JP2013149045A - Touch panel type input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel type input device for identifying a user of a pen for input who has performed a touch input with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A touch panel type input device 1 enables a plurality of users to perform a touch input on the basis of the change of capacitance corresponding to a touch on a touch panel 6, and includes a user identification unit 2 for identifying a plurality of users on the basis of a state of the touch on the touch panel 6.

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel type input device capable of touch input by a plurality of users based on a change in capacitance caused by touching a touch panel.

  A touch panel system combining an electronic pen and a touch panel is known (Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2). This type of touch panel system requires a dedicated electronic pen on which a power source, a power source circuit, a communication circuit, a control circuit, and the like are mounted. In addition, since a large touch panel system requires touch input by a large number of people, it is necessary to associate each pen information with an electronic pen, and it is necessary to prepare dedicated electronic pens for the number of users.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional touch panel type input device 91. The touch panel type input device 91 includes a touch panel 96 having a touch surface. On the touch panel 96, a plurality of transmission electrodes 86 and a plurality of reception electrodes 87 insulated from the transmission electrodes 86 are arranged in a lattice pattern. The transmission electrode 86 and the reception electrode 87 are insulated by a sheet-like insulating material or the like.

  The touch panel type input device 91 receives a charge / discharge current signal of a transmission unit 83 that applies a drive signal to the transmission electrode 86 and a reception electrode 87 in response to the drive signal applied to the transmission electrode 86, and transmits the transmission electrode. Based on the level signal output from the receiving unit 84 and the level signal output from the receiving unit 84, the receiving unit 84 receives the level signal at each electrode intersection 88 where the 86 and the receiving electrode 87 intersect, and the transmitting unit 83 and the receiving unit 84 And a position detection control unit 85 for controlling the operation.

  The touch panel type input device 91 is provided with a control unit 99. The control unit 99 draws characters, lines, graphics, and the like based on the touch position as touch information output from the position detection control unit 85 in response to a touch operation on the touch surface of the touch panel 96 with an indicator or the like. Unit 80, a display control unit 81 that generates display image data based on the output of the drawing control unit 80 and outputs the display image data to the display device 97, and a main control unit 82 that collectively controls these units.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an input pen 71 provided in the touch panel type input device 91. The input pen 71 includes a wireless communication circuit 75 that performs communication with the wireless communication unit 93 provided in the control unit 99 of the touch panel type input device 91, and a pen control circuit 76 that controls the operation of the input pen 71. And a battery 73 and a power circuit 74 for supplying power to the wireless communication circuit 75 and the pen control circuit 76.

  When the electronic blackboard provided with the touch panel 96 is used by a plurality of users, the user switches and uses attributes such as colors of the plurality of input pens 71 as necessary. The pen information representing such an attribute is transmitted from the input pen 71 to the wireless communication unit 93 of the control unit 99 during a touch operation with the input pen 71, and the instruction unit determination unit 92 provided in the drawing control unit 80 includes: Based on the pen information transmitted from the input pen 71, it is determined which of the input pens 71 is a touch input.

JP 2011-143557 A (published July 28, 2011) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-145763 (released July 28, 2011)

  However, in the conventional configuration shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, in order to determine which touch input to the touch panel is a touch input from among a plurality of input pens, a battery, wireless communication There is a problem that it is necessary to provide a dedicated input pen equipped with a circuit or the like.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel type input device that can identify a user of a touch input input pen with a simple configuration in a touch panel type input device that is touch-inputted by a plurality of input pens. .

  In order to solve the above problems, a touch panel type input device according to the present invention is a touch panel type input device capable of touch input by a plurality of users based on a change in capacitance due to a touch on the touch panel. A user identification unit for identifying the plurality of users based on a touch mode on the touch panel is provided.

  With this feature, it is possible to identify a plurality of users based on the manner of touching the touch panel that allows touch input by a plurality of users based on the change in capacitance. For this reason, a dedicated pen-type input device for identifying a plurality of users who perform touch input on the touch panel is not required, and the users can be automatically identified based on a tool such as a finger or a conductive writing instrument. As a result, it is possible to identify the user of the input pen that has performed touch input with a simple configuration.

  Thus, according to the present invention, a dedicated pen-type input device is not required, and a user can be automatically recognized based on a finger and a tool such as a conductive writing instrument. The touch mode for identification can be set for each user, and this identification function can also be applied to a game machine.

