JP2013206300A - Information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent wrong input by a user operation through a touch panel.SOLUTION: An information input device includes an operation reception unit that receives a touch operation for specifying a position on a touch panel and inputs information corresponding to the received operation. The touch panel includes a first area 20 and second areas 30A, 30B and 30C adjacent to the first area 20. The operation reception unit includes a detection unit that detects positional information indicating the position specified on the touch panel, determines whether the first area or any of the second areas has been specified first on the basis of the positional information in detection order output from the detection unit, inputs information corresponding to an operation received in the area specified first, and disables input of information corresponding to an operation received in the areas differing from the area specified first.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information input device, and more particularly to an information input device that inputs information by accepting an operation for designating a position on a display surface of a display-integrated input unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art As information processing terminals, terminals having a display-integrated input unit integrally provided with a touch panel and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) as an information input device have become widespread. In such an information input device, information can be input sensuously by a touch operation on the touch panel, but erroneous input unintended by the user occurs. In order to prevent this, for example, an information input device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-8923 is provided.

  In the information input device of Patent Document 1, the touch panel provided on the display unit includes a first detection region corresponding to an effective display region of the display unit and a second detection region surrounding the first display region. Have. By setting the second detection region as a region not subject to operation input (see paragraph 0021 of Patent Document 1), the first detection is performed when coordinate input in the second detection region is detected in the operation. A part or all of the area is configured to be set as an input invalid area where the coordinate input is invalidated.

JP 2012-8923 A

  An information input device that integrally includes a touch panel and an LCD has a touch area for displaying operation buttons and the like on the touch panel, and mainly displays information such as an image and inputs information by touching the image. Some have a display area.

  The touch area functions as a substitute for a mechanical button. However, since it is not a button that can be physically pressed, it is difficult for the user to determine whether or not the touched area is a touch area. Therefore, the user intends to touch only the touch area, but may unintentionally touch the display area. In this case, the information input device accepts a touch operation on the display area, and a process corresponding to the accepted operation is executed, which causes a problem that a process unintended by the user is executed.

  Here, since patent document 1 does not make the 2nd detection area | region the object of operation input, it does not become a structure provided with said touch area. Therefore, according to Patent Document 1, the problem cannot be solved.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information input device that can prevent an erroneous input by a user operation via a touch panel.

  An information input device according to an aspect of the present invention includes an operation reception unit that receives a touch operation for designating a position on a touch panel and inputs information corresponding to the received operation. The touch panel includes a first area and a first area. 1 area and the 2nd area adjacent to it are included.

  The operation reception unit includes a detection unit that detects position information indicating a specified position on the touch panel, and is specified first in the first area and the second area from the position information that follows the detection order output from the detection unit. Enter the information corresponding to the operation received in the area specified earlier, and enter the information corresponding to the operation received in the area different from the one specified earlier. To disable.

  Preferably, the first area has a boundary area in a portion adjacent to the second area, and the operation receiving unit is the first area and the second area, the first designated is the second area. The input of information corresponding to the operation accepted in the boundary area in the first area is invalidated.

Preferably, the size of the boundary area can be changed variably.
Preferably, an adjustment unit for variably adjusting the size of the boundary area is further provided, and an operation for designating a position on the touch panel indicates an operation in which the user touches a finger on the touch panel.

  The adjustment unit includes an acquisition unit that acquires time-series position information according to the detection order from the detection unit, and a finger while the finger slides from the second area to the first area based on the acquired time-series position information. A determination unit that determines whether or not to leave the second area, an information acquisition unit that acquires representative position information from time-series position information acquired when it is determined that the user has left, and representative position information A size determining unit that determines the size of the boundary area from the position information of the second area.

  Preferably, the operation reception unit starts a touch operation in the second area based on time-series position information in the order of detection from the detection unit, and moves the specified position by touch from the second area through the front boundary area. When an operation of sliding on the touch panel within one area is detected, the operation is accepted as a predetermined type of operation.

  Preferably, the information corresponding to the accepted operation includes position information indicating a position designated by the operation.

  Preferably, when invalidating input of information corresponding to the accepted operation, the operation accepting unit includes invalid data for indicating invalidity in the information.

Preferably, the touch panel is provided on the display surface.
An information input method according to another aspect of the present invention is an information input method for accepting a touch operation for designating a position on a touch panel and inputting information corresponding to the accepted operation, the first method being provided on the touch panel. If the first area is designated in advance, the step of inputting information corresponding to the operation accepted in the first area and the operation accepted in the second area provided adjacent to the first area are performed. And invalidating input of corresponding information.

  According to the present invention, the information corresponding to the operation accepted in the area specified earlier is input, and the information input corresponding to the operation accepted in the area different from the area specified earlier is invalidated. By doing so, even if both the first and second areas are erroneously touched, erroneous input due to a user operation can be prevented.

It is a figure showing the external appearance of the terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the hardware constitutions of the terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the information input device concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the processor which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the determination method of the input effectiveness determination part by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the determination method of the input effectiveness determination part by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the determination method of the input effectiveness determination part by embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the process according to the 1st determination method which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the process according to the 2nd determination method which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the calibration process which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a state transition diagram which shows the process which detects operation which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the other process according to the 2nd determination method which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the same components are denoted by the same reference symbols in the respective drawings, and detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

<Hardware configuration>
With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the configuration of a portable information processing terminal (hereinafter simply referred to as a terminal) 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of the terminal 100. The terminal 100 includes a housing 110, an antenna 120, a speaker 130, a known resistive touch panel 140, a power button 150, a microphone 160, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 170. Here, the touch panel 140 employs a resistive film system, but is not limited to this system, and may be, for example, a known electrostatic capacity system or an optical sensor system.

