JP2014099026A - Input device, input auxiliary method, and input auxiliary program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device that uses a touch panel, and notifies a user of a position of a finger before the contact of the finger with the touch panel.SOLUTION: An input auxiliary method used in an input device using a touch panel comprises the steps of: detecting the presence of an object within a predetermined range from a touch panel (S101); determining whether the object is in a contact state or a non-contact state with the touch panel (S103); and when the object is present within the predetermined range and in the non-contact state, notifies a user of a proximity position that is a position on the touch panel closest to the object (S115).

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, an input assist method, and an input assist program, and more particularly to an input device using a touch panel, an input assist method using the input device, and an input assist program.

  For input devices such as keyboards and switches, so-called blind touch input operations performed without visual recognition, input operations in environments where it is difficult to visually recognize input devices such as low illuminance, and elderly people and visually impaired people In order to assist an input operation or the like by a user who is difficult to visually recognize an input operation, some have a physical mechanism capable of grasping the position at a specific position by contact with a finger such as a protrusion. For example, in the case of a keyboard, by providing a protrusion at a predetermined position called a home position (for example, “J” key), the home position and the key arrangement can be grasped without looking at the keyboard. Such an input operation becomes possible.

  However, since the input position is dynamic in an input device using a touch panel, the above-described physical mechanism cannot be provided. Therefore, the input device using the touch panel has a problem that the above input operation is difficult.

  To solve this problem, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-309962 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) discloses a vibration generating device based on an altitude on a map at a position where a touch panel is pressed when a map is displayed on a liquid crystal display. Discloses a technique for varying the amplitude of vibration transmitted to the touch panel. This technology makes it possible to taste the three-dimensional sense of the map displayed on the liquid crystal display by the magnitude of the vibration amplitude transmitted to the fingertip, and which contact the fingertip touches without looking at the liquid crystal display Make it possible to grasp.

JP 2004-309962 A

  However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the position of the finger is notified when the finger touches the liquid crystal screen, the touched position is an area that functions as an input device on the liquid crystal screen. In some cases, there is a problem that the input is selected at the time of contact. In other words, Patent Document 1 has a problem that the user cannot be notified of the position of the input device before an input operation by contact with a finger or the like.

  For this problem, it is possible to notify before the input operation by not accepting the input at the point of contact on the input device side, but this means that operability is lost Problems arise.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and in an input device using a touch panel, an input device that can notify the position of a finger or the like before the finger or the like is brought into contact with the touch panel. An object is to provide an auxiliary method and an input auxiliary program.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, the input device is an input device having a touch panel, and a detection means for detecting the presence of an object within a predetermined range from the touch panel, A determination means for determining whether the distance between the object to be touched and the touch panel is a contact state where the distance between the touch panel and the touch panel is 0 or a non-contact state greater than 0; When it is determined that the object is in contact with the touch panel, processing means for executing processing corresponding to the input position, which is the position on the touch panel with which the object has touched, and an object existing in a predetermined range in the determining means And a notifying means for notifying an approach position which is a position on the touch panel closest to the object when it is determined that it is in a non-contact state.

  Preferably, the notification means notifies the approach position by notifying in a notification manner according to a distance from a predetermined position of the touch panel to the approach position.

  Preferably, the notification means notifies the approach position by notifying in a notification manner corresponding to a region defined in advance on the touch panel to which the approach position belongs.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the input assist method is an input assist method in an input device having a touch panel, the step of detecting the presence of an object in a predetermined range from the touch panel, the object existing in the predetermined range, and the touch panel A step of determining whether the distance between the contact state is 0 or a non-contact state greater than 0, and an object existing in a predetermined range is determined to be in contact with the touch panel A step of executing processing according to an input position that is a position on the touch panel with which the object touches, and when it is determined that an object existing in a predetermined range is in a non-contact state with respect to the touch panel, And notifying an approach position that is a position on the touch panel closest to the object.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the input assist program is a program for causing a computer to assist input operation in an input device having a touch panel, and detecting the presence of an object within a predetermined range from the touch panel. Determining whether the distance between the object present in the predetermined range and the touch panel is a contact state where the distance between the touch panel and the touch panel is 0 or a non-contact state greater than 0; When it is determined that the object is in contact with the touch panel, the step of executing processing according to the input position, which is the position on the touch panel with which the object is in contact, and the object existing in the predetermined range are in a non-contact state with respect to the touch panel The computer is informed of the approach position, which is the position on the touch panel closest to the object. To.