  In the touch panel type input device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the touch mode includes a contact area with the touch panel.

  With the above-described configuration, it is possible to identify a user who performs touch input based on the contact area of a pen that performs touch input and the contact area of a finger that performs touch input.

  The touch panel type input device according to the present invention further includes first and second pens for touch input to the touch panel, and a contact portion of the first pen with respect to the touch panel is a contact portion of the second pen with respect to the touch panel. It is preferable that it is thicker.

  With the above configuration, a plurality of users input with pens having different thicknesses, and thus the plurality of users can be identified by detecting the size of the contact portion of the pen.

  In the touch panel type input device according to the present invention, a display mode control unit that changes a display mode based on a touch on the touch panel to a display device corresponding to the touch panel according to the user identified by the user identification unit. It is preferable to further provide.

  With the above configuration, the thickness and color of the display destination based on the touch on the touch panel to the display device corresponding to the touch panel can be changed according to the user identified by the user identifying unit, and the touch input is performed on the display device. A plurality of users can be easily recognized.

  The touch panel type input device according to the present invention can identify a plurality of users based on a touch mode on a touch panel that allows touch input by a plurality of users based on a change in capacitance. For this reason, a dedicated pen-type input device for identifying a plurality of users who perform touch input on the touch panel is not required, and the users can be automatically identified based on a tool such as a finger or a conductive writing instrument. As a result, it is possible to identify the user of the input pen that has performed touch input with a simple configuration.

2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a touch panel type input device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the touchscreen provided in the said touchscreen type input device. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the said touchscreen type input device. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the said touchscreen type input device. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the said touchscreen type input device. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the touch panel input device according to the second embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the said touchscreen type input device. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the touch panel input device according to the third embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the said touchscreen type input device. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the touch panel type input device according to the fourth embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the said touchscreen type input device. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a touch panel input device according to a fifth embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the said touchscreen type input device. It is a model which shows the structure of the conventional touchscreen type input device. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pen for input provided in the said touchscreen type input device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

(Embodiment 1)
(Configuration of touch panel input device 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a touch panel input device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the touch panel 6 provided in the touch panel type input device 1.

  The touch panel type input device 1 includes a touch panel 6 having a touch surface. On the touch panel 6, a plurality of transmission electrodes 16 and a plurality of reception electrodes 17 insulated from the transmission electrodes 16 are arranged in a lattice pattern. The transmission electrode 16 and the reception electrode 17 are insulated by a sheet-like insulating material 20 as shown in FIG.

  The touch panel input device 1 includes a touch information detection device 21. The touch information detection device 21 receives the charge / discharge current signal of the transmission unit 13 that applies a drive signal to the transmission electrode 16 and the reception electrode 17 in response to the drive signal applied to the transmission electrode 16, and transmits the transmission electrode. 16 and a receiving unit 14 that receives a level signal at each electrode intersection 18 where the receiving electrode 17 intersects, and various touch information (touch size (touch area), touch shape) based on the level signal output from the receiving unit 14 , Touch position, capacitance change at touch position, total capacitance change in touch area, capacitance change distribution in touch area, etc. And a touch information detection control unit 15 that controls the operation of the transmission unit 13 and the reception unit 14.

  The touch panel type input device 1 is provided with a control unit 9. The control unit 9 controls the touch information from the touch information detection control unit 15 in response to a touch operation with an instruction to the touch surface of the touch panel 6 (in this case, including all conductive writing instruments such as a conductive pen and a finger). Based on all output touch information, or information on one or a plurality of combinations of them, a drawing control unit 10 for drawing characters, lines, figures, etc., and an output of the drawing control unit 10 A display control unit 11 that generates display image data and outputs the display image data to the display device 7 and a main control unit 12 that collectively controls these units are provided.

  The drawing control unit 10 includes a user identification unit 2 that identifies a plurality of users based on a touch mode on the touch panel 6 and a display mode based on a touch on the touch panel 6 on a display device 7 corresponding to the touch panel 6. And a display mode control unit 3 that varies depending on the user identified by the user identification unit 2.

