JP2010282346A - Information processing device, touch panel vibration control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation environment suitable to respective users, for a touch panel input device having a function of vibrating the touch panel in response to an input operation. <P>SOLUTION: When a user starts operation and touches his/her fingertip to the touch panel, the touch panel starts vibrating at a set value of a control target value to vibrate a device for vibrating the panel at a lowest level of amplitude. Thereafter, the set value is changed to a direction to increase the vibration amplitude of the touch panel from the initial setting. During this process, an intensity of vibration (amplitude) applied at a time point that the fingertip is released from the contact surface of the touch panel is regarded as an amplitude which provides a suitable operational touch for the user (S103-S105). By preserving the set value and controlling the amplitude by using the preserved set value continuously to be the response (vibration) set value of the touch panel until the completion of the user input operation (S106-S108), it is possible to provide the suitable operational touch for the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus or device having an information processing function having a touch panel input device as a user interface (hereinafter referred to as an “information processing device”), and more specifically, a touch panel for transmitting a response to an input operation to an operator. The present invention relates to an information processing device having a function of vibrating a touch panel, a touch panel vibration control method, and a program for realizing a touch panel vibration control means.

Conventionally, a touch panel input device has been widely used as a user interface in an information processing device. However, in recent years, a vibration function is added to a touch panel, which is suitable for an operator's finger touching the touch panel surface during an input operation. There has been proposed an input device that can give a user an operational feeling like a mechanical switch by transmitting vibrations.
According to this vibration function, for example, in a device that cannot watch the screen during operation, such as a car navigation device, it is confirmed that the input operation is performed effectively by sensing the change in the touch surface of the touch panel with the fingertip. It is possible to improve convenience. In addition, even visually impaired persons can obtain higher operational feeling by being able to confirm input by methods other than voice.

  As for an input device having such a vibration function, a device that changes the operation feeling of the button by changing the vibration pattern by applying pressure at the pressed position of the button on the input detection surface (see Patent Document 1), When a setting operation is performed on a touch panel, there has been proposed one that changes a vibration level (intensity) corresponding to a setting state (operation position) and transmits a setting value without visual observation (see Patent Document 2).

In the above-described conventional technology, the vibration from the touch panel is transmitted to the operation unit such as the user's fingertip, and the effectiveness of the operation can be confirmed by tactile sense.
However, in the illustrated prior art, it is possible to handle vibrations that are felt by a person who is insensitive to fingertips, because it is handled by giving the same vibration to all users without considering the differences in the senses of each user. It will be given to sensitive people. As a result, the vibration may be too strong to make you feel uncomfortable, or if you weaken it to remove the discomfort of sensitive people, the vibration may be too weak to be detected by insensitive people, and you may misoperate. There is.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide an operation environment suitable for each user in a touch panel input device having the vibration function.

The present invention relates to a touch panel having a contact surface for generating an input signal in response to contact with an operating body, vibration means for vibrating the touch panel, and an input device having control means for controlling the operation of the vibration means. In the processing device, the control means controls the amplitude of the touch panel by changing the setting value in a direction to increase from the initial setting value when the input signal is generated by the contact of the operating body, and the input signal is generated by the dissociation of the contact. Means for performing an initial control operation for storing a set value when it disappears, and controlling the operation of the vibration means by continuously using the set value stored in the initial control operation in an operation repeated by the same operator It is characterized by being.
The present invention relates to a touch panel vibration control method for controlling vibration means in a touch panel having a contact surface for generating an input signal in response to contact of an operating body, and an input device having vibration means for vibrating the touch panel. An initial control process that controls the amplitude of the touch panel by changing the setting value in the direction of increasing from the initial setting value when an input signal is generated by body contact, and stores the setting value when the input signal disappears due to contact dissociation And a step of controlling the operation of the vibration means by continuously using the set value stored in the initial control step during the operation repeated by the same operator.
The present invention causes a computer to function as a control means for controlling the vibration means of a touch panel having a contact surface for generating an input signal in response to contact with an operating body, and a vibration means for vibrating the touch panel. The control means controls the amplitude of the touch panel by changing the set value in a direction to increase from the initial set value when the input signal is generated by contact of the operating body, and the input signal is generated by dissociating the contact. An initial control operation is performed to store a set value when there is no more, and when the operation is repeated by the same operator, the operation of the vibration unit is controlled by continuously using the set value stored in the initial control operation. It is a means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a comfortable operating environment by transmitting a response to an input operation by vibrating the touch panel with a strength according to the sense of each person who operates.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system including a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the control flow (Embodiment 1) of the operation | movement of the touch panel which responds to input operation. It is a figure which shows an example of the initial screen displayed on the display apparatus of an operation panel. It is a diagram explaining operation | movement (vibration) of the touch panel responding to input operation (Embodiment 1). It is a figure which shows the process condition setting screen displayed on the display apparatus of an operation panel. It is a figure which shows the confirmation screen of operation displayed on the display apparatus of an operation panel. It is a diagram explaining operation | movement (vibration) of the touch panel responding to input operation (Embodiment 2). FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an operation (vibration) of a touch panel in response to an input operation (third embodiment). It is a figure which shows the control flow (Embodiment 4) of the operation | movement of the touch panel which responds to input operation.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an information processing apparatus and a touch panel vibration control method according to the present invention having a touch panel input device as a user interface are applied to a multifunction peripheral (digital copying machine) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The multi-function device according to the present embodiment has multi-functions such as copying, document box (function to use stored image for re-output), facsimile (hereinafter also referred to as “FAX”), printer, scanner, and the like. When using these composite functions, a function to be used is selected by a user operation, and an input for instructing an operation condition, a processing condition, and the like is performed. In this embodiment, a method in which a user's input operation is performed through a touch panel input device provided on the operation panel is employed.
The touch panel input device of the present embodiment has means for transmitting vibration as a response to the input operation to an operator's finger touching the touch panel surface during the input operation, and this means gives the user a feeling of operation like a mechanical switch. It has a function to be given (hereinafter referred to as “operation response function”), and this operation response function has a feature of this embodiment.

