WO2012017698A1 - Input device using touch panel and input method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

In conventional input devices, a touch panel operating unit and a display unit are separately disposed at positions apart from each other and blind operations are facilitated, but a camera for imaging the hand of a user on the operating unit as well as image processing to convert the captured hand image and to synthesize the image at a display unit are needed, and simplification of the processing method has been desired. Also, a reduction in the number of components used in the devices has been desired. An input device (1) using the present touch panel is configured from a contact touch panel (2) and an optical touch panel (3) provided with: a plurality of light-emitting elements (31, 33) provided aligned at the perimeter along the X-axis and the Y-axis of the operation selection region of the contact touch panel; and a plurality of light receiving elements (32, 34) provided facing the light-emitting elements. The input device uses a touch panel that performs two types of detection—detection of coordinate position and recognition of the form of the operating object—by means of the optical touch panel. Further provided is an input method of the input device.

Description

Input device using touch panel and input method thereof

The present invention relates to an input device using a touch panel in which an operation unit of a touch panel that generates an operation signal and a display unit that displays an operation menu image corresponding to the operation signal are arranged at different positions, and an input method thereof.

Conventional input devices generally have a structure in which the input unit of the touch panel is placed on a display unit such as a display. The operator can directly operate the switch of the input unit by touching the operation menu displayed on the display. And a desired menu is selected and executed.
As such an input device, there is known a device in which a two-stage switch is constituted by an input portion by pressing and an input portion by infrared rays, and the operation load is reduced by reducing the number of times of pressing input (for example, see Patent Document 1). .
Such an input device includes display means for displaying an operation menu, a contact input detection unit that has an input operation surface on a display surface of the operation menu and detects an input position to which pressure is applied, and surroundings of the contact input detection unit A spatial input detection unit that detects an object in the vicinity of the input operation surface and controls the display of the operation menu based on the detection result of the spatial input detection unit, and at the input position detected by the contact input detection unit And a control unit that executes a selection confirmation process for the operation menu based on the operation menu.
The operator can select an operation item without touching the input operation surface of the contact input detection unit, thereby reducing the number of operations on the contact input detection unit and reducing the operation burden.
However, in an input device in which the input unit and the display unit are integrated, when installed near the operator's hand, there is a burden of moving the operator's line of sight to the hand, and the position where the operator's line of sight moves less Since the burden of extending the operator's hand to the display unit arises when installed on the display unit, an input device is known in which the input unit and the display unit are separately arranged separately to reduce the burden (for example, Patent Document 2).
Such an input device includes a touch panel type operation unit that operates an upper surface on which an operation switch is arranged by an operator's hand, a display unit that displays an arrangement position of the operation switch and an operation menu screen thereof, an operation unit and an operator's Means for photographing the hand with a camera from above, means for combining and displaying the photographed image on the operation menu screen, and means for providing the operation unit to emit light of the entire operation unit.
By converting the hand image taken with the camera to an abstract image and displaying it on the operation menu image, the operator can operate the switch while looking at the display without looking directly at the input. The so-called blind operation can be performed.

JP 2004-71233 A Japanese Patent No. 4389855

As described above, in the input device disclosed in Patent Document 1, an input unit of the same size is arranged on the display unit, and the operator makes a selection by bringing the finger close to the display unit. It itself serves as a pointer. In other words, the operator's instruction position and the selection position on the operation menu screen of the display unit correspond one-to-one, so that the operator can easily understand intuitively, and there is no need to display a pointer etc. on the operation menu screen. This is an obstacle to disposing the display unit and the display unit separately.
In order to arrange the input unit and display unit separately, it is necessary for the operator to be able to visually recognize the pointing position of the finger on the input unit on the display unit. However, a device that substitutes the operator's finger for a pointer has a problem that the two cannot be separated.
On the other hand, in the input device shown in Patent Document 2, in order to separate the display unit and the operation unit and arrange them separately, it is necessary for the operator to be able to operate while viewing the operation menu screen of the display unit. Reduction of the number of parts of the input device and simplification of the processing method, such as a camera that captures the operation unit and the hand of the operator, and a process that extracts the captured hand image and displays it on the operation menu screen Has become an obstacle.
Further, in order to enable blind operation, it is necessary to extract a hand image taken with a camera, calculate the relative position between the actual hand position and the position of each operation switch in the operation unit, It is assumed that the coordinate position is obtained based on the image. Therefore, there is a problem that the cost increases because an expensive camera that requires image processing is used.
In addition, when shooting with a camera, if a light source such as an LED is not applied to the operation unit, it is difficult to shoot in an environment where sunlight is incident or under illumination such as at night. There are also problems that cannot be recognized. For this reason, it has been demanded that an operation article on the operation unit can be recognized without being influenced by the environment.
