JP2013161141A - Display device, display method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device having a touch pad on a side surface of a housing, which can notify a user of whether or not there is "a range capable of being operated" by the touch pad on a current display screen (user interface: UI) and the range.SOLUTION: A display device includes: a display unit that is disposed on the front surface of a housing; at least one touch pad that is disposed on a side surface of the housing and on which an input operation is performed; a display control unit that controls display on the display unit; and a touch pad control unit that obtains information on an operational range capable of being operated by the touch pad. The display control unit displays the operational range on the display unit on the basis of the information on the operational range.

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device and a display method, and more particularly to a display device that can be operated using a touchpad.

  The touch pad is an input device that can detect the movement of the user's finger on the operation surface. For example, the touch pad is adopted in a notebook computer or a smartphone as an input device for moving the cursor. A typical touch pad is a capacitive touch pad that detects the operation position of the user based on a change in the capacitance of the electrode, and is called an electrostatic pad.

  A touch pad is conventionally used as an input device in a portable information terminal because it can be easily reduced in thickness and excellent in durability as compared with an operation key including a contact opening / closing switch. Further, since the direction and distance can be input using a finger, there is an advantage that display control such as cursor movement, display scrolling, image rotation, and magnification change can be performed intuitively and easily.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, mobile terminals, smartphones, and mobile phones that are examples of devices including a display device have a touch pad used for display control (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). In the portable terminal described in Patent Document 1 below, touch pads are arranged on two opposite side surfaces, respectively, and scroll control is performed when one of them is slid, and display magnification change control or display image is performed when two touch pads are slid simultaneously. The rotation is controlled. The display magnification change control and the display image rotation control can be selectively used depending on a combination of operations such as whether two opposing touch pads are simultaneously slid in the same direction or simultaneously slid in the opposite direction. Thereby, complicated control can be performed by intuitive operation using a touchpad.

JP 2010-117842 A

  In the portable terminal of Patent Document 1, since the touch pad is arranged on the side surface of the housing, the user who is viewing the display screen on the front surface of the housing cannot directly view the touch pad on the side surface and operates the touch pad. For the first time, the user can know the range that can be operated, and there is a problem that it is not easy to grasp the range (position) that can be operated using the touchpad. This problem occurs not only in the portable terminal but also in a display device in which a display screen is disposed on the front surface of the housing and a touch pad is disposed on the side surface of the housing.

  The present invention, in a display device having a touch pad on the side surface of a housing, informs the user of the presence / absence of an “operable range” on the current display screen (user interface: UI) of the touch pad and the range in an easy-to-understand manner. For the purpose.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a display unit disposed on a front surface of a housing, at least one touch pad disposed on a side surface of the housing for performing an input operation, and display on the display unit are controlled. And a touch pad control unit that acquires information on an operable range that can be operated by the touch pad, and the display control unit adds the display unit to the display unit based on the information on the operable range. A display device characterized by displaying an operable range is provided. By showing the range in which the touchpad arranged on the side surface of the housing can be operated on the display screen displayed on the display unit, it becomes easy for the user to know whether or not the user can operate and the operable range. Furthermore, the touch pad control unit includes an operation attribute detection unit that detects an attribute of the input operation, and the display control unit is provided on the display unit according to the attribute of the input operation acquired by the operation attribute detection unit. It is preferable to display an image / graphic representing the attribute. By notifying the operation attribute of the touch pad arranged on the side of the housing, the user can easily know what operation can be performed with the touch pad on the current display screen.

  Further, the display control unit may display the change in the function to be operated by the input operation so as to be reflected in the image / graphic representing the attribute. Thereby, the user can easily know that the input operation he / she has performed is correctly received and that the function to be operated has changed as intended. Further, the touch pad control unit has a function of adjusting the operable range in accordance with an operation of the touch pad, and the display control unit is configured to change the operation range on the display unit when the operable range is changed. The display range of the operable range may be changed. As a result, in order to prevent erroneous operation of the touchpad, the range that can be operated is narrowed before the user's finger touches the touchpad, and the range that can be operated after the finger touches the touchpad is increased. Even in such a case, the operable range can be known in real time, and the operability is improved.