Before describing the operation response function in the touch panel input device in detail, first, an outline of a multifunction peripheral to which the operation response function is applied will be described with reference to the image processing system shown in FIG. FIG. 1 mainly shows the configuration of the image data processing system 25 of the multi-function peripheral. The hardware configuration itself is basically omitted by adopting an existing configuration, and is omitted. .
The multifunction device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has complex functions such as copying, document box, facsimile, printer, and scanner. Using these functions, an image is input (document reading by the image reading device 17 or a network, external storage). The image is input from the device 14 or the like) and is input by the printing device 16 in the multifunction peripheral based on the input image or the stored image (the input image stored in the storage device 9 capable of storing data for reuse). Print output, distribution to the network, FAX transmission, etc.

In FIG. 1, an image reading device 17 such as a scanner reads a document image and outputs the generated digital image data of the document to the image processing control unit 8 via the image reading control unit 11.
The image processing control unit 8 converts and processes document image data into general-purpose data that can be used for various outputs, and the processed image data is stored in the memory unit 3 or the storage device 9. The storage device 9 is a storage device capable of storing (accumulating) data such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and data is accessed via the storage device control unit 7.
The image processing control unit 8 converts and processes image data used for output in each of the printing device 16 and the display device 18 provided in the multifunction peripheral, and the printing device via the printing control unit 10 and the display control unit 13. 16 and output data to the display device 18, respectively. Data processed by the image processing control unit 8 for output is based on data stored in the memory unit 3 or the storage device 9 through various input paths including document reading input.

The processing of the above-described image processing control unit 8, when instructed from an operation input device 19 (described later), is performed by the user's operation, selection of color / monochrome mode, processing conditions in document reading input such as resolution, image quality, and image Various output processing conditions such as size are set.
The printing apparatus 16 into which the image data for output is sent through the print control unit 10 through the processing of the image processing control unit 8 is output received on the transfer paper as a recording medium by an electrophotographic process using a laser beam. Print output of color, double-sided, etc. using image data (CMYK digital image data). When performing monochrome output, it is configured to output if only K is received.
Of course, the process used for output can be arbitrarily selected, and for example, an inkjet engine may be used. In that case, the correspondence of multi-color inks such as 6 colors and 7 colors can be configured as necessary.

One of the means provided for the MFP 1 to input / output data to / from the outside uses a LAN (Local Area Network), and a PC (Personal computer) connected to the LAN via the LAN controller 5. Data exchange is performed with the server 35 and the server 34. When distributing from the MFP 1 using the LAN, a distribution destination (PC 35 or the like) and a file to be transmitted (when using a stored image in a document box function or the like) are designated by a user operation, and distribution is instructed. Further, a print command or a transfer request for an image stored in the multifunction device 1 is issued to the multifunction device 1 by using the PC 35 as a host. As shown in FIG. 1, when the MFP 1 and the PC 35 are connected to a LAN, if data such as an image file to be processed is under the control of the server 34, the data is provided via the server 34. The
In addition, since the LAN connected to the multifunction device 1 is connected to the Internet 31 via the communication control unit 32, data can be exchanged with various information processing devices connected to the Internet 31 in the same manner as the PC 35. It becomes.

