JP6483379B2 - Tactile sensation control system and tactile sensation control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tactile sensation control system and a tactile sensation control method for controlling a user's tactile sensation during an operation on an operation surface of a touch panel or a touch pad.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a user performs an operation on a display screen of a display device including a touch panel, there is a technique for giving a tactile sensation according to the operation to the user.

  For example, a technique for imparting a tactile sensation to a finger by irradiating the finger with ultrasonic waves is disclosed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In addition, a technique for imparting a tactile sensation to a user by vibrating an arbitrary area of the touch panel by ultrasonic vibration is disclosed (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1). Further, a technique for imparting a tactile sensation by dynamically (physically) raising and lowering an arbitrary area of a touch panel is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 3).

JP 2003-29898 A International Publication No. 2012/102026 JP 2005-512241 A

"Prototype tablet equipped with touch panel that provides tactile sensation", [online], February 24, 2014, Fujitsu Limited, [May 12, 2014], Internet <URL: http: // pr. fujitsu.com/jp/news/2014/02/24.html?nw=pr>

  If the user uses the techniques of Patent Documents 1 to 3 and Non-Patent Document 1, it is considered that the user can operate with the tactile sensation without concentrating the line of sight on the display screen. However, Patent Documents 1 to 3 and Non-Patent Document 1 do not disclose any specific use and cannot provide a user interface that is easy to use.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and provides a tactile sensation control system and a tactile sensation control method that allow a user to perform a user-friendly operation without concentrating the line of sight on the display screen during operation. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a tactile sensation control system according to the present invention is a tactile sensation control system that controls a user's tactile sensation during operation on an operation surface of a touchpad, and includes a plurality of characters for inputting characters on the operation surface. A character input area information acquisition unit that acquires information on a character input area corresponding to a character input key as character input area information, and predicts a character input key that can be selected next when the user selects one character input key When searching for a character string to be searched using the character input key prediction unit and each character input key, the character input acquired by the character input area information acquisition unit when the user selects one character input key Based on the area information and the character input key predicted by the character input key prediction unit, the character input area corresponding to the character input key that can be selected next, and the next selection not possible A character and a tactile control module for tactile control differently between the input key character input area corresponding to the character input area information is, for performing operations related to search the search operation key area in the operation surface corresponding to In addition, the tactile sensation control unit controls the character input area and the area on the operation surface corresponding to the search operation key to be different from each other, and the tactile sensation control unit corresponds to the character input area and the search operation key. The tactile sensation of one area is controlled so that the position of the tactile sensation changes with time in one of the areas on the operation surface .

A tactile sensation control method according to the present invention is a tactile sensation control method for controlling a user's tactile sensation during an operation on an operation surface of a touch pad. (C) obtaining information related to the corresponding character input area as character input area information; (b) predicting a character input key that can be selected next when the user selects one character input key; When searching for a character string to be searched using each character input key, when the user selects one character input key, the character input area information acquired in step (a) and the step (b) The character input area corresponding to the next selectable character input key and the character input area corresponding to the next non-selectable character input key based on the predicted character input key. control A that step, the character input region information further includes information of the area in the operation surface corresponding to the search operation keys for performing operations related to search, step (c), the character input area, the search operation key In step (c), the position of the tactile sensation is set in one of the character input area and the area on the operation surface corresponding to the search operation key. The tactile sensation of one area is controlled so as to change with the passage of time .

According to the present invention, the tactile sensation control system is a tactile sensation control system that controls the tactile sensation of the user when operating the operation surface of the touchpad, and the characters corresponding to a plurality of character input keys for performing character input on the operation surface A character input area information acquisition unit that acquires information about the input area as character input area information; a character input key prediction unit that predicts a character input key that can be selected next when the user selects one character input key; When searching for a character string to be searched using each character input key, when the user selects one character input key, the character input region information acquired by the character input region information acquisition unit and the character input key Based on the character input key predicted by the prediction unit, the character input area corresponding to the character input key that can be selected next and the character input key that cannot be selected next. And a tactile control module for touch the text input area is controlled differently, character input region information further includes information of a region in the operation surface corresponding to the search operation keys for performing operations related to search, tactile control The control unit controls the tactile sensation between the character input area and the area on the operation surface corresponding to the search operation key, and the tactile sensation control unit controls the character input area and the area on the operation surface corresponding to the search operation key. Because the tactile sensation of one area is controlled so that the position of the tactile sensation changes with time in one of the areas , the user can perform a user-friendly operation without concentrating the line of sight on the display screen during operation. It becomes possible.