  According to this invention, in the input device using the touch panel, the position of the finger or the like is notified before the finger or the like is brought into contact with the touch panel. Therefore, an input operation can be performed without directly viewing the input unit.

It is a figure which shows the specific example of a structure of the terminal device as an example of the input device concerning embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the specific example of the hardware constitutions of a terminal device. It is a figure showing the operation | movement outline | summary of the terminal device. It is a figure for demonstrating detection accuracy. It is a figure for demonstrating the principle which detects the approach of a finger etc. to a touch panel with a terminal device. It is a figure for demonstrating the judgment of the contact state or non-contact state to a touch panel. It is a block diagram which shows the specific example of a function structure of a terminal device. It is a flowchart showing the flow of operation | movement with a terminal device.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, these descriptions will not be repeated.

[First Embodiment]
<Device configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a configuration of a terminal device 100 as an example of an input device according to the present embodiment. The terminal device 100 may be any device as long as it has a touch panel that employs a capacitance method as an input device. For example, a small notebook personal computer (personal computer), a game machine, a document browsing device, a content player, a digital camera and the like can be cited. The input device is not limited to a portable terminal, and may be a large device that cannot be carried.

  Referring to FIG. 1, terminal device 100 includes touch panel 14 as a display device and an input device, speaker 16, and microphone 17 on one surface side.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of the hardware configuration of the terminal device 100.
Referring to FIG. 2, terminal apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11 for storing a program executed by the CPU, and an operation when the CPU executes the program. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 12 serving as a region, a memory 13 for storing image data, a touch panel 14, a touch panel IC (Integrated Circuit) 15 as a touch panel controller, a speaker 16, a microphone 17, and vibration A motor 18.

  The touch panel 14 as an input device employs a capacitance method and functions as a sensor. Electrodes are arranged in a predetermined pattern on the touch panel 14, and when a conductive object such as a finger approaches a predetermined distance from the touch panel 14, the capacitance between the finger and the electrode increases.

  A touch panel IC 15 that is a touch panel controller is connected to the touch panel 14 and detects the capacitance at the touch panel 14. And the signal of the intensity | strength according to an electrostatic capacitance is output with respect to CPU10. The CPU 10 specifies the approached position (for example, the touched position) of a finger or the like based on the signal from the touch panel IC 15.

  The touch panel 14 as a display device displays a screen specified in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 10.

  CPU10 specifies a user's instruction | indication content from the display screen and the position where fingers etc. approached, and performs the process according to the said instruction | indication.

  The vibration motor 18 is a configuration for realizing the vibrator function of the terminal device 100, and performs an oscillation operation at a frequency based on a signal output from the CPU 10.

<Overview of operation>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation outline of the terminal device 100 according to the present embodiment. As an example, an example in which a mail creation screen is displayed on the terminal device 100 is shown.

  That is, referring to FIG. 3, the mail creation screen displayed on terminal device 100 includes a display area 20 for displaying the contents of the mail body and an input area 30 for inputting text and the like.

  The input area 30 displays buttons for inputting text and the like. For example, “ABC” button, “DEF” button, “GHI” button, “JKL” button, “MNO” button, “PQRS” button, “TUV” button, and “WXYZ” button for text input are displayed. Is done. As an example, these buttons are arranged in a matrix around the “JKL” button.

  The user can input the mail text using the screen of FIG. At this time, the user touches a necessary button among the buttons displayed in the input area 30 while looking at the display area 20.

  At this time, in order to confirm the arrangement of the buttons in the input area 30, the user must confirm both the display area 20 and the input area 30, which may reduce the efficiency of the input work. In addition, depending on environmental conditions such as low illuminance, the input region 30 may be difficult to visually recognize. Moreover, the input area 30 may be difficult to visually recognize depending on characteristics of a user such as an elderly person or a visually impaired person. Therefore, it is required that the arrangement of the buttons can be grasped without requiring visual recognition of the input area 30. This is not limited to the mail creation screen, and the same applies to any screen when the display screen of the touch panel 14 has an input area for user operation.

