KR101439553B1 - Method of recognizing valid touch of video processing apparatus with touch input device and video processing apparatus performing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for discriminating only valid tenses in consideration of a user's touch habit and an image processing apparatus for performing the same in an image processing apparatus having a touch input unit. An effective touch discrimination method of an image processing apparatus having a touch input unit includes the steps of setting an invalid touch area reflecting a user's touch history, detecting a touch input, detecting coordinates corresponding to the touch input, And determining that the touch input is valid when the detected coordinate is not included in the invalid touch area. Therefore, it is possible to reduce an error in determining an unintentional touch operation as a touch input. This makes it possible to improve usability for users who are not accustomed to operating the device such as the elderly.

Touch screen, touchpad, touch, malfunction, effective touch, error

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an effective touch discrimination method for an image processing apparatus having a touch input unit, and an image processing apparatus for performing the method.

The present invention relates to an effective touch discrimination method for an image processing apparatus and an image processing apparatus for performing the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for discriminating only valid tenses in consideration of user touch habits in an image processing apparatus having a touch input unit, To an image processing apparatus.

[0002] In recent years, portable terminals have provided various functions and services (e.g., online games, chatting, photographing, and multimedia data transmission) to meet the needs of users. However, it is difficult to support the functions of the portable terminal diversified as described above only by the general user interface device based on the keypad. That is, the user interface device based on the keypad has a complicated user interface structure, which degrades user convenience. Also, the keypad-based user interface device is difficult to overcome the space limitations of the portable terminal which is getting smaller and smaller.

In the case of a touch-type user interface (for example, a touch screen, a touch pad, or the like) that generates an input signal by touching a point on the screen, the cost is reduced, Minimizes constraints and improves user interface.

Therefore, it is expected that a large number of portable terminals of the world produced in the future will adopt the touch-type user interface.

The touch-type user interface includes a position sensor for outputting a coordinate value of a contact surface when a point on the screen is pressed. The position sensor includes a pressure sensitive resistive film type, a capacitive type, a surface acoustic wave (EMI) SAW method, and infrared method.

One of the biggest disadvantages of such a touch-based user interface is the touch error problem. That is, the touch input unit judges a touch operation that is not intended by the user as a touch input, resulting in a number of problems such as a malfunction of the corresponding apparatus.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus and method for improving usability by identifying a valid touch using a touch history / habit for each image processing apparatus user.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an effective touch discrimination method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: setting an invalid touch area reflecting a touch history of a user; detecting a touch input; Detecting coordinates corresponding to the touch input; and determining that the touch input is valid when the detected coordinate is not included in the invalid touch area. The invalid area setting step may set the first area as an invalid area when the first area on the touch input unit is touched while the touch input unit is not activated. Wherein the invalid touch area setting step counts the number of times the first area is touched when the first area on the touch input unit is touched while the touch input unit is not activated and if the touch number is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of invalid touch determination times The first area may be set as an invalid touch area. Wherein when the first area on the touch input unit is touched in a state in which the touch input unit is not activated, the invalid area setting step counts the number of times the first area is touched, The first area may be set as the invalid touch area when the number of times of invalid touch determination is touched. Further comprising the step of counting a time at which the touch input is maintained when the touch input unit is activated, wherein the determining step determines that the touch input is valid when the touch input holding time is equal to or greater than a predetermined effective touch determination time have. The number of invalid touch determination times may be set to have a different value depending on the age range of the user. The number of invalid touch determination times may be set to have different values for each of the first areas. The validity touch determination method of the image processing apparatus may further include storing an invalid touch region reflecting the user's touch history and the number of invalid touch determination times. The invalid touch area setting step may be preset by designating the invalid touch area on the user interface screen by the user.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus including a storage unit for storing an invalid touch area set reflecting a user's touch history, a touch input unit for detecting a touch input, A touch controller for detecting coordinates corresponding to the touch input; and a central controller for determining whether the touch input is valid based on whether the detected coordinate is included in the invalid touch area stored in the storage unit. The central control unit may set the first area as an invalid touch area when the first area on the touch input unit is touched while the touch input unit is not activated. Wherein the central control unit stores a preset number of invalid touch determination times for setting the invalid touch area, and when the first area on the touch input unit is touched in a state where the touch input unit is not activated, The first area may be set as an invalid touch area. Wherein the central control unit stores a number of invalid touch determination times and an invalid touch determination period set in advance for setting an invalid touch area, and when a first area on the touch input unit is touched while the touch input unit is not activated, The first area may be set as the invalid touch area when the number of invalid touch tiles is touched more than the invalid touch determination period. The central control unit counts a time during which the touch input is maintained in a state in which the touch input unit is activated, and may determine that the touch input is valid when the touch input hold time is equal to or greater than a predetermined effective touch determination time. The central control unit may set the number of invalid touch determination times to have different values according to at least one of the age range of the user and the coordinates of the first area. The invalid touch area may be set in advance by designating the invalid touch area on the user interface screen by the user.