The tactile sensation control method is a tactile sensation control method for controlling the tactile sensation of the user when operating the operation surface of the touch pad, and (a) characters corresponding to a plurality of character input keys for performing character input on the operation surface A step of acquiring information relating to the input region as character input region information; (b) a step of predicting a character input key that can be selected next when the user selects one character input key; and (c) each character input. When searching for a character string to be searched using a key, when the user selects one character input key, the character input area information acquired in step (a) and predicted in step (b) A step of controlling the character input area corresponding to the character input key that can be selected next and the character input area corresponding to the character input key that cannot be selected next to be different based on the character input key. And For example, the character input region information further includes information of a region in the operation surface corresponding to the search operation keys for performing operations related to search, step (c), the character input area, the operation surface corresponding to the search operation key In step (c), the position of the tactile sensation is changed with time in one of the character input area and the area on the operation surface corresponding to the search operation key. Since the tactile sensation of one area is controlled so as to change, it is possible for the user to perform a user-friendly operation without concentrating the line of sight on the display screen during the operation.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the tactile sensation control apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the tactile sensation by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the tactile sensation by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the tactile sensation by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the tactile sensation by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the tactile sensation by embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows another example of a structure of the tactile sensation control apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the tactile sensation control apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of operation | movement of the tactile sensation control apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of operation | movement of the tactile sensation control apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of operation | movement of the tactile sensation control apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of operation | movement of the tactile sensation control apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the tactile sensation control system by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of operation | movement of the tactile sensation control apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of operation | movement of the tactile sensation control apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of operation | movement of the tactile sensation control apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the tactile sensation control system by embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows another example of a structure of the tactile sensation control system by embodiment of this invention.

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

<Embodiment>
First, the structure of the tactile sensation control system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, a case where the tactile sensation control system is realized by a single tactile sensation control device will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a tactile sensation control device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 shows the minimum necessary components constituting the tactile sensation control device 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tactile sensation control device 1 includes at least a character input area information acquisition unit 2, a character input key prediction unit 3, and a tactile sensation control unit 4.

  The character input area information acquisition unit 2 acquires, as character input area information, information related to a character input area corresponding to a plurality of character input keys for inputting characters on the operation surface of the touch panel or the touch pad.

  When the user selects one character input key, the character input key prediction unit 3 predicts the next selectable character input key.

  The tactile sensation control unit 4 uses the character input keys to search for a character string to be searched, and when the user selects one character input key, the character input acquired by the character input area information acquisition unit 2 Based on the area information and the character input key predicted by the character input key prediction unit 3, it corresponds to the character input area corresponding to the next selectable character input key and the character input key that cannot be selected next. Control is performed so that the tactile sensation differs from the character input area.

  Here, the tactile sensation controlled by the tactile sensation control unit 4 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of three tactile sensations of “smooth”, “half-gritty”, and “gritty”.

  In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis indicates the strength of the tactile sensation, the leftmost column indicates “smooth”, the middle two columns indicate “half rough”, and the rightmost column indicates “gritty”. Yes. Further, the tactile sensation of the entire square is expressed by vibrating the dot or line pattern portion expressed in black shown in each square by, for example, ultrasonic vibration. That is, for example, when the intensity of vibration in each square is the same, the tactile sensation of “roughness” is stronger on the right side than on the left side in FIG. Specifically, the first line in FIG. 2 indicates that the larger the dot eyes, the stronger the feel of the grain. The second line indicates that the narrower the grid interval, the stronger the feel of the grain. The third line It shows that the feel of roughness increases as the line changes from a broken line to a solid line and the line becomes thicker. Note that the texture pattern of the rough texture is not particular to FIG. 2, and there are infinite combinations.

  The example in FIG. 2 shows a method for obtaining a different rough feel by changing the pattern even if the vibration intensity is the same. However, if the vibration intensity is changed even if the pattern is the same, A tactile sensation can be obtained.

  The “smooth” tactile sensation can be expressed, for example, by not performing ultrasonic vibration.

  The “gritty” tactile sensation can be expressed by, for example, performing ultrasonic vibration with a strength equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

  The “half-grainy” tactile sensation can be expressed, for example, by performing ultrasonic vibration that is smaller than the threshold value.

  Further, by combining both the strength of vibration and the rough tactile sensation pattern as shown in FIG. 2, the strength of the rough tactile sensation can be expressed.

