JP2023137720A - Electronic apparatus, control method for electronic apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus for improving the operability of user input.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus comprises a touch panel type operation unit 11 that is configured by laminating a transparent sheet 11a having a key display unit 14s, which is formed as a transparent region LT and displays symbols for key input in a visible manner by guiding light downward, on a control board 11d, a light guide plate 11c provided with a key transparency LED 11L, and a touch panel 11b in a stacked manner. A back-mounted LED 15R in red (R) is provided at a position on the control board 11d corresponding to an input mode switching key Km of the key display unit 14s. In a key input mode [K], the key transparency LED 11L is turned on to display the symbols of each key and allows the operation unit 11 to function as a key input unit 14K. In a pen (handwriting) input mode [T], the key transparency LED 11L is turned off and the back-mounted LED 15R is turned on to display the input mode switching key Km in red and allows the operation unit 11 to function as a pen input unit 14T.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic device, a method of controlling the electronic device, and a program.

For example, electronic devices such as personal computers and tablet terminals that input information according to user operations and operate according to the input information are widely used.

Targeting such electronic devices, the key character pattern is displayed by transmitting light through a transparent area corresponding to the key character pattern, instead of the conventional mechanical keyboard with a large number of parts. Light-guiding keypads and light-guiding keypad assemblies that enable input of information about pressed keys have been considered (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Special Publication No. 2010-541130

Conventional light guiding keypads and light guiding keypad assemblies can display key character patterns with good visibility and allow the user to input keys, but it is difficult to input handwritten characters with good operability, for example. Can not.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device, a control method for the electronic device, and a program that make it possible to improve the operability of user input.

The electronic device according to the present invention includes:
touch panel and
a transparent sheet overlaid on the touch panel and having a plurality of character patterns formed as transparent areas;
a light guide member disposed below the transparent sheet;
a first light source for making the plurality of character patterns visible by irradiating the light guide member with light;
a second light source disposed below the light guide member for making part of the plurality of character patterns visible;
comprising a control unit;
The control unit includes:
It is possible to switch the operation mode,
The lighting and extinction of the first light source and the lighting and extinction of the second light source are controlled according to the operation mode.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the operability of user input.

1 is a front view showing the external configuration of an electronic dictionary 10 according to an embodiment of an electronic device, an electronic device control method, and a program of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the touch panel operation unit 11. FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of a light guide plate (light guide member) 11c of the touch panel operation unit 11. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic circuit of an electronic dictionary 10. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing operation mode setting processing of the electronic dictionary 10. 5 is a flowchart showing key input processing according to key input mode [K] of the electronic dictionary 10. 5 is a flowchart showing pen input processing according to pen input mode [T] of the electronic dictionary 10; 5 is a flowchart showing a calibration process according to calibration mode [C] of the electronic dictionary 10. FIG. 7 is a front view showing the external configuration of an electronic dictionary 10 according to another embodiment in a state where the electronic dictionary 10 is set to pen input mode [T].

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of an electronic dictionary 10 according to an embodiment of an electronic device, an electronic device control method, and a program of the present invention.

The electronic device is not only configured as the electronic dictionary 10 described below, but also configured as a PDA (personal digital assistant) with a touch panel, a PC (personal computer), a mobile phone, an e-book, a portable game machine, etc. obtain.

The electronic dictionary 10 is a folding type housing (crumb type) in which an operation unit housing provided with a touch panel type operation unit 11 and a display unit housing provided with a display unit (display) 12 can be expanded/closed via a hinge portion 13. shell structure). An example of the display section 12 is a touch panel display section.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the touch panel type operation section 11.

The touch panel type operation unit 11 includes a transparent sheet 11a, which will be described in detail later, on its surface, and is configured by laminating a touch panel 11b, a light guide plate (light guide member) 11c, and a control board 11d under the transparent sheet 11a. A key transmitting LED 11L (first light source) is provided near the side surface of the light guide plate 11c to radiate light to be guided to the light guide plate 11c.

The touch panel 11b is a touch position detection device that is transparent and detects a position touched by a user with a finger, a pen, or the like. The touch panel 11b may be provided in an overlapping manner on the transparent sheet 11a. The touch panel 11b of the embodiment uses a resistive film type, but is not limited thereto, and may also use a capacitive type.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transparent sheet 11a is formed as a light-blocking region LB that does not transmit light and a transmitting region LT that transmits light.The light is guided under the sheet 11a to display characters and characters for key input. A key display section 14s that displays a symbol including a figure (character pattern, also referred to as a first pattern) in a visible manner, and a boundary display section 14b that is formed as a transparent region LT and displays the boundaries of each key in a visible manner. , calibration marks (character patterns, also referred to as second patterns) Kc1 to Kc4 formed as the transparent area LT and for correcting the positional deviation of the touch position detected by the touch panel 11b, and key input on the upper part of the sheet 11a. The function designation key 14d is formed by fixed printing PP as a symbol (character pattern) for the function.

The key display section 14s visually displays symbols including characters and figures corresponding to the QWERTY key or the Japanese syllabary key.

