JP2013239100A - Information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information input device with a high degree of freedom of arrangement of an effective input area.SOLUTION: A terminal is an information input device for inputting information from touch operation on a touch panel provided on a display surface. The information input device includes: an instruction acquisition unit 300 that acquires an instruction for variably changing an effective input area; an effective input area setting unit 700 for variably setting the effective input area on the touch panel according to the acquired instruction; a visible image display unit 910 that generates a visible area image through the touch panel which is an image displayed on the display surface for showing the set effective input area; and an operation reception unit 400 which receives the touch operation for designating a position within the set effective input area and inputting information corresponding to the received operation.

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 an erroneous input, there has been proposed a method of ignoring an input based on an operation pattern when the operation pattern is different from a predetermined pattern. For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-37979) discloses an information processing apparatus that does not execute a predetermined operation process when a predetermined operation input is performed. Moreover, in patent document 2 (Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2011-166534), when it shifts to the state where input operation is validated, it will start time measurement, and will be in another state where input operation is invalidated when predetermined time passes. A wireless terminal to be transferred is disclosed. Further, in Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-39990), when the touch duration time for a specific area has reached a predetermined time, control is performed so as not to execute the function assigned to the specific area. An information processing apparatus is disclosed.

  In order to prevent erroneous input, a method of limiting the operable area has been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 4 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-9424), when a finger is placed on the prohibited area of the touch panel and an error is input, the icon display is erased so that the user can recognize the situation. An operating image display device is disclosed. Moreover, in patent document 5 (Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2012-14648), an input invalid area | region is set.

JP 2012-37979 A JP 2011-166534 A JP 2011-39990 A JP 2009-9424 A JP 2012-14648 A

  In Patent Document 1 to Patent Document 3 described above, a function for discriminating an operation pattern restricted to the apparatus is provided, and the user needs to recognize the difference between the restricted operation and the unrestricted operation. Has a problem. On the other hand, in Patent Literature 4, since the user is notified that the operable area is limited by deleting the icon display, the user recognizes the difference between the restricted operation and the unrestricted operation. There is no need.

  However, in Patent Documents 4 and 5, since the operable area is limited even though the user does not intend, it is not easy to use.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information input device having a high degree of freedom in arrangement of input effective areas.

  An information input device according to an aspect of the present invention is an information input device for inputting information from a touch operation of a touch panel provided on a display surface, and acquires an instruction for variably changing an input effective area. An instruction acquisition unit, an input effective region setting unit for variably setting an input effective region on the touch panel according to the acquired instruction, and an image displayed on the display surface to indicate the set input effective region , A visible image display unit that generates a region image that can be viewed via the touch panel, and a touch operation for designating a position within the set input effective region, and for inputting information corresponding to the accepted operation An operation receiving unit.

  Preferably, the image display device further includes an object display unit that generates an arrangement image for arranging and displaying the object image on the display surface, and the object display unit is configured to display the input effective region on the display surface when the input effective region is set. It includes a rearrangement unit that generates an arrangement image in which the object image is rearranged so that the object image is displayed in a portion corresponding to the position.

  Preferably, the object display unit generates an arrangement image such that the shape and arrangement mode of the object image in the portion have a constant shape and a fixed arrangement mode regardless of the setting change of the input effective area.

  Preferably, the object display unit generates an arrangement image in which the shape and arrangement form of the object image in the portion are variably changed according to the setting change of the input effective area.

  Preferably, the instruction includes at least one instruction of size change and position change of the input effective area, and the input effective area setting unit executes at least one of the size change and position change of the input effective area according to the acquired instruction. To do.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an information input method for inputting information from a touch operation on a touch panel provided on a display surface includes: obtaining an instruction for variably changing an input effective area; In accordance with the instructions, the step of variably setting the input effective area on the touch panel and the image displayed on the display surface to show the set input effective area, which is visible through the touch panel, are generated. And a step of accepting a touch operation for designating a position in the set input effective area and inputting information corresponding to the accepted operation.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a processor to function as an information input device for inputting information from a touch operation of a touch panel provided on a display surface. A step of acquiring an instruction to change the variable, a step of variably setting the input effective area on the touch panel according to the acquired instruction, and an image displayed on the display surface to indicate the set input effective area A step of generating a region image visible through the touch panel, a step of receiving a touch operation for designating a position within the set input effective region, and inputting information corresponding to the received operation; Is executed.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, a machine-readable recording medium recording a program is provided.