  A memory card 152 that is a card-like recording medium is detachably attached to the terminal 100 from the outside.

  In one aspect, the terminal 100 is an information processing terminal including a touch panel 140, such as a notebook personal computer, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or other portable information processing terminal, or an ATM (Automated Teller Machine), It is also realized as an information processing device arranged in a credit card authentication device or other commercial facilities.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of terminal 100. In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the terminal 100 includes a display unit 210, a processor 230, a display driver 214, a flash memory 250, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 252, a graphic memory 254, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 256, a communication A circuit 260, a signal processing circuit 270, a vibrator 280, and a memory driver 151 for accessing the attached memory card 152 under the control of the processor 230 are provided. The processor 230 includes a timer for measuring time, which is a kind of CPU (Central Processing Unit).

  The display unit 210 constitutes a part of a display-integrated input device that integrally includes the touch panel 140 and the display device 212. The display unit 210 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel, and a touch panel 140 is placed on the display surface. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the display image on the LCD panel from the outside through the touch panel 140 made of a transparent member.

  The display panel of the display unit 210 is not limited to the LCD described above, and an organic EL display (organic electroluminescence display), an FED (Field Emission Display), or the like may be used.

  When an operation such as touch is performed on the surface with a finger or a dedicated pen (not shown), the touch panel 140 detects an operation position by outputting an electrical signal corresponding to the operation position. An electrical signal indicating the operation position is output to the processor 230. Here, an operation with a finger is assumed. The touch panel 140 includes a transparent glass plate and a film of a resin material that covers the entire surface of the glass plate, and both are arranged so as to sandwich a transparent electrode grid. The electrode grid represents a two-dimensional array surface in which a plurality of electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern. The electrode grid has a size that matches the size of the display area of the LCD panel.

  When the user touches (presses) a film point on the touch panel 140 with a finger, the film bends due to the pressure, contacts the electrode on the glass surface side, and an electric signal is output through the contacted electrode. The processor 230 measures the voltage division ratio due to the resistance of the transparent electrodes on the glass surface and the film surface based on the output electric signal, and thereby sets the touch (press) position on the electrode grid as a two-dimensional coordinate value (X0, Y0). To detect. Therefore, by determining that the electrical signal level output from the touch panel 140 indicates a predetermined level, it is possible to detect that the finger touched from the touch panel 140 has been released.

  As described above, the touch panel 140 constitutes a part of an operation input receiving unit for receiving an input by a user operation.

  The LCD panel is configured by two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of electrode elements. Therefore, each electrode element can be specified by the two-dimensional coordinate value (X1, Y1). The graphic memory 254 stores image data displayed on the display unit 210 by the processor 230. The image data represents two-dimensional bitmap data having a size that matches the size of the display area of the LCD panel. The display driver 214 generates an electrical signal based on each bit value of the image data, and the generated electrical signal is an electrode element having a coordinate value (X1, Y1) corresponding to the coordinate value (X0, Y0) of the bit of the LCD panel. Apply to. As a result, an image according to the image data in the graphic memory 254 is displayed on the display device 212.

  The processor 230 controls the operation of the terminal 100. The processor 230 cooperates with the touch panel 140 to input position information designated by a user operation on the touch panel 140, more specifically coordinate information.

  Specifically, the processor 230 detects the position of the touched electrode on the electrode grid based on the electrical signal from the touch panel 140, and uses the conversion coefficient determined in advance for the detected electrode position. A coordinate data acquisition unit that acquires coordinate data by converting the coordinate value of the point to be converted into a coordinate value; In addition, the processor 230 includes a stroke extracting unit that calculates stroke data representing a stroke trajectory from the start point to the end point of the operation on the touch panel 140 based on time-series coordinate data based on electric signals input in time series. Note that the method of converting the electrode position to the coordinate value is not limited to the method using the conversion coefficient, and the corresponding coordinate data may be read from the table by searching the table.

  The flash memory 250 holds data given to the terminal 100 or data generated by the processor 230 in a nonvolatile manner.

The RAM 252 temporarily holds data generated by the processor 230.
The graphic memory 254 stores data for displaying an image on the display device 212. In another aspect, the RAM 252 and the graphic memory 254 may be configured as a single unit.

  The ROM 256 holds firmware for operating the terminal 100, the above-described program for accepting operation input and other various programs, and data preliminarily input as setting values for causing the terminal 100 to perform operations specific to the ROM 256. Yes.

  The display driver 214 performs a drawing operation based on data stored in the graphic memory 254 on the display device 212. The display device 212 displays an image according to the operation.

  The communication circuit 260 converts the signal received by the antenna 120 and sends the converted signal to the processor 230. In another aspect, communication circuit 260 converts the signal sent from processor 230 into a signal for transmission, and sends the converted signal to antenna 120.

