JP2009037344A - 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. <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 according to the present invention includes a reaction region that reacts to a user's pressing, a detection unit that detects a pressing position pressed by the user, and an adjustment unit that adjusts the range of the reaction region in order to execute a predetermined function. The adjusting means changes the range of the reaction region according to the pressed position detected by the detecting means.

  It is preferable that the adjusting means expands the range of the reaction region according to the magnitude and direction of the displacement of the pressing position from the reference position. More preferably, the reference position is the center of the reaction region.

  The reaction area has a first reaction area and a second reaction area for adjusting the same parameter, and the adjusting means presses the reference position for either one of the first or second reaction area. Depending on the magnitude and direction of the displacement, it is preferable to extend the range of the first and second reaction regions in the same way.

  In addition, the reaction region has a first reaction region and a second reaction region that are arranged close to each other, and the adjustment unit is configured to move from the reference position for either the first or second reaction region. It is preferable to extend the range of the first and second reaction regions in the same manner according to the magnitude and direction of the displacement of the pressing position.

  A plurality of reaction regions are provided, and it is preferable that the adjusting means expands the range of the reaction region so as not to overlap with other reaction regions.

  The touch panel further includes a timing unit that measures an elapsed time from the last press by the user, and when the elapsed time exceeds the upper limit time, the adjustment unit sets the range of the reaction area that was last pressed to the range before the change. It is desirable to return.

  For example, the adjusting means moves the reaction region without changing the size of the reaction region. The touch panel preferably further includes display means for displaying a reference area which is a reaction area whose range has not been changed by the adjusting means.

  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 pressed by the 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, and is 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, and FIG. 5 shows the two reaction regions in FIG. It is a figure which shows roughly the state which all of the range expands.

  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 brightness of the subject image, the level of the red component, the level of the blue component, and the amount of air supplied by the air supply pump can be adjusted. And the level at the present time about each adjustable item is shown in the 1st-4th level indicators 70-73 and the 1st-4th level display area 74-77. 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.

  When the brightness of the subject image at the current time is level “0” as displayed by the first level indicator 70 and the first level display area 74, when the first display button 61 is pressed once, The level is lowered by 1 to “−1”. Further, when the current blue component of the subject image is level “+1” as displayed in the third level indicator 72 and the third level display area 76, the sixth display button 66 is pressed twice. Then, the level increases by 2 and becomes “+3”.

  In the above-described example, the brightness of the subject image is reduced by the processor control circuit 50 that has received a signal indicating that the first display button 61 has been pressed once until it corresponds to the set level “−1”. Processing is performed, and the blue component of the subject image is similarly enhanced until it corresponds to the level “+3”.

  The 1st-8th display buttons 61-68 have shown the area | region (reaction area | region) where the touch panel 40 reacts by a user's press. For this reason, when the area | region outside the 1st-8th display buttons 61-68 is pressed, in principle, adjustment about each above-mentioned item is not performed. In addition, the reaction area | region shown by the 1st-8th display buttons 61-68 is an area | region allocated for the increase or decrease of each parameter, and all are square and are unified by the same magnitude | size.

  However, in the present embodiment, the touch panel 40 can be reliably connected even when the button operation is difficult due to the user being in a posture where the touch panel 40 cannot be 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 second display button 62 is pressed, the center point C of the reaction area 62R indicated by the second display button 62 in 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 (reference position) is calculated.

  That is, based on the difference between the coordinate value of the center point C of the reaction region 62R and the coordinate value of the pressing position P in the coordinate system that defines the touch panel 40 with the point O as the origin, the pressing position P is in any direction. The amount of deviation from the center point C is calculated as the vector quantity B. The reference position in this calculation process is not limited to the center point C of the reaction region 62R, but may be an arbitrary point inside or outside the reaction region 62R.

Of the first to fourth vertices V _{1 to} V ₄ of the reaction region 62R, the coordinate value of the fourth vertex V ₄ farthest from the pressing position P is left as it is, and the second vertex V ₂ closest to the pressing position P The vector value B is added to the coordinate value and moved to the sixth vertex V _6, and the X and Y components of the vector amount B are included in the coordinate values of the first and third vertices V ₁ and V ₃ other than these vertices, respectively. Only 5 is added to move to the fifth and seventh vertices V ₅ and V ₇ (see FIG. 4B).

Then, a rectangular area having the _{fifth to} seventh vertices V _{5 to} V ₇ after movement and the fourth vertex V ₄ not moved as vertices becomes an extended area 62R ′ which is a new reaction area. As described above, the range of the reaction region 62R is changed by the processor control circuit 50 (adjusting means).

