JP2009037343A - Touch panel, and processor for endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high-operability touch panel allowing a certain press of a prescribed area, and to provide a processor for an endoscope device including the high-operability touch panel. <P>SOLUTION: This touch panel 40 is provided with first-eighth display buttons 61-68 for adjusting brightness or the like of a photographic object image. When the first display button 61 among the first-eighth display buttons 61-68 is pressed, for example, a shift amount between a press position and a center point of the first display button 61 is calculated by a processor control circuit receiving a signal showing the press position. Based on the shift amount, a responsive area set about the first display button 61 is expanded. When the second display button 62 is pressed so as to counteract a function executed by the press of the first display button 61 within a prescribed upper limit time of a lapsed time from the last press of the first display button 61, the expanded response area is returned to an original reference area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel and a processor of an endoscope apparatus, and more particularly to a processor of an endoscope apparatus provided with a touch panel.

  Touch panels are widely used in various devices such as navigation devices and ATM devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The user can execute a predetermined operation by pressing an area on the touch panel screen.

On the other hand, in subject observation using a medical endoscope apparatus, a user inserts a scope into a patient's body and shoots an in-vivo tissue while irradiating illumination light. Then, while observing the in-vivo tissue displayed on the monitor, the operation of inserting the scope into a different part and photographing is repeated.
JP 2005-181562 A

  When a touch panel is used as the processor of the endoscope apparatus, the user operates the touch panel while repeating various operations for observing the subject. For this reason, the user cannot always operate with the front face of the touch panel facing, and the operability of the touch panel may be a problem. In particular, when operating from the side of the touch panel or when the room is darkened to make the monitor display easier to see, the visibility of the display buttons displayed on the touch panel is reduced, and the area around the display buttons is reduced. It is conceivable to press.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a touch panel with high operability that can reliably press a predetermined area and a processor of an endoscope apparatus including the touch panel with high operability.

  The touch panel of the present invention has a first reaction area that reacts to a user's press to execute a predetermined function, and a user's press to cancel the function that is executed when the first reaction area is pressed. A second reaction region that reacts to the detection unit, a detection unit that detects a user's press, and an adjustment unit that adjusts the range of the first reaction region. The touch panel is configured to change the range of the first reaction area from the reference area when the adjusting means detects the pressing of the first reaction area by the detecting means, and next to the pressing of the first reaction area by the detecting means. When pressing of the second reaction region is detected, the range of the first reaction region can be returned to the reference region.

  Preferably, one of the first and second reaction regions is pressed to increase a predetermined parameter and the other is decreased to decrease the predetermined parameter. In this case, it is more preferable to further include display means for displaying parameter values.

  The touch panel further includes a time measuring unit that measures an elapsed time from the last press of the first reaction region, and adjusts when the press of the second reaction region is detected when the elapsed time is within the upper limit time. Preferably, the means returns the range of the first reaction area to the reference area.

  The adjusting means preferably extends the range of the first reaction region according to the magnitude and direction of the displacement of the pressing position from the reference position. The reference position is, for example, the center of the first reaction region.

  For example, the adjusting means moves the first reaction region without changing the shape of the first reaction region. Moreover, it is preferable that the first and second reaction regions are arranged close to each other.

  A processor according to the present invention is a processor of an endoscope apparatus and includes the touch panel described above.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the processor of the endoscopic apparatus containing the touch panel with high operativity which can press a predetermined area | region reliably and the touch panel with high operativity is realizable.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a processor of the electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The electronic endoscope apparatus (endoscope apparatus) includes a scope (not shown) and a processor 30. The scope is used for imaging in a patient's body cavity. The processor 30 supplies illumination light to the scope and processes an image signal sent from the scope. A scope insertion port 34 is provided on the front surface 30F of the processor 30. The scope is inserted into the scope insertion port 34 and connected to the processor 30.

  The processor front surface 30F is provided with an operation button 38 for operating a power switch 36, a pump, a light source, and the like (all not shown), and a touch panel 40. The touch panel 40 is operated by a user in order to execute a predetermined function in the electronic endoscope apparatus.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electronic endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment.

  The processor 30 is provided with a light source 32, a processor control circuit 50, and the like. The light source 32 emits illumination light for illuminating the subject. The illumination light passes through the diaphragm 38 driven by the light amount diaphragm drive motor 46, and enters the incident end 12A of the light guide 12 through a light guide lens (not shown). The light guide 12 transmits illumination light to the distal end portion of the scope 20 having the observation site, and the illumination light that has passed through the light guide 12 is emitted from the emission end 12B.

