The operation display control unit 7 sets the type and layout of the operation buttons B to be displayed on the touch panel 2 based on the control command input from the main control unit 50.
FIG. 4 shows an example of the layout of the operation buttons B displayed on the touch panel 2. However, the number of the operation buttons B is relatively large, and accordingly, the interval between the adjacent operation buttons B is narrowed. Furthermore, since the size of the operation button B is relatively small, erroneous operation of adjacent operation buttons is likely to occur, and particularly when the inclination angle of the touch panel 2 is inappropriate for the user, It is easy for erroneous operation to occur.

Further, the operation display control unit 7 includes coordinate detection means 7a, button range determination means 7b, direction recognition means 7c, and detection value correction means 7d.
The coordinate detection means 7a digitally converts analog voltage signals (Vx, Vy) indicating the X coordinate and Y coordinate input from the touch detection unit 3, and outputs a voltage value indicating the X coordinate and a voltage value indicating the Y coordinate. get. Then, based on the correspondence relationship between the X coordinate and the voltage value and the correspondence relationship between the Y coordinate and the voltage value stored in the internal memory in the operation display control unit 7 in advance, the X coordinate and the Y coordinate (hereinafter, referred to as the pressed position). The pressed coordinates (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) are detected. The origin O (0, 0) of this coordinate system is set at the lower left of the touch panel 2.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 4 and is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the operation buttons B (B1 to B3) and the recognition area K and the coordinate system.
As shown in FIG. 5, the operation display control unit 7 presets a recognition area K set for various operation buttons B displayed on the display panel unit 4.
In addition to the range (display corresponding region M) that overlaps the display of the operation button B, the operation display control unit 7 includes the adjacent upper and lower portions of the display corresponding region M as the recognition region K. Of the areas of the recognition area K excluding the display corresponding area M, the upper area can be identified as the upper area H and the lower area can be identified as the lower area L. That is, when there is a touch in the display corresponding area M, the upper area H, or the lower area L, an operation signal corresponding to the operation content allocated to the operation button B is output to the main control unit 50.
Furthermore, the operation display control unit 7 sets a region (non-recognition region) between the recognition regions K adjacent in the Y direction as the correction target region Q. The correction target area Q is corrected so that the pressed coordinates (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) in this area are within the range of the display corresponding area M when the correction mode described later is set.
The setting information is stored in advance in an internal memory in the operation display control unit 7.

When it is determined that the pressed coordinates (touch position detection value) match the coordinates within the recognition area K, the button range determination unit 7b determines that the operation button B is operated.
That is, when the pressed coordinates (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) are detected (or correction coordinates (X ₁ , Y ₁ ) described later), it is determined whether they belong to the recognition area K of any of the operation buttons B. . If it belongs to any of the recognition areas K, it is recognized that the operation button B has been touched by the user, and based on the operation content allocated thereto, a drive signal and the main control unit 50 are given to the display panel unit 4. Outputs an operation signal related to the operation content.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the pressing coordinates (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) = (38, 45) of the pressing E are detected, the coordinate range of the recognition region K2 of the operation button B2 is 30 to the X coordinate. Since the range up to 45 and the Y coordinate range from 40 to 54, it is determined that the press E coincides with the coordinates within the range of the recognition area K, and it is determined that the operation on the operation button B2 is present. At this time, the operation display control unit 7 outputs an operation signal related to the operation content “same size” of the button B <b> 2 to the main control unit 50.
On the other hand, if it does not belong to the coordinate range of any recognition region K, an operation signal based on the operation content assigned to the operation button B is not output.

When the pressing position with respect to the operation button B tends to shift in a certain direction, the direction recognition unit 7c recognizes the direction as the touch position deviation direction.
Specifically, it is determined whether or not the ratio of the number of times the upper area H or the lower area L is pressed with respect to the total number of times the operation button B is pressed over a predetermined period exceeds a specified ratio stored in advance in the internal memory. When the pressing of the upper area H exceeds the specified ratio, the + Y direction is recognized as the touch position shift direction, while when the number of pressings of the lower area L exceeds the specified ratio, the -Y direction is determined. Is recognized as the direction of misalignment of touch position.
In the present embodiment, the touch position shift direction in the X direction is not considered.