The multifunction device 1 has a FAX transmission / reception function, and inputs / outputs data to / from an external FAX machine connected to the FAX line 33 via the FAX control unit 4. One means. When FAX transmission is performed from the MFP 1 using the FAX line 33, a transmission destination and a file to be transmitted (in the case of an image file stored in a document box) are designated by a user operation, and FAX transmission is instructed.
Further, the multifunction device 1 enables data input / output using the external storage device 14 and the external media input / output device 15 as peripheral devices. Data is input / output to / from these storage media by transferring data files such as image files to / from the memory unit 3 or the storage device 9 in the data processing system of the main body via the input / output device control unit 6. Media that can input and output data from the external media input / output device 15 are multimedia cards, smart media, memory stick (registered trademark), SD (Secure Digital) memory card, CD (Compact Disc) -ROM, floppy (registered). (Trademark) disk, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, non-contact IC card, and the like.

In the multi function device 1, as described above, a function to be used is selected by the user, and setting conditions such as operation conditions and processing conditions are instructed. Such user instructions are given through a touch panel input device with a display device, which is provided on the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral and provides a function as a user interface.
This touch panel input device is means for realizing an interactive interface widely used in devices having an information processing function. The interactive format used here is a format in which each setting item is set sequentially, while explaining the setting contents and setting operation method, and is an effective method for avoiding missing settings and lack of explanation. (For example, ATM: widely used in automatic teller machines, ticket vending machines, etc.).
The interactive user interface according to the present embodiment uses the display device 18 and the operation input device 19 as basic components, and operates them under the control of the CPU 2 of the main controller (described later) of the multifunction machine 1. That is, an input operation element such as a button (key) is displayed on the screen of the display device 18 such as an LCD or CRT together with a message for explaining the contents of the setting items and guiding the operation, and a user's response to the displayed input operation element is displayed. The operation is detected by detecting contact with the detection surface of the touch panel of the operation input device 19 (for example, detecting whether the screen position of the displayed setting item button is pressed), setting conditions required by the user, user instructions, etc. Recognize

In addition, the touch panel input device of this embodiment includes means for transmitting vibration as a response to the input operation to an operator's finger touching the touch panel surface during the input operation as an operation response function. Give the user a sense of operation.
As a means for vibrating the touch panel in response to an input operation, the present embodiment includes a vibration device 21 that operates under the control of the CPU 2 and can control vibration via the vibration control unit 20.
The vibration device 21 can be configured, for example, by installing a diaphragm made of a piezoelectric element between the touch panel and the display screen of the display device. As shown in the operation of the vibration device 21 to be described later, the vibration plate used for the vibration device 21 is required to be able to control the amplitude with a monotonically increasing characteristic. But it can be applied.
Note that the control of the operation of the vibration device 21 by the operation response function when operating the touch panel is a feature of the present embodiment, and will be described in detail later.

Each control unit and each control unit of the image data processing system 25 of the multifunction machine 1 operate under the control of the main controller.
The main controller of the image data processing system 25 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2 and a memory unit 3 including a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU 2 operates various devices (apparatuses) to be controlled via the control unit or the like according to the control program stored in the memory unit 3 and controls the entire image data processing system 25. By recording (storing) a program for executing touch panel vibration control (control flow in FIGS. 2 and 9) for realizing an operation response function described later in the program stored in the ROM of the memory unit 3, The CPU 2 reads the control / processing program, control data, and the like recorded on the recording medium into the RAM, and drives the program at the time of execution of the process, so that the CPU 2 (computer) can function as the execution means of this control. .
The medium for recording the program is not limited to the ROM, and a computer-readable recording medium such as an HDD, a CD-ROM, an MO (Magnet Optical Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or the like can be used. . The program may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network (not shown) such as the Internet and downloaded via the network.

Next, the operation response function of the touch panel will be described in detail.
The operation response function is a function that vibrates the touch panel in response to an input operation and gives an operational feeling to the user. That is, when the touch panel is vibrated in response to an operation, the vibration is transmitted to an operation site such as a user's fingertip and the operation feels that the operation has been made effective by this tactile sense. Since this function appeals to the user's sense (tactile sense), when responding to any user operation with uniform vibration, the user's individual sensation will differ, so the above [problem to be solved by the invention] The incompatibility described in the above occurs.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the vibration device 21 is vibrated with a strength capable of giving an appropriate operational feeling according to the sensitivity (different sense) of each user so that the user can respond to the input operation.

