JP6762770B2 - Touch panel device and touch panel control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a touch panel device and a touch panel control method.

Conventionally, an in-vehicle display device having a touch panel in which a device for detecting the coordinates of a contact position operated by a user is combined with a surface of a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) has been known. The vehicle-mounted display device constitutes, for example, a part of an AVN machine (vehicle-mounted audio / visual / navigation integrated machine). A display device having a touch panel functions as, for example, a display device for displaying various contents supplied from an AVN machine, and, for example, as an input device for detecting the contact position of an operating finger superimposed on the touch panel surface. Function.

In a display device having a touch panel, operation buttons mounted on hardware parts are displayed on the display device as display parts (hereinafter, also referred to as operation parts) that can be operated by contact operation with the touch panel surface. The above-mentioned operation parts are arranged at the left and right ends of the touch panel so that the interface operation common to the operation buttons mounted on the hardware parts can be performed. For example, the above-mentioned operating parts are arranged in the end regions of the touch panel on the driver's side and the passenger's side. In the central area of the touch panel sandwiched between the end areas on the driver's side and the passenger's side, for example, a display area (hereinafter, also referred to as a display unit) that mainly displays contents supplied from the AVN machine is provided. Be placed. An AVN machine including a display device having a touch panel in its configuration can accept a contact operation with an operation component by using an interface common to the operation buttons mounted on the hardware component.

The following patent documents exist as prior art documents that describe the techniques related to the techniques described in the present specification.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 07-287838 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-347784

By the way, in the above-mentioned touch panel, the functions assigned to the operation parts arranged in the end regions on the driver's seat side and the passenger's seat side are fixed. Further, each end region in which the operation parts of the touch panel are arranged and the display unit have independent ranges of contact operation. Therefore, the contact operation of the user (hereinafter, also referred to as the user) is limited to each area. For example, when a user on the driver's side uses a function assigned to an operation part on the passenger's side, he / she reaches out and superimposes a finger or the like on the display position where the operation part on the passenger's side is displayed. It took time and effort to make contact and execute the function assigned to the operation part. The present invention makes it possible to improve the usability of operating parts on a touch panel.

One aspect of the disclosed technology is illustrated by a touch panel device. That is, the touch panel device is formed by partitioning the touch operation area and the operation component area on the touch panel display. The touch panel device is characterized by comprising a processing means capable of changing the arrangement of functions assigned to the operation component area by an operation in the touch operation area. According to the present invention, the function arrangement of the operation buttons can be freely changed by combining the functions of the operation buttons, which have been conventionally implemented as hardware components, with the touch panel.

According to this touch panel device, it is possible to improve the usability of operating parts on the touch panel.

It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware composition of the touch panel apparatus. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display structure of the conventional touch panel. It is a figure which shows an example of the area which enables the touch operation of the touch panel of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the movement operation which moves the operation component displayed in the display area of a driver's seat side to the display area of a passenger's seat side. It is a figure which shows an example of the moving operation which arranges the operating parts displayed in the display area of a driver's seat side and a passenger's seat side according to user needs. It is a figure which shows an example of the movement operation which sets the function of the operation component arranged in the display area of a driver's seat side and a passenger's seat side in a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the movement operation which changes the display number of the operation parts of a driver's seat side and a passenger's seat side according to a user's needs. It is a figure which shows an example of the movement operation which sets the function of the operation screen displayed on the display part in a display area. It is a figure which shows an example of the movement operation which deletes the function of the operation component arranged in the display area. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation which moves the function of the operation component arranged in the display area. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process of rearranging the operation component displayed on the touch panel. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process of rearranging the operation component displayed on the touch panel by the contact operation in the display part. It is a block diagram which shows an example of an AVN machine.

Hereinafter, the touch panel device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the following embodiment is an example, and the touch panel device is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
<1. Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an in-vehicle display device having a touch panel of the present embodiment. The display device 10 having the touch panel 14 (hereinafter, also referred to as the touch panel device 10) constitutes, for example, a part of the AVN machine (vehicle-mounted audio / visual / navigation integrated machine) described later in FIG. The touch panel device 10 can display, for example, navigation from an AVN machine, television (TV) broadcasting, playback images such as DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) and BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), images taken by a camera, and vehicle status. Various contents that can be displayed by the AVN machine, such as the drawn image to be shown, are supplied. Further, the touch panel device 10 includes, for example, a display screen linked with a smartphone connected by using a communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) provided in the AVN machine and an external interface function such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), and contents such as games. Is supplied. The touch panel device 10 functions as, for example, a display device for displaying various contents supplied from the AVN machine, and also functions as, for example, an input device for detecting the contact position of the operating finger superimposed on the touch panel surface. ..

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the touch panel device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a main storage device 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, a touch panel 14, and a communication IF (Interface) 15 connected to each other by a connection bus 17. It includes an input / output IF16. Touch panel 1
Reference numeral 4 includes a display device 14a and a touch sensor 14b. The CPU 11 is also called a processor. However, the CPU is not limited to a single processor, and may have a multiprocessor configuration. Further, a single CPU connected by a single socket may have a multi-core configuration.

The CPU 11 is a central processing arithmetic unit that controls the entire touch panel device 10. The CPU 11 executably deploys the program stored in the auxiliary storage device 13 in the work area of the main storage device 12, and controls peripheral devices through the execution of the program to provide a function that meets a predetermined purpose. The main storage device 12 is a storage medium in which the CPU 11 caches programs and data and expands a work area. The main storage device 12 includes, for example, a flash memory, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The auxiliary storage device 13 is a storage medium that stores a program executed by the CPU 11 and operation setting information. The auxiliary storage device 13 includes, for example, an HDD (Hard-disk Drive) or S.
SD (Solid State Drive), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), flash memory, USB memory, SD (Secure Digital) memory card and the like. The communication IF 15 is an interface with a network connected to the touch panel device 10. The input / output IF 16 is an interface for inputting / outputting data to / from a sensor or device connected to the touch panel device 10. It should be noted that each of the above components may be provided in a plurality of components, or some of the components may not be provided. Further, the above-mentioned components may be included in the components of the AVN machine.

The touch panel 14 is an electronic device in which a touch sensor 14b for detecting the coordinates of the contact position is superimposed and combined on the surface of the display device 14a. The display device 14a is, for example, an LCD, a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), an EL (Electroluminescence) panel, an organic EL panel, or the like. The touch sensor 14b is, for example, a capacitance type touch sensor. In the capacitance type touch sensor, for example, the receiving side electrode and the transmitting side electrode, which are transparent electrodes such as ITO (tin-doped indium oxide), are arranged in a matrix so as to intersect two layers vertically and horizontally. .. At the intersection where the receiving side electrodes and the transmitting side electrodes arranged in a matrix intersect, for example, a change in the electric field between the electrodes generated by contact with an operating finger or the like is detected as a detection signal. For example, the touch sensor 14b detects the contact state of the operating finger or the like from the detection signal of the intersection, and detects the coordinates of the contact position from the position of the intersection in the contact state. The coordinates of the contact position are, for example, two-dimensional (X, Y) with the upper left corner of the display device 14a combined as the touch panel 14 as the origin, the horizontal direction of the display device 14a as the X axis, and the vertical direction as the Y axis. Expressed as coordinates.

In the touch panel device 10, the processing of the movement operation processing unit 21 is provided by executing the program of the CPU 11. However, at least a part of the processing of the movement operation processing unit 21 may be provided by a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or the like. Further, at least a part of the movement operation processing unit 21 may be a dedicated large scale integration (LSI) such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other digital circuit. Further, an analog circuit may be included in at least a part of the movement operation processing unit 21. The touch panel device 10 includes, for example, an effective area DB 201 and a component management DB 202 in the auxiliary storage device 13 as a storage destination of data referred to or managed by the movement operation processing unit 21.

The movement operation processing unit 21 performs, for example, a process of changing the display position of the operation component corresponding to the contact position based on the contact operation detected on the 14th surface of the touch panel. The effective area DB 201 stores coordinate information for validating the contact operation on the touch panel 14 surface. In the component management DB 202, for example, the operation component displayed on the display device 14a, the coordinate information of the display position of the operation component, and the operation function (program name) associated with the operation component are stored in association with each other.

The touch panel device 10 is housed in a center console or the like of a vehicle so that 14 surfaces of the touch panel are exposed so that the user can operate the touch panel device 10. The touch panel device 10 detects the contact of an operating finger or the like with respect to the display position of the operating component displayed on the display device 14a, and provides an operating function associated with the operating component.