  The operation display control unit 7 sets a correction mode corresponding to the direction when the touch position deviation direction is recognized by the direction recognition unit 7c. In the correction mode, the correction mode I is set when the touch position shift direction is the -Y direction, and the correction mode II is set when the touch position shift direction is the + Y direction.

The detected value correcting means 7d is within the range of the upper or lower display corresponding area M with respect to the pressed coordinates (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) detected in the correction target area Q according to the correction modes I and II. Thus, the correction coordinates (X ₁ , Y ₁ ) are obtained by adding the correction value α.
Specifically, when the correction mode I is set, with respect to the press coordinates (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) detected in the correction target area Q, the + Y direction of the press coordinates (the direction opposite to the touch position shift direction) The correction value α is added to the Y coordinate (Y ₀ ) so as to be the coordinates within the display corresponding region M on the side, so that the correction coordinates (X ₁ , Y ₁ ) = (X ₀ , Y ₀ + α).
In addition, when the correction mode II is set, the display corresponding area on the -Y direction (the opposite direction to the touch position shift direction) of the press coordinates with respect to the press coordinates (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) of the correction target area Q. A correction value α is added to the Y coordinate (Y ₀ ) so that the coordinates are within the range of M, so that the correction coordinate (X ₁ , Y ₁ ) = (X ₀ , Y ₀ + α).
Here, as the correction value, a value α obtained by subtracting the Y coordinate (Y ₀ ) of the pressed coordinate from the Y coordinate at the center of each display corresponding region M is added, and the corrected Y coordinate (Y ₁ ) is the display corresponding region. It is set to be the center of M.
Then, it is determined by the button range determination means 7b whether or not the corrected coordinates (X ₁ , Y ₁ ) after correction match the coordinates in the range of any recognition region K.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the image reading unit 10 reads an image of a document automatically fed by an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) based on a control command input from the main control unit 50 or a document placed on a platen glass ( The original image) is read by a line sensor and converted into image data (original image data). The original image data is output to the image storage unit 20. The image storage unit 20 is a semiconductor memory, a hard disk device or the like, stores the document image data based on a control command input from the main control unit 50, reads the document image data, and outputs the document image data to the image processing unit 30. .

  The image processing unit 30 performs various types of image processing on the document image data as necessary based on a control command input from the main control unit 50, and converts the document image data into image data in the print format of the printing unit 40. And output to the printing unit 40. The image processing includes image processing corresponding to enlargement / reduction printing. When the image reading unit 10 reads a color document, the document image data input from the image storage unit 20 to the image processing unit 30 is RGB image data (color image data) corresponding to the three primary colors of light. 30 represents such RGB image data as image data corresponding to the printing format of the printing unit 40, for example, YMCK image data, that is, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) as reference colors. And output to the printing unit 40.

  The printing unit 40 prints a document image based on the image data in the print format input from the image processing unit 30 on the paper fed from the paper cassette based on the control command input from the main control unit 50. The printing unit 40 is a tandem printing device in which, for example, four developing devices corresponding to the reference color toner are arranged on the secondary transfer belt, and based on the YMCK image data input from the image processing unit 30. Print the original image on paper in color.

  The main control unit 50 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a main body internal memory, the operation display unit 1, the image reading unit 10, the image storage unit 20, the image processing unit 30, the printing unit 40, and an interface circuit that exchanges various signals. The entire operation of the copying machine A is controlled based on a control program stored in advance in the main body internal memory and an operation instruction input from the operation display unit 1. The main control unit 50 and the operation display control unit 7 of the operation display unit 1 transmit and receive various signals in a predetermined communication format, so that the main control unit 50 grasps the operation state of the operation display unit 1 and controls it. To do.