  The signal processing circuit 270 converts the electrical signal sent from the microphone 160 and sends the converted signal to the processor 230. When terminal 100 outputs audio, signal processing circuit 270 converts the signal sent from processor 230 into a signal for audio output, and sends the converted signal to speaker 130. The speaker 130 outputs sound based on the signal.

  Vibrator 280 oscillates with a predetermined vibration pattern based on a signal sent from processor 230.

  Note that the operation received by the processor 230 is not limited to a user operation via the touch panel 140, and includes an operation such as pressing a physical button such as the power button 150.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the information input device according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, the information input device includes a display unit 210 including a touch panel 140 and a display device 212, and a position detection unit 410 for detecting a coordinate value of a touched position from an electrical signal output from the touch panel 140. . In FIG. 3, a display control unit 600, a graphic memory 254, and a display driver 214 are shown in relation to the information input device. The graphic memory 254 stores data such as a program execution result or an image to be displayed by the processor 230 and data generated by the display control unit 600 based on information from the position detection unit 410. Therefore, the display driver 214 also drives the LCD panel based on the data in the graphic memory 254, so that the display unit 210 displays an image (such as a stroke trajectory) by a user operation superimposed on the image.

  In the present embodiment, the display surface of the LCD panel of the display device 212 and the entire surface (operation surface) of the touch panel 140 placed thereon have the same shape and area, but at least the surface on which the touch panel 140 can be operated. It suffices if the display effective area is within. As described above, the area where the operation input of the touch panel 140 can be accepted corresponds to the effective display area of the LCD panel, and here, the entire surface of the LCD panel is the effective display area. Therefore, user operations (such as touch) for selecting object images such as various menus, icons, buttons, keyboards, and thumbnails with a finger can be received via the touch panel 140 regardless of the display position of the object image. Note that the user operation accepted via the touch panel 140 includes an operation of sliding the finger while touching the surface of the touch panel 140 with the finger pad. This operation is, for example, a screen scroll operation, a swipe operation, a drag operation, or a flick operation. The flick operation indicates an operation of gently stroking the surface of the touch panel 140 with the belly of the finger.

<Area of touch panel 140>
In the present embodiment, touch panel 140 includes, as areas for receiving user operations, first area 20 shown in FIG. 1 and second areas 30A, 30B, and 30C that are adjacent to first area 20 across boundary 40. Is provided. When the second areas 30A, 30B, and 30C are collectively referred to as the second area 30. Here, the second area 30 is divided into three regions, but it may not be divided, or the number of divisions is not limited to three.

  Moreover, if the 1st area 20 and the 2nd area 30 are adjacent in the touch panel 140, an arrangement | positioning aspect will not be limited to the aspect shown in FIG. For example, the second area 30 may be arranged around the first area 20.

  In the first area 20, an image for displaying the result of the program processing of the processor 230, a menu image, a numeric keypad image, and the like are displayed, whereas in the second areas 30A, 30B, and 30C, images of operation buttons are displayed. For example, it is an image such as a button operated to input a telephone call instruction to the processor 230, a button operated to input a power ON / OFF instruction, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, operations in both the first area 20 and the second area 30 are objects to be accepted, and the processor 230 inputs information by the accepted operations.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the processor 230 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the processor 230 and a part of its peripheral circuits are shown.

  Referring to FIG. 4, processor 230 executes processing according to an instruction corresponding to the type of operation accepted by operation input accepting unit 400 for accepting an input by a user operation via touch panel 140, and operation input accepting unit 400. A display processing unit 500 for controlling image display by the display device 212, and a calibration unit 700.

  The processing unit 500 determines the type of user operation based on the output from the operation receiving unit 400. For example, the coordinate data indicating the operation position included in the output from the operation receiving unit 400 is compared with the display position (coordinate data) of the operation button in the second area 30 to determine the type of the operated button. Alternatively, a stroke pattern represented by time-series coordinate data is determined, the stroke pattern is compared with a stroke pattern of a predetermined operation, and the type of operation is determined based on the comparison result.

  The operation input receiving unit 400 includes the position detection unit 410, the input validity determination unit 420, and the touch period counting unit 430 described above. The input validity determination unit 420 determines whether information input by an operation received via the touch panel 140 is valid. The touch period counting unit 430 measures the duration of the touch operation on the touch panel 140 using the count value obtained by the timer of the processor 230.

  The calibration unit 700 includes a distance determination unit 710 and a message output unit 720. The distance determination unit 710 calculates a distance for determining the size of the boundary area 201 described later, and stores distance data 352 indicating the calculated distance in the RAM 252. The message output unit 720 displays a guidance message for calibration processing to the user. Note that the message may be output from the speaker 130 by voice.

  Each function of FIG. 4 is assumed to be realized by a program here. That is, these programs are stored in advance in the ROM 256, and the function is realized by the processor 230 reading the programs and executing the instructions of the programs. Note that each function is not limited to a program only, and may be a combination of a circuit and a program.

<Method for determining input validity>
5, 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining a determination method of the input validity determination unit 420 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the first area 20 and the second area 30 are adjacent to each other with a border 40 of a small region. Here, the boundary 40 is included in the region on the second area 30 side, but may be a region on the first area 20 side.

  Referring to FIG. 5, even if the user touches the button in the second area 30 </ b> A to operate, the finger may touch the portion of the first area 20 near the second area 30 </ b> A. In this case, another process due to touching the image of the first area 20 is started immediately after or immediately before the process by the button operation of the second area 30A is started. Alternatively, the processing by the button operation in the second area 30A is not started, and another processing by touching the image in the first area 20 is started.