According to the effective touch discriminating method and the image processing apparatus for performing the same in the image processing apparatus having the touch input unit as described above, an area which is unconsciously touched according to the user's touch history and habit is previously stored and utilized, The frequent errors that may occur when the unintended touch operation is determined as the touch input can be greatly reduced. Thus, the usability of the image processing apparatus having the touch input unit can be greatly improved. Especially, the usability can be improved for a user who is not accustomed to operating the device such as an elderly person.

In addition, since the user directly sets his / her own invalid touch area, it is possible to reduce an error due to a touch malfunction during use of a video processing device such as a touch phone.

In addition, the number of invalid touch decisions, which is a criterion for determining an invalid touch area that is unconsciously touched according to the user's touch history and habits, is changed according to a user's age range, It is possible to effectively set the invalid touch area for each user and each situation.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Like reference numerals are used for like elements in describing each drawing.

The terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component. The term " and / or " includes any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

The terminology used in this application is used only to describe a specific embodiment and is not intended to limit the invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, the terms "comprises" or "having" and the like are used to specify that there is a feature, a number, a step, an operation, an element, a component or a combination thereof described in the specification, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals will be used for the same constituent elements in the drawings, and redundant explanations for the same constituent elements will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an effective touch discrimination method of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. Referring to FIG. 1, an image processing apparatus for performing an effective touch discrimination according to the present invention performs a step S110 of setting an invalid touch region based on a user's touch history and a habit. This is to reduce an error in determining an unintended touch operation as a touch input by previously setting an area which is habitually touched in an unintended state of the touch input unit to an invalid touch area.

As an example of the area that is habitually touched in the unintended state as described above, there is a case where the user unintentionally touches the mobile phone while talking on the mobile phone while talking, In a state where icons and menu items are displayed on a touch screen of a portable terminal such as a mobile phone, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a portable multimedia player (PMP), a user sweeps the touch screen with a finger to wipe the screen, There may be areas that are touched when habitually rubbing. The area to be habitually touched in the unintentional state is not limited to the above-described example, and may be a region to be touched in any other unintended state that may occur in the image processing apparatus having a touch screen or a touch pad, And can include all the areas that the user habitually touches.

Alternatively, the invalid touch area setting may be set by directly designating an invalid touch area known by the user himself / herself by touch operation on the user interface screen, reflecting the user's own touch history or touch habit. As described above, since the user directly sets his or her invalid touch area, it is possible to reduce an error due to a touch malfunction during use of the image processing device such as a touch phone.

An example of a processing procedure for the invalid touch area setting step S110 is illustrated in FIG. 2. A detailed description of the step S110 will be described with reference to FIG.

If the invalid touch area is set as described above, the image processing apparatus detects the touch input (S120). In this case, the touch input may be a form of touching a point on the touch input unit and a touch being released at the same point, or a form of touching a first point on the touch input unit and a touch on a second point Lt; / RTI > Then, the image processing apparatus detects coordinates corresponding to the touch input (S130). To this end, the touch input unit outputs different output values according to the touch input according to different processing methods (for example, a potential difference type in the case of a resistive film type, a capacitance type in an electrostatic capacity type, a wavelength type in the case of a surface ultrasonic wave conduction type, , An IR optical interrupt type in the case of infrared ray method, etc.), and the touch control unit located at the rear end of the touch input unit finally converts the output value into a coordinate form such as (X, Y).