And it is desired that the size of the operation unit can be freely changed in accordance with the use and form of the input device, such as a car navigation system or a remote control of home appliances.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and firstly, a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged side by side around the X-axis and the Y-axis of a contact-type touch panel and an operation selection area touched by the contact-type touch panel. And an optical touch panel including a plurality of light receiving elements provided opposite to the light emitting elements, and the light selected from at least one of the light emitting elements on the X axis or the Y axis is selected for the operation. A finger that is blocked by an operation object such as a hand placed on the area, detects the number of blocked irradiation light by the light receiving element, recognizes the form of the operation object, and moves on the operation selection area The position of the operation object is detected from the position of the light receiving element where the irradiation light is blocked, the optical touch panel coordinates of the operation object are obtained, a cursor is displayed, and the contact type touch panel is touched. In, characterized in that to determine the time input information when moving the cursor seeking contact type touch panel coordinates.
In the present invention, the contact touch panel and the optical touch panel are covered with a light-shielding cover, and the operation article is inserted through an opening provided on one side.
Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that a resistive touch panel or a capacitive touch panel is used as the contact touch panel.
Secondly, the present invention is directed to a contact-type touch panel, a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged side by side around the X-axis and the Y-axis of the operation selection area touched by the contact-type touch panel, and the light-emitting elements. An input device using a touch panel including an optical touch panel including a plurality of light receiving elements provided is used, and a cursor displayed on a display panel provided at a position away from the input device is moved from the input device. An input method for operating and inputting, wherein light emitted from at least one of the X-axis and Y-axis light emitting elements of the optical touch panel is blocked by an operation object such as a hand placed on the operation selection region. The number of the blocked irradiation light is detected by the light receiving element, the microcomputer control unit distinguishes the form of the operation article, and the form recognition signal from the microcomputer control part displays the display panel. One of a plurality of display modes to be displayed is selected, and then the position of an operation object such as a finger for moving the operation selection region in the selected display mode is selected by the light receiving element. Is detected and input to the microcomputer control unit, the coordinates of the operation article are obtained, an optical touch panel coordinate signal is transmitted to the display panel, and the cursor is displayed according to the optical touch panel coordinate signal. Move to the motion selection area on the panel, touch the touch-sensitive touch panel at the position where the cursor is in the selected motion selection area, and input the touch-sensitive touch panel coordinate signal generated from the touch-sensitive touch panel to the microcomputer controller The cursor is moved to a position corresponding to the touch-type touch panel coordinate signal and confirmed from the microcomputer control unit. No. outputs a, and performs the operation of said selected display mode.
According to the present invention, the form of the operation article is distinguished by the number of fingers, and one of a plurality of display modes displayed on the display panel is selected by a form recognition signal from the microcomputer control unit. Features.
Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the microcomputer control unit converts the optical touch panel coordinate signal and the contact touch panel coordinate signal into coordinate signals corresponding to the monitor size of the display panel.

First, according to the input device using the touch panel of the present invention, the touch panel and a plurality of light emitting elements provided around the X axis and the Y axis of the operation selection area to be touched by the touch panel. And an optical touch panel provided with a plurality of light receiving elements provided to face the light emitting elements. That is, the input device can be completed with only the touch panel.
Thereby, first, light is emitted from at least one of the X-axis and Y-axis light emitting elements to the operation article, and the form of the operation article is recognized in a state of light blocked by the operation article. Thereafter, the irradiation light is blocked by an operation object such as a finger on the operation selection area, and the blocked position is detected by each of the X-axis and Y-axis light receiving elements, so that the coordinates of the operation object are obtained.
As a result, the processing for capturing the input area and the operator's hand with the camera, the processing for recognizing the form of the hand from the captured image, and the captured image and the display screen, which are required in the conventional input device, Since the process of detecting coordinates based on the relative position is not required, the camera can be made unnecessary from the input device.
From the above, it is not necessary to secure the camera installation area or the focal distance between the camera and the subject, and it is possible to discriminate both the recognition of the operation object form and the detection of the coordinates of the operation object using only the touch panel. Therefore, there is an effect that leads to miniaturization and thinning of the input device.
Secondly, according to the input device using the touch panel of the present invention, the microcomputer touch panel converts the optical touch panel coordinate signal and the contact touch panel coordinate signal into coordinate signals corresponding to the size of the display panel. Thereby, the size of a touch panel can be selected freely.
In addition, since the size of the input device and the size of the display can be freely selected, it is possible to make the size of the input device smaller than the size of the display in accordance with the application and usage of the input device, which increases the degree of design freedom. There is also an effect that the design property is excellent.