  Accordingly, referring to FIG. 3, terminal device 100 according to the present embodiment notifies the position on touch panel 14 when a finger or the like approaches within a predetermined range from the surface of touch panel 14. As an example of the notification method, a method of using the vibrator function of the terminal device 100 can be given.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a notification mode. That is, referring to FIG. 3, terminal device 100 sets a predetermined position in input area 30 in advance, and the point from finger or the like to touch panel 14 is the closest (hereinafter, this point is also referred to as “approach position”). ) And the above-mentioned prescribed position.

  The left and lower curves of the terminal device 100 in FIG. 3 represent the strength of vibration. That is, in this example, the specified position is the position of the “JKL” button, which is a button arranged in the center, and the terminal device 100 vibrates most strongly when the position is the approach position. And the terminal device 100 weakens a vibration as it leaves | separates from the approach position from the position.

  As a result, a user who holds the terminal device 100 with one hand and tries to input a mail text with the other hand vibrates the terminal device 100 when the fingertip approaches the predetermined range from the touch panel 14, It is possible to know that the touch panel 14 has been approached. In addition, by moving without touching the surface of the touch panel 14 in this state, the user receives the strongest vibration when closest to the “JKL” button. Thus, the user can know that the current finger position is closest to the “JKL” button. Therefore, by grasping the specified position and the button arrangement in advance, the user can grasp the position of the button and perform an input operation without visually recognizing the button in the input area 30.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the detection accuracy. Referring to FIG. 4, in terminal device 100, as indicated by the dotted line, if the region that is to be vibrated most when the approach position belongs is the entire “JKL” button, then the finger or the like is actually moved thereafter. The position where the touch panel 14 is touched (hereinafter also referred to as “input position”) may be different from the “JKL” button. That is, if the range of the specified position is widened, the input position detection accuracy is lowered. Therefore, the terminal device 100 can improve the detection accuracy by narrowing the range of the specified position as represented by the solid line in FIG.

  Here, the principle of detecting the approach of a finger or the like to the touch panel 14 in the terminal device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Capacitance C between a conductive object such as a finger and an electrode disposed on touch panel 14 is dielectric constant ε, area S of the surface of touch panel 14 such as a finger, and between finger and touch panel 14. C = ε (S / L) with respect to the distance L. Therefore, the capacitance C increases as a finger or the like approaches the touch panel 14.

  The dielectric constant ε depends on the substance between the electrodes, and is a substance between the electrodes in a state where the distance L is greater than 0 and before a finger or the like touches the touch panel 14 (hereinafter also referred to as a non-contact state). The dielectric constant of air is ε = 1, the distance L is equal to 0, and the dielectric constant of glass or the like, which is a substance between electrodes in a state where a finger or the like is in contact with the touch panel 14 (hereinafter also referred to as a contact state) is ε = 3 or more. Therefore, the dielectric constant ε changes abruptly when the finger or the like touches the touch panel 14.

  The touch panel IC 15 that is a touch panel controller detects the capacitance C of the touch panel 14 and outputs a signal V corresponding to the capacitance C to the CPU 10. Therefore, in this configuration, the touch panel 14 and the touch panel IC 15 correspond to a mechanism that detects the presence of an object within a predetermined range from the touch panel 14.

  Based on the signal V from the touch panel IC 15, the CPU 10 determines whether a finger or the like is in contact with the touch panel 14 or in a non-contact state. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the above determination, in which the vertical axis represents the output V from the touch panel IC 15 and the horizontal axis represents the distance L.

  Referring to FIG. 6, CPU 10 monitors output V from touch panel IC 15, and detects that a finger or the like is approaching touch panel 14 when the output gradually increases. When the output V becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined size, the CPU 10 can detect that a finger or the like has approached the range from the touch panel 14 that is previously defined as “proximity”.

  Further, the CPU 10 can detect that a finger or the like has touched (touched) the touch panel 14 by monitoring a change in the output V and detecting a sudden change.

