JPH10228350A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently switch between pointer moving processing and character input processing. SOLUTION: The input device for executing character input processing to a computer and pointer moving processing is provided with a display part 2 for displaying key array or picture information, a touch sensing part 3 for checking which part on the screen is touched, a character input processing means capable of inputting each character by displaying the key array on the display part 2 and depressing a corresponding position, a painter moving processing means for moving a pointer by displaying picture information and depressing a corresponding position, and a function switching means for switching the two functions and using the selected function. When two points or more on the touch sensing part 3 are simultaneously touched, their corresponding functions are switched and two processing means can be used on the same device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data input device for performing character input processing and pointer movement processing on a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A general computer includes a CUI (Ch).
Character input device as an arcer User Interface, GUI (Graphical Us)
erInterface), a pointer moving device,
Are required.

[0003] These two devices generally exist as independent devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and both need to be connected to a computer. This requires installation space for two devices.

[0004] In particular, a mouse requires more work space than the size of the device.

For this reason, trackballs, grind points, touch panels and the like have been devised.

[0006] These devices can be operated only by the size of the device, and by arranging them together with a character input device, not only the space saving of the work place can be further achieved, but also a pointer can be provided from the character input processing device. There is an advantage that work speed can be improved by reducing the amount of movement of the hand to the movement processing device.

[0007] However, in these devices, only two devices are arranged, and again two arrangement spaces are required and a hand must be moved between the two devices.

When the keyboard layout and the position of the pointing device are fixed, personalization of frequently used input keys and operation of GUI buttons on the screen cannot be performed.

Although there is a method in which a keyboard arrangement is displayed on a computer screen and characters can be input only by a pointer movement processing device, there is a problem (limit) in the speed of character input.

A screen touch type character input device capable of arbitrarily changing the key arrangement is described in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-94253.

The present invention is only a character input device and cannot perform a pointer moving operation.

A system in which a touch screen is added to a keyboard as an auxiliary input device and various functions such as frequently used keys are added and changed is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-26562.
No. 8 discloses this in detail.

In the present invention, the character input device and the pointer moving device are combined, but the two devices exist independently.

[0014]

A general computer needs two input devices, a character input processing device and a pointer movement processing device, requires a space for arranging these two devices, and uses two hands for two devices. Need to move between.

For this reason, a large space for installing the apparatus is required, and the work efficiency is poor because the hand must be frequently moved from the home position.

The object of the present invention is to improve the working space and working efficiency by providing one device with two functions.

[0017]

According to the present invention, there is provided an input device for inputting characters to a computer and moving a pointer, comprising: a display section for displaying a key arrangement or screen information; A touch sensing unit to check whether or not a character has been touched; a character input processing unit that displays a key arrangement on the display unit and presses the corresponding location to input characters; and a pointer that displays screen information and moves the pointer by pressing the corresponding location. And a function switching means for switching and using the above two functions. The function switching is performed by simultaneously touching two or more points of the touch sensing unit, and the function switching is performed on the same device. An input device characterized in that two processing means can be used.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the input device, the function switching means switches the function by simultaneously dragging two or more points of the touch sensing portion, and the two input functions can be used on the same device. The input device according to claim 1, wherein

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the input device, the function switching means switches the function by touching the touch sensing portion with a large area such as a palm, and the two input functions can be used on the same device. Claim 1
It is an input device of description.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the input device, the function switching means is provided with a button-shaped switching device for switching between the two input functions on the front side of the input device, and by operating a switching button. 2. A switching device according to claim 1, wherein said two input functions can be used on the same device.
It is an input device of description.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is an external view of one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of a data processing apparatus for performing character input and pointer operation in the present invention, and performs a function switching process and the like.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a display unit, which shows a key arrangement and computer screen information to the user according to the function at that time.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a touch sensing unit which detects touch information by a user's finger or pen.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a function switching button, which can switch the functions of character input and pointer operation of the apparatus, and is provided on the front face A of the data processing apparatus main body 1.