Thirdly, according to the input device using the touch panel of the present invention, the contact-type touch panel and the optical touch panel are covered with a light-shielding cover, so that incident of external light such as sunlight can be prevented. Thereby, since it can prevent that sunlight injects into a retroreflection film and malfunctions, an input device can be utilized without being influenced by an environment.
Fourthly, according to the input method of the input device using the touch panel of the present invention, the state of the light receiving element where the irradiation light of the optical touch panel is blocked can be detected, and the form of the operation article can be distinguished by the microcomputer control unit. Therefore, the form of the operation article can be associated with a plurality of display modes displayed on the display panel.
Thus, after the input device is turned on, the operator only has to detect a predetermined form such as one finger or two fingers in the input device, and the desired screen mode can be obtained without looking at the display. Can be selected and displayed on the display panel.
As a result, it is not necessary to display a mode selection screen for selecting a screen mode after the power is turned on, and an operation of selecting a desired button switch on the mode selection screen can be omitted.
Fifth, according to the input method of the input device using the touch panel of the present invention, the coordinates of an operation object such as a finger moving on the operation selection area are detected, and the cursor moving according to the coordinate signal is displayed on the display panel. Can be displayed. Accordingly, the display panel can be provided at a position away from the input device. Also, the operator can operate by looking only at the display panel.
Sixth, according to the input method of the input device using the touch panel of the present invention, the cursor is moved according to the optical touch panel coordinate signal to make a selection, and the cursor is moved to a position corresponding to the contact touch panel coordinate signal by contact. As it is moved, a confirmation signal is output from the microcomputer control unit.
As a result, when the size of the display panel is made larger than the size of the input device, the movement of the cursor becomes rough because the optical touch panel coordinate signal is enlarged corresponding to the size of the display panel. By correcting the cursor to the enlarged coordinates based on the high touch-type touch panel coordinate signal, an accurate confirmation signal can be output.
Here, the resolution of coordinates is determined by the number of light emitting elements and light receiving elements arranged side by side in the case of an optical touch panel, and on the entire surface of a substrate in the case of a contact type touch panel. It can be detected infinitely by the formed transparent conductive film.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an input device using a touch panel of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a light-shielding cover that covers the input device of the present invention.
3A is a top view illustrating an input device using the touch panel of the present invention, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view thereof, and FIG. 3C is a diagram showing a light irradiation range of the detection unit. It is.
4A to 4B are diagrams for explaining a method of detecting the coordinate position of an operation article such as a finger using the optical touch panel of the present invention.
5A to 5D are diagrams for explaining a method of recognizing the form of an operation article such as a hand by the optical touch panel of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the input method of the input device using the touch panel of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment in which an input device using the touch panel of the present invention is mounted on a car.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an input method when the input device using the touch panel of the present invention is mounted on a car.
9A to 9C are diagrams for explaining examples of screens displayed by the input method of the input device of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an input device using a touch panel of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a light-shielding cover that covers the input device of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 1 using the touch panel of the present invention includes a contact touch panel 2, an optical touch panel 3, and a microcomputer control unit 4.
The contact-type touch panel 2 is a touch panel in which a transparent conductive film 23 (see FIG. 3) is formed between an upper substrate 21 (see FIG. 3) and a lower substrate 22 (see FIG. 3), and an operator contacts the upper substrate 21. Input. A glass plate or a film is used for the upper substrate or the lower substrate, and an ITO film is used for the transparent conductive film.
Specifically, a resistive touch panel or a capacitive touch panel is used as the contact touch panel 2.
The resistive film type touch panel includes a glass-glass structure or a film-glass structure touch panel. A transparent conductive film 23 is formed on one surface of an upper substrate 21 and a lower substrate 22 made of a glass plate or a film, and the transparent conductive film 23 is formed. This is a structure in which the dot spacers are arranged between them. When the operator depresses the upper substrate, the transparent conductive film on the upper substrate is electrically connected to the transparent conductive film on the lower substrate where there is no dot spacer. The coordinate position is determined by measuring the X-axis and Y-axis voltages at the pressed position.
The capacitive touch panel has a structure in which a transparent conductive film 23 is formed on a lower substrate 22 such as glass or plastic, and the surface is overcoated with an upper substrate 21 such as a film or plastic. When the operator touches, the capacitance changes between the fingertip and the transparent conductive film, and the change in the coordinate position is detected.
The optical touch panel 3 includes a plurality of light emitting elements 31, 33 (see FIG. 3) provided side by side on the X axis and the Y axis, and a plurality of light receiving elements 32, 34 (see FIG. 3) provided to face the light emitting elements. 3), and recognizes the form of the operation object such as the operator's hand placed on the operation selection area of the contact type touch panel 2, and the coordinate position of the operation object such as the operator's finger. Is detected. Details will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
The microcomputer control unit 4 receives signals generated by the contact type touch panel 2 and the optical touch panel 3, and converts the coordinate signal detected by the contact type touch panel 2 and the optical touch panel 3 into a coordinate signal of the panel size of the display panel 5. And a control unit having a calculation function and a data processing function for moving the cursor corresponding to the coordinate signal on the display panel 5.