  According to the present invention, the user can variably set the arrangement of the input effective area only by giving an instruction for variably changing the input effective area.

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 which shows the specific example of the memory | storage data which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example of the variable setting of the input effective area | region by embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the process 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.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the information input device is mounted on a portable information processing terminal having a touch panel. As the portable information processing terminal, a notebook personal computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a navigation device, or the like can be applied. Alternatively, the present invention can be applied to an information processing terminal placed in an ATM (Automated Teller Machine), a credit card authentication device, or other commercial facilities. The information processing terminal is not limited to a portable type, and may be a stationary type.

  In the present embodiment, the “input effective area” is an area on the touch panel, and is an area that is permitted to accept a user operation in the area. “Accepting a user operation” indicates starting a function according to a user operation, starting execution of a program, reading out target data from a predetermined storage unit, and displaying the data.

<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. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of terminal 100. The terminal 100 includes a housing 110, an antenna 120, a speaker 130, a display unit 210 having a known resistive film type touch panel 140 and a display device 212, a power button 150, a microphone 160, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 170.

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

  In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the terminal 100 includes a sensor unit 220, 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 sensor unit 220 includes an acceleration sensor, detects the tilt angle of the terminal 100 from the output of the acceleration sensor, and outputs the detected tilt angle.

  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 device 212 of the display unit 210 corresponds to an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel, and a touch panel 140 is placed on the display surface. The image displayed on the display surface is a visible image that is visible via the touch panel 140. That is, 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. 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.

  The display panel constituting the display surface 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 a touch is performed on the surface with a finger or a dedicated pen (not shown), touch panel 140 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the operation position to processor 230. 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 detecting the operation position from the electrical signal output from the touch panel 140 and determining whether or not the electrical signal level indicates a predetermined level, whether or not the finger touched from the touch panel 140 has been released. Can be detected.

  In this way, the touch panel 140 constitutes a part of an operation receiving unit 400 described later 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 electric signal based on each bit value of the image data, and the generated electric 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 411 for detecting a coordinate value of a touched position from an electric signal output from the touch panel 140. . In FIG. 3, a display control unit 900, 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 an execution result of the program or an image to be displayed by the processor 230 and data generated by the display control unit 900 based on information from the position detection unit 411. Accordingly, the display driver 214 drives the LCD panel of the display device 212 based on the data in the graphic memory 254, so that the display unit 210 displays an image (stroke trajectory or the like) 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, a user operation (such as touch) for selecting an object such as various menus, icons, buttons, a keyboard, and thumbnails with a finger can be received via the touch panel 140 regardless of the display position of the image of the object. Note that the types of user operations accepted via the touch panel 140 include an operation of sliding a finger while touching the surface of the touch panel 140 with the belly of the finger. 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.

<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. A RAM 252 is shown as part of the peripheral circuit. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of data stored in the RAM 252.

  Referring to FIG. 4, RAM 252 stores data accessed (written / read) by each unit of processor 230. Specifically, the area information 25A, the object information 25B, the table 25C, the partial area information 25D indicating the size of the input effective area currently set and the coordinate position on the touch panel 140, and the current operation mode of the terminal 100 are shown. Data including a flag 25E is stored.

  The object information 25B stores data indicating the display mode and attributes of the object corresponding to each of the objects described above, and details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 5B, a table 25C includes a plurality of sets D0 including operation data indicating coordinate data and stroke data detected by the operation receiving unit 400, and operation types determined from the operation data. In addition, a plurality of types of tilt angles D1 of the terminal 100, and data D2 indicating the display position and size of the input effective area on the LCD panel corresponding to each set D0 and each tilt angle D1 are registered in advance.

  The partial area information 25D is a partial area on the display screen corresponding to the position of the input effective area of the touch panel 140, and indicates the position (coordinate position) or shape (size) of the partial area where the image of the object is to be displayed. Show.