Next, the operation of the main part of the copying machine A will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This flowchart shows the processes (essential parts) related to the present invention among various processes executed by the operation display control unit 7 (more precisely, the MPU of the operation display control unit 7) based on the operation display control program. An excerpt.
In the following description, it is assumed that the correction mode is not set.

First, operation display controller 7, when a pressing on the touch panel 2, the coordinate detection means 7a, detects the pressed coordinate _{(X 0, Y} 0) _(Step 1). For example, if there is pressed _{F 1} in the lower region L2 of the operation button B2 (see FIG. 5), to detect the (35, 41) as the pressing coordinates.

  Next, the operation display control unit 7 determines whether or not the correction mode is set (step 2). If the correction mode is not set, the determination in step S2 is “No”, and the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S <b> 3, the button range determination unit 7 b determines whether or not the pressed coordinates (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) are within the recognition region K of any operation button B. For example, in the case of pressing _{F 1} is pressed coordinates _{(X 0, Y 0) =} (35,41) , it is determined that matches the coordinates (30～45,40～54) within the recognition area K2, It is determined that the operation button B2 is operated.
When the determination in step S3 is “No”, the process returns to step S1 and waits until a new pressing position is detected.

When the determination in step S3 is “Yes”, the operation display control unit 7 determines again whether the correction mode is set (step S4). The reason why it is determined again whether or not it is the correction mode is that when the correction mode is set, it is not necessary to perform further processing for setting the correction mode.
If the correction mode is set, a process based on the operation content of the operation button B determined to be operated in step S3 is executed (step S8).
On the other hand, if the correction mode is not set, the determination in step S4 is “No”, and the process proceeds to step S5 to determine whether to set the correction mode.

In step S5, as described above, the ratio between the total number of times of pressing the recognition area K within the predetermined period T and the number of times of pressing the upper area H and the lower area L within the predetermined period T is stored in advance in the internal memory. Judge whether the specified percentage is exceeded.
In the present embodiment, each prescribed ratio within the predetermined period T is set to 40%. For example, within a predetermined time period T, of the total pressing number 19 times before pressing F _1, pressing the number of the upper region H is twice the number of operations of pressing the display corresponding area 9 times, the number of operations of pressing the lower region L Is 8 times. At this time, when the pressing F ₁ is performed, the number of times of pressing the lower region L is 9 times, and the total number of pressing times is 20. Therefore, the ratio of the lower region L is 9/20 (45%), which is the prescribed ratio. It is judged that it exceeded.

As described above, when it is determined in step S5 that the pressing of the lower region L exceeds the specified ratio, the direction recognition unit 7c recognizes the −Y direction as the touch position deviation direction, and then the operation display control unit. 7 sets the correction mode I (step S6).
On the other hand, when the pressing of the upper area H exceeds the specified ratio, the correction mode II is set after identifying the + Y direction as the touch position deviation direction (step S7).
In addition, when neither the upper region H or the lower region L is pressed exceeding the specified ratio, the correction mode is not set.

  Then, after it is determined in step S5 that neither the upper region H or the lower region L is pressed beyond the specified ratio, or after the correction mode is set in steps S6 and S7, there is an operation in step S3. The process based on the operation content of the operation button B determined to be (for example, “equal magnification” for the operation button B2) is executed (step S8).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the sleep state is entered after a predetermined time (step S9). If the determination in step S9 is “No”, the process returns to step S1 if there is a next press within a certain time. On the other hand, if the determination in step S9 is “Yes”, if the correction mode is set, the process is terminated after canceling the correction mode.

Subsequently, a case will be described in which the correction mode I is set in step S6 through the above-described processing, and the processing returns to the processing in step S1 from the processing in step S9.
First, in step S1, when the touch panel 2 is pressed, the press coordinates (X ₀ , Y ₀ ), for example, the press coordinates (41, 57) in the case of the press F ₂ are detected (see FIG. 5). ). In step S2, since the correction mode is set, the determination is “No”, and the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S10, it is determined whether or not the detected press coordinates (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) are the correction target region Q. For example, since the pressing coordinates (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) = (41, 57) in the case of the pressing F ₂ are within the range of the correction target region Q, the process proceeds to step 11.