  In this way, the operability of the touch panel 40 is improved by expanding the range of the reaction region 62R that has been pressed once in accordance with the pressing position P. This is because the position of the user who is in a state of easily pressing the area closer to the pressing position P than the center point C when operating the second display button 62 deviates from the reaction area 62R before the change at the next operation. For example, even when the point Px (see FIG. 4B) is pressed, the touch panel 40 can receive a user instruction.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the second display button 62 is pressed, the range of the first reaction area 61R displayed by the first display button 61 is also the reaction area 62R (hereinafter referred to as the second reaction area 62R). The same process as the extension, that is, the process of moving the three vertices included in the vector direction in correspondence with the vector amount B is performed to extend to the first extension region 61R ′ (see FIG. 5).

  This is because the first display button 61 is a display button for executing a function related to the second display button 62, that is, for adjusting the brightness of the subject image which is the same parameter as the second display button 62. This is because the display button is relatively likely to be pressed next by the user. Further, with respect to the first display button 61 (see FIG. 3) arranged close to the second display button 62, the user is in a state where it is easy to press an area that is shifted from the center point C ′ by the vector amount B. It is possible.

  In addition, when simultaneously expanding the ranges of the first and second reaction regions 61R and 62R arranged in the vicinity as described above, as described later, the first and second expanded regions shown in FIG. The two expansion areas 61R ′ and 62R ′ are controlled by the processor control circuit 50 so as not to overlap each other.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a panel control routine for controlling the touch panel 40. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a luminance reduction routine for darkening the subject image by pressing the display button.

  The panel control routine starts when the power switch 36 (see FIG. 1) of the processor 30 is turned on. In step S12, it is determined whether or not the touch panel 40 has been pressed by the user. If it is determined that the touch panel 40 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the coordinate value (Xt, Yt) of the pressing position P (see FIG. 4A, etc.) in the above-described coordinate system for the touch panel 40 is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S16, it is determined whether or not the first display button 61 has been pressed to darken the subject image. If it is determined that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S18. If it is determined that the button has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S20. move on. In step S18, a luminance reduction routine (see FIG. 7) is started.

  In the luminance reduction routine (see FIG. 7), the brightness level of the subject image is reduced by “1” in step S42, and the process proceeds to step S44. In step S44, a first reaction region expansion routine (see FIGS. 8 to 11) is started. In the first reaction region expansion routine, the range of the first reaction region 61R of the first display button 61 is expanded based on the coordinates (Xt, Yt) of the pressing position P, and the process proceeds to step S46.

  In step S46, the second reaction region expansion routine (see FIG. 12) is started. In the second reaction area expansion routine, the second reaction area 62R of the second display button 62 for adjusting the brightness level of the subject image is expanded in the same manner as the first display button 61. Then, the luminance reduction routine ends, and the process proceeds to step S32 (see FIG. 6) of the panel control routine. In step S32, an elapsed time measurement routine (see FIG. 13) described later is started.

  On the other hand, in step S20, it is determined whether or not the second display button 62 has been pressed to brighten the subject image. If it is determined that the second display button 62 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S22. Proceed to S24. In step S22, a brightness enhancement routine is started. In the brightness enhancement routine, processing corresponding to the brightness reduction routine (see FIG. 7) is executed. That is, the brightness level is improved by “1”, and not only the second reaction region 62R but also the first reaction region 61R is expanded.

  In step S24, it is determined whether or not the third display button 63 has been pressed to lower the level of the red component. If it is determined that the third display button 63 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S26, and if it is determined that the third display button 63 has not been pressed, step S28 is performed. Proceed to In step S26, a red component reduction routine similar to the luminance reduction and improvement routine is started. In the red component lowering routine, the red component level is decreased by “1”, and not only the third reaction region 63R but also the fourth reaction region 64R is expanded.

  In step S28, it is determined whether or not the fourth display button 64 has been pressed to increase the level of the red component. If it is determined that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S30. In step S30, a red component enhancement routine corresponding to the red component reduction routine is started. In the red component improving routine, the red component level is improved by “1”, and not only the fourth reaction region 64R but also the third reaction region 63R is expanded.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S28 that the fourth display button 64 has not been pressed, it is determined whether or not the fifth to eighth display buttons 65 to 68 have been sequentially pressed as in steps S20 to S26. After the blue component level, the air supply amount, and the reaction region range corresponding to the pressed display button are adjusted, the process returns to step S12.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the first reaction region expansion routine. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a central region set for the first reaction region 61R. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the expanded first expanded region 61R ′, and FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a central region different from FIG. 9.

