JPH04152418A - Tablet input system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain the application of a single tablet board surface to e key input device and a coordinate input device and to improve the key input operability by selecting a key input system or a coordinate input system with an input system selection means. CONSTITUTION:A tablet device 13 is provided with plural sensor elements which convert the pressing force of a user into the signals. These sensor outputs are inputted to a key input control. means 14 or a coordinate input control means 15. Meanwhile the application software working in a computer 11. decides whether the device 13 should be used as a key input device or a coordinate input device and transmits the requested input system to an input system selection means 16. Thus either one of key numbers or coordinates is obtained and displayed on a display device 12. Thus, the functions of both key and coordinate input devices can be secured with a single tablet board surface. Then the key input operability is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a system using a computer, and particularly to a tablet input system for performing key input and coordinate input.

[Conventional technology]

In general, input devices for inputting information to a computer system include a keyboard, a mouse, a tablet device, and the like. A keyboard is an input device suitable for key input, a mouse is suitable for inputting relative coordinates, and a tablet is suitable for inputting absolute coordinates.

As a conventional example of such an input device, a keyboard that can also be used as a tablet device is disclosed, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-162919. This is an input device that performs key input and coordinate input by attaching a detachable keyboard to the tablet device.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the above-mentioned prior art, movable keys are arranged to cover each sensor of the tablet device, and the device can be used as a tablet device by removing the keyboard portion.

In this input device, when a tablet device is used as a coordinate input device, a sensor input surface having a shape corresponding to the keyboard portion is used, and it is not suitable for absolute coordinate input corresponding to one display screen. Furthermore, the coordinate input device is intended for graphical input, and requires the user to perform input operations while looking at the input screen rather than the display screen. Furthermore, since the user switches between key input and coordinate input by attaching and detaching the keyboard portion, there is a problem in that it takes time to switch inputs.

An object of the present invention is to improve the operability when performing key input and coordinate input while looking at the displayed screen.

Another object of the present invention is to input coordinates finer than the resolution of the sensor of the tablet device.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the input control means for using the tablet device as a key input device, the input control means for using it as a coordinate input device, and the input method selection means for selecting each input control means are the same. When the tablet device is used as a coordinate input device, a means is provided for detecting that the same sensor or the sensor in the same section is pressed within a specific interval of time, and a unit time of the specific interval is provided. A means for detecting the amount of change in the input coordinates within the input coordinates is provided.

In addition, a pressure response part that moves or deforms when pressed is formed of a protrusion or the like, and is connected correspondingly to a sensor element disposed on the tablet device, and simultaneously detects a plurality of inputs caused by the pressure of this pressure response part. In addition to providing means, the press responsive parts are arranged at intervals narrower than the width of the finger used by the user to give a press instruction.

Further, the vertical and horizontal resolution ratio of the input sensor element of the tablet device and the vertical and horizontal resolution ratio of the number of display pixels of the display device are made the same, and the tablet device and the display device are arranged at the same vertical or horizontal position.

Furthermore, for each of the key input method and coordinate input method,
In addition to displaying an input cursor with a different color or shape, the tablet device has a structure in which a replaceable graphic sheet is attached to the panel surface of the tablet device, and a graphic or key arrangement according to the application is printed on this graphic sheet.

[Effect]

When the key input method is selected as the input method selection means, the tablet surface acts as a key input device, and when the coordinate input method is selected, the tablet surface acts as a coordinate input device. When it is detected that a sensor has been pressed, a specific key number is output, and a special code is output even if the coordinate input method is being selected. On the other hand, if the amount of change in the input coordinates within a unit time of a specific interval is detected, the amount of movement of the input coordinates is output.

In addition, the protrusion connected to the sensor element of the tablet device is simultaneously pressed multiple times.

When a tablet device is used as a coordinate input device, the average input coordinates are output.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a tablet input system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a tablet input system 10 includes a display device 12 and a tablet device 13 connected to a computer 11, and arrows in the figure indicate data flow.

The tablet device 113 is equipped with a plurality of sensor elements that convert a user's press input into a signal, and the sensor output is input to the key input # control means 14 or the coordinate input control means 15. On the other hand, application software (hereinafter simply referred to as an application) running on the computer 11 informs the input method selection means 16 of the required input method, such as whether the tablet device 13 is used as a key input device or a coordinate input device. , thereby obtaining either the key number or the coordinates, and outputting the result on the display device 12.