<2. Display configuration>
(Conventional example)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display configuration of the conventional touch panel 14. In FIG. 2, the operation area A surrounded by the broken line rectangular frame represents the end area on the passenger side on the touch panel 14, and the operation area C surrounded by the broken line rectangular frame is the driver side on the touch panel 14. Represents the edge region. The operation area A of the touch panel 14 has display areas A1-A5 for displaying the operation parts, and similarly, the operation area C has display areas C1-C5 for displaying the operation parts. Further, the operation area B surrounded by the rectangular frame of the broken line represents, for example, a central area provided with the display unit B1 in which the contents supplied from the AVN machine are mainly displayed. An insertion / discharge port Z1 for a portable recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD, or a BD on which content reproducible by an AVN machine is recorded is arranged above the display unit B1.

In the conventional touch panel 14, the display areas A1-A5 of the operation area A are provided with hardware functions without changing the arrangement positions of a plurality of hardware components mounted on the passenger side with respect to the display unit B1. Displayed as a simulated operation part. The operating component is also called a graphic user interface (GUI) component.

In the display areas C1-C5 of the operation area C in FIG. 2, an operation simulating a hardware function without changing the arrangement positions of a plurality of hardware components mounted on the driver's seat side with respect to the display unit B1. Displayed as a part. The operation components displayed in the display areas A1-A5 and C1-C5 are associated with the functions of the operation buttons implemented in the hardware components so as to function via an application program (hereinafter, also referred to as an application).

For example, the functions of the operation buttons mounted as hardware parts on the passenger side are fixedly assigned as application functions to the operation parts displayed in the display areas A1-A5 without changing the arrangement position. Similarly, for example, in the operation parts displayed in the display areas C1-C5, the functions of the operation buttons mounted as hardware parts on the driver's seat side are fixed as application functions without changing the arrangement position. Assigned. The user performed a contact operation with the operation component displayed on the touch panel 14 by using an interface common to the operation button mounted as a hardware component.

Further, under the control of the computer program, in the operation areas A, B, and C of the touch panel 14, the areas for detecting the contact operation are independently formed. That is, for example, the control of the computer program detects and responds to the contact operation with respect to the display areas A1-A5 in the operation area A, but ignores the contact operation at a position away from the display areas A1-A5 in the operation area A. , Does not respond.

Similarly, the control of the computer program detects and responds to the operation area C, but ignores the contact operation with respect to the position away from the display areas C1-C5 in the operation area C and does not respond. Similarly, the control of the computer program detects and responds to the contact operation with respect to the display unit B1 in the operation area B, but ignores the contact operation and responds at a position away from the display unit B1 in the operation area B. do not do.

For this reason, in the conventional touch panel 14, the user's contact operation is limited to a single operation on the operation parts and the like displayed in each area.

In the conventional touch panel 14, the operation parts assigned to the display areas A1-A5 of the operation area A cannot be relocated to the display areas C-C5 of the operation area C, for example. Therefore, when the user in the driver's seat operates the operation component displayed in the operation area A, he / she reaches out and brings the operation finger or the like into contact with the display position of the operation component on the passenger side away from the user to operate the operation component. There was a lot of trouble such as executing the function assigned to. Further, in the conventional touch panel 14, for example, when the mounting position of the steering wheel of the vehicle to be mounted is different such as so-called "right handle" and "left handle", the touch panel 14 corresponding to each handle mounting position. Development was required. Therefore, the cost of the touch panel 14 tends to be high.

(This Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a region in which the touch operation of the touch panel 14 according to the present embodiment is effective. In the touch panel device 10 according to the present embodiment, the touch sensor 14b detects the coordinates of the contact position where the operation areas A and C of FIG. 2 and the operation area B on which the display unit B1 is displayed are unified. The touch panel device 10 according to the present embodiment continues, for example, while maintaining a contact state by detecting a unified contact position by combining operation areas A, B, and C which have been independently divided in the past. It is possible to detect a movement operation (hereinafter, also referred to as a slide operation) across areas.

In FIG. 3, the area D hatched by the diagonally left diagonal line is, for example, an effective area in which the contact operation in the touch panel device 10 of the present embodiment is effective. The area D1 includes, for example, the display areas A1-A5 and C1-C5 of FIG. 2 and the display area of the display unit B1. In the area D1, for example, each area of the display areas A1-A5 and the display area of the display unit B1, each area of the display areas C1-C5 and the display area of the display unit B1 are unified as an effective area. In the touch panel device 10, the coordinate range of the area D is managed, for example, in the effective area DB 201 of the auxiliary storage device 13. Further, the display position of the operation component displayed in each display area and the application function (program name) associated with the operation component are managed in the component management DB 202 of the auxiliary storage device 13.

For example, when the operation component is present at the start position of the touch operation such as the operation finger on the touch panel 14 surface, the touch panel device 10 accepts the touch panel 14 as a touch operation within the coordinate range of the area D. The touch panel device 10 moves, for example, the operation component displayed at the start position of the slide operation when the received contact operation is a slide operation accompanied by movement of the operation finger or the like while maintaining the contact state in the area D. Then, the touch panel device 10 displays, for example, an operation component moved from the start position of the slide operation at the end position of the slide operation.

The operating components that were placed at the start position of the slide operation can be rearranged, for example, at the end position of the slide operation. The touch panel device 10 can, for example, move the operation parts displayed in the display areas A1-A5 on the passenger side to the display areas C1-C5 on the driver's side by a slide operation, and has a function associated with the operation parts. Can be used in the destination display area.

In the touch panel device 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the usability of the operation parts displayed on the touch panel 14. Hereinafter, the operation of moving the operating parts on the touch panel 14 of the touch panel device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

(Case 1)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a movement operation for moving an operation component displayed in the display area on the driver's seat side to the display area on the passenger's seat side. The display areas A1-A5 and C1-C5, the display unit B1, and the insertion / discharge port Z1 of the portable recording medium shown in FIG. 4 have been described with reference to FIG. Further, the display areas A1-A5, C1-C5, and the display unit B1 of FIG. 4 are included in the area D described with reference to FIG. The contact with the user's operating finger or the like generated in the display areas A1-A5, C1-C5, and the display unit B1 is accepted by the touch panel device 10 as a contact operation. The same applies to the above display areas, the insertion / discharge port Z1, and the area D in FIGS. 5 to 9 described later.

In FIG. 4, in the display area C2 on the driver's seat side of the touch panel 14, for example, a volume function for adjusting an increase or decrease in the volume supplied as content is displayed as an operation component “VOL”. The operation component "VOL" is displayed in the display area C2 as an icon having a character string of "VOL" which is an abbreviation for volume. The operation component "VOL" is associated with, for example, an application function for adjusting the increase / decrease in volume. The component management DB 202 of the auxiliary storage device 13 is associated with, for example, an icon (drawing data) of the operation component “VOL”, an application function (program name) associated with the operation component “VOL”, and coordinate information of the display area C2. It is stored. The coordinate information of the display area C2 is represented by, for example, the two-dimensional coordinates of the upper left corner portion and the two-dimensional coordinates of the lower right corner portion on the touch panel 14.

The touch panel device 10 accepts a contact operation of the operation finger T1 with the touch panel 14 surface on which the display area C2 is displayed. The touch panel device 10 refers to, for example, the parts management DB 202, and specifies drawing data of an icon of the operation component “VOL” corresponding to the display area C2, and an application function associated with the operation component “VOL”.

The touch panel device 10 receives, for example, a slide operation in which the contact position moves while the contact state of the contact operation received in the display area C2 continues. In FIG. 4, the slide operation received by the touch panel device 10 uses the display area C2 as the start position of the contact operation, and the contact position moves to the display area A2 via the display unit B1 while the contact state continues. Then, the operation finger T1 that has come into contact with the touch panel 14 surface is separated from the touch panel 14 surface in the display area A2, and the contact state ends.

The icon of the operation component "VOL" is displayed and moves in the display unit B1 as the contact position of the slide operation moves. Here, in the touch panel device 10, for example, after the icon of the operation component "VOL" is moved into the display unit B1 by the slide operation, the display mode of the display area C2 from which the icon of the operation component "VOL" is arranged is displayed. May be changed. For example, changes in display mode such as blinking the display area C2 on which the operation component is arranged, changing the display color, and blurring the display to a color close to the background color are exemplified.

The touch panel device 10 continues to change the display mode of the display area, which is the source of arranging the icon that moves with the slide operation, until the operation component associated with the icon is rearranged. The touch panel device 10 can indicate to the occupants of the vehicle that the operation of rearranging the operating parts by the sliding operation is in progress by continuing the change of the display mode of the placement source until the operating parts are rearranged. In the touch panel device 10, usability for rearranging the operating parts accompanying the sliding operation can be improved. It should be noted that the icon display of the moving operation component on the display unit B1 and the change in the display mode of the display area of the arrangement source of the operation component are the same in FIGS. 5 to 10 described later.