  The display control unit may display an inoperable range instead of the operable range on the display unit based on the information of the operable range. When the range that can be operated is wide, the display of the range that cannot be operated is prevented from hiding the original display screen, and the visibility is improved.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display method of an operable range in a display device including a display unit disposed on a front surface of a housing, which is disposed on a side surface of the housing and performs an input operation. A step of acquiring information on an operable range that can be operated by the touch pad, and a display control step of controlling display on the display unit, with respect to the input operation on at least one touch pad of the display, the display control step Is provided with a step of displaying the operable range on the display unit based on the information of the operable range. The present invention may be a program for causing a computer to execute the above display method, or a computer-readable recording medium for recording the program.

  According to the present invention, in a display device having a touch pad on the side surface of the housing, it is possible to notify the user of the presence / absence of the “operable range” on the current display screen of the touch pad, and the range. Becomes easier to understand.

It is a figure which shows the example of an external appearance structure of the portable terminal by this Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows one structural example of the portable terminal A by this Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the detailed structural example of a control part. It is a flowchart figure which mainly shows operation | movement of a control part among the portable terminals by this Embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the process which determines the presence or absence of the screen change in step S6 of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the 1st modification of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the portable terminal by the 2nd modification of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the portable terminal by the 3rd modification of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the portable terminal by the 4th modification of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the portable terminal by the 5th modification of this invention, and is a figure which shows the example which displays the content of operation in a user's side surface touchpad on the display part 11 like an icon.

  Below, the portable terminal by embodiment of this invention is demonstrated, referring drawings. In each embodiment, an operation and display of a side touch pad using a mobile terminal which is an embodiment of a device including a display device will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration example of a mobile terminal according to the present embodiment, and is a surface external view of a vertically long display state taking a smartphone as an example. In the portable terminal A, the display unit 11 and the touch panel unit 12 are provided on the surface of the housing K, and the first touch pad 1 is disposed on the first side surface (left side in the drawing) of the housing K and the second side surface. A second touch pad 3 is provided (on the right side in the figure). Here, the third touch pad 2 is provided on the upper side surface and the fourth touch pad 4 is provided on the lower side surface. However, the touch pad may be provided at any position on the side surface, and is not necessarily limited to the four side surfaces. It is not necessary to be provided in all. Further, the position and length of the touch pad are also arbitrary. In addition, the touch panels 1 to 4 can perform an input operation such as touch (tap) or slide by detecting the position or press when the user's finger is in contact or detecting the movement of the contact position. it can.

  A display screen is displayed on the surface of the display unit 11. On the display screen, operation buttons for menu display, end, etc. are arranged in the vicinity of the lower side, such as the remaining battery level and received radio wave intensity, and the contents 15a to 15c are arranged in the middle. In the periphery of the display screen, the display of the operable range 1a to 4a based on the information of the operable range that can be operated by the adjacent touch pad is displayed.

  The display 1a to 4a of the operable range is displayed so as to extend in the same direction as the extending direction of the touch pads 1 to 4 in the display screens near the touch pads 1 to 4, for example. The effective operating range of the touchpad is shown.

