JPH0635606A - Input device and its input control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve operability and a convenience property in a key inputting, and to quickly execute a key inputting by shortening a response time for the key input. CONSTITUTION:The device is provided with a touch panel 106 superposed and provided on an LCD 104, an LCD controller 105 for displaying an input screen on the LCD 104, a data priority part 110 for detecting the part in which the touch panel 106 is depressed in accordance with the priority, and an encoder part 112, a count correcting part 108 for setting a valid area of the touch panel 106, and a data correcting part 111, and a CPU 101 for executing key input control.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

The present invention is applied to copying machines, printers, facsimiles, cash dispensers, etc.
More specifically, the present invention relates to an input device in which a touch panel is overlaid on a display device such as an LCD, and an input control method thereof.
The present invention relates to an input device that detects a pressed position of a touch panel by scanning electrodes provided on the touch panel, and an input control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for example, a copying machine has been developed which has various application functions such as a facsimile function and a printer function in addition to a copy function. In such a copying machine, an input device combining a display and a touch panel is widely used so that a wide range of input corresponding to various applications can be performed. This input device determines the presence / absence of key input from the position of the key displayed on the display and the pressed position on the touch panel. The screen for inputting the key displayed on the display (input By changing the screen)
It is possible to perform various key input operations.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional input device, including a CPU 1001 and a ROM.
1002, RAM 1003, liquid crystal display (LCD) 1004 on which various input screens are displayed, LCD 1004
LCD controller (LCDC) that displays the input screen on the screen
1005, a touch panel 1006 provided with two sets of electrodes (hereinafter, each electrode is referred to as a row electrode and a column electrode) in a matrix, that is, corresponding to rows and columns, and a counter for counting a predetermined clock. 1007, a decoder 1008 that decodes the count value of the counter 1007 and outputs a signal to a column electrode in the touch panel 1006 corresponding to the count value to scan, and a touch panel 1006 that pushes down the touch panel 1006 to change the column electrode to the row electrode. The signal (data latch signal) flowing through
The encoder 1009 that outputs data (code data) indicating the electrode of the row through which the data latch signal has flown, the code data output from the encoder 1009, and the count value of the counter 1007 when the data latch signal is output are latched. Latch group 10 consisting of a plurality of latches
And 10.

In the above configuration, the CPU 1001 is
Various input screens are displayed on the LCD controller 1004 by outputting a predetermined signal to the LCD controller 1005. The counter 1007 repeatedly counts a preset range.
08 decodes the count value of the counter 1007 to scan the electrodes of the column of the touch panel 1006. When the touch panel 1006 is pressed, the electrodes arranged on the touch panel 1006 are such that the column electrodes and the row electrodes corresponding to the pressed positions come into contact with each other. At this time, the column electrodes are scanned by the decoder 1008. The signal applied to the column electrodes flows from the column electrodes to the row electrodes as a data latch signal.

When the data latch signal is output from the touch panel 1006, the encoder 1009 outputs code data indicating the electrode where the data latch signal is detected,
The latch group 1010 latches both the code data output from the encoder 1009 and the count value of the counter 1007 when the data latch signal is output.
In the latches included in the latch group 1010, these data are sequentially latched each time a data latch signal is output,
As a result, the latched old data are sequentially cleared.

The CPU 1001 judges a key input depending on whether or not these latched data are different for each latch. That is, if it is determined that the data does not differ for each latch, it is determined that a key input has been performed, and the touch panel 100
The pressed position of 6 is associated with the input screen displayed on the LCD 1004, and the pressed key is determined. On the contrary, if it is determined that the data is different for each latch, it is determined that no key is input. Here, when the touch panel 1006 is pressed down using a plurality of latches, a data latch signal may be generated due to a malfunction due to chattering, noise, or the like, thereby avoiding key input. This is because. Further, the latched data is cleared when a predetermined time has elapsed after being latched, when the data latch signal is not continuously generated.

Some input devices have a configuration shown in FIG. 10 and display a plurality of input screens on the LCD 1004. With such an input device, it is possible to save the time required to switch the input screen for each key input, and it is possible to grasp the correspondence of the key input for each input screen, so that the key input is facilitated. It has the advantage that it can be done.