  When the first reaction region expansion routine is started, in step S52, the X coordinate Xt and Y coordinate Yt of the pressing position P are respectively converted into an X coordinate value Xbp and a Y coordinate value Ybp for expansion processing of the first reaction region 61R. The process proceeds to step S54.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9, 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 is provided to expand the first reaction region 61R so as not to overlap the second reaction region 62R (or the second expansion region 62R ′) (see paragraph [0038], FIG. 5). For convenience of explanation, the center region 61A is a square having a side length of 2a with the center point 61C (Xbpd, Ybpd) as the center.

  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 an X axis upper limit value 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 greater than the X-axis upper limit, the process proceeds to step S58.

  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. 9), the first expansion region 61R ′ and the second reaction region 62R (second expansion region 62R ′) An arithmetic process for avoiding duplication is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the pressed position P is converted into a reference position Ps (Xbs, Ybs) having an X coordinate value Xbs equal to the X-axis upper limit value “Xbpd + a”.

  This does not directly define the range of the first extension region 61R ′ directly from the pressing position P, but the range of the first extension region 61R ′ with reference to the reference position Ps (Xbs, Ybs) on the contour line of the center region 61A. This is to determine.

  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 pressed position P is converted to a reference position Ps (not shown) having the X-axis lower limit value “Xbpd-a” as the X coordinate value Xbs.

  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 it 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 pressed position P is converted into 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 pressed position P is converted 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. 9), there is a pressing position in the center area 61A, and the first expansion area 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, a process of expanding the first reaction region 61R to the first expansion region 61R '(see FIG. 10) is executed. At this time, based on the vector B (see FIG. 9) indicating the amount of deviation between the center point 61C and the reference position Ps, an example of the extension of the second extension region 62R described above (see paragraphs [0031] to [0034], FIG. 4). ), The first extension region 61R ′ is set.

  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 a vector 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. 9), the first expansion region 61R ′ overlaps with the nearby second reaction region 62R or the second expansion region 62R ′. The first expansion region 61R ′ is set so as to include a region that is easily pressed by the user while preventing this.

  Even when the expansion process of the first reaction region 61R illustrated in FIG. 10 is performed, the display region of the first display button 61 (see FIG. 3) is not changed. 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. 10). 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. 9, for convenience of explanation, the values of a that define the length of the outline of the central region 61A are the same, but in reality, the interval between the first and second reaction regions 61R and 62R, Depending on 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.

  For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the second reaction region 62R is arranged on the positive X-axis side of the first reaction region 61R and both are aligned along the X-axis direction, While the expansion of 61R in the positive X-axis direction should be suppressed, no restriction is necessary in the negative X-axis direction.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a center region 61A in which the X-axis upper limit value is matched with the X coordinate value Xbpd of the center point 61C is set. As a result, for example, the expansion of the first reaction region 61R in the positive X-axis direction as shown in FIG. 10 is prevented, and only the expansion in the negative X-axis direction shown in FIG. 5B is possible. . Even in such a case, the X-axis upper limit value is not matched with the X-coordinate value Xbpd of the center point 61C, and as shown in FIG. 11, the X-coordinate is larger by a ′ than the X-coordinate value Xbpd of the center point 61C. The value “Xbpd + a ′ (a> a ′)” may be set as the X-axis upper limit value.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a second reaction region expansion routine.

  In the second reaction region expansion routine, the same processing as that in the first reaction region expansion routine is executed for expansion of the second reaction region 62R. However, in the second reaction region expansion routine, unlike the first reaction region expansion routine, if the first reaction region 61R is pressed even though the second reaction region 62R is not pressed by the user, The reaction area 62R is automatically expanded.

  In step S82, the processor control circuit that has received a signal indicating that the pressing position P in the first reaction region 61R has been pressed is changed based on the X coordinate Xt and the Y coordinate Yt of the pressing position P in the first reaction region 61R. The coordinate value (Xbm, Ybm) of the press corresponding position P ′ (not shown) included in the two reaction regions 62R is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S84.

  The pressing corresponding position P ′ is a point that coincides with the pressing position P on the second reaction region 62R when the first reaction region 61R is superposed on the second reaction region 62R. The coordinate value of the center point 62C (not shown) of the second reaction region 62R is (Xbmd, Ybmd), and the amount of displacement (the amount of displacement) from the center point 62C in the second reaction region 62R to the pressing corresponding position P ′. And the direction) are equal to the shift amount of the pressing position P from the center point 61C (see FIG. 9) in the first reaction region 61R.

