JPH0573202A - Input control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain the average wear and deterioration of a switch, to increase the lifetime of a touch panel, to reduce the surface external appearance difference of the panel due to the change in the lapse of time by changing automatically the key definition when the pushing frequency of the operation keys set on a touch panel exceeds a prescribed comparison set level and also to enable and operator to optionally use the keys by changing the key definition and evading the dust or the stains on the panel surface. CONSTITUTION:A device 1 is provided with an input operating part 2 containing a touch panel 5 which includes various operation keys 8. In such an input control system, the device 1 contains a control part including a counter means which counts the pushing frequency of the keys 8 (8A) of the part 2. When the count value of the control part exceeds a prescribed comparison set value, the key 8 having the large count value is changed to a new operation key 8 (8Aa) in a prescribed range of placement.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an input control system, and in particular to
The present invention relates to an input control method for controlling an input operation of an input operation unit of a device that combines a liquid crystal display and a touch panel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, office automation equipment (hereinafter referred to as OA equipment) having a combination of a liquid crystal display and a touch panel and an input operation section capable of directly pressing a touch panel on a character or a pattern displayed on the liquid crystal display. Is said to be equipped. These OA devices have a feature that they are easy to understand and familiar because the display is a character or a pattern.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional input control system, the following (1)-
It has the problem of (3). (1) Due to the structure, the touch panel is pushed with the finger pad, so
Fingers adhere to the pressing part, and dust and dirt adhere to the pressing part, which extremely deteriorates the light transmission property of the touch panel itself. For this reason, it becomes difficult to see characters and patterns. (2) There is a big difference in how the operation keys defined on the touch panel are used, and only the switches that make up a specific operation key rub and deteriorate faster than the switches that make up other operation keys. Things like short-circuiting and disconnection occur. Further, in the touch panel, if one switch is broken structurally, other related switches are also affected, so that the touch panel cannot be used. (3) Even if it does not break as described in (1) and (2) above, the difference between operation keys that are often used even after cleaning and operation keys that are not frequently used becomes noticeable due to changes over time. This state gives the operator an odd feeling.

The present invention has been made against the background of such a conventional technique, and automatically changes the key definition when the number of operation keys on the touch panel exceeds a preset comparison set value. With this, the wear and deterioration of the switch can be averaged, the life of the touch panel can be maintained for a long time, the appearance difference of the touch panel surface due to aging can be reduced, and the operator can change the key definition at any time. It is an object of the present invention to provide an input control system that enables the use of keys while avoiding the dirt and dust on the surface.

[0005]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In an input control method for controlling an input operation in an apparatus including an input operation unit having a touch panel having a display unit in which various operation keys are set and arranged, the apparatus counts the number of operation key presses of the input operation unit. 3. The arrangement according to claim 2, further comprising a counting means, wherein when the count number becomes larger than a preset comparison set value, the arrangement of the operation keys having the larger count number is changed within a predetermined range. In the input control method according to claim 1, when the maximum number of pressing of the operation key is B and the changeable location of the operation key is C, the comparison set value A is The following formula However, D is a correction value that is determined based on how the operation keys are used and experience. It is shown by these, Comprising:
In the input control method according to the present invention, the arrangement of the operation keys is changed within a predetermined range by inputting a predetermined input command from the input operation unit. There is.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the counting means counts the number of depressions of the operation keys, and when the count number becomes larger than the comparison set value, the arrangement of the operation keys having the larger count number is changed. By appropriately setting, the number of presses of a plurality of operation keys is averaged.

According to the invention of claim 2, the pressing limit number is set to B.
Assuming that the location where the operation keys can be relocated is location C, the comparison setting value A is However, D is a correction value.

[0008] When the number of presses of the operation key becomes 1 / C of the press limit number B, the operation key is arranged and changed on average within the press limit range, and the use of the operation key corresponds to the limited use. And average. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the arrangement of the operation keys is changed when an input command is input in the input operation unit, so that the operator can arbitrarily change the arrangement of the operation keys while observing the usage state of the operation keys.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 are views showing one embodiment of claims 1 to 3 of the present invention, and are applied to a unitized operation device. First,
The configuration will be described. In FIGS. 1 to 3, 1 is an operating device, and the operating device 1 includes an input operating unit 2 and a control unit 3 (not shown) that is mounted in the operating device 1 and connected to the input operating unit 2. ..

As shown in FIG. 1, the input operation unit 2 inputs a transparent touch panel 5 for inputting by touching the upper surface of the operating device 1 and 0 to input by pressing in the vicinity of the touch panel 5. A numeric keypad 6 having ten numeral displays and the like is provided. An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 7 which is a liquid crystal display is provided below the touch panel 5, and on the touch panel 5, one or a plurality of characters and patterns on the LCD 7 and a switch unit on the touch panel 5 are combined to form a control unit. Various operation keys 8 displayed by the display means formed of a part of 3 are set and arranged. In FIG. 1, "START" key 8A, "STOP" key 8B
The three operation keys 8 of the "RESET" key 8C and the "RESET" key 8C are shown. Of course, although not shown, other operation keys are also displayed. These operation keys 8 are defined as the effective range of each operation key 8 within the section surrounded by each displayed character and its outer frame 8a. Further, the other operation keys 8 are similarly defined.