[0008]

However, according to the conventional input device, a plurality of latches are used to prevent key input due to malfunction due to chattering, noise, etc. 1 latch
It is performed each time a data latch signal is generated in one scan, so when the touch panel is pressed at multiple locations, that is, when multiple keys are input, different data is latched for each latch and key input is performed. However, there was a problem that the operability was poor. Here, in many cases, the operator unknowingly touches the end of the touch panel where no keys are displayed, and in such a case, key input cannot be performed.

Although the area of the input screen where the keys are displayed differs depending on the input screen, the area of the touch panel where the scanning is performed is not changed, so that the area of the touch panel where the keys are not displayed is pressed. Key input is not possible and the operability is poor, and the smaller the key display area is, the more unnecessarily time is required for one scan. As a result, the time required to make a judgment (response time) becomes unnecessarily long, which impedes rapid key input operations.

Scanning on the touch panel is
Even if a touch on the touch panel is detected, the operation is continued until it is determined to be a key input. Especially for a touch panel with a large number of electrodes, one scan takes a long time, so
There was also the problem that the key input response time was inevitably long and quick key input work could not be performed.

In addition, in the input device, generally, when the touch panel is pressed and it is determined that the key input is made, the fact is notified by a screen or the like. Switching is usually performed by the time that has elapsed since it was determined to be a key input, so, for example, if the operator presses the touch panel without noticing even after the key input and the display on the screen, the switched input is switched. There was also the problem that operability was poor, because unintentional key input was sometimes executed on the screen.

Further, according to the input device for displaying a plurality of input screens, even if a plurality of input screens are displayed on the display, it is not determined that there is a key input if the data latched in the plurality of latches are different. However, it is inconvenient to perform key input on each input screen in order, and there is a problem that quick key input work cannot be performed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is a first object of the present invention to improve operability by prohibiting multiple key input so that accurate key input can always be performed. To do.

A second object is to improve the operability, shorten the response time of key input, and speed up the key input work by setting the effective area of pressing on the touch panel according to the input screen. And

A third object is to shorten the response time of key input and speed up key input work by monitoring the pressed position of the touch panel.

A fourth object is to improve operability by avoiding unintended key input.

A fifth object of the present invention is to improve the convenience and speed up the key input work by making a key input for each divided display screen.

[0018]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a display means for displaying an input screen and two display electrodes arranged in a matrix so as to be superposed on the display means. There is an input instruction of the information input means by outputting a signal to the information input means and one of the electrodes of the information input means for scanning, and detecting the signal by the electrode of the other set. An input device comprising position detecting means for detecting information based on position, and priority setting means for setting the order of detecting the information based on the position for which the position detecting means has made an input instruction of the information input means,
The position detection means provides an input device for detecting information based on the position where the input instruction of the information input means is made in accordance with the priority order set by the priority order setting means.

Further, it is desirable that the priority order set by the priority order setting means can be changed.

Further, display means for displaying an input screen, information input means arranged on the display means in an overlapping manner and having two sets of electrodes arranged in a matrix, and one set of electrodes in the information input means. Position detecting means for detecting information based on the position where there is an input instruction of the information inputting means by outputting a signal to and scanning the electrode and detecting the signal with the electrode of the other set, and the information inputting means And an effective area setting means for setting an effective area of the input instruction in the input device, wherein the input apparatus makes the input instruction in the information input means effective only in the area set by the effective area setting means. is there.

Further, it is desirable that the area set by the effective area setting means can be changed.

Further, it is preferable that the position detecting means skips the non-effective area which is not set by the effective area setting means and detects the information based on the position instructed by the information input means.

When an input operation is performed based on the displayed input screen, the position where the input instruction is given is monitored,
The present invention provides an input control method for determining whether or not an input operation is being executed at regular intervals.

When an input operation is performed based on the displayed input screen, other input operations are prohibited, the execution of the input operation is displayed, and the operation instructed by the input operation is executed. After that, an input control method is provided for determining whether or not the input operation state is present, instructing to cancel the input operation when the input operation state is present, and displaying the next input screen when the input operation state is not provided. To do.

