JP2013047886A - Input device, control method therefor and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve user-friendliness in performing touch input.SOLUTION: An input device of the present invention comprises: a display section; a touch input section having a touch surface placed to be overlapped with the display section for detecting touch input on the touch surface and outputting a signal corresponding to a detected result; a detection section for detecting height of a peripheral part of the touch surface to the touch surface, and outputting a detection signal indicating the detected height; and a control section for controlling display on the display section according to the height indicated by the detection signal output from the detection section.

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device that receives an input via a touch surface, a method for controlling the input device, and a program.

  An input device that receives input from an operator includes a display unit, and a touch input unit that detects contact or proximity of a finger or the like to a touch surface placed on the display unit. Some devices accept touch inputs by detecting touch inputs that make them touch or approach each other. Such an input device has been incorporated into various devices in recent years because it enables intuitive input while viewing the display on the display unit and is easy to use.

  Some devices in which an input device that receives input via a touch surface is incorporated have a frame formed around the touch surface, and there is a step between the touch surface and the peripheral portion of the touch surface.

  In addition, examples of devices incorporating an input device that receives input via a touch surface include portable devices such as smartphones and portable game machines. In these portable devices, a window is provided at a position corresponding to the touch surface. A case provided with may be attached. When the case is attached, a step corresponding to the thickness of the case is generated between the touch surface and the peripheral portion.

  If there is a step between the touch surface and the peripheral portion, when touch input is performed on the end portion of the touch surface, a finger may hit the peripheral portion and it may be difficult to perform touch input.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-129823), in an input device that accepts input via a touch surface, the touch area on the touch surface corresponding to the key displayed on the end of the display unit A technique for setting larger than the key display area is disclosed. According to this technique, it becomes easy to perform touch input to the touch area corresponding to the key displayed at the end of the display unit.

JP 2008-129823 A

  There are a wide variety of cases attached to portable devices and the like, and the step between the touch surface and the peripheral part changes depending on the case attached. The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration that the step difference between the touch surface and the peripheral portion is changed. Therefore, even if the touch area is set to be large depending on the step difference between the touch surface and the peripheral portion. There is a problem that touch input is difficult to perform and the usability may be poor.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an input device, an input device control method, and a program capable of improving usability at the time of touch input.

In order to achieve the above object, the first input device of the present invention includes:
A display unit;
A touch input unit that includes a touch surface arranged to overlap the display unit, detects a touch input to the touch surface, and outputs a signal according to a detection result;
Detecting a height of the peripheral portion of the touch surface relative to the touch surface and outputting a detection signal indicating the detected height;
A control unit that controls display of the display unit in accordance with a height indicated by a detection signal output from the detection unit.

In order to achieve the above object, the second input device of the present invention provides:
A touch input unit that includes a touch surface, detects a touch input to the touch surface, and outputs a signal according to a detection result;
Detecting a height of the peripheral portion of the touch surface relative to the touch surface and outputting a detection signal indicating the detected height;
A control unit that increases the detection sensitivity of the touch input within a predetermined range from the end of the touch surface in accordance with the height indicated by the detection signal output from the detection unit.

In order to achieve the above object, the first input device control method of the present invention comprises:
A control method for an input device comprising: a display unit; and a touch surface arranged to overlap the display unit,
Detecting the height of the periphery of the touch surface relative to the touch surface;
Control the display of the display unit according to the detected height,
A touch input to the touch surface is detected, and a signal corresponding to the detection result is output.

In order to achieve the above object, the second input device control method of the present invention comprises:
A method for controlling an input device having a touch surface,
Detecting the height of the periphery of the touch surface relative to the touch surface;
In accordance with the detected height, increase the detection sensitivity of touch input within a predetermined range from the end of the touch surface,
A touch input to the touch surface is detected, and a signal corresponding to the detection result is output.

In order to achieve the above object, the first program of the present invention provides:
In an input device including a display unit and a touch surface arranged to overlap the display unit,
A process of detecting a height of a peripheral portion of the touch surface relative to the touch surface;
Processing for controlling the display of the display unit according to the detected height;
Detecting a touch input to the touch surface and outputting a signal according to the detection result.