  The processor control circuit 50 controls the entire processor 30 and transmits a signal for controlling the irradiation of illumination light to the light amount diaphragm drive motor 46. Based on the signal from the processor control circuit 50, the light quantity diaphragm drive motor 46 and the diaphragm 38 adjust the light quantity of the illumination light applied to the subject. The processor control circuit 50 is provided with a timer circuit 54 described later.

  Illumination light reflected from the observation site, which is a subject, reaches the light receiving surface of the CCD 22 through an objective lens (not shown) and a color filter (not shown). Then, electric charges generated by photoelectric conversion for forming an image signal of the subject image corresponding to the color passing through the color filter are accumulated on the light receiving surface of the CCD 22. The image signals generated in the CCD 22 are sequentially read and sent to the initial signal processing circuit 24.

  In the scope 20, a scope control unit 26 that controls the entire scope 20 and an EEPROM 28 in which data related to the characteristics and signal processing of the scope 20 are stored in advance are provided. The scope control unit 26 sends a control signal to the initial signal processing circuit 24 and reads data from the EEPROM 28 as appropriate.

  The initial signal processing circuit 24 amplifies the read image signal and further converts the analog image signal into a digital image signal. Various processes such as white balance adjustment are performed on the digital image signal to generate a luminance signal and a color difference signal. The luminance signal and the color difference signal are transmitted to the processor signal processing circuit 48 of the processor 30.

  In the processor signal processing circuit 48, the luminance signal and the color difference signal are converted into a video signal such as an NTSC signal and output to a monitor 60 connected to the processor 30. As a result, the subject image is displayed on the monitor 60.

  The touch panel 40 includes a touch panel unit 40a and an LCD unit 40b, which are controlled by a panel control circuit 42a and an LCD control circuit 42b, respectively. The touch panel unit 40a is made of a transparent member, and is disposed on the display surface of the LCD unit 40b. And the area | region where the press operation of the touchscreen part 40a and the display area of the LCD part 40b respond | correspond.

  The LCD unit 40b can display a press area (hereinafter referred to as a reaction area) allocated in advance on the touch panel unit 40a to execute various functions under the control of the LCD control circuit 42b. By viewing the display on the LCD unit 40b through the touch panel unit 40a, the user can recognize as if a display button or the like to be described later exists on the touch panel unit 40a. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the reaction area on the touch panel unit 40a is referred to as a display button, and the display on the LCD unit 40b is described as the display on the touch panel unit 40a. The LCD unit 40b can display various parameter setting values, images, and the like by the LCD control circuit 42b.

  When the user presses the display button in order to execute various functions of the electronic endoscope apparatus 10, the pressed position on the touch panel unit 40a is detected by the position detection circuit 44 (detection means). Then, a signal indicating the detected pressed position is transmitted from the position detection circuit 44 to the processor control circuit 50 via the panel control circuit 42a.

  Various functions in the electronic endoscope apparatus 10, such as image quality adjustment of the subject image, are executed under the control of the processor control circuit 50 that has received the signal indicating the pressed position. Furthermore, various controls on the touch panel 40 are executed based on a signal indicating the pressed position and the like, as will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the touch panel 40. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which one of the two reaction regions for executing functions related to each other is expanded on the touch panel 40.

  In the touch panel unit 40a, first to eighth display buttons 61 to 68 are displayed. By pressing these first to eighth display buttons 61 to 68, the level of the red component, the level of the blue component, the amount of air supplied by the air supply pump, and the brightness of the subject image can be adjusted. it can.

  The adjustable values (levels) of these parameters are shown in the first to fourth level indicators 70 to 73 and the first to fourth level display areas 74 to 77 (display means). Note that the frames of the first to fourth level display areas 74 to 77 are not actually displayed, and are indicated by broken lines.

  For example, when the current red component level is “−1” as displayed by the first level indicator 70 and the first level display area 74, the second display button 62 is pressed once. Decrease by 1 to “−2”. Further, when the level of the blue component at the present time is “+1” as displayed in the second level indicator 71 and the second level display area 75, the third display button 63 is pressed twice. Ascends by 2 to “+3”.

