JP6477605B2 - Input device and image processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device and an image processing device.

  In an image processing apparatus typified by a multifunction peripheral or the like, after an image of a document is read by an image reading unit, light is irradiated on the photoconductor provided in the image forming unit based on the read image, and An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface. Thereafter, a developer such as charged toner is supplied onto the formed electrostatic latent image to form a visible image, and then transferred to a sheet, fixed, printed, and discharged outside the apparatus.

  In the image processing apparatus, various functions such as a copy function and a scan function can be selected and processed. The user uses an input device provided in the image processing apparatus to select and input one of the functions for processing. Various settings and conditions are also input via an input device. Some input devices include a touch panel that displays various functions and the like on a liquid crystal screen and performs input by bringing a finger into contact with a region corresponding to the various functions and the like.

  Here, the technique regarding an input device is disclosed by Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2010-128508 (patent document 1).

JP 2010-128508 A

  A user inputs processing contents by an operation with his / her finger using an input device having a touch panel. Here, depending on the contact state between the user's finger and the touch panel, the input device may cause an erroneous operation or may select a process unintended by the user. In preparation for such a case, the input device adjusts the detection range of the detection position pressed by the finger.

  According to Patent Document 1, personal authentication of a user is performed, and information on registered fingerprint data and finger size is used to prevent malfunction when a detection range is adjusted or a position outside the effective area is pressed. I am going to do that.

  However, according to such a configuration, it is necessary to perform user personal authentication, fingerprint data registration, and the like in advance, which impairs convenience. That is, the environment that can be used is limited, which is not preferable. Of course, it is desirable to reduce the possibility of erroneous detection as much as possible.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an input device capable of reducing the possibility of erroneous detection during input while improving convenience.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of reducing the possibility of erroneous detection during input while improving convenience when accepting a request for image processing.

In one aspect of the present invention, the input device includes a touch panel, a user data acquisition unit, a height derivation unit, and a detection range adjustment unit. The touch panel displays data related to the operation content. The touch panel detects a contact between a region corresponding to the displayed operation content and a user's finger inputting the operation content, and inputs the operation content. The user data acquisition unit acquires user data. The height deriving unit derives the height of the user's hand in contact with the touch panel based on the user data acquired by the user data acquiring unit. The detection range adjustment unit adjusts the detection range of the touch panel based on the height of the user's hand derived by the height deriving unit. The touch panel is configured to be rotatable. The height deriving unit derives the height of the user's hand based on the angle of the rotated touch panel.

  In another aspect of the present invention, an image processing device includes the above-described input device and an image processing unit that performs image processing based on the operation content input by the input device.

  According to such an input device, it is possible to reduce the possibility of erroneous detection during input while improving convenience.

  In addition, according to such an image processing apparatus, when receiving a request for image processing, it is possible to reduce the possibility of erroneous detection during input while improving convenience.

1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an external appearance of a multifunction peripheral when an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction machine illustrated in FIG. 1. It is an external view which shows the schematic structure of an operation part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a control part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in case a user inputs operation content from a touchscreen part using the multifunctional device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the contact state of a touch panel and a finger when the position of a finger is high. It is a figure which shows the contact state of a touch panel and a finger | toe in case the position of a finger is level with a touch panel. It is a figure which shows the contact state of a touch panel and a finger when the position of a finger is low. It is a figure which shows the contact state of a touch panel and a finger | toe when a touch panel inclines to some extent.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an external appearance of a multifunction peripheral when an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the multifunction machine 11 includes a control unit 12, an operation unit 13 as an input device, an image reading unit 14, an image forming unit 15 as an image processing unit, and a paper setting unit 19. A discharge tray 30, a hard disk 16 as a storage unit, a facsimile communication unit 17, a main body unit 20, a network interface unit 18 for connecting to a network 25, a camera 44 as an imaging unit, and an angle detection sensor. 45.