  In order to prevent a process unintended by the user from being executed, the input validity determining unit 420 only performs information input by an operation received in the second area 30A that has been previously touched as shown in FIG. Is valid. Therefore, information input by an operation received in the entire area of the first area 20 touched after the second area 30A is forbidden, so-called invalid (not valid) and ignored. This is called “first determination method”.

  When the position detection unit 410 detects the operated position, the position detection unit 410 outputs coordinate data in time series according to the detection order. Therefore, when the input validity determination unit 420 determines that the coordinate data input first among the coordinate data input from the position detection unit 410 in time series indicates the coordinates of the second area 30, It can be determined that the touch operation has been performed first.

  Similarly, if it is determined that the first operated area is the first area 20, information input by an operation received in that area for all areas of the second area 30 operated later is prohibited. Ignore it as so-called invalid (not valid).

  Here, it is assumed that the coordinate data indicating the first area 20 and the second area 30 is stored in the ROM 256 in advance. Therefore, the input validity determination unit 420 compares the coordinate data input from the position detection unit 410 with the coordinate data of the ROM 256, and based on the comparison result, either the first area 20 or the second area 30 is touched. Can be determined.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when the second area 30 is touched first, information input by the touch operation of the first area 20 touched later is selectively invalidated at the operated position. That is, when the boundary area 201 near the boundary 40 is touched later, the information input by the touch is invalidated, and the information input when another area of the first area 20 is touched is valid. This is called “second determination method”.

  Therefore, according to the second determination method, if the finger has reached the boundary area 201 of the first area 20 due to the intention of touching the second area 30, information input by operating the boundary area 201 is invalid. Therefore, it is possible to avoid starting an unintended process. The range of the boundary area 201 in the coordinate X direction may be the same as the range of the area 30A in the X direction, or may be the same as the range of the area 20 in the X direction.

  In the present embodiment, the boundary area 201 is calculated using the distance data 352. The distance data 352 indicates a value of a linear distance having a predetermined length extending substantially perpendicularly from the boundary 40 toward the first area 20 side. The predetermined length may be determined at the time of shipment, or may be a length determined by a user inputting or selecting from a menu or the like. Here, since the coordinate value of the boundary 40 is acquired in advance, the input validity determination unit 420 calculates the coordinate data in the boundary area 201 from the coordinate value of the boundary 40 and the distance data 352 using a predetermined coefficient. Can do.

  Instead of the distance data 352, the coordinate value of the boundary area 201 may be calculated and stored.

  When the input validity determination unit 420 determines that the coordinate data input first from the coordinate data input in time series from the position detection unit 410 indicates the coordinates of the second area 30 or the boundary area 201, the second area It is determined that 30 has been touched first.

  In any of the first and second determination methods, the information input is also invalidated in the other areas other than the area determined to be touched first among the second areas 30A, 30B, and 30C.

  In any of the first and second determination methods, the timing at which the invalidation of the information input is canceled is determined in advance from when the touched finger is detected to be separated from the touch panel 140 or when the touch is detected. Suppose that the set time has passed.

<Flow chart of first determination method>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing according to the first determination method according to the embodiment of the present invention. The process of FIG. 8 is periodically repeated by the processor 230 during the power-on period.

  Referring to FIG. 8, operation input receiving unit 400 of processor 230 sets the operation input standby state by repeating step S3 until the user performs a touch operation on touch panel 140 (NO in step S3).

  When touch operation is performed on touch panel 140 and coordinate data of the touch position is started to be output from position detection unit 410, processor 230 detects that the touch operation has been performed (YES in step S3).

  Based on the coordinate data from the position detection unit 410, the input validity determination unit 420 determines the position touched first according to the first determination method described above (step S5). Subsequently, the operation input receiving unit 400 determines which position of the first area 20 or the second area 30 the touched position is based on the determination result (step S7).

  When it is determined as “second area”, the operation input receiving unit 400 outputs a processing start command to the processing unit 500 (step S9). This command includes the coordinate data of the touch position of the second area 30 touched earlier.

  The processing unit 500 determines which button of the second areas 30A, 30B, and 30C has been operated from the coordinate data included in the command, and starts processing (program execution) associated with the determined button. Thereby, the process corresponding to the button touched first by the user, that is, the process desired by the user can be started.

  After outputting the command, the operation input receiving unit 400 determines whether or not the touched finger has moved away from the touch panel 140 based on the output from the position detection unit 410 (step S11). While it is determined that they are not separated (NO in step S11), the process of step S11 is repeated, but when it is determined that they are separated (YES in step S11), the operation input receiving unit 400 detects that they are separated. Is started (step S13). For example, when it is determined that the user has selected an area that has been touched until the touch is released, a process of selecting the area that has been touched is started. Thereafter, the process of FIG. 8 ends.

  Returning to step S <b> 7, when the operation input receiving unit 400 determines that the touched position is the “first area” based on the determination result of the input validity determining unit 420, the operation input receiving unit 400 outputs a processing start instruction to the processing unit 500. (Step S15). This command includes the position coordinate data of the first area 20 touched earlier.