  In FIG. 2, the rough texture pattern and the static rough texture that does not change the vibration intensity have been explained. However, the vibration intensity is changed with time, or the rough texture pattern is temporal. It is also possible to express the tactile sensation of moving by changing it to (ie, by dynamically changing the vibration pattern or the tactile pattern of the gritty tactile).

  3 to 5 are diagrams illustrating an example in which a “moving rough” tactile sensation is generated by temporally changing the intensity of vibration. 3 to 5, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the strength of tactile sensation.

  FIG. 3 shows a case where the tactile sensation is constant and the tactile sensation occurs at a constant period. FIG. 4 shows a case where the tactile sensation is changed and the tactile sensation occurs at a constant cycle. FIG. 5 shows a case where the tactile sensation is constant and the tactile sensation cycle changes.

  By changing the tactile sensation as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, for example, the user can obtain a tactile sensation as if the “gritty” area is moving (that is, the tactile sensation of “moving gritty”). In addition, in FIGS. 3 to 5, the feeling of “gritty” and the feeling of “smooth” are alternately switched, but the feeling of “gritty” and the feeling of “half-gritty” may be alternately switched. The texture of the “roughness” may be switched continuously instead of discretely, and a continuous change and a discrete change may be freely combined.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of generating a “moving rough” tactile sensation by changing a rough tactile sensation pattern with time. In FIG. 6, the vertical axis indicates time. Moreover, the area | region a and the area | region b have a tactile feeling, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the positions of the area a and the area b are moved with time. In this way, by moving the region a and the region b having a tactile sensation, the user can obtain a tactile sensation as if the “rough” region is moving (ie, a “moving rough” tactile sense). In addition, each of the area | region a and the area | region b may have a tactile sensation as shown in any of FIGS.

  Further, in FIG. 6, the “gritty” tactile sensation region and the “smooth” tactile sensation region are moved temporally, but the “gritty” tactile sensation region and the “half-gritty” tactile sensation region are It may be configured and moved in time, or an area in which the “gritty” tactile sensation changes discretely or continuously may be configured to move in time. In FIGS. 3 to 6, when a “gritty” tactile sensation that changes continuously is adopted, a smooth “growing gritty” tactile sensation can be obtained.

  Next, another configuration of the tactile sensation control device 1 including the character input area information acquisition unit 2, the character input key prediction unit 3, and the tactile sensation control unit 4 in FIG. 1 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the tactile sensation control device 5.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the tactile sensation control device 5 includes a control unit 6, a display information generation / output unit 7, a tactile touch panel control unit 8, an operation information acquisition unit 9, and a facility information acquisition unit 10. . In addition, the display information generation / output unit 7 is connected to a display 11, the tactile touch panel control unit 8 and the operation information acquisition unit 9 are connected to a tactile touch panel 12, and the facility information acquisition unit 10 is connected to a facility information DB (database) 13. Has been.

  The control unit 6 controls the entire tactile sensation control device 5. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 6 controls the display information generation / output unit 7 and the tactile touch panel control unit 8. The control unit 6 includes a character input key prediction unit 3. When the user selects one character input key, the character input key prediction unit 3 predicts the next selectable character input key. Which character input key is selected by the user can be determined based on the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit 9.

  The display information generation / output unit 7 generates display information in accordance with instructions from the control unit 6. The display information generation / output unit 7 converts the generated display information into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the display 11.

  The tactile touch panel control unit 8 includes a character input area information acquisition unit 2 and a tactile control unit 4. The character input area information acquisition unit 2 acquires the character input area information input from the control unit 6. The tactile sensation control unit 4 uses the character input keys to search for a character string to be searched, and when the user selects one character input key, the character input acquired by the character input area information acquisition unit 2 Based on the area information and the character input key predicted by the character input key prediction unit 3, it corresponds to the character input area corresponding to the next selectable character input key and the character input key that cannot be selected next. The tactile sensation control information for controlling the tactile sensation with the character input area to be output is output to the tactile touch panel 12.

  The operation information acquisition unit 9 acquires information related to a user operation on the tactile touch panel 12 as operation information from the tactile touch panel 12.

  The facility information acquisition unit 10 acquires facility information from the facility information DB 13.

  The display 11 displays the display information input from the display information generation / output unit 7 on the display screen.