  Thus, since the values of the respective parameters are displayed by the first to fourth level indicators 70 to 73 and the first to fourth level display areas 74 to 77, the user can select the first to eighth display buttons 61 to 68. If you misoperate, you can immediately notice the misoperation. This is because it is possible to immediately recognize from these displays that the parameter has not been changed as intended.

  In the above example, the processor control circuit 50 that has received a signal indicating that the second display button 62 has been pressed once reduces the level of the red component until it corresponds to the set level “−2”. Is given. Similarly, the blue component of the subject image is also strengthened by the control of the processor control circuit 50 until it corresponds to the level “+3”.

  The first and second display buttons 61 and 62 respectively indicate first and second reaction areas 61R and 62R to which the touch panel 40 reacts when pressed by the user (see FIG. 4). Similarly, the third to eighth display buttons 63 to 68 show third to eighth reaction regions 63R to 68R that react when pressed (not shown). In the present embodiment, the first to eighth reaction regions 61R to 68R are regions assigned for increasing or decreasing each parameter, and are all square and uniform in size.

  The first and second display buttons 61 and 62 are pressed to adjust the level of the red component that is the same parameter. That is, the first reaction region 61R is pressed to increase the level of the red component by 1, and the second reaction region 62R is pressed to decrease the level of the red component by 1. As is clear from this, since one of the first and second reaction regions 61R, 62R increases the same parameter and the other decreases the parameter, the first and second reaction regions Both 61R and 62R may be pressed to cancel the function executed by pressing the other.

  The same applies to the third to eighth reaction regions 63R to 68R indicated by the third to eighth display buttons 63 to 68, and the third and fourth reaction regions 63R, 64R and the fifth and sixth reaction regions that are paired respectively. In the 65R, 66R, seventh and eighth reaction regions 67R, 68R, the function executed by one pressing can be canceled by the other pressing.

  As described above, among the first to eighth reaction regions 61R to 68R (that is, the first to eighth display buttons 61 to 68), those paired with each other used for adjusting the same parameter are shown in FIG. As shown, they are arranged close to each other. This is from the viewpoint of the operability of the touch panel 40. When the area outside the first to eighth display buttons 61 to 68 for displaying the first to eighth reaction areas 61R to 68R is pressed, in principle, the adjustment of each parameter described above is not executed.

  However, in the present embodiment, the touch panel 40 can be easily operated even when the button operation is difficult because the user is in an attitude where the touch panel 40 cannot be operated when viewed from the front due to the operation of the scope 20 or the like. The range of the reaction area for the first to eighth display buttons 61 to 68 is expanded in a predetermined case.

  For example, when the first display button 61 is pressed, the center of the first reaction region 61R indicated by the first display button 61 is received by the processor control circuit 50 that has received the signal indicating the pressed position P (see FIG. 4A). A deviation amount (a magnitude and a direction of the deviation) of the pressing position P from the point 61C (reference position) is calculated.

  That is, based on the difference between the coordinate value of the center point 61C of the first reaction region 61R and the coordinate value of the pressing position P in the coordinate system defining the touch panel 40 with the point O as the origin, the pressing position P is The amount of deviation from the center point 61C in the direction is calculated as the vector amount B. Note that the reference position in this calculation process is not limited to the center point 61C of the first reaction region 61R, but may be an arbitrary point inside or outside the first reaction region 61R.

Then, among the _first to fourth vertices V _{1 to} V ₄ of the first reaction region 61R, the coordinate value of the second vertex V ₂ farthest from the pressing position P is left as it is, and the fourth vertex V closest to the pressing position P is left. _The vector value B is added to the coordinate value of ₄ and moved to the sixth vertex V _6. The coordinate values of the first and third vertices V ₁ and V ₃ other than these vertices are the Y component of the vector amount B and Only the X component is added and moved to the fifth and seventh vertices V ₅ and V ₇ (see FIG. 4B).

Then, the fifth to seventh vertex V ₅ ~V ₇ after the movement, a rectangular region to the second vertex and a vertex V ₂ that are not moved, the first extended region is a first reaction zone a new The range of the first reaction region 61R is changed by the control of the processor control circuit 50 (adjusting means) so as to be 61R ′ (change region).

  As described above, the three vertices included in the vector direction are moved corresponding to the vector amount B, and the range of the pressed first reaction region 61R is expanded according to the pressed position P, whereby the operation of the touch panel 40 is performed. Improves. This is because, when operating the first display button 61, a user who is in a state of easily pressing the region closer to the pressing position P than the center point 61C is disengaged from the first reaction region 61R before the change at the next operation. This is because it is possible to receive a user's instruction from the touch panel 40 even when the position, for example, the point Px (see FIG. 4B) is pressed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a reaction region expansion routine. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a central region set for the first reaction region 61R. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the expanded first reaction region 61R ′, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a central region different from FIG. 6.