Further, the display means capable of dividing and displaying the input screens in a plurality of modes, the information input means arranged on the display means in an overlapping manner and having two sets of electrodes arranged in a matrix, and the information input means Position detecting means for outputting information to one set of electrodes and scanning, and detecting the signal by the other set of electrodes to detect information based on the position designated by the information input means. In the input device, the position detecting means provides an input device for detecting each information based on the position instructed by the information input means for each of the input screens of the plurality of modes divided and displayed on the display means. To do.

Further, it is desirable to select a display ratio on the display means of the input screens in a plurality of modes which are divided and displayed.

[0027]

In the input device according to the present invention, the pressed position of the touch panel is detected according to the priority order, and the pressed part of the touch panel detected in one scan is made one, and the key display on the input screen is performed. The effective area of pressing on the touch panel is set according to the existing area, and only this area is scanned. Further, when it is detected that the touch panel has been pressed, scanning of the touch panel is interrupted, only the position where the touch panel is detected is monitored, and when it is determined that the key input is due to the touch panel being pressed, that fact is notified. Display on the display means,
After detecting that the touch panel has been released, the input screen of the display means is switched. Further, a plurality of input screens are displayed on the display means in a divided manner, and key input is executed in parallel for each input screen.

[0028]

【Example】

[Embodiment 1] An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below in the order of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an input device according to a first embodiment, including a CPU 101 that controls the entire device,
ROM 102 storing a program and RAM 103
And a liquid crystal display (LCD) 1 on which various input screens are displayed
04, an LCD controller (LCDC) 105 for displaying an input screen on the LCD 104, and two sets of electrodes in a matrix, that is, corresponding to rows and columns (hereinafter, each electrode is referred to as a row electrode or a column electrode). With a touch panel 106 and a counter 1 for counting a predetermined clock
07, a count correction unit 108 described later, and a counter 1
A decoder 109 that decodes the count value output from 07 through the count correction unit 108 and outputs a signal to a column electrode in the touch panel 106 corresponding to the count value to perform scanning, and outputs from the electrodes in each row of the touch panel 106. A data priority section 110 and a data correction section 111 that select and output the generated signal (bar data latch signal), and an encoder section that outputs data (code data) indicating the electrode of the row in which the bar data latch signal has flown. 112, and a latch group 113 including a plurality of latches for latching the code data output from the encoder unit 112 and the count value of the counter 107 when the bar data latch signal is output.

In the above configuration, first, the basic outline operation will be described. The CPU 101 outputs a predetermined signal to the LCD controller 105 so that the LC
Various input screens are displayed on D104. Counter 107
Is to repeatedly count within a preset range, and the decoder 109 scans by applying a signal of a predetermined voltage to the electrodes of the columns on the touch panel 106 corresponding to the count value. When the touch panel 106 is pressed, the electrodes provided on the touch panel 106 make contact between the column electrodes and the row electrodes at the pressed position. At this time, the electrodes of the columns are caused to flow by the scanning of the decoder 109. Signal flows from the column electrode to the row electrode as a bar data latch signal.

When the bar data latch signal is output from the row electrode, the encoder section 112 outputs the code data indicating the electrode of the row where the bar data latch signal is detected, and the latch group 113 outputs the code data. Also, the count value of the counter 107 when the bar data latch signal is output is latched together. Here, since the decoder 109 applies a signal to the electrodes of the column according to the count value, the count value indicates the electrode of the column on which the touch panel 106 is pressed.

Each time the bar data latch signal is output, the latch group 113 sequentially latches these data in a plurality of latches, whereby the latched old data are sequentially cleared. The CPU 101 determines the key input depending on whether or not these latched data are different for each latch. If it is determined that the data does not differ for each latch, it is determined that the key input is performed, and the input key is determined in correspondence with the pressed position of the touch panel 106 and the input screen displayed on the LCD 104. On the contrary, if it is determined that the data is different for each latch, it is determined that it is not a key input. Here, it is the chattering that determines the pressing of the touch panel 106 using the plurality of latches.
This is to prevent the key data from being input because a bar data latch signal may be generated due to a malfunction due to noise. In addition, the latched data is cleared when a predetermined time has elapsed after being latched, unless the bar data latch signal is continuously generated.