  The processing unit 500 determines which position in the first area 20 has been operated from the coordinate data included in the command, and starts processing (program execution) associated with the determined operation position. Thereby, the process corresponding to the icon displayed at the position of the first area 20 touched by the user first, that is, the process desired by the user can be started.

  After outputting the command, the operation input receiving unit 400 determines whether the touched finger has been released from the touch panel 140 based on the output from the position detection unit 410 (step S17). While it is determined that they are not separated (NO in step S17), the process of step S17 is repeated. However, if it is determined that they are separated (YES in step S17), the process when the separation is detected is started. (Step S19). For example, when it is determined that the user has selected an area that has been touched until the touch is released, a process of selecting the area that has been touched is started. Thereafter, the process of FIG. 8 ends.

<Flowchart of second determination method>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of processing according to the second determination method according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the processing of (A) and the processing of (B) are executed in parallel as separate threads by the processor 230 (multi-thread).

  The process of FIG. 9A is executed when the second area 30 is touched, and the process of FIG. 9B is executed when the first area 20 is touched. The processor 230 starts executing both processes simultaneously. The process is repeated periodically while the terminal 100 is powered on.

  Referring to FIG. 9A, operation input receiving unit 400 of processor 230 repeats step S24 until the user touches second area 30 on touch panel 140 (NO in step S24). The standby state.

  When the touch operation is performed on the second area 30 of the touch panel 140 and the coordinate data of the touch position is started to be output from the position detection unit 410, the processor 230 detects the touch operation of the second area 30 (YES in step S24).

  When detecting that the second area 30 is touched, the input validity determination unit 420 sets “1” to the prohibition flag 251 of the flash memory 250 in order to invalidate the information input by the operation of the boundary area 201 (step S27). ). Here, it is assumed that the initial value of the prohibition flag 251 of the flash memory 250 is set to “0”.

  If it is determined as “second area”, the operation input receiving unit 400 outputs a processing start command to the processing unit 500 (step S29). This command includes the position coordinate data of the touched second area 30.

  The processing unit 500 determines which button of the second areas 30A, 30B, and 30C has been operated from the coordinate data included in the command, and starts processing (program execution) associated with the determined button. Thereby, the process corresponding to the button touched first by the user, that is, the process desired by the user can be started.

  After outputting the command, the operation input receiving unit 400 determines whether or not the touched finger has been released from the touch panel 140 based on the output from the position detection unit 410 (step S31). While it is determined that they are not separated (NO in step S31), the process of step S31 is repeated.

  If it is determined that it has left (YES in step S31), the prohibition flag 251 of the flash memory 250 is reset in order to cancel invalidation of information input by operating the boundary area 201, that is, to change from invalid to valid. That is, “0” is set (step S33).

  Further, the operation input receiving unit 400 starts processing when it is detected that the user has left (Step S35). Thereafter, the process of FIG. 9A ends.

  The process of FIG. 9B started simultaneously with the process of FIG. 9A will be described. Referring to FIG. 9B, operation input receiving unit 400 of processor 230 repeats step S37 until the user touches first area 20 on touch panel 140 (NO in step S37). The standby state.

  When the touch operation is performed on the first area 20 of the touch panel 140 and the coordinate data of the touch position is started from the position detection unit 410, the processor 230 detects the touch operation on the first area 20 (YES in step S37).

  The operation input receiving unit 400 refers to (reads out) the prohibition flag 251 of the flash memory 250 (step S39). Then, it is determined whether or not the condition that “the prohibition flag 251 indicates“ 1 ”and the coordinate data acquired in step S37 indicates the coordinates of the boundary area 201” is satisfied (step S41). That is, in the case where the touched position of the first area 20 is the boundary area 201, it is determined whether or not the second area 30 has been touched first.

  If it is determined that the above condition is satisfied (YES in step S41), the process returns to step S37 without outputting a command to the processing unit 500 in order to invalidate the information input. On the other hand, if it is determined that the condition is not satisfied (NO in step S41), the operation input receiving unit 400 outputs a command to start processing for the first area to the processing unit 500 (step S43). This command includes the position coordinate data of the touched first area 20.

  The processing unit 500 determines which position in the first area 20 has been operated from the coordinate data included in the command, and starts a process (program execution) associated with the determined operation position in advance. Thereby, the process corresponding to the icon displayed at the position of the first area 20 touched by the user, that is, the process desired by the user can be started.

  After outputting the command, the operation input receiving unit 400 determines whether or not the touched finger has moved away from the touch panel 140 based on the output from the position detection unit 410 (step S45). While it is determined that they are not separated (NO in step S45), the process in step S45 is repeated. However, if it is determined that they are separated (YES in step S45), the process when the separation is detected is started. (Step S47). Thereafter, the process of FIG. 9B ends.

  As described above, in the process of FIG. 9, when the second area 30 is touched first, the information input of the second area 30 is validated, and the first area 20 is near the boundary between both areas (boundary area 201). Only information input by touch operation is invalidated.

  Note that, when the information input is invalid, the operation reception unit 400 ignores information that is a command to the processing unit 500, that is, does not output the command to the processing unit 500, but the method of realizing the information input invalidation is limited to this. Not. For example, the operation receiving unit 400 outputs a command to the processing unit 500, but the processing unit 500 may be realized by ignoring the command (does not input or does not execute the process even if it is input). In this case, the operation reception unit 400 includes invalid data in the command output to the processing unit 500. For example, an “invalid bit” may be included in the command to notify the processing unit 500 that the command is invalid.