In order to achieve the above object, the second program of the present invention provides:
To input device with touch surface,
A process of detecting a height of a peripheral portion of the touch surface relative to the touch surface;
A process of increasing the detection sensitivity of touch input within a predetermined range from the end of the touch surface according to the detected height;
Detecting a touch input to the touch surface and outputting a signal according to the detection result.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the usability at the time of touch input.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the input device of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is an overview diagram of a device in which the input device illustrated in FIG. 1 is incorporated. It is a figure which shows the structure of the proximity sensor shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of discrimination | determination of the height of the peripheral part of the touch surface of the input device shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the display control of the input device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the input device of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the input device of the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

  EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated with reference to drawings.

  The input device according to the present invention is incorporated in various devices such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, and a portable game machine, and receives input.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an input device 100 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  An input device 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a work memory 103, an acceleration sensor 104, an acceleration sensor control unit 105, a display unit 106, The display control unit 107, the touch input unit 108, the input control unit 109, the proximity sensor 110, the proximity sensor control unit 111, and the bus 112 are included.

  The CPU 101 is connected to the ROM 102, the working memory 103, the acceleration sensor control unit 105, the display control unit 107, the input control unit 109, and the proximity sensor control unit 111 via the bus 112, and controls each unit.

  The ROM 102 stores fixed data such as various control programs executed by the CPU 101.

  The work memory 103 is composed of, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores data temporarily required for the CPU 101 to execute the program.

  The acceleration sensor 104 detects acceleration applied to the device in which the input device 100 is incorporated, and outputs the detection result to the acceleration sensor control unit 105.

  The acceleration sensor control unit 105 controls the operation of the acceleration sensor 104. Further, the acceleration sensor control unit 105 determines the posture of the device based on the detection result output from the acceleration sensor 104.

  The display unit 106 is a monochrome or color liquid crystal display, an organic EL (organic electroluminescence) display, or the like, and displays various images. As shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 106 is disposed on the front surface of the device.

  The display control unit 107 controls display on the display unit 106.

  The touch input unit 108 includes a touch surface arranged so as to be superimposed on the display unit 106. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the touch input unit 108 detects a touch input in which a finger or the like touches or approaches the touch surface, and a signal corresponding to the detection result. Is output to the input control unit 109. Specific examples of the touch input unit 108 include a touch sensor and a touch pad.

  The input control unit 109 controls the operation of the touch input unit 108. Further, the input control unit 109 receives an input in accordance with a signal output from the touch input unit 108.

  In the present embodiment, a so-called touch panel in which the display unit 106 and the touch input unit 108 are integrally formed may be used.

  The proximity sensor 110 detects the proximity state of the object and outputs the detection result to the proximity sensor control unit 111.

  The proximity sensor control unit 111 performs operation control of the proximity sensor 110. Further, the proximity sensor control unit 111 determines the height of the peripheral portion of the touch surface based on the detection result output from the proximity sensor 110.

  Next, the configuration of the proximity sensor 110 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the proximity sensor 110 is arrange | positioned in the position close enough to the peripheral part 31 of a touch surface, as shown in FIG.

  The proximity sensor 110 includes a light emitting element 32 and a light receiving element 33.

  The light emitting element 32 emits infrared rays obliquely upward with respect to the touch surface toward the peripheral portion 31.

  The light receiving element 33 receives the reflected light in which the infrared ray transmitted from the light emitting element 32 is reflected by the peripheral portion 31, and outputs the light amount of the received reflected light to the proximity sensor control unit 111.

  Next, the operation of the input device 100 of this embodiment will be described.

  First, the operation of the input device 100 when determining the height of the peripheral portion relative to the touch surface will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The acceleration sensor control unit 105 causes the acceleration sensor 104 to detect acceleration in response to a predetermined event (step S101).

  When the detection result is output from the acceleration sensor 104, the acceleration sensor control unit 105 determines whether the device is horizontal and the display unit 106 is facing upward based on the detection result. (Step S102).

  If the device is horizontal and the display unit 106 is not facing upward (step S102: No), the acceleration sensor control unit 105 returns to the process of step S101.

  When the device is horizontal and the display unit 106 is facing upward (step S102: Yes), the acceleration sensor control unit 105 notifies the proximity sensor control unit 111 to that effect.

  Upon receiving the notification from the acceleration sensor control unit 105, the proximity sensor control unit 111 instructs the proximity sensor 110 to perform detection processing (step S103).