  The tactile touch panel 12 outputs information related to the touch operation by the user (information such as presence / absence of touch, position of touch, operation content) to the operation information acquisition unit 9 as operation information. In addition, the tactile touch panel 12 provides a tactile sensation (“smooth”, “half-gritty”, “gritty”, “moving gritty”) at any position on the touch panel based on the haptic control information input from the haptic touch panel control unit 8. Change.

  The tactile touch panel 12 is provided on the display screen of the display device 11, and the user can use the touch panel 12 with a feeling of directly operating the display screen. That is, the display screen area of the display 11 and the area where the tactile sensation touch panel 12 generates the tactile sensation may completely coincide. In addition, any one of the display screen area of the display 11 and the area that generates the tactile sensation of the tactile touch panel 12 may be wider than the other. For example, the tactile touch panel 12 is installed so that the area where the tactile sensation of the tactile touch panel 12 is generated protrudes from the display screen area of the display device 11 and is used as an area where a touch operation can be input although it is not displayed in the protruding area. Also good.

  The facility information DB 13 stores facility information. The facility information DB 13 may be provided in the tactile sensation control device 5 or may be provided outside.

  Next, the operation of the tactile sensation control device 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the tactile sensation control device 5. 9 to 12 are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of the tactile sensation control device 5.

  In step S <b> 1, the display information generation / output unit 7 generates display information according to an instruction (including character input area information) from the control unit 6, converts the generated display information into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the display 11. At this time, the display information includes information on the 50 sound facility search screen as shown in FIG. The information on the 50 sound facility search screen may be held in advance by the control unit 6 or may be stored by another storage unit (not shown).

  In step S <b> 2, the tactile sensation touch panel control unit 8 changes the area corresponding to each key (character input key) and the area corresponding to the character input field on the 50 sound facility search screen to “smooth” in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 6. Set the tactile sensation of the other background area to “gritty”.

  Specifically, in the 50 sound facility search screen shown in FIG. 9, the touch feeling of the area corresponding to the character input key 14, the search key 15, the end key 16, the return key 17, and the character input field 18 is set to “smooth”. The tactile sensation of other background areas (areas other than the character input key 14, search key 15, end key 16, return key 17, and character input field 18) is set to “gritty”.

  In step S <b> 3, the control unit 6 determines which key has been input (selected and touched) by the user based on the operation information input via the operation information acquisition unit 9. If the character input key 14 is entered, the process proceeds to step S4. If the return key 17 is entered, the process proceeds to step S5. If the search key 15 is entered, the process proceeds to step S7. When the end key 16 is entered. Ends the process.

  In step S <b> 4, the control unit 6 displays the character corresponding to the character input key 14 on the character input field 18 based on the character input key 14 input by the user acquired through the operation information acquisition unit 9. The display information generation / output unit 7 is controlled. On the display 11, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the character “Mitsu” is displayed in the character input field 18. FIG. 10 shows a case where the character input key 14 corresponding to the second character “T” is input.

  In step S <b> 5, the control unit 6 displays the previously input character from the character input field 18 based on the return key 17 input by the user acquired via the operation information acquisition unit 9, so that the display information generation / output unit 7. To control. For example, in FIG. 10, when the user inputs the return key 17, “T” displayed in the character input field 18 is deleted, and only “T” is displayed.

  In step S6, the control unit 6 searches for a candidate character when the user inputs next time. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the user inputs “mitsubishi”, the control unit 6 adds the facility information (name of facility) acquired from the facility information DB 13 via the facility information acquisition unit 10. Based on this, a candidate character following “mitsubishi” is searched. At this time, only characters that match the name of the facility stored in the facility information DB 13 are candidates. Next, the tactile sensation touch panel control unit 8 sets the tactile sensation of the area corresponding to the character input key 14 of the candidate character at the time of the next input in accordance with the instruction of the control unit 6 and does not become a candidate at the next input. The tactile sensation of the area corresponding to the character input key 14 is set to “rough”. In the example shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, as the user inputs the character input key 14, the number of candidate characters at the time of the next input is reduced.

  In other words, when the user searches for a search target name using the character input key 14 when the user selects the character input key 14, the tactile touch panel control unit 8 selects the character corresponding to the next selectable character input key 14. The tactile touch panel 12 is controlled so that the tactile sensation between the input area and the character input area corresponding to the next non-selectable character input key 14 is different.

  In step S <b> 7, the control unit 6 searches for the corresponding facility from the facility information DB 13 based on the character string displayed in the character input field 18.

