JPH09325845A - Operation instruction method using touch panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to instruct an operator to perform a required operation without observing a screen in an operation instruction device using a touch display. SOLUTION: Plural operation distribution ranges R1 to R5 are formed on a part of the inside of the outer peripheral part of the display screen of the touch display 11, operation instructing switches SW1 to SW5 are arranged correspondingly to respective ranges R1 to R5, prescribed operation selecting pictures are displayed on the ranges R1 to R5, and correspondence between the switches SW1 to SW5 corresponding to the ranges R1 to R5 and operation corresponding to the operation selecting pictures displayed on the ranges R1 to R5 is stored in a memory 17. When a prescribed operation instructing switch is depressed, a processor 15 instructs the execution of operation stored correspondingly to the prescribed switch.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation instruction method, and more particularly to an operation instruction method using a touch panel for displaying operation buttons on a touch display and touching a predetermined operation button to instruct execution of an operation. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is an operation instruction device in which a transparent touch panel is provided on a display screen and an operation selection image (operation button) position displayed on the display screen is touched to execute an operation according to the image. In order to instruct an operation in such an operation instructing device, the operator always confirms a desired operation button position while looking at the screen and touches the operation button. This is because the touch display has the same touch irrespective of the operation button, and therefore an incorrect operation instruction is issued unless the screen is viewed.

[0003]

By the way, recently, an operation instructing device using a touch display has come to be used in an in-vehicle device or the like. Such an in-vehicle device often gives an instruction for operation while the vehicle is traveling. However, in the touch display, as described above, since the operator confirms the desired operation button position and touches the operation button while looking at the screen, driving is neglected and there is a problem in safe driving. In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an operation instruction method capable of giving an instruction for a desired operation without looking at the screen in an operation instruction device using a touch display.

[0004]

According to the present invention, there is provided a means for providing a plurality of operation allocation areas in a part of the outer peripheral portion of a display screen, and operation instructions provided corresponding to each operation allocation area. Switch, means for displaying a predetermined operation selection image in the operation allocation area, operation instruction switch corresponding to the area, memory for storing correspondence between the operation according to the operation selection image displayed in the area, predetermined operation instruction This is achieved by means of operating the switch to instruct execution of the operation stored in association with the operation instruction switch. In other words, since the operation instruction switches can be distinguished and identified by touch without looking at the screen, it is possible to instruct execution of a desired operation without looking at the screen, and in safety driving,
It is advantageous. In addition, a plurality of sets of action instruction switches and actions are set, and an action selection image corresponding to each action in a desired combination selected by the select switch is displayed in the allocation area, according to the operated action switch. Make sure to instruct execution of the operation. With this configuration, the operation that can be input by the operation of the operation instruction switch can be easily changed by the select switch, and the operation performance can be improved.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(A) First Embodiment (a) Configuration FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an operation instruction device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 11 denotes a touch display, which has a configuration in which a transparent touch panel is provided on the display screen and has a function of displaying a predetermined operation instruction image (icon) and outputting a signal according to the touched position.
The display screen of the touch display 11 has a media selection area 11a, an operation selection area 11b, a motion allocation area 11c, a motion allocation control area 11d, and the like. In the media selection area 11a, icons (media selection images) for selecting media such as CD, MD (mini disc), radio (FM / AM), tape, TV, and navigation are displayed. Operation selection area 11
In b, icons (operation button images) for operating each audio device, for example, fast forward, reproduction start, pause, volume up / down, up seek / down seek, etc. are displayed. The motion allocation area 11c is provided in a part inside the outer peripheral portion of the display screen, and in the motion allocation area, five areas R1 to R5 are provided in the figure, and desired icons can be moved and displayed in these areas. It is like this. Operation allocation control area 11d
Shows an icon (setting button) for instructing the start / end of allocation control, an icon for canceling the set allocation (cancel button), an icon for saving the set allocation (save button), and the like.

To move the CD selection icon (CD) to the area R1 of the operation allocation area 11c, touch the setting button to enter the allocation operation mode, and then touch the icon (CD) and then the area R1. Just touch it. Other icons can be similarly moved and displayed. Reference numeral 12 is an operation instruction switch, and five switches SW1 to SW5 are provided corresponding to the five areas R1 to R5 of the operation allocation area 11c. By operating a predetermined switch SWi (i = 1 to 5), it is possible to instruct an operation corresponding to the icon displayed in the area Ri corresponding to the switch. In the operation input mode, even if the area Ri (i = 1 to 5) is touched, the operation corresponding to the icon displayed in the area can be instructed. 13 is a key control unit, 14 is a touch position detection unit that detects and outputs the position of the touch display that has been touched, and 15 is a processor that controls the entire device,
In addition to instructing each part to execute an operation according to the operated operation instruction switches SW1 to SW5 or an operation according to the touched operation button, display control of the operation screen and the like are performed. The display control is generally performed by separately providing a display control section, but the display control function is also provided in the processor 15 for the sake of simplicity. Reference numeral 16 denotes an operation screen storage unit that stores an initial operation screen (image) 16a and a current operation screen (image) after icon movement. At the initial stage, the current operation screen 16b matches the initial operation screen 16a.