  The drawing control unit 10 draws characters, lines, figures, etc. in accordance with the touch operation in the drawing mode, and erases the characters, lines, figures, etc. drawn in accordance with the touch operation in the eraser mode. . In addition, when the user identification unit 2 acquires touch information from the touch information detection control unit 15, the user identification unit 2 determines (identifies) which user or instruction indicates the touch information. The display mode control unit 3 performs drawing processing based on display information (color, color density, transparency, thickness, etc.) set for each user.

  The main control unit 12 executes processing according to the touch operation assigned to the operation button displayed on the display device 7. The control unit 9 may be constituted by a personal computer, but if it is constituted by a microcomputer chip, it is advantageous in terms of space and cost. Moreover, although the touch information detection apparatus 21 and the control part 9 (microcomputer) are shown by 2 chip | tip structure here, it is not restricted to this structure. That is, the function may be divided and configured with three or more chips, or conversely, one chip configuration or two or more chips may be configured with one package. The user identification unit 2 may be configured in the touch information detection device 21 as long as it exists somewhere in the touch panel input device 1.

  A capacitor is formed at the electrode intersection 18 where the transmission electrode 16 and the reception electrode 17 intersect. When the user performs a touch operation, the capacitance at the electrode intersection 18 decreases accordingly. Can be detected.

  The touch information detection control unit 15 determines the touch area (touch size), the touch shape, the touch position, the amount of change in capacitance at the touch position, and the inside of the touch area from the level signal for each electrode intersection 18 output from the reception unit 14. Touch information such as the total change amount of the entire capacitance and the distribution of the change amount of the capacitance within the touch area is detected. The control unit 9 identifies the user using all or part of the touch information.

(Operation of touch panel type input device 1)
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the touch panel input device 1.

  Here, a method of performing identification using touch size (touch area) and / or touch shape among touch information of four users will be described. It is assumed that the transmission electrode 16 and the reception electrode 17 of the touch panel 6 are formed with a pitch of 3 mm, for example. The first user uses a pen 4a with a pen tip 5a having a diameter of φ2 mm, the second user uses a pen 4b with a pen tip 5b having a diameter of φ5 mm, and the third user performs a drawing operation by touching with a relatively thin finger 8a. The fourth user performs a drawing operation by touching with a relatively thick finger 8b.

  First, a user identification method based on the touch size will be described. When the first user touches the touch surface of the touch panel 6, as shown in the touch surface 19a, there are four electrode intersections 18 where the capacitance change has occurred, and when the second user touches the touch surface of the touch panel 6, As shown in the touch surface 19b, there are 21 electrode intersections 18 where the capacitance change occurred, and in the third user, as shown on the touch surface 19c, there are 40 electrode intersections 18 where the capacitance change occurred. In the fourth user, as shown on the touch surface 19d, it is assumed that there are 64 electrode intersections 18 where the capacitance change has occurred. Therefore, the first user, the second user, the third user, and the fourth user can be individually distinguished. Therefore, different display information can be set according to the first user, the second user, the third user, and the fourth user. This display information may be set in advance as an initial setting. The initial setting may be set before shipment, such as a manufacturing process, or may be set by the user after shipment. The area of the electrode intersection 18 where the change in capacitance occurs tends to show some expansion relative to the area corresponding to the diameter of the nibs 5a and 5b.

  As an arbitrary selection method of the display information, it is preferable to assign an operation button to the display device 7 so that display information such as a pen color, darkness, transparency, and thickness can be selected. The threshold for determining whether or not a capacitance change has occurred may be determined as appropriate based on experimental data.

  Next, a user identification method using a touch shape will be described. When the first user touches the touch surface of the touch panel 6, as shown on the touch surface 19a, the electrode intersection 18 where the capacitance change has occurred is located at two places on the first line and 2 on the second line from the top of the figure. It is a place. When the second user touches the touch surface of the touch panel 6, as shown in the touch surface 19b, the electrode intersection 18 where the capacitance change has occurred is located at three locations on the first line and 5 on the second line from the top of the figure. There are five places, five places after that, and five places on the fifth line. In the third user, as shown on the touch surface 19c, the electrode intersection 18 where the capacitance change has occurred is 4 places on the first line, 6 places on the 6th line from the 2nd line, 4 places on the 7th line, 8 places There are two lines. In the fourth user, as shown by the touch surface 19d, the electrode intersection 18 where the capacitance change has occurred is 4 places on the 1st line, 6 places on the 2nd line, 8 places on the 3rd to 7th lines, 8 There are 6 lines on the 9th line and 2 lines on the 10th line. Accordingly, the first user, the second user, the third user, and the fourth user can be individually identified, so that the difference between the first user, the second user, the third user, and the fourth user is different. Accordingly, different pen information (color at the time of drawing, color density, thickness, etc.) can be set. This display information may be set in advance as an initial setting, or may be arbitrarily determined at the time of use. As an arbitrary selection method of the display information, it is preferable to assign an operation button to the display device 7 so that, for example, the thickness of the pen, the pen color, the color density, and the like can be selected.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the touch panel input device 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the touch panel input device 1.