As described above, by using this tablet input system, it is possible to provide both key input and coordinate input functions on the same tablet surface, and the input device can be downsized. Furthermore, since the application can select the input method, the user can use the input method according to the purpose without making any changes to the shape of the tablet device.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a tablet board surface and an application using the tablet input system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2(a) is a diagram showing an example of key arrangement on the tablet board surface.

In the figure, symbols of 8 horizontal by 5 vertical symbols are arranged in a matrix on the tablet surface, of which only the arrangement of keys suitable for numerical input is shown. "These keys are different from the keyboard keys generally used on computers; they are simply symbols printed on a flat surface.j When using a tablet device by key input method, pressing each symbol allows you to access the corresponding symbol. When using the coordinate input method, the coordinate position of the matrix can be input.

FIG. 2(b) is a flowchart illustrating an application sequence using this tablet input system.

In the figure, the application first displays map information (Town A) on the display device, then requests a coordinate input method and waits for the user to input coordinates. When a user presses a key on the tablet, the application generates data (X
branch) and then requests data entry (sales entry) from the user. This data input is a numerical input, so
The application requests a key input method and waits for the user to enter a number.

In this way, both key input and coordinate input can be achieved using one tablet surface, and the space occupied by the input device can be saved. Additionally, the application automatically selects the input method as needed, improving input operability.

In this embodiment, the input method selection means, key input control means, and coordinate input control means are explained as functions to be connected to a computer, but they convert the sensor high force of the tablet device into a key number or coordinates and respond to application requests. If there is a function to select and return these according to the information, the effect will be the same whether each of the above means is implemented by a device connected to a computer or by software running on a computer. In addition, the input method may be changed using a method that does not rely on application switching instructions, such as by providing a changeover switch inside and outside the tablet surface.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which a changeover switch is provided on the tablet board surface.

An input selector switch 3 is provided on the tablet board surface 1, and by switching between the CUR3OR side and the ARROW side,
You can select between key input and coordinate input.

A board sheet 2 is installed on the tablet board surface 1, and cursor marks 4 in four directions are printed on the sheet, as well as selection keys 5 and the like.

In FIG. 3, when the changeover switch 3 is turned to the CUR5OR side and the application is operated, a blinking cursor (not shown) appears on the display image, and a downward cursor 6 of the cursor marks 4 on the board sheet 2 appears. When pressed with a finger or the like, the blinking cursor on the display image moves downward. That is, the vertical and horizontal movements of the blinking cursor on the display image can be controlled by the board sheet 2 of the tablet board 1. Further, input data is taken in after the blinking cursor has been moved by pressing the selection key 5 on the board sheet 2.

In addition, the functions of the ARROW side of the changeover switch 3 are as follows.
An arrow cursor or the like is displayed on the display image, and by pressing and moving the board sheet 2 with a finger, the arrow cursor is moved, and the selection key 5 is used to input input.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a tablet input method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the application displays map information,
I'm trying to let the user select a portion of the map. The application requests a coordinate input method and displays the part of the map that corresponds to the pressed coordinates on the tablet surface (
In the figure, black square markers). The user can search for a desired location by pressing a desired part of the tablet surface with a finger and sliding the finger while looking at the displayed image.

In addition, the coordinate input completion instruction is issued when the input method selection means detects that the same coordinates have been input within a predetermined time after the finger pressing the key is released, and the specific key number is returned to the application. Figure 6 shown in Figure 6 shows how when the user reaches the desired location, removes his or her finger from the board, and then presses the same coordinates again, this action is detected and the location on the map is determined. It shows.

In this way, the coordinate input position can be searched for while looking at the displayed image, and the input can be determined without removing the hand from the tablet surface, thereby improving input operability.

Furthermore, in the above coordinate input, if the amount of movement of the pressed coordinate within a predetermined time is detected, a movement vector is generated from this amount of movement, and this vector is used in an application, sensors arranged in a matrix on the tablet surface can be used. The position of the displayed image can be selected at a resolution higher than that of .

In addition, in this embodiment, pressing at the same coordinates was detected and considered as the user's decision action, but if this is to detect nearby coordinates, the pressing position may move slightly after the user's finger leaves the user's finger. can also be considered a decision action.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the sensor arrangement on the tablet board surface in another embodiment of the present invention.

The figure shows the upper left part of the tablet surface, and shows that sensor elements 53 (circles with a diameter of 5 mm in the figure) are arranged in a matrix with a center spacing of 7 mm.