  The control unit 12 controls the entire multifunction machine 11. The operation unit 13 includes a touch panel 21 that displays information transmitted from the multifunction peripheral 11 side and user input contents. The touch panel 21 displays data related to the user's operation content, detects a contact state with the user's finger, and inputs the operation content. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel 21 is provided such that the display surface is the upper surface. Further, the operation unit 13 inputs image forming conditions such as the number of copies to be printed and gradation, and power on / off. The image reading unit 14 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 22 as a document transport device that transports a document set at the set position to the read position. The image reading unit 14 reads an image of a document set on the ADF 22 or a mounting table (not shown). The paper setting unit 19 includes a manual feed tray 28 for manually setting paper and a paper feed cassette group 29 that can store a plurality of different sizes of paper. The paper setting unit 19 sets paper to be supplied to the image forming unit 15. The image forming unit 15 forms an image on the conveyed paper based on the image read by the image reading unit 14 and the image data transmitted via the network 25. The sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 15 is discharged to the discharge tray 30. The main body unit 20 accommodates the image forming unit 15 on the inner side thereof. The camera 44 that captures the user and obtains data on the position of the user can capture an image of the user who operates the operation unit 13. The hard disk 16 stores transmitted image data, input image forming conditions, and the like. The facsimile communication unit 17 is connected to the public line 24 and performs facsimile transmission and facsimile reception.

  The multi-function device 11 includes a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) for writing and reading image data, and the illustration and description thereof are omitted. In addition, arrows in FIG. 2 indicate the flow of data regarding control signals, control, and images. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the sheet cassette group 29 includes three sheet cassettes 23a, 23b, and 23c.

  The multifunction device 11 operates as a copying machine by forming an image in the image forming unit 15 using the image data of the document read by the image reading unit 14. Further, the multifunction machine 11 forms an image in the image forming unit 15 and prints it on a sheet using the image data transmitted from the computers 26a, 26b, and 26c connected to the network 25 through the network interface unit 18. It operates as a printer. That is, the image forming unit 15 operates as a printing unit that prints the requested image. The MFP 11 uses the image data transmitted from the public line 24 through the facsimile communication unit 17 to form an image in the image forming unit 15 via the DRAM and is read by the image reading unit 14. The image data of the original is transmitted to the public line 24 through the facsimile communication unit 17, thereby operating as a facsimile apparatus. The multifunction machine 11 has a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function regarding image processing. Further, each function has functions that can be set in detail.

  The image processing system 27 including the multifunction machine 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the multifunction machine 11 having the above-described configuration and a plurality of computers 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c connected to the multifunction machine 11 via the network 25. Prepare. In this embodiment, three computers 26a to 26c are shown. Each of the computers 26 a to 26 c can make a print request to the multi-function peripheral 11 via the network 25 and perform printing. The multi-function device 11 and the computers 26a to 26c may be connected by wire using a LAN (Local Area Network) cable or the like, or may be connected wirelessly. A configuration in which a machine or a server is connected may be used.

  Next, the configuration of the operation unit 13 described above will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of the operation unit 13. Referring to FIG. 3, the operation unit 13 includes a numeric keypad 31 for allowing a user to input numbers from 0 to 9 for inputting the number of copies to be printed, and symbols “*” and “#”, A start key 32 for instructing the user to start facsimile transmission, a power key 33 for instructing the user to turn on or off the multifunction device 11, and an instruction for selecting the printer function, copy function, etc. of the multifunction device 11 A menu key 34, a registration key 35 for instructing the user to register various image forming conditions and a user to be used, and a reset key 36 for allowing the user to cancel the contents of the instruction input by the user using the numeric keypad 31 or the like. And the touch panel 21 described above.

The operation unit 13 is provided so as to protrude from the main body unit 20 to the front side. The operation unit 13 has a so-called flat plate shape. The operation unit 13 is configured to be rotatable about a contact side with the main body unit 20 as a fulcrum. Operation unit 13, the so-called vertical direction is the direction or the opposite direction of the arrow D ₁ of the in Figure 1 only within a predetermined angle, can be rotated. The angle of rotation of the operation unit 13 can be detected by the angle detection sensor 45.

  The touch panel 21 displays data related to user operation contents. The touch panel 21 detects a contact between a region corresponding to the displayed operation content and a user's finger that inputs the operation content, and inputs the operation content. The user touches the touch panel 21 of the operation unit 13 with a finger or the like to input the content of the operation.

  Next, the configuration of the control unit 12 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 12. 1 to 4, the control unit 12 includes a user data acquisition unit 41, a height derivation unit 42, and a detection range adjustment unit 43. The user data acquisition unit 41 acquires user data. The user data acquisition unit 41 includes a camera 44 as an imaging unit that captures an image of the user and acquires data on the position of the user. The height deriving unit 42 derives the height of the user's hand in contact with the touch panel 21 based on the user data acquired by the user data acquiring unit 41. The detection range adjustment unit 43 adjusts the detection range of the touch panel 21 based on the height of the user's hand derived by the height deriving unit 42.