The operation key 8 has several spare parts 8a which can be changed within a predetermined range. That is, as the spare point 8a, the "START" key 8A is "
New "START" key 8 near START "key 8A
Aa, "STOP" key 8B is "STOP" key 8B
"RESET" key 8Ba in the vicinity of "RESET"
The key 8C is a new "RES" near the "RESET" key 8C.
It has an ET "key 8Ca. The same applies to other operation keys. The above is the case where there are two spare parts 8a, that is, two parts that can be repositioned within a predetermined range. Frequently, eg "STAR
The T "key 8A and the" STOP "key 8B have two, three, four or more spare operation keys 8 which can be repositioned by expanding the predetermined range more than the infrequently used operation keys 8. Needless to say, the spare point 8a is not located near the operation key 8 but the operation key 8a.
Of course, it may be a place separated from.

When the ten-key 6 is pressed, the signal of the pressed ten-key 6, for example, "5", is transmitted to the control unit 3 which will be described later, and the built-in light-emitting element LED (Lig)
ht Emitteing Diode). Next, the control unit 3 that is connected to the input operation unit 2 and controls the input operation unit 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 3.

Reference numeral 100 denotes an OPU control unit CPU (hereinafter, simply referred to as control unit CPU). The control unit CPU 100 controls the input operation unit 2 and operates the operation keys 8 of the input operation unit 2.
A counting means 11 for counting the number of times of pressing, a memory (RAM) 12 for storing a preset comparison set value A,
A comparison function 13 for comparing the count number K of the counting means 11 with the comparison set value A is provided.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a CPU bus of the control unit CPU 100, which connects each module to the CPU. .. 120 is a memory (RO for storing programs required for the control unit CPU)
M). Reference numeral 200 denotes an LCD control unit, which has a capacity of 640 × 400 dots for graphics.

Reference numeral 210 denotes a graphic video memory, which stores information necessary for controlling the LCD control unit 200.
300 is an LCD control unit for text, for example, 80
It has a capacity of x50 characters. A text video memory 310 stores information necessary for controlling the LDC control unit 300.

Reference numeral 410 denotes a backlight power supply unit for the LCD. Reference numeral 420 is a variable resistance unit for adjusting the contrast of the LCD. 400 is the above-mentioned LCD 7, for example, 640 × 40
It has a capacity of 0 dots. 320 is an external character code generator.

Reference numeral 330 is a Kanji character generator. 340 is a kanji character (double-byte) generator. The 500 is a touch sensor with a capacity of 50 rows x 80 digits and a size equivalent to 4000. 510 is a touch sensor
The interface between the 500 and the CPU, which measures the timing of signal transmission and reception.

Reference numeral 600 is a numeric keypad 6 and an LED display built in the numeric keypad 6. 610 is a numeric keypad display 600
It is an interface between the CPU and the CPU 100, and measures the timing of signal transmission / reception. 700 is dual port R
The AM is an interface section with the system main body, and the input operation section 2 and the system control section 800 read and write data in this memory to exchange mutual necessary information, that is, handshake.

Reference numeral 710 is a data bus of the system controller. Reference numeral 720 is the address bus of the system control unit and the chip select of the dual port RAM. Reference numeral 730 is a handshake cycle signal used by the system control unit. 74
0 is a handshake cycle signal used by the system controller.

Reference numeral 750 is an interrupt signal to the CPU 100 of the OPU control unit, which notifies that there is an access from the system control unit 800. 800 controls the entire system including the input operation unit 2. The input operation unit 2 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), there are some key definitions as the operation keys 8, for example, "START" keys 8A and "S".
A new "START" key 8Aa, a new "S" which is a portion provided within a predetermined range in which the arrangement of the TOP "key 8B, the" RESET "key 8C and the respective operation keys 8 can be changed.
It has definitions of operation keys 8a such as TOP "key 8Ba and new" RESET "key 8Ca. These key definitions are stored in the program memory 120 or the memory of the system control unit 800. These key definitions are described in a menu format on the paper, and the corresponding code numbers are assigned.

When the key definition of the operation key 8 is changed, the counting means 11 counts the number of presses of the operation key 8, the memory (RAM) 12 stores the count number K, and the count number K is set in advance. When the count K becomes larger than the comparison set value A, the control unit CPU100 changes the key definition of the operation key 8 which has become larger and arranges it. Can be changed to one of the preliminary operation keys 8a within a predetermined range.