  Then, the CPU 10 uses the rapidly changing output V value as a threshold value, and the finger or the like reaches the touch panel 14 until the finger approaches the threshold value within the range defined as “approach” in advance. On the other hand, it is determined that it is in a non-contact state, and it is determined that it is in a contact state when the output V is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

  This threshold value may be stored in advance in the terminal device 100, or may be set based on the output V from the touch panel IC 15 in the terminal device 100. In the latter case, as an example, the CPU 10 can calculate a differential value representing a change in the output V, and an output V whose differential value has changed by a predetermined value or more can be used as a threshold value.

  When it is determined that the CPU 10 is in the non-contact state, the CPU 10 causes the terminal device 100 to perform the notification operation as described above. If it is determined that the contact state is present, processing corresponding to the contact, that is, the touched position is executed.

  In the above example, the vibrator function of the terminal device 100 is used as a notification method. Thereby, an approach position can be grasped | ascertained, without visually recognizing the touch panel 14 at all.

  The notification method is not limited to the above method. As another example, for example, when a light emitting unit (not shown) such as another region (for example, the display region 20) of the input region 30 of the touch panel 14 or an LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamp is provided, the light emitting unit, etc. (Other Example 1), a method using a buzzer sound from the speaker 16 or the like (Other Example 2), or a combination thereof may be used. In addition, the user may select which method to use.

  Further, the terminal device 100 may automatically determine the notification method. As an example, a notification method using a vibrator function when the terminal device 100 is gripped by a user, a notification method using light emission or a notification using sound when placed on a desk or the like and not being gripped by a user. It is good also as a method. For the determination of the notification method, an acceleration change obtained by an acceleration sensor (not shown) may be used.

  In the case of the first other example, as a notification mode, there is a method of emitting light brightly or shortening the lighting interval as the approaching position approaches the specified position. In the case of the second example, as a notification mode, there is a method of generating a high sound or shortening the interval of the buzzer sound as the approach position approaches the specified position.

  In the case of the first other example, although the user needs to visually recognize the touch panel 14 and the like in order to grasp the position of the button, the user does not need to visually recognize the input area 30. Therefore, for example, when the display area 20 emits light and is notified in the example of FIG. 3 described above, or when it is notified using a lamp arranged at a position where the display area 20 can be visually recognized. The user can grasp the position of the button without moving the line of sight to the input area 30 while viewing the display area 20. In the case of the second example, similarly to the method using the vibrator function, the user can grasp the position of the button without visually recognizing the touch panel 14.

  The notification mode is not limited to the above-described correspondence. That is, it is not limited to the aspect according to the distance from the specified position. As another example, for example, a small area may be set in advance for the input area 30 such as for each button, and a notification mode may be defined for each area. And in the terminal device 100, it is good also as a notification aspect according to the area | region where the approach position belongs.

  For example, when the above-described vibrator function is used for notification, a frequency, an interval, or the like may be set in advance for each button, and may be vibrated at a frequency, an interval, or the like according to the approached button. In the case of the first other example, a light emission color, a light emission interval, or the like may be set in advance for each button, and light may be emitted with a light emission color, a light emission interval, or the like corresponding to the button that is approached. In the case of the second other example, the pitch, tone color, buzzer interval, etc. are set in advance for each button, and the sound is emitted at the tone pitch, tone color, buzzer interval corresponding to the approaching button. It may be.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a functional configuration of the terminal device 100 for performing the above-described operation. Each function of FIG. 7 is mainly formed on the CPU 10 by the CPU 10 reading the program stored in the ROM 11 onto the RAM 12 and executing it, but at least a part of it is shown in FIG. It may be realized by a hardware configuration.

  Referring to FIG. 7, CPU 10 stores in advance signal input unit 101 for receiving an input of output V corresponding to capacitance C of touch panel 14 from touch panel IC 15, and the above-described threshold value. A determination unit 102 for determining whether an object such as a finger is in a contact state or a non-contact state by comparing with the output V, and a contact position (input position) when it is determined as a contact state A processing unit 103 for executing a corresponding process, an informing unit 104 for informing the approach position when it is determined to be in a non-contact state, and a drive control unit 105 for controlling the driving of the vibration motor 18. Including.