  Next, a case where the user inputs the operation content from the touch panel 21 using the multifunction machine 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when the user inputs operation details from the touch panel 21 using the multifunction machine 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 5, first, multifunction device 11 displays an input screen on touch panel 21 in order to allow the user to input operation details (in FIG. 5, step S11, hereinafter “step” is omitted). . The user tries to make a desired input by touching an area of the touch panel 21 corresponding to the operation content, specifically, a button or key surrounded by a frame. Then, the touch panel 21 detects that the user's finger has contacted a part of the area of the touch panel 21 (S12).

  If it is detected that the user's finger is in contact with a part of the area of the touch panel 21 (YES in S12), the user data acquisition unit 41 then acquires user data (S13). In this case, a user staying in front of the multifunction machine 11 is photographed by the camera 44. Then, the user data acquisition unit 41 determines the height of the user from the captured user image. In this way, user height data is obtained.

  Next, the height deriving unit 42 acquires angle data of the touch panel 21 (S14). In this case, the angle detection sensor 45 attached to the operation unit 13 acquires data on the angle at which the operation unit 13 is rotated. Specifically, in this embodiment, the operation unit 13 including the touch panel 21 is rotated 90 degrees downward. That is, the operation unit 13 is rotated so as to face the front side of the multifunction machine 11.

  Thereafter, the height deriving unit 42 determines whether or not the position of the user's finger 46 is lower than the position of the touch panel 21 (S15). In this case, the determination is made based on the user's height data acquired by the user data acquisition unit 41 and the rotation angle data of the touch panel 21.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a contact state between the touch panel 21 and the finger 46 when the position of the finger 46 is high. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a contact state between the touch panel 21 and the finger 46 when the position of the finger 46 is parallel to the touch panel 21. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a contact state between the touch panel 21 and the finger 46 when the position of the finger 46 is low.

  6 to 8, when the position of the finger 46 is higher than that of the touch panel 21, the tip portion of the finger 46 comes into contact with the surface of the touch panel 21, and the touch panel 21 and the finger 46 are in a relatively small area. Will come into contact. When the position of the finger 46 is parallel to the touch panel 21, the touch panel 21 and the finger 46 come into contact with each other at a portion close to the tip of the finger 46. In such a contact state, the possibility of erroneous detection of the detection range is low even with a normal margin. On the other hand, when the position of the finger 46 is lower than the touch panel 21, the abdomen of the finger 46 comes into contact with the surface of the touch panel 21, and the touch panel 21 and the finger 46 come into contact in a relatively large area. In such a contact state, there is a risk of erroneous detection detection with a normal margin.

  If the height deriving unit 42 determines that the position of the finger 46 is lower than the position of the touch panel 21 (YES in S15), the detection range adjustment unit 43 sets the margin of the detection range to a predetermined threshold value. Is also adjusted widely (S16). On the other hand, if it is determined that the position of finger 46 is not lower than the position of touch panel 21 (NO in S15), that is, the position of user's finger 46 is higher than the position of touch panel 21 or is horizontal. If determined, the detection range adjustment unit 43 defines the detection range with a normal margin (S17).

  In this way, the margin of the detection range is defined, and the input value is acquired according to the area touched by the user's finger 46 (S18). Then, based on the acquired input value, an image is formed and output (S19).

  According to such a multifunction machine 11, if the height deriving unit 42 determines that the position of the finger 46 is lower than the position of the touch panel 21, the detection range adjusting unit 43 sets the detection range margin wider than a predetermined threshold. adjust. If it does so, generation | occurrence | production of the misdetection of the input based on the finger | toe 46 and the touchscreen 21 contacting widely can be suppressed. In this case, it is not necessary to perform personal authentication of the user. Therefore, such a multifunction machine 11 can reduce the possibility of erroneous detection during input while improving convenience when receiving a request for image processing.

  In this case, since the user's figure is imaged by the camera 44 and the user's height data is determined, the height of the user's hand can be derived more accurately.