  In step S84 and the subsequent steps, the coordinate value (Xbm, Ybm) of the pressing corresponding position P ′ is used instead of the coordinate value of the pressing position P, and if necessary, the reference corresponding position Ps ′ corresponding to the reference position Ps. Except for using the coordinate values (Xbt, Ybt) and using a center region 62A (not shown) suitable for the second reaction region 62R, the same processing as steps S54 to S74 of the first reaction region expansion routine is executed. The

  Note that the third to eighth reaction regions 63R to 68R other than the first and second reaction regions 61R and 62R are also in the pressed position, as in the first and second reaction region expansion routines (see FIGS. 8 and 11). Accordingly, processing for expanding to the third to eighth extension regions 63R ′ to 68R ′ (not shown) is performed.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an elapsed time measurement routine.

  In the elapsed time measurement routine, the elapsed time from the last pressing of any of the first to eighth display buttons 61 to 68 is measured by the timer circuit 54 (see FIG. 2), and the first time is determined according to the elapsed time. The range of the eighth reaction region 61R to 68R is controlled.

  In step S112, it is determined whether or not a predetermined upper limit time Tm has elapsed since the first display button 61 was last pressed. If it is determined that the upper limit time Tm has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S114, and the upper limit time is reached. If it is determined that Tm has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S116. In step S114, the extension of the first extension area 61R 'is released, and the area that responds to the user's pressing with respect to the first display button 61 returns to the first reaction area 61R that is the reference area, and the process proceeds to step S116.

  In step S116 and subsequent steps, processing similar to that in steps S112 and S114 is executed. That is, in steps S116, S120, S124, etc., it is determined whether or not the elapsed time since the second to eighth display buttons 62 to 68 were last pressed exceeds the upper limit time Tm, and the upper limit time Tm has elapsed. In Steps S118, S122, S126, and the like, the set second to eighth extended regions 62R ′ to 68R ′ become corresponding reference regions (second to eighth reaction regions 62R to 68R). Returned. When it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the last press has exceeded the upper limit time Tm for all of the first to eighth display buttons 61 to 68, the elapsed time measurement routine ends.

  Thus, for each of the plurality of display buttons, when the time since the last pressing has exceeded the upper limit time Tm, the region that can be reacted is set as the reference region (first to eighth reaction regions 61R to 68R). By returning to, it is possible to prevent the reaction area from being unnecessarily expanded for display buttons that are unlikely to be pressed by the user immediately.

  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 operability of the touch panel 40 and the processor 30 provided with the touch panel 40 can be improved by extending the first to eighth extended regions 61R ′ to 68R ′.

  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 may be moved only while maintaining the reaction region in the same shape. Also in this case, for example, the shift amounts of the first to eighth reaction regions 61R to 68R are calculated based on the vector B (see FIGS. 4, 5, 9, etc.) indicating the shift amount between the pressing position P and the center point 61C. Is done.

  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. 9 and 11).

  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 figure which shows roughly the state which both the ranges of two reaction area | regions expand. It is a flowchart which shows the panel control routine which controls a touch panel. It is a flowchart which shows the brightness fall routine which darkens a to-be-photographed image by pressing a display button. It is a flowchart which shows a 1st 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 extended area | region. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a central region different from FIG. 9. It is a flowchart which shows a 2nd reaction area expansion routine. It is a flowchart which shows an elapsed time measurement routine.

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-69R First to eighth reaction regions (reaction region / reference region)
C Center point (reference position)
Tm upper limit time

Claims (10)

A reaction area that reacts to a user's pressing to perform a predetermined function;
Detecting means for detecting a pressing position pressed by the user;
Adjusting means for adjusting the range of the reaction region,
The touch panel, wherein the adjustment means changes a range of the reaction area according to the pressed position detected by the detection means.   The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit expands a range of the 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 2, wherein the reference position is a center of the reaction region.   The reaction region has a first reaction region and a second reaction region for adjusting the same parameter, and the adjusting means is configured to adjust the first reaction region or the second reaction region. The touch panel according to claim 2, wherein the range of the first and second reaction areas is expanded in the same manner according to the magnitude and direction of the displacement of the pressing position from the reference position.   The reaction region has a first reaction region and a second reaction region arranged in close proximity to each other, and the adjusting means is configured to perform the operation with respect to either the first or the second reaction region. The touch panel according to claim 2, wherein the range of the first and second reaction areas is expanded in the same manner according to the magnitude and direction of the displacement of the pressing position from the reference position.   2. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the reaction areas are provided, and the adjusting unit expands the range of the reaction areas so as not to overlap the other reaction areas.   It further has time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time from the last press by the user, and when the elapsed time exceeds the upper limit time, the adjusting means sets the range of the reaction area that was last pressed to the range before the change. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the touch panel is returned.   The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit moves the reaction region without changing a shape of the reaction region.   The touch panel according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying a reference area that is the reaction area whose range has not been changed by the adjusting means.   A processor for an endoscope apparatus comprising the touch panel according to claim 1.

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