  Here, the corresponding process is started when the finger is released from the touch panel 140. However, the corresponding process is started when it is determined that a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the start of the touch. You may do that.

<Calibration>
In the present embodiment, the position and size of the boundary area 201 are determined by the distance data 352. In the present embodiment, the distance data 352 is variably changed by a user operation received via the touch panel 140. Such adjustment of the distance data 352 is referred to as calibration.

  The boundary area 201 is defined as being within a straight line distance a1 in the vertical direction from the boundary 40 to the first area 20. In order to calculate the distance a1, in the calibration process, the user intentionally moves the finger slowly and vertically in the direction from the second area 30A to the first area 20. The position coordinates detected in the first area 20 are acquired in the period from the start of the slide movement until the finger touched in the second area 30A is released. And the distance between the acquired position coordinate and the coordinate of the 2nd area 30, more specifically the coordinate of the boundary 40 is calculated, and it defines as distance a1. In the calibration, it is assumed that the user performs a sliding operation with the belly of the finger from the fingertip to about the first joint.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the calibration process according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the calibration process is started when a user instruction is input.

  First, when the calibration process is started, the message output unit 720 of the calibration unit 700 displays a message for prompting the user's finger to touch the touch panel 140 on the display device 212 via the display control unit 600. (Step S51).

  After the message is output, the operation input receiving unit 400 determines whether or not a touch operation has been performed based on the output of the position detection unit 410 (step S53). If it is determined that a touch operation has been performed (YES in step S53), the operation input receiving unit 400 determines which of the first area 20 and the second area 30 the touched position is (step S55). .

  When it is determined that the touched position is the “first area” (“first area” in step S57), the operation input receiving unit 400 outputs a processing start command to the processing unit 500 (step S71).

  When the command is input, the processing unit 500 determines the received user operation type from the coordinate data of the command to be input. If it is determined that the operation type is the “restart” operation of the calibration process (“restart” in step S73), the process proceeds to step S51. On the other hand, if it is determined that the operation is “end” (“end” in step S73), the calibration process is ended.

  The “end” operation is assumed to be a case where the user touches a thumbnail image such as an end button or a cancel button displayed in the touch panel 140. It is assumed that a message such as “Touch panel was touched first, do you want to resume calibration?” Is output, and the user selects and inputs “Yes”.

  On the other hand, when it is determined as “second area” in step S57 (“second area” in step S57), the calibration unit 700 acquires time-series coordinate data from the output of the position detection unit 410, and based on this. It is determined whether or not the touch continues (step S59). If it is determined that the touch has not continued, that is, the finger has been released (NO in step S59), the process returns to step S53 and waits for the touch.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the touch continues (YES in step S59), the calibration unit 700 has the touched position in the first area 20 based on the time-series coordinate data from the position detection unit 410. Or whether the finger is removed (step S61).

  If it is determined that “separated” based on the determination result (“separated” in step S61), the process returns to step S53 and waits for touching. On the other hand, when it is determined that the touch is “first area” (“first area” in step S61), that is, when it is detected that the fingertip has moved from the second area 30 to the first area 20 by the slide. The process proceeds to step S65.

  In step S65, the calibration unit 700 determines whether or not the touch in the first area 20 continues based on the time-series coordinate data from the position detection unit 410 (step S65). If it is determined that the finger has moved away from the “first area” (“away from the first area” in step S65), the process returns to step S63. On the other hand, if it is determined that the finger has moved away from the “second area” (“moved from the second area” in step S65), that is, the finger has sufficiently slid to the first area 20 side, When it determines with having left | separated from 2 area 30, a process transfers to step S67.

  In step S67, the distance determination unit 710 calculates the vertical distance a1. Specifically, the coordinates of the touch position in the first area 20 are detected from the time-series coordinate data based on the output of the position detection unit 410, and the detected coordinate value and the vertical distance a1 to the boundary 40 are calculated and calculated. The vertical distance a1 is stored in the RAM 252 as distance data 352. Here, it is assumed that the coordinate value of the boundary 40 is acquired in advance.

  Thereafter, the message output unit 720 outputs a message indicating that the calibration process has been completed (step S69), and the calibration process ends.

  As described above, in the calibration, the calibration unit 700 moves the finger touched in the second area 30A while the user intentionally slides the finger slowly in the direction from the second area 30A to the first area 20. The distance data 352 is acquired by detecting the distance between the coordinate position touched in the first area 20 and the boundary 40 at the time of leaving.

  Here, the touch panel 140 and the LCD panel have a rectangular XY two-dimensional coordinate area, which is opposite to the antenna 120 mounting side, that is, the second area 30 side, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. The origin is provided on the side. Therefore, the distance determination unit 710 extracts the coordinate with the smallest Y coordinate value from the coordinates of the touch position in the first area 20 detected when the finger is released in the second area 30, and The distance data 352 is acquired by detecting the distance between the coordinates with the boundary 40. The distance data 352 is not limited to the distance indicating the inter-coordinate distance, and may be a distance converted from the inter-coordinate distance using a predetermined coefficient.

  Here, in order to simplify the explanation, the coordinate origin is taken corresponding to the mounting position of the antenna 120, but it is not limited to this position.