  In addition, the display 1a to 4a of the operation possible range is not limited to the entire range of the touch pads 1 to 4, but indicates the range in which each of the touch pads 1 to 4 enables the operation on the current display screen.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the mobile terminal A according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal A includes a display unit 11 and a touch panel unit 12, a front display / input unit, a control unit (CPU) 17, a storage unit 21, and a side touch pad unit. Any one of 1-4. The control unit 17 includes an operation system (OS) 17b and an application 17a that executes various functions on the OS 17b. The OS 17b includes a touch pad control unit 17c that performs control so that the application 17a can use the side touch pad units 1 to 4 for operation, and a display control unit that performs control of a display screen displayed on the display unit 11. 17d. Furthermore, the storage unit 21 stores a program for causing the control unit 17 to execute the functions of the OS 17b and the application 17a, and can also store various data.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of the control unit 17. The control unit 17 includes a touch pad control unit 17c and a display control unit 17d. The touch pad control unit 17c includes a user interface (UI) change detection unit 17-1, an effective range detection unit 17-2 that detects the effective range of the touch pad in the display screen, and an operation attribute that detects the content of the operation. And a detection unit 17-3. The display control unit 17d is an effective range display unit 17-4 that displays the effective range of the touchpad on the display screen, and an attribute that displays the operation attribute detected by the operation attribute detection unit 17-3 and the display related thereto on the display screen. Display unit 17-5.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing mainly the operation of the control unit in the portable terminal according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, in step S1, when the UI change detection unit 17-1 detects a screen (UI) change or display start instruction by the application 17a, a side touch exchanged between the application 17a and the OS 17b. Information such as an operable range for each of the pad units 1 to 4 is written in a predetermined position of the storage unit 21. Next, in step S <b> 2, the effective range detection unit 17-2 stores the presence / absence of an operable range for each of the side touch pad units 1 to 4 on the current display screen (UI) and information on the range. Read from a predetermined position of the unit 21 and obtain. If the effective range detection unit 17-2 determines in step S3 that there is a range that can be operated on any of the touch pads 1 to 4 (YES), if there is no range that can be operated in step S4 (NO), step S6 Proceed to In step S4, an icon (image / figure) that indicates that the effective range display unit 17-4 indicates a range in an area on the screen corresponding to the “operable range” for each of the side surface touchpad units 1 to 4. Etc.). Next, in step S5, the side touch pad units 1 to 4, the effective range display unit 17-4, and the attribute display unit 17-5 are configured to display icons (images) on the display unit 11 according to the operation status of the side touch pad of the user. / Figure etc.). Next, in step S6, the UI change detection unit 17-1 determines whether or not there is a screen (UI) change. If there is no change (NO), the process returns to step S5, and if there is a change (YES). After writing information such as the operable range for each of the side touch pad units 1 to 4 exchanged between the application 17a and the OS 17b to a predetermined position in the storage unit 21, the process returns to step S2. With the above processing, the range in which the side touch pad can be operated can be displayed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for determining whether or not there is a screen change in step S6 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, if it is detected in step S6-1 that the application 17a instructs the OS 17b to change the screen (UI) or start the display (YES), the process proceeds to step S6-2. If not detected (NO), the result of S6 is set to “no screen (UI) change”, and the process of step S6 ends (END). In step S6-2, the application 17a inquires of the OS 17b about the effective range of the side touch pad units 1 to 4. Next, in step S6-3, the OS 17b confirms the effective range (the range that can be used for the current operation) of the side touch pad units 1 to 4 via the touch pad control unit 17c, and then returns the effective range to the application 17a. Next, in step S6-4, the application 17a determines the operation range and attributes to be used on the current screen (UI) among the effective range of each side touchpad unit, and then determines each side for the OS 17b. The use of the touch pad unit is requested by specifying an operation range and attributes. Next, in step S6-5, the OS 17b sets an operation range and attributes designated by the application 17a to each side touch pad unit via the touch pad control unit 17c, and then performs an operation by each side touch pad unit. Enable use of each side touchpad unit, and respond to the application 17a with an acknowledgment. Next, in step S6-6, the touch pad control unit 17c (UI change detection unit 17-1) displays the operation range and attributes written in the predetermined position of the storage unit 21 when step S6-7 was executed last time. Read the information. Next, in step S6-7, the touch pad control unit 17c (UI change detection unit 17-1) specifies the operation range and attribute information specified for each side touch pad unit when step S6-5 is executed this time. Is written in a predetermined position of the storage unit 21. Next, in step S6-8, the touch pad control unit 17c (UI change detection unit 17-1) writes the information read from the storage unit 21 in step S6-6 and the storage unit 21 in step S6-7. If the information is compared and the information is different (YES), the result of S6 is “screen (UI) changed” and the process of step S6 ends (END). If the information is the same (NO), S6 The result of step S6 is “no change in screen (UI)”, and the process of step S6 ends (END). Through the above processing, the touch pad control unit 17c (UI change detection unit 17-1) can detect the change of the screen (UI), and can operate the side touch pad with respect to the current screen, and the attributes. Information can be acquired.