As a means for realizing this operation response function, control is performed to operate the vibration device 21 with an amplitude that gives an appropriate operational feeling according to the difference in the sense of each user. In order to perform this control, a control target value for operating the vibration device 21 under conditions suitable for the sensitivity of each user is set. However, when obtaining this set value, a special burden is placed on the user. Instead, if only normal operation is performed, it can be implemented in such a way that this function works.
In the following, Embodiments 1 to 4 are shown as embodiments relating to the control of the vibration device 21 for realizing this operation response function.
The first embodiment shows a basic form of a control method for performing an operation response suitable for a user who performs an operation when requesting a job from the multifunction machine.
The second and third embodiments are based on the first embodiment and show an embodiment in which an improvement for compensating a more appropriate operation is added.
In the fourth embodiment, in order to perform an operation response suitable for the user, the setting value of the operation response performed so far is managed for each user so that the control operation adapted to the user can be performed more quickly and accurately. The embodiment which performs is shown.

“Embodiment 1”
This embodiment shows a basic form of a control method for realizing an operation response function of operating the vibration device 21 with an amplitude that gives a feeling of operation suitable for the user.
In this embodiment, when the user starts an input operation and performs a control operation, the intensity (amplitude) of vibration applied to the touch panel as a response to the operation is changed, and the user's operation (apply to the touch panel) in this process is changed. Operation is determined based on the operation), and an operation (hereinafter referred to as “initial control operation”) is performed to acquire the determined amplitude as an amplitude setting value that provides an operation feeling suitable for the user. .
Specifically, when the user starts the operation and the fingertip (operation body) touches the contact surface of the touch panel to generate an input signal, the control unit of the vibration device 21 vibrates with the lowest level amplitude by default. The control target value to be set is set, and the touch panel starts to vibrate according to this set value. Thereafter, the amplitude of the vibration of the touch panel is increased by changing the setting value in the direction of increasing from the initial setting. In this process, if the fingertip (operating body) is dissociated from the contact surface of the touch panel, the intensity (amplitude) of the vibration applied at this time is regarded as an amplitude that gives an operational feeling suitable for the user. In other words, when the fingertip is dissociated from the contact surface, the user feels a response (vibration) from the touch panel with the touch of the fingertip, and the user feels that the operation has been made effective by the touch. Based.
The amplitude setting value acquired according to this determination is saved, and the saved setting value is continuously used as the response (vibration) setting value of the touch panel until the user's input operation is completed, thereby controlling the amplitude. A suitable operation feeling can be given.

Hereinafter, the operation of the touch panel responding to the input operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 showing the control flow of the operation of the touch panel responding to the input operation.
The control flow in FIG. 2 is activated when the system is started from a shutdown state in a power-off or low power consumption mode.
When the control flow is started, first, an initial screen is displayed on the display device 18 of the operation panel, and a set value Vn of the vibration control unit 20 that controls the vibration device 21 of the touch panel is initialized (Vn ← Vs) ( Step S101).
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an initial screen displayed on the display device 18. This figure shows an example in which the operation screen for using the copy (copying) function is the initial screen. A “color copy” button B1 and a “monochrome copy” button B2 are displayed on the screen 18d in FIG. 3, and the display portion of each button is used as a detection surface for generating an input signal in response to a user's contact. The operation mode selected from either “color copy” or “monochrome copy” is recognized from an operation (contact) on the detection surface, that is, an input signal generated by pressing a button.
Further, simultaneously with the display of the initial screen, the vibration control unit 20 is initialized so that the operation response function is activated when the user performs an operation after the screen is displayed. The initial setting operation does not know what sensitivity the user has, and after that, an initial control operation is performed to search for a setting value suitable for the user. Therefore, the setting value Vn vibrates at the lowest level amplitude. A control target value Vs is set.

Next, a user operation is waited in a state where the initial screen (see FIG. 3) is displayed (step S102). Taking the screen 18d shown in FIG. 3 as an example, while the button B1 / B2 displayed on the screen is not pressed (step S102-NO), the operation continues to be waited, and when the user presses the button B1 / B2 (step S102). S102-YES), the process proceeds to the next step S103.
When the user presses the button, the vibration device 21 of the touch panel is immediately operated via the vibration control unit 20 in response to an input signal generated by pressing the button (step S103). At this time, since the initial set value Vs is set as the set value Vn in the vibration control unit 20, the vibration device 21 is operated with this value, and the touch panel starts to vibrate. This vibration is transmitted to the operation site such as the user's fingertip, and gives the user an operational feeling that the operation has been made effective by touch.
After starting the vibration of the touch panel, the set value is changed (Vn ← Vn + α) in the direction of increasing from the initial setting (step S104). The change in the set value at this time monotonously increases the amplitude of vibration generated on the touch panel, and the vibration is strengthened as the time of pressing down, so that it reaches a level that can be perceived even by a dull user. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation example of the touch panel that vibrates in response to an input operation. In the diagram of FIG. 4, the vertical axis represents amplitude and the horizontal axis represents pressing time. A line L1 in the figure represents an operation characteristic in which the amplitude is changed with a slope α / t as the time of pressing, with the initial value of the amplitude being Vs.