The key display section 14s allows you to select whether to set the touch panel operation section 11 to a key input mode [K] to function as the key input section 14K or to a pen input (handwriting) mode [T] to function as the pen input section 14T. It has an input mode switching key Km for instructing switching.

The calibration marks Kc1 to Kc4 are provided at predetermined positions corresponding to squares in the area where the touch position can be detected by the touch panel 11b. It also serves as a pen input area display mark that indicates a pen input area where input can be made.

As shown in FIG. 2, back-mounted LEDs 15R (second A light source) is provided as an input mode switching key transmission LED (third light source) at a position corresponding to the input mode switching key Km (first pattern), and a position corresponding to the calibration marks Kc1 to Kc4 (second pattern). In this case, a calibration mark (pen input area display mark) is provided as a transmission LED (fourth light source).

Here, the third light source is not limited to the input mode switching key Km, but also some keys of the key display section 14s (any one or more keys (first pattern) included in the key display section 14s). This means a correspondingly provided rear-mounted LED 15R.

In FIG. 2, for convenience of illustration, a back-mounted LED (input mode switching key transparent LED) 15R located under the input mode switching key Km is shown, and below the calibration marks (pen input area display marks) Kc1 to Kc4. The back-mounted LED (LED for transmitting the calibration mark/LED for transmitting the pen input area display mark) 15R located at is omitted.

Note that the rear-mounted LED 15R may be provided at a position corresponding to the input mode switching key Km or any of the calibration marks Kc1 to Kc4.

In the back-mounted LED 15R, the light-emitting part is fitted from the back side of the control board 11d into the LED mounting hole 15H formed in the control board 11d corresponding to the diameter of the light-emitting part that is convex in the light-emitting direction. Implemented. In this embodiment, the height of the light emitting section is smaller than the thickness of the control board 11d. For example, by using a back-mounted LED 15R having a light emitting part with a height of 0.6-1.0 mm on a control board 11d with a board thickness of 1.2-1.6 mm, the LED mounting hole 15H allows It is possible to provide the mounted LED 15R with directivity that limits the light emission direction directly above without expanding it. Of course, the thicker the control board 11d is and the deeper the LED mounting hole 15H is with respect to the height of the light emitting part of the back-mounted LED 15R, the higher the directivity of the light emitting direction.

In the embodiment, an LED that emits colorless (white) light is used as the key-transmitting LED 11L, and an LED that emits red (R) light is used as the back-mounted LED 15R.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of the light guide plate (light guide member) 11c of the touch panel operation unit 11.

The light guide plate (light guide member) 11c includes, for example, a mirror-like reflective sheet 11cM on the back (lower surface) side of the light guide plate 11cB, which uses an acrylic plate that has been subjected to processing such as texture for guiding light. A light diffusing sheet 11cD is laminated on the surface (upper surface) side of the light guide plate 11c, and the light from the key transmission LED 11L is efficiently and uniformly diffused over the entire area of the light guide plate 11c.

In this case, a portion of the reflective sheet 11cM corresponding to the LED mounting hole 15H of the rear-mounted LED 15R mounted on the control board 11d has a light passage hole 11H for passing the light from the rear-mounted LED 15R with good directionality. It is formed.

The key display section 14s, the boundary display section 14b, and the calibration marks (pen input area display marks) Kc1 to Kc4 are configured so that when the key transmission LED 11L shown in FIG. 2 is turned on, the light guided by the light guide plate 11c is The light is irradiated from below the transparent sheet 11a. Since the irradiated light passes through the transmission region LT, the characters and symbols for key input, the boundaries of each key, and each mark become visible in white. When the key transparency LED 11L is turned off, the key display section 14s, boundary display section 14b, and calibration marks (pen input area display marks) Kc1 to Kc4 become invisible, and the function designation key 14d remains visible. .

The function specification keys 14d are keys for directly specifying the dictionary content categories ([Japanese], [English-Japanese], [Japanese-English], etc.) and [Content List] written in each key.

On the other hand, the input mode switching key Km and the calibration marks (pen input area display marks) Kc1 to Kc4 of the key display section 14s are connected to the input mode switching key transparent LED which is the corresponding back-mounted LED 15R, and the calibration mark (pen input area display mark) Kc1 to Kc4. By lighting up the LED for pen input area display mark transmission (LED for pen input area display mark transmission), each can be visually recognized individually in red (R).

Regarding the calibration marks (pen input area display marks) Kc1 to Kc4, by excluding a part of the light guide plate 11c corresponding to the positions thereof, they will not be visible when the key transmission LED 11L is lit, and the calibration marks will not be visible. The display mark may be configured so that it can be visually recognized in red (R) only when the pen input area display mark transmission LED (pen input area display mark transmission LED) 15R is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic dictionary 10 of the embodiment has a key input mode [K] (first operation mode), a pen input (handwriting) mode [T] (second operation mode), and a calibration mode. It has three operation modes including mode [C] (third operation mode).

In the key input mode [K], as shown in FIG. 1A, the key transmission LED 11L of the touch panel operation unit 11 is turned on, and the key display part 14s, which is the transmission area LT of the transmission sheet 11a, and the border display By making the section 14b visible together with the function designation key 14d, the touch panel operation section 11 functions as the key input section 14K.