  In the present embodiment, when a user operates an external switch (not shown) or the like of terminal 100, processor 230 changes the operation mode of terminal 100 to a mode (permission mode) that permits setting of an input valid area based on the operation. The mode is switched to one of the prohibited modes (prohibited mode). The processor 230 sets the flag 25E of the RMA 252 to “1” when setting the operation mode to the permission mode, and sets the flag 25E to “0” when setting the prohibit mode. The initial value of the flag 25E is “0”.

  Referring to FIG. 4, processor 230 includes an operation receiving unit 400 for receiving an input by a user operation via touch panel 140, an operation determining unit 500 for determining the type of operation received by operation receiving unit 400, an operation A function execution unit 600 that realizes a function corresponding to the process by executing a process (program or the like) corresponding to the type of the input, an input valid area setting unit 700 for variably setting the input valid area on the touch panel 140, A display control unit 900 for controlling image display and an instruction acquisition unit 300 for acquiring a user instruction for variably changing the input effective area are provided. Each of these units is realized by a program or a combination of a program and a circuit.

  Each part of the processor 230 determines whether the current operation mode is the permission mode or the prohibition mode by referring to the flag 25E.

<Acquisition of input valid area setting data>
In the present embodiment, in the permission mode in which the flag 25E indicates “1”, the input valid area on the touch panel 140 can be newly set, and the already set input valid area can be changed. The setting of the input effective area is realized by executing one or both of the size change and the position change of the input effective area.

Acquisition of the setting data of the input valid area in the permission mode is performed according to the following procedure.
First, the instruction acquisition unit 300 acquires a user instruction for variably changing the input effective area from the sensor unit 220 or the operation determination unit 500. The tilt angle of the terminal 100 is input from the sensor unit 220. In addition, a determination result indicating that a predetermined operation for variably changing the input effective area has been input from the operation determination unit 500.

  As an example of the user operation for setting the input valid area, when setting a rectangular area, the user taps two points on both ends of the diagonal line of the rectangle on the touch panel 140. Further, as an example of a user operation for increasing the size of the area, in the case of a rectangular area, a drag operation is performed to extend the corner. In addition, as an example of a user operation for moving an area to the center (default position) of the screen of the touch panel 140, the corner of the area is tapped twice in succession. Another example of the user operation for changing the position of the input effective area is an operation in which the user tilts the casing 110 of the terminal 100. Note that the types of user operations for variably setting the input valid area are not limited to these.

  The case where the instruction acquisition unit 300 acquires a user instruction for variably changing the input effective area from the operation determination unit 500 will be described.

  The operation reception unit 400 detects coordinate data and stroke data according to a user operation on the touch panel, and outputs them to the operation determination unit 500. In order to determine the type of operation, for example, the ROM 256 stores a table in which operation types and operation data are registered corresponding to each of a plurality of types of operations. The operation determination unit 500 searches the table based on the coordinate data and the stroke data from the operation reception unit 400, and reads the operation type corresponding to the operation data indicating the coordinate data and the stroke data from the table. Thereby, the kind of operation is discriminated.

  The operation determination unit 500 determines whether the operation type indicates the predetermined operation described above. If it is determined that the operation is not a predetermined operation, the operation type is output to the function execution unit 600. Thereby, the function execution part 600 performs the function corresponding to the operation type.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined operation is indicated, the determined operation type and the operation data are output to the instruction acquisition unit 300. The instruction acquisition unit 300 searches the table 25C based on the operation type and operation data from the operation determination unit 500. Based on the search result, data D2 corresponding to the operation type and operation data set D0 is read from the table 25C. As a result, the setting data of the position and size of the input effective area on the touch panel designated by the user is acquired.

  Next, a case where the instruction acquisition unit 300 acquires a user instruction from the sensor unit 220 will be described. The instruction acquisition unit 300 searches the table 25C based on the tilt angle from the sensor unit 220. Based on the search result, data D2 corresponding to the tilt angle D1 indicating the detected angle is read from the table 25C. As a result, the setting data of the position and size of the input effective area designated by the user is acquired.

<Input effective area setting>
The setting of the input effective area in the permission mode is performed as follows.

  When the input valid area setting unit 700 receives the position and size data of the input valid area from the instruction acquisition unit 300, the input valid area setting unit 700 stores the position and size data in the RAM 252 as area information 25A. Therefore, each time the instruction acquisition unit 300 inputs an instruction for variably changing the input valid area, the area information 25A is updated to indicate the latest input valid area information.