If the determination in step 11 is “Yes”, the correction value α is added to the Y coordinate of the detected pressed coordinate (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) to correct it to the corrected coordinate (X ₁ , Y ₁ ) (step 11). . For example, if the press coordinates (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) = (41, 57) of the press F ₂ when the correction mode I is set, the correction value α is the + Y direction (the direction opposite to the touch position shift direction). The value 9 is obtained by subtracting the Y coordinate 57 of the pressed coordinate from the Y coordinate 66 of the center of the display corresponding area M1 displayed in (). That is, the correction value 9 is added to the Y coordinate (Y ₀ ) to correct to (X ₀ , Y ₀ + α) = (41, 66).

After being pressing coordinates _(X 0, _{Y 0)} corrected by the step 11, the correction coordinate after correction (X _1, Y ₁₎ is determined whether the range of the recognition area K (Step 3). As described above, the correction coordinates (X ₁ , Y ₁ ) are set so as to belong to the display corresponding area M. Therefore, in the correction mode I, the upper recognition area K, and in the correction mode II, the lower position. Is determined to be within the recognition area K. For example, if the pressing F ₂ when the correction mode I is set, it is determined to be within the range of the display corresponding region M1 (recognizing region K1), determines that there is operation on the operation button B1.

And if it is judged as "Yes" in Step S3, it will progress to Step S4. Further, “Yes” is determined in step S4, and the process proceeds to step S8. Thus, in step S8, processing based on the operation content of the operation button B adjacent to the upper part or the lower part is executed. For example, if the pressing F ₂ in the correction mode I, the operation process of the operation button B1 "enlargement" is performed.

  Thereafter, in step 9, if there is a next press within a certain time, the correction mode remains set while returning to step S1, and if there is no press, the correction mode is canceled and the process ends.

Incidentally, if the determination in step S10 is "No", the detected pressed coordinate (X _{0, Y 0)} after determines whether the range of any of the recognition region K (Step 3), Step 3 If “Yes” is determined in step S4, the process proceeds to step S4, and the correction mode is set. Therefore, the determination in step S4 is also “Yes”, and processing based on the operation content of the operation button B2 is executed (step S7).
After “No” is determined in step S3 and after the processing based on the operation content is executed in step S7, the process proceeds to step S9.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the direction recognition unit 7c first determines the touch position shift direction with respect to the display corresponding area M based on the touch positions made in the upper area H and the lower area L of the recognition area K. Authorize. The correction pressing coordinates detected in the target region Q (X _{0, Y 0)} to the so that the coordinates of the range of the recognition area K on the opposite side of the operation button B in the touch position displacement direction, the correction to the Y-coordinate Add the value α.
Thereby, even when the touch position of the user is shifted and a touch operation is mistakenly performed on the gap region (correction target region Q) between the recognition regions K of the adjacent operation buttons B, the corrected correction coordinates ( The operation button B considered to be desired by the user can be operated by X ₁ , Y ₁ ).
That is, even when the tilt angle of the touch panel 2 is inappropriate for the user and the touch position is misaligned (for example, when the touch panel 2 is operated in a “default” state and the user is short) By correcting this, the user's touch operation is assisted so that the image forming apparatus can be operated comfortably.

In the above description, the case of the correction mode I has been described as an example, but the same processing is performed in the case of the correction mode II. That is, when the pressing of the upper area H exceeds the specified ratio, when the pressing coordinates (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) in the correction target area Q are detected, the −Y direction from the pressing coordinates (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) The correction value α is added to the Y coordinate of the pressed coordinate (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) so that the coordinate is within the range of the closest display corresponding region M.
Thereby, in particular, it is possible to assist a user who is tall when the touch panel 2 is in the “down state”, thereby preventing an erroneous operation.