In the pen input mode [T], as shown in FIG. 1B, the key-transparent LED 11L of the touch panel operation unit 11 is turned off, the function designation key 14d remains visible, and the back-mounted LED 15R is turned off. Turn on the input mode switching key transmission LED (third light source) and the calibration mark transmission LED (pen input area display mark transmission LED, i.e., the fourth light source), and then turn on the input mode switching key Km and the calibration mark transmission LED. By making (pen input area display marks) Kc1 to Kc4 visible in red (R), the touch panel type operation section 11 functions as the pen input section 14T.

In this case, the input mode switching key Km and calibration marks (pen input area display marks) Kc1 to Kc4 are lit in red (R), so you can recognize that the power is on. Of course, you can perform touch operations (pen input operations) while clearly recognizing the pen input area where you can input by touching, and you can also change from the current pen input mode [T] to key input mode [K]. Switching can also be done easily.

Calibration mode [C] is activated, for example, when the battery power source of the electronic dictionary 10 is replaced, or when the cumulative usage time of the electronic dictionary 10 reaches a certain preset time, or when the key input of the same key is The transition condition is when it is repeated a set fixed number of times, or a combination thereof. The control unit 21 of the electronic dictionary 10, which will be described later, determines that an erroneous key input has occurred due to a decrease in touch position detection accuracy when the same key input is repeated a predetermined number of times in succession.

In the calibration mode [C], the key transmission LED 11L of the touch panel operation unit 11 and the input mode switching key transmission LED 15R are turned off, the calibration mark transmission LED 15R is turned on, and the calibration mark on the transmission sheet 11a is turned on. By making only Kc1 to Kc4 visible, touch operations on the calibration marks Kc1 to Kc4 can be performed easily and accurately, and the electronic dictionary 10 can accurately correct positional deviation of the touch position detected by the touch panel 11b. Make it.

Further, in the key input mode [K] and pen input mode [T], the calibration mark transmission LED 15R may be turned off, and in the calibration mode [C], the calibration mark transmission LED 15R may be turned on. Thereby, the user can easily recognize that the operation mode of the electronic dictionary 10 has shifted to the calibration mode [C].

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic circuit of the electronic dictionary 10.

The electronic circuit of the electronic dictionary 10 includes a control unit (CPU: central processing unit) 21 that is a computer. The control unit 21 controls the operation of each part of the circuit according to a dictionary control program 22a stored in advance in a storage unit 22 such as a flash ROM. The number of processors such as CPU may be one or two or more.

Note that at least one of the dictionary control program 22a and dictionary data to be described later may be read from an external recording medium 23 such as a memory card by the recording medium reading section 24 and stored in the storage section 22, or may be stored on the communication network N. It may be downloaded from the Web server (program server here) 30 via the communication unit 25 and stored in the storage unit 22.

The control unit 21 is connected to a storage unit 22, a recording medium reading unit 24, and a communication unit 25 via a data and control bus, as well as the touch panel operation unit 11 and display unit 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Connecting. Although not shown, an audio output section and an audio input section may be connected to the control section 21.

The storage unit 22 stores a system program that controls the overall operation of the electronic dictionary 10, a communication program for communicating with an external electronic device via the communication unit 25, and stores headwords desired by the user based on dictionary data described later. and a dictionary search program for searching and displaying explanatory information such as translations, meanings, usage examples, and explanations corresponding to the headword, key input mode [K], pen input mode [T], calibration mode [C] A dictionary control program 22a including a program for controlling the electronic dictionary 10 according to each operation mode is stored.

The storage unit 22 also includes a dictionary data storage area 22b, a mode data storage area 22c, a key input data storage area 22d, a touch position data storage area 22e, and a work data storage area 22f, which are used to perform various functions by the electronic dictionary 10. A storage area is secured to store the data to be used.

The dictionary data storage area 22b stores dictionary data corresponding to various dictionary contents (Japanese dictionary/encyclopedia/English-Japanese dictionary/Japanese-English dictionary/...) including headwords, translations corresponding to the headwords, meanings, usage examples, and explanations. It is stored as data associated with explanatory information such as.

The mode data storage area 22c stores a key input mode [K], a pen input mode [T], or a calibration mode [C] that is selectively set according to the operation of the electronic dictionary 10 according to the dictionary control program 22a. Any mode data is stored.

The key input data storage area 22d stores key input data indicating the type of key corresponding to the touch position (XY coordinates) detected by the touch panel 11b in response to a touch operation on the function designation key 14d or the key display section 14s. be done.

The touch position data storage area 22e stores touch position data indicating a touch position (XY coordinates) detected by the touch panel 11b in response to a touch operation on the touch panel type operation unit 11.

The work data storage area 22f stores data input in response to user operations and various data acquired or generated by the control unit 21 as the control unit 21 controls the operation of each part of the circuit according to the dictionary control program 22a. The data is temporarily stored (retained) as needed.

In the electronic dictionary 10 configured in this way, the control unit 21 controls the operation of each part of the circuit including the touch panel operation unit 11 according to the instructions of the dictionary control program 22a stored in the storage unit 22, and controls the software and hardware. By working together, various functions as described in the operation description below are realized.