While the touch panel is vibrated by changing the amplitude as described above, the user waits for the end of pressing the button (step S105). That is, while the button is pressed and the operation is not ended (step S105-NO), the process continues to wait for the end, and when the user releases the button press and the operation ends (step S105-YES), the next step S106 Migrate to
When the user releases his / her finger from the button (releases pressing the button) and the operation is finished, the user feels a response (vibration) from the touch panel with the touch of his fingertip, and the operation is said to be effective by this touch It is time to get a feeling.
Therefore, the intensity (amplitude) of the vibration applied at this time is regarded as the optimum condition used for the user, and the set value Vn of this amplitude is stored. As shown in FIG. 4, the set value Vn of the amplitude can be acquired as the set value Vn at the time when the operation is finished because the operation of the button is released because the operation characteristics are predetermined according to the control conditions. .
The set value Vn stored as described above is set (Vfit ← Vn) as the set value of the optimum amplitude used for the response of the touch panel until the user's input operation is completed (step S106).

Thereafter, an input operation performed by this user (user requesting the job) is waited for on the operation screen to be subsequently switched (step S107). FIG. 5 illustrates an operation screen that is switched after the initial screen. This figure shows an example of a screen that is switched after the initial screen (FIG. 3) of the copy function. A numerical key B4 for setting “number of copies” is displayed on the screen 18d in FIG. 5, and the display portion of each key is used as a detection surface for generating an input signal in response to a user's contact.
The input operation waiting in step S107 is performed until the requested job is completed and the use of the system is completed. That is, while the requested job has not been processed yet (the system has not been used yet) and the operation is continuously performed (step S108-NO), the input job continues to be waited for and the requested job has been processed. When the use of the system ends (step S108-YES), the process proceeds to the next step S109. Until the use of the system ends, the optimum amplitude set value set in step S106 is applied to the input operation of the user.

Further, assuming that the same user continuously performs different jobs, the determination in step S108 can be performed. As a procedure, when a series of processing of the requested job is completed, the user is asked whether or not to continue a new job, and an input operation to the operation screen is subsequently performed by the user's intention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a confirmation screen shown to the user in order to confirm the continuous operation. The example of the operation screen 18d shown in the figure shows an operation screen for selecting either the “continuous operation” button B5 or the “end operation” button B6. When “continuous operation” is selected, since the set value Vfit of the optimum amplitude set previously can be applied, there is a merit that the initial control operation for obtaining the optimum amplitude is not necessary.
After step S108, it is confirmed whether or not an instruction to shut down the system is given (step S109). If shutdown is not instructed (step S109-NO), the process returns to step S101 to respond to a new job processing request.
On the other hand, if the shutdown is instructed (step S109-YES), this control flow is terminated.

  According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a comfortable operating environment by transmitting a response to an input operation by vibrating the touch panel with a strength according to the sensation of each person who operates, and the same user can be continuously provided. Therefore, when a job is requested, an initial control operation for obtaining a set value of vibration intensity suitable for the user is not necessary, and the processing can be speeded up.

“Embodiment 2”
This embodiment is an improvement over the first embodiment, and is more appropriate based on the optimum amplitude value Vfit obtained as the set value for controlling the operation response according to the sensitivity of the user in the first embodiment. An embodiment in which means for obtaining a set value for compensating operation is added is shown.
In the first embodiment, the optimum amplitude value Vfit is obtained in the first input operation process performed by the user on the touch panel (refer to steps S101 to S106 in FIG. 2), and the operation performed by the user on the touch panel thereafter is optimal. The operation response is performed by vibrating the touch panel with the setting of the amplitude value Vfit (see FIG. 2, steps S107 to S108).
However, this method obtains a setting value suitable for the user as Vfit in the first input operation process when the person who is used to the operation of the touch panel or the person who knows the operation of the operation response function is the user. However, if the user is unfamiliar and does not know the operation response function at all, it is assumed that the setting value suitable for the user cannot be obtained in the first input operation process. . That is, there is a possibility that an optimum value cannot be set depending on the user's proficiency level.