As shown in the figure, X-Y coordinates are tentatively assigned to each sensor in the horizontal and vertical directions. When using this tablet in a coordinate input method, pressing a plurality of sensor elements yields a plurality of X-YJ41 marks. By converting this into an average coordinate XY by the coordinate input control means and passing it to the application, it is possible to input coordinates with a finer precision than the sensor resolution of the tablet surface.

The average coordinate X-Y transformation will be explained below with reference to FIG.

The 0 mark in FIG. 5 indicates the case where four sensor elements are pressed at the same time. The coordinates of these four sensor elements are (X=1.Y=O), (X=2.Y=O), (X=
1. Y=1), (X=2°0.5). In this way, by arranging the sensor elements so that one finger can press four sensor elements, a coordinate resolution twice that of the sensor elements can be obtained.

Furthermore, the distance between the centers of the sensor elements is narrower than the thickness of an average adult's index finger (10 to 20 mm), and when pressing with a finger, the distance between the sensor elements must be 7 mm or less. When it is set to , multiple sensor elements are always pressed, so it is possible to input coordinates with fine precision without impairing operability.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which the sensor element spacing is 5 nm.

In Figure 6 (α), the sensor element has a diameter of 3 m and a pitch of 5
It is arranged in m.

In FIG. 6(b), nine sensor elements (α) are arranged to form one block, and symbols A, B, and C are assigned to each block.

When pressing such a tablet surface with a finger, if one finger can press nine sensor elements, it becomes difficult to judge which symbol to select if the pressing position straddles each symbol. In this embodiment, a symbol with a large number of pressed sensor elements is selected.

In the example of (b), symbol A is selected because the number of pressed symbols is 4, which is the largest number.

In the above embodiments, the average coordinate X-Y conversion process was performed by the coordinate input control means, but it may be performed by the input method selection means if the average coordinates can be finally passed to the application.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a tablet input system using another embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) shows the appearance of the tablet input system, and (b) shows the resolution of the display screen and tablet surface. .

In FIG. 7(a), a tablet input system 51 includes a tablet surface 52 and a display screen 54, which have approximately the same size, and are arranged so that they are aligned vertically so that they are the same. ing. Sensor elements 53 are arranged in a matrix below the tablet surface 52, and symbols used for key input are printed on the surface (only the symbols for the numerical input part are shown in the figure). Map information is displayed on the display screen 54. Further, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the resolution of the display screen 54 is 640 x 480 horizontally.
On the other hand, the sensor elements 53 in the form of a matrix are arranged in 32 pieces horizontally and 24 pieces vertically.

Using the above system, when the user searches for a desired location while looking at the map display, the tablet input system requests coordinate input means and displays a black square mark within the display screen corresponding to the sensor element that is pressed. do.

At this time, since the resolutions of the display screen 54 and the tablet surface 52 are at the same ratio of 640:480=32:24, the amount of press movement by the user is always reflected in the amount of movement on the display screen at the same magnification, improving operability. do.

Further, since the tablet surface 52 and the display screen 54 are approximately the same size and are located at the same position in the vertical direction, the distance and direction that the user moves on the tablet surface 52 corresponds to the movement on the display screen 54. Input corresponding to the display screen 54 is facilitated without looking at the tablet surface 52.

In this embodiment, the effect is the same even if the resolution of the display screen and the tablet surface is arbitrary as long as the aspect ratio is the same. Also, although the display screen and tablet surface are aligned vertically, the operability is the same even if they are aligned horizontally.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display screen of a tablet input system using another embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, map information is displayed on the display screen. When inputting coordinates for a user to input a desired position, an arrow cursor is displayed according to the pressed position on the tablet. Furthermore, when key input is performed to enter data associated with a selected position, a rectangular cursor is displayed at the position where the key input result is displayed (in the figure, immediately after displaying "X branch sales:").

In this way, since the shape of the cursor is changed and displayed according to the input method, the user can confirm the current input method from the display screen, and can prevent input errors.

In this embodiment, the shape of the cursor is an arrow and a rectangle, but the effect of the present invention is the same as long as the shape is distinguishable. Furthermore, the cursor may be distinguishable not only by its shape but also by its display color.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a tablet board surface using another embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, a removable board sheet 72 is attached to a tablet board surface 71. The panel sheet 72 is printed with an operation panel suitable for, for example, a real estate information search application, and has an operation panel consisting of a railway route map and search operation keys. If you use this sheet,
Desired region designation can be input directly from the tablet surface 71, improving search operability.