Next, the operation of the electronic dictionary 10 according to the embodiment will be explained.

<Operating mode settings>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation mode setting process of the electronic dictionary 10.

The control unit 21 determines whether or not there is a key input to the input mode switching key Km (step S1).

When it is determined that there is a key input to the input mode switching key Km (step S1 (Yes)), the control unit 21 determines that the current operation mode is set to the key input mode based on the mode data stored in the mode data storage area 22c. It is determined whether the input mode is [K] or the pen input mode [T] (step S2).

When it is determined that the current operation mode is the key input mode [K] (step S2 (key input mode [K]), the control unit 21 switches and sets the operation mode to the pen input mode [T] ( Step S3).

When it is determined that the current operation mode is the pen input mode [T] (step S2 (pen input mode [T]), the control unit 21 switches and sets the operation mode to the key input mode [K] ( Step S4).

The control unit 21 also determines whether the conditions for transition to the calibration mode [C] described above are satisfied (step S5).

If it is determined that the conditions for transition to calibration mode [C] are satisfied (step S5 (Yes)), the control unit 21 sets the operation mode to calibration mode [C] (step S6).

<Key input mode [K]>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing key input processing according to the key input mode [K] of the electronic dictionary 10.

When the operation mode of the electronic dictionary 10 is set to the key input mode [K] by the control unit 21, the control unit 21 turns on the key transparency LED 11L, as shown in (A) of FIG. The key display section 14s (including the input mode switching key Km) and the boundary display section 14b are visually displayed so that the touch panel operation section 11 functions as the key input section 14K (step K1).

Here, the control unit 21 turns off the input mode switching key transmission LED 15R, and displays the input mode switching key Km in white by light guided from the key transmission LED 11L like the other keys. (Step K2).

When touch position data corresponding to the touch position detected by the touch panel 11b is input to the control unit 21 in response to a touch operation on the touch panel type operation unit 11 (step K3), the control unit 21 controls the touch position data corresponding to the touch position detected by the touch panel 11b. It is determined whether a key input has been made based on whether or not is located at a position corresponding to the function designation key 14d or the key display section 14s (step K4).

If it is determined that a key has been input (step K4 (Yes)), the control unit 21 executes processing according to the contents of the input key (step K5).

For example, when arbitrary dictionary content is specified by a touch operation on the function specification key 14d, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 12 to display an initial screen corresponding to the arbitrary dictionary content. Further, for example, in a state where a headword input screen for inputting a headword corresponding to arbitrary dictionary content is displayed on the display unit 12, the control unit 21 converts key-input characters into an arbitrary headword. Display the constituent characters in the headword input area of the headword input screen. Further, when switching from the current key input mode [K] to the pen input (handwriting) mode [T] is instructed by a touch operation on the input mode switching key Km, the control unit 21 changes the operation mode to the pen input mode [K]. Set the input mode to [T].

<Pen input (handwriting) mode [T]>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing pen input processing according to the pen input mode [T] of the electronic dictionary 10.

When the operation mode of the electronic dictionary 10 is set to the pen input mode [T] by the control unit 21, the control unit 21 turns off the key transparency LED 11L, as shown in FIG. 1(B). In order for the touch panel operation section 11 to function as the pen input section 14T, the key display section 14s and the boundary display section 14b of the touch panel operation section 11 are made invisible, and the function designation key 14d is left visible. (Step T1).

Further, the control unit 21 turns on the input mode switching key transparent LED 15R to leave the input mode switching key Km visible in red (R) (step T2).

In this case, the user can easily recognize that the electronic dictionary 10 is powered on and is in the pen input mode [T], and can easily instruct the user to switch to the key input mode [K] described above. can be done.

Note that when the pen input mode [T] is set, the control unit 21 turns on the calibration mark transmission LED (pen input area display mark transmission LED) 15R and displays the calibration mark (pen input area display mark). ) Kc1 to Kc4 may be displayed in red (R) (step T21).

In this case, the user can perform a touch operation (pen input operation) on the touch panel operation section 11 that functions as the pen input section 14T while clearly recognizing the pen input area where input can be made by touching.

When touch position data corresponding to the touch position detected by the touch panel 11b is input to the control unit 21 in response to a touch operation (pen input operation) on the touch panel operation unit 11 (step T3), the control unit 21 It is determined whether there is a key input to the input mode switching key Km (step T4).

Here, if it is determined that the key input is not the key input to the input mode switching key Km but the touch operation (pen input operation) to another pen input area (step T4 (No)), the control unit 21 As shown in FIG. 2, a locus y corresponding to the touch position is displayed on the display unit 12, and, for example, a stroke of a character input by hand is drawn (step T6).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the key input is for the input mode switching key Km (step T4 (Yes)), the control unit 21 changes the operation mode from the current pen input mode [T] to the key input mode [K]. (Step T5).

<Calibration mode [C]>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the calibration process of the electronic dictionary 10 according to the calibration mode [C].