A connection code 5 sends input character data and pointer movement information to the computer main body.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a computer that sends input character data and pointer movement information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a function switching unit which determines whether the touch information read by the touch sensing unit is a function switching operation, changes the operation of the display unit, and switches between a character input processing function and a pointer movement processing function. .

Reference numeral 7-1 denotes a detection unit for determining whether or not there are two or more simultaneous touches.

Reference numeral 7-2 denotes a detection unit for determining whether there are two or more simultaneous drag operations.

Reference numeral 7-3 denotes a detection unit for determining whether there is a touch in an area larger than a certain extent.

Reference numeral 7-4 denotes a detector for detecting whether there is a button input of 4 in FIG.

When any one of these detection units reacts, it is determined that the operation is a function switching operation.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a character input processing unit which processes touch information read by the touch sensing unit as character input information and transmits input characters to the computer main body.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a pointer movement processing unit which processes touch information read by the touch sensing unit as pointer movement information and transmits the movement amount and position of the pointer to the computer main body.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the display unit when functioning as a character input processing device.

Reference numerals 2-1 and 2-2 denote key arrangements displayed on the display unit. Characters can be input by touching these parts with a finger or a pen by the user.

Reference numeral 2-3 denotes an area other than the keys, and character input is not performed even if this area is touched.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display unit when functioning as a pointer movement processing device.

Reference numerals 2-4, 2-5, and 2-6 denote icons, folders, and applications, which are the same as the information displayed on the screen of the computer main body.

Reference numeral 2-7 denotes the current position of the pointer. The pointer or icon can be moved or dragged to any position by touching and dragging an arbitrary position on the touch sensing section.

FIG. 5 shows the operation of the detecting unit 7-1 in FIG. 2 and shows an example of a method of switching between two functions by simultaneously touching two or more touch sensing units. Reference numerals 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 depict a state in which a finger or a pen is touching the touch sensing unit. As described above, by simultaneously touching two or more arbitrary locations, the character input processing device and Function switching with the pointer movement processing device can be performed. FIG. 6 shows the operation of the detection unit 7-2 in FIG. 2 and shows an example of a method of switching two functions by simultaneously dragging two or more touch sensing units.

Reference numerals 3-4 and 3-5 show how the touch sensing portion is dragged with a finger or a pen. As described above, by simultaneously dragging two or more locations to arbitrary locations, the character input processing device and the pointer are displayed. Function switching with the mobile processing device can be performed.

FIG. 7 shows the operation of the detection unit 7-3 in FIG. 2 and shows an example of a method of switching between two functions by touching a large area of the touch sensing unit.

3-6 shows a state in which the palm is in contact with the touch sensing portion with a peta, and 3-7 shows a state in which the pen is in contact with the touch sensing portion with a pen having a large contact surface. The function can be switched between the character input processing device and the pointer movement processing device by touching an area larger than a certain size in an arbitrary place.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state where one embodiment of the present invention is actually used.

The reference numerals 10 and 11 both denote the hands of the user. According to the present invention, all of the operations of the user can be performed only at the ten positions, and it is necessary to move to the place distant from the apparatus 1 like the position 11. Is gone.

A method of performing the character input and the pointer movement while switching the functions with the present apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, it is assumed that the present device functions as a character input processing device.

The user performs character input by touching a part of a character to be input based on a freely set key arrangement displayed on the display unit of the apparatus as shown in FIG. In A1, touch information on the touch sensing unit is acquired, and in A2, it is checked whether the touch information corresponds to a function switching operation.

If it is not a function switching operation, the touch information is processed as character input information in A3.

If the user touches a portion of the key arrangement such as 2-1 and 2-2 in FIG.
To send the input characters to the computer.

When a portion other than the key arrangement is touched as shown in 2-3 in FIG. 3, it is determined that character input has not been performed, and
In A4, characters are not transmitted to the computer body.

If the touch information at the touch sensing unit acquired in A1 corresponds to a function switching operation, the function switching is performed, and the present device functions as a pointer movement processing device. The flow of the function switching determination A2 will be described in detail.

First, it is checked whether or not the area touching the touch sensing portion is S or more in B1.

If this is yes (y1), 7- in FIG.
3, the switching operation is determined.