The display panel 5 is a display such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL that displays a plurality of display modes and a cursor for controlling the display modes, and is installed at a position away from the input device 1 using a touch panel.
Next, FIG. 2 shows an example of a light-shielding cover that covers an input device using the touch panel of the present invention.
The light-shielding cover 6 covers the contact touch panel 2 and the optical touch panel 3 and is formed by providing an opening 6b on one side thereof, and prevents malfunction due to incidence of external light such as sunlight.
As shown in the figure, the touch panel type input device 1 is arranged on the support base 6a, and the portion where the contact type touch panel 2 and the optical touch panel 3 are located is enclosed in a dome shape. The opening 6b is a portion that is operated by inserting an operation article such as an operator's hand or finger, and requires a certain height to ensure operability.
Further, a specific structure of the input device 1 using the touch panel of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3A is a top view of the input device 1 of the present invention, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view thereof, and FIG. 3C is a diagram showing the light irradiation range of the optical touch panel. . Here, a case where a resistance film type touch panel is used as the contact type touch panel will be described as an example.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the contact-type touch panel 2 is provided in a frame-shaped casing 7 whose upper surface is opened. The housing 7 supports the contact touch panel 2, protects the touch panel from external force, and serves as a support base on which the light emitting elements 31 and 33 and the light receiving elements 32 and 34 of the optical touch panel 3 are installed.
Next, the optical touch panel 3 which is a feature of the present application includes a plurality of light emitting elements 31 and 33 arranged side by side around the X axis and the Y axis of the operation selection area 25 to be touched on the contact type touch panel, and the light emitting elements. It is formed by a plurality of light receiving elements 32 and 34 provided to face each other. As shown in the figure, the hatched portion is the operation selection area 25.
The X-axis light emitting element 31 and the Y-axis light emitting element 33 are provided side by side around the operation selection region 25. Note that the resolution of the detected coordinates increases in proportion to the number of light emitting elements.
The X-axis light receiving element 32 and the Y-axis light receiving element 34 are provided in the vicinity of the operation selection region 25 so as to face the light emitting elements. Infrared light from the light emitting elements 31 and 33 is irradiated linearly toward the light receiving element.
The X-axis and Y-axis light-emitting elements 31 and 33 and the light-receiving elements 32 and 34 are arranged at a constant interval. Specifically, the X-axis and Y-axis light emitting elements 31 and 33 are arranged at an interval narrower than the lateral width of the finger. The number of light emitting elements 31 and light receiving elements 32 on the X axis is 22, and the number of light emitting elements 33 and light receiving elements 34 on the Y axis is 14. Note that the number of elements is reduced in the drawing for easy viewing.
Moreover, since strength is required for installation of each light emitting element and each light receiving element, it is preferable to provide the casing 7.
The cross-sectional view in FIG. 3B corresponds to the portion indicated by the aa line in FIG. As shown in the drawing, a resistive film type touch panel having a glass-glass structure or a film-glass structure is used as the contact type touch panel 2.
In the contact touch panel 2, an ITO film 23 is formed on one side of the upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 22, and a transparent electrode, extraction electrode, and external extraction electrode (not shown) patterned by photoetching are formed. Then, the transparent electrodes of the upper substrate 21 and the lower substrate 22 are overlapped so as to face each other, and the upper and lower substrates are attached with the adhesive layer 24 provided at the peripheral edge of the substrate. In order to maintain the distance between the upper and lower substrates, a number of dot spacers (not shown) are provided on one glass substrate.
When an arbitrary point in the operation selection area to be touched on the touch-type touch panel 2 is pressed with a finger or a pen or the like, the transparent electrode on the upper substrate and the transparent electrode on the lower substrate are brought into contact with each other at that point to be turned on. This ON signal is sent to the microcomputer control unit 4 via each extraction electrode and external extraction electrode, and processing corresponding to the ON signal is performed.
When the pressing operation is stopped, the transparent electrode on the upper substrate and the transparent electrode on the lower substrate are separated from each other and are turned off, and the processing corresponding to the on signal ends.
The optical touch panel 3 includes a plurality of X-axis and Y-axis light emitting elements 31 and 33 and a plurality of X-axis and Y-axis light receiving elements 32 and 34 provided to face each light-emitting element. 2 around the operation selection area 25, and is fixed to the strong casing 7 side with an adhesive. Light emitting diodes are used for the light emitting elements 31 and 33, and phototransistors are used for the light receiving elements 32 and 34.