For example, when the control unit 21 sets the operation mode of the electronic dictionary 10 to calibration mode [C] in response to replacing the battery power source of the electronic dictionary 10, the control unit 21 controls the key transmission LED 11L and When the input mode switching key transmission LED 15R is turned off, the key display section 14s (including the input mode switching key Km) and the boundary display section 14b of the touch panel operation section 11 are visible, as shown in FIG. 1(B). (step C1).

The control unit 21 also turns on the calibration mark transmission LED 15R to display the calibration marks Kc1 to Kc4 in red (R) (step C2).

Here, when the user sequentially touches the calibration marks Kc1 to Kc4, touch position data corresponding to the touch position detected by the touch panel 11b is input to the control unit 21 (step C3).

Then, when it is determined that touch positions for all four calibration marks Kc1 to Kc4 have been detected (step C4 (Yes)), the control unit 21 moves the calibration marks Kc1 to Kc4 predetermined on the touch panel 11b. Based on the positional deviation between the position corresponding to (XY coordinates) and the four touch positions (XY coordinates) detected in step C3, the touch position (XY coordinates) to be detected in response to the touch operation on the touch panel 11b. (Step C5).

Note that the calibration mark transmission LED 15R can be set to each calibration mark Kc1 by turning on (lighting up) the transmission LED 15R corresponding to each of the four calibration marks Kc1 to Kc4 in a predetermined order. ~Kc4 may be configured to prompt the user to perform touch operations in order. This allows the user to be prompted to perform accurate calibration.

Furthermore, after the four calibration mark transmission LEDs 15R are turned on (lit), the transmission LED 15R corresponding to the calibration mark Kcn where the touch position was detected may be turned off (extinguished). . This allows more accurate calibration to be performed.

In calibration mode [C], the back-mounted LED 15R (LED 15R for calibration mark transmission) provided corresponding to each of the calibration marks (pen input area display marks) Kc1 to Kc4 In order to strongly encourage the user's touch operations, the light is brightly lit with a higher light intensity than in pen input mode [T].On the other hand, in pen input mode [T], the calibration mode is set so that the pen input area can be recognized by the user. It may be lit weakly with a lower light intensity than [C]. In other words, the control unit 21 controls the light amount of each calibration mark transmission LED 15R in the calibration mode [C] to be larger than the light amount of each calibration mark transmission LED 15R in the pen input mode [T]. . Thereby, the user can easily recognize that the operation mode of the electronic dictionary 10 has shifted to the calibration mode [C], and in the pen input mode [T], the user can easily recognize that the operation mode of the electronic dictionary 10 has shifted to the calibration mode [C]. can be prevented from interfering with the user's pen input operation.

(Summary of embodiments)
According to the electronic dictionary 10 of the embodiment, the key display section 14s is formed as a transparent region LT through which light passes, and by guiding the light downward, the key display section 14s displays symbols including characters and figures for key input in a visible manner. A touch panel type operation section 11 is constructed by laminating a transparent sheet 11a having a control board 11d, a light guide plate 11c provided with a key transmitting LED 11L emitting colorless (white) light, for example, and a touch panel 11b. Be prepared. In the key display section 14s, a back-mounted LED (input mode switching key transmission LED) 15R that emits red (R) light, for example, is provided at a position on the control board 11d corresponding to the input mode switching key Km. In the key input mode [K], by turning on the key transparency LED 11L, the symbol of each key on the key display section 14s is displayed in white, the touch panel operation section 11 functions as the key input section 14K, and the pen ( In the handwriting) input mode [T], the input mode switching key Km is displayed in red (R) by turning off the key transmission LED 11L and turning on the input mode switching key transmission LED 15R (third light source). The operation unit 11 is made to function as a pen input unit 14T. At this time, even if a wide area mainly including the pen input area of the touch panel operation unit 11 is not electrically displayed, the user can know that the electronic dictionary 10 is powered on by displaying the input mode switching key Km. , it is possible to easily recognize that the pen input mode [T] is in the state, and it is also possible to easily switch to the key input mode [K].

Further, according to the electronic dictionary 10 of the embodiment, a calibration mark (pen input area display mark) is placed on the transparent sheet 11a as a transparent area LT at a position corresponding to a square of an area where a touch position can be detected by the touch panel 11b. ) Kc1 to Kc4, and at the positions of the control board 11d corresponding to the calibration marks (pen input area display marks) Kc1 to Kc4, respectively, are calibration marks that are back-mounted LEDs that emit red (R) light, for example. (Pen input area display mark) A transparent LED 15R is provided. In the pen input mode [T], the pen input area display marks Kc1 to Kc4 are displayed in red (R) by turning on the pen input area display mark transparent LED 15R, and the user is prompted to touch The pen input area where input is possible can be clearly recognized. In the calibration mode [C], the key transmission LED 11L is turned off and the calibration mark transmission LED 15R is turned on to display the calibration marks Kc1 to Kc4 in red (R). ~Touch operations on Kc4 can be performed easily and accurately. Furthermore, by turning on only the calibration mark transmission LED 15R, touch operations on the calibration marks Kc1 to Kc4 can be performed more easily and accurately.

Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability of user input.