Next, the data priority section 110 will be described. The data priority unit 110 is for detecting the pressed position of the touch panel 106 according to the priority order, and this priority order is changed by the counting method of the counter 107. FIG. 2 shows a conceptual circuit diagram of the data priority unit 110, which includes flip-flops 201 to 203,
It is composed of an inverter 204, an AND gate 205, an OR gate 206, and a NAND gate 207.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. First, the counter 107 will be described. The counter 107 is an up / down counter that can perform both count-up and count-down, and only when all the bits that are count outputs become H or when all the bits become L, carry-out ( (CO) output becomes H. Counter 107 is up /
The counting method, that is, counting up or counting down is selected by the down selection signal, and the count value is output to the count correction unit 108 and the latches of the latch group 113.

The flip-flops 201 to 203 are D flip-flops, and the clock counted by the counter 107 is the flip-flop 201 and the inverter 2.
It is input to the clock terminal of the flip-flop 202 via 04. The flip-flop 201 receives the bar data latch signal as an input, and the reset output which is the output from the bar Q terminal is input to the OR gate 206. The OR gate 206 outputs the reset output of the flip-flop 201 and the bar data latch signal. The logical sum is calculated and output to the clock terminal of the flip-flop 203.

The flip-flop 202 is a counter 10
7 carry-out output is input, and its set output is A
Input to the ND gate 205, the AND gate 205
The carry-out output of the counter 107 and the set output of the flip-flop 202 are logically ANDed and output to the clear (CLR) terminal of the flip-flop 203. The input of the flip-flop 203 is always H. Therefore, once the output of the OR gate 206 input to the clock terminal changes from L to H, the set output which is the output from the Q terminal is always cleared unless it is cleared. It becomes H.

The set output of the flip-flop 203 is a mask signal, and this mask signal is input to the NAND gate 207. The NAND gate 207 takes the negative logical product of this mask signal and the bar data latch signal (outputs L only when both inputs are L), and outputs this NAN.
The output of the D gate 207 becomes a new bar / data latch signal (bar / new data latch signal). Here, in the actual circuit, the NAND gate 207 is connected to each electrode of the row, and the signal from this electrode becomes one input (bar data latch signal) of the NAND gate 207 and the other input is It becomes a mask signal.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the operation of various signals in this circuit. As shown in the drawing, even if the touch panel 106 is pressed down at a plurality of points (at this time, the bar / data latch signal becomes L), the data priority section 1
The bar / new data latch signal output from 10 becomes L only once (one place) in one scan. This is because once the bar data latch signal is output in one scan, the mask signal becomes H and the other bar data latch signals are excluded. This mask signal has a carry-out output of H, that is, when one scan is completed, the AND gate 205
Goes high, the flip-flop 203 is cleared and goes low.

As described above, since only one depressed portion of the touch panel 106 that is effective in one scan is activated, key input can be performed even when the touch panel 106 is depressed at a plurality of locations. In addition, it is possible to eliminate the influence of a malfunction such as chattering that occurs when scanning after the pressed position on the touch panel 106, and to avoid a delay in the response time of key input due to the malfunction. This means that it is effective in performing key input work quickly. Also,
The counting method of the counter 107 can be selected by the up / down selection signal, that is, the scanning direction on the touch panel 106 can be selected. At this time, the electrode to be scanned first is prioritized. Priority can be given to the arrangement of the key display. This means that, for example, by arranging the keys with the highest frequency of input in order of priority, it is possible to improve operability and speed up key input work.

Next, the encoder section 112 will be described. The data priority unit 112 is for detecting only one pressed portion of the touch panel 106 for each scan. However, there is only one location to detect in the scanning direction of the decoder 109 (hereinafter referred to as the horizontal direction), and there are a plurality of locations on the touch panel 106 on the same row of electrodes (hereinafter referred to as the vertical direction). If pressed, multiple bar data latch signals will be generated. The encoder unit 112 takes this point into consideration, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the encoder unit 112.