  The notification unit 104 has a plurality of notification methods as described above, and when a method to be employed is selected, a notification method determination unit 106 for determining which notification method to employ, a touch panel, and the like. A position specifying unit 107 for specifying the approach position based on the output V from the IC 15 and a notification mode determination unit 108 for determining a notification mode according to the approach position are included.

  When the notification method determining unit 106 determines that the notification method is a notification method using the vibrator function, or when the notification unit 104 prescribes that the above method is the notification method, the notification unit 104 Determine the frequency according to the approach position. Then, the notification unit 104 instructs the drive control unit 105 to drive the vibration motor 18.

<Operation flow>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation flow in terminal apparatus 100. This operation is executed when a screen in which the input area 30 is provided on the touch panel 14, such as a mail creation screen shown in FIG. 3, is displayed. The operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is realized by causing the CPU 10 of the terminal device 100 to read and execute a program stored in the ROM 11 on the RAM 12 and execute the functions shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 8, CPU 10 monitors output V from touch panel IC 15 to determine whether or not there is a conductive material such as a finger within a range from touch panel 14 that is defined as “proximity” in advance. To monitor. As a result, when the presence of an object within a predetermined range is detected from the touch panel 14 (YES in step S101), the CPU 10 further compares the output V from the touch panel IC 15 with the above threshold value, so that the object is detected. It is determined whether the touch panel 14 is in a contact state or a non-contact state.

  When it is determined that an object within a predetermined range from the touch panel 14 is in contact with the touch panel 14 (YES in step S103), the CPU 10 specifies the position touched on the touch panel 14 as an input position on the display screen. Then, processing corresponding to the input position is executed (step S105). In the example of the mail creation screen in FIG. 3, the CPU 10 performs a process of inputting text represented by a button at a touched position, for example.

  When it is determined that an object within a predetermined range from the touch panel 14 is in a non-contact state with respect to the touch panel 14 (NO in step S103), the CPU 10 determines that the object is the most on the touch panel 14 based on the output V from the touch panel IC 15. The approaching position is specified as the approaching position (step S109).

  For the specified approach position, the CPU 10 calculates a distance from the pre-stored specified position, which is the “JKL” button arranged in the center in the above example (step S111), and according to the distance A notification mode defined in advance is determined (step S113). Or CPU10 may memorize | store the alerting | reporting aspect prescribed | regulated previously for every area | region of the touch panel by the said step S111-S113, and may make it identify the alerting | reporting aspect corresponding to the area | region where an approach position belongs. And CPU10 performs alerting | reporting operation | movement by the determined alerting | reporting aspect (step S115).

  As shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 10 may repeat the above operation while the screen on which the input area 30 is provided is displayed on the touch panel 14. Thereby, while the screen is displayed, the user can grasp the input position such as the arrangement of buttons without viewing the input area 30.

  Alternatively, the CPU 10 may end the series of operations after performing the above operations at least once. Even in this case, since the user can grasp the arrangement of the buttons and the like by the above notification, it is possible to grasp the arrangement of the other buttons without visually recognizing the input area 30 based on the position. It becomes.

  Note that, as described above, one notification method is defined in advance, but as described above, the CPU 10 selects the notification method itself depending on whether or not the terminal device 100 is held. You may make it do. In that case, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the notification method is determined immediately after the non-contact state is detected or at other timing (step S107).

<Effect of Embodiment>
When the above-described operation is performed in the terminal device 100, the approaching position is notified by a method that does not require visual recognition of the input area 30 when approaching the touch panel 14 before touching the touch panel 14 with a finger or the like. Is done. Therefore, even if the user does not visually recognize the input area 30, the user can grasp the position and arrangement of the input unit such as an intended button before the input timing. Thereby, the user can perform an intended input operation without visually recognizing the input area 30. Thereby, for example, the terminal device 100 performs an input operation performed without visually recognizing an input device called a so-called blind touch, an input operation in an environment where it is difficult to visually recognize an input device such as a low illuminance, an elderly person, a visually impaired person, etc. It is possible to effectively assist an input operation by a user who is difficult to visually recognize the input operation.

[Second Embodiment]
In the example described as the first embodiment, an example is shown in which the CPU 10 determines whether the state is a contact state or a non-contact state based on the output V from the touch panel IC 15. .