The optical touch panel 3 utilizes the property that when the light emitting elements 31 and 33 are lit, the opposing light receiving elements 32 and 34 are turned on. When an operation article such as a hand, a finger, or a pen is placed on the operation selection area 25, the light receiving elements 32 and 34 remain off because the irradiated light of that portion is blocked. An off signal of the light receiving element is detected to detect the form and coordinate position of the operation article.
Specifically, the coordinate position where the operation article is located is detected based on the OFF signal of the X-axis light receiving element 32 and the OFF signal of the Y-axis light receiving element 34. This coordinate signal can be sent to the microcomputer control unit 4 to display a cursor on the display panel 5.
Further, when a plurality of fingers are spread or attached on the motion selection region 25, the light emitted from at least one of the X-axis and Y-axis is emitted from the light emitting element, so that they face each other. The number of OFF signals is detected by the light receiving element, and the form of the operation article is distinguished by the microcomputer control unit 4. The microcomputer control unit 4 can generate a form recognition signal, select one from a plurality of display modes, and display it on the display panel.
The present invention is characterized in that one optical touch panel 3 has the two types of detection described above.
FIG. 3C shows a range in which infrared light can be irradiated from the light emitting elements 31 and 33 of the optical touch panel 3. As shown in the figure, since the X-axis and Y-axis light emitting elements 31 and 33 are installed on the outer periphery of the operation selection area 25, the operation selection area 25 to be touched on the touch-type touch panel 2 is irradiated with infrared light. I understand that
Next, a detection method of the optical touch panel will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4B are diagrams illustrating a method for detecting the coordinate position of an operation article such as a finger using an optical touch panel. 5A to 5D are diagrams illustrating a method for recognizing the form of an operation article such as a hand using an optical touch panel.
4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a method of detecting a coordinate position by an optical touch panel.
As shown in FIG. 4A, when one operator's finger 8 is placed on the motion selection area, light is emitted from the X-axis and Y-axis light emitting elements 31, 33, and there is a finger. Since the irradiated light is blocked in the portion, the off signals are detected by the light receiving elements 32 and 34 facing the X axis and the Y axis.
Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the operation article 8 such as a finger is placed at a position indicated by a point, the coordinates (6, 5) are detected.
Further, the light receiving element detects signals as shown in FIG. Numerical values in the figure indicate signal values detected corresponding to the arrangement of the light receiving elements. “1” is an ON signal (passed signal), and “0” is an OFF signal (blocked signal). By utilizing this, the form of the operation article can be distinguished.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 (A) or FIG. 5 (C), the operation light 8 such as a hand is spread and placed on the operation selection region, thereby partially blocking the light emitted from the light emitting element. . Here, the case where the form is recognized by irradiation only from the X-axis light emitting element 31 is shown.
Thereby, the number of fingers or the like can be detected by distinguishing the off signals detected by the opposing light receiving elements, that is, the X-axis light receiving elements 32.
FIG. 5B shows on / off signals detected by the respective X-axis light receiving elements in FIG. Since the operator spreads the light so that the five fingers do not stick together and blocks the light, from the origin of the coordinate axes (here, the lower left position of the motion selection area is the origin), “1, 1, 0 , 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1 "are detected.
On the other hand, FIG. 5C shows a state where the operator is blocking the light by attaching the ring finger and the middle finger. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5D, a signal of “1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1” is detected from the origin side.
In the two cases of FIGS. 5A and 5C, there are five off signals (“0”), but as is apparent from the figure, the form of the operation article 8 such as the hand of the operator. Is clearly different. That is, if the total number of detected off signals (“0”) is simply identified as the number of operation objects, it is confused with the case where adjacent operation objects 8 are brought close to each other by the operator's intention (see FIG. 5C). , The exact form of the operation article 8 cannot be identified.
Therefore, regardless of the number of off signals (“0”), a case where there is an off signal (“0”) between the on signal (“1”) and the on signal (“1”) is identified as one finger. By doing so, it is possible to distinguish the case where the operation article is brought close (see FIG. 5C).
Thus, in the case of the form shown in FIG. 5A, since there are five patterns “1, 0, 1” in all, it can be recognized as five fingers, and in the case of the form shown in FIG. Can be recognized as four fingers because there are a total of four patterns of “1, 0, 1” or “1, 0, 0, 1”. This recognition is performed by the microcomputer control unit 4.
Thereafter, as described above, the number of fingers is identified by the microcomputer control unit 4, and a form recognition signal is generated. The form recognition signal is a signal that controls each display mode corresponding to the number of fingers and controls the display on the display panel by selecting the identified number of display modes.
Next, the input method of the input device using the touch panel of this invention is demonstrated using FIG.
When the power of the input device 1 using the touch panel is turned on, an initial setting screen is displayed on the display panel 5 provided at a position distant from the input device (step S1).