The encoder section 112, as shown in FIG.
It is composed of two priority encoders 401 and 402 and a multiplexer 403 which selects one output of the priority encoders 401 and 402. A bar data latch signal is input to the priority encoders 401 and 402 via a data correction unit 111 described later, and data is output from the multiplexer 403 to the latches of the latch group 113.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. In the priority encoders 401 and 402, different priorities are set for the electrodes of the row. Therefore, when the bar data latch signals are simultaneously output from the electrodes of a plurality of rows, the priority encoders 401 and 402 cause the electrodes of the row to which one bar data latch signal is output according to the set priority order. Is selected and the code data indicating the electrodes of this row is output to the multiplexer 403. Multiplexer 403
Selects and outputs either one of the code data output from the priority encoders 401 and 402 by the encoder selection signal output from the CPU 101.

As described above, even if the bar / data latch signals are simultaneously output from the electrodes of a plurality of rows, the electrodes of one row are selected according to the priority order.
Key input can be performed even when is pressed at a plurality of positions on the electrodes in the same row. This means that by combining the data priority unit 110 and the encoder unit 112, key input can always be performed regardless of how a plurality of points are touched on the touch panel 106. In addition, the encoder selection signal can select the priority encoders 401 and 402, that is, the priority order of the electrodes of the row can be changed.

Further, the operator often touches the end of the touch panel 106, which is not displayed with keys, unconsciously, and at this time, it is conceivable that key input cannot be performed. Therefore, if the priority of the end portion of the touch panel 106 is set to be low, key input can be performed even when the hand of the end portion of the touch panel 106 is touched, and operability can be improved.

Next, the count correction unit 108 will be described. The count correction unit 108 includes the touch panel 10
6, the range to be scanned, that is, the effective area of the key input in the lateral direction is set. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the count correction unit 108,
It is composed of digital comparators 501 and 502 and a data selector 503.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. Latches (not shown) are connected to the digital comparators 501 and 502, respectively.
The data output from the CPU 101 is latched. The digital comparator 501 includes a data 1 latched in a connected latch and a counter 10
7 is compared with the count value of 7, and if the count value is larger than the data 1, the count value is output to the data selector 503. Similarly, the digital comparator 502 has the data 2 latched in the latch and the counter 10
7 is compared with the count value of 7, and if the count value is smaller than the data 2, the count value is output to the data selector 503. The data selector 503 is an AND gate, O
It is composed of an R gate, a multiplexer (both not shown), etc., and selects the output of the digital comparator 501 or 502 by the data select signal output from the CPU 101 and outputs it to the decoder 109.

Therefore, by setting the values of the data 1 and 2 and the data select signal, it is possible to set the effective area to be scanned by the touch panel 106, for example, as shown by the diagonal lines in FIG. Therefore, even if the touch panel 106 is pressed outside the effective area, desired key input can be performed, and operability can be improved. Further, it is possible to avoid occurrence of malfunction such as chattering and noise in areas other than the effective area.
This means that it is possible to avoid a delay in the key input response time due to a malfunction or the like, and as a result, the time required for key input work can be shortened and the work efficiency of the operator can be improved. .

In addition, it is possible to invalidate the pressing of the touch panel 106 outside the effective area and to avoid the occurrence of malfunctions such as chattering and noise outside the effective area.
To reduce the number of times the data latch signal becomes L. This reduces the number of times the CPU 101 checks the data latched in the latch group 113 for determining the key input, so that the load on the CPU 101 can be reduced, and the actual processing speed can be improved. Means there is.

Further, when the area to be scanned is set in this way, in the first embodiment, the area not to be scanned is skipped and the counter 107 counts. For skipping the count, for example, data 1
When> 2, when the count value of the data 2 is reached, the data of the value of the data 1 is loaded from the latch (not shown) to the counter 107, and counting is performed again from the value of the loaded data 1. As a result, the time required for one scan is shortened, the response time of key input is shortened compared to the normal time, and quick key input work can be performed. This is particularly effective when a touch panel having a large number of electrodes in a row is used.