  However, the determination is not limited to using only the output V. As another example, the terminal device 100 according to the second embodiment may include a sensor that converts pressure on the touch panel 14 into an electrical signal, such as a piezoelectric sensor (not shown), in addition to the above configuration. And CPU10 judges whether it is a contact state or a non-contact state using the output from the sensor in addition to the output V from touch panel IC15. That is, the CPU 10 detects the presence of an object within a predetermined range from the touch panel in accordance with the output V from the touch panel IC 15, and determines whether the output from the sensor represents the contact of the object with the touch panel 14. It is possible to determine whether the contact state or the non-contact state.

  Also by this, the user can grasp | ascertain the position and arrangement | positioning of an input part, without visually recognizing the input area 30, similarly to the terminal device 100 concerning 1st Embodiment.

[Third Embodiment]
Furthermore, a program for causing the CPU of the computer to execute the above-described processing can be provided.

  The computer may be the terminal device 100 itself. Alternatively, the control device may be a separate control device connected to the device having the touch panel 14.

  Such a program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk attached to the computer, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), a ROM, a RAM, and a memory card, and provided as a program product. You can also. Alternatively, the program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk built in the computer. A program can also be provided by downloading via a network.

  The program according to the present invention is a program module that is provided as a part of a computer operating system (OS) and calls necessary modules in a predetermined arrangement at a predetermined timing to execute processing. Also good. In that case, the program itself does not include the module, and the process is executed in cooperation with the OS. A program that does not include such a module can also be included in the program according to the present invention.

  The program according to the present invention may be provided by being incorporated in a part of another program. Even in this case, the program itself does not include the module included in the other program, and the process is executed in cooperation with the other program. Such a program incorporated in another program can also be included in the program according to the present invention.

  The provided program product is installed in a program storage unit such as a hard disk and executed. The 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.

  10 CPU, 11 ROM, 12 RAM, 13 memory, 14 touch panel, 15 touch panel IC, 16 speaker, 17 microphone, 18 vibration motor, 20 display area, 30 input area, 100 terminal device, 101 signal input section, 102 determination section, 103 processing unit, 104 notification unit, 105 drive control unit, 106 notification method determination unit, 107 position identification unit, 108 notification mode determination unit.

Claims (5)

An input device having a touch panel,
Detection means for detecting the presence of an object within a predetermined range from the touch panel;
A determination means for determining whether the contact state between the object existing in the predetermined range and the touch panel is 0 or a non-contact state greater than 0;
When the determination means determines that an object existing in the predetermined range is in contact with the touch panel, to execute processing according to an input position that is a position on the touch panel where the object contacts Processing means,
Informing means for informing the approach position which is the position on the touch panel closest to the object when the judging means judges that the object existing in the predetermined range is in a non-contact state with respect to the touch panel. An input device comprising:   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the approach position by notifying in a notification manner corresponding to a distance from a predetermined position of the touch panel to the approach position.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the approach position by notifying the touch panel to which the approach position belongs in a notification mode corresponding to a region defined in advance. An input assist method for an input device having a touch panel,
Detecting the presence of an object within a predetermined range from the touch panel;
Determining whether the contact state between the object existing in the predetermined range and the touch panel is 0 or a non-contact state greater than 0;
When it is determined that an object existing in the predetermined range is in contact with the touch panel, executing a process according to an input position that is a position on the touch panel with which the object is in contact;
A step of notifying an approach position which is a position on the touch panel closest to the object when it is determined that an object existing in the predetermined range is in a non-contact state with respect to the touch panel. . A program for causing a computer to assist input operation in an input device having a touch panel,
Detecting the presence of an object within a predetermined range from the touch panel;
Determining whether the contact state between the object existing in the predetermined range and the touch panel is 0 or a non-contact state greater than 0;
When it is determined that an object existing in the predetermined range is in contact with the touch panel, executing a process according to an input position that is a position on the touch panel with which the object is in contact;
Causing the computer to execute a step of notifying an approach position that is a position on the touch panel closest to the object when it is determined that an object existing in the predetermined range is in a non-contact state with respect to the touch panel. , Input assistance program.

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