  Upon receiving an instruction from the proximity sensor control unit 111, the proximity sensor 111 transmits infrared rays from the light emitting element 32, and the reflected light reflected by the peripheral part is received by the light receiving element 33, and the received reflected light The amount of light is output to the proximity sensor control unit 111.

  Infrared light output from the light emitting element 32 has a certain extent in a diagonally upward direction with respect to the touch surface. Therefore, the higher the peripheral part, the more the amount of infrared light transmitted from the light emitting element 32 is reflected by the peripheral part, and the amount of reflected light received by the light receiving element 33 increases. On the other hand, the lower the peripheral part, the smaller the amount of infrared light transmitted from the light emitting element 32 is reflected at the peripheral part, and the smaller the amount of reflected light received by the light receiving element 33.

  When the proximity sensor control unit 111 instructs the proximity sensor 110 to perform the detection process, and the light amount detection result is output, the count value of the number of detection processes is incremented by 1, and the count reaches the predetermined number. It is determined whether or not (step S104).

  When the count number does not reach the predetermined number (step S104: No), the proximity sensor control unit 111 returns to the process of step S103.

  When the count number reaches the predetermined number (step S104: Yes), the proximity sensor control unit 111 determines the height of the peripheral part based on the detection result output according to the predetermined number of detection processes. (Step S105). Here, the proximity sensor control unit 111 calculates, for example, an average value of the amount of reflected light output in response to a predetermined number of detection processes, and determines the height of the peripheral portion based on the calculated amount of reflected light. . Further, the proximity sensor control unit 111 stores, for example, a table in which the height of the peripheral portion with respect to the touch surface is associated with the amount of reflected light, and the reflection output from the proximity sensor 110 with reference to the table. Based on the amount of light, the height of the peripheral portion relative to the touch surface is determined.

  Next, the proximity sensor control unit 111 stores the height of the peripheral portion with respect to the determined touch surface in the ROM 102 (step S106). Further, the proximity sensor control unit 111 resets the count value of the number of detection processes.

  Next, the proximity sensor control unit 111 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after storing the height of the peripheral portion with respect to the touch surface in the ROM 102 (step S107).

  If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S107: No), the proximity sensor control unit 111 repeats the process of step S107.

  When the predetermined time has elapsed (step S107: Yes), the proximity sensor control unit 111 notifies the acceleration sensor control unit 105 to that effect. In response to the notification from the proximity sensor control unit 111, the acceleration sensor control unit 105 returns to the process of step S101.

  Next, the operation of the input device 100 during display control of the display unit 106 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the following, a keyboard key (keyboard video) is displayed on the display unit 106, and a soft key that can be input by performing touch input on a touch area on a touch surface corresponding to a character key or the like included in the keyboard video. Assume that an input is made.

  When an instruction to perform soft key input is input, the display control unit 107 reads a keyboard image stored in the ROM 102 (step S201). In addition, the display control unit 107 reads the height of the peripheral part stored in the ROM 102 (step S202).

  The display control unit 107 compares predetermined threshold values Th1 and Th2 (threshold value Th1> threshold value Th2) with the read height of the peripheral portion, and determines the height level of the peripheral portion (step S203). Specifically, if the height of the peripheral portion is equal to or higher than the threshold Th1, the display control unit 107 determines that the height level is “high”, and if the height is lower than the threshold Th1 and equal to or higher than the threshold Th2, the height level “medium”. If it is less than the threshold Th2, it is determined that the height level is “low”.

  If the height of the peripheral portion is the height level “low”, the display control unit 107 displays the read keyboard image on the entire screen of the display unit 106, for example (step S204).

  When the height of the peripheral portion is at the height level “medium”, the display control unit 107 sets the display area for displaying the keyboard image to 5 dots at the top, bottom, left, and right, respectively, compared to the case where the height level is “low”. It is narrowed by minutes and displayed on the display unit 106 (step S205).

  When the height of the peripheral portion is the height level “high”, the display control unit 107 sets the display area for displaying the keyboard image to 10 dots vertically and horizontally, respectively, compared to the case where the height level is “low”. It is narrowed by minutes and displayed on the display unit 106 (step S206).

  Note that the number of dots (5 dots and 10 dots) for narrowing the display area in steps S205 and S206 is merely an example, and is not limited to this.