  In step S <b> 8, the display information generation / output unit 7 causes the display 11 to display the result of the facility search according to the instruction of the control unit 6. For example, information such as the location of the facility, business hours, and business details may be displayed on the display 11.

  Note that the touch input described above can feel a tactile sensation as a preliminary operation of the input operation when the user lightly touches the operation surface of the tactile touch panel 12, and the input operation is performed when the user strongly presses the operation surface. It includes operation methods that can be accepted.

  In the above description, the 50-sound search has been described as an example. However, the search may be applied to a telephone number search or input to a character input key in which numbers and alphabets are mixed. Further, the present invention may be applied to a destination-specific character, Chinese pinyin input, or other character input. In addition, in Japanese, there is an auxiliary character input key for inputting muddy or semi-voiced sound, but depending on the foreign language other than Japan, umlauts, four-voice symbols, and other auxiliary characters can be entered. You may apply. In addition to facility search, it may be applied to address search, street search, telephone number search, search by ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan) code, search by various code input, song name search, or proper noun search. .

  In the above description, the case of searching for a candidate character at the time of the next input according to whether or not it matches the name of the facility stored in the facility information DB 13 is not limited to this. It can also be applied to search. For example, even if it is not an official name, a character included in a common name or a name that is often mistaken may be used as a candidate for the next input. That is, the tactile touch panel control unit 8 may perform control so as to increase the number of selectable character input keys 14 based on the fuzzy search condition. In addition, order change may be included as an example of a fuzzy search that is often mistaken. Examples include “XX Tokyo Hotel”, “Tokyo XX Hotel”, “Hotel Tokyo XX”, and the like.

  In this embodiment, the case where characters are input from the beginning has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to character partial matching search or input of a logical search by AND or OR by inputting a plurality of characters.

  In the above description, the case where the tactile sensation of “smooth” and “grainy” is used has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, “half rough” or “moving rough” may be used in appropriate combination. Further, depending on the design philosophy of HMI (Human Machine Interface), the tactile sensation of the key that can be input may be “gritty” and the tactile sensation of the key that cannot be input may be “smooth”. In addition, when a key that cannot be input is pressed, the touch feeling of the key may be “moving and rough” to notify the user of an input error.

  Also, feedback to the user is generated such that the tactile sensation of the keys that can be input when the user touches lightly is “moving rough” (for example, the tactile sensation is different between keys that can be input and keys that cannot be input) If the user presses the key slightly strongly as it is, key input is accepted, and if the key that cannot be input is lightly touched, the input may be invalidated even if the user presses the key as it is without changing the touch feeling.

  In the 50 sound facility search screen, the character input key 14, the search key 15, the end key 16, and the return key 17 have the same tactile sensation, but the character input key 14, the search key 15, the end key 16, The tactile sensation with the return key 17 (search operation key for performing an operation related to search) may be different. In this case, there is an effect of preventing erroneous operation by tactile sensation.

  Moreover, you may make it the tactile sensations of a normal 50-sound character input key, a muddy sound key, and a semi-turbid sound key differ. That is, the tactile sensation may be different for each type of character input key.

  From the above, according to the present embodiment, the facility can be searched without concentrating the line of sight on the 50 sound facility search screen displayed on the display unit 11 during operation. In addition, since the tactile sensation between the next selectable character and the next non-selectable character is different, the user can easily search for the facility. That is, it is possible to perform an operation that is convenient for the user.

  In addition, although Embodiment 1 demonstrated the case where the tactile touch panel 12 was used, as shown in FIG. 13, the indicator 11 was provided in the meter panel 19, and the tactile touch pad 20 was replaced with the driver instead of the tactile touch panel 12. May be applied to a tactile sensation control system for a meter panel (that is, the display 11 and the tactile touch pad 20 are separately installed at different locations). In the example of FIG. 13, the 50 sound facility search screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display 11 in the meter panel 19. The tactile touch pad 20 is provided with operation icons 21 to 24 corresponding to the keys (character input key 14, search key 15, end key 16, and return key 17) on the 50 sound facility search screen shown in FIG. It has been. The tactile sensation of the operation icons 21 to 24 in the tactile touch pad 20 is the same as the tactile sensation described in FIG. The display device 11 may use the entire area of the meter panel 19 as a display area of the display device 11.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of display on the display 11 provided on the meter panel 19, and the 50 sound facility search screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of the tactile sensation of each region on the tactile touch pad 20, and the tactile sensation of the regions of the operation icons 21 to 24 is the same as the tactile sensation described in FIG.