<Accepting operations within the valid input area>
If the operation determination unit 500 determines that the prohibit mode is set based on the value of the flag 25E, that is, that the input valid area is not set, the operation determination unit 500 receives all the coordinate data and stroke data from the operation reception unit 400.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the permission mode is set, that is, the input valid area is set, the coordinate data and the stroke data from the operation receiving unit 400 are determined to be accepted and ignored (discarded).

  Specifically, the position indicated by the coordinate data and stroke data by the user operation from the operation accepting unit 400 is compared with the position of the input effective area indicated by the area information 25A in the RAM 252, and the user operation position is determined based on the comparison result. It is determined whether it falls within the input valid area. If it is determined to be within the area, it is determined to accept the coordinate data and stroke data, that is, the user operation, and if it is determined to be outside the area, it is determined to ignore (discard) the user operation.

  When accepting a user operation, the operation discriminating unit 500 discriminates the operation type and outputs a discrimination result. When it is ignored, the operation discriminating unit 500 stops both the operation type discrimination and discrimination result output functions. Therefore, when an input valid area is set on the touch panel 140, only the user operation in the area is valid, and the function corresponding to the operation is executed by the function execution unit 600.

<Object display>
In the present embodiment, an object image is displayed on the screen which is the display surface of the display device 212. The object image can be switched between display and non-display by a user operation.

  Here, it is assumed that the object image is not hidden and the object image is displayed on the screen. Although an icon is illustrated as an object, it is not limited to an icon, A window, a thumbnail, a button, etc. may be included. Here, the icon image is a pattern indicating data executed by the function execution unit 600 or data such as a file.

  The object information 25B includes data B1 indicating the display position of the icon in the prohibit mode, data B3 indicating the shape / pattern (shape / size (size)) of the icon, permission corresponding to each icon being displayed. It has data B4 of the display position after change indicating the display position of the icon in the mode, and data B2 for identifying the function or data corresponding to the icon.

  The display position data B4 after the change indicates the display position after the change when the display position of the icon is changed from that in the prohibit mode in order to display the icon in the input valid area. Therefore, invalid data (NULL data) is set as an initial value for the data B4 after the change, and is updated to invalid data in the prohibit mode, and is calculated by the object display unit 920 in the permit mode as described later. Updated to indicate the position data.

  In operation, when the user operates the icon, coordinate data by the user operation is output to the operation determination unit 500. The operation determination unit 500 searches the object information 25B based on the input coordinate data, and determines whether the object information 25B has display position data that matches the coordinate data based on the search result. If it is determined that there is no data, the type of operation is determined. If it is determined that there is, the data B2 corresponding to the data B1 or B4 at the display position is read from the object information 25B and output to the function execution unit 600. Thereby, the function corresponding to the operated icon is executed, or the target data is processed.

  The object display unit 920 displays an icon. Specifically, in the prohibit mode, data for displaying an image of each icon is generated according to the display position data B1 and data B3 of the object information 25B and stored in the graphic memory 254. . Thus, in the prohibit mode, the icon image can be displayed on the screen according to the display position and shape indicated by the data B1 and B3 of the object information 25B.

  On the other hand, in the permission mode, the icons are rearranged every time the input valid area is set. That is, the input valid area setting unit 700 outputs an icon rearrangement instruction every time an input valid area is set, and when the object display unit 920 inputs an icon rearrangement instruction, the input in which each icon is set is input. Reposition and display within the effective area. As the rearrangement mode, the following first and second modes will be described.

(First aspect)
A 1st aspect shows the case where the position of the input effective area is variable, but the shape including the size is constant (invariable). In this case, the input effective area setting unit 700 performs the display in the partial area corresponding to the position of the input effective area according to the display position data B4 of the object information 25B and the size and position of the input effective area indicated by the area information 25A. Rearrange the icons so that they are visible. The shape and size of this partial area are indicated by the partial area information 25D. In the first aspect, the shape and size of the partial area are constant (invariable) and are sized to fit within the input effective area.