  FIG. 4 shows an example in which display information is individually associated as an initial setting for the two users of the first user and the second user, using the user identification method shown in FIG. The first user automatically distinguishes between the first user and the second user by using the pen 4a of the pen tip 5a having a diameter of 2 mm and the second user using the pen 4b of the pen tip 5b having a diameter of 5 mm. Drawing is performed with approximately the same thickness as the pen tip. For example, when the pen tip is 1 to 3 mm, a thin character (drawing with a width of 2 mm) is set, and when the pen tip is other than 1 to 3 mm, a middle character (drawing with a width of 5 mm) is drawn. This initial setting may be performed during the manufacturing process, or may be set by the user after shipment. Here, the diameter of the pen tip of 1 to 3 mm is applied to the number of electrode intersections 18 as illustrated in FIG. For example, 1 to 9 points. Since the number of points varies depending on conditions such as the sensitivity of the touch panel system and the influence of noise, it may be obtained from experimental data.

  First, when the first user performs a drawing operation by touching the touch surface of the touch panel 6, the touch information detection device 21 detects touch information. Here, the touch information is the touch position, touch size (touch area), capacitance change amount at the touch position, total capacitance change amount within the touch area, and capacitance change distribution within the touch area. Etc. Here, an example in which the touch size is detected as the touch information is shown (step S1). The detected touch information is acquired by the control unit 9 (step S2). Here, the line width to be drawn is selected according to the relationship between the pen tip and the line width of the drawing shown in FIG. That is, the acquired touch size is compared with a threshold value (step S3).

  When the touch size is 1 point or more and 9 points or less (Yes in Step S3), it is determined that the touched user is the first user, and the first user uses the pen nib 2mm to display. The apparatus 7 is drawn (displayed) with a line width of 2 mm (step S4).

  When it is determined that the touch size is 10 points or more (N0 in step S3), it is determined that the touched user is the second user, and the second user uses the pen tip 5mm to display The apparatus 7 is drawn (displayed) with a line width of 5 mm (step S5).

  Next, when the first user performs a drawing operation by touch, the touch information detection device 21 detects touch size touch information (step S6), and the control unit 9 acquires the touch size touch information (step S6). Step S7). This user is identified as the first user from the touch information. This identification range may be performed by the number of electrode intersections 18 where the capacitance has changed. For example, it is determined that the user is the first user at 1 to 9 points, and the user is determined as the second user when the points are 10 points or more. When identified as the first user, a line width of 2 mm is selected (Yes in step S8), and the first user is continuously drawn in fine characters and black (step S9).

  When the touch size is 10 points or more and the user is identified as the second user (No in step S8), a line width of 5 mm is selected and drawn in black (step S10).

  In this way, if the initial setting is made, it is possible to draw with a line width corresponding to the thickness of the pen tip to be used, so that it is possible to draw characters, lines, figures, etc. with an intuitive and easy operation. Even if the first user and the second user are the same user, it is possible to change the drawn line width according to the situation by changing the pen to be used according to the situation.

(Embodiment 2)
The configuration of the touch panel type input device according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the touch panel type input device 1 according to the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS.

(Operation of Touch Panel Type Input Device According to Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the touch panel input device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the touch panel input device.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for use by two users. The difference from the first embodiment is that the display information associated with each of the first user and the second user is different as shown in FIG.