  The area composed of vertical y and horizontal x on the tactile touch pad 20 corresponds to the area composed of vertical Y and horizontal X on the display 11. It should be noted that the size of the area consisting of vertical y and horizontal x on the tactile touch pad 20 and the size of the area consisting of vertical Y and horizontal X on the display 11 may be the same or similar. It does not have to be similar. For example, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the user touches the operation icon 21 corresponding to “te” on the tactile touch pad 20, the “te” character input key 14 on the display 11 is selected. At this time, a prompt (hand mark) may be displayed at the position of the display 11 (here, the “te” position) corresponding to the touch position of the tactile touch pad 20.

  In the above description, the tactile touch pad 20 has been described as having a function of detecting that the user has touched the tactile touch pad 20, but is not limited thereto. For example, the tactile touch pad 20 may have a function of detecting a three-dimensional position of an indicator (for example, a user's finger). It may have a function of detecting the position in the three dimensions of the pointing object). The detection of the position of the pointing object in three dimensions can be realized by using, for example, an electrostatic touch panel or recognizing the position of the pointing object by image processing. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a specific operation example of the tactile sensation control device 5 in the case where the tactile touch pad 20 has a function of recognizing the position of the pointing object in three dimensions. The tactile sensation of each area in the tactile touch pad 20 shown in FIG. 16 is the same as that in FIG. Further, it is assumed that the display device 11 displays the 50 sound facility search screen shown in FIG.

  If there is no function for detecting the three-dimensional position on the tactile touch pad 20, a prompt (hand mark) may not be displayed at the position of the display 11. In addition, a prompt (hand mark) may be displayed when the tactile touch pad 20 is lightly touched, and the process may proceed assuming that the operation icon has been operated when a push-in operation is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 16, when the user performs an operation of bringing a finger close to the tactile touch pad 20, the user's finger exists at a position within a predetermined distance (a distance z in the height direction) from the tactile touch pad 20. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, a prompt is displayed on the display screen of the display 11 at a position corresponding to the XY coordinates of the finger detected by the tactile touch pad 20.

  As described above, even when the display 11 provided on the meter panel 19 and the tactile touch pad 20 are installed apart from each other, an effect of largely preventing a reduction in the attention of the driver during operation can be obtained. .

  The tactile sensation control device described above is not only a vehicle navigation device, that is, a car navigation device, but also a PND (Portable Navigation Device) and a mobile communication terminal (for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc.) that can be mounted on a vehicle. In addition, the present invention can also be applied to a navigation device constructed as a system by appropriately combining servers and the like or a device other than the navigation device. In this case, each function or each component of the tactile sensation control device is distributed and arranged in each function that constructs the system.

  Specifically, as an example, the function of the tactile sensation control device can be arranged in a server. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the display device 26 and the tactile touch panel 27 are provided on the user side, and the server 25 is provided with at least the character input area information acquisition unit 2, the character input key prediction unit 3, and the tactile control unit 4. A tactile sensation control system can be constructed. The functions of the character input region information acquisition unit 2, the character input key prediction unit 3, and the tactile sensation control unit 4 are the same as those of the character input region information acquisition unit 2, the character input key prediction unit 3, and the tactile sensation control unit 4 in FIG. Similar to function. Moreover, the server 25 may be provided with each component as shown in FIG. 7 as needed. At this time, each component provided in the server 25 may be appropriately distributed and arranged in the server 25 and the display device 26.

  As another example, the function of the tactile sensation control device can be arranged in a server and a mobile communication terminal. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the user side includes a display device 26 and a tactile touch panel 27, the server 28 includes at least a character input area information acquisition unit 2 and a character input key prediction unit 3, and the mobile communication terminal 29 includes at least a tactile sensation. By providing the control unit 4, a tactile sensation control system can be constructed. The functions of the character input region information acquisition unit 2, the character input key prediction unit 3, and the tactile sensation control unit 4 are the same as those of the character input region information acquisition unit 2, the character input key prediction unit 3, and the tactile sensation control unit 4 in FIG. Similar to function. Further, the server 28 and the mobile communication terminal 29 may include each component as shown in FIG. 7 as necessary. At this time, each component provided in the server 28 and the mobile communication terminal 29 may be appropriately distributed and arranged in the display device 26, the server 28, and the mobile communication terminal 29.

  Even if it is a case where it is said structure, the effect similar to said embodiment is acquired.

  Further, software (tactile sensation control method) for executing the operation in the above-described embodiment may be incorporated in a server or a mobile communication terminal, for example.