Reference numeral 17 is a storage unit for storing the relationship between the five areas R1 to R5 of the operation allocation area 11c, the five switches SW1 to SW5, and the functions (operations) corresponding to these. At the initial stage, the function column is blank, but in the allocation operation mode, as shown in FIG.
Icon CD, FM / AM, T for each of 1 to R4
When P and NAVI are moved and displayed, the function column is shown in FIG.
The function shown in is written. Similarly, in the allocation operation mode, as shown in FIG.
When the icon (operation selection image) is moved and displayed on each of the 5 items, the function (operation) shown in FIG. 3B is written in the function column. Reference numeral 18 is various audio devices, 18a is a CD player, 18b is a mini disk player, and 18c.
Is a tape deck, 18d is an FM / AM tuner, 18e
Is a navigation device, 18f is a TV tuner ...

(B) Operation Initially, the operation screen shown in FIG. 1 is displayed on the touch display 11. If a predetermined icon is touched in this state, the touch position detection unit 14 inputs the touch position to the processor 15. The processor 15 identifies the icon to which the touch position belongs by referring to the initial operation screen data,
The operation corresponding to the icon is executed, or the operation corresponding to the icon is instructed to a predetermined device. Therefore, when the setting icon is touched while the vehicle is stopped, the processor 15 enters the operation allocation mode. In such a state, the operation for moving and displaying the predetermined icon in the areas R1 to R5 of the motion allocation area 11c is performed by the above-described operation. When such an operation is performed, the processor 15 updates the contents of the current operation screen 16b, and the processor 15 updates the contents of FIG.
The operation screen shown in (a) is displayed on the touch display 11. The processor 15 also stores the function (operation) corresponding to the icon moved and displayed in each of the areas R1 to R5 in the storage unit 17
Write in the function column as shown in FIG. 2 (b) or FIG. 3 (b). 2 shows an example in which only icons for media selection are moved and displayed in the operation allocation area 11c, and FIG. 3 shows examples in which only icons for operation selection are moved and displayed in the operation allocation area 11c.

Then, when the setting icon is touched,
The processor 15 enters the operation input mode. In this state, for example, when the switch SW1 is operated in the state where the operation screen shown in FIG. 2A is displayed, the processor 15 requests the operation (CD player start) corresponding to the switch SW1 from the storage unit 17, Until then, the device which is in operation is stopped and the CD player 18a is started. The same applies when other switches are operated. Also, FIG. 3 (a)
While the operation screen shown in is displayed, switch SW
When 1 is operated, the processor 15 requests the operation (reproduction start) corresponding to the switch SW1 from the storage unit 17 and gives an instruction to start reproduction of the activated device. To change the icon display of each of the areas R1 to R5 in the operation allocation area 11c, touch the cancel icon. By touching the cancel icon, the processor 15 clears the contents of the storage unit 17 and displays the initial operation screen of FIG. 1 on the touch display 11. From the above, the initial state is reached, and thereafter, the same operation as described above may be performed.

(B) Second Embodiment FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention.
The same parts as those in the embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. The difference from the first embodiment is that a select switch SSW and a media changeover switch MSW are provided, and a plurality of sets of operation instruction switches SW1 to SW5 and operation correspondences are set in advance in the storage unit 17, and the select switch SSW (or An action selection image corresponding to each action in a desired combination selected by the media changeover switch MSW) is displayed in each region R.
1 to R5, the operation instruction switch SW1 operated and operated
The point is that the execution of the operation according to SW5 is instructed.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which a plurality of sets of action instruction switches SW1 to SW5 and actions are set in advance in the storage unit 17. When the setting icon is touched while the vehicle is stopped, the processor 15 enters the operation allocation mode. In such a state, a predetermined icon is displayed in the motion allocation area 11
The operation for moving and displaying in the areas R1 to R5 of c is performed.
When such a movement operation is performed, the processor 15 updates the content of the current operation screen and displays it on the touch display 11, and at the same time, the function (action) corresponding to the icon moved and displayed in each of the areas R1 to R5 is stored in the storage unit 17. Write in the select 1 column as shown in FIG. Then, to save another correspondence, touch the save icon and then the cancel icon. As a result, the processor 15 causes the storage unit 17 to
The initial operation screen of FIG. 1 is displayed on the touch display 11 without clearing the contents of the select 1 column of. Thereafter, if the same operation as described above is performed, the function (operation) corresponding to the icon newly moved and displayed in each of the areas R1 to R5 is written in the select 2 column of the storage unit 17 as shown in FIG. After that, select other correspondences in the same way, 3 columns, 4 columns ...
By touching the setting icon, the processor 15 enters the operation input mode, and the icon corresponding to the operation in the select 1 column of the storage unit 17 is displayed on the touch display 1.
It is displayed in each of the areas R1 to R5 of the one operation allocation area 11c. In such a state, the operation instruction switches SW1 to SW5
By operating, the processor 15 executes an operation according to the operated switch or instructs the device to perform the operation.