(Other embodiments)
FIG. 9 is a front view showing the external configuration of the electronic dictionary 10 according to another embodiment in a state where the electronic dictionary 10 is set to the pen input mode [T].

In the electronic dictionary 10 of the other embodiment, in the transparent sheet 11a, a key display section 14s (see (A) in FIG. 1) formed as a transparent region LT is provided adjacent to the input mode switching key Km, such as an eraser. An erase key KE, which is a mark, is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control board 11d includes back-mounted LEDs 15R corresponding to the input mode switching key Km and calibration marks (pen input area display marks) Kc1 to Kc4. , an erase key KE, and an input/decision (ENTER) key KR. In FIG. 9, the input/decision (ENTER) key KR is shown by a return symbol, but it may also be the character [ENTER]. The erase key KE and the input/decision (ENTER) key KR are part of the key display section 14s.

In the pen input mode [T], the control unit 21 turns off the key transparency LED 11L, and also turns off the input mode switching key Km, calibration marks (pen input area display marks) Kc1 to Kc4, erase key KE, and input/decision. (ENTER) Turn on the back-mounted LED 15R corresponding to each key KR.

The erase key KE is used for a drawing mode (first pen input mode) in which a trajectory y corresponding to the touch position is displayed on the display unit 12 in response to a touch operation on the touch panel operation unit 11 in the pen input mode [T]. This key is used to set the erase mode (second pen input mode).

In the erasing mode (second pen input mode), the control unit 21 moves the erasing pointer PE displayed on the display unit 12 in response to a touch operation on the touch panel operation unit 11, and erases the erase pointer PE displayed on the display unit 12. Erase the current trajectory y.

According to the electronic dictionary 10 of another embodiment, similarly to the embodiment described above, even if a wide area mainly including the pen input area of the touch panel type operation unit 11 is not electrically indicated, the input mode switching key Km With this display, the user can easily recognize that the electronic dictionary 10 is powered on and is in the pen input mode [T], and can also easily instruct the user to switch to the key input mode [K] described above. can be done.

Further, by displaying the calibration marks (pen input area display marks) Kc1 to Kc4, the user can perform a touch operation (pen input operation) while clearly recognizing the pen input area.

Moreover, by displaying the erase key KE, the user can easily instruct switching to the erase mode, and furthermore, by displaying the input/decision (ENTER) key KR, the user can, for example, respond to a touch operation. It is possible to easily perform operations such as determining the input of the handwritten trajectory y displayed on the display unit 12 and instructing to save it.

The back-mounted LED 15R that is turned on (lights up) in the pen input mode [T] is the input mode switch key Km, the calibration marks (pen input area display marks) Kc1 to Kc4, the erase key KE, and the input/decision (ENTER) key. ) key KR, but among these keys, if the distance between adjacent keys is narrow, for example, the input mode switching key Km and the erase key KE, the adjacent keys A configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of keys are displayed by one back-mounted LED 15R.

In this case, the back-mounted LED 15R is provided at a position corresponding to the boundary between a plurality of adjacent keys, and the light passage hole 11H of the reflective sheet 11cM shown in FIG. Alternatively, a back-mounted LED 15R may be provided corresponding to a specific key (input mode switching key Km in this case) among a plurality of adjacent keys. By increasing the amount of light, the key adjacent to the specific key (here, the erase key KE) may be displayed using light leaking to the key adjacent to the specific key.

In addition, the back-mounted LED 15R as a third light source is used not only for the input mode switching key Km, erase key KE, and input/decision (ENTER) key KR, but also for some keys of the key display section 14s (key display section 14s (first pattern)). Even in this case, in the pen input mode [T], the control section 21 turns off the key-transparent LED 11L and turns on the back-mounted LED 15R corresponding to each key included in the key display section 14s. Further, in the pen input mode [T] at the same time as in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 21 may turn on the fourth light source in addition to the third light source, or may turn on only the third light source.

In each of the above embodiments, when the back-mounted LED 15R (third light source) is not provided at the position corresponding to the input mode switching key Km, switching between the key input mode [K] and the pen input mode [T] is For example, this may be done by long-pressing another key provided with the rear-mounted LED 15R.

Even if the back-mounted LED 15R corresponding to the input mode switching key Km is not provided, by lighting the third light source corresponding to the other keys, the user can confirm that the electronic dictionary 10 is powered on and the pen input mode [ T] condition can be easily recognized.

In addition, by displaying any key using the back-mounted LED 15R (third light source), even when changing the key to be displayed in pen input mode [T] (second operation mode), the transparent sheet 11a can be displayed. Can be shared and used.

Furthermore, by controlling the lighting state of the back-mounted LED 15R provided as a second light source, new functions can be realized, such as flashing a warning when the battery is running low, for example.

Further, the light emission color of the back-mounted LED 15R provided corresponding to a specific key or mark of the touch panel type operation unit 11 is not limited to red, but may be a different light emission color depending on the role of the key or mark.

It goes without saying that the electronic device of the present invention is applicable not only to the electronic dictionary 10 described as the embodiment, but also to other electronic devices equipped with a touch panel type operation unit 11 similar to the electronic dictionary 10.