  The reaction area expansion routine is started when the processor control circuit 50 that has received a signal from the position detection circuit 44 (see FIG. 2) determines that the first reaction area 61R (first display button 61) has been pressed. . When the reaction region expansion routine is started, in step S52, the X coordinate Xt and the Y coordinate Yt of the pressed position P are set as the X coordinate value Xbp and the Y coordinate value Ybp for the expansion processing of the first reaction region 61R, respectively. The process proceeds to step S54.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, in the first reaction region 61R, a center region 61A indicated by a thick broken line is set around the center point 61C (Xbpd, Ybpd). The central region 61A extends so that the first reaction region 61R does not overlap the second and fourth reaction regions 62R and 64R (see FIGS. 3 and 4) indicated by the adjacent second and fourth reaction regions 62 and 64. It is provided for. The center region 61A (see FIG. 6) is a square having a side length of 2a with the center point 61C (Xbpd, Ybpd) as the center for convenience of explanation.

  In step S54 and subsequent steps, it is determined whether or not the pressing position P is inside the central region 61A, and the expansion of the first reaction region 61R is restricted according to the result. First, in step S54, it is determined whether or not the X coordinate value Xbp of the pressing position P is larger than the X axis upper limit value (see FIG. 6) that is a value obtained by adding a to the X coordinate value Xbpd of the center point 61C. If it is determined that the value is larger than the X-axis upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S56.

  In step S56, since the X coordinate value Xbp of the pressing position P exceeds the X-axis upper limit value “Xbpd + a” (see FIG. 6), the first extended region 61R ′ overlaps the fourth reaction region 64R (see FIG. 3). An arithmetic process for avoiding this is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the reference point for the expansion process of the first reaction region 61R is determined from the pressed position P to the reference position Ps (Xbs, Xbs having an X coordinate value Xbs equal to the X-axis upper limit value “Xbpd + a”. Ybs).

  Then, by defining the range of the first expansion region 61R ′ with reference to the reference position Ps (Xbs, Ybs) on the contour line of the central region 61A, the first expansion region 61R ′ and the fourth reaction region 64R (FIG. 3, 4) is prevented.

  In step S58, it is determined whether or not the X coordinate value Xbp of the pressing position P is smaller than the X axis lower limit value that is a value obtained by subtracting a from the X coordinate value Xbpd of the center point 61C. If it is determined that the value is smaller, the process proceeds to step S60. If it is determined that the value is equal to or greater than the X-axis lower limit value, the process proceeds to step S62. In step S60, for the same purpose as the calculation process in step S56, the reference point for the expansion process of the first reaction region 61R is set from the pressed position P to the X-axis lower limit value “Xbpd-a” as the X coordinate value Xbs. Conversion to a reference position Ps (not shown).

  In steps S62 to S68, the same arithmetic processing as in steps S54 to S60 is performed with respect to the Y-axis direction of the coordinate system. That is, in step S62, it is determined whether or not the Y coordinate value Ybp of the pressing position P is greater than the Y axis upper limit value “Ybpd + a”. If it is determined that the Y coordinate value Ybp is greater than the Y axis upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S64. If it is determined that the value is less than or equal to the Y-axis upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S66.

  In step S64, since the Y coordinate value Ybp of the pressing position P exceeds the Y-axis upper limit value, in order to determine the range of the first extension region 61R ′ with reference to the reference position Ps on the contour line of the central region 61A, The reference point for the expansion process of the first reaction region 61R is converted from the pressed position P to a reference position Ps (not shown) having the Y-axis upper limit value “Ybpd + a” as the Y coordinate value Ybs.

  In step S66, it is determined whether or not the Y coordinate value Ybp of the pressing position P is smaller than the Y axis lower limit value “Ybpd−a”. If it is determined that the Y coordinate value Ybp is smaller than the Y axis lower limit value, the process proceeds to step S68. If it is determined that the value is greater than or equal to the Y-axis lower limit, the process proceeds to step S70. In step S68, the reference point for the expansion process is converted from the pressed position P to a reference position Ps (not shown) having the Y-axis lower limit value “Ybpd-a” as the Y coordinate value Ybs.