  The operation processing procedure shown in the above embodiment, various shapes and combinations of the constituent members, and the like are examples, and various changes can be made based on design requirements and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the resistive film type is described as the touch detection unit 3, but a surface acoustic wave type may be used instead.

In the above embodiment, the correction target area Q is an area between the recognition areas K. However, the correction target area Q may be expanded to a part or all of the upper area H and the lower area L of the adjacent operation buttons B. . That is, in the correction mode I, a part or all of the upper area H of the operation button B adjacent to the lower part (for example, the upper areas H2 and H3 of the operation buttons B2 and B3 in FIG. 5), The correction target region Q may be expanded to a part or all of the lower region L of the operation button B adjacent to the upper portion (for example, the lower regions L1 to L3 of the operation buttons B1 to B3 in FIG. 5). According to this, even if the upper region H of the operation button B adjacent to the upper portion of the operation button B intended by the user or the lower region L of the operation button B adjacent to the lower portion is touched, an erroneous operation can be avoided. It is.
Similarly, the upper or lower area of the recognition area K of the operation button B (for example, the operation button B1 in FIGS. 4 and 5) where the operation button B adjacent to the upper or lower part does not exist may be added to the correction target area Q. Absent.

In the above embodiment, the correction value α is obtained from the Y coordinate at the center of the display corresponding area M. However, as long as the correction coordinates (X ₁ , Y ₁ ) are within the range of the display corresponding area M, other methods are available. Or a fixed value may be used. Furthermore, it is not always necessary to ensure that it is within the range of the display corresponding region M, and it is sufficient that it is within the range of the recognition region K.

  Further, the variable angle support mechanism 5 is not necessarily provided. In a touch panel in which the operation buttons are reduced and the interval between the operation buttons is short, even if the inclination angle is appropriate for the user, an erroneous operation is likely to occur. Therefore, the present invention is applied to avoid such an erroneous operation of the touch panel. Because it is possible.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the copying machine A has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to various image forming apparatuses other than the copying machine using the touch panel as an operation display device or various types other than the image forming apparatus. It can be applied to equipment.
Further, in the above embodiment, the touch panel 2 and the operation keys 6 are controlled by the operation display control unit 7, but the operation display control unit is provided by providing the main control unit 50 with the control function of the operation display control unit 7. 7 may be deleted.

2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a copier A according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a touch detection unit 3. FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an angle setting state of the touch panel 2 by the variable angle support mechanism 5. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an operation button B displayed on the touch panel 2. FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the relationship between the operation button B and the recognition area | region K, and a coordinate system. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of a main part of the copying machine A.

Explanation of symbols

1. Operation display unit (operation device)
2. Touch panel 5 ... Variable angle support mechanism (angle adjustment means)
7 ... operation display control unit 7a ... coordinate detection means 7b ... range determination means 7c ... direction recognition means 7d ... detection value correction means 50 ... main control part A ... copier (image forming apparatus)
B (B1 to B3) ... operation buttons H (H1 to H3) ... upper area K (K1 to K3) ... recognition area L (L1 to L3) ... lower area M (M1 to M3) ... display corresponding area Q ... correction Target area

Claims (5)

A plurality of operation buttons are displayed on the touch panel, a touch position of the user on the touch panel is detected, and whether or not the touch position is within a recognition area set wider than the display area of the operation buttons is collated. , An operation device for determining presence / absence of an operation on the operation button,
Based on the frequency of touches made outside the range of the display area of the recognition area, direction certifying means for certifying the touch position deviation direction with respect to the display area;
A detection value that is corrected so as to be within the recognition area of the operation button by adding a predetermined correction value to the touch position detection value when the area on the side of the touch position shift direction from the recognition area is touched Correction means;
An operating device comprising:   The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the detection value correction unit adds the correction value to the touch position detection value in a region up to a display region of an adjacent operation button adjacent to the touch position shift direction side. .   The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the detection value correction unit corrects the touch position detection value so as to be within a range of the display area.   The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an angle adjusting unit capable of changing an inclination angle of the touch panel.   An image forming apparatus comprising the operation device according to claim 1.

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