  The height deriving unit 42 derives the height of the user's hand based on the angle of the rotated touch panel 21. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a contact state between the touch panel 21 and the finger 46 when the touch panel 21 is inclined to some extent. Referring to FIG. 9, when the operation unit 13 including the touch panel 21 is tilted to some extent, the contact state with the finger 46 is changed. In this case, the abdomen of the user's finger 46 makes contact with a relatively wide contact area. Therefore, in such a situation, even when the height of the user's hand is almost horizontal with the touch panel 21, the detection range adjustment unit 43 adjusts the angle deviation of the touch panel 21 to set the detection range margin to a predetermined value. Adjust wider than the threshold. By comprising in this way, the possibility of misdetection can be reduced more.

  In the above embodiment, the user data acquisition unit 41 captures the user's height by capturing the user's height by photographing the user with the camera 44, but the user data acquisition unit 41 may be configured to acquire the user's height data based on the user's height data stored in advance in the hard disk 16 as a storage unit regardless of the presence or absence of the camera 44. In this case, for example, the user is specified based on login information input when using the multifunction machine 11.

  In the above embodiment, the user data acquisition unit 41 captures the user's height by capturing the user's height by photographing the user with the camera 44. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The user data acquisition unit 41 may include a sensor that detects the position of the user, and the sensor may acquire data on the position of the user.

  Note that the user data acquisition unit 41 may be configured to acquire user data from the computers 26 a to 26 c connected to the multifunction machine 11. In other words, the user data acquisition unit 41 may include a user height data acquisition unit that acquires user height data from the outside via the network 25.

  Further, the detection range adjustment unit 43 may adjust the detection range of the touch panel 21 from the size of the data frame related to the operation content displayed on the touch panel 21. By doing so, it is possible to define the margin of the detection range in accordance with the operation content displayed on the touch panel 21 more.

  In the above embodiment, the case of inputting the operation content as the operation unit 13 of the multifunction machine 11 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation content is provided on the touch panel 21 provided in other electronic devices. The input device for inputting may have the above-described configuration.

  That is, the input device includes a touch panel, a user data acquisition unit, a height derivation unit, and a detection range adjustment unit. The touch panel displays data related to the operation content. The touch panel detects a contact between a region corresponding to the displayed operation content and a user's finger inputting the operation content, and inputs the operation content. The user data acquisition unit acquires user data. The height deriving unit derives the height of the user's hand in contact with the touch panel based on the user data acquired by the user data acquiring unit. The detection range adjustment unit adjusts the detection range of the touch panel based on the height of the user's hand derived by the height deriving unit.

  The input device having such a configuration can reduce the possibility of erroneous detection during input while improving convenience.

  It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive in any aspect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

  The input device and the image processing device according to the present invention are particularly effectively used when it is required to improve convenience and reduce the possibility of erroneous detection during input.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 MFP, 12 Control part, 13 Operation part, 14 Image reading part, 15 Image formation part, 16 Hard disk, 17 Facsimile communication part, 18 Network interface part, 19 Paper setting part, 20 Main body part, 21 Touch panel, 22 ADF, 23a, 23b, 23c Paper cassette, 24 Public line, 25 Network, 26a, 26b, 26c Computer, 27 Image processing system, 28 Manual feed tray, 29 Paper feed cassette group, 30 Eject tray, 31 Numeric keypad, 32 Start key, 33 Power key, 34 menu key, 35 registration key, 36 reset key, 41 user data acquisition unit, 42 height deriving unit, 43 detection range adjustment unit, 44 camera, 45 angle detection sensor, 46 fingers.

Claims (6)

A touch panel that displays data related to the operation content, detects contact between the displayed region corresponding to the operation content and a user's finger that inputs the operation content, and inputs the operation content;
A user data acquisition unit for acquiring the user data;
Based on the user data acquired by the user data acquisition unit, a height deriving unit for deriving the height of the user's hand in contact with the touch panel;
A detection range adjustment unit that adjusts the detection range of the touch panel based on the height of the user's hand derived by the height deriving unit ;
The touch panel is configured to be rotatable,
The height deriving unit derives the height of the user's hand based on the angle of the rotated touch panel .   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the user data acquisition unit includes an imaging unit that captures an image of the user and acquires data on the position of the user.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the user data acquisition unit includes a user height data acquisition unit that acquires the height data of the user from outside the input device. A storage unit for storing data;
In the storage unit, the user data is stored in advance,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the user data acquisition unit acquires the user data from the storage unit.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the detection range adjustment unit adjusts the detection range of the touch panel based on a size of a data frame related to the operation content displayed on the touch panel. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
And an image processing unit that performs image processing based on the operation content input by the input device.

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