  In addition, in order to obtain the distance data 352 for determining the size of the boundary area 201, the coordinate having the smallest Y coordinate value among the coordinates of the touch position in the first area 20 is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, any coordinates that indicate a predetermined representative position among the coordinates of the touch position in the first area 20 may be used. The representative position may be a coordinate that is the median value of the Y coordinate values among the coordinates of the touch position in the first area 20, or a coordinate that indicates the n (n> 1) th smallest Y coordinate value instead of the minimum. .

  In the present embodiment, it is determined that the operation is a slide operation based on time-series coordinate data output from the position detection unit 410, the distance a1 is acquired from the coordinate data indicating the movement path of the determined finger of the slide operation, Distance data 352 is determined. Therefore, the distance data 352 can be determined according to the variation for each user such as the finger size or the amount of movement of one slide operation. Therefore, even when the terminal 100 is shared by a plurality of users, the distance data 352 can be determined for each user.

<Operation Considering Boundary Area 201>
When the distance data 352 is acquired and the boundary area 201 can be defined, an operation of sliding a finger from the second area 30 into the first area 20 is defined as a new operation for inputting information. Here, this type of operation is referred to as operation AF.

  FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram showing a process for detecting the operation AF according to the present embodiment, and more specifically shows a state transition of the operation input receiving unit 400.

  In FIG. 11, the transition states include states ST3, ST5, ST7, ST9, ST11, ST13, and ST15, and events E3 to E21 are shown as triggers for transitioning between the states. States ST3, ST5, ST7, ST9, and ST11 indicate an operation waiting state for waiting for a user operation via the touch panel 140, a state ST13 indicates an operation acceptance state for accepting a user operation via the touch panel 140, and a state ST15 is accepted. The state which starts the process corresponding to operation is shown.

  Further, in FIG. 11, in order to determine the operation AF, a time limit variable T indicating the time from the start of the operation to the completion and a variable t indicating the elapsed time from the start of the operation are used. The touch period counting unit 430 sets 0 to the variable t, and thereafter increments the value of the variable t using the count value from the timer.

  First, it is assumed that the state of the operation input reception unit 400 is a state ST3 that waits for the touch panel 140 to be operated. In the state ST3, when the operation input receiving unit 400 determines that the touch panel 140 is not touched by the output from the position detection unit 410 (event E3), the operation input receiving unit 400 proceeds to the next state ST5.

  When the operation input reception unit 400 determines that the first area 20 of the touch panel 140 is touched by the output from the position detection unit 410 during the standby state ST5 (event E5), the process proceeds to the previous state ST3. If it is determined that the area 30 is touched (event E9), the operation input receiving unit 400 sets “0” to the variable t, and the state shifts to ST7.

  In the state ST7, when the operation input receiving unit 400 determines that the finger touched in the second area 30 is released from the output of the position detection unit 410 (event E7), the variable t is set to 0 and the process returns to the previous state ST5. When the touch on the second area 30 is continued, the state ST7 is continued.

  On the other hand, in the state ST7, when the operation input receiving unit 400 detects that the boundary area 201 is touched based on the output of the position detection unit 410 (event E11), the process proceeds to the state ST9, but the first area 20 (however, When a touch in the area excluding the boundary area 201 is detected, or when it is determined that the condition (t <T) is satisfied (event E13), the process proceeds to the state ST15. In state ST15, a command for starting a predetermined process when event E13 occurs in state ST7 is output to processing unit 500.

  In the state ST9, when a touch on the first area 20 (except for the boundary area 201) is detected (event E15), the process proceeds to the state ST11, but when the condition of (T <t) is determined (event E17). ), Shift to the state ST15. In this state ST15, a command for starting a predetermined process when event E17 occurs in state ST9 is output to processing unit 500.

  Further, in the state ST11, the operation input receiving unit 400 detects that the finger has moved away from the second area 30 or that the finger has touched the second area 30 based on the output of the position detection unit 410 (event E21). ) Transition to state ST13, but if it is determined that the condition of (T <t) is satisfied (event E19), transition is made to state ST15. In this state ST15, a command for starting a predetermined process when event E19 occurs in state ST11 is output to processing unit 500.

  In the state ST13, the event E19 does not occur, that is, the operation elapsed time t indicated by the variable t is within the time limit T indicated by the variable T, and the finger touched in the second area 30 is released or the second area Since it is determined that the finger is touched within 30, the operation input receiving unit 400 receives the operation detected within the time of the variable t as the operation AF (event 23). Due to event 23, the state shifts to state ST15. In this state ST15, the operation input receiving unit 400 outputs a processing start command including operation type data indicating “AF” to the processing unit 500.

  As described above, according to FIG. 11, in the operation waiting state ST15, the finger is moved from the second area 30 to the boundary area 201 within a time limit after the touch operation in the second area 30 is detected and the time is started. When it is further detected that the slide has moved beyond the boundary area 201 into the first area 20 (transition from state ST5 → ST7 → ST9 → ST11 → ST13), the user operation type is determined to be “AF”. can do.

<Modification 1>
In the above-described embodiment, images are displayed by the display device 212 in the first area 20 and the second area 30, but what is presented in these areas is not limited to the display image. For example, a picture may be printed on the film of the touch panel 140. In this case, in the second area 30, the above-described embodiment is applied even if the design of the operation button is printed on the film of the touch panel 140 or the sticker on which the design is printed is pasted on the film. be able to.