  Specifically, as an example, the tactile sensation control method described above is a tactile sensation control method for controlling the user's tactile sensation during operation on the operation surface of the touch panel or the touch pad, and (a) performs character input on the operation surface. (B) obtaining information relating to a character input area corresponding to a plurality of character input keys as character input area information; and (b) predicting the next selectable character input key when the user selects one character input key. And (c) when searching for a character string to be searched using each character input key, when the user selects one character input key, the character input area information acquired in step (a) And a character input area corresponding to the next selectable character input key based on the character input key predicted in step (b), and a character input corresponding to the next non-selectable character input key And a step in which the touch of the frequency controlled differently.

  As described above, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained by operating the software that executes the operation of the above-described embodiment in a server or a mobile communication terminal.

  1, 7, 17, and 18, the character input area information acquisition unit 2, the character input key prediction unit 3, the tactile sensation control unit 4, the control unit 6, the display information generation / output unit 7, the tactile touch panel control unit 8, and the operation Each of the information acquisition unit 9 and the facility information acquisition unit 10 is realized by executing a program process using a CPU (Central Processing Unit) based on software. If possible, the character input area information acquisition unit 2, the character input key prediction unit 3, the tactile sensation control unit 4, the control unit 6, the display information generation output unit 7, the tactile touch panel control unit 8, the operation information acquisition unit 9, Each of the facility information acquisition unit 10 may be configured as hardware (for example, an arithmetic / processing circuit configured to perform a specific calculation or process on an electric signal). Further, both of the above may be mixed.

  In the present invention, the embodiments can be appropriately modified and omitted within the scope of the invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tactile sensation control device, 2 Character input area information acquisition part, 3 Character input key prediction part, 4 Tactile sensation control part, 5 Tactile sensation control apparatus, 6 Control part, 7 Display information generation output part, 8 Tactile touch panel control part, 9 Operation information Acquisition unit, 10 Facility information acquisition unit, 11 Display, 12 Tactile touch panel, 13 Facility information DB, 14 Character input key, 15 Search key, 16 Exit key, 17 Return key, 18 Character input field, 19 Meter panel, 20 Touch Touchpad, 21-24 Operation icons, 25 server, 26 display device, 27 tactile touch panel, 28 server, 29 mobile communication terminal.

Claims (16)