Meanwhile, since the ultrasound system or infrared system of the touch input system can be used in a large-sized touch input unit, the present invention is applicable to an image processing apparatus such as a television in addition to a portable terminal.

The image processing apparatus detects coordinate values corresponding to the touch input, and determines whether the touch input is valid based on whether the detected coordinate is included in the invalid touch region (S140 to S160). That is, if the detected coordinate is included in the invalid touch area, the image processing device determines that the touch input is an invalid touch input (S140, S150). Otherwise, it is determined that the touch input is a valid touch input (S140, S160).

Meanwhile, the image processing apparatus may further include a step (not shown) of counting a time for which the touch input is held in a state in which the touch input unit is activated, and the touch input holding time It is possible to determine that the touch input is valid when it is longer than the preset effective touch determination time.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a processing procedure for the invalid touch area setting step (S110) illustrated in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2, if the first area on the touch input unit is touched (S112) while the touch input unit is not activated (S111), the image processing apparatus counts the number of times the first area is touched (S113). Here, the state in which the touch input unit is not activated means a state in which the touch input unit is habitually touched in an unintended state. For example, when the user habitually touches the mobile phone during a call, the mobile phone unintentionally touches the mobile phone. In the case of the slide-type touch phone, the mobile phone unintentionally touches the slide- And a state in which the user swipes the touch screen with a finger to wipe the screen or habitually rubs a specific part in a state where icons and menu items are displayed on the touch screen of the portable terminal such as a portable telephone, a PMP, or the like.

If the counted number of touches is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of invalid touch determination times (S114), it is determined whether the time from the first touching of the first area to the present time exceeds a predetermined invalid touch determination period (S115) . Here, the predetermined number of invalid touch determination times is a value used as a reference for determining whether a case where the user is habitually touched in a state in which the user does not intention is repeated, and the preset number of invalid touch decisions may be preset by the user Or may be preset by the image processing apparatus manufacturer.

The predetermined number of invalid touch determination times may be set to have different values depending on the age range of the user. For example, in the case of a user who raises a child at home, an incorrect touch operation of a child may frequently occur. Therefore, the number of invalid touch determinations can be increased for the purpose of preventing this.

Alternatively, the predetermined number of invalid touch determination times may be set to have different values depending on a situation in which the user habitually touches the unintentional state. For example, according to a user, a specific user habitually touches the mobile phone while talking on the phone, and the frequency of touching the phone unintentionally is the highest. M2, and M3 (M1 > M2 (M1), M2, and M3 (M1> M2) are selected for the three states, > M3, M1, M2, and M3 are natural numbers).

Alternatively, the preset number of invalid touch determination times may be set in advance to have different values in consideration of both the age range of the user and situations in which the user habitually touches the touch pad in an unintended state.

Alternatively, the predetermined number of invalid touch determination times may be set to have different values for each touched area. For example, in a state in which the touch input unit is inactivated for each user, the frequency of occurrence of a touch with respect to the touched area (invalid touch candidate area) is cumulatively counted, and the touched area is automatically counted to have different values for the invalid touch candidate area And can be preset by the user.

This is to set the first area as an invalid touch area when the first area is touched by the number of invalid touch determination times within the invalid touch determination period.