The touch panel device 10 moves the icon of the operation component “VOL” in the display area C2 along with the movement of the contact position accompanying the slide operation (E1). Then, the touch panel device 10 rearranges the operation component "VOL" with respect to the display area A2 including the end position of the slide operation in the area where the operation finger T1 in contact with the touch panel 14 surface is released. The icon of the operation component "VOL" is displayed in the display area A2 of the touch panel 14.

In the touch panel device 10, for example, the operation parts arranged on the driver's seat side and the passenger's seat side can be replaced according to the mounting position (right handle / left handle) of the steering wheel of the vehicle. Since it is possible to standardize the design of the touch panel device 10 that is divided into the mounting positions (right handle / left handle) of the steering wheel of the vehicle, for example, the development cost and management cost of the touch panel device 10 can be reduced. Can be done.

The touch panel device 10 updates the management information stored in the component management DB 202 of the operation component "VOL" rearranged by the slide operation, for example. The touch panel device 10 updates, for example, the coordinate information managed in association with the operation component “VOL” from the display area C2 to the coordinate information of the display area A2 after rearrangement. The touch panel device 10 can manage the latest state information related to the operation parts by updating the management information of the operation parts stored in the parts management DB 202 to the rearranged display position. The touch panel device 10 may, for example, manage the coordinate information of the display area in which the operation parts are arranged in a combination of an initial state and the latest state. The touch panel device 10 can manage the arrangement position of the operation component in the initial state and the arrangement position of the rearranged latest operation component.

(Case 2)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a moving operation in which the operating parts displayed in the display areas on the driver's seat side and the passenger's seat side are rearranged according to the user's needs. In FIG. 5, in the display area A1 on the passenger side of the touch panel 14, for example, an eject function for taking out a portable recording medium inserted into the insertion / discharge port Z1 is displayed as an operation component “EJEC”. .. Further, in the display area C3 on the driver's side of the touch panel 14, for example, the audio function for activating the audio of the AVN machine is displayed as an operation component "Audi". The operation component "EJEC" is displayed in the display area A1 as an icon having a character string of "EJEC" which is an abbreviation of eject, and the operation component "Audi" is an icon having a character string of "Audi" which is an abbreviation of audio. Is displayed in the display area C3. For example, the operation component "EJEC" is associated with an application function for taking out a portable recording medium, and the operation component "Audi" is associated with an application function for activating the audio of an AVN machine. The operation component "EJEC" and the operation component "Audi" are managed by the component management DB 202 in the same manner as the operation component "VOL" described with reference to FIG. 4, for example.

In FIG. 5, for the user of the touch panel device 10, for example, the operation component “EJEC” arranged in the display area A1 on the passenger side is arranged on the driver side and the operation component “Audi” arranged in the display area C3 on the driver side. It is assumed that there is a need to place "" on the passenger side. For example, the user of the touch panel device 10 superimposes the operation finger T2 on the display area A1 on which the operation component “EJEC” is displayed and makes contact with the touch panel device 10, and performs a slide operation accompanied by movement to the display area C1 while maintaining the contact state. .. Similarly, for example, the user superimposes the operation finger T3 on the display area C3 on which the operation component "Audi" is displayed and makes contact with the user, and performs a slide operation accompanied by movement to the display area A5 while maintaining the contact state. ..

The touch panel device 10 accepts the contact operation of the operation finger T2 in the display area A1 and refers to the parts management DB 202 to specify the icon and the application function of the operation parts “EJEC”. The touch panel device 10 moves the icon of the operation component "EJEC" arranged in the display area A1 together with the movement of the contact position accompanying the slide operation of the operation finger T2 (E2). The touch panel device 10 rearranges the operation component "EJEC" with respect to the display area C1 including the end position of the slide operation in the area. Similarly, the touch panel device 10 accepts the contact operation of the operation finger T3 in the display area C3, and specifies the icon and the application function of the operation component "Audi". The touch panel device 10 moves the icon of the operation component "Audi" in the display area C3 along with the movement of the contact position accompanying the slide operation (E3). The touch panel device 10 rearranges the operation component "Audi" with respect to the display area A5 including the end position of the slide operation in the area.

The touch panel device 10 updates the management information stored in the parts management DB 202 of the operation parts “EJEC” and the operation parts “Audi” rearranged by the slide operation, similarly to the operation parts “VOL” described with reference to FIG. To do. On the touch panel 14, the icon of the operation component "EJEC" is displayed in the display area C1, and the icon of the operation component "Audi" is displayed in the display area A5. In the touch panel device 10, the operating parts displayed in the display areas on the driver's seat side and the passenger's seat side can be rearranged according to the user's needs.

It should be noted that the operation parts can be rearranged between the display areas on the driver's side or between the display areas on the passenger's side. For example, the operation component “EJEC” displayed in the display area A1 of FIG. 5 can be rearranged in the display area A5. Similarly, the operation component "Audi" displayed in the display area C3 of FIG. 5 can be rearranged in the display area C1. By rearranging the operating parts between the display areas on the driver's side or between the display areas on the passenger's side, the display order of the operating parts can be changed according to the user's needs.

By the way, it is assumed that the number of operating parts is less than the set number of display areas. For example, the number of operating parts to which the application function to be operated is assigned is less than "10", which is the total number of settings of the display areas A1-A5 and C1-C5. In this case, a blank display area on which the operation parts are not arranged is displayed on the touch panel 14. In the above case, the touch panel device 10 can, for example, make the color scheme of the blank display area in which the operation component is not arranged the same as (or similar to) the color scheme between the display areas of FIG. The touch panel device 10 can relatively improve the distinctiveness of the display area in which the operation parts are arranged. The touch panel device 10 can display only the operating parts associated with the operating function.

Further, the touch panel device 10 changes the area size and shape of the display area by making the color scheme of the outer peripheral region of the display area the same as (or similar to) the color scheme between the display areas of FIG. May be good. Similarly, the color scheme of the outer peripheral area of the display area may be changed by gradation to express the depth. By changing the area size and shape of the display area in which the operation parts are arranged, the touch panel device 10 can set the priority for the operation parts and enhance the design of the display area in which the operation parts are displayed. Will be possible.

(Case 3)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a moving operation in which the functions of the operating components arranged in the display areas on the driver's seat side and the passenger's seat side are set in the display unit B1. In FIG. 6, for example, the operation component “VOL” described with reference to FIG. 4 is displayed in the display area A2 on the passenger side of the touch panel 14. However, in the parts management DB 202, in addition to the information described with reference to FIG. 4, drawing data of an icon for providing an interface capable of a contact operation in the display unit B1 is stored in association with the information. As an interface that can be operated in the display unit B1, for example, a bar-shaped bar slider that can be displayed in the display area B2 can be exemplified. The bar slider includes, for example, an operating component that can be dragged by contact. The touch panel device 10 can adjust the increase / decrease in the volume according to the relative display position in the bar slider of the operation component capable of the drag operation, for example.

The touch panel device 10 accepts the contact operation of the operation finger T4 in the display area A2, and refers to the parts management DB 202 to specify the icon and the application function of the operation part “VOL”. The component management DB 202 includes icon drawing data for providing an interface capable of a contact operation in the display unit B1. The touch panel device 10 moves the icon of the operation component “VOL” in the display area A2 along with the movement of the contact position accompanying the slide operation (E4).

When the end position of the slide operation is in the display unit B1, the touch panel device 10 is for providing an interface capable of performing a contact operation in the display unit B1 instead of an icon having the character string "VOL". The drawing data of the icon is displayed in the display area B2. In the touch panel device 10, for example, it is possible to perform a contact operation with the operation component arranged in the display area A2 by using the interface displayed in the display area B2.

When the end position of the slide operation is the display unit B1, the touch panel device 10 is set in the display area B2 without changing the display form of the icons of the operation parts arranged in the display areas A1-A5 and C1-C5, for example. It may be displayed. For example, in the case of the operation component “EJEC”, an icon having the character string “EJEC” may be displayed in the display area B2. In the touch panel device 10, for example, the functions of the operation components arranged in the display areas A1-A5 and C1-C5 can be set in the display unit B1. For example, a favorite function or the like among the operation parts arranged in the display areas A1-A5 and C1-C5 can be set in the display unit B1.