  As in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the first user uses the pen 4a whose pen tip 5a has a diameter of 2 mm, and the second user uses the pen 4b whose pen tip 5b has a diameter of 5 mm. The user identification method based on the touch size shown in FIG. 3 is used. For example, when the pen tip is 1 to 3 mm (for example, 1 to 9 points when applied to the electrode intersection 18 where the change in capacitance occurs), as shown in FIG. When applied to the electrode intersection 18 where the capacitance change has occurred, for example, it is set in advance so that fine characters and red are drawn. This initial setting may be performed during the manufacturing process, or may be set by the user after shipment. Also, if the color of the pen tip 5b or the like is painted in red, it is easy to distinguish when the user uses it. In this way, a feeling of drawing with colored pencils or colored pens on paper can be obtained, and an intuitive operational feeling is born.

  Description will be made along the flowchart of FIG. First, when the first user performs a drawing operation by touching the touch surface of the touch panel 6, the touch information detection device 21 detects touch information. Here, the touch size is detected as touch information (step S11). Next, the control unit 9 acquires touch information of this touch size (step S12). Here, the color to be drawn is selected based on the relationship between the pen tip and the drawing color that is initially set in advance (FIG. 7). That is, the touch size is compared with the threshold value (step S13). When it is determined that the touch size is 1 point or more and 9 points or less (Yes in step S13), it is determined that the touched user is the first user, and the first user uses the pen tip of the pen to be 2 mm. Then, it is drawn (displayed) in black (step S14).

  When it is determined that the touch size is 10 points or more (No in step S13), it is determined that the touched user is the second user, and the second user uses a pen with a pen tip of 5 mm and is drawn in red. (Display) (step S15).

  Next, when the user performs a drawing operation by touch again, the touch information detecting device 21 detects touch size touch information (step S16), and the control unit 9 acquires the touch size touch information (step S16). Step S17).

  Then, the touch size is compared with a threshold value (step S18). When it is determined that the touch size is not less than 1 point and not more than 9 points (Yes in step S18), it is determined that the touched user is the first user, and the characters are displayed in small letters and black (step S19).

  When it is determined that the touch size is 10 points or more (No in step S18), it is determined that the touched user is the second user, and is displayed in thin letters and red (step S20).

  Even if the first user and the second user are the same user, it is possible to change the color drawn (displayed) by changing the pen to be used according to the situation.

  In addition, although the example in which the touch information is a touch size has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. The touch information may be a touch position, a touch shape, and a capacitance change amount. The same applies to other embodiments.

(Embodiment 3)
The configuration of the touch panel type input device according to the third embodiment is the same as the configuration of the touch panel type input device 1 according to the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS.

(Operation of Touch Panel Type Input Device According to Embodiment 3)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the touch panel input device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the touch panel input device.

  FIG. 8 is an example in the case of a third user and a fourth user instead of the first user and the second user described in the first embodiment. That is, the input from the user is a pen instead of the input by a finger. FIG. 9 shows an example in which display information is individually associated with two users as an initial setting. The third user has a relatively small finger 8a, and when the user touches the touch surface, the electrode intersection 18 having a capacitance change is about 40 points. The fourth user has a relatively large finger 8b, and when touching the touch surface, the electrode intersection 18 having a capacitance change is around 64 points. For example, the range of the number of points of the electrode intersection 18 for identification as the third user may be 1 to 50, and when the number is 51 or more, the fourth user may be identified. This range may be appropriately determined based on experimental data or the like. In this way, it is possible to automatically distinguish between the third user and the fourth user and perform drawing automatically. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, it is set in advance so that the finger 8a is bold (for example, drawing with a width of 7 mm) and the finger 8b is drawn with extremely bold (for example, drawing with a width of 10 mm). In this case, the initial setting may be set at the time of shipment from the factory, but it is more convenient for the user to set it arbitrarily because it can be set for individual differences in finger size each time. This setting may be numeric input, and it is more convenient to automatically recognize the finger by touching the touch surface.

  This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when the third user performs a drawing operation by touching the touch surface of the touch panel 6, the touch information detection device 21 detects touch information. Here, the touch information is a touch position, a touch size (touch area), a capacitance change amount of the touch position, a total amount of capacitance change in the touch area, a capacitance change distribution in the touch area, and the like. It is. Here, an example in which a touch size is detected as touch information is shown. The electrode intersection 18 where the capacitance has changed is detected as around 40 points (step S21). Next, this information is acquired by the control unit 9 (step S22).

  Next, the line width to be drawn is selected based on the relationship between the finger 8a that has been initialized in advance and the line width of the drawing (see FIG. 9). That is, the touch size input by touch is compared with a threshold value (step S23).