The count correction unit 108 shown in FIG.
If a plurality of keys are provided and the outputs of the plurality of count correction units 108, that is, the outputs of the data selectors 503 are ORed, a more complicated effective area for key input can be set.

Next, the data correction section 111 will be described. The count correction unit 108 sets the area of the touch panel 106 scanned by the decoder 109, that is,
The horizontal correction area of the touch panel 106 is set by designating the electrodes on the touch panel 106 to which a signal is applied.
1 designates an electrode in a row for detecting a bar data latch signal of the touch panel 106 to set an effective area in the vertical direction of the touch panel 106.

The data correction unit 111 has the same number of OR gates 701 as the number of electrodes in the row. As shown in FIG. 7, the OR gate 701 receives the bar data latch signal and the mask data, and takes the logical sum of them. The bar data latch signal is sent to the touch panel 106.
It is H when is not pressed, and L when is pressed. Therefore, the mask data value is L for the OR gate 701 corresponding to the electrode of the row where the signal is detected, and H for the OR gate 701 corresponding to the electrode of the row where the signal is not detected. Here, a latch is connected to the input terminal of the OR gate 701, and the mask data value is changed by rewriting the data in this latch.

As described above, the mask data of the OR gate 701 can be used to set the electrode of the effective row, that is, the effective area of the key input in the vertical direction of the touch panel 106. Therefore, even if the area other than the effective area in the vertical direction of the touch panel 106 is pressed, desired key input can be performed. Further, by avoiding the occurrence of malfunctions such as chattering and noise in this effective area during scanning, it is possible to avoid a delay in key input response time due to these malfunctions, and shorten the time required for key input work. Can be achieved.

Next, the key input control according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the key input control operation according to the first embodiment. First, the touch panel 10
6 is pressed (S801), if it is determined that the touch panel 106 is not pressed, a series of processing is ended here. Conversely, if it is determined that the touch panel 106 is pressed, the count value of the counter 107 is changed. The latched count value is fixed, and the count value is output from the counter 107 at regular intervals to monitor the pressed position of the touch panel 106 (S802), and then it is determined whether a key input has been made. (S803). If it is determined that the input is not a key input, the monitoring of the pressed position on the touch panel 106 is canceled (S804), a series of processing is terminated, and if it is determined that the key input is input, the key input is prohibited (S805) and the key is pressed. LCD 10 indicates that the input has been made.
4 is displayed (S806), the operation instructed by the performed key input is executed (S807), and then it is determined whether or not the touch panel 106 is being pressed (S80).
8).

When it is determined that the touch panel 106 has not been pressed, the input screen to be displayed next by the input key is displayed on the LCD 104 (S809), the scanning is started, and the key input prohibition is released (S810). ， End a series of processing. If it is determined in step S808 that the touch panel 106 is pressed, the LCD 10 is moved so that the finger is released from the touch panel 106.
4 is displayed (S811), the process returns to step S808.

As described above, when the touch panel 106 is pressed, only the pressed position is monitored, so that the response time of key input can be shortened. In addition, since the occurrence of malfunction due to noise or the like when scanning another area of the touch panel 106 is avoided, it is possible to avoid delay in response time of key input due to malfunction. Also,
When a key input is made, the fact is displayed via the LCD 104, so that the operator can know the presence or absence of the key input. Further, after the touch panel 106 is released from being pressed, the input screen is switched and the key input prohibition is released, so that the input screen is switched while the touch panel 106 is being pressed, and unintended key input is performed at this time. This can be avoided and operability can be improved.