(Case 4)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a movement operation for changing the display number of operation parts on the driver's seat side and the passenger's seat side according to user needs. In FIG. 7, the operation component “EJEC” is displayed in the display area A1 on the passenger side of the touch panel 14, and the operation component “Audi” is displayed in the display area A2. In the display area A3, for example, a mute function for muting the sound supplied from the AVN machine is displayed as an operation component “MUTE”. The operation component "MUTE" is an icon having a character string of "MUTE". The operation component "VOL +" is displayed in the display area A4, and the operation component "VOL-" is displayed in the display area A5. The operation component "MUTE" is associated with, for example, an application function for muting the sound supplied from the AVN machine. The operation component "VOL +" is associated with an application function that increases the voice supplied from the AVN machine. The operation component "VOL-" is associated with an application function that reduces the sound supplied from the AVN machine. The operation component "EJEC" and the operation component "Audi" have been described with reference to FIG. Each of the above operating components is managed by the component management DB 202 in the same manner as the operating component "VOL" described with reference to FIG. 4, for example.

In FIG. 7, it is assumed that the user of the touch panel device 10 has a need, for example, to collectively arrange a plurality of operation parts related to audio operation in the display area on the passenger side. The operation parts related to audio operation include, for example, an operation part ">" associated with an application function for skipping and skipping a part such as voice being played, and an application function for returning and skipping a part such as voice being played. Suppose that the associated operating component "<" is included. Further, it is assumed that the operation component ">" and the operation component "<" are arranged in the display areas C4 and C5 on the driver's seat side, for example.

For example, the user of the touch panel device 10 superimposes the operation finger T5 on a predetermined portion of the display area C4 and makes contact with the touch panel device 10 to the end area on the passenger side where the display areas A1-A5 are displayed while maintaining the contact state. Perform a slide operation. Here, examples of the predetermined location include an upper right corner portion (C41), a lower right corner portion (C42), an upper left corner portion (C43), a lower left corner portion (C44), and the like of the display area. For example, the user touches the upper right corner C41 of the display area C4 by sliding the operation finger T5 to the end area on the passenger side where the display areas A1-A5 are displayed. Release the operating finger T5.

For example, the touch panel device 10 accepts a contact operation with respect to a predetermined portion of the display area and moves the display area in a state where the operation parts are displayed in accordance with the slide operation. For example, the operation component “>” arranged in the display area C4 moves together with the display area C4 along with the slide operation (E5). The touch panel device 10 adds the moved display area C4 as a new display area F1 to the end area on the passenger side where the slide operation is completed. In the display area F1, the operation component “>” arranged in the display area C4 is displayed.

The user performs the same slide operation on the display area C5. The touch panel device 10 receives, for example, a contact operation with respect to a predetermined portion of the display area C5, and moves the display area C5 in a state where the operation component “<” is displayed in accordance with the slide operation. For example, the operation component “<” arranged in the display area C5 moves together with the display area C5 along with the slide operation (E6). The touch panel device 10 adds the moved display area C5 as a new display area F2 to the end area on the passenger side where the slide operation is completed. In the display area F2, the operation component “<” arranged in the display area C5 is displayed.

As a result of the above operation, a plurality of operation parts related to audio operation are collectively arranged in the end area on the passenger side where the display areas F1 and F2 are newly added. In the touch panel device 10, the operation component "EJEC", the operation component "Audi", the operation component "MUTE", the operation component "VOL +", the operation component "VOL-", the operation component ">", and the operation component "< "Can be arranged together in the end area on the passenger side.

The vertical direction of the touch panel 14 is a constant size. Therefore, when increasing the number of display areas, for example, processing such as reducing the distance between the display areas or reducing the size of the display area may be performed. Further, the display area including the operation component may be moved, for example, in a plurality of display areas at once. For example, in FIG. 7, when simultaneous contact with the lower left corner portion of the display area C4 and the upper left corner portion of the display area C5 occurs, the display areas C4 and C5 may be moved together. The touch panel device 10 can specify simultaneous contact, for example, on the condition that the lower left corner portion of the display area C4 and the upper left corner portion of the display area C5 are included in the range of the contact that has received the contact operation.

(Case 5)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a movement operation for setting the function of the operation screen displayed on the display unit B1 in the display area. In FIG. 8, the display screen displayed on the display unit B1 is an example of an operation screen provided when the audio function of the AVN machine is activated, for example. The audio function of the AVN machine is provided by, for example, an application function associated with the operation component "Audi" as described with reference to FIG.

In the operation screen area B3 displayed on the display unit B1, for example, an icon of the operation component "iPod" associated with the application function for calling the iPod (registered trademark) connection function of the AVN machine is displayed. Similarly, the area B4 is associated with the icon of the operation component "FM" associated with the application function for calling the FM radio of the AVN machine, and the area B5 is associated with the application function for calling the AM radio of the AVN machine. The icon of the operation part "AM" is displayed.

For example, the touch panel device 10 accepts a contact operation with the areas B3-B5 in the display unit B1 and specifies an icon (drawing data) of an operation component in which the contact operation has occurred and an application function via the AVN machine. .. The touch panel device 10 specifies, for example, a slide operation from the area B3 to the display area A2, and moves the icon of the operation component “iPod” in the display area A3 (E7). The touch panel device 10 additionally displays the operation component "iPod" with respect to the display area A2 including the end position of the slide operation in the area. Then, the touch panel device 10 updates the management information of the display area A2 stored in the parts management DB 202. For example, the touch panel device 10 stores the icon (drawing data) of the operation component “iPod” and the application function associated with the operation component “iPod” in association with the coordinate information of the display area A2. In the touch panel device 10, for example, it is possible to newly assign the function of an operation component capable of a contact operation to the display area from the operation screen displayed on the display unit B1. In FIG. 7, the user can call the iPod connection function provided by the AVN machine without going through the operation screen of the audio function, for example.

(Case 6)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a movement operation for deleting the function of the operation component arranged in the display area. In FIG. 9, for example, the operation component “MUTE” described with reference to FIG. 7 is displayed in the display area A2 on the passenger side of the touch panel 14. Further, a dust box B6 is displayed on the display unit B1 of the touch panel 14. The dust box B6 is associated with, for example, a function for deleting an icon of an operation component arranged in the display area and an application function from the display area.

For example, the user of the touch panel device 10 superimposes the operation finger T6 on the display position of the operation component “MUTE” displayed in the display area A2 and contacts the touch panel 14 surface, and the dust box B6 is displayed while maintaining the contact state. Slide to the displayed position. The contact of the operation finger T6 with the touch panel surface 14 is separated from the touch panel surface 14 in the display area of the dust box B6.

The touch panel device 10 receives, for example, a contact operation of the operation finger T6 in the display area A2, and also refers to the parts management DB 202 to specify the icon and the application function of the operation part “MUTE”. The touch panel device 10 moves the icon of the operation component “MUTE” arranged in the display area A2 along with the movement of the contact position accompanying the slide operation of the operation finger T6 (E8). The touch panel device 10 erases the icon of the operation component "MUTE" that has moved to the display area of the dust box B6 from the display screen of the touch panel 14 when the slide operation is completed. The touch panel device 10 updates the management information of the operation component "MUTE" stored in the component management DB 202. The touch panel device 10 deletes, for example, the coordinate information of the display area A2 associated with the operation component “MUTE” and updates the management information of the component management DB 202. In the touch panel device 10, for example, the function of the operation component arranged in the display area can be deleted.

(Case 7)
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation of moving the function of the operation component arranged in the display area. In the movement operation of FIGS. 4 to 9, it is described that the contact operation with the display area on the driver's seat side and the passenger's seat side is detected, and the icon of the operation component is moved with the slide operation across the display area. The touch panel device 10 in the case 7 detects, for example, a contact operation with an area in the display unit B1 close to each display area, and identifies an icon of an operation component to be moved. Then, the touch panel device 10 moves the icon of the specified operation component according to the slide operation in the display unit B1. The operation parts identified by the slide operation are, for example,
It moves to an area in the display unit B1 close to each display area of the rearrangement destination. The touch panel device 10 detects, for example, that the contact of the slide operation stopped after moving exceeds a certain period of time in an area close to each display area of the rearrangement destination in the display unit B1, and each display area of the rearrangement destination. Relocate the icons of the operation parts that have been moved inside.

By performing the above-mentioned movement operation, the touch panel device 10 can relocate the operation parts arranged in the display area only to the slide operation in the display unit B1. By the above movement operation, in the touch panel device 10, as described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, the operation parts can be rearranged between the operation areas without straddling the operation areas. In the touch panel device 10 that enables the above operation, the operation parts can be rearranged between the operation areas without detecting a unified contact position by combining the operation areas A, B, and C. Even if the touch panel device 10 does not detect a contact operation with respect to the area connecting the display areas A1-A5, C1-C5, and the display unit B1, the touch panel device 10 is between the display areas A1-A5, C1-C5, and the display unit B1. It is possible to rearrange the operating parts of.