  When it is determined that the touch size is 1 point or more and 50 points or less (Yes in Step S23), it is determined that the user is the third user, and bold and black are displayed based on the initial setting of the display information (Step S24). If it is a 3rd user, the electrode intersection 18 will be around 40 points, for example. The 40 points fall within the range of 1 to 50 in the number of points of the electrode intersection 18 and thus are identified as the third user.

  When it is determined that the touch size is 51 points or more (No in step S23), it is determined that the user is a fourth user, and the display is extremely bold and black based on the initial setting of the display information (step S25).

  Next, when the user performs a drawing operation by touch again, the touch information detecting device 21 detects touch size touch information (step S26), and the control unit 9 acquires the touch size touch information (step S26). S27). Then, the touch size input by touch is compared with a threshold value (step S28).

  When it is determined that the touch size is 1 point or more and 50 points or less (Yes in Step S28), it is determined that the user is a third user, and bold and black are displayed based on the initial setting of the display information (Step S29).

  When it is determined that the touch size is 51 points or more (No in step S28), it is determined that the user is a fourth user, and extremely bold and black are displayed based on the initial setting of the display information (step S30).

  In the case of the third user, the touch size as the touch information is around 40 points in terms of the number of points of the electrode intersection 18. Since the point number range of the electrode intersection is 1 to 50, the third user is identified as the third user, and the third user is continuously drawn (displayed) in bold and black.

  If, in step S26, the fourth user, not the third user, performs a drawing operation by touch, the touch size as the touch information of the fourth user is, for example, around 64 points in terms of the electrode intersection point 18. , The user is identified as being the fourth user. Therefore, a drawing image is displayed on the display device 7 by display information (extremely bold, black) set in advance as an initial setting.

  The following shows an example in which a touch shape is used as touch information. Similarly, it is an example in the case of a third user and a fourth user. In the flowchart of FIG. 8, the touch size range in steps S23 and S28 is simply replaced with a touch shape range. The same applies to an example in which display information is individually associated with two users as an initial setting. When the third user has a relatively small finger 8a and touches the touch surface, the touch shape is considered from the electrode intersection 18 having a capacitance change, from the back side when viewed from the receiving unit 14, The electrode intersection 18 is assumed to have 4 points in the first row, 6 points in the second to sixth rows, 4 points in the seventh row, and 2 points in the eighth row. As an initial setting, for example, the third user has a range of 1 to 9 columns, and in each column, the number of points of the electrode intersection 18 is 1 to 5 in the order from the first column, the second to sixth columns are 1 to 7 points, and 7 columns. Assuming that the eyes are 1 to 5 points and the eighth column is 1 to 3 points, the touch shape detected earlier falls within this range, so that it can be identified as the third user. In addition, the fourth user may make the size larger than the touch shape of the third user. For example, either the number of columns is 10 or more, or the number of points in each column exceeds the range of the number of points for the third user in at least one column. As an initial setting, it is convenient if this threshold can be set by touching the touch surface. Here, the upper limit of the point of the electrode intersection 18 for identification as the third user is a value increased by one point for each row and column, but the threshold range may be determined by accumulating experimental data. In this way, the third user and the fourth user can be automatically distinguished to perform drawing. For example, it is set in advance so that the finger 8a is bold (for example, drawing with a width of 7 mm) and the finger 8b is drawn with a very bold character (for example, drawing with a width of 10 mm). This initial setting may be set at the time of shipment from the factory, but when drawing with a finger, it is more convenient to set it each time because the user can set it arbitrarily because it can handle individual differences in finger size. is there.

(Embodiment 4)
The configuration of the touch panel type input device according to the fourth embodiment is the same as the configuration of the touch panel type input device 1 according to the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS.

(Operation of Touch Panel Type Input Device According to Embodiment 4)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of the touch panel input device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the touch panel input device.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for use by two users. The difference from the previous embodiments is that display information can be changed arbitrarily. It is assumed that the first user uses a pen 4a with a pen tip φ2 mm, and the second user uses a pen 4b with a pen tip φ5 mm. As an initial setting, both the first user and the second user are set to display the middle character and black as display information. This is because setting frequently used display information in advance saves the effort of selecting display information first.