<Modification 2>
The above-described calibration process is started (activated) when a user instruction is input, but may be automatically started without an instruction.

  As a condition for starting automatically, the prohibition flag 251 in the flowchart of FIG. 9A is set (step S27), information input from the boundary area 201 is prohibited, and then the prohibition flag 251 is reset and prohibited. The condition that the touch operation has been detected in the boundary area 201 is included until the release of.

  For example, the calibration process is started at the same time when the touch operation is detected in the boundary area 201. Alternatively, the number of touch operations detected in the boundary area 201 is counted, and the calibration process is started when the count value indicates a certain number of times. Alternatively, after the count value reaches a certain number of times, the calibration process is started when the screen of the display device 212 is switched to the home screen by a user operation, or the calibration process is started when the terminal 100 is activated. And so on.

<Modification 3>
In FIG. 9, when the first area 20 is touched first, the process of invalidating the input of the second area 30 is not included, but this process may be included as shown in FIG. That is, when processing is added so that the processing of the flag described in FIG. 9 is equivalent to each thread, the flowcharts of FIGS. 9A and 9B are the flowcharts of FIGS. ) Are changed as shown in FIG.

  According to the flowcharts of FIGS. 12A and 12B, the information input of the first area 20 and the second area 30 that has been touched first is validated, and the other is near the boundary between the two areas ( It is possible to invalidate only information input by a touch operation in the boundary area 201).

  FIG. 12 is a partial modification of the flowchart of FIG. 9. Here, the changed part will be described. That is, the flag set process (step S27) in FIG. 9 is added as step S42 between steps S41 and S43 in FIG. 12B, and the flag reset process (step S33) is performed in step S45 in FIG. 12 is added between steps S25 and S26, and processing for flag reference (steps S39 and S41) is added as steps SS25 and S26 between steps S24 and S27 in FIG. Thread flag processing can be made equivalent.

<Modification 4>
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the first area 20 and the second area 30 on the touch panel 140 are close to each other to prevent unintended information input according to the user operation has been described. You may make it prevent the unintended information input according to user operation between each of area 30A, 30B, and 30C.

(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, the program according to each flowchart and state transition diagram is stored in the ROM 256 in advance, and the processor 230 reads the program from the ROM 256 and executes the instructions of the program, thereby realizing the processing. Such a program can be recorded on a recording medium readable by the CPU of the processor 230 such as a memory card 152 attached to the terminal 100 and provided to the terminal 100 as a program product. Alternatively, the program can be provided by being received by the antenna 120 via a network and downloaded to the storage area of the RAM 252.

  The provided program product includes the program itself and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  20 First area, 30, 30A Second area, 40 border, 100 terminal, 140 touch panel, 201 border area, 210 display section, 212 display device, 230 processor, 251 prohibition flag, 352 distance data, 400 operation input reception section, 410 position detection unit, 420 input valid determination unit, 430 touch period count unit, 500 processing unit, 600 display control unit, 700 calibration unit, 710 distance determination unit, 720 message output unit.

Claims (9)

An operation reception unit that receives a touch operation for specifying a position on the touch panel and inputs information corresponding to the received operation,
The touch panel
Including a first area and a second area adjacent to the first area;
The operation reception unit
A detection unit for detecting position information indicating a specified position on the touch panel,
From the position information according to the detection order output from the detection unit, the first designated one of the first area and the second area is determined, and the operation received in the first designated area is accepted. An information input device that inputs corresponding information and invalidates input of information corresponding to an operation received in an area different from the previously designated one. The first area has a boundary area adjacent to the second area,
The operation reception unit
When the first specified one of the first area and the second area is the second area, the input of information corresponding to the operation received in the boundary area of the first area is invalidated. The information input device according to claim 1.   The information input device according to claim 2, wherein a size of the boundary area can be variably changed. An adjustment unit for variably adjusting the size of the boundary area;
The operation for designating a position on the touch panel indicates an operation in which a user touches a finger on the touch panel,
The adjustment unit is
An acquisition unit that acquires time-series position information according to the detection order from the detection unit;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the finger leaves the second area while the finger slides from the second area to the first area, based on the acquired time-series position information;
An information acquisition unit that acquires representative position information from the time-series position information that is acquired when it is determined that the distance has been determined;
The information input device according to claim 2, further comprising: a size determining unit that determines a size of the boundary area from the representative position information and the position information of the second area. The operation reception unit
Based on the time-series position information according to the detection order from the detection unit, a touch operation is started in the second area, and the designated position by touch passes from the second area to the boundary area in the first area. The information input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the operation of sliding on the touch panel is detected, the operation is accepted as a predetermined type of operation.   The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the information corresponding to the accepted operation includes position information indicating a position designated by the operation.   The information according to claim 1, wherein when the input of information corresponding to the received operation is invalidated, the operation accepting unit includes invalid data for indicating invalidity in the information. Input device.   The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the touch panel is provided on a display surface. An information input method for accepting a touch operation for designating a position on a touch panel and inputting information corresponding to the accepted operation,
When the first area provided on the touch panel is designated first, the step of inputting information corresponding to the operation received in the first area is provided adjacent to the first area. And a step of invalidating input of information corresponding to the operation received in the second area.

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