Then, light from at least one of the X-axis or Y-axis light-emitting elements 31 and 33 of the optical touch panel 3 is blocked by the operation article 8 such as a hand placed on the operation selection region 25 and faces the light-emitting element. The light receiving elements 32 and 34 installed in this way detect the on signal and the off signal, and the microcomputer control unit 4 distinguishes the form of the operation article 8 and recognizes the form (step S2).
At this time, irradiation is performed a plurality of times at regular intervals, and the form of the operation article 8 is recognized only when all of the detected values match. Specifically, the process of step S2 is continuously performed three times at 1 second intervals. Accordingly, it is possible to recognize that the screen mode is selected by the operator's intention, and it is possible to distinguish a case where an operation article such as a hand or a sleeve of clothes is erroneously placed on the optical touch panel.
Then, one of a plurality of display modes displayed on the display panel 5 is selected by a form recognition signal from the microcomputer control unit 4 (step S3).
Thereafter, the display mode is switched to the display mode 5 and displayed on the display panel 5 (step S4).
Then, in the displayed display mode, the position of the operation article 8 such as a finger moving on the operation selection area 25 is detected by the light receiving elements 32 and 34 of the optical touch panel 3 and input to the microcomputer control unit 4. The coordinates of the operation article 8 are obtained and an optical touch panel coordinate signal is generated. The microcomputer control unit 4 transmits the coordinate signal of the coordinates to the display panel 5, and moves the cursor in the operation selection area on the display panel 5 according to the coordinate signal (step S5).
Then, the touch-type touch panel 2 is touched at a position where the cursor of the selected operation selection area is located. Thereby, the microcomputer control unit 4 detects the touch-type touch panel coordinate signal, moves the cursor to a position corresponding to the touch-type touch panel coordinate signal, outputs a confirmation signal from the microcomputer control unit 4, and operates the selected display mode. (Step S6).
When switching to another display mode, an initial setting screen button for ending the current display mode and displaying the initial setting screen in step S1 is selected (step S7). Thereafter, the microcomputer control unit 4 returns to the process of step S1, and the operator recognizes the operation article 8 such as a hand. Instead of step S7, if no operation is performed for a predetermined time after step S6, the process may return directly to step S1.
As described above, the input device 1 and the display panel 5 of the present invention can be different in size. However, when the size of the display panel 5 is made larger than the size of the input device 1, the optical touch panel coordinate signal detected by the optical touch panel 3 is enlarged in accordance with the size of the display panel 5. The cursor moves more coarsely because it grows larger. For this reason, there may be a deviation in the position of the cursor in the selected operation selection area on the display panel 5.
However, since the transparent electrode is formed on the entire surface of the operation selection region 25 in the resistive touch panel 2, the coordinates in the operation selection region 25 can be detected with high accuracy.
In order to eliminate the deviation of the position of the cursor in the selected operation selection area on the display panel due to the roughness of the cursor movement, the cursor is corrected to the position corresponding to the resistive touch panel coordinate signal in step S6 described above. Processing is required.
Thereby, even if the display panel 5 is made larger than the size of the input device 1, the cursor can be displayed following the coordinate signal.
Here, the Example in the case of utilizing the input device using the touch panel of this invention for a car navigation is described.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a car navigation system installed in a vehicle. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an input method when used in a car navigation system. FIG. 9 is an example of an image in each display mode of the car navigation system. Here, the navigation mode is selected when the number of recognized operation objects is one, the air conditioning setting mode when two, the audio mode when three, the vehicle outside camera mode when four, and the five outside camera mode. In this case, the television mode is selected.
As shown in FIG. 7, when used as a car navigation system, the input device 1 using a touch panel is installed near the operator's hand, and is covered with a light-shielding cover 6 to prevent the incidence of external light such as sunlight. It has been broken. More specifically, when it is arranged on the center console, the operator can omit the work of confirming the arrangement location before the operation, and the operability is improved because the movement of the hand is small.
The display panel 5 may be a position where the operator can confirm the line of sight without greatly moving, and is specifically arranged on the instrument panel.
As shown in FIG. 8, when the operator starts the vehicle, the input device 1 is turned on, and an initial setting screen is displayed on the display panel 5 (step S10).
Then, in order to select a display mode to be displayed, the operator creates a desired form with the operation article 8 such as a hand and places it on the operation selection area 25 of the touch-type touch panel 2 for recognition. The optical touch panel 3 emits light from at least one of the X-axis and Y-axis light emitting elements, detects an on signal or an off signal with a light receiving element provided facing the light emitting element, and the microcomputer control unit 4 detects the operation object 8. A form is distinguished and recognized, and a form recognition signal is generated (step S20).
At this time, step S20 is continuously performed three times at 1-second intervals, and it is confirmed that all detected values match, thereby identifying the erroneous operation.