  A description will be given with reference to FIG. First, when the first user performs a drawing operation by touching the touch surface of the touch panel 6, the touch information detection device 21 detects touch information. Here, the detected touch size is used as the touch information (step S31). Next, this touch size information is acquired by the control unit 9 (step S32). Here, since the first user is associated with the previously set middle character and black settings (step S33), the first user is displayed with the middle characters and black (step S34).

  Next, when the first user reselects the display information and selects bold and red, the touch information detection device 21 detects the touch information of the first user and the selected display information (step S35), and the control is performed. The part 9 acquires the touch information and display information (step S36).

  This user is identified as the first user from the touch information (touch size) in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the first user is associated with bold and red as display information. That is, the touch size is compared with the threshold value (step S37). When it is determined that the touch size is 1 point or more and 9 points or less (Yes in Step S37), the first user is identified, and bold and red are associated as display information (Step S38).

  If it is determined that the touch size is 10 points or more (No in step S37), display information such as pen color and / or thickness is associated as a new second user (step S39). If the second user, not the first user, selects the display information (bold, red) in step S35, it is identified as the second user from the touch information, and the second user is set in the bold type set here. , Associated with display information of red.

  Then, touch size touch information is detected (step S40). Next, the control unit 9 acquires touch size touch information (step S41). Thereafter, the touch size is compared with a threshold value (step S42).

  When it is determined that the touch size is 1 point or more and 9 points or less (Yes in Step S42), the first user is identified and displayed by the display information (pen color and / or thickness) after association (Step S43). ). When it is determined that the touch size is 10 points or more (No in step S42), the second user is identified and displayed by display information (pen color and / or thickness) after association (step S44).

  For example, when the first user again performs a drawing operation by touching the touch surface, the drawing is performed (displayed) on the display device 7 based on the association information in step S38 (step S43). When the second user, not the first user, performs a drawing operation by touching the touch surface, the display is performed on the display device 7 based on the information associated in step S39 (step S44).

(Embodiment 5)
(Operation of Touch Panel Type Input Device According to Embodiment 5)
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the touch panel type input device according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the touch panel input device.

  In the first to fourth embodiments so far, the case of two users has been described in order to simplify the description. In the fifth embodiment, the case of three or more users will be described. As an initial setting, for example, the following threshold values are set by the user at the time of factory shipment or after factory shipment.

  When the first user uses the pen 4a and the touch size is converted at the electrode intersection 18, the second user sets the touch size to about 21 points using the pen 4b, and the third user sets the finger 8a. The used touch size is set around 40 points, and the fourth user uses the finger 8b to set the touch size around 60 points.

  The threshold is set to a range of 1 to 9 points for the first user, a range of 10 to 30 points for the second user, a range of 31 to 50 points for the third user, and 51 points or more for the fourth user 4.

  This will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the first user draws on the touch surface of the touch panel 6 by touch, the touch information detection device 21 detects touch information. Here, as described in the user identification method shown in FIG. 3, the user is identified based on the touch size in the touch information (step S51). Next, the touch information of the touch size is acquired by the control unit 9 (step S52), and the touch information of the touch size is associated with the first user (step S53). When the first user draws characters, lines, graphics, etc. on the touch surface in this state, the image is displayed on the display device 7 (step S54).

  At this time, it is convenient to set frequently used display information as an initial setting so that the first user can draw without inputting pen information. For example, middle characters, black, etc. are set in advance.

  Next, it is assumed that the first user selects pen information. For example, the display information is selected using an operation button assigned on the screen of the display device 7. At this time, if bold and red are selected (step S55), the control unit 9 acquires the first user's touch information and display information (red and bold) (step S56), and the user identification method described with reference to FIG. Thus, it is determined that the first user has touched (determined to be the same as the existing user) (step S57), and the first user is associated with new display information (bold, red) (step S58).

  Next, when the first user performs a drawing operation by touching, the touch information (touch size) of the first user is detected by the touch information detecting device 21 (step S62), and the control information of the touch size is detected by the control unit 9. Is acquired (step S63). Since this user is determined to be the first user (step S64), the first user can draw with the bold and red lines that are the display information set earlier (step S65).