If it is determined in step S115 that the time from the time when the first area is first touched to the present time does not exceed the predetermined invalid touch determination period, the first area is set as the invalid touch area and registered in the invalid touch area list If it is determined in step S116 that the time from the time when the first area is first touched to the present time exceeds a predetermined invalid touch determination period, the touch information is initialized in step S117. Alternatively, if it is determined that the time from the time when the first area is touched for the first time to the present time exceeds the predetermined invalid touch determination period as a result of the determination (S115), it is determined that the user intentionally touches the touch panel and recognized as a valid touch input It is possible.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of setting an invalid touch area. The invalid touch area setting process of the present invention is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 2, it is a preferred embodiment to determine whether the invalid touch region is applied by applying the invalid touch determination frequency and the invalid touch determination period. Accordingly, the invalid touch area setting process of the present invention may include the case of applying either one of the invalid touch determination count and the invalid touch determination period, or not applying any of the invalid touch determination times. For example, if a touch input is detected in the first area while the touch input unit is inactive, it is also possible to immediately set the first area as an invalid touch area.

If the number of times the first area is touched is counted when the touch input is detected in the first area while the touch input unit is inactivated, if the number of touch is equal to or larger than the predetermined number of invalid touch determination times, As shown in FIG.

3 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 3, the image processing apparatus will be described using a mobile communication terminal as an example.

3, the image processing apparatus includes a touch input unit 310, a key input unit 320, a camera module unit 330, a microphone 340, a touch control unit 351, and a central control unit A storage unit 360, a display unit 370, a speaker 380, and a wireless transmitting / receiving unit 390, which are connected to the wireless communication unit 353.

The touch input unit 310 detects a touch input input from the outside and transmits the touch input to the touch control unit 351. For example, the touch input unit 310 can detect a touch input with respect to at least one touch input, the time interval between each touch input being equal to or less than a predetermined reference interval time. Meanwhile, the touch input unit 310 includes a touch screen, and may include a touch pad in addition to a touch screen.

The touch control unit 351 receives a value having a form such as a potential difference, a capacitance, a wavelength, or an IR light interruption for the at least one touch input from the touch input unit 310 and outputs the value as (X, Y) And outputs the result of the conversion to the central control unit 353. The centralized control unit 353 then outputs the converted result to the central control unit 353. [

The key input unit 320 receives a key input on a key-pad, converts the key input into a key code corresponding to the key input, and outputs the converted key code to the central control unit 353, .

The camera module unit 330 converts the photographed image image into a form of image data that can be displayed through image processing, and outputs the image data to the central control unit 353. The camera module unit 330 may include a camera (not shown) and an image processing unit (not shown) including a CMOS image sensor or a CCD image sensor.

The microphone 340 converts the ambient sound of the user and / or the user into an electrical signal form and outputs the electrical signal to the central control unit 353.

The central control unit 353 receives the touch input information through the touch control unit 351 in a state where the touch input unit 310 is activated and determines whether the touch input is valid based on the information. That is, the central control unit 353 receives the coordinate value corresponding to the touch input from the touch control unit 310 and determines whether the coordinate value is included in the invalid touch region previously stored in the storage unit 360, Is validated.

That is, if the coordinate value is included in the invalid touch area, the touch input is judged as an invalid touch input. Otherwise, the touch input is judged as a valid touch input.

On the other hand, when the touch input unit 310 is not activated, the central control unit 353 sets an invalid touch area when the touch input information is transmitted. For example, if the first area on the touch input unit is touched while the touch input unit 310 is not activated, the central control unit 353 can set the first area as an invalid touch area. That is, the first area information is stored in the storage unit 360.

In addition, the central control unit 353 stores a preset number of invalid touch determination times for setting the invalid touch area, and may set the first area as an invalid touch area when the first area is touched by the number of invalid touch determination or more.

When the first area is touched by the invalid touch determination number of times within the invalid touch determination period, the central control unit 353 invalidates the first area, It can also be set as a touch area.

The display unit 370 receives image data from the central control unit 353 and outputs the image data on the screen of the image processing apparatus. The display unit 350 may be implemented using a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD).

The speaker 380 receives an electrical signal from the central control unit 353 and converts the electrical signal into sound and outputs the sound.

The wireless transmitting / receiving unit 390 receives the transmittable electrical signal corresponding to the user and / or the sound of the user's surroundings from the central control unit 353, and transmits the transmittable electrical signal to the counterpart portable terminal through the wired or wireless network .