In the first embodiment, the presence / absence of depression of the touch panel 106 when a key is input is detected by monitoring only the position where the key is input. Since the position may be pressed down, for example, in the case of the touch panel 106 having a small number of electrodes, by scanning the entire touch panel 106 without monitoring only the key-input position, the touch panel 106 can be moved to other locations. The presence / absence of depression may be detected.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an input device according to the second embodiment, and a CPU that executes control of the entire device.
901, ROM 902 storing programs, and RA
M903 and LCD904 displaying various input screens
An LCD controller (LCDC) 905 for displaying an input screen on the LCD 904, a touch panel 906 provided with row and column electrodes in a matrix, a counter 907 for counting a predetermined clock, and a counter 907.
A decoder 908 which decodes the count value counted by and outputs the signal to the electrode of the column of the touch panel 906 corresponding to the count value, and the bar data latch signal output from the electrode of each row of the touch panel 906 are input. Data correction units 909 and 910, encoders 911 and 912 that output code data indicating the electrodes of the row through which the bar data latch signal has flowed, code data output from the encoders 911 and 912, and bar data latch signals Counter 90 when is output
A latch group 9 composed of a plurality of latches for classifying and latching the count value of 7 into each system of encoders 911 and 912.
13 and 13.

In the above configuration, the operation will be described by taking as an example the case where two input screens are displayed on the LCD 904. Here, it is assumed that the LCD 904 displays the input screen divided in the direction in which the decoder 908 scans the touch panel 906, that is, in the horizontal direction. Also, LCD
The controller 905 is capable of displaying two input screens on the LCD 904 in response to a signal from the CPU 901 and switching only one input screen.

The counter 907 counts a predetermined clock, and the decoder 908 counts the counter 90.
Touch panel 90 according to the count value counted by 7
Scan 6. The data correction units 909 and 910 have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 7), and the mask data is switched according to the scanned area of the touch panel 906. That is, when the scan is started in one scan, first, all the mask data in the data correction unit 909 is set to L, all the mask data in the data correction unit 910 is set to H, and the scan corresponds to the boundary of the input screen. When the position of 906 is reached, all the mask data in the data correction unit 909 is set to H, and all the mask data in the data correction unit 910 is set to L. As a result, the bar data latch signal corresponding to each input screen is input to the encoders 911 and 912 via the corresponding data correction units 909 and 910, respectively.

The encoders 911 and 912 output the code data indicating the electrodes of the row to which the bar data latch signal is output, in response to the bar data latch signal input via the data correction units 909 and 910. Latch group 91
Although not shown, 3 is a configuration divided into two systems, each of which has code data and a bar
The count value of the counter 907 when the data latch signal is output is made to correspond to and latched in the latch of each system. Therefore, the key input for each input screen can be latched in one scan. Each of these lines is shown in Example 1.
Similar to the above, the CPU 901 determines the presence / absence of a key input depending on whether or not the data latched in the plurality of latches is different. According to the above, the input screen is switched for each side.

In this way, since the data relating to the pressed position of the touch panel 906 is latched for each input screen, the touch panel 906 pressed for each input screen.
The position of can be detected. Therefore, since key input can be performed in parallel for each input screen and at the same time, it is convenient and quick key input work can be performed as compared with the case of performing key input sequentially for each input screen. Also, one input device can be used as an input device for the number of displayed input screens. At this time, changing the area on the touch panel 906 corresponding to each input screen is
Since it can be easily performed by changing the data value of the mask data, for example, the operability of the keys can be improved by changing the ratio of each input screen to the LCD 904 based on the number of key displays on each input screen. it can.
These means that the input device can be applied according to the application, and thus the device has versatility.

In the second embodiment, the input screen is divided and displayed in the horizontal direction on the LCD 904, but the data correction units 909 and 910 specify the electrodes of the rows for which the mask data is L, so that the LCD 904 is displayed. On the other hand, even if the input screen is divided and displayed vertically, key input can be performed for each input screen, and these can be combined. In addition to the configuration of the second embodiment, the data priority unit 110 and the count correction unit 108 as in the first embodiment are further added.
Etc. may be added, and the input screen may not be switched while the touch panel 906 is pressed. Further, in the second embodiment, the counter 907 and the decoder 9
Although key input for each input screen is performed by sharing 08, it is also possible to provide two counters and two decoders and use a counter and a decoder for each input screen.

[0063]

As described above, the input device and the input control method according to the present invention detect the pressed position of the touch panel according to the priority order, and detect the pressed position of the touch panel in one scan. Since there is only one, it is possible to prohibit multiple input of keys and always perform key input, thus improving operability.