Specifically, when the operator puts one finger on the motion selection area, the number of recognition is recognized as one, and when the operator puts two fingers up, the number of recognition is two, three. When the fingers are placed upright, the number of recognition is recognized as three, respectively. Here, the process in each number of recognition is demonstrated.
(When one finger is raised)
By the number recognition process in step S20, the number of recognition is recognized as one (step S30).
One of the plurality of screen modes is selected by the form recognition signal from the microcomputer control unit 4 and displayed on the display panel 5 (step S40).
Here, since the form recognition signal in the case of one is generated, the navigation mode is selected and displayed.
After that, the optical touch panel 3 detects the position of the operation article 8 such as a finger moving on the operation selection area 25 and inputs it to the microcomputer control unit 4 to obtain the coordinates of the operation article 8, and the optical touch panel coordinate signal Is transmitted to the display panel 5. Then, the cursor 9 moves on the display panel 5 according to the coordinate signal, and an operation is selected (step S50).
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9A, the coordinate position designated by the operator on the motion selection area 25 is detected, and the cursor 9 is moved onto the navigation screen of the display panel 5 according to the optical touch panel coordinate signal. Display. As a result, the operator moves the cursor 9 on the map to move the screen up and down, left and right, or moves the cursor to a selection area to be operated from each selection menu such as enlargement or reduction of the display screen or search for the destination. 9 can be moved to make the selection. Here, the display screen is enlarged.
Then, the operator contacts the touch-type touch panel 2 with the cursor 9 in the selected action selection area, detects the touch-type touch panel coordinate signal, and moves the cursor to a position corresponding to the touch-type touch panel coordinate signal. Then, the confirmation signal is output from the microcomputer control unit 4 and the selected operation is performed (step S60).
Specifically, when the operator wants to enlarge the display screen, as shown in FIG. 9A, the operator moves the operation selection area 25 with a finger and moves the cursor to an area with an enlargement button on the display panel. Move 9 to make a selection. Then, when the contact 9 is touched with the cursor 9 on the enlargement button, the cursor is moved to a position on the enlargement button corresponding to the contact touch panel coordinate signal and the processing of the enlargement button is confirmed, the screen is displayed. Enlarged.
Finally, when switching to another display mode, an initial screen button for returning to the initial setting screen on the display panel is selected with the cursor 9, and the contact type touch panel is touched to confirm (step S70). Thereafter, since the process returns to step S10, the operator may make a form with a finger and recognize it.
Instead of instructing the end with the return button to the initial setting screen, if no operation is performed for a certain period of time after step S60, the operation may return directly to step S10, or the operator may make a form with a finger. Step S10 may be performed by causing the microcomputer control unit to recognize the form for a certain period of time.
(When two fingers are raised)
Since each process is the same as the case where the above-mentioned one finger is raised, a specific process flow will be described below.
Two are recognized by the number recognition process in step S20 (step S31), and an air conditioning setting screen is displayed on the display panel 5 (step S41).
When the operator wants to raise the temperature of the air conditioning from 23 degrees to 25 degrees, as shown in FIG. 9B, the operator moves the operation selection area 25 with the finger 8 and moves the cursor 9 to the area of the temperature increase button. Is selected by moving (Step S50), and the touch panel 2 is touched and determined in a state where the cursor 9 is on the temperature increase button (Step S60). In this case, the touch-type touch panel 2 may be touched twice to raise twice.
Thereafter, the user touches the initial screen button for returning to the initial setting screen, and returns to step S10 (step S70).
(When three fingers are raised)
Similar to the case of two fingers, a specific processing flow will be described below.
The number is recognized by the number recognition process in step S20 (step S32), and an audio screen is displayed on the display panel 5 (step S42).
When the operator wants to skip one song, as shown in FIG. 9 (C), the operator moves the operation selection area 25 with the finger 8 and moves the cursor 9 to the skip button area for selection ( In step S50), the touch panel 2 is contacted once with the cursor 9 being on the skip button and determined (step S60).
Thereafter, the user touches the initial screen button for returning to the initial setting screen, and returns to step S10 (step S70).
(When raising 4 fingers)
Similar to the case of two fingers, a specific processing flow will be described below.
The number is recognized as four by the number recognition process in step S20 (step S33), and the outside camera screen is displayed on the display panel 5 (step S43).
If the operator wants to switch to the rear camera, although not shown, the operator moves the operation selection area 25 with the finger 8 and moves the cursor 9 to the area of the rear camera switching button to perform selection (step S50). ) When the cursor 9 is on the rear camera switching button, the touch panel 2 is touched once and determined (step S60).
Thereafter, the user touches the initial screen button for returning to the initial setting screen, and returns to step S10 (step S70).