  When the height level of the peripheral portion is high (when the step between the touch surface and the peripheral portion is large), when touch input is performed on the end portion of the touch surface, a finger or the like hits the peripheral portion and input becomes difficult. Therefore, as the height level of the peripheral portion is higher, the display area of the display unit 106 is narrowed and arranged near the center of the screen, so that a finger or the like does not hit the peripheral portion, and touch input becomes easier.

  Next, the display control unit 107 determines whether or not an input to end the soft key input has been input (step S207).

  When it is not input to end the soft key input (step S207: No), the display control unit 107 repeats the process of step S207.

  When it is input that the soft key input is to be ended (step S207: Yes), the display control unit 107 ends the keyboard video display. If the display area is narrowed in step S205 or step S206, the display control unit 107 restores the display area (step S208) and ends the process.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the input device 100 detects the height of the peripheral portion of the touch surface, and controls the display of the display unit 106 according to the detected height.

  Therefore, the display of the display unit 106 can be prevented from being placed at a position where it is difficult to perform touch input due to a step between the touch surface and the peripheral part, and a finger or the like is not touched on the peripheral part. Usability can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the proximity sensor 110 is described as an infrared type. However, the proximity sensor 110 may be an induction type, a capacitance type, an ultrasonic type, an electromagnetic type, or the like.

  In this embodiment, the example in which the height level of the peripheral portion is divided into three stages has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the height level may be divided into two steps or four or more steps, and the display area may be changed linearly according to the height of the peripheral portion.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the size of the display area of the display unit 106 is changed according to the height of the peripheral part has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. Accordingly, a key displayed at the end of the display unit 106 may be displayed in a large size.

  In the present embodiment, the display area of the display unit 106 has been described using an example in which the display area of the display unit 106 is narrowed by the same number of dots in the vertical and horizontal directions according to the height of the peripheral part, but is not limited thereto. For example, proximity sensors are provided on the top, bottom, left, and right of the periphery of the touch surface, and the amount of adjustment for each display area of the display unit 106 is changed according to the height of the periphery on the top, bottom, left, and right of each touch surface. You may make it do.

(Second Embodiment)
Compared with the first embodiment, the information processing apparatus 200 of this embodiment does not control the display of the display unit 106 according to the height of the peripheral part, but changes the detection sensitivity of touch input. Different points. In order to realize the above operation, in the present embodiment, the display control unit 107 and the input control unit 109 perform the following operations different from those in the first embodiment.

  That is, in this embodiment, the display control unit 107 does not change the display area of the display unit 107 according to the height of the peripheral part.

  The input control unit 109 reads the height of the peripheral part stored in the ROM 102 when, for example, input of soft key input is performed, and the edge of the touch surface is read according to the height of the peripheral part. The detection sensitivity of touch input in a region within a predetermined range from the part is increased. As a method for detecting a touch input, for example, there are a resistance film method and a capacitance method. In these methods, the threshold value is compared with the amount of change in the resistance value or capacitance generated by touch input on the touch surface. For example, when the amount of change exceeds the threshold value, the touch input is detected. The By setting this threshold value low, touch input can be detected even if the resistance value or the amount of change in capacitance is small, and the detection sensitivity of the touch input unit 108 can be increased.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the input device 200 increases the detection sensitivity of touch input in a region within a predetermined range from the end portion of the touch surface according to the height of the peripheral portion.

  If the level difference between the touch surface and the peripheral portion is large, it is conceivable that a finger hits the peripheral portion and contact with the touch surface is weakened. Here, according to the height of the peripheral part, by increasing the detection sensitivity of the touch input in an area within a predetermined range from the edge of the touch surface, the input can be detected even if the touch surface is weak. Therefore, it is possible to improve the usability at the time of touch input.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the input device 300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  An input device 300 illustrated in FIG. 6 includes a display unit 301, a touch input unit 302, a detection unit 303, and a control unit 304.

  The display unit 301 displays various videos.

  The touch input unit 302 includes a touch surface arranged so as to overlap the display unit 301, detects a touch input to the touch surface, and outputs a signal corresponding to the detection result.

  The detection unit 303 detects the height of the peripheral part of the touch surface with respect to the touch surface, and outputs a detection signal indicating the detected height.