The touch panel device 10 makes contact for specifying an operation component to be rearranged between the operation areas A, B, and C in the display unit B1 close to the display area on the driver side and the display area on the passenger side, for example. A detection area for detection is provided. In the touch panel device 10, for example, the area on the touch panel 14 corresponding to the display unit B1 is constant from the left end side (passenger seat side) to the right end side (driver's seat side) as shown by the alternate long and short dash line boundary line G1. Divide the distance range of. Then, for example, the touch panel device 10 has a coordinate section having the same coordinates as the upper position (coordinates) and the lower position (coordinates) of each outer peripheral frame of the display areas A1-A5 with respect to the divided area on the touch panel 14. Is the detection area corresponding to each display area.

Similarly, the touch panel device 10 divides a certain distance range from the right end side (driver's seat side) to the left end side (passenger's seat side) of the display unit B1 as shown by the boundary line G2 of the alternate long and short dash line, for example. To do. Then, for example, the touch panel device 10 has a coordinate section having the same coordinates as the upper position (coordinates) and the lower position (coordinates) of each outer peripheral frame of the display areas C1-C5 with respect to the divided area on the touch panel 14. Is the detection area corresponding to each display area.

As described above, the touch panel device 10 divides the area on the touch panel 14 corresponding to the display unit B1 and rearranges the area between the operation areas A, B, and C based on the contact operation with the detection area. It is possible to identify the parts. In FIG. 10, the area in the display unit B1 sandwiched between the alternate long and short dash lines G1 and G2 is arranged in the display area on the driver's side and the passenger's side as described with reference to FIGS. 6, 8 and 9. This is the area where the functions of the operated parts are reset.
For example, the display area B2 of FIG. 6 is displayed in the area in the display unit B1 sandwiched between the boundary lines G1 and G2 of the alternate long and short dash line. Further, in the area in the display unit B1 sandwiched between the boundary lines G1 and G2 of the alternate long and short dash line, the icons of the operation parts of the areas B3, B4, and B5 described with reference to FIG. 8 are displayed. Similarly, the dust box B6 described with reference to FIG. 9 is displayed in the area in the display unit B1 sandwiched between the alternate long and short dash lines G1 and G2.

In FIG. 10, in the display area A2 on the passenger side of the touch panel 14, for example, the operation component “VOL” described with reference to FIG. 4 or the like is displayed. Further, in FIG. 10, the area B7 circled by the broken line frame is a contact area of the user who is in contact with the detection area of the display area A2. Similarly, the area B8 circled by the broken line frame is the contact area of the user who is in contact with the detection area of the display area C4.

In FIG. 10, it is assumed that the user of the touch panel device 10 rearranges the operation component “VOL” arranged in the display area A2 on the passenger side in the display area C4 on the driver's side. For example, the user superimposes the operation finger T7 on the detection area in the display unit B1 of the display area A2 in which the operation component "VOL" is arranged, and contacts the touch panel 14 surface. The user performs a slide operation to the detection area corresponding to the display area C4 in the display unit B1 while maintaining the contact state of the operation finger T7 in contact with the 14th surface of the touch panel. The operation finger T8 that has moved to the detection area of the display area C4 in the display unit B1 is separated from the touch panel 14 surface.

The touch panel device 10 detects the operating finger T7 in contact with the detection area of the display area A2. The touch panel device 10 specifies, for example, that the detected contact position of the operating finger T7 continues within a predetermined range for a certain period of time. Here, the fixed time is a time for determining whether the user intends to move the operating component arranged in the display area A2. When the detected contact position of the operating finger T7 continues within a predetermined range for a certain period of time, the touch panel device 10 refers to the component management DB 202 and of the operating component "VOL" arranged in the display area A2. Identify icons and app functions. Then, the touch panel device 10 moves the icon of the operation component "VOL" from the display area A2 to the area B7 which is the contact area of the operation finger T7. As the icon moves to the area B7, the display area A2 becomes blank.

The touch panel device 10 moves the icon of the operation component “VOL” moved from the display area A2 to the area B7 along with the movement of the contact position accompanying the slide operation of the operation finger T7 (E9). The touch panel device 10 detects that the contact position moved on the touch panel 14 surface while maintaining the contact state is the detection area of the display area C4 (operation finger T8). The icon of the operation component "VOL" is displayed in the area B8 which is the contact area of the operation finger T8.

The touch panel device 10 specifies, for example, that the detected contact position of the operating finger T8 continues within a predetermined range for a certain period of time. Here, the fixed time is a time for determining whether the user intends to relocate the operating component "VOL" moved along with the sliding operation to the display area C4. Then, when the detected contact position of the operation finger T8 continues within a predetermined range for a certain period of time, the touch panel device 10 shifts the operation component “VOL” from the area B8 which is the contact area of the operation finger T8 to the display area C4. Move the "icon". As the icon moves to the display area C4, the icon displayed in the area B8, which is the contact area of the operation finger T8, is deleted from the screen of the touch panel 14. The operation finger T8 leaves the touch panel 14 surface after moving to the icon display area C4.

The touch panel device 10 updates the management information of the operation component "VOL" stored in the component management DB 202. For example, the touch panel device 10 updates the coordinate information of the display area A2 associated with the operation component VOL ”to the coordinate information of the display area C4. The touch panel device 10 displays based on the contact operation in the display unit B1. The operating components can be rearranged between the areas A1-A5, C1-C5, and the display unit B1.

When the operation finger T7 is separated from the touch panel 14 surface during the slide movement from the area B7 to the area B8, the touch panel device 10 displays the icon of the moved operation component in the display area B2 described with reference to FIG. It may be shown. Similarly, in the touch panel device 10, even when the contact of the operation finger T8 moved to the area B8 is separated from the touch panel 14 surface within a certain period of time, the icons of the moved operation parts are described with reference to FIG. It may be displayed in the display area B2.

<3. Processing flow>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of rearranging the operating parts of the touch panel device 10. In the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 11, the start of the process can be presented when the contact of the operating finger or the like with the touch panel 14 surface is detected. The touch panel device 10 acquires the coordinates of the contact position via the touch sensor 14b of the touch panel 14 (S1). The touch sensor 14b outputs the coordinates of the contact position to the CPU 11 of the touch panel device 10 at a fixed cycle of, for example, 10 ms. The coordinates of the contact position have a certain range. The touch panel device 10 temporarily stores the acquired coordinates of the contact position in a predetermined area of the main storage device 12 in association with the acquired time information.

The touch panel device 10 refers to the effective area DB 201 and determines whether or not the acquired coordinates of the contact position are within the effective area (S2). When the acquired coordinates of the contact position are within the effective region (S2, Yes), the touch panel device 10 accepts the contact detected on the 14th surface of the touch panel as a user contact operation, and proceeds to the process of S3. On the other hand, the touch panel device 10 repeats the processes of S1-S2 when the acquired coordinates of the contact position are not within the effective region (S2, No).

In the process of S3, the touch panel device 10 determines whether the contact position is a predetermined position in the display area. Does the touch panel device 10 include, for example, at least one coordinate of a predetermined position such as the upper right corner portion, the lower right corner portion, the upper left corner portion, and the lower left corner portion of the display areas A1-A5 and C1-C5 in the coordinate range of the contact position? Judge whether or not. When the contact position is a predetermined position in the display area (S3, Yes), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S4. On the other hand, when the contact position is not a predetermined position in the display area (S3, No), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S5.

In the process of S4, the touch panel device 10 refers to the parts management DB 202, and obtains management information such as drawing data of icons of operation parts arranged in the display area where a predetermined portion is in contact, an application function, and coordinate information of the display area. get. The touch panel device 10 adds a new addition flag to the acquired management information, and temporarily stores the acquired management information in a predetermined area of the main storage device 12. Here, the new addition flag is information indicating the status of adding a new display area to the movement destination of the operation component. The newly added flag represents, for example, a binary state such as "1" or "0" with a single bit. The touch panel device 10 adds, for example, a newly added flag having a status value of "1" to the management information.

In the process of S5, the touch panel device 10 determines the presence / absence of the operating component displayed at the contact position. When the operating component displayed at the contact position does not exist (S5, “None”), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S1 and repeats the process of S1-S5. On the other hand, when the operation component displayed at the contact position is present (S5, “Yes”), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S6.