If this is no, then it is checked whether two or more locations have been touched in B2.

In this case, if no (n1), it is determined that the operation is not the switching operation, and the touch information is passed to A3. If yes, two or more touches continue for t seconds at B3 or t
It is checked whether the pointer has been moved within a distance m that is recognized as a drag within seconds.

If this is yes (y1), 7- in FIG.
1, the detection at 7-2 in FIG. 2 is performed, and it is determined that the switching operation is performed. If this is no (n2), it is determined that this is not a switching operation, and the touch information when two or more places are touched at the same time is invalidated, and the process returns to the acquisition of the touch information in A1.

It is assumed that the criterion in these detection units can be changed by setting so as not to cause a malfunction.

For example, the time t at which two or more places required for switching are simultaneously touched, the moving distance m recognized as a drag,
Touch area amount S required for switching, ON / OFF of each function switching method, and the like.

As an example of the function switching operation, FIG.
In the detection unit 1, two or more fingers of the hand are attached to the touch sensing unit at the home position and the operation waits for a while, 7-2 in FIG. 2.
In the detection section, two or more fingers of the hand are put on the touch sensing section at the home position and the hand is shaken in the manner of waving the hand. The detection section 7-3 in FIG. , Which correspond to the operations shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, respectively.

When the present device functions as a pointer movement processing device, information displayed on the screen of the computer main body as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit.

The user moves the pointer by touching or dragging the touch sensing section.

According to the setting, a function as a touch panel for moving the pointer by touching and dragging the position itself on the screen where the pointer is to be moved, and as a grind point for giving information on how much to move the pointer from the current pointer. Function can be used for any of them.

This touch information is acquired at A5, and A at A6.
2. Check whether the switching operation is the same.

If this result corresponds to the function switching operation, the present device again functions as a character input processing device.

If it does not correspond to the function switching operation, the touch information is processed as point movement information in A7, and the pointer movement result is transmitted to the computer main body in A8.

In parallel with the switching operation based on the information from the touch sensing unit, the operation of pressing the switching button 4 in FIG. 1 is also detected, and the function can be switched accordingly. By repeating these series of operations, all the input processing can be performed while the position of the user's hand remains at the position of 10 shown in FIG. It becomes possible to reduce.

[0072]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since all the work can be performed at the home position without moving the hand between the two devices, work efficiency can be improved.

Further, by providing a plurality of functions in one device, the installation space of the device can be reduced and the work space can be effectively utilized.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to eliminate an erroneous switching of the input function when a plurality of points on the screen are touched by mistake.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the switching operation of the input function can be performed not only by the touch operation with the finger but also by the pen operation.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to eliminate erroneous switching of the input function.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example (part 1) of a display unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example (part 2) of a display unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a function switching method (1).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a function switching method (2).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a function switching method (3).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an actual use state.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Data processing device main body which performs character input and pointer operation 2 Display part 3 Touch sensing part 4 Function switching button 5 Connection code 6 Computer main body 7 Function switching part 8 Character input processing part 9 Pointer movement processing part 10 User's hand 11 Use Hand

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An input device for inputting characters to a computer and moving a pointer, comprising: a display unit for displaying a key arrangement or screen information; a touch sensing unit for checking which part of the screen has been touched; Character input processing means for inputting characters by displaying the key arrangement and pressing the corresponding place; pointer movement processing means for moving the pointer by displaying the screen information and pressing the corresponding place; An input device comprising: a function switching unit for switching and using two or more of the touch sensing units at the same time to perform function switching, and the two processing units can be used on the same device. . 2. The function switching unit according to claim 1, wherein the function switching unit switches the function by simultaneously dragging two or more points of the touch sensing unit, and the two input functions can be used on the same device. Input device. 3. The function switching unit according to claim 1, wherein the function switching unit switches the function by touching the touch sensing unit with a large area such as a palm, so that the two input functions can be used on the same device. Input device. 4. The function switching means includes a button-shaped switching device for switching between the two input functions on a front side of the input device, and performs a function switching by operating a switching button. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein said two input functions can be used.