The wireless transmitting / receiving unit 390 receives an electrical signal corresponding to the voice of the other party through a wired or wireless network from the other party's mobile communication terminal and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the voice of the other party to the central control unit 353 have.

Meanwhile, the touch control unit 351 and the central control unit 353 may be embodied as a single semiconductor chip by being implemented as one block like the control unit 350. [

In another embodiment of the present invention, the touch input unit 310 and the touch control unit 351 may be implemented as one block like a touch screen module unit (not shown). For example, the touch control unit 351 can be manufactured by the same semiconductor process as the touch input unit 310 manufacturing process.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. It will be possible. For example, although the mobile communication terminal has been described as an example in the above example, the present invention is not limited to the mobile communication terminal, but may be applied to a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP) Multimedia player), an MP3 player, and the like, and a television having a touch input unit.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an effective touch discrimination method of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure for the invalid touch area setting step illustrated in FIG.

3 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (16)

A method of discriminating an effective touch of an image processing apparatus having a touch input unit, Setting an invalid touch area that reflects a user's touch history based on a case in which the user touches within a predetermined invalid touch determination period or touches more than a predetermined number of invalid touch determination times; Detecting a touch input; Detecting coordinates corresponding to the touch input; And And determining that the touch input is valid if the detected coordinates are not included in the invalid touch area, And counting a time at which the touch input is held when the detected coordinate is included in the invalid touch area, and determining that the touch input is valid only when the counted touch input holding time is equal to or greater than a predetermined effective touch determination time Wherein the effective touch discrimination method of the image processing apparatus is characterized by: The method of claim 1, wherein the invalid touch region setting step And setting the first area as an invalid touch area when the first area on the touch input unit is touched. The method of claim 1, wherein the invalid touch region setting step Counts the number of times the first area is touched when the first area on the touch input unit is touched, and sets the first area as the invalid touched area when the number of touch is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of invalid touch determination times A method for determining effective touch of a processing apparatus. The method of claim 1, wherein the invalid touch region setting step Wherein when the first area on the touch input unit is touched, the number of times the first area is touched is counted, and if the first area is touched by the invalid touch determination number or more within the predetermined invalid touch determination period, And the touch area is set as a touch area. delete 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the number of invalid touch decisions is Wherein the predetermined value is set to have a different value according to the age range of the user. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the number of invalid touch decisions is Wherein the first region is set to have a different value depending on a situation in which the first region is touched for each user. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising storing an invalid touch area reflecting the user's touch history and the number of invalid touch determination times. The method of claim 1, wherein the invalid touch region setting step Wherein the invalid touch region is previously set on the user interface screen by the user. An image processing apparatus comprising: A storage unit configured to store an invalid touch area set by reflecting a user's touch history based on a case in which the user touches within a predetermined invalid touch determination period or touches more than a predetermined number of invalid touch determination times; A touch input unit for detecting a touch input; A touch control unit for detecting a coordinate corresponding to the touch input; And And a central controller for determining whether the touch input is valid based on whether the detected coordinate is included in the invalid touch area stored in the storage unit,  Wherein the central control unit counts a time at which the touch input is held when the detected coordinate is included in the invalid touch area and sets the touch input only when the counted touch input hold time is equal to or greater than a predetermined effective touch determination time And judges that it is valid. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the central control unit And sets the first area as an invalid touch area when a first area on the touch input unit is touched. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the central control unit Storing the predetermined number of invalid touch determination times for setting an invalid touch area, and when the first area on the touch input unit is touched, if the first area is touched by the number of invalid touch determination times, the first area is set as an invalid touch area And outputs the setting information. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the central control unit The invalid touch determination time and the invalid touch determination period are stored for setting the invalid touch area, and the first area on the touch input unit is touched, and the first area is the invalid touch determination time And sets the first area as an invalid touch area when the touch area is touched. delete 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the central control unit And sets the number of invalid touch determination times to be different according to at least one of the age range of the user and the coordinates of the first area. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the invalid touch area is previously set by the user by designating the invalid touch area on the user interface screen.

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