(When 5 fingers are raised)
Similar to the case of two fingers, a specific processing flow will be described below.
The number is recognized as five by the number recognition process in step S20 (step S34), and a television screen is displayed on the display panel 5 (step S44).
When the operator wants to change the channel selection, although not shown, the operator moves the operation selection area 25 with the finger 8 and moves the cursor 9 to the area of the channel selection button to perform selection (step S50). In the state where the cursor 9 is on the desired channel selection button, the contact touch panel 2 is contacted once and determined (step S60).
Thereafter, the user touches the initial screen end button to return to the initial setting screen, and returns to step S10 (step S70).
When the inch size of the touch panels 2 and 3 of the input device 1 and the panel size of the display panel 5 are different, the coordinate value on the touch panel obtained in step S50 is converted into the coordinate value of the panel size of the display panel 5, A coordinate signal is generated and transmitted to the display panel. Thereby, the design of the inch size of the touch panel of the input device 1 and the panel size of the display panel can be freely changed.
In the above-described embodiments, the case where the input device 1 using a touch panel is used for a car navigation system has been described. However, the input device 1 may be used as an input device for home appliances or an input device for a game machine.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input device 2 Contact-type touch panel 3 Optical touch panel 4 Microcomputer control part 5 Display panel 6 Light-shielding cover 6a Support stand 6b Opening part 7 Case 8 Operation thing 9 Cursor 21 Upper board 22 Lower board 23 Transparent conductive film 24 Adhesive 25 Operation selection area 31 X-axis light emitting element 32 X-axis light receiving element 33 Y-axis light emitting element 34 Y-axis light receiving element

Claims (6)

1. A contact type touch panel;
   An optical system comprising a plurality of light emitting elements arranged side by side around the X axis and Y axis of the operation selection area to be touched of the contact type touch panel, and a plurality of light receiving elements provided facing the light emitting elements. It consists of a touch panel,
   The light emitted from at least one of the light emitting elements of the X axis or the Y axis is blocked by an operation article such as a hand placed on the operation selection region, and the number of the blocked irradiated lights is detected by the light receiving element. Distinguishing and recognizing the form of the operation article,
   A position of an operation object such as a finger to be moved on the operation selection region is detected from a position of the light receiving element where the irradiation light is blocked to obtain an optical touch panel coordinate of the operation object, and a cursor is displayed;
   An input device using a touch panel, wherein the input information is determined simultaneously with the movement of the cursor by obtaining the contact touch panel coordinates by touching the contact touch panel.
2. The input device using a touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the contact type touch panel and the optical touch panel are covered with a light-shielding cover, and the operation article is inserted through an opening provided on one side.
3. The input device using a touch panel according to claim 1, wherein a resistive touch panel or a capacitive touch panel is used as the contact touch panel.
4. A contact-type touch panel, a plurality of light-emitting elements provided side by side around the X-axis and the Y-axis of the operation selection area touched by the contact-type touch panel, and a plurality of light-receiving elements provided opposite to the light-emitting elements An input method using an input device using a touch panel configured with an optical touch panel provided with an input device by operating and inputting a cursor displayed on a display panel provided at a position away from the input device from the input device There,
   The light emitted from at least one of the X-axis and Y-axis light emitting elements of the optical touch panel is blocked by an operation object such as a hand placed on the operation selection region, and the number of the blocked irradiation lights is received. Detecting with an element and distinguishing the form of the operation article with a microcomputer control unit, selecting one of a plurality of display modes displayed on the display panel with a form recognition signal from the microcomputer control unit,
   Next, in the selected display mode, the position of the operation object such as a finger that moves the operation selection area is detected and input to the microcomputer control unit by detecting the position where the irradiation light is blocked by the light receiving element. The coordinate of the operation article is obtained and an optical touch panel coordinate signal is transmitted to the display panel, and the cursor is moved to the operation selection area on the display panel according to the optical touch panel coordinate signal.
   Touching the contact-type touch panel at a position where the cursor is in the selected operation selection area, inputting a contact-type touch panel coordinate signal generated from the contact-type touch panel to the microcomputer control unit, and setting the cursor to the contact-type touch panel coordinate An input method for an input device using a touch panel, wherein the input device moves to a position corresponding to a signal and outputs a confirmation signal from the microcomputer control unit to operate the selected display mode.
5. The form of the operation article is distinguished by the number of fingers, and one of a plurality of display modes displayed on the display panel is selected by a form recognition signal from the microcomputer control unit. The input method of the input device using the touch panel as described in 2.
6. The input using the touch panel according to claim 4, wherein the microcomputer control unit converts the optical touch panel coordinate signal and the contact touch panel coordinate signal into a coordinate signal corresponding to a monitor size of the display panel. Device input method.

Images