In step S70, it is determined whether or not the reference position Ps is set. If it is determined that the reference position Ps is set, the process proceeds to step S72. If it is determined that the reference position Ps is not set, the process proceeds to step S74. When the reference position Ps is not set, for example, as in the pressing position P ₁ (see FIG. 6), there is a pressing position in the central region 61A, and the first expansion region 61R ′ directly from the pressing position. This is when the range can be determined.

  In step S72, based on the coordinate value (Xbs, Ybs) of the reference position Ps, processing for expanding the first reaction region 61R to the first expansion region 61R '(see FIG. 7) is executed. At this time, the first extension region 61R ′ is set based on the vector B (see FIGS. 4 and 6) indicating the amount of deviation between the center point 61C and the reference position Ps.

  On the other hand, in step S74, based on the coordinate value (Xbp, Ybp) of the pressing position P, a process of expanding the first reaction region 61R to the first expansion region 61R 'is executed. At this time, as in step S72, the first extension region 61R 'is set based on the vector B indicating the amount of deviation between the center point 61C and the pressed position P.

  As described above, even when the distance between the pressing position P and the center point 61C is large (see FIG. 6), the first extended region 61R ′ is arranged on the adjacent second display button 62 or on the X axis positive side. The first extended region 61R ′ including a region that is easily pressed by the user is set while preventing the fourth display button 64 (see FIG. 3) displayed from overlapping the second and fourth reaction regions 62R and 64R. .

  Note that the display area of the first display button 61 (see FIG. 3) is not changed even when the expansion process of the first reaction area 61R illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7 is performed. That is, the first display button 61 always displays the first reaction region 61R in the initial state that is not expanded (reference region / region indicated by a solid line in FIG. 7).

  This is because the display switching control on the touch panel 40 is omitted and stable display is performed on the LCD unit 40b (see FIG. 2). On the other hand, the display area of the first display button 61 is expanded so as to coincide with the first expansion area 61R ′ indicated by the broken line under the control of the processor control circuit 50 and the LCD control circuit 42b (see FIG. 2). However, if the display range of the first display button 61 changes frequently, the user may be confused on the contrary, so the above-described embodiment is preferable. The same applies to the second to eighth display buttons 62 to 68 (see FIG. 3).

  In FIG. 6, for convenience of explanation, the value of a that defines the length of the outline of the center region 61A is the same, but in reality, the first reaction region 61R and the surrounding second and fourth values are the same. Depending on the distance from the reaction regions 62R and 64R, the shape, size, etc., the X-axis upper limit value, the X-axis lower limit value, the Y-axis upper limit value, and the Y-axis lower limit value are appropriately adjusted. The

  For example, since the distance from the second reaction region 62R is narrow, when the expansion to the first reaction region 61R in the negative X-axis direction is suppressed more than the expansion in the positive X-axis direction, as shown in FIG. In addition, a center region 61A in which the X-axis lower limit value is made to coincide with the X coordinate value Xbpd of the center point 62C is set. As a result, the first reaction region 61R expands on the opposite side to the case illustrated in FIG. 4B, and the first expansion region 61R ′ is reliably prevented from coming into contact with the second reaction region 62R. .

  Also in such a case, the X-axis lower limit value is not matched with the X-coordinate value Xbpd of the center point 62C, and the X-coordinate value “Xbpd−a ′ (” smaller than the X-coordinate value Xbpd of the center point 62C by a ′. a> a ′) ″ may be set as the X-axis lower limit value (see FIG. 8).

  Note that the second reaction region 62R may be similarly expanded together with the expansion of the first reaction region 61R. That is, when the first display button 61 is pressed, the first reaction region 61R is expanded as described above, and at the same time, the second reaction region 62R that is not directly pressed is moved to the vector amount B (FIGS. 4, 6, and 7). The second extended area (not shown) may be used. This is because the second reaction region 62R is close to the first reaction region 61R, and the portion that the user can easily press in the second reaction region 62R is almost the same as the first reaction region 61R.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a display area expansion routine. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the reference area restoration routine, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the touch panel 40 showing the periphery of the first display button 61.

  The display area expansion routine starts when the processor control circuit 50 determines that the first reaction area 61R (first display button 61) has been pressed. In step S82, the level of the red component is improved by 1, and the process proceeds to step S84. In step S84, the timer circuit 54 (see FIG. 2) starts measuring the elapsed time Tr since the first reaction region 61R was last pressed, and proceeds to step S86.