In the process of S6, the touch panel device 10 refers to, for example, the parts management DB 202, and acquires management information such as drawing data of an icon of an operation part displayed at a contact position, an application function, and coordinate information of a display area. Further, the touch panel device 10 acquires, for example, an icon (drawing data) of an operation component displayed on the display unit B1 and an application function via an AVN machine. The touch panel device 10 temporarily stores management information about the operating component displayed at the contact position in a predetermined area of the main storage device 12.

In the process of S7, the touch panel device 10 determines that the contact operation is a slide operation. The touch panel device 10 specifies, for example, that the operating finger in contact with the touch panel 14 surface moves in the effective area while maintaining the contact state. The touch panel device 10 identifies, for example, that the contact position is moving when the change in the contact position is continuous in the time series of the sampling cycle. Then, for example, the touch panel device 10 moves from the operation area A for displaying the display areas A1-A5 to the operation area B for displaying the display unit B1, and moves from the operation area C for displaying the display areas C1-C5 to the operation area B. When the movement of or the movement from the operation area B to the operation areas A and C is specified, it is determined that the operation is a slide operation.

When the touch operation is not a slide operation (S7, No), the touch panel device 10 proceeds to the process of S8 and determines the presence / absence of the newly added flag given to the management information of the operation component. When the touch panel device 10 has a new addition flag given to the management information of the operation component (S8, “Yes”), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S1 and repeats the process of S1-S8. This is because it can be determined that the operation parts will not be rearranged with the addition of a new display area.

On the other hand, when the touch panel device 10 has a new addition flag given to the management information of the operation component (S8, “none”), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S9 and executes the operation function associated with the operation component. .. For example, in the case of the operation component "EJEC", the touch panel device 10 discharges the portable recording medium inserted in the insertion / discharge port Z1. Further, in the case of the operation component "Audi", the touch panel device 10 activates the audio of the AVN machine and displays the operation screen illustrated in FIG. 8 in the area of the display unit B1. After the process of S9, the touch panel device 10 ends the process illustrated in FIG.

Returning to the process of S7, when the contact operation is a slide operation (S7, Yes), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S10 and determines whether the contact state continues. If the touch panel device 10 continues in the contact state (S10, Yes), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S11. In the process of S11, the touch panel device 10 displays the icon of the operation component moved to the contact position of the operation finger on the touch panel 14. After the processing of S11, the touch panel device 10 shifts to the processing of S10, and repeats the processing of S10-S11 until the contact state ends.

In the process of S10, if the contact state does not continue (S10, No), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S12. In the process of S12, the touch panel device 10 acquires the coordinates of the position where the contact state ends (the operating finger is released), and determines whether the acquired coordinates are in the display unit B1. When the coordinates of the position where the contact state ends are not in the display unit B1 (S12, No), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S13, and the newly added flag given to the management information of the moved operation component Determine the presence or absence.

The touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S14 when there is no new addition flag given to the management information of the moved operation component (S13, “none”). In the process of S14, the touch panel device 10 rearranges the moved operation component in the display area including the coordinates of the position where the contact state ends (the end position of the slide operation). In the display area including the coordinates of the end position of the slide operation, the operation parts moved by the slide operation are displayed. After the processing of S14, the touch panel device 10 shifts to the processing of S21.

In the process of S13, if there is a new addition flag given to the management information of the moved operation component (S13, “Yes”), the process proceeds to the process of S15. In the process of S15, for example, the touch panel device 10 newly adds a display area within the area including the coordinates of the position where the contact state ends (the end position of the slide operation), and moves the operating parts along with the slide operation. Deploy. In the newly added display area, the operation parts moved by the slide operation are displayed. After the processing of S15, the touch panel device 10 shifts to the processing of S21.

Returning to the process of S12, the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S16 when the coordinates of the position where the contact state ends are in the display unit B1 (S12, Yes). In the process of S16, the touch panel device 10 determines whether the coordinates of the position where the contact state ends are within the display range of the dust box B6. When the coordinates of the position where the contact state ends are within the display range of the dust box B6 (S16, Yes), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S17. In the process of S17, the touch panel device 10 erases, for example, the operation parts moved by the slide operation from the display screen of the touch panel 14. After the processing of S17, the touch panel device 10 shifts to the processing of S21.

Returning to the process of S16, the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S18 when the coordinates of the position where the contact state ends are not within the display range of the dust box B6 (S16, No). In the process of S18, the touch panel device 10 refers to the parts management DB 202 and determines whether or not the drawing data of the operation IF (interface) drawn by the display unit B1 exists in the management information of the operation parts.

When the drawing data of the operation IF drawn by the display unit B1 does not exist (S18, No), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S20. In the process of S20, the touch panel device 10 rearranges the operated components that have moved within the predetermined display area (area B2) of the display unit B1. In the predetermined display area of the display unit B1, an icon having a character string of the operation component moved by the slide operation is displayed. After the processing of S20, the touch panel device 10 shifts to the processing of S21.

On the other hand, when the drawing data of the operation IF drawn by the display unit B1 exists (S18, Yes), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S19. In the process of S19, the touch panel device 10 refers to the parts management DB 202 and acquires the drawing data of the operation IF drawn by the display unit B1 included in the management information of the operation parts. The touch panel device 10 displays the operation screen of the operation IF based on the drawing data acquired in the predetermined display area (area B2) of the display unit B1 (S20). After the processing of S20, the touch panel device 10 shifts to the processing of S21.

In the process of S21, the touch panel device 10 updates the management information stored in the component management DB 202 of the operation component moved by the slide operation to the latest state (after rearrangement). For example, in the management information of the operation component moved from the display area C1 to the display area A1, the coordinate information of the display area A1 is associated and updated. After the process of S21, the touch panel device 10 ends the process illustrated in FIG.

By the above processing, the touch panel device 10 can change the function associated with the touch-operable display component arranged in the display area to another display area by using the slide operation. In addition, the quantity of display components arranged in the display area can be changed according to user needs. In the touch panel device 10, the functional arrangement of the operation buttons can be freely changed by combining the functions of the operation buttons, which have been conventionally implemented as hardware components, with the touch panel. The touch panel device 10 can be customized by the user while following the operation feeling (feeling) of the operation buttons mounted as hardware components. According to the touch panel device 10 of the present embodiment, the usability of the operation parts associated with the functions of the operation buttons on the touch panel 14 can be improved.

Further, the touch panel device 10 can rearrange the button-operable operating parts arranged on the driver's seat side in the display area of the operating parts on the passenger's seat side by a slide operation. Similarly, the touch panel device 10 can display the operation components arranged in the display areas on the driver's seat side and the passenger's seat side as icons in the display area of the display unit. Further, the touch panel device 10 can display in the display area of the display unit by changing the operation mode of the operation interface of the operation component arranged in the display area on the driver's seat side and the passenger's seat side. Further, the touch panel device 10 can move the functions of the operation parts arranged in the display areas on the driver's seat side and the passenger's seat side into the display area of the display unit and erase them. The touch panel device 10 can move the operation parts displayed on the display unit into the display areas on the driver's seat side and the passenger's seat side and rearrange them. The touch panel device 10 can provide an operation interface according to the display area where the operation components are arranged. According to the touch panel device 10 of the present embodiment, the functions associated with the operation parts can be rearranged by an operation that is intuitively easy for the user to understand.

Next, the rearrangement process of the operating parts in the case 7 of FIG. 10 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of rearranging the operation parts arranged in the display area by using the slide operation to the display unit B1 in another display area or the display unit B1. As described with reference to FIG. 10, in the touch panel device 10, the operation parts to be rearranged between the operation areas A, B, and C are specified in the display unit B1 close to the display areas on the driver side and the passenger side. A detection area for detecting contact is provided. In the following description, the above detection area will also be referred to as a “predetermined detection area”. The above-mentioned detection area is held as coordinate information associated with each display area in, for example, a computer program executed by the touch panel device 10. Further, it will be described that no operating component capable of contact operation is arranged in the above-mentioned detection area in the display unit B1.

In the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 12, the start of the process can be presented when the contact of the operating finger or the like with the touch panel 14 surface is detected. The touch panel device 10 acquires the coordinates of the contact position via the touch sensor 14b of the touch panel 14 (S31). The touch sensor 14b outputs the coordinates of the contact position to the CPU 11 of the touch panel device 10 at a fixed cycle of, for example, 10 ms. The coordinates of the contact position have a certain range. The touch panel device 10 temporarily stores the acquired coordinates of the contact position in a predetermined area of the main storage device 12 in association with the acquired time information.