  The control unit 304 controls the display of the display unit 301 according to the height of the peripheral portion indicated by the detection signal output from the detection unit 304. Note that the control unit 304 narrows the display area in which the display unit 301 displays an image according to the height of the peripheral part and arranges the display unit 301 near the center of the screen of the display unit 301, for example.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the input device 300 detects the height of the peripheral portion of the touch surface relative to the touch surface, and controls the display of the display unit 301 according to the detected height of the peripheral portion.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the display of the display unit 301 from being placed at a position where it is difficult to perform touch input due to a step between the touch surface and the peripheral part, and the peripheral part is not touched with a finger, and the touch input is not performed. Usability can be improved.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the input device 400 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  An input device 400 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a touch input unit 401, a detection unit 402, and a control unit 403.

  The touch input unit 401 includes a touch surface, detects a touch input using a finger or the like on the touch surface, and outputs a signal corresponding to the detection result.

  The detection unit 402 detects the height of the peripheral part of the touch surface with respect to the touch surface, and outputs a detection signal indicating the detected height.

  The control unit 403 increases the detection sensitivity of the touch input within a predetermined range from the end of the touch surface according to the height indicated by the detection signal output from the detection unit 402.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the input device 400 increases the detection sensitivity of touch input in a region within a predetermined range from the end of the touch surface according to the height of the peripheral portion.

  If the level difference between the touch surface and the peripheral portion is large, it is conceivable that a finger hits the peripheral portion and contact with the touch surface is weakened. Here, according to the height of the peripheral part, by increasing the detection sensitivity of the touch input in an area within a predetermined range from the edge of the touch surface, the input can be detected even if the touch surface is weak. Therefore, it is possible to improve the usability at the time of touch input.

  The method performed in the input device of the present invention may be applied to a program for causing a computer to execute. In addition, the program can be stored in a storage medium and can be provided to the outside via a network.

100, 300, 400 Input device 101 CPU
102 ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 103 Work memory 104 Acceleration sensor 105 Acceleration sensor control part 106,301 Display part 107 Display control part 108,302,401 Touch input part 109 Input control part 110 Proximity sensor 111 Proximity sensor control part 112 Bus 31 Peripheral part 32 Light emitting element 33 Light receiving element 303, 402 Detection unit 304, 403 Control unit

Claims (8)

A display unit;
A touch input unit that includes a touch surface arranged to overlap the display unit, detects a touch input to the touch surface, and outputs a signal according to a detection result;
Detecting a height of the peripheral portion of the touch surface relative to the touch surface and outputting a detection signal indicating the detected height;
An input device comprising: a control unit that controls display of the display unit according to a height indicated by a detection signal output from the detection unit. The input device according to claim 1,
In accordance with the height indicated by the detection signal, the control unit reduces a display area in which the display unit displays an image and arranges the display unit near the center of the screen of the display unit. . A touch input unit that includes a touch surface, detects a touch input to the touch surface, and outputs a signal according to a detection result;
Detecting a height of the peripheral portion of the touch surface relative to the touch surface and outputting a detection signal indicating the detected height;
A control unit that increases detection sensitivity of the touch input within a predetermined range from an end of the touch surface in accordance with a height indicated by a detection signal output from the detection unit. apparatus. A control method for an input device comprising: a display unit; and a touch surface arranged to overlap the display unit,
Detecting the height of the periphery of the touch surface relative to the touch surface;
Control the display of the display unit according to the detected height,
A method for controlling an input device, comprising: detecting a touch input to the touch surface; and outputting a signal according to a detection result. The control method of the input device according to claim 4,
A control method for an input device, characterized in that a display area on which the display unit displays an image is reduced according to a height indicated by the detection signal, and is arranged near the center of the screen of the display unit. A method for controlling an input device having a touch surface,
Detecting the height of the periphery of the touch surface relative to the touch surface;
In accordance with the detected height, increase the detection sensitivity of touch input within a predetermined range from the end of the touch surface,
A method for controlling an input device, comprising: detecting a touch input to the touch surface; and outputting a signal according to a detection result. In an input device including a display unit and a touch surface arranged to overlap the display unit,
A process of detecting a height of a peripheral portion of the touch surface relative to the touch surface;
Processing for controlling the display of the display unit according to the detected height;
The program which performs the process which detects the touch input to the said touch surface, and outputs the signal according to a detection result. To input device with touch surface,
A process of detecting a height of a peripheral portion of the touch surface relative to the touch surface;
A process of increasing the detection sensitivity of touch input within a predetermined range from the end of the touch surface according to the detected height;
The program which performs the process which detects the touch input to the said touch surface, and outputs the signal according to a detection result.

Images