In this way, by making it possible to replace the board sheet, it is possible to provide a board sheet that matches the application, and the operability of input is improved.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, the input method selection means selects between the key input method and the coordinate input method, so that the same tablet surface can be used as both the key input device and the coordinate input device.

In addition, if it is detected that the same sensor or sensor in the same section is pressed within a specific interval, a specific key number is output, and a special code is output even when the coordinate input method is selected. You can determine the input position without taking your hands off the board, improving operability.

Furthermore, since the average input coordinates are calculated from inputs made by pressing multiple sensor elements of the tablet device, it is possible to input coordinates at a resolution higher than that of the tablet.

Furthermore, since the sensor elements are arranged in a matrix at narrow intervals compared to the size of the finger, it becomes easy to press a plurality of sensor elements at the same time.

In addition, by making the aspect ratio of the resolution of the tablet surface and the display screen the same, and furthermore, by arranging the tablet surface and the display screen to be approximately the same size and at the same position vertically or horizontally, it is possible to eliminate the need to look at the tablet surface. This has the effect of facilitating input that corresponds to the display screen.

Furthermore, since an input cursor with a different color or shape is displayed for each of the key input method and coordinate input method, the current input method can be determined on the display screen, and input errors can be prevented.

In addition, a graphic sheet that can be converted into 5 characters is attached to the tablet surface, and a graphic sheet or key arrangement according to the application is printed on this graphic sheet, so that it is possible to provide an input panel surface according to the function of the application.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the tablet input system, Figure 2 is a diagram explaining the tablet board surface and an example of an application, Figure 3 is an illustration of a tablet board with a changeover switch, and Figure 4 is an explanation of the tablet input method. Figure 5 is a layout diagram of the sensor elements on the tablet board surface, Figure 6 is a diagram explaining the sensor elements and symbol blocks on the tablet board surface, Figure 7 is a diagram explaining the external appearance of the tablet input system, the tablet board surface, and the display screen. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen for coordinate input and key input, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a board sheet. 10... Tablet input system, 11 - Computer, 12... Display device, 13... Tablet device, 14
...Key input control means 515/coordinate input control means, 1
6. Input method selection means, 5-tablet input system,
52... Tablet board surface, 53... Sensor element, 54...
・Display screen. 1st attempt and 1st entry Ksis fm O /J (a) 1st? Figure Figure Figure Figure (a) Figure B Figure G Figure

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a tablet input system comprising a computer, a tablet device connected to the computer and obtained by arranging mutually independent sensor elements in a matrix, and a display device, the tablet device is connected to a keypad. an input control means used as an input device; an input control means used as a coordinate input device; and an input method selection means for selecting each of the input control means; Or a tablet input system that outputs both. 2. The tablet input system according to claim 1, wherein when the tablet device is used as a coordinate input device, a specific key number is output when the same section is pressed within a specific interval of time. 3. The tablet input system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the tablet device is used as a coordinate input device, the amount of change in input coordinates within a unit time of a specific interval is output. 4. A pressure response section that is movable or deformed when pressed is connected to the sensor element disposed on the tablet device, and a plurality of inputs are simultaneously performed by pressing the pressure response section, and the tablet device 4. The tablet input system according to claim 1, wherein when the device is used as a coordinate input device, average input coordinates are output. 5. The tablet input system according to claim 4, wherein the pressure response units are arranged on the board of the tablet device at intervals narrower than the size of one finger. 6. The sensor elements are arranged in a matrix on the board of the tablet device, and the aspect ratio of the resolution of the sensor elements arranged on the board part of the tablet device used for inputting coordinates and the display pixels of the display device 6. The tablet input system according to claim 1, wherein the numbers have the same aspect ratio. 7. The tablet device is such that a board portion used for inputting coordinates and a display screen portion of the display device are of the same size, and the coordinate input portion of the tablet device and the display screen portion of the display device are 7. The tablet input system according to claim 1, wherein the tablet input system is arranged side by side in the same position vertically or horizontally. 8. The tablet input system according to claim 1, wherein an input cursor having a different color or shape is displayed on the display device for each of the key input method and the coordinate input method. 9. Claims 1 to 8, wherein the board of the tablet device has a structure for attaching a replaceable graphic sheet, and the graphic sheet is printed with a graphic and a key arrangement according to the application. A tablet input system as described in any of the above.