The methods of each process performed by the electronic dictionary 10 described in the above embodiments include the operation mode setting process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the key input process in key input mode [K] shown in the flowchart of FIG. Each method, such as the pen input processing in the pen input mode [T] shown in the flowchart and the calibration processing in the calibration mode [C] shown in the flowchart in FIG. 8, can be executed as a program that can be executed by a computer. Stored and distributed in external storage media such as memory cards (ROM cards, RAM cards, etc.), magnetic disks (floppy (registered trademark) disks, hard disks, etc.), optical disks (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), semiconductor memory, etc. be able to. Then, the control unit (CPU) of the electronic device reads the program recorded on the medium of this external storage device into the storage device, and the operation is controlled by the read program, thereby performing the various functions described in the embodiments. It is possible to realize this and execute similar processing using the method described above.

In addition, program data for realizing each method can be transmitted in the form of program code over a communication network (N), and from a computer device (program server) connected to this communication network (N), The various functions described above can also be realized by importing the program data into an electronic device and storing it in a storage device.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and can be variously modified at the implementation stage without departing from the spirit thereof. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in combination as appropriate, and in that case, the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combinations selected from the plurality of disclosed constituent features. For example, if a problem can be solved and an effect can be obtained even if some constituent features are deleted from all the constituent features shown in the embodiment, the configuration from which these constituent features are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

Below, the invention described in the original claims of the present application will be added.

[Additional note 1]
touch panel and
a transparent sheet overlaid on the touch panel and having a plurality of character patterns formed as transparent areas;
a light guide member disposed below the transparent sheet;
a first light source for making the plurality of character patterns visible by irradiating the light guide member with light;
a second light source disposed below the light guide member for making part of the plurality of character patterns visible;
comprising a control unit;
The control unit includes:
It is possible to switch the operation mode,
controlling lighting and extinction of the first light source and lighting and extinction of the second light source according to the operation mode;
Electronics.

[Additional note 2]
The character pattern includes a first pattern for key input,
The second light source includes a third light source for making the first pattern visible,
The control unit includes:
In a first operation mode, controlling the first light source to turn on and turning off the third light source;
In the second operation mode, the first light source is turned off and the third light source is turned on.
Electronic equipment described in Appendix 1.

[Additional note 3]
The character pattern includes a plurality of second patterns for correcting a positional shift of a touch position detected by the touch panel,
The second light source includes a plurality of fourth light sources for making each of the plurality of second patterns visible,
The control unit includes:
In the third operation mode, the first light source is turned off and the fourth light source is turned on.
Electronic equipment described in Appendix 1.

[Additional note 4]
The character pattern includes a first pattern for key input,
The second light source includes a third light source for making the first pattern visible,
The plurality of second patterns are formed corresponding to an area where a touch position can be detected by the touch panel,
The control unit includes:
In the second operation mode, the first light source is turned off and the third light source and the fourth light source are turned on.
Electronic equipment described in Appendix 3.

[Additional note 5]
The control unit includes:
controlling the light amount of the fourth light source in the third operation mode to be larger than the light amount of the fourth light source in the second operation mode;
Electronic equipment described in Appendix 4.

[Additional note 6]
The control unit includes:
In the third operation mode, the fourth light source is controlled to turn on in a predetermined order.
An electronic device according to any one of Supplementary notes 3 to 5.

[Additional note 7]
The control unit includes:
In the third operation mode, when a touch position corresponding to the second pattern is detected by the touch panel, control is performed to turn off the fourth light source corresponding to the second pattern in which the touch position was detected. do,
Electronic equipment according to any one of Supplementary Notes 3 to 6.

[Additional note 8]
The control unit includes:
In the third operation mode, when a touch position corresponding to each of the plurality of second patterns is detected by the touch panel, a correction process is performed on the detected touch position;
An electronic device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 3 to 7.

[Additional note 9]
The control unit includes:
When the battery power supply of the electronic device is replaced, when the cumulative usage time of the electronic device reaches a preset certain time, or when the same key input is repeated a preset certain number of times in succession. in at least one of the cases, switching the operation mode of the touch panel to the third operation mode;
Electronic equipment according to any one of Supplementary notes 3 to 8.

[Additional note 10]
The first pattern is a switching pattern for instructing switching between the first operation mode and the second operation mode,
The control unit includes:
If a touch position corresponding to the switching pattern is detected by the touch panel, switching between the first operation mode and the second operation mode;
Electronic equipment described in Appendix 2.

[Additional note 11]
touch panel and
a transparent sheet overlaid on the touch panel and having a plurality of character patterns formed as transparent areas;
a light guide member disposed below the transparent sheet;
a first light source for making the plurality of character patterns visible by irradiating the light guide member with light;
a second light source disposed below the light guide member for making part of the plurality of character patterns visible;
The control unit of the electronic device includes a control unit,
Switch the operating mode,
controlling lighting and extinction of the first light source and lighting and extinction of the second light source according to the operation mode;
How to control electronic equipment.