  If it is assumed in step S55 that the second user has touched instead of the first user, the touch information (touch size) detected by the touch information detection device 21 is acquired by the control unit 9 (step S56), and threshold determination is performed. Thus, the touched user is identified as a new second user (step S57). If the second user has selected bold and red as display information, the second user is associated with the display information (bold and red) (step S59), and the second user performs a drawing operation by touching in step S62. When the touch information is detected, the touch information (touch size) detected by the touch information detection device 21 is acquired by the control unit 9 (step S63), and this user is determined as a threshold based on the touch information and identified as the second user. (Step S64). As the second user, drawing by the display information after association (red, bold) is displayed on the display device 7 (step S66).

  If, in step S55, neither the first user nor the second user touches a new third user, the touch information (touch size) detected by the touch information detection device 21 is acquired by the control unit 9 ( In step S56), the touched user is identified as a new third user by the above-described threshold determination (step S57). If the third user has selected bold and red as display information, the third user is associated with bold and red as display information (step S60). When the third user performs a drawing operation by touch in step S62, the touch information (touch size) detected by the touch information detection device 21 is acquired by the control unit 9 (step S63), and the user performs the first threshold determination. Three users are identified (step S64). Drawing based on display information (red, bold) associated with the third user is displayed on the display device 7 (step S67).

  If, in step S55, not a first user to a third user but a new fourth user touches, the touch information (touch size) detected by the touch information detection device 21 is acquired by the control unit 9 ( In step S56), the touched user is identified as a new fourth user by the above-described threshold determination (step S57). If the fourth user selects (bold, red) as display information in step S55, the display information (red, bold) is associated with the display information (step S61), and the fourth user performs a drawing operation by touching in step S62. When the touch information is detected, the touch information (touch size) detected by the touch information detection device 21 is acquired by the control unit 9 (step S63), and this user is identified as the fourth user by the threshold determination (step S64). . Drawing based on display information (red, bold) associated with the fourth user is displayed on the display device 7 (step S68).

  The above description shows an example of the embodiment of the present invention. Although identification by touch size and identification by touch shape have been individually described, user identification may be performed by combining these two pieces of touch information. In addition to touch size (touch area) and touch shape, touch information includes the touch position, the amount of change in capacitance at the touch position, the total amount of change in capacitance within the touch area, and the capacitance within the touch area. A capacity variation distribution can be considered. Although user identification is difficult only with the touch position, user identification is possible by combining the touch position with one or more of touch information other than the touch position listed here.

  For display information and thickness, four types of thin, medium, bold and extra-bold are given as an example, and as a color, two types of black and red are given as an example, but other types are possible. The number of types is not limited to this. In addition to thickness and color, display information includes color depth and transparency. The eraser mode may be executed in accordance with the touch operation assigned to the operation button displayed on the display device 7, or setting such that the eraser mode is set by touch information of the eraser can be considered.

  The number of users is not limited to 4, but 5 or more users can be identified by the same concept.

  Moreover, although the example which identifies a some user based on the thickness of the contact part of the pen for touch input to a touch panel was shown, this invention is not limited to this. A plurality of users may be identified based on the pen pressure, or a plurality of users may be identified based on the moving speed of the pen touching the touch panel.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a touch panel type input device capable of touch input by a plurality of users based on a change in capacitance caused by touching the touch panel.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Touch panel type input device 2 User identification part 3 Display mode control part 4a, 4b Pen 5a, 5b Contact part 6 Touch panel 7 Display apparatus 8a, 8b Finger 9 Control part 10 Drawing control part 11 Display control part 12 Main control part 13 Transmission part 14 receiving part 15 touch information detection control part 16 transmitting electrode 17 receiving electrode 18 electrode intersection 19a-19d touch surface 20 insulating material

Claims (4)

A touch panel type input device capable of touch input by a plurality of users based on a change in capacitance due to touch on the touch panel,
A touch panel type input device comprising: a user identification unit that identifies the plurality of users based on a touch mode of the touch panel.   The touch panel input device according to claim 1, wherein the touch mode includes a contact area with the touch panel. A first pen and a second pen for touch input to the touch panel;
The touch panel type input device according to claim 1, wherein a contact portion of the first pen with respect to the touch panel is thicker than a contact portion of the second pen with respect to the touch panel.   The touch panel type input according to claim 1, further comprising: a display mode control unit that changes a display mode based on a touch on the touch panel to a display device corresponding to the touch panel according to the user identified by the user identification unit. apparatus.

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