The touch panel device 10 determines, for example, whether the acquired coordinates of the contact position are a predetermined detection area in the display unit B1 from the coordinate information for each display area held in the computer program (S32). When the coordinates of the acquired contact position are within the predetermined detection area (S32, Yes), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S37. On the other hand, when the coordinates of the acquired contact position are not within the predetermined detection area (S32, No), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S33.

In the process of S33, the touch panel device 10 refers to the component management DB 202, or determines the presence or absence of the operating component existing at the contact position via the AVN machine. When the operation component does not exist at the contact position (S33, “None”), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S31 and repeats the process illustrated in FIG. On the other hand, when the operation component is present at the contact position (S33, “Yes”), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S34.

In the process of S34, the touch panel device 10 refers to the parts management DB 202, or acquires management information such as drawing data of icons of operation parts existing at contact positions and application functions via an AVN machine. The acquired management information is temporarily stored in a predetermined area of the main storage device 12.

In the process of S35, the touch panel device 10 determines that the contact operation is a slide operation. The touch panel device 10 specifies, for example, that the operating finger in contact with the touch panel 14 surface moves in the display unit B1 while maintaining the contact state. The touch panel device 10 identifies, for example, that the contact position is moving when the change in the contact position is continuous in the time series of the sampling cycle.

When the touch operation is not a slide operation (S35, No), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S36. On the other hand, when the touch operation is a slide operation (S35, Yes), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S42.

In the process of S36, the touch panel device 10 executes the operation function associated with the operation component. For example, the touch panel device 10 activates the audio of the AVN machine and displays the operation screen illustrated in FIG. 8 in a predetermined area of the display unit B1. After the process of S36, the touch panel device 10 ends the process illustrated in FIG.

In the process of S37, the touch panel device 10 determines that the contact detected in the predetermined detection region continues in the predetermined position range for a certain period of time. As described with reference to FIG. 10, when the detected contact continues in a predetermined position range for a certain period of time, it is determined that the user intends to move the operation component arranged in each display area. it can.

When the contact detected in the predetermined detection area does not continue for a certain period of time in the predetermined position range (S37, No), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S31 and repeats the process illustrated in FIG. .. On the other hand, when the contact detected in the predetermined detection area continues in the predetermined position range for a certain period of time (S37, Yes), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S38.

In the process of S38, the touch panel device 10 refers to the parts management DB 202, and manages information such as icon drawing data, application functions, and coordinate information of the display area of the operation parts arranged in the display area associated with the detection area. To get. The touch panel device 10 temporarily stores the management information of the operation parts acquired from the parts management DB 202 in a predetermined area of the main storage device 12.

In the process of S39, the touch panel device 10 moves, for example, the icon of the operation component arranged in the display area to the contact position. The icon of the operation component moves to the contact position, and the display area becomes blank.

In the process of S40, the touch panel device 10 determines that the slide operation is being performed. The touch panel device 10 specifies, for example, that the operating finger in contact with the touch panel 14 surface moves in the display unit B1 while maintaining the contact state. The touch panel device 10 identifies, for example, that the contact position is moving when the change in the contact position is continuous in the time series of the sampling cycle.

When the slide operation is not performed (S40, No), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S41. On the other hand, when the slide operation is performed (S40, Yes), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S42. In the process of S41, the touch panel device 10 returns the icon of the operation component moved to the contact position to the display area of the movement source. If the contact is continued in a predetermined position range for a certain period of time and the slide operation is not performed, it is determined that the detected contact is not intended to move the operating parts arranged in each display area. Because it can be done. After the process of S41, the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S31 and repeats the process illustrated in FIG.

In the process of S42, the touch panel device 10 determines whether the contact state continues. If the contact state does not continue (S42, No), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S16. In the touch panel device 10 which has shifted to the process of S16, the process of S16-S21 described with reference to FIG. 11 is executed for the operation component moved to the end position of the slide operation (the position where the operating finger is detached). After the process of S21, the touch panel device 10 ends the process illustrated in FIG.

On the other hand, in the process of S42, the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S43 when the contact state continues (S42, Yes). In the process of S43, the touch panel device 10 displays the icon of the operation component moved to the contact position of the operation finger on the touch panel 14. Then, the touch panel device 10 determines whether the coordinates of the contact position of the operating finger on the touch panel 14 that has moved along with the slide operation are a predetermined detection area in the display unit B1 (S44).

The touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S42 when the coordinates of the contact position of the operating finger on the touch panel 14 moved with the slide operation are not in the predetermined detection area in the display unit B1 (S44, No). .. On the other hand, when the coordinates of the contact position of the operating finger on the touch panel 14 moved with the slide operation are in the predetermined detection area in the display unit B1 (S44, Yes), the touch panel device 10 processes S45. Move to.

In the process of S45, the touch panel device 10 determines that the contact specified in the predetermined detection area in the display unit B1 continues in a predetermined position range for a certain period of time. As described with reference to FIG. 10, when the specified contact continues in a predetermined position range for a certain period of time, the user intends to relocate the operation component moved by the slide operation to the display area. This is because it can be judged that it is doing.

When the contact specified in the predetermined detection area in the display unit B1 continues for a certain period of time in the predetermined position range (S45, Yes), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S46. On the other hand, when the contact specified in the predetermined detection area in the display unit B1 does not continue in the predetermined position range for a certain period of time (S45, No), the touch panel device 10 shifts to the process of S16. In the touch panel device 10 which has shifted to the process of S16, the process of S16-S21 described with reference to FIG. 11 is executed for the operation component moved by the slide operation. After the process of S21, the touch panel device 10 ends the process illustrated in FIG.

In the process of S46, the touch panel device 10 rearranges the operation parts moved by the slide operation to the display area. The touch panel device 10 moves, for example, the icon of the operation component displayed at the contact position of the operation finger to the display area associated with the predetermined detection area. The icon of the operation component displayed at the contact position of the operation finger is erased from the screen in the display unit B1 as it moves to the display area.

After the processing of S46, the touch panel device 10 shifts to the processing of S21. In the process of S21, the touch panel device 10 updates the management information stored in the component management DB 202 of the operation component moved by the slide operation to the latest state (after rearrangement). For example, the management information of the operating component moved from the display area A2 to the display area C4 is updated in association with the coordinate information of the display area C4. After the process of S21, the touch panel device 10 ends the process illustrated in FIG.

By the above processing, the touch panel device 10 can rearrange the functions of the operation components arranged in the display area in another display area only for the slide operation in the display unit B1. In the touch panel device 10, the operation parts can be rearranged between the operation areas without detecting a unified contact position by combining the operation areas A, B, and C. According to the touch panel device 10, it is possible to rearrange the operation parts between the operation areas without straddling the operation areas.

<4. AVN machine>
FIG. 13 illustrates an AVN machine 1 provided with a touch panel device 10 as a display device. The control unit 101 of FIG. 13 receives an input of a signal from each part of the AVN machine 1 or a connected external device, an operation instruction signal from each operation unit based on the operation of the user, and the like, and based on those signals, A
It is a control unit that comprehensively controls each part of the VN machine 1 or an external device. It is composed of, for example, a microcomputer (microcomputer) and operates according to a program stored in a memory such as a ROM.

The broadcast receiving unit 102 is a receiving unit that selectively receives and demodulates a broadcast wave of a specific frequency from the broadcast wave received by the antenna and outputs the audio signal and the image signal of the broadcast. It is composed of a decoding circuit, a frame management circuit, and the like. The broadcast reception unit 102 is controlled by a control signal from the control unit 101 for various operations such as on / off and selection of reception frequency (channel selection).

The disc playback unit 103 reads data recorded on a disc such as a CD (Compact Disc), MD (Mini Disc), DVD, or Blu-ray disc by a pickup, and distributes audio signals and video signals based on the read data. Output to 108. The disc reproduction unit 103 includes an optical pickup, a pickup disk drive mechanism, a control circuit of the pickup disk drive mechanism, a read signal decoding circuit, and the like, and various operations such as on / off and read position are performed by the control signal from the control unit 101. Is controlled.

The HD (hard disk) reproduction unit 104 reads desired data from various data recorded on the hard disk, which is a magnetic recording medium, and outputs the read image signal, audio signal, character signal, or the like to the distribution circuit 108. Music data such as MP3 files, image data such as JPEG files, map data for navigation, and the like are recorded on the hard disk. The HD reproduction unit 104 includes a read signal decoding circuit and the like, and various operations such as on / off and read data are controlled by a control signal from the control unit 101.