A tactile sensation control system that controls a user's tactile sensation when operating on an operation surface of a touch panel or a touch pad,
A character input area information acquisition unit for acquiring information on a character input area corresponding to a plurality of character input keys for performing character input on the operation surface as character input area information;
A character input key prediction unit that predicts the next selectable character input key when the user selects one of the character input keys;
When searching for a character string to be searched using each of the character input keys, the character input area information acquired by the character input area information acquisition unit when the user selects one of the character input keys. And the character input area corresponding to the character input key that can be selected next based on the character input key predicted by the character input key prediction unit, and the character input key that cannot be selected next A tactile sensation control unit that controls the tactile sensation to be different from the character input area corresponding to
With
The character input area information further includes information on an area on the operation surface corresponding to a search operation key for performing an operation related to the search,
The tactile sensation control unit controls the tactile sensation of the character input area and the area on the operation surface corresponding to the search operation key to be different ,
The tactile sensation control unit is configured so that the position of the tactile sensation changes with time in one of the character input area and the area on the operation surface corresponding to the search operation key. A tactile sensation control system that controls the tactile sensation. A tactile sensation control system that controls a user's tactile sensation when operating on an operation surface of a touch panel or a touch pad,
A character input area information acquisition unit for acquiring information on a character input area corresponding to a plurality of character input keys for performing character input on the operation surface as character input area information;
A character input key prediction unit that predicts the next selectable character input key when the user selects one of the character input keys;
When searching for a character string to be searched using each of the character input keys, the character input area information acquired by the character input area information acquisition unit when the user selects one of the character input keys. And the character input area corresponding to the character input key that can be selected next based on the character input key predicted by the character input key prediction unit, and the character input key that cannot be selected next A tactile sensation control unit that controls the tactile sensation to be different from the character input area corresponding to
With
When the user touches with a strength smaller than a predetermined strength, the tactile sensation control unit, the character input area corresponding to the character input key that can be selected next, and the non-selectable next Control so that the tactile sensation with the character input area corresponding to the character input key is different,
The tactile sensation control unit is configured such that one of the character input region corresponding to the character input key that can be selected next and the character input region corresponding to the character input key that cannot be selected next is the region The tactile sensation is controlled to change dynamically, and the other region is controlled so that the tactile sensation does not change dynamically,
The tactile sensation control system controls the tactile sensation of the one area so that the position of the tactile sensation changes with time in the one area. The string is characterized in that it comprises letters, symbols, and one less of the figures, the tactile control system according to claim 1 or 2. The tactile sensation control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the character string is a facility name, a proper noun, or a specific symbol string. The tactile sensation control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the tactile sensation control unit controls the tactile sensation of the character input area to be different for each type of the character input key. The character input information further includes information on a region on the operation surface corresponding to a search operation key for performing an operation related to the search,
3. The tactile sensation control according to claim 1, wherein the tactile sensation control unit controls the tactile sensation of the character input area and the area on the operation surface corresponding to the search operation key to be different. system. The tactile controller, on the basis of the fuzzy search conditions, and controls to increase the candidates of the selectable the character input keys, touch according to one of claims any of claims 1 to 6 Control system. The search is characterized in that it comprises a partial match search, tactile control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The tactile sensation control system according to claim 7 , wherein the fuzzy search includes a partial match search. The tactile sensation control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the search includes a logical search including at least one of AND and OR between a plurality of characters. The tactile sensation control system according to claim 7 , wherein the fuzzy search includes a logical search including at least one of AND and OR between a plurality of characters. When the user touches with a strength smaller than a predetermined strength, the tactile sensation control unit, the character input area corresponding to the character input key that can be selected next, and the non-selectable next The tactile sensation control system according to claim 1, wherein the tactile sensation is controlled so that the tactile sensation differs from the character input area corresponding to the character input key. The tactile sensation control unit is configured such that the strength of the tactile sensation differs between the character input area corresponding to the character input key that can be selected next and the character input area corresponding to the character input key that cannot be selected next. The tactile sensation control system according to claim 12 , wherein The tactile sensation control unit is configured such that one of the character input region corresponding to the character input key that can be selected next and the character input region corresponding to the character input key that cannot be selected next is the region The tactile sensation control system according to claim 12 , wherein the tactile sensation is controlled so as to change dynamically, and the other region is controlled so that the tactile sensation does not change dynamically. A tactile sensation control method for controlling a user's tactile sensation during an operation on an operation surface of a touch panel or a touch pad,
(A) obtaining information on a character input area corresponding to a plurality of character input keys for performing character input on the operation surface as character input area information;
(B) predicting the next selectable character input key when the user selects one of the character input keys;
(C) When searching for a character string to be searched using each of the character input keys, the character input area acquired in the step (a) when the user selects one of the character input keys. The character input area corresponding to the character input key that can be selected next based on the information and the character input key predicted in the step (b), and the character input key that cannot be selected next Controlling the tactile sensation to be different from the character input area corresponding to
With
The character input area information further includes information on an area on the operation surface corresponding to a search operation key for performing an operation related to the search,
In the step (c), the character input area and the area on the operation surface corresponding to the search operation key are controlled to be different from each other ,
In the step (c), the one area is set such that the position of tactile sensation changes with time in one of the character input area and the area on the operation surface corresponding to the search operation key. The tactile sensation control method is characterized by controlling the tactile sensation. A tactile sensation control method for controlling a user's tactile sensation during an operation on an operation surface of a touch panel or a touch pad,
(A) obtaining information on a character input area corresponding to a plurality of character input keys for performing character input on the operation surface as character input area information;
(B) predicting the next selectable character input key when the user selects one of the character input keys;
(C) When searching for a character string to be searched using each of the character input keys, the character input area acquired in the step (a) when the user selects one of the character input keys. The character input area corresponding to the character input key that can be selected next based on the information and the character input key predicted in the step (b), and the character input key that cannot be selected next Controlling the tactile sensation to be different from the character input area corresponding to
With
When the user touches with a strength smaller than a predetermined strength, the step (c) includes the character input area corresponding to the next selectable character input key and the next unselectable character. Control so that the tactile sensation with the character input area corresponding to the character input key is different,
In the step (c), one of the character input area corresponding to the character input key that can be selected next and the character input area corresponding to the character input key that cannot be selected next is: The tactile sensation is controlled to change dynamically, and the other region is controlled so that the tactile sensation does not change dynamically,
The tactile sensation control method is characterized in that the step (c) controls the tactile sensation of the one region so that the position of the tactile sensation changes with time in the one region.

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