Therefore, in this embodiment, without leaving such a case as it is, the optimal amplitude value is obtained in the same procedure as that in the first embodiment in the input operation process again, and this procedure is performed by performing this procedure. Try to solve it.
When the procedure for obtaining the optimum amplitude value is performed again, a more appropriate value can be obtained by performing the following method. That is, a value in a predetermined range near the optimum amplitude value Vfit obtained by the user's input operation in the first input operation process is used as a setting value corresponding to the first initial setting value, and set in a direction to increase from this setting value. Change the value. The change of the set value at this time monotonously increases the amplitude of vibration generated on the touch panel, and the vibration is strengthened as time is pressed.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of the touch panel that vibrates in response to an input operation. In the diagram of FIG. 7, the vertical axis represents amplitude and the horizontal axis represents pressing time. A line L2 in the figure represents an operating characteristic in which the amplitude is changed with a slope α / t1 as the time of pressing, with the initial value of the amplitude being Vs2. For example, the optimum amplitude of the previous time (for example, the first time) is Vfit1, and the time until the end of pressing is t1, and on the next screen, Vfit1-α is not the fixed value but Vfit1-α is the initial value, and the slope α / t1 is changed. The intensity can be set more delicately than in the previous operation.
According to this embodiment, by finely adjusting the vibration, it is possible to provide a comfortable operating environment by transmitting the response to the input operation by vibrating the touch panel with a strength according to the sense of each person who operates, In addition, it is possible to provide a more comfortable operating environment by finely adjusting the vibration.

“Embodiment 3”
This embodiment is an improvement over the first embodiment, and an appropriate operation is performed based on the optimum amplitude value Vfit obtained as a set value for controlling the operation response according to the sensitivity of the user in the first embodiment. An embodiment in which means for compensating is added is shown.
In the first embodiment, the optimum amplitude value Vfit is obtained in the first input operation process performed by the user on the touch panel (refer to steps S101 to S106 in FIG. 2), and the operation performed by the user on the touch panel thereafter is optimal. The operation response is performed by vibrating the touch panel with the setting of the amplitude value Vfit (see FIG. 2, steps S107 to S108).
However, according to the above procedure, the user finishes the operation earlier in the first input operation process to obtain the optimum amplitude value Vfit, and the optimum amplitude value Vfit is set with an amplitude smaller than the original strength suitable for the user. It is assumed that the situation will end up. That is, there may be a case where the operation response function does not work sufficiently.

Therefore, in this embodiment, without leaving such a case, the operation of the operation response function is compensated by performing the following operation in the operation when the touch panel is vibrated with the setting of the optimum amplitude value Vfit. .
That is, the control is performed with the setting of the optimum amplitude value Vfit obtained by the initial control operation for a predetermined time from when the user's fingertip touches the touch panel and an input signal is generated, and after the predetermined time elapses, the optimum amplitude value Vfit is increased. The control operation is performed using the set value to be controlled. The change of the set value at this time monotonously increases the amplitude of vibration generated on the touch panel, and the vibration is strengthened as time is pressed.
By performing this operation, even if the optimum amplitude value Vfit is small and the user does not have a feeling of operation, the level is further increased after a predetermined time has passed, so that the level felt by the user is reached. Can do.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation example of the touch panel that vibrates in response to an input operation in the present embodiment. In the diagram of FIG. 8, the vertical axis represents amplitude and the horizontal axis represents pressing time. A line L3 in the figure changes the amplitude with a slope α / t as the pressing time after the time t1 has elapsed, with the amplitude value between the start of pressing and t1 as the optimum amplitude value Vfit1 obtained by the first input operation. Represents operating characteristics.
According to this embodiment, as shown in the operation example of FIG. 8, the amplitude is increased after a predetermined time t1, and the vibration can be reliably transmitted to the user by this operation, and the optimum amplitude value Vfit at the predetermined time t1 is increased. This operation can be supplemented even when the setting is insufficient.