[Additional note 12]
touch panel and
a transparent sheet overlaid on the touch panel and having a plurality of character patterns formed as transparent areas;
a light guide member disposed below the transparent sheet;
a first light source for making the plurality of character patterns visible by irradiating the light guide member with light;
a second light source disposed below the light guide member for making part of the plurality of character patterns visible;
The control unit of an electronic device comprising a control unit,
Switch the operating mode,
controlling lighting and extinction of the first light source and lighting and extinction of the second light source according to the operation mode;
A program that makes it work.

10...Electronic dictionary (electronic device)
11...Touch panel type operation unit 11a...Transparent sheet 11b...Touch panel 11c...Light guide plate (light guide member)
11cB...Light guide plate 11cD...Light diffusion sheet 11cM...Reflection sheet 11H...Light passing hole 11L...Key transmission LED (first light source)
11d...Control board 12...Display section y...Trajectory LB...Shading area 14s...Key display section (first pattern)
14b...Boundary display area LT...Transparent area Km...Input mode switching key (first pattern)
Kc1 to Kc4...Calibration marks (pen input area display marks) (second pattern)
15R...Back mounted LED (second light source: third light source/fourth light source)
15H...LED mounting hole KE...Erase key (first pattern)
KR...Input/decision (ENTER) key (first pattern)
PE...Erase pointer (R)...Red 14d...Function designation key 14K...Key input section PP...Fixed printing 14T...Pen input section 21...Control section (CPU)
22...Storage unit 22a...Dictionary control program 22c...Mode data storage area 22d...Key input data storage area 22e...Touch position data storage area

Claims (12)

touch panel and
a transparent sheet overlaid on the touch panel and having a plurality of character patterns formed as transparent areas;
a light guide member disposed below the transparent sheet;
a first light source for making the plurality of character patterns visible by irradiating the light guide member with light;
a second light source disposed below the light guide member for making part of the plurality of character patterns visible;
comprising a control unit;
The control unit includes:
It is possible to switch the operation mode,
controlling lighting and extinction of the first light source and lighting and extinction of the second light source according to the operation mode;
Electronics. The character pattern includes a first pattern for key input,
The second light source includes a third light source for making the first pattern visible,
The control unit includes:
In a first operation mode, controlling the first light source to turn on and turning off the third light source;
In the second operation mode, the first light source is turned off and the third light source is turned on.
The electronic device according to claim 1. The character pattern includes a plurality of second patterns for correcting a positional shift of a touch position detected by the touch panel,
The second light source includes a plurality of fourth light sources for making each of the plurality of second patterns visible,
The control unit includes:
In the third operation mode, the first light source is turned off and the fourth light source is turned on.
The electronic device according to claim 1. The character pattern includes a first pattern for key input,
The second light source includes a third light source for making the first pattern visible,
The plurality of second patterns are formed corresponding to an area where a touch position can be detected by the touch panel,
The control unit includes:
In the second operation mode, the first light source is turned off and the third light source and the fourth light source are turned on.
The electronic device according to claim 3. The control unit includes:
controlling the light amount of the fourth light source in the third operation mode to be larger than the light amount of the fourth light source in the second operation mode;
The electronic device according to claim 4. The control unit includes:
In the third operation mode, the fourth light source is controlled to turn on in a predetermined order.
The electronic device according to any one of claims 3 to 5. The control unit includes:
In the third operation mode, when a touch position corresponding to the second pattern is detected by the touch panel, control is performed to turn off the fourth light source corresponding to the second pattern in which the touch position was detected. do,
The electronic device according to any one of claims 3 to 6. The control unit includes:
In the third operation mode, when a touch position corresponding to each of the plurality of second patterns is detected by the touch panel, a correction process is performed on the detected touch position;
The electronic device according to any one of claims 3 to 7. The control unit includes:
When the battery power supply of the electronic device is replaced, when the cumulative usage time of the electronic device reaches a preset certain time, or when the same key input is repeated a preset certain number of times in succession. in at least one of the cases, switching the operation mode of the touch panel to the third operation mode;
The electronic device according to any one of claims 3 to 8. The first pattern is a switching pattern for instructing switching between the first operation mode and the second operation mode,
The control unit includes:
If a touch position corresponding to the switching pattern is detected by the touch panel, switching between the first operation mode and the second operation mode;
The electronic device according to claim 2. touch panel and
a transparent sheet overlaid on the touch panel and having a plurality of character patterns formed as transparent areas;
a light guide member disposed below the transparent sheet;
a first light source for making the plurality of character patterns visible by irradiating the light guide member with light;
a second light source disposed below the light guide member for making part of the plurality of character patterns visible;
The control unit of the electronic device includes a control unit,
Switch the operating mode,
controlling lighting and extinction of the first light source and lighting and extinction of the second light source according to the operation mode;
How to control electronic equipment. touch panel and
a transparent sheet overlaid on the touch panel and having a plurality of character patterns formed as transparent areas;
a light guide member disposed below the transparent sheet;
a first light source for making the plurality of character patterns visible by irradiating the light guide member with light;
a second light source disposed below the light guide member for making part of the plurality of character patterns visible;
The control unit of an electronic device comprising a control unit,
Switch the operating mode,
controlling lighting and extinction of the first light source and lighting and extinction of the second light source according to the operation mode;
A program that makes it work.