The comparison set value A is determined as follows. The comparison set value A has a pressing limit number of B times taken into consideration from the durability performance of the operation key 8, and when the operation key 8 is provided with only C changeable locations, Indicated by. Here, D is a correction value, and the correction value D is determined based on how the operation key 8 is used and experience.

The touch panel 5 is used to change the key definition.
It can also be implemented by inputting using the code No. selected on the menu. Next, the operation will be described. In the present invention, the number of presses of the operation key 8 of the input operation unit 2 is counted for each key definition of the operation key 8, and when the count number K becomes larger than the preset comparison set value A, the count number K becomes large. This is characterized in that the arrangement of the operation keys 8 is changed within a predetermined range. The process of changing the count of the number of presses of the input operation unit 2 and the key definition will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, it is determined whether or not the operation key 8 has been pressed, and when the operator presses the operation key 8 (step P ₁ ), a signal from the operation key 8 causes the control unit CPU 100 to operate.
Detects the position on the touch panel 5 via the touch sensor I / F 510. Position detection result, for example, "STAR
When it is judged that the position of the T "key 8A, this" START "
Information on the pressing of the key 8A is sent to the system control unit 800 via the dual board ram 700. System control unit 800
The START "key 8A is pressed to execute the system control process. At this time, the control unit CPU 100 stores the number of presses of each operation key 8 defined in the memory (RAM) 12, and the counting means 11 is set to" The count value of pressing the START "key 8A is incremented by 1 (step P ₂ ).
The control unit CPU 100 compares the comparison set value A predetermined by the comparison function 13 with the count number K, which is the number of times the "START" key 8A is pressed, and the count number K of the "START" key 8A is compared to the comparison set value. It is judged whether the value exceeds A (step P ₃ ), and when the value exceeds the comparison set value A, “S
The definition of the TART "key 8A is changed, and the arrangement of the operation keys 8 is changed to a new" START "key 8Aa within a predetermined range in which the arrangement of the operation keys 8 can be changed as shown in FIG. P ₄ ).

Here, only two locations are shown. Figure 2
(B) shows "STOP" key 8B and "RESE"
This shows a case where the T "key 8C has already been changed to the new" STOP "key 8Ba and the new" RESET "key 8Ca. This change is made by changing the display position on the LCD 7 and the switch area on the touch panel 5. It

Further, in this embodiment, the operator or the administrator uses the operation keys 8 and dust on the operation keys 8.
By determining whether or not to change the key definition in consideration of dust adhesion state, light transmission and friction state, etc., and when it is determined that it should be changed, by inputting a predetermined input command, It is characterized by changing the arrangement of the operation keys 8.

The flow chart shown in FIG. 5 will be described below. In P ₁₁ , it is judged whether or not the code NO is input, and the operator inputs the code NO, which is the input command selected from the menu, from the ten key 6 of the input operation unit 2, and in P ₁₂ , the code NO is matched. Key definition,
As shown in FIG. 2B, the key definition is changed to the new "START" key 8Aa.

The key definition change may be based on the frequency of use, the operator's judgment, the application, or a combination thereof.

[0029]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention.
According to the above, when the number of operation keys on the touch panel exceeds a preset comparison set value, the key definition is automatically changed to average wear and deterioration of the switch,
The life of the touch panel can be maintained for a long time, the appearance difference on the surface of the touch panel due to aging can be reduced, and according to claim 2, the comparison set value can be set almost in a fixed form, and the use of the operation keys is almost average. And can maintain a long life, and according to claim 3, when the operator at any time,
By changing the key definition, you can use the key further avoiding the dirt and dust on the touch panel surface.
The wear and deterioration of the switch is further averaged, and the life of the touch panel can be kept longer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view of an input operation unit of an embodiment of an operation device for implementing an input control method according to the present invention.

2A and 2B are diagrams showing a main part of the operating device shown in FIG. 1, where FIG. 2A is a top view of the operation key before being changed, and FIG. 2B is a top view of the operation key after being changed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the operating device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a program for changing the definition of an operation key of the input control method shown in FIG.

5 is a flow chart of a program for changing the definition of the operation keys of the input control method shown in FIG. 1 by an input command.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Operating Device 2 Input Operating Section 3 Control Section 5 Touch Panel 6 Numeric Keypad 7 LCD 8 Operation Key 11 Count Means A Comparison Set Value K Count Number

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An input control system for controlling an input operation in an apparatus having an input operation section having a touch panel having a display unit on which various operation keys are set and arranged, wherein the apparatus is one of operation keys of the input operation section. It has a counting means for counting the number of presses, and when the count number becomes larger than a preset comparison set value, the arrangement of the operation keys having the larger count number is changed within a predetermined range. Input control method. 2. When the maximum number of times the operation key can be pressed is B and there are C positions where the operation key can be relocated, the comparison set value A is However, D is a correction value that is determined based on how the operation keys are used and experience. It is shown by these.
Input control method described. 3. The arrangement of the operation keys is changed within a predetermined range by inputting a predetermined input command from the input operation section.
Input control method described.