  The object display unit 920 calculates the display position of the partial area based on the area information 25A, generates image data of the partial area displayed at the calculated position using the shape data of the partial area information 25D, and the graphic memory 254. To store. Thereby, the image of the partial area is displayed in the input effective area.

  The object display unit 920 calculates the display position of each icon so that the icon image fits within the partial area, and stores the calculated display position as data B4 of the object information 25B as changed display position data. The rearrangement unit 930 of the object display unit 920 generates data for displaying each icon by rearranging the icon image based on the changed display position data B4 of the object information 25B and the original shape data B3. The generated data is stored in the graphic memory 254.

  As a result, the icon can be displayed in the input effective area without changing the shape. Therefore, even if the setting of the input valid area is changed, the icon is displayed in the original shape such as the prohibit mode, so that the user can operate the icon having a familiar shape.

  Regarding the display position, the changed display position may be calculated by translating each icon from the original display position to a position in the partial area. According to the parallel movement, the icons can be displayed in the original input area (for example, the arrangement of the icons) in the input effective area. Therefore, even if the setting of the input valid area is changed, the icon is displayed in the original arrangement mode such as the prohibit mode, so that the user can operate the icon with the familiar arrangement.

  In the present embodiment, the setting change of the input effective area is a change in size that can keep the shape and arrangement of the icons as they are.

(Second embodiment)
The second mode is a case where the input effective area is variably changed in position and shape. In this aspect, the input effective area setting unit 700 performs the display in the partial area corresponding to the position and shape of the input effective area according to the display position data of the object information 25B and the size and position of the input effective area indicated by the area information 25A. Rearrange the icons so that they are visible. The position and shape of the partial area are variable according to the position and shape of the input effective area.

  Here, in order to simplify the description, the change of the shape of the input effective area is assumed to be a change that reduces / expands only the size while maintaining the shape of the input effective area. Therefore, the partial area is also described as a change that reduces / enlarges the size while maintaining the shape.

  The object display unit 920 calculates the display position and size of the partial area based on the area information 25A, and stores it in the partial area information 25D. Then, the image data of the partial area in which the partial area is displayed at the calculated position is generated and stored in the graphic memory 254. As a result, the image of the partial area is displayed in the input effective area where the position and size are variably set.

  The object display unit 920 calculates the display position and size of the image so that the icon is within the partial area indicated by the partial area information 25D. By this calculation, the icon image is reduced or enlarged according to the changed size of the input effective area. The calculated display position and size are stored in the object information 25B as post-change display position data B4.

  The rearrangement unit 930 of the object display unit 920 generates and generates data for rearranging and displaying an image based on the changed display position and shape indicated by the data B4 of the object information 25B for each icon. Data is stored in the graphic memory 254.

  Thereby, the icon can be displayed in the input valid area while changing the size of the icon according to the size of the input valid area. Therefore, even if the size of the input effective area is changed, the icon is displayed with its size reduced / enlarged with the original shape, so that the user can operate the icon with a familiar shape.

  Even when the size is changed, the display position after the change may be calculated by the above-described parallel movement with respect to the display position. According to the parallel movement, the icon can be displayed in the original arrangement in the input effective area. Therefore, even if the setting of the input effective area is changed, the icon is displayed in the original arrangement mode, and the user can easily select a desired icon from familiar icons.

  In the present embodiment, the processor 230 has both a function for realizing the first aspect and a function for realizing the second aspect. In the permission mode, an instruction by a user operation or an operation of a switch (not shown) is performed. In response to this, one of the functions is selectively activated.

<Display valid input area>
In the present embodiment, the visible image display unit 910 displays an area image that can be viewed via the touch panel 140 on the display screen of the display device 212 and is an image for indicating the set input effective area.

  The visible image display unit 910 is set not to operate when in the prohibit mode. On the other hand, in the permission mode, each time the input valid area is set, the above-described area image is displayed for the set input valid area. That is, the input effective area setting unit 700 outputs a region image re-display instruction every time an input effective area is set, and the visible image display unit 910 inputs the area image re-display instruction, thereby setting the set input effective area. Operate to display the region image.