On the other hand, when it is desired to instruct an operation based on another switch / operation combination, the select switch SSW is pressed. Each time the select switch SSW is pressed, the processor 15 assigns an icon corresponding to the operation in the next select field to each area R1 of the operation allocation area 11c.
~ Display on R5. Therefore, if the operation instruction switches SW1 to SW5 are operated while the desired icon is displayed, the processor 15 executes an operation according to the operated switch, or instructs the device to perform the operation.

(C) Modification In the second embodiment, a plurality of combinations of switches and operations are registered in the storage unit 17 without distinguishing the media selection operation and the operation of the equipment as shown in FIG. This is a case where a predetermined combination is selected and used by the selector switch SSW. By the way, when a large number of media exist, for example, TV channel NO. There are a lot of media when they are also regarded as media, but in such a case, a plurality of combinations (first media group, second media group, ...) Are set only by media as shown in FIG. 6A. Then, the desired media group is selected by using the media selection switch MSW, and the icon of the media group is assigned to the operation allocation area 11c.
It is also possible to display in each of the areas R1 to R5, operate a predetermined operation instruction switch SW1 to SW5, and activate the medium indicated by the icon displayed in the area corresponding to the switch.

The operation of each medium and the switches SW1 to SW1
The correspondence relationship of SW5 (regions R1 to R5) is registered in advance as shown in FIG. 6B, and icons indicating each action of the selected medium are assigned to each region R of the action allocation region 11c.
1 to R5 are automatically displayed, and operation instruction switches SW1 to SW1
It is also possible to operate the SW5 to perform the operation indicated by the icon displayed in the area corresponding to the switch. When there are many media operations, the correspondence between a plurality of sets of switches and operations is stored, a predetermined combination is displayed by the select switch SSW, and the operation instruction switch is operated to instruct a predetermined operation. It can also be configured as follows. Further, in the above, the present invention is applied to the case of instructing the operation of selecting the medium or the operation of the device, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such operation. Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention can be variously modified according to the gist of the present invention described in the claims, and the present invention does not exclude these.

[0015]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of operation allocation areas are provided in a part of the outer peripheral portion of the display screen, and operation instruction switches are provided so as to correspond to the respective operation allocation areas. Is displayed in the operation allocation area, the correspondence between the operation instruction switch corresponding to the area and the operation according to the operation selection image displayed in the area is stored in the memory, and the predetermined operation instruction switch is operated to operate the operation instruction switch. Since the operation instruction switch is configured to instruct the execution of the stored operation, the operation instruction switches can be distinguished and identified by touch without looking at the screen, so that the desired operation can be performed without looking at the screen. You can instruct the execution,
It is advantageous for safe driving.

Further, according to the present invention, a select switch is provided, a plurality of sets of correspondences between the operation instruction switch and the operation are set in advance, and an operation selection image corresponding to each operation in a desired combination selected by the select switch is operated. Since it is configured to display in the allocated area and instruct execution of the operation according to the operated operation switch, it is possible to easily change the operation that can be input from the operation switch with the select switch and improve the operation performance. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of switch operation allocation.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of another operation allocation of switches.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11-Touch display 11c-Operation allocation area 12-Operation instruction switch 14-Touch position detection unit 15-Processor 16-Operation screen storage unit 17-Storage unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A transparent touch panel is provided on a display screen, and an operation instruction method for performing an operation according to an image by touching an operation selection image position displayed on the display screen is used. In addition to providing a plurality of operation allocation areas in the section, an operation instruction switch is provided corresponding to each operation allocation area, a predetermined operation selection image is displayed in the operation allocation area, and the operation instruction switch and the area corresponding to the area are displayed. A feature is that a correspondence with an operation according to the displayed operation selection image is stored in a memory, and a predetermined operation instruction switch is operated to instruct execution of a stored operation corresponding to the operation instruction switch. And operation instruction method. 2. A selection switch is provided, and a plurality of sets of correspondences between the operation instruction switch and the operation are set in advance, and an operation selection image corresponding to each operation in a desired combination selected by the selection switch is displayed in the allocation area, The operation instruction method according to claim 1, wherein an instruction to execute an operation is issued in accordance with the operated operation instruction switch.