  As described above, in the portable terminal according to the present embodiment, the presence / absence of the operation range of the touchpad and the effective operation range can be confirmed on the screen. Operation becomes possible.

  Note that, in this embodiment, an example in which the operable range is always displayed when there is an operable range has been described, but the display of the operable range may be turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed. As a result, the range that can be operated is displayed when the screen (UI) is changed, so that a reliable operation is possible, and the display of the range that can be operated disappears after a predetermined time has elapsed. Visibility is suppressed and visibility is improved. Further, the present invention is not limited to a portable terminal, and may be any device provided with a display unit such as a video display device (display) such as a computer or a television, a car navigation system, or a kiosk terminal.

Next, a modification of the present invention will be described.
(First modification)
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a first modification of the present embodiment. The first modified example is characterized in that the display unit 11 displays “an inoperable range” 1d instead of an “operable range” on the touch pad 1a. For example, when the “operable range” is wide with the touch pad 1a, that is, when the length of the display screen is ½ or more, an image / figure or the like showing the operable range over a wide range on the display screen When is displayed, content or the like to be displayed on the original display screen may be hidden. The “inoperable range” that is the opposite of the “operable range” is a narrow range, so if the “inoperable range” is displayed on the display screen, the original screen can be prevented from being hidden. There is an advantage. For example, it is determined whether or not the “operable range” by the touch pad 1a is ½ or more of the length of the display screen. Instead of this, “the range that cannot be operated” 1d may be displayed. At this time, the “inoperable range” may be displayed in a different color so that it can be distinguished from the “operable range” display.

(Second modification)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a portable terminal according to the second modification of the present invention. As shown in step S5 of FIG. In addition to the process of acquiring the “operation attribute (type)” in the operation attribute detection unit 17-3, the attribute display unit 17-5 displays the “operation attribute (type)” on the display screen according to the acquired “operation type”. The image / figure to be displayed is changed.

  In FIG. 7, when the touch pad is used as an operation B <b> 1 for raising or lowering a volume such as volume or display brightness, a display 41 like a volume knob (like a gear) is displayed on the display unit 11.

The following are examples of operation types.
• Scrolling → “Line up and down arrows” are displayed as figures.
・ Rotation-> “Up / Down arrow slightly rounded” is displayed as a figure.
-Button → Displays an image that looks like a “push button”.

  In this modified example, not only the “operable range” but also “what kind of operation can be performed” can be intuitively shown to the user, and the usability (operability) and the recognition degree of the operation are further improved. Can do.

  It should be noted that the images / graphics displayed on the display screen may be displayed in a watermark in order to suppress hiding the original screen.

(Third Modification)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a portable terminal according to the third modification of the present invention. In the second modification, the display unit 11 is displayed on the display screen in accordance with the operation B2 of the side touchpad by the user. The image / figure is changed and displayed.

  FIG. 8 shows that the volume has been changed by rotating the display 43 such as the volume knob in the direction indicated by the arrow 45 in response to the volume change operation B2 by the touch pad. Can be displayed. Thereby, the user can recognize whether the operation performed by himself / herself is correctly received in the mobile terminal. There is an advantage that the operation can be confirmed not only for a function with a large change in the display position on the screen by an operation such as scrolling but also for a function with little change in the display screen such as volume adjustment.