  Specifically, the visible image display unit 910 generates area image data based on the area information 25 </ b> A (the size of the input effective area and the coordinate position on the touch panel 140), and stores the area image data in the graphic memory 254. The area image data includes display data that makes the background color of the input effective area different from the background color of other areas. Alternatively, it may be data that can distinguish between the input effective area on the touch panel 140 and other areas, data that changes only display data in other areas to monochrome display data, and other areas Display data that lowers the brightness of the image.

  Alternatively, as data for making it possible to distinguish between the input effective area and other areas, only the image of the object in the input effective area is displayed in 3D (3-Dimensional) (the objects in other areas are displayed in 2D). Such area image data may be used.

<Display example>
With reference to FIG. 6, the variable setting of the input effective area on the touch panel 140 will be described. 6A, 6B, and 6C show display examples of the input effective area 30A and the icons 30C in the partial area 30B under the first mode described above.

  Considering the convenience of the user, the maximum size is desirable as shown in FIG. 6A of the input effective area 30A. In the prohibit mode, the display shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the user can set the input effective area 30A at an arbitrary position at an arbitrary timing.

  FIG. 6B shows a state where the input valid area 30A is set in the lower half of the touch panel 140 as an example. When the icon 30C deviates from the input effective area 30A, it becomes impossible to operate the icon. Therefore, it is desirable that the partial area 30B for placing the icon 30C also moves into the input effective area 30A simultaneously with the change of the input effective area 30A. .

  FIG. 6C shows a state where the input effective area 30A has been moved from the position of FIG. 6B to the upper half position of the touch panel 140.

  In addition, the input effective area can be set and changed from the display of FIG. 6C as shown in FIG. 6A or FIG. 6B.

<Flowchart>
FIG. 7 is a process flowchart for variably setting the effective input area in the permission mode. This flowchart is stored in advance in the ROM 256 as a program, and the processing is realized by the CPU of the processor 230 reading out the program from the ROM 256 and executing it.

  In the present embodiment, this flowchart is executed as interrupt processing, for example. That is, the CPU inputs an operation of the touch panel 140 or an output from the sensor unit 220 as an external interrupt, and executes a process (interrupt process) according to the flowchart. The activation of the process is not limited to the method using an interrupt.

  First, the operation reception unit 400 receives a user operation from the touch panel 140, and outputs coordinate data and stroke data based on the user operation (step S5).

  The operation determination unit 500 determines the type of user operation based on the output (coordinate data and stroke data) of the operation reception unit 400 (step S7). If it is determined that the operation type indicates a predetermined operation for variably setting the input valid area described above (YES in step S9), the process proceeds to step S11. If it is determined that the operation is other type (NO in step S9), the determined operation type is output to the function execution unit 600 in order to execute another process indicated by the user operation (step S21). Thereafter, the process ends.

  In step S11, the instruction acquisition unit 300 searches the table 25C based on the operation type indicating the predetermined operation from the operation determination unit 500 and the operation data. As a result, the setting data of the position and size on the touch panel 140 of the input effective area designated by the user is read.

  The input valid area setting unit 700 determines an input valid area (step S13). Specifically, the input effective area setting unit 700 stores data of the position and size of the input effective area from the instruction acquisition unit 300 in the RAM 252 as area information 25A.

  The object display unit 920 displays the post-change display position for rearranging and displaying the icons in the set input effective area according to any of the first aspect and the second aspect described above which are rearrangement modes. The display position of the partial area is calculated (step S15).

  Thereafter, the visible image display unit 910 and the object display unit 920 generate image data for displaying an icon in the changed input effective area and a partial area in the input effective area, and store the generated image data in the graphic memory 254. (Step S17).

  After that, the display driver 214 displays a visible image that is an image for showing the input effective area after the setting change of the display unit 210 according to the image data of the graphic memory 254, and an icon is displayed in a partial area of the input effective area. (Step S19).

  When the instruction acquisition unit 300 acquires a user instruction from the output of the sensor unit 220, the instruction acquisition unit 300 searches the table 25C based on the tilt angle input from the sensor unit 220 in step S11. The setting data of the position and size of the input effective area on the touch panel specified by the user is acquired. Thereafter, the processing after step S13 is executed in the same manner.

  In the present embodiment, when the permission mode is switched to the prohibition mode, the display mode of the input valid area and the icon is switched to (A) in FIG.