Further, since the effective area of pressing on the touch panel is set according to the area where the keys are displayed on the input screen and only this area is scanned, the response time of the key input can be shortened. Can be speeded up.

Further, when it is detected that the touch panel is pressed, the scanning of the touch panel is interrupted and only the position where the touch panel is detected is monitored, so that the response time of the key input can be shortened. Work can be speeded up.

When it is determined that the key input is due to the touch panel being pressed, the fact is displayed on the display means,
After detecting that the pressing of the touch panel is released, the input screen of the display means is switched, so that operability can be improved by avoiding unintended key input.

Further, since a plurality of input screens are dividedly displayed on the display means and key input is executed in parallel for each input screen, convenience can be improved and key input work can be speeded up.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an input device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data priority section shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the operation of the data priority unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an encoder section shown in FIG. 1.

5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a count correction unit shown in FIG.

6 is an explanatory diagram showing a key input effective area on the touch panel which is set by the count correction unit shown in FIG. 1;

7 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data correction unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a key input control operation according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram showing an input device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing a conventional input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 901 CPU 102 90
2 ROM 103 903 RAM 104 90
4 LCD 105 905 LCD controller 106 90
6 touch panel 107 907 counter 108 count correction unit 110 data priority unit 111 909 910 data correction unit 112 encoder unit 113 91
3 Latch group 201 202 203 Flip-flop 204 Inverter 205 AN
D gate 206 OR gate 207 NA
ND gate 401 402 priority encoder 403 multiplexer 501 502 digital comparator 503 data selector 911 912 encoder

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. Display means for displaying an input screen, information input means arranged on the display means so as to overlap each other, and two sets of electrodes arranged in a matrix, and one set of electrodes in the information input means. Position detecting means for detecting information based on a position where an input instruction is given by the information inputting means by outputting and scanning a signal to the other set of electrodes, and the position detecting means An input device comprising: priority setting means for setting the order of detecting information based on the position where the input instruction of the information input means is given,
The input device, wherein the position detecting means detects information based on a position where an input instruction is given by the information input means in accordance with the priority order set by the priority order setting means. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the priority order set by the priority order setting means is changeable. 3. Display means for displaying an input screen, information input means arranged on the display means so as to overlap each other, and two sets of electrodes arranged in a matrix, and one set of electrodes in the information input means. Position detecting means for detecting information based on the position where there is an input instruction of the information inputting means by outputting a signal to and scanning the electrode and detecting the signal with the electrode of the other set, and the information inputting means And an effective area setting means for setting an effective area of the input instruction, wherein the input instruction in the information input means is made effective only in the area set by the effective area setting means. . 4. The input device according to claim 3, wherein the area set by the effective area setting means is changeable. 5. The position detecting means detects information based on a position where an input instruction is given by the information input means by skipping a non-effective area which is not set by the effective area setting means. The input device described. 6. When the input operation is performed based on the displayed input screen, the position where the input instruction is given is monitored and it is determined whether or not the input operation is executed at regular intervals. Input control method. 7. When an input operation is performed based on the displayed input screen, another input operation is prohibited, the execution of the input operation is displayed, and the operation instructed by the input operation is executed. After that, it is judged whether or not it is in the input operation state, if it is in the input operation state, it is instructed to cancel the input operation, and if it is not in the input operation state, the next input screen is displayed. Input control method. 8. A display means capable of dividing and displaying an input screen in a plurality of modes, an information input means arranged on the display means so as to be overlapped with each other, and two sets of electrodes arranged in a matrix, and the information input means. Position detecting means for outputting information to one set of electrodes and scanning, and detecting the signal by the other set of electrodes to detect information based on the position designated by the information input means. In the input device having the above-mentioned, the position detecting means detects each information based on the position instructed by the information inputting means for each of the input screens of the plurality of modes divided and displayed on the display means. Input device to do. 9. The input device according to claim 8, wherein it is possible to select a display ratio of the input screen in a plurality of modes which is divided and displayed on the display means.