The navigation unit 105 displays the position of the own vehicle and the route to the destination on the map displayed on the display 113, guides the direction of travel such as turning left or right by voice or the like at an intersection or the like, and the VICS information receiving unit 106. The traffic information is received and displayed from the GPS information receiving unit 107, and the vehicle position information is received and displayed from the GPS information receiving unit 107 to provide route guidance to the destination. The navigation unit 105 is a memory 115 such as a hard disk for recording map information used for navigation, a CPU (Central Processing unit) for performing various arithmetic processes, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) for storing data for various processes. To be equipped. The navigation unit 105 is turned on / off and various operations are controlled by the control signal from the control unit 101.

The VICS information receiving unit 106 receives the traffic information related to the traffic information communication system (VICS (registered trademark): Vehicle Information and Communication System) and outputs the received traffic information. The VICS information receiving unit 106 includes a receiver (FM receiver, radio beacon receiver, optical beacon receiver) for receiving data from the traffic information and communication system, a decoding circuit for decoding the received data, and the like. The GPS information receiving unit 107 detects the position of the own vehicle based on the GPS signal from the GPS (registered trademark) satellite, and outputs the detected current position information. The GPS information receiving unit 107 includes a receiving circuit for receiving GPS signals, an arithmetic circuit for calculating the position of the own vehicle based on the received GPS signals, and the like.

The camera 119 is a camera that photographs the surroundings of the vehicle and inputs moving image data (video information and audio information) via an external audio / audio input unit 118. The video information captured by the camera 119 is subjected to video processing, displayed on a plurality of displays 113 via the distribution circuit 108 and the image adjustment circuit 109, and used for parking assistance and the like. Further, the moving image data taken by the camera 119 may be recorded in the HD drive or the memory 115 in the HD reproduction unit 104 via the distribution circuit 108 for the drive recorder or the like.

The external audio / video input unit 118 performs processing such as converting the moving image data of the camera 119 into a video signal for displaying on the display 113. The external audio / video input unit 118 is turned on / off and various operations are controlled by the control signal from the control unit 101.

The distribution circuit 108 has various sources (broadcast reception unit 102, disc reproduction unit 103, HD reproduction unit 104, navigation unit 105, external audio / video input unit 118) designated to be output by the control signal of the control unit 101. , An external recording medium reproduction unit (not shown)) and an image signal are output to the image adjustment circuit 109 and the sound adjustment circuit 110. The distribution circuit 108 includes a group of switches composed of electronic circuits such as relays or switching transistors.

The voice adjustment circuit 110 adjusts the volume and voice with respect to the input voice signal by the control signal of the control unit 101, and outputs the adjusted voice signal. The audio adjustment circuit 110 includes a memory for storing audio data, an arithmetic circuit such as a digital signal processor for arithmetic processing of audio data, an amplification or attenuation circuit composed of transistors, resistors, coils, and a resonance circuit. The speaker 111 outputs the voice signal output from the voice adjustment circuit 110 as voice.

The image adjustment circuit 109 adjusts the brightness, color tone, contrast, etc. of the input image signal by the control signal of the control unit 101, and outputs each adjusted image signal. The image adjustment circuit 109 includes a memory for storing image data, an arithmetic circuit such as a digital signaling processor for arithmetic processing of image data, and the like.

The image output unit 112 inputs the image signal input from the image adjustment circuit 109 and the display image signal to be displayed on the display 113 from the control unit 101, performs processing such as image composition, and performs the processed image signal. Drives the display 113 based on.

The display 113 is a display device that displays an image based on an image signal input from the image output unit 112. The display 113 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a plasma display, a cold cathode flat panel display, or the like. The display 113 includes a backlight, a liquid crystal panel, a touch panel device 10, and the like.

The operation unit 114 is an input unit for the user to perform various operations on the AVN machine 1, and is, for example, a touch panel, a push button switch, a rotation operation switch, a joystick, or the like. The operation unit 114 outputs the operation status of various operations by the user to the AVN machine 1 to the control unit 101. The remote control unit 116 is, for example, a remote controller provided with an infrared element or the like. The remote control unit 116 has the same function as the operation unit 114.

The ETC on-board unit 120 is an on-board unit having a function of communicating with a terminal on the ETC lane side and automatically paying a fee in an ETC (registered trademark: Electronic Toll Collection) system. The communication unit 121 is a communication interface connected to an antenna for wireless communication such as DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication), infrared communication, and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

<Other: Computer-readable recording medium>
A program that realizes any of the above functions in a computer or other machine or device (hereinafter, computer or the like) can be recorded on a recording medium that can be read by the computer or the like. Then, the function can be provided by causing a computer or the like to read and execute the program of this recording medium.
Here, a recording medium that can be read by a computer or the like is a recording medium that can be read from a computer or the like by accumulating information such as data or programs by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical action. To say. Among such recording media, those that can be removed from a computer or the like include, for example, a memory such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R / W, a DVD, a Blu-ray disc, a DAT, an 8 mm tape, or a flash memory. There are cards etc. In addition, there are hard disks, ROMs, and the like as recording media fixed to computers and the like. Further, the SSD (Solid State Drive) can be used as a recording medium that can be removed from a computer or the like, or as a recording medium that is fixed to the computer or the like.

1 AVN machine 10 Touch panel device 11 CPU
12 Main storage device 13 Auxiliary storage device 14 Touch panel 14a Display device 14b Touch sensor 15 Communication IF
16 I / O IF
17 Connection bus 21 Mobile operation processing unit 101 Control unit 102 Broadcast reception unit 103 Disc playback unit 104 HD playback unit 105 Navigation unit 106 VICS information reception unit 107 GPS information reception unit 108 Distribution circuit 109 Image adjustment circuit 110 Voice adjustment circuit 111 Speaker 112 Image output unit 113 Display (display device)
114 Operation unit 115 Memory 116 Remote operation unit 118 External audio / video input unit 119 Camera 120 ETC on-board unit 121 Communication unit 201 Effective area DB
202 Parts management DB

Claims (8)

In a touch panel device formed by partitioning a touch operation area and an operation component area on a touch panel display.
The touch operation region is close to a certain distance range from the operation component region, and includes a contact detection region for detecting a contact that identifies a component to which a function is assigned to the operation component region and a region other than the contact detection region. Have and
A touch panel device comprising: a processing means capable of changing the arrangement of functions assigned to the operation component area by an operation in the contact detection area. The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein the processing means changes the number of arrangements of functions assigned to the operation component area by an operation in the contact detection area. The touch operation region, a contact identifying the second part features a first contact detecting area and the operation part region detecting contact identifying the first component functions to the operating component area is allocated is allocated a second contact detection area for detecting,
The processing means identifies the first component from the contact with the first contact detection region, and the contact position is the first while maintaining the contact with the first contact detection region after the identification of the first component. 2. The touch panel device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the function assigned to the second component is updated with the function assigned to the first component based on the first slide operation of moving to the contact detection area. The processing means identifies the third component to which the function is assigned to the operation component region from the contact with the contact detection region, and maintains the contact with the contact detection region after the identification of the third component. Claim 1 or 2 in which the function assigned to the third component is rearranged in the touch operation area based on the second slide operation in which the contact position moves within the touch operation area excluding the contact detection area. The touch panel device described in 1. The processing means identifies the fourth component to which the function is assigned to the operation component region from the contact with the contact detection region, and maintains the contact with the contact detection region after the identification of the fourth component. The first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the fourth component is deleted from the operation component area and the touch operation area based on the third slide operation in which the contact position moves within the touch operation area excluding the contact detection area. Touch panel device. The processing means is based on a fourth slide operation in which the contact position moves into the contact detection area while maintaining contact with the fifth component whose function is assigned to the touch operation area excluding the contact detection area. The touch panel device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the function assigned to the fifth component is rearranged in the operation component area. In a touch panel device formed by partitioning a touch operation area and an operation component area on a touch panel display.
A processing means capable of changing the arrangement of functions assigned to the operation component area or the number of arrangements of the functions by an operation in the touch operation area is provided.
The processing means moves the contact position into the touch operation area while maintaining contact with the sixth component to which the function is assigned to the operation component area, and releases the contact in the touch operation area after the movement. Based on the fifth slide operation, the function assigned to the sixth component is rearranged in the touch operation area, and the function of the sixth component rearranged in the touch operation area is provided. Change the type of interface,
A touch panel device characterized by this. Steps to divide and form the touch operation area and the operation component area on the touch panel display,
The touch operation area is close to a certain distance range from the operation component area, and has a contact detection area for detecting a contact specifying a component to which a function is assigned to the operation component area and an area other than the contact detection area. And
A processing step that makes it possible to change the arrangement of functions assigned to the operation component area by an operation in the contact detection area, and
A touch panel control method characterized by executing.

Images