“Embodiment 4”
In this embodiment, in order to perform an operation response suitable for the user, the setting value of the operation response performed so far is managed for each user so that the control operation adapted to the user can be performed more quickly and accurately. The embodiment which performs is shown.
As described with reference to the control flow in FIG. 2, the method according to the first embodiment controls an operation response suitable for a user when an unspecified user uses the system. For this reason, when the use of the system is finished, the operation from the initialization is performed for the next user.
Therefore, even if the next user is the user who used it before, when reusing it, the user performs the initial control operation to obtain the optimum amplitude value in the procedure starting from initialization every time. Need to adapt and degrade performance.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the control of the operation response adapted to the user when using the system is performed including the initial control operation, the optimum amplitude value obtained in the initial control operation is managed for each user. By using the optimum amplitude value managed when the user next uses the system for the control, an operation response adapted to the user can be immediately performed.
In recent years, multi-function devices have registered user (user) registration so that registered user-specific information (authority, function used, address book information, etc., hereinafter referred to as “user information”) can be maintained. It has a management function that authenticates users and provides a customized environment for each user based on the user information held in association with the authenticated user. Also, as a user authentication method, conventionally a time-consuming method such as user name and password input has been used, but an authentication method with high personality such as non-contact IC card and fingerprint authentication and less input time. Has been adopted, and the introduction of user registration is also progressing.
In this embodiment, a part of the user information is managed by adding an optimum amplitude value used for controlling the operation response, and is used for controlling the operation response of the user at the time of reuse, thereby facilitating implementation. .

Hereinafter, the operation of the touch panel responding to the input operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9 showing the control flow of the operation of the touch panel responding to the input operation.
The control flow in FIG. 9 is activated when the system is started up from a shutdown state in a power-off or low power consumption mode or the like.
When the control flow is activated, first, user (user) authentication is performed (step S201). Here, for example, the user authentication data (for example, user ID) written in the non-contact IC card owned by the user is read through the external media input / output device 15, and the user authentication data (for example, registered in advance) ( For example, it is checked whether or not authentication is established (step S202).

As a result of the user authentication, if the authentication is not established (step S202-NO), an operation response suitable for the user can be performed by using the control operation shown in the first embodiment as it is. That is, on the assumption that an unspecified user uses the system, the control flow (steps S101 to S108 in FIG. 2) for performing operation response control suitable for each user is executed (step S203). . Since the control flow in FIG. 2 is for an unspecified user, no history is recorded after the user has finished using the system. This point is different from the case where a history (amplitude information) of an operation response operation is stored in a specific user (authenticated user) described later.
After executing step S203, a step of confirming an instruction for shutting down the system performed at the final stage of the control flow is performed. If no shutdown instruction is given (step S213-NO), the process returns to step S101, and a new job Respond to processing requests. On the other hand, if shutdown is instructed (step S213—YES), this control flow is terminated.

On the other hand, if user authentication is established (step S202-YES), it is then checked whether or not the amplitude information (Vreg) of the authenticated user is stored in the managed user information (step S204).
If the user's amplitude information (Vreg) is stored as a result of this confirmation (step S204-YES), this amplitude information (Vreg) is set as the optimum amplitude setting value used for the response of the touch panel ( Vfit ← Vreg) (step S205), and if the amplitude information (Vreg) of the user is not stored (step S204-NO), the process proceeds to the next step S206 without doing anything.
Thereafter, the processing procedure branches depending on whether or not the optimum amplitude value Vfit has been set, so it is confirmed whether or not Vfit has been set (step S206).

If the optimum amplitude value Vfit has been set (step S206-YES), an initial screen (see FIG. 3) is displayed on the display device 18 of the operation panel (step S207).
In addition, an input operation is immediately performed on the displayed initial screen. Taking the screen 18d shown in FIG. 3 as an example, the button B1 / B2 displayed on the screen as a selection operation is pressed, and as a response to the operation at that time, the set value Vfit of the optimum amplitude set in step S205. The control to vibrate the touch panel is executed (step S208).
On the other hand, if the optimum amplitude value Vfit has not been set (step S206-NO), the optimum amplitude Vfit is obtained, and this Vfit is set as a setting value used for response control of the operation of the touch panel, that is, Embodiment 1 described above. The same operation (steps S101 to S106 in FIG. 2) as the initial control operation shown in FIG. 2 is executed (step S209).

  After performing Step S208 or Step S209, an input operation performed by this user (authenticated user requesting the job) is waited for on the operation screen to be subsequently switched (Step S210). After the initial screen, waiting for a user input operation on the operation screen to be switched (see FIG. 5) is performed until the requested job is completed and the use of the system is completed. That is, while the requested job has not been processed yet (the system has not been used yet) and the operation is continuously performed (step S211-NO), the input job continues to be waited for and the requested job has been processed. When the use of the system ends (step S211—YES), the process proceeds to the next step S212. Until the use of the system ends, the optimum amplitude setting value Vfit set in step S205 or step S209 is applied to the response control of the touch panel operation for the input operation of the user.