(Fourth modification)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a portable terminal according to the fourth modification of the present invention, which has a function of changing the “operable range” in accordance with the operation of the side touch pad of the user, When the “operable range” is changed in accordance with the operation, the display position (range) on the screen is changed each time.

  Before the operation B3 of the side touchpad is started, the “operable range” display 47 is a narrow range. However, when the operation B3 is started, the “operable range” is expanded, and accordingly, the “operable range” is expanded. ] 51 is also changed so as to expand.

  In this way, “To prevent malfunctions on the side touchpad, narrow the touch range before starting the operation, and when the operation starts, expand the“ operable range ”to the original range” Even in a portable terminal having a function, there is an advantage that an “operable range” can be appropriately specified.

(5th modification)
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a portable terminal according to the fifth modification of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating an example in which the content of an operation on the side touchpad of the user is displayed on the display unit 11 like an icon. As shown in FIG. 10, on the touch pad 1a, an icon 61 informing that the enlargement operation can be performed on the display unit 11 corresponding to the range where the enlargement operation can be performed corresponds to a range under which the reduction operation can be performed. An icon 63 that informs that a reduction operation is possible, an icon 65 that informs that a volume change operation is possible, and an icon 67 that informs that a switching operation can be performed are displayed in order on the display unit 11. . Then, in the area between the icons, a display 1d is displayed informing the area where the operation cannot be performed. In this way, it is possible to inform the user which part of the touch pad 1a is capable of a complicated operation.

  In addition, although the range etc. which can be operated were displayed on the display part near a touchpad, you may provide a dedicated display line etc. in addition. In addition, the display form can be arbitrarily changed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration and the like illustrated in the accompanying drawings are not limited to these, and can be appropriately changed within a range in which the effect of the present invention is exhibited. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the object of the present invention.

  In addition, a program for realizing the functions described in the present embodiment is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system and executed to execute processing of each unit. May be performed. The “computer system” here includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.

  Further, the “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW system is used.

  The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In this case, a volatile memory in a computer system serving as a server or a client in that case, and a program that holds a program for a certain period of time are also included. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the above-described functions, or may be a program that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

  The present invention is applicable to a display device.

A ... portable terminal, K ... casing, 1-4 ... side touch pad, 11 ... display unit, 11a, 11b, 11x ... display region, 12 ... touch panel unit, 15a-15c ... display content, 17 ... control unit (CPU , 17-1... User interface (UI) change detection unit, 17-2... Effective range detection unit, 17-3... Operation attribute detection unit, 17-4... Effective range display unit, 17-5. ... storage unit, 17a ... application, 17b ... operation system (OS), 17c ... touch pad control unit, 17d ... display control unit, 21 ... storage unit.

Claims (6)

A display unit disposed on the front surface of the housing;
At least one touchpad disposed on a side surface of the housing for performing an input operation;
A display control unit for controlling display in the display unit;
A touch pad control unit that acquires information on an operable range that can be operated with the touch pad;
The display control unit displays the operable range on the display unit based on information on the operable range. Furthermore, the touchpad control unit includes an operation attribute detection unit that detects an attribute of the input operation,
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays an image / figure representing the attribute on the display unit in accordance with the attribute of the input operation acquired by the operation attribute detection unit. The touchpad control unit has a function of adjusting the operable range in accordance with the operation of the touchpad,
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit changes a display range of the operable range on the display unit when the operable range is changed.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit includes a range that cannot be operated instead of the operable range on the display unit based on information on the operable range. A display method of an operable range in a mobile terminal having a display unit arranged on the front surface of a housing,
Obtaining information on an operable range that can be operated with the touchpad, with respect to the input operation with respect to at least one touchpad that is arranged on a side surface of the housing and performs an input operation;
A display control step for controlling display on the display unit,
The display control step includes a step of displaying the operable range on the display unit based on the information of the operable range.   A program for causing a computer to execute the display method according to claim 5.

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