<Modification 1>
In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the setting change of the input effective area is a change in size that can keep the shape and arrangement of the icons as they are, but is not limited thereto.

  That is, according to the setting change of the input effective area, the icon may be changed from the original shape and arrangement mode (arrangement) so that the icon can be accommodated in the input effective area after the change. For example, the icon image may be reduced / enlarged to simplify the design.

<Modification 2>
In the above-described embodiment, the user has described the method of operating the touch panel 140 or tilting the terminal 100 in order to instruct variable setting of the input effective area. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the terminal 100 is provided. A method in which the user operates the hardware key / switch or moves the terminal 100 continuously may be used. In order to detect the movement of the terminal 100 by a user operation, a sensor that detects acceleration in the three-dimensional direction of the terminal 100 is used to synthesize the movement of the terminal 100 by combining the front, rear, left, and right inclinations of the terminal 100. To detect.

<Modification 3>
The setting change of the input effective area is in accordance with the first aspect or the second aspect, but is not limited to this. For example, the input effective area may be configured such that the shape including the size is variably changed, but the position does not move and is constant (invariable).

<Modification 4>
In the above-described embodiment, one input effective area is set on the touch panel 140, but two or more input effective areas may be provided. When two or more input valid areas are provided, only one of the input valid areas may be set or changed by a user operation.

(Other embodiments)
In the embodiment described above, the program according to the flowchart is recorded on a recording medium that can be read by the CPU of the processor 230 via the memory driver 151, such as the memory card 152 attached to the terminal 100, and the program product is the terminal. 100 can also be provided. 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 non-temporarily.

  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.

  100 terminal, 140 touch panel, 210 display unit, 300 instruction acquisition unit, 400 operation reception unit, 411 position detection unit, 500 operation determination unit, 600 function execution unit, 700 input effective area setting unit, 900 display control unit, 910 visible image Display unit, 920 Object display unit, 930 rearrangement unit, 30A input effective area, 30B partial area, 30C icon.

Claims (8)

An information input device for inputting information from a touch operation of a touch panel provided on a display surface,
An instruction acquisition unit for acquiring an instruction for variably changing the input valid area;
In accordance with the acquired instruction, an input effective area setting unit for variably setting an input effective area on the touch panel;
A visible image display unit that generates an area image that is displayed on the display surface to show the set input effective area and is visible via the touch panel;
An information input device comprising: an operation accepting unit for accepting a touch operation for designating a position within the set input valid area and inputting information corresponding to the accepted operation. An object display unit for generating an arrangement image for arranging and displaying the object image on the display surface;
The object display unit
When the input effective area is set, rearrangement for generating the arrangement image in which the object image is rearranged so that the object image is displayed in a portion corresponding to the position of the input effective area on the display surface The information input device according to claim 1, comprising a section. The object display unit
The information input device according to claim 2, wherein an arrangement image is generated so that the shape and arrangement mode of the object image in the portion are a constant shape and a fixed arrangement mode regardless of the setting change of the input effective area. . The object display unit
The information input device according to claim 2, wherein an arrangement image is generated such that the shape and arrangement mode of the object image in the portion are variably changed according to the setting change of the input effective area. The instruction includes at least one instruction of changing the size and position of the input effective area,
The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the input valid area setting unit executes at least one of a size change and a position change of the input valid area in accordance with the acquired instruction. An information input method for inputting information from a touch operation of a touch panel provided on a display surface,
Obtaining an instruction to variably change the input valid area;
In accordance with the acquired instruction, a step of variably setting an input effective area on the touch panel;
Generating an area image that is displayed on the display surface to show the set input effective area and is visible via the touch panel;
Receiving a touch operation for designating a position within the set input valid area, and inputting information corresponding to the accepted operation. A program for causing a processor to function as an information input device for inputting information from a touch operation of a touch panel provided on a display surface,
The program is stored in the processor.
Obtaining an instruction to variably change the input valid area;
In accordance with the acquired instruction, a step of variably setting an input effective area on the touch panel;
Generating an area image that is displayed on the display surface to show the set input effective area and is visible via the touch panel;
Receiving a touch operation for designating a position within the set input valid area, and inputting information corresponding to the accepted operation.   A machine-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 7 is recorded.

Images