  In step S86, the flag Pr is set to Pr = 1, and the process proceeds to step S88. The flag Pr is “1” when the last pressed reaction region is the first reaction region 61R (that is, when the instruction is to increase or decrease the parameter as in the previous case), and the last pressed reaction region is When it is the second reaction region 62R (that is, when it is an instruction to increase or decrease the parameter as opposed to the previous time), the reaction region that is pressed last is the first and second reaction regions 61R, 62R. When it is other than “0”, it is set to “0”.

  In step S88, the range of the first reaction area 61R is expanded to the first expansion area 61R '(see FIG. 11), and the display area expansion routine ends.

  On the other hand, the reference area restoration routine is started when any one of the reaction areas 62 is pressed after the end of the display area expansion routine. In step S92, it is determined whether or not the flag Pr = −1. If it is determined that the flag Pr = −1, the process proceeds to step S94. If it is determined that the flag Pr is not −1, the reference area is restored. The routine ends. In step S94, the level of the red component is decreased by 1, and the process proceeds to step S96.

  In step S96, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time Tr measured by the timer circuit 54 exceeds the upper limit time Tm. If it is determined that the elapsed time Tr exceeds the upper limit time Tm, the reference area restoration routine ends. If it is determined that the elapsed time Tr is within the upper limit time Tm, the process proceeds to step S98. In step S98, the range of the first extended area 61R 'is returned to the reference area, that is, the range of the first reaction area 61R before the expansion, and the reference area restoration routine ends.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the second reaction region 62R is pressed next to the first reaction region 61R, and the elapsed time Tr from when the first reaction region 61R was last pressed is predetermined. When the second reaction region 62R is pressed within the upper limit time Tm, the set first expansion region 61R ′ is automatically returned to the first reaction region 61R as the reference region (FIG. 10). (See step S98).

  This is because, when the second reaction region 62R is pressed within a short upper limit time Tm such as 1 second, the previous pressing of the first reaction region 61R is an erroneous operation (see paragraph [0031]). This is because it is considered that the second reaction region 62R has been pressed to cancel the function executed by pressing the reaction region 61R, and therefore setting of the first expansion region 61R ′ is not necessary. As described above, when the setting of the first extension region 61R ′ is canceled immediately after the erroneous operation, it is considered that the first reaction region 61R is not continuously pressed, and thus the operation of the touch panel 40 is hindered. Absent.

  Then, by immediately returning the first extended region 61R ′ expanded in error to the reference region, malfunction caused by the setting of the first extended region 61R ′, for example, in the state illustrated in FIG. A user who tries to press the fourth reaction region 64R (fourth display button 64) is prevented from pressing the first expansion region 61R ′ by mistake. That is, when the direction of parameter change (increase or decrease) is reversed within a predetermined upper limit time Tm, the reaction region is in a state before expansion (reference region) in order to prevent erroneous operation due to the expanded reaction region. ).

  On the other hand, when the second reaction region 62R is not pressed before the upper limit time Tm is exceeded, it is considered that the first reaction region 61R is pressed by a correct operation, so the first expansion region 61R 'is maintained as it is. In this case, the first display button 61 that is likely to be pressed by the user is set with the first extended region 61R ′ that includes a portion that can be easily pressed as a reactable region, so that the operability of the touch panel 40 is improved. Be improved.

  However, when the first extension region 61R 'is not pressed for a relatively long time, it may be returned to the reference region. This is because, in this case, the user is considered to be performing an operation for executing functions other than the operation of the scope 20 and the red component level adjustment, for example.

  When the second reaction region 62R is pressed next to the first reaction region 61R without providing the upper limit time Tm, the first expansion region 61R ′ is automatically set to the first reaction region regardless of the elapsed time Tr. You may return to 61R (reference area). Even when the other third to eighth reaction regions 63R to 68R are pressed between the pressing of the first reaction region 61R and the second reaction region 62R, the second reaction region is changed from the pressing of the first reaction region 61R. As long as the elapsed time Tr until the pressing of 62R is within the upper limit time Tm, the first expansion region 61R ′ may be returned to the first reaction region 61R on the assumption that the parameter to be adjusted by the user has changed.