  Further, assuming that the same user continuously performs different jobs, the determination in step S211 can be performed. As a procedure, when a series of processing of the requested job is completed, the user is asked whether or not to continue a new job, and an input operation to the operation screen is subsequently performed according to the user's intention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a confirmation screen shown to the user in order to confirm the continuous operation. The example of the operation screen 18d shown in the figure shows an operation screen for selecting either the “continuous operation” button B5 or the “end operation” button B6. When “continuous operation” is selected, the optimum amplitude setting value Vfit previously set in step S205 or step S209 can be applied, so that there is a merit that the operation for obtaining the optimum amplitude becomes unnecessary.

After confirming the end of use of the system in step S211, the amplitude setting value Vfit used for controlling the operation response of this control flow is set as one of the user information as the optimum amplitude setting value adapted to a specific user (authenticated user). (Vreg ← Vfit) and manage so that it can be applied to the user next time (step S212).
In the next step, it is confirmed whether shutdown of the system is instructed (step S213). If shutdown is not instructed (step S213-NO), the process returns to step S101 to respond to a new job processing request.
On the other hand, if shutdown is instructed (step S213—YES), this control flow is terminated.

  According to this embodiment, the optimum amplitude setting value used for the operation response adapted to a specific user (authenticated user) can be managed as user information, and the optimum amplitude setting value can be acquired only by user authentication. Since the operation for searching for the optimum amplitude every time the system is used as the initial control operation in the first embodiment corresponding to an unspecified user can be omitted, the time required for setting the optimum amplitude can be shortened and an accurate operation can be performed. It becomes possible.

  1 .. Multifunction machine 2. CPU. 3. Memory unit 18. Display device 19. Operation input device 20. Vibration control unit 21. Vibration device 25. Image data processing system .

JP 2005-332063 A JP 2004-362428 A

Claims (7)

An information processing apparatus comprising a touch panel having a contact surface for generating an input signal in response to contact with an operating body, a vibration means for vibrating the touch panel, and an input device having a control means for controlling the operation of the vibration means. And
The control means controls the amplitude of the touch panel by changing the setting value in a direction to increase from the initial setting value when an input signal is generated by contact of the operating body, and the setting value when the input signal disappears due to contact dissociation The initial control operation for storing the initial value is stored, and when the operation is repeated by the same operator, the setting value stored in the initial control operation is continuously used to control the operation of the vibration unit. Information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
When performing the initial control operation, the control means performs control using a value in a predetermined range in the vicinity including the setting value saved in the previous initial control operation as an initial setting value, and a setting value obtained by this operation An information processing apparatus that performs an operation of updating the stored setting value. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
When the control means continuously uses the set value stored in the initial control operation to control the operation of the vibration means, the control means stores the initial control operation for a predetermined time from when the input signal is generated by the contact of the operating body. An information processing apparatus that performs control using a set value that is controlled using a set value that is changed and is increased in a direction of increasing from the set value after a predetermined time has elapsed. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
User registration / authentication means for registering information processing device users and authenticating that the operator is a registered user, and user information management for managing user information in association with the registered user With means,
The user information management means stores the amplitude setting value obtained when the control means performs the initial control operation in association with the user authenticated by the user registration / authentication means as user information. And when the control means controls the operation of the vibration means using the set value obtained in the initial control operation, the control means is stored and managed in association with the user authenticated by the user registration / authentication means. An information processing apparatus which is means for providing a setting value to be applied to a corresponding user from an amplitude setting value. A touch panel having a contact surface for generating an input signal in response to contact of an operating body, a touch panel vibration control method for controlling a vibration means in an input device having a vibration means for vibrating the touch panel,
Initial control that controls the amplitude of the touch panel by changing the setting value in the direction of increasing from the initial setting value when an input signal is generated by touching the operating body, and stores the setting value when the input signal disappears due to dissociation of the contact Process,
And a step of controlling the operation of the vibration means by continuously using the setting value stored in the initial control step during the operation repeated by the same operator. A program for causing a computer to function as a control means for controlling the vibration means of a touch panel having a contact surface for generating an input signal in response to contact with an operating body and a vibration means for vibrating the touch panel. There,
The control means controls the amplitude of the touch panel by changing the setting value in a direction to increase from the initial setting value when an input signal is generated by contact of the operating body, and the setting value when the input signal disappears due to contact dissociation The initial control operation for storing the initial value is stored, and when the operation is repeated by the same operator, the setting value stored in the initial control operation is continuously used to control the operation of the vibration unit. Program to do. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 6 is recorded.

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