  Even when the second to eighth reaction regions 62R to 68R other than the first reaction region 61 are pressed, the same processing as the processing in the display region expansion routine and the reference region restoration routine is performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the range of the first to eighth reaction regions 61R to 68R that reacts to the pressing of the first to eighth display buttons 61 to 68 is changed according to the actually pressed position. The touch panel 40 and the processor provided with the touch panel 40 are expanded to the first to eighth expansion regions 61R ′ to 68R ′ and automatically returned to the first to eighth reaction regions 61R to 68R in a predetermined case. The operability of 30 can be improved.

  The number, range, arrangement, and the like of the first to eighth display buttons 61 to 68 and the corresponding first to eighth reaction regions 61R to 68R are not limited to the present embodiment. For example, although it is preferable to improve the operability of the touch panel 40 by expanding the first to eighth reaction regions 61R to 68R, it includes at least a part of the first to eighth reaction regions 61R to 68R (reference region). , May be moved. This is because the operability can be improved even when the first to eighth reaction regions 61R to 68R are moved so as to include a part of the original reference region while maintaining the shapes of the first to eighth reaction regions 61R to 68R. Also in this case, the movement amounts of the first to eighth reaction regions 61R to 68R are calculated based on the vector B (see FIGS. 4 and 6, etc.) indicating the deviation amount between the pressing position P and the center point 61C.

  Furthermore, the display button and the reaction area may be circular or elliptical, for example. Further, a plurality of display buttons may be arranged adjacent to each other. This is because the adjacent reaction regions can be expanded so as not to overlap each other by adjusting the central region 61A and the like (see FIGS. 6 and 8).

  Since the processor 30 of the electronic endoscope apparatus 10 in this embodiment is often operated by a gloved user, the touch panel 40 preferably employs a resistive film method, but is not limited thereto. For example, a capacitance method or the like may be used. And in the embodiment so far, although the range of the 1st-8th reaction region 61R-68R was changed when the touch panel part 40a was pressed on the assumption of a resistive film system etc., depending on the system adopted Control of the 1st-8th reaction field 61R-68R may be performed only by a user's finger touching touch panel part 40a. The touch panel 40 may be applied to a digital camera, a mobile phone, or the like.

It is a perspective view which shows the processor of the electronic endoscope apparatus in this embodiment. It is a block diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus. It is a figure which expands and shows a touch panel. It is a figure which shows roughly the state which one range expands among two reaction area | regions. It is a flowchart which shows the reaction area expansion routine. It is a figure which shows the center area | region set about the 1st reaction area | region. It is a figure which shows the extended 1st reaction area | region. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a central region different from FIG. 6. It is a flowchart which shows a display area expansion routine. It is a flowchart which shows a reference | standard area | region restoration routine. It is an enlarged view of the touch panel which shows the circumference | surroundings of a 1st display button.

Explanation of symbols

10 Electronic Endoscope Device (Endoscope Device)
30 processor 40 touch panel 44 position detection circuit (detection means)
50 Processor control circuit (adjustment means)
54 Timer circuit (time measuring means)
61R First reaction region (first reaction region / reference region)
62R Second reaction region (second reaction region)
70-73 1st-4th level indicator (display means)
74 to 77 First to fourth level display areas (display means)
C Center point (reference position)
Tm upper limit time Tr elapsed time

Claims (9)

A first reaction region that occupies a reference region in response to a user's press to perform a predetermined function;
A second reaction region that reacts to a user's press to negate a function that is performed when the first reaction region is pressed;
Detecting means for detecting a user's press;
Adjusting means for adjusting the range of the first reaction region,
The adjustment means changes the range of the first reaction area to a change area including at least a part of the reference area when the detection means detects the pressing of the first reaction area, and the detection means When the pressing of the second reaction area is detected next to the pressing of the first reaction area, the range of the first reaction area can be returned from the change area to the reference area. Touch panel.   The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second reaction regions is pressed to increase a predetermined parameter and the other is decreased to decrease the predetermined parameter.   The touch panel according to claim 2, further comprising display means for displaying the value of the parameter.   And further includes a time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time from the last pressing of the first reaction region, and when the pressing of the second reaction region is detected when the elapsed time is within an upper limit time, The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit returns the range of the first reaction region to the reference region.   2. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit expands a range of the first reaction region according to a magnitude and a direction of a shift of the pressing position from a reference position.   The touch panel according to claim 5, wherein the reference position is a center of the first reaction region.   The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting unit moves the first reaction region without changing a shape of the first reaction region.   The touch panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second reaction regions are arranged close to each other.   A processor for an endoscope apparatus comprising the touch panel according to claim 1.

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